Chapter 9
-Land ahead, captain. – Benn informed Shanks that was sitting in his room. – And a storm with it.
-How long until we reach land? – He questioned, as he gathered the maps and files he had on his table.
-20 minutes. We'll slow down the ship's speed and raise the sails in order to not damage the ship when it enters the storm.
-Very well Benn. Gather as many men as you need to take this ship to safety to that island. – Shanks threw his black cloak over his shoulders and headed to the deck, followed by Benn. – I want this ship intact! After docking the ship, we'll celebrate our reach to this island!
-Very well Shanks. – Benn said after smiling at his captain's plan. He then rushed to the deck and ordered the men to prepare the boat for the storm up ahead. As Shanks exited to the deck, a strong and cold breeze swiftly passed by him, freezing him to the bones: it one a very cold winter island and he wasn't very fond of that idea. Returning to his room he got into a more comfortable set of clothes which consisted on a long, thermal, sleeved shirt, winter pants, high black boots and a long black cloak with a puffy collar to warm up his neck.
As the red haired captain rushed outside, he stumbled upon a figure that was dressed in winter clothes from head to toe. It was Alexis. She was wearing a dark-green, long sleeve shirt, black winter pants, black boots that reached her knees and, over all that, a black warm cloak with a hood that was surrounded by white fur. On her back she had her scythe attached to some kind of mechanism that she invented and it worked perfectly fine.
-Captain. – She seemed so cheered this day and that was enough to eliminate the future cold that Shanks was about to face on that island.
-Are you ready? – He questioned as he accompanied her to the deck.
-Very excited! – Her eyes began to glow as she spotted the white land ahead. – I always wanted to see snow.
-I'm glad you're this happy. – He placed a hand on her head and brushed her head, winning a complaint from the shorter woman next to him.
-Do you like snow? – She had her hands closed in fists, by each side of her face, giving her an adorable and innocent look.
-Not really. – He chuckled lightly at Alexis' poise before returning his hand to his side.
-How come? – A sudden look of confusion appeared on her eyes.
-Too cold. – He chuckled, trying to wash away that look of hers. I worked easily.
-We're approaching the island, Shanks! – Roo informed as he appeared on the couple's eye sight.
-Very well. Prepare to dock this ship! – He ordered and earned a bow from Roo before he disappeared once again. In a matter of minutes they were reaching the island and on safe land.
-Why this island? – Alexis asked suddenly capturing her captain's attention.
-Well… - He brushed the back of his head, deep in thought. – I heard there were some thermal waters in a spa at one of the villages in this island. – Alexis looked at him in disbelief he raised his hand in the air in defeat. – The men need some relaxation once in a while.
-You are constantly celebration for any minor thing. – She stated and he laughed.
-Yes we do but they need to be taken care of once in a while and a spa is perfect to unwind. – A sigh escape his lips. – That, booze and women.
-My, my. – She seemed impressed but at the same time amused. Shanks raised an eyebrow at her. – A man of simple pleasures. I can enjoy that. – She raised her hands and shoulders in a laidback manner.
Shanks leaned closer to her ear to whisper some words that made her blush instantly.
-Maybe the spa is mixed. – He gave her an evil smirk when he heard her squeak lightly before bursting out in laughter.
-Captain, we're ready. – Joshua interrupted the couple's moment.
-Very well. – He looked at Yasopp. – You got the coordinates?
-Yes Shanks.
-Very well. Let's go. – He began to walk before mumbling something that Benn, who was near his captain, smiled to. – I want to get my ass out of this cold as quickly as possible.
Alexis rushed to Benn's side and slowed her pace in order to walk side by side with him. He raised a curious eyebrow at the woman but didn't really feel bothered by her presence.
-Is there anything interesting about this island that we should be aware of? – Alexis question, capturing Benn's gaze.
-Well I heard rumors that people tend to get lost very easily on this island. Something about the storms when they rise up they alter the path. – He stated which caused Alexis to grab onto his cloak tightly. He chuckled lightly. – You don't want to get lost, now do you? – She only nodded negatively at him with big bright eyes. She could really look like a child even though she was nearly 30 years old. A sudden rush of wind rose up, causing the two pirates to stop on their feet to protect their eyes from the unforgivably painful shards of ice that flew towards them. As they opened their eyes there was no sight of the crew before them.
-Fuck. – Alexis mumbled and Benn let out a loud laughter.
-That was unexpected. – He chuckled out, earning an angry gaze from the red haired woman.
-Why did this island need to have this fucked up feature?
-Because it needs to fuck with us pirates. – It was Alexis turn to laugh at his statement. She never heard Benn Beckman curse and it was fun now that she listened to it. – C'mon. They are probably heading to the village. We'll go as well.
-How? We don't know where we need to head and we don't know where we are located in this god damned island. – She crouched down and took hold of a ball of snow on her naked hands. – Although the snow is still fun. It's so pretty! – Her eyes were glowing in pure happiness.
-C'mon my young child.
-Hey!
-You're acting like one.
-So?
-You're a child.
-Punk…
-What was that?
-GRANDPA! – She pouted at him and Benn only laughed loudly. She got up and began to walk onward, followed by Benn.
-Do you know where to go, at least?
-No… - She eyed him from the corner of her eye, spotting a smile on his face. She couldn't help a smile of her own that managed to find its way to her lips. – Where do we go to then?
-Follow me. – He turned to his right and began to walk on that direction. Alexis quickly walked beside him, grabbing onto his cloak as if her life depended on that. He smiled thinking that was probably a good plan in order for them to not get separated once again.
They walked for 5 minutes when they heard a growl to their right, startling them.
-What was that? – Alexis' voice was somewhat shaky.
-Let's move. – Benn knew what it was: ice wolves and not the small ones. But his mind was deceived when the growl turned into laughter.
A female laughter.
-More people are lost? – She questioned his crew mate but he was too serious, searching the area around them.
-They don't seem lost. – He stated and Alexis shivered. – They know exactly where they are and what to do with us.
All of the sudden a figure jumped towards them. Benn pushed Alexis to the side, protecting her from any harm to come from the leaping figure. He pulled out his rifle and shot towards the figure that dodged it quickly.
Alexis got up from the ground and gazed at Benn, searching for any major wounds. Luckily he was unharmed. A shadow appeared to her right so she swiftly moved and raised her arms in a cross in front of her face, blocking a strong kick that sent her sliding a few feet away from her previous position.
Alexis pulled her scythe out, and positioned herself in a fighting stance. Although feeling somewhat protected with having the blade on her hands, something in her made her be somewhat unsure since the cold could easily weaken the metal, causing it to break quickly.
-Benn! – She called and received a grunt in response from the pirate. – Don't go too far away. We cannot afford to be separated!
-I know. – He rushed to her and placed himself back to back with her.
-Got a plan? – She questioned before blocking another attack. Whomever they were facing, they were fighting barehanded.
-Defeat these guys quickly and keep moving.
-Good idea.
-I believe it won't be that easy. – A green haired woman appeared on their line of sight, a cocky smile on her face. – We are the infamous snow bandits: the Seppen bandits.
-At least you have a better name than the previous group we've encountered. – Alexis commented only to receive another blow to her left which she blocked it once again.
-Don't toy with them too much Alexis. – Benn informed, a worried expression washing his features. – They are not to be mocked around. I've heard of them before and they are bad news.
For Benn to be worried Alexis felt a fear rising in her chest but yet, deep inside a rush to fight was intensifying.
-You are informed aren't you? – The woman mocked, brushing a green lock away from her face. – A shame that you'll need to die soon.
Alexis put away her scythe, afraid to brake the beautiful black winged blade and raised her fists, ready for anything body contact that would come from a promised fight.
-Someone seems confident. What do you say we finish this quick Midori-san? – A male voice echoed to the pirates' left.
-It would be for the best of them but I want to have some fun. – She mocked once again and raised a finger in the air, twirling it. Shards of ice surrounded her slim figure before lunging towards the two pirates. Alexis protected her face and chest the best she could but the shards managed to cut the sides of her torso. A small shard managed to actually stab her side causing her to hiss at the sudden cold pain. Benn protected himself and Alexis with his rifle and his free arm, earning a few shards to stab it. As Alexis lowered her arms to see what would go next, Midori was on her, her slim hand taking hold of Alexis' throat.
-Alexis! – Benn was about to shoot the green haired woman but was blocked by a black haired man that stood on his way and punched Benn's weapon.
-Not so fast old man. – The boy before him smirked evilly before lunging towards Benn's huge body. The pirate punched the bandit to the side and raised his rifle once again, shooting towards him but missing. The brat was fast.
As Alexis fell to the ground, Midori chocking her, the pirates mind began to turn fuzzy and confused with mixed thoughts and feelings. Death was approaching and at a fast pace to the young pirate but she refused to die. Letting out a guttural shout, a power began to rush through Alexis' body making her grab onto Midori's wrist and breaking it. The green haired woman let out a shriek of pain and stepped back from the red haired woman. To her surprise, the pirate's crimson colored hair slowly turned white as snow. A sadistic smile appeared on Alexis face before she lunged at Midori at high speed. One second away from punching her, a large curved blade appeared on Alexis arm, pointing at Midori's eyeball and ready to strike. Sadly this surprise attack was blocked by the younger bandit that stood before his leader, blocking the strike with a small knife.
-Midori-san are you alright? – The young boy asked.
-Yes Karasu-dear. – She attempted to move her wrist but it hurt too much for her to move once inch. – That damned bitch broke my wrist.
-Bitch? – Alexis gaze fell upon the two bandits and smirked evilly at them. – My, my. You should be careful when you are speaking to your death.
-Should I kill her Midori-san? – The young boy called Karasu spoke out, raising his blade upward in a challenging manner.
-No Karasu-dear. Let's leave for now. – She hissed at Alexis and Benn before she disappeared in the snow storm.
-Come back here! – Alexis shouted but a hand took hold of her shoulder. – What!? – She hissed at Benn that was holding her back.
-Now we need to return to the crew. – He pressed his fingers on special nerves on the back of neck, relaxing the woman. Her hair returned to the familiar red color he knew and a smile turned to her lips.
-I'm sorry… - She whispered before passing out.
Benn took hold of her limp body and analyzed it for any major wounds. The more threatening was the one that still had the shard on it. He removed his sash from his waist before pulling out the shard, letting the wound bleed out to clean any kind of impurities. He wrapped his sash around the wound tightly in order to stop the bleeding before carrying her on his arms.
He needed to reach the crew soon.
A/N:
Yes more fighting: hazzah!
I'm into a mood for fighting O.O
Anyways they finally reached the winter island and quickly got lost from each other XP I'm not sure if the following chapter will be the rest of the crew's adventure of being separated from each other or Alexis and Benn finally returning to them at the village.
Still need to think that through.
A new crew was introduced here. Bandits! :D I invented them: the Seppen pirates. Seppen stands for SnowFlakes in japanese along with the names of the two introduced characters: Midori stands for greenery and Karasu stands for crow/raven.
Anyways I hope you enjoy this chapter :D have a very nice day!
I do not own One Piece
I only own Alexis, Joshua, Karasu, Midori and the Seppen Bandits.
And now... ONTO THE NEXT CHAPTER!
Oh, one last thing: a lemon will come up in a few chapters so... Stay tunned!