What's this? Two updates in one day! Oh, I love spoiling you my loyal viewers…you know, when I'm not on my long delayed periods where updates vanish completely.
I know this is probably not the right "wind" that needs updating but trust me, a new chapter of that is in the works and I should finish it…at some point.
Until then, I hope you all enjoy this chapter of the Scarlet Wind.
What horrors await Luffy/Scarlet in this instalment?
Which new super villain will be unveiled?
Will Nami ever admit its actually a date?
Will Shadow ever shut up and let you simply read the chapter?
Find out the answer to these questions and more…right now.
Chapter 4: Duality Principle Act 3
Luffy P.O.V
As the bell rings, I leap out of my seat, almost knocking my desk over.
'ALRIGHT!' I cry with a laugh. The whole class turns to glare at me, well aware of my upcoming night with Nami and the greatest musician who ever lived. Pell chuckles, giving me a questioning look.
'Well Luffy, I didn't know you were so passionate about Shakespeare,' he said, gesturing to the unit lists he wrote up on the board for the next semester. 'Perhaps you could consider taking a role in the try-outs for the school play next month if you're so enthusiastic on the subject.'
My face pales and the whole class bursts out in laughter at my obvious fumble.
'Yeah, I'll think about it Pell, sorry,' I respond, rubbing the back of my head. Pell nods, understanding I've learnt my lesson and looks to the rest of the class. 'Alright, you're all dismissed then. Make sure to look through your book of Sonnets over the weekend and remember that your coursework on Gothic literature is due in next month as well. It'd be best to get an early start on it.'
Pell's word reach few people in the class as the students begin racing to freedom. Slipping my books roughly into my bag, I spin to my side and grin at my orange haired classmate. Nami looks back at me, giving me a small smile.
'Ready to go then?' she asks, her voice surprisingly quiet.
'You know it,' I reply with a chuckle. 'Thanks again for inviting me out like this. It's gonna be awesome chilling together. We haven't done it in ages.'
'Yeah…' Nami murmurs. Her smile is still there but something seems wrong. Her face is bright red and her breathing seems heavy. I frown at her.
'Nami, are you…' I start to ask, only for two firm hands to clamp down on my shoulders.
'There's our best friend in the whole wide world!' Sanji shouts far too enthusiastically, slapping me on the back as hard as he can.
'You don't mind if we borrow him, do you Nami?' Zoro asks with a completely out of character smile.
'We need to exchange answers for the maths test on Monday,' Usopp adds, popping up beside the two and joining in their freaky behaviour. Even Chopper appears from underneath my long nosed friend and gives me a similar smirk.
My eyebrow raises at this. Answers from me? But Sanji and Usopp always call me an idiot and Zoro's not the kind of guy who asks for help on this sort of thing. Plus, Chopper's a freaking child genius. Surely Nami knows that too…
'Oh, sure. Go on, I'll leave you boys to it!~' Nami calls in such a sweet way that I feel like I've swallowed a lump of sugar. I gag on her words, looking to her with clouded eyes.
'What? N-nami?' I splutter as the girl springs up from her desk. 'But I thought…'
Before I can finish, Nami is up and across the room. She grabs Robin's arm before the bookworm can leave and waves to me.
'I'll see you outside Luffy!~' she shouts happily, before dragging Robin out of the room with her. The two are quickly followed by Vivi and Kaya, both of whom are giggling and waving as well. I wave back and shrug my shoulders. Girls are weird…
Then again, all of my friends are weird it turns out…
The second Nami and the girls are out of the room, Sanji pushes my desk away and the boys take their places standing in front of me, staring down at me with piercing eyes.
Suddenly, I feel like I'm on trial. Zoro's patient gaze makes him the judge, Usopp and Chopper's knowing grins presents them as the jury, whilst Sanji's flaming glare clearly means he's the executioner.
'Alright, listen here shit-head!' Sanji bellows, giving me a blazing glare. 'You better be good to her! You got that?'
'Be careful Luffy,' Zoro interjects. 'Guard your wallet with your life!'
'You should do something special for her since it's your first,' Chopper comments. 'Like…get her flowers or a present or something like that.'
'Nothing too expensive though,' Usopp put it. 'Or else then she'll think you're trying too hard.'
'Your eyes better not stray below the neck and that goes double for your hands!' Sanji howls.
'And don't let her hold onto your phone or your stuff, you'll see it on E-bay before the night is done,' Zoro states.
'Make sure you don't leave her behind,' Usopp warns. 'Let her know that tonight, you're there for her.'
'And have fun too and try and get her to have fun,' Chopper advises.
'Nami swan is an angel…'
'She's the devil…'
'She's a good catch…'
'And a good friend…'
'SO DON'T SCREW THIS UP IDIOT!' the four chorus at once, pointing their fingers accusingly at my chest. I blink, trying to soak in everything the four have just been saying.
For a moment, the gears in my brain struggle to move, clicking angrily as I try and piece together the advice. Finally, when the gears start turning once more, I can only say one thing.
'What the heck are you guys talking about?' A desperate groan escapes the three as their faces meet their palms.
'What do you mean what are we talking about?' Sanji roars, stamping the floor with his right leg.
'We're giving you advice for your date with Nami!' Zoro continues, folding his arms.
'Yeah, you should be thanking us,' Usopp murmurs with a pout.
'Not that we like compliments bastard!' Chopper shouts. The trio nod together at the boy's words.
Despite their serious expressions, I laugh at their reasoning.
'You think that we're going on a date? This is just a hangout, like a friend thing. Why would you think it be anything else? I mean, it's Nami who asked me, right?' The four pause.
They look to me, then to each other, then back at me.
If I didn't know any better, I'd have suspected they'd just discovered my secret identity they looked that bemused.
Finally, Zoro sighs and walks towards the door, throwing his hands up in the air.
'Screw it, the kid's hopelessly in denial!' he complains.
'She sure knows how to pick them,' Usopp mutters under his breath, dragging Chopper along. The brown haired boy merely shakes his head at me.
'How dare you play with Nami-swan's heart like this!' Sanji agrees, though he seems somewhat relieved as he smiles.
Without another word, my three friends open the classroom door and slam it shut, leaving me watching them in a daze.
I turn to the front in confusion and spot Pell sitting at his desk giving me a wide smile.
Why is it that everyone in this school seems to know something but me?
'…Seriously, what just happened!?' I ask him in a last act of desperation.
Pell just laughs and follows my friends out of the room. I moan angrily, slamming my head on the desk.
I love my friends but sometimes, they can be real weirdos.
Nami P.O.V
'I am so doomed!' I scream, collapsing against the wall. The reality of the situation has been creeping up on me all day but now, it was grasping at my throat like a hangman's noose.
'Oh come on Nami,' Vivi pleads with her misty grey eyes.
'Yeah, everything would be better if you weren't so melodramatic,' Robin says.
'I don't see the problem here anyway,' Kaya mumbles, cupping her chin in thought. 'What are you so stressed about?'
I give the blonde a look of disbelief, my jaw hanging loose as I stare at her. For someone who was supposed to be quite intelligent, Kaya had just said the dumbest thing.
'Because I just asked my best friend on a date!'
'So it is a date?' Robin responds with that usual twist of her lips. I hold in a scream, gritting my teeth as my whole body tenses.
'Yes, fine! It's a date!' I say, submitting to Robin's expectations. The girls exchange glances and let out an 'aw'.
'How cute!~' Kaya exclaims.
'I think you two make a really nice couple Nami,' Vivi voices with an encouraging smile. Their comments do anything but encourage me though. I slump further against the wall.
'I just don't know what to do now though,' I grumble. 'I mean…before, things were easy. I was just hanging out with Luffy and having fun but now…I feel like there's all this pressure and tension.'
'Nami, how did you first fall in love with Luffy?'
'I am not in love with…' I start, but Robin waves away my excuses with a sigh.
'Nami, let's be realistic here,' she says. 'How did you grow to have feelings for him?' I sigh, condemning myself to the truth I had kept locked close to my chest for so long.
'I enjoy being with him,' I explain, hoping that the answer were vague enough for Robin to drop the subject.
'Then what's the problem?' Robin inquires. Happily, not a single thought pops into my head.
'Nami, you're just overthinking things,' Vivi elaborates with a grin. 'Just don't try to force anything and let everything tonight be natural. You'll find yourself enjoying the concert and the "date" more that way.' I give a small sigh and force a smile to my face.
'I guess you're all right,' I comment, pulling myself up off the floor and standing tall once more.
'Just try and have fun and whatever happens tonight…happens,' Kaya put in sweetly. I nod in simple understanding.
'I guess tonight won't be so bad,' I reluctantly concede. My friends' faces all brighten up at this statement.
At that moment, the door to the classroom smashes open, causing all of us to turn and stare. Zoro, Usopp, Chopper and Sanji file out of the room, shaking their heads in unison.
'Good luck Nami, you're going to need it,' the four of them announce together, not bothering to stop as they march along. The girls join me in my confusion, watching the four boys leave, before refocusing our looks on the classroom door.
Pell walks out the door with the class folder under his arm and chuckles, beckoning the last person inside to leave so he can lock up the classroom for the weekend.
Sure enough, in a matter of moments, Luffy springs out of the door. A strained expression melts away on his face as he catches sight of me. Everyone turns to me, no doubt noticing my reddening cheeks under Luffy's stare.
'Alright Nami, let's go!' Luffy announces, charging forwards and grabbing my hand, before pulling me along down the corridor.
'You don't even know where we're going!' I shout, but Luffy doesn't seem to pay much attention to my comments. Robin gives me a wink as Vivi and Kaya chuckle. Even Pell lifts his left hand up in the air as he grins.
'Have fun you two,' he calls.
I frown back at them before looking towards Luffy who seems blissfully unaware of their teasing. Still marching towards the front entrance, the idiot is grinning widely. He looks back and with a wink, encourages me to return his stupid grin. I do so without hesitation.
Date or no date, I know I need to make the most of tonight. Maybe being alone with Luffy is just what I need to sort my head out.
This concert can help me figure out what this idiot means to me, whether he's just my best friend or whether there actually is something deeper there that I never noticed before. I just need to go with the flow and enjoy my time with Luffy.
Who knows? Maybe I'll discover something about our relationship I had never even considered before.
Anything can happen.
3rd person P.O.V
Spandam was silent as the limo steadily rolled along. His eyes studied the odd looking man opposite him intently.
Palazzo Buggy was chuckling madly to himself on the seat opposite, staring at his twitching hands with disbelief. The specially designed outfit to accommodate for his new abilities had originally been a simple white one piece suit.
Buggy, however, had insisted on making some small changes here and there. The result was a flamboyant mess of colour. His one piece suit was now striped red and white and a large orange captain's cloak hung from his shoulders. His face was covered in odd paint patterns with a white skull and cross bones staining the man's poor complexion as his ruby red lips and nose twinkled in the fleeting outside light.
On his head was a pompous orange pirate captain's hat which proudly informed the world that the man sitting in the limo was a accomplished eccentric individual.
Spandam remained unamused by Buggy's gleeful cackling, however.
The red nosed fool had spent all of the morning trying to pick out the correct "outfit" for his new super villain persona, completely forgetting the more important issue of his powers. In fact, if anything, the man was taking his newly given powers completely for granted. For the smallest thing, Buggy would showcase his new abilities, turning his impossible power into a simple plaything.
Even now, Buggy was testing his new ability with a bizarre childlike smile. His left hand was currently floating in front of his face, waving enthusiastically from side to side. His left arm, however, was still resting next to his body. The hand was floating in mid-air, dancing on nothingness. Buggy laughed at the simple demonstration and with a flick of his wrist, off popped the other hand.
Showcasing his great lack of respect for logic or physics, the hand flew up to the other, returned its wave before the two hands gripped one another in a firm shake. This had the clown in stitches.
As his patience withered into nothingness, Spandam finally spoke up.
'Palazzo, we need you to focus now!' he demanded. Buggy immediately stopped what he was doing. The hands returned to his arms and he gave an awkward laugh. He shrugged only for his arms to pop off completely.
'Sorry boss, just getting used to this,' the clown said. Spandam could tell from the squeaks of joy in his voice that he wasn't sorry at all.
'Whatever,' Spandam conceded with an audible sigh. 'The point is that right now, we need to start planning our next move.' Buggy's glee vanished.
'Next move?'
'Yeah, how you're going to take on the Scarlet Wind.' Buggy's mouth fumbled into a grin.
'Oh yeah, that flashy Scarlet has got a whole lot of hurt coming for him!' Buggy announced, slamming a separated fist into a floating hand.
'Indeed,' Spandam murmured, disregarding Buggy's words. 'So, I think it'd be best we plan our next move carefully, strike our enemy when he's weak so we…you can effectively get some payback.'
'Payback?' Buggy murmured. 'Yeah, I can get payback! I can get payback for everyone who's ever screwed me over: Old man Rayleigh, Beckman…even that flashy bastard Shanks and his bitch and her little orphan brats!'
'Listen Palazzo,' Spandam spoke up, casting him a stern glare. 'Solving your own personal problems are all well and good but remember the deal. These powers you have are only yours so you can squash that pesky Scarlet freak.' Buggy's manic expression faded as he looked up to Spandam.
'What did you say?'
'I said remember the deal…'
'No, you said listen,' Buggy interrupted, before a menacing grin came to his blood red lips. 'Why should I listen to you?' Spandam's eyes widened. He could almost feel a noose tightening around his neck as his client spoke those words.
'Listen here you insignificant…' he began.
'No!' Buggy spat, his face morphing into a mask of rage as his body parts began popping off at random. His right arm flew forwards, splitting into smaller chunks as his hand grabbed Spandam's throat and slammed him into the blacked out window behind him.
'You're going to listen to me! All my life big people like you have walked all over me! Buggy? Buggy couldn't do anything about that and he's had to play along with your games…but Chop Chop man? Chop Chop man doesn't have to put up with your bullshit anymore! He's his own man and I have the power to do whatever I want!'
Spandam gargled helplessly in reply, clutching at the floating hand that was gripping his throat.
'Palazzo, stop this. You're making a…'
'Mistake?' Buggy finished with a flamboyant laugh. 'No, I don't make mistakes anymore. You see, now I'm bigger, badder and better than you or your Mr Zero fella. From now on, Palazzo Buggy is going to get everything he deserves coming to him.' As Buggy spoke, his left arm shot off from his body and reached the limo door. With a twitch of Buggy's eye, the hands finger's tightened around the handle and flung the door open.
A screeching sound cried outside the car as oncoming traffic collided head on with the open door, smashing it straight off its hinges. Buggy chuckled as Spandam gave a worried glance to the open door. Surely enough, the limo ground to a halt. In a matter of moments, horns and car alarms filled the air.
Buggy took the violent stopping of the car as a sign of leave and he hopped out of the limo, his arms retreating back to their master as he stepped outside.
'I'd love to stay here and chat Spanda,' Buggy called with a sickeningly confident tone in his voice. 'But I've got a date with destiny and she's a dame you don't want to keep waiting. Thanks for the powers!'
And with that Palazzo Buggy began sprinting down the street, leaving the scene much less dramatically than he had probably intended. Spandam groaned, nursing the bruise on his neck from Buggy's grip. He could only guess how angry Mr Zero was about to become.
As the window his head had smashed into began to open, Spandam let out a sigh to ready himself for another strange interaction.
'Well, that went well,' Vegapunk commented calmly. 'If his skill with his powers is the same as his creativity with names, you should have no problem in sorting that idiot out.' The green haired genius turned to the driver and leaned on her shoulder, looking her in the eye as he continued. 'I mean, Chop Chop man? What was he thinking?'
'He wasn't,' Paula responded, rolling her shoulders in an attempt to get rid of the scientist. Vegapunk merely nodded in agreement before turning back to Spandam.
'I still don't know what you were thinking,' he muttered. 'The fool didn't deserve those abilities I just gave him. Why did you recruit him in the first place?'
'Palazzo was down on his luck and he seemed willing to assist Waxwork in taking down our red enemy,' Spandam replied, clearing his throat nervously. The composure he had been trying to keep during his time as Mr Zero's right hand man was beginning to slip. He wasn't necessarily a powerful man but he knew how to use people and that was a useful asset. Sadly, it appeared that this skill hadn't been as much use to him as he previously had hoped.
'Well, Mr Zero is going to be over the moon,' Vegapunk murmured. 'And for your failure, you might be going to the bottom of the ocean.'
'Watch yourself,' Spandam snapped. The scientist merely grinned.
'I'm just saying. This is one big screw up for you.'
'Mr Zero told you to create someone to fight the Scarlet Wind. You don't think he'll fight back when Scarlet tries to lock him up?' Spandam questioned. Vegapunk paused thoughtfully.
'I suppose this is salvageable then…' he commented to no-one in particular. 'We shall just have to wait and see what comes next.' Spandam nodded.
Vegapunk was correct.
Anything could happen.
Luffy P.O.V
I know I've not really been to too many places. I mean, there was that one time when Ace, I and Sabo were younger and Makino and Shanks took us on holiday but since then, I've never really left my hometown.
Despite that, I've got to say downtown Dawn City is one of my favourite places to be, especially for a lazy afternoon after school. The sidewalks might be full and the roads might be backed up around the block but there's something nice about a bustling city in the setting sun that just makes you smile.
As the bus doors open with a whoosh, I leap out, dragging Nami along with me. My orange haired friend groans as she straightens out her skirt and adjusts her hair.
'I can't believe we had to stand up the whole way here,' she groans.
'I can't believe you're still going on about it,' I taunt, sticking out my tongue to let Nami know I'm joking. Nami, never the less, gives me a deadpan stare before reaching over and poking it hard.
'OW!~' I groan in complaint, whilst Nami giggles to herself.
'That is for being mean to the person who's treating you to dinner and a concert,' she states with a sly grin. I laugh, wiping my mouth with one hand before smirking at her.
'Fair enough, I guess I had that one coming,' I concede. Nami nods.
'Well, I suppose you're not so bad then,' she comments with a playful shove. 'Alright then idiot, where do you wanna go first?'
'FOOD!' I whine in reply. Nami sighs.
'Did I really need to ask?' she wonders aloud, before turning to me for more hints. 'Anywhere in particular?'
'As long as it's edible, I don't care,' I reply with a nonchalant shrug. Nami's eyes narrow.
'Come on, Genzo's treating us here. You might as well make the most of it.'
'Well, when you put it like that,' I mutter, folding my arms with another one of my wide grins. Nami stifles a giggle at my comment before glancing around. Seeing her looking, I decide to join in her in looking. The street is full of shops from the big high-street clothing stores to those small comic book shops that Usopp likes to go in. There's not a single restaurant in sight.
'Well…' I mumble out loud. 'Maybe we should just start walking around and then we can see if there's anywhere we fancy settling down for a bite.'
'Good idea,' Nami agreed, before breaking out into a playful smirk. 'You don't usually have too many of those, today must be a good day for you.'
'I'll take that as a compliment,' I retort, grabbing hold of Nami's hand and dragging her along as I walked. I can't help but feel relieved as Nami falls into step with me, the smile clinging to her lips. I've got to admit, it's a nice change seeing Nami this happy.
Recently, she's seemed distracted and stressed about something but now, I get the feeling that everything is okay…at least for tonight. If that's the case then, I'm going to make tonight the best night I can for her.
We ended up walking for a few minutes before we finally stopped and started properly looking for a restaurant. It was Nami's idea when she suddenly spotted how late things were getting.
It was weird how quickly time passes when you're talking about mindless and simple things. As Nami starts studying the menus of each restaurant we pass for anything that catches her eye, I've got to admit I can't even remember anything we had been talking about before now.
Something about family, something about friends, something about her new job…I don't really remember any more than that.
All I know is that I loved just talking and spending time with Nami. I didn't realise until now just how much I've missed hanging with Nami in particular. Of course, I've missed chilling with the guys and the other girls but with Nami and me, there's always been just something awesome whenever we're together.
Something I can't exactly put my finger on…some…some kind of spark…
'What about here?' Nami questions as we stop outside another restaurant. 'Look at the menu! "All you can eat from around the world: dine on cuisine from Asia, Europe, America and other exotic locales".' Nami turns to me for a verdict.
'You had me at "eat",' I reply with a grin, gripping Nami's hand again and whisking her inside. Nami chuckles to herself as the door swings open.
Luckily, there's no queue to get in so me and Nami are quickly able to jump in front of the counter and speak to the woman there.
The woman's hair is bright pink and sticks out at random in a flamboyant display. As we approach she acknowledges us with a wide smile and an enthusiastic curtsy.
'Welcome to the East Blue Fin where dishes from all around the world join hands to be eaten side by side!~' she cries, posing like a salsa dancer. Nami and me exchange a look of confusion at the bizarre image.
'Er…' Nami starts.
'Oh call me Carmen my little flowers,' the rose haired woman interrupts, completely mistaking our surprise.
'Right…Carmen, table for two please,' Nami states hesitantly, still uncertain about the woman's flamboyant display. Carmen nods, bowing low before clicking her fingers and producing a rose into her lips.
'Of course, right this way if you please!' As she saunters off, we follow.
'Next time, I'm choosing the restaurant,' Nami whispers in my ear as we go and I chuckle in reply. Spotting our conversation, Carmen smiles before gesturing to a small enclosed booth to her left.
'Here you go folks, a table for the cute couple!~' she practically sings.
'We are not a couple!' Nami insists as if on instinct. I laugh at the claim as well. That just proves the guys were talking all nonsense about Nami asking me out on a date…
Why did I feel a little hollow about that victory?
Carmen casts a surprised look between us. Following her gaze, I suddenly realise I've still been holding Nami's hand this entire time. Nami sees this too and quickly pulls away before giving a laugh.
'We're…we're just two good friends out for a night on the town,' she explains. Carmen casts a smile at the two of us, as if she knows perfectly what's going on (man, I hate it when people do that) and then gestures to the buffet which stretches out behind her.
'Well, whenever you're ready, grab a plate and feel free to help yourself,' she encourages before dashing off back towards the
'Right, you ready to go?' Nami asks, instantly springing up from the table with an odd laugh before looking towards the food. I stand up beaming, fully ready to accept her proposal…when I suddenly remember something I've forgotten to do. Digging in my pocket for my phone, I sit back down on the seat. Pretty comfy. Nami choose a good place.
'You go get your meal first!' I say. Nami raises an eyebrow at me.
'Don't tell me you're not hungry?' she mutters in disbelief. I laugh at her shock, before turning back to my phone.
'I just need to message Makino,' I explain with a grin. 'Tell her why I'm not going to be home tonight.' Nami's eyes widen before she sighs, planting her hand firmly on her forehead.
'What's wrong?' I ask, tilting my head to one side.
'I thought you'd already asked her if you could come. It probably would have been better if you had actually asked Makino that you could come see Brook with me at lunch. Aren't you supposed to be grounded?'
'I'm not exactly sure of that myself,' I mumble, scratching my cheek with my index finger. 'I mean there was the thing with Garp…and then Hancock. I'm sure she'll be fine with this though.'
'And if she's not?' Nami questions. 'What if she's mad that you're going out having fun with me?' I force a wide smile to my lips, ignoring mental images of Makino spewing fire from her mouth.
'Ever heard the term it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission?'
Makino P.O.V
'Kiwi, table three's order,' I say, planting the tray in front of her. The woman with black box-shaped hair grins and salutes.
'Sure thing,' she replies, scooping up the tray.
'Business is really booming tonight,' Mozu comments from by my side, quickly drying a pint glass before putting it under the counter with the others.
'It's Friday,' I respond. 'Works over for another two days for most people and their first order of business is getting drunk.'
'I hear that,' Mozu comments, eying the drink I was pouring to add to the next order.
'Not until you're off your shift,' I warn her with a playful smile.
'As harsh as always Makino,' Mozu comments, dramatically holding her palm to her forehead.
'Don't know how your Ace and Luffy cope with you when Shanks isn't there to bail them out,' Kiwi agrees, sauntering up to take the next order.
'I'll have you know I am always just and fair with my boys,' I counter, waving off their comments. 'ALL of my boys.'
'Ouch, don't even give your man any leniency, huh?'
'How is Luffy doing anyway?' Mozu wonders aloud. 'I haven't seen him in a while.' As Mozu speaks, the weight on my shoulders from the other night returns. I thought that working a few extra shifts would help keep my mind off of it.
Luffy said he didn't like me worrying…but now that the concern is back, I can't help but embrace it until it consumes me.
'That boy…I…I don't know,' I concede with an agitated sigh. Kiwi and Mozu exchange curious glances, before looking to me once more, seeking clarity. 'One moment, he's fine and he's happy and then he's coming back late at night covered in bruises. I just don't know what's going on with him or what to do about it.'
'Teenagers all have that rebellious phase,' Kiwi comments, giving me a reassuring pat on the shoulder. 'I'm sure he's just out having fun with his friends.'
'I don't know,' I mutter, staring into the drink I just poured, hoping it would hold some answer. 'He's acting far too secretive for that…and he hasn't been hanging out with them much.'
'Maybe our Luffy has a secret double life,' Kiwi suggests.
'Maybe he's got a secret girlfriend!' Mozu shouts, holding her hand up in the air as if that answers all our questions.
'A secret girlfriend?' I laugh at the suggestion. 'You're acting just like Ace now. I don't think it's that.' Quickly preparing another drink, I place it on the tray and inform Kiwi to take the order to Table 5. As she saunters away, however, I suddenly begin to piece things together in my mind.
'…You know, that might actually make sense.' Mozu turns to me in confusion.
'What?'
'The whole secret girlfriend thing. It actually makes sense when I think about it…' Mozu leans in, intrigued with my deduction.
'How so?'
'Well…last Monday, I get a call whilst at home, there's this girl from Luffy's class and she wanted to talk to him. When I asked what about, she said it was a project and that she knows Luffy from class. Luffy never really mentioned here before though, so I had a look through some school stuff on the school website and I managed to find a class photo. She was there, arms around Luffy's neck. She was quite the looker too.'
'Really?' Mozu comments between giggles. 'I thought your son always had a thing for that red-head he was always hanging around.'
'Nami?' I ask. An image of the two pops up in my head and I find myself nodding in agreement. 'I suppose they were close…but Luffy seems to be quite interested in this other girl.'
'So our Luffy is growing up and found himself a nice girl?' Kiwi puts in, returning from handing out the drinks. 'Good for him.'
'I suppose…though that doesn't really explain the bruises though…' I mumble, cupping my chin in thought.
'Maybe Luffy broke up with the other girl,' Mozu contemplates.
'Maybe he was cheating on this other girl with Nami and she beat him up for it?' Kiwi comments. The three of us look at one another. Laughter soon follows.
'Luffy…cheating? Oh that's a good one sis!' Mozu says between laughter.
'Yeah, I think I raised my boy a little better than that,' I state through my own chuckles.
'I know, I know,' Kiwi replies, shielding her mouth with her hand. 'I just thought it was an amusing thought is all.' The laughter abruptly finishes, however, when my pocket starts bleeping.
'That's probably lover boy now,' Mozu jokes, nudging my shoulder. 'Go ahead and see what he wants.' I nod in reply and take out my mobile.
From: Luffy
Hey Makino. Might b home late 2night. Me and Nami r goin 2gethe concert. Dont wait up :3
Received: 17:12
I freeze, my eyes sticking to the phone in my hand. I look to Kiwi and Mozu in turn before looking back at my mobile and re-reading the text.
'OH MY GOD! MY SON IS BECOMING A PLAYBOY!'
Luffy P.O.V
'And I'm trying to tell him "My name is Nami" and the clown guy just keeps laughing and ignoring me more!' I laugh loudly after swallowing the last amount of food in my mouth.
'Sounds like you've made some weird friends at your new job,' I observe.
'Tell me about it,' Nami mutters, flipping her head back as her short hair flops back over her shoulder once more.
'Still, seems like you're enjoying it there too,' I comment. 'I mean, you got an article published on one of your first days, that's amazing!'
'It's not anything that special,' Nami says with a shy grin. 'I was called on at first to a photographing job but since there was "bigger news" on the front page, Shiki offered that I sum up the last fight Scarlet had with that Waxwork crook.' I nod, taking in Nami's explanations with a content smile.
I think I could listen to her talk all day and I wouldn't really even mind. This meal has been the best catch-up in my life and I'm really glad to hear that my best friend is doing well for herself.
She's got a job and is looking towards a bright future…whereas I'm dressing up in tights and leaping from the rooftops every night instead of doing homework.
That comparison really makes you think…
'So…' I suddenly say, a new question bubbling up in my mind. 'What do you…er…actually think about the Scarlet Wind?' Nami gives me a perplexed look.
'What do I think?'
'Yeah, I've not really heard too many people talk about what they think of our new resident superhero. I know Usopp and Chopper like the guy and I think I've heard Kaya's a fan…'
Nami chuckles at my mention of Kaya's name and I pause until she's finished. Weird reaction there…
'I was just wondering what you thought about him.'
Nami pauses for a moment, as if honestly considering the question. For some reason, my mouth stops working and I even find myself loosening my grip on my final chicken drumstick. Just for once, I'd like someone to approve of what I'm doing as Scarlet.
All I ever hear or see recently are negative comments from the Grand Line Times and hushed whispers of rumours at school.
If Nami approved, then that was another one of the main people that mattered in my life commending my new lifestyle.
I mean, whose opinion was more important than my best friend's?
'Well,' Nami finally began after her long delay. 'I suppose…he's a good person. He might break the law from time to time and he is going around breaking bones and taking names in tights.' For some reason, Nami's comments cut right through me. 'But...' And suddenly, all my hope is back again, stitching the wounds of Nami's words back together once more. 'His heart is in the right place. He's determined too and I like that.'
'So, you'd call yourself a fan?' I ask with a wolfish grin. Spotting my cheeky smile, Nami folds her arms and regards me sceptically.
'I guess so…why?'
'No reason,' I respond with a light chuckle. With a quick chew from my teeth, the last meat on my plate vanishes and I sit back with a content sigh, both at Nami's words and my own appetite.
'Full up?' the orange haired woman in question asks. Her brown orbs glance over to the large pile of plates next to my seat. Some were hers but, proudly, the majority were mine.
'I guess.' A sudden burp serves as a second opinion. Her eyebrows furrow.
'Gross. Last time I take you anywhere.'
'Thank you Nami!~' I call, fluttering my eye lashes and putting my hands together. Nami sighed with a shake of her head.
'Come on, if you're finished, let's go pay,' she says, edging out of the booth with a warm smile. I stand up as well…only for Nami's eyes to look straight at my stomach.
'Where do you put it all?' she mumbles aloud. 'I've never seen someone eat so much and yet still have such a good figure.' Nami seems to jump slightly after she speaks, her hand coming to her mouth. I laugh, ignoring her weird behaviour.
'Well, I need to work hard to keep this hourglass figure,' I joked, patting my belly. 'Or else the food all goes to my hips and wearing pants becomes a catastrophe.' Luckily, this statement is all it takes to draw a smile from Nami's lips.
Sadly, her joy seems to evaporate as we approach the front of the restaurant.
'Ah, there's the cute couple!' Carmen calls as she spots us, fluttering around her counter to stand near us. 'Did you enjoy your meal?'
'It was great thanks!' I reply, before Nami can speak. She seems to falter at my words and simply resorts to giving Carmen the money for the meal. Carmen checks the cash against the bill and smiles, before waving us off.
'Alright then, here're your change.' Nami takes the leftover coins. 'Have a nice evening you two!~'
'We will, thanks!' I reply, walking a silent Nami out the door.
Once outside, the silence becomes too intense to bare. Glancing at Nami, I notice her looking at the ground as we walk.
'Are you okay there?' I ask. Immediately, she snaps out of her whatever daze she's in and shoots me a smile.
'Fine, just a little tired.'
'Well, that's not really good when we're going to a concert,' I tease, gently poking her arm. 'Thanks for paying for the meal too. You're really amazing, you know that?' Nami's face practically glows. Maybe she's feeling ill as well as tired.
'You don't need to thank me. Genzo offered to pay…it's the only reason I offered.'
'Genzo paid? Why?'
'Let's just say we struck a bargain,' Nami responds, showing a sly smirk whilst placing her hand on her hip.
'A bargain? With your mum's boyfriend? That's stingy!' Nami's smile fades.
'Oh, so are you planning on paying next time?'
'THANK YOU NAMI!~' I shout loudly, attracting the attention of some of the other pedestrians. Nami quickly slams a hand on her mouth, glancing round in embarrassment.
'Okay, I get it,' she says with a sigh. 'Just stop making a scene!'
'Seriously though Nami, that was really nice. I'm glad we can hang like this.'
'Yeah…' Nami murmurs, looking up at the clouds. I scrunch my face up at her strange reply. Was something really up with her? She just seems really off…then again, I'm not too good at reading people so maybe I'm imagining it.
Nami has been really nice today though. Bringing me along like this and treating me to a nice meal AND a concert. It's more than I really deserve, especially considering how little we've been together as of late.
'You should do something nice for her since it's your first like…get her flowers or a present or something like that.'
I know we're not on a date but Chopper's words are suddenly forefront in my mind. I feel a devious grin coming to my face. Yeah, Nami does deserve to know how special she is…I just need to think of a way to…
'We better hurry,' Nami suddenly comments, looking down at her watch. 'The show starts soon and I doubt they'll wait just for us to get through the queue.'
'I don't know about that,' I counter with my usual grin. 'The party doesn't usually start until I get there.'
3rd person P.O.V
A loud sigh escaped Rokkaku's mouth. The job he had been assigned had definitely not been as exciting as he had expected it to be.
Helping guard the Dawn City arena when Soul King Brook came to play had seemed like a dream come true.
It had taken the first half an hour before Rokkaku had become bored out of his mind and ultimately disappointed.
Whilst the other police forces were busy watching the grounds and perusing the crowds, ensuring that no violence occurred and also being able to watch the show themselves, he was stuck watching the backstage for any problems. This should have been a dream come true: getting to see the great Soul King Brook live on stage!
Now, with Brook locked up in his dressing room preparing his "soul make-up" for the show, Rokkaku was stuck playing with shoelaces until something important happened.
'Rokkaku, this is Captain Hina, report in.'
'Everything's looking good here Captain,' Rokkaku murmured in reply.
'Good, Hina pleased. Please report if there any developments.'
'Have no fear Captain,' Rokkaku replied. 'Everything here seems to be going great.'
'Make sure you don't jinx anything Rokkaku. This show has been a long time coming and Mayor Iceburg will be pleased if goes off without a hitch. Think of the good publicity this will give the town.'
'Of course captain,' Rokkaku said, allowing his captain's words to disappear into air.
'Good, Hina satisfied. Remember to report if anything new happens.
'Yes ma'am.' After the walkie talkie went dead, Rokkaku groaned loudly.
Life was so unfair.
No chance at watching Brook perform, little chance of being able to get out and do something impressive whilst on duty.
He probably wouldn't even be able to get that autograph he wanted.
With a sigh, he quickly returned to his duties, marching along the corridors backstage with a sigh. No crazed fan girls in sight. Of course, none of them had managed to get past Fullbody.
Rokkaku could say what he would about the man's arrogance but at least he got the job done.
As boredom began to creep over the unsuspecting officer, the man began scratching the back of his head.
'I knew I should have joined the Coast Guard,' he mumbled half-heartedly. 'At least then I'd get to resuscitate hot babes with mouth to mouth and tan in the sun. Dawn City is one of the most boring…'
'FLASHY SURPRISE!' a loud voice yelled.
Before Rokkaku could react, a fist smacked him around the back of the head before grabbing him by his throat. The officer tensed, struggling against the prevailing grip of the disembodied hand.
'What in the…' he struggled out, before an odd shadow stepped into view. 'What…who are you?'
'I'm your show stopper!' the shadow replied with a mad cackle before moving forth to reveal…Rokkaku honestly wasn't sure how to describe what he was looking at. It looked like an odd cross between a clown, a pirate and a man in drag.
'Who the hell…' Rokkaku pressed. The man laughed, his stomach shaking loose from the rest of his body as he did so. Rokkaku's eyes flashed wide open at the realisation that the man was not only splitting apart randomly, the hand that was also holding him wasn't connected to the man's body. 'What are you doing here?'
'Well, many years ago, I wrote Brook a letter and applied to a position of a duet singer!' the odd man announced, tears beginning to pour from his eyes. 'Brook responded that he was a one man show and out right refused my request thanking me for my devotion as a fan and encouraging me that I could achieve my dream if I tried hard enough whilst sending me an autographed picture as a consolation prize. THE NERVE OF THAT GUY!'
'It led me on a soul searching quest of discovery! I call this tale "Buggy's great spiritual adventure". The first thing that happened was…' The clown suddenly stopped mid-rant and turned to face Rokkaku with a red face. 'WHY THE HELL AM I TELLING YOU ALL THIS?'
'I have no idea,' the confused police officer replied. This was perhaps the wrong thing to say as the man quickly proceeded to smash his face into a wall before chucking his unconscious body into a nearby janitor's closet. Buggy smirked at his success.
'Perfect,' he concluded with a strange laugh. 'All I have to do is wait until Soul King gets on stage…and then I shall get my revenge for him never making me famous! Then, I'll deal with that newspaper boy who never had change for a twenty! THEN I'll get revenge on that asshole who stood thinking too long at the fast food restaurant that time…AND THEN…'
As his mad dreams of grand revenge on the world continued, Buggy sniggered to himself, floating along backstage completely unseen…apart from a pair of dull brown shoes that marched along secretly to one side of the stage.
Nami P.O.V
Getting inside the concert had taken a lot longer than I had expected.
The queues for the show were backed up around the block. If we had arrived any later, we probably wouldn't have gotten in.
Luckily though, we managed to get through with just enough time to spare. The arena, however, is full of people. I'm not all that surprised really.
This isn't just anyone they've all come to see, it's the Soul King.
The open topped roof of the arena gives a great view of the stars and the moon above, almost as if they're waiting for the show as well. Moving through the throngs of concert goers in order to find a good spot, I turn to Luffy and give him an apologetic smile.
'Sorry about the space, Genzo only had standing tickets.'
'I've been standing most of my life, two and a half hours more won't be too bad,' he insists in return. 'Besides, this way we can get closer to the fun, right?' I can't help but smile at Luffy's reply. He's always seeing the bright side in everything, isn't he? We could be stuck on a desert island in the middle of nowhere and he'd probably be happy, saying that at least we had each other.
Alone with Luffy…
Letting a small sigh pass out of my lips, the two of us finally come to a stop when the crowd around the stage becomes impassable.
'We could have been right up close to the stage if we had gotten here earlier,' I comment with a frown. Luffy laughs off my concern, however and flashes me his usual grin.
'This is still a good spot. We can see the stage and we're not too cramped like they are,' Luffy says, gesturing to the large crowd fighting their way closer to the stage. I can only nod in agreement.
'Yeah. The show should be good. You ready?'
'Of course!…I just need to go to the toilet.' I glance at the black haired boy in disbelief. He knows how to pick his moments, doesn't he?
'Now? The show is about to start,' I insist, grabbing hold of his arm before he can leave.
'I'll be quick then,' he replies. 'We've been waiting in line for a long time and now I really have to go!' The comic way in which Luffy's dancing on his feet explains that he's not joking around. I let out a soft sigh, releasing his arm from my grasp.
'Okay then, just hurry up. I don't want you to miss anything. Plus, it'll weird being here on my own.'
'Sure. Stay here, I'll be back any second,' Luffy quickly explains before dashing backwards through the crowd. As he leaves, a thought pops into my head and I turn to face his retreating back.
'Oh, since you're going, could you at least grab me a drink whilst you're gone?'
'One fizzy orange juice coming up!'
'Thanks,' I call to him but the sound is lost over the loud crowd.
As I watch Luffy's black bob dancing into the sea of people, a frown starts to creep over my face. Always disappearing off the face of the earth at the wrong moment, that's Luffy. His timing is horrendous…it's a good everything else pulls that up. Taking the moment, Luffy's gone to check my phone, I quickly notice I've got a series of texts.
From Robin
Hope you two have fun on your date. XX Robin.
Received: 19:00
My teeth grind together as I read Robin's latest message.
Everything had been going nicely and now Robin had to bring up the big issue of my new feelings for Luffy…which weren't there!
They couldn't be there! I mean, the whole time I was hanging out with Luffy nothing seemed out of the ordinary than any time before when we've been together. I'm happy, yeah and I love being with him but I don't think there's anything different there. It's only when she brings it up like this…and when Luffy's not around…
Before I can stop myself, I'm texting Robin back with frantic fingers.
Reply
To Robin
I am having a lot of fun thanks but it's not a da
Before I can finish texting the end of the message out, the stadium lights suddenly all grow dim. I swear under my breath. The show is starting. I don't have time for Robin. Pocketing my phone, I look up at the starting show.
'Ladies and gentlemen!' a voice suddenly calls out. The entire audience falls silent and starts listening intently. Some people in the crowd are literally trembling at the anticipation. 'I am pleased to announce to the Dawn Stadium's stage: the one, the only and the best: Soul King Brook!' Instantly, sound explodes over the concert floor. Screams and cheers echo around the vast arena.
'BROOK!~'
'SOUL KING, WOO!~'
'AH! BROOK, I WANNA MARRY YOU!~
Smoke gushes from the stage, encompassing the whole area in a misty fog. Through the fog, a familiar skinny man in a black tuxedo steps forwards, flanked by his three back up singers, his base guitarist and his drummer.
The man's eyes are covered with a light pink pair of shades and a feather boa hangs from his neck, matching the bright colour of his flowery pants. As one would expect from one called the "Soul King", his face is decorated in make-up making his normally beige skin a deep ivory white, giving him a skeletal appearance.
As the crowd screams and cheers, the man laughs loudly into the microphone.
'YOHOHOHOHO!~ GOOD EVENING DAWN CITY! How is everyone?' he shouts in his usual sing-song voice. Caught up in all the excitement, I can't help but give a cry of joy myself, waving enthusiastically in the direction of the famous musician. It's not every day that you come close to meeting a god of music after all. Brook takes in the audience reaction and nods.
'Good, good, good. Now, how many of you want to hear some MUSIC!?' Everyone cheers back, effectively answering his question. 'Alright then!' Brook yells back. 'I warn all of you, things are going to get pretty WILD!~' More girlish screams cry out to this, some of the screams in fact coming from masculine looking man. Voices screamed and the sound was deafening. Never the less, I found myself laughing along with the crowd. Brook really knows how to sell his audience.
'MOHJI! WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT!?~'
'SARQUISS! YOU GOTTA SEE THIS!'
'But because I'm a Skeleton…' Brook continues, producing his own guitar.
'BONE!' the crowd shouts back, already well aware of the Soul King's musical stage persona. Brook laughs loudly and bursts into song.
'Bone to be wild!~'
'BONE TO BE WILD!~' the crowd echoes back
'Bone to be wild!~'
'BONE TO BE WILD!~'
'Bone!'
'BONE!'
'Bone!'
'BONE!'
'Bone!'
'BONE!'
Slowly, the single word becomes repeated faster and faster by both crowd and singer.
'Bone, bone, bone, booooooooooonnnnnne!~'
As the music lifts into a chorus of screams, Brook takes a bow and grabs the microphone in both hands.
'No need to be so macho to attract the ladies!~' he sings.
'Soul King is mysterious…AND HE'S NOTHING BUT BONES!~'
Once more the music begins to soar into the clouds and the cries of the fans go with it. I let out a loud cry myself…but it suddenly feels empty. Glancing to my right, I can't help but spot the vacant Luffy shaped hole beside me. Absentmindedly, my hand twitches and I clench it with a sigh. All of the times he chooses to miss…then again, I'm the one missing him right now…
Then as suddenly as the music starts, the sound in the stadium suddenly cuts dead. Both performers and audience all fall silent, glancing uncertainly around.
'Hey, what's the deal!?' a random member of the crowd shouts.
'Yeah, where'd the music go!?' another voice yells. Brook seems just as confused as everyone else and starts looking backstage, hoping to find some sign of a problem. The technician staff, however, are nowhere to be seen. Above the silence of the crowd, several voices call to one another.
'Okay, now?'
'Yes now you idiot! That's the signal!'
'Alright, move in!'
At that point, the peaceful calm is shattered as a hail of bullets fire off into the sky.
At the sound of gunfire, I drop to the floor, holding my head as my ears start ringing. The screams of glee from the crowd instantly transform into howls of terror at the sound.
As soon as I'm on the floor, I begin glancing all around in search of the source of the gunshots.
Some others have dropped to the floor like me in the hope of avoiding the firing bullets.
Others have started retreating to the back of the arena.
Some individuals in the crowd draw out their own pistols and start evacuating people from the arena.
Planted police officers? You'd think this was a drug bust rather than a concert.
Giving a groan, I look up to the stage as it explodes with activity. From above, two figures swoop down from above. One does so softly before stopping an inch from the crowd. The other smashes down, splintering the wood.
'GOOD EVENING DAWN CITY!~' the two voices chorus in unison. 'I AM…' The two silhouettes stop speaking and turn to look at each other. 'WAIT A MINUTE, WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?'
The two men give each other strange looks and from opposite sides of the arena, confused yells call out through the chaos.
'Hey, who's the clown looking dude?'
'What's that Hyena guy doing here?'
Slowly, I push myself up off the ground and start retreating away from the stage. Hordes of panicked people push me left and right as I make my way backwards. Fear is rampant and pretty quickly, the whole arena has been plunged into chaos.
Some of the police officers are already engaging with the thugs. I look around to see two men getting pinned by a single man wearing a blue baseball cap with purple hair. I jump a little as another thug nearby me is tackled to the ground by a woman with bright pink hair.
As she cuffs him, announcing his rights in some arrogant fashion, I dash off past her and through the crowd to one side. Hugging the side of the arena, I find a place to hide away from the action behind a pillar.
Crouching down against the wall, I give a low sigh. What the hell is going on here? Taking a moment to recompose myself, I shift through my school bag and retrieve the camera Shiki lent me.
Whatever is happening, if these freaks insist on interrupting the show, I might as well try and take some pictures for the Times. It'll put something on my record and it's sure to make Shiki happy. Plus, some extra cash in my pocket never hurt.
Turning on the camera, I cast a glance towards the retreating crowd nervously. This is my chance to get out. I should be running instead of just hiding here to get some photos.
I shake my head, hardening my resolve. No, I'm staying. A good reporter never drops a good story and this looks like it's going to one hell of a story.
'Luffy, stay safe out there,' I mutter quietly.
Luffy P.O.V
'That one.'
The woman behind the counter gives me a smile.
'Alright sir, just give me a quick second to wrap it up for you.' I grin widely as the woman proceeds to package the item I had selected. With a laugh, I take the box from her hands with a nod.
When me and Nami came into the arena for the concert, I couldn't help but look at the merchandise stand. It was a broad thing spanning from one end of the entrance hall to the other but with one look, I spotted it: the perfect gift for Nami. It just summed up everything so well.
Makino always told me to never get anything too expensive but Nami is worth it.
Like Chopper said, she deserves to be treated to something special. Not just for tonight but also because of all the years we'd been together.
I couldn't imagine my life without her in it and now, I wanted to show her how much I valued her friendship.
'Thanks a lot,' I say, passing the woman the money.
'So, who's it for?' the woman suddenly asks, counting up the money I gave her. 'I don't mean any offense, it's just you don't look like the jewellery type of guy.'
'Oh, it's for a friend,' I reply, shoving the box into my school bag before grinning. 'Just a souvenir sort of thing right.'
'Well, I'm sure she'll like it,' the woman says pushing the money into the cash register and withdrawing a single penny. She passes me the coin but I just flip it straight back to her.
'Ah, keep it,' I insist with a smile. 'What am I going to get with a penny?' The woman laughs in reply.
'Well thank you very much,' she says. 'I hope you enjoy the show.'
'I will, thanks,' I shout back, quickly running back towards the concert. I could already hear the announcer's voice booming from inside. I'm bound to run a lot quicker now though, especially considering I just emptied a whole three month's allowance on Nami's gift.
Then again, what do I need money for? I'm too busy being a superhero to bother spending it anyway, right?
Clutching the handle of my school bag as I run, I give a hopeful smile. Yeah, Nami's going to love it.
'…AND HE'S NOTHING BUT BONES!~' Brook's voice calls out ahead. I pick up the pace a little more, spinning around a corner before sprinting out into the very back of the concert area.
As I enter, however, that's when everything starts to go wrong.
First, the music dies down. I freeze at the lack of sound and stare disappointingly at the stage. It doesn't take much to figure out something is wrong.
The second gunshots start firing, I automatically start moving. Whilst the crowd seem to be making their way towards the exit, I slip to one side and immediately sprint for the men's toilets. Luckily enough, no-one is paying much attention and I'm able to sneak in quite easily.
The toilets are empty to, which means I can save a lot of time getting changed. Casually throwing off my school shirt onto the floor, I begin to get changed. Maybe it was a bright idea to wear my superhero uniform under my regular clothes. It may have jinxed my night with Nami but at least this way, I could still be of help.
'Guess it's harder than I expected to kick the habit,' I consider, pulling my trademark straw-hat and domino mask out of my school bag. 'Every time I take the suit off, I just need to put it back on again!' As I adjust my straw-hat and mask, stuffing the rest of my clothes into my school bag as quickly as I can, a realisation pops into my head.
Nami.
She's out there alone.
I drop my bag on the floor and quickly sprint back outside, in my full Scarlet suit. Once outside, I fire a hand up towards the roof and grab hold of some lighting scaffolding. I rocket up there with another flick of my wrist and launch myself across the distance towards the chaos taking place on stage.
Clinging to the side of the stage lights, I get a proper view of the chaos down below.
People are running in terror, cops and the gun-men are fighting it out and in the centre, towering over a surprised Brook (OH MY ODA! THE BROOK! He looks just like he does in on his CD covers!) are the two assailants responsible for this.
'WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING HERE CLOWN!?' a blonde haired guy shouts. His outfit isn't exactly anything special: just a simple pink top and a pair of shades. The other guy, on the other hand, is far too dressed up for his own good.
'"The Jester" does not answer to ignorant fools,' the man replies with a mad cackle. 'Especially guys like you who can't take a joke!'
'Just beat it big nose,' the blonde guy spits back with a laugh. 'I've got a bone to pick with somebody and it ain't you.'
'Hey, I was here first,' the clown faced man insists. 'I will be the one to flashily take revenge upon Soul King Brook!'
'Have we met?' the soul king timidly speaks up, looking as white as a sheet…though I suppose he was rather white anyway, being a skeleton and all. HA! SKULL JOKE!~
…Oh come on, let me have one. I might never have the chance to make a joke like this again.
Spotting the clown giving Brook a glare, I decide it's time to act.
With a quick fiddle of the light I'm on, the spotlight turns on, burning down on the two strangers. As the blonde and the clown shield their eyes, I leap down and stretch back two arms to send them flying off the stage.
The attacks connect and the two soar backwards, colliding with some railings set up to keep the public back from the performers. I turn back to Brook and offer the musician a smile. It's all I can do to stop myself from shaking at being this close to a legend.
'Okay, I've heard of being upstaged by the opening act but this is a little extreme, don't you think?' I joke, offering a hand to the Soul King.
Brook stares at me in bemusement for a second, before taking my hand and allowing me to pull him up.
'Er…thank you young man,' he mutters, obviously quite shocked by what has just happened.
'You're good but you might want to get out of here Mr. King,' I warn, glancing to the stirring men in charge on the floor. 'It looks like it's going to be one of those kind of days.'
'Right, of course,' Brook replies with a nervous nod. He dashes over to where one of his back-up singers is sitting, frozen in fear and helps her off stage as well. Already, some security guards are waiting to get the cast to safety. With a nod, I turn back to the rising individuals I attacked before.
'So,' I start awkwardly, crouching down on the stage to get a better look at my new opponents. 'Let me guess: you guys are the newest super-villains that this has vomited up to beat me, aren't you? What is it this time? One of you transforms into a poisonous gas that only effects people in scarlet tights and your buddy here has the ability to dress so bad it blinds me?' The blonde haired man growls as he heaves himself up off the floor.
'Not exactly,' he replies, punching the air…only for his fist to come flying forward.
Not expecting the extended punch, I take the blow straight to the chin and flop backwards on the stage.
I jerk my head up with a groan and stand back up, just in time to see the blonde haired guy strolling confidently towards me.
'Hey, I thought stretching was my thing,' I shout, pointing accusingly at the blonde. 'I'm going to my lawyer about this!'
Apparently, he doesn't take my taunt very well. Once more, he fires forwards his fist which shoots off like a spring to slam into my chest.
At the last moment, I lunge out of the way…only for another fist to fire from out of nowhere and smack me once more in the face, sending me flying back into a speaker.
As the speaker tumbles backwards, I nurse my injured head and look up at the other figure who had struck me.
Standing alongside the blonde, the clown smiles…and suddenly, I recognise him.
'Buggy? Wow, what happened to you? Finally decided to get in touch with your feminine side?' I ask, lifting myself up off the floor. Buggy, surprisingly, cackles at my words.
'That's funny. Keep laughing,' he encourages in a strained voice. 'Because now I've got the power to humiliate you like you did to me.'
'Have you seen what you're wearing? I don't need to do much to help with the whole humiliation thing,' I taunt with a grin. Buggy's smile finally snaps into a sneer.
His body begins to shake. With each tremble, bits of his body begin to peel away like loose pieces of skin.
First, his head floats upwards, then his chest, then his stomach.
His arms begin to shed into separate pieces and his legs hover away from his dark brown loafers.
My eyes bulge as his body separates into chunks.
Wielding twin knives in his hands, the clown laughs.
'Alright then boy, let's see you make your smart remarks without a head!' Buggy growls.
'And don't go forgetting about me red!' the blonde shouts, his limbs bulging into dark grey springs as he speaks. 'You've been making a mockery of my gang for quite a while but now, Bellamy the Hyena is now Ricochet!'
'And Buggy is now…The Laughing Man!'
'I thought you were Jester a few seconds ago,' Bellamy mutters, giving the oddly dressed man a glare. As the two super-villains approach, I start to walk backwards, suddenly taking in the situation at hand.
Fighting Predator, Waxwork and Monarch was bad enough but I had fought each of them separately.
Here were two new super freaks dedicated to my destruction who also were attacking me at the same time.
Giving a soft gulp as the two advance, I adopt a fighting pose.
'Er…quick Scarlet Lad, you deal with the ugly one and I'll deal with the other ugly one…oh wait, I don't have a sidekick, do I?' I mumble feebly, hoping to get one last joke in before the fight starts.
It works at least, considering the two start laughing together.
'Well, you know what else you don't have?' Buggy asks.
'A chance of beating us,' Bellamy finishes.
'If only I had a penny for every time I heard that,' I reply but my bravado falls flat against the increased odds.
I really need to work on getting a partner for this whole super hero thing.
? P.O.V
Slowly, I open the door, peeking my head around to get a proper view.
He's not here of course. He's downstairs passed out on the floor.
I smirk. If I knew a few bottles of beer are enough to knock him out cold, I would have suggested a family drinking night ages ago.
Never the less, I'm careful as I step into the room, taking care to tread lightly among the discarded paper and clothes that litter the carpet. Mum's going to be furious with him when she finds out what a trash heap this place has turned into.
Half way across the room, I see it sitting on a nearby chair. It's calling to me like a siren. The black case. Trembling from excitement and fear, I gently un-clip the case and open it up.
I'd done my research on this thing...or rather, WE did our research on it. All of the possible things this compound could do. Mice exposed it showed a five hundred per cent rise in their attention span and their agility and strength increased dramatically.
It was all experimental of course but that's what we scientists do. We experiment and push the boundaries. Now, all that is needed now, is a human test.
I take one of the vials and pour a few drops of the sample into my own. Then, I put it back and pick up the next and do the same. Systematically taking a few drops from each of the vials at a time, I manage to slowly but surely fill up my own. It takes time of course and a lot of it but this way, he's much less likely to notice what's gone.
As I begin dripping the fifth vial into my own, my guilt starts to emerge. What am I doing? Abusing his trust like this, stealing something so rare and precious just for my own selfish needs?
I shook my head. No, no backing out now. I'd decided on this. My whole life, I wanted to be be somebody, to be something more than just the idiot at the back of the class. Let's face it, I'm not all that muscular or handsome or anything special really, especially compared to my friends, compared to those I admire most.
Chopper's a genius, Zoro and Sanji are super strong and Luffy, he's got Hancock AND Nami going after him. I want to be successful like that, I just want to mean something more than I already am and this is the best way I can get that.
Finishing the procedure and slipping the last vial back into the suitcase, I glance once more at the vials in the suitcase and the small vial of my own. I've got barely two ounces of the stuff but it's all I need for now: just to study it, see how it works, what elements it's made out of and how I can make more. I need to experiment with it a bit...maybe have a taste test to see if it really does...
'Usopp! You up there?' I freeze.
'J-just in the bathroom.'
'Okay then,' my mum replies. I find myself caught between wanting to smile and cry. So much conflict all for something so small...
But that small thing could change my life, change everything for the better.
'Pop green,' I mutter to myself, glancing at the small green liquid in my hand. 'We'll see what you do soon enough...'
To be continued in Chapter 4: Duality Principle Part 4
Until then I'm Shadowonthewall and I hope you enjoyed this latest chapter.
Please review. Positive criticism is welcome.