"ARGH!" Sandersonia cried out. Marigold… Marigold had burnt her. The fire was blazing and rendering her clothes to shreds. The pain was akin to that of her branding. Though it had been more than a decade ago, she could still remember it clearly… She stumbled backwards in the arena and toppled over the railing of the ring.
"Watch out, Sister Sonia!" Marigold cried, "That's the trench of spikes! Grab on to the railing!"
Sandersonia cursed that damned man who had gotten them into this situation. She reached for the railing near the audience, and grabbed hold just in time. She began panting heavily.
"T-that was close…" she gasped, her eyes grazing over the trench. Her cape was still burning. She could smell the dense smoke rising off of her. She needed to get out of that position quickly, she might get burnt… Suddenly, she felt a weight being dropped on her back, suffocating the flames.
"Argh!" the man cried in momentary pain. He had jumped on her?!
"You damned man!" she screamed.
"Don't move," he said quickly. "Even if you intend to kill me…" he continued, "I won't kill you."
"Don't get cocky, damn you!" she shouted, "Mari! Hurry up and kill him now that you have the chance!"
Her younger sister didn't move an inch, continuing to stare at the man who was spread out on her back.
"What are you doing, Mari?!" she cried.
"I can't, Sister Sonia," said Marigold, "Right now, that man is…Protecting us!"
"Look!" cried an audience member, "Sandersonia's cape has burned up! Her back is exposed!" Sandersonia froze. The mark. The brand. How had she been so ignorant?!
"If the man let of of her, the Gorgon's Eye will be exposed!" shrieked a different girl, terrified.
"This is horrible!" a Kuja warrior shouted, "Everyone who sees them will turn to stone!"
Sandersonia shut her eyes tight. No, it would be much, much worse. She'd be thrown off the island, and shamed for the rest of her life.
"You're covering my back?" she hissed at the man.
"You mentioned this earlier, right?" he murmured. "You'd rather die than let anyone see it, right? So don't move."
"The show is over!" she heard her older sister announce, "Before the Gorgon's Eye is exposed, everyone clear out the arena!"
The arena erupted into screams and the sound of thundering feet. Sandersonia felt herself calm down. She would be all right this time. She would be ok…
"You were just fighting me," Sandersonia muttered, "Why are you helping me now?"
"The thing you don't want anyone to see doesn't have anything to do with our fight," he replied, his voice soft and assuring.
Sandersonia's lip curled. He could have. They tried to kill him, he could've…
She heard Hancock sniff. And sob softly. He didn't. He didn't do it. This… This man had been kind to the Boa Sisters. He had saved them. And they… They'd tried to murder him.
A.N.: I really wanted to translate this scene because it's such a deeply emotional moment, and shows off the complexity of the Boa Sisters' predicament. As well, it's showcases Sandersonia magnificently, as she is the victim of the scene. Reviews, Favourites, Subscriptions, Reader Birthdays, and Requests are welcomed and such appreciated! I'll see you on the 5th for Crocodile and Boa Marigold!