Chapter 15: Welcome to The Jungle! The Huntress of Little Garden?!
Miss Valentine has had a most difficult week imaginable, and boy did the world just like reminding her of that. Or, well, to be specific, Mr.3 and his dumb hair-do were constantly pissing her off for her "failure".
Whiskey Peak had been a god damned disaster. And it was supposed to be so easy! They'd tracked down their target, and about to capture some bounties on the side. Perfect right? Well, apparently fucking not!
At times she still woke up at night, thinking of that nigh-invisible thing that had attacked Mr.5 and her and utterly destroyed them both before vanishing just as quickly as it had appeared. The healed wound on her thigh still ached at the memory of that… she didn't want to call it a person. Partially she was mad at herself for such an amateur mistake. Letting herself get injured like that was… humiliating.
And then… it had somehow gone so, so much worse the morning after. Unlike her, at least Mr.5 was in relatively good condition while she was in the danger of bleeding out, but they were not in optimal fighting shape. So they'd hidden and recuperated the best they could. Their entire mission was already a bust, but at least they'd live to fight another day.
But somehow they'd been found by… something else.
Miss Valentine didn't know what manner of creature it was. Arms and legs, the shape of a man, dressed to the nines, but covered head to toe with black carapace, like some freaky insect-person without any freaky insect features. The way it had looked at them with those pure white eyes was almost condescending, like it was above them at every conceivable level. And then it started speaking, all civilized, addressing them like they were some trained animals.
And then it… it had killed Mr.5 with some bizarre tricks(a devil fruit?) and could have easily killed her. Worse, she'd revealed information to the enemy in fear for her life. Even when it left her alive, to crawl back to their… her vessel, she was terrified. No one could find out she'd leaked any information, else her life was forfeit.
Which had led her to seek out the closest Baroque Works Officer Agent for assistance. Most unfortunately, that Agent was Mr.3, who just relished in rubbing in the fact that she'd failed, and that her partner was DEAD! Miss Valentine truly despised the man.
At least Miss Goldenweek was somewhat sympathetic. The young girl just didn't express it outwardly.
She'd reported on everything she knew, redacting the obvious self-incrimination. But mostly describing the thing she and Mr.5 couldn't keep track of, as well as the sharply dressed creature that had taken Mr.5 out.
Then, a message from the Boss said that he already knew of Mr.5's demise, and of the creature, properly identified as "Draconian Dignitary" Diamonds Droog. A seemingly unknown third party to the entire thing noted to be extremely dangerous and to be avoided at all costs. The fact that this Droog individual had gotten away from Miss All-Sunday made Miss Valentine feel marginally better at losing to such an opponent, injuries be damned.
They'd also got new orders. Orders that would be her chance to redeem herself. Hunt two giants worth 100,000,000 Beri each. It would be tough without Mr.5's explosive power to back her up. Still, she had to do this.
She would NOT fail again.
Her life depended on it.
-o~O-O~o-
Little Garden, as I learned too late to adequately prepare, was a warm, humid jungle climate, filled with fucking DINOSAURS! Which meant that when it came to the most vital part, I had to improvise with what I had.
If I was going to tramps around Isla Sorna over here, I will be damned if I don't do it dressed appropriately. It also meant I couldn't indulge in my personal preference for dresses ans skirts for… many practical reasons.
Instead, I opted for a brown sleeveless shirt under a green shawl, thick green gloves, sand-colored shorts with black tights underneath, a green belt, and dark brown hiking boots. For my hair, I went for a leaf green bob cut. I'd wear a hat, but I had nothing that went with the Adventurer-Lite ensemble I had scrounged up. I'd also chosen colors that would help me blend in better with the trees and greenery.
I had my ensemble. I had Lucifer and Satanael snugly in my pockets, loaded and ready. I had my still unnamed sword(really should get on that) strapped to my belt. My bag is fully stocked with some very experimental goodies. So, as I stepped out in my new duds, armed and ready, I felt pretty confident.
Then the ambient jungle noises filtered in and I remembered the dinosaurs. That was a chink in my armor, but one I'd just need to man up and deal with.
"Alright, so," I say with my fists on my hips in a show of confidence, looking at the gathered crew, "everyone ready for shenanigans?"
"Let's explore!" shouts the most obvious candidate, practically jumping into the air.
"Uhhhhgh," Usopp groans, holding his stomach, somehow not sharing Luffy's spirit and enthusiasm. "I-I think I got the 'Don't Step On The Island Disease'…"
"Seriously?" Zoro shakes his head at the sniper's behavior.
"Oh, come now!" I exclaim with exaggerated exuberance. "Even I'm kinda rearing to go. Me!"
"You… certainly look prepared," Princess remarks, obviously looking me over. I do a fashionable spin, showcasing all the goods with unrestrained pride.
"What can I say, I was born to be fabulous, no matter the scenario," I state with a shrug.
"Yeah, sure you do," Nami says, less than impressed. Oh well, she'll learn eventually. "I don't know, we shouldn't just charge in willy-nilly. This place seems… intense."
"Oh, I doubt it could be that bad," Princess says. "I mean, you all seem pretty capable… some of the time."
Arlong and Zoro both scoffed simultaneously, something that went largely ignored.
"Luffy's already going," I point out towards the captain already onshore.
"Oh, this is so exciting!" Princess exclaims as she jumps out to the shore as well. "Could I accompany you, Luffy? I've always wanted to experience something like this."
"Yeah, sure!" Our captain beams, though I believe it's mostly just the chance to get going.
Princess smiles widely and whistles with her fingers. "Come on, Carue! Let's go!"
I'm momentarily stunned when a large duck jumps from the ship onto the shore, before giving Princess a salute with its wing.
"… Why is there a duck?" I manage to sound my thoughts.
"Hm?" Princess blinks up at me, then looks at the massive duck in front of her. "Oh, right! You haven't been introduced. This is my friend, Carue. He's a super spot-billed duck."
"Wha- Okay. Hi." I wave lamely at the duck, who waves back.
"… Abel," Nami starts slowly, eyeing me incredulously. "Have you not noticed that there is a giant duck on board the ship this entire time?"
Shit. "Of course I did."
"You didn't, did you!" She looks so damn pleased with herself.
"I'm taking a hike!" I exclaim loudly and ignore Nami's laughter and swiftly jump on the shore and start power walking into the jungle. As soon as I enter the tree-line, I activate Faint and vanish amidst the green. I was not running away from the feeling of humiliation, no sir.
…
HOW THE FUCK DID I MISS A GIANT DUCK!
-o~O-O~o-
From the trees, unseen and unheard, a pair of eyes kept a close eye on the group arriving with their ship. They waited, watching until three diverged from the group. A blue-haired girl along with the one with the hat made of straw went together, while the green-haired one went alone. The rest stayed, for now.
Worryingly, none of them went to go after the loner. A keen ear could capture why. A technique to make detection difficult, finding them would be tricky and only serve to get someone else lost. They also had some degree of faith in the lone one's abilities to survive.
But, they did not know this place. The dangers it held.
The twosome would be fine. The Straw Hat radiated an understated power. But the lone one was worrisome. They did not feel like anything. While it would perhaps fool most predators, others were keener. Much keener. And with the Black Demon still prowling about, the lone one would not be safe.
Something had to be done.
It was time to move, and within moments, with only the slightest rustle of foliage, they were hopping tree to tree, hiding in the canopies.
It was time to hunt, for the honor of Artemis.
-o~O-O~o-
Zoro's eyes narrowed. He'd thought he heard something, sensed something at the edge of his range. But it could also be nothing. The ambient sounds of Little Garden were a distraction. Not a major one, but enough to make him uncertain.
Oh well, couldn't be helped. It was probably nothing. Too late to worry about it now.
"Uh, shouldn't someone go after him regardless?" Nami asked, a heavy frown on her features after the cross crossdresser vanished into the jungle. She was obviously worried about Abel's safety. Those two had a… weird dynamic.
"It's no use," Arlong spoke up. It had been steadily happening just a smidgen more often.
"I don't remember asking for your opinion," Nami spat out. Those two on the other hand… that was a situation Zoro refused to touch with anything short of Yoru itself.
"He's right, though," Zoro said instead, continuing before Nami could complain. "That technique of his makes him impossible to find unless he wants you to, especially in this sort of environment. Just let him be, he'll be back when things get too tough for him to handle."
At least, so Zoro hoped. You could never guess with that guy.
As everyone else started discussing what to do(Nami and Usopp seemed insistent on staying by the ship), Zoro let his gaze wander the surrounding brush. And then stopped cold on one point, tensing on pure instinct, focusing at one single point. There, amidst the shadows of the foliage. A small glint.
An inhuman eye, staring right at him. It was hard to spot at the distance, but Zoro swore on his life that it seemed to crinkle in amusement at being spotted.
"What do you think, Zoro?"
"Hh," Zoro internally cursed. Just for a moment, he'd averted his attention to glance at Usopp, and the eye was gone. Aggravated, he sent the sniper a cold glare.
"W-what?" Usopp recoiled. "All I'm saying is that, y-you know, the ship needs to be kept safe, s-so we should stay put. R-right?"
Zoro sighed and let himself relax. It wasn't Usopp's fault, he couldn't have known. Good grief. "I thought that was what Arlong was for."
"In your dreams, Roronoa," the fishman grunted in response.
"You know," Sanji mused, looking out to the jungle, "I wonder what I could make out of a dinosaur? Plenty of meat to use." And considering Luffy's appetite… "Perhaps I should go hunt for some provisions."
"As if you could kill one big enough," Zoro voiced his unnecessary opinions. The cook didn't seem too amused by it.
"Oh, is that a fact? You're telling me you could do better?" Sanji challenged, meeting Zoro's fierce glare with his own and stepping his way.
"Guys, come on," Nami tried to interject. In vain, naturally, as nothing could quite quell the seemingly natural malcontent the cook and the swordsman had towards one another.
"It IS a fact, love-cook!" Zoro stated, walking to meet Sanji, both glaring eye to eye.
"Well, then, I suppose I'll just have to show you how wrong you are, sword-bastard," Sanji growled out.
"The largest kill," Zoro set the terms.
"Guys, seriously-" The now incredulous Nami was once again sidelined.
"Naturally, I'll win," Sanji accepted.
"We'll see about that."
And immediately after the words left Zoro, the two rushed out into the jungle.
"ZORO, SANJI, DON'T GO!" Usopp screamed after them in panic at two more of their powerhouses leaving the ship.
Nami smacked her face with her hand, utterly exasperated with the two ignoramuses. "Why are those two like this?"
"Shahaha!" And with that mocking laugh, Nami was reminded that, yes, Arlong was still there. "Such recklessness over such meager bravado. Truly, you humans are the greatest of fools!"
"You…" Nami glared murder at him and grit her teeth as she came to a realization.
She and Usopp, easily the two weakest members of the crew right alongside Abel, were alone on the Going Merry with Arlong of all people.
Suddenly she felt a sliver of an old fear she thought to be over by now.
"Hey, Nami?" She heard Usopp ask her, trying to smile through his fear. "I-it's going to be okay, right? I mean, as long as we don't leave the ship, it's A-OK!"
Nami managed to smile weakly at Usopp trying to put on a brave face, despite his knees shaking like crazy. But he was right. Her fear was mostly just her assuming the worst.
Yes, aboard the Merry was the safest place to be.
Then something jettisoned out of the jungle foliage and landed on Merry's deck with a loud thud, scaring the daylights out of Nami and Usopp, the latter of whom screeched in fright and hid behind Nami. Even Arlong sprang to his feet in an instant, eyes fixed on what had crashed on the deck with such speed and force.
"W-what the-?!" Arlong choked a gasp, eyes growing wide at the sight, which Nami and Usopp were just now taking in.
It was a dinosaur of some sort, a small one, just a bit larger than Carue. And it was mangled and bloody, covered in bite and claw marks. As if it was savagely killed, and then partially eaten. But it wasn't bleeding too heavily, indicating it had been dead for a while.
Nami could only stare at the carcass in mute terror, as Usopp clung to her and was making a high-pitched sound that was something between a scream and a wheeze. And Arlong… Nami could see the fishman's entire form tense as he slowly went to reach for Kiribachi while looking around in the direction the dinosaur corpse had come from.
"Stay close," Arlong ordered, backing away to the center of the deck, and for once Nami didn't hesitate or let her personal problems complicate issues. So she moved, dragging Usopp with her, to Arlong, keeping an eye out herself.
"W-w-w-w-wha-at w-was that?!" Usopp wheezed, unable to reign his fear in the slightest.
Arlong glanced at the corpse just laying there. It's condition. What that could've meant
"… Something is messing with us," he spoke in a low tone. "That didn't just come out of nowhere, or from just some random animal."
"How come?" Nami asked, keeping her voice level proving to be quite the task as her eyes wildly traveled the eerily silent jungle around them. "… It's too quiet."
"Exactly," Arlong growled, his grip in Kiribachi tightening. "The only reason for things in an ecosystem like this to be silent is to avoid detection from a more dangerous threat." He rationalized. "I didn't notice it, but it's been quiet for a while now."
No matter how hard he looked, focused, he couldn't find anything. And yet… "Something is watching us," Arlong stated.
"How are you so sure?" Nami asked, now actively trying to pry Usopp of off herself.
"That corpse," Arlong took a sidelong glance at it, "it didn't just fall into the deck. It was thrown. Right after Roronoa and the cook left and were a considerable distance away." He wasn't sure, obviously, but the theory was sound. "Something is watching us, trying to scare us. Or, well, mostly you two."
It was just then, as if listening in to the entire conversation, a ghastly sound echoed around them. Arlong and Nami froze, and Usopp fainted.
The sound was like something inhuman trying to laugh.
-o~O-O~o-
Amusing, truly amusing! The Hunter couldn't help but laugh at how amusing it all was!
The two bipeds were scared, oh-so scared! The one with the malformed snout even lost consciousness. It was so very, VERY amusing! And the third, the strange irregular biped, it was sharp, just like its nose. Good, GOOD!
The two, they were… Human, clear as day. The third… that is not how a Human looks. Something else. So interesting! Oh, but so dangerous!
A watchful eye observed the trio keenly. The large Not-Human, it's large weapon… it would be dangerous, very, very dangerous. Attacking them would be a bad idea, very, VERY bad idea…
But, BUT, there were others, the eye had spied them, leaving into the hunting grounds. Two groups of two, one alone. The one that vanished, so suddenly, it was SO INTERESTING! A grin made itself known and the observing eye crinkled in amusement.
This place, it was a paradise! Vast, free! Plenty of prey! But. The prey here, they were simple, dumb! There was no excitement, no thrill in the hunt when it came to these lesser beasts. So, so DULL!
But that one! Yes, the Vanishing One, the Lone One… It would make the most interesting prey! A most amusing hunt…
And if it meant killing Humans… wretched, EVIL Humans…
It would be so…
Much…
FUN!
A slight tremor was felt, and The Hunter's watchful eye goes wide. DANGER! One of The Gigantic Ones! Had it been that long already? It was time to go. The Hunter bid farewell to the three Amusing Ones.
Let the hunt begin…
-o~O-O~o-
I hate jungles, I've come to find. And not for the climate, or even the wildlife I've had to walk circles around more than once. No, it's the god damn insects! Damn bloodsuckers can find me even while I'm using Faint, and their presence is making things harder by GIVING AWAY MY LOCATION!
I already had to stab a small raptor-like dinosaur to death because the bugs are just so distracting! I'm so lucky it was traveling alone, but that is no excuse. Clearly, I need more training on maintaining my Faint under duress.
I swear, I've killed more bugs this short trip than I have throughout my entire life. Serves them right, hungry buggers...
Still, this hike was helping me clear my head. I will admit, missing something as conspicuous as a GIANT DUCK… is embarrassing. I don't even have an excuse, I just flat out didn't pay much attention to our tag-along Princess, ergo I didn't pay attention to the things around her. Such as the GIANT DUCK!
I should be better than this! Perception and situational analysis is my greatest tool, and here I am, not using it! And why? Because of I don't pay attention to some blue-haired bimbo!
…
Okay, that's unfairly mean of me. I'm mostly mad at myself.
I don't really have a problem with Vivi, I just… don't have ANYTHING to say about her either. Then again, that's partially my fault, I haven't taken the time to talk to her, figure her out. I've kinda been busy with… things. Self-preservation comes first in my book, socializing is downtime. And honestly, establishing connections with someone who will be a momentary passenger won't serve me in any regard.
Should at least try some polite small talk. I'm not a damn unreachable island.
… Wait, shit, where am I?
When I'd stalked off, I'd mapped my movements in my head, to create a map in my head of my general position, so I could find my way back, easily. But then I got distracted and didn't stop walking, and now… I'm way off my mental grid.
God. Damnit.
Okay, no time to panic. I'll just wander until I find a way out of the forest, then follow the edge back the way I came. No biggie. No way this will end poorly!
…
Yeah, I can't even convince myself. All I can do is maintain Faint, and cross my fingers.
Or, I could finally pay attention to the Codex vibrating on my belt. That, to my memory, has always been important. So I yank the book into my grasp and, as it has done a few times, it just spontaneously opens up on a blank opening the quickly inks itself in. And what it makes surprises me.
From what I can see, comparing mental notes, the right page has a rough, but complete map of the island. It's mostly blank, bar a red dot that seems to be in the general area we parked the Merry. On the left page, however, is an intricate calligraphy arrow. Stylish as hell, but kinda odd.
Then I turn in place to keep an eye on my surroundings, and the arrow moves with my movements. Curious, I spin in place, as does the arrow, seemingly fixed to a single direction.
My useless tome gave me a cruddy map and some weird compass… This has been the most useful this paperweight has ever been! Still, it doesn't necessarily help me get back to the ship. But, usually arrows point towards something.
…
Curse my curiosity!
My mind set and focused on remaining undetectable, I start going where the arrow leads me.
I might be a tad annoyed, but my inner deeply buried and smothered child likens this to a treasure hunt. I rationalize that, all my belonging, alongside the Codex, were given to me for a reason, no matter how useless I think the tome to be whenever I need it most, so something might come off of this.
If not, I'll find the nearest volcano and toss it. Though, knowing my luck, even the fires of Mount Doom couldn't vanquish whatever bullshit magic protects it. Maybe one day this thing will be worth all the hassle, but it sure as shit ain't now.
I still keep an eye on my surrounding. The jungle is both a blessing and a curse. It gives me cover and increases how effective my Faint can be, but it also lowers my general ability to survey for danger. It's actually how that raptor-thing spotted me, I literally almost bumped into it, and it tried to bite my head off. Instead, it swallowed my sword. Bon appetite, motherfucker.
Really should decide on a name for it… Argh, but nothing is coming to me. I'm just waiting for it to click.
However…
I don't change my pace or act in any way different from before, just walking and keeping an eye on my surroundings and following where the arrow points me. It's been there for a while. A certain pressure in the back of my skull.
Like I'm being followed. But that'd be very difficult indeed, considering that I'd maintained Faint for the entire time. Keeping track of me should be near impossible in this environment… except if…
Except if I wasn't being followed, but tracked.
Following me while I use Faint is as close to impossible as I can make it. Following the tracks I leave behind, however… that is a whole different story. And holds implications. The feeling in the back of my skull wouldn't register if my tracks were thoughtlessly followed by, let's say, a wild animal. There would be no intent for my instincts to respond to. One degree removed from feeling like someone was watching you. A gut feeling.
I was being followed specifically, with purpose.
Trying not to overwhelm myself with ideas and theories, nor hoping it was one of the guys just looking for me, I just focused on the path ahead. I couldn't do much about it right now anyway without being suspicious. I was coming closer to where the trees thinned out considerably and finally saw what the Codex was leading me to. And it was mighty suspicious indeed.
A construct in the middle of a small clearing, seemingly made of one solid piece of white material. It was roughly shaped like a house, with small openings to serve as windows. It was not a natural part of the island, too out of place.
It meant it was very interesting.
I immediately dropped low, practically crawling towards the white construct, focusing intently on strengthening Faint. If that thing was man-made, it was likely it would be occupied. Fortunately, stealth was my specialty. And the moment I got underneath one of the openings, the voices coming from inside confirmed my suspicion.
So I did as any creeper does, and listen in.
"I can't believe I have to be in this filthy, infested island," whines a woman whose voice I don't recognize. "Do you have any more bug spray, Miss Goldenweek?"
"Yeah," answers a younger sounding voice- a girl -fairly tonelessly.
"Oh thank god." The woman sighed in relief. "Hand it over!"
"Nah."
"WHY NOT?!" The woman screams in outrage.
"This place reeks of chemicals," the younger girl points out. Indeed, I could pick up a faint chemical smell from inside. "I'm not in the mindset to be poisoned today because you're easily bothered."
Whoever this girl is, I like her moxie!
"Why you brat…" the woman growled dangerously.
"Ladies, please," a third voice, a man cuts in, stopping the woman's heated response in its tracks. "Miss Valentine, if you could please focus on the task at hand rather than yourself, then perhaps you wouldn't have failed so spectacularly at Whiskey Peak."
The woman grunted as if attacked. So, this lady was at that place as well? And based on the codenames, they must be members of Baroque Works as well. How worrisome. But all the more reason to spy on them!
"That was the fault of those pirates, however," the younger girl points out.
"Y-yeah!" The woman said, the heat in her voice trying to be strong, but her confidence wasn't all there. "First we got blindsided by that- that thing that we couldn't see clearly that crippled us with ease, and then that Droog bastard caught us while we were down!"
Wow, I must've missed one hell of a show. Now I'm kinda upset I drank so much and slept through the whole Whiskey Peak debacle. From what I heard, the so-called 'Billions', the numerous goons of Baroque Works, were absolutely wrecked.
"Perhaps," the man conceded but sounded way too condescending to actually mean it. "But that still doesn't change the fact that you not only failed to capture the target but also cost us Mr.5. While an absolute simpleton, his Devil Fruit ability was still a boon for our organization. And while the appearance of this 'Diamonds Droog' character was a completely out of control variable, you still should have fled instead of picking fights."
"Well sorry! That bastard didn't really give us a choice!" 'Miss Valentine' yelled out. "Before we could even react, that freak had already shot Mr.5 full of so many holes with that weird card that somehow turned into a kind of gun I've never even seen before!"
Wow, this Droog guy does not sound like someone who messes around. Also, a card turning into a gun? Must be one of those weird bullshit fruit powers.
"Whatever may be the case, please focus on the current mission, Miss Valentine," the man brushed the entire explanation off like dust on a desk. "Need I remind you that your future rests on how useful you can make yourself be?"
"What am I even supposed to do?!" Valentine shouted. "Without Mr.5's power-"
"If you'd stop making excuses," the man cut her off coldly. "Your task is to do exactly as I tell you to. And maybe, Mr.0 will receive a report deeming you useful enough to not be… replaced."
Okay, wow, I do not like this guy. I can be a bit of a bastard, but he's just being a dick.
Idly, I notice a faint hissing sound coming from within.
"With that said, it's about time to- hack, phuhh!" The man suddenly hacked and coughed forcefully. "Miss Goldenweek, please stop spraying the insect repellent in my direction!"
"Oh, so you get to use it but somehow I can't!" Valentine whined angrily.
"You don't use moderation," Goldenweek said nonchalantly. "Also, I saw a big bug."
"Why you little…" I can feel the anger quivering in Valentine's tone. I love this Goldenweek lass, she knows how to push buttons!
"Ahem," the man coughs loudly to gain their attention. "As I was saying, it is about time to put the plan into action. Miss Valentine, you will accompany me to set up the first phase of my genius plan. While the loss of Mr.5 is a shame and would have greatly expedited the process, I still expect you to carry your variable weight."
… Did this fucker just call her fat? Seriously?
"… Sure thing, Mr.3!" Miss Valentine hissed through gritted teeth. I don't blame you, girl.
"Now, Miss Goldenweek, I'll leave you here in case the Boss attempts to contact us," Mr.3 continued. "I don't foresee a need for your abilities on this mission, but just in case, if nothing has come up after the second signal, then come join us."
"Sure."
"And actually answer the Transponder Snail if it rings," Mr.3 specified.
Just then, a loud bang, like an explosion, rand out across the entire island. It was enough to shock me, for my Faint to flicker for just a moment. That sounded more natural than a bomb going off. Not an explosion, but an… eruption. I think I recall this island having a volcano, so that must be it.
"Ah, and that is our first signal," Mr.3 mused. "Come now, and be sure to not be an impediment, Miss Valentine."
I just heard footsteps and grumbling as I moved to peek around the corner, to see if I could spy the two Baroque Works agents as they leave. And by luck, they did walk by, their backs to me the entire time. While I couldn't see either of their faces, they had plenty of identifiable features.
The one I could easily assume to be Miss Valentine had blond hair underneath a weird bulbous yellow hat that looks like a lemon and a yellow dress underneath a blue jacket. Carried herself with confidence and lady-like grace, but body language indicated she was somewhat distressed and uncomfortable. Must be because she's wearing heels in a jungle. Amateur.
As for the man who was without a doubt Mr.3, I could only really focus on one thing. His freaky ass black hair, a long strand of which is somehow standing up like a jiggly spring and tied to look like the number 3. Could this man be any more pretentious?! God, just, that hair-do pisses me off, so much! I want to cut it off and burn it! And then kick him in the face!
"Hm?" Shit! I duck out of sight just as Mr.3 turns his head my way. Guess my Faint flickered and I transmitted some of my malice towards his hair. Makes sense, these guys are supposed to be pro-assassin/bounty-hunters. They'd sniff out malicious intent like dogs.
I stayed as still as I could, reinforcing my Faint as far as I possibly can without losing grasp of the senses I needed to confirm if they were gone or coming my way.
"What, we going or what?" Miss Valentine unintentionally saves my bacon by drawing this condescending, fashion disaster of a man's attention.
"Hmph, of course! Time is of the essence," Mr.3 scoffed, his apparent self-importance topping whatever suspicions he might have had. Lucky break, me!
I wait for the sounds of their steps to continue, at which point I dared to take a peek at their ever more distant backs. I stayed put until I could no longer see any sign of them, and then a full minute afterward. Just to be safe.
I had a choice to make. I could follow the two, try to do something about them covertly. They would most certainly be a problem if they ran into anyone else. Probably. I don't exactly know their capabilities.
Or, I could do the less dangerous thing, and try to learn whatever I can from the one still inside. I rise ever so slightly and tilt my head to have a look through one of the window openings to take a look at this Goldenweek Girl. I was not expecting the person inside to be… well, a kid.
Miss Goldenweek was a small bean of a girl, who by rough estimate probably just barely came up to my stomach, and I was not that tall(second shortest in the crew, actually). Currently, she seemed busy just painting on a canvas, for some reason, seemingly lost to the world.
As a total side-note, I really like her braided pigtails. I need to try that look sometime. And while definitely a bit hodgepodge, her clothing choices didn't clash too horribly with one another. It was actually kinda endearing.
Honestly? Just looking at her, I was almost certain that even I could take her. As morbid and wrong as it sounded, I could definitely beat-up this literal child who is part of a notorious CRIME SYNDICATE! What the fuck is it with all these kids in occupations they should not be in? What is wrong with this world?!
And that gave me an idea. An evil, totally terrible idea that definitely made me an asshole from an objective point of view. But, I could not fault the potential pragmatic value.
I softly moved along the outside to reach the open doorway, and easily slipped inside and stood to lean in on the inside wall, arms crossed and one leg bent to lean on the wall as if I had already been there the entire time. Goldenweek seemed to remain oblivious, despite being within the corners of her range of vision. I really am proud of my created technique, when I see it actually work as intended.
"Funny thing, coincidences," I speak in a voice lower than my normal baritone, eye shadowed by the bangs of my wig. Goldenweek's hand holding a paintbrush halts, as her hard to read and impassive child-like eyes slightly shift to look at me. I grin viciously. "Sometimes it leads you exactly where you need to be."
"Huh, weird," the girl says as if I hadn't just appeared out of nowhere. "Didn't see you come in."
"And who is to say," I let my grin show more teeth, "that I wasn't already here?"
"Yeah, I guess." This kids poker face is impeccable. "What do you want?"
"Hmm, how about… what some of the upper echelons of Baroque Works are doing in this little nook of nowhere?" I question, the toothy, sinister grin remaining even as I speak, hopefully giving me a slightly deranged look. "It's so, very, curious."
"Oh, so you know about us." Oh my god, just give me a reaction! Anything! "Don't really see how that's your business, so I guess I'm not gonna."
… This kid is good. That, or oblivious. Or just so self-assured of her own safety.
I need to crank my game up.
"Tch, so that's how it's going to be," I scoff and make myself sound almost giddy while smiling sinisterly, radiating bloodlust as I slowly draw out my rapier. "I suppose I'll be glad you won't let me do this the boring way!"
Annoyingly Goldenweek's reaction was a mere soft sigh of resignation as she hopped off the high chair she was sitting on and faced me with her paintbrush in one hand and a palette with fresh paint in the other. "I guess I'll just take care of you to waste some time."
"Kehehe, by how? Painting on me?" I cackle mockingly, exaggerating my vicious smile even further, and instantly rush towards her, sword poised to strike. Of course, I wasn't actually going to seriously hurt her, just enough to break that calm facade and force some information out of-.
"Calming Green."
A swift swish of a brush and splatter of paint, and suddenly my body just freezes as a… wave of something flushes over me… so tranquil… drowsy…
The last thing… hear… metal… hit… grou…
…
-o~O-O~o-
The moment the rapier fell out of the strange man's hands and clattered on the floor, Miss Goldenweek knew she had won. It was kinda frustrating to be underestimated like that. Just because she couldn't fight, didn't mean she was helpless. She was Mr.3's partner and so high in the ranks for a reason, after all.
The man's green hair fell over his face, but their face had gone blank, that smile he'd worn gone. On his chest was her mark, her Calming Green. Thanks to her color hypnotism, whoever this guy was, he was now totally pacified and under her control.
"Alright, you can start by making me some tea, okay?" Goldenweek ordered, even if it sounded like a request. At this point, there was no difference. The man moved forward a step-
And suddenly pivoted, leg raised in a fluid, forceful motion, and next thing Miss Goldenweek knew, she was pressed against the wall of Mr.3's Wax Safehouse, the man's boot was pressing forcefully on her face, and her nose sent flashing pain to her brain, broken.
The leg pulled back and Goldenweek fell on the floor, holding her bleeding nose and crying out in pain, eyes clutched shut on reflex as they teared up. Unfortunately, because she wasn't a direct combatant, she'd never developed a good pain tolerance, and now both her skull and nose were hurting really badly.
Then she was kicked in the side and her ribs joined in crying out, the force flipping her on her back, and almost immediately after a weight settled on her chest and abdomen, as a tightness ensnared her neck. She gasped out a breath and realized her mistake as her eyes shot open as the tightness on her windpipe increased gradually.
What she saw broke her usual calm and unresponsive demeanor, and primal terror set in the cracks it left behind and forced its way to her very core.
The man's expression looking down at her as he mercilessly choked her was nothing short of monstrous. A wide-eyed stare, pupils contracted to tiny pinpricks filled with no discernible motive or feeling, and such a wide smile that conveyed nothing. All framed in a shadow caused by the green hair framing the man's face. In all her life, even amongst a shadowy organization like Baroque Works, she had never seen it's like.
It was like staring at the pure, undiluted manifestation of senseless insanity. A terrifying blank hole amidst the world of colors with nothing in it, not even the color white.
Goldenweek tried to claw and pry at the hands around her neck, but all it amounted to was the man squeezing harder with both of their hands. Already her lungs started burning, desperately needing air, as her strength started to leave her.
Something… something had gone horrifyingly wrong! This wasn't what her Calming Green should have done!
The mark- this happened after her Calming Green was placed. It had to be the cause of such a sudden shift!
Her consciousness already fading, her vision growing dark around the edges, she gathered the last of her strength. If she could reach the mark. If she could wipe it away… then…
Then maybe she wouldn't die…
Miss Goldenweek… no, Marianne felt like the child she was for the first time in ages. A scared child, terrified for her own life. She idly felt tears run down her face from sheer terror.
She just… had to… reach…
It was hard for Marianne to tell if her arms were doings as she commanded, as darkness washed over here, but she hoped, with the last vestiges of her conscious will before that too was snuffed out.
'Please… don't let… me die… I don't… want… to…'
…
…
…
…
...
...
The hands gripping the little girl's throat slowly released their hold, as the one attached to them breathed heavily, looking down at the unmoving girl beneath him, the still visible marks of his hands on her neck, and finally his own hands.
Then those hands trembled.
"What… What the fuck just happened?" Abel asked the air as if it could alleviate his confusion. "One moment I was… and then…"
The more he tried to recollect, the more obvious the blacked out part of his memory became. One moment he felt calm and drowsy… and then he suddenly woke up, strangling the life out of a kid…!
Blinking out of his haze, Abel swiftly moved off of the young girl's chest and placed his ear on it, while removing one of his gloves and placing that on her neck. To his immense relief, he could feel her chest move weakly, and he felt a calm pulse and heard a soft heartbeat.
"Oh, thank god," he sat straight, hiding his face into his hands. "Thank god…"
Abel Cain… no, Adam was not necessarily a good person, a bastard, who'd been fully willing to rough Miss Goldenweek up a little for some potential information. But killing her, killing a child… he'd never...
"I'm not a monster," Adam- Abel mumbled into his hands, breath slightly shuddering and uneven. "I'm not a monster… I'm not a monster… I. Am NOT. A monster!" He repeated, almost desperately for reasons he was fully intent on never leaving his deepest, most well-buried memories.
He raised his face from his hands, his shocked expression now morphed into one of grim determination, eyes steely and severe.
"Never again." The affirmation was the last he'd dwell on the subject and focused more on the girl before him. If he looked at her enough, maybe he could pretend like she was just sleeping and had a really bad nightmare. And a nosebleed.
Now, what was his next move?
It was tempting to just leave to find his crew, find the Going Merry, and forget this ever happened. But the lingering guilt wouldn't let him. This place had an open door, anything could waltz in and finish the job he'd… started. And this place had a lot of predators.
It was bothersome, but he couldn't leave the girl here, alone and defenseless.
"Damnit!" Abel cursed, slamming his still gloved fist into the floor, only to wince because damn that white material was hard! Putting his other glove back and rubbing his knuckle, he made a decision.
And tried so, so very hard to not think about whatever had just happened to him.
-o~O-O~o-
"I can't believe this!" To say Vivi was upset would not only be accurate but also describe her general feeling towards the path her life was on right now. "Can you believe this, Carue?"
The super spot-billed duck probably would have shrugged at the question, if he wasn't so terrified.
Vivi glowered. Just five seconds! For five seconds she had let Luffy out of her sights, and then he was just gone, leaving her and Carue alone in the middle of a hostile jungle filled with prehistoric predators! She didn't know if to blame Luffy's spontaneous simplicity or her own poor situational awareness for her current situation.
The small horde of feathered raptors running circles around the princess and her pet/friend, closing off any means of escape, only reminded her of what a stupidly bad idea it was to be out here on your own. Inwardly, she both cursed Luffy's name, and worried about the crossdresser who was also by their lonesome as far as she knew.
A normal person would have panicked. But Vivi was no demure, frail princess. She'd perfectly blended into the ranks of Baroque Works, she knew how to keep her cool in a tough situation. So instead of panicking, she saw an opportunity to vent out some of her frustrations.
"Carue," Vivi said, with steel in her voice as she deftly pulled out her Peacock Slashers and started spinning them idly. "I know you're scared, but I need you to watch my back, okay?"
She didn't need to look to understand the only slightly quivering quack(and the salute the duck most likely performed), to know she could count on her friend to do his best.
Just in time, as the raptors started their assault. At first, a few of the raptors broke formation and leaped at the two of them. A few deft movements and twirls of her Peacock Slashers made sure they soared overhead and didn't get back up for round 2. A second volley was more or less the same, save one that would have gotten Vivi from her blind spot, if not for Carue kicking it in the face.
A thing most people forgot about super spot-billed ducks like Carue, was that their legs were incredibly strong and powerful. They needed to be, to achieve their legendary speeds. Unfortunately, Carue himself wasn't the best at fighting, and his nervous frightfulness kept him from developing and taking full advantage of his abilities.
But in the heat of the raptor assault, keeping Vivi safe overpowered any fear and nerves Carue had.
The raptors were relentless, sending more of their number to charge at their intended prey, seemingly uncaring as more and more of their flock were cut down by Vivi's unassuming but vicious weapons. Some that weren't immediately out of the fight even sprang right back up to join the encircling horde that was starting to thin by the second. But they were predictable.
Eventually tiring of the fruitless tactic, the rest of the horde changed gears, charging the pair all at once to overpower them once and for all. Yet, despite no way to escape or get out of the way, Vivi grinned. She very quickly reached for her belt and swiftly switched to a more effective weapon for the situation.
"Down, Carue!" Vivi ordered as she flicked with her hand, a chain of razor-sharp crystals glinting in the sunlight as she rapidly spun in place like a ballerina. "Peacock String Slasher - Razor Dance!"
In an instant the raptors met with the wildly spinning strings of death and were flung all over the surroundings, falling like flies with their wings cut.
Not one got up from that.
Vivi halted her spin and took a moment to marvel at her own handiwork. Honestly, taking care of herself, with no assistance(Carue doesn't count) was incredibly refreshing, and so very rewarding.
"Okay, it's safe now," Vivi said to Carue, who had been huddled close to the ground, hiding underneath his wings. But just as he'd peeked to confirm the situation, the ground shookslightly as the pair turned sharply towards the sounds of heavy footfalls.
And were dismayed at the massive tyrannosaurus glaring at them hungrily from a distance.
"Oh come on!" Vivi cried incredulously while Carue burst into panicked tears. The raptors were one thing, but she had no way to deal with anything that big!
The tyrannosaurus rex roared, its deadly maw wide open, all its teeth in clear display, and both Vivi and Carue were just about ready to bolt it as the tyrannosaurus started to run towards them with surprising speed. But before they could even react, the tyrannosaurus stumbled and slowed, roaring in pain when an arrow flew out of the surrounding jungle and into one of its eyes.
Vivi could only watch in astonishment as a person ran out of the jungle, right at the massive dinosaur. They swiftly shouldered a bow, and grabbed a large, white object on their back(some sort of thick bone plate, Vivi noticed) and leaped high at the head of the tyrannosaurus. And Vivi's astonishment turned into awe as the person held onto the white object with both hand and viciously slammed it on the tyrannosaur's face with enough force to forcefully move the massive dinosaur's head to the side and, Vivi realized, driving the arrow deep into its skull.
The person landed in a crouch, and after taking a few stumbling steps, the tyrannosaur collapsed with a crash and didn't get up.
All of that had transpired within seconds, with near-effortless flow.
"Uhh," the princess tried to get her tongue in control. "Wow." Perfect.
The person responsible for felling the massive creature stood tall and placed the bone plate back on their back, turning towards the duo, giving Vivi a clear view of them.
The person was definitely female, based on her figure. She wore what seemed to be a dirty, worn white tunic that reached her lower thigh, with leather bracers and shin guards on her arms and legs, and simple but practical sandals on her feet. But most strikingly, they wore a skull of some large dinosaur on their head as a helmet. Vivi could barely see the woman's eyes from behind the empty eyeholes of the skull.
Additionally, they carried a bow on their shoulder, along with a quiver of arrows, a spear seemingly made of wood and tipped with sharp bone strapped across their torso with leather string, and the bone plate on their back, which might serve as a shield.
"Oh, thank Artemis I made it in time!" The huntress exclaimed in relief. They sounded more peppy and youthful than Vivi would have imagined from appearances alone. The woman then removed her dino-skull helmet, revealing a surprisingly unmarred, beautiful face with blonde hair tied to a loose ponytail.
Then the woman opened her baby blue eyes and looked at Vivi, her previously satisfied expression harshly crumbling into barefaced shock.
"Wait, who are you?!" the huntress exclaimed and pointed at her. "You're not that green-haired guy!"
"… Eh?" Vivi tilted her head in blank-faced confusion. She had no idea what was going on.
Meanwhile, the huntress began to mutter to herself. It was quite audible. "I don't get it. I could've sworn those were tracks left by a single person, followed by some manner of… creature…" The woman's eyes locked onto Carue, hiding behind Vivi.
She then sunk onto her knees and shot her arms up while shouting at the skies. "NOOOOOO! I FOLLOWED THE WRONG TRACKS!" She bent over and started to punch the grass beneath her. "I'm an absolute failure of a hunter! Artemis, forgive me for this transgression!"
"Uh, hey, I'm not sure what's wrong exactly, but it'll be okay," Vivi spoke up, trying to calm the suddenly hysterical woman. "You have my thanks for saving us. My name is Vivi, could you tell me yours?"
"Oh, hi! I'm Atalanta!" The woman waved at her cheerfully, before visibly recoiling at her own actions. "Augh, no! Now is not the time for that!"
The woman was on her feet in an instant, and in another, she had Vivi's shoulders in her tight, desperate grasp. "H-hey, what are you-"
"No time! Have you seen that green-haired friend of yours?" The woman asked, urgency clear in her tone.
"… Which one?" And Vivi was also annoyed that right now that fit two people she knew.
"The one on their own, with the needle sword," the huntress specified, bringing her face closer to Vivi's, staring her dead in the eyes. "Are they still alone?"
"Uh, I'd assume so," Vivi stammered, growing increasingly uncomfortable at this person invading her personal space.
"You have to help me find him!" the woman yelled out, the severity of the situation bleeding into her voice. "Your friend is in grave danger! The Black Demon could find him at any moment!"
-o~O-O~o-
At the same time, back by Mr.3's Wax Hideout, Abel was just about to step outside, carrying the unconscious Goldenweek by having her seated on the crook of his arm, leaning onto him like a child peacefully slumbering(if you ignore the developing bruising on her neck and the paper tufts plugging her nose). The young girl was shockingly light, despite her size. Or Able had just underestimated his own standard strength. Both could be equally possible, he thought.
But the moment one of his feet met grass, he froze in place.
There, opposite him, just barely out of the tree line, about twenty feet away, standing on two strong hind-legs and standing at about ten feet tall. It stared at the man with demonic red eyes, its black scales shining bleakly in the sunlight, with streaks of golden-yellow going down the sides of its body, from head to tail. Even closed, its mouth showcased a row of large, sharp teeth, and it flexed its long, deadly claws eagerly.
And then, impossibly, its reptilian mouth twisted into a cruel smile, tail slowly swishing behind it, almost like an amused cat eyeing a mouse.
The Hunter had found its prey.
Abel could only respond to the large, demonic beast staring him down in one, specific manner.
"Well… Shit."
-o~O-O~o-
Yes, I forgot Carue existed for a hot minute. So instead of correcting this... misstep, I simply considered 'hey, maybe Abel just didn't notice!' Because the poor fool still has a bit of a cencor for the outrageous. He'll grow out of it.
As a general rule to move things along, I don't focus that much on what the main crew is doing on adventures, unless it diverts real big from Canon, or if important events intersect. The thing with the main crew and the giants vs Mr.3 happens similarly enough to Canon(perhaps a wee bit easier), so I can just focus on Abel and, surprisingly, Vivi!
Poor Miss Goldenweek. She had the misfortune of having the best and worst matchup possible. Just her luck that Abel is both easily susceptible to mental tampering, but also the absolute worst target to use them on. She is very lucky to have made it out of that encounter with her life.
Also, Vivi being a badass! Very rare to see, surprisingly enough. I mean, she still has to get saved, but she was cool for a moment, right?
Speaking of, two unexpected Outsiders enter the fray! What will this mean? What could come off of this? How the F**K will Abel get out of this one in one piece?! ... *Ahem* Pardon the pun.
Well, we all know what it isn't going to be.
Easy. *insert diabolical Popo face*
I. Have been waiting. For this. (Please disregard that the following battle was only planned and finalized very recently.)
Next Chapter: The Apex Predator of Little Garden! Abel vs. The Indoraptor!
-Dinosaur Fan, C-Hablerie