Tero

Sweat rolled down Neo's forehead as she dodged Tero's sword before slicing upward with her own. Tero side stepped her attack and jutted his sword. Neo leapt back. Chest heaving up and down she tried to regain her breath. But Tero wasn't having it. He rushed her. Their blades clanked together in rapid succession.

Neo's body screamed for her to stop, but she kept pushing forward. It had been far too long since she had last trained. And with the coming war she needed to get back into shape as much as she could. So after a couple hours of trying to clear her mind of nature, Tero switched her to sword training.

As Law had said a few days ago, he had gone back to work. Well, it was about two hours after they had finished eating the first day. Neo figured he would be reluctant to leave them, he was. He held them both in his arms for those solid two hours before being able to pry himself away from them. She could feel him keeping a close eye on her for the most of the morning before finally letting himself become absorbed in his work, though when lunch came he did return to eat with her and spend time with Cora.

Not long after Neo and Tero stared training Amara and Nina showed up to watch over their princess and her child again. Tero allowed them to stay as long as they didn't interrupt their training no matter how intense it got. Neo could sense Amara wanting to step in and stop their sword sparring, but the elemental remained in place with a scowl on her face. Nina barely noticed anything as she spent most of her time cooing over Cora when he was awake.

Tero took several more slices at Neo, slicing her cheek. Iron drifted into her nostrils. Neo was about to switch to the offense when the sound of thundering feet stopped her. Both she and Tero started to move but were stopped when a blur leapt into the air and brought down a sword at Tero's head.

"You fiend! Have you no shame?!" The blur's sword clanked against Tero's. "Attacking a woman with such aggression!"

"What are you talking about? Who even are you?" Tero's arms trembled as he held the man's sword back with his own.

Amara and Nina were on their feet in a second, keeping themselves between the man and Cora.

Neo summoned her crystals. Before her heart leapt into her throat she heard a familiar voice calling to her.

"Lady Neo, please, do not attack him!"

Neo turned to find Tsuki running towards them. "Tsuki."

Tsuki paused in front of her with a low bow. "He is with me. I apologize for his rashness. I did not know you were training."

"Die!" the man hissed.

"Why don't you die first?" Tero growled. The two continued to clash with their swords.

"Okay, that's enough." Neo parted the two men with a wind crystal. "Tero isn't being mean to me at all."

"Forgive Haruki," Tsuki said. "He is young and does not always think before he acts."

With both men suspended in the air, Neo took a moment to study the new man. He was young, in his late twenties if she were to guess. Like most of the people in this country he had black hair pulled back in a topknot.

"You may let them down, Lady Neo," Tsuki said. "I give my word he will not attack again."

Neo lowered them. The two men put their swords up. The elementals relaxed but remained in place.

Haruki stepped closer to Neo and bowed. "It is an honor to meet you, Princess of Luminous."

"Neo, please." Neo shifted on her feet.

"Very well, Lady Neo." Haruki nodded. "I have come to speak with you. Forgive me for acting rash and for not sending word of my arrival."

"Why did you come? You're interrupting us." Tero crossed his arms.

"I welcome it," Amara said.

Tero glared at her.

"Haruki has something urgent he needs to speak to you about," Tsuki said.

"Out with it then." Tero tapped his finger on his elbow. "We don't have all day."

"Tero," Neo said. "Go ahead, Haruki."

Haruki nodded. "For generations my family has been close to your people."

"Skip to the important part. We don't have time for your entire background," Tero said.

"Must you be so rude?" Amara asked.

"Must you be so annoying?" Tero shot back.

"Enough, you two," Neo warned.

Cora wailed. Nina picked him up and passed him over to Neo.

"There, there." Neo rocked Cora for a moment before giving her attention back to the samurai. "Please, continue."

"In short, there is a cavern I believe you will want to see," Haruki said. "There is a poneglyph there that speaks of your people."

"Our people? What does it say?" Nina asked.

"I do not know," Haruki said. "I cannot understand the language. All I know is that it speaks of your people and there are crystals from your home island there as well."

"The elementals planted crystals here?" Neo's eyebrows drew together. "I wonder why."

"None of us here can read poneglyphs." Tero drummed his fingers on his arm.

"Robin can. We might be able to get her away from her job for a while," Neo said. "She'll want to read it."

"Shall I go get her for you?" Nina asked.

"If you would." Neo nodded.

"I'll be back as soon as I can find her." Nina lifted herself into the air.

"Be careful," Neo called as the elemental disappeared through the trees.

Tero sighed and headed away from them.

"We're not going to train more?" Neo asked.

"Maybe later." Tero waved. "I need a break anyway. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Neo watched him go.

"Forgive me for saying so, Lady Neo," Haruki said. "But that man should not be allowed to train with you." He gestured to the cut on her cheek. "You are injured."

"Oh, it's fine." Neo touched her cheek having almost forgotten about it. She summoned her solar crystal and healed it. "There. It's better."

"I've often wondered that same thing." Amara shot a glare after Tero. "Why do you have such a guy on your crew anyway? He's not what I envision when thinking of your crew."

"Neither did I. I never thought we'd have a crewmate like him on the sub. But he's proven himself loyal," Neo said. "And don't judge him harshly. He hasn't had the easiest life."

"Meaning?" Amara gestured for Neo to continue.

"For most for most of his childhood he was in and out of foster homes until he ran off and became a street rat then associated with a gang," Neo said.

Amara cocked an eyebrow in disbelief.

Neo created them some flower chairs and sat down. "I'll tell you all how he became a Heart Pirate while we wait for Robin and Nina. Let's see, it happened a few months after we entered the New World."

Neo covered her lips with her fingers and yawn. She rested her hand back on her book before sensing an island coming closer. Law walked into the rec. room. "Are we stopping?"
"Yes." Law lifted her feet and sat down on the couch. "Conner needs some parts for the sub."

"Something wrong?" Neo closed her book and placed it on her lap.

"No, its only basic maintenance supplies." Law rubbed her feet. "The last couple islands didn't have what he needed."

"I see." Neo hummed. "You are so gifted with your hands."

Law chuckled. "Once we're married you'll find out how gifted I really am with my hands."

Neo flushed and covered her face with her hands. "Law!"

A few minutes later the sub slowed to a stop. Law pulled her off the couch. "Come on, my shy princess. We're going to roam around for a while."

"Alone time on an island?"

"That's right." Law nodded. "We'll be here for a couple days. The crew has been feeling a little locked up together. That and I figured you could use some space to stretch out your wings."

"That's sweet of you to give the crew a break." Neo hugged him.

"I'm doing it for you." With an arm around her Law headed for the door.

Neo rolled her eyes. "You're so stubborn when it comes to admitting you love the crew."

"Hush up, child." Law squeezed her.

"Baby," Neo mumbled.

"Keep it up and you're grounded."

"Sure I will be." Neo hugged him. The pirates stepped out onto the deck to find a ghostly quiet harbor. "Well… this is different."

"I wonder where everyone is." Shachi looked around.

"Maybe there's a festival and people are farther inland?" Penguin stood with his hands on his hips.

"As long as they have the parts I need." Conner lifted the rail and descended from the sub.

Bepo sniffed the air. "That's odd."

"What is it, Bepo?" Neo asked.

"It's been a while since anyone has been here," Bepo said.

"Everyone, be careful," Law ordered.

"Aye, Captain!" The crew left the sub.

Moving away from the harbor they found the town just as empty. And it looked as if a hurricane had hit it. Windows were broken, boards from buildings had been broken off and tossed on the ground, flowers and potted plants had been neglected. A few curtains shifted. Behind them a few people peeked out before disappearing back into their homes.

"This is creepy." Neo stepped closer to Law.

"Maybe pirates attacked," Jean Bart said. "They might even still be here."

Law scanned the area, spotting a hotel.

"Are we going to stay there?" Neo asked.

"If they have rooms." Law headed for the hotel. They entered to find a group of ten people standing around the lobby. All wore the same grey jackets with light colored stripes on the arms.

'Law, some of these people have devil fruits.'

'Keep an eye on them.'

"Yo, the name is Fritz." A tall man with blonde hair, leaning against the check in desk, pulled the pirates attention. "I'm the boss of the Tiger Sharks. We're a band of almost three hundred gangsters. And this is my island. We don't take very kindly to pirates being here to cause trouble."

"We're not here to cause trouble. All we want is some rooms for a few nights," Law said.

"That so? What you here for?" Fritz asked.

"Parts for our sub and a break from the sea," Law said.

"Fine. You can have your nights here. But that's all. Come three days you have better be outta here." Fritz nodded towards another man. "Tero there will help with anything you need."

"How kind of you." Law handed over their money, grabbed their keys, and led the crew up the stairs.

"That was crazy." Neo rubbed her arms. "But I guess their devil fruit users are how they conquered this island. Fritz has one that's connected to dirt. A few downstairs have zoan devil fruits. I sense other animals in town, too."

"They're trouble for sure. Best to avoid them as much as possible," Law ordered.

"Hopefully they won't start anything," Shachi said.

"Just avoid them. No starting fights at all. If they want to fight you all are to walk away." Neo gave each and everyone of them a pointed look.

"Yes, ma'am," they said.

Neo nodded in acceptance. Dividing the keys the pirates went to their rooms. Once settled Neo and Law left the hotel. Outside she spotted Tero staring towards the harbor.

"Let's get out of town for a while," Law said.

"Right." Neo noticed she had stopped walking. She rushed to catch up with him before slowing to a walk.

"What caught you attention?"

"Tero," Neo said. "There's something different about him from the other gang members."

Law cocked an eyebrow.

"Oh, don't look at me like that. I know he's with a dangerous gang, but still…" Neo glanced back over her shoulder. The man was growing smaller but she could still tell he was starting at the harbor.

"Time for you to stop thinking about another man." Law formed his Room and warped them out of the town.

"You are so cute when you're jealous." Neo smiled after they reappeared closer to the forest.

With a chuckle, Law tilted her chin and kissed her.

Neo tensed then kissed him back. She hummed when he pulled back. "I thought I was suppose to be stretching my wings."

"Sass me and you'll go back to sub." Law flicked her nose.

"Sure I will." Lacing her fingers through his, Neo walked him towards the forest. Covered by the flora, she summoned her wings. She flicked and fluttered them as they walked along. Before long several forest critters came scrambling up to them for attention. The hours passed with the two walking in the company of forest creatures. "There are multiple tunnels underground."

"Tunnels? You mean caves?" Law asked.

"Some of them are natural caves. But a lot of them have been man made." Neo brushed the grass with her toes. "I wonder why."

"Could be storm shelters. Or places to hide if pirates attack."

"Maybe."

The next day Neo left the hotel with Bepo. "Come on. I want to check on the sub before we head out."

"Sure thing." Bepo nodded.

Neo scanned the streets. People had finally came out of their homes but they were skittish, most didn't make eye contact as they moved about their day. "This place seems so miserable. I wish we could do something for them."

"Yeah. But it's not our problem," Bepo said.

Neo sighed. She knew he was right. They were pirates. And they would be leaving soon. A fresh gust of salty wind rushed upon them. They reached the harbor. Conner, Archer, and a few others were at the sub, loading the supplies Conner wanted. "Looks like everything's fine."

"Of course it is. There's always someone watching out for the sub." Bepo patted her head. "It's cute how to worry though."

Neo smiled. "I guess I am a bit more concerned than usual. This place isn't nice. Those gang people could try something." Turning to their right they headed towards the beach. She noticed a familiar looking man sitting on a crate. It was Tero. The man's eyes remained locked on the water despite the beautiful woman doing her best to get his attention.

"Neo?"

Neo found Bepo was several feet ahead of her. She ran to him. "Sorry. Got distracted." Linking her arm with his, they headed away from the harbor. "Let's go."

They followed the ocean until they came to a secluded cove. Neo stretched. "This is nice."

Bepo nodded. "It really is. Nice to see a place on this island that isn't-"

Laughter interrupted him. The two pirates tensed as multiple Tiger Sharks surrounded them.

Bepo growled. "What are you doing?!"

"We're here to calm our prize," Fritz said.

"Prize? What prize?" Neo's hairs rose on her neck. She took her fighting stance. Were they after her? Did they notice her nature?

"Celestial Dragons will pay a nice prize for strong creatures like this mink here." Fritz nodded at Bepo.

"What?!" Neo gasped. They were after Bepo.

"You heard me." Fritz held out his hand. "Now."

Neo summoned her crystals. Before she could make an attack a sharp piercing sound shot through the air. Her hands shot to her ears. Then a bright flash blinded her. Her heart jumped into her throat. She tried to connect to nature, but the ringing in her ears was too much. The presence of people moved around her. She threw out a couple kicks and punches, only touching air.

With no way of finding Bepo or fighting she had no choice but to wait until she was connected to her magic again. Her knees buckled. She crashed to the ground and waited. Sensing no one around her she assumed the gang members had left.

'Law! They took Bepo!' Neo cried out when enough of her magic came back.

'What? Who?'

'It was the Tiger Sharks. They want to sell Bepo to Celestial Dragons because he's a mink.' Tears poured down her cheeks. The light in her eyes and ringing in her ears were fading but not fast enough. 'I'm sorry. I couldn't stop them. They used flash bombs and a sonic blast gun. I think they're heading to the harbor right now. I can't concentrate enough to be sure.'

"Okay, calm down. You can still stop them. Use your crystals to create a storm around the island. Right on the edges. That way the townspeople won't be hurt.'

'Right.' Neo closed her eyes. Pushing her panic away she traced the outline of the island the best she could. Once she had a strong enough outline in her mind she summoned her crystals. The sky darkened. Thunder rumbled. Leaves rustled. Animals scurried to their homes. Feeling the water swirl around the island, she headed for Law.

The rest of the crew had gathered at the harbor.

"What's going on?"

"Why are you creating a storm?"

"The Tiger Sharks took Bepo. They're going to sell him to the Celestial Dragons." Neo rubbed her eyes against fresh tears. "They should be here somewhere."

"What?!"

"Where are they!"

"They won't get away with this!" The Heart Pirates looked around but sighted no one attempting to leave the island.

"Calm down." Law appeared among them. "And think. We have to do this carefully. The Tiger Sharks have close to three hundred members. I don't believe Bepo is in any immediate dangers, but we have to be careful. They know about us. If they think they can get away with taking one of ours then they surely have thought this out."

"They might have planned for this," Shachi said. "Which means they are expecting us to come after them."

"So what are we going to do?" Penguin asked. "If they aren't here on the water, then where are they?"
Everyone turned to Neo. She lowered her head. "I'm sorry. I can barely sense him. I think… I think he's underground."

"Underground?" Shachi asked.

"Yesterday Neo sensed a lot of caves and man made caverns under the island," Law said. "They probably have bases down there."

"Then let's go after them!" Penguin said.

"No, we can't. Not with my magic like this." Neo looked at her hands. "They could have traps. We'll be at a disadvantage."

Silence fell through the crew.

"Well, maybe this guy can answer a few questions." The crew looked up when Conner spoke. He and the others, who were load supplies on the sub, walked over to them with Tero in chains.

"How did you…? What happened?" Shachi asked.

"When a storm blew up suddenly and swirled around the island, we knew something was up," Archer said. "We also noticed that this guy and a few others were watching us all day long."

Neo gripped her fists. A low thunder rumbled overhead. How she wished she could put a sharp clap if thunder in this gang member's ears and force him to tell her where Bepo had been taken. But torture wasn't her speed. That was Law's specialty.

"Well, then let's get our friend here on the sub." Law's eyes glinted with danger. "We have much to discuss."

Neo paced and paced. Every time she came to the door to the brig she paused to stare at it before starting her pacing again. It had been over an hour since Law started torturing Tero. Only a few screams came from inside. That could only mean two things. One, Tero's pain tolerance was amazingly high. Or, two, Tero didn't care about the pain and wished for death. Either way it wasn't good. Her magic had returned fully but they still couldn't go after Bepo. They needed to know what they were walking into. Finally, Law stepped out of the brig. "Law?"

Law shook his head.

Neo's heart sank.

"It's hopeless." Archer slumped against the wall. "No matter what the captain does he's not going to talk. He's either really stupid or really loyal."

"Maybe we're going about this the wrong way." Jean Bart, sitting cross-legged on the floor, rubbed his chin.

"How so? If any of us is going to get him to talk it's the captain," Penguin said. "And he's had no luck."

"True, but gang members are different. The majority of them are extremely loyal to the point that they would die for their family. Neo said she gets a different feeling from Tero than the other gang members."

Law frowned.

"You can't be serious!" Penguin jumped to his feet. "There's no way we're sending Neo in to talk to that jerk!" He turned to Law. "Captain! You can't be considering this! Neo's not an enforcer! And she's not the type to hurt anyone!"

Law exhaled.

Neo glanced up at Law. She was tempted to search his thoughts. But she didn't. She had her own. With a lick of her lips she said, "I want to try."

"What?!" Penguin's jaw dropped.

"Penguin, I'll be fine. He's tied up and you all will be outside of the door."

"No way! No way you're going in there alone!"

"Penguin." Neo grabbed his hand. "I can handle this. I have to at least try."

Penguin gritted his teeth. Seconds ticked by before he relaxed. "Okay." He hugged her. "But he better not hurt you in any kind of way."

Neo hugged him back before turning to Law. She noted the worry in his eyes. "Law?"

A moment of silence past. "I won't stop you. But keep your bond open with me. I'll be there in a second if you need me."

Neo nodded. With a look at the crew she turned and headed into the room. Tero's eyes were closed upon her entering. She expected him to open them but he didn't. Heart racing she took a moment to gather herself before walking closer to him. "You're different from the other gang members."

Tero looked at her. His left eye had a nice black and blue shine. Dry blood clung to his skin under his nose. All his fingers had been broken.

If Neo knew Law like she believed she did, she was certain a few of Tero's internal organs made an outside appearance. Her stomach churned at the thought of it. She forced it from her mind.

Tero snorted. "You're one to talk. So why did they send in a child now? Think you can make me talk? Don't count on it."

"Well, technically, you're talking now."

"I meant about your stupid bear." Tero glared.

"I know that. And I want him back. Why won't you tell me where they've taken him? I'll be very grateful."

Tero rolled his eyes. "Yeah. I'm going to tell you for gratitude."

"Then tell me why you joined them. Why a gang?"

"That's none of your business. Now get lost." Tero closed his eyes.

"What if I can set you free?"

Tero's eyes shot open.

For a split second Neo saw hope flash in his eyes before it was masked.

"What makes you think I'm not free?"
"Some of the people here have told us about the Tiger Sharks. The only way one of their members is able to leave is by death."

"You have a point with this?"

"I can tell you're not happy with them. I've seen you gaze out at the ocean with a longing."

"Shut up!" Tero jerked against his restraints. The chair legs clunked against the floor.

'Neo?'

'It's okay. I think I touched a soft spot.'

"You don't know anything about me!" Tero snapped.

"I don't deny that. And I probably never. You don't seem like the type of guy to open up to someone. But I know I am right. You want to leave this place. I can make that happen."

"Yeah? You think you can do something against hundreds of Tiger Sharks?"

Neo smiled. "I know I can."

Tero eyed her. "A skinny, skittish, pirate brat like you? You must be joking."

Neo clasped her hands behind her back. "Yes. A skinny, skittish, pirate brat like me."

"And how do you think you're going to be able to do that?"

"There are hundreds of tunnels running under this island. Some are manmade. And I have a theory that they were built by the Tiger Sharks."

"And how do you know that? About the tunnels?"

"I can sense it."

'Neo, are you sure about this?'

'Yes. Tero is a good guy. And if it takes him knowing my secret, then so be it.'

"You can sense it?"

Neo nodded. "You can sense that I'm not normal."

Tero cocked an eyebrow.

"I'm not human."

Tero stared at her, his eyes filling with realization. "What are you?"
"I am an elemental." Neo summoned her crystals. "I'm not a devil fruit eater."

"So then find him yourself."

"I can't. There are so many tunnels I'm having difficultly pinpointing which one they're in. I need your help. Will you help me find my crewmate? My brother?"

Several minutes past before Tero spoke again. "Becoming a gang member was never on my to do list. As a kid, I was forced to become a Tiger Shark when I got caught stealing from them. What price are you seeking if I help you? You going to force me to join your crew?"

"You can do whatever you want after you are freed. If you want to join us then you can. If you want to stay here or leave you can. Become a marine if you want to."

"No thanks. Marines are nothing but a bunch of sissy, little cowards."

Neo huffed. "You are so…" She twirled her hand in an attempt to find the right word. "Stubborn, maybe? Hardheaded? Or maybe a brute would better suit you."

"Okay, okay. I get it. I'm not one of your soft pirate crew members."

"My crew is not soft." Neo narrowed her eyebrows at him.

"Whatever." Tero waved her off. "Are you going to let me out of here or not?"

"Are you going to help us rescue Bepo?"

"Fine. Get me out of here and I'll take you to the hidden port."

Neo nodded. Stepping out of the cell she grabbed the keys to his chains and unlocked them before leading him out of the brig.

"You!" Penguin tensed and lifted his fists. The rest of the crew stiffened, ready for a fight.

"He's agreed to help us," Neo said.

"This had better not be a trick!" Shachi glared.

"He's telling the truth. I trust him to help us," Neo said. "Stand down."

The crew lowered their fists and weapons.

"Smart move." Tero crossed his arms, wincing at the pain in his broken fingers.

"Law, fix his fingers," Neo said.

Law lifted his hand. His Room filled the hall. With in seconds Tero's fingers were straight and back in place. "You'll need bandages."

"I'm fine. Let's get this over with." Tero waved. "Lead the way."

The pirates gathered on the deck.

"Which way?" Law asked.

"They'll be at the farthest point north by now." Tero pointed north. "There're fake trees there. The boss built it years ago to hide extra ships from the people and navy."

"They got that far in just an hour?" Shachi asked.

"There's transportation underground to travel fast." Tero headed for a near by building. "This is where they entered. And where you two men captured me."

The pirates stepped into the building to find it was for storage and several men were lying unconscious on the ground.

"What happened here?" Penguin asked.

"They're gang members. They wanted to fight. So we did." Conner shrugged. "They were pathetically weak."

"Not all of the Tiger Sharks are." Tero walked away from them. "These guys were low levels. Sacrificial pawns."

"That's terrible," Neo said. "How could anyone to this to their crew?"

"Not everyone is a weak minded brat like you." Tero tossed Neo a glance over his shoulder.

"Neo is not weak!" Penguin growled and gritted his teeth.

"It's okay, Penguin." Neo touched his arm, his body relaxed. "I don't care what he thinks of me as long as he gets us to Bepo."

"Then stop with all this pointless talking." Tero shoved a crate aside and tapped his toes on the floor. A door slid open, revealing stairs leading down.

They descended into the darkness before lights lit up around them. As they moved on the lights behind them shut off as more turned on until they came to an opening with wheel platforms on tracks. Standing on the middle of it was a device that looked similar to a seesaw.

"That's what they travel with?" Neo asked. "What's the seesaw thing for?"
"That's how you make the handcar move." Tero climbed up on the platform.

"They look slow," Shachi said.

"It's faster than you'd think. Get on or I'm leaving you here." Tero grabbed one end of the hand pump.

"Do you need help?" Neo asked.

"I can handle it find."

The crew climbed upon a platform.

Tero pumped the handle up and down. The wheels squeaked as the car started rolling over the tracks.

Neo gasped and clung to Law's arm.

"Don't tell me you're afraid," Tero said.

"Um, yeah, a little." Neo nodded, her eyes locked onto the object under her feet. "But it's not so bad."

"Before you make some smart mouth comment," Penguin said. "Neo is neophobic because of how poorly she was treated growing up."

"Whatever." Tero shrugged.

Several twists and turns later, they arrived at a large door. Tero nodded at it. "They're in there. It's an underground harbor so ships will be in there too. They could be on any one of them."

"Neo, keep your storm up and lock most of the gang members, if not all of them, in place." Law held up his hand and warped them into the room. The gang members jumped into action when the noticed what was going on.

Neo pushed wind around the room, doing as Law wanted her. She pinned the normal ones easily. But those with devil fruit powers were able to push through her winds. If she could use her full magic they would have been pinned as well. But she had to be careful not to hurt her crew while in the limits of being underground. Still she was able to slow them down as her crew moved around the room, with her help, and knocked the enemy out.

Fritz stepped out of the ship. Using his devil fruit he called up dirt, but Neo pushed it away from her crew. Law warped to the ship and sliced Fritz into multiple pieces.

"What the heck?! What have you done to me?! How am I still alive?!" Fritz shrieked.

Neo banished her crystals and joined Law on the ship a second before he warped Bepo. The mink was chained and gagged. Law removed them with his power. "Bepo!"

"Neo! Captain!" Tears swelled in Bepo's eyes. "I'm so glad you came!"

After tying up the gang members the pirates left the underground to finish the gang members remaining on the island. Once the threat had been cleared, Law sent out an SOS to the navy. In doing so they had to leave.

"Are you sure about your decision to become a pirate?" Neo asked as Tero stared at the island he was leaving behind.

"Who knows?" Tero shrugged. "The only thing I know for sure is you elementals are a pain."

"And that's it." Neo finished her story.

"He seemed to have switched sides awfully quick," Amara said.

Neo shrugged with a smile. "Some might see it that way. But I know I can trust him."

Author's Note: Okay that was a bit fast. I might slow it down later on, but that's how Tero became a Heart. I couldn't think of anything else to do. Finally got settled into my new computer. Now to get settled back into writing.