After the unfortunate encounter with the Marine Lieutenant, the five girls sat in the room they rented for the time being, should he return like the people of the town claimed, they could always kill him on sight, no more problems.

However they wouldn't know how to help the prisoners.

But still…

"Are you truly sure you want to expose yourself already?" White asked Robin, since she'd been so adamant on keeping safe, but her decision seemed like it was thrown away to the wind over what they had seen and heard.

"I don't want to say that I owe these people anything, I don't, but this person and his little friends are terrorizing and destroying villages pretty much like they've done with Ohara."

It was all just so familiar.

She placed a hand on her chest, her heart hurt at the memory.

"It's so infuriating how these people commit atrocities worthy of the worst kind of pirates, but they never get punished because they're authorities…" or whatever.

Her mismatched eyes met White's green ones.

"When I was first brought to the Bunker, even though I had no choice but to obey or die, I thought I'd hate being a soldier, because I hated the Marine and all it represents." she gave a sigh. "But… I'm also glad to have been proven wrong."

Even if it all had been a mistake, these people were just victims of a monumental lie.

Their hearts were in the right places, as none of them truly wanted to commit the atrocities they did, including their Commander that she initially despised so much.

She didn't forgive her for everything she did, as much as neither Freesia and her companions did, but at least they saw the struggle taken to make certain decisions, which allowed them to at least move over.

White blamed herself really hard for everything too, adding fuel to the fire would be useless.

Marines though and also the World Government itself, they never apologized for anything they did absolutely on purpose.

"I can see what you've been warning us so much about." Anemone nodded.

These Marines truly took nothing to show their true colors immediately since they saw them.

Including promises of sexual harassment and abuse that they probably already delivered to those innocent civilians.

Even worse since they had been directed mostly to her girlfriend in this case.

"Bunch of pigs." Jackass growled, putting her hands on her waist.

They had the courage to talk about Cattleya's looks as if she was a piece of meat ready to be eaten. She must have been disgusted to no end, even an idiot would know even if she didn't say anything on the matter.

Anemone was beyond furious for sure, given how she protectively held the woman's waist as they sat on one of the beds.

She was her girlfriend after all.

The only one allowed to look at Cattleya that way.

"Besides, if we free the prisoners, maybe they will work with us. I'll admit that some extra help will be useful whenever we'll find somewhere to stay." even though it would be hard to explain everything they were, and what they wanted, Robin assumed.

But it could be worked out if needed, she understood, and had to understand quickly.

As long as they weren't hostile towards humans, and vice versa, then it shouldn't be such a big worry, the worst would be a leak of information to the wrong people, but again, who knew what androids were on this planet?

Very few people.

In the meantime the Scanner had been busy analyzing the map of the island, based on the one they had seen on the wall before.

"We shouldn't stay here much longer. I don't want to feel guilty if something happens to these people because of us." she said. "Well, they have been nice to us, it's something rare, I'll admit." Robin replied.

Her eyes laid on Pod 007, now out from its bag.

"Let's go back to the cave, and wait for the night, pretend we're gone then catch them off guard."

And so, with the help of Robin's Pod they left through the window.

Walking through small alleyways and using the advantage of their enhanced speed, no one would be able to catch them and they'd be gone before anyone could truly see them.

Eventually the sky grew dark, and the night greeted them as they sat hiding in the trees surrounding the villa. But for as beautiful as this was, the girls had other priorities than admiring stars, at least for now. Like Robin said, they would have the time to see it every day once they established themselves on this planet.

And speaking of saying things, the human was still worrying too much.

"Are you sure you want to join me in this? I can still go alone."

Besides, with her new body, Robin was sure she'd destroy these people without help.

"How many times are you going to ask this?" Jackass almost glared at her. She appreciated the woman but sometimes she worried way too much.

"Because I don't want you guys to be wanted like me as soon as we set foot here."

"Nico Robin, by accepting to come here, regardless if it's us, or the people we left behind for now, we also already accepted all the risks you've been talking to us about multiple times over. You do not need to ask again." White spoke, even she was getting a little annoyed at the constant worry the human showed.

But she did understand why.

Besides, she knew part of it was just the fear of losing people close to her now that she had them.

A fear they all shared though.

"We're associated with you as much as you are associated with us, so sooner or later, as much as you don't wish for that to happen, it eventually will, and none of us will let you go alone either, regardless of our safety." Cattleya was speaking for pretty much everyone, but she knew that Freesia in particular would never allow Robin to leave at all, ever.

So one of the things she wanted to do was to not let her out of her sight while she wasn't here.

She promised she'd look after them.

To her friends, but also to herself.

It was her purpose and personality, because her family was the most important thing ever.

But right now she wished to protect those innocent prisoners just as much.

She didn't know why, but her heart clenched whenever she thought about them, especially that little child.

For some reason she felt that she already went through something similar before…

Could it be…

"Just stop worrying, and let's give these people what's coming to them. Show them how strong we are." Anemone crossed her arms.

Since these Marines thought of women as nothing more than something weak to be at their service they will see how they were just pathetic excuses of human beings.

She saw and heard what her superiors did to Lily back then when they were still in the army, and heard of the story of Robin herself that she'd been victim of similar treatments, and not just a few times for the both of them.

It was making her blood boil just thinking about it.

And not only hers.

She did see how Cattleya seemed to be even colder than usual.

A silent fury hidden behind those blue eyes of hers that she'd never seen before.

It took a lot to anger her, but these Marines managed to even do that, so they were in for a really bad time.

Though she was a little concerned at what she could potentially do.

Because when Cattleya acted based on feelings she could get reckless.

Hopefully not, but against humans she should be fine, even if she wasn't good at fighting she was still stronger.

"Fine… I yield." Robin sighed.

There was no winning with these people, but… their affection would never fail to make her heart flutter.

Even if she should be used to it by now, they never failed to surprise her.

Nor to make her feel warm.

For as bad as it was, and as sorry as she felt for these prisoners, she was glad that the Marines had shown exactly how cruel they could be, so the people she brought along could see it, and she could prove that her words weren't misplaced.

Though she didn't need to prove anything, however, saying and seeing with their eyes was different.

"Then let's kick some asses, I'm dying to put a bullet in that asshole's brain." Jackass grinned, wanting to get rid of these people as soon as possible, as she already drew her pistol to shoot at the guards.

"Not so fast." Robin put a hand in front of her.

They could see her look at something, or rather, for something.

"Cattleya, I'd like you to attempt something." she pointed at some little animals placed on the walls of the villa.

They looked like snails.

"Those are called den den mushis. They are docile animals people use for communication, and in this case like surveillance cameras."

"So you'd like me to try and disable them?" but wouldn't she hurt the animals?

"The devices are mounted on their shells, but aren't part of their organisms, if you're worried about hurting those creatures." the human replied, as if she read her mind.

She'd just need to deactivate the cameras.

"That could be a distraction." if it worked. But Anemone wasn't doubting her girlfriend's skills, more like she was puzzled by the snails, and wondered if a Scanner's hacking worked on them.

But if it did she was sure that Cattleya would feel better about her role too.

Because she'd be able to do more, without the need to fight.

However something told her that against these people even she would throw hands this time.

A non combatant Scanner she may be, but she was hardly any weak.

"It will make things easier for us, they'll be worried to find out what happened, and it'll be then that we can strike." not that they couldn't, but she too was curious to see if hacking could be used.

After all, even if they were snails, the things mounted on them were still technological.

And manipulating technology was what Scanners did best.

"I can certainly make an attempt." she summoned a screen as she said so, focusing on trying to hack the cameras.

"I'd try not to destroy everything either, who knows they may have resources that could be useful in the villa?" most likely they did. "I'd try to find the prisoners without causing too much of a riot if possible."

"I'm not too keen at the idea of stealing, but it can't be helped I guess." White gave a shrug to Robin, and she gave a small grin. "A pirate takes what it needs without asking."

Old habits die hard, and besides these people didn't need any kind of respect anyways.

"Sometimes it's hard to remember you were a pirate for how long and how loyal you've been as a soldier. Not to mention you hardly fit the normal stigma of being a pirate too."

"I'll take that as a compliment, Commander." Robin then diverted her attention towards their resident Scanner, who was quietly sitting and tapping away at her screens.

Her fingers were quick and precise, brows furrowed in concentration.

They stayed silent allowing her to work, until she'd say if she'd been successful or not.

It passed a bit, until they saw her pull the screen away, but on her face she had a small smile, but for some reason it looked as positive as it was dark.

There was something unspoken behind it.

"Hacking successful." she just said. "I even managed to deactivate the main snail that receives signals. We should see the results soon."

And like Cattleya said, they did not have to wait too long, as more Marines rushed towards the guards at the entrance, confused and distraught. Being honest, a Scanner's hacking ability was something never seen before in this world, she understood the confusion.

But at the moment she didn't care.

She didn't even know why, but it was like her calmness had been replaced by something else, more raw and scary…

Like some innate evil that until now had been buried deep inside her.

And she wasn't willing to try to stop it.

"Then, let's teach them a lesson." Robin said, reaching for her sword, White did the same thing, while Anemone and Jackass already had their rifles and guns ready to fire.

Cattleya only had the knife Lycoris left her, but that was enough.

The strength of her friends was with her.

Now she understood Freesia's decision to give her the mantle, and the others leaving her things too. It gave her courage she wouldn't have normally when alone.

When the guards were distracted talking with one another, it was then that they rushed over, and with their speed of androids they were upon them in a flash, before they could realize anything Robin cut one of them in half, while White at her side stabbed another.

Anemone and Jackass' rifles finished off the rest.

All but one.

Which Robin took from behind. Even though he was much bigger than her all he could do was squirm under her strength, she pointed her sword at his neck.

"The prisoners." she spoke with a tone as cold as ice.

"Down… down below…" he stuttered. Of course there would be a hidden floor below, probably without even a shred of light that those people could see.

"Good boy…" she then cut his neck leaving him to die on the floor.

She did not care if it was cruel, there was no room for respect for these people.

At least her companions didn't judge, and wouldn't judge, they had already seen her at her worst anyways.

Also they saw first hand how Marines acted, using people as their property.

And her sword demanded their blood, and she'd answer. Somehow, as she killed these two, she felt the energy coming from Scarlet Despair vibrate stronger than usual through her arm and body.

Perhaps it was just as angry as she was.

Quickly, without giving these people the time to react, they barged into the villa, breaking through the front gate that gave out under their strength, pushing it open with little effort, as it did the door of it, literally broken to pieces with a well placed kick from Robin.

How she wished she had this strength before…

No one would have abused her, but would have just feared and cowered.

Wouldn't that have been nice?

As the door broke down, parts and fragments crushed whoever was behind it, and who didn't, was swiftly taken care of before they could say anything.

Pathetic, honestly.

They didn't have much regard if the people stuck under the door were alive or not, as they stepped on them with their full weight, crushing them even more.

The Marines still left in the room barely had time to panic, scream or call for help and warn their colleagues there were intruders in the villa, before the androids were upon them.

One of the soldiers managed to sneak up behind Cattleya as she hung in the back, looking for a possible entrance to the prison or wherever the people were being held, leaving the others most of the work.

However as the guy tried to grab her by the neck, she barely even moved, with the soldier unable to move her by an inch, she however quickly turned grabbing one of his arms, and using her strength she threw him away, and out of the window.

He flew as if he was a leaf in the wind.

Like he was barely weighing anything.

Matter of fact, he did, for an android, even a Scanner.

No one said anything, she was just defending herself, with a nod to them, she went to look in the drawers of the desk in the room, luckily it hadn't been damaged. And again, even if they were locked, they were barely any challenge to break since they were made of wood.

While the rest fended off the attackers.

But something wasn't right…

The Lieutenant was nowhere to be seen…

Probably he was hiding away like a coward, it'd suit him, actually.

But still… Cattleya had an odd feeling in her chest that she couldn't quite place, she'd been feeling it since the man of the tavern mentioned his daughter, but mostly the little child.

Her heart hurt like something was forcefully squeezing it.

The only time she felt like this, was when she realized that Anemone and Freesia weren't with them when they were in the server, when they died, and the thought they may have never met again…

But she wasn't tied to these people…

Why?

Shaking her head, she finally found the keys Robin told her to look for.

They had strength to break the bars themselves, unless they were made out of seastone, as she explained the mineral being as hard a diamond, if not harder, so even they would not be able to make a dent in it.

That was why the keys would be so important.

Otherwise coming here would have been worth nothing but getting willingly in trouble.

Robin mostly.

But all of them really.

She wasn't even fazed when yet another corpse joined the pile, thrown from the black glowing sword the human held. Robin had that dark and expressionless look she had when Freesia had been hurt.

She was 26E now.

The Executioner star of YoRHa.

Jackass shot yet another guy in the head. "Stupid idiots."

Despite the sounds of fighting, all was too quiet though, their leader still wasn't showing.

Regardless, Cattleya handed the keys to White, as she went to open the steel door that was evidently where the prisoners were held, why else have such an imposing door when the others were made of simple wood?

And much easier to break.

The Commander went to open as the soldiers still tried to contest them, only to meet her blade hadn't they been taken care of already.

One thing for sure, there were many more Marines than expected, but they did know these people relied mostly on numbers rather than the quality and strength of their soldiers.

Unlike YoRHa.

Well, they were numerous too, but not as much as they were, and also they all had their capabilities for each different type.

These soldiers seemed made out of nothing.

But it was annoying how they appeared out of nowhere like mushrooms.

Or like machines.

But it mattered little right now.

It mattered more the long fleet of stairs that greeted them once White pushed the heavy door open, surely, the people they were looking for had to be down there.

And hopefully all of them.

"Let's go." Anemone led the charge down the stairs, rifle in hand, like a leader.

Well, she'd been one for a few years.

She still learned a lot during that time, and from Rose.

And she too wanted to free these prisoners, they were people in need, and she'd never deny anyone aid, like she did with Devola and Popola.

Though for them she wished she could have done more.

But she could always learn from her mistakes for the future, and she would, even though she was no leader anymore it didn't mean her experience didn't count.

She'd make it count.

Once they descended the stairs, they were met with a huge room where no light filtered in, ever, not even in daytime, in it there was a great number or cells, of what Robin did expect, made with seastone bars in case of devil fruit users, and an even greater number of people inside.

They were pale, skinny, some of them hurt and bleeding, completely abandoned to themselves, tied to long chains attached to the walls, which also were supposedly made of seastone.

Would explain the absurd amount of keys they found.

Immediately as they entered, the prisoners cowered, probably expecting the Marines to come and get them, or whatever they did, which was nothing good judging just by the looks.

Until one of them had the courage to look up, and notice they weren't those evil jerks they were expecting, and like a chain, they all looked at them, trying to desperately reach through the bars.

And all asked one single question.

"Are you here to save us?"

They begged, rather than asked.

Poor things…

How long have they been held here? With no light, and possibly not even food, and maybe not even water…

"This is so goddamn cruel…" White growled, and she thought she had surpassed this cruelty.

But no, somehow she didn't.

For as bad as she'd been, she did care for her soldiers.

Just like she'd been told.

She never and would never treat anyone this way, looking like less than a slave even…

Immediately she took the keys to open the first cage, Cattleya was at her side instructing her to the correct combination so they could work faster by scanning the keyholes and the keys themselves.

After all, even these were calculations.

Anemone, Jackass and Robin kept on guard, there were still more soldiers in the villa.

And still, of the guy they saw earlier no trace.

Obviously, he could not be left alive, if he was still here, though no one escaped from the front door, as far as they knew, but he could have ran.

From the stairs they could hear the stomping of more soldiers coming, and Robin braced herself repeating the words in her mind as Scarlet Despair glowed harder than before.

She could use some magic to get rid of many of them easily.

She would.

As soon as the Marines entered she wasted no time in acting, having the others stay behind her for safety.

She raised her arm, then said the words.

"Dark Execution." she didn't yell, she didn't shout.

Her anger was cold and unforgiving, as were the magical spears rising from the ground before her, impaling and killing everything that came in contact with them without mercy.

But she had none left.

And when there were some left, from the bag Robin still held, Pod 007 was set free, as she pointed forward she gave the order.

"Laser fire."

As loyal as ever, the purple Pod shot probably the most powerful laser he ever did, mimicking the anger of his owner.

He could still read her mind after all.

And everyone else's.

It must have affected him too.

As the soldiers fell, Robin could still feel her sword brimming with energy, and when she looked better, she could see the blood on the ground being absorbed by it.

Was it… fuel?

And was it why the sword ran out of power on Earth? Because there was no one with actual blood?

It was a question for later.

In the frenzy between the soldiers being killed and the people being freed from their cages and chains, only one person noticed one thing…

No one matched the description of a child…

Which meant he had to be somewhere else, right?

It had to.

Clenching her fists, Cattleya made her decision.

She'd look for them herself, even if she should come across more soldiers, she'd throw them away like dolls like she did before.

There had been another door on the other side they didn't check, they had to be there.

They had to.

Before anyone could say anything, she rushed away and back the way they came from.

The sound she heard last was Anemone calling her name.

Just as she expected, as soon as she approached that other door, she could already hear that slimy laugh that Lieutenant had, along with the cries of a woman and…

Of a child.

It must be them.

And she had to save them now.

Much like the door at the entrance, this one too gave way to her android's strength, just like Robin did before as she pushed it open.

Like she expected, there was that ugly Marine, a woman on the ground, beaten and bruised held by a chain, in his hand, and in the other…

The little toddler.

The mother was desperately begging the Lieutenant not to hurt him.

The sight made Cattleya's blood boil.

But as soon as she entered, at least for the time being, the man's attention diverted on her, she wanted to vomit at the way he was eyeing her up still.

"Oh what a surprise, pretty red came to my humble place by herself. Though I do not appreciate the intrusion."

His words did not stop Cattleya in her tracks, as she slowly approached, hidden by the mantle she wore, was Lycoris' dagger held tightly in her left hand. Her blue eyes held a silent fury behind that blue.

Somehow she had to make sure this poor excuse of a man let go of both hostages without either of them being hurt.

Didn't matter if he did get hurt though.

"I know why you are here, you want to save them, you and your little friends are rather pathetic, what are a bunch of women going to do?" besides exterminate all of his soldiers and pretty much rule this place as their own?

This person was so confident his perception of reality was distorted.

Still she refused to answer him.

"Not one of many words, aren't you?"

There was no need to talk, just to act.

Inwardly, she briefly thought how her friends would handle this, Freesia and Amaryllis probably would have already been upon this person, cutting him down with their swords, Lycoris would have shot him dead as soon as he opened his mouth.

Just about the same as the others would do too.

Maybe Lily would crush him with her Gravity Wave.

And her?

What could she do?

Well there was something, but she wasn't willing to waste the effort for such a person who didn't deserve to live any longer than he already did.

Maybe she should have come here with the others… but there was so little time…

"I'll be greeting you properly in a second." she watched as the Lieutenant held the little screaming child high in the air like a trophy, letting go of his crying mother to reach for a weapon.

It was a long blue spear, with blue stones encased in its blade.

Probably his own weapon.

"I just have to deal with a small problem first."

Something just clicked within Cattleya when she saw just what he was about to do, to kill the child with said spear.

That was not going to happen.

The knife she held so tightly in her left hand was launched like her fellow Scanner taught her to do, quick and precise it cut the Marine's arm, the one holding the child.

As the poor thing was released from his hand she never let him hit the ground, rushing over in a mere second she caught him in her arms. As soon as he was secure with her, with one hand she pushed away the still screaming and stunned man from them with one arm, hitting him hard with the palm of it.

She may have heard something break in his chest, but it felt… satisfying.

The Lieutenant was sent flying into the wall behind him, and his spear fell on the ground at Cattleya's side.

Protectively she held the child against her chest, stroking his hair trying to give him some comfort, but she was so cold and he was so tiny and fragile…

"I'm sorry little one, I have no body warmth…" she whispered quietly, that must have been uncomfortable but somehow the child quieted, as if he knew he was safe.

She lowered herself on her knees at his mother's side, gently handing him back to her, the woman giving her a grateful look, despite the tears. "It'll be over soon."

With the corner of her eye she spotted a pretty big gash on the woman's leg, probably why she couldn't try to run or rebel.

She'll fix it after.

Cattleya rose to face the Marine again, her hate burning brighter than before.

As she approached his fallen form, she had the idea to pick up his weapon. He didn't deserve the honor to be killed with Lycoris' dagger, which was safely hovering at her side like a tiny sword.

The spear felt much less heavy than she expected it to be, and also much prettier than it appeared, as the blue stones shone with the light of the moon filtering from the window.

Ending his life with his own weapon felt fitting.

The now bleeding man glared at her, drawing out a pistol from under his jacket, pointing it at her. "I am Lieutenant Rokubokusu the lockbox, I always take what I want, and I… want your life!"

He shot at her, however all she had to do was to side step all the bullets without stopping in her walk. She even felt like blocking the last one with the spear. Even though she never used a weapon, this one in particular felt like it was built to be in her hands.

Also his aim was terrible compared to anyone that ever held a gun that she knew.

When she reached him, she towered over his body, holding him down under her foot so he wouldn't run, not that she'd allow him to.

He should have ran when he could have.

"Who… what the hell are you?"

"It is none of your concern." she only replied.

It didn't matter who she was, what she was, her name, or anything else.

But the fact that he died.

The man now trembled under her. "I can give you all you want, I'm rich… please spare me…"

Not wanting to amuse him any longer, she impaled his head with the spear. She got dirty with his blood, but she didn't care.

These people were safe.

She stared a moment at the weapon in her hands, and then at the corpse before her, somehow she felt tired, like all the tension in her body left her.

She killed…

She killed for the first time ever…

And… she killed a human…

She shook her head, she did good, he had to die.

Taking the spear, she made a decision.

This would be a memento of what she did, that she saved someone, that she did something good and helpful, that this was her first step towards a greater purpose.

So with a glow she registered it and with a glow it now hovered on her back.

It was hers now.

If it was a good decision she'll find out in the future.

She made her way back to the woman and her child, taking them in her arms.

"Let's get out of this hell."