Chapter 5

Laura was stunned by her foe's transformation, bewildered that he had also eaten a Devil Fruit. Although her Iwa Iwa no Mi was very useful, she hadn't expected her opponent to be able to withstand its abilities. She needed to think of a way to win the fight, but there wasn't enough time to contemplate his powers, not when she and Akali were still in danger.

"You're full of surprises," Laura commented, trying to stall him. "Who are you?"

"Killian, Captain of the Raider Pirates." He announced proudly, his voice more animalistic due to the changes. "I ate the Tokage Tokage no Mi, Model: Komodo Dragon, a Zoan fruit."

"That's quite the mouthful," Laura teased while hoping he would focus on her instead of Akali. She knew they could win if she could keep him distracted for long enough.

Killian ignored her remark and took a step forward, his tail swishing as he did. "Tell me, what did it feel like to be tossed like a ragdoll?"

"Why don't you come find out?" Laura taunted while beckoning him.

Killian growled and charged, his nails scratching the dirt as he ran. He tried to slice Laura with his claws, but she swiftly sidestepped him. He stumbled for a moment, his balance thrown off by his failed attempt. Before he could recover, Laura stomped a foot on the ground causing another mound of rocks to rise.

"Rock Slide!"

This time Killian was struck directly by her attack, the impact sending him back some feet. Akali took advantage of his momentary disorientation and dashed towards him. She leaped into the air with her leg drawn back and landed a kick to his jaw. Killian snarled in frustration and his tail lashed out, wrapping itself around her body and squeezing. Akali grunted while struggling to break free from his hold, and he glared at her, his eyes filled with contempt.

"You two are starting to annoy me!"

Killian threw Akali at Laura and the two collided, the force knocking them both to the ground.

"Ow, you alright?" Laura asked as Akali rolled off of her.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Akali replied while sitting up. "He's really pissing me off though."

"Same, but I think I have a plan," Laura whispered, her voice low so that Killian wouldn't overhear. "He's fast, but if I can trap him, we'll be able to finish this. He can't completely focus on both of us at once."

Akali nodded and the two of them rose, their expressions determined.

"If you two are done chit-chatting I'd like to continue," Killian said in an irritated tone.

Laura and Akali began moving in opposite directions, causing Killian's focus to dart back and forth between them. He knew they were planning something so he tried to keep watch of both of them, however their movements were making it difficult. He finally made a decision and chased after Akali. Laura was relieved because her plan would only work if Akali kept his focus, so she observed closely.

Killian and Akali circled each other, each waiting for the other to make a move. After a while, Killian became impatient and opened his mouth, revealing a purple, forked tongue. He tried to bite at Akali, but she used her forearms to block him and the two struggled momentarily. She was eventually able to deliver a punch to his face, her fist striking the center of his snout. Her attack caused Killian to recoil while clutching his nose and he hissed.

"That's it, I'm done playing games!"

He charged again but Akali jumped, using his shoulder as leverage. She pushed off of him, flipping backward, and landed gracefully on her feet. She immediately followed up by grabbing his tail, her fingers gripping it tightly.

Akali signaled to Laura. "Now!"

Laura wasted no time and stomped her foot hard into the ground.

"Pitfall!"

The ground began to shift and the area around Killian's feet sank, a large hole forming in the earth. He tried to pull away, but Akali still had his tail, her hold never wavering.

"Let go!" Killian yelled as he thrashed wildly.

His legs were soon swallowed and Akali finally released his appendage. Once his lower body and arms were completely submerged, the ground slowly closed up, trapping him. Killian roared angrily as he squirmed, but his efforts were futile. He wouldn't be able to dig his way out and his crew had been defeated, meaning there was no one to help him.

"You can't do this! I demand you release me!"

"Shut up, lizard breath," Akali snapped as she and Laura approached him. "You should have left when you had the chance. What should we do with him now, Laura?"

"Let's send him back to his ship, yeah?" Laura suggested while moving closer and lifting a foot.

Killian immediately panicked and a look of concern was now on his face. "Wait, what-?"

"Rock Cannon!"

As her foot came down, Killian was blasted from the hole, his body soaring through the air until he landed on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea. Laura remembered then that Devil Fruit users were vulnerable to seawater and she raced toward the fallen pirate. She had meant to launch him farther, but their battle must have worn her out more than she had thought. When she was close enough, she extended her hand to help, not wanting him to drown.

"Here, let me help you," she offered.

"Tch, I don't need your charity." Killian sneered while trying his best to cling on.

"Don't be foolish. Just take my hand!"

Killian scoffed and refused, not wanting to accept anything from her. Laura sighed and knelt anyway, grabbing him by the shirt and pulling him onto the grass. His body began to change, his scaly exterior melting away until his original appearance returned. He didn't want to admit it, but he was surprised that Laura had rescued him.

"How nice of you," he stated sarcastically while getting up.

"You're not going to cause any more trouble, right?" Laura inquired with a smile, wanting him to surrender peacefully. "I would hate to have to fight you again."

Killian glanced at the open water behind them, the waves crashing against the rocks below. "No, the fun's over."

"Great!" Laura didn't know if he was telling the truth, but she decided to believe him anyway.

"Wait, you're just going to believe me?! Just like that?" Killian was astonished, not expecting her naivety. "You're not normal, are you?"

Laura cocked her head to the side, perplexed by the comment. "You're just now noticing?"

Killian said nothing, his mind running wild with questions about her identity. He had never lost a fight and yet this woman had turned out to be a worthy opponent. Her power was certainly impressive, and even though she had bested him, she had shown him mercy.

"Well, I'll leave you to it then," Laura said cheerily, waving before she started walking away. "Remember not to bother any more of the locals."

"Wait!"

Laura paused and looked over her shoulder.

"What's your name?" Killian questioned as he avoided eye contact with her. "I need to know the name of the woman who beat me."

"It's Laura," She responded while continuing her walk back to the dojo. "Laura D. Claire."

Remi had watched the pirates leave and now that the ship was safe, he decided to look for Laura. He wandered down the streets of the town and when he saw the hole in the dojo wall, his pace quickened. He stepped through the opening and was greeted by the sight of Laura lying in the middle of the floor. Her clothes were partially tattered and her body was covered in scrapes and bruises.

"Laura, are you alright?"

"Remi?" Laura questioned as she sat up, her body aching from the fight. "I'll be fine. Did those pirates try and attack the ship?"

"No, I got the ship to a different part of the island. I came back to look for you and I found this place." Remi explained, his eyes taking in her battered state. "What happened here?"

Laura smiled and brushed her messy hair from her face. "I fought a lizard man."

"You can tell me about it later." He replied while helping her stand, "For now, we need to get you fixed up."

"Hold on, we can't leave yet." Laura protested, "I need to speak with Akali first."

"Akali?"

"That would be me." A feminine voice responded.

Remi glanced over to see a girl standing nearby. Her long, black hair was disheveled, but otherwise, she appeared to be uninjured. He could also tell by her uniform that she had an association with the dojo.

"You were a great ally," Akali said to Laura with a bow. "And I hope we can meet again, under better circumstances."

"You should go with them, Akali."

Akali spun around to see that her grandfather had returned and was suddenly approaching them.

"Grandfather, what are you saying?" Akali inquired, her tone shocked.

Li Jin placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile. "I know your dream is to become one of the world's greatest fighters. I have a feeling that you'll learn more by traveling than staying here with me."

Laura looked at Remi with wide eyes, a hopeful expression on her face. "Remi, can we bring her with us?"

"Are you serious?!" He exclaimed, not wanting anyone else tagging along.

"Please? You know we could use the help!"

Remi groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. Laura was right because if they had another person to assist in the journey, it would make things even easier. Akali was also a fighter which would be good for them should any other incidents arise. "Fine, she can join us, but this is a one-time thing."

A/N: Poor Remi. Little does he know that gaining another crew member is not a "one-time" thing.