Now to meet the rest of the pirates and find out what happened to Nightwing. Things are starting to pick up!
Chapter 5- Unfortunate Parallels-
The next morning, Damian was woken up by the feeling of something large looming over him. He was alert in an instant and in the space of a breath he rolled out of the blankets and unsheathed his katana.
"Whoa, hey, little bro," an impossibly large man-like thing said. It backed off and held up its large colorful robotic hands. Small yellow hands sprouted out of its palms and waved at him to calm down. "I didn't mean to freak you out." The thing took a step toward Hood, his attention entirely on the sword-wielding ten-year-old.
The talking and the shifting sand woke up Jason, who rolled out of his blankets with the same speed as Damian, but he didn't hold back when he pulled his weapon. He put two shots into the thing's chest.
"Hey, that wasn't nice," the thing said, unaffected by the rubber bullets. "I just came to get you for breakfast."
Jason, awake enough now to understand what was happening groaned loudly. "You're one of the pirates aren't you?" he asked, coming out of his defensive stance.
"Yeah, that's me," the thing said. He clanged his blocky forearms over his head and posed dramatically. "Su-Per, I'm Cyborg Franky, shipwright of the Straw-hat Pirates. Oh, yeah!" he shouted.
From down the beach, they could hear Sanji shout. "Stop messing around over there and get back here, you shitty cyborg."
Looking at the man standing before them, Franky certainly looked like cyborg with his box-shaped robotic forearms and massive round shoulders. Hood couldn't decide the man's strangest feature. There were too many to choose from. He had electric blue hair styled into a pompadour, a metal nose, a three cleft chin, and strange surgical scars all over his chest and legs. However it was the open Hawaiian shirt and bikini shorts that really made Hood pause.
"Come on, bros," Franky urged, ignoring their stares. He reached down to grab Hood's bedroll and shake out the sand. "Sanji-bro gets real testy when someone is late for breakfast." He grinned at them and nudged up his triangular shades. "Besides, if we don't hurry, Luffy-bro'll eat it all." He grabbed the second bed roll, shook it out and started down the beach, leaving Hood and Robin to gather their things and follow him.
"And so it begins," Hood said, glancing at Robin. "Dickie-bird owes us big for this one. Dealing with this lot is above and beyond the call of duty."
Robin sniffed dismissively, but didn't argue.
After their introduction to Franky, Hood was apprehensive about the other two members they hadn't met last night. It seemed like every pirate they met was weirder than the last. Red Hood was Gotham born and raised; trained by the Batman; had died and been resurrected. He had fought against and alongside some of the craziest things in the universe but these pirates kept throwing him off his game. He actually struggled to keep his cool as they followed Franky back to the Straw-hat's fire.
Turns out he was both right and wrong to be worried. Yes, the last two pirates were as weird as he expected but neither was as startling as Franky, at least not to Hood. Jimbe was a huge blue man with tusk like teeth and a Japanese topknot. He wore a colorful kimono that showed the gills on his neck and the sun tattoo on his chest. Despite appearances he was very friendly, and Hood quickly decided that he quite liked the man. Jimbe nervously explained that he was a whale shark fishman, which explained his size and coloring. He was worried about Hood's reaction, since apparently fishmen are not always welcomed by humans.
"Don't worry about it," Hood said in a low voice, which wouldn't carry to the rest. "We've seen weirder and in our line of work we usually outgrow any prejudice or squeamishness about other species." He jerked his head at Franky, who was building something with Usopp. "He weirds me out more than you do."
"And what about your friend?" Jimbe asked politely.
"Robin thinks he's above all that," Hood laughed. "He wouldn't care if you were from the moon."
"You honor me, Hood-san," Jimbe said before returning his focus to his food.
The last pirate was the biggest surprise. Chopper was the cutest thing, a little plush toy with big eyes, antlers and a big pink and blue hat. Robin was infatuated with the little doctor immediately and claimed him as a pet, though he was at least tactful about it. Nami explained that Chopper was a reindeer who ate the Human Human fruit, which gave him human characteristics like speech and intelligence. The little guy seemed a little scared of Hood so he tended to hide when Hood looked his way, though Chopper always hid the wrong way, leaving most of his body exposed as he hid his face. Red Hood couldn't see how a small animal like Chopper could keep up with such a crazy crew at first, but his question was answered when Ussop tried to steal off the reindeer's plate. Chopper grabbed his plate from Ussop and transformed into a gorilla man with a big ruff of fur around his neck, pulling the plate out of Ussop's reach. After scolding his friend, Chopper moved to the other side of the fire and shrank back to his smaller form. Robin trailed behind him, asking questions and trying with all his might to seem uninterested in the answers. Chopper seemed pleased to have a receptive audience.
Breakfast with the Straw-hats was as hectic as one would expect. Other than the women, and surprisingly, Jimbe, all of the pirates had atrocious table manners. The captain, Luffy turned out to have rubber powers that allowed him to stretch and shrug off brunt attacks. Hood and Robin quickly learned to protect their food from Luffy's questing fingers that could attack from any angle. The other pirates were very practiced in this and would smack Luffy's hands away without interrupting their conversation or eating. Sanji danced around refilling people's plates and cups and kicking Luffy in the head for stealing from the ladies. Franky guzzled gallons of cola and burped dramatically to the applause of Luffy, Ussop, and Chopper. Brook was particularly disgusting to watch, since he didn't have lips to chew with his mouth closed or keep the food in his mouth. He also burped and farted without remorse.
Jason thought they were hilarious, though he hid his amusement, preferring to keep a stoic demeanor. He could almost hear Alfred's voice lecturing about proper manners like the old man did when Jason was a boy that Bruce had picked up off the streets. Robin, from his seat across the fire, glared at everyone except Chopper. He was obviously not amused by the lowbrow behavior. Hood snorted and focused on his own plate, just in time to catch Luffy's hand trying to steal a smoked sausage.
After breakfast, the two heroes went with Nami to get their vivre card. The redhead cat-burglar apparently didn't trust their bartering abilities and invited herself along to get them a better deal. Hood wasn't sure why she cared, but he didn't argue. Chopper came to, though Hood wasn't sure if it was willingly or Robin forced him to. The kid was definitely attached to the little reindeer-man, and hadn't threatened anyone with bodily harm since they met.
"Here it is," Hood said once they finally got to the apothecary. He held the door for the odd group, not really sure they would all fit in the tiny shop.
Chopper looked around with stars in his eyes. "Oh, this is amazing. These are all well preserved," he said as he looked at racks of drying herbs. "Nami, can I buy some. This is fever-wort and these are night-berries. They work wonderfully as an anesthetic, much better and safer than chloroform." He ran over to where bundles of herbs hung from the rafters. "Oh, Nami, I have to get some of this bloodherb. I've only read about it but if I brew this in a tea it supposed to help with blood loss."
Nami sighed. "Of course, Chopper. You can get whatever you need, just let me do the bargaining okay?" When Chopper nodded happily, she turned to Hood, who was watching with a grin. "He'd buy this place out if he could, but we have a budget for a reason. I can't say no to him though, because he's wonderful at patching us all up after a battle."
Hood thought of Dr. Leslie, who had put him together a few times when he was a boy. "You have to keep your doctor happy," he commented.
Nami hummed in agreement and went to ring the bell on the counter. Immediately, Nisha, the old woman Hood and Robin met yesterday appeared from behind the curtain in the back.
"Nisha sees that you boys have returned?" she said, though it sounded like a question.
"Yes, ma'am," Hood said as he stepped forward. "We came for the vivre card you promised would be ready this morning."
"Yes, Nisha remembers," the old woman said, waving a hand gnarled by age in front of the young man's face. "Nisha remembers much, but Nisha does not remember them. Who be they?"
"They're friends, ma'am," Hood explained, leaning back so the old lady didn't poke his eye out. "Their captain promised to help us. This is Nami and Dr. Chopper."
"I don't care if you call me doctor, you jerk," Chopper mumbled cheerfully, dancing in place and blushing under his fur. "It doesn't make me happy."
Robin rolled his eyes, but he was smiling which was a big deal for him. "Do you have the paper, or not, lady?"
"Tsh, Nisha is no lady, but Nisha did finish your vivre card." She reached under the counter and pulled out an envelope with a blank piece of paper inside. "Now watch Nisha." She grabbed a pair of huge scissors and cut off a square portion from the corner before returning the rest of the paper to the envelope. She placed the corner on the counter. They all crowded around to see. After a second, the paper moved a little to the right. "See, that is where your lost one is. Follow the card and it will guide you."
Robin took the square carefully, holding it in his hand so he could watch the movement. Hood took the envelope with the rest of the card. "Thank you, Nisha."
"Nisha wishes you boys luck," the old woman said, leaning forward over the counter. She reached up to lay a hand on Hood's cheek. "You be careful, child," she said quietly. "The Grand Line is a dangerous place, especially here in the New World. Do not underestimate it, nor the men and women who sail it."
"I won't," Hood promised.
Nisha smiled and patted his cheek before turning to Nami and Chopper. "So, Nisha see that you hold the purse strings and you desire herbs. Tell Nisha what you want and Nisha tell you if you can afford it."
Hood moved toward the door, leaving Nami and Chopper to barter with the old healer. Robin followed him, still holding the card.
"We'll get him back," Hood said quietly.
"I know," Robin snapped defensively. "We have to." He looked down at the card again. He cried out, nearly dropping it before he restrained himself. "What's happening to it?" he said, hurrying to the front.
The paper was smoldering on one end, though it was not burning and it was only slightly smaller than before. He waved it under Nisha's nose. "What did you do?"
"Nisha did what she said, making a vivre card," Nisha said, calmly. "The card represents the person's life force. The more of it that burns, the more danger the person is of losing their life. Your friend is hurt. Nisha thinks you should hurry."
Robin looked at the smoldering paper in horror. "Richard," he murmured under his breath, then looked up at Nami. "We leave now!" he ordered. "Finish your business and return to your ship at once." He turned on his heel and stalked out of the shop, his shoulders tight.
Hood sighed. "Thank you Nisha," he said again. "Nami, I better go after him so he doesn't pick a fight with anyone. We'll meet you back at the ship okay?"
"Is he going to be okay?" Chopper asked, his eyes swimming with worry.
"He's just worried about Nightwing," Hood admitted. "Personally, I'm not too worried about him. Bastard's luck is legendary. The guy can fall into a latrine and come out with a handful of gold." He looked to where Robin had disappeared. "Still, we shouldn't waste time."
"Got it," Nami said. "We'll be right behind you." She turned back to the old woman. "Now, old lady, how much for these magical herbs Chopper wants?"
Hood nodded gratefully and hurried after the younger sidekick. He probably wouldn't catch up unless Robin got into trouble, the kid was fast and determined. Still, he was itching to leave as much as Robin was, so he ran up a wall and flipped himself onto the roof so he could avoid the morning crowds. In the distance, he could see Robin's cape fluttering in the wind. With a groan, he took off across the rooftops after Robin. It seemed like he was doomed to always be chasing after Waynes.
Back at the Straw-hat's ship, the rest of the pirates were preparing to get underway. Ussop was climbing the rigging, checking all the ropes and sails. Franky was below, stocking up with cola for the engines. Robin focused her efforts on securing any loose items in the cabins in preparation of a probable Coo-de-Burst. Sanji danced around in the kitchen, putting away supplies and cleaning up from breakfast. Zoro trained in the crowsnest while he kept watch for the return of the ones who left for the apothecary. Jimbe was loading everything they had lugged onto the beach the day before. Brook sat under the tree on deck, drinking a peaceful cup of tea. Last of all, Luffy sat on his special seat on the figurehead. He had a disturbingly (to those who knew him) thoughtful look on his face. He was the first to see Robin and Red Hood racing across the beach toward them.
"Hey!" Luffy called out cheerfully. "Where's Nami and Chopper?"
Hood waved but didn't answer until he reached the ladder to the deck; they had tied it to a rock outcropping so it was angled out over the gentle surf of the cove, which enabled the Straw-hats to get to land without getting their feet wet. By the time Hood had reached the ladder, Robin was already on board and glowering at him for being so slow. Leaving the older hero to finish climbing on board, Robin turned to answer Luffy.
"They are on their way, I came ahead to make sure you were ready. We need to leave immediately," he ordered.
Luffy's eyes narrowed, though his grin didn't diminish. "Remember, I'm the captain here," he warned merrily. "We'll leave when I say. What's the rush?"
Robin pulled out the slip of paper from his utility belt. "The old woman from the shop said Grayson was in danger," the boy said, his tone dangerous. "We can't delay while you joke around. He needs our help."
Luffy snatched the vivre card out of Robin's hand and laid it in his palm. He watched the smoldering paper inch across his hand with a strange look on his face. "Of course," he said finally. "We'll leave as soon as Nami and Chopper are on board." He gave Robin back the paper and walked off.
Red Hood came up next to Robin. He carefully laid a hand on the younger boy's shoulder. "Luffy already promised to help," he said gently. "We'll get him before anything happens. He probably just got hurt from trying to escape. The people who took him are marines, government. They won't do anything to really hurt him."
Robin huffed and walked away without acknowledging Jason or his words. Hood couldn't blame him. Honestly, he didn't believe it either. They were from Gotham; they knew how corrupt authority could get.
Nico Robin came up behind him, startling him. "Don't doubt the captain," she said softly, looking up at where Luffy was again perched on his special seat. "He understands your pain better than you can imagine."
Hood shrugged. "I'm not worried, not really. We can only do our best, after all. We'll get there in time or we won't." He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I've been on the other end of the wait, though, and I don't want to waste time. But Robin, he doesn't know how to worry so he lashes out. He's scared for our big brother and he can't process that. So don't hold that against him either."
The dark haired woman looked out over the beach and leaned over the railing. "We understand. None of us were there when Luffy needed us when he lost his brother and we all regret that." She turned to smile at him. "Helping you is therapeutic in a way. Luffy couldn't save his brother, Ace, from the marines, but if we can save your brother, maybe, that will help us all heal, just a little."
"I hope so, lady," Hood admitted.
"Here comes Nami and Chopper," Zoro called out from above. In the distance, Hood could just make out Nami riding a fully reindeer Chopper.
"How many forms does he have?" he asked in disbelief. He also couldn't believe how fast they were moving. Chopper was pretty amazing.
Nicco Robin laughed politely into her hand before turning to finish preparations. The chase was on.