Chapter 2

"So, let me make sure I've got this straight - you gained your abilities from eating a fruit, but it also took away your ability to swim," Rex stated after hearing about Luffy's power.

"And you set out to become a pirate after you were rescued by a pirate. Then you promised that pirate you would return that hat once you became a renowned pirate."

Mark thought he had a great childhood; hell, he had a fantastic childhood, so he couldn't imagine the amount of strength to move through that trauma.

"I suppose you're strong then. We most likely won't be able to join your crew, but we can stick around until we find a way to return to our home." Mark said, coming out of his thoughts.

"Where are we heady anyways, Coby?"

Coby replied, "We will be arriving at Shellstown at any moment. I think I can see it now."

Having been crowded on the vessel they had been on, Mark, the guardians, Coby, and Luffy had been glad to finally reach land.

"Sweet land, I've really missed you," Rex said longingly.

"I can speak on behalf of everyone when I say that we prefer not to ride in that undersized sailboat again."

"So about this Zoro guy." Samson started to ask, only to be startled by the townsfolk crowd jumping away from them.

"Um, maybe we shouldn't bring up his name, you know, because of what people say about him." Coby timidly said before bolstering up and mentioning the marine captain, only to get the same reaction from the townsfolk.

"I can understand why they would fear Zoro, but why did they jump when I mentioned the captain's name?"

Once they arrived inside, they decided to eat before returning to business. The guardians, at this point, didn't know what to think. Upon arriving in the town, they could clearly tell it lacked a fair bit of technology just by looking around, at least in this location. Rudy started to feel a sense of dread. This was because he knew it would be difficult to get back home; he could only hope Cecil was working on finding them a way out. Upon seeing Rudy's face, Samson had an instinctual feeling that they would have to tag along with this boy. Well, at least until he figures out what's bothering Rudy. Mark was talking to Rex, and it was just small talk. Before they got transported, they had actually started to get along with each other.

"Hey, Rex, is it me, or is everyone staring at us like we are a bunch of wackadoodles."

" Nah, I can see what you mean," Rex replied.

" We should get a change of clothes. "

Mark and Rex decided to split up from the others to get everyone a change of clothes. "Alright, Mark, let's go." Having split off from the others, it was safe to say that the headshot gave Rex a new lease on life. He was even talking weirdly, and Mark felt compelled to ask why. He would definitely ask later.

"So why are we here again?"

After shopping, they found the others and saw them hanging off a wall, observing something. After a while, an argument could be heard, and the next thing they saw was a little girl flying through the air. " What the hell?" Mark was quick to action and flew up to catch the girl.

" WAIT WHAT, YOU CAN FLY, SUGOI!" Luffy Shouted.

" Is it a devil fruit ability? Wait." Coby paused, trying to recollect.

Earlier, at the beginning of their travels to Shellstown, the guardians and Mark were discussing the limited space. They decided to take turns swimming to give the others enough space. Then, for some reason, Mark decided he would swim instead of fly alongside them.

" In case you're wondering, I'm only swimming because I don't want to reveal all of my capabilities."Mark subtly told the Guardians, who then agreed.

Luffy exclaimed, "How come you get to swim? That's not fair! I miss swimming."

"Well, you said you lost your ability to swim after you ate a devil fruit. Mark over here doesn't have devil fruit powers, though it's not for me to tell you why he's capable of what he's capable of. He'll do that in his own time." Rudy replied promptly.

" Ah, so it's a mystery power, understood."

Rudy simply replied, "Yes' not wanting to deal with Luffy's bluntness.

"So, would any of you mind telling us why a little girl was just flung over a wall," Rex asked worriedly.

" A spoiled little brat is what happened."

"I'll kick his ass if I ever see him again," Samson snarled.

Upon reaching the tavern, they all got pissed. The same brat was seen messing with the townsfolk, and to make matters worse, the little shit was going to go back on his word. It was when Luffy ran up to the douche and socked him right across the face. Mark finally decided after seeing Luffy's resolve.

"I'm going to join your crew, but if along the way I find a way home, I'll have to leave."

"sound's fair to me." Luffy proclaimed

The guardians were surprised to hear that Mark would join this kid. However, they couldn't claim to be too surprised after hearing about the resolve in Luffy's voice. From that point, they made their way to the 153rd Marine Headquarters.