It has been fifty-seven years since the execution of the Second Pirate King, Monkey D. Luffy, and he has left a legacy in his wake so great that some say he was more legendary than the First King, Gol D. Rogers. But like the last Pirate King, at his execution, he told the world that he had again hidden the One Piece for the world to find. Many saying it was the start of the next Age of Piracy, but then, war broke out among two families: The Monkey family and the Cobra family. After four decades of bloodshed, the war finally subsided. And nineteen years later, a member of the Cobra family set out on a quest to obtain the One Piece, his name is Cobra D. Red. P.S. I wonder how many people actually read this paragraph every time.
It Begins! The Fight Between Cowards!
Facing off, the two crews sized each other up. To the Grizzly Pirates, these pests standing before them were nothing more than an annoyance. Barboso smirked as he looked upon them. He may have some big reputation about him and his family, he thought, the grin growing broader, but that doesn't mean he's strong or anything. As he looked, he got the distinct feeling that he was missing something. Glancing around at his own crew, he realized what was missing and nudged his First Mate to get his attention.
"Hey Marron," he whispered, trying to make sure Cobra couldn't hear, "Where in the hell is Madala?" Marron shrugged his shoulders, whispering back, "He said something about staying back as lookout, make sure no Marines came too close," at this, he gave a small chuckle, "But we both know he's just being his cowardly old self. Soon as a Marine Captain comes, he'll turn tail and run." Barboso sighed, knowing this was true. In fact, the only reason he kept him on the crew was because he was a good sniper. He just hoped he would grow a pair and stay where he said he would stay this time.
His thoughts were cut short, though, as from somewhere a couple of streets over, the sound of an explosion was heard. The two crews stared at the alley, where a cloud of smoke had formed, wondering what had happened. As they stared, they could see an approaching figure getting slowly closer, his shape becoming more defined. As they watched, a small grin formed on Marron's face. Shaking his head, he muttered "Late as always," and hefted the large sword from his shoulder, preparing to fight.
A few minutes earlier.
"Crap, crap, crap, crap!" Henry shouted, running down the street, towards the billowing smoke.
As he ran, he mentally slapped himself with how much time he wasted. Damn, I should've started on this thing so long ago, he thought, beating himself up about it, I've had plenty of free time over the past few days, and I just wasted them sitting around and playing Solitaire. Running, he ran over the recipe and calculations he made in his mind, always thinking of the two important variables: One part CD, two parts GP.
Sprinting around the corner, he took the turn too tight, and went spinning, head over heals and back first into a wall. Falling to the ground, the items he was carrying spilled out onto the ground. Panicking, he went to hurriedly pick up the fallen items, having a difficult time with only one arm and a stump. Finally, he managed to get every little thing off the ground and into a pocket. Turning, he was about to begin his run again when the gunshot rang out. Arm flailing in the air, he quickly hid behind cover, the bullet just missing him and hitting in between where his feet had been.
Clutching his chest, he tried to stop his heart from bursting as he caught his breath. Sliding down the barricade so that only his head rested against it, he sighed heavily, "I thought I was gonna die," as sweat glistened on his forehead. Breath caught, he lifted his head slightly above cover, trying to gauge where the sniper was, but had to duck once more when the second bullet came whizzing past his forehead.
Sliding back down to his original position, he slammed his head against the wall, feeling like a sitting duck. As he sat there, from somewhere behind him, he heard someone call out a warning to all those who dared pass him. Sitting up, he took another chance and scanned the area around him, but couldn't see anyone. Even as he presumably faced the speaker, it still sounded like he was turned away from the sound. Walking out into the middle of the street, he was surprised he hadn't been shot at yet. Suddenly he came to the realization that the shooter wasn't even looking at him.
"Hey you cocky bastard! Are you even looking? I'm out in the middle of the street right now!"
Hearing this, a pair of eyes that belonged to Madala looked out from the darkness, a constant trickle of sweat flowing down between them. He speculated that this was either a top fighter for that one pirate group that had beat them up a few days ago or some really powerful Marine, come to end the madness his captain started. Gulping at the thought, he knew that if it wasn't for his position, he'd be a dead man. Gulping again, he gripped his gun, and ran out of cover, firing off a volley of bullets before running back into the shadows. Once back, he shouted out, "I knew you would do that!" hoping to give the impression of speed.
Unfortunately for Henry, it worked, as he rolled and tumbled out of the way to avoid the volley. Panting, he hid behind a column, scanning the area as he searched for the sniper. From his place, he couldn't make out squat, and he didn't have a clue where he could be. Henry rubbed his temple, trying to think. Technically he could use his new weapon, but he wasn't sure if it would work. He only had the theoretical area of effect and nothing more. He didn't know whether it would be to his calculations or it would flop, considering he hadn't had any time to test it.
Thinking to himself, he came up with that the best course of action would be to find out where the shooter was. Peaking back outside of cover, he shouted, "Coward! Come out and shoot me like a man!", hoping to draw him out. It worked… kind of. He didn't actually see him, but he knew he stepped out of cover, because Henry was forced to duck back under his own cover.
Gritting his teeth, Henry decided it was now or never. If I can't beat this guy, he thought, willing up his courage as he dug through his coat pockets for the stuff, Can I really call myself a pirate? Grabbing the tin marked CD, he began reaching in his coat for the second item. At a chance, he glanced over, making sure he wasn't being snuck up on, but made a quick double take. Sitting across the street, glinting in the sun, was the second tin, marked GP
Physically slapping himself this time, he called himself an idiot multiple times. As he looked around for an opening, he put on his mental checklist to get a new coat with zippers on the pockets, but pushed it to the side for later. As he edged around a corner, his toe nudged into a moving object and he looked down. Reaching down, he grabbed the stone and tossed it in the air a couple times. As he tossed it, a smile began to cross his face, right before he chucked it, nailing a metal trash can.
Just as he had hoped, the trigger-happy sniper thought something alive had moved and lit up the trash can. Taking his opportunity he bolted across the street, the world flying by him as adrenaline pumped through his veins. But he wasn't fast enough to dodge the new volley of bullets which Madala sent as soon as he saw Henry crossing the street. Grabbing the tin as he rolled for cover, Henry was back at his first cover, panting and congratulating himself for not dying. As he thought this, a wave of pain rocked his body as he finally took notice of the bullet. Awkwardly reaching up, he felt the bullet hole, a gash in his shoulder. As he felt, he took into account the angle of the hole and looked back out onto the street. Seeing the bullet holes in the pavement, he quickly mapped out in his head the angle at which the bullets flew. And now, he knew where the sniper was.
Stepping out of cover, knowing the sniper was facing away from him, and called out to the empty street, "Hey sniper! I know where you are now! You are…" smiling as he paused for dramatic effect, "In the upstairs balcony of the floral shop!" Gullibly stepping out of cover, Madala, a look of shock and terror in his eyes, shouted back, "No way! How did you figure that out!" But instead, Henry, baring his teeth angrily, shouted, "Way to confirm it, jackass!"
Smiling, Henry pushed away his anger, preparing to give his opponent in cowardice a show. "Now that you've held me up so long… YOU WILL FACE THE STRONGEST OF THE COBRA PIRATES!" Eyes like a panicked wild animal, Madala tried backing up, only to back up into the opposite balcony beam. The fear in his opponent in place, he began slowly lifting from behind his back, ready to show off the fruit of his labors. "Now behold! The weapon of my choice! THE THUNDER CANNON!" thrusting the object into the air where it glinted in the sunlight. And just as quickly as he had lifted the weapon, the terror vanished from Madala's eyes.
"That's just a hammer," the confusion was obvious in his voice.
Smiling like a madman, there was a glint of pride in Henry's eyes, almost feeling sorry for the guy. Almost. "Well you see, this 'hammer' is unlike any hammer you've seen before!" Opening a cap on top, Henry poured in some of the CD and a little bit more of GP. "With the right combination of Coal Dust and Gunpowder, I am able to defeat my foes with a thunderous crash!" Pointing the Thunder Cannon at Madala, he grinned, glad he was able to test it out on a standing target. "Now - pirate - prepare yourself for the pain of thunder striking your body!" Winding it back, Henry advertised the swing, now totally in control. Swinging the Cannon full force, Henry shouted, "Now take the Thunder Cannon: Blast!"
Somewhere inside the head of the Thunder Cannon, flint struck against steel, cascading sparks through the tubes. Igniting the gunpowder and coal dust, the swing flung the force of the ignition, where it hit Madala like a bull, instantly knocking him out. And then the explosion registered. A fireball of ashes leapt into the sky, blasting the entire second story of the floral shop to bits.
Staring at his handiwork, Henry looked down and spun his hammer. Whistling, Henry shook his head, "That is so much better then what I could've ever expected." But then, he face palmed, saying in an annoyed tone, "Thunder doesn't strike you, that's lightning! Ah damn it!" sighing, he turned away from the explosion and now towards where he had been running. I can't stand around any longer worrying about my image, I have to go help my crew!
Back at the orphanage
Red smiled as Henry finally entered the square. Running over to them, Henry took his place behind Bede, spinning his Cannon as he got into position. "Sorry I'm late Red, has the fun started yet?" Smiling even wider, Red replied back, "Well from the sounds of it, the party already started for you. Was that the thing you had been working on?" he asked, motioning towards the hammer. Grinning sheepishly, Henry said, "You know it!"
Turning to face the Grizzly Pirates once more, Red gave them a menacing smile as he noticed their shock. They were obviously down a crew member and were not pleased about that. Cracking his knuckles, he ordered his crew for the first time: "Alright guys, let's give these Grizzly Pirates hell!"
