A Pirate's Heart Chapter 22

Chapter 22:: It's All Over for the Straw Hats

%Narrator%

Monkey D. Luffy's caught in a fight with Witch in the forest, fires rampaging around him after knocking the princess from the roof top. Roronoa Zoro's facing Sterling behind the palace, the old paper angering him for some unknown reason while Sterling jeers at him. Nami's in a tight spot with Miss Jasminez up in the fifth floor west wing corridor by the guest housing, a dagger at her throat and unable to wiggle out of this one. Usopp is up against the wall by Saito in the sixth floor corridor in the east wing, with Tony Tony Chopper fighting off Leslie and his beasts' just outside in the courtyard. Sanji is talking with Clanford in the kitchen about how he can change his life, unaware of the deadline. Nico Robin is heading down to the dungeon to release the Tomonians, and Rhythm D. Jade is by the front entrance of the castle, the princess safe in her arms.
Who knows what happened to Sapphire, he could be dead for all we know.

~~

XZoroX

My sword struck down in a final blow, blood splattering across the burning ground.
That's what I thought.
In reality, my sword cut his side, while his blade sliced horizontally across my upper abdomen, just below my torso. It was a deep cut, yes, but not enough to kill if I got to Chopper soon.
"I'd love to feel your blade more, Roronoa, but I want that paper back, and then I'll have to kill you. But please don't get any blood on that paper, it saved my life, remember? So I'd like to keep it as neat as possible."
I spat as I fell to my knees and clutched my side. "Like hell. You can't see so what's the point?"
"The point?" he ripped off a bit of fabric from his vest and wrapped it around his shoulder wound, tying it with his teeth. "I can't physically see it, but my mind's eye can. I can see every feature, every crease and ink marking on that paper like I'm looking at it now. The feel of it reminds me of my time in Impel Down, where I was imprisoned for ten years."
"Impel Down?" I muttered, using Wado as support.
"Yes, the Government's top security prison. I was locked up their eighteen years ago, for the crime of murdering twenty-eight government officials and injuring thirty-nine. They got in my way, you see. And so I was locked up. When I stole the poster from a guard, it gave me hope. I wanted to see that person more than anything in the entire world. I managed to complete a plan to get myself out of their secretly, tricking the guards into thinking I was taken by the 'Demoning Away'. It's a legend in Impel Down, where random prisoners disappear out of the blue in their cells without a trace, supposedly lured into the gates of hell itself.
"On my way to escape, I lost my eyes. For a while I mourned over that, drowning in self-pity that I will never be able to see the person who saved me, and greet-"
"Stop!" I put Wado back in my mouth, my legs a bit shaky from the blood loss and my wounds burning slightly. I pointed Kitetsu at him, blade gleaming menacingly in the firelight, craving the blood that dripped all over. I could feel it humming in my grip, urging for more blood. "Now shut up and die all ready."

$Usopp&

I dodged flying blades, barley able to get away from them. I rolled behind a suit of armor, knives stabbing into the wall where I was less than a second ago.
"Hide all you want. Long-nose, but I will find and kill you. You and your pirate crew are getting in my captains way to attaining his dream, so I must stop you."
'Attaining his dream . . .?'  I thought.
"Wait stop!" I raised my hands above my head in surrender.
Another knife whizzed past my head and embedded into the stone wall inches from my left hand. I froze, eyes bugging out at the knife that could have taken be out of action.
"What?" He asked.
"I-I know what you're coming from!" I tried keeping my voice as calm as possible. "My captain's the same way. He won't stop to attain his dream, and it's I, Captain Usopp's, and the rest of my crew to help Luffy out as much as we can. Our main purpose is to help him and make sure he becomes the Pirate King, even if it costs us our life. We will sacrifice everything to help our captain, and we're not letting a man out to get the world stop us." I had slowly stood up and faced him, hands still raised and knees shaking slightly.
Saito held a knife in his hand, but not aimed to throw.  I cringed slightly at the sight, then realized my mistake. I shook my head and raised my chin, knees still shaking.
"I believe your worlds, long-nose, but-" he tossed the knife intot he air, letting it spin upward and come back down, only to catch it by the hilt, "In Witch's new world, there will be no such thing as the One Piece. Isn't that right, Miss Jasminez?"
Out of the shadows, stepped the woman with lavender hair, her beauty only tainted by the blood that splattered her cheek and dripped down her dress, staining her hands in crimson.
"Lalalalala~!"  she laughed, "No more One Piece, no more pirates. The number will dwindle and we'll bring peace."
"N-  WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO WITH NAMI?!" I cried out in alarm. Nami and her were versing, but why was she here? Where was Nami?
"Oh poor dear, she lost our little scuffle. Shame really, she was a pretty girl."

<Sanji>

"And then-" I sniffled and wiped my eyes on the corner of my sleeve, "he said he hated me! I didn't know what to say. The man who took care of me said he never liked me! And then-" I blew my nose in a dish towel, "I was so hurt! When Luffy came along, I sucked it all up and said good bye, but- but I can't help but feel grateful to that old geezer."
"There, there," Clanford patted my back. We sat on the kitchen floor, I in a mess and him there to comfort me.
"How will you change yourself from those experiences? Will you let your past change who you are and let ones beliefs make you? Become your own individual-"
"Côtelette*~!" I kicked him in the side, sending him flying into the wall. I wiped the remaining "tears" from my eyes. "Like hell I would let that affect me like that.  I am who I am and no one can change that. Now die for threatening Nami-swan, Robin-chwan, Rhythm-dwono, Tsukiakari-chan, and the rest of those beautiful women! Oh and the islanders too . . . I'm going to kick your head right of those shoulders."
He spat, "I guess there was no going through to you. But what about the tears?"
"Duh, fake." I pulled a bottle of fake tears from my jacket pocket. "Tears can always bring any lady to you, wrap their graceful arms around you and pull you to their magnificent breasts and-" blood dripped down my chin from my nose.
"Pervert. Fine I guess there's no getting through to you. We'll fight for real this time." Clanford pulled two knives from the drawer next to him. "Shishi- Storma~!"
I dodged the spinning knives. I grabbed one in midair. I spun it expertly in my hand and pointed it at him. "Knives are used to make food, to make the dish that feeds everyone. Not as a weapon to kill."
"Then you're out of luck, this is how I fight, curly pervert."
That set me off, "Reception~!"
His face made a Clanford-shaped imprint. He growled and sprung to his feet, throwing a knife at me. I dodged just in time, but it still scrapped my site and ripped off part of my jacket and shirt, leaving a deep gash in my side. Nothing Chopper can mend.
"Fuck off, cook. Die already so Witch can rule."
"Like hell!"
"While we're on the topic; that orange-haired navigator of yours. Witch could use a second wife." Clanford spun the ladle (he was out of knives).
I stiffened, then burst into flames.
"YOU WILL NOT TOUCH MY DEAR NAMI-SWAAN OR ANYONE OF THE OTHER PRECIOUS LADIES! WITCH CAN GO FUCK HIMSELF IN HELL BUT HE IS NOT GETTING AWAY WITH TAKING THE GODDESSES! NAMI-SWAAN! ROBIN-CHWAAN! RHYTHM-DWOONO!" I screamed, the flames of love burning around me. (AN: lovestruck idiot . . .)
Clanford spun the ladle expertly, eyes wide at my sudden outburst, "There is no stopping you, huh?"
"LIKE HELL!" I attacked.
"Basse Côte*~! Longe*~! Tendron*~! Flanchet*~! Quasi*~! Queue*~! Cuisseau*~! Jarret*~! Veau Shot*~!"
Clanford lay down and bloody on the ground, body smashed in and my heart relieved. Now I just need to find the ladies.
I lit a cigarette, light igniting the forming bruise and the crimson blood on my face. I sucked in then blew out, glad for the relief of the cancer sticks. I turned and ran from the kitchen, stopping to pull the knife from the wall and rest in gently on the remaining counter.
I ran from the kitchen and down the corridor, knowing I will reach someone soon.
'Nami-san, Robin-chan, Rhythm-dono; I am coming to save you. I defeated the "chef" of the Vine Pirates and will be there to wrap my arms around your delicate waist and comfort you after such a hard battle.' I thought to myself, cigarette smoke coming out in hearts, trailing behind me.

^Chopper^

"Rumble~," I smashed the yellow ball in between my teeth. The centaur, Borgan, unleashed a volley of arrows again. I couldn't fight Borgan and Penelope just as I am, I needed help.
"Arm Point~," my body went lithe while my arms enlarged, enormously strong for myself. "Kokutei Diamond*!"
Brogan flew back and bounced off of Penelope's squishy side, landing on all four hooves gracefully. Penelope (still PMS-ing) swung one of her long tentacles around and swiped at me. I shrieked and shrunk back to Brain Point, only the top of my pink hat was scraped. Borgan notched an arrow and let it fly at me with deadly accuracy.
"Jumping Point!" I sprung out of the way, only to get whacked by a wavering tentacle. I flew into a tree with just barley time to activate Guard Point.
I bounced off harmlessly and changed back to Brain Point. "Dammit!" I rubbed my side where I was hit with the tentacle.
"Magnificent!" Leslie cried from a safe distance. "You can change form too!"
"Why don't you fight me yourself instead of sending your pets after me?" I cried. He was an animal trainer, and yet I can't communicate with them. Borgan and Penelope were blank, emotionless and spoke not a word.
"No thanks, I don't want to harm something as amazing as you, Dr. Chopper. I'll let my animals take care of you instead."  He pulled back and snapped his rainbows suspenders, a grin on his droopy face.
"Horn Point!" My horns grew to an enormous size. I reared and pounced at Borgan. His dark eyes widen and fell back as ran into him. His strong arms held my antlers as I charged as hard as I could. He grunted, his hooves digging into the ground.
Penelope decided it was the best time to swoop down and attempt to crush me. I yelped and dodged, having Borgan tumble and get crushed by Penelope.
I sweat dropped. Luffy's art just took down one of her own comrades. Another tentacle swooped down towards me at an alarming rate. I squealed and dodged the squishy pink arm. It crushed a tree instead.
I switched back to Brain Point and held out my hooves.
"Penelope must have a weak point!"
"Scope*~!" I found it. The corner under her left eye. "Jumping Point!"  I sprung to the air and switched to arm point. "Kokutei Roseo*!"
Penelope fell with a loud shriek, the impact causing her face to cave in and knock her backwards. She didn't get back up.
I switched to Guard Point and rolled to a stop in front of Leslie, then switched to Heavy Point, cracking my knuckles. The Rumble Ball went through its course, now all I can do is my main three forms.
Leslie shook in his boots, pale as a sheet with blue hue. He raised his hands. "I'm not a fighter! So let's just say you defeated me!" he whacked himself across the head, instantly knocking him out. I sweat dropped.

*Luffy*
"Gomu-Gomu no~ Gatling!"  my arms flew in all directions, but making me even more pissed when Witch just dodged them carelessly. I spat and hit harder. He just hummed under his breathe and jumped atop a tree branch.
"Damn you!" I stretched out my arms and grabbed the branch below him, rocketing my towards him. Vines shot out and wrapped themselves around my body and yanked me down to the ground. I yelled out as I slammed headfirst into a boulder.
"I'm sorry, but this fights starting to bore me. Can you do something interesting already? If not, I'll kill you know. What should I do? Hmm~," vines twisted up to form a stairway down to where I was locked to the ground. "Burning to death? Nah, to simple, there's too much of it around us. Slit throat? Nope, that looks to suicidal. How about I scoop out your insides? Nah too messy . . .  Ooh! I got it! Suffocation! Slow and painful! But the mess afterwards . . . Eh, the fire will get it."
"Messy?" I choked.
"Yes when one dies of suffocation, the body rejects saliva and waste. Not a pretty sight. But like I said, the fire will get it. Good bye, Monkey D. Luffy. It was a pleasure knowing you. I take that last statement back, you were just annoying."
"Who's annoying? I snapped.
Witch sighed and flicked his hand, the vines wrapping around my neck alone and then clenched his fist. The plants around my neck tightened terribly. It blocked off my windpipe and made it impossible to breathe (AN: well yeah . . . suffocation).

$Nami$

The knife slid from her grasp as Miss Jasminez's hand jerked and twisted, followed by her whole body convulsed as she fell to the ground. I stumbled back and wiped the droplet of blood from my throat.
"She's Epileptic," I gasped, sliding to the floor, "I was saved by a mental disorder."
Usually, people would help someone like her if they were here. Well they weren't in this situation now, were they?
So I didn't eh sensible thing. I ran for my life. If I ran into someone, I'll direct them towards her.

&Usopp&

I fell to my knees, shocked that one of my own nakama could fall so easily. Nami even! No . . . it's just a bad dream . . .
"Good-bye, Usopp. You're an amazing sniper, but a terrible liar. Creative, yes; but not very convincing." Saito pulled a knife from the floor and took aim.
I shook my head, trying to clear it. I needed to get up and beat this guy! And I wasn't going to let this guy ruin Luffy's dream.
"A nakama has fallen, yes, but that doesn't mean I will fall with her. My captain needs me, and even though we are now one short, we'll keep going. It won't be the same but," I rose to my feet, "but I'M NOT LETTING SOME SHITTY BASTARD LIKE YOU DESTROY THIS ISLAND AND TAKE DOWN THIS CREW LIKE THAT."
Saito paused then shook his head, "Captain Witch is the greatest, so of course he's going to win. What's the point of trying to convince me you don't care when your captains just going to fall?"
"Shut up!" I had a sudden boost of bravery. Maybe it was the situation, or the fact I just lost a nakama. Or maybe it was just a fluke. I pulled back Ginga Pachinko and fired. "Lead Star!"
Saito dodged it while Miss Jasminez laughed her annoying laugh. "Not so good now, eh long-nose?"
I looked over and raised Pachinko and aimed it right at her. She didn't waver. There was something up with her . . .
I looked closer, and noticed why.
Her outline was fuzzy and slowly getting worst. No one but a sniper like me would have noticed.
"AAAH! A GHOST!" I screamed.
"Dumbass I'm your opponent! Leave Miss Jasminez out of this!" Saito yelled.
But at the same time, "Dumbass! She's just a copy!" I was whacked in the head.
"Wha-?" I turned and saw.
"AAAH! NAMI YOU'RE A GHOST! You probably came back to collect Zoro's debt but why haunt me?!"
"I'm not a ghost. Why would you think I am anyway?" she said, tucking a lock of mikan hair behind her ear. There was a small slit on her throat with blood slightly oozing still, some bruises on her bare arms and legs and a large, rather gross looking bruise on her wrist.
"But- you- Miss Jasminez- the blood- WHAT?" I stuttered.
"Hn looks like dear Miss Jasminez failed to take care of you. I was hoping to use this close as a distraction to Long-nose and take him down from the inside." Saito said. As he spoke, Miss Jasminez faded away, leaving a small puff of white smoke in her wake.
"A- a trick." I gasped.
"That my dear long-nose, is trickery. And since there's two of you here, I'll make things a little more complicated shall we? How about we play a game called Find The Real Me."
At that, ten, twenty clones of him appeared around us, completely encircling us. More and more kept appearing.
"Find me and you can do whatever you want, but do it before the other Saito's get to you." All fifty clones said in unison.
"Oh shit," Nami said, raising her Clima-Tact as we went back to back.

XZoroX

"Oni Giri*!"  Our blades clashed, blood flew and the fire burned it before it touched the ground. Sweat from the flames dripped down my face and my back, the heat making it hard to concentrate as smoke filled my lungs and blocked my vision.
"I want you to fall over so I can bang that gorgeous ass of yours," Sterling licked his pale lips again, psychopathic smirk on his face and blank eyes wide and blazed with empty lust.
I growled through Wado. "Like hell."
He tsked. "Okay then, what a damn shame. I'll just get your corpse. The bloodier the merrier." He laughed.
He withdrew his blade and flipped backwards, landing gracefully on his feet. "I want you, Roronoa, and nothing's going to stop me from filling you with me."
I shuddered at the thought. Damn this guy's freaky.
"And then for the person in the wanted poster," his grin got even wider.
At those words, I snapped.
"Toro Nagashi!"
He didn't see it coming, just a blur of steel and green, then crimson.
He was so caught up in his sick fantasies; he didn't react in time, a millisecond to late.
He shrieked and fell to the ground, blood pooling around him as he coughed up more. "I guess you are strong, Roronoa. A shame, I wanted to bang you and Jade."
He fell face down to the ground, the fire now setting him aflame as his corpse lit like a bonfire. I sheathed my swords and glared at the burning body of Sterling.
It was over. I couldn't stand that fight, and I was glad that my virginity was safe.

*Luffy*

"The only way to gain power is to take down everyone else, to do what you must to climb to the top." Witch declared as oxygen slowly left my system. I couldn't get anything to my brain and it was killing me. "And that means doing anything. Lying, cheating, and killing anyone that gets in your way. If you want to be the Pirate King; then take everything you can to accomplish your goal. You're a pathetic excuse for a pirate when all you do is help people." He clenched his fist tighter, making the vines around my neck tighten as well. I could feel them digging into my Adam's apple.
"Shu-shut up!" I gasped. "SHUT UP!" I managed to strangle out a yell.
Something weird happened. When I yelled, the vines around me loosened and Witch stumbled back, eyes wide with shock. The fires raging seemed to pause and die down a bit, as the trees swayed, tempted to fall over. The loosened vines were enough. I broke free and jumped to my feet, rubbing my now bruised throat. It had cut into my rubbery skin and drew blood, nothing major.
"King's Haki . . . a rare gift," Witch muttered.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing."
"YOSH~! YOU'RE GOING DOWN PLANT GUY!" I screamed and charged.
"Remember what I said about using everything you can to gain power? That includes human shields." Witch flicked his hand. Nothing happened.
"What?" I launched my arms back far, gaining momentum to hit Witch.
"Something like this."
Two separate screams came closer, followed by crashes and shivering trees. Well, one was a scream one was a yell a guy on a roller coaster would yell. Then out from the direction of the castle, out through the burning trees and bushes, was non-other than Rhythm and that lady in white.
Vines were twined around their ankles, wrapping up their legs and twisted up their bodies. They fell to the ground between us, the vines locking them to the ground. I skidded to a halt in front of them and bringing my arms back with a loud snap!
"Rhythm! White lady! Why are you here?! You got in the way of my fight!" I yelled angrily.
"Not my fault dumbass!" Rhythm struggled to sit up, but the vines wrapped around them made it hard to move. "Freaky plant guy here dragged us literally through fire to here!"
"I'll make this simple, Straw Hat, surrender or I'll snap Jade's pretty little neck."
"Aw thank you." She brushed some hair from her face and fluttered her long lashes, mockingly I think.
"You can't kill her." I stated simply.
"Oh yes I can." Witch stated as simply as I did. Vines separated Rhythm and the other girl and had her in a standing position. They wrapped around her arms, waist and leg like a puppet. "Budō Tsuru no Ningyō,"
"Look at me! I'm a puppet!" Rhythm pulled her face into a glazed look, like a china doll with a painted smile and empty glass eyes and went limp. The vines held her up still, like she really was a puppet. I had to admit, it kind of freaked me out a bit.
Then she started laughing, breaking the still doll illusion.
"Hit me Monkey, I dare you!" Witch grinned.
"Okay," I launched my arms back and swung them forward, "Gomu-Gomu no~ Bazooka!"
"Dumbass!" Rhythm yelled, the girl screamed, still stick to the ground as my arms launched forward. Then I realized my mistake.
Witch brought Rhythm right in front of him, as a shield. So my hands didn't collide with Witch's stomach, but Rhythm's.
The impact sent her flying backwards to the border of the flames. I yelled out for her, the remaining droplets of blood where she was a second ago seemed to stay suspended in the air then slowly fall to the ground.
Vines brought Rhythm back up as she hung limply, really looking like a doll again. She groaned and raised her head, a couple streams of blood dripping down her chin.
"Fuck you, Luffy. That really hurt!" she squinted one eye as blood from her head wound got into it, giving her a pained expression.
"Oi Witch! Why'd you do that?!" I raised my fists and crouched to a battle stance.
"Human shield, he'll take your impacts and I'll fight you without dirtying my hands."
"That- that's dirty! Fight me like a real man, or are you not a real pirate?" I hissed, clenching my fists.
"Pirates are dirty beings who lie and steal, get whatever they want. Take down nations with raids and kill relentlessly. You shouldn't be talking."
"Then what are you?!"
"I am a pirate, that's the thing. You, my dear boy, are not." He interlaced his fingers in front of him and smiled.
"AARG!"  I charged at him once more.
This time, vines wrapped around the lady in white and held her up in front of him, choking her. She gasped for air as the veil slipped from her face. She blocked my path this time.
"I'll snap her neck," he flicked his wrists, the plants positioned to where he could break her neck with one wrong move. I skidded to a halt once more, the girl wimpering.
I shook with fury. I couldn't take it. He may be a pirate, but this isn't  real pirate. They find adventure and gold, food and pride. Not the pleasure of killing others (AN: Ehem . . . Zoro? Robin? Ring a bell?).
I couldn't take it, "YOU'RE A STUPID COWARD WHO HIDED BEHIND OTHERS AND MAKE OTHER PEOPLE TAKE THE PAIN WHILE YOU FLOLIC AROUND LIKE YOUR KING OF THE WORLD! I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M FIGHTING A MAN LIKE YOU, YOU BASTARD!" I jumped around the lady in white, fist drawn as I approached Witch rapidly.
"Bara no Toge Ningyō!"  He waved his hand and Rhythm and the girl cried out. I ignored that, knowing it was all right. My fist connected with his face and he flew back just as far as Rhythm had.
Speaking of . . .
The control on Rhythm and the girl was off, so now they lay on the ground, completely free from the vines.
"Fuck," Rhythm was shaking as she got on her hands and knees, droplets of blood oozing from almost every inch of bare skin.
"Oi how'd you get that?" I started helping her getting the vines off then IO drew back my hand with a yelp. They were thorns, were sharp, inch long thorns. Some still had blood on them. Now I know what he did .  . .
"Don't mind me. Get the princess, she'll need more help," she waved me away.
I cocked my head to the side. "The princess?"
"The girl in the white over there. The vines turned to thorns too." She pushed me towards her.
I nodded and went over to her. She was shakily trying to pull the vines off of her, the thorns slicing through her delicate skin and drawing crimson. He hissed under her breath.
"Here," I bent down and started helping her, tearing them off quickly. She yelped then sighed, looking up to me. Her veil had fallen off so I could see her face.
"Hey you're pretty."
"Th-thank you," she gasped, cheeks turning a bright pink. "Thank you for helping me Monkey-chin."
"Sure!" I smiled and laughed, "Shishishishishi! It's what I do! Now . . ." I stood up and faced Witch. He was on his feet again, rubbing his swelling cheek.
"You're dead meat, Straw Hat." he spat.
"Meat?" I perked up.
"It's a figure of speech."
"You've been a thorn in this countries side for too long! Now get out of here or I'll kick your ass clear to the next sea!"
"Haha~! I see what you did there," Rhythm chuckled, pulling the remaining thorned vines off of her.
We clashed in midair, vines and rubber mixing as blood splattered and yells were issued. This fight was getting serious now.
"Yeah! Go Luffy! Beat up Freaky Plant Guy!"


Translations:

~ Côtelette- Rib
~ Basse Côte, Longe, Tendron, Flanchet, Quasi, Queue, Cuisseau, Jarret, Veau Shot- Shoulder Roast, Loin, Collar, Stomach, Rump, Tail, Thigh, Shin, Veal Shot
~ Kokutei Diamond- Carving Hoof Diamond
~ Scope- Diagnosis
~ Kokutei Roseo-  Carving Hoff Cherry Blossom
~ Oni Giri- Demon Slash (or Riceball)
~ Tora Nagashi- Sword Wolf Floating
~ Budō Tsuru no Ningyō- Grape Vine Doll
~ Bara no Toge Ningyō- Rose Thorn Puppet