Divide and Conquer! The Devil Spawns' Desperate Escape

In the New World, The Devil Spawn Pirates are desperate to keep their Captain safe. Suffering from the after effects of a nearly fatal battle with her murderous cousin, Senshi fell into a coma, leaving her battle worn crew to protect her. With the marines hot on their tail, The pirates escape to Kikende Island, where numerous challenges await. Forced to split up, the crew face different hardships and different obsticals during there journey.

Cacti Spike Terrains
''The four pirates moved swiftly through the vast terrain. Sharpshooter felt right at home, seeing as he large amounts of sand and the spiraling green Cacti reminded him of home. Granted, the sand hadn't been 57% quicksand and the Cacti hadn't been twenty feet tall back home, but it was close.''

Vearth:  Bro..... Where are we?

Sharpshooter:  I don't know.... I must say, this is the strangest island we've visited.

Victoria:  Hey guys, I smell something...

Suna:  What is it?

Victoria:  I don't know. The sand is messing with my senses. Let's try and find some shelter before we die of heat stroke.

''The crew had been trying to avoid mentioning it, but the sun seemed to be directly on top of them, beating down relentlessly. They needed to find shade and water fast, or they wouldn't last long.''

''As they walk further into the scorching desert, more and more tall and bigger cacti appear. Soon, they are surrounded by catci that are even cover the skies. Despite its overwhelming appearance, its only benefit is that its huge stature formed a shade that provided shelter from the star that is slowing killing them with its intense rays. But only barely. Just barely. Not surprisely, there were green catci behind them but oddly, they seem to have gotten closer to the 4 travelers. Are they....moving?''

''The cacti move closer and closer. They are oozing a clear liquid from their green pores.''

Sharpshooter: I knew this place is strange! I can feel it!

Victoria: He's right! But I just can't put my mind on it! It's still too hot seven in the shade!

Suna: Hey, these catci behind us. I could have sworn I see them before?

Vearth: Of course, you did! They're everywhere! The heat got to you already, didn't it?

Suna: But the catci we's standing beside to is much bigger than the ones behind us. As we walk further in the desert, the catci we encounter gets bigger and bigger. And the size of the cacti here and there do not match at all!

Victoria: She's right.....or maybe we're seeing things. Too much heat can cause us to see mirages. So maybe they are all the same sizes.

Suna:...Maybe.....I guess the heat slowed down my brain!

Sharpshooter: I still think those cacti are strange!

Vearth: Panting.........Quiet! I'm trying to relax! .....Panting......You guys emitting too much heat from talking too much!

5 min later.

Vearth: Ok...I think that's enough rest! We should go before the Marines catch up to us!

Sharpshooter: Agreed.

Victoria: Let's move.

''Suna gets up and walks forward with the rest. She then turns around to look at the cacti. She shrugs as she thinks that she's worrying about nothing and should put her mind at ease. Soon, the cacti that lies in front of them are yellow with red spikes instead of green, unlike the numerous cacti before them.''

Vearth: I wonder if these cacti are more dangerous than the green ones?

Victoria: Who knows.

''As they walk further and further, Suna still feels uneasy. She turns around to look behind her and sees nothing. She sighs and turns her head back.''

Fusha

Suna heard a sound and looks behind her and saw a green dot in the background.

Suna: Huh? What's that? I didn't see that before.

Suna ponders on what the green dot is but couldn't figure it out.

Vearth: Hey Suna! Don't daydream in the middle of the desert! Walk with us or else you get lost!

Suna: Oh! Sorry!

''Suna walks faster to catch up with her friends. While she does, she looks behind her one time.''

Suna: ??? What the?

The green dot she saw before got a little bigger.

Victoria: Suna? What's wrong? This is not the time to stop moving.

Suna: Guys, I think something is following us.

Vearth: What? The Marines? They're here already?

Victoria: Oh great! That was quick! and odd. They must be skilled if I can't sense them!

Suna: No, not them. Something else.

Vearth: What? Who?

Suna: Not who. What. Something green.

Victoria: Green?

''Victoria cups her hand around her eyes to look further in Suna's directions. She sees the green dot as well.''

Victoria: How strange. The green cacti we saw before were already out of view as we walked. But suddenly they appeared again. It's like....that.....

Suna: They're following....

Vearth: Us?

Sharpshooter:........

Victoria: Let's move faster.

Suna: Right!

''They moved faster than before while looking behind themselves occasionally. However, despite their increased speed, the green dot never disappeared. In fact, it gotten bigger and seem to have multiplied into more dots.''

Vearth: What's going here?! They're still there!

Suna: No way!

Victoria: I'm not sure we still run or stand and fight! The heat is really not helping us here!

The green dots finally came into normal view. They are the giant green cacti they saw miles ago. They are moving as if they are sliding in the sand. A whole horde of green cacti are heading towards the group.

''Fusha! Fusha! Fusha! Fusha! Fusha!''

Everyone screaming: AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Vearth: What is this I don't even?!

Suna: Those are cacti?!!!!

Victoria: That's it! I'm sick of running! I don't even know if we will even get to safe area! Let's fight!

Victoria stops running and bares her fangs towards the horde of cacti.

As the horde gets closer, their spikes turn yellow and jumps towards the pirates as they are pouncing them like a tiger is in position to kill and consume its prey.

Grainly Sand Milk Plains
Rex: HOLD ON KAPENTA!!

Kapenta: WHAT DO YOU THINK I'M DOING?!

''Rex held onto a rope that had grown out of Kapenta's palm. Atisuto grabbed the rope and they all pulled. As they did, Burakku, currently in gryffon form, flew high into the air, As he did, Kapenta came shooting out of the quicksand trap he'd fallen in.''

Kapenta:  Damn........ That was too close.

Atisuto:  This entire area is filled with quicksand plots.

Burakku:  It's a death trap. I can't land.

Rex:  Let's get out of here. The Marines will be right behind us.

????: This is the Marines! We have you surrounded! If you resist, we will have to use force to immobilize you. In the worst case, you may die as you stand!

''Marines from the Kikende Island's Marine base came out of nowhere and easily surrounded the 4 pirates. They are wearing specialized clothing to counteract the heat in the island and to prevent themselves from falling into the quicksand. They are wearing white overalls to reflect the sunlight, an inner cooling system, and special hoverboots to ride on cushions of air over the dangerous quicksands. They are wielding special bazookas that shoots out heat rays to cause instant dehydration to weaken anyone to the point they can no longer fight.''

Burakku:  SHIT!!

Kapenta:  WE'RE SURROUNDED!!

Rex: What do we do guys?!

Atisuto: .....

''Atisuto was tracing her finger through burakku's feathers, trying to find a loose feather. She found one, pricked her finger, and began scribbling in her own blood on Kapenta's back.''

Atisuto: (muttering) come on...... come on......

Marine: If you do not put your hands behind your back and lay down on the ground, we will be forced to detain you at all costs! Make your choice in the next 5 seconds!

''Atisuto continues scribbling, until finally she completes her project. A small, bloody picture of the marines walking into the quicksand. Once she does, she puts her hands behind her head. Kapenta, having figured out what it was that Atisuto drew, did as well. Rex, who looked at Kapenta's back, did the same.''

Rex:  Alright! We surrender.

Marine: Then lay down on the ground with your hands behind your back!

Atisuto: Fine... Burakku, land us.

''Burakku lands, ironically right in front of a mount of quicksand. They climbed off of Burakku's back, positioning themselves on the only solid sand in sight. Burakku became a guy once again and all three of them did it. Kapenta, however, did not put his hands behind his back, afraid to ruin the blood drawing on his back.''

Marine: Did you not understand our commands? That includes you too! NOW!

Kapenta: Alright, alright. Sheesh.

He puts his hands behind his back, but carefully manages to keep his arms off the bloody drawing.

Marines moves in closer to the pirates. Half of them are still in shooting position if the Pirates try to escape or do anything suspicious. The rest are handcuffing the pirates.

Marine: So you pirates didn't up a fight. Didn't really expect that but you are in our territory! Even if you did escape from us now or later, you can't escape from our boss. That's like asking for death right there! AHAHA!

Atisuto:  Your boss?

Kapenta:  Who's your boss?

Marine: You think I must tell Pirates everything? I mean it's not like you will meet Rear Admiral Wrapper! Once you do, he will squeeze the life out of you!

Sudden Spiral Melts
''Out of all of the areas in Kikende Island, Sudden Spiral Melts is the most dangerous so far. It has been said that there are no civilains currently living in this desolated place. Many have tried and all of them failed. They died in the worst ways possible. Like normal ways to die in deserts, dehydration or killed by the rural animals. But there are no animals at all here. Not even plants. Just sand with a strange consistency. All living beings have their bodies literally melted into ooze while still feeling the pain of fire burning all over their body. After years of attempts to inhabit this land that might as be called  "hell," it has been theorized that an average human can only survive in the Sudden Spiral Melts for at least 1 hour. After that, the body will liquidize into mucky red sands. It has been said that sands are were dyed red from the blood of its past numerous victims. This has been caused by the unusually high temperatures and the mysterious elements within the sand. Because of this, one step upon this forsaken place will cause powerful mirages that seem as real as whatever they thought they see. There were tales of people getting lost as if they were in a maze.''

Ishi: Damn..... What...... the hell....... is this...... place?

Laura:  It's the desert silly.

Ishi: I..... Know that..... but.... why..... is it..... so..... bloody..... hot?

Laura:  It's not hot....

''Ishi is about to snap at Laura, but she realizes two things. One, Laura's ability to manipulate the temperature around her was automatically keeping her cool. The second is that while Silver is behind them, he's unconsious, being dragged by Laura, and Senshi is no where to be seen.''

Ishi:  Wha...... wher-.........where.......... is......

''Before Ishi can voice her concerns, she too sucumbs to the heat, passing out. Laura grabs her, her powers spreading to both of her unconsious friends, and begins to look around.''

Laura:  What the hell is going on here?

''Meanwhile, at the edge of the spiral melts, just out of the desert's liquifying heat, Senshi crawls across the sand. She's barely conscious, moving by sheer will power. She has no idea where she is, how she got there, or where her friends are. All she knows is that she needs to get away.''

Senshi: Where.......Where am I?......It's so....hot....

Senshi slowly drags her body across the sandy dunes like a snail.

Senshi: Am I....dead? Is this hell?

????: Yes, this is hell, all right!

''Senshi with her eyes barely open, slowing moves her head up to try to look where the mysterious voice is coming from. But only to end in vain as she lands her face back into the red sand from exhaustion.''

Senshi: Who..who's there? Is that you, Victoria?....

????: AHAHAHAHAHHA, no! Try again and maybe you will get it right unlike your choices you made before!

Senshi with her eyes still closed, tries to open her eyes with willpower as she gradually realizes something important.

Senshi: No......no.....impossible....that's no way.....you're....I thought....

????: You thought wrong. I was teling you the truth.

''Senshi finally opens her eyes completely as she still laying down on the sand. Her pupils widen as she could not believe what she sees in front of her.''

Senshi: ......Mikayla.....

A long black-haired woman with a a very revealing green kimono and a green umbrella appears before Senshi.

Mikayla: Yeah, bitch! You're in hell but not yet. I'll drag you along with me!

Senshi: But how?! I saw you die in front of me!

Mikayla: You did but not even death can stop me from taking my revenge on you! NOW DIE!

''Senshi backed away, trying to get away. As she did, Mikayla came closer and closer. Blood was dripping from her arms and a large stab wound in her chest. Scared, Senshi struggles to her feet, desperately reaching for her sword, but finds that it isn't there.''

Senshi: No........ NononoNoNO!!!!!!

Mikayla: So you can't even fight back, eh? I guess I was that strong then! I just wonder how you managed beat me, even KILL ME! NOW!........YOU WILL BE LIKE ME! A BIG HOLE IN YOUR CHEST! YOUR BLOOD! SUFFER AS YOU SEE....NO.....FEEL YOUR VERY EXISTENCE DISAPPEARING!

''Mikayla's eyes shines bloody red and her hair with the color of darkness grows tall and wide and appears like a demon seeking for human flesh. Then she then lunges towards the defenseless Senshi.''

Senshi: I'm...I'm scared! Please...someone! help me!

''Senshi tries to scream for help but it's no use. She's too weak to speak in a normal tone and volume. Mikayla wraps her long black hair now splattered with blood, around Senshi's entire body. Only Senshi's face is uncovered.''

Mikayla: AHAHAHAHAH! What's wrong?! You were so strong back then! What happened to the so great Captain of the Devil Sprawn Pirates?!

Senshi: ah.......ah.....

Senshi groans in pain as the hair tightens around her body, thus, sorta reopening her wounds from her previous battle.

Mikayla: Oh that's right! She became a murderer!

Senshi's body is now hanged in the air as she lifted by Mikayla's hair.

Mikayla: I may look like a monster now but it's nothing compared to what you did! TO ME!

Senshi: No, it's no....true....that's...not....true. I...I

Senshi is slowly losing consciousness as the pain and the guilt from killing Mikayla is overwhelming her mind.

Mikayla: YOU WHAT?!

Mikayla moves Senshi's face closer to her own and her face mutates into demon's. Horns, enlarged teeth, red and yellow eyes, and markings.

Mikayla: Aren't you a pirate?A pirate who pillages and plunders?!

Senshi: No....no...NO! I DON'T!

Mikayla: WRONG! You're a pirate who kills people! No matter how you justify it, a death is a death! I'm gone! FOREVER!

Senshi: But....

Mikayla: You had a reason, didn't you! What if the same situation happens again? and again?! Now how would justice will exist?

Mikayla's stab wound spurt out blood on Senshi's face.

Senshi's face expresses horror as she reimagines the exact time she killed Mikayla.

Senshi: AHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Mikayla: Once you got hands dirty with blood, there's no going back! My blood!......WILL NEVER DISAPPEAR! NOR MY HATRED!

Mikayla's stab wound grow bigger.

Mikayla: MY ANGER!

Mikayla's stab wound grow even bigger and blood spills out into the ground.

Mikayla: AND MY VENGEANCE!!!!!

''Senshi stares at Mikayla's wound and keeps replaying Mikayla's death scene in her mind. Chaoes ensues as she gradually falls in despair. She sweats. She's breathing too hard. Her heart beats faster than ever before. She's in a panic. At this rate, if she doesn't get help, her body could shut down.....for good.''

Senshi: AH! AHHH! AHHHHHHHHH!!!

''Mikayla's hair then coiled to drill shaped snakes that are hissing. Then they stretch towards Senshi to deliver the killing blow!''

Mikayla: DIIIIIIIIEEEEE!!!

BANG!

Mikayla: What the?

Mikayla has a hole in her head and slowly fades from the hole as if it was a ghost.

THUMP!

''Senshi fell to the ground, barely conscious and still breathing heavily. Senshi stares at Mikayla as it disappears like a extinguised flame.''

Mikayla: This is not the end! I will be back!

''Mikaya's eye remains but will soon fade away completely. The eye glares with extreme anger towards Senshi.''

Mikayla: I will be back!

Senshi's breathing slows down as Mikayla's disappearance slowing calms her down but it's not enough to quell her heart.

????: What the heck is wrong with you?! Screaming like weakling! Thought you're better than that, Senshi!

Senshi:...Who?.....are...yo...

Senshi finally lose consciousness.

Cacti Spike Terrains: In a thorny situation
Sharpshooter:  What the hell are these things?!

Vearth:  Trouble brother. Trouble.

''The towering green cacti with yellow spikes all jump in the air and and landed around them. Then the side of the cacti that are facing towards the pirates formed two dots and circular void filled with endless amounts of teeth. They actually have faces, faces of hungry and violent creatures. Out of their mouths drops drool upon the sizzling sand and then instantaneously evaporated.''

Suna: Oh nuts! We're surrounded!

Victoria: Great, this won't be easy as I thought.

Vearth: I wonder if the yellow spikes on them are poisonous.

Sharpshooter: I don't want to find out!

''The horder of cacti let out a huge deafening growl as they are making a war cry. They soon join their arms amongst each other and all of their spikes grew much bigger.''

Vearth: That can't be good.

Suna: There's no exit! They are making a blockade!

Victoria: Damn. Even if we make an opening, there are more walls of them of them. 9... no, 14 walls of them circling around us.

Sharpshooter: This is just not our day.

Suna: Guys, they think they're going to close in on us.

Sharpshooter: Now I'm starting to hate hugs.

''The cacti are rushing in towards in the center to completely pin holes all over their body. As they did, Suna thumped herself on the head.''

Suna's thoughts:  I am such a baka.

''Suna then opened her mouth and began singing her siren song, the song that hypnotizes anyone who hears it. Vearth, Victoria, and Sharpshooter, recognizing the song, instantly cover their ears before they can be hypnotized. Cacti stopped for a moment and were moving strangely.''

Sharpshooter: Sweet! It worked!

Victoria: Good, now we can-

ROOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR

The cacti roared even louder but for some reason, they stare at Suna instead with comtempt.

Victoria:......Suna, I don't think they like your song.

Suna's voiced hitched at that and she went pale.

Suna:  Oh great. NOW what do we do?

Sharpshooter: You mean I, not we. They are only targeting you, it seems.

Suna: Not helping!

Victoria: Wouldn't matter anyway since when they close in us, we will get skewered!

Vearth: Anyone got a super secret wide range attack in cases like this?

The cacti charges towards them.

Vearth: LIKE NOW?!

Sharpshooter:  Damn it. Everybody grab hold.

''Everybody grabbed hold of Sharpshooter's jacket. As they did he turned his legs into twin cannons.''

Vearth:  Onii-chan? What are you-

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

''The twin cannons went off, the force of them sending the four of them into the air. A second later, the cacti compressed to the one spot that the pirates were previously at. If they were one second too late, they would have been like swiss chess.''

All: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Vearth: Whoa! I almost saw my life flash before me! Why didn't you do that sooner?!

Sharpshooter: Because I didn't want to do this unless it was a last ditch effort sort of thing!

Suna: AUUUUUGHHHHHH!

Victoria: At least we are safe for-

''The cacti look up and roar angrier than before. All of their spikes are pointed to the sky and quickly glows intense yellow light.''

Victoria: Son of a ****!!! Why do I even bother?!

Vearth: Evasive maneuver!

The cacti's spikes soon stop gathering light and shoot their spikes continous towards their flying prey.

'PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA! PATA!'

Sharpshooter shoots his feet cannons again, and then small hand cannons, desperately trying to avoid the needles.

Sharpshooter:  I can't keep this up! Damn..... Soon, my guns will get too hot and you won't be able to hold on.

Vearth:  Already approaching that point brother. You're starting to feel warm.

Victoria: Warm....... THAT'S IT!! We use the heat to our advantage! They are plants after all!

Suna: No way! If they can live in this desert, then surely heat is no problem to them!

Victoria: Then what about fire?

Sharpshooter: That's a no-go. Can't do that. I can only create guna and cannons. Flames are out.

Victoria: But I can!

Sharpshooter: Huh?

''The spikes finally got too much for Sharpshooter as he slows down from approaching the overuse of his guns. All of them are getting more injuries from the spikes as time passes by.''

Suna: Ow!

Sharpshooter: Ah!

Victoria: AUGH!

Vearth: It's now or never!

''Victoria slips her hand into her pocket and draws out a match. She strikes it and it lights.''

Victoria: NOW VEARTH!

''Vearth closes her eyes and claps her hands together. When she does, the flame begins to grow and grow. Victoria releases the match, dropping it onto the head of one of the cactus people.''

Vearth:  Flaming TOUCH!!

The fire suddenly grows exponentially.

Vearth:  SPREAD!

''If one looks to the sky from the ground, it looks the sky is on fire and that the sun god is unleashing their wrath on the land. The fiery blaze completely incincerated the spikes shot from the cacti. The cacti persistently shot more spikes but their attempts are in vain as their attacks are powerless against the giant fireball. After the fire made impact, the cacti screams in pain and soon only ashes remained and the ground where the vicious cacti once stood looks differently from before.''

Vearth: It...it worked!

Victoria: Of course, it did!

Suna: Thank God! I thought we were going to die!

Sharpshooter: Guys, I'm happy for you but....

Vearth: But what?

Sharpshooter: We're falling....

Suna: What?

Sharpshooter: Overused my guns on that attack and.....yeah...

Vearth: Shoot!

Everyone: AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

'CRASH! crack!'

''Everyone slowly untangles themselves while Sharpshooter pulls off his jacket. Smoke is rising from his body and he smells like burning metal. Everyone else is covered in sand and ashes.''

Vearth:  Ow. Right in the-

Victoria:  That hurt.

Suna: 'Let's never do that again.

Sharpshooter: Yeah. Hmmm? What's this?

''Sharpshooter wipes his hand on the ground underneath him. It feels sharp and smooth unlike the rough sand before.'' He picks up a piece from the ground to analyze it. It's transparent and sharp like a knife around the edges.

Sharpshooter: This wasn't here before.

Suna: Huh?

Everyone besides Sharpshooter takes notice of his discovery and were picking up the pieces as well.

Vearth: I see! This is glass!

Victoria: Glass? That's right! Glass is made from sand! While those monsters were burned to death, it also turned the sand into glass!

Suna: Wow! That's so cool!

Vearth: I heard lightning has the same effect!

Sharpshooter: Is that so? Ow!

Sharpshooter finally feels the wounds that he gained from the cacti after the excitement from the attack died down.

Vearth: Crap! We didn't come out unscathed.

Suna: Oh no! What if the spikes are poisonous upon touch! I don't know if those cacti are the vemonous variety.

Victoria: I'm not feeling anything yet. If it was toxic, it might be slow-acting. I wish Ishi was with us to tell us.

Vearth: If only we aren't on the run from the Marines but we already decided on splitting up.

Sharpshooter: What a shame. I guess we have to leave it to luck then?

Victoria: So far, I don't think we have luck going for us. I mean by the way our day is going, the Marines could be showing up right now!

......

Victoria: Oh good! Luck is with us after all!

GGAAOOOOOGAAOOOOOGAOOOO!!!!

In the far distance, small yellow figures show up from the direction where they heard the roar came from.

Victoria:...no..no...no...

GAOOOOGAAOOOOGGAOOOO!!!

''The figures got close enough to be at a safe distance from the pirates but their figures can be fully viewed from where they are standing. They are yellow cacti with red spikes and are much taller than the green cacti with yellow spikes that they encountered before. Their spikes are more pointer and thinner than their green comrades.''

Suna: .......We seen them before...haven't we?

Vearth: Something about being more dangerous, I think?

Victoria: no...no..no

Sharpshooter: If the ones we destroyed aren't poisonous, I bet they are.

Vearth: But why now?~! It's like they were sleeping before and...

Vearth remembers the fire attack.

Vearth: Must have woke them up from the previous fire.......huh....

Suna:......I say we run!

Victoria: Yeah

Vearth: RUUUUUNNNNNN!!!!!!!!

Everyone running while screaming.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Sudden Spiral Melts: Heated Decision
''Senshi dreaming of her childhood. She's running around with her brothers, playing Pirates and Marines. They smile and laugh, giggling and dreaming about what the future will bring. Then suddenly out of nowhere, Mikayla as a child shows up. Senshi's the first to notice her and sits up.''

Senshi: What the? Where did you come from? You know magic or something?

Mikayla has a blank look on her face and groans as she slowly walks up to the confused Senshi.

Mikayla: UUUhhhhhaaaaagggghhhaaaaa

Senshi: Mi...kay....la?

Mikayla: Sen....shi....you....killllllllleeedddd....me.......

Senshi: Huh? What are you talking about? You're here! Don't be silly!

Mikayla shakes her heads sideways to show discontent with Senshi's reply.

Mikayla: It hurts....it hurts....

Senshi: Huh? What hurts?

Mikayla: My chest....it really hurts......

''Mikayla and Senshi has barely any distance between each other. Mikayla grabbed Senshi's right hand with both of her hands and moved it to the center of the chest.''

Mikayla: See?....... Do you see it now?

Senshi: See what?..There's nothing th.....the.....ther.....there.....oh my....what the....

''Senshi's eyes were completely open when she saw a hole in Mikayla's chest. She is shock of the severity of Mikayla's injury.''

Senshi: You need to get to the doctor!!! Right away! Who did this to you?!

Mikayla: You did.....

Senshi: What? What are you saying? Stop speaking nonsense!

Mikayla: You did....... You did.........You did...........

Senshi: What the?...Stop it....stop it...'''STOP JOKING AROUND!!!!!!!! THIS IS NOT FUNNY!'''

Mikayla: I should say the same to you.

Senshi: Huh?

''Mikayla grabs Senshi's hand and pulls it deeper in her own wound. As Senshi's hand pierces Mikayla's inner organs, blood spurts out onto Senshi's face, hand, and shirt. Mikayla grins a little as her eyes became bloodshot. Her head twists all over as she speaks like she's in pain.''

Senshi: Ah...AHH...AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! STOP IT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!!!

Mikayla: Senshi...Senshi! .........You killed me! With your own hands...See?, ......This is how you exactly did it! Don't you remember?

Senshi: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Senshi screams as Mikayla bloods pour all over her.

Mikayla: That's right....Senshi........This is how you became a murderer...... By killing....

''Then Mikayla instantly transformed into her adult form. Except the body's condition was at the moment Senshi delivered the killing blow to her. Mikayla's head twists suddenly stops and slowly turns to Senshi's direction. She moves her head closer to Senshi's face until her eyes met.''

Mikayla: ME!

''Senshi panics and forcefully pull out her hand from Mikayla's corpse. The momentum of the action caused her to land on her butt. She looks down on her hands which are covered with blood.''

Senshi: NO! NO!

''Senshi sees a pool of blood on the ground which reflects herself like a mirror. She sees herself not as a innocent child but as a grown up murderer.''

Senshi: No...no....NO! NOOO!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

BANG!

????: SHUUT UP!!!!!

''Senshi suddenly wakes up. She is breathing heavily while her hand is on her chest. She felt her heart is coming out of her chest.''

Senshi: It ...was....just....a....dream...It was just a dream...no.....a nightmare...that's what it was....

Senshi looks around and couldn't see nothing but darkness.

Senshi: Where.....Where am I? Am I...in the ship?

''Senshi felts that she's in a comfy sleeping bad on the ground. The air for some reason feels cool. She feels around as she tries to figure out her surroundings.''

Senshi: A sleeping bag?....Sand? What the? Light?

''Senshi then sees a small ray of light emitting from a small hole in the air. She stands up and walks closer to the light and peeks through it but sees nothing but darkness as if it was covered.''

Senshi: Huh? Where did it go?

????: Shut up and do as I say.

Senshi suddenly sees light in front of her and was temporary blinded by the overwhelming burst of light after being a place of total darkness.

Senshi: What the hell?

''Then Senshi feels something metal on her forehead. It was small and little warm. It feels familiar...Like it was a...''

????: So you're finally awake, huh? I'm sick of your voice so you have the right to remain silent. I recommend that you do that before I blow your whatever left of your stupid brain left.

Senshi looks up as she slowly opens her eyes as they adjust to the new level of brightness.

Senshi: ....Ao..ka.?

''Aoka is holding her gun to Senshi's forehead at pointblank. Senshi is mounted on the ground in the tent. Aoka is outside the tent's entrance. Aoka's entire attire is white. Her pants, shirt, hat, overcoat, shoes, etc.''

Aoka: No time no see! I just missed doing this to you!

Senshi:  Aoka..........

Senshi starts looking around frantically.

Senshi:  Where am I?! What did you do to me. Where's my crew!

''As she starts acting more frantic, her chest explodes in pain and Senshi coughs a small bit of blood. She crumbles to the ground, coughing and wheezing.''

Aoka: Oh? So even a pirate like you doesn't thank me? I just saved your sea scum @$$!

Senshi: What? You...saved...me? This is a joke, right? Am I being punked?

Aoka is pointing a gun at Senshi.

Aoka: It's like this....Your crew, I have no clue.....I asssume they split up from you somehow and as for you..

''Aoka pulls the hammer on her gun while pressing a button on a dial with her other hand. The dial sucks in the tent, exposing both of them the hot scorching sun rays! However, Aoka is not affected because of her clothing is specifically built for this island's harsh weather.''

Senshi: AHHHH!! HOT!!!

Aoka: I think it would be lame for you even sea trash to die from the desert.

Senshi put her hands over eyes to shield them from the sun.

Senshi: So in other words,

Aoka: I want to kill youself. I saved lots of bullets for you!

Senshi thinking: Shoot...I don't think I can even beat her now...haven't recovered yet....I'm in the worst case scena-

Aoka: Also....

THUMP!

Before Senshi could have finish her thoughts, Aoka kicks Senshi so hard that she was sent several meters away from her before landing heavily on the red sand.

Senshi: OW! WHAT THE

Aoka: I believe you got 35 minutes before you melt into a bloody pulp into the desert. Every living being has a time limit in this desert called, "Sudden Spiral Melts."

Senshi: What? Sudden Spiral Melts? you mean...I'm on a new island? Oh....it's .too hot...I think I'm going to die.

Senshi is getting dizzier by the second after she was forced out of the tent.

Aoka: This area is so hot that it causes mirages on the stupid travelers who tried to go through here. It's not worth the shortcut.

Senshi: Mirages? but...they seem so....

Aoka: Real? That's because of the mysterious substance in the sand here. Something special about them maximizes the body's senses. Even pain. No wonder why you're screaming. Had to snap you out of it with a gunshot.

Senshi:...No way.....

Aoka: As for me, we already prepared for this. Thanks to this special heat resistant material and internal air cooling system that my clothes are made of, I'm not affected by it...well...temporary in the Sudden Spiral Melts....

Senshi: That's not fair!

Aoka: Should have done some research before coming in here!

Senshi: I was unconcious!

Aoka: NO MORE TALK! I want to ask you some questions before I made my decision.

Senshi: I thought you said no more talk! And what decision?~

Aoka: Shut up and take a chill pill.

Aoka throws something blue and small at Senshi. Senshi catches it and sees it's a blue small pill shaped like a raindrop.

Senshi: What's this?

Aoka: A chill pill, moron. I just said that! This could keep your hot head cool for a while but I'm not giving you anymore than that!

''Senshi ponders on the thought if this is a trick and the pill could be poison. But then, when she deeply thought about it, there's not way that even Aoka would do such a thing. Aoka is a fair fighter and wouldn't resort to dirty tactics. However, there's always a doubt.''

Senshi: No regrets!

''Senshi swallows the pill. In an instant, her body cools down to what she feels as a normal  body temperature.''

Senshi: What the? It....

Aoka: That should delay your death flag fro 20 minutes...so....about 55 min. But then again, you will die soon..

SORU!

''Aoka disappears and appears in front of Senshi. However, instead of a gun in her hand like she always does when she encounters Senshi, it was a bounty poster. Senshi's eyes widen as soon she saw the poster. Aoka's face remain unchanged as it remains like stone with cold eyes.''

Aoka: Tell me, Senshi.......Why.......why... Why did you kill this person?!

''It was Roronoa D. Mikayla's bounty poster. It has the stamp, "Deceased," on it. Seeing the poster, Senshi's face becomes that of fear, anger, and plain guilt.''

Senshi: ...............

Aoka:  ANSWER ME!!

Senshi: ........... That's just it........... I...... I can't........... Yes, I killed her, but I did it.......... I did it..... to protect........ My...... My family........

She looks down.

Senshi:  You never fought her Aoka, so you don't know just how much of a monster she was........ Still........ even a monster deserves to live, but I was just too afraid.......... too angry........... too............. too.....'

''She breaks down and begins crying. Aoka puts away the bounty in silence and takes out her new black pistol instead. She reloads it while she speaks to Senshi.''

Aoka:.........I killed pirates before.....For self-defense, to protect others, resisted certain commands, or when they are too dangerous to live. I was always angry at pirates for they did to me when I was a child. But doesn't mean I kill all of them. I want to but then, I would be become the very thing I hate. Once you kill, you will always be a killer.

Aoka loading her gun and then aims at Senshi's head.

Aoka: You have proven yourself to be a pirate. The very pirate I hate. How is that different that what I did before? I admit I killed people but not out of anger or fear. I killed for justice. I had no regrets for that.

''Senshi just looks up at Aoka, her face filled with grief, sadness, and guilt. What she does next surprises Aoka though. She sits up, kneeling in front of Aoka.''

Senshi:  Then you won't have any regrets on shooting me. This time, with real bullets.

Aoka: So you want to die? Pathetic!

BANG! BANG!

''Aoka shoots Senshi in her feet two times, one each. 4 bullets left.''

Senshi: AH!!!

Senshi shouts out of pain and feels weaker than usual.

Senshi thinking: Seastone? Talking about overkill!

Aoka: You think you can accept death just like that?!

BANG! BANG!

''Aoka then shoots Senshi in her arms, one each. Two bullets left.''

Senshi: UGGHHH!!!

Senshi falls on her knees as she takes a look at her bullet wounds.

Senshi: What the hell? These aren't fatal. You dare to wield a gun when you don't have the guts to kill me? It only takes one shot, you know?

Aoka: Shut up!

BANG!'

''Aoka shoots a bullet at Senshi. It bypass senshi's head, leaving only a diagonal scratch on Senshi's left side of her face. One bullet left.''

Senshi: See?

''Aoka then places the end of her revolver at Senshi's forehead. It's a point-blank shot if Aoka pulls the trigger. If she does, Senshi will die no matter what.''

Aoka: I was told that I must always have two bullets to make sure the target is dead. One for the head and one for the chest.

Senshi: I know that your new gun is a revolver. They only shoot 6 bullets each. You shot 5 already....why the tension?

Aoka: I haven't decided yet. You're a special case.

Senshi:.......decided what? To kill me? I already want to die! What's stopping you, Marine?! I'm a pirate! It's that simple!

Aoka: IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE!

Senshi is silenced by Aoka's outburst.

Aoka: You see...back then....ever since the pirates kidnapped my sister. I was angry at the world. Why did she deserved this. Why did I deserved this? I hate pirates so much that I wanted to kill all of them! Why must people who were going on their peaceful days be ruined by scums like you?!!!! I was one of them!

Aoka's gun is shaking.

Aoka: I saw no future ahead of me. I thought my sister had died already but...I had hope.....I joined the Marines to see if that hope exists. But years pass by, I gave up.... I seen how cruel pirates were. They were everywhere. Ever single day, I was reminded of my failure. She was all I had! Our parents, we didn't have any! I died two times already! When she was gone and when I gave up hope! So I continued to make sure others don't end up like me! That is my justice! That is why I became a Marine! I was proud of what I do back then and now!

Senshi:.........

Aoka: But then you came along! You weren't anything different from the other trash! I captured them sooner or later. But you...YOU! You irritated me! Yet, you brought back my sister.....

''Aoka is tearing up...And sheds some tears. Senshi sees the tears on the ground and looks up to see Aoka crying.''

Senshi: Aoka......

Aoka: You gave back my life! I gain the hope that I thought I lost to the darkness. She's alive.......I'm alive.

Aoka's gun stops shaking and a tear dropped on the tip of the gun's barrel.

Aoka: I was thankful to you for you did. It's the best thing that ever happened to me. It's weird. I saw you in a new light after that time....no...from the moment I met you....you were different but I knew it unconciously.Every single time I fought you, I knew it....I just kept denying it. You were like a rival to me....I had doubts but since you were a pirate....I just cast them away......It was fun, you know.....Doing this...but with a pirate....ahahahaha........it's funny that I'm talking about you in a postive way....

More tears was poured on her gun.

Aoka: So why..SO WHY MUST I KILL THE ONE WHO SAVED MY SISTER?

Senshi: Because...... It's what must be done..... As you said, you're a marine. I'm a pirate. One of us must fall for the other to rise.

Aoka: You know we could have been friends if it wasn't for this world....but you know I still hate this world...but I don't hate you. I'm sorry.

BANG!

''The bullet whizzed past Senshi's head. Aoka was surprised. She's shot Senshi point blank. How could she have missed?! The answer now lied where Senshi was. She'd been knocked to the side by a blur of green and yellow. A blur Aoka instantly recognized.''

Senshi:  Rei! What are you doing?!

Rei:  I'm saving you from yourself child.

Aoka: What the? Once I made up my mind, I must follow through it all the way! You won't get away! NOT NOW! NOT EVER!

''Aoka takes out her other black revolver while reloading her current with one hand. She throws the revolver little above her hand as she flings bullet hidden in her sleeves into the bullet chamber.''

Aoka: AK 42: TENKA!

''Aoka spins the bullet chambers of her revolver rapidly with her thumbs and makes a jagged motion while pulling the trigger. She shot two bullets that rubs against each other which created a small lightning fire, towards Senshi and Rei. At speed almost equal to the Lightning, Rei grabs Senshi by her arm and wrenches her out of the way. He growls at Aoka and hardens his stands. Despite the fact that Senshi's arm is locked in his teeth, his words are clear.''

Rei:  You will not harm her. Not while I still stand on four paws. I would rather be sent back to the Soul Plain than watch you hurt her any more than she already is.

Aoka: That's not up to you. It's up to her. The way she is now, I don't think she has the will to live. So might as well hit two birds with one stone. Except it's a couple of bullets.

BANG!

''Aoka shoots another bullet at Rei and Senshi which causes Rei to jump to dodge. At that moment in the air, Aoka took that chance to injure Rei. ''

Rei: That's not going to work!

Aoka: AK 43: Hiraishin! Black!

CLICK!

'BANG! BANG! BANG!'

''With the same gesture before, Aoka shot another lightning based attack but instead 3 bullets. Stronger than her previous attack but only generated a bolt of lighting. But before shooting the bullets, Aoka presses a button on her black revolver. For some reason, after the bullets were shot, they suddenly accelerated in the air. Rei was able to dodge the previous shots and was used to their speed but was caught off guard by the sudden increase of the bullet's speed. The bolt of lightning struck Rei back as he was attempting to dodge. He could have suffered a less serious injury if he wasn't dragging Senshi.''

Rei: ARGH!! What the? AHHHH!H!

''Rei is shocked by the attacks and moved erraticly for a while. He let go of Senshi to prevent her from being electrocuted as well.''

Aoka: Great reflexes you got there, mutt. But not good enough. Because you can't run from my attacks anymore.

Rei: Oh yeah? If this is the best you got, then you can never hunt me down!! Come on Senshi!

Aoka: I'm surprised you managed to find us here in this mirage desert. How do you do it?

Rei shakily gets to his feet, then gently grabs Senshi's arm again.

ReI: I could find Senshi anywhere, no matter how she was hidden. We are bonded to one another. A bond someone like you would never understand.

Aoka: Even in this forsaken desert? Fool, you made your life shorter than before.

Grainy Sandmilk Plains. Meeting the Boss
Rex: So what are you going to do with us now? Put us in jail? Execute us? Rear Admiral Wrapper?

''Still in the Grainy Sandmilk Plains, Rex, Burraku, Atisuto, and Kapenta are restrained in rope and seastone cuffs are sitting on the ground as they are surrounded by white suited Marines. One Marine in front of us is holding a den den mushi that is connected to the Marine in charge of the Marine Base in Kikende Island.''

Wrapper:..........Who?

Rex:.........You are.....

Wrapper:.......I'm a Rear Admiral?! Coolio! That means I get a raise! Oh wait, that means I already got it......Sad lines! I need a pool table!

Rex: What?

A unknown voice from Wrapper's side speaks angrily as it interrupts the conversation!

????: NO, YOU DON'T! WE DON'T HAVE THE BUDGET TO PAY FOR SUCH WORTHLESS THINGS!

Wrapper: But I need it! It's my crucial reason to live!

????: SO IS THE CHANDELIER AND ROBOT BUTLER YOU WANTED A MINUTE AGO!

Wrapper: I did?! I want those too!

????:  Shut up and have a chocolate bar instead!

Wrapper: Ok! HAPPY SPARKLE!

Rex: ................

Kapenta:............

Atisuto:.............

Burraku:............

Marine holding the den den mushi: Rear Admiral Wrapper, Sir? Our orders?

Wrapper eating a chocolate bar as he speaks.

Wrapper: Huh? Oh right! This chocolate is so good! Kill them now. Mm...so sweet.

Marine: Yes sir!

''Everyone began to silently panic. Atisuto's drawing should have kicked in by now. Why wasn't it working?!''

Atisuto:  Come on..... come ON!!

Wrapper: No wait, just throw one of them in the quicksand and then-

AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Wrapper: Yes. Yes. I know my voice is scary but you don't have to scream.

Some marines are screaming as they were walking into quicksand.

Atisuto: Oh right! I drew them walking into quicksand. They were just standing around until now.

Kapenta: That's great and all but we're still tied up and those darn seastone cuffs are in our way!

Marine #3: Look! On that pirate's back! It's a picture of us caught in quicksand! AHHHHHHH!!!!

A voice from above speaks.

Marine #4: Not a problem! Unlike the idiots with no common sense, we already have countermeasures against this.

''There are couple of Marines jump in the air constantly. 4 of them have the end of the ropes that are tying up the Devil Spawn Pirates.''

Burraku: Geppou!

Marine #4: We don't have to worry about their troublesome powers now since the seastone cuffs are keeping their devil fruit in check.

The Marine that was holding the den den mushi before is also in the air.

Wrapper: Oh I see....actually...I don't...I can only hear......done with the chocolate btw. It was good. I demand a complete set of paintings by Reo Dalinci!

????: NO!

Wrapper: Oh yeah, since there are quicksand now. Throw one of them in! The funny one!

The pirates immediately scrambled up, desperately trying to escape.

Wrapper: So...who's the funny one? The one who has awful design on their back. Throw them into the dungeon!......of sand!

''The Marines grabbed Kapenta and get in position to throw him into the quicksand. The same quicksand that took the lives of the recent doomed Marines. Kapenta starts struggling, when Burakku quickly kicks out at the marine, forcing him to drop Kapenta. Luckily, he lands on normal sand. Kapenta then boots the Marine, knocking him over and making him drop the keys to the cuff. Kapenta then tosses them to Rex. Rex starts wrestling with the cuffs, getting them off. He tosses them to Burakku, but a Marine intercepts and caught the keys.''

Burakku:  DAMNIT!!

Marine: Nice try! But just in case!

The Marine throws them on the ground and aims his dehydration bazooka at the keys.

Marine: MELT!

He reconfigures the setting from dehydration to liquify and shoots the heat ray from the gun to melt the keys into metal goo.

Marine: Now none of us has the keys except for the boss!

Marine aims gun at Rex.

Marine: Since you pirates are resisting, we have the right to kill you on the spot, you hear?

Rex just shook his head.

Rex: I don't think so.

''One minute, rex was standing there, the next, A HUGE wolf stood in his place. Before the Marine can even react.....''

SLAM!!!

Rex the Fenrir slams the Marine comically into the sand.

Rex:  Next!

Marines that are still in the air smirks and snickers. Rest of the Marines jump in the air and did the same.

Rex: Huh? What's so funny?

Marine: RED AND BLUE MANEUVER!

''Already dancing in the air, half of the Marines changed their graceful hops into elegant kicks while the rest take out their heat bazookas and aim at the remaining land-dwellers below them. From their their white boots, a soaring slice combined with the roaring ray of concentrated heat. Separate, they are dangerous but together, they create a fierce force to be reckon with. Any unfortunate being at the end of their attacks will either be cut in half, melted, or both.''

Burakku: Shoot! Rankyaku! and Heat Rays!

Kapenta: Dodge!

Atitsuto: Urrghhh! There's too many of them!

Rex:  Time to run!!

His friends are still chained, so he quickly picks them up in his teeth, bolting for the desert.

Marine: They're running away! After them!

''They pursuit the running pirates as they prolong their relentless barrage of attacks on them. In addition to dodging and suffering damage from the Marines, they have to be cautious while making their escape as one step could lead them to their new graves in the sands below, quicksand is still the main obstacle in the area.''

Burakku:  Stupid keys.... WORK!!

Atisuto: Be careful, we don't want to drop them!

Kapenta:  Are you even sure they're the right keys?

Burakku:  They unlocked Rex's cuffs, they should unlock ours!

Rex: No, they always create individual keys for each cuff! They're not that stupid! And one of those **** just melted the rest into goo! ****!

Kapenta: Did he said that their boss has the spares?

Atisuto: Shoot! Without the spares, there's no way we can get free! Why did that guy had to melt the keys?! Them and that stupid bazooka that can melt......me....tal....?.....hmmmmmmmm

''The pirates looked at Atisuto, them =n all of them grinned. Rex stopped in his tracks, then turned to face the Marines.''

Rex: Atisuto, when we get out of this, I am buying you some new paints and as much art paper as you can carry.

''The pirates quickly scattered, acting like they were dodging the bazooka blasts, but eventually, Burakku managed to land a lucky blow and his cuffs dissolves. Burned his hands too, but still melted. He then threw Kapenta into a blast, which melted his cuffs, and Kapenta, then turned his hands into hammers to toss Atisuto at the marines. they shot her, and she spun, dodging, then getting her cuffs hit. Soon, the pirates stood next to one another, free of all ropes, cuffs. And they were mad.''

Kapenta: (turning his shirt inside out) This is gonna be good.

Marine #1: This is unexpected. Despite our countermeasures to prevent them from setting themselves free, we actually helped set them free! I feel that I have dishonored myself!

Marine Leader: Pirates! How stubborn they are! No matter! They will die by our hands sooner or later! Set the heat bazooka to dehydration instead. It has a much bigger range and there's no way they can fight back with lack of water in their bodies. Also, call for confirmation of the backup's location and situation of the other squads.

They did as they were told by their leader of the marine squad.

Marine #2: Confirmed.Backup is coming within 10 minutes. Regarding the others, they are still maintaining their pursuit in Cacti Spike Terrains. They have reported that there is unusual spot of glass there among with burned remains. And Captain Mizumau Aoka, and someone else is at Sudden Spiral Melts.

Marine Leader: That guy, huh? That's too much manpower assigned there. It would be more in our favor if he was with us. Nevertheless, Seek and Kill!

Marines: Yes, Sir!

They all use geppou downwards to finally put to the end to the pirates.

FIRE!

'BZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!!!!!!!!!!! BZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!!!!!!!!!!! BZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!!!!!!!!!!!'

Burakku:  SCATTER!!

''The four pirates all dodge in four different direction. As Atisuto dodges, she traces a foot in the sand, drawing a picture. Rex starts leaping towards Marine, batting them into quicksand. Burakku takes to the skies, drawing his sword and slashing out, while Kapenta lightning builds a slingshot and starts shooting hammers.''

Marine Captain: Evasive Maneuver!

The Marines separate into 3 groups. The Marine Captain heads towards Atisuto, one group stays in the skies as they shoot the dehydration rays and the other decided to fight on land.

Marine Captain: I know about your trouble abilities so I must take you out first!

''As the Marine Captain heads towards Atisuto, he takes out another bazooka with his unoccupied hand and makes a cross sign with both of his bazooka. The inner mechanism of bazooka twist and converge one on another as they gradually cover his arms. After a few seconds, the transformation is complete. The Marine Captain has become a living weapon, with his arms equipped with armor and the latest light amplification and emmission technology.''

Marine Captain: Open wide!

Both of his palms glow in a harsh light and the concentrated light soon glow from yellow to blue and the radiated beam of light completely covers his palm, blinding those who stare at it at front.

''Atisuto was still drawing until he was temporary blinded by the intense light from the Marine. He attempted to shield as he wonders what's going on.''

Atisuto: What the? What is this? A Pacifista? No, much worse! The color of the light is different!

Marine Captain: SHINING PALM!!!!

''BEROOOOOOOOOO!!!!! BEEEEEEROOOOOOOO!''

''The marine shoots the blue rays of light at Atisuto. Atisuto uses his quick reflexes to dodge the upcoming high-speed attacks but just barely.''

Atisuto: Ughh!!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!

''The impact of the laser left the impact zone a melted glass spot. What's more surprising than the burning liquid glass is how huge and dangerously deep the impact crater was. Anyone caught in the blast would end up like the hot pool of liquid.''

Atisuto: Whoa! I have to make this quick!

''Atisuto rushes back to his original location where he was drawing his picture but then, he sees a foot where he once was before dodging the lasers. He looks up to see the Marine Captain giving out a devious grin.''

Marine Captain: High Five!

He shoots another blue ray of light from his right palm towards Atisuto's head.

BEROOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Atisuto:  AAAAAAAAaaaaaaaa....... Huh? I wasn't hit?

She looks to see Rex standing in front of her, his fur singed and his eyes glassy.

Rex:  Ow.......

Atisuto:  REX!! No... Can't afford to get distracted. Must finish my picture!

Marine Captain: How admirable of you to protect your comrade! But I wonder how long can you keep this up?

The Marine cups his hands to together to fuse the blue orbs from shining from his palms into a bigger version and reaches his hands at the two pirates.

Marine Captain: EXXX HAUST!!!!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

''The beam of lights explodes with sheer velocity and explosively as it travels towards Rex and Atisuto. At this rate, both of them will completely be pools of flesh if they don't act fast now. Atisuto finishes the drawing, just in time for Rex to grab her in his teeth, narrowly missing the beam.''

AROOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

''Well, almost missing the beam. His tail is almost entirely liquified.''

Rex: AHHH!

Atisuto: I'm sorry to be a nusiance for you Rex, I hope that I can make it up to you later.

Rex: Whatever!!!! gnnnnh.... Not important. Is it done?

Atisuto: I drew about half of the marines getting pulled into the sand-

Marines:  AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Atisuto:  And it appears it took faster than the last one.

''The rest of pirates are fighting against the Marines in the land and sky but as time passes by, the flow of battle is heading towards the Marine's favor. Even though some of the Marines was defeated, the Marines seem to be getting more stronger and evasive and none of their attacks are landing a hit on them. The pirates speak to each other as they fight.''

Burraku: What's going on? Our attacks aren't working!

Kapenta: I know these Marines are strong but this is weird! No, wait....the heat...shoot, we have a time limit!

Burraku: What do you mean?

Kapenta: If you think about it, by their white uniforms, their speciality must be in fighting in this desert terrain. They must be not affected by the desert's heat at all unlike us. If we keep this up, our bodies would be too dehydrated to the point that we no longer function normally anymore.

Burraku: Figures. I guess we need a miracle, huh?

Atisuto: We need water.

Kapenta: Like an oasis?

Rex:  I don't see one, do you?

Atisuto:  I'll make one.

Again, she starts scribbling in the sand as the others cover her.

Marine Captain: This is taking too long. I won't get that promotion if I can't finish these weakings that quickly. Men! BOOMBOX FORMATION!

Marines: Yes, Sir!

The Marines change their movements and form a circle in the air with the captain in the middle. They each change the settings to MAX and charge up their heat bazookas.

Kapenta: What are they doing?

Burraku: This can't be good.

Rex: Is it done yet?

Atisuto: Not yet! I hope I can make it in time!

Marine Captain: AIM! FIRE! EXXX HAUST BURNER!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!

They all launch their intense rays at one spot where the 4 pirates are, thus, the individual deadly beams combined into one solar flare.

Burakku:  NO TIME!!

Burakku grabs Atisuto and Rex grabs Kapenta and they all run, trying to dodge the beam.

SOOOOAAAARRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The ground rumbles and a large geyser of water comes out and collides with the downward beam of heat death and slowing it down, therefore, extending the amount of time for the pirates to escape at least without serious injuries.

Burakku: Whoa! A miracle! How lucky we are!

Rex: Wrong, it's something that we have to create ourselves, right, Atisuto?

Atisuto: Yeah, just in time! I made the final line when he pulled me out of danger!

Kapenta: We still have to run! The beam is turning the water into steam!

Marine Captain: Oh? Don't cower! Mere water can't defeat our ultimate attack! BURN THEM INTO ASHES!

Marines: Yes Sir!

The Marines continues their attack and quickly pushes the geyser back to the ground by each second and finally made impact.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!

The Pirates got away before being affected by the resulting explosion's aftermath.

Rex: That was close! I really don't want to lose more than my tail!

Burakku: WATER! WATER! I SALUTE THEE!

Kapenta: Good, now we can make a comeback!

Atisuto: Yeah!

The Marine squad lands on the ground as they stare at the pirates with contempt and disappointment.

Marine Captain: Shameful! Men! Despite our most powerful attack, they still survive! Men! If we were dare to face Rear Admiral Wrapper again, we must do it with pride! I must commence the Boombox manuever again!

Marines: Yes sir!

A large shadow appears behind them and calmly pats his hand on the Captain's right shoulder.

????: Gentlemen, it's sure hot here! Can't we get a portable ice cream machine?

Marine Captain: Huh?

''The captain looks behind him and sees a man with a normal marine uniform with the "Justice" symbol overcoat and wearing a sombrero with a rose on it. He has a blond goatee and muttonchops and a pair of sunglasses with different colored lenses: red and blue. ''

Marine Captain: Rear Admiral Wrapper!

From the other side, the pirates get ready for battle but one of them notices something pelicular.

Kapenta: Huh? That guy over there, he's not wearing the same white attire as the Marines and he's not even sweating!

Meanwhile, where the Marines are......

Wrapper: Captain! So nice to see you! CONCERNED CLOUD! I was worried about you men since there were no replies on the den den mushi so I came here and see that you men put up quite of a fight and yet, they're still moving like well, pirates! I want a platinum spoon to go along with my ice cream!

Marine Captain: AH! My apologies, Rear Admiral Wrapper! Forgive us for our negligence! We will attain them despite being under schedule!

Wrapper: I see..shoot....my chocolate bar melted in my pocket. I want a force field temperature regulated umbrella. Don't worry now, my fellow men. Since I'm here! Those pirates don't have a chance!

Marine Captain: Yes Sir! We will be glad to work aside you! With you, we can never los-

SNAP!

''The Marine Captain fell to the ground with his head twisted sideways and his eyes turn blank. Everything happened in an instant. He's dead.''

Marines: AH? CAPTAIN?!

Wrapper cracks his knuckles one-handed as he stares at the other Marines.

Wrapper: I think you perhaps misunderstood me, Captain. Not once I said I would fight amongst you. You can't even fulfill your tasks right. I even have to come out here in this forsaken hotspot. You can't call yourselves Enforcers of Justice anymore. What I meant is that-

Wrapper gave out a murderous glare at the Marine and the pirates felt his killer aura despite the distance between them.

Pirates and Marines: What the?

Wrapper charges at the Marines in less than a blink of an eye. The marines scream as they could not react fast enough to their superior's movements.

Wrapper: I would accomplish this mission BY MYSELF! RAHHH!!

''Wrapper swiftly appears and disappears to each Marine as if he was capable of teleportation. After he stops moving, he walks towards the general direction of the pirates as he never looks behind him.''

Wrapper: I want a giant drill machine! Yeah! That would be cool!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! 

'CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! '

''Each Marine appears to be flying in the air with their limbs dislocated. They each oddly conveniently landed in the quicksands. Since they are no longer able to walk or even crawl normally, they can do nothing in despair pray for help. But...no one helped them. Nothing can help them out of their predicament. First their heads and arms and soon only their grasping arms are above the sand. Only death awaits them and soon, they were comepletely swallowed by the desert. They are forever silenced and part of the nature.Wrapper cracks his neck as he walks to the panicked pirates.''

Rex: What the? How did they?

Burraku: No way....

Atisuto: That speed! Can I even....

Kapenta: How cruel! This is a Marine?!

Wrapper finally stops and speaks to break the tension in the atmosphere.

Wrapper: So so! Piiiirrraatttes! No good! None of you told me who's the funny one here! In that case, I have find out myself! Trial and Error! KILLER EYES!

Wrapper's entire body pumped up to unbelieve amounts of muscle mass and turns completely black!

Wrapper: Come! The faster you pirates die, the sooner I can get a promotion to Vice Admiral! Oh wait, I didn't want to be one.

The four pirates look at one another, then just start running again.

Wrapper:  Ehhh? You're running away? Is my breath that bad?

Wrapper tries to smell his breath.

Wrapper: Hmmm......noooo.....that's not it.......oh I get it! You're in a hurry! But I must do what I like to do. SUPER KILLER EYES!

''Wrapper takes out a large piece of golden cloth and twists it into a long spear and applies Hardening to it. The once bright flexible cloth is now a pole weapon with the color of death.'' Wrapper backsup his right arm and gets into a formation of an expert javelin throwner.

Wrapper: Sorry but this is the only present I got for you! BOOM SHOCKA LAKA~!

''Wrapper takes one step forward and throws his black pole weapon at the fleeing pirates. He launches the spear with so much strength that it has broken the sound barrier and created a sonicboom. In no time at all, it landed in front of the pirates and creates a huge shockwave that send them flying back a little from where it was. Over time, as it gets deeper in the sands, the hole it created gets deeper and wider.''

Atisuto: AHHH!!! What the? What is this? I don't even!

Rex: Is this from that crazy marine?

Burraku: No way, that thing. It's still making the hole bigger!

Kapenta:  What power!

Finally, in front of them is an unbelievably large smoking crater of black glass.If they had taken even one step more after it landed, they would have been crushed to the ground by the shockwave instead of pushed away.

Wrapper: That was a warning shot! Of what's to come!

''The pirates were worried. They were starting to get worn down, not to mention Rex was now missing a tail and it was beginning to bother him. They needed a plan and fast.''

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Burraku: Huh? What's that scream?

In the far distance lies fast-moving objects headings towards them in the direction of the relentless sun of the horizon along the occasional screams of dispair and fear.

Kapenta: The sun is too bright....what is that?

Rex: Hmmm? What is that noise?

'AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! HELP!!!!!! HELP ME!'!!!!

Atisuto: That voice sounds familar.

From the opposite viewpoint of the pirates lies a familiar group of people who are in a desperate situation.

Vearth: AHHHHHH! WHY ME?!!!!

Victoria: WHY US?!!!!

Suna: SHUT UP AND KEEP RUNNING!!!!!

Sharpshooter: I'm getting tired of this! Need water!....and food!

Behind them are the pursuiting group of toxic starving animated cactus who are eager for fresh meat.

'GRRAWWW!!! ROOOAARRR!!!!! WAAAHHHH!!!!'

Rex: Hey, it's them! Suna, Vearth, Atisuto, and Sharpshooter!

Kapenta: Hey! You're right! Thank goodness! Now we stood a chanc-

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!

A giant crater appears out of nowhere just behind Kapenta and in the center of the impacted area lies a scorching black spear made of cloth steaming.

Wrapper: So Close! So do you surrender now or else do I have to forget what mercy means again?

Kapenta:.......RUN TOWARDS THEM! Anyone else disagrees with my decision?

Burraku: NOPE! ZIP! NADA!

Rex: I don't want to lose more than my tail!

Atisuto: THEN LET'S GO!

''The four pirates began running towards their fellow comrades. As they did, Sharpshooter's scope eyes finally locate their friends.''

Sharpshooter:  GUYS!! IT'S OUR NAKAMA!! IT'S REX, BURAKKU, KAPENTA AND ATISUTO!!

Vearth:  THAT'S GREAT BROTHER!! BUT WE'RE STILL BEING FOLLOWED!!

Victoria:  YEAH!! SO ARE THEY!!

Suna:  JUST KEEP RUNNING!!!

As the pirates rejoice as they see each other while in a dire situation, one can not help but notice the lack of communication between as they are both running from danger but which enemy is lesser of the evil to confront?

Wrapper: Then again,....what does mercy mean again? I want the entire set of the world encyclopedias!

Cactus: GWAAARRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From the Grainy Sandmilk Plains.

Rex: Wait a minute, they're running away from something too?

Atisuto: Hey! You're right!

Kapenta: Forget it! Nothing can be worse than that crazy psychopath of a Marine!

Burraku: In that case, shouldn't we tell them to go the other way?

From the Cacti Spike Terrains side.

Suna: Hey, guys! Go the other way!

Sharpshooter: There are vicious man-eating toxic spiked cactus chasing us!

Victoria: Nothing can be worse than that!

Vearth: You guys! Turn back! Wait, I got a better idea.

''Then the two groups of friends finally got close enough to hear each other voices but are still at a quite of a distance from each other and will eventually collide with each other if they keep running towards another. At the last second, the eight pirates dodge to one side, running in the same direction while the toxic cacti and marines collided. The pirates run away as fast as they can from the once two sources of danger so they won't be caught in their encounter.''

Wrapper: Oh, you guys! We are reunited once again! Thanks! Give me a hug!

'CRASH! POUND! CRASH! POUND! CRASH! POUND! CRASH! POUND! CRASH! POUND! CRASH! POUND! '

The cactus all dogpiled on Wrapper until a mountain of red spiked cacti was formed at the boundary of Cacti Spike Terrains and Grainy Sandmilk Plains.

Suna: Whew! Glad that's over with!

Atisuto: But after they're done with that guy, they will go after us.

Burraku: Don't worry about that! There's 8 of us here now! We can handle anything now that Marine is down for the count.

Victoria: Is that Marine really that dangerous?!

Rex: Yeah, he just took down his fellow Marines in a second and we couldn't catch up to his movements at all!

Kapenta: Yeah! Two times already, we could already be dead if he was serious with his last attacks.

Sharpshooter: Oh, it's lucky that we manage to make them crash into each other!

Vearth: I could have sworn that Marine had Hardening all over his body. I wonder if he's got skewered by those cactus?

Victoria: If he wasn't, he would die from the poison!

Sharpshooter: .........So how powerful is that Marine again?

Burraku: He is a Rear Admiral but apparently he said he didn't want to be a Vice Admiral so I guess he's about strong as a Vice Admiral?

Rex: He has to be since he is so proficient in Haki.

Kapenta: Yikes! Good thing we don't have to deal with him anymore!

Sharpshooter: Guys, in that case, we need to run.

Rex: Why?

Sharpshooter points up to the direction where the the cactus and Rear Admiral Wrapper are.

The Mountain of the red spiked cactus rumbles and suddenly it erupts the cacti into the sky but instead of their normal shapes, they are in shreds.

Vearth: No..way!

''The sky now raining red spikes now plants the sand with thorns. Through the storm of spikes, lies a walking shadow, undettered by the poisonous heavy ammunation pouring down, it remains its steady pace towards the pirates. Once the weather finally relaxes, a lone figure is revealed.''

Wrapper: What a lovely day we have to today. I find some trash! I dispose them! I found some plants to weeds out! Now what else can I clean up?

Despite the weight of the pile of cactus upon him and the hail of toxic spikes, his Busoshoku Haki: Hardening all over his body remains unscratched.

Sharpshooter: That's why!

Wrapper: Ooo! Look, Pirates! I wonder if I have something to sweep up with? Maybe these spikes will do.

Wrapper picks up the spikes and throws them with the same strength as he did with his previous cloth spears to where the pirates are.

BOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!

The pirates scramble for cover, not knowing if they can beat this guy.

Burakku:  We need Senshi! She'd know what to do!

Vearth: Last time we saw her, she was unconsious, besides, she'd be in no better shape to fight than the three of us!

Wrapper: WANT SOME MORE?!

Suna: Where is she?

''Wrapper continued his relentless barrage of thrown toxic spikes onwards the pirates. They scramble for safety as for now have no chance of counterattacking without their captain, Senshi.''

Sudden Spiral Melts: Battle of Spirits
''In front of Senshi lies the body of her fellow pirate, Rei, struggling to move as his hind leg is bleeding profusing and emitting sparks of electricity. Right behind her friend is the strict enforcer of justice, Captain Mizumau Aoka.''

Senshi: Rei!

Rei: You bitch! What have you done to me?! Why couldn't I dodge your attacks?

Aoka: I shot you with a bullet filled magnetism and from now on, any electric based attacks that are used are automatically redirected to the wound I previously gave you.

Rei: So back then, you hit my leg!...As expected of the person who managed to constantly corner us time to time.

Aoka: Nice effort you put there, Mutt! But you should know that you can't escape from me with that bad leg. Senshi, if you want your friend to remain a 4 legged creature, I demand you fight with me one-on-one!

Rei: Don't you accept that Senshi! Don't worry about me! We can escape together!

''Senshi looked down at Rei. She knew he was wrong. Any injuries she had, he felt, and vice versa. Neither of them were in any shape to fight, but she couldn't let him die. She struggled to her feet, blood dripping off the side of her mouth and her legs shaking.''

Senshi:  Deal

Rei: Senshi! No, you idiot! You don't have to do this! Don't give up!

Senshi: I must, Rei! For your sake, you must live. You are no match for her.

Rei: Either are you....not your current state!

Senshi: It doesn't matter. We are fated to fight each other sooner or later. Why not now? At least, I can get to save you.

Rei: Sen...shi....NOOOOOO!

BANG!

Aoka shot with Rei with a bullet.

Rei:...You...you...bi...

''Rei finally loses conciousness. ''

Senshi:...Thanks, Aoka.

Aoka: So you knew that wasn't a kill shot?

Senshi: Of course, Aoka. Despite our different standpoints, I actually trust you as a rival to keep your promise. I knew that you would do such a thing. How kind of you to use a tranquilizer bullet like you did to me before. Showing mercy to a pirate? Have you gone soft on me?

Aoka: No, I was just sick of that mutt's barking! I could end it permamently if you like?

Senshi: Try it if you dare!

''Senshi emits bloodlust from her eyes towards Aoka. Aoka felt Senshi's instance of anger and smiles a little.''

Aoka: Oh? So you finally in the mood to fight?

Senshi:  Nobody touches my dog. Nobody touches my friends. Nobody touch My FAMILY!!!

''Senshi seems to go slightly nuts, her eyes becoming wild. She suddenly starts looking at Aoka strange, but it's not Aoka she's seeing, it's Mikayla''.

Mikayla: I will kill you once and for all, Senshi!

Senshi: What the?!

Senshi rubs her eyes and sees Aoka instead.

Aoka: Why so surprised? You knew this is coming.

Senshi: Huh? Yeah....of..Course! You, Aoka, are trying to kill me!

Aoka: ???, You're acting dumber than usual. The chill pill is wearing off that quickly. Then I better destroy before then! SORU!

''Aoka disappears. Senshi heightens her Kenbunshoku Haki to sense her. When she finally did and looks at where Aoka is about to appear.''

Senshi: Nice try but..NO WAY!

''Senshi pauses for a moment as soon she turns to see Aoka but instead of her enemy she sees, it's Mikayla instead kicking her in the face. Because of that slight delay in reaction, Senshi took the full blow of the kick instead of dodging with minimum movements like she would normally do.''

Senshi: UUGGHHH!!!!

Senshi was send flying back and crashed in the sand dunes.

Aoka: What's wrong, Senshi? Have I gotten too fast for you? Or has your speed slown down to the same rate as your ditmit brain?

Senshi:  Go away.... Leave me alone.... I killed you... I KILLED YOU!!!

Aoka: Huh? Already claiming victory? The battle has just began!

Aoka takes out her regular pistols and takes on an offensive kung-fu stance.

Aoka: I'll show you how powerful Mugen AK Blast Arts really is! AK 22 - Air Bullet Slash!

''Aoka rushes towards Senshi and unleashes two bullets from her pistols. The bullets flying out with sharp air projectiles tailing behind the accelerating amno. Aoka turns her gun barrels to twist the bullet's air projectiles to convert her normal piercing bullets into air slashing bullet whips. However, in Senshi' eyes, she sees the air bullet whips as Mikayla's hair slithing as it is about to strike like a predatory snake.''

Senshi: How is this possible?! I thought I agreed to fight Aoka this whole time! How is their attacks the same?! Is this a nightmare?!