Clenching her teeth, Lina dropped her hand, unsheathing her sword. With a flick of her wrist, she cut the loop of string around her ankle before pushing herself up, holding her blade pointed at Jeko. He cringed, "Swords are so...bleh." Throwing his arms up, he grumbled, "I mean, they're all so elitist. What's the point of being the best swordsman in the world if the best isn't also the strongest person in the world?"

Lina's gaze remained hard, before her stance faltered. She planted a wrist on her hip, grumping, "Are you stupid?"

Jeko shrugged. Lina took a breath, before shifting her footing and charging ahead. Just as she started to get close, she felt a tug at her elbows, before her arms were suddenly wrenched back. Feeling a pull, she looked up, seeing strings leading from the rafters and to Jeko's hands. Arms suspended above her, she flailed a bit as Jeko got closer, cackling.

"You really have no idea what you're getting in-"

As Lina put more weight on the strings, Jeko's arms were pulled up. As his eyes widened, he fell forwards, Lina kicking up at him, her knee jamming into his face. His hands loosening, Lina let her arms fall, flipping the grip on her sword before aiming to stab down at Jeko. A poke to the foot had him slipping to his knee, and a stab to the torso had Jeko wailing, red bits flying into the air. Smelling blood, Lina pulled her sword back again, Jeko...laughing.

He wore a metal plate under his red shirt. With a flick of his wrist, a bottle flew from the shelf and towards Lina, who slapped it out of the air, letting the liquid splatter alongside the glass on the wooden planks. As Jeko began to retreat, she followed, but as she did, her foot stuck. Looking down, she saw that the liquid had become adhesive, stopping her.

Raising a finger, Jeko insisted, "Wait right there." Rubbing his hands together, he headed over to a dusty chest, giggling. "Been wanting to try this forever." Almost daintily, he brushed off some of the dust before pulling a necklace out from under his torn shirt, fiddling with the locks.

Slipping her foot out of her shoe, she freed herself, creeping forwards slowly. As he finally opened the last lock, Lina grabbed him by the hair and shoved him down, pinning his head against the chest.

"Oh," He said, only mildly engaged. As she raised her sword, aiming it to his neck, he muttered, "Is this about the money? Because Goldenrod was supposed to hash that out with Cheese."

"It's self defense," Lina muttered.

"Hey girlie, you busted in here!"

Lina smacked his head into the chest again, making him grunt. "You're the disgusting creep! Give me one reason I shouldn't."

"Just one? I mean, it's not like you've killed anyone before." Jeko grinned, "Can you handle it? You look like you're going for my throat. You ever heard sputtering, gurgles of someone trying to breath with a cut in their throat? Oh, you get to watch the light fade from my eyes! And if you don't hurt my throat too bad you might even get a death rattle!"

Shivering, Lina hissed, "What is your problem?"

Jeko's grin twisted. "You're out of your depth. I don't know what backwater carefree happy-pelago you came from, but this isn't a game."

The grip on Lina's sword tightened, but her other hand moved first, slamming Jeko into the chest. Again, again, again. Again. Again. Again. He started to bleed. Again....again.

"Oh, losing interest? I didn't feel that one," Jeko laughed, teeth stained red.

Again. He coughed. "There it is."

One more and he started to go limp. Swallowing, Lina backed up a bit, and he started to slip, falling to the ground. Letting out a sigh of relief, she stood properly.

Jeko hacked a glob of blood. "I can't believe it worked."

His hand shooting up to the corner of the unlocked chest, he thrust it upwards. As it cracked open, a mechanism fired, the lid popping open. A quick series of clicks were followed by an array of ropes, weighted on the ends. The ropes met her and the weights made the rope coil around, pinning her arms to her body awkwardly, sword pressed against her cheek. Another click had her trying to stumble away, but she couldn't escape as a net came over her, the lower weights starting to tangle her feet.

Sitting up, Jeko noted, "Eh, the net was overkill." Standing, he raised his foot, delivering a swift kick, Lina dropping to the ground as she tried to struggle. She heard him spit, and watched as a tooth hit the ground in front of her. "Man, you aren't fun at all... I'll have to make my own fun."

---

Kuhn made his way down to the storage area after his encounter with the pirate girl, whom still had not given him her name. What a rude girl. And how dare she bring up Whitney. He had gotten the coupons out of Goldenrod's office - the guards were occupied with the intruder downstairs. Kuhn casually walked down the stairs, heading for the dispensary. He could feel his condition was already starting to spread. His eye hurt, and so did all of his left side. His fingers felt a little tingly, but as he flexed them his leather studded gloves stretched with his skin. He felt his revolver on his hip, a sense of relief washing over him, the revolver in his hand. Heading down, he peaked into the secondary large hall, commonly referred to as "The Slightly Less Large Hall". As he did peek in, his did see the blonde guy - the one in the jail cell fighting against the drunken swordsman, and he was giving him a run for his money.

He was about to draw his gun, till Isaac saw him in the glimpse of his eye, and waved him off. This was apparently some kind of battle of honor. Kuhn grinned. Maybe da idiot swordsman isn't so dishonorable after all.

He made his way to the basement, much to his dismay, there laid knocked out guards. The two idiots upstairs couldn't have fought here? He began hurrying making his way towards the dispensary. Where he found the small old man behind the armored counter. "Sup' Bob."

Flip Flip It's Kato.

"Sure it is, Bob."

"Here's this week's voucher. Bossman threw in a little extra."

flip flip My brother never throws in extra.

"You right. I had to work my ass off for these."

Flip Flip Flip I can't give you your meds, the storage is off limits.

"Come da fuck again"

"There's some idiot causing problems. He's beating the guards. Annoying Honcho, too." Kato spoke, putting down the flip book. Kuhn slighly shocked - hearing Kato speak for the first time. His demeanor got serious again as he headed away from the desk. He pulled out his revolver as he headed towards the storage area."

"I'll take care of him." He promise. "Whatever." Kato responded.

As he got further in, he heard the cackling of the bird. One of these days, I'm going to make target practice out of you..

---

"I know you're here somewhere!"

As Macario roared, a panicked Quartz goon cowered. He shook, daggers looking small in his hands.

Then, Macario slapped a palm to his face. "I'm yelling at a briefcase..."

"A briefcase!?"

...

He clapped his hands over his mouth.

A few minutes later, as the goon was lying in a pile of scrap wood (formerly an old desk), he brushed his hands off, letting out a sigh.

Kuhn made his way into the room as he heard the loud crash of the desk breaking. "Hell was dat?" He asked, peering around the corner, seeing the broken desk. Turning towards Macario's larger shape, he quickly leapt at the foe, whipping him with the revolver across the back of his head.

Head lurching from the blow, Macario grimaced in pain, before standing up straight. Turning his head over his should, not feeling the bit of blood starting to drip down his straight black hair, he hissed, "OW."

The barrel of the gun looking him down. "Freeze." The man behind the revolver commanded, his hat obscuring most of his face, a couple of his ginger locks falling over it. "Or eat lead."

"Oh, it's you. I've heard of you. Good shot. Worse with words."

"Yeah, well. I've never even heard of you, so you're bad."

Truly, the gunner's wit had no end. He realized how poor his comeback was, cocked his gun by pulling the hammer back and sighed. "Know what? Screw you. Get out of here. This instance, or I'm going to put you down."

"Wait, you weren't even primed to fire? So I could have just, like, hit you and been perfectly fine?"

"That's not how gun works, idiot. I could've blown your head off. I did that to prove a point. Is this your first time being held at gunpoint?"

Shifting to face him, Macario said, "Nah. I was just hoping to get out of a fight, but with you I might not want to let up." Standing still, he demanded, "I'm just here for my briefcase, and...shit, what was the girl's name again..."

"Don't you say it."

"Say what?"

"Don't what me. Her name."

"Well, I don't remember. That's the problem."

"I'm done with this." Kuhn said, pulling the trigger on his revolver, the chamber exploded as the bullet was sent through the barrel shining with it's bronze hue as the burning hot metal collided with Macario's head. He was forced back by the impact, but he did not fall, buckling against the shot as blood stained his face.

Pulling back his fist, he growled, "Xun!"

Kuhn felt the gust of air pass over him, the wall next to him shattering as if struck by a cannonball, his duster fluttering from the pressure, blowing in the wind, he held his hat in place with his free hand. Using his one finger, he spun the chambers on his revolver changing the ammo type and firing.

Gritting his teeth, Macario accepted the bullet, wishing he hadn't purposely missed, even though his forehead still burned with the heat of the last one. However, he underestimated this one, his shoulder starting to burn, quite literally. Throwing off his coat, forcing himself into his black tanktop, he balled it up before chucking it right back at Kuhn.

As the burning coat came flying towards him, Kuhn fanned the hammer on his revolver, each bullet tearing through the coat and going for Macario. There was another dragonbreath and bronze bullets, plus two hard rubber projectile, much harder than steel but meant to cause blunt damage, not piercing. Only small shreds of the coat remained after the four bullets had thorn through it. His pistol empty, Kuhn was quick to roll forward towards Macario, drawing his shotgun, meeting him point blank, as Macario had taken the opportunity to move forward, his arms jittery limply at his sides. The barrel of his shot gun jabbed against Macario's ribs, as Macario pulled his arms up. "Dui!"

The gun went off, rubber bullets hitting Macario's side full force, knocking the wind out of him. His left arm spasmed, but his right arm continued to fly, showering Kuhn with a flurry of blows, raining down on his head and side.

Kuhn ducked under the initial blow, Macario's fists gracing his hat, but as Macario aimed for his side, he got hit in the side of the head on the ear, as he was sent sideways, against the wall on the rather narrow pathway. Grunting, Kuhn heard ringing from the hit. Lightning quick, Kuhn had reloaded the two barrels in the shotgun, charging Macario again. Feigning a kick, Kuhn used the momentum from the fake-kick to leap into the air, rolling off of Macario's back and putting his gun against his shoulder, firing again.

Macario staggered forwards, a hand going to his new wound, a fresh speckle of bruising starting to form. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed a pair of chairs, tossing them one after the other at Kuhn.

Kuhn was surprised by the chairs being throwing his way, he dodged the first one, the second one hitting him, sending him sliding backwards, his arm in front of him, parrying the chair. "WHO DA HELL THROWS CHAIRS?! WHAT KIND OF CHILD ARE YOU?!" Kuhn shouted.

Kuhn's words echoing through the cramped halls of the storage area, Macario was running off as he grumbled, "I don't have time for this..."

Turning a corner, he quickly realized, "Shit. I have no idea where I'm going."

Recovering from the chair, Kuhn looked down the hall as Macario rounded a corner, the bigger man ran too quickly for Kuhn to pull up his rifle. Instead, he bolted after him. He couldn't let this guy stay down here, it would turn ugly. Reloading his shotgun with different rounds, he made sure to reload his pistol, as well.

He appeared around the corner, seeing Macario's heel as he turned right - towards the main desk.

As Macario stumbled back to the start, he let out a sigh of relief. "Lucky." Stomping back up to the window, he slammed the butt of his fist on the wall. "Give me my stuff you damn geezer!"

Kato messed with his flip book. Flip flip flip flip flip flip...

"...Stop fucking with me!"

Kuhn stepped out, his gun trained on Macario. "How about you stop." Kuhn ordered, as Kato flipped his book, before making a frustrated grimace. "You better deal with this brute now," Kato told Kuhn.

"You can talk you son of a..." Macario grumbled. Stepping back from the counter, he turned on Kuhn, still a fair distance away. Rolling his fingers, flexing his hand, he said, "Look pal, unless those are real bullets in your gun you can stop wasting my ti-" as a gunshot erupted, killing a small insect sitting on his shoulder. Kuhn scoffed. "I'm through with you." Cocking his revolver, he fanned the hammer as the five bullets were fired at the scholar.

As the first shot had fired, Macario twisted his body to the door leading into the quartermaster's room. "Gen!" The door buckled under his blow. Though reinforced, a fist sized hole erupted from the center, the rest of the door caving in as it was loosened from its hinges, falling in. Macario's feet followed through on the momentum, and he stumbled through, though not before two bullets hit him in the shoulder and arm. This time, however, the razor sharp bullets tore into him. One came out of his arm, leaving a nasty gash, but the other stopped in his shoulder.

Coming to a stop inside the room, Macario growled at Kato, "Stop screwing around a give me-"

Kato was stalwart. Still in his chair, he sat by a large safe, the innards partly visible through the glass, though the inside was not lit. However, there was a button on the side. "If I hit this, everything inside is as good as gone."

Kuhn darted through the door after Macario, rolling on the ground, he stood on one knee as he fired his shotgun he had pulled while rolling, the two pellets from the gun split, revealing two metal nets that encased Macario. Trapped, he growled, "Are you even trying?" Using his size to his advantage, he grabbed the nets and held his arm up as high as he could, giving him just enough room to eke his other arm out, pulling his fist back. "Xun!" he cried, air collapsing as he punched towards Kuhn.

"Is your face even try- UGH!" He was cut off by the blast of wind that hit him, sending him airborne, flying several meters, even through the wooden wall in the back, where he rolled to a stop. Cursing as he crawled onto his feet, his hat laying on the floor next to him.

Throwing the nets off of himself fully, Macario turned on Kato, stomping closer.

Kato hit the button.

Within the safe, a spark flew, striking a bit of sulfur, engulfing all within the safe in flames. Macario struck Kato, the punch laying him flat, before he began to roll his fingers once more. "Gen!" Striking the corner of the safe. The corner itself only bent, but the side underneath cracked. As air let in, the fire expanded, bursting out of the cracked side, Macario hopping back as flames and shrapnel burst out of the safe.

As the safe burst into flames and the explosion was heard, a quiet rage rose within Kuhn. Anger he hadn't felt in years boiled inside of him. As he readied his rifle, light gleaming off the barrel, Macario stepped back into view beyond the doorway. Noticing Kuhn, a bit of sweat beaded on his forehead. "My bad."

---

Lina thrashed against the bonds, but they weren't being cooperative. As she tried to wiggle her sword in hopes of loosening something, she felt Jeko grab it, pulling it away. The hilt failed to pass through the net, so instead he fastened to the net with a number of strings. Lina could barely reach it, but she couldn't move it out of the net, and the blade only tapped the ground helplessly.

"You...what is this even for!?" Lina growled.

"Thieves. I practically brag about the valuable shit I keep. I mean, it's bullshit, but if someone were to see the big ol' chest...heh heh heh, they'd be adding to my collection."

Lina grimaced: what the hell was wrong with this guy? Some of the bonds were starting to loosen, but there'd no way she'd be able to get out under Jeko's nose, and her sword was still trapped...

"Hmm, operating on live patients never goes well, but sedation kinda defeats the point!" Focusing on her sword again, she poked at the nearest shelf, only barely tapping a bottle. A moment later, Jeko giggled, "Oh, that one? Ehehehe..."

Jeko came over, grabbing the bottle, his hand narrowly avoiding a light stab from the sword. Popping the top off, he chortled, "You'll like this one."

As Lina continued to struggle, she felt a slight drop of liquid on her back, which quickly began to tingle. Then it felt like she'd been stabbed with a fire poker. Her teeth gnashed as she tried to flinch away, but it did her no good. Though she tried to restrain herself, she couldn't help but let out a few screams of pain.

"Ehehehe, like that, do ya?"

Drip, drip. Lina's thrashing because more intense, and her screams became more akin to snarls, her voice starting to crack. She felt her eyes flash with fire as those spots on her body burned.

"Oh~ Didn't expect you to scream like that."

With a guttural snarl, Lina kicked her legs, spinning so that her head faced Jeko, barely rolling onto her knees. Pulling back her sword, she gnashed at the string with her teeth as another drop of acid descended. It splashed against her sword before bouncing onto her shoulder. Her sword free, she turned her pain into fury as she stabbed forward. Her blade jammed into the iron plate, failing to poke through but the force knocking Jeko back, making him gasp. The acid splashed, splattering onto his foot. "Eeeyaaah!" he yelped, hopping back, trying to kick off his shoe.

As the wooden flooring steamed, Lina crawled after Jeko. Her bindings caught acid and she finally pulled herself free, standing tall, her back still burning. Jeko's hand floundered at a bottle that seemed to be filled with a powder. Looking into her eyes, he remarked, "Enjoying yourself?"

Teeth bared, Lina stomped forwards, blade flashing. She jabbed it into Jeko's chest, hitting metal. Then again. Again, again, again. The force of the blows had Jeko's arms at bay, unable to grab onto any of his traps or tricks. Again, again, again. Foot planted as Jeko was backed against the window, she gave one last strike, finally piercing his iron plate. Blood spurted as Jeko was forced through the glass, falling out of sight, out of mind.

Breath starting to steady, Lina felt the pain of the acid once again. Spotting the bottle of powder, then Jeko's burned shoe, she dared to scramble over and open it. Taking a breath, she dabbed a little onto her shoulder. Instant relief. She wasted no time in applying it to her other wounds. As most of the pain had subsided thanks to the neutralizing agent, she took a few deep breaths, before biting back tears.

Sniffling, she stood properly, grunting defiantly, "How's that!?"

---

A number of strings keeping him from plummeting to the ground a few stories below, Jeko swayed gentley, blood staining his front, a bit of glass embedded in his back, hands hanging limply.

"Bitch."

“I am Isaac Newgate, the Rounin of Redrock. And that shall be the last name you ever hear!”

Isaac said as he charged at Chester, his metal blade high in hand. Chester stepped backwards, the blade sweeped down, before Chester could counter attack, the blade swung back up, missing him by less than an inch. Blow after blow swept in from Isaac towards the pirate – blow after blow missed Cehster ever so narrowly. When he saw his opportunity, the pirate struck, time and time again, each time the attack was deflected by Isaac.

The swordsman struck Chester in the face with his fist, following it up with a backhand sweep with his weapon, Chester reeled back from the attack, and dodged, he kicked at Isaac, whom parried. As Chester was coming back to the ground, Isaac grabbed him by the leg, throwing him into the ground. Chester recovered, bouncing off the ground by pushing himself with his right arm.

Isaac came from the side, his blade swinging, hitting Chester in the chester, up into his shoulder, sending him skidding on the ground, a trail of blood behind him as his face slid on the floor. Isaac took his stance. “You're done. You can't fight with those wounds.” Isaac told him, as Chester put his knucckles to the floor, and pushed himself off the ground in one sweeping motion, with enough force to send him into the air, with a spinning flip, he landed behind Isaac.

“I was once the most powerful swordsman in ten kingdoms. Everywhere I roamed, I would prove myself. A free spirited warrior, a swordsman with no master – a rounin. A warrior of glory, not of money. As powerful as a samurai and respected as a hero.” Isaac told Chester as he twirled the sword in his hand ,as if he was playing with the blade – getting used to having the metal in his hand. “But I left that behind. The rounin life wasn't for me anymore. I was blamed for the massacre at Redrock City, and in a way, I was. That's when I started drinking. And soon, I was not much of a swordsman anymore. Or much of a person. The alcohol a way to swallow my sorrows and move on. I'm sure you can relate.”

Chester shook his head. “No. I can't.” Isaac looked at him with a peered eyebrow. “We've got nothing in common. You're a shit drinker. You're a shit thug, and you're even a shitty swordsman, even with your real sword.” The pirate told him coldly. Isaac grinned. “Harsh words for the guy bleeding all over the floor.”

“It's nothing more than a scratch.”

“Blood is literally leaking out of your shoulder. Can you even move your arm?”

“My arm's fine. Worry more about yourself!” Chester said as he charged Isaac. He pulled back his fist, and hit him in a spear-like motion. Vibro Fist; Echo His fist collided with Isaac's blade, the vibrations being sent into the ground and into Isaac, as he grunted. what the hell is this attack Isaac thought.

Isaac felt himself getting weaker. He had to finish this quickly. He fought Chester off, getting a little distace between him. Chester charged him, and Isaac charged back. Whiskey Shot, his fist vibrating forcefully.

Sonic Blade The swordsman's blade moved with blinding speed, appearing like a white bolt of lightning through the sky as Chester passed him by, his vibrating fist missing him as the blade collided with the pirate. Chester collapsed onto the floor again, making another trail of blood before him.

----

With the safe burning up, the gunner realized what was in store for him. His hands were already going numb, his eye hurt and he felt exhausted, already running a fever.

He stopped holding back. He aimed his rifle and held it against his shoulder. He squeezed the trigger once. He reloaded the bolt action weapon quickly, firing again, and again. Each bullet aimed at one of Macario's limbs, each of them fired with deadly force and equally as deadly aim. The gunner knew he was going to die - and he wasn't going down alone.

Macario had shielded himself, but these bullets had far more weight to them, each of them driving into his body. This time he fell, landing back against some crates. "Okay, you can try when you want to."

Leaning back, another gunshot rang out, the empty shell hit the floor as the bullet collided with Macario's shoulder, the some one Kuhn had already clipped with his pistol. The bullet from his rifle pierced Macario's shoulder from a new angle, hitting the thorn bullet from an angle that forced both of the bullets out of Macario's body, effectively saving him from potentially losing his arm.

But it did hurt like a son of a bitch.

Kuhn walked towards his downed target. Picking up his hat as he did, placing it firmly on top of his head. His shotgun in hand. Each step was heavy. It was hard to walk. It was harder to aim. Hell, it was hard to breath. His shotgun was aimed at Macario's face. "Th.. That' enough of 'real bullets' for you, hotshot" Kuhn taunted. Panting as sweat ran down his face, his ginger hair had turned messy and was sticking to his face. Blood dripping slowly from his nose.

Breathing heavily, hand gripping the crate as he tried to resist the sheer amount of pain he was in. His eyes stayed locked to Kuhn's, before he loosened up, taking a deep breath.

"Kan."

Macario didn't appear to move a muscle, yet Kuhn was hit with the force of a fist right in his stomach. It wasn't as strong as previous blows, but it made up for that in surprise value. The invisible force of Macario's in Kuhn's stomach. The extra sensitivity from his high fever made him fold like a lawnchair, holding his stomach. "What the fuck?" He asked, losing the grip on his shotgun. He regained the grip and fired at Macario from his hunched-position, but Macario narrowly dodged, the bullets hitting the floor behind him.

As Kuhn reeled, Macario kicked up from his crate, slamming his head into Kuhn's, hitting him in the nose. Kuhn staggered, holding his nose with one hand, cursing loudly - all to distract Macario as he nimbly tossed the gun in his hand, and grabbed it by the barrel, using it like a baton he hit Macario in the face with it, sending his head lurching to the side.

As Macario's legs buckled, he roughly shuffled his feet, directing his weight at Kuhn, lunging. The larger man tackled Kuhn to the ground, both of them hitting the ground with a heavy thud. Sitting up, Macario slugged him across the face, Kuhn tried to guard his face, Macario's attacks were fast but his arms weren't able to pull up the power he wanted. The stone bricks under the two of them began cracking as Macario's fists collided with Kuhn's body, both his face but mostly his guarding arms. He tried to hit Macario away with his gunstock, but unable to get the reach. Instead, he pulled up his leg from the ground as Macrio was reeling back from his fist, and Kuhn's leg held his injured arm back, pushing down, sending Macrio onto the floor instead, Kuhn sitting up, two shells fell out of his pocket into his hand, popping his rifle open to reload them into the chamber. As he brought his gun down, Macario's arms shot up, grabbing Kuhn's, slowing him in lowering his gun to Macario's head.

Kuhn's power was running thin, his fever was getting worse, blood from his nose was dripping onto the gun in his hand, rolling down the steel barrel as he fought valiantly to bring it down to Macario's head. With last push of strength, the Macario would face the barrel. The gunshot rang, yet, the scholar was safe and sound.

Kuhn fell to the side, getting off Macario, putting his gun down. "Some cold blooded murderer I am. Loaded da damn gun with blanks." He said his voice faint, trembling. Like he was choking. His head pounding so hard he could barely even see straight.

Lying still, Macario caught his breath, a cold sweat on his face, eyes locked on the cieling. With some strain, he propped himself up on his elbows, muttering, "Why the change of heart?"

"I can't make my last action on this earth be to kill some guy I've never even heard off.I should go killing a dragon with the last bullet in my gun. Saving a fair princess. Protecting a whole kingdom from an evil tyrant. Not in da basement of dae biggest dick in all of da seas. Fighting with whatsyourface." Kuhn said with a soft scoff. With effort, he pulled off his glove on his left hand. The veins on his skin had a skickish red glow to them, and the very same look went all the way through his neck and into his covered eye. His bronze tanned skin was much paler than before. His hand was shaking, blood dripped onto it, and a second later, so did a few tears. "Heh.. Never thought I'd be so scared of dying.."

Feeling a pit growing in his stomach, Macario winced. "You aren't looking too good." Eyes widening in recognition, he glanced over to the safe for a moment.

"I wou - I would say the same to you, if I could see you." Kuhn said quietly. Falling onto his back. As he did, he put his hat on his chest.

Stepping back over, Macario looked over him, noting, "You could see me just fine before."

"And now I can't see nothing but da back of my eyelids. It's what scarlet plague will do to you, mate." He said, calmly, he still felt a couple of tears rolling down his chin.

Plop.

"Goldenrod bought up all the medicine in the known area. Intimidated anyone who could make more into not doing so. He killed 19 people just to prevent me from getting medicine for it from anyone else but him. That's why I'm working for that massive asshole."

"Hyperignimia? I thought it was weird he had a bunch of this stuff," Macario said, placing a bottle from his pocket down next to Kuhn. "I found a bunch of this crap in the storage area. There was a stupid bird buzzing around. I left it open. Not on purpose..."

As if he did not dare to dream, Kuhn had to ask. "W-What stuff? What's in the bottle?"

"Just shut up and drink," Macario said, cracking open the dosage.

As he went to pour it, Kuhn stopped him. "Dude" He said, in the next instance, in his hand, a syringe came, lined with metal from his coat sleeve. "It's not for drinking." Kuhn buttoned up his shirt, revealing his chest. Putting his hat next to his head "Straight into the heart." Kuhn said.

Not bothering to excuse himself, Macario took the syringe, filling it. Flicking the needle to remove any bubbles, he took a breath, insisting, "Hold still," before plunging the needle into his chest.

As Macario emptied the needle into Kuhn's chest, he inhaled deeply. His heart pumped a handful of times, as his fever began going down, and his veins stopped glowing. His sight returned to him. As soon as he could see, his hand jolted up to the hunching Macario, grabbing him by the throat and throwing him ont othe ground, his pistol against his head.
"I never leave a job unfinished." Kuhn told him wtih his coldest voice. Before cracking into a smile, getting of Macario, he holstered his gun again, before he started laughing.

"I was sure I was a goner, man. Thanks."

Macario clicked his tongue. "I'd hit you if you weren't just dying."

"I'd shoot you. But that would be redundant." the gunner replied.

Getting back up with a grunt, he muttered, "Ow, I'm starting to feel it." His muscles starting to burn with his adrenaline fading, he flopped back down. After a few breaths, he reiterated, "Hey, that medicine...like I said, it's pretty conspicuous now."

Kuhn sat up. "Yeah. You got hit pretty bad. I did aim away from your vitals. And I got the bullet out of you, so you'll live."

"But you'll need a doctor. I'm going to go find more of da serum." Kuhn said, getting onto his feet. As he headed towards the door, he heard the click of a gun behind him. Kato had come too, and was now aiming a flintlock at Kuhn whom was about to get out of the door.

In one hand, he had the gun, in the other, his flipbook.

Flip Flip Flip

Die the page read as bullets were fired, Kuhn's revolver was in his hand, Kato's hand was bleeding and the flipbook was in a million pieces. "That's a lot nicer than what I'm going to do to your brother." Kuhn told Kato, heading towards the storage facility.

---

“You're done. It's a shame I never got to learn to know you. In a different life, perhaps we could've been friends.” Isaac said with a sigh. “You're a good warrior. The best fight I've had in a very long time. I will grant you a honorable death...” Isaac told him, as he walked towards Chester, wiping the latters blood off of his sword with his sleeve. Chester was getting back up, his back turned against Isaac.

Piercing Blade Isaac moved, his blade moving quickly once more, appearing white due to the speed. [b]Shattering Shout[/b Chester's fist sent out such powerful vibrations as he turned around to punch Isaac that the vibrations alone cracked Isaac's sword and forcing him to lower the weapon, just long enough for Chester to punch him in the chest. The bleeding pirates fist still vibrated, steaming from the friction generated as Isaac hit the pillar behind five meters behind him, cracking the pillar as Isaac slid down the pillar, knocked unconcious.

“I don't drink to forget my mistakes. I don't give a fuck about your stupid honor. Losing is out of the question. I am Chester D. Arnold, and I don't have a single regret.”

Goldenrod's foot tapped furiously on the carpeted floor. Looking down, he brushed aside a splinter on the fancy couch: a remnant of the door that one of the intruders had blown through. Occasionally a shake or rumble would tremor through the old mansion, and Goldenrod would look between the door and his conscious grunts (a steadily decreasing resource).

As footsteps approached, Goldenrod look up on the upper part of the entry hall to see Lina stepping out, sword in one hand and briefcase in the other. Heart leaping, Goldenrod jumped from his chair, pointing, "Hey! You give me that!"

Lina scowled, holding it up, taunting, "Take it from me."

Goldenrod snapped his fingers, and each of the two men drew cutlasses, heading up.

"Could you two take that creepy doctor guy? Because I could."

There was a pause in their step. Lina began to move down, going past the hesitant man. Once she was through, they glanced at each other, before turning their blades on her.

One slash curled through the air, and they pulled back, their wrists bloodied, cutlasses clattering to the ground.

Stride not stopping, Lina reached the ground level, Goldenrod clearly sweating a bit. Looking around, she said, "I don't really have a reason to stab you so don't give me one.

As Lina headed for the door out, Goldenrod said, "Hold on one moment..."

Lina stopped, brow furrowed as she looked over at Goldenrod.

"Beat Jeko you say? In that case...what's your current job paying you?"

Lina blinked. "Er...nothing?"

Goldenrod chortled, "Well, that won't do." Leaning back in his seat, relaxed, he noted, "I can't triple 'nothing'."

Lina hissed, "I'm not working for you."

Goldenrod frowned, "Fine. How much for the briefcase?"

"...It's not mine."

"But you have it. What do you say to...not 200,000 beli but 20,000,000?"

Lina froze, her grip on the briefcase loosening a bit.

"How about all your money" The voice rang out, and soon after, a gunshot was heard, and Goldenrod slumped forwards in his spot, hand over his freshly bleeding right shoulder.

On top of the same stairs Lina had been on, his barrel was smoking as he pulled the hammer back.

"Hi there. Goldenrod." Kuhn said, as he walked down the stairs - the two thugs whom Lina had handled attacked him, He put his barrel in one of their mouths, and smacked them together, knocking them both out again.

"Ten months. Ten fucking months." Kuhn said, as he walked past Lina, taking note of her wounds and he had overheard her talking about Jeko earlier did she fight that psychopath?, putting his revolver in Goldenrod's face, further fueled by imagining Jeko's sadism taking it's course on the young lady.

Cursing a spitting, Goldenrod hissed, "Everything? You'd get a pittance. My fortune comes from business, not a pile of money sitting somewhere and getting stale."

"What you pay me doesn't matter. What matters is that you don't have it." Kuhn retorted, coldly. Aiming at the businessman, his finger began putting pressure on the trigger.

Goldenrod narrowed his eyes as Lina stepped aside. "NO!" Came a cry. Slamming into the back of the couch, Whitney threw her arms around Goldenrod's body. Throwing her hand up to shield his head, she demanded, "Don't!"

Goldenrod winced, "Sw-sweetie, watch the wound..."

Whitney loosened her grip, standing straight, her arms on Goldenrod's shoulders. Looking up at Kuhn, he grinned. "I have more than money..."

Kuhn was surprised as Whitney emerged. "W-Whitney?!" He questioned, before he looked down at Goldenrod, whom was smirking.. He lowered his gun. "...Speak, old man."

"Well, quite simply, I could reconsider my stance on any relationship between the two of you."

Kuhn gulped again, looking down at Whitney, whom was holding her father tightly around the neck, trying to tend to his wound. He lowered his gun.

Goldenrod's smirk seemed to deepen. "I won't even require your employ. We can't have the father of my future grandchildren getting hurt now, can we?"

Whitney stepped back, hands clasping her cheeks as she blushed a deep red. "Poppa!"

Goldenrod then noted, "Or maybe not, considering your...condition. We'll work something out."

Behind them, Lina merely watched with a continued minimal interest.

Kuhn gulped, as he lowered his weapon back into it's holster "... G-Grandchildren" the man asked, as he felt Whitney hugging him tightly, she smelled of strawberries. She always did. He reeked of gunpowder, but she never seemed to mind.

Turning his head over his shoulder carefully, Goldenrod said, "Well? What about you? My offer still stands." Lina didn't answer. She didn't say yes, but she wasn't saying no either...

Steps were heard as the leather boots tapped on the ground, quick steps as the blonde pirate emerged from the side. The two henchmen whom had been decked by Kuhn had picked up their swords again, and attacked the third foe. Effortlessly, the two were piled on top of each other with a simple punch from the pirate.

Blood still running down his face, he made his way over to the others, his shoulder and chest also still bleeding. "What's up, guys?" He asked, looking at Lina and Kuhn. He peered at Kuhn. "Wait a minute, aren't you the one who..."

"Gave me booze? Thanks man."

Kuhn blinked, Did he forget that I kidnapped him? he thought.

He turned to Goldenrod. "I still don't like you."

"It's mutual," Goldenrod muttered. Before he could continue, there was a stomping from beyond, Macario coming out from a lower door.

"Oh, there you are. I've got your briefcase," Lina explained, holding it up. Goldenrod clicked his tongue.

Still fairly bloodied, Macario said, "Whew, thanks." Spotting Chester, he snapped his fingers, noting, "Found your idiot."

"That was close, I almost lost him."

"Hey, Macario, was it? That's rude. Lina barely even knows this guy, and you're already calling him her idiot." Chester said, puffing his chest and smiling. Kuhn blinked in disbelief "I... I'm pretty sure she talked about you."

"Why would she ever do that?"

"...Nevermind."

Whitney hugged Kuhn's neck tighter, he hugged her back by the waist.

Goldenrod scoffed, "I don't even know who you people are."

Chester smiled. "I'm Chester. That's Lina. We are traders, and that's Macario, and him over there is uh, whatever. I'm sure you know him already, you seem all chummy."

"What kind of trader owns a ruddy ship like that?" Goldenrod grunted.

"The kind of traders who trade in valuables in exchange for us not beating you up." Chester retorted.

"Sounds fair. How about a galleon?" Goldenrod offered.

"A Galleon?" Chester asked. "With a lot of guns?"
"That's what a Galleon has, moron" Kuhn added. "HEY!" Chester chewed at him.

"Plus a full crew to sail it. Your business will we better than...ever before!"

Lina muttered to herself, "Why did you hesitate?"

"And all you have to do is get me that briefcase!"

Chester glanced over at Macario, the blood on his face made his rather plain expression look sinister. He examined the man's wounds for a moment before he turned back to Goldenrod, taking a step forward. "Wanna shake on it?" Reaching out his right hand.

Lina took a step away from the couch. Goldenrod's mouth curved into a satisfied grin as his put his hand out.

As their hands touched, Chester took a quick step forward, his left hand swinging through the air, as it collided with Goldenrod's face, breaking the back of the couch as the Boss hit the ground behind him, Whitney let out a horrified gasp, Kuhn was surprised.

Chester slowly walked towards the man whom was laid out on his back. "You think I'd just sell myself out like that? Being put under the thumb of scum like you. Sacrifice my freedom for a shitty boat and a crew with no spirit, with no heart? That I would let myself become as empty of a husk as that idiot swordsman?!" He said, gradually increasing the volume of his voice, till he eventually started shouting, leaning down to Goldenrod and hitting him in the face twice more, before he picked him up by the collar.

"I may not have a lot of principles. But freedom above all. And making deals with trash like you isn't what freedom is all about." Before he hurled Goldenrod against the wall. "Be glad that he over there gave me a drink, or you wouldn't see tomorrow." He spit out viciously as he walked away, heading for the exit without saying a word to any of the others.

"The Grog Crusaders are not for sale." Chester's words were, before he passed the doorway, the sunlight hitting his face.

As he left, Whitney let go of Kuhn and ran to Goldenrod. "P-Poppa!" She cried.

"Th-the 'Grog' what? Chester? Chester!" Lina called after him, following.

Shuffling in from behind, Macario asked, "Can I get my briefcase?"

Kuhn felt a hurricane of emotions. Whitney was crying, Goldenrod was seemingly dying. And he felt like he just had gotten punched in the gut. Not because of what Chester did, but because of how easily he was able to let go of his revenge just at the thought of being with Whitney. He knew that he couldn't be happy like that, not with Goldenrod always looming over them. He knew it was no way to live. With a heavy heart, and tears welling in his eyes, he spoke softly.

"I too, will have to decline your offer." He said slowly. Whitney let out a sob "Kuhn no."

"I-I'm sorry.." He said, before he walked out of the mansion as well.

---

"Wait, what are you doing!?"

Lina planted her hands on her hips as she came across Macario. It wasn't more than a half an hour after the incident at the Quartz Headquarters, but Lina had thrown a thin black coat over her clothes to hide her wounds before letting her employers know she was done for now. She arrived at the Breeze to see Macario on board, lashing a smaller boat to the tail end of the Breeze.

Hopping down roughly, nearly stumbling on his weakened legs, he insisted, "Look: like I said, we want to leave before the Quartz Company gets a second wind, right?"

"Yeah..."

"And, well, look...I can't sail like this. Just let me hang around for a night or two and I'll sail off on my own. I don't even know where you guys are going, honestly."

"You and me both."

"...Case in point."

Heading up the gangplank, Lina finished, "It's up to Chester though."

"Yeah, I figured..."

As Chester had made his way out of the Mansion, he headed towards the Inn. The Stein's Cauldron. He ordered four bottles of rum, all of which he drank like they were glasses of water. As he did, people were looking at him. Staring, and whispering. They talked about the Quarts Mansion and the attack there during the afternoon. How The Terrible Duo of Isaac and Jeko had apparently been found all but lifeless inside of the mansion and was now getting intensive care. He snorted upon hearing this, finishing his last bottle, as he stood up, he began staggering out of the building.

As he did, he bumped into the shoulders of a man who wore a black coat. The man let out a 'Hey!' and Chester responded with "Hey!" back. Turning towards him for a split second. The man looked shocked upon seeing Chester's bloodied face. "Man, I'm cold." Chester let out, as the man reached for his sword.

"You son of a bitch!" The man said, Chester not paying attention to him. He lunged at him, blade in hand, just as Chester heard him, he turned around, and with a palm strike placed his hand against his face with enough force to knock him straight out, breaking his nose while doing so.

A few moments later, Chester walked away with the man's coat around his shoulders. It fit him perfectly, and it was warm. "Ah, much better." As he headed towards the docks, not bothering to quit his job.

***

Kuhn had darted down into the storage area, he had gathered all of the doses he could find, showed them all into a briefcase, he even found another briefcase which he filled with Goldenrod's money. Over a million Bellies, he figured. As he darted out of the mansion. Two Quartz soldiers saw him and pulled their weapons, and with two swift strikes from each briefcase, the soldiers were knocked out, blood stains on the money-case.

He made his way to the harbor just as Lina boarded the ship. He leaped onto the roof of the harbormaster's building, the Harbormaster was away for the evening. "Howdy. You leaving so soon?" He asked, before throwing the briefcase at the deck of the ship. "My former 'partners' debt, I think." He added. "My thanks for you guys... showing me the way."

As he was about to turn around, Chester arrived. "You, with the hat."

"Hm?"

"Get on the ship."

"Excuse me?"

"You're here because you want to join, right?"

"I- uh, Whitney."

"You do realize she's gonna hate you forever now, right? I would say sorry, but I am really not."

"... I guess you're right. I assume neither of you guys can shoot there dem cannons."

"Shoot them? I can do that. Aiming them's always the tricky part."

"Settled then. I'll be your gunner."

"Cool. You too, pointdexter. No tolling behind our ship. That ended badly last time someone tried that." he said, pointing at Macario.

"...Let's just go," Macario replied, not wanting to argue.

Cracking open the briefcase, Lina's eyes lit up as she saw the fresh amount of cash. Her hands twitched in cheer as she gave a satisfied cackle. Locking the briefcase back up, she scampered down below deck.

Sitting down near the rope to his boat, Macario watched as Kuhn boarded. Throwing an accusing finger, he jabbed, "If I just pass out the least you could do is make sure I don't die."

Busting out of the door, Lina returned, four bottles of booze in hand. "We're all in varying degrees of pain but forget that! We're almost a real crew now!"

"What are you guys missing?" Macario wondered.

"A name."

"I thought it was the Grog-"

"Shhhhh..." Lina hissed, passing the bottles around. Raising a bottle, she said, "Two Companies down!"

Chester popped the lid off his bottle as he sat down next to the helm of the Hinnon Breeze, the brig leaving the docks and once again setting upon the open sea. Kuhn looked up at the sitting captain who had his back turned towards them, one hand drinking booze, the other lazily directing the helm. "You sure dat's safe?" Kuhn asked, and Chester nodded. "Uh-Huh. Perfectly safe. I've only been shipwrecked a handful of times."

"Fantastic." Kuhn added. "You, target practice." He said, pointing at Macario and his wounds. "Can you navigate? Call me old fashioned-"
"Old fashioned!" Chester chimed in.

.."but I prefer a helmsman who looks at the water." Kuhn continued.

"You talking shit to your captain? I will fight you!" Chester added, faking being flustered.

"Of course not, and I'm sure you would. Speaking of which, you guys are all in pretty bad shape, we really shouldn't be fighting anyone right now, so perhaps we should duck down and try to play it safe."

"... Lina, I don't think newbie's knows me very well"

"... Guess I do not."

Chester grinned, getting a wet rag and wiping some blood off of his face. "Ow." He said as his wound started bleeding again, he continued to poke the wound with the wet rag, every time letting out a soft 'ow'. "We have ten crates of booze in the cargo hold. And I want four of those to be gone by the time we go to sleep."

"What about the other six? We saving those?" Kuhn asked, as he took a sip from the alcohol. He knew very well he could never keep up with Chester in drinking - this guy beat Isaac, and Isaac could've drunk an entire battalion under the table all on his own.

Chester laughed. "Haha, no."

And so, with continued banter, our heroes sailed on to further adventures, the Hinnon Breeze softly bouncing on the waves as friendships were forged and stories were shared, partying the night away as they sailed on the open ocean.

Sun peeking over Melonberry, the town began to rise. Fishers scuffled to their boats, farmers tilled the fields, and Mafia goons went on their patrols.

"I'm going, Lino," Reno said, leaving his home, a blue coat over his island garb, his head still bandaged and arm in a sling, though otherwise he'd healed well. His eyes went alert as he saw the terrible trio of Gin, Kin, and Seido.

"Oi, Reno: there's a visitor for you."

As his thoughts turned to what day it was, Reno felt a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

---

Stepping into the Azure Company estate, Reno winced as he saw the huge form sitting in front of Momo. He was almost Reno's height though he rested with one knee propped up. He had heavy black boots, gray combat pants stuffed into them, and a white tank top over his large chest. Coiled around his waist was a black and white sash. A blue coat and its sleeves dangled over his shoulders, two tanned, thickly muscled arms poking out. One of them seemed to be holding up...a hand mirror? As Reno entered, he lowered it, the face within the mirror turning on Reno, contorted into a surly gaze. Sunglasses covered his eyes, and a thin, pointed beard jabbed from his square chin.

Getting closer, sitting in range of both him and Momo, he began, "Boss Cerulean, I presume?"

Boss Cerulean [Azure Company Commander – Boss "Iron" Cerulean, 30 Million beli bounty] replied, "And you're the punk who elbowed his way into our ranks?"

Reno answered, "I'm sure you're up to date on the situation."

Leaning down, Cerulean demanded, "Where's Chester?"

Despite himself, Reno leaned away slightly. Cerulean made no move to strike him, but it wasn't about whether or not he would, it was about whether or not he could. Remembering the stakes, he said, "No clue. Do pirates still care about the Grand Line?"

Momo tapped out her pipe, stating, "The other Companies have been told to keep an eye out for him. If he's active we'll hear in a day or two."

Cerulean growled, "And then what? We send my other Lieutenants after him?"

Momo recalled, "He wanted to go fight you specifically."

Cerulean snorted, "Then he'll be getting a fight."

"And then what?" Reno interjected.

Cerulean cricked his neck. "I'll win."

"Not what I was asking. What happens here?"

Cerulean insured, "I'll be back in control."

Reno hissed, "And? So what?"

As Cerulean stared daggers, Momo began, "Actually, since we've stopped our sugar monopoly, productivity has increased. We aren't making more profit, but it's not much of a loss at all. And that's accounting protection costs..."

"It's not about money!" Cerulean roared. Slamming his fist on the ground, he continued, "It's about the message. Some random brat sailing around with the rights to Melonberry's affairs in his pocket... I won't accept that." Standing up, he spat, "I'm going after him."

Momo began, "But the Meet is in a month!"

"I'll adapt." Cerulean squeezed his way out the door, moving back to the docks.

Once he was gone, Reno loosened, letting out a sigh of relief. His heart twinged as he considered his sister... Standing, Reno looked to the window, mentally praying for the best.

---

"Coo, coo."

"Bout time."

Tossing a few coins into the news coo's pouch Macario took the days paper. Adjusting his purple dress shirt, he looked up to the gray morning sky, which was already starting to darken. What a pain...

Taking a look at the paper, he saw the front page advertising the annual Four Color Festival on Stagio Island. He grinned. A few days ago he'd suggested that as the next stop, but he'd forgotten the festival entirely.

Heading into the Breeze, he caught the whiff of food, but strangely enough, Lina was cleaning dishes, wearing a dark red coat over a pale pink blouse and white, knee length pants. "Hey, where's breakfast?" Macario demanded.

Lina huffed. "Early bird gets the worm. The slowpoke mole not so much."

Macario sighed, before taking a seat. "Mole?" he repeated. Cracking open the paper, his eye twitched as he caught a double page spread going on about Terra. The Government loved their propaganda, and when combined with what was basically celebrity gossip, Macario had to avoid gagging.

Leaning over his shoulder, Lina wondered, "Who's that?"

Macario turned to her, blinking, "Have you been living under a rock?"

"I kinda know, but I figured since you like talking I'd just let you have a go."

"...If I had food I'd think about it."

"Leftovers are in the fridge. Be earlier next time," Lina stated, before heading out, a slight limp in her step from her still burned leg.

Chester barged into the room. "Guys!" He shouted, paniced, at Macario and Lina. "Guys, seriously!" he seconded, panting as he did, Kuhn came running, appearing behind him. "Dude, Kuhn! Sit down!" He shouted and Kuhn shrugged. "What?" he asked, a slight bit of worry in his voice.

"I feel this creeping sensation going down my spine. I think someone's after me."

"Sure that's not the booze talking?" Kuhn asked him with a sarcastic tone.

"No, it's Chester talking, moron. Booze can't talk.. BUT THAT BRINGS ME TO MY POINT!" He added. Kuhn put his hand to his face, getting a cup from the freshly made pot of coffee, sitting down.

"I caught a god damn fish, guys!"

"... Good for you?"

"No, seriously, a super weird fish, it's talking!" Chester

" What.." Kuhn explained, in disbelief.

"It's so fucking cool!" He added, with a big grin, as he walked out of the kitchen, he headed towards the fishing rods attached to the railings, as he started reeling the line up, the purple and gold fish with red stripes was on the hook. Looking at it with it's cold fish-eyes.

"You are all probably questioning weather you should eat me.. But the answer might surprise you.." The fish spoke with a deep voice.

"Holy crap he talks." Kuhn said in disbelief, his jaw dropping.

"Isn't he awesome?!" Chester stated with a giggle. The rain had now started pouring a lot heavier, thunder could be heard in the distance, the wind was picking up, as well.

Lina cringed, "Gross..." Shielding her mouth with her hand, she grumbled, "And what's with the colors?"

As a gust of wind tore through, Lina pulled up the hood of her coat, tucking her hands underneath her arms. Ignoring the weather, Macario leaned in, poking the fish and watching it struggle.

"I've got about five reasons you should let me go!" the fish argued.

Macario shrugged, "I really don't care too much..."

"First and foremost, if you let me go, your crew would be blessed with amazing fortune in the days to come!" Cold eye glancing around, he added, "You like you need it. Yeesh, look at this dump of a ship."

Lina growled, "We cleaned the hell out of it, thank you."

Chester and Kuhn both also joined into poking at it.

"Hey! Stop poking me! I don't know where your fingers have been!" He shouted, and Chester shrugged. "You'd never find out." Kuhn scoffed. "In his nose and in a bottle, mostly."

"What are you anyway?" Chester asked.

"I'm a Ionized God Fish"

"... That's a cool name"

"I'm a cool fish. Too cool for this dump of a ship!" the Ionized God Fish exclaimed. "Release me at once! And I will grand you my four other virtues, too! You will find true love, have beautiful children, fullfill your dreams, travel the world and forever have good health! Yes, all that, and probably more!" The fish promised all in one breath.

"You know, Captain. I think he's full of shit." Kuhn nodded, poking the fish's cheeks. "How did ya learn to talk anyway?"

"I will not tell you."

"You should tell us." Chester insisted. "Lina, get the knife."

"FINE! I found books under the sea that I started learning from when I was but a small fishboy!"

"You mean fishman?" Chester asked.

"Chester, pretty sure dat's racist." Kuhn noted. "Why do people keep accusing me of being racist?" Chester exclaimed with a pout.

"So you learned to read and dat's how you can talk?" Kuhn asked to confirm and the fish let out a 'uh-huh'.

"I'm calling bullshit." He said, as he held his hat, the wind picking up and a gust made his duster blow in the powerful wind. The rain had now turned into a proper downpour and the water was streaming onto the deck. "See, this storm will only get worse unless you release me! I have unlimited magical powers!" the fish shouted.

"Or maybe, just maybe it's a North Blue storm, it was even in the newspaper's weather section." Kuhn added, nodding back towards the newspaper.

"... I think it's magic. We should let him go.. Lina, you can put back the knife.." Chester said abruptly.

"Really?!" Kuhn asked.

"R-Really?" the Ionized God Fish asked.

"I never got the knife." Shaking her head, Lina gave an exasperated sigh, "Honestly..."

Macario suggested, "You know, I think he's telling the truth."

"Really!?" the God Fish gasped.

"Oh, about the book thing, not the virtuous luck crap. Animals pick up stuff from humans all the time." The fish seemed to slump back, but a gust of wind sent him flying about.

Lina said, "We just ate...put him in some water and cook him later if you want to. I don't want to try cooking something that was just screaming at me."

"I'm not screaming!"

"Hypothetically," Lina insisted. But then...hypothetically...what if he was telling the truth. Getting a bit nervous, she turned away, suggesting, "Just throw him over board. He probably wouldn't taste good anyway."

Chester's eyes narroweed as he looked at the swinging fish. "Lina, you know I don't like being told what to do. We should eat him."

"COME ON!" The fish and Kuhn both shouted. The wind picked up and blew the God Fish in all directions, "HELP!" the fish shouted. "But then again.. Maybe it would be safest to throw him overboard.. We can't have our fine vessel be sinking on us!" he shouted over the loud rain that was now pissing down onto the deck, each drop of water exploding as it collided in a splash of water. "You mean this piece of crap boat?!" The Fish shouted as it blew directly to the side "GET ME DOWN!" Chester puffed his chest. "Not until you admit that our boat is a nice boat!"
"GRR!"

"SAY IT!" Chester demanded, Kuhn was holding his hat as the winds was picking up into a fierce storm. Chester had one hand on the railing, reaching up towards the fish to hear him. "Macario, gimme a hand!" he shouted backwards, waiting for the fish to give in.

Macario shook his head. "He's hanging on the rod, dumbass." Coming over, he picked it up, saying, "Just reel him i-"

A gust of wind shoot the boat, the sails starting to groan. The God Fish continued to be pulled by the wind, and the rod slipped out of Macario's hands.

Macario's hands were on the railing, and as the rod was dropped, Chester dove after it, leaning with his feet on the railing, his body hanging off of the railing, he caught the rod. "Gotcha!" he exclaimed chipper.

Till the boat shook on the harsh waves, and the rotten railing broke under the weight of the two men, and Chester fell down into the water, Macario falling next to him. "Fuck." He added, once he hit the water, he choked for air "Can't swim!" he shouted, hoping Macario could hear him before his body went limp. The Hinnon Breeze was traveling far from them within seconds, far enough that Chester could no longer see the boat from where he was. Kuhn and Lina scurried on the ship, trying to get control of the boat, but the boat was going on it's own accord.

...

"Aaaaahhh!" Lina cried as she stared at the fresh opening in the railing. She almost rushed to help, but Kuhn kept her away, lest she join the others in the stormy seawater. As they tried to get things under control, Lina realized that there wasn't going to be much way they could get back in this weather...

---

The storm raged for another hour, Lina and Kuhn only managing to keep the boat from going completely off course. By the time the squall blew itself out though, there was still no sign of Chester or Macario. Rain pattered lightly as Lina took a break, leaning against the door inside. Soaked to the bone, Lina roared, "STUPID FISH!"

As the ship went away in the dark storm, Chester felt his eyes close as he hit the cold water, his body went limp and he felt a heavy weight in his chest, and soon, that weight and the coldness of the sea was replaced with a soothing warmth. Was he dying? He drifted out of consciousness as he laid there, falling towards the bottom of the sea. An arm grabbed him as he was yanked, and soon, he found himself on a sandy shore not unlike the one he had washed up on about a month ago, the one with the strangely sweet fruits.

His eyes popped open, and in front of him sat Macario on the beach, his toes in the sand. Chester hacked and wheezed, spitting up water, a few of his stitches had thorn. "T-That was one hell of a ride.." Chester asked, as he looked at Macario. "Where the hell are we?"

"Oh you ol so and so's!" a voice said from behind them. As a man in a bare torso said, patting Chester on his back "Taking a morning swim, huh? Didn't even go skinny dipping, that's against the rules, man!" the stranger said and Chester looked at him with a confused look - not irregular for the pirate. The naked-torso man had a shark tooth in a necklace as well as several wristbands that read out words such as "Hype" and "Redical". He wore flower-painted swimming trunks and flip flops, and had navy blue trimmed shades with orange lenses, his skin was tanned and his recently shaved head was violet.

"Who are you?" Chester asked him and the man grinned. "Oh come on. It's me, your supreme partybro! Chadwick!" he shouted, as he stretched out his pinky and his thumb before wiggling his wrist, stretching out his tongue in some form of grimace. Chester was surprised.

"And you lot! YOU ARE OUR NEW PLEDGES!" He shouted and the crowd that had been rather quiet up until that point came alive and charged Chester and Macario with shark tooth necklaces, wristbands and V-neck T-shirts that were all too tight in red with black text for Macario, and the reverse for Chester, putting the shirts ontop of their regular shirts, the sheer amount of people overpowered Chester and Macario from putting them all in the morgue - or perhaps they were too shocked, or tired from almost drowning. The T-shirts read "REDICAL DREADICAL '77"

"TOTTALLY REDICAL!" Chadwick shouted as he made a howl while doing the hand thing again.

"Actually."

"REDICAL!"

"Hold on!"

"REDICAL!" The crowd shouted. "PLEDGE PARADE, PLEDGE PARADE"

"HOLD THE FUCK ON!" Chester shouted, as he looked at Macario. "Can you belive this shit?!"

"Jeez, chill Pledgie. What's your name?" Chadwick asked.

"Chester."

".. You're blonde, you're bleeding, and you look pretty strong, and you smell of alcohol and seawater. You don't happen to be the Chester who fucked up Azure and Quartz?" Chadwick asked, his voice got serious in his last few words. Chester looked him dead in the eye, before he cracked up. "Yep, wrecked those guys!"

And Chadwick smiled "Fanfucking tastic! Always hated those pricks!" He said, followed by more howling.

"Look at this, fitting in with the crowd already!" Chester added, joining in with the howling and the hand-wiggling.

"Who are you guys, anyway?" He asked.

"We're the crimson company recruits!" [Crismon Company; 2nd In command LT. Chadwick Burgundy] Chadwick said as he let out a smile. "And you, my guy, have a debt to repay! And luckily for you, all you have to do is help us school the Plant Pansies in the Verdant Camp!"

"Till you have, you are honorary members of The Crimson Company, where Unity is Strength!" As he uttered the motto he heard a sheer, as beer was poured and mugs of it was thrown at Chester and Macario. "Dude, I like these guys." Chester told Macario with a smile.

Macario stared blankly as events unfolded. He sat there in the sand, soaked to the bone, waiting for Chester to wake up, for this.

Answering Chester, he muttered, "Well, I can see why. You're like a stray dog, except with booze." Briefly, he mimed punching Chadwick in the face, but his shirt was actually making it harder for him to move his upper torso: it was absolutely going to burst at some point. It was a wonder they got it on in the first place.

Letting out a sigh, he muttered, "Let's just go." Looking down towards his still soaked shoes, he leaned to pick them up...and stopped. His shirt pulled against him as he reached, but every strained movement threatened the shirt. Standing back up straight, he crossed his arms over his chest, as though nothing was wrong.

---

The storm long since died down, the squall blown away, Lina had a spyglass affixed to her eye, watching closely for any signs of waving arms or land. She new they couldn't be far from Stagio, but who knew where they were.

The Hinnon Breeze quietly swayed on the waves as the storm died down. Kuhn leaned off of the railing. "... Think they're dead?" He asked Lina, as he looked up, seeing an island in the distance. "Isn't that where we were supposed to go?" He changed the subject, standing up - as if he hadn't just lost two of his.. acquaintances.

***

Chadwick dragged Chester and Macario through the part of the city. "See here, brah? This is where it's all happening. We have the booze, the party and the babes. It's gonna be one hell of a festival!" Cadwick explained as Chester smiled, grabbed himself a bottle of beer from a wooden table they passed. "This is pretty neat." Chester pointed out.

"Neat?"

"NEAT?!" Chadwick asked again.

"THIS IS REDICAL!"

".. I guess." Chester pointed out. "And you owe us."

"Whatever."

"In order for you to repay your debt, you have to help us deal with our sworn enemy. The lame Verdant Company's Fraternity. They are always trying to get in on our turf. Performing their pantie raids on our turf, it will not stand!"

"You want me to beat them up?"

"It might come to that later. For now, I need you, and your uh, big friend to just follow along. I'll let you in on your duty in a bit, I have to check on something."

"Cool." Chester added, as he had finished his beer, grabbing another couple of bottles from people they passed.

"Are we really doing this?"

As Chester continued to load up on beer, Macario muttered, "We're really doing this..." He merely hoped things wouldn't get too out of hand.

---

Lina answered, "I can't really imagine Chester dying. I mean, he said he couldn't swim, but Macario should be fine... I mean, they could be dead..." Even as she said it, she failed to convince herself of even the possibility.

As the skies continued to clear, Lina and Kuhn took the Breeze to the island, avoiding the docks, which were packed with visitors. She came to realize, "How are we even going to find them? I mean, they'd probably end up here." Looking out to the cities of Stagio in the distance, her face twitched as she tried to avoid grinning, suggesting, "We should look everywhere for them."

As she bounced off the gangplank, she was surprised that while there were no cities in this more deserted realm of island, among the light trees and shrubs were tents. However, the earthy colored shelters had been ruined, its folk scattered about like refuse.

Approaching, Lina gaped, "Who did this?"

Chester chugged the mug of beer as Chadwick cheered him on, and so did the rest of the fraternity. "CHUG CHUG CHUG!" They all shouted, followed by their howling from deep within their chests, the howls echoed over the small part of the island, and the day-party went on, Macario barely keeping up with Chester, whom was getting more and more drinks in as time passed. Getting a feel for the island and the orange and salmon clad guys who inhibited it, Chester didn't recall the red dudes being this..Rad last time he had met them, they were stuck up pricks last time.

"You know, Chad. Is it okay if I call you Chad?"

"It's fine if you call me Chad, Chest." Chadwick responded.

"I will punch you." Chester quickly said with a blank expression

"Please don't." Chadwick replied, looking down at the floor for a second.

As they were talking, they were interrupted by a young man, probably about Chester's age, a few years younger, perhaps, busted into the bar they were seated in. "PANTY RAID!" He shouted. "THE GREENS ARE COMING! They're out for payback for our raid at their beach party this morning, prepare for a brawl, boys!" The man shouted, and soon, the whole bar was errupted into the same howls that the fratboys had done before.

"A what now?" Chester asked. "Long standing tradition, our enemies are coming to raid our sororities, they're gonna steal their underwear, we have to stop them. It's a bit of rough housing, it's good, clean fun."

"Neat." Chester added, looking back at his tighly - clad companion. "We should help out. I have debt to pay, after all." Chester said, with glee in his voice.

---

Kuhn glanced at Lina. "Captain can't swim? What sorta pirate is he?"

As Lina suggested they would look everywhere, Kuhn nodded. "Uh-huh." They landed on the side side of the shore, a bit away from the beach, the Breeze could handle the shallow waters just fine. Kuhn jumped out, and walked towards land, where the torn tents stood, beer bottles were everywhere, and red spray paint was all over the place, the green and earthly brown clored tents were all mudded down, torn or lit on fire. "What kind of animal did this?" Kuhn asked, and a young girl looked up at him from the side of the beach. "The red fools did this, and they'll pay."