DSquiggs

One Piece: Bighead's Dream

A single plume of smoke wafted in front of Klanks face as he tinkered with the metal framing across his desk. A strange contraption it seemed when it was all opened up like this. Pieces were everywhere, bolts and springs and wires no longer needed. Old and new schematics to work from. Even his trusty goggles, which now had a black patch adhered to the right eye. He took a calm drag from his cigarette, finishing it and pinching the end with gloved fingers to snuff the cherry, and flicked it away.

"I think that about does it," he confirmed. "And just in time." He took hold of the frame and began to collapse it down to operating form, almost rolling one end to the other. It made a series of clicking noises as it closed, and once it was done, he held it up and observed the final product. He hadn't tested this particular one yet, but he had tested all the other models before it. All the metal made it somewhat heavy, but he had taken Bighead's advice to heart and took the necessary steps to ensure he could wield it.

Suddenly the door creaked open behind him. Klank stood.

"Look at those gains."

Klank chuckled. "Had to make sure I stood a chance at whooping your ass."

Bighead laughed approvingly as Klank turned to face him. Phin was there as well, but made no comments. Instead, the fishman stared. They hadn't seen each other in almost a year, and certainly what he saw was not expected. Klank thought he saw regret in those eyes, for what Phin thought was his own failings as a comrade.

"Got a few upgrades I think you'll appreciate, you overgrown ape. Phin, you're a sight for a sore eye." Phin half grinned. "What? Too soon?"

Klank walked over to a mirror on the wall, setting his new model down and scooping up his goggles as he went. He slid them over his head, observing the scarred socket where his right eye used to be. "Took a while, but it healed nicely."

After fixing his goggles over his eyes, Klank approached an empty hanger just to his left. He grabbed at his left elbow and twisted hard at the elbow. There was a loud click before his leather wrapped arm disconnected. He hung it on the wall.

"Esmeraline tells me that you were," Bighead said in his own voice before a very poor imitation of the old woman who healed Klanks arm, "A damned stubborn fool who doesn't know what's good for him." He laughed again. "I think she likes you still."

"That woman can kiss the tail end of a sea king, for all she put me through." He took his new model in hand, almost skeletal in appearance. "Besides, I had to work out the kinks in this beaut."

"I can see that," Bighead nodded towards the far wall where dozens of other metal skelton arms hung, all different sizes and forms.

"It's creepy," Phin remarked.

"Ain't it?, hehe." Klank snapped and twisted the new arm to his joint. It fit unsurprisingly well. He clenched a metal fist and did a few flex curls. "Fully operational." He duped a smoke and flipped it into his mouth. With a thumbs up from his new arm and a wide smile, a flame suddenly flickered from his thumb. He lit the cigarette, took a puff, and said "I call it, All-Hand. Now how's about we get this show on the road."

------------------------------------------

It was always a beautiful ship, Klank thought. Nowhere near his dream ship, but focus had to be elsewhere up until now. Besides, he hadn't found the perfect material as of yet. For now, this would do just fine. It sat for a year on the docks, needing minimal maintenance. Klank took it out a few times, but stayed close to the large island. Now it bobbed with the incoming waves, ready to set sail with it's old crew. All that remained was for the rest to arrive.

"It shouldn't be long before the others are here," Bighead said. "I sent instruction. Word has it that The Fruity Marines have already departed Fort Amitrose." He seemed happy about that. "They want the whole crew, but after what Isaac and Sierra did, they are the priority targets. Their bounties sky-rocketed, same as Phin."

"Not suprising," Klank replied. "If not for them, we'd all be in cages or dead. Even saved your ass... Captain."

"That they did. Makin me so proud."

Together, the three boarded the ship. Klank immediately went over to his station and stroked the wheel.

"Soon, baby." He popped another cigarette and faced Bighead and Phin. "I've grown to like these people. They are good folk, so I'd rather not cause a terrible commotion for them. I say once the others are here, we set sail immediately. The people who have been tailing me all this time will tell our pursuers which way we've gone. We can fight them elsewhere, on our terms."

Nendora's infinite box of doom (HxH)

Name: Abie

Age: 24

Gender: Female

Personality: Abie is most always smiling. Even in moments of discontent, her smile radiates happiness. Her eyes of course, could reveal a much different emotion. It was, unfortunately, a habit she picked up from her older sister Reith. Perhaps it was this inviting smile that seemed to make people gravitate to and confide in her. She hates making decisions, but seems to always be looked upon to make them. She's an over-worrier, but has come a long way in restraining herself and not acting upon those feelings of constant dread.

Talents: Abie is a "Treatment Hunter." She has great knowledge in physical, mental, and emotional remedies. She's an expert in "Quick Fixes."

Items: A small but sturdy and heavy satchel filled with various medical supplies for quick fixes and pain relief, including, but not limited to, teas and creams.

Specification: Specialist

Hatsu: Matriarch

Backstory: Abie was always a little mature for her age growing up in Zaban City, all due to the fact that she clung to her eldest sister, Reith's, side. She is the youngest of seven. Her mother disappeared when she was a toddler, and the only things she could ever recall was the loving gaze she always received. Her father was always working as a scammer in the streets to barely support the family, and when each child was old enough, they all found jobs of their own. Most of them, Reith included, followed in their father's footsteps, so it was no surprise that more times than not, her brothers and sisters came home with injuries of all sorts. Abie, too young to make money, and not strong enough to protect them, taught herself to stitch them up. When she was older, and began understanding the true hardships of life through Reith, she was naturally able to help her siblings deal with the mental and emotional stress of the world outside. Then the day came when each sibling would be dealt a devastating blow. Their father was murdered during a job. Reith stepped up and acted as parent for a while. The eldest of seven suppressed her emotions from the rest for years, but she never once fooled Abie. At night, in secrecy to protect her sister's strong image, it was Abie's turn to step up. One by one, the others left. Some became Hunters. Some rose in the underground ranks. Reith stayed home with Abie, sharing stories of all sorts and teaching her the importance of various aspects of life. Reith, like Abie's mother, had disappeared much in the same fashion. Without a trace. With nothing left, and no one to care for, Abie went on to become a Hunter. And that is a story for another time.

The Quincy Miscalulation: Revenge of the Failures

Name: Rence
Age: 35

About: Rence wasn't much of anything growing up. He was always aware of the supernatural, and was able to keep it a secret from all but his mother. She could always tell something was up when he would lose himself in thought or suddenly became concentrated. Over time, he learned to extend his senses. This eventually led Rence to search out the spiritual energies he was feeling, and ultimately to his first meeting with a group of peculiar individuals. Humans were fighting a force he was barely able to make out. When he focused though, he could clearly see the terrifying white masks that resembled monsters from children's stories. Rence heard one of the individuals fighting refer to them as Hollow. He bravely jumped to the aid of the humans, but by the time he got there, the Hollow had been disposed of. This was the day that changed his life forever. The group he had found were humans with an extraordinary ability to manipulate the souls in all things. He would come to know this ability as Fullbring.

A secret life as a mercenary, Rence was trained to control his powers. He could change small objects into weapons at will. He could walk on water and fly through the air. He could force the ground to help boost the height of his jump. The possibilities were endless. Years he trained and fought hollow. He knew of Soul Reapers and Quincy, and on more than one occasion was forced to defend himself. Both factions at the time considered people with Rence's ability to be an abominations, as their powers are derived from Hollow. When he learned how, Rence confronted his mother, who was now old and sickly. She told him of her encounter with a ravenous hollow and how she almost died. It was her fault that Rence was the way he was.

He continued his mercenary lifestyle until a band of Quincy trackers finally located the Fullbringer's base of operations. The last time Rence would enter the hideout, he would find nothing but destruction. From that day forth, Rence lived life as a normal human. He met a woman that would someday give birth to a daughter, but that family was short lived. The woman became ill and he was left to raise his daughter, Reyna, by himself. Naturally the two were as close as can be, but even Reyna would soon be gone, as she would fall to the same illness that claimed her mother's life. Rence feared for his daughter, as he could feel her attached presence refusing to pass on. He sometimes wondered if it was his own longing that prevented her own natural sending. Their fates were fused as one. Until just days ago, when her presence was suddenly ripped from his life. He obsessively searched for her, only able to trace the tiniest speckle of her soul. When he felt her close and scared, Rence fell unconscious in a forest outside the city.

Corruption: Rence's chain of Fate has been engulfed by a sickly green aura that constantly grows darker. He quickly learns that this process can be mitigated by swapping that corruption with the Souls in the objects he manipulates. This creates an unstable object that will render it useless after a short time, forcing him change up his fighting style multiple times in a fight. Reluctant to do so, he can choose what to corrupt, but must if he wishes to live, and he will do so until he finds and saves his daughter.

Fullbringer Object: His main object is his daughter's favorite pink blanket. His connection to his daughter and the memories they share are all imprinted on it, making it his strongest weapon, which he uses like a razor sharp sash. His energy can be channeled through it to create a bright green crackle of an attack. Rence absolutely refuses to swap his chains corruption with this blanket.

Other objects he uses are usually picked up randomly from the ground. These are mainly used for swapping energy but can easily be used as various weapons.

The Quincy Miscalulation: Revenge of the Failures

The Quincy Miscalculation

Dozens of souls wandered aimlessly within the blindingly white lab. None of them seemed to notice the silver capsules filled with the blue hue of manifested spiritual energy. Each capsule, twelve in total and as tall as an average human, pulsated the radiant light. It added a level of difficulty to determining the boundaries of the lab. Not a single shadow lurked along the corners. Jeiss, the lead scientist, always said, "It is better for the souls. Helps to keep them 'disconnected.' A blue space warped itself onto the left wall. From it stepped two men wearing all white lab coats. The taller one was Jeiss. He always had a silver cross dangling from a chain connected to a ring on his right hand. Behind him was Riegs, shielding his eyes from the sudden assault of light.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to that," Riegs complained. "I hate this room."

"Then leave," Jeiss said. He never joked. "Send someone who isn't so easily discouraged by something such as it being too bright." He flicked his hand up to wave his new assistant off. "I Don't have time for such foolishness."

"Man," Riegs raised an eyebrow as he followed. "They weren't kidding."

"Let me guess," Jeiss interrupted. His voice became deep and mocking; irritated and exaggerated. "That Jeiss, not a funny bone in his body, ha ha ha."

"Quit joking around, Jeiss," the assistant joked. "Can we focus here?" He watched as his superior take a deep breath to calm his frustration. "So what's on the agenda for today?"

Jeiss observed the wandering souls. He couldn't admit it now, but it was actually quite difficult to make out the already fading faces. "As you know, with the Soul Reapers all but gone, and the increase in hollow activity, balance between the realms is quite chaotic. It was a slower process than anticipated, but that worked in our favor up until now."

Like every Quincy, Riegs knew the history. 'The Last Exorcise' is what the event came to be known as. Soul Reapers flooded the World of the Living to hunt down a rogue Quincy faction that betrayed a battalion in the midst of an all out attack on a growing Hueco Mundo. They were met with an unexpected force. One Soul Reaper tried to escape, but the Quincy had other plans. They had become powerful in numbers over the centuries and those numbers invaded Soul Society. Few Reapers survived. Riegs followed up with, "We've only been able to mitigate the imbalance, not restore it."

"Correct," Jeiss replied. "Now, without the ability of a Soul Reapers Zanpakto to perform a sending, The realms are racing to destruction."

"So we need to find a way to purify a soul." Riegs waved a hand lazily. "And I'm assuming you've found a way to do that."

Jeiss shot his assistant a look that said "How dare you question my abilities."

"Riegs backed off slightly. "Hey, man. It's only my third day." After a moment, "Soo uhhh, how are you gonna do that?"

Jeiss pressed a button on one of the Capsules, which released the pulsating light. "You have learned nothing in those three days. The chain, Riegs. We manipulate the chain."

"With spiritual energy?"

"And an overabundance of it." Jeiss seemed to become excited. He would be the Scientist who fixed the worlds. "The light coming from the capsules is free spiritual energy. Once the chains are engulfed fully in that light, I will push this button here. That will begin the rapid purification process, which is ripping the essence from the chains and trapping them randomly in the capsules to mix with each other and the free energy. Then its all released again. At that point,the souls will be confused and will choose any chain to reconnect. Then we rip them off again to randomly mix with others and more free energy. This will go on until the chains encroachment process completes and there is nothing left; chain or human nonsense. I am essentially resetting the soul to factory settings, if there ever was such a thing. If I am correct, those souls should go directly to Soul Society to repopulate."

Riegs followed the explanation quite well, but was concerned about one thing. "What happens if this all fails."

Jeiss raised his finger to the button and hoped for the best while saying, "This can't fail."

The Quincy Miscalulation: Revenge of the Failures

Will save this post for story info as it develops

One Piece: Bighead's Dream

FORT AMITROSE

It was an effort for King Jubil to contain his excitement on this day, after all he had an image to uphold. He carried himself confidently along the cobblestone street, full of pirates and marines, a determined look on his face. All around him people complained about the heat and despite the sweat rolling down his forehead, Jubil barely noticed it. Nothing could bother him on this day. Just ahead was the Marine Headquarters for this sector of the sea. He had not been called upon, but his news could not wait. The guards posted at the large entrance gave him a look over, but did not stop him from moving forth.

It was cool within the walls compared to outside, and the light was heavily filtered. Empty and quiet, save for the echoing thuds of his steps, the lobby was huge. Doorways lined the surrounding walls. Stairways at the far end spiraled upwards to various floors, one of which, a familiar face descended. Fortunately, this was the man Jubil had been looking for and saved him from having to remember exactly where to go in this maze.

"Thought you would show up," The large man said. He was slightly taller than Jubil, and significantly muscled with a broad arm span that didn't seem proportioned to the rest of his body. "I assume you have heard?"

"My men report that the Bighead flag sails again."

"An exaggerated report, Captain."

Jubil flinched at the title. This was the only man who refused to address him as King. He gave up arguing months ago. "Explain."

"Indeed their flag flies, however, the Bighead Pirates are not assembled. We have a detail on their shipwright. Been watching him for the better part of a year. The locales he frequents are under surveilance, both undercover and well placed den dens. He has had no contact with the others, I assure you."

"You're a fool, if you believe that," Jubil said angrily. "I am taking my men. I will not miss another opportunity."

"You can do as you please, Captain," said with a little sting. "You have upheld your end of the bargain."

"And what of your end?"

"Our finest mechanics have already equipped your ship with the weapons you have requested."

"And your elite force? I was promised their employ."

"If there is one thing I have learned about written contracts, Captain." Killian gave him a cold stare. "One should always read the fine print."

Jubil's face flushed with anger, but before he could react, the Vice admiral continued.

"The Fruity Marines have already departed, with orders for capture. Make no mistake, Captain Jubil, The Bighead Pirates will face judgement to the fullest extent of Fort Amitrose authority, on account of the chaos and destruction they caused here. They barely escaped with their lives a year ago, and have not paid for it enough."

"I should have known better," Jubil mocked. He was pissed, perhaps rightly so, but there was nothing he could do here to exact revenge. "When I catch them, I will remove them from existence."

"We will see," Killian responded confidently, and disappeared into the higher levels.

With that, King Jubil was off, angry at the betrayal. Still though, he found joy in the fact that things were finally getting back on course. He could put this Marine infested city behind him.

One Piece: Bighead's Dream

The ocean's surface waved like grass in the wind and gracefully accepted the endless supply of droplets. Though it did not light their way, silver rays danced through the calm rain. Sounds of rolling water and delicate pitter-patters all around put Klank at ease, and with all the training he endured, the shipwright didn't mind the frozen claws of the gusting air. He stood firm with the wheel's large spokes in hand, swaying slightly from side to side. It wasn't enough to veer the ship in either direction. He hummed a tune to himself, one that he saved for nights like this, and tapped the toes of one foot to the song. Further and further he drifted off into serenity. Any further and he could forget there were others on board. It had already been a few days and nights, this being the fourth night, but he was glad to be back on his ship. Now, in the sweet silence you could only get in the middle of nowhere, Klank thought heavily on past and future, and where he stood in all of it.

"Squee!" a sound interrupted.

Klank looked back to see no one, but almost immediately caught Peanut in his lower peripherals. He was dressed in attire that properly protected him from the rain. He looked up with a sorrowful look. For a moment, Klank thought the weather had brought down the little rodents mood. Then he remembered the first day back on the ship. The kitchen had been ruined during Peanut's training. Walls were charred, whether by cook fire or the rodent's, or both if they were one and the same, Klank wouldn't know. He didn't realize until after his minor freak out that he probably, or most definitely should have let loose on The Captain. Klank jerked his head upward with invitation, and Peanut leaped to his shoulder in a single bound.

"Eh!," he shrugged, "You ain't so bad."

"Squee!" His mood was lighter.

"She's all repaired, anyway. Easy fix." Perhaps an apology, even though Klank wouldn't admit it aloud.

"Squee Squee."

"Don't know what that means." Klank stared straight ahead, still feeling a slight amount of guilt for what he had done. In retrospect, he knew it couldn't be helped. Apparently nothing could be helped once Bighead made a decision. The man didn't even have to physically force someone to do anything. His will seemed to force understanding of whatever needed understanding.

"Squeee!" Peanut sulked for a moment. He often went understood for what can be considered his words... or word. He relied heavily on body language with anyone but Sierra.

"Snout up, Rodent," Klank intended no insult. Peanut knew. "Gotta hard journey ahead of us, yea?" He wondered what drove the squirrel. What he yearned for. What he dreamed for; if he dreamed. "Lots of ass to kick."

At that, Peanut struck a superhero pose. It was his way of showing he could be counted on. That, Klank could be sure.

"That's right," Klank said. The rest of the night, on deck at least, the night continued eventless.

Two weeks passed. There were many challenges at sea, but the crew conquered them all. Nobody pirates tried attacking and failed miserably. Storms threatened the ship but couldn't deliver defeat. Sea Kings tried to feed and became the food. The crew itself annoyed each other but their bonds became stronger still. Klank even allowed the others to control the ship just so he could get away. So he told them. In truth, Klank spent a lot of his time in the crafting room. Which was where he was on this fine, sunny day.

The room, though smaller than the others, held all the amenities of multiple professions. The left wall sported the many tools of tanning; fleshing knives, slickers, pots, and a fold out slab that acted as a beam. Large jars lined the top of the wall, all filled with necessary substances. An anvil was centered in the room, an old time hammer on top. The forge took up the entire back wall. Before that, was a grindwheel. There was also a small stand riddled with forging tools. To the right, Where Klank was now, a table protruded from the wall. Gadgets and trinkets and other parts were sprawled out chaotically, But Klank knew where everything was without the need to look. Usually, the room that was meant for an occupancy of one, was clean and tidy. That was not the case as of late. Not with Klank working tirelessly.

He sat at the gadget table. A pulsing ached throughout his hands, fatigued from all the twisting and gripping. Small gears echoed into the room as the cranking continued. Smoke blasted in front of him as he exhaled, blocking his sight but not his progress. He smiled as he twisted his last gear into security. "HA!" he sounded in victory. He wasted no time in wielding his creation and leaving the room.

The moment Klank kicked open the door, sunlight exploded all around him. He embraced the warmth. It was a good day.

"You seem awful chipper," Sierra poked. She thought for a moment. "It's weird."

"She is not wrong," Phin agreed.

Isaac dropped down from the lookout, landing with a barely audible thud. It didn't surprise Klank, but it didn't make sense either. Isaac also poked fun with, "Aww, he's got a new hammer. It's smaller than the other one."

Sierra and Bighead laughed. Bighead said, "Considering what he's done with this ship, I get the feeling there's more to it."

"At least someone's paying attention," Klank retorted. "The All-Tool was an all purpose tool, but that's all it was. Too bulky for anything else." He held up his new toy, silver and shining in the radiant sun. "This sleek little beaut can do everything the old one could do..." He pushed a small lever at the back of the hammer head. It instantly changed. The handle extended to three times its normal length, and Klank wielded it in both hands. "And more." The shipwright hit the same lever and it retracted to it's normal size. He hit a series of tiny buttons at the tools base, and each time he did, a different mini tool flipped out. "I took all the old accessories from the All-Tool and installed them inside the handle. The that wasn't the tricky part."

"Uh oh!" Bighead chuckled. He observed Sasayaki for the ensuing reaction. He became excited, and his reaction enticed the others.

"The hard part was figuring out how to equip this." Like his last training session with Bighead on the island, Klank spun the weapon around his hand. A long chain shot out from the base. It didn't look like it could fit inside the already full handle, and Klank would never spill the secret. He twirled the chain around his arm and whipped the hammer in a criss-crossing fury. With the touch of a button at the base of the chain, the weapon collapsed. Once again it was it's normal form.

Klank Smiled wide. "The All-Sledge!"

Everyone remained silent. Waiting.

"Uhm! Klank?" Sasayaki broke the silence. She was mostly coiled around Isaac's arm. "How exactly does your ability work?" Her words were calm, but they felt like flying daggers about to strike.

"Once I understand the makeup of a material, and as long as I'm touchi..."

"OOOOOOOOOO..." Sasayaki struggled in Isaac's arms. "You disrespectful pervert."

Isaac held her back. It wasn't because he was afraid of what she might do, but because he had important news of his own. Allowing her to continue would further delay his message. He calmed the living weapon and said, "There's an Island just ahead." He pointed. "Ships all over. Marine Ships." Now he seemed excited.

Bighead paced over to the figure head, which Klank had rebuilt very recently. Almost Disgustingly, he forced his left eye to grow. It extended like a telescope.

"Hehe!" Bighead sounded. "Looks like we'll see if all your training paid off. Klank, down anchor." He commanded. "Sierra, when the ship is parked, Iceberg Ship." Iceberg ship was something The Captain and Sierra worked on together. She had done it once at the island, encasing Klanks ship with ice and sculpting it to look like an iceberg. People steered clear of icebergs.

Klank attached the All-Sledge to his belt. Much more convenient than having it on his back with the wooden plank. "I will get the mini sub ready." He was off, and Peanut followed, for he was a part of the propulsion process.

Isaac, still maintaining Sasa, yelled, "SUUBTERFUUUUGGEEEE!"

One Piece: Bighead's Dream

The sun was hotter than ever in the open field, and beneath its burning rays, Klank was dangling in the air. Bighead held him by the throat, squeezing so hard that his sparring partner started to take a trip into the blackness. With no strength to force his throat free, Klank swung his foot. He connected with the only place the scorching ball of fire couldn't reach. Bighead dropped the lightweight and crunched over, cupping his nether regions. Klank dodged back and picked up his All-Tool, which The Captain wrestled free just before the hanging. He stood firm, ignoring the burning in his chest. A mischievous grin showed.

"Right in the baby makers," Bighead laughed. He always laughed off the pain. "I see you taken a liking to cheap shots, Shipwright."

"This is a pirates world," Klank chuckled. He made the All-Tool do a twirling dance in his hands. As it did, a long chain unraveled from its base. "When it comes to life and death, there is no such thing as a cheap shot." He glared curiously at Bighead, who now stood at full attention. The man sported a bruised eye, proof of Klanks training. That also, was a cheap shot. There were a few intense moments the past couple days, and Klank was forced to react in similar fashion. "Were you trying to kill me just now?" Both hands gripped tightly around the chain. One made a circular motion, causing the All-Tool to whip around in great circles. "You know what," he decided. "Don't answer that."

Bighead stared curiously at Klank. "Is that Sasayaki's chain?" he questioned.

"Nice addition, huh." The shipwright made criss-crossing motions with his hands now, and the Hammer-Form followed suit, momentum building. "You wouldn't BELIEVE how difficult it was to copy this beauty. Doesn't do the same stuff, but it sure as hell is just as strong."

The Captain thought on how he might go about getting close enough to Isaac's weapon to accomplish such a task. "Do you even know how to use that thing?" he laughed.

"Nope," Klank replied with a smile. "No better time to try it out, eh?"

Klank lunged at Bighead, planting a foot and swinging the All-Tool sideways. Bighead easily deflected the hammer. It was hit with such force that Klank's weapon never lost speed as it went in reverse. It even picked up speed, so much so that Klank was unable to react. The chain wrapped around his body to immobilize him. With arms now chained to his sides, Klank stood helpless.

"Well shit," he cursed. "That didn't work at all."

"A kurisari-gama, no matter what form it takes, requires finesse. Half the attacks the user creates, requires just as much defense against said attack." Bighead pointed to Klank. "Case and point."

Something suddenly distracted The Captain, and then he smiled. "Training is officially done. Let's head back to the ship."

Klank wiggled his body to loosen the chain. When he did, he took his weapon back in hand and twirled. The chain sank back into it's compartment. "You think we're ready in such a short time? It's only been a month." He looked around the field with doubt. "I think."

"It's a damn good start," Bighead answered as he pointed to his black eye. Then he pointed to a few fresh injuries. A slash on his hand, a bruise on his chest, another gash at his back. Klank had not given him those. Bighead continued, "I brought you all here to give you something you sorely lacked, not just for The New World, but for yourselves. I've given each of you what you needed, now it is up to all of you to decide what you'll do with it."

Klank magically popped a smoke between his lips and lit. "Let's get to it then," Klank said with a sigh of relief. He missed his ship.

One Piece: Bighead's Dream

Though Klank could feel his muscles strengthening with each passing day, he could also feel aching that came with it. Bighead, impressed with Klank's perseverance, modified his training to add various workouts. Now, Phin and Klank walked through a thick forest, each carrying logs twice their size. Even Sierra, who no longer hid her presence when she observed sparring sessions, was trailing behind them. Her log was even bigger than the fishmans. Klank wondered if she was just trying to impress the two. Still, a girl her size carrying that kind of log was impressive. The shipwright struggled out a laugh when he had to twist his body to get passed a close group of trees. "This sucks," he pointed out. Everything burned.

"Not so bad," Phin replied.

The trio focused on making their way through the forest. The tree line wasn't far off now, which they knew from previous days. It took approximately one hour to walk from one edge to the other. After this workout, Bighead instructed each of them to part and continue in focus training. Phin and Sierra seemed to know what the purpose of it was, but Klank was still lost. He felt The Captain was a little less obvious with him. Maybe he thinks I need a broader range or something. But why am I the only one enduring that damned hole. Klank often thought on the subject. There wasn't much else to do these past couple weeks, except think. There was sparring, but at least he began enjoying that, even if he was beaten to a pulp each time. He didn't enjoy the hole.

After reaching the tree line, the three of them dropped there logs. Phin was sweating and Sierra was breathing heavy. Klank popped a cigarette and lit. That must come before everything else. After his first, long drag, he finally collapsed. They all chuckled briefly, and then remained silent. Bighead approached like a rabbit, a smile spread wide across his face. He was his normal size, at least normal for the crew, and carrying his own weight. Klank slitted his eyes towards his captain when he came to an energetic halt.

"An entire tree?" He was sarcastic. "I think you need a bigger one."

"Silly shipwright," Klank laughed. He flexed his muscles and said "There wasn't one! HYAHH!" He flexed harder.

"I'm off," Phin interrupted, and walked away.

Sierra, still breathing heavy, followed suit. She had overdone herself that she simply waved. There was no energy left in her to talk.

"You ready?" Bighead pointed at Klank.

"Yea! Yea! I'm heading to the hole now."

"Not today, my man. Today, you spar with me."

"I just carried a big ass log through a forest." Now Klank was pissed. He shot another cigarette. "The last thing I'm gonna do today is fight you."

"You are right about that," Bighead said with a bigger smile and the cracking of his giant knuckles. "It's gonna be the last thing you do today."

"Fuck th..."

Klank couldn't finish his cursing before his face met the building that was Bighead fist. For a moment, there was a bright light, and when he came back around, the shipwright was flying back through the forest. As he flew, he caught a glimpse of Bighead through the tree tops, moving at the same speed.

The large man's voice echoed into the forest. "BIIIGHHEEAAAADDDDD..."

One Piece: Bighead's Dream

Klank flew through the air until he slammed into a wide tree nowhere near the fighting area Bighead marked. The force nearly knocked him unconscious, but he focused all his energy into standing. He wobbled as he did. The blood flowing from a gash on his forehead made it difficult to see further than a few feet. He clasped his swollen hand over the wound and wiped the crimson river from his face. Phin was approaching, wounds he obtained from Bighead freshly opened. The side of his face was swollen so bad that his left eye disappeared, leaving only a slit. The fishman took a firm step forward and unleashed his six-sided boomerang. Klank was only just starting to get used to its trajectory and attempted his first real go at predicting its path. Phin smiled as his crew mate lazily dodged back and wound up like a kid playing stick ball. Klank waited, knowing where the projectile would pass. All his focus was taken.

Again, the shipwright ended up flying through the air, a yelping trail echoing behind him. This time, he broke through two trees before smashing into the third. He lie there for a moment, thinking on what just transpired.

"I really gotta stop falling for that," He struggled.

"That's the third time," Phin chuckled as he came close.

"It's all about even numbers," Klank laughed. "Let's go for a fourth."

The scaly man lent a hand, and his friend took it. Slowly, the two made for the original fighting area. Neither would admit it, but they could both use a quick break, and if Bighead saw that - they thought he could be anywhere, just watching - he might mess them both up royally.

"You've improved quite a bit in just one day," Phin acknowledged. "I'm quite impressed. I didn't take you for a warrior."

"Hardly that," Klank protested. Just doing what I have to to make sure all our dreams come true."

"Why does everyone else's ambitions drive you so hard?"

"Selfishness, I suppose." Klank didn't care if Bighead was around; he magically popped a cigarette and lit. " A ship, while magnificent to, is still only a ship. It needs a crew. And if I want to take my best crafted ship and sail all the seas, then the best way to make that happen, is to do my part in helping everyone achieve what the want or need."

"I've slightly misjudged you, Klank."

Klank smirked. "What about you? I don't imagine sparring me helps you any."

"Captain thinks otherwise," Phin said. "Bighead nearly beat me to the death," he became solemn. "He knew just when to stop before I actually bit the big one. Sparring with you serves to strengthen my endurance and resolve beyond my normal capabilities. I'm putting more effort than you realize. I'm at my limit, and my body knows it."

"Then let's kick it up a notch. For both our sake."

The two finally reached the original area, took their positions, and with everything they had left, launched at each other.

--------------------

Sierra watched from a far distance as Phin and Klank walked back to the arena. She was unimpressed by the shipwright, but though the other to be a perfect sparring partner. It drove her nuts to be sitting there only able to observe, but those were The Captain's orders, and a part of their deal. On the second day on the island, Bighead had revealed to her what she would be working to obtain. Part of her training was to learn not just how to gauge someone battle prowess, but their person. She argued for the better part of the day, but ultimately challenged Bighead to a duel. If she won, she could do whatever the hell she wanted. The duel was over quickly, and Sierra realized that her Captain may have been right. Still though, it boring beyond comprehension. She just wanted to test her skills against that brutish fishman.

"So boring," she said aloud. Sierra still wasn't totally used to Peanut not being there. "What the hell is Klank doing out there. No skill what-so-ever. I wanna kick the shit out of him just for being a shitty fighter." She was distracted by her need for a fight. But she persevered and focused on them. Not their battle directly and what could be seen with the naked eye, but what drove them.

Clearly, the two didn't have much left in them, and Klank stood no chance against his sparring partner, so, "Why does he keep going so hard?" she was curious. "His battle spirit isn't on par with Phin, or even mine, but he keeps fighting."

"One does not necessarily need to possess 'Battle Spirit' to keep fighting," Bighead appeared out of nowhere. His stealthiness was unnerving, especially for such a large man. "Look harder at Klank. What do you see?"

Sierra replied, "A weakli..." she paused as she expected a knock on the head. "He smiles as he fights, even though he sorely losing."

"And why is that?"

"He is a man that isn't deterred by his shortcomings. He will do whatever it takes to get where he needs to be."

"You pick up quick," Bighead joked.

"Well, I'm not stupid."

"Just oblivious to anything not directly related to battle."

"Yea yea!" Sierra rose to her feet with a pouty look on her face. "When can I start fighting. I need to brush up on my skills to, you know."

"When you can accurately, confidently, and truly observe everyone of your mates." Bighead turned the other way and began heading off. He looked behind him with a giant smile. "When you can do that, I'll train you personally."

For the rest of the day, and the days beyond that, Sierra would hop around the island and Observe all her crew, all in hopes to train under her Captain's instruction, the one who bested her in a matter of moments. There was much, she knew, that she could learn from him.