Devil's Luck Pirates

The crew; and Atom are facing off against the Marines inside the prison. At least two dozen men have poured into the prison's main building. Commander Denwar hurls a javelin toward Pearl, who manages to bash it aside right in time before it hits her. Two Marines take advantage of her brief distraction, managing to cut her leg and abdomen, leaving cuts only where her scales are not present. She winces from the pain before counterattacking. The one on the left goes down after a punch to his solar plexus, while the other gets his face mangled by her claws. He falls to the ground in pain where he's met by her foot, stomping him into the ground.

Pearl looks around after finishing her opponent. A scrawny figure lurking around the battlefield catches her eye. But before she could focus on it, it vanished. The figure appeared to be heading towards the wing opposite from the one they came from. Instead, her gaze stops on William. He's squaring off against three Marines, dodging most of their attacks with uncanny dexterity and slashing them with his sword. One tries to get him from behind only to be hit by an explosion right on his head. Atom, standing in the doorway between the hall and the wing from where they entered, ignites a dynamite stick with the lit cigar in his mouth and throws it over the battlefield, pretending to hit Denwar who's on the opposite side of the room. However, the latter manages to hit the explosive in midair. The explosion makes everyone below it flinch, giving Ragnar ample opportunity to cut down every Marine on his path as he makes his way toward the Commander. The ones he doesn't split in half outright, fall with their chests open.

The man-bear swings toward the masked Marine as if he were going for the trunk of a tree. Denwar promptly parries his attack with some difficulty using a handful of steel javelins, surprising Ragnar. To withstand a swing from his ax is already an impressive feat, but to do it while he's in his hybrid form? This guy is no joke.

A crooked smile forms behind Denwar's mask as Ragnar locks eyes with him impressed. However, he doesn't hesitate. Ragnar brings back his ax, ready for another attack; but the Commander swiftly jumps back and prepares to throw a javelin. Ragnar however, has no intention of backing down. With a ferocious roar, the man-bear charges forward only to be met by another javelin deflecting his attack into the ground, destroying the cobblestone floor. Denwar then jams said javelin into Ragnar's left shoulder. The beast winces from the pain, and before he can react, two more javelins are thrown at him, piercing his thick fur coat and getting stuck on his right arm and leg. The last one forced him into a crouching kneeling position.

Denwar can finish this right here. All he needs is a well-placed javelin right through his opponent's heart. This guy clearly is the stronger among the invaders and probably their captain. No self-respecting person, be it a pirate or marine, would willingly subject himself to someone weaker than themselves. That is his idea of justice: might makes right.

-Now, Captain! – The ax-wielding beast shouted. The Navy Commander was taken aback by this. Who could he be possibly referring to?

Out of nowhere, a sharp pain assails the Commander on his back. He turns around and is met by a man almost half his size. With nothing but a bloody cutlass and a smoking flintlock in his hands.

A quick glance at the battlefield paints a grim picture of the Marines. Most of them are on the ground. Either dead or unconscious. The pink-haired girl stands confident against the few remaining Marines who are now trembling on their feet.

How can this be?! Denwar thinks to himself. These are just a ragtag group of no-names playing at being pirates! The only thing that made them gather the attention of Captain Marrow was the murder of his senile father, this people shouldn't be this capable!

-You… – Denwar says with anger and pain in his voice – And here I thought that Hubris was only being incompetent by getting killed by a bunch of no-names…

A prideful smile forms on William's face. It sure feels good to be recognized.

-Thanks for the help, Captain. – Ragnar thanks before taking the last of the javelins stuck to his shoulder – But this guy is mine.

Feeling extremely infuriated, Denwar dashes towards the bear-man. Enough with the theatrics! Captain or not, killing him will surely make the rest of them scatter. Using a javelin in each hand, the Navy Commander engages Ragnar in close combat.

The two goliaths exchange blow after blow. Denwar manages to stab Ragnar several times, but to not much effect. Without the power of a throw behind them, his weapons have little effect on his opponent. Meanwhile, Ragnar answers each injury with one of his own.

As blood clovers the ground around them, others around them turn their attention to the two of them.

However, this battle was over when Denwar decided to fight a battle of attrition against a Zoan user.

No longer after, Denwar's attacks start to have less and less effect on Ragnar. The latter's Devil Fruit combined with his barbarian lineage allow him to keep fighting like this for far longer than a normal person.

Ragnar can already smell the defeat coming from his opponent. After yet another javelin barely scratches his coat, Ragnar raises his ax above his head with both hands and brings it down with full force, leaving a gushing wound on Denwar's torso.

The Marine staggers back as blood pours from his wounds. He looks at the beast, determined to take it down in the name of justice.

Ragnar, seeing that his opponent is still standing, smiles from ear to ear. He has no mercy or sympathy for the Navy, but if there's something he can respect, is a strong adversary.

He raises his ax once more to finish the job, but Denwar's eyes while out at that moment. His tall, muscular figure drops to the ground with a loud thud. The brief silence is broken by the whimpers of the remaining Marines. They run towards the wing from where the crew came from. Intending to escape from the hole in the wall. Atom simply lets them pass after they drop their weapons in a panic.

With the battle won, everyone lets out a huge sigh of relief.

-You got me worried for a moment there, Ragnar. – William comments sheathing his sword and holstering his weapon.

-CHAHAHA!! I was fine. – His comrade gleefully says before turning back to normal. The multiple puncture wounds are even more noticeable now.

-Even so, that was way too risky. – Pear comments.

-She's right. – Williams concurs. He takes out a basic med kit from his satchel and hands it to Pearl – Patch your wounds, you too. I don't want to see Ragnar flopping to the ground later because of blood loss.

-You guys worry too much! With this fruit, I'm practically invincible! – Ragnar declares, flexing his muscles. Despite his reassurance, he sits down so that Pearl can put some bandages on him.

-Speaking of fruits… – Atom ponders – Why didn't you use yours? – He asks looking at William.

-Didn't I tell you all? I can only roll my fruit twice a day. – He responds – So I'll save it for when we get to Marrow or Valve. Or any other nuisance along the way.

-Speaking of nuisances… – Pearl trails out while standing up, having finished bandaging Ragnar's leg – I saw a guy that looked too similar to Not Steve for it to not be him.

William lets out a groan in response to this information – Really?!

-He did say he came here to kill somebody in the prison. – Atom mused.

-Where did he go? – William asked.

-That way. – Pearl responded pointing towards a set of doors not far from them. A sign above it with "PRISONERS" written on it.

-And it looks like it's where we'll most likely find your brother. – William lets out seriously considering the idea that Jasper is Not Steve's target. He would be dead by now if that were the case, but they'd still have to check for a body.

Deciding to not waste more time, the crew and Atom hurry towards the prisoner's wind. The door is unlocked, probably Not Steve's doing. After getting inside they are met by two rows of cells on each side of the long room. They walk for a couple of seconds. Most of the cells are filled with extremely malnourished inmates. The majority doesn't even react to the crew's passing.

One cell on the left is occupied by a man with messy pink hair. He's sitting on a bed, shackles around his hands, looking solemnly at the ground. William is the first to spot him. He didn't even need to ask Pear if this was their man.

-Brother! – The girl shouts, rushing towards the cell. She wraps her claws around the rusty bars, easily bending them with her strength.

The man looks up. His pink eyes were dazed and his skin pale. It takes him a moment to recognize the girl walking towards him as tears fall from her eyes.

-Sister…? – The man mutters before a pair of arms softly wrap around him.

What a beautiful moment. Two siblings reunited after nine long years…

-You sure that's him? – William inconveniently comments – I think that's the wrong shade of pink. – His clear attempt at humor is interrupted by Atom poking at his arm. William looks at him slightly annoyed and sees him pointing at someone coming out of a cell a few meters away from them.

Not Steve slowly walks out of a cell made up of heavy metal walls. His eyes are wide open and the hair that usually covers his eyes is flowing as if a current of wind was passing through him.

He turns towards the group. Anger is plastered all over his face.

-Oh! Hello friends… Nice to see you again.

The tension could be felt by everyone in the room. Even Ragnar after he finally noticed Not Steve standing there. It was as if something was exerting pressure on them.

-Hey there buddy… Did you find the guy you're looking for? – William asks hesitantly while manifesting a roulette wheel on his back. It spins for a couple of seconds until it comes to a halt and the number 210 pops into his head together with the description of his newly acquired powers. Tsuta Tsuta no Mi; the ability to produce and control poison ivy. Finally, a good one, William thinks.

-He… he wasn't there! – Not Steve seethed – He wasn't there and now I'm feeling a little bit angry… – The boy turned towards the group. His clothes start to rustle violently as if something was trying to get out of them – I'm sorry fellas, I liked you all but I need someone to take my anger out on. Or else… or else I might have to do it to myself…

-Pearl, stay with your brother. – William states unsheathing his sword. Ragnar and Atom also get ready for a fight.

-All that was left was a sorry excuse for a decoy… – The boy fumes as he takes out a small, blue card with the image of a key – And this little calling card.

William's eyes widen like saucers upon seeing the card, immediately recognizing it and most importantly, its owner.

-Are you sure you want to take on four against one? – William comments trying to defuse the situation.

-I don't need to… – Not Steve confidently states – I know how this pirate game works. I just need to take care of you, dear William, and the rest should scatter into the sea… Besides, you know this is not a one v four, right? – His clothes start to bulge and rip as a jet-black blob becomes visible inside them.

-Whatever you say, Not Steve…

The boy freezes at the mention of that name. He almost pops a blood vessel in his forehead with how much anger he's feeling right now.

-STOP CALLING ME THAT!!!!!!!!!!! – A dark, inky mass shoots from his clothes. The small octopus they've seen before has now transformed into a giant monstrosity. Its dark tendrils smash violently against the cells and walls of the prison.

-Now that's just unfair… – Atom trembled. If he had a Belly for every time he had to fight a giant animal he'd have two Bellys. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.