A New Flame

**Date Started:** December 2, 2018
**Date Completed:** Ongoing
**Users Involved:** User:GeminiVIII, User:Dal101, User:Shoshiki, User:GranCrux
**Setting:** Multiple Islands
**Characters Involved:** Brazzers D. Brennan, Fers Rook, Inari, Emilio

## The Lighting Of The Fire

A young boy drifted across the ocean in a large ship. He sat slouched in his seat, his tan skin gleaming under the suns light. He looked up into the sky deeply he seemed to be thinking about something, but his face seemed slightly perplexed. He looked around scanning his surroundings only able to see the open ocean and the occasional fish or bird. The ocean seemed so vast and large, the ship was only a large dot drifting off to wherever fate carried it.

"Ugh, sailing without a crew is sooooooooooooo, annoying, there's no one to laugh with, joke with, train with, I have this big ass ship I stole and no one to share it with, It's gonna be a HUGE pain in the ass but, I think its time to find a crew". Brennan kicked back steering his ship with he feet as he leaned back in his chair.

The scent of the ocean wafted through the deck of his ship as he sailed towards an unknown island, seagulls past buy peacfully and fish flutter in the water almost as though they were butterflies. Brennan took time to admire the birds as he drifted to sleep, as he slowly moved towards the island many fishing ships were surrounding the island and a dock could be seen far in the distance. A large screeched was heard, Brennan jolted from his sleep as the scratching continued on, attacking his earS. The sound was seemingly coming from the side of his ship. "WHAT THE FUCK IS SCRATCHING MY SHIP!?!?"

Brennan raced over to the sound shooting his head over the edge to reveal a rock scratching his ship slowing him down. "OH HELL NO!!!!" Brennan raised his hand coating it in a fire. He jumped down, sliding down the side of his ship. He punched the rock to pieces. He jumped back to the deck of his Ship. He looked back at the shrapnel of the rock angrily. "Serves you right, Don't EVER, Fuck with my shit again". He says stupidly mocking an inanimate object.

He sat back in his chair, taking a swig of mango juice disguised in a whiskey bottle because he was to bitch to drink real liquor. "Well, I guess I'm stopping at this island then, let's hope there some promising pirates here, cuz I don't recruit bitches". He closely approached the island, he jumped off his ship tieing the rope to the dock and dropping its anchor. He looked back at his ship to see a huge gash on the side of it. "FUUUUCCCKKK, THAT'S GONNA BE A BITCH AND A HALF TO GET FIXED!!". He screamed angrily scaring nearby birds from the docks and confusing the fisherman that surrounded the island. He then walked off angrily into town, with only one goal, finding a member.

## Rook to I2

Fers Rook was a simple man with a simple life. He lived on the island of Jaya, in Mock Town to be specific. He spent his days diving into the deep waters surrounding the island to search for any Dials that may have found their way from the White-White Sea to the Blue below. When he wasn't doing that, he was making a living selling the various weapons he made to the pirates that often populated the town. It was a nice life for someone like him.

But lately it has been feeling like a rather empty routine. He needed a change...adventure. He rarely found any dials here nowadays, anyway, so travelling would be best for collection purposes. But where? He didn't have a destination in mind, a purpose. He didn't even have a mode of transportation. He couldn't just set out with his tools and his hopes and dreams and pray that he stumbled upon something to help him along. The world didn't work that way. Well, unless you were the main protagonist in someone's story. But he wasn't. At least not to his knowledge.

He was lost in thought in his shop, buffing one blade or another while keeping an eye on the two pirates that entered. Someone always tried to steal from him, he didn't really count it as a successful business day until someone tried. His ears honed in on their conversation and caught the tail end of it.

"...hear about the rookie out there advertising his crew?"

"Gehaha! Yeah, what kinda chump does that? Might as well try to put up posters and hand out fliers!" They both laughed and checked out a couple more weapons before leaving, with nothing hastily stuffed in their clothing or hidden away that Rook could see. He mulled over the information they had given and thought about it. He could definitely make it as a pirate, with a good crew. He wasn't too shabby as a quartermaster, so he could make himself useful. And his sabers could diversify anyone's arsenal of weapons.

He decided he would at least try the pirate route and if that didn't work out, he'd think of something else. Maybe try to settle in a new island, start fresh. But for now, he'd seek out this guy who was apparently advertising his crew loudly to anyone who would listen. If he needed members, he'd be more likely to accept Rook, especially with what he was bringing to the table. He grabbed Rapscallion from behind his counter and closed shop for the day, ignoring the various complaints from would-be customers as he made his way out into the town proper.

Brennan sat in a local bar, His head laid down on the table, he was exhausted, he was bored, but most of all he was hungry. "I can't believe I spent all of my money fixing my ship, I'm so dumb, that guy was obviously a scam artist". Brennan thought back to the words of the so-called Shipwright.

"It's all good kid, I'm a world-renowned Ship Builder, or whatever they're called". The man rubbed his hands together evilly. Brennan stared at him, tilting his head. "Don't you mean a Shipwright?". The Scam artist looked shocked he was cautious and shy with his next words. "Yeah, Yeah, T-T-That's what I meant. So do you want your ship fixed or not, kid?". Brennan looked at him and sighed. "I guess". After some time had passed, the man was done, he handed Brennan a piece of paper that read. "8,000,000!!!!". Brennan's jaw dropped to the floor. The man looked over at Brennan, rubbing his hands together, the sweet scent of money wafting under his nose. "So wanna pay that all now, or in installments, or you can pay in...PHYSICAL LABOR". The man's voice became creepy as he reached the words Physical Labor. Brennan's mind ran through all the things he could mean by PHYSICAL LABOR. So rather than cause a scene, he paid out

Now back to the bar, where Brennan's stomach is growling so loud you can feel tremors roar through the ground. "Ugh, I'm so fucking hungry, I need Sustenance, I can't go on like this. I could rob this place and eat all of there food, but, I'm not really ready to have the marines up my ass yet, at least not until I have a proper crew. Speaking of a crew, where are the new recruits, why hasn't anyone shown up yet, am I not trying hard enough, is there no aspiring pirates here, or am I going about this all wrong". Brennan's mind races as to why no one has come to join his crew. He sat alone on a bar stool distracted as his mind raced.

Rook walked into the bar and found his focus automatically drawn to the rather loud man at the bar. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose for a short moment before walking over. He was already starting to reconsider his decision to join up with this rookie of all people. And he hadn't even seen the ship yet. He pulled up a seat next to him and motioned for the bartender to grab him a drink.

"The problem is how you're going about it." Rook said plainly, leveling the other with a look full of no small amount of judgment "You're in a town populated almost exclusively with grizzled pirates, advertising your fledgling crew like some common milk-drinker." He accepted his drink from the man behind the bar and took a long swig before continuing "I'm honestly surprised someone hasn't jumped you, kicked your ass and stolen your ship to be completely honest with you."

Brennan looked over at the boy now sitting next to him, he had a sad puppy dog-like expression on his face. "You think so? Because I've been trying really hard, but I can't seem to get any fucking members". Brennan seems to disregard the fact that he is now speaking to a complete stranger but instead continues to talk to him. "I could give two fucks what these other pirate scrubs have to say about me, all I care is that I leave this island with at least one member". Brenna took a swig of his drink, slamming it back down on the bar counter, splashing the some of the drink from his cup.

"Hey, Do you know anyone looking for a crew to call home, you seem like you know a lot about this place". Brennan looked back at the boy, a hopeful look gleaming in his eyes at the chance to get a new member. He then realizes he is still yet to learn this boys name. "Oh shit, I never introduced my self-did I, Hi, I'm Brennan, What do you go by?"

*Tch childish.* He thought to himself with a roll of his eyes. But it was either this or some of the more criminal types that frequented Jaya. He didn't really feel like throwing his lot in with people like that and who knew, he might be able to whip him into something that at least slightly resembled a good captain.

"Fers Rook." The blonde downed his drink in one go, setting the empty mug down and tossing some Beli onto the counter for his drink and Brennan's "I think you might be in luck. It just so happens that I want to sail away from here. Who's to say I won't wind up wanting to join your crew permanently?" Rook stood and adjusted his bag on his shoulder "But I want to leave quickly. People around here can get rowdy and it will be an annoyance if we somehow get swept up in it."

"Well, I guess that's that, you're the first and newest member of my pirate crew". Brennan said also downing his drink and slamming it down on the bar once again. "Who knew getting crewmates was as this easy, all I needed to do was get scammed and lose all my money". Brennan shined a large smile at the blonde haired boy. "So let's get a move on". Brennan began walking out of the bar signaling Rook to follow after him.

"Sooo, Rook, what exactly do you do?" Brennen walked down the street to the docks hands in his pockets admiring the bland but somehow beautiful scenery. "Like what role would you play on my crew, can you fight?", Brennan turned to Rook awaiting an answer patiently, blowing his hair out of his face.

Rook followed leisurely, adjusting the pack over his shoulder every now and then "I am a skilled swordsman. My stepfather ran a dojo when he was younger so he taught me a few things about the art of swordfighting. My mother taught me how to make blades, though." He pulled a hilt from his belt and held it out before him. He tapped the side and a small blade of swirling winds, about the size of a dagger, formed from it.

"She was from the Sky Seas, so she knew much about Dials and how to forge them into weapons. I expanded on that with my Dialsabers." He tapped the hilt again and put it away "Other than that, I've helped run a supply shop for most of my life and actually run it for the last four years or so. I'll be the crew's Quartermaster."

"That's badass, you have more of those right?" Brennan was impressed by the sword making abilities of Rook. He couldn't help but wonder why he was now running his shop alone, had his mother died did she leave him, he wanted to ask but he knew all to well recalling those things can be very painful. "So, what makes you wanna leave, don't you have any reason to stay here?"

Rook shrugged his free shoulder a bit and walked on in silence before answering the question "It was alright being here for...well all of my life, but I don't think I'm the type of person to just see one island for years and years on end and be happy with that." He glanced at the sun in the sky, tilting his head slightly as if to examine it more closely "To tell you the truth I'm not sure what kind of person I am. Travelling may help me discover that."

"Well said, Rook. I would be bored out of my mind if I stayed on one island all my life, but I never did have a choice to whether I wanted to move from island to island, I was always told it was for my safety, and in a way it was". Brennan trailed of stuck in thoughts of the past, he snapped out of it, he realized he may have said more than he wanted to. She slung his arm around Rook pointing off into the distance. "See the docks, that black and gold ship at the end is mine, or well, I guess it's ours now". Brennan smiled at Rook, he never truly knew what it was like to have a companion to travel with, but he would soon know that feeling. "Good thing for you, in that ship you will have many chances to travell and discover who you are. But first we need at least two more members, as quartermaster, I expect the place to be ready for our soon to be new additions". Brennan thought to himself and realized he didn't exactly know what a quartermaster was, he hoped his question was still valid as he awaited an answer.

Rook gave Brennan a blank look for a long moment before letting out an exasperated sigh. He reached up and gently removed the other's arm from his shoulder "You have no idea what a quartermaster is, do you?" He shook his head and moved a lock of hair from his eyes "We don't handle actual quarters. We supply the ship and the people therein with weaponry and supplies. What a trader buys, we distribute to the crew. We give the cook their ingredients and the doctors and shipwrights their tools. Fixing up the ship, appearance wise, is a job for a cabin boy or swabbie." He picked up the pace, walking briskly towards the ship in hopes of getting there faster and ending this conversation.

Brennan felt like an idiot. "Y-Yeah, I knew that I was just testing you, and it looks like you passed". Brennan whipped the sweat from his face. "Well, it's not like we have any other crewmates that need things to be supplied". Brenna saw as Rook tried his hardest to escape the conversation. "You realize no matter how fast you walk, we're still gonna be on the same ship, at sea, with no one else, and nothing to do but talk". Brennan laughed to himself. As they approached the boat its size and beauty were apparent. "So how do you like the ship".

Rook examined the ship and gave an approving nod "You're not fooling anyone with that 'test' crap. And you're seriously underestimating my ability to ignore you and throw myself into my work." Rook walked up to the dock and got close to the ship. He crouched down low and then jumped, sailing through the air and tucking himself into a tight ball as he did so, before landing on the deck of the ship. He straightened himself and looked back down at Brennan "Is there a specific room you want me to take or is everything free game?"

Brennan moved almost exactly like Rook he squatted down but with far much more strength, and rather than tucking into a ball he simply descended into his seat at the helm, where in his mind a captain should be. "Not really, it's first come, first served here, so take your pick, But leave the room at the end of the hall, that's mine, it's the captains quarters, or at least that's what it said on the plaque when I got here, had some posh nobles name on it so I ripped it off". Brennan sat back in his chair, he looked back into the sky drifting off in his thoughts, his mind was riddled with them after thinking about his mother, the bad memories came flooding back in.

He came to, his forehead was covered in obvious beads of sweat, he had been lost in his mind for what seemed like an hour but it was truly only a minute or two. "Gotta get my mind off of this, guess I'll set sail the water always calms me down". He stood from his leaned back seat, he approached the sleeping quarters. "Yo, Rook, we're about to set sail, so this is probably your last time here for what may be a very long time, anything you wanna do or say to the place before we set sail and peel out". Brennan seemed to care about how rook felt about his past home, he knew how it felt to be ripped away from a happy home.

Rook had chosen the room two down from Brennan's on the right and gotten comfortable. He didn't have many personal possessions so all he had could fit in the chest by the foot of the bed. He stretched out languorously and prepared for a nap, beginning to slip off into dream land just as Brennan barged in. Rook opened one eye and stared at his new captain for a long time before speaking "The island I lived on is a craphole. The only connection I had to it was my parents, one is dead and the other disappeared years ago. I sold my shop and have all my belongings with me. No goodbyes to be had, just raise anchor." He closed his eye and flipped himself onto his stomach, a clear dismissal.

Rather than continue to bother Rook, even Brennan could see he no longer wanted to talk. Brennan left the room closing the door behind him only saying. "Okie Dokie". He walked across his deck to the position of the anchor pulling it up so the could now leave the docks. "Finally got my first member mom, I'm doing better than you were at my age". Brennan looked into the sky and smiled. He then turned to the helm standing in front of it before getting the ship ready to leave. Once ready he peeled out of the docks and set sail again. His adventure was only just beginning but, the first step in his journey as a pirate was complete.

## To Catch A Fox

"One, Two, Three..."

A cheerful voice could be heard from an alley, counting the spoils of the day. A small foxy woman, nine tails in all. In front of her lay pouches, purses, and wallets of all sizes. Today's haul had been quite profitable after all. All sorts of people were in town, all sorts of easy marks for a woman like her. After all, she was the Greatest Thief in the World, at least in her mind. No mark she couldn't make, no purse she couldn't take. She had many names from the locals, many of them not usable in polite company. The Marines simply knew her as Inari.

Inari had hopped from island to island, stealing as she went. Always staying one step ahead of the Marines who attempted to catch her, one step ahead of the bounty hunters that wanted to claim her. She had even earned a bounty without firing a single shot. Ten million, all for a misplaced purse here or there. A sixteen-year-old woman, making a bounty that could make some pirates blush purely by stealing. Just another reason that she was the best at her job.

"Hmm... I think I have some time for a few more of these. Maybe another mark or three!"

Brennan walked around this new island, having little knowledge of his surroundings or what he would be getting into. "Let's hope this place is just as good as the last island I went to, maybe I'll find my next member". Brennan walked for a while before the loud and powerful sound of his stomach growling enveloped the street around him startling the townsfolk. "Guess I should take a break, find someplace nice to eat". Brennan looked around until he came across a small pub. After entering Brennan now sat in the pub, gulping down a drink and scarfing down food. "The food here is great, I should probably stop and slow down, don't wanna order more than I can pay for". Brennan continued to scarf down food. Not aware of his surroundings, his money basically hanging out of his pocket.

A young girl of five or six was stalking around, wide eyes at all the people around her. There were so many people in here, so many people not paying attention. All it would take was a quick swipe here, a filched wallet there, and she would eat like a queen tonight.

Inari cracked her knuckles as she got to work, nimbly dodging around the adults walking around the room like a ghost at their feet. Nobody ever even noticed her. Wallet after wallet, purse after purse. All were her's. She stole a tablecloth for good measure to hold her booty, and boy did Inari have a lot of booty.

The door could be heard clinging shut as the first people noticed their missing wallets and purses, the chaos having already started even as Inari walked away. The Thousand Faced Fox had struck again.

Brennan felt as his wallet slipped away from his pocket, a slight tickling feeling emanating from his pocket as it was whooshed away from him, along with all of his cash. "What the Fuck". He turned back only to see the literal tail end of someone slipping out of the door, they seemed to have a bag slung across their shoulder. "Oh hell nah, these broke bitches on this dumb, bum ass island ain't gon get my money". Brennan shot out of the door with no hesitation.

He saw as the girl walked down the street. "Ew, what the fuck. does she have tails? This bitch looks nasty as hell". Brennan held his hands back, he shot forward after the girl, he shot himself high into the air before crashing down in front of her, shattering the ground below him almost as if it was glass. "Listen here BITCH, you're definitely not getting away with my fucking wallet, I could give a fuck about them other niggas wallets, but you gon give me my shit right the fuck now". Brennan stood in front of the fox-tailed girl, magma spewing from his arms, steam rising from his head, and his blood boiling. He was clearly angry, but when was he not.

"Oh no, a Robber!" Inari yelled as she pointed at the man before running away, causing a number of people to look at the man.

She dashed away from the strange man as fast as her little legs could carry her, darting down the road as nimble as a fox, bag in tow. She ducked down one of the numerous side alleys, relying on the twists and turns of the place to break the chump's line of sight.

Then once she was sure he couldn't see her, Inari made a little "Poof." as she changed forms from that of a small girl to that of a man nearly nine feet tall. Now all that was left was for Inari to turn back and stroll by her target like nothing had ever happened.

"All according to Keikaku."

Brennan was shocked by what the girl had said. " The fuck, there is no way I just robbed her, she is legit running off with a bag of stolen items". He continued to explain himself to those around him before they all continued their daily tasks. He looked around noticing that she was gone. "Fuck I lost her". Brennan looked around frantically. He eyed a man walking out of an alley with a bag very similar to the robbers.

He stood in front of the man as he walked past, staring him up and down with an analyzing glance. "I don't know what kind of guild of thieves you and that ugly bitch work for, but give me my fucking money back". He seemed to think that this was a job committed by more than one criminal. "I don't want to have to cause a scene, so if you could give me my shit back, that would be fucking great". He flashed an insane and angry looking smile as to not put the civilians on to what was happening.

"I am afraid I have no idea what you are talking about sir. This is my lunch." Inari said as she brought the bag up to above the young man's head. At the same time, her leg came up to strike the man between the legs.

With that out of the way, she turned and began running back down the alleyways at a much faster pace, the longer legs allowing her to keep a much quicker pace this time. Now she could be said to be at a dead sprint as she was eager to put space between her and the man, he was persistent.

Quickly realizing the man's very long leg begin to approach his no-no zone he shot to the side an out of the way. "What the fuck, you asshole, that shit was a dirty move, you never, NEVER, go for a man's jewels". Brennan was steaming, literally. Steam rose from his head, he was shocked at the man took off running past him.

Magma soon began pouring from cracks appearing from his arms, it engulfed his arm in a way that made his arm almost nonexistent, that or it wasn't there at all anymore. He swung his arm high in the air in the direction of the now running man, but rather than hitting him it flew in front of him layering itself on the ground before him, it would surely burn through his feet if he continued on. "Let's take a few feet off of you". Brennan seemed proud of his mediocre jokes, needless to say, the civilians were not impressed, one even went as far as to boo at him. "Fuck you, I'm ridding your town of a thief, the only thing I want is a laugh, damn".

"Poof" was all Inari said as she returned to her normal form while running. She was a small woman, only a bit over five feet in height. Technically the big form was better for running, but this one would let her clear the lava.

Her nine tails shot out, pressing against the walls of the alleyway. Her feet left the ground as her tails surged about, lifting her up and over the lava as they repeatedly mashed against the walls in an effort to move her around.

She quickly cleared the lava, setting down on the other side before she turned for a moment and blew a raspberry at the man. Then she continued on her path runnng away from him.

Brennan still fuming with anger formed the lava in the place of his arms into hand like formations tho they were clearly missing a finger, at least he remembered to add a thumb this time. He launched his magma made hands forward they shot past Inari aiming for the wall space in front of her. His arms grabbed onto the walls on each side burning into the brick. He launched forward with great speed. He aimed to simply catch her rather than injure her in any way. "Got you now, BITCH". He screamed as he was pulled forward by his magma hands. He slams into Inari's back taking her down and successfully capturing her. "All according to Keikaku". He mocks her previous statement because clearly the plan backfired. "So are you ready to give me my DAMN WALLET BACK!?!".

"Oh God please don't hurt me." Inari screeched as she rolled up into a ball after being tackled. "Take your wallet, take them all." She'll say as she pushes the stolen bag away from her. "They aren't worth being burned for."

"Damn, I didn't think it would be that easy." Brennan was a little shocked, he didn't think it would be this easy, to be completely honest he expected some sort of fight to the death. Brennan for whatever reason kinda felt bad for the girl on the floor, so he took pity rather than burn her alive. "Hey, You can get up, I think you've learned your lesson." Brennan walked over to the girl, he was giving off a calm and kind aura, he meant no harm. He held out his hand, though not without some caution toward the thief. "Get the fuck up, I kinda feel bad for tackling you, You good?"

Inari blinked with confusion as she was suddenly let up by the man she had stolen from. She cautiously took the guy's hand before allowing him to pull up. "I think?" She responded, looking more confused than anything.

Brennan began to walk, he signaled Inari to follow behind him. "Let's walk and talk." Brennan though to himself, this was the perfect chance to do some recruiting, he saw some promise in the fox-tailed girl next to him. "So, Inari, how do you feel about pirates?"

"Would you be mad if I said easy money?" She responded back nervously.

## Winds That Guide Us

The Diamond Archipelago was always beautiful this time of year. The tropical breeze, the smell of the salty sea, all of it made Emilio feel at home. For as long as he could remember, this village was all he'd known. He'd learned and studied the arts of Tuuletar-Etimã, yet due to being on such a peaceful island with little need for combat, it had become nothing more than a way to appease and entertain the other villagers.

Emilio didn't mind, but something in him craved more. More than what he'd gotten so far, yet, a part of him couldn't bare to set feet off this island.

Closing his eyes and calming his nerves, Emilio could hear the sounds of villagers approaching to view his performance. He could feel the breeze against his bare chest, the stone slabs against the bottom of his feet. Letting himself ease into a calming state of mind, letting the winds guide the very movements of his body, Emilio's performance had begun.

His body began to move in a rhythmic fashion, non-stop motion. He started off with an aerial cartwheel, doing two and a half before ending up in a hand stand. He twirled around, his feet free of the constraints of the Earth, feeling the freedom the winds had to offer. Now musicians appeared, playing their drums and ukulele's to fit Emilio's graceful movements. The audience clapping at the spectacle they were to behold. Fluidly, keeping his motions consistent, Emilio launched himself into the air from his hand stand, performing a series of twirls and flips before landing on the ground. His motions failed to end, Emilio now spun in a circle in place.

Next, Emilio would leap up as high as he could, achieving unbelievable heights. He once more performed a series of twirls, delivering fierce yet graceful kicks that caused his body to rotate in every which way. As he met the ground, he quickly rejected it's touch, not yet wanting to be bound to it again just yet. As Emilio requested, a woman launched a knife at him. He performed one more cartwheel, at the moment his feet were off the ground, he caught the knife between his big toe and his second toe, tossing up it as his feet were about to become earth bound once more. He caught the knife in his mouth, giving a charismatic wink toward the crowd as the music came to a dramatic end. Another day, another dance.

Brennan walked through the town, admiring the shops and scenery. "Hope this place has some promising pirates". Brennan looks around as many of the civilians all seem to be heading in one direction. He heads off in the same direction to the rest of them. "I wonder where all these people are going, maybe they can lead me to my next recruit". Brennan continues on in the direction of the civilians

As Brennan approaches his new destination he looks around to see a man flipping through the air gracefully. He watches in awe at the young man's dancing, though it would soon be finished. He thought to himself, "Maybe this can be my newest crewmate, he seems very agile, maybe he's combat trained.". Brennan slammed through the crowd to get to the front, he looked up to the man saying. You should totally join my pirate crew". He thought to himself it was worth a shot to try and get another member, and even if he wasnt the strongest this could mean Brennan would have a hot dancing concubine which he could do unspeakable things to.

Emilio smiled as the crowd applauded his performance, suddenly the entire crowd came to a complete silence as the young man charged his way through the audience, standing square in the center of attention along with Emilio, whom was left speechless by the sudden question. "Your...pirate crew?" Life at the Archipelago was getting old, but he wasn't quite sure if he was ready to depart just yet. Some of the crowd was now dispersing, leaving only a few onlookers watching the exchange between Emilio and Brennan. "I-uh, give me some time to think about it yea?" Such a sudden request, not to mention the two individuals knew nothing of the other, Emilio didn't even know this strangers name, yet, was considering sailing the seas with him.

"Give you some time? Oh, I get it, you don't know me that's why you won't say yes, so let's get to know each other!!". Brennan grabs Emilio by his wrist pulling him off the stage and running into town. He stops at an upcoming cafe, slams open the door startling all who sat people inside, he the plants Emilio down in a seat then sits across from him. "So what's your name? My name is Brennan, though I'm sure now that you heard my name you know who I am, my reputation precedes me I know". Brenna laughs to himself waiting for Emilio to acknowledge with his name.

"Well, no that's not exactly-" Before he could even finish his statement, Emilio was dragged off by Brennan to a near by cafe. This was a small village so everyone knew each other, Brennan easily stood out among the people here. Seeing Emilio with him however, eased the suspicion a few people would've had on him by now. Granted, some word had gotten around a bit about Brennan asking Emilio to join his pirate crew. "Actually, I haven't heard of you before. Not much news gets here to be honest, unless the World Government wants your head for something." He gave a chuckle, trying to keep things casual. "My name is Emilio, pleasure to meet you Brennan. So what brings you out to the Diamond Archipelago?"

Brennan was slightly hurt by the fact that Emilio knew nothing of his existence in paradise, though this was most likely due to the fact that he lacked a bounty. Brennan was slightly confused at Emilio's question as to why he was in the diamond archipelago, was it not obvious from the first question he had asked him upon their meeting. "What brings me to the Diamond Archipelago? I mean, don't you know that already, I legit asked you to join my crew only two minutes ago. Well I mean if it isn't obvious at this point, I'm trying to gather member for my pirate crew, whose name is Ummm... a work in progress, but don't let the fact that we are nameless affect your decision in joining my crew". Brennan laughed shyly, a bit of sweat dropped from his head. He looked back at Emilio. "So Emilio, why are you here, you seem to be a great dancer, why stay on this boring ass island with all these boring ass people?".

Emilio gave a light chuckle when Brennan gave his reason for coming here. He personally had something to say about it, but there was no reason to address it. A nameless crew, and he was searching for members to join. Emilio for one, never thought his dancing would attract a pirate looking for recruits. The other patrons in the cafe gave Brennan annoyed glances as he called the island, but most importantly the civilians, boring. Emilio smiled a bit in an attempt to keep anyone from approaching and escalating the interaction. "Well, it's rough to explain, but I grew up here, raised by a martial artist who retreated here after the marines but a bounty on his head. I kinda never got the opportunity to leave, or more accurately, never got the courage to bring myself from this place. It's beautiful, much doesn't happen here, but it's always been home."

Before Emilio could continue, a little girl threw open the door, running up to Emilio with a panicked look on her face. "Emi! Quick! It's the marines!" She was breathing heavily, as if having ran a marathon.

"Marines? Why are they here?" Emilio pondered, then it hit him. Some how, some way, maybe news had gotten out to the marines about Souta, the martial artists and Emilio's teacher. Without a moment of hesitation, he ran out the door towards the cottage, with the intent to take down the marines. Upon catching up to them, they didn't notice Emilio as he grew near, due to his feet's surprisingly quiet pattering against the concrete as he ran.

Almost gracefully, he jumped up to deliver a fierce blow to one of the marine's necks, stretching out his leg before spinning around, tossing the marine against a few others as an outcome. They had without a doubt noticed Emilio's presence now. They turned their weapons on him, a battle beginning to ensure in the middle of the forest.

"The Fuck, where this nigga went? who the fuck was that little girl?". Brennan had a confused and startled look on his face. He shrugged before running out the door. He sped through the streets, trailing behind Emilio before they began to approach a small cottage.

Brennan came closer as he witnessed Emilio taking down a large number of marines. He watched in awe at the combative abilities of the boy who he thought was a simple dancer. "Damn nigga, you fuckin them up, guess I should help out to". Brennan's arms became engulfed in flames before he aimed them behind him shooting forward with a loud bang, a fire sparked behind him leaving the trees behind him incinerated. Brennan shot himself towards a marine aiming his hand directly toward them shooting an explosive ball of fire. He incinerated the marine while also stopping himself due to the blowback of the explosion. Brennan then went on engulfing the area in explosion and fire wiping out a large amount of the Marines leaving only about half of the prior amount. "These marine ain't shit, Emilio you take those four over there I'll get the squad that's now arriving, once you take care of the four, keep going, I'll take it from here, do what you gotta do". Brennan smiled back at Emilio, he then shot off towards the large squad of marines now converging on the scene.

Emilio was astonished upon witnessing the mass explosions of flames that incinerated and engulfed the marines, including some of the forest. He then noticed that the culprit was Brennan, and the ability to use such immense power like that was only explainable by one thing. Emilio was sold that the pirate had been bestowed with some the sea devil's power. He couldn't help but smile at the realization that Brennan had come to help him. He nodded as a response to Brennan's proposal, "Right!", rushing at the four marines standing before him.

One of the marines aimed a gun at Emilio as he charged. He pulled the trigger, Emilio flawlessly twirling just slightly off the bullet's trajectory. Panic struck the marine as Emilio drew near. Emilio however, did a flip over him, ending up titling himself at an angle to deliver a fierce kick to the marine's back. Two other's drew near with their weapons, prompting the dancer to spin around, similar to the manner of a break dancer, knocking the weapons aside while simultaneously throwing both of them into the foliage. The fourth marine attempted to flee in complete fear, although Emilio wasn't going to let him get away. He crouched before using the strength in his legs to leap into the air and ontop of the marine. The impact rendering them unconscious.

With the four marines out of commission, Emilio took off to the cottage, trusting Brennan to handle his fair share of the marines.

Brennan shot forward a blast laying a long wall of explosions and fire behind him preventing the Marines from going forward. "Y'all bitches is staying right here, though I mean, it's not like you'll be able to go anywhere in about 5 minutes". Brennan let out a loud and terrifying laugh, he blasted forward once again swing his arms in a slashing motion, he sliced through the air leaving explosions in the path of his arms, he stood his ground raining fire and explosions in the direction of the marines burning them to a crisp, ashes were left where they stood, no marine was left in sight. "Huh, I thought that would be a little harder, I should go get Emilio, I'm sure they came with a higher ranked marine supervisor, we should leave before we get here".

Brennan after blasting through the forest arrives at the cottage next to Emilio. "I made quick work of those marines. Whatever business you have here you may need to take care of quickly, there is no way those marines came without a higher ranking officer, and fighting them may not be as easy as fighting those scrub as subordinates". Brennan said standing next to Emilio with a stern and serious look on his face.

"Yea, it won't be eas-" Before Emilio could even finish his statement, the roof of the cottage blew off as a marine was launched through it, leaving debris flying in the wake. Directly afterwards, another figure leapt up, doing a full vertical twist, bringing it's legs down upon the marine. The strike was monstrous, not only did it send the marine flying all the way back into the village, but the air itself parted in the wake of the strike. That's when Souta revealed himself, a serious expression on his face was relieved by the sight of Emilio. "Ah! Good to see you're home. Sadly, the marines have also seemed to make themselves home here."

"Yes, it would appear so. Are you alright Sensei?" Emilio replied, being sure nothing severe had taken place.

"Oh, I'm quite all right. I'd be more worried about those marines. It seems you and your friend here did some damage as well." Souta noticed the marines down the path as well as some unexplained piles of ash that he simply ignored. "They'll be coming back soon, and eventually they'll have more forces. For the sake of everyone here, I think it's best I leave the Diamond Archipelago."

Emilio nodded in agreement, it was inevitable, but this place was no longer safe for Souta. He needed a way off the islands quickly, away from heavy marine operation. That's when Emilio realized, Brennan must have gotten here by ship, a quick getaway from the next wave of marines. "Brennan, I know we barely know each other, but I need a favor. Can you get Souta to Hamcroft? As payment, I'll vow myself and all I can offer to your pirate crew."

Brennan took the time to contemplate the situation before realizing the predicament that they were in, there was no time to think, only time to act, he surveyed his surroundings, he listened in and didn't hear any commotion coming from town so they had time before the next wave of marines came. "Okay, well if I'm gonna take him, we have to move quickly. Moving through the town would be stupid, we would most likely be caught, do you guys happen to know a separate way to the docks?" Brennan looked over to Souta and Emilio. "A shortcut will be our only way to get out of here without destroying the town and getting into a huge battle with an entire marine wave".

Souta thought about any knowledge he may have had on any shortcuts he'd discovered during his stay here. "There's a secret tunnel I used to sneak some treasure into my base back in my pirating days, it's relatively close to the dock. Leads right under the village." Souta walked into the cottage, moving a crate aside that revealed a trap door. Call it cliche, but it worked.

Emilio ran over and lifted the trap door to allow Brennan and Souta to enter ahead of him. "Make it quick!" Emilio ordered, Souta quickly leaping in.

"Don't go barking orders at me now, Emilio". Brennan said sternly before letting out a laugh and jumping down. He looked around a bit before following after Souta. They soon would make it to the exit, Souta would exit first, then Brennan then Emilio should be close behind him. "Wait I think I saw this area when I was taking my initial walk through town, so if I'm right town should be...That way". Brennan set off in the direction of the docks waving Souta and Emilio to follow behind him.

Souta emerged from the tunnel first, and somehow, Brennan had ended up ahead of him in the race to the docks. He helped Emilio out of the tunnel, although he didn't need the help. "Seems you'll have your hands full with a captain like that. Sure you're ready to embark on the mighty seas with that one?"

Emilio smiled, "Not like there's much for me here anyway. I was given an opportunity, so I intend on taking it. Now let's hurry." Emilio took off, with shocking speed, although Souta, even in his old age, was still much faster than his student was. They eventually caught up with Brennan at the docks, marveling at the ship.

"It's great isn't it, I'm yet to name her, but whatever we choose I'm sure it will be great. Oh shit speaking of we you haven't met the crew yet, I'm sure they are probably sleeping, we have done a shit ton of traveling in the past few days". Brennan looks up at his ship, he felt accomplished, he felt like he was truly making it. "I'm almost there Mom, Just keep watching, I'll make it". He whispered clutching a locket around his neck. "Well, we should probably get this old geezer to Hamcroft now, I'll pull up the anchor you guys head up on the ship and make yourselves comfortable, I'll be up in a minute, but if I'm not on the shit in a minute...that means I fell in the water and drowned". Brennan laughed obviously joking, he then went to go lift the anchor leaving Sout and Emilio to themselves.

Emilio smiled at the joke, he turned to Souta, whom had already found his way aboard the ship. "Go help your captain boy-" He sounded like the father figure he always was to Emilio since he was merely 5 years of age. "You've had too much time getting to know me, go annoy him you little shit." Souta smiled, prompting Emilio to let out a smile as well as he went to help Brennan with lifting the anchor.

Brennan looked over at Emilio as he attempted to help him with the anchor, rather than do it himself he accepted the help of his newfound crewmate. They easily lifted the large anchor back into the boat. "Why exactly are we taking Souta to Hamcroft, who's to say what happened here won't happen there. What I'm saying is, will he be safe and with the inhabitants of that island be safe as well". He spoke with Emilio seriously which was rare for Brennan, only at this moment did he really seem like the captain he was supposed to be.

With a solemn expression on his face, one with uncertainty, Emilio gave a soft sigh. "From the things I've read and heard, Hamcroft has few marines stationed there. Sure, here there was none, but with the waves coming, this place won't be safe for awhile." Emilio looked towards the village, another unsolved question coming into mind. "Not to mention, we have no clue who sold Souta out to the marines. Hamcroft also has factories that Souta could make a living at, to start over again." Emilio looked towards the direction of the tunnel the trio emerged through, then in the direction of the cottage. "I can't say for sure that the inhabitants of Hamcroft will be safe, but Souta wouldn't go around causing trouble. He's getting old, what can he gain from causing anymore trouble now." Emilio's tone was soothing and calm, albeit there was uncertainty, no one could predict the future.

"Hm, well I guess there isn't much we can do other than move him, I just hope what happened here doesn't happen again, because this time we won't be there to save him". Brennan had a rare moment of great care for a stranger. He began to walk back to the entrance of the boat. he signaled Emilio to board with him. "We shouldn't dwell on the future, let's live in the present. Let's get a move on we should get off this island before we get caught, you can greet the crew as well since you will be working and living with these people for what I assume will be a very long time". He entered the boat, you could hear him screaming on the boat waking up and calling over the crew to meet Souta and Emelio.

Emilio gave a soft sigh, standing up and fixing his facial expression to greet his new crewmates. He walked up onto the ship, standing along with Souta as Brennan called the rest of the crew. Souta glanced over to Emilio, then back at where he assumed the others would be coming from. "Like your new captain?"

Emilio nodded, "He seems to be an interesting fellow, hopefully the rest of the crew are just as entertaining to be around." Emilio couldn't help but hold back the anticipation, excited to meet his new allies, but most importantly, to begin his adventure sailing The Grand Line.