Between a Rock Dragon and a Hard Place

[Blitzfrieg]

She knew she was weird.  She knew she was different.  She didn’t see fights the way everyone else did.  It wasn’t just violence.  Sure it was plenty of that.  But it was so much more.  So much weight, so much passion and drama right alongside the blood, spit, and bone.  It was a story....a show.  That’s why she used flashy techniques, why she shouted and growled and hissed.  History had a way of forgetting the forgettable.  Mediocrity rarely left an imprint in peoples memories.  

“One sword style....Tiger Strike.”  There was nothing mediocre about Ryu in that final moment.  No hesitation, no waiting.  There was another form of grace to be found in fighting....from those who did not waste time with words and flashy techniques.  There was a cold...lonely beauty in the brutal efficiency of a warrior like Ryu.  

One moment Andromeda was calling for him to attack, the next moment....he was behind her.  She turned her head, realizing he had disappeared.  It was almost poetic....the way he sheathed his sword just as he came into view.  The wind whipped up as he turned, blowing leaves from the nearby trees across her vision.  She had to admit....he looked pretty freaking cool just watching to see Stork fall from her fingers, a long, thin line of red running across his torso spreading into thick pools in his suit.  His eyes were glazed, rolled up into his head.  Dead or alive....the Stork was done. Andromeda took a deep breath, filling her lungs to their brim, before exhaling calmly.

”HAAAAAAAA!  YEEEEEEEEESSS!”  She threw up her hands in exhilaration, bathing in the feeling of a sound victory.  Of course she had forgotten about her broken arm, so the action sent debilitating shocks of pain through her body causing her to cringe up.  But even pain wouldn’t stop the elation she felt.  The blood, pain, sweat, and adrenaline was everything she lived for.  “Climactic....finish!”  She grinned broadly, even as Lucille tried to help bind her arm up with some spare cloth.  She flashed Ryu the V fingers, sticking out her tongue.

”That was pretty cool sword man....pretty damn cool!  Haha...AUGH!”  Laughing also made her cringe, so she settled for just grinning.  “Alright....I’m probably gonna pass out soon....and I know its gonna absolutely pain you to hear it but you are carrying me again!”  She stuck her finger into Ryu’s chest as Lucille went to help Lynx as he was waking up....very confused.  “You....aren’t half bad Pirate....not half....”  Her reserves spent, Andromeda lost feeling to her limbs, falling forward towards Ryu.  Not just her water reserves, but her whole body.  She was spent.  She had a long way to go....she knew that.  Heck....what if she had to fight pirates like Ryu on her own?  Someone like Stork?  And they were small fry in the big picture.  How could she go to the grand line until nothing here could challenge her?  As she fell, she lost consciousness....her thoughts fading with the light. Meanwhile Lucille promised they were very close and could be to a ship in a matter of minutes, but had to keep moving lest they increase the risk of being found.

[shenta]

Being raised in the new world Ryu has seen some very awesome  fights that would reach legend status but the fight he finished would be on the lower scale, tho for his first major battle it was not bad. He watched as the weird stork feel onto the ground as a puddle of blood began to pool around his unconscious body so if he was dead or alive Ryu really did not care. It had been a long day for Ryu and gang  as they have had to go though a lot of hell just to reach this part, so far there was no more men around or coming at them which gave them some time to take a breath and relax for a few minutes. Andromeda gave him a victory sign as she stuck out her tongue at him, she walked up to Ryu as she poked him in the chest and told Ryu that he was gonna have to carry her again tho he could tell that she was not liking the idea but if it helped them get to that ship any faster then he had no problem tho that was when Andromeda decided to pass out on him leaving him with her a unconscious layx and Lucille who could walk on her own tho if they had to fight again she would be no help at all. 

" Hey girl so which way is it now to the ship now cause I hope it's not far for I'm getting hungry, I did not get to eat much back at the bar." 

" My name is not Girl you odd looking cat man. As for the ship it's right though those clearing of trees, once there you can eat as much as you want." 

Ryu just smiled as he placed both layx and Andromeda onto his shoulder then with no more words the two who could still walk headed for the beach where the ship was waiting for them. Ryu continued to head for the ship tho about now his would was starting to throb but he needed to ignore it and make it to the ship then once there he could heal his wounds and get some food in his stomach. It was not much longer before they managed to arrive but it looked like they found the  ship but that was not the only thing that they found. Standing in front of the ship was about 20 low ranking marine soldier and in front of them was a stronger looking Marine of warrant officer or higher so he would need to be careful. 


" Welcome to the end you filthy scum, I warrant officer Fandango shall end your little escapade here and now, so you have two choices. You can do this either the easy way or the hard way but the choice is yours pirate." 

Ryu could already tell that he was gonna have some trouble so he gently placed the people on his shoulder down beside Lucille then faced the enemy's. Ryu walked forward as he drew both his swords as he pointed one of them at the Marines while grinning. " Well what are you waiting for you want some come get some." The Marines suddenly surrounded Ryu as they began to draw there swords then as they cried out before charging right at him, so as the Marines got in close Ryu spun around creating a twister that cut the men up while blowing around the beach side.

There was now only one person left but since his men was took down quickly the warrant officer looked to be shaking in his boots, but that did not stop the marine from running at him tho by using the back of his sword he knocked the marine out cold. Taking the two unconscious people Ryu placed them on to the ship. 

[Blitzfrieg]

When Andromeda finally woke up her eyes were pierced by a bright natural light.  Fluttering open she was greeted to bright blue sky and a shining mid-day sun.  “You should take it easy.”  Came the voice of Lucille, who’s hand suddenly took up Annie’s view.  Lucille was checking her temperature. “You were out a while.  Thought you had a fever for a bit but it seems to be gone now.”  Annie groaned and pulled herself up onto her elbows.  She started to notice the gentle sway of the ground below her, and it dawned on her that they were on a ship.  She blinked several times, taking in the open horizon with a deep breath....and an eventual smile.

”Shit....so we made it huh?”  She smirked, nodding to herself.  She couldn’t help but feel some satisfaction.  Hell, she had almost died!  That was what she called a rush, and a day worth living.  Suddenly Lucille was pushing something into Andromeda’s hand.  She looked at it to see the family brooch Lucille had offered as payment.  She also noticed something else....it was fake!  Or at least...mostly a fake.  The gold looked real, but the jewels were clearly colored glass.  Andromeda’s brow furrowed as she realized the con Lucille had played.

”Please forgive me....I didn’t know what else to do.”  Tears were streaming down the girls face.  “The gold is still worth something...please just take it.”  The girl lunged forward, embracing Annie in a hug that took her by surprise.  “I’m a terrible person I know....you got hurt so much, both of you!  But I can’t explain how much you’ve saved us!”  Lucille was weeping at that point, and making Andromeda thoroughly uncomfortable.  So she decided to break the ice, and make Lucille a little uncomfortable herself.  She returned the embrace.

”There...there...I’m sure we can come up with...some way to even the score!” Andromeda’s hands slid down Lucille’s back, almost reaching her posterior before the girl shot up, her face beet red.

”Ooh! Oh ooh....um I don’t....is there....”. Andromeda interrupted her with laughter, thoroughly satisfied with the shocked expression on Lucille’s face.  It was at that moment that the door to the cabin opened, and she saw both Lynx and Ryu approach.  She smirked, sitting up fully, and resting against the mast.  They were on a small ship, not even a corvette.   But it seemed fast, and of sound design.  It’s tall triangular sail was full of wind, carrying the ship at maximum speed.  Andromeda took in the salty breeze, and grinned. 

“Don’t worry kid.  I’m sure your boyfriend wouldn’t appreciate my swooping in.”  As Annie spoke, Lucille looked confused.

”Boyfriend?”  Lucille glanced to Lynx, who was approaching, now wearing more casual everyday garb instead of his trench coat.  Her face got even redder.  “Oh no!  He’s not my boyfriend.  He’s my brother!”

”Half brother really.  But that’s correct.”  Lynx remarked as he approached.  Now without his hat and tall necked trench coat, and without all the excitement, she could see the resemblance.  “Our father didn’t know about me.  I joined and made sure I got assigned here to protect her from him in the first place.  Something I failed it doing.”  

“Shit...brother huh?”  Andromeda grinned broadly.  “Well then I may just take that alternative payment Lucy!”  She laughed playfully, causing another flush of beet red to cross the girls face.  She also tossed back the brooch.  It really wouldn’t be worth it.  Besides, it was obvious it had more value to her than Andromeda.  She could probably milk the Marines for a reward or something.  Lucy started to argue, but she wasn’t having it.  Turning to Ryu, she waved.

”Looks like you are doing better than I am sword guy.”  She grinned.  “Hope you didnt’ have too much trouble without me?”

[shenta]

Ryu did not have much medical training but he did have enough for basic treatment so ryu was able to patch every one up with some help from lucille, once they was done Ryu decided to take a nap for a few hours since now that they was on the sea there would be less worrying about bandits. Other pirates or Marines would now be there concern from here on out tho luckly the ship they was in belonged to neither the Navy or a pirate or at least at first glance that is. His scar on his chest was already healing up nicely and from the looks of it lynx was fearing much better seeing as the only thing he had wrong was being beat up real bad. 

Ryu dozed off for about three hours then woke to the sound of some body walking about, as he opened his eyes he saw lynx pacing back and forth tho he was no longer wearing his marine clothes but instead he was wearing the garb of a every day Joe on the street, it was surely different then what he would see back in the land of wano but being in the four blues now for many years he has come to learn many different costums that he would never had seen if he did not move out here from his country. 

" Oh I'm deeply sorry swordsman I did not mean to wake you I was just making some coffee, would you like some."

" No thank you, and please call me Ryu. How are feeling.

" I'm good thanks for asking, but your more injured then me how are your wounds."

Ryu was able to fix his pipe so pulling out a small bag he placed a pinch of cat nip into the bowl then taking a deep breath before exiling the large plume of smoke. Tho his wound was bad it was no where as bad as what was wrong with andromeda, who knows how long it was gonna take before she was up and in fighting condition so until she was Ryu was really all they had to help defend the ship. 

" Oh you mean this wound ha it's nothing compared to what I have had to deal with before, tho I think Andromeda is much more damaged then I am so how about we go check on them." 

Standing up Ryu along with lynx walked out the cabin door as the bright light blinded him, but it was not so much that he could not see to get around. When he could see he noticed Andromeda and lucille sitting on the deck as they seemed to be having some kind of sexy conversation but it seemed to end once he and lynx walked up. It would soon be revealed that lucille and lynx was actually siblings which seemed to put a twist in the story.

" How are you doing andromeda are your wound doing any better." 

Ryu asked her, the upper half of his kimono robe was hanging around his hips as it showed off his markings on his ribs, since he was only half mink his chest and abs where that of human with a small tuff of hear on his chest but it was covered with bandage from his  wounds.  Ann then made a comment to him asking him how he was able to fair with out her.

" Oh you know running into some marines, fighting some marines you know normal pirate stuff. "

Ryu said as he grinned but he had no idea how long it would be until they reached where they was going. " Hey luccille how much longer tell we get to where we are going." Hopefully it was not for a little while cause him and Ann needed time to rest up and heal. 

[Blitzfrieg]

Ryu seemed no worse for wear.  But did he always have fur?  She couldn’t remember....then again she hadn’t seen him without his kimono until now.  Huh.  She was sure there was an explanation, but it didn’t seem particularly important.  Perhaps it was due to her own heavy modifications, but the concept of people standing out due to one oddity or another seemed like normal fare for the Cyborg.

”The nearest naval base is perhaps a few hours out if this heavy wind holds.  A day at most.”  It was Lynx that answered instead of Lucille, as he had the experience and subject knowledge.  “We should have plenty of time to relax.  I cannot imagine our father would be able to organize a chase without Stork in any short order.”  He motioned to Andromeda’s arm.  “If you want to do some repairs, we have a small shop for fixing firearms in the armory.  It’s limited, but you should be able to scavenge some parts.”  He ruffled his hair with a weary smile.  “I tried to do what I could.  But I’m afraid your arms are a little beyond my skills.”  Andromeda’s brow furrowed, then she noticed for the first time that her arm didn’t hurt....and that she was moving her limbs at all.

”How the....you did this?”  She cold tell it was stiff, and that the repairs were very much temporary.  But she was maintaining water pressure and the grinding was gone.  Flexibility was shot too.  Still.  It was a specific design, and advanced too.  

“He makes his own revolvers!  He’s very good at building things and I am decent at fixing stuff too.  Between the two of us we salvaged a couple of his pistols to patch you up!”  Lucille beamed, obviously very proud of she and her brothers handiwork.  Annie had to admit.  It was a patch job, but a damned good one!  

“Well thank you.  I guess I owe you another one!”  Laughing, she turned back to Ryu.  “So what are your plans?”  She flexed her hand, trying to check for stiffness or catching gears.  “If this has taught me anything....” She clenched her fist, sitting up, then forcing herself to stand, leaning on the mast for support.  “....its that I’ve got a long way to go.”  Grand line?  She couldn’t begin to handle the Grand Line if she couldn’t even take on someone like Stork on her own.  

“Men and women as strong as Stork are commonplace in the Marines.  Far stronger even.”  Lynx spoke up.  “You seem very strong Miss.”. He nodded to Ryu.  “You as well.  But you need to be a monster to survive in the Line.”  That wasn’t news.  If anything just an affirmation of Andromeda’s suspicions.  She wasn’t ready.  She needed to focus more on getting stronger than building a reputation or getting the limelight.  Those would always be important....but how could she be the strongest woman in any blue if she couldn’t handle the Line?

[shenta]

Ryu knew that he was strong but if he was gonna head for the grand line then he was gonna need two things, first he would need to build his strength so that next time he would be able to handle a enemy on his own and not need any help. The second was to get him self a bounty and not no small one either, about 30 million should work tho first he would need to attack a marine of captain or higher or take down a well known pirate of high status. Lynx spoke up and told him that the closest marine base would be at least a days trip out, at least that meant that they would be able to rest fully before heading into any more danger. 

Ann looked at Ryu and asked him what his plans was and not there plans which meant that she would not be joining him on his journey, but he did not care cause he had such a fun time meeting her and having a cool adventure tho as to which island he would vist next he was not sure but which ever one it was he would have another great adventure.

" Well I have not fully thought about that tho I have been thinking about going to the The Pikt Archipelago, I hear that it's a nice place for food and training. So what about you Andromeda what's your plans gonna be." 

Ryu knew that he would not be able to go any where until he landed on the marine base so he just hopped that he was not targeted before he reached his next destination. 

[Blitzfrieg]

“Pikt huh?  I’ve heard of it.”  Andromeda leaned back on the mast with a beleaguered sigh.  “Good food huh?  But I hate the cold...” She thought about it for a moment.  “Whatever I do. I’m gonna claim my reward, fix this arm, and get a good nights sleep first.  Beyond that....yeah...Pikt sounds as good as anywhere else.”  She smirked, then with a groan forced herself to her feet, denying any aid if offered.

”What about you two?” Anne nodded to Lynx and Lucille.  “Doubt you will be back to Shivre anytime soon.”  Lucille laughed in response.

”Heavens no.  With any luck I will never see that rotten place again!”  All of a sudden, the girl’s eyelids fluttered, and all life seemed to leave her body.  She slumped, and Lynx caught her before she could hit the ground.

”It’s ok.  She’s just tired.”  Lynx lifted his sister into his arms.  “She hasn’t slept since we left.  And she hadn’t slept in some time before all this happened.”  He nodded to Ryu.  “Swordsman.”  Then to Anne.  “Um...I’m not really sure what to call you?”

”World Wrestling Extraordinaire?”  Andromeda shrugged, giving him a thumbs up.  Lynx just chuckled, obviously nearly as tired as his sister.

”Well...either way...I can’t thank you enough.  For the moment.  I must see to Lucy.  Thank you again.”  Bowing out, the Marine stoically carried Lucille down into the cabin, and left Andromeda and Ryu the deck.  Andromeda laughed weakly, then moved to the bow of the ship.  

“Oh yeah....this is what I needed.”  She took a deep breath at the bow, raising herself up on her toes and stretching out her whole body.  “That wind...that smell...”. She brushed a lock of spiky blonde hair over her ear.  “And that horizon!”  Turning around, she crossed her arms.  This was everything she needed and wanted.  Beside the limelight and the fame, a good ship, a steady wind, and......a destination.  Grinning at Ryu, she nodded, having decided.

”Pikt it is!  Who knows....maybe we will run into each other again....” Her eyes glimmered a bit, her smile becoming devious again.  “You know I’m going to want to spar with you right?”  She cranked her shoulder uncomfortably.  “Obviously I’m not at one hundred percent.  But the next time we see each other...” She aimed her finger at the foxy swordsman, then ‘pulled the trigger’ while mouthing the word *bang*.  “What do you say?  A beach at sunset, in a circle of fire.....”. Now if only they could time it right before a thunderstorm....now that would be a pay-per-view event!

[shenta]

Ryun looked at the sky and thought to him self that the sea breeze felt nice flowing through his face, as he listened  to andromeda speak she told him that she was heading to pikt also which made for one heck of a Corensadinse. At the speed they was traveling at they would probably  make it to the next island in about a week or sooner if weather kept calm and nice. 

Ryu leaned up against the ship's railings he listened to every one talk, andromeda  asked lynx and Lucy as her brother called her if they would be going back to the island they just left but from they spoke they would not ever be going back if they did not have to. Just then Lucille collapsed as her brother caught her but he could not blame her cause they had been running and fighting nonstop  for a while so she probably  just ran out of energy.

As he sat there he watched as andromeda got up stretching as she made her way to the deck and looked out over the ocean as the wind whipped through her hair so pushing it out of her way she looked back to ryu and asked him if he would like to have a match next time they saw each other. Ryu liked that idea cause he had been wondering for a while now which one of them was stronger.

" Sure that sounds  great I have been wondering for a while now which would be stronger my blades or your metal arms." 

Standing up ryu stretched as he cracked his neck and loosened his stiff muscles from when he had fought the bandits, ryu was tired so he was gonna go lay down for a while to regain some more stamina cause the fighting and his injuries took a lot out of him.

" I'm going to take a nap." 

With that said ryu walked through the door which lead to the sleeping  room as he laid down on a bed and as soon his head hit the pillow he was out.

A WEEK LATER.

A week later there ship came into port as they dropped the anchor to keep the ship from moving,there was snow on the island so he knew that it was really cold but thanks to him being half mink the cold did not effect him like it was doing to the others. Looking back as he was walking down the board he noticed lynx and Lucille wearing heavy winter gear. 

" Well I guess this is the end of our adventure for now ha andromeda, I guess I shall be heading out but I shall meet you later for our big fight."