35~ Wax, and Paint, and... GIANTS!?

Mira

After a while of walking, and not finding any creatures, I rested against a tree. In the distance, I heard a scream. I brushed it off with a shrug. Whatever that was, it's too far for me to track. I tilted my head back and stared at the sky. I wonder what kind of animals I'll find here. Surely there can't be anything bigger than an elephant here, right? It'll be pretty evenly matched if the three of us go after the same animal.

I glanced up as what sounded like a war horn rang out. Now what kind of animal would make that sound? With a shrug, I continued with my hunt. Might as well go see what that sound was. I trekked on, hoping to find something soon.

I just still can't believe I got dragged into this stupid hunting game. I was perfectly fine with taking a nice walk with Zoro, but those two have such a hate for each other, their competitive side and egos got in the way. I sighed to myself and hung my head. I guess it's just one of those days...

Soon, I came across a fairly large clearing. I stared, wide eyed at the sight before me. Sure, I would be taken aback by all the exotic plants and whatnot, but that's not why I froze. My head slowly titled skyward, mouth agape. I found myself staring at maybe seven ginormous, overgrown lizards with equally long necks. They munched slowly at the trees, having not noticed I was there.

What... are these things...? I gulped and started to back away. Whatever they are, they're huge and probably not ones to mess with. I bumped into something and squeaked. I leaped away and spotted that it was one of the feet of these beasts. Hopefully it didn't notice me.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood as hot air washed over my body. Slowly, I turned to see the angry eyes of the beast I bumped into.

"Hehe... nice... lizard..." I held my hands up a bit to show I was friendly. "Please don't eat me..."

It opened its mouth wide and roared at me. I screamed as equally loud and ran. Sadly, I didn't get very far. The beast somehow latched its teeth into my shirt and hoisted me straight into the air.

"I'm really sorry for bumping into you!" I cried out as it came to a stop. "I didn't mean to! I was only trying to leave when- AAAHHH!!!" It tossed me straight into the air.

"Not like this, not like this!" I positioned myself to where I landed on one of its teeth. I used it as a spring board to get away. Soon, all the other beasts were coming for me as well. "What the hell did I do to make these guys so angry?!" As I landed on the heads of the beasts as I tried to get away, I noticed a head was laying on the ground.

"Do they think I did that?!" I faltered a bit and landed right on the tongue of one of the beasts. "EEEWWW!!! Gross gross gross gross gross gross gro-AH!" It flicked its tongue and I began to slip down its throat.

I quickly pulled my katana out and jabbed it into the beasts flesh. "I didn't come all this way just to become breakfast!" Finally, My katana went through to the other side. With my momentum, I slid down and sliced open the beast. Its throat vibrated as it cried out. My blade got caught on something and I stopped sliding.

"Oh, god! It's warm, and gross and moist!" I shuddered. "I gotta get out of here!" The beast suddenly pitched and fell. With a mighty thud, we hit the ground. I pulled my katana out from the flesh wall and pried open where I had sliced the beast. With as much effort I could muster, I squeezed my way out.

I stood and nearly vomited. I was covered in saliva and a bit of blood. "I think I'm gonna be sick..." I turned back to the beast I had slain. "Other than nearly being eaten, I think I had a decent day. I caught the largest thing here! That'll show the guys." Before I began to haul my catch, I went to find a river to wash off in.

Once clean, I went back to my kill. I grabbed it by the snout and pulled. Nothing happened. I bit my lip in thought. Guess I didn't plan this out... I stood back and tapped my chin. There has to be a way to move this thing. I rubbed my hands together, got a better grip, and pulled like my life depended on it.

I felt the thing barely move. This is gonna be a long day...

~~~~

I looked up from hauling my prey as an explosion sounded and the ground began to shake. If it is a volcano like Usopp said, that must be one massive volcano. I sighed to myself and continued with my  mission. I have to be getting close, right? I peeked around my beast to see that I just barely gotten its tail out of the clearing. It's gonna take me days to get this thing moved...

The sound of metal scraping together assaulted my ears. I cried out and covered them. "Okay, I know that's not an animal!" I followed the sound to see where it could be coming from. I grumbled to myself about what could be making that noise in such a weird place.

I soon found my answer. Men, taller than the trees, were dressed in old, worn warrior's armor. They were dueling it out with a sword and an ax. The one with the sword had a height advantage and an incredibly long beard that went past his stomach. I watched as he raised his shield to defend against the swing from the other.

The one with the ax was as round as round could be. His beard and mustache were equally impressive. Where it lacked in length, it made up for it in width. Both had an intense look in their eyes as they seemed to be fighting to the death. Each swing and pass they made was to vital spots on the body.

I watched their fight rage on, awe struck. Never before have I seen such an amazing display of arms. I'm rooting for sword guy. He really knows what he's doing. The one with the ax had swung down. Sword guy blocked it with his helmet and shoved him away, a large cloud of debris soon following.  Such raw strength and power...

They swung at each other another time. Both their weapons sailed into the air. I watched as they fell back to Earth. With a mighty shout, the two hurled their shields at each other, landing a solid punch to the face. They stood there, motionless, for a few seconds.

"73,466 duels..." My eyes popped wide at hearing the ax wielder say that.

"73,466 draws..." No way... Have they seriously fought that many times?

The two warriors fell to the ground at the same time. Their duel, a draw. They're both so strong. Maybe one of them will help me carry this back to the ship! I strode out with confident strides, waving a hand.

"Hello! Excuse me!" I called out to them.

They lifted their heads a bit. "Cat ears?"

"Hi! My name is Mira," I greeted them with a smile. "I was out gathering some food for my friends. I ended up getting more than I could carry. Could one of you guys help me?"

They slowly sat up and rubbed their heads. "Of course we could help you." The one who used the sword said.

"You came at the right time," The one with the ax said with a hearty belly laugh. "We just finished our duel."

"I saw that!" I beamed up at them. "You two were incredible! But have you seriously fought that many times?"

"Yes," They replied at the same time. "For 100 years."

My mouth popped open. "No way! That's such a long time! Why are you two fighting for so long?"

The one with the sword let out his own laugh. "I honestly don't remember! But we fight for Elbaf's god! He will grant divine protection to the winner of the duel! Which is why I will win!"

The one with the ax laughed at the statement. "Dory, I think you're letting that go to your head! For it will be I who wins the duel!"

"We shall see the next time the middle volcano erupts," The one with the sword, Dory, said as he stood. "Next time, I will be the victor, Broggy!"

The ax user, Broggy, stood. "Yes, we shall see."

"Until then, can you help me?" I called back to them.

They looked back down to me. "Oh! I almost forgot! Where are your friends, Mira?" Broggy asked as he squatted down.

"They should be back at our ship on the river." I said as I pointed in the general direction.

"A ship?" Broggy tilted his head a bit. "Hey! I picked up a couple people from a ship! Do you want me to just bring you to them?"

"Sure!" I smiled. "Then you can help me take the food back to the ship once we meet up with them!"

"Sounds like a plan!" Broggy stood and let out another laugh.

"Then I shall see you next time the volcano erupts," Dory said as he turned to leave.

Broggy grinned. "Yeah, see you."

"Safe travels, Mira." I waved to Dory as he walked off.

"Oh, Dory!" Broggy called out. "I actually have alcohol from my guests!"

"Great!" Dory turned, a wide grin on place. "It's been a while since I've had a drink! Give me some!" The two laughed and draped their arms over each other as we headed back to where Broggy was staying.

"Ah! Nami! Usopp!" I raced over to them and pulled them into a tight embrace. "Did you see that amazing fight! It was so cool!"

"Yeah, we saw the whole thing!" Usopp shook with excitement. "I want to be a warrior just like them one day! Big, brave, and strong!"

I grinned at him. "I know you can do it if you stop acting like a chicken!"

"Hey!" We just laughed it off as Broggy passed Dory two barrels of alcohol. He walked off with another wave.

"So, Mira!" I looked up to Broggy. "Where is this food for your friends?"

"Ah, this way," I lead him over to my beast.

"Whoa!" He gave a chortle. "I didn't think you'd be talking about a longneck! I thought you were talking about a wee kitty cat! Well, here we go!" He picked it up from its middle and carried it like it was nothing.

"I actually almost got eaten by it." I explained as we headed back for the ship.

"No kidding!" He grinned.

"I had to slice my way out!" I reenacted my fight with the long neck. "I'd bumped into it and it was all 'Hey! Watch where you're going!' It then hoisted me straight into the air and I had to watch out for its buddies! Then it tossed me into the air and swallowed me. I was all 'You can't get the best of me!' and drove my blade into its throat and sliced it clean open!"

"What a brave little thing you are!" Broggy laughed as he pushed some trees aside. "I wish I could have seen that fight! Oh, pardon my rudeness, but what's with the ears? They a costume or something?"

I shook my head. "Nah, they're real. I'm a Neko!"

"Neko, huh?" He thought for a second. "Don't think I've ever seen one before. You're a new sight!"

We soon made it back to the ship. "Where would you like this, Neko Mira?"

"Just set it right here." I pointed to the spot. "The other two should be coming back with their kills soon."

"Other two?" He asked. "You mean my guests?"

"No," I shook my head. "Our cook and swords man. See, we need as much food as possible since our captain has an appetite that would put yours to shame."

"A large appetite, huh?" He smiled. "I'd like to meet this captain and see who can eat the most!"

I rolled my eyes. "The thing is, I don't know where he is. He's out there somewhere. But if I find him, I'll let him know about your challenge."

"Huh? You aren't coming back with me?" His smile fell.

"Nah, I think I'm gonna go explore and look for the other two gathering food." I turned and waved to Broggy. "It was nice talking to you! And thanks for your help!" I headed back into the jungle on a random course to see if I could find someone.

After maybe half an hour of walking with no luck, the next explosion sounded. A huge grin lit up my face. "Oh boy! The next fight! Will this be the one?" I quickly found some high ground to watch the proud warriors fight. I waited anxiously for the two to show up and begin their 73,467th duel.

Finally, they arrived. I quivered with excitement "Here it goes!" The two began exchanging words. From where I was, I couldn't hear them. But that didn't matter. All that matters if who will be given the divine protection from their God! I don't want either of them to die, but this is what they want. They want to settle this with honor.

As I waited for the fighting to start, my gaze focused in on Dory. Wait a second... He doesn't look too good. Even from here, I could see he was having a hard time standing. He was breathing heavily and I could see blood in his beard. What in the world happened to him? Did he get into a fight with something else on the way to the duel? But they're the biggest things here! What could have possibly hurt him that much?

The fighting started. They swung at each other, their weapons clanging loudly. This fight isn't fair. Something is wrong with Dory! But they can't call off the fight just because one of them is hurt. This is their warrior pride on the line.

We just have to see how this goes...

I was no longer excited to watch this fight. I was scared of the outcome. They've been fighting for so long, it's become a sort of game between each other. No doubt they're friends, despite all the fighting. As much as they want to please their God, I don't think they want this fight to end, either. They may be all serious about it and going for killing blows, but I can see it in their eyes. They're having fun testing each other.

Then, the unthinkable happened. It came to an end. Dory lost his footing and fell backward right as Broggy swung. I watched, horror stricken, as the blood flew into the air. I felt myself pale as my knees shook. It's all over... Dory is down... Broggy won...

I have to make sure he's okay! I got down from my viewing platform and ran towards the battle. Please be okay. Please be okay! As much as they wanted the fight to end, it shouldn't end like this! It should be on equal grounds and not tampered with! Dory was injured from another fight. It shouldn't have ended like this!

Something caught my eye as I leaped over a fallen tree. "Zoro! Thank goodness I found you! Come on! We have to go make sure Dory is okay!" I ran up to him. He was sitting on a rock, grinning.

"Come on, this is no time to rest!" I tugged on his arm. "Let's go!"

Wait a second...

I stumbled away. "That's not Zoro..." My ear twitched at a sound. I quickly moved out of the way to avoid a white liquid from washing over me. It hit the ground where I had been previously standing.

"You missed, Mr. 3." A child-like voice said.

"Hmm... it seems I did." An older voice sighed. "No matter. I'll just have to hit her again."

"Who's there?!" I shouted as I drew my katana. "Show yourself!"

A girl with pigtails and rosy cheeks stepped out, a tall, very thin man behind her. His hair was styled, somehow, to look like the number 3. He wore what looked like blue swimming goggles. He grinned at me.

"Greetings, Neko." He chuckled. "I'm surprised you saw my attack coming. No one has been able to avoid my wax."

A candle appeared in my mind. "But wax is, like, seriously weak. Get it close to a flame, and it's gone."

He chuckled and shut his eyes. "I can assure you, my wax is not weak. It's as strong as steel. Now stand still so I can capture you!" His hair lit up and his arm turned to wax.

Great. Another stupid Devil Fruit ability. At least it's better than snot nose. I dodged out of the way from his attack. In its liquid form, I can't cut through it. It'll be useless. I could try to cut it when it hardens. That's a good plan for if I get captured.

I did a back flip to avoid another attack. This guy just won't let up! He has the advantage with his long distance attacks. I can't get close to him.

I landed wrong and tripped over a log. The wax guy, who I'm guessing is Mr. 3, slung his arm back once more. I wasn't able to get out of the way. I did move just enough to keep my entire body from being covered in the wax. Instead, my legs were trapped at the ankles by what looked like leg restraints.

"I've got you now, Neko! You can't escape!" He laughed and threw his head back.

I turned over and began to repeatedly jab my katana into the wax. I did everything I could to pierce the wax. He's right; this stuff is hard to break! I paused for a second and stared at where I had been stabbing the wax.

"Have you given up already, Neko?" Mr. 3 asked with a smirk.

I met his gaze. "I made a smiley face."

His eyebrow twitched. "DON'T MAKE ART IN MY WAX!! THAT'S MY JOB!"

"But it's fun." I raised my katana once more to see what else I could chisel into the wax. Sadly, I didn't get to find out. Mr. 3 trapped my arms with his wax and began to drag me away. Instead of fighting him, I admired my handy work.

Soon, we came to a stop and he dropped me. He pulled out a tea cup and leaned against a tree. "Joyful tears of victory, huh? Simpleminded people have it so easy." What's he talking about? I looked over my shoulder to see Broggy standing over Dory.

"Perhaps I'll congratulate you for now." He took a sip of his tea.

"Joyful tears?" Broggy growled. "What would you know? Just who are you?!"

"Mr. 3," He responded. "Please excuse my codename. I'm a mere formative artist." I looked back to see his partner setting up a small picnic. Just who are these two? Given his name, I'd say he's part of Baroque Works.

"And this is my realist painter assistant, Miss Golden Week." Mr. 3 added. She munched on a cookie. "What's more, I've already captured you."

My eyes widened. "Broggy! Get out of here!"

"Neko Mira?!" He went to move, but the wax that covered the ground had crept up his legs and held him by his ankles.

"What is this?!" He tried to move his legs. He grunted with effort, but nothing happened.

"Just give up!" Mr. 3 chuckled. "I have both of you giants now. And the Neko! What a prize I'll be collecting. Hey, what're you doing?!"

I was crawling away from him, using the wax as a way to move easier. His leg went on the other side of my restraints and held me in place. "You aren't going anywhere!"

I hissed at him. "Damn you!"

"You'll pay for harming my friend!" Broggy called out as he leaned forward, ax ready. Mr. 3 smirked and swung his arm back. With a simple flick, he had Broggy laying down, unable to get back up.

Mr. 3 laughed at his predicament and dragged me along the ground by my feet. He released me, used another coating of wax to hold me to the ground, then faced Broggy once more. Slowly, he secreted wax from his arms, encasing Broggy. The wax wrapped over his back and hands, holding him in place. For added measure, he surrounded Broggy with more wax on the ground to hold everything in place.

"Curse you!" Broggy spat at him. "What are you doing?!"

"What am I doing?" Mr. 3 smirked. "This is why I can't stand unsophisticated dolts. I'm creating a work of art, obviously."

"Like the one I made?"

"That doesn't count!!" He snapped at me, then cleared his throat. "Once solidified, my Candle Jacket is as hard as iron. You giants may have brutish strength, but it becomes useless once you've been caught. Using your brain is the key." He made a little wax head of Broggy in the palm of his hand.

"There's no need for me to fight you head-on." He chuckled down at Broggy. "You lowered your guard as you reveled in victory, Red Ogre Broggy."

Broggy glared at the name. "Don't give me that look! It frightens me so!" Mr. 3 said sarcastically.

"How about you let us go and we show you how frightening we can be!" I spat at him.

"Neko, you're really getting on my nerves." He frowned at me over his shoulder. "One more word out of you, and I'll make it to where you can't speak." As much as I wanted to speak, I settled for my own glare.

He stared down his nose at me. "That's more like it. Now, Broggy, you should be happy! You're hundred year battle is over! You fought for a whole century for your so called pride, right? Shouldn't the taste of victory be sweet? Even if it is the fruit of other's assistance."

"WHAT?!" Broggy and I gasped at the same time. Broggy twitched against the wax. "Damn you! You mean to say you did this?!"

Mr. 3 let out a chortle. "The final victory belongs to me! Are you aware of the bounties on your heads from long ago come to 200 million berries in total? And now that I have this Neko as well, I'll have a fortune! It still holds true!"

"Why you-!"

"I feel as though I've discovered a long lost treasure." Mr. 3 cut him off and placed a hand on his hip.

"So that's what you're after, Mr. 3!" I turned as best I could to see Miss Valentine gripping Vivi by her wrist, twisting it painfully behind her back. She cried out in pain.

"We brought her!" Miss Valentine smirked.

"Oh, god, not you again!" I cut off what Miss Valentine was about to say. "I thought we got rid of you back at the cactus island!? You know, just because you put a denim jacket over your lemon dress, doesn't mean you're fitting your season and name!"

Her face turned up into a snarl. "Watch it, you!"

"You should wear something pink, or with hearts." I offered. "That way, you'd fit your name."

"I hate pink!" She threw Vivi to the ground and charged at me.

"Miss Valentine!" She slid to a stop at Mr. 3's voice. "As much as I would love to see her be silenced, I can't have you damaging my work of art." He encased Vivi's legs with his wax.

"Your methods are too underhanded, Mr. 3!" She snapped at him from the ground. "You planted bombs in Dory-san's alcohol!"

I'm sorry, what?! An indescribable rage washed over me. "Is that why he looked terrible during the last fight!?"

"Yes!" Vivi turned to me. "It's all his fault!"

"Wretched little girl." Mr. 3 turned his nose up to Vivi. "You're giving away our tricks. Well, no matter. There's nothing you can do now, anyway. Mr. 5! Bring the swordsman and the girl." They got Zoro and Nami?! This just might work in our favor.

I glanced over and spotted a wild rage and hate in Broggy's eyes. "We might not be able to, but he can."

"Hm?" He faced me. "And what do you mean, Neko?"

I smirked at him. "You'll find out!" I winked at him.

"Tch!" He turned away from me and held his arms out. "Extra Big Candle Set!" The fire on his hair erupted. Tons of wax shot out his arms and onto the ground beside Broggy. It mounded up on itself and began to take shape. I watched, glare in place, as it began to tower into the sky.

After a few more moments, it solidified into his master piece. It resembled a giant three-tier cake with a candle tower standing proudly in the middle, a large jack-o-lantern being the center piece. A flame lit the eight candles that sat atop the jack-o-lantern.

"This is Mr. 3's ability?!" Vivi leaned back in horror.

"What's going on?!" Broggy demanded.

"Is that cake edible?" A piece of wax went splat across my mouth. Well, damn. I had a whole slew of sarcastic remarks ready for this.

"Here you are," I glanced back to see Mr. 5 roughly toss Nami and Zoro to the ground, their hands and legs in the wax restraints.

"Hi guys," My words were muffled around the wax.

Nami looked up. "Mira, you too?!"

I nodded and looked back to the candle set. We can never seem to have one nice adventure, huh?

"Set up the candles quickly!" Mr. 3 called out to Mr. 5. One by one, we were picked up and placed on the candle set. Once our feet were covered, Mr. 3 removed the wax from our hands. Zoro stood on my right, Nami to my left, and Vivi at the end on Zoro's right.

I picked at the wax over my mouth with my nails, slowly chipping away at it.

"Welcome, friends, to my service set!" Mr. # held his arms out to his side as the large jack-o-lantern began to spin above us.

Zoro looked up and crossed his arms. "Is this what it's like to be a candle stuck in a cake?"

"What's that spinning thing up there?" Nami asked softly as she slowly looked around. She stared down at her feet. "And I can't move my legs." I rolled my eyes.

"Of course they don't want us to move," Zoro scoffed at her. "They're the enemy." He pulled out a katana and jabbed it into the wax. It didn't even make a dent. "Damn, it's hard."

I finally got a piece big enough off to speak a bit. "Zoro, stab it repeatedly in one spot."

"Huh?" He faced me.

"It's how I made a small dent in his wax." I explained. "If you try hard enough, maybe you can chisel your way out."

"That would take hours," He said as he stared at the wax. "Besides, I'd think he'd know what I was doing by the second swing."

"Drat..." So, I continued to pick at the wax.

Vivi suddenly gasped. "Something's raining down!"

I looked up. "Snow? In the tropics?"

Mr. 3 laughed below us. "Enjoy my Candle Service! The wax haze falling from above you will eventually change you into wax figures! You'll become perfect human models!"

I got another large piece off my mouth. "Being a model is so overrated."

"Enough out of you, Neko!" He snapped at me. "Anyway, with you becoming perfect human figures, I'll have finally achieved something I could never do with my skills! Your wax figures would have literally captured your spirit! Now die, in the name of art!"

Finally, I got the last of the wax off. "Well, if you want a good model, toss my blade up."

"Hm?" He stared at me. "And why would I do that?"

"The more character, the better, right?" I offered with a shrug. "Unless you don't want a hyper-realistic statue..."

"Hm, I see your point. Mr. 5." He called to the boogie man. Mr. 5 picked up my katana and tossed it to me. I caught it by the handle and put it back in its sheath.

"Sweet, thanks." I glanced around. Now that I have my blade, I can try to freeze time and chisel my way out of this! It may take a while, and a lot of energy, but I think I can do this!

"Screw that!" Nami snapped, pulling me from my thoughts. "Why do we have to turn into your works of art!? Broggy-san! Quit sitting there and go on a rampage! You're gonna get turned into a wax figure, too, ya know!"

"Man, talk about a huge person," We faced Mr. 3 again. "Anything you say to him is pointless! He just now realized he shed proud, joyful tears of victory after killing his friend Dory, with whom he fought for a hundred years. But he didn't even noticed he had suffered injuries beforehand! Or did you perhaps cry for your friend instead?"

"Now you're just mocking him!" I spat at the wax freak.

"And if I did?" He taunted me.

"Then I'll come down there myself and kill you!" I jabbed a finger at him. "You'll regret the day you messed with a sacred duel!"

"That was today, Neko." He rolled his eyes at me.

"That's not the point-!"

"Save it!" He cut me off with a wave of his hand. "I'm tired of hearing you speak."

"I knew..." Broggy suddenly said softly. We all turned to face him. "I knew all about it. From the moment we first exchanged blows, I knew Dory was hiding something."

"You knew, huh?" Mr. 3 said snidely. "You lie! If so, then why didn't you cease your fighting? I didn't see a shred of pity the way you heartily cut him down!"

Broggy bared his teeth at the wax user. "A pipsqueak who doesn't even know the first thing about duels would never understand the meaning of those tears! What do you know? Are you saying I should shame a warrior who hides the fact he's been weakened and tries to fight anyway?!"

Mr. 3 began to speak, but Broggy spoke on. "A warrior who will go that far to keep fighting doesn't deserve pity!" Broggy began to shake and grunt as he started to move.

The Baroque Works agents flinched back. "And now... I know the reason behind it. Now that I know, I'm going to finish things with my own two hands!" Veins bulged in his arms as the wax began to crack.

"Go Broggy!" I cheered him on. "Avenge your fallen comrade!"

The wax splintered and broke as he began to stand. "That's the least I can do for my dear friend Dory!"

Just as Mr. 3 was about to take off and run, an explosion sounded. It hit Broggy square in the face. I gasped and covered my mouth in horror.

"Broggy!!" Nami and I cried out at the same time as four more explosions hit the same place. Broggy fell back down, the ground shaking beneath him.

"Broggy-san!" Vivi and Nami shouted for him as I turned my heated glare to Mr. 5.

"You heartless, cowardly boogie man!"

"Boogie man?"

"You think you're so tough behind your explosions, but you're nothing!" I screamed at him. "Just you wait. Once my captain gets here, you'll get the ass beating of a life time! Back at the cactus island, he wasn't even going his full strength on you! Once he gets his hands on you, you'll be buried six feet under!"

I cringed at Miss Valentine's laugh. "Such big talk coming from someone who can't even save herself right now! Besides, we already took care of your useless captain and that long nose freak."

My eyes narrowed. "The damage you did to him will be reflected back on you tenfold once he's moving again. You'll regret it."

"I seriously doubt that!" She laughed again and I covered my ears.

"And what did I say about that laugh?!" I shouted back at her. "Get a new one! You sound so fake when you do that!"

"You little bit-"

"Miss Valentine, enough!" Mr. 3 said as he finished covering Broggy with even more wax. "You'll ruin my master piece if you keep letting her get to you. Now, Red Ogre Broggy... It seems I may have underestimated your ridiculously brutish strength! It would seem you need to be seized completely! WAX-WAX ARTS! HANDCUFFS!" He encased Broggy with even more wax than before, seeming to cover every inch of him. He made sure to put a heavy heap of wax around his hands and feet.

"And now for the finishing touch!"

"Broggy, no!" I called out as Mr. 3 raised his arms once more and created wax spikes. He made four in total, one for each hand and ankle. I looked away as they pierced through him. His screams of anguish filled the air. I covered my ears and fought to keep the tears from falling.

Mr. 3 relished in his pain. "Can't move now, can you?" He laughed at the pain he caused.

"Broggy..." I shook my head and bared my teeth at the evil man. "You sick monster!!"

"How could you be so horrific?!" Vivi growled at him.

He ignored us. "Now then, accelerate! Candle Service!" The jack-o-lantern above us began to spin faster. The wax started to fall rapidly and heavier. I coughed and tried to hold my breath to keep from inhaling it.

Nami coughed beside me and hunched over herself a bit. "My chest is starting to hurt..."

"Try not to breathe," I tried to take in a filtered breath through my hands.

"Easier said than done..."

"The wax is getting into our lungs," Vivi said through her hands. "At this rate, we'll turn into wax statues from the inside out!"

A crazed laugh came from Mr. 3. "Yes, yes! Make it seem like you are in as much pain as possible! Expressions of pain and agony are the very things I seek in art! May you solidify while filled with terror!"

I coughed and grinned. "Well, if that's the case..." I grinned through the pain in my chest and help up a peace sign.

"You're ruining it!!" He screeched at me.

"You call this art, you topknot freak!" Nami yelled at him. "Mira, stop antagonizing him! How dare you do that to Broggy-san! You guys are gonna regret this! You got that!?"

Mr. 3 just laughed her off. "Scream and holler all you want! It's pointless!"

"Then I won't do either!" I held up another peace sign and grinned cutely.

"Stop that, Neko! You're supposed to be in pain!" He glanced to his left and shook with excitement. "There! Like him! What a look!" I glanced over and saw Broggy's face contorted in pain, anger, and sadness. Tears ran down his face.

"Yes! That struggle! That sorrow! That grief!" Mr. 3 giggled and stared. "What a marvelous work of art!"

"Oh no!" Nami gasped beside me. "My hand won't move!"

I twitched my fingers. "Crap! This isn't the figure I wanted to go with!" I put as much effort into moving my hands as I could. I managed to break the wax around my fingers, but it just kept falling.

"I don't wanna die this way!" Nami cried out. "Can't we do something?!"

"My body's already turning stiff!" Vivi called out in a panic.

I glanced over to Zoro, who had his arms crossed as he stared at Broggy. "How the hell can you be so calm during this?!" He didn't answer me.

"Zoro!"

"Zoro, do something!"

"Mr. Bushido!"

"Zoro, come on!" None of our words seemed to be getting to him as he simply stared at Broggy.

Finally, he spoke. "Hey, old man." Broggy looked up as best he could. "You can still move, can't you? So can I."

He slid his white katana out. "Whatdya say we crush these guys together?" He pulled out his second katana.

"Hold on, Zoro!" Nami stated in a panicky voice. "What're you doing?! You're seriously not gonna-!"

"Yeah," He held his katana out and readied them.

"You're gonna cut your own legs??" Nami and I screeched at him. "Quit joking around!"

"It's no joke," He turned his katanas around so they rested just above the wax. "It's the only way out. What're you three gonna do?"

"I don't think my Neko blood has regeneration abilities!" I cried out. "I'm not going through with this!"

"What're you talking about?!" Vivi scolded him. "It's pointless! Even if you get down from here that way, they'll catch you again!"

He rolled his eyes. "There's no way to know unless we try!" Is that the best reason he can come up with at a time like this?! "We're gonna kick the bucket any way if we stay here like this. So let's put up some ugly struggling!"

He smirked down at Baroque Works. They just stared back. "There's no reason to die heroically for these pieces of scum. Right?!" I watched Mr. 5 mutter to the other agents. I couldn't catch what he was saying. The wax was starting to cover my ears.

"He's bluffing!" Mr. 3 called out. "There's no way he could do that! He's just acting tough!"

Broggy started to chuckle beside us. "What a cheeky runt. I'm pathetic. It seems I had even lost the will to fight. I'll fight along side you and your fighting spirit!" Broggy called up to Zoro, who in turn grinned down at the giant.

"You can't be serious!" Nami smacked her forehead. "How will you be able to fight afterward?!"

"Who knows?" Zoro shrugged as he adjusted his blades. "But, I plan to win!" A crazed, wicked look crossed Zoro's eyes as his grin matched. I believe he's lost his mind. Did the thought of him possibly dying make him go crazy? I don't like this side of him; it's scary.

"W-wait!" I looked around Zoro to look at Vivi. "I'll fight, too!"

"What?!"

"Vivi!"

"Alright,"

"Let's do this, runt!" Broggy called out as he began to move again.

I stared at the determined faces around me. Zoro is willing to give up his legs to fight. He'll probably try to help Vivi out as well. Broggy is probably going to lose all movement in his hands and feet after this.

And what am I doing? Acting like a coward! I've been around Usopp too long. I would have jumped at the chance to stop those who dared to harm my friends and those I care about.

I don't care if my blood can't heal me from this. I have to help. "Let's do this!" In one fluid movement, I pulled my katana back out and was ready to slash through my own legs.

"Don't be stupid!" Mr. 3 cried out in a panic, his wax ready. "What can you possibly do?!"

I tuned him out and focused on my breathing. I heard my heart beat in my ears as I readied myself for the pain. I have to cut through both my legs and ignore the pain as I fight for my friends! There's no other way!

I let out a battle cry as I swung. I saw out of the corner of my eye Zoro lift his blades and swing down. At the same time, Broggy was starting to lift himself up.

This is it. It's now or never.

Just as my blade was starting to cut through my first leg, a commotion made me stop. Angry screams ready for battle echoed around us as trees began to fall. I soon found out what those cries belonged to. Luffy, Usopp, and Karoo, charged onto the battle field, battered, and bruised, but ready for a fight. a grin lit up my face as I stood upright once more.

Now this is a fight I want to see.

I deadpanned when they didn't stop. "Hey, you guys! I'm gonna kick your asses, just so you know!" Luffy called out as he flew right past us. Now what crazy trick did he do to make them fly past us like that? Must've used a rocket or something. I sighed and winced.

"Ouch!" I watched a steady stream of blood trickle from my leg. That wasn't a clean cut.

The three of them stood from trees they had knocked down on the other side of the battle field. "Let's go, Usopp!"

"Right!" They readied themselves.

"Luffy! Usopp!" Nami cheered, relieved that they finally showed up.

"Master Broggy!" Usopp pulled out his slingshot. "We've taken on your frustration!"

"Beat those guys up so much, they lose their original form!" Nami egged them on as they marched forward. They're only line of defense now. It's all up to them for whether we live or not.

............. I think we stand a decent chance of surviving.

"So you're the one with the highest bounty in the East Blue!" Mr. 3 sized up Luffy. "My, how Navy Headquarters standards sure have fallen!"

Luffy zeroed in on Mr. 3. "Whoa! That's a weird head!"

"Quiet, you!" Mr. 3 snapped.

"It's the number three! And it's on fire!"

"Shut up! You're just as bad as the Neko!"

Break this pillar first, Luffy!" Nami called his attention back to us. "We're about to turn into wax figures!"

"Oh? You're in trouble?" He stared at the candle set.

Zoro rested a katana on his shoulder. "Nah, there was no problem at all."

"Hey! Zoro! Mira! Your legs!" Ah, Nami must have just noticed the blood seeping out.

"Yeah. It was about half way through, I would say." Zoro brushed this off as if it happened every day.

"How is that no problem at all?!" Nami's voice shook as our blood dripped off the candle set.

Zoro ignored her. "For now, Luffy, can you just bust this pillar for us? I leave the rest to you.

Luffy grinned and readied himself. "Alright, no problem!"

"I wouldn't be so sure!" Mr. 3 smirked.

Luffy clenched and unclenched his fists as he spoke to Usopp. "I don't know what it is, but let's break that thing!"

"Got it!" Usopp placed one of his star bullets in his sling. "I'm a bit of a different person today!" Karoo squawked in agreement.

"Hurry up!" Nami shouted at them. "We're gonna solidify!"

Luffy, Usopp, and Karoo stared intently at the Baroque Works agents. No one moved a muscle as they waited for the other to move.

I rolled my eyes. "No, please. Take your time. It's not like we're going to die or anything." I glanced over and spotted Zoro lift his katana in the air. "What're you doing?"

"If I'm gonna solidify, I prefer this pose." He stated as he placed his hand on his hip.

So majestic...

Well, he does have a point. I placed my own blade over my shoulder and relaxed my expression to a cool and collected one. "Not you too, Mira!"

"He has a point." I said aloud. "I don't wanna be in an uncomfortable position when the wax gets too hard for me to move."

"This is no time to be playing around!" Nami snapped at us.

"I'm not playing." Zoro said more to himself.

She shook her head. "In any case, do something about your legs! Both of you! It's painful just to look at it!"

"Then quit looking at it." Yeah, that'll work, I thought sarcastically.

"You guys are the idiots who suggested cutting off your legs in this situation so we could escape!" Nami countered with.

"That was kinda the point,"

"That's not true!" Zoro contradicted me. "I was gonna cut them off so we could fight."

"'Cause that totally makes a difference." I rolled my eyes at him.

"It totally does!" He mimicked me.

"Get serious, you two!"

"We are!"

"Just shut up!"

"Honestly, you have no common sense!" Zoro and name looked away from each other, which proved to be a bit difficult with the wax now covering our necks.

"Hey, runt," Broggy called up to us. "Is that all the struggling you've got?"

"Yeah," Zoro grinned down at the giant. "Looks like it's someone else's turn now."

Broggy grinned wider. "I see."

I glanced over to see Miss Golden Week eating from her picnic. She pointed at us and said something to Mr. 3. I couldn't hear her from here, but I didn't care.

"Hey," We looked to Zoro. "If you're gonna do a pose, better do it now."

I blew a strand of hair from my face. "I already did."

"Don't put me on your level." Nami snubbed him and looked away.

"Please be more serious about this, Mr. Bushido!" Vivi begged him.

"I'm always serious."

I barked out a laugh. "Yeah, seriously sleepy at the most inconvenient times."

"Hey, I'm awake now!" He shot back at me. "Though, a nap does sound good."

"My point exactly." I tried to nod but found I couldn't. Would Luffy and Usopp just hurry up already? I have an itch on my nose.

To take my mind off the itch, I focused on the battle field. Mr. 5 and Miss Mismatched Holiday stepped up to Mr. 3. They began talking and trading places as to who was going to fight. This should be interesting. Mr. 3 turned, ready to face Luffy.

"Mira," Zoro pulled my attention from the fight. "Is it getting harder for you to move?"

I barely nodded. "Yeah, a little. Why? What's up? Gonna try cutting through the rest of your leg?"

"Nah," He shut his eyes. "I think I've done enough damage for now."

I scoffed at him. "You plan on injuring yourself even more in the future?"

"If the situation calls for it, yes." He stated as he watched the fight ensue. "But I don't want you harming yourself that way."

I stared at him in confusion. "Why's that?"

"You may have healing blood, but you don't heal the way I do." He explained. "Your blood works overtime to repair damage. I just simply need rest and food, and I'm good to go. I don't want you to be out of commission as you heal."

I glanced back for a few seconds to see Luffy get caught in the leg wax restraints. I rolled my eyes as he used it to his advantage. "Alright, I kinda see what you're saying, but you've never said anything about this before. I've gotten hurt several times. Hell, I even died and got poisoned!"

"Yeah, and look how long you were out for!" He shouted back at me. "You were out most of the fight with Krieg, and it took you an entire day to recover from that damned fruit! Stop letting yourself get hurt!"

"That's kinda impossible, seeing as who we're sailing with." I watched Luffy stretch his arm.

"Old giant guy!" He wrapped his arm around Broggy's horned helmet. "Sorry to bother you!" He used the momentum to swing back around.

"Gomu-Gomu no... MALLET!" He smashed the leg lock into the pillar above us. It broke right in half. The jack-o-lantern fell as well from the force of the pillar being knocked from under it.

But as luck would have it, we didn't get so lucky. The jack-o-lantern landed above us, perfectly fine, and kept sending wax down on top of us. Well, that worked!

"Lucky!" My eye twitched as Luffy spoke. "The mallet on my leg broke too!"

But no luck for us. The damned jack-o-lantern started to spin again. This time, the wax was falling heavier and faster.

Nami and Vivi were taking in huge breaths. "We survived... I thought we were gonna be crushed."

"Luffy doesn't like to think things through..." I sighed to myself.

"This didn't help us at all!" Zoro agreed as the wax continued to cover us.

"Whew, that was dangerous!" Luffy called out to us. "Why didn't you guys run?"

Does he not see the situation we're in?!

"We can't move!" Vivi and Nami snapped at him. "Isn't it obvious?!"

"Oh, really?" If I could move, I'd slap him. "But you guys told me to break the pillar! Were you lying?"

Vivi turned to Zoro. "Is it really a good idea to put our lives in his hands, Mr. Bushido?!"

"Don't look at me," He shrugged. "That's the only choice we've got here. Plus, it looks like my arms are stuck now."

"Please be serious about this!" She screeched.

"Hold on..." Nami gasped to herself. "It feels like my body is hardening more and more now! I can't move at all!"

"Fools!" Mr. 3 laughed at us. "With the candles closer, your hardening process has sped up! Now you can become wax figures even faster!"

"Wait, you guys're gonna be wax figures?!" Luffy called out to us.

"YES!" I shouted at him.

"That's what we've been trying to tell you!" Nami added.

"Just destroy the set, Luffy-san!" Vivi begged.

"R-right! Okay!" He scrambled into action.

"I told you I won't let you interfere!" Mr. 3 swung his arm back. "Wax-Wax Arts! HARPOON!!"

"Exploding Star!" Usopp was aiming right for Mr. 3. Luffy managed to dodge the harpoon just as Mr. 5 swallowed the star. Smoke billowed out his nose and ears as it exploded in his stomach.

I sighed to myself and turned away from the fight. "There's no way out of this... We're done for."

"Hey, Luffy's still fighting." Zoro said beside me. "We've still got a chance."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, but at this rate, we've got maybe ten-fifteen minutes until we're completely solid wax. Luffy gets distracted easily and can make this drag out for another twenty or thirty minutes."

"Then he just has to make this go by quicker." His thought process is just not good this afternoon. "Hey, have faith in our captain. We'll get out of this."

"I hope you're right..."

"Luffy-san! Please hurry!" Vivi's cries for help echoed around us.

"Right!" He swung his arms back. "That pumpkin's a bad thing! Hang on! Gomu-Gomu no..."

"It's no use! Candle Wall!"

"BAZOOKA!" The wall Mr. 3 made at the last second stopped Luffy's attack in its place.

His arms snapped back into place. "Hey, you! Don't get in my way!"

"That's my line, Straw Hat." Mr. 3 chuckled. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't interfere with my creative activities. Candle Lock!!"

He slung another glob of wax at Luffy. He barely managed to get away. Only one arm got caught.

He giggled as he flew through the air. "I've got a mallet!" He pointed to his arm. "Gomu-gomu no..."

"Candle Wall!!"

"MALLET!" This time, Luffy was more successful. Be broke through the wax and sent Mr. 3 cartwheeling across the battle ground.

"Go, Luffy!" I cheered for him. I would have done more, but I can't move.

He straightened up and stared at us.

"Way to go, Luffy!" Nami called out to him. "Now hurry up and break this set while there's still time!"

My heart sank at his next words. "No."

"Wh-what? Can you repeat that?" I asked.

"Stop joking around and hurry!" Nami narrowed her eyes at him.

"No." He said again.

"This is no time to be acting stupid!" Zoro shouted at him.

"Just do it already!"

"Luffy-san, please!"

He lifted his head and stared at us, his eyes wide. "What should I do? I don't feel like saving you guys."

I swear the world just shattered around me. "You've got to stop joking like that! Hurry up and get us down from here!"

"No."

"What are you saying...?" Nami barely whispered.

"Color Trap," I focused on the cookie munching girl.

"What?" I stared down at her confused. "What does she mean by that?" Luffy was panting hard and staring up at us. His eyes were void of emotion, but I could see he wanted to do something. What is she doing to him?

"Hey, Luffy!" Zoro shouted to him again. "There's no time! Do something about this thing already!"

"Yeah... I know..." He spoke softly as we watched us get closer to becoming wax figures.

This isn't good... She's doing something to him and I can't understand what it is! "Hey! Cookie munching freak! What're you doing to him?!"

She took another bite of her cookie. "Don't ignore me!"

"Why do you keep saying that?!" I focused back to Nami. "Stop saying you won't save us and hurry up! We're about to be turned into wax figures! Do you understand?! We're about to die!"

"Yeah, but for some reason, I just can't get motivated."

"Then how about I motivate you with a nice big, juicy steak back at the ship?!" I offered.

He twitched, but stayed put. "No, I don't feel like it."

I sighed. "Well, I tried."

"This isn't a motivation problem!!" The other three shouted at us.

An explosion sounded from the other side of the field. Usopp and Karoo came running out of the trees, Mr. 5 right behind them. They made a turn and headed farther into the jungle.

Well, they're useless.

Vivi gasped. "Miss Golden Week! This is your doing!"

She stopped eating her cookie long enough to speak. "Colors Trap: Betrayal Black." I stared down at Luffy's feet. What I thought was his shadow turned out to be a symbol. "Touch the black paint, and you'll want to betray your friends, no matter what they say."

"Well, that's just great!" I huffed. "First, my strange day started out with giants, followed by a weird wax man, and now paint?! What's next?! Is a giant fireball of doom gonna rain down upon us?!"

I sighed and shut my eyes. "I'm getting a headache..."