Day Two

[Monkey D. Luffy]

"Ergh . . that jerk! I'm gonna' kick her ass and eat that stupid dragon!" Luffy fumed, throwing a tantrum as he peered through the freshly ruptured cap, now cleft by a searing bullet hole. Not only serving as his signature of infamy, the pirate's treasured headwear was an homage, a gift from the man standing atop the highest pedestal amidst his dearest idols. She freaking damaged it! Sonuvva!

"Ey, you alright there squirt?" A concerned voice jolted the captain from his stewing trance. Shooting a tapered eye at the culprit, Luffy's peeved countenance softened at the comforting sight of Gildarts standing before him. The Shanks look-a-like's broad shoulders blotted out the sun as his sable cloak flapped, swaying along brisk currents.

"Shan- Damn it, I mean Gilly! You look so much alike! Kahaha, but yeah, Nami taught me how to sew," Straw Hat reassured, his menacing glare rescinding back to a jubilant grin. "Once this game is over I'll have it back good as ne-OW!" Luffy winced as he palmed his forehead, blood still trickling down from the razed wound.

"Here, let me take a look at that," The brutish mage propositioned, settling against a stump next to the bleeding youth. Gildarts' years of battle experience has forced him to learn, albeit novice level, how to mend his wounds. He tore at pieces of his tattered cloak, promptly wrapping Luffy's dome to prevent the gash from leaking further. Without warning, a sudden spark glinted alight within Straw Hat, severing his mind from the sentient plane. Not a warning sensation, no. Something . . . Dark.

******

Gehgehgehgeh! Bumbling bafoon, that wench almost bested you. A pity you're so weak, you can barely defend yourself, let alone your so-called friends! It's only a matter of time before you kick the bucket. You'll never see your crew again, child! Never!


The malicious entity curtsied yet again, burying the pirate beneath an avalanche of repugnance and seizing his mind hostage similar to days prior. This time, however, the feeling was stronger, more influential, more adamant, difficult to . . break, difficult . . to . . . breath.


You resist me yet. Feh, futile. As your emotions flare, so too does my unyielding grasp. Give in to me, boy. You're powerless! You will never succeed here, you're too soft! Too caring! You abhor taking life! Will your enemies share such infantile sentiment?! Will you stand idle as you watch the guts of your friends ripped apart?! As their bodies are obliterated asunder?! As they cry out for your aid while you writhe on the ground, incapable of saving them?!


The gruff voice grew louder, more prominent, more convincing. It was right, it spoke the truth. He was too forgiving, too magnanimous. But . . this was who he was, who he had driven to be. His unfettered resolve was not so easily shattered.


Stop it! Guh . . . I've heard enough! Get out of me!


Luffy spoke in anguish within the confines of his conscience, grasping his forehead in agony as his head twisted and churned in turmoil. The captain's sclera creepily dimmed to an empty black as his pupils flashed a vibrant yellow. As if decaying by the second, muguwara's flesh dulled to an ashy gray, forfeiting all color as if the very blood in his veins curdled to oil.



Accept me! Embrace me! It's your only chance!




AGH! N-NEVER! I WON'T! I WILL DO THIS ON MY OWN!





TOO LATE, YOUR BODY IS MINE! GEHGEHGEHGEEHHHHH!!





"G-GUH . . . GAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

KWOOOSH!!








". . . Heh . . Heheh . . . Heheheheh!"