Serious: Hooded Knights chapter 4- Whatever happens in Amazon Lily Stays in Amazon Lily

Victor had been watching the boy boarded the ship. He also felt a bit irritated by the boy's anti-social demeanor. Victor stopped they boy and tried to look him in the eyes. "Listen, kid. Today is my first time on the job too. But staying quiet wont get you anywhere in the world of the marines. Failure to acknowledge your superiors is insubordination and an offense. So tell me; are you a marine? If so, please properly introduce yourself to the Captain." Victor strightened himself up and then bowed at his Darnel. "Commodore, I am sorry for talking out of line. My apologies."

Martin looked at the new recruit and shook his head walking into the ship

"Newbies" he sighed

A few minutes later he came out with a Cello and sat down on a chair on deck "Who wants sum music'?" he asked

Quintus wrung his hands nervously as Darnel questioned him. He wasn't sure if he really wanted to tell Darnel anything. It was such a private matter after all...but if Darnel thought that he didn't like him or the crew, than he didn't have much of a choice.

"I don't..." Quintus began.

Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, someone new arrived on the ship and distracted Darnel. Quintus slipped away quietly from the Commodore as he was trying to get the young recruit to talk.

Quintus then went over to the edge of the ship and set himself on the railing, with his feet dangling over the water. What should he do? Should he tell Darnel? Should he refuse? Should he ask for a transfer and hope he could trick his next commanding officer into not offering promotions? Or should he simply cast himself into the sea and drown himself? For a moment, a smile flickered across his features, but then it was gone and once more he was left with only his worries and fears.

It wasn't that Quintus didn't think Darnel deserved to know or was wrong in asking. Quite the opposite. However, that did not change the fact that his past was not something he talked about. Especially the part of his past that Darnel wanted to know about.

Quintus's hands tightened into fists. Tears started to form in his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away. He had no time to spare for his own foolishness. Perhaps he should just own up to what he had done and get it over with. It would certainly be better than sitting here and crying about it.

Quintus dropped back onto the deck and turned towards Darnel. Slowly, he started to walk back towards him. All the way he had a look on his face that was akin to a man walking up the steps of a gallows.

Jonathan ran towards the ship where he was meant to be stationed at, going as fast as he possibly could; I'm not late, I'm not late, I'm not late, I'm late, I'm late. Damn it! I'm late!
Jonathan continued to run, holding a bag full of medical equipment in his right hand and keeping his Marine Cap on with his left hand; I'll make it. It's okay. It's not okay! I'm going to be left behind!
"Don't leave yet!"
Jonathan stayed as calm as was possible during his period of running through the Marineford Base, yet the look of pain soon swept across his face as he was using up too much energy and didn't have alot left. Soon though, Jonathan managed to arrive at the dock where The Hooded Justice was docked. Jonathan slowed down to a crawl, going towards the captain of the ship; "Recruit Jonathan Adams, sir.", Jonathan would give a salute with his left hand, "I have been stationed to your division."
Jonathan stood their with the salute raised, hoping the Captain would salute back so he could drop his salute.

Seeing that Mail had walked away, Darnel was curious about this boy. He seemed different than the other marines. Oh well with some training Darnel figured he could groom him into becoming a great marine maybe even an admiral once he became fleet admiral. Darnel decided to make this boy his apprentice. It wasn't going to be easy, but hey what in this world was? Besides this could be the opportunity he needed to prove he deserved a promotion. Surely shaping up young marines counted for something. Darnel noticed how Victor corrected the boy on his manners. Fine work indeed although a little harsh. Victor soon apologized which Darnel responed "You were only doing what you thought was right. I'm glad to have you on my side, Victor. But go easy on the boy. He'll learn to respect his superior officers. Oh and call me Darnel. Commordore is too formal. Only the other crews call me that."

Then just as things couldn't get any better another recruit who had apparent been assigned to this crawled toward the ship stopping to give Darnel a salute too tired to stand. Darnel picked him up from his knees placing him up standing. He then wiped off the dirt from his uniform before returning his salute "At ease soldier. Welcome to the hooded knights. Wait?! Another recruit on my crew? This calls for a celebration."

Darnel turned toward Martain "Me Martian. Play us a melody. And Johnathan take a seat and relax. Victor and Ryujin being out the best booze in the kitchen. Jacob make sure none of the triplets drink all the booze. The rest of you just have fun and party. Thats an order!" He figured that the crew should relax before a mission. Not to mention they deserved it. "Carlos since you are the one steering the ship no drinks for you. We can't have our helmsman drunk on his ass ha ha ha ha. Mail make sure Carlos doesn't drink anything."

Darnel then saw the sad almost miserable look on Quintus face. This must have been bad. He put his arm around Quintus's shoulder "We should talk about this in my private quarters. Don't want to make a scene around the others." Darnel lead Quintus to his quarters where his office was, so they could talk in private without the others listening in. Darnel sat behind his desk folding his fingers together "Talk."

Martin nodded to Darnel and began tuning his cello. After this he played a few scales for warm up, then he was ready to play. He then sighed, and was about to start playing a jazz tune when he stopped. He was bored of jazz, he wanted a challange.

"Anaone wanna request a song?" asked Martin

"Right" Carlos said as the first of the triplets gave him directions. He turned the wheel to the opposite direction when the second of the triplets gave his opinion. "Right..." Carlos said with a confused voice as he turned the wheel back to where it was. The ship was taking violent turns, it almost seemed like Carlos was already drunk. Then the third of the triplets arrived and gave him more directions. "Riiiiiight..." He said, now sighing with exhaustion as he pointed the nose of the ship to the east. Carlos would normally enjoy watching the three equally-ranked marines battle their arguments, but taking directions from them was the hardest part of being the helmsman of The Hooded Knights.

Darnel seemed happy with all his new recruits and he decided to have a little party on board. Carlos was about to join when Darnel ordered him not to drink. "But, but... fine, aye aye captain" Carlos answered and stuck with the helm.

For the first time since meeting Darnel, Quintus had adopted a dead serious expression before his commanding officer. He was even standing properly at attention, though admittedly he had his hands clasped behind his back in a slightly more casual 'at ease' stance. Though he didn't show it, Quintus was at the breaking point internally. The only way he could even do this was to dispel everything else, leaving behind only a cold, militaristic exterior.

"Yes sir," he said, his tone matching his posture. "When I was a child, I used to lead a gang of children. We spent a lot of time both in town and in the surrounding jungle. Twelve years ago, when I was eleven, I once more took my friends on an exploration mission of the jungle. That day we traveled to a river, one we had crossed many times before by using a log that spanned its width. I ordered two of my friends to cross it first." For a moment, a shadow flickered across Quintus's face and he swallowed hard, but then he became serious once more. "They started to cross it. Then, when they were about halfway across, it..." His voice dropped to little more than a whisper. "...it broke. My two friends fell in." A tear leaked out of the corner of Quintus's eye, but he pressed on. "I tried to save them, but I couldn't reach them in time and they...they...drowned..." Now he started to cry openly. "And it was all my fault! It always will be my fault! And I will never...no, I can never lead anyone ever again! So please, don't promote me! Don't make me your second in command! I couldn't bear it!"

Mail walked over to Carlos looking down "Esign Mail reporting. Orders from the captain to make sure you don't drink." he said not looking up at the man.

Darnel took a deep breath still taking in the story that Quintus had told him. He tried to find the words to comfort his subordinate at the time, but despite all his knowledge he couldn't think of anything to say. Then he thought about how his former mentor died when Redbeard broke out of the marine base. The pain of losing such a close friend that almost drove him insane with grief and anger. "Well Quintus, I won't tell you I know how you feel. I can only tell you from my experience losing a close friend of mine." Darnel put his legs upon the table to get himself more comfortable "Well to make a long story short on my first mission I lost my superior officer due to break out in a marine base. I killed the pirates but lost my sanity and even attacked my own crew. It was by pure compassion and trust that my crew managed to bring me to my senses. The point is Quintus that those who aren't ready to give their lives for justice shouldn't join the marines. In this kind of work you don't know when it might be your time, or your friends on the crew. This is why I try to become stronger everyday so I can protect those I care about from dying a pointless death, but I need help and you're the only person I can rely if something should ever happen to me or Carlos."

Darnel looked at Quintus in the eyes with a sorrowful yet reassuring face "Listen its not your fault about your friends' death. Do you think that they would would want you to continue to weep for them? The past is the past and there is nothing that crying will fix. They would want you to remember the fun times you all had. They wouldn't to become ghosts or demons that you bear as bad nightmares, but happy memories that we will remember for the rest of your life. You see what I'm saying?"

Quintus stared at Darnel, tears still pouting down his face. Darnel didn't understand. He never would. Not until he ordered someone to their death. Not until he had to live with his own decisions every day of his life. Not until...not until...never...

"What do you know..." Quintus's voice was soft and weak. "...how can you possibly know..." He reached forward and gripped the edge of the table as if to steady himself. "...what gives you the right to think..." His voice was growing steadily stronger. "...THAT YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE WANTED!?"

His fingers pressed down on the side of the desk, breaking through its edge as if it weren't even there. Splinters broke off and stabbed into his hands. It hurt, but Quintus didn't care. He even welcomed the pain. It was a good way to channel his anger.

Without waiting to be dismissed, Quintus spun on his heel and marched out of the cabin. He was oblivious to any orders he may have been given, but instead, stepped out onto the main deck. He thrust his hand into his pocket and drew out George's pebble. Then he threw it into the air.

"SPREAD YOUR WINGS!" Quintus roared as he continued moving forward.

Behind him, the pebble fell back towards the deck, but instead of hitting the deck, it changed becoming a giant roc. The huge, hawk-like bird touched down lightly on the deck, his wings spread wide open as he let out a momentous screech.

Quintus wasn't done yet. Still moving forward, he whipped his bullet case up into the air. Automatically, George took the air, catching the case in his beak. By this point, Quintus had reached the front of the ship and he stepped up onto the railing before him. He didn't look back, but spoke just loud enough for anyone to hear him.

"I'll never do it."

Then he was gone. George had flown back down and snatched Quintus up in his claws. The large bird circled around once to gain some altitude and then he flew off, away from Marineford.

Victor watched as Quintus took off in the claws of a giant Bird. The way he stormed across the boat suggested that something had upset him. The way tears rolled down his eyes attested to his sadness. Victor remained silent he walked to the doorway of the cabin and saw Darnel in his chair. Unsure of what to say, Victor leaned outside of the doorway, awaiting his captain's response to the situation.

Jonathan would watch, lying on the deck of the ship facing towards the sky, as Quintus flew off. Jonathan got up and looked to where he flew off about, trying to figure out how he managed to change a rock into a Roc. The only explanations where either the man himself had the ability to change rocks into Rocs or the rock had somehow managed to "eat" a Devil Fruit in which he could turn into the majestic bird. Jonathan got up and walked to the edge of the ship, watching Quintus fly away.

((Geographic skip requested by SK))

Carlos was about to tell Mail that he didn't need a babysitter but then his fellow crew mate Quintus began shouting at his captain. Quintus passed by Carlos on his way off the ship, but he was gone before Carlos got to say a word. It wasn't an appropriated behavior, not for a marine at least, but knowing the rational Quintus, he must have had a reason. Carlos started turning to Darnel, to ask him what happened, but then his Helmsman senses began tingling.

The wind was cut short, the sails have all relaxed and the ship's movement was slowing down. No waves could be seen, anywhere. It was almost as if the world stopped. The ocean was as quiet as a sleeping beast, calm. Up ahead in the distance, Carlos could spot the outlines of a dolphin's dorsal fin cutting the surface of the water. As the ship closed in on it, a huge creature arose from the water. It resembled an alligator, what appeared to be a dorsal fin was in fact a bulge above the right nostril of the gigantic beast that easily towered the Hooded Justice, it was a Sea King. The alligator-like monster released a frightened roar and swam away from the ship, as if it was running for it's life. It must have been the sea stone that was covering the hall bottom of the ship that scared it away. "Guys" Carlos said, looking streight to the horizon of one of the most famous areas in the world. "Welcome to the Calm Belt"

Darnel hearing that they reached the calm belt got out from his seat walking unto the deck. He watched his sniper fly off into the distance without saying a word. Quintus was wrong Darnel did understood his pain. He just hid his sorrow well. "Well men looks like we are doing this mission without Quintus this time." Normally Darnel could have suspended him from abandoning his post, but he figured Quintus has suffered enough and doesn't need that on his head. Darnel walked up to sleepy patting him on the back "Good Job, Carlos."

Then in distance a large oriental galleon ship being by two Yuda, two giant sea serphants who even seakings grew to fear. Darnel told Carlos "Thats were we have to go. The empress of kujia tribe will on that ship. I'm sure of it."

Victor walked over to the boat's edge, also hoping to catch a view of the Kuja ship. "So those are Yuda. Hmm... they don't look as fierce as I thought. Darnel, sir, do you known anything about the former empress of the Kuja?

Carlos turned his head to watch the ship that the empress was supposed to be on. He turned the helm towards the ship after receiving a command to do so. While the Hooded Justice turned to face the direction of the ship, Carlos drifted into thoughts about what kind of wonders of the female gender might be on that very ship. The word empress made the ruler of the Kuja tribe sound old, but her maids and followers must be younger than her.

With these thoughts in mind, Carlos pulled the lever to activate the back Squid Cannon, shooting the ship forward with a strong stream of compressed water. "Kuja here we come!" He announced, as he tried to comb his messy hair with his fingers, an attempt that was proved to be impossible.

Mail looked awkwardly as he had heard about the Kuja tribe all female warriors. It wasen't the fact they were warriors but that they were female. Mail walked over to Darnel and looked meekly at him. "I...Don't need to talk to anyone do I Commodore Darnel?" he asked before averting his gaze,

Jonathan walked to the edge of the ship to look at the ship they where approaching. Jonathan began to speak his thoughts out loud; "Hmm. Perhaps the Kuja work in a different way biologically to normal people, being able to survive on an island with only woman and being able to ally themselves with those...Snakes.
Jonathan runs over to Darnel, saluting him again; "Sir! Do I have permission to run some experiments and test on these Kuja if one agrees?"

Darnel had to admit to himself that he was excited to see to famed Kuja tribe ship. It was rare that anyone seen a kuja woman and in fact survive. There were known to kill all outsiders particularly men. Then Victor asked him about any information about the former empress of kuja "Well information about the kuja is surrounded mystery and myth. The empress is famed to most beautiful woman in the world, and the to power to turn men into stone, so don't look into her eyes."

Then Jonathan asked could he experiment on one of the Kuja if he had their permission. Darnel thought this to be somekind of trick in order to get a cheap thrill, but he decided to give him a the benefit of a doubt and allow him to his medical research "If you just are doing medical research I suppose it couldn't hurt, but if you do anything remotely unprofessional it will be three weeks in the brig for you."

The hooded Justice stopped next to the Apple Blossom. Immediately two female warriors came out holding two snake bows aiming at the hooded knights. They only wore small strapped bra holding their tops either wearing a biniki or short loin cloth for their lower regions. Then Mail asked did he have to talk to any of them. Darnel whispered to Mail "Its best that you do, or you will risk offending them with your silence. The kuja are known for killing men, so silence might not be the best treatment."

The two women guards aimed their bows toward the marines "Are you Commodore Darnel, leader of the hooded knights?" Darnel was nooded his head afraid to say a word. They threw over a large piller of wood that would ten men to carry unto the hooded justice so that they may board the Apple Blossom. Darnel was the first to walk unto the piller unto the kuja ship. Where dozens of beautiful women surrouned the deck of the ship. Some of them were normal size while others were nearly a fourth of the size of a giant. In the middle of the ship was a sumo wrestling ring. There high above the ring sitting on her throne was the empress of the kuja. She has red flowing hair with the shiniest of hazel eyes. Her body was muscle toned yet curvy in all the right places. Her skin was pale and creamy like vanallia ice cream. Her clothes consisted of a snake skin bra, and green long flowing loin cloth barely covering her inner thighs.

Mail gulped and nodded and followed quickly behind Darnel. Trying to avoid eye contact with the women of the ship. "I...Don't have to fight any of them do I Commodore Darnel-Senpai?" he asked meekly once more. He looked up trying to see what this empress looked like before shooting his head back down.

Empress Borina looked at the Commodore and the young marine before her throne. Her daughter Begonia was sitting right of throne looking Mail with curiousity yet with a firm stare. The women of the ship stood to either side of the boat staring upon the two men. Begonia turned to her mother "Why do men have such ulgy clothes? And they look so different...I mean their breasts are so flat." Borina explained "Men are just werid creatures, sweetie. They don't have good senses like we women do." The empress stood up from her throne. All the women bowed before the empress yelling "We love you, Borina-sama."

The Empress Borina said "If you are who you say you are then must pass our test. Your strongest warrior will have to fight our strongest warrior. Only if you defeat us will I believe that you are truly the hooded knights. If you fail then we will strike you where you stand." The women pulled out their snakes bow aimed toward the hooded knights.

Mail began to sweat while muttering "Please don't let Senpai know I'm a cyborg.". Looking at Darnel he couldn't tell if he knew or not which slightly calmed him down. Patting around just incase he realized he left his katana on the ship and frowned knowing he'd be left with hand to hand combat if he was picked.

Victor, hearing the empress' word, suddenly realized that aside from Quintus' Roc, he had not learned of any of his crew members' powers. In terms of hand-to-hand combat, Victor would most likely have an advantage over anyone, especially with his fruit abilities. But in terms of the strongest, Victor had to assume that it was his captain.

Martin hadn't moved during this whole ordeal. He had seen Quintus fly off but hadn't said anything, he had seen the ship come up but didn't say or do anything. He decided not to talk with any of the women like Darnel had said. But when the women raised her bow, he jumped from his seat at his cello and got into a fighting stance, they were being hostile? He would be hostile back. He then looked at Darnel.

"Shud I take care of 'em, boss?" Martin asked in his usual accent, in his 'Broken Fist' basic stance