MARINES - A ONE PIECE story (ENGLISH) - Part I

CHAPTER OF MARY - III

Alone had led Mary into a large room in the first basement. The stone walls were cold and damp, so the atmosphere was icy. Mary's hot breath was blowing small clouds of steam into the air each time she exhaled. It reminded her of the sixth level of Impel Down, which made her deeply uncomfortable.

But the icy room, lit by a few candles here and there, was very large. In the center of the room was a stone platform, about one step high. Mary watched Alone climb it without understanding, then the young woman picked up a large stick that was lying there and threw it to her. Clumsily, Mary grabbed it with both hands and weighed it : it was heavy and stiff. Alone, on the other hand, was spinning it like a majorette. On her full lips, her eternal smile remained.

- These are bokken, she explained, training sticks. There are many other things to practice with here, but we will start with these. They are the first step.

With a firm, brisk movement of her arm, she pointed the tip of her bokken at Mary's face.

- You remember what the master said, right ? He expects that when he returns, you will be strong enough to claim the title of Hell Queen !

Mary had heard Ankou's words clearly and understood that she would have to train with her friend. Yet, although it was absolutely obvious, she didn't realize until that very moment that Alone could, therefore, fight. That such a graceful and mannered girl was a fighter surprised her to no end, yet she seemed most competent and serious.

- Who are you really ? Mary whispered with a dreamy smile.

- Don't worry about it, girl. All ya need to know is that I'm strong enough to awaken your abilities !

immediately, Alone pounced on her with the agility of a lioness and struck her with a hit so hard it knocked her over. Mary fell and scraped her knee slightly, but without hurting herself too much. She laughed in surprise. Alone attacked her two, three, four times. Mary couldn't defend herself once, and each time she fell on her butt or side.

- Well, she exclaimed in surprise. I had no idea you were so strong ! Maybe it's Daiki you should be facing.

- I don't give two shits about your friend, princess. What I want is for you to become strong.

Mary shuddered when she noticed that, for the first time, her friend was not smiling. Her long dress had torn slightly during the exercise, but she didn't care. Her expression was most serious.

- Get up, quickly. We don't have time to lose.

Mary questioned her with her eyes, the ghost of her naive smile still on her lips. She didn't understand.

- Get up, for the fuck's sake ! shouted the other one while throwing herself on her.

Seeing the fury in her eyes, Mary took fright and rolled quickly to the side to dodge her new attack. There was a loud crack and she saw that where she had been standing moments before, the stone had been split by the bokken.

- Alone... ? she breathed out in a shaky voice. I... I guess I'm not meant to fight. Can we stop ? I'd like to go back to my room to...

- You're not going anywhere until I tell you to. The power inside you is far too great for your weak potential, you don't realize how lucky you are. The Emperor has entrusted me with the task of awakening it. Believe me, I will do it by all means.

A new smile appeared on Alone's lips, a smile Mary didn't know yet. She was enjoying scaring her. Dodging another attack, Mary rushed to the door, shouting the name of her ally. The only one. But all she got in response was a chilling burst of laughter, as if the throat of the one she thought was her friend had been torn open.