The Princess's Swordsman

Out of the Dust

Chapter 17

Pratus's laugh boomed throughout the Courtyard, his head thrown back, "You honestly think you can beat me! You're too young to have ANY experience to use against me! You're just a inexperienced little brat, and you can die for all I care!"

"We'll see about that..." Zoro took his stance. He was ready. So was Pratus. The fight was about to begin.

"Please be careful Zoro," Robin whispered under her breath so only she could hear.

Zoro ran with great speed towards his target. Robin held her breath. Their swords clashed as Pratus blocked Zoro's attack with his single sword. The sword Pratus held was not much different than the Zoro's. But their skills were almost matched. Both men jumped back. There was no pause. Once again, Zoro rushed forward. This time spinning around Pratus to end up behind him. For a brief moment, Pratus's eyes were wide, but he quickly shot back around and clashed their swords together once again. Zoro, who was in the air, did a flip, and landed back on his feet.

"Now that was impressive," said the wicked king with a smirk, "My turn..." He stood up tall and strait. Pointing the edge of his blade at Zoro he said, "Thundering Victory." And with a single long swipe of his sword a thundering sound and a black wave of light shot out of his sword. There was a massive explosion, "Zoro!" Robin shouted. Everyone waited. Then out stepped the silhouette of the swordsman. Pratus growled through clenched teeth.

"Sir! We're here!" The men with crossbows had made it down to the Courtyard.

"Seize the Princess! We're leaving!" Zoro's eyes burned furiously. The rest of the men rushed towards the Princess and her father. The green haired swordsman reacted instantly, "Tatsumaki!" He shouted. Out of the blades of his weapons came a merciless tornado of wind, which snatched up its victims into a vortex of terror! The crowd put their hands to their ears. As did Robin, the King, and Pratus. The men were gone. Pratus was furious! "Thunder and Lightning Attack!!" This time lightning struck out of his sword as Pratus jabbed it in his opponent's direction. Zoro's eyes grew wide as he jumped skillfully to the side. Pratus did this several times and Zoro dodged it several times. The Courtyard was being destroyed! Zoro had jumped so many times he got higher and higher. Patrus saw the green haired swordsman several feet in the air, so he took advantage and slashed his sword wildly yelling, "Lighting Whip!" What seemed like another black streak, appeared out of nowhere. Zoro was too high in the air to dodge it's power. His entire body was struck. He clenched his teeth as he felt bolts of energy surge his body. They even sparked on the outside!

"Zoro!" Robin screamed again. He fell to the ground with a crash. Dust was everywhere. Robin was about to take off, but her father grabbed her arm, "No!" He pulled her back. Tears formed in her eyes. Pratus chuckled slightly, "To be honest, " he said, "At first glance I thought you would a difficult one... But it turns out I was wrong. The fool..." The dust began to clear. Everyone waited. Then, the sound of rocks falling could be heard coming out of the dust. Pratus narrowed his eyes into the mist. There was no sound. So Pratus turned his back, glaring strait at Robin, his eyes dark. Her own eyes trembled.

Suddenly, Zoro appeared jumping out of the dust, swords blazing. Pratus turned around wildly but it was too late; as soon as Zoro took one slash Pratus was in the air, his body limp. But it wasn't over...

"Hyakuhachi Pound Hou!!" A blue beam type thing shot from his own swords and into the air. It hit his target directly. Pratus screamed in pain as he was shot down. Everyone's eyes were as wide as saucers! Pratus hit the earth below him with the loudest crash. The crowd braced for impact, shielding themselves and each other from the wave of wild.

Slowly, Zoro approached his opponent. Pratus's eyes were rolled back into his head. There was blood in his mouth and pretty much everywhere else! Zoro put his swords away, "You, are the truly weak one."

It was over. Zoro collapsed once the pain of his wounds caught up with him. Some wounds were reopened.

"Zoro!" Robin pulled out of her fathers grip and rushed to add him, "Zoro that was amazing!" She hugged him tenderly. He hugged her back, resting his head on her shoulder. She stroked his head and kissed his cheek, "Thank you Zoro. Thank you." Everyone began to breath normally once again as their heart rate also returned to normal. Zoro's breathing too, started so subside to it's normal pace.

"Oh, look at you," she said with a smile as she examined his bloody face. He tried to look at her but his eyes felt heavy, "All covered in blood." She wiped some away as best as she could.

"You're safe now... Robin," he managed. Tears formed in her eyes once again. But these were tears of joy and not sadness.

Then... he saw in the background a figure that seemed to be on their stomach, crawling, with something in their hand. Zoro's eyes quickly widened. It was Pratus, and he was holding a crossbow, aimed strait at Robin's back.

"If I can't have this Kingdom then no one will!" He shouted before firing the arrow. Zoro spun them around, switching places with her. His eyes were squeezed shut, his teeth clenched. The arrow had struck him in the back. The crowd shrieked in horror. Robin's eyes shook once again, "Zoro?" she said softly. He opened his eyes and gazed into her own beautiful blue eyes. Those beautiful eyes he fell in love with. He cupped her face with one hand, "I'm sorry Robin... I love you." He bent down as best as he could and... kissed her cheek softly. After that, he collapsed on top of her. That is when she saw the arrow, "Zoro?!" She asked in disbelief. Pratus stood to his feet, trembling. He aimed at the young couple, "Nice knowing you Princess." Suddenly, several arrows pierced Pratus in the chest. Everyone's direction was directed to the source, "Father?!" Robin exclaimed. The king was holding a crossbow in his own hands. The crowd's mouths dropped. Now THAT is something you don't see everyday!

"That's for my daughter you bastard."

"Oh." Pratus fell to the ground (again). And this time, he was TRULY dead. King James lowered his weapon and rushed to his daughter's add. He saw the arrow in Zoro's back, "The arrow isn't deep. I'll pull it out." He did as he said. Robin winced at the sound of the arrow being extracted from his flesh. Her father then rolled the young man off of his daughter and helped her sit up. She quickly pulled the swordsman close, "Zoro say something!" She turned his face to look at her but his eyes were closed, "No no no Zoro!!" King James instantly put his ear to the boy's chest. Robin waited. A confused expression appeared on his face. He pulled away and looked at his daughter with the same face.

"What is it!?" Her father blinked a couple of times before answering...

"He's... snoring..."

A/N: Right! Who knew King James would be so badass! Pretty awesome! Good, now that Pratus is out of the way life will be better! :) I wonder what's gonna happen next? Hmm...