'Someone's closing in.' she thought to herself as she caught an unfamiliar scent. Large wings heavy with dirt from being dragged through the terrain and body weak from trekking through miles of jungle her exhaustion became unbearable. She felt a familiar feeling start to course through her weakened form, 'Shit! Please not this again!' With a 'poof' the beast was no more. No longer the size of small ship instead the size of a puppy. 'This form is so embarrassing!' she growled to herself as she lay on the ground unable to move due to over exertion. She could only helplessly wait for whoever was tailing her to find her lying in the dirt and in her own blood. 'Maybe they'll kill me, and I can be done with this curse of a life.'

/

"What the hell is up with these directions?!" Ace grumbled in annoyance. He stopped realizing he had come to a clearing that connected both the marsh and the beginning of the mountains. Looking back to from where he had come from he looked back up at the mountains then back again. "Huh, guess there really was no Beast." Shrugging Ace went on about his journey when he realized he wasn't the only one in that clearing. On the edge lay what looked like a bird, 'You're a little too small to be lunch.' He thought absently as he made his way to it. As he got closer his brows furrowed, that's a pretty weird bird. 'Wait birds don't whimper? What the hell?'

"Um, hey, you okay there little buddy?" Fitting perfectly in the crook of his arm the pirate gently cradled the injured animal to his chest. Soft feathers filthy from the mud and crusty from dried blood met his skin. Unable to see the creatures face he could only watch as it shook in pain and curled itself into a ball of feathers. Carefully unfolding the small creature's wings from itself he was met with dull blue eyes.

"A wolf?!" Indeed, it was part wolf. Setting the animal down gingerly on the grass he took a step back to fully observe it. With the head and hind legs of a wolf but body of an avian he watched in awe as it slowly stood on its legs and tried to showoff its wingspan, as though to intimidate him, only to cry out in pain. Kneeling Ace went to check its injured wing only to be snapped at by its sharp teeth.

"Hey! I'm just trying to help! C'mon just a quick look." Reaching once again he was interrupted by an unknown voice.

'Try and touch me again human! I dare you! I won't hesitate to eat you!'

"You can talk!?" falling on his back Ace could only watch as the little devil angrily stomped its way to him until it finally settled on standing on his stomach. Pushing its face into his own it replied,

'Of course I can talk you swine! I'm not some primitive animal!' With a sweat drop Ace replied, "Uhm, you're kind of supposed to be?"

'What! You think-! Ha! Why you insolent piece of-!' as the voice prattled on Ace paid close attention. It sounded like a girl, high pitch but not unbearably so. Intelligent and angry is what he got from their conversation so far. But, wait! Her mouth didn't move with her words? It's as though she's projecting her thoughts somehow?

'What have I gotten myself into?' He thought with a defeated laugh.

'You dare laugh at me! The mighty Beast of the island of Touda! I'll rip ya to shreds you little-!"

"Wait a second, you're the Beast?!" Silence. She blinked several times.

Then, 'What nonsense are you spouting now!? I'm just a simple-minded parrot, KAW KAW! See."

'She's a horrible liar!'

'KAW KAW, now if you'll excuse me I'll be on my way.' Hopping off him she began to hobble away when she was snatched mid stride. 'WHAT THE-!'

An explosion filled the evening sky as the smoke rose from where they had just been previously. "We've got company. Stay low." As he stuffed her in his backpack she began to protest when a familiar voice called out,

"Now, now pirate-san hand us over the merchandise and we'll kill you quickly." Peeking her head out of his pack she growled as menacingly as she could, 'Zuba you bastard.' Turning his head to her Ace asked in confusion, "You know this guy?" without taking her gaze off the intruder she replied in a clipped tone, 'Slave trader.' Before she could continue the man, Zuba, began cackling as did his crew.

"Come quietly and-"

"Like Hell!"

'Like Hell!'

"Now, now! Wouldn't want to make any rash decisions. As you can see we have already apprehended the villagers. What a shame they fought so hard, all the while praying that their savior would come." And he was right, she could see the smoke and hear the cries and gunfire. She could smell the blood. Snarling she escaped the confines of Ace's pack and charged, only to be held back.

"After all this time, and they still call for the impossible. Not once thinking of you Beast-sama. What a shame." Clawing and squirming in Ace's arms she could only pretend the words he spoke didn't hurt her and instead act in anger.

"So, you're the ones who injured her. You're the ones who have caused her such pain." She stilled, something in the pirate's voice prompted her to do so. Raising an eyebrow at the change of tone Zuba laughed a slightly unsteady laugh.

"What's it to you? Monsters deserve to die painful deaths, and what better way than to be sold to a Celestial Dragon and die in-!" He never got to finish for Ace had punched him with such force the man barreled into another crewmate and broke a tree.

"Monsters huh?" Eyes hidden in the shadow of his hat, she watched as her enemies trembled in fear. Seeing as how their boss wasn't getting up they collected him and ran. Before she could question the pirate's motives the cries of her village caught her attention. 'I have to save them!' Trying to spread her wings to their full length she winced, 'Damnit! I don't have time for this!' Sensing she was going to do something stupid Ace tried to stop her.

"Wait!"

'Beast Lord Path: ULTIMATE!' a sudden wind erupted from where she stood, creating a tornado that lasted mere moments. When Ace opened his eyes, he was met with a ferocious beast. Towering over him and even some of the surrounding trees. His jaw dropped as she let out a deafening roar that caused him to cover his ears. With a powerful stroke of her newly healed wings she took flight. Coming to his senses Ace grabbed hold of one of her clawed feet, hanging on for dear life as he soared. Outraged she tried to shake him off but in the end only had eyes for the village which had taken him hours to get away from and now he was back in a single moment. Circling the warzone, she cried out as she saw many were being escorted onto a large ship in handcuffs while others lay dead. Landing, she and Ace were immediately met with gunfire as the men of Zuba's slave trading crew tried to incapacitate her. Ace took cover behind a building not realizing how powerful the Beast really was. Especially after dark. "You fools! Retreat! The moon is out-!" The oncoming bullets passed right through her. As the moon broke through the clouds her feathers began to emit a soft glow. Closing her eyes for a moment to absorb the moon's light she opened them to find Zuba and the slave traders retreating in two ships, one with her people on board. Ready to take flight once more she looked towards Ace, 'I can't steer a ship, so hang on tight swine.' Grabbing him by his shirt she rose to the night sky towards the retreating vessel. "SHIIIT!" Flying, Ace learned, was something he did not like.

'Shut up! I'm dropping you now, get to the helm and guide the ship back!'

"G-Got it!" After a terrifying drop Ace managed to get on board the smaller ship filled with what was left of the people of the island. Meanwhile on the main ship the Beast wreaked havoc.

'Beast Lord: ROAR!' And like that the sails and masts had been broken in two. Screams could be heard and pleas, but she paid them no mind as she continued to sink the ship. "Wait! Beast-sama! Please take your people back! I-I will leave and never-!" Zuba's last resort was interrupted by a voice deep and powerful slicing and echoing through the night air, 'No. You and your kind will no longer terrorize my people. Die.' The glow she had been giving off grew brighter with each word until he couldn't see anything. He could only hear the crashing of waves and a ship being torn to bits. When the light finally faded it revealed the main ship had disappeared, along with the Beast.

/

Finally anchoring at Touda's docks the residents cheered and cried for joy.

"It is a miracle!"

"We're free!"

"Mama look! That's my friend Ace-san!"

"He saved us all by himself!?"

"Thank you Ace-sama!"

As they were freed from their shackles the villagers of Touda all cheered Ace's name and sang their thanks. Confused and a bit disoriented Ace searched the skies for the beast.

'What the hell? Where'd you go?' His thoughts were interrupted by a gravely voice cutting through the crowd's cheers life a knife.

"Fools. Did you not hear it?! The Beast still lives on! This is no time to celebrate!" Thick silence settled over the villagers. Cries and sobbing took their place as they took in the elders' words.

"He's right! That roar!"

"T-the Beast still lives!?"

"It brought us death and we've lost our homes!"

"What do we-?"

"WE SEARCH FOR IT"

"WE MUST KILL IT!" Before anymore could be said the Touda people left with weapons and torches all while being guided by the little boy they once doubted to where he saw the Beast. Ame met Ace's eyes. Fear and regret filled his eyes as his people shouted for vengeance. As the lights from their torches began disappearing into the jungle. The adrenaline Ace had felt slowly left his body. He plopped onto the ground. Sweating and cursing he shakily stood up before facing the moon, at its peak it bathed him in moonlight.

'Shit. Well, guess I'm going on another wild beast chase.' Swinging his green patterned bag over one shoulder and making sure his knife and hat were placed on his person he took a deep breath before sprinting into the jungle to find the marsh and then the clearing where he met his peculiar ally. Unsure of what he was to do he continued forward. As he ran past the village still in ruins and burning, nearly making it to the jungle line he was stopped by a familiar voice.

'Where the hell! Do you think your going stupid pirate!' Stopping in his tracks Ace looked up to see a pair of familiar blue eyes gazing at him from a tree. The Beast had reverted to its small stature. The injuries she had once sustained upon their first meeting had returned. But the wounds seemed much more severe now. Grinning Ace reached up an arm to persuade the Beast to come down. Scoffing the Beast responded with wit.

'I am no bird you imbecile. And I don't trust good for nothing-'

"Pirates? Yeah, yeah I've heard it before bird brain just hurry before the villagers get back."

'Hmph! Such rudeness!'

"Yeah speak for yourself dog breath!"

/

After more insults were exchanged they found themselves returning to the village together. Breaking into an already ransacked house to look for medical supplies both the Beast and pirate worked in silence. The Beast more so because she had never been so close to the village, much less inside the village and was looking around in wonder and regret. The smell of burnt flesh and wood invaded its senses and the Beast shook itself to try and rid of it. To no avail. Meanwhile the pirate, who the Beast still had no recollection of knowing his name, shouted in triumph at finding an entire cupboard of supplies.

After cleaning away the dirt and grime from the little Beast's wounds Ace disinfected them, which required him to hold her still as he did then dress them in medical bandages.

'Now for the hard part.' He thought to himself groaning. Unsure of how to proceed his thoughts were interrupted by the annoying voice of the creature he tended to.

'Just hurry and reset the bone you idiot!' With no remorse whatsoever Ace did exactly that.

A few moments passed in silence as Ace washed his hands and put away the supplies. The Beast had left immediately without so much as a 'thank you'. Ace grumbled in annoyance. After washing himself of the blood of his less than superb patient he grabbed his stuff and headed for the docks. Only to see a familiar light glow basking in the moonlight. Eyes closed she didn't even acknowledge his presence. Rolling his eyes Ace readied his to set sail and never look back at this crazy island again.

'Tch, how do you expect to leave in that weak row boat of yours Pirate?' Silence, Ace just continued to untie his boat from the docks.

'Hey! I'm talking to you Pirate!' Ignored. As he got ready to enter his humble boat. Pausing he finally decided to turn to her. Bowing his head and holding his hat over his heart.

"I apologize for any trouble I caused you and your island. Thank you." Mouth agape the little Beast's feathers ruffled in disbelief. Snapping out of her stupor the Beast flapped its wings weakly and ran from her spot where she basked in the moonlight to Ace's boat. Plopping down across from him Ace was ready to question and yell when the sight of tears stopped him.

'Please! Pirate take me with you!' whimpers and cries from the small feathered creature shocked Ace. Composing himself he finally answered.

"Why should I? You have done nothing but insult me! Even as we worked together to save your people-!"

'They are not my people!' Ace spoke no more, waiting for her to continue.

'They are not my people.' No louder than a whisper she explained.

'They worship a 'Hero'. A 'Hero' who they all believe killed the 'Beast'! They throw a banquet annually in celebration of my death. What good am I to them now that I am not dead!?'

The orange hat he wears now covers his eyes. As he listens, he grows angry.

'I am a 'Beast'! A monster. I should've never been born! I should have-!' A tan hand grabs the muzzle of the avian wolf hybrid tightly, as though to stop the ranting. Hiccupping and still crying she takes that as a cue to stop. Eyes still hidden from view the Beast can't help but be intimidated by the pirate. Releasing his hold on the hybrid's muzzle Ace lifts his head. Moonlight showers him as the clouds part. What she sees in his eyes, is not pity nor fear, instead is understanding. As though he knows exactly what she is feeling. With a wide smile and kind eyes he finally speaks.

"Let's set sail then, first mate Beast." Eyes glistening even more the Beast smiles a toothy one.

'Aye!'