Furred white hands gripped muddy grass. Breath beating hard against the air. Vision tunneling as their chest rose and fell quickly. Sweat matting down the soft silky strands of hair covering the minks body. Only a few seconds had passed since the massive paw pads of Benjamin Condent had Slammed into Oslar Kanin Dezzi, sending them away.
Quickly the stood to their feet. Mud coating their sweat pants and caking against the shirt. Their ears twitched as they whipped around. Blue cyan eyes shooting from place to place. There were oak trees around them. Leaves falling and crunching beneath their sneakers as they leapt up to the branches and zipped up to the top of the Canopy. Their dark blue nose twitching as they snap their head around. Taking in the insane view that sat before them.
"What the heck….I am not on Desamare anymore…." Their chest continued to heave. Brow pinching in worry as they began to wrack with nerves. "LEROY! KIRK! RAVEN!" They screamed at the top of their lungs! Their voice rolling across the landscape.
But nothing came…
Before them, as they hung off the side of a branch at the top of the oak tree. Was massive awe inspiring scenic view. Hills rolling up and down. Flat hills that stood up like pancakes on their side dotting the hills. The hills coated in a luxurious and vibrant emerald green. But the further off into the horizon. Was amber yellow colored hills. But past it, to see the rest. It was too far away.
The grandest part of the island. Was all around Dezzi, were massive trees that shot up like pillars before flattening out into massive wide and round canopy tops. A hue of vibrant pastel sakura pink. They could see from here that there were clouds beneath some of them that were also colored pastel pink. Others had what looked to be a persistent showers coming from the Cymbal Trees.
The few that could be seen near the Amber and Yellowed section, had instead dark brown, orange, and yellowed leaved making the trees canopy look almost like brass or copper.
"Where am I…." Dezzi said. Realizing that they were on the top of one of the Flat 'Pancake' hills.
It took a bit of time for them to make it to the Bottom of the Hill. The ground much more dry than the peaks of the hills or what was guessed to be what was happening with the Sakura Trees. The grass tall. But it seemed like there was no signs of society or human interaction anywhere. Even the scent of perfumes, or cooking fumes weren't caught on Dezzi's keen mammalian nose.
They crouched down. Elbows on their knees as they looked around at the small critters that zipped around and ran out of sight. The animals here were extraordinary! From small cats with large black eyes and pale pink fur that was near white, had what looked to be manes of fur around their neck like collars that rose high up behind their heads and all around their neck, resembling pedals of flowers. Bobbing and fluttering in the wind as they ran away.
There were snakes that hung from the branches and looked like pitcher plants. Leaving their mouths open, before snapping shut and swallowing whole when an apple fell from the tree! Only for it to unfold when the jaw of the viper snapped shut! Revealing that it was actually a mall rodent that had rolled itself up to camouflage as an Apple!
"Wow….I can't believe the Animals that are on this island…Its…Kinda scary. But also really beautiful!" They said with a sparkle in their eyes. Looking at a small field mouse that had the same patterns on its back like the feathers of a humming bird. And even had a large and long needle like beak like one too.
At Dezzi's words. It stopped using its long needle like snout, zipped its tongue into its head, and jumped away! Its tiny digitigrade legs moving at the same speed as a Humming birds! Their wide flat feet propelling them up into the air and hopping of the air!
"I read about a theory of Evolution from one of Dr. Oslars books that mentioned how Animals adapt with the island they are on. But very quickly. Adaptations that they gain in life passed onto their children. Causing them to change very quickly…" They held their chin up with the palm of both hands as they stayed near the ground. Watching as a Sheer that was covered in moss with massive horns that vines hung off of grazed on the grass below them.
"The more complex the animal. The harder it was. But eventually to survive in the wild. They all adapted into specific niches to thrive in. Even if initially they dont or couldn't…Its even thought that some animals adapt in a single life time…!" They whispered in excitement.
"Thats why some people think that Minks or Fishmen exist. They are humans. But their bodies gained adaptations for the sea or wild environments by mimicking Aquatic Animals or Mammals in respective cases…Makes sense. Minks and Fishmen can all have children with Humans. And each other. And then they have children too. Unlike equine species where theres some compatibility but leads to sterility."
Their mind flashed to Kirk as they thought about fishmen…Nose twitched. And one of their long blue tinted ears flapped violently before-
A grimace warped their face!
"AGH! AHHH!" They grabbed their head pulling on their ears…Rolling around in the grass. Chlorophyll staining their shirt and fur as they rolled. Sobbing as they began to murmur to themselves again and again.
"Where are you! What happened! Kale! Jeanne! Eddie! Cali!" They screamed stomping their feet in announce and frustration as they pulled their ears. "AhhH!"
"D-Damnit…." They swore. Falling back to a squat. Holding their head. "Not again…Not again not again….Cmon Dezzi! What would Leroy! Do!" They thought to themselves. "What about Kirk!" Their mouth quivered.
"They'd…They'd try to…Figure out whats going on! Where they are…If I'm alive! Then it must mean that they are too! Condent he…His power. It could repel things right? So what if it could repel people too? Kales slashes bounced right off! He could create pockets of air that he swatted…" They began to nod slowly
"Okay! Okay! Lets just look around! See if we can make it back to desamare! Back to Zeke!" They pulled the vivre card out of their bag, they'd put it in a little vial for safe keeping. It pointed west.
Dezzi broke into a sprint! Bouncing and hoping across the ground with each of their large strides! They leapt into the branches, then zipped to another tree! Then another and another! Zig zagging between scores of trees!
They searched day and night. Bouncing across trees. Across the fields. And through the spring time island. Resting for time. Snaking on a lunch box Noir had made them some days prior. Luckily, it was still good. Just not as fresh as they'd like…fruit and crackers and small bits of meat and rice that had dried out…
One of the nights. All they could do was Cry. The other they slept wonderfully.
But a week after landing. A scent caught their nose! Nostrils twitching….It was Isopropyl Alcohol! Their shoes skid to a stop! Trenching the ground as they forced a stop. Their ears twitched. A scream! Just a few kilometers away!
They leapt into action! Eyes wide and focused. The scent getting stronger and stronger!
Another stop….Bandages and Swabs were discarded across the ground! Soaked in rubbing alcohol, pink tinge soaked into it from diluted blood it wiped. Their nose caught the blood from the cotton swab. Collecting the small pieces they exploded again!
Screams continued to get closer and closer! 4 kms. 3. 2. 1. 100 meters! All in only their body cracked the sound barrier as they used a single explosive kick off the ground to speed toward the distress!
"What was that?! A gun shot?!" A man with short blonde hair in a small top knot spoke. A doctor next to him with shallow hallow cheeks, high cheek bones, heavy hooded eyes and a piercing gaze of an older skin. Hair a very short mess of points and swooping strands spoke next.
"No. That was a constant crack. Not a single one. Thats someone moving. Or something." They spoke with a inquisitive tone almost always laced with a wit or sarcasm.
"But who…" He said. The woman in front of him was going into labor. Covered in scratches and cuts that the alcohol had been used on. Her hair a mess of matted brown and black with blond at the roots.
"No time. Lets keep moving!" The blond man spoke. Pulling a revolver that had a valve and pipes along its frame.
"EAHH! Dr. Lodge!" The womb screamed.
"No we can't move her Morson! Puddy's Baby is coming now! No two way about it! Lets just hope that little toy of yours can put down something that moves faster than sound!" Dr. Lodge said as he spread the womans legs. Blood pooling around the womb known as Puddy.
"Stay back!" Morson suddenly commanded! Lodge looked over his shoulder to see that Dezzi had just appeared. Sakura pedals raining around them. Small crackles of lightning sparking from the friction of constantly moving.
"A Mink…" Lodge murmured. But the pained moans of Puddy snapped him back. "Morson handle them!"
"Puddy, just breath okay? In out in out in out! He he ho he he hoo. Got it? Like a demented monkey." He said crudely.
Dezzi took a step. And the crack of the gas releasing from the blow gun released! Their eyes widened! Through the air was a glass needle with red feathers on the end. Green fluid inside the tiny syringe!
It was fast…But not as fast as them! When the tranq was only a few inches from Dezzi's face, they snapped! Fingers pinching around the glass and stopping it in its place!
"Oh shit…" Morson whimpered.
"Im here to help!" Dezzi tucked the Tranq away. "I'm a Doctor! I can help!" Morson steadied his gun again. Stopping dezzi's next step.
Suddenly. Lodge spoke. "If youre a doctor than best not Dawtle!"
In a flash, Dezzi was past Morson. Leaving the man in a stupor as Dezzi had uttlerly disappeared and reappeared next to Lodge.
"Alright Stew. You ever deliver a kid before?" Lodge said.
"Farm Animals. Mostly. But yes I've delivered before for humans" They leaned forward. "Then whats your diagnosis?" Lodge asked.
"Water broke almost an hour ago. Babies crowning. But the Vaginal Canal is to narrow. She's not Dilated properly."
"But we don't have the supplies for a C-Section…" Lodge said with worry.
"You don't. But I do." They said pulling out their medical supplies. Quickly getting set up for an impromptu delivery. They went through the motions. Disinfecting the stomach just above the uterus. And got ready.
"Ready the sutures. The baby is upside down. Meaning we need to go for a transverse incision…I dont have epidural anesthesia. So bite on this maam." They put a wood block in her mouth.
Lodge was awestruck. Dezzi was going so quickly that they weren't able to even test them. It was like going hand in hand with a senior surgeon in the operating room. Moving in tandem because you both know what youre doing and moving in sync with the rest of the staff.
Just under an hour later. And Dezzi held an infant male in their arms. Blood soaking their fur.
"Mothers lost a lot of blood. She may need another bag…But I don't know if I have mor S-..." Dezzi held the babe in their arms. Using their soft furred thumb. They wiped the blood and mucus from cooing and whining form.
They held it their for a few moments…Watching as it cooed and fumbled around. Gripping and unwrapping their hands. Adjusting like an old man in an uncomfortable chair…Face a mess of wrinkles in a deep toothless grimace…
"She alright?" Morso suddenly asked. Leaning forward over the baby. "Male." Dezzi said. "If thats what they wanna be…" They said off handedly…they couldn't stop their mind from thinking about themselves…Was this what their father felt like? What Oslar felt like when comforting an all too young escaped slave….
That thought. An infant, damned to a life of servitude and slavery. In a world they had no say in entering. What did it say about a society if they so readily threw away, discarded, and forced to be nothing more than a thing…Dezzi understood that sometimes a pregnancy isnt wanted. They understood that some parents aren't ready. But that was before the life came to be upon breath the air for the first time. Or when gaining awareness.
Those children. Those children that live. Nothing but a form if the right person paid the right price for them….
Dezzi ended up carrying the mother, who had thankfully made it through and was stable. Who then held her son in her arms. They made pace and sped along with Morson and Lodge.
Eventually, the group reached the main hospital. A massive building that was made of brick and had large white arches that lined the edges and pointed up into triangular peaks. The building wrapped around itself like an upside down U.
It was situated In the middle of the lake that Dezzi had spotted earlier. It was literally an omnidirectional building that could see to any point of the island from its place. Dezzi could also fully understand what was going on with the island. The other side of the island seemed to be stuck in a perpetual autumn season. While the side they were on was stuck in spring!
It reminded them of Drumvolc…How it was stuck in Summer and Winter at the Same time due to its unique geography and temperatures…In fact. Now that Dezzi thought about it…
This whole Island reminded them of Drumvolc. Except it was seemingly the opposite in every way! Instead of mixed season, it was split. Instead of Drum Mountains, they were…Cymbal Trees. Instead of the main hospital being at the peak of the island on a mountain, it was on the ground in the middle of a lake!
"Hah…" Lodge walked out of the Operating room. The inside of the building was far far more modernized than the veneer outside. Pulling off bloody gloves and his mask Before tossing both aside. Dezzi was sitting in chairs outside the room. It was over an hour later.
"How is she?" Dezzi asked looking up. Ears twitching.
"She's stable. And fine. They both are." He looked at them with a solemn look. Breathing as he pulled a bottle from underneath his surgical dress and popped a pill in his mouth. Dry swallowing it.
"Opiates." Dezzi said with a slight glare. "Make sense, You strain your face everytime you put weight on your left leg. I imagine its chronic pain due to nerve damage and the tissue at the Femoral Head is probably constantly inflamed from being worn down due to…A fall or attack?"
"A fall yes." Lodge widened his eyes in shock before they returned to that heavy lidded expression "Fell off one of The Sakura Cymbals trying to get an ingredient from the immature flower buds. The chemical allows for quickened blood generation in the Marrow."
Dezzi nodded.
Eventually. The two began to discuss why Dezzi was there. What had happened. Lodge was shocked that Dezzi was the same Blur that the Wanted Posters discussed and offered an enormous bounty. Dezzi the entire time was reserved. Their mind thinking logically but also emotionally as to what the hell was going on with them and their crew. They were on an Island of Patients and Doctors…
The Island of Cykura, one of if not the most famous Island for health and Doctors. Besides Drumvolc in its glory days of course. Back when the volc part was only because the mountains released steam into clouds.
The Doctor of the Red Sashes was in awe! They hadn't even put it together what Island this was! Oslar had talked about it! Said that she had gone there during her studies!
Lodge himself was surprised to hear that Dezzi not only knew Oslar. But was Oslars child! Adopted one at that.
Days passed. And Dezzi helped Patients as much as they possibly could after getting themselves taken care of for their wounds and injuries from Desamare. After a week passed. The News had already Arrived that declared Leroy a Murderer of a Celestial Dragon.
Dezzi themselves had a rule against Killing. But they were quickly learning, especially after Hardrock…That sometimes, the best medicine for people was to hurt them so they could get better. If thats what was necessary. They had no problem with combat either. Nor Leroys killings either. But they knew it wasn't for them…
The hardest part however. Is that sometimes Doctors must make a hard decision.
After that. The news was delivered that Declared 1W4Y. Dezzi balled their eyes out to know that their Captain was alive and well after all that had happened on Marineford. And they accepted their Captains plan with 100% certainty. If it took 4 years. Then they would use those 4 years to become the best Doctor they could!
Later. After a particularly hard treatment…Lodge caught Dezzi out on the Patio at the Top of the Hospital. Overlooking the lake. The Mink sitting on the Ledge, catching their breath as they breathed in the fragrant air.
"Listen. Oslar." Lodge labeled Dezzi. Filling their cheeks with a blush and feeling of Pride. Dezzi looking away to hide it as Lodge leaned against the stone. But Dezzi's ears betrayed them.
"This island is constantly having problems. Theres people showing up everyday from the coast. Theres smaller hospitals and outpost all over the island to catch them. We were actually headed there until we were attacked by one of the Animals. And well…You know the rest."
Dezzi nodded.
"Every day we experience and get some of the worst patients the World has to offer." Lodge stroked his facial hair as he continued.
"One of a kind symptoms. One of a kind diseases. Illnesses. Injuries. Many of them are unnatural. But you-" He shook his head as he locked eyes with Dezzi. "You've been able to handle so many so quickly. Its…Truly astounding."
Pride continued to swell in Dezzi's chest.
"What I'm sayin is…We can always use good Docs. And well…I don't think you're going to be going anywhere anytime soon." He smirked. Dezzi hadn't told anyone about what the news meant, shock in their eyes!
"Don't look at me like that. What you think I wouldn't piece together what that guy was sayin on that Photo?" He shook his head "Don't kid yourself."
"Four Years instead of 1 week i assume. After what happened on Desamare, youre gonna stay split up. And I know Im right." He lifted a finger causally to quiet Dezzi's interruption.
"So. Why don't you work here. You'll get a wage. You'll get Expirence. And Eductation. Do you have a Doctorate?" He asked.
"N-no…I don't…I do have a degree in medical sciences thanks to Dr. Oslar." They said with a pout "But not anything formal."
"And despite all of that. Here you are. A down right lucky rabbits foot." Lodge sarcastically barked.
"But. I can assure you one thing, Oslar Dezzi." He stood up straight. Hand on his cane next to him. "You'll leave this island as 'Dr. Oslar Dezzi' And that. I can promise."
A shiver went down their spine. Prickling their fur as their eyes widened. Tears welling up. But with a quick grip of their fists they violently shook their head. Ears flapping and their vibrant blue hair bouncing! "Yes! Absolutely Yes please!"