Chương 34: Almighty Thomas

"Uh... Thomas?"

"Stay back Tony.." Appo smirked.

"Three against one. You really think you can—" Thomas disappeared. Appo's eyes widened. Thomas drove his fist straight into Bronn's stomach. Bronn folded instantly, wheezing as he hit the ground.

"That's one down," Thomas said, not even looking back. Vexa lunged, throwing a flurry of strikes. Thomas blocked every one, effortlessly, almost lazily.

"You're fast, for an old man.." she growled,"but fast doesn't mean strong."

"Funny," Thomas said.

"I was about to say the same to you." She threw a final punch. Thomas caught her fist mid air.

"Is that it?" Vexa's eyes widened. Thomas slammed her into the ground. She didn't get back up. Bronn forced himself upright, blood trickling from his lip.

"You're gonna regret—" Thomas punched him across the face before he could finish. Bronn went flying into a pile of rubble and stayed there. Tony's jaw dropped.

"... Damn." Within seconds, two of the Hollow Seven were down. Thomas slowly turned toward Appo. Appo's smirk had disappeared. He backed away, hands raised.

"W-wait a minute, hold on. You know who we work for, right? You really wanna make an enemy out of Dr Hogsthawts?" Thomas kept walking.

"Should that scare me?"

"It should scare everyone," Appo said, forcing a laugh.

"The doctor's not just some warlord playing dress up you do know that right? I'll let you in on a little secret.."

"He's building something. A weapon called progect: RoboGeneX. Once it's finished, nothing on this continent can stop him."

"He's not chasing territory he wants the entire world on its knees."

"Well.. he sounds like a busy man," Thomas said. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Appo's eyes widened"W-why dont you sound like you care?" Thomas let out a long yawn.

"Thats because I dont.."

"Its such a shame he sent errand boys to do his fighting."

"At this rate this robogenex wont even be completed" Appo's back hit a wall.

"You fool! We're not errand boys, we're the Hollow Seven, Higsthawts elite.." Thomas grabbed him by the collar. Appo's feet left the ground.

"Dont get too cocky boy..," Thomas said.

"You must not kniw who I am?" Appo gasped, clawing at Thomas's wrist. Thomas then dropped him as Appo hit the ground panting on his knees..

"What's wrong?" Thomas leaned closer.

"Did you drop something on the floor?" He waited a while..

"It must be valubale if it has you on the ground for this long.." Appo looked up with a scowl.

"Damn you, old fart.." Appo coughed, then Thomas kicked him hard. Appo launched into the air, spinning helplessly before crashing back down and going completely limp. Silence. Thomas dusted off his hands. Tony stared at the three unconscious Hollow Seven members.

"... You didn't even break a sweat, gramps. That was amazing." Thomas glanced at him.

"They were nothing but fodder. No need to panic." Tony blinked.

"That's not what I was worried about!" Thomas sighed.

"Well, now we don't have a place to sleep." Then.. Ace returned to the ruined hotel with Zeal and Amelia. The moment they stepped into the area, Ace stopped cold. Thomas stood among the rubble, three members of the Hollow Seven unconscious around him. Ace stared.

"... What the hell happened here?"

"Where'd the hotel go.. and whoa are those people?" Thomas glanced over.

"Relax. They're alive. Just unconscious." Tony pointed at the rubble.

"They attacked the hotel, and Thomas took them all down by himself to teach them a lesson! It was so cool to watch!" Ace looked him over.

"Guess that's what happens when you're a legendary voyager then huh?." Thomas nodded"Yes, they also called themselves the hollow seven.." Thomas grinned then his face turned serious.

"But thats enough of that.. by the way Ace. Where's Mochi?" Ace went quiet. Thomas's expression shifted.

"Ace." Ace looked away.

"I let him go." Thomas stepped closer.

"What do you mean, you let him go?"

"Alone!?"

"He wanted to face Hogsthawt alone." Ace clenched his fist.

"He was so damn determined to do it without killing anyone that I figured... I'd let him try." Thomas's face hardened.

"Then get him back, what are you waiting for?."

"Mochi could die out there."

"I know that,", Ace replied Thomas said.

"Which is why I said get him back." Ace said nothing. Thomas stared at him a moment longer, then turned toward Amelia and Zeal.

"What happened to their eyes?"

"No clue," Ace said.

"I'd guess it was whoever they were fighting." Amelia spoke up..

"Zeal and I got attacked by one of thoae hollow seven guys too.."

"They used pepper spray on us so we couldnt see anything at all" Tony stepped forward.

"Don't worry, I can fix that right up!" He dug through his bag and pulled out two small bottles.

"These should do it. Might sting a little, though." Amelia frowned.

"Wait, dod you say sting?" Tony held the bottle up.

"Just try to open your eyes." Amelia hesitated.

"... Okay. I trust you." Tony carefully dropped the medicine into her eyes. She immediately winced.

"Ah! That burns!"

"I said it might sting!"

"That's more than JUST a sting!" A few moments passed. Amelia slowly opened her eyes, blinking then her face lit up.

"I can see again!" Tony smiled.

"See? Nothing to worry about." He turned to Zeal.

"Alright, your turn, Mochi's brother." Zeal sighed.

"Fine." Tony applied the drops. Zeal winced slightly, then opened his eyes, vision returning as he looked around at the ruined hotel.

"... Yep. There goes our hotel." Zeal stared at the unconscious Hollow Seven, then at Thomas.

"... And we're worried about Mochi?" Thomas's expression turned serious again.

"Yes." Ace looked toward the direction Mochi had gone.

"Why aren't you worried?" Thomas asked.

"He's your guildmate." Ace let out a short, humorless laugh.

"Guildmate. Sure. Doesn't mean I have to like him." He crossed his arms.

"You know what it's like traveling with someone who thinks he's like the star of the show..?" Mochi never shuts up. Escpecially if its, about leading the strongest guild in the world.. its annoyimg.. He's loud, he's full of himself, and he gets under my skin every single day. So sorry, Gramps, but I'm not gonna pretend like I lose sleep over him." He paused, jaw tightening.

"... Doesn't mean I want him dead, either."

".. I'll go get him for your sake not his.." Amelia stood up quickly..

"I'll go with you too" Ace paused..

"So be it.."