Black Clover Bastards: Aftermath

South Blue
Solas Isle
Two Hours later . . .

Sitting up on the medical bay bench Lero could feel his wounds all warm now with little pain, popping a pain killer into his mouth with help from the nurse Lero got to his feet and nodded to her grateful for the medication and the bandages which now lined his torso and the wound from Calico Jones the slimy psychopath who seemed to have allot more about him than one would think. Thinking back to Butch he remembered that he never used to associate in similar circles to Calico at all.

Calico Jones was a renowned pirate and social climber. He wound up getting found out allot though and assassination attempts were carried out, but he always managed to come back. He was such a pain in the ass to the pirate community even most of them wanted him dead. Meanwhile Butch was just a regular muscle bound freak looking for someone with more money than brains cells whose muscle he could be. So in essence a thug, a goon, some bad guy paid to make holes in other bad guys.

In reality it was determined by his psychological analysis when he tried joining the Marines 20 years ago he had a conscience like Lero had arms. Long ago. Now he was the kind of man who wouldn't be able to tell good from bad if someone was banging his sister and another person was beating ten tons of shit into a rapist.

So now seeing these two collaborating on taking over a Marine fort with a pirate crew non the less didn't make a lick of sense. Mainly because Calico never seemed to have an interest in attacking the marines but misguiding whilst Butch, well he was opposite, the kinda guy who'd happily run in all gun's blazing and crush some skulls beneath his meaty feet. Something wasn't adding up.

Searching through Butch's belongings all that as found was a revolver with boxes of ammunition stashed in the pockets and a hunting knife strapped to his leg which had been fortunately not used on Matt, otherwise he'd probably be as good as dead. Other than there tons of scars from previous battles scattered over his body along with additional new ones from Lero & Summer.

Calico on the other hand was another story, searching through his pockets old crumpled notes were found pointing out locations on other islands. These would need to be examined closer at a later date. Continuing the search were a packet of cigarettes, a small sack of beli, 1,000 to be precise and lastly hanging from his wrist the key component that would bring about his downfall.

A den den mushi.

Heading out of the medic bay Lero stretched feeling his back aching a little and twisted his head right then left, feeling his neck aching a little he grinned as after it only felt much much better. Now he would need to find Horhee, the half giant Captain who had lead the assault here to rescue him, not only did he have to thank him for the chance to save his life, but he had something else to talk to him about involving a certain recruit with an identity crisis.

Standing over the two villain's who now lay chained up and tied to two wooden posts in the courtyard, Captain Horhee looked over them both waiting for the report of what was found in their pockets. Making his way down the stairs and around the corner Lero spotted just the man he wanted to speak to.

"Captain Horhee!" he called out as he reached his side, turning to see the armless Captain Kuroba, Horhee nodded to him as a means of acknowledging him.

"Captain Kuroba" he replied.

"I'd like to speak to you."

"Then speak."

"Alright, well first off what happened with this rescue? I'm the one who wound up rescuing you."

"Alright, look we didn't expect to have a traitor among us."

"Traitor?"

"Yea, seaman recruit."

"Right I see, well look one of the things I wanted to talk to you about a recruit of yours, Matt Summer."

"Ah yes, I know the one."

"I'd like to take him off your hands."

"Take him off my hands?"

"For my crew"

"You don't have a crew."

"And neither will I if I don't get recruits."

"Why Summer?"

"I see something in him that reminds me of myself, I think I can help him with his identity crisis."

"You mean his helmet don't you?"

Nodding Lero thought about it in his mind for a moment before returning to Horhee.

"Everyone has their quirks Lero."

"Oh yea I can understand and accept that, but when a hero can't accept himself as a hero but has to do it as someone else problems arise."

Nodding understanding the words which came from Lero's lips Horhee agreed.

"I'll file the paper work later today." he replied.

"W-what..? Where am I..?" Matt muttered as he sat up on his bench.

His torso was covered in bandages, so was his forehead and there was a small plaster suck on the bridge of his nose. Rubbing his sore head, he tried to recall the previous events but that just made his head hurt more than it already was. All he could remember was this guy with a gun, a lot of rubble and the words:

"Good job, you can take that helmet off now Summers, there are no villains here anymore."

That's right. He remembered, he got his butt saved by Lero. What a hero he was, maybe Butch was right, maybe children games were more cut out for him then serious duties like these. Getting up, he decided to move his sore body a little. He picked up his bag which was laid neatly beside his bench and began to walk towards the exit of the medical bay. He needed to find Lero and thank him. Matt shook his head in disappointment. First mission, and he's probably let down his captain.

Heading back towards the medical bay Lero needed to find his first recruit Summers and speak to him about joining the bastards. He was happy to hear that Horhee agreed with letting him join, he knew that Matt would be a challenge but that was just what he wanted, someone who he could sculpt into the ideal fighter.

Spotting Summers as he left the medical bay Lero rushed up to him. Stopping directly before him, Lero nodded to him.

"Recruit Summers, I'd like to have a few words with you in private." Lero said. He looked around to see who else was listening to their conversation before he gestured towards the stairs leading to the roof.

"Let us speak on the roof, since I have a few things to speak to you about."

Matt looked pretty beat up and at best a little dizzy, but none of that mattered right now, Lero would teach Matt a thing or two and help him overcome this identity crisis of his, it may take time, but it'll happened eventually.

Turning and leading his way up the stairs of this crumbling building, Lero heard a few moans and groans from behind him, the other recruits who were receiving treatment were clearly in agony. The sounds which echoed made the building sound depressing and fill Lero with guilt for not managing to save them, but pride for managing to break them free from their prisons even if it had led to these injuries, they'd have suffered much worse if it wasn't for him & Matt.

Matt was surprised to see Captain Kuroba approach him suddenly, looks like he didn't need to look for him after all. Just as Matt opened his mouth to speak, Lero had beat him to it.

"Recruit Summers, I'd like to have a few words with you in private."

Oh? In private? It seemed like whatever Lero wanted to talk about, it was gonna be important. He wanted to speak on the roof, Matt had no complains so he nodded and followed. Following Lero up the poor excuse for a set of stairs, Matt bit his lip as he heard the cries of the other recruits who were receiving treatment. If only they had gotten to them sooner, then they wouldn't had to go through such pain. As Matt traveled upwards physically, he was sliding downwards mentally.

Reaching the roof Lero felt a breeze blow across his face and the cut on his cheek from the fight against Calico Jones. Turning to see Summers who'd followed him up he smirked.

"How would you feel about leaving Captain Horhee's division of the navy and joining mine? Currently I have no other members in my division, so this means I will have much more time to train you and help you grow stronger."

Knowing full well what he'd just said to Matt was a serious decision he'd probably need some time to think about Lero turned to look out over the shore and the pipe the two of them had entered in through only hours before hand.

He ran the thoughts of all the other marines in his head and every time he settled on only recruiting Matt over all of the others and the main reason for this was his quirk as opposed to his strength.

"O-Oh! Well..."

Matt thought to himself, Captain Kuroba had picked him at of all the other possible recruits. Even though he left him down and lost against Butch, it was like this was a second chance. Matt clutched his fist, he knew what he had to do. He had to make his captain proud. Saluting Lero, he took a deep breath before yelling:

"I'm in, sir!"

Damn it. He did it again. Lero was right in front of him yet he yelled. He felt a little awkward. Lowering his saluting hand, he awaited for any orders. Looks like his hero days weren't over yet.

Nodding at Summer's answer Lero turned his back on him and headed towards the edge of the roof. Looking out over the shore he took a deep breath, he needed a few moments to think to himself, Summers had given him the chance to lead a crew, a crew of one, but a crew non the less.

"I'm happy to hear Summers, now our mission on this island isn't over yet. We still need to find out what Calico wanted with this island. We have a team downstairs examining Butch & Calico's belongings so they should bring them up soon and then we can learn more about them. In the mean time though, I want you to accompany me to the courtyard where we will be taking part in some training."

Leaping from the edge of the roof Lero shot down thanks to gravity. Slamming his foot into a large wooden door which was open, he managed to balance himself on it before pouncing off and rolling landing back on his feet.

Looking towards Matt and then gesturing to follow him, Lero walked past one of the Marines who was out of the medical bay.

"Come and find me when we know more about Calico's belongings."

Nodding the recruit turned back to his drink as Lero headed towards the courtyard, kicking open the doors he stepped in and slid his coat from his arms on to the ground. Kicking his boots off & tossing his helmet along with them, he was left in jeans & a necklace.

Matt nodded to Lero's every word. He got it, it was training time. He watched as Lero shot down from the edge of the roof and landed perfectly on the edge of a door. His jaw dropped, Lero has never ceased to amaze him.

"That's amazing!" he yelled

Lero was then gesturing for Matt to follow... no way. No way could Matt do that, not in a million years, he should stick to the sitars. It's more on his level. Getting back with Lero, Matt watched as he kicked of his boots and tossed his helmet. Matt tossed his bag beside Lero's boots and stretched a little.

"Guess we're starting, sir?"

Shaking his head as Matt didn't even attempt to fearlessly follow Lero waited for Matt to join him, whilst he waited he simply sat down and started to meditate. Thinking nice peaceful thoughts which made him smile Lero couldn't help but feel much better.

By the time Summer arrived he picked himself up as he asked if they were starting, nodding Lero took up a simple stance in the middle of the courtyard and looked at Summers.

"Alright Summers I want you to do something for me. Attack me. I want you to punch me. As hard as you can. Got that? Punch me. As hard as you can."

"As hard.. as I can? Alright, I guess."

Matt was having second thoughts but an order is an order. He flung back his right fist before shooting it over towards Lero. It was aiming to dig into Lero's left cheek. Matt didn't hold back and he was giving it his all, after all, it was an order.

Watching as Matt attempted to hit him with uncertainty on his face and a clenched fist that seemed to scream am I really do this?! With the fist shooting towards his cheek Lero simply raised his foot and slammed his heel down towards Matt's fist in an attempt to hit his fist away.

"Actually try to hit me, come on Summer, I want you to hit me because you need to be able to get rid of any and all desire to harm another human being! If you can hit me with your hardest punch and intent to hurt me then you'll find it easier when fighting."

Damn it. He noticed... Matt was holding back, he couldn't hurt his captain. However Lero was begging Matt to hit him, Matt wasn't really convinced. Lero hadn't really done anything to make him wanna hit him. Matt shrugged.

"Is there another way, sir?" he asked.

There was no way Matt was gonna swing his fist onto Lero unless Lero did something which would really piss him off.

Watching Matt's face Lero could see the uncertainty in his face and shook his head.

"You don't want to hit me, well ok then lets see what you have to say about this then." walking over to where Matt had placed his bag down Lero placed his foot atop the bag with the heel first.

He stomped on the bag gently and could feel his helmet was inside. Grinning he looked towards Summers with a small glint of devilishness.

"No one in my crew wears helmets like these, so I'm going to do you a favor and get rid of it right now."

Raising his foot into the air until it was almost parallel with his own torso. Lero swung his foot down hell first with great strength ready to shatter the pathetic marine's helmet into pieces.

Matt watched as Lero approached his bag, he got a little cautious. What was he plotting? He watched as Lero stomped on the bag, what!?

"H-hey, my helemt's in there sir!" Matt called out, warning Lero that his most prized belonging was inside that bag.

His eyes widened as Lero spoke...get rid of it!? Hell no! That was his most beloved possession, he wasn't gonna let anything harm it, captain or not! No one harms his helmet! Charging towards Lero, he pulled back both his fists, he was gonna stop the captain from doing such an evil act. He didn't care of the consequences, what mattered right now was his helmet. Once close enough, Matt shot both his fists towards Lero's stomach.

"KNOCK IT OFF!"

Sensing the anger in Matt's tone of voice Lero smiled catching sight of his fists shooting towards his stomach he launched his foot at Matt.

Lucky Rabbit's Foot: Rainbow's Beginning

Aiming for Matt's chin Lero wasn't holding back but going to push Summers to his limits and keep him on his toes. He needed to become stronger and understand that he could attack anyone with full force and not hold anything back.

Hoping to do some damage to him, Lero hoped that he could hurt him enough to make him want to fight without as strong a desire to save his helmet but to beat him and do as he'd asked and punch him.

The foot collided with Matt's chin and caused Matt's head to shot skywards and stopped him in his tracks. However he wasn't gonna give up that easily, Matt quickly swung his leg towards Lero's stomach. He was attempting to put some distance between the helmet and Lero. If the attack had been blocked he bring back his leg and shot his left fist towards Lero's chin.

Watching as Matt's head shot into the air Lero begun to push his foot down on the helmet a little more. When Matt swung his leg towards Lero, he raised his leg allowing the kick to come into contact with his leg. Blocking the attack he slammed his foot back down on the helmet. It was a sturdy helmet he could agree on that.

Noticing the fist coming for his chin, Lero ducked down allowing the punch to shot overhead. Using his legs as if they were a heavily coiled spring, Lero kicked off from the ground propelling himself upwards helmet first in an attempt to headbutt Matt.

Standing straight once more, Lero nodded. He had to admit he was proud of Summers for actually fighting now and trying to beat him.

"Come on Matt, fight like you actually mean it. You've improved since I put the helmet in danger. But I actually want you to hit me. When you land a punch I'll stop."

Removing his foot from the helmet and slipping his right foot beneath it he grinned. He had a plan that would really push Matt over the edge. And once he could do that, he knew he could get Matt to land a punch on him. This boy needed raw anger & tactics to come forth instead of desire to live under an alter ego.

Everyday he spent fighting like a hero beneath that helmet the longer he would have to be in that helmet and it would disillusion his view on reality. Matt needed to live in the real world, not the land of dreams.

Damn, looks like the title "Captain" wasn't just for show. Lero was quick on his feet, maybe too quick for Matt. He saw as Lero sprung upwards and attempted a headbutt, Matt quickly jumped backwards and dodged this attack.

"Come on Matt, fight like you actually mean it. You've improved since I put the helmet in danger. But I actually want you to hit me. When you land a punch I'll stop."

"Don't you think you're going a tad too far, sir?" Matt asked.

Matt understood that Lero wanted him to improve his skills in the heat of battle but putting his beloved helmet on the line was just mean. What a bastard. Matt charged towards the captain once more, if it's a punch he wanted, then it's a punch he'd get.

"Going too far because I'm trying to get you to fight to the best of your ability without the need for an alter ego? No I don't think I've gone far enough."

Using his foot which was under the helmet Lero cast his foot into the air sweeping Matt's helmet up with it and kicking it far into the sky.

"Now come on Summer's land that punch on me before your helmet crashes into the ground. Who knows maybe I'll let you catch it."

Flying into the sky Lero waited for Matt to attack and if he wouldn't then he would attack and he'd keep going until Summer's couldn't anymore.

Watching as the helmet flew into the air, Matt's heart skipped a beat. He was sweating, helmets couldn't fly! It was only a matter of time before it came crashing down into pieces. Matt ignored Lero's words and went charging for him, he had to beat him before the helmet met it doom. He used the strategy he used with Butch, he shot his left fist towards Lero's stomach as a feint, the real attack was charging towards Lero's face. If this attack was blocked, he'd try and knee him in the stomach before shooting a punch to Lero's face.

"Why you-"

He stopped talking, he was just about to shoot insult to a captain... that was a close.

Watching as the young marine recruit charged his way and attempted to launch a punch towards his stomach Lero threw himself into the air via a back flip.

Flipping through the air over Summers and landing behind him, he launched out a foot behind him towards Summer's attempting to knock him to the ground. Turning around and withdrawing his foot, Lero looked towards Summers.


He needed to really up his game and land this punch already or the helmet would come crashing down and shatter.

Matt watched as Lero flipped over him, even though he was fighting against him, he couldn't help but marvel at Lero's nimble movements. He soon snapped out of his thoughts and turned on his heels, barely dodging the kick. As soon as Lero withdrew his foot, Matt made his move. He charged towards Lero and with both fists, attempted to preform a double uppercut which would hopefully slam against Lero's chin.

((OOC: Remember to mention how you dodge attacks instead of just writing you dodged it. Otherwise it leaves me not knowing where you are or how you dodged.))


Watching as Summers managed to side step his kick and arrive to his right Lero caught sight of his fists shooting upwards to his chin and his natrual response was to launch himself into a round house kick removing his face from the punch and as Summers shot into the air allow his foot to spin around and hit the identity crisis marine in the ribs possibly breaking one of them.

However this time he realized Matt was a recruit. A lowly seaman recruit without any spectacularly amazing abilities thus far. Remaining perfectly still to cease this endless tedium of weakening Summers Lero paused allowing the punch to land on his chin. Simply jolting his head back as the two fists landed, Lero could feel he had a good amount of strength behind his punches.

Crashing back down to the ground Lero remembered the helmet and slammed his feet into the earth below him using Lucky Rabbit's Foot: Air Hare shooting into the air he used this technique again.

Sticking out a foot to allow the helmet to land upon it Lero stopped using his technique and draw the helmet into his chest with his foot. Raising a leg to push against the helmet and hold it against his chest, Lero fell to the ground with one leg.

Landing he extended his other leg allowing the helmet to roll from his chest towards Summers.

Rushing into the courtyard at that moment a recruit held a note in hand. Charging in through the gates the recruit stopped for breath. Obviously in need of it due to his rather round physique and short stubby shape.

"Captain Kuroba"

"Yes?"

"The den den mushi we took from Butch & Calico."

"What about them?"

"They've both had orders."

"Who from?"

"White Wing Sir."

Remembering the name Lero looked towards the ground avoiding eye contact. He'd heard the name before and knew exactly who he was. But he wasn't up for facing him just yet.

"What were the orders?" Lero asked hoping they could interrupt White Wing's plans and bring him down sooner than later. The last time he'd tangled with White Wing, Lero had been a Petty Officer and nearly lost his life. But the mission had been a bust and they'd been ambushed.

This time it was his chance to lead an ambush and knock White Wing down a peg. He remembered the most recent bounty poster he'd seen on the notice board and it made him uncomfortable. That day he'd lost his mentor to White Wing and he wanted revenge.

Matt panted and watched as Lero passed hi his helmet, picked it up and gave it a small hug before taking a seat onto the floor. He was just about to say something however a fellow recruit rushed into the courtyard, it looked important. Matt listened attentively to the conversation. It seemed there was a man who was working behind the scenes.. the man went by the name "White Wing". He gave them orders but what exactly were these orders? If this man was stronger then Butch then Matt will have to train extra hard, he didn't want to be a burden anymore. Matt sat and waited to hear what there orders were and something told him that these orders weren't gonna be pretty.

"Leave Solas Isle for the Marines, we've got what we need now."

Raising an eyebrow Lero quickly managed to put two and two together in his head, this was the only advantage about having dealt with him before, he knew his strategies and what strange pairings meant when it came to White Wing.

This notorious pirate considered everyone expendable.

"This was a diversion." Lero muttered.


"What?!"


"He didn't come here to get hold of the island at all. The assault was a diversion. They're attacking elsewhere."

"Where though?"

"I don't know."

"Shit! I'll make some calls and find out as soon as possible."

Turning to head out of the courtyard Lero's den den mushi begun to ring.


Bidibidibidi Bidibidibidi

Using his right foot to answer the snail phone he watched as the facial features became much more masculine with thick black eyebrows, shades and a straggly brown beard.

"Please come and help! We're just South of Harpoon Island! We need help!"

The snail went quiet and fell back into a snooze. Nodding Lero placed the mushi back in his pocket.

"We can't be there in time to save them, but we can be there in time to follow. Let your captain know we're dealing with this, Summers come with me, we're going to bring in White Wing."