"That'll teach you bastards to interrupt me when I'm working." Klank was hammering the last nail on top of an oversized wooden crate. Inside were various creatures; strange mixes like rabbit-pigs and bird-cats. There was even a giant bear that had what looked to be scales in place of its fur, and a long split tongue that almost took hold of Klank at one point. In the midst of building the contraption that would aid in getting the ship he had not yet built back to sea, these bizarre animals began attacking. The lizard-bear was the first to charge in destroying a small section that would pose no problem to fix. After its first attack, the bear let out a battle roar, seemingly calling in reinforcements. It forced Klank to temporarily abandon his mission and deal with the mini army of forest dwellers. It took a while to round them all up, but he accomplished his goal and trapped most of them into the crate. 

	Now, Klank stood on top of the crate, smoke in hand. He looked over his creation to assess the damage. The front right corner had been obliterated, telling him that if that bear had gotten a hold of him, he'd surely be dead. Or at the very least in a situation he wasn't comfortable dealing with. "Easy fix there," he said aloud. The rest of the contraption was unharmed, mostly in part due to the fact that Klank was smart enough to lure the creatures away. He figured their quarrels were with him from the start. He did, after all, destroy quite a large section of their home. 

	"Almost done with phase one," he noted. Seven of the trees he had cut down were used to create a giant platform. The four corners, now three, were mounted into the ground for extra support and stability. In the center was a gear system. Two large wooden gears to either side, surrounded by smaller ones that would help to reduce stress on the mains. Tall pillars protected the complex system, and connected to the beam crossing over the gears were two shafts that extended beyond the platform. For just an hours worth of work, Klank impressed even himself. It helped to have the whole thing planned out and the schematics saved in his mind. Otherwise it would have taken him hours of stopping to think and figure the next move. 

	Klank sat down at the edge of his animal prison, letting one foot dangle as he propped his elbow onto his curled up knee. A little break was in order. He couldn't remember the last time he worked that fast and kept the pace for so long. He was sweaty and exhausted. He looked to the crate and pondered for a moment. He was starving and considered one of the smaller game inside. "Nah," he finally said. "Can't chance letting that bear out again." He leapt down to the ground and scoured around. There were bits of fruit all over, something he had missed in his determination to build a way off the floating island. He took a few and ate them without hesitation. "Interesting," he said confused. It still baffled him that things could grow in a strange place like this, but that was the grand line. Nothing made sense, ever. Klank walked to the broken corner of the platform and grabbed his multi-tool. 

	"That was quite the show," a random voice cackled from behind.

	Klank immediately turned, tool at the ready. He didn't like being surprised, especially in a place where he thought he was alone.

	"I've been watching you for a bit, and might I say," said a thin, orange-haired man. He was leaning against the crate holding the creatures. He sported a disturbing grin. "Impressive." The newcomer pointed. "I've never seen someone build something so fast." After that, he knocked on the crate. "And quite sturdy, too."

	"Who the hell are you?" Klank demanded. "And where did you come from?" 

	"Oh, me? I'm nobody," he chuckled. "But I think I might know who you are, haha" Something about his laugh struck Klank in his core. " Yes, I do believe I recognize this brilliant craftsmanship. I've seen it in a few places I've been to."

	"You're freakin me out, guy."

	"I have that effect, haha." Again with the creepy laughter. 

	The man, dressed in dark blue with a scarf that matched around his neck, pushed himself from the giant crate. A short-tubed cannon was holstered to his back. Klank popped another smoke into his mouth. "I won't ask again," he threatened as he lit the cigarette. "Who the hell are you?" Of course, it was a show. Klank was a builder and not much of a fighter. Captain Bighead had shown him a few things to survive, but who knew how far Klank could go in a battle. Threats was all he had.

	"Hahaha," the man cackled again. "I'm nobody." Slowly, the man rubbed his hand onto the corner of the wooden box. Something came pouring from his body and suddenly began engulfing the windowless cage. When the man removed his hand, the wood started to disappear.

	Klank eyes squinted, then opened wide when he realized what was happening. The strange fella was going to set the creatures free. With further observation, Klank could see that the wood was going through a rapid change before it disappeared. Almost like it was being eaten away by whatever energy was touching it.  
-----
	Klank waited in anticipation. The orange-haired man was chuckling lightly as the large crate was eaten away. He was half hoping the bizarre bear inside would leap from the confines of its prison and mangle the man to death. No such thing happened. Instead, when the crate was nearly gone, the shipwright noticed traces of remains. Whatever dark energy had destroyed his work, also had its way with the creatures inside. One foot dropped back as Klank said, "Son of a bitch." After seeing what the man could do with a mere touch, and fearing for his crews way off the island, Klank non nonchalantly stepped away from the platform. The other man grinned at the sight.

	"Don't worry," he said deviously. "I am a man who appreciates another's masterpiece." He thought for a moment while Klank continued to create distance. "Ah, remember the giant crossbow you built back in Althura? The one you used to defeat a sea king terrorizing the town?"

	Klank thought on it. He did remember. It was one of the islands he and Bighead visited after one of the many times his captain damaged the ship. The townsfolk were in a seven year on again off again battle with a serpent like sea king. The titan of a snake would often rear its ugly mug to snatch a citizen, but not before wreaking havoc on their homes. Bighead was so intrigued that he demanded Klank conjure something up. Of course, the captain himself never lifted a finger to fight. He opted for getting drunk with the townsfolk while Klank worked away to build a weapon big enough to kill the monster. "No worries my dear friends," he would say. "My mate here can fix anything, including this problem you have." His charismatic and energetic persona worked wonders on the people of Althura. Bighead even had half the town partaking in beginners leg day, rewarding them with kegs of their own alcohol. His confidence was unmatched in all the Blue seas, and the early victory celebration further proved that. 

	The orange-haired man continued. "That one is a personal favorite of mine, haha. Still standing to, ya know. I just couldn't bring myself to destroy it."

	"Appreciated," Klank was quick to say. "But you have me at a disadvantage. I still don't know who the hell you are."

	"Hehe, name's Morior," he replied happily. 
	
	"Well then, Morior, how about you buzz off and leave me to my work." Klank pointed to the platform. "It ain't a masterpiece until it's finished."

	"Wish I could, my friend." he paused for a moment. "Well, no i don't, I kinda like you, haha." 

	"Hey," klank interrupted the laughter. "Enough with the god damned laugh. It's creepin me out."

	Morior suddenly started walking towards Klank with that same sinister smile. "Now why would you want to stop someone from being happy? I want YOU to be happy."

	Klank stepped back with each one Morior took. He had no idea what was going on and he didn't like it. "Leaving me alone will make me happy."

	"Oh, haha" he drew closer. "I think I can change that." Not a second later, Morior started running with his hands held out. "Now GET OVER HERE YOU MISERABLE RASCAL." 

	Klank wasn't sure if Morior intended on unleashing that decaying energy on him, but he didn't plan on finding out. Without a moment to waste, he lifted a thin platform from the ground, one he used as the original copy for his catapult. His began swinging his multi-tool and duplicating nails with panicked haste. Before Morior could get to him, Klank had already built a small box for himself to stand on. It wouldn't be enough to escape the charging, smiling man, but it was a start. In mere seconds, another box appeared, and another, and another, until there was a two by two boxed platform. 

	"Oh don't be like that, haha" Morior's laugh, again, struck nerves. the maniac leaped onto the raise as Klank quickly created multiple levels as he ascended the forming structure. A few key spots to hammer the nails was all it took to bind the wooden cubes together. Much higher, though, and the structure would eventually collapse under the increasing weight. "I gotta think of something," Klank thought to himself. It was too late.

	Morior came to a halt on the second level of the square-spiraling tower, simply watching Klank as he continued to climb and build. He smiled at the effort to escape. "This craftsmanship isn't as impressive as the others," he yelled above. "Soooo," and the orange-haired man placed his hand on the next level box. Being as thin as the wood was, it was eaten away almost instantly.

	"Son of a bitch," Klank screamed as he suddenly began falling, the rest of the structure collapsing in on itself. It was a long way down.