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The Devil Fruit shop was unusually quiet that afternoon, sunlight slanting through the front windows and spilling across the glass counters in warm, honey-colored streaks. The smell of polished wood and faint citrus cleaner gave the place a calm, almost temple-like atmosphere.
"Jessica, can you give me a hand with the gold?" Trish called out as she stepped through the door, flashing her friend a sheepish little smile.
Jessica Jones trailed behind, hands stuffed deep into her leather jacket pockets, wearing her usual expression of permanent boredom. Outside, in the back of Trish's car, sat a chest holding fifty kilos of gold, a back-breaking haul for any normal person. It might as well have been a paper bag full of groceries for Jessica.
"Yeah, yeah," Jessica muttered, voice flat.
Without further comment, she turned on her heel, reached into the car, and hauled the heavy chest out as though it were filled with feathers. This was the same woman who could flick a car across a parking lot if she felt like it; a few dozen gold bars were barely an inconvenience.
"Where do you want it?" she asked dryly, eyes half-lidded. The faint haze of alcohol clung to her like an aura, sharp enough to wrinkle Rosh's nose from behind the counter.
The scent made him frown. Rosh, the man running the shop, the so-called keeper of Devil Fruits, couldn't help thinking what a waste it was. Jessica Jones, a powerhouse with gifts people would kill for, is burying herself in cheap liquor and smoky bars. She was a walking headline hiding in plain sight.
Still, he reminded himself, that wasn't his business. He pushed the thought away and gestured at the floor beside the counter.
"Right here is fine," Rosh said quickly.
*Thunk*
Jessica set the chest down exactly where he pointed, flipped the lid open, and stepped back. Inside, rows of gold bars caught the light, casting a cold, muted glow across the shop's warm interior.
"Fifty kilos, Mr. Rosh," Trish said proudly, brushing her hands off. "Want to count them?"
Rosh had already run it through his system the moment the box hit the ground; there was no problem with the gold. But outwardly, he waved a hand with casual generosity.
"No need, Trish. I trust you."
*Whoosh!*
With a flick of his wrist, the overflowing chest went from full to empty in an instant. The stack of gold vanished as though it had never been there, leaving only the echo of its weight in the air.
"Whoa!" Trish gasped, her eyes going wide and bright. "So that's your power, huh? I knew it, knew you were one of us! You've got powers too, don't you? You ate a Devil Fruit, didn't you?"
Jessica actually tilted her head, the faintest flicker of interest crossing her usually bored expression. "Which one was it? Something with space? Teleportation?"
Rosh chuckled softly, a low, even sound. "No. I ate the Glint–Glint Fruit. I'm a man of light."
As he spoke, his pupils ignited with a molten gold glow. The flare was so intense it painted the walls in long, jagged shadows and sent a ripple of warmth through the shop. It was like standing in the center of a sunrise for a heartbeat.
"Oh my god, that's insane! You're basically Superman!" Trish squealed, bouncing on her toes like a kid at a concert. "Jessica, did you see that? His eyes were glowing!"
Even Jessica blinked at the display before her usual mask slid back into place. "Cool party trick," she muttered, but there was a tiny glimmer of respect hiding in her gaze.
Rosh's smile thinned to something secretive as he reached under the counter and slid a strange object forward. "I believe this is yours. The Cat–Cat Fruit, Model: Jungle Cat."
Trish inhaled sharply as she accepted the Devil Fruit with both hands, palms trembling. Its surface shimmered with unnatural colors, the patterns winding like tiny paw prints.
"It's beautiful," she whispered, eyes sparkling as if she were holding a crown jewel.
Jessica rolled her eyes and folded her arms. "Are you kidding? That thing's hideous. And the taste? Trust me, no way in hell would I choke one down, powers or not."
Trish barely heard her. Without a shred of hesitation, she bit deep into the fruit. The foul, bitter taste hit instantly, a mix of salt and rot that made her gag, but she powered through. To her, even that disgusting flavor was sweet; it was sweet with promise. The taste of power. The taste of dreams about to come true.
And then it started.
Just as with the sample she'd tried before, the change hit the moment she swallowed. Energy poured through her veins like liquid fire. Her right hand jerked, then warped; fur bloomed across her skin, sleek and spotted, until her fingers curled into razor-sharp claws.
"Yes! That's it, it's back!" Trish gasped, trembling with exhilaration as the transformation took hold.
Jessica nearly jumped out of her skin. "Trish! What the hell did you just eat?"
Trish had been maddeningly secretive all morning, refusing to name the fruit she'd bought, only promising it would be "a surprise." Well, surprise delivered, Jessica's pulse was still trying to catch up.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Jessica?" Trish's voice was breathless but triumphant. She raised her clawed hand as if presenting evidence in court. "Don't you get it? I'm Cheetah now! Like in the comics: The Cheetah!"
Her claws flexed with a faint metallic rasp. "I'm a superhero too, just like you." Then her smirk tilted into something sharper, eyes flashing with a new, predatory confidence. "No… I'm something better. Cooler. Stronger."
Jessica blew out a long breath, relief flickering across her face. Cheetah. At least that she could wrap her head around. Weird? Definitely. But it was still within the bounds of comic-book logic. Cheetah was a powerhouse in the comics, even if she was technically a villain.
"Congratulations, Trish," Jessica said at last, and the sincerity was unforced for once. "You finally got what you wanted."
She didn't care much about the whole "superhero" scene herself, but watching her best friend's dream solidify in front of her deserved at least that much.
"Thanks, Jessica!" Trish's grin widened, claws curling and uncurling with excitement. "I can't wait until we fight crime together. We're going to be the best superhero duo ever! Just imagine it!" Her words spilled out in a rush, already painting a mental picture of headlines, cameras, and capes.
Jessica's only answer was a flat, humorless laugh. "Yeah. Can't wait."
But Trish didn't even hear it. She was already lost in her daydream of masks, glory, and two best friends taking on the world together, one with fists of steel, the other with claws of a jungle cat.
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Next Chapter: Another Hero Walks Through the Door
Next Next Chapter: Did I Just Meet Superman?
Next Next Next Chapter: The Day Colleen Wing Went Warp
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