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Chapter Text

Name: Mihawk Nicole

Alias: She Wolf (just something i thought up at the moment hope you like it) "Have you heard the rumors about her?" "No" "They say her eyes are colder and more murderous then Hawkeye's" "What? No way" "I've heard they call her the she wolf because her eyes are only a warning like the growling of a mother wolf" "A warning? For what?" "Don't you know? Her father is Hawkeye Mihawk" "You mean the warlord?" "Yeah, you can imagine the kind of monster she is with a father like that" "Yeah" (how a conversation about the origin of her alias would go)

Age: 18(before timeskip)20(after timeskip)

Looks: pic (before timeskip)(also she has yellow eyes)

Height: 170cm (before timeskip) 178cm (after timeskip)

Family: Dracule "Hawkeye" Mihawk (father, living), Unknown mother(deceased)

Devil Fruit: none (well i have been thinking about giving her one)

Ability: none (that i want to give away right now at least) really unless you count that she's a top swordswoman and a blacksmith

Weapons: shown in next chapter

Chapter Text

(A/N: Pic is Nicole's swords)

~Nicole~

"I blame you for this" I told Zoro for the thousandth time because thanks to him we were tied to a post in a marine base "I know you've told me so every day for the past three weeks" Zoro said "I know i have because this is your fault" I told him, Zoro sighed and I sighed before we fell silent.

"Coby look!" I heard and tried to look over from behind Zoro and since I was tied I couldn't get a good look but it was clear someone was on the stone wall "I'm telling you he's not"the other voice was cut off probably cause they saw Zoro.

"If we untie those ropes he could just walk away" the first voice said, they probably haven't noticed me yet cause i'm behind Zoro "Don't be such an idiot Luffy! There's no telling what will happen if we let a bandit like him loose he might kill us both!" the second voice yelled, I'm guessing Coby.

"Don't worry, I'm strong, I can protect us" The first voice said, I'm guessing Luffy, "Hey you two, you're an eye sore, get lost" Zoro told them, I nudged him with my leg "That wasn't very nice didn't you hear that they want to brake us free?" I asked "That's not gonna be of much use without our swords" Zoro pointed out "Oh yeah" I agreed.

"Luffy trust me there's no way you'll survive with someone like him on your crew!" Coby yelled, Then from the noises i heard I could tell someone came over and Coby wanted Luffy to stop "What do you want?" Zoro asked "I though you might be getting hungry now, so i made you a couple of rice balls" the person said, not a familiar voice but probably someone from the village.

"Gotta death wish kid? Just scram" Zoro said and I hit him with my leg again "Rude!" I scolded him and tried to look over at the kid "Don't listen to him, we would love to taste of your rice balls" I smiled, "Really? You're so kind pirate lady!"the kid said "Don't listen to her, we're not hungry kid now stop irritating me and get out of here!" Zoro yelled at the kid "But" Zoro cut off the kid "Do not make me kick your ass little girl!" he yelled.

"Zoro!" I scolded as the gates opened "Now now no one likes a bully" it was that jerk Helmeppo captain Morgan's son, he thinks he's such a big shot just cause his daddy runs this place, "Roronoa Zoro and the mysterious Nicole, you seem to be handling this well, don't you agree?" Helmeppo asked.

"Lookie some tasty rice balls"Helmeppo said taking one of them from the girl "That's not for you" the girl said as Helmeppo bit into the rice ball he took "BLAH!!!"he yelled spitting it out "Too sweet , their packed with sugar you're supposed to use salt you idiot salt!"he scolded the girl.

"But I-I thought they would taste better sweet"the girl said but Helmeppo being the jerk he was threw the rice balls on the ground and stomped on them, the little girl tried to stop him but he didn't, the girl was crying from the sound of it but I couldn't get a good view, again tied behind Zoro to post.

"But i worked so hard to make those"the little girl cried "Too bad you probably didn't read the notice that was posted" Helmeppo said taking a flier out of his coat pocket "Those who assist criminals in anyway will be executed signed marine captain Morgan" he read.

'How horrible' I thought, Helmeppo chuckled "It seems even little brats fear my daddy" he said, "You toss this kid out" Helmeppo said pointing at one of the marines with him, I don't know exactly what happened there's only so much one can tell from noises and from this position but i think the marine was hesitant so Helmeppo grabbed his collar.

"I said throw her over the wall solder, if you won't follow orders i'll tell my father" Helmeppo said, "Yes sir i'll do it" the marine said, from what i could tell the marine threw the girl over the wall and either Luffy or Coby caught her, i'd guess Luffy, Coby didn't strike me as the type.

"Damn you" Zoro muttered "Jerk" I muttered as Helmeppo laughed "You are just dead set on staying alive aren't you?" he asked Zoro "That's right I'm gonna make it through the month without any problems" Zoro said "Right good luck with that" Helmeppo laughed before he came over to my side.

"And you my mysterious Nicole, you're just as stubborn as he is aren't you?" Helmeppo asked "Damn right I am, and who are you calling yours?" I asked smirking at him, he smirked grabbing my jaw "Oh you will be mine by the end of this month, you're gonna be the lovely bride of the son of captain Morgan and not some dirty pirate" he smirked.

I kicked him in the nuts making him let go of me "Like I said last time in your dreams" I told him as the marines took him away, "You okay?" Zoro asked glancing at me over his shoulder "Yeah that creep won't get to me" I told him and then grinned "I love being a pirate"

"So I hear you're bad guys" one of the guys from earlier, I'm guessing Luffy said "Are you still here?" Zoro asked "You're stuck out here for all the world to see, are you really all that strong?" Luffy asked, I guess he was talking to just Zoro "Mind your own business" Zoro told him.

I heard Luffy sigh as he walked over "If i were you i'd probably starve to death in three days" he said, "I've got more spirit then you could ever have, which is how I'm gonna survive this ordeal, this I swear" Zoro said, I could practically hear the smirk on his face "Me too!" I agreed.

"Hah, what a weirdo" Luffy laughed as he was leaving "Hold up" Zoro said making him stop, from the sound of it, "Could you pick that up for me?" Zoro asked referring to the stomped rice balls on the ground.

"You're gonna eat this?" Luffy asked picking up the rice from the ground "Cause it's mostly a ball of mud" he said "Shut up and give it to me now!" Zoro yelled, Luffy then fed the mud ball to Zoro and he ate every last bite"You're disgusting Zoro" I muttered scrunching up my nose.

"So you don't want any?" Luffy asked "Ew, no thanks" I told him "It was good, thanks for the meal" Zoro said, i rolled my eyes and looked away "I still blame you"i told him when Luffy left, Zoro just grunted ending the conversation.

Chapter Text

~Third~

The girl told Luffy and Coby about how Zoro defended her and her mother from Helmeppo, which is why he was tied to the post, they had dragged off Nicole because she had ignored Helmeppo's advances even though said girl mostly blamed Zoro for the whole tied up to a post thing.

Anyway they heard a noise from the bar and walked in and saw Helmeppo being the spoiled prick he is bragging about he was going to execute Zoro and Nicole even though he promised they could go after a month of being tied up.

Luffy punched the bratty prick sending him flying "You hit me!"Helmeppo whined, Coby tried to hold Luffy back "This guy is scum!"Luffy said "You actually hit me! I am captain Morgan's son you know!"Helmeppo said "Yeah, like i care"Luffy retorted "You'll care after he kills you for this!"Helmeppo yelled like the whiny brat that he is.

"Why don't you just be a man and fight?!"Luffy yelled at him "Ease up Luffy, why are you trying to get on the marines bad side?"Coby asked the straw hat boy "I made up my mind, today Zoro joins my crew"Luffy said.

~Nicole~

"Achoo!"i sneezed "Ah geez, this is the worst"i muttered sniffing when Zoro gasped waking up from his day dream, "You again"he said, looking over as best i could i saw it was Luffy, the straw hat kid from earlier "Don't you have things to do?"Zoro asked him.

"I'll untie you but only if you promise to join my crew"Luffy said "Your what?"Zoro asked "I run a pirate crew and i'm looking for people to join up"Luffy said "No way! I'd never stoop to joining up with a criminal, besides i already have a group with Nicole"Zoro said "Then she can come too"Luffy smiled.

"Wait seriously?Just like that?"i asked surprised "Well sure"Luffy shrugged "I mean you're probably strong if you hang around with Zoro,what's your name again?"Luffy asked "It's Nicole" i told him.

"Well regardless i'm not going to become a pirate, there's only one thing i want in this world and i'm going to reach it with my own power"Zoro said "Yeah that's great but i've already decided you're on my crew"Luffy said "Is this guy for real?"Zoro muttered "I'm totally real! Besides i hear you're the best swordsman around and Nicole probably isn't half bad if you travel together"Luffy said.

"Oh please, i could beat Zoro blindfolded"i said "As if, i could beat you blindfolded and one handed"Zoro said "You wish! You're not even near my level"I smirked "Am too! Just wait until we get our swords back i'll show you"Zoro said "Bring it on Roronoa"i said.

Luffy laughed braking our argument "I like you even more now, right i'll just get your swords and then you'll have to join my crew"he grinned "You're pissing me off!"Zoro yelled at him, Luffy laughed again running off in the wrong direction "Hey genius the base is in the other direction!"i called and saw Luffy shoot past us extending his arms like rubber, "What the hell is this guy?"Zoro muttered "He's a strange one that's for sure"i said and he nodded.

~skip~

Coby ran over and began untying the ropes holding Zoro and i tied to the post "You have to get out of here"he said "That maniac is gonna kill you for what you're doing right now"Zoro said, i just watched as Coby fumbled with the knots "I can't stand watching the marines act like this, a true marine should be honorable"Coby said.

"Look kid we can't leave, we have ten days left and then"Zoro was cut off "Not quite, they're gonna execute you tomorrow"Coby said "I freaking knew it, no way that bratty prick Helmeppo was gonna keep his word"i said "You're right, Helmeppo never intended to honor your agreement they were gonna kill you and Nicole regardless which made Luffy really angry so he just knocked him out"Coby said.

"Deserves that prick right, man when i get my swords back i'll castrate that bratty nuisance"i grinned a bit "That's going a bit far"Zoro said, i could hear the sweatdrop in his tone "Oh come on you never let me have any fun"i pouted.

"Anyway the marines are dead set on catching Luffy, don't worry i won't ask for you to become a pirate but i will ask for you to help him, you both can offer Luffy strength he'll need, Luffy is the only one who can save you and you're the only ones who can save him from a similar fate"Coby said.

Just then captain Morgan and his men appeared pointing guns at Zoro, Coby and myself "End of the line, for the crime of treason against me i sentence you all to die where you stand"the captain himself said walking over, i glared at the burly man "You've been pulling some interesting moves around here, what is this? Some kind of poorly executed coo? You with the straw hat?"Morgan asked.

I rolled my eyes, man this is one dumb captain "I've always fought alone like a real man does or back to back with Nicole like true partners, not like a coward who hides behind his wall of expendable cronies"Zoro said "Yeah, you're nothing but talk!"i called "Roronoa Zoro, Nicole, don't you dare underestimate me, you maybe a strong fighter but under my authority you're just a rat we throw out with the trash"Morgan growled and ordered his men to take aim.

Just as the men started to fire, Luffy jumped in front taking the bullets which bounced off his rubber body, i figured earlier that he must of eaten one of the devil fruits, truly a very interesting character we've come across "Just who are you?"Zoro asked "I'm Monkey D. Luffy and i'm gonna be King of the Pirates"he grinned.

"You're going to be King of the Pirates? Right, you must be completely out of your rubbery mind do you have any idea what that means?"Zoro asked "King of the pirates means king of the pirates, how can it mean anything else?"Luffy asked "Shocking i know, but he's being completely serious"Coby added.

"Here's what i promised you, there's five of them i don't know which one is yours so i grabbed them all"Luffy said holding our sword "Three of them belong to me, i use Sentoryu, the three sword style"Zoro said.

"The two longer ones are mine"i told him "Hmm, take them already then" Luffy grinned "We would but were kinda tied up incase you forgot"i said "Oh right, just know that if you fight with me now you'll be a government defined villain so it's either that or you're left out here and killed by the marines execution style"Luffy said grinning.

"What are you the son of the devil? It doesn't matter, cause if i don't choose your side i'll just end up dead on these sticks, so lets do it"Zoro said "I'm not really ready to die yet, there's things i wanna do still, so i'm on board" i said "Alright, you're finally joining my crew!"Luffy cheered "Would you quit that? Get us out of here!"Zoro yelled at him.

Luffy couldn't get the ropes loose, Morgan and his men were about to attack "Just give me one of the swords now!"Zoro said and cut us loose, grabbing his swords and blocking the marines while i grabbed mine and dusted myself off.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

After three or so weeks i was feeling stiff and hungry so i just watched as Zoro and Luffy dealt with the marines, besides those two didn't seem to need any help, then that prick Helmeppo appeared, holding Coby hostage with a gun to the boys head yelling at Luffy, i just sighed a bit and slipped behind the prick pointing one sword at his back and the other at his neck.

~Third~

"I'm not exactly fond of self entitled pricks like you, it'd be so easy to drive this sword through your heart or this sword through your neck, which one do you think would kill you first?" Nicole asked her eyes narrowed and deadly serious "Nicole"Luffy called, Nicole glanced at him "Let him go"he told her, "As you say captain"Nicole shrugged putting her swords away and walking over to Zoro.

~Nicole~

Luffy punched Helmeppo when Morgan showed up aiming a strike at the straw hat boy when Zoro knocked him out cold, the marines were totally in awe and it was all smiles and cheers, whatever, Zoro collapsed hungry, i smiled walking over to him "Hey i'm hungry too but you don't see me whine"I said.

"That's right we have an unfinished fight, just lets eat first okay?"he asked, i giggled a bit and smiled "Sure"i said, i dragged Zoro to the town outside of this marine base and we found the diner we had been in before all this happened, the owner was glad to provide Zoro, Luffy and i all we could eat.

"Whew i'm stuffed, having not eaten in three weeks i was ready to gnaw through my bootstraps" i rolled my eyes at Zoro finishing the drink i had having already finished stuffing myself, Luffy was still eating though "I can't believe you're finished, lightweight"he said "How can you have a bigger appetite then someone who hasn't eaten in weeks?"Zoro asked him.

"Just taste good i guess, right Coby?"Luffy asked, ignoring the glasses guy i leaned over to Zoro "It's probably cause his stomach is made of rubber too"i whispered to him, he nodded in agreement "So how many others have you gathered for your crew besides Nicole and i?"Zoro decided to ask "Just you two"Luffy said.

Zoro was stunned "It's just us"Luffy said "So Nicole, you and i are what amount to an entire pirate crew?"Zoro asked "What's wrong with that? We're a couple of strong guys, Nicole seems pretty though too"Luffy said.

I snorted a bit "I sense you doubt my capabilities and if i'm any good as a part of your crew, you have nothing to worry captain aside for my awesome swordsmanship, i can also offer other skills such as smithing"I told him "What's that?"Luffy asked tilting his head confused, i rolled my eyes a bit "Simply put with the proper equipment and some materials i can make weapons"i said.

"Ooooh that sounds cool!!! Alright you're in"Luffy grinned, i smiled leaning back in my seat, i would of gone with regardless, i wanted to stick close to Zoro and help him achieve his dream simply cause i want to, i don't see it as going against my father, rebelling as one might say, anyway Zoro asked Luffy about his ship and Luffy pointed out this little boat in the docks.

It could be worse considering we're just starting out, Luffy said we're heading straight for the grand line, Coby went on and on about how terrible it is and all that "I've heard stories from people passing by, customers say that no one that has entered the grand line comes out of that place alive"the owner said.

I snorted a bit as Luffy grinned and said "Which is really too bad cause that's where the One Piece is said to be and that's exactly where we're going" i decided to cut in and add "Besides if no one comes out alive from the Grand Line, where have all these stories come from?" Zoro then smirked "Whatever happens, we'll just have to live with it"he said.

"No! You can't agree!"Coby yelled "What do you care? You're not coming with us are you?"Zoro asked "No but is it so wrong to worry about you three? Luffy and i haven't known each other for long but i still consider him a friend wouldn't you say?"Coby asked Luffy, "Of course, we may have to part ways but we'll always be friends"Luffy grinned.

Coby then went on about his life story and his dream of becoming a marine, really i could care less, then the marines showed up, we were forced to leave, Luffy showed Coby wasn't with us by goading him into hitting him which was totally obvious and as were sailed off the marines gave us a salute, marines saluting pirates now that's a first.

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(A/N: so i decided to skip to the Baratie arc cause that's where we meet Mihawk, and i know ya'll want to see how Zoro reacts when Nicole's little secret is revealed)

~Nicole~

It's been a few days since Zoro and i joined up with Luffy, since then two others have joined up Usopp and Nami, but before all that Zoro and i settled out the little argument we had back at the marine base, i completely destroyed him, now this wasn't the first time either, ever since we first met he's kept challenging me after seeing me fight off a group of pirates and i've won all 36 times since.

Anyway after that we ran into Nami in a town over run by pirates, Zoro got stabbed, he says he's fine now but i still doubt it, then we ran into Usopp in another village that was going to be ransacked by pirates, we stopped them though and got a ship out of it too, the Going Merry.

Currently we were sailing on the Going Merry, Zoro was napping, i was maintaining our swords, Luffy and Usopp were playing around while Nami was reading the newspaper, "Nicole do you know how to shoot a cannon?!"Luffy yelled over to the roof of the cabin where i was along with Zoro "I think you put gunpowder in the cannon first, then the ball, aim, light it up and that's all there is to it, i think"i told him.

"Oh cool! It sounds so simple!"Luffy yelled excitedly "There's a reef south of here that would make for excellent target practice"Nami pointed out "That's perfect! Then that's where we're heading"Luffy said probably a big grin on his face, i couldn't tell being up on the roof and focusing on mine and Zoro's swords.

I thought back to when Zoro told me about his childhood, after our 20th fight, he told me about Kuina and how he was never able to beat her, after telling me everything he asked me if i thought my gender was a hindrance "I never thought that, as a girl it only means i have to train even harder"i told him, then the loud bang of cannon fire snapped me out of it and woke up Zoro.

"Hey what's so loud down there?"Zoro asked "Cannon firing practice but it's not going very well"Luffy said "Like i said let the expert aim the thing"Usopp said and aimed the cannon according to the last shots trajectory and hit a small island on the first shot, i'll admit i was impressed too and Luffy named Usopp the sniper of our little crew, we moved inside the cabin, i handed Zoro his swords back since i was done with maintenance.

Anyway we got to discussing about the fact that we needed something very important before leaving for the Grand Line while the others myself included were insinuating that we needed a chef but Luffy said we needed a musician, his logic being, pirates sing a lot, just then though someone started making a ruckus on the deck, Luffy went out to check it.

"How many are there?"Zoro asked Nami and Usopp since they were looking out the window "Just one"Nami said "Then let him handle it"Zoro said not really interested, i wasn't either until the voice started to sound familiar, Zoro and i went out and saw it was Johnny, we met him and his partner Yosaku a few months back, they are a bounty hunting duo and utterly terrible at it.

"Big bro, big sis, it is you, why are you on a pirate ship?"Johnny asked once he noticed us "Some circumstances happened but never mind that where's Yosaku?"i asked "Well, he's on my ship but you gotta come see"Johnny said going over to the little boat at the side of our ship, Zoro and i followed and looked down to see Yosaku except he was in a terrible condition.

"He's been sick"Johnny said crying his eyes out, Zoro just patted his shoulder and we got Yosaku on the ship "What happened?"Zoro asked "Up until a few days ago he was healthy and full of life and now he keeps fainting and he get's really pale, i have no idea what's causing it"Johnny cried.

"His teeth started falling out and his old wound opened up and kept bleeding, he just got worse and worse i didn't know what to do, so i thought maybe we'd just rest on a little island but then, a cannonball came flying from this ship"Johnny cried.

Realizing their fooling around cause trouble to someone else Luffy and Usopp quickly apologised "Sorry's not good enough"Johnny sniffed still crying "Give it to me straight big bro, is he gonna die?"Johnny asked.

"Can i have a look?"i asked as Nami walked over and muttered something about dumb "Of course big sis"Johnny said, i knelt next to Yosaku and looked at his eyes and tongue, i wasn't a doctor or anything but even some basic knowledge of common illnesses, cuts, broken bones and so forth has come to be really helpful in the sea "He's got scurvy, Luffy Usopp bring the limes we have in storage"i said.

"Right!"the two scurried to the storage area and got some limes and squeezed the juice out of them on Yosaku per my instructions "If we weren't too late he'll be just fine in a few days"i said as Nami, Zoro, Johnny and i stood on the sidelines "Thank you so much big sis!"Johnny cried hugging my middle, i sighed and patted his head letting his snot and stuff get all over my shirt, thankfully i had a clean shirt to change into just like this one, what? I really like this shirt so of course i bought multiple.

Anyway Yosaku came too after a while and started dancing around with Johnny, though of course since Yosaku was far from totally healthy he collapsed again, we put him in the cabin to rest up over night since it was starting to get dark, "Let this be a lesson to you"Nami said doing something or other in her notebook or whatever "Yep this is the kind of trouble you run into when you live on the sea"Zoro said, i nodded in agreement knowing more about this then i let on.

"Which means while we're at sea we really have to think about how to get the right amount of nutrients with very little food"Usopp pointed out "It's absolutely necessary someone on this ship knows how to do that"Nami said and turned to me as i was sitting next to her "Do you know?"she asked "A little bit, mainly how to survive on my own in the sea"i said.

"Right, what we need is a cook, let's go find us a cook"Luffy announced a grin on his face "Good idea, i'm in, we'll have yummy food even while we're out at sea"Usopp said "That's right you got it"Luffy said "A Cook? I know just the place and the food is gonna blow your mind"Johnny said.

"Alright, let's go, where to?"Luffy asked still grinning "Alright but be prepared, this place is close to the Grand Line and i've heard rumors that a certain hawk eyed man you're looking for is there"Johnny said getting Zoro all excited and grinning about finally being able to challenge him "Set a course, north north-east our destination, the sea restaurant, Baratie"Johnny said pointing out the direction and thus we set off.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

"So what do you think?"Johnny asked once we arrived at Baratie after a few hours of sailing "Wow! It's a big fish!"Luffy said completely awed by what i saw as an ordinary facade to a sea restaurant, though the fact this was a sea restaurant actually on the sea was interesting, but then a fog horn and a bell rang as a marine ship came to sail next to us, this was not looking good, i didn't care why there was a marine ship all the way here, marines can come and go as they please after all.

What i did care about was that it was a MARINE ship and we were on a PIRATE ship since we are PIRATES, i'm sure i don't need to tell you why i thought this wasn't looking good, someone walked out to the deck "I am Ironfist Fullbody"they said, i sweatdropped a bit, that can't be his actual name.

"But you can just call me sir, you there! Who's the captain?! Identify yourself!"the guy yelled, i refuse to memorize his name cause aside from it being ridiculous he didn't seem the least bit threatening, anyway Luffy stepped forward "My name is Luffy"he said "My name is Usopp, got it?!"he said cause Usopp somehow got this idea in his head that he's the captain even though he's not, at least Luffy doesn't seem to mind it but it's only matter of time until something pops.

Anyway getting back on track "We only made our flag the day before yesterday"Luffy said "That's right marine and i drew it!"Usopp said, the marine then spotted Johnny and Yosaku calling them out on only going after small bounties, because frankly with their skills that's all they can do, Johnny too offence to that however and spread bounty fliers everywhere, i noticed Nami grabbing one of them but didn't see which one and i didn't have much time to dwell on it as the marine ship took aim at our ship.

Luffy went to take care of it using his devil fruit abilities but his hand slipped and the ball went flying into the restaurant and we were questioned by the staff about the attack, logical assumption us being pirates and Luffy decided to take full responsibility even though it happened because marines fired on us in the first place, anyway they took Luffy away and while Yosaku and Johnny were repairing the damage from yesterday's scuffle, Nami and Usopp were talking about something.

I was sitting next to Zoro as he was going for another nap "What do you think we should do?"i asked "I guess we just wait here, maybe if they do put Luffy to work we could go make fun of him"he smirked, i snickered a bit "Oh that would be hilarious"i said, with that frankly hilarious image in mind we, as in Usopp, Nami, Zoro and myself decided to go check it out, using Johnny's and Yosaku's boat Usopp and Zoro rowed us over to the restaurant.

As we moored the boat onto the restaurant's deck we heard a commotion going on inside, Zoro hopped out of the boat and offered his hand like a gentleman, i just smiled taking his hand and pulling myself on the dock with his help, he smiled back with a bit of a blush? "Are you blushing?" i asked "No! It's just hot out"Zoro said letting go of my hand, shrugging it off i opened the doors to quite the scene.

A blonde guy was holding up the marine from earlier who was all bloody presumably from the aftermath of a fight "Don't ever waste food around me again, at sea if you ever provoke your cook you're signing your death warrant, remember that"the blond guy said, then another cook walked over and the two started arguing, i wasn't paying full attention to what they were saying though just enjoying the show.

The marine went on to say how they would regret this and how he would run the restaurant to the ground, ironic given that we're at sea, and how the place was finished blah blah blah "Then maybe i should just finish you off now"the blonde guy said and had to be held back by others as he yelled at the marine "Arrogant big shots like you who think they can push anybody around really piss me off!"he yelled, i like this guys attitude.

Just then though Luffy and some old guy fell through the roof, we moved inside the restaurant getting a table in all the commotion and just continued to watch the show as another marine ran in yelling about an escaped pirate they had been holding, then the said pirate shot the marine casually strolled in and took a seat at a table and continued to watch as the pirate got kicked out, so from there we waited for a waiter or something, i mean this is a restaurant might as well get food while we're here.

~skip~

"Chore boy!"Nami called spotting Luffy "What are you doing?!"Luffy called back "We heard you had to work here for a full year" Usopp said a big grin on his face "Is it okay if we redraw the flag for the ship?"Zoro asked smirking a bit "Yeah, a captain working on another ship isn't much of a captain"i said trying and failing to keep from smirking, as i thought this was hilarious.

"Wha-?You're eating all this delicious food without me? What kind of crew are you?!"Luffy asked walking over "How could you do this to me?!"he yelled "Hold on i think that's our business isn't that right?"Zoro asked turning to me a grin on his face and he laughed a bit too, i snickered a bit grinning myself "Yeah"i nodded in agreement and feeling a bit of a blush on my cheeks, but also noticing Luffy put a booger in Zoro's drink.

I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing out loud and just watched as Zoro went for his drink but then he forced Luffy to drink it, Nami, Usopp and i burst out laughing as Luffy rolled on the ground in "agony" but that was interrupted as the blond guy from earlier came over offering a rose to Nami "Oh dear ocean thank you for this treasure you've shared from your depths, oh yes my love, i cannot bare this hardship of loving you from a far it is too difficult, i am prepared to sail to the ends of the earth as a pirate if it means someone of your rare beauty will be by my side!"the cook said with hearts in his eyes.

Before turning to me clasping my hand in his "And you my raven haired beauty, your golden eyes pierce to my heart like an arrow! Yes for you i would do the same ten times over!But oh what a great obstacle stands in our way!"he said standing up hearts still in his eyes, i happened to glace over at Zoro and saw a deep jealousy in his eyes and somehow that made me blush.

"And that obstacle would be me?"the old man from earlier asked walking over, i'm guessing the owner of this place "Sanji this is an opportunity you don't want to miss, why not join them and become a pirate?" the old man asked the cook, i'm guessing Sanji, "I have no need to keep you here at my restaurant"the old man said.

Chapter Text

~recap~

Last we left the crew they were in a restaurant because Luffy was forced to work there for a year because he took the blame for a cannonball gone stray that was fired by marines.

"And that obstacle would be me?"Zeff asked walking over "Sanji this is an opportunity you don't want to miss, why not join them and become a pirate?" he asked Sanji, "I have no need to keep you here at my restaurant"he said.

~Nicole~

"Hey listen pal i'm the sous chef in this place, what do you mean you don't need me any more?" the cook asked "You fight with customers all the time, you flirt with every woman under 80 who walks through here, you can't even cook a decent meal, you're more worthless to me then the chum after brunch that's what i mean"the old man said, why do i feel like we're in the middle of all this fighting?

"Oh and let's not forget about how the other cooks avoid you like poison, so run off and be a pirate or whatever but get out of this restaurant"the old man said, "That's how it is? You shoot off the mouth and expect i'm just going to take it old man? I can blow off everything you said but i won't let anyone get off from trash talking my cooking, i'm staying here as a sous chef and that's final!"the cook said grabbing the old man by the collar "You hear me?!"the cook yelled.

Then he was throw at our table but thankfully we moved the food out of the way, wouldn't want to waste any, "Enough of your games, i'm not going anywhere old man not until you're dead and gone!"The cook called, "I got a hundred years of kicking your butt still in me"the old man muttered walking away "He always has to have the last word"the cook muttered, Luffy put his hand on the cooks shoulder "see? He said it was okay so now you can be a pirate!"he grinned.

"Shut up!"the cook yelled before getting up and fixing the table "My apologies, i hope i can make it up to you with this delightful fruit Macedonia, my princess"he said going right back into womanizing mode "And for you my haunting raven, a summer sweet roll, with jam from berries such as strawberries, raspberries and blueberries"the blonde said also serving something for me and pouring a drink to go with it "Uhm, thanks?"i said but it came out as more of a question, i wasn't completely comfortable with how comfortable the cook was being with me.

"Hey what about us Mr. Casanova?! We better get some kind of an apology too!"Usopp yelled "This tea should be sufficient enough for you, in fact you should be thanking me"the cook said "What?!You wanna fight?!You're gonna regret this!"Usopp said and turned to Zoro "Take him out Zoro!"he said "You take him out"Zoro muttered sipping his tea, "Please don't fight over me" Nami said taking full advantage of the situation by manipulating the cook to give the food to herself and me for free, the others still had to pay though, anyway after that he went back to work dragging Luffy with him.

~skip~

"We've been sitting around twiddling our thumbs for four days now, how long do you think we're gonna be here anyway?"Usopp asked frustrated about having to wait around as we were gathered on the Going Merry "Who knows"Zoro shrugged "He said he'll stay a year but i'm already so bored!"i whined "Oh stop whining, this place is great plus the food is free"Nami said smiling "Yeah for you it is"Zoro pointed out.

"Hey Luffy!What are we still doing here?!Come on let's just get out of this place!"Usopp called over to our so called captain as he came walking by "Just sit tight a little longer, i'm gonna try make another deal with the owner!"Luffy called back "Well hurry up!"Usopp called to him, i groaned leaning back, i just know were gonna be stuck here for a whole year, no way around it, we are sunk, but then i sensed something approaching.

Grabbing the spyglass i looked around, it was kinda hard with all this fog around but "Something wrong Nicole?"Zoro asked "I see a pirate ship approaching but i don't recognise the flag"i said "Well let's hope we won't get dragged into any trouble"he said, i nodded in agreement putting the spyglass down, the ship soon reached the restaurant, Usopp was in a total panic saying this was our que to leave and i actually agreed with him, i just had a feeling that something else was also approaching.

I got off the Going Merry over to the other side of the restaurant to get a better look as the fog was blow away, the ship was in shambles and i knew these marks better then anyone, i'm getting a seriously bad feeling, i mean i'd love to see him again but things might get revealed, things i would of preferred to have revealed on my own time, i went back over to the others just as a commotion started inside, people came running out the back and escaping in their own ships.

"Hey see that' it looks bad, what do you think is going on in there?"Usopp asked "Dunno let's go inside and see"Zoro said "What?!Are you serious?!"Usopp asked "Sure am, you sound scared" Zoro smirked "I am not scared!"Usopp protested "I vote we go check it out"i said smirking "It's two to one, come on then Usopp"Zoro said.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

We made our way in and over to the spiral staircase cause Zoro wanted make a cool entrance "What's going on Luffy? Need a hand?"he asked drawing one of his swords, "Just say the word captain"i said a hand laying on one of my swords"If you don't need help that's okay too"Usopp said obviously scared, "Oh hey guys, thanks for the offer but i think i can handle this clown"Luffy said, Zoro put his sword back and i put my arm on the railing leaning on it to watch the show.

"Too bad but if you say you don't need any help, who am i to argue? Us awesome fighters are just gonna sit this one out holler if you need u-"Usopp was cut off as Zoro hit him, i snickered a bit "Why'd you do that Zoro?"Usopp asked "Shut up already you weirdo"Zoro said.

~Third~

Don Krieg was frozen as he stared at Nicole "Those eyes"he muttered but only Ghin next to him heard it and also noticed those eyes that were so similar to his, Don Krieg then grinned no way this girl was as strong with this strawhat kid in charge, he laughed "Those guys are your crew? That's a pretty small group you got there kid"he said "We'll that's not all, i've got two more"Luffy said.

"I'm not a part of your crew!"Sanji protested, Don Krieg looked at Zeff and glanced at Nicole and shivered seeing those eyes again "I'll deal with you later, right now i'm going to go feed my men"he said picking up the sack of food "Those of you who don't wish to die can leave the restaurant now and escape that fate, the only things i'm after are the log book and this ship"he said walking out.

"However"Don Krieg said pausing at the door "If you wish to stay and be slaughtered, i have no problem burying every last one of you at sea, know that"he said before leaving, for now, "I'm so sorry it had to come to this Sanji"Ghin said "You have nothing to apologise for sailor, every cook at this restaurant did what they thought was right, that's all there is to say about that"Zeff said.

"But boss why are you taking Sanji's side? He's the cause of all this?!"one of the cooks yelled "Yeah he's gonna put your precious restaurant out of business"another said "You fools!"Zeff yelled "You don't know what you're talking about, none of you have any idea what it's like to be on the brink of starvation to have no food or water on the open ocean, there is no way you can understand what a terrifying prospect that is, it's the most difficult situation a man could ever face"he said.

"W-what are you talking about boss?"a chef asked "The difference between you all and Sanji is that he knows"Zeff said, the chefs murmured among themselves but it was clear to Nicole what the old man was getting at "If all you're gonna do is stand around grumbling then leave this place and never come back"Zeff said, however the chefs weren't going to back down, they were ready to fight for their restaurant.

"What are you doing?! You saw how powerful Don is right?"Ghin asked unable to believe the chefs were ready to fight, Nicole scoffed quite audibly "Oh yes a few guns, i am so scared"she muttered sarcastically, Sanji smirked getting up "Hey Ghin, listen up cause i'm only going to say this once, feeding someone who is hungry is my sacred moral duty, but"he said kicking up a table.

"Now that your crew is fed i have no obligation to you with a clean mind i can beat every last one of them to a bloody pulp if anyone tries to take the restaurant, their dead, i'll kill them without a moments hesitation, got that?"Sanji asked, "See this guys awesome huh?"Luffy asked grinning at his crew "Who cares about how awesome he is! We gotta get out of here right now!"Usopp yelled scared out of his mind.

"Easy there Luffy it is Don Krieg but he's in pretty bad shape"Zoro said, Nicole rolled her eyes per her earlier statement she did see Don Krieg as that threatening, "Hey Ghin you said you didn't know anything about the Grand Line but i thought you've been there, that doesn't make any sense"Luffy said turning to Ghin.

"Nothing makes sense now, what happened to us on the seventh day on that cursed sea, i don't know if it was a dream or a reality, i saw it but i can't bring myself to believe, i know in my heart that it's impossible for that entire 50 ship fleet to be completely eradicated by a single man"Ghin said, Nicole then knew for sure it had been him and now she was going to have to face facts, though she did wonder why he was out at sea in the first place.

"It all happened so fast, as soon as this man appeared he began to systematically sink our ships one after another, if that storm hadn't come upon us when it did then that monster would of destroyed our flag ship as well, i don't know if a single other ship made it out, it all seems like a terrible nightmare burned into my memory, i just want to forget but those eyes, like hers except colder, like a hawks, sharp and murderous, his gaze alone felt like the cold hand of death"Ghin said.

Then Zoro realized it too who it had been, his shock made him ignore the comment about how Nicole's eyes were similar, "Well then, that can only be the one known as Hawkeye, your description of his heartless gaze is proof enough"Zeff said "Hawkeye Mihawk"Zoro muttered, "So you know him Zoro?"Luffy asked looking over "Yeah i do, he's the whole reason i set out to sea"Zoro said, Luffy hummed a bit he had heard Ghin's comment on how Nicole's eyes were similar to this Hawkeye Mihawk, but couldn't tell personally cause she kept looking away.

"Could have that man had some score to settle with you guys?"Sanji asked, "We didn't do anything to him"Ghin said "Perhaps you disturbed him during a nap"Zeff said, Nicole snorted a bit but quickly covered her mouth and looked away as Zoro looked at her "Stupid cook! Why would he destroy an entire fleet for something so trivial?!"Ghin asked 'Because he could' Nicole had to bite her lip from saying it outloud.

"Now now no need to shout, it was just an example, i thought you'd like a little friendly advice on what kind of a place the Grand Line is"Zeff said "And what kind of place is that?"Usopp asked "He probably means that anything can happen there"Zoro said, Nicole again rolled her eyes while yes the place was totally crazy and anything could happen it really wasn't as bad as people say.

"Do we really have to go there Luffy?!"Usopp asked crying a bit, Luffy was shaking but it was from excitement "This is gonna be such a blast!"he grinned "Finally my life's goal will be achieved on the Grand Line"Zoro said more to himself as he leaned against the wall "My rival, he's out there somewhere and i'm gonna find him"he smirked "Are you that stupid?"Sanji asked "It's idiots like you guys that end up dead"Sanji said "That maybe true but i devoted my entire life to become the greatest swordsman, i've made my choice so i'm the only one who gets to call me stupid"Zoro said.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

I could feel him approaching, won't be long now until i won't be able to keep quiet much longer, he's probably sensed me too as well, and just as i finished my thought there was a noise outside, i could see the whole ship split in two, rather cut in two, we rushed outside to raise the anchor on Merry so she wouldn't be sunk either but as we got there the ship was already gone.

"Hey big bro! Big sis!"Yosaku and Johnny called swimming over, we ran over "What happened to the ship? Where's Nami?"I asked "I'm sorry big sis i don't know how to say this but she's gone"Johnny said "She's gone, big sis Nami took all the treasure and sailed away"Yosaku cried "She did what?!"we yelled.

"Explain what happened"i demanded once we fished Yosaku and Johnny out of the sea, they explained in further detail that basically Nami tricked them and sailed off on the Going Merry "So that's the story of how big sis Nami took the ship"Johnny said "I'm sorry!"Yosaku whined, Usopp and Zoro in particular were kinda mad, i was preoccupied with the fact that my father was getting closer every second and i'll have to face whatever Zoro's reaction might be.

"Wait! I can still see the Going Merry, tell me where your boat is"Luffy said referring to Yosaku's and Johnny's boat "We have it moored to the restaurant"Yosaku said "Zoro, Nicole, Usopp don't just stand there take their ship and go after Nami"Luffy said "Calm down, let her keep the ship, trust me that woman is more trouble the she's worth"Zoro said "She's the only person i'll accept as the ships navigator"Luffy said "So is it an order, Captain?"i asked, Luffy didn't say, he just had this determined look on his face.

"Fine i'll do it"Zoro sighed "You're one high maintenance captain you know that?"he asked "Alright Usopp, Nicole let's go"he then said, Johnny and Yosaku got the boat ready pretty fast and we were about to sail off when Zoro turned to Luffy "What about you?"he asked "I better stay here until the situation with the restaurant is sorted"Luffy said "Alright but be careful, the situation could turn very drastically very quickly"Zoro told him.

Again just as we were getting on the boat we overheard Don Krieg's crew yelling about the man who destroyed their fleet having come back, i sighed, time to face the music, looking over i saw him on his little coffin boat just floating by, for a split second our eyes locked "Hey who's that?" Luffy asked "He's the man i've been looking for Hawkeye Mihawk"Zoro said "So that's Mihawk?" Luffy asked getting all serious, i squeezed my arm biting the inside of my cheek, i wanted to say something and just get it over with but ugh i was scared of Zoro's reaction, i don't even know for sure why.

Zoro walked off towards my father, i decided to follow, like i said, time to face the music, i watched with Zoro as one of the pirates shot at my dad but i knew he wasn't in any trouble, cause he easily diverted the bullets with the tip of his sword, Zoro walked closer but i stayed back and just watched "I've never seen a sword handled so gently or with such grace"Zoro called over to my dad.

He looked over spotting me, now he knew for sure i was here, "There's no strength in swordplay based on force"he said, typical, "Did you also use that sword to slice up this ship?"Zoro asked "I did"dad answered "Then it's true, you're the best"Zoro said grinning "I set sail for one reason to meet you"Zoro said "And your goal?"dad asked "To beat you"Zoro said with a grin tying his bandanna on his head.

"How foolish"Dad said a smirk on his face "You've got spare time so let's do this"Zoro smirked drawing one of his swords "A fight? You're a weak pitiful creature"dad said before jumping over but then he walked right past Zoro and over to me scattering the pirates in front of me "Nicole"he greeted, i glanced over to the very confused looking Zoro and sighed a bit before looking back at my dad "H-hey dad, what brings you to this part of the sea?"i asked a little nervous.

"DAD?!?!??!?!!?"everyone in the area echoed, i looked down in embarrassment as dad put his arm around me "Yes can't you see the resemblance?"he asked "Dad!"i whined, you'd think otherwise but dad took great pride in being a dad, especially my dad, and he wasn't embarrassed to show it, which in turn embarrassed me.

~Zoro~

I wasn't quite sure how to react, i knew Nicole's eyes were similar to the ones i heard from rumors, actually that ties into how we first met, but now that i've seen those eyes for myself and the man they belong to with Nicole standing next to him the resemblance is uncanny.

~Nicole~

"Anyway Nicole you forgot this at home"dad said turning to me and digging out a hair pin  from his coat pocket "I didn't forget it, i thought it would be safer at home cause i could lose it at sea"i said "Well you better not you know how important it is"dad said handing me the hairpin, i sighed "I do know that's exactly why i want to keep it safe"i said handing it back "And i want you to keep it, as a good luck charm"he said handing it back to me, i sighed securely putting the pin to one of my swords for now "Fine, but i'll put it in my hair later"i muttered, he patted my head, i blushed in embarrassment "Good girl"he said.

"Excuse me!"Zoro called and dad turned to look at him "Are we going to do this or not?!"he asked clearly angry, i don't know if it was cause of me or just because he wanted to fight right now, "If you are in fact a competent swordsman you should see the disparity in our abilities even before we cross swords"dad said, "I must ask you though why have you challenged me? Is it your courage? Or simply ignorance? Or maybe for my daughter's hand?"he asked.

"DAD!"i yelled embarrassed, he knew i have been travelling with a man, because of course i sent him letters once in a while, he must have figured Zoro was that man and thinks he has feelings for me or something, but it's not like that, i think? anyway "My ambition drives me!"Zoro replied putting his third sword in his mouth "Also i made a promise i intend to keep"he said.

Dad pulled off the cross around his neck which was actually a small blade "Funny, what do you think you're gonna do with that?"Zoro asked "It'll be more then adequate after all you wouldn't kill a fly with a cannon would you? You might have quite the reputation on the east blue but that doesn't mean much to me this sea is by the weakest of the four, and since you say you don't challenge me for my daughter, i don't have to go serious on you, unfortunately this is the smallest blade i have on hand"dad said.

"You could use a butter knife and still beat him"I muttered, dad smirked a bit having heard me and even chuckled a bit "I've heard just about enough of you, now you die!"Zoro yelled charging forward, i jumped to the sidelines staying out of the way and just watched as dad stopped Zoro's attack.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

I continued to watch as Zoro went at dad determined that he wasn't that far from the world's greatest swordsman, unfortunately for Zoro, he wasn't anywhere near the level of my father, heck he wasn't even near my level, still though i bit my lip worried for Zoro in addition to learning that Mihawk is my father i'm pretty sure he's about to learn he still has a long way to go to even be near his level, i just wonder how does he feel about all of this.

After a while, really not even that long of a while Zoro was already getting tired "What is it then? What weight do you carry upon your shoulders? Speak up weakling!"dad told him, i knew, but i bit my lip as to not say anything, "No i won't lose, i refuse to be defeated"Zoro said going for another move but before he could do it, dad stabbed him with the small blade, i had to pinch myself from crying out "You are defeated yet you won't step back, why not?"dad asked Zoro.

"I don't know but i will not run, even if i retreat a single step i would be shattering the promises i've made, i can't run, i would lose my honor you see without that there would be nothing left for me here"Zoro said "That's what defeat is"dad pointed out "Then i won't accept it"Zoro said huffing a bit "Then you'll die"dad said "I rather die than give up!"Zoro said, i could see it in his eyes, dad was starting to respect Zoro, even just a little bit.

"Sir state your name"dad said "I am Roronoa Zoro"he said "I'll remember it, no one as strong as you has come around in quite some time"dad said drawing the sword on his back, this was all the proof i needed, dad was showing respect to Zoro "So as a swordsman's cutesy i'll use the worlds strongest black sword to finish you"dad said "Thank you i appreciate it"Zoro said.

I bit my lip, this was it, i just hope dad won't kill Zoro, i-i didn't want him to die, i flinched a bit as dad and Zoro went at each other but didn't close my eyes, that would be a dishonor on this duel, Zoro's swords broke and a wound appeared on him, i bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from calling out, i wasn't even completely sure why i was so worried about him.

I watched as Zoro turned to my dad again completely dropping his defences "But why?"dad asked clearly a bit shocked "Scares on the back are a swordsman's shame"Zoro said with a smirk "Fine"Dad smirked and sliced Zoro, blood went flying everywhere, i could help it this time as i called out "Zoro!"and ran over to him diving in after him as he fell into the sea.

~Mihawk~

I watched my daughter go after the boy i had just cut down, how very interesting, Zoro didn't say he was fighting for her but there was clearly something there at least on my daughters part.

~Nicole~

I gasped reaching the surface and dragged Zoro over to Yosaku's and Johnny's boat, i immediately started treating the cut on his chest "It's still too early for you to die, my name is Dracule Mihawk! You are strong but there is much for you to learn, no matter how long it takes i will hold this title as the strongest and wait for you, until that day you must hone your skills then, seek me out Roronoa Zoro!"dad called over.

I smiled a bit taking a brake from giving Zoro CPR "Hear that? He's actually acknowledging you, i knew you had the potential to impress him"i said to Zoro before going back at the CPR, Zoro started coughing up some water i turned his head to the side so he wouldn't choke on it again, Zoro lifted his sword "Luffy can you hear me?!"he called but a bit strained.

"Yeah!"Luffy called back "I'm sorry for disappointing you, i know you need nothing less then the greatest swordsman in the world, i've let you down, please forgive me!"Zoro said before coughing up some blood "Take it easy Zoro"i told him "I solemnly swear for this moment forward that i will never lose again!"Zoro said crying his eyes out "Until the day comes when i defeat him and take his title, i will never, never be defeated, is that okay?! King of the pirates?!" he yelled out.

I could hear Luffy laugh a bit and saw the grin on his face "Yup!"he said, i smiled a bit and set back to work on Zoro.

~Third~

"You're a good team, i feel i can trust you with my daughter, i hope to see you again some day" Mihawk said and started walking off when Don Krieg showed up "Hey Hawkeye, i was under the impression that you were here to kill me, weren't you here to kill Don Krieg ruler of the East Blue?"he asked "The thought had crossed my mind but i've had my fun and returned what Nicole forgot to her so i'm going home to get some rest"Mihawk said.

"I don't care if you've had enough i haven't even gotten started"Don Krieg said, his crew argued against it but he made a futile attack none the less and Mihawk left in the ensuing chaos, "Usopp!"Luffy called "Go on ahead i'll leave Nami to you!"he said "Roger that! Don't you worry, Zoro, Nicole and i are gonna get her right back and make sure we get that cook in our crew and then on the Going Merry the six of us will head for the Grand Line!"Usopp said throwing Luffy's strawhat back to him.

~Nicole~

With that we set off following Nami, Zoro would definitely need stitches for his cut but i at least treated it to the point where he wouldn't be constantly bleeding and after throwing his shirt off wrapped it up, "So" Zoro said as we were sailing, Usopp, Johnny and Yosaku had left us to talk but they were probably eavesdropping regardless.

"So?"i asked sitting across from him "Mihawk is your father?"he asked, i sighed "I never intended to keep quiet about it, honestly i thought you at least had a clue i'm a girl yes but the resemblance is uncanny, especially the eyes"i said.

"True, when were you planning to tell me then?"Zoro asked, i shrugged "Probably when we reached the Grand Line"i said "I imagine he trained you?"he asked, i just nodded "So until now you've been holding back?"he asked, again i nodded "Train me"he suddenly said, i was taken a back "Excuse me?"i asked "Train me"he repeated "You, you're not mad at me or anything?"i asked "Well like you said the eyes especially are so similar between you two, it's actually why i challenged you back then so it's not like i was completely unaware of it"he said.

"But i still chose to say nothing about it"i said "And i chose not to ask about it, so no i'm not mad, i can't quite put it a word on how i feel about it, i mean it's not like you had a choice on him being your dad"he said "To be honest even if i did i wouldn't trade him for the world, he's actually a wonderful father"i said, Zoro chuckled a bit smiling "Oh really? Do tell more"he said, i smiled, i was glad to tell him more about myself, just like he had shared everything with me, i can now share everything with him.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

We had lost Nami and the Merry, we couldn't catch up in time but i figured where Nami was headed, a small island nearby was the base of a notorious fishman pirate named Arlong, even i knew of him, and from what Johnny told me that Nami had been staring at a wanted poster of him, i knew it had to be where she was headed, Yosaku was going back to relay this to Luffy.

"Alright we're here that's Arlong park ahead"Johnny said as the boat approached the island, and sure enough off in the distance i saw a building of sorts "Arlong park huh? So this is the hideout of the fishman pirate huh?"Usopp whimpered a bit and gulped "That's the word around these parts"i said "I hope Nami's really here"Usopp said "Big sis Nami took the Going Merry so before anything we should check if it's here"Johnny said "Yeah good idea"Usopp agreed.

"Let's attack"Zoro said getting up, i got up too "You're crazy if you think you can take them all on at once, especially when we can sneak in and kill them one by one, you're not going anywhere with that wound!"i yelled at him "I'll be fine! I'm placing my thoughts on the battle we're about to face, Luffy told us to bring Nami back and i'll do just that!"he argued back.

"I didn't say we shouldn't get Nami, i'm saying there's an easier way to go about it!"i argued "I say the easiest way is to attack head on!"Zoro argued back "You're injured!"i argued "I told you i'm fine!"he argued back "You certainly are not!"i yelled back when there was a bonk and Zoro went down.

I caught him and noticed Usopp "What was that for? You didn't have to knock him out"i said "Sorry Nicole but see we had no choice, he probably would of gone charging in head first regardless of what you said"he said taking Zoro and tying him to the boat "Okay but why are you tying him?"i asked "A precaution"Usopp simply said.

I hummed thinking about it, Zoro probably would have gone charging in head first despite what i said, he is the stubborn type, and he probably would of dragged me with him too, rather i would have followed to make sure he didn't overexert himself "Fine but be careful of his wound"i said "Of course"Usopp said, we sailed along the cost line until we spotted the Going Merry.

"What do you think you're doing?! Would you idiots untie me?! I am not the enemy! Come on Nicole!"Zoro yelled having regained consciousness a while back "Sorry Zoro but really it's for your own good, a head on attack is not the best strategy here and besides that you're injured"i said walking over and poking his wound, he flinched a bit but also blushed.

"Yeah just sit back and relax, you can help next time"Usopp said before getting all full of himself "Fear not for i will bring the girl back!"he said laughing, i sweatdropped a bit "You're awfully confident now that we're away from Arlong park"i pointed out just as we noticed fishmen around the bend, on the dock where the Going Merry was.

"Why didn't we just dock right there?!"Zoro yelled "Shush!"i sussed him covering his mouth with my hand "Because we don't want to get into an unnecessary fight"i silently hissed "Wait"Zoro said after i moved my hand, he smirked "Don't tell me you're scared too?"he asked, i blushed "Don't be ridiculous! I've fought things much scarier then fishmen, i'm just saying there's a better way to go about this!"i whispered yelled "You are scared"Zoro laughed "Am not!"i yelled back.

"Are to"Zoro argued "I'll prove it, let's fight"i said "Fine you're on"Zoro smirked, just then i yelped as Usopp dragged me off the ship "Hey! Let me go! What about Zoro?"i asked while being dragged by Usopp as he and Johnny were swimming away, though we came to a stop at that and i swam on my own "Big bro Zoro will be fine"Johnny said "Alright let's find some land"Usopp said, i looked back to the ship before following Usopp and Johnny.

"Hey i've been meaning to ask, is there something going on with you and Zoro?"Usopp asked me as we swam "What?! NO!"i yelled blushing in embarrassment, i sighed "I mean i don't know, we travelled for a year before we got recruited by Luffy"i said.

"Why'd you ask anyway?"i asked "Well it just seems like there's definitely something there, i mean i'm no expert"Usopp said, just hummed a bit and started thinking about it as we reached the shore of Goza village, at least that's what Johnny said it was called, the whole town was flipped upside down "What happened here?"Usopp asked.

"I heard Arlong had passed through a few weeks back but i never imagined this!"Johnny said "Everything's upside down"Usopp pointed out, meanwhile i was deep in thought "I've heard people say that fishmen can be stronger then normal human beings by a very wide margin, i guess this is how strong you have to be to survive the Grand Line"Johnny said.

Survive yes but to thrive you need to be even stronger, anyway back to my original thoughts ignoring whatever Usopp is muttering about, is there something between me and Zoro? We're friends yes, partners even but in a romantic sense? No, but maybe, is there? I mean i do like him, i guess i just haven't thought of him like that though, as if on cue his smile crossed my mind and i felt my cheeks burn and my heart rate increase.

Maybe there is something but now wasn't the time to dwell on such thoughts as i should focus on getting Nami back, just as i snapped out of it i saw a fishman try to grab me, i jumped back drew my sword and struck with the back of the blade, it knocked out the fishman and the force was enough to slice a few floors of the surrounding buildings, oops.

"What the hell Nicole?!"Usopp yelled getting in my face "What?"i asked "You could have told me you were this strong!"he yelled "You didn't ask"i said, "Die fishman!"I heard and noticed a little kid attacking Usopp from behind, who quickly scurried behind me but before the kid even got close enough some girl karate chopped the kid on the head.

"Honestly! How many times do i have to tell you not to mess with the fishmen, it was just one person who decided to stand up to them and they responded by slaughtering everyone in Goza" the girl, who seemed to be the same age as me, said, Usopp peaked out from behind me "You look and smell like a fishman but i can see that you're mostly human"the girl said noticing him "Mostly! How rude! Chop em' up Nicole!"he said.

I sweatdropped "How about you fight your own battles?"i muttered, the fishman was starting to come too though "Come on you two"the girl said and we hid in an alley and watched as the fishman came too, she then screamed and lied to the fishman about which way we went, "Thanks for that"i smiled at her in thanks "Hey no problem, i can take you to my house, it's not far"she said, i glanced at Usopp "I say we go with but keep our guard up"he whispered to me, i nodded "Lead the way"i told the girl and followed her to her home.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

We finally had a moment to rest as we reached the girls home, i checked if i still had the pin, thankfully i did, but i decided to pin it better, putting it through the leather around the hilt of my blade, i twisted it around just to make sure it wouldn't slip, i know i told dad i'd put it in my hair later but he doesn't have to know how much later, besides i prefer to keep my hair loose.

"I'm Nojiko by the way"the girl said finally introducing herself "I'm Nicole"i said sitting down next to her as she offered a drink, Usopp sat next to me "I saw you knock out that fishman, nice work but we surely would have been killed once he woke up, you should mind your business stupid outsider"she said, the room temperature itself seemed to drop as i glared at her but i dropped it just as quick taking a sip of my drink.

"You'd figure a kid from here would already know better"Nojiko said turning to scold the kid "What would make a child do something so reckless?"she asked "I know, i know but they killed my daddy, they took everything from me, those fishmen destroyed our town and killed my friends i had to make them pay no matter what, don't you get that? So i went to Arlong Park by myself but this girl stopped me from going in, she's like an evil witch, i can't stand this i have to avenge my father i don't care if i die!"the kid cried.

"Then die"Nojiko said, Usopp did a spit take "But if you're truly prepared to die then go, you'd better understand boy, i stopped you and this witch you so hate kept you from carrying out your revenge, so far you've cheated death twice, just finish your tea and go"Nojiko said getting up to get another cup herself.

"What would a kid like you be capable of doing anyway? Can you even hold a sword let alone fight with one? A death by chasing a meaningless revenge, what truly sad ending to such a short story as one a kid like you has"i muttered before taking another sip "Whoa, that's morbid" Usopp muttered "But true, if he wants to kill himself so be it, he doesn't have what it takes to suffer for revenge"Nojiko said.

"What?"Usopp asked "It takes time, i suffer as well, revenge is not an easy path for one to carve out and to die just because you're too foolish to be patient is nothing but a cowards plan"Nojiko said "W-what do you want from me?I can't stand the way i feel but i don't know what else i can do"the kid cried "You still have a mother right?"i asked, the kid nodded sniffing "She must be worried sick, better go home kid"Nojiko said, "Okay"The kid nodded before leaving.

Usopp laughed a bit "You're not too bad"he said grinning a bit, i flicked his nose "Shut up"i told him "Alright it's time you told me why you're in our village"Nojiko said "Oh right, my name is captain Usopp"he said, i rolled my eyes "He's not actually the captain of our ship"i cut in, Usopp glared at me a bit "We're here to look for a girl named Nami"i said "Nami?"Nojiko asked surprised "You know her?"Usopp asked.

"She's a part of the Arlong crew"Nojiko said "No way! She's a part of the Arlong crew?!"Usopp asked shocked, me not so much, something smelled fishy here, call it instinct or whatever but i could tell there was more to it "Seems that way, everyone here knows that cow, even the little boy, it gets better though that cow is my sister, we grew up here"Nojiko said walking over to a picture frame with a photo in it.

"Well technically she's my adopted sister since we were both orphaned but a sister's a sister you know what i mean?"Nojiko asked picking up the framed picture, i nodded, though not from personal experience i knew what she was getting at "I don't believe it"Usopp muttered looking around "Nami's house?"he asked "It's mine too we were raised together in this house she's the closest thing i have to family since our foster mother died, the three of us used to be so happy living here"Nojiko said.

"So you're telling me Nami betrayed her mother and her sister just to be a part of Arlong's crew?"Usopp asked "I think you're jumping the gun Usopp, she's not telling the whole story"i said, Nojiko giggled a bit "You got me"she said, then Usopp gasped "I just remembered a shipmate of mine got taken prisoner before we got here"he said, i bonked him on the head "Only because you left him on the boat to hide from fishmen like the pathetic coward you are!Not to mention you dragged me off with you! You're lucky i'm more level headed or i'd be storming Arlong Park right now!"i said "Sorry!"Usopp cried cradling his head.

~meanwhile~

~Third~

Zoro was being held captive by the Arlong pirates but you know what happens here he jumps in the water Nami saves him, he gets punched in the gut then a fishman runs over and reports "This guy didn't come here alone there was another weird looking long nosed fellow and a girl with black hair but they got away"the fishman said 'Usopp what the hell you leave me for dead and get spotted anyway? At least it sounds like Nicole is alright, that's a relief' Zoro thought "I think they escaped to Cocoyashi village"the fishman added "Cocoyashi huh? That's perfect now i have two reasons to go, it's time to go have some fun"Arlong smirked.

~Nicole~

We heard Arlong was coming to town and went to have a look with Nojiko "That's him?"Usopp asked shocked just to see the fishman, i wasn't impressed but i also wasn't about to underestimate him, "I'm responsible for twenty towns and villages including this one and as your leader i cannot tolerate even a little rebelliousness, wiping out Goza was a small example of what can happen if you don't do as you're told, tribute money must be paid no matter what" Arlong said.

"What tribute money?"Usopp asked "It's just as it sounds like, money we pay to stay alive, adults and children if there's even a single person who can't pay then what happened to Goza will happen to everyone in this village as well, our town and the people in it will be wiped from existence"Nojiko said

I glared at Arlong's back, the way he treated this whole island, just "Unforgivable"i muttered outloud cracking the side of the building we were hiding behind, Usopp gulped a bit as anger rolled off my back in visible waves "H-he destroyed an entire village because of one person?"he asked trying to ignore the ticking bomb that was me "That's how Arlong rules, to them we're nothing but a sub species so killing us has always been easy"Nojiko said.

"You pathetic humans need to stop thinking, it's your greatest weakness, i'm allowing you to contribute into greatness here, soon fishmen will conquer the humans and your tribute will be a small part of the beginning of the glorious Arlong empire!"Arlong yelled.

"Arlong empire? He's going to take over the East Blue?"Usopp asked "Sounds to me like he's planning to take over the whole world"i said having calmed down, only slightly, i need to think of a plan, as much as i'd love to i can't just go around swinging my swords around with all those people around.

We watched as Arlong grabbed the man he had been talking to "Genzo!"Nojiko called, so she knows him "The possession of weapons is a clear affront to my authority as an example to any would be rebels in this town i'm going to kill you right now so they can see the fate that awaits them"Arlong said, Usopp gasped "No way that guy is insane, he's going to kill someone for having weapons"he said "He's no man or a fishman, his type are just straight up monsters"i growled shattering the corner even further.

"I won't let him"Nojiko said running out "Hey wait don't go out there!"Usopp called, "Tsk, come on Usopp we gotta do something"i said going elsewhere "Right, what's the plan?"Usopp asked "You get on the roof of one of these buildings and distract the fishmen with your snipping, get them away from the crowd, then i'll step in"i said "Got it"Usopp nodded and started to climb to the roof a building.

I hid behind the one next to it and waited for my chance, the plan went just as i had hoped Arlong stepped out of the crowd walking over to the building, i jumped out cutting a line in the ground and stood in front of the building my swords drawn and my gaze steeled "Not another step closer to my crew mate!"i said "Arlong that's the girl i told you about!"one of the fishmen called "You're a human what can you do against me?!"Arlong yelled coming to attack again but i blocked him and managed to hold him back "I can slice you into sushi"i said glaring at him.

Arlong growled "You are not a threat to me!"he yelled grabbing my throat and throwing me to the side before going and flipping the house, Usopp was fine though and ran off as the fishmen chased him "Usopp!"i called running after him and the fishmen.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

I finally caught up to the fishmen who were covered in egg, Usopp you clever bastard, i smirked, the perfect target to take my frustration on and thus i drew my swords and easily dealt with the fishmen but now i had lost track of Usopp, i hummed a bit "Suppose i'll head back"i muttered to myself and headed back to Cocoyashi village.

~Zoro~

"What do you mean he was captured?!"i asked the man i had been questioning about Usopp, when i heard that familiar voice call my name "Zoro!"i looked over, my heart soared as Nicole ran over to me, she stopped right in front of me, i kind of wanted her to hug me but i could understand why she was hesitant cause i was injured.

~Nicole~

I had wanted to jump into Zoro's arm and give him a hug but he was injured and the though now made me blush in embarrassment "I overheard, Usopp was captured?"i asked "Yeah, you were lucky to escape young lady but your friend is probably dead by now"one of the villagers said "This is bad, they won't be happy, not after my little visit"Zoro muttered more to himself "Come on Nicole we better hurry"he said turning to me "Right"i nodded and ran after him to Arlong Park.

~skip~

We hadn't been running long when there was a rumbling through the forest, i could sense something approaching and then i saw it a ship heading straight at us and at helm our fearless captain Luffy "Hey Zoro, Nicole"he greeted before the ship slammed into us before crashing into a cliff face "What the hell were you doing?"Zoro asked climbing out of the rumble, i climbed out too, thankfully i wasn't too hurt, though pieces of wood were stuck to my hair "What do you mean? We're here to pick up Nami, duh"Luffy said.

"My sweet beauty!"the cook from Baratie yelled leaping at me, guess he joined our crew, i kicked him in the face as he got too close though "Too close, stay away creep, what's your name anyway?"i asked keeping the creep away from me "I'm Sanji, from the sea restaurant you must remember me!"he said hearts in his eyes "Yeah whatever Sanji, look i'll be absolutely clear, i don't like clingy types like you so back off and stay away or i castrate you, understood?!"i asked "Yes whatever you say my love!"he said probably not actually listening to a word i said, i sighed.

"Anyway why haven't you found Nami yet? What about Usopp and Johnny?"Luffy asked "Usopp! Come on we gotta hurry"Zoro said running out of the rubble "Why what's wrong?"Luffy asked "He was captured by Arlong's men, we gotta hurry before they kill him"i said "He's already dead"Johnny said walking over "We're too late, big bro Usopp is dead, Nami murdered him"he cried.

I went over and the others followed "Tell us the whole story Johnny, what happened?"i asked, Johnny explained what happened "You can't be serious"Yosaku said "Yeah, she's been running Arlong's favor so she can take the buried treasure in Cocoyashi all to herself, that woman is just a cold blooded killer and she played us all for chumps"Johnny said "Quite!"Luffy said grabbing Johnny's shirt.

"Say another word and you'll regret it!"Luffy said "Easy Luffy this has nothing to do with Johnny"Zoro said "Go on believe whatever you want but i know what i saw, Nami killed big bro Usopp!"Johnny yelled "Shut your mouth! Never in a million years would Nami kill Usopp, she wouldn't do that to her friend!"Luffy yelled "But i saw it!"Johnny argued.

Just then though Nami appeared "What was that about friends Luffy?"she asked "Nami"Luffy said turning to her "What are you doing here?"Nami asked "What are we doing here? You're our friend, we came to get you"Luffy said picking his hat up from the ground which had fallen there when he grabbed Johnny "What a pest"Nami said "Nami?"Luffy asked "Friends huh? Don't make me laugh you're just pathetic enough to deserve each other "Nami said with a totally blank face.

However i could tell she was acting, playing the part of the friend turned betrayer quite well might i add, i just knew cause i'm a bit of an actress myself when i want to be "Damn you!" Johnny said getting up and running in front of Luffy "You killed him i watched you do it! And now big bro Usopp is gone!"he cried "Yep that's right so why don't you kill me and get your revenge" Nami said "What?"Johnny asked "Word to the wise fellas, because of your friends stupidity, Arlong is preparing to kill Zoro along with his entire crew and i don't care how monsterly strong you guys think you are, you are no match for the real monsters, i promise you, you stay on this island you will die, so you have a choice to make between life and death"Nami said.

I scoffed a bit looking away but kept my mouth shut other wise "Her heartless face is so hot! Hi Nami it's me Sanji! Let's run away together!"he yelled instantly going to heart eyes, i sweatdropped, not the time or place Sanji, "Can it Romeo this isn't the time or place for that!" Zoro said agreeing with my thoughts "Excuse me, love is a hurricane!"Sanji argued and Zoro promptly ignored him looking away "Hey look at me while i'm talking to you!"Sanji yelled at him.

"Nami where's Usopp?"Zoro asked "With the fishes"Nami said "Damn it cut the crap!"Zoro said going for the attack but Sanji kicked him back though Zoro had managed to dodge "How sad a swordsman striking a lady"Sanji said "Idiot can't you see what's happening here! You're starting to piss me off"Zoro said, Sanji chuckled a bit "If someone had stopped me that easily i'd be mad too"he smirked, i intervened here tugging at their ears "Calm down the both of you, you can settle this after"i told them.

"Nicole's right, now quit your arguing and leave while you still can, you outsiders have no right to bud into this islands affairs, don't you get it yet? The only reason i got close to you idiots was to rob you of everything you had but now that you're broke it looks like the dreams dead so go take your ship, go on find a navigator dumb enough to join you and go to the Grand Line continue on your quest to find the One Piece or whatever just leave here you're an eye sore!" Nami said.

I smirked "You say you only got close to us to rob us, however you could have done that at any time and sailed off on a boat, yet you stayed, you say you killed Usopp but what's with that glove? You're quite the actress but nothing escapes the hawks eye"i told her, Nami grew frustrated for just a moment before going back to her blank face "Goodbye now"she said totally ignoring me, which in my mind only proved my point, Luffy fell back just then.

"Big bro Luffy!"Johnny called "Sleepy"Luffy simply said "Sleep?"Johnny asked "At a time like this in the middle of the road?!"Yosaku asked "Well i'm pretty tired, i'm not gonna bud into their affairs, i'm not interested but i'm not leaving either night"Luffy said falling asleep just like that, i sweatdropped a bit "Whatever just go ahead and die!"Nami yelled before running off.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

"I say that just proved my point"I said taking a seat at the middle of the road after Nami had ran off "So is that just a family thing? Sharp eye sight?"Zoro asked sitting next to me, i scoffed a bit "No, it's simple observation and using this thing called a brain"i said tapping his forehead, he chuckled a bit "Come on big bro, big sis, what on earth are you thinking come on"Johnny said interrupting the moment "Did you forget that Arlong is out to kill us? We should be running away"Yosaku said.

"Yeah there's no good reason to stay on this island"Johnny said "My reason for staying is there" Zoro said referring to Luffy "I'm staying cause he's staying"he said "Same here"i said nodding in agreement "Fine then sorry to cut our reunion short but my role as guide ends here"Johnny said "Yeah i'm with him, i don't wanna deliberately get myself killed"Yosaku said "Fine i'll see you around"Zoro said "It's was nice seeing you again"i smiled waving the two of them off "Until we meet again!"Yosaku said waving back as they walked off "Take care big bro, big sis!"Johnny said also waving back "You too!"Zoro called to them.

A breeze passed by as there was a beat of silence "Hey"Sanji called "Well what do you think it is?Why was she crying?"he asked "I dunno, was she crying?"Zoro asked "She was in her heart"Sanji said "If she was they were probably tears of guilt for killing Usopp"Zoro said, i groaned a bit facepalming "Wow you really are dense"Sanji said "Huh?"Zoro asked "You still honestly believe Nami could of killed Usopp? You doubt Nicole?"Sanji asked.

I lifted a brow facing Zoro "I wonder, do you doubt me?"i asked, Zoro didn't say just looked away i gasped "Oh my god you totally do! I thought you had more faith in me"i said "I did until you decided to spring on me the fact that the man i had been hunting was your father"Zoro said "Really? We're back on this? I thought we hashed things out!"i yelled at him "It was left unsettled!"Zoro yelled back "That's it!"i said getting up drawing my swords "I don't care if you are injured we're settling this now!"i said "Now you're talking my language!"Zoro smirked also getting up and drawing his sword.

Just as we were about to clash though Usopp appeared in the middle and got caught up and knocked out, we withdrew our swords and woke up Luffy "Usopp!"he yelled seeing Usopp knocked out "Did Nami do all this to you?!"Luffy asked shaking Usopp "Sorry, Zoro and i did that"i said "Luffy you're here now"Usopp said coming too "Yep sure am"Luffy said "We heard you were kind of dead by the way"i said, Usopp got up having recovered really quickly "Well in a way, i sort of am, even though i'm alive cause you see she actually saved my life"Usopp said and went into further detail about it.

I could help but laugh a bit "HA! I told you so!"i smirked pointing at Zoro "That's what you get for doubting me"i said before turning away with a huff, Zoro tugged on my arm, i glanced at him "Fine i'm sorry, i won't doubt you again"he said "You better keep that promise"i muttered "Anyway it seems she has a hidden motive to stay with a group like Arlong pirates"Usopp said "Obviously"Sanji muttered "Fine what next? We're gonna destroy Arlong Park?"Zoro asked "I'd be up to it"i said.

"Whoa hang on just a second don't you think we should find out what's going on with Nami first?!"Usopp asked, obviously wanting to stall for time cause he was scared, "It's no use either way"Nojiko said appearing "No matter what you guys do Arlong's rule won't come to an end"Nojiko said "Nojiko"Usopp greeted her "Who's she?"Luffy asked "Nami's big sister"Usopp replied.

"What Nami has a sister?! No wonder she's so hot!"Sanji said instantly going into heart eyes, again i sweatdropped and sighed, i guess it's just something i'll have to get used to, "what do you mean that it's no use?"Zoro asked "Trust me, don't get yourselves involved in what's going on here and leave poor Nami alone, i'll explain the situation"Nojiko said "Situation?"Sanji asked "You mean you can explain why she joined up with Arlong's crew?"Usopp asked.

I knew she wasn't telling the full story "Yeah and if that doesn't get you to leave i don't know what will"Nojiko said "Alright so tell us all about it, i gotta admit i'm curious"Usopp said "I'll pass"Luffy said walking off "Hey wait"Usopp called to him "I don't care about her past"Luffy said "Where are you going Luffy?"Sanji asked "For a walk"he simply replied "A walk do you mean you're not gonna listen to this?!"Usopp asked a bit shocked.

"Nope"Luffy simply said "Who's he?"Nojiko asked "He's the captain"i replied "Don't mind him though, that's just how he is, we'll hear you out but i'll tell you right now i don't think it's gonna change anything"Zoro said going over and laying against a tree, i went over sitting next to him "I'll listen but it's none of my business so i won't remember it"i said leaning on the palm of my hand.

"Well i'll listen too, it might help me make sense of everything that's going on around here" Usopp said "Me too, i wanna know all about her"Sanji said, and Zoro was already napping "Now he's asleep"Nojiko said, i chuckled a bit "Yeah but he's still listening"i said laying my head in Zoro's lap for a nap of my own.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

Nojiko had finished telling what had happened in her's and Nami's past, Zoro was snoring away, i had tuned in around the time Nojiko got to telling how their mother died, "To make a choice like that when you're only ten years old, do you know how hard that must of been?"Nojiko asked "All to save the village she loved so much"Usopp said "That girl"he muttered bending his nose "How ever makes Nami suffer is gonna hear from me!!!"Sanji yelled before getting punched by Nojiko.

"Why'd you do that?"Sanji asked going down "Because i'm telling you to stay out of it, if you go around saying that she's your friend, they're going to become suspicious of her then her eight years of suffering will have been for nothing, don't make it harder then it already is, she has to fight alone knowing there are people who call her friend only makes her suffering worse"Nojiko said, Zoro had woken up and noticed me on his lap, i blushed a bit getting up, i don't know why i even did that in the first place but i don't regret doing it.

Nojiko left after that and we discussed what we should do next, we decided on meeting up with Luffy "Alright let's go meet up with Luffy as soon as possible"Usopp said getting up before turning to Sanji "Hey Sanji what are you doing?"he asked "I'm appreciating happiness"Sanji said "What are you talking about?"Usopp asked "Nami's had to live with way more suffering then any normal person, right i'm making a lot of good vibes so i can send them her way"Sanji said.

"You're weird, but not full of crap, any weaker person would have offed themselves a long time ago but Nami's hung on for eight years, gotta give her that"I said "Of course i can send them your way as well!"Sanji said hearts in his eyes, i sweatdropped "Quite goofing off love cook, let's go"Zoro said getting up, he helped me up ignoring Sanji yelling something about a moss head and off we went towards Cocoyashi Village.

~skip~

We arrived to see Nami stabbing her arm in rage crying out Arlong repeatedly, i just wanted to give her a hug but Luffy handled it, he gave Nami his strawhat "He's gonna pay!"he yelled, i sat next to Zoro as Luffy walked over "Let's go"he said "Right"we responded and followed him to Arlong Park.

~Third~

The villagers had already arrived at Arlong Park, only to have the way blocked but a very beaten up Johnny and Yosaku "Hey are you guys alright?"one of the villagers asked "Did Arlong do this to you?"Genzo asked, the two didn't reply "Move aside, we have business to take care of with the fishmen"Genzo told them "When we finally find out the truth about big sis Nami we realized the only thing we could do is defeat Arlong in battle so we decided to come back here and challenge him"Johnny said.

"Yeah but then we lost but only by a hair"Yosaku said "I'm sorry but i can't let you through this door, you have no chance of victory"Johnny said "What's that?"Genzo asked "Be patient, won't be long now you see we're waiting for the arrival of certain people"Yosaku said "What certain people?"Genzo asked.

"Don't worry they'll be here soon, i bet my life on it"Yosaku said as five people approached in the distance, from the left Nicole, Zoro, Luffy, Sanji and Usopp "There!"the two yelled spotting them "It's them"Nojiko said recognizing their faces "But why would they come to defend our village?"Genzo wondered out loud, "If these people can't handle Arlong and his gang then there really is no hope, not only for this island but for the whole East Blue"Yosaku said.

"Those are the faces of the five people who are going to change your destiny, burn their images into your memory"Johnny said "Step aside"Luffy told the villagers as the group got closer to Arlong Park, meanwhile Arlong was laughing wildly behind the safety of the gate "Hey do you think those two idiots were members of Zoro's little crew?"he asked one of his men "Zoro? They seemed too weak for that, they even worth killing"the crew member said, then a knocking at the gate as Luffy punched it down "What the?!"Arlong wondered outloud "Now which one of you is Arlong?"Luffy asked.

Chapter Text

~Third~

Luffy punched down the stone gate "Now which one of you is Arlong?"he asked "Arlong?"the man in question said in a questioning tone, Luffy walked further in "Well that just happens to be my name"Arlong said "Good you can call me Luffy"he said as he continued walking "Luffy? What are you supposed to be?"Arlong asked "A pirate"he simply said, Hachi one of the fishmen crew gasped recognizing him "Hey that guy, i remember him, he's the guy who likes going on walks" the octopus fishman said.

"Hold it right there"one of the fishmen said "Where do you think you're going?"another fishman asked as Luffy continued to approach "You wanna talk to the boss well you gotta talk to us first get it?"another fishman asked "So let's talk"one said "That's far enough"the other said stopping Luffy in his approach, "Move it"Luffy said and bonked their head together knocking them out.

Arlong was a bit shocked, just a tiny bit, "So what does a pirate want with me?"he asked, Luffy answered by punching him in the face sending the fishman flying and hitting the fence in the direction he went flying to "Who the hell are you?"Arlong asked getting out of the rubble looking a little pissed off, Luffy thought back to Nami crying for his help "That's for making our navigator cry!"he said extremely pissed off.

The fishmen attacked but before they even got close to Luffy, Sanji dealt with them "Step off, you're out of your league"he told the fishmen before turning to Luffy "Geez you just had to run on ahead by yourself"he said "Don't worry i can handle these bozos on my own"Luffy said "You fool i never said anything about being worried, i just don't you hogging all the action"Sanji said "Oh"Luffy simply said.

~Nicole~

"Well i just wanna say i don't mind if you guys hog it all"Usopp said walking over followed by Zoro and myself "I see you're rearing to go as usual"Zoro said "Yes you're practically shaking in excitement"i said with a smirk teasing Usopp "Yeah, it's not like i'm scared or anything!"Usopp said even his voice quivering, i snickered a bit, oh this was too easy, but so much fun.

"A pirate of course, this is all starting to make sense now, you've been after Nami this whole time but"Arlong said before bursting into laughter "The girl is mine and i'm not giving her up!"he laughed, the octopus fishman also laughed walking over "A bunch of idiots like you aren't worth Arlong's time we know how to deal with you!"he said before forming a trumpet with his mouth and making a call that sounded exactly like a trumpet playing.

Cause sure that's exactly how trumpets work, actually how did he make a sound like that? Cause as i understand instruments like the trumpet sound the way they do because their made of brass and other metals, anyway i didn't have time to dwell on it further as something was approaching "Everyone of you is about to become fish food! Momoo rise!"the octopus said "It's a monster! That's the beast from the Grand Line that destroyed the town of Goza!"Usopp yelled.

As the water cleared though it seemed to me that this creature was just an ordinary sea cow, Usopp was totally freaking out but what else is new, well the sea cow seemed already injured with a big lump on it's head, i frowned a bit, who'd to that to an innocent creature like this one? "Well look who's back"Luffy said "Seems he's a friend of the fishmen"Sanji said, seems they know this creature? Did they injure it? The sea cow was crying just seeing them, I narrowed my eyes at them, i'll scold them later.

The sea cow started to swim away "Hey wait! Stop! Where are you going?! Get back here Momoo, you can't just leave Momoo!"the octopus called after it "Leaving? Now now isn't that a shame"I heard Arlong say which made the sea cow stop "But i suppose if you really want to run away then who am i to stop you, well then?"Arlong asked, the sea cow turned around and attacked, probably more afraid of what Arlong would do to it then of Luffy and Sanji, either way that made me even more angry at Arlong, who knows what else that monster has done to make the sea cow so afraid of him.

The rest of the fishmen were coming at us again as well, "You're mine you stupid cow"Luffy said and planted his feet into the ground "Looks like he's got a plan for once"Sanji said "We'll see i've got a bad feeling about this"Zoro said, i couldn't agree more, Luffy started twisting his body around which he could do cause he's rubber, he grabbed the sea cow by it's horns, it was crying, i felt like i was about to cry too having guessed what Luffy was doing.

"Hey let's get out of here"Zoro said as that bad feeling increased "Whoa wait what's he gonna do?"Sanji asked "I'm not sure if i wanna find out"Zoro said and we ran off hopefully outside the attack range, which was a new move Luffy had thought of, gum gum pinwheel, as he called it, the sea cow flew off somewhere, my heart went out to it, i hope it will learn to stay out of trouble and find a happy life.

A bunch of Arlong's men were knocked out too "Alright that's it Arlong i'm done playing games with you, i didn't come here to beat your cronies! I came here to teach you a lesson! So step up!"Luffy yelled at him, we walked back over to Luffy and i bonked him on the head making bounce like the rubber man he is "How dare you do that to an innocent sea cow?!You didn't have to be so rough!!!"i yelled bonking him in the head over and over as Sanji was also kicking him "That was the stupidest plan ever!"he yelled.

"Yeah were you trying to kill all of us too?!?!?"Usopp asked but Luffy just said "Uh oh"like he realized something totally ignoring us, i just sighed dropping it, for now, as Luffy tried tugging his legs out of the ground "What are you doing?! Are you ruining something else?!"Usopp asked yelling at him "How dare you hurt our brother!"the octopus yelled bringing our attention back to the remaining fishmen.

"Very well, it seems that we must now join in the fight"the one with a very angler face said "Now you'll get an education in the inferiority of your species, chu"the other one with the big lips said, "Oh really, I'd like to see that"Zoro said a cocky smirk on his face, "Relax sir let us handle this"square head said "If you go on one of your rampages to squash these insects you could destroy all of Arlong Park, chu"big lips said "Ooh i'm so scared" i say sarcastically.

Octopus growled "Please just let us kill these weaklings!"he said "Alright their yours"Arlong said confident in his men, i noticed Usopp had stepped back hiding behind a pillar "Uh guys there's something i should tell you"Luffy said but we ignored him as the octopus was doing something "What the hell is that octopus doing?"Zoro asked voicing my thoughts.

"Octopus is best when it's cut thin and salted add some olive oil and paprika and it makes the perfect snack while drinking"Sanji said "Sounds delicious, but i prefer takoyaki"i said "Whatever you want my dear!"Sanji said hearts in his eyes "So listen to me guys i'm kinda in trouble"Luffy said but again we ignored him as the octopus spat ink towards us, Sanji, Zoro and myself got out of the way but Luffy got hit covering him in ink.

"Idiot how come you didn't dodge that?!"Zoro asked him but Luffy was freaking out about not seeing anything but i saw the octopus picking up a piece of the building "Come on Luffy get out of there run!"Usopp yelled at him "Yeah that's the problem i can't run, i can't even walk"Luffy said, i sweatdropped "Wait don't tell me?"i trailed off "My feet are kinda stuck"he said confirming what i feared, i groaned a bit facepalming as the octopus brought down the piece of the building.

Sanji kicked it though braking it in half "You're such a pain"he said "Sanji that was so awesomely awesome!"Luffy said, pfft i could have sliced it in half and the cut would have been so neat you could fit the pieces back together "Looks like i picked one hell of an idiot to be my captain"Sanji said with a smirk "We all did"Zoro said, i nodded in agreement "Hey! Luffy's great!"Usopp yelled defending him "But the truth? Our idiot captain is far better then a gang who would pray on a lady"Sanji said.

"A lady huh?"Square face wondered outloud "You rushed into certain death for one lousy girl? I think that's the most ridiculous thing i've heard! besides i see another floozy right there why not settle for her?"square face asked, i glared at him "I promise if you insult Nami or Nicole again i'll turn you from fishman into fish sticks got that?"Sanji said jumping into my defense before i blew up at the jerk fishman for calling me that.

Meanwhile as Usopp tried to pull Luffy out of the ground Zoro challenged the octopus "You're Zoro, i forgot, you can't get away with tricking me!"he yelled slamming a piece of the building on the ground, Zoro and i jumped back dodging it, of course though i didn't intend to let Zoro do any fighting, he's still injured, seems he's forgotten it himself but i haven't so i'm not gonna let him fight in risk of him reopening his wounds.

"And how dare you mercilessly slaughter so many of my brothers?!"octopus asked coming over "That stuff is old news octopus man, i personally don't care for what reasons you have for wanting to kill me, the situation has changed you see the tables have turned, you see you're no longer the hunters, it's you fish freaks that are being hunted!"Zoro said drawing his sword, until i elbowed him in the gut.

Zoro wheezed a bit going down "What the hell Nicole?!"he asked, "I believe i told you before, i'm not letting you do anything too crazy!That includes letting you fight"i told him facing octopus "You want Zoro you're going through me"i said glaring at the fishman.

The third fishman ran off chasing Usopp but i didn't pay as much attention to that keeping my focus on octopus over here, out of the corner of my eye i saw Arlong getting up"You morons are a pathetic sight to behold, i'm sick of watching this now get out of my way"he said walking over "But sir there's no reason to go on a rampage think of Arlong Park"square face said "Don't worry, i won't, i just thought of a fun game that's all"Arlong said as he continued walking over.

I had a bad feeling about this "Game huh?"Octopus wondered "Now you're going down!"Luffy said going to punch Arlong but there wasn't nearly as much force behind it so Arlong easily dodged it and grabbed his arm "Do you honestly think your sad little group can defeat us?"he asked, honestly i think i'd be able to beat you all by myself if i chose to use that but i'm hoping i won't have to until we reach the first half of the Grand Line.

"So what if we do?"Sanji asked with a smirk on his face "Yeah so what if we do? Huh? Now let go!"Luffy said "You got something to say to us?"Zoro asked, Arlong didn't say just plunged a hand into the ground and picked up a boulder with Luffy stuck in it "Did you know that those with devil fruit powers can't swim?But honestly anyone in this situation would sink right to the bottom"Arlong laughed, i realized what he was going to do but was too late to stop him as Arlong chucked the boulder and Luffy with it into the sea.

Arlong laughed, Sanji went to go after him, i wanted to do so too and i could fight underwater even against a fishman but i didn't want to leave Zoro here to do something crazy like fighting and reopen his wound "Wait!"Zoro said stopping Sanji "Don't be stupid, those fishmen can't wait for us to jump in the water after him, they have an obvious advantage in an underwater fight"he said.

"What we should do is defeat them as fast as possible, then we can go after Luffy"i said drawing my swords and facing octopus again "So come on"i said "So how long can he hold out huh?Time is ticking"Arlong said "Oh?So that's the game"octopus said "I get it"square face said "I'm not letting you hog my fight"Zoro said stepping in front of me and drawing his sword "You can take the fish"he told Sanji.

"You slice and trim the octopus, i rather not have to worry about Nicole"Sanji said, i narrowed my eyes shoving Zoro to the side "I don't need you to worry about me"i said as the bubbles disappeared on the surface of the water "They can't even breath underwater! Humans are such pitiful creatures aren't they?!!!!!!"Arlong laughed.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

"Let's go calamari!"Zoro said running past me at octopus "I'll kick your ass in five seconds flat!"he said "We don't have more then three"Sanji said running at square face, i ran after going past Zoro and dodging another ink attack and going for a counter but octopus dodged so i only sliced some of his hair, he growled "My hair!"he whined for a bit.

"But it's okay, it's only hair it'll grow back, now you, whoever you are, you can't beat me i have six hands that will memorize you with their wiggly beauty"octopus said wiggling his arms around, i just sweatdropped, of course i get the idiot to fight, "Shut up!"Zoro said going past me for the attack, the octopus tried catching his strike but failed miserably "That hurt!"he cried "I don't have time for this crap!"Zoro said.

I noticed he was breathing very heavily, way more then he already should, "You've already overexerted yourself haven't you? This is exactly why i didn't want you to fight! Just go take a nap and leave this to me"i told him "No way!"Zoro panted "Why the hell not?! Are you saying i couldn't do it? You seem to forget what was revealed a few hours ago!"i said attacking the octopus again but he dodged and got stuck on the pillar, but i continued the attack slicing the pillars top and bottom with my two swords.

"Wha!"he yelled in surprise falling down with the pillar "I didn't forget, i know how strong you are but this is my fight!"Zoro argued standing next to me "And how is that exactly?! Because you challenged him first? I'll give you that but regardless of that i'm not letting you fight! End of story!"i argued back "You two argue like an old married couple, it's quite hilarious!"octopus laughed getting out of the rubble "IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!!!"Zoro and i yelled at him "I've been meaning to ask, what is your name girl?"he asked ignoring us "It's Nicole"i said.

Zoro swayed a bit just at that moment "Tsk, go take a nap or something you're in no condition to even be here"i told him "No way, i can still fight"Zoro panted straightening up "Hmph i'm not falling for that, the injured animal trick, it's time for you to see my true skills, be right back"octopus said crawling up the other pillar and into a room, he came back with six swords, one in each hand.

I ignored whatever he was saying though as Zoro started to fall over "Zoro!"i called catching him, just then Sanji came flying by probably hit because he was distracted "Well that's them taken care of boss, what do you want us to do with Zoro and this girl?"square face asked "I don't care about Zoro, just toss him into the ocean as for this girl, let's see"Arlong said and thought about it for a minute as i laid Zoro down as gently as possible "I know maybe she'll fetch a pretty price on the human market"he laughed.

~Third~

Nicole grabbed Zoro's sword and stood over him her eyes shadowed"I don't care what you do to me but if you lay a single hand on Zoro i'll chop it off"she said lifting her face, her eyes set in a glare far colder and murderous then her fathers, even Arlong felt shivers "But know that i will not go down without a fight!Come i'll take all three of you on!!!"she yelled before putting the third sword in her mouth "Yeah! Way to go big sis!"Johnny cheered "Now she's really serious!"Yosaku grinned.

~Nicole~

"Give my sword back Nicole"Zoro managed to say "Shut up and take a nap or something while you're laying there"I told him before turning to octopus "Now way of the six blades was it?"i asked "Yeah and there's no way your three swords can defeat me, i have twice as many!"octopus said "You're a fool if you think the number of blades matters, i could defeat you with a butter knife all the same as three swords but i don't happen to have one on hand"i told him with a smirk.

Zoro chuckled a bit "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree"he muttered "I told you to shut up"i said kicking him a bit further away as octopus came in with an attack, i easily dodged it though almost dancing between the blades and slicing up the octopus at the same time, i stepped out of the line of attack and soon enough blood started gushing from the fishman "How dare you cut me like that?! Now i'm really mad i'll kill you bastard!"he yelled.

I faced him again "Come at me then"i smirked "You! Have a taste of my octopus pot stance!"he yelled charging me with another attack "New years!"but i blocked it, he smirked though "Open!"he said forcing my block open then head butting me, i bit down on Zoro's sword as i went flying, shit that hurt a lot more then i thought it would "How's that?!"octopus said running over.

"Big sis!"i heard Yosaku and Johnny call "Nicole!"i heard Zoro call "You'll never touch the ground alive!"octopus standing where i would fall and started twisting his swords around creating a tornado, i watched for the opening and twisted myself repelling all the swords and cutting the fishman's hands forcing him to drop his swords "Damn it! First you dodge my tentical sword overload, then you slice and dice my hands up like some cheep sushi chef, how dare you make a spectacle of my master swordsman ship! You'll pay for that you bitch! I'll tear you limb from limb!"he yelled.

I scoffed "If you call that master swordsman ship then i'm a blonde, you're little tricks are laughable at best"i said, octopus growled "Ooh you've done it now! Now i'm mad! Take this way of six swords, octopus pot stance, time to die!"he yelled charging at me my back turned to him "New years!"octopus said getting closer, i twisted around creating a small twister that sliced that octopus up and his swords into bits.

~Zoro~

I was blown away, to think, if his daughter is this strong, i still have a long way to go, all the more reason to not give up, i wonder what's the weight behind her swords? If she has any, Nicole walked over to me giving my sword back "So what you think? Not bad huh?"she asked a smirk on her face, i chuckled a bit sitting up smiling a bit "Yeah, not bad at all"i said "Only cause i had a great teacher"she smiled at me, i blushed a bit, she giggled at me.

~Third~

"Now then time to save Luffy"Nicole said turning her attention to the water "Watch out!"Zoro said tackling her out of the way as square face was standing behind her ready to punch her lights out but before he could Sanji came in kicking the fishman back, Zoro got off Nicole "You!"square face said "Not very nice of you to attack a lady while her back is turned"Sanji said "Not bad, i didn't know there was anyone in the East Blue who could stand back up after one of my punches"square face said.

"Oh sure there's a whole bunch and a certain restaurant i know of wanna go?"Sanji asked "I don't think so"square face said "Zoro don't!"Nicole said commanding him like a dog as Zoro was facing the water "You're dead if you go in the water like that you know"Sanji said "Shut up, he won't last much longer, you think you ladies might wanna stop chatting?"Zoro asked.

"Yeah, time's up if i can get you to shut up for a moment maybe you would have noticed that i was about to do this!"Sanji said diving into the water "Sanji!"Nicole said trying to catch him by the leg but he was already in the water by then "That idiot!"she growled "Why not go after him then?"Zoro asked "And leave you here? As if!"she scoffed.

Underwater Sanji saw that Genzo and Nojiko had stretched Luffy's neck out of the water but the rubber boy still wasn't waking up, just then square face attacked Sanji from behind, meanwhile back at the surface Arlong was laughing "This is more like it, someone else do something entertaining!"he said and laughed again.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

"Oh thank goodness"i sighed in relief as Sanji came back up "Is he?"Zoro asked referring to Luffy "Don't worry he's okay"Sanji said "Are you sure?"Zoro asked "Well half of him"Sanji said "Wait half?"Zoro asked, i was confused too "I'll explain later" Sanji said catching his breath "First get your ass up here! I wanna fight where i can breath!"Sanji yelled at square face as he was coming up as well.

~skip~

Sanji finished off square face by kicking him through the building "Now it's done he won't be back"he said "In the end their all just seafood, fish can't fight a cook i don't know what he was thinking, this game is ours"Sanji said putting his shoes back on "You bastards, you've killed my brothers one after the other i'm afraid i let you get too carried away"Arlong growled.

I helped Zoro get up as he tied the bandanna around his head "Alright explain what do you mean Luffy's half okay?"he asked "It means he's alive for the time being but if we want him fully back on dry land i've got to go back in the water but something tells me ugly over there won't let me"Sanji said referring to Arlong.

~skip~

~Third~

Zoro, Sanji and Nicole were all down for the count "I must have been dreaming for a moment there i thought we had a chance"one of the villagers said "What did that fish guy do?"Yosaku asked "I dunno it looked like he was just throwing water around but then they started to bleed"Johnny said as Sanji was getting up

"I don't even have to touch you, you humans are so fragile i can just kill by playing around with a little water, that's the difference between you and me"Arlong said "Shut up!"Sanji said going to kick him but Arlong dodged and attacked him again, Sanji went down again "You should just die, your lives aren't worth that much there's no one who will miss you when you're gone"Arlong said.

"You're wrong"Nicole said getting up coughing a bit of blood "My father would hunt you down to the ends of the earth if i die here at your hands, but he won't have to cause i'll kill you right here right now, i bet people would celebrate too once you're gone"she said attacking him again but Arlong knocked her down again with a bit of water, although Nicole just pretended to go down, of course she dodged it, pretty hard not to especially when something like that is in her muscle memory.

"Arlong!"Nami called having arrived at the park, Arlong looked over "Hey Nami, i was just teaching one final lesson to these pathetic pirates what are you doing here?"Arlong asked a big smirk on his face "I'm here to kill you"Nami said "Me? You want to kill me?"Arlong asked before bursting into laughter.

"Haven't you learned your lesson yet? How many times have you tried to kill me in these last eight years? You've tried assassination, poison, sneak attacks, you must be aware you mere humans can't kill me, now listen i won't put you in the ground Nami but you can't leave, you'll remain here with us, as our surveyor forever but as you know i'm quite good natured if possible i'd like you to our surveyor of your own free will"Arlong chuckled a bit seeing the shock on Nami's face.

"I'm giving you a choice, i will not take pause in having my fishmen kill every living creature on this island except for you but that's only if you refuse to come back to the Arlong pirates and draw sea charts as one of our own and if you decide to come back with us i'll be kind and spare the villagers their lives but i can't let these ingrates live"Arlong said kicking Sanji over "They must be made an example of so there's only one question will you come with me and save the people of Cocoyashi village or refuse by siding with them? It's your choice, with them you'll be hopeless, with them you will die, Nami, will you come and stand by my side? Or not? The decision is yours"Arlong said.

Nami was trapped no matter which she chose she would never be free and she was sure Arlong would kill her friends either way as well, she thought about it and ultimately chose to fight with the others and believe in Luffy, the villagers cheered gaining moral "Well then it looks like they've made up their minds"Arlong muttered.

Luffy decided to wake up just at that moment spitting out a fountain of water "Alright, now just remove his leg weight"Sanji muttered getting up again "I see that's what you meant"Zoro said also getting up "You could have just said his head is out of the water"Nicole said getting up too at least trying to "Thirty second, that's all i got"Zoro said "That'll be enough!"Sanji said jumping into the water.

"There isn't a fountain over there could it be that rubber man?"Arlong wondered going to check it out but Zoro stopped him after having quickly borrowed Nicole's swords so he had all three "Just stay back you're not getting anywhere near him"he said panting feeling the effects of his reopened wound "Ah, Zoro, now prepare to die"Arlong said licking the blood from the cut that Zoro made.

~Nicole~

I couldn't get up! Why! Damn it just as i needed to, Zoro is too weak to fight! I continued trying to get up "In the sea one with devil fruit powers is supposed to lose even the energy to struggle not to mention his powers, he will die and if he's still alive well that wouldn't be fair"Arlong said, "Wouldn't be fair? This game hasn't been fair from the moment we started playing it"Zoro said "Well anyway if there's a hindrance i should be aware of it correct?"Arlong asked.

Then an egg came flying at him but he stopped it with a finger, i looked over to where the shot had come from "I've got your back Zoro! Go on give it to him!"Usopp yelled from the hole Sanji had made when flying through "Hey Nami i beat one of their leaders can you believe it?! I wiped the smug off his stupid face! chu chu! HAHA fishmen are so easy!"he laughed.

"No you beat Chew?"Arlong asked both angry and surprised all his commanders were beaten "That's right! And now that i'm back it's time we finish this once and for all! This is the end Arlong!"Usopp said "You seem to insist on getting in my way i take it you wish to die first then i can take care of that" Arlong said to Zoro completely ignoring Usopp.

Zoro tried to chop off a piece of Arlong's nose for whatever reason, i sweatdropped at that "You fool it's a proud nose because it's unbreakable if you were at full strength you may have been able to give it a little scratch"Arlong said before pushing Zoro back with his nose , then i noticed the octopus was back up and got up myself, i could take this fool on with my bare hands.

"We're not done you girl! You may have put me down but it wasn't for good cause i'm still alive and now i'm gonna finish off your friend!"octopus said diving in before i could stop him "No need to be concerned seeing as you'll all be dead anyway"Arlong said before stabbing Zoro with his nose "Zoro!"i called out concerned as he screamed from the pain.

Arlong grabbed Zoro "Let him go!"i yelled attacking but he just slapped me away "So that's it huh? Way too easy, hmm what's with all these bandages?"Arlong wondered before ripping them off revealing that Zoro's wound indeed had reopened "Hand's off!"i yelled attacking again but this time Arlong grabbed me.

Zoro chuckled a bit "If a person stays put their wounds won't open up, Nicole tried to keep me from fighting, she told me again and again to just take a nap, but i'm a stubborn idiot"Zoro said "Is that right?"Arlong asked glancing at me "I'm not talking about just me, i'm talking about the octo man"Zoro said "What?"Arlong asked "I thought i told you we'll win this game!"Zoro said, Luffy came flying through the sky just at that moment, finally they got him free "You're a bit late" Zoro muttered.

"Zoro! Nicole!"Luffy said grabbing us both "Hey hold on what are you?!"Zoro asked, i got a bad feeling about this and yelped as Luffy flung Zoro and me out of there "Let's switch"i heard Luffy through the air and Zoro's and my own screaming, during our flight, Zoro grabbed me and protected me as we started falling down.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

Thankfully we landed in the water, i swam us to the nearby structure and pulled Zoro up with me over to it "That idiot i'm gonna kill him"Zoro muttered "Save something for me"i said turning him over and immediately got to treating his wound again "Would you knock that off? I'll just sleep it off"Zoro said but didn't push me away "I won't, you seriously don't seem to get that you're injured, i don't know if i should be more concerned about your injury or with whatever is wrong in your head to make you forget said injury"i said.

Zoro sighed a bit "I do get that i'm injured, it's just i don't want to cause you too much worry"he said looking away, i sighed a bit too and flicked him in forehead "Idiot of course i'm gonna be worried over something like this, it can't be helped if you get injured during a fight or even during training, of course that's only smaller wounds that you probably won't even notice in the heat of the fight, bigger ones like this are a cause to worry cause they take longer to heal and can reopen cause there's more surface area, or at least i think that's how that works, i'm not a doctor, i just know basic medical stuff"i said shrugging a bit.

~Zoro~

A silence fell over us after that and i just watched Nicole as she worked using the shirt i stole and sea water to clean the wound, her touch was so gentle and her expression was so focused, she's so beautiful, this isn't the first time i have seen her in this kind of light, we travelled together for a year, i know i care for her maybe more then friends should, but that's the problem right now, we're friends.

~Nicole~

"Okay now you at least won't get an infection so take a nap or something"i said and leaned on the stone pillar just watching the sea and listening to the fight between Luffy and Arlong which i won't bother narrating to you, Zoro eventually fell asleep and i put his head in my lap for a useful pillow, i zone out of it combing my fingers through his hair, i looked at him, he was so peaceful, he always is when he's napping and i always see him in the same light, that's why i care for him as much as i do.

~skip~

I shook Zoro a bit waking him up as it sounded like the fight was over since everyone was cheering "Hmm? Is it over?"he asked "Yeah, come on, you need an actual doctor"i said getting up and helping him up as well "I can walk on my own"he said "Sure you can but i'm not gonna let you"i said helping him walk too, but as we arrived at Arlong Park we saw a bunch of Marine's and promptly beat them up for raining on the villagers parade, i went off to search for my swords in the rubble.

Thankfully i found them still intact, my pin was where i had left it completely intact as well, honestly it was a miracle though as i walked back to the group having a closer look at my swords they were all nicked and had tiny cracks that could result in a brake later on, although they wouldn't be too hard to fix, though it might be time to get new ones, i put my swords in their scabbards and watched as Nami beat up the marine coronal sending him flying to the ocean

"What you're gonna do is clean up after those fishmen, then you're gonna help to rebuild the town of Goza and you won't lay a finger on any of the money or valuables in Arlong Park that's the island's money now got it?"Nami asked tugging on the whisker like hairs of the marine after he came back to the surface "Right, yeah i'll do anything you say"the marine said "And there's one more thing give me my money back jerk!"Nami said "I promise, i promise, i'll give every beri back"the marine said before swimming off with his men.

"I'll get you, you pirates! Luffy is your captain right?! Well mark my frigging words rubber man, major things are gonna happen! Cause you made me angry! I swear you'll regret this! I'll get my revenge just you wait and see!"the marine yelled back before he continued swimming off "What a weirdo"i muttered "Yeah, major things are gonna happen?"Sanji asked "Yeah how does he know i'm gonna be king of the pirates?"Luffy asked "Probably because you say it every ten or so sentences"i said "That's not what he meant!"Zoro yelled a bit "I know, i was just joking around, relax a bit"i smiled at him, he looked away blushing "I knew that"he muttered.

"Hold on what's next?! Are we in super big trouble or what?!"Usopp asked freaking out, the villagers left to tell the whole island the big news, "Hey Zoro what's that on your chest?"Luffy asked "What-?"he asked looking down "Made you look"Luffy laughed "You jerk!"Zoro growled at him, i snickered as Usopp laughed, Sanji chuckled and Nami laughed too, i coughed a bit after calming down "Now then as for you Zoro, you need an actual doctor"i said taking Zoro by the collar and dragging him off.

~skip~

I was with Zoro as he was being treated by the doctor while a party was going on outside "You dumbass, did you think this would heal on it's own? Seriously pirates are supposed to be smarter then this"the doctor scolded Zoro stitching him up "I tried to tell him, i tried to keep him from fighting but no, he had to be a stubborn ass"i said sitting in another chair watching from the side "So you treated him? I could tell he had been before hand, i gotta say impressive work"the doctor said, i blushed a bit and looked away "Nah it was nothing, i've only got basic skills so i'm definitely no doctor"i said.

"You should get a ship doctor"the doctor said "A doctor? Never thought of that, good idea"Luffy said popping in from the window "But we need to get a musician first right?"he added, "Why is that?"Zoro asked "Cause pirates really like to sing"Luffy stated, i noticed Zoro smirk a bit "You know Nicole's a pretty good singer"he said "I am not!"I said punching him "Shut your face!"i yelled at him "Are you really?"Luffy asked looking at me, i looked away, Zoro chuckled a bit "Oh she definitely is, she sings all the time when she's alone working on swords"he said "I told you to shut up!"i yelled at him.

"You gotta join the party then Nicole! Come on i wanna hear you sing!"Luffy said a grin on his face, i sighed a bit "Maybe later"i said "Kay, later then, oh hey doc have you seen Nami?"Luffy asked "If she's not in the village there's only one place she'd go to"the doc said but didn't elaborate further.

~skip~

It's been three days now, Zoro was stitched up on the first day and he's healed up quite nicely since then, currently Zoro and i were having a drinking contest but this alcohol wasn't all that strong "Boy am i stuffed, it's nice to not cook for a change, so how are you feeling Zoro?"Sanji asked coming over to the alley we were drinking in and sitting on the ground across from us.

"I'll be okay i think all i need is a little bit of rest"Zoro said "I agree for once, take all the naps in the world for all i care, means you're moving less, means your wound won't reopen"i said taking a big gulp of the drink in my big mug "That's good"Sanji said "Seriously when are they gonna stop?It's been three days now"Zoro wondered referring to the crowd also taking a gulp of his drink "Nothing wrong with that"Sanji said lighting up a cigarette "Yeah, i mean who can blame them, they were suppressed by a monster for eight years, let them party for a whole week if they want to"i said.

"Hey Sanji, where'd you get that melon you had?I wanna give it a shot"Luffy said appearing with a hunk of meat in his mouth and two in each hand "It isn't polite to talk with your mouth full" Zoro lightly scolded him "I dunno, it was raw ham melon with raw ham on top"Sanji said "Raw ham melon, show me where you found it!"Luffy demanded "I can't, the whole town is basically one giant buffet, good luck finding it"Sanji said.

"I think i saw some being served by that purple roofed house"I said pointing over to it "You're the best Nicole!"Luffy said running off "Three days of stuffing his face, now that my belly's full, time to dance, with the ladies!"Sanji said running off over to some girls, i rolled my eyes while Zoro sweatdropped, although, i blushed as a thought crossed my mind.

"What is it?"Zoro asked noticing my blush "Well i just had a thought"i said "Yeah?"Zoro asked noticing his mug was empty "I haven't danced yet in this party"i said "So? Go dance with the love cook"Zoro muttered leaning back to nap, i sighed dropping my head in defeat but then i smirked "Maybe i will"i said, Zoro went stiff and grumbled glancing at Sanji and me, he then sighed "Fine but it's not like i'm jealous or anything"Zoro said taking my hand and leading me to the dance floor "Suuure"i said sarcastically.

Zoro was blushing like crazy as he put his hands around my waste, i put mine around his neck smiling a bit, he relaxed a bit at that and thus we danced the night away.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

We were ready to depart, we were just waiting on Nami "Hey moss head"i heard and saw Sanji approach Zoro as i was checking everything we needed was ready "What you call me?!"Zoro asked, i could see he was angry but i waited for a bit to see what this was about "Never mind that moss head, i saw you dancing with Nicole"Sanji said obviously picking a fight "What's it to you love cook?"Zoro asked also ready to fight even with one sword "What you call me?!"Sanji asked attacking.

I jumped in then stopping both their attacks and grabbing their ear "Sanji, if you wanted a dance so bad you could have asked"i said pushing him away and letting Zoro go "Wait you're not gonna scold him?!"Sanji asked "Why should i? You're the one that provoked him"i said, Sanji grumbled walking off.

Anyway Yosaku and Johnny said they goodbyes as we were parting ways, Nami still wasn't showing up so Zoro believed she might not show up at all to which Sanji started yelling at him about it and bringing up our dance from the night before again but i ignored him this time, Usopp was muttering about something but i ignored him as well, i believed Nami would be coming.

I had a hunch she was gonna pull some stunt, right on cue Nami showed up "Set the sail!"she yelled and started running over "I don't get it why is she running?"Usopp said "She said set the sail"Luffy said "Right"we muttered and got the ship going, Zoro lifted the anchor while Sanji and Usopp unfurled the sail while i steered the ship out of the port.

Nami jumped on the ship and lifted her shirt a bit reveling she had stolen the villager's wallets "Thanks a bunch!"she said with a smile turning towards the ever shrinking port "Great she hasn't changed a bit"Usopp grumbled "I'd watch my back"Zoro said "I for one am glad to have some female company"i smiled.

~skip~

We have been sailing for a couple of days and things have been relatively peaceful, or so i'd say if this wasn't the Strawhat Crew, but i do my best to ignore the chaos which is easier when i'm focused on a task like this one, fixing my swords so i can sell them for a good price, yeah i decided to sell these two, they are just generic swords my dad got for me as a gift after i was done training, what i'd really like would be a pair of swords i made myself but that dream is on hold for now.

Then there was a huge commotion, i nearly dropped the sword i had been working on from the surprise but managed to catch it and not hurt myself, i listened to the others as they celebrated over the fact that Luffy was officially a wanted man, with a bounty of thirty million berries, not bad for a first bounty i saw Zoro get serious for a moment though.

"What's up?"i asked him "I was just thinking that with that kind of a bounty headquarters will take action and bounty hunters coming after us are gonna be good"he said "I wouldn't worry too much, i bet we won't have any trouble from here on, at least while we're in the East Blue"i said "You may have a point there"Zoro muttered going back to napping and i went back to maintaining swords.

Though i didn't get back into the zone as a marine ship passed by and came back around, it was that guy from the restaurant, they fired at us but Zoro handled it by cutting the cannonball in half, pfft i could have done that and sliced the ship while i was at it "I was trying to take a nap" Zoro said sounding a bit grumpy to me "There's lot's more where that came from fire!"the guy yelled but their cannon was cracked so it blew back on them, the marine ship rammed ours as the marines boarded our ship but they were easily taken care of, i didn't even have to get up and went right back to maintaining my swords.

~skip~

I was done with maintenance before we all gathered to have a look at the map "We're getting closer, we've almost made it to the Grand line and it looks like the only way into it is here"Nami said pointing out Reverse Mountain "Well the only safe way, we can always cross through the calm belt"i said, knowing about it because i was raised in the Grand Line, well i was raised all over cause my father traveled a lot when i was little.

"What do you mean safe?"Usopp asked gulping a bit "The calm belt is two strips of sea that surround the entire Grand Line, there are hardly any winds or weather there, it's a nest of sea kings and sea monsters"i explained "Well we first need to stop at a town, time to pick up some meat, need meat"Luffy said, Nami pointed out a small island on the map "There's a famous city on this island known as Roguetown"she said.

"Why is it famous? They got delicious meat?"Luffy asked "Well aside from being one of the only places in the East Blue that's nearest to the entrance of the Grand Line, it's also the place where Gold Roger was born and killed, it's known as the city of the beginning and end"i said, again knowing all this from my father, he actually told me about the day they executed the King of the Pirates cause he had been there when it happened.

"That's where the King of the Pirates died?"Luffy asked "Well?"Nami asked "Yeah, let's do it, this was the man who had the One Piece and everything the world has to offer i need to see where he was born and executed"Luffy said, so our next heading was settled, Roguetown.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

"Woohoo! This is gonna be so fun!"Luffy yelled excitedly as we had just made land fall at Roguetown "Every pirate headed to the Grand Line stops here to resupply it has everything you could possibly need"Nami said taking the words right out of my mouth "If that's the case then i'm gonna go on a shopping spree, i bet they have all sorts of stuff here"Usopp said "I'll be able to stock up on produce and fresh women"Sanji said.

"You think there'd be a swordsmith around here?"Zoro asked wondering outloud "I thought you were broke are you gonna steal a sword?"Nami asked probably scheming to let Zoro borrow money from her and the jack up the return price indefinitely "Don't even think about it Zoro, you can have some of the money i get from my swords"i said, Zoro visibly relaxed a bit "You're a life saver"he said.

"Well i'm gonna find where they killed people, i gotta see where the King of the Pirates was executed"Luffy said before running off "Hey wait we have to pick a meeting place!"Usopp called after him but Luffy was far gone "Uh that's not good"Usopp muttered "I wouldn't fret too much we'll just meet up back on the ship"i said patting Usopp's shoulder as i walked off with Zoro following me, we walked around for a bit looking for a shop and eventually spotted one "Just wait out here i'll try haggle a good price"i said turning to Zoro before stepping inside.

~skip~

"Haggling took longer then i thought sorry Zoro"i said walking out the shop putting my hair up and pinning it in place, but as i looked over when i was done Zoro was gone, i sighed, of course he wouldn't listen to me, i walked off to find another sword shop, i knew from the jacked up prices this shop had nothing but cheap knock offs or crappy swords that will brake in one swing, i'll focus on finding Zoro later cause his sense of direction is the worst.

Anyway after a while i found a smaller sword shop and decided to have a look  and went in, the shop keep was sleeping at the counter so i left him to it and silently browsed through his collection, pretty quality stuff for swords in barrels, one in particular stuck out to me "Nicole"i heard and jumped a bit looking over "Oh Zoro, where'd you been? Why'd you run off?"i asked walking over to him "Sorry didn't mean to, some things just happened"he said.

I hummed a bit looking at him, something was definitely different about him "Alright you can tell me about it later, oh here's your share of the money"i said handing it to him "Thanks"he said, i nodded at him and went back to the merch but Zoro called me to wait, i looked back at him, he was blushing a bit "You look nice with your hair up"he said, i blushed and looked away as Zoro walked over to the counter.

"I'd like to pick up some swords"he said waking up the shopkeeper "Of course, of course welcome, have a look at anything you'd like, we have extremely large verity to choose from"the shopkeeper said, Zoro put the money i gave him on the counter "I've got one hundred thousand berries for two swords can you do that?"Zoro asked "Two for a hundred thousand?"the shopkeeper asked clearly not pleased that even with the money Zoro was basically broke and that's half of what i got for my swords.

"For fifty thousand a piece i can only give you two dull blades"the shopkeeper said, "Bullshit"i muttered "I can make do with whatever i just don't have the money right now"Zoro said, he definitely could since i can improve them, then i noticed the shopkeeper notice Zoro's sword, oh yes, i knew exactly how valuable that sword actually was "N-now h-hold on a second i just wanna have a look at that sword you got there is that okay with you pal?"the shopkeeper asked.

"You okay there buddy?"Zoro asked "Let me see!"the shopkeeper said "Yeah okay whatever" Zoro said giving the sword to him, i walked over and leaned on the counter "What this guys deal?"Zoro asked me "He's just freaking out over the value of that sword"i said "Oh yeah? How much would it be worth?"Zoro asked "I can give you two hundred thousand berries for it, what do you say?That would leave you with three hundred thousand  which would give you some pretty good steel and at a hundred thousand a piece there are bound to be three swords you like in here"the shopkeeper said.

"What are you kidding me?"Zoro asked "Alright i'll give you two hundred fifty thousand, no wait three hundred thousand, fine final offer five hundred thousand"the shopkeeper said "Just stop i'm not selling the sword is mine"Zoro said "Though guy! I'll buy it from you for six hundred and fifty thousand berries! Okay fine i give up! How does eight hundred thousand berries sound to ya?!"the shopkeeper yelled.

I couldn't help snicker a bit, there was no way Zoro would ever sell that sword, besides it's worth no less then ten million berries, "I'm back! Did you finish polishing my Shigure?"a girl asked running over, Zoro grew a little stiff "You're okay! I was worried about you, see some marines were attacked earlier right by where you had been mopping the floors you were gone though so naturally i assumed you were kidnapped"the girl said.

I glared at her, who does she think she is! "Just who is she?"i asked also giving my glare to Zoro, he stiffened further, before he sighed and whispered to me "I don't know her name but she looks just like Kuina"he said "Ah, i see, no wonder you're as stiff as a board"i smirked a bit as the girl was rambling on about something, she then gasped "That sword looks just like the Wado Ichimonji, is this really the sword?"she asked just taking it like that and drawing it, somehow i didn't like that but Zoro was fine with it "It's beautiful, this has to be one of the twenty one O Wazamono swords "the girl said looking at the sword.

"What's she talking about?"Zoro asked turning to me "She's talking about the grade of your sword, there are four in total Wazamono, the lowest, there are probably as many of them as there are swordsmen, fifty Ryo Wazamono, twenty one O Wazamono which is what your Wado Ichimonji is and twelve Saijo O Wazamono, Yoru is one of them"i said smirking a bit at Zoro, he remembered that blade well.

"Although any sword with a name could be considered a meito, a term for the status of a blade, just not a specifically classified one, oh what i wouldn't give to get my hands on a Saijo O Wazamono!"i sighed dreamily just thinking about it, of course eventually i'd love to make swords that could be graded as Saijo O Wazamono but those would be for someone else, like maybe the strongest swordsman, it's a dream to have either one or two existing ones for myself.

"Enough! You just had to keep talking didn't ya! I'm gonna sue your ass for obstruction of business!"the shopkeeper yelled at me "Yeah no, he's not gonna sell the sword even for one hundred million berries ain't that right?"i asked Zoro "Yeah"he nodded, "Fine just take your precious Shigure and get out, i don't wanna see you here again!"the shopkeeper yelled at the girl showing the sword in her hands which made her stumble all over, i sweatdropped.

"Just get out before you tear my shop apart!"the shopkeeper yelled at her "Did she ever help you dodge a bullet? It is a complete waste to have such a legendary sword attached to someone who has no idea of it's true value, you can pick from our lovely collection of barrel sword for fifty thousand a piece take any two you like"The shopkeeper said, Zoro took his sword back and went over to the barrels "Now then you and i have some business"i smirked turning to the shopkeeper.

I put two swords on the table, ones i found had the best quality and also i liked them "How much for each of these?"i asked and thus the bidding war began, i got them both at fifty thousand a piece and walked over to Zoro as he was riffling through the barrel swords.

(sword 1)

(sword 2)

"A swordsman who's just a bounty hunter is no honorable swordsman at all, everything's backwards, it's really too bad for real swordsmen, pirates and bounty hunters as sword masters? That just doesn't make any sense, they have most of the worlds legendary swords too it's a real tragedy"the girl said as i walked over "I don't know, it's the kind of thing you have to look at by a case by case basis"Zoro said, i leaned on the wall watching him.

"This is my Shigure, i'm going to work as hard as i can to perfect my skills and then one day i'll take back all the legendary swords because the filthy hands that hold them now have no right to wield them, i'll find them all!"the girl declared, i couldn't help but laugh a bit.

"Ha! i'm sorry but you're delusional, what gives you the right to dictate who has and who doesn't have the right to hold a sword? This is why i hate marines, your view of the world is only black and white and you see nothing beyond what you're told to see, maybe open your eyes and you'll see there are more colors"I said, Zoro chuckled a bit before getting serious as he grabbed one sword, i noticed which one "Oh yeah, i spotted that one too, i thought you'd be more interested"i said.

"You know me so well"Zoro smirked taking the sword out and having a look at it a super serious look on his face "This sword is cursed"Zoro said after trying it out, i smirked a bit, "How do you know?"the shopkeeper asked "Just do"Zoro simply said.

"The Kitetsu swords are superior in all respects but they've been cursed since their beginnings you have to believe me, there are storied of master swordsmen all over who have met their death after taking up a Kitetsu sword no body is even stupid enough to touch them these days, you'll fall to it's curse as well if you decide to take it, i'm scared to let you buy it, i'm afraid it'll curse me too just leave it alone"the shopkeeper said.

Zoro smirked however "Sounds great, think i'll take it"he said "I can't sell it you fool! Cause if something happened to you with that sword the curse could come back to me!"the shopkeeper yelled before he was bonked on the head by i assume his wife "Now don't be an idiot let him buy the sword you fool!"she yelled at him "Don't hit me!"he yelled back.

"Well we'll see how about we find out which one is stronger? The swords curse or my good luck?"Zoro asked with a smirk, i smirked too "Go for it"i said i believed in him so i wasn't worried at all, now if it was Kitetsu the first i'd be a little worried, though i'm hoping to find and take that one for myself, Zoro tossed the sword up and held his arm out, the sword went right passed it not even nicking Zoro's arm, he smirked "I'll take it"he said.

"Any other swords of interest you noticed?"Zoro asked turning to me after he pulled Kitetsu out of the ground "Quite a few actually, these are very well made"i said turning to the barrel swords "Hold on! Wait there!"the shopkeeper yelled before running off, he came back with quite a beautiful sword, i recognized it as Yubashiri "It's the finest sword this shop has"the shopkeeper said "I told you i'm broke, it's too much"Zoro said looking back "No matter i'll give it to you free of charge if you take it, you're welcome to the Kitetsu as well, you deserve it haven't run across a real swordsman in a while i'm sorry i tried to cheat you before you must have some damn good luck friend"the shopkeeper said.

"Now hold on"i said walking over to the counter with Zoro in tow "I'm not so quick to trust anyone, how do we know you're not trying to cheat my friend again?"i asked "You can have a look at it if you'd like"the shopkeeper said "I'd like that very much thank you"i said drawing the sword out and trying it out as well as having a close look at it "It's the real deal"i said putting it back "You have sharp eyes and a quick mouth"the shopkeeper then smirked "You and your boyfriend over there are quite the pair"he said.

Zoro took the sword and we left without correcting the shopkeeper "Seems i didn't need this money after all"he said handing it back "That's fine, more to put in towards the next shopping trip or maybe materials, i'll think about it, into the savings it goes for now though"i said putting the money away in my pocket for now "Anyway are you now gonna tell me where'd you run off?"i asked "Huh? Oh yeah, sure"Zoro said and went to explain the story.

~skip~

Zoro and i have been wondering around since we aren't in any hurry to get back to the ship, eventually we came across the others "Hey"Zoro greeted them "Zoro, Nicole"Nami said "Have you guys seen Luffy anywhere?"i asked "No, why do you ask?"Usopp asked "I've just got this feeling that something bad is going to happen"i said looking at the dark clouds rolling in, a crowd ran past us screaming about Buggy.

Ugh, i remember him, unfortunately, "It's time for the execution, Buggy the clown is gonna kill strawhat Luffy yeah!"we heard someone yelling "They're gonna execute him?!"Usopp asked slightly freaking out "Let's go!"Zoro said running off with Sanji, i went with Nami and Usopp to get the ship ready for a quick escape since it seemed we would definitely need one.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

Usopp, Nami and i arrived at the port only to see there was some guy and a lion already there, i figured they were trying to burn the ship but due to the rain couldn't get a fire going, the lion attacked at the guy's command but i easily dealt with it "We don't have time to deal with your games!"i said and charged at the guy knocking him out of the way with the back of my blade just as Marines were coming up from behind "Come on you two"i said helping Nami and Usopp up to the ship ignoring the marines fire.

~skip~

The marines had brought in cannons but either their aim was horrible or we had some kind of divine luck with us as the cannonballs continued to miss, regardless Usopp, Nami and i got the ship sailing "We can't set sail yet! Luffy and the others aren't back yet!"Usopp yelled "Do you want to stay in cannon fire? If so then be my guest!"i yelled back and went to the cabin to steer the ship out of port but beyond that i didn't have to do much because the current was pulling us out and went back out on the deck just as Sanji came running over.

"Nami! Nicole! I'm back!"he yelled "Where are the others?!"Nami asked yelling back "Who cares! We'll just get them later!"Sanji yelled back "Watch out! Behind you!"i yelled over noticing marines chasing him, Sanji dealt with them but the marines kept coming "We have to get closer"Usopp said "But there's no way we can take the ship back against this current"Nami said.

"Damn it!"Usopp said jumping over and helping Sanji from the water, the ground was too far for me to jump and i wasn't much help from the water so i stayed on the ship but just the there was this huge green wind, i knew only one person capable of this, the wind had also blown our ship way into the open sea, thankfully Luffy rocketed the others and himself over with his gum gum powers, i went over to check on them as they landed on the ship "Everyone okay?"i asked "Yeah"they groaned.

~skip~

The storm was still going on but the Going Merry was staying strong, we had gathered at the front of the ship and saw a light from a lighthouse "Hey look it's a light!"Nami yelled over the wind "Is that a light house?"Usopp asked "Yeah, it's a guidepost we're getting close to the entrance of the Grand Line"i said "The Grand Line is somewhere just ahead"Luffy said "Do we have to go there in the middle of a hurricane like this?"Usopp asked clinging to the mast for dear life.

"Personally i don't see a better time then this!"I said as the others nodded in agreement "Okay then, i think we should say something to mark the occasion"Sanji said, we all agreed on that and got an empty barrel "I'm going to the Grand Line to find the All Blue"Sanji said starting us off by putting his shoe on the barrel "I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!"Luffy said also putting his sandal covered foot on the barrel "To become the greatest swordsman"Zoro said with a smirk putting his boot up "To make the greatest sword!"i announced with a smile putting my boot next to Zoro's.

(quick A/N i now realize i've totally forgotten to give you a description of Nicole's foot wear, she has generic brown boots on)

"I'm going so i can draw a map of the entire world"Nami said putting her foot up "I guess i'm going to be a brave warrior of the sea"Usopp said putting his shoe up, all our feet barely fit on the barrel but we didn't care "And now to the Grand Line!"Luffy said and well all kicked the barrel into pieces.

We reached the entrance without any further trouble and rode the stream going up the mountain making out of the storm and even past the clouds before falling downstream with the ship, we were going down the mountain super fast but this was nothing new to me, still though it was always so exciting to go through Reverse Mountain, then i heard it a deep groan"Did you guys just hear something?!"Zoro yelled over the wind.

"It's probably just the wind!"Nami yelled back but then i heard the noise again and i could see something in the distance "Nami! I see a mountain up ahead!"Sanji yelled having spotted it too "What that's impossible?!"Nami yelled back "Who cares! Go!"Luffy yelled "After we pass the Twin Capes up ahead there should be nothing but ocean!"Nami yelled, but the mountain was getting closer and as we past the clouds, the mountain turned out to be a giant whale.

Everyone was freaking out, including me, though i was keeping my cool better then the others i was just confused as to why dad never mentioned this to me, "What are we gonna do?!"Usopp asked freaking out the most "Should we fight?"Luffy asked "Idiot how are we supposed to fight a whale?!"Nami asked yelling at him "I refuse to let you injure this magnificent creature! We are not fighting it!"i also yelled at him.

"But our path is blocked! How do we escape?!"Usopp asked "Calm down! if this giant creature looks like a wall to us we must be a speck!"Sanji yelled "That's right it's possible that thing isn't even aware we're here!"Nami yelled back "We'll run right into it unless we change course look we can get by on the left!"Zoro said pointing out the gap "Port! Hard to port!"he said "The rudder's broken!"Usopp yelled from the cabin "When did that happen?!"i asked "Do something anything!"Zoro said running over, i went with.

I put all my effort into trying to move the rudder along with the boys, but the current was too strong, just then, the cannon was fired and we came to a stop with minimal damage to the ship, but now we were in trouble, the whale could attack us in retaliation, we rowed out of the way right away "What the hell's going on?!"Usopp asked "Either it's reaction time is super slow or it's so big the cannonball didn't even flinch it"Sanji said "Who cares at least we're still alive!"Zoro yelled back at him.

The whale just the decided to let out a groan rattling our very bones, "You think you can brake my special seat and get away with it!"Luffy yelled and punched the whale's eye "You moron!"we all cried, the whale looked at us and even i freaked a bit, the whale opened it's mouth and started to suck us in but Luffy fell off board while we were sucked further in.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

"So what do you think?"Nami asked "I don't know what to think"Zoro said "Is this even real?"Sanji wondered, Usopp was just making incoherent noises as i looked around at the area, the i noticed seagulls "Cause i know what i saw and felt we were swallowed by a whale"Sanji said "Is this a dream?"Usopp asked "Yeah i'd say that's a fair guess"Zoro said "Look closer"i said pointing out the seagulls "It's just a mural"i said.

"Alright but what's with this island and the house?"Nami asked "Illusions?"Zoro wondered before a giant squid popped out of the water, Nami and Usopp promptly freaked out while Zoro, Sanji and i got ready to fight it but then three spears pierced it from behind, i didn't drop my guard however "Looks like someone's home"Zoro said "Let's hope they're human"Sanji said.

"I've had it you guys let's go"Nami whimpered "Giant squids, guys with harpoons and where's Luffy?"Usopp cried "Yeah where is he?"Nami asked, someone started walking out of the house "Whoa whoa we should fire our cannon there!"Usopp said "Hold your horses scardy cat, we don't know if they're an enemy"i said, the person started pulling the squid in and walked out "It's a"Sanji was cut off "Flower"Zoro finished off "Dummy it's a decoration, they're clearly human whoever they are"i said.

"Are you sure?"Usopp asked "That old man just killed a great king squid with one shot"Nami said "The question is why, was he trying to save us or is he just fishing?"Sanji asked, the old man started walking giving us this look, i grabbed Zoro's arm, not that i was scared or anything, the old man sat down in his lawn chair, i sighed a bit in relief, again i wasn't scared or anything "You gonna say anything?!"Sanji yelled at him.

"Hey you wanna fight?! We got cannons back here you bastard!"Usopp yelled all the way back from the cabin, the old man gave us that look again "You try it and someone's going to die"he said, "Yeah? And who's that?"Sanji asked, i had a feeling where this was going "Me of course"the old man said "Excuse me!"Sanji blew up at him, i snickered a bit, this old guy was totally harmless, i let go of Zoro as he walked forward "Who are you?"Zoro asked.

The old man gave us that look again "You've got some nerve stranger, it's only polite to introduce yourself before asking a question of someone you just met"the old man said "Alright fair enough i'll go first my name"Zoro was cut off though "If you must know my name is Crocus and i'm the lighthouse keeper of the Twin Capes, i'm seventy one and a half years old, Gemini" the old man said "I'll kill him i swear!"Zoro snapped drawing his sword, i held him back though "Calm down, he's just messing with you"i said.

The old man gave us that look again "Stop doing that!"the others yelled at him "What's wrong haven't you ever heard of a running gag?"the old man, rather Crocus as he had so kindly introduced himself, said "That was a gag?!"we yelled at him "The exit is over there"Crocus said pointing out the metal door that i sweat just appeared there "We can get out?!"we asked "So what's with the mural?"i asked "Call it a doctors playful mind"Crocus said "You're not making any sense you crazy old fool!"Usopp yelled at him "Easy don't let him get to you"Zoro said holding him back.

"Yeah just shut up"Sanji said "Nami if that is an exit then we need to get to it"Zoro said "Agreed" Nami said, the whole area started shaking just then however "Hey look! That's no island it's a ship and it has a metal bottom"i said spotting that "Yeah of course cause we're floating on a sea of gastric acid"Usopp said "That means a wooden ship won't last long"Sanji said "Hey! What's with this freaky whale?! Answer me old man!"Usopp yelled at Crocus.

"He's very angry, these after shocks are a result of him hitting his head against the Red Line" Crocus said "What?!"Zoro and Sanji asked "That explains the deep scars on the whales head and the deep howling"Nami said "Why is he doing that?"Usopp asked "It's because he's suffering, the poor thing!"i said frowning a bit "So what's the old man doing on the inside?"Usopp asked "More then likely he's killing the whale from the inside"Nami said "What?! I won't let him! You hear that old man! Hurt this poor creature any more and you're chopped meat!"i yelled over at him.

"Easy"Zoro said holding me back "Now how about we get out of this whale's belly before it digest us?"he asked "Yeah what we need to focus on is getting out of here"Sanji said but the waves kept coming "We're not gonna get anywhere if the waves keep surging like this! How can we escape if we can't even move?"Usopp asked "Our only choice is to paddle take the oars"Zoro said "Whatever it takes we have to find Luffy right away"Nami said "I saw him flying out of the whale's mouth, he should be outside"i said.

"That old guy just jumped in!"Nami said "Is he insane? The acid will eat him alive"Zoro said "Who cares, like you said we gotta focus on getting out of here"i said and went to get the oars, we put them in place and paddled over to the doors "Look guys Crocus just resurfaced"Usopp said "Forget about the old guy, our focus should be on opening these doors"Zoro said, just then Luffy came flying out.

"Luffy?"Zoro asked "Zoro! Is everyone okay?"Luffy asked "Yeah we're fine!"i called to him "So uhm i could use a hand!"Luffy said before going into the water "Looks like Luffy's not alone, who do you suppose those two weirdo's are?"Usopp asked "Where'd that old guy disappear to?" Nami asked "Forget him we need to safe Luffy"Right, in we go"i said putting my swords and pin on the side and jumping in and fishing Luffy out of the gastric acid.

Zoro helped me back up after pulling Luffy in "You reckless fool, you okay?"he asked "Yeah"i nodded, the burning did still sting a bit but i believed i was fine for the most part, those two weirdos that had flown in with him had come aboard as well, the whale made a noise "I don't claim to speak whale but it seems to have calmed down"Nami said "Seems that way"Zoro said, i picked my swords up and put them in their place at the side of my hip and secured the pin to one of them.

"Now we've saved your lives for the time being but you better talk and make it quick"Zoro said turning to the two weirdos who then whispered about something "You parasites are still here?"Crocus said appearing once again "I grow weary of this and for the last time as long i draw breath you will not lay a single harmful finger on Laboon"he said, huh maybe i had him pegged wrong.

"He's back again"Usopp muttered "Who's the old guy?"Luffy asked, the two weirdos laughed "You can't bully us into abounding our mission"The lady said "We were sent here to hunt this whale and that's exactly what we're going to do and this time we won't you let interfere"the guy said "We're about this whale a new blowhole, fire!"the guy yelled and the two shot cannonballs.

Crocus jumped in the way though protecting the whale the lady laughed obnoxiously, "You're defiance is pointless"she said and laughed some more "Go ahead waste your time but make no mistake that hulking beast will provide food for our town"the guy laughed, Luffy punched them both however "What was that for?"Usopp asked "I just wanted to hit them"Luffy said, i felt that though, i would of sliced them up if Luffy hadn't done that, i mean how dare they try hurt this beautiful whale.

We tied up the weirdos and got Crocus out of the gastric acid and got on the small artificial island with the old man's house "I thank you for saving my life though i must ask why did you do it?"Crocus asked "I wasn't trying to save you there's just something about those two i didn't like"Luffy said "Maybe the obnoxious laugh?"i suggested, he ignored me trying to climb the tree "Okay i think it's time we got some answers, who are these guys? And how did you end up inside this whale?"Nami asked the two weirdos.

"These two are thugs from a nearby town looking for whale meat, if they caught him Laboon could feed the towns people two or three years easy, all their concerned with is filling their fat greedy bellies"Crocus said "Let me at em' i'll slice them up and serve them up for the town, we'll see how they like that"i growled but Zoro continued to hold me back, "Laboon?"Nami asked "That's the whales name, he's an unique and magnificent creature, an island whale one of the largest species on earth, one that can only be found in the West Blue, i won't allow them to slaughter him for food, it's a shame he's stuck here so far away from his domain you see there's a reason he keeps hitting himself on the Red Line and howling at Reverse Mountain"Crocus said.

I paused in my attempt at slaughtering the two weirdo's but Zoro continued to hold me not that i minded that "There is?"Nami asked "Yes to put it one way inside Laboon's body beats the heart of a human, he has most impatiently awaited and is eternally devoted to a certain band of pirate, going on fifty long years now, all who have seen Laboon ask the same questions, why does he continuously hits his body against the Red Line? Why does he keep howling at Reverse Mountain, listen closely and i will reveal to you Laboon's tragic story"Crocus said and started telling us the story.

"One fine sunny day while i was fulfilling my duties as the light house keeper some good natured pirates came down reverse mountain, they were followed by a baby whale, spry and chipper, who i'd soon come to know to as the one and only Laboon, he had developed a bond with the pirates travelling with them for much of their journey but knowing the dangers of the Grand Line the pirates chose to leave Laboon behind in the West Blue but the stubborn little whale followed them anyway, Island Whales are social animals that travel together in family groups, i suspect that Laboon had come to feel that those pirates were his family.

The ware and tear on the pirates ship was quite severe so they stayed here for several months, in that time i too was able to forge a close relationship with them thus when the day of their departure finally arrived, the captain asked me for a favor to look after Laboon until him and his men were done with their journey, he promised to come back for Laboon i'm certain that's the only reason he stayed, that was fifty long years ago"Crocus said finishing his story.

"Fifty years?"Sanji asked "So Laboon has been waiting all this time for his friends to return?" Usopp asked "No wonder he's upset that kind of wait would drive anyone crazy"Nami said, i frowned a bit, i knew, i could tell from Crocus' expression, those pirates were long dead, anyway the old man finally lead us out of the whale's stomach through canals "This is some canal, it's amazing the whale's still alive with a hole in his body"Zoro said.

"I suppose you're responsible for this?"Sanji asked Crocus "Just a doctor's playful mind"the old man said "I doubt that, with an animal this big it's more practical to treat them from the inside"i said, Crocus chuckled a bit "You're a very keen observer"he said as we arrived at another door, Crocus opened it up and we sailed out from the side of the whale "Don't you think fifty years is a bit extreme?"Usopp asked "Those pirates sure know how to test someone's patience"he said "Idiot, don't you get it? This is the Grand Line, his friends are dead, that whale can wait forever they won't be back"Sanji said "Sad to say but that's probably true, back in the day the Grand Line was unknown territory a thousand times more dangerous then it is today"i said.

"Why are you all being so pessimistic? You don't know that they're dead, they could still come back for him come on have some sympathy will ya? I thought it was very touching, i mean a whale still believing a promise his friends made despite all these years it's a true bond right pops?"Usopp asked Crocus "Indeed but the lesson here is that reality is cruel, Laboon's cohorts aren't dead the truth is they abounded their quest, i learned that they turned tail and left the Grand Line"Crocus said.

"I don't believe it i mean why leave him like that?"Usopp asked, i don't know thinking about the story Crocus told us, it seemed to me like the pirates would never leave their friend and even if they are dead, who knows the world is a big place and Devil Fruits are full of mysteries, "You say they left the Grand Line? Do you know if they made it through the Calm Belt alive?"Nami asked Crocus "I can't claim to know exactly what became of them but i doubt they'll ever come back here again"Crocus said.

"Seasons, weather, currents, wind direction on the Grand Line these elements seem to defy the very laws of nature, common sense is useless and the terror of that fact can be quite over whelming"Crocus said "Well i wouldn't say that, you just need to expand your expectations and be ready for anything and you can think your way out of any situation logically"i said, Crocus chuckled a bit again "Anyway if i got this straight what you're saying is these pirates were a bunch of cowards who cared about saving their own asses then keeping a promise to a friend"Sanji said "Why would anyone abandon such a loyal creature? Just look at him, it's cruelty on a grand scale"Usopp said.

"That's just how some people are"i said with a bit of a shrug "If you've known all this why haven't you told Laboon? he can obviously communicate with you, he seems to understand humans quite well for a whale"Nami said, yeah that's cause all animals are much smarter then humans give them credit for "I did tell him down to the last miserable detail, but he wouldn't hear any of it and since then he started bashing himself on the Red Line and howling at Reverse Mountain, it's as if he believes that wall is what keeps his friends away and by braking it he can clear a path for their return"Crocus said.

"If that's the case why won't he just swim over it? He's clearly strong enough to swim against the current, right?"i asked Crocus "Perhaps but he still continues to bash away at the Red Line"he said "I admire his dedication"Sanji said "He never gave up on them"Usopp said "He refuses to believe me cause then he'd have to admit that it's over and that terrifies him more then anything, there's no way for him to go back to the West Blue so what we have is a paradox of tragic proportions, Laboon is a lost soul dying to live with his friends but won't stop killing himself to reach them"Crocus said.

"Still for all the grief those pirates put him through they did the same with you by saddling you with their burden"Sanji said pausing to take a drag of his cigarette "I mean you've done enough for Laboon, what about you?"Sanji asked "The scars on his hide are deep, those in his heart are even deeper, he needs someone to tend to his wounds and i'm all he's got, for years he's battered himself while i've patched him up a strange friendship but it works"Crocus said.

Luffy ran past us yelling "What the hell is that idiot up to?"Sanji wondered outloud "You gotta watch him every second"Zoro said, "We've been watching him and look what happens"Sanji said, Luffy struck Laboon with the mast "You think he's aware that's our mast?"Zoro asked "And now it's on top of a whale"Sanji said "Why did he do that?"Usopp asked with a sigh "Luffy! How dare you hurt Laboon!!! Get down here so i can cut you!"i yelled at him before the whale went crazy.

And for whatever reason Luffy was fighting Laboon back "You wanna let us in on your plan before you kill yourself?!"Zoro asked yelling at him "It's a draw"Luffy said as the whale was charging at him "I'm stronger then i look, i can always tell when someone's itching for a fight well if you wanna battle, i'll gladly give you one, your shipmates used to rough house with you right? Well i can rival anything they threw at ya, tell you want after me and my friends travel the Grand Line we'll come back here and find you, and then you better be ready for a rematch"Luffy said, Laboon cried from happiness.

Anyway we docked the ship near the shore so Usopp could start fixing it as Luffy drew our mark on Laboon, while that was going on Zoro insisted i get checked by Crocus for having swam in gastric acid, of course i put up a fight just to annoy him but eventually i agreed, i wanted to show him how his stubborn tendency to ignore wounds really worries me but i guess i'm not as stubborn as him.

"Are you and that swordsman together in some way?"Crocus asked as he was checking me "No! Ugh why does everyone ask that?"i asked "Maybe because it seems like you two are already a couple"Crocus said "Well we are not, we're just friends"i said "You sound sad when you say that"he said, i sighed a bit "It's complicated, i do have thoughts and feelings like that about him, it's just that, there isn't always ugh"i sighed dropping it not finding the right words "It's just that you're playing relationship chicken and you're both too proud to see who will dodge first"Crocus said.

I thought about what he said, it made perfect sense, though fat chance i'm going to give in first, "You're good to go"Crocus said after a while "Thank you"i said and gave him a smile putting my shirt back on and walking out Zoro immediately walked over to me "What he say?"he asked "I'm good to go"i smiled at him "Good"he smiled back, "Hey not bad!"Luffy said apparently done with his painting even though it looked terrible "Consider this a symbol of my promise to come do battle with you"Luffy said "Of course it's a rush paint job so you'll have to be careful and avoid hitting your head or you'll rub it off understand?"Luffy asked, Laboon made a noise as if to say yes "Good whale"Luffy said grinning.

Zoro went back to the ship for his nap while i chatted with Laboon and even hugged the huge whale to the best of my abilities, i just loved animals, anyway then i heard Nami screaming which scared Laboon off "What's up Nami? You're nail broke or something?"i teasingly asked going over since Laboon had left, she gave me a look "The compass is broken"she said and looking at it the needle was going around in circles.

"Oh there's nothing wrong with it"i said "What do you mean? It's spinning around like crazy" Nami said "That's cause conventional compasses like that don't work on the Grand Line"i said "And why is that?"Nami asked, i went to answer when Crocus stepped in "Because we are surrounded by a powerful magnetic field, the islands here have magnetic minerals which cause all sorts of abnormalities, also the winds and currents lack constancy in their patterns as a navigator i'm sure you can appreciate this delema"he said.

"In laymen's terms each island has their own unique magnetic signature"i said "It seems you know a thing or two about the Grand Line"Crocus remarked "Oh yeah, i've been all over the Grand Line while growing up"i said "So you grew up here?"Crocus asked "Mostly"I shrugged "So anyway how do we tell direction?"Nami asked bringing the focus back on the topic at hand "With a log pose"i said "Log pose, i've never heard of it"Nami said "It's a specially designed compass that can record levels of magnetism"Crocus said "Is it strange looking?"Luffy asked.

"Why yes it does have an odd shape"Crocus said "Something like this?"Luffy asked holding up a log pose, where'd he get that "Yes exactly, only a fool would attempt to travel the Grand Line without one"Crocus said "I see, excuse me"Nami said before punching Luffy "Why didn't you tell me you have one of those log things?!"she asked "I found it on the deck just laying there, those two weirdo's must have dropped it"Luffy said "Why'd you hit me?"he asked "Felt like it"Nami said "Oh"Luffy said.

Nami took the log pose "Wait there isn't a dial face on this thing"Nami said "You don't need one, it's a special brand of magnetism that runs through the Grand Line islands, complete with it's own set of rules that makes it possible to get around, by recording the level of magnetism between two islands you can chart a route from one island to the next, the log pose method is really the only choice since the magnetism here presents huge problems to conventional navigation, as it turns out Reverse Mountain is a great starting point, it produces seven levels of magnetism but it doesn't matter which one you chose to start with eventually they all will form back together into one route and the island at the end of that route is Raftel, a place of mystery, it's very existence only confirmed by the King of the Pirates Gold Roger himself"Crocus said.

"That's it that's where the One Piece is hidden"Usopp said grinning excitedly "That's the most prominent theory but no one has ever reached Raftel since"Crocus said "Don't worry we'll know soon enough"Luffy said, i decided to walk off right then and over to the ship where Zoro was still napping, i shook his shoulder a bit "Zoro?"i called but he wasn't waking up, i got a thought and put my swords to the side and leaned on his chest going for a nap of my own.

Chapter Text

~Zoro~

I eventually woke up and stretched a bit when i noticed a weight leaning on me, i looked over and felt my entire face burn as i saw it was Nicole napping on me, she knew exactly what to do to push my buttons, she knew how to play this game but i wasn't giving in not by a long shot.

~Nicole~

I felt someone shaking me and woke up, i yawned a bit and smiled at Zoro "Morning"i greeted "Care to explain why you decided to sleep on me?"he asked "I don't have a problem with you sleeping on me"i said "That's not the point!"he said "Whoa what got into you?"i asked, but in truth i knew exactly what i was doing "Why you!"Zoro growled "Hold that thought the others are down"i said just noticing that.

Zoro sighed a bit dropping it "Come on guys i know the weathers nice but that's no reason to be lazy"he said to them "We better be on the right track that's all i can say"he added, i snickered a bit, he had no idea how hard that actually was, then he noticed those two weirdos, i had noticed them earlier but completely forgot about them at the moment "What are you two doing here?" Zoro asked them.

"We're on a side mission to take them home to a town called Whiskey Peak"Luffy said seemingly the only one who wasn't completely tired out "Since when did we become a transport service for thugs? We don't owe them anything"Zoro said "I dunno"Luffy simply said, i sighed a bit before turning my attention to the weirdos as Zoro questioned them but not really paying full attention to it as i also noticed Nami walking over to us and bonking us both in the head, though i just barely dodged and acted like i was hit when i really wasn't.

"You jerks you think you can just sleep while the rest of us do all the work? And Nicole you could have warned me about the crazy weather! You're lucky we didn't toss your lazy asses over board!"Nami yelled at us "Didn't Crocus warn you though? Or were you just not paying attention? Perhaps you thought it couldn't possibly be that bad and was foolish enough to take your eyes of the Log Pose?"I asked, Nami didn't reply just looked away.

"Listen up Nami cause i'm only telling this to you once, drive it into your thick skull like a screw and never forget, always check your Log Pose at least once every minute, trust nothing except your instincts and keep your eyes pealed, there are worst things on this sea then the weather"i told her, she sighed a bit before facing the others.

"Listen up everyone, there's no way to know what happens next, during the terror most of us just experienced i came to learn why this sea was called the Grand Line, Nicole's words drove that lesson in, my navigation skills are useless here, anything can happen but mark my words i will guide us through!"Nami said a new determination burning in her, to beat the Grand Line's unpredictable weather and guide us through all they way to Raftel.

"You sure about that Nami?"Usopp asked "Without a doubt we're gonna be fine, just wait and see"Nami smiled "Speaking of which we're here, our first journey on the Grand Line comes to an end"she said pointing out that we were closing in on an island with giant cacti, i was excited to set foot on new land as well, even having lived the majority of my life in the Grand Line even i haven't been on every island and this was one of them, then i grew a hunch we were on a route with islands i've never even seen before.

"It's an island!"Luffy said grinning excitedly "So this is Whiskey Peak, the landscape is unlike anything i've ever seen"Sanji said "Whoa those cactuses are humongous"Luffy said, the two weirdos jumped of swimming the rest of the way but who cares about them we were about to make landfall "Hope there's a water way right up to the shoreline, it looks like we can go inland by ship"Nami said "Um i'm weighing the possibility of monsters out there how likely is that Nicole?"Usopp asked "I'd say about ninety seven percent"i said, although i'd say that about every island on the Grand Line regardless of size or that it seems uninhabitable, life finds a way.

"No problem if we find monsters we can just leave"Luffy said "Except not actually, it's imperative we stay on this island until the Log Pose can record the next heading, which can take just a few hours or even years depending on different islands"i said "Suppose this island is crawling with monsters but we get stuck here waiting for years, that's stupid we'd be done for, what's the point of gathering navigation coordinates if you're dead?"Usopp asked whimpering a bit.

"We're staying"Nami said "Let's not think about the monsters until we have to, they're not even there"Luffy said "As strange as this seems i agree, there's no need to worry yet"Zoro said "Now that that's settled let's get going and i'll keep you safe Nami, Nicole"Sanji said "Thanks but i can handle myself Sanji"i told him "I don't think i'll be able to make it with this cold, it's a condition really you guys should just go on without me"Usopp said "Alright let's get ready and make sure you're prepared to run as well as fight"Nami said.

Usopp was muttering about something but we all ignored him as we sailed into the fog but i could see people on the shore "I don't like this"i muttered standing next to Zoro "Same here we best be on our guard"Zoro said, the fog started to clear and we were greeted by a cheering crowd "Okay something is definitely up"i said "Who do they think would fall for this?"Zoro asked "Let's play along for now though"he added, i nodded in agreement dropping my guard.

We made landfall docking the Going Merry at the shore "Welcome my name is Igarappoi and it is my honor as major to welcome you to Whiskey Peak"a man with his hair curled said "Oh great, nice to meet you, i'm Luffy, nice hair i like the curls"he said "You'll find that this is a place that thrives on making liquor and music, hospitality is a matter of pride in our town, the smiles run long and the liquor flows as bountiful as sea water, would you permit us to throw a party in your arrival so that we may hear"the man cut himself off to clear his throat.

"Your tales of adventure"he said finishing the sentence "We'd be glad to!"Luffy, Usopp and Sanji said before dancing off, i sweatdropped, apparently they are stupid enough to fall for this "By the way how long until the log pose records this island's magnetic field?"Nami asked "Oh such boring details will have to keep for now surely you'd like to rest after your journey"the man said grabbing Nami "Now let's prepare to party sing and be merry entertain our guest!"he said.

The preparations went off right away and by nightfall everyone was partying, Igarappoi the major offered us drinks "Please don't hold back on my account drink up"he said "Oh no thanks, i don't drink"Nami said trying to refuse "Don't worry"the major said before clearing his throat again "Don't you worry what you have there is a very special drink made by using only the sweetest premium grapes, it contains all the flavor benefits of a fine wine but zero alcohol"the major said.

I scoffed a bit "You call that a drink? Come back when you have a hard liquor"i said but took a sip of the drink anyway "It's delicious"Nami said "We had an excellent harvest this year and to celebrate that harvest our traditional toast competition!"the major said and the people cheered "It's simple make a toast take a drink this continues for as long as you can hold your liquor last one standing is the winner, join us!"the major said "No thanks, you go ahead i rather watch the competition"Nami said, the major mentioned a price and Nami flipped her attitude just like that.

The competition got started and we started pounding back one drink after another, i wasn't that interested in the money but Zoro and i have drinking competitions all the time, i refused to lose my winning streak "Holy shit! That other girl is already on mug thirteen!"i heard someone yell from the crowd as i finished another mug "You losers ain't got nothing on me!"i yelled getting another mug and pounding it back.

"That's it i'm calling it quits"Zoro muttered falling on the table after thirteen mugs, i laughed "Oh yeah! The winning streak continues, eat it Zoro!"i yelled before going down laying my head on his back having finished fifteen mugs.

~skip~

After a while everything went quiet "Hey you awake?"i heard Zoro whisper to me "Of course, i mean zero alcohol? And they were planning to drink us under the table with that flimsy excuse"i whispered back getting off him, he chuckled a bit getting up "Let's go have a chat with them shall we?"he asked with a smirk, i smirked back "We shall, i have a few choice words about the crappy drink"i said, we went to the roof and listened to them discussing their plans, Zoro drew one of his swords and held it up against the moon light "Hey"he called to the group.

~Third~

"Sorry to interrupt but you mind letting my friends sleep? They've had a long day and the journey was exhausting or so i've been told"Zoro said sitting on the roof of the building, Nicole standing next to him in a pose the moonlight illuminating them all cool and badass like "hey Mr. 8, miss Monday two of them escaped the room while we weren't looking!"some guy said "Ugh they're right over there"miss Wednesday said looking up at Zoro and Nicole.

"Sneaky wrench, you should have stayed asleep with your friends"Igarappoi rather Mr. 8 said "A good swordsman never makes the mistake of putting their guard down plus we took a nap earlier"Nicole said as Zoro stood up as more people appeared below "Judging by the scowled and cheap disguises i'm guessing you're all bounty hunters, your specialty is robbing drunk pirates who fall for your hospitality it's original i'll give you that at least"Zoro said.

"Speaking of that drink you'd think these guys would at least have the decency of getting proper booze"Nicole added "I count a hundred of you scumbags give or take and i'll fight all of you, you hear me Baroque Works?"Zoro asked "You will not! I didn't come up here just to look cool i'm fighting too!"Nicole yelled at him "Fine you can take half"Zoro grumbled with a sigh "That's better" Nicole nodded "How do you know our name?!"Mr.8 asked shocked by both Zoro's knowledge.

"I used to be in a similar line of work once upon a time, your company tried to entice me with a job offer, naturally i said no, do the same rules still apply? Employee identities kept secret, cheesy code names, the bosses identity and whereabouts are also a mystery? Baroque Works the criminal group that fatefully carries out their orders like herded sheep"Zoro chuckled a bit "That's some secret"he said.

"It's kinda ridiculous actually"Nicole said "This is a surprise, if you know all of our secrets we're left with no other choice but to kill you and two more gravestones shall be added to the cactus rocks tonight"Mr.8 said "Oh i'm so scared"Nicole said sarcastically and smirked "Kill them!"Mr.8 ordered but the two had already disappeared.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Kill them!"Mr.8 ordered but the two had already disappeared, they reappeared amidst the crowd standing back to back with Zoro looking up at where they had been previously and Nicole looking at the ground for no particular reason, the two smirked as Baroque Works aimed at them "Who do you think you are?!"one asked "Fire!"another said but the two had already disappeared again.

"Incompetent morons they just shot each other"Mr.8 said "Yeah and the pirates got away"Mr.9 said "Just kill them, it shouldn't be this hard to kill just two people!"Mr.8 yelled

Zoro and Nicole reappeared behind Mr.8 each holding a sword through his curled hair "Ask yourself"Zoro said a smile on his face "Will you really need only two gravestones?"Nicole finished up with a smirk "There they are now!"one of the agents said taking aim "No wait! Don't shoot! You're going to shoot me!Stop!"Mr.8 yelled before making his attack, Nicole and Zoro slipped off disappearing again "Alright you idiots where did they escape to this time?"Mr.8 asked.

"So that things a weapon huh?"Zoro asked sighing a bit "Seems so, gotta admit though they have some creative tricks up their sleeves"Nicole said as they were hiding.

"It seems as though these guys might actually be able to put up a fight even against us"Mr.9 said while miss Monday was cracking her knuckles "Who do they think they are? Taking us all on with just the two of them? What kind of crazy person would even consider it? Knowing that all of us are Baroque Works"Mr.8 wondered outloud.

"They couldn't have gone far, let's find them men!"one of the agents yelled as Baroque Works set off to find Nicole and Zoro who were still hiding in the same spot "Ah yes my new recruits from Roguetown"Zoro said as if recalling he had three swords "Are you going to try them out?" Nicole asked "Yeah this is the perfect opportunity for just that"Zoro said with a smirk "I've got you now!"a guy yelled from the roof aiming a gun at the pair, Zoro grabbed Nicole diving into the building, Nicole got out of his hold as more people showed up, Zoro kicked a table to its side and the two dove behind it "Looks like it's time to split"Zoro said over the gun fire "Yeah, see you on the other side"Nicole said and kissed his cheek before they split.

~Nicole~

"They split! After them!"i heard the agents yell and saw about half of them coming after me "Catch me if you can boys!"i yelled back dodging their gun fire and once i deemed i was far enough i turned to them with a smirk "Now then come at me!"i said and charged at them.

~skip~

I noticed none of the executives had followed me once the dust settled from my fight, however i was sure Zoro could handle them and went to find him, i soon found him on a roof with a bottle in his hand, i just sat next to him "You took your time, weren't you worried?"he asked with a smirk "Please, i knew you could handle those jokers"i said gesturing over to the beaten executives i saw on the ground.

Then i noticed and got a closer look "You've got a scratch right there"i said touching his temple, Zoro gently pushed me a bit back and i saw he was blushing "It's fine, like you said it's just a scratch"he said "Well at least let me clean it"i said "Fine"he sighed, i smirked a bit and leaned in kissing his temple.

~Zoro~

My heart was racing, why was Nicole being more affectionate all of the sudden? This is more then just her usual teasing, wait, i get it now, she wants me to be the first one to give in so she's being more affectionate, well nice try but i'm not going to crumble that easily.

~Nicole~

I pulled back, Zoro was still blushing, i smirked a bit "All done"i said staying close to his face having a stare off before our moment was interrupted when Zoro and i noticed the executives he beat were still conscious, we watched as two others from Baroque Works walked over, Zoro and i may have been on the roof but i heard everything that they said.

"Three of you lost to a single pirate now that's just sad"the guy with the weird afro said "Mr.5, miss Valentine"the curly haired guy said "Really can't do your job hm?"afro guy asked "Well that's clearly the difference in our rank and yours"the girl with the parasol said "You came here just to laugh at us?"curly haired guy asked "Nah that's a bonus"afro guy said, the parasol girl laughed "We're here under the bosses orders"she said.

"With you guy here we can finally defeat him, he doesn't stand a chance against you"the crown guy said "That's right let's track him down and show him what Baroque Works can really do"the blue haired girl said "Seriously miss Wednesday stop with the jokes, we didn't come here to clean up your mess"afro guy said "You'd really think we'd come all the way here to hold your hands? ugh, you're even more pitiful then you look"parasol girl said.

"But then what mission are you here for?"crown guy asked "You mean you haven't figured it out? There are people here who's crimes against the company are grave enough that the boss has sent us to deal with them, he says someone has learned his secrets, i don't know what secrets exactly and i don't wanna know obviously, someone else did, but knowing them is against company rules or motto is mystery, everyone's identities are kept strictly secret no matter who they are and if someone is dumb enough to nose around the bosses business well then, that's a crime punishable by death"afro guy said.

"So while we were conducting research into who had found out the bosses secret we learned something, it turns out a rather high ranking individual from a certain kingdom has somehow managed to infiltrate Baroque Works"parasol girl said "A kingdom? Wait wait hold on a second i maybe wearing a crown but i'm not a king or anything like that i swear it's just a innocent little hobby"crown guy said.

"Shut up you idiot!"parasol girl yelled at him "You still don't get it we need the people from Alabasta they're the ones that angered the boss"afro guy said "Alabasta?"Zoro muttered "Yeah, it's a desert kingdom"i said before there was an explosion "You will not lay a hand upon our princess! Not while the captain of Alabasta security still stands!"curly hair guy yelled "Well this escalated quickly"i muttered "Yeah and i left Luffy down there with them"Zoro said "Come on then we gotta get him out of there"i said climbing down "Right"Zoro said following me.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

Zoro and i climbed down and grabbed Luffy in the commotion and dragged him with us as we ran away from the fight, but stopped as there was an explosion "Did that just come out of his nose?"Zoro wondered grossed out "Ew"i muttered "Hey what are you doing?!"Zoro asked i looked and saw it was curly hair grabbing his ankle "Swordsman i have a most unreasonable request but i need someone with strength such as yours"curly hair said.

"Yeah right you gotta be kidding would you let go of me!"Zoro said trying to pull his leg out "Both of those villains possess Devil Fruit powers and there's nothing i can do to stop them, that's what i'm begging you now please protect princess Vivi of Alabasta in my place!"curly hair said "Surely you will be rewarded if you can deliver princess Vivi safely to our noble kingdom of Alabasta, i'm just a humble servant but i'm begging you to do this! Please protect the princess, i beg you!" curly hair said before coughing up blood.

"Forget it! I'm not helping you until a few minutes ago you were still trying to kill me! What do you think i am a fool?!"Zoro yelled at him "So about this reward, i'll take it alright, how does a billion berries sound?"Nami asked appearing sitting on the roof "What did you say?"curly hair asked "I thought you were asleep"Zoro said "Give me some credit"Nami said jumping down "Who in their right mind in a town that welcomes pirates like Whiskey Peak, it's an obvious trap" Nami said.

"Ugh whatever"Zoro sighed "So why don't you go ahead and promise us that one billion beri reward huh captain? Because if we don't agree to help your precious princess then she's probably gonna die"Nami said with a smirk "I'm just a simple solder i cannot promise such an immense reward"curly hair said "Surely you're not suggesting your princess' life is worth less the that, right?"Nami asked, i sweatdropped a bit watching her "Doesn't really fight fair does she?"Zoro asked "Nope, but you gotta do what you gotta do"i said shrugging a bit.

"I can't promise anything but if you're willing to deliver the princess to Alabasta then you'd best negotiate the terms of the reward directly with her"curly hair said "Which means i have to save her first huh?"Nami asked "Please understand her life is in danger"curly hair said "Oh alright i'll go ahead and save your darling princess for now"Nami said delighting curly hair.

"Well Zoro go get her!"Nami said, i sweatdropped a bit "Screw that no!If you wanna make money then fine but you don't have to involve me in it!"Zoro yelled at her "Don't be stupid and stubborn, the money i make is certainly mine but the contracts that i make benefit all of us, why cannot see that?"Nami asked, i bonked Zoro on the head "Why'd you hit me?!"he yelled turning to me "Just go do it already"i told him with a slight glare, Zoro grumbled a bit "Fine!"he yelled stomping off.

"Whoa, very nice Nicole, how did you do that?"Nami asked "Zoro is stubborn but i know how to push his buttons"i said with a small smirk "I'm so ashamed if i had been stronger i could of protected princess Vivi like she deserves, if anything were to happen to her, the kingdom of Alabasta, it would be done for, she must escape she has to"curly hair said his eyes tearing up.

"You've got nothing to worry about curly hair, Zoro's still far from my level but he's closer then most, as for you, should of, could of, would of, are pointless to worry about, learn from them and grow stronger for the future"i said looking over my shoulder at him, then i also noticed it, Luffy was gone! But i wasn't too worried, he certainly could handle himself.

~skip~

There was quite the ruckus going on so me and Nami went to check it out, i sweatdropped a bit seeing Luffy and Zoro fighting each other, the air seemed to swirl around them as they went for the final attack when Nami stepped in punching both of them "Stop!"she yelled at them "You two what are you doing here? You're lucky you managed to keep the girl safe, you almost lost us all a billion berries"Nami said walking over to the two boys, i followed

"You understand?!"Nami asked picking them both up "What do you mean? What berries? I don't understand why did you save me?"blue haired girl asked as the boys were still fighting "About that, i think we need to have a little chat, see you and i have to work out a contract for a reward" Nami said before punching the boys again telling them to knock it off.

~skip~

Once the boys came too Zoro and i explained the situation to our idiot captain who just laughed it off, i was sitting on the crate Zoro was leaning on with Luffy sitting on a barrel across from us "Why didn't you just say so Zoro! I was figuring you beat up those guys cause they didn't make any food you liked"Luffy said while Nami explained the deal we made with curly hair "Who in their right mind would think that?!"Zoro asked yelling at him, Luffy laughed again "What a funny mix up"he said "Guys shut up!"Nami yelled at them before turning to the princess "Well there you have it in exchange for taking you home i'd like on billion berries, you saw who strong these two guys are and Nicole is no slacker, if you ask me it isn't a bad deal"she said.

"No i can't, i appreciate the help you've given me so far"the princess said "Why not? You're a princess after all so aren't you rich?"Nami asked "I think she means one billion berries is asking for too much"i cut in, the princess nodded in agreement.

"Alabasta is a great nation, a peaceful kingdom at least it used to be"she said "Used to be? And now?"Nami asked "We're in the middle of a civil war, in recent years signs of discontent began to appear, finally the people revolted and the kingdom fell into utter chaos, the one day i learned of a secret organisation called Baroque Works, i found out our people were being manipulated by this organisation but that was the only information i could gather about them i didn't know what to do so i went to Igaram for help, you see he's kept a close eye on me ever since i was a child"the princess said.

"Old tube hair man?"Luffy asked "Tube? Oh yes, i asked him if he'd help me infiltrate Baroque Works so that i could see who was pulling the strings behind the scenes and what exactly they were up to"the princess said "You've got some guts considering you're a princess"Zoro said, i wasn't that impressed, yet, "So were you able to find out what their plan was?"Zoro asked, the princess nodded "To create an ideal nation anyway that's what Igaram said it was, is that what you found out?"Nami asked.

"It's not that was only the cover story the boss was using, it's a lie to cover their tracks their true goal is to take over Alabasta Kingdom"the princess said, i don't know, something didn't sit right with me about either plan "I have to get back somehow to warn everybody to tell the truth and stop the fighting, if i don't do something if i don't tell them"the princess said crying a bit "Okay i get it, i see how it is, yeah it's all starting to make sense now, i suppose you wouldn't have much money laying around during a civil war"Nami said.

"Hey, so did you find out who's in charge?"Luffy asked, the princess gasped "What? The bosses identity?! You should ask that!"she yelled at him "But you know don't you?"Luffy asked "Ask me anything else, if i tell you, your lives will be put in danger too!"the princess said, Nami laughed a bit "Yeah i'll pass this guy is trying to take over an entire country after all, wouldn't want someone like that chasing after me"she said.

"No you don't, i don't care how strong you people are you wouldn't stand a chance against one of the seven war lords of the sea, against Crocodile"the princess said, my eyes widened a bit, i knew that name very well considering he's a part of the same group as my father "Who now?" Luffy asked before the princess went into shock having realized what she let slip "You had to say it"Zoro grumbled, then we noticed an otter and a vulture just before they flew off.

Nami started yelling at the princess shaking her around "Hey a warlord that's cool, have you met him Nicole?"Luffy asked instantly getting excited "Nah, my dad never took me to their meetings so i haven't met any of the other warlords, he's told me about them though and their abilities"i said, Nami was still going at the yelling when Luffy laughed "Being hunted by a warlord in the Grand Line that's more then i can handle!"Nami cried "So when do we get to see this guy?"Zoro wondered "I wonder what he looks like"Luffy said.

"Shut up you!!"Nami yelled before she started walking off "It's been nice knowing you idiots thanks for everything!"she said walking off "Where are you going?!"Luffy yelled after her "They don't know what i look like yet! I'm leaving!"she yelled back even though that otter and vulture had just seen our faces and were probably drawing them down already "I'm really sorry"the princess said "She'll get over it"Luffy said "Where was she planning on going anyway? Well then it looks like the four of us are gonna be sitting right at the very top of Baroque Works hit list"Zoro said with a smirk.

"That sounds awesome"Luffy grinned laughing "Maybe i can finally get in a real fight"I said, Nami was super depressed, the princess tried to comfort her by offering money "You have nothing to fear"i looked over to see curly hair, dressed like the princess, i sweatdropped, who does he think he's fooling with that "It's going to be alright princess i've come up with a plan" curly hair said.

"Igaram what are you?"the princess asked going over to him "That's a really funny outfit old guy"Luffy said laughing a bit "Princess Vivi please listen to me carefully once Baroque Works intelligence network learns of what happened here agents will be sent after you immediately and since they are aware you've learned the bosses true identity you must"curly hair was cut off.

"Yes knowing them, they'll send a thousand agents after me"the princess said "Thus my plan, disguised like this i will pretend to be you, i'll take these dummies and i will sail a straight course to Alabasta"curly hair said "So these things are us?"Luffy asked "A decoy"Zoro said, while i doubted anyone would be stupid enough to fall for that but decided not to voice this doubt, "While Baroque Works is busy chasing after me the rest of you will head to Alabasta kingdom following a less direct route"curly hair said.

"Hold on just a second, who said we were gonna take her with us we still haven't discussed the matter of payment"Nami said "Wait a second payment for what? Take her where?"Luffy asked "Haven't you been paying any attention? Curly hair wants us to take the princess back to her kingdom"i said "Oh is that what all this yelling is about? Sure thing"Luffy said "Crocodile may already be after us!"Nami yelled "Is this Crocodile guy really that dangerous?"Luffy asked.

"He's one of the seven warlords of the sea, a legally recognized pirate and because of that fact he has no bounty on his head, however long ago his bounty was worth eighty million berries" curly hair said, i scoffed a bit, that's nothing my dad used to have a bounty much higher then that (A/N: pure speculation, i might come back and edit if Oda ever released official bounties for the warlords which i honestly think he will given what's happened in recent arcs) "Eighty million?! That's four times Arlong's bounty! There's no way!"Nami yelled.

"Will you do this for us?"curly hair asked "Sure it sounds like it'll be fun"Luffy said as he grinned "We are forever grateful"curly hair said and we went with him to a ship docked on the side of the island, curly hair changed his voice to sound more effeminate "Now i Vivi will leave you here"he said, i sweatdropped again "Who does he think would ever fall for this?"i muttered under my breath but it seemed no one heard me as Luffy laughed "Great imitation old guy"he said.

"Imitation of who?"Zoro asked, my point exactly no one sane would fall for this, "Princess please give me the Eternal Pose"curly hair said his voice back to normal and she did "What's an Eternal Pose?"Nami asked "You've never heard of it? You could say it's a permanent version of the log pose, where as a log pose will always lead sailors to the next island on the course an eternal pose will forever remember the magnetic energy of the island that is stored inside it so it will always point to that island and none other and this eternal pose is set to Alabasta kingdom" curly hair said.

"Oh yeah i've seen one of those before, Nicole sometimes is looking at one that reads Kuraigana"Nami said, i nodded "Home sweet home"i simply said "Princess Vivi, please take the indirect island hoping route to Alabasta, i have never gone that way myself but you should only pass two or three islands if you follow the log"curly hair said before turning to Luffy "Please take care of the princess in my absence"curly hair said "Yeah!"Luffy said "Igaram"the princess said looking quite sad as she looked at curly hair.

"I expect that your journey is going to be a difficult one please be careful"curly hair said looking back at the princess, it seemed like she was going to say something but instead shook hands with curly hair "See you soon"she said, we watched him sail off "And off he goes, he was such a funny old man"Luffy said "What's more he's a very reliable old man"the princess said, yeah just not a smart one, seriously who did he think he was fooling with those dummies, my point was proven as the boat exploded.

"They're already after us, that's impossible!"Nami yelled, Luffy grabbed his hat as it was blown off by the explosion and growled as he stomped off "Nami the log!"Zoro said "Uh it's all set" Nami said checking the log.

"Get the girl, come on let's go!"Zoro yelled running off, i looked back to the princess before following him, we caught up with Luffy, Zoro told him to get Usopp and Sanji "I'm on it!"Luffy said going to go get them as Zoro and i headed to the Going Merry, once we reached the ship some duck was already on board but ignoring that Zoro and i got the ship ready to sail.

"Hey i got them!"Luffy yelled coming over to the ship having dragged Usopp and Sanji with him "Bring them up we're ready to go!"Zoro yelled over to him "We don't have time to look for him!"i heard Nami yell "I'm not just going to leave him here"the princess said "But listen!"Nami said "Hey what's the problem?"Zoro asked them "Apparently her duck's gone missing and now she's refusing to leave without him!"Nami yelled back "You mean this duck?!"i asked pointing at the little cutie who quaked in greeting.

"He's here?!"Nami and the princess asked "Made it here before either of us"i said as Zoro dropped the rope ladder down "There's a tributary just up the river if we take it we can get out to sea faster"the princess said after climbing up and on board "Alright let's go!"Luffy said as i dropped the sail and we set off, i climbed back down and on deck "Hey how many people do you think Baroque Works will send after us?"Zoro asked walking over to the princess "I'm not sure, i know there are about two thousand loyal employees in the Baroque Works and i've heard there are several bases like this one set up around the area"she said.

"We can expect at least half of those employees coming after us, let's hope we don't run into any bases though, it'll be much easier to escape them if we're at sea"i said, Usopp and Sanji finally woke up and started yelling about whatever but i ignored them and Nami took care of it by "explaining" the situation, the sun was finally rising as we reached the sea but this was no time to relax our guard.

Then a mystery woman appeared on our ship "What who's that?"Zoro asked, i put my hand on one of my swords, the vibe i got from this woman, i didn't like it, "It's you!"the princess said "I just ran into your dear Mr.8 a little ways back, he didn't look so good"the mystery woman said "So you killed Igaram"the princess said "You! What are you doing on my ship and how did you get here?! Who are you?!"Luffy yelled at the mystery woman.

"Answer him, what are you doing here? Miss All Sunday"the princess said, so another Baroque Works agent and she seemed a lot stronger then ones we've faced until now "So you know who she is?Which of the number guys is she partnered with?"Nami asked the princess "Her partner is Mr. Zero, the boss"the princess said "Crocodile's her partner?!"Nami asked, no wonder she seems so strong, "She's a bad guy?"Luffy asked "She was the only one who knew the bosses identity, that's how we found out, by following her back to him"the princess said.

"To be accurate i allowed it"the mystery woman said "So she's a good guy then?"Luffy asked "I know you knew we were there, you were the one who told the boss what we knew weren't you?"the princess asked "That's right"the mystery woman said "Alright then she is bad"Luffy said, i sweatdropped a bit why should that matter? "Luffy would you cut it out already"Zoro said.

"You still haven't told us what you're doing here!"the princess yelled "Alright, you were just so serious about the whole thing i couldn't help myself, a princess doing whatever it is to help her country while making herself an enemy of Baroque Works, the idea was just so ridiculous"the mystery woman said "You killed him!"the princess yelled as we got ready to fight this mystery woman.

"Stop pointing those things at me"the mystery woman said knocking the weapons out of our hands, "She's eaten a Devil Fruit"i said knowing this strange power was only possible through something like that "But which one? What's her power?"Nami asked "No there's no need to get so excited, you can calm down i haven't been given any orders to follow here i have no reason to fight you"the mystery woman said taking Luffy's straw hat.

"So you're the captain, i've heard so much about you Monkey D. Luffy"the mystery woman said "Give me my hat back you want me to come up there and take it?!"Luffy yelled at her super angry "You are a bad person i demand you leave this instant!"Usopp said appearing behind the mast "Bad luck, picking up a princess who Baroque Works' has already made up their mind to see eliminated, protected by a mere handful of pirates"mystery woman said.

"But your luck gets even worse because of the direction your log pose is indicating, you see, the name of the next island is Little Garden"mystery woman said, now that i had definitely heard of but never been "We won't even have to lift a finger, you'll all be dead long before you reach Alabasta, you don't think it's a little foolish allowing yourselves to be wiped out?"mystery woman asked tossing an Eternal Pose to the princess and Luffy's hat back to him.

"Using that you can skip right past Little Garden without stopping straight to an island near Alabasta the pose points to a place called Nanimonashima, none of our agents know that course so you won't be followed"mystery woman said, an obvious trap, "Why are you giving this to us?"the princess asked "It's gotta be a trap"Zoro said "Oh does it?"mystery woman asked "Of course it does, and why should we take your word if you say it's not"i said "Forget your thingy we don't need it!"Luffy said braking the Eternal Pose.

Only to be kicked by Nami "You jerk! She just went out of our way to show an easier course to follow! Maybe she actually is trying to help us get away!"Nami yelled, "You aren't the one who decides where this ship goes"Luffy said looking at mystery woman "She blew up the funny old man who was nice so now i hate her"he said.

"I'm sorry to hear that and i'm sorry you didn't accept my offer, if you survive i hope that we'll meet again"mystery woman said before leaving on a giant turtle, the princess fell to her knees "That woman i don't have the slightest idea what's going through her head"she muttered "Then there's no point in thinking about it is there?"Nami asked "There's someone on this boat who's just like that"Zoro said referring to Luffy, i couldn't agree more.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

We had been sailing for a couple of days, i like usual was focused on my swords doing maintenance on them, it wasn't like these swords were brittle or anything i knew that and little nicks and scratches were inevitable, however those little nicks and scratches can pile up and then we're going to have troubles so i made sure to at least check my swords, and Zoro's whenever he let me, at least after every fight.

"Hey guys anyone care to sample my special drink?"Sanji called as he came over to me "This one is specially made for you Nicole my love!"he said hearts in his eyes as he offered the drink to me "Thanks"i smiled and took a sip "So? What do you think?"he asked "It's very nice"i told him and happened to glance at Zoro and noticed he was looking this way with jealousy before quickly looking away as he noticed i noticed, Sanji joined the other boys as i finished up the drink.

I put my swords back since they didn't need much work this time around and decided to join the others as we watched a dolphin jumping from the front of the deck but as the dolphin jumped over our ship, it was huge! "Let's go!"Luffy said and right away we all set into action, i helped Sanji and Usopp with the sail as Zoro went to steer "Okay hurry let's move!"Luffy called as we chased the dolphin.

"Get ready it's gonna be a big one!"Luffy called as the dolphin jumped again and we rode the wave forward, it was quite fun, "Nami which direction now?"Luffy asked "Give me a sec i'll check the log pose"Nami said "Port side full!"she called "Turning full!"i called back with the others as we turned the Going Merry back on course.

Soon after we saw an island in the horizon, Little Garden, we sailed closer to the island "I can see why they call this place Little Garden"Luffy said "I can't, what's so little about it"Zoro said "Yeah it looks like a jungle out there, maybe we'd be better off skipping this one"Usopp said "Did you forget already? We have to stay for the log pose"i said as the princess was muttering about something or whatever.

"Not to mention we're in dire need of restocking our food supply we didn't get so much as a sack of flour in the last town"Sanji said "Guy's there's our ticket in"Zoro said pointing out a river going further in sailing down the river "Think they'll have a barbecue restaurant here?"Luffy wondered "We didn't travel all this way for barbecue!"Sanji yelled at him "I thought the point of this visit was to get food?"Luffy asked.

"Food as in supplies we're going to cook later, geez what're you think?"Sanji asked "I don't know Usopp might be right about this one just take a look at the giant plan life here, i've never seen anything like it not even in books"Nami said when there was a loud screech, probably just a bird flying by but Nami and Usopp were freaked out.

"What was that screeching?!"Nami asked "It was probably that thing coming up behind you Sanji"i said and he dodged the bird or whatever "What the hells matter with you damn bird?!"he yelled after it "Ooh it's big could be tasty"Luffy said just then we heard a big explosion kind of sound "You hear that is that the kind of noise you expect to hear in a normal jungle?!"Nami asked freaked out.

"That sounded like a volcano erupting we're all going to die!"Usopp yelled also freaked out, as we continued sailing a tiger walked up to the shore, Usopp and Nami and even i freaked out but i freaked out for a different reason, tigers are my favorite animal "It's so magnificent! Look at the size of that thing!"i said sparkles in my eyes then the tiger fell over dead "No! You were too beautiful to die!!"i yelled, tears streaming from my eyes.

"What? Luffy what just happened?! I know normal this is definitely not it! Someone explain to me how a mammoth tiger can just keel over covered in blood?!"Nami asked freaking out and Usopp was nodding in agreement "Log pose and food be damned! We're not setting foot on that island and that's final!"Usopp yelled "We can still get the readings from the ship we'll just sit tight until then"Nami said "Right!"Usopp was quick to agree.

"When that's done we'll leave and never look back"Nami said, anyway we decided to make landfall anchoring the Going Merry near the shore, Luffy was shaking and from the grin on his face from excitement "Sanji go make lunch"he said "You want lunch?"Sanji asked "Yep and one more thing, make it a great big pirate lunch with lots of meat and no veggies i'm gonna need some more energy"Luffy said, i could tell just from his grin he wanted to explore this place.

"Energy for what? What are you doing? You're not leaving here"Nami said "I dunno, fun stuff see what i come along"Luffy said the biggest grin yet on his face, Sanji went to make the lunch for Luffy "Say Luffy would it be alright if i come along with you?"the princess asked "Sure sounds great"Luffy said "No Vivi you can't be serious!"Nami yelled at her "Yeah i rather not sit here with nothing to do but worry about my troubles this will keep me busy until the log resets"the princess said.

"Out of the question! Seriously it's way too dangerous for you out there!"Nami yelled at her "I'll be fine besides i'll have Karoo with me"the princess said shocking the duck "Vivi if you're going out i'll pack you a lunch too!"Sanji called from the cabin "Thanks and while you're at it could you fix something for Karoo as well?"the princess asked "Of course you just leave it to me"Sanji said and closed the door getting to work.

Sanji was done after a while and set Luffy and the princess off, they jumped off the ship "Well see you guys later"the princess said waving back before following Luffy as he had ran on ahead, Zoro came walking down having finished his nap "I'm bored i'm gonna go take a walk, wanna come with Nicole?"he asked "Eh sure why not"i shrugged and jumped off the ship with him.

"Hey Zoro wait up"Sanji called "You know we're kinda short on food if you find any animals that appear eatable bring them back, and if you get Nicole hurt there will be hell to pay!"he yelled, i sweatdropped a bit "I can handle myself fine thank you very much!"i yelled at him "Okay that's easy, i can see why you'd wanna send me cause i could bring back something you couldn't catch yourself"Zoro said.

"What the hell does that mean?!"Sanji yelled at him "I won't let that remark go unchallenged, you're saying you can catch bigger game then i can? Like my hunting skills are inferior?"he asked "Yeah that's right"Zoro said turning back to Sanji, sparks flew between their glares, i sweatdropped "Challenge accepted"Sanji said jumping off the ship "Okay winner brings back the most pounds of meat"he said "What do you mean pounds? Cause i'll bring in tons"Zoro said "Why don't you let your hunting do the talking for ya?"Sanji asked and the two split ways.

I went to follow Zoro but then "Wait Nicole"Nami called to me, i looked back to see her and Usopp crying and whimpering "You can't leave us alone"Usopp said, i sighed a bit, these guys are the epitome of pathetic "Fine"i said and turned to Zoro who had stopped noticing i wasn't following "Good luck on your hunt, i'll come find you once these two stop being wimps"i told him, he chuckled a bit "That'll be the day but yeah, see ya later"he smiled a bit and continued to walk off.

I had climbed back on the ship and was already bored just watching the forest leaning on the rail standing between Nami and Usopp ignoring whatever they were talking about, then Nami suddenly went inside, Usopp and i followed and watched her rifle through her book collection "What the heck are you looking for anyway?"i asked "Quiet i remember reading about it in a book"Nami said.

"Reading about what?"Usopp asked "Little Garden"Nami said as she continued to look through the books, Usopp and i went back out leaving her to it, i went back to staring at the jungle, *sigh* i'm so bored, i should of just gone with Zoro "Usopp Nicole!"Nami said coming out of the cabin "Nami, what now?So did you find your book yet?"Usopp asked, Nami nodded and showed the book to us.

I sensed something approaching, something massively huge, gigantic even "This is bad this island"Nami was cut off "What? What's wrong Nami?"Usopp asked, then the other two saw it was well, the gigantic figure that was approaching us, they screamed as the giant laughed.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

Nami and Usopp were still freaking out as i was just standing there calmly, this wasn't the first giant i had seen "Well what is the answer?"the giant asked "Could you repeat the question?"i asked "I asked if you had any alcohol i drank mine"the giant said "Not any of the drinking kind sorry to say"i said "Yeah but if that's fine you're welcome to it all"Nami said before the giant screamed in our faces.

Usopp and Nami freaked falling down, it was just a dinosaur biting the giants butt, he quickly decapitated the creature though "I'm Broggy, Elbaf's strongest warrior invincible"the giant said introducing himself and then laughed "Well nice to meet you Broggy, i'm Nicole, the two are my friends Nami and Usopp"i introduced us "Nice to meet you as well young lady, now that i have dinner you three are invited as guest"Broggy said before Usopp and Nami passed out.

"Don't mind them, they've never seen let alone met a giant before, we'd be happy to accept your invitation"i said "Ah i see, i guess seeing a giant can be shocking for humans"Broggy said and then laughed "You don't seem too scared though"he said "You're not the first giant i've met"i said "Ah yes that makes sense, well then hop on, i'll take you and your friends to my home" Broggy said with a smile extending his hand "Thank you"i smiled grabbing Usopp and Nami and dragging them as i climbed to Broggy's shoulder.

"So then what did you say your name was?"Broggy asked as he walked us to his home "It's Nicole"I said before Usopp pulled me over "What do you think you're doing?! You do realize this is a giant?!"he whispered to me "I do realize that, i'm just getting to know him but if you want to judge be my guest i don't care"i whispered back "Might i say young lady you have very unusual eyes, i don't think i've ever seen yellow eyes, except on animals"Broggy said.

"Yeah but i personally think it's my best feature, i have my fathers eyes you see"i told him "Oh i see"Broggy said, we chatted a bit more before arriving at Broggy's home "Here we are"Broggy said lowering himself so i could climb down "Again thank you for the ride"i said after climbing down"It was no trouble at all"Broggy laughed, i put Nami and Usopp inside the cave or whatever this thing was and chatted some more with Broggy as he prepared the dinosaur meat.

I heard Usopp yelp a bit and Broggy looked back hearing it too "Must have imagined it"he said shrugging it off "So anyway that's the basically it"i said and noticed Usopp and Nami run off from the corner of my eye, how rude, "Sounds very complicated indeed, i don't know much about human relationships but i wish you the best of luck either way"Broggy said "I guess that's something at least"i muttered, Broggy then noticed Usopp and Nami had ran off.

"It seems your friends ran off, i should get them back it's dangerous out there for you humans, you just wait here"Broggy said before walking off "Okay"i sighed a bit and started to think more about Zoro and me, he's still not crumbling even after i've tried everything, well i do still have some tricks up my sleeve so it's not like i'm going to give up, although maybe Zoro hasn't crumbled because he's not interested in me, nah after all the time we've been together? I mean, i guess it could be possible, i shook my head, i didn't want to think about that but now it was all i could think about.

Thankfully Broggy came back with Usopp and Nami before i could spiral too far into these thoughts, Broggy laughed serving some of the meat "Go on eat hearty my friends it taste delicious!"he said, i took a piece and ate it "Wow you're right! You're quite the cook"I said with a smile and dug into the meat, Broggy laughed eating a piece of meat as well "Broggy sir, do you mind if i ask you a question?"Nami asked him "What's on your mind young lady"Broggy said "How long will it take for the log to reset on this island?"Nami asked.

Broggy got a huge grin on his face "One full year"he said, Nami and Usopp went down again "Don't tell me you're gonna fall asleep again"Broggy said and then laughed, they didn't and instead got up and started eating like they were accepting their doom, i shrugged it off and continued to eat as well, this stuff really was delicious.

~skip~

The middle volcano went off, Broggy got mad look on his face and stood up "Please forgive me, there is something i must attend to"he said "What you're leaving?"Nami asked "No choice that's the signal my opponent and i use to mark the beginning of our fight "A fight?"Nami asked "With who? Where? And more importantly why?"Usopp asked "Why? I don't remember"Broggy said and laughed, Broggy then went off and clashed with another giant their attacks ringing through the jungle.

It was clear this fight was about more then whatever started it, it was now about honor and pride and all that stuff, which i actually understood, if i had no pride in myself as a woman i wouldn't be nearly as strong as i am, probably.

~meanwhile~

As the giants Dorry and Broggy fought, Baroque Works agents Mr.5 and his partner miss Valentine met with other Baroque Works agents Mr. 3 and his partner miss Golden Week.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

Broggy and the other giant continued their fight, i couldn't help but be fascinated by it, their fight was so ferocious and i could tell they knew what they were doing, aiming for vital spots and openings, "What an incredible fight huh?"Usopp asked "Yeah"i nodded in agreement "Both their attacks are aimed at vital spots one slip from either of them and that's it their dead"Usopp said "Well except that their weapons are all dull, they might still do some damage but nothing deadly"i said.

"These's guys have fought to the death for a hundred years? That's gotta get old, this is a good thing, this is our chance to get away let's go"Nami said walking off, i peeled my eyes off the battle deciding to follow her but that image of Broggy and the other giant clashing was burned into my memory.

"Usopp"Nami said looking back to him "Amazing"i heard him mutter "They fight so seriously and they don't even know why"Usopp said "This fight's getting really annoying"Nami whined, i rolled my eyes at her "Don't you see this is an example of a real battle between real men"Usopp said "Say what?"Nami asked.

"Maybe an analogy will help, it's as if they've planted a flag in their heart that says i am a warrior, this flag is more important then their very lives, they can never allow the flag to be destroyed by someone else that's why they continue both continue this fight for a hundred yeas, do you see it now? This is a proud duel a legendary fight between two dedicated warriors"Usopp said as Broggy and the other giant clashed again and again in the distance.

"Hmm, yeah whatever that warrior stuff doesn't really interest me in the slightest, you coming?" Nami asked Usopp "No i'm still watching this, this is my ultimate goal, to be a brave warrior like each of these titans, really though someday, i will be a proud warrior of the sea"Usopp said "So what you're really saying then is you want to be a giant?"Nami asked "Moron! You haven't listen to a single word i said have you?!"Usopp asked coming over.

"I have and i get what you mean, don't bother with her though, someone who doesn't have pride in themselves will never understand the pride of others"i said "Yeah, you know exactly what i'm talking about Nicole"Usopp grinned at me.

~skip~

The fight came to and end, i'm glad i decided to stick through to the end, i don't think i'll ever forget this fight, their laughs echoed through the forest and Broggy came back after a while and Usopp told him how the fight had inspired him "A brave warrior of the seas you said, what's that exactly?"Broggy asked fixing his axe.

"I'm talking about you guys what i'd really like is to be like the two of you some day"Usopp said "Huh? You wanna be a giant?"Broggy asked, i snickered a bit "Not quite, what he means is he wants to be brave, honorable and proud like you, personality wise, see currently he's a spineless coward"i said "Hey!"Usopp protested.

Broggy laughed "I see you know in Elbaf even though our life spans are longer then yours are, we still think about how we will die, we know everything we have and everything we are will one day cease to exist like everything else, but it's worth it to die a true warrior of Elbaf with out sacrificing your pride, that is what we call dying with honor to die such a great death would be an ever lasting treasure, it's what we seek in Elbaf"Broggy said "So pride is your treasure that's great, i've decided to learn from you, from now on i'll call you master"Usopp said.

~skip~

The volcano went off again "Well there's the signal, it's really been active today"Broggy said "You're really going? But your wounds from the last battle haven't healed"Usopp said "Please Dorry can't be doing any better then me"Broggy said, then he laughed "A few scratches won't take me out of the duel that would sure make me a poor excuse for a brave warrior"Broggy laughed again.

"Now master Broggy go and show this guy!"Usopp said and laughed with Broggy "You bet Usopp, i'm gonna beat him for sure this time, he doesn't have a chance"Broggy said before walking off, Usopp yelled after him "Well now we can think about getting back to the ship, waiting for a year? There's no freaking way it's completely unacceptable, we need to get everyone back on the ship and come up with a plan"Nami said walking off.

I again decided to follow "Now hold on a second, i for one don't think we stand a chance in a fight against dinosaurs, cutting through the jungle and getting to the Merry won't do us much good if we get killed on the way will it?"Usopp asked "Baby steps i see"i muttered "Yes i said someday i would be a brave warrior of the sea besides even a brave warrior has to have enough sense not to get himself killed"Usopp said.

"Or enough skill to defend themselves from anything"I said "Yes that too"Usopp said "But listen even if i should lose everything someday and must face a horribly tragic death, alone on a deserted island, i will proudly say this of myself, i am captain Usopp and know that i've been a great brave warrior of the sea"Usopp said before falling down, i sweatdropped a bit "Yeah yeah, but for now do you think you could just try to be a dependable warrior?"Nami asked dragging Usopp by his bag "Right let's go"Usopp said.

"Nicole you get to the front"Nami said "Alright"i shrugged knowing exactly why she wanted me at the front and not wanting to make an argument about it i decided to do as she told.

~elsewhere~

Zoro was dragging around a dinosaur he had caught and killed back to the Merry but "This isn't good i'm lost"he said to himself "I think this tree looks familiar but it's kind of hard to tell in this place, i think i was supposed to take a left at the tree wrapped in vines"he muttered when he noticed Nicole, but it was a fake "Nicole!"he smiled feeling delighted to see her again after a while "You came to find me right at the perfect moment, seems i got lost"he said sweatdropping a bit, he dragged the dinosaur with him as he went closer to Nicole "Nicole?"he asked.

~Nicole~

I had quickly finished off the dinosaur chasing us but Nami and Usopp had long since ran off, i sighed a bit wondering should i head to the Merry or where the others are, then i noticed a figure "Zoro?"i questioned and got closer "It is you"i smiled, my heart racing seeing him again after a while "I'm sorry i kinda forgot about meeting up, but it seemed you found me regardless"i said walking closer "Funny how you're pants with directions"i said, then darkness.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

I was tossed on the ground along with Zoro and Nami, can't believe i fell for that stupid fake, an effective fake but a stupid fake regardless "It's just sad"afro man said stepping on Zoro, i was by his left side, Nami on his right, "Idiots like these should have been a lot easier for me to catch should've caught them the first time how embarrassing"afro guy said.

The guy with a three for hair, so i'm guessing Mr.3, muttered something "What was that?!"Afro guy asked him "It's nothing now please just hurry and get the candles set up"Mr.3 said "Candles?"Nami asked then gasped noticing the structure in front of us "What is that thing?"she asked "Looks tacky whatever it is"i said "How dare you?! This is my finest piece of art!!"Mr.3 yelled.

"It's nothing good, i'm sorry you guys"Vivi said "But Vivi what happened? I thought you were with Luffy?"Nami asked "I was but now"Vivi said "You're wondering about the strawhat i saw to that little runt myself, he didn't put up much of a fight either"afro guy said "Yeah right"i heard Zoro mutter.

The top of the structure began spinning as we were placed on the bottom "Welcome one and all to my famous candle set"Mr.3 said but ignoring him i said "Well this is quite the predicament" "Couldn't have said it any better myself"Zoro said "Huh i can't move great"Nami said "It's not surprising to me they don't want us moving around it's what captured means"Zoro said and tried cutting the wax "Damn this stuff is hard and i can't put much force into a swing from this angle"he said, guess that means it would be pointless for me to try as well "Something's falling" Vivi said.

Mr.3 laughed "I do hope you enjoy my candle service, you may have noticed the wax flakes that are falling from above, you'll be eventually covered and turned into wax figures, you'll become perfectly life like statues for my collection something that even i couldn't achieve on my own, i will literally capture your spirit and encase them forever in wax shells it will be a true master piece, you will die for my art"he said.

"Ew, i don't wanna be a part of some tacky collection"i said "My art is not tacky!"Mr.3 yelled "Yeah yeah, whatever"i muttered "Hey giant! Why are you just laying there when you could be beating the crap out of this candle guy?!"Nami asked yelling over to Broggy who also had been captured "Now he's gonna make one huge statue"Zoro said.

"You can try to convince him but your efforts will be useless, he's a little blue at the moment, you see he just realized how unfairly he won his last fight and he's lost the heart to celebrate, he killed his dear friend Dorry with whom he had fought for one hundred years, Dorry was injured but he didn't notice just imagine how much pain Dorry must have been in, he didn't stand a chance, you did shed a few tears though, perhaps you were crying for your friend, now it's no use, there's no undoing it he's dead and it's all your fault"Mr.3 laughed.

I glared at Mr.3, how despicable, he probably "helped" Broggy win by making the other giant slip or something, "I should have seen it, i knew something strange was going on from the moment we first began to fight i knew Dorry was hiding something but i couldn't tell what it was"Broggy said "Hmm? You say that you knew it? You're lying, if you knew something was wrong why didn't you stop the fight? Why didn't give him a chance to rest? I didn't see one shred of pity in the way you ruthlessly cut him down"Mr.3 laughed.

Broggy growled "You know nothing about honorable duels someone like you could never understand my tears, what do you know about the way of Elbaf? You think i'd shame a warrior who hid the fact he was weakened so he could continue to fight? Only a truly great warrior would go to such lengths! And such a man isn't interested in pity!"Broggy yelled a very angry look on his face "Now i know what really happened and i must do something about it, i must finish this with my own two hands!"he yelled and broke out of the wax "That is the least i could do for Dorry, he was a great warrior and my dear friend!"Broggy said before he was hit with an explosion.

"Broggy!"Nami yelled, the giant was hit repeatedly until he went down again "Broggy!"Nami, Vivi and i called "His chattering was getting on my nerves"afro guy said, so he did it, i gave him my harshest glare yet making him back off a bit even though he knew i couldn't do anything to him, i dropped it satisfied with that and watched as Broggy was basically locked in with wax "And now for the finishing touch, take this!"Mr.3 said and put wax stakes through Broggy's hands and legs.

The giant screamed from the pain while Mr.3 just laughed now my glare was on him "You really are despicable!"Vivi yelled at him "Now let's get these candles going faster, it's time to turn these people into beautiful artist statues!"Mr.3 said ignoring her as the top part started to spin faster and thus more wax started to fall, the wax was starting to get into our lungs but Zoro and i kept a stoic facade.

"That's it make it look like you're in as much pain as possible that's perfect! Expressions of agony are what i seek to achieve in my art the finished product will be simply splendid, you must die filled with terror"Mr.3 said "I bet he get's off on this stuff"i muttered, Zoro chuckled a bit having heard me.

"This is what you call art? You creepy weird haired freak! You guys are gonna regret this! You're gonna pay for what you did to Broggy and Dorry and for what you're trying to do to us!"Nami yelled at Mr.3 "Yell and scream all you want to little girl, no one can help you now"Mr.3 said, yeah you just wait Luffy's gonna come to save us, "Hold that look!"Mr.3 said and i looked over to Broggy, he looked so angry and sad at the same time "Yes that's it such grief such sorrow and just the right amount of anger, how marvelous"Mr.3 laughed.

Nami and Vivi were freaking out cause our bodies were starting to turn stiff, i kept calm though internally i couldn't help but be a little worried "Hey giant"Zoro said "You can still move right? Good so can i, i say we take them down together what do you think?"he asked drawing Kitetsu "Hold on Zoro you're not actually going to do what i think you are?!"i asked "Yeah"he said "You can't be serious?! Do you honestly expect cutting your own legs off is going to work! You'd bleed to death before getting even close to them! Not to mention how would you move in the first place? Hop on your stumps?! Are you that stupid?!"i yelled at him.

"I'm not messing around at all, it's the only way to get us out of this situation"Zoro said "No it's not! It's certainly not the brightest solution!"i yelled at him "There's no way to know for sure until we try, so are you saying you'd rather just sit here and die? Why should we make it easy for those guys to kill us? Dying without a struggle doesn't make you any less dead right?"he asked turning to me, he had such a determined look, he was seriously going to do this.

"Ugh! There's no talking you out of this is there? Fine cut your legs and bleed to death for all i care, not like you ever listen to me anyway!"I yelled and turned away with a huff "I do listen"i heard Zoro mutter "Alright i'm in let's do it, let's cut them to pieces"Broggy said going along with this crazy plan "You're not serious about this are you? How are you gonna fight them afterwards? Talk some sense into him Nicole!"Nami said "He's made up his mind"i said with a shrug "Who knows what's going to happen after but i plan to win"Zoro said, i could practically hear the smirk in his voice.

"Wait i'll fight with you!"Vivi said "What?"Nami asked "Good get ready, last chance Nicole"Zoro said turning to me, i turned further away, i wanted nothing to do with this crazy plan, i bet he probably won't even get enough strength to cut through his legs from that angle "And now let's go!"Broggy said, i flinched a bit hearing Zoro cut his legs but then Luffy, Usopp and the duck Karoo flew by and crashed into some trees "Let's get them Usopp!"Luffy said "Yeah!"Usopp said "And bird guy"Luffy said and Karoo squawked.

"Luffy! Usopp!"Nami yelled "Karoo!"Vivi yelled "We're here Broggy, don't worry we're here to pick up where you left off"Usopp said "Thanks Usopp"Broggy said "Beat them beyond recognition, show them expressions of pain and agony they won't soon forget!"Nami yelled over to our saviours "Oh i'm going to, these guys messed up the best duel ever, they're in some serious trouble and they're gonna answer to me!"Luffy said cracking his knuckles.

"So you're the one with the highest bounty in the East Blue? My how low have marine standards fallen it's almost tragic really"Mr.3 said "Is that your hair?"Luffy asked weirded out by it "You just shut up!"Mr.3 yelled "Dude it's on fire"Luffy said "Hush you!"Mr.3 yelled at him "Yes he as weird hair now could you brake this pillar?! We're about to turn into wax statues here!"Nami yelled at Luffy "Oh you guys in trouble?"Luffy asked "No no trouble at all"Zoro said "Says the guy bleeding everywhere!"I yelled at him "Yeah, i made it about half way through i'd say"he said "That's not something to be proud of!"i yelled at him again.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

"What are you doing now?"i asked Zoro as he held up Wado Ichimonji "I'm posing, if i'm gonna be a statue might as well be a cool one"he said, i sweatdropped at him "This is no time to be playing around!"Vivi yelled at him "Who said anything about playing?"Zoro asked "Could you at least do something about all this blood i'm getting sick just looking at it"Nami said "So quite looking at it then"Zoro said "It's kinda hard to ignore"Nami said.

"It is a lot of blood, are you okay?"i asked concerned "Yeah i'll be fine"Zoro said, i sighed a bit "Still did you honestly think you could fight like that?"I asked "Who cares, all i planned was to win"he said, i sweatdropped "Sometimes i wonder if you have a brain behind that thick skull of yours"i said "Sure i do, i thought of a plan to cut my legs and fight these guys"he said, i sweatdropped more "Yes and what a great plan that would have been"i said "So what? Not like you had any better plans"he said "I was trying to think of one when you went and did something reckless!"i yelled at him.

"Hey sword guy"Broggy called before we could get bicker any further "Is that all the fight you've got left in ya?"the giant asked "Yeah i think i'm gonna have to let someone else take over from here"Zoro said "Heh, alright"Broggy said.

"If you wanna die in a cool pose Nami you better hurry up"Zoro said "I've got other things to worry about"Nami said "You think i should mirror you or do my own thing?"i asked Zoro "I don't care, just make it cool"Zoro said "Yeah but which would be cooler? if we were symmetrical? or mirrored? Or should i just do whatever?"i asked, Zoro paused for a minute "That is an interesting question"he said "Could you two please take this a little more seriously?"Vivi asked "Hey your pose could use a little work too"Zoro said "Shut up about the posing already!"Nami yelled at him.

Anyway the fight between these Baroque Works clowns and Luffy, Usopp and the duck were getting started, of course Usopp and the duck ran back to the jungle hiding there as Luffy while distracted by them got his feet locked in wax "Luffy!"Vivi gasped "Damn he got caught already?" Zoro asked "Well maybe let's just see what happens next"i said.

Luffy used the wax as a mallet braking the pillar, only for the top to fall closer to us, though at first i thought it would fall ON us "We're okay now"Nami sighed in relief, Vivi sighed in relief too "We didn't die"she said "We're still alive but that didn't really help at all"Zoro said "Yeah if anything we're only going to die faster now"i said "That was a close one but why didn't you guys run away?"Luffy asked.

"Because we're stuck here isn't that obvious?!"Vivi and Nami yelled at him "Oh really? So that's what's going on? The only thing you guys kept saying was i needed to brake the pillar so that's what i did"Luffy said "We meant this whole structure"i said "Oh"Luffy simply said "Mr. Bushido do you really think it's a good idea to put our lives in that guys hands?!"Vivi yelled asking Zoro.

"Well we don't exactly have much of a choice do we? I don't know about you but i'm having a little trouble moving right now"Zoro said "Yet you don't seem to be bothered by it somehow!" Vivi yelled at him "It's all about keeping calm, just relax and forget your regrets and die in peace"i said "You're awfully morbid!"Vivi yelled, as this went on Nami was freaking out about not being able to move.

"You fools! All you did was move the candles closer! And by doing so you only sped up the solidifying process, you'll become wax figures even sooner now! Well done!"Mr.3 laughed, "Wait you guys are gonna turn into wax figures?"Luffy asked "That's what we've been trying to tell you!"Nami yelled at him "Please just hurry up and destroy this thing Luffy!"Vivi said "Right yeah i'm on it"Luffy said "I don't think so strawhat now get out of my way!"Mr.3 yelled and the fight continued.

"This isn't really looking good for us ladies this damn thing is speeding up good thing i got my pose ready"Zoro said "Well damn, i guess i'm going to be stuck like this forever"i said, my arms crossed and posture straight, i couldn't really move anything any more "Morons the both of you!"Nami yelled "Come on Luffy you have to hurry!"Vivi yelled at him "Right so the pumpkin thing has to go!"Luffy said aiming for the pumpkin thing as he called it but Mr.3 got in the way and the fight picked up again.

Luffy knocked Mr.3 back with a punch "Luffy! Brake this thing before we die up here!"Nami yelled at him "Um no"he said "Quit joking around and hurry!"Nami yelled at him again "Nah uh"Luffy said "Quit being an idiot now's not really a good time!"Zoro yelled at him "Luffy please just do it!"Vivi yelled "Not now, i just don't feel like saving you"Luffy said "Luffy what's wrong?" Nami asked.

"Hey Luffy, there's no time to be spacing out now do something about this already!"Zoro yelled at him "Yeah i know"Luffy said "Then quit just standing there will you?!"Vivi yelled at him "Come on Luffy!"Nami yelled, i noticed the spot he was standing on had something painted on it, what's that about i wonder "I know what i should do but i don't feel like it"Luffy said "Damn it! Why do you keep saying that?! We're about to be turned into wax statues! Do you understand me we're going to die!"Nami yelled at him.

"Yeah but for some reason i can get motivated to help"Luffy said "What do you mean can't get motivated?!"the others yelled at him "Hold on, look at the spot he's standing on"i said pointing it out "Yeah there's a black pattern on it"Nami said "But why? More importantly who?"Zoro asked "Miss Golden Week is responsible, i know that this is your doing!"she yelled at the little girl that just appeared right by Luffy eating a cracker.

"It's my colors trap, betrayal black, if you touch the pain you want to betray your friends no matter what they say, even if they beg an plead for help"the little girl said "What she talking about? I don't understand what's going on here"Nami said "She's a painter, she uses her paint to create different emotions, each color is a feeling"Vivi said Huh?"Nami asked "Her sense of color is so complete she can manipulate your mind just a splash of one her colors and you'll be under her control"Vivi said.

"Under her control? Well that's not good that simple minded fool is already too easy to control, the last thing we need is someone messing with his mind"Zoro said "Does that mean all he needs to do is move out of the pain and he'll be okay? Luffy move away from there quickly!" Nami yelled "No don't! Luffy listen whatever you do please don't step out side the black circle alright?! I'm begging!"Vivi yelled at him "What are you saying?!"Nami yelled at her "We don't want you to save us Luffy, please stay away from us!"Vivi yelled and Luffy stepped away from the black mark.

"I get it now, we just needed to say the exact opposite of what we wanted him to do"Zoro said "Reverse psychology"i said "Oh hey, what just happened? I was acting really strange"Luffy said "Luffy! Help us now!"Vivi yelled at him "Okay i'm on my way right now!"Luffy said before he started to laugh like crazy, ugh i have a feeling we might die after all.

"This is bad if the wax keeps falling at this rate we might be lucky to stay alive for five minutes" Zoro said as Luffy just continued to laugh, Usopp came running over just then and knocked Luffy over rubbing the pain off his shirt, Luffy tried saving us again only for his attack to be redirected to the ground "What were you aiming at?!"Zoro yelled at him "I can't let you brake it Mr.3 wouldn't be happy about that at all"miss Golden Week said "What you do?!"Luffy yelled at her "During a bull fight the bull can't help attacking the red cape, like wise you can't attack anything but that red circle that's what i did"miss Golden Week said.

"Except it's the movement and not the color that makes the bull mad!"i yelled as Luffy tried attacking again but his attack went to the red circle again "Oh great at this rate he's never going to beat her now all of his strength is useless"Nami said just as the color on Luffy's was turned green and he started to have a picnic instead "Luffy!"we yelled at him "So what happens now?" Nami asked "We accept our impending doom"i said "Yeah, sounds about right"Zoro said.

As the flakes continued falling and Luffy continued having a picnic, i looked over to Zoro "Since this is our doom i'd like to say something to you Zoro"i said "Don't"he said cutting me off, he looked back at me "We'll get out of this, one way or another"he said with a smirk, i sighed a bit and smiled "Yeah"i simply said as slowly everything went dark.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

Fire, fire everywhere, that's what i was faced with as the wax started to melt off of me, i knew i had to move quick as soon as the wax was loose enough i jumped out of the fire slicing up afro guy with Zoro "Combination, five sword style Flaming Star!" is what we called it which combines my cross slash and his onigiri attack, and the flaming cause our swords had fire on them, the fire died out with thankfully minimal damage to us as afro guy went down.

~skip~

Luffy came back he said he dealt with Mr.3 and his partner so we didn't have to worry about them any longer, as soon as he said that Broggy started crying like crazy his tears making rainbows "Now for you mister Roronoa let me see them legs"i said sitting next to him, he chuckled a bit "You calling me by my last name must be serious miss Mihawk"he said teasingly a smirk on his face "Shush you"i said taking his left leg first and taking a look, i then looked at his right leg "What's the verdict?"he asked "You're lucky, the fire cauterised them so i don't have to do much except maybe clean it up"i said "That's good"he said.

Broggy was still crying just as Dorry got up "Dorry you're alive"Broggy said "I must have lost consciousness"Dorry said "But how are you still alive?"Nami asked "I think i said something about it before, they're weapons are dull, really i'm impressed they haven't shattered into pieces"i said "Oh yeah, you did say something like that, not even weapons made in Elbaf could hold up after giants dueling with them for a hundred years"Usopp said and sighed in relief "Now that's a relief, it's a miracle really"he said.

I had a closer look at the weapons trying to figure out how they were made, cause the real miracle is they aren't in pieces after a hundred years of constant dueling, such durability can only be achieved through quality smiting and from looking at these weapons a special material maybe one only found on Elbaf, i have to get my hands on some.

The giants were laughing and crying as i went back over to Zoro and sat next to him "Come on this wasn't a miracle, the fact that those weapons are even intact after a century of fighting is the miraculous part they should be scrap by now, surprise they lasted this long"he said "Yeah you really have to admire how well made they are"i said "What a day this was, thank you god of Elbaf for this wonderful day"Broggy said "Oh is that true Broggy? You're saying fighting me while i was injured, cutting me down and knocking me out was all wonderful?"Dorry asked.

"Don't be an idiot Dorry that's not what i'm saying and you know it"Broggy said patting his friend on the shoulder "Would you keep your hands of my wounds?"Dorry asked and laughed before punching Broggy, the two continued to punch each other while laughing before it got serious.

~skip~

"We have been fighting for so long we completely forgot about the bounties put on our heads, it has been a long time"Dorry said after we explained what had happened while treating him and Broggy best as we could, we were totally out of medical supplies after this however "But i'm the whole reason Baroque Works came here in the first place, it's my fault"Vivi said before Nami pinched her cheek "None of that anymore okay?"she said "Yeah come on Vivi why are you so sad here have a rice cracker"Luffy said while munching on one.

"Uh guys where did you get those?"Nami asked them "I know lets have a rice cracker party!" Luffy said "Rice crackers aren't that exciting though"Usopp said "Sure they are we can even toast with them"Luffy said and cheered a couple crackers together but one of them broke from it and Usopp and Luffy got into a fight over the scraps, "What's with you?"Zoro asked noticing Nami scratching her stomach "Nothing just a bug bite"she said "Alright still can't believe we have to wait here for a full year just for the log pose to reset"Zoro said.

"I know, it's gonna be so boring!"i said whining already "Yeah it's definitely something we should be worried about"Nami said "All of you helped save us from those other guys if we can we'd really like to return the favor"Broggy said "Well maybe you guys can do something about our log pose so we won't be stuck here"Luffy said jumping on a rock "I'm afraid the log pose is the one thing we can't help you with"Dorry said.

"Nami dear, Vivi my love, Nicole my sweet! and all the rest of you!"i heard and looking over Sanji had found us "Hey Sanji!"Luffy greeted him "You're still okay, i'm so happy! So happy!"Sanji said walking over, he then ran over noticing the giants "What the hell is going on? Is one of you guys Mr.3?!"he asked them "Wait and just how do you know about Mr.3 anyway?"Nami asked "Whoa Nami! You look absolutely amazing in that outfit"Sanji said with heart eyes "Say that again!" Nami said.

"Now Nami if you stand around like that all day you'll catch cold, here take my coat"Sanji said putting his coat over Nami "Oh thank you"she said "So i've been a little busy i just finished talking to that Mr. Zero guy over a transponder snail"Sanji said taking a seat on a log "Mr. Zero?"Vivi asked "Yeah that guy, i was talking to him in this weird hide out place i found in the jungle, he thought i was some guy called Mr.3 and i thought it would be a good idea to let him believe it and since i had him on the line i went ahead and told him we were all dead"Sanji said.

"So he thinks he doesn't have to send people after us any more"Vivi said "So you're saying we're free of people chasing us now that we can't go anywhere anyway? Oh that is just perfect"Usopp said crying "We can't go? Why is there still something we need to take care of here? That's a real shame after i managed to get a hold of this thing"Sanji said revealing he had an Eternal Pose to Alabasta, everyone's ,including mine, jaw dropped from shock.

"Uh what?"Sanji asked "An Eternal Pose to Alabasta! Alright!"Luffy said and the others started jumping around "Alright everyone now we're having a rice cracker party!"Luffy said "No way look Luffy, we don't have enough left for a party there's only three"Usopp said "It doesn't matter we don't have time for that anyway come on now captain we don't have time to be sitting here" Nami said.

"Zoro hold on a sec so uh you forget about our hunting contest?"Sanji asked "Nope hate to tell you this but you've lost i caught a rhino this big"Zoro said spreading his arms out "That doesn't sound very tasty but i guess you can eat it"Sanji said walking over "Sounds just fine to me"Zoro said "I wouldn't be opposed to sharing"i said "Yeah, you can have as much as you want"Zoro said smiling a bit at me.

"Kay, giant old guys it's really been a lot of fun but we gotta go"Luffy said "Of course, right, we can tell you need to get going"Broggy said "It's too bad you have to leave so soon i hope you get to your homeland in time"Dorry said "Me too, thank you"Vivi said, then we started heading back to the Merry.

We got back to the Merry and right away Zoro and Sanji started to argue over the size of their catch, i ignored them and helped cut up the meat and put it into storage as we set sail "Set sail!"Luffy said and we set off "The giants said that going straight would take us to the western end of the island"Nami said "Hey couldn't have you guys gotten any more meat on board?"Luffy asked "Yeah right"Zoro said "We can't possibly store any more then this it would just spoil before we could eat it"Sanji said.

"Are you actively trying to sink the ship?"Nami asked, "Hey look at that it's the giants, they must have come here to say goodbye"Luffy said and he was right, the giants were standing at the shoreline "A great danger still lays ahead of you"Broggy said "It is an obstacle that's always been here trying to prevent people from reaching the next island"Dorry said, what were they talking about? "Every one of you fought like true warriors in order to protect the honor of our duel"Dorry said.

"And because you were willing to do that no matter what enemy you may face"Broggy said "We will never let them destroy your pride friends"Dorry said as we continued to sail forward "You must have faith in what we say, go straight no matter what happens keep going straight understand?"Broggy asked "Yeah got it!"Luffy said "What was that about?"Zoro asked "I don't get it what he say?"Usopp asked "No matter what happens just go straight"Luffy said, i started to grow a bad feeling.

"This is goodbye"Broggy said as we sailed past the two giants "Let's meet again someday"Dorry said "Absolutely"Broggy said "Look over there!"Nami yelled as a giant fish came out of the sea, even i was a little freaked out "Usopp start working the rudder or we're gonna be eaten hurry it up!"Nami yelled at him "Yeah i know but we have to go straight ahead isn't that right Luffy?" Usopp asked, Luffy nodded "We sure do"he said "Oh i don't like where this is going"i muttered as we sailed straight into the fish, the others were freaking out, Luffy had total faith in the giants, i grabbed Zoro's hand as the fish closed it's mouth, he squeezed my hand and then we were blown straight through the fish.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

We were blown straight through the fish and flew for quite a bit before we fell back to the sea "Friends! GO! Good luck!"i could hear the giants wishing us off and noticed i was still holding Zoro's hand, i blushed a bit and let go, he smirked a bit.

"Guys listen up i will go to Elbaf someday to the village of warriors!"Usopp said "Yeah great!" Luffy said and the two stated dancing around "I wouldn't mind going either i'd love to learn how they made their weapons so durable"i said sitting down and watching Zoro as he tossed off his shirt and started training.

"Damn it all if only i could of cut that wax, i wouldn't have left everyone hanging there"Zoro said panting as he paused in his training "Hey don't say that, i couldn't have cut either and i'm miles above your level"i said "Still?"he asked going back to swinging the huge dumbbell "Uh huh"i nodded "I guess that means if i get strong enough to slice through that stuff from any stance i'd be stronger then you?"he asked, i hummed a bit thinking about it "I suppose you could put it that way"i said.

~skip~

"Hey everyone come quick!"i heard Vivi call and went over to check what was up "What's wrong Vivi? Are you okay?"Luffy asked "Nami has a terrible fever"Vivi said "Let me see"i said running over "Sure"Vivi nodded, i put my hand on Nami's forehead "We should put her in bed, Sanji help me carry her"i said "Sure thing my love!"Sanji said coming over and helped me carry her, even though i could do it on my own, i think we should keep her stable.

After laying Nami on the bed i had a closer look at her "I don't think it was the climate, some sailor's immune systems go into shock from rapid fire colds and fevers and die so it's more immediate, i don't know what to do here, i'm stumped"i said with a shrug as Vivi put a cold towel on Nami's forehead.

"Well when you're sick eating lots of meat always helps, right Sanji?"Luffy asked "Meat is protean and that does give the body energy to operate properly, i could cook some food to boost her energy but there's no guarantee's i'm not a doctor, besides if my cooking made that big difference she'd never get sick i put a hundred times more care into her meals then i do for you losers, i serve the girls fresh meat and vegetables to ensure a balanced diet anything that's rotten or moldy goes to you"Sanji said pointing to the guys.

"Jerk!"Usopp yelled at him "Oh well still taste good to me"Luffy laughed, Sanji sighed "My point is that as long i'm this ships cook nobody's gonna feed Nami better in terms of nutrition, i can do anything in the kitchen but still i do know there are specific foods for different kinds of illnesses but i can't make that call she need to be diagnosed by a doctor who'll tell us how to help her" he said.

"Just feed her everything we got"Luffy said "Don't you get it? That could just make her worse, and not to mention she doesn't have the energy to eat anything, haven't you ever been sick?"i asked "Not that i can remember"Luffy said "Well hurrah for you"i muttered and looked at the thermometer "104 this is worse then i thought"i said "There's bound to be nurses and doctors in Alabasta that can help right? How much longer until we get there Vivi?"Usopp asked.

"I don't know, at least a week and that's too long"Vivi said "Okay so she's sick maybe we're over reacting"Luffy said "I don't i've never been this sick"Usopp and Sanji said "Morons! Have you all lost your minds?! This is serious!"Vivi yelled at them "Yeah, she shouldn't have such a high fever, unless her body is fighting off a virus, a particularly nasty one i'd guess, her white blood cells are working overtime, this could be life threatening"i said.

The others freaked out "You mean Nami's gonna die?!"Luffy asked "Your screams aren't helping!"Vivi yelled at them "We have to find a doctor to help Nami before she dies!"Luffy yelled "WOULD YOU ALL JUST SHUT UP?!"i yelled at them, they immediately piped down "Listen"Nami said "I'm fine"she said getting up "Yay! She's cured!"Luffy yelled "Shut up!"Usopp yelled hitting him on the head "Go to my desk open the second drawer there's a newspaper in the bottom" Nami said "Just lay back down Nami you're clearly not fine"i told her.

"No"Nami said pausing to pant, i sighed "Stubborn fools the lot of you, of course no one listens to the only person with common sense around here"i grumbled leaning back on my seat "Ungrateful jerks, why'd i even join? My talents are wasted here, i could be halfway through the Grand Line on my own but no, that storm just had to wash me off course, and it had to crash me in the middle of freaking no where in who the hell cares East Blue"i grumbled crossing my arms while Vivi read the newspaper over.

"No that's not possible"Vivi said "Huh? What's up? Something wrong?"Luffy asked her "Is it about Alabasta? Tell us"Sanji said, i was interested to hear too having vented out some of my gripes "According to this article three hundred thousand royal solders have defected to the resistance, until now we've been embroiled in a cold war with six hundred thousand royal solders against four hundred thousand rebels with this the balance has shifted"Vivi said.

"The uprising in Alabasta will seriously escalate now, things will get ugly that paper you're looking at is three days old"Nami said still sitting up because of course she is and of course she like everyone else on this ship doesn't listen to me "I'm sorry i didn't say something earlier we can't change our speed so i didn't wanna worry you, there's nothing anyone can do right now, you understand Luffy?"Nami asked.

"Things are bad and they're beyond our control?"Luffy said but it came out more like a question, "That sunk in better then i had hoped"Nami said "Nami look you need to see a doctor right away"Usopp said "I'm fine, the thermometers broken, i mean nobody gets a temperature of 104, it's probably just a mild case of sunstroke, there's nothing a doctor can do for me that time won't, besides we don't have the time to hunt for one we need to head straight for Alabasta right? I appreciate the concern thank you and Nicole, we do listen to you"Nami said before walking up stair.

I growled a bit following her "If you really listened to me you'd stay in bed!"i yelled at her following her upstairs and outside "Zoro what the hell have you been watching all this time?"i heard Nami ask as i got there "What are you talking about we've been going straight ahead as you ordered"Zoro said "Oh yeah straight at a right angle, look at the Eternal Pose it doesn't lie" Nami said "I don't need to look at it i've been using that big cloud over there as my guide"Zoro said pointing to a random cloud "You moron! Clouds move and change shapes constantly!"Nami yelled at him before yelping a bit "Geez my heads killing me"she said holding her head.

"Just leave the navigation to me and go to bed"Zoro said "I wish i could but i'm here because i don't trust you with this"Nami said "Then leave it to me and get back inside"i said grabbing her along "Come on"I said heading back inside "Wait Nicole! The air's changed"Nami said "What do you mean the air's been nice like this the whole time"Zoro said "Never mind just get the others" Nami said, i sighed a bit, i give up, she's not gonna listen to me on this matter "Hey get your butts out here right now!"Zoro called.

The others stepped out and we set to work moving the ship per Nami's instructions, Vivi walked out once we were done "I need to ask you all a favor, as a passenger on your ship it's not my place to ask this but i have no choice, my homeland is in jeopardy of being destroyed so i'd really appreciate it if we could move even faster, every minute i'm out here puts more of my people in danger of losing their lives we need to head for Alabasta at full speed"Vivi said.

"Of course we will just like we promised"Nami said "Then it's settled, let's find an island with doctors on it right away, first things first, we need to get Nami healthy again then we head for Alabasta, after all we need her at the helm to move at top speed"Vivi said "Right no one makes this ship move like Nami"Luffy said "Hold on princess, won't finding a doctor take time the citizens of Alabasta just don't have?"Usopp asked "That's right so the sooner we can get a doctor for Nami the sooner we can get to Alabasta"Vivi said.

"Those are wise words Vivi, you're beautiful and brilliant"Sanji said "The girls got guts"Zoro said, i just huffed with a smirk on my face, the a cyclone appeared in the distance, that was the direction we had been heading in, if Nami hadn't been a stubborn ass and listened to me we'd all be dead by now "Alright what're we waiting here for let's find Nami a doctor!"Luffy said "Yeah!"we all said, we sailed past the cyclone and Nami was back in bed.

It had started to get cold and soon enough it was snowing, i had put on some jeans and a winter coat i got way back in Roguetown, the jeans were just that, just jeans but the coat was more like a trench coat, i liked long coats like this, it was totally black and super cozy, i also had a scarf on, which i also got in Roguetown, it had stripes of many different colors and no particular pattern, i just fell in love with it, anyway Zoro and i were in the Crow's Nest keeping an eye out for islands but what we spotted first was some weirdo clown standing on the water.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

Zoro and i were in the crow's nest keeping an eye out for islands but what we spotted first was some weirdo clown standing on the water "Hello sure is chilly today!"the clown called "Yeah it is chilly today"Luffy said "Definitely chilling, in fact i'd say it was freezing"Usopp said "Really?"the clown asked, Zoro, Luffy, Usopp and the clown stiffened up for whatever reason, i sweatdropped at this display of monkey see monkey do.

The a ship came out of the water, i yelped a bit as the ships shaking made me lose my balance, Zoro caught me before i went flying out of the crow's nest and held me close until the shaking stopped "What the hell is that? Is that a ship?"he asked, i looked at the giant ship? Submarine? whatever thing in front of us.

The whatever thing had mechanical stuff that started to move around as it transformed into a ship a pretty big one at that and they were flying a pirate flag "Oh crap it's a pirate ship!"Usopp said "It's huge"Luffy said "Great just when we needed to hurry"Zoro muttered, the i heard a laugh from the other ship "What's the matter? Don't tell me the underwater tin pirates surprised you?"the voice laughed and crew from the other ship started boarding ours and held us at gun point.

Though the crow's nest was already so small, i was smushed against Zoro as the other pirates surrounded us "What's going on?!"i heard Sanji yell and saw he had come out from the cabin, he then lit his cigarette and repeated the question more calmly, i could still hear him, let's face it the Merry is a small ship "Well we're under attack and it's still snowing"Luffy said "Well yeah, the guns pointing at my face kinda gave that one away, what next?"Sanji asked.

"You all consider yourself a band of pirates, that's amusing, i only count five of ya"the apparent captain of these pirates said biting into the sword he previously had a piece of meat on "Sort of strange that your group would have so few members"the fatty said eating the whole sword, i sweatdropped, that, that is just weird.

"Alright i'll keep this simple see my men and here wish to travel to Drum Kingdom, you wouldn't happen to have an Eternal Pose or a log pose would ya?"the fatty asked "No can't help sorry but i've never heard of this Drum Kingdom"Sanji said "Well now that we have that settled would you guys just leave already? We're in a hurry we don't have time to deal with all this"Luffy said.

"You'll never enjoy life if you're always in a rush but if you have neither pose what can be done, i suppose i'll have to settle for your treasure and this ship"the fatty said "Huh?"Luffy asked "First things first i'm feeling a bit hungry"the fatty said before taking a bite off the Merry and eating it, okay that's a Devil Fruit power if i've ever seen one, or he's just a fatty who'll eat literally anything "Hey our ship isn't your lunch!"Luffy yelled at the fatty.

"Be quiet! Wapol doesn't like to be disturbed while he's eating"one of the enemy pirate crew said "Shut up!"Luffy said punching the two closest to him "Damn pirate we're under attack shoot him!"another of the crew yelled and bullets started flying "Now things are getting interesting, duck Nicole"Zoro said taking off his cloak as i ducked down while he sliced up those around us before going down the mast and slicing up guys below.

I jumped down and drew my swords getting in on the action too, Luffy sent the fatty flying and the other pirates left going after the fatty, "Well that was weird"i remarked "Yeah, crazy, those guys are really upset what were they calling that old garbage can? Wapol?"Usopp asked "Who cares about what his name was, don't worry about it the guys obviously a moron, best just forget about him"Sanji said.

~skip~

~Third~

Nami woke up in the middle of the night from all the snoring, she saw Usopp, Luffy, Vivi and Karoo who was being used as a pillow by Nicole and Zoro who were cuddling together, she giggled a bit, of course she had seen the looks those two gave each other and from their bickering it was obvious, they might not consider themselves one but to anyone else it was obvious, they practically were a couple, Nami went back to sleep.

~skip~

~Nicole~

I was with Zoro looking around at the beautiful landscape of the winter island we had come across, let's hope there's a doctor here, we came to a stop after a while of sailing as infront was a stream of melted snow, we couldn't go any further "This may provide a good spot to disembark" Vivi said "Kay guys, doctor search who wants in? Guess we gotta find people here first"Zoro said.

"I'm in!"Luffy said "Me too"Sanji said "Bye go have fun"Usopp said, then a bunch of people appeared on either side of the river guns in hand "That's far enough pirates!"one of them called, i looked at all the people, there didn't actually seem to be that many of them "People well that was easy"Luffy said "Yeah nice but they don't seem too friendly"Usopp said "What did you expect? We are pirates after all"i said.

"I'll only say this once, your kind is not welcomed here leave immediately"the apparent boss of these guys said walking forward "We only came here to find a doctor"Luffy said "We have someone who's sick"Vivi said "You'll have to do better then that! We won't fall for that old trick!" one of the men yelled "This is our island we won't let any filthy pirates land here!"another yelled "Raise anchor and leave now! Or we will blow you and your ship out of the water!"another yelled.

"That's great, we barely said hello and they already hate us"Sanji said "Get out of here!"one of the men yelled firing a warning shot at Sanji's feet, Sanji of course got mad, Vivi tried to stop him and got shot.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

"That's great, we barely said hello and they already hate us"Sanji said "Get out of here!"one of the men yelled firing a warning shot at Sanji's feet, Sanji of course got mad, Vivi tried to stop him and got shot "Vivi!"Luffy called to her before turning to the men "Why you!"he yelled, the men aimed at us i grabbed one of my swords getting ready to fight if necessary, Luffy went to lead the charge but Vivi stopped him "Luffy stop it! Fighting is not going to help anything! I'm fine Luffy it only graced my arm"Vivi said.

Vivi then turned to the men bowing her head so low it touched the ships deck "It's alright we won't land but can you please call us a doctor? Our friend is dying from a serious illness i'm begging you please help us!"she said "Vivi"Luffy said "You're not fit to be the captain of this ship Luffy, not everything can be fixed by rushing in to start a fight, we can't get into a fight here, think about Nami what would happen to her"Vivi said.

"Yeah right i'm sorry about that,please help us call a doctor our friend needs you"Luffy said bowing down as well, his hat flying off, i dropped my guard as a beat of silence passed by "I'll show you to our village follow me"the leader guy said, i sighed a bit in relief as the men started to leave too, only Zoro, Karoo and i stayed behind on the ship as the rest went to the village.

"Alright i think i can take off your bandages Zoro"i said once everyone had left "Oh, thanks"he said kicking off his shoes, i took off the bandages around his legs and had a final look at them "Yeah, looks good to me"i said nodding to myself "Yeah that's much better"Zoro grinned tapping his feet together, i giggled a bit at him "Now i can get to do some real training, i was getting sick of that modified training i had to do due to my stupid injury"he said.

"Which i may remind you happened because of your stupid plan"i told him "Yeah yeah"Zoro said taking off his coat and shirt leaving him in nothing but his pants "Okay i appreciate the view but what are you doing?"i asked "I'm gonna do some ice water swimming, to clear my head"he said "You're crazy! You're gonna catch hypothermia!"i yelled at him "I'll be fine, it's endurance training"he said "Endurance my ass! You're gonna kill yourself!"i yelled at him.

"Just train like you usually do! You don't have to go jumping into freezing rivers!"I yelled at Zoro "I know i don't have to but i still wanna try to, you're welcome to join"Zoro said, i sighed "No thank you"i said "Suit yourself"Zoro shrugged and got off the ship, he was already shivering just standing in the water, i watched him extremely worried "Zoro!"I called as he dived into the river and got of the ship, i could hear another splash behind me just as Zoro came back up "Get out of there already Zoro!"i yelled at him "No way! I'm getting used to the cold temperature!"he yelled back swimming further down the river "Ugh you are impossible!"i yelled following him along the river bank.

~skip~

Zoro and i were currently walking through the snow "Come on Zoro, i know you're freezing, it's fine if you take my coat, i'll be fine"i said "I-i'm fine!"Zoro said his teeth chattering "It is because my coat is for women? You know i won't tell anyone you borrowed it"i said when i noticed a woman in a sled infront of us, i gasped "A reindeer?!"i squealed a bit and hugged it around the neck "Aww it's so cute! So fluffy!"i said a big grin on my face nuzzling into the reindeer's fur.

The woman cackled "You must be quite the animal lover most people are scared of Chopper"she said "Why would i ever be scared of such a little cutie?"i asked looking at her, she just laughed again "Your boyfriend over there isn't looking so good, i could check him if you'd like, i am a doctor, although i have a fee"the woman said "Nah he's fine, he hasn't gotten hypothermia yet which is something considering he was swimming in the river a while back, also we're not dating"i said.

"Oh really now? Well that's a shame, well if you don't need me i should be on my way, let's go Chopper"the woman said and left as the reindeer pulled her sled "Now back to where we were, just take my coat already"i said turning to Zoro "No thanks, i'll just warm up with some strength training"Zoro said walking off again, i sighed following him.

As Zoro was training though i heard a rumble in the distance and turned to see what it was "Avalanche!"i yelled Zoro ran over grabbing me and tugging me into his body and curling up as the Avalanche covered us.

~skip~

Zoro popped out of the snow first "That was way too close for comfort"he said, i followed him up "You saved me"i said amazed by his actions "Of course, you know i care"i cut him off, with a kiss.

~Zoro~

I instantly felt warmer as her lips locked with mine, of course i was shocked too but as her arms wrapped around my neck i relaxed and wrapped my arms around her waist returning the kiss, she pulled back after a while i looked at her "What was that for?"i asked "I'm done playing chicken, also as thanks, everyone says we're a couple anyways, might as well make it official"she smiled, i chuckled a bit and kissed her again "Yeah let's make it official"i smiled back at her.

~Nicole~

"Nicole, Zoro! I thought it was you"Vivi said as she ran over while we dug ourselves out of the snow "Vivi and uhm"i paused looking at the very swollen face and a long nose "Usopp!"i said recognizing the long nose "What are you guys doing all the way out here in the snow?"Zoro asked "That's exactly what we were gonna ask you!"Vivi and Usopp yelled at us "Well this idiot here thought it would be a great idea to train in freezing weather half naked, i couldn't just let him freeze to death so i followed"i said.

Anyway after that we kinda randomly wondered off, while walking Zoro asked Usopp for his coat "Not a chance" Usopp said "Oh so you'll take his coat but mine is no good?"i asked "Yours wouldn't have fit anyway"Zoro said, i huffed looking away "How about your shoes?"Zoro asked Usopp "Nope"he said "Just one then"Zoro said "I said no, you did this to yourself"Usopp said.

"Look at that guys there's some people over there"Vivi said as we came up on a village "Hey look at those buildings they seem familiar don't they?"Usopp asked, not to me, never seen them before "You're right Usopp, this place is Big Horn, we just came back it looks a lot different buried in snow though"Vivi said, we walked getting closer to the village.

"Hey what's going on here?"Zoro asked one of the villagers as we got closer "What's going on here?"the villager asked turning to Zoro and me "Wait what's going on with you? Why are you dressed like that?"the villager asked "He thought it would be smart to train half naked in snowy weather"i said "Just how stupid are you?"the villager asked Zoro.

"Dalton is buried in the snow that came down with the avalanche"one of the villagers said "What?"Usopp asked "Dalton is under that?"Vivi asked "That's right and we can't get over there cause those guys are blocking us"the villager said "For the last time stay back! But if you wanna dig your friend up i guess you can try fighting us all!"one of the solders laughed.

"Hey Usopp i think i remember that clothing, those are the same guys that attacked us while we were out in the ocean right?"Zoro asked "Yeah that's right"Usopp said "And they're the enemy, bad guys, not our friends follow me?"Zoro asked "Yeah but wait a second i know that look" Usopp said "Well there's not that many of them so i'm gonna let you have all the fun, besides these clowns don't seem that strong anyway"i said "Yeah, just what i needed to hear Nicole" Zoro said and nodded before going forward.

I watched as Zoro stole the clothes off of one of the solders and fought of the rest of them in a matter of second "Well that was disappointing wasn't it?"Zoro asked as i walked over to him "So now that you're warm i hope you've learned something from this"i said to him "Yeah, i should keep my clothes on in winter"he said, i nodded in agreement as the villagers started to look for this Dalton guy.

"So what's going on why are they so worked up?"Zoro asked as Usopp came running over "I'll explain it all to you later for now let's just give them a hand"Usopp said before running off, Zoro looked at me, i just shrugged and grabbed a shovel and started digging, Zoro did the same.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

"Everyone we found Dalton he's over here!"one of the villagers yelled, i dropped my shovel and went to see this Dalton guy "This is horrible, i can't feel a heartbeat"one of the villagers said, Zoro joined my side as Vivi was yelling fruitlessly at the unconscious guy, i'm guessing Dalton cause she keeps saying that name over and over.

"Don't worry he's not dead"someone said "The twenty Md's"one of the villagers said, ah so these guys are doctors "He will be if we don't act soon, he has severe frostbite"one of the doctors said "We can begin treating immediately if you'll let us"another doctor said.

"Hey what do you know there are doctors here, that's funny i heard there weren't any sawbones in this country"Zoro said "There are a few doctors, these guys are the twenty Md's but they work exclusively for Wapol so that makes them bad doctors"Usopp said "The fatty who attacked us right?"I asked "Yeah"Usopp nodded "That's right we can't trust any of you traitors, you expect us to leave Dalton with you? You surrendered to Wapol fight out a fight and turned your backs on us"one of the villagers said.

"Wapol probably sent you here to kill Dalton"another said "Please if you want to save him just do as i say"one of the doctors said, the villagers weren't buying it "The twenty of us are still doctors, even though we were forced against our wills to serve only Wapol"one of the doctors said taking off their glasses and mask, the others followed as to show the villagers could trust them again.

"We've always worked to advance our medical research for the benefit of all the patients in this country, it was all because of a certain quack who taught us never to give up, we can't afford to lose any more men like him so please let us help"the doctor said

~skip~

The doctors were treating that Dalton guy inside as Vivi, Usopp, Zoro and i waited outside "I can't take this anymore let's go up the mountain, okay Usopp, Mr. Bushido, Nicole?"Vivi asked "This sitting around and waiting is killing me, Luffy and the others could of gotten hurt in that avalanche they might be trapped and don't forget Nami had a high fever, maybe something happened to them"Vivi said.

"You're worried about Nami and Luffy and Sanji and Dalton and what's going on in Alabasta, Vivi can't you see it you're carrying too many burdens on your shoulders calm down, we don't need to go up there at all and do you know why? Because those three are fine that's Luffy, Nami and Sanji we're talking about, i believe in them"Usopp said.

"Thanks a lot you're full off wisdom Usopp"Vivi said after thinking about it "No he's full of crap he's just scared to go up that mountain"Zoro said poking Usopp on the head "But i heard there were things like yetis and man eating bunnies up there i don't wanna get eaten!"Usopp said "Then say so from the start you coward"Zoro said "He does have a point though"i said going over to Vivi who looked at me.

"Worrying excessively gives you nothing but wrinkles, have a little faith"i said "Now you're being hypocritical, you worry about me all the time"Zoro said poking my forehead as well "I'm allowed to worry about a reckless idiot like you who would go jumping into freezing rivers!"i yelled at him, the door opened just then that Dalton guy came limping out and barely five steps out he fell on his knees.

"Get out of my way we can't let Wapol retake the castle we just can't"Dalton said "Wait you mean that's where you're headed the castle?"Vivi asked "In your condition? Are you nuts?" Usopp asked "My country is more important then my health, he cannot succeed, i will not let that happen not now not ever Wapol must perish"Dalton said.

"But you're not strong enough to fight them in your condition sir"one of the villagers said "And the rest of us are no match for them either"another said as Dalton got up "I'm going to settle this thing once and for all i'll stop Wapol even if it kills me"he said walking forward, Usopp stepped infront of him and offered the guy a ride on his back "Here i'll take you to the castle hop on"he said.

"He doesn't seriously think he could lift a guy that size, let alone carry him anywhere?"i muttered "We'll see where this goes"Zoro said, Usopp could carry the guy but he was going rather slow "Damn it what the hell is he doing?"Zoro wondered with a sigh and walked over grabbing the Dalton guy and easily lifting him over his shoulder "You just gonna sit there and whine or are you coming with us?"Zoro asked Usopp.

"Seriously what were you thinking Usopp? Lifting this guy with your twiggy arms"i said "Well i don't see much on your arms either"Usopp said "Please i could dead lift a hundred guys his size easy"i said "We'll see about that! I challenge you!"Usopp said "Oh yeah? Well i accept, even though i doubt it will be much of a challenge"i said "You just wait until we get back on the Merry!"Usopp said.

"Hey wait hold up there's an easier way up to the castle"one of the villagers called after us and we looked back "Instead of walking take the rope way"the villager called "Rope way? Impossible, there hasn't been one connecting to Wapol's castle for a while"another said "Someone's obviously reconnected one because i just saw it, there was a rope connected to a big white tree in the outskirts of Gyasta"another said.

"Gyasta huh?"Usopp asked "That's the name of the town doctor Kureha was headed to remember?"Vivi asked him, we followed the villagers to this Gyasta place and sure enough just outside of it there was a tree that had a rope tied to it, we got on some gondola sort of thing and started our way up the rope riding on it.

"Great view from this thing huh?"Zoro asked once we were about halfway up "Kinda romantic no?"i whispered leaning on him "Yeah"he whispered back putting his arm around me, i giggled a bit we're already being more affectionate to each other, funny how one kiss can change things "Yeah but is it this the tiniest bit over crowded?"Usopp asked having not heard our conversation or noticing our couple thing.

"We can let Dalton go alone when he's injured we'll fight along side him"one of the villagers said, quite a few of them was packed into this sardine can along with us "Okay okay i get it but we're so overloaded it'll take forever to get there"Usopp said "Yeah we'd be moving a lot faster with less people"i said.

~skip~

As we came up to the castle and to the snow covered dock thing Usopp got off first but ignoring whatever he was saying Zoro and i went up the stairs there "I'm going first!"Usopp said rushing ahead of us but as we got to the top he went to hide behind Zoro "Hey what the hell are you doing?"he asked Usopp "Just watching your back"Usopp said "Hiding behind it is more like it why'd you even come up if you're so scared?"Zoro asked.

"Scared don't be ridiculous i always laugh at the face of danger"Usopp said "Well i don't see you laughing now"i said as something approached with a yell from the distance "Luffy!"we yelled at him as the rubber man came flying at us, Zoro protected me at the last second, "Why the hell did you do that you moron?!"he yelled at Luffy popping out of the snow, i shortly followed, Usopp was still unconscious though.

Luffy just laughed "I didn't recognized you at first, i really thought you were more of big mouths guards coming up here to fight, i'm really surprised you came up here, well not either of you Zoro and Nicole but you Usopp aren't you normally scared of stuff like climbing mountains?"he asked "Haha yeah right whenever there's a towering peak infront of me i get to climbing but let me tell you scaling that mountain hand over hand was no picnic"Usopp said.

"He's fibbing as usual we took a rope way cart up here"i told him "Nami and Sanji are they alright?"Vivi asked walking forward and over to Luffy "Yeah both of them are just fine"Luffy said "Thank goodness"Vivi said "So what was it you were doing on top of the castle a few minutes ago?"Zoro asked ignoring whatever Usopp was rambling about.

"Beating the crap out of the king"Luffy said "Oh okay"Zoro said "You mean to say that person i saw flying through the air was actually Wapol? You beat him?"Dalton asked "Yep i sure did"Luffy said "You say that like it was an easy fight"i said "Yeah, kinda disappointing really"Luffy said "And his two henchmen what happened to them?"Dalton asked.

"Oh well the reindeer beat them up"Luffy said "What those two a reindeer?"Dalton wondered "Oh hey Usopp i made a new friend get this he's a reindeer"Luffy said just as Usopp was finishing his ramble "Reindeer?"Usopp asked "Oh hey i remember seeing a reindeer, it was pulling a sled with this woman in it, i wonder if it's the same one"i said "Oh yeah, could be"Zoro said.

"It is you"Dalton said, looking over it was this little thing hiding behind a tree, very poorly might i add, but i squealed a bit "You are the cutest thing ever!"i yelled going after the thing which screamed running away "Come back i just wanna hug you!"i yelled chasing it.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

I pouted sitting in the snow, i had lost the tanuki or whatever that cute thing was, i just wanted to give it a hug but now Luffy was chasing the little cutie asking it to join the crew so i had my chance later if it decided to join "Hey you over there"i heard and looked over and saw it was that old woman we had come across earlier.

"Doctor Kureha"the villagers said "Yes good to see you too now be useful and take the injured guy to the medical ward"the woman said "Hey i recognise you, you're that damn old hag from before i'm gonna"Zoro was cut off as he was kicked in the head, i pocked at the bump on his head "A little harsh for a doctor"i said, the woman laughed before turning to the villagers "Well get moving"she said.

"Yes ma'am"the villagers said "I suggest you hurry unless you wanna be in the same kind of pain in this man is"the woman said, the villagers hurried along taking Dalton inside as Zoro, Usopp and i stayed outside "I'm impressed you still have a bump on your head"i said pocking at it "Would you quit that?"Zoro asked "Nope"i smirked a bit and continued poking as he continued grumbling.

~skip~

Night had fallen i had cuddled up into Zoro's lap as it also got colder "Hey! Deer! Come join my crew okay!"Luffy yelled "Come on Luffy why don't you just give it up, we've been tracking him forever and he still hasn't shown up"Usopp said "He's not interested in becoming a pirate you're just gonna have to accept that"Zoro said "No that's not true i want the reindeer to be a pirate with us"Luffy said "Just because you want something doesn't mean it's going to happen!"Zoro yelled at him.

Luffy went back to yelling for the reindeer trying to convince it to join us, i just cuddled further into Zoro "Well don't you look cozy?"Usopp asked "Oh hush you we still have that challenge once we get back to the Merry, don't forget"i said "Reindeer guy"Luffy said as the little cutie appeared by the forest, i noticed Vivi and Nami coming out of the castle dragging Sanji with them.

"Hey you're gonna come on our ship and be a pirate with us, kay?"Luffy said fully convinced the reindeer even wanted to join "I can't"the reindeer said, wait that thing speaks? Even cuter "Sure you can reindeer it's a whole lot of fun"Luffy said "That's not a very good argument!"Usopp yelled at him "I can't, i'm not a human i'm a reindeer! I have antlers and hooves don't you see?! I even have a blue nose!"the reindeer said, personally i think the blue nose just makes him cuter.

"Okay maybe i do wanna be a pirate but i can't ever be one of you i'm not human! I'm a monster, i can't be your friend and i can't become a pirate on your ship! You see? I'm just here to say thank you, i appreciate you asking me to join your ship that was really nice so thank you, i'm going to stay here for now but if you wanted to you can stop by here again"the reindeer said.

"Shut up! Let's go!"Luffy yelled, i snickered a bit "I feel that this is somehow familiar"i said, Zoro chuckled a bit "You and me both"he said as the reindeer started crying, he went to say goodbye to doctor Kureha so we waited outside some more "Nami how are you feeling? Are you completely recovered from your illness already?"Usopp asked her "Sure am i feel great"Nami said giving a thumbs up, I could tell she was fine too and not just putting on a brave face again.

"Doctorine acts all tough on us but deep down i really think she is a kind person"Nami said "Yeah i got that vibe from her too"i said "You sure?"Luffy asked "So we're just gonna leave without saying anything to her?"Usopp asked "Yeah once Chopper comes back we'll head down the mountain and set sail to Alabasta, sounds good to you right Vivi?"Nami asked.

"Yes now that we have a doctor coming with us"Vivi said "A doctor?"Luffy asked "Well in that case i'll go ahead and get the rope way ready"Usopp said walking off "Hey Luffy give me a hand!"he said "I didn't even know there was a rope way so cool"Luffy said going with Usopp.

~skip~

"What's going on? There's a lot of noise coming from the castle"Zoro said "How inconsiderate making all that noise while those two are trying to say goodbye that's just down right rude" Nami said "Oh finally here he comes"Zoro said as Chopper came running out of the castle pulling a sled behind him while being chased by Kureha "He's being chased"Nami said.

"Hey! We got the rope way ready to go!"Usopp yelled over to us "Everyone get on the sleigh we're gonna head down the mountain hurry!"Chopper said, i jumped up and we all got on the sleigh as Chopper ran by us, Luffy was hanging out the back holding onto Usopp who was trying to pull him in as we made our way down the rope.

We went past the villagers and further on we went towards the Merry, Luffy laughed "Hey that was fun can we do that again reindeer?"he asked "You idiot we don't have time for that"Nami said "Whew i thought i was gonna die"Usopp said "Hey where am i what's going on?"Sanji asked finally waking up "Welcome back to the land of the living Sanji"i said "Oh Sanji you're awake, are you okay?"Vivi asked him "Of course my dear!"Sanji said with heart eyes.

We came to a stop as we heard cannon fire and looked back as the mountain lit up in pinkish snow, it looked like a cherry tree in full bloom, i smiled a bit watching i loved cherry blossoms they were my favorite flower after all, the snow falling down also turned pink it was beautiful.

After Chopper was done crying we continued the way to Merry and even back on the ship the falling snow was still pink "Whoa"Luffy said "It's beautiful"Vivi said "Like a bunch of cherry blossoms"Zoro said "You know cherry blossoms are my favorite flower"i whispered to Zoro knowing that if Sanji overheard he would never stop bugging me.

Anyway as we continued sailing "Usopp i hope you haven't forgotten we still have a challenge to settle, pick whatever you like and we'll settle it right now"i said "Alright then i pick uhm, arm wrestling yeah"Usopp said, i smirked "You're on"i said.

Luffy got us a crate and i set my right hand on it and Usopp did the same "Yeah Nicole show him what you got!"Sanji cheered "She's gonna crush you"Zoro said with a smirk, Usopp started shaking i could see he was starting to regret this "What's the matter Usopp scared?"i asked "No way! I was the one who challenged you, i might not win but i'm gonna give it my all!"he said clasping my hand, he then smirked "Little do you know i was the arm wrestling champion back in my village"he said trying to psych me out.

"Oh? Well little do you know, i get my competitive nature from my father"i smirked as Usopp flinched a bit "Ready?! Set! Go!"Luffy said, i instantly flattened Usopp's hand on the crate shattering it and putting him down on the deck, Luffy laughed "It's an instant knock out!"he laughed "Karoo what in the world were you doing frozen in the river like that?"Vivi asked the poor duck.

"That bird ten berries says he slipped and fell into the river he's a clumsy one"Zoro said "Be quiet Mr. Bushido"Vivi said, Karoo was squawking and Chopper nodded along "He said that the guy named Zoro was swimming in the river and then he and the kind lady disappeared, he thought Zoro was in trouble and Nicole followed only to get in trouble too so he jumped into the river and ended up getting frozen in it"Chopper said.

"So this is all your fault!"Nami said bonking Zoro on the head "So you were able to understand everything Karoo was saying?"Vivi asked Chopper "Yes i'm still technically half animal by nature so i can understand what they say"Chopper said "So you can talk to animals?"Vivi asked "Oh wow Chopper between your medical skills and talking to animals you've got some amazing talents"Nami said "Not to mention you're the epitome of cuteness"i said finally getting my hug in.

"And so fluffy too"i added "Don't be silly you jerk flattering me like that isn't gonna make me happy or anything"Chopper said but he sure looked happy with that smile on his face, i let Chopper go satisfied to finally get my hug in "Hey what did you mean about Chopper's medical skills anyway?"Zoro asked "Well Chopper here is a doctor and a first rate one at that doctor Kureha taught him everything there is to know about medicine"Nami said.

The others were amazed cause they didn't know that, well i didn't either but i admired that fact in silence "Really Luffy if you didn't know that what did you think Chopper was when you asked him to join us?"Nami asked "A talking transforming reindeer monster"Luffy said "Backup food"Sanji said "Wait oh no i was in such a hurry i left my medical back behind it had all of my tools in it"Chopper said.

"Your bag? But isn't this it?"Nami asked holding up the thing "That is my bag"Chopper said "It was in the back of the sleigh"Nami said "How is that?"Chopper asked "What do you mean weren't you the one that packed the sleigh and got it ready for the trip?"Nami asked "No it must of been Doctorine"Chopper said "That's amazing, Doctorine knew what you were planning on doing even before you had decided to leave the island with us, what a kind woman"Nami said.

Anyway we eventually, after some fighting and goofing around, had a toast to celebrate the joining of a new crew member, namely Chopper.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

Zoro was napping as usual, using my lap as a pillow, of course Sanji had freaked out first saying why should moss head get to sleep on my lap "I don't see you sleeping right now"I simply said before Sanji turned his attention to Luffy and i watched just cause "Don't lie to me Luffy, tell me what you know right now, don't look away i want you to look me in the eyes and tell me the truth right now"he said pinching Luffy's cheek.

"No idea what you mean Sanji, i don't know anything really"Luffy said, i snickered a bit even from here i could tell he was a terrible liar "Then let me ask you how did enough food for nine people which i carefully divided up to last until we reached Alabasta suddenly go missing in the middle of the night?"Sanji asked, Luffy said nothing.

"Lying is pointless so just tell me the truth you have a terrible poker face"Sanji said grabbing Luffy's face but Luffy still said nothing, Sanji got up "Oh it looks like you have something on your mouth there"he said "I forgot about the crums!"Luffy yelled before quickly covering his mouth "I knew it was you!"Sanji said kicking Luffy away, i quietly laughed to myself, i didn't wanna bring attention to my laugh, i knew it was weird.

"Jerk, hey Nami we need to do something we need a better way to keep the food safe from Luffy can we please buy a refrigerator that locks?"Sanji asked turning to Nami on the balcony "Well maybe, might be a good idea since it could be a matter of life and death"Nami said turning to Usopp, Chopper and Karoo who were fishing, ah i see, they must have stolen some of the food as well, greedy bastards.

"Well we really do need to catch something for Sanji"Usopp said, Sanji walked over to them "So how's the fishing going?"he asked them and banged their heads together "Pathetic i can't take my eyes off anyone"Sanji said, i giggled a bit again and started coming Zoro's hair with my fingers as he started snoring, i leaned back taking a nap as well.

~skip~

I woke up as i smelled sulfur and coughed, we must be passing by a hot spot and saw the boys had caught someone on the duck, they fell and we had to save them cause they couldn't swim "I thought i was going to die there for a minute"the guy said dripping wet, by now Zoro was up too cause i was the one who saved this weird guy, so i was dripping wet too, thankfully it was nice and sunny so i should dry quickly.

Anyway "Hey you saved me thanks, i never imagined my life would be saved by a group of complete strangers, thanks again i'll never forget your kindness although could i trouble you for a cup of warm soup? A chicken noodle will do"the guy said.

"No way!"we yelled at him "We can't even feed ourselves!"Zoro yelled, the guy then noticed Vivi and quite creepily flirted with her, ew, "So uh you really can't swim huh?"Luffy asked "That's right you see i ate a Devil Fruit so i can't swim even a little bit"the guy said "Yeah what kind of fruit?"Usopp asked "Let's see well since i can't go anywhere until my ship picks me up so there's no harm in a little fun, for saving my life i'll show you"the guy said.

"Now get ready, this is my power!"the guy said before smacking Luffy right in the face "Why'd you!"Zoro said drawing two of his sword getting ready to fight when he was cut off by a familiar voice "Wait wait hold on a second this is all for just a little fun remember? Hey now mean guy relax"the guy said except he looked exactly like Luffy.

"Wait that's me!"Luffy said "Fun fun fun fun!"the Luffy clone laughed "And if i touch my face with my left hand i'm back to normal, now that is the power of the clone clone devil fruit you see"the guy said changing back "Amazing"Nami said "The body and the voice match perfectly"Usopp said, the guy then touched all our faces "There but honestly i didn't have to slap you around like that kay? Now watch"the guy said and changed himself into Usopp.

"All i have to do"he changed into Zoro "Is touch my right hand to you"he changed into Chopper "As you can see i can mimic anyone"he then chanced into Nami, please don't do me, that would be just freaky "That's not all i can change bodies too"the clone Nami said revealing her chest, i'm just glad this freak didn't stop on me, Nami punched the guy "Stop that!"she said.

"Uhm guy are you okay?"Luffy asked "Well i'm terribly sorry but i should demonstrate my power anymore"the guy said "No please do more!"Luffy cheered with Usopp and Chopper cheering with him "Alright if you absolutely insist i guess i can show you more"the guy said "Really haming it up huh?"Nami asked as Zoro, her and myself were back by the ship's railing "Let them have their fun"I said.

"Well then i have something even more incredible i come equipped with a memory feature"the guy said and showed Luffy, Usopp and Chopper some random faces which i could see the side profile of being where i was, sitting next to Zoro "This is just boring"Zoro said well that i could agree on, just a bit.

"Well did everyone enjoy my super secret special talent? It's quite impressive but i almost never show it off"the guy said, i sweatdropped as Luffy, Usopp and Chopper, a group i shall from now on refer to as the children or kids started dancing with the weird guy "Oh whatever"Nami sighed turning away from that crazy display, then she seemed to notice something so i had a look too, a ship was approaching us.

The guy jumped on the railing "It's time to say goodbye already? What a shame"he said "Nooo!" the children yelled "No you can't leave please don't go"Usopp begged "Try not to be sad journey's must always include farewells and yet i will never forget you or today, it's been brief but true friendship isn't determined by time don't cry friends!"the guy said jumping over to his ship.

I rolled my eyes stepping away as the kids cried after him "Now quickly let's get going!"i heard the guy say "Yes sir Mr.2 Mr. Bon Clay sir!"i heard his crew say as they sailed off "Mr.2!"Usopp gasped "That guy is Mr.2?"Vivi said "Vivi you mean you didn't know by just looking?"Luffy asked "Nah i've never met Mr.2 or Mr.1 and his partner, i don't know much about any of them or what their powers may be, though i have heard rumors about them all, I heard about Mr.2, apparently he's a very tall ballerina, talks like a woman and he always wear a swan coat the coat says bon clay on the back"Vivi said.

I sweatdropped, for rumors that was pretty accurate to that guy "Is something wrong Vivi?"Luffy asked "I saw something in his memory and the faces that he showed us one of those faces belonged to my father Cobra Nefertari, my father the king of Alabasta"Vivi said "That's not good, he can mimic the face of a king that easily Mr.2 has the potential to cause a lot of trouble"Zoro said "I bet that's exactly what Crocodile is counting on, whatever his plan is i'm sure it involves that man taking the place of Vivi's father"i said "Looks like we let a really bad guy get away today huh?"Usopp asked.

"So that guy is our enemy?"Chopper asked "Seems so and having him on the other side is not a good thing"Nami said and walked over "If Mr.2 realizes we're the one Baroque works is after then he can use the memories he got earlier to transform into any one of us, we wouldn't be able to trust each other"Nami said.

"Really?"Luffy asked not really getting it "I will explain it again"Nami said "No hold on a sec, Luffy's slow but he's right not to be scared just hear me out on this one and i think you'll agree, it's actually a good thing we ran into Mr.2 when we did because now we can prepare and we can beat him at his own game"Zoro said with a smirk, oh i do love that smirk.

The Merry started rocking around as a huge cat like creature came out of the water "That thing is huge!"Luffy said "A sea cat"Vivi said "It's a sea monster!"Chopper said as he and Usopp were freaking out, Zoro drew his swords ready to fight this thing "It looks like food to me!"Zoro said "Yeah let's go!"Luffy said "Food for me"Luffy said looking particularly possessed, the cat backed away "It's backing away!"Zoro said "Reverse put the boat in reverse!"Luffy said.

"No we can't do that!"Usopp yelled "Hey don't let it get away if the two of you don't capture it i'll kill you!"Sanji said running over, i was fine with them attacking and killing this cute cat cause we needed food, "Now then sea kitten how do you think i should cook you?"Sanji asked joining Luffy and Zoro.

"No!"Vivi said hitting them with a broom as the cat swam away "Vivi what are you doing? I'm hungry"Luffy said "Why? Just why it was food?"Sanji asked as i was checking on Zoro "Because you can't eat a sea cat, i just can't let you sea cats are sacred animals in Alabasta"Vivi said "There are more animals in the ocean then i thought"Chopper said, ignoring Usopp, "Our food got away"Luffy cried biting on the railing "Yeah but don't worry Luffy you'll be able to stuff yourself full really soon"Vivi said.

"Yeah really? Will we get another cat to eat Vivi?"Luffy asked "Vivi the wind and weather seem to be stabilising"Nami said walking over "Uh huh, we're entering the climate area of Alabasta island seeing a sea cat come out of the water is proof as well"Vivi said.

"Those things you see behind us there is all the proof i need that we're getting close"Zoro said pointing out the hundreds of Baroque Works ships behind us "It looks as though all the Baroque works employees have started gathering, i'm guessing these are the billions they're the subordinates under the officer agents"Vivi said "Which mean that there are at least two hundred enemies waiting for us"Nami said "The best Baroque Works has to offer, the elite of the underlings this group will surely be a lot better then those at Whiskey Peak"Vivi said.

"I doubt that, if their only one step up from the guys in Whiskey Peak they can't be any more challenging then they were"i said as Usopp was aiming the cannon "Let's blow them all away!"he yelled "It'll be quicker if we go over there and beat them up"Luffy said but then his stomach growled "Hold on though i need to eat something first"he said "Come on, Nicole has a point, they're not worth it, don't bother"Zoro said.

"He's right we need to keep our eyes on the price or we might loose this all together, after all nine against two hundred sucks"Sanji said.

~skip~

"Let me help with that"i said to Zoro and tied up the bandage around his arm "Thanks, let me help you too"he said and tied mine up, these weren't because we were injured, they had a different meaning all together "What a good plan"Vivi said "We'll always know who our friends are just look for the bandage on their arm"Nami said.

"This clone clone fruit guy? So is he that similar when he turns into someone else?"Sanji asked having missed the whole thing "You have no idea it was the same not just similar, it was crazy really, you should have seen it Sanji he changed into every one of us, even Nami and except Nicole, and then we got to dance with him"Usopp said.

"I'm not really interested in dancing with a male ballerina"Sanji said "We know that someone with his powers is among the enemy so we need to be careful to be on our guard at all times" Zoro said, i nodded in agreement.

"I can see the island now!"Luffy called "Let's stop at the town called Nanohana we have to hide the ship"Vivi said "Okay, no matter what happens on that island remember this thing on all our arms is a sign of our friendship"Luffy said as we each showed off the bandage, i was between Luffy and Zoro, "Now let's land okay? Then eat! oh and help Vivi"Luffy said "That's a side note?"we all asked him sweatdropping.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

I was standing by Zoro as we docked at the shores of the desert island home to the Alabasta Kingdom, Vivi's home, near a town called Nanohana "So this is an Alabasta city?"Usopp asked "Is there food?"Luffy asked.

"Listen up guys i want you all to do your best to control yourselves while you're here"Nami said "Of course Nami!"Sanji said "You do realize the one that needs to hear that the most has already left the ship?"Zoro asked referring to Luffy who was running to the town at full speed yelling about meat.

"Get back here!"Nami fruitlessly yelled after him "He doesn't know the meaning of control" Usopp said "What now?"Vivi asked "He's easy to find just look to the area with commotion and that's where he'll be"Sanji said getting off the ship "He's right"Usopp said "Ugh i wish he'd at least remember he has a bounty on that rubbery head of his especially while we're in a big country like this"Nami said.

"Forget about Luffy he can take care of himself now let's go find some food and get to work after that"Zoro said climbing down the rope ladder "Yeah we can worry about Luffy later"i said following Zoro down as Chopper jumped down after us "They're all the same"i could hear Nami grumble.

"I guess i should let you know Karoo and i can't go with you, we're too recognisable"Vivi said "Makes sense"Zoro said "No worries"Sanji said "Yeah just sit tight for now, we'll get disguises or something"i said with a shrug , Karoo then squawked noticing Mr.3's ship in the distance "This isn't good cause he's seen most of our faces"Zoro said.

Usopp got a plan, to sneak into town under the cover of a blanket, honestly a totally ridiculous plan as it made us stand out even more as we all were crouching down and walking along under the blanket, which was hard enough because i could barely see and the blanker seemed to keep sticking to me in particular because of static electricity, i just focused trying not to trip.

Eventually we reached the ruins of a building and hid there of course once the blanket came off me it left my hair sticking out every which way, the others snickered a bit, even Zoro until i shut them up with a death glare and just finger combed my hair down, i noticed Vivi was spacing out for whatever reason until Sanji called to her "Uh yes? Sanji what were you saying?"she asked.

"What is it Vivi something wrong?"Sanji asked her "Sorry for that but i'm just really relieved now, if nothing else from what i've seen so far i know that at least this town is doing alright but i can't start exactly resting easy but it's a good sign"Vivi said as i finished straightening my hair "It does seem like a peaceful town"Nami said "Vivi you said you had a plan to stop the rebel army didn't you?"Zoro asked, Vivi nodded "Well what are you gonna do? What do we need to do to help? If you really wanna stop this thing it's better to act quickly"Zoro said.

"Well i agree with that but the only agreement i made was for you to bring me here to Alabasta"Vivi was cut off as Nami bonked her head "Quit it are you still thinking like that?"Nami asked her "Nami?" Vivi asked "We travelled this far together after all we're not gonna run away and leave you now"Nami said.

"Yeah Vivi come on, you're practically one of us now"Usopp said "Yeah you're our friend now, i'm sure Luffy would agree and friends help each other"i said "Besides i wanna see this warlord" Zoro said "You didn't need to bring that up"Nami said to him before turning to Vivi "Now listen we're not going to leave you"she said "They are trying to kill us too"Sanji said.

"Yes but"Vivi said "It's settled then"Sanji cut her off "Besides if this country gets destroyed we will be out of a big reward you understand?"Nami asked Vivi getting a dark look on her face "Yes"Vivi said "Okay good"Nami said now smiling, i sweatdropped a bit.

"A little north west of the city were in now is an oasis called Yuba, that's where the rebel army is based at the moment, i'd like to go there first and head off the rebellion but in order to get to Yuba we're going to need to get through the desert first we need all the necessary supplies to make it, we can find everything we need easily in this town but Mr.3 is somewhere out there waiting for us"Vivi said.

"If that guy's the only obstacle we shouldn't have a problem he's never seen my face before" Sanji said "Yeah you haven't run into many of the Baroque Works agents so far"Nami said "There's someone else too"Zoro said "That's right Chopper"Nami said "That'll be perfect we're gonna have a lot to carry that alright?"Sanji asked the little reindeer "Yeah i got it"Chopper said.

"I guess we're counting on you then"I said "You have nothing to worry about Nicole!"Sanji said with heart eyes, i sweatdropped a bit at him "Are you sure you'll be okay?"Usopp asked Chopper "Yeah i'm sure i want to do whatever i can to help out"Chopper said and turned to his regular reindeer form "I should blend in fine like this shouldn't i?"he asked "Alright now that's what i call a brave reindeer"Usopp said, Vivi gave Sanji a list of things we needed before he and Chopper left.

~skip~

"I absolutely refuse to wear this!"i yelled looking at the dancer outfit Sanji had gotten with a tick mark on my head "Come on Nicole, it's not like we have much of a choice"Nami said "I can't even put my swords anywhere"i grumbled "I can hold them for you dear Nicole!"i heard Sanji call "Thank you!"i called back and got dressed and pinned my hair up.

"Wow this is beautiful! Oh yeah i love it"Nami said once Vivi, her and myself were done changing, mine was pretty similar to both of their outfits only with a light peachy cape and completely white with light yellow and green details, i sighed a bit "I guess it's not that bad"i muttered, it wasn't like i was embarrassed to show some skin, it's the outfit that was kinda embarrassing, i happened to catch Zoro staring who quickly turned away blushing.

Oh this just got ten times better, i thought with a smirk but teasing him will have to come later "I know i asked you to pick up some clothes for us but these are meant for dancer girls"Vivi said to Sanji who quickly turned and had heart eyes "Oh Vivi your a vision"he said with a big grin "But commoners wouldn't wear this"Vivi said "But aren't dancers common?"Sanji asked "We're crossing a desert"Vivi said.

"Hey don't worry if you get tired i'll just carry you"Sanji said and laughed "This is pointless"Vivi said turning away from Sanji, i went over to Zoro "Like what you see?"i asked purposely using the already tight top to show off more of my cleavage, he blushed as he smirked "Maybe i do"he said "Oh you're good, too bad we have to get going, otherwise i wouldn't mind some"i leaned in and whispered to him "Alone time" Zoro went as stiff as a board, i giggled a bit and winked at him leaning back and going back over to the girls.

"At any rate at least we managed to gather all the supplies we need to cross the desert"Usopp said "Yeah"Vivi nodded "This oasis you said it's called Yuba right?"Nami asked "Yes that's correct but first we have to travel across the desert, that trip will likely be more difficult then any of you can begin to imagine, there's no telling what might happen out there, one wrong step in a desert land like this one and there's no guarantee that we'll survive, i'm still a little reluctant about asking you to follow me to such a dangerous place but more then anything i want to bring peace back to Alabasta kingdom so i guess i don't really have any choice back to ask, help me please help me bring peace back to my country, please help me"Vivi said.

"Well you finally said it, it's about time"Nami said giving her a thumbs up "There's no telling what might happen at sea either so we're used to it am i right?"Sanji asked "Yeah it'll be just like any other day"Zoro said "I can't wait to see the desert"Chopper said and Karoo squawked "Okay you guys are you ready to head to Yuba?"Usopp asked "Yeah!"we all said holding up our bandaged arm to the sky.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

We went around town looking for Luffy, after all we couldn't set off anywhere without that idiot captain, anyway after exposing a con artist, we continued the search "Okay where would Luffy be?"Zoro muttered next to me "Somewhere eating no doubt"I said "Yeah"Zoro chuckled a bit before he came to a stop "What's up Zoro?"i asked stopping next to him.

"Who is that?"Zoro muttered looking over i saw some guy asking about Luffy, "Who's that he sure looks like he'd be really strong"Chopper said, i narrowed my eyes a bit, it was a bit hard to see cause he was so far and he had a bag over his shoulder but i swear i recognized that mark on his back "Why do you recon he's looking for Luffy?"Usopp asked "Maybe he's a bounty hunter" Nami said "He's not i'm sure of it"Zoro said, the guy was getting further away and i couldn't put a finger on where i had seen that mark on his back before.

I knew i had seen it before, this was gonna bug me all day now "That mark on his back, i swear i've seen it before but where?"i muttered more to myself, Zoro then spotted something else, rather someone else, cause i also spotted them and knew her as the marine from Roguetown.

Zoro hid behind some barrels dragging me with him as the woman looked our way "Hey Zoro, Nicole what are you doing?"Nami asked walking over "Why are you hiding?"Usopp asked "The marines are here"i said gesturing over to the area just as some other marine showed up, the others hid behind the barrels too "That's captain Smoker he's the marine who cause us a lot of trouble in Roguetown"Nami whispered.

"You mean those marines followed us all the way from Roguetown?"Usopp whispered "Seems to be the case, with him and that mystery man things could get pretty ugly here, come on Luffy show up"Zoro said, we snuck away from there and made sure to steer clear of any other marines as made our way back to the others, that being Vivi, Sanji and Karoo.

~skip~

"This doesn't look good we could be in serious trouble if we don't get out of here soon"Usopp said as we approached Sanji, Vivi and Karoo "Trouble why is that?"Sanji asked "Cause the marines are here"Nami said "Marines?"Vivi asked "And also some mystery man"Chopper said "Let's just find Luffy and get out of this town as soon as we can"Nami said "Hey hide"Zoro said pushing us forward as we hid behind the wall.

And heard something running past "What was that?"Chopper asked "It's the marines"Zoro said "Yeah and their excited about something"Usopp said "I'm sure it's nothing their probably chasing some idiot pirate who's running crazy around town"Sanji said "Some idiot pirate?!"we asked just as Luffy ran past us while being chased by marines.

"It's Luffy!"we yelled as he passed by again "Oh hey Zoro! what's up?!"Luffy said coming to a stop noticing us and ran over with the marines right behind him "Well their coming what should we do now?"Usopp said "We gotta get going"Nami said as i helped her pack "To the ship"Vivi said "Don't just stand there we gotta go!"Luffy yelled running past us, we followed running after him.

That Smoker guy attacked but someone stepped up and blocked the attacked with theirs, it instantly clicked in my head when i saw this guy had fire abilities "Alright looks like the mystery man has devil fruit powers"Zoro said "Who is that guy anyway and why he is helping us?"Usopp asked, who, that i knew but the why is a mystery.

"That you Ace?"Luffy asked, who does he? Never mind i'll find out soon enough i think "You haven't changed a bit Luffy"Ace said "It is you, really? Wow did you eat a devil fruit or something?"Luffy asked "Yeah the flame flame fruit"Ace said, yeah no doubt about it as to who this guy is.

"Anyway no is not the time for chatting, you guys get out of here i'll catch up don't worry about these guys i've got them go on!"Ace said "Let's go!"Luffy said running off again and we again followed "But Luffy"Nami said "Who is that guy back there?"Sanji asked "Do you know him from somewhere?"Vivi asked "Yeah, he's my big brother"Luffy said, i stumbled a bit from the shock but caught myself "Brother?!"we asked and continued running.

After a while we looked back as the fight seemed to escalate "What's going on back there?" Chopper wondered "Looks like a fight between smoke and fire"Usopp "That's exactly what it is Usopp"i told him "So that's the kind of power you get after eating a flame flame fruit"Sanji said "Speaking of devil fruit Luffy is it true is that guy really your brother?"Nami asked "Yep, his name's Ace"Luffy said, which i already knew from wanted posters and such.

"Look i'm not surprised to hear you have a brother Luffy but what's he doing here on the Gran Line?"Zoro asked "Ace is a pirate too just like i am, he left home three years before i did to go search for the One Piece"Luffy said as the fight was still going on "Anyway he bought us some time so we can't waste it, let's get back to the ship"Nami said "Sure Nami dear"Sanji said and we continued running over to the ship, i noticed Luffy stray from the corner of my eye but he'll be fine.

We got to the ship and got everything onto the ship and just as we were setting sail the others noticed Luffy was gone "Guys i have the feeling we're forgetting something"Usopp said "Not something someone"Nami said "Ugh that stupid moron!"Zoro yelled, i decided to keep quiet about what i had seen, i knew Luffy would be fine regardless and find his way back, maybe.

Well we set sail regardless cause the marines were bound to come looking for us and probably find us before Luffy did "Um is it okay for a ship to set sail without its captain on board?"i heard Chopper ask "The first place the marines are gonna look for us is the harbor so our top priority is to hide the ship"Nami explained to him "I know of a secluded cove that's up ahead we can anchor the ship there"Vivi said.

"Alright so we lay low for a bit, let things cool down and then go look for Luffy"Sanji said "Good grief that guy attacks trouble just like a dead guy attracts vultures"i heard Usopp grumble as he was steering the ship "You got that right"i muttered with a sigh standing next to Zoro at the front of the ship "Yeah, it's the only reliable thing our captain ever does"Zoro said.

We had been sailing along the coast, i had been set on lookout duty and spotted Luffy waving at us from the shore "Guys i see Luffy!"i called to the others below "Are you sure?"Zoro called back up "There's no mistaking that stupid grin"i called back down just as Luffy stretched his rubbery arm over and came flying at us crashing into Sanji and Chopper, i climbed down from the crows nest.

"Do you have any idea what trouble you've put us in can you at least act like a pirate sometime?" Nami asked walking over "I'm sorry, oh that's right where's Ace"Luffy said getting up and looking over to the shore "Ace?"Sanji asked "You were with your brother huh?"Zoro asked "Wait a minute you didn't just leave him did you?"Usopp asked walking over.

"Uhm sort of but don't worry Ace is really strong"Luffy said "So how strong is he?"Chopper asked "Well let me put it this way, i was never able to beat him when we were younger and this was way back in the day before he ate a flame flame fruit that's how strong my big brother is" Luffy said, i could buy that knowing his reputation, "You mean there's a flesh and blood person you couldn't beat?"Nami asked "The big brother of a monster is an even bigger monster"Usopp muttered.

"I guess so cause Ace used to beat me up all the time but i bet now i could kick his big butt"Luffy laughed, highly doubt it "I'd like to see you try back that claim up"Zoro said "So exactly who's butt is getting kicked?"Ace asked jumping on the railing knocking Luffy over "Oh hey Ace this is my crew i was telling you about"Luffy said, i went a little stiff as Ace locked eyes with me, i have a feeling he knows exactly who i am.

"Nice to meet you and thanks for taking care of my kid brother i know he's a handful"Ace said dropping his head "Oh no not at all"the others said bowing their heads too, i lifted a brow at them, are they serious? They were just complaining about what a trouble maker Luffy is.

"Come on be honest this is Luffy we're talking about isn't he a bit much at times?"Ace asked "Not at all"the others said, yes definitely, i thought "You're good people"Ace said "Well sit down and relax i'm sure you two have lots of catching up to do, i'll make some tea"Sanji said "No that's thoughtful but i don't wanna impose"Ace said and lit Sanji's cigarette "He's not exactly what i expected"he said.

"I'll say"Zoro said "Yeah, he's got manners"i said "He's polite, helpful and gracious the polar opposite of Luffy"Usopp said "One of them only cares about stuffing his face there's no way these two can be brothers"Nami said "While the only cares about his brother"Zoro said "I wish i had a wonderful brother like that"Chopper cried "Brother? I wish i had a wonderful captain like that"Sanji said "Sanji! He's kidding"Vivi said.

"See i told you they were interesting"Luffy said to his brother as hundreds of Baroque Works ships began surrounding us "Baroque Works? Those are the billions ships"Vivi said "Those guys again?"Luffy asked "Luffy leave it to me i'll handle it"Ace said and went down to this little dinky boat roped to the side of our ship "He's going all by himself?"Nami asked "And in that dinky boat too"Usopp said.

"I wouldn't worry about him, they don't let just anyone become the second division commander of the Whitebeard pirates"I said was we watched Ace destroy all the ships in a single move, pfft nothing i could do if i really wanted to, i just don't want to cause i set this challenge for myself not to use my full power in the first half of the Grand Line.

Chapter Text

~Nicole~

We were currently on a short trip across the river to a town called Eramalu, i was watching Zoro train as usual "Hey Nicole?"He asked, i hummed in response "Why do you always watch me train?"he asked "Well firstly i'm watching to make sure you don't get hurt accidentally and secondly i'm admiring the view"i said "Oh yeah?"Zoro smirked showing off more of his toned body as he continued to train, i nodded practically drooling as i watched all those muscles ripple under his skin and glistening with sweat "Yes it's very sexy"i said.

Zoro smirked "Maybe you should give me a show too?"he asked, i blushed and looked away "With that pervy cook around to see? Yeah right, if i'm gonna give a show it'll be only for you but there's not much privacy on this tiny boat"i said "True, guess i'll just have to wait"he said almost pouting a bit panting as he paused for a bit, i took this moment to kiss him "How about just that for now?"i asked "Yeah, that works"he said blushing and gave me a quick kiss before getting back to it.

We completely forgot Chopper was there and probably heard everything, although it's not like we agreed to keep this official thing a secret, Zoro was just the type to keep his affectionate side on the down low, a trait i didn't really mind, anyway we made a quick stop as the princess set Karoo off with a letter to her father "While i did know Crocodile was here in Alabasta but him trying to steal a kingdom that sounds like a bad joke because why would a pirate drop anchor in one spot and settle down? Crocodile trying to usurp the throne doesn't make sense"Ace said having stayed on the ship with Zoro and i as the others had gone down with Vivi.

Finally! Someone else sees there's something fishy with Crocodile's plan to take over the kingdom "Alright let's set sail!"Luffy said after the others had gotten back on "You know there could be another side to this take over thing"Ace said walking off, yes absolutely thank you! "Huh?"Zoro asked totally clueless "Like some sort of deeper goal or something"Ace said "He's absolutely right you know"I said and Zoro looked over at me "There's something fishy about Crocodile's supposed plan"i said.

~skip~

"We're finally here"Luffy said as we approached the shore to this Eramalu place "Wow so we're going into the desert? Does anyone know how hot its supposed to get?"Chopper asked "Over a hundred degrees in the day time"Nami said "What please tell me you're joking?!"Chopper asked as Nami walked down the stairs with him sliding down the rail.

"Nami what happened to your dancer outfit? Vivi why are you wearing that?! You too Nicole?!" Sanji asked noticing us ladies had covered up with robes, mine was sort of a mix of Nami's and Vivi's and a light peachy color "Because any exposed skin will get sunburned, you have to cover up in the desert"Vivi said "I for one am glad, i get sunburn very easily"i said trying a sort of belt around the cloak and looping my swords through it but i decided to keep my hair up, just cause.

Just as Zoro went to drop the anchor something came out of the water, they were so "ADORABLE!!!"i squealed eyes sparkling"Turtles?"Zoro asked "No i think they're seals"Luffy said "Kung-fu Dugongs"Vivi said "If you wanna come ashore you'll have to beat me first but i doubt that'll happen you bunch of cowards, he says"Chopper said translating for us.

"Huh no body calls me a coward and gets away with it, here comes the pain!"Usopp said jumping off the ship before getting beaten by one of the dugongs "Kung-fu Dugongs are really strong"Vivi said but it was a little late for that warning

Luffy went over and beat up the poor cutie "See they're not too tough!"he said "That's bad too!"Vivi yelled at him, the dugong bowed to Luffy it had the cutest look on it face (pic), i couldn't help it "SO CUTE!!!!!!!!"i squealed again "It's one of their rules if they loose a Kung-fu match they become the winners pupil"Vivi said "You don't say"Zoro said, a bunch more dugongs appeared that same cute expression on their face, now i really couldn't help it, i squealed such a high pitch probably only dogs heard it.

"They think you're their master!"Vivi yelled at Luffy who started training the little cuties "Right all set let's go to Yuba!"Luffy said once everyone else was off the ship too, while i had bolted straight at one of the dugongs practically tackling the cutie in a hug and muttering so cute over and over with sparkles around me "Hey wait a minute you're not bringing them with us?"Zoro asked Luffy as the other dugong were standing in line behind him, the one i was cuddling didn't seem to mind the attention at all.

"Luffy you can't"Nami said "They're water creatures they won't make it"Vivi said "But look at who cute they are!"i protested holding up the one i was cuddling who gave the cutest look yet with big sparkly eyes "It's going to brake my heart to say no to them but we can't let them come along"Nami said "I agree but how are we supposed to get them to stay, more importantly how are we gonna get Nicole to come with?"Vivi asked as the two huddled together.

~Third~(A/N: from here on i've decided to try remain in the Third person, i might go back and edit the previous chapters once this story has caught up to the manga (which i promise won't take forever(even though i'm sure you wouldn't mind that)cause i have an idea for that which i might give more details to once we get closer to Sabaody arc, though you're welcome to guess/speculate from this little hint)

Chopper shared some of the food with the dugongs convincing them to stay behind and as the group was leaving the dugongs waved them goodbye, Zoro dragged Nicole with them as she waved back to the dugongs "Hope you guys enjoy the food see ya!"Luffy said waving back to the dugongs as well "All you guys, food, now do you get it?"Nami asked "No they said they wanted to go with us so why couldn't we let them?"Luffy asked.

"We don't have the food and water to take care of a group that big, moron"Nami said, Nicole sniffed a bit walking next to Zoro "I'm gonna miss those cuties"she muttered"Honestly i don't know what we would have done if Chopper hadn't persuaded them to stay"Nami said "Yeah they kept saying where you go we'll follow master they really could have too if i hadn't given them that food"Chopper said.

"And now our food supply's gotten a lot smaller thanks Luffy thanks"Sanji said "He's a handful" Ace said joining the crew on their trip to Yuba as he had heard that's where Blackbeard the man he's hunting is, "You're telling me"Sanji said a tick mark on his head.

The group arrived at Eramalu which was in complete ruins and covered in sand "What's this?" Sanji asked "Are we in Yuba already?"Luffy asked "No this is Eramalu it was known far and wide as the city of green"Vivi said "It was green?"Luffy asked "Take a good look around everyone this is what Baroque Works has been doing to my country, the people of Alabasta this is what they've had to go through"Vivi said.

"Wow there's nothing here at all huh?"Luffy asked as the group went into the once lively city, now a desert covered ruin "No it's nothing but a ghost town now but up until a few short years ago it was a thriving city full of gardens, palm trees and lush greenery"Vivi said "This place?" Zoro asked kicking a dead tree making wood chips fall off of it "Rain was always scarce here but saving every last drop of water and using it wisely the city was able to make the foliage flourish unfortunately that stopped when the rain did, not a single drop of water has fallen in any part of this country for three years now"Vivi said.

"Three years?"Sanji asked "Wow that long?"Chopper asked "That's just unnatural"Nicole said "But wait even without rain there was still the river as another water source"Zoro said "And it's close why couldn't they just pipe the water from over there?"Usopp asked pointing back to the river.

"Well the answer to that is just up ahead"Vivi said and started leading the way "Even though it's a desert kingdom never in the thousands of years of Alabasta's history has the rain ever stopped completely, however there was one place in the country where the rain fell more then usual much more in fact, Alubarna the capitol the city where the king's place is located, the people of the land called it the kings miracle at least they did until one particular day, there was an accident staged by Baroque Works they said they were dance powder to the king"Vivi said.

"Dance powder?"Nami asked "Oh so you've heard of it?"Luffy asked "Yes i sure have it summons rain"Nami said "A powder can?"Chopper asked "I've only heard stories about it but apparently dance powder was created by a researcher from a country where it never rained burning it creates a misty smoke which rises into the sky, once it reaches the clouds it causes them to rain in essence it gives you the ability to create rain on the spot"Nami explained.

"Hold on i don't get it wouldn't that stuff be perfect for a desert country like this?"Usopp asked "You'd think so in fact the country that developed it was happy enough to dance, it got lost of rain but there's a catch its neighboring country had a drought let me explain how it works, now the mist from the dance powder targets clouds that aren't ready to rain yet it artificially matures them into rain clouds, which they would have done normally further downwind"Nami said.

"Oh i get it, it steals all the rain that normally would have gone to a neighboring country, that must have cause some big problems"Usopp said "It did, a massive war broke out between the nations, since then the government has banned the making and selling of dance powder"Nicole said "Even so some of it managed to show up here huh"Usopp said "The word illegal only seems to encourage some people"Nicole said.

"When it happened the country had been experiencing strange weather, there had been no rain, not a single drop had fallen anywhere except for one place and that was the capitol, the people concluded the kings miracle had been a sham and grew outraged"Vivi said "Vivi that means your dad is the bad guy here!"Luffy said "No! You idiot he was framed! Her sweet dear old dad would never do such a thing got it?!"Sanji yelled at him kicking the rubber boy over and over.

"Of course my father had nothing to do with it he was innocent, unfortunately a large amount of dance powder was discovered in the palace shortly there after"Vivi said "Planted there by Baroque Works no doubt"Nicole said, "Yeah"Vivi nodded.

"So what is this? A road?"Sanji asked as the group arrived at the dried up remains of a river "No it used to be a large canal that piped in freshwater from the Sandora river until someone destroyed it now do you see what happened? With its canal gone the city lost it only remaining source of freshwater, people here waited and prayed but sadly rain never came"Vivi said "Wow something like that and the dance powder incident would really make people distrust their king"Nami said.

'That's exactly what Crocodile planned i bet' Zoro thought "With no more water fighting began to brake out in Eramalu to escape the violence here there was only one thing the exhausted citizens could do they abounded the city and left for other oasis in search of water and then, the city of green withered away"Vivi said coming to a stop, a wind passed by making an eary sound as it traveled through the empty space.

"What is that?"Nami asked "Is the rebels?"Chopper asked "Or more of those creeps from Baroque Works oh no!"Usopp said freaking out "No it's just wind"Ace said "Sounds like a voice right?"Luffy said "It sounds like the city itself is crying over what it has become"Nicole said "Watch out!"Nami called as a dust devil rolled their way, Zoro grabbed Nicole and held her to his side as the group braced themselves against the storm.

Luffy managed to open his eyes ever so slightly and could swear he saw something in the wind as the dust devil passed by "Whoa what's the deal with that freaky wind?"Usopp asked, Luffy spotted someone collapsed and rushed over, while Zoro gave Nicole a quick look as if to ask if she was fine, she gave him a quick nod and just like that they acted like nothing happened but Ace saw and smirked a bit.

As Luffy got closer though he came to a stop, Vivi had followed and saw what the rubbery kid saw, a pile of bones covered by a cloth "What did my father and all of the other good people what did they do? We don't deserve this it's hard enough to live in a desert every day it's a struggle just to survive somehow the people of Alabasta were able to do it and they led happy lives but Crocodile destroyed those lives, what gave him the right to do that what? All the while as one of the seven warlords he passed himself of as a hero of the people, no one realizes he's actually destroying the country even as they cheer him on"Vivi said.

"I can't i can't let him get away with this!"Vivi said as in the distance Luffy destroyed a building "Oh well i hope that made him feel better"Zoro muttered, Ace dug a small grave for the pile of bones which Vivi buried, they left a branch as a marker "Vivi let's get moving kay? I'm itching to do this"Luffy said as him, Usopp and Sanji walked on ahead "He's right let's get to Yuba"Nami said "That's where the rebel army is right? Yuba?"Zoro asked "Yes i have to stop them i'm going to persuade their leader"Vivi said, Zoro cocked a brow "How so?"he asked "I'll tell the rebel leader the truth that all of this is Crocodile's doing and have him stop all of this pointless bloodshed"Vivi said.

"Let's go"Zoro said and the group continued their way to Yuba.

Chapter Text

~Third~

A groan echoed through the desert scaring off some lizard looking things as the shot pans in on our intrepid heroes, the straw hat pirates and their fearless captain Luffy "I'm burning up i don't think i can even sweat anymore"he whined "Will you please spear us the melodramatics Luffy you're only gonna wear yourself out"Nami said and Luffy only groaned in response "Gee i guess he's not listening"Nami said, behind her Zoro and Nicole were walking together, Zoro dragging a practically unconscious Chopper behind them on a piece of wood.

"Can't go on can't take hot weather, i'm fine in cold weather"Chopper said "It's because of that fur why don't you take off that stupid reindeer costume"Usopp said walking beside the reindeer who got ticked by the remark "What did you just say to me big nose?!"he yelled turning to his heavy point form "Don't make fun of reindeer's!"Chopper yelled at Usopp who yelled monster in return, Nicole pulled on Usopp's nose and grabbed Chopper by his antlers and banged their heads together "Knock it off!"she said.

"But Nicole"Chopper whined "No buts! No turn small or you're not getting a ride! As for you Usopp apologise to Chopper!"she yelled at them and caught Ace's eye as he walked by them, "Fine"Chopper grumbled turning small "Sorry"Usopp grumbled to Chopper.

"Hey the desert doesn't seem to bother you much Vivi"Sanji said "Well i was born and raised in this country so i guess you could say i'm used to it"Vivi said "So what's with all these hills? I was expecting a desert to be more flat"Usopp managed to say between pants "Dune, Usopp, the proper term is dune"Nicole corrected him, he growled at her "Smarty pants"he grumbled

"This is a very old desert some of the sand dunes here are over nine hundred feet high"Vivi said "Nine hundred feet? That's huh that's a mountain"Usopp said "Ugh water"Luffy whined "Just one drink, one mouth full"Nami told him, of course Luffy used his rubber powers to fill his mouth to an enormous size "Don't drink so much!"Nami yelled bonking Luffy on his head making him spit out the water "Idiot you better save some of that for Usopp!"he yelled "Hold on you just had some i'm next gimme that!"Sanji yelled and they got into a fight.

"Stop it you guys you're only going to wear yourselves out if you keep it up"Vivi said but she was ignored, as night fell the group made camp by some rocks and made a fire which Ace kindly lit with his flame flame fruit abilities "I'm so hungry"Luffy whined "Don't be such a greedy pig it's still raw"Sanji said but Luffy ate it anyway "Don't eat that!"Sanji yelled at him "You're dinner will be ready in just a minute Nami"Sanji said.

As the others were waiting for the food the cook or fooling around like Luffy, Nicole approached Ace who was sitting by the side "Alright how is it that i always catch you staring at me? Maybe you've fallen for me?"she asked with a smirk sitting across from him, he chuckled a bit "It's not like that, it's just your eyes remind me of someone"he said.

"Ah i'm not surprised if you've met him, he does get around quite a bit"Nicole said "Tell me, what is your relationship to him? It sounds like you know him quite well"Ace said "By your tone it sounds like you know him quite well too"Nicole said "No i just met him a couple of times"Ace said "Alright alright, but it's a bit of a secret, see i don't wanna ride his coat tails, i want to from my own fame so it's not something i like to go screaming from the top of mountains, though i bet he would if there was no one else around"Nicole said.

"I won't tell anyone"Ace said, Nicole hummed a bit looking at him "I suppose i can trust you as my captains brother, my full name is Nicole Mihawk, the man known as Hawkeye is my father" she told him expecting a surprised reaction but nope "You don't seem too surprised"she said "Honestly no, the resemblance is uncanny if one has met Hawkeye and you"Ace said "True that, especially around the eyes, am i right?"Nicole smirked "Yeah"Ace smirked too.

"What happened it was hot all day and now all of the sudden it's freezing"Nami said "I know it seems strange but it's caused by the lack of cloud cover here with nothing to act as insulation it's scorching by day and freezing by night the desert is full of unpredictable dangers"Vivi said.

"Wow just look at all those stars"Chopper said looking at the sky full of stars "Couldn't you see the stars back on your island?"Usopp asked "The skies of the winter island are almost always covered by heavy snow clouds so i've never been able to see this many before"Chopper said "I'm way too cold to enjoy the stars right now"Usopp said "The cold never bothered me anyway" Chopper said. (XP couldn't help myself)

"That's because you wear such a nice fur coat"Usopp said cuddling into Chopper "Back off!" Chopper yelled at him "It's not my fault your fur is so fluffy"Usopp said "Quit making fun of me!" Chopper yelled going to his heavy point form "Monster!"Usopp yelled "Chopper don't turn big we have to huddle for warmth"Zoro said noticeably more irritable as he watched Nicole and Ace chat, he'd rather be cuddling with her then these idiots.

"Wohoo so warm!"Luffy said running over and also cuddling with Chopper "Come a little closer" Usopp said "See isn't this cozy?"Luffy asked "Yeah"Chopper said "I suppose you're surprised aren't you?"Vivi asked going over to Ace and Nicole, Ace looked over to Vivi.

"I mean by Luffy that is, i have to admit i was a little surprised too at first, after all he doesn't seem like much like a pirate captain does he"Vivi said looking over to Luffy where him, Usopp and Zoro were each trying to cuddle up to Chopper, which is why Nicole stayed where she was, she rather stay out of that mayhem "I mean normal pirate captains are respected or feared by their crews, just this afternoon a simple drink of water lead to that big fight"Vivi said.

"But well i think it's just the way Luffy does things"Vivi said looking over to the group that had calmed down and was already sleeping, now Nicole went over there and cuddled into Zoro, who almost automatically put his arms around her, "Took me a while to understand that"Vivi said "He's been like that for as long as i can remember, he hasn't changed a bit since he was a kid, he seems like a fool but people have always gathered around him, he maybe my little brother but he has this mysterious charm about him"Ace said.

"I guess i wasn't telling you anything you didn't already know"Vivi said "He and i do go way back you know, i appreciate it, you thought i was worried about him didn't you?"Ace asked "Yes but i guess my concern is a little misguided"Vivi said.

The sun started to rise in the horizon as the group got ready to travel once more "Ah i found a shrimp"Luffy said holding what was clearly a scorpion "You sure it's a shrimp? That's neat" Chopper said "But shrimp don't live in the desert"Usopp said going over there "Look"Luffy said showing the "shrimp" "I stand corrected it's a desert shrimp"Usopp said "Looks yummy"Luffy said "I wonder if it's eatable"Usopp said "Why not? Crayfish are eatable aren't they?"Luffy asked "I've never seen a real life shrimp before this is really exciting"Chopper said.

Vivi screamed "Luffy get rid of that thing quickly!"she told him "Nah uh that would be wasteful" Luffy said "It's a scorpion don't let its size fool you the poison in its stinger can kill you in seconds!"Vivi said, Nicole popped her head out of the tent with a yawn "Venom dear Vivi, if you bite it, that's poison, if it bites or stings you, that's venom"she said before walking fully out stretching as she walked.

Luffy tossed the scorpion away "Sorry i should have mentioned it earlier"Vivi said "That's for sure"Usopp said, Chopper then heard something and grew serious "What's wrong? What's going on Chopper?"Luffy asked, the small reindeer went higher up on some rocks "Something's coming and quick"Chopper said.

"Something like what?"Usopp asked, Ace walked out of the tents "It looks like the wind is picking up"he said Vivi gasped "Everyone! Hide behind the rocks quick!"she said "How come?"Luffy asked "A sand storm is coming!"Vivi yelled "Looks like a big one too"Nicole said and they took cover just as the storm hit.

"I should have mentioned it earlier sandstorms are another of deserts dangers!"Vivi yelled over the wind "You gotta remember this stuff sooner!"Usopp yelled at her, the storm quickly passed though, Ace popped out of the sand with a yawn and went to check on the others, "What the hell was that?"Zoro asked just as Nicole popped out of the sand near him.

"Can't a guy sleep in?"Sanji asked as the rest popped out of the sand as well, after that however the group was back on track "Hey Sanji let's have one of those boxed lunches"Luffy said "Not yet not until Vivi says so"Sanji said "Come on Vivi how about it? Let's eat, doesn't that sound good?" Luffy asked "But we're not even tenth of the way to Yuba Luffy and we have to make our supplies last the whole way"Vivi said.

"Don't be silly Vivi haven't you heard the old proverb make sure you eat whenever you're hungry"Luffy said "Oh quit making things up you big fat liar"Usopp said "Okay if you're that hungry i'll tell you what we'll stop and eat at the next group of rocks we come to"Vivi said "Alright onward to the next group of rocks! Okay guys whoever wins at rock paper scissors has to carries everybody's stuff!"Luffy said.

"Quit deciding things!"Usopp yelled at him "Don't you mean the loser carries the stuff?"Sanji asked but Luffy wasn't listening calling out rock paper scissors, of course though he started late and ended up winning and the idiot had to carry everyone's stuff.

"Heavy so heavy"Luffy said lugging the blank of wood with everyone's stuff behind him and lagging behind everyone else "Why am i doing all the work?"Luffy asked "You said the winner carries all now shut up and haul!"Sanji called to him "Make sure you don't drop anything!"Nami said.

"Hey guys i spotted rocks dead ahead!"Usopp called "You mean it?"Luffy asked grinning and ran off leaving a dust cloud behind him as he yelled "It's lunch time!" "Whoa that's so fast!"Usopp said shocked by it, Luffy reached the rocky area "Oh shade"he said and fell on the ground "Feels so good"he said but then he heard something and got up, he went to see what was making the noise and was shocked to see a bunch of beat up birds "Hey say something"Luffy said picking one up.

"I'll go get you a doctor"Luffy said and ran back to get Chopper leaving all the stuff there believing it was safe, "I need help!"He yelled running over the rest of the group "That's weird why's he coming back?"Usopp wondered "There's a whole flock injured birds, they can't move, we need a doctor, Chopper!"Luffy yelled running over Chopper got up "Alright let's go Chopper"Luffy said "Coming!"Chopper said running over to Luffy "We gotta help those birds"Luffy said.

"Wait a minute Luffy those birds might not be what you think they are!"Vivi called to him, the group made their way to the rocky area only to find that all of their stuff was gone "All of our stuff is gone"Zoro said "We've been had"Nami said "But i saw them there was a whole flock of dying birds lying right there!"Luffy said insisting what he was telling earlier was true.

"I'm so sorry, i should have mentioned this earlier Warusagi Birds are desert bandits that deceive travellers and steal their belongings"Vivi said "You gotta be kidding!"Luffy yelled "You mean these birds play dead? What a lousy bunch of crooks!"Usopp said "This is all my fault"Vivi said "Here's an idea, mention the desert dangers earlier!"Nicole said poking her forehead "Right Sorry"Vivi said.

"Those birds tricked me"Luffy said Sanji walked over and grabbed the rubber boy by the collar "Luffy you dolt is that you have to say for yourself? There were three days worth of supplies in those bags and you just had to let a bunch of stupid birds rob us blind in the middle of a desert, how are we supposed to get across this wasteland without any food or water? I hope you're proud of yourself"Sanji said.

"Come on it's not my fault i mean they outsmarted me"Luffy said Sanji got close to his face "You mean you're dumber then a bird?"Sanji asked "What's that?"Luffy said and the two started arguing "Knock it off you two"Zoro told them but neither was listening "Just save your energy" Ace said grabbing Zoro by the shoulder "Times like this it's better just to let them have it out"Ace said.

"Fine with me"Zoro sighed taking off his hood and taking a seat "Let's just take a brake this heat is starting to wear on everybody's nerves"he said"I'm sure we'll manage food and water wise it's nothing that'll kill us right away let's put it out of our minds for now"he said "Agreed"Nicole said with a nod sitting next to him "Yeah that's a good idea because when i think about it i get really thirsty"Usopp said, Chopper nodded in agreement.

As Sanji and Luffy were still fighting the flock of birds showed up taunting the group with all their stolen stuff and walking off "Give our stuff back you thieves!"Luffy yelled running after them "No Luffy don't chase them!"Vivi called after him "Idiot"Sanji muttered "Wait will you be able to find your way back?!"Nami yelled after Luffy "Get back here you dope, Luffy!"Usopp yelled but Luffy was long gone.

"Stop you can't get away from me!"Luffy said still chasing the birds which were getting further and further away "Get back here!"Luffy yelled the birds just flew off yet he continued chasing until some kind of plant attacked him from underground, one plant caught Luffy in it's mouth and swallowed cause sure that's how plants work.

Anyway the plant went underground but Luffy punched his way out "What is this thing, a mystery desert plant?"he wondered outloud to himself "Man that is so cool"Luffy said before he heard another noise and looked over to see a camel about to get eaten by the mystery desert plant "What are you doing?"Luffy asked, he then laughed "That's funny!"he said.

The camel got ticked "Huh? You want me to help you?"Luffy asked and the camel nodded "Kay" Luffy said and punched the weird plant thing blowing it to bits, the camel ran out of there and over to Luffy as he laughed "Good thing you didn't get eaten huh?"he asked the camel "Damn it those stupid birds got away while i was busy beating up these mystery plants, the desert sure is full of strange creatures"Luffy said more to himself.

"So plan how'd you managed to get stuck in the desert all by yourself?"Luffy asked turning to the camel, the camel turned away as if sensing something "Huh? What's wrong?"Luffy asked as a hole appeared in the desert sand, the ground rumbled shifting the sand as something came out from under the dune.

Meanwhile with the others, they were sitting or laying about in Choppers case taking a brake while waiting for Luffy to come back, if he came back "Come on Luffy hurry it up"Usopp said "Uhm you don't suppose he could be lost do you?"Chopper asked "That idiot? No doubt about it, though he has managed to find his way back to us before"Nicole said "True"Zoro nodded in agreement.

"He has absolutely no sense of direction but he's always running off"Nami said "And there are so many desert dangers i haven't had a chance to warn him about yet"Vivi said "Not to mention the moron was hungry so you know he's not thinking straight"Sanji said, Zoro tisked a bit as he got up "That guy is so hopeless"he said "You can say that again"Sanji said also getting up, the two intended to go look for Luffy when they were stopped by Ace.

"I'm sorry, i know my brother can be a flake, i apologize"he said, the two continued "Good luck finding him"Usopp called after them "Aren't you going too Nicole?"Nami asked "Why should i? Those two can manage"she said "Well you just tend to stick to Zoro like glue"Nami said "I guess that's true but i'm not that clingy i absolutely have to be with him at all times"Nicole said.

"What's that?"Chopper asked as the ground rumbled, the others got up too as something approached in the distance "What on earth is that rumbling?"Usopp asked before putting his goggles on to get a closer look "Is it another sandstorm?"he asked "No wait, that looks like, it's Luffy!"he said.

"Oh no, it can't be"Vivi said "Huh?Why is he on a camel?"Nami asked as Luffy was getting closer "Someone wanna tell me what the hell is chasing him?"Sanji asked "I can't really tell but it looks like there's something in the sand burrowing after him"Zoro said as Luffy continued to grow closer a lizard like creature popped out of the sand "No way!"Usopp yelled as him and Chopper freaked out.

"What is that?"Zoro asked "It's a Sandora Dragon"Vivi said "It's a what?"Usopp asked "A Sandora Dragon they're the biggest reptile that lives in the desert they wait under the sand for their pray and ambush them, they have razor sharp fangs and claws but they hardly ever use them because they're so incredibly huge they usually end up swallowing their victims whole"Vivi said.

"Interesting then what is the point of those sharp teeth and claws? To fight for territory or mates? Most likely"Nicole muttered making notes in a small booklet where she kept entries on each new animal she met (why i haven't mentioned this before is because i just came up with the idea and i'll probably not mention it that often again) "Nicole now is not the time to analyze it!"Vivi and Nami yelled at her.

"I gotta admit that boy has a talent for attracting trouble"Ace said "Right and all of us have the scars to prove it"Sanji said "What kind of crap star he was born under to attract trouble like that?"Zoro wondered before the two boys rushed to go help their captain.

"Stop camel you're going too fast!"Luffy yelled hanging on for dear life on the side of the camel as the Sandora Dragon chased them "Is it too much for you Luffy?!"Zoro asked as him and Sanji were running over "We'll lend a hand"Sanji said "Thanks guys i brought home a little something for dinner"Luffy said jumping off the camel and the monster trio took care of the lizard thing.

"You didn't have to go that far"Usopp said crying "Whenever those guys fight it almost makes me feel sorry for the monsters"Nami said and just one Sandora Dragon went down another showed up behind them "Another one?!"Nami asked "I'm sorry i guess to mention that Sandora Dragons always hunt in pairs"Vivi said "Get with it"Nami, Usopp and Chopper said while Nicole bonked her head "What did i say about mentioning this stuff earlier?!"she asked.

"Sorry"Vivi muttered rubbing her head "Ugh never mind"Nicole and sliced the lizard thing clean in half just as it was about to eat Ace without even looking "You'll probably forget to mention something earlier in the future anyway"she muttered sheathing her sword.

Sanji, Zoro and Luffy joined back with the group and they sliced up the sliced up dragon even further to more bite sized pieces "This is convenient these rocks are like a natural frying pan" Sanji said cooking the meat while Luffy was munching on an already cooked piece of meat"So now that we have a moment what's the deal with the camel?"Zoro asked.

"I don't know it was getting eaten by a mystery plant while i was chasing those birds"Luffy said his mouth full "It's obviously not a wild camel"Nami said "No, not with a saddle and bridal"Vivi said "Perhaps some rich dude got heatstroke and collapsed and died in the desert while their camel just kept going"Nicole said gaining a sort of sadistic smirk "You're way too morbid"the others muttered while Zoro just sweatdropped, although secretly he thought that smirk was sexy on her.

"Actually Nicole might be right, anything can happen in the desert"Vivi said, anyway Chopper said he knew this camel "It's a passenger carrying camel? That's sure going to make things easier"Usopp said "Yeah that ought to be a real help it looks like he could carry two"Sanji said "Camels do go hand in hand with deserts"Zoro said "Great i'll take the first shift"Luffy said trying to get on the camel but it bit him "Ow"Luffy muttered.

"I'm afraid i'm a hard boiled yet compassionate son of the desert, i'm very grateful for you helping me out of that jam back there and i'll be glad to give some of you a ride but i'm afraid i don't accept male passengers"Chopper said translating for the camel, Luffy Sanji and Usopp beat up the camel "I'm too macho"Chopper again translated for the camel before the boys continued beating up the poor thing.

"I'm so sorry that my crew mates are a bunch of ill bred louts now what should we call you, you gracious camel you"Nami said petting the camel as it got down so Nami could get on "Idiot" Luffy said "Doofus"Sanji said "Moron"Usopp said "Eyelash it is then"Nami said ignoring the three boys "Uh how'd you arrive at that?"Zoro asked with a sweatdrop as Nami rode the camel over to Vivi.

"Okay climb on Vivi"Nami said "No i'm fine i can still walk thanks"Vivi said "Just get on"Nami said as Eyelash the newly dubbed camel went down so Vivi could get on "How about you Nicole? Come on it's a free ride"Nami said "I don't know, it is just a two seater, i'm fine with walking too though"Nicole said "I may have only two seats but for the ladies i can carry more, i'm stronger then i look"Chopper said translating for Eyelash "Well if you're so sure"Nicole shrugged and also climbed on sitting between Nami and Vivi even though there wasn't an extra seat.

"This is great we should be able to make better time now, we need to get to Yuba as fast as we can so we can talk to the rebel army"Nami said, Vivi nodded in agreement "Giddy up Eyelash!" Nami said and the camel took off running "Whoa"Nicole yelled a bit and held on to the back of Nami's seat due to the bumpy ride "Hey wait for us!"the rest yelled after them "Hurry up you guys if we get separated you'll never leave the desert alive!"Nami called back to them and the guys ran after and soon caught up.

Chapter Text

~Third~

We join our group once more as they continue travelling the desert, at the front, the girls Nami, Nicole and Vivi riding Eyelash the camel behind them Luffy, Usopp, Sanji, Ace and Zoro who was dragging Chopper behind him on a piece of wood the trip had been silent so far until Luffy paused to take a drink.

"What are you doing?"Usopp asked yelling at him spilling some water which immediately dried up in the desert sand "Stop spilling all the water you slob"Usopp said "What's the big deal? Ace brought plenty of water for everybody"Luffy said, oh yeah there was this thing when Ace got lost but eh never mind you don't have to worry about the details "But we still gotta conserve all our supplies stop hogging all the water for yourself"Usopp said "Why is it okay if Sanji does?"Luffy asked.

"This is for Nami so if she gets thirsty or dehydrated and cries out for water i'll be there to rescue her"Sanji said and ran over to the ladies "Nami, Vivi, Nicole you care for some refreshment?"he asked "I wouldn't mind a sip"Nicole said taking the water sack and taking a small sip "Thanks Sanji"she smiled at him "Anything for your beautiful smile my dear!"Sanji said with heart eyes "Hey give me some!"Luffy said running over and the two fought over the water.

"Hey you want some water?"Zoro asked turning to Chopper jealous that Sanji was stealing Nicole's attention, but this was the cross he had to bare by not being the type to show affection with other around "No thank you i'll be just fine"Chopper said, Luffy, Usopp and Sanji had gotten into another fight over the water yelling at each other and stuff.

"Hey Vivi can you tell me some more about this rebel army?"Nami asked turning to her "Yeah, i've been curious about it too"Nicole said "Yes i probably should fill you in before we get there, it started eleven years ago"Vivi said.

(A/N: i was gonna do the flashback thing but eh i'm lazy and i'll take any excuse, including that it would be like in the anime/manga soooooooooo)

~skip~

"What a sweet story Vivi"Nami said, Vivi nodded in agreement "Luffy stop it, you give me that water back right this minute!"Usopp yelled chasing after Luffy and Sanji chasing after both of them "Just wait i haven't gotten to the best part yet"Vivi said.

~skip~

"What the heck is that?!"Luffy asked as a tail of sorts popped out of the sand "It looks like a tail"Luffy said and went to poke it with a stick "Hello there don't be shy come on"he said and a giant scorpion popped out of the sand, Usopp screamed freaking out "It's huge!"Luffy said and the scorpion went to strike him but the others and Luffy beat it up while Usopp was freaking out.

"Vivi please continue the story i'm getting hooked on your adventures with Koza"Nami said "Alright, see Koza had a strong heart that burned as bright as the sun but i worried that one day his compassion might be used against him"Vivi said.

~skip~

Vivi was smiling as she finished the story, Nicole grew a Cheshire cat grin "You looove him"she said "What?! I do not!"Vivi said, Nami also grew a Cheshire cat grin "Sure you don't, but then why are you blushing?"she asked "I am not!" Vivi protested blushing even more, the two other girls just snickered before bursting into laughter, Vivi laughed a bit too, after calming down though Vivi looked down thinking about it "I mean honestly i haven't really thought about it, i've been so focused on stopping the rebellion" she said.

"It's good to keep your mind focused, just think about it after we stop the rebellion, for now forget i said anything"Nicole said "Okay"Vivi nodded "So Koza went with his father to found the city of Yuba does this have something to do with the rebel army?"Nami asked.

"Uh huh that's right, we're heading towards the oasis of Yuba that's where the rebel army is stationed and the leader of the rebellion is named Koza"Vivi said "So that means?"Nami asked, Vivi nodded "It's the same boy from the story"Vivi said "Nami look i managed to save you the best part"Sanji said running over with a pincer of the giant scorpion from earlier, Vivi and Nami freaked out while Nicole was willing to give it a try.

"This desert shrimp is so good"Luffy said "It's not shrimp it's scorpion"Usopp corrected him "Oh i'm so full"Luffy said laying on a piece of exoskeleton of the scorpion "You guys are a bunch of inconsiderate jerks! Let's go Eyelash!"Nami said and the camel started walking off.

~skip~

As the sun set on that day Ace set off having heard that Blackbeard was no longer in Alabasta from a bounty hunter they had a run in with but again don't worry about the details "Well then" Ace said ready to set off "You're not really gonna leave us Ace are you?"Chopper asked "Yup, seeing as it's been confirmed Blackbeard isn't in Alabasta i have no reason to stick around"Ace said.

"You sure?"Luffy asked "Anything idea where you'll be headed next?"Sanji asked "I have a lead about Blackbeard's where about's now, guess we'll see, Luffy"Ace said tossing a piece of paper over to his brother "Do yourself a favor and hang onto that"Ace said "But it's just a scrap of paper"Luffy said "That scrap of paper will reunite us some day"Ace said "Yeah?"Luffy asked opening up the paper but it was blank.

"You don't want it?"Ace asked "Nah i'll keep it"Luffy said "It's perfectly natural for a guy to worry about his bungling kid brother right? He might be a bit much for all of you to handle but take good care of him for me"Ace said to the crew bowing down "Luffy when next we meet we'll both be top pirates"Ace said "Right"Luffy said "The top you and me"Ace said and disappeared without another word as Luffy got distracted by something or other.

"Where's Ace?"Luffy asked turning back to see his brother gone "He disappeared"Zoro said "Good old fire fist Ace"Sanji said "But will see him again"Luffy said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

Once again we join the Strawhat Pirates as they are STILL traversing through the desert, the girls were taking a brake from riding Eyelash stretching their legs as they walked with the group, Nicole as always walked near Zoro passing by Usopp and shortly followed by Vivi "Hey Luffy" Usopp called to him "Huh?"Luffy responded "What was that thing your brother gave you?" Usopp asked.

"I don't really know just looks like a scrap of paper do you know Nicole?"Luffy asked "Why are you asking me?"she asked "Well you just seem to know a lot about mystery stuff like this"Luffy said "Alright, can i have a look at that paper?"Nicole asked "Sure"Luffy shrugged handing it to her, Nicole examined the paper and paused as she held her hand flat, the paper moved ever so slightly "As i suspected"she said handing the paper back to Luffy.

"So what is it?"Luffy asked "It's something called a Vivre Card or paper of life, basically it can point you to wherever Ace is no matter how far"Nicole said deciding not to go into to much detail to overwhelm the captain with too much info "Oh is that all?"Luffy asked "Well i can go into more detail but it could just confuse you"Nicole said "HEY!!! I'm not that stupid!"Luffy yelled waving around and the wind picked up sending the paper flying but Eyelash caught it and started munching on it.

"Don't eat that!"Luffy yelled punching the camel on the head making it spit out the paper, Luffy grabbed the paper "Dumb camel"he grumbled "Hey Luffy give me your hat"Nami said "Huh why?"Luffy asked "If it's really that important to you i can sew it to the underside of your hat ribbon"Nami said "Good idea, sow it on real good"Luffy said "Yeah yeah"Nami said "There it's all done"she then said finishing sewing.

"Here you go"Nami said handing the hat back to Luffy "No i don't have to worry about losing it thanks"Luffy said "If there isn't anything written on it then what's the point of hanging on to the thing?"Zoro asked "Ace said it's important and to hang onto it so i'm hanging onto it that's all"Luffy said.

"So you're pretty much basing your decision on nothing"Sanji said "No my instincts they're right a lot"Luffy said "You guys we're close now Yuba's just past those rocks there one last push and i'm sure we'll make it"Vivi said "Yeah!"Luffy and Chopper cheered and the group continued their way.

~skip~

"Look up ahead i see a light!"Vivi called "Does that mean we made it to Yuba? I can't see with all this sand blowing everywhere"Luffy said there was a beat of silence as everyone looked to the city of Yuba "Something here doesn't feel right, there's something wrong down there i can tell"Vivi said, the group went a little closer "Oh no! The entire city is being struck by a sand storm"Vivi said.

As the storm died down our group walked into the town of Yuba, everything was covered in sand and palm trees were bent from the harsh wind "Can't be"Vivi whispered in shock "This doesn't look good this place doesn't look that much different from that Eramalu place from before"Zoro said as he was carrying Usopp, Nicole nodded in agreement as she looked at the devastated landscape, she wouldn't be surprised if the rebel army had moved their base.

"Vivi i thought you said this was supposed to some sort of oasis"Sanji said "It looks like the oasis has disappeared it's been swallowed up by all this sand"Vivi said but then the group could hear someone digging and went to see, an old man was digging away at the sand "I'm assuming that you must be travellers you must be exhausted from all the time spent in that heat"the old man said.

"Sorry but this town is a bit dried up too it doesn't have much relief to offer but still you're free to rest here for a while we may not have much water but there are plenty of inns here in this town it's what we pride ourselves on after all"the old man said as he continued to dig "Thank you but we came because we thought the rebel army was in this town"Vivi said "What business do you have with the rebel army?"the old man asked and started throwing buckets at the group.

"Cure all of you if you're here to join the rebel army you can go back to where you came from!" the old man yelled at them "If you're looking for those fools look elsewhere they're no longer in this town"the old man said as he continued digging "Wait they're gone?!"Luffy asked "They left?"Vivi asked.

"I'm sure you noticed the town was just hit by a sandstorm that one certainly wasn't the first after three years of no rain the land has become increasingly dry sandstorms became a regular occurrence here, little by little the oasis we knew was swallowed up until the town became what you see now a dying wasteland but before supplies to the town ended the rebel army couldn't maintain their struggle so they packed up, the rebel base is now located in Katorea"the old man said.

Vivi gasped "Katorea?"she asked "Uhm where's that?Is Katorea close to here Vivi?"Luffy asked "It's near Nanohana back the way we came from"Vivi said "Well great coming all this way was just a waste of time"Zoro said "Vivi? Wait your name's?"the old man asked walking over "Hold on she's definitely not a princess!"Luffy said "Nice one Luffy!"Zoro said bonking him on the head.

"Princess Vivi is that really you?"The old man asked clasping her shoulders "You're alive i can't believe it, thank goodness, it's me Vivi don't you recognize me?I look different, i lost some weight i suppose"the old man said "Toto, is it really you?"Vivi gasped in shock "That's right"the old man said his eyes tearing up, Vivi recalled back to when she said goodbye to the originators of the town of Yuba.

"Toto? That's this guy?"Luffy asked "Whatever it's worth Vivi dear i have faith in you and the king, he's a good man a true king who would never betray his country i know it"Toto said and started crying "This rebellion is ridiculous! A bunch of faithless fools, it's true our country hasn't seen so much as a drop of rain in three years but i still put my trust in the king as i always have most of the country still has faith in him actually"Toto said.

"So many times i tried to stop them so many times but they won't listen to anything i say, the rebellion isn't stopping, their strength supplies and men have reached the limit however their intention is to settle everything once and for all with the next attack, they're backs are against the wall they're stuck in a corner, they're prepared for death, please Vivi you have to stop these fools from tearing our country apart"Toto begged and started crying again.

Vivi offered him a handkerchief "Toto old friend please don't be worried"she said "Vivi dear"Toto said "We will succeed we're going to stop this"Vivi said "Thank you Vivi"Toto said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Well great job today everybody really we did some good work"Usopp said as the Strawhat crew was settling in to one of the inns in Yuba, "Now let's all lay down on these comfy beds and get some well deserved rest, we'll need our strength"Usopp said and jumped into the bed behind him "Goodnight you guys"he said all ready to snooze when he was hit by a pillow "Please this whole trip you've been nothing but lazy"Zoro said having thrown the pillow "Why you, quit comparing me to you and all the other superhuman freaks"Usopp said throwing a pillow at Zoro hitting him right in the face.

Nicole snickered a bit at this "Now you're annoying me"Zoro muttered to Usopp as the sniper threw another pillow hitting Chopper picking a fight with him "Sanji i think that's my bed"Vivi said "I know, i thought you might have trouble sleeping all alone tonight Vivi"Sanji said before he was hit in the face with a pillow.

"And the award for biggest perv goes to Sanji"Usopp said as Chopper and Nicole were snickering "Alright slingshot boy i'll shove that pillow so far down your throat you'll choke on it"Sanji said and thus the epic pillow fight began with everyone except the girls who stayed out of it.

As the night went on everyone settled down except there were three empty beds, Nicole and Zoro had snuck out and behind another building now that they had a moment to themselves while Luffy was helping the old man dig for water, but since that tells us everything we need to know with Luffy how about we spy on Nicole and Zoro.

"Alone at last"Zoro smirked as he pinned Nicole to the back of a building after the two had snuck out "Well now, did someone miss me already?"Nicole asked wrapping her arms around Zoro's neck playing with his earrings "So what if i did?"Zoro asked giving her a quick kiss "Oh nothing, here i was thinking you wanted a moment alone because you were getting jealous"Nicole smirked kissing him back "Jealous? Me? Of who?"Zoro asked acting clueless kissing her again but for longer and deeper.

"Hmm maybe of Ace?"Nicole asked responding to his kiss with greater force "Pfft no, should i be?"Zoro asked a look of worry crossing his face, Nicole giggled a bit and kissed him "No, although i will admit he was quite handsome and those freckles were adorable and i certainly appreciate a man with his physic as i'm sure you can attest to that, however where was i going again?"Nicole asked more herself.

"This is serious Nicole"Zoro said "Relax i'm kidding"Nicole smiled and pecked him "Nicole we should really discuss this"Zoro said "Oh so you're suddenly a relationship expert? Then tell me what kind of relationship do we have? Everyone thinks we are a couple, we decided to make things official in a moment of passion but we haven't really talked about our feelings to each other"Nicole said stepping back and crossing her arms.

Zoro thought about it "I don't know"he ultimately said "Then i guess we're not a relationship at all"Nicole said walking away. (A/N: wow to be honest i didn't plan for this, but i'm not going back because i think i can work with this, i'm already planning how i want to fix this and how to form an actual relationship between these two, one that will hopefully be more natural in how its formed and how these two function in a real relationship, but what do i know i haven't gone on a single date ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

~skip~

Morning came and the sun was already high in the sky as the Strawhat Pirates were setting off from Yuba, there was a clear tension between Nicole and Zoro as the two were standing far apart from each other but thankfully the others except for Sanji didn't notice "I'm so sorry i didn't have more to offer you princess Vivi"Toto said sending them off.

"No please don't worry about it, we should be off now Toto"Vivi said "Oh Luffy here take this with you"Toto said handing a small barrel full of water to Luffy "Wow water!"Luffy grinned "Water!"Usopp said "You found some then?"Luffy asked Toto "Yes it was last night a bit after you fell asleep digging that huge hole of yours i finally reached a moist layer under the dry stuff that water there is what i was able to extract from the damp sand"Toto said.

"Wow it sound pretty complicated but thank you"Luffy said "That right there is genuine Yuba water it's not much but it was all i was able to get"Toto said "Right then i'll drink it with care" Luffy said and he actually meant it.

The group set off traveling across the desert once more, however they didn't go far as Luffy stopped at a tree and sat down the others walked past him until Usopp noticed Luffy was staying behind "Hey Luffy what are you doing over there?!"he yelled at the rubber boy "Luffy?"Nami asked "Um is everything alright?"Vivi asked.

"I quit"Luffy said "What do you mean?"Nami asked "What's that mean? Quit what Luffy?"Vivi asked "Oh come on we don't have time to deal with every little mood you have Luffy let's go"Usopp said "Yeah shouldn't we get going?"Chopper asked "Yes we should and fast if we don't get that Katorea place the way we came and stop the rebellion that's about to begin then a million Alabasta citizens will start fighting and things will get real ugly real quick"Sanji said.

'Do we have to travel all that way back?' Nicole thought with a sweatdrop but decided to keep the whining in her head for now "We're doing this for Vivi so let's go"Sanji said grabbing Luffy by the shirt only to get tossed aside "What is wrong with you!"he then yelled getting up "Vivi"Luffy said "Yes?"she asked.

"Right now all i wanna do is kick Crocodile's ass you understand?"Luffy said "Maybe we can keep the people from starting a rebellion, that won't stop Crocodile besides we won't be able to accomplish anything in Katorea, we're pirates everyone knows things are better off without us around"Luffy said "You gotta admit he's got away of getting straight to the point when he wants to"Sanji said.

"Well yeah but not often"Usopp said "No that's not true"Vivi said "You want it to work out so nobody dies in this fight isn't that right Vivi?"Luffy asked "None of the citizens, none of us either we're up against one of the seven warlords of the sea and a million of your own people on top of that and you still want everyone to end up all safe and sound, you'll never win that way"Luffy said.

Vivi was shaking in anger "Come on Luffy can't you at least showing Vivi a little sympathy?"Nami asked "Wait hold on Nami"Sanji said holding her back "For what?"Nami asked "And what's with that huh? What is so wrong about not wanting to see people die or get hurt?"Vivi said "Cause people die, that's why"Luffy said and Vivi slapped him "Stop talking like that i won't listen to it! Say that again and i will really hurt you!"Vivi yelled at him "That's the whole point of what we're doing here don't you understand? No one here in Alabasta, not the rebel army, the royal army or the people are to blame for this, none of them haven't done anything wrong why should any of them pay for what's happened? When every last bit of it is Crocodile's fault!"Vivi said.

Luffy got up and punched Vivi "So you're saying it's only alright for you to die?!"he yelled "No Luffy you've gone too far"Usopp said "Damn it Luffy!"Sanji said, Vivi tackled Luffy "Just being in this country for one day and taking a look around even i can tell!"Luffy said "Tell what?!"Vivi asked repeatedly punching and slapping Luffy.

"What this country needs more then anything"Luffy said "You think putting just your life on the line is gonna stop this from happening?"Luffy asked "Well exactly what else should i be putting on the line Luffy?! What Luffy?!"Vivi asked, Luffy grabbed her hands stopping her punching "I don't have anything else i can put on the line, just me"Vivi said her voice quivering.

Luffy pushed her off him as he sat up "Well you can at least put all our lives on the line together, aren't we friends huh?!"he asked, Vivi started crying "Well aren't we friends?"Luffy asked calming down "There now you see, now you understand, hey you can cry, i know how much you hate this you wanna get Crocodile the most"Luffy said dusting off his hat.

Nami walked over to Vivi and held her as a wind blew past the group "So now tell me, where can i find Crocodile?"Luffy asked standing up and putting his hat on.

Chapter Text

~Third~

Vivi calmed down and stopped crying after a while "You all, Luffy was right i've made up my mind now change of plans we're going to go find Crocodile"she said "Yeah"Luffy nodded "That does seem the quickest way to stop the fighting from happening"Nami said "And we can quit wondering around the desert too it was beginning to get old"Zoro said "I'm just glad we don't have to backtrack"Nicole said.

"So where is he anyway this damn Crocodile guy?"Sanji asked "Let's see"Vivi said opening her map as the others crouched down around here to see the map too "This is the capital city Alubarna where my father rules and the rebel army is camped here getting ready to invade Alubarna"Vivi said pointing it out on the map.

"So we need to get to Crocodile before the rebels get to Alubarna"Sanji said "This is where Crocodile is, over here, Rainbase"Vivi said pointing out the city on the map "Rainbase?"Usopp asked "It's a city to the north of us about a day's journey from here"Vivi said and the Strawhats set off.

The ladies were riding on Eyelash the camel once more as Luffy and Usopp were groveling behind them begging for a ride Zoro, Chopper and Sanji were following behind them "Hey Chopper you've managed to make it all day without collapsing"Zoro said "Yeah i'm trying hard not to"Chopper said.

"Vivi does this Rainbase city have a water supply?"Chopper asked "Oh yeah no shortage there it's a gambling town almost completely isolated from all the fighting"Vivi said "Gambling?"Nami asked beri signs for eyes "No Nami we're not going there for gambling"Zoro said "I guess some people need places to relax even here in Alabasta"Sanji said.

"Gum gum no way!"Luffy said using his rubber powers to keep the tiny barrel of water away from Usopp "Come on Luffy just give me one sip of it please isn't that why he gave it to us?" Usopp asked crying "The old guy from the sandstorm place gave it to me, he had to dig all night just to get this much of it, we can't just go drinking it like it regular water or something, so no way!"Luffy said.

"Wow you can restrain yourself some times"Nami said "Well yeah of course i can Nami that was a rude thing to say you know"Luffy said, Usopp fell on his knees muttering something about water "So how long until Rainbase Vivi?"Luffy asked, Vivi got down from Eyelash "Hey Luffy, thanks a lot i would have never been able to make this decision on my own"Vivi said "Okay then give me food"Luffy said.

"Huh?"Vivi asked "After i beat up Crocodile give me food, i'll eat until i explode"Luffy said "I promise i will"Vivi smiled at him.

~skip~

"There"Vivi said as Rainbase loomed in the horizon "So is that the city?"Chopper asked "So that's Rainbase?"Nicole asked, Vivi didn't say anything but the look on her face said it all "Yeah! Time to kick Crocodile's ass!"Luffy yelled and the group continued their way growing closer to the city.

"So after all that's happened are operating under the assumption that Baroque Works knows were on the island with them?"Zoro asked "It seems likely we did run into Mr.2 so i think it's safe to assume they have some idea that we were headed to Alabasta"Nami said "Who cares about that?"Luffy asked "They know exactly what we look like so we won't be able to do much of anything while in Rainbase just lay low"Usopp said.

"And why is that?!"Luffy asked him "Because if we get spotted before we can get Crocodile i'm sure he can come up with all sorts of nasty traps to take care of us"Usopp said "Although it would also be smart and safe to assume Crocodile has traps for us regardless, he seems like the cautious type"Nicole said "Yeah"Zoro nodded in agreement.

"Laying low but we're coming Crocodile!"Luffy yelled "You weren't even listening were you!" Usopp yelled at him bonking his head "Well no matter what happens i take it upon myself to protect Nami, Nicole and Vivi from any harm, i'm always happy to play prince charming for a lady"Sanji said "Smooth one"Zoro said "Smoother then you are Zoro!"Sanji yelled at him.

"I need water"Usopp and Chopper said "There is none, let it go!"Zoro said "I'm going! Water!" Luffy yelled running on ahead with Usopp following behind him "Hey! You might wanna take some money along!"Nami yelled after them but the two were long gone.

The others arrived at the city in their own pace and found a nice shady place to relax and wait for Luffy in, now before in a scene like this Nicole would be sitting next to Zoro telling him to stop bugging Eyelash the camel but since tensions were still, well tense, between the two Nicole took to sitting with the other girls, away from Zoro, Sanji again seemed to be the only one to notice this tension.

"I'm gonna go use the little boys room"Chopper said before he walked off "Do you really we can count on them to stay out of trouble?"Sanji asked "Even they can handle little errands okay right?"Nami asked "I don't know i bet they managed to screw something up it is Usopp and Luffy, i'd start getting ready to run if i were you"Zoro said "Yeah you have too much faith in them"Nicole said.

"Run away!"Luffy yelled grabbing a couple barrels of water "Yeah!"Usopp said grabbing a third barrel "Protect the water!"Luffy yelled as the two ran "What are the damn marines doing here?!" Luffy yelled as him and Usopp were running from a group of marines chasing after them "How can i know that let's just keep running for now!"Usopp said.

"You win looks like the marines are chasing them"Sanji looked over from behind a tree having heard the commotion "No way! So why are those idiots running this way?!"Nami asked "Hey Tony hasn't made his way back here yet!"Vivi said "He'll be fine, Chopper can manage on his own"Zoro said and they also took off, running away from the group of marines.

"Hey you guys i think the marines are here!"Luffy yelled to the others "Thank you we haven't noticed that Luffy!"Zoro yelled back to him "Hurry it up we can't lose them this time men!"one of the marines yelled "This is bad Baroque Works will see us if we run through the city!"Usopp said "I think it's a little late to worry about that!"Nicole yelled back noticing agents all around them "Then it's decided let's go!"Luffy said.

"Huh?"Vivi asked "To wherever Crocodile is how about it ready?"Luffy asked "Do you see that building up ahead with the alligator on its roof? That's the casino that Crocodile runs it's called Rain Dinners"Vivi said pointing ahead to the building "I see it so that's where Crocodile is"Luffy said.

"It'll be better if we all split up now"Sanji said looking back to the marines still chasing them "Yeah it's looking that way"Zoro said "Right see ya later!"Luffy said "Right!"the others replied and split up Vivi, Nicole and Zoro going one way and Nami, Usopp and Sanji going the other way while Luffy used his rubber powers to go the middle route.

"Damn it"Zoro growled coming to a stop as Baroque Works starter to surround them "Oh no"Vivi said "Tsk, we don't have time for this"Nicole said drawing her swords "Out of the way!"she said cutting those in front down while Zoro told Vivi to go on without them and sliced up those behind them, even with their recent tension the two sword masters fought together like clockwork.

Meanwhile Sanji told Nami and Usopp to go on ahead as he dealt with the marines, back to our sword masters, Nicole and Zoro quickly dealt with nearly all of them "Was that all really? Pathetic"Zoro said, Nicole just turned to the remaining ones and gave them the death glare making multiple flinch but then "Roronoa Zoro i knew we'd meet again"Tashigi said appearing from the ground, Zoro went stiff "That voice"he said and looked behind to see that woman that looked so much like Kuina.

Nicole glanced behind at the woman and grabbed Zoro by the collar "You can deal with your grudge later!"she said dragging him with her as she ran off "Hold it"Tashigi yelled running after, meanwhile Nami and Usopp were running from a group of Baroque Works agents and made it to Rain Dinners, but some agents had been waiting for them at the front but then Zoro and Nicole appeared kicking them down.

"It's Zoro and Nicole!"Usopp said "Hold on i thought Vivi was supposed to be with you?"Nami asked "She was are you saying she's not here?"Zoro asked "Not yet but maybe she went inside already"Usopp said "Yeah let's go in too"Nami said "We better hurry"Nicole said as Luffy approached from the distance.

"It's that Smoker guy!"Zoro said spotting the marine captain chasing the rubber boy "Hey you guys let's go we have to run inside now!"Luffy yelled and ran past them "Right behind you!" Usopp said as him, Nami, Zoro and Nicole followed after the marine captain Smoker chasing them.

Chapter Text

~Third~

The group of Luffy, Zoro, Nicole, Usopp and Nami ran towards the casino Rain Dinners, which Vivi said to be Crocodile's base, they were being chased by marines and Baroque Works agents a like as they bust in through the doors "Hey Crocodile! Show yourself!"Luffy yelled but the patrons in the casino ignored him and continued with their gambling.

"Listen! I crossed and ocean and a desert so i could kick your ass!"Luffy yelled but again he was ignored "Crocodile!"Luffy yelled before Nami and Usopp bonked him on the head "That's not gonna make him come out here you loud mouth dolt!"Nami yelled at him "Don't forget we're dealing with this countries hero you wanna turn all these customers against us?"Usopp asked.

"Okay fine so what do we do?"Luffy asked "Whoa hold on without Vivi we don't even know what Crocodile looks like"Usopp said "Well my dad gave me a general description of the other warlords, according to him Crocodile has black slicked back hair, a scar over his nose and a hook for a hand"Nicole said "Did he tell you anything else about Crocodile?"Luffy asked "Not really" Nicole said.

"Okay so we do have a general description but still where is Vivi?"Nami asked and then she Usopp and Luffy yelled "Vivi! Crocodile! Come out!" Nicole and Zoro just sighed at them "Hey you know what i think they might not come just because we call"Luffy said turning to the others "I've got you this time Strawhat!"Smoker said running over and the chase started once more as the group ran away from the marine captain.

"Oh great what's that reject of an ashtray doing in a town like Rainbase?"Usopp asked "If you ask me he's developed a special affection for Luffy here"Zoro said with a smirk, Nicole snickered a bit "Oh that's so funny and gross at the same time"she said and as they continued running a path cleared to the VIP lounge, the staff welcomed them to it.

"Did he say the VIP lounge?"Usopp asked "Hold on do you think it could be a trap maybe?"Nami asked "No maybe about it this definitely a trap"Nicole said "Hey don't these lounge things usually have free drinks for their guest?"Zoro asked "It's not like we have a choice run for it!"Luffy yelled, the doors opened for them as the group ran in chased by Smoker.

"What is a VIP anyway?!"Luffy asked "Very Important Person"Nicole said "Hey the hall splits!" Luffy said "There's a sign it says VIP's go left"Usopp said "And pirates go right"Nami said "Which way do we go?"Luffy asked "Decide quick!"Zoro said "VIP's choose VIP's that's gotta be the way to go"Usopp said "That's crazy talk, we're pirates and pirates are supposed to go this way, come on!"Luffy said running to the right.

"Well you gotta point there"Usopp said as the others followed only to end up in a dead end and the floor below them opened "This is certainly unexpected!"Smoker said falling down with the Strawhats as Nami just screamed while falling down "Can't believe we fell for this old trick"Zoro muttered also falling "To be honest i think both of the paths could have been trapped"Nicole said following him down "It's an out brake of my old i end up swimming while falling down a pit disease"Usopp said "I hate trap doors!"Luffy said.

~skip~

"Pretty clever trap wasn't it?"Luffy asked as him, Usopp, Nami, Nicole, Zoro and Smoker were locked behind a jail cell of sorts, having fallen there through the trap door "Oh yeah no way to see that one coming"Usopp said almost sarcastically "What are you talking about?! I told you it was a trap in the first place what a couple of idiots you are!"Nami yelled "You?! You were all maybe and perhaps, I was the one who was SURE this was a trap!"Nicole yelled at her "The details don't matter!"Nami yelled back.

"Something's wrong here, i feel weak all of the sudden"Luffy said "Really? What's the matter you hungry or something?"Usopp asked, Smoker got up "Luffy!"Zoro tried to warn him as Smoker struck the rubber boy with the tip of the baton or whatever he caries around "Luffy?"Nami asked as Usopp screamed, Smoker put the baton or whatever's tip on Luffy.

"I'll take you on if you want you smoke filled freak i didn't do so bad against the bomb guy you know, so i'll just wait in the corner here and you just let me know when you're ready okay?" Usopp asked his voice quivering from fear and backing off even though he was picking a fight with Smoker.

"What's wrong? I feel so helpless, it's like when i fall into the sea"Luffy said "Alright just what have you done to Luffy?"Nami asked "The tip of this staff is made from a substance called sea prism stone a rare mineral it supposedly exist in one certain sea in a distant corner of the world, not much is known about it but it's believed to give off a mystical energy at the same wavelength as the ocean itself, basically you can think of it as a solid form of the sea"Smoker explained.

"So it affects Luffy the same as if he fell into the ocean?"Zoro asked "Prison cells in marine headquarters are made of the same substance to prevent any devil fruit users from successfully escaping"Smoker said "Well then i'm betting this cell is built the same way"Nami said "If it wasn't you can be sure i'd be long gone by now and you five would be in prison waiting for a date with the hangman"Smoker said.

Zoro got ready to fight but Nicole struck her hand infront of him stopping him "Fighting him here won't solve anything, besides your swords won't do anything against a guy made of smoke"she said "She's right, give it up, although i bet odds are your swords could cut him, am i right? Nicole Mihawk"Crocodile said turning in his chair to face them, Nicole glared at the scared man as Smoker was taken by surprise, he certainly had heard the name Mihawk before.

"How am i not surprised you know that?"Nicole asked, Crocodile chuckled "The resemblance is uncanny"he said walking out of his seat "So people keep telling me"Nicole said "You big old bag of wind you're Crocodile?"Luffy asked getting up "Come on and fight me like a man you big du"Luffy was cut off by himself as he touched the sea prism stone and instantly grew weak.

"Pay attention stupid you gotta remember to not touch the bars!"Usopp yelled at him "Strawhat Luffy i congratulate you on getting so far and i promise to dispose of you neatly once our special guest of honor appears"Crocodile said "A guest?"Nami asked "Why even as we speak my partner is on her way to fetch her"Crocodile said.

~skip~

"Hey look i'm Sanji"Luffy said doing an impression of the cook "Okay which one of you ate the meat?"he asked as Usopp laughed "Get serious!"Nami yelled bonking their heads "How can you two screw around while we're in this desperate situation?!"Nami yelled at them "Well we can't get out so what else is there for us to do?"Luffy asked "The fact that we can't get out is the reason it's so desperate!"Nami yelled at them.

As Zoro was napping and Nicole was just looking at the cell structure tapping the walls and bars occasionally, she definitely could cut them but with Crocodile right there what would be the point and yes she could cut him too but Luffy wanted to beat Crocodile so badly and she didn't wanna kill steal or anything since she believed Luffy could do it too.

"If we don't do something soon we're gonna wind up dead and why are you sleeping?"Nami asked bonking Zoro on the head "And you can't you cut this cage?!"Nami asked yelling at Nicole now "Nope"Nicole decided to lie only to get bonked on the head by Nami "Ugh! Useless every one of you!"she yelled.

"You're certainly a high spirited young lady"Crocodile said "Whatever you better go ahead and enjoy the time you got mister because once these guys get out of here their gonna kick your ass up and down the Grand Line like a flabby beach ball right Luffy?"Nami asked "Yeah you better believe we will buddy!"Luffy yelled.

"Your crew members seem to place a lot of trust in you Strawhat Luffy, how foolish, i think trust is completely unnecessary"Crocodile said "Who does he think he is sneering at us like that?" Nami asked "Get off Nami you're just gonna end up making him angry"Usopp said "Crocodile!" Vivi called as she appeared at the top of the stairs "My humble greetings Vivi royal princess of Alabasta, i mean miss Wednesday, i complement on you having evaded our assassins to get this far"Crocodile said.

"You have no idea what i'd do or how far i'd go to see you dead Mr. Zero, i wish you died in your cradle you monster!"Vivi yelled attacking the warlord "Vivi wait first get us out of this thing!" Luffy yelled "This country would still be peaceful if it wasn't for you!"Vivi said ignoring Luffy, Usopp and Nami as they yelled at her.

Vivi threw her attack chopping off Crocodile's head, however Smoker and Nicole knew it was pointless as the rest of Crocodile turned to sand "Feel better?As a native of this country you must surely know that i have the power of the sand sand fruit"Crocodile said reforming himself behind Vivi from sand "Want to become a mummy?"he asked.

"You leave her alone, i'm warning you right now or i'll kick your ass!"Luffy yelled "Have a seat princess, i trust you'll be comfortable there i must say your timing was perfect the party is about to begin isn't that right miss All Sunday?"Crocodile asked his partner "Yes, it's exactly noon right now, time for operation utopia"the woman said "What's an operation Utopia?"Luffy asked.

Crocodile just started laughing "It will mean the end of the kingdom of Alabasta miss Wednesday, i'm going to wipe it off the face of the map like it never was there to begin with, all people great and small will be sucked into eternal darkness as they writhe in agony, let operation Utopia begin"he said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Damn you just what is it you think you're going to do to Alabasta?"Vivi asked Crocodile "Princess would you like to know what kind of people i despise above all others? Those pious hypocrites who bleed endlessly about the happiness of the people"he replied "You plan to kill my father? You'll be dead before you get close to him!"Vivi yelled at him.

"You needn't shout, i'm not going to touch a hair on his head, he's not even worth killing, instead i shall let him taste humiliation that is far crueler then death"Crocodile said "What's crueler then death?"Usopp asked, Vivi was absolutely furious with Crocodile, he just chuckled "That's such an unladylike expression you have there your highness"he said "I demand that you tell me what is this operation Utopia? Answer me!"Vivi said "You demand? Now now perhaps you need to review your current situation"Crocodile said.

"I SAID ANSWER ME!!!"Vivi yelled at him "You're a courageous young woman, well why not the operation is already underway, very well i will tell you about my plan to end this country, about operation Utopia"Crocodile said.

~skip~

Crocodile laughed as he had finished explaining his plan in detail "That's horrifying"Nami said, something still didn't sit quite right with Nicole, Crocodile wasn't telling everything, sure creating chaos for chaos's sake seemed like something Crocodile would do but just something kept bugging her.

"Well do you like it? The operation you once participated in is now reaching fruition, if you listen closely i wager could hear the howls of the kingdom, they all scream the same thing, protect Alabasta, protect Alabasta, protect Alabasta"Crocodile said "STOP IT!!!How are you so cruel?!" Vivi yelled cutting him off, Crocodile just chuckled "It's heartbreaking isn't it? Their love for their kingdom will be what destroys it"Crocodile said.

Luffy yelled and tried to attack him but he couldn't do anything about the sea prism stone cell as much as he tried to squeeze through them "Is he stupid? Did he hear what i said before?"Smoker said "He's definitely stupid but that's also the reason he's our captain"Zoro said, Nicole nodded in agreement "Crocodile i'm so gonna kick your ass"Luffy said.

"You know what i've had to make so many moves to be able to get to this point, the sabotage to inflame the citizens, manipulating the royal army, you have any idea why i'd go to such lengths? To destroy this country?"Crocodile asked "As if i'd understand anything inside your foul mind"Vivi said "You've got a pretty sharp tongue for a princess don't ya?"Crocodile said.

Vivi forced the chair she was in to fall over "Now now what are you trying to do miss Wednesday?"Crocodile asked "I'm going to stop you, there's still time if i can just get to Alubarna east of here, if i get there before the rebel army i maybe able to stop them, i'll never give up while there's a chance"Vivi said crawling east.

Crocodile chuckled at her "Somehow i'm going to stop you watch you won't get away with this"Vivi said "You can quit fooling around now, what a coincidence we were just about to head to Alubarna ourselves miss Wednesday, if you'd like to come with us princess then please do or you can try and save them"Crocodile said showing Vivi the key to the cell her friends plus Smoker was in "The key"Vivi said "The key to this cell?"Luffy asked.

"Hey! Give it!"Luffy yelled but Crocodile instead dropped the key and just as Vivi broke the rope tying her hands Crocodile opened a trap door and the key fell into an area that was underwater "It won't be too long until the rebels and the royal army begin their fight to the death, even if you hurry to Alubarna from here who knows if you make it in time, to stop the rebellion you need to leave at once miss Wednesday, will you do that or try and save your friends instead? It's your choice but if you choose the latter it doesn't help that i accidentally dropped the key into the Bananagator's den"Crocodile said.

Just as below them Vivi watched a gator went over to the feeding area "What are those things? Ah! Look out the window there's an alligator growing out of that banana!"Luffy said "I think you have that backwards Luffy"Nicole said sweatdropping at him "In case you haven't noticed that's not the only one!"Nami yelled at Luffy "It looks like we're in an aquarium i hope we're not the fish food" Usopp said.

"What weird bananas"Luffy said "You idiot look closer they've got bananas growing out of them, they're weird gator not weird bananas"Usopp said "I wonder what purpose does that banana have? For display? Is it eatable? Maybe it is the gator growing out of the banana as protection?" Nicole wondered outloud writing stuff down in her notebook "Not the point right now!"Usopp and Nami yelled bonking her head.

Vivi gasped "Vivi what happened?!"Luffy asked "A big Banagator just swallowed the key to your cell"Vivi said "Well then go down there and make it spit it out!"Luffy yelled "I wouldn't stand a chance! They're alpha predators, top of the food chain, they're so ferocious they even pray on sea kings Luffy! Get near one and they'll devour you in one bite!"Vivi yelled back.

"Sorry you might have had the key, if i hadn't accidentally dropped it and now there's no telling which one of my pets swallowed it"Crocodile said with a smirk, Nicole scoffed "Nothing accidental about it"she muttered "Crap"Luffy said "Thanks a lot you jerk!"Nami said "Damn it if we'd just get out of here i could handle those overgrown reptiles"Zoro said "You're dumb Zoro we can't get out because the key got swallowed"Luffy said.

"I know that you stupid idiot!"Zoro said "Oh well, i'm sorry but we must be going, time is of the essence, oh and speaking of time this room will be destroyed in exactly one hour, it's served me well but it's no longer of any use, soon the waters of Rainbases lake will fill this room and unless you're a fish or one of my gator anyone left in here won't survive, well it's either a million innocent citizens or mere five pirates that have no future, it's time to choose but to be honest the odds are quite low for both"Crocodile said.

"I hope you like miss Wednesday because like they do at the tables upstairs you're going to have to roll the dice"Crocodile then laughed "Like i did with this country which was simple thanks to all the fools here, people like those juvenile rebels and that old man digging in Yuba"Crocodile said "You don't mean that dried up old guy do you?!"Luffy asked "Of course even though everyone else has abandoned it that old fool keeps pecking away all day at an oasis that's long dead, even as he's plagued by constant sandstorms he still digs away"Crocodile said.

"Shut up!"Luffy growled at him "You don't know much about sandstorms do you Strawhat Luffy? Ever wonder how one can hit a town perfectly everytime?"Crocodile asked, Nicole had wondered and she knew how sandstorms worked, she glared at Crocodile 'That bastard' she thought, Crocodile just smirked "No way, you mean?"Vivi trailed off.

"It was you, you did it!"Luffy growled growing increasingly angry at Crocodile "I will kill you!"Vivi said, Crocodile just chuckled leaving the room like a Bond villain cause he just looks like a Bond villain, multiple trap doors opened and water started to fill up the room "We're all gonna drown if we don't do something really quick! Vivi get us out of her! I wanna live a lot longer then just one hour!"Usopp said freaking out.

"Hey stop freaking out"Zoro said "Are you crazy Zoro?! How can i not freak out?! We're all gonna drown like rats if we don't get out of here!!!"Usopp yelled freaking out even further "I wonder who'll drown first, probably the devil fruit users"Nicole muttered "Hey!"Luffy protested.

"So it's my kingdom or my friends, all you've done is take Crocodile so i know you wouldn't give me either choice, even if i left for Alubarna you'd kill be before i reached it, the only real choice, the only way to end this nightmare is to take out the one who started it, monster you don't know a thing, not anything about this country's people, its history or way of life!"Vivi said before she went to attack Crocodile again but she knew it was pointless.

"Vivi get us out you can do it i know you can"Luffy said "How Luffy?"Vivi asked "Ah so you're finally starting to beg for your life Luffy there's no shame in that, it's only natural everyone is afraid of dying"Crocodile said turning to see the desperate look on Luffy's face but that look was anything but despair "I'm not begging, it's just if i die who else is gonna be able to kick your as?!"he yelled angrily.

"Don't flatter yourself you small fry"Crocodile said "You're a small fry who thinks he's a big shot" Luffy retorted, Crocodile snapped his fingers and a hatch opened letting Bananagators inside the room "You're right miss Wednesday i would have you killed if you left for the capitol and of course i plan on doing the same here"Crocodile laughed as the gator closed in on Vivi "That thing is so gigantic"Vivi said obviously scared "Vivi you show that gator!"Luffy encouraged her.

"Are you crazy?! It's too big, Vivi don't listen to this cuckoo get out of there! But uhm get us out too"Usopp said "She only has to beat one of them"Luffy said "No look out the windows"Nami said and looking out the Bananagators were lining up "Ah! They're all lining up to eat us!"Usopp yelled.

"At least we won't drown like rats"Zoro said "Yeah but being eaten by a ginormous alligator isn't the way i wanna go either!"Usopp said "So now it's a question of do we drown first or get eaten first?"Nicole muttered "Don't listen to her Vivi! You can do it!"Luffy continued to cheer for her, Vivi attempted to fight the gator but for something so big it was surprisingly agile "That thing is fast! Strong too, it chopped through those stone stairs as if they were cardboard"Usopp said.

The gator hit Vivi with its tail sending her flying "Vivi! No!!!"Luffy yelled "Can you hear us?! Please tell us are you alright?!"Usopp asked "Vivi get up!"Luffy yelled "Run!"Nami yelled "Vivi get out of there it's gonna eat you!"Usopp yelled, the gator went to eat Vivi whole when it was interrupted by the ringing of a Den Den Mushi.

"Someone's calling"miss All Sunday said as the ringing was coming from her transponder snail "Yes?"she said picking it up "Hello, hello can you hear me?"the voice on the other end asked, Nicole recognized it immediately, "Yes we can hear you, you're a millions right?"miss All Sunday asked "Hey pal is this working right? I've only used a transponder snail once before"the voice on the other end asked someone else ignoring the question.

"It's working fine they can hear you just talk into it"another voice said "Hurry up and state your business what is it?"Crocodile asked "Oh no i know i've heard that voice before, yeah hello there you've reach the crap cafe"the voice said "The crap cafe?"Crocodile muttered, that sounded familiar to him.

"Does that ring a bell? It should but in case it doesn't maybe this will jog your memory, Little Garden"the voice said, Crocodile remembered it now "We have five of the six Strawhats based on what Mr.2 showed us, the only one that's left is that pet, they have other members we don't know about?"Crocodile asked more himself "Did you hear that?"Usopp whispered to the others "The voice was unmistakable"Nami said.

"San!"Luffy was cut off "Luffy shut up they don't know about him so let's keep it that way he was in the cabin when Mr.2 showed up so they never met, he's our ace in the hole so zip it!"Usopp whispered covering the rubber boys mouth "Oh that's right Sanji and Chopper didn't get captured they're still outside"Vivi whispered "Ah yes, mind telling me who you are?" Crocodile asked the voice "Me? Well, just call me mister prince"the voice said.

"Very well mister prince mind telling me something else like where you are?"Crocodile asked "I'm afraid i can't say, if i did you'd just come by running and get rid of me, even though i highly doubt you could get rid of me i'm not about to do so, i'm not stupid i'd never give up information easily, unlike you just did Mr. Zero"mister price said.

"Mister prince! Hurry! Come on if you don't hurry we're all gonna end up as gator bait! We're running out of time!"Usopp yelled, Luffy yelled basically the same "That's my loudmouthed crew alright thanks for letting me know they're with you all i have to do is find you and"mister prince was cut off by the sound of a gun shot.

"Not so tough now are ya? Don't worry he won't be going anywhere in the condition we put him in"another voice said "Sanji, oh no"Vivi muttered "So where are you? Speak up"Crocodile said "I'm outside the casino with the alligator on top in Rainbase, Rain Dinners"the voice said.

"If he's not dead he's gonna wish he was cause i'm gonna kill him the next time i see him"Zoro said while Usopp was freaking out, Nami was crying over him "No Sanji!"Luffy said "Welp we're boned"Nicole said with a shrug.

"Well we shouldn't leave the man waiting"Crocodile said "Is this wise? The millions still don't know the actual identity of their boss"miss All Sunday said "Aside from the number agents no one knows who you and i truly are, everyone thinks i'm a local hero who also owns this casino there's nothing suspicious about a proprietor going to see what happened in front of his building, our secret will be safe"Crocodile said.

Vivi took this opportunity as the gator was distracted to run off but the gator noticed and went to attack her, thankfully it missed as Vivi climbed up the remains of the stone stairs "Hey what are you doing?!"Luffy asked her "We still have time before this room completely fills with water! I'm going outside to help you know who!"Vivi yelled back.

"Gotcha there's no way he kicked the bucket not that guy if you can get him free i'm sure he can get us free"Usopp said "And Chopper's out there too so we might actually have a chance of getting out of here"Nami said "Vivi look out!"Luffy yelled as Crocodile went to attack her, Vivi was captured by Crocodile's hook and pulled down "I've heard enough of your none sense" Crocodile said.

Usopp and Luffy were yelling at her as the room continued to fill with water "Since you care so much about your friends miss Wednesday you can just die here with them, which thanks to the rising water and my hungry pets outside should happen very very soon, now if you'll excuse me i'm going to drag mister prince here to join you, i hope you don't mind corpses"Crocodile said before leaving the room "Crocodile!"Luffy yelled after him.

"Vivi!"Luffy yelled at her "I've been with them all this time, you have never let me down, so i cannot let them down and i won't let them die like this"Vivi said getting up as the gator charged in for another attack, Vivi barely avoided it though slashing the gators tongue and jumping over to the stairs using the gator and running off.

The gator continued to charge chomping down on the stairs, just as the windows to the room broke "Things have just gone from bad to worse!"Nami said "At the rate the water is flowing in we won't have an hour left we'll only have twenty minutes!"Usopp yelled "Vivi are you okay?!"Luffy asked her.

"I'm fine! I'm going to get help so just hold on! I will get you out of there! I'm not going to leave any of you i promise! I will be right back with help okay?!"Vivi asked "Okay! You can do it Vivi!" Luffy and Usopp yelled to her as Vivi ran off.

~skip~

"The bridge is out that means i'm locked in!"Vivi said keeping her face covered "I didn't do it to keep you in, i did it to keep those Baroque Works creeps out gorgeous"Sanji said as she ran past him "It's one part of the plan you see, the other part is Chopper running around town as a decoy, if we're going to stop the civil war that's about to abrupt in this country we got to hurry so"Sanji trailed off turning to Vivi "Oh Sanji"she said "Think you can tell me where our friends are at? Well princess?"Sanji asked.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Tony is acting as a decoy?"Vivi asked "Don't worry he's buying us some time but we gotta hurry take me to Luffy and the others"Sanji said "Sure but Sanji i thought you got shot earlier"Vivi said and Sanji explained what really happened as Vivi was leading him to the others.

"That's how Chopper and i did it more or less"Sanji said "But is Tony going to be alright?"Vivi asked "Yeah that little furball's got a few tricks up his sleeves"Sanji said.

~skip~

"All of us are gonna die that water is gonna be up to our necks any minute now!"Luffy yelled as Usopp was freaking out "Hey you stupid gator if you're hungry come and get me!"Nami yelled holding her fist out "Yeah! I bet you're just starving!"Nicole yelled "Are you two nuts?! What are you doing?!"Usopp asked before the gator struck "We're trying to lure that gator close enough so he'll bit this cage apart"Nicole said "Hey that's not a bad idea"Usopp said "Yeah come and get us you stupid banana, you rotten banana!"Luffy yelled.

"Look i told you that thing's not a banana it's an alligator with a banana growing out of its head" Usopp said "But it's called a Bananagator"Luffy said, Usopp tried to explain it but Luffy wasn't listening "Watch out!"Nami called as the gator came into bite them but the cage broke its teeth instead "Damn seems like that plan was a bust"Nicole said.

"Are you sure you can't cut the cage?!"Nami asked her "Fine i'll try!"Nicole yelled back drawing one of her swords which shattered as she went to cut the cage "See i told you i couldn't do it! And now my sword is shattered!"Nicole yelled at her "You still have the other one!"Nami yelled "Not the point!"Nicole yelled back "Hey Strawhats"Smoker said.

"We're all about to die how can you just sit there like that?!"Usopp asked turning to the marine "You should be trying to get us out of here too!"Luffy yelled also turning to the marine "Tell me how much do you guys know, what exactly is Crocodile after?"Smoker asked them "The woman at Crocodile's side did you know the world government has had a sizeable price on her had for twenty years? As i recall over seventy million berries"Smoker said.

Nicole's eyes widened just briefly, it was all coming together now, "Seventy million? Holy Moley but why is it so much?"Usopp asked "That's almost as much Crocodile had"Nami said "The moment those two joined forces this insurrection became more then just a simple coup, if they're not stopped here and now this could turn into something the whole world will get dragged into"Smoker said.

"The whole world? Wait what do you mean?"Nami asked "This is starting to sound a little far fetched"Usopp said "I don't care if all that is true, i don't need any other excuses i'm still gonna kick that guys ass!"Luffy yelled "I see so how do you intend do get out of here?"Smoker asked "Ah it's all the way up my legs now! Huh all of the sudden i feel leh-"Luffy trailed off growing weaker by the second as the water continued to rise.

"No wait just tough it out Vivi said she'd bring some help back"Usopp said catching the rubber boy "Damn it if only my swordsmanship was better i could cut down this cage, we'd be free"Zoro said "I know! It's so frustrating"Nicole huffed crossing her arms and she actually meant it, it would be easy for her to cut the cage but she had chosen to limit herself while in the first half of the Grand Line.

"It's impolite to make a lot of noise at meal time like you were doing, i'll teach you how to behave!"Sanji said kicking the Banagator as he showed up "Hey guys been waiting long?"Sanji asked "Sanji!"Nicole smiled at him "Yay it's mister prince we're finally gonna get out of here!" Usopp and Luffy cheered "Thank you"Nami said "Well don't just stand there find the key and get us out of here"Zoro said.

"Nami~swan! Do you love me now Nami my dear?"Sanji asked waving around "Uhm sure and i'll love you even more if you hurry up and open this cage!"Nami said "He is one love sick idiot"Zoro said "At least he isn't afraid to show his affection"Nicole muttered "What was that?"Zoro asked gaining a tick mark "You heard me"Nicole said "You! Why you!"Zoro growled "Got something to say?!"Nicole asked "Ugh just forget it"Zoro huffed turning away.

"Vivi alright way to go!"Luffy yelled giving a thumbs up, Vivi returned the thumbs up, more gators showed up "More diners with bad manners huh?"Sanji asked "Get them Sanji smash those weird bananas into pudding!"Luffy yelled "Don't worry i'm gonna teach these bananas some proper table manners alright, since theirs are so bad i'll do it the hard way, i'll take my sweet time too because no one does that to Nami"Sanji said.

"We don't have any time for chivalry! One second strikes no make that one instant strikes!" Usopp yelled "Sanji! The third one that just entered! That's the one that swallowed the key!" Nicole called "How can you tell that?"Luffy asked "It's growl is the same"Nicole said the gators each growled, they did have slightly different growls "I can't really tell"Luffy said "Well if my sweet Nicole says so!"Sanji said dancing around with heart eyes before he got serious and started kicking the gators around.

One of them spat something out "The key!"Usopp and Luffy yelled "There it is get it!"Luffy said except what the gator spat out looked nothing like a key, rather a ball of wax which then broke "Free!"said the shrivelled up guy popping from inside "What the?"Luffy asked "Yes water at last it's a miracle"the guy said "Hey it's him"Zoro said with a grimace "Oh great"Nicole muttered with a sweatdrop.

"Mr.3!"Luffy said "Mr.3? What was he doing in the belly of a Bananagator?"Vivi wondered outloud "I'm alive again! I thought i was a goner!"Mr.3 said after drinking some water "Stupid Crocodile so you thought you could get rid of me but you didn't try hard enough the moment i was swallowed i used the last of my power to create that wax wax ball that was how i survived"Mr.3 said to no one just rambling to himself.

"A key?"Mr'3 questioned picking it up "Give it here!"Nami, Usopp and Luffy said trying to grab the key "You guys again!"Mr.3 yelled finally spotting them and thought for a minute "Now i see what's happening here"Mr.3 said "Mr.3 i presume?"Sanji asked walking over "Ah!"Mr.3 screamed before sighing in relief "How'd you know who i was?"Mr.3 asked "Well your hairstyle gave it away, i'll take the key toss it here"Sanji said.

Mr.3 grinned "Sure thing, here goes!"he yelled tossing the key away "Hey!"Sanji said, Mr.3 just laughed as the key was lost forever "I don't know who you are but if you want the Strawhats out you're no friend of mine, you want the key go find it, good luck you'll need it with all those alligators around trust me i know"Mr.3 said.

"Jerk"Sanji said "Better find it soon the waters rising"Mr.3 said "That bastard"Zoro growled "That was a move even for that creep"Luffy said "We're running out of time hurry!"Nami yelled "Lousy good for nothing wax guy"Sanji grumbled "Wait a minute Sanji, he might be good for something like using those wax powers to make a key"Usopp said.

Sanji smirked "You're right"he said and 'convinced' Mr.3 to use a wax key to open the cage "Nice work candle man now there's just two more things to do"Sanji said putting a piece of paper on the agent and kicking him away "Let's go we have to hurry"Sanji said to Nami "Right we gotta stop the rebels before they attack Alubarna we should be able to get out through that hallway"Nami said.

"There's a problem with that namely dozens of Bananagators"Vivi said but Luffy, Zoro and Nicole had already dealt with all of the gators "That's it i can take on hundreds of those weird bananas!"Luffy yelled "Uhm that's problem solved"Nami said "And i had so much trouble with just one of them"Vivi cried "Don't be too hard on yourself those three just have crazy abnormal strength"Usopp said trying to reassure her.

"Yeah?! I would be even stronger if i wasn't soaked right now!"Luffy growled, taking his frustration on the gators did nothing to calm him down, as water continued to rush in the room around them and the hall started to collapse with water rushing in form every gap "This place is falling apart!"Luffy yelled "We can see that!"Sanji said "Oh no the passage way is crumbling too!"Usopp yelled "We gotta get out of here right now!"Sanji said.

Then a huge wave of water came rushing in swallowing them all up, Usopp got hit by a rock and was knocked out, Nicole dove down and went to grab him as Luffy told Zoro to grab Smoker, Sanji grabbed Luffy and they swam out of the room.

Sanji was the first to surface with Luffy who immediately began spitting out water like a fountain, "Hey you alive there Luffy?"Sanji asked him, Nicole gasped coming to the surface too quickly followed by Nami and Vivi, Nicole dumped Usopp on the shore before getting out herself and coughing a bit.

"Geez why would a pirate want devil fruit powers if it means he can't swim"Sanji wondered to himself looking at Luffy just as Zoro came up dragging Smoker with him "What Smoker? Hey Zoro what are you doing? In case you forgot that guy is our enemy"Sanji said "Back off i didn't wanna do it but he was about to die that's all"Zoro said "Whatever we gotta get moving guys we've lost too much time already"Sanji said as Smoker was coughing up water he swallowed.

"Vivi can we still make it?"Sanji asked turning to the ladies, Nicole was squeezing water out of her hair holding the pin with her teeth "I don't know"Vivi said squeezing water out of her clothes while Nami was fixing her hair "Hey Nami, you still have that perfume i bought you?"Sanji asked "Huh? Yeah but why?"Nami asked "Put some of it on please?"Sanji asked "Kay"Nami said putting the perfume on herself.

"Ah! Just one smell of it makes me swoon like a school boy in love!"Sanji said with heart eyes "Not to mention make you act like an idiot"Zoro said "Roronoa!"Smoker yelled attacking him but Zoro blocked it "Why did you save my life?"Smoker asked "All i did was follow my captain's orders that's it, so wouldn't read too much into it if i were you, it was one of his crazy whims pay it no mind"Zoro said.

"Then you wouldn't have any gripes with me carrying out my duties and arresting you? Right?" Smoker asked "See i knew this was a bad idea, i knew this is what you would get for saving a marine"Sanji said "I don't know, he doesn't seem totally blind unlike other marines"Nicole said, Zoro knew what she meant by that remembering what she said in Roguetown.

"Oh yeah! Full speed ahead to Alubarna!"Usopp yelled finally coming to "Where's Crocodile? Let me at him!"Luffy said "Finally awake huh?"Nami asked, Luffy turned to her still growling before noticing Smoker "You want some of this bring it on!" Luffy said turning to him "AH! It's Smoker! Luffy just forget about him come on"Usopp said.

"I should but you just saved my life"Smoker said, the rest of the marines were closing in on them, "Go, this is the only time i'm letting you Strawhats off got it? When next we meet it's gonna be as enemies"Smoker said, marines started surrounding them "Well that's our que, so Vivi which way to Alubarna?"Sanji asked "That way, due east across the desert"Vivi said pointing the way and the Strawhats took off running.

"Luffy come on, aren't you coming?"Zoro asked turning back to him "Yeah"Luffy said and grinned at Smoker "Hey you're not such a bad guy smokey"he said and chuckled a bit "Would you get the hell out of here Strawhat?!"Smoker yelled attacking him, Luffy dodged and joined his crew as they continued to run away towards east.

Chapter Text

~Third~

The Strawhats continued running and just as Smoker had promised he let them go, "Hey please tell me you guys aren't planning to run all the way to Alubarna?!"Usopp asked as the group continued running "We've got Eyelash just where the hell is that stupid camel anyway?"Nami asked "Close i hope doesn't this town have stables let's get some horses"Luffy said "Do you even know how to ride a horse?"Nicole asked "No but it can't be that hard, right?"Luffy asked, Nicole just sighed.

"Not to worry look ahead"Sanji said as Chopper waved to them "Hey guys hop on!"he called riding on a giant crab thing "A crab!!!!"Usopp yelled freaked out "Chopper!"Nami said "That's a Moving Crab"Vivi said "Yummy"Luffy said drooling a bit "Wow i can't believe my eyes i bet its delicious!"Luffy said as the crab came to a stop infront of the group.

"All aboard"Chopper said "Wow we get to ride it?!"Luffy asked excitedly and used his rubber powers to sling himself on the crab's eye "Pleased to meet ya"he said "Is it just me or does it's face look kinda shady?"Nami asked climbing on the crab "It's definitely not just you"Nicole said following "Who cares at least we have a ride"Sanji said following her.

"Say hello he's Eyelashes friend"Chopper said as Zoro, Vivi and Usopp rode a claw up to the back of the crab "Eyelash has lots of friends in this area because it's his home town he was born and raised here"Chopper said "That explains a lot"Nicole muttered with a sweatdrop "I can't believe you found one Moving Crabs are almost always submerged in the sand so it's impossible to spot one"Vivi said.

"Judging by his size i'd say this guy is pretty fast"Zoro said "Okay time to move out, hang on everyone here we go!"Chopper said and the crab took off in a hasty pace, when a golden hook came flying at them and grabbed Vivi, who screamed as she was being dragged back by Crocodile "Chopper stop the crab!"Zoro called.

"It's him!"Luffy said stretching himself over to Vivi and switching places with her, Zoro caught the princess "Hey Luffy!"he called after the rubber boy "That damned idiot"Sanji said "Luffy no!" Vivi said "You guys go on ahead don't worry about me!"Luffy called to his crew before crashing to the desert "Make sure you get Vivi home save and sound you have to promise me!"Luffy called to his crew.

They were all conflicted to leave their captain behind but it was captains orders "Hey Chopper let's go just keep going to Alubarna"Zoro said "Right okay let's go crab!"Chopper said with tears in his eyes "Whoa wait hold on, wait Zoro that's cold stop the crab, you're not actually gonna leave him behind are you? While Luffy's gone then you better protect me damn it"Usopp said but he went ignored.

"We gotta go back!"Vivi yelled "It's alright Vivi he'll be fine you have to trust me on this okay? I certainly feel bad for the other guy Luffy shows no mercy to his pray and there's not a single person he's gone after that walks away"Nami said "Crocodile will fail, Luffy will win, it's that simple"Zoro said "We gotta believe in him"Nicole said "The moment that the rebel army started running this lands final hour was set, once the royal army and the rebel army this country the kingdom of Alabasta will be gone forever, if you truly are the one and only hope to preventing that tragedy you must survive no matter what, so from this moment forward what happens to Luffy or any of us isn't the least bit important"Zoro said to Vivi.

"But"Vivi said "Vivi this is a fight that you alone started, you're the one who bravely left this land years ago and made a stance against a corrupted evil organisation, however don't make the mistake of thinking you're alone anymore"Sanji said leaving Vivi to herself.

"Luffy! Listen we'll be waiting for you! We'll be in Alubarna!"Vivi yelled her voice echoing through the desert "Yeah!"Luffy yelled back and as the crew went further away the first round of Luffy vs Crocodile began.

~skip~

"Vivi what's wrong?"Usopp asked "There's a giant storm heading towards Rainbase, it's Crocodile"Vivi said "Luffy no"Nami said "Hold on it's starting to move south"Nicole said.

~skip~

As the group, except Luffy, continued their way riding on the crab thing, Zoro was doing lifts with Eyelash the camel on his sword staring at Nicole while making it look like he was looking into the distance, Nicole had her hair loose letting it dry in the wind as she was just staring into the vast desert, while Usopp was telling Chopper a totally made up story.

"Zoro why don't you relax, you're just wasting your energy doing that"Nami said "Who asked you?"Zoro asked "He's just being antsy, don't worry about him"Nicole said "Yeah guys like Zoro they gotta keep moving or they won't stay focused, they have one track minds, especially our own resident muscle freak here now that he's had a taste of the seven warlords"Sanji said.

"Stop whining just say what's on your mind or shut up"Zoro said "You need me to spell it out all this tough guy bluster is to mask your fear that Luffy might loose this one"Sanji said "Who me? You're saying i'm scared huh? Is that what you're saying look at me fancy eyebrows!"Zoro said "That's it! I've had enough of you! You damn moss head!"Sanji said "What you call me?!"Zoro asked and the two butted heads "You wanna go at it?!"they both asked.

"Just shut up!"Nicole said bonking their heads together "I've had enough from both of you! If you're that antsy just twiddle your thumbs or something!"she said before sitting down again and staring at the vast desert putting her hair up again as it was dry by now.

"Calm down all of you, everyone's frightened yes but we mustn't turn on each other, Luffy's counting on us to meet him in Alubarna"Vivi said "Yeah well you seem more on edge then any of us!"Usopp yelled at her, Nami bonked Vivi on the head "Keep your mind on the rebellion and leave the rest to us"Nami said "Sorry about that Vivi"Sanji said getting back up "If we tear each other apart we've already lost"Zoro said.

"Alright that's settled now let's devote our attention to Alubarna full speed Scissors!"Nami yelled giving crab a name, Scissors.

~skip~

"What?! What do you mean we can't cross this river?"Usopp asked Vivi "Think about it moving crabs are creatures of the desert they don't take to the water"Vivi said "Has everyone gone nuts? It's a crab! They can exist on land and water"Usopp said "Guys this is not good, this a serious problem look"he said pulling out a map "If we're just gonna carelessly gonna swim across the river we're not gonna make it on time, see here after the river there's tons of desert to deal with so if this crab can't cross the water are we supposed to run the rest of the way on foot?"he asked.

"We don't have a choice"Nami said "We won't make it in time! It's absolutely impossible!"Usopp yelled "Oh oh, hey i can see it Sandora river straight ahead!"Sanji said pointing to it "Oh great" Usopp said "Help us Scissors, pretty please?"Nami asked "I know Scissors loves dancer girls" Chopper said "Will this do?"Nami asked shedding her cloak revealing the outfit underneath.

Nicole sweatdropped as Sanji, Eyelash the camel and Scissors the crab, after looking over, gained heart eyes "We're moving faster!"Chopper said as the crab began moving faster "Nami~swan!!!"Sanji yelled "Great now we have two animals in heat!"Zoro said "We're moving now!"Chopper said "And what exactly has this solved Chopper? Nothing!"Usopp yelled.

They were getting closer to the river "Go faster!"Chopper yelled and they breached the water, the crab made it only about halfway through the river however "You stupid crab!"Usopp yelled "It's over no use in whining just keep moving"Zoro said walking along the bottom since it was shallow enough for them to walk in, except for Chopper who was taking a ride on Zoro's head.

"Hold on are you sure there aren't any boats around here how long do you think it'll take us to reach the shore?"Usopp asked Vivi "The rest of the night"Vivi said "That's insane!"Usopp yelled 'We might be too late by then' Nicole thought "Thanks for the ride! Bye Scissors!"Chopper yelled waving back to the crab "Oh shut up he's the reason we're in this mess"Usopp said.

Just then something popped out of the river "It's a Sandora catfish, they're rarely seen by humans"Vivi said "Doesn't seem that rare to me!"Usopp said as the catfish went under and started attacking, the group swam away from it as fast as they could but then some Kung-Fu Dugongs beat up the catfish "It's those cutie dugongs!"Nicole squealed a bit.

The group got on the catfish as the dugong dragged them across the river, Nicole was back to cuddling the same dugong she had been before the trip across the desert and the dugong was happy to get cuddled by her again "They say they were just looking out for their fellow pupils" Chopper said translating for the dugongs "Pupils? What they think Luffy is our master? Please" Usopp said "You really wanna argue with them?"Vivi asked.

"I'm just happy to get my cuddle buddy back"Nicole said still cuddling a dugong however as they reached the other shore it was time to say goodbye, Nicole was once again crying waving back to her cuddle buddy as she was dragged away with the others "Now that things are going smoothly will we make it in time?"Zoro asked after the dugong left and Nicole had calmed down.

"I don't know even riding Eyelash i'm not sure when we would get there"Vivi said "Not to be pessimistic by Eyelash can only carry two of us if Baroque Works is gonna attack us its gonna be from here on so we can't split up isn't there anyway for us to stick together?"Usopp asked, no one was coming up with any plans.

"Damn this isn't good"Usopp said a beat of silence passed by them "Look over there!"Nami said spotting something approaching from the distance "What is it now? Is it the enemy? Don't tell me they're here to kill us already?!"Usopp asked freaking out "No wait, that sound"Vivi said as the dust cleared to reveal Karoo and six other ducks like him "Karoo and the super sonic duck squadron"Vivi said as the ducks came to a stop.

"You've come to help us haven't you?"Vivi asked, the ducks saluted "One problem"Nicole said "I count six of them and there are seven of us"she said "You can share a ride with me Nicole dear!"Sanji said with heart eyes Nicole sweatdropped at him "Just come on we don't have time for this"Zoro said getting on a duck, Nicole hopped in front of him leaving Sanji devastated "Don't get any funny ideas, this doesn't mean anything, i just don't want to be near that creep"Nicole told Zoro before the group rode off.

~skip~

The sun was clear in the horizon as a mysterious group wearing cloaks and riding on ducks approached Alubarna, Baroque Works agents seemed to be the only ones to spot them as they were set to eliminate one particular person from this group, princess Vivi but as the group was wearing cloaks the agents couldn't tell which one was their target.

"Dodge it!"Zoro called as an explosive ball was shot at them, the group dodged the explosion though and split up, two of them headed to the south and two more broke off and headed towards the west gate, except in this group there were actually three people, two more headed for the south west gate and the Baroque Works agents also split chasing each pair down.

~skip~

"Now stop"Nami said as the west gate group came to a stop "Wow you guys are very good you know, that's right i'm the real princess Vivi"Nami said, Nicole jabbed Zoro in the gut before he could speak "What are you talking about i am the real princess Vivi"she said.

"Now it's time to take our cloaks off"Nami said and they each took off the cloak "Too bad it looks like your guess was wrong"the strawhats said revealing none of them had been Vivi, Vivi in fact had stayed behind with Karoo to stop the rebel army while the strawhats were to take care of Baroque Works.

"Yeah Zoro, Nicole let them have it!"Nami cheered with the ducks from behind them "Would you keep quiet over there?!"Zoro yelled at her "They fooled us"Mr.1 grumbled "Right of course"miss double finger said "But three against two seems unfair"she added "It's not going to be two on three"a mystery voice said appearing behind Nicole, she was too slow to react as she was sent flying to the right by a punch through a bunch of buildings "Nicole!"Zoro called after her.

"Damn you who are you?!"Zoro growled turning to the mystery person that had already disappeared "Shit"he muttered before focusing on Mr.1 and miss double finger, Nicole could handle whoever that mystery person was, he was sure of it.

Chapter Text

(A/N: as this chapter goes on the strawhats have their own epic battles which we already know from the anime/manga, this is Nicole's fight, i'll do my best to give you an epic fight)

~Short recap~

The strawhats had drawn the Baroque Works agents into the capital city of Alubarna as Vivi stayed behind to stop the rebel army, however just as miss double finger was complaining about an unfair fight of three against two a mysterious figure appeared out of nowhere and punched Nicole through many buildings and disappeared just as quick as they had appeared.

Now the fights between the Strawhat Pirates and Baroque Works begins!

~Third~

Nicole coughed as she rose from the rubble of the building "Ugh"she groaned before quickly standing up and looking around as she sensed another presence "You won't surprise me a second time whoever you are! Come out!"she yelled keeping her yellow eyes sharp and looking around "Alright alright i suspect hiding from you is pointless anyhow"a voice said as someone appeared from the shadows.

They were wearing a suit the shadows of the buildings around them covering their face "Just who are you?"Nicole asked drawing her sword, the person dropped their cape revealing a face Nicole was very familiar with, her eyes widened in shock "You!"she growled gripping her sword tighter "I thought i killed you! Arashi!"she yelled.

"And you nearly did but"a sadistic grin spread across the scarred man's face a crazed look in his ashy grey eyes "It felt so good i had to come back for more"he said, Nicole felt shivers crawl up her spine "You're an even bigger creep then i remember"she muttered with a sweatdrop, Arashi just let out a chilling laugh pulling out a sword "Hey! Let's have a fight! Like the good old days!" he yelled attacking her.

(A/N: Arashi)

Nicole blocked him "Why are you with Baroque Works?!"she asked pushing him back "I've been on Crocodile's payroll for a while actually, i was hired to keep an eye on his partner Nico Robin, but when that ballerina freak showed your face he knew you'd be the most trouble"Arashi said attacking again, Nicole dodged and struck back but then he dodged and laughed "You're slower! Are you holding back? You better not, you know you can't beat me like that"Arashi said.

"Shut up!"Nicole said striking at him again Arashi blocked and parried her, he smirked pulling out a dagger and stabbing her side, Nicole gritted her teeth and pushed him away "You'll have to do better then that!"she yelled managing to slice Arashi before he disappeared, Nicole kept her guard up looking around and blocking Arashi as he attacked from behind, she made a quick turn grabbing his arm with the dagger in it as he was going to stab her again.

There was huge explosion which made Nicole stumble a bit, Arashi smirked taking that opportunity and tripping her then pinning her down, he smirked "Too easy, you're not even using haki are you?"he asked, Nicole scoffed kicking him off "And why should i? This half of the Grand Line is weak, you're weak"she said.

"If i'm weak then you're weaker you don't even have a second sword right now?"Arashi smirked, Nicole pulled off her coat revealing her dancer outfit, she ripped the skirt to be shorter and kicked off the heels she was wearing, she scoffed "Heh, I've never needed a second sword to be strong"she said taking a stance.

"Trying to seduce me? You know you're not my type"Arashi said attacking her again, Nicole stood completely still only to dodge the last possible minute and stabbing her sword right through Arashi "Oh yeah, that's it"he said elated from the pain "NOW THIS IS GETTING GOOD!!!"Arashi yelled attacking Nicole again.

~skip~ (A/N: i decided to give up on the whole fight scene thing, as you can see from that sample i'm terrible at them trying to write one from my head)

Nicole panted bloody and ragged and covered in dirt and dust, her clothes torn, her hair all messy and a huge gash on the left side of her torso as she started down at Arashi as he coughed blood laying on some rubble the area around them in ruins "Uh such ecstasy i'll be happy to die now"Arashi said a genuine smile on his face as Nicole chopped off his head "Creep"she muttered as the head rolled to the ground, Nicole limped as she walked off, she wanted to see Zoro.

~skip~

"Zoro"Nicole called walking over to him just as his fight against Mr.1 finished "Nicole"Zoro said looking up to her and seeing her condition he smirked "You look awful"he said "You don't look much better"she said and looked behind him at the unconscious Mr.1 "You won?"she asked "Yeah, i finally reached the next level"he said.

Nicole knelt down and circled her arms around his middle in a hug "What are you doing?"Zoro asked "I just needed to hug you"Nicole said, Zoro patted her head "Who was that? The guy who attacked you?"he asked, she sighed deeply "A creep better off dead, i'll tell you about it later"she said.

There was a beat of silence, except the two could hear the clashing between the rebels and royal solders "Hey"Zoro said, Nicole hummed in response her eyes closed as she leaned on his chest "Do you know, how to cut steal?"he asked "Everything and everyone has a voice, a rhythm, a heartbeat"she said putting her hand over his heart, Zoro blushed a bit but paid attention to what she was saying.

"If you can hear that voice, feel that rhythm, you can cut anything yet nothing at the same time" Nicole said "My master told me something like that a long time ago"Zoro said "It's called Haki" Nicole said "Haki?"he asked "I'll tell you more about it later"she said cuddling into him "I'm tired right now"she said "Yeah"Zoro said leaning back "Me too"he said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"I'm telling you again my injuries are a whole lot more severe then yours are"Zoro said as he was carrying Nami, Nicole was running next to him gritting her teeth as each step was torture on her sprained ankle "Oh quit whining and act like a man my leg is hurt so i can't stand"Nami said "You're the one who's whining you spoiled little brat!"Nicole yelled at her.

~skip~

"It's Luffy he's alive!"Chopper yelled "Tony's here too"Vivi said "Luffy!"Usopp called waddling over covered in bandage's "Vivi is here too"Chopper said "See? See? He's still alive what did i tell you i knew it all along!"Usopp said "Really?"Chopper asked "For someone who knew it all along you sure look surprised"Sanji said.

"Usopp Sanji you're all right"Vivi said " Ah Vivi what happened? You look like you're hurt? Are you alright?"Sanji asked with heart eyes, Nami bonked Usopp on the head with her new weapon the clima tact "Nami and Nicole too and Mr.Bushido, everyone is alive"Vivi said "Usopp who asked you to create some useless prop for parties?"Nami asked him as Zoro was panting behind her with Nicole leaning on him to rest her injured leg.

"Oh come on you're standing up just fine!"Zoro yelled at Nami "Spoiled brat, oh no i got a scratch, oh dear my finger broke, i think i'll faint"Nicole said doing an impression of Nami as she fake fainted earning a growl and glaring from Nami as Zoro chuckled catching Nicole before she corrected herself still staying off her injured leg as she crossed her arms glaring right back at Nami as sparks flew between them.

"Vivi, what's going on what's with all this dust flying everywhere?"Nami asked turning to the princess, Nicole huffed knowing she won this round "Explain yourself idiot how could you let Nami and Nicole get so injured?! What happened?"Sanji asked Zoro "It's fine just let it go"Zoro said still trying to catch his breath.

"Listen Chopper do me a favor bury my body in the wastelands once i'm dead and gone"Usopp muttered pretending to die "Usopp don't die!"Chopper yelled "I'm sorry you guys, i know i lost to him once already, this time, this time i'm gonna win the rest is up to you"Luffy said "So get going already"Zoro said "If you can't beat this guy then i don't know anybody who can"Usopp said "I'm gonna put an end to this for good"Luffy said "Yeah!"Nami, Usopp and Chopper cheered.

"Thank you, after all that's happened all of you are still with me"Vivi said "Crocodile!"Luffy yelled stretching himself over to the warlord as round two of their fight began.

~skip~

Back with the crew Vivi told them that Crocodile had planted a bomb somewhere that would blow up the plaza center taking both armies with it "Are you serious? In ten minutes this place is really gonna blow up?"Usopp asked "Yes four thirty is when it goes"Vivi said "That soon?"Nami asked "According to what Crocodile said if the cannon is shot no one within five kilometers will survive"Vivi said "Five kilometers? That means"Nami trailed off "Both the royal and rebel armies will be completely wiped out"Chopper said.

"That damn Crocodile"Sanji said "What the hell are we supposed to do?"Usopp asked "We find the cannon"Zoro said "We stop the cannoneer from shooting"he said "Okay but how do we find him?"Usopp asked "And in ten minutes?"Nami asked "Well not by standing around here"Zoro said "But if everything in this area will blow up then the cannon guy has to be far away or he'd just blow up with the rest of it"Usopp said.

"No way, no, he's close, the cannoneer is almost certainly near the palace square"Vivi said "What are you serious Vivi? But that would mean he gets caught in the explosion too"Usopp said "I don't think Crocodile would care if the cannoneer died"Nicole said "What he's just gonna let his own man die?!"Chopper asked shocked "He's just plain evil"Sanji said "Come on let's go"Zoro said.

Then a Baroque Works agent appeared behind Vivi but Sanji and Zoro took care of him, Usopp screamed as more agents showed up "Just great"Nicole muttered "Looks like we found you princess"one of the agents said "I wonder how big of a promotions Crocodile would give us for killing you"another said as the agents laughed.

"Billions"Vivi said "It looks like we'll lose so time"Sanji said "He's right so let's not waste all of it chit chatting"Zoro said "Let's go"the two said "I'll go ahead"Nami said going on ahead "Yeah us too"Usopp and Chopper said following her "I'll leave it to you"Nicole said before following Nami and the others, they split up again to widen their search.

~skip~

"Oh crap i just thought of something if this entire area is gonna blow up in eight minutes then aren't we gonna blow up with it?! I don't like blowing up"Usopp said as him, Zoro and Nicole were running around looking for the cannoneer "No time to think about that"Zoro said "Look up there That's it!"Usopp yelled pointing out a cannon "But do you think we'll be able to get up there quickly enough?"Usopp asked Zoro went running jumping on people and such to get there.

Nicole and Usopp followed "Now cut it up Zoro!"Usopp yelled once the two got there "It's not this one, it's barely holding together"Nicole said as Zoro kicked the cannon out of frustration braking the already fragile cannon "Come on let's keep looking"Nicole said and they continued running and looking around.

~skip~

Nicole yelped as something tripped her but Zoro caught her "Can you go on?"he asked, Nicole looked at her ankle, where it was sprained before it was now twisted "How'd that happen?"she asked more herself, Zoro lifted her onto his back "Come on we don't have time to worry about that"he said, Nicole wrapped her arms and legs around him as Zoro continued running.

~skip~

"Now you die"Usopp laughed doing an impression of Crocodile "What are you doing?!"Zoro asked and bonked him on the head with Nicole clinging to his back like a koala "What am i doing i'm trying to get inside Crocodile's head that's what, like if i were him where would i shoot a cannon from?!"Usopp said "Just keep looking we only have five minutes!"Zoro yelled.

~skip~

Somehow Nicole and Zoro got separated from Usopp and the green haired swordsman got lost "Zoro look behind you"Nicole said noticing the red smoke, the signal that someone found the cannoneer, Zoro looked over "Hold on tight, we gotta hurry"Zoro said, Nicole nodded tightening her hold as Zoro started running towards the red smoke.

~skip~

"The smoke was coming from this direction wasn't it?"Zoro asked as he continued to run, Nicole went to answer when she was cut of "Or was it?"Zoro asked again "Idiot it came from that direction"Nicole said pointing to the palace square "Just follow my finger or am i going to have to steer you like a horse?"she asked "No"Zoro huffed "You're already straying again"Nicole said tugging his shoulder towards the correct way.

"I can follow your directions fine! You don't have to steer me!"Zoro yelled at her "Then prove it and actually follow my directions for once!"Nicole yelled bonking his head "Fine! Just show me the way!"Zoro yelled "That way!"Nicole yelled pointing towards the central plaza.

~skip~

"Sanji? Hey where were you?! I was looking!"Zoro yelled as him and Nicole had somehow ended up at the clock tower "Zoro you're here too?! Nicole dear!!!"Sanji yelled with heart eyes "Hey guys! I read the message! What are you just standing way down there?!"Nicole called all the way down to the others "Good work! Now just keep going up the tower from there!"Usopp yelled back up to the three.

"No way, they can't get inside the clock tower from where they are now, you see there are only two ways in the back stairs on the first floor or from the sky that's why we need Pell"Vivi said "But can't Zoro go ahead and destroy the wall or something?"Usopp asked "We can't risk that it could make the cannon explode even earlier, we have no choice but to take the stairs"Vivi said going to run up the stairs.

"No wait Vivi"Nami said "I think i have a better plan"she said and two Baroque Works weirdos showed up in the clock tower but we're gonna ignore them "Hey Nami what is it you plan to do anyway? We really don't have time to play around! If we mess this we're gonna die!"Usopp said "Thanks Usopp i already know that now shut up and stand there quietly i'm calculating"Nami said.

"Yeah id shut up if i knew what the hell it is you're planning!!"Usopp yelled at her as Chopper was standing on him with Vivi on Chopper's back "Calm down you'll know soon enough, are you ready?"Nami asked and used her Cyclone attack which sent Usopp upwards "What the they're flying up?"Sanji asked "Chopper jump up to where Sanji is alright?!"Nami called to him "Ah i see what she's planning"Nicole said getting off Zoro's back.

"Sanji you know what to do right?! We have to hurry!"Nami called to him "I think i get the idea but it's risky, well i guess i just have to do it"Sanji said getting the plan as well "It's too late to turn back at this point Tony let's do this!"Vivi said "Okay Vivi now just hang on tightly"Chopper said jumping off Usopp.

"Here they come Zoro!"Sanji yelled sending Chopper and Vivi further up with a kick "So i just throw them to the top of that tower?"Zoro asked "Yes now hurry up!"Nicole yelled at him, Zoro jumped off and used his swords to give Chopper and Vivi a boost just as the weirdos shot him "Zoro!"Nicole called not even thinking about it as she jumped after Zoro, Chopper gave Vivi the last boost, Vivi quickly dealt with the agents and cut the igniter rope thing.

Just as the day seemed saved Vivi heard a ticking her hope came crashing down just as Zoro fell down on the ground with a grunt shortly followed by Nicole but Sanji caught her "I got ya!"he said "Thanks Sanji"she smiled getting out of his arms but she couldn't even take one step with her ankle all twisted up and went crashing down, Sanji caught her again "Whoa there your ankle's all twisted up, better stay off of it, you can just lean on me"he said.

Nicole sighed a bit leaning on his shoulder "Seems i had pegged you wrong, you're not as creepy as i thought"she smiled at him, Sanji smiled back at her as Chopper came running over "What's the matter?"he asked "Apparently something's gone wrong up there"Zoro said "It's Vivi we still haven't seen her"Nami said.

"Oh no! You guys!"Vivi called down to them "What is it?!"Nami asked "The cannon ball has a timing device if we don't do something it'll explode!"Vivi yelled shocking the others "What did you say?!"Usopp yelled.

"Damn it this isn't right! Stopping the cannoneer should have stopped the fight!"Sanji said "A timer?"Chopper asked "Considering it's power even if it blows up from up there it'll still kill all the people in the square and the town!"Zoro said "Damn that Crocodile!"Nicole growled "What's gonna happen now?! Does that mean it was impossible all along to stop the explosion from happening?!"Usopp asked.

~skip~

The bombs last seconds were ticking down as our group watched Pell take the bomb high into the air and finally it went off.

Chapter Text

~Third~

The bomb went off creating a huge shock wave but there was no damage to Alubarna thanks to the sacrifice of one man "He's gone"Sanji said, Nicole had switched to leaning on Zoro as he got up "He saved us all"Nami said however the fighting wasn't stopping the royal and rebel armies kept fighting as if they were possessed.

Vivi yelled for them to stop but only the Strawhats were able to hear her, "You dolts get your rears in gear it doesn't matter how just stop the rebellion!"Nami said pushing the others into action and grabbing Usopp by the bandages "We gotta keep the casualties as low as we possibly can"she cried.

~skip~

"Hey you guys look there!"Sanji called "It's Crocodile!"Nicole said "I don't know how he got there in the first place but i'm sure it can only mean one thing"Sanji said "I knew it, i knew it! I never doubted it for a second it can only mean"Usopp trailed off "Luffy did it he won!"the Strawhats cheered, however the fighting was still going on but just as things seemed to get worse a few drops started to fall, then a drizzle and ultimately a downpour of rain.

"STOP FIGHTING!!! LISTEN TO ME!!!"Vivi yelled her voice echoing from the clock tower loud and clear "They've heard Vivi's voice finally"Nami said, Nicole sighed in relief leaning on Zoro "It's over"she said as the solders dropped their weapons just as Crocodile came falling back down just like the rain.

"Sir Crocodile"one of the solders said "Oh so they're still calling him sir, we'll see if they call him sir Crocodile after i tell them what's what"Usopp said walking over only to be stopped by Sanji "Hold on, just stay here"he said "The rain has returned and will fall again as it used to, our nightmare is over, finally over"Vivi said.

~skip~

"Come on Usopp i know you're hurt but keep up"Sanji said "I wish i could but i'm afraid i'm coming down with if i walk anymore i'll die disease"Usopp said "I'll drag you then"Zoro said even though he was already carrying Nicole on his back again, just then they came across Vivi's father Cobra with Luffy on his back "Who are you?"he asked.

"Uh just travellers passing through, the guy on your back is one of us as well, we'll take him now thanks old man"Sanji said "Hold on if you're with this young man then you must be those pirates that brought Vivi back to this country"Cobra said "Wait how would you know all of that?"Sanji asked when Vivi came running over "Daddy! Everyone!"she called as she ran.

"Hey, Vivi"Chopper said "Daddy? What this guy is Vivi's dad?!"Sanji asked turning to Cobra "Not much of a resemblance is there"Nicole muttered, Zoro chuckled a bit having heard her "You're one to talk, you're practically a carbon copy of your father"he said, Nicole growled a bit and smacked his head "Guess that makes you the king"he said turning to Cobra.

"Yes and i'd be a dead king if it wasn't for the efforts of your brave friend here, even though he had come into contact with Crocodile's poison hook he still managed to carry myself and another to safety, what unbelievable strength he has"Cobra said.

"Should we worry about the poison i mean is he gonna be alright?"Usopp asked looking down at Luffy as the rubber boy had been laid down on the ground for Chopper to do a quick check over "It's okay it should be neutralized by now, however his injuries need to be treated so do yours as well"Cobra said, Zoro laid Nicole leaning on the wall as he sat next to her "We'll wait you need to be somewhere else"he said "Huh?"Vivi asked "Go back to the square Vivi"he said.

"Besides we'll be fine Chopper can at least do some first aid while we wait"Nicole said "Yeah, they're both right, now that the war's over it's only fitting for the king and princess to say a few words don't you think? You know tell them what really happened"Usopp said "Right and i can tell them all about you guys too"Vivi said "Vivi dear please don't, we're a band of notorious pirates the last thing we need is our faces and names known"Sanji said.

"But what we do need is food"Chopper said "And rest, we'd like to crash at the palace if that's okay?"Nami asked with a shrug, Vivi nodded and left with her father before all the Strawhats collapsed in exhaustion.

~skip~

The Strawhats were currently resting in Alubarna Palace after having their injuries treated, Nicole and Zoro were cuddling together practically impossible to separate because one, Zoro, would get restless if separated from the other, Nicole, the swordsman was quite clingy when asleep.

~skip~

Three days had passed and the Strawhats were up well all except Luffy, Chopper was making some medicine, Usopp and Sanji were out shopping, Nami was collecting more books for her collection, Zoro was training just outside the city and Nicole was watching him as usual "It's not about just getting stronger, sure that helps but Haki is more then that, you have to feel it"she said trying to coach Zoro as he was trying to grasp at the feel of Haki once more "Easy for you to say"Zoro said a little bit strained "Yes it is because i was trained by my father from a very early age, now focus, try to remember what you felt at that moment"she said.

~skip~

As the sun was setting Zoro and Nicole went back to the palace, well Nicole was using Zoro as a crutch keeping her foot off the ground since her ankle had been broken and it was still healing "Oh Luffy you woke up"Zoro said walking into the room the crew had been staying in followed by Nicole "Hey Zoro, Nicole long time no see, wait a minute"Luffy said.

"How dare you? You were out training weren't you?!"Chopper asked running over to Zoro, Nicole smacked his head before he could say anything "It's fine Chopper i was keeping an eye on him" she said "Well fine but you shouldn't be moving around too much either!"Chopper said "But it's boring sitting in one place"Nicole whined.

"Long time no see? Why'd i say that?"Luffy asked tilting his head back and forth "Probably because it had been a long, you've been asleep for three entire days"Usopp told him "Three days?! Three whole days? I've missed fifteen meals"Luffy said "You sure can calculate quickly when it comes to food"Nami said "By his count that's like five meals a day"Usopp said.

"I heard the captain's awake, dinner will be served shortly i hope you're all hungry"someone said entering the room as a cart of fruits was delivered in "What?"Zoro asked shocked to see the person "Old tube hair guy so you're still alive?"Luffy asked "So that cross dressing thing wasn't just an act"Zoro said with Nicole still leaning on him.

"No everyone you're mistaken, this is Terracotta, she's Igaram's wife and head of the palace servers"Vivi said "Thank you for helping Vivi and my husband"Terracotta said "I've heard of wife's resembling their husbands but this is too weird"Zoro muttered "Imagine what their kids would look like"Nicole muttered back and the two shivered from the mental image, way too weird.

"I heard the captain eats a lot so i had my staff put together some snacks to tide you and your friends over until dinner is ready"Terracotta said "Thank you"Luffy said before eating the whole cart of fruits "Greedy pig!"Sanji and Zoro yelled at him "I'm gonna eat three whole days worth of food lady"Luffy said "Oh a challenge, good i'm looking forward to it, i've never lost to anyone's stomach so eat to your hearts content"Terracotta said.

At dinner the Strawhats were eating like there was no tomorrow and with no matters, Nicole stabbed Luffy's hand as he tried stealing food from her "OWIE!!!"the captain yelled "I dare you to try again! I can cut you with a spoon!"she yelled at him but went ignored as Luffy went to stealing food from others, Nicole went back to eating her food like a starved wolf while keeping her eyes on Luffy in case the rubber boy tried to steal food again.

The dinner quickly turned to a party as everyone started laughing, after dinner of course came bath time, as Vivi was washing Nami's back Nicole was relaxing in the tub, she rolled her eyes as the boys came to peep, Nami gave them a show knocking them back with bloody noses and she giggled "Can't make up your mind?"Nami asked once she and Vivi joined Nicole in the tub.

"Better think quick i was thinking we'd actually leave here tonight"Nami said "No one is forcing you though, we'll understand if you'd rather stay here"Nicole said "You two"Vivi whispered "She is right you know, as much as we'd love to have you on board and i'm sure you'd like to explore the seas, at least Nicole and i will understand if you want to stay"Nami said, Nicole nodded in agreement.

After that as the Strawhats gathered in their room Nami announced they were leaving tonight "Tonight?"Usopp asked "Yup"Nami said "We have to leave?"Chopper asked as he was checking on Nicole's ankle either because she has super fast healing or because author-chan is lazy and decided it to be so her ankle was totally fine now, "The marines know we're here, more will come and the palace guards can't keep lying forever, besides that the ship might come under attack"Nicole said rolling her now healed left foot.

"Yeah i agree with Nicole and Nami"Zoro said "Me too and not just cause their beautiful ladies" Sanji said "Do you think we should leave Luffy?"Usopp asked their captain "Yeah but only after we've had some more yummy food"Luffy said, the others bonked him on the head for the food part.

~skip~

The Strawhats were riding on ducks again as they raced across the desert to their ship, Nicole was also again sharing a duck with Zoro "Not bad"the swordsman said impressed by the speed they were moving at "So a final farewell oh kingdom of the sand"Usopp cried before turning to Luffy "Luffy aren't you full yet?"he asked "These Alabasta dishes are great aren't they Sanji? You should make them some time"the rubber boy said his mouth full with a piece of meat.

"Yeah i liked them too so i got some recipes from Terracotta i also got some of their local spices"Sanji said "Uhm what's wrong Nami are you sick?"Chopper asked noticing the crestfallen look on her face "Nami if you're thinking about Vivi again i understand, listen moping about it won't help, i know it must be really hard for you, you two got close just keep your chin up okay?"Sanji asked her but Nicole noticed a tone in his voice, a tone of genuine concern, one she was familiar with.

"It's not that, i'm just sad we didn't take the reward, the one billion berry"Nami said, Nicole sweatdropped as everyone else was shocked, Usopp was so shocked he fell off.

~skip~

"Finally long time no see my friends! Did you guys miss little old me?"Mr.2 asked as the Strawhats arrived at their ship the Going Merry which the ballerina had taken "Not a bit!"Zoro called to Mr.2 "Let's unload later ducks thanks for the trip"Sanji said "Yeah you ducks take care of yourselves"Usopp said "I'll miss you cute duckies!"Nicole wailed hugging one of them "Have a save trip"Zoro said pulling Nicole off the duck.

"Say bye to the king the old tube hair guy and the others for us!"Luffy said waving off the ducks "So long fellas!"Usopp said "Wait hold on"Mr.2 said jumping down from the crows nest "Yeah what?"Sanji asked "Don't yeah what me, that's just rude, you should learn some manners pretty boy, friends aren't supposed to talk to their friends that way"Mr.2 said.

"Quit saying that you weirdo we're not friends we're enemies you lied to us"Luffy said "No i didn't i just didn't mention i was a member of Baroque Works, besides none of that really matters now does it Baroque Works is done for now and that means we're no longer enemies" Mr.2 said sitting down on the railing as Zoro was coming up with supplies.

"Hey move it!"Zoro said "Oh my bad"Mr.2 said moving spots "Well if we're not enemies ballerina guy then why the heck did you steal our ship?"Luffy asked "Oh how dumb are you?"Mr.2 asked "Watch it!"Luffy said "Listen if i hadn't taken your little ship from where it was moored what do you think would have happened to it?"Mr.2 asked.

"The marines would have found it, ceased it and sunk her to the bottom of the ocean, no doubt"Nicole said going past Mr.2 as she carried supplies up to the ship "Exactly, the marines have been looking all over for you and your ship, every port in the country has been blockaded, lock down!"Mr.2 said "Hey hold on are you saying you took the Going Merry so the marines wouldn't?"Luffy asked "Really?"Usopp asked "How come?"Chopper asked.

"Cause you guys are my friends"Mr.2 said with tears in his eyes and a thumbs up and just like that all was forgiven as Luffy, Chopper and Usopp danced with the ballerina, Nicole sweatdropped at them.

"Friends yeah right, tell the truth twinkle toes you and your crew don't have a chance of getting through that blockade but you might if you had us as allies"Zoro said exposing the ballerina "That's right you've caught me but in trying times such as these we have to bad together under the flag of friendship, if you believe in true friendships say aye!"Mr.2 said lifting his hand.

"Aye!"the ballerina, Usopp, Luffy and Chopper cheered together, while the others just sighed at them "Aye!"Mr.2 crew echoed the cheer appearing out of nowhere.

Chapter Text

~Third~

As the Strawhats were trying to make their escape the marines surrounded them and started firing iron spears at them "Damn it shoot cannonballs i can't deflect pointy things!"Luffy said as the spears pierced their ship "Seriously! Give me a brake"Mr.2 said as he was still on board "If we take any more iron spears to the bottom of the sink it'll be just a matter of time before we sink"Sanji said as more iron spears were fired at them.

"Hey! I can't keep plugging these hole's you guys!"Chopper yelled from below trying to repair each new hole "Don't just stand there do something!"Nami yelled at the others "What more can we do? It takes all our effort to protect one side"Sanji said, Nicole once again had to restrain herself from not just dealing with them all, she hadn't used Haki yet and she'll be damned if the record brakes now.

"One ship vs eight isn't a fair fight"Sanji said "If this was hand to hand combat we'd have a better chance we're stuck, whether we chase them or runaway they won't change their formation"Zoro said "We're not dealing with an average marine here, whoever is in command they're good"Nicole said.

Anyway Usopp managed to sink two ships with one shot "That was amazing nosy, the ships in the south have sunk now nothing prevents us from braking through"Mr.2 said "Bon Clay we've got trouble!"one of his crew yelled "What's wrong?"Mr.2 asked "Blockage"his crew said "No!"Mr.2 said shocked.

"What's going on?"Luffy asked walking over "Blockage Hina she's a marine captain we're in her jurisdiction, she's a real pain we need to hurry up and fly the coop"Mr.2 said "You guys need to wake up we have to run if we can pass through that point in the south we can escape but if we don't change course immediately they'll take us down for sure"Mr.2 said.

"If you wanna go, go, we can't go that way"Luffy said "And exactly why not?!"Mr.2 asked "Noon at the eastern harbor, we've got an appointment there's no time to go around, we'll go straight through"Nami said "What?! Ludicrous! Is there some treasure you're not telling me about that's worth throwing away your lives?! Fine run up and die"Mr.2 said.

"We have to go get one of our friends"Luffy said shocking Mr.2 "So it's for your pal that you risk it all?"the ballerina asked "Of course, any friend is worth risking your very life for"Nicole said "Running now would go against everything Bon Clay stands for, if we abonden allies who are risking it all to pick up a friend could we live with ourselves tomorrow?"Mr.2 asked his crew.

"Listen guys, Strawhats too, what i must say is of great importance"Mr.2 went on a whole speech about friendship and stuff and his plan and stuff, anyway Mr.2 and his crew tricked Hina into chasing after them while the Strawhats escaped.

~skip~

After the Strawhats fought off some marines they arrived at the stop where they were supposed to meet Vivi but there was no sign of her "Vivi"Chopper said "Forget about it, you heard the speech that was Vivi's voice without a doubt"Zoro said "They're just broadcasting the ceremony that's being held in Alubarna, Vivi's already made up her mind not to come here"Sanji said.

"No i don't buy it i say she's here, this is the place right?"Luffy asked "Yeah, that's it"Zoro said "Let's go it's past noon"Sanji said "There's no way she wouldn't have come she's definitely here, let's get out and look for her"Luffy said "Just drop it Luffy, she made her choice"Nicole told him "This is bad guys the marines are after us again"Usopp said "Exactly how many ships are out there?"Zoro asked.

"I see at least six"Usopp said "Damn it let's move"Zoro said "Give it up Luffy, Vivi's course is one far different from ours"Sanji said as Luffy still hadn't given up and just as he was started turning away from looking at the shore a voice called "Everyone!"it was Vivi "Vivi!"Luffy called to her jumping on the railing on the back of the ship "Karoo!"Usopp said coming over.¨

Vivi and Karoo were waving to them "Vivi!"Nami said getting to the back of the ship "See she came"Luffy said "Vivi!"Sanji said with heart eyes "We need to go back better hurry!"Usopp said running off to steer the ship "The marines are right behind us too"Chopper said and waved over to Vivi.

"I came to say goodbye!"Vivi called to them "What she say?"Luffy asked "Sorry but i can't go with you, thank you so much for everything"Vivi said her voice echoing through the speakers spread out across Alabasta "I'd like to go on more adventures but i can't ignore the needs of my country, which i love more then anything, even more then that stubborn fool Koza"Vivi paused to giggle, yes as she thought about what she should do she also thought about how she felt and remembered what Nicole said from what seemed like so long ago.

Meanwhile in Yuba, Koza was in a stun his whole face red. (yes i'm one of those shippers sue me)

"I have to stay, i hope you understand, thank you"Vivi said and started crying "I will remain here and fulfil my duty, if we meet again no matter how much time has passed will you still call me friend?!"Vivi asked still crying "You'll forever be!"Luffy was cut off by Nami as she covered his mouth "Idiot!"she said "Don't reply got it? The marines now know about Vivi and us if they can prove she has a connection to us it's all over, she'll be considered a criminal, turn away, not another word"Nami said.

As the Strawhats continued sailing away they all lifted their arms showing the mark on their arms which was a sign of their friendship.

~skip~

The marines continued to chase the Strawhats "Whoa those marines are fast"Luffy said "Or rather we're beginning to slow down"Sanji said "We're not gonna make it much further like this water's flooding in from the holes"Nami said as Usopp and Nicole were trying to keep up with repairs below deck "Here they come"Zoro said "We gotta fight"Sanji said "Let's go!"Luffy said before the three of them tripped on some iron spears "What's this?!"they asked.

"Oh that Usopp said to hold on to them in case we needed them for something, who knows" Nami said "Come on"Zoro said "They're in our way!"Sanji said "I'll get rid of them"Luffy said and threw the iron spears at the marines giving the Going Merry a chance to finally shake off the pesky marines.

"Looks like the marines have stopped following us"Zoro said however the others weren't in a good mood still moping about having to leave Vivi behind, Nicole rolled her eyes a bit at them, she had a hunch Vivi probably wouldn't join them to begin with "Stop it, what's with the pathetic groans?"Zoro asked "I miss her!"the others cried.

Nicole sweatdropped at them "That's enough whining, if you wanted her to join that bad then you shouldn't have let her leave"Zoro said, the others insulted him except Luffy who really didn't know how to insult, Nicole sighed "Come on, i miss her too but you gotta keep your chin up"she said, the others just continued to cry, she sighed turning away as did Zoro.

Behind them the door to the cabin opened "Looks like we finally escaped the firing squad"a voice said "Yeah"Zoro said "Excellent work"Nico Robin said as she appeared from the shadow of the cabin, immediately Zoro went on guard "Here to avenge your friends? Just try it!"Zoro said while the others were freaking out.

"Who's she?"Chopper asked "I don't know but she's so damn beautiful"Sanji said, Robin used her powers disarming Zoro and Nami "Didn't i tell you before don't point such dangerous objects at me, are you always so slow?"she asked "How long have you been on our ship?"Nami asked "Quite a while, these are your clothes right? I'm borrowing them"Robin said "Sure, make yourself at home why don't ya?"Nicole asked sarcastically but that's exactly what Robin was doing grabbing a folding chair.

"Monkey D. Luffy it hasn't been so long that you forgot what you did to me has it?"Robin asked, Sanji got angry at Luffy with that shaking him around "Wait a minute stop lying you know i didn't do anything to you"Luffy said looking over to Robin as she set up the folding chair.

"Wrong and what you did to me was unbearable go ahead admit it"Robin said "You're not making any sense what do you want me to do?"Luffy asked "I want to join you"Robin said "What?!"the others except Zoro and Nicole asked.

~skip~

"I wanted nothing more then to die at that very moment but you forced me to live that's your crime, there's no place for me to go or to return to so i decided that i'll join you"Robin said "I see your problem guess there's no other choice welcome"Luffy said "Luffy!"the others growled at him except Sanji who was elated to have another lady to spoil on board.

"There's nothing to worry about trust me she isn't a bad person"Luffy said with a grin, the others were still uneasy however, again except for Sanji, after that things settled down a bit as Robin entertained Luffy and Chopper with her powers while Usopp questioned her only for her to scare him, Nami was easily bribed with some jewelry and even Zoro was taken off guard by Robin's charm, Nicole watched her like a hawk the whole time.

"If you keep staring at me like that the others might get the wrong idea"Robin said approaching her not much later after easing the others to her presence "I don't care about that and i certainly don't care for the way you smiled at Zoro"she growled a bit before looking away with a blush as she realized what she let slip "Jealous?"Robin asked leaning on her arm.

Nicole huffed turning to focus on her one remaining sword, she didn't get a second one in Alabasta because as she said she never needed a second one to be strong, she needed a second one she could rely on if the first broke, see some swords just couldn't handle her strength "I can see why you would be, he is quite fetching, however you needn't worry, my heart has belonged to one man since long ago"Robin said.

Nicole looked back at her and saw the wistful look in her eyes as she watched the sea "The others might be taken in by you're charm but i'm not that easy, you'll have to earn my trust" Nicole said "I take that means you're at least willing to give me a chance?"Robin asked "You're my crew mate whether i like it or not right now doesn't matter, so yes"Nicole said and focused on maintaining her sword.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"You know what that place was pretty awesome wasn't it?"Luffy asked sitting on the sheep figure head of the Going Merry most of his crew around him, i say most because Zoro was training as usual and Nicole was watching him as usual, the crew had just finished another marvelous adventure, there were racing pirates, bounty hunters, ex marines, cursed swords and creepy islands with zombie pirates.

"I think i've had enough of that craziness"Nami said "Well it's not like i wanna live there but it would be nice to visit"Luffy said "I can't believe you actually enjoyed that"Chopper said "Is that rain?"Zoro asked noticing something falling from the sky, Nicole squinted as she looked up she saw something falling towards them.

"No way this ain't rain"Sanji said "It's a ship!"Nicole called and everyone panicked as the huge galleon fell towards them, the ship just barely missed theirs but the resulting waves sent them rocking everywhere "Grab a hold of something and don't let go!"Zoro yelled holding onto the railing and Nicole who was clinging to him for dear life.

"Why are there ships falling out of the sky?!"Nami asked as Chopper and Usopp went flying by "Wait i know this is just an awful dream"he said "Great i love dreams"Chopper said before colliding heads with Usopp "Heads up i don't think the parties over yet! It won't stop falling!!" Sanji said as more rotten wood and whatnot continued falling.

"The rudder turn the rudder!"Nami yelled at Zoro "That'll never work in these waves!"he yelled back "Luffy you gotta protect the ship she's taken a beating!"Sanji yelled "Right"Luffy said before noticing Usopp just meditating "Usopp?"the rubber boy asked "I've cast aside my worries and reached deep with in to find my happy place and when i open my eyes this serene landscape is all that will lay before me"Usopp said opening his eyes.

Only to be face to face with a falling skeleton "A skeleton dead guy!"he screamed tossing it away "Don't throw that nasty thing at me you idiot!"Nami yelled "It's falling everywhere!"Sanji yelled "When is this going to stop?!"Nami yelled.

The falling rubble happened to stop just after that and the waves were calm again "Alright why did a ship just fall out of the sky?"Luffy asked "Captain error?"Sanji asked "The skies clear who knows?"Zoro asked with a shrug 'Could have fallen from a sky island' Nicole thought, she had seen many things as a kid thanks to her father taking her practically everywhere with him while she was growing up.

"Huh?"Nami asked "What's wrong Nami? Problem?"Sanji asked "Oh no the log pose is broken it's pointing into the sky"Nami said, Nicole sweatdropped though what else was the navigator supposed to think not like they had even heard of a sky island before "It's not broken, the log pose registers an island with a strong magnetic pull and it's needle is reflecting that"Robin said "Huh?"Nami asked "If the needle is pointing towards the sky then it must be pointing towards sky island"Robin said.

"Sky island?!"the others except Nicole asked "Are you serious?"Nami asked "There's a floating island up there?!"Luffy asked getting all excited "Could be and it's probably a big one too for the log pose to register it"Nicole said "That's ridiculous i don't see anything but sky"Zoro said "That's cause it's tens of thousands of kilometers up, and the cloud has probably moved away by now"Nicole said.

"There's actually an entire ocean above us"Robin added "No way"Nami said as Luffy, Usopp and Chopper were growing more and more excited "I'm still confused"Sanji said "Yeah! Raise our sails and set a course for sky island! Men are we ready?!"Luffy asked with a big grin on his face "Put the rudder down and point the bow high into the sky!"Usopp said "Skyward ho!"they both yelled before Robin shut up Luffy while Usopp started crying.

"Did it just hit you that you know we can't fly and all that?"Sanji asked "To tell you the truth all i know about sky island is word of mouth, rumors i've never actually seen it"Robin said "I've been on one"Nicole said "What?! When?!"Nami asked "When i was a kid, dad took me everywhere with him, the sky island he took me to was a small one but i don't remember that much about it, i don't even remember how we got up there"Nicole said with a sheepish shrug.

"I still don't buy it, our log pose is broken that's all it is"Nami said "Not quite miss navigator, you're trying to fix something that's not even broken we should be trying to find a way to get to sky island, you really need to learn to trust your instincts, no matter how crazy things get or how weird the situation we find ourselves in, never doubt the log pose out here on the water, this is one of the most steadfast and unbreakable rules"Robin said.

"I'd say it's THE most important rule, what you should be questioning is the logic that says an island can't exist in the sky on an ocean of nothing, that needle is pointing toward an island i'd bet my life on it"Nicole said,

After that Robin started examining the corpse that fell in their ship "That's really gonna tell you something?"Zoro asked "Dunno"Robin said "You're into some pretty weird stuff Robin"Nami said "To me it's saying whoever they were has been dead for a long time, there's nothing but bones left"Nicole said "Yes, what i'd like to know is how they died"Robin said continuing her examination.

"Where'd Luffy go?"Zoro asked noticing the rubber boy was absent, Luffy and Usopp were exploring the wreckage of the ship that fell "What are they up to now?"Zoro asked scratching his head "They said they were exploring"Chopper said.(psst i switched to the subbed version from here)

"Hey looks good as new"Sanji said once Robin had finished putting the skull back together "Except for the holes on the crown those came from an external source"Robin said "Oh yeah looks like it could have been arrows or spears"Sanji said "Nah those holes are way too small and clean for something like that"Nicole said.

"Miss Hawkeye is correct, these are from a medical procedure called craterasation, right doctor?"Robin asked, Chopper nodded "An ancient one they cut a hole on the skull to remove a foreign mass like a tumor and since it leaves a crater behind that's how you get the name"the reindeer said "Knowing how old this technique is i'd say this man has been dead for at least two hundred years"Robin said.

"I can also say this man was in his early thirties when he died it must have been during his voyage that he finally succumbed to the illness whatever it was, much more then the rest of his bones his teeth have remained in surprisingly good condition because he rubbed tar on them it was a common practice in the South Blue to keep out bacterial infection and considering the history of that region i suspect he was with an exploratory party"Robin said.

The archaeologist grabbed a book and flipped through its pages "Here it is the Brisk Kingdom of the South Blue, they launched the Saint Briss as a scout ship two hundred and eight years ago" she said "That's it that's the ship that fell on us"Nami said "Yeah"Zoro said nodding in agreement "It has the same figure head and everything"Nicole said.

"It's probably sailed the seas above us unmanned since the captain and crew died"Robin said "It's amazing what you can tell from looking at old bones"Nami said "I'm sure you've heard that dead men tell no tales right? But everything around them does if this was a scouting party we should find evidence of that on the Saint Briss"Robin said "Yeah except it's sinking like a stone"Nami said looking over.

"What are you doing you idiot you can't swim!"Nami yelled noticing Luffy in the water "I got it"Nicole said handing her sword with the pin over to Zoro before jumping in and getting Luffy out of the water and to the Going Merry "You won't believe it!"Luffy grinned once safely on the ship "I did it! I found the most incredible thing!"he said revealing a map he had found on the ship.

"A map of the sky island?"the other asked, Skypiea, the map read with a depiction of an island surrounded by clouds "It's called Skypiea?"Nami asked looking at the map "That's right!"Luffy grinned "Then it's true there really is an island up there"Nami said, Luffy, Usopp and Chopper cheered and danced together "The island's real! It's a dream!!! Time to journey up to sky island!" they chanted.

"Hold on guys we don't know how to get there or if it's even possible not to mention there are a lot of fake treasure maps in circulation"Nami said bumming the group down immediately "Well no i mean it's gotta be real well just cause!"she said before getting into an argument with Luffy which ended once she bonked the rubber boy on his head.

"This isn't about me, it's about reality and the reality is we know next to nothing what we do know is we can't defy gravity and sail upwards that's impossible, what we need is more information if a big ship like that got up there odds are we can do the same thing, we just have to find all the records left on that ship"Nami said.

"Too bad it's at the bottom of the ocean by now"Nicole muttered "Then we'll salvage it!"Nami said a determined grin on her face "Salvage!"Usopp and Luffy cheered "We can't do that!"Zoro yelled at them "Salvage really?"Chopper asked "Yeah but we couldn't pull a ship up from the bottom i think they'll have to come up with a more refined plan"Robin said.

They got creative and used empty barrels and hoses for makeshift diver suits, the crew managed to make three, Luffy insisted on going so his 'suit' was extra secure so no water would get in, one for Zoro and one for Sanji.

"Now this is adventure, i know i've done more dangerous things but i can't remember"Luffy said excitedly, Nicole was shooting Zoro a small look of concern, he sent her a look of reassurance back, during their previous adventures they patched things up and slowly they have been settling into more of a couple role "Nami i swear to find the answers you seek or i refuse to return!"Sanji said.

"I'll hold you to that"Nami said "You'll be safe those barrels are my special design they've never been busted"Usopp said just a huge fish leaped out "Good luck be careful we'll be pulling for ya"Nami said and the monster trio was sent off into the depths of the ocean, they sounded off once in the sea and Nicole couldn't help staring at the waters surface in concern when the cry of a hawk pulled her out of her ever spiralling worry.

"What's this about?"Robin asked as Nicole held out her hand on which the hawk landed, she smiled petting the hawk on the head as it ruffled it's auburn feathers moving its head around looking everywhere with its yellow eyes.

"This is Shikoku, i rescued him as a chick, he's been my pet ever since, he carries messages between my father and me"Nicole said giving the hawk some fish as she took the letter tied around the birds leg "He's a very beautiful bird"Robin said watching the hawk peck away at the fish as Nicole read the letter, she quickly read it and wrote back before sending the hawk off.

"Salvage! Salvage the sea!"They heard a chant from the distance after that "What's all that noise?"Usopp asked as the chant continued "Company halt!"a voice said as a ship came to a stop by the Going Merry "Are we on top of the place where the ship sank?"the voice asked his crew "Sir yes sir!"the crew replied.

"When they're talking about captain and sir they're talking about me! Prepare to raise the ship! What lies on the bottom now belongs to the king of salvages, captain of the Masira pirates Masira!"a literal monkey said revealing himself, Nicole sweatdropped "Who names their crew after their self?"she muttered "This guy apparently"Usopp muttered next to her also sweatdropping.

"Great a boat of unstable men lead by an unstable monkey"Nami muttered also sweatdropping "Hey what are you guys doing here in case you didn't know all these waters belong to me!"the monkey said "They do?"Nami asked "Yeah that's right every vessel that sinks in these parts automatically becomes mine you're not trying to take something that belongs to me are ya?"the monkey asked.

"So he's going to bring it to the surface? Easier for us"Robin said "But not for the three guys already in the water"Usopp said "We should just keep our mouths shut and let him do it"Nami said "Stop mumbling and answer me! Are you people trying to yank one of my salvages from under me?!"the monkey asked "Excuse me can i ask you a question first?!"Nami asked yelling over to the monkey.

"You've got questions for me?! Fine sure whatever ask me anything"the monkey yelled back "Are you all tough good looking men going to salvage that ship?"Nami asked, Nicole sweatdropped at the navigator, she had no standards when it came to something she wanted from men.

"What?! Thank you i see you know what a real man looks like"the monkey said, Nicole sweatdropped further "What are you talking about?"Nami asked "You called us all tough and good looking that includes me"the monkey said "Well of course"Nami said "Stop you're making me blush"the monkey said.

"This is disturbing"Usopp said "You said it"Nicole nodded in agreement "So are you gonna salvage that thing or what?"Usopp asked "Of course i'm not the king of all salvages for nothing, if there's a sunken ship before me i'll salvage it and if it's not sunk i'll sink it and salvage it later now i know how impressed you are but save it, there's salvaging ahead"the monkey said.

"Loser"Nami muttered before quickly changing her attitude "Do you mind if we watch you big strong men work?"she asked "Huh? Don't tell me you've never seen a professional salvage before? Haha you just watch us until your hearts content"the monkey said.

"That's that now we just have to wait and see what happens"Nami muttered to the others "Captain we have a problem something happened to the guys who went underwater to set the cradle!"one of the salvage crew said "Was it one of those sea kings again?"the monkey asked "I don't think so it looks like someone went to town on them with their fist"the crew member said "What?! You mean someone else aside from our guys is down there?!"the monkey asked.

"Shit"Nicole muttered as Nami and Usopp gulped growing nervous "I'm gonna kill them"Nami said "You may not get the chance"Usopp muttered "Listen up you! There's someone else down there so be careful!"the monkey told them "Oh sure"Nami said sorta relieved the monkey was a total moron.

"I want all hands to set the cradle the ship comes up in twenty minutes! We've got salvaging to do!"the monkey yelled at his crew "Aye aye captain"they responded and set to work, "These guys really take their salvaging seriously don't they?"Usopp asked "I think they're showing off because their captain has a crush on me"Nami said.

~skip~

"So why such a big monkey?! There on the bow of the ship?!"Usopp asked distracting the monkey after he could have sworn to have heard a voice, "Oh that? You like it's a special prow i designed it aids in our salvage just watch, you're gonna love this, lower the barko hunter!"the monkey yelled "The what hunter?"Nicole wondered outloud as the monkey on the front was lowered into the sea.

The Strawhats watched as the monkey used his breath to bring up the salvage except just then "Captain there's a problem with the underwater crew"on of the crew said "What?! Talk to me what's happening down there?! Is it the intruders?"the monkey asked "Yes sire they're in the ship"one of the crew said before screaming as he got attacked.

"How dare you lay a hand on my hard working men?! Intruders!"the monkey yelled before pausing to pose as his crew lifted a picture of fire behind him "Uh you know we're not gonna take your picture or anything"Nami said "You're not?!"the monkey asked "He was giving us a photo op?"Usopp asked, then the monkey went into the sea to help his crew.

~skip~

A huge turtle came out of the sea after having eaten the ship that had went down earlier "Does any one else see the monster the size of an island infront of us?!"Nami yelled "Kinda hard to miss it"Nicole said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"One tooth is the size of our boat, that's it we're dead"Nami said "There's no monster this is all one big stupid dream we're all having together for some reason!"Usopp said freaking out "A dream right!"Chopper said, the coward trio sighed in relief "It was just a dream"they said "You know, our boys just got eaten so did that ship we were trying to salvage"Robin said "Do you think their being digested already?"Nicole asked "Who knows? Turtles are slow perhaps its still chewing"Robin said.

"You two are way too morbid! How can you be so calm?!"Usopp asked freaking out again "Yup most definitely eaten i can see the air hoses dangling from it's jaw"Robin said "They will be missed"Nicole said "Stop!"Usopp said but it was strained.

"A sea monster! A sea monster! What are we gonna do?!"Chopper asked running around freaked out "This is all your fault! You're the one who said it would be safe at the bottom of the Grand Line i don't know what qualifies as safe in your book but in mine it's not man eating turtles!" Usopp yelled at Nami.

"You're right"Nami said and looked at the dangling air hoses "Sorry!"she called over in a flat not at all apologetic tone, Nicole sweatdropped at her "That's as good as it's gonna get i guess"Usopp said crying, suddenly the hoses tightened and started pulling on the Going Merry "If we don't cut the air hoses that beast will drag us to the bottom of the ocean"Robin said "I got it"Nicole said drawing her sword but before she could cut them the turtle started swimming taking the ships with it.

Nicole caught her balance "What are you doing cut the hoses already!!!"Nami yelled at her "Yeah yeah"Nicole said back but again as she went to cut the lines the sky around them became instantaneously dark "What is that it's like everything got dark"Usopp said "Everything did get dark"Nicole corrected him putting her sword back cause at this rate she was never gonna get around to cutting the lines.

"It's scary"Chopper said "There's no way why is it so dark it's not that late"Nami said "We're under an enormous cloud genius"Nicole said earning a growl and a pointed glare from the navigator "It's time to leave guys, now! Luffy Zoro Sanji!!!"Usopp yelled, Robin noticed the hoses had gone slack, just then Luffy came flying out of the water "Tell me what happened where are the others?!"Nami asked going over and slapping the rubber boy.

Nicole saw the others climbing up and went over offering her hand to Zoro with a smile, Zoro smiled back grabbing it as she easily pulled him on board while Sanji jumped on board "Zoro Sanji"Usopp said greeting them "That's it we gotta get out of here"Zoro said "Yeah that guy's crazy"Sanji said.

"I'm so glad you're okay let's get out of here as fast as we can"Usopp said crying "No it wasn't that turtle it was a monkey"Zoro said letting go of Nicole's hand as she stepped back "Yeah a genuine sea monkey" Sanji said "Can't say i'm surprised he and Luffy got along as well as they did"Zoro said "Well they're both monkeys"Sanji said "But when he caught a glimpse of all the stuff we got from the ship he went on a rampage"Zoro said.

"I've never seen a primate act like that before"Sanji said "Yeah that's Masira the king of all salver's but never mind him how did you escape from the giant sea turtle?"Usopp asked "Why do you keep talking about a turtle?"Zoro asked "Cause of that"Nicole said pointing to the giant turtle "Huh? That's weird now he's just floating there like a statue with his mouth gaping open, oh i get it of course that's how you guys escaped"Usopp said.

"We were in that things mouth?!"Zoro and Sanji asked "Nothing gets past you guys does it? That's the turtle that ate the ship you were inside!"Usopp yelled at them, Luffy woke up as the others got to work on getting the Going Merry out of there "Hey when did night happen?"Luffy asked "Attention all hands we're getting out of here now!"Zoro yelled.

Just then the monkey came jumping out of the sea and landing on the rail of their ship "Not so fast hand over the treasure you stole or i'll tear your ship apart and find all of it anyway"he said "Is he right you guys found some treasure?"Nami asked getting all excited about the aspect of having more money "We sure did tons of it"Luffy said with a grin.

"Hey captain behind you"one of the monkey's crew said "Hmm? What's behind me?"the monkey asked turning over to see the silhouette of three creatures as big as a mountain, the others noticed them too as went into shock "SEA MONSTERS!!!"Luffy and the monkey yelled and the Strawhats got the Going Merry out of there so fast it was like the ship had a motor on it.

They got outside the dark area and panted in exhaustion "That couldn't have been real"Zoro said "Yeah, no way, even i haven't seen anything like those things before"Nicole said "Those things were taller then the sky"Usopp said "The Grand Line is an endless parade of mysteries and annoyance i mean just look at the nightmare of just making it through today"Sanji said.

"First there was that huge galleon that fell from the clouds on top of us"Zoro said "The log poses needle started pointing to the sky"Nami said "A psycho monkey wearing makeup and blocks our way"Usopp said "And then a giant turtle came and ate our salvage ship"Chopper said "Then darkness fell"Robin said "Because the biggest monsters i've ever seen in my life blocked out the sun"Luffy said "It's just been one crazy thing after the other"Nicole said.

"I must admit even i was intimidated by those things"the monkey said before he was kicked off by Zoro, Sanji and Luffy, the Going Merry continued to sail after that, Usopp and Chopper were chatting about the monster they had just seen as the rest looked over the 'treasure' the monster trio had acquired.

"Come on you guys tell me you found something down there we could actually use"Nami said as Luffy was playing around in a suit of armor "All you brought back is a bunch of scattered junk, there isn't a single clue here about how to get to sky island"Nami said "There wasn't anything there believe me we looked"Zoro said.

"Yep if there was something else down there we would have found it, the ship was in terrible shape all jacked up like maybe it had been attacked or raided or perhaps a mutiny broke out and they all killed each other in a violent struggle for power"Sanji said.

"Look around boys this is exactly why we need more information, intelligence means life and death for this whole crew and if were gonna sail to sky island we're gonna need more info on how to stay alive or whatever happened to that ship could happen to us too, and we can't rely on Nicole's spotty memory"Nami said "Hey!"Nicole protested.

"We didn't brave giant warriors so you could bring back some creepy octopus, rusty swords and a broken dish, this is all junk and you're all idiots!"Nami said stomping on the junk ignoring Nicole's protest, she pouted a bit and grabbed said rusty swords getting a look at them.

"All hands on deck! Set our course to Jaya!"Luffy announced before realizing something "So uh any of you know which direction that might be?"he asked "Starboard"Nami simply said "You heard her Chopper"Luffy said "Right"the reindeer said going to steer the ship "Onward to Jaya!" Luffy said "Now hold up just a minute if we head to this Jaya place won't the log poses needle change is position again?"Usopp asked "Not quite that depends on how long we stay there" Nicole said munching on takoyaki Sanji had made from the octopus as she was inspecting the swords.

"That's right so we need to make sure we only stay in Jaya just to ask for directions"Nami said "Right onward to Jaya!"Luffy announced once more and the crew set to work steering the Going Merry towards Jaya.

~skip~

"I keep wondering what Jaya's like"Chopper said "I've heard its called the land of meat"Luffy said "You don't know that Luffy you just wish it was true cause we've been eating the same old junk for days"Usopp said before Sanji came and snatched their food off them "If you don't like it don't eat it there's more for Nami, Nicole and Robin anyway"Sanji said and the guys started chasing him.

"Can't even imagine could there really be an island in the sky?"Zoro asked "Sure there is, quite a lot too, though most of them are just clouds i've never even heard of actual land like with dirt and trees and stuff being up there"Nicole said as she finished inspecting the swords "So what's the verdict?"Zoro asked turning to her "Hmm?"Nicole hummed "Those swords"Zoro elaborated "Useless junk"Nicole said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"You see anything Usopp?"Luffy asked as Usopp was in the crows nest keeping a lookout for Jaya "Nothing just the sky and the sea"Usopp said "I thought the Jaya island wasn't too far from where we were"Zoro said "It shouldn't be and with the weather so clear we should have spotted the cost line over an hour ago"Nami said "I'm gonna like Jaya if it's as warm as it is now"Luffy said laying in his favorite spot on the ships figure head.

"I'm finally getting to work on my tan, spring weathers the best, it looks like the seagulls are enjoying it too"Chopper said when suddenly the seagulls started falling down "They've been shot!"Chopper yelled "I don't think they could of been shot Chopper i didn't hear any gun fire"Usopp said.

Nicole started to grow a feeling and she didn't like it at all, a hunch, they would someone very dangerous on Jaya, "I found a bullet and judging from the trajectory it came from that way!" Chopper said pointing towards Jaya "Are you saying they were shot from an island we can't even see yet?"Nami asked walking over, Nicole frowned a bit as that feeling started to grow even more, Zoro noticed "You sense it too?"he asked "Yeah"she nodded.

~skip~

"Check it out! This town looks great!"Luffy grinned as they finally started to see Jaya "Is it just me or does this place look like a resort?"Usopp asked "It sure does"Chopper said "Hurry up and dock"Luffy said "It does look promising maybe we can even stay here for a while"Nami said "Either i'm starting to hallucinate or the harbor over there is full of pirate ships"Usopp said "Don't be silly Usopp since when can pirates dock their ships in a harbor without being run out of town"Nami said.

"That mark"Nicole muttered spotting one flag in particular, she knew the crossed out skull with a wide grin mark very well, her father had warned her many times to stay under the radar from these pirates boss, Joker.

The Strawhats docked their ship, Luffy and Zoro were the first ones to get off "Now this is my kind of town"Luffy said "We'll have no problem fitting in here"Zoro said as the two were walking off "There's no way do you think those two could last an hour without getting into any trouble?"Nami asked "Well by the looks of this place i'd say fifteen minutes is a generous assumption"Usopp said.

"You really think so? I better save them, come on Nicole i'm gonna need you to keep me safe"Nami said jumping off, Nicole sweatdropped a bit "Fine"she grumbled following the navigator as the two caught up to Luffy and Zoro.

"I've got my tough face on so if anybody messes with me"Luffy was cut off as Nami pinched his ear "No fighting promise me"Nami said "Yeah yeah whatever i promise"Luffy said "Good this is serious business you two"Nami said "Fine"Luffy said "Great"Zoro said, Nicole sweatdropped 'They're not listening at all are they?' she thought "Gee thanks for the support"Nami said.

"Look if one of you causes trouble here we'll have to get out of this town and if that happens then we won't know how to get sky island right?"Nami asked "Yeah"Luffy sighed when someone fell infront of them.

Zoro and Luffy got the guy back on his horse except the horse collapsed too "We should put them out of their misery"Zoro said "Thanks again pal you know i don't have enough money for a reward these days but care for an apple?"the guy asked "Do you take us for idiots? We'd never trust food from someone like you"Zoro said but Luffy grabbed one and bit into one just as an explosion went off.

"What the? What happened?"someone asked "Some guys took an apple from that freak on the horse and when they bit into them they exploded"another said "Oh no Luffy spit it out, spit out the apple you just ate!"Nami said shaking the rubber boy around "But i already swallowed it"Luffy said "What the hell you do that for?!"Zoro asked "No worries the boy isn't hurt"the guy said.

"Just calm down"Nicole said lowering Zoro's arms "Nothing happened, so Luffy's fine"she said "Correct if he had eaten a bad one he would have died on the first bite, you're lucky"the guy said, the group moved on "What's the deal with this town?!"Nami asked being all huffy "What did you expect? This is clearly a town ran by pirates"Nicole said.

"Yeah who cares anyway"Luffy said "You should care seeing as you were almost killed for no reason"Nami said "Well that was bound to happen sooner or later"Luffy said "Have you lost your mind?!!"Nami yelled at him when they heard a laugh, the group walked off ignoring the laughter but then Luffy and Zoro came to a stop hearing one of the guys watching say something about the fighting champion.

"Fighting champion?"Luffy and Zoro asked turning around, Nicole bonked their heads together and grabbed their collars dragging them with her "Just ignore it"she said continueing walking, after that the boys continued to walk on their own and the group wondered into a resort looking area "How about this place?"Zoro asked "There doesn't seem to be anyone around"Nicole said.

"Yeah it's pretty quiet"Luffy said "You can say that again this place is gorgeous to think such an oasis exists in the middle of such a disgusting town"Nami said "It's built above the water"Zoro said "That's great but there isn't anyone around although i can smell someone's cooking"Luffy said.

"Excuse me, excuse me i'm going to have to ask you all to leave please"some guy said walking over to them "See this entire hotel has been rented out by mister Bellamy and he's asked for other guest such as yourselves to go somewhere else so you must understand i have no say in the matter"the guy said.

"One man rented out this entire place?"Zoro asked "I can definitely see why"Nicole said looking around "If mister Bellamy sees you here he'll remove my head from my body so please leave before that mistake"the guy said fidgeting around "Come on i'm sure he won't mind"Luffy said being his ever so naive self "Who is this Bellamy anyway?"Nami asked "What's going on here?" some guy asked as he approached them.

"Who are these scumbags and what are they doing in our hotel?"the guy asked, Nicole noticed the mark on his chest and shifted to stand slightly behind Zoro, the swordsman of course noticed but decided not to question it for now, "Mister Sarquiss welcome back, i told them to leave but they won't listen"the fidgety guy said.

"I don't care just get rid of them we're paying a lot of money to have this place to ourselves"the girl with this Sarquiss character said "She's right now get out of here before i throw you out" Sarquiss said "Hey guys would you mind if i beat him up?"Luffy asked turning to Nami and the fidgety guy.

"Luffy!"Nami yelled at him "You're going to beat me up?Hilarious seriously though those are rags you're wearing, here go buy some new rags so you don't look like an orphan"Sarquiss said throwing money at the group "Sarquiss you're wasting your money by tossing them to this bunch of losers"the girl said "No kidding, i should of flushed it down along with my lunch" Sarquiss said.

"I'll take free money"Luffy said before Nami dragged him off as the group left, Nicole sighed a bit once they were far away "What's with you?"Zoro asked "I know the pirate mark that guy had on his chest, my dad warned me not to cross their boss"Nicole told him "Seriously? Maybe those guys were a serious"Zoro said "Nah those guys are small fry, it's their boss that he warned me about, Joker"Nicole said.

~skip~

"Man that really pisses me off"Nami growled as her and the others had found a pub to cool down it, Nicole and Zoro were finishing off their drinks "That's a shame cause you know Mock Town's economy depends on pirates throwing money around to show off power they may or may bot have"the barkeep said.

"HA!!!"Nicole laughed sitting between Zoro and Nami "Show of power!"she snickered "You're hilarious!"she laughed before calming down "Anyone can have a piece of paper or something metal and call it money"she said getting another drink "I suppose you have a point there"the barkeep said and went over to Luffy and some fatso giving them what they ordered.

"This whole towns a real dump you know"Nami said "Of course that's how most levelheaded people would think of it but unfortunately for you level headed people are rare in these parts, the wanted posters won't be on the walls for a couple of days so you may wanna skip town sooner rather then later"the barkeep said.

"A couple days? That doesn't give us much time"Nami muttered looking at her log pose "Now here's a question"Nami went to say but was cut off as Luffy complained about the cherry pies just the fat man sitting next to him complimented them, next the two had the reverse effect with the drinks "I think there might be something wrong with your taste buds kid"the fat man said.

"I think there's something wrong with your big fat head"Luffy said turning to the fat man "Well i'm not the cook in this joint so i don't care what you have to say got it?"the barkeep said "Hey barkeep i'll take fifty stakes to go"Luffy said and got into a bidding war of sorts with the fat man "I'm gonna beat the living crap out of you!"the two yelled at each other "Do you even have the slightest idea what you're fighting about?!"Zoro yelled at him.

"Luffy you promised remember! Besides we don't have enough money to bye dozens of stakes we aren't here to shop!"Nami yelled at him "So then are you a pirate?"the fat man asked "Yeah that's right"Luffy said "How big's your bounty?"the fat man asked "Thirty million"Luffy said still not aware it had been changed.

"Thirty million? For you? I wouldn't believe it even if i collected it!"the fat man yelled "Are you calling me a liar you fat hairy ape?!"Luffy yelled back "Enough!"Zoro yelled at them both "We got rules in this place and one of them's no fighting here's your fifty cherry pies no please just walk away"the barkeep said, the fat man did just that, Nicole watched him go, that guy, she REALLY did not like the vibe he gave off.

"I'm looking for a pirate that wears a strawhat"a guy said walking into the pub "It's Bellamy"one of the patrons said 'That's him huh? Seems a little weak for someone on Joker's payroll' Nicole thought quickly analysing the blond man "So you must be Strawhat Luffy with a cool thirty million"Bellamy said walking in further.

"Who's this guy?"Luffy asked "Looks like he's got a bone to pick with you Luffy"Zoro said "That must be that Bellamy guy that rented out the hotel we were at"Nami whispered "How come everyone i meet in this town is so tall?"Luffy asked "Maybe cause you're short"Nicole said making Nami and Zoro snort a bit "Hey!"Luffy protested.

"I'll take a glass from the top shelf and give the kid whatever he wants"Bellamy said "Right"the barkeep said walking away "Look at this place this joint is packed solid"Sarquiss said, Nami gasped hearing a familiar voice and looked over to see the rest of Bellamy's crew, Nicole got a hunch that they were up to no good.

"Look Zoro it's those guys from earlier"Nami whispered as Bellamy's crew took some seats, the other patrons promptly ran out, the barkeep gave Luffy and Bellamy their drinks before walking away "Cheers"Bellamy said "Hey thanks for the drink pal you know what you're alright"Luffy said drinking his drink before he was slammed through the counter by Bellamy, 'Yup i knew something was going to happen' Nicole thought.

"What are you doing huh punk?"Bellamy asked as Zoro had his sword at the blonde's throat "That's the question you should be asking yourself"Zoro said "Zoro don't do it we still need to get some information"Nami said "Quiet this guy wants a fight i'll give it to him"Zoro said "Put the sword down Zoro, he's not worth it"Nicole said just casually as ever chugging back a third drink, Zoro huffed but knew she had a point and put the sword back in its sheathe.

"So that's all you've got for back up?"Bellamy laughed "Now are you ready to take me on or not?" Luffy asked "No way the kid just challenged Bellamy"some guy said "He'll be slaughtered" another said "You've got it all wrong kid this isn't a fight it's a test now come on let's see how strong you are"Bellamy said "Luffy hold on"Nami said before turning to the barkeep "Mister we're trying to get to sky island do you know anything about that?"she asked as Nicole paid for her drinks and got up, ready to fight just in case.

The pub went quiet "Like i was saying if you know how to get to sky island"Nami was cut off as the whole pub laughed at her "What the? You can look at the log pose yourself it's pointed to the sky plain as day!"Nami said trying to defend herself only to get laughed at again.

"You got me there kid i can't believe you're putting up with such a ridiculous legend as an island in the sky"Bellamy laughed "Especially considering how little you know like of the many weird occurrences on the Grand Line is called a knock up stream, looks to me like this is the first you've heard about it, any ship that gets caught up in the knock up stream is catapulted into the sky and later slams back into the ocean"Bellamy said.

"Years ago a bunch of ignorant sailors saw a bunch of ships falling from the sky and assumed there must be an island up there somewhere in their minds how else could a ship get up that high? Ridiculous anything that seems super natural always has a rational explanation anything a man can dream will eventually be explained and let me tell you the truth will hurt"he said.

"What a shame look i was gonna let you join my crew if you past the test of the new era but it seems like you're a lost cause thing is the time of pirates dreams are over, the city of gold, the emerald ruins and the great One Piece, the fools that chase these fictional treasures don't realize the real treasures that surround them"he said.

"In this age of oceans the very men who are brave enough and capable of navigating currents end up chasing these ridiculous dreams and die in the process when people speak of these dead idiots they always say he was happy because he died living his dreams, Ha! No he died because he was a fool so when i see people chasing dreams of One Piece i get disgusted!"Bellamy yelled and punched Luffy who just took it.

"Luffy!"Nami called to him "You're a weak pirate just like they were and for as long as you're around you'll make us the real pirates look like trash"Bellamy said the other patrons started throwing things at them and jeering "Luffy Zoro forget all that passivity crap i was talking about earlier and take this jerk out"Nami said "No matter what happens don't fight back, you too Nicole"Luffy said, Nicole was quite for a bit as if thinking it over "Understood captain"she said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Luffy Zoro why are you letting them beat you like that go ahead and fight back! You guys can take them no problem! Nicole don't just stand there!"Nami yelled at the three, Luffy and Zoro were all bruised and bloody with cut all over them while Nicole didn't have a scratch on her "You heard Luffy"Nicole simply said.

"It's no use lady they're too smart for that, they've obviously way out of we're way out of their league, refusing to fight a stronger opponent it's disgraceful but it is smart"Sarquiss said, Nicole kept her scoffing to herself 'Please you guys are so far below our league it's not even worth it to fight you' she thought "Clearly the runt lacks any dignity as a captain"one guy said "The marines sure are generous these days to be willing to fork over thirty million for the head of worthless smart mouth child"another said.

"Come on fight back"Nami whispered "Sounds nice huh? The doctorate of none resistance, so you're weak and you have no pride, you refuse to get into a fight and your head is swimming with silly day dreams, they sound like children"Bellamy said and his crew erupted in laughter, Nicole didn't see it as that funny, "My work here is done, when i heard a bounty worth thirty mil was in town i wonder what kind of a badass crook came with it, needless to say i'm more then a little let down i'm bored with these cowards"Bellamy said before spitting some alcohol in Luffy's and Zoro's faces.

Luffy coughed a bit "Quick get them out of my face bye ladies"Bellamy said before Zoro was sent flying with a kick to the face, Nicole squeezed her arm reminding herself these guys weren't worth it as much as she wanted to kill them after that, Luffy was sent crashing through a window "Luffy Zoro"Nami said as she and Nicole went over the two "Hey sweet things, if you're gonna keep hanging out with these loser you're gonna get left behind especially when the new era rolls around what if i bought you? You seem like simple girls, you can't fetch too high of a price" Sarquiss said as Nicole ignored him doing a quick check over on Luffy and Zoro.

"Excuse me? Did you say you wanna bye me?"Nami asked "That's right come on girl, your friend too, join us"Sarquiss said "I hate to say it but i'm too good to be seen with a pirate like you, you're nothing but a small time thug"Nami said, Nicole still ignoring him "I like your attitude"Sarquiss said as the whole pub laughed once more.

"Take your two friends and get out of my sight before i decide otherwise, you got that weakling?"Bellamy asked "Come on Nami"Nicole said grabbing Zoro by his shirt and dragging him out "Hey hold on, i didn't hear your answer"Sarquiss said reaching out to Nicole, in the blink of an eye she drew her sword and sliced it as she turned around, the slice cutting the whole pub and a few more buildings after it.

Nicole had her death glare on which made even Nami flinch "Keep your hands to yourself"Nicole said in a venomous tone and pointed her sword at Sarquiss' lower part "And i might let you keep your junk"she added and smirked "Not that it would make a difference to whatever whore you screw next"she said and put her sword away turning away and continueing to drag Zoro as she and Nami who was dragging Luffy walked out.

Nami was in a huff as she walked while Nicole was keeping her cool "The sky island does exist"a voice said making the two women stop and look over to see the fat man from before "That place really does make a killer cherry pie"the man said as Nami dropped Luffy "Got something you wanna say?"Nami asked "Now what could you possibly be angry about? Your two friends won that fight without even throwing a punch"the fat man said.

"Huh?"Nami asked "I respect the way you treated them back there, you've got nerves of steel ladies"the fat man said and then laughed as Zoro and Luffy stood up "This new era they keep rambling on and on about is a load of crap, the era when pirates dream of treasure will come to an end?! Yeah right!!!"the fat man yelled and laughed.

"THE DREAMS OF MEN WILL NEVER END!!! Am i right?!"the fat man asked, the people around them laughed at him "One upping your peers isn't easy!"the fat man laughed "They can laugh at us all they want because once you aim high you come across fights that just aren't worth fighting right?"the fat man asked before laughing again "Let's go"Zoro said "Right"Nicole said following him.

"Yeah"Nami said but turned as she saw Luffy wasn't following "Luffy?"she called to him "Luffy" she called again "Oh it looks like i interrupted you are you in a hurry kid? One more thing i hope you find your way to sky island"the fat man said before walking off laughing some more as he did, Luffy turned to follow Zoro and Nicole.

"Maybe we should keep talking to him, he may know something about sky island, who was he?"Nami asked following Luffy "I don't know but it's not he"Luffy said "Huh? If it's not he then what is it?"Nami asked "Probably they, come on let's go"Zoro said picking up the pace "No probably about it"Nicole said walking next to him.

~skip~

Nami was still angry as she, Luffy, Zoro and Nicole made it back to the Going Merry "Okay, first things first you are going to get treated mister Roronoa no arguments"Nicole said grabbing his hand going on ahead "Yeah yeah"Zoro grumbled following her.

"So what happened to you guys? It looks like you were mauled by a pack of rabid wolves"Usopp said as Chopper was treating Luffy, Nicole having finished her treatment on Zoro who was currently leaning on the ships railing, Nicole sitting next to him "It was pirates but we're okay just some scratches"Luffy said.

"Yep"Zoro said "You guys certainly seem to be okay with everything but i'm not"Nami said before going on a rant venting her anger "What happened to all that pacifist talk?"Zoro asked "Shut up Zoro what's past is past we're not talking about ancient history here!"Nami yelled at him "Why is she in such a bad mood? She doesn't have a single scratch on her"Usopp said "She just doesn't get that some fight just aren't worth it"Nicole said.

"Oh you're one to talk with that giant cut in the middle of the pub back there!"Nami yelled at her "Fighting off creeps is always worth it"Nicole said, Nami just growled yelling in frustration "Oh yeah did you guys get info on sky island?"Chopper asked "Sky island?"Nami asked turning her anger to the reindeer "Does it even matter anymore? All i did was say the word sky island and they all laughed at me what the heck was so funny about me saying that?!"she yelled.

"It sounds like i missed out on some excitement here, how is everyone doing?"Robin asked as she came back from shopping "Robin welcome back my love! I can draw a bath and prepare a fruit plate for you if you're interested"Sanji said with heart eyes "Hey there Robin where have you been all day huh?"Luffy asked.

"Well i went shopping for some clothes and found some information on Skypiea"Robin said "That's right you're the one who brought it up i was made to look like an idiot thanks to your big mouth i'll throw you over board with rocks in your pockets!"Nami yelled "The rocks would be kind of pointless though, she'd sink like one regardless cause of her devil fruit"Nicole said "You just shut up!"Nami yelled at her and Robin giggled a bit.

"Robin i'd keep my distance if i were you, at least for the next two hours just don't rock the boat know what i'm saying?"Usopp asked "Here you go captain"Robin said handing a map to Luffy with her powers "Oh thanks Robin"Luffy said taking the map and having a look at it "Looks like a normal map so what's the big deal?"Usopp asked looking at the map too.

"It's this island, on the left side is Mock Town which is where we are now and if you look on the other side you'll see an x on the coast supposedly a man lives there that was banished from the town because he didn't blend in"Robin said "Didn't blend in?"Luffy and Usopp asked "His name is Mont Blanc Cricket, apparently mister Cricket talked about his dreams too much sounds like you have something in common"Robin said going into the cabin.

"We need to pay this guy a visit"Luffy said "Wait a second Luffy it might not be such a good idea to do that at least not now wouldn't you agree Chopper?"Usopp asked turning over to see Chopper and Zoro totally soaked as the swordsman was wringing his shirt out with Nicole right next to him drooling over him, Usopp just sweatdropped.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"I can't believe our luck, seriously that orangutan almost sunk us and now it's up to me to fix it and keep this thing a float"Usopp muttered complaining as he was fixing the Going Merry once again "Seems to me this busted up old ship is on her last leg we need a new one"Zoro said helping with the repairs "Yeah, she's carried us faithfully so far but everything and everyone has their limits"Nicole said also helping.

"How dare you even consider replacing this boat?!"Usopp yelled at them making a face "Yeah how dare you?!"Chopper copied "You are aware of the origins of this ship are you? You do know what she's capable of don't you?"Usopp asked them "Yeah don't you?!"Chopper asked, Nicole rolled her eyes at them.

"We all know the story Usopp and try not to be so defensive the Going Merry is an important part of our crew and we all know we have to take care of her, you shouldn't take everything so personally"Luffy said "You're right i'm sorry"Usopp said crying "Oops"Luffy said destroying a part of the ship he was supposed to be fixing.

"What are you doing?! We're trying to save the ship not sink it!"Usopp yelled at him "Sure thing here i'll fix it"Luffy said only to destroy more of the ship "Oops that didn't work"he said "Luffy!" Usopp and Chopper yelled at him.

"We left Mock Town and headed east by circling the shore of the island our destination is here, we're supposed to meet that man there what's his name?"Nami asked as she pointed out the x on the map "His name is Monk Blanc Cricket"Robin said "And you're sure that he'll be able to help us out right?"Nami asked.

"Whoa amazing!"Usopp and Luffy said as they came up on a giant castle "That's where he lives? It's a freaking palace!"Luffy said "I've never seen a house that big before this Cricket guy must be really loaded"Usopp said "Look closer"Zoro said "It's really unattractive, the guy has to have some guts to build a house that ugly"Sanji said "I think it looks rather cozy"Nicole said referring to the actual house behind the facade of the castle.

"Why exactly did Cricket decide to leave his home and come live here?"Nami asked "I don't know all the details but i think it has something to do with his belief that a large amount of gold rest somewhere in the hills of Jaya"Robin said "Gold?"Usopp asked "Do you think he's here to search for some buried treasure?"Nami asked.

"Well i just don't know"Robin said "Gold!"Nami yelled with beri sign eyes and told Chopper to dig basically at random "Must be hard to live alone in such a remote area"Sanji said walking over to some stumps "Some people prefer solitude"Nicole said looking around the area "Hello!"Luffy called opening the door to the house and just barging in.

"Huh? Looks like no bodies home"Luffy said looking around the house "Anybody here?!"he called "I guess he's gone"he said "Get out of there you idiot this guy could be dangerous"Usopp told Luffy "Hey you guys nobodies home"Luffy called walking back out.

"What's this?"Nami questioned noticing a book "A book and it looks pretty old, it's called Noland the liar"she said reading the title "Sounds like it could be good i sure like the title"Usopp said "Noland the liar?"Sanji asked "Yeah have you heard of it? It says here it was originally published in the North Blue"Nami said "It was i was born in the North Blue i'm certain i've told you guys that"Sanji said.

"No that's news to me i always thought you were born in the east"Usopp said "I grew up there" Sanji said "Born in North Blue you say?"Nicole asked humming as she leaned in closer to Sanji, "Ah Nicole your intense stare up so close is making me blush!"Sanji said with heart eyes but ignoring him Nicole lifted the hair covering his other eye "Ah ha! I knew it! Something had been bugging me ever since we first met, now i know for sure"she smirked.

Sanji panicked and covered her mouth before dragging her a bit further from the others "Sorry" he said uncovering her mouth once they were away "Well whatever that was about, as i was saying you're a Vinsmoke right?"Nicole asked "Yes but please please don't tell the others, that name doesn't exactly bring me pleasant memories"Sanji said "Ah i've got ya, not to worry i'll keep my mouth shut"Nicole smiled at him "Thanks Nicole"Sanji smiled at her.

"So how did you know anyway?"Sanji asked "I believe i've told so many times but i traveled a lot with my dad when i was younger, on one trip to the North Blue we had a run in with a Vinsmoke one of your brothers maybe"Nicole shrugged as she walked back to join the others listening to Nami as she read the book.

"Alas the liar died before he could prove himself to the people"Nami sighed as she finished reading the book "All he wanted to do was live the life of an adventurer"she said looking over to Usopp "That last part is not in the book don't tack on your own sentimental none sense!"Usopp yelled at her when they heard a scream as Luffy fell into the water.

"What's going on?!"Usopp asked running over when someone jumped out of the water "Who the hell are you? You've got nerve relaxing at someone's house without permission this is my land and i suggest you leave"the person said "Hurry Usopp move it go and fish Luffy out of the sea!" Sanji yelled at him as he ran past the sniper and took on the mystery person.

Just as Zoro went into handle it the guy collapsed and Usopp came up to the surface with Luffy, the crew stuffed themselves into the house as Chopper took care of the guy "What's caisson's disease?"Zoro asked after Chopper was done with his examination "So this guy is really sick huh?"Luffy asked "Yeah caisson's disease is an illness that affects divers"Chopper said.

"Though it's called a disease it's not actually a chronic condition, it's cause by a lack of decompression when surfacing from the sea bed, the nitrogen from the blood releases too quickly and causes gas bubbles to form in the circulatory system and when those bubbles expand they can cause considerable damage to muscles and joints and seriously decries blood flow"Chopper said Nicole snapped her fingers "Decompression sickness, right?"she asked "Yeah, that's what it's more commonly known as"Chopper said.

"So it's a mystery disease think you can help him?"Luffy asked getting confused by all the science talk "I'm not sure my guess is he kept diving every day without allowing his body to recover and it finally caught up with him that's why he passed out during the fight"Chopper said "But why in the world did he do that?"Nami asked.

"I don't know but he was taking a big risk, in some cases caisson's disease can cause death so he's lucky to be alive"Chopper said just then"Hey old timer are you alright?!"two voices asked as a couple of monkeys squeezed into the home, Usopp gasped recognizing the monkeys "They've come to kill us!"he screamed running around freaking out whit Chopper.

"What in the world are you people doing here?"one monkey asked "And just what are you doing to our friend?!"the other asked "We're trying to help so ii suggest you lend a hand or find someone else to bother"Luffy said "Don't antagonize them Luffy you know what they're capable of and now there's two of those savages to deal with"Usopp said.

"They're savages!"Chopper yelled also freaking out "Everyone jump out the windows and run away!"Usopp said as the two monkeys started crying "Thank you guys"they said, they moved the conversation outside to give the old man some rest.

Luffy and the monkeys were chatting about something or other while at the side of the house Zoro, Nicole and Usopp were just sitting around "Those three sure are getting along now aren't they?"Usopp grumbled "Yeah seems like they have a lot in common"Zoro said "Like how their all monkeys"Nicole said.

"Hey Luffy he's waking up!"Chopper called coming out of the house "Hey chestnut head i've got a question for ya"Luffy said going in "I'm sorry i attacked you i thought you were nothing but another band of pirates coming to steal my gold"the old man said "Did someone say something about gold?!"Nami asked with beri sign eyes "Just calm down Nami"Usopp told her.

"But exactly what is it you wanna ask me?"the old man asked "We're searching for sky island and we were hoping you might tell us how to get there"Luffy said "Are you serious?"the old man asked before he started laughing "Don't tell me you really believe that place exist?!"he laughed.

"You mean there's no sky island? Are you sure?"Luffy asked "I don't know, see nobody knows if the sky island really exist or not i know of only one man who claims to have seen the island for himself but he's considered a liar of epic proportions"the old man said, Luffy looked at Usopp "What are you looking at?!"he asked.

"There's an old fairy tale that the people of the North Blue know very well it's called Noland the liar"the old man said, Luffy looked at Usopp again "Stop looking at me Luffy my name's not Noland!"Usopp yelled at him "Hmm now that i think about it Noland's family name was also Mont Blanc does that mean you two are related somehow?"Sanji asked.

"Is he right? And is this island the one mentioned in the fairy tale?"Nami asked "Yeah Noland's a distant ancestor of mine, i am his descendant but we're so far removed i doubt there's even a single drop of his blood in my veins, the Mont Blanc family was driven out of the North Blue a long time ago and we've managed to keep a low profile ever since, people still denounce the family name but we've never despised them for this"the old man said.

"But why?"Chopper asked "Because Noland contrary to popular belief was a very honest person"the old man said "That's not what the fairy tale said"Nami said "As the story goes Noland's last words were as follows "I can only assume the city of gold sunk into the sea" this line is accompanied by an idiotic face in the illustration but Noland was no idiot he knew what he saw and i believe he wasn't lying about it, Noland was certain the island where he stumbled upon a city of gold was the island of Jaya but when he returned with the king there was no gold"the old man said.

"Unsuccessful he insisted the ancient city had submerged due to shifts in the earths crust but everyone dismissed this as the last ditch excuse of a doomed man, Noland was given a public execution and when he died so did his discoveries only the legend of a liar remained"the old man said.

"I get it you're trying to find the ancient city of gold at the bottom of the sea to clear the family name and proof Noland right"Usopp said "Don't be ridiculous!"the old man yelled shooting at the long nose "I don't really care if the ancient city of gold exists or not the actions of my ancestor have nothing to do with me and my life, you can possibly imagine what it's like as a kid for everyone to laugh at you and ridicule you because you're a descendant of that idiot Noland that's what i've dealt with my whole life!"the old man said.

"Anyway over the past four hundred years a great many of my family have set sail to find the city of gold proof Noland was right and restore the Mont Blanc name and each and every one of them went missing, i was ashamed to be a member of such a pathetic family so i decided to leave home and become a pirate"the old man said.

"Wow so you're a pirate just like us?"Luffy asked "I didn't even really wanna become a pirate i just wanted out of Noland's shadow to be my own man and over time i came to assemble my own pirate crew, finally i was seen as a leader not a laughing stock and i sailed the world looking for adventures then ten years ago as my crew and i sailed the calm sea we discovered this island purely by chance and ironically of all my family members who searched for this place, who lost their lives doing so it was i who found it, i who despise the Mont Blanc name"the old man said.

"We came ashore and found no trace of the city of gold i stood on the cape of the island and felt i was destined to be there, i declared a challenge to Noland and my crew left me the bastards, i don't care if i find the city or not i'm not here to prove Noland right or wrong i have no interest in rewriting history all i'm doing is following what i believe is my destiny, this is between me and Noland, i'm facing what i fear and whatever the out come the act is all that matter"the old man said.

"Wow what a sad story"Usopp cried "But what about the monkey how did they come to be on this island with you anyway?"Luffy asked "I'm sure that's another story of bravery in the face of incredible odds, your life reads like a great book you know Cricket?"Usopp cried "They were just fans of the fairy tale"Cricket said "They're fans?!"Usopp asked.

"How did they find you?"Nami asked "I think it was five or six years ago they heard a rumor and set out to find me, those two truly believe the city of gold exists somewhere and they're helping me find it, the sea surrounding this island is very deep and in those dark cold depths you're surrounded by a profound sense of solitude when i first arrived here i spent my time searching the sea bed alone they entered my life without permission and assigned themselves as my crew without asking and they do nothing but fight all the time"Cricket said.

"But having these idiots around puts me at ease and truthfully i enjoy their company, you understand?"Cricket asked "I understand completely, true friends lift each other up and give each other strength in times of need"Usopp said crying again "Are you just about finished telling us your life story?"Luffy asked "Shut your mouth you ungrateful brat!"Usopp yelled punching the rubber boy to no effect.

"Stop it!"Luffy said tossing the sniper away "Look all i really wanna know about is sky island!"he yelled at Cricket "You're a pushy guy aren't ya? But i like i told you earlier the only person who's seen sky island is Noland and nobody knows if he was telling the truth or if it was just another tall tale"Cricket said flipping through a book "Is there any record of his trip to the island?"Luffy asked.

"Officially no but he does mention it in here"Cricket said still flipping through the book "What do you have there? That isn't Noland's log book is it?"Nami asked "Yeah it is read from the bottom of that page"Cricket said handing the book to her "Amazing this log book is over four hundred years old"Nami said and started reading from the book.

"June 21st year 1120 a sunny day on the sea of effemris upon departing from the Jolly Villa we left the harbor and sailed in to the rising sun at a heading of east by north east with the wind in our back, at mid day we happened across a bumboat carrying a rare item a single person contraption called a sky waver, this small mysterious vessel can generate it's own wind and sail at great speeds even on a still day, the ski like ship was not easily manoeuvred, i couldn't control it although my crew has taken quite a liking to it"Nami said.

"I gotta get one of those things!"she said "Keep going don't stop reading!"Usopp, Luffy and Chopper yelled at her "We had been told that the waver was manufactured on sky island and that many more interesting devises could be found there it brought to mind an explorer friend of mine who once showed me the most unusual specimen a living sky fish i had never seen a fish with such a bizarre appearance in all my years, this island remains as the only unexplored domain and as a sailor and adventurer i feel it is my destiny to one day reach the sea in the sky, Mont Blanc Noland"Nami said finishing reading.

"Do you know what this means?"she asked the others "Sky island must really exist!"Luffy said getting all excited "Just like Robin said it did!No we just gotta figure out how to get there!"Usopp said also getting excited "The sky island does exist!"Chopper said and they all cheered.

~somewhere far way in the middle of the ocean~

The man known as Hawkeye was looking at three new bounties in particular, the first in the pile of Monkey D. Luffy his bounty raised to one hundred million, the second made him smirk Roronoa Zoro worth sixty million and the third turned that smirk into a wide grin filled with pride, he let out a bellowing laugh before looking at the wanted poster again.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"What did you wanna tell us old timer?"Usopp asked after Cricket gathered the Strawhats outside "Listen up and listen good i decided to tell you everything i know about the sky island" the old man said, Nicole noticed Zoro was sleeping and jabbed him on the side with her elbow waking him up, he gave her a glare but she ignored him.

"Most of this is rumor and hear say so you have to make you your own mind whether you believe it or not, there's something very strange that happens in this part of the ocean everything will suddenly turn black as night right in the middle of the brightest day"Cricket said.

"Hey yeah the same thing happened to us, right?"Luffy asked "Yeah it was like the sun vanished and these enormous monster showed up"Usopp said "You saw the giants? There's a tale about where they come from but forget about them for now we can go into it later now about this strange night fall, it's caused by the shadow of an extremely dense cloud"Cricket said.

"Thought so"Nicole muttered "But it was too dark for a cloud it was like the sun went out"Nami still not believing it "Yeah it was more of an eclipse clouds on a cloudy day are just sort of cloudy"Luffy said "Yeah just sorta cloudy"Usopp said "Yeah cloudy!"Chopper said.

"Shut your gobs and listen!"Cricket yelled at them "This cloud is called a cumilo origalis it forms high in the sky, it has no internal air currents and it never turns to rain, no light can reach the ground and a sunny afternoon turns black as pitch, it's like some giant hand reached up and snuffed out the sun like it was a candle some say that cumilo origalis clouds are floating fossils petrified clouds that hang in the sky for thousands of years"Cricket said.

"You've gotta be kidding us? A petrified cloud that drifts around for centuries?"Nami asked "Hey i'm just telling you what people have told me whether you believe it or not is entirely up to you"Cricket said "So it's a mystery cloud"Luffy said "Yeah i guess that sums it up as well as anything else"Cricket said "This is so awesome!"Chopper said.

"You see there's only one place the sky island could be if it's real and that's on top of one of those clouds"Cricket said "Alright let's go we're on our way up to the clouds!"Luffy said as he and Usopp started celebrating "I told you idiots before we don't know how to get there!"Nami yelled and beat them up.

"Yeah that's gonna be the hard part cause you'll be risking your lives every minute"Cricket said "You mean like now?"Luffy and Usopp asked "There's only one way to get there the knock up stream it shoots straight up into the air so it could theoretically take you up to the sky if you're lucky"Cricket said "Wait a minute are you saying this current can send ships flying?"Nami asked.

"Great then it'll be a snap all we have to do is hitch a ride up"Luffy said "On an ocean current?" Usopp asked "Except wouldn't we fall back down and get smashed into pieces?"Nami asked "Probably, unless sky island happens to be above us"Nicole said "Yeah but timing is key, it's one thing to sit here all comfy and talk about riding the knock up stream but if you think this trip is gonna be some pleasure cruise you're in for a very rude awakening"Cricket said.

"The knock up stream is as dangerous as any hurricane it should be avoided at all cost"Cricket said "But how can a current of water rise up in the air in the first place? Come on we've never heard of anything like that before right guys?"Nami asked "I can't imagine it being any different from a geyser"Nicole said.

"There are some similarities with the explanation that someone once told me that made the most sense, though so far no one has been stupid enough to confirm it, it's like this deep below the ocean floor there are large cavities filled with air cool water seeps into it and geothermal energy heats it until it becomes steam over time the pressure builds and when it becomes too great it becomes a tremendous explosion this explosion hurls the water in to the air creating a current to the sky"Cricket explained.

"The effect lasts for about one minute connecting the sky to the ocean like a bridge"Cricket said "One minute? Do you realize how enormous an explosion like that would have to be?"Nami asked "The explosions occur in wildly different locations about five times a month"Cricket said.

"We'd be blown into fish food if we tried that old man"Usopp said "Anyway you can't really explain something like this with words and theories it's one of the great mysteries of creation" Cricket said "So we gotta ride this current that shows up five times a month to reach some island in the sky? And just hope it's waiting for us?"Usopp asked.

"I say that sums it up pretty well and if you miss you fall back down and get blown into fish food just like you said"Cricket said "So it's all or nothing huh?"Nicole asked casually leaning on her arm "Yep"Cricket said "Okay so we're gonna forget about sky island right?"Usopp asked turning to Luffy who only seemed even more excited then before.

"Because it's nuts Luffy completely insane you have to be luckier the mister lucky luck of luck land on his luckiest day to pull off a stunt like this one"Usopp said as Luffy just laughed "It'll be okay let's go"Luffy said "Naturally, how can you say it'll be okay? Think about it for a second and what about the poor Going Merry? Did you even stop to consider the shape she's in? The way she's suffering? There's no way you can expect her to stand up to a disaster like this in her condition"Usopp cried.

"He's absolutely right, she's worthless even brand new that reack wouldn't stand a chance" Cricket said "Say what?"Usopp asked "Speed weight strength the explosion would tear that ship to pieces before it had a chance to get air born"Cricket said "Yeah, see it's hopeless"Usopp said "But don't worry i think i can help you out there i'll have Masira and Shoujou do a complete refit of your ship i'll also have them reinforce the structure to with stand the strain"Cricket said.

"You bet, don't worry guys we're all over it!"the monkeys said in response waving from the house "Thanks fellas!"Luffy yelled back "Yeah thanks a lot"Usopp and Nami muttered "Have you really thought about this?"Nami asked going over to Luffy "What?"the rubber boy asked.

"About well at most we can only stay one more day on this island or did that slip your mind? After that the log pose will lock onto the next island and we'll have to move on" Nami said showing the log pose.

"That's right! That's right we gotta move on, hey old man i realize you're not a fortune teller and you probably don't have the vaguest idea but how many days will it be until the next time a knock up stream will lines up with a cumilo origalis? Or better yet how many weeks? or years or centuries? Now take your time i'm in no hurry, can i lend you and abacus?"Usopp asked

"It'll be around noon tomorrow so you better get ready"Cricket said "Wait a minute you mean we can make it?!"Usopp asked "'Fraid so if you're scared then don't go"Cricket said "Hold on, are you sure? How do you know that's exactly the window we need if we really want to get into sky island?"Nicole asked.

"Masira said that whenever the midday night occurs in this area a cumilo origalis appears on the southern sky the next day based on it's usual appearance circle of five times a month i'm guessing the knock up stream will also erupt at midday tomorrow that will probably also be to the south, i can't be hundred percent certain but there is a good chance that the two events will coincide"Cricket said walking over and the two had a stare off

"I'm proud to have met a bunch of fools like you, you're true pirates, now then let's go inside and eat, tonight i want you to call your home my home my friends"Cricket said, Nicole huffed a bit and turned away walking to the house with Zoro.

That night they had a small party in Crickets home, Luffy, Usopp and Chopper were goofing around as usual, Sanji was spoiling the girls but mainly Nami with his cooking, Nicole and Zoro were having a drinking contest as usual and Robin was reading Noland's log book, she reached the last written log when Cricket appeared in front of her.

"The skulls right eye that's where i saw the gold"he said making the party pause "Those words smeared with tears are the last Noland wrote in his log book "The skulls right eye that's where i saw the gold" that very same day Noland was executed i still don't know what he meant by that does it refer to the name of a city or some land mark that used to exist on the island? Or is it just a poetic illusion to his own impending death? The blank pages that follow give us no clue and that's the reason we continue to dive to the bottom of the sea we dream"Cricket said and the party continued.

~skip~

"Log entry for May 21st 1122 today i arrived on Jaya, shortly after making landfall we were startled by the cries of some strange bird from deep in the forest as well as the tolling of what seemed to be an enormous, bell the ringing of that golden bell resounded far and wide as if announcing the presence of some great and prosperous city of the past it's fleeting echo is the only reminded this land was once home to a mighty civilisation, in our pride and arrogance we thought we had seen everything in our short lives but the sound of that bell tolling left us all speechless it was as if the clang of that bell had struck us dumb with wonder"Cricket said the roared as if to imitate the bell.

"I just love stories with bells in them especially gold ones"Nami said "Hey old timer it sounds like you might be a little fond of Noland after all"Usopp said and everyone laughed "Look at this"Cricket said showing everyone a golden ingot "Wow a golden bell"Nami said "Huh doesn't seem to enormous to me"Usopp said.

"That's cause these are ingots"Nicole said "Yeah, they're just shaped like bells, we found them on the ocean floor during a dive"Cricket said "Golden ingots?"Chopper asked "The city of gold, it is real!"Luffy said "It's still not proof though you can find gold relics like that lying around in any old ruin in this part of the world"Shoujou said.

"Maybe so but that does suggest there was a civilisation here some time in the past, ingots are made to measure gold into standardised units of weight and that would indicate an advanced trading society"Robin said "Right and you remember that peculiar bird call he said they heard when they landed? Show it to them"Cricket said and unveiled a golden statue.

"There's more gold?!"Usopp asked "Just look at the size of it"Zoro said "That's the last of it" Cricket said "Oh it's gorgeous"Nami said "Golden bells and birds huh? Do you think they might be symbols of some ancient civilisation?"Sanji asked "I really can't say for sure but it think all these pieces were a part of the same casting this creature is called a south bird you can still find them on the island today"Cricket said pulling the statue over to him.

"Wow and they have a peculiar call?"Luffy asked "Ah ha just like in the log book"Cricket said "Sailors have used south birds on ships since ancient time to help them na-"Masira cut himself off realizing something, Cricket realized it too "Oh no!"the monkeys said "What's wrong?"the others asked.

"This is really bad you guys gotta get to the forest on the south side of the island right away" Cricket said "What do you mean? Are you crazy?"Luffy asked "Don't waste a minute you gotta capture one of these birds and quickly"Cricket said "How come?"Usopp asked "Oh of course! How else are we supposed to navigate south when regular compasses don't work"Nicole said

"That's right without a landmass to lock onto the log pose will be useless and there will be no way for us to navigate, but there's gotta be some way we can figure out which way to sail?"Nami asked "There is if you can lay your hands on one of these birds certain animals are known to have a very strong sense of internal directions as if they're born with a natural compass"Cricket said.

"That makes Zoro dumber then an animal"Luffy laughed "Oh yeah right like you have any room to talk!"Zoro yelled at him "Actually yes because you're even worse with directions"Nicole muttered "What was that?!"Zoro growled at her "The south bird is a perfect example of this kind of creature, in the middle of a vast barren plain or the ocean it's body will always point in the same direction"Cricket said.

"You see if you don't get going to that forest and catch one of those birds right now you'll have to kiss your only chance to get to sky island goodbye"Cricket said "And you're just telling us this now?!"Usopp, Luffy and Chopper yelled at him "Quit your whining, there's no time no move it or lose it!"Cricket said as the crew set off into the forest.

"Whoa it's pitch black"Luffy said "Will you let go of me you idiot?"Sanji asked Usopp as the scardy cat was clinging onto him "My stomachs still so stuffed from that dinner, i couldn't catch a bird if i saw one"Chopper said "So where are they?"Luffy asked "Let's just catch one of them and get back to drinking"Zoro said.

"Will someone remind me how we ended up in this mess?"Nami asked "Move it"Sanji said pushing Usopp off of him "Man he couldn't have told us in the daylight? It had to be in the middle of the night"Usopp said "Where are the birds?"Luffy asked "If we had any idea where the birds were do you think we'd be out here looking for them?"Zoro asked.

"All we know is things got a peculiar call"Luffy said "Yeah and it looks like that gold statue he showed us"Sanji said "It's kinda hard for me to believe that any bird could look that screwy looking in real life"Zoro said "Anyway saying it has a peculiar call is too vague we can't id it from that"Usopp said "Well the old coot didn't seem to believe we'd have any trouble finding one"Sanji said.

Just then they heard a very peculiar call indeed "Hey that sounded peculiar"they said "More like bizarre"Nicole muttered "Oh you think?"Nami asked "Yeah"Luffy said "Well we're here let's do it and get this over with"Zoro said "Three nets three teams let's split up and bag that bird"Sanji said.

Thus the group split Luffy, Robin, Chopper and Usopp in a group, Nicole and Zoro in another and Sanji and Nami in one group.

"Ah Nami~swan you seem cold, here"Sanji said offering his coat to her "Oh uh thanks"Nami said taking the cooks coat and slipping it on, this wasn't unusual for Sanji but the navigator wasn't blind, she had noticed that ever since she got sick Sanji though still remaining flirty with Nicole and Robin that he was also taking the extra mile for her but in a more subtle way like how his coat somehow felt warmer.

Nami then noticed something crawling up her leg "Spider!"she yelled in a panic and leaped onto Sanji clinging on to him "Let's get out of here Nami!"he said just as freaked out as she was about the creepy crawlies surrounding them but took the time to lift her bridal style before running out of there, the coat suddenly became much much warmer as Nami felt herself blush.(again one of those shippers sue me)

"That sounded like a scream"Nicole noted hearing something "Just forget about it, we should be looking out for the bird"Zoro said cutting down another centipede "Would you stop cutting down everything we come across? These are just harmless bugs"Nicole said going on ahead but stopped and groaned a bit as she noticed Zoro wondering off, again, she grabbed his arm dragging him back "At this point i'm wondering if i should just get a leash on you"she said with a sigh.

Zoro smirked "Oh? Are you into that stuff or something?"he asked, Nicole's whole face went red "What?! No!"she yelled at him, Zoro smirked wider deciding to tease her more "Really now? Don't you even want to try?"he asked, Nicole blushed more before she smirked as well "So you're saying you'd be willing to try? Never took you for such a perv Zoro"she said making him blush in return "Why you!"he growled as she turned his words against him.

Nicole snickered a bit before she giggled "I was just kidding in the first place, i'd much rather just hold your hand"she said grabbing his hand, Zoro smiled at her intertwining their fingers and let her lead the way as they heard the bizarre bird call again.

~skip cause i'm lazy~

The Strawhats eventually caught a South bird thanks to Robin.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Hey pops we caught one of those birds!"Luffy called as the Strawhats made it back to Crickets house only to see it in ruins, the old man and the two monkeys bloody and beaten up "Pops what happened?"Luffy asked "Masira"Usopp said "Shoujou"Sanji said noticing the monkey floating in the sea "What the? What happened here?"Nami asked.

"I've got a better question who did this?"Sanji asked as he dragged Shoujou back to shore "Ah! The Going Merry what happened to her? Who did this? When i find out they're gonna be sorry they ever laid a finger on her! The savages! Damn it!"Usopp yelled seeing the bow on the Merry was completely torn off.

"Sorry kid"Cricket said "You're alive! Don't try to move just take it easy"Luffy told the old man "I'm really sorry about this we did everything we could to stop them but it wasn't enough, he made us look pretty pathetic gotta get moving though ships not gonna patch itself up"Cricket said sitting up.

"Hold on pops wait, tell us what happened first, who did this to you?"Luffy asked "Calm down it's okay don't worry about it, it doesn't matter anymore did you have any luck finding?"Cricket cut himself off noticing Zoro was holding the south bird they had caught "Look at that you got yourself a south bird nice job"Cricket said before coughing a bit "They're hard to get"he said a bit strained.

"Luffy! Cricket's gold it's all gone!"Nami called from the house having gone to check it "That's stuff it's junk just forget it, doesn't matter your dream is more important"Cricket said waving it off "Forget it! How can you say that? Think about what it took to get that gold ten years of diving into the ocean subjecting your body to all the pressures of the deep come on you can't just" Usopp was cut off.

"Shut up"Cricket said "I'm serious that gold and what happens to it is our problem got it? You're ships in no shape to make it to the knock up stream we can get the Saruyama alliance crew here and they'll have it fixed by morning you'll still be able to set sail tomorrow"Cricket said as Zoro and Nicole went to have a look at something she had spotted.

"Listen everything will be alright we will send you to the sky i promise that"Cricket said "Hey Luffy"Zoro called and pointed out the mark Nicole had spotted drawn on the back of the castle facade "That's Bellamy's mark"Nami said "You want any help?"Zoro asked "I'll handle this one alone"Luffy said "Luffy don't be silly we don't have time for this we have to set sail in three hours"Nami said.

"If i follow the coast will that take me all the way back to Mock Town?"Luffy asked Robin ignoring Nami "Yes i believe it will"Robin said, Luffy started walking off "Hey where are you going? Don't be an idiot you can't possibly take on this Bellamy guy on all by yourself"Cricket said before Nicole offered him her sword still in its sheath and everything "If you wanna stop him use this" she said "Line thief"Zoro muttered from next to her "Kid don't do it"Cricket said "I'll be back by morning guys"Luffy said before running off.

~skip~

The Strawhats plus the Saruyama alliance crew were fixing the merry "Why didn't you go with Luffy?"Nami asked Zoro as him and Nicole were fixing the mast "Why? What's with you? Fight, don't fight, do this, don't do that, just make up your mind already"Zoro said "You're scared cause that guy beat you the first time around"Nami said.

"Luffy said he didn't need any help besides those were different circumstances"Nicole said "Yeah refusing to fight doesn't mean that we were scared when there's no reason to fight the only way to win is to stand down"Zoro said "Or walk away"Nicole added.

~skip~

Morning had come the Going Merry was fixed and now the Strawhats were waiting for "Where the heck is that rubbery bug eyed idiot? This is just like him, didn't we all agree to be here over 45 minutes ago? We're gonna miss the current, ugh i'm sure the genius didn't even stop to consider how the gold would way him down why does he always insist on making everything ten times harder?"Nami asked as she complained about their missing captain.

"The only schedule Luffy's concerned with is his own"Usopp said "Yeah he's got a point there" Sanji said "You don't think someone in town beat him up do you?"Chopper asked "What do you mean that guy Bellamy?"Usopp asked "Well if Bellamy didn't beat him up you better believe i will"Nami said.

"Oh is that right tough girl?"Zoro asked "Hey!"they heard a call in the distance as Luffy was running back to his crew "I did it you guys!"he yelled "Luffy hurry we're already behind schedule!"Sanji yelled over to him "Look! It's a Hercules took me forever to find it!"Luffy yelled holding up a Hercules beetle.

"You're kidding me!"Nami yelled "Are you crazy?!"Usopp asked "Wow that's awesome!"Luffy said noticing the Merry was outfitted to look like a chicken, even though chickens can't really fly "Introducing the Going Merry flying edition"Usopp said "It can fly?!"Luffy asked sparkles in his eyes "I know they build it just for us"Usopp said pointing over to the monkey crew.

"Morons"Sanji muttered "Something about it makes me feel uneasy"Nami said "Well for once i agree with you chickens don't even know how to fly, they should of made it a pigeon"Zoro said "Well without the red crest it could look more like a pigeon"Nicole said "What does that have to do with anything?!"Nami yelled at them.

"It's time to set sail come on if you're with me let me hear it!"Usopp said and the monkeys cheered with him, Luffy handed the gold back to Cricket as the others boarded the ship "What are you waiting for get on board unless you're planning on missing your chance to the sky like a fool"Cricket said "Thanks for the ship"Luffy said "Thank them they build it"Cricket said pointing over to the monkey crews "Yeah thanks for the ship you guys! You can have my Hercules!"Luffy yelled over to them.

"Time to set sail!"Luffy said jumping on board the Going Merry "You heard him shove off!"Nami said and the Going Merry set sail.

~skip~

The cumilo origalis showed up a full hour earlier then expected so the monkey crews scrambled around trying to find a current, they found one with remarkable speed and the group set sail towards it, the waves were going crazy sending their ships rocking.

"Hey navigator what does the log pose say?!"Robin called to her "It's pointing straight at those clouds!"Nami yelled back "Then we're in the right spot! Sky island is right above us!"Nicole yelled "The wind directions are perfect the clouds are aligning exactly at the center of the whirlpool"Nami said.

"What whirlpool? I haven't seen anything"Luffy said, the monkeys lead the Going Merry to the inner edge of the whirlpool and told them to sail to the center of it "But i don't wanna get sucked in!"Usopp yelled "I don't remember signing up for all this!"Nami yelled "Don't worry i'll make sure nothing happens to you!"Sanji said grabbing her and holding her tight causing her to blush.

"I've never seen one quite this big before"Robin said "You and me both"Nicole said "This is bad i change my mind i wanna go back!"Usopp yelled "Sorry Usopp too late for that you know who is already excited"Zoro said "Let's go to the sky!"Luffy laughed excitedly.

The coward trio freaked out as they saw even a huge sea king get sucked into the whirlpool and stand no chance against it, it was too late to turn back as the Going Merry started to get sucked in "Don't be so unreasonable Luffy let's go back while we still have time! Don't you understand the sky island is just a bunch of make belief? It's not worth us getting killed"Usopp said.

"It's all make belief? Is that what you think?"Luffy asked "Usopp's right i think this is a really bad idea"Nami said "It maybe a stupid dream but i have to try it could be our greatest adventure" Luffy said practically sparkling with excitement "No it's too late"Usopp and Nami cried "Don't cry Nami, just hold on tight to me and i promise to protect you"Sanji told her with a grin.

"Hey love cook instead of flirting you might wanna take a look"Zoro said as the whirlpool sucked them in, but once they reached the center the sea was in a dead calm, the whirlpool was just gone, Nicole started growing a bad feeling, she could sense what was going to happen and she didn't like it one bit already grabbing onto the nearest thing which happened to be Zoro.

"What's going on?"Luffy asked "Wait i, i don't get it where'd it go?"Usopp asked "I feel it, it's starting"Nicole said "The whirlpool sunk under the surface"Nami said "You don't mean"Usopp trailed off.

"Hold it right there!"they heard a yell from the distance "Hey uh Zoro look there"Luffy said as a ship? more like a big raft was approaching them "Well well if it isn't Strawhat Luffy!"the fat man from Mock Town yelled over to them "I've come all this way to collect your one hundred million beri bounty! So don't be shy!"the fat man yelled as the raft approached.

"Hundred million what are you talking about?!"Luffy yelled over "Don't play dumb with me kid! It says right here! Monkey D. Luffy wanted for a hundred million and for pirate hunter Zoro sixty million beri and Nicole "She Wolf" Mihawk fifty eight million!"the fat man yelled.

"It's true he's got a different poster for each of you, hey Zoro, Nicole congratulations on your new bounty!"Usopp said getting a closer look with the binoculars "It looks like your bounties went way up after the Alabasta incident but a hundred million?"Nami asked "This is great hear that?! My bounty went up big time!"Luffy said with a grin.

"Sixty millions not too bad either"Zoro grinned "I guess fifty eight isn't a bad starting point but i would have expected mine to skyrocket if the marines know who my father is"Nicole muttered with a smirk, at least she had a bounty "It's not a good thing!"Nami yelled at them.

The sea started to rise up, the knock up stream was getting ready to explode "Everyone hold on or get inside!"Sanji said as the Strawhat crew scrambled to get a hold of something, Luffy wrapped himself around the mast with his rubber powers with Robin and Chopper holding onto the mast as well, Sanji had grabbed the starboard side railing holding on tight to it and Nami who was clinging onto dear life on the railing, Zoro and Nicole had grabbed the port side railing and Usopp was glued to the cabin door.

The knock up stream exploded just seconds after sending the Going Merry high into the sky "What's happening?!"Usopp asked freaking out "We're sailing up a huge pillar of water!"Sanji said "This is awesome!"Luffy yelled a big grin on his face "How are we doing this?!"Usopp asked "Alright i can't believe it's finally happening! Let's go to Skypiea!"Luffy said.

"Hold on it's not gonna be that easy look"Sanji said "Oh what now?!"Usopp asked "What's wrong did we forget about something?!"Luffy asked "How about a little thing called gravity?!" Nicole yelled "The hull's starting to float!"Sanji said "Huh?"Nami asked "If we don't stop it we're gonna fall into the ocean!"Sanji said.

"What do you expect us to do about it we're having a hard enough time just holding on as it is or haven't you noticed?!"Usopp asked "Oh no what is that?!"Chopper yelled as the sea king from before came flying down past them "See it's only a matter of time before the same thing happens to the Merry"Sanji said.

"I know but what can we do? We don't have a lot of options when it comes to mother nature we're at her mercy"Zoro said "I guess we hold on and hope for the best"Sanji said as some junk and rubble started flying down on them.

"Spread the sails right now! Sure it's a pillar of water but it's still a part of the sea it's a rising current, the wind current below is caused by geothermal heat causing a steam explosion it might be packaged differently but it's still wind and water trust me i'm a navigator aren't i?" Nami said and the crew got to work.

The Merry started to lift off but instead of falling down it started to fly up.

Chapter Text

~Third~

The Going Merry and her crew busted through the clouds but instead of falling back down through the clouds the ship landed on it, the whole crew was coughing and out of breath except Luffy and Nicole "What the what just happened to us? Everyone alright?"Zoro asked "Hey guys look out there what is that?"Luffy asked, all around them there was nothing but white clouds yet they were somehow floating on top of them as if it were a sea.

"What in the world?"Sanji asked "It's solid white!"Luffy said "They're clouds!"Chopper said "But how? Why aren't we falling?"Nami asked "Clouds float boats float same thing"Luffy said "No it's not"Zoro, Chopper, Sanji and Nicole told him.

Usopp was down for the count "Oh no Usopp! He's not breathing!"Chopper said "Someone do something mouth to mouth!"Luffy said, Usopp woke up just then "He's alive!"Chopper and Luffy cheered "I am?"Usopp asked before screaming as he saw nothing bu white around them "Then where are we? What's with all these clouds? They're everywhere!"he yelled.

"Basically it's an ocean in the sky"Nami said "No way seriously?"Usopp asked, Nami checked her log pose "But look the log pose is still pointing up"she said "Seems we still have some way to go up then"Nicole said "Wait you mean we have to travel even higher?"Chopper asked "That's what the log pose says at least"Robin said.

Usopp jumped into the cloud going for a swim "Hey uh he's not coming back up"Zoro said "You know if he swims too far he just might fall out of the cloud"Nicole said "Say what?"Sanji asked "Idiot! Did that fool just fall through the cloud?!"Zoro asked "Usopp!"Luffy said stretching his arm out to fish the sniper out of the cloud and with Robin using her powers to actually see where the long nose had went they caught him just as he was falling.

Luffy had some trouble pulling up Usopp and when he did the sniper didn't come out alone luring out all manner of sky creatures, Zoro and Sanji dealt with them though but it was a lot harder then it should have been and the boys were out of breath after the fact.

"This air it's so thin it's hard to breath"Zoro said "Then maybe you shouldn't pant like that, just take it slow"Nicole told him "What do you make of this? It's the strangest creature i've seen i'm not even sure it's a fish"Sanji said "That octopus thing was more like a big balloon"Luffy said "Yeah except balloons don't have teeth"Zoro said "But how can there be fish up here in the clouds?"Nami asked.

"You said it best yourself basically it's an ocean in the sky"Robin said "So what's this big snake thing?"Chopper asked "I don't know a flat fish?"Luffy asked "But it wasn't flat until Sanji kicked it"Chopper said, Usopp woke up and tossed out a fish from his pants.

"Hold on do you know what this is? I think it's one of the sky fish Noland described in his log, it sounded pretty fantastic at the time but now that i see it looks like these creatures have somehow evolved to survive up here in the clouds" Robin said looking at the fish "They evolved? You mean they turned all flat and ballooned and stuff?"Zoro asked "Interesting"Nicole muttered jotting down notes in her notebook.

"To make themselves even lighter the buoyancy up here must be several times weaker here then the ocean below"Robin said as Luffy grabbed the fish out of her hands probably to eat it "And they grew scale like feathers and those weird carnivore like mouths"Nami said, Nicole hummed nodding along as she was studying the big fish now that the small one was turned into a dish by Sanji.

Then Chopper saw something in the distance that freaked him out "Say what's wrong Chopper?" Sanji asked the reindeer "What's the deal you see something out there?"the cook asked "Yeah a ship it was there but then it split"Chopper said "Split? What do you mean Chopper?"Nicole asked walking over but Chopper was still freaking out about whatever he saw.

Then someone approached their ship "There's a guy running around out there"Sanji said as the guy jumped up "Hey stop what do you want?"Sanji asked "To destroy you!"the guy said "Oh is that all?"Sanji asked "He's mine"Zoro said "Who is what's going on?"Luffy asked as the kicked Sanji sending his crashing to the cabin as he jumped on board.

Zoro went to attack but was too slow and also got kicked, Luffy got kicked next, Nicole sliced at the guy which he barely dodged jumping high into the sky and taking aim just as it seemed they were about to blow up another mystery person appeared stopping the guy and sending them flying before landing on the ships railing.

"Oh great now who's this guy?"Nami asked, Nicole got ready to fight just in case "Miss you may call me the sky knight"the sky knight said, Nicole stayed on guard however watching him like a hawk "What's going on here who the heck was that guy? And you could you be any more worthless that was pathetic three to one"Nami said turning to the monster trio sitting on the deck catching their breaths.

"You saved us thanks a lot"Chopper said to the sky knight bowing in gratitude "Just doing my duty this ones on the house"the sky knight said "What gives? I feel so weak"Sanji said "Yeah i could barely move"Luffy said "It must be because of the thin air, however you don't seem bothered at all miss Hawkeye"Robin said.

"Let's just say i would train for months on end in the highest peaks the world had to offer" Nicole said "You must be blue sea people"the sky knight said walking up the stairs "Blue sea people what's that? And who are you?"Nami asked "As i said i am the sky knight and blue sea people is what we call those who live below the clouds, i'm assuming you've traveled here from the blue sea"sky knight said.

"Yeah that's right"Luffy said "Then that explains it, you've reached the white sea seven thousand meters in the air, the white white sea where i'm assuming you're heading is still further up about ten thousand meters, ordinary blue sea people can't possibly endure it here"the sky knight said as the monster trio was starting to get used to the thin air.

"That's just not possible"sky knight said "Well those guys are anything but ordinary i'm surprised it took them this long to get used to it"Nicole muttered "So mister knight why was that guy running around in the clouds attacking people?"Chopper asked "Now now not so fast no doubt you have many questions but first we have matters of business to discuss"the sky knight said.

"Business?"Nami asked "You see i am a solder for hire the white seas can be quite dangerous there are gorillas lurking about like the one you just faced who would like nothing more then to turn you into food for the sky fish but if you purchase a five million extol one whistle i'll protect you"the sky knight said.

"What are you talking about?"Luffy asked tilting his head "Now listen that price is quite reasonable i can't afford to lower it a single extol more i have to ear a living too"the sky knight said "Yeah but what the heck is an extol and what's this whistle thing or whatever"Sanji said "You don't know? You came here from the summit of high west didn't you? Surely you must have passed an island or two?"the sky knight asked.

"Nicole you've been on clouds before what's he talking about?"Nami asked "I have no idea, i don't remember anything about extols"Nicole said "Hey wait you're saying there was another way we could of gotten up here where we would have passed an island or two?"Nami asked turning to the sky knight.

"What? Don't tell me you traveled by way of"the knight was cut off "We rode up on the knock up stream"Robin said "My word that monstrous current? So there are still souls in the world brave enough to make the attempt"the sky knight said "I knew it that we risked our lives for nothing" Nami cried before shaking Luffy angrily "Are you happy? We all should have been killed! If we just asked around a little more we found have found a safer way to get up here!"she yelled at the rubber boy.

"Did you lose any of your crew?"the sky knight asked "No we all made it"Luffy said "Then you can consider yourself fortunate, had you taken a different route one or two of you would have survived the journey but the rest of you would have perished that's the gamble by way of the knock up stream either everyone survives or everyone dies those are the only two possible out comes not many are willing to accept that sort of all or nothing risk especially these days if nothing else i see now that you're navigators of exceptional bravery and skill"the sky knight said.

Usopp stood up and said lying trough his long nose "Yeah well i hate to take all the credit but see when things got scary and these were all screaming for their mommies i was the one who stood up and said"Nami pinched Usopp's cheek "Nothing at all"Usopp finished "Thought so"Nami said.

"This is the one whistle it is yours to use as you see fit should you find yourselves in danger you have but to blow it and i will come to your aid as i said normally i would charge you five million extol but for today please accept this as my gift to you"the sky knight said "But wait we still don't know your name!"Nami called to him "I am Gan Fall and this is my partner Pierre"Gan Fall said.

"Despite appearances Pierre is no ordinary bird, long ago he ate of a horse horse fruit and gained it's powers"Gan Fall said as the bird was transforming "What what powers?"Sanji asked "He is able to transform into a horse with wings namely"Gan Fall trailed off "Oh wow a Pegasus" Nami said getting sparkles around her "Yes a pegasus"Gan Fall said although this pegasus didn't look anything like the majestic winged horse of myths and legends.

"Wow that's something"the strawhats muttered in disappointment sweatdropping at the weird pegasus "May luck be with you brave warriors!"Gan Fall yelled as he flew? rode? off with Pierre the "pegasus"

"Am i the only one who finds that bizarre?"Sanji asked "No, you are not"Nicole said "I don't get it was there even a reason for it to transform?"Nami asked "Good question"the others muttered "In the end he really didn't tell us anything did he?"Robin asked "No, nothing actually"Usopp said "Well back to square one i guess"Sanji said.

"Yeah where are we supposed to go from here?"Zoro asked "I know let's call the old man back and ask him"Luffy said picking up the whistle and going to blow it when Usopp and Nami stopped him "Don't even think about it Luffy! You don't blow that whistle to ask for directions it's supposed to be for emergencies only!"Nami yelled at him "Yeah what if that gorilla guy comes back and attacks us again? You wanna get blown up?"Usopp asked.

"I tell you what for now let's just keep moving"Zoro said "Hey! Look over there you guys!"n Chopper yelled spotting something "Hmm? What is that?"Robin asked getting a look "Some kind of cloud"Chopper said "It looks more like a waterfall"Robin said "To me it looks like a way further up"Nicole said.

"Okay that settles it we go that way"Zoro said and the Going Merry set sail once more heading towards the cloud waterfall thing, "Hey hold up stop the boat here!"Nami called as they came to the base of the cloud waterfall thing "Hmm looks like the way's blocked"Robin said "What do we do?"Chopper asked "Those big clouds look like they're floating on top of the ocean sorta like icebergs"Sanji said.

"So what they're cloud bergs?"Usopp asked "Well there's obviously something different about them"Nami said "You don't suppose we could cut them?"Zoro asked Nicole "Hmm, i don't know i don't think i've tried cutting cloud before"Nicole said "Maybe i can grab a piece"Luffy said and stretched over but his punch bounced off the rubber boy got all excited and jumped over and started bouncing on the cloud.

"Hey look i'm not sinking! It's so fluffy and bouncy! It's great come on you guys gotta try this! Come on it's fun!"Luffy yelled bouncing around, Usopp and Chopped joined him and the kids started to play around "Hmm well we obviously can't sail through these clouds so we have to find a way to get around them somehow"Nami muttered.

"Hey you guys! See if you can spot a route the ship can take!"Nami yelled over to the kids "Yeah, right!"Luffy yelled back, the kids came back on the ship Usopp said he spotted a gate under the cloud waterfall thing "So there's a man made structure in the middle of the clouds?"Sanji said "At this rate i'm not sure anything we find up here would surprise me"Robin said.

"You know i once read i a book that people that have died must pass through a gate to reach heaven, maybe we really are dead"Nicole muttered "You just had to say that didn't you?!"Usopp yelled at her, anyway the ship reached the bottom of the cloud waterfall thing and just as Usopp had said there was a gate.

"Yep that's a gate alright"Sanji said "And look that weird cloud we saw really is some kind of waterfall it's coming down on top of those cloud bergs"Nami said "Hold on am i reading this right? Heaven's gate? What's that all about? Sounds like a place you go when you die"Usopp said reading the sign on the gate.

"Yeah? Well now that you mention it maybe we are dead you ever think about that huh?"Zoro asked "You know that would go a long way to explain this weird place"Sanji said "Personally i imagined all of this to be a little different"Nicole said "But i don't wanna be dead!"Chopper yelled, Luffy laughed "Who cares we're here right? Wherever this gate goes i'm going"Luffy said.

"Will you get serious?!"Nami yelled and bonked their heads "What was that for?"Zoro asked "If you're making a joke it's not funny"Nami said "So why'd you hit me too?"Chopper asked "Wait over there, there's somebody coming out"Usopp said pointing over to it.

"Look she's got wings!"Chopper said "Wow that's what sky people look like? She's so wrinkly" Luffy said "Uhm hello!"Nami said in greeting as she couldn't think of anything else "I am Amazon the heaven's gate inspector, state your business, sightseeing? Warmongering? Other?" the old woman asked.

"I guess it's kinda like sightseeing"Nami said "We wanna go to the sky islands, they're past this gate right?"Luffy asked "Can we say all of the above?"Zoro asked "It makes little difference but if you wish to proceed you must first pay the entrance fee of one billion extol per person that is the law"the old woman said.

"What? One billion?!"Usopp asked "They're really big on these extol things around here"Sanji muttered "I can't even count that high i wonder how much is that in berries?"Usopp wondered out loud "It's got to be a lot i mean a billion anything, it sounds expensive"Chopper said "A billion per person which makes eight billion total"Robin said.

"Something's fishy here, eight billion just to go through a stupid gate? I think the old bag is trying to scam us"Usopp said "Listen about the money what if you know we don't have it?"Nami asked the old woman "You may still pass"she said "What? Seriously?"Usopp asked "The choice is yours i certainly won't try to stop you"the old woman said "Huh?"the crew asked.

"My job description does not actually require me to guard the gate i'm merely here to ask your intentions"the old woman said "So that settles it we wanna go to the sky islands"Luffy said "But we don't have the money so we can pay you"Usopp said "Very well, the eight of you then?"the old woman asked.

"Yeah except we still need you to tell us how to get there"Luffy said then a couple of pincers grabbed the side of their ship "What the heck is that?!"Luffy asked "The white seas famous express lobster"the old woman said before the lobster took off taking the Going Merry up the cloud waterfall thing.

Chapter Text

~Third~

The Going Merry and her crew breached through clouds once more as they finally reached the height of one hundred thousand meters up in the sky "There it is!"Luffy said as sky island loomed straight infront of them "Wait didn't the sign we pass say Skypiea?"Robin asked "Yeah that's the same name scribbled on the map that Luffy found"Nami said.

"So i guess that galleon that fell on us actually did come here, the last time they set eyes on this was two hundred years ago i'm amazed this place has stayed beautiful for so long"Nami said as the ship reached the shores of the island, Luffy, Usopp and Chopper ran off to the shore, Nami went to change.

"You know Luffy we have a bit of a problem there's no sea bed so we can't drop anchor!"Zoro called over to the rubber boy "You know i thought about that and who cares!"Luffy called back before getting playfully shoved by Usopp, Nicole giggled a bit "Don't worry about it too much i bet we won't have to worry about a storm washing the ship away this high up"she said patting his chest as she walked past "Where are you going?"he asked "I'm gonna change, this shirt is too stuffy"she called before going into the cabin, Zoro shrugged and dropped anchor anyway.

"Well regardless of how the ground may feel it sure is an amazing sight better then i imagined" Zoro muttered "It's a sight for sure but i think our shipmates are overreacting bugs me when they get all worked up"Sanji said taking off his shoes before jumping off the ship "When they get all worked up?"Zoro muttered with a sweatdrop.

"Oh you're hurting me i said i was sorry!"Nami said as she came out of the cabin having changed clothes and with the south bird that flew off once it was outside "We forgot about the south bird we really should have let him go he'll never survive here"Nami said "I wouldn't sweat it birds adapt very quickly to their environments, or so Nicole has told me, and if not there seem to be people living up here don't worry about it he'll be fine"Zoro said.

"Yeah i guess, hey the anchor"Nami said "All taken care of it hit the heavier cloud below which is what i think this place is floating on"Zoro said "That means that sky island floats on a sea of cloud cover i wonder if its stationary in the sky or if it moves with the tide"Robin wondered outloud also having changed clothes "We can sit on deck all day and pick this whole thing apart but come on what fun would that be? Fact is most of this makes zero sense so let's make the best of it"Nami said jumping off the ship.

"This is why we came here you guys welcome to sky island"Nami said and laughed as she ran off "Swordsman you joining us?"Robin asked turning to Zoro "Yeah, i'll be along soon, just waiting on Nicole"the swordsman said, "You two have it easy"Robin said looking over to the shore with a somewhat sad look in her eyes that didn't go unnoticed by the swordsman "The only thing standing between your relationship is pride"she said before quickly changing her mood as she jumped off the ship.

Nicole walked out just then having changed her shirt for a spaghetti strapped crop top, which of course was black, she had also switched to torn cropped jeans that were about as long as her usual skirt, today she was letting her hair flow free as usual the pin securely on her sword as usual, the sword on a belt loop hanging at her left side and all her various necklaces stored safely in her room with other valuables, she had also switched from her usual boots to strap on sandals, she looked over to Zoro noticing him staring at her "What?"she asked "You look good" Zoro said.

Nicole blushed at the comment "Shut up"she grumbled jumping off the ship, Zoro chuckled taking off his boots and following her to the shore, "I didn't figure i'd get wet walking through clouds"Zoro muttered as him and Nicole reached the shore "Huh? What's that?"Zoro asked noticing something, Nicole looked over "Zoro that's not -"she went to say but was cut off Zoro went and used the fluffy thing like a towel, she sighed a bit as Zoro finally noticed his error "Oh sorry"he said letting go of the creature.

Nicole knelt down and smiled at the small fox like thing "I'm sorry about my friend he's an idiot you see"she said "Hey!"Zoro protested, Nicole ignored him offering her hand for the fox to smell, she stayed absolutely still as the fox sniffed her and ever so slightly nudged her hand, Nicole smiled as she petted the fox "You are fluffy like a towel, such a cute little thing"she said scratching the fox's chin "Su!"the fox said happily.

Then they heard a harp being played "Look there's someone over there on that cloud"Zoro said pointing over to the person "Oh great i bet it's another monster"Usopp said "Where's the whistle? Where's the whistle? We can ask the sky knight to save us"Chopper said "No we can't that's not who you think it is that right there is an angel"Sanji said "Angel?"Usopp asked.

"Heso"the angel greeted "Heso?"Luffy asked "You think she's trying to say hello?"Usopp asked "Could be, bet this place has a different language"Nicole said the fox cuddled up in her arms now enjoying head rubs "Su come here"the angel said and the fox jumped out of Nicole's arms leaving her pouting a bit.

"Did you come from the blue sea world?"the angel asked walking over to them "If that's what you call it we sailed up a river of clouds to get here, speaking of here is this your home?"Luffy asked "Yes it sure is and i'd like to welcome you to Skypiea's angel beach, i bet you'd like to drink that"the angel said referring to the pumpkin like fruit Luffy was holding.

Luffy nodded as he handed to fruit over "The top of a conache is as hard as steel it's impossible to crack so you have to cut through to the under side like this"the angel said cutting into the fruit "Here you go"the angel said handing the fruit back after sticking a straw into it.

"My name is Conis and this little one is Su, she's a cloud fox if you need anything at all please let me be of service"Conis said "Actually we've got tons of questions i hate to bother you but we've never been to any place like this before"Nami said "Sure ask me anything you wanna know" Conis said "Guys look something's coming"Zoro said looking over as someone was approaching them.

"Oh that's my father"Conis said "Heso Conis!"the man called "Heso father!"Conis called back to him "Can't you say hello like normal people?"Luffy asked "Huh? Conis what's that thing he's riding on?"Nami asked "Ah that would be my fathers waver"Conis said "Wow that's awesome!" Luffy said "Hey didn't Noland's log book mention something about a waver?"Nicole asked "Oh yeah"Nami said recalling that as well.

The man came in crashing in to the shore "Oh my goodness is everyone alright?"the man asked "You're the one who crashed!"Zoro yelled at him "Hey Luffy didn't you bring back something like that waver from the seabed?"Nami asked turning to the rubber boy "Oh yeah i did didn't i"Luffy said.

"Did you make some new friends Conis?"the man asked "Yes they arrived a few minutes ago from the blue sea world"Conis said "Oh still adjusting, there must be a great many things that puzzle you about the white white sea i'm sorry"the man said "There's no need to apologize" Usopp said "Forgive me for not introducing myself sooner my name is Pagaya"the man said.

"oh uh it's very nice to meet you"Usopp said "So father how was the fishing today?"Conis asked "Quite a successful venture i have an idea you should all come for dinner, we'll fill your bellies with a taste of the island"Pagaya said "I'm all for that i'm starving"Luffy said "Sky island cuisine? You mind if i help you prepare it?"Sanji asked "Not at all"Pagaya said "Before we go i have a question, this boat it doesn't have any sails to catch the wind and you weren't rowing it either so how does it propel through the water?"Nami asked.

"Oh of course your people aren't familiar with dials are they?"Conis asked "What's a dial?"Luffy asked, Pagaya let the rubber boy try out the waver but he crashed rather quickly "Oh no i hope he's alright"Conis said "It's all my fault i shouldn't have let a rookie use a waver"Pagaya said "Since Luffy can't swim i hope this sea is more buoyant then ours"Sanji said "Maybe if he can stay floating in the air then you're probably right he can handle it"Zoro said.

"Oh look he's already drowning"Nicole said as Luffy sunk into the cloud sea "Huh he sank"Sanji said "Not the first time i've been wrong"Zoro said "Ah i'll save you!"Chopper yelled diving in after, Zoro and Usopp went to fish them out and dragged them back to shore "That was close"Sanji muttered "You were standing on the beach what do you know about close? Oh yeah thanks for all the help by the way!"Zoro said.

"No need to be snappy, you handled it fine on your own"Nicole said "I apologize for letting him take the waver out with its light weight even a small wave can shake the rudder unless you know the white white sea like the back of your hand the waver is almost impossible to ride again i am sorry"Pagaya said.

"It's only recently that i became good enough to ride it"Conis said "Whoa is it really that hard?" Chopper asked "It usually takes ten years of training to drive it"Pagaya said "You gotta be joking!"Chopper said "Well Nami seems to be handling the waver just fine"Nicole said pointing over to the navigator cruising along on the waver like a pro "Wow look at her go!"Usopp yelled.

"That's incredibly i can't believe it, this is her first time?"Pagaya asked "Yeah how come she can do it and i can't?!"Luffy yelled "Wow! This really requires skill no wonder you had a hard time Luffy!"Nami called and laughed "Nami we're invited to dinner so get off that thing and stop being so rude!"Luffy yelled at her only to get kicked by Sanji "Talk about rude"he said.

"Stupid waver hog!"Luffy yelled "Go on ahead if it's alright with Pagaya i'd like to stay out here and ride!"Nami yelled "That's fine just be careful!"Pagaya yelled back, Nicole pouted a bit "You just know she's gonna be on that all day, i wanted to try too"she muttered, Zoro patted her head having heard her "You'll get your chance"he said "Doubt it"she muttered pushing his arm off and following the others as they were lead by Conis and Pagaya to their home.

"Wow is that some kind of factory?"Usopp asked noting something on the way there "Indeed it is that is our cloud quarry sight it's where our clouds are manufactured and cut to meet all types of needs"Pagaya said "I didn't know you could cut cloud"Zoro and Nicole muttered "You did take the milky road to get to the white white sea correct?"Pagaya asked "Milky road? Is that the name of that messed up current we took up here?"Zoro asked.

"Yes it's a canal constructed by our engineers and made from the natural clouds we quarry, there are actually two types of natural cloud on our island your ship landed on top what we call sea clouds and the ones that stand on their own where we can live and build on are called island clouds"Pagaya said.

"They're not the normal clouds we're used to are they?"Zoro asked "No they're composition nucleus is different from what you usually see it has to do with the mineral found in the blue sea world called sea prism stone"Pagaya said "Sea prism stone? What effect does that have on the clouds?"Robin asked.

"It's like this inside the sea prism are particles called pyrobrine during volcanic eruptions these particles gain moisture and ascend into the sky our clouds are formed based on the density of the moisture"Pagaya explained "Oh yeah i heard about those things"Luffy said "Sure i remember that from when i was a kid"Usopp said "Enough sarcasm"Sanji told them.

"In all actuality there are three types of clouds that we use in our day to day the sea and island types are natural the man made ones come from island clouds, now if you'll follow me please" Pagaya said showing the way to his home.

While Sanji and Pagaya went into the kitchen the rest of the Strawhats relaxed in the living room, Zoro immediately taking a seat on a couch with Nicole quickly following sitting next to him, Robin taking a seat as well, Chopper sitting across from her and Usopp and Luffy just stood around, there was some commotion from the kitchen but we're gonna ignore that.

"So uh i was wondering could you explain more about these dials you mentioned earlier?"Robin asked "Sure but it's complex i don't know exactly where to start"Conis said handing an ordinary looking sea shell to Luffy "This doesn't look like a dial it's just a sea shell"he said "Yes at first glance but why don't you put it to your mouth and talk"Conis said.

"Like this?"Luffy asked holding the shell close to his face "Usopp stinks"he spoke into the shell "Why do you always pick on me?!"Usopp asked "No just press down on the apex of the shell" Conis said but Luffy didn't get what apex meant so Usopp pushed it for him as he explained it "Usopp stinks"Luffy's voice came clear from the shell.

"The sea shells making fun of Usopp too!"Luffy yelled "What did i ever do to you sea shell?!" Usopp asked "Hey that's a neat trick, so it can store any sound and play it back?"Zoro asked "Then that shell is one of the dials"Robin said "Yes we call this one a tone dial, it's a shell that records whatever it hears"Conis said.

"Hey hold on i didn't think there was a bottom to your sea where do these things live anyway?" Zoro asked "They live in the shallows and the cloud reefs"Conis said "I still don't see how that little thing could move your fathers sky waver"Robin said "Well that's because this is the kind that powers the waver, it's smaller but it does demonstrate the same process"Conis said and showed on the wind chime that the shell she picked up blew out air.

"This is called a breath dial, it allows to store the wind and expel it at your desire, the wind capacity varies on the size of the shell, if you attach the right size to the stern of a ship you can move along swiftly"Conis said "So the bigger the dial the faster the waver?"Nicole asked "That's right"Conis nodded "I've never heard of anything like that"Robin said "I get it now the waver moved by blowing a stream of wind through the water"Usopp said.

"Dials don't just power wavers there's also the skating kind, the board kind but i don't go for those the waver is about as crazy as i get"Conis said "I wish i was out there on that thing instead of Nami and i could be if we figure out how to fix the one we have"Luffy said "How did you ever find a waver in your world?"Conis asked "Well it's kinda hard to tell if that's what it is you know? That hunk of junk is two hundred years old and a total reack there's no way it works"Usopp said.

"That might not be the case, dials are made from the remains of dead shell fish they could last indefinitely so long as the shell itself isn't broken you might get lucky"Conis said "I told you so!"Luffy said "You never said anything like that"Usopp said "I know"Luffy said.

"I'd venture a guess there are many types of dials is this one here?"Robin asked pointing to the one on the table "Yes that's a lamp dial"Conis said switching the lamp on "Neat it lit up from inside"Chopper said "Right there are flame dials that store heat and fire, flavor dials that store taste and aromas and vision dials that store everything the user sees which you can watch again and again"Conis said.

"I wanna live in the clouds for the rest of my life"Chopper cried "To be honest we couldn't sustain life in the clouds without these dials, our culture has evolved with the dials i suppose in the same way they evolved with the white white sea"Conis said as Zoro had fallen asleep snoring loudly, Nicole jabbed him waking him up "Let me nap damn woman"Zoro grumbled "I will, later though"Nicole said.

"Ladies and gentlemen dinner is served we have for you sky lobster with special sauce and a side of island fruits i can't pronounce"Sanji said serving said dinner and everyone dug in "Hey guys any of you know where Nami is?"Sanji asked "I think she's riding the waver"Luffy said stuffing his face "I don't see her"Sanji said.

"She probably went out too far, she's like that who cares you should have some of this"Usopp said "I'm worried do you think she's okay?"Conis asked her father "I have my concern but i can't say one way or the other"Pagaya said "What're you talking about?"Luffy asked "In the clouds there's a place called the Upper Yard no one is ever allowed to step foot on, it's not too far away it would only be a short trip by waver from here i'm afraid your friend Nami might have set ashore there out of curiosity"Conis said.

"What's so bad that no one can ever go to this island? Is it full of monster?"Usopp asked "It's sacred ground"Conis said "Sacred ground?"Robin asked Conis nodded "But it's so much more then just that it's the island where god lives"Conis said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"There's actually a god? And he lives on an island up here that no one is allowed to walk on?" Luffy asked "Right"Conis nodded "You mean the god? The same one from all the old stories and he actually lives on the island next door to you?"Chopper asked "He does i'm sure that everyone noticed the big sign that said god land Skypiea that means this land is ruled by the all mighty god Eneru"Conis said.

"Eneru? I've never heard of a god with that name before"Nicole said "He knows and sees everything, he's truly omniscient"Conis said "Everything?"Usopp asked Conis nodded "He keeps his all seeing eyes focused on everyone always"Conis said "For real?"Usopp asked "Like right now?"Luffy asked.

"Oh yes"Conis said "I hate when people stare at me and i can't see them"Chopper said, Zoro scoffed "God huh?"he muttered "Wait you don't believe in god? Why not?"Chopper asked "Well for me i don't see proof of it one way or another and to be honest i don't really care to but if you want to go ahead, it's not up to me to deny anyone their beliefs"Zoro said.

"I'm on the same boat, i've heard of countless gods, sometimes wars are fought over which side has the "right" so called god, i don't see the point, you're welcome to believe what you want but i don't see the point of believing in a greater force, you're in control of your own life, although you're also welcomed to believe there is no control, personally i don't buy it"Nicole said.

"So Conis if this guy Eneru lives on the Upper Yard which is so close you must have set eyes upon him before?"Sanji asked switching the topic "Absolutely not it's forbidden to go there, the upper yard is sacred ground and only for our god to rest, i'm sorry"Conis said.

"I see a place we're not allowed to go to no matter what huh?"Luffy asked sparkling in excitement "I've seen that look in your eyes before Luffy and it always gets us into trouble, when the lady says we can't go there because it's sacred or whatever that's exactly what she means we cannot go there i'm not letting you drag me down with you this time"Usopp said shaking the rubber boy around.

"No hey i understand we're not supposed to go there"Luffy said with a big grin, he totally wanted to go there, "Come on you really think i'm the kind of guy who would do that?"Luffy asked munching on bread 'Yes absolutely' the crew thought with sweatdrops.

"Hey wait if this guy is god shouldn't he forgive you no matter what you do? Walking around on some forbidden island doesn't seem like a big deal to me"Luffy said "No braking any laws put forth by our lord is nothing less then sacrilegious"Conis said "Sound more like this is just some guy you give the title of god to"Nicole muttered but no one seemed to hear her.

"Well i guess it doesn't matter either way"Luffy said his mouth full from stuffing it "Tell me i assume there are some vicious and dramatic consequences of entering the upper yard do you know what they are?"Robin asked "Yeah i do"Conis said "What are they?"Zoro asked "It is our belief that if you go there you will not return alive"Pagaya said "Everyone who goes there dies?!" Usopp asked.

"I must admit i'm just as worried about Nami as all of you are i hope she hasn't sailed too close to the upper yard"Pagaya said, Sanji started yelling over the balcony for Nami in an absolute panic, "Alright let's go and find her we're wasting time"Luffy said "You don't wanna go find Nami you just wanna go to quench the thirst of doing exactly the opposite of what you're told!"Usopp yelled shaking the rubber boy around again.

~skip~

"Luffy we gotta get going"Sanji said but Luffy ignored the cook still stuffing his face "Fine don't listen to me but i'm going to make you feel awful if something happens to Nami while you're busy stuffing your face the food will be here when we get back"Sanji said but Luffy still wasn't listening.

"Conis i know this guy i could be here all day, could you tell me how to get to the upper yard i gotta go help Nami"Sanji said "But you don't know for sure, about Nami she might be out there somewhere on the clouds and nowhere near the upper yard i mean"Conis trailed off "I can't explain how devastating it would be to encore the wrath of our god Eneru"she said "This Eneru guy doesn't sound like the nicest guy to be around"Chopper said "He doesn't have to be, he's god"Zoro said.

~skip~

"Time to set sail for the place of no return that we're not supposed to go to anyway!"Luffy said "I am so sorry there's no head wind blowing if you set sail at this time you'd spend an extraordinary amount of time getting to the upper yard"Pagaya said "What?"Luffy asked "So what's an extraordinary amount of time?"Usopp asked "It's exponentially longer then it would be if your ship was powered by using our dial energies but it's not"Pagaya said.

"That's real nice but we need a number"Sanji said "Sorry only the wind knows your answer" Pagaya said "Oh of course the wind"Usopp said "Old man you gotta know of a faster way to get use there other then sitting here and waiting for the wind to pick up"Luffy said.

"See Luffy it doesn't matter what we do you're always gonna find a way to put me in danger i can't live like this"Usopp said "What't your problem?"Luffy asked "I'm nervous"Usopp said.

~skip~

"Yeah! Finally we have some place dangerous to go! I can't sit around on this beach and wait for the wind to pick up any longer!"Luffy said taking the busted up old waver he had found out on the white white sea but the little boat like this flipped over before he could even get it moving.

"What an idiot"Zoro said "How could he possibly not know that was going to happen?"Usopp asked as Luffy sank "So uhm does anyone wanna save him?"Chopper asked "Let him drown"the other said while Nicole just sighed "I got it"she said jumping in and fishing the rubber boy out.

"Man you're such a pain you know that?"Zoro asked Luffy pressing down on the rubber boys ballooned stomach to make him spit out the cloud water whatever as Nicole was wringing out her hair.

"Hmm so this is your old waver huh? You should take better care of it"Pagaya said examining it "It's not ours we found it like that"Usopp said "Would you like me to take a look at it? Assuming it's fixable i should be able to do that for you"Pagaya said "How would you know how to fix it?"Luffy asked "I'm an engineer that specialises in dial ships so i should know"Pagaya said "Yeah really then what are you waiting for?"Luffy asked.

~skip~

While Pagaya was fixing the waver, Chopper and Usopp were playing with clouds like snow making sculptures, Zoro and Nicole were napping on the ship being watched over by Robin, "So can you fix it?"Luffy asked Pagaya "I've never seem parts like these before"Pagaya said "Come on just fix it already"Luffy said "I'm sorry but until i have a chance to look at this closer i don't know if i can fix it"Pagaya said.

"Will you at least try?"Luffy asked "Yes of course"Pagaya said, then Luffy noticed a group approaching them "Looks like we have company"he said "You there on the beach! Don't move!" someone from the group yelled waking up Zoro and Nicole "Does he mean us?"Luffy asked, the group got closer as they crawled on the ground "Hey uh why are they crawling?"Sanji asked "Who knows i mean they've obviously got issues"Usopp said "Cause they're crawling around like crabs?"Chopper asked.

"White Berets halt!"the leader of the group said as Nicole, Zoro and Robin joined the others on the beach, "Heso!"the white berets greeted Conis and her father greeted them back "What are they?"Zoro asked "This places military?"Nicole ventured a guess "Usopp said they have issues" Chopper said "Well look what we have here you must be the blue sea people who have illegally entered the sovereign land of Skypiea"the leader said.

"Huh?"Luffy asked "Prepare to have the weight of heavens judgment brought down upon you!" the leader said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Well look what we have here you must be the blue sea people who have illegally entered the sovereign land of Skypiea"the leader said "Huh?"Luffy asked "Prepare to have the weight of heavens judgment brought down upon you!" the leader said Conis gasped "You're calling them criminals?"Pagaya asked.

"Illegal entry? What's that?"Luffy asked "Let's just say it's not good"Pagaya said "Don't waste your time making excuses, Amazon who stands at the gate captured these very images using her vision dial"the leader said pulling out pictures from his pocket "No wait that can't be, i think this all a big misunderstanding captain McKinley they're not the criminals you're making them out to be"Pagaya said.

"What do you mean by illegal entry?"Sanji asked "Does this have to do with that ridiculous one billion extol entrance fee? Because we didn't pay her a thing"Robin said "Didn't that old lady say we didn't have to pay it? It's not like she tried to stop us"Usopp said "I guess it's illegal to enter without paying"Nicole said.

"Enough there's no sense in trying to deny it, now fess up, don't worry you need not become panicked just yet according to heaven's judgment illegal entry is only an eleventh degree crime, once you accept your punishment which will be minimal you'll become legal tourist on the spot and may go about your business"McKinley said.

"Well he should have told us that sooner but before we accept what exactly you have planned as far as punishment?"Sanji asked "A mere slap on the wrist all you have to do is pay ten times the entry fee of course if you pay immediately we'll pretend this little episode never happened so ten billion per person times eight people makes your total eighty billion extols cash only" McKinley said.

"Wait seventy billion extols? That sounds like an awful lot of money how much is that in berry?" Usopp asked "That's the currency used in the blue sea right? Today's exchange range is ten thousand extols per beri"McKinley said Usopp started doing the math but was totally wrong "Eighty billion extols is eight million berries genius"Robin corrected him.

"Get real do you realize how expensive that is? After risking our lives coming to this place why should we have to pay a stupid fee just to enter your precious city? We can't agree to that"Sanji said "You brought this on yourselves if you just had paid the eight hundred thousand berries in the first place we wouldn't be having this talk"McKinley said "That's still a lot!"Usopp yelled at him.

"Hey forget it just ignore them, let's go get Nami she might be lost somewhere and crying right now"Sanji said turning to the others "I will give you a warning, we are the White Beret direct servants of the high priest, if you continue to deny your criminal status will worsen! Also this waver it looks broken! If you broke it then it's a class 10 crime, the one about citizens of blue sea braking properties in sky island"McKinley said.

"No no no excuse me this was theirs to begin with"Pagaya said "Yup it's mine"Luffy cut it "Theirs? There shouldn't be wavers in the blue seas if this was stolen from sky island it's a class nine crime"McKinley said "So noisy stop or i will really send you flying with a punch"Luffy said starting to get annoyed.

"Please wait!!!"Nami called as she approached from the distance "Nami~swan!"Sanji called to her with heart eyes "Luffy! Promise you won't start any trouble okay?!"Nami called over as she rode closer with a waver "Don't know if i can keep that promise"Luffy said "Hey! Nami we need you to fork over eight million berries from your stash to pay for all the fines we got!"Usopp yelled over.

"Oh good so we pay the fine and we're clear, did he say eight million?"Nami asked before speeding up the waver and crashing into McKinley and sending him flying "You're ripping us off!"she yelled and came to a stop before pulling the waver over to Pagaya "Hey thanks for letting me use your waver i love the way it handles"Nami said.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it but more importantly do you realize how much trouble you're in now?" Pagaya asked "Guys let's make ourselves scares"Nami said noticing the guy she had crashed into had hit a wall quite literally "Aren't you gonna finish the fight you just started?"Luffy asked "Trust me this Eneru is not someone we wanna mess with"Nami said.

"I assume that's another crime on our records"Zoro said "Oh yes quite and knocking out an official is a crime of the fifth degree"Pagaya said "Fifth huh? Could be worse"Usopp said "That's not good at all once you're found guilty of a fifth degree crime all mighty Eneru will banish you to the land of the drifting clouds"Conis said "How's that bad?"Usopp asked.

"Land of the drifting clouds? That sounds like fun"Luffy said "It's a death sentence, you die" Conis said "We die?!"the coward trio freaked out "You really got him good Nami"Zoro said as McKinley was still knocked out "But come on a death sentence in gods land? It's quite a contradiction"Zoro said.

"But it's the truth this is very serious they put you and your ship on a small cloud and send you drifting with no chance of rescue or escape, you'll eventually die a slow and painful death it's terrible"Conis said "Interesting that must be why we saw that ship fall from the sky"Robin said "Wait what are you talking about?"Usopp asked.

"Don't you remember that galleon we saw falling? The Saint Briss i think it was called for all we know that crew could have been punished over two hundred years ago"Robin said, Usopp recalled that and gulped in fear.

"You criminals!"the white berets said "You scum know what you've done to our captain?"one asked "Who cares"Sanji said "Sanji let me handle this"Nami said "Anything for you!"Sanji said with heart eyes "Don't take it so personally it was a lucky shot"Nami said "A lucky shot?!"one beret asked "Completely unintentional"Nami said.

"You're lying!"one beret said "No i'm telling you the truth it was an accident i swear"Nami said "An accident?!"the same beret asked "Uh okay guys look try wrapping your heads around this, it was an accident because those wavers are really hard to control and it was my first time to ever pilot one so i made a little mistake while i was turning, yeah i'll admit that makes me clumsy but can you blame a beginner for messing up and nearly killing your boss?"Nami asked.

"That's weird seemed like you had a pretty good handle on it for me"Luffy said earning a glare from Nami "Zip it Luffy, Nami's trying to trick them into thinking it was an accident don't blow it okay?"Usopp whispered to the rubber boy putting him in a head lock "Alright"Luffy said.

"Gentlemen as important as your investigation is perhaps it would be best to get the captain to a doctor first just a thought"Pagaya said "Oh right the captain"one beret said as the others panicked "Now there's no reason to panic let's take him to my house"Pagaya said "We'll get right on that"one beret said and they transported the injured captain to Pagaya's house.

"Consider yourselves under preliminary arrest don't go anywhere got it?"one beret told the Strawhats as they crawled away "I just know you guys aren't as bad as they claim you are so take this chance and get out of here"Conis said before going after her father and the white beret.

"I think we better take her advice when i was on the waver i saw it for myself an island filled with monster"Nami said shocking Usopp and Chopper "Great so you did exactly what everyone was hoping you wouldn't do"Zoro said "You mean the place we were told to never ever set foot on? And there's monster?"Luffy asked only getting more excited.

"It's nothing to get excited about Luffy the last thing we need is to get involved with this regardless we're leaving now let's go, if we stick around any longer Conis and Pagaya might get in trouble because of us"Nami said "That's true those white beret will charge them as our accomplices if we can escape now on our own then it shouldn't cause them any trouble right? After all how can they be helping us when they're with that captain"Usopp said.

"By buying us time to escape, you gotta think of the big picture here, i hate to say it but those two might already be in trouble just because they were seen with us"Nicole said "She has a point but they'll be in even more trouble if we stick around"Nami said "Yeah so let's go"Usopp said and started heading back to the ship.

"Luffy what are you doing?"Nami asked noticing Luffy was staying behind "Why are we running away?"Luffy asked "Because we're in trouble"Nami said "So what we're always in trouble"Luffy said "It's not about just us anymore if we don't leave Conis and Pagaya could get arrested too"Nami said.

"They haven't done anything, whoever arrests them is an idiot"Luffy said "I know that but"Nami trailed off "Can't you two argue on the boat come on"Usopp said "How many times do i have to tell you staying here brings more trouble for everybody!"Nami said "We're in trouble no matter what"Luffy said as the white berets appeared again.

"Save yourselves! Please go!"Conis told them "Ugh just great"Nami said "Be careful miss, if you say anything to defend these criminals i will consider you and your father accomplices these people must be punished to the full extent of the law for all the abusive language and deplorable violence, i find them guilty of fifth degree crimes in the name of all mighty Eneru you're banished to drift in the clouds for eternity"McKinley said.

"I told you it was an accident oh forget it"Nami said grabbing Luffy "Arrest them!"McKinley yelled and the white berets started attacking, however Luffy defeated them pretty quickly, Zoro, Sanji and Nicole defeated any remainders further more Nicole took this opportunity to swipe the cloud skates off the guy she defeated, she had wanted try these ever since she heard of them.

"Nami how's the money situation looking?!"Zoro called over to the navigator "Fifty thousand berries left!"Nami yelled back from the ship "Fifty thousand we're that broke?!"Zoro asked "Normally that would last us a day or two at most!"Nami yelled back.

"What's the deal why are we so poor? Listen up everybody your captain has something to say everybody needs to be more good with money from now on!"Luffy announced "So lead by example!"Sanji yelled at the rubber boy "Sorry criminals you have no chance of escape!" McKinley yelled still conscious even though he was blown into the woods.

"You should have behaved and done what i told you to do of all of the upholders of law here in Skypiea we white berets are the most lenient however they are not nearly as forgiving, congratulations you are no considered second degree criminals you can try to cry for mercy but you will all be judged by the priest of upper yard!"McKinley yelled pointing at them.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"What's wrong with those guys?"Luffy muttered after the White Berets left "Forget them that old lady ratted us out, she lied to us she said it was okay for us to pass through"Nami said "Technically she didn't lie, she just didn't mention we'd be branded as criminals if we didn't pay the entry fee"Nicole said "Yeah i guess you have a point"Nami said hanging her head down.

"In any case you're in a great deal of trouble you're now second degree criminals and as such i'm afraid Conis and i cannot assist you any longer"Pagaya said far away from the group "Why are you talking to us from way over there?!"Nami asked "I really don't see what the big deal is. i'm surprised you're not used to this by now"Luffy said laughing a bit.

"I've been meaning to ask why'd you come back Nami?"Luffy asked "What?"Nami asked "We were finally gonna get to set sail and head on an amazing adventure until you - i mean we were about to come looking for you we were getting worried"Luffy said laughing sheepishly "I think you and i need to have a little talk"Nami said before hitting Luffy.

"Forget about your big adventure! It's never gonna happen you haven't seen what i've seen that island is full of the type of people you don't wanna mess with and i don't care who you think you are, granted we don't know what this guy is but his power is real and there's no way i'm going back there again so forget it got me?!"Nami asked as she hit Luffy repeatedly.

"How about you just relax here while the rest of us go?"Luffy asked "We're wanted criminals i'm not staying a minute longer here either"Nami said, Luffy stretched his head over "Are you nuts? Get your priorities straight, the adventure is always the most important part!"he said "My priorities are life first then money!"Nami said showing Luffy's head in the clouds.

"Please tell me i'm third on that list?"Sanji asked going over to her with heart eyes "Don't push me!"she said punching him away "He brings a good point we put all of our energy to just trying to get up here but we never really thought about how we were gonna get back"Usopp said "Really? I thought we could just sail to the edge of the cloud and fall of the edge, it would be super easy, barely an inconvenience"Nicole said shrugging a bit.

"You're crazy! We'd just crash into the sea!"Usopp yelled at her "Yeah yeah, who cares, we'll manage"Nicole said waving it off, Usopp sweatdropped "Is there a safe way to the blue sea world? Can we even go home again?"he asked turning to Conis and Pagaya "There is a way but i'm afraid at this juncture it's no longer safe, your only escape is to make your way to Cloud End from there you can travel home"Conis said.

"What's cloud end? And how are we supposed to get there?"Usopp asked "It's a region that lies far to the east the only way for you to get there is to travel across the white white sea"Conis said "Okay do we sail east and we eventually get home"Usopp said "But i don't wanna go home" Luffy whined a bit, he wanted his big adventure "Your other option is to stay and get sentenced to death"Usopp said.

"Listen to me i don't want you causing any more trouble for Conis and her dad"Nami said pointing at Luffy "No don't worry about us"Conis said "Even if we leave right now there's no guarantee we'll make a clean escape we don't have any time to lose so just get on the ship, you'll have your big adventure i promise but right now we need to get going, so come on everybody let's set sail"Nami said leading the group over to the Going Merry.

But then Luffy thought of something "Hey old man!"he said turning to Pagaya "What is it Luffy?" Pagaya asked "Can i ask a favor do you mind if i take the left overs from earlier?"Luffy asked running over to Pagaya "Of course not they're all yours"he said and Luffy cheered "Come on Sanji make us lunch"he said.

"Glad you have priorities"Sanji said "In that case can i ask for a tiny little favor too?"Usopp asked "You're an engineer right? I don't suppose you could spare any parts or tools to fix our ship?"he asked walking over as well "What's mine is your Usopp you're free to take whatever you need" Pagaya said, the group split with the rest going to the Merry.

"You know there's no persuading Luffy of anything he won't listen even if we all gang up on him" Zoro told Nami "He's right you know, Luffy wants a big adventure he's gonna get a big adventure, it's better to just go with the flow"Nicole said following "We'll i guess i'll just stay put"Nami said "Well you're free to do whatever you want"Zoro said "I know that! But if i stay here i'll be killed!"Nami said.

"Yep quite a predicament"Zoro said leaning on the mast as he fell asleep taking a nap "Why are you being so snappy anyway? Not like our lives aren't threatened on a daily basis, you're gonna end up having a heart attack and die young if you keep stressing about it"Nicole said leaning on Zoro as she too took a nap.

Nicole yelped falling on Zoro as the Merry started rocking like crazy, Zoro woke up and blushed his face inches in front of Nicole's, Nicole didn't notice as she got up in a rush "What's going on?"she asked going over to the others "I think we're being dragged away but by what?"Nami asked looking over the railing "You sure we're not caught in the current Conis told us about?" Zoro asked.

"No i think we have a bigger issue here"Robin said as the ship was being dragged away by a giant lobster "Guys we're being hijacked we'll have to abonden ship! Come on we gotta move now while we still have time!"Zoro said as the others were holding on to the ship for dear life "We can't leave the ship! Without her we won't be able to go back home!"Chopper said "Then i'll stay behind just go now!"Zoro yelled.

"What?! No you won't!"Nicole yelled at him "Yeah forget it! You can't defend the whole ship by yourself!"Nami yelled "I'll manage!"Zoro yelled jumping down "Zoro!"Nicole called rushing over and grabbing on the railing watching him as Zoro tried and failed to cut the lobster he only managed to crack the hard shell "I don't think that will get you anywhere, come back on board"Robin said lowering the rope ladder.

"Why should i?"Zoro said looking over "You'll never be able to significantly damage that creature and we've got bigger problems now, look"Robin said as a school of sky fish were closing in on them "A school of sky fish is following us ready to attack we can't jump ship and escape now, even if we manage to defeat the sky fish i'm sure more will arrive to take their place our punishment has already begun and there's no way to stop it"Robin said.

"Heaven's judgment they must be taking us to the forbidden island guess they got tired of waiting, Eneru's really got it in for us"Zoro said "Come on Zoro"Nicole said and Zoro looked back, their eyes looked "Yeah"he said and walked over to the rope ladder and climbing up them, Nicole offered her hand as he got to the top of the ladder, he grabbed it and she pulled him over their eyes still locked, Nicole eventually broke eye contact but didn't let his hand go.

Chapter Text

~Third~

The Going Merry and her crew was dropped off at an altar in the middle of nowhere by the lobster that had dragged them away "Does anybody know where we are?"Chopper asked "One thing's for certain we're somewhere in the middle of upper yard"Nami said "This seems to be some sort of altar for sacrifices"Robin said "Altar? Wait sacrifices?!"Nami asked, Nicole made no comment looking around at the forest around them, she could sense it was full of creatures.

"Nami what's a sacrifice?"Chopper asked "You know like an offering to the gods"Nami said "Oh is that all? I thought it meant being boiled alive in a big stew or something"Chopper said "Actually that's about right but regardless of the method the thing being offered is generally someone's life"Robin said.

"Are you trying to tell me we're all gonna die here?!"Chopper asked and fell off the railing from freaking out and rolled down the stairs "Chopper!"Nami called "Damn it!"Zoro said going after him, Robin caught the reindeer with her powers at the bottom of the stairs when a couple of sky sharks jumped out, Zoro clashed with one while Nicole took care of the other.

~skip~

"What happened to him?"Chopper asked watching the cloud sea, there was no sign of Zoro or the sky sharks while Nicole was using the skates she swiped to glide on the surface, Nicole was just as worried even though she could still sense Zoro was alive at least, then the sky sharks jumped out one had Zoro in their mouth while the other came up below Nicole.

Nicole dodged it however and cut down the shark just as Zoro punched the other one knocking it out, she skated over to the stairs just as Zoro started walking up them, Nicole kicked off the skates tossing them away, these were too big for her but she was at least glad to try them out, anyway she scurried up the steps catching up to Zoro, he gave her a quick smile as he caught his breath.

"I can tell you one thing we are not gonna make it across by swimming"Zoro said "What kind of swordsman punches a shark instead of using his blade?"Nami asked "The kind that can't manoeuvre as well underwater"Nicole said "Shut up, i'll get there sooner or later!"Zoro yelled at her taking off his shirt.

Then more sky sharks showed up "There's an entire school of them what are we gonna do?!" Chopper asked freaking out "I'm not sure but if those two first ones are any indication we're not gonna have much luck fighting them off"Zoro said "Yeah besides even if we could there's way too many"Nicole said "We've got to do something, we can't stay here forever"Robin said.

"Pfft leaving us here was that lobsters idea of a joke? It's not very funny"Zoro said ringing out his shirt "Perhaps this is the heavens judgment we've been hearing so much about"Robin said "Except you'd think this god would try something flashier you know?"Zoro said as Nami tossed him a shirt "Eh couldn't say never met the guy"Robin said "Well whatever his deal is we can't just stand around here"Nicole said.

"Yeah, i'm not sure what the solution is, we definitely can't set sail with the hull looking like this" Zoro said looking at the broken down side of the ship "Hey Chopper try to figure out a way to fix the ship"he said turning to the reindeer "Uh me? Oh okay"Chopper said nervously "Why should he fix it? Are you going somewhere?"Nami asked.

"I'm gonna find a way into the forest, we should probably make this our base of operations, you guys can keep a look out i'm sure Luffy and the others are headed this way"Zoro said "No doubt, Sanji would probably cross the whole world just to make sure his Nami swan is safe"Nicole said with a bit of a smirk as she noticed Nami blush, Zoro chuckled a bit.

"Like they say if you get lost you should stay where you are right?"Zoro asked, Nicole snorted a bit "Says the guy who gets lost all the time"she said, Zoro gave her a bit of a glare "Zoro if you wanna go into the forest i guess that's okay with me but you haven't really told us what for?" Chopper asked "There's supposed to be some sort of god on this island i wanna meet him"Zoro said.

"Wait that's a terrible idea i mean what are you gonna do when you actually find him?"Nami asked "I dunno depends on if he behaves himself"Zoro said with a smirk "Zoro you're the bravest person i know"Chopper said "What about his priest you're gonna beat them up too? Hello the last thing we need is you pissing off a god it's kinda not smart"Nami said "By the time i'm done with him, this god's gonna bow before me"Zoro smirked.

Until Nicole smacked his head "OW!! What the hell Nicole?!"Zoro asked turning to her "You're seriously delusional if you think you can beat god when you can't even beat me, you'll probably get lost on the way"she said "Why you!"Zoro growled before Nicole smirked holding up her hand "And that's why i'm going with"she said, Zoro chuckled a bit and smirked clasping her hand "As if i'd ever leave you behind partner"he said making her blush.

~skip~

After that Zoro and Nicole looked around for a bit to cross over to the jungle "That vine looks pretty sturdy"Zoro said spotting a vine up a tree, Nicole walked over and had a look too "Yup seems perfect"she said "Excellent idea mind if i tag along swordsmen, miss Hawkeye?"Robin asked.

"Sure as long as you promise not to slow me down"Zoro said "I don't mind"Nicole shrugged "Wait a minute where to do you think you're going?!"Nami asked Robin "Look at this"the archaeologist said turning to the tablet on the altar "At least a thousand years have passed since this altar was build"she said.

"A thousand years?!"Nami and Chopper asked "The sense of history here is amazing it gives me chills you feel it? An ancient place like this is sure to be filled with all kinds of old relics imagine all the valuables we could discover just think the possibilities are endless"Robin said, Nami got intrigued by the word valuable even though Robin meant it in the sense of valuable knowledge.

"In that case i'll join you"Nami said "Nami i thought you were too scared?!"Chopper asked "It's for history"Nami said with beri signs eyes, Robin used her powers to grab the vine and swing it down, Zoro caught it and cleared his throat before swinging across with a yell, Nicole sweatdropped at him as the vine came back to her, she grabbed it and swung across, she landed next to Zoro and wobbled a bit "You okay?"Zoro asked helping her steady herself "Ugh i hate swings"she muttered.

Robin swung across next totally flawlessly, Nami swung across last freaking out the whole way and how she was gonna crash but Robin caught her, "Okay Chopper you're in charge of the ship!"Zoro called back over to the reindeer "We're counting on you!"Robin called over as well "We'll be back soon!"Nami called waving back "Try fix the ship while we're gone!"Nicole called over too.

"Bye everyone be careful! Don't take too long okay?!"Chopper yelled back and watched the group leave into the giant forest leaving him all alone to defend the Going Merry.

~skip~

"Enough is enough where is this god?"Zoro asked looking around after the group had traveled for a while "It may not matter if he really is god chances are he knows exactly where we are" Robin said "Well if he would just come to us i could get this thing over with"Zoro said "You say that cause you haven't seen the things i have there is someone or something on this island with the ability to destroy us"Nami said.

"Well what exactly was it that you saw?"Nicole asked "Well there was this flash of light that tore a chunk off the island"Nami said "Uh huh, yeah totally believable"Nicole said not believing it at all, Nami ignored her falling on her knees as she prayed "Oh powerful one we're but simple sailors please leave us in piece and also please help us find lots and lost of treasure"she said.

"Nice prayer Nami"Zoro said as Nicole was sweatdropping at the navigator "Look you can sit around on your knees all day but that's not gonna get us out of here, i say we cross the river and see what's on the other side"Zoro said "Yes i agree"Robin said and Nicole just nodded in agreement.

"And how do you plan to get across this time? I don't see any vines handy hey Zoro maybe you can throw Robin across and she"Nami was cut off as the ground under her started to crumble but Nicole pulled her back on safe land before she could get eaten by a sky shark which Zoro kicked away "Those things are everywhere"Zoro said.

"If you think i'm crossing that now you're out of your mind, we might just hop in and give the sharks a free snack"Nami said "Calm down it'll be fine we just keep walking up stream and hope we find a safe place to cross over"Zoro said "Give up i'm not going! If you wanna go so badly just leave me here"Nami said with tears in her eyes.

"I just might if you're so scared why'd you even come in the first place?"Zoro asked and the two got in a growling match, Nicole sweatdropped at them "Hey guy look at this"Robin said picking up some dirt "Look at what exactly?"Nami asked "It's dirt"Robin said "Yeah am i missing something?"Nami asked "Yeah you're missing the fact this is supposed to be a sky island"Nicole said.

"You're right the grounds not fluffy"Zoro said taping his heel "Huh? Right i almost forgot i noticed that the first time i saw this island sky islands are made of clouds it feels like it's been a year since i touched dirt"Nami said picking up some dirt "So why is this island different from the others?"Nami asked.

"Not sure but it might be the fact this place is different is what makes it different, at any rate it's reason enough to start exploring"Robin said and the group started exploring "I don't know about you but i can only think of one way this place is here in the first place"Nicole said as they walked "What do you mean?"Nami asked "Think about it, the same we got here"Nicole said.

"The knock up stream? Are you sure?"Nami asked "Well no but it's the only logical thing i can think off, although the force of the stream had to be absolutely enormous to send an island into the sky"Nicole said "Yes but the question remains, what island"Robin said "That's anyone's guess"Zoro shrugged.

~skip~

"Hey uh did something just move over there?"Nami asked as the group came to another stop "It was probably nothing to worry about"Nicole said "Oh and did you see anything Robin?"Nami asked "Nope sorry can't say i did"Robin said.

"You sure it wasn't a monkey or something?"Zoro asked "A monkey? Yeah i guess"Nami said "So what do you think maybe we should check out the other shore "Forget it i told you i'm not getting attacked by those sharks again"Nami said "Ugh here we go again"Zoro grumbled.

~skip~

The group heard a distant sound "Hey you hear that what do you think that was?"Nami asked "Quiet don't move"Zoro said as he and Nicole drew a sword looking around, then a gator like thing popped out of the river above them going straight towards Nami "I've had enough!"Zoro yelled punching the thing as Nicole sliced it while Robin closed its mouth with her powers.

The sky gator crashed into the river "What a day huh?"Robin asked "Try to be more careful"Zoro told Nami "Yeah uh sure thanks"Nami said the group continued their way following a cobblestone path Robin had discovered.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Nami would you pick up the pace i'm growing grey hairs back here"Zoro said, the group was currently using a tree branch to cross the river, Robin leading the pack, Nami behind her slugging it as she tried not to fall from the branch into the shark infested river below, Zoro and Nicole bringing up the rear.

"Shut it you're distracting me, what if i slip and fall huh? I'll be dead and then how would you feel?"Nami asked "I imagine he'd be glad to get rid of a whiny brat like you, look it helps if you watch where you're going"Nicole said walking past Nami having enough of her slow pace crossing the branch.

Just then a sky shark jumped out of the river, Nami slipped and fell but Robin caught her with her powers while Zoro took care of the shark before Nicole could "Sorry for being such a pain, thanks for grabbing me"Nami said climbing back up on the tree branch.

"No problem"Robin said and noticed something across the river "What is it no more monsters i hope"Zoro said tired of having to deal with them "It looks like a well"Robin said "A well?"Nami asked, the group went over to it with Robin leading the way again.

~skip~

"Wonder what crawled into her nap sack? Wonder on ahead like that it's immature is what it is" Zoro said "If this is a thinly veiled attempt to call me childish at least have to courtesy of saying it to my face, like Nicole"Nami said "Yes but i also say it straightforwardly, you are not just childish you're a down right brat"Nicole said earning a glare but she didn't care.

~skip~

"Could a well really be that interesting?"Zoro asked as Robin collected something from the bottom of said well with her powers "Yes don't you think it would odd for a well to stuck under a tree?"Robin asked "Well obviously the tree grew over it in the course of who knows how many years"Nicole said.

"Exactly the balance of nature and civilisation is off"Robin said "Well unless we find a way to cross this cloud river we'll be stuck in this forest and we're still nowhere near where we wanna be"Zoro said "It's like the people who built this didn't know the tree would grow to be so large i've never seen anything like it"Robin said.

"Hey Nami can you see anything up there?!"Zoro called to Nami who had climbed up a tree to have a look around with binoculars "Nami say something would ya?! What do you see?! Hey can you hear me?!"Zoro called "What do you think she sees up there?"Robin asked "Whatever it is has her speechless it seems"Nicole said.

~skip~

The group continued this time Nami lead the way, they heard an explosion in the distance "Uh guys?"Nami asked "That sounded like an explosion"Zoro said "I thought i heard some earlier but this one seemed bigger"Robin said "There's a large group of people approaching the island, they seem angry"Nicole muttered "Well either way we have to keep moving forward"Nami said.

"Are you in some kind of hurry Nami?"Zoro asked "You've been acting odd for sometime"Robin said "Did you see something from the tree?"Nicole asked "Please tell me it wasn't god"Zoro said "It wasn't if i explained it you still wouldn't understand"Nami said slipping on some moss growing on a tree but she caught herself.

"This is stupid why can't i just stay on my feet?"Nami asked "You said we should go this way something about it being faster"Robin said "Enough with the mystery Nami tell us what you saw"Zoro said "Quit ordering me around and just do what i say we have to get to seashore"Nami said trying to get up but couldn't keep her balance.

"Would one of you please help me?!"Nami asked, Robin was way ahead on another branch already and Zoro was even further ahead on another branch with Nicole right next to him "You're the leader why don't you help yourself?"Zoro asked "The seashore?"Robin asked.

"Yes it's the only way we can get close enough to check this thing out"Nami said as Zoro swung across to another branch on a vine "Cause to be honest i won't believe what i saw until i see it up close"Nami said as Nicole swung across following Zoro "Me too, it's been bothering me for a while now"Robin said pulling Nami up with her powers "But i still can't prove anything yet" Robin muttered.

~skip~

"We're almost there i can hear the waves braking on the shore, listen"Robin said and indeed both Zoro and Nicole could also hear the waves as they crashed on shore "Yeah almost almost just a few more steps"Nami said looking like a woman possessed "Would you mind telling me what you saw?!"Zoro asked but was ignored "I guess we'll see soon enough for ourselves"Nicole said jumping to the root.

"On second thought i'm hearing more then just the tide rolling in, you?"Robin asked "Yeah it sounds like a charging army and some explosions thrown in for good measure, with any luck its a distraction from what we're doing"Zoro said.

"Or they're attacking our friends"Robin said "Neither, it seems like they have personal business"Nicole said "Your Haki?"Zoro asked following her, Nicole nodded "Haki?"Robin asked "It's kinda hard to explain, i can tell you later"Nicole said.

~skip~

"I wonder why she took off so fast?"Robin asked as the group was catching up to Nami "Figures sees what she wants and she's got no problems on her feet"Zoro said, the others got close enough to see what had Nami so interested "Speaks for itself pretty well, look at it, it's almost unreal and it's no fairy tale we've all seen what it belongs to"Nami said.

"This doesn't make any sense, why would this be here it looks exactly the same, it's like a copy"Zoro said "But it's not"Robin said "How do you figure?"Zoro asked "This is the other half of what we saw before"Robin said "Go on"Zoro said "It's like i suspected this was shot up here by the knock up stream"Nicole said "And here lies the answer to which island"Robin said.

What laid before them was the other half of Cricket's home, perfectly cut in half which meant this island was the other half of Jaya "This island used to be a part of Jaya"Nami said "So what that means is a few hundred years back the island below us was split in half and one side of it rose into the sky via knock up stream"Zoro said "Yeah, it's crazy to think, the power behind it must have been incredible"Nami said.

"The city of gold that Noland discovered on the ground didn't sink into the ocean like he guessed this part of Jaya, it's been floating in the sky for four hundred years"Nami said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

Nami cheered "Good god thank you! I can't believe after all this suffering we endured to find sky island that it turned out to be the city of gold! This must be your way to reward me of good behaviour right god?"she asked "Shut up ten minutes ago you were scared this god would kill you remember?"Zoro asked "Well call me shallow but i don't care how scared i get as long as somebody has gold waiting for me"Nami said.

"So do you fear or praise this god? I'm confused"Robin said "Alright i'm done keeping up with your mood swings"Zoro said "So in the end all that matters is money?"Nicole asked "Well sure and my life"Nami said, Nicole sweatdropped at her.

~skip~

The group made it back to the Going Merry as the sun was setting "Chopper! Where are you Chopper?! If you can hear me answer! Are you there?!"Nami called "Look her mast is gone and her wing is ripped in half, what's he done to her since we left?"Zoro asked "Wonder what happened there?"Nicole wondered outloud.

"Obviously the Going Merry was attacked Chopper couldn't have done that to her, Chopper! I'm sorry we took so long! You can come out now! You'll be safe! I promise! At least give us a sign you're not dead!"Nami called over "So i guess that means he's dead"Robin said "I'll miss the little fuzzball"Nicole said "Would it kill you to think positive?!"Nami yelled at them.

"Hey Chopper! Come out cause Nami's scared! And i'm tired!"Zoro called over to the reindeer, the little guy popped out with a timid "Hi"they could barely hear "Everything was ship shape while you were gone"Chopper said snot and tears running down his face, Nami sighed in relief "You don't have to lie to us Chopper be strong tell us everything that happened!"she called over, Chopper just whimpered a bit.

~skip~

"Check it out we found it, there's the altar with the Going Merry sitting right on top!"Luffy said after him, Sanji and Usopp came crashing down from a cloud road whatever thing, the group looked over as Luffy and Sanji waved over to them "Nami~swan! I missed you so much! Sorry to keep you waiting but i beat the ordeal of love to get here"Sanji said.

"I thought it was spheres not love"Luffy said "If that was love i don't wanna ever find it again anyway who cares we're alive!"Usopp said and cheered "Sounds like they're happy to be here, safe and sound"Nami sighed, Luffy, Sanji and Usopp picked up the group on the crow before they went over to the Merry the Strawhats were whole again.

"Where's the mast?"Usopp asked Chopper "Uh look i tried but it didn't matter how hard i fought he still kept burning everything, i promise i did everything i could"the reindeer said "Yeah, well are you gonna be okay or what?"Usopp asked, Chopper nodded, Usopp sighed "You must have been scared to fight that guy by yourself it's a good thing he set the mast on fire instead of you right? We can figure out details on the ship later"he said with a grin.

"I promise to become a more dependable man starting right now!"Chopper said standing on the railing the fire of determination around him "Chopper stop yelling at the altar and tell me something how'd you get rid of that priest?"Luffy asked "I used the whistle the sky knight gave us and he showed up to rescue me"Chopper said.

"Oh, where is he? I don't see him"Luffy said, Chopper took him to the cabin where Gan Fall was resting along with his bird Pierre "He's willing to sacrifice this much for us even though he gave us that whistle for free"Luffy said "If it wasn't for the sky knight you guys probably wouldn't have a ship and i for sure be dead"Chopper said.

"I got a bunch of questions for him but i guess i'll wait till he wakes up"Sanji said and turned to the bird "We owe you a thanks as well"he said, they plus Nami who was also there left the cabin to let Gan Fall rest "We should hop over to land and make camp on shore for the night"Sanji suggested.

"Huh? Why there?"Luffy asked "Because if we stay here and someone attacks us the first thing to take a beating would be our ship would you use your head Luffy?"Usopp asked "Not to mention its easier to fight on land then on an altar on a cloud"Sanji said Luffy started cheering "Camping!"he said "This isn't a party we're in enemy territory! Now calm down!"Usopp said.

"Not a party got it, hey Usopp, is a barbecue a party?"Luffy asked, the Strawhat used the crow to go on land and set up a huge bon fire to grill the sky shark meat with, Luffy was munching on a cooked one already "This thing is tasty"Luffy said "You'd eat dirt if we told you it was food"Nami said "You haven't even tried it what do you know?"Luffy asked.

"Quiet down now it's time to hear everyone field reports"Usopp said a blackboard just there for some reason right behind him "We ran into this priest named Satori who uses spheres with different kinds of threats inside each one explosions dragons the usual but what really hung us out dry in the fight was this guy kept predicting our moves using a power called mantra or something"Sanji said.

"The priest that attacked me was named Shura and he used a spear that sets fire to everything he seemed like he could predict my moves just like that Satori guy and i tried and tried to attack him but he dodged me every single time and the bird he was riding on burnt down the mast and the sky knight was defeated"Chopper said.

"Sounds like you all had a rough time, well what we found was that this island we're on is actually the missing part of Jaya, you see the city of gold didn't sink into the ocean it was shot into the sky like us"Nami said "Excellent work, now based on your reports we've learned that the priest can predict our movements using a power they call mantra"Usopp said.

"And the bird blows flames and the spear burns you but most importantly we've learned this, the city of gold is not a thousand leagues under the sea as we had thought but it's hidden somewhere on this very island!"Usopp said.

"No way!"Luffy said getting all excited "That was the first thing i told you!"Nami yelled at him "So what's this mantra business all about?"Zoro asked "Maybe it's some kind of sixth sense you only get up here"Sanji said "Yeah no something's bugging me about it but i guess i'll have to wait to see it for myself"Nicole said.

"This is it an adventure with gold at the end i can't wait"Luffy said "Glad to see someone on my side i'm ready"Nami said "Luffy no did you forget about what the scary gorilla guy said about execution?"Usopp asked "God will be really mad"Chopper said.

Robin giggled a bit "Sounds like fun"she said "Well we wouldn't be very good pirates if we turned our backs on gold so let's not" Sanji said "It won't be easy you know everybody up here hates us which means i'm in"Zoro said leaning back using his arms as pillows "I say bring it on"Nicole smirked leaning back on him.

"Come on aren't you even a little frightened of the wrath of god? I mean i wanna live don't you?"Usopp asked tears running down from his eyes, Luffy just laughed "Gold and it's all waiting for us!"he said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Why'd you stop?"Zoro asked turning back to Chopper, him the reindeer and Nicole had gone out to gather some food "All that racket seems to be getting farther away"Chopper said "Yeah they seem to be calling a ceasefire for the night"Nicole said "Yeah sounds like the right idea let's go"Zoro said walking on ahead, Nicole quickly following "Don't leave me behind!"Chopper said going after.

"Sanji we found tons of great stuff"Chopper said as they got back to camp "Excellent let's see the haul"Sanji said "We found walnuts, aloe, banana, garlic"Chopper said "A ton of herbs"Nicole continued "Rats and frogs too"Zoro added "Nice it all goes in the pot"Sanji said "Disgusting you don't expect us to eat that mess do you?!"Nami asked.

"Oh silly me, Nami i promise i'll take the garlic out"Sanji said "The garlic's the only good thing!"Nami yelled "Is our navigator having another melt down?"Robin asked as she walked over carrying something "Now that's what i call a gemstone"Nami said "Big yes but it's not a gemstone"Robin said "Hey that's a big salt crystal nice find Robin"Sanji said.

"I found it on the shore and i figured we'd find some use for it"Robin said "Not only is salt fatal to our survival but without it my food would taste awful"Sanji laughed chopping up fish, "If i take half of the garlic and aloe i can use it to make an antiseptic and burn ointment and use it to heal the sky knight"Chopper said ruffling through their haul.

"Yeah? You need any frog?"Zoro asked "No, no frog"Chopper said, Nicole giggled a bit "Nicole my dear could you do something for me?"Sanji asked "Sure thing what do you want me to do?" Nicole asked "Just drop this rock in the pot would you?"Sanji asked pointing over to a glowing red hot rock "No prob"Nicole shrugged drawing her sword and borrowing a second one from Zoro.

Nicole picked up the rock and dumped it into the pot, Sanji closed the lid and now to let it cook, Zoro wondered off but Nicole stayed back, she wasn't sure what she could do now so she just took a seat and started wondering, what was her role in the crew? Did she have a role? She supposed there can be more then one swordsmen, yet she's not exactly that, she sold herself as a blacksmith which she is, sort of she hasn't actually made anything yet cause she doesn't have any of the equipment for it, although what kind of a ship would need a blacksmith on board.

Before she could think about it too much further though Sanji called for everyone to take a seat as food was almost ready to be served "Now if you'd all listen up while you eat i'll explain how we'll handle this tomorrow"Nami said as Chopper went around giving the ladies some of the soup Sanji had made while Zoro took a seat next to Nicole, she gave him a smile but Zoro knew something was bothering her.

"Anyway let's review Noland's book first, he discovered the city of gold four hundred years ago however after leaving the island and returning with his king he found the gold ruins had vanished luckily we know what happened to these ruins, the city was shot in to the sky like we were"Nami said.

"Do you really think a whole island could have done that?"Chopper said "Well it's the only thing that makes sense remember that Cricket said everytime this phenomenon occurs it's in a different location"Nami said "Yeah that explosion was enormous i'm not surprised it lifted an island"Usopp said "It's just hard to believe that the forest we're sitting in is the same one we saw back on Jaya"Zoro said.

"I believe it has something to do with the odd composition of island clouds up here look at all the trees, fish and wildlife something about this environment dramatically increases growth rates which explains how a society here could of been swallowed up by these forces"Robin said.

"That also explains why the south birds who saved us were huge i couldn't believe it"Chopper said "Yeah four hundred years of growing will do that do a bird"Zoro said "I doubt those birds were the same ones shot up here four hundred years ago"Nicole said "Then why did those south birds go to such lengths to save you guys?"Sanji asked sitting next to Zoro after offering him a plate of the food.

"Uhm i don't know but when they saw him they referred to the sky knight as god"Chopper said "Huh?"Usopp and Nami asked "He's god?! So if we beat that guy the our job here is done?!"Luffy asked "No you idiot, god is probably just a title the people here give to their ruler like king or whatever"Nicole told him.

"Now does any one recall what Noland's log said about the city of gold?"Nami asked "I do it's a city of gold!"Luffy said "You're such a dumbass do you ever think before you talk?!"Usopp yelled at him "The skulls right eye, that's where the city of gold lies"Robin said remembering the last thing Noland wrote almost exactly.

"That's it, check it out i matched up Robin's map of Jaya with the old Skypiea map we found in the shipwreck of course this isn't exact and there might be some incorrect over lap but when you match up the location of Crickets house with the broken part we found up here, this is what Jaya looked like found hundred years ago"Nami said matching the maps to form a skull.

"Neat it's a skull"Luffy said "It is a skull"Chopper said "Well?"Nami asked "Way to go Nami"Sanji said "We did it!"Chopper cheered "Okay but where in the skulls right eye?"Usopp asked "I'm thinking right here"Nami said pointing to the center of the right eye with an illustration of a building "It's the one structure that's inside the eye and they haven't found it yet because of all the people who've tried we're the ones who had both maps"Nami said.

"Of course we must be lucky pirates"Usopp said "It kinda makes sense"Zoro said "Hidden treasure!"Luffy yelled "Treasure!"Chopper yelled "The only thing left to do is make out way to the skulls eyes but since we can't leave the ship unguarded tomorrow morning we'll split the crew up into two teams, this is our time on the other side of this island lies more gold then we ever dreamed"Nami said.

~skip~

"So what's on your mind?"Zoro asked as him, Nicole and Sanji were setting up a huge pyre, Nicole sighed "I'm just unsure about my role in the crew, it feel like i do nothing yet everything at the same time you know?"she shrugged "I'm sure you'll figure something out"Zoro said "But that's the thing i've been on this crew just as long as you and i feel like i've contributed nothing" Nicole said.

"Don't say that you add a lot to the crew"Sanji said with a smile trying to cheer her up "Yeah like what?"she asked "Well like uhm you"Sanji trailed off he actually had to think about it "Exactly, so just forget about it"she said, Zoro wanted to cheer her up too but he had no idea what to say or do either "Luffy take a look"he called as they finished the pyre.

"Is this enough wood for your fire?"Zoro asked "Can you idiots think for one second?!"Nami yelled at them "Don't worry wild animals are afraid of fire they'll stay away"Sanji said "But they're surrounding us we have to run or we die!"Nami said as sky wolves closed in on them freaking out Usopp and Chopper.

The alpha growled barking at Sanji "Chopper i think it's trying to talk you mind translating?" the cook asked "You jerks are being so loud we can't even hunt why don't you dumbass humans go to hell and sleep already?"Chopper said translating the wolf "Who's a dumbass?!"Sanji and Luffy asked getting angry "I didn't say it it was the wolf"Chopper said.

"You rotten two leggers better not muggle in and take what doesn't belong to you"Chopper said translating the wolf "No we're not like that we were brought here against our will"Chopper said "This is our forest you think you can just come in and build fires?"he said translating the wolf "Sorry"he said "Everything here belongs to us the land the trees and the air"he said translating the wolf before Nami knocked it out.

"Nothing's keeping me from that treasure"she said the pack started growling at them ganging up on them as they got closer "Great everything's gotten worse again now we're gonna get eaten by wolves didn't see that coming"Usopp said "Do something!"Nami yelled at him "What can i do?"Usopp asked.

The alpha barked making the pack back off "Back down boys we may have the numbers but they've got the raw power it's not worth it, girl you pack one mean punch there, gotta say you're my kind of angry"Chopper said translating the wolf, "So uh that's what a happy ending looks like"Usopp said "I guess so"Zoro said, Nicole just sweatdropped.

"Then i have an idea, campfire!"Luffy cheered and all the strawhats started partying with the wolves "I'm surprised you're getting along so well with the cloud wolves, i know of no one else who can have such ruckus festivities on Eneru's land"Gan Fall said having had enough rest, "It's good to see that you're awake are you feeling any better?"Robin asked "I apologize for being such a burden to you all"Gan Fall said.

"It's no trouble at all"Nicole said waving it off as she was scratching and petting a wolf laying in her lap while sharing a drink with Zoro, the wolf seemed to be in heaven enjoying the attention it was receiving, "Yeah you're too hard on yourself old man, you saved Chopper and you kept our ship from being blown to a million pieces"Zoro said.

"That's my duty"Gan Fall said taking a seat "There's plenty of stew left would you like some?" Robin asked him "Thank you no, not right now"Gan Fall said "Hey thanks for everything! Sky knight guy! Let's dance!"Luffy said "Yeah let's dance!"Chopper said "Chopper have you been drinking?"Zoro asked him.

"Hey old man i've got a question Conis is she okay?"Sanji asked "Very much so i've sheltered her and her father at my house they're fine"Gan Fall said "That's good"Sanji said relieved to hear it and then they started tossing Chopper around for no real reason, the reindeer seemed to enjoy it though.

"I'm sorry for eavesdropping but i heard your conversation earlier about how this land was known long ago by the name Jaya"Gan Fall said "Yeah that's right"Robin said "But i believe you've yet to learn how this island on which we sit came to be known as such holy ground"Gan Fall said "A wild guess, your people invaded this land when it first landed the god back then claimed it as holy land driving out the native people dooming them to near extinction"Nicole said "A pretty good guess for a wild one"Gan Fall chuckled a bit.

"The ground of upper yard must remind you blue sea people of your home far below, it is similar right?"Gan Fall asked "It is"Zoro simply said "Yes you're lucky what you see all around us and below us does not naturally exist in the sky, island cloud can support plant life but it can't generate its own, greenery and soil are both foreign things to our life here, our people have out own name for this, it's called verth, those living among the clouds hold this sacred it's what they all desire"Gan Fall said dropping the dirt in his hand back to the ground.

Chapter Text

~Third~

The Strawhats and wolves were all partied out, except Nicole and Zoro, the swordsman approached Nicole after everyone had gone to sleep and just as he was going to cheer her up Usopp approached him asking the swordsman to guard him cause he had to take a leak "No" Zoro said "Oh come on Zoro be a pal"Usopp said.

"Forget it i'm not going with you if you're scared just hold it til morning and quit whining you big baby"Zoro said "I would if i could believe me"Usopp said "Just go take a leak by yourself"Zoro said "That's cold Zoro that's really cold, how about -"Usopp was cut off "Don't even finish that sentence"Nicole said, Usopp whimpered as he walked off.

Zoro turned to Nicole after that "So what got you thinking about this whole role thing in the first place?"he asked sitting next to her as Nicole was poking the dying fire with a stick "I just had a moment to think"Nicole said "So you thought you don't add anything to the crew?"Zoro asked "Yup"Nicole simply said.

Zoro put his arm around Nicole pulling her into him, Nicole blushed her head laying right over his heart, she could hear his heartbeat, it was racing just slightly "You know none of that stuff matters right?"he asked "Doesn't it though? I don't add anything"Nicole said "You add plenty" Zoro said "Name one thing"she said "You add extra hands, you add knowledge about the Grand Line, you add a weapons expert, most importantly though you add a reason for me to stay"Zoro said.

Nicole giggled a bit shifting a bit to make herself more comfortable "That's funny, cause you add a reason to why i stay"she said, Zoro chuckled a bit "We've driven each other in a corner"he said, Nicole nodded in agreement leaning against him as she started to grow tired "Hey Nicole?"Zoro asked, she hummed in response "Why do you lean on me when we sleep?"he asked "You're comfy"she simply said, he chuckled a bit leaning back on a tree as both of them fell asleep.

~skip~

"I wasn't dreaming someone was here last night!"Usopp yelled, the sun was rising through the clouds as the Strawhats woke up that morning and headed back to the Merry, which to their surprise was repaired "I knew it, see guys i told you i wasn't insane"Usopp said "I don't believe it the mast is fixed, now that's service"Nami said.

"You can say that again can you imagine what a chore it was just to stand something this heavy upright?"Robin asked "Well i hate to say it but they did a lousy job"Sanji said "Yeah these repairs are haphazard at best"Nicole said "Well whoever did it sure is nice"Luffy said "There was somebody here i knew i saw him"Usopp said.

"But who'd risk crossing a river full of sky sharks and fix our ship for us? I mean as far as we can tell the only people here in upper yard are us and our enemies"Zoro said "Hey did you notice they took all the flying gear off the ship?"Luffy asked "Yeah i've been thinking about it and it's really got me wondering, it just doesn't make any sense to me how can this phantom repair man know what the Merry's supposed to look like? How did he know she didn't always have wings or a comb or a tail?"Usopp wondered outloud.

"What you see Usopp who was it?"Chopper asked "I still say he was partying too hard and was having a nightmare"Zoro said "Well it really doesn't matter, there's lots of work to do or did you forget?"Nami asked "But Nami aren't you even a little bit curious?"Chopper asked "About what?"Nami asked "About who fixed the Going Merry for us what else?"Chopper asked "Who cares but if they wrecked it that'd be another thing but it's fixed what you wanna track them down and thank them?"Nami asked.

"Well no but i"Chopper trailed off "It could have been the spirit of the ship"Nicole shrugged "What do you mean?"Usopp asked turning to her "It's something i once heard, there's a tale that a ship that's well loved have their own spirits usually a little girl in a raincoat carrying a hammer, but who's to say it's real or not"Nicole said "So you're saying it was Merry herself?"Usopp asked looking over to the sheep figure head "Well maybe, who knows"Nicole shrugged.

Usopp tried using the crow to pull Merry off the altar but it didn't work, next Usopp used Chopper as bait to lure in a sky shark and used it to pull the Merry off the altar, "Okay let's look at the map, the exploration team will be taking this route moving south there should be some old ruins near the skull right eye keep an eye out for enemies and bring back that gold"Nami said pointing out the route on the map.

"You make it sound so easy"Zoro said "I'm looking forward to investigating those ruins"Robin said "Hold on you're the one who keeps talking about gold and more gold but you're not coming?"Luffy asked "Well of course not it's way too scary, we'll be in danger too you know we'll be taking the Merry down river through the island then we'll head for the beach near the ruins as fast as possible, we can meet up here and then we can escape this stupid sky island"Nami said drawing the plan on the map.

"At long last we'll be a rich and powerful pirate crew able to buy anything"Nami said "Oh yeah all the meat i can eat!"Luffy grinned "Escape that sounds great"Usopp said "Just don't make me the bait"Chopper said "Look the weathers perfect"Usopp said "Sure we're on top of the clouds" Sanji said "Okay we'll all meet safely on the east coast"Zoro said "You bet"Usopp said "Let's get going then"Luffy said as the Strawhats split up once more.

Sanji, Usopp and Nami in one group and the rest in the other, "Just where do you think you're wondering off to?"Nicole asked pulling Zoro back in just as he started to wonder off in the wrong direction "We're supposed to be going right, so that's where i'm headed"Zoro said "No we're supposed to be going south you genius"Nicole said "Yeah south, this way!"Luffy said going in the wrong direction.

Nicole sighed grabbing him too "Ugh you both are unbelievable south is this way"Nicole said dragging the two boys with her as she headed in the right direction, Luffy got out of her hold and grabbed a stick "You should have said so sooner"Luffy said, Nicole sweatdropped as Robin lead the pack, Nicole stayed near Zoro to make sure he didn't wander off again.

"Luffy that's a pretty neat stick you got there"Chopper said "Isn't it? It's mine though you gotta get your own"Luffy said "I want one"Chopper whined before running off to find a stick "What's up with sticks?"Zoro asked "You know i thought this forest would be scarier but so far it's been nice and peaceful"Chopper said.

"Hey Chopper you're in a pretty good mood today are you feeling courageous for a change?" Luffy asked, Nicole glanced back sensing something massive just behind Chopper as the reindeer was bringing up the rear, she realized it was a giant snake but decided not to bring it up "Yup you betcha"Chopper laughed.

"Yeah you're right the forest has really been a big disappointment nothing but big birds and trees makes me wanna scream i'm so bored we haven't even seen one of Eneru's priest so i know exactly how you feel Chopper"Zoro said "Do you?"Chopper laughed a big smile on his face "Just listen to you two are you that eager for something dangerous to happen?"Robin asked "I for sure wouldn't mind some action"Nicole said sensing the snake was on the move.

"What do you see back there Chopper?"Luffy asked noticing the reindeer had stopped "Oh uh it's nothing really nothing at all"Chopper said catching up to the group again "There's something eary about this place"Robin said "Chopper why do you keep looking behind us?"Zoro asked "Uh no reason, no reason at all"Chopper said.

Luffy looked back "Whoa get a look at that weird stripy looking root back there"he said "Oh that so you guys can see it?"Chopper asked "I've never heard of roots moving before"Zoro said "That's cause it's a giant snake"Nicole said just as the head of the snake popped up, Chopper screamed as the snake hissed at them.

~skip~

"Run for it! It's a giant snake!"Luffy yelled and the group ran away as the snake came to attack them "It's enormous i wonder if it's another result of the environment here"Robin said as she was running away "It could be this snake just has a long life span and has been growing for hundreds of years"Nicole said running past her.

Zoro came to a stop and tried cutting the snake but the snake was way too fast even with its massive size, the snake rammed into a tree biting it, the venom of its fangs was strong enough to melt through it "Uh change of plan we're running away"Zoro said "Sounds good"Robin said "Yeah!"Luffy said "I thought that was the first plan"Nicole said.

The snake turned to them "Don't let that venom touch you it's death!"Zoro yelled as the tree went down, Luffy taunted the snake trying to lure it his way but the snake went to attack Robin instead, she just barely dodged it catching herself with her powers, the snake ended up separating the group.

"Zoro! Luffy! Chopper! Robin!"Nicole called caught in a bunch of vines with no sign of the snake or the others "Well damn, what should i do now?"she wondered looking around, she could still sense the others were okay at least, she cut herself out of the vines and landed on the ground with a thud "Ouch"she muttered before getting up.

Nicole hummed wondering if she should track down the others, knowing Zoro he's probably wondered off in the complete opposite direction, Luffy's probably wandering around lost as well, Chopper might be too scared to keep track of his directions, it would be pointless to track them down, Robin would probably head for the ruins she might run into her if she also went that way, Nicole decided to head towards the ruins.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Geez it's awfully noisy"Nicole muttered before she dodged something as it flew past her, she looked over her shoulder as a shandorian appeared "Are you one of the blue sea people?"he asked "I'm not obligated to answer that"Nicole said turning over laying her hand on her sword "Either way it doesn't matter you're a threat and i'm taking you down!"he said charging at her.

Nicole dodged at the last second when she paused "Sanji"she muttered hearing his voice disappear "I've got you now!"the shandorian yelled charging at her again but again Nicole dodged, snapping out of it and knocking the shandorian out.

"I don't have the time to deal with you, take a nap"she said and closed her eyes focusing, she sighed in relief "He's alive at least"she muttered and continued heading for the ruins "Usopp" Nicole muttered hearing his voice disappear too, again she stopped to focus "Still alive" she sighed in relief and continued walking to the ruins.

~skip~

Nicole furrowed her brow as she suddenly heard Luffy's voice disappear, she didn't think he was defeated but it was certainly strange, she shrugged it off as she continued walking, eventually Nicole reached some ruins she could hear she was closer to Robin then before, she could also hear Robin was fighting someone, Nicole left the archaeologist to her fight as she continued heading to the center of the eye.

~skip~

Nicole was exploring the center of the ancient city, there was no trace of gold left but the architecture was still quite impressive, she paused "Twenty people, all at once?"she muttered and looked over to where the voices had disappeared, she shrugged it off and continued wandering around the ruins.

~skip~

"Robin"Nicole called walking over to her as she heard the archaeologist approaching "Nicole, how long have you been here?"Robin asked "A few minutes i guess? I haven't found a trace of the city of gold, any luck on your side?"Nicole asked "I think i know how to get in, follow me"Robin said leading the way up the temple.

Robin started cutting into the heavy cloud cover digging down "Ah i see, let me help"Nicole said drawing her sword "Do be careful miss Hawkeye, try not to damage the surrounding building" Robin said "Give me some credit i'm not as clumsy as Zoro with a sword"Nicole said cutting into the cloud like it was butter and taking out huge chunks.

The ladies dug pretty deep until eventually reaching the bottom, yet they could go even further into the temple, Robin went down first followed by Nicole after she put her sword away "So vast, the ruins really do go down much deeper, i thought it was strange all there blue sea ruins had island clouds for ground, the ruins above are nothing but the upper parts of the city eaten up by island clouds, there's still more below"Robin said.

"Robin over here, i found stairs"Nicole called over, the two ladies went down deeper into the ruins, Nicole clearing the way of roots as Robin discovered a way out of the temple, Robin ran towards the light with Nicole quickly following but not too quick so they didn't fall from the opening.

In front of them laid countless ruins but both were awe struck by them "It's all so incredible the ancient city collapsed eight hundred years ago i can hardly believe it's been that long"Robin said "Where'd you get eight hundred?"Nicole asked "I read it from a tablet, the actual has been around for eight hundred years, it's been in the sky half of its existence"Robin said.

"Still it's so majestic and grand, this really is the great Shandora, the city of gold"Robin said "I'm not seeing any gold though"Nicole said looking around as the ladies went further into the city "Perhaps it's all been taken or it was a metaphor in the first place, i can certainly see the history of this place would be as valuable as gold"Robin said.

"Could be"Nicole shrugged, Robin came to a stop noticing something, Nicole looked over as well, it was a poneglyph, well close, it was more narrow and already had cracks and rust on it, Nicole didn't know much about the ponyglyphs but she did know this was not one of them "The ponyglyph symbols so the ancient shandorians were familiar with them"Robin said taking a closer look at the stone.

"What does it say?"Nicole asked "We shall know the true meaning and utter it to no one, it's our legacy to be the inheritors of history with the sounding of the grand bell"Robin said reading the ponyglyphs "Didn't Noland mention something about a giant gold bell?"Nicole asked "That's true but in that case where could it be?"Robin wondered and the two ladies started looking around.

~skip~

"Shandora the city of gold and if the golden bell said to be in the middle of the city isn't here, where is it?"Robin asked no one in particular looking around, Nicole hummed in thought next to her "The bell free was probably engraved with ponyglyphs if that's the case the city probably fell in order to protect them"Robin said.

Nicole decided not to share her theory on why the city fell "Even after all this time the bell free and the ponyglyph should still be here"Robin said "It should but we haven't seen anything, you'd think a bell that massive would be hard to miss"Nicole said "It's hidden somewhere, look there, a rail used to run through this city"Robin said.

Nicole had a closer look at the rail "These are actually fairly recent, see here"she said pointing to the metal rails "This metal isn't that rusted, i can tell they were used often"she said "Something was moved out of here, i wonder what it was"Robin said the two ladies turned as they heard a laugh, Nicole had sensed them just as this person had appeared.

"Isn't it amazing? Even though it was shot up into the sky the city of Shandora still exists in someway, even though it's a city that everyone knows about how can it show it's lovely figure if its covered by clouds? I'm the only one who could see it, i discovered it, the former gods never even noticed"the person said "And who are you?"Robin asked.

"I'm god"Eneru simply said, the two women shared a look as Eneru bit into the apple in his hand "You're both quite clever, one is at a guess an archaeologist from the blue sea world and the other a sword master guessing by that sword on your hip, you found these ruins so quickly when it took us several months, i suppose it's easier if you can read the letters on the ruins right?" Eneru asked.

Neither replied "Unfortunately for you the gold you're looking for isn't here any more, i'm afraid you're a few years too late for that"Eneru said "The gold? We'll you're right about that we couldn't find any, you must have been the one that removed it"Robin said "Gold is a wonderful thing to have and that glittering metal suits me well don't you think?"Eneru asked "Then you must have also taken the golden bell that was once here"Robin said.

"Hmm? There was a golden bell?"Eneru asked again the two women shared a look "Well i'm very intrigued what did you learn by reading those letters on the bell?"Eneru asked "Actually it's too bad i never got to read them, if you say it wasn't here when you arrived it must not exist, i guess the huge golden bell and bell free of Shandora must of been another legend it's a shame i'll never be able to lay my eyes on them"Robin said.

"No wait it's actually right here, it's here in the sky when this island was blown into the sky four hundred years ago and the upper yard was born or when god land was born it was said that the chimes of a bell could be heard through the entire nation, they called it the islands singing voice but that wasn't it, it was the bell the bell made of gold, amazing, soon the entire game will be over only eight minutes left, that's not long at all in fact it gives me plenty of time to look for the golden bell"Eneru said.

~skip~

"What exactly did you just do?"Robin asked "I showed mercy, a pitiful worm was in a great deal of pain so i saved him from his torment, preformed my duties as god, it seems the young woman is still behaving desperately but desperation is the most interesting emotion, soon enough true despair will be something everyone fully understands"Eneru said, Nicole now knew for sure what these people called mantra was the same as what she called observation haki, so now she knew how to fight them.

"And now i must say what little time we have left here is now coming to a close, this is the beginning of the end i will now set in motion a series of events that will reveal my ultimate plan"Eneru said "What plan? What do you mean?"Robin asked "The sky lord is calling you head my calling you lowly beings and come to me!"Eneru said using his powers to create a hole through the clouds.

"What are you doing?!"Robin asked "It was i who brought you and your friends here to Shandora, i called to you"Eneru said "I've never seen anything like this before this man possess such tremendous power"Robin said "Eh, nothing an admiral could do"Nicole said shrugging a bit.

"You dare compare me to a lower being?"Eneru asked "I do dare, you call yourself god yet you are nothing but a poster with devil fruit powers"Nicole said drawing her sword "You! You insolent!"Eneru yelled zapping over to her and going for an attack which Nicole dodged while slicing him, which he barely dodged, or did he?

"Gah!"Eneru gasped as blood spurted out of the cut "This game you talked about ends here!"Nicole said going to attack him again, Eneru zapped himself far away "You can't hide from me!"Nicole said going wherever Eneru reappeared.

~skip~

After Eneru had dealt with Gan Fall and Robin, Nicole appeared again attacking Eneru "You! You are using mantra!"Eneru yelled as he dodged Nicole's strike again "Mantra, Haki same thing" Nicole shrugged before slicing into Eneru again, which he again barely dodged only to receive another cut on his body 'How? How is she injuring me?!' Eneru thought dodging Nicole's sword once more.

Nicole was relentless in her attacks not letting Eneru even take a moment to breath, she could tell he was starting to get rattled, his reaction time was getting sloppier "I have you now!"Nicole said going in for a finishing blow, Eneru panicked and hit one of the drums on his back shocking her with lighting, Nicole's scream echoed through the area.

"Nicole!"Zoro called rushing forward and catching Nicole as she was falling down, Eneru laughed "I must admit i was impressed by her power, however she was an insolent fool and thus god punished her"he said and laughed some more, Zoro laid Nicole down and glared at Eneru "How dare you!"he growled "Hmph i do as i please"Eneru said.

~skip~

Nicole groaned waking up and sat up, she remembered what happened, she seriously died there for a second, she remembered having a picnic with her mom in a field of flowers, she glanced over to Zoro and saw he was back up too, he gave her a quick smile before the two watched the storm Eneru had created to destroy everything.

"We must all hurry now, there's truly nothing more we can do here"Robin said as lightning danced across the ground destroying everything it touched.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"He's far above now, it's only a matter of time until his ship reaches the top of the vine"Robin said "I don't get it what is it that Eneru wants up there?"Gan Fall asked "I believe he's trying to get to the golden bell"Robin said "A bell?"Gan Fall asked.

"A golden bell, tell me that's what you said isn't it?"Wyper the shandorian warrior asked "Yes"Robin simply said "Who was talking about a golden bell?"Usopp asked "Just before you were stuck by that lightning bolt you were speaking off a golden bell which Eneru desires, now that we know what Eneru's going for you have to tell me where it is"Wyper said.

"Hold on can we just think about this for one second you guys? You saw that thunderbolt we're as good as dead if we don't get out of here"Usopp said "It's up this beanstalk somewhere close to the top"Robin said "Actually it's on that tiny cloud"Nicole said pointing over to it "You sure? How do you know this?"Wyper asked.

Nicole glanced over at him before looking back to the cloud closing her eyes "I can just barely hear it, it's like a whisper"she said "Mantra?"Wyper muttered, Nicole opened her eyes "In the blue sea we call it Haki but yes"she said "I can't hear anything"Aisa said straining to hear it "That's the kind of focus you get from training"Nicole said.

"Now hold on we promised Nami we'd wait back on the ship, she's gonna be back with Luffy any time now i'm sure"Usopp said "The coward's right this time"Aisa said "The ruins of Shandora are in the layer directly below us, the giant beanstalk pierces the very center of the city, the bell was shot further up and must have landed on that cloud"Robin said.

"Oh man these ruins or whatever they are got blasted into dust and if we don't get out of here now we're gonna be next"Usopp said looking down from the edge of the cloud at the ruins "In the ruins i discovered a map that revealed the location of the grand bell free that holds a golden bell it indicated that it could be found at the heart of the ancient city"Robin said ignoring Usopp.

"Hey why are you ignoring me?"Usopp asked "To put it simply the force of the impact must have sent the bell hurling skyward to it's present location"Robin said then Usopp noticed something falling "Everyone get away from the beanstalk! Something's falling!"he yelled as the top of the stalk came crashing down.

"The top of the stalk, what's happening up there?"Robin asked "Oh no don't tell me Luffy and Nami fell with it i don't think i can take it!"Usopp said "Wyper!"Aisa called as the shandorian warrior got up again "No you can't go, not in this condition look at yourself you're a wreak you'd never make it and even if you did there's no way to reach Eneru while he's on that flying ship" Aisa said.

"The bell, it's over on that cloud, great warrior Kalgara longed to hear it's sound"Wyper said "Great warrior Kalgara?"Aisa asked "Yes, that is our true goal, Eneru i swear you will never take the bell!"Wyper said.

~skip~

The crew watched as a massive ball of thunderclouds full of lighting lowered onto Angel Island and destroyed it in a flash "What kind of an explosion was that? Not to mention that terrible lightning is still falling down like rain, i don't think anyone of us stand a chance of getting out of here alive"Usopp said totally freaked out "Angel Island's gone, how could you? Eneru, what cruelty what monstrous cruelty"Gan Fall muttered falling on his knees.

~skip~

"When he says he's gonna do something he does it"Zoro said finishing up as he explained that Luffy still wasn't done, Luffy wanted to ring the bell, "Wait he's gonna"Usopp trailed off "Yes he did say that but given the situation"Robin trailed off "Nah he's going to do it, no matter what" Nicole said.

"Ring? He's going to ring the bell?"Wyper asked "That's right no matter how hard Nami tries, Luffy won't leave until he rings that bell, you see Luffy is after the same thing as Eneru"Zoro said.

~skip~

"Watch out something's falling towards us again!"Usopp yelled and took cover "Wait, it's just a leaf"Nicole said, there was some writing on it "It's a message from Nami and Luffy"Aisa said "What's it say?"Usopp asked "Cut down this beanstalk and make sure it falls towards the west"Robin read.

"But what'll happen if we do that?"Usopp asked "Hey knight which way is west?"Zoro asked "Well"Gan Fall was cut off "You mean we're really gonna do it?!"Usopp asked "It's a crazy plan but the only one that might work in order to reach the bell"Nicole said "Yes Eneru's arc is currently moored on the cloud"Gan Fall said.

The clouds started braking up as another massive thundercloud ball began lowering towards upper yard "Do you see that? This one's even bigger! Maybe we should get out of here while there's still some place to get"Usopp said.

~skip~

"Let me get this straight they're gonna jump to the arc from the falling beanstalk?"Usopp asked "You got any better ideas?"Zoro asked standing up and pulling Nicole up too "Well that's crazy they can't be serious"Usopp said "Fine then i leave it to you to climb up there and stop Luffy"Zoro said "He won't listen!"Usopp yelled.

"Look i don't care how crazy it sounds we have no choice we gotta let him do this"Zoro said "Dodge!"Nicole called as lightning struck at them, they managed to dodge it though "If we stay here we're just gonna get pushed down to the ruins below, run!"Zoro said chucking Chopper over to Robin.

"Get away from the beanstalk!"Zoro said as the group ran away from the lightning "I'll take care of it all i need to do is cut the vine down towards that ship right?"Zoro asked "I'm helping end of story"Nicole said.

Zoro sighed "Fine" he said and the two took off running towards the beanstalk drawing a sword and cutting off a section each, Zoro grabbed Nicole protecting her as lighting struck them sending them both down to the ruins, Zoro still managed to protect Nicole as they crashed down on the ground.

~skip~

"Ugh we must have some horrible luck to get struck by lightning twice"Nicole muttered coming too again, Zoro chuckled a bit "Yeah"he said "Will you get off me now?"he then asked "Can't move, besides you're comfy"Nicole said, Zoro groaned sitting up holding Nicole close.

Then a ringing of a bell echoed across the whole land "Hear that?"Zoro asked "Yeah, it's beautiful"Nicole smiled, she giggled a bit "Sounds like wedding bells"she teased laying her head on his chest, Zoro blushed "You better be teasing"he said "Maybe i am, maybe not"Nicole smirked.

"Zoro, Nicole you have to be treated right away!"Chopper said as he came running over with Usopp "We'll be fine, it's him that needs more help"Nicole said gesturing over to Wyper, the reindeer ran over "It's true his body's worn out he's dying"he said "Yeah but he was trying to kill us we don't owe him anything"Sanji said.

"Yeah doesn't make much sense but he was going all out just like the rest of us"Zoro said "He's a hero seriously?"Sanji asked "Who knows"Zoro sighed "I guess anythings possible speaking of which what do you think happened to Eneru and the bell"Sanji said "They're both probably at the bottom of the sea"Nicole said.

Sanji sighed "So we have a city of gold but in name only"he said "Which just means our adventure and poverty continues"Zoro said "I rather have dials over gold any day that's something we just can't get from the blue sea"Usopp said "I'm to the point where i'd settle for some concrete news, i hope Nami's alright this not knowing is driving me crazy"Sanji said.

"She's fine, Luffy too, they're on their way here"Nicole said "That Haki thing sure is handy"Zoro said "Haki? I thought it was mantra?"Sanji asked "Same thing"Nicole waved it off, Chopper came back over to Zoro and Nicole patching them up "So did you have a chance to patch him up?"Zoro asked.

"Yes all he needs now is rest"Chopper said "HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYY!!!"they heard Luffy yell as he was running over with Nami and Conis and a huge bag of full of food "We're back, i'm so glad you're okay! I was afraid i wouldn't see any of you again"Conis said crying "I'm glad you guys grabbed some food where's it from?"Zoro asked back on his feet, Nicole standing next to him.

"We found the priest storage locker on our way back through the forest"Nami said "There was lot's more"Luffy said his mouth stuffed "But uhm how did you manage to find your way back down?"Usopp asked "My gum gum balloon"Luffy said like it was obvious "Conis where's your old man?"Zoro asked "He uhm well he protected me and then Eneru"Conis said trailing off.

"Yes except Eneru has terrible aim"Nicole said "Yes it was a close one though"Pagaya said appearing out of nowhere "Why didn't you say anything before?!"the others yelled at her as Conis and her dad had their reunion "And let Eneru know? No way"Nicole said.

~skip~

The Strawhats had stuffed themselves full by the time the moon was out "Boy i stuffed myself" Usopp said "Well it's getting pretty late you guys"Zoro said "It's time to hit the ship"Nami said "Whoa you're not talking about leaving are you?"Luffy asked "Relax all i meant was to go back to the ship and sleep in warm bed for once"Nami said.

"Usopp can you believe what she just said?"Luffy asked "Hardly it's sick i mean the thought doesn't even cross her mind to go out and look for gold and she calls herself a pirate"Usopp said "You can't be serious"Nami said, Luffy and Usopp gave her a look "How'd you two like fat lips to go with your fat bellies?"she threatened.

~skip~

Literally everyone was partying with laughter echoing the whole island, Nicole and Zoro were having their usual drinking contest "This is the day you go down!"Zoro grinned "In your dreams!"Nicole grinned back setting off the contest.

~skip~

Everyone was all partied out after four days and asleep, except for a certain group of pirates woken up by their captain "Hey"Luffy said waking up Nami first "What?"the navigator asked "Go wake everyone up quick"Luffy said "But why?"Nami asked "Shhs cause we're gonna steal the gold and run"Luffy whispered, Nami got all excited "There's gold where?!"she asked.

"Hey quiet loudmouth!"Luffy said, Nami bonked him on the head "Loudmouth huh?! You're a whole lot louder them me Luffy!"she yelled, Nicole yawned waking up "What's the ruckus about? Some of us are light sleepers you know"she said but she went ignored as Nami and Luffy continued to argue, she sweatdropped as the others got dragged into it too.

The crew went else where to make their plan "So that's the plan guys"Luffy said "I think he's right gang it's not every day we get to go on an island in the sky so let's make this trip worth while"Usopp said, some of the crew went into the snakes stomach gathering every piece of gold they could find.

~skip~

Nicole was watching Zoro as he was deep in training mode, he cut a piece of stone and she gave a sarcastic clap "Very nicely done"she said equally sarcastically "You just shut up!"Zoro yelled at her "Fine and here i was thinking about giving you a hint on how to control Haki"Nicole shrugged "Wha-?!"Zoro was cut off by Usopp "Oh i'm so lucky!"he said.

"You sure are in a good mood Usopp, i assume your trading went well"Zoro said "Oh yeah and how just look at all the dials i got"Usopp said the bag on his back full of them "One little press and ta-dah"Usopp said "Well good for you"Zoro said going back to training "You mean great, i can do so many things with them, the old Usopp workshop is gonna totally be revolutionised" Usopp said a big grin on his face.

"So where's everybody else huh?"Usopp asked "Luffy and the others are still inside Robin went off by herself"Zoro said putting his swords away"It's the weirdest thing, i know they're in there yet i can't hear them at all"Nicole said looking at the giant snake that was still asleep.

"The snake's still knocked out huh? He must be really tired"Usopp said "You'd be too if you danced for four days straight wonder what he was so happy about, anyway i hope they come out soon when he wakes up i don't know how friendly he'll be"Zoro said "Huh? Who this well mannered snake?"Usopp asked "Easy for you to say you didn't see him when he was mad, he's dangerous"Zoro said.

Usopp repeated his words a couple of times, Zoro wasn't catching on that the sniper was using a tone dial, Nicole did though and she snickered every time Zoro went to answer "Fooled you with the tone dial"Usopp taunted "Stop being so stupid!"Zoro yelled, Usopp and Nicole laughed "Me stupid? But you're the one who got fooled!"Usopp laughed.

~skip~

"Come on Robin, we can't wait too long"Luffy said before his stomach grumbled "Nicole tell me she's close"he whined "She's getting closer, so are the sky people, i wonder what they want" Nicole muttered "There's not a soul in sight gotta admit this is pretty weird wonder where all those angels and warriors ran off to and why"Sanji said.

"Hey be thankful they're gone trust me if they see us making a run for it with all the loot we pulled from their favorite giant snake, well they're not gonna be too thrilled, Nami and Conis probably have the ship ready to sail by now so Robin better hurry up and get back here quick we gotta go"Usopp said.

"I'm hungry Sanji got anything to eat?"Luffy asked running over "Nope all the foods on the ship" Sanji said "You gotta have something to much on right? Come on"Luffy said "I've had enough i'm tired of just sitting around you guys can wait for her i'm gonna go to the ship"Zoro said and the boys insulted him resulting in a fight.

Nicole just watched with a sweatdrop from the side lines "Boys knock it off, Robin's back"she said noticing the archaeologist approach from the distance "Hey Robin! Hurry up! Run! We gotta leave! We stole some gold!"Luffy yelled "Stop it! Look right behind her they can hear you too!" Sanji yelled at him.

"What's that their carrying?"Nicole wondered as Usopp and Chopper were freaking out "A cannon!"Usopp freaked out "Just our luck they all come back at once"Zoro said "Robin get the lid out we gotta get back to the ship now! Check out this gold i bet we found every piece on the island huh?!"Luffy yelled.

"Oh great here they come"Sanji said "Run!"Luffy yelled running back to the crew "Well i guess up to me to handle this one"Usopp said running forward "You say stop? Like hell we'll stop!" Usopp said "Yeah you tell them Usopp!"Luffy cheered.

The whole crew ran off from the ruins and through the jungle "Nicole did we lose them?!"Usopp yelled as they ran "Yeah, i don't hear them following us anymore"she said "Really? Well that's good, to be honest their giant cannon really scared me where were they hiding that thing and how come they didn't use it against Eneru?"Usopp asked.

"Their cannon?"Robin asked "Yeah you know that huge thing the warriors were carrying towards us didn't you see it?!"Usopp asked "Oh you mean that thing"Robin said "Yeah that thing what's wrong with you it's not funny why do you think we're running?!"Usopp asked "We made it there's Nami and Conis"Luffy said spotting the Going Merry.

~skip~

The Going Merry and her crew had set off towards cloud end "Okay we're almost there!"Conis called as she and her father were showing the crew the way there "Everyone see that up ahead? That's cloud end!"Conis called pointing over to the gates that read cloud end "Huh so that's where we go back down?"Luffy asked.

"We got here sooner then i thought"Usopp said "Aw do we really have to go back already?" Luffy asked "You know it sounds crazy but i'm actually gonna miss this place"Sanji said "I think it's time we say goodbye to the white sea"Zoro said back in his normal white shirt "And hello to good old blue sea"Nicole added wearing her usual clothes having changed back into them.

"Sky island sure was fun but scary too"Chopper said "We just go through that gate and there'll be a milky road to take us to the blue sea huh?"Usopp asked "Wonder if we'll ever visit this place again"Nami said "Well you never know"Usopp said.

"I'm sorry but this is as far as we can go! Goodbye my friends"Pagaya said running along side the Going Merry as the ship was getting closer to the edge "Take care of yourselves!"Conis said running with her father "We will! Thanks for the escort!"Nami said "It was nice meeting you guys thanks for everything"Luffy said.

"No you got it wrong we're the ones who should be thanking you! We'll never forget you! Thanks to you all!"Conis said "Goodbye Conis, old guy, furball take care now!"Luffy yelled "Bye! Now tuck in your sails and hold on tight you're in for a bumpy ride!"Pagaya said and the crew hurried to prepare the ship when the south bird they had taken up here flew over demanding a ride back down.

"Captain it looks like the log pose has the coordinates for the next island!"Nami said as the ship passed under the gate "Great let's go once we get to the bottom we're gonna start a brand new adventure! Who's up for finding some gold?! Guys get ready!"Luffy said as the ship sailed out of the gate "Blue sea here we come!"Luffy cheered.

"Aye!"the crew cheered as the Going Merry picked up speed going down the milky road and the end of which just went straight down, everyone screamed bloody murder as the ship plummeted down.

The ship was still falling and everyone was screaming before a giant octopus grabbed the ship slowing down their fall "Hey guys get a load of this!"Luffy said "What the hell is it?"Zoro asked "A balloon"Chopper said "Yeah ain't he great"Luffy said "We're not falling!"Nami said "Oh good for a minute there i thought we were goners"Usopp said "Well we are still falling, just much slower" Nicole said.

The Strawhats could hear the ringing of a bell wishing them off.

Chapter Text

~Third~

The Going Merry was still in free fall and thanks to the octopus balloon the ship and her crew weren't being flattened into pancakes, however they discovered their ship had been blown off course as Zoro and Nicole were napping as usual.

The sun had set "Morning"Zoro muttered waking up, Nicole woke up too stretching herself out "We're still falling?"she asked "Yes this is taking longer then i expected"Robin said "I agree i'm really worried about how far we've drifted we could be anywhere"Nami said "You know what i bet ya we'll get blown all the way to Raftel"Usopp said "Don't be stupid, we're not even anywhere near the end of the first half of the Grand Line"Nicole said.

"Uhm yeah i knew that"Usopp said, he totally didn't know that, "This conversations boring, how much longer is this gonna take?"Zoro asked "Go to sleep"Usopp told him, Nicole hummed a bit looking at the octopus balloon "Hey Zoro if you're really bored i got something you could do and it's fun"Luffy said from the top of the octopus jumping around on it.

"Hey don't do anything stupid! All our lives depend on this balloon you hear me Luffy!"Nami yelled at him "Don't worry! Don't worry!"Luffy yelled back waving it off "Luffy stop get down! Right now!"Sanji suddenly yelled "Sanji what are you yelling about?"Nami asked "The octopus is shrinking if we don't do anything we'll fall!"Sanji said going up to get Luffy "So it wasn't just me" Nicole muttered, she had thought it the octopus looked smaller then before.

"What's that huh?"Usopp asked walking over to Nami "The octopus is shrinking!"Nami said "Shrinking?!"Usopp asked "You know now that i look at it, it does look smaller then it did before"Robin said "What are we gonna do? We're still high up in the air"Nami said, Sanji went to get Luffy but the rubber boy tripped and send them flying overboard, luckily he grabbed the ship and Sanji.

Just then though the octopus had depleted sending the Merry falling down "We're gonna hit the sea so hard we'll sink to the bottom!"Nami said "Only if the ship doesn't shatter first!"Robin said "Shatter no way!"Usopp said "Usopp what are you gonna do?"Chopper asked hanging onto the railing for dear life, Usopp went below the ship and attached several breath dials to the bottom of it.

The dials did slow down their decent but only for a while as the octopus shrunk down completely sending the ship plummeting down "Everybody hold on to something!"Luffy yelled, Nicole grabbed Zoro who grabbed the railing in return as the Going Merry and her crew crashed down into the sea, thankfully the ship stayed in one piece.

"Nami are you okay?"Sanji asked "That was really scary, what happened to the octopus?"Nami asked "Guess it ran out of air"Robin said as said octopus landed on Luffy "Wonder how that happened?"Sanji asked obviously being sarcastic "Hey come on, don't whine we did make it down here alive"Luffy said "You're right and we got to see an incredible place"Sanji said.

Nicole was on edge however, she could hear a ton of voices around them but the people hadn't noticed them yet so she shrugged it off "Now that we're down here it looks so far away"Robin said "Like something out of a dream"Nami said "It's a dream land think we'll see it again?"Chopper asked "Well you might see some place similar when you die"Zoro said.

"Not you i doubt you're going any place good"Usopp said "You jerk!"Zoro said "Well wherever you're going i'm going down right with you"Nicole smiled at him, Zoro blushed a bit looking away "You two can flirt later, me? I'm gonna go put on a pot of coffee"Sanji said making them both blush "Make dinner instead Sanji!"Luffy told him "Are you ever not hungry? Have some coffee first and be patient will ya?"Sanji asked.

"Hey by the way"Luffy went to say when several spotlights were aimed at them and a blaring alarm rung trough the area "Does anybody know just where the heck we are?"Luffy asked "A marine base, just our luck"Nicole growled a bit "No doubt they'll board the ship any minute now"Zoro said "We need to move!"Luffy said and the crew scattered.

~skip~

"Now where did the others go?"Nicole muttered hiding in the forest, she closed her eyes to focus, it was a bit noisy with the marines around but she did locate all of the crew members "I should keep my distance for now, the one i'm most worried about is Zoro, i'll just focus on him and if he gets into trouble i'll just bust him out"she said more to herself disappearing into the forest.

~skip~

"Zoro"Nicole muttered watching from the shadows as the swordsman got captured "Of course you'd get in trouble, now how to get you out?"she muttered before disappearing again, she snuck her way inside the base and acquired an uniform.

"Bleh, the marines have no taste at all, these are way too tight"Nicole muttered tugging at the shirt covering her eyes with her hair and a hat "At least now no one will pay me no mind, i gotta find Zoro"she said to herself, closing her eyes she focused again "This way"she muttered.

~skip~

Nicole caught up to the marines that were taking Zoro to the cells and blended into the group following them down to the cells, she watched as the put Zoro in cuffs and in the cell "Alright i leave you two on watch"the commander of the base said "Yes sir!"Nicole and the other marine saluted.

Once the commander and other marines were far away and it was just Nicole and the other marine, she first made sure no one was coming in, she knocked out the marine in one swift blow "You sure have a knack for getting into trouble"she said taking off the hat and tossing her hair back "Nicole!"Zoro grinned "Shush!"she shushed him taking off the marine coat and pants "Much better"she said to herself before drawing her sword and easily cutting down the cell door.

Nicole caught the door before it fell though and gently lowered it so it made no noise, she then went over to Zoro and cut the cuffs on his wrist "You're hopeless without me you know"she said tossing the swordsman his swords, Zoro caught the three swords and put them back in their place "Yeah i know"he said.

"Alright now stay close and don't you dare wander off"Nicole said giving him a harsh glare before leading the way out "Yeah yeah"Zoro said following her, Nicole just knew he'd wander off anyway and grabbed his hand to make sure he stayed close, Zoro blushed at this.

~skip~

"Commander!"the lieutenant yelled barging into the office "What is it lieutenant?"the commander asked "It's Roronoa he escaped!"the lieutenant yelled "What?! There's no way!"the lieutenant commanded yelled.

"And what's more the cell door was cut clean off!"the lieutenant yelled "What?!"the lieutenant commander asked, the commander hummed looking at the third poster on his desk "It appears the She Wolf has freed her mate"he said "Sir?"the lieutenant commander asked.

"Lieutenant make sure none of the men know about this, we can't have rumors spreading and the Strawhats catch wind of this, we'll let them think we have their friend still caught and lure more in"the commander said "Yes sir!"the lieutenant saluted.

~skip~

Usopp yelled as he was tossed into the cells and he noticed Zoro wasn't there "What the?"he trailed off "Oh you didn't hear? Your friend Mihawk freed the pirate hunter some time ago but not to worry, we will capture them both, you'll have plenty of company in the cell"the commander said before walking off.

~skip~

"We've captured another strawhat, a man with a long nose over"the mini transponder snail Nicole had swiped off of some marine said, she closed it "Shit"she muttered "What should we do?"Zoro asked, Nicole hummed closing her eyes "Sanji and Luffy are headed to the cells, the commander will probably lay a trap for them, we don't have to worry about Nami, Chopper and Robin they're safe for now and clever enough to stay out of trouble"she said and opened her eyes.

"What do you think we should do?"Nicole asked looking at Zoro "We go help Usopp and the others"he said "Alright then"Nicole smirked grabbing his hand again and leading him over to where she was sensing Luffy and Sanji.

~skip~

"There they are!"Nicole called jumping down with Zoro "Zoro! Nicole! Why are you here?"Luffy greeted them with a grin as the group ran together across the bridge "Oh you know just hanging out"Nicole shrugged as the group continued running, Nicole could sense marines all around them just waiting to pounce.

"Whoa we're really high up, that's a long way to fall yikes"Usopp said, the marines finally showed themselves as the group was nearing the end of the bridge "Alright there they are"Luffy said as even more appeared stopping the group in their tracks, Usopp screamed "See i told ya but you wouldn't listen to me!"he said running away but more marines showed up surrounding them.

"Nice"Sanji said "Just as many behind us looks like we're all gonna get a work out"Zoro said "Pfft these guys don't seem that though"Nicole said "Listen up we're getting out of here no matter what"Luffy said "Please allow us to introduce ourselves we're the legendary unit 55 and you pirates will never cross this bridge on our watch"the leader of the unit said walking forward.

"I already crossed once today but i guess you guys were off the clock then huh?"Sanji asked "I'm gonna make you eat those words pirate"the leader guy said and the marines attacked, each of the group got to work beating the crap out of them except Usopp who just ran away and used an impact dial to absorb attacks.

Then Luffy did his gum gum battle axe move destroying the bridge and everyone fell down in the water, Zoro dragged Luffy to shore while Sanji dragged Usopp, Nicole didn't drag anything but a ton of water in her hair "Moron you never think about the consequences do you?"Sanji asked "I'm sorry"Luffy said "Well let's go where's the dock?"Zoro asked "Uh that way"Usopp said pointing towards it.

~skip~

"Are you sure it's this way Usopp?"Zoro asked as the group was running towards the dock where Merry was, Nicole could hear a ton of marines waiting for them but she didn't know another way in so she said nothing "Trust me it's just around the corner"Usopp said and the group ran into an ambush.

The marines had all their guns pointing at them "We're busted"Sanji said "I knew it was an ambush"Zoro said "Sniper team seven to the front shooters take aim!"the lieutenant commander ordered "Fire!"he ordered but Luffy send the bullets back with his gum gum balloon "What the hell are you doing?!"Sanji and Zoro yelled at him.

"Cannon team twelve to the front, fire!"the lieutenant commander ordered, at first the ammo seemed like duds but they released a gas that burned the groups eyes "Sword unit to the front attack!"the lieutenant commander ordered but the group dealt with them regardless until Luffy used his gum gum whip taking Sanji, Zoro and Nicole with the marines.

"Now that was fun, huh where're the guys?"Luffy asked "You whipped them along with everyone else!"Usopp yelled at him "Sorry"Luffy said "You think next time!"Sanji yelled at him before turning to Zoro and getting into a fight with him for some reason, until Nicole bonked their heads together "In case you two forgot we're surrounded by the enemy!"she yelled at them.

"Fire!"the lieutenant commander yelled trapping Luffy in a sea prism stone net "Luffy!"Usopp called "Stay right where you are, it says dead or alive on your wanted posters here at G-8 we lean towards alive however if you insist on meeting us with further resistance i'll be forced to amend that policy"the lieutenant commander said.

"Luffy you gotta try harder we're in real trouble here"Usopp said "I'm trying but it's no use it won't budge and i'm all worn out"Luffy said "Sea prism stone?"Zoro asked "Precisely, especially designed prison net bomb, so Strawhat what do you think?"the lieutenant commander asked, the marines closed in on the group.

"Look at this there's a sea of them left after all the ones we took out"Sanji said "Make this easy and give up, escape from here alive is impossible"the lieutenant commander said and just as it seemed they were done for Nami and Chopper came running with a stretcher "What the hell?!" Nami asked seeing all the marines.

"Usopp?"Chopper asked peaking out of the blanket as the long nose crashed on the ground "Somebody call a doctor"Usopp muttered "Usopp!"Chopper yelled changing forms and grabbing the sniper "Look what they've done to him, he could die, it's all because of those solders"Chopper growled "Not quite right"Sanji, Zoro and Nicole said waving it off.

The other woman that came crashing in let out a loud scream and pretended she was a hostage along with Nami, Chopper went along with the act, the other Strawhats caught on and played along "I would do what he says the neck snap thing is pretty messy"Zoro said "How would it look if you the righteous arm of justice let two women die?"Sanji asked.

~skip~

The marines let them pass, Nicole still kept her guard up as the Strawhats passed by, she nudged Zoro a bit and ever so slightly gestured over to the marine following them among the crowd, Zoro nodded ever so slightly having noticed that as well.

"Nicole, Nami, Chopper, lover boy run to the ship on my signal, Luffy i'm gonna need your help to get us out of this you gotta stretch your arms and get everyone on board"Zoro muttered under his breath "Okay"Luffy said, Sanji noticed the marine following them as well "I get it"he said.

Someone dropped their gun which gave the lone marine the perfect opportunity to get the female doctor, they were about to grab Nami too but she punched him "Make a run for the ship!"Zoro said just as the said ship started to leave, Luffy grabbed the crew slinging them over to the ship before following with Zoro as the ship touched down in the water.

~skip~

"Why are we hugging the edge of this cliff?"Zoro asked as the Merry and her crew were sailing "Protection we'd have cannons blasting us from both sides if we went through the middle"Nami said "Where am i?"Usopp asked waking up "Oh he's awake"Luffy said "This is Merry how'd we get back?"Usopp asked "With a hostage and a quick flight"Luffy said.

"I see Nami was the hostage nice touch"Usopp said "Wasn't it though?"Nami asked "You are good at tricking people"Usopp said only to get a bonk on the head "Still Nami didn't make the ship move on its own how'd that happen?"Zoro asked "If i had to guess i'd say it was the old maintenance guy"Usopp said "Why that?"Zoro asked "Just a feeling"Usopp said.

Robin came swinging in and gave Nami a map of the fortress "They're shooting at us"Luffy said as cannon fire came from every direction "Seems they finally caught on to your act Nami"Nicole said "There's warships after us!"Usopp yelled spotting three of them following "Look there's out exit the sea gate!"Nami said as the gate came into sight.

"Usopp prepare the bow cannon, Chopper make extra certain you follow my order"Nami said "No problem"Chopper said "This is the bases only way out we'll have to brake through that gate"Nami said but something on the map didn't make sense to her "Nami we're all out of cannonballs!"Usopp reported "Are you kidding me we don't have a single cannon ball?!"Nami asked.

"Not a one, no explosives of any kind not even the boxes they came in"Usopp said "Well that's hardly surprising given that they confiscated the Going Merry"Robin said "No matter i can cut that gate like hot butter"Nicole said "We can't just rush into this though"Zoro said "All we gotta do is gain control of that gate house"Sanji said.

"Don't say that like it's gonna be easy"Usopp said "It is cause i have a great idea"Luffy said with a grin, the marines fired at them but Luffy caught the cannon balls with his gum gum balloon and sent them hurling at the sea gate destroying it "It worked!"Usopp said "That's one way to do it good job Luffy! Now lets sail out of here!"Nami said however she then realized something, if all the cannonballs were taken, she went to check, all of the treasure was gone as well.

The Going Merry and her crew used the smoke from the earlier attack on the sea gate to disappear so the Strawhats could get their hard earned treasure back, they hid the Merry in one of the old docks within the base.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Well what do we do now guys?"Usopp asked as the Strawhat crew was gathered in the Merry's cabin "If you ask me we should head back to the gate and make a brake for it while we still can"Zoro said "You got a point there the marines mean business it's too bad we have to leave the gold behind but our lives are more important"Usopp said.

"You're the captain Luffy what do you think?"Chopper asked "We need to get our gold but i need something to eat first"Luffy said "I heard ya give me a sec and i'll whip something up"Sanji said checking the fridge "Uhm the store rooms look kinda empty"Usopp said "There's gotta be something left to eat here"Sanji said.

"Just so i understand correctly you guys are okay leaving this place without our gold?"Nami asked, the others nodded "Well that's too bad cause you know pirate treasure is always divided up even after splitting up the loot we'd all have more gold then we knew what to do with think of all the stuff we could have bought"Nami said.

"I could finally get a new swords"Nicole muttered "I wanna go buy some stuff"Usopp said "Like what?"Nami asked "Oh i'll tell you what i wanna buy a big gold statue"Luffy said, which is kinda redundant spending gold to buy gold "Oh Nami over here i wanna buy a bunch of new medical books ones that'll teach me all about the latest medical procedures and operations"Chopper said.

"New pots, frying pans, silverware giant mouse trap wow even after all that there'd still be a lot left over"Sanji said doing calculations with an abacus "I could buy lots of booze"Zoro grinned, Nicole sweatdropped at him "Right"Nami said and everyone nodded "But first i take an extra cut eighty percent"she said "Are you nuts?!"the others yelled at her "It's not for me"Nami said.

"Oh yeah then who? And why should they receive a bigger share then the rest of us huh?" Usopp asked "It's set aside for a special lady we're going to set it aside for the repairs we need to make" Nami winked "A lady? Oh wait you mean the Merry?"Luffy asked "That's right isn't it about time we paid her back for all she's done for us?"Nami asked.

"Well come to think of it the Going Merry has carried us for a long time hasn't she? Ever since i joined up and left my village in the East Blue"Usopp said recalling what happened so long ago "We've had so many adventures lots of good times and made so many memories"Nami said recalling when she left her island.

"Hey don't forget the Going Merry was also with us when we crossed that crazy Reverse Mountain and made it into the Grand Line"Zoro said recalling that "Don't forget sky island"Sanji said recalling the knock up stream, Nicole didn't particularly say anything but recalled all the times she and Zoro had napped leaning on the Merry, she's definitely been a bit of a matchmaker.

"Yeah i even risked my life to save it when it was carried to upper yard"Chopper said recalling that time "Yeah then that mysterious someone fixed the ship for us"Usopp said recalling what he saw one misty night, the others were still sceptical about it "I saw somebody i swear"Usopp said "When you think about it this ships gone through a lot for us"Luffy said recalling their fall from sky island.

"And that's exactly why we need to give her some tender love and care"Nami said "Good idea the Going Merry's great repair"Usopp said "Let's do it"Luffy said "It's settled then and since we don't know how much the repairs will be we'll hold off dividing the treasure until we do"Nami said "Those goons took all the food from the store room but lucky for us they didn't touch the fridge, here dig in"Sanji said serving a plate of food.

Everyone grabbed some food "I've been wondering how much longer Usopp's half assed repairs are gonna last"Zoro said munching on his food "Hey i'm a sniper not a shipwright but yeah the old repair guy said the same thing it needs a professionals touch"Usopp said "Yeah right it's time we took the merry to a real ship yard and get honest to good shipwrights for the repairs she needs"Sanji said.

"So there are people who can fix ships better the Usopp?"Chopper asked "Yup sometimes when you need a job done right you gotta go see a professional"Usopp said "That's it! We gotta get a shipwright for our crew!"Luffy suddenly announced "Our journey's far from over right? We really need someone with those skills and the Merry isn't just our ship she's our home too so let's go find us a shipwright who can keep the Merry safe"he said.

"Well i'm impressed"Sanji said "Whoa he got to the point that's pretty rare"Zoro said "And here i thought he'd suggest we get a musician like he always does"Nicole said "That sounds really good to me Luffy let's go do it"Usopp said "Uh that's what i just said"Luffy said "I just hope we get somebody good"Usopp said "We should get a musician too"Luffy said.

"And there it is"Nicole said "The shipwrights a great idea but haven't you all forgotten something"Nami said "What's that?"The others asked "We have to get our gold back first"Nami said "Oh yeah right"Luffy said "Well do we have any idea where they might have taken it?"Zoro said "Don't ask me, it's so noisy with all the marines around and it could be locked behind a vault or something"Nicole said.

"The problem is we have no clue where that vault may be"Sanji said "I'd say here"Robin said pointing over at something on the map, it's just a guess of course but if i were to hide gold inside Navarone this multi lock storage vault seems like it would be the ideal place"Robin said "You're right that does seem like the most obvious place"Nami said 'Which means the commander will probably move the gold at some point, probably to his office to reel us in' Nicole thought calmly sipping tea.

"Alright guys let's bust into that vault and get our gold back"Nami said "But what do we do about the Merry we can't just leave her here she's sure to get spotted eventually"Usopp said "Hide a tree in a forest and hide a big ship among big ships"Luffy said "You're just full of wisdom aren't you?"Nicole muttered as the others sweatdropped.

"I don't know if it'll help or not but we are in a dock where ships used to be constructed and repaired when we sailed in just now i couldn't help but notice an abundance of abandoned materials on the ground"Robin said "You don't say well that gives me a great idea"Usopp said and whispered his plan "Well?"he asked "Yeah!"the others cheered.

~skip~

"Well what do you think guys? Not bad if i do say so myself, at least we don't have to worry about the Merry getting stolen again right?"Usopp asked once he had finished a disguise for the Merry, the ship now had a sort of shell around it painted to look like a marine ship "Gluing paper around the ship to disguise it what a great idea"Zoro said with obvious sarcasm.

"I don't know it could work"Nicole shrugged "I don't know guys it looks like a three year old did it you think that's gonna fool anyone for very long?"Sanji asked "Yeah of course it will it looks just like one of the marines warships no doubt about it"Luffy said "It sure does"Chopper said "You're nuts"Zoro said.

"Great now all we have to do is get our treasure back operation gold recovery commences at midnight got it?"Nami asked "Got it!"the crew replied "Uhm why don't we go right now?" Chopper asked "Well cause super secret missions are always better at midnight"Luffy said.

~skip~

"Alright guys enough waiting let's go get our gold back"Nami said "Yeah"the crew said and started to move out "Hey wait a minute"Usopp said "What's wrong Usopp?"Luffy asked looking back to the sniper "We can't just rush off like this shouldn't we come up with some sort of plan first?"Usopp asked "Well what kind of plan are you suggesting?"Nicole asked.

"Well don't you think those marines will notice eight people sneaking around their fortress?" Usopp asked "You got a point there"Zoro said "I'm still worried about the Merry too even though we did disguise her pretty well"Usopp said "It won't fool them for long though"Sanji said "Wait you don't think so? Why not?"Chopper asked "Yeah don't worry it looks real"Luffy said.

"That hunk of junk? Please"Zoro said "Don't you dare call it junk and besides that's not the issue here! Honestly am i the only member of this crew that thinks about the important things? Like for instance coming up with a plan to recover what's rightfully ours? That reminds me, Nami what happened to the waver?"Usopp asked.

"Oh crap i hid it in some tall grass i forgot"Nami said "Do you see what i mean?"Usopp asked "Uh sorry"Nami said "Nami you're so cute when you forget"Sanji said with heart eyes "Well all stupidity aside i think it's about time i explain my plan to all you guys okay listen up"Usopp said spreading the map open on the floor.

"Alright here's the scoop people, we're gonna have to split up into two teams first is the gold recovery team it consist of Luffy, Zoro, Nicole, Robin and captain Usopp team two will be waver recovery team it consist of Nami and Sanji"Usopp said "What an incredible plan Usopp"Sanji said with heart eyes and went over to Nami "Can't wait to work with you partner"he said "Can't wait"Nami smiled at him.

"What a dumbass"Zoro said "You jerk"Sanji said coming over while Chopper climbed up to Zoro's shoulder "So Usopp you're just gonna leave me alone with the ship again?"Chopper asked crying "Hey don't worry the Merry's disguised so well i'm pretty sure you won't be discovered"Usopp said.

"Pretty sure?"Chopper asked with a sweatdrop "And what will happen if we get hurt we need you here to tend to our injuries super doctor"Usopp smirked "Hey! You're just trying to suck up to me it won't work jerk!"Chopper said while dancing around "Alright guys this dial represent where we are now"Usopp said pointing over to it.

"The gold recovery team will need to avoid the heavily guarded routes and take the shortest path along the coast to the storage vault"Usopp said pointing out the route "Now Nami do you happen to remember the spot where you hid the waver?"Usopp asked "Yes on the eastern side of the island along this bay here just at the bade of these cliffs"Nami said pointing it out.

"Almost opposite of us, it'll take you guys too long to get there if you go by land, ah yes that should do it, Nami that boat should get you and Sanji across the bay in a jiffy alright team let's go complete our missions and then we'll meet back here at the merry got it?"Usopp asked "Yeah!"the crew said.

~skip~

"I don't see the point of why you insist on using those barrels as cover, you know i can sense any marines approaching, if anything a bunch of barrels shifting place is more suspicious"Nicole said walking beside the barrels the rest of the group had hid in "Besides the coast is clear"she added "Why didn't you say so sooner?!"Usopp yelled popping out of his barrel.

~skip~

The group was now on the run, Nicole was ignoring whatever the others were saying keeping her eyes and ears open, they reached a cliff "Is this really the place?"Usopp asked "Behind that door?"Zoro asked "If the maps correct yes"Robin said "And the vaults pretty close huh?"Usopp asked "Yes so braking in through that spot should be the shortest route"Robin said "I'm hearing a lot of people in there, this definitely seems like the right place"Nicole said.

The group used a rope to slide over to the bases opening and broke through the doors "We're in luck not a marine in sight"Usopp said peaking through the opening the others ran in, the group continued to run, Nicole could sense marines around them but not see any, this had to be a trap.

The group arrived at the front of a massive vault door "Wow that things awesome!"Usopp said "Some serious security"Robin said looking at the complex lock system "Right now to just cut it down"Nicole said walking forward "You honestly think you can cut that massive thing?"Zoro asked "Well i won't know until i try"she shrugged and took a stance ready to cut the massive door down when spotlights came on.

"That's far enough!"a voice yelled as doors to the hall they came in from closed the way back, the group was stuck with a ton of marines pointing guns at them "So they were waiting for us"Zoro said "I knew it, this was a trap"Nicole said "It would seems so"Robin said "Just give up you're trapped like rats, there's no chance of escape surrender and!"the officer was cut off as Usopp shot at him.

"What? And just give up our gold? No way we'll take on each and every one of you, okay take it from here guys"Usopp said hiding way in the back, the marines started firing at them but of course the crew fought back while Usopp was opening the vault door, eventually Usopp got the vault door to open which fell down but the vault was empty, except for the diagram of a fish.

"Looks like they pulled one over on us guys"Zoro said "I just knew it! That commander is a crafty one"Nicole said "You have to had it to them"Robin said "I wish i could eat a fish that big right now"Luffy said "How can you think about food at a time like this? We almost got killed opening this thing up"Usopp said.

"Commander Jonathan knew you'd come here once he realized you had stolen the map, there's no where to run give up"the officer said "What now?"Nicole asked "We need to get out of here"Robin said.

"Yeah if our gold's not here we just need to go look for it some place else"Luffy said "That's easier said then done, in case you haven't noticed those doors are the only way out of here and we have to fight those guys to get to them"Usopp said "So what's the problem?"Zoro smirked "Come on you guys we're getting out of here"Luffy said with a grin.

"Not if the men of Navarone have anything to say about it"the officer said as the marines aimed at them, the crew got ready to fight when the doors opened "End of the line pirate scum"the person who walked through them said "Who's this clown?"Nicole muttered she had sensed their approach but this guy was a joke, he was even weaker then the average rookie private.

"You came to the vault just i predicted you would"the clown said walking forward "And just who the hell are you?! And who gave you permission to open those doors?!"the officer asked "Who am i? I'm a special inspector from HQ the name's Major Shepard, your commander gave me and my unit permission to open those doors, we'll take it from here, you and your men aren't needed anymore"the clown said walking over.

"Hey wait don't i know you? Oh you were the guy locked up with Usopp, what are you doing bossing these guys around?"Luffy asked "I can't tell you how much i've been looked forward to this, thanks to you i've dealt with humiliation, incarcerations and being called Condoriano, you'll rue the day you crossed me you're all going to pay!"the clown said.

"Major Shepard"the officer said "What can you see i'm talking here?"the clown asked "You're going to need more men trust me i say this from experience just don't underestimate them major"the officer said "Shut up! We're elite forces not G-8 nincompoops like you who let pirates run circles around them, i'm going to take down the Strawhats so unless you want a court marshal stand down understood?"the clown asked "Yes sir"the officer said.

"Are you done yet?"Luffy asked "Yes just like your pathetic lives are about to be, you bring my new toy"the clown said and one of the men handed something to him "Say hello to the latest state of the art bazooka the eagle launcher it's as deadly as its name sake i assure you plus it packs as much of a punch as a warships main cannon"the clown said.

"What?!"Usopp said hiding away again "Is that supposed to impress me or something?"Zoro asked "I'm not scared bring it"Luffy said "You asked for it Strawhat die!"the clown yelled firing the bazooka except he had it backwards then Robin used her powers to twist the clown around firing shots everywhere.

"He and his special unit weren't very impressive"Usopp said "Well then shall we go?"Robin asked "Yeah let's find our gold!"Luffy said and the crew ran off "Where do you think our gold is?" Luffy asked "How should i know?"Zoro asked.

The crew made it outside the vault "We need to find some place safe to hold up and rethink our plan"Robin said "Is there even such a thing as a safe place here?"Usopp asked "Yeah that kitchen where me and Sanji were at"Luffy said "You just wanna go eat"Nicole said with a sweatdrop.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Could of sworn it was around here somewhere"Luffy said as the crew had made their way into the fortress and making their way towards the mess hall "Wait you mean this isn't the right place?"Usopp asked "I don't know i can't tell"Luffy said "You can't? But weren't you and Sanji here just a few hours ago?"Usopp asked "According to this map were in the medical ward"Robin said reading the map.

"Shhs i think i hear someone up ahead"Usopp said, Nicole could 'hear' them too, two people right behind the door Usopp was leaning against to listen in on them "Those voices"Luffy trailed off leaning on the door too "It's that doctor that acted as our hostage"Robin said "And the old man"Usopp said, the crew went inside the room hoping they knew where the gold was.

"So the gold wasn't on your ship?"the doctor asked "Or in the vault"Robin said "it's wild that you two are father and daughter, say are you sick or something old man?"Usopp asked "Let's just say that there's nothing wrong with me that a nip from the bottle won't cure, the stuff in this bottle is all the medicine i need"the old man said going to take a drink before the doctor snatched it away.

"Ah dad, you know there's no smoking or drinking in the medical ward"the doctor said "Come on just one drink"the old man said "No!"the doctor said "Why do you have to be so stubborn?" the old man asked "Come on old man you really need to listen to your daughter i mean your doctor"Usopp said.

"You're lecturing me? The same guys who's hides i saved? But instead of escaping they come waltzing right back here? Oh that's rich, is that blasted really that important to you guys?"the old guy asked.

"Of course it is old repair guy we are pirates after all"Luffy said "Think about it dad would you walk away from that much gold if it was yours? I'm sure they must have worked really hard for it"the doctor said "You just stay out of this Kobato!"the old man told his daughter "We were saving that gold"Usopp said "Saving?"the old man asked "Yeah we were gonna use it to hire a shipwright to make major repairs on the Merry like you said we should"Usopp said.

"Ha like i believe a bunch of pirates?"the old man asked "Fine you don't have to believe us, but we are going to fix the Merry up i don't care what you believe you old coot"Usopp said "Coot?" the old man asked and the two got into a growling match "Dad i believe him"the doctor said "Huh?"the old man asked.

"It isn't just their ship, it's also their home"the doctor said smiling a bit "Home? Yeah"the old man said and lead them out to the base of a cliff "Well there it is, it's not the quickest way to get around but there usually aren't many guards up that way that path will take you right up into the mountains"the old man said.

"It looks more like a sheer cliff then it does a path"Usopp said "Alright then let's go get our gold thanks old repair guy"Luffy said already climbing up the cliff side "Good luck!"Usopp said and the others started going up the path.

"Too bad we didn't have time to come up with a plan back there"Robin said as the crew made it to the top "So what are we supposed to do now? Just wander around aimlessly until we find the gold?"Usopp asked "No i have a hunch where it might be"Nicole said before the others could ask her where they heard the waver and Nami approaching.

They explained the situation to her "I see and then you ran into doctor Kobato, Nicole you said you had a hunch where the gold is?"Nami asked, Nicole nodded "Yeah i bet the gold is in the commanders office"she said.

"Why do you think that? It could be in another vault"Nami said "Doubt it, any other vaults could just be traps, besides that we don't have the time to run around checking every single one dawn will come up which will make things much harder, the commander is the fishing type meaning he's using the gold as bait and what better place to dangle the bait then right infront of the fishermen?"Nicole asked.

"Oh nice thinking"Robin said, Nami bonked Luffy waking him up "Hey what gives?"he asked "You did say you know where the commanders office is right? So take me there"Nami said "Huh? Okay"Luffy said "Alright Luffy and i will go, Robin you and the others get back to the old dock, Chopper and Sanji will be waiting for you"Nami said.

"You want any back up?"Robin asked "No, the waver can only hold two people"Nami said, she and Luffy then left on the waver as the others went back to the Merry.

~skip~

The Going Merry and her crew sailed past the warships, they headed for the sea gate "Guys i can't wait to get out of here can you?"Luffy asked "Well our navigator doesn't feel the same way"Zoro said "I'm not too happy either, this is too easy, no self respecting marine would just let pirates escape, that commander has another trick up his sleeve i'm sure of it"Nicole said.

The warships after them dropped anchor seemingly giving up the fight, the marines weren't even firing on the Merry "This just has to be another trap"Nicole said "That's what's worrying me i don't know"Nami said, the ship continued to sail regardless but soon enough the trap was revealed as the tide receded.

The Going Merry was trapped in the shallows "Yeah i knew it"Nami said looking over the map "Why are you patting yourself on the back?"Usopp asked before Sanji kicked him "I knew there had to be a reason why the marines used a shallow bay full of reefs as a port i wondered that the first time we tried to escape, now i have the answer"Nami said.

"This is a shallow bay but they can let more water in and regulate it's depth with the sea gate however they can also use it to let water out and low tide if they need to for instance to stop a fleeing ship which makes trying to escape at low tide impossible"Nami said lowering the map.

"Oh so that explains why no ships can enter or leave at certain times of the day nice work"Robin said "So what do we do?"Zoro asked "Duh we head for the sea gate"Luffy said "We can't stupid!" the others yelled at him "Full speed ahead yeah!"Luffy said ignoring them.

Just then the Merry ran into the reefs throwing Luffy off board, the Merry came to a stop and water was pouring in from hole in the hull, the boys panicked over that but the water soon drained out, they were still stuck though and with the hole on the Merry their ship would sink as soon as the tide returned.

"We need a plan here"Usopp said getting out the hole "I got a plan give me some food first!"Luffy yelled over, the boys ignored him though as Usopp dug out an impact dial "On the bright side the water's so low we don't have to worry about the ship sinking until the next high tide"Robin said "That is if we even last that long, their already aiming their cannons at us"Nicole said.

"That true but we can't escape either"Nami said "Since we can't do anything else let's eat"Luffy said "We got more to worry about then your stomach look!"Nami yelled at him and pointed out the cannons aiming at them.

"Attention Strawhat Luffy and his fellow crew mates, all of you have fought valiantly against one of the marines great fortresses and for that we salute you, you may be the enemy but you've impressed me greatly however it's time we end this game this is checkmate, you got nowhere to run and your surrounded so don't even think about trying to escape"the commander said over the speaker system.

"You've put up a good fight but accept it, you've been beat, now listen surrender and as commander of this fortress you have my word that your crew will be treated with the utmost respect give up quietly and i'll even make you a deal, you, Mihawk Nicole and Roronoa Zoro are the only strawhats with bounties on your heads so i have no choice but to had you over to headquarters however i promise to let the rest of your crew go free but if you attempt another escape i'll get mad"the commander said.

The Strawhats gathered on the Merry "Hey guys i think i got the answer to our predicament and it's right in my hand"Usopp said showing the impact dial he had dug out "This impact dial while escaping from the fortress i kept using it to absorb impacts while those troopers tried to stop us there are so many inside i bet we could blast the Merry out here with it"Usopp said.

"Oh"Chopper said "Super and if it could just get us over the cliff then we can reach open water" Nami said "Yeah but out of the frying pan and into the fire with that big hole we'd sink right away"Sanji said "What if we could make that octopus balloon fly again?"Robin asked "Hey that's a good idea"Zoro said "Except where is the octopus?"Nicole asked.

"Uh uh"Chopper said "I'll say"Nami cried "Where'd it go?"Sanji asked "The octopus"Robin said "Yeah"Zoro said "I have it"Luffy said showing himself between Zoro and Nicole "He has it"Nicole said "Luffy has it"Usopp said "He does?"Chopper asked "That's what he said"Nami cried "Who has it?"Sanji asked "Luffy"Robin said "He has it"Zoro said "Yup sure do"Luffy said grinning as he completed the circle.

"What?! Where?!"The others asked "Right here!"Luffy said pulling it out of his pants "Do you mind telling us why you had that thing in your pants?!"Nami yelled at him "He helped us out when we fell from the sky so i wanted to keep him safe"Luffy said "Wasn't that gross?"Zoro asked "For him or the octopus?"Sanji asked "Gross how?"Luffy asked "Gay, i bet he liked it slithering around"Nicole whispered to Zoro, he chuckled "You're bad"he smirked, she smirked back.

"Now that he's back in the fresh air we should inflate the octopus again, right long nose?"Robin asked "Uhm sure now if i could just find my flame dial somehow it's gone missing"Usopp said, Luffy had that too "I was playing with it in the kitchen"Luffy said.

"Stop it! Or i will give you a taste of this impact dial, speaking of which who's gonna fire it?" Usopp asked, the others were giving him an evil glint while chuckling darkly "What gives?" Usopp asked "Who does the impact dial belong to?"Luffy asked "It's Usopp's"Zoro said "Right long nose?"Robin asked.

"Then it's only fair we let the owner do it"Sanji said "You're the best Usopp"Nami said "Good luck Usopp"Chopper said "Hey don't worry old buddy we'll give you a hand"Nicole said "It's decided then"Luffy said "Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!"Usopp yelled into the nigh as the crew lifted the Merry's sails.

"Hey all set up here!"Chopper yelled from the crows nest "Roger!"Nami yelled back "Everything's ready it's all up to you guys now!"she said to the crew below deck, Usopp had the impact dial on his hand aimed to blast through the hole on the side of the ship his had was being held in place by Zoro, Sanji, Nicole and Luffy.

"No i don't wanna do it! Using this thing is gonna hurt like crazy!"Usopp yelled "Oh suck it up" Nicole said "Three"Zoro said "Two"Sanji said "One!"Luffy said "And lift off!"they all said releasing the impact and sending the Merry flying, however they soon started falling back down, that's where the octopus came in Robin who held up the octopus with her powers, Nami and Luffy inflated it.

"Come on Usopp we need you to do one more"Zoro said dragging the poor sniper up "No please anything but that"Usopp said "Quit whining you big baby, fine i'll do it!"Nicole said grabbing the impact dial and aiming it, the octopus inflated fully "NOW!"she said releasing the impact sending the Merry flying again, she yelped flying back but Zoro caught her "Shit that hurt!"she yelled "See?! It's much worse then you thought huh?"Usopp asked her.

"Oh shut up this is nothing"Nicole said getting up and returning the dial to Usopp shaking her arm out as everyone went on deck and watched the sun rise from the bow.

Chapter Text

~Third~

After having made a daring escape from the marine base G-8 the Strawhats were flying along in the night sky in their ship the Going Merry, the call of a hawk interrupted the peaceful silence as the majestic bird of auburn feathers landed on the extended arm of Nicole, her golden yellow eyes scanned the letter flicking between word, a smile curled her lips.

"What does daddy dearest say this time?"Zoro asked leaning on the railing next to her, Nicole gave him a quick glare "Don't ever say that it sounds weird, anyway he's just saying how proud he is that i got my first bounty"she said smiling again as she looked at the letter "He's proud of that fact?"Zoro asked "Yep"Nicole simply said already writing a reply to her father.

Nicole tied the letter on the hawks leg and send it off "What kind of a bird is that anyway?"Zoro said "It's called a Globetrotter Hawk, it's a species of hawk that can fly without a brake for an entire year and it's fast enough to need only that much time to traverse the entire world"Nicole said (made up bird, my book, my rules) "Huh i guess that's interesting"Zoro said.

Just then the flame dial keeping the octopus that was keeping them up inflated went out and the octopus started deflating almost immediately, the Going Merry fell down to the sea but thankfully the drop hadn't been too long so at least the ship was in one piece, they let the octopus go into the sea before continueing to sail on their ship normally, however before they could even get to work a huge wave caused by sea monkeys swept them away.

~skip~

After a while of sailing around the Strawhats ran into a ship with no sails and practically no crew, most of them dismissed it but Nicole had a hunch to what happened to them, after that the Going Merry and her crew arrived on an island where everything was ridiculously long, even the animals.

Luffy, Usopp and Chopper went on land first and immediately set off to explore it, the others didn't got far from the ship as another ship showed up and blocked the Merry in with chains "We are the notorious foxy pirates we want more then just a fight we wanna showdown!"some guy said.

~skip~

"You said the fight's already started?"Nami asked "That's right a Davy Back Fight begins as soon as one captain accepts the challenge from the other captain no take backs"some guy said "In other words your captain is fighting our captain whether you like it or not all you can do is sit back and deal with it"another guy said.

"I don't get this if it's a fight why do i have to sit and wait? Let's do this right here right now"Zoro said, Sanji sighed "You don't know anything do you? It's not a real fight it's more like a sports match between different pirate crews"he said "Exactly, supposedly the game originated in a far away place called pirate island as the name implies it's a sort of secret paradise for pirates, at any rate the purpose of the Davy Back fight is to plunder desirable members from another pirates crew"Robin said.

"Pirates plundering other pirates?"Nami asked "Pretty much yeah"Nicole said "No wonder your puny little crew only has eight members, a Davy Back fight is the best way to pull in new recruits"some guy said "Since you're so clueless i'll tell you how it works after each match the winner can take any member they want from the losing team"another said.

"And once that person is chosen they gotta pledge their undying loyalty to their new captain on the spot"one guy said "Both crews take their oath in the name of Davy Jones the pirate of the deep"another one said "So if you lose, you lose a crew member?"Nami asked "No you're getting it, also if the losing team doesn't have any members worth plundering the winning captain can add insult to injury by robbing the ship of its jolly roger"one guy said.

"So you're not just betting your crew mates but the pride of your ship too winning might make you stronger but losing will leave you with nothing at all might as well be betting your life"Sanji said "I see that explains it that ship without a captain or a navigator or sails, they must have lost everything in a Davy Back fight"Nami said.

"Oh so you saw the fang frog pirates or what's left of them at least how about we give you a chance to admire our handy work in person here let's have a round of applause for our brand new recruits"one guy said as another walked forward, the members that were taken from the fang frog pirates.

"What about your crew huh? You don't care? Just join a new ship and leave them out to dry?" Zoro asked "Yeah no kidding those poor saps got a one way ticket to a watery grave"Sanji said "Watery grave? That's their problem don't look at me"the guy said, Nicole glared a bit at them "You're nothing but scum we're not playing your stupid game got it? There's no way we'd ever sink to your level!"Nami said.

"You can say that all you want but it ain't the crews decision to make the Davy Back fight begins as soon as one captain agrees to the challenge from another captain"one guy said "What's the matter don't you have faith in your captain? If you don't agree with the decisions he makes maybe you're better off joining us after all"another guy said.

"Sorry Nami but they're right, all pirates take an unwritten oath to follow their captain to the bitter end if we turned our back now we'd be sailing away in disgrace"Sanji said "So who cares? That's better then losing"Nami said "Maybe for you but i rather die then live in disgrace"Zoro said "The same goes for me"Sanji said "You don't get it at all do you? Do you seriously have zero pride in yourself?"Nicole asked Nami.

"Ugh forget it, i'll stop Luffy by force if i have to"Nami said running off "I'm guessing no"Nicole muttered, Zoro nodded in agreement "Don't bother, it's too late all that's left now is to wait for the captains to fire a shot to signal the beginning of the match"one guy said but Nami ignored them all as she continued running.

Just then they could hear two shots in the distance "Well too late now"Nicole said "Guess that settles it"Sanji said "Well i'm not complaining"Zoro said "Should be interesting at least"Robin said "He's agreed to the game!"the foxy pirates cheered.

~skip~

The Foxy pirates set up a whole festival for this one single fight, you had to admit at least they knew how to make it entertaining, the Strawhats were gathered at the back of the party listening to the rules and so forth, anyway Luffy picked three games "It's settled then, let Davy Jones be our witness!"the other captain said tossing the coins into the sea.

"Huh so who's this Davy Jones guy?"Chopper asked "A pirate who was cursed by the devil and forced to spend all of eternity at the bottom of the sea"Robin said, it reminded Nicole of a story her father used to tell her all the time.

"I've never heard of people living underwater"Chopper said "Well that's what the legend says and all the treasures and ships that sink below the waves go to his locker never to be seen by any one again"Robin said "I knew the ocean was scary but that's crazy"Chopper said biting into cotton candy.

"Davy Jones has been taking his picks from all sorts of pirates for as long as anyone can remember that's why we call it a Davy Back fight in honor of the pirate that may someday claim your crew as his own"Sanji said "It's kinda tragic if you think about it, at least from the story my dad told me"Nicole said.

"Hey you know the rest of the rules right? Exactly eight people from each team will participate in the game, each person may play no more then one round, you may not change the grouping once the game starts"some guy said walking over explaining the rules to the Strawhats and handing the a list of the events.

"Damn you!!"Usopp said squishing Luffy's rubbery face in "It's all your fault!!"Nami said doing the same "Hey don't worry when we win we can get a shipwright"Luffy said with a careless grin "Why would we want someone from that kind of a pirate group?!"Usopp yelled at him "The games are racing, sports and combat"Zoro said reading the list.

"I'll take combat"Zoro said "What?! NO! I wanna fight!"Luffy yelled "No let me! My legs are itchy already!"Sanji yelled "I don't really care where i'm put in"Nicole said with a casual shrug "It's decided then, i'll turn in our listing"Robin said.

The teams were Nami, Robin and Usopp for round one Donut Race "Actually i just remembered that i have the dies if enters a boat race syndrome"Usopp said trying to lie his way out of it "I don't want to do this either but you need to toughen up!"Nami yelled at him "If it's eight people everyone needs to participate"Robin said.

For round two Zoro, Sanji, Nicole and Chopper "Don't get in my way"Zoro said "That's my line!"Sanji said "I'll do my best!"Chopper said, Nicole sighed "I have a feeling i'll have to do all the work"she muttered, for round three Luffy was all on his own "Yeah!"he yelled not too concerned about it.

"First up it's the obstacle course around the isle the Donut Race! You are given two oars and three barrels to make your canoe, you are disqualified if you use any extra materials, this is a chance for the shipwrights to show off, now for the self introduction, i am the party captain of the foxy pirates Slim Tim! I will broadcast the race from the air with my super sparrow of the south sea, Gigin! Now introducing the Strawhat team, they are the navigator Nami, sniper Usopp and archaeologist Robin! The boat they will use is called Barrel Tiger!"the commentator said.

"This won't sink will it?"Nami asked "I told you i'm not a shipwright"Usopp said "It'll probably sink"Robin said "And now representing team foxy, she is our sweetheart Porch, in assistance are the fishman Kapouti and Monda the star shark, their ship is the cutie wagon!"the commentator said.

"Hold on a second they have a fish on their team!"Nami yelled "Yes so? There's no rule that disallows fish crew"Porch said "Kick their ass!"Luffy yelled "I will make you sink"Porch said "Bring it on!"Nami said "Both teams get ready! But first the objective, it's very simple just go around the island once, oh by the way guns, cannons, swords, any weapon is allowed if you don't like it the you don't deserve to be a pirate!"the commentator said.

"What kind of a boat race is this?"Zoro asked "A pretty standard one if you ask me"Nicole said "I'm warning you Usopp! If any of the ladies get hurt i'll slice you into pieces and feed you to the fishes!"Sanji yelled at him "Don't lose! Usopp! Nami! Robin!"Luffy yelled "I'm so excited!"Chopper yelled.

The teams were handed an Eternal Pose each so they wouldn't get lost and the race got started however the starting shots were aimed at the Barrel Tiger sending the boat overturning, then a boulder was sent to flatten the Strawhats team however they avoided being sunk just in time, the Barrel Tiger started catching up to the other ship however the fishman used fishman karate to split the ocean.

Again the Strawhats managed to avoid being sunk, Robin used her powers to flip the fishman sending him colliding with the shark, this was their chance to pull ahead, on the shore as the others were cheering for their crew Nicole noticed Foxy sneaking away, she was sure he was up to something but she believed Nami wouldn't fall for his tricks so she stayed.

Meanwhile on the sea the Strawhats were trying to catch up to the foxy crew and after Usopp used an impact dial they flew right past them, the foxy crew caught up and regained their lead however Robin used her powers to hitch a ride, however they caught on the Strawhats seemed to have no choice but to use another impact but Usopp was being all cowardly.

However to their luck they reached some reefs and with Nami on board they had no problem navigating through the reefs using the wild currents to their advantage, even though Foxy blinded them with smoke they didn't have to do anything because the current took them right through the reefs.

The crew on the boat used another impact to clear the whirlpool at the end of the reefs and go right over the long cape, the Strawhats had a massive lead now and Nami wasn't falling for Foxy's cheap traps including a fake goal which actually fooled Foxy's own crew giving the Strawhats an even bigger lead, the foxy crew was in hot pursuit however but with some quick thinking and Usopp sniper skills they made some bamboo near the shore fall on the foxy team knocking out the fishman.

Porch wasn't letting them get away that easy however and used an attacked called flower shuriken which made a hole in the Strawhats boat, they could make it though however just as victory seemed assured Foxy used his devil fruit powers to slow down the Barrel Tiger, the others had been distracted so the foxy pirates won.(let's just pretend the foxy crew had four members in this round okay?)

Foxy explained his powers to the Strawhats and even gave them a demo, after that Foxy claimed Chopper as a part of his crew "Chopper!"Luffy yelled "Those bastards they took Chopper cause he looks like a rare pet"Sanji said "Is he a collector of rare pets?"Nami asked "Hopefully not a collector of rare pelts"Robin said "Eh reindeer aren't that rare"Nicole shrugged before chugging from the bottle she and Zoro were sharing.

"What?! This is not the time for jokes! They took out friend!"Usopp yelled "Listen up! Doctor Chopper you are now one of us you must swear loyalty to me! Put on the mask"Foxy laughed "Everyone"Chopper whimpered "Chopper!"Nami called "I'm sorry we lost Chopper!"Usopp yelled.

"Everyone, i, i don't want this, i started sailing with you guys, Luffy! Luffy asked me, i only went because Luffy asked, i don't wanna join these people!"Chopper yelled, Zoro slammed the bottle down.

"Shut your mouth Chopper! You are being disgraceful! It was your choice to get a life on the sea, dead or alive the choice was yours alone, don't blame it on others, we accepted the challenge! Usopp and the others tried their best, in the pirate's world tears won't get you anything, if you're a man the just sit tight and quietly watch the game!"Zoro said, Nicole smiled a bit emptying out the bottle.

"How could you say that?! He must feel terrible now!"Nami yelled at Zoro, however Chopper did as he was told and sucked it up "Let's get round two started already"Nicole said standing up "That's right there are two more matches, we have to retrieve our emergency food friend"Sanji said.

"The exchange is complete and the excitement explodes as the Davy Back Fight enters round two!"the commentator said "Hey wasn't Chopper supposed to be in the second round? How can he compete if they took him?"Usopp asked Robin "Good point"she said "That's one of the most thrilling parts of the game remember the rules you cannot change your teams roster no replacements allowed"one guy said.

"In other words only the remaining three contestants can participate in round two's game the Groggy Ring"the commentator said "Actually you could sit this one out too"Zoro told Sanji "Nah but feel free to do the same thing you loser"Sanji said, Nicole just sweatdropped as the two got into a fight, this was not looking good.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"I will now explain the rules of the Groggy Ring, we have a playing field and we have two goals knock the ball into the goal and you win, however the ball isn't actually a ball, the ball is a person both teams must select someone to be the ball make your selection"the commentator said.

"You heard him which one of you is gonna be the ball?"one guy asked walked over, Zoro jabbed his thumb pointing at Sanji just to annoy the cook "Ball marker"another guy said putting a ball hat on Sanji, Nicole snickered a bit causing Sanji to be even more irritated "Who said you get to pick? You're the ball you moss headed bastard!"he growled at Zoro who ignored him.

The foxy pirates began to chant "There it is, their entrance theme song, it's time to welcome back the undisputed elites of the Groggy Ring, the undefeated, unbeatable, unstoppable the famous Groggy monsters have taken the field behold the kings of the ring!"the commentator said as three people walked to the field.

"First up is Full Dash Hamburg, following behind is tackle machine Pickles and last but not least the half giant half fishman himself Big Pan! This is literally a monstrous march!"the commentator said as all three of them were huge and the tallest of them was wearing the ball "Disappointed?"Sanji asked "Heh, not at all"Zoro smirked cracking his neck, Nicole smirked steeling her gaze "Let's do this"she said.

"Our mighty Groggy Ring combatants have taken the field opposing them on the Strawhats team their meddlesome sideline supporter from the first round the savage chef Sanji! And beside him with a bounty of fifty eight million berries the stunning She Wolf Mihawk Nicole! And beside her with a bounty of sixty million berries pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro!"the commentator announced.

"Hardly worth our time to crush a couple of pipsqueaks, the woman might be fun though let's make her scream"Pickles said, Nicole glared at them "Try me"she said "Well start with a coin toss"the ref said tossing the coin "Tails"Hamburg called "Heads"Nicole called "It's tails, field or ball?"the ref asked turning to Hamburg "Ball please"he said.

"You heard him our Groggy monsters have chosen the ball! The Strawhats ball team will now enter the other teams mid circle"the commentator said "Left or right?"the ref asked "Doesn't matter"Zoro said "In case you wondered the ball men are the players with the silly little hats on their heads, knock your opponents ball man to the goal on their side of the field and the game is yours"the commentator said.

"Hey ball man get in position already!"Zoro told Sanji "Now listen i never agreed to be the ball in the first place better shut your mouth unless you want a boot to the teeth how am i supposed to look cool with this thing on my head?"Sanji asked "You gonna cry over a hat?"Zoro asked before taking a look "Hey it actually looks good on you"he said "You think i'm gonna fall for that stupid!"Sanji yelled at him, Nicole just sighed, she learned a while ago it's better to let them fight it out.

"Zoro! Nicole! Sanji! I'm counting on you!"Luffy yelled a big grin on his face "I'm sorry we lost the last round you guys! It's up to you now! Please get Chopper back! You gotta!"Usopp cried, Nicole sweatdropped as Sanji and Zoro started a match of rock paper scissors to decide who would be the ball and got into a fight "Oh for crying out loud!"Nicole yelled braking up their fight "Give me that!"she said snatching the ball from Sanji's head and putting it on hers "There problem solved"she said buckling the ball tightly on her head.

"Hey hold it! No weapons on the field! You two gotta lose the swords!"the ref called "Fine whatever"Nicole shrugged handing her sword with the pin still in its place to Robin "If anything happens to that pin i will fillet you and grind you into powder, understood?"she asked with a sharp glare "Understood miss Hawkeye"Robin said, Zoro handed his swords to the ref "Fine my fist are all i need"he said.

Nicole rolled her eyes and headed to the ring as Sanji and Zoro got into another fight "Well it certainly took long enough but the Strawhats new ball man, oh excuse me, ball woman has made her way to the opponents center ring"the commentator said "Nicole be careful!"Zoro called "Watch out for any tricks they might have!"Sanji called "Yeah yeah"Nicole said waving it off, she took a deep breath shaking off her nerves.

"Now why don't we go over a few quick rules, there's no time limit and the first team to score wins"the commentator said, Nicole stood there watching as the Groggy monsters just laughed, she knew the ref probably wouldn't pay any attention to cheating on the foxy pirates side so nothing was out of the question, she had to be ready for anything.

The game started with the blow of the ref's whistle, Pickles went to tackle Nicole but she just calmly jumped up dodging him at the last second "You're mine big fishy!"she said going to kick the giant fishman but lost her footing on the slippery skin, however she quickly used it to her advantage and punched the giant sending him backwards, however the giant caught himself and slapped Nicole sending her flying.

"Nicole!"Zoro, Sanji and Luffy yelled as she was sent spinning through the sky, she tried to gain control as while on the ground Zoro and Sanji were running after Hamburg, Zoro was tackled out of the way and Sanji missed his kick as Hamburg jumped up and caught Nicole and tossed her passing her to Pickle.

Zoro was frantically chasing Pickle as Sanji stayed with Hamburg trying to get a kick in but the Groggy monster kept avoiding his attacks, Zoro was sent flying by an attack from Pickle the same attack sending Nicole spinning once more, again she tried to gain control but just as she was about to Hamburg captured her and went to slam her into the goal, just the Zoro tossed Pickle over, Nicole smirked at Hamburg "Thanks for stopping me, now i can do this!"she said kicking him away and colliding with Hamburg knocking them both out.

"Nicole! You okay?"Sanji asked running over to her "Don't worry about me what we need to focus on is the big guy"Nicole said gesturing over to the giant fishman, except Zoro and Sanji got into another fight over something or other, Nicole just sighed running over to the giant fishman but he turned the tables on her having hidden spikes on his feet forcing her to run away, Sanji got angry at the ref for acting like he wasn't seeing anything.

Just as Nicole had thought they had no intention of calling out themselves when cheating, the giant fishman started using an axe while Nicole and Zoro who got dragged into it were running away from it, Sanji got back into the game running away from the axe wielding spike shooed giant fishman "Running around like this is getting us nowhere"Sanji said "Yeah but now that we know their game plan we can come up with a counter attack"Zoro said.

The group came to a stop and turned back to fight the giant fishman, the fishman dived at them they dodged but that was a part of the groggy monsters plan as the three slipped around the slimy skin in circles, as the three were spinning around Pickles and Hamburg recovered from their earlier accident with some shiny new gear like a spiked shoulder pad and metal arm guards.

The giant fishman send the three free from spinning around, Pickles sent Hamburg up and the groggy monster attacked Nicole sending her crashing down in the ground "Nicole!"Zoro called trying to get to her and protect her as the giant fishman send Hamburg straight at her with the metal arm guards aimed right at her, he was too late to protect her as Nicole was hit, she swallowed her scream knowing that's what the groggy monsters wanted.

Hamburg smirked kicking the already injured Nicole sending her flying right into the path of Pickles who was launched from the giant fishmans mouth like a human cannonball, their paths collided, again Nicole refused to scream as she was sent flying again "Nicole!"Sanji called as him and Zoro raced to hopefully save her but then she was sent flying again with a punch from Hamburg, she was then sent upwards by Pickles spiked shield before being slammed down by the giant fishman.

"Nicole!"The Strawhats yelled "What absolute cruelty, the Groggy monster don't hold back even again women!"the commentator said as Zoro and Sanji ran over to Nicole "Hey talk to me!"Zoro yelled in a panic lifting her up in his lap, Nicole coughed blood "I'm okay, we gotta finish the game, i can still fight"she said "You're crazy! In your condition?!"Sanji yelled at her "Shut up i'm fine"Nicole said getting up only to fall back into Zoro's arms, he laid her down "Just take a nap or something while you're laying down there"he said.

Nicole chuckled a bit "Shut up i'm fine"she said, Zoro got up his eyes shadowed "Sanji, let's work together for ten seconds"he said, Sanji took a drag from his cigarette his eyes also shadowed "After what they did, it'll only take five"he said facing the Groggy monsters a death glare and a scowl set on his face "Yeah"Zoro said also facing the Groggy monsters an almost demonic aura around him, his dark eyes burning with the rage of a wild beast.

~skip~

"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!!!!!!!!"the commentator announced "Awesome they won!"Luffy cheered "That was beautiful!"Usopp cried while Chopper babbled about something tears and snot running down his face, the ref made the final blow officially calling the match, Zoro walked over to Nicole getting the stupid ball off her head and picking her up bridal style holding her close.

Sanji made no protest much to the swordsman's surprise, the cook had seen just how much Nicole and Zoro care about each other, he thought he would get a chance when they had that fight in Alabasta but she showed no interest in him, he was man enough to admit Zoro had long since beaten him to the punch.

"Nicole!"Luffy, Nami, Robin and Usopp said gathering around Zoro as the swordsman carried her "Will she be okay?"Luffy asked concerned about his Nakama "The wounds look shallow but she took a lot of damage, we need to hurry up and get Chopper back so he can treat her"Robin said "Yeah"Luffy nodded "You keep her safe until then Zoro"he said "Yeah"Zoro nodded 'And i promise you'll never have to get hurt like that on my watch again' he thought looking down at Nicole as she slept peacefully in his arms.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"And now the victor of round two, team Strawhat can pick a crew member from the foxy pirates as their price or take their flag! Which will the Strawhat's captain choose?"the commentator asked "Of course i'll choose him, i'll choose Cho"Luffy was cut off "Wait Luffy! The third match is a one on one and their player is their captain, so if we take that man now we get an automatic third win, in other words we can get Chopper back without any more fights"Nami said.

"That's downright dirty! What an unbelievably cold blooded woman! She is pure evil and totally untrustworthy! Throughout the decades of the Davy Back fight history many people thought of such a trick but nobody ever put such dishonor into action! I'm sure everyone here would agree with me! The third fight should be fought honorably not avoided cowardly!"the commentator said.

"They're so mean"Nami sobbed into Robin's shoulder "Where us the honor when they disregarded all the rules?"Robin asked "Stop crying it's your own fault"Zoro said fixing his hold on Nicole "I agree with Nami!"Usopp said, Nami glared at the foxy pirates who were jeering her "You're really starting to tick me off"she said "Sorry"the foxy pirates muttered "So no more comments?!"Nami asked.

"In any case the choice is the captain's alone, only their captain Monkey D. Luffy shall decided, let's see who he will choose?"the commentator asked "Actually Nami, if we do as you said we will certainly get an easy win, however i don't want that split head traveling with me"Robin said "So true!"Nami gasped "Yeah we don't need that kind of trash"the others said waving off the idea completely.

"Chopper come back!!!"Luffy yelled "OKAY!!!"Chopper cried and ran over hugging Luffy "Thanks for saving me!"he said "Stop crying it's not like Zoro and Sanji could've lost, anyway, you have work to do, but first let's get that stupid mask off you"Luffy grinned taking the mask off Chopper, the reindeer nodded drying his face and stepping over to Zoro who was now sitting with Nicole in his lap.

"Lay her down please"Chopper said "Sure"Zoro shrugged, gently laying down Nicole who was still in deep nap mode as Chopper set to work on her, "Listen you! No one can win against me in battle for round three! Besides the crew member you lose in the final round can't be won back, all of you should be prepared to become one of us permanently!"Foxy taunted "I won't lose to you!"Luffy yelled.

"The second round ended with an unexpected loss for the Groggy monsters, the two teams are now tied! Coming up is the third and final round of the Davy Back fight that will decided everything! The game type is the crowd favorite, the most eagerly anticipated, Battle Round! First we will pick the battle field with the field chooser cannon! Both players will now spin the cannon and then, when the cannon comes to a halt naturally boom! the field chosen with the cannon is coincidentally the ship of the foxy pirates!"the commentator said.

"Coincidental? Yeah right! Cheaters!!!"Usopp yelled at them "It doesn't matter stop whining" Zoro said sitting next to Nicole as Chopper was finishing up patching her up, thankfully there didn't seem to be any broken bones or internal bleeding, Nicole was trained to be pretty sturdy so it would take a lot more to take her out, Nicole woke up just as the third round got started.

~skip~

"Nine seconds"Nicole counted "Eight"Zoro smirked "Seven"Sanji said "Six"Robin said, Usopp laughed "Five! Hey come on you guys don't just sit there count off with me! Four!"he said "Three!Two! One!"everyone counted as Foxy blasted off, Luffy let out a victory yell "And now he finally comes down! Outside the battle field! Ladies and gentlemen the final round of the Davy Back fight has come to an end! After an epic battle our bosses undefeated streak has been broken! Let's hear it for Strawhat Luffy!"the commentator said.

Everyone cheered and the bell was rung signaling the end of the fight, the foxy pirates went after their boss fishing him out of the sea.

~skip~

"You little show off, who do you think you are? Take this and this"Usopp said poking Luffy "Hey stop that! He's really hurt you'll poke him to death!"Chopper yelled at him "Yeah afro power my butt that's a close call if i've ever seen one"Nami said "Oh you sweet ignorant child, truly you are lost if you do not know the power of the afro"Nicole said almost mockingly, Nami glared at her, Nicole ignored her.

"Look he's waking up"Chopper said "Huh? Where am i? What happened? Is it over? Did i win? That wasn't just a dream was it?"Luffy asked "You don't need to freak out you beat him"Zoro told him, Luffy smiled laying back on the grass "What a relief"he said "Everyone else said you'd lose but not me"Usopp said handing Luffy back his strawhat.

"You're a bad liar"Sanji said "Guess it would have been a real pain if you lost, imagine being stuck on a boat with Foxy"Zoro said, Nicole shivered "I'd rather not"she said, speaking of Foxy appeared and wanted to make things up but it was another trick but Foxy also forgot Luffy is a rubber man.

"Fine let's just get this over with what do you want?!"Foxy yelled "That's right! The last part of the game still needs deciding! The winner captain Strawhat gets to take a new crew member, only the captain can decide who to pick, now please decide!"the commentator said "I choose your flag"Luffy said.

"What?!"the foxy crew asked "You're evil! You didn't even give it a thought and you want to rob us of our pride?!"Foxy asked "I don't want your sail, just the flag, otherwise you won't be able to leave right?"Luffy asked "How thoughtful but our symbol is on our sail too! We won't be able to use that!"one guy yelled.

"Yeah just stop pretending to be nice! Just take everything!"another said "Okay okay, i'll just erase your symbol, i'll even give you a new one, that way you'll be able to use your sail"Luffy said "Strawhat, you're so nice"Foxy said not knowing that Luffy is a terrible painter, their new symbol looked more like a fluffy cat with round ears.

"The winner is the Strawhat crew! The Davy Back fight will now officially end!"the commentator said, the foxy crew freed the Going Merry and Foxy swore revenge as him and his crew sailed away, the Strawhats went to over to the old mans house where they met the old man and his horse, Nicole gasped "It's so pretty!"she squealed a bit and made a beeline to the horse, asking the old man if she could hug the horse, which he said was named Shelly and let her hug the horse, Nicole gladly did so.

Luffy chuckled a bit "We brought you a souvenir"he said handing the foxy pirates flag to the old man "You're hurt are you alright?"the old man asked "Ah this? It's nothing"Luffy said "Thank you for your help"the old man said, Shelly whinnied happily like she was saying thanks too "Is that why you accepted the fight? Because you wanted to help him? And here i thought you were being just stupid again"Nami said.

"Man you're rude"Luffy said, just then the ground started shaking as something popped out of the ground "It's huge what is that?"Luffy asked "I'd ask you the same question"the creature said "Wow you mean that thing can talk?!"Usopp freaked "I'm not a thing i'm a mole"the creature said "It's cute!"Nicole gasped making a beeline to the mole and hugging it as well.

"I'm the champion you dig!"some guy said coming out from under the construction hat the mole was wearing "Great another weirdo"Nami said "Champion of what?"Sanji asked "You really need to ask? Obviously i'm the world champion of hole digging as crazy as it seems i'm challenging my own record as we speak"the guy said.

"Hold on a minute"Nicole said stepping away from the mole and dusting herself off "You claim to be a champion yet it's clearly this mole that digs the holes for you so shouldn't the credit go to him?"she asked making the guy pause "I hope you at least reward him and not abuse him"she added "I do! I do reward him! He's my best friend!"the guy yelled.

Anyway the guy turned out to be the old guys grandson, he gave his grandpa a ride to meet up with the other villagers "Looks like it all worked out huh?"Luffy asked as him and his crew were ready to set off on the Going Merry "Yes i don't know how to thank you for all you've done"the old man said "Don't worry about it"Luffy grinned.

"Farewell my friends i won't forget you!"the old man said as the Going Merry sailed off towards the sunset and towards another adventure.

Chapter Text

~Third~

The Going Merry and her crew the Strawhat pirates was sailing along in the peaceful seas "Hey guys i think i see an island!"Usopp called from the crows nest "Hmm looks uninhabited to me" Nami said, Nicole was on edge even from this distance she could sense there was something or someone with incredible power on that island.

"Ready the anchor let's go check it out!"Luffy said, the ship sailed to the island and the Strawhats docked her near the shore "Find me some ingredients and i'll start cooking lunch" Sanji said "Listen nothing slimy or gross okay?"Nami said "Why's it matter? Once it's in your stomach it's all the same get over yourself"Zoro said, the crew went off into the forest to gather food while Sanji got a fire going.

"Hey Sanji! We got fish fruit and everything it was easy!"Luffy said as the group made their way back "Nice work"Sanji said and got started cooking the food, after that the Strawhats called cheers and got to eating "Yummy"Luffy said.

"It'd taste a lot better if you didn't scarf it down"Sanji said "I figured you wouldn't have any room left for dinner since you finished off all our snacks on the ship"Usopp said "Then i'm just getting warmed up"Luffy said "That's not good since we decimated half our supplies already" Sanji said "Robin you better eat fast before all the food is gone"Chopper told the archaeologist as she was reading "Just let me get to a stopping point first"Robin said.

"Okay but i heard that if you read too much you turn into a yucky bug, they call them bookworms"Chopper said "A bookworm is just an expression for someone who reads too much, you don't actually turn into a bug"Nicole said "Oh i see"Chopper said and walked off to get more food as Robin giggled a bit.

After finishing their barbecue the Strawhats went back into the woods to find food to store on the Going Merry, Nicole grew more nervous as they went further in, they were getting closer to that someone "Hey, you okay?"Zoro asked noticing that she was on edge "I'm sensing something or someone with a lot of power"she said.

"Is it a monster?!"Usopp freaked "Could be"Nicole said "And there's this little grove along the trail here"Chopper said freaking out "Oh you're right looks like a bicycle came through here, a bicycle monster!"Usopp yelled freaking out "A bicycle monster!"Chopper yelled freaking out as well clinging onto Nicole "Don't be ridiculous guys there's no such thing why would a monster need a bicycle?"Nami said trying to convince herself more then the others.

"Hey check it out we're almost through the jungle"Luffy said and the group made it through "Well that's a let down just looks like a whole lot of nothing out here"he said "There is something, they're behind that rock"Nicole said pointing over to it, indeed a head was popping up from the other side of it.

"The bicycle monster!"Usopp, Chopper and Nami screamed freaking out "I wanna see!"Luffy grinned running over only to get knocked back "Whoa guys come check it!"he yelled and the others ran over "What's going on?"Zoro asked looking over, Nicole flinched back a bit seeing the person this immense power belonged to, she knew who this person was from descriptions her father had given her, however she quickly switched to a stance ready to fight if necessary, this was her chance to test her power.

"I don't know someone's here"Sanji said "Do you mind i was sleeping?"the person asked as Luffy stood up "Oh uh well i'm very sorry to have disturbed your nap"he said giving a quick bow "Oh man that guy's huge"Usopp said as he ran over "I thought we were alone on this island" Nami said as she ran over, Robin gasped falling down to her butt as she saw the person "You know him?"Luffy asked.

"Hey is this guy an enemy?"Sanji asked "Who is he?"Nami asked "If Robin's freaking out then so am i"Usopp said "Something's wrong"Chopper said "Hold on look i know you're surprised to see me but don't get so worked up, it's not like i came here on official orders or anything it's a nice day so i decided to go for a ride"the person said.

"Orders huh? And who is it you work for?"Zoro asked getting ready to fight as well "He's a marine not only that he's known as one of the world governments ultimate powerhouses"Robin said "Whoa for real?"Luffy asked "I'm afraid so, this is admiral Aokiji from navy headquarters" Robin said "My my you've grown into quite the lovely lady haven't you? Nico Robin"Aokiji said, only Nicole seemed to notice how Robin reacted as this man said her name.

Robin had jumped a bit but it wasn't from fright, the archaeologist was good at hiding it so Nicole could say exactly what her reaction meant there was certainly fear mixed in but she couldn't tell with what, however her attention was drawn away from Robin as she sensed people in the forest, she quickly switched her focus back on Aokiji.

"Wait you mean this guy's an admiral that's one of the highest ranks there is"Sanji said "That's right there are only three people in the entire navy who currently hold the rank of admiral, Akainu, Aokiji and Kizaru the only one who out ranks them is fleet admiral Sengoku"Robin said, Nicole knew, again from her father, that wasn't exactly right but she decided to keep her mouth shut, she imagined her dad might get into trouble if the marines knew just how much he told her.

"Then why in the heck is someone like that even here?! Shouldn't you be out hunting pirates with a billion berry bounties or something? Go away"Usopp said, Aokiji turned to his attention to Nicole "People at HQ are very interested in you Mihawk Nicole, tell me what is your relation to the warlord Hawkeye Mihawk?"he asked "I don't have to tell you anything"she said.

"You keep away from her you lanky jerk!"Sanji yelled at Aokiji "Hey focus pay attention!"Usopp yelled at Sanji "Whoa whoa hold on a second you guys, did you hear what i just said? I'm just out taking a little stroll, don't get too worked up i mean you guys are just, you're just like what's ma call it's you know?"Aokiji asked stumbling in his words, Nicole sweatdropped a bit, yeah fits her fathers description to a T.

"What?"Luffy asked "What he say?"Chopper asked "Hmm, i forgot oh well"Aokiji said scratching his head "You're not making any sense you weirdo!"Sanji and Usopp yelled at him "Robin you gotta be mistaking him for someone else this doofus wouldn't pass for a regular marine let alone an admiral!"Usopp yelled.

"Hey come on, you shouldn't go around judging people on their appearance, the motto i've always lived by as a marine is total slovenly justice"Aokiji said "Then our judgement was right!"Usopp and Sanji yelled at him again "Anyway what i was saying, uh excuse me a moment"Aokiji said laying down using his coat as a pillow "Being on my feet too long makes me tired"he said.

"Yeah? Then maybe you shouldn't have been sleeping standing up you think?"Usopp asked "What i was saying is that i have no intention of capturing you or anything like that so just take it easy, i'm only here to confirm the whereabouts of Nico Robin who was last seen at the Alabasta incident as we suspected she's been with you"Aokiji said.

"I'll put together some sort of report for headquarters later now that you've added another crew member who's got a price on her head you're over all bounty's gone up, one hundred million plus sixty million plus fifty eight million plus seventy nine million equals"Aokiji trailed off doing the math (two hundred ninety seven million) "Ah screw it some big ass number"Aokiji said shrugging it off.

Luffy went to attack the admiral but Sanji and Usopp held him back, then the people walked out from the forest "So you're really a marine? I wish we had known that a lot sooner"one of the people said "Hey who are all these people?"Nami asked "From the looks of things, castaways" Nicole said, the people were all in ragged clothes and it seemed like they had been on this island for a while.

The Strawhats decided to help these people by having Chopper treat them and even giving them food "Look this island maybe deserted by you still could have found food on your own you know you're lucky we came along when we did"Usopp said.

"Well some people just lack the know how to survive off the land even though it's the most basic human instinct, they get too cozy with their riches and comfy life style, lucky indeed, given a week or two more you probably would have died or turned to cannibalism"Nicole said, scaring a few of the people.

"Why are you so grim?!"Usopp yelled slapping the back off her head "I'm being realistic"Nicole responded completely serious "So what happened?"Nami asked changing the subject "We were on our way home from a gourmet tour to a city renowned for it's exquisite food when suddenly our ship collided with a giant frog that was doing the front crawl it shattered the ship into pieces"one of the people said.

"A giant frog doing the front crawl? Seriously?"Nami asked "Not the weirdest thing i've heard about or seen"Nicole shrugged a bit "Besides frogs normally do the breaststroke"Sanji said "Awesome i've got to see this frog"Luffy said "That sounds crazy"Usopp said "It's the truth"one of the people said "Yeah that was Yokazuna"Aokiji said.

"After what seemed like days of struggling we were finally able to make to this island, it didn't take long to deplete our food supply after one month we were on the brink of starvation then we spotted someone approaching the island we rejoiced until we noticed he was riding a bicycle on the water"one of the people said.

"Come on that's even more far fetched then the frog"Usopp said "That was me actually"Aokiji said "The only boat we spotted after that looked like a pirate ship"one of the people said "That was us"Nami said "Wow that makes you one of those uh those uh you know"Aokiji said fumbling with his words "Spit it out damn it!"Sanji and Usopp yelled at him.

Luffy went to attack the admiral but again he was held back by Sanji as Usopp "Did you hear me? I told ya i'm just out on a stroll"Aokiji said "A stroll huh? Well go take your stroll elsewhere get out of here"Luffy said "Why are you so angry at me? Okay whatever i'll leave but before i do you guys should gather your stuff and get ready to leave too, fortunately i know of an inhabited island that's not too far away from this one, you should go there ask them to help you out"Aokiji said.

"Hey you guys! Don't believe a word he says understand me? This jerks a marine officer"Luffy said, Nicole sweatdropped at him "So what? Is that a problem?"one of the people asked "Oh i guess that makes sense normally the marines are your friends and pirates are the bad guys right?"Luffy asked laughing a bit "One would think you'd remember that captain"Nicole said making Luffy laugh harder.

"What's so funny?!"Usopp asked bonking Luffy on the head "Him"Luffy said pointing at Aokiji "How is he gonna help anybody?"Luffy asked "I don't know heck i don't think he even has a ship"Usopp said "Other then ours there isn't another ship around anywhere"Chopper said "Let's see there's no ship and nobody here seems to have a long pose either how in the world are they supposed to get to that island anyway?"Usopp asked.

"Oh they'll be fine"Aokiji said, Nicole knew it too from what her dad had told her it would be super easy barely an inconvenience for Aokiji "Nothing you say sounds the least bit convincing" Usopp said "It's true, he does have the power to help them"Robin said, the Strawhats helped the people pack up.

"That should do it"Usopp said tightening a rope "We loaded them up with food and water that should last them for quite a while"Sanji said "Feels good to do a little work from time to time" Aokiji said "Yeah no doubt about that, hey you know something you're not so bad, okay so now what? Are you gonna swim over to that island and drag all these people and their stuff behind you?"Luffy asked.

"Don't be ridiculous"Aokiji said walking over to the shore line and stuck his hand in the water, a giant sea king popped out of the water and went to attack Aokiji however the admiral froze it and the surrounding water in the blink of an eye 'Just like dad told me, this is the power of an admiral' Nicole thought certainly impressed and just itching to test her power against an admiral.

"It'll stay like that for at least a week, head out across the sea in that direction take your time, you should reach the island in about four days, it's gonna be a little on the chilly side so be sure to bundle up and stay warm"Aokiji said casually walking over and picking up his coat as everyone else was still in shock.

"Is this a dream? The sea has become as hard as the ground we'll be able to cross it now we'll be able to get off this island"some guy said as the people waved off the admiral thanking him, the Strawhats wished off the group of people as Zoro and Nicole were watching from the shore "That admiral froze this entire area in the blink of an eye"Zoro said "Yup"Nicole nodded.

Zoro smirked "You as exited as i am to test him out?"he asked, Nicole smirked "Yup"she said, the group of people left and the Strawhats got back on the island "What is it?"Luffy asked noticing Aokiji was deep in thought "How should i put this? You're the spitting image of your grandfather Monkey D. Luffy, or maybe i should say you're just as reckless and hard to figure out"Aokiji said.

"You know my grampa?"Luffy asked nervously sweating all over"Seriously Luffy's? Hey Luffy what's wrong? You're sweating?"Usopp asked "Uh nothing really i'm fine"Luffy said "Your grandfather helped me out once a long time ago"Aokiji said.

"That's why i'm here i wanted to see you together with Nico Robin with my own eyes on second thought maybe i should just kill you? The government still doesn't consider you a threat but i know enough about your history to see you're a formidable crew, you might be few in number but with the shrewd rogues gathered here this crew will likely be a problem later on, considering the circumstances regarding your initial bounty, the numerous daring actions you've taken and the speed of your over all progress, I've fought outlaws for most of my life but thinking about how you'll turn out scares the hell out of me"Aokiji said.

Nicole got ready to fight sensing his intentions turning hostile, laying a hand on her sword, Zoro noticing this also layed a hand on one of his swords "Hey hold on a second you said you were here to check things out not to kill anymore"Usopp said "One among you i consider the most dangerous, that would be you Nico Robin"Aokiji said ignoring the sniper.

"So despite everything you are here for Robin now i'm really gonna kick your ass!"Luffy yelled "The size of her bounty isn't merely a reflection of her strength and power it also represents something else, that would be the level of threat and danger she posses to the world government that's why a seventy nine million berry bounty was placed on her head at the fragile age of eight, i'm surprised you were able to survive especially as a child, you manage to betray, side step and escape from everyone in your past and then found a new partner to make use of, you survived in the underworld by being quick to switch sides and now you've chosen this crew as your next haven"Aokiji said.

"That's enough jerk i'm not just gonna stand here and speak to a lady like that what kind of ridiculous grudge you have against Robin?!"Sanji asked "I don't have anything against her, the only connection we have is i let her escape that one time, that was about it, it was a long time ago, you will all learn soon enough that protecting this troublesome woman leads to nothing but regret, if you need proof consider this, every organisation that she's had something to do with in the past has been annihilated not a solitary member escaped except for her, why is that? Nico Robin"Aokiji said.

"Shut up you jerk the past doesn't matter!"Luffy yelled at him "That's right if it did we wouldn't have a dangerous former pirate hunter guy or degenerate conniving ex thief woman in our crew would we!"Usopp said, Nami bonked him on the head "Don't go overboard"she said "Who we are now is more important then who we were"Sanji said "That's right Robin is our friend don't you dare say anything bad about her you hear me?!"Chopper said.

"I see so these poor fools don't suspect a thing"Aokiji said "Just get to the point if you want to arrest me then just do it already!"Robin yelled and used her powers to capture the admiral however he used his powers to turn to ice and reform himself.

"Let's get out of here everybody run for your lives!"Usopp yelled running off "Now now that wasn't a very nice thing to do"Aokiji said and froze some grass to a blade and just as he was going to strike Robin down, Zoro appeared blocking the blade, Sanji kicked it away and as the two argued Luffy came in with a punch, Aokiji wasn't even faced as he took down the monster trio all at once.

The boys were rolling around the grass a part of their body frozen, Chopper freaked out "He's freezing them solid i have to help quickly, if they get frostbite their limbs will start to rot, Usopp what're you doing?! We have to save them now! Where's Nicole?!"the reindeer asked looking around, there was no sign of the black haired swordswoman, did she leave them at such a crucial point? No way!

Aokiji went to freeze Robin too but just as the admiral leaned down a sword pierced him, the shock on Aokiji's face was clear as day as he coughed blood, Robin was shocked too as the blood dripped onto her, behind the admiral Nicole grunted a bit gripping her sword lifting it over her head and the admiral with it and tossing Aokiji away shattering him into ice.

"Way to go Nicole! Yeah! You saved Robin!"Usopp and Chopper cheered "Not yet, he'll come back from that, get Robin and the boys out of here i'll buy you time"Nicole said as Aokiji was reforming himself "But-"Robin was cut off "Just go!"Nicole yelled "Come on Robin you saw what she just did, Nicole might be the only one who can stand a chance against him"Nami said grabbing Robin's hand and dragging her out of there while Usopp and Chopper grabbed the boys running off.

"It seems the marines have underestimated you Mihawk Nicole"Aokiji said, Nicole glared at him "Damn right you have, my bounty better sky rocket after this"she said catching the admiral off guard using that opening she sliced him starting the fight properly.

The rest of the crew arrived at the Merry "Nami take Robin inside and lock her in"Luffy said "Wha? Captain i can help"Robin said "I know but you're the one he's after"Luffy said "Come on Robin"Nami said doing as Luffy told her to.

"Chopper we gotta go back right away, what should we do about the frozen parts?"Luffy asked turning to the reindeer "We need to douse every part of your body that's frozen in water, i'll go get the shower room ready"Chopper said getting on the Merry "No time!"Zoro growled jumping into the sea as did Sanji, Luffy stuck his frozen hand in it "Will this do Chopper?!"Sanji asked.

"Yes once the ice melts start rubbing the affected areas and come up to the ship right away!" Chopper said getting on the ship and getting the shower room ready just in case that Nicole, he didn't want to believe that she would but as a doctor he was trained to imagine the worst case scenario and prepare for it.

~skip~

Nicole panted, parts of her body frozen, a bleeding cut on her temple and a broken sword in her hands, yet her eyes remained fixed on Aokiji with a glare, the admiral wasn't in any better shape either, cuts littered his body which were frozen to stop the bleeding "Give it up, you can't fight me with a broken sword"the admiral said.

Nicole scoffed taking the pin from it and securing it in her clothes before tossing the broken sword away "I don't need a sword to fight, i need it"her glare became even harsher "To kill"she said in a truly chilling tone, it all clicked in his head as Aokiji chuckled "You're the spitting image of your father, we have been blind to not see something so obvious"he said.

"You could of just asked him, he loves to brag about his little girl"Nicole said, Aokiji sighed starching his head "That makes thing mores complicated from our fight so far i can tell you've only been testing your power, if your true power is anything close to that of your old mans this could go on forever"he said "So what? You're done?"Nicole asked "Yeah i think i'll call it quits for now, but be sure Mihawk Nicole next time we meet i will kill you"Aokiji said grabbing his coat "We'll see about that"Nicole said watching the admiral leave.

Chapter Text

~Third~

Once the admiral was out of sight Nicole started falling down towards the ground but Zoro caught her just in time "Nicole!"Luffy and Sanji yelled running over as Zoro shifted Nicole carrying her bridal style "Did you beat him? Where's he go?"Luffy asked "He just left, probably going to go report back to head quarters"Nicole said with a sigh before she sniffed.

Nicole covered her eyes with her hand as she let out a sob "I-i couldn't beat him"she cried "Hey it's okay that guy was an admiral"Sanji said trying to comfort her "I had him!"Nicole yelled slamming her fist onto Zoro who coughed a bit but managed to keep his hold on her "I had him and my stupid sword broke!"she yelled.

Luffy laughed "You had me all worried but you're just mad your sword broke!"he laughed, Nicole sniffed rubbing her eyes from tears as she giggled a bit "Sorry"she said with a small smile, Luffy continued to laugh "Let's get you to Chopper"Zoro said carrying her back to the Merry, Luffy and Sanji followed "Hey tell me about the fight, i wanna hear all the details"Luffy said a big grin on his face "Alright it went down like this"Nicole said and proceeded to tell him everything.

~skip~

"There all done"Chopper grinned as he finished patching up Nicole "Thanks doctor Chopper" she smiled at him "Calling me doctor won't make me happy or anything you stupid jerk" Chopper said dancing around "How about i go make some food huh? You must be exhausted after that fight"Sanji said with a smile "Food would be great thanks Sanji"Nicole smiled back at him, the cook ran off to prepare something.

"Miss Hawkeye"Robin said walking over "Thank you"she said "No prob"Nicole smiled and Robin smiled back "Too bad about your sword though"Zoro said "Yeah, i almost feel naked without one"Nicole said "Here"Zoro said handing her Kitetsu the third "Thanks"Nicole smiled taking it without asking why "Just until you get a new one"he said "Yeah yeah"she said.

"Speaking of swords you're going to need money to buy one"Nami said getting a smirk on her face "No way"Nicole said bluntly "Come on i'll give you a discount"Nami said "No way"Nicole repeated.

~skip~

The Going Merry and her crew were sailing once more, the kids were goofing around like usual, Sanji offered Nami some special food like he always did, Zoro and Nicole were napping leaning against the railing until they were woken up by Sanji, Robin was reading something with a cup of coffee next to her, all in all it was like any other day onboard the Merry.

"What the heck is that?"Zoro muttered spotting something in the distance as he munched on some food "It's a frog doing the front crawl"Nicole said like it was an everyday thing munching on food next to him, Zoro paused shocked "Luffy come quick there's a frog doing the front crawl"he said.

"What?"Luffy asked "See for yourself it's headed to your side"Zoro said "Really?"Luffy asked "I wonder if it's the same frog we heard about"Chopper said "Come on Luffy are you really gonna take anything that goofy admiral told you seriously?"Usopp asked before turning around and getting a look himself "Holy crap there's a frog doing the front crawl!"he yelled.

"Go on after him!"Luffy said and the crew got moving chasing after the frog, after a while the ship ran into something near an island with a lighthouse "I guess we ran ashore or something" Usopp said, then a bell like alarm started ringing "What is that sound?"Nami asked "What the heck what's going on?"Usopp asked.

The crew heard a whistle and a chugging "Wait that sounds like a"Nami trailed off, their ship had ended up in the middle of train tracks in the middle of the ocean "Full reverse right now! Turn 180 degrees!"Nami yelled, the crew got to work and they narrowly avoided being run over by a train, the frog they had chased wasn't so lucky.

"Okay how in the hell is a TRAIN floating in the middle of the sea?!"Nicole yelled, no one could answer cause they had no idea either "Granny granny! Look we have pirates!"they heard a little girl yelling "What?! Is that true Chimney? Okay dokey then better bring me the transponder snail"a clearly drunk old woman said walking out of the station.

"It's gonna be a big pain if they call for help and the marines show up, what should we do?"Zoro asked except the old woman was so drunk she couldn't even make a call, the Strawhats bribed them with food "My name's Chimney, this is our kitty cat Gonbe and that's granny Kokoro"the little girl said making introductions.

"You fellas wouldn't happen to be train robbers would ya?"Kokoro laughed "My name's Luffy and i'm gonna be king of the pirates"he said "Really?"Chimney asked "Yep"Luffy simply said, Kokoro laughed "I like you, you're funny"she said.

"By the way Chimney that things a steamboat right? Seems awfully long to me can't imagine it getting very far"Nami said "You've probably never seen anything like this seeing that it's the only one in the world, it's not a steam boat it's a sea train called the Puffing Tom"Chimney said "How does it work?"Nami asked "It used a steam engine to turn the paddle wheels and run on a railway"Chimney said.

"Railway?"Usopp asked "Uh huh if you look close you can see the tracks right below the waves, the train goes the same route everyday taking people from one island to the next it carries ships and packages and other stuff too"Chimney said "Oh wow funny we didn't notice it before"Luffy said "No kidding we ran right into it"Sanji said.

"You should be more careful, didn't you see the signal? There's a bell ringing and everything" Chimney said "Is that what that thing is for? I thought it was just here to welcome us how are we supposed to know?"Usopp asked "If we couldn't figure it out that frog sure wouldn't get it would he? It was awful rude of you to hit him like that we were gonna catch him and cook him you know"Luffy said.

"Oh? You saw the frog? That's Yokazuna"Chimney said "Sure was an awesome swimmer"Luffy said "Either way i wouldn't worry about him, he's pretty though in fact that wasn't the first time he challenged the train and lost, he's really kind of a pain if you wanna see him again just hang around here i'm sure he'll pop up"Chimney said.

"That's why he didn't run, wow i though that frog was stupid but turns out he was being super manly"Luffy said "Easy for you to say you don't have to put up with him all the time i can't even count how many times he's broken the rail guard and just imagine what it's like for the passengers when he slams into the train"Chimney said.

"That's pretty crazy okay since that frog is a fighter like me i'm not gonna eat him after all"Luffy said "Who would wanna eat that gross thing in the first place?"Nami asked "Anyway after this where are you folks headed off to? The sea train goes to all sorts of places, there's the town of the spring queen, there's a gourmet town or the carnival town, they're all fun places to go and if you happen to work for the government you can take a sea train that's even fancier then the Puffing Tom"Kokoro said.

"Thanks but there's no reason for us to take the train when we have our ship we'll just follow the log"Nami said "Oh where's it pointing to?"Chimney asked "Should be some place east of here"Nami said showing the log pose "I see well in that case it's Water 7 for sure the train you saw here just came from the station on that island, they call it the city of water i think you'll like it"Kokoro said.

"Water 7 huh?"Nami asked "They've got great shipyards you might say that's their claim to fame when it comes to boats they're first class they're always coming up with some fancy new technology to build boats for the world government"Kokoro said "Wow then they must have some awesome shipwrights too"Luffy said "Some? More like damn near all of them city's like a regular shipwrights convention"Kokoro said.

"You hear that?"Luffy asked turning to Usopp "Yeah!"the sniper said "Alright then it's settled we're gonna find the best shipwright in Water 7 and get him to join our crew"Luffy said "Oh is that so, in that case hold on a sec"Kokoro said going to get something "I gotta little present for you this is a map of the city and a reference letter just give this to a fella named Iceburg and i promise he'll fix up your ship good"the old woman said handing a piece of paper to the Strawhats.

"We'll be heading back to Water 7 soon so maybe we'll see you there"Chimney said as the Strawhats were setting off "Sounds like a plan to me and if you like i can even give you folks a tour of all my favorite drinking holes"Kokoro laughed "Sounds good we'll try to keep a look out for ya"Luffy said "It'll take about a week for the log to lock onto the next island so you'll have plenty of time to do some sight seeing"Kokoro said.

"Great should be fun, okay everyone ready? Time to set sail!"Luffy said and the Strawhats sailed off with the Merry once more, as they sailed the others discussed their potential new crew mater, a shipwright, while Nicole was wondering if a town full of shipwrights would have a sword shop, she hoped there would at least be a smithy, a week gives her plenty of time to make a sword.

"Why are you hugging the ship Usopp?"Luffy asked as the sniper was clinging onto the mast "I know these tin plates might not look like much to you but they bring a lot of memories for me, i'm almost sad to see them go but it'll be worth it if the Merry gets the repairs she needs"Usopp said.

"I feel the same way, i'm proud of her battle scars like anyone else but she's taken a real beating since we've entered the Grand Line, the deck squeaks and we've got leaks popping up everywhere, nobody wants to admit but if we don't fix this soon we're as good as sunk"Sanji said.

"Yeah but even if we can't get a shipwright to join the crew we still have plenty of money we can do more then just fix her we can power her up too"Luffy said "Oh then let's get more cannons" Usopp said "Yeah and a big statue!"Luffy said "Hey i think we're there"Zoro said as in the distance he could see an island.

"He's right i can see Water 7! Alright men time to row!"Luffy said "We're still some distance from it, the wind will take us in no prob"Nicole said, their ship grew closer to the city, at the top stood a giant fountain creating rivers through out the entire city it was truly beautiful, "Amazing"Nicole muttered in awe "Wow that's a lot of water do you think it all comes from the ocean?"Chopper asked.

"That's what it seems like, then it pours out of the fountain, flows through the canals and falls back into the sea"Robin said "Hey once we get there let's have a race on those water slides"Luffy said referring to the canals "I think i'll pass"Chopper said terrified of the thought "Even that was a water slide you still can't swim"Zoro said "Oh yeah"Luffy said.

"By the way you have any idea what those numbers mean?"Zoro asked "Ports? Building yards? Both? I have no idea"Nicole said throwing a few ideas "At any rate that's the station up front must be the same one Kokoro was talking about, still i wonder where the harbors at?"Nami asked "Inside the town maybe?"Usopp asked.

"Hey hold on! Pirates shouldn't sail in the front you gotta be more discreet! Use the back street entrance over there!"a fisherman told them pointing over to it "Oh okay thank you!"Nami said as they sailed in "Awesome the cities floating wonder how it works"Luffy said.

"But everything's flooded everywhere aren't all the buildings gonna be full of water too?" Chopper asked "Not at all, the houses here were build with a submerged foundation in mind" Robin said, Chopper still wasn't getting it "If you look below the walkway you'll understand" Robin said, the buildings were sitting on concrete stilts, sort of.

"Whoa hold on a sec! What do you pirates think you're doing in town? You're not here to plunder now are ya?!"an old man from the shore asked "Nah uh we just wanna get our ship prepared" Luffy said "In that case there's a little cape just ahead of here anchor your ship there for now!" the old man said "Okay thank you!"Nami yelled back, the Strawhats reached the cape and made anchor.

Zoro was tying up the sail like he always does when the mast snapped, everyone freaked "Are you trying to brake the ship?!"Usopp asked "No all i did was pull the rope like i always do"Zoro said holding the mast still "Holy crap if the Merry's falling apart that easy we're lucky we made it here at all"Nicole said "By the way they're not scared of pirates here are they? Don't you think that's kind of strange?"Nami asked.

"It's cause we're shipyard customers just like anyone else"Zoro said "They probably aren't concerned about pirates because they have enough security to deal with them if they misbehave"Robin said "Bet there's plenty of marines here too comes with the territory huh" Sanji said "What are you kidding me?! You mean they're gonna have us arrested?!"Usopp freaked.

"I don't think that will be a problem since we're paying customers and all"Sanji said "I guess so" Usopp said him and Luffy were already rushing off to the city when Nami stopped them "I need you two to come with me to take care of some business"she said and got off the Merry "What business?"Usopp asked.

"First off we're gonna have to take Kokoro's reference letter to this Iceburg guy assuming we can find him, hopefully he'll be able to take care of the Merry's repairs for us after we'll have to find some place where we can trade in our gold for berries"Nami said walking over to the two boys "Okey dokey works for me so what are we waiting for? Let's go to Water 7"Luffy said taking the charge again.

"Okay but aren't you forgetting the gold?"Nami asked, they packed up the gold on a cart and left, back on the Merry, Nicole helped Zoro fix the mast "Right i'm gonna go find a sword shop or at least a smithy, thanks for letting me borrow Kitetsu"Nicole smiled handing the sword back to Zoro, she got a little cheeky and kissed his cheek before getting off the ship.

"Wait up Nicole, i'll go with you we need to stock up on food"Sanji said following her off the ship "Alright"Nicole shrugged walking off while chatting with Sanji, Zoro watched them leave a tick mark on his head and jealousy in his eyes, Robin giggled a bit "We'll be leaving too swordsman" she said leaving with Chopper.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"I see so this is the city of water huh? Pretty impressive place, lives up to it's name for sure i mean look around clean water, clean streets and fresh fruits"Sanji said "I'll say, the architecture is quite pretty too"Nicole said looking around sitting on the Yagara behind the cook.

"Any luck spotting a store?"Sanji asked "None yet"Nicole said, they came to a stop infront of a store on the water as Sanji was buying produce off the shopkeeper, Nicole asked about swords shops "I know of only one around here, just take a left at that corner and you're there"the shopkeeper said "Thank you"Nicole smiled.

"You heard her Sanji"Nicole said turning to the chef "Right, thanks for everything ma'am"Sanji smiled at the shop keep leading the Yagara to the directions given, they arrived at the front of the shop in no time, Nicole got off "I won't be long, hopefully, stay here"she said "Sure thing" Sanji said getting on shore too stretching his legs.

"Robin?"Sanji wondered spotting her, he went after her but she disappeared, Sanji tried find his way back but got lost "Don't tell me Zoro's brain funk is getting to me too"the chef sighed, meanwhile Nicole got out of the shop two new swords at her hip, the pin secured on the black one.

"Sanji?"Nicole asked looking around, the Yagara was still here but no sign of Sanji or the food, she hummed a bit and closed her eyes to focus, the city was pretty noisy but she eventually located him "I should probably head back to the Merry though, which way was it again?"she wondered and focused in on Zoro "Come on cutie this way"she smiled getting on the Yagara and steering the way.

~skip~

"Zoro!"Nicole called as she walked over to the ship "Nicole, where's Sanji?"Zoro asked "I lost him but check it out"Nicole said and held up her new swords "Nice!"Zoro smirked, Nicole hopped on the ship "Hey, someone came by and assessed the ship"Zoro said as she walked over to him "Yeah? What they say?"she asked.

Zoro frowned a bit making Nicole worry "They can't repair it"he said, Nicole frowned too sitting next to him looking at the sheep figure head "I had a feeling, the keel is damaged?"she asked "That's what they said, it could snap at any moment"Zoro said, Nicole leaned on his shoulder "How do you think the others will react?"she asked.

Zoro circled his arm around her waist "They won't like it, i'm most worried about Usopp though, who knows how he'll react"he said "Yeah, he cares about Merry the most"Nicole said "What about you?"Zoro asked turning to look at her, Nicole looked back "I'll miss her of course but Merry's at her limit, she's been a great matchmaker though"she smiled at him, Zoro smiled back, neither couldn't help it as they kissed.

Nicole pulled back from it after a while "I guess we're back on then"she giggled a bit, Zoro chuckled "Then there's one thing i'd like to tell you"he said "What?"she asked "I've always loved you"he said, she giggled again "I know"she smiled and kissed him again.(that was on a total whim but i'm keeping it in we'll see if they have a bump in the road again or will it be smooth sailing from here on)

~skip~

Sanji and Chopper came back on the ship, Zoro told them what he told Nicole "What is that true?"Sanji asked "Well that's what the shipwright said"Zoro said "Merry can't be fixed even if we have money? Then what's going to happen to her?"Chopper asked "Beats me, honestly it depends on how Luffy and the others react after hearing the assessment either way i'm sure they'll get it sorted out while they're at the ship yard"Zoro said.

"It just seems so extreme i mean look at her, same old Merry she's always been we've travelled together all the way from East Blue to this place why now?"Sanji asked "It's exactly because now, as we've become stronger the Merry's had more and more damage to her, it's piled up, my guess when it became too much is when she was dragged to the altar in Skypiea"Nicole said.

There was a beat of silence "It's all so hard to accept and what's Usopp's gonna say when he hears about all this?"Sanji asked "I don't wanna leave her i love the Merry"Chopper said, Nicole pulled the reindeer in for a hug "Believe me we all feel the same, but like i've said before we all have our limit and Merry has reached hers, there's nothing we can do"she said.

Chopper sniffed a bit crying in her shoulder "The Merry's in trouble and Robin is still missing, i'm worried about both of them"Sanji said "Hey everyone!"Nami called "Hey look it's Nami and she's alone"Chopper said running over drying his tears "That's weird i wonder what happened to Luffy and Usopp, Nami is everything alright?"Sanji asked waving her over.

Nami got on the ship and explained what happened, the others went off in search of Usopp and saw that he was gone "Hey Usopp!"Chopper called "Guess he left"Sanji said, Nicole hummed her eyes closed, she groaned in frustration throwing her hands up "I'm not locating him! It's too noisy"she said "Look at this"Chopper said spotting a trail of blood.

"That idiot i guess he walked off somewhere on his own"Sanji said "Wait you don't think that he"Zoro trailed off "It's very likely, the fact is i can't locate him, which means he's probably in bad shape so his 'voice' is weaker"Nicole said, just then Luffy came flying in and fell into the canal, Sanji fished him out "What are you doing? And where the hell did you fall from?"the cook asked as Luffy coughed up water.

"The shipyard, i was trying to jump around like that carpenter to look for Usopp"Luffy said "Are you alright?"Chopper asked "Yeah, oh that's right i almost forgot we got a terrible problem, Usopp was abducted and so was the money"Luffy said "We know that's why we're here come on we were just about to head over to the hideout of the guys that did it, i bet that's where we'll find Usopp and the money, maybe he felt responsible for what happened and went to deal with the Franky family on his own"Sanji said.

~skip~

The crew found Usopp right outside of the city near the Franky family hideout "Is he breathing Chopper?"Luffy asked "He's unconscious but yes he's breathing, he'll live i can save him" Chopper said 'No wonder i had a hard time locating him' Nicole thought looking at the battered and bruised Usopp laying on the ground.

"You wait for us out here, kay Usopp?"Luffy said lowering his hat as Sanji lit his cigarette while Zoro tied his bandanna, Nicole set her death glare on the house up ahead and Chopper growled angrily "We're gonna level that stupid house to the ground"Luffy said as the group walked forward.

They reached the house just as someone walked out and Luffy punched them back, the dust cleared and the Franky family gulped as the first thing they saw was piercing yellow eyes, they felt the cold hand of death reaching for them as they faced that deadly glare, the Franky family wasn't scared however what could five people do against all of them.

They couldn't be that strong with that weakling of a long nose in their crew "Let's go come on shrimp"one guy said walking forward however Luffy easily punched them back "Hey! Hold on wait a second you guys let's talk about this first okay?"one guy asked "We're not here to talk, you should have headed the warning because now you face the fangs of a monster"Nicole said.

The Franky family flinched back realizing the piercing glare they faced had been that warning, just like the rumors about the She Wolf say, "Okay guys fire the cannons!"the guy said a panicked tone clear in his voice, the Franky family fired cannons however Zoro easily sliced up the cannon balls followed up by Nicole slicing the cannons themselves in half.

The Franky family freaked out realizing they had picked on the wrong crew, they running away to the back door but Sanji kicked them down, they tried using the windows to escape but Chopper chopped them down.

"Wait! You guys! It's the money right? You want the money back, the two million berries the long nose guy had is that it? I'm sorry to be the one to tell you but that pile of money isn't here any more the boss took it all and went on a shopping spree and since he's buying things on the black market we have no idea where he might be or even how to find him so no matter how much of rampage you go on that two hundred million won't be coming back so why don't you and"the guy was cut off as Luffy punched him sending him flying.

"Shut up that's enough out of you, this has nothing to do with the money"Sanji said "Damn straight it's too late for that"Zoro said "You guys hurt our friend"Nicole said "Not even your bones will be left when we're done"Luffy said.

The Franky family freaked out but they weren't backing down yet, they fired a special cannon but the Strawhats evaded the ammo and rushed at them, the Franky family rushed back but they were no match for the Strawhats, the whole building blew up ending the fight.

The Strawhats were standing among the rubble "Should we go after Franky?"Sanji asked "And start looking where?"Zoro said "I'd tell you but i don't know his voice so don't ask me, although logical thinking says he's probably on the sea train by now"Nicole said "Oh man looks like these idiots really didn't know where he took the money and if we do find him if he spent it then there's no getting it back"Sanji said.

"Well refunds are a thing but not so much on the black market"Nicole said "What now? Even if we wait around for him he may not be back for quite a while"Zoro said "Okay! The first aid treatment is all done! We need to take him back on a stretcher so i could use some help over here!"Chopper yelled over from where he had been treating Usopp.

"Hanging around here won't do any good, let's head back to the ship for now we left Nami there all by herself and Robin's still missing, the ships a problem too"Sanji said "Yeah"Zoro said as him and Nicole walked off going on ahead "Hey Luffy!"Sanji called to him "I've made a decision, about the ship, it's time to part ways with the Merry, we'll say goodbye to her here"Luffy said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

The crew was back on their ship, the sun was setting in the background, Chopper ran out of the cabin "Hey Usopp's finally awake you guys!"he announced "Alright good to hear"Luffy said, Nami sighed in relief "That's one less thing to worry about"she said, the rest of the crew went inside the cabin to check on their nakama.

"You know i oughta punch you for scaring us like that"Nami said "Yeah no kidding, though it looks like you've already taken enough punches if you ask me, what were you thinking taking those guys on alone?"Sanji asked "You can't just run off and fight whoever you want"Zoro said "Oh that's a good one coming from you"Sanji said and Luffy laughed as Nicole snickered a bit.

"This wouldn't happen if i was strong like you guys, i'm sorry, it's all my fault i'm so ashamed of myself"Usopp cried clinging onto Zoro "Hey hey stop! I get it, i know you're sorry but you don't have to get all touchy feely on me okay"Zoro said uncomfortable with anyone else except Nicole even just touching him.

"All our saving all the trouble we went through what about the Merry?"Usopp cried "Take it easy, you shouldn't be out of bed yet"Chopper told him "Calm down stop your whining and listen to the doctor"Nami told him "So is there a chance we might get our money back after all?"Usopp asked after calming down.

"We'll maybe we won't know for sure until that Franky guy shows up"Luffy said grinning "I see, i'm sorry"Usopp whispered "Hey even if we can't get the rest back we still have a hundred million berries left over, don't worry"Luffy laughed "Yeah but he lost twice that much!"Nami yelled "Oh come on did you have to rub salt in the wounds Nami?"Nicole asked giving her a look.

"Uh sorry Usopp"Nami said "No it's fine, more importantly is Merry gonna be okay? I mean can we get her repaired with the money that we have left? We're lucky we have all these awesome shipwrights to work on her but i know things are gonna get rough out there so i want her to be stronger then ever before, we gotta do a lot more then just a little touch up, so do you think those guys will still do a good job if we only have one hundred million to pay with? You talked to them about it right?"Usopp asked.

"Uh yeah but we aren't having them repair it, we decided to get a new ship instead, i know that we probably should have asked you first but we didn't have much choice, either way i've made up my mind, the Going Merry has taken good care of us but it looks like our journey with her has to end here"Luffy said.

There was a beat of silence "Anyway Ice pops gave us this awesome ship catalogue to flip through, there's all kinds of different ships we could pick from in here and if we decided to shop for a used model we could go bigger then the Merry and still keep our budget under a hundred million"Luffy said.

"Wait, just stop, i get it Luffy but the jokes go on long enough okay? See? Chopper doesn't know you're kidding, look how upset this is making him, geez captain you should know better then to treat your crew like that, come on Nami back me up here"Usopp said but Luffy was completely serious.

"Hold up does that mean we don't have enough for the repairs it's cause i lost the two hundred million isn't it? And now we can't afford to work on the Merry is that what this is about? After all a first class ship yard is gonna cost a lot right?!"Usopp asked "Would you stop and listen to me" Luffy said "What is it? Tell me! Don't try to sugar coat it!"Usopp yelled.

"I'm not okay? I don't even care you lost all the money that's over now!"Luffy yelled back "If that's how you feel the what's all this crap about buying a new ship?!"Usopp asked "Both of you stop it! Fighting isn't gonna help, just calm down for a sec"Zoro said "I don't see what i'm doing wrong he's the one saying all this dumb stuff"Usopp said.

"I know how you feel but you shouldn't get so worked up right now"Nami said "Listen to Nami Usopp if you don't get any rest you're not gonna get any better"Chopper said "Who cares about me? How can you sit here while he's making jokes about getting a new ship?"Usopp asked "I'm not joking about anything this was a hard decision for me too!"Luffy yelled.

"Oh yeah i feel really sorry for you already window shopping for a new toy!"Usopp yelled taking the catalogue out of Luffy's hand and throwing it on the ground "You trying to pick a fight with me?!"Luffy asked "I don't want your damn pity got it?! If you tell me it doesn't matter that i lost the money then why are you talking about buying a new ship?!"Usopp asked.

"Just spit it out already if we can't afford the repairs because i screwed up then tell me! Don't show me some stupid catalogue and change the subject i wanna know the truth!"Usopp said "The Merry can't be fixed!"Luffy yelled "Wha-what did you just say?"Usopp asked "Don't make me repeat myself, i told you the Merry can't be repaired anymore, no matter what we do, we can't fix her"Luffy said.

"You mean this ship? This ship we're riding on right now is broken?!"Usopp asked "That's right it's only a matter of time before she sinks"Luffy said "What are you talking about Luffy? That's nuts"Usopp said "No i'm serious the shipwrights took a look at the Merry themselves, they said she wouldn't even hold out until the next island"Luffy said.

"It's settled? So that's it? A bunch of strangers tell you to scrap your ship and you don't even ask any questions?"Usopp asked "That's enough"Luffy said "I understand these guys know what their talking about but this is just wrong, don't give up on the Merry! What about all the adventures we've gone on together?! What about all the battles we've fought?! She's our friend! She's one of us! Are you gonna abonden her for another ship without a second thought?! After all we've been through is that how little the Merry means to you Luffy?"Usopp asked.

"I know you're upset Usopp but you need to calm down"Chopper said "Sorry no, i'm not backing down until we settle this"Usopp said "Usopp please"Nami said "What so you know better then the shipwrights? If we had someone on the crew who knew about this stuff we wouldn't have asked them in the first place"Luffy said.

"Then forget them we don't need those guys telling us what to do, i'll repair the Merry myself just like before we made it this far so there's no reason we can't go on that way, here i'll get started right now come on guys help me out"Usopp said crawling away "That's not gonna work"Sanji said "That's right we don't have enough lumber do we? I better go buy some at the shipyard we got a lot of work to do"Usopp said.

"You're not a shipwright Usopp you hear me?!"Luffy yelled at him "Stop it Luffy!"Nami yelled at him "Yeah you're right i know! But so what i don't see why you're so hung up on what some stupid shipwrights say, if they knew what she's gone through they wouldn't give up on the Merry so easy they just want your money!"Usopp yelled.

"The Merry's our ship so it's our job to take care of her without someone else budding in! I'm not giving up, i won't let them take the Merry away from me! This is stupid fooled by a bunch of salesmen trying to pawn off a used boat, the Luffy i know wouldn't cave in to some sales pitch from a total stranger, he'd believe in the strength of the Merry and the strength of his crew but here you are acting like you know everything acting like you know everything, i can't believe that's the kind of captain you turned out to be! I thought you were better then that!"Usopp yelled at Luffy grabbing him by his shirt.

"You're not being fair Usopp, Luffy felt"Nami was cut off "You stay out of this!"Luffy told her "It was my call, i stand by it! There's nothing you can do we're getting a new ship whether you like it or not, this is the end of the rode for Merry"Luffy said.

"I'm not leaving her here i don't care what you say! I know you're always trying to think about the future but not everyone on this crew is like that! I see the Merry as one of our friends got it?! And i won't abonden her when she's hurt!"Usopp yelled.

"Don't be stupid even if she is a friend that doesn't mean she's a person!"Luffy yelled back "She is to me and she still has the strength to live but you wouldn't appreciate that cause all you care about is getting a new ship! Stop being so selfish and think about your crew!"Usopp yelled back "Would you listen to yourself?!"Luffy said taking Usopp down "Don't act like you're the only one torn up about this we all feel the same way!"Luffy yelled.

"If that was true you wouldn't be looking for a new ship!"Usopp yelled back "Alright fine if you don't like the way your captain does things then why don't you go ahead and get!"Luffy was cut off as Sanji kicked him back "This is going way too far what the hell is wrong with you?! If you don't watch it you're gonna say something you can't take back so calm down!"the cook yelled at Luffy.

"Yeah i'm sorry i don't know what i was thinking"Luffy said "You don't have to apologize cause that's how you really feel isn't it?"Usopp asked "That's not true!"Luffy said "Just get rid of your dead weight and move on before they can slow you down if you're gonna throw away the Merry, might as well throw me away too"Usopp said, Nicole could sense in a part of his soul Usopp meant it.

"I know you're pissed off but don't say stupid crap like that"Sanji said "No i'm serious i've been thinking about this for a while now, it isn't like it was before you guys are just too strong for me can't keep up anymore i mean look what happened today you can't even trust me with your money, no point in keeping me around if all i do is cause you trouble, you don't want weak people on your crew do you?"Usopp asked.

"Luffy i still believe you'll be King of the Pirates one day but as for me, i was just lucky to be able to make it this far, even back when we first met i was gonna set off alone you probably just invited me on your ship out of pity, that's the only reason i'm here there's no sense in travelling together if we don't even have the same goal"Usopp said leaving.

"Hey Usopp where are you going?!"Sanji asked as the sniper opened the door "Wherever i go it's my business, it has nothing to do with you anymore, sorry guys, i'm leaving the crew this is goodbye"Usopp said walking away as the door closed behind him.

"Usopp why?"Chopper wondered "Oh no, hey don't just sit there Luffy! Who knows what's he gonna do out there? Go say something to him! Stop him before it's too late! We've come too far together we can't part ways like this, Usopp's not just a crew member he's one of our friends too isn't he? Get up and stop him! Luffy what's wrong? Please, you're the captain aren't you?"Nami asked but Luffy wasn't budging an inch.

Nami, Sanji and Chopper went out trying to stop Usopp, "It was too late the minute he said those words"Nicole said "If you stop him now you'll lose more then a nakama"Zoro said, Luffy understood what Zoro meant and lowered his hat covering his eyes before walking out.

"Luffy i'm sorry i can't follow you anymore and i'm sorry i was a pain until the bitter end, i know you're the captain of this ship so the Merry belongs to you, that's why i want you to fight me Monkey D. Luffy"Usopp said turning around.

"I challenge you to a duel!"he yelled "At ten o clock tonight i'll be back so you better be ready for a fight captain, i can't stop you from destroying your own ship but if i win i'm taking the Merry and leaving! Either way when we're done the last bond between us will be broken"Usopp said.

~skip~

Nami was in the cabin trying to convince Luffy to turn back but he wasn't budging, above them in the dining room Sanji was confronting Zoro while Nicole was trying to relax with some tea, she's been trying to locate Robin with her Haki all day with no luck, she had to recharge for a while.

"You said the Franky family came here this afternoon right?"Sanji asked Zoro "Yeah so? What are you trying to say?"Zoro asked slapping the cooks had off his shoulder "If you hadn't let them off so easy they wouldn't have stolen the money from us in the first place! It's your fault those guys attacked Usopp, he's freaking out cause he feels guilty"Sanji said.

"Hey don't blame me for not kicking their asses hard enough! You're the one who went off to go shopping!"Zoro said "Enough!"Nicole yelled stopping them both "Neither of you are at fault for anything, Usopp's not at fault either, whatever happened is over now, it's in the past"she said "There's been enough fighting already"Nami said walking in.

"Oh hey you're back"Zoro said was Chopper walked in "You were going after Usopp weren't you?"he asked the reindeer "Even if he was mad i still wanted to treat his wounds but he turned me away he found a place to stay so at least he can get some rest but do you know what he said to me? He said we aren't friends now so i should leave him alone and go back to the ship" Chopper said tearing up.

"Just this morning we were all so happy and now what? We lost Usopp, Robin's still missing i feel like if we don't do something the whole crew is gonna fall apart"Nami said, the clock struck ten Luffy went out to wait for Usopp "Listen up i don't want any of you leaving the ship, you got that?"Luffy asked looking back at the crew.

Usopp approached from the distance, a fight for the ages was about to go down, "So you didn't lose your nerve after all no matter how this battle ends you can't regret it this is exactly what you asked for"Luffy said "That's perfect don't go easy on me, i won't be the underdog this time in fact i've already figured out a way to defeat you"Usopp said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

The fight was over, Usopp had put up a good fight but Luffy laid him down flat with a single punch "At least it's over now"Zoro said, Nicole nodded in agreement, "You idiot, you knew it would end like this, you knew you could never beat me!"Luffy said and walked away, he grabbed his hat "Do whatever you want with the Merry, i won't let anything hold us back, we're getting a new ship and sailing forward"Luffy said and continued walking away.

"Chopper leave him alone"Sanji said stopping the reindeer as he tried getting off the ship "What are you saying? He was already hurt before the fight if i don't help him who knows what'll happen!"Chopper said getting off the ship but Sanji stopped him again "He isn't a part of our crew anymore"Sanji said.

"So what i'm a doctor it's my job to treat him!"Chopper said turning to his human form but Sanji pinned him down "It's bad enough he lost the duel you pity him in a time like this you'll end up hurting him more then any of those injuries"Sanji said and Chopper started crying "I'm sure you have good intention but all we can do now is give him dignity in defeat, he knew that when he challenged Luffy to a dual this is how it might end"Sanji said.

Luffy came back over to the ship "It's too much"he said his jaw clenched "This is what it means to be captain you can't doubt yourself in times like these you lose your competence then who can we have faith in"Zoro said, Chopper ran off the ship to give Usopp medical supplies "Let's pack our things and go, you know as well as me that after tonight we can never return to the ship again"Zoro said.

~skip~

The Strawhats rather what was left of them had left their ship and packed their things leaving the Merry empty, they had found a place to stay in at least, the sun was high in the morning sky as Sanji stepped out to the roof of the hotel they had been staying in, "So this is where you've been"he said.

"We went through all the trouble of renting a room and no one's using it, guess nobody could sleep huh? And where's Luffy?"Sanji asked walking over "Over there"Chopper said, Luffy was on the next building over just sulking on the roof "So where were you?"Chopper asked "I kept look out around the rocky cape all night i wanted to be there incase Robin came back "Oh"Chopper said.

"She never said anything about leaving i wonder where she went"Sanji said "Ever since we go to this island it's been one bad thing after the other our money was stolen and then there's everything that happened to poor Usopp, he was injured he could barely even stand up and by now on top of everything else he's probably got a fever"Chopper said.

"Chopper that's enough okay, don't talk about him anymore"Zoro said, Nicole sighed leaning on his shoulder opening her eyes "No sign of her"she said "Which mean?"Zoro asked "Either she's outside my radar, something is blocking her voice or"Nicole trailed off.

"I think i'll try looking for her in town today"Sanji said "Do you think we're gonna find her?" Chopper asked "Who knows it's not like i have any place specific in mind to check out i just feel certain she's still here somewhere, if anything should happen we should use this inn as our meet up point"Sanji said.

"I wanna help i'm gonna come too"Chopper said "Alright then come on"Sanji said "Luffy!"Nami said barging on to the roof "Nami what's wrong?"Sanji asked "It's awful, the whole cities talking about it, Luffy listen to me last night something terrible happened to Iceburg"Nami said.

~skip~

"Ice pops from the shipyard?"Luffy asked "Yes i've heard he's still unconscious"Nami said "I thought everyone in this entire city loved that guy, why him?"Luffy wondered "Who are you talking about?"Sanji asked "He's the nice man that helped us out so much yesterday the president of the ship building company as well as the mayor of Water 7"Nami said.

"Sounds like an important guy"Sanji said "Yeah it's pretty much the worst thing that could happen to this town"Nami said "I'll go check on him"Luffy said jumping down "Luffy wait up i'm coming too!"Nami yelled going after him "On that note let's go look for Robin, come on Chopper, what about you?"Sanji asked.

"Well i think i'll just wait a while, see how things turn out"Zoro said putting his hands behind his head as Nicole shifted to lean on his chest "Me too"Nicole said, Sanji and Chopper walked off "You know we're probably the top suspects"Nicole said once they were gone shifting to sit in Zoro's lap "Yeah, it probably wasn't the best plan for Luffy to go, well too late to stop him now" Zoro shrugged a bit.

~skip~

An alarm blared through the city "Your attention please, your attention please this is the Water 7 weather forecasting center as of now an Aqua Laguna severe weather warning has been issued for the entire island it's arrival time is estimated to be somewhere around midnight or twelve thirty"an announcement said.

"Aqua Laguna, any idea what's that about?"Zoro asked wrapping his arms around Nicole "Hmm, sounds like a storm, a big one too"Nicole said leaning further back into him absentmindedly playing with his hand which just so happened to be resting on her stomach, Zoro blushed a bit getting an image in his head "What?"Nicole asked noticing it "Forget it, i'll bring it up again later" Zoro said, Nicole blushed a bit getting an idea on what it might be that he wanted to talk about and nodded.

~skip~

"Where did they disappear to?"One guy asked "I'm sure they went this way"another said "They can't have gotten too far, i got a shot in the girls leg"another said "Okay you guys look over there and keep an eye on any blood trails"another said and the group scattered.

In the alley behind them Zoro and Nicole were hiding, Nicole bit her lip using Zoro's bandanna as temporary bandage tying it tightly around the shot wound she got "You okay?"Zoro whispered checking out the way from the other end of the alley "I'll live, not my first bullet wound, thankfully it just grazed me"Nicole whispered back.

They went to head out the alley when a newspaper was blown into Zoro's face, he backed back up and the two had a look at the paper "Suspects in the assassination plot well that sucks can't go back to the inn now"Zoro said "Hide"Nicole hissed quickly pressing him against the wall and covering his mouth as she hid too.

~skip~

"This is all your fault Zoro!"Nami yelled back as her, Zoro, Luffy and Nicole were being chased by a group of people "The whole town's looking for us it was gonna happen sooner or later"Zoro said "I was hoping later! If you just had stayed hidden when i told you!"Nicole yelled at him "This way!"Luffy said going into an alley.

"Right"Nami said following, Nicole grabbed Zoro's hand following them in, they hid under the bridge "Is it okay now?"Luffy asked "Not yet"Nicole said listening as the people ran off "Okay, they're gone now"she said but Luffy couldn't hold any longer and they fell into the water just as Chopper showed up.

~skip~

The Strawhats gathered on the roof of a house "Looks like the crowd cleared out"Zoro said "Yeah no thanks to you, i'll have you know Luffy and i had a perfectly good hiding place until you led that angry mob right to us"Nami said "I told you to be more discreet, i told you to take the left but no! You had to take the right and draw that mob in, honestly i should have you leashed" Nicole said shutting up Zoro.

"Oh yeah that reminds me how'd you know we were down there Chopper?"Luffy asked "Your smell"Chopper said like it was obvious "Ah should have known, but wait wasn't Sanji with you?" Luffy asked "Well he was"Chopper said and explained what happened "No way! That doesn't make any sense did Robin really say that to you?!"Luffy asked, Chopper just nodded.

"We were prepared for this weren't we? After all Robin was our enemy before we let her join the crew, this might be our only chance to find out the truth so we shouldn't run away, there's still a lot of things we don't know about Robin now it's time to decide if she's a friend or a foe"Zoro said.

"I'm not so sure something's just not sitting right with me about any of this"Nicole said "What do you mean?"Nami asked "Think about it for a second, why is Robin doing this? It's clear she's planning something more drastic with that Iceburg guy, maybe murder, and she practically asked us to be at the scene of the crime to pin it on us, now maybe she just snapped or she's actually planning to betray us or someone else is forcing her"Nicole said.

"Who would do that? Wait you don't think the government would"Nami trailed off as Nicole nodded "They absolutely would, the government isn't above dirty tricks to get what they want, remember what Aokiji said, they consider us a threat, with Robin being the biggest threat because she can read ponyglyphs"Nicole said.

"That's right!"Nami said "I wasn't done yet"Nicole said "So the government decides to come after us but lucky for them their biggest threat is one of us, so they contact her, she's given an ultimatum work with us or all your friends die or something, Robin is protecting us"she finished.

"Are you sure?"Zoro asked "Honestly not at all, i still think we need to confront Robin and ask her to be sure"Nicole said before turning to Luffy "So are we going?"she asked "Of course"Luffy said.

"Sanji said he saw Robin walking what someone in a mask remember? And Iceburg said the same thing that he was attacked by Robin and a large man in a mask he didn't recognize, if Nicole is correct that large guy must someone from the government keeping tabs on Robin, making sure she cooperates"Nami said.

"Yeah that means it's not her fault and we just need to beat the real bad guys right?"Chopper asked "That's the ideal situation but on the other hand Nicole is wrong and Robin is betraying us"Zoro said earning a bit of a glare from Nicole "The problem is we don't have much to go on except a big man in a mask and Nicole's hunch so where do we start i mean what is our goal here?"Nami asked.

"We find Robin and capture her, that's the only way we'll ever know the truth"Luffy said getting up "You're right, we're wasting time trying to figure out"Zoro said, Nicole nodded in agreement getting up too.

"Just one thing Robin won't be easy to catch after all the government has tried for twenty years"Zoro said "Like Luffy said it's the only way we'll really know for sure"Nami said standing up "Yeah let's settle this right now"Chopper said "Right, come on Galley La is waiting"Luffy said.

~skip~

The Strawhats made their way to the main office where Iceburg lived "The whole place is surrounded, there's even more people inside"Nicole said sensing them all with her Haki "It's a little far too"Luffy said "It'll be fine if you rocket through the window after Robin shows up i mean"Nami said "That's right if we make a commotion first and they'll just sneak in while we're dealing with the guards let's be patient"Zoro said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Sounds like somethings going on down there"Zoro said "They're just pumped to take out the pirates that attacked their beloved Iceburg"Nicole said then scoffed "As if i have more power in my pinkey then half those guys"she said "Anyway don't let your guard down we don't want any kind of surprise down there"Zoro said "Right"Nicole nodded "You too Chopper"Zoro said.

"Okay, got it"Chopper said keeping watch through the binoculars "I think we're gonna have a really long night ahead of us we blow our opportunity it's over we can't let our guard down no matter what happens, if we wanna know the truth about Robin then it has to be tonight or never"Zoro said "Yeah i've got a feeling we'll be talking to her real soon"Luffy said.

~skip~

Then an explosion went off "Whoa it blew up!"Chopper yelled "They're all pretty worked up, their fighting someone, a couple more just showed up and Luffy's already gone"Nicole said finishing up with a sweatdrop "That idiot! What about the plan?! I thought we weren't gonna rush into anything!!"Zoro and Nami freaked "Too late"Chopper said.

~skip~

"I know he doesn't listen to me it's crazy but i thought maybe he'd listen to his own advice"Nami said as she, Nicole, Zoro and Chopper ran in to the main office after their captain "We are talking about Luffy"Zoro said "Hey guy do you think that's Robin in the middle of the commotion down at Galley La?"Chopper asked "It's definitely her"Nicole said but decided not to mention that Robin seemed conflicted about something.

"But no matter what Luffy decided to do we still gotta be careful"Nicole said "Yeah i know but him rushing in like that might actually work in our favor if you think about the way he does things is he the kind of guy to go through the back or side entrance?"Nami asked "Not his style"Zoro said "No way"Chopper said "Except i'm not sensing him in that direction"Nicole said.

"So i'm pretty sure by now he's made a go at barging straight through the front door and it's safe to assume that right now he's running around inside like crazy cause he has no idea where he's going don't you think?"Nami asked totally ignoring Nicole making her sweatdrop "Oh yeah"Zoro said "Sounds like him"Chopper said "Except he's not it that direction"Nicole said a little more aggressively.

"Uh huh and from the shipwrights point of view he's the leader of the group that attacked Iceburg so if he made it there by now all of those guys are gonna be busy trying to catch him, which would mean the guards have severely thinned out at the door or at the very least their completely distracted so the safest way in right now is through the front right behind all the chaos in Luffy's wake"Nami said.

"So if he does it it's completely stupid it's actually a brilliant plan huh?"Zoro said "Yeah makes sense i say we should go for it then"Chopper said "Except he's not there!"Nicole yelled just as they leaped over the fence "This is why you should listen to me more often!! Ugh! Why do i even bother?!"she vented drawing her sword out and fighting off the scored of shipwrights not even fully paying attention to them.

"You're fine with me taking lookout but you won't listen when i tell you something repeatedly?! Just how ungrateful you can get?! You're lucky your my friends or this sword would be at your throat!"Nicole yelled slicing into the neck of some guy "Sorry"the others muttered as Nicole continued to cut down shipwright after shipwright without paying attention to them, she huffed "You're lucky i'm so forgiving"she muttered.

~skip~

"If Luffy isn't here then where is he?!"Nami asked as she, Nicole, Chopper and Zoro were running away from gunfire "He's stuck between two buildings, over there ish"Nicole said pointing to the general location "Ugh of course! Where else would he be?!"Nami asked sarcasm clear in her voice.

"What now?"Nami asked "Well they've already found us so there's no point in trying to be sneaky the only thing left to do now is go on the offensive"Zoro said coming to a stop "Agreed!" Nicole said coming to a stop as well before they rushed off towards the group of shipwrights, well minus the ones Nicole had already dealt with.

~skip~

Zoro and Nicole finished off last off the shipwrights, Nicole sighed a bit "Phew, man for such weaklings they sure gave a workout"she said putting her swords back "No kidding"Zoro said putting his swords back "You guys are so strong"Chopper said sparkles in his eyes.

"Whatever might as well go ahead"Nami said leading the way as Chopper followed with Nicole right behind him dragging Zoro by his hand.

~skip~

"Come on hurry!"Nami said leading the way, they eventually reached the doors and Nami and Chopper slowed down letting Nicole and Zoro go on ahead "What are you waiting for? Cut down the door and beat the bad guys we're right behind you"Nami said "Hurry it up!"she and Chopper said, Nicole just sweatdropped.

"Alright i'll do it but not cause you told me to!"Zoro said "I'm sensing a lot of really strong guys behind that door, fair warning you know"Nicole smirked a bit drawing a sword "This oughta be interesting"Zoro smirked drawing a sword and together they cut down the door busting through them as Luffy busted through the wall.

"Luffy!"Nicole, Zoro and Robin greeted in shock, well Nicole wasn't that shocked she had sensed him earlier but now her focus was fully on the guy with a pigeon, she could tell he was the strongest one here "Robin i finally found you"Luffy said.

"Hey Luffy why in the hell did you get stuck inbetween buildings?"Zoro asked "Robin why did you leave us?!"Chopper cried "Hold on a sec something not right here"Nami said "Iceburg what is this? What the hell's going on?!"Pauley the shipwright asked "Pauley damn it you should of just ran"Iceburg said weakly.

"This doesn't make sense you guys are making it look like you were the ones after Iceburg but that can't be right, what the hell are you doing with those weird costumes on?! Stop screwing with me here, hey Bluno, Kalifa, Kaku, Lucci say something already damn it!"Pauley yelled, Nicole had a feeling her theory was right but decided to keep her mouth shut for now.

"Oh yeah those were the same guys that were with you back at the shipyard right? Right?"Luffy asked "Actually that square nose guy came to our ship"Zoro said "I see then the attack on Iceburg was an inside job"Nami said "Well maybe"Nicole said.

"Pauley, in all honesty were secret agents working for the world government but hey you'll forgive me if i say i'm sorry right?"Lucci asked, Nicole shared a look with her crew mates, her theory was seeming more likely with huge evidence right in front of them, the others nodded before focusing on what was going on.

"We were comrades building ships together from dawn till dusk, i realise this is quite sudden for you so perhaps you'll believe me if i smashed Iceburg's face in"Lucci said "Just shut the hell up i've heard enough you were that guy in the bull mask weren't you? That was the first time i ever heard your voice, all those years you never said a word but you can talk just fine, i'll teach you to make fun of me!"Pauley yelled and went for the attack.

However he was no match "Hey are you okay?"Luffy asked "Screw you Lucci"Pauley managed to say between pants "It's pointless to resist our abilities exceed that of a normal human as you can see after many years of training we've mastered an art known as the six powers these techniques transform the body into a living weapon with the strength of over a hundred men" Lucci said.

'Cheap parlor tricks if you ask me' Nicole thought, she could see it was just Haki and not very refined Haki from the looks of things, though she wasn't about to underestimate them "After all this time why?"Pauley asked before his shoulder was grabbed "Sorry Pauley, our friendship is over i have to eliminate you"Lucci said.

"Lucci no don't!"Iceburg said "You jerk leave him alone!"Luffy yelled aiming a kick at pigeon guy but he effortlessly caught it, Luffy then barraged him with gum gum Gatling but it had no effect "You're nothing but a pest"Lucci spoke before disappearing from sight he reappeared attacking Luffy but since Luffy was rubber he was just pushed back towards the others.

Luffy coughed a bit "If you weren't made out of rubber you'd be dead with a hole in your neck lucky you"Lucci said, Luffy stretched his arm and grabbed Pauley and pulled him over "You're protecting him but why?"Lucci asked "Why not, cause i don't want you to kill him, you guys were all friends just the other day how could you do this?"Luffy asked.

"We were, now things have changed"Lucci said "It doesn't matter you can say what you want, you're a bunch of traitors, point is you're my enemy now, i made a promise with Pauley to beat the crap out of anyone who tries to hurt Ice pops"Luffy said "I see you decided to trust him over us huh?"Kaku asked.

"That's right cause you guys took one of my friends, hey Robin what gives why are you acting like this? If you wanna leave the crew at least tell me why"Luffy said "Yeah and why would you wanna team up with people from the world government? That's crazy!"Nami said "You're protecting us right?"Nicole asked looking squarely at Robin even though she showed no reaction on the outside her 'voice' told Nicole yes.

"Do i have to repeat myself? I believe i said my farewells to the cook and the doctor before i left, did you pass that along Chopper?"Robin asked "Of course i did but just because i heard it doesn't mean i accept it how could you do this?!"Chopper asked "I did it to make my wish come true, a wish that can't happen as long as we're together and if you can't accept that i'm sorry" Robin said.

That basically confirmed Nicole's theory, to herself at least, the others seemed to forget about that entirely and buy what Robin was selling "You may not find it fair but to accomplish my goal i'll make any sacrifice"Robin said "I see and that includes framing your own crew mates for attempted murder so what is this wish of yours?"Zoro asked.

"I don't have to answer that question"Robin said but Nicole knew it was to protect them "Are you out of your mind? Wake up Robin, you have no right to do this i don't care what it is you're trying to accomplish, the consequences are far too great!"Iceburg said.

"I've heard enough this is no longer your choice to make"Robin said and used her powers to shut him up "No Iceburg!"Pauley yelled "I won't let anyone get in my way"Robin said "Nothing you're saying is making any sense! You expect me to believe this?!"Luffy asked "Robin what happened to you?"Chopper asked, Robin didn't respond.

"You're our friend right?! Please Robin come back!"Chopper said "Sorry to brake up the reunion but i'll have to stop you there, you see we have a date this evening with a very important individual one that been over four years in the making we're finished here, in other words that means we're finished with you as well"Lucci said.

"Kalifa how much time is left?"Lucci asked "Two minutes"Kalifa said "Here's the deal i know this is sudden but in two minutes this building will go up in a ball of flame"Lucci said "You're kidding"Luffy said "Of course not, fire is an effective tool for erasing all sorts of evidence if you don't want to be burned alive i suggest you leave the building as soon as possible, well i say that but i have no intention of letting you go"Lucci said as the other agents stood in a line.

The Strawhats got ready for a fight "It looks like it's us against them and our friend Robin has clearly picked her side, Luffy Robin is not one of us anymore do you accept that now?"Zoro asked "No! No way!"Luffy said "So noisy anyway the first floor is about to be set on fire it won't be pretty but to be fair the culprits are just pirates you can't expect them to be subtle"Lucci said.

"That's just uncalled for, it's only idiots who tell their plan in a tedious monologue that aren't subtle"Nicole said making a jab at the agents earning their ire "Well i suppose i'll take my leave now"Robin said "You've done exactly as you were told good work"Lucci said "Robin don't go you're still one of us!"Luffy said "This is farewell"Robin said, the others called after her.

"We finally found you, i won't let you run away again!"Luffy said going after her but Bluno got in his way "How come nothing i do to these guys doesn't even phase them?"Luffy asked "It's Haki" Nicole simply said "Crap that's tricky to fight"Luffy said but still tried regardless but no matter what he did Bluno had a counter for it, then Luffy was kicked away by Kaku and Kalifa.

"They did all that with a single kick no way"Nami said "Technically it was the sharp gust of wind that followed it, we call it the Tempest Kick"Kalifa said "I call it a cheap parlor trick"Nicole said as Zoro rushed forward but Kaku blocked him.

"We met on your ship Roronoa"Kaku said, Zoro drew another sword but Kaku blocked that too "You said you people aren't real shipwrights so does that mean you lied about the Merry too?"Zoro asked "Unfortunately not i was quite honest about my assessment"Kaku said, Zoro pushed him back "Sorry to hear that"he said rushing forward again but Kaku met him blow for blow.

Robin had reached the window and opened it "Don't go Robin! We're not done talking yet!"Luffy said "No it's over this is the last time you'll see me"Robin said "Robin!"Nami called, Nicole went to rush forward but Kaku blocked her too, she sliced his weapons though and Zoro pushed him back "Luffy go after Robin whatever happens don't let her get away!"Zoro said.

"Confident huh? You really shouldn't take your eyes off of me"Kaku said and went to attack Nicole before Zoro stepped infront of her the last second and getting holes poked in him "Zoro!" Nicole gasped a bit catching him as he fell.

Lucci grabbed Luffy stopping the rubber boy in his tracks and Robin leaped out of the window, Lucci tossed Luffy away as Zoro stood up from Nicole's arms "I knew you were tough but this is too much"Pauley said.

"We're not like you as members of CP-9 for as long as we can remember, we've trained to surpass the limits of the human body and vow to hone those skill into an instruments of absolute justice, the results of that training are the super human techniques known as the six powers so now i'm sure it's undeniably clear why the four of us are the government's most elite agents and also by the same token you must also realize how miserably weak a band of pirates is in comparison, of course the full extent of our powers is strictly classified but rest assured scum like you would never make the cut"Lucci said.

'Like anyone would want to work for those pompous assholes' Nicole thought as she helped Zoro stay up, "Lucci the ignition device is about to detonate we should probably hurry"Kalifa said "Hmm but a chance like this one is quite rare let me show you something interesting"Lucci said and started to transform into a leopard human thing, the others were freaking out but Nicole wasn't impressed, it was just a zoan type transformation.

"Neko neko no mi the leopard model"Lucci said after done with his transformation "So are you like into neko stuff or what?"Nicole asked pausing the tense moment, Luffy was the first one to start laughing as the others tried their best to hide their laugh letting out snickers, giggles and chuckles, even the other agents were snickering a bit braking the tense moment entirely.

Lucci was not amused and did that shave trick grabbing Nicole by the throat "Nicole!"Zoro said and went to attack Lucci only to get grabbed too "You just keep your mouth shut little girl"Lucci said glaring at Nicole, she just laughed as best she could with her throat clutched "What's with that pathetic glare? Here let me show you a real one"she said and glared right back.

Instantly the tension was back, the room seemed to lower in temperature further as it felt like death itself had entered the room, Lucci won't admit it but he shivered in fright "Pretty neat right? Though it's not as fancy looking as your stupid parlor tricks"Nicole said, Lucci growled snapping out of it and threw her and Zoro out through the ceiling.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Well this isn't awkward at all"Nicole said, Zoro muttered something his face in her cleavage as the two of them were stuck inside a chimney "Hey can you breath down there?"Nicole asked looking at the mop of green hair that was Zoro's head, he managed to move his head to look back at her "Yeah, now i can but this is killing my neck"he said.

"Well not much we can do about that"Nicole said "Are you okay?"she asked "Huh? Oh those holes were nothing"Zoro said "That's good"Nicole sighed a bit in relief "How about you?"Zoro asked "I'm alright"Nicole smiled at him "So what did you wanna tell me earlier?"she asked.

Zoro blushed looking away from her "After that"he coughed a bit clearing his throat "I got this image of a little kid with green hair and yellow eyes"he said, Nicole smiled managing to bend down a bit and kiss his head "Boy or girl?"she asked "A girl"he said, she giggled a bit "Funny i had the same image but it was a little boy"she said.

Zoro blushed even further "Not that i'm saying either of us are ready for something like that, the pirate life wouldn't be the best environment just look at how i turned out"Nicole said, Zoro chuckled a bit "You're not that bad"he said, Nicole blushed a bit and cleared her throat a bit "Anyway, maybe someday"she said "Yeah, someday"Zoro agreed.

"So now what?"Nicole asked "We get out of here, i can barely reach my swords"Zoro said wiggling his fingers "Alright you do that and i'll uhm ah cheer you on yeah"Nicole nodded to herself "How very helpful"Zoro said sarcasm clear in his tone of voice, Nicole just rolled her eyes, she could probably squeeze past Zoro but she had no idea where this chimney lead to and she wasn't too keen on finding out.

~skip~

"Hm"Nicole hummed perking up like she heard something "What's up?"Zoro asked "There's a lot of noise going on"Nicole said and closed her eyes focusing "It's Chopper and the shipwrights, they're looking for us"she said "Are those shipwrights still after us?"Zoro grumbled a bit "No it seems like they know at least some of the situation"Nicole said "Alright, now to just get out of here"Zoro said still trying to reach his swords.

~skip~

"Zoro hey! You okay?!"they heard someone calling "Chopper!"Nicole called back "Nicole?! You're in there too?!"Chopper asked "Yeah!"Nicole said "Chopper do you have the Kitetsu?"Zoro asked "Your sword yeah i have one of them how on earth did you know that?"Chopper asked "Kitetsu bit of a special case since it's cursed, here put it in my hand"Zoro said waving his free hand.

Nicole managed to grab onto him as Zoro grabbed Kitetsu "Okay Chopper stand back"he said and sliced the chimney in half freeing himself and Nicole "HOLY SHIT!!!"Nicole screamed spotting the giant wave rolling towards them Chopper grabbed them both jumping to safer ground using his jumping point.

They made it to the bridge, Nicole stretched herself out "The next time i'm gonna be crammed into a tight space like that will hopefully be my coffin"she said, Chopper and Nami just laughed relieved they were safe however another wave rolled towards them and before any of them could act.

At the same time they were thrown ropes which they caught and Pauley pulled them out of the wave "Hurry, we're not safe yet run to shipbuilding island!"Pauley said Luffy grabbed Nami as Zoro grabbed Chopper while Nicole was quick enough to get back on her feet and ran away from the wave with them, they escaped just in time.

Nicole sighed laying down "Way too close for comfort"she muttered before getting up and pulling Chopper off of Zoro, the reindeer had a death grip on the poor swordsman's face nearly suffocating him before Nicole pulled Chopper away "You morons you're lucky to be alive"Pauley said "Thanks you saved us rope guy"Luffy said.

"I didn't know aqua laguna would be like that, i can't stop shaking"Nami said "If it was that bad every year we'd be sunk i'm just as surprised as you folks are this ain't normal at all"Pauley said "You pirates are one step shy of crazy you're lucky to be alive right now"Kokoro said walking over to them "Oh hi monster granny i didn't know you were here"Luffy said.

"Of course i am, i maybe drunk but i'd have to be stupid to stay at sea during this storm"Kokoro laughed "You were awesome mister pirate your arms were like boing boing!"Chimney said "Yeah i know"Luffy said "Hey Zoro, Nicole what were you doing down there when the wave hit?"Luffy asked "Well uhm we just were erm"Nicole trailed off trying to think of an excuse.

"They were stuck in a chimney"Chopper said before getting chocked by Zoro "You got stuck in a chimney?"Luffy asked and started laughing like crazy "I can't believe that happened!! I'd expect something like that from Zoro but you too Nicole!"he laughed "Like you have any room to talk mister stuck between buildings all the time!"Nicole yelled bonking him on the head shutting him up.

"Hey wait where's Sanji?"Luffy asked "Oh yeah there's a lot of stuff i need to tell you, you too Zoro, Nicole"Nami said and explained everything "So in summary my theory was correct"Nicole said puffing her chest out proudly "Pretty much right on the money"Nami said "The cook and Usopp are on the train with her well what should we do captain?"Zoro asked turning to Luffy.

"Only one thing to do, we set off and rescue them right away"Luffy said "I had a feeling you'd say that"Zoro said getting up, he turned offering a hand to Nicole, she grabbed it and let him pull her up "Let's go, hey help us out rope guy we need a boat actually we need a sea train you have another one of those?"Luffy asked.

"There is no other sea train the Puffing Tom is one of a kind, the man who made that train's a legend, it's a miracle it got finished at all so sorry i can't pull another sea train out of my ass" Pauley said "Okay then lend us a ship the strongest and fastest you guys have got"Luffy said "Damn it would you give it a rest already! Are you stupid?! You what just happened! You barely survived that wave on land and you wanna go out to sea?!"Pauley asked.

"Even during a normal aqua laguna no ship has ever made it through the storm and this year it's anything but normal just look at what happened to the backstreets this is the first time the waves have ever done damage like that, Water 7 was build to last it starts shaking then we better damn well listen i'm telling ya even if you went out there in our biggest galleon you'd be smashed to smithereens, i'm not gonna let you sail out there if i know you won't make it back out there alive wait till morning we'll lend you a ship as soon as the storm passes"Pauley said before turning to address the other shipwrights.

"Hold on if we wait until the storm passes we won't make in time to save Robin will we?"Nami asked, Nicole nodded "She's being taken to Enies Lobby no doubt so she's already being considered a criminal, once she passes through the gates of justice there's no saving her, well unless we also wanna wreck Impel Down and the marine headquarters"she said.

"Robin has a bounty on her head no matter where they take she'll face death or worse every second we waste here talking she gets closer to the gates of justice don't you dare tell us to wait until tomorrow!"Nami yelled at them.

"If you know that much already i've only got one thing to say even if the sea was calm and you were able to set sail that's the last place you should ever go don't forget you people are wanted criminals just the same as your friend, Enies Lobby is the front door to the governments own personal playground they've drawn lines over that place that should never ever be crossed, regardless of how they feel about their crewmates no pirate would be stupid enough to launch a rescue mission there, they know what would happen picking a fight in that place is like declaring war on the entire navy!"Pauley yelled at them.

"Fine then we'll steal a ship, our crewmate is counting on us! Don't try to get in our way! We're leaving now!"Luffy said as a wave came crashing in sending people flying "Fine then you wanna fight you got it"Pauley said, the Strawhats were ready to fight back "All of you stop it! Don't be such a damn fool Strawhat like it or not Pauley's right on this one"Kokoro said.

"Shut up granny it's none of your business!"Luffy yelled at her "You sure about that, boy? Either way these folks are trying to stop ya from killing yourself, the point is no matter how mad you are no ship can handle aqua laguna only a sea train made by a legendary man stands a chance" Kokoro said.

"I know that but i don't have any choice since the only sea train in the world has left town already"Luffy said "If you're prepared to die that's fine just come along with me we'll brave the storm on my sea train"Kokoro said.

~skip~

"Wow a secret base"Chimney said "It's been more then eight years since anyone's set foot in here and nobody's touched the sea train for more then twelve"Kokoro said "Lt's go Chopper" Luffy said running on ahead the reindeer quickly following him "I'm warning you this thing may not run anymore"Kokoro called after them "What? You better be kidding me!"Luffy said.

The old woman just laughed following them in the others following her, the doors were already open though "Whoa! Awesome check out the face!"Luffy said "So cool!"Chopper said "Unlike the Puffing Tom this one here's a crazy train, it's name is Rocketman it comes with no guarantees so board at your own risk"Kokoro said.

"Rocketman"Luffy said with sparkle eyes "Sounds fast"Chopper said also with sparkle eyes "Did you have to add the face?"Zoro asked with a sweatdrop "I like it"Nicole grinned, just then Iceburg walked out of the sea train "Hey look it's Ice pops"Luffy said "Hello there Strawhat so you're okay after all, it seems your friends faith was well founded i assume you brought them here Kokoro?"Iceburg asked.

"The question is what are you doing here? You've been a lot today you need rest"Kokoro said "Well let's just say you and i were thinking the same thing, we have a soft spot for idiots don't we"Iceburg said and Kokoro just laughed "Go ahead i just finished servicing it water and coal have been loaded and the steams building up now"Iceburg said taking a seat.

"Thanks for getting it ready for us we owe you one"Luffy said "I wouldn't celebrate if i were you, you might not even survive the ride this was our failed prototype before we made the Puffing Tom, no matter how you tune it you can't control it's speed in other words it's a runaway train" Iceburg said.

Luffy just grinned "That's fine it can go as fast as it wants"he said, Nicole went over to Iceburg "I heard you had a mouse"she said "Why yes, he's right here"Iceburg said, the mouse popped up from his shirt with a squeak "Aww! It's so cute!"Nicole gushed and offered her hand out the mouse hopped on and she smiled gently petting it before Nami came running in with lots of food.

The Strawhats ate what they could with Nicole sharing cheese with the mouse "Straw hat!"some guy said as a bunch from the Franky family showed up "Please Strawhat you guys gotta take us with you the people from Galley La said you were gonna take a sea train to Enies Lobby those government bastards took Franky they took our bro away from us, we wanna go but we can't get through aqua laguna alone!"the guy yelled.

"You sure you wanna pick a fight on their turf?"Kokoro asked "I'll fight anyone anywhere! We gotta get our bro back!"one guy yelled "I don't care what happens to us as long as we can save him!"one girl said "We're begging you! Please help us Strawhat we'll do anything!"the other girl said "If we don't hurry bro is done for!"one guy said.

"You gotta be kidding me? You steal our money beat up our friend the ask us for help?"Nami asked "I don't care, even if it's wrong i'm still begging you! I'll give up my pride if i can save him"the guy cried, Luffy got on the train "Come on hurry up!"he said the Franky family cheered "Are you sure about this?"Nami asked turning to Luffy "It's fine"Luffy grinned.

"Thank you! Thank you Strawhat"the guy said "Well let's go"Luffy said "AH but we don't have to get on the train though we'll just hop on our king bulls and head out to sea the same time the train takes off all you gotta do is let the bulls catch a ride on your tail anyway we're off, thanks see ya soon!"the guy said and the Franky family ran off.

The Strawhats got the sea train ready to leave "Thanks for letting me pet this little cutie"Nicole smiled returning the mouse to Iceburg before jumping on the train just as it was taking off, she went inside with the others as the train picked up speed rapidly and shot out from the tunnel and into the sea.

Chapter Text

~Third~

At first the train was slow going towing the Franky family and their boat which was carried by two king bulls "Hey monster granny so is this the fastest Rocketman can go? It's not very fast at all!"Luffy yelled over "Just hold your horses things will change once we hit the railway!"Kokoro yelled back and sure enough once they connected with the rail the Rocketman really took off.

Nicole yelped tripping onto Zoro and bringing him down with her "Would you get off?"Zoro asked once the train stabilized "No this is comfy"Nicole said cuddling him "Please take your flirting elsewhere"Nami sweatdropped "You're just jealous cause you and Sanji are still playing chicken"Nicole said getting off Zoro regardless and helping him up but she didn't go further then that.

~skip~

"I thought i was a goner"Luffy and Chimney said "You almost were, i said if you don't come inside you're gonna get blown away"Kokoro said "That speed was crazy"Luffy said "Told ya" Kokoro said "Hold on a second there are a few more people in here then there should be"Zoro said Nicole on his lap to save on space, not that either were complaining "Yeah who do you mean?"the two extra guys from Galley La that had jumped on board asked.

"He means you!"Pauley yelled at them "I mean you too!"Zoro yelled at them "So anyway why are you here?"Nicole asked "I decided to come along with ya i tried but no matter what i said or did i couldn't stop you and the enemy you'd go through all of this to rescue your friend from is the exact same one that tried to kill Iceburg i gotta word or two of my own i wanna say to those bastards"Pauley said.

"Whew that really hit the spot man i was starving right so even though we got into a few fights back in town with both the Franky family and the Galley La shipwrights the enemy we're all going after here is one and the same now the strongest one the toughest out of all of them is definitely that pigeon guy, he's mine, i'm gonna beat the crap out of him"Luffy said.

"Luffy's right this is a battle to get back what those four goons from the world government took from us, so we either reach them in time or all of this will have been for nothing"Zoro said "Granny look it's aqua laguna"Chimney said "Oh it's here already?"Kokoro asked "Let me take a look"Nami said opening the window and getting a look.

"Hey shouldn't you be in the engine room right now you gotta find some way to dodge that gigantic wave"Nami said "Uh uh Rocketman can't be controlled remember we can't adjust the speed, use the brakes or change our course my job ended as soon as i got us up on the railway the trains lined up on the tracks running at full speed and there's nothing anybody can do to stop it"Kokoro said.

"Hey if we don't do something fast this trains gonna"Nami paused as Luffy held out his hand "Everybody on this train has the exact same goal, there's no point in fighting separately"he said "Yeah"the guy said "He's right"Pauley said and they joined hands "From this point forward we fight as one, there are two more of my crew on that other train once we caught up to them our fighting force will be even stronger, listen up we're not gonna let that big wave beat us we will achieve our goal, let's go!"Luffy said.

~skip~

Just then the transponder snail Nami had started ringing "Hey guys it's from Sanji"she said "Nami, Nami can you hear me?!"Sanji asked "Yeah what's going on Sanji?"Nami asked "I've got some bad news things, have gotten complicated"Sanji said "What do you mean?"Nami asked, the crew could hear some noises from the background "Hey wait a sec what was that noise? Is someone there with you or something?"Nami asked.

"It's nothing just some dumbass"Sanji said clearly irritated from the tone of his voice "Say what? Sanji what's that noise?! Sounds like a bunch of screaming are you okay over there? What do you mean by dumbass?"Nami asked "Sorry dumb asses actually"Sanji said "Yeah yeah just get to the point"Nicole said.

"Right"Sanji said and made his report "I see so they still have Robin"Nami said "Sounds like things are pretty lively on your end too"Sanji said "Hey listen Sanji i need to tell you why Robin's doing all this"Nami said "She's doing it to protect us"Nicole cut in as Nami told the others to shut up "Pretty much but it's more complicated then that"Nami said and went to tell the whole story, Nicole rolled her eyes walking over to Luffy and Zoro.

"Hey can i go handle that?"Nicole asked referring to the wave "Aw but we were totally do this super awesome combo move!"Luffy whined "You can try it out later, i wanna do something too" Nicole said "Fine"Luffy said pouting a bit, Nicole just sighed before turning to Zoro "You're cool with it though right?"she asked "Yeah go for it"he shrugged.

Nicole smiled and kissed Zoro's cheek before climbing to the roof out the window "Alright boys you can stop wasting ammo now!"she yelled "And just what are you going to do?"Pauley asked, Nicole smirked drawing her swords "Just watch"she winked before turning to the wave, "We couldn't even dent that huge wave, what good are swords gonna do?"Pauley wondered.

His question was then answered as Nicole cut the giant wave before them in two and they made it their way through "We made it!"the others cheered as they continued their way, Nicole rolled her eyes a bit but with a smile as she put her swords away before climbing back in "Nice one Nicole"Zoro smirked, Nicole smiled back and the two high fived "I still say our thing would have been cooler"Luffy said still pouting.

"Luffy come here a sec"Nami called, Luffy walked over "Sanji wants to talk"Nami said, "That you Luffy?"Sanji asked "Yup it's me so you save Robin?"Luffy asked "No sorry 'fraid i'm still working on that one, Nami just told me why Robin surrendered and all that stuff so yeah i know whats going on"Sanji said "I see that's good, well anyway you know what's next go ahead give them hell Sanji"Luffy said.

"Hold on he'll die if he fights them now, if he wants to stand a chance he's gotta wait for us"Zoro said "Zoro it's fine, if it was you would you wait? If you were on that train instead of him and i told you Robin sacrificed herself to protect us would you sit there and do nothing? No use trying to stop him"Luffy said "Read me like a book, but thanks moss head i never knew you cared about me so much"Sanji said.

"I hope they kill you!"Zoro yelled, Nicole giggled a bit "Hey Sanji, just be careful kay?"she asked "Sure thing, anyway that settles it, i was willing to fight for Robin even before i knew the truth but now that i know how she really feels i wouldn't stop even if you begged me"Sanji said before the call came to an end "I hope he's okay on his own"Nami said.

Nicole smirked a bit and went to open her mouth "Don't even go there!"Nami yelled at her, Nicole just giggled and struck her tongue out "Granny hurry! Make the train go faster"Luffy said "Faster?"Kokoro asked "You know more like zoom!"Luffy said demonstrating by stretching his arm out "Oh don't you worry this baby is already going way faster then it was ever supposed to" Kokoro said.

~skip~

The Strawhats were having a change of clothes cause they were soaked from all the rain and stuff, Nami was totally shamelessly changing out in the open, Nicole at least had a loyal boyfriend to cover her aka a Zoro shield as she changed her usual skirt to a dry one and a black tank top with Zoro's shirt thrown over as Zoro tossed on a yellow coat, Luffy just changed his pants and Chopper also threw on a coat.

"I'm starting to think you might actually pull this off you certainly seem riled up if nothing else" Kokoro said "You bet we are, those jerks got away with Robin last time but now that i know what's going on they don't stand a chance"Luffy said "I hope you're right because if you get stuck in something again you're gonna have hell to pay"Nami said.

"Nah don't worry i got a reason to beat the this time around"Luffy said "Hey did you change your weapon Nami?"Zoro asked "Oh no, it's pretty much the same one as before Usopp just improved it with some dials after we got back from Skypiea this is the perfect clima tact"Nami said.

"I see so that's his"Zoro trailed off "Right it's Usopp's uh, last work"Nami said getting suddenly depressed as she and Luffy sighed deeply "Don't get all sad now!"Zoro yelled at them, Nicole just giggled a bit.

~skip~

"Hey hold on where did Luffy run off to?"Nami asked "He's going to the front of the train"Nicole said "Why would he go there?"Nami asked "Who knows but i guess it's fine as long as he doesn't fall in"Zoro said with a shrug "You just know that idiot will fall in"Nami said the others sighed and muttered in agreement.

~skip~

The others were goofing around as Nicole was taking a look at Kitetsu "It's totally fine"she smiled at Zoro handing it back "Thanks"he said putting the sword back "Hey check it out there's a train infront of us!"Luffy yelled "It's the Puffing Tom"the other said and head out to fight, Nicole didn't think they would have caught up by now and the others were crowding the way out.

~skip~

Zoro came back in after cutting the train carts in two in addition to dealing with the marine that had been in their way "What's with you?"Zoro asked noticing a look in Nicole's eyes "I'm so turned on right now" she said, Zoro blushed "Keep it in your pants woman"he said looking away "Yeah take your flirting elsewhere"Nami said "You're just jealous cause you and Sanji are still playing chicken"Nicole said smirking at Nami as she blushed "Shut up!"she yelled.

Nicole smirked going to tease her more she was cut off as Zoro pulled her over holding her as he promptly took a nap using her lap as a pillow, Nicole just shrugged leaning back against the cart as she combed her fingers through his hair stopping his snoring.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"FROG!"Luffy yelled "EH?!? You said we're heading back?!"the others freaked "Why? We've come so far!"Nami yelled "What about Robin?! What are we gonna do?!"Chopper yelled at Zoro waking him up "Huh? About what?"Zoro asked "What the hell's he thinking?! Hey Strawhat why are we heading back?!"Pauley asked "NO! That frog from before just jumped onto the tracks!" Luffy yelled "It's Yokazuna!"Chimney said and they ran into the frog derailing them off the railway.

~skip~

The frog joined their group and the Rocketman made it's way back onto the tracks and the Strawhats were back on their way towards Enies Lobby and Robin with the Franky family, Sanji and a man calling himself Sniper King joined the others in the Rocketman, pretty much only Luffy and Chopper couldn't tell this masked man was actually Usopp.

"Hey Nami"Sanji said "Yeah what is it?"Nami asked "The rest of you idiots should know this too, before we go rescue Robin there's something you need to know"Sanji said and told them what happened on the train.

"So there you have it those CP-9 guys are controlling Robin by using her childhood fears against her, i'm not making excuses for not being able to save her i just wanted to make it clear that even if we march in and get her back it doesn't necessarily mean she'll be willing to return with us" Sanji said.

"None of that matters! I won't stand for this! Damn Robin!"Luffy yelled before Nami bonked him on the head "It's not her fault!"she said "Of course it is why doesn't she want us to save her?" Luffy asked.

"Because she doesn't want to be responsible for all the awful things that will happen to our crew"Nami said "I don't care about all that, if we don't rescue her she's gonna be killed isn't she? There's no way she wants to die so we're gonna save her"Luffy said.

"Well of course she doesn't wanna die but still!"Nami said "Leave it be, this doesn't change what we have to do, we'll save her either way"Zoro said "Yeah, anyway gather around people"Nicole called "This is a rough sketch of Enies Lobby, which Pauley here was very kind to draw combining what he remembered from maintenance work on the railway and what my father has told me"she said presenting the drawing as everyone gathered around.

"The whole area is suspended over a bottomless hole where this waterfall ring leads to, anyway the island has roughly ten thousand men, this is the main gate and directly behind is the main island gate, then there's the courthouse but frankly it's just a sham it's actual function is the drawbridge house which connects it to the this building" Nicole said pointing them out on the map.

"The Tower of Law and headquarters of CP-9, they'll probably hold Robin there until they can get a ship and if there's a ship already prepared for them, i just hope we can reach it on time, anyway next is the Bridge of Hesitation it'll be our last chance to get Robin back before the Gates of Justice here, from there we can only go to Impel Down or Marine Headquarters"Nicole said.

"Even so even if we all rush the island at the same time the only ones capable of going against those CP-9 guys are you Strawhats, after seeing what you can do i know how strong you are, that's why i think you should stay behind once we get there give us five minutes then charge through the main island in Rocketman"Pauley said.

"The Franky family and Galley La will go in first and brake open the main gate and the main island gate so the train can pass through, i'm sure we'll suffer a lot of casualties but remember once you're in keep going no matter what don't look back, we only got a little over sixty people we're in a serious disadvantage against ten thousand people, our best chance for victory is for you Strawhats to concentrate on CP-9 and leave the rest of the marines to us"the guy said.

"Right i got it"Luffy said, Nicole sweatdropped, he didn't get it at all, "Okay folks we're pulling up to the front of the island while we're here take a look at the sky behind Enies Lobby behold the Gates of Justice"Kokoro said over the speaker, the massive gates loomed over the entire area just behind the island.

"Wait where's Luffy?"Chopper asked looking around, Nicole sighed "I knew it"she muttered, Luffy was already slinging himself over to the island "Why the hell is he going in on his own?!" Pauley yelled "That crazy Strawhat didn't understand the plan at all!"the guy yelled, Nami sighed falling to her knees "There goes our strategy"she said.

"He said right i got it didn't he?"Sanji asked "That only confirmed he didn't get it"Nicole muttered "He's really not the wait five minutes type"Usopp erm Sniper King said "Damn should have known"Zoro said.

~skip~

As Luffy went on a rampage on the island, the rest of the Strawhats still followed the plan so the Franky family and Galley La went on ahead and opened the main gate but had trouble at the second gate as the gatekeepers took up their posts, meanwhile on the train Nicole and Zoro were sitting at the front "Ah"Nicole said realizing something.

"What?"Zoro asked "I totally forgot to tell those guys there are giants guarding the second gate" Nicole said "I'm sure they can handle it, what i'm trying to figure out is what we should do with that steel fence"Zoro said "Oh we could use it as a ramp"Nicole said, Zoro smirked "Not a bad idea at all"he said.

~skip~

"Hey sorry i'm late"a woman said as she kicked open the doors to the office before she paused "KYAAAAAAAAA Lucci my love!"she screamed launching herself at the man only to get in a fight with him "Imke! Lucci! Stop flirting this minute! Be more professional!" chief Spandam yelled at them but neither listened only stopping as Fukuro came flying at them.

(Imke Limian)(she's here for just this one scene(cause i got the idea for it) and to fight Nicole)

"Six power skill competition, i'll use an armed guard as reference for the ranking let's say they're about a ten so your power levels are, oh interesting very interesting let's see here first is Kalifa power level six hundred thirty, Bluno is eight hundred twenty, Kaku is two thousand two hundred, oh Imke's jumped up to three thousand and Lucci, ah, power level four thousand!" Fukuro said.

"Ah damn just a thousand short but no matter i know you still love me"Imke said draping herself over Lucci playing with his hair "Get off"he said "Ah you're so cruel, you know just how to get me going"Imke purred trailing her finger along his jawline "Please keep the dirty talk to a minimum" Kalifa said lifting her glasses.

"You're just jealous cause Kaku isn't giving you any"Imke said sticking her tongue out making them both blush and Kalifa sputter as she tried to deny it, anyway Imke stuck to Lucci like glue as all that other stuff went down.

~skip~

"You ready ladies and gents the time has finally arrived if they don't have those gates open by now it ain't gonna happen, i'm gonna need you to take out that fence okay samurai man?" Kokoro asked over the speaker "Just leave it to me"Zoro said as the train turned towards the island.

~skip~

The Franky family managed to open the second gate but just as the train was getting closer the first gate was closed "Crap they closed the gate"Nicole said "Hey granny!"Zoro yelled over "Yeah what is it?!"she asked "There's been a change of plans i need you to give me as much speed as you got okay?!"Zoro asked "Roger!"Kokoro said "Hey Nicole what's going on out here?!"Sanji asked.

"They closed the first gate!"Nicole yelled back "They what?!"Sanji asked, everyone freaked out inside "I gotta plan don't worry"Zoro said "Alright Zoro"the others said "Hey frog see fence smash!"Zoro said "Go for it froggy!"Nicole cheered as Yokazuna slammed the fence bending it down, Rocketman flew off the rap clearing the first gate.

"Zoro you better have thought long and hard how you're gonna land this thing!"Nami yelled "Of course i have"Zoro said holding onto Nicole "We fall"Zoro simply said, Nicole couldn't help laughing as the others yelled at him "I hate you!"

Rocketman crashed on the back of one of the giants before coming to a stop on the other side of gate two, Zoro, Sanji and Nicole took care of the surrounding marines "Huh maybe we should of introduced ourselves first"Zoro said "Nah i rather let my feet do the talking"Sanji said as the others climbed off the train "Luffy's running around somewhere around there"Nicole said pointing over to the town.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Hey wait i think i know that guy with the swords"one guy said "Yeah, that girl too, their Strawhat Luffy's henchmen pirate hunter Zoro and she wolf Nicole"another said, Sanji chuckled "Henchmen huh?"he said "At least he recognized me you're not even a henchman you're pirate A"Zoro said, Nicole just sighed as the two got into a fight.

"There's more over there!"one guy yelled spotting Sogeking and Chopper "More might be behind the train blow it up!"another said "Hey stop Nami's still inside there!"Sanji said with clear panic but the marines blew it up regardless "Damn it if they harmed a hair on her head" Sanji was cut off "She's fine"Nicole said, the cook sighed a bit in relief before getting into a fight with Zoro as the swordsman teased the cook.

"Whoa ceasefire!"one guy yelled "What's wrong?"another guy said "Just look"another said pointing over to Kokoro and Chimney who pretended they had been kidnapped by the Strawhats, then Nami appeared making a cloud with her clima tact "Oh this does not look good" Nicole muttered before Zoro covered her as they were all struck by lightning.

"Damn it Nami what the hell?! Watch where you aim that thing!"Zoro yelled at her as he got up, before turning to Nicole and helping her up "You okay?"he asked "Yeah"Nicole nodded "I haven't felt a shock like that since the first time i met you Nami~swan!"Sanji said with heart eyes.

"So anyway what about our captain Nicole?"Zoro asked turning to her "He's running around over there"Nicole said pointing over to a building where some commotion came from right as she did "Alright then"Sanji said "Let's get moving" Zoro said and the Strawhats started running in that direction.

~skip~

"I think we should take a right"Zoro said "In that case we better turn left"Sanji said "Guys it's straight ahead!"Nicole said stopping them from fighting "If our idiot captain hadn't rushed ahead on his own we wouldn't be having this problem"Zoro said.

"Well we're the ones following that idiot around so what does that make us?"Sanji asked "Then again thanks to Luffy the marine forces have scattered all over the island all we have to do now is head straight for the courthouse"Nami said.

"Oh no my chronic illness is back"Sogeking said "Then stay here and die on your own"Nami said "I'm cured"Sogeking said "That's better"Nami said, Nicole came to a stop stopping the whole group "Hey is something wrong?"Nami asked "We've got company"Nicole said as some guys riding on dogs confronted them.

They ignored their villain monologue or at least i will and not repeat it here as the Strawhats were surrounded "Good to know Luffy let some scraps to fight this would be no fun otherwise" Nicole smirked getting ready to fight "Yeah"Zoro smirked but just then the Franky family king bulls came crashing in "Grab on here!"Pauley called tossing them ropes.

The Strawhats each caught one except Sogeking the rope going around his neck, Pauley pulled them on board the king bull "Thanks could have let us have some fun first though"Sanji said taking a seat "You idiot don't forget the reason you came here, save your energy for the real fight"Pauley said "You're right we'd be here all day with that many guys"Sanji said.

However the guys continued to chase them "Hey when you see them i want you to pass on a message, you're all fired"Pauley said "You got it"Zoro smirked, Pauley and the other Galley La people went to take care of their pursuers.

~skip~

The Strawhats and Franky family were making their way through the ground without much trouble beating up any marines that climbed on board, Chopper was chatting with the king bull they were riding on.

"So then when Sodom and his brother Gomorrah were about to die in the belly of a sea king the Franky family showed up, they were rescued and told these faithful words that he still remembers "Look we're already full so we're not gonna eat you" and from that day on the two brothers swore their loyalty to their savior Franky"Chopper said translating the king bull.

"Aww! Imma gonna hug you now"Nicole smiled latching herself on to the king bulls neck "I love hugs, thanks so much, he says"Chopper said translating Sodom "I bet he's really happy one of us can understand what he's saying"Sanji said.

Nicole went back over to Zoro having gotten her hug in, Sodom growled something "He said by the way the masked guy that was with you never made it onto my back is that okay"Chopper said translating again, the others realized Sogeking was missing "He's talking about Sogeking where is he?!"Chopper asked freaking out "He's way back by the second gate"Nicole said.

"What are we gonna do?!"Chopper asked "It's too late now even if we wanted to it's not like we can go back and pick him up, i'm sure he'll figure out something or other"Zoro said "The whole island is swarming with marines, he's not Luffy after all he can't fight them on his own"Nami said "He'll be fine, he's Sogeking, king of the snipers, right?"Nicole asked winking a bit shutting up Nami "Yeah! He's a superhero!"Chopper said.

~skip~

The Strawhats continued to make their way through "Look we're almost to the courthouse"Zoro said "Luffy's already at the roof"Nicole said, then Sodom was him "We've been hit!"Sanji said "Sodom!"the Franky family yelled, "Damn you marines!!"Nicole yelled and ever fond of animals fired a flying blade attack to where the shot had come from slicing up everything in it's path.

"Guys you're gonna have to jump get off him quick! Sodom can't go on, that mortar hit him square in the chest he's about to go down, you gotta keep moving no matter what"the guy said as the Franky family came up beside the Strawhats, Sodom turned to them "He says go"Chopper said snot and tears running down his face, Sodom turned to his brother nudging him forward as the Strawhats jumped over before the yellow king bull fell down.

Nicole sniffed a bit her eyes tearing up, Zoro knowing how fond of animals she was, knew it hit her hard and held her close "Let's go"he said, the Strawhats and Franky family continued their way.

~skip~

As the Strawhats continued their way Nami was contacted by Kokoro via transponder snail "Granny Kokoro what's going on?"the guy asked "Alright sounds like you're still alive so where are you?"Kokoro asked.

"We're almost at the courthouse but we're under attack, why do you ask?"Nami asked "Perfect timing there's a little something i forgot to tell ya, listen carefully you might remember Nicole mentioned a drawbridge"Kokoro said.

"That's right, what about it?"Sanji asked "Look at the courthouse see those towers on the side? There's a lever on the top floor of each of those towers if you folks can get in there and pull both of them it will release the drawbridge"Kokoro said.

"Whoa but how do you know about all that stuff granny?"the guy asked "I came here with Tom ages ago to fix that bridge, that stupid ungrateful government!"Kokoro yelled making the others sweatdrop but Nicole giggled a bit "Chimney want to talk too"Kokoro said "Hey pirate lady, guess what i just saw your rubber pirate buddy he was on top of the courthouse just now" Chimney said.

"We know"Nami said "What? How?"Chimney asked "Let's just say i have a sixth sense about these things"Nicole said "How cool! Anyway there's a bunch of smoke and broken stuff there too so it looks like he's wrecking the place"Chimney said "Yeah Luffy's already fighting one of the CP-9 guys"Nicole said "By the way don't hang up the transponder snail i'd like to keep up with what's going on with you folks"Kokoro said "No problem, see ya"Nami said.

"Good you head straight for the courthouse, the sooner that your crew can get back together the better that's what i say"the guy said "Sounds good"Zoro said as Nicole and the others nodded in agreement.

"Meanwhile we'll split into two groups and bring down the drawbridge"the guy said addressing the Franky family and just as they started heading towards the courthouse Gomorrah was hit with wrecking balls Gomorrah went down and marines and agents started to surround the Strawhats and Franky family.

~skip~

The marines and agents started firing at the crew "Look we gotta run, we can't wait here any longer"Zoro said "Yeah let's cut through to the courthouse"Sanji said "I'll be glad to beat down everyone of those guys"Nicole said "It's our only option"Nami said "Wait! Nobody get off" Chopper said "What why?"Nami asked.

"Everybody hold on tight! It's what Gomorrah says!"Chopper said as Gomorrah got back up and the crew continued their way however the king bull rammed into one of the buildings "What? No! Gomorrah can't see, he's been blinded"Chopper said but the king bull continued on despite the others protest.

"He said that he made a promise to Sodom, he told Sodom leave the rest to me i'll take on your share and carry everyone the rest of the way"Chopper said translating Gomorrah's thoughts and feelings to the group.

They were heading straight to a dead end but Zoro and Sanji smashed the building in their way and the crew made it to the courthouse just as Gomorrah fell down, Nicole rushed off the saddle and patted the king bull's head "Rest easy now, you kept your promise"she said before joining Zoro and Sanji on the front lines.

~skip~

"Can you see Luffy?"Nami asked as she and Chopper joined the others "Nope but he's there" Nicole said looking up to the roof of the courthouse "Either way it's not exactly like we can jump up after him"Sanji said "That's true not much we can do"Zoro said "Are you sure it's just the one guy?"Nami asked Nicole "Yep, if i'm recalling this voice correctly it's that big guy with the bull horns"Nicole said.

"It's hard to believe Robin, Franky, all of them are right behind those doors"Sanji said "In any case we need to catch up with Luffy then we can save Robin together"Chopper said as a wrecking ball came flying at Nami, Yokazuna the frog jumped over stopping the ball in it's tracks, the attackers ran off but Sanji went after them.

"Idiot cook we can't go around chasing every enemy that runs off like that it's a waste of time" Zoro said "He probably just wants to teach them a lesson about even thinking about attacking his precious Nami~swan"Nicole smirked teasingly at Nami "Shut up!"Nami yelled blushing a bit, Nicole snickered a bit, this was too easy.

Sanji came back after dealing with the guys "We need to get moving it looks like reinforcements have arrived"the guy said as more marines and agents came running over, Zoro cut open the door "We're going in first stay close don't fall behind"he said, Nicole joined his side with the others as the Franky family split and they charged into the courthouse.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Not as much resistance as i expected, we should be able to tear right through but what's that?" Zoro asked "Just ignore them"Nicole waved it off "Alright guys you head to the roof and join up with Strawhat, we'll stay here at the roof and hold off the marines we'll watch your back so keep moving and don't worry about the small fry"the guy said.

"You got it, which way do we go?"Zoro asked "Straight ahead there are stairs on both sides let's make our way to the top"Nami said "Right"Zoro said going on ahead with Nicole at his heels, they dealt with the marines and continued heading towards the stairs when Sanji came running in picking a fight with Zoro over Nami "What?! Why would i want her? I've got Nicole"Zoro said.

"Aww!You're such a sweetheart"Nicole squealed a bit hugging Zoro as Sanji and ran on ahead ignoring them, Nicole grabbed Zoro's hand dragging him along as she caught up to the others when the judge came flying at them "Chopper, Nami, Nicole go on ahead i'll make quick work of this thing and catch up with you in a second"Zoro said.

"You'll just get lost!"Nicole yelled at him when the Franky family pulled the judge guy down, Zoro smirked "Let's go"he said dragging Nicole with him as they were still holding hands, Nicole pulled to the front leading the way and dragging Zoro with her.

~skip~

The Strawhats made their way up and met up with Luffy on the roof "Come on Robin work with me here, you can say what you want if you wanna die or whatever that's fine but when you say it you say it as part of our crew"Luffy said, the crew joined their captain on the pillars all standing in an epic line up Nami, Nicole, Zoro, Luffy, Usopp erm Sogeking, Sanji and Chopper in that order "From now leave everything to us"Luffy said.

"Stupid pirates you may act though but you don't know what you're getting yourselves into! Open your eyes you don't think you could beat all of CP-9 do you? And what about the gates of justice? You don't think you can open them do you? Even then if things go wrong i have this! A golden transponder snail giving me the authority to wish you a buster call!"Spandam yelled.

"A buster call?"Robin asked "Yes that's right i'm sure you remember it's power well after all it did destroy your homeland twenty years ago"Spandam said 'Oh yeah it's coming together now' Nicole thought, her father had told her about the so called devils of Ohara and how the island was wiped off the map because of a single eight year old child.

Nicole didn't buy it though, the government had a habit of covering up anything that was inconvenient to them, now it was all coming together with the buster call, Robin's reaction and this power crazed idiot, of course Nicole could only guess what happened but knowing her track record with guess work she was probably mostly right on the money.

~skip~

"If you trigger a buster call everything will be destroyed, that includes all of Enies Lobby and most likely you as well"Robin said "None sense what are you saying? They wouldn't kill a VIP like me! I'm not falling for your bluff"Spandam said.

"Twenty years ago everything was taken from me and many innocent lives were lost with one push of a button, it summoned a terrible demon, now it rears it's head again, aiming it's sights on the friends i searched so hard to find, the more i wish for us to be together the more my ugly faith bares it's fangs at you even now no matter how far we sail there's an enemy that haunts me at every turn, because i'm facing the world and all of it's darkness"Robin said.

"First it was Aokiji and now CP-9 i dragged you into my troubles twice already, if it goes on and on like this no matter how kind you may be someday you'll see me as a burden, someday you'll be forced to betray me and throw me away, that's what i'm most afraid of, understand that why i didn't want you to rescue me! If that's the only future i have i rather die to save me the pain!" Robin yelled.

"There you have it, yup, right on the mark, what a sorry case even if you make friends all you can do is drag them through the mud with you!"Spandam laughed at Robin "You can't win pirates look at this flag! This symbol represents the unity of over one hundred seventy nations, a power that spans the four seas and the Grand Line! This is the world itself! No matter how loud your bark maybe you can't stand up to an enemy like that just face it already, do you realize how strong our organisation is? Do you realize how devoted we are to capturing her?!"he yelled.

"If that's Robin's enemy then i know what to do, Sogeking shoot down that flag"Luffy said, "Roger"Sogeking said and fired a shot at the flag burning it down "Are you kidding me?! Don't think you can oppose the entire world and make it out alive!"Spandam yelled "Bring it on!!" Luffy yelled back.

"Robin! I need to hear it from you! Say you want to live!!"Luffy yelled "I WANT TO LIVE!! TAKE ME OUT TO SEA WITH YOU!!"Robin yelled, the drawbridge started to come down but it came to a halt when it was fired at "What happened why'd it stop?"Sanji asked "Damn those marines they really piss me off stop getting in the way!"Luffy yelled.

Franky had the blueprints for Pluton all along and after proving they were the real ones he burned them, the Franky family showed up and cheered relieved to see their big bro was okay "Shut up! That's enough! Robin's waiting hurry up and bring down the bridge!"Luffy yelled "Hey Strawhat!"Franky called.

"Thanks for helping out my men while i was gone but now that the gangs all here the one and only Franky will show you how super his gratitude can be"Franky said "I don't need your help! I'm still mad about what you did to Usopp so don't think we're friends!"Luffy yelled, Spandam pushed Franky off the building.

"Hey Strawhats!"a voice came from the transponder snail "Huh? Granny Kokoro?"Nami asked holding up the snail "I heard everything why're you all just standing around?"Kokoro asked "We're not standing around the bridge broke there's no way over"Nami said "It's halfway down isn't it? That's more then enough, just hang on i'll be there in four seconds jump into the waterfall, give it all you got trust me"Kokoro said.

The Strawhats heard the sea train whistle, Luffy grabbed everyone and jumped down, they landed on Rocketman as the sea train flew from the drawbridge over to the Tower of Law, they crashed inside the building "Alright we made it!"Luffy said getting out of the rubble "Come on you guys get up already, you've been through worse then that"he said turning to his crew, they each got out of the rubble.

Luffy rushed off towards the staircase but his crew was quickly following behind "Not so fast! So you've invaded the tower of law, there's no point in going on you won't ever find Nico Robin, Lucci already taken her to the gates of justice and the chief's with them too"Fukuro said appearing at the corner of the room.

"Really? Thanks for telling us where we should start looking"Nami said "And i didn't even have to use any Haki"Nicole smirked "It doesn't matter i might have told you where their headed but i'm not gonna tell you how to get there and you'll never make it past our CP-9 agents we've been given direct orders to eliminate you, you want Nico Robin then you'll have to fight through each of our agents to succeed"Fukuro said.

"Duh i liked you better when you were telling us things we didn't know"Luffy said "You've got some fire in you but i've got one more thing to tell you"Fukuro said before digging a key out from his pocket "A key? What's it for?"Sanji asked "For all you know it might the key needed to unlock Nico Robin's sea prism stone handcuffs"Fukuro said.

"Even if you got past us and save her in some imaginary world that sea prism stone is tougher then a diamond she'd have to live with them on her wrist for the rest of her life, so be my guest go try save her if you think you can"Fukuro said before Luffy went to punch him "Don't be hasty, you don't know if this the right key"Fukuro said after dodging the punch with that shave trick.

"You've got to be kidding!"the others yelled at him "It might be a key to another pair of cuffs for all you know, it this great tower of law, there are six members of CP-9 including me and each and every member has their very own key"Fukuro sang "So you're saying we gotta beat each one of you guys and then try every key on her handcuffs? And that's the only way we can find the real one?!"Zoro asked.

"What a stupid way to keep us busy, while we're wasting time on your key hunting game your chief is gonna escape through those gates with Robin"Sanji said "That's exactly the plan!" Fukuro sang "Retrieving Robin is our first priority, if we can get Robin first we can worry about the keys afterwards, let's just ignore that weirdo and start searching"Nami said.

"I'm afraid if you do that then you leave me no choice, i'll toss this key into the ocean, we're kind enough to give you guys a sporting chance see ya"Fukuro said before taking off "Hey! Get back here!"Luffy yelled running after him "Hold on Luffy!"Zoro said grabbing the rubber boy "Will you just wait a second? Stop running and listen to me, let's decide what we're gonna do before we split up"Zoro said.

"I'm guessing Lucci's that pigeon guy?"Sanji asked turning to Franky "Yeah that's him"Franky said "From what that freak told us he's the only one guarding Robin our best bet is to send Luffy after him, excluding Luffy we got a headcount of seven and he said there are six agents with keys so i say we spread out take them down and catch up with Luffy"Sanji said.

"I can tell you the agents are all scattered around this tower, i'm not sure which ones are which but i guess it doesn't matter, we'll have to face whoever we run into"Nicole said "If they drag her across those gates we'll never get her back, it's a race against time"Sogeking said "Then let's get going"Zoro said letting Luffy run off "Take them down or we die trying"Zoro said and the Strawhats plus Franky moved out.

Chapter Text

~Third~

The Strawhats had split from there on to find the agents, Nicole ran into one of the many rooms and sweatdropped, the room was filled with pictures of that pigeon guy and the bed was filled with plushies of leopards and sitting on that bed a blonde woman was holding a leopard plushie "Ah well hello she wolf, personally i was hoping Strawhat would end up here, i can't have him lay a hand on my Lucci"the woman said.

Nicole sweatdropped "Yeah whatever, look i'm here for the key so if you could just had it over i'll be on my way and i'll leave you with that"she said pointing to the plushies "Oh no i can't do that, Lucci would definitely get mad if i just let you take it, then again he might punish me if i let you take it oh! I'd love that but not having a fight is boring"the woman said.

"Ah it's such agony! To fight or to let you have the key and get punished by Lucci?"the woman wondered more to herself, Nicole narrowed her eyes drawing her swords "I'll just start looking if you're done talking to yourself"she said and went to slice into the plushies only to be stopped by the woman's leg.

"I certainly can't let you do that, if you're gonna do that i'm gonna have to fight you either way, besides i have the key on me" the woman said, Nicole smirked "Thanks for telling me, I might just take you on that, i'd love to test my strength on you"she said drawing one of her swords away and aiming for a plushie only to be stopped again and getting into a fight with the other woman.

~skip~

Nicole and the woman had moved their fight into another room, the two women were out of breath and covered with cuts and bruises, the blonde turned human from her hybrid form for she had eaten the Zodiac class zoan devil fruit model rabbit, Nicole sighed a bit "First i'm forced to use Haki, now i can't believe i'm forced to use that again" she said "What are you babbling about?" the woman asked, Nicole put one sword away and crouched down taking a runners stance and holding her sword close.

"Tell me your name so i may engrave it onto your gravestone"Nicole said glaring at the woman "Oh i'm so scared but i'll oblige, you should know the name of your killer, Imke Limian"she said "Very nice to meet you, now to answer your earlier question i was babbling about having to use my swords style"Nicole said.

"You, you haven't used a fighting technique so far?"Imke asked "I have, just not my own"Nicole smirked as the room temperature seemed to rise, sweat rolled down Imke's back as the air became almost suffocating this was different from the usual cold chill Nicole's glare gave off and that made it scarier "Amaterasu style first form"Nicole spoke and disappeared in a flash.

Imke looked around keeping her guard up, this was shave, she knew how to counter it, however Nicole appeared below the woman her sword seemingly on fire, Imke couldn't dodge and screamed as Nicole sliced upwards, the resulting cut on Imke was deep and left a burning scar as the blonde passed out from the pain "Rising Sun!"Nicole finished as Imke fell down.

Nicole took a deep breath and looked at her sword as if expecting it to brake, thankfully it didn't but it did have some chip damage, she sighed putting it away before turning to Imke and searching for the key, she found it hidden in a boot "Now then to find Zoro"she said running off.

~skip~ (The Zodiac class zoan devil fruits, there are twelve of them in known existence, though some say a thirteenth exists, the twelve known ones are Dragon (which is different from the mythical one) Rat, Monkey, Boar, Snake, Rabbit, Horse, Rooster, Sheep, Cat, Tiger and Ox, they say when awakened the user gains a new ability, rumors say once awakened the thirteenth grants all these abilities)

"Nicole!"Nami called spotting her as she came running out of a room "Nami! What the hell's going on with Chopper?!"Nicole asked running "Don't worry about it Franky and i have a plan, did you get a key? Which number is it?"Nami asked "It's 2, why'd you ask?"Nicole asked "Zoro and Usopp got their wrist cuffed together"Nami said.

Nicole snickered a bit "Okay as hilarious as that is, there's other things to worry about, Chopper is heading towards the boys"she said "Right, lead the way"Nami said, Nicole nodded and lead the way as she, Nami and Franky reached the giant hole monster Chopper had made into the room Zoro and Sogeking were currently in.

Franky blew Chopper through the room and into the sea and went after him, Nicole used her key to unlock the cuffs on Zoro and Sogeking "You better stop laughing and start running, you blew your only chance to kill me and you're not getting another, it's my turn and i'm taking you all down, the entire world government"Zoro said as him, Nicole, Sogeking and Nami faced the giraffe and wolf.

"Well i never knew you were into cuffing Zoro"Nicole smirked "Shut up!"Zoro yelled at her with a blush, the giraffe went to attack but Zoro took him on, Nami and Sogeking went to hide while Nicole fought the wolf, she wasn't at her best though, clearly still hurt and exhausted from her previous fight with Imke but even so she was still holding her ground.

Thankfully for Nicole she didn't have to fight long as Sanji came in kicking the wolf and sending him flying "I'll take it from here Nicole"he said lighting his cigarette "He's all yours"Nicole said putting her swords back "Who the hell are you?"the wolf asked, Sanji took a drag from his cigarette "I'm the hunter" he said.

"It's Sanji, how did you get your body back to normal? You're okay right?"Nami asked a hint of concern in her voice "Some big bath tub fell from the sky and smashed to pieces water went everywhere"Sanji said before turning to Nami giving her a reassuring smile "I'm fine though thanks for your concern Nami~swan"he said making her blush and Nicole smirk but she'll keep her teasing to later.

"Anyway take a look outside"Sanji said and they saw the gates of justice were opening "If those gates open up and Robin goes through them, we won't have any way to follow her, she'll cross waters infested with sea kings and beyond that are Impel Down and Marine Headquarters, everywhere beyond those gates is outside of our reach we'll lose her forever"Sanji said.

"But i thought Luffy would have caught up to her by now"Nami said "That Lucci guy is holding him off, they're fighting pretty seriously and i bet those buster call ships are already on their way here"Nicole said "This is the worst situation i can imagine but in every situation even one as bad as this there's always a chance, leave this guys key to me"Sanji said.

Nicole glanced over to Zoro getting a glance back in return "Come on you two"she said running off "Right"Nami said grabbing Usopp and dragging him with her "Wait i got an idea! As long as i'm here we can save her, come on let's go!"Usopp said getting up and leading the charge "Hey wait up!"Nami yelled chasing after him "Hold up what's your plan?!" Nicole asked following too.

~skip~

"You pirates were sorely mistaken if you thought you could take on the world government and survive, in the name of justice a mistake that severe can only be punished by death, the same goes for Nico Robin, her knowledge isn't the only threat the government sees in your group however, your little girlfriend Mihawk Nicole has proven to be quite formidable according to admiral Aokiji's report, her death"Kaku was cut off as a demonic aura flared around Zoro.

~skip~(the rest of the scene goes as it should)

Sogeking shot down the marines as Robin made a run for it "Bam eat that our sniper is number one!"Sanji yelled "Nice shot Soppking!"Nicole called "I could do without the singing i think"Zoro said "Let him have it"Nicole waved it off.

Franky got the cuffs off of Robin with the number six key, the one Nami got from Kalifa, Robin used her powers to repeatedly slap Spandam and the Strawhats started to make their way over to the bridge to fight with Robin just as the Buster Call ships became close enough to start firing.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Try to pick up the pace you guys we're in a hurry here"Sogeking as him, Nicole, Zoro and Sanji were making their way through the tunnel, except only three of them were running on foot as Sogeking was being carried on a blanket by Zoro and Sanji "Quit bossing us around you moron!" Zoro yelled at Sogeking.

"Hey my injuries are bad enough let's not hurt my feelings too"Sogeking said, Nicole rolled her eyes "Oh suck it up you big baby"she said "How can you talk to your fearless leader like that especially since i've been seriously injured in the line of duty, gah all of my ribs are broken all six!"Usopp said.

"You've got more ribs then that and you're a royal pain in the ass"Sanji said, Usopp went to explain his new weapon but none of them cared enough to listen "If you don't can it we're gonna make you get up and run"Zoro said "Gah so much pain did i mention my ribs are broken all ten are smashed"Usopp said "You've got more"Zoro said "Really? Twenty no i mean thirty actually a hundred"Usopp said "You were closer with twenty"Nicole said.

~skip~

"Sounds like they've started the attack"Sanji said "Speaking of sounds i keep hearing something weird from down the tunnel"Usopp said "You hear me telling you to shut up?"Zoro asked "It's not that, i've got a bad feeling about this"Nicole said "Come on"Sanji said picking up the pace dropping Usopp and they didn't care going back for him.

~skip~

"Come on guys listen to me you gotta stop! We're running straight to our deaths the waters gonna hit us head on! Can't you hear it's getting closer!"Usopp yelled freaking out as he was back to being carried in a blanket held by Zoro and Sanji.

"Even if there was water and this place was gonna flood turning around at this point wouldn't do us much good would it?"Sanji asked "Hey you can hear it right Nicole?"Usopp asked "Yeah but like Sanji said not much we can do about it"Nicole said.

They came to a stop as the rushing water got closer "I knew it"Usopp said "Hey it's Nami she's with that old lady"Zoro said "Hey check it out the pirate guys and other pirate lady are here too" Chimney said "Don't just stand there do something about this water!"Nami yelled.

"Well i'm open to suggestions"Zoro said, before he tried cutting the tunnel but it was too tough, the water came rushing at them swallowing up the whole crew, Nicole regained her bearings already holding her breath.

Nicole manoeuvred around drawing a sword 'Amaterasu style sixth form' she sliced downwards cutting the whole tunnel in half 'Waterfall Drop' she finished her thought and felt something grab her, she remembered something truly shocking before everything went black.

~skip~

The Strawhats spat out water but were still in shock after Kokoro dropped them off on the ship Franky and Robin had commandeered "They made it their all still alive, it's a miracle i can't believe it, they must have seen something down there that put them all in a state of shock, whatever it was it must have saved their lives if they hadn't passed out they would have swallowed enough water to kill them"Franky said.

"Well either way they're still alive though it does make you wonder what they could have seen down there that spooked them so much"Kokoro said "I bet it was you"Franky said, the Strawhats came to one by one the boys were freaking out about Kokoro being a mermaid when Zoro noticed Nicole was still out.

"Hey"Zoro said shaking her he freaked out and shook her harder "Come wake up"he said getting more panicked, her head looped back like a rag dolls, he glanced around thankful the others were busy greeting Robin, he gave Nicole mouth to mouth and she eventually woke up coughing up water, she smiled seeing Zoro "Hi"she said "Hey"he greeted back and kissed her.

Nicole giggled a bit pulling away "What was that for?"she asked, Zoro laid his forehead on hers "Nothing"he said smiling a bit, she smiled and kissed him back, Zoro pulled back helping her up and going up the stairs with her "Zoro! I mean you two swordsmen!"Usopp said having followed them "Over here take a look"Zoro said.

The whole island was burning "Hard to believe that's the same island we were on not long ago" Zoro said "Seems they have no problems about destroying one of their own bases"Nicole said as cannons continued firing "I noticed something else seems kinda like their avoiding firing where Nico Robin's at"Franky said walking over.

"Makes sense, i bet the five elder stars wanna know just how much Robin knows"Nicole said "That would explain why this bridge hasn't been blow to bits"Usopp said "If they don't wanna kill her then they're still intending on getting her back"Zoro said "After the marines are done attacking Enies Lobby, they'll probably come after us with some hand to hand combat to reclaim her"Franky said.

"I don't like the sound of that we're at our limit here on top of that those battleships are bound to have some pretty powerful guys on board and where's Luffy right now?"Usopp asked, Nicole sighed before blowing a hair out of her face "He's still fighting that pigeon guy, right over there" she said pointing over to the first tower of the bridge.

"That's close by we should go help him"Usopp said walking forward "No don't bother"Zoro said stopping him "That pigeon bastard he's fighting is no ordinary man no good can come of it, if we get caught up in that mess who knows what'll happen, those battleships could turn this way at any time we still need to make sure we have an escape route the plan is to stay here and wait for Luffy, it's the best we can do"Zoro said.

~skip~

"Hey Nicole think those other guys are okay?"Sanji asked "Yeah, i can still sense them"Nicole said "Yeah nothing stops the Franky family, don't you worry, i'm sure they got away"Franky said but anyone could tell he was still worried.

~skip~

"Okay she's ready! We can leave any time! As soon as Luffy get's here we'll set sail immediately!" Nami yelled over "Sounds good"Zoro yelled back "Since no one else is saying it i will, right now there are as many battleships out there as there are us no matter when we leave escaping from this place is gonna be virtually impossible"Sanji said.

"As long as there's even a one percent chance grasp it with all your might and fight to get there, something my dad told me"Nicole said "This is a report from the main island front gate all personal has been collected and accounted for, we met with about fifty pirates as well as two giants attempting to escape the island here in the north west"an announcement said.

"It's them"Usopp said "It's Zanbai and the others what did i tell you sounds like their home free, no need to worry about that bunch even with thousands of marines after them they still won't die"Franky laughed "We blast them with a full barrage of cannon fire they have been eliminated all targets are currently presumed dead, in the islands current condition the chances of survival are impossible repeat the number of survivors on Enies Lobby is zero"an announced said.

"This is a report from battleship two, the courthouse and the tower of law located in the south east corner of the island as well as the underground passage connecting the main island to the bridge of hesitation have all been destroyed the only remaining target is the bridge of hesitation"another announcement said.

"Nicole tell me you can still sense them"Zoro said "Yeah"Nicole simply said as she nodded bringing a bit of relief to everyone there but that relief was quickly gone as the battleships turned on them, they fired on the first half of the bridge destroying it cutting Luffy off from his crew.

"What the hell they blew up half the bridge"Sanji said "Yeah but why?"Usopp asked "Isn't it obvious? So Luffy can't escape"Nicole said "All ships take up combat positions around the bridge of hesitation, we've identified ten pirates including the pirate hunter Zoro, she wolf Nicole and Nico Robin, we believe these are the culprits who defeated CP-9 in the tower of law"an announcement said as the ships took up positions around the bridge.

Nicole sighed pinning her hair back, she might have to go all out for this one she just hopes these swords hold out, "Look guys over there"Usopp said pointing out the hole in the first tower, the smoke from the attack had died down and they could see Luffy and Lucci right in the middle of their fight.

"Hey Luffy! We made it!"Usopp yelled "Everyone got to the bridge save and sound! Don't you worry we're all doing fine!"Franky yelled "We even rescued Robin just like we said we would!" Usopp yelled "All you gotta do is beat that guy!"Sanji yelled "We'll be waiting i know you can do it!"Franky yelled "Don't give up Luffy!"Zoro yelled "You've got this Luffy!"Nicole yelled "We're all gonna make it!"Usopp yelled "We're all going back!"Sanji yelled.

Luffy smiled and nodded getting back to his fight "Now it's just a matter of how long we can hold off all these damn marines"Zoro said walking off, Nicole walked next to him "I'm hoping for at least over ten minutes"she said "Those rank lieutenant commander or below stay put, to the two hundred elite captains and commanders engage the enemy and wipe them out immediately!"an announcement said.

"Captains from headquarters all these guys are in the same class as that Smoker guy from before?!"Usopp asked freaking out, Nicole smirked a bit "These guys don't seem half as strong as him"she said "Yeah these clowns should be a piece of cake"Zoro said smirking as well, Sanji had disappeared somewhere just as the marines attacked jumping off their ships and the Strawhats plus Franky started fighting back.

~skip~

Luffy went down in his fight, Usopp noticed and spaced out for a moment, a marine came up behind him but Zoro took care of it with Nicole sticking close to him "Damn it Usopp this is no time to be"he trailed off as Usopp took off the mask he had on "Luffy! What the hell are you doing?! Get up! Luffy!"Usopp yelled.

"Usopp i didn't know you were here too"Luffy said so weakly Usopp could barely hear him "Don't get the wrong idea! I just came here to save Robin that's it alright?! I didn't come to see you or your stupid face understand me!"Usopp yelled as behind him Zoro and Nicole were holding off marines from attacking him.

"Hey you! The CP-9 boss cat! I know you hear me! From here on out i'm your opponent! Come and get some! Yeah that's right! If you mess with Robin then you mess with me! Now listen and listen good you bastard! I'm a fearsome pirate a warrior among warriors and i command an army of over eight thousand men! I am the great captain Usopp! I sailed all over the Grand Line! I've destroyed island after island wreaking havoc everywhere i go! And if the world government wants to go toe to toe with me then i'll crush every last one of you with my little pinky finger! Now come on up here and fight me if you've got the guts or are you just a scardy cat?!"Usopp yelled taunting Lucci.

That last bit was what got Lucci and he started heading over "No wait get back here, you leave him alone this is between you and me got it?"Luffy said "You've already lost i have no business with you i'm going to kill every last one of them and save you for last so you can watch it happen"Lucci said.

"Come get me boss kitty cat! I'm gonna take you out!"Usopp yelled, Luffy coughed up some blood "You idiot shut up already! He's gonna kill you!"he said "You shut up! What the hell are you gonna do about it huh?! You're almost dead!"Usopp yelled back "That pigeon bastard's mine i'm gonna kick his ass all over the place"Luffy said.

"Then get up! Show him what you're made of! Stop laying around coughing and bleeding like you're about to die! That is not the Luffy i know at all! Even though it's filled with smoke we can still see the sky! We can still see the ocean! This place isn't hell! I can't believe you'd let it end like this! So stop acting like you're about to die you stupid bastard! What's wrong with you?!" Usopp asked tearing up.

"Why're you trying to make us worry?! Get up and fight!!!"Usopp yelled "Finished with your little speech then i suggest you show me what you've got"Lucci said "You're right Usopp this place isn't hell it's not even close"Luffy said standing up again "Finish him! Then we can all leave this place together!!"Usopp yelled "I'LL WIN NO MATTER WHAT!!!"Luffy yelled.

Chapter Text

~Third~

Luffy and Lucci went at their fight once again, the Strawhats plus Franky were still fighting off marines "Be careful some of these guys have devil fruit powers!"Franky yelled after having a run in with one, Zoro had a run in with another one that rusted away Yubashiri, he was in a bit of a bind when Nicole came rushing in "Rising Sun!"she said cutting down the guy with a flaming slash.

Nicole quickly put one of her swords away and tossed it to Zoro "Catch!"she said "Thanks Nicole"Zoro quickly said drawing the sword and facing another group of marines standing back to back with Nicole.

~skip~

Luffy finally defeated Lucci "It's over we should be okay now"Luffy said before taking a deep breath "We're all going back together! Robin!"he yelled and grinned "He won! Luffy won!"Usopp cheered "Luffy you had us worried"Zoro said "Yeah no kidding"Nicole grinned "You finally beat him way to go"Franky said "Luffy, everybody head to the escape ship we're getting out of here!" Nami said.

Then the voices of those from the Franky family and Galley La rung through the speaker system, of course the others had known they were okay thanks to Nicole but it brought a new sense of relief to actually hear their voices the fight continued however.

"Our target is Strawhat he's on the first column"one of the vice admirals said "Right understood sir but he doesn't seem to be moving, he's severely wounded"someone said over the speaker "What?"Zoro and Nicole asked after cutting down some marines.

Usopp went to check it out "Luffy! What are you doing?! Hurry up and get the hell over here! If we don't escape we're all gonna die! What's wrong with you damn it?! We're almost there! Use your powers to slingshot yourself over here! I'll carry you the rest of the way! We're surrounded by sea and battleships on all sides if we stay here we're gonna be killed! Luffy!! Luffy answer me say something!"he yelled.

"I-i can't, my body won't"Luffy trailed off too tired to even talk "What?"Usopp asked "My body won't move"Luffy said "It won't move? Come on don't be stupid! You just beat Lucci didn't you?! And we already saved Robin! The only thing left to do is run! Try harder you can do it!"Usopp yelled.

"Usopp let's take the ship to Luffy we'll grab him and get out of here! Everyone move get on board!"Nami said just as said ship was blown up, they lost their only means of escape, those that had been on the ship were fine though thanks to Sanji but that didn't help their current situation.

"Sanji what the heck happened and where have you been?"Nami asked "Sorry there was something i had to take care of, damn this is pretty bad we're pretty screwed right now i never thought they'd attack us as long as we had Robin here i was sure that the ship would be safe" Sanji was cut off as Nami was held at sword point by one of the marines.

"Don't you touch her!!!"Sanji yelled kicking the marine away, just as the marines started destroying the rest of the bridge not even caring about their own men as they cornered the Strawhats to the central pillar.

"Damn it they took out the bridge we're stuck on this column these bastards have got us cornered"Sanji said "There's nothing else we can do we're surrounded"Zoro said "Then this is where we'll make our stand let's fight"Nami said "Don't be stupid they'll just keep sending more of those captains at us"Franky said "Then we'll just keep fighting them"Nicole said.

The ships aimed at the first column planning to take out Luffy first, they couldn't do anything even Robin could only use her powers to toss him into the sea, the others were yelling at him to get up but as much Luffy tried he couldn't move an inch "A voice?"Nicole muttered hearing something approaching and looking over to Usopp it seemed he could hear it too.

What bugged her though it was a familiar voice, the other Strawhats heard it too but weren't sure if they were just hearing things "Jump in the sea! The sea!"Usopp yelled "What are you trying to kill us jumping into the sea won't help a damn thing!"Zoro said "Yes it will! Can't you hear her?"Nicole asked and sniffed a bit tearing up "She came all this way for us!"she said.

"Yeah she came to rescue us, jump it'll be okay we still got one more friend here"Usopp said getting in Zoro's face, Robin used her powers to toss Luffy into the sea as the others jumped down following their captain "MERRY!!!"Luffy yelled seeing their beloved ship waiting for them below.

Sanji was the first one on board and was baffled that no one was there and rope ladder came down on it's own, Nami climbed up next followed by Zoro who was carrying Gonbe and Chimney followed by Nicole who rushed over to the mast giving Merry her biggest hug yet "Thank you so much Merry"she said.

Kokoro tossed over the devil fruit users and Franky caught Robin while Luffy and Chopper were just tossed on board "The question is who sailed it here"Nami said "We'll figure it out later just get us out of here"Zoro said prying Nicole off the mast to help with getting the Merry sailing again.

Luffy went to thank Robin but she shut him up with her powers "Luffy, everyone thank you"she said, the others just smiled at her "Don't worry about it"Luffy grinned, they sailed the Going Merry out of there, the marine ships fired at them but they completely missed and the ships started running into each other.

The gates of justice were closing again "So that's what you were doing"Nicole smiled "Yeah, i figured it'd take more then just guts to get out of here alive"Sanji said smiling back at her "You're brilliant Sanji!"Nami grinned "Do you love me now Nami~swan?!"Sanji asked with heart eyes dancing around, she giggled a bit "Sure, now just hold them off while i find a path for us"she said.

The others were holding off cannonballs as Nami worked out a course and Chopper was steering the ship, Nicole was using her flying blade attack to blow up the cannonballs mid flight "Guys save some for me i wanna fight them too!"Luffy yelled after managing to crawl his way up to the back of the ship.

"Oh really are you gonna squirm them to death?"Usopp asked "Hate to brake it to you captain but this one's our battle"Sanji said "Just leave it to us"Nicole said "Go take a nap or something" Zoro said "You go take a nap i'll take care of these guys you'll see just gotta get there"Luffy said crawling around like a worm.

Every ship fired at them Zoro and Sanji held up Luffy stretching him out like a blanket and bouncing the cannonballs back at the marines "You never let us down huh captain?"Zoro asked with a grin "Nice work captain"Nicole grinned giving a thumbs up "Guess we needed you after all"Sanji said "You people are monster!"Usopp yelled at them but they just held up peace signs with a "Uh huh"

"I've got it the path to victory, Chopper helm hard to port nine o clock"Nami said "Alright you got it!"Chopper said steering the ship, the Strawhats made their way out but before they got too far Robin got her final revenge by using her powers on Spandam and doing her clutch move braking his back.

Franky used his move sending the Merry flying and Usopp created a smokescreen so they could get away, the marines weren't even getting close to hitting the Going Merry as the ship and her crew made it out of here, the Franky family and the Galley La people used the sea train to get out of there.

~skip~

"You sure you wanna sit on the sheep head?"Kokoro asked "Sure i do that's the captains seat" Luffy said "Well there you go careful not to fall"Kokoro said setting Luffy down on the Merry's figure head "Sure thanks for your help monster granny you're the best and thank you Merry we never would have made it if you weren't there i was pretty surprised when you showed up but when i think about it you've always been there to protect us we've always counted on you anyway i'm just happy you've been a part of the team Merry, you're a good friend to have"Luffy said.

"I don't mean to spoil the mood but damn you guys did some crazy stuff back there, i don't think the government is gonna let you off that easy after you burned down their flag"Franky said "Eh whatever doesn't feel like a big deal to me the only reason i did any of that is they took our friend and i wanted her back we couldn't have done it without your help so thanks a lot"Luffy said a big smile on his face.

"Well like you said it wasn't that big of a deal i just did what i had to do"Franky said blushing a bit "Point is we're all together and coming back in one piece and this fight was our victory!"Luffy said and the rest cheered.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Hey Usopp! Are you there?!"Luffy called looking around the Merry for the long nosed sniper "Where did you run off to? Come back!"Chopper called "Hey Usopp!"Luffy said checking in the crows nest and basically everywhere on the ship not realizing Usopp was still there just wearing a mask.

"I checked everywhere looks like we're the only ones on the ship"Nami said "I don't get why you insist on being stupid, it was Merry alright"Nicole said "Yeah!"Chopper and Luffy agreed "You're the one being stupid the Merry couldn't have sailed itself here"Nami said "And why not? You've seen this ship fly twice and you still believe she didn't sail herself?"Nicole asked.

"Well what makes you so sure about it?"Nami asked "We all heard her right?"Nicole asked "But there's no way right? That's impossible"Nami said but she wasn't so sure about what was impossible anymore "See? You're not so sure yourself either"Nicole said leaning on the rail next to Zoro and holding his hand just cause really.

"Hey look there's a ship coming"Luffy said, it was a Galley La company ship filled with shipwrights and Iceburg, Nicole smiled waving back to the mouse Tyrannosaurus sitting on Iceburg's shoulder but then the Merry hit her last wave and the keel snapped braking the ship in half "Hey why is it falling apart all of the sudden?"Zoro asked.

Nicole frowned a bit "Nothing sudden about it, we all knew this was going to happen"she said "Yeah they told us Merry was unfit to sail"Sanji said "Ice pops help Merry's in trouble can't you do something? You got here just in time, you're all shipwrights aren't you? I'm begging you don't let her die now, Merry's more then just a ship she's a member of our crew if it wasn't for her we all would have died back there so come on do something!"Luffy yelled.

"She's fought hard for you but it's time to let her rest besides i've already done everything that i can"Iceburg said and went on to tell how on that stormy night in the middle of the aqua laguna he heard something and did his best to fix the ship all on his own, he told them he watched the ship sail off on its own.

"This is a miracle, there's no other word for it, the miracle that a ship has gone beyond its limits to see you one last time as you know i've been a shipwright for many years but i've never seen a ship as incredible as this one, it's lived a wonderful life"Iceburg said.

Luffy recalled what Merry had said when she appeared seemingly out of nowhere in Enies Lobby "I understand"he said, the Strawhats got off Merry and into a smaller boat the Galley La ship let down on this boat there was Robin, Franky, Sanji, Chopper, Nami, Zoro, Nicole and Usopp.

Luffy was standing on a smaller boat right next to the Merry, it was time to say goodbye "Well guys you ready?"Luffy asked but Nicole had a feeling he was asking that more to himself as he lit the torch "Marry i know the floor of the sea is a dark and lonely place but don't worry we're here to see you off"he said and set the Merry on fire with the torch.

"I'm sure you wish he was here but it's probably best that Usopp isn't around i don't know if he could take this"Luffy said "Well? Is that true?"Zoro asked the masked man in question "Of course it isn't we must all say our farewells someday every man knows that we must hold back our tears, Luffy knows what has to be done"Usopp said.

The Merry quickly caught on fire and the Strawhats watched their ship go down in flames "Thank you for carrying us for so long and so far Merry"Luffy said his little boat backing off, then it started snowing "Merry"Nicole muttered a bit and couldn't help tearing up as she recalled all the good and the bad memories they had made on the Merry.

"I'm sorry"they heard a voice say, Merry "I wanted to carry everyone just a little bit further i had so much fun i wish our adventures would never end"she said "Merry!"Chopper called as Nami broke down but before she could fall Sanji pulled her over letting her cry in his shoulder, Nicole bit on her lip hard blinking away tears trying not to cry, Zoro pulled her closer, a literal waterfall of tears was coming from Usopp but the others remained stoic, though that didn't mean they weren't just as sad about having to say goodbye to their friend.

"But i'm sorry i"Merry was cut off "No Merry! If anyone should apologize it's us not you! I'm no good at steering i ran you into icebergs and all kinds of stuff! I took bad care of you and ripped your sails! Zoro and Sanji are idiots too they were braking your stuff all the time, Usopp tried to fix you but he wasn't any good at it we all know that, if anyone's sorry it's us"Luffy said full on sobbing as well.

"I don't mind i was happy, i know you always treated me with love, thank you, even if the time we spent together was short, i'm glad that i could spend it with you"Merry said before the flames consumed her "MERRY!!!"Luffy cried.

~skip~

Two days later the Strawhats were back on Water 7, Nicole was out on shipwreck island with Zoro examining Yubashiri "Can you do anything?"Zoro asked "I can only tell you to take better care of Kitetsu and Wado Ichimonji and this"Nicole said before bonking him on the head with the butt of the blade "Ow, but i guess i deserve that"he said rubbing his head.

"You sure do, you don't even have a grasp on Haki yet you go and be reckless with your swords, at the very least i hope this has taught you a valuable lesson"Nicole said "Yeah"Zoro nodded before looking at Yubashiri "I'm sorry, i was a terrible master, i promise to be better from now on"he said laying a hand on his other swords "I'll make sure he keeps to that promise"Nicole said putting her hand on his.

Zoro smiled and put Yubashiri away and held her hand as she lead the way back to where they were staying.

~skip~

On their way back Zoro and Nicole spotted a marine ship and rushed their way back.

~skip~

Even though they rushed back the marines were already there "Damn it we're too late"Zoro said "Come on"Nicole said letting his hand go and rushing on ahead drawing her swords and fighting the marines with Zoro when one marine with Kukuri knifes came flying at him but he easily took care of the guy.

"Zoro Nicole it's okay we don't need to fight the"Luffy was cut off as he was kicked but the rubber boy easily took care of them "Boys you're no match at all"Garp said walking out of the building, anyway the two marines turned out to be Coby and Helmeppo, as soon as Nicole heard that name again she instantly bolted as far away as possible.

~tiny skip~

The marines were fixing the hole Garp had made "So this grandpa of yours is really famous?" Sanji asked "Beats me i never really asked him about his job"Luffy said "By they way Luffy i heard you met your old man a while back"Garp said "Huh? My dad? No i don't think so, i didn't even think i had a dad"Luffy said.

"That's a shame i thought he'd introduce himself to ya, from what i hear he saw you off back at Loguetown"Garp said, Nicole furrowed her brows a bit it was starting to make a little bit more sense why that green wind had appeared back then "Uh could you give me a hint here? What's dad like?"Luffy asked.

"The name of your father is Monkey D. Dragon, the revolutionary"Garp said, now it made total sense but still Nicole found it shocking, as did everyone else, they freaked out "What's the deal you guy? Why's everyone freaking out so much?"Luffy asked "Are you kidding me?! You're trying to tell me you've never heard of Dragon before?!"Sanji yelled at him.

"He's a dangerous man like really dangerous"Nami said "Eh he wasn't that bad"Nicole shrugged "Are you saying you met him?"Luffy asked "Yeah, i'll tell ya the full story later"Nicole said "So what's a revolutionary?"Luffy asked turning to Robin.

"I'm not exactly sure how i should explain this one, pirates like us are enemies with the navy but we don't usually attack them on our own but the revolutionary army is directly opposing the authority of the world government and the man at the head of that group is Dragon, by now his ideology has spread to many nations causing world wide rebellion, the governments hold has already collapsed in number of regions, naturally the government is furious, they've labeled Dragon as the worlds worst criminal and won't stop at absolutely nothing to hunt him down, the problem is no one knows a single thing about him, he's very mysterious and yet"Robin trailed off.

"And yet what?"Luffy asked "You exist"Nicole said "That was a mistake huh i probably shouldn't have said all that stuff"Garp said and just laughed "I take it all back, forget it okay?"he asked shocking everyone further.

"Anyway Luffy since you're my grandson i won't capture you and turn you over to the government it's fine if i tell them that i'm sure everyone will understand can't put work before family right?"Garp asked "That's not an excuse sir let's just say they got away"his lieutenant said "I mostly just came here as a favor to Coby and Helmeppo you boys take your time and chat it up all you like i'm heading back to my ship for now"Garp said.

"Alright so long!"Luffy said before Garp punched him "Is that all you're gonna say?! At least pretend like you care! I'm your grandpa you haven't seen me in ages!"Garp yelled at the rubber boy "But i'm happy you're leaving all you've done is yell and hit me!"Luffy yelled back "I just want my grandson to love me you idiot! I'm not as heartless as you!"Garp yelled back.

"That old man blew in and flew out like a storm"Sanji said "I admit the part about Dragon certainly surprised me and here i thought my family history was odd"Robin said "It's certainly surprising, honestly i should of seen it sooner from what i remember about Dragon, though thinking about it Luffy doesn't really resemble his old man at all in appearance"Nicole said.

"Where is Luffy anyway?"Chopper asked "He's out front with Coby and that other guy"Zoro said "You don't wanna see them too? You're old friends right?"Sanji asked "Well this does bring back memories but Luffy's the one who saved Coby"Zoro said "Personally i'd like to stay as far away as possible from that other guy, for his sake so i don't snap and castrate him, i still blame you by the way"Nicole said.

"Would you drop it already!!"Zoro yelled at her "No"Nicole simply said sipping on her tea "I wonder where Nami went, she said she wanted to gather info from the navy but i guess she changed her mind"Chopper said "She said she went to the pool with Kokoro and the others"Robin said "The pool?"Chopper asked "Galley La has a company pool in the back for all of its employees to use"Robin said.

"Does that mean Nami's in a swimsuit i better bring her a drink!"Sanji said dashing off in full lover mode "It's been ages since i've gone swimming for just fun, i might take a dip as well if that's fine with the doctor"Nicole said turning to Chopper "Yeah, you've recovered really quickly you gotta tell me how"Chopper said.

"I guess my body just works faster"Nicole shrugged not really knowing how she recovered so quick herself, anyway she grabbed her swimsuit from all their stuff and headed out back, a beat of silence passed before Zoro followed her, Robin giggled a bit while Chopper tilted his head clueless about Zoro's intentions.

Chapter Text

~Third~

As Nami was listening in on Luffy chatting with Coby she spotted Nicole coming into the pool her hair pinned up and wearing a one piece swim suit that showed off her toned yet slim figure and had an open back "Whoa you are sexy!"she found herself saying, Nicole looked over and just smiled "Why thank you"she said before jumping into the pool.

Zoro came to the back too just as Nicole resurfaced "Hey Nicole! You forgot sunscreen, you know how easily you burn up!"Zoro called to her, Nicole furrowed her brow confused, she did burn easy but why was he announcing it like that, then it clicked and she smirked "Oh yeah well if you're not busy maybe you'd like to help"she said walking over to him.

Zoro blushed "Y-yeah"he stuttered a bit, damn it this was his idea but she went and flipped the table to tease him instead, anyway after that and a bit more teasing the others joined in at the pool too and before they knew it the whole town was partying with them.

~skip~

The sun was setting but the party wasn't dying down one bit, in the midst of all the commotion Nicole happened to sense something and glanced over, Robin noticed and gave her a reassuring look, Nicole nodded and went back to her drinking contest with Zoro.

~skip~

"I don't get it the Franky family really wrecked up the place"Zoro said reading over the days newspaper which was a report all about Enies Lobby "Maybe your grandpa? Like he pulled some strings and told the government they were just innocent bystanders?"Sanji asked Luffy.

"I don't think so, either way the news are blaming literally everything that happened on us, they don't mention CP-9 either, i don't blame them though the government has a habit of covering up everything inconvenient to them whether by literally covering it up or blaming it on others like us in this case"Nicole said as Zoro handed the paper to her.

"I guarantee our bounties are gonna go through the roof after this one"Zoro smirked "Oh my gosh does that mean i'll finally get a bounty?"Chopper asked "Maybe you'll probably get something but mine's gonna be the big one this time"Sanji said "What are you excited about this is terrible news!"Nami yelled at him.

~skip~

"Franky's building us a ship and we don't even have to pay for it?!"Luffy asked after Sanji told him what happened earlier when Franky came by "Technically we've already paid for it"Nicole muttered but went ignored as Luffy cheered anyway Nami beat up Luffy after learning that he spent it all in the party they had yesterday, the Strawhats went into town after that, Nicole went shopping with Nami and Robin.

~skip~

"Hey! Nami! Robin! Nicole!"Luffy called sailing over on a yagara, the two black haired women came to a stop "Think you can help, this girl is looking for her yagara with a blue fin"Luffy said showing them the photo "I'll see what i can do"Robin said and used her powers to look around the city, while Nicole focused her Haki to find any creature that might be stuck somewhere all alone or something.

"So find him?"Luffy asked "I'm afraid not i tried sorry"Robin said "I can't find anything either, it be easier if i knew what his voice sounded like"Nicole said "That's okay thanks for looking, come on Abi let's go"Luffy said getting back on the yagara and continueing the search as the ladies went inside the shop following Nami.

~skip~

"What's going here?"Nicole asked coming upon Zoro with a bunch of kids "Nicole!"Zoro yelped surprised by her "This is uhm it's not"he was trailed off blushing as she quirked a brow in question, Zoro smirked getting an idea "I'm getting some practice in, yeah, to be a good dad some day"he said.

Nicole blushed a bit and kissed his cheek "Well it's good to know you won't be completely useless when that someday comes"she smiled before following after Robin and Nami.

~skip~

The next day the log pose had finally set "All that's left is to get our ship, this is gonna be fun" Luffy said already well enough to jump around "I can't wait to see the ship myself but Franky said no peeking until he's finishes"Nami said "By the way, do you know where that log is pointing might come as a big surprise if you're not ready"Kokoro said.

"Fishman island right?"Nicole asked "Yep"Kokoro laughed "Fishman island huh? That's tricky"Nami said, Sanji put a hand on her shoulder giving her a reassuring smile "Yeah i guess so, it is gonna be tough after what happened in your village?"Luffy asked "Not all fishmen are like Arlong"Nicole said.

"Thing is even though the place is nice to visit it's not easy for people to get there"Kokoro said "I assumed that was the case since it's at the bottom of the sea"Robin said "Eh we'll figure it out on the way"Luffy said "Well on the way is a problem too"Kokoro said showing the days newspaper "Ah you mean the Florian triangle"Nicole said.

"Yeah, you won't be making it to fishman island until you make it through there, every year over a hundred ships go missing in that area and nobody has a clue as to why, what's spooky is that later they show up without a single crew member in sight other people say they found ghost ships with crews of dead men wandering the ocean lost in a haze"Kokoro said with a light under her face for effect.

"Hanging out with a bunch of skeletons sounds cool"Luffy said getting excited about it "Hanging out? That's some imagination you go there"Zoro said sweatdropping a bit "No way! No ghost ships not on my watch we're passing straight through that place i mean what really happens in there?"Nami asked also freaked out.

"Who know after all nobody comes out of there alive and dead men tell no tales, i'd be careful the water's dark, the fog is thick, it swallows you up"Kokoro said with a candle for effect thoroughly freaking out Nami and Chopper "Many a soul has been lost to that treacherous sea so you better be darn ready before you even think of setting sail"Kokoro said.

"All though some people do call them ghost ships abandoned vessels are often called treasure ships too we're more likely to find a ship with riches then the undead"Robin said, Nicole sweatdropped as Nami got excited about the prospect of money "Yeah let's hunt down those ghost ships!"Nami said "Alright leave it to me!"Luffy said.

"No but i don't wanna!"Chopper said freaking out "I'll stock up on plenty of food and water before we go so even if we do get lost we'll be fine"Sanji said "A treasure ship huh? Wonder if they have swords"Zoro said more to himself "Probably though i doubt they will be any good" Nicole said.

"Hey pirate people!"Chimney called as she and the two girls from the Franky family came in "You need something?"Luffy asked "Franky wants to talk to you guys he's got something big to show you"one girl said "It's been a long night but they finished his ship of dreams"the other said "And boy is it super cool"Chimney said "You mean it's done already? That was really fast"Luffy said.

"Of course that's what happens when the worlds best shipwrights work around the clock"one girl said "What are we waiting for let's go"Sanji said "Strawhat! We've got bad news!"the guy from the Franky family yelled as the rest of them ran over, they went out to meet with them "To be honest we just found out about this ourselves, have you seen the wanted posters?! You've gotta huge bounty on your head Strawhat they're gonna hunt you down for sure, actually you've all got bounties the whole crew is wanted"the guy said and showed them the wanted posters.

"Strawhat Luffy with a bounty of three hundred million berries"the guy said, Luffy just laughed "Alright it went up!"he said "Pirate hunter Zoro with a bounty one hundred and twenty million berries"the guy said Zoro just smirked "She Wolf Nicole, confirmed to be the daughter of Hawkeye Mihawk, with a bounty of two hundred million berries"the guy said "Oh yeah! I knew it would skyrocket once they knew that!"Nicole grinned.

"Cat Burgler Nami with a bounty of sixteen million berries"the guy said "No!"Nami whaled in horror "Cotton candy loving Chopper, pet with a fifty berry bounty"the guy said "Only fifty?" Chopper asked shocked it was so low "Demon Child Robin with a bounty of eighty million berries"the guy said, the picture on her poster updated to boot which made her smile.

The next one though was a half assed doodle "Black Leg Sanji attempt to take a photo failed, bounty seventy seven million berries"the guy said, Sanji was crushed, not only did the picture look nothing like him but his bounty was way lower then Zoro's "Hey look Sogeking has one too" Luffy grinned pointing it out.

"Well i know that this is probably big news for you and all and i'm sure there's a lot of pirate stuff you wanna talk about but look at this, Cyborg Franky with a bounty of forty four million berries" the guy said showing the poster "This is awful big bro is wanted by the world government! What are we gonna do now?!"one of the girls asked.

"Yeah that's the question i was happy when we found out we didn't have bounties but then this had to happen everyone in the city knows about out bro he can't stay in Water 7 anymore and if he gets arrested again i don't think we'll have the power to save him like we did last time but i'm sure he's worried about us too, knowing him he probably wouldn't leave the island no matter how much we begged him, that's why we came to you we had no other choice, we're begging you here Strawhat even if he tried to fight you gotta take our bro out to sea with you come on his parents were pirates it's in his blood!"the guy said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Please you gotta help him!"The Franky family begged bowing to the Strawhats "Come on guy you don't have to beg i already decided i wanted to make him my shipwright"Luffy said "You really mean it and the rest of you are okay with that too?!"the guy asked "It's the captains decision we don't have much say on the matter but we'd be happy to have him on board"Nicole said.

"Ah thank you! Now that they've agreed it's time to move come on you know what we gotta do?" the guy asked "Yeah!"the Franky family cheered and they moved out, the Strawhats went back in and packed all their things "Alright then just to make sure we're on the same page about Usopp?"Zoro asked "Yep"Nicole chirped smiling at him and he smiled back.

"Yeah"Luffy said "This is about doing what's right"Zoro said "I know, let's move you've been depressed for long enough"Luffy said "Shut up! Why's mine the only one with a drawing?!"Sanji asked "Who cares about the picture you've got a bounty"Luffy said "Who is this huh?! Cause it's not me!"Sanji said.

"I thought it was a photo until you said something"Zoro muttered, Sanji came over babbling about something "All the women in the world are gonna laugh at me"Sanji said falling down on the floor "Ugh that guy lied to me he said he was a reporter for the local paper, having a bounty kind of stinks but on the upside the picture turned out pretty cute"Nami said.

"I fought like a true man back there! I'm a pirate just like all the rest of you! And what do they mean by pet?! I'm a doctor darn it!"Chopper yelled "Well try harder then"Luffy said making Chopper cry after that the Strawhats headed out to see their new ship.

~skip~

The Strawhats made their way to scrapheap island where Iceburg greeted them "Where's Franky?"Luffy asked "Unfortunately Franky can't be here at the moment but the ship is indeed complete shall we take a look?"Iceburg asked walking over to the huge blanket covering their new ship.

"I think you're gonna be impressed i was simply floored looking at the blueprints this ship can sail any sea it may take you to the end of the Grand Line after all"Iceburg said hyping up the ship "Just let me see it already!"Luffy said sparkles around him "Hurry!"Chopper said.

"There's a message Franky said to pass onto you Strawhat he said that if you're going to be a king of pirates someday then you're ship should be the king of beast!"Iceburg said unveiling their new ship "It's amazing!"Nami said "You can say that again"Sanji said, Luffy was totally speechless "Oh wow!"Chopper said "How lovely"Robin said "Wow"Nicole said "Oh yeah"Zoro said.

"It's super big and super cool it looks ready to brake stuff"Luffy said his eyes sparkling "And it's really free?"Chopper asked "It's gotta be twice as big as Merry"Zoro said, Nicole sweatdropped realizing something "Which means you're twice as likely to get lost in it"she sighed "Hey!"Zoro protested with a blush.

"Wait is the sail a sloop? It's huge"Nami said "Show me the kitchen hurry i wanna see"Sanji said "I love the figure head what kind of flower is it supposed to be?"Robin asked "Well i think he intended it to be a lion"Iceburg said, the Strawhats got on their new ship exploring it, the deck had a lawn in it with a few trees with plenty of space to goof around in and garden and nap.

"Come on Zoro let's check out the crows nest"Nicole smiled grabbing his hand and climbing up to the huge structure on top of the mast, it had two stories, the first had plenty of space to train and already had some weight racks installed into it, the windows had comfy little inclines where one could take a nap at any time, the second floor was more like a regular room, the bed had a note on it though.

Nicole picked up the note and blushed as she read it, she handed it to Zoro who also blushed after reading it 'Extra wide for the young couple' it read, the two climbed back down and the Strawhats set in motion a plan to get Franky to join their crew by force if needed to.

~skip~

They lured Franky in with his briefs "Franky! Thanks the ship is great! Just like you said it's the best we'll take good care of it!"Luffy yelled "Yeah i had fun with you guys have a safe trip!"Franky said "Oh i hate to brake it to ya but if you want your undies back then you're gonna have to join our crew!"Luffy said.

"Give me back my briefs Strawhat"Franky said "Sure join my crew"Luffy said "What are you stupid? I'm not gonna be a pirate, you know you can keep those briefs brother"Franky said before taking a pose by the sea.

"Oh my"Nicole muttered as all of Franky was on proud display, Zoro growled a bit covering her eyes, she giggled "Jealous? Though come to think of it i haven't seen yours"she teased, Zoro blushed before he smirked and whispered to her "Maybe later"making her blush.

"It might get a little rough but shall i lend a hand?"Robin asked "Actually Ice pops said before if we want Franky to join we're gonna have to use force to get our way"Luffy said "But what were you planning?"Nami asked, Robin used her powers to Franky by the balls literally.

"Robin! I still want him to be a man when he joins us lay off"Luffy said "Oh it takes more then a little pulling to you know"Nicole said shrugging a bit "Don't encourage her!"Luffy yelled "Come on i already told you, i couldn't leave this island even if i wanted to, i appreciate the offer really but it just ain't in the cards for me"Franky said.

"Sailing the seas would be great and all but there's still a lot of stuff i have left to take care of here that's why i gave the ship to you, i quit being a shipwright a long time ago and i'm not going back this is the last ship i'm building for the rest of my life, i only had one goal as a ship wright and now i've fulfilled it, i've made my ship of dreams"Franky said.

"That's a lie Franky, you can say what you like but i know the truth this isn't the ship of dreams that you've talked about before"Iceburg said walking over "Yeah well my dream is different now"Franky said "Your dream? That's not what this is about at all, you're not on this island because of something you want to accomplish you're here because of guilt, ever since that day when Tom was taken by the government you've blamed yourself for what happened it's obvious"Iceburg said.

"But even before Tom left this island he had forgiven you, he had shown you a new path, For years you've taken punks from the inner city streets under your wing, you taught them to be dismantlers you worked as bounty hunters and you protected this island from attacking pirates all of this to atone for your sins to look after the city that Tom loved, that Tom was forced to leave behind, although i don't imagine most people saw it that way"Iceburg said.

"No of course not, cause that's not what i was doing not at all!"Franky yelled "You loved ship building and you gave it up suppressed your dream for years and years are you going to do that for the rest of your life? Tom has already forgiven you, i've already forgiven you, nothing you do will change that, this has gone on long enough, it's time to forgive yourself Franky"Iceburg said.

The Franky family sent their big bro some luggage and encouraged him to leave, Franky used the pain as an excuse to cry even though Robin had stopped using her powers some time ago, the Franky reassured their boss they would be fine, Sanji came running in "We've got bad news captain! That stupid grandpa of yours came back for us, he's got a bunch of marines on the other side of the island getting ready to hunt us down and take us out!"he called.

Luffy tossed Franky his briefs "Well come on get on my ship, captains orders"Luffy said "Your ship already huh? An amateur like you will probably sink her in less then a week you've got the finest vessel on the seas and no shipwright? That's a real pity for the ship i mean what can i say you don't leave me much choice, i gotta take care of my masterpiece after all so set sail i'm joining the crew"Franky said finally putting his briefs on before climbing onto the ship, Zoro uncovered Nicole's eyes once he did.

Chapter Text

~Third~

With Franky on board as their new crewmate the Strawhats set off on their new ship "So that's it we're leaving?"Nami asked "Luffy"Chopper whined a bit "Last call Strawhat are you sure? Seems like we're still missing someone"Franky said "No it's okay we waited long enough and he never bothered to show up, we went over this back at Galley La everyone agreed on what to do"Luffy said but despite that he was still nervous.

~flashback~

After dinner Sanji revealed he had spotted Usopp, the sniper had been practicing what to say when he'd return "So Usopp's really gonna come back?"Luffy asked "Uh huh i saw him on the coast practicing his big return speech "That's great news man i was so worried, okay let's go get him right now!"Luffy said.

"Well that's Usopp for ya, should of known"Nami said, Luffy, Nami and Chopper went to head out "All of you hold on a second!"Zoro said stopping them "I understand that you wanna see him again but i won't allow you to bring him back here"Zoro said "Huh? Why not?"Luffy asked "You can't kiss his ass and tell him you're happy to see him again you know that"Zoro said crossing his arms.

"Zoro"Luffy said "Until he bows his head and apologizes for what he did he can't come back" Zoro said "Hey i don't know what your problem is but"Nami was cut off "Shut up! Doesn't matter what you two were thinking when you started arguing it doesn't matter who was wrong or who was right either, when two men agree to have a duel with each other no matter what the outcome is they have to accept it and after he lost that duel he left on his own accord" Zoro said continueing what he was saying earlier.

"You understand don't you? He may be and idiot but this guy is still our captain, we're better off without a crew member who disrespects their leader when things get rough, a crew with no respect and a captain that doesn't demand it are destined to fall apart quickly"Zoro said turning to the others.

"Listen"Zoro said turning to Luffy "I don't mind if you're easy going most of the time but right now you've gotta man up, you can't let people walk all over you cause if you do that it's gonna be me who leaves this crew"Zoro said "You're making this harder then it needs to be"Nami said.

"Don't get me wrong it's fine if he rejoins the crew and it's fine if you want him back but if he doesn't apologize for what he did and pretends like nothing ever happened between the two of you, then i won't forgive him and i won't stand for it, in other words we'll leave the island without him"Zoro said.

"Wait Zoro i agree Usopp's the one at fault not Luffy but we can settle with that after he joins up with us again"Nami said, Zoro stabbed the floor with one of his swords "So that the fact that he left our crew means nothing? He can come and go as he pleases?!"Zoro asked "No but i, Nicole talk some sense into him"Nami said turning to Nicole who was still sitting on the floor.

Nicole sighed a bit as she stood up the sunset behind her showing off the light red ish tint to her hair "Nami, he's got a point, you know he has a point if anyone of us can just come and go as they want we won't get further then this, Usopp has to say sorry and if Luffy forgives him everything is fine"she said walking over to Zoro and turning around as she stood next to him.

"However if Usopp is let on like nothing happened i'll be leaving the crew too"Nicole said narrowing her eyes a bit "If he pulls a pointless like this on a whim then how are we supposed to trust him moving forward? It's simple if the first thing that comes out of Usopp's mouth is and apology then we're good but if he tried to make some excuse then he's no longer welcome here, we're not just pretending to be pirates, this isn't a game"Zoro said putting his sword back.

"You're right we already went our separate ways before, there's still a few days until they finish with the ship we can wait that long, it's all up to him"Luffy said.

~present~

"We waited all that time but he never bothered to come so i guess we have our answer, he'll be fine, it's not like he quit being a pirate it's a big world out there but i'm sure we'll run into him again someday even if he isn't one of us any more"Luffy said still very clearly nervous, Zoro was shaking a bit from anger but he stopped as Nicole held his hand.

~skip~

"Luffy can we wait a bit longer we're not in a rush just yet right? Hey Luffy!"Nami called but Luffy wasn't saying anything when something rocked the ship, they were under cannon fire from Garp "Hey Luffy can you hear me?! This is your grandpa speaking! Don't try to ignore me!"Garp said using a megaphone.

"Yeah i hear you what's the deal?! What are you doing coming back here! You said you were gonna leave us alone!"Luffy yelled "Yeah well i say a lot of things truth of the matter is i'm sending you to a watery grave"Garp said still using the megaphone.

"What?!"Luffy asked "I know this isn't much consolation but for what it's worth i'll fight you all on my own"Garp said using the megaphone before he started throwing cannonballs at them with his bare hands but they still had a force like they were shot out of a cannon.

The Strawhats did their best to hold off the cannonball barrage as they waited on Usopp, Usopp did show up but the crew ignored his attempts to act like nothing happened as they fought off the barrage of cannonballs thrown by Garp.

"I'M SORRY!!! I'm too stubborn i know! I take back every word i said!"Usopp yelled snot and tears running down his face, the others stopped ignoring him "I know i'm being pathetic, i know i already said i quit, but will you let me take it back?! Please! I'm begging you! You gotta forgive me! If i'm not with you there's no point! Don't leave me alone! I need you guys! Please let me join the crew! Just one more time!"Usopp cried.

Luffy stretched his arm out "Hurry up! Grab on already!"he yelled snot and tears running down his face, Usopp grabbed on and Luffy pulled him in "Alright the gangs all here! We're gonna get away from this cannonballs and head to the new world! Let's go!"Luffy said and the others cheered.

The Strawhats pulled their sails up on Franky's command, whatever he had planned he wasn't sharing with the others and Luffy was going along with it far too happy now that they had Usopp back "Would you hurry up? We've got cannons flying at us!"Sanji said kicking a cannonball away "Alright Franky i don't get it but Nicole and i furled all the sails now do whatever you're gonna do before the navy blows us up"Zoro said.

"There's something you're forgetting, don't you know we can leave until we give this ship a name"Franky said "A name?! At a time like this?!"Sanji yelled at him "Of course this is her maiden voyage so there's no point if we do it now"Franky said "Well i guess"Sanji said kicking away another cannonball.

"I just thought of the perfect name!"Luffy said and went onto list a bunch of animal names somehow fitting lion into it "Well i did have a lion in mind for the design though the guys at Galley La didn't seem to get that, Iceburg had a suggestion, the Thousand Sunny, a fitting name for a ship that will sail a thousand seas with a sunny smile"Franky said.

"Oh i like it"Luffy said "Me too it's super cool!" Chopper said "I kinda wanted Big Boss Lionel but Thousand Sunny is good too" Zoro said "I was going to suggest Creature of Darkness"Robin said "Funny i had something similar in mind, Beast of the Night"Nicole said "I like Monsieur Sunflower personally"Sanji said.

"A ship to sail a thousand seas with a sunny smile it's perfect don't you think?"Robin asked "I like Ice pops idea just fine let's go with that"Luffy said "Sounds good the Thousand Sunny it is" Sanji said "I agree!"Nami, Nicole and Usopp said "Nice to meet you Sunny!"Chopper said "I thought we had a harder time agreeing on this but i guess it worked out fine"Zoro said "So it did"Robin said.

"Hey Franky stop pouting and get moving use this secret weapon of yours so we can get out of here"Sanji said "Better make it fast too the navy's gonna catch up any second"Zoro said "Yea yeah i know take one last look at Water 7 cause it's gonna be out of sight before you know it, i'm warning ya once we start moving we'll really be moving"Franky said going to do whatever he was planning.

"Okay got it one sec"Luffy said and hoped on the rail "Grandpa! Oh and if you're there Coby! It was nice to see you again!"he called "What are you yapping about Luffy?! I got plenty more cannonballs!"Garp called and tossed one right over but Luffy smashed it once it got close.

"I don't know what's gonna happen but we're gonna get away well i hope to see you guys again some day!"Luffy called "You little turd you show your grandpa some respect you hear me?! How dare you!"Garp yelled "Thanks for helping us name the ship Ice pops you're awesome! And thanks to everybody else too! Bye monster granny! Bye Galley La!"Luffy yelled.

Garp brought a gigantic cannonball attached to a chain and tossed it over just as the ball was going to hit them Franky finished with his plan and the Thousand Sunny went flying "It need some three barrels of cola but it can fly for a whole kilometer"Franky said.

"I'm not trying to brag here but simply put anything the Going Merry could do this ship can do better and it's got tricks of it's own but even if it's all new i hope the brave spirit of the Merry can live on in the Sunny, if anything brakes i'll fix it up as good as new from weapons to furniture i know this ship up and down it may be my masterpiece but it's all your now"Franky said as the Sunny landed into the sea and the Strawhats continued on their way.

Chapter Text

~Third~

As the Strawhats celebrated the whole crew coming back together, their new ship the Thousand Sunny and Franky joining the crew, news of their new bounties reached every corner of the known world, on one dark and gloomy island a certain man was reading the newspaper over a glass of wine when a batch of new bounties dropped in onto the balcony.

Mihawk of course didn't care for the other bounties, only a few in particular caught his interest, he grinned practically beaming with pride as his laugh echoed on the island holding one particular poster "That's my girl"he said, he smiled as he put up the wanted poster of his daughters new bounty displaying it proudly on a wall.

~skip~

The Strawhats were finished with their party and were already settling into a routine as the Sunny sailed in the for now calm seas, Luffy, Usopp and Chopper were goofing around exploring every inch of the ship, Sanji was tending to Nami's every whim and desire as she kept a close eye on the weather, Robin was reading as usual, their new crewmate Franky was steering the ship.

Zoro and Nicole were up in the crows nest, Zoro was braking in the new weights and Nicole was watching him as usual that look in her eyes as she admired those chiselled muscles that glistened with sweat, Zoro glanced over and noticed that look and he always blushed seeing that look but smirked, she was far too easy.

"Hey"Zoro called taking a brake, Nicole hummed snapping out of it "If you're done staring maybe you'd wanna give a try?"he asked with a smirk, only to get a smirk back as Nicole got up from the bench and walked over to him.

"You know what? I might as well"she said tossing her shirt off leaving her in her red bra, Zoro blushed equally red, damn her, always flipping the tables, well this time he refused to show it just casually taking a seat on the bench as Nicole pinned her hair up.

Nicole stretched out a bit before easily lifting the heavy weights Franky had stocked for them in advance, her muscles flexed as she lifted the one hundred pound or so weight like it was as light as air, after a while she had worked up a sweat and now Zoro was watching her with a savage look in his eyes, Nicole smirked taking a break and walking over to him lifting his head as he stared at her cleavage.

"Let's take this upstairs"Nicole said with a smirk returning that savage look "Yeah"Zoro smirked and grabbed her hand dragging her upstairs with quite the haste.

Zoro just threw off his pants and underwear and his haramaki, both their swords disregarded in the room below.

Nicole blushed a bit getting a good look at all of Zoro, after that he turned back to her with a smirk "Like what you see?"he asked, Nicole smirked "Very much"she said and decided to make it a bit of a show as she slowly took off the rest of her clothes and smirked seeing that it was getting a rise out of Zoro.

As soon as her panties were off Zoro tossed Nicole onto the bed practically devouring her with a ferocious kiss, Nicole returned that ferociousness kissing him back wrapping her arms around his neck and bringing him in closer before her fingers wrapped in his green hair.

There was no need for foreplay, both of them were quite worked up already so in the middle of the kiss Zoro positioned himself and trusted in without reserve, Nicole moaned pulling back from the kiss but Zoro moved on attacking her neck as he continued thrusting, Nicole recovered from the initial shock and moved her hips with his wrapping her legs around him bringing him even closer.

A growl bubbled in the back of his throat as Zoro made strong and deep thrust, Nicole always met him halfway, he nuzzled his head in the crook of her neck moaning into her ear as he wrapped his arms around her flushing their bodies together as his thrust intensified, Nicole attacked his neck making hickeys and love bites moaning in his ear.

After a while Zoro pulled back staring down at Nicole as he could feel himself getting closer, Nicole looked right back at him feeling the same, their moans melted together as Zoro stilled, Zoro brushed some hair out of her face as both of them caught their breath, Nicole smiled at that moment she could see the depths of love Zoro had for her and he could see the same in her eyes.

They were far from done though because as soon as they caught their breaths Nicole flipped them over and leaning on her hands which were pressed against his chest she started moving her hips, Zoro groaned gripping her waist helping her move as he thrusted up.

This round was a lot faster but no less satisfying as Nicole fell onto Zoro at the end panting, Zoro kissed the top of her head after catching his breath and letting her lay there as he went up behind her and thrusted in, Nicole yelped a moan feeling a sensation like none before, she saw stars as Zoro continued to hit that spot with his thrust.

Zoro came to a stop after a while and Nicole nearly screamed from her intense orgasm.

Zoro panted collapsing on the bed next to her as Nicole shook a bit gathering her breath "You okay?" he asked throwing the blanket over them and gathering her in his arms "Yeah, just that"she took a deep breath finally calming her breathing "That was freaking intense"she said "Glad you enjoyed it"Zoro smiled kissing the top of her head.

~skip~

A few days later Chopper, Luffy and Usopp were playing around on the swing, Robin was gardening and Franky was doing whatever below the deck, Sanji asked the kids to catch octopus for dinner while Nami was in the aquarium/ dinning hall below enjoying some drink Sanji had made her.

Usopp got into some trouble while fishing for octopuses, the commotion from it alerted Zoro and Nicole up in the crows nest as they were training "What are those idiots doing?"Zoro wondered coming over to Nicole as she shrugged, Zoro just shrugged too sitting next to her when he spotted something "Hey there's something floating out in the ocean"he said over the speaker alerting the others.

It was just a barrel which Luffy pulled in "Treasure time!"Luffy, Chopper and Usopp chanted dancing around "Pity it's probably just some old booze and preserved foods"Nami said walking over "What?! You can't see inside how do you know?"Luffy asked "Because it says a treasure offering to the sea gods, it's an old practice called barrel drifting people prayed for safe passage by making an offer to the guardian spirits of the sea so it's more about superstition then actual treasure"Nami said.

"In other words we got our hopes up over a barrel of sea trash"Usopp said "Whoa who says booze is trash let's drink it"Zoro said "What? No that's bad karma"Usopp said "You'll be fine just say a little prayer first"Nami said "I pray to no god sea or otherwise"Zoro said.

"I bet it's really good too with the waves having stirred it around and aged like a fine wine"Nicole said "Oh yeah?! Let's find out!"Franky said getting excited about it "Alright then we'll make a toast!"Usopp cheered "After your finished they say you're supposed to add a new offering and set it adrift again for good luck"Robin said.

"Who cares? Open up"Franky said shaking the barrel around "So hey god we're stealing your booze, prayer over"Luffy said before opening up the barrel, Nicole sweatdropped "Not really a prayer"she said before a flare shot out of the barrel, Nicole got a bad feeling.

"The booze flew in the air and then it blew up"Chopper said "Looked like a signal flare"Robin said "Think that's it?"Nami asked "Could just be a prank i suppose but if it's not"Robin trailed off "If it's not?"Usopp and Chopper asked freaked out "Perhaps we've alerted someone and their coming to look for us"Robin said.

"You mean the booze was a lie?! No even worse it was a trap and we set it off by opening the barrel who knows what kind of horrible people are gonna come after us now! Chopper search the area!"Usopp yelled "Got it!"Chopper said "Make sure we're not being followed those awful bounty hunters might be looking for revenge!"Usopp said.

"I'm looking all over the place but i don't see anyone"Chopper said looking around using binoculars "Nothing here"Usopp said using his goggles "Everyone get into position we're going to escape south by south west a huge storm is coming in five minutes"Nami said and the Strawhats rushed to get the ship prepared.

The storm hit sooner the Nami thought but the Sunny had a trick up it's sleeve to escape, they raised the sails and used the paddle engine system Franky had installed to get out of there, Nami sighed.

"It's nice we got out of the storm and all but where the hell are we? It shouldn't be night yet right? So why's it so dark? And what's with this fog strange huh?"Zoro asked "Reminds me of home"Nicole sighed fondly "This is it we paddled the Sunny straight into that sea Kokoro was talking about geez i wasn't ready for this"Nami said.

"Oh wow so we're at fishman island already?"Usopp asked grinning "Not yet remember the sea of ghost"Luffy said grinning "That's right be careful you've heard of the Florian triangle right? You know it's also called the devil's triangle, a haunted sea where ships are followed by the darkness without a trace"Franky said.

"Haunted?"Usopp asked his voice shaking in fear, Luffy chuckled "Bring on the ghost i can't wait"he said "Shut up! Why does everyone know about this except me? If this is some kind of prank it's not funny!"Usopp said "Nuh uh i hear there's zombies and skeletons too"Luffy said.

"You're letting your imagination run wild stop trying to scare him, listen Usopp the truth of the matter is every year over a hundred ships vanish without any explanation they say the sailors souls stay on the ships wandering for all eternity"Sanji said lighting a match for effect.

"No! Why didn't you warn me about this?!"Usopp yelled "Even if we had there's nothing you can do"Sanji said "Sure there is i'm going to cover myself in anti ghost stuff!"Usopp said "Hey look there's a ship coming this way"Nicole said pointing it out as they heard a haunting voice singing something from said ship.

The voice grew closer as the ship sailed past them, the others freaked out about it being a ghost ship but Robin was calm while Nicole was a bit confused, she could swear she's heard this tune many times before, the ship continued to sail past them, they saw someone on the deck, rather something, a skeleton with an afro singing a tune.

"Did you see that? There's a singing skeleton on that ship"Luffy said "Oh no way! Skeletons don't sing their dead! You're seeing things it's not real!"Usopp yelled freaking out "Sanji you heard him, come on please? Can we go? I wonder if he sings what else can he do? Alright!"Luffy said rushing off but Sanji stopped him.

"Not so fast you can't go alone"Sanji said, the crew drew straws Luffy, Sanji and Nicole went on the ghost ship with a boat and climbed up with the ropes "Look there he is"Luffy said spotting the skeleton again "Come on"Nicole said and they climbed the rest of the way up.

"Why good afternoon, yohohoho, thank you all for stopping by you must excuse me for not greeting you properly before, i really was quite surprised it's been so many years you see wandering these waters all alone, i'm so used to ghost ships that humans frightened me quite ironic isn't it? Ah but please come inside and take a seat i'm sure you have many tails to share" the skeleton said

"Well you're pretty lively for a dead guy aren't ya?"Nicole asked braking the silence "Yohohoho, oh on a closer look you're quite a charming young woman, beautiful, then again i don't have eyes yohohoho"the skeleton said before cleaning up and walking over "Excuse me, may i see your panties?"the skeleton asked "No"Nicole said bluntly with a sharp glare.

"How brutal"the skeleton said falling down, Luffy laughed "Hey wait do you poop?"he asked "We've got like a million questions to ask before that one!"Sanji yelled at him, the skeleton got back up and to his cup of tea "Oh yes i poop"he said "TMI! We don't need to hear that!"Sanji yelled at him.

"Oh hey i've got another question"Luffy grinned walking forward "Will you join my crew?"he asked "Yes certainly"the skeleton said "Just like that?"Nicole asked tilting her head, Luffy grinned "Come on it's fine, for once there's no hassle about it"he said, Nicole shrugged while Sanji was in utter shock.

Chapter Text

~Third~

The crew made in back on the Sunny with the skeleton in toe "It's such a pleasure to meet you, hello and good day to you all as of today i'll be joining you on this ship as the newest crew member, once dead and all bones my name is Brook and i do hope we can get along"Brook said.

Usopp decked out in a full set of anti ghost stuff "Remove yourself from the ship you fiend submit to the holy power that i wield, evil be gone! Evil be gone!"he said making Brook back off Chopper cheered him on "Where is this evil creature i can't see it"Brook said "It's you stupid!" Usopp and Chopper yelled at him.

"Damn it there's no way a walking talking afro sporting skeleton could exist, this must be a dream i just need to wake up"Usopp said "Oh it's a dream? What a relief"Chopper sighed in relief falling back onto the grass only to wake up with Brooks face in his face "That's enough! What is this thing and why is it on our ship?!"Zoro asked.

"That's our new crew member isn't he funny?"Luffy asked a carefree grin on his face "Who cares! It's not joining our crew! This is exactly why i wanted you to go with him! What the hell happened?! Were you just picking your noses while he brought a skeleton back to the ship?!" Zoro asked yelling at Nicole and Sanji.

"Don't you dare blame this on me! It just sorta happened!"Nicole yelled back "Now now let's be civil everyone why don't we go inside? You can treat me to dinner"Brook said "You don't get to decide that!"Sanji, Zoro and Nicole yelled at the skeleton, Luffy just laughed "I love this guy"he said.

The Strawhats went inside to the dining room while Sanji was cooking in the kitchen "What a spacious dining room you've got and such a splendid kitchen a magnificent ship if i've ever seen one, yohohohoho!"Brook said "Yep"Luffy grinned "Of course it is it's the most super ship i've ever made, those sockets are empty but you gotta good eye for quality"Franky said.

"Speaking of quality i can't wait to try out your cooking since i've been stuck on that dreary ghost ship it's been decades since i've eaten a proper meal, i felt my stomach shrink and shrink until i couldn't tell the back of my belly from the front of my back anymore that was the sort of miserable life i've lead and let me tell you that's saying a lot seeing as skeletons don't even have a proper back or stomach, yohohohoho!"Brook laughed.

"Oh by the way skeleton"Luffy said "Sorry but my name is Brook, ah but that reminds me, i know this is rube but i don't believe i ever caught your name"Brook said "Oh me? My name is Luffy, so anyway what are you?"he asked "You invited him to join the crew and you just now ask him that?!"Zoro asked.

"Okay foods ready"Sanji said serving the food and the Strawhats got to eating and Brook explained he's the way he is cause he ate a devil fruit "The revive revive fruit?"Nami asked "So it was a devil fruit after all"Franky said "Really though what else did you expect it to be?"Nicole asked.

"It's a complicated tale the truth of the matter is i actually did die many years ago, the revive revive fruit allows a person to be reanimated after they've died, even among devil fruits the ability to live two lives is indeed quite strange"Brook said "So you're a revive man"Luffy said sparkles in his eyes.

"Then you're not immortal, it's more like you died once and came back to life"Franky said "In short yes, as i said it's complicated but during my first life if you will i was a pirate just like you" Brook said "That explains the ship"Luffy said.

"That it does, a long time ago i was sailing with the rest of my crew through these accursed waters now for the record i had flesh and blood like everyone else back then, at any rate we had the misfortune of running afoul a very powerful enemy, soon the entire crew met it's demise of course that included me as well, when i was alive the revive revive fruit did precious little other then rob me of my ability to swim but on that fateful day it's true power awakened as i laid dead"Brook said.

Nicole lifted a brow it didn't seem the fruit itself had awakened though, all it was doing was keeping this old pile of bones together and keeping the soul Brook bound to them.

"My spirit returned from the netherworld and came to unite with this body of mine once again, now if it had found my body as intended that would be all well and good but as you can see the fog around here can be quite thick so that came a bit complicated in short poor little soul Brook couldn't find his way back home, all in all my spirit wondered through the foggy waters searching for my body for an entire year, then at the end of it's tragic journey the two were reunited once again, much to my souls dismay once it found my body there was nothing left but a miserable pile of bones"Brook said finishing up with a lame skull joke.

"You've got lost huh so you're stupid just like Zoro"Luffy laughed "Like you have any room to talk"Nicole muttered "So a walking talking skeleton was born, man those devil fruit powers can be pretty scary sometimes even though you're just bones it still brought you back to life"Franky said.

"Yeah but it only did it once despite the fact that he still can't swim and he's stuck like this, seems kinda like a crappy deal if you ask me"Sanji said "Skeletons aren't supposed to have hair are they? Especially not so much of it, is that afro a wig or something?"Zoro asked "No my roots are just very strong"Brook said, Nicole sweatdropped "I'll take your word for it"Zoro said.

"Then that means you're not actually a ghost after all? You're just a normal human like us? Well normal is a stretch i suppose, the important thing is you're definitely not a ghost"Usopp said "Oh heavens no i hate ghost if i saw one i'd scream my lungs out if i had any"Brook said.

"You're a skeleton and you're afraid of ghost? Have you tried looking in the mirror lately?"Nami asked holding up a hand mirror "No mirror!"Brook screamed "What's wrong? Hey hold up what's going on here? Why can't we see you? Why don't you show up in the mirror?!"Usopp and Chopper asked freaking out "A vampire!"Nami joined in their freak out hiding out as the others got ready to fight.

"Are you for real?! That's awesome!!"Luffy yelled "Look at his feet, he doesn't even have a shadow!"Usopp said "Yeah you're right! What kind of creature are you?!"Chopper asked freaking out, Brook just calmly sat down sipping tea.

"I suppose i should tell you the rest of the story about what happened while i was drifting this evil sea and the second tragedy i was forced to face, what i told you about becoming a skeleton is true but the reason i don't have a shadow is a different matter entirely, my shadow was stolen someone took it from me several years ago"Brook said.

Nicole again lifted a brow, there was something familiar about someone taking shadows, where had she heard it before "Can something like that really happen?"Zoro asked "Yes i'm afraid it can and in addition to loosing my reflection having my shadow stolen means i can no longer exist in the world of light"Brook said.

"But you're still alive right?"Luffy asked "Yes for now at least but only because i'm able to stay in this place with no sunlight, although you can barely call it living, i am saved by the grace of the thick fog surrounding these seas"Brook said "Then what would happen if you were exposed to sunlight?"Robin asked.

"If even a ray of sunlight touches this body, every inch that it fell upon would be reduced to nought but ash, a single step into sunlight and matter of moments every trace of me would be wiped from this world"Brook said shocking the others "You'd be killed?"they asked "Yes"Brook nodded.

"I saw someone with the same curse as me lose his mind and run into the sunlight and at last as his screams went silent there nothing was left but a pile of dust, it was so frightful i swear my soul practically left my body a second time and just as the sunlight does not cast my shadow my image cannot be reflected in a mirror or captured in a photograph, you must forgive me for startling you but i hope you can understand my reluctance to share this story, for as you see not only have all of my comrades been slain i also live in a world without light"Brook said.

"Well i hate to say it but your life sure does suck"Sanji said "Even so right now i'm so happy to have it, i've got the afro a big smile the cheery gentleman skeleton Brook always a pleasure" Brook said before laughing "What a wonderful day this has been, i met other people! Buried in a thick fog even though i knew deceased had passed i couldn't tell when one day ended and another began"Brook said.

"Unable to navigate or steer the ship my companions long since then dead i could only drift endlessly so i waited and waited as the waves rocked me back and forth, you can't even imagine how lonely i was for all those years, not just lonely but scared wanting to die every single day, even still a long life is a blessing and a curse, you've made me so happy! Meeting such wonderful people gives my life meaning! Yohoho! If i had but the eyes to shed them i would be crying tears of happiness right now! I was happy beyond measure when you asked me to join your crew and i sincerely want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, however i fear that i must decline your offer"Brook said.

"What?! Why would you do that?!"Luffy asked "As i just mention to all of you my shadow has been stolen from me and i am unable to come in contact with any sunlight, lonely though i may be i am able to survive for now thanks to this thick fog covering these seas, however if i were to go on a journey with you it would only be a matter time until i met my unfortunate demise, therefor however unlikely it may be i'll wait for the day until my shadow can be restored"Brook said.

"I don't wanna hear you make excuses like that if you need your shadow back so bad then we'll get it back for you, you said someone stole it from you right? Who was it? Where can we find them?"Luffy asked "Thank you, you truly are a kind person aren't you? But for that reason i'm afraid i cannot tell you, we only just met you see and i cannot ask you to throw your life away attempting something nearly impossible"Brook said.

"I'm sure the guys though and all but give me a brake you've got nothing to lose least you can do is tell us his name"Franky said "No it's best that i don't, besides i doubt i can find him anyway but i've decided that when and if i ever do reach him i will fight him to the death for my shadow, i don't know when my second life will end but i am willing to wait for it for the rest of my days but never mind that why don't i play a song for you?"Brook asked.

The skeleton took out a violin "I am skilled with great many instruments you know, when i sailed the seas with my old crew i was their musician"Brook said "What?! Are you serious?! Our crew needs a musician! Hurry up and join us already i'm begging you!"Luffy said "Yohoho i haven't played music for anyone in years but here goes"Brook said but didn't play anything as he was scared by a ghost that had appeared inside the Sunny.

Then something shook their ship and everyone ran out to see what it was "Everyone look to the front that noise we heard was this gate slamming shut our passage has already been blocked off"Brook said "That thing is a gate?"Luffy asked "It looks like teeth like a giant sea monster is gonna eat us all"Usopp said.

"What's going on here?"Zoro asked, Nicole had a very bad feeling and something was nagging at her in the back of her head "It looks like this is the backside of the gate"Brook said "Is that bad?"Luffy asked "This is very bad"Brook said and ran to the back of the ship, the others following him.

"Did you by any chance pick up a barrel from the waters on your way here?"Brook asked, Luffy recalled that they did and the flare that came out of it "Yeah we did"he said "It was a trap you're all in great danger, simply put your ship's been targeted ever since you came here"Brook said "You mean there's someone out there hunting us down? And how did we run into that gate if our ship's not moving?"Luffy asked.

"Ah!"Nicole said as it clicked "What is it?"Luffy asked "This is Thriller Bark, possibly the biggest ship in the world, it's captain is one of the seven warlords Gecko Moria, he has a devil fruit that let's him steal someone's shadow and plant it into a zombie, ugh! Why didn't i figure it out sooner!"Nicole growled scolding herself "How do you know?"Brook asked "Her father is also one of the seven warlords"Zoro said "I see"Brook simply said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Ah!"Nicole said as it clicked "What is it?"Luffy asked "This is Thriller Bark, possibly the biggest ship in the world, it's captain is one of the seven warlords Gecko Moria, he has a devil fruit that let's him steal someone's shadow and plant it into a zombie, ugh! Why didn't i figure it out sooner!"Nicole growled scolding herself "How do you know?"Brook asked "Her father is also one of the seven warlords"Zoro said "I see"Brook simply said.

Brook went back into the ship getting his cane, he told the Strawhats to escape before jumping off the ship but her was running on the water "Anyway Luffy we should listen to him and get moving, personally i don't wanna meet this Gecko Moria guy"Nami said "Huh? You guys say something?"Luffy asked with a grin.

"I've had enough ghost for today i don't wanna have to deal with a warlord on top of that"Usopp said "Wait a sec what about that ghost we saw before huh? Is it still here on the boat?"Chopper asked "No looked like it was flying to the island, i'm guessing that's where the thing came from" Zoro said.

"Interesting, like Brook said the loud noise we heard earlier was from that gate over there closing shut so it's not that we run into it but rather Thriller Bark ran into us and now that the gate is closed we're trapped inside"Robin said.

"I see that's why the skeleton told us to run away because we're inside some kind of trap"Usopp said "Wait but that would mean the people here are capturing sailors on purpose but why?" Nami asked "I bet all the people here are a part of Moria's crew, and why is to probably get more shadows and gather an even bigger crew"Nicole said.

"If this is a moving island inside a ship then we're technically still out at sea guess we can't anchor here"Franky said "Hold on! That's the last thing we wanna do! We gotta get out of this place right now!"Usopp yelled.

"Bad news you guys i think i have i can't go on that island sickness"Nami said "Me too i'm real sick"Chopper cried "No prob you too watch the ship"Luffy said coming out of the cabin with a butterfly net and insect cage.

"And you've got stupid adventure sickness again! Come to your senses! Come on! Look at that! That creepy looking building is a genuine haunted mansion i've ever seen one! And i'm not talking about the fun kind either! The kind you never make it out alive and not to mention there's a warlord somewhere on that island"Usopp said.

"You worry too much, i'm not going there to pick a fight i promise i'll be careful, i just wanna catch that ghost and keep it as a pet"Luffy grinned "You're gonna get us all killed!"Usopp yelled "Either way Brook's a part of our crew now so i have to bring him back and if i run into Moria or whatever i can beat him up to get his shadow back right?"Luffy asked turning to Nicole.

"Well i don't know if that's how his powers work but i guess it's worth a try"Nicole shrugged "Don't encourage him!"Usopp yelled at her "Sanji give me a pirate lunch box"Luffy grinned turning to Sanji "Here i've got the lunch boxes"Robin said "Luffy, Franky it's up to you to watch Robin while i watch the boat"Sanji said.

"Nothing gets my cola pumping like a crazy new adventure on an island"Franky said "Robin you're not seriously going with them are you?"Nami asked "It does sound exciting"Robin said "Right yeah now listen up, obviously we're gonna use a smaller boat to pull us close to shore and the solder dock system has something pretty damn super for that, i've been keeping this one a surprise it's channel two"Franky said.

"What's that?"the others asked "Good question, the system has six channels two of them are zero, then there one, two, three and four, naturally each dock has it's own set of capabilities, as you guys know the zeros are the paddle system, dock one holds the waver, dock three has the shark submerge ship"Franky said.

Nami, Usopp, Chopper and Franky went down to the basement floor as Franky unveiled his big surprise for dock two, the three sailed it out as Franky went back up "A paddle ship shopping boat, not bad huh? I call it Mini Merry II"he said, the small ship was modeled after the Strawhats old ship.

"Now this was one surprise that was definitely worth the wait thanks Franky, i love it!"Nami called back to the Sunny "With a ship like that i can go shopping in style anytime i want"Sanji said "Hurry up and let me ride it! Hurry up and let me ride it!"Luffy said literally jumping in place from excitement "Thanks so much Franky!"Nicole grinned and gave the cyborg a quick hug, literally just a few seconds, she only hugged Zoro and cute animals for a long time.

"Gotta say that was pretty thoughtful of you"Zoro said "Hold your horses pal we'll have our chance to take her for a ride soon enough, for now how about we let those three have a little fun"Franky said "So is that all the dock stuff or what?"Luffy asked "Uh huh, including channel one and three that i showed you before now you've seen it all"Franky said.

Then in the distance they heard a yelp "Nami"Sanji panicked running over to the rail "Tell me she's okay Nicole?!"he asked turning to her "Yup"Nicole said smirking a bit as Sanji visibly relaxed "Chopper and Usopp are fine too"she added.

Then the anchor just dropped on it own "I just build it there's no way the gears got loose"Franky said "There's someone on the ship"Nicole said laying a hand on her sword, just then the latch on the lawn deck opened up, Zoro got on his guard too, then Nicole yelped a bit and jumped before striking her sword at nothing "What was that about?"Sanji asked.

"I swear something just grabbed my butt"Nicole said, Zoro growled a bit stepping closer to her, then Kitetsu went flying on its own and landed on the lawn, Zoro collected the sword and put it back "There's an enemy on this ship"he said "I just told you that!"Nicole yelled "So you think it's a ghost doing this stuff or is it someone with a devil fruit power?"Franky asked.

"A devil fruit user"Nicole said "Where are they now?"Luffy asked "It's kinda hard to tell, they keep moving around"Nicole said "Right now i'm more concerned about Nami, you guys take care of the boat"Sanji said intending on swimming over to the island and saving her but then something invisible grabbed his leg and Sanji crashed against the ship and tossed him back on the lawn deck.

"Whatever it is it wants to keep us on the ship"Franky said "Can't see this bastard at all, he could take us out one by one and we couldn't do a damn thing about it"Zoro said, Robin gasped holding back something invisible as that something licked her, they heard that growl again before the Sunny started rocking about as the waves went crazy inside the wall.

"They're pushing us away from the island"Franky said, "Whatever that thing was it's gone now" Nicole said relaxing her guard and going with Zoro to get the anchor up.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"We're drifting away do something stupid!"Zoro yelled at Sanji "Got any ideas genius?! The steering wheel won't move an inch"Sanji yelled back "And even if we use the paddle those waves are too high"Franky said "Eh no big hurry i'm still having fun the waves will take us to the island sooner or later"Luffy said and Nicole sweatdropped "How carefree"she muttered.

"Yeah what about Nami huh? You forget about her?"Sanji asked, Luffy hummed a bit spotting something in the distance "Is that a spider web?"Zoro asked "Looks like it"Nicole said before the ship was rocked by a huge wave sending her crashing onto him, Zoro caught her and himself though as Luffy flew off from his spot.

The Sunny got trapped in the spider web "Damn it now what? The ship didn't take any damage but it's not like we can sail it anymore and by the way i'd hate to see the spider that spun this thing, it's freaking huge"Franky said, Nicole smirked a bit "Why? Scared?"she asked "Shut up!" Franky yelled at her.

~skip~

"This is no good thanks to this gigantic spider web we're dead in the water"Franky said "Something not right about this"Zoro said "You're telling me"Nicole said "It's not like we'll be leaving anyway, we have to find Nami and the others too i guess, let's head out"Sanji said "Hey Zoro! Nicole! Get your butts down here already!"Luffy called.

"Even if meeting that skeleton was a flook, the fact the Sunny and the Mini Merry got tangles in this web is pretty fishy"Zoro said "I don't think Brook had anything to do with this, don't forget this is the ship of a warlord"Nicole said "That makes this trap more obvious and that idiot already wants to spring it"Zoro said.

Nicole smiled grabbing Zoro's hand "We'll just escape it then, come on now"she said dragging him along as she jumped off the ship and joined the others, they went down a staircase and into a three headed creature that barked at them "Yum!"Luffy said licking his lips.

"Check it out everyone it's Cerberus we are literally on the path to hell right now"Sanji said "Aww poor thing it looks all mangled"Nicole said "I think it's kinda cute"Robin said "Are they a threat? Cause i'm feeling super"Franky said "Three heads are overkill"Zoro said "Says the guy with three swords"Nicole sweatdropped.

"Wonder what they taste like?"Luffy wondered outloud before barking back at the Cerberus making it all scared but it didn't back up "Weird how they got riles up out of nowhere"Zoro said "Maybe one of the heads remembered they're supposed to be brave?"Sanji asked "It's possible"Robin said.

Luffy grinned "I'm gonna tame this bad boy"he said "You idiot you can't just tame it you do know it's not a regular dog yeah?"Zoro asked "Come on how hard could it be? Who's a good boy shake!"Luffy said but all three heads bit him, he got them off of him and punched them.

The crew walked out of there with Luffy riding the Cerberus "The poor things body looks pretty beat up i'm surprised he can still walk around like that"Robin said "I wonder what wise ass put this thing together cause whoever it was can't tell the difference between a dog head and a fox head"Sanji said.

"Actually the two other head seem more like wolves if you ask me"Nicole said scratching behind the ear of one of the heads trying to cheer it up "If this is the first creature on the island i can't wait to see what other stuff we run into"Luffy said a big grin on his face.

"Can you hear me Nami~swan?! Hello! Where are you my love?!"Sanji called "She's in that mansion we saw earlier, as is Chopper and Usopp"Nicole said "Right let's head that way!"Luffy grinned pointing the way forward "I've got a pretty good sense of direction but i can barely tell my Strong Right from my Coup de Boo around here"Franky said.

"There's so much fog everywhere for all that we know we might be going in circles"Robin said "nah we should be fine as long as Zoro doesn't take the lead"Nicole said with a teasing smirk "Hey! I'm not that terrible with directions!"Zoro yelled in protest blushing, the Luffy spotted a unicorn and a tree having a drink and started chasing them around and catching them with Franky.

"Hey Luffy what do you wanna do with these guys?"Zoro asked "So cool! How about you join my crew?"Luffy asked "Overruled dumb ass!"Zoro and Sanji yelled at him.

~skip~

"For the last time Luffy the skeleton was bad enough we don't need unicorns and trees on the crew, i mean look we already got a robot and a raccoon dog and that's messed up enough"Sanji said "How many times i gotta tell ya i'm not a robot i'm a cyborg"Franky said "Alright either way you're not human"Sanji said.

"In my heart i'm a human and that's what matters!"Franky yelled back "In your heart your a pervert pal!"Sanji yelled back "Oh then you understand after all"Franky said "No! That was not a compliment!"Sanji yelled at him.

"There was something i couldn't help but notice about that tree man and that unicorn earlier" Robin said "What's that?"Zoro asked "Just like our doggy friend here all the creatures in this forest seem to have heavy injuries big stitches and numbers written on them somewhere"Robin said.

"I noticed that too and something else, it's kinda hard to explain but they just seem so sad, like their soul is stuffed inside a body that's not theirs, i wonder if it has something to do with Moria" Nicole said, then they heard a noise it was chanting negative and then a ghost appeared.

"It's a ghost!"Luffy yelled, the ghost multiplied as it chanted negative "It did a dance a split into three that's awesome!"Luffy grinned and tried catching the ghost but of course his net went through them, Franky tried an attack but it had no effect either and one of the ghost flew through him.

"I totally sucked, everything i did this week totally sucks, everything i've ever done totally sucks, i might as well lay down and die, they should make me into a ceiling fan"Franky cried falling onto his knees "So your attack didn't work don't be a baby!"Sanji yelled at him.

"Okay!"Luffy said jumping up trying to catch a ghost but it went straight through him, he fell onto his knees "I wanna die and be reincarnated as a clam, i can't cut it as a human i'm useless just leave me here"he said "Get over it already! What the hell's wrong with you?!"Sanji yelled.

"It would appear that when the ghost past through someone's body they become depressed" Robin said "And how does that make any sense?"Sanji asked, Zoro scoffed "Those two are just straight up pathetic, if they had even an ounce of proper discipline they wouldn't let themselves fall to pieces over some measly little ghost barely even touching them"he said.

Then a ghost went through Zoro and he fell to his knees "I'm not even fit to be dog food"he said, Nicole snorted a bit "Looks like you have a long way to go"she laughed before a ghost went through her, she fell to her knees next to Zoro "I am a waste of space"she cried "Okay we get it!" Sanji yelled.

"What a pain though it looks like Robin's theory turned out to be spot on"Sanji said "None of our attacks can harm them but if they pass through our bodies we'll be rendered helpless, they might prove trouble some if we have to fight them"Robin said "No kidding"Sanji said "What a strange island"Robin said before the ghosts flew off and the crew continued their way.

"You know what? Screw you ghost i don't want you as a pet anymore i wanna crush you!"Luffy yelled "Whatever their weak point is i'll find it just you wait"Franky said, Sanji laughed "I should call you dog food"he said mocking Zoro "Shut up!"the swordsman yelled at him "No wait sorry you said you're not fit to be dog food!"Sanji laughed "Just ignore him"Nicole said.

"The patchwork creatures with the numbers on them may look frightening but they seem easy enough to defeat the ghost on the other had seem to be exactly the opposite"Robin said "There was one of them on the ship earlier, they show up and vanish seems to me like they're watching us and i bet Moria is the one pulling the strings"Sanji said.

The crew came up to the graveyard "Perfect place for a picnic don't you think?"Luffy asked with a grin ready to get some food in him "No way this atmosphere will ruin the taste!"Sanji yelled "What?! Are you crazy? Food is awesome it never taste bad anywhere"Luffy said "Maybe not for you"Sanji said.

"Well to me this is quite homey, the deep fog, the smell in the air, the feel of the dirt and the screaming of souls long since passed"Nicole sighed fondly, the others just stared at her weirdly while Robin giggled at her, then a zombie popped out of the ground but Luffy shoved him back in "Hey don't put me back in the ground jackass!"the zombie yelled at him.

"It's an old man with serious injuries"Luffy said "Are you nuts?! It's a zombie!"the boys yelled at him before a bunch more zombies jumped out of the ground and attacked them, however they were no match for the six hundred million berry jackpot combo move in which everyone in the crew attacked at the same time.

~skip~

"So what are all you guys doing out here huh?"Luffy asked "Well zombie stuff mostly you know being buried, hanging out, rotting and stuff"one said "Yeah pretty much rotting and hanging out"another said "Yup, same here"another nodded "You're not lying to me are you?"Luffy asked his hat shadowing his eyes.

"No really that's the truth we swear, zombie stuff that's all"the zombies said "I see then let me ask you something, did a man with a long nose, a woman with orange hair and a reindeer that looks like a raccoon dog come through here?"Luffy asked.

"Oh yeah, right right, we may have seen them but we're not supposed to"one trailed off "Sorry can't say"another said "Yeah we're under specific orders not to share any of that stuff with anyone sorry about that"another said "Yeah we have our orders"another said and then the zombies started chanting orders all cheerily and stuff.

"Oh i see so you're not gonna tell me huh?"Luffy asked cracking his knuckles "I mean yeah we saw them"the zombies said "That was easy"Nicole muttered "Those guys are a part of my crew, listen up you didn't do anything to them did you?"Luffy asked "No we didn't right?"one asked another "Right we did nothing at all"another said and the zombies chanted nothing at all.

"I want the truth right now"Luffy said "This guy did something"one said selling out another "Hey shut up tattle tale! And anyway you're the one that bit them"another said "Actually we all did" another one said "Idiot shut up!"the other zombies yelled at him before the temperature dropped as they faced something truly frightening Nicole's glare before crew beat them up again.

"Nicole are they still in the mansion?"Luffy asked "Yeah, seems they ran right to it"Nicole said "Right! Onward we go"Luffy grinned leading the way as the crew headed to the mansion, behind them all the zombies buried back in their graves upside down.

"Oh man how lame those zombies were a bunch of weaklings"Luffy said "Yup pounding their sorry faces in doesn't even count as a warm up"Franky said "Still this no time to let your guard down, you never know when someone a lot stronger then those guys will pop up"Zoro said.

"Whoa you're not getting scared are you buddy? Gonna cry?"Sanji taunted "Up yours! I'm not scared! A swordsman is never afraid of the dark"Zoro said "We'll see when i knock your lights out"Sanji said "Come on you wanna piece of me?!"Zoro yelled at him, Nicole just sighed watching from the side.

"Please stop hold on a minute!"someone yelled running over to them "I saw you face those zombies all of you have such unbelievable strength, there's something i'd like to talk to you about would you please listen"the man said holding up the lantern in his hand.

"Old man with serious injuries"Luffy said "Idiot we told you they're zombies!"the boys yelled at him "No he's right"the man said "That's too confusing can't you just be a zombie? Geez!"the boys said "Alright so what did you wanna tell?"Luffy asked walking over.

"There's an evil man who must be brought down and i think you youngsters are strong enough to do it, he's left a trail of victims in his wake if you defeat him they'll all be rescued if you can get my shadow back i'd be ever so grateful"the man said "Your shadow?"Sanji asked "Hold on did we just run into another guy who had his shadow taken away?"Franky asked.

"Let me take a look, it's true see he really doesn't have a shadow, he's just like Brook"Luffy said "Well damn that sucks so he had a run in with Moria too?"Zoro asked, the old man gasped "You already know about Gecko Moria?"he asked "Yeah we do, Nicole told us"Luffy nodded "Hi" Nicole waved.

"Then how do you know? And how much do you know?"the old man asked turning to her "I know because my father is also one of the seven warlords, he's told me Gecko Moria is a very big and tall man that resembles a shallot, he's eaten the shadow shadow fruit which lets him steal shadows and control them as he likes, but that's about it"Nicole said with a bit of a shrug at the end.

The old man turned back to Luffy "The fact that you were invited out here means Moria is out to get you too, we hide in this dark forest scared of zombies and all the other creatures here, we can't head out to sea because we'd be exposed to the sun with this body weakened the way it is it's hard to find the will to keep on living, just once before i die i want to walk under the sun to feel it's warmth on my skin just one more time"he said.

"Well you're in luck, we were already looking for Moria, if he's coming then that makes things easier i'm gonna kick his ass and if that saves you while we're at it then fine by me, okay?"Luffy asked radiating a rainbow light with his grin "That's very kind of you, thank you, thank you you've given me hope"the old man said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

As the Strawhats grew closer to the mansion it started raining "Man that sure came out of nowhere"Zoro said "It's really coming down too, should we run to the mansion?"Franky asked "Hang on a sec, i see something really big behind the mansion, it looks like some kind of mark" Luffy said "The fog was hiding it earlier, it's a sail and that's Moria's mark"Nicole said.

"Yes you're right"the old man said "Hey why are you still following us?!"Franky, Sanji and Zoro asked "Right about what?"Luffy asked "Like she said what you see is a sail of gigantic proportions, it's so large seeing the whole thing at once is quite difficult, you see Thriller Bark is not the island it appears to be believe it or not it's actually the worlds largest pirate ship"the old man said.

"Oh yeah Nicole said something about that too right?"Luffy asked turning to her "Yep"Nicole nodded "Behind the mansion is the main mast, it's also the home of Gecko Moria"the old man said, Luffy opened the gates an the crew stepped in heading to the mansion.

~skip~

The crew had reached the mansion "Hello! If nobody's there i'm going in"Luffy said and smashed the lock off, the crew went inside "Gecko Moria i'm here to kick your ass!"Luffy called through the mansion "Pretty creepy looking entryway"Franky said "Doesn't seem like anyone's here"Zoro said "Oh there are plenty of people here, or their souls at least"Nicole said.

"Hey! Any monsters in here?! Gecko Moria!"Luffy called "Shouldn't there be a servant around here? They gotta have tons of them in a mansion this size"Zoro said "It's so weird i know i'm hearing people's souls all around us but i'm not seeing anyone"Nicole said "What's with the mess? They have a fight in here or what? They better not have hurt Nami"Sanji said.

Then a chuckle "You're quite audacious aren't you? Those who know our master usually know to be here"a pig ornament said "Oh! I get it now, Moria's stuffed shadows inside bodies to make zombies, no wonder your voice is so sad, it wants to go back to its body"Nicole said, the pig gasped "She knows too much!"it said.

All the surprise zombies started muttering among themselves "Attack!"the pig said and the surprise zombies attacked, of course they were no match as the crew fought back "Well that takes care of that"Luffy said "Hold on not yet, there's still this little piggy up there"Franky said.

~skip~

The crew took the piggy down and interrogated him "Oh those three friends of yours? We fed the, bath them and gave them a warm bed to sleep in good news right we're all friends right?" piggy asked "Like we're gonna fall for that"Franky said "No i swear i'm not lying to you! Why don't you go see for yourselves? Right up those stairs, go ahead"piggy said.

"Hold on something wrong here"Franky said "Yeah, Sanji's missing"Nicole said "Huh? He was just here a second ago, can you tell where he went Nicole?"Luffy asked "He's being carried somewhere, my guess is to Moria so they can steal his shadow and stick it into a body"Nicole said "That makes things easy, hey piggy do you know where Moria is?"Luffy asked.

The other zombies laughed "Yes guide them"one of them said "Go ahead if you wanna die so badly then challenge our master it's your funeral"another said "Those missing friends of yours are probably dead or even worse, consider yourselves lucky you've lost so few, i'd save my own skin if i were you, if you face our master none of you will survive, you'd do well to leave before you encourage his wrath"another said.

"Sorry but i don't take advise form paintings, you wanna help? Give a message to that stupid master of yours, tell him if he lays a single finger on any of my friends i'll kick his ass so hard this whole island will split in half"Luffy said, Franky picked up piggy before the crew continued their way.

~skip~

"I bet that old guy was right that Moria's been watching us this whole time we gotta keep our eyes peeled for traps or we'll end up like our cook, we're already missing half our damn crew wouldn't surprise me if Moria was trying to split us up"Franky said.

"Probably just Sanji's fault, he is pretty dumb, still can't believe we found one of the warlords out here"Zoro said "My question is what are we gonna do if one of our shadow's get stolen" Franky said "We get it back, though i'm not sure how"Nicole said.

"I know i promised that old guy i'd beat up Moria but maybe that should be second on the list, gotta look out for my crew first"Luffy said "I can't tell you where your friends are but wherever it is they're in for a world of pain but i wouldn't worry about them you're not much better off yourself, you'll see"piggy laughed but Luffy punched him.

"Okay whatever, you're gonna stop oinking and start guiding got it?"Luffy asked "Yes sir"piggy said, Zoro came to a stop sensing something or so he thought there was nothing, though Nicole could definitely tell there was something following them.

~skip~

"Zoro?"Nicole called suddenly feeling empty air where she was previously feeling Zoro's warm presence, the others continueing on ahead, she immediately grew worried, had he strayed? No she would have been able to tell that, then he was captured just like Sanji had been, alright no trouble, she just needed to catch up to the others and follow the pigs directions,

However as Nicole turned to catch up with the others she felt something grabbing her before everything went dark.

~skip~

Nicole blinked as she woke up to familiar voice "Hey what are you doing let go of me!"it was Zoro, she stopped herself from calling out to him assessing the situation, she was tied up, her pin was still in place, that's good, she was in a coffin it seemed.

Nicole didn't know that other 'voice' though but could only assume it was Gecko Moria, she had to get out of there, she rattled the coffin as she tried getting out of whatever was trying her up, when there was a strange laugh as the lid to the coffin was opened.

"So you're awake as well, Nicole Mihawk"the person said picking her out of the coffin, she glared at them "Gecko Moria"she said "Kishishi so he's told you about me, what a doting father"Moria said bringing her up to have a closer look, she just glared at him.

Moria laughed again "I can certainly see the family resemblance, in that case i think i'll be taking these away from you"he said reaching to her side and grabbing her swords "Don't you dare!"she yelled at him but couldn't really do anything as he took away her swords "Kishishi! Not to worry, if you want them back you'll just have to fight to get them back"Moria said laying the swords on the corpse of what looked like a female samurai.

Moria strung Nicole up "What are you doing now?"she asked "I won't kill you, that would be a waste, being his daughter i can only imagine how strong your shadow is"Moria said turning on a light, Nicole blinked a bit from the strong light and could only watch feeling paralized as Moria tore her shadow off of the floor, then cut and darkness.

Moria laughed as he threw Nicole's unconscious body among those of her friends, he stepped over to the female samurai corpse and turned to the shadow struggling in his hand "You're going to do whatever i tell you from now on, you're going to abounded your memories understand?" he asked and the shadow nodded.

Moria grinned stuffing the shadow inside the corpse, it only took a few seconds as the body rose up, reanimated by the shadow, she glanced at the swords on her lap, these were not her's aside from that she could of sworn she had died "Welcome back to the world of the living legendary samurai Ayame! I must apologize but we could not find your swords, i hope the ones on your lap will suffice"Moria said.

Ayame looked up to her master though the sockets that used to house eyes were now empty, she looked back at the swords, she noticed something on one of them, she had a closer look, her pin! But she gave it to her daughter to be passed down in the family "Master, might i ask whom these swords belong to?"Ayame asked standing up from the table and placing the swords at her right hip "Huh? I don't see how that is relevant but they were hers"Moria said pointing over to Nicole.

Ayame masked her mild shock, she looked just like her before she was reanimated, she could imagine she looked nothing like it right now though, her once bright purple eyes now liquefied away and her once black hair stark white "Thank you master, what is my task now?"she asked turning to Moria "I know, how about you join Ryuma in the mansion, i bet you're dying to reunite with your husband"Moria laughed "Thank you master"Ayame bowed before heading that way.

Chapter Text

~Third~

Usopp, Chopper, Franky and Robin were running back to the Sunny, on the way Usopp and Chopper told the other two what they had seen "You said this thing's bigger then a giant then what is it? Some kind of monster?"Franky asked "Yeah, that huge crash and that crazy yelling came from the same creature in other words Luffy's zombie is going on a rampage"Usopp said.

The crew up some stairs and saw the Sunny "I see so that's the way this works huh, land right here on the island, take a little stroll through this gate and up the stairs, before you know it walk straight into the bosses room serving him your shadow on a silver platter"Franky said as Usopp caught up to the others.

They climbed down some ladder and onto the Sunny itself "Whoa i don't know what happened while we were gone but they totally wrecked the place!"Usopp called from the Sunny "This is the zombies work"Robin said examining the dirt trail left on the dock "Huh? Then do you think they're still here?"Chopper asked.

Stuff was littered literally everywhere on the Sunny's deck, it was a total mess "I wonder what they were trying to do?"Usopp asked "They tore through all our stuff, jokes on them we don't have anything worth taking"Franky said.

"I don't smell any zombies"Chopper said sniffing around "So you think the others are really here?"Usopp asked "Won't know till we look"Franky said and they started looking around the ship calling for their crewmates "Hey look! They're right up here in the dinning room all four of them!"Usopp called.

The others came up to the dining room "What the hell is this?"Franky asked seeing that their faces were stretched out with poles and clothing pins while they were sitting backwards in a chair, Luffy's, Sanji's and Nicole's hair was tied up in ridiculous bows while Zoro had a boot on his head "It's hard to look at"Robin said.

"Wake up already this isn't the time to be taking a nap come on"Usopp said shaking Luffy but nothing, Franky beat up the boys but didn't touch Nicole, the boys chairs were all smashed with bumbs on their heads as they were still asleep "Alright then step aside i'll use my bazooka"Franky said aiming at the boys.

"I have a more delicate solution"Usopp said stepping infront and took a deep breath "There's a beautiful lady sword master with a whole bunch of meat!"he yelled, that at least woke up the boys "Lady?"Sanji responded "With meat?"Luffy asked "And swords?"Zoro asked "You guys are hopeless!!"Chopper yelled.

"Now for the tricky part"Usopp said turning to Nicole who was still sleeping, everyone knew the terror that was waking up Nicole, unless it was some commotion or Zoro, there would be hell to pay, still Usopp gulped as he reached out gathering every ounce of courage he had as he shook Nicole even a little bit, the next thing anyone knew there was only a cloud of dust and a girlish scream.

~skip~

"That bastard!"Luffy yelled getting up and going to attack but Franky stopped him "Where's my shadow?!"Luffy asked "It ain't here idiot take a look at where you are"Franky told him, the four were still in a bit of a haze as they gathered their surroundings recognizing it to be the Sunny.

"This is"Luffy trailed off "Yeah the Sunny"Franky said "Wait but what are we doing back here all of the sudden?"Zoro asked before he noticed his shadow was gone "Oh crap it wasn't a dream after all was it, i really lost my shadow this feels weird"he said.

"You're telling me, i know you're right there but i'm hearing your 'voice' from elsewhere, this is so trippy"Nicole said "You guys this is and emergency someone came in and stole all our food while we were out!"Luffy said holding a big cheese wheel, probably the only food he could find.

"Now I'm mad!"Luffy said "The guy with a mouth full of grub is complaining that there's nothing to eat? I'm mad too but at least they left the dry food behind"Sanji said "Who cares about that stuff?! I need meat!"Luffy yelled.

"I screwed up"Zoro said before facepalming "How could i let this happen? I really let my guard down"he said "Hey, don't blame yourself"Nicole said taking his hand off his face trying to cheer him up with a smile, even though she blamed herself in much the same way.

"So where's Nami? She waiting outside or something?"Sanji said "About that"Usopp said his face swollen from the beat down Nicole gave him as he explained what happened to Nami, Sanji rushed over and grapped Usopp by the collar "You let some bastard kidnap my angel?! Why didn't you chase them to the ends of the world?!"Sanji asked a very prominent growl in his voice.

"It's not really our fault okay, this particular guy is kinda hard to catch you see"Usopp said trying to defend himself, scared of Sanji at this moment more then waking up Nicole "You tell me who he is and where i can find him, i'll hunt him down right now and bring her back or so help me i'll kick your ass to the moon!"Sanji said.

"Wait let me explain the situation here it's sorta complicated"Usopp said, Sanji huffed backing off for now "Okay so this is the deal you guys even if it kills us we have two big things we have to get back no matter what"Usopp said "Food and Nami, oh and our shadows too so that's three" Luffy said "Uh okay but i don't know if one of those belong on the list, food is great but let's focus on Nami and shadows for now"Usopp said and explained the whole situation.

"H-he's going to MARRY HER?!??! NO WAY IN HELL !!! LET ME AT HIM!!!"Sanji yelled with a literal explosion of fire "Wow this guy must be very brave if he wants to marry Nami and what's all this about me being a monster?! Why does my shadow get to do all the cool stuff?!"Luffy asked.

"So Usopp you guys already saw who or what has Sanji and Luffy shadows right?"Zoro asked "Yeah, oh wait a sec i almost forgot"Usopp said rushing off somewhere "Hey wait a sec you put someone's shadow in a zombie they act like that person right? I think i've seen your zombie Zoro"Luffy said "Oh yeah what kinda guy was he?"Zoro asked.

"Well he looked just like you but since he was wearing wooden clogs i could tell it wasn't you" Luffy said "So what about my shadow? Any ideas where it is? I remember seeing a female samurai corpse in Moria's room before he took my shadow"Nicole said "Na uh sorry, haven't seen anything like that"Luffy said shaking his head.

"So if we find this guy with the clogs, the dog penguin thing, the female samurai and Luffy's giant monster zombie all we gotta do is throw some salt in their mouths and we can get out shadows back is that it?"Zoro asked "Pretty much"Franky said.

Usopp got to work on something on his workshop bench "Nice job figuring out their weakness how'd you pull that one off?"Nicole asked "Save your thanks for the afro skeleton not only did he tell us how to defeat the zombies he also told us you'd be back here on the Sunny"Franky said.

"What? You ran into Brook again?"Luffy asked "Yeah, though i feel a little bad since i asked him a pretty cruel question"Franky said, Luffy hummed in confusion "Even though you wanted him to join the crew when i met the guy i didn't give him a fair shake, truth be told i barely even thought of him as human but once i took the time to talk to him for a second i found that he has a real character"Franky said.

"What i'm saying is, i was wrong, that skeleton's a real man, i should of said it but"Franky then went onto tell what happened earlier when him and Robin had a run in with Brook again about how him and his crew had to leave a dear friend behind, a whale named Laboon.

"So there you have it, the whole story"Franky said "Laboon"Luffy repeated, he recalled that name as did Usopp, Nicole, Zoro and Sanji "This is crazy what are the chances"Usopp said "I'll be damned"Sanji said, the others were confused "Oh right, you weren't with us then"Nicole said "We met that whale before, we know that promise"Luffy said.

"Hold on you know him? That's crazy how is that possible?"Franky asked "It was when we passed through to the Grand Line at the two capes, that damn giant whale was blocking the entrance"Sanji said, Nicole giggled a bit "We quite literally just ran into him"she said.

"Thanks to Luffy's idiotic temper Laboon swallowed the ship with us on board"Sanji said "What the whale ate you guys?"Chopper asked "And this is the same Laboon as Brooks?"Robin asked "Has to be there was an old lighthouse keeper that lived inside his gut and told us all about the whale"Sanji said "What?!"Chopper asked.

Luffy chuckled a bit "That flower head guy"he grinned recalling the old man "His name was Crocus you idiots"Nicole said "Not only did he go inside him, he took care of him and treated his wounds"Sanji said "What's a lighthouse guy know about wounds?"Franky asked "He was a ships doctor at some point"Nicole said.

"But how did the whale got so hurt he needed a doctor to treat him? What happened?"Chopper asked, Nicole frowned a bit "That's the sad bit, it was at the Red Line, grief drove him to keep bashing his head on the dividing wall, the grief from abandonment, he spent fifty years there believing his friends would return for him after their voyage"Sanji said.

"I couldn't believe it but somehow Luffy convinced him to stop braking through the wall like a damned idiot even now he's alive out there waiting at that cape for his friends to finally return" Sanji said "It's an incredible story, talk about true friends he kept his promise to them for more then half a century"Usopp said.

"And to think we met one of Laboon's friends by complete coincidence, wonder what that skeleton's doing right now"Zoro said 'I wonder if this is all really just a coincidence' Nicole thought, Franky wailed "I love that bonehead and his stupid whale!"he cried "Shut up!" Zoro, Sanji and Usopp yelled at him.

Luffy laughed "I'm so pumped guys! He's a musician, a talking skeleton, has an afro, does that yohoho thing and he was one of Laboon's best friends, even if i gotta force him to he's gonna join our crew, we got us a musician, any objections?"Luffy asked.

Robin laughed a bit "Would it really change your mind even if we did?"she asked "I want him to join the crew too, no question him and Laboon"Usopp said "Complete and total approval!" Franky cried "Same here!"Chopper said also crying "Before i can answer such a question i gotta put a stop to this shotgun wedding of Nami's!"Sanji said fire burning around him again.

Zoro and Nicole were already off the ship "Hey Zoro, Nicole, where're you going?"Luffy asked "We're going off to get started, you keep adding shadows got a lot we need to get back"Zoro said, Luffy grinned laughing a bit "Alright crew time to get serious! Prepare the counter attack we're gonna put Thriller Bark in a watery grave!"Luffy said and his crew cheered in agreement.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Alright we got our work cut out for us, i doubt we're just gonna turn the corner and find the zombies with our shadows in them"Zoro said "Forget that! Luffy zombie is a complete freak of nature! He's ten times bigger then any giant i'm not sure anyone can beat him"Chopper said "It's true and not only is he huge, he also had your shadow and all of your fighting skills"Usopp said.

"Like that makes any damn difference"Zoro said "Wait what?"Usopp asked "What's the point in pissing our pants about how big and strong they are we still gotta beat them if we want our shadows back"Zoro said "Well we really don't have to worry about the zombies though i kinda wanna see how cool mine is"Luffy said.

"What are you talking about? You wanna hide from the sun for the rest of your life? We gotta get our shadows back from these ghouls"Zoro said "Yeah but there's another way, you remember what that geezer zombie told us? All we gotta do to free the shadows is put and end to Gecko Moria"Luffy said.

"You have a point there"Nicole said "Up there Moria's just sitting on his big ass waiting for us" Luffy said pointing to where Moria is "What?! Are you nuts?"Usopp asked "What do you mean? His butts asking for a kicking so that's what i'm gonna do and then all the shadows will return, Sanji fire up you're rescuing Nami"Luffy said.

"YEAH!!! That's exactly what i wanted to hear!!"Sanji yelled literally firing up "Oh yeah i forgot to tell you but the invisible guy yeah he spied on Nami while she was taking a bath"Usopp said "WHAT THE HELL YOU SAY?!?!? HE WILL PAY!!!"Sanji yelled literally exploding into white hot fiery rage "You just had to throw more fuel into the fire, didn't you?"Nicole muttered with a sweatdrop.

"I feel like it's all my fault since i let that creep take Nami right in front of my eyes, it's only right that i go with Sanji and also i'll do anything to stay away from Moria!"Usopp said scared "I'm worried about the skeleton fighting on his own, he needs back up, if Strawhat beats Moria before the skeleton's zombie wins then everything's cool, otherwise i gotta work over time to help Brook and hold on to my own damn shadow"Franky said.

"I can give you some extra back up with that one Franky"Zoro then smirked "I wanna see if that legendary samurai he's fighting lives up to his reputation or not"he said "I'd like to see that fight, i can tell where Brook and his shadow is, there's someone else there too and i just know it's my shadow, besides i want my pin back, dad would have my neck if he found out i lost it"Nicole said.

"If we're picking Nami's my top priority, that's the battle i'd like to lend my hands to and once we get her back we can all take down Moria as a team"Robin said "You say it's like no big deal but did you forget who he is? He's one of the seven warlords of the sea!"Chopper said "Yeah but so what? Crocodile was one too"Luffy said.

"That's my point exactly! Crocodile got this close to killing you! I'm begging you to be careful! Seriously i already warned you! Your zombie is terrifying! Terrifying!"Chopper said freaking out "Yeah i got it, i got it"Luffy said "I'M COMING TO RESCUE YOU NAMI!!!"Sanji yelled still burning up like a bonfire.

Usopp gave each of the crew some salt "Alright if we're gonna do this thing there's one point i cannot stress enough, there maybe a lot of thick forest on this island to hide in but there's no guarantee we can avoid the sunlight at all times, we're all alive right now because it's the middle of the night, in other words sunrise is our literal dead line, we have to get your shadows back by then so don't forget it, it's imperative we're out of here by dawn"Usopp said.

"I know exactly what you mean, there's nothing worse then going a whole night on an empty stomach, we're gonna make you regret you even thought about taking our food, you hear me Moria?! We're gonna make him give back twice the amount he took from us and before dawn!" Luffy said and the others cheered and the crew charged off.

~skip~

The crew split, Luffy, Sanji, Usopp, Robin and Chopper in one Franky, Zoro and Nicole in the other, the group of three was causing havoc on a bridge with Nicole having to use her hand to hand combat skills with her swords stolen "I can't believe slow stupid pieces of crap managed to capture me the more i think about it the more it pisses me off"Zoro said "Yeah! Bring it on!" Nicole said.

~skip~

"Watch out!"Nicole called pulling Franky and Zoro out of the way as the bridge above came crashing down, among the rubble Usopp and Sanji came falling down too "They're legs are twitching so i'm sure they're fine nothing to worry about , what i'm curious about is this thing" Zoro said "Well whatever it is it's blocking our path, sure is a weird looking wall"Franky said.

"I don't think that's a wall"Nicole said, something felt strange about this 'wall' "What the hell are you guys doing?!"Usopp yelled at them as they were poking at the 'wall' "Huh? It's just a wall. a big fleshy wall"Zoro said "That's not a wall you moron! That thing's Luffy's zombie!"Usopp yelled at them, even Nicole was a bit freaked out.

"This thing is too freaking huge brother! And look at those horns did it climb up from hell or something?! I've never seen anything like this! It's really a zombie?"Franky asked "How did a thing that huge die in the first place?"Nicole wondered outloud "Holy crap"Zoro muttered "Luffy"Sanji said "It's all over! He's gonna grin us up and make meat pies out of us!"Usopp cried.

The zombie turned to them, Zoro instinctively stood closer to Nicole in a protective stance ready to fight if necessary, the zombie reached past them picking up a piece of the rubble and put it on his head like a pirate hat "Okay! Now i look like the real thing! Can't be King of the Pirates without an awesome hat"The zombie said walking away.

"What just happened? Are you telling me that thing didn't even notice us?"Usopp asked "Sure seemed so"Nicole said "It's hard to believe but it really does act like Luffy doesn't it? Something that huge with his fighting power is gonna give us hell"Zoro said.

Usopp fell on his knees "Come on let's just get out of here, you guys don't need your shadows right?"he asked "Like hell we don't!"Zoro yelled at him "Even if i did give up on my shadow which is stupid by the way we'd still have to rescue Nami so get your ass up!"Sanji yelled at him.

"The problem is right now we're all stuck down here, the stairs were the only straight way to get where we were going and they were destroyed and even if we changed our route and take this passage we're still screw since the bridge got take out too, in other words we can't get to that mansion in the mast either way"Sanji said.

"And it's way too far for us to jump"Zoro added "We had a short cut laid out for us now we're gonna have to go some scary way full of zombies"Usopp said "Just give me thirty seconds i got this"Franky said building a bridge "You build a bridge?!"the boys freaked out "There was wood and scraps everywhere if i couldn't throw a bridge or two together i'd be damned disgrace" Franky said.

"I mean if you say so but for a makeshift bridge you sure put a lot of effort into the details"Usopp said "You're saying you want me to do a half assed construction job? Huh?"Franky asked "Nah don't hear me complaining"Sanji said "You're awesome Franky! Super work"Nicole grinned, Franky laughed scratching the back of his head "Let's go"Zoro said and they continued their way across the bridge.

The group continued running eventually running into a room decked out in Gothic Lolita stuff "What does a princess live here?"Sanji asked "There is someone here"Nicole said "I don't know what i was expecting but it wasn't this, look"Zoro said, a bunch of those ghost were flying around, then they heard a laugh and saw a girl in a Gothic Lolita outfit.

"I was going to have my zombies grab you on the bridge but i suppose that plan fell through, Oars was just reborn and he's already a nuisance, my patience is running very thin tonight"the girl said.

"It's those ghost again, so it was her controlling them all this time?"Zoro asked "I'm guessing devil fruit"Nicole said, the girl laughed "Oh my i sense in your voice? I wouldn't blame you after what happened last time, i can create ghost at my command with the power of the hollow hollow fruit, you can think of them as a sort of extension of myself, they can empty your heart and crush your spirit, this should be fun for me at least"the girl said.

The crew decided to run for it but came to a stop as the ghost flew through them, they each fell on their knees "I'm dumber then a krill i should just die"Sanji cried "I know bro i wish a stray dog would step on me"Franky said "I should just crawl around on the ground like a worm and eat dirt"Zoro said "Forgive my existence, i am not worthy of life"Nicole said "It's all over"Usopp said falling down.

Zombies came in to capture them when Usopp sprung up and shot salt in their mouths "Who did that?" The girl asked, Usopp was standing tall and proud "That's my crew you know, i won't let you hurt them"he said "Tricky punk, you acted like you got hit just so you could surprise me but don't worry i won't miss a second time"the girl said and attacked Usopp again.

The ghost went right through him however Usopp did not fall down "My name is captain Usopp" he said "I don't get it why don't my attacks do anything to you? I know i didn't miss that time, what is this? What kind of power have you got?"the girl asked "Power has nothing to do with it, i just naturally have a negative personality!"Usopp said shocking the girl.

The zombies and the girl cheered for Usopp not to give up to cheer him up "Don't pity me!" Usopp yelled as the others were still groveling "Come on you guys time to snap out of it you gotta go rescue Nami and get the shadows back before it's too late"Usopp said, the others snapped out of it standing back up.

"No matter how strong you are you don't stand a chance against her all you can do is run but don't worry i'll take care of her for you"Usopp said "I can't believe it"Franky said "Usopp actually looks cool for once"Sanji said "Is his heart really that empty?"Zoro wondered.

"Oh but please defeat all the zombies before you go, valiant though i may be i must"Usopp was cut off "Alright see you later"Sanji said "You're the best Usopp!"Nicole grinned running out with the others ignoring whatever Usopp was saying.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"I never expected Usopp's pessimism to come in handy during a fight"Zoro said as him, Nicole, Franky and Sanji continued running "Yeah that was a close one, if he hadn't been there that would of been the end for all of us"Franky said "Pretty scary power she's got that's for sure"Zoro said "Hey, i'm gonna run on ahead and rescue Nami on my own"Sanji said.

"Gotcha go kick some ass"Franky said "Oh i will, i've got the power of love on my side"Sanji said running off in a literal blaze "Nami~swan! I won't let you get married to anyone else but me!"he yelled jumping off the bridge, Nicole sweatdropped a bit "Anyway in the mean time we're getting closer to where Brook and his zombie are"she said.

~skip~

Zoro, Nicole and Franky had reached the mansion when it started rumbling "Whoa what's with all this rumbling?"Franky asked "Don't know don't care probably just an earthquake"Zoro said "In there, that's where Brook is with his zombie and mine"Nicole said pointing over to the door that was missing a bottom half.

Franky went on ahead "Look there's the skeleton guy"he said going in and walking over to Brook "Can you hear me looks like you took quite a beating, you're still alive aren't ya? Say something"Franky said "Am i dreaming? Why are you here?"Brook asked, Ryuma walked over "This won't do at all, how dare you interfere with our battle"he said and went to attack when Zoro came in and blocked it.

Nicole walked in looking over to the staircase on the wall where there stood a female samurai in clothing much like Ryuma's with two swords at her hip and a pin in her hand staring at it intensely "I'd like to have my pin back please"Nicole called over, Ayame looked over "Interesting you are more concerned over this then your own shadow"she said walking over.

"As my shadow you know how important it is"Nicole said "I don't, i was forced to abonden my memories, all i know is this body has a strange attachment to it as well and if you want it back, you'll have to fight me for it"Ayame said putting the pin in what was left of her hair.

"Kinda unfair since you have my swords, don't suppose you'll lend one?"Nicole asked, Ayame laughed a bit "No"she bluntly said, Nicole sweatdropped a bit "Definitely my shadow"she muttered.

"Young miss, you may use my blade"Brook said offering his cane sword, Nicole was familiar which such a sword and knew how to use it but if she were to fight to her own shadow she knew she needed a sword that suited her fighting style but what other choice did she have? "Thank you Brook"she smiled taking the cane handle from his bony hand and facing Ayame as Zoro faced Ryuma.

~skip~

The fights came to an end, Nicole stood panting while Ayame was down her once dead body immobilised "I'll be taking back my swords, my pin and my shadow"Nicole said after catching her breath "I can't stop you from taking them back but before you put that salt in my mouth one wish if i may?"Ayame asked "Go on"Nicole said in a flat tone.

"I know it maybe impossible for this body to return to Wano but at the very least i wish to rejoin with my husband, with Ryuma, in the afterlife"Ayame said "I have no doubt you will"Nicole said dropping the salt in Ayame's mouth and her shadow returned to her shortly after, then she used Amaterasu Style ninth form Inferno to set the corpse on fire.

Nicole returned Brook's sword to him as she passed by just as his shadow also returned to him and sighed sitting next to Zoro as Ryuma's and Ayame's bodies burned away and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"You know what"Nicole said looking at Shusui, she felt a familiarity with that sword somewhere deep in her heart she wasn't quite sure why though "What?"Zoro asked crashing her train of thought "I'd like to go to Wano someday"Nicole said, Zoro chuckled a bit and smirked "Yeah, me too"he said.

~skip~

The ground shook "What is that?"Franky asked "It's Luffy's zombie"Nicole simply said just before the giant monster bust through the wall with a punch "Hey look down there someone else came out with him it looks like chef curly brows"Franky said "His name's Sanji!"Nicole yelled at him "What the hell is he doing he's gonna get stomped on"Zoro said.

"Show yourselves! Come out Strawhats you can't hide from me!"Oars yelled "Damn it Luffy, your zombies gonna be a real pain in the ass"Sanji said sitting on the ground below "Come on captain you're not gonna tear apart your own crew are you?"Usopp asked on the bridge to the side "It seems he's been given the order"Robin said "I just hope the real Luffy's fine"Chopper said.

"Don't eat me i'm all bone!"Brook yelled from the roof of the mansion "We're supposed to fight that damn thing? No way"Franky said "Looks like fun"Zoro smirked, Nicole giggled a bit "I bet you're dying to try out Shusui"she said "Yeah"he nodded.

"What is that thing? It's terrifying"Brook said his jaw dropped in shocked "Of course it is, it's a monster after all"Franky said, Nicole hummed a bit just noticing them as did Zoro "Hey Usopp! Is that you down there?!"he called "Yeah, i see Chopper and Robin there too"Nicole said.

"Zoro! What are you doing up there?!"Usopp called back "There's Franky and Nicole too and look Brook is with them they're all safe"Chopper said "For now it looks like they managed to save the skeleton in time at least, Nami on the other hand i'm still pretty worried about"Robin said.

Down on the ground Sanji jumped around before coming to a stop infront of Oars "Hey you're standing in my damn way! And what are you doing interfering what's gotten into you Luffy?!"he called "Luffy? I think i'm supposed to crush that guy, he's my enemy, my name's Oars, hello there"Oars replied casually.

"Really? What's with the introductions? Idiot, he just says whatever he wants huh? Definitely takes after Luffy"Sanji said lighting a cigarette "Look at this, moron's picking a fight with a monster"Franky said "That damn stupid cook, has he even rescued Nami yet?"Zoro asked "Doesn't seem so, it's kinda hard to tell where she is right now since she's unconscious"Nicole said.

"This is bad, this is really bad, Sanji's in trouble!"Chopper said "This is interesting, i was under the impression all they wanted from us were our shadows but he looks more primed for violence"Robin said "Guess they already decided they got cream of the crop with Luffy's shadow"Usopp said "Scary! It's scary! No way we can fight that thing!"Chopper said.

"Well i can't just stand back and watch Sanji get slaughtered"Robin said getting ready to use her powers "Whoa hold it! Listen we're just gonna get ourselves killed if we all get involved, Sanji can handle this guy on his own and don't worry he's got a better chance then any of us of getting out of this alive"Usopp said.

"How? His face is on a wanted poser too right? I don't see how his situation is any better then one were in out here"Robin said "And that's exactly where you're wrong, you're not thinking clearly Robin, you've seen his wanted poster haven't you? There no way he'll realize that's Sanji"Usopp said "That's true Sanji's wanted poster doesn't look anything like him"Chopper said "You've got a point, i had forgotten about that"Robin said.

"You look just the same as your wanted poster"Oars said "That drawing looks nothing like me!" Sanji yelled "What do you mean it's so good"Oars said "Are your eyes rotting idiot?!"Sanji yelled "But you admit you're a part of the pirate crew huh?"Oars asked "Yeah what of it?!"Sanji yelled "Then you're dead"Oars bluntly said "Wanna try me? Then bring it on"Sanji said.

~skip~

Sanji jumped around dodging Oars' punches, Oars got mad and punched faster making it seem like he might have gotten Sanji to the others, Sanji of course was fine "You damn punk you almost broke my damn cigarette, alright you got your shot in now it's my turn"he said.

"Sanji's okay!"Chopper grinned "I thought he was done for"Usopp said and Zoro smirked seemingly relieved, Nicole smiled a bit next to him, he's too macho to admit it but she knows Zoro's just a big worrywart.

"I'm not finished yet you twerp"Oars said and went to attack with that signature "Gum Gum" thing Luffy always does before an attack "That's Luffy's move"Chopper said "Oh crap can he stretch?!"Usopp asked "Did he get Luffy's rubber power's with his shadow?" Zoro asked, Nicole went to reply but Oars finished what he was saying and attacked Sanji.

"Okay he can't stretch but does it really matter?!"Chopper asked freaked out "With that strength and his reach as long as it is it's basically the same thing!"Usopp said also freaked out "He looks like a brute but he's got the speed to back it up"Zoro said "What a pain"Nicole muttered "We better stay out of his way, it's lights out if he hits us"Franky said.

Sanji jumped back gaining some distance but like it really mattered when facing a giant monster like Oars "Alright i gotta admit Luffy's zombie is kind of a badass"Sanji muttered to himself dodging out of the way as Oars continued to attack, Sanji went to counter but it hardly did anything, Sanji jumped back but Oars closed that distance in an instant and landed a hit sending Sanji flying.

"No more fancy footwork from you, you pipsqueak"Oars said grabbing Sanji "Oh crap he's got him now"Zoro said "Sanji!"Nicole called, Oars went to slam Sanji in the ground when Usopp fired a shot distracting Oars.

Oars turned to where the shot came from "Uh i'm sorry!"Usopp said, Oars threw Sanji onto the ground and looked at the posters on his arm "Tall woman with the black hair, uh but there's two of those, uh the one without yellow eyes and that's the little fuzzy thing" Oars said and shook the fire out and made his way over to the bridge "No! He's coming!"Usopp and Chopper freaked.

"This is bad we gotta do something, Franky draw him this way!"Zoro said drawing two of his swords ready to fight as Nicole bounced up next to him and also drew her swords "I'm on it, i think this will get his attention"Franky said firing at Oars but the giant dodged it with surprising agility.

Oars kicked down the mansion tower they were on Franky grabbed Brook getting him out of there as Nicole and Zoro got on Oars and rushed up his leg and got close to his face, however Oars dodged again and they only managed to cut off one of his fangs before Oars sent them flying up.

In the air Zoro managed to maneuver himself so that he was protecting Nicole, Franky tried firing at Oars again but again the giant dodged, Oars grabbed one of the pillars and attacked them sending down to the ground, Zoro and Nicole came back down and Robin used her powers to catch them and slow down their fall, however Oars appeared above them, Usopp fired salt in Oars mouth but it had no effect.

Chopper went to attack Oars but Oars was faster braking the part of the bridge they were on, all of the Strawhats were down on the ground and out but not defeated "Luffy you jerk"Usopp said "I don't know you, my name's not Luffy, remember Moria's servant name's Oars"he said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

Oars checked he how many he had defeated and how many he had left to destroy, he didn't recognize Brook or Usopp though "So let's see here, there's that Strawhat guy, orange hair lady and awesome super hero, that's six down and three to go wonder where they're hiding"Oars said before walking off.

~skip~

Oars was still looking around "Crap this guy's gonna be a real pain in the ass"Franky said "He's not just strong he's fast as hell for his size"Zoro said "He's got really impressive agility and flexibility too, this is gonna be a tough one"Nicole said "What was his name again?"Sanji asked "Oh uh"Chopper trailed off "Think it was roast right?"Zoro asked.

"No not even close i think it had an s at the end didn't it?"Usopp asked "Hughes?"Chopper asked "I think you're getting colder actually"Usopp said "Boars?"Sanji asked "Close, it's Oars" Robin said as Nicole was pinning her hair up and Zoro put his bandanna on "That's it!"the others said.

"Oh i'm sorry but my injuries are quite terrible"Brook said "It's fine we understand, you can still move around though right?"Franky asked "Yes"Brook said "Then move yourself out of the way" Franky said "Of course"Brook said getting out of their way as the Strawhats approached Oars.

"Hey Oars!"Sanji called "Huh?"Oars asked looking over "If that's really Luffy's shadow you got inside you, then i probably shouldn't have to tell you this but you should never underestimate the strength of your own crew"he said, the Strawhats were back up and ready for round two.

Oars laughed "You tiny pirates are tougher then i thought you'd be"he said before jumping high up and coming back down "I'm tired of being thrown around so much what do you say we turn the tables and throw him around for a change?"Zoro asked, Nicole smirked "Sounds fun to me" she said.

"I can get behind that, we let him have his fun for long enough"Sanji said "Whoa hey wait a minute how are we supposed to throw him? In case you haven't noticed he's a giant"Usopp said "We noticed, and don't forget he's got Luffy's speed and fighting skills as well"Zoro said "You know i think he would make a terrible pirate king"Robin said.

"So how do we wanna approach this then? I've got a ton of plans one of them's gotta work" Franky said "He has to have some kind of a weak point"Chopper said "When you're frying a fish this big you scale and de bone it before you put it in the pan"Sanji said "Maybe it's not completely hopeless but i'm scared"Usopp said.

Oars laughed again "Smashing time"he said and jumped up before butt stomping down, they dodged though and ran back, Oars attacked going directly at Franky but the cyborg dodged it "Okay punk you've left us with only one option here, you wanna fight? Then feel the power of all of us combined!"Franky said running over to the others.

"Heads up you guys! I know the plan, we're taking him down with tactic 15!"Franky said "We're what?"Usopp asked "But it's still untested"Chopper said, the three ran over to Zoro and Sanji "Zoro, Eyebrows stand by!"Franky told them "Stand by for what?"Sanji asked "Trust me just grab onto my legs!"Franky said "This feels like it's about to get weird"Sanji said.

And oh boy it got so, so very weird, so very very weird as they did a 'docking' or whatever maneuver "Hey wait Franky!"Chopper said "What something wrong Chopper?"the cyborg asked "We're not complete the left arm still isn't docked yet!"Chopper said "What the hell are you doing? Robin? Nicole? Either one of you ladies hurry up and dock onto my left arm!"Franky said.

"Come on we need you!"Chopper said "Come on it's fine just do what i'm doing"Usopp said however their mood suddenly dropped as did the temperature around them, never had they thought they would face that glare from Nicole, Franky, Usopp and Chopper shivered.

"Die"Nicole bluntly said after a beat of silence "No, we're not embarrassing ourselves like that" Robin said shocking Franky, Usopp and Chopper "Y-you won't?!"Usopp, Franky and Usopp asked "As human beings you should be ashamed of yourselves"Robin said before they faced an even worse glare from Nicole, one reserved for only those that really piss her off by either abusing animals or dissing her father or her crewmates "Disappear"she bluntly said.

"They rejected us!!"Usopp, Franky and Chopper yelled, Oars was shocked too "What's the matter? They won't do it?"He asked "Wha? Why are you acting all disappointed?"Sanji asked "Why do you think? I wanna see the robot, do it you jerks!"Oars said attacking them again but only hitting Franky, Usopp and Chopper as Zoro ducked and Sanji dodged.

"Oh man i've never been so embarrassed"Zoro said and stiffened like a board as Nicole appeared behind him a wide smirk on her face and a glint in her eyes "And i'm never gonna let you live it down"she said, Zoro could only groan and accept his demise.

Anyway Zoro borrowed Franky's nun chucks as Sanji ran in closer and kicked a rock at Oars distracting him from the others "Robin! I'm gonna give his left arm a pounding and then i need you to put him in a submission hold!"Zoro said running past her "Sure you got it"Robin said ready to use her powers "Let's do this"Zoro said running forward, Nicole nodded running with him.

"Hey come and get me you Luffy impostor!"Sanji called keeping Oars' attention on him "You i'm gonna squish you!"Oars said going for an attack "Usopp this is your chance!"Sanji called, Usopp fired a shot at Oars making his hand all slippery and the giant lost his balance "Hey eyebrows! Give me a boost will ya?!"Zoro called.

"What? While you're carrying those big ass things?"Sanji asked "Well if you're not man enough" Zoro smirked jumping up, Nicole rolled her eyes getting ready to do her part as Sanji kicked Zoro over to Oars, Zoro hit Oars' arm and Robin put him in a submission hold, Oars hoped on one foot, Franky and Chopper knocked Oars back "Now Nicole!"Zoro called.

"Right!"Nicole nodded charging forward and using the back of her blades sent Oars tumbling over and falling down on his head "We did it! There's no stopping the power of the Strawhats!" Usopp cheered "Damn straight! How's that dirt taste jerk?!"Chopper yelled "Slow start but score one"Sanji said.

The Strawhats approached Oars once more as the dust settled "Stupid bunch of little sea slugs, now you really pissed me off! I'm gonna grind you down into dust!"Oars yelled at them "Now you've done it, once i get up i'm gonna squash you pirate pipsqueaks flat!"he said "There won't even be bones left to bury!"he roared.

However Oars wasn't able to move his horns were stuck in the ground, all of the sudden the Strawhats got really smug with dark chuckles and a glint in their eyes as they stepped closer to Oars who became visibly nervous before they beat Oars up.

"Hey cut it out!"Oars yelled getting up and the Strawhats retreated "Guess that wasn't enough to keep him down"Sanji said "So it seems unfortunately"Robin said "Okay what are we gonna do now?"Zoro asked, anyway Franky, Usopp and Chopper did that docking thing once more however once they were launched over Oars' head by Sanji Franky just kicked his head in a totally futile effort.

Nicole sweatdropped watching them "So after all that this is their attack?"Zoro asked "I believe that's a yes"Robin said "How lame"Nicole said, anyway back on Oars' head Usopp started taunting him into punching his own head and Oars was going down again but caught himself.

"Ugh he's as stubborn as he is tall i don't have time for this i gotta save Nami"Sanji said "Hang on a second just got an idea how to stop him"Usopp said "I've had enough of these half assed plans"Zoro said "Listen to me damn it!"Usopp yelled at him.

"From what i've seen even though he's big and red and all this guy still has traces of Luffy's personality left in him"Usopp said "What are you talking about? He already told us he didn't recognized any of us and that Moria was his master"Chopper said.

"Yeah but even so remember how he reacted when we tried docking the first time around? Right at that moment his other half leaked out the part of him that's still Luffy is still in there somewhere see what i mean?"Usopp asked "Yeah i see"Nicole said.

"I think you're right"Robin said "Yeah, so how does that help us?"Franky asked "Well it means this guys weaknesses are the same as Luffy's weaknesses"Usopp smirked, the Strawhats scattered "Check it out! There's a huge chuck of meat!"Usopp said pointing in a random direction.

"What? Meat? Show me where is it?"Oars asked "Yeah i see it! It looks yummy!"Chopper said "Give me i love meat"Oars said looking around as Nicole and Zoro attacked Oars' knees forcing him to go down "Does halfway down count as three?"Zoro asked "Sure let's say that"Nicole smiled a bit.

"Alright! He's down again after a blow to the knee!"Usopp and Chopper cheered "Keep it up you guys! Just stall him until the captain beats the crap out of Moria, hurry up and get those shadows back Strawhat!"Franky yelled "There's no reason to keep screwing around like this let's put him down for good"Zoro said "We're gonna need a whole bag of salt for a guy this big"Nicole said.

"Hold on i thought the idea was to keep this big monster busy to make sure he doesn't get in Strawhats way! There's no way we can beat this thing man!"Franky said freaking out "There wasn't any meat, you tricked me and broke my kneecaps"Oars said "A fight isn't truly over until you've won"Zoro said.

"It's not just a giant! He's a zombie to beat him you're gonna have to purify him"Franky said "That's right Zoro we're just buying time take it easy!"Usopp said "If you don't wanna help stand back i don't feel like waiting around for Luffy to win either"Sanji said.

"You're crazy!"Usopp said freaked out, Robin laughed a bit "They made up their minds there's no stopping them"Robin said, Oars started an attack again, Zoro drew Shusui "A dinosaur could step on this blade and it wouldn't bend a millimeter, they say that hardness is the greatest characteristic of a black blade"he said.

"With Shusui here i've finally gotten my hands on a first rate sword and i think this is the perfect time to try it out"Zoro said "Yeah go for it Zoro!"Nicole cheered him on.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Zoro we're just trying to buy enough time for Luffy to get our shadows back it's not like we need to defeat him"Usopp said as Zoro walked forward "I'm just finishing the fight he started and i've got this new sword couldn't imagine a better time to see what it's capable of"Zoro said "Yeah! You've got this Zoro!"Nicole cheered him on.

Zoro stepped up and challenged Oars, the giant punched down but he dodged and cut the rubble flying at him "Give it a rest! You're practically begging to get flattened!"Usopp said "Can't you try out that sword some other time?"Franky asked "Just ignore them Zoro! You can't pass this up!"Nicole said.

Zoro smirked a bit and looked at Shusui "Didn't notice it earlier but Shusui's got a lot more heft to it, never used a black blade before"he said more to himself before Oars came in with a punch but he deflected it "Yeah!"Nicole cheered as Zoro launched his flying blade attack but Oars dodged it.

"It was stronger then i expected the blade absorbed the blast from the other two into one, it's impressive but it still moves a little too slow for my liking that means i've got some work to do before i can fully master it"Zoro said "You just gotta get used to it!"Nicole called.

"You could of put my eye with that, you lucky bastard! I'm gonna grind you down to a blob!"Oars said stomping his foot down but Zoro dodged it "Zoro!"Chopper called "Holy crap is he alright?" Franky asked "Of course he is!"Nicole snapped a bit as Zoro continued dodging, he jumped back and attacked Oars' foot making him fall down, Oars used it to his advantage though going for a side crush.

Zoro dodged again and jumped back into the dust using it to his advantage he attacked again but again Oars dodged, Zoro jumped back "Come on Zoro don't push it you're just making things worse cause even if you do miraculously take him down what's the point Luffy's shadow is the only one we'll get back from him, we don't even have the slightest idea where yours and Sanji's are"Usopp said.

"If we really wanna get our shadows back we just need to wait here until Luffy takes care of it, there's no point in killing yourself trying to take down an undead giant all we gotta do is believe in Luffy and try to keep this guy busy for a while"Usopp said "I've got plenty of faith in Luffy but i'm also aware of Luffy's one major weakness"Zoro said.

"You're forgetting Luffy's a total moron, Moria's probably tricked him already and given him the slip"Nicole said "If they manage to stall Luffy and the sun rises then we're screwed, him, me and the cook we'll melt until we're nothing but ash, maybe we can't save ourselves but if we can get Luffy his shadow back he can lay this damn island to waste"Zoro said.

"Looks like we got maybe thirty minutes before sunrise, on the plus side we've got some thick fog the suns gonna have a hard time getting through that"Franky said "So we're that close to dawn we should count our blessings we've got this fog can't say it's much comfort though the reality of melting starting to sink in for me"Sanji said.

Then the island started shaking around, Thriller Bark the ship was caught in a current and the fog started to lift "Oh come on!"Nicole said "Damn it well this changes the situation at this point we got no choice but to stop Oa-"Usopp trailed off as the cloth on Oars' stomach opened like a curtain revealing Moria was inside a cockpit of sorts carved into the giant zombie.

"It's Moria!"Usopp freaked out, Nicole was just as shocked no wonder she wasn't able to sense him even though he was so close "Dawn is just around the corner do you think this the best time for you to be standing around?"Moria asked.

"Wait how are you here? What happened to Luffy?"Usopp asked "I knew it, he got tricked"Nicole sighed with a sweatdrop "Explain this Usopp, Nicole just where the hell are you seeing Moria?" Sanji asked "Are you blind? He's right there"Nicole said pointing to Oars's stomach where Moria was just casually sitting in a cockpit.

Moria laughed as the others finally spotted him "I don't get what's going on how come i can hear master but i can't see him?"Oars wondered before noticing his stomach was a cockpit and played around with the opening though Moria kicked his fingers out "This is so awesome, i'm like a robot now, behold zombie robot! I am called the Oarsbomber!"Oars said.

"Alright you pathetic Strawhats here i am, you wanted a chance to fight me you've got one and if you prove yourself skilled enough to defeat me i'll release all of the shadows, go ahead and come at me all at once but you'll have to take down Oars too that's the only change you've got to pull me out of this cockpit"Moria said.

"That's cheap, you're not fighting fair!"Usopp yelled at him "The only way to defeat Moria is to defeat Oars first but how the heck can do that with him inside Oars' stomach?"Chopper asked "This narrows down our target down to one quit complaining"Sanji said.

"Can't get cold feet now, hey Usopp you're gonna have to find a mountain of salt, our only chance is to purify that monster we'll weaken him as much as we can until you get back"Zoro said and the others got ready for round three "Okay i got it!"Usopp said and took off running.

"I should have figured as much the first thing they're trying to do is to get they're hands on some salt, Oars you hear that? Better make sure long nose there doesn't make it his way to the kitchen you might as well take out the entrance to the mansion"Moria said "Right i'll get him" Oars said and punched the mansion but Usopp made it out of there thanks to Brook.

"I thought we might need a hefty quantity of salt so i rounded some up"Brook said "Hey you're back i thought you were too hurt to fight"Franky said "It's true, i was seriously injured when i dragged myself to the kitchen to get this salt but then something most fortuitous happened i discovered which i promptly consumed thus recovering my health"Brook explained.

"Calcium doesn't act that fast come on!"Usopp argued "Well it could if you're all bones"Nicole shrugged and Brook laughed "Anyway we have the salt we need now this should be enough to purify that giant but it might be a close call and speaking of close calls it looks like the kitchens blocked off, in other words we only get one chance to do this"Sanji said.

"We don't have much time let's move it, if we don't wanna melt when the sun rises we have two objectives, we gotta feed the salt to that monster and we gotta beat Moria"Zoro said "You guys have any ideas how to get to that things mouth though? It's like climbing a tower with fist and teeth"Franky said.

"You wanted a chance to get your shadows back from me? Well here i am, go ahead and try but i'll warn you i'm more then just a passenger in Oars' stomach when i'm done with you, you'll wish you had melted with the sunrise i'll show you what real nightmares are made of"Moria said and laughed.

"Yohoho thank you for this chance Strawhats i swear that i'll fight beside you with every ounce of my might, although this small gesture hardly repays the debt i owe you for recovering my shadows i shall offer what assistance i can, now let's go!"Brook said something before braking a bone.

"We don't need you braking anymore bones so just hold onto the salt and take it easy"Zoro said before running on ahead, Sanji and Chopper ran off somewhere too, Franky and Usopp tried a combo move lighting Oars on fire but Moria calmed him down, Chopper boosted Zoro up as he sliced up one of the towers and Sanji kicked the pieces sending them flying at Oars.

Oars punched them over to where Brook, Nicole, Robin and Franky were but they took care of it, meanwhile Usopp had prepared a super slingshot but was having a hard time pulling it back, Nicole rushed over and didn't say a word as she helped him pull it back Franky jumped in and the two of them sent him flying.

Franky aimed at Moria but Oars dodged and kicked him into the tower "Gah! Franky no!"Usopp yelled but Franky was still alive, Moria told Oars to stomp on him but before he could Nami showed up and hit him with lightning "Nice shot but where did it come from?"Zoro asked "Over there!"Nicole said pointing over to where Nami was.

"Nami~swan!"Sanji yelled "Would you stop yelling already? Now they're gonna know where i am!"Nami yelled back, Sanji cried about how she yelled at him but really he was just relieved she was okay, Oars noticed Nami anyway "We got strawhats popping out of the wood works, alright Oars you know what to do smash her like you smashed the last guy"Moria said.

"Okay master"Oars said and aimed an attack at Nami and to the surprise of everyone Oars stretched "You've gotta be kidding me"Zoro said as Sanji rushed to save Nami but Robin had reached her with her powers and brought her down "I don't get it but it can be good"Zoro said.

"Two people can't have the same devil fruit power even if he has Luffy's shadow he shouldn't be able to do that"Sanji said "It's Moria"Nicole said "Huh?"the others asked turning to her "He's manipulating the shadow and just as the shadow matches the body the body matches the shadow, this just got ten times trickier"Nicole said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Gum Gum Bell!"Oars said stretching his head out as he attacked the Strawhats, again they dodged but barely, Oars attacked again and the crew got blown back from the wind "What the hell's going on here? He just got exponentially more powerful"Sanji said "It's not like he ate a devil fruit so how is he able to stretch like that?"Zoro asked.

"I told you before it's Moria, he's manipulating the shadow to stretch and the body moves to match it"Nicole said, Moria explained in detail how it worked but Nicole wasn't really paying attention, she knew how his power worked through her father "Moria's even stronger then we thought, even if Oars doesn't have a devil fruit he can still stretch if Moria controls the shadow he can rewrite the rules"Chopper said.

"It's a bit of cold comfort to know Oars isn't actually a rubber man if he has all the same powers it doesn't do us much good wasn't he though enough already i mean give us a brake already" Sanji said "Right? It was hard before but now it's almost impossible"Zoro said.

"Kishishi you know, he has even more tricks then Strawhat for example if i force his shadow into a ball"Moria trailed off just as he did what he said he would and Oars turned into a ball which started rolling at them but they ran away before coming to a stop as Oars ball didn't follow.

"Come on master what's the big idea huh? This is my fight i should get to drive"Oars said "I'm sorry i didn't mean to interfere i'll just focus on assisting from here on and now crush each one of them as you see fit"Moria said "Okay i know i'm a little late to the party but let me get this straight, are you saying we gotta defeat Luffy zombie and Moria if we wanna get everyone's shadows back? Is that the jist of it?"Nami asked.

"Yeah that's about it"Usopp said "You're kidding?! The sun is almost up!"Nami yelled "The enemy's forcing our hand it's not like we have much of a choice!"Usopp yelled back "Excuse me, i beg of you please allow me to help, i have an idea that just might work"Brook said and explained his plan to Usopp, Nami and Robin.

They shot Brook at Oars and electrified him with a spin from Robin's powers, Brook went straight through Oars' arm and the others followed up with Zoro running in with his swords, Oars turned to Brook and attacked and Brook went down, Usopp fired at him but it had no effect Oars went to attack but this time he didn't stretch because Robin was holding down Moria with her powers.

Moria had his shadow attack Robin but Nicole stepped in the way cutting the brick bats, Moria's shadow reformed behind them and switched places with it, Nicole was quick though and attacked having anticipated this "Whoa there!"Moria said managing to dodge before he grabbed both their shadows.

"Nicole!"Zoro called rushing over as Robin's and Nicole's shadow was cut from them, Robin and Nicole fell down but Zoro caught her and tried waking her up as Moria laughed "Too bad i don't have a corpse to put you in but i'll hold onto you for save keeping"he said speaking to the shadows.

Sanji came in to defend the ladies with his literally flaming foot but Moria switched places with his shadow again "Stupid master i told you once already this is my fight quit butting in"Oars said "I do apologize Oars i couldn't help myself from getting in on the fun"Moria said, Oars attacked stretching himself again aiming for the girls but Sanji blocked the hit.

Zoro tisked seeing that Nicole wasn't waking up no matter what and took her to safety before joining back into the fight as Usopp took Robin away.

~skip~

Nightmare Luffy showed up and beat down Moria and Oars however just as the day seemed saved Oars stood up once again, the pirates that had helped Luffy were ready to head back to the shadows of the forest but Zoro stood in their way.

"I'm not sure how it was for Luffy but Oars took one hell of a beating"Zoro said "Whoa hold on you need to take it easy you don't wanna die do ya?"one of the pirates asked "Of course not" Nicole said now awake and walking over to Zoro "However we can't lay down while there's still work to be done"she said coming to a stop and standing at Zoro's side.

Luffy got back up too "I'd love to give him just one more punch, i can't move damn it my body's too worn to get up right now, hey Robin"Luffy called "Yes i'm right here"Robin responded awake and up again as well "I wanna get up there"Luffy said "I understand, i'll provide some footholds for you"Robin said.

"I too am still willing and able to help"Brook said "Good to hear i've already got a plan"Luffy said "Just as i thought, everybody's back up and ready for the next round"Nami said hiding in the distance "Hey it's about to get real ugly here so get out of the way"Zoro told the bystanders that promptly ran away after that warning.

Robin used her powers to give literal footholds as Brook carries Luffy up them, Nami used her climatact to create rain around Oars totally soaking him, the others finished what they were doing and froze Oars from the waist down, up above Sanji kicked the chain wrapping it around Oars, from the top of the mast Brook tossed Luffy down as he 'activated' Third Gear getting ready to attack.

Zoro and Nicole attacked Oars' stomach cutting into him, Sanji activated the wheel snapping Oars' spine straight, Luffy came flying down and attacked Oars right in the face and snapping his spine and a few other bones, Oars went down for good this time.

However once again just as the day seemed saved the sun started to come up threatening everyone without a shadow and what's more Moria was awake "Fine that just saves us the trouble of waking you up ourselves now unless you want another serious beating from Strawhats you'll do what we say give the order return the shadows now!"the captain of the other pirate crew demanded.

"Kishishishi what do you think this is? A playground brawl? A true pirate would never bow to demands like that not even if his life depended on it, so you teamed up with those losers from the forest did you? What a joke, now i see how Strawhat got that ridiculous increase in power how desperate you must be to use my own shadow abilities again me"Moria said.

"You shut your mouth return the shadows at once!"the female captain demanded "Strawhat Luffy you've got some nerve to make a mess of Thriller Bark, you'll pay for what you've done to my glorious ship!"Moria said "You're the one who's gonna pay it's your fault for picking a fight with my crew now give back those shadows before the sun comes up!"Luffy demanded still all tiny from using Third Gear.

"Kishishishi Why when at this point all i have to do is sit around and wait for you to die? I'm afraid you're not cut out for the new world kid, i admit you've got some good underlings but it doesn't matter all will be lost! And do you know why?! Because unlike me you've yet to realize the weakness of your crew"Moria said.

"I trusted my underlings as you do but despite their talents do you know why i ended up losing them? Because they were mortal that's what makes things different this time, had they've been zombies from the beginning i would have had nothing to lose"Moria said moving out tentical like things.

"Zombies are relentless eternal warriors that can be replaced even if they fall now with my army of the undead there's nothing in the world that will stop me from becoming King of the Pirates you and your crew should be grateful for the chance to serve as my slaves"Moria said sucking up shadows from his zombie army, all one thousand.

Chapter Text

~Third~

Moria just laughed it definitely seemed like he had the upper hand with all one thousand shadows he's collected over the years now inside him transforming him into a monster, Luffy went back to normal and Moria went for the attack splitting the very ground below him, the other people there were running away however the Strawhats weren't budging.

"This guy is the big boss right? Cause i don't think they get much bigger"Zoro said "He let his pride and anger get the best of him and now he's losing control of himself"Robin said "Alright you guys we're almost out of time i'm gonna have to go wild here it's up to you to take care of the rest"Luffy said.

"You got it captain"Franky said "Take him down Luffy!"Usopp said "Get as reckless as you want, we're here to catch you captain"Nicole said "Right Second Gear"Luffy said activating it "There are only two ways things can end from here either the sun wipes us out or Moria destroys himself"Zoro said.

Moria attacked again but Luffy dodged and countered knocking Moria back as shadows started escaping from him, Moria countered and crushed Luffy in his move the black box however Luffy was fine, an attack like that wouldn't work on rubber.

"What are you so worried about?"Nicole asked as the others called for Luffy, she grinned "He's rubber remember?"she asked as Luffy popped out of the box completely fine, exhausted but fine otherwise "Maybe i am a little snot, a nail that sticks out but i'll tell you this no one will ever hammer me down!"Luffy said.

"You really believe that don't you? It's almost impressive how damn arrogant you are kid what the hell makes you think you're so indestructible?"Moria asked "Cause rubber bounces back! Mark my words i'm gonna make you spit out all those shadows!"Luffy said, however the sun was rising higher in the sky.

Luffy used his Third Gear while Second Gear was still active and attacked Moria making him spit out shadows but Moria fought back, the female captain started calling her shadow back and the others followed her lead calling their shadows back "You know what i've got some words for my shadow too, if you really wanna be the shadow of the King of the Pirates then you better shape up and come back now!"Luffy called attacking Moria again.

This time he was successful in knocking him back and the mast of Thriller Bark fell on Moria and he spat out all of the shadows however the mast broke letting in the sunlight setting all the Strawhats without shadows on fire because they refused to duck down, as Zoro and Nicole stood there their bodies melting away into nothing they held hands intertwining their fingers.

The sun continued to rise, it seemed to be the end but thankfully everyone had their shadow returned just in time, Nicole couldn't help herself as she grinned jumping on Zoro and kissing him and Zoro was fine with kissing her back even though literally everyone was watching, the other Strawhats just smiled at them, it was super obvious they had been dating, Nicole pulled back and smiled at him as Zoro smiled back.

The Strawhats gathered around their captain as Chopper looked him over "The sunlight had definitely begun to erase our existence but our shadows returned changing our bodies back just in time"Robin explained "How it followed the same logic as when we saw Moria change the shape of Oars by manipulating his shadow"Sanji said.

"My theory is the shadow knows what shape its owner is suppose to be in or something"Sanji said "That is likely, it felt like two of the same person were in completely different places, it was weird, but now everyone is whole again"Nicole said "Hell if i know but relax now that we've beat Moria i don't think we have to worry about our shadows being stolen from us again"Zoro said.

"I'm glad that's over and that no one without a shadow didn't disappear for good"Usopp said "I don't know about you guys but all that fighting wore me out does anyone have any cola?"Franky asked "All that creepy crap and weird creatures in this place were an illusion a false reality made by Moria and his crew now that he's beaten there nothing left in this place, it's like we all woke up from the same horrible nightmare and i for one am sure as hell glad it's over"Sanji said.

Nicole nodded in agreement leaning back onto Zoro enjoying the suns rays "Luffy got small again a second ago huh?"Zoro asked "He told me that when he uses Third Gear his body shrinks for a while as a side effect"Chopper said.

"These new fighting techniques seem like too much for his body to handle, he could actually hurt himself it really starting to worry me, every enemy we run into is stronger then the last one we faced he's gonna keep doing this to himself every single time we need to pull ourselves together and soon"Usopp said.

There was a beat of silence, Nicole considered offering to teach Haki but it takes months to even grasp it and years to master and who knows when they're going to face the next enemy, then the old man they met in the cemetery appeared "It's unbelievable to be able to walk under the sun again, thank you so much i don't know how i can ever repay you"the old man said.

The other pirates ran over "Good you're all here, i'm sorry we didn't thank you sooner"their captain said "We're really grateful to every last one of you folks sorry we got you wrapped up in our mess here"one of the pirates said "Yeah we knew it when we first saw ya, you were our only hope against Moria and that damn curse he put on us"another one said.

"So thank you all, very much, from me and all the members of the Thriller Bark victims club"the female captain said and everyone bowed down going to their knees as they thanked the Strawhats "If you ever need anything please let us know, we may not have much but what we have is yours for the taking"the old man said.

"And lastly and most importantly i will allow one of you to marry me"the female captain said "Hell no!"all the boys said "There's really no need for all this thank you stuff it's like Luffy told the old man when we got here, we were fighting for our own crew and our own terms the fact that you guys were rescued too was just a bonus"Zoro said before Nami slapped him.

"Hey what's wrong with you?! Someone was finally showing us some gratitude!"Nami said as Nicole went over to Zoro poking at his cheek "Yeah she's right let us thank you all proper like okay?"one pirate asked "You guys may not have set out to save us but we're still glad you sent Moria out packing"another said.

"You are really?"Nami asked berry signs for eyes "I should have known"Usopp muttered standing next to her "Yeah and how about we start off by showing you where Moria's treasure is hidden?"one pirate asked "You guys can take every piece we find you sure did earn it"another said "Did we? Okay if you insist"Nami said before she remembered something.

"Something wrong?"Robin asked "Everyone this is serious"Nami said before they heard a voice "I see"it said and everyone looked over, Nicole felt her eyes pop out as she recognized that man, a tall man that looks like a bear, wears gloves and holds a bible, he's a tricky one to fight watch his paws, were the words her father said when he warned her about him.

Bartholomew Kuma was talking to the five elder stars over a transponder snail "Everyone stay calm and listen please"Nami said "That's Bartholomew Kuma one of the seven warlords and one of the more dangerous ones"Nicole cut in getting straight to the point "There's no way" Usopp said.

"What's going on they weren't working together so why would there be two of them here?" Chopper asked "I'm afraid he's here to wipe out the evidence"Nicole said "Huh?What do you mean?!"Usopp asked freaking out "Think about it, we just defeated another warlord, that's a huge blow to the world government they can't let this get out to the public, even if we swore to keep our mouth shuts, they wouldn't believe us, besides that it's easier to wipe evidence under the rug and pretend like nothing is there"Nicole said.

"No way, what are we gonna do?"Usopp asked nearly crying, the five elder stars gave the command and Kuma turned to the crew below, Nicole narrowed her eyes getting ready to fight as did Zoro drawing a sword "Everyone stand back i'll handle this"Zoro said, Nicole would let him go first but was ready to step in if needed.

"Be careful, under those gloves he has paws that can repel anything they touch, even air which he can use for projectiles, whatever you do don't let him touch you"Nicole warned him, Kuma 'teleported' down among the pirates, in reality his power lets him repel himself at great speeds from one place to another.

The other pirates were ready to fight back despite that they stood no chance as proven by the fact when Kuma sent some of them flying, Kuma switched places again standing behind Zoro but looking right at Nicole "Those eyes"he spoke as she narrowed said eyes at him "You truly are his daughter, i shall start the elimination with you"Kuma said Zoro turned to Kuma "You're going through me first"he said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

Kuma switched places again standing behind Zoro but looking right at Nicole "Those eyes"he spoke as she narrowed said eyes at him "You truly are his daughter, i shall start the elimination with you"Kuma said Zoro turned to Kuma "You're going through me first"he said.

"Very well pirate hunter Zoro"Kuma said and Zoro attacked however Kuma shifted out of the way, Kuma appeared over Zoro and aimed an attack but Zoro dodged, Kuma attacked again and Zoro barely dodged "Hey! I told you he can attack with air! You gotta watch his hands and predict his attack!"Nicole called "You say that like it's easy!"Zoro yelled back.

Kuma turned to Zoro and he sent a flying blade attack but Kuma deflected it "Oi! I think i forgot to mention he can repel any attack!"Nicole called "Thank you for the info!"Zoro yelled at her "So it seems you know of my power, your father is quite the chatter box isn't he?"Kuma mused sending an attack at Nicole but at the last second she dodged it.

"Nah he's just a worrywart, he's told me about all of you and what he knows about your abilities"Nicole said "I see"Kuma muttered and took a sumo stance as he faced Zoro again, Zoro drew all three swords as Kuma sent countless attacks at him, Zoro skillfully dodged them and got closer to Kuma going to attack him but Kuma deflected his attack with his paws sending him back.

Kuma stood over Zoro once again aiming an attack at him, Sanji came in and kicked Kuma, however Sanji was hurt instead "I take it your Black Leg Sanji, i expected more from you"Kuma said, Nicole was biting her lip she wanted to take Kuma on herself and she knew she could probably beat him too, but she would shatter Zoro's pride if she stepped in.

Usopp shot as Kuma but the bear man sent it flying back, Zoro and Sanji were totally beat, Nicole was debating if she should step in chewing on her lip so hard she drew blood, "I knew from the start that killing a crew of injured weaklings like you would bring me no joy not to mention it's not a fair fight but orders are orders even if i may not fully agree with them"Kuma said and started gathering air between his palms.

Nicole's eyes widened, she knew what was coming next, Kuma continued to compress air until it was small enough to fit into his palm "I thought it over and i've made a decision, i will spare your lives if you exchange them for the head of Strawhat Luffy"Kuma said, there was a beat of silence "Now then hand him over before i change my mind"Kuma said.

"NEVER!!!"everyone yelled "This was your choice"Kuma said and released his attack which literally blew everyone away destroying anything in it's path and creating a shock wave that travelled even further shaking Thriller Bark around.

~skip~

Nicole groaned as she came too, her ear were ringing and after a few blinks she could see clearly again 'Huh? Zoro? And what's that red thing coming out of Luffy?' she wondered, she couldn't quite hear what Kuma was saying as he took out a small piece from the red paw and aimed it at Zoro, she could see Zoro writhe in agony as it hit him.

Nicole's eyes widened and she sprung up running over as Zoro and Kuma headed elsewhere with the red paw, she eventually caught up and panted catching Zoro by his hand stopping him "I'm not quite sure what you're planning here but"she faced him tears gleaming in her yellow eyes "You can't do this! Whatever that thing is it'll kill you!"she yelled at him.

"Nicole"Zoro said turning to face her, he pulled her in close hugging her for what might be the last time "I have to do this"he said, the dam broke as Nicole quietly sobbed crying into his chest, just from his tone, she knew she couldn't stop him, she calmed her sobbing but the tears still kept falling down as she looked up at Zoro.

Zoro cupped her face wiping away her tears taking a good long look at her face and her eyes that were so similar to her fathers but filled with kindness and love "I love you"Nicole said managing to steady her voice for those three oh so important words "I know"he replied and bend down a bit kissing her, Nicole clutched his shirt kissing him back hoping it would convey even half the amount of actual love she held for him, then darkness.

Zoro caught Nicole after knocking her out, he knew she would follow him but she didn't have to see what would happen, he laid her down and turned back to Kuma walking a bit further ahead, when they came to a stop he gathered his breath before plunging in.

~skip~

Sanji came too and recalled what happened he saw Zoro's swords laying on the ground and took off, eventually he spotted Nicole and shook her awake "Hey wake up!"he called, Nicole sprung up "Where's Zoro?!"she gasped instead of hitting him like normally Sanji went to answer "Never mind, i just located him!"she said getting up and rushing off "Hey wait!"Sanji called running after her.

Nicole came to a stop covering her mouth as her eyes watered as Zoro stood in the middle blood dripping down from him, blood sprayed everywhere, his blood, Sanji walked over once spotting Zoro as well "What the? What happened here?"he asked walking over to Zoro "Nothing happened" Zoro said as cool as ever totally not flexing at all, Nicole chocked on a sob as she rushed over and hugged him not caring if she got blood stains all over her "I'm so glad you're alive!"she grinned sobbing a giggle.

Zoro sighed letting himself relax in her arms and instantly falling unconscious, Nicole wiped her eyes sniffing a bit "Hey help me carry him, Chopper needs to treat him right away"she said turning to Sanji who was a bit stunned "Huh, oh yeah of course"he said snapping out of it and helped Nicole carry Zoro over to the others.

Chapter Text

~Third~

One day later, "Chopper"Luffy called as him and the rest came over setting up the party, Zoro was still laying on the bed still under treatment, Nicole was sitting next to the bed on a chair and holding Zoro's hand , she hadn't budged an inch from that spot all day even ignoring her own injuries until Zoro was at least patched up.

"We've got everything you asked for bundled up here"Franky said "Oh that's great thanks" Chopper said "How's Zoro doing?"Luffy asked "I've never seen him in such terrible condition before he was teetering on the edge of death"Nicole squeezed Zoro's hand on the word death.

"It's bizarre something happened while we were passed out, he was injured before but not like this"Chopper said "How are you holding up Nicole?"Luffy asked, Nicole gave a tired smile, she spent all day and night helping Chopper treat Zoro "I'm fine"she simply said, Luffy could see she wasn't fine but decided not to press it and just grinned "Okay"he nodded.

"It is strange and it's stranger that Kuma the tyrant just left"Robin said walking over "Stranger still is why's Luffy so energetic?"Usopp wondered, "Yeah i don't get it either but it's fine with me"Luffy said "You wanna know what happened? Then look no further"One pirate said but before the other could say anything a cold tired glare was thrown at them, they promptly shut up as Nicole turned back to Zoro.

Sanji dragged out the two guys and questioned them on what happened, clearly Nicole didn't want anyone to know and neither did Zoro now that he thought about the swordsman's response when he asked about it before.

The two told Sanji everything they saw, Sanji took a drag from his cigarette "That explains why Luffy's just fine and Zoro's damn near comatose, that moron making Nicole worry like that, no wonder she reacted as she did"he said more to himself recalling that.

"Well now that you know come on let's go spread the tale of how brave your friend is"one pirate said "Yeah and let's not forget that tear jerking parting of lovers"the other said and the two ran off "Hold it"Sanji said stopping them.

"You're keeping your mouth shut, Zoro didn't do this for Luffy's gratitude and besides how do you think it would make Luffy feel if he found out Zoro is suffering from his pain? I bet that's why Nicole is also keeping quiet about it"Sanji said, the two were still unsure though "Don't say a word or i'll kick the crap out of you!"Sanji threatened "Alright you convinced me"one pirate said "Yeah you're absolutely right"the other said.

"Everyone's still alive right? That's all that matters, now let's go eat"Sanji said going back inside, however Robin had used her powers to listen in on the conservation, anyway the party got started but Nicole still wasn't leaving Zoro's side "It's loud as a battlefield in here and he's sleeping right through it"Chopper said eating some sweets.

Nicole giggled a bit "That's nothing new, he can sleep through pretty much anything"she said "Hey Chopper here"Luffy grinned bringing over a barrel of booze "It's Zoro's portion, now drink up"Luffy said holding the barrel up "Back off!"Nicole yelled punching him straight to the other side of the room creating an indent in the wall, she knew it wouldn't hurt him though, she was too tired to use Haki.

"I'll make sure he gets to drink it once he wakes up and you damn better save some for me too!" Nicole yelled "Yes ma'am"Luffy called from his hole in the wall, Nicole huffed sitting back down and going back to holding Zoro's hand instantly relaxing him as Brook started playing some songs.

~skip~

Nicole perked up a bit as Brook started playing a tune very familiar to her, frankly there probably wasn't a pirate in the world that hasn't heard Bink's Sake, she found herself quietly singing along making Zoro smile in his sleep.

~skip~

"I'm so glad to still be alive!"Brook cried "Ah does the offer to join your crew still stand?"he asked after calming down "Yeah welcome aboard"Luffy said shocking the others except Zoro who was asleep, Nicole who just smiled and Robin who giggled a bit, the others tossed Brook around and they celebrated the joining of a new crew member.

~skip~

Two days later, Franky and Usopp had build a gravestone for the Rumbar pirates, Brook's old crew, and buried them, the others headed to the Sunny but Brook stayed behind playing a tune for his old crew when he was joined by Zoro carrying a napping Nicole on his back.

Zoro said nothing as he buried Yubashiri and shifted Nicole to his lap as he sat down"Goodness you gave me a fright are you feeling better?"Brook asked "Yeah i over slept a bit"Zoro said "And what about her?"Brook asked referring to Nicole cuddling into Zoro still deep in nap mode "She'll be fine, she didn't sleep one wink while i was out"he said looking at Nicole.

"You're lucky to have found such a woman"Brook said, Zoro smiled a bit "She is quite the woman"he said.

~skip~

Nicole was walking around but not really totally awake yet, she was kinda dazed as the Strawhats were setting off, Lola gave a piece of a vivre card to Nami saying it was her mothers and explained what it was "Oh yeah Nicole said something about those when Ace gave me his"Luffy grinned, Nicole still in a daze tilted her head "I did?"she asked.

Luffy checked the card which was burning slightly, Lola explained what it meant but Luffy believed his big bro would manage and the Strawhats officially set off celebrating Brook joining them again now that Zoro was awake.

~skip~

It's been a few days since Thriller Bark, the Sunny and her crew were stuck since the wind had yet to pick up, getting to take a brake wasn't all that bad though.

"Here you go Brook"Nicole smiled handing the cane sword back to the skeleton after doing maintenance on it "Yohoho thank you very much, my sword looks as good as new not that i have eyes to look with Yohohoho"Brook said looking at the sharpened and polished bit of metal "Nah it was no trouble, i was surprised it's conditions is as good as it is"Nicole said.

"Well i did my best to maintain it but i feel relieved to have an expert such as you to look at it" Brook said "I'm hardly an expert but thank you for the compliment regardless"Nicole said before there was a hawk call from the sky.

Nicole smiled jumping up and held her hand out "Ah a message from your father?"Brook asked as the hawk landed on her arm "Yep, did you read that in the log book too?"Nicole asked "Yes" Brook nodded as Nicole got the letter off the hawks leg and started reading it.

Nicole smiled a bit finishing it and tucking it away before she got to writing a reply, she tied it onto hawk's leg and sent him off before turning to maintain Zoro's swords "Uhm"Brook said, Nicole hummed a bit glancing at him as she was inspecting Kitetsu.

"May i ask what did your father write about?"Brook asked "He said he was proud of my new bounty and asked how things were with me and so on"Nicole said "Uhm"Brook said just as Nicole was going to full focus mode, she hummed a bit and looked at him clearly a little irritated "Uh never mind"Brook said walking off as Nicole went into full focus mode.

Chapter Text

~Third~

It was another beautiful day as the Sunny and her crew were sailing along, Luffy, Usopp, Chopper and Brook were trying to catch fish, Zoro and Nicole were napping leaning on a tree while the rest were having tea "Nami, are we there yet? I wanna be on fishman island right now" Luffy whined.

"Could you shut up for five minutes? We're getting closer that good enough okay?!"Nami said, Sanji got all excited about mermaids "Screw catching food! I just wanna eat it! Sanji! Food!"Luffy yelled throwing his fishing pole away in frustration.

"Hey look! There's a big school of fish down there we finally hit the jackpot"Usopp said "Yohoho as they say good things come to those who wait"Brook said and Luffy rejoined them in fishing "Whoa they're headed straight for us!"he said but the school of fish went right past them.

"That looks bad"Zoro said noticing the clouds waking up with Nicole "It's a sea snake current, brace yourselves"Nami called as the sky grew dark and currents rose from the water slithering around like snakes, the currents started attacking them but Zoro and Franky handled it.

"Zoro you shouldn't push yourself like that"Nicole said coming over to his side after he had cut one of the currents, Zoro caught his breath before turning to her "I'm fine"he said before yelling at Sanji, more of the currents started attacking but the crew handled them.

"How are we gonna get out of this mess?"Chopper asked clinging onto the mast "Think we can fly out of here with a coup de burst?"Franky asked "It won't work, i can't see an end to these currents, we're stuck here"Nami said "No! Why?!"Chopper cried.

"Yohoho shall i play a song for everyone? In times like these you must remember that no matter how terrible the storm it will eventually pass so i'll play some music to see us through and you can sing along"Brook said "Sounds good Brook let's do it!"Luffy cheered but before Brook could do it before a current appeared under the Sunny shaking the ship around and sending them flying.

"Hey look"Nami said spotting something through the clouds, the Red Line, they had reached the halfway point, Nicole smiled it only felt like yesterday when they were crossing Reverse Mountain and though she has seen this end of the Grand Line many times she had never crossed into the New World.

A giant current appeared in front them but they managed to ride the current just like they did the Knock Up stream, they pulled in the sails and the Sunny took off flying with a coup de burst, the ship landed outside the storm and they reached the Red Line "I can't see the top, it's huge!" Chopper said.

"It's strange i feel sorta nostalgic, i'm getting a bit chocked up"Nami said "Hasn't been that long since we last saw this but i feel like we've grown up"Zoro said, Nicole hummed nodding in agreement "I can't seem to stop crying"Usopp said crying.

Luffy chuckled "Anyway we're halfway there, Twin Capes where met Laboon are connected to the Red Line on the other side of the world, we had some close calls but i'm glad we made it this far without losing anybody"he said.

"If we keep this up and sail around the world we'll come around to see this one more time and when we do then i'm gonna be King of the Pirates"Luffy grinned chuckling a bit "We have to be extra careful from here on out we're right next to the holy land Mary Geoise along with navy headquarters and the world government"Nami said.

"Nah we got nothing to worry about, those pompous asses up there are busy with their own things"Nicole said, going with Zoro and watching him train, yet she couldn't help feeling this deep sense of dread like something bad was going to happen, it formed a pit in her stomach and her throat clench as she felt an unease bubbling up, she clenched her jaw taking a deep breath as she covered her mouth.

Zoro noticed and went over to her "You okay there? You look pale"he asked "I'm fine, just"Nicole sighed rubbing her head feeling a pounding headache "I feel like something really bad is going to happen"she said "You still look like you're gonna throw up, you should have Chopper take a look"Zoro said "Nah let him have his fun, i'll be fine"Nicole smiled reassuringly but Zoro was still concerned.

"Really i'm fine, tell you what if, i do actually throw up i'll go to Chopper asap"Nicole smiled grabbing his hand smiling at him, Zoro sighed and leaned over kissing her forehead "Alright"he said and went back to training, Nicole started to doze of as she continued to watch him and eventually fell asleep, Zoro glanced at her, lately she's seemed more tired too however he pushed his concern aside and continued training.

~skip~

After her nap Nicole felt much better and jumped down from the crows nest with Zoro "Hey Zoro, hey Nicole"Luffy greeted them "I noticed the Sunny setting off so we finally found a way to fish man island?"Zoro asked "Forget that it's a real life mermaid her name's Kamie isn't she cool?"Luffy grinned "Nice to meet you"Kamie greeted with a smile.

"Nice to meet you too"Nicole smiled back at her "A mermaid huh?"Zoro asked and erased the memory of Kokoro "Never seen one before"he said, Nicole giggled a bit "She has a friend that makes real good takoyaki so we're gonna save him first so we can eat"Luffy said "Oh? I could go for some takoyaki"Nicole said feeling an inexplicable craving.

"I'm kinda worried, Hatchin didn't sound like himself at all when we talked i'm afraid they've done something awful to him"Kamie said "He's tough enough to cope i wouldn't worry about it, you guys on the other hand were awful quick to offer your help but are you positive you're not in over your head on this?"Pappagu the starfish asked.

Luffy grinned "You kidding?"he asked "Alright but fair warning these guys aren't the only kidnappers in the area, there's a whole bunch of crews just like 'em, the Sabaody Archipelago is a hot spot for kidnapping, human trafficking is big business around here"Pappagu said "You mean like slave trading or something? Pretty sick stuff"Sanji said.

'You don't even know the half of it' Nicole thought glaring off into the distance "Seeing as mermaid fetch such a high price on the market a trio of fishmen that call themselves the Macro Gang have been targeting Kamie for a long time, we were stuck in that sea monsters belly for a while, Hatchi probably got worried about us and figured the Marco Gang kidnapped you or something then he went after them to rescue you and got kidnapped himself"Pappagu said.

"Yeah that must be it, Hatchin's always so kind and he's always looking after me this is all my fault"Kamie said as Zoro and Nicole took a seat on the stairs "Guy's named Hatchin huh? Reminds me of that dumbass octopus from way back"Zoro said "Yeah"Nicole nodded in agreement.

"If it's that guy there's no way i'm helping him but what are the odds right?"Sanji asked "Usually Hatchi can take those guys or anybody else for that matter but with the Flying Fish Riders involved it's a whole different story"Pappagu said "Okay but who are these guys?"Franky asked.

"They're another one of those kidnapping crews i mentioned, they've really been running the place lately word is once they target you you're as good as done for, their boss Duval is a scary guy with an iron mask, nobody knows what his face looks like, anyway it seems like their looking for someone, they've been stopping every ship that comes by here and checking out their crews member by member"Pappagu said.

"Nah how tough they can be? It's fine, don't worry Kamie well get the takoyaki back for sure" Luffy said "I'm sure you're right Luffy-chin"Kamie said "Of course i'm right, hey Brook why don't you play a song to lighten the mood?"Luffy asked "Yohoho with pleasure captain"Brook said and started playing a tune on his violin.

Nicole relaxed as she leaned on Zoro listening to the tune, right, there's nothing to worry about, she's just been winded up cause they're close to Sabaody, that place doesn't have the best memories for her, well parts of it at least, like that human shop, she shook her head out of it before dwelling on those memories too much, she didn't like thinking about it anyway.

"Hey guys we're in trouble!"Usopp called as the fish scattered "Did something happen?"Nami asked "The fish said they're sorry but they can't take us any further they're scared"Kamie said "What someone's here?"Luffy asked "Look it's the Flying Fish Riders!"Pappagu said as they came flying in from above.

"Wow they really can fly"Usopp said "That's awesome!"Luffy said sparkles in his eyes "They are our enemy!"Zoro yelled at him, the group came flying around again dropping bombshells but Luffy and Nicole dealt with them "That was a close one"Usopp said "They're not finished once they're out of the water the flying fish can stay in the air for up to five minutes"Kamie said but the flying fish flew off.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"The flying fish just left?"Chopper asked "And they were the ones who started the attack weird" Franky said "It seemed that they received a message, maybe it was an order for them to retreat, i can't imagine why though"Robin said "Probably to set a trap"Nicole said.

"Well we're headed to their base now so we'll find out"Sanji said "Hey how about lining the deck with cannons? Sniper Usopp will blow them out of the sky"Usopp said "Good thinking bro" Franky said.

~skip~

"Hey i see something"Luffy said as they approached the Flying Fish Riders base "From the looks of it i bet that's the Flying Fish Riders base"Franky said "So Kamie's friend Hatchin is being held somewhere around here right? Let's get moving we gotta save those takoyaki!"Luffy said.

"Oh before you go listen up, be careful out there okay? The Macro Gang has managed to capture me over thirty times already"Kamie said "You get captured way too often!"Usopp said, the Sunny sailed inside the enemy base but there was no one in sight, Nicole could tell there were people all around them however.

"That's weird why would anyone set their base way out here?"Zoro asked "Who knows"Sanji shrugged "Luffy you sure about this?!"Usopp called "Go! Straight ahead!"Luffy called "Shouldn't we at least go over the plan again or something?!"Usopp yelled at him.

Kamie and Pappagu started calling for their friend "Over there! There's someone in that cage!" Nicole called spotting them, the Sunny sailed in closer Kamie gasped going over to the railing and getting a closer look "It kinda looks like Hatchin"she said.

"I'm here Kamie i'm fine there's no need to worry okay?!"the caged fishman said "Hatchin it really is you!"Kamie said but then noticed something "What happened?! You're covered in ink!"she screamed "Uh well they didn't do that it's my own fault actually anyway this is a trap get out of here before they catch you don't worry i can take care of myself i'll be okay so just go!" the fishman said.

"There's something familiar about that voice"Nicole mused "Yeah, you noticed too right?"Zoro asked Nami "Uh huh the shape too, yeah i know who he is"Nami said "You do?"Luffy asked "Let's just ask him and get this over with already"Sanji said "Hey you! So how's Arlong doing these days?!"he called.

"Huh, uh not so good actually, him, Chu, Kurobi and all the others got caught by the navy i was the only one who escaped now i've given up my life of crime and i'm running a takoyaki stand, funny how time flies right?"Hatchin now revealed to be Hatchan the octopus fishman from Arlong's crew asked.

It took a hot minute for Luffy to figure it out "You! The dumb squid with the swords!"he yelled "They tricked me! Damn it all"Hatchan said "I'm right aren't i? You were one of Arlong's crew, you're the takoyaki guy what kind of crap is that?!"Luffy yelled at him, Usopp caught up the others on what had happened.

"Listen up you dumb jerk fish! Now that we know it's you there's no way we're gonna save you so you better get used to that cage! But well you know uhm just asking but are your takoyaki as yummy as everyone says they are?"Luffy asked "What a moron"Zoro grumbled.

"Hey wait a second does this mean you guys know Hatchin? He must be an old friend of yours or something"Kamie said "He's not our friend!"Nicole said glaring at her giving the mermaid quite the fright "Turn the ship around!"Usopp called "Nami-chin"Kamie pleaded, Nami sighed "Sorry we can't help you, i know we said yes at first but we didn't know this was the friend you were talking about"she said.

"Oh come on, you can't just leave him like this after coming all this way, please"Kamie pleaded "Don't worry about it Kamie just leave okay? This is a trap!"Hatchan called "This sucks, fine then i'll have to do it!"Kamie said and jumped into the water with Pappagu however they were captured.

Nami watched as Hatchan tried braking the cage he was in to save his friend and sighed "Alright we might as well save him after all"she said "Huh?"Usopp asked "Hatchi isn't all that bad i's go so far as to say he's harmless, i'm not gonna hold a grudge and besides we promised Kamie we'd help her didn't we?"Nami winked.

"Are you sure Nami?"Usopp asked "It's really okay?"Zoro asked "Yep, right Luffy?"Nami asked "You say it's okay, it's okay, we'll save the octopus"Luffy said turning over with takoyaki eyes before he stretched over and grabbed Kamie and Pappagu and landing over at the base.

"Yeah i got them octopus"Luffy grinned "Thank you Strawhat, you have my most sincere gratitude for saving little Kamie i owe you one"Hatchan said "Hey! Cut up the octopus' cage and untie him Zoro!"Luffy called "Right!"Zoro called back, Nicole frowned a bit, since it was an order she could step in for Zoro, she would of preferred he didn't move at all but Luffy didn't know

"Be careful Strawhat the trap is still set! The Flying Fish Riders have got you surrounded! They'll take you down anyway they can don't let your guard down!"Hatchan yelled "I don't care if they come from the sea or sky, we'll be ready, we're gonna beat the crap out of them"Luffy said.

"Listen up you guys! Time to fight!"Luffy announced and the others cheered ready to fight "Guys their here!"Usopp called spotting them in the water, Chopper, Zoro, Nicole and Sanji leapt into action as the flying fish flew out of the water.

Luffy grabbed one of the fish and started flying around, the other riders dropped cannonballs onto the ship but Sanji kicked them away, the Strawhats drew in the sails cause they were in the way, the Flying Fish Riders went under the fish Luffy was on going down as well.

Brook and Chopper went in after Luffy despite all of them being devil fruit users, Franky and Nicole went after them and fished them out "We're having a damn fight here don't screw around!"Franky scolded them "Sorry"Luffy said before spitting up some water and tiny fish.

"And you two are even worse what the hell did you think was gonna happen? You have devil fruit powers"Franky pointed out "I was just trying to help"Chopper said "I'm sorry to have caused you so much trouble friends"Brook said "How about in the future you help by staying on the ship?"Nicole suggested "Right"Chopper and Brook nodded.

The Marco Gang went after Kamie and Pappagu again and Zoro set Hatchan free by slicing up the cage and ropes holding him, Hatchan easily took care of the Macro Gang and had a reunion with Kamie before the Flying Fish Riders attacked again but Zoro took care of it jumping over to the land.

Nicole was anxious to go over and check on him but stayed on the ship defending it from the Flying Fish Riders with the rest "Some big guy's coming right at us, he's got a huge club"Chopper said "Yeah looks like he's not steering don't tell me the lunatic is gonna crash straight into our ship"Sanji said.

"Looks like it, Sanji give me a boost"Nicole said before getting some distance "Right"Sanji nodded as Nicole ran over and jumped up, Sanji kicked her off and over to the fish where upon she sliced up the club and it's wielder getting them off before steering the fish away from the ship being able to do so because reasons.

"HEY! No fair! I wanna ride one too!"Luffy yelled "Then catch one!"Nicole yelled back steering the fish over to where Zoro was and getting off once there letting the fish go back in the sea as she walked over to Zoro "You okay?"she whispered to him "You worry too much"he replied.

Then Luffy crashed into the base after trying to ride one of the fish again, inside he saw something shocking, Nicole frowned as her attention was drawn away from that to Zoro who was panting quite heavily "I knew it, you're still hurt"she said catching him as he fell over "I'm fine"he panted.

"That's it for me"Brook said crashing onto the shore of the base "I've got muscle cramps not that i have any muscles to cramp in the first place"Brook said "Hey nice work back there Brook, you really thinned those fish riders out huh?"Zoro said "Uh huh i wanted to be of service and i think i need a moment to rest"Brook said.

"You did great, take your time, unlike this idiot here that's still hurt"Nicole said "I see, so you are still injured"Brook said "Injured or not there's no way i'm losing to a bunch of fish i'll be fine" Zoro said, "Quit acting tough this is just like the last time we ran into this guy"Nicole said cutting down the fish riders attacking them "Shut up"Zoro panted "That was much worse then this"he said.

~skip~

"Luffy!"Zoro called as the rubber boy came running over "Big one coming through!"Luffy said "Iron masked guy?"Hatchan asked "Yeah and he's on a huge cow"Luffy said coming to a stop "Cow?"Zoro asked as said creature came crashing in a big guy in an iron mask riding on top.

"I didn't get into the slave trade because i wanted to, this is the greatest day of my life the man that i dreamed of killing is right before my eyes, i may have suffered to get here but it's all been worth it, i gotta admit miracles can happen after all, i didn't do a damn thing to that bastard and he made my life hell! He ruined me!"the iron mask guy said looking over to the ship.

"Hey what's his deal is he talking to us?"Usopp asked "I've got nothing to lose anymore, i'm ending this, even if i die i'm taking you with me, do you hear me? Black Leg Sanji! I've been waiting for this for a long time"Iron mask guy said with an accent.

"Me? What in the hell did i do? That's weird"Sanji muttered "Sanji hey what gives? The heck did you do to piss this guy off so bad?"Franky asked "Maybe something back on the Baratie?"Nami wondered "If we're going back that far, i did all sorts of stuff to piss people off, geez i can't even count them all"Sanji said.

"Don't play dumb with me Black Leg! It wasn't that long ago damn it!"Iron mask guy said firing harpoons at them "Huh, if it was something that resent i'm even more confused"Sanji said, the harpoons were poisoned and the iron mask guy kept firing them at the ship.

"I saw what was under that mask of his"Luffy said "Oh yeah then who is he?"Zoro asked "You'll be surprised but you've seen his face"Luffy said running off "I have?"Zoro asked "It's gotta be someone we know, Luffy would forget their face other wise"Nicole said "Now i really wanna know!"Zoro said and they watched as Luffy kicked off the mask revealing a face they knew VERY well, since it looked exactly like Sanji's drawing on the wanted poster.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Black Leg Sanji you ruined me! This is all your fault!"Duval yelled, Sanji swam over as Duval ranted about something or other "Uh hey"Luffy greeted as Sanji came over, Sanji ran over and kicked Duval.

"Listen up you punk if you don't take responsibility for this then who will huh?!"Duval asked "Shut the hell up i'm more pissed about the stupid wanted poster then anyone!"Sanji yelled back "They really look the same don't they?"Hatchan asked "Two peas in a pod"Zoro said as Brook burst into uncontrollable laughter, Nicole couldn't help snickering just the lightest bit either.

"When i'm done with this guy i'm gonna flatten you!"Sanji yelled at them "You go ahead and take care of this will sit this one out"Luffy said "Don't act like it's my fault!"Sanji yelled at him before turning to Duval.

"If you didn't wanna look like the stupid wanted poster then why didn't you cut your hair or grow a beard instead of trying to kill me?!"Sanji asked him "Ha! I didn't think of that"Duval said "If you're that stupid you can only blame yourself!"Sanji yelled at him "Just shut up and listen to me!"Duval yelled back and went on to tell his lives story which no one cared about.

"My whole life is ruined because you decided to be a damn pirate! I'm gonna chase you to the end of hell if that's what it takes if you gotta problem with that then why don't you just kill me and get it over with!"Duval said pointing at Sanji.

Sanji jumped up and grabbed Duval by the throat "You're telling me you put Nami, Robin and Nicole in danger even though they has nothing to do with this because some moron drew a crappy picture of me?"he asked.

"Cause they're part of the crew that made you a famous pirate in the first place, if i'm gonna take revenge i might as well wipe out the rest of your crew while i'm at it right? None of you are making it out alive!"Duval said firing poison harpoons at Sanji but he dodged them.

"Move to trap them!"Duval told his crew via transponder snail and the riders flew out of the sea attacking them, Sanji leapt up taking care of one of them but the other two caught him in an iron net and dragged him down into the sea "I'm on it! You humans are too slow underwater to catch up in time"Hatchan said running on ahead.

Duval laughed "You're right but you don't stand a chance against the speed of my men, come on even you should know flying fish are the fastest creatures on the sea and my men have oxygen tanks so they can take their time to make sure your friend is nice and dead by the time he comes up, see? I thought of everything"he said.

"I wish i could of crushed the life out of that bastard with my own two hands but at least i know he'll die suffering"Duval said and just laughed "It's alright"Kamie said jumping into the water "Hey cowboy i think you may have forgotten about a little someone like you said flying fish are definitely faster then fishmen but when it comes to speed mermaids top the charts"Pappagu said.

"She's really that awesome i never knew"Luffy said "Yeah and if she wasn't spacing out all the time nothing would ever be able to catch her it is what it is"Pappagu said "I see, Kamie we're counting on you good luck!"Luffy called.

The Flying Fish Riders got out of the water dragging a huge anchor aiming it for the ship, they dropped the anchor but the Sunny dodged it by going backwards, a cannon appeared on the bow, Usopp took aim the cannon charged and fired a huge beam.

Zoro grabbed Nicole and stood firm as the blast blew literally everything back, Luffy was literally beaming with how impressed he was, Kamie had saved Sanji getting up to the surface "Looks like you lost a lot of men back there"Luffy said "Shut your mouth! I don't need the flying fish riders as long as i got Motobaro"Duval said

"You think i ride this guy cause he looks cool? Ha! Countless have fallen pray to his horns, he poked holes in the village dam back home and if you try putting him in a cage he smashes the bars, the marines keep hounding me but i escape everytime cause this guy is always ready to bust some heads!"Duval said.

"Okay let's rock"Luffy said and the cow or whatever charged at him however Luffy was able to hold it off "There's no point in fighting you big cow stop it"Luffy said, Nicole furrowed her brows as the cow or whatever backed off, that was way too easy, the cow fainted 'Oh i see what happened' Nicole thought, Luffy unconsciously used Haki and not just any Haki, Nicole knew this was Conqueror's Haki.

Anyway Sanji was back up and kicked the crap out of Duval and the Strawhats sailed out of there and over to Hatchan's takoyaki shop "So good!"Luffy said scarfing them down making a mess of himself, Nicole got a couple plates full and hopped on the Sunny with Zoro sharing the takoyaki with him.

"Hey! Hey you guys!"Someone called "Who's that?"Franky wondered "It's those flying fish guys" Nicole said, it was Duval and his gang coming over to thank Sanji for rearranging Duval's face, Duval gave his number and the newly dubbed Rosy Life Riders left shortly after.

The Strawhats were all done eating totally stuffed, Hatchan, Kamie and Pappagu joined the others on the Sunny for some tea as they continued to sail towards Sabaody Archipelago "It looks like you're on the right course, first stop Sabaody Archipelago"Kamie said looking at the map.

"And we gotta go there first if we wanna get to fishman island?"Usopp asked "We fishmen and mermaid could dive right down there and get there in no time at all, it's not so easy for humans the water pressure would crush you to bits if you tried"Hatchan said as in the background Nicole and Zoro went to have their nap.

"You've been unusually quiet"Zoro pointed out leaning on the staircase wall, Nicole sighed sitting next to him "I just have a lot on my mind, i can't help feeling like something is going to happen and i'm not too keen on going back to Sabaody"she said leaning on him "You've been there before?"Zoro asked, Nicole nodded "When i was ten"she said and almost slipped into old memories but shook her head out of it "I don't like thinking about it"she said.

"I see, your sob story happened in Sabaody?"Zoro asked, Nicole nodded but didn't go further into it falling asleep on him, "Hey look we're here everybody!"Pappagu said waking up Nicole and Zoro as they arrived at Sabaody Archipelago.

Chapter Text

~Third~

The Sunny was making it's way through the archipelago while the others were completely enamoured and in awe of their new surroundings Nicole was anything but that, she shivered as old memories began to resurface and a feeling of dread started to bubble again, Zoro noticed and grabbed her hand squeezing it reassuringly.

Nicole smiled at him as all her bad memories and feelings of dread washing away, that's right, she wasn't alone now, she had Zoro and the others, anyway Hatchan explained how this place worked as the Strawhats made their way to Grove 41 and anchored their ship and got off the ship.

"Hey make sure you all remember the grove number okay? Like i said before the whole Archipelago is connected by a series of bridges so you won't get lost if you remember the number your docked at"Hatchan said.

Nicole sweatdropped, Zoro would find a way to get lost regardless at least she'll remember the way, maybe, she was a little distracted by her own thoughts, Luffy was playing around with the bubbles and came crashing down after the bubble popped, he was fine though.

"So Hatchi what's our objective on this island anyway? Didn't you say something before about the ship getting coated?"Nami asked "We'll meet up with one of the islands coating specialist and have him slap a coat of this resin on your ship, that's all it takes after that your ship will be fully equipped for underwater travel"Hatchan said.

"Seriously?"Franky asked "Yep the process works wonders and it's the only way i know of how humans can reach fishman island but you don't want an amateur to do it if it's not done right the water pressure will crush the ship and everyone on it, i've got one specialist i really trust though so you'll be in good hands"Hatchan said.

"But first in exchange for my help promise me one thing"Hatchan said "Sure, what is it?"Luffy asked, Nicole had a hunch what it would be "Once we cross the bridge into town there's a chance we might run into the world nobles"Hatchan said "Okay who?"Chopper asked "Yeah who are they?"Luffy asked.

"The pompous asses that live in Marie Geoise, supposedly they're descendants of the originators of the world government and somehow that makes them think their above everyone else, calling themselves Celestial Dragons and thinking their above other humans even, a load of crap they're even worse then slave traders"Nicole said a hatred in her eyes none of the Strawhats had seen before.

Then it died down as Nicole sighed "But you can't do anything to defy them, even if they kill someone you'll have to look the other way, they wear mask so as to not breath the same air, that's how pompous they think of themselves as and no one can do anything to knock them off their high horse, because if they do Headquarters will send an Admiral and a fleet of battleships loaded full with marines and with how close we are to it, it won't even take a day for them to arrive"she said.

A few of the Strawhats went back to the ship, Usopp and Franky were refueling the cola, Sanji was guarding Nami's treasure, Zoro had stayed behind with Nicole cause she refused to go any further into Sabaody however as Zoro jumped off running off somewhere she didn't hesitate to follow.

"Hey Zoro! Where are you going?!"Usopp and Sanji called "For a walk, that okay?"Zoro asked coming to a stop letting Nicole catch up to him "Of course not!"Usopp said "You're gonna get yourself lost moron!"Sanji yelled at him "I'm not gonna get lost! Only an idiot would get turned around in a place like this!"Zoro yelled back.

Nicole sweatdropped, she knew better "Don't worry you guys, i'll make sure he doesn't get lost!"she called "Alright then have fun!"Usopp called "Moss head! If you don't protect Nicole i'll kick your ass!"Sanji called as the two waved them off.

"Tsk, i'm not that stupid, at the very least i will always protect you"Zoro said glancing at Nicole making her blush before looking at the tree and memorizing the number 1 getting confused because a bubble happened to block the four before the one, he grabbed Nicole's hand dragging her with him as he walked off.

~skip~

Luffy, Brook and Chopper were lead into Shakky's rip off bar by Hatchan where all of that which i'm too lazy to write happened but i'm writing this bit cause i wanna, anyway "My contacts tell me you've got some infamous company out there with your arrival on the Sabaody Archipelago there are now twelve people with bounties exceeding one hundred million berries on the groves"Shakky told the crew.

"There are twelve people with bounties that high?"Chopper asked "That's right, adding Roronoa, Mihawk and Monkey here to the list you've got twelve so there are nine others, you had a choice to make when you crossed the Grand Line, there are seven sea routes that would lead you here and after you picked one you followed your log pose the rest of the way right?"Shakky asked.

Luffy nodded "Well naturally these other pirates picked one of the six routes you chose not to and trust me they went through just as much trouble as you did to get here, it doesn't matter which route you took you eventually hit the Red Line and everyone winds up on this archipelago with hopes of getting past that giant wall, it's a bit crazy that all of the worlds best rookies managed to show up here at the same time though and such a notorious lot at that"Shakky said.

"At the top you've got Kid, yourself, Hawkins, Drake and Law, the fifth spot is actually a shared one with your friend Mihawk, since her and Law have the same bounty on their heads, for now at least"Shakky said.

~skip~

"Hold it!"Nicole hissed grabbing Zoro and hiding in the alley "But you saw what happened we can't just-"he was cut off "I know!"Nicole said, Zoro stopped in his struggling noticing Nicole glaring at the Celestial Dragons.

"Believe me i'd like nothing more then to take out one of those pompous asses, they probably wouldn't even see it coming but like i said before if i did that an admiral would be called here, do you want to bring that kind of trouble here?"Nicole asked shifting her glare to him.

Zoro recalled the trouble they had with Aokiji and sighed "No but it pisses me off"he spat out also glaring at the Celestial Dragon "That's good, remember that"she said shifting her glare back to the Celestial Dragon and watching as they left.

Nicole sighed once the Celestial Dragon was out of sight "Come on"she said tugging him along as she went over to the guy shot earlier and Zoro picked him up before Nicole lead Zoro to the nearest hospital, they dropped the guy off and the pair decided to head back to Sunny which Zoro remembered was docked in grove 1, something didn't sound right to Nicole about that but she shrugged it off and held Zoro's hand walking with him.

~skip~

On their way back Nicole and Zoro ran into some trouble with bounty hunters but Nicole took care of all of them in the blink of an eye "So anyway as i was saying are you sure it was Grove 1?" Nicole asked putting her sword away as the pair walked away from the beaten group of men "Yeah i'm sure"Zoro said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

Luffy spotted Zoro and Nicole and pulled them on board the flying fish as he came by, Luffy crashed into the auction house just as they were calling the final bid on Kamie, Luffy and Zoro joined the others but Nicole stayed where she was hiding behind the crashed fish.

All of the sudden Nicole could feel that cold collar on her neck again, she felt the greedy eyes of buyers leering at her, she felt fear, she felt her throat clench, a cold sweat roll down her back, she felt something rise up and swallowed thickly trying to keep her breath steady but being inside an auction house was overwhelming her.

Then Nicole jumped feeling a hand on her shoulder, it was Chopper, he had noticed her on the verge of a panic attack, the doctor of the group decided not to question what brought it on right now and just helped her calm down before a gun shot drew both their attention.

The Celestial Dragon had shot Hatchan and was gloating about it, Luffy snapped, he started walking over but Hatchan grabbed him "Please Strawhat, don't do this, it's my fault i'm the one who screwed up okay? Please don't forget your promise like i said you can't defy the Celestial Dragons even if they kill someone"Hatchan said.

Nicole got out of her hiding spot having calmed down a bit and walked over to Zoro standing next to him as she grabbed his hand calming herself down further.

"There was a time when i was a pirate, a criminal, this is the punishment i deserve for doing all those horrible things, i'm so sorry i didn't mean for everything to turn out like this, i just wanted to make amends with Nami however i could, even if it wasn't much i wanted to be helpful to you and your crew but i screwed that up i guess just like every other thing, i wanted to do something right for once and show Nami how sorry i am"Hatchan said.

"All my life all i've ever done is cause trouble, i'm sorry forgive me!"Hatchan cried, just as Luffy had calmed down the pompous ass opened his mouth and pissed him off again, Luffy went up the stairs and punched the pompous ass right in his ugly face.

(A/N: I feel giddy everytime that scene comes up, so satisfying)

"Sorry everybody now that i've punched this guy there's gonna be a navy admiral coming here with a warship"Luffy said "I'm just pissed i didn't get to cut him down, you beat me to it"Zoro said putting Shusui back "Geez, and here i was hoping i could avoid fighting an admiral again, i already had my fun with Aokiji"Nicole whined a bit.

"Hatchi hang in there"Nami said going over to the fishman "You know how much trouble you guys are in now?"Hatchan asked "That's just Luffy what can you do?"Nami said "Nothing"Sanji said lighting a cigarette "Well that's that i guess we're fighting"Franky said "First off we gotta get the key to Kamie's collar it's probably backstage in the mean time i'll tend to Hatchi's wound" Chopper said.

The patrons ran out of there as another of the pompous asses going on and on about something, Nicole rolled her eyes drawing her sword and in a flash she was over by the pompous ass slicing up his gun and taking care of the guards around him, making him fall on his ass as she pointed her sword at him "You're annoying me"she spoke with a venomous tone her deadliest and angriest glare yet on the world noble.

Sanji took care of the guards as Nicole held the asses at sword point while Franky went backstage to get the keys, a ton more guards showed up but the Strawhats took care of them, Nicole pointed her sword closer at the ass as he looked around "Don't move"she said freezing him up with her glare that was screaming killing intent as literal waves of it rolled off of her.

Zoro sent a flying blade attack slicing up the bowl Kamie was in, then Robin and Brook came crashing in and joined in on the fight, Nicole looked up and smirked jumping back as Usopp came falling in and landing on the ass she had at sword point, she then went over to Zoro passing by Luffy as she went.

"Luffy, the navy's already here we gotta move quickly"Nicole told him pausing to take out a guard"Right"Luffy nodded punching another guard as Nicole went to join Zoro taking over fighting for him knowing he was still hurt "There's more to what she said"Law said "Who the hell are you and what's with the bear?"Luffy asked.

"The navy's had this place surrounded since this thing started, their looking for someone, i don't know who exactly they hope to catch in here but i doubt they were expecting someone to go and kick a Celestial Dragons ass, it was a hell of a show you guys put on, i'm impressed Strawhat" Law said.

"Ah, you're Trafalgar Law, Luffy they're pirates just like us"Robin said recognizing the other captain from the news "Even the bear?"Luffy asked "Oh and the guy standing in the back that's Eustass 'Captain' Kid"Robin said "You mean the one who has a higher bounty then Luffy?"Brook asked.

Anyway the woman pompous ass appeared over where Kamie was attempting to shoot her but was knocked out by something, Nicole stiffened a bit recognizing that something as Haki, but this Haki was refined with decades of experience, she could tell the old man that appeared was the user of this Haki and that he was extraordinarily powerful.

"What did i tell ya? I know a ruckus when i hear one looks like the auctions over, i got the money i came here for now i guess i'll head back to the gambling house and throw it all away"the old man said "You are one messed up old man, you got locked up just to steal some money?"the giant behind him asked.

"That was the plan and if it worked out i was gonna rob whoever bought me too but i guess it wasn't meant to be"the old man said going to take a drink from a flask "Oh right i'm forgot i'm empty time to find some more booze, now that i think about it that plan stinks who the hell would spend money on an old fart like me for a slave?"the old man laughed.

"R-Rayleigh?"Hatchan asked, Nicole eyes widened, she definitely knew that name, her dad had told her many stories of the Dark King, she'd love to fight him though she doubted she would even stand a chance, still she would love to try.

"Hey is that you Hatchi? It sure is, i'll be damned so pal what are you doing here? Did someone hurt you? No no don't speak save your energy"Rayleigh said and looked around trying to figure out the situation.

"I see now, plain as day, terrible situation but well you were fighting for what you believe was right Hatchi, you must be the good folks who stood by him, alright"Rayleigh said before letting out a burst of Conquer's Haki, Nicole shivered as it passed through her, such fieriness, so refined, she wondered if her Haki was even close to this.

Those weak of mind collapsed around them "That strawhat you wear it suits a fearless man like yourself quit well, yes, i've wanted to meet you Monkey D. Luffy"Rayleigh said.

Chapter Text

~Third~

Those weak of mind collapsed around them "That strawhat you wear it suits a fearless man like yourself quit well, yes, i've wanted to meet you Monkey D. Luffy"Rayleigh said, after that Rayleigh turned to Kamie climbing up the latter "I'm going to remove your collar now are you ready young lady?"Rayleigh asked.

"Whoa now hold on are you crazy? You can it'll explode"Pappagu said "Yeah it's true we've seen it happen before, stop you'll hurt her!"Chopper said "Bad idea, very bad idea!"Brook said "Stop him please"Chopper said turning to Luffy.

"Hey wait a second isn't Franky off somewhere looking for the key as we speak? Why don't we just wait for him to bring it back?"Usopp suggested "Yeah he's right Luffy please don't let him do it"Pappagu pleaded.

"It'll be alright just don't flinch"Rayleigh assured Kamie "I have no idea what kind of power that guy used earlier but one thing i know for sure is he's no ordinary man"Zoro said "So that makes it okay to risk Kamie's life? Damn it where's Franky with that key? What's he doing?"Sanji asked.

"I'm telling you just wait! This is a big mistake!"Pappagu said "It's fine Pappagu"Nicole said, they watched as Rayleigh set off the timer but just as it went off Rayleigh did something, even Nicole had a hard time catching exactly what he did, and boom, the collar went off but once the smoke cleared they saw Kamie was totally fine, not a scratch on her.

"Don't scare me like that, i thought i was too late, after all the trouble to find the key and you don't even need the damned thing"Franky said walking over with the key ring, Pappagu ran over to Kamie and hugged her.

"What the hell? How'd you do that? These weren't easy to find you know"Franky said referring to the keys "Oh nicely done, better luck next time then, here carry her, Kamie you're safe now nothing to worry about"Rayleigh said.

"How did you? Thank you"Kamie said, Rayleigh just shook his head "What's going on here? Look man i appreciate the help but seriously who are you?"Franky asked "He's Silvers Rayleigh also known as the Dark King, am i right?"Nicole called.

Rayleigh chuckled a bit turning to her "Your eyes are even sharper then your fathers miss Mihawk but i'm just the humble coating engineer Ray now, don't go calling me that other name" he said walking up the steps over to Hatchan.

"Looks like you'll live Hatchi, what did i tell you about walking around this archipelago you gotta be more careful"Rayleigh said kneeling beside Hatchan "I know i'm sorry"the fishman said "Thank you for everything i appreciate you saving my friend here"Rayleigh said turning to Luffy.

"So what was that about you wanting to meet me?"Luffy asked "Let's save that for later, first we need to get out of here"Rayleigh said "Luffy they've got us surrounded"Nicole said before they heard some guy over a speaker.

"Alright you criminals release the Rosswalt family, an admiral will be arriving shortly, i recommend you surrender immediately and don't blame us for whatever happens you rookies!" the guy said "Well we're just innocent bystanders, why's the navy treating us like accomplishes?" Law asked.

"On the upside i got to see Strawhat Luffy do something crazy so no complaints there still i rather avoid fighting an admiral"Kid said "Sure but if you're expecting me to help i've used my power enough for today, it's all up to you now it'll be hard for me to stay if the navy discovers who i am"Rayleigh said.

"I don't need a senior citizen to fight for me, the longer we wait the worse it'll get, i'm out of here, if you babies can't take care of a few marines then sit here while i show how a real man takes care of things"Kid said walking off but Law and Luffy were quick to follow seeing what he said as a challenge.

Nicole sweatdropped "I bet they just wanna show off for the old generation that the new generation is better"she muttered making Rayleigh laugh "Do all captains act like children or just those idiots?"Nami wondered "Hey it's gonna get ugly out there let's use this chance to escape waiting around is just plain crazy"Usopp said.

"Hatchin, thank you i'm sorry for causing you so much trouble"Kamie said as she was carried over by Franky, never mind all that i'm just glad that you're alright"Hatchan said "Kamie i should of known better then to let you go to that amusement park it's my fault this happened to you" Pappagu cried.

"No there isn't anything for you to be sorry about Pappagu i'll cherish the memory of that Ferris Wheel ride forever"Kamie said "Strawhat told me almost the exact same thing"Pappagu said and told her what Luffy told them earlier "Luffy"Kamie said.

"Follow them try to brake through in one shot"Zoro said "That sounds like a plan if we happen to get separated in the chaos let's meet up at grove 13"Rayleigh said "I know my way around, grove 13 got it"Zoro said, Nicole sweatdropped "You'll be lucky if you find your way out of the building"Usopp said.

"Mister giant what about you?"Rayleigh asked "All of us were on the verge of becoming slaves now i'm gonna escape somewhere with them"the giant said "Very well try not to draw attention to yourself okay?"Rayleigh said "Old man! Strawhat and your crew! I will repay the favor if we ever meet again! Thanks for everything!"the giant said waving them off as the crew made their way out of the building.

As they excited the building, Nicole wished she could use one of her moves to burn it down but she had a feeling this place wouldn't be running anymore after this, more then anything she was just glad to get out of there.

The marines ran in for a blind attack, the Strawhats rejoined their captain and fought their way through the marines to the Rosy Life Riders that helped them escape, they made their way to Shakky's bar and hid out for a while as Rayleigh told them exactly who he was.

"What? You were on Gold Roger's crew?!"Luffy asked "I was, in fact i served as his vice captain the name is Silvers Rayleigh nice to meet you"he said shocking the others "Why didn't you tell them slip your mind?"Shakky asked Hatchan "We only needed him to coat the boat so i didn't think about it"the fishman said.

"Wait you didn't know who he was?"Robin asked "Not his face but i sure know his name"Usopp cried "He's in so many books, he's legendary"Nami cried "It's a name definitely everyone's heard at least once"Sanji said "So how do an octopus and a big shot pirate know each other?"Zoro asked.

"Hatchi rescued me, i was stranded at sea and he found me that was over twenty years ago but i'll never forget it for as long as i live"Rayleigh said "Hatchi was still just a little kid when it happened but he saved Rayleigh's life"Shakky said "We remained good friends after that incident till he joined up with the Sun Pirates"Rayleigh said.

"However, if Gold Roger was executed 22 years ago, how come you, the vice captain, are still alive? Your crew was captured by the navy right?"Sanji asked "We weren't captured, Roger surrendered to them, i suppose the government claimed that they'd "captured" him, to show their power"Rayleigh said.

"The Pirate King surrendered? Why?"Nami asked "He could see the end of our journey, it was probably about four years before he was executed when Roger caught an incurable disease, it was a disease that nobody could cure or stabilize, even Roger suffered from it but one man, the most well known doctor of his time, a man called Crocus of the Twin Capes had the skill to ease his suffering"Rayleigh said.

"We asked him for help and he joined as the ship's doctor for our last journey and then ,three years later, while holding off Roger's disease we did what they said was impossible and conquered the Grand Line"Rayleigh said.

"Crocus? From the Twin Capes? Oh how nostalgic!"Brook said "What? I thought that old man had been at those capes for fifty years, so he was a part of the Pirate King's crew?"Usopp asked "Come to think of it he did say he had been a ship's doctor for a while, so he was a pirate for those three years?"Nami asked.

"If you met him then that must mean he's still well, Crocus only had one condition that we let him look for a certain pirate crew whom he wanted to find"Rayleigh said "Hey Brook! That must mean he went off to sea to look for your crew"Usopp said "So Crocus even did something like that for us?"Brook cried.

"He was only a crew member for three years but he was without a doubt a part of us, at my age i would really like to see him again"Rayleigh said "So what happened after you conquered the sea?"Sanji asked.

"After that Roger became known all over the world as the Pirate King, it's not like he'd been called the Pirate King all along, titles like that didn't mean much for a man on the verge of death but Roger was happy about it, he was a man who loved doing everything in a grand style, be it celebrations or battle even though he knew he wouldn't live much longer he seemed to enjoy himself"Rayleigh said.

"Eventually, at the captains orders, the Roger pirates disbanded, we all went our separate ways and one after another everyone disappeared, i have no idea what our comrades whom we risked our lives with are now nor what they are doing"Rayleigh said.

"Then one year after the crew dissolved Roger turned himself in and was arrested, it was decided that he would be executed in the town he was born in Roguetown in East Blue, i hear that on that day countless pirates who are famous today were gathered in the square"Rayleigh said.

"My father was one of them"Nicole decided to cut in shocking the others but Rayleigh just smirked "Is that so?"he asked, Nicole just nodded and Rayleigh chuckled "Anyway the Pirate King's execution was the center of attention for the world, i didn't go, his last words to me were 'I'm not gonna die, partner' "Rayleigh said.

"I'm sure both the word government and the navy were surprised, they had intended for the execution to be a warning to all pirates who saw it but Roger's last words raised the curtain on the great pirate era 'My treasures? If you want them, they're yours! Look for them! I left it all at that place' just a few seconds before the flames of his life went out it flickered and he turned it into a blazing flare that covered the entire world"Rayleigh said.

"I've never laughed as hard as i did that night, i've never cried as much as i did that night, nor have i ever drank as much as i did that night, he led a marvelous life as my captain"Rayleigh said, Luffy shivered from excitement.

"Seems like we just heard quite the story, it sounds like a completely different story coming from someone who was involved"Nami said "Then it's almost as though Roger intended to start this pirate era"Usopp said.

"I can't say anything for sure about that, Roger died, the ones creating the current era are those who live right now, i'm sure there were a lot of people who received something from Roger in the square that day, Shanks whom you know well was one of them"Rayleigh said.

"Pops you know Shanks?"Luffy asked stuffing his face with food "If you're from the East Blue then maybe you know a pirate named Buffy as well? Those two were swabbies aboard our ship" Rayleigh said "Shanks was onboard the Pirate King's ship?!"Luffy asked.

"What? He didn't tell you? It was about ten years ago, i encountered him by chance on this island, he'd lost his trademark straw hat and his left arm, when i asked him why he excitedly started telling me about you"Rayleigh said.

"Ever since then Monkey D. Luffy i've wanted to meet you someday, if Shanks hadn't told me all of those things about you, i wouldn't have told you any of this either, anyway you did well to make it this far, he must be awaiting your arrival in the New World"Rayleigh said.

"Really? Yeah he must be! I wanna see him again too!"Luffy said "Now then getting down to business i believe you wanted your ship coated right? Then it's high time for me to return to my real work"Rayleigh said "That reminds me i wasn't sure exactly how much the coating would cost"Hatchan said.

"Ah don't you worry about it Hatchi, i couldn't possibly take money from friends of yours" Rayleigh said "Oh wow you're the best Rayleigh"Hatchan said "Not sure why but he's doing it for free thanks"Usopp said "We certainly appreciate it that's very generous of you"Sanji said "We just saved a ton of money"Nami cheered.

"Rayleigh i have a question, what exactly is the will of D? There was a poneglyph on sky island Roger's name was inscribed on it in that ancient form of writing how does he know it how can he use that language? Please tell me do you know what happened in the world during the blank century? The missing history from nine hundred years ago?"Robin asked.

"Yes, we know"Rayleigh simply said "We learned all of it, the entirety of the missing history but miss you mustn't be so hasty just keep moving forward, see this is your journey now we and Ohara might have hurried too much for our own good"Rayleigh said.

"I'm sure that's not what you wanted to hear, even if i told you everything about that history here and now just as you are, you couldn't do anything about it, once you've taken the time to really see the world it might change your outlook and possible lead you to a different answer but if you still insist on hearing it, i can tell you everything, it's up to you"Rayleigh said.

"No i'll pass and continue my journey"Robin said "It'll all make sense to you one of these days, i'm very sorry for what happened in your home land of Ohara but that doesn't change the fact that Roger didn't decipher that writing, we were all pirates remember? Not geniuses or scholars, no match for Clover or the other great minds of Ohara, see captain Roger could just hear its voice"Rayleigh said.

Robin glanced over to Nicole remembering how she heard the ponyglyph whisper back in sky island and connected the dots, the ponyglyphs through whatever reason had a voice, what that meant she wasn't sure "Are you sure about this Robin? Seems like your passing up a pretty big opportunity"Usopp said.

"Hey old guy i've gotta question of my own, the treasure Roger talked about, the legendary One Piece tell me is it really?"Usopp was cut off "THAT'S ENOUGH!!!"Luffy yelled at him "I don't wanna know where the One Piece is hidden, i don't even wanna know if it exists"Luffy said.

"Every single one of us put our life on the line and set out to sea without knowing anything i'd rather give up being a pirate then know i won't go on a boring adventure, we need to sail and find out for ourselves"Luffy said, Nicole smirked a bit she had a hunch someone might ask about it and she knew that was exactly what Luffy would say.

"Sorry sorry i knew that it just slipped out of my mouth that's all i don't wanna know either, ah i just remembered i have i'll die if i learn anything about the One Piece disease, don't say anything old guy you'll kill me, keep it to yourself"Usopp said.

"Oh in that case let me ask you, do you think you can do it? The New World far surpasses anything you can imagine, your foes will be powerful knowing that you think you can still rule this mighty sea?"Rayleigh asked.

"What, i don't wanna rule anything being the Pirate King is about being more free then anyone" Luffy grinned "I see"Rayleigh chuckled a bit "Your ship is in grove number 1 right? I guess i'll head over there now and get started, what do you plan to do anyway? At any moment an admiral could be here looking for you"he said heading out.

"That's right,we'll only be a nuisance if we stay here so maybe, we go shopping"Nami said "What are you insane?! We're being chased by the world government! We gotta hide!"Usopp yelled at her "He's got a point if we stick together that makes us an easy target for those marines and it'll be easier for the old guy to finish his work if we each find somewhere to lay low in town for a while"Franky said.

"Right then i say we split up, keep track of the work and when it's done we meet back here"Zoro said, it did sound like a plan but an uneasiness started to gather in Nicole, she felt that something bad was right around the corner and not just the admiral, anyway Rayleigh passed out pieces of his vivre card as the group went outside the bar.

"Since i happen to be a bit notorious myself i think i'll move your ship from grove number 1 and work on it somewhere more secluded, i'll need three days to complete the coating process" Rayleigh told them "Why's take so long?"Luffy asked "It needs time to seal so i can't go any faster"Rayleigh said "Then it's three day of survival in the woods for us"Brook said.

Nicole tensed, this pit of dread in her guts was telling her they wouldn't survive until the end of the day, only Zoro seemed to notice but decided not to ask right now, she had been acting weird all day.

"Let's meet at sundown three days from now, i don't know what grove i'll be on then so use the vivre cards to find me wherever that leads you that's where i'll be finishing the coating and waiting for you, it probably a good idea to pick up some supplies for your underwater voyage to fish man island"Rayleigh said.

"Luffy, all of you thank you for everything"Kamie said "You guys are awesome"Pappagu cried "And i'm sorry, sorry i caused you guys so much trouble, i owe you my life, do your best to stay clear of the marines"Hatchan said "Hatchi get plenty of bed rest okay?"Chopper said.

"See you again in three days we'll be there to send you off"Shakky said "See ya later nice lady" Luffy said before he laughed a bit "We're up against an admiral we need to make sure none of us get killed"he said "Stop saying scary stuff like that!"Usopp yelled at him.

Just then that pit of dread in Nicole's gut turned into a crushing weight as she sensed that one of the admirals had arrived on the archipelago, she could tell it wasn't Aokiji and for all their sake she hoped it wasn't Akainu.

Chapter Text

~Third~

Kamie, Pappagu and Shakky waved off the Strawhats and Rayleigh as they went their separate ways for the next three days, well hopefully, Nicole hoped this dread was just a passing thing it wasn't anything to worry about, that this power she sensed belonged to someone with the power to match an admiral, yeah they had absolutely nothing to worry about, probably.

~skip~

"The best place is to hide is in the amusement park"Luffy said "You're so full of it"Nami said "You just wanna screw around and have fun"Usopp said before a familiar face blocked their path, Nicole was most surprised, she should of heard them approach but nothing, who or whatever this guy was didn't have any semblance of a soul.

"Who is this guy?"Luffy asked "Well he looks like Bartholomew Kuma one of the seven warlords but i'm not hearing his soul's voice, i'm not hearing any soul at all"Nicole said "And that means?" Nami trailed off "Whatever this thing is it's mechanical"Nicole said.

~skip~

The Kuma clone revealed a tube in his hand and began charging a beam in it "Luffy dodge!" Nicole called and he did "What the heck was that?"Luffy asked "That was"Chopper trailed off "A beam!"him and Luffy said, Nicole sweatdropped.

"Why was thing thing modeled after Kuma?"Robin wondered "Who knows who cares, it's our enemy now"Zoro said "Hey i remember him now he's the guy that showed up at Thriller Bark i never fought, so this thing just looks like him?"Luffy asked.

"That's right, things got pretty dicey when he stared shooting shock waves with his paw, we made barely made it out alive, this thing could be even worse"Usopp said "Whoever or whatever this thing is it's probably here to capture us"Chopper said turning to his heavy point.

"Then we better stop yapping and start fighting"Franky said launching his coup de vaunt at the Kuma clone knocking it back, Luffy went right into second gear "Alright we know he's strong so let's go all out from the start"he said and the others got ready to fight too, Nicole gave Zoro a glance of concern as she drew her swords, he gave her a quick smile for reassurance drawing his swords.

The Strawhats attacked the Kuma clone but they were having a hard time just getting close enough because of the deadly beams Kuma clone was shooting at them, as another volley died down Nicole sprinted out dodging the beams and managing to cut into the mechanic thing exposing the complex machinery keeping it running but it still stood back up.

The monster trio rushed in unleashing all they had on the Kuma clone blowing it back, they panted, watching and waiting to see if the Kuma clone got back up, Nicole doubted she had cut deep enough to do any real damage, she hoped the boys had finished it off.

"Yes way to go they took him down"Nami said "Those four are just too awesome"Chopper said "We should still be careful"Robin said "Is he down for good?"Luffy asked "Doubtful"Nicole said "Well he's plenty strong as is and what's worse the real one might be after us as well"Sanji said.

~skip~

The Kuma clone was back up and attacking the Strawhats again, Zoro and Sanji tried fighting it back their attacks barely affected the Kuma clone which started charging a mouth laser at Zoro who couldn't move due to still being injured from Thriller Bark, Nicole rushed in and tackled him out of the way just as the laser fired.

"Nice work Nicole!"Luffy said running over "Hey Zoro what's the matter with you? How are you already hurt so bad we just started"he said, Nicole bit her lip to stop herself from blurting out anything "Look just forget about him for now Luffy, we're all screwed if we can't beat this thing" Sanji said "Yeah, right"Luffy said.

"Stubborn idiot stay down!"Nicole yelled at Zoro as he tried getting up, Kuma clone attacked again and the Strawhats jumped back dodging the beam, Nicole knew she could just cut straight through this thing and she had no problems about using her final ace in the hole now that they were at the end of the first half, however she was too concerned about Zoro and wanted to keep a close eye on him.

Zoro went forward "Where do you think you're going?"Nicole asked stepping in front of him but not taking her eyes off of the Kuma clone, Zoro just walked past her going to attack Kuma Clone which was charging a beam again, Chopper ran in and attacked the Kuma clone barely pushing it back.

Kuma clone caught Chopper and stared charging it's beam again when Franky ran in and manage to divert Kuma clones hand releasing Chopper, Franky attacked Kuma clone with a flurry of ora's (it's true, in the dubbed Franky clearly says ora or maybe i'm hearing things, either way it's staying in) but it didn't even flinch and punched Franky back.

Robin used her powers to catch Franky, Brook attacked from above but it hardly had an affect, Usopp shot at Kuma clone and they ran away, Kuma clone went down "Whoa, i didn't think explosives would work that well"Usopp said "You sank one of them into his mouth, must have shorted out something inside of him, his body maybe hard as steel but his skin still bleeds, he's just like me, he's got a normal old body that's been modified and stuffed full of weapons" Franky said as Kuma clone got up again.

"Not quite, if he had been human to begin with i'd hear a soul like with you, this thing is entirely mechanic, but in that case what's the point of making it have a human outer shell?"Nicole wondered as Nami was running over to them, Kuma clone took aim but just as the beam would fire Robin used her powers to force Kuma clones mouth shut.

Nami followed up with thunder bolt lance striking straight through Kuma "So did it work or not?"Brook asked, Kuma clone started randomly firing everywhere and the Strawhats ducked for cover "I guess that means no"Nicole muttered, if anything it seemed to overload the system and now Kuma clone was going on a rampage.

Sanji knocked Kuma clone over to Zoro who sliced him up further from the cut Nicole made earlier, Luffy came in from above with Third Gear and attacked Kuma clone finally shutting the damned thing down, Nicole didn't feel the least bit relieved though running over to Zoro.

"You damn fool"Nicole simply said putting her forehead on his kinda gently headbutting him "I thought you'd do more"Zoro said catching his breath "You're hurt enough as it is"Nicole said gently headbutting him again.

"That do it is he done?"Franky asked "Seems like it about time"Usopp said "Geez he looks fine creepy"Nami said "If he's fine then we are screwed i'm too tired to move anymore"Usopp said "You know maybe we should have run instead of fighting"Chopper said.

"No it's best to take them on as they come one at a time, we're being chased we can't get cornered"Robin said "True, do you have any idea what that thing was Nicole?"Zoro asked as she continued to gently headbutt him.

"Not really, what i do know is that something like that could only have been engineered by doctor Vegapunk"Nicole said "We need to get some rest, i was up for a fight but that guy was way too much for me, i'm exhausted"Luffy said "A brake would be nice but we gotta find a place to hide first, if they find us now there's no way we can fight them off"Sanji said.

"Yeah i know but let's just sit here for a few minutes"Luffy said, Nicole jumped up "As much as i'd love to agree we don't have time to sit around"she said looking up in the trees, she had been too distracted with Kuma clone to notice them coming over.

"You guys got some real nerve look what you've done"a voice said, the others jumped up and looked over to where Nicole was looking, some guy jumped down creating a dust cloud "Who are you?"Luffy asked.

"I'm disgusted you're an utter disgrace PX-4 the navy's not made of money just building one of you Pacifista's cost as much as an entire warship, seriously you know how this is going to look in my report to that lousy Vegapunk"the dust cleared revealing a very round guy with a battle axe and another Kuma clone.

'Pacifista? I thought they were still in development, something must have happened for the navy to make Vegapunk rush any finishing touches, or perhaps the prototypes were deemed good enough for a field run? Either way i better focus up' Nicole mused in her thoughts laying a hand on one of her swords.

"Alright axe boy just who the hell are ya?"Franky asked "I got an identity outside of my axe you know and there's no point in asking questions, i have no reason to answer you, i'm the most well guarded and tight lipped man alive, no one can penetrate my defences"round guy said.

"Oh come on you could at least tell us your name"Usopp said "Did you hear a single thing i just told you? My lips are sealed, trust me there's not one person more secretive then me, Sentomaru"he said.

"Gotcha so you're Sentomaru"Usopp said "Uh to be clear i wanted you to know that that's why i told you and not because you wanted to know okay? PX-1 let's get started"Sentomaru said as the Pacifista made an explosion around them knocking back the Strawhats.

"This guy shoots beams from his hands too, starting to think they've got a whole army of these things, what is this crap?"Sanji asked "I'm more concerned with staying alive the mystery can wait, we're too worn down, there's just no way we can make it through another fight and we haven't even met the admiral"Zoro said.

"Yeah, we can't win, let's run but not all together we need to split up"Luffy said "Sound good to me, run!"Usopp and Chopper said running away "We're the toughest we'll each lead our own group"Luffy said referring to himself, Zoro, Sanji and Nicole.

"Right, are you gonna be okay on your own?"Sanji asked turning to Nicole "I'll be fine, it's this idiot i'm worried about"Nicole said gesturing at Zoro "Hey shut up!"Zoro yelled at her "Actually you stick with Zoro Nicole, i'm not sure why but he's hurt"Luffy said "Aye aye captain"Nicole smiled a bit.

The Strawhats split making a run for it, Sanji went with Nami and Franky, Zoro and Nicole went with Usopp and Brook and Luffy went with Chopper and Robin "Hey guys meet back on the Sunny in three days!"Luffy called.

Usopp made a smoke screen "Now's our chance run for it"he said running on ahead, the Pacifista took out the bridge and went after Sanji's group, Sentomaru went after Luffy group but Zoro's group got the short end of the stick, in front of them to block their path appeared admiral Kizaru.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Zoro!"Nicole yelled as he went down after being attacked, she didn't even have the time to register the voice telling her to dodge when she was kicked back over to Brook and Usopp "Nicole!"Usopp called before turning to the shadowy figure.

"Who are you? What are you? Whatever just get the hell away from Zoro"Usopp said aiming his slingshot "Back off Usopp, you're no match for this guy"Nicole said groaning a bit as she got up "That's admiral Kizaru"she said "An admiral?!"Brook and Usopp freaked out.

"Your time is up pirate hunter Zoro, last i checked you had a hundred and twenty million bounty, so this was not what i was expecting, you're reputation as a swordsman is known far and wide but one hit and your down?"Kizaru asked.

"You want someone to cross swords with?"Nicole asked drawing Kizaru's attention to her as she drew her swords "Try me on for size"she said "Ah, yes, you're Hawkeye's daughter, Kuzan said he had some trouble with you, yes let's see if that rumor holds up"Kizaru said facing her glare as Nicole stood infront of Zoro.

Kizaru lifted his foot up aiming a beam at Zoro but Nicole diverted the shoot with her own foot kicking away Kizaru's "Oh, i see that part holds up, you might be interesting after all"Kizaru said creating a sword of light, however as Nicole sensed someone approach she jumped back as Rayleigh clashed with Kizaru.

"Hey Usopp! You guys! Grab Zoro and get out of there!"Luffy said "Let's go Brook"Usopp said as Brook grabbed Zoro's sword "Sorry i'd love to stay and play but captains orders you know" Nicole shrugged a bit putting her swords away as she ran over to Usopp helping him pick up Zoro and running away from there.

"Everyone start running and look after yourselves! We can't win this one! We're too weak! Get moving!"Luffy yelled and the others started running away too, while Rayleigh held off Kizaru, Nicole checked on Zoro as Usopp carried him while they ran "He's alive at least"she said bringing some relief to herself as well.

"Put me down, just leave"Zoro was cut off as Nicole hit the back of his head "Don't you even dare think that!"she yelled at him and happened to look behind them as the Pacifista approached "We've got trouble"she said, Usopp and Brook freaked out seeing the Pacifista running after them.

They picked up the pase running faster but the pacifista was keeping up with them "You go on without me it's fine i'll hold him back"Brook said "Brook i can"Nicole was cut off "You must understand there comes a time when a man must put everything on the line"Brook said before turning to attack the Pacifista only to be blown away by a beam.

"Brook!"Usopp and Nicole called, the Pacifista continued to chase them when Sanji came in kicking down the Kuma clone "Sanji!"Nicole called as the Pacifista got back up aiming a shot at the cook but behind them came another blow.

Zoro was thrown off "Zoro!"Nicole panicked scrambling over to him and protecting him as the Pacifista got closer to them, she narrowed her eyes landing a hand on her sword "Amaterasu style first form Rising Sun!"she quickly said slicing the pacifista clean in half.

"I'll get Sanji you take Zoro"Nicole told Usopp "Uh right"Usopp said quickly snapping out of his amazement, his questions can wait until later, running was their priority now, the sniper picked up Zoro as Nicole went over to Sanji helping him up "Can you still run?"she asked "Yeah"Sanji nodded.

Their attention was drawn away as Chopper turned to his monster form to fight of Sentomaru and protect Luffy, Robin got Luffy out of there, "This is what it's come to then what? Can you do something Nicole?"Usopp asked "Against Sentomaru? I don't know, he's hard to gauge, these Pacifista are just a hunks of junk metal but him"Nicole trailed off.

Then Nicole's blood ran cold as another presence appeared on the battlefield "Nicole, please tell me this is another hunk of junk metal?" Usopp pleaded more scared then ever "I'm sorry to say, this is the real deal"Nicole said shifting herself over to Zoro who was still laying on the ground.

"This is officially too, much i can't take it! The real Kuma! And at the worst time! It isn't fair!" Usopp cried as Zoro tried getting up "Stay down Zoro!"Nicole hissed at him forcing him back down but not taking her eyes off of Kuma "I see you survived Roronoa"Kuma said.

"Just barely, i've got your mercy to thank for that"Zoro said trying to get up only to get pushed back down as Nicole glared up at Kuma "This time, you'll have to go through me to get to him" she said "I see, if you'd like to take a vacation where is it you'd like to go?"Kuma asked taking his gloves off, Nicole didn't reply and in the blink of an eye, she disappeared.

"NICOLE!"Zoro yelled and glared at Kuma as a demonic aura surrounded him, he had trouble getting up as he faced the warlord "What did you do to her?"he asked with a growl "The same thing i'm going to do to you, though you won't be ending up in the same place"Kuma spoke before Zoro too disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Chapter Text

~Third~

*THUD* The whole forest shook from the resulting shock wave, an old man wearing a tengu mask happened to hear it and went to see what the fuss was about, he saw Nicole in a shallow crater shaped like a paw and more interestingly a pin on one of her swords, the old man picked her up and took her to his home.

~skip~

Nicole blinked her eyes clear as she woke up, she remembered what happened and remembered flying for three days and nights, she had no idea where she was, she noticed her swords leaning on the wall next to her but no sign of her pin, that can wait, she dug into her bra and looked at the vivre card from Rayleigh, she tugged it back in sensing someone approaching.

Nicole watched as the old man in a tengu mask walked in, she narrowed her eyes drawing a sword and clashing with him all of the sudden "Give that pin back now"she growled holding the old man in a parry.

"First tell me where did you get it?"the old man asked "Why should that matter?"Nicole glared pushing him back, the old man said nothing holding his ground "It was my mother's, she gave it to me, it's very important"Nicole said.

The old man backed off drawing away his sword and handing the pin to her "I sense you are not lying, a few more questions if i may"the old man said taking a seat, Nicole sensed no hostility from him so she took a seat as well but didn't let her guard down.

"Only if you answer my questions"Nicole said, the old man nodded "You have a deal"he said "So what's your first question?"Nicole asked "What was your mothers maiden name?"the old man asked, Nicole lifted a brow, she wasn't expecting that "Shimotsuki Kiyomi"she simply said.

"Yes, it makes sense now"the old man muttered "Your question then"he said "Where am i?" Nicole asked "You are in Wano"the old man said, "WHAT?!"Nicole asked in shock jumping up "Oh this is bad, this is very not good!"she said pacing around

"How am i supposed to get out of here? Ah wait Kaido is based here, i can steal a ship, ah but i'll have to be careful, oh but just getting to Kaido's base will be hard, his men must have a way in, oh what should i do?"Nicole fretted pacing back and forth biting her nails.

"Hold on please calm down, if you know Kaido you must be a pirate correct?"the old man asked "That's right"Nicole said as she continued pacing trying to figure out what to do "Then another question, who is your father?"the old man asked.

Nicole paused again not expecting that "Why are you so interested in my family history? You don't even know my name, i don't even know yours, you seem to know something about my pin, tell me everything"she said.

"That pin has been passed down in a line of great samurai, from the day Dragon Slayer Ryuma gave it to his wife Ayame, it has been passed down from mother to daughter, your mother was a part of this line and so are you, i am Tenguyama Hitetsu, for generations our families have worked closely together, mine creating legendary swords such as the Kitetsu and Shusui for yours"the old man said.

Nicole was honestly taken aback, she knew her mother had been from Wano but to think this little pin was such a big deal "Whoa i never knew that"she muttered "Now tell me what is your name and who is your father?"Tenguyama asked "Alright, i'm Nicole Mihawk, my father is Dracule Mihawk a warlord of the sea and the greatest swordsman"she said.

"I maybe an old man but please, it would be an honor to serve as your swordsmith lady Mihawk" Tenguyama said bowing down, Nicole sweatdropped a bit "I think you're taking this a bit far but any help would be appreciated, thank you"she said bowing back.

"As you wish mi' lady, how shall i help you?"Tenguyama asked "Well i need to somehow infiltrate Kaido's base, i need to gather info at the very least, but i can't let myself be recognized"Nicole said "Understood, please wait here"Tenguyama said and went to get something.

Tenguyama came back with a mask and handed it to Nicole "I can only offer you this and wish you luck mi' lady"he said, Nicole looked at the mask "The bells are just decorative, they don't make a sound"Tenguyama said.

"Thank you"Nicole smiled and bowed to him "If i may what is your plan mi' lady?"Tenguyama asked as she pinned her hair up "My plan is to first steal some clothes, then find one of Kaido's beast, force them to talk, sneak in, steal newspaper, steal...

"Thank you"Nicole smiled and bowed to him "If i may what is your plan mi' lady?"Tenguyama asked as she pinned her hair up "My plan is to first steal some clothes, then find one of Kaido's beast, force them to talk, sneak in, steal newspaper, steal a boat and hope i can sail it on my own"she said.

"And what of those swords?"Tenguyama asked referring to her swords "I'll leave them here, i'll steal new ones or come back for them later"Nicole said putting the mask on her yellow eyes shining from the narrow eye holes.

"Alright then, i wish you luck"Tenguyama said, Nicole nodded and in a flash she was gone, Nicole wasn't quite sure how but she's always had a nack for sneaking around and staying hidden, finding a town was easy, she just had to follow her Haki.

The town was quite large and very crowded which made sneaking around and stealing clothes that much easier, soon enough she had a complete set, she found an empty home to change in and did just so, she wrapped her chest in some wrappings stuffing the vivre card in the same place.

Next came this sweet coat she found with a dragon print on it, she put it on and wrapped a plain black obi around her, she had also stolen this ridiculously long red scarf and wrapped it sorta loosely around her neck, she also wrapped her feet in wrappings and she was done.

Nicole honestly loved how she looked, but the time to admire herself came later, now for the next part, to find one on Kaido's beast so she took off kinda aimlessly wondering around Wano until she would find someone.

Eventually she did and interrogated them and found out the Kaido pirates did have a secret passage way to their base, she forced them to show it to her which they did out of fright and she killed them as thanks, Nicole snuck in and stayed hidden as she made her way further in.

This was too easy, maybe Kaido wasn't here at the moment, or any of his commanders, Nicole was lucky this was the case, she spotted a newspaper and stole it, she would read it later, she also happened upon a transponder snail and stole it too.

Then as Nicole snuck around looking for a ship she heard something, a whisper, her curiosity got the best of her so she followed, to her surprise though she found a room full of devil fruits, no, not quite, SMILE's, yes she knew what they were.

The voice she was hearing wasn't coming from any of them though, there was one in particular discarded in a corner of the room, it felt like it was almost calling to her, Nicole couldn't help following it and found what seemed to be an actual devil fruit, but why was it just tossed to the side? Nicole shrugged it off and stole that too.

Nicole looked around for a while more but found no ships so she headed back out and over to Tenguyama's place, once there she sighed a bit lifting her mask "You're back sooner then i thought"Tenguyama said "I didn't find any ships, i did find this newspaper and this devil fruit"Nicole said looking at the mysterious fruit shaped like an orange.

Nicole still felt like it was calling to her, to be frank she had never thought about eating a devil fruit, she liked swimming and who knows what sort of devil was in this fruit, it was shaped like an orange but was white with red swirls around it, it was weird, she could definitely feel a strange energy from it along with whatever was calling to her.

Nicole shook her head out of it and started to read through the newspapers, it was all about how Ace was set to be executed, the new warlord Blackbeard and Luffy's attack on the Celestial Dragons.

"Well damn, i've gotta find a way to get off Wano, but even if i manage to do that i don't know my way back and i'll have to travel through fishman island anyway, this would of been so much easier with one of Kaido's ships but there were none, oh what am i to do now?"Nicole fretted pacing once again.

"Mi' lady perhaps this devil fruit can help, it might have the power to help you"Tenguyama said, Nicole hummed a bit picking up the orange like thing once again, as much as she liked swimming it was a sacrifice she was willing to make, still though she had no idea what this devil fruit held.

Nicole decided to take the plunge and ate the whole fruit whole, she shivered swallowing it down "Ugh disgusting"she muttered "Do you feel any different mi' lady?"Tenguyama asked "Not really, i feel like there's a voice in the back of my head telling me how to do this, seems i found one of the Zodiac fruits, the mystery thirteenth one, model Wolf, i've gotta try this out"Nicole said and headed out to try out her new devil fruit powers.

Chapter Text

~Third~

"Mi' lady the snail has started broadcasting something"Tenguyama said interrupting Nicole as she was training to control her new devil fruit powers "What?"Nicole asked and rushed in to see "It's Ace's execution, the marines sure are making a big deal about this"she said and settled down to watch it.

Nicole watched as the marines put Ace on the platform and listened as fleet admiral Sengoku announced to the whole world Ace was the son of Gol D. Roger, Nicole was stunned speechless, she was even more stunned about what Sengoku said about Ace's mother, holding her child for twice the normal amount, she couldn't help respect that level of commitment, that level of love a mother had for her child.

Nicole thought back to the last few days and laid a hand on her own stomach, all those times she got woozy and felt like she was trowing up, now more then ever she was glad she had read all those medical books back home, although she wasn't sure, just something was telling her, her suspicions were correct.

Nicole focused back on to the broadcast, then from the fog a whole fleet of ships appeared and soon after right in the middle of the Marine Ford bay, he appeared, Whitebeard and his whole fleet, Whitebeard used his devil fruit powers to create a massive tsunami which Aokiji froze over.

The war began as the Whitebeard pirates clashed with the marines, whoever won didn't matter, a new era was beginning, Nicole watched as her father stepped forward, she grew giddy as he drew Yoru and with a single swing set forth a devastating attack.

"Yeah! So cool!"Nicole cheered a bit "Is that your father mi' lady?"Tenguyama asked watching as well "He is"Nicole nodded "I can see why they call him the greatest"Tenguyama said and the two continued to watch.

~skip~

Nicole noticed something falling from the sky during the broadcast "Luffy!"she grinned.

~skip~

"Yeah! Way to go dad! Nice dodge Luffy!"Nicole cheered for both as the broadcast showed their fight "Eh? Who's this clown challenging dad? No matter he doesn't seem all that strong, you've got this dad! Go forth Luffy!"Nicole cheered.

~skip~

"EH?! One of Whitebeard's own men stabbed him? No way! They were tricked, of course, that damn Akainu plays dirty!"Nicole ranted.

~skip~

Then the feed was cut "Aww! Just as it was getting good too! Damn navy they don't want people to see them playing dirty!"Nicole ranted as the broadcast died, she decided to go see if Kaido had returned and snuck into the base.

Nicole saw that the crew had returned along with their boss Kaido, she saw a ton of ships returning as well, she decided not to chance it right now and went back, once she got back the feed was still out so she trained to distract herself from worry.

~skip~

"Mi' lady the feed is back on"Tenguyama said "About time"Nicole growled a bit and rushed to go watch it.

~skip~

"No Luffy! Keep moving! No no no no no no!"Nicole cried as she watched and gasped frozen in shock as Akainu punched straight through Ace, she continued to watch unblinking, she didn't wanna miss anything.

Nicole felt her eyes prick with tears as Luffy desperately wanted to help his brother but it was too late and she let the damn brake crying along with her captain, she froze as Luffy went into shock "No no no someone get him out of there!"she said.

"Marco! Thank god! Yes Jimbei get him out of there! Stay back you scummy Akainu ! Oh right Whitebeard! He's pissed as hell!"Nicole cheered as she continued to watch "No!!"she yelled as Akainu struck Whitebeard but the old man wasn't finished yet.

Nicole watched the broadcast as Whitebeard split the whole island of Marine Ford in two, she got chills "Amazing"she couldn't help whisper 'So that's the kind of power it takes' she thought and continued to watch.

Then the Blackbeard pirates appeared and Nicole continued to watch as Whitebeard fought them instead, she watched with baited breath and with his last breath Whitebeard declared the One Piece was real, she turned off the broadcast, she had seen all she needed to see.

"Mi lady"Tenguyama said a mournful tone in his voice "I'm alright, that horrible war will end soon and i have an idea what Luffy will want to do, it seems i'll need your services after all" Nicole said "What would you have me do mi lady?"Tenguyama asked.

"I have a dream, i wish to make a sword fit to be wielded by the greatest of swordsman of them all"Nicole said "For your father then?"Tenguyama asked, Nicole smiled "No"she said, she laid a hand on her stomach as an image of green hair flashed in her mind "For the man that will beat him"she said.

Tenguyama was in awe, not but moments before she was crying for her friend and now she stood, her back straight and a gleam of determination in her eyes, a form fit form for a samurai, she may not have been raised as such but she had the spirit of one "As you wish mi lady"he said bowing to her.

Chapter Text

The day was a beautiful one, fluffy clouds drifting in the sky, a gentle breeze on the wind and calm waves splashing against the side of a boat.

A man slept on that boat taking full advantage of the beautiful day, his hat over his eyes and arms crossed over the back of his head.

Then the peaceful lull was broken, by a thud on the side of the boat.

The man woke up and had a look, a plank of wood had drifted by and soon more debris followed, looking ahead the man saw what had to be the flaming remains of a ship.

He couldn't tell what had happened nor did he really care, more over there didn't seem to be any survivors.

Just as he was about to give up looking he spotted someone clinging to a piece of wood and their grip slipping and then going under the surface.

Diving in he grabbed the person and swam back up and over to his boat holding onto them tightly.

Safely on his boat the man got a good look at the person he had just saved from drowning.

She was the most beautiful being he had ever seen, to most she might have seemed ordinary, average even, but this woman was absolutely gorgeous to him.

Her hair was a shade of dark blue, darker then the deepest abyss, he could barely see it but it was clearly there, her clothes were white with green and blue accents around the sleeves that looked like waves, he had never seen anything like it, she wore black pants and was barefoot, her footwear had probably slipped off and sunken into the water.

What intrigued him most however were the two swords at her hip and the pin tangled in her hair, he reached for the pin to have a closer look when the woman suddenly started coughing up water and he recoiled.

As the woman panted catching her breath he reached out again, he had barely even touched her shoulder before the woman had recoiled and drawn out one of her blades and attacked.

Of course as they were in a small boat her quick movements had caused it to capsize.

The two breached the surface shortly after and neither couldn't help but laugh at what had just happened, they got the boat back upright and climbed in.

"Sorry for jumping at ya like that" the woman said squeezing water out of her blue hair, strangely he could see the blue better with it wet, her accent was strange but her voice was sweet and easy to listen to.

"No, it's alright, anyone would if a stranger tried to grab them" the man said shaking off water from his coat.

"Then let's not be strangers yeah? My name's Shimotsuki Kiyomi and you are?" she asked trailing off looking at him expectantly with her bright lilac colored eyes.

"Dracule Mihawk" he simply said slightly taken a back by Kiyomi's beautiful and unique eyes looking right at her with his equally unique yellow eyes.

And that is how Dracule Mihawk met Shimotsuki Kiyomi.

And four years after the execution of the Pirate King Gold Roger, they would have a child and named her Nicole Mihawk.

~Years Later~

"Where are we going this time papa?" asked the curious seven year old swaying on the side of a coffin shaped boat, her wide golden yellow eyes scanning the horizon with wonder and innocence as her almost jet black hair swayed with the wind and her movement.

"You'll see soon" chuckled the smooth baritone of her father sitting at the center of the boat steering it along with the wind his keen eyes that matched his daughters watching her carefully.

"Kay!" the girl chimed cheerfully with a grin.

~

As they grew closer to their destination the girls eyes widened and sparkled with excitement as she spotted a giant Ferris Wheel peaking out from behind trees topped with bubbles.

She started swaying even more literally beaming with excitement.

"What's got you so excited?" her father asked a fond smile on his face, he had a clue as to what she might have spotted.

"Nothing~" she sang teasingly.

Soon after they docked and the girl hopped off before running off before slipping and falling over "Ouch" she muttered and looked to see what tripped her.

Seeing nothing she touched the ground "The ground is all slimy" she noted lifting her hand and gasped in awe as a bubble formed where her hand just been in.

"Papa! Papa! Look! The ground is blowing bubbles!" she exclaimed in awe watching another bubble form.

"That's because these trees produce a sap that's like a thick soap, the bubbles form when the roots breath out oxygen" her father explained walking over to her.

"That's so cool!" she muttered marveled by the bubbles.

"Now listen Nicole" her father said gaining her attention by using her name.

"See that number on that tree?" he pointed out the tree next to them, it had a number painted on it with huge numbers, the one he had pointed to had the number 27.

"Yeah" Nicole nodded.

"Remember that, you're free to explore as long as you return here by tomorrow" her father said.

"Tomorrow? Are you going somewhere else papa?" Nicole asked turning to him.

"I am, papa has some business and unfortunately i can't bring you along" he said.

Nicole pouted a little, her papa always brought her along no matter where he was going but she understood that whatever business he had was probably super important.

Mihawk laid a hand on Nicole's head and ruffled her hair "Be a brave girl and wait for me okay little samurai?" he asked kneeling down to her eye level.

Nicole cheered up a bit from the use of her nickname and smiled "Okay" she nodded before tackling him in a hug.

Mihawk chuckled a bit and hugged her back, when Nicole let go he ruffled her hair once more and smiled "I'll be back before you know it" he said, stood up and left.

Nicole waved him off and watched the boat disappear into the horizon before bolting off towards the amusement park.

~

Nicole stole money in order to get into the rides and she wasn't the least bit sorry about it, she went on many rides and had the time of her life.

As she was sitting on a bench enjoying cotton candy a figure crept up from behind her and stuffed her into a bag before running away.

Nicole screamed for help but it was muffled in the bag, she tried getting out but the bag was too sturdy.

Suddenly the bag was set down and Nicole fell on her back with a yelp onto the hard surface she was placed on, then the bag was opened and she lashed out at the hand reaching in biting down on it.

"Ouch! Careful with this one it bites" the kidnapper said grabbing Nicole with his other hand holding her by the back of her dress.

"Let me go!" Nicole yelled flailing around but it was useless as the kidnapper held her at a distance.

"A feisty one, the client is going to love braking that down" the auctioneer grinned grabbing Nicole and tossing her to the guards who took the still struggling seven year old away.

Nicole had tears in her eyes as she tried her hardest to fight off these people but nothing was working and then before she knew it she was behind bars with a thick collar around her neck.

The men were nice enough to explain that it would explode if she runs away or struggles too much, there were shadowy figured in the other cells, it was cold and bitterly lonely, as young as she was she was terrified.

Nicole curled into a ball and sobbed while calling for her dad to come rescue her.

~

It had been hours, although Nicole wasn't sure, she was still curled into a ball but had stopped crying and calling for her dad, only because her throat was sore, she had watched from behind a curtain of her hair as the men shoved in more and more people.

With about twenty people there shoved into tiny cages, some sharing one the men started rounding everyone up and putting them in a line.

Nicole felt her fear and nervousness rising up again as she grew closer to the edge of the stage where she could hear an auctioneer rattling off numbers and prices.

"Sold to 271 for twenty million berry!" she heard the auctioneer call and her blood ran cold in realization, they were auctioning off people and she was next!

Before she could panic further she was shoved onto the stage and she stood frozen there even as the lights stung her eyes, she couldn't even hear anything over her heart pounding in her ears.

"Sold to 352 for twenty five million berry!" the auctioneers voice cut through the deafening noise and Nicole looked to her buyer, a fat blob of a man with hardly any hair left on his head and disgusting grin on his face, wearing extravagant garbs and a some sort of bubble over his head.

Nicole shivered she could tell what this man, no, what this disgusting pig was planning to do with her.

~

That night as Nicole and the other purchases, all girls around her own age, were travelling by ship, she figured probably to a private island where the pig could do whatever he wanted with them in peace.

The ship was swaying as a storm brewed outside but despite this it seemed like the pig couldn't wait any longer and some men, likely other slaves grabbed Nicole out her holding cell and lead her to a room.

There a woman that may have once been beautiful waited, her face now mangled with deep angry red scars and a broken bone structure, neither Nicole or the woman said anything as the seven year old was shoved into the room.

The woman approached her and Nicole cowered away backing up against the now closed door, the woman smiled sadly, despite her mangled face she had a beautiful smile, or so Nicole thought at least and it eased her slightly.

"I'm sorry, you must be scared of me, because of my face" the woman said.

"No, i'm scared that the same thing will happen to me, it's not your fault your face got messed up, although you still have a beautiful smile" Nicole told her with all the bluntness of an honest child.

It struck a cord in the woman and she teared up "Thank you" she said with another smile before the ship lurched sending everything tumbling, braking bottles of perfume in the room.

The woman caught Nicole when she lurched forward from the door, a determined fire burned in the woman's green eyes, she will not allow another child to suffer as she had, she used a key to unlock the heavy collar around Nicole's neck which tumbled down with a clatter.

Nicole looked at the woman in shock "I'm supposed to prepare you and put that collar right back on afterwards, but in this storm in the middle of the night you can escape, it's too late for me, my legs are destroyed" she told the seven year old.

Nicole hugged the woman "Thank you" she said and bolted out of the room without a second thought, somehow among the chaos of men swarming the deck of the ship trying to fight the storm she slipped past them all without being noticed.

She reached the life boats and wondered how she could lower one in the storm when to her luck a huge wave crashed onto the ship sending the life boats lurching across the deck and tumbling into the sea, she jumped in and managed to swim into one and then rowing like her life depended on it she escaped into the stormy night.

~

Nicole woke up to the sun shining into her eyes, she blinked and sat up in the boat to look around, she was cast away onto the shore of an island, she took a moment to reflect that she had escaped and laughed to herself joyfully.

She smiled leaning back to look at the blue sky and wondered about the other girls, the slaves and that woman that were on the ship, but she decided there was nothing she could have done for them.

She was thankful that she had escaped and survived.

With a new appreciation for her life Nicole jumped off the boat and set off to explore the island, walking along the beach in hopes of finding a port or a small village, even a road, anything.

Once again to her luck she found a small port town and perhaps even more unbelievably she saw the familiar features of her father searching among the crowd, not caring about the how or why Nicole was just happy to see her father.

"Daddy!" she called running over to him.

Mihawk turned and sighed in relief visibly relaxing once he saw his daughter and caught her in a hug "Oh my sweet girl, i was worried sick" he said.

"I missed you" Nicole said hugging her dad back, a light hiccup in her throat and her eyes teary.

"I missed you too" Mihawk said holding his daughter tightly before pulling back and looking into the matching eyes "As soon as we find a place to settle i'm starting your training, understood?" he asked.

Nicole nodded, she knew how important being able to protect oneself was now.

~

A few weeks later they found the abounded island of Kuraigana and made their home there after dealing with the local wildlife, then Nicole's training as a swordsman began.

~

Ten years later Nicole felt she was ready to set off on her own, Mihawk wished his daughter luck and she left on a small sailboat and sailed into the distance, a freak storm broke out and blew her all the way to the East Blue where she met Zoro on a small island, and the rest as they say is history.

Chapter Text

Zoro was sitting in a bar, it has been a couple days since he left his village and started sailing in hopes of finding the strongest swordsman and challenging him, but so far he didn't have any clues about his whereabouts.

He downed another beer and sighed at the burn going down his throat and the unfortunate situation he had gotten into, lost and broke without a clue how to find his goal or a way back home, but then a pair of men sat nearby and started talking.

"Have you heard the rumors about her?" one said.

"No" the other replied.

"They say her eyes are colder and more murderous then Hawkeye's"

Zoro normally didn't eavesdrop but once that name came up he paid closer attention.

"What? No way" the other disputed.

"Yes way, I've heard they call her the She Wolf because her eyes are only a warning like the growling of a mother wolf" the other argued.

"A warning? For what?"

"To anyone that pissed her off to run away before she cuts you into pieces" one said dramatically.

"As if, if that's true why haven't the marines caught her?" the other asked.

"It's true, she even kills the marines sent for her but her skills with the blade are too good, no one has been able to catch her" the first explained.

"Seriously? Seems like you definitely want to avoid getting on her bad side" the other said.

"Yeah, we best avoid that island for the time being, i heard she's been staying on it for a while" the first guy said.

"Which island?" the one guy asked.

"Grape Island" the other replied.

Zoro didn't need to hear anymore, he finished off his drink and paid it off before leaving to look for this girl.

~

Just as that man had said he found her at Grape Island, a small island in the middle of East Blue known for their excellent red wine.

After looking and asking around Zoro found her, she had shoulder length black wavy hair, a rather petite figure but long legs fully uncovered by the short skirt she was wearing, on her right hand side hung two sword, both an off white color.

She wore a black shirt with a pirate skull decal and two long necklaces hung around her neck, her face was round with a small upturned nose and thin lips, thin eye brows and her most striking feature yellow eyes that pierced like hawks.

Had Zoro cared much for appearances he would even say she looked beautiful, however he did not, she was sitting at an outdoor table in front of a cafe with a glass of red wine and some kind of sandwich in front of her, her eyes drawn to Zoro as he approached.

"Are you the one they call the She Wolf?" he asked.

She seemed displeased by the name but sighed "That is what i am called yes" she said, pausing to sip her wine before turning her sharp gaze back on him "Why do you ask?"

Zoro smirked "I've heard you have eyes like that of a certain man, i see they were not exaggerated" he said.

"Hm" she huffed a sigh "What about it?" she asked.

"I'm thinking you might know something about him" Zoro said.

"I might, what of it?"

"I'm looking for him"

"Clearly to challenge him" she paused looking him over analytically "Your blades won't reach him"

Zoro gritted his teeth "My blades will be the ones to cut him down, and then i'll be the greatest swordsman" he said.

"Maybe one day, but not today" she replied, standing up from the chair at the table, she wasn't that much shorter than him.

"I will!" Zoro barked out bristling, no one has gotten a rise like that out of him not since ... Kuina.

"We'll see, defeat me and i'll tell you all i know about him" she challenged.

"Fine, i'll show you my blades will reach him" Zoro accepted.

"My name's Nicole" she smirked, he noticed she neglected to say her last name.

"I am Roronoa Zoro, i will be the man who becomes the world's greatest swordsman" he replied.

Nicole smirked again "Follow me Roronoa Zoro, i know where we can duel" she said leading the way.

"Right" Zoro nodded and followed.

~

After the two clashed Zoro finally noticed no matter how hard he had tried he couldn't even get Nicole to move from her spot.

"How?" he panted "How can you still just stand there?!" he asked.

"It's nothing special really, i'm just listening"

"What?" Zoro growled.

Nicole blinked before snorting an amused laugh "Wow, you must have some serious wax in your ears if you can't even hear me, no wonder you can't hear your swords or all the other voices around you" she smirked.

"What are you talking about? You crazy or something?"

Nicole huffed amused "Well maybe a little" she then shook her head "But that's beside the point"

"Which is?"

"You'll never defeat me, let alone him as deaf as you are" Nicole said finally moving from her spot as she started walking away.

"Then teach me to listen" Zoro said.

Nicole turned to look at him, the swordsman was completely serious, she sighed.

"Fine, if you want to learn then follow me, i've got places to be" she didn't really but she did want to leave this place.

"Thank you" Zoro said and together they left the island.