A mist covered the abandoned island. The golden treasures had turned back to their natural states of bone and small bits of rotten flesh and sinew. The only sound in the streets was a pair of heavy boots resolutely making their way to the once proud tower. Inside, dust swirled in the air as the doors opened. Nothing had changed since the downfall of the queen. A withered husk lay in the floor where it had dropped. Mere traces of blue powder were all that was left of the fluids that had poured forth as her proverbial crown had tumbled at the hands of the Straw-hats and Harlots. A form leaned on the door frame with an amused chuckle.
Man: (smirking) "So much for the welcome wagon."
He paused before the corpse upon the marble.
Man: (poking the body with the toe of his boot) "Don't you think you've rested enough, my dear?"
Seemingly impatient, he knelt down and tilted the face toward him. The queen's skin cracked as he did so, but he didn't appear to notice.
Man: (tapping her forehead) "Hello?...Wakey, wakey."
With no response, he sighed. Standing, he dropped the body to the floor without ceremony. Almost yawning in boredom, he pulled a dagger from his cloak and plunged it into his arm over the corpse. The droplets of blood hissed as they soaked into what looked like mummified tissue.
Man: (licking the wound as it seals) "You're going to make me come in there after you, aren't you?"
The corpse softly shuddered.
Man: (kneeling once more) "Ever the morning person..."
With a strong, but focused strike, he'd passed his hand into the chest of the body. Harshly jerking, he pulled forth a tattered, but gently beating heart. It seemed to coo softly in recognition.
Man: (wiping the goo on his trousers) "I take it you missed me."
A sound from the doors would have startled anyone else, anyone who was there to explore, but this person was not surprised; He was there for a reason. The shadow of a slender form stretched across the stones beside him.
Man: (annoyed) "I thought I told you to wait with the others."
Woman: "Forgive me, Captain. I was worried."
He laughed harshly.
Man: (tucking the heart away) "Worried? For me?...Cute, really."
Turning around, he saw the woman tuck her furry ears back as if he'd scolded a dog. Fiddling with her tail, nervously, she tried to smile as he drew nearer.
Man: (tipping her chin) "Don't fret, Suki. You're losing your disguise amid that trembling constitution."
Suki: "Why do we need such useless things out here?"
Man: "Practice, of course."
Suki stared at the torn carcass in the shadows.
Suki: "Bosc, do you love her more than me?"
A slight sneer was quickly surpassed by a grin.
Bosc: "Don't be ridiculous. (ignoring her beaming face) I don't actually *love* any of you."
Briskly walking down the steps, he took no notice of the shattered smile he'd left behind. She kept convincing herself that he really did care, despite the whispers and laughter from her crew mates. For some reason no one seemed to understand, she clinged to the hope that his harsh words were hollow; Praying they were there to cover the tracks of the previous trampled hearts that followed him like fireflies to a lantern. He'd utterly ruined every person loyal to him, but they stayed nonetheless. Suki always thought it was charisma, but just like the others, she had no idea what was really in store for her.
Hundreds of miles away, Bartlett sat holding her belly. Something was wrong. Anjou idly played with a twin tailed cat across the room while Brook looked on in worry.
Bartlett: "Relax, I'm not going to die."
Brook: "I know that."
Anjou: (tauntingly) "You might."
Everyone looked up as the door opened.
Momo: (holding out a tray) "Who wants tea?"
Bartlett: (grinning) "Granny, how do you keep things running out here? This island is miles away from anything resembling civilization."
Momo: "You pups always ask the strangest questions."
Ed poked his head out from his study. His face was drawn in confusion and concern.
Ed: "Momo! Come look at this."
Glances were shot over tea cups as she made her way.
Anjou: (chuckling) "You're so dead."
Bartlett: (mildly glaring) "Shut up."
Brook: "Anjou, stop trying to kill your mother."
She stuck out her tongue in response.
Anjou: (waving it off) "It's not like it'd hurt her, geez."
Whispers were frantic in the next room. Having had enough of idly waiting, Bartlett shook her pain and thrust open the door. Ed looked up in surprise and Momo simply smiled.
Momo: "Nothing to worry about. (turning) Really, Ed, you make the biggest fuss out of anything."
Ed: "But - !"
Momo shoved a hand across his face for silence.
Momo: (calmly motioning) "Sit down, dear."
She waved Brook in and closed the door. Anjou sat with an unamused expression.
Anjou: "I always miss the good stuff...(grinning at the cat) Any chance you'll help?"
Inside, Bartlett sat awestruck as Brook fell over.
Bartlett: "How is this even possible?!"
Momo: "Come now, that's no expression to wear for good news."
Bartlett: (poking Brook with her boot) "You okay?"
Brook: (fighting off a twitch) "Just fine."
Ed laughed.
Ed: "Somehow I think he'd have that response even if he still had skin."
Bartlett: (sighing) "You're probably right."
Brook fought his way up and sat next to his love.
Ed: (crossing his arms) "Well, this oughta be interesting."
Momo slapped him upside the head.
Ed: "What was that for?!"
Momo: "You damned youngin's don't know anything."
The air had suddenly gotten much thicker, more serious.
Bartlett: "I thought you said this was good news."
Momo: (keenly observing the couple) "You have no idea what's going to happen, do you?"
Bartlett: (flatly) "I'll have another kid to tote around for the next few decades."
The cat sat quietly on a shelf, near the vent it had entered through. Outside, Anjou's eyes grew wide as she listened through the cat's flattened ears.
Brook: "A lich?"
Bartlett: "Rare, yes, but what could be so horrible? This one will be raised to value life."
Ed fumbled through a tome as he held his tongue.
Momo: "The timing, that's what."
Ed: (clearing his throat) "Not to mention they live to kill."
If looks were deadly, he'd have been a goner. Momo slowly turned back toward Bartlett and sat beside her.
Momo: (taking her hand) "Dear, it's time you knew."
With a haze of images flashing through her mind, Bartlett slumped into Brook.
Brook: "What'd you do?"
Momo: (grinning) "I opened her eyes to her heritage."
Bartlett fought her way up, mist in her eyes.
Bartlett: "How do we stop it?"
Ed: (grimly) "You don't."
Momo: "Don't get yourself in a tizzy. Think...Prophecies are often flawed. As they're passed down, key elements are lost."
Brook was beyond confused at this point, but knew he'd get answers soon enough. Thanks and goodbyes were shared as the trio made their way back down the long mountain path. Everyone stayed quiet most of the way until Anjou couldn't take it anymore.
Anjou: "So, what now?"
She paused at the sadness pouring from the eyes before her.
Anjou: "...What?"
Bartlett: (trying to smile) "We'll discuss everything after I've had time to think it over."
It was calm sailing that night. Bartlett leaned upon the rails, enjoying the breeze. She was glad to be rid of her previous crew. It had been decided that Bosc would reclaim the Harlots as she no longer had any desire to continue that way of life. After the Straw-hats had gone their separate ways, Brook had come back for her. Together, they revived the Rumba name. It seemed that Anjou, too, was appreciating her new lease on life. The Harlots had always been...difficult, but she'd managed. Back under Bosc, there was no way she could maintain her rank, but it was more fun this way. She could dance and sing and didn't have to worry about what the others thought of her.
Brook placed a hand on Bartlett's shoulder. There had been a long discussion of what she had seen and what was to come, but one thing was clear - stay away from others of her kind. They would claim the child either for the power they could gain by its consumption, or they would quickly ensure its demise to keep the current order.
Brook: "Why don't you come down to the deck? There's a great tune going, but I think it's missing a voice."
Bartlett: (slightly grinning) "I'm all right."
Stepping closer, he held her back close to him.
Bartlett: "Don't you think we should warn them?"
Brook: "Who?"
Bartlett: "...Everyone."
Brook: "I've got a better idea."
Turning, she could tell he was smiling, even if he didn't have a face anymore.
A few weeks later, the Rumba ship joined a line of galleons on the outskirts of a massive reef. A small vessel was making its way toward them. Anjou pretended to be bored, but it was obvious she was just as excited as everyone else.
Crewman 1: "So this is where the infamous pirate king lives?"
Anjou: "Sure is. (teasing) Too bad you'll never see the mansion."
Bartlett: "Neither will you, this time."
Anjou: "What?! But - !"
Bartlett: "Someone has to keep these rogues in line while we're gone."
Anjou: (grumbling) "Fine."
Crewman 1: "Hey, guys! Anjou's in charge! Break out the rum!"
Cheers were raised and Bartlett chuckled. A familiar voice sounded from the sea.
Man: "Ahoy! All aboard who's going ashore!"
Brook: (leaning over the railing) "You actually sound kind of official."
Okii: (laughing) "It makes it look like I'm working."
The ladder was lowered and the captain and first mate left the ship. As the the tiny boat got smaller, Anjou turned with a grin.
Anjou: (toasting her mug) "Kanpai!"
Crew: "Yeah!"
Nearly an hour passed as Okii carefully traversed the reef. Brook looked back to the line of ships in the distance.
Brook: "Everyone came?"
Okii: (puffing his cigar) "Wouldn't miss it."
As they turned into the cove, the dock came into view, lined with friendly faces. Luffy waved with a huge grin, an action mirrored by the small boy perched on his shoulders. Nami waved one of the tiny arms clinging to her waist and smiled.
Sanji tied off the dinghy and helped the passengers onto the pier. Hugs, handshakes, and greetings were shared as the group made their way to the mansion. Once inside, Nozomi greeted the newest arrivals.
Nozomi: (smiling) "I don't think I've ever seen this place so full of life before."
The boy leaned over Luffy's head in curiosity.
Boy: "Are you really a vampire?"
Bartlett: (playing along) "Wanna see my fangs?"
Boy: "Can I?!"
Luffy sniggered as he let his son down. His daughter finally pried herself off Nami and returned to her mother.
Nozomi: (chuckling) "Sabo, be polite."
Sabo looked up in awe as Bartlett knelt to his level. His two-year old sister stood behind their mom's leg, cautiously peeking around.
Luffy: (reaching out) "Mari-chan, come out and say hello."
Nozomi: (lifting her up) "It's all right, Hajimari."
Nami: "Well, it looks like she missed out on the adventurer genes."
Luffy: (laughing) "Yeah."
Sabo finished inspecting the guests and stepped back.
Sabo: "I dunno. I think Bones over there is scarier."
Brook: "I'm not scary! Just look at my face!"
Bartlett: (dryly) "You don't have a face."
Luffy laughed along with Brook. It was true to an extent. Sanji and Okii brought in the luggage.
Sanji: "Well, that's most of us, at least."
Usopp: (coming down the stairs) "Who's still missing?"
Luffy paused from making faces at Hajimari long enough to chime in.
Luffy: "Zoro's not coming."
Sanji: "Tch. Figures."
He winced as Nami jabbed him in the ribs.
Sanji: "I mean...What's wrong with Swordboy?"
Nami: "Don't tell me he's off holed up somewhere again."
Nozomi: "Sort of...He's been a bit detached lately."
Sanji: (taking a drag) "Big surprise there."
Nozomi shot him a look about the smoke being near the kids.
Sanji: (nervously waving) "Sorry."
He slipped outside, but close enough to hear the conversation. Luffy ignored his mild slurs as Hajimari stretched his face, giggling.
Luffy: (trying to speak clearly) "I don't really know what happened. He's somewhere on the Red Line."
Usopp: "Weird."
Okii: "Your bags are upstairs in the east wing."
Bartlett: "Thanks."
Sabo: (whining) "This'll be boring. He was supposed to show me some moves!"
Sanji: (coming back in) "Chill out, Squirt. There's more than enough fight in this room to keep you busy."
Sabo muttered as he went off to the garden.
Sanji: (watching him go) "What's so special about swords, anyway?"
Nami: (taunting) "Jealous?"
Sanji: "Of course not. The kid's just got a lot to learn."
Nami: "He's four. Cut him a break."
Conversation stopped as a loud bell tolled.
Okii: (glancing toward the sound) "Looks like someone else has arrived."
He silently took his leave.
Usopp: "Is he still the only one who can make it through that reef?"
Nami cleared her throat.
Nami: "Maybe you didn't notice the small ship at the pier."
Usopp: (nervously grinning) "Right..."
Brook: "Who are we still waiting for?"
Luffy: "Chopper and Robin. Franky's out back somewhere."
Bartlett: "If you'll excuse me, I'll wait in my room."
Luffy: "You're not sick, are you?"
Brook: "Oh, no, just a little under the weather."
Kaya emerged from the kitchens with a smudged apron.
Kaya: "Someone's sick?"
Usopp: (turning) "I wondered where you went."
Kaya: (smiling innocently) "I just thought I'd make myself useful. That's all."
Bartlett: (waving Brook away) "I'm just tired."
She swiftly made her exit before anything else could be said.
Nami: (watching her climb the stairs) "She doesn't look so good."
Brook: "She's just pale from staying in during the day lately. Nothing to worry about!"
Everyone blinked at him. His last statement was a little too enthusiastic. Thankfully he was saved by Shizuka.
Shizuka: "Master Luffy, you have a letter."
Nozomi: "The birds are back already?"
Shizuka: (bowing) "A few, my lady."
The group dispersed as Luffy looked over the note's contents. The clamor wouldn't stay down for long. When dinner rolled around, the entire dining hall was filled.
Shizuka kept to the back corners, unused to having so many people around. Okii stood beside her most of the night for comfort if nothing else. It was surprising she even decided to work with so many visitors.
Laughter erupted from the head of the table as Usopp wrapped up one of his 'amazing adventures'.
Luffy: "No way!"
Kaya: (chuckling) "It's true, really!"
Usopp: (teasingly pointing an accusing finger) "You dare doubt my skill, mortal?!"
Nami: (flatly) "I wouldn't exactly call that 'skill'."
Nozomi: "How about 'luck'?"
Nami: "Sounds more like it."
The door near the kitchen burst open and Franky wheeled out some sort of contraption.
Franky: "Introducing Franky's Super Supper Express!"
Parts began moving and sure enough, dishes began moving toward the table.
Chopper: (beaming) "A conveyor belt!"
Sanji: (coming in behind it) "It's easier than carrying everything out here by hand."
Nami: "I'm impressed he let you in the kitchen."
Luffy: (grinning wide) "At least we're well stocked. We've got two doctors, two inventors, and two performers!"
Everyone glanced down the table.
Luffy: "...Where are our performers?"
Kaya: (getting up) "I'll go check on them. Maybe Bartlett's feeling worse than she let on."
Chopper: "Bartlett's sick?!"
A voice boomed from the far end of the hall.
Bartlett: (defiantly) "Who said I was sick?"
Nozomi: (smiling warmly) "Glad to see you're feeling better."
Bartlett took her seat near Nami.
Bartlett: "I just need something to drink."
Nami: (teasing) "How about some red wine?"
Bartlett: (shrugging) "Whatever the house serves."
Nozomi carefully shared a glance with Luffy. Something wasn't right. Breaking the tension, Brook swept in, belting out a lyrical tune on his fiddle.
Brook: "Yohohoho! Sorry we're late! I had a terrible time getting this old thing tuned."
After dinner, the merriment began winding down. More important topics were shared beyond the latest exploits. The letters were read aloud and it became obvious that now two nakama were not coming.
Luffy: "At least she's having fun."
Bartlett: "How is staring at old rocks fun?"
She began looking a bit more wan, but passed it off as an effect from the alcohol.
Usopp: "It's her music."
She shrugged, uninterested in pursuing the topic further.
Kaya: (pushing passed the quiet) "So, Nami, where will you map next?"
Nami: "Actually, we thought we'd head out to the South Blue for a while."
Kaya: "I'd imagine a lot of places out there haven't been properly surveyed in years."
Nami: (taking a swig) "No kidding. How about you guys? Any chance of ever going home?"
Kaya glanced at Usopp, who was deep in conversation with Chopper.
Kaya: "It's safe to say that everyone knows he's alive by now."
Nami: "Bounties will do that."
Kaya: (nervously) "I don't know what kind of welcome we'd get after everything that's happened."
Nami: "But you're not in any trouble."
Kaya: "Amazingly...Usopp's done a great job of keeping me out of the headlines. (shrugging) I guess he's still worried about my reputation."
The girls chuckled as he told more 'heroic' tales to Chopper. Down toward the end of the hall, Nozomi spoke with Luffy in hushed tones.
Luffy: "Everything's fine."
Nozomi: "I'm not worried about the kids; I'm worried about her. (motioning) Look at her."
Luffy: "She does look a little pale. (turning) Think she died since she was last here?"
Nozomi: (hanging her head) "No, I think they would have mentioned that."
Bartlett knew what they were talking about without fine tuning her sharp hearing. Having made another excuse, she shuffled from the room. Nozomi headed upstairs to be with the kids and Luffy returned to his former crew.
Luffy: "Is she upset about something?"
Nami: "Besides you talking about her like she wasn't here?"
Brook: (interjecting) "She'll be all right. She just needs to rest."
Luffy leaned over the table and peered hard into his friend's face.
Luffy: "What's going on?"
Brook: (nervously waving) "Nothing!"
Luffy: "I knew it! (pointing accusingly) She died and you didn't tell us!"
Everyone looked on in a stupor. If that phrase had been about anyone else, it would have been total nonsense.
Brook: "She's still alive, I assure you. She's just a little weak right now."
Nami: "Why? Is she all right?"
Brook: "Her mana stores are zapped, that's all."
Luffy: (scratching his head) "Mana stores?"
Nami: (sighing) "Don't try to explain it, you'll just confuse him."
Luffy: "Hey!"
Nami laughed it off as she stretched.
Nami: "Well, you guys will spit it out when you're ready. (getting up) I'm going to bed."
Usopp: (yawning) "Bed sounds good. It's been a long day."
Nami: (waving as she departed) "Goodnight!"
Sanji: (calling out from the kitchen) "Be up soon, Nami-chan!"
Luffy turned to peer into the other room.
Luffy: "Is he still doing dishes?"
Kaya: "No, I helped finish them earlier."
Luffy: (leaning back in his chair) "Then what's he doing in there?"
Brook: (interjecting) "I should turn in, too. Tomorrow's waiting."
One by one, each made their way upstairs. In the twilight, Kaya watched the ships from her window. The lights were all dimmed except the Rumba ship. Down the hall, Nami slumbered beside Sanji and Brook silently watched Bartlett sleep.
The next day, Luffy looked at the bolted library door in confusion.
Luffy: "Is Nami raiding the atlases again?"
Usopp: "Nope. Chopper and Kaya holed up in there hours ago with Bartlett and Brook."
Luffy idly placed a hand on the door. It was normal for Nami to shut herself off in there, but Kaya had never locked the doors.
Luffy: "Something really is wrong then."
Usopp: "Yeah..."
The duo jumped back in surprise at a shrill scream.
Luffy: (pounding on the door) "Is everyone all right in there?!"
The door nearly knocked him aside as it abruptly opened. Bartlett was doubled over in the floor. Kaya fussed over her, trying to help.
Kaya: "Usopp! Get my bag!"
Usopp: (nodding) "Right."
He ran off, leaving the confusion behind. Luffy stepped into the room, trying to stay out of the way as piles of books fell over.
Luffy: (kneeling beside his friends) "What's going on?"
Bartlett grasped his wrist harshly, fighting to hold up her pride.
Bartlett: (gasping) "Everything's fine."
Brook: (panicking) "Everything's NOT fine!"
Giving in to her own weight, Bartlett rolled against Luffy for support. Usopp ran in, passing Kaya her bag and stepped back to let her work. Luffy locked eyes with Chopper in concern.
Luffy: "Will one of you tell me what's going on?!"
Chopper bit his lip, sworn to secrecy, but the tears on his face said enough. Feeling a tug on his shirt, Luffy looked into Bartlett's exhausted face.
Bartlett: "Forget what you've seen here."
Brook: (frustrated) "Enough is enough!...(sighing) Rosario, let me tell them. Please; They just want to help."
She sent a pleading look over just before passing out. Kaya visibly relaxed, having felt her patient's pulse go back down.
Kaya: (wiping her brow) "It's passed for now...(glancing at Brook) How long has this been happening?"
Settling into the floor, he took Bartlett's limp body from Luffy.
Brook: "It's been getting worse...Each attack seems twice as bad as the previous..."
Chopper: "If this keeps up - ..."
He let his words trail as shied glances were passed.
Brook: (grimly) "I know."
Luffy picked up an obscure book of lore from a toppled pile.
Luffy: "Just what are you researching in here, anyway?"
Kaya: "It's time you told us what's going on. We can't help her otherwise."
A solemn nod was the only response. Just as Brook drew in his breath to speak, one of the far windows burst open, letting in a strong breeze. Everyone stared in amazement. A familiar form stood against the sill.
Bosc: (bemused) "Honestly, can't I leave you alone for a few years without something catastrophic happening?"
Brook instinctively pulled Bartlett closer to himself. Noticing the motion, Luffy stood between Bosc and the group in the floor.
Usopp: (peering out the window) "How'd you get up here?"
Bosc: "You forget I still have my wings."
At second look, it was obvious. Bosc wasn't wearing his signature cape, letting his leathery wings loose behind him.
Luffy: "Can you help her?"
Brook: (sternly) "No."
Confused glances passed over Brook's shuddering form.
Bosc: (striding forward) "You want her to die?"
Brook held a fierce gaze as he clutched Bartlett closer.
Bosc: (snidely) "If she dies, so does the child."
Kaya: "But - ?!"
Luffy sent her a look that demanded silence. Things would go smoother without interruption.
Brook: "I know why you're here and the answer is 'no'."
Bosc: (innocently waving his hands) "Can't a guy help out his little sister without being questioned?"
Kaya quietly gathered her things back into her bag as they spoke. She had pieced together who this man was and, from she had heard, he wasn't a good sign.
Bosc: (surveying the grim looks) "So that's how it is?...(turning) Very well. If you change your mind, I'll be with Anjou."
Luffy: "What do you know?"
Bosc smiled cynically across his shoulder.
Bosc: "I know enough to save both of their lives. It's amazing what one can learn over the centuries."
Usopp: (blocking the window) "You won't hurt anyone out there, will you?"
Bosc: (sniggering) "Of course not. All of your crews are perfectly safe."
He tossed a small compressed packet toward Luffy as he stepped back onto the sill.
Bosc: "If you want to help them, you'll need that."
He waved in his annoying, curt manner and swooped into the breeze. He had no need to look back; He knew they were watching him. Picking up the seemingly ancient envelope, Luffy looked down to his friends in concern. There was much to discuss.
Later, everyone sat in the foyer in silence as they waited for Chopper and Brook to join them. All eyes turned up to greet them as they entered the room.
Luffy: "All right. That's all of us."
Nami: "What about Franky and Kaya?"
Luffy: "Franky's with the ships."
Chopper: (finding a seat) "Kaya's watching over Bartlett."
Sanji: (lighting up) "So, what's all this about?"
Usopp: "It's not all that easy to explain."
Brook slowly took a seat, deep in thought.
Brook: "I guess the short story is...Rosario is dying."
Nami: "What?!"
Chopper: (sighing) "That's only half of it."
Sanji: "Half? What else is going on?"
Luffy glanced between Chopper and Brook. Usopp knew parts of it, but the rest would new to him as well.
Luffy: "Thing is - Brook's family is also expanding."
Nami: "You mean - ...?"
Sanji: "How is that even possible?"
Brook: (trying to ignore the curious faces) "Don't ask me. I don't get it either."
Chopper took it upon himself to redirect the attention from his already burdened nakama.
Chopper: "Somehow or other, Bartlett and Brook conceived another child, but this one isn't normal."
Sanji: (staring at Brook) "That's an understatement."
Nami shot him a glance.
Chopper: "It's pretty complicated."
Luffy: (leaning onto his knees) "Brook, what can you tell us?"
Silence drifted through the room before he could muster a response.
Brook: "It's a lich...and it's draining her life away."
Nami: "A lich?"
Usopp sat in horror. Since meeting Bartlett and the others, he'd taken it upon himself to read up on what was known of the fey folk.
Usopp: "But there hasn't been a lich in hundreds of years..."
Sanji: (confused) "What is it?"
Usopp: "Think of it as a vampire's bad-ass grandma."
Chopper: (nervously) "That sounds bad..."
Brook: "It is."
Luffy: "What's so bad about it? It's not like the kid's gonna ruin the world...(noting Usopp's expression) Right?"
Usopp: (sighing) "It's a long story...(shaking his head) What I know is limited. Most records of these things were stricken from history."
Nami: "Bosc would know more, though, wouldn't he?"
Sanji: "Don't tell me he showed up, too."
Luffy: "Where else can we go? We have to ask someone."
Brook: (slowly rising) "We'll talk to him, but he's not going anywhere near her."
Luffy: (nodding) "Right."
Chopper peered up the stairs in curiosity.
Chopper: "Why is it so bad to let him see his own sister?"
Brook: (turning) "He's a monster...and I have more right than anyone else here to use that term."
Sanji: "He wouldn't..."
Brook: (meeting his friend's gaze) "Yes, he would...You guys don't know Bosc like I do. He'll do whatever it takes to get what he wants, even if it means harming family."
Nami: "But why?"
Anjou: (chiming in) "I could tell you."
Everyone looked over in surprise. She had silently come into the room and was now squeezing the life from Sanji.
Sanji: (struggling to get free) "How'd you get in here?!"
She hugged him hard enough to crack his back before letting go.
Anjou: (grinning) "I knew you missed me."
Sanji: (twitching on the floor) "Sure...Why not..."
Nami: (glaring) "Do you have to do that every time you see him?"
Anjou: (purposefully being errant) "Who are you again?"
Usopp stepped up as the sparks began to fly.
Usopp: "Anjou! It's been so long! Come sit down."
He lead her quickly to a seat. Sanji cracked his spine back into alignment beside Nami.
Anjou: "Anyway, it's pretty obvious why my uncle would want the baby."
Sanji: "So he can screw that kid up, too?"
Ignoring the comments, Brook peered hard at his daughter.
Brook: "What are you doing here? How did you - ?"
Anjou: "Don't act so surprised."
Letting the 'how' go, he took his seat once more.
Luffy: "So, why does he want it?"
Anjou suddenly grew cold, curling her knees to her chest.
Anjou: "I saw it, too, Daddy...What Granny showed Mom."
Brook: (taking her hand) "What did you see?"
Her eyes glazed over.
Anjou: "The reckoning that awaits us all...If Bosc gets his way, he'll be unstoppable."
Nami: "What do you mean?"
Anjou: "He'll use the lich until he no longer needs it in physical form. (looking up) Then...he'll consume its power."
Chopper: (horrified) "He's going to eat it?!"
Anjou: (forcing a grin) "Sort of."
Luffy: "I don't want him back on my island. We'll talk to him at the reef line."
Anjou: "I wouldn't do that. If he knows you're onto him, he's likely to kill you all. Then he knows no one will be in his way."
Sanji: (smirking) "I'd like to see him try."
Anjou: (grimly) "No, you wouldn't...He's a lot stronger than you think. I pretend to be the doting niece so I don't get on his bad side...When I sailed with him, I saw a lot of things - Things you don't even have nightmares about. If he wanted to, he could have killed all of us a thousand times over by now. Don't forget he's accumulated strength and strategy over several centuries."
Luffy: "Just how old is he, anyway?"
Anjou: (shrugging) "No idea. He hides a lot of his past."
Chopper: "Did Bartlett ever say?"
Brook: (shaking his head) "I don't think she knows either."
Luffy: "So, we have a dhampire of unknown age on my doorstep that could easily kill anyone at any time..."
Anjou: "Don't forget unknown origin."
Nami: (glaring) "You're not helping."
Brook: "Actually, she is. Being a dhampire means that he has some vampire blood, at least half of his heritage. It doesn't say anything about his other half."
Sanji: "Dhampires aren't always half human?"
Anjou: (rolling her eyes) "Hardly. The bloodlines of my people have merged so far, it's rare to see a pure-blooded anything now."
Usopp: "So, what do we do?"
Anjou: "Granny taught me a lot over the years. The only thing that will help my mother now is dragon's blood."
Luffy: "All right. (resolutely) Where do we find some?"
Anjou: (sighing) "The last dragon died a long time ago. You'd have to find a descendant."
Thoughts raced through the miniscule silence as it dawned on the group.
Sanji: (taking a drag) "It just had to involve Marimo, didn't it?"
Luffy: (grinning) "Looks like we'll have to go get him."
Brook: "I can't ask him for his blood!"
Sanji: "Don't worry. He'll give it."
Brook: "But - !"
Nami: "Any of us would."
Luffy: "She can have some of mine in the meanwhile. It's better than nothing."
Brook: (choking up) "Thank you."
The next day, the friendly smiles on the pier had turned to grim resolution. Franky had just finished checking the engines and veil generator.
Franky: "Don't look so down, Mugiwara. We can handle this."
Luffy: (grinning) "I know. I just wish I could go with you."
Sanji stepped on deck, a long trail of smoke following him from below.
Sanji: "Do you really think this'll help her?"
Anjou: (nodding) "It has to. The only other source would be - ..."
She caught herself and trailed her words. The others looked on in curiosity.
Brook: (setting a hand on her shoulder) "Where we're going."
Usopp: (aghast) "You can't take your crew there! They'll be slaughtered!"
Anjou: "That's why they're not coming."
Details were hashed as the first team set out. Sanji, Usopp, and Franky would go after Zoro. Luffy, Brook, Anjou, and Nami would take Bartlett to their dreaded destination.
Nami: (handing off a denden mushi) "Contact me when you guys leave to meet us. I'll have to talk you through how to get there."
Bosc leaned against a pillar, bored out of his mind. He hated all these mushy goodbyes.
Bosc: "Can we go now?"
Glances were exchanged, but Luffy nodded. The first boat left the cove. Brook stepped passed Bosc, leaving a lingering glare. They needed his help, but that didn't mean he was welcome. Onboard the other ship, Usopp opened the pressed envelope Luffy had given him. It held a rough map and details on how to find the elusive Isle of Origin, where they would bring Zoro to meet Bartlett.
Kaya: "Well, Captain?"
He grinned across his shoulder. He loved being in charge.
Usopp: "Take us north."
Men wafted across the deck, pulling the sails, adjusting the rudder, and such. Kaya cooed to the messenger birds as they set sail. It would be a long trip.
Out at sea, Anjou stayed close beside her uncle. He knew she had been sent to keep tabs on him, but he didn't care. It was his chance to tell the tales of adventures during their time apart and carefully gather information from her own.
Bosc: "Anjou, tell me. Have you become as untrusting as these humans?"
Anjou: (playfully punching his arm) "What are you talking about? You're Bosc, the great and mighty!"
He grinned, knowing she had hurt her hand. He leaned in, matching eye level and stared hard.
Bosc: "Great and mighty, yes, but do you still trust your dear, old uncle?"
Anjou: (grinning) "Of course. Why wouldn't I? You've taught me most of what I know."
Bosc: (scruffing her hair) "Indeed."
Further down the deck, Nami watched them cautiously. Anjou was playing her part well, but which side was she playing? Below, Bartlett tossed and turned in pain. Brook sat beside her, wiping her brow and trying to calm her down. There was really nothing he could do now, but wait.
Back at the mansion, Chopper overlooked the balcony where the ships silently awaited the return of their captains.
Nozomi: "Are you sure you don't want to go with them?"
Chopper: "There's nothing I can really do to help. (turning) Besides, someone has to help you with the kids."
She smiled warmly in response. She did have her hands full when alone.
Franky's engines made travel much faster. They seemed to reach the Red Line in no time at all. Kaya had never seen the world's only continent close up and looked over the railing in interest. Sanji was reading the latest note from the birds, trying to fix a location on Zoro. Usopp readied the crew for whatever welcome they might get, while the breeze drove them ever closer to the shore.
Sanji: (annoyed) "Tch."
Franky: "What's up?"
Sanji: "Damned Swordboy. He's always been a pain."
Franky: (snatching the note) "Let me see."
He snickered at the irritated look on his friend's face. Zoro was getting to him even without being there. The note was short with Zoro's signature. It read: "Mind your own damned business". Sanji fumed in the background about how he didn't even want to come in the first place while Usopp got a laugh from reading the note.
After while, it was decided to send the messenger bird back to their nakama and follow it inland. They had no idea what circumstances awaited them, but they had a promise to keep.
-