The Troupe

There he was, standing and looking into his glass of wine. Swirling it around making a vortex of wine. This man, dressed like a ring leader in a circus, seemed like he was waiting for something. Soon after words, a woman dressed like a magician entered the room.

"Any word Ring Leader?" asked the magician. Ring Leader shook his head.

"Nothing yet Mage," he replied, "she is taking her time to make sure before we get involved."

"It would be nice to be able to break from our routine of doing nothing," complained Mage.

"Yes," Ring Leader said, "it has been about 40 years since we started this group. I don't even remember my true name."

"Same here," Mage said with a smile, "but Mage really as stuck to me."

"Do you remember when we last did something?" asked Ring Leader.

"I think the last thing we ever did was help the Strawhat Pirates," replied Mage, "long ago when they all got separated by that one Warlord of the Sea."

"That's correct," stated a new voice. From the shadows, another woman appeared dressed like a fortune teller.

"Ah Seer," Ring Leader greeted her, "what news can you tell us?"

"We all can get involved," replied Seer. Ring Leader stood up.

"Finally," he said with excitement, "time to move. Mage, go to Water 7 and visit their ship. We need to be able to talk to them at anytime." Mage smiled as she held out her hand.

"Portal to Water 7." A portal appeared and she stepped through it and disappeared.

"By the way," Ring Leader stated, "how is Mime doing?"

"I believe he is fine," replied Seer, "but you would know better than me." Soon after words, a man dressed like mime appeared.

"Ah Mime, how are you?" asked Ring Leader.

". . . ." replied Mime.

"Ah," stated Ring Leader, "overheard us didn't you? Still though, it has been awhile, so I hope you have been training like the rest of us?"

". . . ." Mime replied again the same way.

"True, there isn't a lot to do around here other than training," stated Ring Leader.

"Now, do we wait for Mage to come back?" asked Seer.

"Yes," replied Ring Leader, "that is all we can do."

******

Colt was so excited to see the new ship. It had taken a few days to build, but it was finally ready. It was a large vessel, easily enough room for everyone that was coming along with them. The ship had a kitchen, rooms for most people, even a training area. It was an excellent ship to sail on. Colt and Amy walked up to Bear and Tai Ku.

"So, it finally is done," Colt said with excitement.

"Yes," stated Bear, "however, we are having a bit of a problem."

"What's that?" asked Amy.

"What to name the ship," stated Tai Ku.

"I've already decided on a name," Bear said a little frustrated.

"So, what's the problem?" asked Colt.

"It's stupid," replied Tai Ku.

"IT'S NOT STUPID!" shouted Bear, "what is wrong with naming the ship Noodle?" Colt and Amy were at a loss for words.

"Sensei," began Colt, "do you really want to name the ship Noodle?"

"Of course," replied Bear, "what the hell is wrong with that?"

"Can't we think of a different name?" asked Colt. Bear then smacked Colt on the head.

"You have no right to defy your teacher," he stated to his student.

"Understood Sensei," Colt said while grabbing his head.

"I understand that you have the right to name it because you are the captain," explained Amy, "but can't we name it something else?"

"Like what?" asked Bear.

"Seacalibur," stated a woman's voice. Colt, Amy, Bear, and Tai Ku turned to the source of the voice to find a middle aged woman dressed like a magician.

"Seacalibur?" asked Tai Ku.

"Yes," the woman stated as she walked towards them, "a strong name for a strong ship." Bear looked at the ship.

"Yeah," he said with a smile, "it is a awesome ship."

"So, it is decided?" asked Colt.

"Yes," replied Bear, "from this day forth, this ship will be known as Seacalibur!" Everyone cheered. However, the woman was gone.

"I wonder who she was?" asked Amy.

"It doesn't matter," Colt said getting excited again, "let's get going!"

"Did you say your goodbyes?" Bear asked.

"Yes," replied Daisy's voice. Colt turned around to see his mother standing there in tears.

"I thought you weren't coming," Colt said sincerely.

"Neither did I," Daisy said crying, "I just wanted to see you one more time before you left."

"Mom," Colt sighed, "I will be back. While looking for Amy's parents, I will find Juba Croheart, my father, and bring him back here." Daisy was seemed to cry more hearing that name.

"I see," she said, "well, best of luck to you." Colt and Daisy shared a hug before getting on the ship. Waving goodbye to everyone on Water 7, the crew of the Seacalibur was off to new adventures on the high seas.

******

Water 7 was out of sight, and Colt stared at it until it was gone. Amy was next to him doing the same thing.

"Alright you two," Bear said strongly, "it's out of sight, so you can stop staring at it."

"Yeah," Colt said, "it's just, Amy and I haven't left Water 7 in our entire lives."

"Yeah," Amy agreed with Colt, "even though we can't see it, we still want to stare in the direction of it."

"I understand," Bear said with a smile, "but soon we have to talk. About where to start."

"We can tell you that," an unknown voice came from behind Bear. Bear, Colt, Amy, and the rest of the crew had eyes on the four strangers that were standing there.

"So," Bear said angrily, "we have ourselves some store aways." Bear was in a battle stance ready to fight. Then he recognized one of them, it was the woman who had given the name of the ship.

"Sensei," Colt said standing next to his teacher, "isn't that the woman who gave you the name for the ship?"

"Yeah," Bear replied coldly.

"Sorry for not introducing ourselves," stated the man dressed like a ring leader in a circus, "I am called Ring Leader.

"I am Mage," said the magician woman.

"Seer," said the woman dressed like a fortuneteller.

". . . ." the man dressed like a mime said.

"That's Mime," stated Ring Leader. Tai Ku froze in his tracks.

"Tai Ku, what is it?" asked Bear.

"The Troupe," replied Tai Ku, "they are the Troupe." The crew of the ship and Bear froze once they heard that name.

"I don't get it," stated Colt, "who the hell are these guys?"

"They can fill you in later," stated Ring Leader, "we are here to help you."

"What?" asked Bear.

"If you wish to find what you seek," stated Seer, "you must start at the desert kingdom of Alabasta."

"Alabasta?" asked Bear. Mage whispered something and a portal appeared on the floor of the deck and the Troupe disappeared before their very eyes.

______________________________________

Who are the Troupe?

Did they really help the Strawhat Crew?

Why do they want to help Bear and his crew?

And

What awaits them in Alabasta?

Find out in the next chapter of. . . .

One Piece

The Fallen Child

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