Hey guys !

Something will happens in this chapter.. can you guess what ?

More flash back about Riley's past.

The next chapter will be very different too and I really struggle to write it at the moment, but I hope it'll be okay.

Let's get started for chapter 8 !

Enjoy !


We follow a little river right into the island, the heat of the humid weather and thick plantlife already starting to make us all incomfortable. But Luffy wasn't deterred at all as he say, " I can see why they call this place Little Garden. "

" I can't. " Zoro say darkly as he look around the giant jungle, we almost couldn't see the sky as the giant leaves were surronding us, " What's little about it ? "

" Yeah, this island look a little harsh, if you ask me. Why the cute name ? " Nami add.

I look around, slightly in awe at the beauty of the view, well, it is little compared to its inhabitants. I can't wait to explore this island.. To see a prehistoric island is the chance of a lifetime !

" I think it's great. " I comment, " Like some sort of tropical jungle. Great for vacations. "

Suddenly, a loud shrieking sound make us all look up to see a gigantic reptilian bird bearing down at us.

Usopp and Nami shriek while I let out a awed sound as it swoop down in our direction.

" Mutton Shoot ! " Sanji's kick send it shooting through the air until it collied with a tree in the forest, " Shitty bird. " he mumble.

Just after that sounds a loud roar and we turn to see a huge tiger making its way towards the canal to drink. Sanji got ready for combat again, but as the tiger get closer, he collapse onto the ground, bleeding.

We all blink in surprise at it and Usopp ask, " What's with this place ? What could take down a tiger that big ? "

" Probably something even bigger. " I state simply.

" Right. " he say slowly, blinking twice, " I think I've just come down with the ' I-can't-get-on-this-island ' disease. "

I snort and turn to go to my room, saying, " You don't have a choice, either way. We have to stay here until the Log Pose sets. "

" Maybe we should stay on the boat until it does.. " Nami suggest nervously.

Zoro raise an eyebrow at me and call out just as I was about to turn the handle to enter my room, " What are you doing ? "

I look back and smile slightly, " I'm gonna change. It's freaking hot here and I want to be comfortable while exploring the island. We don't know how long it's going to take for the Log to set anyway, so might as well make use of our time. "

Luffy beam at that, " Great idea, Riley ! I'll come with you ! " he turn to Sanji, " Sanji ! Prepare some pirates lunchboxes ! I can smell the scent of adventure ! "

Nami look back and forth between the two of us and sigh, " I won't even bother to tell you anything. I would just waste my breath anyway. Crazy, that's what you are. "

I chuckle and enter in my room, closing the door softly behind until all I could here was some muffled voice of argument.


I come out to the deck some minutes later, and see that Luffy was sitting against the wall beside the door, a backpack beside him.

" Were you waiting for me ? " I ask pleasently.

His head snap up, big smile and all but he suddenly froze upon seeing me.

I frown at him, " Are you alright ? " he doesn't answer, just keep at staring at me with his mouth slightly parted and wide eyes so I look around at the others.

" What ? " I ask in confusion at seeing that even Nami and Usopp were looking at me with surprise expression while Zoro was just smirking amusingly with a raise eyebrow.

Then, the kitchen door open and Sanji walk out with a bored expression, carrying three boxes. " Here's your luchboxes, you shitty – " he cut himself and gape at me, cigaret falling from his mouth doing so.

I blink at them all, completely lost at what's happening and fold my arms, scowling, " Okay, can someone would please tell me why you're all looking at me like I'm some sort of alien ? "

Just then, Vivi walk onto the deck with Carue and blink at me, " Wow ! Riley-san, you're beautiful ! "

I blink dumbly at her and look down at myself.

I was wearing a dark green jeans shorts, a little shorter than my usual ones and a black swimsuit top that accentuate my 30C rather nicely. My hair were loose, flowing softly down to my hips and silky straight, the light of the sun making them shine a more lighter violet than usual, making my pale green eyes constrately stand up and I only have my dagger and two throwing knives on, that I straped to the dagger hostler also.

I look up at Vivi and raise a doubtful eyebrow, " Really ? "

She smile, " Of course ! " she blink before suttering, " Not that you aren't usually ! You're a really beautiful girl naturally, just saying… "

Nami walk up to her and slap her shoulder gently, " We got it Vivi, don't worry. " she then look at me up and down, " I have to say, it was rather shoking to see you like this at first, since you always refuse all the dresses and skirts that I ask you to try on.. "

I scowl, " They'll get in the way when I'll fight. " I mumble irritably as I remember her arrasing me about it more than once, " And I'll just end up tearing them appart anyway. "

She hum, cuping her chin whith two fingers and raise an eyebrow when she look at me feet, " How about some high heels ? sandals even, if you don't know how to walk with them.. "

I sneer and raise a miliatary boot claded foot proudly, " My boots are perfect for everything.. sand, water, mudd, snow.. they stay in place and my feet are always dry and comfortable. My brother bought me my first pair when I was twelve and I never wore anything else since. "

She grunt in irritation, " With legs like yours, it's really a shame. "

I shrug and look around at the boys, " So ? Are your brains started founctionning again ? "

They mumble under their breath, Sanji with an hint of blood on his nose as Usopp turn around and busy himself with something in his bag.

Sandals slapping against the wood of the deck make me turn to see Luffy walking up to me.

I frown, Is it me or there redness on his cheeks ? I shake my head slightly and shrug, Must be the heat.

" Ready to go ? " I ask and he smile as he put the backpack on his back, " Yup ! "

" Hey, would mind if I came with you ? " Vivi ask.

" You too, Vivi… " Nami say helplessly as she sulk.

" Sure, no problem. " Luffy say as he accept the lunchboxes from Sanji.

" It'll be good for you, Vivi. " I smile gently at her, " You really need to get your mind off of things and unwind a little. "

She smile and nods in agreement, " Come on Carue, let's go. " Carue look at her like she'd just told him to jump into a pit of fire before obliging.

Before leaving, I hesitate a little before turning to the rest of the crew, " By the way, if there's abnormally huge birds and tigers in this jungle, there might be some even bigger and dangerous things there too. "

" Wouldn't surprise me. " mumble Nami.

" I'm gonna go do some hunting anyway. " say Zoro as he jump off the ship and walk away to the jungle, calling out behind as he wave at us, " If there some big animals here, I'll cut them and bring them for dinner ! "

" Be careful ! " I call out to him before he disapear into the jungle.

" Hey ! " snap Sanji after him, " It's my job to make sure there's good food in my kitchen ! I'll find some big animals ! "

He was about to jump off too but stop as I call him back, " Sanji, wait ! "

He turn back to me with a silly smile, " Aye, Riley-chan ? "

" Why don't you scout for potential enemies while you're at it ? " I ask, smiling slightly as he look eager to please, " Since that Robin woman knew we were going here, it's possible that they've already sent assassins here. "

He blink, " You're absolutely right, Riley dear. " he walk toward me, take my hand in both of his and kneel, " Don't worry, if there is enemies on this island, you won't even be bothered by them as I will take them down before they could even think of disturbing you. " he stood and glare at Luffy, " I untruce Vivi-chan and Riley-swan to you, Luffy ! So protect them with your own life ! "

And he jump off the ship, running into the jungle.

I blink after him and shrug, turning to Luffy and Vivi, " Well, what are you waiting for ? Let's explore this jungle ! "


" Hey Riley, check this out ! "

I turn to Luffy as he stroll over and show me the object in his hand, " It's an octopus shell ! "

I look closely at it, " Not quite. This is an ammonite. "

" Right. Octopus shell. " he reply.

I snort, " Ammonite. " I insist and seeing his confused look as he look back and forth between me and his hand, frowning slightly, I explain, " They're an extinct class of cephalopod molluscs. Basically, they are characterized by a univalve shell more or less coiled of which only the last lodge was occupied by the animal, the other lodges used to control his flotation. Their fossil shells are excellent chronological markers. "

He hum thoughfully as he look down at it, " It look like an octupus tentacle though. "

Vivi walk up to us and take a look at it too, eyes wide in wonder, " But how could this be ? You said so yourself, Riley ! They're supposed to be extinct ! " she turn to Luffy, " Where did you found this ? "

" The stream here is full of them. " he say innocently, jerking his head toward the stream behind us.

She turn, frowning and walk to the stream, looking down at the water and she gasp, " But how ? "

" It's probably a prehistoric island. " I suggest.

Vivi considere a moment before asking, " What make you say that ? "

" I read that there were only three known in the world, two in the Shin Sekai and one in the Grand Line, which would be this one. " I pause and point ahead, " Well, and that dinosaur over there is a good give away too. "

Vivi eyes widen as she turn around to where I was pointing. Towering above the trees, about twenty meters away from us.. was a brontosaurus.

" OH MY GOD ! " Vivi scream as Luffy eyes lit up in amazement, " COOL ! "

" HOW IN THE HELL COULD DINOSAUR STILL LIVES ! " she yell in a slightly insane voice as she look like she want to rip her hair off, " THEY DIED A MILLIONS YEARS AGO ! THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE ! "

Luffy laugh, " Ask Riley, she knows everything ! " he beam at me, " Right ? " and Vivi look at me hopefully.

I smile gently at him, " I don't prentend to be all knowing and right about everything.. I'm only human after all, I can make mistake and there's so much in the world I don't know about… " I smirk, " Yet, that is. "

He nods sagely, understanding that too, " So, you don't know then ? "

" Well, that's only hypothetic. I can't say for sure. " I look up thoughfully at the dinosaurs, watching them tearing some leaves and slowly eating in fascination, " My guess is that the climate here somehow ended up locking this island millions of years late compare to the rest of the world and favors certain plants and animals to prospere here when they all died out elsewhere. "

" Can that really happen ? " Vivi ask in amazement.

" It's impossible to say for certain.. howerver, I believe this would be the most likely reason. " I look around the vegetation, spoting plants and some odd looking insects that I never seen before, " It's truly fascinating, an archeologist would have a field day here. "

I wonder if Robin had the occasion to study this island…

Vivi nods slightly in agreement as she too look around in curiosity, inspecting the jungle with new eyes.

Luffy's laughter rang out and I turn to him only to see him stretch his arms out and wrap them around one of the dinosaur's neck.

" ARE YOU CRAZY !? " Vivi scream in horror.

" Be carefull, Luffy ! " I yell at him and he yell back, " Aye ! " before throwing himself at the dinausor.

Vivi look like she was going to faint as she gape after him and turn furiously to me, " HOW CAN YOU JUST ENCOURAGE HIM ?! DON'T YOU CARE THAT THOSE BEAST COULD EAT HIM ALIVE !? "

" Actually, those are plants-eaters. " I state calmly, " The Brachiosaurus are stricktly herbivores. "

She blink, calming down drastically, " Oh really ? " she sigh in relief, " That's good to know. So Luffy-san isn't in danger. "

I hum absent mindly and frown lightly in thought, " Well, not to be eaten, that's for sure.. " I say, marking a pause before adding nonchalantly, " However, just because they don't eat meat doesn't mean that they still won't kill you. "

Vivi's face turn a little blue and her jaw drops slightly as she stare at me.

" Usopp warned me about it, but I thought he was just joking.. " she say to herself.

I raise a curious eyebrow, " What did he say ? With him, you can never be sure. "

" He said that you have a rather twisted sense of humor and that you tend to say morbid things. " she says before adding hesitantly, " He also said that he wasn't even sure if you do that inconcsiously or on purpose to scare people. "

I frown in confusion, " What ? I just stated the fact, that's all ! It's not my fault if he's more of the coward side. " I fold my arms and huff indignantly.

She blink blankly at me before nodding slowly, " Alright. Not on purpose then. You really don't see any problem in what you said. I'll be sure to inform him. "

I stare at her for a moment before shruging, " Whatever. " and look back at Luffy, who was standing up on the dinosaur's head and looking around eagerly.

" How does he do it ? " Vivi ask in amazement as she look up at him too, " I mean.. turn even something dangerous like this into almost a game ? "

" Luffy's a very complicated person to figure out.. " I answer softly, not tearing my gaze away from him, " But.. as the same time.. he's not that hard at all. He's reckless and wild.. but he always have that childlike personality. " I glance at her and smirk, " But don't ever let that fool you. He's much more smarter and responsible than he let out to be. "

Just then, Luffy yell down at us, " Hey ! I found a great place to have our lunchs ! " he point down to the dinosaur's head.

I snort, well, right now he's not but he can be responsible when it count, that's what matter.

" It's dangerous up there ! Come down already ! " Vivi yell, like a mother would to a child who had climb too high in a tree, " It may seem nice but it's still a dinosaur! "

" We have something in common ! We both love to eat ! " he wave down happily before looking at me, " And you, Riley ? Want a lift ? "

I chuckle and yell back, " Nah, I'm good. You just have fun. "

I sat down and relax a little as Luffy look around some more, calling out that there was a mountain full of holes and that we should go and check it out.

Vivi was continuing to try to convince him to come down as he was trying to get the dinosaur to take him to the mountain. The poor thing howl in pain when Luffy turn its head sharply, the noise it made was so loud that it shool the land and soon, dozens of other dinausors, much larger ones, appeared from out of nowhere.

I frown as I look at them, The one Luffy's on is much more smaller than the others, so that's must mean it's still a baby… That's not good.

Indeed, seeing that the little one was being disturbed, the adults ones start to attack Luffy. They were all going at him, looking like a tangle of snakes above us as Luffy slid down their neck like slides.. jumping from head to head with laughter, until he was finally eaten by the bigest one that was covered in scars.

" HE WAS EATEN ! " Vivi shriek.

" That must be the head of the herd. " I state calmly, looking over it in curiosity, " That would explain the scars. "

" AGAIN, HOW CAN YOU BE SO CALM ! " Vivi snap at me before screaming in horror as a giant blade came flying out of nowhere and lobbed the neck of the beast off so suddenly that Luffy popped right out of the neck as it fell.

And a giant hand appear and caught Luffy like he was an action figurine.

The giant head appear and we could clearly see him now. A well-built with a beard so long that it went past his waist, he was dressed in Vicking attire with a helmet that went right over his eyes. Luffy was standing in the giant's palm as the giant began to laugh.

" Gyagyagya ! " he laugh, " What fun ! That was glorious ! Watching the like of you grapple with long-necks is the most entertaintment I've had in quite awhile ! You're my first visitor in a long while ! "

" Wow ! You're huge ! Are you human ?! " Luffy ask bluntly.

" Human ? What a joke ! " the giant laugh as he heave his sword up to his shoulder, " I am Dorry ! Greatest Warrior of all Elbaf ! "

" Well, hi ! I'm Luffy ! And I'm a pirate ! " Luffy greet agreably.

Dorry laugh again, " A pirate ? Well, good for you my friend ! "

" By the way.. " Luffy say, pointing down at Vivi, who was trying to get Carue, who seemed to have faint at some point, to wake up, " I'd like you to meet my two friends, Vivi and Carue ! " he look down at them, " Say hi to Dorry ! "

Vivi look up angrily at him and mumble, " That's great, Luffy just can't shut up. " and I snort at the veracity of her statement.

" And the girl sitting over there is Riley, a member of my crew. " Luffy add, pointing at me.

I look up at them and wave, " Yo ! How's it going ? "

Dorry roar in laughter, " Going well, can't complain ! " he calm down a little before inviting us to his home in a good nature way as bent down to pick us all up, Vivi and Carue screaming fearfully as I laugh.


Awhile later, after having tread my lunchbox against some of the dinosaur's meat, I take a bite of it and chew slowly, blinking in pleased surprise, " That's pretty good ! "

" Yep ! " Luffy laugh as he was eating his own ( and much larger ) share, " You sure know how to cook, giant ! "

" Why, thanks for the compliment ! Your pirates goodies were good too, my little friends ! " Dorry say happily, " Althrough the partions were a little small. "

" Yeah, I know what you mean. " Luffy answer, taking another bite of his meat, " But the chief on my ship made it specialy for this trip so I'm glad you like it, otherwise I'll have to beat you up ! "

I raise an eyebrow as I went on chewing and Vivi, who made a point to make herself as silent as possible since we start eating tense up a little and stare at Luffy in horror.

Did he realize that he just threaten a giant ?

Dorry stop in mid-laugh and demand, " Was that a threat, shorty ?! "

Vivi and Carue pale some more before he start laughing again, slapping his knee, " I like you, little pirate ! You're really funny ! "

I smile fondly at the two, it was as if they were old friends seeing each other after a long time appart instead of two strangers who just met.

It was a very interesting conversation from that point on as Luffy then ask Dorry why he was living here all on his own, and Dorry explain about how he and another giant named Brogy had been battling here for a hundred years. How that, in their land, when a fight breaks out and neither side yields, their god would then decide who is right of winning the duel and their life… so they have been battling each other all this time but there has yet to be a winner.

Vivi, however, couldn't believe the reason for that and was asking if there was a possibly any hatred between them after all this time, but Dorry just laugh as she continued to be more confuse.

" But 100 years ?! " she exclaim.

" I read that giants have thrice the lifespan of a human. " I raise an eyebrow at Dorry, " Is that accurate ? "

" That's right ! " he answer good naturely, " So 100 years seems like nothing to us ! "

" But that's not the point ! Why would you want to continue fighting after this long ? Is there any reason to keep trying to kill each other ? " Vivi ask, trying to reason the situation.

" Well, we don't necessarily have to kill each other. " he corrects, " But that will most likely be the case when one of us win. " Suddenly, there was a loud explosion and we turn to see the volcano in the middle of island erupt.

" Oops, that's the signal. " Dorry say, " looks like it's time. "

" But what was the quarrel in the first place ? And how could you possibly hate each other so much that you continue this for – " she was cut off by Luffy who held up his hand at her.

" It's not about that. " he state knowingly, " It never was. "

" That's right ! " Dorry confirm as he charge forward at the arriving form of Brogy, " The reason for our duel… " birds floke out of the vincity as axe and sword collied, " We forgot ages ago ! "

" I don't understand.. " whisper Vivi as she look at them, completely lost.

" Right. " I sigh as I run a hand through my hair, scratching an itchy spot at my neck doing so, " You're a princess after all, so you haven't grown up to understand the warrior's way of life. " she look at me in confusion, " When you hears about fighting, you would immediately assume it's all about hatred. "

" But that's not that at all ! " jump in Luffy at once, looking rather serious about the subject, " They're best friends ! This is all about honor ! "

She frown at the both of us in disaprovement, " I still don't think that fighting is a good answer to their problem. "

I sigh tiredly at that, beggin for patience. Really, how did she intempt to stop a rebellion without fighting ? If she thought for one second that she'll be able to stop it without anyone getting hurt, she's deluding herself quite seriously.

I look back up at the two giant, might as well enjoy the show.

" Don't you long to return to our home of Elbaf, Dorry ? " Brogy say in a nostalgic voice, " I know I do. "

" That's exactly why I'll beat you ! Today, victory is mine ! " Dorry shout in conviction.

" Dream on, my friend ! Elbaf has choosen me as the victor ! " Brogy shout back, " If you're lucky, you'll surfive your loss and we can both go back home ! " They both let out loud laugh and continue in a flurry of strikes, dodges and blocks. On one occasion, Brogy managed to land a hit on Dorry's head, but Dorry adjusted his head so that his helmet would take the blow.

In the end, the battle end.. in a draw.

While the giant engage in a small talk, I take a good look at Brogy. Like Dorry, he too dressed in a vicking attire, complete with a red helmet with two horns. He has a blond beard, shape like an axe's blade, beady eyes, pig like nose.. but he look to be just as good natured as Dorry was as he toss him several barrels.

I frown, I have this weird feeling that I am forgetting something there… I thought for a moment but my mind came blank so I shrug, Oh well. I'll remember it later, I guess.

Dorry rejoin us as he explain that he had seen Usopp and Nami with Brogy and that he thanked them for the drinks.

" The orange hair girl also asked me to tell Riley that your Log Pose is going to take a year to reset. " he say as he sat down, " You might want to find another way to get out of here safely. Many have died here while waiting for their Log to set, either by the climat or the animals. "

I hum thoughfully, " Yeah, that is indeed a little inconvenient. "

Vivi gape at me, " A little inconvenient ?! THAT'S A HUGE PROBLEM ! "

" Calm down, will you. " I say lightly, " We'll find a way, eventually. "

Vivi was looking striken, " But my country could be destroyed by then ! Even if we survive a year ! "

" She's right. " Luffy add, " Plus, I'd get bored here after a year. "

I scowl lightly at them, " I never said that we'd have to stay here for a year.. just that something could came up that would help us out of here, that's all. " I look up at Dorry, " What do you think, Dorry ? "

Dorry thought it over as he put the barrels down, " Well, there is an Eternal Pose on this island, but it lead to Elbaf. That basically what Brogy and I have been fighting over this whole time. " He look down at us and smile, " You can try to take it from us, if you want. "

I shake my head, " Thanks but we have to get to Alabasta as fast as possible. We can't afford a detour that long. "

" Ah.. " Dorry blink and shrug, " Well, you could try to sail randomly.. if you're lucky, you'll end up somwhere sonner or later. " and I snort at the obvious sarcastic response.

Luffy actually thought about it before bursting out laughing, " Maybe so ! We might actually get there ! "

The three of us laugh at that as Vivi glare at us, not at all amused by the situation.

" Now that I think about it, someone did leave this island before his Log was reset ! " Dorry confess as he roar with laughter.

" And what happened to him ? " Luffy ask.

" How should I know that ?! " Dorry state and Luffy pratically roll on the ground with tears in his eyes from laughter.

" I'm sure he was able to able to get to next island ! " he say though it was clear that he didn't believe it as Dorry agree just the same as they enjoy themselves.

I chuckle good naturely at them, but a rather grim aura from behind me make me turn my head to see Vivi with an outraged look on her face.

I sigh, really fed up with her at the moment. I get that she want to get back home as soon as possible, but unless she have a way off the island, there isn't much that could be done. And her getting upset over everything and looking ready to bite our heads off for every little things is making the matter a lot harder to deal with.

Even though Vivi have a lot of guts and determination, she have to learn more about the world if she want to do something about it. Determination will only get you so far if you don't have a way to back it up or, in this case, know a way to go. Otherwise getting angry is just a waste of time and energy.

Suddenly, what sounds like an explosion came from within Dorry's stomach and I instinctively jump on my feet, hand close to the hostler at my thigh. He let out a strangle yell, his eyes rolling into the back of his head and smock began to billow out of his mouth. Luffy let out a horrified yell as he jump up to see for himself, yelling at us what happen, stating that it was the same alcohol we had on the ship.

" Oh no… " I whisper in horror as I realize what happen. That's what I had forgetten about !

" Luffy ! " he look up at me, eyes wides, " Did you drink some of this ! " I point to the empty barrels on the ground.

He shake his head, " No ! You said to wait for you to make me try some low level one ! "

I sigh in relief that for once, Luffy had listen to something, and look back grimly at Dorry, " Seems like someone put explosives in those barrels.. "

Vivi look worriedly at the giant and suggest, " Maybe Brogy's responsible for this.. "

Luffy look really outrage that she could even think of something like that as his eyes turn dangerous and he yell right in her face, " HOLD IT ! WHERE YOU EVEN WATCHING THEM ?! THEY FIGHT THEIR DUELS HONORABLY ! NO WAY HE'D DO THAT ! "

" Alright then who did do it ?! " Vivi demand.

Just then, Dorry got back on his feet, reaching for his sword. His eyes were so angry that they were pratically glowing. There was no trace of the friendly, gracious giant here. There was cold fury radiating from him as blood spurt from his mouth.

" You strangers ! " he growl, breathing hard, " It wasn't Brogy ! No way.. no warrior of Elbaf would dare so… who else is there to suspect on this island then, but you ! "

" Now, wait a moment here ! " I yell up at him, " Why would we do something like that ? What would that gain us ? "

" Riley-san ! " Vivi gasp in horror at seeing me yelling at the enraged giant.

A hand on my shoulder made me shut my mouth as I was about to say something else, and Luffy push me slightly behind him, " Don't bother, he won't listen to anything we have to say right now. "

He glare up at the giant as he take two step forward. Carue scream and went off running as Vivi told us that we should get out of here.

" And then what ? " I ask annoyingly, " Maybe talking won't change anything, but running won't do any good either. It'll only make it look like we're guilty. "

Luffy take off his hat and come to put it on my head and something strange happened there.

As he put his strawhat gently on top of my head, our eyes connect and he pause briefly, staring at me intently with a complex expression that I couldn't quite descibe and his hand slid from the hat to stroke a strand of my hair softly.

He blink and take a step back, averting his gaze and the moment was over.

I put a hand on the hat and blink in confusion, What the heck happened here ?

" Stand back. " he order me gently as he turn to Dorry.

Vivi stare at him, " You're going… to fight Dorry ? "

Luffy don't answer as he cracked his knuckles and that he didn't want to, but he have to settle this. Vivi shake her head as she look to Borry and try to reason with him that it wasn't us who did this, that he was in no shape to fight.

But he was beyond listening as he swung his sword, blood coming from his mouth. The fight began and as it went on, I wince at the violence of it as it was obviously taking a tool on the giant. But Dorry wasn't done yet as he finally slam his foot down on top of Luffy.

However, this little fight seems to be to much for him as he held his stomach, falling to his knees and finally passing out when he hit the ground.

I walk up to Luffy and take a look at him. He lay in the boot print, gasping for breath. Dirty and bruised, but otherwise looking relatively unharmed and I sigh in relief at that.

" Your feeling alright ? " I ask as I held up my hand to help him up.

He graciously take it and say, " I'm fine. " he look to where Vivi was looking over Dorry and ask, " How's he ? "

" He should be okay. " she say softly, looking at him, " Guess you were right about fighting. " she admit, " He seems a lot calmer now. "

Luffy take his hat back and snap, " Well I'm not ! The old guy was right about one thing anyway ! The other giant would never do anything like that ! But I know that our friends would never do it either ! They aren't like that ! "

" Yeah.. " Vivi say softly, " But then.. "

" Isn't it obvious ? " I say, raising an eyebrow and folding my arms, " Baroque Works, of course. Who else ? "

Vivi's eyes widen in realisation but then, the volcano went off again and at the noise, Dorry's eyes opens and he look ready to go off.

Breathing hard, still havin blood on the side of his mouth, Dorry try to get up but he double over in pain, holding onto his stomach. Luffy and I try to stop him, Vivi pleading for him to rest,but he wouldn't listen. He claim that he was a warrior and that if he was going to die, he was going to die as a warrior no matter what, even as blood erupt from inside him. With a great effort, he managed to get back on his feet.

Still breathing in shallow pants, Dorry made to run off. But before he did, he take hold of the mountainside and pick it so that he could drop it on Luffy, to keep him from moving. Screaming loudly, Luffy struggle to pull himself out. But Dorry say softly to himself , " Forive me, Elbaf. "

Luffy stop as we watch Dorry picking up his battered sword, " It's been over a century… since we started this battle… this duel. Injured or not.. I cannot allow myself to run away from this fight ! " He held his sword tightly as he straighten up. " To do so would be like running away from the title ' warrior '. And if I was no longer a warrior of Elbaf.. " Dorry state grimly, " Then I would no longer know who I am. " he look down at us and add, " I'm sorry I suspect you for causing the explosion. "

" Well, you should just tell Brogy what happened and just postpone the fight until you recover. " I say anxiously, " Look at you ! You can barely stand ! Don't you think Brogy would want to win a fight that was fair and square instead of this ? "

He sigh, shaking his head, " I know this is my judgment from Elbaf… Our god of war.. "

Luffy glare furiously at him as he scream out, " LISTEN TO ME ! God's protections and judgments have nothing to do with what's going on ! If God told you to run off and die, would you ?! Someone's interfered with your duel ! "

Surprisingly, Dorry stop for a moment and seems to considere Luffy's words.

" That's exactly what Riley said ! " Luffy went on, " A duel that's been interfered with isn't fair anymore ! If Brogy win today because of this, it'll leave him with a nasty taste in his mouth for the rest of his life ! "

" SILENCE ! " Dorry scream out, sounding angry again, " What could you possibly know about this ? You're a human that can't have been living on this eart for more than two decades ! How can you possibly hope to understand the ways of the warriors of Elbaf ! "

And without another words, Dorry kept walking with Luffy beating his fist around like a child having a tantrum, trying to get the rock off him, screaming for Dorry to let him go.

Vivi stare at him, trying to calm him down, the look on her face clearly ask why he was so upset.

" Who was it ? " Luffy demande angrily, " Who would dare to interfere ? I'll kill them ! "

I sigh and sat up beside him, " Calm down. Yelling won't do any good. The only one who could be behind this would be that bomb guy from Baroque Works we saw at Whiskey Peak. "

Vivi blink and bit her lip nervously, " If Mr.5 is really on this island, that's mean that Miss Valentine's here too.. That's not good.. "

Suddenly, a familiar voice sound off behind us, screaming for Luffy. Usopp came bursting through the trees, trip, bounce on a rock before crashing right into the mountain.

I arch a curious eyebrow as Luffy and Vivi gape slightly at him, " Quite the entrance, as usual. "

He straight himself up and look up to us, running over and shouting out, " I HAVE TERRIBLE NEWS ! A DINOSAUR ATE NAMI ! "

" WHAT ?! " Vivi and Luffy scream in terror.

" We were running away from the dinosaurs together, but when I turn around, she was gone ! " Usopp cry out.

They all began to freak out and I yell, " ENOUGH ! " sternly, shutting them up and making them look at me with pleading eyes, as if they expect me to come up with a great solution right away.

" Calm down for a minute and think about it. Just because she desapear doesn't mean she was eaten. " I sneer a little at the idea, " With the amount of perfume she wears, any animal would have a sneezing fit and wouldn't dare to try and taste her anyway. "

Vivi frown, " That's not a very nice thing to say… I like her parfume. "

I shrug, " I wouldn't know, I never understood the utility of it. All it does is attract unwants attention from potientialy dangerous things. " she look a bit outrage at that but I pay her no mind as I went on, " No, the most likely situation is that if the Baroque Works really followed us from Whiskey Peak, it would make sense for them to go after Nami. She is on the hit list after all. "

Usopp gasp, " You mean Baroque Works is here on the island with us ? "

" Yes. " I state simply, standing up and strolling toward the jungle, " I'll try to look for Zoro and Sanji. We should all gather an think of a plan of action. "

" Wait, Riley ! " Usopp call after me, " You're going alone ?! "

I turn back to him and raise an eyebrow, " You want to tag along ? "

He pale and shivers slightly and I nod sagely, " That's what I thought. "

And enter the jungle, hearing Vivi scream, " Be careful, Riley-san. "

I sigh and went on walking, stoping from time to time to inspect some interesting plants and insects on the way and squinting over dinosaurs in the distance.

The sound of leaves being ruffle make me stop and carefully aproach my hand from my dagger hostler, ready to draw it anytime.

I walk through the plants and trees, minding my steps carefully as to make as little sound as possible and pause at who I saw there.

I blink at figure who has his back turn to me, " Zoro ? " I call questionaly.

He doesn't answer, not even twitch a little and I frown, walking up to him, " Did you hear me ? Zoro ? "

Still nothing, I reach out to grab his shoulder, " Hey, what's the matter with – " as my hand settle on him, I froze at the cold and hard feeling of it.

As realisation slowly came to me, the only though I have before everything turn black was..

Fuck..


I stir awake as something hot land on my cheek, frowning slightly as I try to remember when and why I fell asleep in the first place.

I register the sounds of angry voices close to me and slowling blink my eyes open and gasp silently at the sight in front of me.

The two giants were on the ground, Dorry face-down and bleeding as Brogy was being restraint with a large quantities of waxe, including what looks like large wax spokes impaled in their hands and feet.

Looking down, I constat that I was also traped in wax, as it already reach my waist now and turning to the arguing voices, I see that Zoro, Nami and Vivi were in the same position.

Ah.. So I managed to get myself caught in a giant cake with a spinning pumpking that throw melt wax at me.. Just great.

" Finally awake. "

I turn to Zoro and sneer at him as the two girls were gaping at him. Frowning slightly at their horrified look, I glance down and blink, " You're bleeding, Zoro. "

" Yeah, well.. I thought that since we we're trap in here, I could cut off my feet so I could fight. " he answer, shruging.

I blink, " I see. " I glance back at the girls, " And you two let him try to do it ? You realize that he could have bleed to death if he had succeded, right ? "

" WE TRIED TO STOP HIM BUT HE WOULDN'T LISTEN ! " scream out Nami.

" He said that if he was fast enough, you would have the time to stitch his feet back on afterward ! " Vivi add, looking both outrage and horrified at the thought.

I hum thoughfully and look back at Zoro, " You're an idiot. "

" Hey ! "

I tune him out and look around to see who else were here. Watching us as Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine.. however, there's two others with them. A young girl with blushed cheeks and braided pigtails while the other was a rather frail looking man with one big 3 achieved through his top knot.

" I'm gessing that's Mr. 3. " I state, jerking my head to the man.

Zoro snort, " Jeez, what give it away ? " he ask sarcastically.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Luffy, Carue and Usopp came bursting into the clearing with such force that they were sent flying, " When I get back I'm gonna kick your asses ! " scream Luffy as they threw by and smashing into some trees.

Zoro and I blink after them, share a look and shook our heads in exasperation.

" Luffy ! " Nami call in relief, " Usopp ! "

" Carue ! " Vivi yell as the three came marching back. All three of them were looking a little tick off.

" We're here Brogy ! " Usopp yell, " Don't worry ! We'll pick up where you left off ! "

" Thanks Usopp ! " he say from where he lay as Luffy look up and his eyes widen in surprise upon seeing me, " Riley ? How did you ended up here too ?! "

I cringe a little, " I guess I wasn't careful enough. " I answer, rather ashame of myself at that.

" And here I thought that the Great Roronoa Riley never made mistakes and was always prepared for anything. " say Nami sarcastically and I glare at her.

" I never once pretend to be perfect either. " I snap at her.

" She's right. " Zoro back me up as he glance irritably at Nami, " She's human too, she's bound to fail sometimes. That's a part of the training of life. "

" Exactly. " I nod firmly in agreement.

She sigh, " Sorry. It's just that with the wax paralizing us and all, my nerves are on fire right now. "

I scoff, wondering how I'll survive when it'll be this time of the month if she already annoys the shit out of me right now, and turn back to Luffy, " If you could hurry up before we suffocate here, that'll be very kind of you. "

" I intent to, promise ! " he yell back as he turn to Mr. 3 and the man laugh at him, trying to mock him by saying that it was pathetic that he had such a high bounty when he clearly was a weakling. But Luffy notice his hair and gasp that it was on fire as Mr. 3 scream at him to shut up.

" Yes, he has weird hair ! " Nami scream in irritation, " Now could you break this pillar ?! We're kinda stuck here ! "

Luffy look up in blasé surprise and ask bluntly, " Oh, are you guys in trouble ? "

" Nope. " Zoro answer, his sword over his shoulder, " No trouble at all. "

I look down at our wax coat figures and try to move my arms and waist, " I guess we still have some times. " I smirk and try different pose, settling on a dark menacing smirk and folding my arms under my chest.

I raise an eyebrow at Zoro and he smirk in understanding and amusement as he lift his white blade high in the air, his other hand on his hips.

Nami blink at us in confusion, " What in the hell are you two doing now ?! "

We both glance at her and answers at the same time, " If I'm gonna be a statue, I prefere this pose. " and Vivi shout at us, sounding close to hysterical.

Nami glare and scream at Zoro, " At least do something about the blood at your ankles ! The sight of it make me nauseous ! "

" Quit looking at it then. " I tell her simply.

" It's kinda hard to ignore ! " she yell back and Zoro and her start arguing again as Vivi stare at us, as if she was convinced that we just didn't realize how much danger we were in righ now.

The truth is that now that Luffy was here, we know that everything will be fine and we just have to stay calm and wait and Brogy smile in understanding at our now calm attitude. Even Miss Goldenweek notice as she spread out a blanket and serve herself some tea. She point out to Mr. 3 how we didn't seems concern with what's about to happen.

As Usopp and Carue move back to hide in the trees, Luffy went against Mr. 3. Right off the bat, the candleman was able to trap his feet. This prove to be a bad thing because in the end, Luffy was able to use this to it's adventage by grabbing hold of Brogy's helmet and slamming his locks leg into the pillar, smashing it.

It's amazing how, when he's fighting, he becomes intelligent with some pretty ingenious skills.. I thought as I scratch my neck, at the same irritating itching spot that had been annoying me since before we went to eat with Dorry.

The giant pumpking above us fell, and for one horrible moment, we thought it was going to crush but instead, it land on the top tier of the wax cake and continue to spin, the process piking up rapidly.

Luffy blink at us in confusion, " Why didn't you run for it, guys ? "

" BECAUSE WE'RE STUCK, YOU IDIOT ! " Vivi and Nami scream at him.

" Oh, really ? " he ask in surprise, " Is that what's going on ?! The only things you guys kept saying was for me to break the pillar. So that's what I did ! "

I arch an eyebrow, thinking over and blink, " Fair point. " I look questionaly at Zoro, " Maybe we should've been more specific ? "

" I suppose.. " he drawl boredly.

" Mr. Bushido, Riley-san, are you sure it's a good idea to put our lives in that guy's hands ?! " Vivi scream in desesperation.

" Well, we don't exactly have much of a choice here, do we ? " I ask back and frown as I try to move my arms but find it hard to, " I don't know about you, but I'm having a little bit of trouble moving right now.. "

" Yeah. " say Zoro nonchalantly, " Me too. I can't move my arms at all. "

" And you don't seem to be that bother by it ! " Vivi scream accusingly.

" Would you please stop yelling. " I scowl at her, " I would like to remember other sounds that your hysterical voice screaming my ears off if I did turn into a human candle forever. "

" Wait ! " Luffy call out, finally understanding what was going on, " You guys are gonna turn into wax figures !? "

" THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO TELL YOU FROM THE BEGINNING ! " Nami scream angrily at him.

" Well.. " I say hesitantly, " To be fair, we never mentioned anything about turning to wax. "

" I thought it was obvious since we can't move ! " Nami snap.

" Please ! Just.. hurry up and destroy this thing Luffy ! " Vivi beg and Luffy nods firmly, saying that he got it, this time.

Mr.3 try to attack him just as Usopp sent an Exploding Star at him. However, Mr. 5 step in and, not only did he catch it with his mouth, of all the things, but swallow it.

Vivi and Nami gape at him as Zoro raise an eyebrow, " Well, guess he has a thing for spicy food. " and I snort in amusement.

Luffy went back to trying to break the pumpkin. He start up a Bazooka just as Mr. 3 creat a wall to bloke it. He then try to trap him again, but was only able to trap one of Luffy's arms in the wax. Which Luffy use to lauch another attack at him, using the wax on his arm to break through Mr. 3's shield and sent him flying.

" Yes ! " Nami cheer in victory, " Now smash that pumpkin ! "

However, Luffy suddenly froze and just stand there, staring blankly ahead.

" What are you doing !? " scream Nami, " Hurry up and free us ! "

" No. " was the answer he give.

Just a plain, simple and emotionless no..

We all stare at him, Vivi and Nami in slight panic and confusion as Zoro and I frown in suspicion after sharing a look.

And despite the girls' pleading.. he just keep saying no. That he don't feel like saving us.

" Luffy ? " Nami eyes widen, " What are you saying ? What's wrong ? "

" Didn't you said you were going to save us ? " ask Vivi in a desperate tone.

" yeah.. " Luffy say, still in that dead tone, " But for some reason, I can't get motivated enough to help. "

" WHAT DO YOU MEAN ' CAN'T GET MOTIVATED ' ?! " the three of them scream furiously.

" He doesn't do it on purpose. " I state and they turn to me as I was staring at Luffy, " Look at his feet. "

They blink curiously at me and glance down at Luffy's feet, realizing that he was standing on a strange, black symbol on the grass.

Vivi gasp and look up, pointing accusingly at the quiet little girl, " He's being control ! That's Miss Goldenweek ability ! "

The little girl nod in confirmation, " It's my colors trap. Betrayal Black. " she say as she enjoy some rice crackers, " If you touch the paint, you will want to betray your friends no matter what they might say. Even if they beg and pled for help. "

" She ate a Devil Fruit too ?! " say Nami at once before turning to me, " Did your super book mentioned anything like that ?! "

I frown in thought, trying to remember what I read so far, and shake my head, " No, no that I recall. " I think for moment, eyes flicking between the paint at Luffy's feet and the girl and blink in realization, " Now, that's pretty interesting.. "

" What ? " snap Nami in irritation as the other two were looking at me in interest at the thought that I might have a explanation at what was going on.

" It's not a Devil Fruit.. Do you remember that Jango guy ? " I ask, looking at Nami and Zoro, " The one at Usopp's village ? "

Zoro frown, " Jango ? You mean that dumbass who kept hypnotizing himself by accident ? "

" Exactly. " I confirm.

" What does that freak has to do with anything ? " Nami ask impatiently.

" This… " I jerk my head to Luffy, " is what it is. Hypnotism. Only, instead of a ring, that kid use the colors of her paints to alter a person's emotions. My guess is that once someone is under the spell of Colors Trap, they are unable to break out of it unless the trap is removed or smeared. The trap must overwrites all other actions attempted by the person under it's influence, forcing them to do whatever the trap unables no matter what. " I turn and squint at the innocent looking little girl, " That is a really interesting and fascinating skill to have, for such a young girl. No wonder the Baroque Works paired her up with one of their best agents. "

To think that Crocodile really did made Mr. 3 one of his best agents... I suppose his powers are pretty handy, but he sure ain't the smartest in the box.. and too cocky for his own good.

" Oh, that makes sense. " Nami hiss, turning back to watch, " That simpleton is already too easy to manipulate. "

" Luffy does not do well against tricksters. " I state knowingly, " It really is a dangerous ability in the wrong hand. But she seems to be the laid-back type, guess we should count ourselves lucky for that. "

" Yeah.. " Zoro say darkly, " If even someone as strong as Luffy is able to ignore is friends, it's dangerous. "

Vivi nod and look back at Luffy, " So, that's mean that all he has to do is to get away from the paint, and he'll be ok. "

Nami blink and try at once, " Luffy ! " she call, " Get away from that paint ! "

And of course, he didn't budge.

" It's not working ! " she hiss in agravation.

" Think about it. " I tell her as patiently as I could, sensing my patience lower at each second as my body refuse to move appart from my shoulder and up, " The girl said that she use the color of betrayal, which means that he if we tell him to do something, he'll do the exate opposite, to betray us. " I stare at Luffy and call, " Luffy ! Don't step out of the symbol ! I don't want you to save us at all ! "

And he step out of the black circle, blinking in confusion as he mind clear up, Nami gaping that it worked like that and Zoro and Vivi relieved that there at least something we could do, even in our frozen state.

Since Luffy was now himself again, Vivi scream for help again. He try to charge in again to help, but Miss Goldenweek trap him in another Colors Trap and the yellow paint on his back was making him lauh helplessly.

" Colors Trap : Laughter Yellow ! " she declare, " Shouldn't have step outside the circle. "

" He have to take his shirt off ! " I say with some difficutly, coughing a little, " We don't have much time. "

Zoro glare at the wax covering his arm, " She's right. " he say grimly, " We'll be lucky to survive for another five minutes. "

The only problem was that Luffy was laughing so hard that he couldn't calm down enough to control his limbs and take off his shirt. It was looking bad, but thankfully, Usopp came running out of the jungle with Carue, apparently being chase by Miss Valentine and Mr. 5. They run into Luffy and smear the yellow paint off his red shirt, getting Luffy stop laughing.

" Hurry and take her out before she does something else ! " Usopp yell.

Luffy, now looking annoyed, yell at Miss Goldenweek for her to stop as she try to fight. But instead she paint another symbol on the ground, this time a bright red color. And like a bull to a red cape, Luffy couldn't attack anything but the spot on the ground.

" Great ! It doesn't matter how strong his attacks are ! They're useless like this ! " Zoro yell in frustration, " Man, this is a problem. "

Finally, Miss Goldenweek combine her yellow and blue paints to make Colors Trap : Tranquil Green. So now Luffy was so peacefull that he was having a cup of tea with her.

" You've got to be kidding me ! " snap Nami in frustration, but there was a trace of fright panic here as well.

" Yeah.. we're pretty much screw here. " Zoro grunt.

" Don't be ridiculous. " I say sternly, and they look at me in question, " Look at Luffy's face. I'm sure he's really feeling bad about what's going on. " and looking up, they could clearly see that Luffy face was twisted, as if in pain, as he try to fight off the spell.

Frustrated, Usopp hit him with an Exploding Star and was able to burn Luffy's shirt and the colors trap right off.

And then, everything blurred in front of me, the sounds muffled before all I could here was the sound of my own beating heart and everything turn white.


§§

" I almost thought you wouldn't show up. "

She sneer, " I didn't have anything better to do. "

The tall, 48 dirty blond haired man smirk at the violet haired sixteen years old girl. She has a gun straped at her thigh, clearly on display to show that if he decides to try anything funny, she wasn't defensless, and the way she's keeping a reasonable distance between them shows that she wasn't naïve enough to think that it was an innocent meeting.

" Riley Night.. " he say pleasently, " I've heard so much about you. But the rumors didn't do any justice to your beauty. "

" Spare me the pleasentery and get on with it. " she snap, " I don't have any patience for this today. "

" Of course. It already wasn't very considerate of me to ask you to take a plane to meet me here. " he nod agreably, turning back to the building behind him and sitting on the bench.

She look up at the edifice and shrug, " I guess I could take the rest of day to visit a little. I've never been to London before. "

" The BigBen's a good place to begin then. " he smile, without looking away of the monument.

She hum and glare slightly at him, " So what do want ? "

" I was hoping we could be honest to each other. " he answer simply.

" Well, I'm here so speak. "

He chuckle amusingly at her impatience, " When I did my PhD in medicine, I came here for the first time. I was in awe of this building. As much a work of art as it is a fortress. " his eyes roam all over it as he went on, " Soaring, beautiful vertical lines. " He glance at the teenage girl and say, " Do you know how this style is called ? "

She blink boredly at him and fold her arms, " Perpendicular Gothic. Widely used after the Black Plague destroyed much of Europe. "

He smirk an arch a eyebrow, " I was told you were incredibly intelligent too.. I'm not disappoint. "

She sneer, " Why ? Is this gonna be on the history test ? " she ask sarcasticaly.

He chuckle again, " Guess my men waren't wrong about your smart mouth either. " he pause before continuing, " The Black Plague revealed our vulnerability and it terrified people. So what did they do ? They build temples to the immortal like this on. Vertical lines descend from heaven, with all the might of a Lord bearing down on a single point until it is utterly and irrevocably crushed. "

She scoff, " Let me guess. This point is me ? "

" Oh no.. " he drawl, " Even if I wanted to, I know I could never crush you. No, the single point is me.. for now at least. "

She's actually surprise by that confession, looking at him in confusion and suspicion.

" I don't expect you to understand me or my work. " he say agreably.

" Aw. Another misunderstood psychopath. " she answer mockingly.

He sigh, ignoring the mocking comment and went on, " I am trying to engineer a future with a species that is more violent, intolerant and possessive than any species in the history of this planet. " he explain.

" There's already a species like that. " she state, " The Human species is the worst that could ever be. "

" We live in a world designed by our worst fears. And nothing terrifies us more than difference. " he retorts. " If I could modify some genes of a human, make it stronger, faster, modifying its immune system and body so that illness or old age will be a forgetten problem, and make it able to access the full potential of its brain, that'll creat an another spieces of Man alltogether. "

" Save your fucking justifications. " she hiss darkly, " Your men murdered my brother ! Don't think you can make me forive you for that. "

He blink blankly, " Ah, yes.. Aiden Night, right ? I am sorry for that, that was a slight miscalculation of my part. He wasn't suppose to die but to be a part of my experiment. " he sigh and shake his head in dispointement, " That boy had so much potential, such a waste of talent that was. "

She glare murderously at him, " YOU FUCKER ! Don't you dare speak about him like he was just some test subject ! "

He look at her intensely and hum thoughfully, " You're right.. he was much more valuable than that. If I had managed to convinced him to join my ranks, I would had have you too. I know you would have followed him without hesitation, even if you knew it was a trap, you would have want to make sure he would've been fine, and with the threat of his life above your head, you would have done everything I said. "

The look of fury on her face make him smirk a little, " The only problem is, he was too much like your mother. Full of love and compassion, ready to sacrifice his own life for the only person he ever loved in this world.. He would have sell his own soul to the devil himself if that'd meant that you would've been safe. So when he heard some of my men talk about you, he couldn't help but put his nose where it didn't belonged. "

She blink in surprise and her eyes narrows in suspicion, " You knew my mother ? "

He nod, " Oh yes. Such a gentle soul, her smile would brighten the most darkest place. " he look back at the girl in front of him and smile, " You look exactly like her when she was your age, violet hair and pale green eyes.. really beautiful. " he smile dims a little, " But she was so fragile, too innocent for this world. All I can tell you is that she loved her children with all her heart. I used to see your brother talking to her belly when she was pregnant with you and she always said that she knew that her little girl would be nothing like her and that it'll eventually save her life one day. " he smile grow again, " Even at the tender age of four, your brother promise her that he would protect his little sister no matter what. "

She stay silent, having heard that her mother died in childbirth but never have seen any pictures of her anywhere in the house.. Even her father never said anything about her. She couldn't help but being a little curious.

" So.. " she ask hesitantly, " I'm nothing like her then ? "

The man look at her and smile gently, " Like I said, your brother was like her in every point.. and you are the excate opposite of him. " he pause and look her over, " But I wouldn't say that you didn't enherit something of her either. You are a lot like your father, there is no doubt about that but your not cruel or souless like him. I can sense some darkness in you but there is something light there too that over power it slightly.. " his eyes narrows then, " And it's exactly because of that that I know that your much more stronger than your father. More dangerous. "

They stare at each other for a moment before the man lean forward, elbows on knees and say in a low tone, " There will always be unfortunate necessities during the construction of a monument like the one I wanted to show you today. I trust you knew a woman named Sarah ? "

She frown, " She was one of your agent. She was the one who contact me after my brother's funeral. "

He nod, " Yes. I had hoped that she could be the one to convince you to join my cause. She really believed in what we we're doing. "

She glare, " Is that why she puted a gun in her mouth and blowed her brain out ? "

The man look at her sadly and sigh, " People who bear the full weight of the truth sometimes break, Riley. Sarah broke. " he pause, " Just as I could one day and I even thought that you could break too but after the death of your brother, I realized something fascinating…" he stare at her with a sort of hungry look that make her really inconfortable, " You don't break. The worst you could do is stumble a little and then you soar even higher each time. "

He stood up and stare at her, " You are unique, Riley Night, and I truly hope that one day, you will see that you belong by my side.. We could own this world together, I know it. "

" Your mad. " she answer bluntly.

He chuckle, " Maybe I am. But you'll fine that no sain people ever did anything to make the world move forward. " he turn and began to walk away, waving a hand nonchalantly behind him, " Enjoy your day in London, Riley. I hope we'll meet again soon. "

She stand there and stare hard at his back until he was out of sight.

And she decide then, she couldn't stay with her father any longer but there was no way in hell that she'll join up with her brother murderer either.

She'll just have to crush them both herself.

§

" Riley, you're being irrational. "

A woman, twenty-eight at the most, was staring sternly at the seventeen young girl throwing clothes and weapons angrily in a bag already half full with money.

She turn around furiously and glare at the woman she had been friends with since she was 15, " Even with everything we've been through, you first, your only thought, is for yourself ! I asked you to come with me last time and what did you do ? You sold me off to my father and ruined my plan ! "

The woman take a step forwards, " Please, listen to me. "

" I don't want to waste any more time listening to your excuses. " the young girl snap and turn back to strap a gun to her belt.

" But don't you understand ? Even after what he told you last time you've been caught ?! " her once friend cry pleadingly, " This time you won't escape with just a slap on the wrist ! You can't escape him ! Never ! "

" That's it ! " Riley roar, " I'm done with you, I'm done with him. I AM DONE WITH ALL OF IT ! "

" Riley please ! Think about it ! "

" I don't want to talk about it anymore. " she state firmly.

The woman was shaking slighltly but seeing that the teenage girl won't listen to anything she has to say, she ask shakingly, " Where are you going to go ? You won't make it alone against all of your father's men.. "

" Aiden left me some instructions. I trust him. " Riley declare as she zip her bag and throw it on her shoulder.

Looking up at the woman in front of her, she see that tears were covering her face and she cry pitfully, " I'm so sorry, Riley.. "

Riley walk up to her in determination, " I don't need your tears or your excuses. " she state firmly, roughly chasing away another tear from the woman cheek with her thumb, eyes narrowing slighlty, " All I need is your fucking courage. Don't betray me again or you won't survive this night. "

The woman stare at her with wide fearful eyes and Riley push her away, " Don't get in my way. Nobody in this fucking manor know how dangerous I can be.. But they're about to find out. "

And with that, she walk out of the room.

A guard was standing at the end of the hallway and look up at her, seeing the bag on her shoulders and the determinated look on her face, he call out, " HEY ! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING ? "

She doesn't answer and went on walking confidently, " I won't say it twice. Get out of my way. "

" I'll have to call the Boss if you continue. "

She pull out her gun and shoot him in the head.

She glare down at his fallen form, " I called him for you. "

And she open the door.. Tonight, she either escape.. or die.

§§


" –Ley ? Riley ! Wake up ! "

Frowning slightly, I slowly blink my eyes open and came face to face with the worried face of Zoro looming over me.

I blink in confusion " What ? "

" Your alright ? " he ask, looking me over, " When the fire started and the wax melted, you didn't woke up so I had to grab you with me before jumping through. "

I blink again and look around. I was on laying on the grass, the Baroques Works agent were gone and the wax cake was just a white puddle now. Everyone was here, and the two giants were hugging each other, crying and laughing at the same time. But the playful punches they were throwing at each other soon end up in them fighting again.

" Is it over ? " I ask, rubbing my head as it trob a little.

" Yeah.. " Zoro say but still look at me with worry, " Are you sure you're alright ? You seems pretty out of it. "

I look up at him and smile, " I'm fine. I think I had a weird dream when I was out, that's all. "

His eyes narrows at me but he finally nod, " Think you can stand ? "

I nod and take his offered hand. He has to stabalize me a little but otherwise, everything was fine.

" Oi, Riley ! Finally awake ? "

I look up at Luffy who was walking toward us, bright smile and all, " Here. " he take my hand and put a rice cracker in it, surely the ones that Miss Goldenweeks have left behind, " Eat that and you'll feel better ! "

" Thank you. " and he smile widen when I take a bite of the cracker.

I look around and ask, " Say.. As anyone seen Sanji ? "

As if on a cue, Sanji came out of the jungle, swooning , " Were you worried about me, Riley sweet ? Never fear ! Your prince is right here ! " he then turn to Vivi and Nami, " I'm so happy to see you my darlings ! Did you miss me ?! I did ! "

" Of course he's happy the big, useless jerk ! " Usopp yell, both him and Carue looking outraged, " He shows up after we take care of everything ! "

" WHERE WERE YOU !? " scream Nami uppon seeing him, " THE FIGHT IS OVER ALREADY ! WHAT WERE YOU DOING ?! "

Sanji yell in shock after he spot the giant and demand if one of them was Mr. 3. When Nami and Vivi press him on how he learned that name, he explain that he had been talking to Mr.0 over a transponder snail in a hideout in the jungle and pretend to be Mr.3 when he talked to him.

" And since I had him on the line, " he finish up, " I went ahead and told him you were all dead. "

" Clever. " I say, nodding in appreciation, " That should give us some time until he realize the truth. " I smile at him, " Good job, Sanji. "

" Thank you ! " he yell joyfully, hearts back in his eyes.

" So he think that he doesn't have to send anyone else after us anymore ! " Vivi gasp in understanding.

" So your saying that we're finally free from people chasing us but we can't go anywhere anyway !? " Usopp yell dramatically, " Oh, that's just perfect ! "

Sanji couldn't see what the problem was as he pull out a Eternal Pose to Alabasta from his pocket, saying that he stole it from the hideout. Everyone stare at him in stuned silence for a while, but soon, it was a celebration as Vivi hug him tightly and we were getting ready to leave.

I frown slightly, looking around in confusion, Zoro saw it and ask, " You really sure your alright ? You don't seem like yourself here. " he frown in thought, " In fact, you look kind of in the cloud or something. " he put his hand on my forehead, " You kind of hot too.. "

I shake my head and blink several time, " No, I'm just a little sleepy I guess, it's been a long day. " I look around again, " But I have that thing nagging me in the back of my head… like I forgot something important. "

He hum thoughfully, " Maybe your just tired, you right, it's been a long day. " he slid a strand of hair behind my ear and add gently, " When we're out of here, you should take a nap or something. "

I nod, " I'll do that. "

" Kay, Giant old guys ! It's really been a lot of fun. " Luffy say, " But we gotta go ! "

" Of course ! " Brogy say in understanding, " Right. We can tell that you really need to get going. "

" It's too bad that you have to leave so soon. " Dorry add, looking directly at Vivi, " I hope you make it to your hometown in time. "

" Me too ! Thank you ! " Vivi say gratefully and we all start to head off to go back to the ship, with Usopp declaring that someday, he will visit Elbaf.


We were sailing down the river to the ocean's edge, some while later. The giant were standing on either sides of the river, their back turn to us and their cape waving in the wind.

As we get nearer, Brogy spoke without looking at us, " A great danger still lies ahead of you ! "

" It's an obstacle that has always been here, " Dorry add, just as dramatically, " to try and prevent people reaching the next island. "

We all look at him with as our jaws drops, but Dorry went on, " But every one of you fought like true warriors to protect the pride of our duel. "

" And because you were willing to do that, no matter what may face… " Brogy state.

" We will never let them destroy your pride, friends ! " Dorry declare, his voice echoing around us, as if proving the sincerity of his words.

" You must have faith in what we say ! " Brogy tell us, " Go straight ! No matter what happens, keep going straight ! Understand ? "

" Yeah ! Got it ! " Luffy cry out, " No matter what happens, just go straight ! "

We pass them both, waving our goodbye but then, Nami yell out in terror to see something enormous rise out of the sea. The water rising up and some scream when it was revealed to be an enormous goldfish, greater than even some Sea Kings.

" That is the biggest goldfish I've ever seen. " I state as more scream came around the deck.

" Hello Island-Eater ! " declare Dorry voice from behind us.

" You will open the path ! " yell Brogy, " In the name of Elbaf, you will open it ! "

Nami scream that we have to turn, but Usopp and Luffy both refuse, saying that we just have to keep going straight. When she wouldn't calm down, Luffy threw the last of the crackers at her, telling her to relax.

" I don't want a cracker ! We have to change course ! " she scream at him.

I lean back tiredly against the door, beside Zoro, " Give it up. We can't change course from here anyway. "

Zoro look down at me and gently put an arm around my shoulder, pulling me against him and I rest my head on his shoulder. I really am tired, guess I lack of sleep.

Sanji, Vivi and Nami continue to try to change his mind, but onward we went, the last thing we saw before being swallow was the two giants holding their weapons high.

" JUST GO STRAIGHT ! " Usopp scream, but he sound close to tears, " GO STRAIGHT ! "

" Why does it matter ?! " Nami howler at him, it's so dark that we couldn't see anything in front of us, " We've already been eaten here ! "

" Straight you hear !? " Luffy yell in from the figurehead, " Just keep going straight ! "

And then, there was a shockwave behind us and we were shot forward as the entire goldfish's rip appart so that we were sent flying out intothe open sky, the giants battle cry behind us. It was just like when we arrived at Arlong Park as we were soaring high, across the bright blue sky and warm sun.

" We're flying ! " Luffy scream out, and we all smile in amazement as Vivi and Carue cower in terror, " Don't bother looking back, cause we're going straigh ahead ! Look at us ! It's incredible ! "

Usopp was crying his eyes out, grinning brightly " They cut.. the sea.. itself ! The strength of … the Elbaf warriors.. IS AMAZING ! "

The Merry hit the water, and by this point, the island was almost out of our sight. But we could still just make out the voice of the giant behind us yelling out on last thing to us, " FRIENDS !GO ! GOOD LUCK ! "

Suddenly, I feel like my eyes were so heavy that I let them slip shut and Zoro shift slightly.

I heard him sigh, " Come on. " he say gently, and I feel him pass an arm beneath my knees and lift me up the floor, " You're going to bed. "

He carry me to my room, explaining to the other what was going on as we pass them and I feel him put me on something soft, surely my bed, before I fell asleep.


" It's not normal. "

" What ? She's tired, that's all. It's not because she's a monster like you that she don't need rest once in a while. "

" I know that. I mean that since we left Little Garden, she's been out of it. Something wrong with her, I know it. "

Nami frown at Zoro grim statement. Zoro had demanded that everyone gathered in the kitchen for a meeting, worried over Riley comportement since they left the island yesterday.

Since he put her to bed, she hasn't stir at all. Nami and Vivi told them that she slept all night and that she was still sleeping when they woke up this morning.

" Well, it sure isn't like her at all. " comment Usopp, frowning slightly, " She's the most focus of all of us. "

" What ? " Luffy straight up suddenly, now very focus on the matter at hand, " What does that mean ? She's alright, right ? "

" GUYS ! COME QUICK ! "

Hearing Vivi frighten scream, they all stood and rush to the girl's room, throwing the door open and making it bang violently on the wall.

Vivi was kneeling beside Riley's bed, looking at her with an horrified expression.

Riley's face was flushed red and her breath was laboured. Her face was twisted in a painful grimace and she was sweating painballs.

They all froze at the sigh, " I knew it. " Zoro breath out, looking down at her with wide eyes, " She's sick. "

" I was trying to wake her up for breakfast, but when I touched her she moan in pain ! " Vivi explain fearfully.

Nami walk over the bed, stare at Riley for a moment before slowly putting a head to her forehead.

She quickly snatch it back, hiss slightly, " She's burning up ! "

Sanji push everyone out of the doorway and stumble in the room, " WHAT ?! " he scream in terror, " RILEY'S SICK ?! "

" That look serious. " Nami state grimly.

Zoro enter the room with a basin of water and a cloth, wetting it and laying across her forehead as Vivi say, " It's most likely the climate. See, sailors in the Grand Line aren't use to the change in weather and can become quite ill. There are countless stories of tough, notorious pirates who suddenly died. "

" SHE'S GONNA DIE !? " Usopp, Luffy and Sanji scream in horror.

" Would you all shut up ! " Zoro snap from were he was sitting beside Riley's bed, washing away the sweat off her face, " She's not gonna die ! She's too strong for that. " but it sounds more like he was trying to convince himslef more than anything.

Vivi look at him with a pained expression for a slight second before asking cautiously, " Is any one of you know something about medicine ? "

Wordlessly, Luffy point to Riley and Usopp frown, " Well, maybe Nami.. " he trail off.

They all look up at her and she sigh, " I know a little but Riley always knew more than me.. she said it was a part of her training. "

" Riley always told us that we should get a proper doctor, but I thought it could wait since she always did a good job with us… " Zoro say softly, staring at his sister of heart, " But now I see why she was so insistant on it. "

" Well, when your sick, eating a lot of meat always helps, right Sanji ? " Luffy suddenly ask, turning to Sanji.

" Just because you get better by eating that doesn't mean that the rest of us do ! " Nami hiss irritably.

Sanji sniffle a little as he look to Luffy and answer, " Meat is protein and that does give the body energy to opperate properly. I can cook some food to give her energy, but they're no guarantee that it'll cure her. " He look at Riley sadly and went on in a forlorn way, " Beside, if my cooking made that big a difference, she'd never get sick in the first place. I put a hundred times and care in preparing the girls meals than I do for you losers. "

" Hey ! " the boys yell indignantly.

Sanji ignore them and went on, " But I made something different from Nami and Vivi for her.. Since she fights a lot more and more violently, I feed her the better part of the fresher meat I have and vegetables to ensure balance diet and favorise her muscles development and health… anything that's rotten or moldy… " he point at them, " Goes to you. "

" Jerk ! " Usopp exclaim, slapping his hand away.

Luffy just shrug, " Still taste good to me. "

Then a weak and hoarse voice rose from the bed, " You'll eat an old shoe if it's cocked long enough.. "

They all turn to Riley who was trying to sit up in her bed, " RILEY ! "

She groan, " Keep it down, my head's killing me. "

They stay silent and look at her worriedly.

She look at their worried and concerned face and sigh, " I think I know what I have.. " and she cough violently.

Zorowas with her at once, " Hey.. " he stood in front of her, his hands over her hesitantly, as if he want to touch her but was scared to shatter her if he did so, " I think you should stay laying down. "

She cough weakly again and blink at her vision start to blurr a little, " I won't lie to you.. " she say, voice hoarse as Zoro push her down under the covers, " If I'm right, the illness I have could kill me very fast.. "

Nami step forward, " You recognize some symptom ? "

Riley nods, " It.. came from the bite of a bug… from Little Garden…" her eyes start to slip shut again.

Nami walk up to her and shake her a little, " Stay awake a little more ! We can't help you if we don't know what's going on ! "

Riley frown, eyes still close and mumble weakly, " ..Doctor… I need a real doctor.. "

And she fell asleep again.

They stare at her in a religious silence, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air.


They decide to let her sleep for now, and return in the kitchen to speak more about it.

Sanji lay some drinks for everyone before liting a cigaret and leaning against the counter.

Zoro grab the bottle of sake and drank almost half of it in one go, before slamming it against the table, " I hate seeing her like that. " he state, " She isn't suppose to be like that. "

Nami sigh, rubbing her face tiredly, " It's strange to see her so weak and vulnerable.. She's usually so fierce and … " she trail off, shaking her head defeatly.

" She's scared. " Suprisingly for them, it's Luffy voice that say that when they look at him, they were shocked to see that all trace of the goofball he use to be was gone. He just look so serious and grave and it give him a more mature look, and that actually scare them a little.

Sanji frown and ask him, " Scared, you say ? "

Luffy close his eyes and sigh, " It's a look that I've already saw in the past.. " he open his eyes again, staring at his cup of tea, a far away look in his eyes, " The thing with Riley is that she can hide her emotion from her face very well, but her eyes never lies. " he look up at them and state, " She was terrified when she told us that she could die from this illness. "

" Damn it. " Zoro slam his fist on the table angrily, " And the timing couldn't be even worst. "

" What do you mean ? " ask Vivi in confusion.

Zoro look at them all and sigh, rubbing his hand over his face, " In three days, it'll be her birthday.. "

" Oh. " was the answer of everyone, they could understand that it didn't help the matter at all.

" And to make it worst, the anniversary of her brother death is the week after. " Zoro add grimly.

" Oh my god.. " Nami breath out, eyes watering and hand in front of her mouth.

" She already felt down because of this and now her life is in danger… " Zoro glare at his hands on the table, " Of course she'll be scared with thought like this in her head ! "

" She must be hanted by memories of her past right now.. " Sanji say softly, puffing out some smoke, " I can't even begin to immagine what she's feeling. "

They all thought about it in silence for a moment. Riley, the one who's always so fierce about everything and could be describe like the fire itself.. She always has a smile ready for every one of them, even when Nami snap and yell angrily at the boys antics, Riley's always here to laugh it off and calm her down. She always have an answer for everything, no matter what troubles they were in, Riley would be the clear head one and make things works in the end.

She's like the glue that stick them together, the bright sun that would make everyone agree to anything and forget the arguments.

" But.. There's bond to be doctors and nurses to help in Alabasta, right ? " Usopp ask anxiously and turn to Vivi, " How much longer till we get there, Vivi ? "

Vivi thought it over, trying to think of a way out of this mess and shake her head hopelessly, " I don't know, at least a week, and that's too long ! I don't think she'll make it if what she said is accurate. "

" Maybe we over-reacting a bit.. " Nami start to say but Luffy cut her off, " If Riley said that she's in danger of dying, then we have to trust her words. " he say firmly, " She's not the type to say things like that in the wind. "

Nami and the other stare at him in surprise. It wasn't like him to be this serious..

" We have to find her a doctor. " he state firmly, his gaze spoke of unending resolve, " We'll save her, the we'll go to Alabasta. One thing at the time. "

" But the Log Pose won't set until the next island ! It's still point to Little Garden ! " Nami protest, " We can't just abandon the course when all we have is one Eternal Pose ! " her voice sound desperate.

" Then we'll sail until we find an island, whatever it takes. " Luffy say firmly and his attitude was contagious, the looks on Sanji and Usopp faces slowly became less uncertain and more decisive.

" I won't let her die. " he went on with determination, and look straight to Vivi's eyes, " Your greatest desire is to save your country, I know that. " he say and she flinch a little, guitly that he had realized that she was still worrying about the repercutions a detour could have on the situation in her country when one of his comrade was possibly dying. " As Captain of this ship, it's my job to protect not only its occupants, but their dream and ambition as well. " he pause, letting her assimilate his words, " So I will help you save your country like I promise but first, we need to cure Riley. There's no way we can save your country without her and I'm sorry but right now, she is my top priority. So that mean we need to find a new course. "

Nami and Usopp gape at him in shock, wondering what the hell happened for Luffy to be this serious when he usually is the smiling idiot of the ship. Sanji was staring at him with some newfound respect, glad that his captain realized that the life of a woman is more important than anything, even if he did feel bad for Vivi too.

" I agree. " Zoro declare, looking at Luffy with relief and gratitude, " Without Riley, we won't go far. We have to find her a doctor soon. "

Nami shift slightly, and sigh, " Guess I should get it over with. " she walk to the counter and open the drawer, pulling out her Newspaper and throwing it on the table in front of Vivi, " I've been hiding it from you for the past three day… I'm sorry, I just didn't want to worry even more when you couldn't do anything to change it. "

Vivi snatch the paper and start to read eagerly. It turn out that the situation in Alabasta was even worst that they ever thought. Apparently, three hundred thousand of Albasta's Imperial Soldiers had defected and join the Rebel Army so that now the Rebels outnumbered the soldiers and the tide has changed.

" Now that the conflict has escalated, even more blood will be shed throughout the kingdom. It's official, we're at war. " She whisper tearfully as she stare at the paper with wide eyes, " If I don't put a stop to this insanity the entire kingdom of Alabasta will be doomed. Crocodile will move in and seize control ! " she crumble the paper and cry out desperatly, " You're trying to get me home safely, but there no time ! I need to get home as quickly as possible ! If I don't make it back in time, a million innocent citizens will give their lives needlessly ! "

" What a horrible burden you have to carry, I'm sorry. " Sanji say to her sympathecally as she cry.

Suddenly, Nami froze, a strange feeling nagging her, " Hey guys.. " she ask and they all look at her in question, " If we're all here, who is watching where we're going ? "

They blink blankly and that was all she need to bolt up of her chair and run outside.

They follow her outside and look up in confusion at the bright sun and blue sky.

" Change the course ! " Nami yell firmly.

They frown, not understanding why because the weather was perfect.

" The wind.. " she say, " There's a poweful wind… and it's heading right this way. "

She turn to them and state firmly, " We need to unfurl the sail and catch the wind from portside ! " Sanji nods at her and him and Usopp both altered their course slightly to account Nami's instruction. About a minute later, they were rewarded with the knowledge that their ship wouldn't sink at the hands of the massive cyclone that manifested in the area that they had previously been sailing into.

Suddenly, Vivi came charging out of the door and draw their attention to her, " I have to ask you all a favor ! " she call pleadingly, " 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 would really appreciate it if we could move even faster ! Every minute that I'm out here puts more of my people in danger of losing their lives. We need to head to Alabasta at full speed ! "

The men where all looking at her with a hard expression, even Sanji seems to be a little upset with her right now.

" Of course we will. " Nami say, trying to be reasuring but was a little hesitant as she glance worriedly at the boys, " Just like we promised. But… "

" Now listen here ! " Zoro snap, not having any patience for this right now, " You say so yourself, your just a passenger here and you should be glad we took you at all ! We're pirates, we don't have to follow orders from any princess. " he glare hard at her fearful eyes, " If I have to choose between Riley and your country, then I won't even hesitate a slight second. I don't care if million of people dies, Riley comes first ! "

" Zoro ! " Nami snap disaprovingly at him and he just glare at her too.

" Don't tell me your okay with what she just said ?! " he yell.

" No, of course not but… "

Vivi clear her throat and gain the attention of all of them again, " It's okay. I understand why react like that, Riley's his sister after all… " she say softly, giving Zoro an apologetic look, " That's why we have to hurry up and find a doctor. " she smile gently at the surprise look on the crew's faces, " After all, my country can't be saved if Riley isn't at her full potential, right ? "

They all smile brightly at her, completely agreeing with her statement.


§§

She knew something like that would happened someday. When her father said that he had organized a raid and that he wanted her to be in charge of the team of newbies, her brother didn't waste anytime saying that he would tag along.

She protest at first, but she knew it would be pointless.

In the end, her brother get in the way of bullet that was orignially aimed at her and was now confined in the hospital bed, forced to sleep by some medicine.

She was reading to him, like he always did when she was sick. Even if he was asleep, it didn't matter. That gives her something to get her mind of the culpability she's feeling right now.

Suddenly, the door of the hospital room opens, and her uncle walk in slowly, closing the door quietly behind him.

She slam the book shut and tense up a little. She never liked her uncle, there was something about him that always felt off. Aiden and her made a point of avoiding him as much as possible.

" What are you doing here, uncle ? " she ask, as neutraly as possible, not willing to give him a reason to do anything while her brother was in a vulnerable state.

He look at her, a surprise look on his face that she know was faked, " You and Aiden are my like my children. " he state as if he couldn't phantom the reason she had to ask, " We are family. "

They stare at each other, Riley slowly taking her brother hand as he walk closer to the bed, " How is he ? "

She look at him carefully and raise her head a little, " The doctor said he should be dead. He was lucky. "

Her uncle smirk at her before looking down at Aiden, patting his hand gently, " That's my boy. " he say with an air of pride before lowering his voice, " Never listen to doctors. All they know is death.. Life is a mystery to them. "

He look back at her, " But us.. we understand life, don't we ? "

She look at him blankly and he smirk a little, " Life is simple after all.. All you have to do is make people fear you and you'll have everything you could ever wish for. " he chuckle amusingly, " That's what your father always said to me when we were kids and he would punch me as hard as he could afterward. "

He sober up and went on darkly, " But when our father died I realized that it was all bullshit. " he start to walk around the bed slowly to be closer to her, " At that moment, all I wanted from life was one thing. " he stop in front of her, " Revenge. "

She stood up swiftly, blocking the way to the machine behind her that was giving medication to her brother and helping him breath and look defiantly up at her uncle.

He look at her intently and slowly reach out a hand to her cheek. She flinch slightly at the contact but will herself to stay still as his run his hand across her face, " My blood is in your veins, Riley… In both of you. " he whisper softly.

He grab her chin and lift her head up a little more so that he could look at her in the eyes, " I am sympathetic… I lost hope for your brother long ago, but please.. Tell me you, at least, is smart enough to realize that what your planning is a huge mistake. Tell me that you understand this can go no further. "

She just stare hard at him, not backing down, challenging him to do something about what he obviously know.

Seeing the look on her face, so similar to the ones her father always have when he decide of something, he sigh.. knowing that there was no way he could do anything about changing her mind, " I had hope that without Aiden to influence you, you would see reason… "

He sigh again and walk toward the door, pausing momentarily before opening it, " I love you, Riley. " he state genuidly, " But please.. don't make me choose between you and my own brother. "

And he left, leaving a confuse fourteen years old girl alone with the biping sound of the machine for own company.

§§

She slowly made her way between the tombstone, walking toward the only black one around all the other white or grey ones. Today, she turned eighteen and she wanted to pay a visit to the person she loved the most.

Standing in front of the stone, she stare at it for a moment before saying softly, " I'm sorry I didn't came sooner.. " she take a shaky breath, gulping painfully, " But I wasn't strong enough. "

She could feel tears starting to water up her eyes but she will them at bay as she went on, " I thought I—I would stand here and want to die again.. I feared that I would want to. "

She walk forward a little more and sat on the grass in front of her brother resting place, gently trailing her finger along the golden letters.. AIDEN NIGHT, BELOVED BROTHER – UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.

She was the one that made make this tombstone.. Her father never cared for this type of thing, as he had been to busy being angry at her brother for being a failure to the family name.

She sigh deeply, " Sometimes I look at myself in the mirror and I don't know who I am. " she smile slightly, " I thought about how you would laugh without a care in the world when it would just be the two of us. " she swallow back a sob, " It's like something that happened to someone else… The me that I was, the one that you loved so much… It's not me anymore. " she lay a hand against the dirt bellow her, " this one is here with you. "

She stay silent after that, just staring at the stone in front of her, deep in thought.

" I'm really sorry.. " she whisper, a tear escaping from her eye, " If you hadn't care about me.. maybe you would still be alive. " she breath in and out slowly to calm down a little, " I came to see you because you could always answer everything with so much simplicity… " she chuckle slightly at remembering that, " I feel so lost, Aiden.. Everything I considered my home.. vanished with you… I'm trapped between what I want and what I know that I can't have. "

She finally let the tears fall freely as she breath out, " I miss you so much.. I measure so much of my life around you.. And I tried to live like you would expect me to but I couldn't.. I'm not as a gentle soul as you were, Aiden. "

She pass her hand over her faces, brushing off the tears, " I always wonder if you would still be proud of me, if you could see me right now… "

She heard the sound of footstep in the grass before she heard a voice saying, " Can I offer an opinion ? "

She gasps slightly as she jump on her feet, turning around and taking a defensive stance at once.

The man, black hair and brown eyes, no more older than twenty two held up his hand, " I came alone. " he say as she glare at him, " I just want to talk, that's all. "

She relax slightly. She know who this man was, having already dealed with him in the past and know that he isn't someone bad.

His name's Blaize McCall. He's a detective of the sort for the police departement but he never did anything against her when they met a couple of months ago.

" How did you know I would be here today ? " she ask cautiously.

" Well, I didn't. " he answer honeslty, " I've been here every morning in the hope to catch someone else, but I'm glad I managed to catch you here too. " he glance at the tombstone " I guess that it was hard on you.. the rumors said that your brother and you were the perfect pair. I always wondered why he committed suicide.. "

Her eyebrows shot up high on her forehead in surprise and shock before her face twist in indignation, " Suicide ?! That's the official story at the police station ?! "

He blink in confusion, " Well yes. His body was found with a single bullet through his head and he was still holding the gun. Add to the obviously bad relationship the two of you had with you father, the explanation was pretty obvious to the police departement. They were just surprised you didn't follow after. "

She scowl darkly, " My brother didn't kill himslef, he wasn't a coward like that. He was murdered. "

" That is a strong allegation, Ms. Night. " the detective say seriously.

" It's not an allegation, it's a fact, Detective. " she sneer at the last word.

He shrug nonchalantly, " Do you then have evidence to prove it ? "

She look at him boredly, " I know what the leader of the New Age's gang do. " she state, " And I do not require you or the law to believe me. "

He raise an curious eyebrow, " Is that so ? Why ? "

" Because I have seen your legal system from inside and out. " she answer, folding her arms challengingly, " And the last thing I would expect from it is justice. "

He look at her intently before taking a deep breath, " Look, Ms. Night – "

" Riley. " she cut him off and at his confuse look, she explain, " I gave up the right to bear that name the day I decide to betray my father. So it's just Riley now. "

He nods in understanding, " Riley, then.. " he start over, smiling slightly, " I meant what I said to your friend last time, Hiro was it ? " at her nod, he went on, " I am on your side. "

She look at him doubtfully and he say, " We both know that the leader of New Age gang isn't the man people believe him to be. But we don't have anything to hold against him.. From the research I made, you are the only one outside of his ranks he told about his true goal and we know for sure that he isn't comfortable with you running around freely after you apparently refused to join him. "

She blink, " And I should care because ? "

He bite his lips nervously and take a little step forward, " I'm asking you to trust me and I swear I will protect you. "

She raise an eyebrow, not expecting this answer at all, and smirk slightly, " That is indeed very nice of you… But I don't need anyone's protection. "

He stare at her and ask, not really believing it, " Are you sure about that ? I managed to take you off guard here, didn't I ? "

She scoff, " Well, I guess it was foolish of me to think that people still had respect for a place like a graveyard to not try to attack me while I was here. " she then smile darkly, " But if you think that because I don't have any weapon on me, I am defensless then let me tell you that you're sorry mistaken. "

He chuckle at that, " I've been warned but I had to see it for myself.. " he look her over and smile, " There is many rumors about you, Riley. The rebelious daughter that made the leader of the most feared gang look like an idiot because he couldn't even make his remaining heir obey him.. The fierce and smart girl that is as dangerous as she is beautiful. " He stare at her face some more, whispering to himself, " Really beautiful… "

She clear her throat, " Thank you for the compliment but your not really my type. " she smirk slightly, " After all, if your superiors found out that your were in a relationship with a criminal, you'll be fired. "

He smirk, " Is that so ? Well that's too bad. " he sigh and turn around, " I said I just wanted to talk and we did. Thank you for your time, I hope that if you're ever in trouble, you'll call on me. I'll keep an eye on you. "

And she never would have tought that she would actually contact him the mounth after.

§§

" Aiden… "

The soft, barely above a whsiper, distressed call alert him that she was awake. He peek an eye open to see her roll on her side, facing him and reaching her hand out.

He sigh softly and catch her hand in his, rubbing the back of it gently with his thumb as she squeeze it weakly, as if to make sure it was really there.

" Aiden ? " came the weak question.

" No.. I'm sorry. " he say softly, " It's me, Luffy. "

She frown a little and after a moment, blink her eyes open tiredly. They were glazed over and he wasn't sure if she knew where she was right now or she even understand what was going on.

She slowly look up at him, " Luffy ? "

He hum softly in confirmation, gently raising his free hand to check her temperature, not willing to let go of her hand yet, " We've been taking turn to watch over you. " he lean down and grab the cloth close to the basin of water and wet it a little, passing the now wet cloth over her flushed face, he went on, " We're trying to find an island to get you to a doctor as fast as possible. "

She sigh as the coldness of the cloth, it was bliss on her way to hot skin, " The others .. ? "

" There all asleep. " he answer, " Usopp should take over in an hour. "

She nod slowly in understanding and close her eyes again, " It was a dream then… "

He arch an eyebrow, " You were dreaming ? " he frown slightly as he remember what name she was calling earlier, " About your brother ? "

She hum and his lips twitch a little as he thought than she looks quite cute right now. Yes, she was sick but he can't help but think that she was rather adorable, talking sleepily and looking so vulnerable. It was so different that what he was used to with her.. She always seems so strong and full of fire, and he really like that about her. She could keep up with everything he do, even the most idiotics and never seems upset about it, just really amused more than anything.

He lean forward a little and inconsciously tread his finger through her hair, they're so soft, like he always thought they would be, " Was those happy dreams ? "

She frown a little at the question, even as she lean into his touch, " I- I don't know… More like memories I would want to forget sometimes. "

He pause, not for the first time wondering what the hell have she been through before he found her. She sometimes reminds him of Ace. There's just something in her eyes that spoke of too much grief and suffering.

" I never told anyone.. " her whisper snap him out of his thought and he look back at her, squezzing her hand again to show her that he was listening.

He don't know if it's the fever talking, but he want to hear her talk to him. To confined in him.

" I was the one that have to make made the tombstone… " she went on, still whispering, " My father wouldn't bother.. he thought that Aiden didn't even deserve his place in the family graveyard so he was buried elswhere… " she pause and he didn't say anything. He want to know more, but don't want to push her either.

Her voice shake a little when she went on, " I couldn't go to the funeral… " she say brokenly, as if she was really regretting it, and she probably did, " He was my brother, I loved him with all I had but I - - I couldn't say goodbye.. " tears start to slide down her cheeks and she sniffle a little.

He look at her sadly and say gently, " But you did now, didn't you ? "

She shake her head slowly, " I don't believe it's possible. " she take a deep breath and chuckle weakly, " It look like I did though, right ? Someone once told me that I was such a good liar that I even manage to lie to myself and to believe it until the truth came crashing back into my face. "

He frown, he suppose it's true. With the way she talked about her brother, he wouldn't have thought that she was still grieving so hard. She always smile and looked happy when she talk about him.

There is so much he didn't know about her, he realize. And he truly hope that one day, she'll trust him enough to fully open up to him.

She open her eyes, pale green shining with tears and she look blankly at a spot in front of her, " Death doesn't let you say goodbye. " she say with more confidence that he thought was possible in her state. " It just… carves holes in your life.. in your future… in your heart… "

" I know… " he say honestly, " But.. we have to keep on living right ? For those who aren't with us anymore, they would want us to live our lives to the fulless because they can't anymore. " he pause and thought for a moment. He didn't like the way she was so down right now, it isn't right. Riley shouldn't be like that. She was suppose to be strong and fearless, the one who would look at her enemies like they were the most idiotic person she'd ever seen and smirk with this eager look at the promise of a fight.

He reach out to swip away her tears and say with confidence, " I learn long ago that life and death are always so mixed up together.. in the same way some beginnings are endings.. and some endings become beginnings. "

She look up at him with this vulnerable look for a moment and smile lightly, " Who are you and what have you done to Monkey D. Luffy ? "

He chuckle in amusement, " Hey, I'm not completely stupid you know.. I have my moment. "

" I know. " she say knowingly as her eyes slip shut, whispering, " Thank you. " to him before her breathing even out, falling asleep with a small smile on her lips.

He stay there for a moment, still rubbing his thumb on the back of her hand and staring at her sleeping face with a small smile of his own when the sound of boots inform him of someone walking in the room.

" I didn't even suspect anything. " Zoro voice sound from behind him, " She really is a good actress. "

" It would seems so. " Luffy answer, frowning, not really liking it at all, " I just hope that we'll be able to help her. "

" We will. " Zoro say in determination, " She's not only a dear friend but my sister as well. I won't let her down. " he glance down at Luffy and they stare at each other, " You care for her a little more than you do the others too.. I noticed that. "

Luffy frown, " I don't think it's true. She's a member of my crew and I care for all of you. "

Zoro raise a doubtfull eyebrow and glance at their still clapse hands before huming thoughfully, " If you say so. " he sigh and sat down on the floor agaisnt the wall, " I trade with Usopp, I wanted to stay with her. Hope you don't mind. "

Luffy shake his head and lean down on his chair, still staring at the peaceful sleeping face in front of him.

He just hope that they'll find a doctor soon.


The next day found Usopp, Zoro and Luffy on the deck, there was snow gently falling from the sky and the first two were wrapped tightly in blankets.

" I don't get it. " Usopp hiss throught shattering teeth as he glare slightly at Luffy, " He goes everywhere in shorts, sandals and a shirt but he doesn't get cold ?! It's freaking freezing ! "

" I don't think it'd take anything else than a blizzard to get him cold… But even then, I'd find it hard to believe that will be enough. " Zoro state with a shrug.

" See any doctor yet ?! " Luffy yell at them in question.

" He can't be serious.. " Usopp mumble as Zoro look out in the horizon and raise an eyebrow.

" What do you think about people standing on water ? " he call out.

Usopp look up at him with a puzzled expression, " People standing on water ? " he repeat, " Well, we've seen a lot of crazy things so far but that sure ain't one of them.. Why do you ask ? "

Instead of an answer, he just jerk his head ahead for them to look and they did. And it was just as he said. A man was standing on the water directly in front of them.

" Ok.. " Usopp say slowly, in a stunned voice, " That's new. "

Standing there was a tall man with wavy lips and sad expression. He look a great deal like a jester with his green-blue costume.

As the ship approach the man, Usopp ask, " Is that even possible… standing on the water ? "

" Maybe in a parallel universe where ninjas can compressed energy to their feet that would glow blue so that they could run on it ? " Luffy say bluntly.

Zoro and Usopp sweatdrop a little and look at him with a quizzical expression, " Where did that come from ? " Zoro ask.

He shrug, " Don't know. Just thought it would be cool. "

As the ship finally came to a stop in front of the strange man who was still standing on top of the water as if it was a completely natural thing to do.

The three of them stare at him with deadpan expressions.

" Quite cold today, isn't it ? " the man comment and Usopp raise an unimpress eyebrow, clutching on his blanket more firmly " You don't say.. "

" Hmm, I know, right ? " the man say, the two continuing to stare at each other while Luffy and Zoro watch silently.

Finally, Usopp speak, " Sooo, how are you standing on the – "

He's interrupt by the sound of water being displaced at their ship being push back by the wave as a huge submarine emerge from the water. The submarine quickly convert to a regular ship when the roof reeled itself in. The ship has large steel platine around it, with star-like pattern. Two large gears at the side and the form of a giant hippo wearing a crown as its bow. There's hundreds of men on board and the pirate flag hold a skull with a tongue out and a crown on its head.

Some of the men jump onboard the Merry and threaten to shot as they hold the three men at gunpoint, though only Usopp look scared.

Just then,two more men show up with the jester guy from before. The first is a man wearing a long orange cloak, with gloves that all fingers but thumb, and ressemble an afro each. He also have a large black afro on his head and three small on his beard.

The last one is a heavy, overweight man with violet hair, much lighter than Riley's, and a cylinder shaped jaw made up of tin plates. He was standing there, looking bored out of his mind, as if he could think of a million places he rather be as he chew on a large slab of meat at the end of a knife. He's dressed in tin-plate armor and a hooded cape that make him look like a hippo.

Suddenly, the door of the Merry's kitchen swung open and Sanji dash out. " What are you guys doing ?! Do you want to wakes Ril - " he pause, taking a look around, slowly lit a cigarette and take a drag before letting out a puff of smoke. " So.. " he drawl, " What's happening ? "

Luffy look up at him, " We're under attack. " he state matter-of-factly.

" Well yeah, " Sanji say patiently as he look at the two men holding him at gunpoint in mild interest, " The guns pointed at my face kinda gave it away. What's next ? "

The hippo guy swallow what he had in his mouth and sneer at them in disgust, " You all consider yourself a band of pirates ? " he ask, " That's amusing. I only count four of ya ! " and then bit down on the blade of his knife, breaking it with his teeth.

They all gape at him, clearly thinking that this guys wasn't right in the head if he thought he could eat knives like they were crackers.

" Kay, that's just weird. " Luffy say, blinking at him, " What kind of guy likes to eat knives ? "

" Like you can talk. " Sanji retort, " I saw you eat pretty strange things too. "

" He's obviously a Devil Fruit user or something. " Zoro frown in thought, " We might want to check in Riley's book if there's anything about it. "

The knives-eater hum thoughtfully as he look at them all, " I think it's a little strange that your crew's so small and that you survive this long in the Grand Line with so few people… But no matter. " he say in a nonesense kind of way, " I'd like to ask you all a question. "

" What is it ? " say Luffy impatiently, " Come on, we're in hurry. "

" Alright, " the man conceds, " I'll keep this simple then. See, my men here and I wish to travel to Drum Kingdom. You wouldn't happen to have an Eternal Pose or a Log Pose would ya ? "

" No. " Luffy answer bluntly, " Never heard of that Kingdom before. No get off my ship, we don't have much time to spare. "

The man shrug, not looking all that surprise by the blunt refusal and state that he would settle for their treasure and their ship instead. And then, to there amazement, his jaw spread wide and enough as he bit down on the ship's side.

" HE'S A SHIP-EATING MONSTER ! WHAT KIND OF POWER IS THAT !? " Usopp yell, terrified as he pull off a huge chunk of wood and start to swallow it.

" Hey ! Our ship isn't your lunch ! " Luffy yell out, and the men all point their guns him, warning him to stay quiet. Luffy, of course, take them both out. As the other men all prepare to fire, the monster trio all went out of control, taking out all the guards with no effort at all. The whole time, the hippo man was eating the side of the ship. Luffy came charging over, just as the hippo clamp his mouth down on him, swallowing him whole.

But Luffy's arms stretch out far back before his mouth close. Just then, Vivi came out of the room, demanding to know what was going on, but arrive in time to see Luffy sent the man flying, screaming out, " I said leave ! We're in hurry ! "

The men were all staring with their jaw open as they watch their boss becoming a star in the sky. Freaking out, they all climb back onto the their ship and immediately went off to try and save him. " THIS IS FAR FROM OVER ! " the one with the afro yell, pointing a challenging finger at them as they sail away, " YOU'LL PAY ! I PROMISE YOU'll PAY ! "

They all blink after them, not really knowing what it was all about.

" Well, " Sanji say, " That was weird . "

They all nod and then, went on with what they were doing before being interupt.

Usopp sigh, looking sadly at the ship side that was half eaten, " Just great. " he mumble to himself, " Eating our ship.. what was wrong with this weirdo.. "

TO BE CONTINUED