This is my first One Piece fanfic, and I have concer-wait second One Piece Fanfic, but the very first fanfic I have made implementing a character completely own by me. The anime's so long to write, but I love it to death...I also love cartoons, and thus...it gives me an idea after watching Toon World in Yu-Gi-Oh, and the Mask, and an assortment of Looney Tune cartoons. I...feel I will bring all but backlash and critiques of One Piece writers better than me so, idk by all means. The only characters I own is Autumn, Emi, and Topper, everyone else belongs to Eiichro Oda. Enjoy.
Back from the dream realm, back to the real world. Groggily, our blonde-haired kitten opens her eyes, once more. Looking up, she only sees an unfamiliar ceiling. Her ovular pacman eyes, slowly trying to wake up. A comfortable bed, she can only feel. However, already it seems that something was off. She rose up from the comfortable bed looking at her surroundings. She was in a bedroom. However, it's definitely not Emi's apartment. It seems...plain as day, if anything. No cluttered artwork, no soft King sized bed, and more importantly...no sign of Emi.
Knock, knock, knock.
A silent knock on the door in front of her was heard. She turned to the door, looking in confusion. She tilted her head and simply shrugged it off.
"Come in?" Autumn asks in confusion. She has no idea just who could it be, so she simply blinked in confusion. Soon, the door slowly creaked open, and the anthropomorphic kitten sighs in relief at a familiar friend. But still that doesn't answer the question of what's going on.
"Sanji? I could say I'm glad to see you, but...I dunno where we are." Autumn simply says to the teen with hair as blonde as Autumn's fur.
"We're at a motel. We had to being you, but before you could even tell us just where your owner was, you passed out. So, Nami, Chopper and I decided on bringing you to the motel with us for a stay and promised that we'll find your owner tomorrow." Sanji explained.
"Oh." Autumn simply says.
"I'm busy trying to find Luffy, Zoro and Chopper. You wanna come with? And after I find them, I'll take you home while I got out shopping. Sound like a deal?" Sanji asks the blonde-haired cartoon. She simply nodded in agreement as she hopped off the bed, sliding onto her orange flats.
"Yeah, I'm sure by now I got Emi worried sick. I bailed out on her trying to find a friend and I promised to be back by dark. Then I got sidetracked meeting you guys and then...well y'know." Autumn simply says she approached the taller man.
"Well, we'll get you back, so don't worry. For now, I'm gonna check the roof of this place. It's the only place I didn't look, and odds are they're up there." Sanji says as he got working, and Autumn followed. Through the hallways of the motel, the two made their way up the stairway leading to the motel's rooftop.
"Why do you think they'd be up on the roof?" Autumn couldn't help but ask.
"I dunno. Probably out to get fresh air or something." Sanji simply says as the two silent walked up the stairway corridor. The blonde cook soon looked down on Autumn with a discernible look on his face. "Hey, um..." He simply says gaining the cat's attention.
"Autumn?" The cat introduced.
"Autumn. Sorry, for what happened last night. It's bad enough you were involved with the Franky Family, but you had to deal with all that crap. You didn't need to see any of it." Sanji says to her apologetically. Autumn simply smiled.
"It's okay! Honestly, I'm kinda glad I was there." Autumn asks as Sanji looked down to her.
"What do you mean?" Sanji simply asks.
"Well, I guess I saw at first hand what people see...as their treasure, or sentimental value. Something worth fighting for. It opened my eyes to a few things." Autumn unintentionally quipped as she clenched her dotted eyes making them bulge out from her sockets.
"Really? Like what?" Sanji asks as the two continued walking slowly through the corridor.
"Like who would I fight for, I guess. Back when I was a normal cat, I've taken many things for granted. Especially my pet owner, Emi. Countless I remember my past being nothing more than the pompous fat cat who wanted anything and everything she wanted. Now that I've grown a brain amidst all this zaniness...I guess it's easy for me to realize the things I've done. I've grown the courage to do things that I've never done in my normal life. Like wonder...how can I fight for Emi? What can I do for her...that would make her see just how much I appreciate her?" Autumn explains as she was simply looking down amidst the walking.
"This Emi, person. You sure care about her, don't you?" Sanji asks.
"Yep. Despite the fact I've BARELY shown it, even thus far." Autumn says as her ears begin to flop down. "Makes me wonder if she even knows if I appreciate her. I'm sure, humans would immediately believe that pets appreciate them, no matter what they do, after the humans rescued them from the pound, but if the pet doesn't show their gratitude, then...just how can they still see them as pets? How...can Emi STILL think I'm her lil' buddy?" Autumn asks herself outloud.
"You've really thought about this, haven't you?" Sanji asks.
"This might sound bad...but Usopp showed me the light. He showed me that there's always something worth fighting...or even dying for. Rickety old ship or not. I never thought about so important for me to die for. Or if it's fighting...is enough for Emi to notice how much I care for her." Autumn says baring a smile at the blonde-haired man. Sanji could only smile at the kitten.
"You're a good kid, Autumn." Sanji says giving the kitten a pat on the head. The little cartoon narrows her dotted eyes.
"Hey, now watch the hair!" Autumn yelled out as the two finally made their way to the very top of the corridor. Sanji opened the door, as the light of day opened up before him. There, he and Autumn found Zoro and Chopper on the rooftop, as predicted.
"So this is where you've been." Sanji says as he allowed Autumn to come out first as he closed the door behind him. "We went through all that trouble to rent a room, and no one's even using it. I guess no one except the cat could sleep." Sanji simply said as he approached the sitting swordsman, and the deer staring at the horizon.
"Where's Luffy?" Autumn asks as she approached Chopper.
"Over there." Chopper replied pointing to a building in the distance. No doubt it she sees Luffy sitting alone on the rooftops. Sanji soon leaned on the railing of the motel's rooftop. "So...where were you?" The deer asked Sanji.
"Hmm? I kept lookout on the Rocky Cape, last night. I wanted to be there, in case Robin would come back." Sanji explained as he took a box cigarettes and a match from his pocket.
"Oh." Chopper replied. The blonde-haired man simply smoked from his cigarette allowing smoke to blow from his mouth, as the smoke billow blissfully went through the winds.
"She never said anything about leaving. I wonder where she went." Sanji says in wonder. Autumn could only sit down on the ground, and look to the skies, seeing nothing more than the wondrous clouds floating through the blue sky.
"Ever since we got on this island, it's been one bad thing after another. Our money was stolen, and then there's everything that happened to poor Usopp. He's injured, he can barely even stand up...and by now on top of everything else, he probably got a fever!" Chopper says listing everything that has happened to the group. On top of that, his worries for Usopp.
"Chopper. That's enough, okay? Don't talk about him anymore." Zoro simply said to the deer. Not sternly, but...just quietly. The reindeer only looked down in defeat. Silence emanates the rooftops. Autumn couldn't help but sit up, as her ears only drooped in disappointment.
"I think I'll try looking for her in town today. I promised that I'd take Autumn home, too." Sanji says as he pointed to the blonde-haired kitty cat.
"Do you think we're gonna find her?" Chopper asked.
"Who knows." Sanji sighed in defeat. "I don't have anything specific in mind to check out. I just feel certain that she's here...somewhere. If anything should happen, we should use this inn as a meetup point." Sanji says as he turned to the group.
"I wanna help, I wanna come, too!" Chopper suggested.
"Alright then. Chopper, Autumn, C'mon. Just show me the way to your owner's house, and I'll get you t-" Sanji says as the cat raised up from the ground. However, the moment Sanji and Chopper turned around.
SLAM!
"LUFFY!" The rooftop door immediately slammed open, with Nami charging in. Her face showing signs of urgency as she approached the group out of breath.
"Nami, what's wrong?" Sanji asks.
"*pant pant* It's awful! The whole city's talking about it! Luffy, listen to me, last night, something terrible happened to Iceberg!" Everyone, including Luffy, soon turned to Nami with signs of both confusion and concern. What could of happened to Iceberg that could cause such panic?
A Screwy Predicament: Iceberg Targeted!
The Galley-La Mansion
"WHAT?! ICEBERG'S BEEN SHOT IN HIS HOME?! STOP SCREWING AROUND! IS THIS SOME KIND OF JOKE?!" Water 7 has been devastated of the talk of the news: Iceberg, the very mayor of Water 7, and founder of the Galley La Company has been shot last night. Autumn at least knows that Iceberg was an important man, but to think someone would kill someone as important as him is down right ludicrous. The foremen of Galley were finding out just what's happening themselves, as one of them, Lulu, was calling another foreman by the name of Paulie.
"No joke," the man in the glasses reported. The one known as Lulu.
"Is he alive? WHO WOULD DO SUCH A THING, EVERYONE LOVES THE GUY!" A figure yelled out from the opposite side of the transponder snail. No doubt the one known as Paulie. While this scene is unfolding, Topper...witnessing every last scene only looked with such terror in his eyes. He stayed silent, he didn't want anyone to know he was a talking hat. Topper has witnessed everything last night...specifically what happened in the room, and who shot Iceberg.
"Yes he's alive, calm down, Paulie! Listen to me for a second, okay? He was discovered in his room, early in the morning, lying in a pool of his own blood. Like I said, he's alive, but he's been unconscious since he was found. You need to come back to the main office, immediately!" Lulu reported as he hung up the transponder snail.
"Lulu, where's Paulie?" Another foreman asked. A man with a long nose, the same as Usopp, however it's much more square than it is long. A bright white cap rests on the man's head. The other foreman being Kaku.
"I just called him. He'll be here soon." Lulu replied.
"Good. Reporters are all over the place. It's mass hysteria out there. We'd like to know what's happened. The office has been torn apart, but there's no trace of anything being stolen: no money, no valuables, nothing. If this wasn't a robbery, then the question is...who would try to kill Iceberg and why?" Kaku asked as he explained the situation going on outside. He soon lowered his head realizing one thing. One crucial and important thing. Lulu knows as well.
"Hmm...at any rate, we're in big trouble here. The city's in total panic. If anything should happen to Iceberg, then it's not only the end of the Galley-La Company, but the entire city of Water 7 as well." Lulu explained as he looked to the door of Iceberg's room in the distance.
Iceberg's Room
As the pitter-patter of fluids, echoed the silent room...Iceberg's secretary, Kalifa, and another might foreman, a man with black hair and a top hat resting on his head, Lucci and his bird watched as the doctor intently examined the unconscious Iceberg. Not only was Kalifa and Lucci intently watching, but a certain top hat that was in his office this whole time: Topper.
"Doctor please, what is his condition?" Kalifa couldn't help but ask as tears flew down her ocean blue eyes, as they seeped through her glasses. The doctor soon turned to the two, as the nurse walked by.
"Hmm...he was shot two times in the front, and another three from behind. I have no idea what happened in that room last night, but whatever it was...it was brutal." The doctor explained to the two and the Top Hat.
"Goodness..." Topper couldn't help but say silently as they all looked at the unconscious Iceberg. Soon, after the doctor made his checkup, he soon exited the room, as the papparizi entered in his place.
FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! Cameras flashed, positioned to the bloodstained carpet.
"According to forensics, there's no sign of the locks being picked to his office, or anywhere else in the building. The incident occurred in a room no one could enter. The only thing out of place they found was a mask you could buy just about anywhere." Lulu explained. Topper looked down at that mask. The top hat only sighed. He was there. He was there when this whole ordeal started.
"What...what could it be that would cause them to inflict such force upon the foreman...?" Topper said silently as investigators continued their investigation through the room.
Back at the Inn Rooftop
"Icepops from the Shipyard?" Luffy could help but ask as Nami explained the news to everyone. Chopper and Autumn could only look at the red-haired woman with such confusion and concern in both their eyes.
"Yes. I've heard he's still unconscious." Nami replied. Luffy soon looked back, no doubt pondering one thing that...just feels off.
"I thought everyone in that entire city loved that guy. Why him?" Luffy couldn't help but ask. Soon, Sanji turned to him. He was completely oblivious to the whole situation. Autumn, though mildly oblivious, just couldn't help but feel bad for the poor guy. Someone so loved...shouldn't really deserve to be shot.
"Who are you talking about again?" Sanji asks.
"He's the nice man that helped us out so much, yesterday. The President of the ship building company as well as the Mayor of Water 7." Nami replied to Sanji. Now that he's caught up to speed, everyone simply pondered just...WHY.
"Hmm. Sounds like an important guy." Sanji replied.
"Yeah...it's pretty much the worse thing that could happen to this town." Nami replied.
"But...I don't understand. It still doesn't seem out of the norm that someone so important would be on someone else's hit-list. So...why did it have to be him? What did he even do?" Autumn couldn't help but ask with a flurry of questions.
"I'll go check on him." Luffy declared as he immediately leaped off of the building, and got running.
"LUFFY WAIT UP, I'M COMING, TOO!" Nami called out as she ran to the railing. She soon, immediately got to running, leaving Zoro, Sanji, Chopper and Autumn.
"On that note, let's go look for Robin. Chopper, Autumn, let's get going." Sanji said as Autumn raised up from the ground and she and Chopper followed the blonde. Sanji soon stopped to Zoro. "What about you?"
"Well...I think I'll just wait awhile and see how things turn out." Zoro simply says as he relaxed himself. He soon closed his eyes...as snoring was now heard. Leaving it at that, Sanji, Chopper, and Autumn went on their way, leaving the sleeping swordsman alone.
The City Streets
"EXTRA, EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! ICEBERG, OUR BELOVED MAYOR, THE HERO OF WATER 7 HAS FALLEN VICTIM OF THE HANDS OF AN ASSASSIN! THIS IS AN URGENT NEWS REPORT COVERING THE INCIDENT!" Throughout the clear skies, once a bustling city of happy folk, now nothing more than a mass panic. Newspapers spread throughout the city streets, and people looking at those newspaper in horror and concern.
"This is terrible, is Iceberg okay?" One of the frightened townsfolk asks? Unfortunately that's just about the very same question that everyone has on their minds...as well as who would do such a thing to him in the first place.
"How awful...who would do such a thing?" How awful indeed. Everyone, grabbing as many newspapers as they can read the news intently, searching for anything to uncover this mystery. Unfortunately for the citizens...there just isn't anything on the newspaper that's gives such crucial information.
"Only Pirates would pull out a vicious attack like that outta nowhere. No doubt about it." Many townspeople have speculated the involvement of Pirates. Knowing that such an act like that would be their designs.
"I'd like to get my hands on the ones that did it." Another civilian says. Many townspeople are indeed angered at this action to indeed take action. Actions that would get themselves killed.
"There were Pirates rampaging Dock 1 just yesterday!" A civilian says in realization.
"You mean the Mikazuki Gang?" Another civilian asks. It was clear that the city was in mass hysteria. This city is just to big to narrow it down so easily. Just about anyone could've assassinated Iceberg. The question is...who?
Gally-La Mansion
"I know it sounds strange..." Lulu started as he and Kaku simply waiting outside of Iceberg's office, hoping to find a lead. "But...maybe the Government did this." Lulu hypothesized. Kaku looked at the man with glasses in confusion.
"What? What are you saying?" The square-nosed man asks.
"I'm talking about Corgi. Every time he comes to talk to Iceberg, he gets rejected and leaves. I don't know what he wanted to speak to him with, but he must've done this out of spite." Lulu explains his point. It just could be the Government...but at the same time, who's to say that it is or could be the Government regardless? No one know...who.
"I'd keep that theory to yourself. If you openly blame the World Government, it won't be taken lightly." Kaku reminded the shipwright.
City Streets
"IS THIS DIABOLICAL CRIMINAL'S GOAL TO OBTAIN WEALTH OR POWER?! WHO IS THIS NAMELESS ASSASSIN THAT DISAPPEARED WITHOUT A TRACE?!" The newsboy announced to the city streets. As the people of Water 7 were in complete panic, Luffy ran as fast as he could through the sidewalk. He aims to hope that not only could he of help to Iceberg's aid. His destination...some way shape or form to the Shipyard. The entire city was in nothing more than complete panic. There's just no indication. No indication on...just who could it be that killed Iceberg.
"Who in the hell did this? I'M NOT GONNA LET THEM GET AWAY WITH IT!" A man yelled out as he sped through the canals via yagara. But...who could've done it?
Scrap Island
"I see...I'm really sorry that happened to you..." We soon cut back to Scrap Island...once a bustling island just outside of Water 7, now...nothing more than what remains of an arena. An arena of events that have transpired in just one day. First, in the distance stood the ruins of the frivolous Franky House. A house of Dismantling Pirates...now nothing more than a mighty ruined pile of cinder. Another event occurred just at the very fields...an arena of smoke, fire, caltrops...and empty memories of a broken friendship. Emi only stood there on the railing...looking at the open field on the deck of the Merry, once a ship of friends, a ship for a total of 6. Now...it's nothing more than an empty, and broken ship...for a total of 1. Usopp, the one who dealt with the pain both physically and mentally stood in a chair, where the red-haired girl tends to his wounds.
"Don't be. It's better this way." Usopp simply says, as his eyes were shaded by the daylight sun. "All that really matters is Merry. As you can see...she's hurt badly and without anyone to help her...w-well I won't leave her." Usopp simply says.
"What's wrong with the ship?" Emi asks. Though, she looked at the mast seeing that it really can't keep going, she still doesn't quite know what made the Merry unfixable.
"Something about a keel. I dunno what a keel is, and I don't care." Usopp simply says in frustration. Emi simply sighs at her long-nosed friend.
"Usopp...from what I've heard, the keel is the most important part of the ship. You can say that...well it's the support beam or main support. I've learned that from a few people who know more about shipbuilding than me. This is the island for Shipwrights." Emi explained. Usopp only growled at that remark.
"It's just...well...what I'm saying Usopp is that...well, you know the old saying, 'If you love something...set it free.'" Emi reminded. Unbeknownst to her, Usopp was only glaring at the red-haired girl.
"I know what you're trying to say, Emi," Usopp growls. "You're just like one of them, this time you're only sweet-talking it. I'm not gonna give up on her...I just...can't." Usopp says as he limped his way into his cabin. The sorrow that Autumn felt when she witnessed ordeal...is the same sorrow that Emi now feels for him.
Unbeknownst to Emi as she simply looked out on the island...a figure watched her, sitting on top of the crow's nest. It almost looked to be a toon like Autumn...only that said toon was shrouded. Only seeing her pristine white, four-fingered gloves, the figure was shrouded in...what appears to be a light blue raincoat with her hood showing half her face. Only discernible feature of the child's face was her pacman-shaped eyes...and her mouth showing no discernible movement. She only looked at Emi with her dotted pacman eyes...with tears flowing down the toon's face...
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING OOOOOOOOOOOOOON!" A voice echoed snapping Emi back into attention. She soon turned to the other island, the one with the monument of ruins. There she saw three figures. Two the same size, skinny slender women with...what appears to be square like hair, and another figure...a big one, shrouded in a robe, yet Emi can make out lush blue hair. Her eyes widened. There's only one person in Water 7 that has such shining blue hair.
"It's Franky." She whispered. She can see Franky...enraged. Something that she doesn't want to deal. Something NO ONE wants to deal with. If Franky's enraged, then no doubt in mind, a rampage is imminent. She soon put the pieces together between the enraged Franky, and the ruined monument.
"The Franky House was here right? If that's the case, then...I can see what he'd be mad about. But, who the hell would be stupid enough to destroy it?" Emi couldn't help but ask.
"FRANKY, BRO!" Emi heard voices. Quickly she ducked down, on the chance that any of the conscious Franky Family, or even Franky himself wouldn't catch her spying.
"YOU'RE HERE!"
"THANK GOODNESS!"
"You guys alright? What a relief, thank goodness." Emi can hear Franky say in relief. The lower Pirates...well, because of their boisterously loud voices, she can hear them as clear as day.
"IT'S TERRIBLE! THOSE PIRATES ARE COMPLETELY INSANE!" It seems that Emi can narrow it down to Pirates assaulting the Franky House, leaving the Shipwrights out of it. The question is, who would have such a vendetta bad enough to destroy his own house?
"LISTEN! WE'VE BEEN KEEPING TRACK OF WHAT THE STRAW HATS ARE UP TO! We know there's NO WAY you're gonna let them get away with this!" The leading party of the injured men says. Emi can hear the term 'Straw Hats' as clear as day. Luffy wears a straw hat, and above her is the jolly roger with a straw hat. That being said, it looks like Luffy was responsible for this...which makes Emi look in confusion.
"Usopp...I don't mean him any dishonor, but I can understand if it Luffy won, and by the sound of Usopp, Luffy seems to be stronger than he seems. But...this is just otherworldly...destroying something as big as the Franky House.?" Emi said to herself.
"Where are they, now?" Franky asks.
"HE'S ALL GOING TO AN IN!"
"After that, they headed towards the Ship building island. It's Dock 1. If they were there yesterday, then I bet that's where they're going." Emi couldn't help but gulp at that notion. Emi not sure she'll forgive Luffy for doing this to poor Usopp...but even she's believes that he shouldn't fall under the Franky Family.
"Is that so? Alright then. Straw Hat Luffy...When I find you, I'm gonna RIP you apart!" She heard Franky said from a distance as he and his...entourage began their walk to the City as the remaining Franky Pirates...simply rested on the ground. Emi simply gave out a frustrated sigh.
"Autumn's still missing, Luffy's in trouble, and...I can't leave Usopp here while he can BARELY move. On top of that, I can't even persuade him to leave the ship so I can get him to the city infirmary. This whole day...was nothing more than a mess. I mean...it can't get worse, can it?" Emi simply asks.
RAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWRRRRR!
Completely taking the red-haired girl by surprise, almost making her drop her glasses, Emi soon rose up from the ship after seeing Franky and his crew gone. An announcement appears to be taking forth. The Water 7 Weather Forecast. Autumn perked her human ears as she listened intently for what's to come.
"Your attention, please! Your attention, please! This is the Water 7 Weather Forecasting Center: As of now, an Aqua Lagoona severe weather warning has been issued to the entire island. It's arrival time is estimated sometime between midnight tonight and 12:30." Emi's eyes dilated in fear. Soon, hearing the news outside, Usopp soon limped back on deck and approached Emi.
"What's going on? What's this about a uh...Aqua...something?" Usopp asks the red-haired girl. Emi was only visibly shaken at that news.
"I was too occupied with my drawings, looking for Autumn, and tending to you...that I never kept up to date with the news. You guys came here, and Autumn went missing at a BAD time, Usopp. This isn't good, crap..." Emi says meekly.
"What are you talking about?" Usopp asked in confusion. Emi soon turned to him, with the sun shining down on her glasses.
"Aqua Lagoona, Usopp. It's an annual tropical storm that comes every so often, commonly in these waters. Now, it's about to pass through here at Water 7. It's a huge storm...huger than any storm you've ever seen. At midnight tonight, the storm will pass through the city...and completely flood the lower districts. Anyone in the Shopping District, Residential District, ANYONE who didn't evacuate to higher ground will be taken with the storm. They'll drown, or even worse!" Emi explained.
"W-WHAT?! THE CITY'S GONNA SINK TONIGHT?!" Usopp yelled out in surprise.
"Yeah...Emi soon walked to the starboard railing and looked at the Merry, and the ocean. She can immediately see the waves intently crackling. She can only presume it'll be the worse one yet. "Where in a REALLY bad spot." Emi explained.
"Why..?" Usopp asks in fear. The red-haired girl lowered her head.
"Usopp. I know you don't want to leave the Merry, but something has to be done by midnight. Or else not only will Aqua Lagoona kill us...waves so powerful will not only take us with the storm, but possibly...tear us apart. Even the ship." Emi explained.
"What are you saying, Emi?" Usopp asked pestering for more question.
"I'm saying, that if we don't do something soon...Aqua Lagoon's gonna kill us...and the ship." Emi says bluntly as she and Usopp looked up at the ship's jolly roger. Knowing the severity of the situation at hand.
The City
"EMIIIIIIIIIIIIII! OPEN UP YOUR CAT'S FINALLY OUTTA THE BAG!" Autumn screamed from the high heavens as as we return to the city streets with the her, Chopper and Sanji. Fortunately, thanks to Autumn's navigation, the three were finally able to find Autumn's apartment. Autumn was simply riding on Chopper as he shape-shift into forelegs, forming into the regular form of deer. Unfortunately, it appears that no one's responding. Autumn was doing nothing but banging endlessly until she breaks the door in.
"WAIT A DAMN SECOND, AUTUMN!" Sanji yelled out as he immediately grabbed Autumn's arm, before she could even give the door another pounding. "We're supposed to get you home, not give your damn owner a scare, geez. I'll knock." Sanji says he slid the blonde kitten to Chopper's side. The blonde-haired man silently knocks on the door.
"Hello? My name is Sanji, we found your uh...cat, and we came to bring her home. There's nothing to be afraid of." Sanji says hoping that he would get an answer. Unfortunately for him...he also got no answer.
"Guys, I just think she's not here." Chopper replied.
"Yeah. Like you said, she's probably out looking for you, right now." Sanji says as he turned his direction to the female cartoon character. Before Autumn could say anything however,
RAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWRRRRR!
Completely taking the three by surprise, Sanji, Chopper, and Autumn soon looked up at the transponder snail just above an air siren. It seems to be active as they, and everyone throughout Water 7 listened intently at the news report, hoping that it was something regarding Iceberg.
"Your attention, please! Your attention, please! This is the Water 7 Weather Forecasting Center: As of now, an Aqua Lagoona severe weather warning has been issued to the entire island. It's arrival time is estimated sometime between midnight tonight and 12:30."
"Ohhhh, yeah, I guess it is about that time." Autumn's ears perked up hearing some of the townspeople reacting in a nonchalant manor as they kept going about in their business. A few workers however, decided to pack their things up early. Meanwhile, Sanji, Chopper, and Autumn only looked in confusion.
"AAAAAAAAY, AQUA LAGOONA IS COMING! MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT THE WARNING!" A bystander screamed as he ran through the streets.
"What'd he say?" Chopper asked.
"Aqua Lagoona...?" Sanji asked. The two looked at Autumn hoping for a better clearance. Unfortunately, the blonde kitten only shrugged. "Do you know what that is, Autumn?" Sanji asked.
"I...think...? It's a storm? I've seen fond memories of Emi and I packing our things every time that siren blows out. I never really noticed what Aqua Lagoona really was, but it kinda does sound like a storm." Autumn explained as best as she could.
"A storm, huh?" Sanji asked as he soon turned to the bystander next to him, giving him a slight tap. "Excuse me, what was that broadcast about just now?" Sanji asked the brown-haired man.
"What do ya mean? Everyone knows w-AWWWWWW wait are you a visitor here? Sorry, you came sightseeing at a BAD time." The man replied as the group only looked at the man in even more confusion.
"What do you mean?" Sanji asked.
"Aqua Lagoona's an annual storm, it's about to pass through here and a big one. You're gonna need to evacuate to higher ground, this entire city's gonna be underwater soon." The man said as Sanji tensed up.
"Underwater? Really?" Sanji asked.
"Heh, don't worry. It's not about to happen right this second. According to the forecast, it's gonna arrive at about midnight. The locals have gotten used to it, and you'll remember, cya!" The man says as he got going, satisfied with the information he has given to the group.
"Cya." Sanji says as the man got going.
"Hmm...the whole town will be..." Chopper says as both he and Autumn soon gave the conversation a thought. Their eyes soon widen in realization.
"WHAAAAAAAAAA?! THE CITY'S GONNA SINK?!" Both Autumn and Chopper say in unison, clearly they thought it was a big deal. Which means Sanji soon got moving.
"Yeah, apparently so. We've gotta find Robin quick. I'm sure we'll find your owner along the way, Autumn." Sanji says as Autumn nodded her head in agreement. The three got going as Chopper galloped closer to Sanji's side.
"By the way, where do you think we should look for them?" Chopper couldn't help but ask.
"Good question. Where would she likely go, around here? And what do you think, Autumn? Where in this place do you think Emi would hide out in?" Sanji asks the cartoon character. Pondering for a bit, Autumn soon picked up an answer.
"Hmm...well, I know that Emi's a fanatic with art. Sooo odds are, if she's not looking for me, we could always check if she's at an art gallery or something." Autumn replied.
"Well...we'll keep a lookout for any art galleries around here. For now, let's thin about a place Robin would most likely be in." Sanji says as Chopper galloped in front of Sanji.
"Let's see...ancient ruins, maybe?" Chopper asked.
"Nope, nothing like that in this place, where else?" Sanji asked as he suddenly got running. Immediately, as did Chopper...with Autumn, unfortunately still on the ride.
"WHOA!" Autumn cried out as the chase went on between both Sanji and Chopper on their search...or well race for Robin and what place she would most likely be in.
"Is there anything she likes?" Sanji asked.
"Ancient ruins!" Chopper repeated.
"STOP SAYING THAT, THERE AREN'T ANY HERE!" Sanji yelled out as the two were neck to neck.
"FINE! THEN YOU TELL ME WHAT ELSE SHE LIKES!" Chopper retorts.
"I ASKED YOU BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW!" Sanji retorts.
"GET ALONG, LIL' DOGGY! YEEEEEEEEEHAWWWW!" Autumn yelled out as she was oh so suddenly wearing cowboy boots with her dress, waving a cowboy hat. Out of this entire race...it's clear that the little cat was just having the time of her life. Meanwhile, the two aggravated boys were basically racing each other with comical glares on their faces.
"STOP RUSHING IN FRONT OF ME!"
"WHY NOT!" Chopper yelled out as the two were finally closing in through an empty district. Soon, Sanji blinked in realization of something. He was the first to stop running.
"CHOPPER, WAIT! STOP!" Sanji yelled out as Chopper looked back in realization. Soon, the deer skidded to a halt, and due the fact that he had no reins...Autumn was immediately sent flying.
"ACK!" Autumn cried out as she was soon slammed to the ground, skidding face-first on the pavement, with her cowboy boots flying right off on the impact revealing her orange flats under them, and her cowboy, blissfully flying down to her side. Sanji soon sat by the canals as Chopper approached him.
"Huh. When you think about it, we don't know much about Robin, do we?" Sanji simply says as he gave a sigh. He soon turned Autumn, who was face-first flat on the ground. Her stiffen tail soon dangled down to the ground. "Hey Autumn, you okay?" Sanji asked. A gloved thumb was raised.
"Never better, partner!" Autumn muffled from the ground as her cowboy hat blissfully floated down to the back of her blonde-furred head and blonde hair.
Shipyard Entrance
"Isn't there ANYTHING we can do?!" A woman called out. Meanwhile at the Shipyard, nothing more than an entire swarm of Yagaras surrounding the Shipyard, nothing more than a crowd of worried citizens hoping for their Mayor to be alright. Day in and day out are the people of Water 7 anticipating for answers whether or not Iceberg is alright, or even the one responsible for the murder. Everyone's in the dark on what's happening. Among the ruckus, came a familiar yagara manned by Nami. Luffy was able to reunite with her back in the city streets, so the black-haired man only looked around at the amount of people.
"Well, we can't go that way," Luffy says looking at the sealed door towering the area. "Man, we're never gonna find out what happened unless we go and talk to Icepops." Luffy says in frustration. Nami soon slowed her yagara as she went to gain a stranger's attention.
"Excuse me, can you tell me where the entrance of the main office is?" Nami asked the person. He only pointed to the sealed gates.
"Yeah, it's at Dock 1, but I don't think you're gonna have any luck getting in. With everything that happened here, they're only allowing authorized personnel to get through." The man explained as he soon looked around all the concerned looks on everyone's faces. "You're not alone, everyone wants to get in. We're all so worried about him." The man says in concern.
"I see...thank you." Nami says as she motioned her reins, allowing the Yagara to get moving. Unbeknownst to the two...an enemy wishes to confront the two. Specifically...Luffy.
Suddenly...a set of drums begin to beat, echoing throughout the Shipyard entrance. Though Luffy and Nami only looked in confusion, they looked around the area seeing many people reacting to that rhythm with either terror or anger.
"NOOOOO, DON'T TELL ME!" A voice called out.
"IT'S THAT RHYTHM!" Another called out frantically.
"WHAT?! WHY NOW?!" Another yelled out. Soon, a gruff voice echoed throughout the Shipyard entrance.
"HEY, GUYS! DID YOU JUST SAY MY NAME?!" The voice called out, echoing throughout the place. Many of the townspeople were either scared or annoyed.
"NO, WE DIDN'T GO AWAY!" A voice called out to the towering one.
"WHERE IS HE? WHERE IS HE?!" Now everyone's attention was completely shifted to the rhythmical beat, and the voice gaining everyone's attention. However, there's no line of sight as to where the beat and the man's voice was coming from. Until, hark...someone spotted the voice.
"THERE HE IS, UP THERE!" A voice called out. Everyone's attention was soon turned to the very top of the gazeebo connecting to the bridges. Everyone looked in confusion and in shock seeing a pristine white tarp covering the scene. All they can see and grimace at are 3 silhouettes. 2 women...and one big brute with...such stylish hair.
"OW! OW! OW! OW!" The voice yelled out in sync with the rhythm of the beat. He soon...sings? "C'MON EVERYBODY, NO NEED TO BE SHY! SAY MAH NAME!" The man sang out. However due to the objective outbursts, it's clear this man isn't someone wanted.
"WE DON'T WANNA GET LOST!"
"YOU'RE THE ONE THAT ATTACKED ICEBERG, AREN'T YOU?!"
"IT HAS TO BE!"
"JUST LEAVE, GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE!"
"HANG THAT GOOD-FOR-NOTHING PUNK!
"Ugh...what a bunch of noisy flies." Suddenly, to Luffy and Nami's confusion, the tarp soon flew off from the bridge. Although, do to the sun, all everyone could STILL see is the silhouettes of the three figures standing high and mighty.
?
I'M WATER 7'S NUMBER ONE SUPER GUY, THE FACE OF THE UNDERWORLD AND YOU KNOW WHY!
I'M THE MAN WITH THE PLAN, THE POWER AND FAME, AND PEOPLE EVERYWHERE CALL OUT MY NAME
WOW!
Soon...with a star-shaped tattoo pose, the figure finally reveals himself. Though he calls himself "Water 7's number one super guy" he's in fact Water 7's most infamous Pirate. Leader of the Franky Family dismantlers...and the most infamous face of all...is him.
FRANKY!
BOOM!
As the sun, finally dissipates its shining glow, the fiend finally reveals himself, full and true. With his yellow and pink female entourage, Franky finally reveals himself to be a buff and muscular man wearing pitch-black shades and...a strange metallic nose. The man has such great bulging muscles and on one arm half a star, the other arm...the other half of a star. Franky appears to be wearing nothing more than a speedo, a golden chain necklace, and jet black tights, revealing nothing more than his biceps, and legs.
At the sound of the explosion, the people of Water 7 frantically swam forward through and fro at a panic, as Luffy and Nami only looked with such confusion. Meanwhile, Luffy could look to see Franky taking off his glasses, seeing nothing more than eyes of an enraged bull.
"COME OUT AND SHOW YOURSELF STRAW HAT!" Franky announced. It's clear that amidst the people swimming in fear...Franky has no intentions of attacking anyone. Anyone...except Luffy and his crew. Things are gonna get ugly.
And there you have the next chapter of this story, quickly. I..don't have much to say, except I'm going to have a bit of fun now that I've changed Autumn's look severely. That being said, enjoy, because...if I remember correctly, this is where the bigger tension comes next.
