EDIT: Sorry about the double post. But the new summary I put was wrong, and this is my pathetic attempt at fixing it. :|
Eight reviews for the last chapter! That beats my record of six! It may sound pathetic, but it warms my heart nonetheless. I love you guys~! :DDD This chapter has over eight thousand words! For someone who hails from the Danny Phantom category, where the best chapters only had up to a thousand words each, this is a big deal!
If you haven't been keeping up with the recent chapters, I strongly recommend that you do so. Immediately. Reading a post-Raftel story automatically puts you at risk for spoilers, no? And I believe that I have stated, made known, and hinted at not quite so subtly, that this is post-Raftel. I'm trying to keep it as canon as possible, but it will eventually turn out to be an AU when Oda pulls something that no amount of vague and not-even-going-there scenarios can fix. Admittedly, it was a pretty stupid idea to write this story when the manga is right in the middle of the biggest event in One Piece. Oh wellz.
Therefore, in light of the recent chapter, I only have this to say (Spoiler alert!):
SPAOFKJOPFIJPWIFJ WAAAGH HOLY HELLLLLLLL!
I have a feeling the manga chapters to come are going to have a bit of a negative effect on this story, seeing how all of the non-strawhat characters of the previous chapters of Horizons are now all in the same place, just waiting to contradict any and all theories I've put out. :|
BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M SO HAPPY, I COULDN'T CARE LESS~! XDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DIDJA SEE THE LOOK ON THAT ASSHOLE'S FACE WHEN SHANKS BLOCKED HIS PUNCH? IT MAKES THE ENTIRE ARC WORTH READING!
Don't get me wrong, I'm still upset about Ace (still clinging to that last shred of denial, actually) but Shanks is, hands down, the most amazing character of all time. And is, by far, one of the last people I expected to see appear in Marineford. I've read so many theories about what would happen, but this… No one was even close. And that is the beauty of Oda-sensei's work.
Anyway, in this segment of semi-advertisement semi-credit (I think I need a new name D: ) I present to you two classics that the world of One Piece fanfiction would not live without.
First up is 'Ruth Monroe: Not Your Cup O' Tea' by Rosoku. The absolutely insane story of Rue, a psychotic girl with ADD and a tendency to land herself in the strangest situations; namely, Orange Town just as Buggy was invading it. This story deals with more than the simple 'girl joining crew before main storyline', as it adds an entirely new set of baddies and conspiracies that may or may not have something to do with the strange Mark that appears on Rue's hand…
The next story is 'Will of D' by AnimaniacDude. Oh boy, this is one of the very few post-Raftel stories that have more than the simple reunion phase. It follows Luffy as he travels all the way to Raftel only to have his entire crew slaughtered and an empty cavern where the great treasure once stood. Sound depressing? Don't worry, it isn't! A man long thought dead, Gol D. Roger himself, had acquired the power of time travel and hid One Piece in the legendary city of Atlantis, the sunken city once connected to Raftel. With another chance at becoming the Pirate King and the monarchy of the sea itself to deal with as the new wielder of the Mizu Mizu fruit, Luffy rewrites history as he completely starts his journey from scratch, gathering his nakama and even more crew members as he builds his Strawhat Armada and takes on the entire World Government. I can guarantee that you will not find another story like this, and with so many twists and turns and all before the Grand Line this story is an amazing read! WOW, dat's a long sentence! :DDD
Forgive me if I mess up any references; I'm having internet problems, so I have to type everything from memory of how I think it might be. It's a miracle I even remembered those two stories, yo.
I do not own One Piece. I do not own Pokémon. You happy? Jerks. TT
"Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Some trails are happy ones,
Others are blue.
It's the way you ride the trail that counts,
Here's a happy one for you."
~Dale Evans
It was when Lin had finally calmed Pika that a loud growl sounded through the air. Everyone immediately turned incredulously to Luffy, who shook his head and pointed at Lin. "Wasn't me!" Lin blushed and meekly held up a hand.
"Sorry, I forgot to eat." Luffy nodded sagely.
"When you are hungry, eat. Yosh, let's go eat some more!" And he led the group towards the town. Lin thought she could hear someone yelling promises of sadistic torture from above, but quickly shook off the notion as they split into groups.
Lin went to some nearby tables with Pika, Nami, Chopper, and the Ookamis. Pika contentedly lay on Lin's hat* as Lin began to eat rapidly. Lin found that she enjoyed potlucks greatly, as home cooked meals taste even better when feeding someone that was hungry.
Asuka and Yamada were conversing with Chopper, the occasional medical term reaching Lin's ears. Nami nibbled on some pastries as Lin's food intake slowly began to decrease. Eventually she had eaten enough to stop her stomach's demands and leaned against the table, satisfied.
"So," Nami began, but stopped. There was a bit of silence.
"... This is... kind of awkward." Lin stated. Nami nodded as Lin handed a nearby fruit to Pika, who ate happily while still perched on Lin's head. Lin hesitated a bit.
"Nami... Is it really okay?" Nami looked questioningly at Lin, who was looking down nervously. She quirked an eyebrow.
"Our captain had to practically force you into joining, and you want to know if it's okay?" Nami snorted. "Of course it's okay; why else would we ask?"
Lin smiled slightly, but pressed on. "I suppose what I mean is why. Why would you want me on the crew? I admit I got a bit caught up in this whole mess, but that doesn't seem like a good reason." Nami hmmed, tapping her chin thoughtfully. After another bout of silence, she answered
"None of us know exactly why Luffy does half the things he does. He's completely unpredictable, and his reasoning is completely idiotic but..." Nami trailed off with a thoughtful expression. "But his decisions turn out alright, in the end. He seems to have that kind of instinct for people. It hasn't failed since I've first met him, so why should it fail now?"
Nami smiled at Lin. "So if Luffy says that you're nakama, then you'll definitely be nakama." She joined Chopper, leaving Lin to her thoughts.
And while most of these thoughts were whispering that she was well on her way to becoming a Mary Sue, Lin found that she couldn't be happier.
Yamada sighed in exhaustion as he unlocked the front door, immediately collapsing on the nearest sofa. Lin walked in the house, carrying a sleeping Asuka in her arms and balancing a sleeping Pika on her head. Luckily Pika automatically clung to Lin's hat as she slept.
Lin placed Asuka on the other couch, smiling slightly as Yamada began snoring from his position. It had been a tiring day indeed, what with the running and the meetings and Lin's recruitment. When the celebration had ended late that night, Lin had agreed to meet the crew (her crew, she reminded herself) at the final celebration.
Speaking of which, Shanks had appeared some time earlier, telling people that the final celebration would begin at sundown. He had only gotten so far until Garp had shown up and he disappeared in an instant. There was an awkward silence in the crowd as Garp practically flew after Shanks, but no one seemed to really question it.
Lin carefully tried to pry Pika off her hat, taking it off as she lay on the couch next to Asuka. After a few failed attempts she shrugged to herself and curled up, cuddling the hat (and, consequently, Pika) as she closed her eyes.
Tomorrow was a big day.
Yamada awoke to an amusing sight. Lin was cuddling the odd mouse-like creature, which was curled up and clinging to her hat. Asuka was clinging to Lin, leaned up against her and sleeping peacefully. A quick look outside showed it was about noon, and Yamada rose silently.
This whole alien thing was turning out interestingly, that was for sure. Yamada couldn't believe the girl's luck at finding a crew to take her in, let alone that the crew consisted of the strongest people in the world. Yamada had only known Lin for a short time, but he had grown fond of the supposed alien, coming to consider her like a second daughter. It certainly helped that Asuka considered her as an older sister.
Yamada trusted Luffy, and he knew that he would never harm Lin. And in a world that was slowly deforming into chaos, Yamada thought that leaving Lin in the care of the Pirate King was the best thing anyone could do. Hopefully, Lin would think so too.
Yamada walked into the kitchen, noting how clean it was, and began to prepare his morning coffee.
Lin walked through the town, practically bubbling with happiness. She turned a corner and saw Robin. Running up to her, she smiled.
"Hey Robin! What's up?" Robin turned and grinned; and while normally the prospect of Robin grinning would immediately terrify people who knew her, apparently she was simply being friendly. Weird.
"Hi Lin! How are-" An explosion cut her off.
Lin and Robin turned to see Higuma, apparently alive and with an entire army of mountain bandits (that looked suspiciously like supped up zombies). Robin crossed her arms and scowled, but Lin held up a hand.
"Let me handle this." As Lin spoke those amazingly badass words, water from the nearby ocean rose and formed into a giant wave, breaking up then and solidifying into thousands of swords, all as sharp as Meitou.
One of the swords flew down to Lin, who caught it and took a professional stance.
"ONI GIRI!" Lin moved so fast that any additional swords one might think she would have needed were obsolete, and the entire army went down in a flash. The wave of swords randomly disappeared along with the one she held, and she turned to see the entire crew cheering loudly.
Zoro came up and hugged her tightly, making her turn red.
"That was amazing, Lin! You're just as good as I am; no, even better! If Luffy hadn't let you on the crew, I don't know what we… what I would have done!" With that blasphemy said, he held her gently, moving in a way that Lin knew would make any fangirl faint… Closer… Closer-
"GWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!**" Lin screamed as she sat up quickly, catapulting Pika across the room. Asuka sat up and yelled in surprise, then quieted down as she noticed Lin.
"Sky-nee-san? Are you alright?" Lin was huddling in a corner, tears in the corner of her eyes and rocking back and forth as she held herself. She was muttering nonsensical things that not even she understood, and looked as though she was going to break down any second. Yamada ran into the room, a mug in his hand.
"Lin-san! Asuka! I heard screaming; is everything-" He cut himself off as he noticed Lin. He sweat dropped.
"… Lin-san?" Lin simply rocked harder. Yamada slowly inched closer until he could just make out her words.
"I Mary Sue tndluoc kniht fo gnihtyna ot tup sa Mary Sue reh selbmum, os I tsuj tup ni siht Mary Sue sdrawkcab eugolaid. Doog boj no Mary Sue gnidaer ti! Mary Sue-!"
"Pika!" Lin was immediately zapped by Pika, who was both annoyed at being catapulted and concerned for her trainer. Lin twitched and fell on her side, but stopped mumbling at last. Asuka and Yamada watched her carefully as she eventually uncurled and sat up, looking dazed. She blinked at noticing the two over her.
"… What happened?" Yamada and Asuka shared a glance. Asuka looked back at Lin.
"Nothing, Sky-nee-san!" Lin looked at Asuka oddly, but shook her head. Taking her hat from Pika, she pulled it on her head as she looked around. Yamada asked
"Would you like some coffee, Lin-san?" Lin shook her head.
"No thanks, Mr. Ookami." Yamada sat on the couch as Lin picked up Pika, sitting on the other couch. Asuka followed and sat next to Lin, petting Pika. Yamada looked carefully at Lin before speaking.
"Lin-san? Are you alright?" Lin looked at him oddly, but then really thought about it. Was she alright?
Was she really alright with joining the most powerful crew in the world? It was, after all, the first symptom of being a Mary Sue. But she supposed another symptom would be being obnoxiously powerful. And the only way to get that way… was it by eating a devil fruit? But Lin had read a few stories where the non-Mary Sue OCs were just fine even with a devil fruit… But she didn't want to resort to that.
"Lin-san… Lin-san. Lin-san!"
"…Eh?" Lin blinked rapidly, then realized she had spaced out again. "… Sorry."
"That's okay. But are you sure about the Mugiwaras?" Lin thought only for a few seconds.
"I think I'm pretty sure. Besides, like you said, what else can I do?" Yamada nodded slowly, and it occurred to Lin that he was trying to reassure himself. He asked
"But do you trust them? For all you know, they could be the stereotypical pirates that run around pillaging villages." Lin grinned slightly.
"Mr. Ookami, you'll have to believe me when I say I'm sure I could trust them with my life."
Luffy grinned his trademark smile at his crew over brunch.
"Yosh! Today is the last celebration, and then we'll leave this village tomorrow morning with our new crew member. Then we'll head to Shell Town!" The crew, particularly Zoro, looked at Luffy oddly. Franky spoke up.
"What's in Shell Town, Mugiwara?" Luffy grinned.
"Because Zoro's from Shimotsuki Village, right Zoro?" Zoro seemed a bit confused, but nodded as the crew turned to him.
"Yeah, I lived in the dojo just outside the village."
"Nami says that Shimotsuki is just a few days walk inland from there***! You really were lost, Zoro! Shishishi~!" Luffy laughed to himself as Zoro slapped himself in the forehead.
"I was so close that time…" Robin looked at Zoro curiously.
"'That time', Swordsman-san?" Zoro simply turned away, scowling.
"I need to return something to my sensei, anyway. But are we going to simply walk through there? There's still a marine base there, you know. We can't just park the ship and walk away from it." He muttered. Luffy simply grinned.
"We'll be fine! We were fine last time, and it was only me and you and Coby!" His crew looked at him curiously, sensing a story. When Luffy didn't elaborate and instead began to pick off the leftovers, the crew decided that they would find out later. One look from Zoro told them to leave well enough alone.
When Luffy finished his food, he continued. "Then we'll go to Syrup Village, because Usopp has to meet his old crew!" Everyone sans Luffy, Nami, and Zoro looked at Usopp incredulously. Sanji lit a cigarette.
"So you weren't lying about your crew? And the whole saving the beautiful lady thing?" Nami snickered.
"Only if you count three little kids as a crew. But there was actually a nice rich lady that he saved." Usopp posed.
"Well, the great Usopp-sama couldn't leave Kaya to defend herself, could he?" Sanji seemed depressed.
"Even the shitty long nose has a girl waiting for him…" He sighed, then immediately perked up again.
"I'm so glad I have you two, Nami-swan and Robin-chwan~!" He began noodling around the table, much to the annoyance of Zoro. Before they could start fighting, Luffy interrupted.
"And then we'll go to the Baratie! Nami says we have to visit Cocoyashi last, because they added a marine base there." Nami nodded.
"That's right. Because they added a marine base so close to Logue Town, any sign from us and the entire island will be immediately flooded with marines from both bases! If we do happen to get chased off Cocoyashi because of a certain idiot's antics (Luffy sneezed) then we can easily lose them by heading south. While the marines would be busy in Cocoyashi, we could run over to Logue Town while the marine base there would still be nearly empty. Thanks to Sunny, we could easily outrun any marine ship!
"After the incident blows over, we'll head up Reverse Mountain." Usopp interrupted.
"But won't the marines follow us over Reverse Mountain?" Nami shook her head.
"The marine's ships aren't designed to properly navigate over the mountain. The only thing they could do is head over the calm belt and attempt to navigate back to Twin Cape. And because it's impossible to navigate backwards on the Grand Line, we can spend as much time at the Twin Capes as we like!" Brooke practically quivered with excitement.
"And I can finally see Laboon again! Yohohoho~! My heart throbs at the thought of our reunion! Although I have no heart… SKULL JO-" Franky punched the skeleton in the head.
"Oi! Skeleton-bro! Don't go ruining the thought with that kind of joke!" Franky sniffled.
"The thought of such a reunion… A reunion between two men, waiting for over fifty years just to see each other!" He began bawling, pulling out his guitar from who-knows-where. "A song! I call it 'The Lament of Friends' Reunions!'" He strummed his guitar, singing along as Luffy, Chopper, and Usopp began cheering him on. Brooke watched not-so-silently, dabbing at his wet eyes (although he has no eyes) with his handkerchief.
A vein throbbed on Nami's forehead as she watched them. She sighed, sitting down in her seat. "And yet, despite all of this, we still get new crewmembers. I hope Lin knows what she's getting herself into…" Robin smiled next to her.
"I'm sure she'll be fine."
"Welcome, Fuchsia Village!" Shanks yelled from the table on which he was standing. The entire village was there, crowding around a giant bowl behind Shanks near the harbor. The sun was just setting and Lin couldn't help but feel like she was at a concert. Asuka looked up and tugged Lin's sleeve.
"What's he going to do, Sky-nee-san?" Lin shrugged as Pika yawned from atop Lin's hat. Shanks continued.
"Tonight, a kenpai to Monkey D. Luffy! The man you all know who changed the world! A kenpai with the greatest sake in the world, brought from my own hometown!" He motioned to someone near the harbor, and his crew came from his ship, each carrying a gigantic jug of sake. Each member poured their jug into the colossal bowl. Shanks turned to dip his own glass in the pool of sake. The sun set and finally cast the village into darkness as Shanks raised his glass.
"To Monkey D. Luffy, Pirate King! And to the new era! Kenpai!"
"KENPAI!"
As the village roared in approval, fireworks were set off from Shanks' ship. If Lin squinted, she could just see Yasopp and Ben Beckmann setting off the explosives from the deck. Each one went off in an amazing display of colors, and the part of the crowd that wasn't making a mad scramble for the sake was oohing and aahing at them. Asuka stared in awe at Shanks, who was laughing whole-heartedly with his crew.
"… Wow…" Lin thought that summed up just about everything.
There was a bit of silence among the crew after Shanks' semi-speech. Nami smiled as Luffy began laughing along with his idol.
"I'll give that guy one thing, he sure knows how to kenpai… Eh? Where's Zoro?" The crew gave a start as they discovered the absence of their swordsman. Usopp shrugged.
"Well, we'll meet up with him later. I don't think he'd get lost even now; there's sake." The crew nodded in agreement. Luffy began looking around until he spotted something. He began waving.
"Oiii~! Lin! Over heeere~!" Lin gave a start as she noticed Luffy waving to her. Pika leaned down and poked her face.
"Pika pika."
"Yeah, I see them. Asuka, is that your dad over there?" Asuka turned to see the man arguing with the mayor. Asuka immediately ran after him as Lin carefully steered towards the crew. Sanji swooned when she reached them.
"Lin-chaaan~! You look absolutely lovely tonight~!" He began noodling around Lin, making her eye twitch slightly.
"… Right…" Pika eyed Sanji.
"Pika pikachu."
"Pika says that you're really weird, Sanji." Chopper said. Sanji immediately halted and turned to glare at Pika.
"Who asked you? Shitty rat!" Pika leaped off Lin's head in a flash.
"PIKACHUUU!" Instead of frying Sanji, Pika instead latched onto Sanji's arm with an audible chomp. Sanji howled as he shook his arm.
"Why you- Get off me!"
"Mmph mmmm!" Lin began panicking.
"P-Pika! Get off him this instant!" Pika released Sanji immediately; sent flying by Sanji's flailing into Franky's face. Pika automatically latched on and Franky began flailing from the lack of air.
"Dgarmmph! Gerdoff! GERDOFF!" Pika was too stunned from flying into a metal nose to comply. Franky finally reached up and pulled Pika off, gasping in relief. He handed the still-dazed Pika to Lin, who put her on top of her hat again, patting her. Franky glared at Sanji.
"Oi cook-bro! What's the meaning of flinging the little guy on me, eh?" Sanji glared back.
"Obviously I was trying to get it off of me you shitty robot! It's not my fault you were in the way!" Franky snorted leaning forward until he was nose to metal nose with Sanji.
"Oh yeah, bro, you were doing a super job of getting him off on your own! You stupid-" Nami came up and punched them both in the head. She looked at them disdainfully as they collapsed on the ground. "Idiots."
Robin looked carefully at Lin, who was watching silently. Lin noticed Robin's look and shrugged.
"I have officially given up all hope of sanity." Nami nodded in approval.
"A good thing to do when on this crew; take my word for it." Luffy began laughing as Brooke walked up to Lin, politely nodding his head at her.
"Ah, Lin-san. Congratulations on joining the crew. As the first rule of order, may I please examine your pant-" Sanji slammed a foot on Brooke's head.
"Don't even think about asking her that you shitty skeleton!" Brooke collapsed. Luffy laughed even harder as another voice joined the mayhem.
"Ahoy, Anchor!" Shanks strode up to the group, noting with amusement the collapsed skeleton. Luffy grinned.
"Hey Shanks! Did you finally lose Gramps?" Shanks shrugged.
"One of those marines that follow him around told him he had a call on his ship. He left just before I came over here." Shanks raised an eyebrow at Lin.
"Who's this? Your new crewmember?" Everyone nodded. Shanks then seemed to notice Pika. "… Odd creature. Never seen anything like it. What is it?" Lin smiled slightly.
"This is Pika." Pika nodded.
"Pika pikachu." Shanks raised an eyebrow.
"Is that all it knows how to say?" Lin shrugged.
"Pretty much." Pika leaned down and poked her face.
"Pikapi."
"And Pika is not a rat. Or a mouse. She's a pikachu." Chopper looked incredulously at Lin.
"You can understand her, too?" Lin shook her head, disturbing Pika slightly.
"Not really, I just guessed." Shanks grinned at Luffy.
"Well, you certainly have interesting nakama, eh Luffy?" Luffy chuckled, but then quickly quieted down with a more serious look on his face. The crew slowly quieted down as Luffy took off his hat slowly. Shanks blankly watched as Luffy handed his hat to him. Everyone watched silently.
"A deal's a deal. I told you that I would become the Pirate King, and I did." Shanks nodded slowly.
"And I told you to bring me back that hat when you became a great pirate, didn't I?" Shanks took the hat and looked at it closely. "… Been a bit rough with it, boy? I told you it needed to be in good condition." Luffy shrugged.
"People kept taking it. But Nami fixed it up every time! Didn't you Nami?" Shanks turned his gaze to Nami, who nodded. Shanks grinned.
"Well, you certainly did a good job! It actually looks better than it was when I would wear it! I used to have Ben fix it, and he was a terrible seamstress! Hahaha~!" Shanks laughed while Lin was immediately entertained at the thought of Ben Beckmann sewing. Shanks then grinned a very Luffy-like grin and shoved the hat back on Luffy's head. "Well, you need the hat still, don't you? You're Strawhat Luffy, and that's a great honor for this hat to bear!" Lin could have expected a number of classic, inspiring lines from Shanks, but he simply turned and walked away, waving carelessly.
"Plus I finally got rid of my hat-hair! Don't need that problem again!"
Zoro watched from his place by the bowl of sake as the red-haired pirate walked away. He smirked, knowing that something great had just transpired. Normally, he wasn't one to care about that kind of thing. But he knew that his captain surely appreciated it.
He took another drink of the sake, nodding to himself. It was good sake; Shanks hadn't been kidding when he had stated it was the best. In fact, it was a little too good. Zoro liked good, hard alcohol. Sake like this was to be had sparingly and reverently; not at all like his usual drinking style.
He watched as the crew seemed to automatically split into individuals as they approached the bowl, the new girl a little slower than usual. That odd creature was there again, sitting… On her head? Weird. The girl walked up near Zoro and stared at the bowl for a while, seemingly debating something. Zoro smirked.
"Afraid of a little sake?" The girl (Lin, wasn't it?) jumped and looked around wildly, nearly throwing the mouse off of her head. She stared at Zoro until his question seemed to sink in and she smiled sheepishly.
"I've never had the best tolerance for alcohol, but it seems almost rude to not try any." Zoro snorted.
"When's the last time you had any alcohol?" Lin shrugged.
"I once went to a friend's party and had a cup or two of punch. Next thing I know it's morning and half the school has a video of me singing the Macarena while attempting to can-can on someone's car." Zoro looked at her oddly and she simply stated "Don't ask."
She turned back to the bowl thoughtfully. "But I've never had sake before… I'm kind of curious. Is it good?" She asked, turning back to Zoro. Zoro shrugged.
"I'm not exactly one to appreciate the taste or quality or any of that crap. I just like getting some alcohol into my system." Lin nodded to herself.
"Right then; wrong person to ask. I don't think I'll risk it; who knows what I'd do." Pika looked at Zoro curiously as he finished the last of his cup. He stared right back, and Pika looked away quickly then turned to sniff the bowl. Lin looked up at Pika.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Pika. Who knows what that'll do to you?" Pika leaned down and gave Lin a watery gaze.
"Chu…?" Lin winced.
"Look, tell you what. I'll get you your very own bottle of ketchup at the next town, okay? I hear pikachus love them****!" Pika consented after only a moment or two of thought. Zoro looked at the two oddly but decided not to question it. Lin looked at him and decided to ask him something that had been on her mind for a bit.
"… How could you tell?" Zoro looked at her curiously. Lin elaborated "How could you tell all that stuff? About me knowing how to fight?" Zoro shrugged.
"I could just tell that you knew how to fight. I could also tell that you didn't really like to, simple as that." Lin rolled her eyes.
"Well then, it's as simple as that then. You guys really are insane." Zoro smirked.
"Damn straight. But I think joining us anyway makes you insane too." Lin smiled.
"I suppose so." A shout distracted her and she turned to see Shanks' crew gathering together, dragging Brooke along. Brooke pulled out his violin and began playing a familiar tune as the crew began singing.
Yohohoho, yohohoho
Yohohoho, yohohoho
Yohohoho, yohohoho
Yohohoho, yohohoho
Binkusu no sake o, todoke ni yuku yo
Umikaze kimakase namimakase
Shio no mukou de, yuuhi mo sawagu
Sora nya wa wo kaku tori no uta
Sayanora minato, tsumugi no sato yo
DON to icchou utao, funade no uta
Kinpa ginpa mo shibuki ni kaete
Oretachya yuku zo, umi no kagiri
The crowd around them joined in with the singing, laughing all the while.
Binkusu no sake o, todoke ni yuku yo
Warera kaizoku, umi watteku
Nami wo makura ni, negura wa fune yo
Ho ni hata ni ketateru wa dokuro
Arashi ga kita zo, senri no sora ni
Nami ga odoru yo, doramu narase
Okubyoukaze ni fukakerya saigo
Asu no asahi ga nai ja nashi
Lin could see some of her own crewmembers joining in as the chorus began.
Yohohoho, yohohoho
Yohohoho, yohohoho
Yohohoho, yohohoho
Yohohoho, yohohoho
The crowd was quickly silenced as Brooke stepped forward alone.
Binkusu no sake wo, todoke ni yuku yo
Kyou ka asu ka to yoi no yume
Te wo furu kage ni, mou aenai yo
Nani wo kuyokuyo, asu mo tsukuyo
The rest of the crowd then joined in at the next verse.
Binkusu no sake wo, todoke ni yuku yo
DON to icchou utao, unaba wo uta
Douse dare demo itsuka wa hone yo
Hatenashi, atenashi, waraibanashi
Yohohoho, yohohoho
Yohohoho, yohohoho
Yohohoho, yohohoho
Yohohoho, yohohoho
The village partied into the night, laughing and singing and drinking all the while. As the fireworks drew to a close, the after image of a strawhat still hovered in the sky.
"Garp here; who are you and what the hell do you want?" Garp sat in his office on his ship, the microphone of his den den mushi in his hand. He had been more than unhappy when Coby had interrupted his chase to say that he had a call, but he had answered it anyway. Why? We may never know. His snail scowled at him.
"Is that any way to talk to your superiors, Garp? I've been ringing you for the past day; where the hell are your men?" Garp laughed.
"Bwahahaha~! I put them all in the lifeboats and told them to get lost! I'm visiting my village, you know!" Sengoku groaned from the other end of the receiver. He attempted to rub away the oncoming migraine as Garp continued.
"And I've got that tea you wanted! Plus they're having a sale on those little cookies that you like-"
"That's not why I'm calling Garp!" Garp silenced himself at the Fleet Admiral's tone. "I'm calling to ask if there have been any… monsters around the town. Anything at all?" Garp scratched his head thoughtfully; the snail on the other side of the call gaining the most comically confused expression. Garp shrugged.
"Nah, just the same as usual. Nothing weird around here; why do you ask?" There was an odd silence.
"…No reason. Go back to your shenanigans, Garp."
"Gotcha! I've got one more stop in East Blue then I'll head back to headquarters. I think. You never know! Guahahaha!" The other line clicked off before Garp could continue.
Sengoku scowled at the receiver as he slammed down the microphone. He turned to the doorway of his office, where a man was watching silently. The man raised an eyebrow.
"Well?" Sengoku glared at him.
"Nothing. Nothing at all. I thought you said that a creature would appear and take out the Mugiwaras!" The man glared back.
"I told you that it was entirely random! There are a number of-"
"Yes, yes, there are a number of worlds and a portal would appear in a random one and suck in the first thing it saw; I know! You convinced me to give you free reign of studying the Mist with my marines by the slight chance that you could find something to help with this pirate problem!" The man scowled, then smirked.
"I've had a recent breakthrough; a little rat decided to investigate our operations, and he seems to hold the key to traveling to specific locations." Sengoku stared incredulously, before a smirk flitted across his features.
"Well then, I have a little project for you…"
Lin shouldered her backpack as she looked around the living room. Pika was sitting on her head, looking with her as the sun rose through the window. Pika sniffled sadly.
"Pika…"
"Yeah, I'll miss them too." She walked out the front door, where Yamada and Asuka were standing and waiting for her. Asuka sniffled.
"You're really leaving us, Sky-nee-san?" Lin dropped and hugged the girl tightly.
"I'm sorry Asuka. I'll miss you guys though." She looked up at Yamada. "Thank you, Mr. Ookami. Thanks for everything." Yamada smiled at her.
"Hey now, it was a pleasure having you. You've really been great to have around." Lin smiled slightly.
"Crazy alien stuff and all?"
"Even the crazy alien stuff." Yamada nodded at Asuka, who gave a small start and pulled something out of her pocket, handing it to Lin.
"I made this for Pika-chan." Lin set Pika down on the floor as she unfolded the gift. It was a small, red bandanna with a white diamond pattern on the tips. Lin carefully tied it around Pika's neck, and Pika gave Asuka a hug, sniffing slightly.
"Pika…" Lin smiled.
"She loves it; thank you Asuka." Asuka nodded. Yamada coughed slightly.
"I don't have anything to give you but some advice. Live every day to the fullest, and don't be afraid to take chances." Lin nodded slowly, smiling.
"That's probably the best thing you can give me, Mr. Ookami. Thank you." Yamada rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. They began walking to the harbor, where Nami, Robin, and Zoro were waiting for Lin. Nami looked up as Lin approached, stepping over the occasional passed out villager.
"Hey there. We sent everyone else to pick up the boat earlier, so they should arrive any minute now. Got everything?" Lin nodded. Asuka clung to Lin, looking at Nami with watery eyes. Nami winced, turning away quickly.
"I… feel like I'm stealing from that little girl…" She muttered to herself. Robin chuckled slightly as Asuka buried her head in Lin's pants.
"She certainly seems to think so, Navigator-san." Nami seemed to sink into a little cloud of gloom.
"That isn't helping, Robin…" Zoro raised an eyebrow at Pika's new accessory. Asuka immediately perked up.
"I made a bandanna for Pika-chan! Because bandannas are cool!" Zoro glanced at his own bandanna around his arm with satisfaction as Lin chuckled.
"Yeah, it suits Pika, doesn't it?" Zoro hmphed.
"Good taste." A shout distracted the group.
"OIIII~! MINA, OVER HERE~!" They turned to see Luffy jumping on the figurehead of the Thousand Sunny as Franky steered it into the harbor. Lin stared at the ship; it was much more impressive in person.
"That… is a sweet ride." From the steering wheel Franky seemed to hear her, and he posed his SUPER pose. Luffy jumped onto the harbor as soon as the ship docked. He waved to Lin.
"Hey Lin! Hey mystery mouse! Ready to go?" Pika's eyes narrowed and began to lunge until Lin grabbed her by her bandanna. Pika glared from her dangling position as Lin raised an eyebrow.
"Handy." Luffy laughed.
"Hey, cool bandanna!" Asuka beamed with pride as Chopper got off the ship. Asuka smiled widely as he came to them, running forward and hugging him tightly.
"Doctor Chopper!" Chopper gave a start then hugged her back, despite his bluish tint. Asuka released him after a bit then looked at him sadly. "Will I ever see you guys again…?" Chopper nodded eagerly.
"Of course! We'll come back to visit someday, I promise! Right, Luffy?" Luffy grinned.
"Of course! But for now, we have some more places to visit; more adventures to have!" Asuka wiped her face on her sleeve, nodding. Chopper gave her another hug.
"You're going to be a great doctor, Asuka! I know it!" Asuka beamed. Lin smiled at the scene as Sanji practically danced off the ship.
"Nami-swan~! Robin-chwan~! Lin-chwan~!" Lin stared as he began his love routine. She turned to Nami.
"Does he do that often?" Nami nodded, sighing at the thought.
"Always." Lin watched Sanji nearly crash into Zoro in his love-struck state and cause another fight as Shanks walked up from his ship. He smiled at Luffy.
"So, you leaving Anchor?" Luffy nodded. Shanks turned and looked at the ship docked next to his own. "Amazing ship. I haven't seen a ship like that since my trainee days on the Oro Jackson!" Yamada seemed to have a start as he stared at Shanks, who turned back to Luffy.
"The World Government's gone in a state of panic over your success, Luffy. I want you to remember what happens to even the 'best' of people when desperate. They've been all hush-hush on some project lately…" Luffy grinned.
"We'll be fine! We'll definitely be strong enough to take on whatever they throw at us!" Shanks laughed whole-heartedly.
"I'm glad you have that confidence, boy! Makes me proud as hell!" He turned to walk back to his ship, then paused. "Still… Be careful. There hasn't been a time like this since Roger's time. We'll be making a few stops around East Blue before heading back to the Grand Line; maybe we'll see you before then. But first we'll hang around Fuchsia for a spell." He waved as he walked back to his ship, Luffy watching silently. Yamada and Lin exchanged a glance as Nami watched him walk away worriedly.
"Secret project, huh…?" Luffy grinned at Nami.
"We'll be fine! We always are!" Nami only sighed at his groundless confidence.
"Well, shall we leave?" Lin turned to look back at Yamada and Asuka. Asuka hugged her one last time before releasing her.
"Bye, Sky-nee-san. I'll be a great doctor someday, so you can fall on anyone whenever you want!" Lin sweat dropped.
"Thank you…?" Yamada awkwardly coughed.
"… Don't forget what I said." Lin hugged him, smiling.
"I won't. Thank you again."
Luffy waved from his seat on the figurehead at Makino and Shanks. Lin and Pika waved at Yamada and Asuka as Zoro raised the anchor. Nami shouted out orders to Sanji, Brooke, and Franky as they scrambled around the deck. The small group stood on the edge of the harbor, the ship sailing into the horizon, and Asuka tightly clutched the calculator in her hands with a promise to herself.
... Yeah, I don't like this chapter very much. I don't know about you guys, but this was definitely rushed. Oh well.
So, I'm finally done with this arc! Does it seem like I was eager to move on? Yes? Well, just in case: I WAS SUPER EAGER TO MOVE ON. WOOT! xDDD There's likely going to be a bit of a break between now and the next town as I establish the whole Lin's position and fighting style and such. I already have that all planned out, thanks to SilverStar94. DID I MENTION THANK YOU?
Kung Fu isn't exactly a proper fighting style for Lin in this world, as it mainly involves (at least the way I was taught, this may not apply to other versions) grotesquely ripping your opponents apart using arm bars and jabbing central nerves then running away while they collapse(but that's just my favorite part). :| Plus it's more one on one fighting, so she needs something else. There's a reason that she has Kung Fu in the first place, but I'll expose it in the next chapter. Until then… You can guess if you want.
Oh lordy, this story has plot? And Lin wasn't chosen by some sort of prophecy? IT WAS RANDOM? Have you ever heard anything so preposterous? No? Oh... you have? Hmph, jerks. :DDD What is this plot? Who was that man? What plans does Sengoku have in the name of justice? The suspense is killing you! … It isn't? Oh. Well, meanies.
*Yes, Pika has her official perch. On Lin's head. Or, to be more specific, her hat. How? If the Pokémon show can fit a male pikachu on a ten-year-old's shoulder then I can fit a female pikachu (Pika is actually a bit smaller than a regular male pikachu) on Lin's head. Why? According to Oda, not even he knows why Luffy loves sitting on the heads of ships. And I don't know why Pika likes sitting on the heads of people. But as Oda said, 'as long as (s)he's happy, I guess it's okay.' … Or something like that. :D
** This… is my failed attempt at crack, sort of. It works as crack. BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THERE IS NO ROMANCE IN THIS STORY. Subtle undertones? Maybe. Awkward moments? I can't do those without feeling embarassed, so most likely no.
*** I would like to thank each and every one of those who contributed a bit of information about Zoro's hometown. I don't have the time to name you all, but there were no bad answers (thank goodness)! There, apparently, isn't a set island for where Shimotsuki Village is, though. So, I set it a few days inland of Shell Town. Because you know you all wanted Zoro to meet up with Rika again and have his little 'weakness' exposed to the entire crew. :D I happen to think that having a soft spot for small children and animals isn't a weakness and is the most luffable thing ever, but Zoro may not think so. Go figure. Plus, I wanted to fit Coby's visit to Rika in there (she was so upset when he left that he has to visit her, silly!), and I couldn't think of any other logical reason for the crew to head to Shell Town. It works, yo. It works.
**** Is this true? I haven't seen the anime in years, but apparently there's some sort of thing going on between Ash's pikachu and a bottle of ketchup. :P In a way, it makes sense. If pikachus love fruit, then a tomato (which is a fruit) mixed with vinegar and god-knows-what-else would make like some sort of alcohol to them. The thought amuses me, so I think I'll incorporate that into this story; canon or not. And it most likely isn't, but I still love the idea of Pika getting drunk on a bottle of ketchup. x333
Now you know the crew's plans… But even the best-laid plans come with unexpected surprises. And this wouldn't be too exciting of a story if all that it involved was the crew's reunions. Rest assured, the other towns will most definitely have their own adventures with some bad guys, old and new. Plus a couple of surprising adventures in between. They're going to be big surprises~! xDDD Except of course to SilverStar94, who helped me iron out the details in them and fixed any and all plot holes in my original planning. Thank you again! ...But I'm only using two of the ideas.
Review and make me happy! Or just tell me off. :D
