Me: *Pops out of no where* Hey, everybody! Look, I made a miraculous recovery! Whoo Hoo!* Happy dances.*
Lucy: * Pops out of no where as well* Yay! Glad you're back! Lets celebrate!
Me: OK. Get the crew here. Lets start a toast!
Lucy: * Runs out and comes back with the current Straw Hat crew with six cups of Sake and soda.*
Me: * Raises cup of soda.* A toast! To my recovery and the tenth chapter of this story.
Everyone: Here, here!* Everyone drinks up their drinks.*
Me; OK. Enough of stuff like this. Lets get started. Thanks to all of your kind reviews. Forty-five in total, wow! Thanks everyone! You've all been so kind and good. I'm sorry for the spacing of this story but personally, I don't see a problem with it. It looks like nearly everyone else on this site is typing like this. Well, at least a few, I think. Oh yeah, I do not own One Piece. All of that brilliance belongs to a man who had a dream of pirates with extraordinary powers that came from fruit. Anyway, let the Arlong battle begin and lets get this chapter rolling!
Chapter ten: Nami, You Are Free. Let the Adventure Really Begin!
Intro:
Destiny...
Fate...
Dreams...
These unstoppable ideals are held deep in the heart of man.
As long as there are people who seek freedom in this life,
These things shall not vanish from the earth...
( Funimation's " Believe" song plays)
The sudden clouds that surrounded Arlong Park grew thicker and dense. The winds of the clouds blew slightly, ruffling Lucy's hatless black hair. The soon-to-be-Pirate-Queen had a look of determination and focus sketched on her face and her eyes showed nothing but readiness. Her crew stood behind her, ready to jump to the aid of their captain. The villagers stood near as well, wondering what would be the next move of the four pirates. The Arlong Pirates raised their eyebrows at the sudden intrusion and Arlong gave a sideways glance.
" Arlong? Well, that just happens to be me." he said. Lucy walked forward.
" Good. Then you can call me Lucy." she said. Along gave a bored look.
" Lucy? What the hell does a pew-man like you want?" he asked. Lucy kept walking and she cracked her knuckles.
" I'm a pirate. I'm also the girl who's gonna kick you're ass to the Grand Line and back." she said seriously.
Two Fish-Men stood in her way." You want to talk to the boss, you're gonna have to get past us, kid." said one of them. The other grabbed her by her shoulders.
" Yeah. Say, you're pretty cute. How 'bout a quick-"
" Move it or lose it!" snapped Lucy as she grabbed both of the men's head and slammed them together, knocking them out. Arlong's eyes widen slightly and Arlong's men gasped. Lucy ran forward with her fist behind her head. With a swing, Lucy yelled," Gum-Gum Pistol!" and her punch nailed Arlong right in the jaw, sending him flying to the wall. Everyone around the area gasped and Lucy brushed her knuckles on her chest. Arlong looked up from his crumpled heap with dazed eyes.
" Who the hell are you?" he muttered. Lucy exhaled like a bull, remembering Nami's tears and plea of help.
" I'm a friend of friends. And I want you to tell me this one thing before we fight. I know that you did something to Nami in the past. Something that scared her for life. Tell me." said Lucy in a slight, demanding voice. Arlong gave a satisfied smirk.
" I killed her precious step-mother and I made her member of my crew. I made her get me at least ten-million Berri in order to buy back this crappy town of hers." he said in a smug tone. He then snapped his fingers." Boys, finish this piece of crap." he commanded. The Fish-Men charged directly at Lucy, only to be beaten by Sanji's powerful kick.
" Back off, fish freaks! No one touches my captain 'cept me!" yelled the blue-eyed cook as he landed on his feet next to Lucy.
" Thanks, Sanji." said Lucy. Sanji gave a smile and nodded.
" Anytime, Lucy. Just don't get yourself into that kind of trouble or else I won't be able to save you." he said. Lucy waved her hand.
" I don't need saving. I can take care of myself." she said confidently. Zoro rolled his eyes and he walked next his captain.
" Try saying that when you start drowning in the ocean." he said. Lucy playfully stuck her tounge at him.
" N-no way! Th-that's the Pirate Hunter! Roronoa Zoro!" yelled the octopus hybrid, known as Hachi.
" And it looks like that long-nose Nami " killed" is still alive." said one of the Fish-Man.
The villagers stood in their places, their eyes transfixed on the four foreigners." Why… Why are they helping us? It makes no sense." said Nojiko, who was still alive from her injury. Jonny gave a serious look.
" They saw Nami cry…" he muttered.
" Do they need another explanation?" finished Yosaku with the same expression on his face. Everyone remained silent.
Meanwhile, Along gave a devious smirk." Pirates huh? Well, the pieces are finally coming together. You folks just want Nami on your crew! Sheheheh! Well too bad! She's mine now and I ain't gonna give her up!" laughed the leader of the Fish-Man. Hachi laughed with his boss.
" He's right! You can't win against us! You'll have to go through our little friend first!" yelled the octo-man as he blew his nose like a trumpet fanfare. The ground suddenly began to shake like a earthquake and the water formed a giant sport. Out of one of the large pools came the Sea Cow that Lucy and Sanji captured awhile back. The Sea Cow looked at Lucy and Sanji and it began to whimper. As it turned to retreat, Hachi sudden blew a whistle and the Sea King froze. It's eyes rolled to the back of it's head and it suddenly went animalistic. It turned around and it charged at the pirates, along with many of Arlong's men.
With a glare, Lucy stomped her feet hard into the ground, keeping her feet in place beneath the cement. Lucy then turned her hips and her torso wounded up all the way to her chest. Her arms stretched over to the Sea Cow and she got it by the horns." Guys, I think we should get out of here. It looks like Lucy's got something." said Usopp. The other men agreed and they got out of the area as fast as they could.
With a glare, Lucy released her body and she yelled," GUM-GUM PINWHEEL!" her body span around like a pinwheel with the Sea Cow in her hands. The monster's spinning body hit the Fish-Men that got to close to the attack and Lucy threw the sea monster into the sky, sending it flying to another part of the sea. Lucy panted and she spun around to Arlong." OK, Arlong! I had enough of beating the shit out of your men. So come on! Buck up and lets get the real fight started!" she yelled.
Arlong smirked and he stood up. He gave a smartass look." Really? Well how can you fight me when your feet are wedged into the ground like that?" he asked smugly. Lucy looked at her feet and she tried moving them. He was right. It looked like Lucy's feet were going no where. Hachi smirked as well and he lifted one of the fish statues near by.
" Let me handle her, boss!" he yelled as he threw the piece and it landed directly on Lucy. The stone suddenly broke and Sanji stood by Lucy, his foot raised in the air. He had somehow gotten to her right before the rock landed on her.
" Wow! Thanks a bunch, Sanji!" cheered Lucy. Sanji blew cigarette smoke.
" No problem. Listen, you fish shit. If you ever try to kill my captain again, lets just say you'll be in my next fish kabobs. The same goes for Nami." he said. The Fish-Man, who looked like a ray, rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
" You're willing to fight for a lousy girl? How pathetic." he said. Sanji glared at him.
"Don't you dare call a beauty like Nami lousy! I'll turn you into fish sticks!" yelled Sanji angrily.
Usopp quickly tried to get Lucy out of the ground. He grabbed her by her arms and he pulled with all his might. But it seemed that his pulls were fruitless. Lucy's feet stayed firm to the ground. Hachi grabbed another statue to throw at them when Zoro stepped in front of him with his Kantana." Are you sure you want to throw that? 'Cause believe me. You throw, you die." said the swordsman. Hachi glared at him.
" Why is a Pirate Hunter like you fighting for a pirate captain? What are you, her boyfriend?" he asked. Zoro snarled and his face flushed red.
" To hell if I am!" he yelled angrily. Hachi gave a smug look.
" I see. It makes sense. A cute girl like her that would never get with a son of a bitch like you." he said. Zoro felt a fire erupt in his heart and he slashed his sword with a angry growl.
" What the hell is that suppose to mean!" he yelled as he breathed heavily. The sudden anger that had taken over him grew as hot and ballistic as an inferno.
The man with the anteater-like lips glared at Usopp, who was still trying to free Lucy. Usopp gulped before running away, the Fish-Man hot on his tail. Everyone sweat dropped at that move and Arlong walked over to Lucy. The she-pirate glared and she threw a stretching fist. Arlong caught it and with great strength, he lifted the cement that Lucy was stuck in and he held her in the air easily." Whoa! No way! No way! No way!" yelled Lucy as she started struggling. Arlong grinned, baring his shark-like teeth.
" They say that those with the Devil Fruit powers lose their ability to swim. Lets test that theory, shall we?" asked the Fish-Man. Lucy shot her free fist and Arlong caught it with his sharp teeth.
" OUCH! THAT HURTS!" yelled Lucy as Arlong's jaws pierced her skin, beads of blood forming and running down her wrist. With a menacing grin, Arlong threw the she-captain into the large pool.
" LUCY!" both Zoro and Sanji yelled as their captain sank into the water. The two made mad dashes for the teen when Hachi and the ray man blocked their way.
" Damn them. So this was their plan. If we jump after Lucy, then they can easily get us in the water with their aquatic abilities. We couldn't stand in a chance." muttered Sanji. Zoro growled at the back of his throat and he pulled out his Kantana.
" Hang tight, Lucy. We'll save you soon enough." he muttered under his breath. Deep inside him, he worried about the black-haired girl. Even though she had the powers of the Gum-Gum Fruit, she couldn't hold her breath for long. Zoro and Sanji had to beat these guys soon, or else it would be so long to the Queen of the Pirates.
' Sh… Shit!…' That was the only thought that passed through Zoro's mind as Arlong's sharp claws closed around his neck. After his fierce fight with Hachi, Zoro and Sanji had decided to divided the plan. Sanji went after Lucy while Zoro tried to weaken Arlong. His attempts were proven not to help since Arlong had shown his great strength and he had Zoro in a vice grip. Zoro's wounds from his fight with Hachi were nearly fatal and Zoro did not move a muscle, the swords he had barrowed from his fellow bounty hunters in his hands and his Wado Ichimonji held between his teeth. Nami and Usopp had also shown up and they was among the crowd of villagers, wondering what would be the swordsman's next move. The ground suddenly began to rumble and Zoro smirked, knowing what was going to happen next. There was a sudden water sprout and Lucy appeared, freed from the cement, thanks to Sanji. The villagers let out cheers and Lucy gave a whooping cry.
" Get your hands off Zoro, Fish breath!" yelled Lucy as her arms stretched and she grabbed Zoro by his back, lifting him in the air with her." Say, Zoro! You wanna finish this guy together?" asked the pirate. Zoro smirked and he ready his Kantanas.
" Ready when you are, captain." he said. When they slowly returned to earth, Lucy shot her fist in a hot frenzy, yelling," GUM-GUM GATLING!" while Zoro called," ONI-GIRI!" and the two attacks hit Arlong dead on. Everyone gasped as the attack sent Arlong straight into the dirt, knocking him out into a long coma. Lucy and Zoro landed on their feet and they breathed heavily. Zoro tripped on his feet and Lucy quickly helped him steady, her arm around his torso and her the other putting Zoro's arm on her shoulder.
" Th-Thanks, Zoro. I- I can always count on you, huh?" panted Lucy, looking at Zoro with her happy, onyx eyes. Zoro smirked and he ruffled Lucy's messy hair.
" Yeah, kid. I will." he said. Lucy smiled and she then turned her gaze to Nami, her eyebrows frowning and a confident smile in her face.
" Nami… No matter what happens… You'll be more than a crewmate or friend to me…."
"… You'll be like the big sister I never had."
Nami sniffled before her lips formed a teary smile, tears of happiness gathering around the corners of her eyes." Y-yeah…" she whispered. Everyone broke into cheers as they ran over to the pirates, lifting them into the air and cheering for them. A news reporter happened to be around and he had written down every note of the battle. With the camera he had, he snapped a picture at Lucy, who hardly seemed to noticed the sudden flash.
" Bye, Nojiko! Genzo, Jonny, Yosaku! I'm gonna miss you guys!" cheered Lucy as she gave each said person a hug.
" My, you're leaving already. Thank you for everything." said Genzo with a bow of his head. The pirates and the villagers of the village were all gathered around the docks and they were there to see the pirates set off.
" It was great seeing ya, Big Bro Zo!" yelled both Jonny and Yosaku in unison. Zoro, who was on the Going Merry with Sanji and Usopp, nodded.
" Yeah. I hope we see each other again." he said. As Lucy got on the boat, Sanji noticed something.
" Say guys, where's Nami?" he asked. Lucy played with her hat a little.
" I don't thinks she's coming. She's free of Arlong now so, she won't need to come with us if she doesn't want to." she said. Sanji went into what we can call for now,' Spazzing-Mode.'
" WHAT! MY NAMI ISN'T COMING WITH US! OH HOW CRULE IS FATE!"
" Relax, Curly Brow. Quit acting like a perv. Oh wait, too late for that."
" SHUT IT, MOSS-BALL HEAD! I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT NAMI! SHE IS THE LIGHT OF MY LIFE! THE ANGEL OF MY DREAMS! THE SONG BIRD OF MY-"
" Look! It's Nami!" yelled Lucy as suddenly pointed to a red-head, who was running to the ship.
" Start the boat! Set sail, NOW!" yelled the thief as she dodged the groups of villagers around her. Fallowing orders, the pirate gang started the Going Merry and it soon started sailing. At the last second, Nami made a giant leap and she landed perfectly on the bow of the ship. Without turning around, she lifted her shirt slightly, which gave Sanji a major nosebleed, and all the villagers' wallets fell to the floor. Everyone gasped and shouted while Lucy nearly laughed her head off. As the boat sailed farther and farther away from the village, Lucy noticed Nami's arm. Instead of her Arlong tattoo was now a different tattoo. It was in the shape of a X, a pinwheel rudder going one way while the branch of a tangerine tree going in the other way. Lucy smiled and she gave Nami a hug.
" It's great to have ya back, Nami." she said. Nami smiled and she hugged her back.
" It's good to be back, Lucy."
…
…
…
Lucy: Ha! You thought this chapter was over? Think again! That would make this chapter way to short! There are still more paragraphs! Don't you dare touch that exit button!
In Fuusha Village, Makino was cleaning up the tables of the Party Bar when the mayor suddenly came bursting in. He was panting wildly and his eyes were bugging out of his head." What's wrong? Did something happen?" asked Makino as she helped the old man to a chair. The Mayor wheezed and he slapped a sheet of paper on a table. It was a wanted poster. Makino took one look at the poster and gasped." Oh my!" she said, not believing her eyes. Makino ran to the outside of the bar." Hey everyone! Come look who's on the wanted list!" she called. The villagers piled into the bar and they erupted in applause for the person on the poster.
Meanwhile, in Syrup Village, Kaya and Merry were walking around town for shopping when they noticed a group of people where gathered around the Town Bulletin Board. With curiously set in their minds, the two walked over. Carrot, Pepper and Onion were there and they were cheering. " Yay! Captain's a real pirate now!" The two adults looked and they gasped at the wanted poster posted up. Kaya then let out a grin.
" Wow! They're really living up to the life of piracy." she said happily, her eyes sparkling with joy.
On the Baratie, the whole crew looked in awe at the wanted poster that was delivered to them. Zeff gave a firm nod." They made it. They truly did." he said, feeling a proud smile on his face as he pinned up the poster. The customers of the restaurant raised their glasses in a toast.
" YYYYAAAAA-HOOOOO!"
Everyone on the Going Merry nearly jumped a mile when they heard the captain's sudden outburst of joy. They all moved to the upper deck of the ship and they saw Lucy laughing like a maniac, holding out a wanted poster. It showed a picture of the young girl, covered in a few smudges and grinning to a camera, her straw hat on her head and giving a small wave. Everyone's eyes widen when they spotted the font above the picture.
WANTED
They also nearly turned as pale as sheets when they spotted the font below.
DEAD OR ALIVE
MONKEY D. LUCY
$B. 30,000,000
" YAY! I have a bounty poster! I have a bounty poster!" cheered Lucy as she gave a happy dance. Usopp took the poster and let out a whistle.
" Wow! 30,000,000 Berri. That's SO cool. And look! I'm in it, too! Alright!" cheered Usopp as he happy danced with Lucy. Sanji took the poster and he spotted Usopp at the left side of the picture, his head turned away from the camera.
" Lucky bastard." muttered the cook. Lucy giggled and she took Sanji by the hand, making him happy dance with her and Usopp.
" Oh, cheer up, Sanji! You'll get your poster soon! HA-HA-HA! This is awesome!" cheered the pirate as the trio danced. Both Nami and Zoro gave knowing looks. They knew that bad stuff was gonna come out of this.
But before the bad stuff comes along, we need to check up on an unknown island. The two look outs of the island noticed at boat with candles glowing green flames appeared from a mysterious fog. The two let out yells as the recognized the own of the boat; Dracula " Hawk-Eye" Mihawk. When the swordsman got onto the islands, he passed the gathering pirates around the beach and he walked into the jungle of the island, stopping when he reached a canopy with a few people sitting around it. In the center of the canopy was a all-to familiar man with crimson-red hair and a pair of midnight-black eyes. If one were close enough, they could see that three, long scars were across one of his eyes and his left arm was missing.
" Hawk-Eyes, it's been a while. Have you've come to fight me? I hate to disappoint you but, I've been feeling a little sick lately. So, I can't fight you right now." said Shanks as he held his head low, the shade of the canopy hiding his face. Mihawk pulled a sheet of paper out of his pocket.
" Now that you've lost your left arm, I have no reason to fight you. Besides, I came here to tell you something. I've recently found a pirate who has caught my eye. She reminded me of a child you told me about. You know, about that little girl you saved a few years back. Do you remember?" asked the swordsman as he unrolled the paper and he revealed it to be Lucy's wanted poster. Shanks and everyone else flinched.
After a moment, Shanks sudden grinned at the poster." Lucy… you made it…" he said. He felt a warmth fill his heart and he suddenly felt nostalgic. Shanks then stood up, swaying a bit as he did." OK, Hawk-Eyes, now that I know that showing me this was your intentions, I can't let you leave yet…"
"…Without having a drink first!" yelled the red-head as his men suddenly pulled out barrels of Sake and a party began. Shanks poured Mihawk a mug of Grade-A beer and he handed it to him, the man's face a light pink." Come on, Hawk-Eyes! Tilt 'er back! It's a party~!" slurred Shanks in a happy tone. Mihawk raised his eyebrow.
" Didn't you just say you were recovering from hangover?" asked the golden-eyed men. Shanks shook his head like a drunken idiot. Oh wait, he was a drunken idiot now.
" NO WAY~! This is party, Hawk-Eyes~! Now chug! Chug! Chug it down~!" cheered Shanks as Mihawk drank the whole cup. Shanks then laughed crazily.
" Have everyone! LETS GET DRUNK~!"
" But captain, I thought you said you felt like crap after the last drunk party we had."
" Don't be stupid~! I can't not be drunk at a time like this~!"
" But the sun is still out."
" Don't sweat it, Hawkey~! HA-HA-HA~! Time for a toast~! To our little anchor-of-a-friend, Monkey D. Lucy!"
Lucy let out a small sneeze. She rubbed her nose and she looked to the sky." Huh, someone must be thinking about me." she said to herself. Lucy noticed Zoro was sleeping by the figurehead and she gave a light smile. She walked over and she sat on the ram's head, hanging on it by her feet and her arms daggling by the sides of Zoro's head. Lucy lightly tapped on Zoro's forehead." Hey, Zoooorrrrooooo~." she said in a sing-song voice. Zoro grunted and he opened his eyes, staring at an upside-down Lucy. Zoro simply rolled his eyes.
" What's up, Lucy?" he asked as he rolled to his stomach to continue sleeping. Lucy got of the figurehead and she laid down on the floor next to Zoro, curling up next to him.
" I'm… glad we're all together again." she said. Zoro raised his eyebrow.
" What do you mean by that?" he asked. Lucy rolled onto her back and she stared at the setting sun, streaks of pink, gold, and orange dancing across the sky.
" We're all together… like a family." she said. Zoro blinked. That was the first, actual piece of logic he heard his captain say. He then remember something.
"Say, Lucy, I know this is random but, why were you singing when we went to fight Arlong?" he asked. Lucy was quiet for a minute.
" I was… really afraid. I could tell that Arlong was gonna be tough so, I sang that song to calm my nerves. It's called Hikari." said the she-captain. Zoro rested his chin on his propped hand.
" What's it mean?" he asked. Lucy looked up at him with her beautiful, black eyes.
" … Light… Just like my name… It means light, too" she whispered softly. Zoro lowered his head to Lucy's eyes level and they stared at each others eyes, their looks never leaving. Lucy's eyes suddenly went droopy and she tucked her head under Zoro's chin. Zoro turned red as Lucy's body fit so right next to his and Lucy gave a yawn.
"The adventure… is really staring now, huh?" asked the captain. Zoro looked at his captain for a second before nodding, allowing his hand to stroke the girl's hair.
" Yeah… Get some sleep. You had a few rough days." he said. Nodding and yawning, Lucy rested her head and she soon fell to sleep. Zoro gave a half-smile before going to sleep as well, his hand suddenly wrapped itself around Lucy's waist. As the two crew mates slept, the sun had set and the old adventures were about to become anew.
To Be Continued…
( End Credits roll in)
Now was that a good chapter, or was that a good chapter? I, for one, think it was good and I hope the whole lot of you think so, too. OK, that's all for now. I must take my leave. Make sure to review and the next chapter will come real soon.
This is me say, Peace!