A Different Journey

by OpenSeaFreedom

Lucy was brought to Fiore at the age of seven, and then left to become a pirate at the age of Eighteen. Disaster struck Fairy Tail, her home, and now she has to get One Piece for not just Fairy Tail, or Fiore, but the entire Magical Continent. Lucy has to save all of them, and to do that she will become The Pirate Queen. She will do it. Weird timeline. Summary inside.

10. A Fairy Flies, and a Bounty

A Different Journey

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or One Piece.

I hope you all enjoy this version of the Arlong Arc.

This story was edited and re-published (08/23/2015)

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Chapter 10: A Fairy Flew and a Bounty

Led by a giant Sea cow, the destined island was soon within view of their eyes. Even the others, though Lucy saw it long before them. It was a vison of green and fields, tall trees and forests. No matter where they looked, it all seemed okay and fine, a lush paradise that gave off a sweet smell. Something citrus like. And it remained like that, peaceful and beautiful, until they reached the Going Merry. Their ship stood out, docked in a small town. Not that the ship stood out for itself, but because of the destroyed town that laid in the background. So, as the Sea Cow pulled them into the dock, they jumped onto Merry.

Cautiously they moved around the deck, Zoro at the back due to his still present injury, and peeked over the other side. Lifting her head, Lucy smelt the salt water, the sea, as it covered the town. It slipped into the earth and flipped houses, which were completely upside down. A show of physical strength. The rubble that was pulled along the ground and thrown about in heaps that littered every inch.

Thought it came not from the physical landscape that the brutality showed from some unknown enemy. But from the dead bodies that littered the roads, hid the streets from view with bloodied and shredded bodies. A massacre of recent times, but not recent enough that any of hers stopped by during the attack.

Mainly because the scent of Usopp's panic, that spicy and florally perfumed scent, dotted objects. Lucy jumped from the ship, landed on the dock and walked slowly into the town. Around the bodies that bled out till nothing remained in their bodies. It filtered and diluted through the dirt. All of them, some piled and other strewn about, smelt of putrid ash and eggs. Rotted and gone cold. A shiver raced through Lucy's spine, closed her eyes and looked away.

Not prepared, perhaps never would be, Lucy closed her eyes. Shut them so tightly the lids creased and grew tired, but remained closed nonetheless. Images of a guild in tatters, bodies and blood strewn about, welled up from within her. All of her friends, gone and dead. Her hand shook violently, as did her legs that slowly buckled beneath her. Hit the dirt road, where small rocks dug into her knees and calves. Breathing increased, rapid and loud, wheezed and stuck around the back of her throat. Stuck, she barely breathed after a few more attempts. Gasped and opened her eyes. Saw not the town, but Fairy Tail.

Eyes closed once more, shut out the images that bombarded her psyche. Filled the space of darkness in her eyes with more, but of an even worse type. Feet, multiple, came over to her side. Hands reached out, instinctively Lucy found Zoro's and held onto it. His hand jolted within her grasp, but remained. And his body followed, came down to the ground, and entered the space which she sensed within. Wrapped both arms around her.

Even though he knew nothing of what she saw, from the way he reached up and pet her head, pulled her into his neck. He understood her pain, at least sensed it and worked to quell it. The smell of grass and booze, along with his swords, was what slowly calmed the tears that began and flowed past her shut lids. Blurred the image of Fairy Tail back into the regular blackness of her own lids. The tears stopped dripping onto his skin, and each breath calmed down. Slowly worked to a more even and controlled pace. Another hand landed on her back, warm and sensed with magic. And then one with the smell of spices on her shoulder.

"Lucy," Sanji whispered, just loud enough that it reached her. Unable to respond, throat too pained to speak, Zoro pulled her closer to him. Wormed the hand she held free, and used it to wrap around her completely. He had stopped her trembling body, eased the cracks and worn edges that formed from that time. Zoro pulled away, and her body followed. Instinctively tracked the warmth and comfort.

"Lucy, they're dead." Her body jolted, away from him. But his arms shot out, captured her upper arms. Slowly bent her towards him again, his breath flowed over her face. The scent of meat and food predominantly on his tongue. It had been the food they ate before they arrived. "But Usopp and Nami are here, along with Johnny and Yosaku. You heard Loke's rendition of Arlong, they aren't safe. You need to pull it together, or the same thing that happened here, could happen to them."

"I…know," she finally rasped out, stood on shaky legs. Tried to, and fell. But then stood back up again, caught Zoro's arm and pushed up with it. Stood at her full height, and looked over the bodies again. "It's just…too horrible. None of them could even fight back against this force. And that just makes it all the crueler. That even if they tried to fight, not even with a weapon besides their fist, they stood no chance."

Silence fell over them, and Lucy walked farther down the street. Paid attention to make sure she stepped around the bodies, muttered prayers for them as she passed. Stopped whenever she smelt something distinctly Usopp, investigated just a little more. Noticed his scent, spice and perfume, trailed away in one area. Concentrated, and then a slimmer trail at some points. It never helped that human scents never lasted in one area long, only on values of great importance, did scents last. Or with enough time. Similar to Zoro's swords or Usopp's pachinko.

"I smell him this way. Yosaku and Johnny's scents run rampant all over the place. Never stayed long enough in one location, or moved slow enough, to leave a trail that still survived when we got here. But, I can tell you this, they moved away from Usopp." Headed for the forest that surrounded the village, Lucy wove trough the foliage. It crinkled and brushed out of her way. Knew the proper way to walk, silently and with care, existed within her being. But it sat destroyed in a heap with those villagers.

"Maybe he can tell us where they are," Zoro said back, the clank of his single blade told that he used it to move things from his path. His voice rose at the last words, strained on worry for the two bounty hunters. His 'students', as they liked to call themselves. Not that Zoro cared for the title, but he did care for them. As told by the fact that he walked much faster than the others, right at her heels.

"Maybe they know where Nami-san is!" Sanji shouted, loud in general when it came to women. Pushed right through the foliage so it all shook and rattled, much like how Lucy walked at that moment. Behind him, Loke walked with the silence of the natural predator within him, even more so on guard than usual. And he also walked the furthest away from Lucy, kept a good ten paced behind Sanji, Lucy turned her head forward. Away from the lion that watched the ground.

"Lucy, what way are we going anyway?" Zoro asked, and then turned and headed away from the group. Quickly, Lucy shot her hand out and grabbed his wrist, pulled him down the right path once more.

"The right way, which is the opposite of wherever you wander off too. Usopp's scent is this way…though the ones it's mixed with is odd. It smells of tangerines, even stronger than Nami does," Lucy said, pushed under a branch that swung back, it made a loud crash and Zoro cried out. "Sorry."

"You don't mean that at all!" Zoro shouted back, annoyed with her disregard. But the small house that came into sight distracted her. It looked smaller than one room, with a swinging door and a small overhanging roof. Some windows, but not much else to it. Small and quaint, and well loved by the numerous patches in it. But more than that, the grove of tangerine trees took over Lucy. They sprouted up in organized rows, full of lush and fragrant fruits. The citrus scent from earlier.

The smell of a woman, booze and tangerines and flowers, came into the area from the house. A basket in her arms, the right one decorated in a blueish colored tattoo that wrapped upward. Turned at her shoulder and spread along the length of her collarbone. Both of them turned, took in Lucy and the group. The little boy hid behind the other woman. "Are you the comrades of that long-nosed boy?" One arm, which was wrapped around the basket, came down and onto her hip.

Most importantly she smelt of Nami, strongly. But also faint, like they spent a lot of time around one another, but not for a while.

"Yes, I assume you brought him here. Whatever your reason, thank you for looking after him," Lucy said, bowed and then straightened back up, slapped a hand around Sanji's shoulder when he twirled past her. Headed for Nojiko. Both of the others looked her up and down. "My name is Lucy, and you are?"

"Nojiko; you're friend went off and started looking around the island. But if you all know what's best for you, you'll leave quickly," Nojiko said and walked forward into her tangerine grove. Handled some of the fruit and looked them over, sniffed them. Whatever she found seemed wrong, as the process repeated on the next fruit. Pulled that one off. The little boy followed her around, unsure of what to do. Stared and held up a basket for Nojiko.

"Thank you for that," Lucy replied, held onto both Sanji and Zoro, and walked down the path that Nojiko showed them. Turned back when Loke's feet sounded in the other direction, of course he flirted with her. And turned out as the only woman never impressed by the lion, besides Edo-Lucy. Heck, it left an impression on Lucy when they first met. And then it quickly got shot down the drain. "Loke, c'mon. We need to find Usopp and the others!"

"Yes, Lucy," Loke said, and pranced over to them. Kept that distance of ten paces. Lucy frowned, blew the hair on her forehead around. Looked him up and down, slowly his head dropped.

"Loke, come closer. You're too far away," Lucy said, dropped Sanji's arm and held out her hand to Loke. Knew, from the haunted look in his eyes, and his inability to charm Nojiko, he felt just as haunted. Just as cold as her body did, barely felt it when she walked. But still offered her hand, and whatever warmth she mustered up. Slowly, he walked over and took the hand.

"Forgive me," Loke said, held on so tightly it crushed her fingers together. The tips of her fingers, the only part exposed, curled slightly around the edge of his palm. Gripped back as well as she could, and pulled them all forward. Though, on Loke's other side, Sanji raged at the lion for the stolen position.

"I never forgot that you lost, just the same as I did, that day," Lucy returned, tugged a little harder. The dirt knocked up around them in clouds of dust. Settled onto their shoes, while footprints tracked behind. His hand held just a bit tighter to hers. On the other side, Zoro's shoulder bumped into hers. Questioningly met her eyes, one eyebrow lifted and a quirk at the side of his mouth. Her mouth opened, and caught when the combined smell in her mouth and nose led her around. "I smell Johnny and Yosaku. They're panicked."

"When are they not?" Zoro asked, but pushed Lucy forward with his shoulder. In response she pulled both men with her and ran, Sanji at pace beside them.

---

It took little time to find the two bounty hunters. They swayed, dazed and dreamlike, down the middle of the dirt road they followed. Arms swished in the breeze and shoulders bent forward into terrible posture. They sniffled terribly, and shook with their sobs that wracked all over their bodies. Even as they approached, the two men remained in their own little world. Finally, Lucy called out to them both.

"Johnny! Yosaku." Dropped the hands she held, and waved them in the air above. The bounty hunters turned, tears fell down their faces, and they charged. Crashed into Lucy and blubbered drearily all over her. They clung around her middle, and she fought to remove them. Wiggled helplessly, and looked to Zoro. He sighed and took his two friends by the back of their necks. Threw them far from Lucy, where they cried and screamed on the ground. Kicked their legs about and pushed holes into the ground with every downward swing.

"Geez, you two, pull it together," Zoro said, crossed his arms over his chest. About the whole mess, Sanji and Loke looked completely disinterested. Turned their heads from the mess and looked over the area. The marsh fields to the right and forest to the left. And then the dirt road they all stood on. Finally the two bounty hunters stopped crying enough to say something.

"Usopp! Usopp is dead!" They cried out, clung to one another in pain and frights to sit upright in some manner. But the unmistakable honesty in them, and the beats of their hearts, frightened Lucy too. So much so, that her hands clenched and breathing increased. Sped up like a train from the tracks and took off. It sounded through her ears. Slowly, she pushed through the crowd of three men around her, and stood before the two men.

"What did you say?" Lucy asked, shuddered as blood stained her vision and the world. Behind her, Loke came up and held onto her shoulders.

"We saw Usopp get killed. Stabbed through the gut and pushed into the ocean. At Arlong Park, but…Nami did it! She stabbed Usopp!" Johnny cried out, slammed a fist against the ground. The hands on her shoulder grew tighter.

"Don't be ridiculous! Nami-san would never do something like that!" Sanji cried out, stormed forward towards the two men. Both backed away, kicked their legs out and propelled away from the chef. At the threat to his friends, Zoro stopped the chef. Pushed his body between them and crossed his arms. They stared each other down, slowly inched closer and violated the other's space. One hand went to Zoro's swords, and Sanji's foot lifted off the ground. But this seemed more personal, more violent than before.

"Stop it! Stop it!" Lucy yelled, wrenched herself from Loke's hands and pushed the two men away from one another. Parted the violent storm. Her hands remained on their chests, pushed them to wingspan. Every second between those words lasted an eternity, which she calmed her breath with. "This is not the time for fighting. Sanji, do not get violent over everything someone says against Nami or I. And Zoro, realize he is upset. Both of you calm down. And let's examine this…Johnny and Yosaku."

"Yes, ma'am." Spines straightened, she received their pointed and focused stairs. Hand pulled away from Sanji and Zoro's chest, swept away when she crouched down. Pulled the sunglasses from their faces for a better look at their eyes.

"Tell me exactly what you saw," Lucy spoke, sat on the road while the others did the same. Sanji on her left, Zoro on her right, with Loke next to Zoro. The lion sent her glances every few seconds, those slightly tinted shades did little to hide his worry. His creased brow and pulled lips, for him she smiled slightly. Just a little bit, the pressure of this news weighed too heavily on slumped shoulders to be really happy. Finally turned back for the explanation they all waited for.

"We all got separated on this island. We just thought, when were we're coming over here, that Nami wanted Arlong's head. But when we got here and saw the flipped village, we knew someone as level headed as her would never fight Arlong. Instead, we thought maybe her families here, or something. So we looked around, and then found Usopp in Arlong Park. In the den of the wolves. Or…sharks in this case. Anyway…they all surrounded him. And then, someone told them to leave him. It was Nami," Yosaku said, waved his hands around in remembrance of the event. Zoro's swords slid in and out of their sheaths, and Sanji fumbled with his lighter.

"Then what?" Lucy asked, bobbed her knee caps up and down, rolled her neck slightly and looked around.

"Nami…wore a sleeveless shirt. And on her arm, was the Arlong Crew mark. On her upper shoulder, everyone listened to her. Even Arlong paid attention to her. In a horde of human hating fishmen, they listened to her. Not as much as Arlong, but at least acknowledged her as one of them. Arlong spoke of how Nami tricked them, like she did every other crew she stole from. A 'cold blooded woman' and a 'cat amongst a race of mice'.

"Usopp pleaded with her to come back to sea with them. But she flaunted the mark she wore. Declared herself Arlong's, and then told him to leave. When he didn't, Arlong ordered Nami, to show her real colors to kill him. She accepted the order, and stabbed his through the gut. He fell into the ocean, never got out," Johnny explained, and then bowed before Lucy. Followed by Yosaku.

"We're so sorry we're such cowards, Lucy-san. We know we should have stepped in, but they scared us too much," Yosaku finished, pressed his forehead further into the ground. But Lucy pushed up onto her feet, headed for the water.

"Lucy?" Zoro called out, stood up along with the rest.

"I won't believe it unless I see a body. Unless I hold him and he truly is dead, then I will look for him. If the water is what he fell into, they I'll start there. And I'll start near Arlong Park." About to take another step, the sound of feet came through the foliage of the woods. And outstepped Nami, a glove on a single hand and her staff in the other hand. A smirk lined her face, meant to look dark and unfeeling. But she never thought of Lucy's nose, the blood on her hand under the glove. Her own blood. Nor the smell of pain and fear that permeated every pore on her body. "Nami."

"Hello, Lucy. So, you've heard about poor Usopp. Of course, stubborn and hardheaded as always, you think he's alive. But you saw Gosa, you think I can't do what they can. I can take a life with as little though as them," Nami said, snapped her fingers in reference to the speed of which she thought of the matter. On the other side of Lucy, Zoro pushed forward, snarled in a beast's manner and muscled forward. Always on her side, Loke held him down. "But I'll tell you this now, he's dead. So get off this island. I'm not your nakama, Lucy. You were all tools for my fortune."

"You're lying." Lucy responded, marched up to Nami and took hold of her gloved hand. Ripped it off and revealed the bloody bandage beneath. Dark spots of red marred the white, and at the grip, Nami's face contorted into pain. Her breath gasped and whimpered at the pain in her hand, most likely spread along every nerve along the length of her arm. "I can always tell when someone is being honest with me or lying. You know this Nami, just as I know you must have a reason for working with him. You are not an evil person. You are not bad. So either learn to lie to my face, or come clean to the fact that you really care about us."

"I don't! You're a delusional girl who thinks she can read everyone. Like you know the world! You know nothing, so just leave!" Nami shouted, shook and tugged at her arm. Lucy released her arm, and Nami was sent into a backwards wobble. Landed on her butt and then stood back up.

"I know at least this, Nami. You are my friend, you are our friend. Those time when you laughed with us. Celebrated with us, they were not lies," Lucy said, unable to say anything in return, Nami turned and walked away.

"Just leave!"

"I think I'll rest," Lucy said, turned away and sat against a tree. Slowly pulled her body down, leaned back against the rough and rigid bark of the tree. It dug uncomfortably into her head, but the smell of the water and the forest eased her enough to close her eyes. The others slowly joined her on the ground. Angry, Nami yelled in frustration and cursed under her breath. Stomped away from the area. Every once in a while a frustrated squeak came from farther down the road. Headed the way they just came.

"Are we really going to take a nap?" Sanji asked, looked over at Zoro who already slept. The moment he closed his eyes he fell into dream land. Head slightly fell over to the side. Body followed. With one arm, Lucy pushed him upright enough, and then wormed her body next to his. So when he fell the next time, instead of the ground, his head hit her shoulder. Stayed asleep, besides for a small snore that loosened from his throat.

"This one's already gone ahead and slept, and like I said, Nami never stabbed him. She stabbed herself, so thing is he's most likely alive. Let's see," Lucy looked around her filled belt, ignored Loke and Sanji who glared at the green haired-man on her shoulder. Picked up a key, Canes Venatici, and then stopped. Smelt spices and perfume, headed towards them. "Never mind, here he comes."

Farther down the road, as Lucy turned her head, a figure in a brown hood hobbled down the road. Saw Lucy and her raised hand, and tore off their cloak and hat. Ran and crashed into Lucy, still wet from his time in the ocean. Also knocked into Zoro, who woke up, with Usopp sprawled on top of him. Across from them, Sanji, Loke, and the other two laughed when the sniper held onto Zoro. Mistook him for Lucy, when the blonde pushed him onto Zoro at first touch.

Lucy allowed them to wrestle slightly against the ground. Watched on happily, and allowed the burning in her eyes to turn into tears that fell. Wiped them away quickly, and wrung out the part of her clothes that got wet. Or, in the case of her pants, patted them dry. As they clung too much to her skin to wring out. "It's good to see you're all right, Usopp," Loke said, laughed lightly and stood up. Offered the wet boy a hand, which he took. The others stood as well, looked at the sniper in the middle.

"What?"

"Sorry, some of us had a fright. These two thought you died," Lucy said, nodded her head over to the other two males. Allowed her laugh to fill the air when they battled off her words. Tried to disputed them, but they failed and fell against the ground. Everyone stared at them as they flailed like idiots, allowed for the commotion to quiet down. Yosaku and Johnny stood back up, awkwardly shuffled around.

"It's just that, we thought Nami stabbed you," Johnny said, shuffled around on his feet and Yosaku refused to meet anyone's eyes. Not that anyone could see his with those sunglasses on.

"Don't kill me off so easily! Nami? No! She saved me, made them think I died," Usopp continued, waved his arms around and spun around in a circle. Enunciated each word so the message came across. Never knew it already did.

"Usopp, we know she stabbed herself. I smelt it on her when she was here just a few seconds ago," Lucy responded, placed a hand on his shoulder and the other on his mouth. It fluttered around so easily, Lucy feared he would speak forever if possible. And since his volume only increased with each word, almost shrieked, she brought it to an end.

"Yeah, but, if that's true, then why is she working with them? You saw the mark, yet she always claimed to hate pirates when we first met. Has a really bad image of them, and besides us, she never seemed to think well of any pirate," Loke said, crossed his arms over his chest. Chin brought slightly into his chest. The owner of the mouth she covered finally wrenched away from her.

"What if we asked Nami's older sister, Nojiko?" Usopp offered, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Both Yosaku and Johnny jumped for the sniper and clung to him, and then apologized for killing him off.

"That's why they smelt so similar," Lucy thought to herself, though said it out loud. The others, used to her nose, barely thought anything of it and returned to their own conversations. If Nami felt as unhappy as she smelt, then something big must have kept her on the island. Kept her a member of that crew, instead of joining Lucy and them. If that rang true, Lucy thought and looked down the road where Nami went and found Nojiko walking towards them, then her sister held answers. Probably. "Guys, Nojiko is here."

Both Loke and Sanji took off towards the woman, both with roses in their hands, but ended up tripped by Zoro and Usopp. The woman walked down the rest of the dirt walked and smiled at them. "It seems you found Nami," Nojiko said, looked at Usopp and smiled. Both fallen men, at the feet of the woman, sprung up and spoke her praises. Knew, that as the woman stepped in front of them, that the woman truly felt nothing. The flowers wilted in their hands.

"We did, so, you're Nami's sister?" Lucy asked, pulled off one of her gauntlets and held out the hand in greeting. Nojiko took the hand and shook it firmly, once, and then retracted it.

"I am, and you want to know all about this island and my little sister, don't you?" Nojiko asked, crossed her arms under her chest. Knew exactly what they wanted, but from the tone she used, protective and sharp, she held no intention of giving it to them. Not without something in return. Bowing her head, Lucy folded her hand behind her. The others bowed as well.

"Please tell us," Lucy asked, and then rose up.

"Well aren't you a well-mannered one," Nojiko said, and then shook her head. "I'll tell you the story. But when you find out everything, you must leave this island. Leave Nami behind. You must swear that to me." In response to that, Lucy moved away and walked farther down the road. The other called out to her, but Lucy walked on. Nami cried recently, smelt it on her earlier. And whatever the reason, it mattered not. Her friend cried.

"If that is your price, then I will remain ignorant. I will remain on this island, and return Nami's happiness to her," Lucy called over her shoulder, heard no one else follow her. They remained to hear the story, so Lucy quickened her pace. Knew, that if she stayed any closer, that she'd hear it. As she walked away, a bell rang around her, and Draco appeared, curled around her shoulder. "You finally decided to show up?"

"I felt the need to waste some energy in the Spirit World. Where are we? It smells terrible, and not just from humans," Draco muttered, mused at his nose with his claws. His greatest sense his nose, and his sight the least. But being a full dragon allowed him better senses than her own ever reached.

"This is Nami's home island, it is held captive by fishmen. The Arlong Crew, Nami wears their mark," Lucy said, reached up and scratched at his nose. A little rougher than usual, thought of the twisted mark on Nami's shoulder. The dragon's small head pulled away from her, and then snorted. Hissed into the air while the coils on his back stood on end.

"A traitor? Filthy human, what will you do to her?" Draco asked, tail swayed quickly, in an annoyed manner, back and forth. Swatted the back of her head, and then snapped into the air. Her hand reached back up, pet down the spikes that ran along his spine.

"We'll set her free, remove the mark, and return her to where she is most happy." Lucy responded, kept walking down the path while Draco took off into the sky above her. Soared in a lazy manner around her.

---

After walking for some time, over small hills and bridges, Lucy came across another coastal town. This one, unlike the other, sat filled with people. They bustled around and lived their lives, but the constant flicker of their eyes, from her to all around, told of a harder life. More so than the one they were given already. Deep wrinkles sat on everyone's faces, scrunched and worried, always looked for something that might come on the horizon. Not sure, Lucy wondered if they waited for their village to be attacked like the other, or if they thought Marines would soon come and save them.

But, still they smiled and greeted Lucy. Offered her great deals for food and goods, which Lucy paid full price on. Heck, even way past full price. But from the poverty and tyranny, Lucy let it slide and let the money flow from her wallets. At that time she already bought a number of books from a shop in town, and then some food. The food she handed out to the children on the street, those that hid in the alleyways, as their bellies rumbled with deep set hunger.

And still, despite all of that, it seemed quiet and yet people waited. Sitting under an umbrella, Lucy looked up at the sky. White clouds and a sun that blazed through the sky, and caught sight of Draco. The dragon flew around in circles, dipped and dove at birds that he snatched up. Swallowed whole. Lucy looked away, covered her mouth and gagged a bit. Covered it up as a cough when people stared at her. Closed her eyes, and leaned back into the central pole of the umbrella.

"Who is that woman? Is she from one of the other villages?" Someone, an older woman around some screaming children asked.

"If she is then she either wants to die, or has enough money to spend it liberally."

"Or she's from off the island."

"You think she's a marine?" Lucy snorted at that one, faked a sneeze so no one really noticed.

"Kind of reminds me of Belemere, if she is one. But then again, Gen already went to retrieve them, didn't he?" Ears perked at the words of marines, Lucy focused in on that single conversation, instead of all the others that buzzed on about her.

"Shh! Then if's she not a marine, then she must want to die."

"What if she found out about Gen's plan?"

"He kept that quiet though, no one said anything to any children just to make sure they didn't say anything either. No one out of this town should know, just to make sure Arlong never found out about them. The Marines are already here to help. In fact, Gen should be bringing them back soon. It's too late now to turn back."

"Finally, Nami can be free." That caught her attention, and Lucy focused her hearing elsewhere. Obviously the people expected that marines would defeat Arlong and his crew. From farther in the distance, Lucy heard their mechanical steps. The marines walked in perfect unison with each other, marched down their path towards the town. One out of place step led them, most likely this 'Gen'.

Whistling, Lucy called attention to Draco, who stopped his loops in the sky and watched her. A bob of her head, towards the road, directed his gaze too. Soon his form dropped behind a building, and when no one watched, Lucy ran behind and disappeared from their gaze. Met up with the small dragon, and watched as the Marines marched through the town. Noticed the man with the pinwheel in his hat, and then the marines.

Sharply dressed in their white uniforms, their leader in a coat with a hood. The people turned and watched, some cried tears of joy and relief. None of them smelled him.

"Poor people, don't know he's nothing but a rat. He and his marines," Lucy muttered and shook her head. Draco crawled up her back and onto her shoulder, previously sat on the barrel that covered them.

"They're foolish enough to accept help without thinking of who might come." The man turned and led the marines down a path, the one that led to Nojiko's house. And therefore, Nami's old one.

"Or what their real motives are. They smell like the fishmen…they've seen them recently and are still intact. Business partners most likely."

"Then why did they come?" Draco asked, they both jumped to the next building and followed from a distance.

"I think…we should follow them. They're heading to Nojiko's," Lucy said, ran into the forest after the marines. They still walked in that toy solider like manner, the one all military units taught their soldiers to do so. And they made their way to the tangerine field, it smelt of both Nami and Nojiko then. Both women exited the small house and met the marines as they entered the area. Behind one of the trees, Lucy and Draco watched on.

"Hello, officer. Is there something you need here?" Nojiko stepped forward, in front of Nami and shielded her from the marines. As if they never heard or saw either woman, the rat faced marine raised his arm into the sky and ordered his men.

"Men! Tear the field apart and find the gold. Stolen property that belongs to us is here. Therefore, find it no matter the cost," he yelled, his voice a high pitched mess of squeaks and jitters. Immediately the marines went into action, barged into the house behind the women and tore things around. Things shattered and broke from inside, and even floorboards tore up under the barrage of the marines.

"Wait, what are you doing? This is not why I called you!" Gen yelled, only for the rat marine to throw a punch at him. Landed the blow right at the point where the ribcage seperates. The old man went down, crashed into the ground and hacked. Violently coughed and breathed so that some of the air returned to him. At the sight, Nojiko raced forward and fell to the man's side. Rose him up slowly and helped him breathe once more.

"Captain Nezumi, we can't fine the gold anywhere."

"It can't be that hard to find it, it's one hundred million belli," Nezumi cried back, the marines piled back out in the field and awaited orders. Some direction they lost. "Try the field, maybe they buried it!" The marines dug. Uprooted trees and sent both women into an uproar. The first to move, Nojiko attacked the marines that tore up the field. And on the other hand, Nami attacked Nezumi.

"How did you know that amount?" Nami yelled, broke out her connected staff and swung at the man. But lacked proper power in the swing, so it ended up knocked away. Easily sent the red head to the ground, where upon Lucy smelt it. Salt water on Nami. Tears. "You work for Arlong!" She shouted, but unable to rise she laid prone against the ground. Cried and cursed.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Nezumi said, waved off his hand and then smiled. "Attacking an officer of justice is a high crime though. Hand over the gold, and I will spare you that though."

"Get away from my sister, you rat bastard," Nojiko yelled, took the man by surprise and landed a hit to his face. He tumbled and hit the ground, while Nojiko picked Nami up off the ground. Shushed her and took the other into her arms. Then stepped back, just in time as the marine pulled something from his jacket. The sound a hammer being locked, launched Lucy from her spot in hiding. Pulled the gun up from Nojiko's head, so it fired into the sky.

"Lucy," Nami whispered under her breath, while the others watched on. Ripping the gun from his hand, Lucy turned and used the butt of the gun. Whipped it across the side of his face so he passed out. Turned to the other marines, Draco crawled up her shoulder and roared. One she matched with her own. They all dropped their weapons and shovels.

"You made my friend cry, you shit marines. Don't think I'll let you off easy," Lucy told them, threw herself at them with blazing fists and legs. Worked her way through the horde, till none remained but herself. It made for easy clean up, and Lucy tied them all tighter, used sea knots to keep them bound properly. Then turned away and faced the three others that remained conscious. Kneeled before Nami.

"Are you okay?" She asked, gently pet the other head while she cried. The sobs grew louder, though Nami muffled them with her hands. "It's okay, I'm here." Pulled the other into a hug, and allowed the other to break. Softly held her, till Nami held on with a fierceness that pulled Lucy close.

"Arlong knows of the deal. That means that he will never let you go, Nami. Not any of us. The marines work for him as well. You've fought on your own long enough, and all for our sake," Gen said, and rose up onto his feet. Besides him, Nojiko took her place.

"You've done enough. Now we'll fight," Nojiko said, her words were enough that the tears stopped. And her body stilled. Slowly, Nami pulled away from Lucy, and stood on her own.

"You can't fight Arlong! He'll kill you all!" Nami shouted, threw her arms up and out so to block their path. But they both went around her, picked up the marines weapons and kept walking.

"And you'll die if you stay with him. And we'll all die when the money stops circulation. In the end, we must carve our own futures," Nojiko said, and then disappeared into the forest with Gen. Unable to do anything else, Nami stood and watched them disappear. Shoulders shaking, it broke something in Nami. Something that stayed complacent all those years. Ducking down, Nami picked her staff back up. Took off and never looked back. Concerned, Lucy looked back at the tied up marines, and then followed the other woman.

They weaved through the trees, jumped over bushed and rocks, and went at a break neck pace. Literally, Nami pulled back a branch, and when it flew around it nearly broke Lucy's neck. She narrowly avoided that. But even though they went at such a blistering pace, they never caught up to Nojiko and Gen. Not in time at least.

By the time they arrived back at the village, the people already held makeshift weapons. Readied themselves for the battle ahead of them, armed with some guns and other, feebler, weapons. They stood a good fifty strong, maybe a little more. But all untrained. And even though they fought to live, they waited for death. It marred their faces, their conviction. That at least if they died, Nami would live and be freed from the burden of protecting them.

As Lucy watched from the distance, unsure how to approach a family like this, she noticed the rest of her crew already congregated in the town. All sat or stood in different areas, and watched on as Nami threatened her family, attempted to stop them from fighting Arlong. Vaguely noticed that both Yosaku and Johnny disappeared somewhere. Then noticed the villagers as they ran past her, barreled down the street.

Turned and found Nami. The tears fell, while her arm raised with a knife. Flinchingly, Lucy watched, horrified, as Nami stabbed her left shoulder. Over and over and over. Cursed Arlong and cried, more blood was liberated from the arm. Fell down into small rivers and streams, which converged into a small lake at her hand. It clung between her fingers, those digits that twitched restlessly with each brutal stab.

Unable to bear the sight any longer, Lucy crossed the distance of their thoughts. Caught the knife when it pulled back again, stopped it before it slid into her pain again. The wrist she gripped quaked, and then dropped the knife. It clattered and rang against the dirt, soiled more of the land in blood. Matched the small lake that grew, and was most definitely keen to keep growing. Lucy picked up Draco, and placed him near the wound.

Stopped the blood, and let the warmth also eradicate the mark that hung off tattered flesh.

"Don't do this anymore, Nami. Let me help you," Lucy said, crouched down and took the other woman in to her arms. Drew her in, chin on Nami's shoulder, and helped calm her breathing.

"You don't know anything, just get out of here!" Nami yelled and thrashed within her hold, bit down onto Lucy's arm and tried that. The hold never loosened, kept her safe within. From herself and others, Lucy swore to protect Nami.

"I don't care. You are my friend, and I will not see you suffer any longer. I will not see you lose what you love. If you ask me, I will help." Behind her, the sound of the others as they raised up echoed behind her, it was a reminder that they all stood with her. With Nami. With each other.

"Lucy…please save me. Save them," Nami begged between sobs, head lowered to the ground which wetted with more than just blood. Releasing the grip, Lucy stood and ruffled the orange locks of the other. Faced the others, who nodded their heads in agreement, and then agreed.

"I will always help you." And then walked for Arlong's base, followed the mixed tracks of the people. Each pair impressively precious in that moment, from the largest to the smallest size. They all made a home, one that Lucy walked off to save. "Let's go." And they all fell into line with one another, made their own tracks that mixed in.

---

Past the gathered people of Cocoyashi village, Lucy stood at the side door of Arlong Park. The large compounded surrounded by large and thick walls, decorated with their banner. The people before had no luck in breaking it down, and even Yosaku and Johnny stood outside. Beaten and bloody. It only fueled her anger towards the fishmen even more. Pulling back her arms, Lucy called upon her gauntlets. Then slammed both palms into the thick stone.

The village jumped back when the mighty doors flew open, knocked far from their frame. Launched across the space of the compound courtyard, and then crumbled. Fell and left behind dust and rubble where Lucy stood. The frame also destroyed, fell against the floor. So Lucy pursued her target, walked around the rubble and through the dust. To the other side.

Already a number of fishman laid prone from the rubble, knocked out. They littered the ground, at the feet of a large fishman with a pointed and serrated nose. Obviously the captain, the nose matched the banner they waved. A saw shark it looked like, and then an octopus man, a ray, and…some type of suction or filter feeder fish. The last one she knew not what type of fish he was. Just that he looked…odd. They turned and faced Arlong, and she looked back as well.

"Are you Arlong?" She asked just for the sake of it all, just in case she attacked the wrong person. Moved forward still, the others behind her as they walked.

"You can't speak to Arlong-san that way, human bitch!" Some of the other fishmen, those not knocked out but resided in the water, jumped up and drew weapons. Charged Lucy, within a few feet of her they ended up knocked out as well. The fist of Loke glowed, alight with his power that burned them and knocked them out at the same time. More came and challenged, but with a few hits they all ended up on the ground. Only the four heads of the group remained, still besides that chair under the awning.

"My lady can speak however she pleases," Loke said, dusted off his jacket like he actually got dirty. Draco flew off her shoulder, and landed on Loke's. The two pulled and hung back a bit. Just in case the villagers ended up threatened by any of the fights.

"Are you Arlong?" She asked again, still closed in on him.

"Yeah, I am, human bitch. Before I kill you for what you did to my men, what do you want?" He asked, and that sealed it. Right fist pulled back, and she crossed the distance with a few large steps. Sailed it into the side of his cheeks, and his body was flown across the rest of the lot. Crashed into the rubble with the stone wall she already destroyed.

"I want to have a drink. I want to become the Pirate Queen and find One Piece. I want to get off the East Blue and finally reach the Grand Line." Lucy tallied off on her fingers, got to the fifth finger and paused. "But mostly, I want to pay you back for making my navigator cry."

The rubble that curled around him heaved up, and he sat upon it. Predatory eyes watched her, yet kept the three others beside her in place. "Oh, you mean the little black cat of mine? It's her own fault, she was stupid enough to think I would let her talents be wasted on mere humans like yourself."

"I don't care for her talents or your black cat. I won't allow you to make Nami cry, ever again. And for that reason, I intend to beat you today," Lucy said, crossed her arms over her chest. Beside her the other fishmen grew agitated and irritated, rustled in a restless manner. And her crew also itched for a fight, besides Usopp. The scream he released every time she said something was more frightened.

"Won't allow me? You may have a good punch, human, but you are far from strong enough to beat me. Let alone my crew. We fishmen are of the most esteemed lieange. We were born stronger and able to breathe underwater, to swim at speed you could never imagine. Fishmen are creations of the gods," Arlong boasted, threw his arms about on each side of him. Preached to his comrades, both fallen and reawakened. To those she stood next to. Noticed their belief in his words, their egos grew and bulged under Arlong's guidance. "And you could never even hope to beat us."

"If you keep looking down that funky nose of yours, someone is going to break it. Break you. And I think I'll enjoy seeing your shocked impression when it's me. And my crew." A hand waved back to her grew, also noticed that the spot Usopp used to stand was vacated. And instead the sniper took up shop behind the broken door. Turned back, and noticed Arlong approach her.

"I think you need to be taught a lesson of just how helpless you and yours are against us heavenly creatures." Laughter, snide and cruel, filled the space. Catapulted her forward once again, intent on breaking that nose. "What is your name, human? It's a curtesy I'll allow you, since you landed a pretty good blow."

"I am Heartfilia Lucy, Captain of the Fairy Tail Pirates. Nami's friend, and your enemy," Lucy said, pulled back some and returned to her crew. "And we will defeat you. Whether you believe it or not, it matters little to me. I don't need your approval. So get ready, for this is the day everything you've created from the suffering of others will crumble."

"You talk like you think your other human can help you. Let's play it this way then, each of our top officers will fight one another, and then we will fight," Arlong offered, his med bulged their muscles. Except for in the case of the octopus, who wiggled his arms instead.

"We could do that. But I'd rather just kick your ass now," Lucy said, ran and then launched herself at Arlong. Bypassed the fishmen who reached for her, and cried out when attacked by her own men. Past them, Lucy listened as the fights began. Sighed when she realized Usopp shot at one, and ran off with the fishman on his tail. So much for keeping it all together. But Zoro paired off against the octopus, and Sanji against the ray. Other fishmen also stood again, and tied attacking. For them, Loke became their opponent.

"You should have taken me up on my offer. Now all of your subordinates are going to die," Arlong tsked, and shook his head. But a glint in his eyes, something cold, told him he relished their deaths. Wanted them all to die so once more his beliefs ended up reaffirmed.

"You make it seem like everything is left up to lineage. That when all is said and done, we are defined by our blood," Lucy commented, flipped her long ponytail over her shoulder.

"Of course it is, we fishmen are born stronger. That makes it our win, naturally."

"So all you have is strength. I do too, but I also have something called technique. What about you and yours? Can your swordsman, who relies on heavy swords, keep up with a well-trained swordsman? Someone who can work around your man's strength." Lucy asked, tilted her head to the side in a questioning manner, a smile played on her lips. Entertained by the way his muscles tensed in agitation, and his breath became more labored with rage that boiled under his skin.

"You'll find we are superior in all ways," Arlong said, twitched his fingers a bit more before they met each other. Charged the distance between, which was not very far, and attacked one another. Ducking under his punch that shattered one of the pillars that supported the compound, Lucy delivered both of her palms into his gut. Just like with the door. His body cured back, reflexively curled around the pain.

His elbow came back and knocked her over the head. Sent her to the ground, rolled to the side when his leg shot out and kicked. Sent out a kick of her own, it was dodged, and more space ended up created on their side of the fighting area. Back to the other fights, Lucy only listened as Zoro grunted in pain. And the sound of bone as it broke, rippled through her eardrums. Followed by Sanji's grunt of pain. The distraction only gave her a fraction of a second to dodge Arlong's fist. It clipped her in the shoulder, tore the bone from its socket.

Backing up, Lucy took a hold of her own arm and reset the bone herself. Cursed slightly, and shook herself. Needed to focus on only her fight. The others proved themselves capable enough to handle some fishmen.

"You talk big, but you aren't anything special," Arlong taunted, cracked his neck from side to the side.

"I just needed something to wake me up. I'm not used to fighting seriously. But you might just do," Lucy said, and once more their fight began. Lucy charged in first, jumped into the air and kicked out. Too fast to be blocked, the kick landed and bent his saw like nose to the side. Then turned in mid-air and landed a blow against his neck. It sent him down, but he stood back up immediately.

"That all you've got?" He asked, spat out some blood in his mouth. The pupils of his eyes dilated though, and sharks always reacted to blood. Not too much, but they did change shape to a slightly more oval shape.

"Not even close to everything," Lucy said, and lit her fists with gold magic. It pulsed along her veins, and pushed everything she had within to an extreme. Then also channeled the same magic into her other fist, and then her legs. It was enough that she felt the tides change around her. So much so that the even her own crew, less inclined to the sea than the fishmen, turned and stared all around. Watched the magic as it warped walls and stones, eroded them and the air itself. Not to be seen intimidated by the show of magic in a fight that meant his pride and beliefs, Arlong came at her again.

And discovered how truly unprepared her was for the fight. With the magic within, Lucy dodged and struck out on her own accord. And her magic was a shield of the greatest pain when touched. Every time Arlong made some type of contact, every hit or kick, he ended up the worse for wear. Knuckled wrinkled and cracked, and every part of his being seemed shaken by the touched. Once it was discovered she could not be touched, Arlong jumped back.

"You are a fruit user? That means I really am superior to you and your ability," he stated, laughed and launched himself at the water of the pool. A large wave was born from the leap, then settled. Still Arlong remained beneath the waves. It did bob and dip at time, and some small waves beat against the sides of the pool. But it was what laid beneath the surface that caught her eyes, she knew Arlong stayed there. However, his plan seemed so far off from normal.

Speeding towards her, Arlong rose up like a torpedo from the waters, created more ripples in the water. Almost in a way similar to a Great White, he breached the surface of the water. Straight as an arrow, his form slid through the air. His nose was all that touched her, pierced through the fabric of her clothes. It brought her along on his journey. The tear only separated her as they reached the wall of the base.

He went through the wall, into another room in the place, and she just went through the tumble of one. Enough that she wished to never do so again. One of the bricks from the house landed, had it been any bigger the problem of passing out would have arisen. But thankfully it wasn't, and already Lucy stood from the rubble and brushed off her clothes and hair. Let the dust and small stones crumble and fall from her form onto the white concrete under her feet. Once more, dodged in time as sharp bolts of water shot out at her. They rained down from above, and Arlong produced them.

The water was captivated by his very skin, and slid along the length his arm and gathered at the wrist. With a sharp flick, more water arrows reigned down to Lucy. Multiplied in the air and then broke apart. Flips and twists danced Lucy away from the attacks, which followed her around then stopped. Head faced him, and found that he dived into the water once more. Unlike the last time, his perfect dive ensured that no water splashed up around him or onto the sides of the pool.

But instead of giving him the satisfaction of attacking with greater speed, it was Lucy who made the first move. Ran and leapt, dove down into the cold water of the pool and faced Arlong there. Waved at his shocked face when he noticed her stay afloat in the water and retain her vibrancy and strength.

That instead of sinking and dying like he thought would happen, she retained her powers and lived. More of the magic within her infused with the water around them both, created small whirlpools that whipped around her fist. The pendant that dangled from the choker of her neck glowed, and an intricate magic circle gave off a vibrant blue hue. It stained the water around them.

One foot kicked, and then the other, angled towards Arlong, so she shot towards him. Faster than him, acted with the speed of a mermaid. However, he dodged, and Lucy lacked the ability that he had in the water. Every turn they made seemed parallel to one another. And she knew, in a game of speed she won. But he took turns tighter, maneuvers easier. And not only that, she noted and dodged the torpedo nose, but unlike him, she only had so much time in the water. Fifteen minutes.

Ten minutes had already passed by then.

Done with the game, Lucy sped to the surface and jumped out. Landed in a crouch, and then rolled out of the way as Arlong, once again, shot out of the water and crashed through his own home. Another chunk of the house tore down, and it teetered towards the right as she looked at it. If he kept it up, he would lose his own house.

With enough time, Lucy looked around and found Sanji leaned against the side of the broken wall. Next to Loke and Draco, held one leg in his hand. In front of him, the ray fishman laid defeated in a pile. And while the Octopus also laid defeated, Zoro was nowhere to be seen. Gone from her sight, but since no one looked worried, Lucy assumed he won and went off somewhere for some reason. Took in Loke and found him perfectly fine, and even Usopp returned with a happy smile on his face.

Lastly, Nami. The woman looked up at the broken Arlong Park, and an idea sparked within Lucy. With a wild grin, Lucy whooped and through her hands up into the air. Caught the attention of everyone. But then looked back to Arlong, who came from the house with a large sword in hand. One side only, it looked like a bunch of jagged teeth attacked to a pole. Not that she commented when it came towards her, instead licked her lips and opened her mouth. Caught the metal there and bit down, nearly pure iron. With a small amount of it in her mouth, she chewed and swallowed the delicious metal. Felt when it hit her belly, and produced more power.

"What the hell?" Arlong asked, took a step back and his sword fell to his side. Clattered against the ground, and was utterly useless since she found great pleasure and strength in eating it.

"You finally getting it?" Lucy asked, wiped the edge of her mouth and smiled up at him.

"You aren't human, that's the only way this could happen." Arlong took a step back, and she took one forward.

"I am, half at least. But the different is, that with that half I build a bridge to new friends and people. But if you're wondering about my other half, it's dragon." Then grabbed him by the front of his luau and flower print shirt, and jumped. Brought him along for the ride, they both passed through one of the holes the fishman created in the house. Kept climbing to the highest level, where Nami's scent was most present. Where it saturated walls and paper and small objects with sadness.

Pulled him through into the room, where charts and papers laid around. Some of the most well designed maps were thrown about and hung on lines to dry. A desk sat in the corner of the room, faced one of the only windows with quills and scratch marks thrown about the surface. But the one mark that got her was the blood stain, small and innocent it laid deep into the wood. She dropped Arlong onto the floor.

The desk, course and as rough as it seemed before, corroded under her touch, lit with golden magic. Then lifted the same touch to all the papers, which were soon left in the same state. Ate away at themselves for a semblance of strength, yet only furthered the damage. "What are you doing?" Arlong asked, stood up and grabbed her arm as it went for another stack of papers. Yanking the arm free, Lucy tossed Arlong into the desk.

"Freeing Nami from this hell. You spilled her blood in here, locked her away. For that reason, to fully sever the chains you placed around her, I will destroy the physical representation. It's symbolic," Lucy said, watched his pupils change to slits that changed his overall countenance. His teeth bared more, pointed rows that opened his maw wide. If it were any wider, Lucy thought his jaw might have broken apart.

Grabbing a fistful of paper and line, Lucy crammed the mess into his mouth. Watched the ink bleed away in the saliva, dripped down his tongue and lips. His chin and mouth turned black from the ink. Years of works disappeared within moments, bled like Nami did. Her works took hold of the man, who was choked by his demands. Took hold of the back of his head, and then slammed him into the floorboards. Felt them tremble and shake, took the walls and roof with it into the storm. And it cracked.

Opening her own maw, Lucy felt the magic swirl at the back of her throat. Built into an inferno of hot flames, all of which released in a spot on blast. Instead of maintaining the swirl and tornado like movement, it all shot out like a beam. Under her hands everything melted away. Even felt Arlong melt a bit, though it was at her discretion that the flames lessened their heat on him. But the rest of the building? That went up in glorious flames.

The wood caught hold of it, spread, and then the floor gave out beneath them. Jumping through the room, Lucy landed back through and dug her feet into his back. The final push cracked the floor, and sent him off through the others. All that rumble, burning and mad, fell on top of him. The rest of the building fell apart, and Lucy jumped down after Arlong. Intended to tie him up and escape, but also found something else in the room.

Stacks of money. Picking up as many as she could hold with one hand, Lucy then grabbed Arlong by his scruff. Dragged him through the flames and out of the building. When finally outside, Lucy looked over to the wall and smiled. The dead weight she carried was tossed at their feet, unconscious and burned. Then walked over herself, and deposited the money before Nami.

"You are my nakama, Nami. It's all over, I will not allow you to suffer anymore." Nami's face ended up cupped into Lucy's hands, still clad in gauntlets. But then the other wound her arms around Lucy, pulled her in close and thanked her. Repeatedly whispered those words and cried. Not wishing for anything more, Lucy lulled the other and shushed her. Gently protected her.

Once Nami pulled away, Lucy found herself lifted into the arms of many of the villagers. Tossed about and thanked, and then placed back down on the ground. It seemed Draco found nothing amusing about the situation, and then stopped it all. Accepting him back onto her shoulder, Lucy sighed in content. Virgo called herself and delivered steel chains they all wrapped around the fishmen.

"Is this all of them?" Lucy asked, counted over the fishmen present and then thought back to the one Usopp faced. Not in the area. Handing chains over to the villagers, Lucy sighed into the air. Usopp and Loke threw their arms about her shoulder, and were keen to squeeze the life out of her.

"Lucy, thank you," Nami said again, Gen and Nojiko stood behind her and smiled. Bigger than she saw in the last three days.

"You already said that. Just go celebrate with everyone. I know that that there's an entire island or people to spread good news too. And to return this money too," Lucy said, waved her hand about and kicked the money towards Nami. The sack of crisp bills paled in comparison of importance when a burning building still roared in front of her. It slowly went out at her command. But focused on containing it still, so it was not spread to the trees or land.

"Hold on all of you pirates. We marines are here now, and we're taking all of you, and your money, into custody for the World Government," Nezumi, the marine from earlier with his men, charged into the area. Still roughed up and bruised, but stood before the gate with cocky grins. How he got out of his cuffs, Lucy knew not. But, as she walked forward with Sanji and Loke, they grinned only bigger. "You're too weak from your fight to stand a chance. Men, take that woman into custody! And her crew!"

"Like hell!" Lucy said, jumped over the marines and pulled back her arm. Plowed the fist into his face, it snapped to one side and let out a sickening crack, which also echoed his form and skull as it hit the floor. Quickly she turned, attacked the rest of the marines and took them out. Worked from the back while the other two worked from the front. Soon enough all the marines laid in a heap on the floor, piled on top of each other by the water pools.

"Now. You guys are going to take care of cleaning up after the fishmen, and help reconstruct Gosa village. But you will not touch even the slightest but of the fishmen's riches! They belong to the people of this island. Understand?" Nezumi pathetically whimpered about how he understood and would do as she said.

When they recovered, quick for such injuries, Nezumi and his men swam away, were quick to escape the promise pain that awaited them if they remained. "Dragon girl? Your name is Lucy Heartfilia, right?! You're the captain, aren't you?" She nodded her head, and Nami hit her over the head for admitting it to marines. It seemed Nami was unenthusiastic for the blonde to spread her name. She wondered how the red head would feel about Mihawk already warning his employers about her. "Don't forget this! You're going to be big after messing with me and all of this! Too late for amends now! I'll make you sorry! Mark my words!" And then he flailed desperately in the water back to his ship.

"He said we were going to get big," Sanji remarked as he tried to light his cigarette. But the matches he kept on him ended up too wet to light. Lucy lit a finger with fire and helped him out. Soon enough his cigarette dangled over the light and lit up. "Thank you, Lucy."

"I wonder how he knew I was going to become the Pirate Queen." Lucy asked jokingly, and those around laughed. Playfully slapped her on the back of the head. Even though Usopp freaked over being know, not fond of the threat, he still laughed and joined in. Swung an arm around her neck, and like a monkey, hung there happily. Nami jumped onto him as well, so Lucy supported their weight and walked towards the gate. "Come on, let's go tell Zoro the news and party!" Lucy shouted, sent everyone on ahead of her to the party that filled the air, and soon would the streets.

---

"Hey, Nami!" Lucy called and walked towards the door of the doctor's office, two filled plates balanced on her left arm with drinks. The red head allowed the door to slip closed, let it go and walked towards Lucy. Her shoulder once stabbed and marked with another crew's mark, was wrapped properly in white bandages. The two girls reached up a hand each, flew them against the other. They returned to their sides. "What are you doing here? I thought you got that looked out a while ago."

"I needed to get the tattoo removed properly. And then I replaced it with something else. Why?" Nami asked, one hand came up and touched the bound shoulder. Smiled and looked at it, then refocused on Lucy. Putting up both hands, Lucy shook her head.

"Nothing, no reason. I actually came to check on Zoro and Sanji, make sure they're alright. But if you're saying doc can do tattoos…then I may need to see if he can give me one," Lucy said under her breath. Thought about what she always wanted on her, the mark that used to define her. Fingers snapped in front of Lucy's face, drew her back to the present and then rested Nami's hip. "Yeah?" Angry, Nami raised a hand to start yelling, and then let if flop back down. Sighed and shook her head.

"Doc can do anything, has a variety of colors. You give him a design, and he'll make it," Nami said and walked away, a hand in the air that waved to Lucy. "I've got some things to do, Captain." Disappeared into the crowd, Lucy still heard her above the party that went on in the street in every street on the island. Then pushed into the doctor's office. Found the man as he cleaned up all the inks and bandages.

"Yo, old man," Lucy greeted and walked over to her nakama's beds. Placed the food and drinks next to them. Carefully readjusted their pillows and blankets so they slept more comfortably. In the lights of the party outside the windows, their faces ended up in mainly shadows. Hooded and slightly sweaty from their injuries. Lucy placed a hand over the gash she never fully healed from Mihawk. Once again wrapped, this time properly. His faced seemed much more relaxed from before though, and she dragged the hand from his chest. "Thank you, Doc. They really needed it."

"I just did my job. But you're welcome. Why are you here, besides dropping them off food?" Doc asked, turned the light back on, and then sat back down in his chair.

"Originally all I planned was to deliver it, but Nami told me you do tattoos as well," Lucy mentioned and turned to the doctor, looked away from Zoro and Sanji. Reaffirmed once more that they lived and came across no chance of death. Shuddered when the thought came over her, and let it fade out, focused on the doctor.

"Yes, I did Nojiko's and Nami's. Why, you want something?" He asked, pulled back out his ink tools and started to pull them out.

"Yeah, I want a pirate mark. How comfortable are you drawing crossbones?" She asked, sat at the end of Zoro's bed. It dipped under her weight, and his feet brushed against her back. Cold. Almost like ice, Lucy got back up and secured the blanket around his feet. The doctor laughed, and drew out a needle and black and white ink.

"Around your mark on your chest?" He asked, and then motioned for an empty bed. But she shook her head, placed a hand against her back right shoulder.

"I want three letters. 'A' in red, 'S' in blue, and 'L' in gold. With just the crossed bones behind, no skull. The 'L' should be in a fancy curved script. And then 'S' in something a little more plain yet…bold in a blockish manner. The 'A' should look like the script on bounties, maybe a little harsher. Think you can manage it?" Lucy asked, tilted her head. In reverence to her first pirate group, the one with her brothers. The doctor already pulled out the multiple colored inks and needles to prevent bleeding.

"Yeah, I got it. Where do you want it?" He asked, and she walked over to the bed he motioned to earlier. Heard his chair roll over.

"Back of the right shoulder," Lucy said, and laid down on the bed, on her stomach. Crossed her arms under her head for more support.

"We'll then, I'll get started in a few moments." The smell of her nakama nearby lulled the sense of dread Lucy felt in her, and she wiggled on the bed. But tried and remain as still as possible when the needle laid into her a few moments later. Tensed up, and breathed deeply. Wanted nothing more than to pass out, but refrained. Her first real tattoo, her brother's had better appreciate the work. But they already got a letter for her. So, when she met up with them, Lucy planned to make them get more ink. Smiled in joy at the thought, but also held back the tears.

"I hate needles," Lucy whispered under her breath, not loud enough for anyone to hear. Legs squirmed while her torso remained still and stiff. Only her desire for the mark kept her in place, but never thought of getting one before then. Breathed deeper and fell into the spirit world, done with the needle. She'd deal with it when she returned, and walked down the streets of the Spirit World. Headed for Draco.

---

Four days later the Fairy Tail Pirates were making preparations to leave. And truthfully Lucy remembered little of what happened during the entire party. All of it meshed together. The dancing and singing, and the pure joy that filled the air, glitter that fell and graced the entire islands eyes. And with all of the laughter and joy, and some time sleeping, it made sense that it all meshed together. And that the island looked like even more of wreck than it did when they first arrived. Not that any of them every thought it could get worse.

It did, Lucy sighed and picked up another box by the ship. Jumped up onto deck and placed it with the other supplies the villagers supplied. Looked at the broken windows of once fine buildings and the pilfered streets all scuffed and disordered. In great need of new dirt and maybe some stone work, though Lucy doubted they had the money for it at that moment. Turning away from the site of the streets and people that waited off the ship, Lucy found the rest of her crew.

All of them worked with her, ready to set off and get going. One side of the ship Zoro and Sanji fought and disagreed about the placement of supplies and boxed. It seemed more like a fight just for a fight, more than one with meaning. Away from them, lounged on the back of crate, Draco watched over the fight. Laughed upon the stupidity of it all, but only egged them on. Called out in encouragement to one and then the other.

"Lucy, we finished with the rest of the things," Usopp said, came up the ladder with a few last things. Behind him Loke climbed up as well, but not before turning, and waved to a herd of girls below the deck. They all screamed, and Lucy threw her hands over her ears. That lever of shrieking freaked out her ears more than anything, besides Draco's roar. "Does he ever stop?"

"Does Sanji?" Lucy asked in return, rolled her eyes and turned away from the sight of him. Another thing she remembered from the party, all the women who hung off her lion spirit and nakama. And how Sanji watched from a distance, cried on a floor when no woman approached him. "Anyway, we need to get ready to sail out. Just need to wait for Nami." Over the side of the ship, Nojiko and Gen stood, waited off the ship for Nami. Apparently the other woman received a tattoo from the doctor, and then disappeared from the rest of the party. Still, it seemed like Nami intended to join them.

"Lucy-san, do you know when Nami is coming?" Nojiko called up, looked away from the only road that led up to the street. The other woman seemed perfectly fine, still a little roughed up from what happened at her at the tangerine field. But nothing more. Her smile still lasted on her face, happy and proud all at the same time. No matter what she looked upon it felt warm. But the look in her eyes as time passed, and Nami still remained out of sight, worried them both.

"Haven't seen her since she went to Doc and got some work done. I saw her walk off, but lost her in the party. That was two days ago," Lucy called back and closed her eyes, spread her senses out and listened. Smelt for the scent of gold and tangerines, and paper. Found it as it approached the area. Quietly, used her training as a thief and snuck around the people.

"We all need to say Thank you and goodbye though," Nojiko muttered, turned back to the crowd and stood on her tiptoes. Head whipped around from side to side, peaked over and around people that waited as well.

"That's probably why then," Lucy said under her breath and laughed, listened as Nami got closer. But never mentioned it, knew the read head's anger well enough. The flutter of wings sounded, and Draco flew over. Landed on her shoulder and perched there. Tail curled around her neck, and wings outstretched a bit. "Anyway, thanks for letting me have such a great nakama. I promise I'll always take care of her!"

"You better, understand girl!" Gen yelled, turned and joined the conversation. The windmill on his cap still present, and it fluttered in the wind that blew. Spun round and round, quickened its pace with every beat. The scar down the side of his face twitched too, narrowed the eye it laid closer to just a bit. "If I ever see her crying or frowning, then I don't care where you went. I will hunt you down and kill you myself!"

"I understand," Lucy said, and waved her hand around. Gauntlet rattled slightly in the light, and then placed it against the wood. The smell's track stopped behind the entire group of gathered villagers. Raised her head and saw the round head of orange hair. Their eyes met across the different, and then nodded. And her back turned away, ran down from the deck.

"Lucy, set sail!" Nami called across the distance. Caught everyone's attention. At the same time, with a wave of her hand, the crew set to work. Pulled up the anchor and let the sails go. The ship pulled from the port, slowly crawled from the town. Said town freaked, attempted to capture the red haired thief. But the girl, quick on her feet and skilled from years practice, she wove through the crowd. Took people by surprise when she passed them, their shouts filled the air.

When the ship pulled away a few feet from the dock, Nami reached the end. Pushed past her older sister and Gen, and jumped for the ship. Lucy caught her hand and pulled the other woman onto the ship. Both smiled, and in the background Sanji called out his love and happiness to the red head. "Good to have you back, Nami," Lucy said, pulled her down from the railing, so they both stood on the back deck.

"Nice to be back, Captain," Nami said, and then turned her head slightly. Listened as the islanders called out and pleaded for Nami to stop. Come back, but instead, the red head walked back to the edge. Lifted up her shirt, and dozens of wallets fell out. Poured down from her shirt in a variety of colors and designs. Piled at her feet. "Thank you for being so easy!"

"Why…you brat!" Most of the people called out to Nami, rose their fists and ran to the edge of the dock. At the forefront Nojiko and Gen stood, also stolen from by the looks of it.

"You left the gold?" Lucy asked, rose and eyebrow and shook her head. Came up besides Nami, who laughed and nodded her head. But still held her eyes on the people. They drifted even farther away.

"I collected it for them. To save them. They need it now for all the damage. So I took their pocket change," Nami said, picked up a wallet and thumbed through the bills within. Rose them in the air and waved it. Taunted her family and friends. Showed them her skills, and then laughed, rose both arms and waved.

"You better be safe, hear me?" Gen yelled, cupped his hands around his mouth so the sound echoed across the waters. In agreement with their leader, the people yelled their own two sense about the whole thing. Raised their voices into a single entity with one shared intent. Reached their hands out, in a manner that stretched them across the distance.

"Be sure to come back someday!"

"Keep warm and safe!"

"Don't be too reckless!"

"Lucy-san, we're entrusting you with her. She's our precious child!"

"That's right, we don't care how strong the opponents you face are. You have to keep Nami safe and happy!"

"Don't worry about that. I promise I'll protect her, and her wishes and dreams!" Lucy called back, wrapped an arm around Nami's shoulders. The other returned the gesture and wrapped one arm around Lucy's waist. Their other free hands came up and waved goodbye, aided when the rest of the crew walked up behind them. Only Zoro and Draco remained silent and stayed back, the dragon landed on Zoro's shoulders.

"Everyone! I'm off!" The tears fell down Nami's face, silent and present, but outmatched by the smile that beamed across her face. It took up everything on her being, and her legs excitedly bounced and leaned forward. Towards the railing. With stronger winds, they went further and further from the shore. Headed out to sea, yet faced only the people their returned nakama left behind. When the island disappeared from view, the rest of them returned and guided the ship. Held her against the seas, and prepared for their time to go.

Nami stayed and stared at the place where her home was. Used to take up on the horizon, they let her. Knew, after all those years fighting for them, she held not hesitancy, but sadness still. Soon, Lucy looked away from the red head and set up a table in the middle of the deck, the sadness would melt away.

---

By the time Nami finished looking back, night settled around them. The moon, full of promise, held and shined down from above. Illuminated their small banquet of food, all dedicated to Nami. Not just her island this time. Drinks rose together and knocked, then they chugged them down. Placed the cups back on the small table. "Alright, Nami," Lucy said, picked up the stamper. "Where and what color?"

The other hummed, fiddled with the end of their shirt. Lifted it up and pointed at the skin to the left of her belly button, then tapped that flesh. Held it down and released it. On the other side, Sanji twirled and stared adoringly at Nami. And the revealed skin. "Orange." The stamp pressed into that area of flesh, held for a moment and then pulled back. Revealed an orange mark of Fairy Tail. They matched the tangerine trees that bore fruit on deck. Ones from Nami's family grove. "Welcome back."

"Glad to be back." Nami said, touched the marked flesh for a moment. The shirt fell back into place, rustled slightly. But then gathered up her empty cup, and Lucy's. Poured more alcohol into them. "Let's drink!" A cry of agreement rose up from around the ship mates, more cups knocked together. Zoro chugged noisily and slammed his cup back down, already poured more booze. Besides him, Sanji loaded up plates of food and handed them over. Only for Lucy and Nami, of course. While Loke and Usopp talked, the former's shoulder around the latter's, and whispered to one another. By the blush on the long nosed one's face, she never wanted to know.

"Everyone!" Lucy called out, drew them all back to her. "We're ready. From here on out we're going to get bigger and bigger. And that means, it's time to head there. We're going to the Grand Line. But that means we have one stop to make before that. Logue Town, the last island and city before the Grand Line. The hometown of the Pirate King, and where he died." Next to the lion, Usopp shuddered, nose circled one point as it twirled. On the other hand, the males laughed and nodded their heads, bounced their feet against the wood of the ship.

With Draco gone, Lucy breathed a sigh of relief. With all the noise they made, if he had been there it spoke disaster for the men. That short-stick temper dragon would have burnt them to a crisp. Or melted them completely. A shudder ran along her spine, twisted a path up. Practically smelled the rotten flesh in the air. A hand went back to rest along the protruded compartment of her belt, and heard something rustle against leather. Paper.

In seconds, Lucy stood and crossed the deck. Headed up the stairs and for the kitchen. There, on the back wall opposite the door, a corkboard rested. Mainly lists and supplies sat situated on the board. Many of which gained origin before Sanji and Nami. As she walked across the room, Lucy removed the papers from the back pouch. Felt the dry paper, it brushed along her skin and scratched slightly. Placed them against the board and pushed pins along all four corners. The paper stretched and remained unfurled when Lucy stood back, admired the bounties on the wall.

"Those your brothers? They're hot," Nami said, stood by Lucy's side while the others walked in the kitchen door. Took in the photos that pressed onto their ship. Finally, Lucy stepped forward and pressed against the board. Turned and faced the crew, while her right hand came up and struck the board. It slight rattled from its loose placement, hung instead of bolted onto the ship.

"Listen up, everyone!" Lucy called, placed her other hand on her hip. "These are three men we must surpass someday. No matter the odds or doubts now. Fire Fist Ace and Rogue Noble Sabo, both part of a man named Whitebeard's crew. Along with them there is Red Haired Shanks. These three are a part of our list. But remember, they are still our friends. Even if they are our enemies. So keep the fighting civil, and let's get bigger than them!"

"I think I have I-can't-go-on-this-adventure disease! Have mercy on me, Lucy!" Usopp shouted, and fell against the deck of the ship, gripped his throat. Furthermore, cough and gags erupted from his throat. Choked him a little bit. Rolling her eyes, Lucy noted the rest of them nodded. Sanji, Zoro, and Loke all excited as they pronounced their main fighting styles. Legs, swords, and fists. On the middle area of the spectrum, Nami hid behind them and cheered.

"Don't think I'll protect you," Zoro said, pulled away slightly from the red head.

"I'll protect you, Nami-swan!" Sanji called instead, spun and tried hugging the woman, ended up flat on his face. Nami, no longer where the chef thought she was, ended up in Loke's arms. The spirit pulled her up into his arms.

"I will always fight for you." A laugh bubbled up from Lucy's core, spilled from her mouth where it landed amongst the others. Everyone joined in, though Usopp still rolled around on the ground and coughed. At some point, Sanji stepped on him though, and it turned into a real fit. And in the chaos, no one noticed she fell silent. Watched over them and smiled, just stared at them. Her arms came up of their own accord, and threw them around everyone when they stood close.

All of them sprawled to the floor, Usopp at the very bottom. But everyone laughed, louder than ever, slowly separated. And it seemed like enough, in that moment, picked up by Zoro and carted out the door. Deposited at her seat while Usopp filled up their cups. Surrounded by those that mattered, her nakama.

---

The next day, Lucy and Nami sorted through the supplies from the village. Handed off food and kitchen supplies to Sanji. Knew they belonged in his care, as it became his kitchen. In efforts to impress them, the man twirled up the deck and stairs. Pushed through the kitchen door and then placed everything away. Not that they saw anything after the door, Lucy heard the crates and bags though. Opened, then food pressed onto the table and milled around the kitchen.

"Do you think he'll ever stop that?" Nami asked, looked though another box in storage and found a number of medical supplies. Handed them to Usopp who stood next in line, headed for the bathroom where all the medicine went.

"Nah, and do you want to?" Lucy asked, tilted her head and then handed linens and blankets to Loke. "Take those to your room, will you?" A nod answered, along with a wink, and then the lion walked away and crawled beneath deck. Hit the bottom level and the things rustled while he threw them about. Interrupted from her observations, a News coo cawed from above. It settled on the side of the ship. Nami tossed her a coin for the fare, which the bird took and handed over a newspaper. Unlike in Fiore, so small and centralized, the ink stayed on the paper.

"Anything interesting?" Nami asked, then yelled at Zoro who slept on deck, ignored his duty to help. Instead snored loudly while the others worked. Besides him, Draco lounged. Too disturbed by Lucy's movements and unable to sleep, he left her side for Zoro's. Grew larger and laid about most of the upper deck by the bow. Shifting from that scene, Lucy unrolled the paper. Felt it crinkle and brush her palms.

The main page, always of the East Blue in the East Blue, contained a picture of Cocoyashi and all of them. Not to mention pictures of Arlong and his crew, arrested and in cuffs. Each fish man escorted by numerous marines and boarded onto a ship. "Arlong's arrest," Lucy said, read down the article that went on for more than a page. Nami moved over, read over her shoulder and spoke the words aloud. Just whispered them. It read on of the people's abuse and imprisonment of the islands. The number of deaths. And then listed a pirate crew who picked a fight with Arlong for the pure fun of it, the Fairy Tail Pirates.

"We're in the Newspaper!" Lucy shouted and threw her hands up, paper still grasped and it tore slightly at the motion. More feet echoed around the deck, Usopp, Loke, and Sanji all huddled around her as she read the part aloud. "'The crew, small and ferocious, beat up the entire horde of fishman. This is not the first report of this crew. Reports of a female led crew in the East Blue have popped up in multiple areas. Of a girl who destroyed a marine base and broke out her first mate. And then caused destruction in Orange town. Latest bouts of the returned Kuro Pirates and Krieg Pirates. All of who are ranked the strongest in the sea. But like a monster this girl defeated them all.

"And with the defeat of the Arlong Pirates, a notorious and strong group of pirates, a picture finally came to light of the enigmatic captain'…Oh my god!" Lucy stopped reading, tore through to the back of the East Blue section and came across a browned page within. Took it from the fold and squealed, hugged the paper close and tossed the news to Nami. "I have a bounty!" Dancing about, Lucy shoved the paper into everyone's face, raced up the stairs and woke Zoro and Draco. Both growled and glared. "I got a bounty!"

That shut their mouths, looked at the paper shoved between them. The sides of Draco's mouth pulled back, just a little. And then he said, "At least you have a bigger one than the rest of those other Blue pirates." The laugh that rumbled through him shook the board of the deck.

"This is not a good thing, Lucy! You're a wanted woman now! Do you understand people will come after you now?" Nami yelled, pointed a finger that waved.

"I want one," Zoro said, rolled up and took a better look at the bounty. Of all of them, Zoro looked at it the longest. Saw the picture in its entirety. Behind them, Usopp and Nami freaked over being hunted. But ended up virtually ignored as Loke and Sanji joined in with the desire of being wanted by the world.

"But it's my first bounty!" Lucy said, proudly and turned the page towards the others. "'Dragon Princess' Lucy Heartfilia!" Lucy screamed, showed them the picture the marines managed to take of her. "Bounty: 80,000,000 Belli! And this is just my first one! Can you believe it? It's so much higher than what I dream of as the first!" In the picture, Lucy stood on top of the Rubble of Arlong Park, faced the camera with her symbol on full display. On gauntlet clad hand pulled through her hair, and Draco on her shoulder, wrapped about her neck. Her cheeks seemed round due to the smile she wore, and also showcased her sharpened canines. Neck tilted slightly up. The spines on Draco's form more pronounced on him. But her smile showcased her pointy and long fangs for the world to know about. Hair, unbound, fell down past her shoulders.

"It says here that Dracule Mihawk, when chasing pirates off the Grand Line, came across you and warned the government about you. Said that he thought you would rise as the next biggest threat," Nami said, released a suffered sigh and folded the paper back up. Used the rolled paper and beat her own head with it. "Of course, my captain is now the most wanted person in the East Blue."

"Hey, one day I'm going to be the most wanted person in the world." Walking back to the kitchen, Lucy patted the red head's shoulders. Then walked up the stairs and too the board with the other three bounties. Pushed in a pin that held it in place. Taking a step back, Lucy squealed again and placed her hand on the board. Looked over the three other bounties. "I'm coming. Just wait a little bit more for me."

---

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~Stay Free