"Miracles only happen to those who never give up."

Ivankov Emporio


OUR RESOLUTION

Chapter 12: My Choice
The Shells Town Arc (January 19th)

No one could doubt the boy with the straw hat was strong, very strong indeed!

Morgan was nearly twice his height and probably more his weight but he was easily knocking over the guy as though he was nothing.

Arlana lets out a low whistle, "Man, I'm glad I'm not on his bad side..."

"Tell me about it..." Chlothar sighs, probably because he knows that after this whole mess blows over, the clean up is going to be brutal, "Hey, Princess-?"

"Again, don't call me that..."

"What exactly is going on?" He asks, eyebrow raised and she realizes that she's never told him why. Honestly, Arlana doesn't really want to tell him without the proof she needed back in the office but now wasn't exactly the time to try sneaking off to snag them-

Wait, who am I kidding? Now is the perfect time to go grab those documents!

She begins to turn around to run back inside the base but pauses stumbles a bit over her own feet. It was weird to her, that her legs decided now to feel like jello. Though it was unsurprising considering the past few days and now many times she had to run today. Her body was starting to reach it's limit and she didn't know how much longer she had before everything finally gave out, "Ugh..."

Luckily, a strong grip on her upper arm stops her from having to take in a mouthful of dirt, "Hey, you okay?" Chlothar asks, not bothering to hide his concern for her despite the fact it was clear she had been helping Luffy out, "Maybe you should take a-"

"I can't, gotta get those documents..."

"Documents?"

Arlana nods, getting back up onto her feet and feeling everything begin to spin. She presses her hand to the side of her head for a moment to calm it down, "Captain Morgan has been stealing funds from the people of Shells Town to fund that stupid project of his..."

This apparently caught the ear of a few others nearby who reacted with either mild shock or disgust, "What? What are you talking about?"

"I saw several documents that had a series of mathematics set out showing that he has been taking tax money to help pay for the stone for the statue. I double checked the numbers with the tax forms as well as the...contributions...it all adds up if you check."

"And are you sure about this?"

"Huh?" She looks over to the person that spoke, with a sure and authoritative tone that was unlike the others in their current situation. Arlana blinks in mild surprise at the tan-skinned man with the brown facial hair. His eyes were sharp, contrasting very much with the current mood of the rest of the Marines. A name comes to mind but right now, her splitting headache was making it difficult to clearly remember what it was, "Yeah, course I'm sure. I was gonna go get the documents before all this happened..."

She gestures over to where the fight was brewing, as Morgan swings at Luffy who simply jumps over the attack and instead, ends up easily slicing the metal fence nearby in two. This guy was strong, at least in comparison to almost everyone currently on the grounds. To Luffy, this was nothing more than the playground bully who was pushing kids off the swing. The man follows her gesture to the fight for a moment before looking at her, "And how did you come about this information?"

Arlana starts to sweat, lips pressing together in a tight line as she swallows the dryness in her mouth, "I-I uh..." She didn't think anyone would question her in their current situation, everyone seemed too shell-shocked from earlier when they were about to shoot themselves in the head. But she supposes that blathering she had been sneaking around where she wasn't suppose to was going to raise their suspicions about her regardless.

But Chlothar, bless his soul, came to her rescue, "Does it really matter right now? We can ask questions later but if what she's saying is true..."

The man sighs, "Well, after this mess, Captain Morgan will be no more. The Marines were well aware of the funds he was gaining from contributions but the fact he had been stealing tax money as well opens up a whole bigger world of problems."

Because that was the money meant for the Government and stealing from them, when one was in an authoritative position and regardless of what world she came from, was always a bade move.

"You mean he might be imprisoned?"

"There's no doubt about it..." Chlothar frowns as Morgan was knocked flat onto his back, "But what will happen to this branch now?"

That's true, there were going to be big chances to how things are run in Shells Town. Who was going to be in-charge with Morgan out of the picture? What about the Marines already stationed here, will they have to move to another branch? A lot of them, she knew, loved the quiet little town. It was like a home for them and even though the Captain had a bad reputation among the people, plenty of the other guys were well loved. And of course Chlothar would be one of the few who were most concerned with relocation because it wouldn't guarantee that he would end up in the same place as Hilm.

The future is cloudy and everyone is worried for more than one reason...

"STOP!" Everyone's attention was diverted to the one person they had forgotten about, holding a gun to the head of the pink haired boy who had accompanied Luffy. Poor kid was shaking, sweat running down his skin and standing stiff as a board, a determined yet fearful look set on his baby face. Luffy simply glances over for a brief moment before slugging Morgan across the face once more, "You idiot, I told you to wait!" Coby apparently wasn't the only one panicking, Helmeppo certainly wasn't holding his gun very steady either. That's what probably scared Arlana the most, the fact that a scared coward was holding a gun instead of a trained professional.

"You damn Olive-head!" She snarls, ripping her arm out from Chlothar's tight grip but immediately stills when she hears the clicking of the gun.

"One false move and four-eyes gets it! If anyone moves, I'll shoot!" He grins, gleeful that he has the upper-hand. Luffy might be seemingly immune to bullets but that didn't mean the rest of them were and the cocky bastard was using that to his advantage. The situation was just getting worse and if it had been anyone else at gun point, there might of been a chance of getting out of this but the kid?

"Luffy!" And despite what was going on, despite the fact he was gonna die by the corrupt Marine son's hand, his voice spoke proud and strong. There was a fire in his eyes that held his passion, a fire that wasn't going to die out, "I'm not afraid of death! You don't let them win because of me!"

This kid has balls...

Of course, that only made Helmeppo panic more and as much as she wanted to run over there to punch him in the face, Arlana knew she didn't have the energy for that anymore. Plus, Coby was in very capable hands that were currently reeling back in a strong fist. Luffy's wicked grin stretches his lips as his arm was soon to follow, "You stupid son, Coby's not afraid of dying!" Well...not entirely true but at least he had the guts to say it out loud.

"Hey, I told you not to move or I'll shoot!"

"Go ahead and shoot then!"

"Ugh, Luffy will you not- shit!" Her and Chlothar turn around just instead to see Morgan having risen to his feet just behind Luffy. Despite the fact he got his ass handed to him earlier, everyone was still afraid of the axe-wielding maniac, "Luffy, Morgan is-!"

"Gum Gum..."

"Luffy!" Arlana calls out, being unable to run over to stop what was going to happen because her friend wrapped his arms tightly around her waist. He knew full and well there was nothing she could do to the man and for a brief moment, Arlana was terrified of what was going to become of everyone if Morgan won. As the axe began to swing forward, she shuts her eyes. She didn't want to see Luffy get killed at the end, when victory was already so close. Despite the fact he was a pirate and she doesn't remember much of who he is from the show, Arlana would of already been able to tell that he was a good kid.

"You're the best, sis!"

Luffy reminds her a bit of her brother, after all...

"Pistol!"

The tension was heavy in the air before...silence.

Slowly, Arlana opens her eyes, thinking she was going to see his body cleaved in two bloody heaps but instead it was the sight of hope. Of Helmeppo having been knocked away from Coby and the gun having flown out of his hands, of Zoro standing behind Morgan's falling form.

Of Luffy, alive and well, his arm springing back towards him with a rubbery snap.

"The Captain lost!"

"Captain Morgan has been defeated!"

Luffy looks over at her which surprised her for a moment but she offered him a smile and a thumbs up in return. He might not have been able to help her get back the documents but he gave her the greatest help he could of ever given her. The fact that her friends at the 153rd Branch in Shells Town finally had what they longed for.

Freedom.

They rang out in cheers, throwing up their guns and hats in celebration. Chlothar laughs as well, squeezing his arms around her in a bear-hug, "They did it! We're free from Morgan!"

"Asshole, I can't breath!"

"Ah, sorry, princess!"

Man, I can't wait to have a good meal and a nice long-

That's when it suddenly dawned on her that she hadn't been the only one tied up to the post for a long time, "Zoro!" Arlana realizes a bit too late, seeing the swordsman unsteady on his feet before finally tilting forward to collapse in the dirt. This definitely gave a shock to Luffy and Coby who joined her in hurrying over to the fallen fighter unmoving on the ground, "Shit, I forgot you haven't eaten in 3 weeks!"

"Ah, Zoro! Wake up, stupid!"

"Stop shaking him, he's not dead!" Arlana snaps, placing a hand on Zoro's neck and feels relieved to find he's still breathing. She had been worried his body just decided to give out completely from malnutrition.

"Men!" As Luffy continues to fruitlessly wake up his new (and only) crewmate, Arlana looks over her shoulder to the man she had been speaking with earlier. Were they gonna try to arrest them, even after they saved their hides? No, actually, she knew them well enough that they wouldn't be that dishonorable, "Take these two men into town and see that the swordsman is looked after. Others, secure Morgan and his son, have them locked up until we can contact HQ..." His gaze then turns to her and she freezes, afraid of what was going to happen now that most people knew there was something up with her, "And someone take Mis. Durand to her quarters, I'm sure she's tired after everything..."

"Yes, Ripper!"

Luckily, the one to fetch her was Chlothar, gently lifting her up by her arm before looking at Luffy, "Um...thank you for helping my friend..."

"Huh?"

Luffy lets a couple of Marine lift Zoro off the ground as they began to take him out of the execution yard, grinning up at him, "She helped me and Zoro out too!" With that, he hops up to his feet and hurries to follow the two Marines, practically dragging Coby along with him. Arlana watches them leave before letting out a heavy sigh. Whatever problems she was going to have to face now would need to wait until after she had some sleep and a good meal to eat.


"Ugh, my head..."

Arlana doesn't remember when she fell asleep but she definitely felt different after she woke up. Not only did she feel well rested (even though her head still ached from the earlier stress), but she felt clean as well. Her street clothes were on her instead of her uniform, her hair out of it's bun and instead left to lightly touch her shoulders in wet wavy twists. She only took notice of her bedside guest when her stomach growled and a familiar deep chuckle sounded from beside her, spooking her as she quickly turns to see Shio sitting in a chair next to her bunk, "Well, I think you might be a bit hungry after not eating for quite a few days."

"Shio!" Arlana was utterly relieved he was okay, though still seeming a bit on the pale side compared to his usual self, he wasn't sick anymore. She had been worried since the storm that swept over the town but even his health was a blessed today, "You're okay!"

"Of course I am! You thought a little cold was gonna do me in?"

"Well, you're like what? 1,000 years- ouch!" Her hands flew to the aching spot on top of her head where his knuckles knocked on, it already felt tender, "What the hell, old man?!"

He only laughs, good-natured as ever, "Its good to see you're alright!" He hands her a plate of warm food that made her stomach ache, realizing how hungry she was. Arlana wasted no time digging in, "I was worried, you know..."

It felt nice to hear that he cared about her that much, just like he would for anyone in his kitchen...

Arlana pauses, lowering her fork as she looks at the steaming food settled on her lap, "...Shio, I lied about being a Marine..." She admits, regretfully because she knows she can't live this life anymore. Not only because they would no doubt start asking her questions about everything that happened but Arlana felt as though living in Shells Town was keeping her from getting back home. She ended up getting attached to everyone here and settling into this life without really realizing it, simply trying to kill in that empty hurt in her heart that longed for her family.

Because they reminded her very much of her family.

Shio sits back in the chair, it creaks gently under his weight as he lets out a small breath, pulling out a toothpick to stick in-between his lips, "I kinda figured that much after you got yourself in trouble the first time. No Marine I know of acts the way you do..." Even though he didn't sound like he was accusing her of anything bad, it hurt to hear him say that. Her fingers grasp tighter on her utensil as she bites her lip, it only confirmed her fears that her happy little time in town was coming to an end, "What I don't understand is why...?"

"Because..." There was so many things she could say, so many things to try and dull the impact but...she remembers that look in Hilm's eyes, she doesn't want to lie to them any more, "Because I was scared, I didn't know what to do when I got here and at the first sign of trouble, I panicked." What was he going to think of her now? He was probably going to be disappointed in her too, "I'm a pretty lousy Marine, aren't I?"

Arlana meant that as a particle jest but to her surprise, Shio responded with a soft chuckle, "What are you talking about? You're one of the best damn Marines I've ever met..."

He's...not mad at me?

But she thought...but why...?

Arlana suddenly feels him draw her into a warm embrace, though a bit awkward since she was sitting on the edge on the bed, her hands remained frozen in the air as tears began to sting her eyes, "But...I...?"

"Whatever you decide to do, you'll always be part of the 153rd Branch here, Arlana..."

"You'll always be our friend..."

She truly didn't know what to say, she had been too afraid of what was going to happen if she said the truth but this whole time...they weren't going to turn her away. And maybe that's what Hilm meant for in the hallway as well, that she could of trusted them with her secret even though they should have reported her in. Her throat tightens as tears began to spill over her cheeks, chest convulsing before she returns the hug with shaky hand, "Thank you...for everything..."

She had a hard choice ahead of her, whether to stay in Shells Town or set out to fulfill her resolution. Either way, at least she knew she wasn't alone in this world.

Arlana will always have her friends in Shells Town to remember.

And with that in mind, she knew exactly what she had to do.


It wasn't hard to find the docks, despite having never been outside the walls of the Branch but new times meant new experiences...even if it felt a little intimidating.

Arlana had been allowed to take her belongings, which hadn't been very much to begin with, but the one thing she wasn't allowed to take with her was her uniform. Of course, that didn't stop her from not taking her hat but the rest of the outfit wouldn't have been of any use to her. Besides her extra pair of clothes, a book Hilm let her borrow that she never returned (and now never will), her earnings working at the base (a good amount of money, thankfully, which should last her for a while if she spent it right), and some food, there wasn't much she was taking on her journey.

It was a shame though that she didn't get a chance to tell them or Zoro goodbye, though the swordsman did pass out in the end. She hoped he was doing okay and will be okay with Luffy.

What am I talking about? Of course he'll be fine...

After all, they had a whole journey ahead of them that was yet to fully be told.

At least for Morgan, his was ending thanks to the retrieval of the documents. They luckily found them before they could of been discarded.

That solves one problem...

"Oi, Arely!" The voice caught her off guard but there was only one person she knew of that called her by such a name, it wasn't hard to miss Luffy standing beside a small boat in his bright red vest. Zoro also looked much better after having a good rest and food, offering her a small smile as she waves back at them, "I was wondering where you were off to!"

"I was just saying my goodbyes, that's all. You guys gonna head off to?"

"Well duh," Luffy laughs, "We've been waiting for your, after all!"

That...was surprising, she blinks at him as though he might have said something else but judging from the look Zoro had on his face, he was also waiting for her response, "Wait, you guys were waiting for me?" Why on earth would he? Sure, they helped each other out back at the base but its not like they owed each other any favors, "But why?"

"What do you mean "why"? Cause we're friends, aren't we?" He says it like its the most obvious thing in the world but...it felt nice to hear. Even if it was a little odd and with not much grounds, "And I want my friends to join me on this adventure."

Arlana looks over to Zoro who shrugs, leaning off the post he had been sitting on before starting to climb into the boat, "We better hurry before the Marines change their minds about letting us go."

But she stayed rooted to the spot on the docks, feeling as though her choice at this very moment would be one of the most important decisions she'll make on this journey. Whether to try and venture off on her own or join a man she knew who had trouble follow him. Would she end up dying before reaching her goal? Would she get hurt along the way? The ex-Marine frowns inside as Luffy climbs aboard his small boat that bobbed gently in the waters, "Come on and join us, it'll be fun!"

What do you value most in the end?

With a smile, Arlana looks up at the two, she's made her choice, "Alright then, if you think so then I don't see why not."

Luffy, her new Captain, cheers as she clambers on inside the boat. There a feeling of homesickness washing over her, knowing that she was leaving behind the friends she made in Shells Town. Her only wish, as they began to set sail on the vast open sea, was that she had a chance to tell them goodbye...

"L-Luffy!"

Three heads turn back to the docks to see Coby standing there, huffing and panting away after having ran for the boat before it disappeared from the docks, "Coby!"

The boy stands straight and with a surprising strong stance, salutes them as a sign of farewell, "Thank you very much! I'll never forget you for the rest of my life!"

What was more shocking was, unnoticed by the boy, the Marines of Shells Town stood silently behind him and saluted with him as well. Arlana could see Hilm, Chlothar, Shio, and everyone else she had come to know and love. They weren't only thanking Luffy for what he's done for them.

They were there to tell her the one thing she didn't get a chance to say back there.

"Arlana! You take care now, you hear!"

"We'll see you again someday!"

"I'll miss you, princess!"

"Please stop embarrassing her, brother..."

She tears up a bit, smiling as she watches them shrink smaller and smaller into the distance, "Thank you guys for everything! I'll never forget any of you, I promise!"

The sun never felt so brighter after that.


Shio has seen many people come and go at the 153rd Branch, for one reason or another.

Whether in death or in absence, he was no stranger in having to part ways with those who have come to work for them over his many long years stationed in the quiet town. Arlana wasn't the first, she certainly wasn't going to be the last, but she is probably going to be the one he remembers the most in the end.

"Being a Marine isn't about following orders, it's not about being afraid of danger...it's about fighting for the freedom of those who can't do so themselves!"

Despite everything, no matter what she said to him, he still believed what he told her after she woke up. It was sad to see such a potential Marine leave them after they were finally freed from Morgan's tyranny but he knew that her place was far beyond this place. Shio trusted that she was going to make the right choices in the end.

"You were a good kid, Mis. Durand..."

And she'll be able to reunite with her family, like she always dreamed of.


AND THUS MARKS THE END OF THE SHELLS TOWN ARC

Again, thank you everyone who read this far. Even if you don't review or anything like that, I still appreciate it. Even if this story makes just one person happy to read, that's all I want for in this. I began writing as a way to help me deal with my problems that I had no one to turn to, it was my escape. And while things have gotten better now as an adult, I know I'm not alone in that feeling.

Because one day, I wish to become an author, to have my story I've spent so long writing to be read by others in hopes that they too can find that place of peace within.

Thank you,
K.B.