The next morning came at last, and with the help of the fairies both the Sunny and Doctor Jomei's boathouse were wading by the beach, awaiting their travellers. Lil and Bona stood at the front of the villagers as Deity and Luffy stepped up to them. "Gee, thanks for all the meat, you guys! It was a great party!"

"It's the least we could do after all the trouble I caused," Lil sighed, "and from now on, I promise to never capsize another ship again. The jungle is just going to have to take care of itself from now on. Shokusei Island will disappear."

"You have done well for this island and its people, Prince Deity," Bona shook his hand, "and I hope yours and the Straw Hats' journeys will go well."

"Oh, right," Lil frowned, "say, Deity, have you decided what you're going to do from now on?"

He hadn't told any of them yet. As she finished her question all eyes laid on him. Deity coughed into his arm and smiled. "Yes. I know what I have to do."

"…Well? Don't keep us waiting!"

"…I'm going to travel with Doctor Jomei as his assistant."

The fairies murmured in approval as Jomei grinned. "I asked him to join me before we fell asleep last night. I think it'd be nice having someone younger and stronger than I on board. Think of all the lives we can save together."

"And as a bonus," Zoro nodded, "you won't be found by the Marines, you island will remain safe, and your Erlking-Erlking powers will be kept a secret from prying eyes and hunters."

"I wish you would stay," Lil gave him a big hug, "but I suppose a jungle really isn't the place for the king of the elves."

"I'm afraid the sea will have to be my forest."

Little by little the fairies returned to the jungle, until only Lil stood at the edge of the beach, waving to them as they departed on their boats. "Thank you, Straw Hats!"

"Your welcome," Luffy called back as a thick fog began to hide the beach, "be sure to protect the village! And don't let those cyclops push you around!"

"I won't – we won't!"

Soon it was impossible to see the island. Deity stood, leaning against the outside of the boathouse as Jomei worked inside, organizing all the herbs and potions the fairies had given them.

"Deity."

He spotted Nami sitting on the Sunny's banister, pointing at her chest. "Don't worry about it."

"…About what? You haven't stolen anything from us, have you, master thief?"

She giggled. "I meant the blame put on us for your death. We know the truth, and that's all that matters right now."

"…Thanks."

"Bye, Deity," Chopper rode on Usopp's shoulders as the crew appeared behind Nami, "we'll see each other again someday!"

"Yeah," Luffy grinned ear to ear, "when I've become king of the pirates!"

…That could takes years…

The fog began to widen the space between them, the Sunny slowly disappearing from view. "Be careful," he called out to them, "the Marines could be anywhere!"

"Not to worry, we've got this!"

…I guess this is it, then…

"Deity!"

He could hear Luffy's voice as the ship became a mere form of shadow.

"If you ever need our help, give us a call!"

"…I don't have a bell, Luffy."

"GAH, right," he could hear faint rummaging before a small object flew over and into his hands. "then use that!"

It was a small orange transponder snail. "I stole it from a marine officer a while back. I named it Bacon!"

…It…doesn't even remotely resemble bacon.

"…I promise!"

"For real, this time! NO fake deaths!"

"Understood…captain…"

By then the Sunny was long gone. Deity stood outside for another moment before entering the boathouse to find Jomei sitting on the bed. "We'll need to buy you your own bed at the next stop."

"Anything will do."

"A prince deserves the best, does he not?"

Deity smiled. "I'm not a prince anymore – but this king will be fine with sleeping under the stars."

END

And so ends the tale of Prince-er, King Deity. I never planned for him to join the crew, rather to give him a path where he could have his own journey. Doctor Jomei was also a fun character to write, despite how little there was of him. I'm glad I got back to this story; leaving "A Prince's Ponderings" with its ending had bugged me for a year. This is a great relief, and I can only hope you readers enjoyed it as much as I did. It was unplanned, out of nowhere, and overall, a whole lot of fun.

Thanks for reading!

P.S: Posting these chapters early so I can focus on my next short fanfic and my longer Miraculous Ladybug fic.