Author's Note: I apologize for any delays on this fic. I kinda had writers' block, and all I wanted to write were scenes from the upcoming Alabasta chapters or chapters for my crack fic The DysFUNctional Pirates.
Also, for being in the middle of an arc based off of the T.V. show Hannibal, this chapter is very tame. Next two chapters will have some gore and body horror, so read them with caution.
Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece. If I did, the Island of Eternal Day and Island of Eternal Night would be used in a story arc.
A week-and-a-half later…
After their two weeks in Yukijima were up, the Virgos left Yukijima at the first chance they got. Because they had spent two weeks in the same city due to the Log Pose, the Virgos were anxious to get to a new island.
"So, Griffin, what was Seven supposed to do after he left Yukijima?" Desdemona asked.
"Due to the stress of seeing not one, but two, Shichibukai drop dead, the World Government gave him a paid sabbatical for a few weeks to recover. He's going to Longjing Island for a few weeks. Chances are, we'll run into him if we end up there," Griffin explained. "And the Libras? What are they up to?"
"I don't know. However, Odette did tell them that they are welcome to join us on the raid on the Forbidden Islands," Desdemona explained. "Cooro, however, is going to come with us to the Forbidden Islands, but he's going to go pick some people from his crew up before he joins up with us."
"Okay, so the raid on the Forbidden Islands is now down to us, Odette, Hadrian, Cooro and his crew, and maybe the Libras," Griffin said. "Maybe when we get to this Island of Eternal Day, we can ask the Eagle Islanders if they want to help us."
"Oh, yeah. They're going to meet up with us on the next island," Desdemona said. "Speaking of which, when are we supposed to get there?"
"We're here! We're here!"
Desdemona and Griffin ran out onto the deck, where they were greeted with a blanket of heavy fog.
"Eta, I don't see anything," Desdemona pointed out.
"Are you sure we're at the right place?" Matilda asked everyone.
"The Island of Eternal Day and the Island of Eternal Night? I think so," Enoch answered. "It rained earlier today, so that must be why it's so foggy."
"Hey, guys! We're here!"
The Virgos looked down, and they could make out the Eagle Islanders standing on the fog-covered island.
"Come on up! We can't see you guys!" Desdemona yelled. After about two minutes, the Eagle Islanders climbed up the gangplank
"Hey! It's been a while!" Lydia shouted, giving Desdemona a hug.
"I know, right?" Desdemona asked. "What have you guys been up to?"
"Well, we visited the famous Drum Island, and Andromache got to meet the famous – or infamous – Tony Tony Chopper," Ben explained. "We got to explore the Cones of Dunshire and help a local guild out with a raid on a rival guild."
"We even ran into the Capricorns at one point. I made it a point to punch at least one of them in the face, and I did," April added. Desdemona smiled.
"Which one?! Which one?!" Desdemona asked.
"I think his name was 'Heathcliffe' or some stupid, Goth name like that," April said.
"Good. He deserved it," Desdemona replied.
"So, how are the Libras doing?" Richard asked.
"They came back swinging," Desdemona answered. "Seven trained them up, and they're stronger and faster. Still the same Libras we know and love, but stronger."
"Hey, we heard about what happened with Seven. Is he alright?" Andromache asked.
"He will be. He's on sabbatical right now," Griffin answered. "Hey, speaking of sabbaticals, do you want to come with us to Alabasta?"
"Why not? It's not like we're going to waste time anywhere else," April asked.
"Well, our friends, Odette and Hadrian, need some help, since some islands their mother rules over are headed toward a rebellion," Desdemona explained. "That's the gist of it. Are you in?"
"I'd love to help out!" Christo said. "As they say, a friend in need is a friend indeed!"
The rest of the Virgos and Eagle Islanders sweatdropped.
"Do you know anybody living in the Forbidden Islands?" Arrowe asked.
"Nope!" Christo answered. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason," Arrowe answered.
After spending an hour of catching up with each other, the Virgos and the Eagle Islanders began to explore the Island of Eternal Day. Unfortunately for them, the fog had yet to burn off, leaving everything in their path obscured.
"You know, I feel kind of cheated. This is supposed to be the Island of Eternal Day, not the Island of Eternal Fog!" Eta yelled.
"It rained here the last few days due to a tropical storm. The fog is supposed to burn off tomorrow morning," Ben explained calmly.
"I can't even see anything through this fog. Do any of you know if we're near the docks?" Hatori asked everyone. Everybody then stopped walking, bumping into each other in the process.
"Hatori's right. Where are we?" Ecru asked everyone.
"The Island of Eternal Day, duh," April replied sarcastically.
"I know that! Where are we on the Island of Eternal Day?!" Ecru yelled.
"Excuse me, but are you lost?"
A girl with black hair in a hime haircut approached the group, carrying a lantern in her left hand. She wore a dark-blue, sleeveless, collared shirt under a light-pink cardigan, dark-blue skinny jeans, and brown, ankle boots.
"Where are we?!" The Virgos and Eagle Islanders asked the girl.
"The Island of Eternal Day," The girl with the lantern answered. "However, it's not safe to be out here right now. Not only is there dense fog in the weather forecast until tomorrow morning, the Ko no Mono serial killer is still out there."
"The Ko no Mono serial killer?" Lydia asked. "Isn't he the one who decapitates his victims and leaves their chopped-off heads for people to see?"
"That's the one," The girl answered. "If you want, I can take you to the Island of Eternal Night. The fog is not as thick there."
"Sure. I don't see any harm in it," Ben answered. The girl nodded.
"Perfect. Just follow my lead," The girl explained. "If you are curious, my name is Madison."
Following Madison, the two pirate crews began to walk.
"So, Madison, where are we going?" Desdemona asked, slight nervousness showing through her voice.
"We are going to the royal family's palace on the Island of Eternal Night. My dad works as their personal chef," Madison explained. "However, I don't know how long that job is going to last, since Princess Akari's severed head was recently discovered."
Desdemona felt a slight chill creep up her spine. Was this the same Akari who sailed with the Capricorn Pirates, or was it just her? Adding to that, it appeared that the Ko no Mono serial killer had been the one to kill Akari. It appeared that the Virgos were going to be the next ones to meet the Ko no Mono serial killer.
Andromache meeting Chopper - I may do an OVA or at least a flashback explaining this meeting, so be on the lookout for that.
Cones of Dunshire - Another reference to Parks and Recreation. It's a reference to the fantasy board game Ben (Parks and Rec Ben, not In Argo Ben) creates.
Review if you want to see the Island of Eternal Night!