Hooray for summer! So, since no one has submitted any ideas, I may just create my own enemy for the Alabasta arc. But, I am still open to suggestions for future arcs! Please remember to review! It helps motivate me to write more of the story.
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece, but I do own my OC.
Within seconds, Luffy stormed out from below deck, cheering. "WHOAAA! IT'S AN ISLAND! It's so white!" He jumped onto his special seat. "It must be snow! A snow island!" Sparkles danced in his eyes.
Sanji had climbed down from the lookout, his job completed. "Luffy! We can't afford to go on an adventure this time. Once we get Nami a doctor, we're leaving right away."
"It's useless, he's already hooked." I commented, seeing the look of excitement on Luffy's face. Luffy and adventure were inseparable concepts.
Zoro came outside, Aiden perched on his shoulder. Once he saw me however, he leapt off and flew at me for a hug.
"HE CAN FLY?!" Luffy and Ussop yelled. They started to scramble after Aiden, and in a panic, he flew higher to avoid their grasps.
Huh, I hadn't mentioned that already? I thought in surprise.
I angrily punched both of their heads when they started jumping. "Quit it you're scaring him!"
I took a deep breath and started to explain, "Yes, he can fly. He has similar powers as I do, but they manifest as wings. He's not strong enough to carry someone though, so don't even try to get him to fly you or else you'll have me to deal with!" I threatened. "Plus…" As if on cue, Aiden's magic dispelled and his wings disappeared. He began to scream as he fell, and I deftly caught him, cradling him against me.
"His magic is unstable and sporadic; he needs to practice to be able to keep control." I set him down on Carue's back, sending them off to watch over Nami.
Luffy and Ussop were pouting, but were soon startled into attention by my glare.
"Now, we were talking about an island?"
We continued to sail towards the snowy island, directing the ship into a river that cut inland. There were strong cold winds blowing, causing my nose to redden and puffs of breath to cloud in front of me. With a small shiver, I pulled my jacket tighter around me.
"Luffy, aren't you cold wearing only that?" Ussop asked, and I noticed Luffy was still wearing his vest and shorts.
"It's negative 10 degrees, cold enough for a bear to begin hibernating." Vivi commented.
"Huh? Ah-" Luffy finally realized how cold it was and started to shiver. "BRRRR!"
"COULD YOU BE ANY SLOWER!" Ussop and Sanji yelled at Luffy.
"Don't worry. Haven't you heard? Idiots never get sick." I chuckled, "Don't worry I'll get you a coat." I headed below to grab Luffy a jacket, tossing it to him when I resurfaced.
Zoro spotted a meltwater waterfall, and thought it would be a good place to dock. While we were deciding who was to go look for a doctor, we heard a loud shout, "Stop right there Pirates!"
A large number of people with weapons appeared on the shore, surrounding our ship.
"You will turn around immediately and leave this island at once." Said a man, he had a large build, and looked to be the leader as he was speaking for the group.
"Wait! We've come here for a doctor!" Shouted Luffy.
"We have a sick person on board!" Added Vivi.
"Those lies won't work on us pirate-scum!" Shouted one of the men.
"This is our country and we won't let no stinking pirates run amok on it! Now pull your anchor back up and beat it! Or else we'll make you leave!" The rest threatened.
"Whoo... talk about a bad first impression," said Sanji.
"Don't talk back at us!" Yelled a man before firing at Sanji's feet, almost hitting him if he hadn't moved in time.
"They opened fire!" Ussop yelled, shocked. Zoro shifted to a battle stance, and Sanji had a look of rage on his face.
"Now you've done it." He growled.
I sprang into action, stepping in front of Sanji and holding him back by his shoulders. "Sanji! Don't!"
The loud crack of a gunshot sounded before I felt a sharp sting in my arm. The bullet had grazed my arm, but caught against my jacket. Weak from lack of sleep and this odd sickness, I stumbled and fell on the ground, hand coming up to grasp at the wound. I grit my teeth in silence as chaos erupted around me before I could regain my bearings.
"Yukio!" I heard Luffy shout.
"Prepare to shoot!" Yelled the men.
"No, wait! This isn't a problem you can solve by fighting!" Vivi cried, grabbing Luffy by the waist.
"Stop it you guys! It only grazed me! You'll only make things worse if you fight now!" I added, sitting up. Sanji kneeled next to me and checked my arm. His brows were furrowed in both anger and concern.
"I beg of you! We promise not to set foot on your country, so could you just call over a doctor?! Our friend is gravely ill and in much pain! Please help her!" Vivi pleaded to the crowd, getting to her knees and bowing.
I could hear her talking to Luffy, explaining how recklessly fighting was only going to endanger Nami. I admired Vivi, her diplomatic nature from her upbringing would make her a brilliant leader.
"Sorry! I was wrong!" Luffy called out, kneeling and bowing as well. "We only ask for a doctor. Please save our friend."
It was a tense few seconds of silence before the leader of the group spoke out. "We'll lead you to our town. Follow me. But let me give you one warning before-hand. There is only one doctor in our country and she happens to be a witch."
That statement caught our attention and curiosity. Sanji and Vivi helped me stand before we made our way to Nami's quarters in order to prep for the journey.
"Yukio-chan, let me help you with that," Sanji said, pointing to my arm.
I shook my head. "Go get help Nami, she needs it more than I do. I got this handled." I found my bag, digging through it to pull out a roll of bandages, showing it to Sanji.
He paused for a moment before nodding and heading to Nami's bed.
I gave a small sigh before sitting down, smiling wryly as Aiden came up and saw the blood on my arm. He looked scared, but also worried. I had an idea.
"Hey there buddy. Looks like I got a bit hurt. Do you think you can help me? I'll teach you." I began to teach him how to wrap a wound, not a skill one would like to be in a situation to have, but a skill needed for the life of a pirate. I talked to him gently and patient, guiding him, and he was able to wrap the bandages secure. As suspected, he looked better after he saw that I was ok.
Vivi had gotten Nami into some warm clothes, and Sanji carried her out onto the deck and off the ship. Aiden was wrapped up in a large scarf, his fur keeping him partially warm. The crew began to head towards town, Zoro and Carue staying behind to look after the ship.
"This country has no name as of yet," said the leader as we trudged through the snow.
"A nameless country? How is that possible?" Vivi questioned, but the answer was interrupted by Ussop.
"GYAAAA! IT'S A BEAR! EVERYONE PLAY DEAD!" He screamed, and face-planted into the snow.
"It's just a hiking bear. It poses no danger but mind your manners and don't forget to bow."
We all bowed respectfully to the bear, and continued on.
Finally arriving to town, the leader led us to his house after chatting with some of the other villagers. Most of their talk was related to the political structure of the country. It seemed that the previous structure had fallen apart recently.
After the leader, who introduced himself as Dalton, explained the rumors of the witch doctor and told us how we would have to go up the mountain to get help, Luffy and Sanji made the decision to take Nami up themselves.
I knew that accompanying them would only slow their progress, estimating that I wouldn't be able to make the journey with my condition. I volunteered to stay with Vivi and Ussop, and the rest agreed.
"Sanji." I called out as the others were preparing.
"Yes Yukio-chan?" Sanji responded, stepping away from the others.
I hesitated for a second, remembering that he was going to get injured on the way to the mountain. Even if I said something, I knew it wouldn't change anything. "Please be careful. And don't do anything too reckless." I settled with.
"Yes Yukio-chan~~~" Sanji gushed with hearts in his eyes.
I smiled before we turned back to the group.
Vivi secured Nami to Luffy's back with a piece of cloth, and the trio took off towards the mountains. Vivi, Ussop, Aiden, and I stayed behind to listen to the story of the Blackbeard Pirate's decimation of the country and Wapol's abandonment of the people.
It was then when we received news that the doctor had come down to a neighboring village. We quickly hooked up one of Dalton's sleighs and set off to the village of Cocoa Weed. I knew we wouldn't get there in time, but I had to make sure Vivi and Ussop were safe. I couldn't just steer them away from trying to get the doctor either without evidence.
During the ride over, I started to feel nauseous, and felt a wetness on my upper lip. I took off my gloves to wipe at it, finding blood coming from my nose. I quickly ran my stained fingers through the passing snow without gathering my crewmates' attention, ridding them of the red stain before pulling my gloves back on. Things were not looking so good for me right now.
It was still a ways from Cocoa Weed, so I passed the time teaching Aiden about magic. He drunk up the knowledge. Even Vivi and Ussop joined in to listen as I described how magic comes in two main types, caster and holder magic. I used the lacrima stones I had as an example of what holder type magic was, where one could store magic in the crystal and then utilize it later.
Finally, we arrived at Cocoa Weed and as expected, we had just missed the doctor. The residents told us she had headed for a town called Gyasta, further north. But before we could make plans, a man stormed into the bar, shouting that Wapol had returned as was currently at Dalton's village, Big Horn, wreaking havoc!
Dalton immediately set off on one of the village's horses, entrusting us with his sleigh to head to Gyasta. As we were riding out, calls to arms rang out across the village, shouts to head to Big Horn to protect their country.
During the ride, Vivi and Ussop began to argue about directions, unable to decipher the map. I was seated in the back, gripping the side of the cart in an attempt to bear the excruciating pain searing through my head. It only became worse when I had a coughing fit, the tremors magnifying the pain with every wave. I waved it off to my friends, claiming I just got a bug in my mouth.
We hit a standstill as the snow became too deep for us to ride through. It looked like we had inadvertently headed up the mountain slope instead of Gyasta. But before we could plan what to do next, the earth began to tremble.
"This sound, could it be?!" Questioned Vivi.
"AVALANCHE!" I yelled out. "RUN!"
I unlatched the rams pulling our sleigh and pushed Vivi and Ussop to start running. Aiden was hanging around my neck.
"Yukio! Use your fire!" Ussop yelled. "Melt the snow!"
My heart sank as I heard those words.
"What are you waiting for Yukio!?"
"I can't!" I shouted.
"What do you mean you can't?" Vivi asked. "If you don't we are going to be buried alive!"
"I MEAN MY MAGIC IS GONE!" I yelled in frustration.
Ussop tripped in shock, taking Vivi down with him. I cursed and quickly analyzed our surroundings.
They had to get to the side areas where there was less snow moving at a slower speed or else we would all just get buried by the snow.
But we were running out of time, the avalanche was just upon us. Making my choice, I grabbed Aiden from behind me and Vivi and Ussop by their jackets. I planted my feet and spun, flinging them towards the outskirts of the torrent of snow, leaving myself behind.
What I saw last was just a field of white before nothing but darkness.
I woke up to freezing cold, shivers wracking my body. Someone, no, two people, were carrying me by the shoulders, feet dragging along the snow. I looked to my right to see Vivi; to the left, Ussop.
"I'm… glad you guys -urgh-… are alright." I croaked out, pain radiating from my body due to the cold and battering I had taken.
"Thanks to you Yukio. I know you're tired, but we have to know, what did you mean your magic is gone? Are you sick too?" Vivi asked. "You've been pretty quiet these last few days."
I sighed, looks like I couldn't fool everyone. "Mhmm… after Little Garden. Headaches... nausea, bloody nose. Magic...stopped. Pain in chest. Didn't *cough*….. Wanted Nami better first…"
"So you hid your sickness from us so we could focus on Nami…" Vivi realized in understanding.
I nodded, and felt a tug on the back of my jacket. The soft flapping of wings told me Aiden was trying to help keep me up.
"Thank you… all of you." I whispered before I sunk back into the darkness again.
The next time I awoke was not as pleasant. A burning sensation exploded in my chest, forcing a scream through my clenched teeth. My hand came up to clutch the skin over my heart, and I could feel the pain as my fingernails dug hard enough to draw blood.
Hands shot into my line of sight and my fingers were pulled away from their iron grip above my heart. A moment of lucidness showed me Vivi, Ussop, Zoro, and many others crowded together. There was a swaying feeling to the floor I was laying on.
"She's burning up! And Dalton has coughed up blood! We have to get there as soon as possible!" I heard Vivi say.
A sharp cough jarred me into turning to my side, and I could taste the metallic tang of blood in my mouth. Looks like Dalton wasn't the only one.
Looking up, I saw Zoro looking at me, eyebrows furrowed.
"I'm sorry... for not telling anyone. But not sorry… for Nami's sake." I wheezed out.
"Shut up and rest. We're getting you a doctor." Zoro grumbled.
I chuckled softly before letting my eyelids close, too tired to stay awake.