The Last Train Out - The Traitors Must Pay!
Umiko made her way down the train station with a clipboard tucked under her arm. She could see the billows of smoke puffing up from the Sea Train's engine.
"Ah, it's Umiko-chan!" An excited male voice exclaimed
Umiko paused mid-step and turned around. She saw two men heading her way, workers from the shipyard, and they were holding tools as if they were weapons.
Umiko pursed her lips and cocked her head wondering what they were doing.
"Umiko-chan, we could really use your help. We're hunting down those Straw Hat pirates."
Umiko was silent for a moment before she shook her head. She held up her clipboard showing the contents to the two men, a checklist for the Sea Train.
"Oh, are you making rounds on the Sea Train?"
Umiko nodded yes.
"Then we better leave you to that Umiko-chan."
Umiko gave the men another nod before continuing on.
"That Umiko-chan is a woman of few words."
"Or maybe she just thought you weren't worth her breath."
"Shut up!"
"If it isn't Umiko-chan!"
"Hello, Umiko-chan!"
As she arrived at the station Umiko was greeted by the two conductors of the Sea Train, Stevie and Bushon.
Umiko raised a hand as she nodded her head in greeting.
"Have you come to inspect the Sea Train before it departs?"
*NOD NOD*
"Alright then! We'll leave it to you Umiko-chan!"
*NOD NOD*
Umiko, with the clipboard held tight, jumped high, easily landing atop the Sea Train. She held the clipboard in one hand while she pulled a pen out of her tool belt. Umiko started walking down the length of the train giving it through inspection. When she was done she hopped off the roof before going around the left side of the Sea Train.
Umiko had just made it to the front of the train when a loud voice rang out.
"UMIKO-CHWAN!"
Umiko looked to her right to see a suit-clad blonde speeding towards her, arms up high over his head.
Umiko just stood there, calm and composed, watching the blonde man rush straight at her. When he was within range Sanji jumped towards Umiko and the blue-haired young woman simply took one step to her right. Sanji flew past Umiko careening right over the edge of the train's platform and towards the water.
Sanji screamed as he headed towards the water, but then he suddenly stopped as something warm and soft wrapped around his wrist stopping his fall. Umiko had used her tail to halt Sanji's descent towards the water. Sanji waved around his free arm as his feet teetered on the ledge of the Sea Train's platform.
"Ahhh Umi-chwan you-!"
"Shhh…."
Umiko put a hand over Sanji's mouth, shushing him. He and his friends were being hunted, he needed to be quiet if he didn't want to run the risk of being caught.
"If you're not quite….you're going to get caught," Umiko said
"Right! Right! You're so smart Umi-Wait...You're not gonna turn me in Umiko-chan?" Sanji asked
Umiko shook her head. "That's not what Iceburg told me to do. But….I want to know how are you involved? Why would your crew want to hurt Iceburg?"
"Umiko we didn't!" Sanji exclaimed
Umiko let out a low hum thinking.
"Why are you at the Sea Train? Are you and your friends trying to escape?"
Sanji shook his head quickly. "No, no! I'm looking for Robin!"
"Robin? She's the one...that Iceburg said shot him," Umiko stated
"Robin's not at fault. I don't know why or what exactly is going on, but I do know she's been acting strange. She said she was leaving and that she would never see us again, and things were going to get worse. She's never been like this before." Sanji said
Umiko pondered his words. Things were gonna get worse?
Sanji grit his teeth in anger. "Robin's not like this at all. I bet it's all that man in the masks' fault."
"Man...in a mask?"
Umiko's tail suddenly unwrapped from Sanji's wrist and without the leverage, he fell into the water. Sanji let out a gasp as his head popped back out the water, sputtering as he spat out the salty seawater. Umiko crouched at the edge of the platform staring down at Sanji.
Dots were starting to connect within Umiko's mind. Things that were foggy are starting to clear up. It was starting to become clear that the Straw Hat's were being set up, they were scapegoats.
"Sanji...tell me all you know."
Back to the home of Iceburg
Kalifa stood stunned having discovered the hidden room within Iceburg's room. It not only featured a picture of a young Nico Robin, but one of the walls of the room was completely obscured by the many documents covering it. It was decorated in maps, charts, and various other papers denoting some extensive research that was taking place.
Kalifa stepped up towards the wall studying a few of the papers. She saw maps with various X's on it, someone marking off a location that had not been found. She also saw some papers with various unknown writing scrawled on it.
"Sir what are these?" Kalifa asked
Iceburg looked towards the wall, his eyes raking over the research he had started many years ago.
"I've been looking into the origins of Umiko," Iceburg said
"Umiko?" Kalifa questioned
"Kalifa, it's quite clear to everyone that Umiko is not your average young woman. Many who witness her power assume that she just ate a devil fruit, but seeing as she's actually a very strong swimmer their assumption is quite off. An incident that occurred many years ago led me to believe that Umiko was not only a special being, but she wasn't human at all." Iceburg said
A sharp whistle rang through the air, and Umiko looked up at a large clock displayed nearby. She had just finished her inspection and the Sea Train was good to go. The sun had long set and the weather was steadily growing worse. The wind blew hard, Umiko's hair whipping around her face.
She calmly stuck her tongue out just a tad and could taste the salt in the air. Aqua Laguna was going to be coming sooner than previously anticipated.
"Umiko-san!"
Stevie, followed by Bushon, came over towards Umiko.
"Umiko-san, are you done inspecting the Sea Train?" Bushon asked
*NOD*
Umiko gave a thumbs up. "Good to go."
"That's great news! We need to hurry and get the Sea Train rolling," Stevie said
As the two men turned away from Umiko, Sanji came strolling up behind the young woman.
"Umi-!"
Umiko did a spin kick sending Sanji flying into one of the open windows of the Sea Train.
"What was that?" Bushon asked turning back around.
"Nothing," Umiko said
Another whistle rang through the air and the Sea Train started to move forward, departing from the station.
"Umi-chan!"
Sanji stuck his upper body out the window, a red welt on his cheek from where Umiko had kicked him. Despite his aching face he was smiling and waving at Umiko as the Sea Train pulled off chugging along the water.
Umiko just gave a simple wave back as the Sea Train disappeared upon the watery horizon.
"I need to get back to Iceburg," Umiko mumbled
Umiko's bare feet slapped against the wet stone of Water 7's streets. She was just a short distance away from home when a distinct smell wafted into her nose. Smoke.
Umiko looked up and saw black smoke billowing up and its location was in the same direction as her home. She picked up the pace and started running faster. It took her only a minute or two before she arrived home and was met with a devastating sight and what she feared was confirmed.
"Iceburg!"
Umiko made a mad dash towards the burning building and was about to enter the raging inferno when a yell stopped her.
"Umiko!"
She turned around to see a few of the workers from Dock 2.
"Iceburg's okay he's over in the backyard!"
Relief washed over the woman and Umiko wasted no time rushing to the backyard. There she saw Iceburg sitting on the ground wounded and bleeding. Laying next to the man was an injured and unconscious Paulie.
She also spotted Nami and that reindeer Chopper. All four of them looked like they had gotten caught up in the fire, but they were all alive.
"Iceburg!" Umiko said
She ran up to the man and tackled him onto the ground.
"Umi, please." Iceburg choked out.
Umiko let go and sat down helping Iceburg up into a sitting position.
"What happened?" Umiko questioned
"I was attacked again. But this time I found out the real culprits." Iceburg said
Umiko sat at attention, she could clearly make out the anger and sadness in his eyes.
"It was our very own workers. Kalifa, Kaku, and Lucci. They were working here to gain access to Tom's last weapon." Iceburg said
The surprise and shock of the news caused Umiko's normally half-lidded eyes to fly wide open, an expression rarely ever seen on her face.
It was a large bitter pill to swallow that the people she came to care for had done this. But hearing those words made all the dots in Umiko's mind connect, and everything started to make much more sense. That's why the intruders wore masks. Umiko clenched her fist, and in anger, she slammed one down on the ground.
Nami jumped startled as a loud bam rang out. She looked at Umiko and gaped seeing the crater the young woman had created with her fist. Umiko's face relaxed going back to normal, but she had a fire burning in her eyes.
"We need to act quickly," Iceburg said
Nami stood up, "He's right we need to save Robin! I gotta find everyone else and let them know Robin didn't betray us! "
"Hold on what are you going to do? The Straw Hats have already lost to CP9!" Iceburg said
"What'd you mean we lost. We haven't even started fighting yet. We wouldn't be here right now if it was that easy. We will get Robin back you'll see, we just needed motivation that's all. And now that we know that Robin needs saving there no limit to what we can accomplish." Nami said
Iceburg was stunned by the girl's words, while Umiko was impressed.
Nami ran over to Chopper who was still passed out on the ground. She raised an arm and started smacking him in the face.
"C'mon Chopper wake up we've gotta find everyone! You can sleep when you're dead! Get moving before they take Robin away for good! Move it, wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!" Nami said, as she relentlessly smacked Chopper.
The men surrounding her just watched on in pity for the poor reindeer.
Umiko looked at Iceburg, and without words, Iceburg could easily convey what the young woman wanted to do, and he knew that there's no stopping her.
The fire had finally been put out on Umiko and Iceburg's home, nothing but charred rubble remained. After her rough wake-up call, Nami was finally able to get Chopper up. Although battered and singed the reindeer was gearing to go, especially after Nami filled him in on what was happening.
"So you mean Robin doesn't hate us after all?" Chopper questioned, extremely happy.
"Yeah," Nami said with just as much excitement.
"I'm so happy." Chopper said
Several of the Water 7 workers stood around, gaping, as they stared at Chopper.
"He's a raccoon dog!"
"I thought he was a reindeer."
"Did he just transform or what."
"Anyway Chopper, we gotta get the rest of the crew so that we can rescue Robin right away," Nami said
"Okay! Let's go!" Chopper looked around him, "But um, where are they?"
"I don't know that's why we have to find them," Nami said
Chopper's expression morphed into one of determination, and he transformed, growing large and more humanoid, his body now towering over everyone.
"Yeah let's do this!" Chopper shouted
His sudden unexpected transformation clearly freaked out the surrounding men.
"Wait you two. I don't care if you go after Nico Robin, but before you run off you should know the Sea Train for Government personnel is departing at 11 o'clock. This is just my guess, but I bet you'll find CP9 there, and that means Nico Robin will be there as well." Iceburg said
Nami and Chopper, whipped around facing Iceburg.
"Thanks to Aqua Laguna there stopping all service after this final departure. In other words, you won't be able to chase them on another train." Iceburg said
"Wait you mean we have to-?" Nami asked
Iceburg nodded his head, "Since you obviously can't sail in this weather you won't be able to leave this island unless you go after that train right now."
"Uhh?! No way what time is it!" Nami asked
Iceburg pulled out his pocket watch, "It's almost ten-thirty."
"What! That means we only have half an hour left. Hey, but you're the mayor right. Can't you do something to stop the train?" Nami said
"Well unfortunately it's bound for Enies Lobby which is only accessible by Government personnel. Even the engine driver works for the Government, so I have no say in this matter." Iceburg explained
"Oh no. I guess the only choice is to head to the station and try to talk some sense into Robin. Chopper! I'll tell you which direction that Luffy and Zoro flew off in so you can search there. If you find them, tell them to come to the station as quickly as they can." Nami said
"Okay got it." Chopper said
Some low grumbling came from the ground and Umiko looked down to the left to see Paulie. The man groaned as he finally came through and sat up. Umiko had to admit that she had forgotten about Paulie, even though he had been lying right next to her.
"Hey you guys, listen up," Paulie pointed at the workers. "See that girl over there," He pointed at Nami. "I wantcha to help her find her buddy."
"You sure that smoke didn't go to your brain, Mister Paulie. These were the folks who tried to kill Iceburg. We should break their no good sorry necks." A man said
"Besides why should we help some low-life criminals when Lucci and Kaku are still missing." Another said
"The Straw Hats aren't the ones who did it okay! The real criminals set them up! If we hadn't been so damn blind we wouldn't be in this situation right now. Now I don't know the real identity of those guys in the mask but the Straw Hats tried to protect us from them. As a matter of fact, Iceburg and I wouldn't be alive right now if it wasn't for their help." Paulie said
He grunted as he struggled to stand up.
"Don't bother looking for Lucci and Kaku. There's no point. In fact, I don't know if we'll ever be seeing them again." Paulie said
"What! If you know what happened to the foreman you gotta tell us Paulie!" Someone said
Paulie turned away from the men. "They went back home."
"Huh, why would-?!"
"Just shut up and find Straw Hat! Hey, immoral girl." Paulie said
"Why are you still calling me that!" Nami said
"If you're going to the station I'll show you the way," Paulie said
Nami was stunned. "Uh, thanks I guess."
The men set to work heading to the canals gathering yagara's.
Iceburg and Umiko walked over to Paulie.
"Went back home did they," Iceburg said
"I spared them the details. It's better that way. It was bad enough when we found out. They deserve the truth, but I don't want to hurt those guys." Paulie said
"The traitors must pay," Umiko said
Umiko's words came out calmed and measured but the murderous aura that she was emitting spoke volumes. Iceburg and Paulie took two steps back from the raging woman.
"C'mon! Let's find Straw Hat!"
"There's no way that they'll catch that train in time," Iceburg said
"Huh?" Umiko questioned
"It's time that we go to visit an old friend," Iceburg said