As the two groups looked at the large creature in front of them, Wren tapped her chin with a hum.
"Hmm, I wonder how we should tackle this obstacle." Wren said as Masira's men were crying out for their captain.
"Tackle it?!" Nami asked as she dropped to her knees to hold onto Wren by her legs. "Don't you see that one tooth is the size of our boat?! We're done for, Wren!"
Wren sighed then looked down at Usopp and Chopper, who was in his smaller point, as they clung to her legs like frightened children as well.
"There's no monster, right, Wren?!" Usopp asked as he turned his head from the scene. "This is just one big stupid dream that we're having together for some reason!"
"A dream, right!" Chopper was quick to agree.
The cowardly trio then let out sighs of relief as if the danger had passed while leaning into Wren.
"Just a dream." They said.
However, their calm didn't last long since Robin decided to speak up about the obvious problem they had at hand.
"You know, our boys just got eaten." Robin said.
"Hmm, I wonder if they're still alive," Havel commented casually.
They needed to find a way to get the boys from the turtle's mouth and back onto the safety of the boat.
"That ship we tried to salvage was eaten as well." Robin said looking to Wren.
Wren hummed wondering just how much trouble this crew can get into. If it wasn't one thing it was another.
"How can you three be so calm?!" Usopp asked as he jumped to his feet.
Nami and Chopper jumped to their feet as well as Havel looked to Wren wondering what they were going to do.
"Yep, most definitely eaten." Robin said. "I can see the air hoses dangling from its jaws."
Wren wasn't too worried as she could still sense them through her haki. It was faint, but they were still there.
"Should we try attacking it?" Havel questioned as Chopper started to run around in a panic. "Though I should point out now, that I will not be going into the water for any reason whatsoever."
"No that might only cause it to submerge, which wouldn't help the boys or us considering we're attached to those air hoses as well." Wren said.
Havel nodded in agreement as Usopp turned to point an accusing finger at Nami.
"This is all your fault." Usopp said. "You're the one who said it'd be safe at the bottom of the Grand Line. And you!"
He turned to point a finger at Wren who blinked wondering what she had done.
"You happily sent them to their doom just to get the information you wanted!" Usopp said. "Now look! They're gone!"
Wren and Nami were silent for a moment before exchanging a glance with each other. They then looked down at the deck.
"You're right." Nami said with Wren nodding in agreement.
Usopp's eyes widened in their quick acknowledgement of their mistakes while seeing what looked like true remorse on their faces as they looked up at the turtle where their crewmates were trapped.
"Sorry/My apologies." Nami and Wren said in unison with no sign of that remorse anywhere.
Usopp hit the deck in tears though supposed that was about as good as it was going to get. Of course, those two devils weren't really sorry about what they did. They're evil. Suddenly the turtle started to move, which caused the Going Merry to go with it. Some of the others tripped over due to the tug, but Wren remained on her feet while frowning. This wasn't good at all.
"If we don't cut the air hoses that beast will drag us down to the bottom of the ocean." Robin warned.
"I don't care what you do!" Usopp said. "Just do something! You're the super smart lady! And, Wren, you're the super scary one! Scare the monster away!"
Wren's brow quirked as she had her arms cross over her chest. She wasn't sure if she be flattered or insulted. However, now isn't really a good time to ponder over his comment.
"Give me a minute." Robin said as both ships started to be dragged. "I'll see what I can come up with."
The ships continued to be dragged along as the turtle moved forward with no intention of staying put it would seem.
"Unfortunately, we don't have a minute." Wren said. "The turtle is just moving forward at the moment, but it's only a matter of time before it decides to dive back under the water."
Nami, Usopp, and Chopper all gulped fearing they were getting less and less time to do anything as Wren and Robin debated on what to do.
"I understand we can't necessarily fight it, but what if we just startle it a bit?" Havel asked. "Enough for it to loosen its hold on the ship?"
Wren and Robin looked to consider this idea as Masira's men all prepared to fight and get their captain back. Usopp listened to them while inspired by their bravery to save their captain.
"They're right." He said. "It's these challenging times that proves the strength in which we are made!"
"Usopp!" Nami called.
"Yeah?!" He asked expecting her to have some idea of attack.
"Cut the air hoses and get us out of here!" Nami ordered.
Usopp fell face first into the deck out of shock as Chopper's mouth fell agape; not believing her words. Havel sweat-dropped though wasn't that surprised.
"This is what we're made of?!" Usopp asked.
"Coward!" Chopper accused.
Nami didn't seem that offended by being called a coward as she crossed her arms waiting for her order to be carried out. Wren sighed though supposed they did need to hurry and do something. However, before she could suggest something, darkness suddenly fell over the entire area. She shifted at the sudden change while not liking it one bit.
"What is that?" Usopp asked. "It's like everything got dark."
Wren looked around wondering what the cause could possibly be of this sudden darkness. She didn't sense any threats nearby except maybe the turtle, but it couldn't be causing this.
"Scary." Chopper murmured as he held Havel close.
Nami frowned in confusion as she looked at her watch to see what the time was.
"There's no way." Nami said. "Why is it so dark? It's not that late."
Nami then looked to Wren wondering if she might have the answer, but the older woman looked to be just as perplexed.
"It's time to leave, guys!" Usopp shouted. "Now! Luffy, Zoro, Sanji!"
Wren turned towards the edge of the ship while relaxing when she sensed them…and they were getting closer.
"They're coming." She said.
Usopp looked at her in fright thinking she might have meant some kind of enemy. However, he was proven wrong when Luffy was thrown out of the ocean and onto the deck of the ship.
"Luffy!" the group exclaimed before Nami ran over to him.
She knelt down beside him as he laid on the deck with a large sack tied around his shoulders. It looks as if they did find something.
"Tell me what happened!" Nami demanded as she smacked him repeatedly. "Are you dead? Where are the others?"
"Nami, they're right here." Wren said from beside the railing.
Nami turned her head and watched as Usopp and Wren both helped Sanji and Zoro back on board. Sanji let out a breath before lifting his head to look up at Wren who had a slightly amused smile on her face.
"You gave us all quite the fright, Sanji." Wren said.
Sanji grinned in return while just glad to be back. He was so ready to get away from this place.
"Set sail now." Zoro ordered. "We gotta get out of here."
"Yeah, that guy's crazy." Sanji added as he sat down the sack, he had with him.
Wren blinked in confusion wondering who he meant as Chopper and Usopp just looked so happy at their return. Behind them Nami was expressing her happiness by repeatedly slapping their captain and asking him question after question.
"I'm so glad you're okay." Usopp said. "Now let's get away from this stinking turtle as fast as we can."
"No," Zoro said as he pointed at Usopp. "It wasn't a turtle. It was a monkey."
'Oh, he must be speaking of Masira.' Wren realized.
Wren will admit that she is a bit curious as to where the monkey man went all of a sudden.
"Yeah, bona fide sea monkey." Sanji said.
"Can't say I'm surprised he and Luffy got along as well as they did." Zoro added.
"Well, they're both monkeys." Sanji reasoned.
"But when he caught a glimpse of all the stuff we had taken from his ship, he totally flipped out and went on a rampage!" Zoro said.
"I've never seen a primate act like that before." Sanji said.
Wren was starting to think these two were scarred for life after their little encounter with Masira based on how they were acting.
"Yes, yes, we can see it was a very traumatic experience." Wren said. "However, how did you get away from the turtle?"
She has been wanting to know, and she wasn't the only one since Usopp nodded along with what she was saying.
"Why do you guys keep talking about a turtle?" Zoro asked.
Both men then turned with their eyes widening when seeing the turtle, the size of an island.
"Hmm, his mouth is open now." Wren commented as she stood beside Usopp.
"Yeah, you're right!" Usopp said. "That must have been how they escaped."
Wren nodded because that made sense to her. Zoro and Sanji just continued to stare before the little gears in their mind clicked and made a connection.
"We were in that thing's mouth?!" Zoro and Sanji asked in unison.
"Nothing gets past you guys, does it?" Usopp asked sarcastically.
Havel looked to Wren as the young mage shook her head almost seeming exasperated.
"How didn't they know they were inside its mouth?" Havel asked. "The entire ship they were inside was crushed."
"It's because they're special, obviously." Wren said simply then clapped her hands together. "Well, now that we're all here, I suggest we prepare to leave as quickly as possible. The turtle doesn't bother me. This unexpected darkness does. The sooner we are away the better."
"Right!" The crew said with the boys—minus Luffy who was unconscious—getting to work.
As they readied the Going Merry, Wren stood on the deck with her hands behind her back. This darkness unnerved her since she couldn't tell the cause. Yes, there were some heavy clouds around, but not enough to cast this much darkness. But her haki wasn't reacting to any possible threats, which had her frowning.
"Hey, when did night happen?" Luffy asked as he finally came too and stood up.
"Attention, all hands!" Zoro shouted. "We're getting out of here now."
However, before they could get far, Masira came barreling out of the water. He gave a shout as he landed on the railing of their ship with a glare on his face.
"Not so fast!" Masira shouted. "Hand over the treasure you stole! Or I'll tear your ship apart and find all of it anyway!"
Nami didn't seem to be concerned with his threat as she turned to Luffy with a hopeful smile on her face.
"Is he right?" Nami asked. "You guys found some treasure?!"
"Hehe, we sure did!" Luffy told her. "Tons of it!"
Nami's smile widened as she couldn't wait to get her hands on this treasure they spoke of. Zoro got ready for a fight as he frowned. Though before a fight could break out, Masira's men who were shivering in fright, caught the monkey man's attention.
"Hey, captain, behind you!" One of his men called out.
"Behind me?" Masira asked turned. "What's behind me?
The Straw Hat crew turned around as well with their eyes widening when seeing the hundred-foot shadow figures behind them. Wren felt her heart stop for a moment because how could creatures so big get so close without tripping her haki? It should be impossible. Everyone else—even Masira's crew—just kept staring in fear before Luffy and Masira broke the stillness.
"Monsters!" They shouted snapping everyone out of their stupor.
Everyone hurried into action with the guys bringing out the oars to start paddling out of there. As they hurried away, Wren kept her eyes on the shadow figures feeling no life from them.
'What was all that?' Wren wondered. 'An illusion?'
Once the crew was far enough way, the crew sat around the Going Merry's deck to catch their breaths. Wren sat on the stairs a bit a way's away from the others with a thoughtful look on her face. Those "monsters" were still bothering her. She's never met a monster or other being for that matter that had no presence.
'So, they couldn't have been real, could they?' She thought.
"That couldn't have been real." Zoro, who basically spoke what she was thinking, said breaking the silence amongst the crew.
"Those things were taller than the sky." Usopp whimpered.
Wren's brows furrowed as she crossed one leg over the other. There had to be some explanation. Even if things on the Grand Line seem impossible at first there is always some explanation even if it isn't a logical one. Sanji just let out a sigh as he lit a new cigarette. He took a puff from it then let out the smoke.
"The Grand Line is an endless parade of mysteries and annoyances." Sanji said. "I mean, just look at the nightmare of making it through today."
"First there was that huge galleon that fell from the clouds on top of us." Zoro said.
"The log pose's needle started pointing towards the sky." Nami added.
"A psycho makeup wearing monkey shows up and blocks our way." Usopp continued.
"And then a gigantic sea turtle came and ate our salvage ship." Chopper said.
"Then darkness fell." Robin carried on.
"Because the biggest monsters I've ever seen in my life blocked out the sun." Luffy finished.
It was definitely an eventful day. One the Straw Hat Pirates would never forget.
"I must admit, even I was intimidated by those things," Masira pipped up.
The crew paused while turning to look to Masira who they forgot had been on their ship when they escaped. Though that was soon changed when Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji kicked the monkey man from their ship.
"Beat it!" They shouted as the man was sent sailing through the air.
Once that was taken care of, Wren decided to put aside what just happened as she stood.
"Now, gentlemen, if you would be so kind to show the group what exactly you learned from that wreckage, I would be extremely pleased." Wren said with a smile.
Sanji was quick to snap up onto his feet while saluting Wren as if she was a commanding officer.
"Yes, ma'am!" Sanji said. "Anything for you! And when you see what I have brought, I will surely get a kiss~"
"This…is all useless." Wren said as she looked at the collection of junk that the boys had brought back.
Nami nodded in agreement with an annoyed frown on her face as the two women stood side-by-side. Zoro nearly rolled his eyes.
"Come on, you guys." Nami said. "Tell us you at least tried to find something down there we could actually use."
Wren saw nothing of importance from where she stood, but Luffy, who was strutting around in rusted armor, seemed pleased with their haul.
"All you brought back was a bunch of scattered junk." Nami said. "There's not a single clue here about how to get to Sky Island."
Which means they haven't learned anything new at all. This bothered Wren. She was so used to having the information she wanted almost at the snap of her fingers. However, she supposed she had to get used to not having that kind of power anymore.
"There wasn't anything there, believe me." Zoro said. "We looked."
"Yep, if there was something else down there, we would have found it." Sanji added.
He then took another drag from his cigarette before letting out a small wisp of smoke.
"The ship was in terrible shape." Sanji continued to explain. "All jacked up as it if had maybe been attacked and raided. Or perhaps a mutiny had broken out, and they had all killed each other in a violent struggle for power and survival."
Wren frowned as she placed her hands on her waist. It would seem as if they would have to find information in a different way.
"Look around, boys, this is exactly why we need more information!" Nami said. "If we've learned anything from Wren it's intelligence can mean life or death for this whole crew! Have you not been paying attention?!"
Havel sweat-dropped while leaning back away from the angered orangette as he watched from the sidelines. Nami could be scary.
"We do need to learn more." Wren said with a slight sigh. "Considering what did happen to that crew and its ship, we could face many dangers once reaching Sky Island—if we even reach it. We don't even have enough information to give us a clue as to how to reach the island above us in the sky."
Nami nodded affirmatively with what Wren was saying as Wren rested her elbow in the palm of her hand then her chin in her other palm.
"And we definitely can't get any clues from all this junk!" Nami screamed in frustration.
She started kicking and stomping on it, which had Sanji and Zoro freaking out since they were nearly killed by a monkey and eaten by a turtle to get that stuff. Wren sighed shaking her head before looking to Luffy as he stopped in front of Wren and Nami.
"What is that, Luffy?" Nami asked.
Luffy pushed open the slit in the armor to reveal his face while looking pleased with himself.
"Armor." He answered simply.
He didn't get a chance to say anything else since Nami gave one of her famous punches, which sent Luffy and the armor crashing onto the deck. And due to the armor's fragileness, it shattered easily. Still…it was a bit scary how strong Nami could be when she put her mind to it.
"Whoa, she crushed the armor!" Zoro exclaimed.
As Luffy laid stun on the deck, Wren turned away while pinching the bridge of her nose. She was getting a headache.
"Wren-chan~" Sanji called causing her to actually flinch. "Look, darling, I brought back some lovely seashells for you~"
Wren turned to look at Sanji, who was smiling ear to ear, as he held up his hands to show the pretty seashells. Despite her annoyance, she tried to smile at the cook while accepting the gift. After all, it was nice of him to think of her.
"Thank you, Sanji." She said as Nami was walking away from the entire thing. "It was very kind of you to think of me."
Nami was very much over the stupidity of their male crewmates. She sat off to the side with Havel trying to comfort her as Wren finally walked away from Sanji who seemed pleased that Wren took his gift. She blocked out his love-struck mumbling as she walked up the stairs. Though she paused to look up at Robin when the older woman chuckled.
"Bad day, huh?" Robin asked with a small smile on her face.
"Yes, it has been a bit…tiring." Wren said sighing.
Robin chuckled while seeing how Wren was trying to keep her temper in check. Robin then pulled out the log pose she has been keeping since before they hurried away from those monsters.
"Perhaps this will cheer you up." Robin said holding it out to Wren.
Wren blinked then took the log pose from Robin to see it was an eternal pose to an island known as Jaya. Wren's eyes widened a bit because she knew that island. The island that was rumored to hold the city of gold. The island where Noland the Liar supposedly made a great discovery that others said were all lies.
It was a story she had heard often as a child in the North Blue, and later on she had learned Jaya was the island that Noland had taken the king to find the city of gold. However, when they had gotten there, they had found nothing. However, knowing that any clues that could point to Sky Island could be found at that island of all places was intriguing.
"Well, things have become a bit more interesting." Wren said then looked back to Robin. "When did you acquire this?"
"Oh, I took it off that salvager's ship earlier," Robin said casually.
Wren almost felt herself tear up as she realized she had more reliable crewmates than she thought.
"You are truly a godsend amongst these fools, Robin." Wren said.
Robin smiled at the compliment as Wren turned to give Nami the good news. The orangette practically squealed as she took the eternal pose. As Nami was inspecting it, Luffy was declaring the crew have an octopus dinner as he held up the octopus, they had brought back with them from the wreckage.
"That boy has got to learn how to relax." Robin said as Nami and Wren moved up to the upper deck with her.
Nami just sighed because that was an understatement. Their captain never seemed to run out of energy that was for sure. Nami then looked back to the eternal pose, which had a name written at the top.
"Jaya," She read aloud. "This must have been their home port."
"Which makes this all the more intriguing considering the tales surrounding that island," Wren commented.
Nami looked at Wren wondering what she could mean, but before she could ask, she was interrupted by a certain rubber-brained captain.
"Jaya?" Luffy repeated as he was stuffing his face with Takoyaki.
He wasn't the only one enjoying the food as Havel was sitting on his head and munching away on the food with his tail twitching happily.
"Is that where we're going next?" Luffy asked.
"That would be your decision, Captain!" Nami snapped.
Despite being snapped at, Luffy grinned as he dropped down to the deck below to address the others.
"All hands on deck!" He called. "Set our course to Jaya!"
He paused though after giving his order as he looked to Usopp and Chopper who were also eating Takoyaki.
"So, uh, any of you know what direction that might be?" Luffy asked.
"Starboard," Nami replied.
Luffy nodded then ordered Chopper to change course. The straw-hatted boy obviously excited to get the adventure on the way.
"Onward to Jaya!" Luffy exclaimed.
Usopp, who was stuffing his face still, paused with a bothered look on his face.
"Now, await just a minute," He said. "If we head off to this Jaya place that's so important, won't the log pose's needle change position again? Cause if that happens, we won't know which direction sky island is."
"What?!" Chopper shouted in shock.
"All hands, full stop!" Luffy ordered.
He then turned to Nami to argue about the course they were going. They went back and forth with Luffy changing his orders from going to Jaya to sky island and then back again. Wren shook her head at the boy as Nami finally convinced him to head to Jaya first.
'This boy,' She thought as Luffy made his final decision to head for Jaya.
As they changed course to Jaya once more, Sanji called the ladies of the crew to lunch.
'I wonder how long it'll take to reach Jaya,' Wren thought. 'The island that Mock Town calls home. I bet it hasn't changed a bit…that lawless town of rogues.'
She's been there before to track down someone that Doflamingo humored by letting him act as an extension of the family. That man always did seem to like that town.
'…Bellamy…' Wren thought.
Coco: And that is the end of this three-chapter post! Though before we part ways, how about another character profile!
Name: Lorelei
Age: 15/16 (estimated)
*Fae's ages are actually very hard to pinpoint as the fae's aging slows the older they get until they reach maturity, which is when it stops all together. It takes the average fae sixty to seventy years to reach said maturity. So, while the Donquixote Family Lorelei roughly at the age of two or three, she might have actually been older than she appeared. Meaning she could be older now than they suspect.
*Fae are also terrible at keeping up with their own age as they don't register the passing of time as humans or other races do. Which is probably a blessing since they live very, very long lives.
D.O.B: April 5th
*She shares her birthday with the Minister of the Right and Vice-Admiral Yamakaji
Origin: North Blue (home island unknown)
*While Lorelei was found in the port town of Spider Miles, it's unknown if she's from the island the town resides on.
Height: 142.24 (4'8")
*Wisps are petite in nature no matter what form they may take. However, Lorelei is hoping to get a growth spurt soon, so she can say she's taller than Dellinger.
Race: fae (Will 'o Wisp)
*Most people know Will 'o Wisps as creatures who lead people astray in dense fogs. Usually leading them to their dooms. And while the more mischievous of this race will do so, most Wisp lead the souls of the departed to the other side, so they are not lost and alone on the plane of the living or used for dark magic thus not allowing them to find peace.
*They also have control over blue flames, which is the form their magic takes. They can even be found usually carrying a small lantern on a pole that emits their blue fire constantly.
*Like most fae they have a love for sweets, but what they love even more is the smell of burning wood and smole, which usually draws them to fires.
*Due to having the important job of ferrying souls, it's also very rare to have a Wisp make a contract with a mage to become their familiar.
Affiliation(s): Donquixote Family/Donquixote Pirates, Dressrosa, Baroque Works (former; undercover spy)
*Lorelei is originally a member of the Corazon branch in their pirate crew. However, it's unknown if she was moved under the guidance of another commander after Wren's betrayal. She was in the Corazon Army alongside Money and Vergo (the original Corazon) due to their espionage-based skills. Infiltrating other organizations, gathering intel, and helping grow the family's network are their main priorities.
Weapon: two mini-scythes
*They were given to her as a gift by Wren and Baby 5 for her 10th birthday when it was realized guns and swords weren't really her thing.
Family: unknown fae parents, unknown human adoptive parents, the Donquixote Family
*Lorelei was born to two unknown fae. It's even unknown if her fae parents were even wisps because like Mink and Merefolk, fae can give birth to a number of different types of their species, depending on their heritage. Even if neither one of her parents were Wisps, Lorelei must have had at least one member in her family line that was a Wisp to be born one herself. If she were ever to marry a fellow Wisp and have children, there's no guarantee those children will be Wisps like herself.
*It's unknown what happened to her biological parents though it most likely they were taken off by slave traders nor the human parents who took her in. She hadn't been with her human parents long. But despite that she had picked up their human appearances and mannerisms by the time she was taken into the Donquxiote Family.
*Lorelei is extremely loyal to the family. Most of her drive to do right by them, ironically coming from her years of watching Wren, who was only acting, take care of all of them. She admires their captain and the commanders (though Trebol does creep her out from time to time). She's also particularly close to Giola and Baby 5 since both women helped raise her. And though the two have a very strong rivalry, Lorelei is closest to Dellinger due to being similar ages.
Trivia:
*Lorelei's favorite foods are anything with a lot of spice. This could be due to her affiliation with fire-based magic as a Wisp, but it hasn't been confirmed.
*She happens to be terrified of dogs after a traumatic experience with one as a child.
*Lorelei's favorite color is green with black being a close second, which is why most of her clothes incorporate those two colors often.
*Despite only being a spy in Baroque Works, Lorelei grew close to her partner Bon Clay and plans to write to him every day while he's in Impel Down. Making sure to keep him update with the latest news and even send him care packages with his favorite beauty products (Just make sure not to tell her family, okay? She doesn't want them teasing her for being such a softy). And if those in the prison try to refuse her of getting to write to her old friend, well, let's just say I'm glad I'm not them.
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Okay, and there you have it. Just a bit of information about that little sourpuss Lorelei. The next "profile" will probably cover more about Era Island and mage society as I don't want to reveal too much about my three supporting characters (the three commanders of the Chessboard) just yet ;)
Well, as always, I hope you enjoyed the chapter or rather chapters. Until next time, everyone. Stay safe out there and keep being your beautiful selves!
Coco, out!~