Wealth, Fame, and Power! W. D. Gaster, The King of The Pirates, had all those and the rest of what the world had to offer! Through many battles and trials, he had reached the pinnacle of the world's virtues and had nothing left but an illness that plagued him.
He brought himself in and was held at a worldwide public execution. Before he was executed, a man from the crowd asked:
"Where did you hide all your treasure?!"
To which the King of Pirates smiled and said:
"You want my treasure? You can have it! I left the most important treasure in the world on an island! Go and find it! 'For the next pirate that finds the UnderPiece, will be claimed the new King of The Pirates!"
Those were his final words before he was executed. He smiled all the way to his death.
With those words, the world was flipped upside down as he created The Golden Pirate Era! People and already existing pirates from around the works started to sail the seas in search of the treasure that W. D. Gaster claimed to be-
The UnderPiece!
It had been Twenty Years since, and people have yet to find the treasure he was talking about. Except for one girl, who is now going to change the world by storm for the sake of her people.
This is the story of Muffet D. Baker and her way to becoming Queen of the Pirates!
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"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!"
Cassidy got up and immediately cocked her sniper rifle and aimed it at Undyne's mouth. Undyne had been known for her snores at night. Everyone on the crew had already gotten used to it, however, Cassidy, being a new member, wasn't so inclined to put up with it.
They had Cassidy sleep next to Undyne because- for starters- it made sense that their sniper would be on the lookout. For the other reason, it was mostly because they had officially run out of space for new members on the ship.
Petrichor had to station herself in Muffet's room, although most of the time she would end up sleeping in Muffet's parlor. It felt at home to her to sleep where she felt was home, the kitchen being as close to that as possible.
Everyone was now itching to recommend to each other that they needed to probably either upgrade their dinky ship or get a new one entirely. However, there was one problem with that.
That was how Ralsei would react.
No one wanted to deal with that just yet.
She took several deep breaths before placing her sniper back down. She sighed and looked out the lookout for anything that could get her mind off of Undyne's loud snores.
Just as she did, she spotted Muffet and Susie talking to each other near the figurehead of the ship. She couldn't help but realize how much of not-the-captain Muffet seemed to look compared to the rest of her crew. Everyone on her crew looked either stronger than her, or just more professional. She scoffed at that.
"Oi! Bum one and bum two! Whatcha talking about?"
Susie and Muffet both gave her a stern side glance with folded arms. They seemed to look back at each other as if to discuss something briefly before looking back at her. Muffet then gestured her left set of hands as if inviting her to join the talk of secrecy.
Cassidy shrugged as she hopped down and joined them at the figurehead.
"So what-"
"We for real have no men in our crew."
"I mean dearie~ technically Kris was going to be our first male."
"I know, but it looks like we are trying to set a certain agenda forward dont'cha think?"
"Hey, dearie~ not my fault all the males we've met have tried to kill us."
Cassidy seemed to shake her head and blink rapidly as if trying to jog her brain for the absurdity of the conversation.
"What are you two on about?" She shifted her hat to block the harsh rays of the rising sun.
"Look, we've been a group of women since the beginning and...you know, we just want variety. And, some of the members here have been...well...huehuehue~" Muffet said helplessly blushing and rubbing the back of her head.
Cassidy was still not entirely on to page as to what they were talking about. It was visible on her face.
Susie coughed in her hand and blushed as well, she seemed to be uncomfortable.
"Y-yeah, especially Ralsei. She hasn't been salvageable since Yetera. Never again." Susie said looking down at the ground blushing harder.
Cassidy seemed to look more confused. Muffet saw this and lost patience, she sighed hard and gripped her face with her six arms.
"They're horny out at sea dearie~! You get it now?"
Cassidy's face was immediately flushed. She started to look in any other direction but where their eyes were facing.
"W-what d-d-do you m-mean?!"
This conversation had taken a turn for the worse. Although some may deem it not appropriate or not well mannered, it is genuinely a thing that most people had to consider when out on the sea for so long at the age they are at now. Muffet could control her desires because of her strong will to be focused more on her dream than anything on the side. Susie too was too young to be thinking like that and she hadn't been on the sea as long as the main three have. Same with Cassidy, she was too young to be thinking about that sort of that.
Petrichor was an anomaly, if anything, she seemed to love herself more than other people. Granted, all Muffet knew of her in that regard was the fact that she only had friends. Mostly because she was in a lab most of her life, but she seemed completely tame.
What this conversation was really about was regarding Undyne and Ralsei. They weren't exactly as tame as you'd expect. At the end of the day, they were grown women that had needs and because of the short amount of people on the crew and the non-variety in the gender department, it made them a little on edge.
Not that they would try anything to the crewmates they sailed with now, but that was why they grew so pent up. This was a real human problem they were facing. Susie and Muffet just grew concerned because it reached levels of uncomfortable and it had to be brought up. Unfortunately for Cassidy, she was just listening to the wrong conversations at the wrong time.
However, because of Cassidy's age, they figured they drag her into the debate so they could get a very unbiased voice of reason moving forward.
"We are trying to think of ways of calming them down. Any suggestions dearie~?"
Muffet let go of Cassidy's face, the cowgirl catgirl just rubbed her face.
"Look, why not just hire indiscriminately? Like, instead of picking one from every island, just grab a handful. Weak or strong, the weak will get stronger the longer we have them, or they'll die as our foot soldiers. That'll guarantee more people on the crew."
Susie turned to Muffet after hearing her suggestion.
"She's thinking like a villain."
"Cassidy has a point dearie~, sadly though..."
Muffet then pointed to the flag, Cassidy looked up.
"You see our Jolly Roger, our flag, Cassidy?"
"Yeah? What about it?"
"Starting from the purple heart going clockwise is the order in which people will join our crew. We don't decide, it's fate. You dearie~..."
Muffet then nudged Susie on the arm, the dino-girl then walked up to Cassidy and placed her hand over her.
Cassidy's soul was...black.
She was filled with...
Hatred.
Cassidy looked flabbergasted by this news and seemed lost looking into her soul. Muffet only giggled at her.
"That, dearie~, is why you are here. You were destined to join after Susie, and before Petrichor. Although we technically took in Petrichor first, we DID see you first, so I guess that's what the flag meant. However...as to what your soul does? We don't have the slightest clue. You might have to talk to Ralsei about it, she knows all about souls."
Cassidy raised a brow.
"What is she? A Witch Doctor?"
Susie and Muffet couldn't help but look at each other and grin before laughing out loud. It was a fairly accurate assessment.
This was something she'd go out of her way to figure out later. Since Lillian took her insanely powerful and rare Devil Fruit, even with her accuracy and powerful weaponry, she was still tied for the weakest of the crew along with Ralsei.
That was made clear for her when she saw how hard everyone else was fighting when they were fighting Hydra. Even watching people she previously defeated fighting that hard made her doubt if she defeated them before or she caught them at the worst possible times ever in history. To the point where if it wasn't for Ralsei's barrier, she would have been tossed back and forth just from the strength of just merely Undyne jumping. Which made her think that Ralsei is technically slightly stronger than even here because at least she can withstand the pressure of her friends.
"I will not be last!" She thought to herself.
If she had to rise through the hierarchy of strength on this crew, then she would first have to start from square one, which is figuring out how her unique soul works.
"However, even if we did do your plan and just use the soul thing to regard how we fill the empty slots in our crew's formation, we would need a bigger boat. Which, even with just us it's too cramped. Which begs a contradictory problem..."
After Susie said that she blushed so hard she physically couldn't finish her train of thought.
Muffet laughed, being slightly more socially bold than Susie, she had a little more sanity when continuing her words.
"Even if they uh...decided to uh...do it themselves- because it is so cramped and the ship is...well, damaged- we'd be able to...hear them."
Cassidy, again, flushed red.
"Ugh, I hate this!" She said stomping her foot.
Just then, the sclera of her eyes when pitch black, black goo start emitting from her eyes and started to slowly drip down as blackened tendrils made of the same mysterious substance stemmed from her back.
Susie and Muffet's eyes widened when they saw that, which was enough for Cassidy to recognize from their faces that something was wrong was her. Once she had that moment of clarity, the black goo went back into the place where it came from, as if they weren't there.
"I-I'm sorry, this conversation is just not for me. But if you really want my advice...then to satisfy both parties, how about they get time...for themselves whenever we land on a stockpile island. That way there's nothing happening with our ship, we don't have to know their business, and we can do so while being productive."
Susie raised her brows, not of confusion, but of genuine surprise of that sudden good idea. Susie used her balled fist to then lightly pound it into her cupped hand like a mallet finalizing a decision.
"Any objections Cap'?"
"Nope! That actually sounds fairly reasonable...huehuehue~"
"Yeah Cass', when were you so good at making group decisions?"
"Heh, I was in charge of taking care of supplies that would be brought in on ships. Negotiations and the art of compromise is something I was forced to learn back when I worked for Hydra."
Muffet cracked her knuckles.
"Really now? Well then! Next island we visit, me and you, solo adventure. I need to see your skills for something!"
Susie knew what that meant regarding what Cassidy just told her.
In terms of money, because of the damages of the ship, most of their items, regarding their clothes and money, were gone. So they would have to find another island quickly to not only make money but also get supplies that would last them until they reached another island. Seeing as how Muffet was a wiz when it came to money handling, gambling, and the art of haggling. She would try and monopolize their situation with Cassidy on their next island.
"Uh, sure?"
Susie and Muffet looked behind them towards the rising sun. They smiled, the sun rising meant one thing.
"You ready Cap?"
"Are you four?"
Cassidy was confused. 'You four'? That would imply that she was talking to Susie, herself, and two other people. But everyone else was asleep-
Just then, the sounds of mechanical whirring and the sound of someone landing from a high elevation made itself known to the left and right of her ears.
Undyne rubbed the top of Cassidy's head, like how you would do a cat.
"I said stop that!"
"I'm never going to stop doing that. Also, we are all now fully healed, which means, training resumes starting now!"
Cassidy was confused as to what that meant, she then heard the latch from the middle of the ship slam open. Coming out of it was Ralsei with a cup of coffee and a groggy face.
"Yeah, welcome to the Soul Parlor tradition. Every sunrise- WHICH I STILL THINK IS TOO EARLY...- they spar until there is a winner, and I have to make a dome for them so that they don't break the ship while doing so," She took a long sip of her coffee, "Those with the most wins at the end of the week gets first dips on either the first piece of loot we find on a ship or in a chest or first crack on the next strongest foe we meet."
Cassidy heard all of this and tried her best to slowly back away from the field.
"Nuh-uh uh Cassidy, welcome to initiation! Get Ready!"
"UH UH WAIT A MINUTE!"
"GEAR SECOND-!"
.
.
.
It was twelve seconds...she lasted a total of twelve seconds in that spar. It completely destroyed her seeing just how outclassed she was in a fight where she couldn't get any sneak attacks or any vantage point. Also, without her Logia Devil Fruit, she is more susceptible to the attacks of everyone besides Undyne.
Which meant now that Susie could bully her more effectively.
Watching all of them fight each other as if they were mortal rivals for many bloodlines but then being friends afterward had her in complete awe to the point that while fighting she thought that they had set her up and they had planned on killing her.
The victor was once again Muffet, however, Undyne had been more and more on par with Muffet as of late and it prompted some concern on behalf of the crew. Not any ill will, just the sudden realization that Muffet was either getting weaker or Undyne was getting way stronger as time went on. They opted on believing the latter because with the help of Undyne's mom's will and the fact that her secondary soul permits it- it meant that Undyne had as much latent potential as their captain.
The more they thought about it, the more the feelings went from shock to overall secret joy as it meant that now Muffet and Undyne would be the beacons of light for their crew, the true frontline fighters, and defenders of the crew.
It was all based on one's perspective on their goals.
Susie for example, she too has room for massive amounts of power gain. Her Devil Fruit is amongst the strongest in the Paramecia category, however, her goal is to not achieve any form of strength. Instead, it is to learn the history of the world. If she wanted to, she could very well be as strong as even Undyne. Which was why she was a trusted fighter as well.
Cassidy knew this all too well, and, for some, whatever reason, had chosen to invest little amounts of interest into her new colleagues.
Yes, colleagues.
They weren't quite friends, to her at least. She viewed them as people she was on a ship with, nothing less nothing more. Now, however, after seeing the true and new strength of her colleagues, she had somewhat faith in her safety and their journeys on the Grand Line.
Now, however, would be the chance to speak to the crew's doctor, Ralsei.
When traversing the ship to get to her room, she couldn't help but notice how internally roughed up it was. She had some fault in it- well- all, but now that she had to sail it, she made sure to fix the ship wherever she could.
Then eventually, she knocked on the door.
"Oh...come in!"
The voice of the goat woman seemed to be somewhat warm to her. She had grown the fondest of Ralsei, mostly because she was the only one that didn't annoy her, they worked well together, and honestly, she felt bad that she technically did the most dastardly things to her.
And yet, she forgave the cowgirl catgirl.
Cassidy came in humbly and saw the Ralsei testing vials of her Courage, examining it as if waiting for a chemical reaction.
"Hey, doc, whatcha working on there?"
"O-oh! I was just trying to see how long someone's soul can persist the test of time without being a part of the person who conjured the feeling...sounds a bit creepy doesn't it? Heh."
Ralsei seemed to crack a weak smile of both tiredness but genuine pride in announcing her project like how a kid would at a science fair.
Cassidy smiled at her smile, it was contagious.
"Well, how are the results?"
"...If I must tell you..." Ralsei scrawled on the floor for pieces of paper on the ground that she had previously written on before picking up the longest sheet present and pressing her nose to it to truly read what was on it, "...It seems that it does persist for a long time. I'm not sure if it's forever, but, it might be. It even tries to attach to people who had even a slimmer of that kind of soul in them..."
Ralsei then began to eye Cassidy up and down before looking back at the vial of Courage.
It was not trying to pursue Cassidy.
"Well uh, sorry then."
She apologized as if assuming that Cassidy wasn't truly Courageous. However, her patient only laughed amused.
"Nah it's okay, at heart I know I'm a coward. No need hiding who I am."
The teen girl found her way onto the nearest stool and sat there looking at her doctor.
"Well, how have you been today Cassidy?"
"I've been doing well...that spar was killer."
"Ha, you should see when they're not injured."
"I'd hate to see it!"
A small black aura enveloped Cassidy as both the women in the room started to share a laugh.
"Oh yeah, that's what you're here about, right?"
Ralsei was referring to the black aura around Cassidy.
"Oh, yeah. I'm not entirely used to the whole 'Soul Power' thing. You've seen my previous Devil Fruit ability- it was the most destructive Logia there could be. So you can see why I didn't have the need to train my body or seek other forms of power aside from Haki that I also seemed to lose when my powers left. So I guess now I should probably seek the powers of my soul so I can keep my promise to that doofus-"
"Muffet D. Baker- our captain-"
"Yeah, whatever, so I can keep the promise to her to not make you guys lose ever again."
"Well, I've had some theories. According to the all-knowing flag, you are the first person I've seen with a negative soul."
"A negative soul?"
"Yes. The main souls are those of positive traits, those who don't have any kind of soul is considered monster. However, those who express those negative traits will begin to harness the power of negative energy...basically what I'm saying is that good people get positive-based soul traits, while evil people get negative-based soul traits. And well, you seem to harness the power of Hatred."
"Wow, so I'm guessing you guys aren't inherently evil?"
"Not In the slightest."
Ralsei said that with a slight smirk before looking around the room at her vials.
"So, I know each soul has its own ability with it, Undyne can heal or whatever, Susie can...kick my ass, Muffet can...kick-ass harder, Petrichor is...I don't even know- You know what I mean. So, what can I do with my 'Hatred'?"
"Well, as I've said, you're the first that I've met with a true Negative Soul. I might take time and take time with you to find this out. From what Susie and Muffet told me was that you were excreting black-ish goo from your orifices. I might need a sample of that if you won't mind."
"Wait. I did?"
"Apparently, they said that it happens whenever you express strong amounts of pure hate. So, I guess let's try and find the source of your hate."
"God, you're not my therapist, are you? I'm too young to have a mid-life crisis-"
Then she thought of Hera.
"Actually never mind, shoot away doc."
Ralsei laughed, it seems they both thought of the same person.
"Well, uh...What do you hate?"
Ralsei said fumbling over her words to find better words to say.
"Smooth one Rancid-"
"Ralsei-! And I'm trying!"
"Hmm well, I hate a lot. Dogs, bright lights, the sound that happens when two sheets of metal scratch against each other lightly, humid rain-"
"Yeah, that does blow."
"Right?! Oh uh, um, the existence of regimes and kingdoms."
Just then, a black outline laced Cassidy, but no goo. Ralsei quickly turned around the paper she was just using and began to write on the back of it.
"What about Kingdoms?"
"I just...you know, after since Hydra told me that...I'm a princess and the story of my Kingdom...and how they tried to kill me. You can't blame me for hating how everyone would follow the ideals of a kingdom because we have a higher title. Everyone was going to be fine with countless deaths because of a stupid number!"
Her black outline thickened, but it wouldn't get passed a certain point, nor was any goo coming out. Ralsei knew she had to change the subject.
"I can see why, speaking of Hydra, how did he treat you growing up?"
"Well, he was honestly more caring than you'd think. He tried his best to hide his more evil operations from me and always put me first before his plans. Of course, as I got older I found out enough to the point where he included me, but at that point, I was already getting used to the life of an assassin, so I didn't mind. He was a very passionate man and a surprisingly damn good father figure. I'm sure if you guys caught him at any other time, I'd say you guys would've been friends with him."
Her aura faded away, her blackened outline faded in opacity. Ralsei knew she had to change the subject.
"Yeah, he wasn't inherently evil, but we had to do something about his plans, especially since our shared family, Hera, had to be the one to win. Hey, that assassin life...those guns, they seem more advanced than any model of gun I've seen."
Cassidy looked at her arsenal hanging off her back and waistband.
"Oh. Well, they were a gift from Hydra...although, these are technically from my sister, and by that logic, my uncle. He didn't have to die for being a good person. They were models made from Dr. Alphys herself."
"The genius scientist of the New World?"
"The same one. My uncle or family apparently had enough pull or ties with Alphys to request that favor. Although I don't know what much else my guns can do besides shoot. I'm sure I'll learn."
In terms of getting to know Cassidy, it was a success. However, that wasn't their goal. They need to get her angry.
"How do you feel about the people you're sailing with now?"
"Ugh, everyone here annoys me but you."
Just as she said that her outline came back.
"Why is that?"
"You aren't pushy. Or laugh weird, god those fucking laughs annoy me. You aren't some big figure you can't overcome-"
Ralsei felt slightly offended but used this as an opportunity to dig deeper.
"You are saying that you are self-conscious about your strength because of theirs?"
Cassidy seemed to blush in frustration and shock that Ralsei had dug that deep into her words.
"W-well, like, do you know how stupid I'd look if I died on the next island we go on because I'm weak while they are fighting people who destroy cities for fun?! Yes, I've read the logs Susie wrote, a bronze man?! I would've died. Now I'm trying really hard to return to the strength I was had, and I hate needless work!"
Her black outline grew much thicker and her pupils were growing more black, but still no goo.
"Why do you pursue strength, it must be some other reason besides keeping a promise to someone you've just met and hate?"
"I want to be free! If there is one thing both Hydra and your captain have been preaching is that people who are strong can be free! But if I'm not stronger than the strongest person, then I can never be free."
"So what you mean is-"
"I WANT TO BE THE STRONGEST ON THE PLANET!"
Cassidy kicked off her stool, it shattered against the wall. She was hyperventilating, her breathing was becoming more sharp and aggressive. Her eyes were now fully black.
"Stop beating around the bush! What do you hate then?!"
"THE CONCEPT OF WEAKNESS, THE FEELING OF BEING WEAK, THE EXISTENCE OF LIFE NOT BEING FAIR, I HATE IT ALL! I HATE THE WORLD! I HATE THE STRONG THAT MAKE LIFE FOR THE WEAK HELL! I JUST HATE TO FEEL!"
With those words, black goo started excreting from every visible orifice she had, tendrils started forming from random parts of her body, but she was too lost in her stubborn Hatred to notice or realize it.
With a quick swipe of her empty vial, she quickly scooped a small vial of Cassidy's Hatred and contained it.
Then immediately, Cassidy felt something fuzzy wrap around her. When she looked down she saw Ralsei hugging her. It was supernaturally calming. Her goo started to disappear and so did the rest of her Hatred.
"Ralsei...what-"
"That's what unions are for...us weaklings have to stick together. Only then we are strong. We'll get there eventually, trust me..."
They stood there for a while. Minutes even, just quietly calming down from whatever just happened.
"If you don't mind doc...I'mma probably argue with Susie again. Are we done here?"
"Oh uh, yeah, we are. You can join Susie now."
With an awkward shuffle, Cassidy left the room. Ralsei sighed.
Right as she walked out, shortly afterward, Undyne walked in.
"Hey Ralsei...! How is that Soul Persistance research going?"
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.
.
Cassidy was just admiring the sunset, after arguing with Susie she just chose to rest up top of the crow's nest with Undyne who was also doing the same as her. Both of them were watching it quietly for a while now, not knowing what to say to each other.
Undyne eventually slowly reached her hand out to go and pat Cassidy's head.
"Don't."
"Jeez it's just a pat, I can't help myself."
"Why do you always do it? What do you gain off of it?"
"I...always wanted a pet. A furry one at that, like a guinea pig, dog, cat, etcetera. Fuhu was more like Muffet's pet than anyone else, like it was only loyal to her, like trying to play with someone else's toy. At the end of the day, you know it's their property no matter how much you enjoy the time with it to yourself."
Cassidy turned around to meet her 'roommate' eye to eye.
"What does that have to do with me?"
"Well, you ARE a cat. It's the closest thing I can get. Plus you're the only one of your kind that I've met, so it's always interesting to see other races that are not my own."
The Catgirl nodded at that statement, it is true. Curiosity was something that interested her.
"You've noticed how each of us on this ship is a vastly different species?"
"Yeah, it's a bit freaky, since I'm the one that most resembles a traditional human. A spider, a Fishman, a raptor lady, a goat lady, and a cyborg scorpion. This is really the circus we are running here."
Undyne got a good laugh out of her statement.
"So? Anything you're willing to want to know about the vastness of your knowledge? You're free to do the same to me like what I do to your if it interests you."
"That doesn't sound right-"
"No! Not like that, I meant like, we are probably never going to meet others like us, so it wouldn't hurt for you to try and learn your crewmates more. You're a part of this adventure now, you're a part of the family by our captain's wishes. I'm sure what redeeming quality she sees in you exactly beside your sniping skills. Muffet is usually one to recruit based on a five-step factor."
"What exactly is that?"
"Well, first, strength. She wants crew members who promise a good position in our crew. Me being her first mate, I'm very strong as you've seen. Whether that strength is a physical one, or in the field of craft that we excel at better than the average human. Then second, it's personality. This is the part where you lack-!"
Cassidy tried to shoot Undyne in the face for that last remark but Undyne easily blocked it by coating her arm in Armament Haki, however, even the force from that shot still gave her a bruise. Normally a bullet against her skin would sink in very shallowly or just not at all. With Armament Haki, she should be entirely immune to any form of damage from bullets. So for her flintlock magnum to essentially nullify the effects of basic Armament Haki, made her worry if she didn't have it at that moment.
What was stopping Undyne from kicking her ass there was the fact that Cassidy shot it knowing she would deflect it and very well didn't know the strength of her own advanced weaponry.
Undyne took note of that.
"Exactly that, you're too...bitchy. That'll change with time though. Susie was once like that, but not entirely as annoying. Then, it's aspirations. We all have a goal we wish to strive for. Me to avenge my mother, Petrichor to find her race and feed them, Muffet to become Queen of the Pirates, Ralsei to be the best Soul Doctor and user on the planet, Susie to learn the history of the world and to get a happy ending with Kris. I'm not sure what is yours though, nor will it mean anything if you tell me, that's something that should be personal to you."
Cassidy only nodded.
"Then it's Will. Now, that's something Ralsei didn't pass along with the strength test. I'm holding the will of my mother, Muffet of her entire clan, Petrichor of her entire race, Susie of Kris', you of your sister, Hydra, and uncle. However, Ralsei doesn't really have a will of someone to give her that extra motivation."
"Why is that?"
"I'm not quite sure...we have sailed with that dork for a long ass time, but she still has things she hasn't admitted to us. Kinda sucks y'know..."
"I can bet."
"Yeah...lastly it's morals. This one I'm not quite too used to you to make that decision whether you are worthy to qualify."
"Gee, thanks."
"Hey, I could've said I don't think you pass it."
"True."
"Someone to Muffet, you passed 4 out of the 5 requirements which is the minimum. I trust that woman with my life like how she entrust her life with mine. She keeps it real and is a constant beacon of security and freedom. The islands we've been on and the feats we've pulled seemed like fairytales. Bronze islands, Emerald Peninsulas, a tree made of magic and darkness, meeting Hera, fulfilling the prophecy on Constricta, getting to meet important world figures. Makes me really happy to have been a part of the start of this voyage."
"...Is that it really feels to be here?"
"...Yeah, you'll feel it eventually. What it's looking like next, if your book is correct, that is the next thing our crew is attempting. To complete the official second chapter of Deltarune. Afterward, if you're still alive, you'll really start to feel as if we were meant to go ahead on this grand adventure."
"Ha, you seem to talk as if this is a religious journey."
"Gwehehe! Oh please, I'm an atheist Relying on a God, at least to me, could be spent bettering yourself instead of having someone else grant you luck. I like living knowing that fate is God and that what I do is what I truly deserve instead of having to do everything knowing that I have to live a certain way."
Cassidy raised a brow and gave a genuine smile. Her eyes seemed to flicker with light at Undyne's words. Something about how she spoke about her views was so raw and original that it was genuinely someone like her who would think that way. Then she grew an even bigger interest the more she started to notice that everything about Undyne could only be described as 'defined'.
"That's actually a pretty cool way to go about it. I completely understand."
"Thanks, runt, Gwehehe!"
Cassidy didn't give any sass.
"But hey, sorry about your Devil Fruit, you know, I can train ya if you want? I'm already training Petrichor."
"That would be cool, but I feel like our fighting styles and types of builds are far too wide apart to be practiced together. Although, if I feel like I'm getting fat, you'll be the person I turn to."
"Right answer!"
They took a minute to look at the setting sun. They let out two small and soft sighs. Just enjoyed the view, reflecting on how everything was going to be different from here on out.
"You know, with talks like this, you aren't so unbearable."
"You neither."
"I like that."
"So do I."
"Hey."
"What?"
"If we find another Devil Fruit along with our adventures, would you eat it? Would you wait for your original fruit? Or have you sworn off fruits and will focus on raw strength, soul, and skill?"
Cassidy thought hard about it as the sun really set.
"Honestly, if I want to prove myself to the crew, I feel like I would need to compensate for the lack of power. I guess I would eat it, why do you ask?"
"Gwehehe~"
Undyne reached in between her boobs and started rummaging around the same way someone would in a messy bookbag. Cassidy watched her as she did this, slowly getting jealous of Undyne's bust size. Eventually, she found what she wanted and took out a fruit. A Devil Fruit. It was a brown and yellow polka-dotted banana-shaped fruit with stems that curved into the letter 'H'.
Cassidy went wide-eyed at this endeavor. Her mouth gaped open.
"H-how did you find one-?"
"You think that a person who was sent along a continent that was mostly forest for a month straight wouldn't find one? I apparently have good luck when finding these things. Though, I have a few conditions for you to meet before I can give you this."
"What do I have to do?"
"Well, first, I want you to be comfortable with your Soul Ability first. Once I can see that you aren't a person who is heavily reliant on their Devil Fruit, then I would feel comfortable. The second condition is that I want you to be better friends with your crewmates. Finally, I would like you to experience one island's length of adventure with us so that you don't take it and just leave us immediately."
"That...! Is pretty fair I guess."
"Once I can see that your will and dedication stems farther than your fruit, then I'll give it to you. Until then, keep it secret. Everyone will yell at me for harboring another one without telling them."
"Understood Undyne."
"But hey, I have high expectations for you, you are our prized sniper. Your aim is superhumanly good. I was scoping you and Ralsei teaming up before I came to help with Susie, you are actually gifted."
"T-thanks!"
Cassidy blushed.
"...Dinner isn't ready 'till way later, I think I'mma take a nap, how about you?"
Undyne said laying down on her back. However, before she could say anything, Cassidy laid down near her feet in the same curled position a cat or dog would when sleeping on the edge of the bed.
"Yeah, me too, that spar today had me drained."
"Heh, you bet."
"..."
"..."
Cassidy sighed.
"Fine, I'll allow it."
"Yes!"
Undyne started petting along with Cassidy's long brown hair like stroking the head of a cat to its tail. Her ears flared up and her tail smoothly and melodic wagged and she let Undyne pet her like she was an actual cat.
Unbeknownst to everyone else...
She actually liked being petted.
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.
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"Cassidy. You have to tell us...What. The. Fuck. Is 'Aqua Departure'?!"
As Susie said that, both she and Muffet shuddered at the thought of Hydra's attack. It will forever haunt their nerves. Since they were the only two ever hit by that attack, they knew that it was an attack with such a unique and extreme kind of pain that it was scarring on every aspect of a person.
The word 'Departure' was a proper name to give it.
"You guys are worried about that? It's literally just a ball of pressurized and heated liquid."
They were all eating around the dining room, helping themselves to Petrichor's feast. She had made sure to cater her dishes to every one of her crewmates. She had made a mental note of their likes, dislikes, allergies, and palette's regarding their species. Even though it was a lot to take in, she had perfectly made a perfect cycle of meals throughout the day that gave everyone the protein and nutrients they needed while also giving them the best they could ever want.
Her cooking skills were nothing less than superb.
Most times she would forget to eat for a while, she would feel full just from watching her new friends and family enjoy her meals as if they hadn't eaten in years. The happiness people got from her food WAS her meal.
She fed off delight.
"It has to have been more than that dearie~ It was honestly an attack that even I don't think I'll ever want to receive again. Even if I'm already Queen of the Pirates huehuehue~."
Everyone gave a chuckle at that. Just as they were, Muffet stretched her middle-left arm around Petrichor and over onto Susie's plate to try and steal her grilled mutton. To which Susie glew yellow and swatted her captain's hand away with a force that made Muffet rub her hand to cool off the heat of the slap.
"Nice try."
"Worth a shot dearie~."
Cassidy couldn't help but smile at that.
There was something different with these people than how they were at Constricta. It felt as if they were hardened pirates, those forged off grueling training and seriousness. The way they fought and the actions they did back then exuded that of professionals in their fields of combat. Their personalities contrast and bounce off one another.
She wouldn't have imagined that this was their true natures. Goofballs.
The catgirl looked over to Ralsei who was sitting to her right. She looked tired and practically sleep-eating. She had been running herself ragged as of it in her research.
She then looked back at Petrichor who was eloquently watching her 'sister', while in proper dining etiquette, getting strangled by Undyne telling her to spit out the food at Muffet had swiped from her tray.
"You know, Petrichor. You don't fit."
Cassidy said that with such attitude that it made it seem like it was a meeting for more than a place of eating and relaxing. Everyone in the room listened up and even Ralsei woke up to catch onto the conversation that was about to happen.
Petrichor with her pearly white skin and glowing blue hue gave the catgirl a raised brow of suppressed interest in the upcoming conversation.
"What do you mean~?"
"Well I mean, I don't know. 'Rally' is the calm voice of reason, Susie is the broody tomboy tsundere-"
"Oi!"
"Muffet is the comedic relief and goofball, Undyne is the lovable muscle idiot-"
"Aww- wait, oi!"
"I'm the upcoming underdog, the wildcard. But, what's your trope?"
The room got quiet. Petrichor rubbed her chin for quite a while, her tail swaying slowly but melodically. Petrichor always seemed to move in a way that was synonymous with water itself. As if every movement was planned hours in advance.
Her physical movements and voice could be described as nothing less than purely attractive and elegant. Like a goddess of ballet, like a kindred water spirit gesturing herself to the surrounding life.
She was a marvel to behold. A beauty.
"Well~ if I had to say anything, I would say that I'm the...insane one."
She said so with a smile and an excited, but soft, sway of her tail. She exuded some amount of bloodlust that tensed up the room. It was such a weird shift of mood that everyone, except for Muffet, got on their guard and prepared for a fight.
"Just kidding! Fufufufu~!"
The bloodlust went away and the air of the room felt cleaner. Everyone gave a look at each other trying to confirm what just happened.
Muffet was just there on her chair and laughing.
"That's Petri for ya! Huehuehue~! Although dearie~ I would say that Petrichor is more of the shameful older sister-wise mentor type. Like, the good teacher that is also embarrassing!"
Everyone looked at Muffet as if she was speaking a different language. Petrichor blushed.
"Perfectly put."
Cassidy just smiled.
"Actually...liked you better insane. If you aren't, on this crew-? Then you are an outclass. I realized that a long time ago."
Everyone slowly gave Cassidy an appreciative smile before resuming their meals.
Petrichor really was an enigma.
But that is a story for another day.
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"So yeah...that's pretty much it dude."
Susie had just explained to Cassidy her entire ordeal and why she goes on the Deltarune quests. Even going as far as to tell Cassidy her story. Her life at home, life with Kris, Kris' sacrifice. Everything that needed to be explained before they were to go on their next challenge and obstacle.
It was officially nighttime. Their conversation was taking place in Susie's room under the staircase.
"Wow...so...he just straight up sacrificed his freedom so that you can have your happy ending?"
"Yeah...little asshole didn't even give me a chance to disagree."
There was a calm silence in the room.
"...Well, that makes the both of us."
Susie raised a brow but instantly lowered it when remembering what Cassidy's upbringing was like. She too had lost someone that was an important figure in her life because he chose to sacrifice themself so they can have their freedom.
"Jerks, huh?"
Susie said with a forced grin and chuckle.
"Yeah."
Susie looked around her room as if looking for something to talk about.
"Heh! You know, back on Constricta, until knowing about Hydra, you honestly could've ended all of us there before we could have had the chance. If you had defeated me somehow back then, there was no one that was stopping you."
"Really now? Do you think so? After seeing how intense you guys are, I might have to disagree."
"Nah my dude, I'm serious, like, your aim was impeccable, your knowledge on bodily weaknesses, your Devil Fruit at the time countered everyone but Undyne and Ralsei. However, you, the smart ass, took them out first, and even Hera! A feat hated by our captain, but even then, at some point, has to be admired."
"I'm flattered you think so. As you know, my strength and technique are transferred to me at birth depending on how many relatives died during the time I was in the womb and newborn. Since Lexy and my uncle died, it gave me quite the headstart. Although, because of that, I hadn't had the thought of training, especially after gaining my invincible Logia."
"That's completely understandable."
"Yeah. Although that does mean that if I do choose to train now, I'll probably be the strongest one on the crew."
"Heh. Don't get too ahead of yourself."
"What do you mean?"
"Yeah, you're set up to be strong as a birthright. You may even get stronger than me, I can at least say that. However, I highly doubt that you'll ever surpass Muffet and Undyne."
"Excuse me. What makes you say that?"
Cassidy aimed her flexed palm toward her chest playfully as if she were genuinely offended.
"Muffet, well, how can I say this...The universe is aligned so that she'll gain the ultimate freedom, like how you want. She's part of a strong tribe, favored by three strong Emporer's, trained for 17 years straight, just to get stronger from her adventures. Her Devil Fruit is well-rounded in both offensive and defensive capabilities. Her ability to make friends everywhere she goes is also quite dangerous, perhaps the most dangerous thing in her arsenal. Tell me, if you were to kill Muffet, somehow, what would you think would happen afterward?"
"-!"
"Exactly, you'd have... let's see, her endgame strength brothers, two kingdoms, an island of wealthy people, and a Warlord's crew after you. Her ability is fearsome. And don't even get me started on Undyne, daughter of Morial the Immortal. I don't have to say much besides that."
"Yeah, you're right..."
Cassidy's cat ears pointed downward and her head followed with it. Susie frowned.
"But hey, that doesn't mean don't train. There comes a time when Muffet needs us to be strong. The strongest in the world can still lose to someone if the match-up is unfavorable or the numbers outnumber them. This is why she needs the strongest crew she can get, in all aspects, so that we can tackle any war. Undyne made that very clear with her efforts of seeking strength not only for herself but to make the ship safer. So hey, if you somehow do get strong, just remember who you are getting strong for. If you are getting strong just for the benefits of yourself...then you're weak."
Cassidy lifted her head and tilted it to the side with wide eyes.
"That...is actually very knowledgable. You're not that much older than me..."
"Age has nothing to do with wisdom. When you go on life-or-death adventures, see regimes crumble and rise, planning for moves that impact the world...it all gets to you. This ship has matured a bunch of us, it has made us wiser for it. We sound smart, but this is just ranting based on emotions and feelings, in actuality..."
Susie gave her a full friendly display of her teeth in her toothy smile and gave her a thumbs up.
"We are all still incredible dumbasses! Heheheheh!"
Susie continued laughing until she started hearing Cassidy laughing too. Her laugh was getting louder and louder.
"Hahahahaha! This crew really is something else, I finally have a grasp as to why Hydra had a hard time killing you guys."
"?"
"You guys are just as dumb as him!"
"Heheheheh!"
"Hahahahah!"
They laughed and laughed more.
The catgirl had grown accustomed to most people of the crew. Although her demeanor was still her sassy and brash self, now she did it out of banter instead of genuine distaste. She was scared of the journeys they'd have up ahead because she wasn't entirely sure if she could handle it. However, she know knew one thing. Her team could handle it.
She was glad this was the life Hydra gave her instead of going back to being an assassin.
She had officially been friendly with every member of the crew...
Except...
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.
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It was midnight, the tides were crashing against the ship, lightning was cracking through the sky, Undyne and Petrichor were running around the deck maintaining the ship regarding raising and lowering the sails and shifting the rudder during the harsh conditions. Susie was sitting up on the port steering the ship.
Out on the deck, were Muffet and Cassidy.
Just her and her new boss. The Captain of the Soul Parlour Pirates.
"Why did you call me out here dearie~?"
"...Did you know, that the spider race is comparable to the giant race in first place for the strongest race? Although nigh-extinct is still quite fearsome...On the other hand of the spectrum, the cat-person race is actually the weakest race there is. Besides the look, we are no different from regular humans besides from the fact that we have a weaker frame."
Muffet only nodded.
Cassidy took off her hat dramatically, she had rehearsed this in Susie's room earlier. Susie just smiled as she continued to steer in the right direction that the log pose was pointing at.
She planted her sniper-rifle into the thin layer of dirt of the ship. it was rooted just well enough for her to place her hat on the muzzle like a hat holder.
Muffet's eyes widened because of a primal instinct she hadn't felt since they had recruited Susie.
A duel.
The rush of a fight, the rush of fighting someone new, the rush of seeing if your friend has improved. Everything about this declaration of a duel was appealing to her.
Muffet snickered and grabbed her hat and tossed it at the muzzle of her rooted sniper. It landed on Cassidy's acting as a cover for the catgirl's cowboy hat.
Petrichor and Undyne had slowed down their work to be able to get some glances as to what was happening on the deck.
"But I don't believe it's true!"
Cassidy said lapping a thin layer of Hatred around herself.
Muffet felt goosebumps all over her arms and back. She loved this.
"Well, then dearie~! Prove me wrong! How would you like this?"
"A simple game of...punchies."
Muffet's eyebrows raised.
"Punchies?"
"Yep! No techniques, no dodging. We just stand in front of each other, taking turns throwing attacks until one of us calls it quits."
Undyne choked on her spit when she heard that. This was literally the worst possible kind of match-up she could have against Muffet. A battle of sheer strength.
However, she knew that.
Susie just nodded.
Even Muffet was surprised for a while before...something clicked. Like, a fire was lit in her eyes, Muffet's heart was pounding louder.
"...Hey, Cassidy dearie~?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm not Hydra. I'm never going to be anything like what Hydra was to you. I'm going to be Muffet. So, don't think of what happens next as anything other than something friendly. I don't want our relationship to be formal, nor do I want you to feel like I'll always be over your head. These words...these are words that..."
Muffet delivered a three-fist right-hook to Cassidy's face.
"Are words that I never had to say to you~!"
Muffet let out a legitimate tear knowing that Cassidy had already had felt like she belonged without having to have a sit down with her. The feeling can only be the equivalent of a stepchild finally claiming the new parent is their actual parent without having to have an argument about whether they were.
Cassidy was sent against the mast of the ship, the punch left a shockwave that made everyone else flinch.
Muffet sighed.
"Punchies though? I love this game! Although, I would have a better match against Undyne-"
Cassidy gave her a gut punch that Muffet hadn't even seen coming. The catgirl's nose was already bleeding and broken. Her face was already bruised. Regardless she gave an excited smile.
"Holding back jackass? I'm still competing! And I always will be competing with you in this game! If I get to the point where I can punch you and you actually experience as much pain as I do now, then I know I'm worthy to be in the race. I'm not looking to overthrow you, but I'm looking to be strong enough to be a milestone for others and to support those who got me here! These words...these words..."
Cassidy's arms darkened for a second before fading back. Undyne and Susie knew what that was and were left speechless and awed by that.
"Are words I never had to tell you...! And I hate it! Hahahahah!"
Muffet's pupils turned into glowing hearts and she was poker-faced by Cassidy's words. She was filled with euphoria by the choice of her new crewmate. Then, she activated Gear Second.
"Huehuehue~! Go ahead! I always love a fight!"
The game of punchies went as expected. This match wasn't made to have a winner, it was made to establish the rules before the actual game. The actual game would take their entire Grand Line journey 'till it ended.
Cassidy, the crew's Inhuman Sharpshooter/Gunslinger/Sniper, was official, a member.
Initiation passed!