Ch.14: Emily and the One-of-a-kind Spirit

Disclaimer- I don't own One Piece, but believe me, you'd know if I did.

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Thursday, November 14

I made a pair of metal "wings" today and installed them on the back of the ship. With these "wings", the ship will sail twice as fast as it used to sail. We will be getting to Almania in half the time we would have been. I know I shouldn't say this because Zoro will most likely beat the crap out of me if he ever found out, but in a way I'm glad that Emily was captured. Her being kidnapped has led the crew on another big adventure. This is a bigger adventure than the psycho killer I defeated in the cave when I was seven.

-Usopp

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"I'm done!" Usopp announced, holding up a pair of metal wings.

Sanji raised an eyebrow, "What the hell are those things?"

"Wings," Usopp answered proudly, "Just like Emily's, but for the ship. Now we can go faster than we used to."

"Really?" Chopper asked anxiously.

Usopp nodded, "Yep! Another great invention by the great Captain Usopp."

"Weren't your last inventions first started by that dead guy from the traveling circus?" Luffy asked.

Usopp sweat dropped, "Oh yeah."

Zoro grunted from his spot on the ship, "If you're going to add the wings, then do it."

Usopp nodded and walked to the back of the Going Merry with Sanji and Chopper. The three of them installed the "wings" to the back of the ship before a large gust of wind came and gave the ship an extra strong push.

"Wow…" Chopper gasped.

"Amazing…" Sanji exclaimed.

Usopp grinned, "I know. I am."

Sanji stared at him, "Not you. The man who made them. He's amazing."

Usopp slumped, "Oh. Yeah, he is."

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Emily stared at the figure in disbelief, "N-nami?"

"No, I'm not Nami. I used my powers to see into your mind someone that was close to you…also Nami was the one that looks the most like me." The figure answered.

Emily frowned, "Well, please don't do that. Show me your real body."

"Okay." The figure answered.

Nami's red hair turned a little browner until it was auburn, the reddish eyes became blue, and the figure shrunk three inches.

"You're that girl I saw earlier." Emily gasped.

The girl nodded, "I'm surprised you were able to see me, Emily. Nobody has in a long time. But I saw your tattoo and knew how you could see me."

Emily paused, "How do you know my name?"

The girl smiled, "I read Lilie's diaries while you slept. It's been a long time since I saw her. How are Lilie and Ryou doing?"

Emily frowned, "My mother and father died twelve years ago."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Where are we?"

"We are in my secret garden. Nobody knows about it but us and your parents."

"Secret garden? Are you…Kristina?"

"I am. I am Princess Kristina, but Lilie called me 'Shizuka'."

"You're Shizuka? Where's Genki?"

"'Genki' or Melissa is with all the other Almani that died in the attack."

"Where's that?"

"Did you see those big pink balls in the trees when you first came here?"

"Yes."

"Well, that's where their souls are."

"What about their bodies?"

"Uhhh…well…"

FLASHBACK

Two days after the attack, the door to the secret garden opened. A very weak Kristina walked to the forest and stared in shock at what she saw. All over the ground laid all the Almani killed in the attack…their bodies at least.

The fairies stared in disbelief at her, "Princess! You're still alive?"

Kristina weakly nodded. "Are there any Almani that are still alive?"

The fairies frowned and shook their heads. Kristina ran as quickly as she possibly could to the castle.

Kristina stopped and stared in shock at what she saw inside. Lying on the ground was her entire family, all dead. Dried blood soaked her little sister's golden hair, a sword was thrusted into the chest of her father and her favorite cousin's eyes and mouth were wide open in fear, dried blood surrounding his mouth. Her hand covered her mouth as she struggled not to vomit. "No…" She managed to get out.

Kristina ran outside and stared at the large pink balls in the trees. She stared into them in shock. Everyone in Almania was trapped in those bubbles…their souls at least. Their bodies were a different story. If they weren't properly buried and given a prayer, sorcerers would take their bodies and use them to make magic items. She knew, she saw it happen and she didn't like it.

With her powers, she dug hundreds of graves and lifted each and every Almani in their own graves and buried them. She used her own physical power to carve simple gravestones for each of them. She finally had to give the dead a prayer. She almost didn't want to say one for the priest that hated her and called her names and spoke mean things about her behind her back and sometimes to her face, but realized that he was an innocent Almani that was murdered with everyone else.

The green grass glowed when the prayer was over then stopped. Kristina smiled. She'd done what she was supposed to do. She let out a yawn and drug her body to her bed and collapsed on it. With a final sigh, she closed her eyes, and died. Nobody said a prayer over her body because there were no other Almani to bury her body and pray for it.

END FLASHBACK

"Wow…" Emily gasped, "That really happened?" Kristina nodded.

"Then why isn't your soul up in a bubble? Are you still alive?" Kristina shook her head, "I'm not alive. The souls were trapped there by the one that killed off my people. If only I was still alive, I'd rip out her heart with my bare hands!" Kristina slammed her right fist into the wall of her garden.

"Who killed off all the Almani?" Emily asked.

Kristina looked at her and answered, "Her name is Pam."

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Monday, November 18

I've been so bored without Emily. I was so happy for a musician and was happy that it was HER. Without her music, nobody wants to do anything fun anymore. All everyone does is worry and Zoro barely talks anymore or sleeps. I hate that evil old granny and her ugly daughters for what they did. I want my musician back!

-Monkey D. Luffy

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Luffy stared into the sea, a hand pushing his straw hat onto his rubbery head. The metal "wings" that Usopp had added to the Going Merry really sped up the ship, but it went so fast that anyone standing on the deck had to hold down any loose item on their body that the wind would be able to blow into the sea. None of the orange trees had been blown off, which was a huge relief for Nami. And, in a way, it was best if Emily WASN'T on the ship at the time. She was so light that she'd be carried off into the sea.

He was getting annoyed with the silence on the Going Merry. It seemed as if Emily had completely changed the morale of the ship. Sure, the crew acted like they normally did before they met Emily and after she joined the crew, but once she was kidnapped, everyone changed.

Zoro trained almost constantly after Emily was kidnapped and hardly slept even though Chopper had explained that it wasn't good for his health. Luffy felt sorry for Zoro and angry at Pam. She took away the thing he wanted since he first started out on the trip to be the pirate king and he was going to get it back.

Meanwhile, in the lounge, Nami, Nicole, Robin, and Sanji stood over the map to Almania.

"So, which town do you think she's in?" Nicole asked, obviously talking about Emily.

"Town? I thought she was in Almania." Nami asked, confused.

"She is. Almania is split into five separate towns." Nicole answered.

"Why is the city split into towns?" Sanji asked.

"Grandpa said that there was a bunch of fighting a long time ago when all the towns were just one." Nicole told him.

"What are the towns?" Robin asked.

It took Nicole a moment to remember, but she did, "The Northwest town is called 'Ruby Town', where the dragons and some of the average status Almani lived. The Northeast town is called 'Emerald Town', where the Royalty and nobles lived along with some sprites and elves. The Southwest town is called 'Sapphire Town', where the rest of the average status and the low status Almani lived. The Southeast town is called 'Opal Town', where all the other magical creatures live. The 'Golden Town' is right in the middle, and that's where all the markets and shops are. So where do you think Emily could be?"

The crew members inside of the ship thought for a moment.

"How about the Emerald Town? Children, especially girls, love to live amongst Royalty and Pam might force her to read and cast ancient spells in the castle if there are any." Robin suggested.

Nami nodded and followed the route with her pointer finger, "At this rate, we'll be there in three days."

"That's good. Then when we rescue Emily, everybody can take a long rest." Sanji exclaimed.

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CRASH! BANG! CRASH! SMASH! Those sounds had been going on constantly for eight hours. In the hours that Emily had been gone from Pam's ship, Pam went into an angry rage. With her powers, she made things explode and crash into the walls. Lyssa, Sabrina, Bryce, and a few other servants tried to calm her down and they were successful…after eight hours and plenty of scratches and bruises from hurling the items. Actually, it was Sabrina who calmed Pam down, convincing her that she was headed for Almania and only they could break the barrier.

Pam laughed out loud, patting her elder daughter's head, praising her for thinking like she wanted her to. Pam ran into her room, calling for Mark.

Mark's face appeared even though it didn't want to, prepared to take any command that she threw at him.

"I want to see her! I want you to show me where that little brat is!" Pam demanded.

Mark let out a deep sigh and had the picture of Emily, who was talking…to herself. Pam couldn't even see Kristina.

"Looks like she's in Emerald Town. Bryce!" Pam shrieked.

In an instant, Bryce ran in, "Yes, Lady Pam?"

"Set the destination for Emerald Town in Almania." Pam commanded. Bryce nodded and left. Pam looked out her window, "I'm going to find that little brat and kill her slowly and painfully when I'm done with her."

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"Hey, Kristina? Are you an Almani Princess?" Emily asked Kristina.

Kristina smiled and lifted up her right arm. Tattooed on the upper part of the arm was a pair of green and blue angel wings in a fireball like Emily's pendant.

"This answer your question?" Kristina asked.

"But why are your wings in a fireball?" Emily asked.

Kristina's smile got larger, "It shows that I'm a part of Royalty."

Some unexpected tears began to fall down Emily's cheeks.

"What's wrong?" Kristina asked.

"I miss the rest of the pirates. They were one of the few that would treat me like a regular person." Emily cried.

"I know how that feels." Kristina said frowning.

Emily stared at her, "No, you don't. Nobody understands what it means to be lonely and hated like me."

Kristina grabbed Emily's shoulders, "Don't you ever tell me that I don't understand what it means to be lonely and hated. Ever since I was born, half of Almania hated me because I wasn't a boy, especially the extremely religious people. They wanted me dead for interfering with the prophecy. And you're the first thing that I've been able to communicate with in 15 years. Tell me that's not being lonely and hated."

Emily looked at the ground, "I guess you had a life similar to mine."

"Damn right!" Kristina almost yelled.

Emily looked at her, "I've got another question for you."

"Okay, what?"

"Are you really a ghost?"

"Yeah."

"Then how come I could feel your arms on my shoulders?"

"Because I'm a one-of-a-kind ghost. Any Almani that can see one of me can touch it, talk to it, and feel it touching it. But you have to believe that I am there."

"What about the fairies, nymphs, and all the others?"

Kristina shook her head.

"Nobody or nothing has talked to me in 15 years."

"When you were alive, didn't anybody like you for not being a boy?"

"Well, most of the city was disappointed at first, but most forgot about it. Only the priests and mega religious people hated me. Only a single priestess didn't blame me for being a girl."

"Wow. How old were you when you died?"

"Sixteen. Two years later and I would have ruled half of Almania."

"Who rules now?"

"His name is Brian, the king of the fairies. He was even one of my father's best friends. I heard him say that he'd rule Almania until my father's soul is freed from the bubbles."

Emily tilted her head, "Then why don't you just pop them?"

"Because I need a spell to be cast upon them to free the souls. If I use a sharp object, the souls will disappear and go to the Spirit Realm, where they will be trapped for eternity, unable to be saved. So I need you."

"Why me?"

"You are the last of the Almani alive and only a live one can cast spells and let them work. You going to help me?"

"I…"

"Good. We start now."

Emily stared in disbelief at the spirit in front of her. Sure she felt sorry for Kristina being lonely for 15 years, but she didn't want to learn any more spells. All she wanted to do was go back with the pirates and play her flute for them and just forget that she was an Almani. But Kristina wasn't giving her a choice but to learn more spells to save the already dead Almani. And she wasn't going to let Emily go any time soon.

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A picture in a glass ball showed the Going Merry sailing rather quickly towards Almania.

"How are they going so damn fast?" Pam shouted. The picture now showed the metal wings on the back of the ship. "Dammit! How the Hell did they get those?" Pam screamed. The picture disappeared and Mark told her everything about them.

She was pissed, so pissed that she made the entire ship shake from her screaming. She almost didn't hear Bryce telling her that they were docked in front of Almania, in between Emerald Town and Opal Town. Pam knew about the barrier she created 15 years ago, after the attack and knew that only a live Almani could pass through it without Pam having to say the dispel, so the pirates were definitely not there.

She walked to the front of the barrier, closed her eyes, and chanted the dispel. A flash of light filled the sky and the barrier disappeared. She then walked into the forest with Lyssa, Sabrina, Bryce, and three other servants. Two others stayed on the ship. Once inside, she commanded that everyone split up and search a town. Pam and Sabrina searched Emerald Town, Lyssa and Desiree(a servant) searched Ruby Town, Bryce searched Sapphire Town, Doug(a servant) searched Opal Town, and Lexi(a servant) searched Golden Town. All were hoping to find Emily.

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"Come on! Come on! Shoot like you mean it!" Kristina shouted to an exhausted Emily.

"I can't do anymore." Emily panted.

"Yes, you can. Now do it!" Kristina shouted.

Emily took a deep breath, let out a scream, and a huge ball of lightening mixed with water came out of her hand and hit a wall of the garden.

Kristina smirked, "Good job. You can control your electricity and water elements."

Emily kept panting, "Can I stop now?" Kristina nodded.

Emily let out a sigh of relief and fell to the ground on her knees, breathing heavily. After catching her breath, Emily asked a question she'd been wanting to ask for a while, "How did Pam attack Almania?"

Kristina shrugged, "I don't know. Probably with one of those magic items she has. She's one of those sick freaks that collects magic items made from the bodies or souls of magical races."

"She…what?" Emily asked, her face paling.

"Collects magic items made from the bodies or souls of magical races." Kristina repeated, then muttered, "That damn sick bitch."

"I…have a feeling that Zoro and the others are on the way here. Is there any way I can get out of here?" Emily asked with hope in her voice.

Kristina heard a familiar and completely unwanted voice from behind the wall. She nodded sadly, "Yes, but I won't let you go now. Just wait a bit."

Emily grumbled, but agreed. She, yet again, didn't have any choice but to listen to what Kristina said.

"Good. And while we're waiting…let's train some more." Kristina suggested.

Emily let out a moan. This was just like when she was a slave except instead of being beaten with a whip, she was given spells. "Yes, Princess Kristina." Emily said, forcing a smile.

Kristina frowned, "Don't call me that. I hated being called that when I was alive and I hate it now that I'm dead. Call me 'Kristina'."

Emily nodded. "Now we'll, by which I mean you, will be learning how to cast a spell that can let whomever casted upon it to see any spirits of the deceased that are around…like me, for example." Kristina announced, "Now, repeat after me…stirips tel em ees."

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Pam shoved some tree branches out of the way as she walked through Emerald Town. She'd been searching for hours for Emily and had absolutely no luck at all, not even a little drop of blood from when she got attacked. There were no fairies, nymphs, sprites, or anything else in sight. They were all afraid of her ever since they saw what she did 15 years ago.

They even saw her kidnapping some of their kinds. Every single one was afraid of her, her daughters, and her servants. They all hid, praying that she wouldn't take any more of them.

"Dammit! Where the hell is she?" Pam screamed.

"She's probably not here, Mother." Sabrina told her psycho mother, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Besides, the sun is rising and there's no way she can go anywhere."

Pam looked at Sabrina, "You're right. I always knew you were the useful one. Let's go back." Sabrina smiled and followed Pam back to their ship. The creatures hiding sighed in relief and stepped out into the open the second both Pam and Sabrina left.

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"Is it okay for me to go outside now?" Emily impatiently asked.

Kristina put her ear against the door. Hearing nothing, she nodded and led Emily to the door. She moved her right hand to the lines by the door and played the same tune she did on the other side. The door opened. "You have to play this song on the lines at the right speed or the door won't open." Kristina told her.

"What do you do to close the door?" Emily asked.

Kristina played two low notes and the door closed.

"Oh." Emily mumbled. She stepped up to the lines and played the tune Kristina played to open the door. The door opened again.

"I'll take you over to Brian." Kristina said, stepping out of her garden, "But be aware that none of the creatures will be able to see me." Emily nodded, stepped outside, and closed the door.

It only took three minutes to find Brian, the king of the fairies. He didn't look very much like Emily thought he'd look like. She thought he'd be dressed in green clothes, muscular, and small. He looked only partially muscular, his clothes were loose, multicolored clothes, and he was her size. "Welcome, daughter of Ryou and Lilie." Brian bowed to her.

The first thing that came out of her mouth was, "Are you really a fairy?"

Brian grumbled and nodded his head, "Yes, I am." Brian's face showed annoyance when the question about him being a fairy was asked, so Emily got off the subject, "How do you know my parents names?"

Brian smiled, "I can see anything about you. I'm kinda like Santa Clause, but without old looks and present giving."

Emily was confused, "Who's Santa Clause?"

Brian sweat dropped, "…never mind. Basically, I saw what you've been doing your entire life."

"How?" Emily asked.

"That's a secret." Brian smiled.

Kristina leaned over and whispered into Emily's ear, "He had some spies put a magic thing in your hair ribbon the day you were born."

"Oh." Emily nodded.

"We've been waiting for you for years, Emily." Brian said, placing a hand on her head.

"Why me?" Emily asked.

"You have to destroy Pam." Brian said.

Emily widened her eyes, "M-me? Alone?"

Brian laughed, "Of course not. You think battles and wars are won alone? The Almani didn't think so and neither do I."

Emily smiled, "Good…but give me a few more days until my allies show up."

THREE DAYS LATER

Another few days had been spent mostly in silence and staring off into the sea. Zoro spent the entire day before sharpening his three swords on a stone he bought in a city months earlier. Now all three of them were sharp enough to slice the Going Merry into little pieces.

Usopp had been looking around the sea with a telescope, when a large patch of land came into view. "Land!" He screamed, rushing down from the crow's nest.

Nami ripped the telescope from his hands and looked through it. She smiled, "We're almost there…Nicole, how do we tell the difference between the towns?"

"The colors," Nicole told her, "Emerald Town is practically all green, Ruby Town is mostly red rocks, Sapphire Town has blue trees and lakes, Opal Town is full of naked trees that are white and have orange in them, and Gold Town is yellow." She looked through the telescope, "That's Emerald Town. That's probably where Emily is. Zoro looked at the upcoming island, "Hold on, Emily. We're coming."

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A/N: Sorry if it took me a while to update this chapter. I just got back to school and I've been mega busy with piles of math homework. I'll give the Straw Hat Pirates better parts in the next chapter. I promise. R/R if ya want, but please don't tell me if I mistook someone's hair/eye color or don't flame me.