Ch.23- Back to the Open Seas
Disclaimer: Ah, Hell. You guys know that I don't own One Piece.
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1st sun, 24th day of brown chrysanthemums
(Sunday, November 24)
We left Almania today, the Straw Hat Pirates and me. Nicole left also, but not with us. Some of the Almani from Almania left with Nicole to return to Wenatchee or anywhere near there. Some even planned to move to Kupeviru and build houses near my house that Pam burned to the ground. The ones that stayed were disappointed that I left, but I had to leave. I can't abandon the group that treated me like a normal person instead of the slave I once was.
I've honestly forgotten how good the sea smells and how relaxing the sea breeze feels when you're free. Pam kept me captive for so long that I forgot how much I love the sea and made me believe that I would never ever have freedom again…and that I would never be able to live after Pam finished with me, but now I'm happy. We're all together: Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Sanji, Usopp, Chopper, Robin, Cherry, and me.
-Asakura Emerald Emily
- - - - - -
Emily woke up early the next morning. When she opened her eyes Nami, Robin, and Nicole were still asleep. Without waking anyone up, Emily opened up the one window in the room, brought out her wings, and flew out the window. A few of the Almani were heading towards the entrance of Almania. Quickly and quietly, the few Almani walked through the entrance and didn't look back.
So this is how Mother and Father got out. Emily thought. She watched the leaving Almani until she could see them no more and flew off. A few shop owners were beginning to open up their shops and a tall, muscular man walked up to the large bell in a tower in Golden Town. The man pulled a rope and ran the bell. Emily then decided to fly back to the castle.
She met the rest of the pirates and Nicole in the dining room along with the rest of the Royal Family. Mountains of food were placed on the long dining room table that had not only the pirates, Nicole and the Royal Family sitting around it, but also the Royal Knights and teachers.
"Let's eat!" Joshua shouted. In an instant, Joshua, Luffy, and Andrew began to eat like pigs.
Nobody paid any attention and began eating like they normally did. The men and boys eating a lot, the women and girls eating a bit.
"You guys are leaving today?" Melissa asked from her seat. The pirates nodded.
"We're leaving this afternoon." Luffy told her.
Kristina smiled, "Good. After breakfast I have something to show you pirates, Nicole, and Dad."
- - - - - -
Breakfast ended about forty five minutes later. Melissa, instead of going with Kristina, Nicole, the pirates, and her father, went out to play with Shelby before Melissa had to go to her princess lessons and Shelby to her singing lessons. Joshua begged Kristina to let him come along, but she refused. She didn't say why, but she did.
Kristina led Nicole, the pirates, and her father towards her garden, ready to reveal a few more secrets only she knew. On the way, Luffy and Usopp gave some of the Almani permission to fix up the Going Merry. Stopping in front of the sealed door, Kristina looked around the outside to see if anyone was watching her. Nobody was.
Quickly, Kristina played the code and the doors to the garden opened. Quickly, everybody ran inside the garden and Emily closed the doors.
"Ummm…Dad, welcome to my garden." Kristina told Glen.
"So this is where you come to hide from your lessons? For how long?" He asked his daughter.
Kristina blushed, "Since I was ten." Her father stared at her with a half angry look.
"Okay, so what did you want to show us?" Nami asked Kristina.
Kristina led the group to the other side of the garden and stopped in front of a wall of vines and leaves. She softly moved the vines and leaves out of the way and revealed what was behind them. Everyone's eyes widened. The vines and leaves covered a large room holding zillions of berries worth of gold, jewels, and treasure.
"As a thank you for saving Almania, I would like you pirates and Nicole to take as many of these as you want." Kristina announced with a large smile.
"Really?" Nami asked. Kristina nodded. Instantly, Nami, the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates, and Nicole ran into the room, picking up and examining every piece of gold they could get their hands on, especially Nami.
The gold shone in the little sunlight of the small room. The jewels shone brighter. Though the room was small, gold and jewels were everywhere. There was one of the largest amounts of treasure untouched by a flesh-and-blood hand for years they'd ever seen…and the treasure belonged to the nine of them.
Luffy picked up a small staff made of gold, rubies, and diamonds. With his long arms, the boy moved the staff in different directions and smiled. Nami was picking through the treasure and pulled out jewels that looked like they could be worth a lot of money when sold. Nicole and Robin calmly read the gold with ancient writing on it and took the things that seemed to interest them. Zoro, Emily, Sanji, Chopper, and Usopp were only picking and keeping a few things and left the rest alone.
By the time the taking was completed, the bags the pirates and Nicole had with them were overflowing with treasure in the room and there was still tons of treasure left in the room.
"How long have you known about all these…things? They look ancient." Glen asked his daughter.
"Since the beginning." Kristina answered.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Glen asked.
Kristina shrugged, "I didn't want other people to walk around my special place. Now Dad, I wanna show you something else."
Kristina led her father down a tunnel. The Straw Hat Pirates and Nicole followed them. Kristina stopped in front of a large rock. She played the song she played to open the door to the garden. The door opened and the eleven in the garden found themselves six feet away from the exit of Almania.
"Kristina? What?" Glen asked, not knowing what to say.
"Dad, remember 20 years ago when Ryou and Lilie escaped and you wondered how they got passed every guard except for the ones by the exit?" Kristina asked. Her father nodded. "Well, I helped them. I brought Ryou and Lilie to my garden, through this tunnel, and up to the exit. Sorry." Kristina admitted.
Her father stared at her with an angry look, but then he looked over at Emily and realized that if Ryou and Lilie hadn't have left Almania 20 years ago, then Ryou, Lilie, Aron, and Emily would have been killed in Pam's attack and then the world would have been in Hell. He turned his head back at his daughter, "It's okay. I'm glad you did."
Kristina giggled, "Thanks Dad."
"So, is there anything else you need to tell me?" Glen asked.
"Yeah, a few things." Kristina admitted. She closed the door and walked back to the castle, explaining the code she found in her closet and using it to block Pam from the infinite power spells. She didn't, however, reveal that she, Joshua, and Stephanie had snuck down to the forbidden areas of the castle multiple times. The others followed them.
Once back at the castle, Luffy asked, "Where's my talking fruit?"
"Yeah, about that. The talking fruits and vegetables here in Almania can't live anywhere else. We can care for a fruit or vegetable for you, but you can't take it with you on the sea. So, if you want something else, then let me know." Kristina told him.
Luffy shook his head, "I want a talking banana."
Kristina shrugged, "Okay, but you have to leave it here in Almania."
"I don't care." Luffy told her.
"Do you want a baby banana?" Kristina asked.
Luffy nodded. "Then follow me." Kristina instructed. She led Luffy to the deep forest and shook a glowing tree.
A baby banana fell into her arms, peeled by itself, and cried.
"See, the thing about the talking fruits and vegetables is that it takes five years for them to age one year, so if you come back in ten years, your banana will be two years old." Kristina explained.
"So, is my banana a boy or a girl?" Luffy asked.
Kristina paused, "Oh dang. Hey, Robert!"
Robert stared at her, "What?"
"Is this banana a boy or a girl?" Kristina asked him.
Robert walked to the baby in her arms, looked it over, and answered, "Boy."
"Thank ya lots." Kristina told him before turning back to Luffy, "So, what are you going to name him?"
Luffy put a hand under his chin and thought for a moment. Then he answered, "Niku."
"Niku? You're going to name your baby 'meat'?" Kristina asked him. Luffy nodded. Kristina shrugged, "Okay, it's your baby." She turned to Robert, "Hey, Robert. While the pirates are gone, I want you to watch over baby Niku."
"What's in it for me?" Robert asked.
"I'll try and make Stephanie leave you alone." Kristina told him. Robert immediately agreed.
"I wanna take Niku to see the rest of the group." Luffy announced.
"Take your time. As long as he stays here, he's fine." Kristina told him. She placed the tiny baby in his rubbery arms carefully. The boy then ran through the forest, to his crew with Kristina running after him, screaming for him to be careful.
- - - - - -
The rest of the Straw Hat Pirates and Nicole were standing by the Going Merry at the time, staring in awe at all the quick repairs done. The ship looked almost completely new especially with the work done by the Almani of average status.
"Hey, guys! Look at my baby!" Luffy shouted.
Everyone turned around.
"Baby?" Zoro asked cluelessly.
Luffy held out Niku, "Yup. His name is Niku. He's a talking banana."
"Where did you get that thing?" Sanji asked.
"And why did you name it Niku?" Usopp asked.
"Kristina gave him to me…and I like the name 'Niku'." Luffy admitted.
"And where are we going to keep it?" Sanji asked.
"Here." Luffy told him, "Another banana will watch over Niku while we're gone."
"Before you leave, we've got a few more gifts to give you. As a thank you, we, the Almani have decided to stock up your ship with food and supplies. And Chopper, I know that you've been studying the herbs here, so I placed a book in the ship on what the herbs do and how to use them." Kristina announced. Chopper thanked her and headed into the ship. Sanji, Nami, and Usopp followed him.
"I also know how much Nicole and Robin wanted to know about Almani history, so I arranged for books on some of the secrets of Almania to belong to you. Just go inside the castle and the guards will bring you to the books." Kristina told them. Robin and Nicole walked inside the castle.
"Emily, I got something special for you. Follow me." Kristina instructed. Emily and Zoro followed her to the edge of Emerald Town.
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The Marines were halfway to the base that same day. Kim, Kelly, and Ryan went back to their daily routine of sword fighting practicing…along with a few chores.
"Hey Ryan? Are you going to take Emily off the WANTED list?" Kim asked.
Ryan thought for a minute before answering, "Nah."
"Why not?" Kelly asked.
"She's a pirate, that's why. Plus, she said it's my decision." Ryan answered.
"You're so mean, Ryan." Kelly told him.
"Yeah, I know." Ryan said. The three of them laughed.
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Kristina led Zoro and Emily to a small house in Emerald Town and knocked on the door. As she waited for someone to open the door, Zoro asked, "Who lives here? This house is a lot smaller than the other houses in this town."
"My friend, Katie, lives here alone. She's my age and raises Mailing Cats. She goes to her parent's house next door for food, but sleeps in this house with the babies. She told me that a litter of kittens is able to leave their mothers and we're going to give Emily one." Kristina answered.
The door opened and a girl Kristina's height with long, blonde hair appeared in the doorway, "Hey, Kristina."
"Hey, Katie. We're here to see the Mailing Kittens." Kristina answered.
Katie smiled, "Good. Come on in." Katie led Kristina, Zoro, and Emily to a room in the house. On a small rug sat eight different kittens.
Two of the kittens were black and white and playing with a gray kitten and a brown kitten. Another gray kitten, two brown kittens, and a ruby red kitten were exploring the new people in the room.
"All of them are available to adopt. Take your pick." Katie told her with a smile.
Emily looked over every single one of the kittens, but couldn't decide. All eight of them were so cute. But there was one little kitten that walked up to her and began rubbing its head against her legs: the little red one. She picked up the small kitten and announced, "This one. I'd like to have this one."
Katie smiled at her, "Good. She's a real sweetheart. What are you going to name her?"
Emily thought for a bit. Hmmm…she's red, but what should I name her? Ruby? No, that name is too common. Garnet? No, it doesn't sound right…wait, I know! "I'm going to name her Cherry." Emily announced.
"Cherry?" Zoro asked her. Emily nodded, giggling when the kitten rubbed her head against Emily's.
"Okay, the Mailing Cat is very intelligent. It can learn where every city and town is just by looking over maps. In fact, Mailing Cats were the only creatures that were allowed to leave Almania if they were born here. She's still a baby, so you shouldn't let her travel for at least four more months." Katie explained.
"Thank you." Emily whispered, lifting Cherry up onto her left shoulder. Katie smiled,
"Take good care of her. OH by the way, she eats anything you eat." Emily nodded,
"Okay." Kristina led Zoro and Emily out of Katie's house, the girls exchanging good-byes.
"Ummm…if Cherry can't deliver a letter for another few months, is there a Mailing Cat that can deliver one now?" Emily asked.
Kristina nodded her head, "Yeah, we do. Why?"
"I need to deliver something to my sister in Yokuna." Emily answered, running to the room she shared in the castle. Taking out a pen and paper, she furiously wrote a letter to Misao and returned outside with the letter and a small bag. Standing by Kristina was another Mailing Cat. Zoro slipped off Misao's bracelet and placed it in the bag.
Emily handed both the letter and bag to the Mailing Cat, "The address is on the letter." The cat nodded and flew off. "I hope Misao gets the letter." Emily sighed.
"She will. Don't worry." Zoro assured her.
"Emily, we got something else for you. We made some proper headstones for your family." Kristina announced, leading Emily into the castle.
Sitting in the first room were headstones made from rock. Carved very delicately in each headstone were the names "Asakura Ryou", "Asakura Lilie", and "Asakura Aron" and the years of their births and deaths.
Tears stung Emily's eyes, "Thank you."
Kristina nodded, "A few of the Almani are moving to Kupeviru today. They will bring along the headstones."
Emily thanked her again only to realize that she was going to be given one more thing: a book on how to use and control her powers, of course she made the decision that she wouldn't fight with her powers until they were mastered. Until then, she'd go back to fighting with the boomerang.
Emily quickly gave Kristina a hug, repeating thank-yous. She eventually let go and all the Straw Hat Pirates and Nicole stood in the castle.
"If there's anything else we can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask." Kristina told them. Nobody said anything.
"I should go now." Nicole announced.
"Where are you going?" Emily asked.
"I talked to a few Almani. I'm heading back to Wenatchee." Nicole answered.
"Nicole…I…wanna thank you for helping us save me and my race." Emily told her.
Nicole smiled, "No problem. It's what friends do."
Emily nodded and giggled, "You're right."
Nicole gave Emily a quick hug and "good-bye". She then grabbed the books she was given and followed Molly to the group of Almani that were planning to leave. The books were put in a bag and the bag was placed in Molly's mouth. Molly grew larger, the Almani brought out their wings, and the strongest picked up Nicole. All the Almani, Nicole, and Molly flew up in the air. Nicole was soon gone, waving as she flew.
"We probably should go, too." Luffy announced. Nami, Sanji, Zoro, Emily, Usopp, Chopper, and Robin nodded.
"Do you really have to leave?" Melissa asked. The group nodded.
"We have to go. It's our time." Robin told her.
Melissa frowned, "Okay. But, before you leave, can we hear the Melody of the Seas?"
"Yeah, come on." Kristina agreed. All eyes turned at Emily.
Emily giggled, "Okay." She took out her flute and played Lilie's lullaby. Both princesses smiled at the song and kept smiling as it was played in the sea.
"We've got to go now." Emily told them.
Kristina and Melissa nodded and followed the pirates to the Going Merry. The anchor was pulled and the ship started to sail away.
"Sayonara pirates…Emily!" Kristina and Melissa called, waving good-bye. All the Straw Hat Pirates waved back at them until they were unable to see Almania anymore.
"I hope Niku will be okay." Luffy muttered.
"Luffy, he's a banana. He'll be fine." Chopper pointed out.
Luffy laughed, "You're right." Emily giggled and took in a breath of the calming sea air.
Zoro smiled at her, "Welcome home, Emily."
- - - - - -
A few days later, the Mailing Cat delivered Emily's letter and Misao's bracelet to the Morimura Mansion. At the time the letter arrived, Haru and Misao were in the living room painting and laughing. Misao let the Mailing Cat take a rest while Misao slipped on her bracelet and read the letter out loud to both her and Haru:
Dear Misao,
We did it! We defeated Pam and it's all thanks to the three Dark Diamond Bracelets, the Melody of the Seas, and the help from a spirit. Pam was killed and her daughters were banished to an eternity to a world of darkness. Not only that, but the Almani Gods resurrected all the Almani that died in the attack, including the spirit that helped me (who is an Almani princess).
The day the Almani were resurrected, a celebration for us was made. That day I was told that I was the Melody of the Seas (I can control the sea). And remember that Christmas when we were nine and I couldn't tell the Peterson children my last name because I didn't know it? Well, now I do. I was born as Asakura Emily.
Before I left Almania, the eldest Almani princess gave me my own Mailing Cat, but I can't use her to send letters for another four months because she's still a baby. She's so cute. She has ruby red fur and her name is Cherry. Oh Misao, so much has happened since we last wrote, but I am still writing in my diary and I will make sure you read it. I promise.
Your beloved little sister and pirate,
Asakura Emerald Emily
P.S. I miss you.
"Wow, so the Almani weren't wiped out." Haru exclaimed.
Misao shook her head and smiled, "And she even made friends with a princess and helped save the world." Misao walked to her room, pulled out a pen and paper, and began to write a quick response to her little sister:
Dear Emily,
I was so relieved at your last letter to know that Pam is gone forever as are her two daughters. I was also overjoyed about the Almani being resurrected and about you being able to find your last name. I also want to see Cherry. She seems so cute and I can't wait to see her.
The slaves that became servants here in the mansion are happy to be working here. They seemed even happier when Haru and I decided to teach them how to read. It also makes me happy because I get to let them feel the way I did when you first taught me how to read. I also feel even gladder that I got the only thing I have of my father. Thanks.
Your beloved older sister and artist,
Morimura Misao
P.S. I miss you.
Misao folded up her letter and handed it back to the Mailing Cat, asking it to deliver the letter to Emily. The Mailing Cat took the letter in its mouth and left the Morimura Mansion. "I hope she gets this letter. I miss her so much." Misao whispered.
Haru put an arm over Misao's shoulders, "I know. I miss her too."
- - - - - -
Emily received Misao's letter three days later. The Mailing Cat quickly gave Emily the letter and went back to Almania, to its home. Emily opened up the letter and smiled as she read each word written by her sister. Her bright blue-green eyes began to fill with tears as she realized how much she missed Misao, but she refused to let them come pouring from her eyes.
Ever since she left Almania, Emily started to remember how much the sea calmed her down inside.
Cherry seemed to enjoy the sea also as well as being with Emily as the girl played her flute or practiced with her powers and her boomerang. Cherry also enjoyed playing with some of the other crew members when they weren't doing their jobs.
The night the Straw Hat Pirates left Almania, all nine of the pirates were able to relax into their beds not having to face the facts that the rooms they were in was not a room that wasn't theirs like they had to do in Almania. Cherry slept peacefully next to Emily. The ship softly rocked the boat both during the day and during the night…and it felt good. It felt even better when Emily got back to writing in the little book Misao bought her back in Yokuna:
7th sun, 30th day of brown chrysanthemums
(Saturday, November 30)
I spent two hours yesterday studying the book Kristina gave me on how to control my powers, but I'm not sure if I'm getting any better, so Zoro told me that I should give my powers a break for a bit, like I should just pretend that I don't have any Almani powers, that I'm just a normal girl.
Being back on the Going Merry makes me feel happier than I ever felt before, even happier then the days I had in the traveling circus when Mama and Papa were still alive. I try to think about what would have happened if Zoro hadn't have bought me or if I'd have let Pam kill me back in Almania.
If any of that would have happened, the world would have gone to Hell and I'd never get the chance to call Zoro my brother or him calling me his sister. My future has changed and some day I will master my powers, I will be the greatest musician of all time, and I may be given the last name 'Roronoa'. But until then, I am
Asakura Emerald Emily
"Itai!" A loud voice screamed from behind the orange trees. Emily put down Misao's diary, caught her boomerang in her left hand, and looked behind her. Not only had her boomerang his Luffy's hands that were attempting to grab an orange from Nami's trees, but Cherry clamped her teeth into his hands and wouldn't let go no matter how much he attempted to get her off.
Zoro, Emily, Nami, Sanji, Usopp, Chopper, and Robin laughed as the captain screamed for help.
"Cherry, let go of him." Emily commanded.
Cherry let go of Luffy's hand and hopped onto Emily's lap purring. Everyone laughed and went back to their business: Luffy sitting on the bow, Zoro taking a nap by the mast, Nami looking over a map, Sanji handing out fruits for Nami and Robin and a chilled green apple for Emily and Cherry, Usopp making a new weapon, Chopper reading from the herb book he got from Almania, and Robin reading one of the books she got from Almania…and that's what Emily wanted to see for the rest of her days as the Straw Hat Pirate's musician.
THE END
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A/N: Ah, my beautiful story is finally complete, but I may write sequels to this story if people give me a few ideas. Katie is a real person, another of my friends. The thing in Emily's letter about her not knowing her last name at Christmas, you have to read the final chapter of my story Christmas Memories to understand what she's talking about. R/R if you want, but don't flame me please.