Coco: Hey, guys, I'm back with another chapter for Monster Within. I really enjoyed working on this one. This is by far the easiest original character introduction arc I've ever done for One Piece. All the others always feel so forced and then I rush them to get to cannon, so I can get over the cringiness XD But this one is going good, and I'm just going to go with the flow. It might be one more or it might be two more chapters long, I don't know. But probably only one lol. Anyway, I do hope you enjoy the chapter as much as I did writing it. Thanks!
Wren lead the pirates outside under the protection of the awning to the small barn. She slid open the door with a few of the animals rustling at their entrance. Though they didn't pay much more attention as Wren turned to look to their guests.
"This is where you can stay," She said gesturing them inside. "I apologize once more for not having more comfortable accommodations."
Luffy didn't seem to mind as he hurried inside to look around curiously. He laughed a bit at the sight of the animals. He even went over to Vladimir's cow—Lulabel—to get a closer look. Lulabel blinked at the boy and didn't seem to care that Luffy was pulling on her ears.
"You needn't apologize," Vivi said with a kind smile and shake of her head. "Thank you for your kindness."
She and Karoo—her large duck companion who had been waiting outside for them—then went inside with Usopp scurrying after her as more lightning and thunder rolled. Zoro followed, but not without shooting Wren a look. Obviously, she wasn't trusted. However, she'd say Zoro was smart to be wary. In fact, he seemed to be the only one amongst them smart enough not to trust her and her father as strangers. Of course, she doesn't trust them much either. Wren then looked to Sanji when the blonde took her hands into his own.
"As Vivi-chan said, my dear, we are grateful for your generosity." He said with a flirtatious smile.
Wren gave a polite, cool smile in return before removing her hands from Sanji's grip.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable," She said. "You will need plenty of rest if you plan to wake early tomorrow to gather supplies for your journey. Once father finishes looking over your friend and gives his consent for someone to stay with her, I will come to fetch one of you."
Sanji thanked Wren before going inside the barn. Wren watched the pirates begin to settle while well aware that she wasn't the only one whose eyes were on them. Once they seemed comfortable, Wren went to shut the door, but paused.
"I ask that none of you leave this space." Wren requested. "Not without me to escort you. The island can be dangerous. Especially to strangers."
Her ominous words had Usopp gulping in fear as he drew his borrowed blanket closer around him. He didn't like the sound of that one bit.
"What do you mean?" Zoro asked.
"The neighbors don't like outsiders." Wren said. "Those who have come before you have disappeared, never to be seen again. It's a common occurrence here when visitors like yourselves manage to find our little island."
Usopp wasn't the only one looking a bit scared as Vivi huddled closer to Karoo. The duck looked equally as frightened as it looked around nervously.
"Neighbors?" Sanji inquired looking confused.
He didn't realize there were other inhabitants on this island. While it was dark and storming, Sanji hadn't noticed any other houses during their trek here to Wren and Vladimir's home. They had come pretty far inland too, but perhaps there were houses even farther in?
"The other inhabitants of the island." Wren explained. "They will appear harmless to you. Though that is just to make it easier for them to lure you in. As long as you remain in here, I will be able to protect you. If you step outside, well, I highly doubt I will get to you in time."
Usopp was pale as a sheet by now as his shaking could practically be heard along with the chattering of his teeth.
"J-just w-what are th-ese ne-ighbors?" Usopp asked shakily.
"Hopefully you will not have to find out," Is all Wren said before she shut the door.
She turned out towards the tree line once more where the glowing eyes had become even closer to the point, she could make out the body shapes of the different fae who had come to snoop. Her own visible eye glowed red in warning as a growl seemed to enter the air. Restless noises answered her back before the glowing eyes retreated from the edge of the trees. Wren's own eye turned to normal as the growling ceased.
"They will be back," One of Brise's aerial friends said as she and the other aerial flew to Wren's side.
They flew around her in circles while throwing glances between where their fellow fae had disappeared and the pirates resting unaware in the barn.
"Of course, they will be," Wren agreed. "Until these pirates leave, they will be close by. I trust I don't have to worry about the two of you, Mistral, Levant."
She gave the two a stern look, and they giggled much like children do as they twirled gracefully around Wren in the air.
"We will try to behave, sweet one." Levant said.
"Yes, yes, we will try." Mistral agreed with a nod. "But we make no promises!"
They then left giggling into the night leaving Wren alone with her thoughts as the storm raged on. The wind whipped around her hair and clothes as she continued to stare off into the forest surrounding the small house that her father called home.
'They don't truly mean any harm,' Wren thought to herself with an unreadable expression. 'Not most of them anyway…but I fear that one day that they will meet humans they won't be able to trick.'
She gave a sigh as before placed her hand against the side of the barn. Golden light trickled from her fingers to cover the barn in golden patterns of light before seeming to sink into the wood. As long as the pirates remained inside, they were safe. With that in mind, Wren turned to walk back into the main building. She placed her coat away by the door before ascending the stairs to the room where Vladimir was treating Nami.
Vladimir didn't look up at her arrival as he had one hand over Nami's forehead and the other over Nami's infection. Light glowed on his hands and behind him Brise held onto a lock of his hair as she glowed slightly as well. A familiar and mage working together as one to save a human of all things. Wren doesn't think she's seen something like this before in her lifetime.
Though that might be because mages interact less with humans than the fae do. The humans are such greedy and destructive beings. Wren doesn't see why her father is bothering to save one. Though she supposes not all humans are bad. But she's met so many wicked ones that she couldn't tell a difference much anymore.
"I take it you helped our guests settle for the night." Vladimir said while continuing his work.
"Yes, and they are safe for now," Wren replied. "Though I will not be held responsible if one of them goes missing during their stay here nor will I go after one of them if that does happen."
If they couldn't follow basic instructions to stay where it is safe, it was on them and not her. Vladimir chuckled at her words. Wren's visible eye narrowed at Vladimir as she wondered what was so funny.
"Of course," Vladimir said with a nod though a grin remained on his face.
Wren sighed deciding not to even ask as she took a seat at the small desk against the wall opposite of the bed. She crossed one leg over the other while resting her elbow on the desk, so she could lean her chin on her cupped hand.
"Sanji-san wishes to stay with Nami-san once treatment is over, will that be possible?" Wren asked.
She had promised to ask and while she wanted as little pirates as possible inside her father's home, she knew she could handle things if these pirates decided to do anything funny.
"This treatment could take me all night," Vladimir said with his smile disappearing as his brows furrowing in worry. "It's best to keep them away for now."
Wren hummed in reply as she honestly did not care. She had her own issues to worry about than a crew of rookie pirates. Even if said pirate crew was carrying the princess of the very Kingdom she was going to 'save' from Crocodile. She didn't need the princess in her plans to overthrow Crocodile, so Wren didn't care what the princess did as long as her plans weren't hindered.
"We won't be able to keep hiding them, you know." Wren pointed out to her father. "It will be impossible to keep the fae away from those pirates once we step into the forest tomorrow."
"Yes, so perhaps you should warn them before hand," Vladimir suggested. "To be prepared for the threat they need to know what the treat is."
Wren frowned as she did not wish to expose the fae here on the island to humans. If one or two of the pirates were picked off, she didn't care. Besides, the less they knew about the fae the better. Fae fetch a pretty penny on the market, so Wren preferred humans to remain ignorant of the neighbors if all possible. Of course, the neighbors make it difficult themselves as they just enjoy interacting with humans so much.
"Please, Wren," Vladimir said as he looked away from Nami to her. "These pirates…they are good people. Help them."
Wren narrowed her gaze at her father once more as she sat up in her chair. Back straight and taunt.
"If you think helping some fledging pirates will somehow redeem me, or restore my faith in humanity, father, you are mistaken," Wren said coolly. "These pirates are not my concern. I help them as payment to you for looking after my injuries, nothing more."
Vladimir sighed though wasn't surprised by Wren's reaction to him asking her to help out these pirates.
"Just please think about what I have asked," Vladimir said. "You have the ability to read people better than I. I'm sure if you would just look, you would see the same I do."
Wren's right brow just raised silently in reply with a look of skepticism clearly coloring her expression.
"I know you don't trust humans." Vladimir said. "But remember it was two humans that saved you."
As morning rolled around, the storm had disappeared leaving the sun to shine brightly overhead. Wren went to check in on the pirates to see Luffy was already out and running around excitedly.
"Luffy, come back inside!" Usopp called the boy. "You heard what Wren said about the neighbors!"
Luffy just laughed as he climbed up a tree to get a better look at the island. Wren sighed though wasn't surprised.
"You seem to have trouble doing as you are told." Wren said as she stopped underneath the tree to look up at Luffy.
At the sound of her voice, Usopp relaxed while stepping out with Zoro, who yawned, behind him. Luffy smiled down at Wren before jumping down to land in front of her.
"Wren, is Nami doing better?" Luffy asked. "Can we see her now?"
As he was asking the rest of the misfit crew came outside to hear about their friend.
"Father worked on breaking her fever all night," Wren said. "He managed to get it to break slightly as the sun broke the horizon. It isn't much, but he has bought her some time."
The pirates looked relieved to hear this as smiles broke out across their faces.
"He continues to do what he can to bring it down further," Wren said. "He requests you give him more time before you go to her. He suspects that after I help you restock your supplies; he will have her in stable enough condition to travel."
Luffy and the others looked a bit bummed that they couldn't see Nami yet, but none of them protested.
"If you wish to eat before we head into the forest, breakfast has been prepared," Wren told them. "It is waiting in the kitchen. I am not a professional chef by any means, but I hope it is to your liking."
"Ahh, I'm sure anything prepared by your lovely hands will taste divine, Wren-chwan!" Sanji said as he twirled over to her.
Wren hummed in response before turning to show the guests inside the house. Sanji watched her go feeling a bit stumped by her cool nature. Though he quickly shook it off as he went after the beautiful woman with his crewmates along with them. Luffy's mouth started to droll at the smell of food before he went barreling forward pass Wren, who stepped to the side in time, to get inside.
"Luffy, watch your manners!" Sanji snapped. "You nearly ran over Wren-chan!"
As Sanji went after their captain practically spitting and snarling in annoyance, Wren turned towards the others.
"Are they usually so lively?" She questioned.
Usopp sweat-dropped looking a bit embarrassed by his friends as Vivi gave a slight chuckle.
"Yes," She replied. "I know they seem like a bit much, but they're quite fun to be around."
Karoo quacked as if in agreement as he stood between Wren and Vivi. Wren scratched the duck underneath his chin and he seemed to purr as he leaned into her touch happily. Vivi watched the interaction with a small smile on her face. Wren hasn't been very warm towards them. Not saying she has been impolite. She has been a gracious host, but she made sure to let them know she was unhappy with their arrival. Though she obviously wasn't a bad person. Just wary of strangers.
"Once you finish eating, I will personally take you through the island." Wren told the three pirates who remained outside with her. "The paths can be a bit tricky. To let you go in alone, you would surely get lost or taken."
At the mention of being taken, Usopp stiffened up as he scooted behind Zoro who snorted at him.
"You mean by like…the neighbors?" Usopp whispered as if he didn't want to be overheard.
He even glanced around as if expecting one of them to pop up at any moment.
"Yes," Wren said. "They like their tricks and like to play games. Especially with humans. To them the games are harmless, but well, humans don't hold up as well as them. So, as I'm sure you can guess what is harmless to them won't be to you."
She pointed at Usopp as she said this while honestly amused by his reaction as he flinched. Typical human.
"They almost sound like children," Vivi said with a curious tilt of her head.
"They certainly act like children at times," Wren said with a small shrug. "The neighbors are driven mostly by their whims. Logical reasoning doesn't usually come until after they've already acted, if it even comes at all. But they aren't malicious beings, which is why I ask that you don't bring harm to them. Even if you find yourself in trouble, don't harm the neighbors. They aren't looking to hurt you intentionally, so please leave them be. This is all I ask."
Well, most of them won't anyway. There are a few of the older ones, however, who might try to cause serious injuries to these pirates.
"What are these neighbors?" Zoro asked.
He then stiffened as a breeze suddenly whirled by with what sounded like giggling children entering his ears. A few shapes flew pass and the pirates gaped in shock as a few of the aerials flew around them. Wren sighed supposing that keeping the true identity of the neighbors just went out the window. Those aerials really know how to cause trouble.
She looked up unhappily when seeing the playful creatures were showing off to their guests. Luffy and Sanji hurried out when hearing the noise and they too watched on in wide eyes as the aerials performed little dance for them and used their control of the wind to teasingly ruffle their hair and clothes.
"The fae," Wren said reluctantly as she held out her hand.
Levant, who was with this group of aerials, flew down to land on the girl's hand. She hugged Wren's fingers gently with her wide black eyes looking up happily at Wren.
"T…they're little fairies?" Usopp asked as he came around Zoro. "That's not so scary."
"So cool!" Luffy exclaimed as he hurried over to look at Levant.
Levant bashfully hid her face in Wren's cupped fingers, which had Vivi cooing at how cute she was. Wren shook her head as she knew Levant was anything but bashful. The little creature was eating up the attention.
"We're supposed to be afraid of this thing?" Zoro asked pointing.
Wren frowned at the swordsmen as Levant who lifted her face blew a raspberry at the green-haired man. The swordsman looked surprised by the action. Though he was soon glaring at Usopp who was snickering behind his hands at what happened.
"Her name is Levant." Wren said. "She is an aerial. A smaller class of fae. There are much larger, more powerful fae who call this island home. Though you shouldn't underestimate the aerials. While small and harmless at heart, they have led many travelers to their deaths."
Levant giggled flying back into the air as she put her arms behind her back with an innocent look in her eyes.
"We didn't mean to harm them," Levant said. "We only wanted to play with the humans. Though humans are such fragile things."
She said this with a disappointed tone as Usopp returned to being frightened. He didn't want to die.
"Are we going now, sweet one?" Levant asked. "Into the forest?"
"The others wish to meet them." Mistral added as she flew down by Levant. "They are very eager, yes. Especially, the Spriggan."
"I'm sure he is," Wren said dryly.
The dark fairy, Sable, hated humans. He found them to be volatile and untrustworthy. Not that Wren blamed him. Considering everything he has gone through.
"Once they have had their full, we will venture into the forest," Wren told the aerials. "Until then behave yourselves."
"Yes, Misce." Mistral said as she and Levant herded the other aerials away.
Wren's eye seemed to flash for moment, which didn't go unnoticed by Sanji whose brow quirked. Though her expression returned to normal so quickly that he wasn't sure if he really saw what he had thought he saw.
Once the pirates finished breakfast, it was decided that Usopp and Vivi along with Karoo would stay behind in case Vladimir needed any help with Nami. Or if they would be able to see Nami soon. So, Wren led the boys into the forest with the three pirates carrying large baskets on their backs to carry supplies as they gathered.
"This place is so cool!" Luffy said as he looked around. "Even the trees are different here than any other island I've been too!"
It was true. Not even Zoro and Sanji were very familiar with trees such as the ones around them. Of course, they've mostly been to tropical islands. This island was much different. The terrain was different too. Something about it cast an almost eerie atmosphere, but it was surprisingly peaceful as well.
"Hey, Wren, what is this place called?" Luffy asked as he hurried up the path to catch up to Wren.
Wren glanced over her shoulder at her younger traveling companion as he was looking back at her with a large grin on his face.
"This island is known as Magus." Wren said. "Birthplace of the mages."
Luffy tilted his head at that as he had never heard of a mage before, but it seemed as if his two crewmates had.
"Mages?" Zoro asked as he crossed his arms over his chest. "As in magic?"
That had Luffy's attention as his eyes grew rather large and his grin spread once more across his face.
"Yes, as in magic," Wren replied to Zoro's question. "Does the little pirate not believe in magic?"
Zoro frowned at Wren's tone and how she seemed to once again talk down to them. That would make the second time, and he didn't like it.
"I've heard stories of mages during my childhood in the East Blue." Sanji said as he cupped his chin thoughtfully. "Spellcasters; people who lived peacefully among fairies."
Zoro rolled his eyes. Magic didn't exist. Even after seeing those 'fairies' from earlier, Zoro didn't have much belief in fairytales. Just has he didn't have much stock in a higher power.
"Whoa, really?!" Luffy asked. "I want to meet a mage! Wren, are there any on the island?"
"Not anymore." A voice replied not too far from the group. "Well, all except one…and occasionally a half."
The boys whirled around seeing a cat sitting on a rock not far from them. The cat had long fluffy, golden fur and its eyes a deep green. It was like the animal was looking into their very souls as its eyes bore into them. Though Luffy didn't seem put off by the strange cat as he stepped forward.
"Hey, a talking cat!" Luffy said with a laugh.
Wren was lightly frowning at said cat who seemed pleased with itself if it's twitching tail and almost smug expression was anything to go by.
"Don't be ridiculous, Luffy!" Sanji snapped. "Cats don't talk."
Luffy pouted because he knew he had heard the cat speaking, and there wasn't anyone else around who could have done it.
"I suppose not normally," The voice said again causing the two boys to slowly turn to look back at the cat who continued, "However, I am not just your typical house cat."
It was silent for a long moment as Wren watched in mild amusement as Sanji's mouth fell open allowing his cigarette to fall from his mouth.
"That cat just talked!" He said pointing at said feline as Luffy laughed once more.
"You're a rude one," The cat said to Sanji whose brow twitched at the cat's words. "Did your mother never teach you that it is rude to point?"
Sanji's curled brow twitched even more and he looked as if he was going to yell at the feline when Wren stepped in. She placed a hand on his shoulder and he stopped to look at her. Though she had her eyes on the feline in front of them.
"Please forgive him, Havel." Wren requested. "Fae creatures are new to these pirates."
Havel snorted though did nod his head in request to Wren's request as his tail swished behind him. He then let out a surprised hiss when Luffy scooped him up into his rubbery arms. He was about to snap at the boy, but Luffy started scratching underneath his chin, which broke Havel into happy purrs.
"Cats are fairies?" Luffy asked as he continued to hold Havel.
"Not all, but Havel is a Cat Sithe." Wren explained. "They are typically no threats to humans. In fact, you'd surprisingly find out that many cats in people's homes are Cat Sithe."
Luffy looked even more excited to hear that as he whirled around with Havel still in his arms.
"Eh, Zoro, did you hear that?" Luffy asked before blinking in confusion. "Zoro?"
Wren and Sanji turned around as well when hearing Luffy's tone to see no Zoro in sight. Wren eyes widened as she should have sensed if he had gotten too far from the group. Though her eyes then narrowed.
'Unless he was snatched away instead of wandering off,' She thought. 'Sable…'
"Where did he go?" Luffy asked looking around. "Zoro!"
"Well, well, once again Sable works quickly," Havel spoke from Luffy's arms.
Luffy and Sanji looked at the Cat Sithe as Havel wiggled out of Luffy's grip to climb onto Luffy's shoulders. He draped himself around Luffy's shoulders with his tail flicking lazily.
"Or perhaps it was Greylock?" Havel continued. "He has been bored as of late. There haven't been any new visitors to play with, and he does love humans."
Wren's stomach sank at the thought of Greylock having his hands on the swordsman. Greylock didn't hate humans. Quite the opposite, in fact. He was so interested in them that it was borderline obsession. He enjoyed toying with them and studying them as he plays his games.
"Wren, what does he mean?" Luffy asked.
"It means your friend is in danger," Wren said.
Luffy and Sanji both stiffened at the words as Wren's hands clenched into fists. She knew this would happen. Letting these pirates on the island was a terrible island. Her father should have listened to her.
'They are good people Wren,' His words rung through her head. 'Help them…Remember it was two humans who saved you.'
'Who cares?' Wren thought. 'Two humans show kindness to me. That doesn't make me obligated to save every human I come across in peril…'
Though even as she thought this a certain blonde's face appeared in her mind. She frowned as her hand clenched the hilt of the sword she had strapped to her waist.
'Though I suppose you weren't obligated to save some cur like me either, were you, Cora-san?' Wren thought as she thought of the man's smiling face.
She let out a sigh knowing what she had to do. Even if she didn't like it, she couldn't leave the swordsman to a fate at the hands of Greylock or Sable. Though going against the two of them, was something she never wished to do.
