Coco: I don't know why I keep writing something at the beginning of each of these four chapters...I mean it is just one big update, but I feel like without adding a few words at the beginning from yours truly my story feels naked...Do you guys feel like that or is that just me?


Once in Dalton's home, Wren helped Vivi settle Nami into Dalton's bed. The redhead barely stirred as they made sure she was comfortable. She was just getting worse.

"I guess I should introduce myself." Dalton said as he took his weapon off his back. "My name is Dalton. I'm the captain of the island's security squad. Please, forgive our less than friendly welcome."

Wren only hummed in reply to his apology. She honestly didn't care about their hostile welcome. They were a group of pirates after all. Well, most of them anyway. She and Vivi being exceptions along with their animal companions.

"Excuse me, may I ask you a question?" Dalton asked Vivi. "It's just that…you look familiar to me for some reason."

Vivi looked away from Dalton quickly while looking a bit panicked by Dalton's question.

"No, I just have one of those faces I guess!" Vivi said quickly. "Anyway, can you tell us more about this doctor—or witch if that's what she is?"

Wren shook her head at Vivi's swift reply. She obviously wasn't a very good liar.

"Yes, we need her as soon as possible." Wren said. "Nami's fever has gone up to 107."

Dalton looked alarmed when hearing this, and Wren could understand why. Nami's lucky she isn't dead already, or suffered any brain damage.

"How long has she had it?" Dalton inquired.

"It's been several days, and it just keeps getting higher." Vivi explained. "The last doctor we took her to—Wren's father—said the fever is most likely being caused by an infection. An infection many people wouldn't be able to treat now as what presumably caused the infection is extinct now. He said this Dr. Kureha might have the solution, however."

Dalton nodded in understanding while seeing why these pirates were so concerned for their friend.

"Which is why we need Dr. Kureha here as soon as possible." Sanji said urgently. "Where is this witch of yours?"

"The witch?" Dalton repeated. "…Do you see those mountains outside the window?"

"Yeah, I noticed them earlier." Sanji said as he glanced out the window.

However, when he looked out the window all he saw was a large snowman in his line of sight. Wren's brow quirked as she looked at the snowman as well. Did…Luffy and Usopp make that thing? Sanji growled going up to the window as Wren vaguely heard Luffy and Usopp laughing and talking excitedly outside.

"Get in here before I kill you!" Sanji snapped.

Wren shook her head as Sanji ran outside to deal with Luffy and Usopp as Dalton was getting the fire going. By the time the boys came back inside, Dalton had coffee made to give out to them. Wren politely declined his offer of coffee since Wren wasn't much a coffee drinker.

"Those mountains out there are known as the Drum Rockies." Dalton explained. "Look closely. Do you see the castle at the top of the tallest one? The one in the middle?"

Sanji looked out the window up to the tallest mountain top to see some kind of outline of some kind of structure.

"Castle?" Usopp asked.

"That castle lost its king." Dalton said.

Wren supposed this all tied into the incident Dalton had mentioned. Though she doesn't understand what it has to do with their needing-a-doctor-problem.

"Yeah, I see it up there." Sanji said.

"What's so important about the castle?" Vivi asked.

"That castle is where our land's only doctor lives—Dr. Kureha." Dalton replied.

Wren frowned. Of course, the person they needed lived on top of some kind of mountain. And not just any mountain, but the tallest one on the island.

"What?!" Sanji asked. "Of all places why does she have to live on top of a mountain?! We need to call her here right away! Nami needs her help."

Wren sighed getting a feeling that things weren't going to be that simple based on Dalton's expression.

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid there's no way to contact her." Dalton said confirming Wren's worries.

Sanji couldn't believe what he was hearing. They finally got here to get Nami to the doctor Vladimir told them to see, and she can't even be contacted.

"You can't be serious! What kind of doctor is she?!" Sanji demanded.

"Her skills as a doctor are quite impressive actually." Dalton said. "However, she's an eccentric old woman. She's nearly 140 years old now."

That would explain why Vladimir thought that Kureha could heal Nami. Even if this bug that infected her did die out a hundred years ago, Kureha would have been around. It meant that old woman could have the medicine they need for Nami.

"A 140?" Sanji asked. "No wonder she doesn't get around much."

"Oh, one more thing, she likes pickled plums." Dalton added.

Wren didn't understand why that mattered, but kept that opinion to herself. She didn't want to come off as rude, after all, considering Dalton was helping them.

"What happens when people here get sick or injured?" Vivi asked. "Doesn't she help them?"

"She comes down from the mountain whenever she feels like." Dalton explained. "She looks around for patients, she treats them, and then before she leaves, she takes whatever she wants from their houses as payment."

"She doesn't sound like a very nice lady." Usopp commented.

"Kind of sounds like she's a pirate." Luffy added.

She sounded just like any greedy human in Wren's opinion. However, Wren supposed if you're the only doctor around and people don't really have any other choice, might as well make yourself a profit.

"But how is a woman as old as she capable of getting down that mountain?" Vivi questioned.

"Well, he did say she's a witch." Luffy pointed out. "Just like Wren, right?"

Wren blinked wondering if she was just insulted. Sanji seemed to think so since he kicked Luffy in the face. Luffy went smack into the wall behind him as Usopp gasped in shock at the indent left behind by Luffy's impact.

"I dare you to say that again, rubber brain!" Sanji snapped. "Wren-chwan, isn't some wrinkly old witch! She's a beautiful, magical goddess!"

Wren shook her head at the two boys as Dalton was giving her a curious glance. Not wanting to explain what Luffy and Sanji meant, Wren moved the conversation along quickly.

"I apologize for them." Wren said. "Please, tell us, how Dr. Kureha makes her rounds."

"Well, it's an odd rumor around here," Dalton explained. "Several of the villagers claimed to have seen her at night riding some sleigh of some kind through the sky. They see her silhouette when the moon is out. It's the reason why she's thought to be a witch."

Wren tilted her head. She's never heard of a mage flying through the sky in a sleigh. Most mages who wish to get around without traditional means use magic to either control the air around them to fly or even use some form of transformation to gift them with the ability to fly. Or they may have a familiar with the ability to carry them around through the air. Or they might ask other fae to give them a hand.

"There are others who claim to have seen her with a strange creature." Dalton continued. "A creature none of them recognize."

That could be a familiar. Perhaps Kureha really is a mage of some kind. Though it was unlike Vladimir not to mention such a detail. Usopp didn't seem to like the mention of this monster since he soon started kicking up a fuss over it. However, he went ignored by the others.

"Dr. Kureha is the only doctor we have, but she's still a woman I'd prefer to stay away from." Dalton warned the group. "All we can do is wait until the next time she comes down that mountain."

"We unfortunately do not have that kind of time." Wren said. "Nami needs to see this witch doctor now before it is too late. What my father did to ease her pain isn't helping any longer."

Vivi and Sanji frowned because they knew Wren was right. They didn't have the time to just wait around. Not only did they need to save Nami, but the longer they had to sit and wait around the more time Crocodile had to make a power play on Alabasta. As Wren wondered what they could possibly do, Luffy stood up to walk over to Nami's bedside.

"Hey, Nami," Luffy said to the navigator while gently slapping her cheeks. "Nami, wake up now."

"Luffy, you idiot!" Sanji, Vivi, and Usopp snapped as Luffy continued to slap the girl. "What are you doing to her?"

Wren just watched on curiously as Nami began to wake up due to Luffy's light slaps.

"Hey look, she's awake!" Luffy said then addressed Nami, "Here's the thing, the only way to see the doctor is to climb the mountain. So, we're gonna have to climb the mountain."

Wren honestly hadn't thought about that. However, it did seem the only option they had. They needed Nami better as soon as possible, and sitting around could mean her losing her life anyway.

"Are you crazy?" Sanji asked Luffy. "What about Nami? How do you expect to get her up there?"

"Easy," Luffy replied. "She'll ride on my back."

"That's only going to make her even more sick!" Vivi protested.

"What's the problem?" Luffy asked. "I thought we needed to hurry?"

"We do, but you'll never make it up there!" Vivi said as she pointed towards the mountain that could be seen through the window. "Look at how steep and tall that thing is!"

"I can do it." Luffy said unfazed.

"Maybe you can, but climbing that thing would be way too hard on Nami." Sanji said as he agreed with Vivi.

As the group continued to bicker back and forth, Wren looked to Nami. The redhead didn't seem to be upset with Luffy's plan, and despite looking weak, she seemed determined as well. Wren looked back to their companions.

"Perhaps we should ask Nami what she would like to do." Wren said cutting off the others' argument.

The others blinked in confusion before looking to the navigator of the ship. Nami let out a breath.

"I need to get over this thing and quickly." Nami said in between labored breaths. "We need to hurry for Vivi."

Nami then lifted her hand out from underneath the blankets to hold out to Luffy.

"Come on, Captain." Nami said with a smile. "Let's go."

Luffy grinned at Nami's decision while giving the sick girl a high five. Since the decision seemed to be made, Wren stood up to prepare for departure.

"That's what I'm talking about." Luffy said. "Leave it to me."


Wren hurried alongside Luffy and Sanji as they were heading towards the mountain. She supposed she could have remained back with Usopp and Vivi, but she did tell her father that she would make sure Nami got better. Meaning she'd have to see things through.

"It feels like it's gotten a little colder." Luffy commented. "The wind's picking up too."

That was definitely true. It almost felt like a storm might be heading in. All the more reason for them to hurry.

"So, why don't you think of putting on some real shoes?" Sanji suggested as he pointed to Luffy's sandaled feet. "Even seeing your feet like that is painful."

"No way," Luffy said shaking his head. "This is my police."

Wren and Sanji both gave Luffy a look of confusion since that didn't make any sense whatsoever.

"Do you mean 'policy', Luffy?" Wren asked.

"Yeah, that's it." Luffy said with a nod.

Wren shook her head. She didn't understand why it'd be anyone's policy to wear sandals no matter the weather. If Luffy isn't careful, he'll be sick next.

"So, anyway though," Luffy said. "Did you know this: people in snow counties never sleep at all?"

"Huh, why?" Sanji asked.

"Because if they do, they'll freeze to death." Luffy replied.

"I believe that information is false." Wren said. "Everyone needs sleep, Luffy."

Luffy shook his head in denial, which had Wren giving a sigh. She wouldn't waste her energy on this conversation. It already sounded like it was going to be a dumb one. Deciding it was best to just block out her two companions, Wren focused on what was in front of her. However, as they traveled and the boys talked, a little rabbit attacked. Wren watched it curiously as it went for Luffy's ankles. The boy ignored it while simply jumping out of the way. The little creature didn't seem ready to give up, however, as it came at them again.

This time it went for Sanji who avoided its attack as well. Wren ducked down when it came at her for its third attempt. It went soaring over her into a tree, which it chopped down simply by crushing the trunk in its jaws. It definitely wasn't a normal rabbit. Must be one of those Lapahns that Dalton had warned them about.

There were Lapahns in the North Blue where Wren grew up as well, but they were seat Lapahns, so they weren't covered in fur like this little guy who took down the three. The group jumped over the fallen tree since they didn't have the time to let it slow them down. The little Lapahn didn't give up on his attacks as he returned to trying to tackle Wren and her companions.

"He is a persistent little fellow." Wren said after dodging him once more.

"Yeah, well, he's becoming a pain in my ass!" Sanji snapped as he finally got fed up and kicked the furball.

The poor thing went flying off into the distance, and honestly, Wren felt bad for the little creature.

"Yeah, what was with that thing?" Luffy asked.

"I'm not sure, but was kicking him really necessary?" Wren questioned.

"Sorry, Wren-chan, but we couldn't let him slow us down." Sanji said.

Wren sighed supposing Sanji had a point. However, that didn't make her feel any better.

"Nami-san, just hang in there a little bit longer," Sanji said as they made it closer to the mountain. "We're going to get you to Dr. Kureha, alright?"

Nami didn't even respond to Sanji's words as she was completely unconscious on Luffy's back. The girl probably wouldn't have had the energy to respond even if she had been awake.

"The snow is getting really deep around here." Luffy said.

"Luffy, try to run more smoothly, will you?" Sanji ordered. "You're just making it harder on Nami."

Sensing something ahead, Wren came to a halt. She held out her arm to signal the boys to stop as well. They did so while wondering what could have had Wren stopping. However, when they looked farther ahead, they saw more of those Lapahns, but these were much bigger than the one from before. Though it appeared the little one was with them as well.

"What are these things?" Sanji asked.

Well, they're big and they're white." Luffy said. "So, they must be polar bears!"

"Actually, I believe these are the carnivorous Lapahns that Dalton warned us about." Wren said. "This isn't good. I highly doubt they will let us by them without a fight."

She really didn't like picking fights with animals. After all, animals didn't fight for fun or selfish reasons. They were probably hungry and looking for food, and well she and her friends did wander into their territory. They even attacked one of their own. Wren then stiffened when one of the Lapahns jumped high into the air and came right towards them.

"Look out!" Sanji called.

Wren dodged backwards along with the boys, which means the Lapahn landed right where they had been standing. For such a large creature it was pretty nimble.

"There sure are a lot of these things," Sanji said with a frown.

Yes, there were. Wren sensed over twenty Lapahns. Getting through them wouldn't be easy. Wren was about to suggest she stay behind to deal with these Lapahns on her own. However, when she heard Nami weakly try to speak, she paused. Wren glanced at the navigator at the same time as Sanji and Luffy.

"Hurry…to…Alabas…" Nami murmured.

Wren looked at the young navigator slightly in surprise. She was almost at death's door, and yet she was still worried more about Vivi's homeland.

"Nami, just rest." Luffy said. "We'll worry about that later, kay?"

"She's not even worried about her own life." Sanji said smiling. "Just hang in there a little while, Nami-san."

Luffy turned to Wren while stepping up beside the woman. She looked to him as he turned his back to her, so she was facing Nami.

"Here, Wren." Luffy said. "You take Nami and keep going."

"Are you certain?" Wren asked.

Luffy nodded his head, so Sanji helped transfer Nami carefully to Wren's back to carry. Wren made sure to hold onto tightly to the sick girl as the boys got ready to face the Lapahns.

"Please, look after Nami-san, Wren-chan." Sanji requested.

"I will take care of her." Wren assured the blonde. "To be honest, I am more worried about the two of you."

Sanji gave Wren a grin that wasn't like his usually goofy love sick ones as he placed his cigarette back in his mouth.

"Don't worry, my dear." Sanji said. "We'll take care of these overfed bunnies, and get back to you in no time, I promise."

"Yeah, so get going." Luffy said as he grinned. "And we'll meet you at the top of the mountain."

Wren sighed still not sure about this plan of theirs, but she did nod her head. She ran forward to keep going as Luffy and Sanji ran forward to make a path. The boys attacked the Lapahns while hitting or kicking them out of the way to make a path for Wren to slip through.

"L…Luffy…Sanji." Nami murmured as Wren kept going.

"You needn't worry, Nami." Wren said. "Sanji promised they both would catch up to us."

Nami just seemed to lean farther into Wren back as the harsh snowy wind blew around them. With nothing in their way, Wren made it to the bottom of the mountain in no time. She looked up at the steep incline. It would be impossible to climb. Or rather near impossible. It was a good thing she had another method though.

"We are almost there, Nami." Wren told the younger girl. "One last push."

Nami mumbled in reply as Wren took a deep breath to try and concentrate. She's never done this with another person…at least not in a while, so she had to focus. The air around them began to pick up and swirl around the two women. Wren heard giggling in the air as the wind danced even closer.

Moments later the girls were being lifted off the ground. They went higher and higher with the wind becoming a bit unstable causing them to rock in the air. Wren remained calm, however, as they continued going up. Soon they reached the top of the mountain, so Wren touched down with the wind dispersing.

"We made it to the top." Wren said then looked up. "Thank you."

The giggling came again and soon familiar looking fae appeared; Aerials. However, unlike the ones from Magus, these Aerials were a bit different. They had fur around their arms and legs and they were white in color just like the snow.

"You're welcome, little mage." One of them said. "Call if you ever need us again."

The Aerials then flew away as Wren looked up at the large castle in front of her. So, this was where the witch lived. She was about to walk forward, but she paused when hearing the sound of crunching snow. She turned her head seeing a small reindeer looking creature staring at her from a few feet away. Though what was odd about the animal was that it was standing on two legs.

'That isn't a fae.' Wren thought as she looked at the small animal.

Though she soon forgot about the animal as her eyes moved to the person with him. The woman definitely looked elderly in the face, but wasn't the old witch Wren had been expecting.

"Are you Dr. Kureha?" Wren questioned.

"Yes, that's me." Kureha replied. "And just who are you, girlie?"

"My name is Magier B. Wren." Wren answered. "My father Dr. Vladimir asked that I bring you this patient."

Wren turned her back, so that Kureha and her furry friend could see Nami who had returned to sleeping. The girl's condition worsening by the second.

"My father was unable to treat her because she has an infection, he suspects was caused by a bug that no longer exists." Wren explained. "This girl and her crew have been to Little Garden recently, which is the cause of his suspicions."

"An infection from Little Garden you say?" Kureha said. "Sounds serious. Well, let me have a look at her."

Wren took Nami over to the doctor. She even crouched down, so Kureha could have a better look. Kureha looked over Nami as the reindeer watched from behind her. Wren even moved back as Kureha took Nami into her arms.

"Yes, this girl is in horrible shape." Kureha said then opened up Nami's coat to look under her clothes. "She's dying, but it seems as if someone slowed down whatever is causing her fever. I take it that it was your father's doing."

Kureha looked at Wren as she said this, but the young woman was staring out over the mountain with a bothered expression on her face.

"Please, help her." Wren said as she looked towards Kureha. "I need to go retrieve two of my companions. I left them alone with the Lapahns, and I am worried about what condition they may be in."

Wren didn't wait for a reply as she threw herself off the side of the mountain. She felt quickly towards the bottom, but managed to soften her landing by creating a pocket of air at the bottom. Once she landed, she hurried back in the direction Luffy and Sanji should be.

'I hope they are alright,' Wren thought then chuckled. 'Look at me…actually worried about a couple of humans. Just what is the world coming too?'

Wren soon returned to where she left Luffy and Sanji to see the two were still having trouble with the Lapahns. She jumped over the carnivorous rabbits who looked up at her arrival.

"Luffy, Sanji, are you both okay?" Wren asked.

She landed in front of the two men who seemed surprised that she had come back.

"Wren, did you get Nami to the doctor?" Luffy asked.

"Yes, Nami is with Dr. Kureha." Wren said.

Sanji and Luffy seemed relieved to hear that, but they still had one problem. One large, furry problem. A furry problem that just became worse considering the Lapahns started jumping up and down causing the earth to shake. Wren looked at the Lapahns wondering if they were really trying to do what she thought they were trying.

"Why are they jumping up and down?" Luffy asked. "Maybe they're grouchy cause they're hungry."

"I don't think that's it." Sanji said. "Wait…don't tell me…"

"Yes, I believe they are trying to create an avalanche." Wren said.

Meaning they were in a very big bit of trouble. Wren wasn't sure if she could handle an avalanche. She's been fine so far, but she was still recovering from her escape from Dressrosa. She wouldn't be able to protect herself and these pirates. Not from something as large as an avalanche.

"Uh, what?" Luffy asked.

"An avalanche!" Sanji snapped. "This isn't good. We're going to have to run!"

Sanji grabbed Wren's hand and started pulling her along. She wasn't about to fight him as she ran with him to try and escape the avalanche. Luffy was right behind them while screaming his little heart out.

"Damn those stupid overgrown bunnies!" Sanji shouted. "I'm going to kill them! Wren-chan, stay close okay?!"

Wren wasn't going to argue, but she wasn't sure if they were about to outrun this avalanche. She was really wishing she had stayed with Nami at the top of the mountain where it was safe.

"What are we supposed to do?!" Luffy asked. "How are we supposed to get away from all this snow?!"

"No clue!" Sanji retorted. "All I know that is that the first priority to Wren, the second priority is Wren, and the third priority is Wren! Got that, Luffy?! We've got to protect Wren even if it kills us!"

He couldn't let one of the lovely ladies on their crew be harmed in anyway. He'd rather die than let that happen. Deciding not to waste her breath on telling them to worry about themselves, Wren looked for anything that could possibly save them from the wave of snow right behind them.

"I've got it!" Luffy said. "But how are we supposed to do that?!"

Sanji frowned because he had no idea. He then gasped when seeing the small cliff sticking out on the side of the mountain.

"Over there!" Sanji said pointing to the cliff. "Head for that cliff!"

"Why?" Luffy asked.

"If we are able to reach higher ground, we might be able to save ourselves!" Wren explained.

That's all Luffy needed to hear as the three of them changed course to try and reach the cliff side. They made it with seconds to spare, but they didn't have time to catch a breath as they soon realized something terrible…they weren't high enough. Wren screamed along with the boys as they were swept up in the snow.


Coco: Dun-dun-dun! Cliffhanger XD