Coco: Hello, hello, I am back and with another chapter. Not much action in this one. That will be the next chapter :D Also, while I am thinking about it, when you read 'Giolla' in the flashback that's Jora. The woman with the art devil fruit in Doflamingo's crew. I did use Jora when I wrote this story before, but I recently learned that "Giolla" is her official English name, so that's why I changed things.

Another thing, there will be a character briefly mentioned in this chapter and you'll see him more in the next chapter that's part of the special Chopper Plus episode. I wanted to give Wren someone new to fight as the sniper from the previous version wasn't needed anymore. I feel like it's time for Wren to kind of show her stuff since she hasn't really fought yet. So, if you haven't seen Chopper Plus you might be confused about who this character is, but just wanted everyone to know he isn't someone of my creation.

Anyway, shall we get started everyone?


After listening to a bit of Chopper's past, Wren decided to stretch her legs. She walked through the castle wondering if they were really going to be delayed by two days. That was two more days for Crocodile to get ahead. From what Wren heard last from the Baroque Works spy (before she was outed as a traitor), Crocodile was nearing the end of his scheme and ready to take over the kingdom at any time now. Meaning they needed to hurry. However, if Nami was still at risk of dying, it would be unwise to force her to leave Kureha's care too soon.

Wren sighed. Things were more complicated than they needed to be. She couldn't dwell on that, however. To try and think on the bright side, she could use this time to finetune a strategy. In all honesty, she didn't have much of a plan yet on how to take down Crocodile, which was odd for her since she always made sure to have a fully functioning plan when trying to pull of missions such as this one. She didn't think it'd be too hard. If she could just get close enough to him to kill him, things would be over. Well, maybe not the Alabasta civil war about to reach its peak, but that wasn't any concern of hers. She couldn't concern herself with the people of Alabasta or their fate. If she stopped even for a moment to care…to feel for them…well, that would make the rest of her work to take down Doflamingo all the harder if not impossible.

'That's right,' Wren told herself. 'Caring for those who fall along the way or get caught up in it all…would lead to my downfall. I can't allow that. Not until Law and I…not until Law and I realize his dream. Even if it means…being a monster…'

Wren blinked coming out of her thoughts when she heard Chopper screaming again and Luffy's laughter. She looked up just in time to see Luffy chasing Chopper down the stairs. Wren shook her head. Looks like he was still at it. Chopper then slipped and started tumbling down the steps with the vile he was carrying flying through the air.

Wren easily caught the vile and Chopper before the little reindeer could hit the ground along with the vile. Chopper gasped in shock at being caught before looking up at Wren in surprise. She gave Chopper a slight smile. It was a friendly gesture, but Chopper…didn't sense any real warm behind it.

"Are you alright?" Wren asked as she set Chopper down.

As Luffy was laughing at his clumsiness, Chopper shyly nodded then took the vile from Wren who held it out to him.

"I think you're the funniest guy I know!" Luffy exclaimed as he continued to laugh. "Oh yeah, we're going to be great friends."

Wren sighed standing straight once more as she placed her hands on her hips.

"Luffy, perhaps you should stop pestering Chopper." Wren said. "I think you've tormented him enough."

"No, he's going to be our friend and join our crew!" Luffy said stubbornly as he puffed up his cheeks.

"I don't know what you mean of this 'our crew' business because we're only temporary allies until Crocodile is taken down." Wren retorted. "You cannot just force people to join your crew."

Though even as the words left her mouth, Wren realized that sounded a bit naïve. While a decent rational person might agree with Wren, her statement was far from true. Many pirates especially the powerful ones, who couldn't be stopped, take what they want when they want. That includes people who they see would benefit their goals and strengthen their ranks. Then there's those like Luffy...who are just stubborn.

"Not listening~" Luffy said childishly.

Chopper sweat-dropped at Luffy's childish behavior. Wren, who was quickly growing used to it as Luffy wasn't the most childish person she's ever deal with, only shook her head.

"Please try to act your age," Was all she said.

Of course, she was ignored as Luffy quickly continued to chase Chopper who took off screaming again. She watched them go feeling tired just watching them.

"I'm a bit tired of babysitting," Wren said as she decided to continue her exploring of the castle. "So, I think I will leave them be."

She got her fill of having to take care of children while still apart of Doflamingo's crew.

—FLASHBACK—

Wren felt her brow twitch as she was trying to enjoy her tea. It was an extremely hard task considering the squabbling happening in the background.

"You have got to be joking!" Dellinger screeched shrilly as he was waving the magazine in his hand around. "These are the best clothes around now. Don't tell me your sense of fashion is that bad, Relei!"

The one he was screeching at was one of Wren's officers in her army. A girl about Dellinger's age—Lorelei.

"I told you not to call me that!" Lorelei shouted right back. "And my sense of fashion is stylish! So stylish it's before its time! That's why someone like you doesn't understand, Delli!"

Their bickering continued with Wren's fingers clenching the handle to her teacup tightly. Senor Pink, Diamante, and Giolla, who were having tea and cakes with her, noticed the annoyance on her face. They sipped their tea silently knowing it was only a matter of time before she lost her temper. Wren usually tolerated their squabbles, but during their afternoon tea, she expected to be able to relax and enjoy some serenity. Especially when she was returning from a long job, which she happened to do today.

"Please, you wouldn't know style if it slapped you right in the face!" Dellinger retorted. "I—!"

He stopped talking instantly when a dark aura seemed to spread throughout the room. He and Lorelei both froze in fright before turning slowly towards the source of this chilling feeling. They gulped seeing Wren glaring right at them.

"Tell me, are you two aware of the time?" She asked. "Or do you simply not care? If so, you've both become very insolent during my absence. Perhaps I should remind you of the manners Giolla-san and I taught you."

As the two preteens held each other and shook their heads rapidly, the others continued their tea sipping. Not even trying to speak on the kids' behalf.

"N—no, big sis!" Dellinger stuttered. "We're sorry!"

Not many things could scare him, but Wren being angry was definitely one of those few things that could. He's learned over the years not to make her angry. She hardly ever lost her temper, but when she did, even her fellow commanders didn't bother her.

"Yes, we're very sorry!" Lorelei added. "Please forgive us, big sis!"

Wren stared at them a moment longer before giving a sigh and looking away. The two let out sighs of relief from having that dark glare off of them.

"I will let things go this time then." Wren said. "Now, come along. Your tea is getting cold. I even had the chef make your favorite sweets."

Dellinger and Lorelei looked excited hearing this, so they hurried over the table with the fashion magazine long forgotten. As they tucked into their snacks, Wren let out a content sight at finally having some silence. However, that sense of peace was soon gone as the entire palace shook due to an explosion going off in the distance. It was soon followed by the sound of Gladius shouting. Wren slowly sat down her teacup while standing up from her seat, which had Dellinger and Lorelei leaning away from her.

"I am surrounded by children," Wren said as she grabbed her sword, which had been resting behind her chair before walking out the door.

—END OF FLASHBACK—

If she was being honest with herself…she actually missed some of them. Not Doflamingo, of course. Or her fellow commanders. Trebol always made her uncomfortable and put her on edge. Diamante was annoying most of the time and cruel to her when she was young. Pica…well, she didn't really have too much of a problem with Pica, but she had never been exactly close with him either.

She missed Dellinger though and Lorelei. She practically helped raise the two when they joined their crew young. Dellinger having been only a baby and Lorelei only two when she joined one year later. She could go without having to see Buffalo again, but as for his childhood partner in crime—Baby 5—Wren missed her as well. Though older than her, Wren always felt as if she had to look after the dark-haired woman.

Monet and Sugar were two others she never much cared for either. The older of the two always rubbed Wren the wrong way. But she did miss Lao G and his eccentric obsession with the letter G, which only seemed to grow worse with age. She missed getting to ride on Machvise's shoulders, and she missed Senor Pink but not his fan club. She even missed having to stare at Giolla's artwork and trying to understand just what she was looking at.

She supposed the one she missed the most was Gladius. He was her assigned caretaker when she returned to the crew after Corazon's betrayal, so they spent a lot of time together. Doflamingo said it was for her safety until she could protect herself, but she knew Gladius was actually there to make sure she didn't do anything that might go against Doflamingo. Even so, she grew close to the explosive man, but Gladius was very, very loyal to Doflamingo. Anyone who would even think to betray Doflamingo or get in his way was scum in Gladius's eyes.

She was sure he's cursed her so many times since she escaped, he ran of words to use. Not that she could blame him or the rest of them for hating her. She did betray them, and nothing could change that fact. But that had been the goal all along, hadn't it? She shouldn't have allowed herself to care for them to become close with them, but you spend over a decade with the same people and try not to form some kind of connection.

But connection or not, if she wanted to bring down Doflamingo, it meant bringing down her former family as well. And like with all the others she has put down during her journey to take down Doflamingo, she couldn't allow herself to care or feel remorse.

"Wren-chwan, my dear!" Sanji called out as he came spinning in her direction.

Which means she can't grow to care these rookies either. No matter how nice they seemed to be.

"Yes, Sanji?" Wren asked with a tilt of her head.

Sanji came to a stop in front of Wren while holding out a tray of food in front of Wren.

"I made you something to eat, Wren-chan." Sanji said. "I was making a meal for Nami-san, so she can recover her strength, and I wasn't about to leave you out, my dear~"

Wren looked at the food then back up at Sanji who looked quite pleased with himself.

"Don't worry," Sanji said when seeing her hesitance. "It's a completely vegetarian-friendly meal."

Wren's eyes widened slightly as she hadn't been expecting that. She didn't understand how Sanji would know how she doesn't eat meat.

"I've noticed you seem to really care about animals, Wren-chan." Sanji explained. "And how you reacted when Luffy and I were chasing Chopper around, so to try and make a meal of him. I know I shouldn't assume, but I thought you might not like to eat meat."

He paid attention enough to her to realize she didn't eat meat…she didn't understand what was with this guy. Sanji then looked worried.

"Though I didn't think to think if you didn't like dairy as well." Sanji said. "I can make you something else if you wish. I'm sure Luffy would eat this if you don't want to eat it."

Wren shook her head while taking the tray from Sanji's hand, so to hold in her own.

"I'm okay with dairy products." Wren assured him. "I've just never liked eating meat. I never could bring myself to…as I child I always felt so guilty, and even now I don't like the thought of killing some poor animal for any reason. Besides, one should never waste food. Especially food made for them."

She remembers having to go hungry so many times when she was still being held captive with her mother. How she missed the meals and snacks her mother used to make her. She had realized then that she had took all those meals for granted.

"That's because Wren-chan is so kindhearted." Sanji said as smiled at the woman with rings of smoke hearts coming from his cigarette.

Once again, this man threw her a bit off guard, but she soon pushed it away as she looked at the smiling blonde.

'If you only knew…' She thought.


Deciding to have her meal in the room she had woken up in earlier, Wren sat alone and in silence. She had finished her meal sometime ago, but was now sitting and thinking about what she should do from here on out concerning Crocodile and the fact she had a handful of tagalongs with her on this mission now. But before she could dive too deep into her thoughts, she sensed Chopper before the reindeer even stepped into the room and shut the door quickly yet quietly. Chopper was huffing as if he was just getting through with running, which if Luffy is still chasing him, he probably was just running.

"Gees, what is up with that guy?" Chopper grumbled as they heard Luffy running by and shouting.

"Luffy is a bit persistent, isn't he?" Wren asked casually.

However, at the sound of her voice, Chopper stiffened. He slowly turned around to look at the woman as she was sitting in the chair in the room.

"There's no reason to be afraid," Wren assured Chopper. "I won't hurt you and I won't chase you around yelling at you."

Chopper stared at Wren a bit longer as the young woman leaned back in her seat. Her visible eye regarding him with no clear expression on her face. He couldn't read her. He had no idea what she was thinking.

"You know…I am a lot like you in a way," Wren said as she finally looked away. "I too have been on the receiving end of abuse from humans. They tend to attack what they fear and don't understand."

Chopper seemed surprised by Wren's words as he slowly walked towards the female pirate.

"I'm told that's why they shouldn't be hated." Wren continued. "But it's hard not to let yourself hate and mistrust them after being hurt one to many times, isn't it?"

Chopper looked down as he did understand. He hated humans and feared them for a very long time. While he has let go of his hate, he still doesn't trust humans and he does fear them still…at least to some extent. Chopper looked back up at Wren.

"Are the humans the one who…who gave you those scars?" Chopper asked.

He noticed when he helped Kureha treat these pirates that Wren had old scars on her back. Slash marks that had most likely been caused by a whip. Wren stiffened at his words, which had him thinking he shouldn't have asked. However, Wren soon sighed.

"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised." Wren said as she gave a humorless chuckle. "Of course, you saw them…but to answer your question…yes, the scars on my back and my blinded eye were both results of human cruelty."

She placed her hand over the eyepatch on her face. The whip that had hit her in the face cut too deep into her eye and there had been no saving it. It had been a difficult adjustment in the beginning, but she learned to live with only seeing the world through one eye.

"But why…aren't you a human?" Chopper asked.

"Only half." Wren replied. "It's a long story. Not one I really want to tell. However, and this might sound hypocritical coming from me as I'm still not trusting of them either…but I believe Luffy and his crew are different, so perhaps…you should give them a chance and become their friend."

Chopper didn't say anything at first as he looked down at the stone floor beneath them.

"But I'm a reindeer…and not even a normal one." Chopper said. "I have a blue nose and everything…"

Wren chuckled causing Chopper to look back up at her in confusion. He didn't have a clue as to why she would be laughing.

"Take it from someone who has traveled to many, many different islands and seen many different people and things," Wren began. "You are not the most peculiar person in the world. You could see them all if you go out to sea, but that is for you to decide."

Chopper stared at Wren with curiosity in his eyes. Hiriluk always told him there was more out there in the world. Things he could never even imagine. He did want to see them…but…

'Is it really okay?' He thought. 'Can a reindeer like me really be a pirate?'

Chopper didn't have time to give it much more thought as Luffy came bursting into the room.

"There you are, reindeer!" Luffy said. "Be my friend already!"

The only response Luffy received was Chopper's screams as the reindeer took of running. He managed to slip under Luffy and soon the chase began again. Wren sighed shaking her head for the umpteenth time since meeting Luffy.

"That boy just doesn't give up," Wren said.

She then sat up straighter when she sensed something coming closer to the castle. No…not something. She could sense people—four to be exact and two animals. Three of the people felt familiar and the fourth…he felt stronger than the others.

"Who could that Hippo have on his side with that kind of power?" Wren asked.

They weren't overly powerful, but would definitely be more of nuisance than Wapol and his two henchmen she could sense. She stood up silently while turning her head to see her sword leaning against the wall near the bed, she had woken up in. She also saw her coat laid out on the bottom of the bed. She quickly put on the coat before grabbing her sword to slip into her belt. She left the room while planning to deal with these intruders personally. Though as she was going, she bumped into Sanji along the way. He had his coat on as well, which led Wren to believe he was heading in the same direction she was.

"Wren-chan, where are you going?" Sanji asked curiously.

"I believe in the same direction you are going." Wren said with a slight shrug. "We have visitors, and I highly doubt they're here for a simple friendly drop by."

Sanji frowned not wanting Wren to push herself too much. Her wounds didn't need to open again. However, he also knew Wren wouldn't stop even if he asked. Not that he had time to ask since Wren threw herself over the railing to land below on the bottom level. Sanji took the steps since he knew his back probably couldn't handle being jarred from a jump like that. As they were heading for the door, Luffy, who didn't have his coat or hat on, ran past them to get out the door.

"He doesn't have a coat on again." Wren said.

"Yeah, his small brain will realize that sooner or later." Sanji said as he put a cigarette between his lips.

He lit it up while he and Wren continued walking towards the door. When they made it to the door they saw, Luffy had punched Wapol in the face, which nearly sent Wapol over the side of the cliff. However, his henchmen were able to catch him, which was a pity in Wren's opinion.

"Not these guys again." Sanji said frowning.

He was really getting sick and tired of them showing up. This time around they needed to take care of these guys for good. Though he noticed someone else with them. Someone he hadn't seen before. It was a taller man with dark pink-colored hair. Wren narrowed her eyes at said man. This was the one with a different feeling than the others.

"Last time I ran into you I couldn't fight because I had to protect my friends. But now," Luffy said then made a weird face as he held up his fist, "Oh, you guys, are so going to get it."

He gave a few chuckles, and even Wren had to admit she was a bit disturbed by Luffy's expression. Wapol's henchmen then shouted at Luffy for what he had done, but the young pirate didn't seem interested—none of them were actually.

"Who cares?! He ticked me off again!" Luffy retorted as he stretched out his cheeks and stuck out his tongue.

"I take it you've run a fowl with Wapol before, Young Man." Kureha said.

"I sure have." Luffy said as he turned to look at Kureha while pointing at Wapol. "He's that annoying big mouth pirate!"

Wren couldn't disagree with Luffy's statement. The hippo in front of them definitely was annoying.

"What'd he do?" Kureha asked.

"He ate part of our ship, and then he attacked me and my friends!" Luffy said as he stomped his feet on the snow. "This guy's got it coming, and I'm going to give it to him!"

Wren could understand Luffy's frustrations. However, it seemed as if Luffy wasn't noticing something important. Like the fact that he isn't dressed for winter weather.

"Okay, but before you do that aren't you cold in that get up?" Sanji asked.

Luffy just looked at him in confusion since he had no idea what Sanji was talking about.

"You know cold?" Sanji asked again.

"Really, Luffy, you have to be freezing." Wren added.

Sanji nodded in agreement as Luffy just blinked at his crewmates in confusion. However, something then dawned him, which had him gasping.

"Hey, did he say he was the king?!" Luffy asked as he looked back at Wapol in surprise. "But I thought he was a pirate!"

"Took you long enough!" Sanji snapped.

Wren just shook her head silently at the whole thing. Kuromarimo and Chess then started speaking without even realizing they were being ignore by the three pirates, witch doctor, and human-reindeer.

"Whoa, it's freezing out here." Luffy said as he held his arms.

"You really are an idiot." Sanji said frowning.

"Yeah, it's 50 below zero!" Chopper added.

Luffy just continued to shake. He was going to get frostbite if he didn't find more winter appropriate clothes.

"Luffy," Wren began as Wapol finally jumped to his feet. "Perhaps you should go find a coat."

She said this slowly almost as if she was talking to a child while Wapol was kicking up a fuss in the background.

"R-right." Luffy said.

He ran inside, which left Wren, Sanji, Kureha, and Chopper to deal with Wapol and his men.

"I'm going to bite you into pieces!" Wapol shouted angrily.

"Sorry, but you're going to have to hang on just a minute." Sanji said. "He had to get a coat."

"IS THIS A JOKE?!" Wapol demanded.

"Of course not." Wren said. "We are taking your threats quite seriously."

Despite saying that her tone had a condescending ring to it, which had Wapol's blood boiling in anger. Kureha cackled in amusement at how red Wapol's face was becoming as Wren looked at him in a bored manner. Chopper then looked to Sanji since he was curious about something.

"Tell me," Chopper began as he got Sanji's attention. "Your friend can stretch himself…how?"

"Oh that?" Sanji asked. "It's because he's a rubber man."

"What the heck is that?" Chopper asked.

"It's a monster." Sanji said with a big grin on his face.

Chopper's eyes widened at Sanji's words as Wren gave a very small smile. Though she didn't take her eyes off those in front of them.

"Well, well, looks like we're up against that old hag, a reindeer, and a few of the Straw Hat pirates." Wapol said as he grinned confidently. "Not that much of a challenge. This will be over quickly, and once we've eliminated them, there won't be anyone else foolhardy enough to defy me."

"Of course, my king." Chess agreed. "Today will be remembered as the day you restored Drum Kingdom to its former glory."

Wren held back a snort as she placed her hands on her hips. Glory was stretching it quite a bit too far in her opinion. If someone like him was in charge, she doubted this country was that glorious. Personally, she didn't care about this country. However, they owe Kureha and Chopper for the treatment they've been given, and Wren isn't an ungrateful kind of person. Not to mention, they didn't need any of them getting hurt considering they would be heading, so best to end things quickly.