Coco: Two chapters? In one day? I'm doing pretty well. :D Things are going to stray quite a bit from the original storyline in this chapter and probably a bit more in the next. I always try to stay pretty close to the original storyline, but I decided to go a bit out of my comfort zone. Besides, why make a story with OCs if you don't stay a bit from the original storyline? Don't worry Wren isn't going to steal the entire show. She's just going to help the Straw Hats along and give them a better advantage ;D
Anyway, hope you enjoy it.
"I was wrong," Wren said as she heard Luffy and the others cause a ruckus. "A lot can go wrong in a few hours."
She had been certain Vivi would go to Katorea and that the others would follow her. Now they were here, and their presence would only complicate things.
"It would seem that a change in plans will be necessary," Wren said as her companions were running through the casino causing even more of a scene.
Even that marine captain, who was after Luffy in Nanohana, was here. Meaning his men couldn't be far behind. Wren then looked up to Havel when her familiar let out a chuckle.
"What could you find so amusing about this situation?" She asked with irritation coloring her voice.
"My apologizes, but you have to admit it's amusing." Havel said. "You had been so certain these pirates would simply forget about you that their presence here has completely thrown you off guard. It's not easy to stump you, Misce. So, the look on your face just now was too humorous not to laugh at."
Wren narrowed her gaze at the humanized feline as he continued to chuckle behind his hand. The smirk on his face only causing her more annoyance.
"I'm so glad this undesirable circumstance amuses you." Wren said sarcastically as Luffy and the others allowed themselves to be led through a door.
They were obviously running right into a trap. Crocodile must be expecting them.
"There must be another way to Crocodile through there," Havel commented.
"Yes, most likely." Wren said. "And that is a path we won't be taking."
If they got themselves caught so easily, she'd never live it down. Besides, someone had to save those rookies.
"The others must be out in the city." Wren said. "Havel."
"Say no more," Havel said as his smirk returned. "I'll find them and try to keep them out of your hair."
"I find that last part hard to believe," Wren said as she turned away from Havel. "You'll probably lead them right to me."
"Most definitely," Havel agreed shamelessly.
Wren sighed though supposed there was no helping matters. She waved Havel off and her familiar went to do as he was told, which was find Vivi and the other Straw Hats. And while he was doing that…Wren would focus on saving the ones who most certainly just got themselves captured.
"These rookies are nothing but trouble," Wren said.
Luffy blinked as he held onto the bars in front of him as he and the others were now trapped in a cell of some sorts.
"Pretty clever trap, wasn't it?" Luffy questioned.
"Oh yeah, no way to see that one coming." Usopp agreed.
Nami glared at the both of them while not believing they had the gall to say those words.
"What are you talking about?!" Nami demanded. "I told you it was a trap in the first place! I can't believe what a bunch of idiots you are!"
Luffy ignored the girl's harsh words as he felt a funny sensation. One he couldn't quite place his finger on.
"Something's wrong here," Luffy said as he began to slouch against the bars. "I feel week all of a sudden."
"Really?" Usopp asked. "Are you hungry or something?"
Before Luffy could answer, Smoker, who was trapped with them, stood and attack Luffy with his jitte. The others instantly became alert as Smoker pinned Luffy down with the tip of his weapon.
"Uh…I'll take you on if you want, ya smoke-filled-freak," Usopp said nervously as he shifted away. "I didn't do so bad against the bomb guy, ya know? So, I'll just wait over here in the corner, and you let me know when you're ready, okay?"
Smoker ignored the long nose as he applied more pressure onto Luffy who looked pale and weak all of a sudden.
"What's wrong?" Luffy questioned. "I feel so helpless. It's like when I fall into the sea."
"Alright, just what have you done to Luffy?!" Nami demanded.
"The tip of this jitte is made from a substance known as sea prism stone; a rare mineral," Smoker told the pirates. "It supposedly exists in one certain sea in a distant corner of the world. Not much is known about it, but it's believed to give off mystical energy on the same wavelength as the ocean itself. Basically, you can think of it as a solid form of the sea."
Zoro, who stood at the ready with one hand gripping his sword, frowned as he seemed to understand the concept.
"So, it effects Luffy the same as if he fell in the ocean?" Zoro summed up.
"Prison cells at marine headquarters are made of the same substance to prevent criminals who possess any devil fruit powers from successfully escaping."
"Well then, I'm guessing this cell is built the same way," Nami said.
"If it wasn't, you could be sure I'd be long gone by now," Smoker said. "And you four would be on your way to prison waiting for your date with the hangman."
Zoro didn't look too concerned with the marine's threat as he stood his ground. Ready to attack if the older man didn't release his captain. In fact, he unsheathed his sword as a clear threat that Smoker didn't have long to move before he attacked. Usopp screamed in fright when seeing his crewmate ready for a fight.
"Are you crazy?!" Usopp demanded. "There's no point in fighting in a situation like this! Stop!"
"And besides, what good is a sword against a guy who is made out of smoke?" Nami tried to reason with Zoro.
The greenette didn't look as if he was going to back down, which honestly didn't surprise the navigator. However, before things could escalate, a new voice cut into the conversation.
"She's right," The voice said. "Give it up."
Everyone's heads snapped in the direction the voice came from to see a desk and an empty chair.
"You're all going to die together," The voice continued. "So why not make an effort to get along first?"
Smoker, who lifted his jitte off of Luffy, scoffed as he recognized the owner of the voice even when not able to see the man's face.
"Tch, it's Crocodile." Smoker said.
Luffy, who was starting to feel better now that he wasn't being held down by that odd stone, perked up at the mention of the Shichibukai. As Luffy looked for the man's figure, sand started swirling around the empty chair until Crocodile was fully formed from it.
'He's like Smoker and Ace!' Nami realized. 'A logia-type devil fruit user.'
That meant Luffy wouldn't be able to touch him even if he wanted. Said boy growled at the sight of the smug man's face as his hands clenched into fists. Nami and Usopp weren't so brave in the face of their foe as they got as close to the wall as possible with their hands raised. They nearly jumped out of their skins when the man simply stood from his seat.
"So, he's one of the Shichibukai, is he?" Zoro questioned.
"Hmph, you're every bit the lowlife sea scum I imagined," Smoker said to Crocodile.
The Shichibukai merely smirked at the marine captain's words. Clearly unbothered by the insult.
"My my, you're every bit the wild dog I heard you were, Smoker," Crocodile said in return.
Smoker just narrowed his eyes at Crocodile as the man started walking towards their cell.
"Unlike your superiors, you never believed I was on your side, have you?" Crocodile questioned. "And of course, you were right. You know, Smoker, I have a feeling you'll die bravely in the line of duty. I'll be more than happy to inform the government that you put up more than a valiant fight against the vicious Straw Hat Pirate here. I haven't the vaguest idea what really brought you to this country, but I'm betting that you're on your own. We both know the government would never order you to come to this land. They have every confidence in me—a Shichibukai."
Smoker made no comment though the look on his face said he clearly wanted to wipe that smug smirk off of Crocodile's face. On the ground, Luffy hit his fists against the floor.
"You, big old bag of wind, you're Crocodile?" Luffy inquired.
Crocodile finally turned his attention to the younger pirate as Luffy forced himself to his feet.
"Come on and fight me like a man," Luffy demanded as he carelessly grabbed the prison bars again. "You big dum…ahh…"
He trailed off and sunk back to his knees as he was once again left feeling weak.
"Pay attention, stupid!" Usopp snapped. "You gotta remember not to touch the bars!"
"Straw Hat Luffy, I congratulate you on getting this far, and I promise to dispose of you neatly and efficiently once our special guest of honor has made her appearance," Crocodile told the young pirate.
Nami frowned wondering who he could mean. It was most likely Vivi. However, there was also the possibility of this mysterious female special guest being Wren. Nami bit her lip hoping the older woman hasn't gotten herself found out.
"A guest?" Nami questioned while hoping Crocodile would give them some kind of clue.
"Why even as we speak, my partner is on her way to fetch her," Crocodile said with a sinister grin.
"Partner?" A feminine voice cut in. "You must be referring to Ms. All Sunday. Or rather Nico Robin, isn't that right, Sir Crocodile?"
Crocodile and the others looked back to his desk to see someone sitting on top of the desk. The person was a woman and she sat neatly on top of the wooden desk with one leg crossed over the other with her hands clasped over the knee of the leg crossed on top. Any distinguishing features were covered by a headwrap. Though one red eye was visible. An eye that Nami instantly recognized.
'Wren!' She mentally gasped. 'She's here!'
Crocodile frowned at this intruder who seemed perfectly poised despite being in front of a man of his stature.
"Just who the hell are you?" Crocodile asked with a dark tone to his voice.
He raised his hook threateningly. The woman didn't seem concerned with the danger he posed to her as she tilted her head.
"I was expecting better manners from a man of your reputation," Wren said coolly. "Pirate or not, that's no way to speak to a lady. However, I suppose I'll forgive your impudence considering I did let myself in unexpectedly."
Crocodile felt his ire raise at the gall this woman had. First, she breaks in and now she lectures him on how to properly speak to her.
"Now as for your question, you may address me as Corazon," She said. "I believe this is our first ever official meeting, but I'm sure you know who I am."
Crocodile stiffened at the name she gave. Nami frowned wondering just why the Shichibukai would act in such a way. She then noticed that even Smoker seemed on edge all of a sudden.
"Corazon," Crocodile repeated. "So, now Joker is sending his flunkies to see me."
"…flunky…" Wren murmured with her tone turning cold. "You seem to be trying to make me angry. I might not share the same elite title as you and my master, but I expect more respect than that. Especially after coming all this way to this desolate country to see you."
Crocodile narrowed his eyes at Wren as she uncrossed her legs and jumped down from his desk. She put her arms behind her back. Her posture completely laxed. Though Crocodile knew better to let down his guard. He knew this woman's reputation.
"What kind of business could he have with Crocodile to send her of all people?" Smoker questioned.
"Uh, I'm confused," Luffy murmured. "Just who is she?"
Nami looked at Luffy with wide eyes as she wondered if he honestly didn't recognize Wren. Sure, she had her face covered, but he had to have recognized her voice. However, Luffy wasn't the only one confused as Usopp seemed to be in the same boat. Zoro seemed to recognize Wren, however, as he narrowed his eyes in thought.
"Just what do you want with me?" Crocodile asked.
"Nothing much," Wren said with a delicate shrug. "Only…your head."
The room seemed to become all whole new kind of quiet after those words fell from Wren's lips. Everything was tensely silent as Wren and Crocodile stared off. Despite the obvious threat made, Crocodile managed a chuckle.
"My head?" Crocodile questioned. "What? Is Doflamingo intimidated by the work I've been doing lately that he'd send you here to try and assassinate me? He thinks too low of me if he thinks one of his flunkies cou—!"
He was cut off as a sharp stringing sensation ripped through his cheek causing him to hiss in pain. The pirates in the cell watched in shock as a cut appeared on the man's face with blood flowing from the wound. Wren, who suddenly had her sword in hand, lowered the weapon to her side calmly as Crocodile raised his hand to his bloodied cheek.
'She…she cut a man made of sand!' Nami and Usopp thought in unison.
Smoker wasn't surprised when he saw the wound. Pirates of the New World were in completely different leagues than the ones here in Paradise. They were monsters.
"I believe I already made it clear about how I feel about that word." Wren told the sand man. "Now, let me give you this one warning, if you keep underestimating me, your imminent death with come even sooner. And that won't be any fun for me."
Nami gulped actually feeling a bit of fear traveling through her. She didn't know why Wren was acting like this, but she didn't like it. It was like looking at a completely different person. A dangerous one. As Crocodile looked at Wren in surprise, Wren shook her head.
She was then gone in the blink of an eye while reappearing in front of Crocodile and hitting him hard in the gut with the hilt of her sword. He gagged on his own blood as he was certain that move ruptured one if not more of his organs. He went flying backwards into the sea prism bars. The material weakening him as he slumped against the cell. He sat there in a daze for a moment. The pirates in the cell stared in shock at the wounded Crocodile.
"Honestly, you logia type are all the same," She said as she walked forward to stand in front of Crocodile. "You think you're untouchable. It makes you lax in the defending department, which makes you easy targets for those of us with the ability to touch you."
"Ju…Just what kind of monster do you have to be to kick around a Shichibukai like its nothing?" Usopp whimpered as he stood behind Luffy.
The captain didn't reply as he frowned with his annoyance building up inside of him.
"Hey, Cora Lady!" Luffy snapped causing everyone to jump. "I'm the one going to beat up, Crocodile, so knock it off!"
"Luffy, don't scream at the scary woman," Usopp begged as he clung to Luffy's arm. "She might come for our heads next."
Luffy didn't listen as he continued to growl at Wren who he still didn't recognize. Wren made no comment at first, but she then let out a small laugh. Not exactly a warm and cheery one, but a dark one that had Usopp stiffening in fear.
"You're a mouthy one, aren't you?" Wren commented. "But I have no interest in sweet little rookies like yourselves. So, please, just remain quiet until the adults finish their business, okay? If you play nice, I might even get you out of that cell."
Nami's brow rose at that as things started falling into place. She didn't understand entirely what was going on, but it seemed as if Wren was trying to help them. However, she was trying to hide who she really was from Crocodile and maybe even…Nami glanced at Smoker who was watching Wren carefully. He hadn't held the same recognition for her when Wren ran into him in Nanohana. Meaning Wren isn't known. Or at least not by Wren or by her face. But as Corazon she clearly had a reputation known by pirate and marine alike.
"Hey," Nami called quietly to Smoker as Wren picked up the dazed Crocodile and dragged him off to the side. "Who…who is this Corazon woman?"
"She's one of the commanders in the Donquixote Crew." Smoker replied. "Only four people hold such a title and are directly under Donquixote Doflamingo."
"Donquixote Doflamingo as in…one of the Shichibukai?" Nami questioned.
Zoro remembers Wren mentioning her previous captain being named Doflamingo. She had even called him by an affectionate nickname. But she said her old crew threw her out…
'But was that a lie?' He wondered suspiciously.
"She's the youngest of the commanders but probably the most frightening." Smoker said. "A Shichibukai has the power to take down whole pirate crews single handedly. Doflamingo's commanders have the same potential. Corazon herself wiped out a pirate crew who had been strong enough to hold an entire island hostage. I hadn't been there in person to witness the carnage, but the images taken after the event are images I won't ever forget."
Usopp gulped as he huddled even closer to Luffy for protection. If the images were so bad, they were burned in the mind of someone as tough as Smoker, they had to be frightening.
"You make it sound much worse than it was." Wren said as she forcibly moved Crocodile into his desk chair. "I was there because Doffy had been ordered to do something about the situation by your superior officers. He was busy at the moment, so he sent me in his place. I did you marines a favor. But as always, you lot are ungrateful."
Smoker just growled at the woman as she took her sword and stabbed Crocodile in the leg causing him to grunt in pain. The move was more to pin him to his chair than cause pain, but the pain would also keep him disorientated a bit longer, which plays in her favor. She managed to get the upper hand because he's gotten lax here in Paradise. He hasn't had an opponent in a long time who could touch him, and making the mistake that he wouldn't come across someone who could is what has him in this current situation.
"What kind of business does Doflamingo have with Crocodile?" Smoker demanded to know. "Is he planning to take over the operations of Baroque Works?"
"Of course not." Wren replied. "We aren't allowed to do such business as per our contracts with the government. Though…I do suppose we do have a little more leeway than the other Shichibukai and their crews considering how much the Tenryūbito love our line of work. We supply them with all their favorite playthings, after all."
Smoker's teeth grit together, but Wren seemed done with him as she turned her attention back to Crocodile.
"Now, Crocodile, I just have a few questions and I'll put you out of your misery," Wren said. "So, play nice and answer truthfully. What's this powerful weapon you're after and do you know where I can find it?"
"How…how do you know about that?" Crocodile questioned as he was already planning his counterattack while she was distracted.
He then grunted when Wren twisted the sword in his leg to apply more pain to his already bleeding wound.
"Sorry, but I'm the one asking the questions," Wren said. "My patience isn't the best today, so forgive me for being so crass about all of this. Now, answer the questions, please."
Though before Crocodile could reply the doors leading down the grand staircase opened. Everyone looked up as Vivi was shown in side by Nico Robin. Both women froze when seeing the state Crocodile was in.
"Oh, more company," Wren said. "Lovely."
Her tone said otherwise. In fact, Nami could hear the underline of irritation slipping through and she could practically imagine the annoyed expression Wren wore under her headwrap.
"Vivi!" Usopp, Luffy, and Nami exclaimed.
Robin got in a defensive stance, however, before she could do anything she froze when Wren's visible red eye landed on her. Robin's eyes widened as she felt herself shaking underneath that murderous gaze. Robin didn't fear anything…not anymore. She's allied herself with the worst of the worst to get where she is now.
'So why…why can't I move?' Robin wondered.
"I would think carefully about your next move," Wren told the older woman. "I'm already irritated. You don't want to know what happens when I've actually lost my temper."
Vivi stared in shock as she instantly recognized Wren's voice. She didn't know what was going on, but Wren…Wren's actually managed to hurt him…Crocodile. She's made the man of sand bleed and she had the upper hand.
"Vivi, you need to run!" Usopp shouted. "This woman…she's a monster. She might kill you!"
Vivi shook her head because she didn't believe that at all. Wren wouldn't hurt them. She didn't know Wren's motive for coming here. She didn't understand what Wren had planned. The woman kept everything to herself. Not sharing anything with any of them. However, she knew Wren was a kind person. She wouldn't have traveled with them for as long as she did if she was cruel.
"I suggest leaving while you can," Wren said as she took a brief moment to glance at Vivi meaningfully. "I honestly have no interest in you, Princess. Stop the rebellion if you wish. I don't care what happens to this country. I just want him."
She turned her eyes back to Crocodile as the man glared up at her with pure hatred in his eyes. With a shout he pushed through the pain and took a swing at Wren with his hook. She had to release her hold on him as she jumped back to save her face from being slashed in half. However, she didn't get fully out of harm's way as blood started to stain her headwrap. Vivi and Nami gasped as they covered their mouths in worry.
"Ms. All Sunday head for Alabarna!" Crocodile ordered. "We can't be delayed by this woman."
He then hurried forward while taking another swipe at Wren who raised her sword and blocked the attack. Robin did as she was ordered as she was quick to leave before Wren decided to turn her attention back to her. As she fled, the two veteran pirates continued to clash. Both got in a few hits on the other with the room suffering damage along the way. Soon both had gashes along their bodies.
Wren, who took a moment to take a breath, pulled her loosening headwrap tighter around her face. She looked down at her wounded body, and though her face was covered, her displeasure was written clearly through her body language. Not only were her clothes being stained, but the wounds weren't light ones. She made the same mistake as Crocodile and underestimated her opponent.
'I was lucky to get that advantage from the beginning,' Wren thought as she and Crocodile kept their eyes on each other. 'But he does hold the same title as Doflamingo, so it's too be expected. I got too cocky.'
She let out a sigh as she rolled her shoulders, which had Crocodile straightening his posture. Ready if she decided to strike.
"I allowed myself to be distracted," Wren said with a sigh. "What a rookie mistake. I should have just finished you off from the start. I'm sure I could have found the answers from one of your officers. It makes things much harder than I wished to deal with it. However, it can't be helped now. Though I think I'll give you a few distractions as well considering that first attack of yours took my eye."
Vivi's eyes widened when seeing most of the blood from Wren's headwound came from the eye she always had covered by the eyepatch. Though what had Crocodile's eyes widening was the fact, Wren was dangling the key to the cell around her right pointer finger.
"You left your pockets wide open," Wren informed him. "And well, thieving is every pirate's specialty, isn't it?"
"You damn woman." Crocodile snarled. "What do you really think you can accomplish by releasing those rookies?"
"Well, upsetting you is enough for me to be honest." Wren replied flippantly. "However, you can't fend me off and hold these pirates at bay, and if they get away, they can foil your plans. And you've come so far, Crocodile. After all your hard work, I'm sure it'd be terribly distressing if all your plans were foiled by a small crew of upstart pirates."
Wren then tossed the key over her shoulder with it going through the bars and right into Nami's hands. The navigator gasped as she jumbled with the key for a second before getting a firm grasp on the key.
"W…we can get out now!" Nami cheered.
"Oh yeah!" Luffy cheered. "Let's go! Let's go! I have to kick Crocodile's ass then find Wren! Hey, Crocodile, you haven't hurt her, have you?! She's my friend, so you better not have touched her!"
Crocodile frowned at the rookie in annoyance and confusion since he had never heard of anyone with that name. Luffy just growled some more while not even realizing that the very woman he was demanding to know about was in the same room as him.
"Just get out of here already, rookies," Wren said. "You don't want to be down here for what's about to happen next."
"Hey, I already told you that I'm the one who's going to kick Crocodile's ass!" Luffy shouted at Wren. "So, once I'm out, you better get out of my way, Cora Lady! Nami, hurry up and open the door!"
"I'm hurrying, okay?!" Nami shouted in return.
She put the key in the lock and hurriedly unlocked the door. She opened it while letting out a triumphant laugh though it was soon replaced with a scream when Crocodile appeared in front of her and took a swing. Though before she could be hit Wren got between them and took the blow herself. Crocodile's hook dug deep into her shoulder and drew a large amount of blood.
"NO!" Nami yelled in a panic.
Despite the deep wound, Wren scoffed then kicked Crocodile hard in the chest to get him off of her. Though in doing so she made the gash much worse. The fast movement also caused Wren's headwrap to fall. The group's eyes widening as her face was finally revealed.
"My body moved on its own accord," Wren said as she rolled her shoulder. "Have I really softened so much in such a short amount of time? I'm sure those old badgers would be mocking me now if they could see the state, I'm in."
No one moved or said anything as they all watched as Wren took a moment to rip her ruined sleeve from her top to wrap around her shoulder wound.
"W…Wre…Wren!" Usopp and Luffy shouted.
Wren turned to look at the rookies as both boys' mouths were hanging agape.
"You fools," she said. "You all should have gone to Katorea as Vivi planned. Now, look at this mess you've caused."
Despite her scolding words, however, her lips turned up in a barely noticeable smile.
"Though I suppose I shouldn't have expected anything else from you crazy upstarts," Wren said.
She then gasped when Usopp and Luffy jumped her and had their arms wrapped around her.
"Wren!" they both cheered.
She stumbled under their weight with Nami shouting at them to take it easy on her. Wren didn't really seem to mind though as she let the boys hang off of her.
"Wren, I'm sorry I said you were a monster!" Usopp cried. "I mean, you are, but I'm sorry for saying it! Thanks for saving us!"
Wren sweat-dropped at his words before turning to Luffy when he tugged on her shirt.
"Hey, why did you leave?!" He demanded to know. "That wasn't cool, Wren!"
Wren just sighed before shaking the two off them off to block Crocodile's next attack. The man barred down on Wren forcing her to lean back slightly.
"So, this is the face of the legendary Corazon." Crocodile said with a smirk. "I heard you were quite heartless despite your title, but it seems as if the rookies mean something to you. It's good to know that even monsters like you have a weakness. It means you can be killed."
He then shoved Wren off balance and raised his hook as she was taken off guard. He brought it down with a shrill scream coming from Vivi.
"No, Wren!" Vivi screamed.
Coco: Cliffhanger, dun dun dun! I know Sanji hasn't done much and Wren has already gotten the others loose from the cage, but he'll still play an important role soon, I promise. So, stay tuned for that, okay?
Until next time, guys. Stay safe and keep being your awesome selves!
