Coco: Hey, hey, everyone. How are we doing today? Are we celebrating? Or just having a chill day? Or maybe just a normal day? Whatever the case, I hope you are all happy and having a good week.
As for myself, I worked today, but got off in enough time to finish editing this chapter for all of you, which I hope you enjoy!
Wren stopped outside of the bar where she heard many people talking and seeming to enjoy themselves. They wouldn't be much longer once she got started. She stepped inside with her eyes immediately zeroing in on Bellamy who was at the bar. A few looked her way at her entrance, but she paid them no mind.
"Bellamy the Hyena," Wren said. "I've been looking for you."
The entire bar went quiet, and Bellamy went still as that familiar voice reached his ears.
'It can't be,' He thought as he turned his eyes onto the woman at the doorway. '…Corazon…'
He's never seen the woman's face, but he'd know her voice anywhere. He wasn't the only one to recognize her.
"It's her," An older man murmured as he had papers clenched in his hands. "The woman from the wanted poster."
Wren turned her gaze onto the man, who spoke, which caused him to flinch back. As she walked towards him, Bellamy took in every detail of the woman's features. Her lone red eye and the scar over where her left eye had once been as part of it peeked out from underneath the dark eyepatch. The shape of her nose and chin. Every detail he had never seen before.
'So, that's what was always hiding behind that mask,' Bellamy thought as the veteran pirate took the wanted posters from the drunkard who easily gave them up as he flinched.
"It would seem as if they made up their minds," Wren said as she looked down at the wanted poster in her hands.
It read:
Only Alive
Magier B. Wren
85 million beli
It would seem that while they released a bounty for her that they kept the amount relatively small despite the fact that she's a former member of the Donquixote Family. Rochen told her this might happen.
—FLASHBACK—
"So, they're having a discussion, are they?" Wren asked as she sat in the women's quarters alone.
She used the vanity mirror to connect herself to Rochen who was reporting the latest news happening at Marine Headquarters. Rochen nodded her head.
"After the report given by the newly promoted Commodore Smoker and his subordinate Tashigi, the Fleet Admiral and the Elders met to decide what to do about your defection from the Donquixote Pirates." Rochen said. "Of course, Doflamingo had his say as well. He doesn't wish for the world to know of your connection to him. As of now in Dressrosa, Corazon is still being spotted and fulfilling her duties to her king."
Wren frowned. That must mean that new pest that Doflamingo had brought into the family has taken over her role. At least on the surface, so no one would know of her betrayal. If the people of Dressrosa found out that the most 'loyal' of Doflamingo's crew had defected, it would surely raise questions and cause trouble. And her leaving in general was probably already causing him problems.
"However, the Elders and Marines can't ignore the fact that you had a hand in taking down Crocodile and his organization," Rochen continued. "The official report is that you manipulated the Straw Hats into doing the hard work for you as you and a number of unknowns cleaned out all of Crocodile's resources. It was also reported by Smoker that you got into a confrontation with Crocodile and managed to wound him considerably. Taking into account this and your former status, I am almost certain you will be issued a bounty, Corazon-sama."
Wren sighed though she wasn't surprised. Though she had been hoping to remain on the down low a bit longer. Things couldn't be helped, however.
"As far as the marines know, you have no true connection to the Straw Hats." Rochen said. "Though it was noted that you seemed very familiar with Portgas D. Ace. This seemed to concern them greatly. Usually in such circumstances, your bounty would be quite high. However, I do not believe they will issue you more than 100 million if that. They don't want too many people asking questions about why a seemingly rookie pirate would start off with such a high bounty. So, what they're really trying to decide is just how much to mark your head for."
—END OF FLASHBACK—
'Still 85 million is still quite a bit for a 'upstart' pirate and they put 'only alive' on here, which is bound to raise some questions,' Wren thought before speaking aloud, "While this is interesting news, I have more pressing matters to deal with. Matters that concern you, Bellamy."
She turned her attention back to the blonde who had been watching her tensely.
"It's you, isn't it?" Bellamy questioned. "…Corazon…"
Instead of looking surprised by how quickly he put two and two together, Wren just chuckled.
"Hmm, you might actually be smarter than I gave you credit for," Wren said. "It's been a long time, Hyena. I would say I've missed you, but that would be a lie."
Wren's lips curled up into a taunting smirk that had Bellamy's blood boiling. As always, the woman knew how to push all the wrong buttons.
"W-wait, you're Corazon?!" Sarquiss questioned.
Wren barely paid the man any mind as she handed her wanted poster back to the drunkard.
"I'm going to keep things simple and to the point as I always have," Wren said. "There are three things I have come here to do tonight. The first is to remind you of the trash you are. Secondly, I will be leaving a note with you to give to Doffy when he comes to see you, which I know he will once he hears I was here. Thirdly, I am in the need of some funds, which means after I am done beating you senseless, I'll be taking all cash, gold, and other treasures you may have."
She said all of this calmly with her tone having an almost upbeat undertone as she looked to Bellamy.
"Now, before we continue, did you understand all of that?" Wren asked. "I would just hate for there to be any confusion, you see?"
As she waited for a reply, Bellamy stared at the young woman as if she had grown a second head.
"What the hell are you on about?" Bellamy demanded to know.
Instead of replying, in the blink of an eye, Wren had Bellamy by the throat before throwing him clean through the wall and out into the streets.
"Bellamy!" Lily shouted in worry.
She then flinched back as Wren moved forward and passed the Bellamy Pirates to go after their captain. Wren stepped outside as Bellamy sat up and glared at her heatedly.
"What's the big deal?!" Bellamy demanded. "We've never gotten along that much is true! But we sail under the same captain, which makes us allies!"
"That is where you are incorrect," Wren said. "You'd find out eventually, but let me just tell you now…I left the Donquixote Family. Donquixote Doflamingo is no longer my captain, and he and any allies of his are now my enemy. Well, you always have been. I was just having to play pretend for a while."
Bellamy's eyes widened as he stared in disbelief at what Wren said to him. It couldn't be true. He's seen the way Wren basically worships Doflamingo. She's always been completely devoted to the man.
—FLASHBACK—
"Doffy-sama," Wren called as she came into the room. "I have prepared some afternoon tea for you."
Bellamy, who was sitting across from Doflamingo, looked up as the woman walked towards them. He couldn't see her face, but he could almost picture the devil woman smiling behind her mask. Doflamingo looked up from the gold Bellamy had brought him with a grin pulling across his face.
"Ah, I see," he said. "Thanks, Wren, but you know Baby 5 is capable of such tasks or one of the maids."
Wren shook her head as she sat the tray down on the table. She then proceeded to poor a cup of tea for Doflamingo.
"Nonsense, Doffy-sama," Wren said. "I could never allow someone else to make tea for you. After all, I have been doing so since I was little."
Doflamingo chuckled with a nod as he took the cup that Wren offered him into his hands.
"Besides, it is thanks to you that I live such a wonderful life," Wren continued. "I can never repay you for your kindness, Doffy-sama."
Doflamingo reached out to pat the young woman on her head, and she leaned into his touch seeming blissfully happy. Bellamy watched as Wren continued to speak with Doflamingo. Her usually cool and dismissive tone was replaced with a happy one as she spoke with the king of Dressrosa.
"Maybe once you are done with this waste of oxygen, Doffy-sama, we could enjoy an afternoon in the gardens together," Wren said.
She seemed to cut said hyena a glare underneath her mask as he glared at her in return. Though she forgot about him when Doflamingo brushed her hair back behind her ear.
"I'll be done soon, Corazon," Doflamingo promised her. "Can you wait a few more minutes?"
"Yes, of course," Wren said as she placed her hand over Doflamingo's which rested on the side of her head.
—END OF FLASHBACK—
There was no way that someone could pretend to love someone as much as Wren claims to have pretended to love Doflamingo. She was a completely different person when he was around. She always seemed so happy and would do anything to gain his attention. She treated that man as if he was the sun himself while she kept everyone else at arm's length if not even farther away.
"You're saying…it was all an act?" Bellamy asked as he stood. "Cut the crap! If you really are Corazon that can't be true!"
"I am Corazon and it very much is true." Wren said. "However, I don't really have the time or patience to explain all the complicated details. Especially not to the likes of you. I told my three reasons for coming here, so let's start getting them out of the way, shall we?"
She drew her sword as she spoke, which had Bellamy tensing. He felt a chill settle over his body as if he was facing off against some kind of beast.
"I'll give you a fighting chance," Wren said as she swished her sword in front of her. "I'll allow you to make the first move."
She gestured with her free hand for him to attack when ready, which caused his teeth to grind together in aggravation. He crouched down with his legs becoming springs, which began to coil tightly.
"Don't take me so lightly, Corazon." Bellamy growled. "I'm not the same person from when we last fought. My bounty has gone up as a testament to my growth."
"Oh, yes," Wren said flippantly. "55 million now, isn't it? And how long has it taken you to get that bounty? A rookie from the East Blue is already at 100 million. A rookie with a straw hat who happened to take down Crocodile in Alabasta. He has the government so abuzz; more so than I've ever seen them. Now that is impressive. You on the other hand, aren't in the slightest. If you can't even outmatch a rookie, what hope do you have beating me?"
Sarquiss, who had come outside to watch the fight with the bar patrons and his crewmates, gasped in surprise as his eyes fell to that wanted poster the drunkard was still carrying. The one of the straw-hatted kid.
'He took down Crocodile?!' Sarquiss thought in shock. 'There's no way, but Corazon's information is never wrong! Was he just faking being weak earlier?!'
His thoughts spun in his head as Bellamy, who was pissed at Wren's dismissal, was thinking something similar.
'Was that snot-nosed punk just messing with me earlier?!' Bellamy thought heatedly. 'Did he think I wasn't worth the time…just like her?!'
His glare intensified on Wren who was still waiting on him to make the first move.
"Are you going to attack me or not?" Wren questioned. "I do not have all night, and if you keep me waiting, I'll just end things here and now."
"I told you not to underestimate me!" Bellamy then sprung forward. "I'll take you down and drag you in front of Doflamingo! I'm sure whatever punishment he decides will be quite gruesome!"
Wren didn't look too worried by his threat as she raised her sword and used the blunt side to swat Bellamy away like a fly. He went flying backwards into a building. His impact made a large hole and caused the building to shake violently. Wren let out a dull hum.
"Perhaps I put too much behind that swing," Wren said. "Killing him isn't the goal after all."
She then blinked when Bellamy came shooting out of the hole he had created.
"I'm not done yet!" Bellamy said as he crouched down once again. "I'm going to beat you to a bloody pulp!"
He shot forward again, but instead of using her sword, Wren reached out and caught him in her hand by his throat. He gagged as Wren's fingers curled tightly around his neck. He fell to his knees in front of her as she looked down at him coldly.
"Your overconfidence has always irritated me," Wren said as Bellamy grabbed at her wrist to try and make her let go.
However, her hold only tightened making it even harder for him to draw in any air.
"You're still a fledgling." Wren said. "You don't have what it takes for the New Age. It's those who are powerful enough to survive that will see it, and that isn't you and your crew by a long shot. You call yourselves real pirates, but all I see if a bunch of spoiled children playing pirate."
Wren loosened her grip slightly as she spoke, which allowed Bellamy to get some air. He gasped at it greedily as some of his lightheadedness went away.
"I never understood why Doflamingo wasted any time on you," Wren said in distain. "While I don't agree with much of what the man says or does, I do agree with a few things. The number one thing being that the weak don't get to choose where or how they die."
Bellamy paled at her words, but he was then surprised as Wren let go of his throat. She took a few steps backwards.
"Luckily for you, I'm not here to kill you." Wren said. "As I said I have a message for you to pass onto Doflamingo, and you can't do that if you're dead. Now, I'll give you one more chance. Give it your best shot. Let's see if you can land a hit."
Bellamy grit his teeth together as he forced himself to his feet. He knew deep down in his gut that he couldn't win. However, he couldn't just lay down and ignore her challenge. He had to try and take her down, so she could be punished for her actions against Doflamingo.
"I won't let you get away!" Bellamy said as he readied for his next attack. "Spring Hopper!"
He shot by Wren to hit the building, which he bounced off of. He bounced back and forth between multiple buildings. His speed picking up as he went. Wren patiently waited for him as he built up his attack. She even sheathed her sword as she waited. Though it wasn't much longer before Bellamy came flying towards her from the left.
In the blink of an eye, Wren raised her hand and backhanded Bellamy across the face. The hit was hard enough to cause his jawbone to fracture and to draw blood as he went sailing away from her. He fell in front of his crewmates who all stood there in shock at their captain's defeat.
"She…she swatted him down…like he was a mere bug," Sarquiss said as he sunk to his knees. "…Bellamy…no."
He and his crewmates then stiffened in fear as Wren turned her attention on them.
"Now, a few of you be kind and gather all your treasure for me." Wren said. "And I do mean all of it. If you try to leave any out, well, I will know."
She gave them a look of warning. The one look was enough to send most of them scrambling to do as she requested. She then stepped over to Bellamy's unconscious form as she waved her hand with an envelope appearing between her fingers.
"Make sure he gets this," Wren said. "Once he's done with his business with the marines, he will come here after hearing of your defeat. They're my final words to my former captain, so you better not lose them, Bellamy."
Of course, the older pirate didn't reply as he was completely dead to the world. As Wren waited for his crew to bring her the gold and the other riches, she looked up at the position of the moon.
"Hmm, I finished later than planned," Wren said. "That's what I get for playing around, I suppose."
Sanji looked towards the sky as it was starting to lighten even more. Wren still wasn't back yet and he was starting to become worried. He knew she was capable, but he also knew it wasn't like her to be late.
"Where could she be?" Nami asked also sounding concerned.
"She'll be back," Luffy said with a grin. "She still has time to get here."
Nami frowned though supposed Luffy had a point. However, Wren was supposed to be back 45 minutes ago. Chopper and Havel then suddenly perked up, which had the others looking to them.
"What's wrong, guys?" Usopp asked.
"Wren…she's back." Chopper said.
Everyone turned their heads to see Wren running in their direction. Zoro's brow quirked when seeing the fairly large sack on her back and the bags in her hands.
"Don't tell me," Zoro grumbled. "She went shopping. What shops could have even been open at that hour?"
"Huh?!" The others exclaimed.
Wren soon came to a stop in front of them with an apologetic smile on her face.
"Sorry, everyone." She said. "I know I'm running a bit late. As I was leaving town, I spotted a shop that had surprisingly cute clothes. I might have gotten distracted and did a bit of shopping."
"You've got to be kidding me?!" Usopp and Nami shouted in unison.
Wren turned her sheepish smile on them, but neither one seemed in be in the forgiving mood. Unlike Sanji who cooed at her.
"Wren-chan, you're so cute when you're sheepish," Sanji cooed as he did a small twirl.
Nami growled about to scold Wren for making them wait. However, Nami then blinked when Wren held out a bag to her. Nami took it as she looked it over curiously.
"I got something for you as well, Nami." Wren said. "I saw it and thought it would look amazing on you."
Nami's eyes lit up as she quickly looked inside the bag as Zoro rolled his eyes.
"How did you even find a shop that was open?" He asked.
"Oh, it wasn't open," Wren said. "I let myself in and left money on the counter."
He sweat-dropped but to be completely honest, he wasn't that surprised to hear this. Wren sat the other bags to the ground before untying the one around her shoulders. She sat it down on the ground as well.
"Did you have more clothes in there, Wren?" Chopper asked curiously.
He and the others then gasped as the sack fell open to reveal a large amount gold and beli.
"For the trouble they caused, I brought back more than what they took," Wren said as she lifted up a smaller wrapped sack from the pile.
She took it over to Cricket while sitting it in front of him as he sat at the stump table.
"Here's your gold, Cricket-san," Wren said as the others prepared to leave. "Also, please, have this."
She grabbed a suitcase and opened it to reveal beli, and a large amount of it. Nami's mouth dropped open in shock at the large sum.
"For repairs to your home." Wren told Cricket. "Now, boys, be gentlemen and take the rest of it to the Merry."
"Yes, whatever you say, my dear!" Sanji said as he quickly went to do as told.
Luffy and Chopper didn't put up a fuss either as they two grabbed some of the treasure that Wren brought back. Zoro grumbled and Usopp sighed though they too grabbed the rest.
"You'll thank me later when we finally have money in our pockets," Wren told the two grumbling men.
She then looked to Nami when the younger girl hugged her around her arm. She looked positively giddy.
"You're the best, Wren." Nami said. "I'm sorry I got upset with you earlier."
Wren chuckled at Nami's behavior before taking in the sight of their modified ship. Her brow quirked when seeing the chicken design, they went with.
"What…an interesting look," Wren said unsurely as Havel jumped onto her shoulders.
"Yeah, something about it makes me feel kind of uneasy," Nami agreed.
"For once, I agree with you," Zoro said as he loaded the treasure onto the ship. "Chickens don't even know how to fly. They should have made it a pigeon."
Wren chuckled once more as Nami retorted negatively to Zoro's comment. Wren and Nami loaded the boat last as Luffy was calling out his goodbyes to Cricket who had yet to move from his spot. Though the old blonde then stood up with his back straight and chin high as he turned towards the three ships about to depart.
"Saruyama!" Cricket called getting all of his men to stand at attention. "I'm counting on you men. I don't care what happens. You give our friends here everything you've got!"
As his men called out an affirmative, Luffy's grin widened as he turned to his own crew.
"It's time to set sail!" Luffy ordered.
Wren let out a hum as she unpacked the new clothes she had gotten before leaving Mock Town. She really was amazed she found a store that had clothes her tastes in that grimy little town. It was nice having some new belongs. She started placing them in her chest that her father packed. As she was doing so, she came across her old childhood wand once again. She stared at it a moment before reaching out to pick it up.
'Maybe it's time to try using this again,' She wondered.
She sat it down beside her before she put away the rest of her clothes into the chest. She stood up and picked up wand and sword, which she had sat down as well. She placed both in her holster before heading towards the stairs, so to rejoin the others up on deck. As she stepped outside, she noticed their guides seemed a bit worked up. Before she asked what was going on, she took note of the dark clouds southwest of them.
"I know we're running a bit late, but I don't believe the darkness is supposed to be happening now," Wren said as Usopp and Sanji also rejoined everyone outside.
Havel, who walked over to the young mage, shook his head in uncertainty. He wasn't sure what was happening, but it had Masira and Shoujou in a tizzy.
"What going on now?" Usopp asked worriedly.
"The Cumuloregalis clouds appeared a lot sooner than expected, so now everyone is scrambling to find a current." Nami said.
Wren tapped her chin thinking that maybe she shouldn't have taken the time to do that shopping and come back sooner. She then joined Nami on the upper deck as Shoujou used his drivers to scout for currents. They started popping out of the water one-by-one and giving reports.
"Sonar waves detected." One called out. "There's a large current at 12 o'clock."
"Large creature detected at 9 o'clock." Another shouted. "It could be a Sea King!"
"There's wave activity detected at 10 o'clock going against the current!" A third reported. "I believe it's a giant whirlpool, sir!"
Masira shouted for all ships to head for 10 o'clock as the waves began to get rough. Wren grabbed onto the railing with Havel curling around her ankles as the ship bobbed violently. Zoro told everyone to hold on as Nami and Usopp sounded worried.
"Steady, men!" Masira called out. "It's a pre-eruption tremor."
Havel frowned not liking the sound of that because it probably meant that he was going to get wet.
"Eruption?!" Chopper squeaked nervously.
"Hey, Navigator-san!" Robin called out. "What does the log pose say?"
Nami blinked before looking down at said object to check and see what the needle was doing.
"It's pointing straight at those clouds!" Nami said.
"You mean, the Sky Island is above that?!" Usopp asked as he paled.
"The wind direction is perfect." Nami commented. "The clouds of lining up directly over the center of the whirlpool."
"What whirlpool?" Luffy asked. "I haven't seen anything."
Wren was sure it was only a matter of time before they did, and she was also certain that whatever became of their journey to Sky Island, it wasn't going to be pleasant.
'Let's just hope that nobody dies,' Wren thought. 'Because that would certainly put a damper on things, wouldn't it?'
Coco: That is the end of that, my friends~ In the next chapter, we'll be getting a first look of the sea above. But before that, a run in with Teach that Wren wasn't expecting. I wonder how that will go, don't you?
As always, I hope you guys stay safe and keep being your beautiful selves! Until next time, everyone!
