Coco: Hey, guys, I'm back with a new chapter for Monster Within! Again, I am doing quite a bit of skipping around for the earlier bits of the arc, so just a far warning. As we get farther along, there won't be as must skipping.
Also, I wanted to clear something up, it wasn't a mistake when I mentioned the priests might have haki so strong they can predict seconds into the future. As I wrote, this is a rumor going around. I feel as if those in Skypiea and those not familiar with haki might see it as the priest seeing in the future since they know their opponents' next moves before they even do them. So, to them it seems like the priests either see the future or can read minds. I added this little detail as a way to make Wren hesitate.
She's quite confident in her skills and is used to being on a 'higher food chain' than most of the people she meets. She is a formerly seated commander in the Donquixote Family and was trained at a young age by powerful figures like Doflamingo, Diamante, etc. So, she doesn't really hesitate when making a move or getting into a fight. However, she does know there are bigger monsters our there like Katakuri, so if she hears someone might have the same ability to see into the future with their haki, she isn't going to jump into a fight against them. She'll play it safe and observe her opponent instead. I didn't want her causing any trouble before the others could show up or starting a fight with Enel and his priests before the real fun was supposed to start, which is why I added that little tidbit.
And I apologize for the rant. I just wanted to clear that up before the chapter started since, I mentioned the priests possibly being able to see into the future in this chapter as well.
But enough of that, shall we get started?
Sanji frowned pensively as he stared out at the white sea from the balcony of Conis and her father's home. He and the others met the two on the beach earlier when they were exploring and looking for any sign of Wren. All were worried for the young woman and Havel.
Nami, who had been excited by the waver that Pagaya lent to her for some fun, wasn't even enjoying herself. She had only played with it for a bit before coming with the rest of them to their new acquaintance's house. Luffy wasn't even eating as much as usual. Even with the large spread placed in front of him curtesy of Sanji and Pagaya.
"This isn't as tasty without Wren here to scold me for stuffing my face," Luffy complained. "Saying something about manneristics."
"Manners, Luffy." Chopper corrected.
Luffy just pouted as he continued to stuff his face while missing Wren's presence. Not to mention, Havel would usually by his side and waiting for him to drop something. Or trying to sneak food off of his plate.
"How does someone complaining make something taste better, Luffy?" Usopp asked. "That doesn't make sense."
He then gave a forlorn sigh as he played with the dial that Conis had been showing them earlier. Conis looked at their guests in concern.
"This woman you keep mentioning…she is a friend of yours?" Conis questioned.
"Yes," Robin replied. "She was separated from us when she saved Long Nose-san from falling through the white sea."
Usopp frowned feeling his guilt return. If he hadn't tried to show off, Wren wouldn't have needed to save him. She would be here enjoying the sky island with them.
"Oh, that's terrible." Conis said sincerely. "I hope she didn't fall through the clouds."
"No," Zoro spoke up as he opened his eyes. "She's still alive. That woman is too tough to die like that. We just need to find her."
"Yeah, and when we're done eating, we'll go and find her!" Luffy declared. "I bet she and Havel are out there having some great adventure without us!"
Conis and Pagaya exchanged a glance at Luffy's words, which didn't go unnoticed by Sanji who had turned away from the ocean view.
"Is something wrong?" He asked.
"Well, word travels fast of visitors in this land." Conis said. "Yet we haven't heard anything about your friend. It makes me worry that she might have ended up in the Upper Yard."
Pagaya seemed to pale at the mention of this place, which had Sanji's concern growing.
"Upper Yard?" Luffy repeated. "What's that?"
"It's a forbidden place that no one is allowed to go to." Conis explained. "It isn't far from here. Your friend Wren might have ended up there by accident."
Sanji frowned as he took a seat between Usopp and Nami. The latter looking very concerned.
"What's so bad that no one must ever go to this island?" Usopp asked curiously. "Is it full of monsters? If so, there's no need to worry. Wren's kind of a monster herself."
He said this with a small laugh to lighten the mood, but only got a kick to the face as a response.
"Watch it." Sanji growled as he retook his seat.
Usopp only mumbled incoherently in reply as he tried to get his nose to stop bleeding.
"It's sacred ground," Conis answered Usopp's question.
"Sacred ground?" Robin repeated.
Conis nodded her head as she and her father looked more uncomfortable the longer the conversation went on.
"But it's so much more than just that." Conis said. "It's the island where God lives."
"There's actually a god?!" Luffy exclaimed. "And he lives on an island that no one is allowed to walk on."
Conis nodded again as the others were a bit surprised by this new bit of information. Well, some of them. Zoro only scoffed underneath his breath as he leaned farther back into his seat.
"You mean…the God?" Chopper asked. "The one from all the old stories? And he actually lives on the island next door to you?"
"He does." Conis said. "I'm sure everyone noticed the big sign that said God Land Skypiea. That means that this land is ruled by the almighty God Enel."
Sanji let out a puff of smoke as he pulled his cigarette away from his mouth momentarily.
"God's name is…Enel?" Sanji asked sounding skeptical.
He wasn't exactly the religious type. He wouldn't say God is unreal. He just doesn't care either way.
"He knows and sees everything," Conis continued. "He's truly omniscient."
"Everything?" Usopp repeated.
He felt goosebumps just hearing this as he wondered just how powerful this Enel was.
"He keeps his all-seeing eyes focused on everyone." Conis said. "Always."
Usopp hopped up from his seat in shock as Luffy's eyes widened as well at this information.
"For real?" Usopp asked.
"Like right now?" Luffy questioned.
"Yes," Conis replied.
Chopper let out an upset cry as he looked around the room as if worried to spot any sign of Enel.
"I hate it when people stare at me, and I can't see them." Chopper whined.
Nami frowned because she didn't like it either. It gave her the creeps that was for sure.
"Tch, God, huh?" Zoro scoffed before taking a drink of his water.
"Wait, you mean you don't believe in God?" Chopper asked. "But why not?"
While some might be offended by Chopper's question, Zoro didn't seem to mind as he turned his eyes on the young doctor.
"Well, for me it isn't a matter of belief." Zoro replied honestly. "I don't see proof of it one way or another. To be honest, I don't really care to. But if you'd like to, go ahead. It's not up to me to deny anyone of their little beliefs."
Chopper tilted his head looking a bit confused, but before he could continue his questioning, Sanji spoke up.
"So," Sanji began. "Conis, if this guy Enel lives in the Upper Yard and it's so close then you must have set eyes on him before."
Conis looked at Sanji in surprise before she held up her hands and shook her head quickly.
"Absolutely not." She said. "It's forbidden to go there. The Upper Yard is sacred ground and a place only for our God is to rest. I'm sorry."
Sanji frowned wishing to get more information. Especially in case if Wren really was stuck in the Upper Yard. She could be walking around unknowingly upsetting some all-powerful God. The danger she could be in…made his skin crawl just thinking about it. Sanji then looked to the captain of the crew as Luffy let out a small laugh.
"I see," he said with a large grin on his face. "A place we're not allowed to go to no what matter what, huh?"
Usopp looked towards Luffy in confusion at his sudden change in demeanor. However, the sniper soon put two and two together as his face grew pale in realization.
"Ahh, I've seen that look in your eyes before, Luffy!" Usopp snapped as he throttled the young captain. "And it always gets us into trouble! When the lady says we can't go there because it's sacred ground or whatever that's exactly what she means!"
"Yeah, are you trying to get us killed?!" Nami snapped as she threw a pillow at the back of Luffy's head.
Luffy just let out a laugh despite the rough treatment as Nami and Usopp both glared at him.
"No," he said with the grin still on his face. "Hey, I understand that we're not supposed to go there. Come on, you really think I'm the kind of guy who would do that?"
He then turned away from the crew to munch on some more food as many of them sighed.
'Yes, absolutely,' They all thought in unison.
Though Sanji planned to go to this Upper Yard either way. If that's were Wren was that's where he's going.
"Wait," Luffy, who was still eating, turned around. "If this guy is God, shouldn't he forgive you no matter what you do? Walking around on some forbidden island doesn't seem like a big deal to me."
"No!" Conis said quickly. "Breaking any laws set forth by our almighty is nothing less than sacrilege."
Her words didn't seem to worry Luffy in the slightest as he continued to munch away on some lobster.
"Well, I guess it doesn't matter either way," Luffy said.
Chopper looked at the young captain in disbelief as Robin turned towards the concerned Conis.
"Tell me," Robin addressed the younger girl. "I assume there are some dramatic and vicious consequences for entering the Upper Yard. Do you know what they are?"
"Yeah, I do," Conis said softly.
She looked down at her lap and seemed to grow even paler, which didn't go unnoticed by the crew.
"What are they?" Zoro asked.
"It is our belief that if you go there, you will not return alive." Pagaya answered for Conis.
"Everyone who goes there dies?!" Usopp questioned in shock.
Sanji stiffened at this information as the cigarette in his mouth fell and hit the floor at his feet. He felt his heart stop as Wren's smiling face entered his mind.
"I must admit I'm just as worried about your friend Wren as you are," Pagaya continued. "I hope she didn't end up in the Upper Yard."
"We need to find her as soon as possible, Luffy!" Sanji said to Luffy. "Like right now!"
"Yeah," Luffy agreed with a laugh. "Let's go rescue Wren and Havel!"
Wren looked around at the large trees that filled the Upper Yard as she followed after Nimue. The older woman was guiding Wren to the closest route to the island where the locals called home. The older woman believing Wren would find her crewmates there.
"This method of yours is quite interesting, Nimue," Wren said as she looked to the older mage.
The two women were cloaked with cloaks made from the foliage found around Upper Yard. The cloaks also had a few crystals woven into the material.
"You are a haki user as well, aren't you, Wren?" Nimue questioned. "Tell me, have you noticed that you can no longer sense my presence?"
Wren tilted her head as she took a moment to concentrate. When she didn't hear Nimue's voice, she was a bit surprised. She hadn't noticed it before because the woman had been right in front of her, so she didn't think to listen for her presence.
"The haki that allows you to hear the voices of others cannot sense plant life like it does other life." Nimue said. "However, covering yourself in plants is only part of the process. The crystals are cloaking crystals, but only those work so well against those with high observation skills. Thus, I combined the two together to hide myself from Enel's mantra. The fae are already beings of nature, so I don't believe he has noticed them either."
Wren looked down to Havel who was walking alongside of her. Now that she thinks about it, she doesn't always sense Havel either. Not in the same way that she does others. She just never had given it much thought before. Every so often she might get a flicker of something. She wondered if that was because of her half-fae heritage or something else.
"Perhaps you could tell me more about this place, Nimue," Wren said. "For example, why the Upper Yard is so important that a God would lay claims and forbid others from entering."
Nimue glanced at Wren over her should and went to reply, but Wren suddenly sensed a handful of voices. The majority of them were malicious as well. She moved quickly in front of Nimue and held out her arm to stop the older woman.
"There are others nearby." She said. "It seems like five humans and two animals. Four of the humans are hunting."
As soon as the words left her mouth, she saw a man running by a few yards in front of them. Both women and their familiars ducked back out of sight as the man, who was bloody and dirty, ran as if his life depended on it. And it would seem as if it did as he was being pursued.
Wren narrowed her eyes seeing four men. Men with wings on their backs. They were running after the man and seeming to fight with each other over who would kill the man they were pursuing.
"Who are they?" Wren whispered to Nimue.
"Those are four of the five priests appointed to guard the Upper Yard by Enel." Nimue replied. "They punish anyone who dares to trespass here."
Wren frowned as she started to realize this little get away to the clouds was way more dangerous than any of them thought it would be.
"Help!" The man, who was being chased, begged. "Somebody, help me!"
Wren twitched and actually was about to jump in and help as she reached for her sword. However, she forced herself to stop before she could expose herself. She bit her lip as her hand gripped her sword.
'It would be foolish to charge in to help a stranger against opponents I'm not familiar with.' Wren told herself. 'Not to mention, I'd also put Nimue in danger if I cause too much trouble. Do I just leave him to die?'
Her hand twitched around her sword when she heard the man cry out again for someone to help. Wren frowned. This used to not be an issue for her. She could easily ignore people who needed help before if that's what the situation called for.
'That man wouldn't return the favor,' she told herself. 'If the situation was reversed, he'd leave me to die. That's just how humans are…'
Her frown then deepened when her crewmates' faces appeared in her mind. She sighed.
'Okay, all humans aren't the same,' She reminded herself. 'But still, I can't risk it. I have to be smart.'
She relaxed her stance as Nimue put a hand on her shoulder as if to console the younger woman. The two stayed put even as the priests managed to circle their prey.
"You seem strong, Wren," Nimue said. "But the priests aren't pushovers. All of them were chosen by Enel for a reason."
Wren understood that. However, she wasn't used to having to play it safe like this. She's used to being the one that others had to be wary of. The one that others feared.
'But if those rumors Nimue heard were true about how strong their haki is, I'd be in real trouble,' Wren thought. 'I could never be a match against that monster.'
A certain Sweet General entered her mind as a shudder went down her spine. She wasn't frightened by a lot, but that man could make her blood run cold with a single look.
'Let's hope those rumors are false,' Wren thought. 'I suppose I'll just have to watch and see. I won't be moving until they're out of the way anyway, so I might as well observe and learn. I just hope the others are safe and sound wherever they are.'
Sanji frowned at the new obstacle in front of him. He blamed Luffy for taking so long to stuff his face. If he had left when Sanji wanted him to, they wouldn't be dealing these idiots wearing the stupid hats.
"I'm over all of this," Sanji said as his eyebrow twitched. "If you idiots keep getting in our way, I'll beat all of you to a pulp! No one else is going to keep me from finding Wren! Do you hear me?!"
"Sanji, please calm down!" Nami begged as Usopp grabbed ahold of the blonde to hold him back. "We can't be starting a fight right now."
Sanji growled as he glared heavily at the captain of the White Bigrade or whatever they called themselves.
"But, Nami-san, Wren could be in a lot of trouble right now." Sanji said.
Nami sighed since she knew that but fighting these guys wouldn't get them to Wren any faster.
"Wren?" McKinley repeated. "Are you saying there's another Blue Sea dweller with you? Where this this woman?! If you are hiding an unknown member of your party, your crimes will only increase, do you understand?!"
Nami flinched at the man's words but tried not to react violently as she had done before when he told them they owed 7 million beli for skipping the entrance fee.
"We're not hiding her," Luffy said looking like he was getting annoyed. "We got separated from her. Conis said she might be in the Upper Yard, so that's where we're going to find her."
"You idiot!" Nami snapped. "Don't tell him that!"
She whacked the boy over the head since he was only going to cause them more trouble.
'If Luffy had just ran away when I asked, we would have got away from these bozos before their captain recovered!' She thought. 'Wren if only you were here to help keep this idiot in check!'
She was sure Wren would have already settled this entire mess, and they could have been on their way.
"You people will be punished to the fullest extent of the law!" McKinley told them. "Abusive language and deplorable violence! I find them guilty of fifth degree crimes. In the name of almighty Enel, you are banished to drift in the clouds for eternity! And for the woman who is missing from your group, I find her guilty of not only entering illegally but for evading punishment. And if she is trespassing on God's sacred ground as you say, then I sentence her to face judgement by the priests of Upper Yard!"
Sanji felt his anger rise. He didn't know who these priests were, but he'd be damned if he let them near Wren anytime soon.
"What the hell did you just say, bastard?!" Sanji demanded. "If any of you or your friends even look the wrong way at my beautiful goddess, I'll kill you!"
Zoro rolled his eyes at the cook, but he did grip his sword tightly. Looks as if they wouldn't be getting out of here without a fight.
"Arrest them!" McKinley ordered.
His men prepared to fire arrows at the crew, which had Luffy quickly getting in a stance to counter.
"Nami, get out of here." Luffy ordered as McKinley ordered his men to attack.
The navigator didn't have to be told twice as the others—minus Sanji and Zoro—left things to Luffy and hurried to the ship. The soldiers fired the arrows, but they didn't seem much for attack as they were easy to dodge. However, they did produce some odd strings of clouds that Luffy, who had jumped into the air, fell back against.
"What the heck?" Luffy murmured. "Clouds?"
He then climbed onto one of the higher elevated clouds to get a look at what was going on. He watched the soldiers jump onto the clouds themselves, but they seemed to be wearing some kind of peculiar footwear.
"White Berets, attack!" McKinley ordered.
His men zipped forward on the clouds towards Luffy who was surprised by how swiftly they were able to move. The boy managed to dodge though before he could get hit. And as he landed and turned, the soldiers smirked looking as if they had already won the fight.
"Cool trick." Luffy said. "Mind in I try?"
The only reply given to him was the soldiers pulling out their weapons and charging him once again with a battle cry. Luffy frowned and turned and ran though he found it difficult as his feet kept wanting to sink into the soft clouds.
"These clouds too fluffy, I can barely run on them." He complained.
He then gasped as he had to swiftly dip backwards to avoid a blade to the face. He had to dodge a few more times as he tried to come up with a way to get the upper hand.
"Watch out!" Conis called out in worry.
"Those fools," McKinley scoffed as Luffy decided to jump up and hang upside on one of the clouds above him. "They think they can get away from us?"
Luffy watched as the attacks slowed for a moment as some of the White Berets lined up behind each other. He grinned as he looked to the odd skates on their feet.
"Awesome," he said. "Are those clouds skates? Nice."
He then landed back down onto his feet on the cloud below as the White Berets readied their next attack. Three of them shot forward at once with blades at the ready, but Luffy's grin didn't falter.
"I've gotta get a pair of those," he said.
The White Berets started closing in on the boy, so the young captain was quick to make his escape. He shot out his arm that stretched far enough to snag a tree, which slingshoted him into safety just as the soldiers swung their blades at him. The people of Skypiea stared in shock at what happened as Luffy laughed at the look on their faces.
"Look, he's all stretchy!" Conis gasped.
"I hope he's okay," Pagaya murmured in concern.
From above, Luffy chuckled as he was preparing his attack. One that should end things in one fell swoop.
"Gomu Gomu no…" Luffy began as he started twisting and tightening up his body.
"Oh, no!" McKinley gasped in realization. "Devil fruit powers?!"
"Fireworks!" Luffy shouted as he let loose his body, which started shooting his fist and feet everywhere.
The White Berets couldn't stop the attack even if they wanted to. Most of them being hit before they even knew what was going on. They dropped like flies as Luffy landed back on the ground without even breaking a sweat. He grinned not knowing of the danger lurking behind him as a soldier he missed prepared to fire an arrow at the young captain. However, he was stopped by Sanji and Zoro thus ending their fight with the White Berets.
"Piece of cake," Zoro said then turned towards the ship. "Nami, how's the money situation looking?"
Nami, who was back on the ship with the others and had decided to see if they even had any money, didn't look happy as she called back to Zoro.
"50,000 berries left!" She told the swordsman.
Zoro frowned because that wasn't good at all, and for once, Sanji was in agreement with him.
"50,000? We're that broke?" He asked in disbelief.
"Normally that would last a day us a day or too at most!" Nami said. "We also have the treasure that Wren took from that Bellamy, but until we turn that into beli, I'm not sure what kind of money we're sitting on!"
Zoro sighed though supposed that was a bit better. He supposes Wren was right when she said they'd be happy she took all that treasure from Bellamy when she did.
"So, it's actually not that bad," Luffy said with a laugh. "We're fine then."
"We wouldn't be if Wren-chan didn't think ahead and take all that gold and treasure from that Bellamy jerk!" Sanji said. "As the captain, don't you think you should be better with money?!"
Luffy just blinked at him as if not seeing the big deal, which had Sanji groaning in aggravation. As the blonde resisted kicking the rubber boy in the head, Conis and Pagaya couldn't help but be amazed by what the pirates had managed to do so easily despite the fact the high altitude usually lowers the athleticism of Blue Sea dwellers.
"Now, all that this is over, let's get going." Sanji said. "We've kept Wren waiting long enough."
"Yeah!" Luffy agreed. "We gotta go find this forbidden place...I mean, find Wren and Havel."
Sanji and Zoro both gave him a look as their captain looked more interested in going somewhere he shouldn't than finding their missing crewmates. The three then turned towards McKinley as the man gave a dark chuckle. Though defeated and wounded, the captain of the White Berets had a smile on his face as he looked to the pirates.
"Sorry, Criminals, but you have no chance of escape!" He told them. "You should have behaved and done what I told you to do. Of all of the upholders of law here in Skypiea, we the White Berets are the most lenient. However, they are not nearly as forgiving. Haha, congratulations! You are no considered second degree criminals. You can try to cry for mercy, but you will all be judge by the priests of the Upper Yard. Heso!"
Coco: Ahh, it's about to get to the good stuff! Though there wasn't much I actually liked about the Skypiea arc. My favorite arcs being Thriller Bark and Dressrosa, which I'm so excited to get to...but that's a ways away lol
Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. Until next time, my friends, stay safe and keep being your beautiful selves!
