Coco: Hello, hello. I hope you guys are doing fine of this windy evening. Well, it's windy where I'm at and stormy looking, but that's my kind of weather, so I'm happy XD Any who~ Before we start the chapter, I just wanted to let you guys know about the poll on my profile page. It's a poll to see what kind of fillers you might want to see in this story. some of them I already plan on writing, some I've played around with the idea, and others I never considered. I just thought I'd get your guys' opinions and if certain fillers that I hadn't planned to write before get a lot of attention, I'll try to see what I can work out for that filler in the future. These are the options below:
G-8 Arc (Probably will write)
Ocean's Dream Arc (On the fence about)
Foxy's Return Arc (Not too interested)
Ice Hunter Arc (Not too interested)
Spa Island Arc (Might be fun to write)
Little East Blue Arc (I actually never new this filler existed until today when I was looking them up XD I usually pass over the fillers by looking ahead to see what episodes are canon and which ones aren't. But they say it ties into Strong World so I might use it since I like that movie and I've been thinking about doing a side story about it or even placing it in the storyline of this story)
Z's Ambition Arc (Thought about doing it and then writing the movie into the story but not sure)
Caesar Retrieval Arc (not too interested)
Silver Mine Arc (meh)
Marine Rookie Arc (I thought it might be fun)
Cidre Guild Arc (again...meh)
Later on, I might do a poll about the movies, but if you have any ideas about that, you can just drop a review or message if you'd like. Movies starting from One Piece Film: Strong World and forward are my favorites. I'm not too big of a fan of the older ones but might be persuaded to give them a try.
Moving on from all that though, shall we get started?
Sanji frowned watching as McKinley and his men retreated after declaring their punishment.
"What's wrong with those guys?" Luffy asked sounding annoyed.
"Forget them!" Nami said. "That old lady ratted us out. She lied to us. She said it was okay for us to pass through! But when we did, they accused us of illegal entry? That's flat-out fraud."
Luffy just huffed because he didn't seem to care, which had Nami frowning at the boy.
"Exactly," Usopp said. "But then, even if we were told we couldn't pass, we would have just forced our way through. I mean, how is that little old lady going to stop us?"
Nami snapped at the sniper to shut up even if he did make a very valid point. But that was beside the point. Nami just wasn't looking to make anyone mad. Like this almighty God everyone keeps mentioning.
"In any case, you're in a great deal of trouble," Pagaya said. "You're now second-degree criminals, and as such, I'm afraid Conis and I are unable to assist you any longer."
The man said this from a comically safe distance from the pirates, which had Usopp and Chopper sweat-dropping.
"Why are you talking to us from way over there?" Nami asked.
The two Skypieans only nervously smile in response, which caused Nami to give a sigh. She then turned back to her crewmates.
"I really don't see what the big deal is." Luffy said grinning. "I'm surprised you're not used to this by now. Anyway, we need to be going! To the place we're not supposed to go! Wren is probably having so much fun without us!"
Nami glared at the young captain with her eyebrow twitching repeatedly in irritation.
"You and I need to have a talk." Nami said as she advanced on the boy.
She then hit him hard in the middle of the forehead with the ends of her fingers. Though it didn't hurt exactly, Luffy still whined as Nami continued her assault.
"This isn't a grand adventure!" Nami snapped as she hit Luffy with each word she spoke. "We're not even sure if Wren and Havel are in this Upper Yard place! We have to think smart, Luffy! And I don't plan on going there to die only for her not to be there, you got me?!"
She gave one last hit, which sent Luffy sprawling towards the ground in one heap. He frowned sitting up as he adjusted his hat.
"Then you can just stay here as we go look," Luffy suggested. "We can't leave them here. They're part of our crew!"
"I know that!" Nami retorted. "And you know I can't stay here! We're wanted criminals!"
"Then what do you want to do?!" Luffy asked looking confused.
As the two argued, Chopper hurried to Sanji's side to wrap his little arms around the cook's leg for protection. Sanji looked down at the young reindeer while giving a soft smile as he reached down to place his hand on top the pink hat on Chopper's head.
"Fine!" Nami finally snapped as she threw Luffy to the ground "We'll go to the Upper Yard, but just to find Wren and Havel! Then we're getting out of here, do you understand me?!"
"Speaking of that, how are we supposed to leave exactly?" Usopp cut in.
Nami blinked and turned to the sniper as his question brought her to a thoughtful pause.
"We put all of our energy into just trying to get up here." Usopp pointed out as he turned to Pagaya and Conis. "But we never even thought about how we were going to get back. Is there a safe way back to the Blue Sea World? Can we ever even go home again?!"
He sounded almost hysterical at this point as he worried, they might be stuck in the clouds forever.
"There is a way, but at this juncture I'm afraid it's no longer safe." Conis said. "Your only hope for escape is to make your way to Cloud End and from there you can travel home."
"What's Cloud End?" Usopp asked. "And how are we supposed to get there?"
Sanji wasn't really interested in how they were going to escape this place. At least not at the moment. His only concern was finding Wren and having her back in the safety of his arms, which is why he wanted to get going. However, he would never interrupt a woman as Conis was getting ready to speak again. That and knowing how to leave would be handy in the long run.
"It's a region that lies far to the east." Conis said. "The only way for you to get there is to travel the White-White Sea."
That sounded good to Usopp who gave a smile while hitting his fist into his hand enthusiastically.
"Okay," he said. "So, we sail east, and we eventually get home."
"Hold it there, Usopp." Sanji said. "We need to find the Upper Yard first. Or did you forget about my beautiful lady who's still missing?"
He then looked to Conis as Luffy started mumbling things about packing some food.
"Conis, how do we get to the Upper Yard from here?" Sanji asked. "The fastest route possible if you don't mind."
Conis frowned as she clenched her hands together tightly in front of her. Clearly uncomfortable by the question.
"The fastest route possible?" She repeated.
"Yeah," Sanji said with a nod. "Wren is out there and I don't want to make her wait a second longer for me."
"Tch, she's probably grateful for the separation." Zoro scoffed. "You're always smothering her, love cook."
Sanji turned to snap at the swordsman to shut up as Nami sighed and ushered the others towards the ship. Luffy and Usopp didn't join, however, as the two had favors to ask of Pagaya.
"Sanji, come on!" Luffy said grabbing the cook by the back of his shirt. "Lunch first then we'll go and find Wren and Havel!"
"No, Luffy!" Sanji snapped as he was being dragged away. "Wren first!"
Wren let out a small sneeze as she and Nimue rode on Havel's back as the cat sithe navigated about the large roots of the trees on the Upper Yard.
"Are you alright?" Nimue asked. "I do hope you're not catching a cold from being in the water all that time."
Wren just gave a slight sniff as she glanced over her shoulder to the concerned woman.
"I'm fine." Wren assured her. "I haven't suffered a human sickness in some time."
"Well, if you do fall ill, you know what to do, yes?" Nimue asked sounding like a concerned mother. "The herbs you'll need? The spell that helps with fevers?"
Wren looked away sheepishly since she could not remember what Nimue was asking of her. Wren barely knew the simplest incantations or how to make even the easiest of magical solutions for everyday use.
"Misce, is very out of touch with her roots on both sides of her family." Havel spoke up. "She's lived mostly as a human for near a decade."
Nimue blinked in surprised as Wren turned her attention forward. Unable to meet the older woman's gaze. To a mage, their magical ability and their connection to the fae is their pride. And while halflings are seen as a danger, they are also considered a blessing by those who have mage blood. Being a halfling is the closest connection to the fae and to nature that a mage can get, but Wren has almost blocked off her connection to those sides of her all together. She's only used parts of her banshee powers with her swordsmanship or for intimidation purposes.
"I was raised by humans." Wren pointed out to Havel. "There was no need for magic when there was the human way to become strong."
Havel huffed at the girl though knew why she really cut ties to her fae half and stopped using her magic on a daily basis.
'That time on the slaver's ship still has a grip on her,' Havel thought. 'She cannot get over the abuse she had received for being born the way she was.'
He and Wren then perked up when Nimue let out a small hum and placed a hand on Wren's shoulder.
"It's never too late to rekindle those connections to what make you who you are, little halfling." Nimue said. "We might not have too much time together, but I would be honored to help you remake what you can of your roots. You needn't hide them or pretend they aren't there. Embrace them, Wren, and then you will know real strength…true happiness and peace."
Wren, who had glanced back at Nimue, looked forward once again as she let the older woman's words soak in. She has been trying to reteach herself some magic basics as of late. However, it was moving slowly. Even with Havel's help. He's a fae and has his own magic, but he isn't a mage. Therefore, not the exact person she needs to be teaching her.
"I would like to reconnect to the girl I had once been." She said. "The one who loved magic and was unafraid of it."
"Then shall we begin?" Nimue asked as Havel continued to carry them through the Upper Yard.
Zoro frowned looking around at their surroundings. Things only continued to grow worse for them. Not only were Wren and Havel still missing, but the crew had also been separated even further. Their captain along with Sanji and Usopp were back with Pagaya and Conis. And the rest of them, on some kind of alter in the middle of this Upper Yard place that the locals seemed so afraid of.
'We would have come here soon enough anyway,' Zoro thought. 'But this wasn't how were planned for things to go.'
Still, as they wait for the other three to catch up, they could explore and try to find their missing crewmates.
"I'm going to find a way across," Zoro, who had changed out of his wet shirt, said to the others. "We should probably make this our base of operations."
He gestured to the shrine they were placed on upon and to their ship, which he had told Chopper to try and fix.
"You guys can keep a look out." Zoro said. "I'm sure Luffy and the others are on the way. Like, they say, if you get lost you should stay where you are, right?"
Nami looked at him in disbelief since he was the last person who should be saying that.
"Zoro, well, if you want to go into the forest, I guess that's okay with me," Chopper said. "But you haven't really told us what for."
"Well, most importantly, someone needs to find Wren and that furball," Zoro said. "Secondly, everyone keeps talking about the God that lives on this island, and I wanna meet him."
Chopper and Nami looked at him with wide eyes as he stared out into the forest with an unreadable expression.
"That second part is a terrible idea," Nami told him. "I mean, what are you going to do if you actually find him?"
Zoro gave a chuckle and presented a cocky grin as he placed his hands on his waist.
"I don't know," Zoro replied. "Depends on if he behaves himself."
"Zoro, you're the bravest person I know." Chopper said seriously.
The young reindeer's words caused Zoro's grin to grow. Nami, who wasn't impressed like Chopper, scoffed.
"And what about his priests?" Nami questioned. "You going to beat them up too? Hello! The last thing we need is you pissing off a god. It's kind of not smart."
"By the time I'm done with him, this god is gonna bow before me." Zoro said confidently.
Nami gave the greenette a you've-got-to-be-kidding-me look as Chopper stared at Zoro in awe and giggled.
"Go, Zoro!" Chopper cheered.
"I don't believe in him anyway." Zoro then added. "What do I care about pissing him off? Besides, if Wren really has been here all this time, she's probably already kicked his ass and made herself the boss of this place."
Chopper's grin widened since Wren was indeed strong. Maybe he didn't have to worry about any danger because Wren already took down all the scary people. Behind the young doctor, Nami knelt down and put her hands together in prayer.
"All Powerful One, I just want you to know that I don't agree with my idiot shipmate." Nami prayed to God. "I don't even like him that much. Okay, bye."
Zoro snorted and rolled his eyes at Nami's words before he started looking for a way across.
"Don't listen to her, Zoro!" Chopper told the man. "You're awesome!"
Zoro didn't reply to the younger male's words as his eyes fell to the vines hanging from the trees.
'That'll work,' He thought with a grin.
"AaaAAHHhh!"
Wren and Havel swiveled instinctively towards the loud shout as they instantly recognized the voice.
"It's Zoro," Havel said.
"Why is he making that horrific racket?" Wren wondered with a frown.
Havel made a I-don't-know hum as he turned in direction towards where the shout came.
"This Zoro…he's one of your crewmates." Nimue guessed. "Enel can even hear the quietest of voices, but I still think it's a bit reckless of your friend to just announce his presence here like that."
Wren let out a small chuckle. She didn't know if her friends knew about Enel yet or not. But she was sure if they do, that Zoro doesn't care either way. Though it was a bit concerning she couldn't get to them before they came here looking for her.
"I can pick up on Zoro, Nami, and Robin's scents." Havel said as he leapt over a few roots. "None of the others."
Wren frowned in concern as she hoped the others were okay. Perhaps back at the ship. The group then broke through the trees where a river split through the Upper Yard. And across from their side, Wren saw her crewmates. They saw her as well and seemed surprised to see her and Havel.
"Wren, Havel!" Nami cried happily. "You're both really okay!"
Wren smiled at the three as Zoro even looked relieved to see their two once missing crewmates. Wren hopped down from Havel's back before using a bit of her magic to pick the air around her to blow her over to the other side. She landed on her two feet with ease with Nami hugging her happily.
"We were so worried about you." Nami said. "Well, Zoro wasn't. Kept saying you probably took over the place from God."
Wren chuckled looking towards the swordsman who had an indifferent look on his face.
"That so?" Wren asked. "You flatter me with your confidence in my skills, Zoro. Though I haven't laid eyes on this Enel."
"We haven't either." Zoro snorted. "He needs to come out already, so I can end things."
He gripped his Wado Ichimonji as he spoke while Nami was giving him one of her looks. Before she could reprimand him for his stupidity, Robin spoke up.
"It seems as if you have made some friends while you were away, Mage-san," Robin said.
Her gaze fixed on Nimue and her familiar who rested on her shoulder. Nami and Zoro looked towards the older woman as well as she gave a kind smile.
"Ah, yes, Everyone, this is Nimue and her familiar Puff." Wren introduced as Havel hopped over the river with ease.
As Nimue climbed off of his back, the feline pushed his large, furry head against Zoro who grunted and frowned. Havel purred happily at being reunited with some of their friends even as Zoro tried to push him away to get some space.
"Geez, back up," he grumbled.
Havel just pressed harder and purred loudly before pulling back to give Zoro's cheek a lick. The rough tongue caused Zoro to flinch as did the salvia left up the side of his face. He gave Havel the stink eye as Havel turned to Robin to purr to her as well.
"Nimue, these are a few of my crewmates," Wren old the older woman. "Nami our navigator. Zoro the first mate. And Robin our newest addition."
Nami and Robin, who was scratching Havel under his chin, both gave the woman a greeting.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Nimue said kindly. "Though I wish we could have gotten to you before you all came here. It's not safe in the Upper Yard."
"We didn't really have a choice." Zoro said. "We were brought here by a giant lobster after getting into some trouble with the local authorities. Something about having to face priests or whatever."
Wren sighed though wasn't surprised that her crewmates had gotten themselves into trouble while she was gone. Though if she was being honest, she probably wouldn't have been able to keep them from trouble even if she had been there.
"So, you've been chosen as the next sacrifices to those battle hungry priests, have you?" Nimue questioned. "That isn't good at all. No one has ever managed to get away from Enel and his priests before."
Nami paled when hearing this. Zoro, on the other hand, scoffed not looking worried at all.
"Well, if they're really going to do anything, they need to bring it on and get things over with." Zoro said. "Luffy, Sanji, and Usopp should catch up soon enough, and now that we have Wren and Havel, we can leave as soon as they arrive. I want some kind of action."
"Shut up already!" Nami snapped. "You might want to fight these guys, but I don't! I bet they're super strong and super scary!"
Zoro rolled his eyes at the panicking woman as she shook her fist at him angrily.
"The priests weren't all that impressive." Wren spoke up. "Though this Enel might be a real problem. His power isn't something to scoff at."
That giant strike of lightning that destroyed a hefty chunk of earth that she witnessed before had brought her to a pause. Fighting the one capable of such an attack would be a daunting task. Nami looked at Wren in surprise.
"Y-you met those priests?" She squeaked.
"Did you beat them?" Zoro added.
"I didn't fight them." Wren told the pair. "I kept my distance due to not knowing their abilities. They seemed strong enough, but nothing really stood out to me. Though I only observed them for a short amount of time."
Zoro frowned looking disappointed in this news while Nami looked even more worried.
"As I said before I haven't laid eyes on Enel." Wren continued. "Only a display of his power. If I had been hit by his power, I wouldn't have lived."
Nami paled greatly as she felt her legs shake and her knees buckle out of fear.
"Enel is quite frightening." Nimue said. "Which is why I've stayed out of his knowledge during my time here. It's in all your best interest to join up with the rest of your crew and leave this place."
"Well, that's not happening," Zoro said with a chuckle. "That captain of ours is heading this way looking for some adventure. He won't be leaving until he gets it."
Nami whimpered because she knew Zoro was right. Luffy wouldn't leave until he caused them even more grief.
"We might as well explore while we wait." Robin suggested. "I am interested to learn more about this place. How did all this earth come to be in the sky? Where did it come from?"
"Oh, it came from an island down in the Grand Line." Nimue replied. "I cannot remember the name, but the people who were forced into the sky along with this chunk, have been here for four hundred years. That is what the descendants have said at least."
The young pirates looked to the elderly mage as she gave them a small smile.
"I don't know the entire story, but if you are that determined to learn more and explore, I will help where I can." Nimue told them. "Though perhaps we should make it where Enel can no longer sense you."
She gestured to the cloak that she was wearing, which had Robin curious and asking questions. Nami joined in on the conversation as well as Wren turned towards Zoro.
"You said you were brought here for causing trouble," Wren said. "Do you believe the others will even be able to reach us? If judgement is coming for us, they could be in trouble."
Zoro hummed because it was a possibility that Luffy and the other two were fighting right now.
"They'll be fine." Zoro said. "Luffy isn't a pushover. And that idiot cook is determined to find you no matter what. It's all he could talk about."
Wren felt her chest flutter at Zoro's mentioning of Sanji wanting to find her as she could picture his worried face.
"Whatever they end up facing or are facing, they'll catch up to us soon enough." Zoro said.
Coco: I hope you guys liked the chapter. There's going to be another slight pause though as I work out how I want to take things further. I have a rough outline on how things should go, but I need to work out the smaller stuff. Like, do I want to include the fight with Hattori and show more of Sanji's side of the story while he's still separated from Wren or keep the focus on Wren and the others to move the story along a little bit quicker...don't know yet. But I will figure it out.
But as always, I will see you all next time. Until then, remember to be safe and keep being your beautiful selves.
