Hey guys. Sorry about the late update. Since graduating my life has been unbelievably hectic. If you read Defenders without fear you will know I got a job at a summer camp for the summer. It's a lot of fun but it unfortunately means I have no free time. Since I live there 24/7 it's kind of hard to get internet access. The only way I'm able to update now is because I caught the flu that was going around. So anyway super-duper sorry. Come mid-august when I go off to collage I will start updating regularly again.
XXX
One year ago
"Luffy! I swear to god asking if we're there yet every five seconds does not make the time go by any faster." Sabo told him rolling his eyes.
Ace growled in agreement as Luffy collapsed dramatically on his back.
The three of them were currently making their way to the outskirts of the Forrest. They had let the youngest run around a bit more to keep him entertained. But when he got lost for the fifth time they confined him to riding with Ace on the young wolfs back. This worked for about a minute until he started relentlessly asking if they were there yet. Which they obviously weren't.
Many of the wolves who roamed the outskirts had reported seeing a monster at the edge of the forest. This of course sounded pretty stupid coming from real life monsters. Still there were far too many witnesses to simply write it off. Thus the services of the three of them had been requested. The last thing Sabo and Ace wanted to be known for was being helpful to others. In fact most of their energy went into purposefully avoiding the rest of the forests occupants. However the circumstances were less than ideal. Not even a week ago had Ace accidently burned down an entire acre. His pyromaniac tendencies were really starting to become a problem. That coupled with all of Luffy's… accident prone behaviors ensured they would say yes. In short there wasn't much of a choice involved.
"We're getting close to the area most of the reports came from." Sabo told his brothers, looking down at the hasty map he constructed. It all seemed to center around the edge of the outskirt territory.
"What are we even looking for again?" Luffy asked distractedly staring over his shoulder.
Sabo shrugged, "I'm not really sure. Something unusually tall, humanoid …."
"With a hat?" Luffy asked curiously.
"I guess… maybe, they didn't say."
Luffy however continued relentlessly. "Covered in fur, sort of like bigfoot?"
Ace gave an annoyed growl as Sabo frowned, "Where on earth are you getting this from?"
Luffy simply pointed behind them off the beaten path. Sure enough half hidden by the shadows stood a huge furry creature quite resembling big foot. It stared out at them from under a pink top hat.
"There is it is Sabo!"
"Yes I can see that."
Not waiting for further confirmation Luffy jumped off Ace's back, grabbing the bat in his haste. Sensing the sudden urgency the creature took off, clearly spooked by the three of them.
Ace was about to give chase when Sabo stopped him. "Let Luffy do it. There's something I want to check out."
Ace gave a snort asking if Luffy would really be okay on his own.
"Probably, hopefully, knowing his luck he will probably befriend the thing and take it home as a pet."
Ace gave a series of soft gruffs signifying laughter as he followed Sabo through the dense trees. After a few minutes of walking he began to grow curious of what they were doing.
"I have a theory?" Sabo told him ducking under a low tree branch. "What would you do if you were a hideous monster? Stay away from people right? But it's clear from this things behavior it's trying to stay away from the creatures of the forest as well. Thus why it lives in no name territory.
Ace let out a low growl clearly asking 'so what?'
"Well it's obviously been discovered countless times. So why wouldn't it just leave? What's keeping it here?" He smirked over at his brother. "Don't give me that look, I do think I've got a pretty good idea of why."
Ace just gave the wolf equivalent of a shrug and kept walking. This was certainly turning out to be an interesting night.
XXX
"Stop! I want to eat you!" Luffy yelled as he crashed through the forest behind the creature. He wielded the dented bat over his head like a club.
To his extreme surprise the creature slowed for a minute, turning to look back at him. "No way you jerk. I'm not going to let you eat me."
Luffy pursed his lip in annoyance. Usually his meals didn't put up this much struggle.
"Why not?" He pried.
"How would you feel if someone tried to eat you?"
"I wouldn't let them."
"Exactly!" Cried the creature frazzled as it tried to gain speed.
"Wait!" Luffy insisted as he lept over a fallen tree trunk. "Are you a scary monster?"
"What?"
"Well we came looking for you because you scared all the wolves who saw you. But that's pretty lame… I mean you don't look so scary to me. If you're really trying to scare them then you should try harder."
That actually stopped the creature in its tracks as it stared at the kid, finally slowing down enough to notice something it missed before. It sniffed the air tentatively. Its eyes widened in surprise.
"Wait! You're a human?"
Luffy nodded, cutting his rant off early.
"And your not scared by me?"
That seemed to hit home as he crossed his arms over his chest angrily. "I told you if you want to be scary you have to try harder. Why would I be scared of bigfoot?"
That seemed to do it for the monster as well as it screamed, "I'm not Bigfoot you asshole."
"So what are you then?"
The monster looked down at the ground, kicking dirt around depressingly. He didn't speak for a while before finally meeting the kid's eyes. "I'm a monster."
To his surprise the kid's face turned into a wide smile at the confession. "That's more like it. Now you just need to work on being scarier."
"I thought you were going to eat me?"
Luffy shrugged dismissively. "We can do that later."
The creature shook his head, looking around suddenly worried. "Did you hear that?"
"Hear what? Don't try to get out of getting eaten." He threatened.
"It's not that." The creature told him. "I think somethings coming this way."
"And you're worried you're not scary enough?" Luffy questioned.
"No! You should be worried what are you even doing here, it's dangerous in these woods." He bounded back over to the tiny human closing the gap between them.
"I was looking for you monster." Luffy told him sizing up the creature before him.
"It's Chopper! Stop calling me monster."
Luffy grinned at that as he uncrossed his arms, once again slinging the bat over his shoulder. "Well I'm Luffy, want to be friends?"
"W-what?" The monster stuttered. "I can't be friends with you! You're a human! Do you have any idea how bad that would be? You need to get out of here before you get eaten or something."
"That's your job." Luffy reminded him.
"Your still going to eat me?" Chopper deadpanned.
"Of course not stupid we're friends." Luffy laughed.
XXX
"See there it is! I knew it would be here." Sabo smiled triumphantly as they knocked on the door. It was so run down it looked like it was about to fall over. This made their house look much nicer by comparison.
He and Ace shared a look as not a sound came from inside. "Do you think anyone even lives here?"
Before Ace could say anything shots rang out, cutting through the wood like it was butter. It was quickly accompanied by the shout of "No trespassers."
He frowned as the wolf ducked behind the wall as another round of bullets sprayed through the door.
"Ma'am?" He called politely turning away from the wreckage. There was a moment of pause before the door flung open, kicked clean off its hinges by a black boot. An old woman greeted them in a purple suit.
"Who the hell are you?" She questioned leaning heavily against the door frame.
"I'm Sabo and this is my brother Ace," Sabo said politely. "We were just wondering if this was the residence of the … er Bigfoot."
To their surprise she tossed her head back and laughed. "Ya mean Chopper? Yea he lives here what about it?"
She studied them for a second before continuing more seriously. "You got a problem with him."
Ace let out a partial growl as he sat down on his hind legs. Sabo smirked at his brother's humor. To their surprise the woman seemed to understand as well.
"Say what you want sunny, at least my boy doesn't terrorize people."
"Well that's actually why we're here." Sabo said politely. "Apparently seeing …Chopper, has made some of the wolves uncomfortable. They don't really know what to think." Of course that being said it was some of the weaker wolves that had actually seen Chopper. But rumors seemed to spread like a wildfire in these woods and by the time they actually caught up three imaginary victims had been lost to the creature. The three of them had been assured it was the work of the hunters out to destroy the forest.
She stared at them for a second before tossing her head back and laughing, "Is that so? Well then, what shall we do about this?"
"Actually," Sabo said looking at his brother with a small smile. "We might have an answer for that?... Where is Chopper by the way?"
The old woman shrugged, "How should I know? Probably off getting into trouble."
At the word trouble both Sabo and Ace perked up. That definitely couldn't be good. Sabo had forgotten where they last saw their brother. They really needed to watch him better. Oops.
He was about to suggest finding Chopper for her but there was no need.
A moment later the furry brown creature came barring through the door, a familiar figure on its back. It was shouting something unintelligible. The only words Sabo could catch were Wolves and fight.
The woman put up her hand to silence the jabbering Wookie effectively calming him.
"Tell me what happened Chopper?"
"We ran into some wolves in the forest, they tried to eat us and…" It was at that time he finally took notice of Ace, jumping back with another cry of fear.
"One followed us here! Get it Luffy!"
The tiny figure on its back laughed. "That's just Ace." He explained simply, sliding back down to the ground.
"What's an Ace?"
"It's that." Luffy said pointing to the glaring wolf.
"Who's your friend Chopper?" The woman asked taking a swig of a beer bottle from the table.
There was an audible pop as the giant Monster disappeared, changing into a much smaller version right before their eyes. The muscular humanoid monster had given way to a koala raccoon type creature. The pink hat still rested on its head, much more suitable in terms of size. It retained its antlers as well, as they poked through the hat like tree branches. Unlike everyone else in the room Chopper seemed unsurprised by his body's sudden change. He continued on like nothing had happened.
"This is Luffy!" He told her. "We ran into some wolves and he fought them off."
Completely ignoring that Luffy stared at Chopper in shock. "You got really small! I thought you were a monster? You look more like a toy to me."
Chopper turned a bright red at the comment ."I'm not a toy! I'm a reindeer."
"Isn't it a little past your bedtime kid?" The woman said taking another swig from the bottle. "How did you even get so far from a human village?"
"Actually he's with us," Sabo interjected. Up until then he had been carefully monitoring the conversation. He was honestly a little curious about the old lady. Despite her old age she was obviously human as well. Which explained why she lived on the outskirts instead of in the actual forest. Undoubtedly she could take care of herself but wouldn't a human village be easier for her.
She eyed the two of them carefully, almost as if seeing things in a new light. Still she curiously choose not to say anything on the matter.
"So Chopper, the human kid saved you from the wolves then?"
Chopper nodded, still blushing as if getting saved by a human was an embarrassing feat.
The woman nodded uncrossing her arms. "Well you three have my thanks. The names Kureha, I suppose you're curious about Chopper here."
"It did cross my mind." Sabo said dryly.
She nodded seriously, "Very well, I shall tell you. As a token of my gratitude."
Luffy made face. It sounded boring to him more than anything. Why should he care what Chopper was. It always confused him why people were so stuck up with labels. He cast a sideways look at the reindeer silently asking if there was anything more entertaining to do. Sabo was only interested because he liked boring stuff and Ace was just going to fall asleep five minutes into the story. Luckily enough for him Chopper was thinking similar thoughts.
For his part Sabo looked up in time to see the tiny animal and his brother pull a not so impressive disappearing act. Kureha noticed as well but she choose not to say anything.
Thus the doctor told the two of them (until Ace fell asleep) the story of the little reindeer named Chopper. Like most things in life it wasn't a happy story. Instead it was filled with rejection and betrayal… and in this case mal practice. From what he could gather Chopper was the accidental product of a test gone wrong. While trying to experiment with the werewolf gene a group of rouge scientist injected it into a reindeer. The result was a human deer hybrid utterly rejected by its own kind.
Thus after hearing that, plus a little guilt tripping Sabo was sure of a way to keep the wolves out of these part. Although it was doubtful Ace was going to go for it. And it would come with quite a blow to their pride. Still it was the least they could do to help the unlucky critter and the drunken doctor.
"Leave it to us," He promised putting his top hat back on. Kureha nodded adding her own small tolken of thanks as she threw the now empty beer bottle.
Now only to find their little brother, the sun would be rising soon. He hadn't realized how much time had slipped by. He woke up the sleeping wolf to help with the search.
It turns out they didn't have to go far. Both Chopper and Luffy were playing in the yard. Each trying to outdo each other by climbing trees. If their little brother weren't part monkey Sabo would swear the giant king Kong type creature had the advantage. But Luffy was definitely holding his own here.
"Come on Lu we're leaving." He called to them.
Luffy looked over instantly, letting go of the branch he was currently hanging on.
Chopper took the news a bit harder as he let out a disappointed moan. "Do you really have to go?"
Sure leave it to their brother to befriend the monster they were sent to slay. Sabo smirked at the notion.
"I'll see you some other time okay," Luffy told him as he steadied himself on the ground.
"You promise," Chopper said uncertainly.
"Pinkie promise." Luffy told him offering him his finger.
Chopper copied the gesture confused. "What does that mean?"
He wrapped his tiny pinky over the huge one. "It's the most sacred of vows." He explained. "You can't break it."
Chopper looked over at Sabo and Ace for confirmation, the two of them just shrugged back. Definitely a human concept. When wolves and vampires made promises they sure as hell didn't do it with their pinkies.
See you soon." Luffy told him as he raced off to join his brothers. Leaving the poor creature alone, it's pinkie still extended. But at the very least Chopper had his first friend now. A fact he was going to remember.
XXX
Present Day
Marco sighed as he reluctantly handed the keys to Zoro. As much as he hated to admit it the other was probably better suited for combat driving. And god know they would need the advantage. He looked up at the pitch black sky, the sun wouldn't rise for quite some time. It was the perfect time to begin their journey back. Hopefully sticking to the roads would keep them safe from the hoard that was trailing them. Still avoiding the forest meant a longer trek. Doubtful the road alone would keep them safe.
He looked over to where the wolf stood, looking at the forest with longing.
"You're sure you want to come with us?"
Ace looked over at him, a smirk forming as he did so. "To stop you guys from getting killed." He corrected.
"Either or." Marco said a small smile forming on his lips.
When he had first met Ace he was a little… intimidated. Who wouldn't be? He seemed to have a built in dislike of everyone and he growled if you got too close. Those feelings turned into curiosity as he learned he was a wolf. During the short time they spent together he realized he may have been a little off in his previous judgment. Ace was quick tempered and unfriendly, no doubt about that. But he was also loyal, protective and good spirited. Thus why he was accompanying them on their trip back instead of simply leaving them here.
His brother, who from what Marco gathered really was just a normal kid, sat on the ground carving crossbow arrows.
"Ready?" He addressed the group.
"Once the shitty Marino gives me the keys," Sanji said angrily trying a final ditch attempt to grab them from the swordsman.
"It' such a n-nice village." Ussop stuttered nervously. "Why don't we just live here?"
"I am not eating toast for the rest of my life," Thatch butted in.
Marco just rolled his eyes, why he choose to associate with these people was beyond him. He turned to the old jeep, calling shotgun before anyone had a chance to argue farther. Like most of the cool stuff in Ussop's Grandmothers house it once belonged to her son. She had given it to them so they could find their way home.
Marco slammed the door behind him, ignoring the grumbling of the teens as they all squeezed in the backseat. Hopefully if all went well Ace would be able to spot any approaching threats. With his creepy glowing eyes that was.
"Do you think they're still after us?" Ussop asked, his voice once again cracking.
Ace looked at Luffy before turning back to them to shrug. "Who knows? I would say no but you have no idea how stubborn he can be."
"Do I even want to know who he is?"
"If all goes well you never will need to." Ace pointed out as he stared absentmindedly out the window. Despite the car going nearly eighty miles per hour he looked bored.
The tiny car fell into silence as it sped along the highway. The edge of the forest was to their right and nothing but dark fields on the left, not exactly a pleasant view. Everyone was tense, lost in their own thoughts. With the exception of the two forest dwellers that was. Ace just looked bored and Marco seriously doubted Luffy knew what scared meant.
It was Thatch who finally broke the silence with another question. "So if it's such a well-known fact Vampires exist why don't the villagers know?"
To their surprise it was Sanji who answered. Working at a shady bar he was well versed in such matters.
"For the most part they would rather not invite panic over it. People are freaked out enough over the existence of wolves. The last thing they need is another monster to worry about."
"Plus there's no survivors from a vampire attack." Luffy said absently, surprising the car's occupants.
"What was that?"
"Well when there's a wolf attack survivor everyone hears about it. But Vampires usually don't leave survivors."
"But there must be at least some right?" Ussop challenged. "They can't be perfect all the time."
"Uh-huh," Luffy said lazily looking out the window. "But by the time authorities are done with them they are convinced it was just another wolf attack. They don't want people to know about it so they usually just lie."
"How do you even know that?"
Luffy just shrugged, turning back to his carving. There were a few moments of silence before Ace broke it. Surprising everyone he suddenly sat up, leaning over Thatch to point at the muted radio.
"I know this song!"
Marco turned up the radio to a level human ears could pick up. Considering they were in the forest it was a miracle they got any reception at all. This one however was surprisingly strong. It still broke up at times and the back round was fuzzy but they could all hear the lyrics with little difficulty. Still Ace sounded so uncharacteristically excited it made him smile.
"It's Let It Be," Marco said a fond smile of his own. It had been a while since he heard this song. His father had insisted he grew up listening to the classics.
"Everyone knows this song," Thatch explained. "The Beatles are legendary."
Ace leaned forward, unaffected by the information. He seemed oddly content to just listen to the words.
"Where did you hear it?" Luffy asked stowing his knife back in his boot.
"My mom used to sing it to me." Ace said, catching the teenagers by surprise. He continued on obliviously. "She would always forget the words though."
Marco was honestly a little surprised by Ace's sudden willingness to share personal info. He was sure it wouldn't last long, no doubt the result of the nostalgia from the song rubbing off on the rest of them. Still it was a nice gesture.
Before he could think of what to say in reply Ace had stopped listening. Instead he had crawled into the trunk with his brother. The same board expression was directed out the back window.
"You might want to drive a little faster?" He suggested casually.
"Why's that?" Zoro asked already speeding up.
But the question came too late. The trunk was opened with a loud thunk as the two of them slipped out, onto the run down road.
"Any suggestions? Thatch asked, jumping to close the trunk.
"Drive faster stupid moss head," Sanji said kicking the back of Zoro's seat angrily.
"No duh idiot." Zoro retorted not losing a second.
"What do you think it is?" Ussop asked, once again sounding terrified.
"Whatever it is hopefully the two of them can handle it." Marco said loading his own weapon.
…
Sorry again for the wait. Hopefully next chapter will come sooner, my job is just two more weeks. For whatever reason I had a hard time writing this chapter I kept writing then erasing it. So it is quite poorly written but I hope it's worse in my head. Things are definitely starting to heat up with a confrontation between the group and Doflamingo on its way. Plus Sabo is coming back into the story soon after being neglected for like five chapters. And we got to meet Chopper. He will be making a reappearance soon. Just a few more straw hats and we will have a full set! Please tell me what you think! I'll try to update as soon as possible.
