Ch. 50- Goodbyes and the Sixth
One Piece © Oda
Blizzard, Monkey D. Aika, Kumi, Kovar, and Monkey D. Star © Me
Shade © Gakuto1991
Despite Crocodile's defeat, the Straw Hats knew that Luffy wasn't out of the woods, quite yet. Even though the memory had darkened, they could still hear the sound of the tomb rumbling around them. Luffy had not yet lost consciousness, but if nothing was done, the poison that was in his veins would soon kill him.
That's when the Straw Hats heard a small clinking sound, and soon after, a voice spoke.
"Hurry and gave that to him...quickly!"
The Straw Hats instantly recognized it as Past Robin's voice.
"That bottle contains the antidote to Crocodile's poison. Even if he gets buried underneath all this rubble, his rubbery body might allow him to survive."
"That's Robin's voice," Blizzard pointed out.
"Robin...you saved Luffy, again?" Nami asked.
"I just couldn't let him die," Robin shrugged. "Not after seeing how hard he fought."
"Thank you, Aunt Robin," Aika smiled, causing her to chuckle as she gently pet the girl on the head. Meanwhile, color was slowly fading into the memory, showing that Luffy was beginning to open his eyes a bit. Soon, Cobra came into view, glaring at Past Robin suspiciously, but took the small bottle she had tossed to him, nonetheless, then glanced at the Ponegliff nearby.
"You looked at me and told me that the only thing written on here was history," he said. "Why did you lie?"
"...You knew?" Past Robin asked with a small, sad smile. "How cruel."
The Straw Hats glanced over at the real Robin, who sighed and looked away. She was honestly hoping that Luffy remained unconscious during this part, but beggars couldn't be choosers, she supposed. Sensing her forlorn mood, Zoro reached over and pulled her close, causing her to smile gratefully as she felt him gently lean his head against hers and kissed her forehead.
"The history of our country is not written anywhere on that stone," said Cobra as he poured the antidote Luffy's mouth. "The location of that weapon that your organization is desired was definitely inscribed. If you had made the correct translation, Crocodile would have seized this country, would he not?"
"So Pluton really was hidden there in Alabasta, huh?" Franky asked.
"Of course," Robin answered, "but I just couldn't let Crocodile get it."
"So that's why you lied to him," Nami said, "and that's also why he attacked you."
"Yes," Robin affirmed. "It was worth the risk, though."
"I have no interest in this land," said Past Robin, tiredly. "Whether this country lives or dies, it doesn't matter to me. Regardless...I couldn't let Crocodile claim the weapon."
"...Jeez, Robin," Usopp muttered, "that's...kinda cold."
"Well, Usopp, you can't really blame her, can you?" Nami asked. "After all, Robin was betrayed by people throughout her life and she had to betray others in turn so that she could live. She would be indifferent to people she doesn't know."
"He is right, though," Robin said. "It is rather cold, isn't it?"
"It's in the past, now," Zoro replied. "Don't worry about it."
"Yeah, Robin!" Chopper added. "You know that, right?"
Robin only chuckled. "Thank you."
"So...why did you come here, then?" Cobra inquired.
"...It seems...I got my hopes up for nothing," Past Robin answered. "I was trying to find the one true Poneglyph...the Rio Poneglyph. Out of all of them in the world, this Poneglyph holds the True History."
"The...True History?" Cobra repeated.
"What does that mean, Aunt Robin?" Aika asked.
"I'll tell you when you're a little older, sweetheart," Robin replied.
"Enough, already," said Past Robin with a defeated tone in her voice. "I searched 20 years for what I desired most...and this was the only lead I had left. This kingdom was my last hope and it turned out to be an utter failure...if I die, here and now, then that would be just fine with me. I'm so tired of walking down the path that led me here...when all I wanted was to know the truth." She looked at Cobra with a bloody smile and tears falling from her eyes. "Alas...too many enemies got in the way of my dream..."
"...Robin..." Nami whispered, sadly. Seeing her like this reminded her of how she was back on Cocoyashi when Arlong betrayed her. She looked like someone who had truly given up all hope...and she would see this expression again on Enies Lobby. She understood that pain, all too well.
Franky only sighed as he glanced over at Robin, also knowing of the "enemies" she spoke of. He, too, knew of their cruelty.
Zoro glanced over at Robin and gave her hand a gentle squeeze, causing her to smile softly at him before she nodded her head in reassurance.
"...One more question, if I may," said Cobra. "Are you saying that this Rio Poneglyph you speak of contains the record of all the world's untold history?"
Past Robin didn't answer.
"But if that's the case, then why-" Cobra started, but at that moment, Luffy finally stood up and grabbed him before hoisting him over his shoulder. The Straw Hats could see he was wobbling a little bit, but at least he wasn't on the brink of death, anymore. That antidote must've worked. Then, without a word, he walked up to Past Robin and pulled her under his armpit.
"That's not really how you handle a lady," said Sanji in slight irritation.
"Well, he holds me like that, sometimes," Nami said. "It can be a bit degrading, but if it gets us out of danger faster, I'm not complaining."
"Okay," said Luffy. "Let's get outta here."
"Hold on!" Past Robin cried. "I no longer have any reason to live! Just leave me here!"
Luffy glanced at Past Robin...before he looked up at the collapsing tomb.
"I don't have to listen to anything you say," he said. "You can do whatever the hell you want once we're outta here."
Past Robin gasped silently, but remained quiet while the real Robin chuckled.
"Seems like I lost that one," she said to herself.
Soon, Luffy made his way out of the mausoleum with Cobra and Past Robin in tow by using the opening that he had made earlier. Once he was out, the Straw Hats were greeted by the sights and sounds of raindrops pattering on the ground and buildings.
"...It's...it's raining...!" Cobra whispered in awe. "It's finally raining!"
"...The rain...it returned, right here and now?" asked Past Robin in disbelief.
"So Crocodile really did steal the rain?" asked Aika.
"Whoa...it's so pretty...!" Kumi whispered in amazement.
"I don't think Crocodile really had anything to do with the rain being gone," Robin explained. "All in all...I'd say it was a miracle."
"Heh," Blizzard smirked. "That's Luffy for ya."
"Yohohoho!" Brook chortled. "What a perfect way to celebrate a victory in the desert!"
"Yeah, and it didn't come a moment too soon, either," Nami said. "As soon as it started raining, the people stopped fighting with each other and it allowed Vivi's voice to finally get through to them!"
Luffy sighed as he unceremoniously dropped Cobra and Past Robin before he collapsed on the cobblestone street, the rain falling on his face as he dropped to his knees.
"Dried-Up Pops," he whispered. "It's raining...just like you said..." He then smiled, tiredly. "It...couldn't be beaten...by the sand..."
Soon, Luffy's exhaustion finally overtook him and he collapsed completely...the memory fading to black as he did.
"...So that's what you meant when you said that Luffy forced you to live," Usopp said as he looked over at Robin, who nodded her head.
"At first, I simply thought he was being cruel," she said, "but that stubbornness of his ended up saving me not just once, but twice."
"Yeah, Luffy probably wouldn't be Luffy if he wasn't so stubborn," Sanji mused.
"I'd honestly be a little worried if he wasn't," said Blizzard.
"But that stubbornness sometimes puts him in danger," Chopper added. "Just look at what happened to him during that fight with Crocodile."
"How long was Big Brother out for, anyway?" Aika asked.
"3 days," Chopper answered. "On top of his injuries, his overexertion caused him to get a fever, so he had to sleep that off."
"Injuries and a fever?" Kumi asked. "No wonder he slept so long..."
Just then, the Straw Hats heard an all too familiar rumbling noise. Soon after, a new memory appeared, showing Luffy sitting up in bed, yawning loudly and stretching his arms. He was wearing some sort of light blue robe, too.
"Ahh, man!" he exclaimed. "I slept good!" He then put his hand on his head and realized his hat was missing. "Hey! My hat! Where the heck is my hat?!" He then put his hands over his stomach. "I'm starving, too. Where's my breakfast?"
"Jeez, you just woke up, and you're already making a racket," said Past Sanji. "And it won't be breakfast, it'll be dinner."
"Your hat is right there, Luffy," Past Usopp answered while pointing at a nearby night table. "You're lucky a soldier happened to find it near the palace."
"Oh!" Luffy exclaimed before he stretched his arm and grabbed his precious hat. "I missed ya!" He then placed it on his head.
"I'm glad to see that you're feeling well, Luffy," said Vivi.
"Feeling well?" Luffy repeated. "What do you mean? I was never not well."
"He would say that after falling asleep for 3 days," Franky quipped.
"But at least he's up and about, again!" Brook added. "Yohohohoho!"
"Ah, that idiot," Nami said while shaking her head, but she sounded relieved, all the same.
"You dummy," Past Nami said while holding a few cartography books. "You were in bad shape with a really high fever! Vivi and Chopper have been taking care of you, all this time!"
"Really?" Luffy asked as he looked at Vivi and Past Chopper. "Aww, thanks, you guys!"
Soon after, Past Zoro walked in, looking as if he had completely recovered, as well.
"Oh, hey, Luffy," he greeted. "Finally woke up, I see."
"Zoro, long time, no see!" Luffy exclaimed. "...Hey, wait a minute."
"AAH!" Past Chopper yelled. "There you are, Zoro! Where have you been?! You were out training, again, weren't you?!"
"Oh, get off my back, will you?" Past Zoro asked. "It's not like I have to tell you where I am."
"Yes, you do!" Past Chopper shouted. "I'm your doctor! I told you need absolute rest! And where are your bandages?!"
"I couldn't move very much with them on!" Past Zoro complained.
"You shouldn't BE moving!" Past Chopper countered.
"Seriously, Zoro, you're just as bad as Luffy is, sometimes," Chopper said with a stern glare.
"Oh, cut me some slack," Zoro grumbled. "Haven't I gotten a little better at that?"
"Oh, gee, lemme think," said Chopper. "NO."
"He's kinda right, Zoro," Nami added.
"Who asked you?!" Zoro questioned.
"Long time, no see...?" Luffy muttered while tilting his head in bewilderment. "What'd I say that for?"
"Probably it has been long, Luffy," Past Usopp answered. "You were out for three days."
"Three days?" Luffy repeated in shock. "Three whole days?"
"Eeyup!" Past Usopp confirmed.
"...I missed 15 meals," Luffy realized.
"You sure can calculate quickly when it comes to food!" Past Nami snapped.
"By his count, that's like 5 meals a day!" Past Usopp answered.
"I didn't math was even possible for someone like Luffy," said Sanji. "Who has five meals a day, anyway?"
"Well, there's breakfast, tea time, lunch, dinner, and then dessert, right?" Aika asked. "Or...or is it breakfast, brunch, lunch, snack, and dinner? Sometimes I forget what Big Brother says."
"You think everything that Luffy says is right," Kumi deadpanned.
"Not all the time!" Aika argued. "Just...just sometimes."
"Oh, boy..." Nami muttered in exasperation. Sometimes, the only thing she feels like Luffy ever taught Aika was how to be a glutton. Of course, her tables were better than his, but still.
"Don't worry, Luffy," Vivi smiled. "I told the kitchen staff to be ready to serve you at any time."
Soon, someone else entered the room with a cart full of food. At first, the group thought that it was Igaram, only wearing a red blouse, a creamy blonde wig, and makeup.
"Oh!" Brook exclaimed. "It's Mr. Igaram! It's good to see that he's alive!"
"Well, actually," Sanji began, "Igaram did live, but that's not him. That's his wife, Mrs. Terracotta."
"Hold up!" Franky exclaimed. "Did you say 'wife'?!"
"...Are you sure that's not him?" Blizzard asked with a sweatdrop. "She still looks like Igaram to me!"
"That's what I said," Zoro muttered while Robin laughed.
"Ah, I see the captain is awake!" Terracotta exclaimed. "Dinner will be ready in about half an hour. Do you think you can wait until then? Meals taste better when you share them with friends, you know."
"Hey, it's the Round-Haired Pops!" Luffy exclaimed. "You're alive after all!"
"What the hell?!" Past Zoro questioned. "Why are you cross-dressing, again?!"
"Actually, that's Terracotta, Igaram's wife," Vivi corrected. "She's also the palace housekeeper and head chef."
"Thank you very much for helping my husband," Terracotta said.
"I've heard that some couples look alike, but this is ridiculous..." Past Zoro grumbled.
"...Am I the only one who was still a little freaked out by that?" Usopp asked.
"No," Nami, Zoro, Sanji, and Chopper answered, collectively.
"I heard you have quite the appetite, Straw Hat," said Terracotta. "You and your friends can eat that fruit there in the cart until dinner's ready, all right?"
"Sure, thanks," Luffy said before the fruit somehow instantly disappeared into his mouth and down his gullet.
"GREEDY PIG!" Past Zoro and Past Sanji both yelled.
"Hey, lady," Luffy said. "I wanna eat three days worth of food, okay?"
"Ask politely when talking to a lady, you glutton!" Sanji barked. "Seriously, he has no manners, at all..."
"Wonderful!" Terracotta exclaimed while heaving an arm. "I've been cooking for 30 years, now! No young man's appetite will defeat me! Eat as much as you want!"
Soon, the memory shifted, showing the Past Straw Hats sitting in the royal dining hall, eating as much food as they possibly could. Of course, Luffy took every opportunity he could to snatch up anything he had in his sights. He even snatched the meat off of Past Zoro's fork, right when he was about to eat it, even snatched some of Past Sanji's food, and ate Past Usopp's crab. Past Nami even punched Luffy in the face for being greedy.
In spite of this, the food kept on coming.
"I see that dinner was quite lively," Brook said.
"What else is new?" Nami asked with an amused smile.
"Wow, that all looks so yummy!" Aika exclaimed.
"Yeah," Kumi agreed with drool in her mouth. "I wish I could have some of that stuff!"
"I sure learned a lot of good recipes, there," said Sanji. "Terracotta was kind enough to let me use some of hers."
In the memory, Luffy attempted to eat one of Past Usopp's riceballs, but he snatched it up so quickly, he didn't see that the sniper had laced it with Tabasco sauce, causing him to comically spew flames from his mouth. What really took Past Usopp by surprise, though, was when Eyelash the camel somehow appeared and was eating a piece of steak with a fork and knife in his hooves. The Straw Hats didn't know what was stranger: an herbivore eating meat or the fact that he even knew how to use utensils in the first place.
Luffy attempted to make conversation with Cobra, but due to having his mouthful, the king couldn't really tell what he was saying, so he decided that they should talk after dinner, which Luffy agreed to as he began scarfing down even more food. Meanwhile, Past Zoro was calling out for more ale while Past Sanji was trying to help Past Chopper, who was choking on some noodles that he was eating too quickly. The guards that stood in the hall were disgusted by the pirates' lack of manners in the hall, but they noticed that Vivi was laughing at their antics, and soon enough, the guards couldn't help laughing, either, and with good reason. Luffy had bloated up to the size of a beach ball after eating so much and Past Usopp was dancing on the table while balancing a teacup on his nose. Past Chopper had even joined them, putting chopsticks in his lips and nostrils while dancing with the sniper and captain on the table. The rest of the crew couldn't help laughing at the Idiot Trio, and soon, Cobra, Igaram, Chaka, and the guards were howling with laughter, as well.
"Shishishi!" Aika giggled. "I love it when everybody's happy and laughing like this!"
"Leave it to you guys to teach some tightwads to lighten up, huh?" Franky asked. "Hahahahaha!"
"I guess even a quiet meal turns into a party when it comes to us," Nami said with an amused meal. "Then again, if it was quiet, it would be pretty boring, now wouldn't it?"
"I'll say," Zoro smirked.
The memory shifted, once again, showing the male members of the Straw Hats in the royal bathhouse.
"Ah-ah-ah!" Usopp cried as he promptly covered Aika's and Kumi's eyes. "No girls should see this!"
"Hey!" Aika cried.
"Oh, relax, Usopp!" Zoro shouted. "We're all wearing towels!"
"I'd rather not take that risk, thank you very much!" Usopp argued.
Soon, Luffy and Past Usopp were running along the wet floors, but they instantly slipped and hit their heads, sliding around as they did.
"Really, you guys?" Past Sanji in disbelief, surprisingly still smoking his cigarette.
"That was quite a lively dinner," said Cobra while Luffy and Past Usopp were splashing around behind him. "I'd intended to mark the occasion with a nice, formal banquet, but it seems anything you become involved in becomes a party very quickly."
"Morons," Nami muttered. "You're not supposed to cause a ruckus in a bathhouse. It's bad decorum!"
"Hey, Luffy instigated that splash fight!" Usopp countered.
Soon, Luffy and Past Usopp were standing under a waterfall, taking meditative poses.
"Hey, Zoro!" Luffy called to Past Zoro, who was scrubbing Past Chopper's back. "Look over here! Look at what at we're doing!"
"We're training!" Past Usopp exclaimed.
"Real funny," Past Zoro glared.
"Were you two making fun of me?" asked Zoro, causing Usopp to chuckle sheepishly.
"Hey," Past Sanji said as he nudged Igaram with a pervy grin. "Where's the women's bath?"
"YOU'RE NUTS!" Igaram shouted as he swatted his hand away. "AND WHY WOULD I TELL YOU THAT?! THAT'S WHERE THE PRINCESS IS!"
"I know~!" Past Sanji grinned.
"It's right over that wall!" answered Cobra as he pointed to the wall that separated the men's bath from the women's bath.
"YOUR MAJESTY!" Igaram yelled.
"Hey, thanks, old guy!" Past Usopp said. "You're the best! Hey, Luffy! You come, too!"
"Okay!" Luffy answered.
"Yohohohoho!" Brook chortled with a perverted flush on his cheeks. "I quite like that king, as well!"
"Ugh...perverts..." Nami groaned. "ALL of them...thank god the king was only interested in looking at me. If he wanted to peep at his own daughter, that's when I think there'd be something wrong."
Soon, the boys, except for Zoro, were all climbing up on the wall. Even Eyelash was there ogling at Past Nami and Vivi, the latter of whom quickly gasped as she noticed them.
"W-what are you all doing over there?!" she asked.
"Peeping..." Past Nami muttered in exasperation. "Fine! But it'll cost you 100,000 Berries each!"
"Huh?" Luffy muttered.
"Happiness Punch!" Past Nami exclaimed as she soon dropped her towel, and suddenly, the boys (especially Brook) had huge nosebleeds as they all dropped to the floor.
"WHOA!" Usopp exclaimed as he, too, had a nosebleed. Even Blizzard had a nosebleed!
"...Like I said," Nami began with disdain, "I'm surrounded by perverts."
Luffy lied there in a daze, his nose bloody and a face flushing his cheeks. The memory had turned slightly pink and the Straw Hats could hear his heart beating again.
"...Whoa..." he whispered. "What just happened?"
"That, my friend, was called a nosebleed," Past Usopp answered while wiping his own nose. "It happens when you see a body of the opposite sex...in this case, Nami."
"...Oh," Luffy said. "Naked Nami is kinda pretty."
"HUH?!" Nami exclaimed while her face turned redder than it had ever been before, and meanwhile, Zoro was snickering.
"Wait, I don't get it," said Aika, her eyes still covered. "What just happened?"
"You don't wanna know, dear," Robin answered.
"...Thank you," Cobra said with a bloody nose.
"Pervert," the rest of the boys said.
"Like any of you have room to talk!" Nami yelled.
"Hey, don't look at me!" Zoro barked. "I didn't peep on anybody!"
"NOT FOR THAT!" Cobra yelled as he wiped his nose and looked at the group. "...For the country." He soon dropped to his hands and bowed his head low.
"Whoa," Franky said as he raised his sunglasses. "Since when does a king bow?"
"Since Luffy came along, I suppose," Nami answered.
"Hey, buddy," said Past Zoro. "Is a king really supposed to be doing something like that?"
"He's right, Your Majesty," said Igaram, his nose still bloody, too. "You are the king of this land. You mustn't bow your head to anyone!"
"Maybe so, Igaram," said Cobra, "but a king's title is something he wears over his clothes...and here, in the bathhouse, there is no such thing as a naked king, is there? To you Straw Hats...I wish to thank you all, not as a king...but as a father and a citizen of this country...from the very bottom of my heart." He then raised his head and smiled. "So...thank you."
"Shishishishishishi!" Luffy laughed. "No problem, old man!"
The memory shifted once again. It was dark outside the windows, showing that night had now fallen. The Past Straw Hats had reconvened in the bedroom where they were staying.
"What?!" Past Usopp asked. "Tonight?!"
"Yes, Usopp, tonight," Past Nami answered.
"So we're really leaving, then?" asked Past Chopper, sounding a bit disappointed.
"That's probably for the best," said Past Zoro. "There's no reason for us to stick around here, anymore."
"And we saw the Marines creeping around," Past Sanji added while Vivi sat down next to him. "Who knows what they could be up to?"
"Hmm...what do you think, Luffy?" asked Past Usopp.
"Yeah, we should probably leave," Luffy answered, "but only after we've had some more yummy food!"
"No, now, you idiot!" Past Zoro shouted as he and Past Sanji both bonked him on the head.
"Ow! Okay, we'll go!" Luffy cried. "Sheesh!"
"Always thinking with his stomach, that one," Sanji muttered.
"He never changes," Usopp added.
Just then, they heard a knock at the door, and as they looked up, one of the palace guards entered, holding a Transponder Snail in his hand.
"Excuse me, Straw Hats," said the guard. "You have a call on the Transponder Snail."
"A call?" Past Nami repeated.
"From who?" asked Luffy.
"Not sure," answered the guard. "Someone named 'Bon'?"
"Wait, Bon?" Franky repeated. "You mean...Bon Clay? That Bon?"
"That's the only Bon I can think of," Blizzard muttered.
"Bon?" Past Nami asked, just as confused. "Who the hell is that?"
"We don't know anybody named 'Bon', do we?" Past Usopp asked.
"He says a friend of yours," the guard said.
"Well, let's take the call!" Luffy answered.
"Hold it, Luffy," Past Zoro said, ever cautious. "It might be some kind of trap."
Soon, Past Sanji picked it up, and not long after, this loud, boisterous voice came from the snail.
"Hello! Hello~! It's me! It! Is! ME!"
"Hey, what do you know?" Aika asked. "It is Bon Clay!"
Just as soon as he picked it up, though, Past Sanji hung up the snail, only for it to start ringing.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT, ALREADY?!" the cook yelled, and that's when Luffy picked up, instead.
"Hey, is that you, Swan Guy?" Luffy asked. "What do you want?"
"Oh! It's you, Straw Hat! You sure are a strong one, aren't you? You sure surprised me! Oh, and don't call me Mr. 2. If the Marines intercept this call, I'll be in big trouble!"
"But you just called yourself Mr. 2!" Past Chopper pointed out.
"The man wasn't too bright, was he?" Brook asked.
"Not really, no," Sanji answered.
"What do you want, already?" asked Past Zoro.
"Ah, yes," Bon Clay answered. "I've taken your ship!"
"QUIT JOKING!" the Past Straw Hats shouted all at once.
"Don't joke about that, you crappy swan!" Past Sanji barked. "Where the hell are you?!"
"Aboard your ship, of course!"
"Why, you no-good pile of-" Luffy started.
"Now, now, let's not be hasty! Listen...we're friends, right? Right!"
Soon, he hung up, again, but not before they were told his location.
"He's upstream on the Sandora River, apparently," said Past Sanji. "What do you guys think? Should we trust him?"
"Well, we were friends when we met him, right?" asked Luffy.
"Knowing you, you'd probably be friends with him, again," Past Zoro muttered. "That's what scares me."
"We'll have to go to him, won't we?" asked Past Chopper.
"We don't have much of a choice," Past Sanji said. "That crap swan has got our ship...but if it turns out to be a trap, I'm kicking his ass for good."
"Right then," Past Zoro nodded. "Then let's go."
Soon, everyone was preparing to leave...but then, Luffy looked at Vivi, who rubbed her arm, tentatively.
"Erm..." she muttered.
"Vivi?" Past Nami asked. "What's up?"
"Well...you see," Vivi answered. "I..."
"Yes?" Past Sanji inquired.
"...I don't know what to do," Vivi said as she hung her head.
"What's wrong with Vivi?" asked Aika.
"Vivi was kind of having a hard time deciding on what she wanted to do," Sanji answered.
"She did?" Aika asked.
"You see, Aika," Nami began, "Vivi wanted to come with us, but...she was torn between leaving with us and staying in Alabasta."
"You mean she was willing to run away with you all?" Brook inquired.
"She was," Nami answered, "but...we couldn't make her come with us...it was really her decision to make."
"And you were okay with that?" Aika asked. "Especially you, Sanji? Isn't Vivi your girlfriend?"
"I can't make Vivi choose between our two worlds," Sanji replied. "If I really love her, then I should allow her the freedom to do what she wants. Besides, we're still keeping in touch and that's good enough for me."
"...I suppose that's okay," Aika said.
Soon, the Past Straw Hats had all gathered their things and were preparing to jump out the window.
"Listen, Vivi," said Past Nami. "We'll give you 12 hours to make a decision. Once we get our ship back at the Sandora River, we'll make a short stop at the Eastern Port at exactly 12 noon, tomorrow...but we won't be able to drop anchor. If you wanna come with us, that's gonna be your only chance...and if you're there, we'll welcome you as one of the Straw Hat Pirates. Sound good?"
"Mm-hmm," Vivi nodded in determination.
"Vivi," Past Sanji began while gently holding her hands, "I know that the life of a pirate isn't a luxurious one...but we'd still love to have you...but only if you want to." He then lightly kissed her hand, causing her to giggle.
"Oh, Sanji," she said. "You and everyone else treated me so kindly...you're almost making it hard for me to stay."
"Then come with us, now!" Luffy exclaimed.
"Luffy, knock it off!" Past Usopp barked as he began to push Luffy toward the window.
"Oh, come on!" Luffy complained. "Don't you guys want Vivi to join?"
"We do," Past Usopp answered, "but don't put any more pressure on her! She has to make the decision on her own!"
Just before Luffy was practically tossed out the window by Past Zoro, he turned and saw Past Sanji give Vivi a hug...and she responded by giving him a kiss on the lips, causing Luffy's eyes to widen.
"Whoa...!" he whispered. "Since when did they-AAH!" He screamed as Past Zoro "accidentally" dropped him, and the memory turned black the moment he hit the sand below.
"Did you have to drop him, Zoro?!" asked Nami.
"He was taking too long!" Zoro argued.
"He saw me and Vivi kiss...?" Sanji muttered.
"Apparently," Usopp replied.
"Haha!" Franky laughed as he smacked Sanji in the back, inadvertently knocking the wind out of him. "Nice goin', there, buddy!"
"Yes, indeed!" Brook added. "It's not every day that you get to kiss a princess! Yohohoho!"
"Ugh...thanks...!" Sanji groaned.
"But even after you gave her the choice," Blizzard began, "she decided to stay here in Alabasta?"
"It was for the best," Sanji answered. "A life of a pirate is no life for a princess...and besides, her kingdom needed her more than we did."
"We might see her again, one day, though," Nami added. "Hopefully."
"Yeah, I'd like that, too," Chopper smiled.
"Hey, wait a sec," Kumi said. "Where was Robin during all this?"
"Come to think of it, Kumi's right," Aika said as she looked up at Robin. "Aunt Robin, after Big Brother got you out of that tomb, where'd you go?"
"Well," Robin began, "I wandered the desert for some time, trying to avoid getting captured by the Marines. After my wounds healed, I stumbled upon the Going Merry, and I saw Bon Clay there, too."
"Oh, so that's how you got on board!" Nami realized.
"Yes," Robin answered. "Out of everyone in Baroque Works, Bon Clay and I were the only ones who were pretty close. He took pity on me and let me board the ship with him. I hid away until it was safe for me to come out."
"Well, I'm glad you decided to come with us," Zoro smirked, causing Robin to chuckle as she kissed him on the cheek.
Soon, the memory returned, and the Past Straw Hats were seen riding on the backs of several ducks, about as big, if not bigger than Carue.
"Oh, wow, look at all the duckies!" Aika exclaimed.
"Are they friends of Carue?" asked Kumi.
"They're not just his friends," Chopper answered. "They're the Super Sonic Duck Squad, and Carue's their captain!"
"And they're one of the fastest animals in the desert!" Usopp added.
"Wow, cool!" Aika piped up.
"Well, well!" Bon Clay exclaimed as he stood on the Going Merry. "Long time, no see, everybody! Did you miss little ol' me?!"
"Not in the least!" shouted Past Zoro as he and others started to unload their belongings. Soon, the Super Sonic Duck Squad said their goodbyes and headed back to the desert while the Past Straw Hats waved them off. Hell, even Bon Clay waved them off...right before he got angry and shouted at the Past Straw Hats for their lack of manners.
"Honestly, is this any way to treat a friend?!" asked Bon Clay.
"Don't call us that," Luffy said. "You're not our friend! You tricked us!"
"What are you talking about?!" Bon Clay questioned. "I didn't know who you guys were, either!"
"He has a point," Brook replied. "You didn't know that he was with Baroque Works at the time."
"Yeah, I suppose so," Nami admitted while crossing her arms.
"Honestly, can't we just let bygones be bygones?" asked Bon Clay, briefly apologizing to Past Zoro as he came aboard, demanding to be let through as he put the Straw Hats' things on the ship. "Baroque Works is ancient history, now! We're not enemies, anymore!"
"If you're not our enemy, then why'd you take our ship?!" asked Luffy.
"Really!" Bon Clay shouted. "How dense can you be?!"
"What do you mean, 'dense'?!" Luffy questioned.
"Listen here!" Bon Clay declared. "If I hadn't taken your ship upstream, do you know what would've happened?!"
"The Marines probably would've taken it," Past Nami answered, matter-of-factly, causing Luffy to gape in shock.
"Not 'probably'! Definitely!" Bon Clay argued. "Do you even know what's going on around this kingdom?! The island's completely surrounded by Marine battleships! Not even a swan could get out of here without coming under fire!"
"Then...you saved the Merry?!" Luffy asked.
"But why would you do that?!" Past Usopp questioned.
"Yeah, why?!" Past Chopper added.
"It's because," Bon Clay began while giving a thumbs-up and shedding tears, "we're friends!"
Soon, the Immature Trio began to dance the Can-Can with Bon Clay, singing and laughing merrily.
"Aww, that's so nice!" Aika exclaimed. "He still thinks of you guys as friends!"
"Well...it's not really just that, honey," Nami said.
"So, lemme guess," Past Zoro spoke. "Your ship's trapped because of the blockade and you need us to help you, don't you?"
"BON?!" Luffy, Past Usopp, and Past Chopper cried in dismay while Bon Clay gaped.
"Huh," Franky scoffed. "It figures."
"Actually, Bon Clay really did come through for us," Sanji said. "He sure surprised me in the end, really."
"What do you mean?" Brook inquired.
"You'll see later on," Sanji answered.
"Okay, I confess!" Bon Clay cried. "You caught me, redhanded, but don't you see?! We have to band together as friends, especially in these trying times!"
"YEAH!" Luffy, Past Usopp, and Past Chopper cheered loudly lin agreement.
"Oh, good grief," Past Nami muttered.
"To friendship!" exclaimed Bon Clay's crew.
"WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING OVER THERE?!" Past Zoro questioned, and soon, the memory faded to black, once more.
"You gotta admit," Franky began, "that Bon Clay sure knows how to be the life of the party!"
"Yeah...I kinda miss him," Chopper said, sadly.
"It's kinda strange how Luffy is able to make allies out of old enemies, huh?" Usopp asked.
"I guess that's charisma for you," Nami replied.
"Mm-hmm..." Robin nodded in agreement.
Soon, the memory returned and the Straw Hats saw their past selves under fire from several Marine battleships...only instead of cannonballs, they were shooting giant harpoons at them, and some were already stuck in the Going Merry's hull!
"Dammit, shoot cannonballs, already!" Luffy cursed. "I can't bounce back pointy things!"
"Oh, no!" Kumi cried. "You guys are under attack!"
"Hey, someone do something!" Past Sanji yelled. "If we get hit by more of those harpoons in the hull, we're sunk!"
"Oh, no! Here they come!" Past Nami cried as the Marines began to fire more harpoons at them, this time hitting the starboard side.
"Hey!" Past Chopper cried as he came up top while holding pieces of lumber. "I can't keep boarding up these holes if they keep shooting at us!"
"Guys, don't just sit there! Do something!" Past Nami demanded.
"We're trying our best, here!" Past Zoro yelled.
"Eight ships against one isn't a fair fight!" Past Sanji added. "It's hard enough trying to protect just one side!"
"Jeez!" Franky exclaimed as he checked the damage. "No wonder your ship was already falling apart by the time you guys got to Water 7!"
"It wasn't our fault!" Usopp argued. "The Merry just wasn't built for battle!"
"I'm not saying it was your fault!" Franky countered. "Calm down, will ya?!"
"Poor Merry," Aika said, sadly. "It must have hurt, having all those harpoons in her!"
"Yeah," Nami agreed. "If she could talk, we'd probably hear her screaming in pain."
As the battle raged on, the Straw Hats could've sworn that they saw two familiar faces onboard one of the battleships: Fullbody and, of all people, Jango. They were yelling some kind of nonsense, but the Past Straw Hats weren't too inclined to listen to whatever it was they were saying. It wasn't very long before Past Usopp shot them down with a cannonball...even though he seemed surprised at the direct hit.
"I still can't believe they enlisted Jango into the Marines," said Usopp. "Don't they do background checks, anymore?"
"I'm surprised they still kept that idiot, Fullbody, around," Sanji spoke.
"Wow, Usopp!" Aika exclaimed. "You were amazing!"
"Yeah, you got those guys in just one shot!" Kumi added. "That's so cool!"
"Heh!" Usopp smirked. "Well, I wasn't the sniper for nothin', you know!"
"Impressive," Robin smiled. "Maybe next time, we should leave all the ship's defenses to you, Usopp."
"Err...no thanks!" Usopp stammered. "I mean...why hog all the fun, right?" He then chuckled, nervously.
"Hey, Bon Clay!" cried one of Bon Clay's crew members. "We got a problem!"
"Hmm?" Bon Clay hummed, questioningly. "What is it?!"
"It's Black Cage Hina!" shouted one of his crew, causing Bon Clay to scream in horror.
"BLACK CAGE HINA?!" Bon Clay questioned. "YOU'RE KIDDING ME!"
"Black Cake Who-na?" Luffy asked.
"Black Cage Hina!" Bon Clay repeated. "She's a Marine Captain and we're under her jurisdiction! That woman is a real pain! We have to hurry up and fly the coop!"
"Who is this 'Hina' woman?" Brook inquired.
"She's known for being quite ruthless," said Robin. "She's called 'Black Cage' because of her Cage-Cage Fruit powers. She's as beautiful as she is deadly."
"Ooh..." Aika shuddered. "She doesn't sound nice like Miss Tashigi."
"So if she was a Captain back then," Chopper began, "I bet she's probably as tough as Smoker is, huh?"
"More than likely," Robin replied.
Just as Bon Clay's men were getting ready to escape, however, the Past Straw Hats remained silent.
"What's wrong?!" Bon Clay questioned. "Why aren't you following us?! Can't you see Hina's ship is getting closer?!"
"...If you guys wanna go," Luffy began, "then you can go on without us. We can't follow."
"WHAT?!" Bon Clay questioned. "AND WHY NOT?!"
"We have to be at the Eastern Port at noon!" Past Nami answered. "It's an important appointment! Since we can't go around, we have to go straight through!"
"You were really risking everything, just to go and see Vivi right then and there?" asked Blizzard.
"Pretty much," answered Zoro. "Even if there was a chance she wouldn't be there, we had to go."
"And why would you all go and do such a foolhardy thing?!" asked Bon Clay. "Is there some treasure that's so important, you're willing to risk your freedom for it?!" He then turned his back on them. "If you're willing to die for that, then so be it!"
"...We're going to meet up with a friend of ours," Luffy answered, causing Bon Clay to gape in shock.
"A...a friend, you say?" he asked, causing the Straw Hats to nod at him...and suddenly, he stood upon the railing, striking a pose. "Change of plans, men...we're going to fight the Marines!"
"Huh?!" the Past Straw Hats and Bon Clay's crew questioned.
"You're kidding me!" Franky exclaimed. "He sure changed his mind, fast!"
"...Oh, man...I'm getting déjà vu," Blizzard muttered.
"What are you talking about, Blizzard?" Chopper asked. "You weren't even there!"
"I-I know I wasn't there," Blizzard answered. "I...I was just...n-never mind. You'll see what I mean, later on."
"But Bon Clay, why?!" asked one of Bon Clay's men.
"Silence!" Bon Clay shouted. "Listen up, now, boys! You too, Straw Hats! Now that I know the truth, I can't just turn tail and run away! These pirates are risking their lives for a friend! How can we turn our backs on them, now?!"
Bon Clay's crew all gaped in shock, realizing that their captain spoke the truth.
"Now listen up!" Bon Clay exclaimed...as tears fell from his smiling face. "Here's the plan."
"Oh, that Bon Clay," Robin said. "Come what may, he'll always treasure friendship above all else."
"I see," Brook said as he held his hands behind his back. "A most admirable trait, indeed."
Soon, Bon Clay and his men sailed off, setting themselves as a diversion from the Past Straw Hats, who soon went off to meet up with Vivi at the exact spot they planned. Bon Clay and his crew tried to fight Hina and her soldiers off...but alas, they were no match. It wasn't long before their ship went down in flames...and the Past Straw Hats (mostly Luffy, Past Usopp, and Past Chopper) watched in tears...but Past Sanji looked pretty steamed.
"NAMI DOESN'T HAVE A MUSTACHE, YOU IDIOTS!" he yelled while Luffy, Past Usopp, and Past Chopper were bawling.
"WE WON'T FORGET WHAT YOU DID, BON!" Luffy sobbed.
"Bon Clay!" cried Aika while Kumi howled mournfully.
"BWAAAAAAAAAAH!" Franky wailed. "WHAT AN ADMIRABLE PERVERT HE WAS! I WON'T FORGET HIM, EVEN THOUGH I'VE NEVER MET HIM BEFORE!"
"Such a noble sacrifice...!" Brook whispered. "And all in the name of friendship!"
"Indeed," Robin agreed. "I was going to miss him."
Soon, the Past Straw Hats had arrived at the Eastern Harbor, just as they had promised...but Vivi was nowhere in sight. However, they could hear the sound of her voice coming from somewhere on the island.
"Did you guys hear that?" asked Past Zoro. "That was Vivi's voice."
"That was the broadcast of the ceremony they're holding Alubarna," Past Sanji spoke while heaving a small sigh. "I guess she's not coming with us, after all."
"No," Luffy replied. "That just sounded like her voice! She'll definitely be here! I just know it!"
"Luffy," said Past Nami, "I know you really wanted her to come with us, but it's past noon, already. Let's just go."
"No!" Luffy argued. "We're not leaving without her! Vivi will definitely show up! Let's go ashore! She has to be here, somewhere, right?!"
"...Oh, Luffy," the present-day Nami whispered. As stubborn as her captain was, she had to find it admirable how he refused to leave a friend behind.
"Oh, crap!" Past Usopp cried. "Guys! Incoming Marines!"
"What?!" Past Zoro questioned. "How many ships do they have?!" He then turned to the others. "Guys! We gotta get going!"
"Turning the ship hard to starboard!" Past Usopp called as he ran to take the rudder...but Luffy refused to budge.
"Luffy, you heard what Nami said," said Past Sanji. "Vivi can't just up and leave."
"But-" Luffy started.
"Luffy, it's over," Past Nami interrupted. "Come on, we gotta go, or else we'll get caught!"
"...Okay..." Luffy replied as he prepared to follow the others...but then...
"EVERYBODY~!"
The Straw Hats, both past and present versions, gasped as they heard the sound of Vivi's voice, and sure enough, there she was, standing on the rocky cape while wearing an extravagant dress with Carue at her side, both of them waving to their friends.
"Vivi!" Luffy exclaimed. "Guys, look! I told you she'd make it!"
"Vivi!" Past Nami cheered.
"Quick! Let's turn the ship around!" Past Usopp shouted, excitedly.
"Vivi, my dear!" Past Sanji called, happily.
"We gotta hurry!" Past Chopper added. "The Marines on our tail!"
"Heh!" Franky smirked. "So she showed up, after all!"
"...Hey," Aika said as she noticed a Transponder Snail on top of Carue's head. "What's she doing with that snail?"
"Huh?" Blizzard muttered before he noticed the snail, too. "Oh...what's that for?"
"Is she making an announcement?" asked Brook.
"...Guys!" Vivi called. "I came to say goodbye to you all!"
"Huh?" Luffy muttered.
Soon, Vivi held up the snail's receiver.
"I'm sorry...but I can't go with you guys!" she spoke. "But...I just wanted to say thank you for everything you've done! I would love to keep adventuring with you all...but I just can't! I love this land too much to leave it! That's why I can't go with you!"
"...I see," Luffy said with a smile...even though the Straw Hats could make out just a tiny bit of reluctance in his eyes.
"...Suddenly...I feel teary-eyed...!" Brook muttered. "Even though I don't have tear ducts...!"
"I'm not gonna cry, I'm not gonna cry, I'm not gonna cry...!" Franky chanted to himself...even though he was already in tears.
"Big Brother looks sad, too," Aika said. "He really wanted Vivi to come, didn't he?"
"Yeah," Nami replied, "but he knew that in the end, he couldn't force Vivi to go...we all knew that."
"I'm going to stay here in Alabasta!" Vivi called out through her tears. "But...if we ever do meet again...WILL YOU STILL CALL ME YOUR FRIEND?!"
"Of cou-MMPH!" Luffy called, only for Past Nami to cover his mouth.
"Quiet!" she whispered. "Don't answer! The Marines are right nearby! If they can prove she has a connection to us, she'll be labeled a criminal! You don't really want that for her, do you?!"
"Wait...they would?!" Aika asked. "But she's a princess!"
"That's not fair!" Kumi cried.
"The World Government is never fair," Sanji said as he looked away. "I wanted Vivi to come, too...but it was best she stayed home. We couldn't risk her safety."
"...Just turn away," Past Nami told Luffy. "Don't say a word."
The Past Straw Hats soon turned around as their navigator instructed.
"So...that's it?" Aika asked. "You're not gonna say goodbye to her?!"
"That's messed up!" Franky added.
"Hold on," said Blizzard. "I think there's more to it than that."
The Past Straw Hats all glanced at each other...then they nodded their heads before they looked down at their left wrists where their wrappings were. They soon tore them off...and raised them high above their heads.
"Oh!" Aika exclaimed. "The Friendship Marks!"
"Maybe we didn't exactly say it," Nami began, "but...we think she got the message."
"Heh," Zoro smirked while crossing her arms while he, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, and Chopper looked down at their wrists...and they could just barely make out a faded "X" mark. In the memory, Vivi smiled before she and Carue also held up their left wrists (well, left wing in Carue's case).
"SET SAIL~!" Luffy roared...and soon, the memory faded to black.
"Now that's what I call a sendoff," Blizzard said with a warm smile.
"Even though I've never met Vivi," Aika said, "watching all these memories really helped me get to know her."
"I concur," Brook agreed. "I wonder if she would let me look at her-"
"Don't even think about it!" Nami and Sanji barked.
"I already miss that girl," Franky began, "even though we never met."
"I have a feeling that we might see her again, one day," Robin smiled.
"I sure hope so!" Kumi exclaimed with a wagging tail. "I wanna meet her, personally!"
Soon, the next memory started up. The Past Straw Hats were still on the Going Merry, only now, the Marines were long gone.
"Looks like we finally lost the Marines," said Past Zoro...but all he got in response was a chorus of despondent groans. "That's good news, isn't it? We shook 'em off!"
More groans answered, causing him to grumble in irritation as he looked up and the rest of the Past Straw Hats, all lying on the upper deck, staring at an empty space with teary-eyes and pouting lips.
"Stop it!" Past Zoro shouted. "What's with all the pathetic groans?!"
"...WE MISS HER~!" Luffy and the others sobbed.
"Enough of that whining, already!" Past Zoro shouted. "If you wanted her to join us that bad, then you shouldn't have let her leave!"
"Ah! You savage!" Past Chopper spat.
"Blockhead!" Past Nami shouted.
"Idiot Moss-head," Past Sanji snarled.
"Three-Swords Style..." Luffy grumbled.
"Saying 'Three-Swords Style' isn't an insult, Luffy!" Past Usopp pointed out.
"...Four-Swords Style," Luffy attempted to correct himself.
"Seriously, bro, that's cold," Franky said as he looked at Zoro, who sighed and shook his head.
"Look, it's not my fault they decided to be all honorable!" Zoro argued. "If they didn't want her to go, they shouldn't have given her the choice!"
"You really are heartless, you know that?!" Sanji questioned.
"I know I'm heartless," Brook began, "but only because I'm a skeleton!"
"Sometimes, I wonder if Luffy was right to let you join," Nami added.
"Zoro's a meanie!" Aika and Kumi both shouted before they blew raspberries at the swordsman, who could only groan in irritation, as did his past-self, who turned and walked away...but at that moment, a door behind him opened and a familiar voice spoke.
"Looks like we finally escape the firing squad."
"Yeah," Past Zoro replied.
"Excellent work," said Past Robin as she came outside, shocking the Past Straw Hats.
"Here to avenge your friends?!" Past Zoro questioned as he put his hand on his swords. "Just try it!"
"What the hell are you doing here?!" Past Nami asked while holding the large bump on her head from when she hit it against the railing.
"Warning! Warning!" Past Usopp yelled into a bullhorn while Past Chopper ran around, screaming in a panic.
"Hey! It's Aunt Robin!" Aika exclaimed.
"HAHAHAHA!" Franky laughed. "She sure gave you guys a shock!"
"Ugh..." Nami groaned as she rubbed her crown. "I remember that big bump on my head that I got after that...not fun."
Robin chuckled. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to startle anybody."
"You were kinda onboard our ship without us knowing," Zoro replied. "How could we know you were actually there?"
"True," Robin replied as the memory played on. Past Robin walked casually among the crew, who stood around her with wary expressions (except for Past Sanji, of course). Past Zoro held his swords while Past Nami clutched her Clima-Tact...but then, using her powers, Past Robin easily knocked them out of their hands.
"I thought I told you not to point such dangerous things at me," she said with a somewhat smug grin on her face. "Are you always this slow?"
"How long have you been stowing away on our ship?!" Past Nami questioned.
"The whole time," Past Robin answered as she pulled out a deck chair. "These are your clothes, right? They're a bit small, but I'm borrowing them until I can get my own."
"WAIT JUST A MINUTE, LADY!" Past Nami shouted. "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!"
"You guys sure weren't happy to see Aunt Robin," Aika said, "and she still seemed kinda mean."
"Well, we still kind of considered her our enemy," Usopp replied.
"And I still had a few trust issues to work out," Robin added.
"Well, that's reasonable," said Blizzard. "At least things worked out in the end."
"Monkey D. Luffy," Past Robin spoke as she looked at Luffy, who blinked at her in confusion. "I hope you haven't forgotten what you did to me."
"What?!" Past Sanji questioned before he grabbed Luffy and shook him, furiously. "Luffy, what the hell did you do this beautiful woman, you lousy bastard?!"
"Ah! Stop shaking me!" Luffy cried before he looked to Past Robin. "Hey, stop lying! I didn't do anything to you, lady!"
"Oh, yes, you did," Past Robin answered as she lounged in the chair, already making herself at home. "And it was unbearable...now you have to take responsibility."
"What did she mean by that?!" Past Sanji yelled as he shook Luffy with even more force. "What did you do to her, Luffy?! You better confess!"
"First off," Luffy began before he shoved the irate cook away, "lemme go!" He then glared at Robin. "Second, you're not making any sense! What do you want me to do?!"
"...I want to join you," Past Robin answered.
"WHAAAAAAAT?!" the Past Straw Hats questioned in disbelief...well, except for Past Sanji, who was absolutely ecstatic at the thought of another woman joining.
"She wanted to join, just like that?" Brook asked.
"Sounds familiar, don't you think, Brook?" Nami inquired.
Soon, Past Robin explained this "heinous crime" that Luffy had done to her to the others.
"I wanted nothing more than to die at that very moment," said Past Robin, "but you, Straw Hat, forced me to live. That's your crime. I have nowhere to go or return to...so I figured that I'd join you."
"Huh...just like me," Aika muttered.
"That's right," Robin smiled as she gently pet Aika on the head. "Just like you."
"Shishishi!" Aika giggled.
"Ah," Luffy realized. "I see your problem. I guess there's no choice then...welcome aboard!"
"LUFFY!" the Past Straw Hats shouted- or cheered in Past Sanji's case.
"Hey, hold it!" Franky shouted. "How come when I joined up, you guys had to put me through hell, and when she joined, you let her join up, just like that?!"
"Oh, come on, don't hold that against us!" Nami cried.
"Uh...do I even wanna know the details?" Blizzard asked.
"You're gonna learn about them, anyway, Mutt," Zoro answered.
Soon, the memory shifted, and it was nighttime. The Past Straw Hats were already in bed...except for Luffy, of course. He was sitting on his "special seat" again, staring up at the night sky, his eyes set on one particularly bright star. The Straw Hats knew that he was having his little "talk" with his mother, again.
"Hey, Mom," Luffy said. "Me, again...I know it's been a while since we last talked. A lot has happened. So...guess what! I met up with Ace, again! But you probably already knew that, didn't you Mom?"
The silence was his only answer, but he smiled, nonetheless.
"Vivi was going to join us, at first," Luffy continued, "but she decided to stay home, and...I'm kinda sad that she didn't go with us, but I understand. Besides, I think we might see her again, one day! ...Right, Mom?"
The stars twinkled gently.
"It's not all bad, though!" Luffy went on. "We also got a new crew member! Her name's Robin and she's an...arky...archy...artichoke? No, wait, that's not it...ark...something."
"I think he was trying to say 'archaeologist'," Robin said, causing the Straw Hats to chuckle, softly.
"She used to be our enemy," Luffy began, "but she did help me one time, so I guess she's not all bad, right?"
No response, but Luffy grinned, nonetheless.
"It's like everywhere I go, my crew keeps getting bigger," said Luffy. "I'm so happy...but...I'm kind of afraid, too." He looked up at the stars. "Mom...do you think I'll be able to protect them?"
The Straw Hats' eyes all widened while Luffy looked up at the stars, expectantly...but then he gave that same impish smile.
"Shishishi!" he laughed. "Yeah, you're right. I got nothing to worry about!" He smiled, warmly. "Thanks for the talk, Mom...I know it's not really the same as actually talking to you, but I'm still happy. Can you tell Sabo that Ace is doing okay and he doesn't have to worry about us, either?"
The stars twinkled, again, causing Luffy to laugh.
"Well...I'm gonna go ahead and call it a night," Luffy said. "I'll talk to you again, soon, Mom."
"Captain?"
Luffy turned to see Past Robin approaching him.
"Who are you talking to?" she asked.
"Oh, just my Mom," Luffy replied.
"Your...your mother?" Past Robin repeated. "Your mother's on this ship, too?"
"Shishishi!" Luffy laughed. "No, silly! She's in the sky!" He pointed up at the stars. "See that bright, twinkly star up there? That's her!"
Past Robin blinked in confusion as she looked up at the sky, then back at Luffy.
"Your mother...has passed?" she asked.
"No, she's dead," Luffy replied, not realizing that was what she meant, "but that's okay. I can still talk to her! I just can't see her, that's all." He then put his hand on her shoulder, causing her eyes to widen. "Anyway, I'm glad you joined up with us, Robin. Let's have lots of adventures together, okay?"
"Uh...y-yes," Past Robin replied while Luffy walked past her, and soon, the memory faded to black.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Next time on One Piece: The Fire Within!
Aika: So what's this memory gonna be about?
Nami: Hey, I remember this one! That's Hannibal Island!
Usopp: Wait...isn't that where we had-
Robin: The Dead End Race.
Franky: Wait...that was real?!
Gasparde: What do you say to joining me?
Luffy: Yeah, right! You're nothing but trash!
Shuraiya: I have something that I have to do...
Next time: The Dead End Race
Finally updated this after a while, and in time for the story's 2nd anniversary!
Review, please!