EvilpuppyofDoom: Yep. Taking it as far as I'm able. Unfortunately, you may be waiting a while yet— things are slow going right now. Depression rearing it's ugly head.
stephen51991: Jones would like that too. But Wyper isn't gonna stop just yet.
Tactition101: Heh. Probably not. But that won't keep her/me from trying.
Anime no Akuma: Jones will get her peace. Eventually. In a way. Although to be honest, she finds peace kinda boring. And yes, the "no spoilers" rule came off at the worst possible time.
LittleAngel2292: Thanks!
Draco Oblivion: Yes. Yes, Nami just did. *evil grin*
Gamelover41592: Thanks!
GreenDrkness: Thanks! And yep, the Skypieans are terrified of our poor, slightly traumatized, very angry sailing master.
Molly Grace 16: Nah, it's not like testing for witchcraft, don't worry. Not even the Monty Python version, which would be funny, but not fit with what I'm going for this arc at all.
RoofScat: Don't worry— I have a plan. And thanks. ^_^ I'm glad I've managed to balance Jones so she's not a Sue.
MayaHikari: Yes, Jones is an idiot when it comes to people. Unless she wants something from them.
suntan140: Don't worry, they'll make it. After all... I bet a friend of mine that I could do pre-timeskip God Usopp. And I hate losing bets.
Lightsbane1905: Yes, I'm pulling an El Dorado. As much as I can, anyway. Sorry... And no, I'm not a fan of Worm. What is "Brockton Bay?"
Azurai Wolf: You'll just have to wait and see. *grins*
finalhour0: XD Yep. As Jones would've said to Nami if she'd been there— "Open mouth, insert dragon-sized foot."
The Keeper of Worlds: Thanks!
Unca Bob: Yes, so many possibilities indeed. I'm gonna have fun with Skypiea. Thanks!
LuffyLover: *rubs back of head sheepishly* Yeah... Blue and I aren't always the most careful editors, so we occasionally miss things like that. I'm glad you like the non-canon bits. I'll probably be trying to do more of those, now that Blackbeard is dead and Jones is no longer so desperate to stick to canon in order to meet him.
ShinigamiMaster: Eheh... Sorry... Basically, an homage to one of my favourite movies is what that meant.
Flaremage: Three-quarters of an Elton John worth of a plan is basically Jones saying that everything she has in mind for dealing with the Shandians comes from one of her favourite movies. And yes, we will be landing at G8. I can get us through there without a bounty no problem, though. After all... Jones already sent Jonathan a bunch of books, remember?
Gerbilfriend: Yeah, it was sad. Sorry... And thanks! ^_^ It's taking some time, but I'll have the rest of the arc for you as soon as I can.
Dragon Book Addict: Yeah... *sheepish chuckling*
ScarletCatnip: Yep. Nami was angry at Luffy for nothing. Except plot progression, but she doesn't know about that bit. And yes, "whelmed" was a Young Justice reference. I'll see if I can fight traught in too.
FairyGirl960: Thanks! Afraid you'll have to wait a bit longer though... Slow going. Sorry...
: Thanks!
Whelmed: Yes, definitely a Young Justice reference. Love that show. And I love The Road to El Dorado too— it's one of my favourite movies. So the Skypiea arc is naturally a giant homage to it.
rosewillow narusasufangirl: In order, the answers to your questions are— of course I am; mostly him being Luffy; the rest of the crew who were there have fairly decent memories of it; and yes.
trilbybard: Yes he did. And yes, that could make life a lot harder for some people if it got out— like the World Government and the marines, perhaps?
AnerianJames: Thank you very much! *squirms like Chopper* I can't wait to get to Enies Lobby either. I suppose that scene in the trailer was pretty obvious... After all, what better time to take to the air for the first time? Dragon men must fly, when danger's in the sky.
Evil One: Thanks! XD It might work that way— although hitting her over the head might giver her ideas relating to gravity, which might not make a good plan on a sky island.
The Pyro Jawsome: Sorry I didn't get your Sonic joke. v.v I've never played a Sonic game, and the only memories I have of anything relating to Sonic at all are vague flashes of an old show called Sonic Underground. As for an Elton John as a unit of measure... It's roughly a third of a Beatle, or equal to a Lion King plus and El Dorado. Thanks. I'm glad people like my take on Skypeia— although I do admit to taking some liberties there, since as far as I know, we were never told the exact location of the Shandian encampment. And yes, the butterflies are so pretty... XD
Insanity Lord: Yeah... Jones likes to think she's a planner, but even if they generally succeed, she's really more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-you-pants type.
Pokemonever1994: Thanks! And yes, Merry is the biggest glider plane in history— for now.
Sage McGavin: XD
Guest (April 12): Sorry... I think I have some good luck planned for her soon. G8, at least. That's gonna be fun.
InternetJunkie: Thanks! I'll do my best! Although it's not necessarily Wyper who'll bear the full brunt of the godly sarcasm.
T-Biggz: There is currently one other OC planned to join the crew, post-timeskip. Everyone aside from her, Ruatha, and Jones will be canon characters. Or at least canon to a movie.
tanithlipsky: Thanks.
Vikingr A/N: Hi everyone. Sorry the next chapter of the Skypeia arc is taking so long. Depression reared its ugly head... I'm working on it, but it's slow going, and I have no idea when it'll be done. Until then, here's an omake the wonderful Ash the Trouble wrote for me. What would've happened if Jones' conversation with the Unluckies at Whiskey Peak hadn't gone so well...
Twelve Red Lines, Chapter 11: Satire AU
What if?
Click.
BANG
The sound of a gunshot echoes; the glare he was giving the princess cuts off. Instead he looks around, searching for where the gunshot came from. Weird, he thinks. He looks around once more, searching for all familiar faces. He finds all but ONE. His blood freezes.
No… Nononononono! Please don't! His mind is frantic.
"JONES!" He runs away from the group, eyes open and wild. "JONES! Where are you?!" He hears the crew shifting behind him. Maybe searching for her too, maybe following him, he's not sure and he doesn't care. He has to find her.
"JONES! Where the fuck are you?!" His legs move faster, ears alert for any sound. The grip on his chest tightens. His mind is a frantic mess of worry and fear. What if some spies heard the conversation? The Unluckies? When did she go? Why didn't I realised sooner she was gone? Please be ok.
"JONES! ANSWER ME!"
X
"Your name, how is it spelled?" A purple-clad girl stands in front of his brig. Eyes clouded, but the curiosity shone through. It was the first taste of sunshine he had. The first taste of freedom. It's been a long time since he felt that way.
X
"Be on the lookout. I've got this." She says as her gait changes, preparing her mask. He stifles a laugh, hearing her accent. Joy- he hasn't felt that a long time.
X
Her hand shivers as she clings to herself, lips trembling, eyes wide and afraid. Slowly he takes her hand. "Focus on my back." Rely on me, is left unspoken. Slowly but surely, her shivering stops. He grips her hand tighter, sending every little bit of courage he has to her. It's a sobering feeling. There are still people who rely on a person like him.
X
"Mother Hen." An exasperated sigh puffs out of her lips. It falls on deaf ears. If she doesn't take care of herself, she might be sick. Who else is gonna take care of her? It falls on his shoulders.
X
"GHIN!" She smiles, bright and warm. His chest feels light and there's fluttering left in his stomach. Happiness. He never thought he'd experience that feeling again. Ah, he thought. She worms her way into his tainted heart. His very own light.
X
Please… Please be fine... Not her… Not his sun.
As he passes an alley, a figure is sprawled on the cobblestone behind stacks of wooden crates. Red blood pooling under the body. He walks slowly towards the figure. "Jones?" He can't stop the shaking in his voice.
"G- Ghin?"
He rushes as he hears her voice. Blood flows sluggishly through the bullet wound in her chest. Too much blood. "H- Hey, I found you now. It's going to be okay. J-just don't close your eyes."
His hands frantically fish out the bandages in his pockets. He presses them firmly on the wound, trying to stop the blood. "C'mon Jones, the adventure is barely even started!"
She laughs, blood spluttering out from her mouth. Her bloody hand held his. "G-Ghin, thanks." She smiles. Tears flow from her eyes.
"You're not gonna die! You hear me?!" Where the fuck are the others? "Luffy! Sanji! Zoro! Anyone?!" He shouts. Then he hears the pitter-patter of footfalls. "They're coming, Jones. Stay awake, ok?"
Her hand tightens on his. "Ok," She chokes.
"GHIN!" Luffy arrives first, followed by Nami. The cat burglar quickly tends to the wound.
"We need to take out the bullet first. Sanji?"
Sanji carefully lifts up the wounded woman. "Let's bring her inside," he says, and walks to a nearby house. The others follow- except for a few.
Luffy looks at the retreating forms of Sanji, Nami, and the bounty hunters as they knock down some doors. Then his eyes go to Ghin. He's not surprised by the cold look on the demon man's face.
"Hey Don?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you mind if I take walk for a while?"
"Why?"
"There's some hunting I've got to do."
Several seconds later, Luffy answers. "Can I join?"