Disclaimer may be found on chapter 1 so please don't hound me, I have no rights nor profit from this venture.
AN: Hey there readers and supporters, this is The Viking Stranger. I'd just like to thank the people that believed in this venture, All the Followers, Subscribers, Reviewers and those who hit and added this story to their favorites.
Just to clarify some things that this is indeed a crossover, you will find the explanation later on, it's a slow burn type of an operation and I am technically writing this on the fly. There is an outline that I want to follow but aside from that, I want this story to write itself as it goes.
And yes, I burrowed the concept of World's End from Pirates of the Caribbean. A good idea is a good idea…
I am doing the without a Beta... so any misspelling will be my own.
And for those that commented about the pairings... well, like I said, it's undecided. I am personally a fan of many ships(aside from Merry and Sunny of course, but those are different kinds of ships anyway) and I know that they can make or break a story. The comments are noted but please, Don't make any unreasonable demands of me. I'm struggling in writing this as it is. If you think you have a suggestion for an idea, feel free to write it in the comments, I'll shout out if I ever get around to use them, if not I'll still acknowledge the time and effort in making them so don't be afraid to do so. Also, flames are useless, they'll just be absorbed by Ace...
Without further ado, Set Sail!
Chapter 2: The Multi- what now?
Monkey D. Luffy wakes up and sees that it was unnaturally early for him. Earlier than even Sanji who's does so to make sure that the ladies don't get hungry in the morning, especially Nami, since she makes sure that they stay on course.
He sees the familiar ceiling of the captain's quarters of Sunny, feeling like he was missing something. Heck, he isn't even feeling as hungry as he usually does(Gasp! Bite your tongue heretic!). But that didn't last, thankfully, as the memories of the past month or so came back to him.
The Pirate Summit…
The Ultimatum…
The Tri-lliance…
World's End…
The last ride to the final island…
Raftel…
A smile then stretched across his face as goes to the deck and stared at the sight in front of him. The Island was truly majestic, it was massive continent that is a perfect mix of all the islands that they've seen and even more. All Blue surrounds it as all fishes that meet at Reverse Mountain are washed up here. They just finished exploring the entirety if the island. They even found Robin's Ponyglyph, much to her joy. Indeed, Rayleigh was right; at least that is was she says when asked that were the contents of the massive obsidian cube.
However, being in an island, even if that Island is Raftel, was starting to get dull.
It turns out that One Piece, is not an actual treasure, not really.
Based on the encryption they found on the island: The Greatest treasure of all, the grandest of prizes, isn't gold nor silver(though if you made it this far, I doubt that you will be lacking). Instead, it is the journey, the bonds, the experiences and the great sense of wonder of what lies in the great beyond. You managed to arrive to this place, scarred and weary but whole and in One Piece. Is it not truly wonderful?
Never was Nami so enraged and all of creation stilled and trembled as the roar of a thousand Sea Kings can almost be heard from Skypea to Fishman Island. Sogreat tandterrible tit was that animals ran to their hiding holes remained for 2 days and this phenomena was experienced all over that till this day This event was known as the "roar of the great Beast". The rege and Aura was so overpowering that crew feared she had unlocked Conquerors' Haki. All of the troubles they suffered just to understand the pun of a punch line told 20 years ago. That was, until she saw a literal mountain of gold and silver behind the note. This led to something that the crew agreed to never speak of again: The Money-gasm.
That was not a typo, she was so happy with the amount of gold that she literally creamed herself.
It is still undecided if that was a massive turn on or a massive NOPE.
Chopper says that this was a most curious case of touch based high that he has ever seen, and seeing they were at the New World, that's saying something.
Shaking his thoughts, he looked toward the other side of the ship and gazed at the mighty Island whale they didn't expect to see so soon: Laboon.
The whale, it seemed, wanted his own adventures as well and followed his instincts to a passage previously unknown. And found then a week after they arrived to the Island. Chopper translated that a week ago; the whale felt something guide him to dive down, deeper and further than it has ever dived before. Deeper and farther than he knew himself capable of before, he dived. Through a maze of cliffs, fissures and cracks, he traveled with nothing but the guiding feeling, until he came out and saw a ship docked to a mysterious island. He was in quite a panic when he heard the familiar melody that he still remembered all those years ago…
"Laboon!" The dead maestro yelled in exclamation, "I-I-is it really you? You came for us! I can't believe my eyes!" so great was his elation he didn't us the skull joke.
"BAHHHOOOOOOO" Bellowed the whale in reply; words were not needed to understand. Just that the pain of waiting was finally rewarded by the sweetness of coming home.
Whatever they imagined Brook's and Laboon's reunion was going to be, paled in sheer intensity of reality. It was a cacophony of sorrow, joy, loneliness, hope, despair and relief. The music of the reunion was without rhyme or reason but it was as beautiful as the sun to those who never saw its light. It can be heard for miles and miles that even Skypia wondered what it was. It was a grand celebration, with food, dancing and of course, music.
The Straw hat captain sent a tentative pulse of observation haki, searching, not knowing what to look for, but the gut feeling was something he cannot ignore.
"HEYYY! EVERYONE! WAKE UUUPPP!" Never let it be said that the rubber man didn't have a good pair of lungs on him.
Soon enough the sound of running feet can be heard of people going to the deck. Luffy's face was met with a shiny leather shoe. Followed by a blow to the head, which he didn't mind, he was rubber after all.
"Shitty captain, why are you causing trouble so early in the morning? How dare you disturb Nami-swan's, Robin-Chwan's and Carrot-chwan's sleep?" Sanji said as he held a tray filled with coffee, chocolate and sandwiches on one hand.
"Yeah Luffy, you better have a good reason waking me from my dream of swimming in money." Nami added with her teeth turning sharp like a demoness, they never figured out how that keeps on happening actually…
"Fufufufufufu, I'm sure Captain-san has good reason for it Navigator-san, Right Captain-san?" Robin smile was as sweet as honey but the aura surrounding her was as palpable as miasma from hell. She is not happy without her morning coffee.
"Ow! Yeah, Luffy. It's not super for you to wake us up this early." Franky commented while doing his signature pose. Today, he is using the beehive hairstyle… for reasons.
"I was shocked that my soul left my body, even if I do that regularly, Yohohoho. Skull Joke!" Brook said chipper as ever.
"What's with the morning call, Luffy-bro?" asked Carrot, the mink still holding a carrot-shaped pillow.
"Is there a problem Luffy –kun?" inquired Jinbe, the knight of the sea looking alert as he did so.
"Yeah, Luffy, why this early?" Ussop, also curious of the captains behavior.
"I thought someone was injured and needed a doctor. Wait, where's the doctor? Doctor!" Chopper was running and yelling in panic as he did.
"You're the doctor!" everyone shouted in response.
"Oh, right." He replied sheepishly.
Zoro simply let out a yawn, eyeing the rubber man. He knew there was something up, after all these years, and for all of the stupid things Luffy put them through, it's best prepared for anything.
"We're gonna go exploring!" He simply said, grinning widely as he usually does. The rest of the crew let out a breath of relief. It was just Luffy being Luffy.
The swordsman simply sat back down and waited for them, knowing for whatever protests the crew may have, they'll follow him anyway. He also suspected there was more to it than simply that, fact to the matter was that the explored the island several times already. No, that was not it. His haki was telling him that something was out there, and his captain wanted to find it. That's just fine with him, if experience taught him anything about his captain's luck, they'll be in the middle of it regardless of what they do.
Many people would judge Zoro for being just a dumb muscle head, only thinking about sleeping, drinking and fighting. And they would mostly be right, directions? That's what that witch Nami was for. Cooking? That love cook can do a half-decent meal at least. Research? Robin does that for all of them anyway. Decisions? His captain has some good instincts to follow and it didn't lead them wrong yet. He just doesn't bother with those things; the crew has each of their roles to fill. Despite this, he didn't survive this long without being perceptive. And he can see his captain was restless. A feeling he can relate to, after all what is left out there for them? The age of pirates is over. They all settled any unfinished business before World's End, only a fool would think there was a guarantee they all lived past it. And they did. Friends, families, lovers and ties; each was settled as much as they can for pirate who were about to die. Hell, he and Tashigi buried the hatchet… among other things. Who knew she can do that with her tongue… hard to believe that was the first time for them both. Not to mention it took 2-3 days for them to get over it. But damn if it wasn't one to set standards against.
Zoro snapped his eye open to see the whole crew ready to go. He too, got up and joined them. His haki is still not settling but it showed no danger, for them atleast. He knew one thing though. Something interesting is gonna happen.
Luffy scanned the surroundings with his haki as he walked. It was an odd feeling. Turn here, climb there, and go around this. He idly wondered if this is how Zoro feels when he walks in a straight line… He snickered internally. It is a mystery, his First Mate's sense of direction.
He realizes that they are again back to the plate with Roger's message. This time the guiding feeling is telling him to get behind the sign. Luffy ignored the looks given to him by the others; they have been at this for several hours following him in his aimless wandering all over the island. As he did so, he noticed a button, perfectly hidden and blending to the surrounding rock. He wondered how they have missed this, but then, considering there was a mountain of literal gold and silver, it's perfectly understandable.
"Wait! Hold it." Nami called to him cautiously, "There is a high chance that this is a trap… so you three go in first and make sure my money is free from any traps." she said as her eyes turned into beli signs and rubbing her hands together, not even attempting to hide her greed. This caused the entire crew to sweatdrop at the woman's antics.
"Greedy witch" Zoro grumbled when he suddenly dodged a kick from the chief.
"You take that back, Mosshead. You should not badmouth Nami-swan!" the cook yelled at him, following another kick, which was blocked by the other's sword.
"Make me, Dartbrow. I'll cut you to ribbons for that!" Zoro was about to retaliate when suddenly, the both of them were hit on the head with heavy blows.
"Enough with chit-chatting, both of you! Now go and get me my treasure!" Nami then kicked them both, along with Luffy, down to the tunnel. For all the strength and power the Monster Trio possess, they are quite powerless against their navigator.
"Hai, Nami-swan!"
"I'll get you back for this, witch!"
"Hahaha, Let's go!"
The echos were heard reverberating throughout the tunnel, indicating that they were decending (falling) at fast rate.
"Are you sure it's ok just throw the three of them headfirst into an unknown tunnel and then just wait till they land Nami?" Asked Ussop, sweatdropping at the cold-hearted viciousness the navigator, again.
"Ow! That was Suuuuper cold hearted Nami." Added the cyborg
"Yeah! Are Broffy, Broji and Broro gonna be ok?" asked a worried Carrot.
"It's fine," replied Copper "something like that will not even bruise them, even if there are broken bones, I'll just fix them!"
"Hoh! That's amazing Bropper!" said Carrot with her happy bouncing bunny energy that somehow surrounds her with images of smiling carrots. The Strawhats and all who have accociated with them have long been up trying to figure it out. "This is the New World" they would say in their heads and left it at that.
"Shut up! I'm not happy you said that or anything! Cunt! Assfucker! Bootlicking Rugmuncher!"
Needless to say that leaving Copper to heal Eustas Kidd that one time was a big mistake.
"As long as they have you money in there secured, I don't care! Mwahahaha!"
Also needless to say that a certain navigator's greed went up to 11 since the mountain of silver and gold incident.
"I often wonder what it would be like to have a normal crew?" Ussop muttered to himself.
"Ufufufufu. I don't think we can fit in with normal either Hana-kun. It's not like we want to be anywhere else." Robin cheerfully supplied from behind her book.
"Indeed, for all the trouble it causes, it's a good crew." added Jinbe, as he settled seated with the two under the shade of a tree.
"I agree, this is the crew that was meant to be with! By the way Robin-san, May I see your panties?"
With a Serene smile of a Yamato Nadeshiko, Robin simply crossed he arms and said, "Clutch"
CRACK!
"Ow! I felt that to my bones! Wait, I only have bones. Yohohoho!"
"Yup, a normal crew is a far-away dream." The sniper said to himself with a sigh and a content smile. Not even a herd of Sea Kings can drag him away from his nakama.
Meanwhile...
"Hellooooooo? Anyone here? Treasure, where are you?"
Sublty, thy name is Luffy.
When suddenly, Torches lit up showing a large circular chamber with various symbols all around. All topped off with a large simple Jolly Roger in front of them.
After a few minutes looking around to see if it's a trap or any alternative paths, the trio called down the others to join them. Robin immidiately went to check on the symbols but even she cannot decypher wat they could possible mean. The others were trying to help... keyword try.
So it was with understandable shock whenthey found out that the path back out was suddenly gone as if it was never there.
Que obligatory panic attacks.
"AAAHHH! Were gonna die! I'm getting I-will-die-in-this-room-itis."
"Nooooooo! My money! my money is out there all alone! Don't worry baby, mommy's coming!"
"Waaaahhhh! We're not gonna survive! Help doctor! Where's the doctor!"
"Eahhhh! We can't get out!" Rapid bouncing off the walls was then heard throughout the chamber."
"Waaaahhhh! No, It can't be! I'm too young to die- Wait. I'm already dead." Que simultaneous blows to the Head.
"We're not like you Idiot!"
"Ara, it seems that we're in trouble now Captain-san."
"Indeed, What shall we do Luffy-kun?"
"Why aren't you panicking properly?!" demanded the 'proper panicking' members of the crew.
"What would be the point?" it was the Swordsman of the crew replied," We tried everything we could, not even our combined strongest attacks made a crack, dent or even singe this room." His face betrayed no emotion but his voice hinted enough of frustration and a tinge of resignation.
"Wait- " There was a look on Sanji's face as if he's had an ephipany. "If this is where we will die, then..." he them made a mad dash toward the women. "Nami-Swan! Robin-Chwan! Carrot-Chwan! before we die, can we-"
"NO!"
Simultaneous hits afterwards...
"H-Hai..."
"I guess this is the super-end..."
"EVERONE!" a voice overpowered everything else and caused them look over to the source.
Luffy looked uncharacteristically serious for once but considering the current situation, it is to be expected. This made them quiet down, if only to listen to what the Captain had to say.
He closed his eyes and gave a loud exhale, as if steeling himself for something.
He then opened his eyes to look at each and everyone of his naka- no, they are more than that now, they are family.
"We have been through a lot, we were not even friends went we first met. But somehow, despite all that, we all got together, got to all kinds of adventures, made more nakama, eaten all kinds of meat. In all these times, we helped each other, even if the others didn't want help. " They all chuckled at this. "You all helped me to acheive my dream to be The Pirate King and along the way, we all acheived our dreams, in one way or another." He swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. "You guys...are the best nakama a Pirate King can have and I will do everything all over again..."
"Well said!"
This caused everyone present in the room to look at her new speaker. They were then shocked to see none other than the Pirate King himself, Gol D. Roger. This was no spirit nor ghost, but flesh and blood, and by the looks of it, have didn't age a single day from the photos of his execution at all.
After the expected freakout, because this author thinks writing each and every shocked reaction is to tedious, we now skip to the meat of the matter.
"MEAT?!"
No Luffy, not that meat, and you are not allowed to break the 4th wall, Nami will get angry.
Luffy then contorts his face of the prospect of no meat for him and goes back to his nakama.
Ahem. Now where was I?
Roger stood in their midst as he explains the true meaning of One Piece.
"To you, what does it mean to be Pirate King?" his voice books with authority as a wave of conquerers' Haki spread throughout the room. Any other time or place the Strawhats would have been knocked down or even faint of it's strength and potency. But not this time, they were together, empowerd by Luffy's earlier declaration, the combined wills and resolution was enough to buffer the tunami like wave with their own.
And from among them, steps out Luffy, crossing his arms and a look of pure determination as he stands infront of the once Pirate King with his strawhat fluttering about like it was getting a mind breeze.
"The Pirate King is someone who will bow to no one. He is someone who does not conquer just because he can. I does not have to be the strongest person or rule over anybody." His face then formed into a grin that was as bright as the sun. "The Pirate King is just the freest of all."
"Indeed." If anything Roger's grin went even wider.
"I am Monkey D. Luffy, " he then opened his arms wide as if daring the world to prove him wrong. "And I am The Pirate King!"
As sudden as the pressure came, so it vanished.
"You have passed the final test, Monkey D. Luffy. and as a reward, I will grant the deepest desire in not only your heart but that of your crews'. Because as of today, you have trully mastered this world. Yet I see that you all want to still go further... Yes, even your navigator buried beneath the greed she shows." "Hey!" " Tell me, what would you do if I told you that there are numerous worlds out there," The chamber then changed to the images of he universe and beyond. Stars, planets, galaxies and worlds of every size shape and color. "I offer you a way to them all... I offer you the Multi-verse!"
Words cannot be said of the awe and wonder the filled theory minds.
There were tons of strong beings to fight.
There were woldls to map and treasures to steal.
Dangers to brave.
Food to be cooked and tasted.
Medicines and cures to be found.
Histories and civilzations waiting to be discovered.
Ships and weapons to be built.
More music to be heard written and sang.
More wonders than any mink has fur.
Oceans and races beyond any they can imagine.
And Best of all...
The chance to do it all and be the freest of all...
"What do you think everyone?" asked the newly crowned King with a widest of smiles.
"Hmm... I just got the title of the strongest Swordsman in this world, I gotta make sure that rings across all the worlds" said Zoro with a demonic smile.
"I have to be there to guarantee that you idiots don't get lost, especially with the two of you blockheads. Of course that will be 50% of all the money that you will ever get." said Nami with a smirk.
"I will be brave and hit all the things that you need me to hit, I will be more than be a brave warrior of the sea, I will be a brave warrior of the worlds!" declared Ussop with just a minute bit of shaking of his legs.
"New foods to cook and tasted eh? Sure, I'll go." 'So many ladies to see! Melorine!' Thought Sanji's as his legs turned to noodles again and spun in excitement.
"I'll be sure to cure and patch you guys up! I will definitely and the cure for all illnesses!" said Chopper with the fire of determination in his eyes.
"New worlds, histories and cvilizations to learn, oh my. Looks like we will have to follow you again Captain-san, Derishshishishi." said Robin in a shocking break from her normally collected character.
"Ow! You losers won't be getting anywhere without Super Me. I'll build and make sure that our ship will be super armed and ready or my name isn't Franky! " Franky boomed with his original hairstyle and doing his signature pose.
"And I shall be sure to compose songs of our sagas, wait- what about Laboon? " asked Brook
"He will join you, in a different form of course..." said the Old Pirate King.
"Then I'll be sure that our voyages shall be filled with songs... and skull jokes! Yohohoho!" cackled the singing skeleton.
"Yay! I'll travel and see more than any mink has gone before!" Carrot cheered as she bounced around in happiness with her ever present happy bunny energy.
"Hmmm... it is good see more oceans and maybe learn of what they can teach me." said Jinbe calmly.
Luffy the turned to Roger, ready to go spend his reign as Pirate King being free across the known and unknown worlds.
"We are ready."
They then found themselves back on the deck of Thousand Sunny as Roger began to explain how this will go.
"There is a reason that World's End ooks the way it does, a long time ago, a knock-up stream bigger than any in the world happened and launched the Island Raftel to the great beyond."
"Then how come, we just came from-" Nami stopped herself as she began to pale.
"Your not dead if that is what you are worried about." assured Roger. "It has become the Nexus of the worlds, a portal, so to speak. I didn't continue on because of my sickness and I had to let the world know that it is here, even if they didn't know it."
As he said this , the waters under the ship began to froth and bubble. The Launch-Up Stream ready to take them to the wildest journey of their lives.
"So Captain Luffy are you ready?"
"Set Sail!"