I look above me. An hour ago, the weather was harsh. The clouds were dim gray with rain pouring down hard. The waves are crashing against the boat hard. I could barely walk straight let alone keep myself on the boat instead of going overboard. The roar of the wind and the waves deafen my ears. Thank god Luffy and everyone else is inside while I look out for anything unusual. My raincoat gave me some protection of the rain. Then the rain stops.
"What in the world?" I mumble, wondering where the hell we are. The sun is so bright. The sea became still and non-threatening. There was no wind in my ear. Yet, something is off. I can't put my finger on it but I feel unsafe here. I look over the boat and see nothing under the water. It was too dark to see anything.
"Nami!" I call out to her. Everyone came out with smiles on their face except for Nami. Her eyes widen and her jaw drop. This is bad.
"We're in deep trouble. We're in the calm belt," She said grabbing the railings. I tilt my head in confusion. Luffy is already on his favorite place, on the sheep's head. 'The calm belt?' I thought.
"We need to go back towards the storm! Everyone start rowing!" Nami order us. I still don't get what is a calm belt. It's nice way over here.
"Why do we have to go back to the storm?" Usopp ask, looking at her. I still have the bad feeling, but I like it here. Zoro seems to agree with me.
"Why do we have to go back there? Over here is nice and no wind," Zoro said, looking out towards the sea. Nami turn around to face Zoro. I knew from that face she is angry and scare at the same time.
"The Grandline is surrounds by two seas called the calm belt where there is no wind," Nami said, trying to explain.
"So what if there is no wind, I don't see a bad side to this," I comment on this. Nami look at me with a scared face as if she saw a puppy murder by someone.
"Because this sea is-" Nami yell but by the ship rocking as if we are still in the storm. I could hardly keep my balance. I slip and fell to the floor.
"Ahh! Earthquake!" Usopp said, grabbing the mast. I hear a low rumbling sound.
"It's not an earthquake on the sea!" Sanji yell at him. I hear Luffy laughing at our situation. Then our ship is lifting by something higher in the air. Then the shaking stops. Everyone, except Nami, looks overboard and our jaws drop. Usopp foams at the mouth. I hug the nearest person which is Zoro. We look at each other then back at what is holding our ship with its snout. Nami hugs the mast as well.
"This sea is the giant sea monsters' nest," she whispers in despair. I whimper like a kicked kitten. There were at least 10 sea kings in so many shape and size. They look very hungry to me. There one that looks like a mix of a poodle and a flamingo.
"We're doom," I said, whining a bit. I would not let go of Zoro as he and the others get ready to row like crazy.
"Angelina, let go," Zoro said, having difficult time pushing me away. I let go and grab the nearest thing which was Zoro's barrel of rum. I knew that he need to row the boat and he won't let anything happen to his rum. I start to cry out "We're doom" and "I'm going to haunt anyone who survive this!".
Everyone is ready to row our butts back to the storm. Luffy, Sanji, Zoro is ready to row while Nami and I hold on tight. Usopp pass out sometime ago. No wonder I didn't hear any replies to my own cries. I thought he would join me. The monster looks around. I'm nervous and start cry again but one look from Nami shut me up. She needs to focus and give direction at a moment notice.
"When the monster dives, we are rowing with everything we got," Sanji declared with authority. Luffy and Zoro agree. Then the monster did something I didn't thought of. It sneezes and sends us flying through the air. I look around and saw that I lost grip from the barrel. Everyone was hold on to the mast. Usopp and I went fly away from the ship and the crew. I froze. I couldn't scream for help or anything. I look at the crew and Sanji caught my eyes.
"The frog is following us!" Sanji said, looking behind me. I turn my body to see that Usopp and I are heading straight into the frog's open mouth. I open my mouth and let out a piercing scream. Tears start to form in my eyes. I thought I really going to be eaten by this monster. I could smell its breath. It smells like rotten wood mix with fish guts.
"Sanji!" I scream before passing out from the foul smell. I remember something wrapping around my waist and my crew screaming at me.
I wake up because I hear yelling. I groan a bit. I open my eyes and I see I'm on the deck. My back aches in pain. Sleeping on the deck is a definite no-no. Fog surrounds the ship as if it's the marines.
"Finally, we're in the Grandline!" Luffy yell in his seat. I see that we are not in danger and smile. Then I instantly frown when I see this giant whale in front of us. 'Oh my, I found Moby Dick,' I thought. I guess my body is still in shock about the giant frog trying to eat me that my brain decides to shut down again from this shock. I fell and hit my head on the deck. My eyes roll back and I pass out again. I hope I wake up after this. Maybe somewhere nice.
Oh this thing had the word Scheme all over it. This town, Whiskey Peak, was strange. The citizens welcomed pirates, throwing a party for us and entertaining us. This is strange because most people don't like pirates.
I know there only one pirate crew like us which is Luffy's idol, Shanks. I hear a lot of nasty stories about the other pirates from the newspaper. I hear one that start to terrorize innocent citizen to improve his bounty. Then I hear another one who ransacks a whole island.
Oh, I smelled this bullshit out of these people like a child stealing a cookie from a jar. I was not the only one. Zoro and Nami gave me The Knowing Look.
Luffy is eating everything they gave him. Zoro is competing against Nami in a drinking game. Guess who winning that? Ussop is telling his tall tales to anyone who would listens mostly the kids here. Sanji is flirting up a storm with the local women. The townspeople try to entertain me and ask me questions but I give them the cold shoulder or tell them I'm not in the mood to talk.
I sighed in my corner. I really don't want to hang out here because I feel people watching and it is getting annoying. I played with the drink they gave me because I don't trust them. I could smell something is wrong with it. They weren't drinking from the same barrel as we are. I looked down sadly.
The smell of beer reminded me of Alejandro, who reminded me of home, a home where I couldn't go back to yet. I let a tear run down my face. I quickly wipe it off of my face. I hear everyone cheering for Nami and Zoro to win.
The women are giggling with Sanji as he talks about the adventures he had or how he would treat her right. The children's 'aww' and 'ooh' are among the other talking. I looked around. Everyone was having such a good time. I didn't want them to stop because I started to cry. I decided to take a walk to clear my head and to get away from the townspeople, who are persistent on me to join some activity.
I hummed as I walked down the ridge. Whiskey Peak did not have beaches. It only has dry land and water, nothing in between just a straight drop to the water. I haven't see a cliff bigger than the ship's mast. The smallest one is a straight drop down about 6 feet.
I sat on a small cliff where there weren't any cacti around. I lay down and looked up; there were so many stars out tonight. Their friend, the moon, was out as well. The moon is shining like a silver coin. It light up the whole sky. I could see the North Star and the big dipper. I never saw this starry sky at home, such a beautiful stellar sight.
"No, don't think about it," I said aloud to myself, shaking my head. I couldn't think about home. I had to keep my head to my main goal; living in this world as a pirate. I started to make up a poem to keep my mind distracted.
"The sweet melody of home,
can be replace with the harmony of friends,
the feeling of loneliness can be overcome
by the embrance of love,
only I
can make these changes,
only I ,"
I finish my poem with sorrow thoughts. Then I hear something shuffle behind me. I turn around expecting a townsperson but it is someone else.
'What is he doing here?' I thought as I stared at the man, who had interrupted my thoughts from time to time since we had met. We kept on staring at each other. I didn't move nor breathe. A soft breeze came through teasing my hair. The breeze lightly touches his feather and moves it slightly.
'Why is he here? Why did I not hear him? Is he here to kill me?' I thought. I decided to break the silence.
"Hello," I said nervously. I didn't know what his reaction was going be, so I nimbly rolled to my feet, tensed ready for action. I quickly notice something; he was freakishly tall compare to my 5'7" frame. He could be 6' 5". 'Damn, someone ate his veggies,' I thought inanely.
"Hello," he said, taking a while to answer. His eyes gleamed in the moonlight as he smirked at me as I jumped, not expecting him to respond.
"Scared?" he asked, with a strange light in his eyes almost as if he was teasing me.
"No, didn't expect you to talk to me at all," I said, shaking my head. He tilted his head like a hawk trying to figure out its prey.
"What do you mean?" he asked. I relaxed a bit. I put my hands in my pockets. I know that if I scream loud enough someone will hear me from the town. I know the party is over since I couldn't hear anything.
"I thought a serious person like you didn't like to talk a lot," I simply said. My heart started to beat faster. He stepped forward. I silently gulped.
"And I thought a person like you would run away by the mere sight of me, yet you are still here," he assumed. My heart starts to pump faster. My palms start to get a bit sweaty. I wipe my hand against my jeans.
"Why would I run away?" I asked him. Maybe if I can keep him talking, he won't decide to 'kill some time' with me.
"What's your name?" he asked. He completely dodged my question. He even came closer. We were two feet away from each other. I took a deep breath. My nerves were getting to me.
I imagined that we were in my world instead where he was not that powerful. We were two normal people having a conversation. That image helped my nerves a bit.
"My name is Angelina, and yours?" I asked, holding out my hand. 'Even though I know it' I thought. I have manners. His one hand engulfed my own. I felt his warmth from the hand. I knew his name, but I was being polite.
"Mihawk, Dracule Mihawk," Mihawk said. His eyes connected with mine. I couldn't believe that right now I was talking to him. 'Lord, please be with me tonight,' I thought. Then I remembered something that was left unanswered.
"So, Mihawk, could you explain to me something?" I asked, remembering when I had first heard about him. For some reason, I feel at ease for a moment and took some courage to get some answer without letting my crew know that I don't know anything about the world around me. I know only the basic, such as, pirates are bad guys, marines are good guys, yet there're somewhat corrupt, and there is a higher power name the World Government.
"Yes," Mihawk said. I squealed in the inside. I couldn't get over his deep, accented voice. I took another deep breath.
"Can you explain to me what a Shichibukai is?" I asked, looking at him. A cold, windy breeze went through.
"You don't know what a Shichibukai is?" Mihawk said. From his tone, he sounded astonished and curious. Then I remembered Gin's scared face. Gin knew what a Shichibukai was. If I found out, would I be scared as well?
"Never mind, it doesn't concern me like other things," I said, smiling. I decide not to know. They did say, 'Ignorance is bliss'. Mihawk lifted his eyebrow.
"Such as…" Mihawk said. I smirked, which he did not expect. The truth was, I was thinking of a topic to talk about.
"For example…um... The fact that people call you Hawk Eyes. Personally, I think they are a deep shade of honey, though. Maybe amber," I said, deep in thought. I did not notice the surprised look he had.
"Are my eyes not eerie? Don't you know who I am, girl?" he said, trying to be scary. I frowned. He did not just call me girl when he knew my name and tried to be tough at the same time.
My mother was scarier than him. She would punish me with the embarrassing or scary things to do. I remember when I disobey her and came late one night. My new curfew was ten pm. I came home on night at one am. She took my keys and said "If you don't come home at ten o'clock sharp, then you can sleep in the garage with the rats.". Compared to her, he was a two out of ten. Ten being the scariest.
"Listen here. One, my mom is scarier than you, so stop acting scary. It's not going to work. Two, no, I think your eyes are a lovely sight, and Three, My name is Angelina, Angel, Linna, or Angie. Pick one and use it," I said, without fear. I narrow my eyes to get a serious face on.
"I see. You have little knowledge about me. That is understandable, but what about other basic matters, such as the Grandline, Red Line, or the World Government?" he asked. I guess he wasn't taken aback back about my comment. This means I can have information without looking like a fool in front my crew when I ask them. I thought shortly and easily.
"No, I don't anything about them. Let's establish that I, Angelina D.P-"
All of a sudden, an explosion went off in the town. I just sighed. I had known something similar to this would happen. I wished it was not now. Somehow, Luffy always gets in trouble everywhere he goes. I learn this from Nami.
"Damn it, bet it was Captain," I whispered to myself as I saw the explosion. I shook my head. 'I bet Zoro was in it as well,' I thought to myself. I turned my head to Mihawk's direction.
"Sorry, but I have to go. See you later," I said, running towards the town. I never thought that I would see him again though.
I ran as fast I can. I wish I didn't go for that walk. That explosion is the first of many. There is something going on in the town and I'm not going to make it. All I could think about is my crew and Sanji. 'Please god I don't want to find out something bad has happen to them,' I thought as I ran along the local graveyard. Dust flew up a bit as I stop. This graveyard had too many crosses. It had too many dead people. Then it clicked. This town really is a trap. I hear bigger explosions. I ran even faster back to town.
Finally, I reach the town and saw a fight went down. There were craters around. Houses were destroy until there is only the frame. The townspeople are everywhere with cuts and bruises. This is the work of Zoro and Luffy. Sanji's work would have more of a footprint and he never hits girls. I meet up with Nami, Luffy, Zoro, and another woman. She has long blue hair with a coke bottle figure. They fill me in on what happen.
"So, we are helping Vivi, a princess, go back to her war torn country to expose this guy, who's the leader of a group of mercenaries name Baroque Works," I repeat the information to Nami. Nami nods as she stands in the middle of the group. Luffy sits on a barrel while Zoro leans against a couple crates. I sit on a nearby stairs.
"So what's the purpose of this organization?" I ask Vivi. She sighs tiredly.
"The real goal is to conquer Alabasta. I must warn everyone before we all fall into his plans," Vivi said, looking down. I feel sorry for her. To carry such a burden, it must be hard for her. I couldn't understand how she felt as she sees the truth and everyone sees nothing but lies.
"So, who's the boss?" Luffy ask. I wonder that as well. I could see it now. The boss is actually a fat bald guy with a white cat. He always wears a suit and has money. Vivi's eyes widen and start to shake her head.
"You shouldn't know his name because it may cost your life," she said. I frown a bit. I wonder if we should take this adventure. It may cost everyone's life. I look at Zoro and see he is being quiet.
"Hahaha, that's good you're not telling us, right? I bet he is the worst person in the world," Nami said, jokingly.
"No matter how good you guys are, you can't compete with one of the Shichibukai, Crocodile," She said. Then everything went bad. My jaw drops. 'Great another warlord to worry about,' I thought. Nami's jaw drops to the floor. Luffy starts to grin like crazy. Vivi slaps her hands on top of her mouth. Then I see a vulture and an otter looking at us, each other and us again. They flew away and Nami starts to back off with this deal.
"Hey! They are going to report to him, aren't they? Why did you tell us his name?" Nami yell at Vivi. She is holding Vivi by the collar. She is shaking her over and over again. I feel so sorry for her. I'm scared that Crocodile is looking for us now.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to tell you," Vivi cried out. Then Luffy and Zoro start to grin and be happy about this.
"I never thought we are getting this lucky with a Shichibukai," Zoro said. He probably remembers about Mihawk still. I wonder how he would react if I told him if he was here. 'I should keep it a secret,' I thought.
"I wonder what kind of a person he is?" Luffy ask Zoro. He readjusts his hat a bit and grins. Nami turns around with an angry face. I shrink a bit so. I don't face her wrath.
"Shut up. I'm leaving. It' better to escape now since he doesn't know my face," Nami said, leaving. She comes back as the otter shows her the drawn pictures of us. I'm amazed that the otter could draw like that.
"Great, now I'm wanted by a Shichibukai," Nami said, sulking in a corner. I pat her shoulder as well as Vivi.
"Don't worry. I have five hundred thousand in my account for the deal," Vivi said. I try to say something good but found out silence is better.
"So this means we're on Baroque Works' black list," Zoro said, with a smirk. I look at him and surprise that he is happy about this. I don't like that someone is out to kill me. I join Nami in her sulking corner.
"I'm doom," I said. Then the mayor of this town comes in dress like Vivi. He is her bodyguard and will distract Baroque Works for a while. He is going straight to Alabasta. Then we sent him off as soon as we turn around there is a huge explosion. It knocks me off my feet a bit. My eyes widen when I didn't see the boat that he was on anywhere.
Zoro starts to pull me away and towards the boat. We said nothing to each other. We climb on the boat and Zoro took care of the anchor. I climb up and unleash the sails. I went down from the mast onto the deck. I see everyone is here. The sun start to rise and I feel so sleepy. My energy is zap. I'm glad all nine of us are safe. Wait there should only be eight people here.
"I'm glad I found you," a woman with a cowboy hat said. She looks down at us. Everyone tense up.
"Who allow you onto our ship?" Luffy demands. She ignores him.
"I've met Mr. Eight over there, Miss Wednesday," she said. I gulp. This woman is very dangerous. I could feel it in my guts.
"Did you kill, Igarum? Why are you here, Ms. All Sunday?" Vivi ask her, fearing the answer. Then I remember they travel in pairs and look around the deck. I don't see her partner anywhere.
"Where's her partner?" I ask Vivi. I took some stance just in case he jumps out.
"She is Mr. Zero's partner. She is how I found out about Crocodile. Also, she told him about me as well. What do you want from me?" Vivi announce it to the world. I could feel her frustration. She must have been through a lot. Miss. All Sunday starts to mock Vivi and I couldn't do anything because she did things that made her a good guy bit she is the enemy.