The sun warms me up as I stare out the window. I open the window, smelling the ocean right away. I'm back where I belong. I hear some knocks on the door. I stretch a bit, rolling my ankle.
"I don't know why you need to knock. It is your house, Tsuki Mitsuwa," I said, teasing her. Tsuki opens the door, smiling. I smile back, happy to be back where I belong.
"I see you are up early," she said, bring me some breakfast. She puts a plate of fresh fruit on the desk, while I start to fix the bed.
"I couldn't sleep last night. I thought that if I close my eyes that I would be back home doing nothing. I'm just so excited. Finally, this week I get to start looking for my crew," I said, hoping for the best. It wasn't easy getting here either. Once the council approved my membership and my travels, the organization fake some papers so it seems that I'm going to Europe for a job. My dad was on board since as he says 'breaking out in the adult world', but my mom was the toughest.
After all the fake papers were signed, I fake going to the airport and going to Europe. Miss. LeBlanc and I use our power to teleport back to Braken Isle. I need to get used to teleporting by myself. If I remember correctly, my dad used to when I was little. Always, my childhood summers were with him. My father stop taking me here after a while. I don't remember why. After a while on Braken Isle, I decide to head over to Conner Cove, where Tsuki lives.
"Let's get everything straight. You are going on which boat on Friday?" Tsuki asks me. I take a bit out of the strawberry.
"Mmmmm….so good. The C. Monkey to go to Water 7," I said, eating my breakfast. Tsuki nods.
"Who are you going to meet up and why?" she said. I thought about that one. I swallow some berries before I talk.
"I need to meet up with Fred. I'm staying and working for him until I find my crew. If my crew doesn't appear within the five days, I must book a ship to another island and go," I said, hoping I had the right name. Tsuki shakes her head.
"His name is Frank. You'll be working in the bakery, near dock one. Please don't forget it," Tsuki informs me. I nod, repeating the information again. 'Frank. Baker. Dock One,' I thought to myself. I eat the piece of fruit and decide to get ready early. I need to get some information, before I leave this island. In the Grandline, everything can change in a split second. New Pirates. New Bounties!
"I got this. Now, the boat leaves at 4 p.m. We get there around 9 p.m. Find Frank the baker. I need to show him my I.D and that's it. It's smooth sailing," I said, patting her shoulder. I slowly lead her out of the room.
"But what about-" she begins to say. I start to laugh.
"Don't worry about your little head. I know about my conditions. You worry too much," I said, before closing the door. I look at the outfit I have today. I knew I'm going to do some errands before I leave here. I need to help deliver mail for Tsuki, restock her fridge and medicine supplies, and do some shopping of my own. I choose to wear white sandals, high-waist shorts, with a light blue blouse with a ruffle top. I quickly change into it, grabbing my small purse.
"I'll be right back," I said, walking out the door. I hear her reply and continue my way up the hill to get to the center of town fast. The weather is really nice. The sun is out, no clouds are out. The breeze is gentle. Once I was on top of this hill, I can see the entire town and its docks. I see four small merchant vessels in the middle. On their left, it looks like a marine ship, but it looks like it was modified and the flag is wrong. It has two swords forming a C with looks like an upside U's on it. Also it has a line going through it. On the other side, it was another ship with the weird voodoo flag. It takes me a minute to know these ships are pirate ships.
"Oh fuck!" I said, walking into town. I hope I don't engage or meet anyone from those pirate crews. Yet, fate wants some entertainment for today and likes to see me squirm. Fate hates me. I know and I have the evidence to prove it. I did my errands, did the grocery shopping, and picking her medicine up. Not one pirate around. Nothing at all. I had no trouble whatsoever. I assume nothing can ruin this day for me.
With everything I need, I decided to walk back to the house, but the long scenic route. Along this path, I sense something amiss. I look ahead of me to see the first evidence that Fate hates me. I keep walking without hesitation, hoping that the group of men would ignore me. Don't look at them. Don't make eye contact.
"What an interesting fate you have," one of the men said out loud. I stop and took a good look at these men, mainly the person who spoke first. He had black triangles on his eyebrows, with wavy blonde hair. I notice a black cross tattooed at the base of his throat. He is sitting down on the grass. I assume he was relaxing here until I'm in his sights. He has cards with thread, holding them. Yet, in my gut, I know it's not just a simple thread that's holding them. I narrow my eyes a bit, hoping to look intimidating. Who am I kidding, my intimidation skills is like a damn Chihuahua!
He dresses in a pure white coat with ruffled sleeves and neckline. He is wearing purple pants tucked inside of black boots with white laces and some fur thing around his waist. He has similar gloves like min except mine's is in purple while he has black. From what I can tell his only weapon is the sword he has.
I believe his crew just stands there, surrounding him. I going to believe that he is the captain of that voodoo ship. When the man looks up, I took a step back. Those red eyes of his unnerve me.
"Pardon me?" I said, politely. I tread carefully around these pirates. I don't know if they are strong, but I don't want to find out the hard way.
"Your fortune is odd indeed. You experience some hardships so early in life that you assume that the worst is over," he said, placing one last card on the thread. With a stoic face, he turns to me.
"The worst has yet to come," he said, coldly.
"Um..Thank you," I simply nod and walk away, not wanting to waste my time with him and get away from him too. As I walk away, I can hear that strange man shuffle his cards over and over again. God that is going to haunt me for a while over and over again. I let out the breath I was holding, and pick up the pace.
Strange things keep happening. New day, new shit happens. I spend my time, wandering around the town. Braken Isle is broken down into three islands. There is the main island and two little islands. I'm on the one that is habitable. Only people with special permission from the council can be on it. I was there when I was transported back.
Sometimes, pirates will dock for a day or two. Then they will go to the main island. Unlike everyone else, there three pirate crews don't follow the rules. I thought after yesterday that they would be gone, but nope. The Voodoo man, looking like the goblin king, to be honest, is still here. Sometimes, I see him walking towards the woods, or I pass him when I go home later on the day.
I simply give him a small nod and smile. Then there is the masked pirate. Ever since I help his first mate avoid a heavy price for recovering their supplies, he wants to try to talk to me. The keyword is try. Every time I see him, I would hurry up with the tasks at hand or disappear before his eyes. For example, I see him down the road. We make eye contact, and he makes his way towards. I see two handymen carrying a new drywall in front of me. Quickly, as they block his eye line, I crouch down and follow them. They continue to go into the house, while I duck into an alleyway and take the long back way home. I'm lucky that I just need some apples for today that I can make it home before noon.
When reaching the house, I know that there is something wrong. How did I know something is wrong. Well...
"So, out of all the people on this island, those pirates decide to kidnap your son, the navigator?!" I said, shaking the old captain of the C Monkey. He looks pitiful at me.
"Y-y-y-es. They just took him to their ship! My poor son!" the old man said, crying. I sigh, muttering to myself. I need to leave today. I try to think about what to do. There was no way I can get another ticket for a boat. It's already too late and the latest one is until next week.
"...Angelina," I excuse myself and start walking to my room.
"….I can't believe I'm doing this," I said to myself. I go to my bag and pull out fighting gloves with sea stones. I put them on and threw my stuff together quickly. I walk, with everything I have.
"Oi! What are you doing?" she said to me. I turn and look back at Tsuki, then at the captain.
"I'm getting your navigator so we can set sail before it gets too dark," I said, walking away. I knew that the pirates, who were docked at the port, didn't kidnap the navigator, and the only place that the other pirates can dock is at the southern beaches. Before I could leave to the docks, I hear someone catching up with me.
"What are you doing, old man?" I said to him, not slowing down. I look down at him. He looks at me and smiles, showing off a few teeth.
"Going to kicking pirate scum," he said, walking beside me. I shake my head, and pray that this was easy to do.
"The hell you are! Get the ship ready." I said, giving him my bag. He slowly agrees after a hard glare. I had to channel Zoro for a moment. I sigh. Without him, I couldn't leave the island. After I left town, I walk on the path to the southern beaches. I wouldn't know that while I get there Hell already broke loose. I didn't notice that there was a battle on the southern beaches, until it was too late.
Oh fuck! Oh Fuck! OH FUCK! I swear for the gods above Fate has something against me. I mean I'm not really a bad person, honestly. Do I not do at least one good deed once a day?! I help Ms. Mitsuwa before leaving. I'm looking for my crew all by my damn self here.
But NO! I got a damn pirate war going on down on the beaches, while I'm here in the forest being like a ninja. I move to a tree, hoping to not get notice by either crew. It seems it was the Drake Pirates vs. the pirate crew that stole my navigator. I crouch down, hoping no stray bullets come my way.
With all the noise coming from the fighting, I finally knew where the navigator is.
"TAKE THE NAVIGATOR TO THE SHIP WHILE WE KEEP THEM BACK!" a huge man yells out the order. I see two guys dragging someone towards the ship and away from me. The fight fiercely continues one side not giving in. My eyes go back and forth between the fight and the two guys dragging my navigator. The more time I'm not moving, the farther away they are getting.
"Damn it! Think, woman, think!" I said to myself. I see them going where there are many logs on the beach. I look and see that if I run straight and use the logs as cover I can go in front of them and surprise them. I didn't think much about how I am going to fight those pirates, but wanting to see my friends again made me feel I can do it.
I start to run, trying to go as fast as I can. I control my breathing, breathing in and out.
In.
Out.
In.
Out
I focus on getting the logs before them, and I'm gaining speed. I bolt forward as I see that the terrain, before is getting uneven. I push myself using the pads of my feet, and hurl myself over a log. I didn't land on my feet and scramble to get up.
I look up to see that I'm ahead of them. 'Almost there' I thought to myself. I reach a point where I needed to hide. I thought one of them saw me. I squeeze my eyes, swallowing my spit. I inhale with my nose and exhale with my mouth slowly. Suddenly, an earsplitting roar shook the beaches. I tense up, not believing what I'm hearing. I peek around the tree and my jaw drops in amazement.
HOLY MOTHER OF JESUS! IT'S A T-REX! I shake my head, not allowing myself to be distracted. Those two men decide to gawk at the T-Rex for a while. I slink my way to the pile of logs, grabbing a small, but heavy branch to knock one of them out. Through the gaps, I analyze my opponents. The guy on my left has a sword with him, grabbing on to my navigator while the other has a gun. I focus on the guy with the gun. He will be the first one to get knocked out.
I hear another roar from the dinosaur as it starts to fight the masses. I close my eyes, leaning against the pile of logs. I feel my heart pounding with excitement.
"Let's go, brother," I hear them talk among themselves. I hear the other one agree and start to drag the navigator. I hear the rustling of his clothes as he starts to struggle again.
"Oi! Stop struggling!"
"Stupid Navigator. You're a pirate now, so accept your fate," By the sound of them huffing and puffing, they will be in my sights in ten seconds.
Ten. I calm myself, hoping this will go smoothly. Nine. If this fails, I'll attack the guy with the gun. Eight. Don't get caught. Evade everything. Seven. Why does fate hate me? Six. God if I make this out alive, I promise to be the very best me. Five. I tighten my grip on the branch, as fear grips my heart. Four. I exhale the breath I was holding in. I place my feet and shoulder's length to each other. My feet point to the oceans. I need to believe that his head is a baseball.
Three. I bend my knees a little. I loosen my grip on the branch a bit, raising the branch to chest level.
Two. My back elbow is raised to my shoulder.
One! I snap my eyes open, seeing the guy. In that split second, I swing my branch as hard and fast as I can. I shift my weight and step toward him with my front foot, letting the momentum through. He didn't see it coming, and is thrown backward.
"Brother!" the guy yells, as he watches his brother being thrown backward. He looks to see who did it, only to see a punch coming his way. He staggers back and growls. I see the guy I hit with the branch, laying on the ground K.O. I smirk, and put myself between the navigator and the guy.
"Hey, are you okay? Your dad and I worry about ya," I said, to him. I give him a quick glance. The navigator is actually quite feminine. He is very lanky and cute. I would pass him to be a woman if I didn't know he was a guy.
"You wrench!" sword guy said, fighting with me. I doge them quickly, using my previous training with Zoro. I mentally thank Zoro a dozen times for using real swords. I use my gymnastics skills to dodge backward and sideways. I notice he is winging widely and huge.
My hands are up, guarding my face. He tried to slash me from left to right again but I dodge. His face is open, and I lunge forward. I raise my right knee to my waist and kick my leg, snapping it forward quickly. I used the ball of my foot to strike him in the face. He is flung back, probably, dizzy. His sword was drop near me. I take the sword and went to the navigator's side. He looks at me, pleading me to help. I took off the makeshift gag.
"Oh thank you! I thought no one would save me," he said, thanking me. I went behind him and start to cut off the ropes. I smirk, licking my dry lips.
"I can't believe my plan worked," I said, in all honestly. I see the sword guy, struggling to stand back up. That's what happens when you aim and successfully hit the head. The brain inside gets a bit rattled.
"Come on! Let's get out of here!" I said, pulling him to his feet. We bolt it out of there as we reach the forest I look back. No one noticed what happened to those guys. I would never know why those two crews start to fight each other nor did I want to stay and find out. I froze as the T-Rez stares at me. His teeth stain with the blood of his enemies. His predatory eyes hunger for more and is looking straight at me. Yet, I find him the most beautiful thing in the world. He lets out a big roar, letting out his rage. When he looks back, he didn't see me.
As if the devil himself is chasing us, the navigator and I ran back to the Ship, C. Monkey, and left the island. Let's go to Water 7.
I want to take this moment to thank god for sending me to Water 7. This place is so beautiful and the people are so friendly too. I met up with Frank and he promises me if I do a good job, I can stay longer. Guess who did a fabulous job?! THIS GIRL RIGHT HERE! That's right. I, Angelina D Portgas, did such a fabulous job that he offered me to take to the next island for free. He said this storm called Aqua Laguna or something is coming at the end of the week. I know nothing can go wrong at this point.
Water 7 reminds me of Venice, Italy, but the island is almost like a tier cake design to it. There are water-ways and canals that are used for transportation like roads. Many citizens use these cute Bulls. They are so cute. Bulls are kind of like sea horses, but big to ride them around the city. Also, some shops rent out bulls of different sizes. The buildings are in different colors, mainly tan or peachy color. Some of the canals are wide enough for ships but usually they dock them somewhere else.
I stretch out a bit, getting ready for the lunch rush. Now, Tracey and Frank had just bake almost all the pastries from scratch and set them in the display.
"Do think you can sell them all, Angelina?" Frank said, as I finish doing squats. I laugh a bit. I did a small hair flip.
"Didn't you hear? The shipwrights have two huge projects being done. They are going to be hungry for lunch," I said, smiling. After five days here, I manage to get a huge client for Frank. It is the shipwrights from Dock one, just a couple of them which have huge appetites. Slowly but surely, they will come to Star Bakery for their needs. I let out a small giggle.
People start to come in, buying the small stuff, like bagels, bread, and muffins. Then I see my regular customers come in.
"Tilestone and Lulu, how are you guys?" I ask, giving them a smile. I can tell they were hungry.
Tilestone is a very large guy, with brown hair tied in a ponytail and light-brown beard. He has a tattoo going from his chest to his shoulder. He told me it means shipwright. A man passionate about his job he is. He always wears a pair of crimson elbow-pads, and knee-long pants with black shoes. He has the tendency to yell what goes on in his mind.
Lulu is a muscular man with black hair and a mustache who usually wears sunglasses. He constantly has a part of his hair sticking up no matter what. When he tries to push it down it always pops up somewhere else. It is funny when he does this. His upper body has some cool tattoo too. He wears pants that have lighter colored stripes around his waist and on the top of the legs as well.
"Tired! Iceberg has us working on two ships this week!" Tilestone said, walking to the display. He sees and drools and the pasties. I smile, placing my hands on my hips.
"Well, you're just in time. These pastries are freshly made with love. All warm and delicious," I said, watching their reactions. They look at the food and to themselves. Slowly, they grin.
"We'll take ten of each," Lulu said, coolly. I clap rapidly and start to ring them up. I really don't want to change their mind.
"And since you're such great customers, maybe later I can swing by and give you a cake," I said, ringing up their total.
"It will be 250 belli, please" I said. They paid and I start to bag them very nicely.
"Our co-workers will be so jealous," Lulu said, grabbing all the bags, while Tilestone is eating all the donuts. Tilestone nods, grunting. Lulu struggles a bit before getting a good grip on them.
"I'll come around three, you guys, to bring you a fresh cake," I said, innocently. They grin and wave.
"Okay, I'll let Kaku know about it!" Tilestone yells, after swallowing another donut. My god these people can eat. They left the store and I rang up the next customers. Two hours later, Linda comes in, ready to work the counter.
Linda is such a sweet girl. She is the smallest little thing ever, with the soft blue hair that goes to her shoulder. Her eyes remind me of grapes. She always wears a light color sundress with a sweater. Today, it was a dark blue sundress with lace detail and a white sweater on top of it.
"Hello, Angelina," she said, softly. I had to strain my hearing just to hear her. She took over the counter while I went to the back.
"Hey Frank, you got an extra cake for my loyal customers at Dock One," I said, looking around. I can see they are working on the orders I got them. I knew if we close early for that storm people would order more.
"You can get the fruit cake in the frig,….but it's coming out of your paycheck, woman," He said, beating the dough hard. The kitchen is a mess, with flour going everywhere, and people trying to finish decoration their cake. I went to the shelf to get the box prototype. It is a simple black box with white lettering that says "Star Bakery" in bold. I fold it and went to get the cake. Oh my god the cake looks so appealing. It has a white buttercream to cover it and it has a strawberry star on the top.
"I'm going to do a delivery! Wish me luck !" I yell, placing the cake in the box. Frank and Tracey yell Good Luck to me and I open the back door. In an outside pen, we have a personal Bull to ride on. She is super cute. She had a baby blue color scheme going on. We call her Robin. She has a navy blue bow on top of her head.
"Robin," I said, rolling my 'R'. I see her coming out of her little house. She makes these cute horse sounds as she swims to me.
"Niii~" she neighs, at me. I rub her head in greeting. I see she already set for going. I laugh a bit. I sit down and place the box on the floor between my feet.
"You always know when it's time to work," I said, climbing aboard. I open the pen, holding onto the reins as she speeds out.
"WAH! Robin, you are going the wrong way!" I said, holding on to dear life.
Finally, after using the elevator and more elevators, turning into alleys ways, I reach Dock One. I told Robin to stay around the corner so she isn't in any harm's way. I already see a small crown in front of the entrance. I slip into the crowd and with some maneuvering I made it to the front. Once I see what was inside of Dock One, I am impressed. There are so many things going on here. With many warehouses, I can only assume that each one of them has a ship in it. I search around, seeing a lot of workers, but not Lulu or Tilestone. I hear a lot of comments about the other workers.
"Look! Lucci is so handsome!" a woman behind said, pointing out a man on some planks. It looks like he is bolting them together. This Lucci looks like a man I don't want to mess with. I mean seriously he has a damn pigeon on his right shoulder. Even though, he is a very tall and muscular man, I don't like how he looks.
"Damn that Kaku is strong," another one said, facing a certain direction. I look in that general direction. My eyes widen. 'Usopp!' I thought, but knew it wasn't him. This guy is much too tall and his nose is square and long. He has big black eyes with very thin eyelashes. He wears a white cap, a high-collared orange shirt with blue jeans and white sneakers. Yet, I do not see Lulu or Tilestone.
"I guess they must be inside somewhere. How do I make sure they get this?" I said to myself. I have a tight hold on the box. I look again moving my head left to right, but didn't see them. I sigh. I guess I'll just take this cake back. I turn around to move through the crowd. I squeeze out of there just in time. I walk backward for a bit, defeated. I turn around just in time to slam into someone. I hear the cake slide a bit.
"I'm sorry," I said, without looking up. I rub my nose a bit, lifting my head to see who I bump into. A very tall man with blue hair and maybe some blue lipstick too. He has a red jacket with a white shirt with a wide-collared, with nice tailor black pants.
"….that is fine. Please excuse me," he said, picking his nose. He turns to leave as a blond woman with green glasses follows him. I nervously smile and step away from him. I sigh a bit.
"How am I going to give this to Lulu and Tilestone," I said, sighing one more time. I didn't take one step when someone taps my shoulder. I turn around to see the blue-haired guy again. I hope he didn't touch me with his nasty fingers.
"I hear that you need to see Lulu and Tilestone," he said, staring at me. God what is with the men of Dock One. All of them give me the goosebumps or red flags to stay away from them. I gulp, not trusting him.
"….Yea. I came here to deliver some cake," I said, unsure if to trust this man. He nods, understands my predicament. Some movement caught my eye and I see that everyone is looking at us, actually at him. Something tells me that he is a very important person. He outs his large hands on my shoulder and starts to push me to the general area of the docks. I yelp, trying to stop him, but he is a determined, big guy.
"Then I shall lead the way. I have them doing a small project for me," he said. I grip on the box of cake, cursing out loud. The crowd parts way, talking among themselves and I hear a keyword: mayor. 'Oh for love's sake' I thought to myself. I can't believe that this is man is Iceman or was it Icecake. No it wasn't it was-
"Iceberg-san, we have lots of meeting today, what are you doing with that girl?" a woman said, walking right beside him. She has strawberry blonde hair in a very tight bun, with glasses. I couldn't tell what color eyes she has. I quickly draw my attention as he lifts the gate and we go under it.
"I don't want to go to those meetings. They're boring!" he said, making emphasizes on boring. I tried to talk, but I'm busy trying to not get myself killed. We weave in and out of the workers, ducking our heads, and making our way to a warehouse. I notice it is quite smaller than the others and the number fourteen on it. Is this where my new customers are? Iceberg lets me go and walks ahead with the blonde woman in tow. I quickly run after, not wanting to be left alone. I walk inside to see it is a break room for the workers here in Dock One.
"OI!Angel!" A voice yells out for me. I quickly look around and see Tilestone and Lulu sitting down with Iceberg walking towards them. I quicken my step and I reach them before Icebug can.
"Guys I was looking everywhere for you. I got you a fresh cake to eat today," I said, happily. I place my box right in the center, opening it up. I place the fruit cake, letting them soak it in.
"It's our new strawberry filling vanilla cake with vanilla frosting with real strawberry toppings," I said, very slowly. I can see them drooling over it.
"Ah, please take a sit, Angelina. Why don't you join us and eat some cake with us," Lulu said, standing up and pulling up a chair. I shake my head, hoping to get back to work quickly.
"I wish I could, but I have to meet with my boss about the bakery," I said. They shake their head and Lulu nudges me to sit. I sigh inwardly, knowing this is going to take a while. I see that Iceberg came to the table with plates and forks. I guess I'm staying over for cake. I pray that maybe I can convince the mayor of this town to go to the Star Bakery for a taste testing. I can see it now. Mayor visits Best Bakery in Town. That will bring lots of customers to the store. For now, I need to play it cool. Hopefully, I don't mess this up.