Chapter 33
Waiting for the bus… while the dude who was the nude model in our drawing class two weeks ago sits on the other side of the waiting room.
Hopefully he isn't going to Tamworth…
/
"We forgot about Fee Fee," Marty said into the silence.
"We need to get to the docks right now," Beth said grimly, glancing at her father.
"She's a giant sea monster though, it's not like they can hurt her right?" Ace glanced at Marty exasperated.
"I think you meant she's a giant sea monster, how much damage is she going to do," Ace said annoyed. Marty shrugged.
"Potato, tomato."
"The hell does that mean?"
"Same difference."
"In what universe- oh right," Ace frowned as Marty pushed herself to her feet, "Maybe you should stay here."
"Yeah that's gonna happen," Marty rolled her eyes, limping over to Jack to prod him in the nose. Jack woke with a snort.
"Wha-"
"We have an incoming mother ship and a Sea monster terrorising the villiage," Marty ordered.
"Wait-"
"Time to get up"
"You aren't going to be able to keep up," Ace warned as Marco translated to a confused Jack.
"It'll be fine- if you're so worried I can go now. That way you guys are the ones catching up."
"Yeah that isn't what I mean and you know it," Ace said standing up. He moved so he was looking down at Marty and crossed his arms. Marty turned toward him and planted her hands on her hips, "Marco back me up."
"… Maybe you should stay with here with Amber," Marco agreed as Marty glared at him. Amber coughed drawing there attention to see her drying of her hands next to the sink.
"Yeah, that isn't going to work since I'm coming too," Amber pointed out, "Polo's staying with Donna."
"I am?"
"Were women always this difficult?" Marco asked confused.
"No, just them," Ace grumbled frowning. Marty grinned up at him cheerfully which only annoyed Ace more. He could tell being uprate was exhausting her. Ace sighed, she wouldn't be able to walk the whole way to the docks.
"You live on a pirate ship whose crew consists of men. How many dames did you actually speak to before us?" Beth asked snidely as checked her guns were loaded. Cake frowned.
"What are you doing?"
"Last time I was on those docks I got put in a cage, just taking precautions," Beth said brightly, glancing up as Brad put a hand on her shoulder.
"Following that train of thought I'll be coming too," Brad his tone a copy of his sisters cheerfulness as he pulled a rather large pistol from the back of his jeans. Cake tipped her head to the side, then wordlessly grabbed her sword as she stood up.
"Good you can carry Marty," Beth said as she turned on her heel and began walking towards the door. Marty broke her staring contest with Ace to frown at her traitorous friend, "Lead the way Michael, and take us to the drama."
"I feel like that could be your catchphrase if you replaced 'take us to' with 'let's cause'" Marco said falling into step beside her.
"I don't need to be carried," Marty insisted taking a step away from Brad with her hands on her hip. The action was ruined slightly as Cake gave her a push as she walked past. Brad grabbed her forearms to stop her from face planting, helping her upright
"Careful, she bites," Amber warned.
"I can handle it," Brad said with a grin. Before Marty could retort, Ace's hands were around her waist, pulling her backward out of Brads grip to hand her up to Jack.
"Be that as it may, he's the one she least likely to attack," Ace said evenly as Jack settled Marty onto her usual spot on his shoulder.
"I am not in distress Ace," Marty said resigned as she resumed her mission to turn Jacks beard into a forest of tiny braids, "Man-handle me like that again and I will set your hat on fire." Ace snorted.
"You do worst crap than that to me by accident… What are you looking proud for," Ace said raising an eyebrow. Jack chuckled stepping around Ace, before the pair started a proper fight.
Brad shook his head. He grabbed Ozzie as he ran past him lifting him onto his shoulders, and following his father out.
"Jealous," Ace glanced at Amber who was the only one still in the house besides Polo and Donna.
"What was that?" Ace asked confused. Amber smiled innocently.
"You'll be my escort right?" Amber said hooking her arm through his.
"I don't really have a choice do I," Ace said amused.
"None whatsoever."
Ace sighed as he was dragged from the house.
"Polo make sure Edgar stays tied up, I still have a conversation to have with him," Ace called back into the house as Polo watched them leave with forlorn eyes.
Ace had grown used to a completely empty town, it weirded him out slightly to walk through the now bustling village.
"What's Marty going to do?"
"Hmm?" Ace pulled his eyes away from the bustling village to meet Ambers, "With what? Fee Fee? She thinks of the bloody thing as a pet . Purple will probably just get someone to give her a lift out to pet it."
"Not the Sea Monster," Amber dropping her eyes to examine her nails. Ace blinked, eyes moving to Jacks distinguishable figure.
"I think Beth would know more than me. I think she should stay based on the fact of what she can now do," Ace said with a shrug, "Devil fruit are rare and chaotic here, who knows what she could get up to in a world where her powers aren't supposed to exist."
"That isn't the only reason you want her here," Amber said with a grin, Ace frowned at her.
"Since were are on the subject may I ask a question?"
"You just did, but you may ask another," Amber said smiling sunnily.
"Why do you do this?" Amber tipped her head to the side as they sidestepped a group of children chasing after a dog that probably weighed more than all its pursuers combined.
"Do what?" Ace gestured between the two of them.
"This, the escorting, the grabbing, insulting Beth and Cake, the over the top feeling declarations," Ace said, Amber's eyes widened before her face went carefully blank.
"Did Marty tell you?"
"No. Marty knows?" Amber rolled her eyes
"Of course Marty knows, she only acts like an idiot. How'd you know-JESUS CHRIST WHAT IS THAT," Amber stopped dead in her tracks as the Ocean came into view. Ace frowned.
"That would be Fee Fee, who I believe is cozing up to our ship," Ace frowned eyes flicking to Marty who had begun calling out greetings, "I hope they don't panic and shoot her."
"Are you insane? What's Marty do-?" Amber said watching her friend push herself higher using the top of Jack's head for support.
"FEE FEE THIS WAY- CAN YOU COME INTO THE DOCKS?
"OH MY G- ZITOMIRA RHONA MARIETTA WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING," Amber screeched. Ace tore his eyes away from Marty who had spun around to glare at amber.
"What language was that?" Ace said raising an eyebrow as Fee Fee drew away from the ship and started making its way towards the shore.
"Dude what the hell?" Marty protested. The group blinked staring between the two girls uncomprehendingly.
"Get back from the dock! The monster is coming towards you!" Amber said dropping Ace's arm to take a step back.
"Don't change the subject Amberlynn"
"For god sake forget about names and get the hell back here! The giant Blue dragon is getting closer!"
"Fee Fee's not gonna eat you," Marty rolled her eye turning to face the approaching Sea King.
-MORHEEY-
Fee Fee started keening and thrashing as the water became too shallow to advance through.
"Fee Fee!" Jack grabbed the back of Marty's shirt as she went to jump off his shoulder, "Jack put me down."
"Are you planning to swim to your friend?"
"No, I was gonna take that row boat."
"No"
"I can row a boat."
"No."
-MORHEEY-
"But she's upset Jack!"
"Do not let her go out Jack," Amber ordered stalking up. Water began crashing onto the boardwalk as Fee Fee continued to fret. It was doubtful a row boat would be able to get in from the ship with the waves this rough.
"… We need to get either Marty to Fee Fee or Fee Fee in to Marty," Beth said. Marty froze as an idea came to her. She glanced back at Jack whose eyes were on the chaos being stirred up in the ocean in front of them.
"Marty can barely walk around without someone helping her, what makes you think she can go out and play with a bloody Sea Monster," Amber snapped.
"Fine I won't go play with the sea monster," Marty said stretching her arm behind her to poke at Jack's wrist, "Can you put me down, it's starting to hurt." Jack dragged his gaze away from the Sea king to eye his young friend suspiciously.
"You won't attempt to escape out there?"
"I promise I won't attempt to get out to Fee Fee." Beth frowned, she hadn't known Marty longer than two weeks, but this was still the first time she had obeyed so quickly. Or at all really. Beth shared a glance with Cake confirming the younger girl had the same suspicions. Cake rose an eyebrow, were they going to warn Marco and Ace?
Beth shook her head slightly before returning her gaze to Marty hoping she hadn't made the wrong decision. Cake sighed glancing around the group before she began innocently backing away. It wasn't that she didn't trust Marty motives, but Cake had seen that look on her face before. Someone was going to end up in the water again. It sure as hell wasn't going to be her.
Marco didn't notice Cake retreating onto solid ground. He focused his eyes on the little boat being lowered from the Moby Dick. There was no way they would be rowing through this mess.
"It also likes Ace right? Maybe we just send him out," Marco suggested. Ace glanced between Marco and Fee Fee.
"Even if that works, and it probably won't, There's no way a row boat would make it out now," Ace said resigned. Marco shrugged.
"I'll give you a lift."
"Thanks so much for that," Ace drawled sarcastically. He was now going to go play with Purples pet. Yippee. Speaking of which, "You are not coming." Ace warned Marty who met his glare innocently.
"Of course not, I promised Jack I wasn't going out there," Marty said sincerely.
Amber frowned, a little voice in the back of her head was telling her there was something wrong with the situation. Marty doesn't obey, but she also never breaks promises. Ever.
"Marty..." Amber said slowly.
"What's a Zitomirona?" Beth asked suddenly, hoping once again that she wasn't going to end up in the ocean. Marty glanced at her, a grateful smile touching her lips before it disappeared again.
"Pardon?" Amber said testily.
"You called Marty a Zitomirona," Amber snorted suddenly understanding
"Zitomira. Its Marty's name. Zitomira Rhona Marietta's her full name," Amber said in a bored tone as the group was actually distracted from the mini tsunami's Fee Fee was creating.
"Seriously?" Ace said after a moment turning to stare at Marty who looked resigned.
"Unfortunately."
"Were your parents attempting to punish you with a fruity name?" Marco asked impressed, not noticing the glance Ace threw at him.
"If you think my names bad, Ambers full name is Amberlynn Elinora Dawnika, which basically translates to the honey light of daybreak." Marty shook her hear ruefully, "doesn't suit her personality at all."
"My parents are fruit bats, buts it better that having a name that means 'to be famous, powerful and mighty'."
"You didn't translate my last name," Marty said with a smirk, "It's the best part."
"Fine, to be famous, powerful, mighty, and bitter."
"It's funny how much that name suits my family…" Marty said ruefully
"You name is Marty," Beth interrupted confused.
"Yes it is."
"But it isn't."
-MORHEEY-
"Can you go calm down loch ness over there," Amber said to Marco and Ace, "Before it drowns us."
Beth watched amused as Marco visibly restrained himself from rolling his eyes.
"What's going on Beth?" Beth spun around to face her brother.
"What do you mean?"
"You have the same look on you face as when you used to plant spiders in those girls lunchboxes in school," Brad said raising his eyebrows. Beth blinked.
"You knew about that?"
"What do you take me for, don't change the subject," Beth glanced towards the three whitebeard pirates to make sure they weren't listening. Brads eyes narrowed, "Whatever's going to happen, those guys don't know about it do they." Beth shook her head.
"Get Dad and Michael back onto the island," Beth said quietly.
"Why."
"Just trust me and do it."
"You come too then."
"Can't, Marco will know Marty's up to something if both Cake and I disappear onto safe ground."
"Marty? Marty said she wasn't going to do anything," Brad glanced back onto the island to see Cake standing a good ten meters back off the docks watching the group warily. Beth frowned.
"No, she said she wouldn't try to head out to meet Fee Fee," Beth said shaking her head as Brad open his mouth, "get onto the bank, I know what's going to happen so I'm not in any danger. " Beth lied not looking at her Brother as he hesitated before moving off to collect their father and brother.
Beth turned her eyes back to Marty, slightly surprised she had somehow moved away from Jack without them noticing her. Beth took a second to wonder if she acted like an idiot all the time to make them all forget how intelligent she really was. Beth then remembered her biting into her fork and disregarded that idea entirely. Marty was a simple minded, idiot who also somehow possessed a remarkable amount of intelligence and determination. Beth smiled at her friend as Marty glanced in Ace in Marcos direction before turning her gaze to Fee Fee, feeling a rush of affection for the impossible girl. It was an extremely dangerous combination, probably why the last week had been so much fun. Sensible people were so boring. And mean. There was a reason Beth put spiders in those girls food.
Marty clenched and unclenched her firsts knowing this was probably the dumbest thing she had done yet. Including everything she had done unintentionally like roasting the chefs eyebrows. That being said there was no way in hell she was going to let Fee Fee fret out there by herself.
Deep breath.
Marty waited until Jack had turned in Ace and Marco's direction, then began walking forward as quietly and quickly as her bruised side could manage. Knowing she had about twenty seconds before someone noticed and tackled her, injured or not.
Amber frowned surprised as Marty started hurrying towards the ocean.
"OI-mmmpfh!" Beth clamped her hand down over Amber's mouth as the three men turned towards the source of the noise.
"Y-You insult my hair one more time and I'm going to cut yours off!" Beth said loudly without moving her hands. I'm going to hell, Beth thought cheerfully forcing herself not to look in Marty's direction.
Deep breath.
Marty stopped a meter from the edge of the docks, kneeling down she placed her palms flat against the rough wooden surface. Taking one more look in Fee Fee's direction before closing her eyes.
Not all of it, Marty pressed her hands more firmly onto the Deck, I have to shift some of it, not all of it.
Fee Fee snorted, trying to pull herself through the shallow water, glancing towards the human who made the ocean dance in the sky. Fee Fee shook her head, stretching it towards the bank sniffling. She paused suddenly tipping her head to the side as the wind shifted, blowing straight out from the island, bringing smells with it. She could smell Morhey. Morhey smelt like her brother when he had been attacked but the wooden-people-ocean-home, like blood and pain. Morhey was hurt.
-MORHEEY-
Ace gaze automatically moved to where Marty had just been standing. It took him a second for his brain to catch up with the fact she wasn't there.
Ace swore, causing Marco to glance at him surprised as he swung around to see a purple head of hair at the end of the dock. Ace took off running. The stupid idiot was injured; she couldn't be using her devil fruit powers. Not after what had happened last time.
Deep breath.
"Yaosu Yaosu Earth."
\\\
All is good, dude got on a bus to Toowoomba.
