Important Note: Arlong and his gang are (normal) humans and are not Mermen. Why? Because if they were, this story would take place by the ocean not in a forest. Also, for my sake because Animals v. Mermen would take more than one chapter to finish.
Arlong frowned when a green sparrow flew pass his head and out the door. "What was that?"
Nami glared, "A friend. You won't leave this plantation alive."
"Tie them up and then torch the place." Arlong smirked, "No torch the trees and let them watch their beloved tangerines burn. The fire will eventually reach them unless the smoke suffocates them first."
"WAIT, WAIT!" Genzo shouted as Hatchi tied Nami and Nojiko to their chairs. He shouted to Arlong, "I'll tell you where I got the gold! Let my daughters go and I'll tell you."
Arlong viciously smirked and drawled, "So, you do know."
"Yes, I've always know. How could I ever forget? Let my daughters go and I'll tell."
"No, you tell me first and then I'll let all three of you go. Does that sound like a good deal to you?"
Genzo bit his lower lip and looked over to his daughters. Nojiko was unconscious and Nami was shaking her head. With a sigh, he told Arlong, "There's a castle in the forest west of here. Go to the path and take the left road, you will reach an abandon castle within a few miles." Nami's eyes questioned when she heard her father say abandon.
"Castle? Are you sure you're sane? There isn't a castle around here. Crazy old Genzo."
"It's true." Nami shouted, "My father isn't crazy! I've been there."
"Good, you can lead us. Hatchi, get her." Arlong commanded and then said to the old man, "If it's true, we'll bring her back alive. If you both are lying, she'll die."
Nami struggled with Hatchi but he was stronger than her. "I'll come back and save you!" Nami called to her father. "I promise!"
"How loving is this?" Kuroobi and Chuu laughed as they held torches in their hands.
Arlong climbed onto his horse and Hatchi gave Nami to him. His three toadies climbed onto their own horses. Nami screamed as Kuroobi and Chuu threw the torches into the tangerine grove. Arlong just laughed and kicked his horse to go. His toadies followed his lead and they rode down the path.
"Why did you do that? We told you where the gold is!"
"I never had a second thought about setting fire to your grove. I'm going to build my own empire on the land. With the gold I take from the castle, I'll be a rich man and you are going to be my wife."
"Like Hell I am!" Nami shoved him off the horse. When she tried to gallop away, Kuroobi caught up to her and grabbed the horse's reins. Arlong slapped Nami and she fell of the horse.
Standing over her, he said, "You better not do that again if you value your life. Now behave or else I'll have to mar your face."
Zoro sat on the balcony since Nami left the castle. Luffy came out with him and sat down. He roared and Zoro scoffed, "You think I can understand you?" Luffy roared again, but this time he waved and jabbed his paws in the air.
"He says turn around." Zoro drew his swords and spun around to see the enchantress Robin. She was standing on the balcony ledge with her arms crossed over her chest.
"What the Hell do you want?" Zoro snapped, "You've ruined our lives and I think that's enough."
"So, you do think." Robin laughed. Zoro growled but stood his ground, ready to leap at any moment, but his swords were suddenly knocked down out of his hands. "Don't point those dangerous things at me." She sat down and faced Zoro with a smirk, "I come to warn you. Go and head east. It's that way." She pointed. "You will meet your bird friend and he will tell you the rest. Go now or all will be lost." She dispersed into cherry blossoms and the wind blew them away.
Luffy roared again and left Zoro to roar to the rest of the castle. In minutes, every animal was at the gates. There were Luffy, Ace, Sanji, Chopper, and Zoro. Usopp, Karla, and the others were unable to understand and comprehend the commands. Luffy roared and Chopper translated to the others. They ran out of the castle followed by Zoro.
"Lord Zoro, hurry!" Chopper called. "You don't want to be left behind."
"Unlike you," Zoro glared, "I only have two legs."
"Jump on my back," he replied in his full reindeer form. "Uhg, why are you so heavy?" He complained when Zoro straddled on his back.
"It's muscle. Shut up and go."
They charged through the forest and cut across the path to find the shortest way to Cocoyashi. The travel a distance before the pack of animals and human were stopped by a small green bird.
"GUYS!" Karel called, "STOP!"
Zoro looked up, "Karel, where were you? We could've gotten directions from you since you are the only one that can talk and fly (like a global satellite: Yahoo maps, Google earth, etc.)."
"I was with Nami! You have to hurry! They set fire to the plantation and they want to burn her father and sister alive. The human and his cronies have captured Nami and have forced her led them to the castle. They are only miles away, but the plantation is on fire!"
"I'll deal with the fire," Ace ran toward the plantation before Zoro could appoint someone the job.
Zoro turned back to Karel, "Lead the way to Nami."
"Don't you want a plan first, Marimo?" Sanji climbed and sat on Chopper's head. Chopper shook his head and body causing Zoro and Sanji to fall off him. (The word "marimo" in Japanese means "round algae". I think.)
"The weight is too much…" Chopper tipped over.
"Chopper, get up. I won't ride you anymore. Raccoon, what's plan are you thinking off."
Sanji lighted a cigarette, "I have no clue. I was just suggesting something." Before Zoro could lunge, Karel flew down between them.
"Stop, stop. I have one. Now listen up…" He perched on Chopper's antlers and told the four of them.
"What do you think your doing? Follow the path, idiot!" Nami shouted at Arlong.
"Shut up, wench." He slapped her again. She started to cry when he said, "Your family is dead. No matter what you do, they're dead. You can't even stop the fire and you won't go to Cocoyashi and shout for help. We're talking the dense forest until we are out of Cocoyashi's county limits." And so, Arlong and his toadies didn't listen to Nami and were lost in the forest. They only knew to travel away from the fire which was right behind them.
Suddenly, the horses were spooked by an unknown cause. Arlong stopped the horse and his toadies moved along side him. Hatchi was the first to scream when the group saw the trees were moving. Arlong charged at an opening to escape the forest, but as he approached the opening, branches from the trees interlocked to create a wall.
Arlong with Nami galloped around to find an exit while the others did also. Soon, with the confusion of the forests, they were separated and lost.
Hatchi was the one to go. He followed the small sparrow into a clearing. He saw the sparrow from earlier. The sparrow dived down at Hachi who drew his swords to slash at the miniature bird, but in vain, he could not hit the bird. Karel sat on Hatchi's head and clawed at his hair. Suddenly, roots came up from the ground and bind the man and then slammed him to the ground.
Kuroobi shouted out for Chuu and Hatchi. He slowly trotted around the forest until he found a small clearing. In the small clearing he saw Hatchi. Kuroobi galloped to him but once he entered the clearing, the path he took was completely locked off. From the corner of his eye, he saw a green sparrow fly away, and then turned back to Hatchi to see a raccoon dressed in clothes sitting on top of his friend. The raccoon held a cigarette in his paw. Hatchi was warped like a roll with large cylinder roots.
"Hey, do you have light?" Sanji asked.
Kuroobi screamed curses at the raccoon. He jumped off his horse and took out his rifle. "I'm going to kill you animal." Sanji sat still as Kuroobi lifted the rifle and pulled the trigger. Sanji only shifted and dodged the bullet as he used it to light his cigarette.
Sanji jumped from Hatchi and somersaulted over Kuroobi and landed behind the man. Before Kuroobi could turn around, he was knocked forward by the raccoon's kick. The kick sent him face first into the ground and he skidded to a stop next to Hatchi. Sanji rushed, jumped, and stomped on his back. The sound of bone breaking filled the air and echoed throughout the forest.
Chuu, only a few meters away, heard the sound. He ran toward the sound, but he stopped when he meet a bear with a straw hat. "What the…" He whispered.
Luffy roared causing Chuu to stumble back and trip. He looked to see a tree root move back into the ground. A green sparrow flew down from a branch and lifted the hat off the bear's head. Karel flew to a tree and hung the hat on a branch before he sat on his perch. Luffy charged at Chuu while roaring with his white teeth bare.
Chuu ran. He ran like there was no tomorrow. In doing so, he ran into a low branch that was not previously there. He felled backwards, over, and landed on his face.
Karel laughed and flew down with Luffy's hat. He dropped it on Luffy's head before landing on the black bear's back. Luffy grinned his bear smile before strolling off to join Sanji and then heading to the tangerine plantation.
Arlong galloped as fast as he could to get away from the galloping sound that was closing in behind him. Once in a while, he turned to see a glimpse of a pink hat and a green rider. On his fourth turn back, he saw no one. Halting the horse to a stop, he looked around him.
Suddenly, Zoro jumped out of the bushes behind Arlong. He leaped over the horse and pulled Arlong down from the horse. Arlong landed on the ground with a large thump.
"Go, Nami," Zoro said, "Chopper will lead you out of here and to your family. Everyone is heading there to save them."
Nami looked down at Zoro with her tear stain face as he slapped the horse to gallop away. Chopper ran beside her and commanded the horse to follow him. Nami looked back at her green knight and her nemesis one last time before she returned her attention to the horse. She forced the horse to full gallop, following Chopper's lead. Soon, she met up with Luffy, Sanji, and Karel. The five of them sped their way toward the tangerine plantation where Ace was struggling to put out the fire and to save the only family Nami had.
Once Arlong stood up, he brushed himself off and shouted to Zoro, "Who the Hell are you?"
"I'm someone who will end your life. Draw your sword. I do not attack unarmed men." Zoro replied as he placed his white katana in mouth and held the other two in his hands.
Arlong laughed, "An idiot like you who uses three swords? Ha! Two swords are skillful but three is insane; that's what you are, insane." He drew his swords. It was almost as long as he was tall. With a twist of his wrist, the sword retracted small spikes which created a double edge saw. Zoro remained calm during Arlong's comments.
"I don't have time for you." He replied as he stood in his attacking stance. Arlong laughed as held his saw sword at his side, preparing to block and counter. "ONI…" Zoro started as he lunged for Arlong, but as he did, time seemed to stop. He suddenly fell as his strength diminished and landed face first into the ground. "Damn…" He pushed himself up just in time to block Arlong's attack.
"What's wrong, beast? Too soft and kind to fight?" Arlong kicked him in the stomach. Zoro stumble backwards and recovered again to block another strike.
"You made my Nami cry." Zoro force Arlong away with a push of his sword. "Even if I'm destined to die, I'll kill you first."
"I'll like to see that." Alrong laughed again. He stood only a few feet away with his guard down. Zoro took the chance.
"ONI…" He focused all of his strength on this strike, "GIRI!" He appeared behind Arong within a half second.
"What…?" Arlong faded as he fell down head first. Blood seeped from the gashes and flowed onto the dirt ground. Zoro sheathed and stumbled to the closest tree and sat down. He clutched his chest, the area over his heart.
Miles away in Castle One Piece, on a small wooden table, in a china vase, a rose only had four petals left. A light breeze came from the open window and struck the rose. Another petal fell onto the table. Three left.
Out of the grim, dust, and ashes, the family was saved and safe.
Ace had dealt with the fire expertly, but that was not enough. Even though he had saved Genzo and Nojiko, he could not save the plantation. In order to stop the fire, Ace had to fight fire with fire. When he arrived, he weaved through the trees to the small house. From there, he burned the large perimeter around the house. It was all he could do.
Nami and the rest arrived to see the whole plantation burn in the massive fire. Karel flew higher to see if her father and sister were alright. He retuned to her with good news. Only time was the opponent now, but as hours passed, the fire died down and Nami ran to the small house to meet her family. They moved to the mansion to wait for Zoro.
Inside the mansion, Sanji prepared a meal as Chopper tended to their wounds. Chopper was relived to see that Genzo and Nojiko only suffered from physical exhaustion and nothing else. However, Genzo suffered from depression and Chopper was reluctant to say the source and cure. However, he has his obligation as a doctor.
But before he could say anything, Karel perched Genzo's shoulders, "Mr. Genzo, your trees are gone. I sense no life in them and they will not speak to me. I cannot revive them nor speed up the growth. I have to say, your plantation is no longer alive."
Genzo looked at the bird with his sunken eyes and grief filled his eyes.
"Father," Nami knelt down and grabbed his hands into her, "We can re built the plantation. We can start all over again."
Nojiko followed Nami's example, "Yes, father. We can. In the spring, we can plow the ground and plant the tangerines."
"No, no," Genzo howled in his madness, "It won't be the same! Bellemere's tangerines! Oh BELLEMERE'S TANGERINES!"
"Can't you shut him up, woman?" They turned to the door and saw Zoro stand in the threshold. His arms crossed and his gaze on the old man.
"Have some sympathy!" Nojiko shouted, "This is our father!"
"BEAST! BEAST!" Genzo howled. He pointed to Zoro. Zoro scoffed and stepped into the mansion followed by Luffy and Ace.
"Chopper, give him some medicine and let's go back to the castle." Zoro commanded.
"Yes, my lord." Chopper got to work as Sanji came out with the meal. They ate in silence. Zoro's presence cooled the air. Once Chopper was done, he gave the medicine to Nami.
"What are you doing?" Zoro demanded.
Chopper cowered away from his gaze, "Nami's father is suffering from depression as well as exhaustion. If he is to recover, Nami must stay here."
Nami glared at Zoro, "Are you going to forbid me to stay? You know, I will not follow your commands. I will not, I repeat, I will NOT leave my father in his time of need."
Zoro motioned everyone to leave before he turned to Nami, "Stay. Stay until he has recovered, but promise me. Promise me that you will come to visit before the first day of spring. Promise me that you will come to visit in one week. This is a request, please promise me."
Struck by shock, Nami could only nod. She watched Zoro walk out of the mansion. Something in her body wanted to run out to him and thank him, but shock from his request questioned her. What did he mean?
Out side, Zoro walked behind Chopper, Ace, and Luffy. Sanji rode on Luffy's and Karel was flying in the blue night sky.
"Are we out of range yet?"
"Range?"
"How far are we from the mansion?"
"A few miles, maybe 2."
"Head back to the castle, don't go back to the mansion." Zoro collapsed.
"Lord Zoro? …Zoro? …Zoro!"
AN: Hi! It's been a while hasn't it? Well, I've been very busy and I lack free time. Yay, more than 10 reviews for this chapter. Uno mas! One more chapter left!
(Haven't been thoroughly edited.)
Thanks for reading! Thanks for reviewing!
Thanks: Come Out And Play. Nehszriah, Gothy Wolfie, Sanji-kunZoro-san, When cheesecakes attack, 4getregret, Takahane, Ryuu the Magnificent, Solo Loco Ellingson Rose, Cat-Fairy, Poison's Ivy, Mischievous Sin, Dice-chan, Ryoku's Jiki Sweetie, Mr. Thumbup, hells true gift, Black Fox, Thief of the Sand, SkieLoon, and TakashiMorinozuka.
Sanji as a Swan? Hmmm… That reminds me too much of Mr. 2, Bon Clay.
Nami kills Arlong? Why not. I just didn't think of it.. lol.
Why is Usopp an Aavark? Well, it's the first animal that came to my mind when I thought about Usopp. Lol.
Go Check it Out: I drew a picture of Raccoon Sanji. It's the link in my profile. : D (hope the link works...)
