Disclaimer: With Chopper's doctoring, it might be up and running again, but until then it's under strict orders not to take off its bandages.
Tony Tony Chopper in…
I'm a Tanuki
A couple wildly feathered and brightly colored, gossiping, exotic birds gave Chopper advice. They were a proud air, constantly preening so that it took a while before he could get their attention for a mere minute. At least, when he did, they knew what they were talking about.
Dewdrop Lily? One clarified and the reindeer nodded.
Oh! Dewdrop Lily! The other exclaimed. I heard from one parakeet that heard from someone else who knew the wild cat that lived near the place where you could find one!
"Um, where's that?" Chopper wondered, shifting from hoof to hoof anxiously. So far he hadn't run into any trouble, and the local animals had been mostly helpful in his search for herbs and other necessities. Yet, it remained a strange, unfamiliar jungle and it was beginning to get dark. He had to get back to the ship and everyone before…
Don't listen to her! The second bird squawked. Just keep on going straight, and then take a left after the giant banyan tree. It'll be right there.
Chopper brightened. "Really? Thanks!"
He waved goodbye and jumped over a fallen branch in the path.
The birds took no notice, however. What are you talking about? You're the birdbrain!
Look who's talking…
The little doctor continued along the trail, narrow and winding, beaten by the many creatures that lived in the humid forest. Speaking of which, Chopper's fur itched uncomfortably from the heat. He had to take a couple breaks to catch his breath and drink from his water canteen.
But each one was shorter than the last, and as he strapped on his backpack after the third stop he couldn't wait to reap his rewards.
The Dewdrop Lily was renowned for its remarkable healing properties. Overnight, it collected moisture from its surroundings in its delicate golden bell. Then, the dewdrops underwent an unexplainable transformation in the lily so that if you drunk from the bell, rubbed the wet lily on an infection or even merely touched the water you were completely cured of most afflictions.
Its existence was a legend and most doctors were disinclined to believe it for a second. Chopper was still young and impressionable, though and traveling the Grand Line with Luffy and the others had taught him that if one person thought it was real then it was never impossible. He was determined to at least see this plant and it had given him the courage to roam the island foliage without his nakama's protection.
However, there was one flaw to the Dewdrop Lily. It only retained such incredible healing as long as the dewdrops were in its bell and the flower was moist. There was a limited time until the water would drain away in the daylight. This worried Chopper, but only a little. Since there was no guarantee he could pick the lily and plant it somewhere else without it dying, he'd let the dew gather and then he'd store it in the vials he'd brought.
A happy smile came to Chopper's face as he traveled along the path. He trailed a twig in the dirt and hummed so he wouldn't feel so alone. As he steadily got deeper, the sounds and sights of other animals had grown fewer and far between and the reindeer was gratified when he looked up and saw a gigantic tree.
It was the width of ten of the sister trees that lived near it and the sprawling branches blocked out all but a few rays of sun. Vines wound around the trunk and Chopper gasped aloud. The might of the tree was tangible in the air. There was no way it could be missed and its presence meant one thing.
Nearby, was the Dewdrop Lily. Chopper could no longer contain his excitement and rushed forward. He could think of how much just a little of the flower could help his companions. If he saved the dew that had been infused with the lily's power it could make the difference between life and death.
It was a chance he couldn't miss.
In his anticipation toe reach his goal, Chopper stumbled and tripped over a rock. He landed in the long grass of a clearing with a cry.
More carefully, he got to his feet again, brushed off his pants and retrieved his backpack. Wonderingly, he let his eyes take in where he was.
It was a single patch of the jungle that wasn't covered with sweeping trees other bushy, thorny flora. There was a collection of rocks off to one side, and the only livings things was the grass below his hooves and a golden bell gently bobbing in the breeze.
Yes! That was it! He'd finally found the Dewdrop Lily!
Chopper ran to the flower and kneeled beside it. After a quick consultation with the descriptions in the notes of his books, the doctor knew it was the real thing. Slowly he reached out and stroked smooth, waxy petals. Then he examined the inside of the flower and was surprised by what he saw.
In the bottom of the bell was a good couple teaspoons of dew left over from the night before. Chopper smiled widely and giggled.
He couldn't believe his luck. It was more than he could've ever hoped and now he wouldn't have to wait until the evening for the water to collect. Though small, this amount would suit his purposes if he saved it for dire situations.
Exhilarated, he opened his bag and started to rummage through in search of his vials. All Chopper had left to do was tip that dew into the containers and he could return to the ship with his pride as a man and a pirate.
Just when he closed on one of the vials however, a rasping voice startled him and he jumped, dropping his stuff.
"What do you think you're doing out here?"
Chopper had landed on his back when he panicked and he started to move backward away from the approaching voice that grew nearer and nearer.
Then, a shape separated from the shadows of the trees.
The scream died in Chopper's throat and came out as a pathetic little squeak. He couldn't speak as the stranger came into view.
It was a grizzled, old she-cat, with a thin, wiry build and faded black spots along her ragged pelt. She looked as if she had seen better days and there was a mean, hungry look in her eyes even as she stopped mid-prowl to yawn.
Sharp canines were enough to make the poor reindeer move farther and his frightened gaze went to his bag. Many of the supplies were spilled, but if he planned this right…
Finishing her yawn, the she-cat sat back on her furry haunches and regarded Chopper with a mixture of irritation and boredom. "It's not often we see your kind here."
Gradually, Chopper's mind started to work again and he sat up. The first thing that registered was that he wasn't hearing the cat speak in an animal language, but in human.
"Ahh! You can talk?" he released the scream he'd been holding back.
Taken aback, the she-cat blinked and then threw back her head. She made a strange coughing growl that Chopper soon realized was laughter. What was up with this weird creature?
After her laughing bout was over, the she-cat wiped her face with a paw and shook her head. "Ah hah, what a surprise. So can you."
Chopper shut his open mouth. "B-but… how?"
She gave him a slanted glare.
"That's the same as asking how a bird flies or how a fish swims," the cat growled. The doctor began to shove his stuff in his bag quickly, when the creature changed her tact again. "It's something I picked up from the humans."
The reindeer paused. "Is that what you meant by my kind?"
Once more, the she-cat sent Chopper a strange look. "Are you a human?"
"W-well…" he wasn't sure whether he should elaborate to elaborate on his "abilities." So he settled for changing the subject. "I didn't know there were humans living here."
Languidly, she stretched and clambered to her paws. "They come here now and again."
Her words were oddly stiff and bitter. Chopper was left wondering what the problem was while the she-cat padded over to the Dewdrop Lily and sniffed it with a delicate care.
Suddenly, she bristled, her fur sticking out at all ends and she faced the boulders. A snarl rumbled from her chest and between her bared teeth.
"They're here!"
"What? Who's here?" Chopper wondered curiously and with some trepidation. He jogged over to the agitated she-cat.
Abruptly, she started pushing him in one direction and he was about to fight back when she hissed, " The humans that come to poach on the animals in this forest. You have to go. Hurry!"
With more force, she drove her head into Chopper's back and he was pushed so he was almost behind the right side of the rocks.
"Stay there for one moment," the she-cat ordered and dashed off.
It left the reindeer in a very undesirable position while frightened and disoriented. Just the thought of humans hunting animals was enough for him to shiver, but he also wanted to be brave.
Not much time had passed as promised, so Chopper didn't have to make a decision.
A golden bellflower, the lily, was shoved into his hooves and he looked at the she-cat with wide, confused eyes.
"Here, take it," she told him. A small smile graced her graying muzzle. "You seem like a decent person."
Then she turned and sprinted to the other side of the clearing and rocks where the sounds of several men were growing louder.
Chopper's gaze went to the she-cat, the flower, and then back again. He'd nearly forgotten about it in all the commotion and somehow he knew the old cat trusted him with something more important than he could imagine.
He found a strong voice and called, "Wait! What's your name?"
The intruders made themselves heard, and though Chopper couldn't see him from his hiding place by the rocks he could tell they were all men.
"Heh, what do we have here?"
"Oi! It's that mangy cat!"
"The one that's always guarding this crumby place?"
"That's the one."
"What should we do? Think the boss will want it?"
There was a deafening pause, then, "Kill it."
But above this, Chopper could hear the she-cat. Her voice sounded far away, yet it was clear.
"You can call me Lily."
At the same time Chopper risked a peek, he saw her pounce and the conversation ended. It was reduced to a series of growls, hisses, shouts and curses, followed by gunfire.
Chopper ran as fast as he could, turning into his Walk Point, and the tears were there as well. He continued until he felt his heart would burst, with his bag and the lily in his mouth.
Then as shadow came over him and he tried to skid to a stop and turn around, but it was too late.
Something surrounded the reindeer, trapping him and he was helpless. His struggling only leached his energy.
Through it all, someone laughed malevolently.
0~0~0
He fought hard to get away from his captor and he must have succeeded somewhat because he felt his hoof connect with human flesh. However, the air coming through the material of the big, burlack sack he was in was meager and the man only tightened his grip as he walked. Chopper's head spun when he shook him around cruelly and he knew there was no way he could change to Heavy Point when he was nearly unconscious.
For several more minutes, he squirmed, making a last- ditch attempt by thrusting his antlered head forward. Instead, his captor grunted and swung the bag.
His head connected with something hard and pointed and that was the last he was aware of.
0~0~0
It was deafening. A thousand voices filled with desperation and plaintive cries for rescue knocked around Chopper's already aching head. The same ones that would've seemed like yowls, growls and caws were easily understandable as he staggered to his feet.
Help!
It hurts!
Someone, help us!
What's going on!
HELP!
When he'd been knocked unconsciousness, Chopper had reverted to his Brain Point. Wincing and rubbing his head, he swayed slightly before he regained his balance. He was appalled by what he saw when the world stopped spinning.
Frantically, he stumbled towards the sight, but was halted by steel bars. Chopper grunted as he hit the metal and realized that he was as much a captive and helpless as any of the other poor creatures scattered about the room.
Cages and crates were stacked to the ceiling on almost every side of the rocky chamber, leaving only a small patch of ground space for anyone to walk through. Animals of every species and kind were shoved into the small spaces. A horned lion was in a cage half his size and dirty straw and rotting meat mingled with the horrid display.
In his entire life, Chopper had never seen animals treated so badly and so many at once. Then again, he'd never been unlucky enough to be in such a place. He bit his lip to keep from crying out in shock and denial. His whole body trembled with anger.
Standing by the bars to stare out a world of still more bars, he direly wanted to help his fellow creatures. No one deserved this, but a twinge in his head reminded the reindeer he'd have to help himself first.
He was delighted to see his backpack had made it inside with him and quickly found the bandages and aspirin. Most of its contents had fallen out, but Chopper touched upon the smooth surface of the Dewdrop Lily. He let out a relieved sigh and went to work.
While the doctor tried to help some of the animals with their injuries, though finding it tricky to just reach through the bars to the next cage, he started to talk with them. Chopper did his best to form a plan with the animals, but there were too many and each one was panicked and crazed with fear. At their wits' end, so any attempt to escape would end in failure.
Chopper had just sat back after tending a two-tailed fox's wounded paw when the door slammed open.
"Give me a minute to shut up the damn animals!" a rough, obnoxious voice yelled to someone and a lumbering shape appeared. Chopper watched with curiosity, which the others lacked, and a fear that was mirrored in their eyes. "Geez," a man came into view and began to rattle the cages.
"Damn, what's into you all of a sudden?"
He stalked past Chopper's cage and the reindeer shrank away. The cause of the animals raised voices had been him, with all his talk and doctoring that excited them.
The burly man, dressed in ragged clothing and several days of stubble paused at the end of the row of crates when there was a sudden clang and the creatures snarled and shrieked louder.
Though Chopper couldn't see what was happening, he got the gist of it from their panic.
No!
It's happening again!
I don't want to be next!
Next… the last cry echoed among the stacks of imprisoned creatures and a wind seemed to be summoned by the fateful words. Chopper hugged his arms closer and would have remained that way if he hadn't caught a glimpse of what the man held.
Heaps of shivering fur, bound by muzzles, and reduced to almost nothing. Then, among them, a tattered and spotted pelt…
"NO!"
When he put two and two together, knowing that it was probably the she-cat, Lily, his frustration was too great. The protest came free and throwing his hooves over his mouth was futile.
Slowly and with a confusion fitting for a dim-witted human being, the villain turned. Chopper didn't make another sound, even as tears ran down his face and he clutched the flower in his pocket.
As the man couldn't see who had spoke, he finished his brief survey and huffed. "Huh?"
Assuming someone had called him from the other room and burdened with the animals, he stomped outside the storage and the door shut again in finality.
Chopper was breathing heavily. Beyond this place there wouldn't be return. He shut his eyes tight and drew his arms over his chest. Even if he wouldn't be able to hear or see what happened, he wanted to lock out the brutality, at least for a little longer.
0~0~0
"What do we have here?" a skinny man with gold teeth leered at Chopper through the bars of his cage.
Within an hour, more of the fur traders that lived in this underground base had appeared, going about their daily business and viewing their newest prizes. Apparently, the other man from before had mentioned the disembodied outburst from before, as the little doctor was soon to find out.
Another greasy-looking human finished tossing a slab of meat to a chained dog kept as a pet and walked over. His questioning frown morphed into one of shallow thoughtfulness.
He glared at them, wanting to show them the suffering they'd caused, but unable to do so due to his unexplainable weakness.
Finally, the second man nodded his head. "It's a tanuki."
"A tanuki?" the first looked confused, before giving Chopper another once-over. "Hm, yeah. I think it is."
"Do you think it'll fetch a good price?"
The reindeer listened to their conversation with growing unease and boiling frustration. He'd been through this so many times before. Yet, he kept his belongings hidden, stuffed behind a nearby box and stayed silent.
Gold teeth man frowned and scratched his dirty chin. "Nah. Tanuki are pretty common around here, this one will get the usual-"
"I'M. NOT. A. TANUKI!"
Both men must've leaped a good five feet in the air and nearly knocked some cages over on the way down. Their frightened gazes gradually rotated around the room before they landed on the "tanuki" glaring indignantly at them.
Their eyes bugged and their mouths dropped open.
"AGH! IT TALKED!"
Chopper scrambled back in surprise and attempted to hide. He was unsuccessful, but watched instead with distrustful eyes.
The fur traders were in the process of fumbling their words and understanding the situation when a shadow fell on the two and Chopper. They looked up to see a giant of a man looming over them.
If Chopper had thought the normal fur traders were scary, though rather stupid, they were nothing compared to this guy. He must've been a good deal over six feet, with a round belly, blonde beard, brown hair and beady eyes. However, the most disturbing part was how he was dressed; in a wide assortment of animal furs from his boots to the hat on his head.
Some of the skins even had the heads still attached to them and Chopper wasn't able to prevent his exclamation of terror.
"Ahh!"
Those dark eyes were suddenly trained on the doctor with a dangerous mixture of intensity and curiosity. When the burly man grinned, he knew it wasn't a good thing.
"An excellent price indeed." He tapped the bars experimentally, and the reindeer fought the urge to strike out.
"W-what do you mean, boss?" the other, less-intimidating men were finally recovering.
Boss? It made sense. This huge, smelly human definitely held a position of authority, though it wasn't friendly like some of the leaders Chopper had encountered, including Luffy.
Still smirking, the trader pointed at Chopper. "It's a reindeer."
For a second, he was surprised and stopped inching farther from the men. Chopper regarded them suspiciously. What did that have to do with anything?
Twin smiles sprang to the underlings.
"A reindeer!" gold teeth cheered.
"Really?" the bigger one asked.
"Yes, yes," their boss confirmed, a tad annoyed. But his own grin didn't wane. "It's quite rare to see one this far from a winter island and in such fine condition. Right, boys?"
"Yes, sir!"
Chopper felt a sense of dread coming over him and he sat down with a sigh. His situation was only getting worse and he could see no way out of this. If he could change to Heavy Point, then it would be different, but even if he could, the doctor's nature wouldn't let him abandon those in need. It would have to be a mass breakout.
He stared at the golden petals, clinging to what little moisture was left much like he was with hope. Maybe he should've just said he was a tanuki…
Meanwhile, the fur traders were holding an excited conversation, with the boss making speculations on the various prices his recent haul would bring. Their celebration and good fortune may have continued, too, if a tremendous tremor hadn't shaken the entire structure. Chopper was rocked to the side of his cage where he collided painfully with the steel.
The explosion continued to ring in his ears and the animals roared in terror, thrown about as well.
The men had tumbled to the ground, but were already on their feet.
"What's happening?" the stout one spoke fearfully.
"Hurry up, you scoundrels!" their boss shouted. "Let's see for ourselves!"
They stilled their trembling. "Yes sir!"
Hurriedly, the traders exited the room and their pace quickened to a run. More miniature explosions, yells and gunfire could be heard in the distance. Along with the fur-coated man's threat as he disappeared, "Whoever's intruding on my business is going to pay…"
Chopper didn't know what to think, though he was glad for any trouble the fur traders were given. He shouldered his backpack and resolved to wait it out. He just prayed that he wouldn't end up being collateral damage.
0~0~0
Bam! Bang!
"Rally men! It's about to get rowdy out here!"
SHOOM!
Another violent shudder passed through the earth and Chopper paused in the midst of calming the animals. He had continued to tell them they'd be safe, that everything was going to be fine, but he could tell his efforts would be useless if he didn't take any action.
If simply transforming with his ability wasn't going to work, he'd use his trump card and now the traders were occupied he could feel his strength beginning to return. Not so much as usual, but enough.
Rumble!
With Arm Point, Chopper's cage was reduced to a mess of quivering metal in moments. He made sure his bag was on his back before he started to open the crates and cages all around him.
Animals of every shape and size surrounded the reindeer as he busted the locks. He always kept an eye out for the old she-cat, but his eyes were unable to pick her form out from the others. Yet, he pushed on and Chopper had just broken the last of the locks, freeing a striped hare, when a voice dripping with menace broke through the chaos of the fleeing creatures.
A number of things had been knocked over by the rush of the excited escapees and now littered the floor and only increased the overall havoc. However, this didn't stop the giant leader from making his way towards Chopper.
"So, it's you," he intoned darkly. "I knew it all along."
Chopper really doubted this by the standard brain size of these people, but it didn't stop him from dropping the arm that had opened the final cage and taking a step back.
He fought against his fight or flight response. By his shaking it seemed, the former was winning, but he still had his Rumble Ball. Turning to Jump Point he prepared to fight the man, when he abruptly transformed back into Brain Point.
Staring at himself for a moment, Chopper soon realized that the effects of the Rumble Ball had worn off. His three minutes were up. Literally.
The fur trader had been startled by his sudden transformation, but had relaxed and smirked evilly when the reindeer reverted to his smaller form.
"Heh. So, it's a Devil's Fruit ability you've got there. Too bad it's no match for me."
He didn't leave Chopper hanging about what he meant. Surprisingly fast with such a large body, he withdrew a cutlass and charged with a bellow.
Chopper jumped into action and managed to slide to the side at the last second. Yet, the room shook again and he lost his balance, crashing into an empty crate. The breath was knocked out of his lungs and before he could recover, he felt someone grab him by his backpack and lift him into the air.
"Thought you could run away, eh?" the man sneered around his beard. Both the man and the reindeer glared at each other in parallel hatred. Fueled by anger, Chopper burst.
"Where's Lily?"
The she-cat had most likely saved his life, or tried her best and Chopper would never forgive himself if he didn't try to find out what happened to her. If the old cat hadn't hidden the doctor, he would probably be dead. He refused to believe it was her he'd seen earlier and now was as good a time as any.
Two heartbeats, one slow and steady and the other quick and fluttery, and eventually the boss chuckled. "So, you can talk!"
His grip on Chopper tightened. These fur traders were merciless.
"What have you done?" Chopper cried angrily. "Let me go!" He squirmed in the man's big hand, but his strength was fading again. Still, he kicked and tried to punch the trader.
That's when his struggles caused a small, bright object to fall and float to the ground. Chopper abruptly stopped moving against his captor. He didn't need to check his pocket to see the Dewdrop Lily was missing and now in the open.
While he stared at it, the bearded man paused amidst his glee and saw it as well. "What's this?"
From the glance he gave the precious flower, Chopper froze. His body went stiff and he tried to stop the man, "W-wait! Don't-!"
"Don't what?" the boss smirked. He waved his wrist in front of the doctor's nose and a wave of fatigue swept over him. Confused and unfocused, Chopper looked at his wrist to see a shiny silver band encircling it. "Karouseki. I bought it off the black market, heard Devil Fruit users don't like it much. You don't, do ya?"
Mockingly, he jingled it again and Chopper had to concentrate hard to stay alert. So, that was it. That was the cause of his bursts of weakness. He should've guessed.
In exaggerated motion, the fur trader's boot fell towards the lily and the reindeer opened his mouth in a silent scream. It covered the golden bell and pale green stem before the cruel man ground it even more with his fur boot.
It was one atrocity after another.
As the boot was lifted and the decimated lily looked up at Chopper, petals mangled beyond repair, he found strength to surpass the karouseki. Swiftly, Chopper twisted, kicked upward and brought forth his arm to punch the fur trader in the face with all his power.
More surprised than hurt; the man dropped Chopper and retreated for a second to nurse his bruised cheek.
"Why you little… you're pelt will catch a fine price when I'm through with you!" he spat out some blood and advanced.
Chopper had put on a show, but he was now outmatched with nothing but death awaiting him. A boom made the room sway again. Well, maybe that, but he couldn't wait for an imaginary rescuer.
He grabbed a stick that lay nearby and brandished it before him. He brushed away the air of despair that had hung over this place since he arrived. He would be brave, for himself, for his nakama, that now lacked an important medical asset, and for Lily, who had entrusted it to the reindeer.
Laughing wickedly, the boss fur trader brought out his cutlass once more and raised it high. Then, the blade came whistling down and… blood came flying from his open mouth.
"… No Pistol!" A familiar voice yelled. The arm that had stretched and hit the man full on his ugly face snapped back in place.
Not believing his eyes, Chopper took his captain's offered hand and staggered to his feet.
"You've done enough, Chopper," he smiled kindly and touched his head.
A sense of safety infused the doctor, though it was dispelled some when he saw the fur trader clambering up.
Coughing feebly, he grabbed his cutlass. His eyes glared accusingly at the reindeer and his savior. "Damn kid, ruining my business…"
The sword aimed at the pair, but the bearded man wasn't given a chance to do or say any more.
"Gomu gomu no… Bazooka!"
The boy's arms shot forward and returned, while Chopper and his companion shielded their eyes to see the boss fur trader crash through the rocky roof of the storage and go sailing into the sky before vanishing from sight.
His roar of rage and humiliation went with him.
Then, the black-haired boy picked up Chopper and started to run at full sprint to the hole he'd made in one of the walls earlier.
Chopper looked at him with teary eyes; tears of happiness.
"L-Luffy!"
He held on to his hat, as he escaped from the place with his rescued crewmate and he grinned, "Don't worry, Chopper! Everything's going to be all right!"
Yes.
In his captain's arms, Chopper finally felt safe and that he wasn't so easily scared. He could help his nakama and fight in the way he did best, with his heart and determination.
He knew that Luffy's words were true; it would be all right.
0~0~0
Alternate Ending:
Chopper stared at Luffy in absolute awe. The fur traders had been defeated and the animals were saved. Lucky as always, things had worked out their way. And just when the reindeer had given up any notion of aid.
Though, one question was nagging at the back of his mind.
"Luffy? How were you able to hit that man when he was wearing karouseki?"
"Huh?" the black-haired boy looked up from dusting off his hat. "He had that stuff."
He nodded. "Yeah, it was really condensed and drained a lot of my strength."
It was a little embarrassing to admit the weakness that he'd felt, but Chopper pushed it aside since, as a Devil Fruit user himself, Luffy could also fall victim to it. The doctor waited patiently until the boy replied.
"Oh!" His face brightened and he stuck his hand in his pants pocket. He showed Chopper something. "You mean this?"
The object was small, shiny and… the same bracelet the fur trader had been wearing.
"Wah!" Chopper's eyes widened impossibly. "H-how did you get that?"
Luffy smiled and answered simply, "I thought it looked cool."
Then, to the reindeer's disbelief the rubbery captain slipped the sea stone garment over his own hand. He held it out proudly. There it dangled and Chopper waved his hooves frantically.
"Wait, Luffy! You shouldn't-"
He hesitated when he saw Luffy's blank face. Strangely, the boy stood there.
Yet, before Chopper's could venture a question, the captain groaned. Promptly, Luffy collapsed on the floor with a drained expression.
"Luffy!" Chopper raced to the boy.
Glancing at the reindeer, he groaned. "I don't feel so good…"
With one look at the karouseki bracelet on Luffy's wrist, Chopper was stunned into silence until perusing.
"YOU'RE THAT SLOW?"
0~0~0
Author's Note: Chopper-kun couldn't wait any longer! So surprise! I got this up in less than a week after Sanji's! About the short, it was the karouseki that made Chopper so easy to capture. But, if it was on the boss, how did he feel its affects in a sack or when he wasn't around? Well, there were traces of sea stone in lots of the fur traders' supplies. Some by accident, picking up by trading and a small amount purchased by the boss, who I don't think deserved, a name. I didn't think this was important enough to include in the actual story, so I'll just mention it here. ^^
About the alternate ending, a spur-of-the-moment scenario I thought up and couldn't resist inserting. However, I couldn't let it replace the sweet and simple first one. I'm two-thirds the way through now! Which means another secret project story is coming to pave the way for the next short about Robin. In which the archaeologist learns the disadvantages of having extra limbs. Reviews are appreciated and thanks for reading!