A few days later, Luffy's group had already arrived at the mystic island and Bartlett didn't want to wait around. She took off into town seemingly looking for someone. Standing aghast, she couldn't believe her eyes. Her parents were right there in front of her. It had been a long time since she'd last seen them, and even then, she thought they had died until they sent the letter that caused her life to come crashing down. It was a hazy image, but Brook recalled the pictures in her home when they had first met; It had to be them. He gently grasped her shoulder and stared ahead. They were oblivious to their presence.
Brook: "Are you all right?"
Bartlett: (walking off) "Let's go."
She didn't get far before running into Bosc. He stood smugly with that irritating grin of his.
Bosc: "Are you sure you don't want to say 'hello'?"
Bartlett: (mildly glaring) "I don't have time for this right now."
A soft chuckle interrupted the hostility in the air. Turning, they spotted a beautiful woman with deep green hair that hung almost to the ground. She was dressed in a black, gold trimmed gown with an eerie sense of peace about her.
Woman: (smiling) "Ever the troublemaker, my little one."
Bosc: "Mother, it's been a while."
Brook couldn't help, but do a double-take. He could see the resemblance. The woman extended a delicate hand toward the group.
Woman: "Please, call me Fushi."
A frantic girl ran up behind her.
Attendant: (bowing) "Fushi-sama, you mustn't wander without your entourage."
Fushi: "I'm quite capable of handling myself. (across her shoulder) Now go."
With another bow, the girl left.
Bartlett: "Fushi...But that means - ..."
She glared at her brother. He hid many secrets indeed.
Fushi: "I believe 'Bosc' is your current name of choice?"
Bosc: (kissing her hand) "You always did manage to keep track of me."
She held his grin before casting her gaze over the others.
Fushi: "Now what has this young lady so upset?"
Bosc: "Mother, you remember Rosario."
Her eyes grew cold, but she kept her expression even.
Fushi: "I see. You've grown well since I last saw you."
Bartlett: (carefully eying her) "Have we met?"
Fushi simply smiled as she turned to walk with her son.
Bartlett: (annoyed) "Now I know where he gets it from..."
Brook: "What's wrong? You look pale again."
Bartlett: "I'm fine."
Refusing to take that answer, Brook led his love to a seat in the shade. Exhausted, she went with less fussing than expected. Leaning onto the table, she swore under her breath.
Brook: "Who was that?...Fushi, I mean. Do you know her?"
Bartlett: (sighing) "Most of the fey do. She's the last dragon heir."
Brook: "You mean - ?!"
Bartlett: (solemnly nodding) "Bosc could have helped me at any time."
He fingered the hilt of his cane in frustration as a young girl served them tea. Just what was Bosc after?
Brook: "Anjou said the last dragon died centuries ago..."
Bartlett: "The last pure-blood did. Fushi and Ryu were the last half-bloods. Ryu's been missing since he started the Tenryuubito bloodline."
Luffy: (flatly) "I really hate those guys."
Bartlett shot a sidelong glance over while Brook nearly fell out of his seat.
Brook: "When did you get here?!"
Luffy grinned wide. It would seem he had secrets of his own.
Luffy: "If Fushi is the last half, that makes Bosc half of that, right?"
Bartlett: (swirling the leaves in her cup) "One quarter dragon, yes."
Brook: "But what's her other half?"
Bartlett: "Vampire."
Luffy: "A dhampire dragon?...Weird."
Bartlett chuckled despite herself. She had learned much from Momo over the years. She was glad for the information for herself as well as her daughter. The more they knew, the more chances they had.
Bartlett: "You still have a lot to see."
A few curious bystanders watched the trio keenly. Something wasn't right.
Man: "All this time and you simply walked away...I can't say I blame you."
She never bothered turning around. She remembered that voice clearly.
Bartlett: "What do you want?"
Man: (tauntingly) "Is that any way to talk to your father?"
Bartlett: (taking a swig) "My father died a long time ago."
He maintained his gaze, waiting for his daughter to face him after so long, but she remained stoic and unmoving.
Man: "I see. I must be mistaken."
Bartlett: (slowly turning) "What do you want, Isan?"
He grinned faintly upon seeing her face.
Isan: "I see you're unwell."
Luffy: "Is this your dad?"
Bartlett: (coolly) "He used to be."
Brook stood and outstretched his boney hand.
Brook: "It's nice to finally meet you."
Isan: (slowly returning the gesture) "And you would be...her summon?"
Luffy sniggered, but held his tongue. Finally, Bartlett rose and met her father's eyes.
Bartlett: "This is Brook."
Isan: "The infamous Humming Brook? I've heard tales of your name from my son. (turning) Rosario, where is my granddaughter?"
Bartlett: (coldly) "Safe from you."
Isan: "You're still angry about the letter. (shrugging) It was your mother's idea. I wanted to introduce you to this world much sooner."
Luffy: (confused) "Letter?"
Brook: (aside) "It's a long story."
Luffy: "Oh..."
Isan: (carefully eying him) "Monkey D. Luffy, the pirate king. What brings you here? Few humans ever see this isle."
Whispers arose around them, but Isan coolly held the gaze of his guests without notice.
Bartlett: "He's with me. Leave him alone."
Isan: "I understand what it is to have friends, my dear, but even devil fruit users will not be welcomed here. (sternly) You know that."
Luffy: (shrugging) "Nobody said anything to me."
Brook: "Me either...At least not to my face...Wait! I don't have a -!"
Bartlett smacked him upside the head before he could finish the line. She gave him a look that said 'we need to get out of here'.
Bosc: "No worries, Father. Even the pirate king will be humbled when the last symphony sounds."
Isan: (turning) "Nashi-kun, I see you're still weighted down by your mother's ambitions."
Bosc sent him a rather unamused glare at the use of his old name.
Isan: (grinning) "Now, now. No need to look so displeased...Nashi-kun."
Luffy laughed and even Bartlett hid a smirk.
Bosc: (flatly) "What?"
Bartlett: (suppressing a snicker) "Nashi-kun."
Bosc: (crossing his arms) "Yes, Rosi-chan?"
Bartlett: "I told you never to call me that!"
Isan chuckled, drawing their attention.
Isan: "Classic sibling moment. Glad to see you two haven't grown too far apart just yet."
Bartlett: (resuming her gloomy disposition) "We were never close."
Bosc: (holding his heart) "Ouch."
Fushi: (stepping beside him) "That's quite enough playtime."
Her fiery eyes burned into Isan's lining face.
Isan: "Fushi-chan, it's been eons. (slightly bowing) The years have done you justice."
Fushi: (suppressing a sneer) "Better than you, I'd say."
Brook glanced between the two as the air between them froze over.
Isan: (smiling politely) "You haven't aged a day, my dear."
Fushi: "If absence makes the heart grow fonder, Isan, I'd suggest you sleep for another thousand years."
Bosc was enjoying the show. So much so, that he completely missed the trio slipping out of harm's way. Down the block, Brook peeked around the corner to see if they had been followed.
Luffy: "Man, you guys really know how to hold a grudge around here."
Bartlett shot him a dirty look as she doubled over in agony once more. She'd gotten to the point of being able to stand during the attacks, but it was obvious she was weak. Various passersby watched her keenly.
Brook: (lending support) "I think we lost them."
Bartlett: (regaining her composure) "They know exactly where we are. They let us leave."
Luffy: "You okay?"
Bartlett: (holding his stare) "What?"
Brook leaned around to see her face and panicked. Blood trickled slightly from her mouth as if something inside had ruptured. Bartlett simply wiped her chin with the back of her hand as if nothing had transpired.
Bartlett: "We should get back to the ship."
Once on board, Okii stood waiting for them.
Nami: "Luffy, the guys called. They found Zoro, but he won't leave."
Luffy: (smirking) "I thought that might happen."
He walked passed her without another word. He stood staring hard into Okii's yellowed smile.
Luffy: "Do you always follow me?"
Okii: (laughing) "I go where I'm needed, Luffy-san."
Luffy: (turning) "Nami, help Bartlett below. Brook, we need to talk."
Nodding, they did as they were told. Once they were out of earshot, Okii's expression became grim.
Okii: "It's not safe here."
Luffy: "We know."
Okii: "Bosc sent the others on a wild goose chase."
Luffy: (looking into the sea) "Yeah."
Okii: (shifting his gaze) "Anjou ran off a few hours ago."
Brook: "What?! I told her to stay here!"
Okii: (scratching his beard) "She's a curious lass."
Luffy: "She'll be all right out there, won't she?"
Okii: (puffing his cigar) "I'd imagine Bosc will keep her safe for now, but I'd suggest you stay onboard from now on, Captain."
Luffy: "Why?"
Okii: (staring into the sunset) "You reek of human. They know who and what you are. It's only a matter of time before your identity becomes...troublesome."
Luffy: (smelling his shirt) "I bathed."
Anjou: (hopping over the railing) "He means - It's not safe for you."
Luffy: (defiantly) "I can handle myself just fine."
Anjou: "It'll be a bother for Bartlett if you start unnecessary trouble."
Luffy: "I told anyone who asked just what she said, 'I'm fresh turned'...whatever that means."
Brook: "Yatsu-san, are you - ?..."
Okii: (hiding a grin) "Aye, Lad...Well, half anyway."
Luffy: (confused) "Half what?"
Okii: "Haven't you ever wondered how I manage to show up out of nowhere?"
Luffy: (shrugging) "I just figured you were really quiet."
Okii laughed heartily as Anjou shook her head.
Okii: "You never really watched for me to enter a room, but some of your nakama did."
Luffy: (lilting his head) "Huh?"
Nami came up from the steps, wondering how Luffy managed to get dressed some days.
Nami: "Luffy, he's trying to tell you who he is."
Luffy: (pointing) "He's Okii."
Anjou: "Yatsu-oji, just spell it out for him - Slowly."
Okii: (reminiscent) "Roger was a very tolerant man. He never questioned where any of us came from, so when I told him I was part djinn, he laughed it off."
Brook: "Djinn?"
Okii: (grinning) "It's how I slip in and out of odd places without being noticed."
Luffy: "I get it!"
Nami: (sighing) "And the epiphany finally hits...Luffy, it's how he keeps your island running and how can travel with you all of the time while knowing what's going on at home."
Luffy: "I always wondered about that..."
Deciding to move things along, Okii let the whimsy drop from his voice.
Okii: "What are your orders, Captain? Your friends await you."
Luffy crossed his arms, deep in thought.
Nami: "How long can Bartlett last without Zoro?"
Brook: "I'm not entirely sure we need him now."
Luffy: "The others won't give us any blood, will they?"
Nami: (glancing between them) "What others?"
Back on the Red Line, Sanji watched the denden mushi for any signs of life.
Usopp: "This is stupid! Just come with us. Bartlett needs you!"
Zoro: "I told you I can't."
Franky: "What's so important that you have to stay here? Don't your friends matter anymore?"
Zoro glared hard at him, but said nothing.
Sanji: (flagging them down) "Hey, guys! Nami's on the line!"
Usopp and Franky approached the conversation while Zoro stayed stoically by the wall.
Nami: "Luffy says to go on and head to the island."
Usopp: "What?! Why?"
Nami: "If Zoro won't come, you can't make him. Besides, we got some new information."
Franky: "What kind of information?"
A bit of static came across with mixed voices.
Sanji: "Nami-chan?"
Bartlett: "Put him on the line."
They turned to stare at their nakama, but he was already striding forward.
Zoro: "What do you want?"
Bartlett: "Good to hear from you, too, Zoro-kun."
Glances were exchanged. She never used that term with anyone, not even Brook.
Zoro: (sighing) "Make up your mind then."
Bartlett: "We need you here...I need you here."
Zoro: "Fine, but what about - ?"
Bartlett: (cutting him off) "Don't worry about it. The rift isn't important right now."
Zoro: "Not important?! You sent me way the Hell out here to guard against...(annoyed) whatever...and now it's suddenly not important?!"
Usopp shrugged when Sanji looked to him for answers. Apparently, this went further into things than they knew.
Bartlett: (calmly) "The rift you're waiting for won't happen if Bosc wins this...Please. Trust me on this."
Zoro grit his teeth, irked at the whole situation.
Zoro: (giving in) "All right...But if I miss this - ..."
Bartlett: "I know...Thank you."
Nami: "I guess I'll need to tell you how to get here then. The map you have is useless. The island moves."
Sanji: "There's no eternal pose for it?"
Nami: "Afraid not. No compass exists for the Isle of Origin."
Usopp: (choosing his words carefully) "I thought it was called something else."
Nami: "...It is. You'll need its real name to find it. Look inside that packet Luffy gave you."
Franky nodded and did just that.
Nami: "There should be a small folded envelope inside."
Franky: (holding it up) "It's full off sand."
Nami: "Do *NOT* dump it out...When you set sail, call us back and I'll tell you what to do."
Sanji: "We'll be with you soon, Nami-chan."
Nami: "Right."
The transmission ended.
Sanji: (turning) "Eh, Marimo. What was that all about?"
Zoro: "None of your business."
Everyone stared at him, waiting for a valid response.
Zoro: (sighing) "It's complicated, all right?"
Usopp: "But why wait in the middle of nowhere?"
Zoro: "It's a long story. (changing the subject) So, where are we headed?"
Usopp grinned. It was nice having all of the answers.
Usopp: "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
Franky: (examining the packet) "What exactly is the Isle of Origin?"
Usopp: (chuckling) "A really long tale, there...But you guys might recognize it by another name."
Sanji: "And that would be?"
Usopp: "Avalon."
Once on the ship, they followed Nami's instructions carefully. As they set sail, Zoro stared back toward the shore in thought.
Sanji: "Seriously? Avalon really exists?!"
Usopp: (flatly) "We're on our way to save a vampire and you're questioning the island's name?..."
Sanji: (sighing) "So, that's what Nami meant by 'you'll need its real name to find it'?"
Usopp laid out the map they had been given and traced the outline of the island.
Usopp: "It changes names each time it rises from the sea."
Franky: "You mean it sinks?"
Usopp: (grinning) "You guys probably know a bit of its history already...Think of a few legends."
Sanji: (lighting up) "Atlantis."
Zoro: "Mu."
They turned when he spoke. He'd been quiet since they boarded.
Usopp: (nodding) "Exactly."
Franky: "Isn't the continent of Mu supposed to stay underwater?"
Usopp: "The island's only part of it...Think of it as a doorway. The island rises every few thousand years to connect the worlds."
Zoro: (looking over the map) "How do you know all this?"
Usopp: "Call it a hobby."
It seemed as if only mere hours had passed when ship stopped dead. Mist poured forth from the waves.
Usopp: (nervously) "I guess the singing should start any minute now, huh?"
Sanji peered overboard. It was true. The last time the had experienced anything like this was when Bartlett first boarded the Sunny so many years ago.
Franky: (nodding) "Who's that?"
An ethereal form appeared floating just above the deck. It appeared as a hooded female in ancient robes with broken wings drooped from her back. A boney finger pointed at the group as a whispered voice entered their minds. It sounded hollow, like an echo, and sent a chill down one's spine.
Esper: "Why do you seek the mother land?"
Zoro's arm began to glow. The lines appeared iridescent purple as they had once done in his search for Itami.
Usopp: "Zoro!"
Zoro: (smirking) "I thought as much...(stepping forward) We're here to help a friend in need."
A cold breeze went over them, leaving trails of ice upon their skin.
Sanji: "What is that thing?"
Usopp: (ribbing his nakama) "Don't be rude!...(bowing humbly) Greetings, Gate Keeper. Please allow us passage. We mean no harm...(aside) Whatever you do, don't repeat names."
Sanji mildly glared, but followed suit.
Franky: (slightly bowing) "What now?"
Esper: "Roronoa Zoro. You have stepped outside of your domain once before. Why do you seek to destroy your mortal coil?"
Confused looks passed about, but no one dared interrupt. Zoro held up his left forearm for the esper to see.
Zoro: (calmly) "I won't die that easily."
The esper seemed to chuckle.
Esper: "So be it. Speak your destination."
She passed her icy gaze over each nakama awaiting an answer.
Zoro: "The drifting Isle of Mu."
Franky: "Avalon."
Sanji: "Atlantis."
All eyes shifted to Usopp. What other histories did the isle hold?
Usopp: (with a deep breath) "Tanjoshima."
Without a word, the esper vanished. The fog cleared ahead of them and they lurched forward once more.
Sanji: "Was that it?"
Usopp: (sighing in relief) "Just be grateful we got through."
Franky: "I don't get it. What was the big deal?"
Usopp struggled to find the words. Zoro stepped forward, leaning onto the desk. His left arm had stopped glowing, but retained the deep violet lines, like a tattoo.
Zoro: "You don't want to know."
Usopp half smiled. His nakama was right. The others didn't realize just how narrowly they had avoided death, if not a worse fate.
At the Isle of Origin, Nami heaved a breath of relief as the second ship approached them. Anjou waved vigorously as they docked. Nami ran forward, hugging Sanji.
Nami: "Thank goodness you all made it."
Usopp: (smirking) "Was there ever a doubt?"
She turned with a warm smile.
Nami: "It's the reason I sent you with them."
One by one, each nakama boarded the main vessel. Luffy waited for Zoro to approach him before speaking.
Luffy: (eying the arm) "So, it's back, huh?"
Zoro: (inadvertently touching the lines) "Yeah."
Nami: (concerned) "What is that?"
She knew enough of the lore from Usopp, Robin, and Brook to know the pattern was no tattoo.
Zoro: "It's nothing...How's Bartlett?"
Brook climbed up from below, haggard and worn.
Brook: "Weak."
A solemn nod was the only response. They both followed the steps downward. Sanji looked toward the island with a mixed expression.
Luffy: "Pretty cool, huh?"
Sanji: (taking a drag) "I guess."
Luffy stepped close, inspecting his friend in over-dramatic actions.
Sanji: (annoyed) "What?"
Luffy: "Why aren't you being crushed?"
Sanji: "Huh?"
With all of the commotion, no one had noticed Anjou slip away.
Sanji: "Now that you mention it..."
Nami: "She's probably with her mom."
A shrill cry jolted everyone from thought. Luffy darted below deck, leaving the couple alone.
Sanji: "Sounds bad."
Nami: (sighing) "You don't know the half of it."
A tug on her hand pulled her from her tired stare down the steps.
Sanji: "Nami-chan."
Nami: (turning) "What is it?"
He glanced back at the isle across his shoulder before keenly meeting her eyes.
Sanji: "Have you been ashore?"
Nami: (confused) "No, why?"
Sanji: "I don't want you on that island."
Nami: "What are you talking about?"
Sanji: (sternly) "It's not safe...I don't like the fact you're this close to it as it is."
She searched his expression, unsure where this was coming from.
Nami: "I can take care of myself, you know. Besides, Luffy's here and - "
Her words trailed off as he pulled her close to him. After a moment, she relaxed in his arms.
Nami: (quietly) "Why are you acting like this?"
He smiled to himself, nuzzling against her hair.
Sanji: "Don't act like I couldn't figure it out."
She froze, her eyes wide. She gently pushed away to look him in the eye.
Nami: "You knew all along, didn't you?"
Sanji: (shrugging) "I wouldn't say that."
Below deck, Brook held tightly to Bartlett's thrashing body. Her fever had peaked and the attacks were getting worse. Luffy looked on in concern as Zoro sat beside her. She gasped for air as the spasms passed. Brook wiped the sweat from her brow, glad that the worse had passed.
Zoro: "Why'd you wait so long to call me?"
She eyed him defiantly, but was too weak to speak. Shaking his head, he held out his right wrist.
Zoro: "Go on...Get it over with."
He didn't bother to wince as he began to bleed, but one could see the strain in his face if they knew where to look. Bartlett was ravenous. Not only had her fangs pierced his flesh, but she clung so tightly, that her nails also dug in. Rather than the physical sensation of his life slowly being drained, he couldn't help, but retrace the memories of Itami's death throes. Everything appeared in his mind as if it had just happened - the seemingly trivial punctures followed by the fevers and his trip to Momo. Then, as the journey deepened in his thoughts, he snapped out of it. Bartlett slumped to one side, unconscious. Brook settled her in before dressing Zoro's arm.
Zoro: "I can do that."
Brook: "I can't thank you enough..."
Zoro: (shrugging) "You'd do the same for me."
-