A/N: Glad to the back, sorry for this delay, but I was inspired this time, though internet issues...

orca3553;

Thanks!

Blue VanLocke

Glad you like it! Yeah I don't like the new forms either. I think I misjudged their ages a bit but that's been already fixed, thanks for the heads up!

MusicOfMadness

Totally understandable, sorry if this is a bit weird, but you know...different stuff it's always harder to deal with. I hope I can keep the story in check at least.

Krasher;

Me too :P Ant I'm really thankful for the support.

Guest;

I guess so...lol.

The next day came around the ship without any problems. The crew of the Sunny seemed to be following their regular routine despite having new guests aboard.

Law was closely watching Caesar. On the afternoon of the previous day the warlord spent a couple of minutes talking briefly with Joker, his plans about forcing Doflamingo to quit the Shichibukai already on progress. Of course the news related to it would come around in the next newspaper.

Monet was still unaware of Law's plan, unlike the whole rest of the crew. Such idea would definitely upset her to no end, she would never agree with such.

It was only when morning's breakfast was served that she's been told of what happened.

Gathering again at the kitchen room she was calmly enjoying her breakfast, the best she ever had thanks to Sanji, while talking with Robin and Nami.

Perhaps the fact she was female made her interaction with the only other two women aboard rather easier.

Nami and Robin still had their doubts about Monet but, apparently, they seemed quite friendly around the harpy despite past events.

"Does it get even worse? I mean, it's not like the World Government it's not capable of applying their laws, but their system is clearly corrupted and manipulated on the higher standards, there is no real justice," Nami said clearly undignified after they discussed Vergo's important ranking among the Marines.

"People make their way up along the years, but while some keep their ideals for so long others might change their minds about which path to follow," Robin responded while serving herself of another toast with jelly.

"What else can go wrong with these people? It's one crazy admiral after the other, I'm not a fan of the Marines, but I can't help but feel rather depressed to think they would let such things slip through their ranks so easily."

Robin could understand Nami's disappointment since the navigator had a very dearly person related to her that worked with the marines. For Nami it was always a source of pride and inspiration.

"Those who wish to corrupt and conquer will take any means necessary to do it so, especially if they'll always find people aiming for power," Monet said rather depressively. She could easily understand the concept behind corruption. Morality is a rarity.

"Easy is to corrupt those to who you have something important to offer. What Law did yesterday was a proof of how this game works, I've found myself being into many of these occasions," Nami stared at Robin with sympathy, she could understand the past in which the archeologist was submitted.

"What Law did yesterday?" Monet stared at Robin intrigued.

"He contacted Doflamingo, we would return Caesar to him if he, forcefully, resigned his title of Shichibukai," The archeologist explained while observing the harpy carefully.

Few seconds of stunned silence passed. Even the other side of the table, where Luffy and the others were, became quieter than usual.

"But….why would you return Caesar? That doesn't make any sense," Monet said ignoring the fact that Law was taking advantage of the situation over Joker. "Whatever title he has is meaningless compared with how powerful he could be with the weapons Caesar can create."

This was not the type of reaction most were expecting from her, even few seemed to be a bit doubtful about the whole deal.

"Now that you put it that way I have to agree," Sanji said appearing of nowhere near the ladies. "But then there's more to this plan than what we can tell so far, once we get near Dressrosa Law and Luffy will work on the rest of it. I don't think we're going to drop Caesar on the beach and leave,"

"That's something more likely to happen, and if he's no longer a Shichibukai it means the Marines will make a strike towards him in no time, bigger the mess, better for us," Nami said with a smirk. "Hopefully we won't have to stay around Dressrosa for too long,"

"I would not be so sure, Joker will not let this pass so easily. He'll have something in mind to ambush your crew, Law's plan might delay him a bit but won't make things much different. Joker has made many dangerous moves before, whatever he might plan for your crew won't be just out of the ordinary. He's a very insane person once upset. I've seen him angry sometimes, it was when I knew one mistake would cost your life, even if you were part of his crew."

"I thought he worked with people he considered his family, it's not like he would dismiss them so easily," Nami pondered this fact at the harpy.

"That….."

Monet paused. There were very few occasions in the past that she knew that Joker had ordered the execution of people close to him, old pirate crew members were of his most deep confidence. Newer members after Corazon not so much.

The fact of what succeed between Joker and his brother came to Monet's knowledge after few secret conversations she had with Vergo. It only took the fact that Corazon was against his brother for Joker to kill him at cold blood.

If he did that with his own real family member what wouldn't he do with those who were not even related?

It was such fact that made the harpy petrified about going back to Dressrosa and being spotted walking around along with the straw hats on her free will.

She knew she was expendable the moment she contacted Joker for the last time, that brief conversation was enough for her to understand about what she would have to do in case the Straw Hats managed to escape the lab with Caesar.

It was when she believed her cause, but once she failed that task she realized what a waste her life has been so far.

"Sorry, I need some air," Monet quickly stood up and went for the door. This took both Nami and Robin by surprise. Once the door closed the rest of the crew came around the girls.

"What happened? Monet seemed a bit disturbed," Sanji commented once he returned from the balcony. "Sorry, I had to wash some stuff so I couldn't listen the whole conversation.

"I would say she still needs time to understand the world around her. Much changed in her view of things, she's finding hard to break all her beliefs and make new ones," Robin commented once she finally managed to conclude her line of thought.

"And I would say she knows something about Doflamingo that scares even her," Nami said while crossing her arms and staring at her empty plate.

"I think she's scary enough when angry, but since this Doflamingo can scare even her I can't think on something that much scarier," Usopp said while closing his eyes, thinking hard on things that would terrify him to death.

"Meh, she's probably feeling sick or something. Hey Chopper, you should make another exam on her," Luffy said without any worries.

"It's not that simple Luffy. I can heal the physic, not the mental," Chopper said with a sigh.

"What? Are you saying Monet is retarded?" Luffy asked dumbly. The reindeer felt a bit irritated.

"No, but probably you are," He muttered under his breath. "What I'm saying is that I'm not a psychologist and I can't really help her with the conflict going into her mind. That's something she'll have to resolve on her own for now,"

"Doctor-san does have a point, we only can help her once she decides on what to do about the path she'll take. We must wait for her to make a decision," Robin said while crossing her arms and legs smoothly. "We did all we could."

"If you're saying so…." Nami was still worried about the harpy's predicament. The weather manipulator seriously hoped for Monet to choose them instead of Doflamingo, more for Monet's sake than anything else.

"We have a long way ahead of us, still will take two days to reach Dressrosa. Chopper, why don't you go help Monet to get into her routine? She could use something to keep herself busy and rest her thoughts a bit," Sanji suggested nicely to the reindeer.

"I'll see what I can do, are the others awake already?" Chopper replied back to Sanji.

"Kin'emon and Momonosuke just woke up, they'll be here shortly. Law is with Caesar, I had to take their breakfast outside. Seems that guy won't take any second away from Caesar, I really don't mind after all the work we had to capture him."

"Yosh, I'll go outside too! Hey Chopper! Why don't you and Usopp come with me so we can get some food?" Luffy happily requested while opening the door. Sanji sighed.

"I just told Chopper to advise Monet, don't distract him with that now Luffy, just take Usopp with you, it will be enough."

"Kay, see you later then Chopper," The captain agreed while leaving along with Usopp.

"I hope no more Sea Kings this time…." The sharpshooter muttered while following Luffy outside.

Chopper chuckled slightly while walking behind Usopp towards the deck. Once outside he saw Law with Caesar at the same exact spot as always, Zoro was far ahead resting on a corner, Brook was chatting with Kin'emon and Momonosuke, Franky was also around making a routine check on the ship.

'Where is she?' Though the reindeer while looking around for the harpy. He went to the med-bay first, and found her doing a quick read on one of his many books that were over his desk.

"Something tells me you also have a bit of scientist in you," She said without looking at him, she didn't sound upset but rather amused.

"Oh, yeah….I do some experiences, but always looking for something to help instead of destroying," Chopper replied firmly. Monet nodded slightly.

"Of course, I would never imply you're some kind of mad person seeking to destroy the world," She said jokingly. Chopper couldn't help but laugh a bit.

"Definitely not. So….what do you want to do first?"

Monet paused her reading and went her eyes over the messed up desk filled with bottles, books, and several other stuff Chopper used, recently or not.

"How about you teach me a bit of this stuff? I've never thought about becoming a healer, it could be useful someday."

"More than you would imagine, considering how many times my nakama got injured," Chopper said with a sigh.

"Sounds nice, though I would love to have some fighting practice too, I'm feeling totally out of shape," She said while stretching her wings at her sides the farthest she could.

"Well, that should wait, you need to be resting for at least two days before putting up to some practice," The reindeer advised gently as possible.

"Is that so? Oh, well then, no questioning the doctor's orders," She said playfully much to Chopper's surprise.

"Hum….I guess we should start then…"

As the day progressed Chopper spent most of his time instructing Monet the best he could, he was glad she's a fast learner, mostly due the fact she already has a basic knowledge in this field.

Lunch came by without incidents, of course without mentioning the moment when Caesar saw Monet nearby and disrupted into insults of all kinds. After very tense minutes, they managed to take the harpy away but she still left somewhat satisfied with the swift kick she landed on the scientist.

"Traitorous bitch! I'm amazed you're not in half as you should!" Caesar yelled at her after the harpy left. Of course he was soon knocked out by another kick, this time from Sanji.

"Important prisoner or not, I won't let you insult any lady with that despicable mouth of yours," The cook said while eyeing severely the recently injured scientist.

"That really doesn't concern us, their personal conflict can wait. We must keep our eyes open for Doflamingo. We're deep into his territory, I wouldn't be surprised if he jumped on us all of sudden," Law said while still resting on his usual spot.

"Don't say that! I'm nervous already with some monstrosity under the waters, it's bad already without worrying about something coming from above!" Usopp said while chilling a bit. Both him and Luffy have been fishing the whole day without success.

"Hey Usopp, you got something?" Luffy asked with boredom.

"Psshhh, this part of the ocean seems to be more deserted than Alabasta's desert. Unless you want to go after a Sea King again," The sharpshooter replied annoyed.

"Meh, perhaps, maybe if we had more people fishing we could get something. Oi! Franky! Can you help us with the fishes?"

"No luck on the fishes, eh? " The cyborg replied with a smile. " I would love to but I got some improvements to work with the Sunny before we reach Dressrosa, why don't you two see if someone else is available?"

"Brook?" Luffy asked.

"Yohohoho, I would love to Luffy-san, but I'm just working on a new song I composed, perhaps someone else then?" The skeleton said rather excitedly.

"Zoro?"

The swordsman grunted with annoyance.

"When you ever saw me fishing?" He asked without looking at his captain. Luffy merely stared. "No."

"Then…..hey Chopper!"

The reindeer was just passing by along with the harpy when he heard his captain's call, he went to Luffy's side while expressing curiosity, Monet was right after, though she seemed rather distracted with a book on her wing.

"Aye, Luffy, what is it?"

"Can you help us with the fishes? We got nothing so far," Luffy said somewhat frustrated.

"Nothing? But you two have been there the whole day," Chopper replied amazed at the lack of results.

"Well, no luck. Come on, we need an extra bow here, maybe Monet could join us if she wants," Usopp suggested while keeping his eyes on his own fishing line.

Once hearing her name being mentioned the harpy slowly closed the book and went to observe their activity. Chopper was a bit hesitant at first but, apparently, he decided it wouldn't hurt to take some time to help his nakama.

"Fishing, perhaps something I only did one or two times in my whole life," The harpy commented while observing the calm ocean. "Never had an occasion of being alone on the seas, or a desert island of sorts."

"Well, this would be quite enjoyable if we actually could get something," Usopp was getting rather upset with the fishing failure. Suddenly an idea popped into his mind. "Hey, what if we could reach lower? Perhaps the fishes are swimming a bit deeper than our bows can reach."

"Heh? And how exactly we would do that? We don't have a small boat, and even such would be dangerous," Chopper asked on puzzlement.

"Hey Monet, what's your power again? You can freeze stuff, right?"

The harpy stared at the marksman suspiciously.

"I ate a snow snow fruit. I can freeze, yes, but not as fast as an ice ice fruit user."

"Can you convert water into snow?" Luffy asked with shinning eyes. Monet seemed doubtful.

"Yes, but only did with small quantities of consumable water, I'm not sure what effects it would have with salty water, and how much I can convert at once."

"This sounds like a good moment to try, don't you think? You have plenty of time and water right ahead of you, why not practice a bit?" Usopp said encouragingly, much to the harpy's astonishment.

"I…." She stared discretely at the reindeer, Chopper seemed okay with the idea as long she didn't push her limits. It was when the harpy wondered if she should push her limits.

Calmly as possible she focused on the environment around her, eyes closed slightly while charging on her abilities.

Once a very warm heat of the sun and gentle breeze of the sea was now an incredibly icy sensation around her body and those nearby.

"Wow, that was quick!" Usopp said while crossing his arms at the sudden coldness, few seconds after it was snowing around them, though the snow was very light to form any mass around them since it would quickly melt at the floor's heat.

Chopper seemed to relax instantaneously, this kind of environment was simply his favorite, as a reindeer he simply felt connected with the snow and the coldness.

"…." Luffy removed his straw hat to get rid of some of the snow over it. "…it's cold…"

Monet tried her best to summon upon her abilities, trying to remember how to simulate the condensation of the water into snow, a task she performed a long time ago. It was difficult for her to gather enough energy once she realized how much such task would require of her.

She couldn't risk to expose directly with the sea water by turning into snow herself, most likely her powers would subdue due the water effects over a Devil Fruit user.

The snow was falling at a much rapid pace around then, she needed the environment to be at her side when performing her powers, on a desert of sand she would have great issues. Water was her ally while fire was her enemy. Air was also an important component for her since it would contain enough water for her to condensate.

She transformed water into snow before, but performing something this large was a whole new experience for her level.

But then again what's the point of doing that? The snow would just dissipate thanks the much larger amount of water covering it, it was like dropping a snowball inside a lake.

Perhaps she really needed to turn the water into ice.

"I can't," She sadly admitted. "Besides, it would be better if I just turned all this water into ice. Such thing is out of my reach."

Usopp seemed somewhat disappointed, slowly the snow around them was melting as the heat of the sun was allowed to reach over them again.

"Well, can you?" Luffy asked sounding quite curious.

"Perhaps, but would take a lot of training an-

"Well, you should do that. How else will you get stronger?" Luffy interrupted with his arms still crossed.

Monet glared at the straw hat captain with apprehension. What exactly did he want her to do?

Before Monet could ask anything, she took notice of how sleepy Chopper was all of sudden. She then reminded herself that it was because his reindeer original form, such that made him enjoy the coldness she produced. This was a first for her, never anyone felt happy about experiencing first hand her powers on them.

"Well, I must say it's the first time I see someone pleased with my powers," She commented offhandedly. Chopper, being very aware of what she meant, turned his head away from her pretending he had nothing to do with it. "I'll work on developing them as time goes by, though I have other priorities in mind for now. You two keep fishing, you'll get something eventually."

The harpy turned around and went back to the med-bay. Luffy and Usopp just shrugged while turning their attention back to their bows.

Feeling extremely conflicted Chopper decided to go after her, it only took him a single jump from half the ship to the door of the med-bay. Once he got inside, he saw the harpy laying over the bed with one of the books he gave her about biology.

"Quite late aren't you?" She asked joyfully. The reindeer slowly took a seat, though his taller form forced him to spread his legs a bit further than normal. "I normally would guess a reindeer with a blue nose does have something special on him."

It was that, another off-hand comment that made Chopper scared of talking with her.

"I suppose you're curious about it?" He asked very cautiously after few seconds of silence. Monet realized the awkwardness around him.

"It's there something wrong?" She asked being genuinely concerned about the reindeer.

"Maybe….I mean, have you decided on what you're going to do from now on?" He asked while gazing firmly into her eyes.

"Not yet, but rest assured I do not intend to harm any of your crew. I cannot make any promises about Law or the others that are just guests," She said sounding quite relaxed, the book she was reading now laying at her side, her eyes studying the reindeer in front of her.

Such staring made Chopper uncomfortable. He hated to admit but what Nami said last night had an impact on him he didn't want to deal with.

"So, what's the story about the blue nose?" She asked with interest while checking her belt.

"Hum, I can't really tell how I got it since I remember about having it since birth," Chopper said feeling quite weird with this conversation.

"How was it like to be just a reindeer?"

"Painful," Chopper responded a bit too quickly. Monet stared at him again, no longer smiling but rather preoccupied. Never had Chopper felt such intense feeling of slapping himself for being this careless. "I was born different, I was treated differently, I was dealt with differently, I became even more different, I was on a different place, I was…."

He paused a bit while trying to calm his breath. Remembering the past like this all of sudden was never easy. Monet seemed very sympathetic while looking at him, thankfully she wasn't the type of hugging people otherwise Chopper would've freaked out.

"I am different, but so is everyone else around me, and I'm not judged about it. They like me for who I am."

"I understand," Monet said while playing with the edge of her hair. "Your past is difficult just as everyone else in this ship. It's funny how-

Before she could finish a sudden tremor made the whole room shake as if an earthquake occurred.

"What just happened?" Chopper asked while quickly rising from his seat and rushing outside, Monet followed him immediately.

Dark figures jumped over them right after they left the door, on a quick movement Monet displaced one of them with a strong slash of her wings towards her attacker.

Chopper developed some swift kicks at two more that came at him near the stairs, before he could reach the lower deck more dark enemies came at him nonstop.

A powerful blast of snow delivered by Monet sent several adversaries away from the reindeer. Still more kept coming no matter how hard she hit them.

"Who are those?" The reindeer asked while dodging more powerful blows and absorbing others with his arms. He considered transforming, but the Sunny wasn't exactly to be used as a battle zone of larger proportions, Chopper was wary about damaging the ship.

A dark figure tried to jump on Monet's back, but seeing this she performed a graceful deflection, her opponent missed the attack and fell to the lower deck.

"This is getting an-

"This is Breed speaking, we have Caesar! All of you return immediately!" A voice suddenly said catching their attention.

Monet frowned. Someone has kidnapped Caesar, but she never heard the name Breed before, so it was unlikely to be related to Doflamingo.

"Where the hell these bastards came from?" Zoro asked while chasing away the last intruder.

Law seemed seriously upset.

"We don't have much time, we must go after him immediately," He said while looking at the others.

"The Shark Submerge can reach after them in no time," Usopp quickly informed while checking around to make sure no more hostiles were present. Thankfully no one was injured due this quick assault.

"It has room for four people maximum, who's coming with me?" Law asked.

"Yosh, I'm coming," Luffy said almost immediately.

"I'm coming too," Chopper said firmly.

A brief silence followed, seemed no one else was disposed to tag along.

"I'll go, this sounds like fun."

The whole crew turned around to stare at the harpy, most of them unsure of what to say. Law's face hardened.

"You're not g-

"Yosh! It's decided! Let's go!" Luffy said before running away towards the Sunny's bay. Law sighed heavily.

"You're the worst mugiwara…"

Law went after Luffy, followed by Chopper and Monet. The reindeer seemed somewhat astonished to think Monet would tag along them in a dangerous mission. He still was somewhat amazed he offered himself to go without thinking twice about it.

The group reached Sunny's bay in a couple of minutes. Once the Sub was prepared, Chopper had no choice but to finally transform to his smaller form so the whole group could fit inside.

"Well, you don't look sexy but rather cute," Monet commented playfully at him. The reindeer mumbled incoherent words while sitting at the pilot's seat. Thankfully he has some previous experience on piloting the Shark Submerge.

"Seal the hatch and we're ready to go," Chopper ordered while checking the navigation commands.

"Yosh, we'll be back soon as we can!" Luffy informed to his crew mates present at the docking bay before sealing the hatch. "Ready to go!"

"Shark Submerge, this is Sunny, over," Franky's voice came from the panel.

"Wow, so cool!" Luffy commented while Chopper responded to the call.

"This is Shark, waiting for the opening of the docking bay….over," The reindeer added after a second of hesitation.

"Roger, doors will be open in ten seconds, good luck lads, over."

"I hope we get there in time, I just wonder what this Breed wants with Caesar," Law said while adjusting himself on an edge of the Shark. Monet thanked for her wingspan being there to smooth any impacts with the cold metal. True to be told the Shark barely had room for three people inside, Chopper's much smaller form and Luffy's tiny shape helped greatly.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he's some sort of underworld criminal chasing after a reward for Caesar's head," Monet said with a smirk. She loved when she knew better than Law.

The warlord avoided any remarks about this, he still was rather upset for Luffy to allow her along with them in this critical task.

The Shark Submerge left the dock immediately once the doors were open. Chopper guided the submarine using his animal instincts to follow the trail of their attackers, aside some of the navigation equipment installed on the Shark.

Whoever this person was he just made a big mistake on kidnapping Caesar, and little did he knew the danger that was after him.