And this is it! The final chapter! It was nice writing this when it lasted. Really it was. But now that this is over, I can go back to my other stories. In case if anyone asks when the next book will be, that I don't know myself. But look forward to it everyone! Speaking of, I will have up a poll later about it. The poll is: What arc should I get started on next? The G8 arc, the Long Ring Long Land arc, or Water 7 Arc? If anyone asks how I will start that off when I have to introduce Aokiji to the crew and a part of Robin's past, I will do what they did in the anime and have them visit an island of shipwrecked people and meet him there.
Also, a certain reviewed pointed out something that I did not at all realize until I read that review. No, it is not in this story, but in the very first SCP story. Because of that, there is a small/big change in the second chapter of Second Chance as a Pirate. You can go back to it if you want, all I did was change the path Xion chose. Now you may be wondering why I didn't choose the correct path earlier... I did not think Xion would be this skilled in magic. DO NOT JUDGE ME!
One last thing. I know I should've done this much earlier, but I will be putting up drawings of Xion's Keyblades later today! Where will it be? On deviantart! My username is kingdomcure! Look forward to them!
Now then, that out of the way, time for the ending! HESO! And yes, yes I said 'Heso'.
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or Kingdom Hearts. I do not own Guthrie and Allen. Well, actually I kind of do own him.
*OPENING*
Let's fly to the sky
(The sun rises as Merry sails across the ocean)
There's not a single cloud in the sky
(All the current Straw Hats watched the sun rises, Luffy on the figurehead)
Let's fly to the sky. (It's time to fly around) Catch the perfect breeze for you
(The camera faces the sky as the title appears on the screen)
Paint the sky with (Let's go to the wonder world) imagination that no one's ever seen
(Camera faces back to the Going Merry as everyone went on with their peaceful business)
OH! OH! Even if it's too dazzling (Come on)
(Xion looked up and saw Marines ahead of them and warned everyone)
OH! OH! under the sun
(They all prepared themselves for battle. Marines fired cannon balls at them)
OH! OH! If it's you, you can make it! Throw away your pride and FLY!
(Luffy, Zoro and Sanji sent the cannons back at them. Usopp fired a cannon of their own with Xion, in her Wisdom Form, unleashed Triple Firaga at them, followed by a Thundaga, clearing their path)
Everyday is plain!
Real talent makes the world go round
(Going Merry sailed through the smoke. Everyone looked content as they enjoyed the sea breeze)
Deceit won't work anymore.
(Scene changed to Jaya in Mock Town, as camera faced each of the Blackbeard Pirates.)
Mayday, the red light is stopping you too
(Scene changed to Cricket's home, showing Cricket with Masira and Shojo side by side.)
Lend me an ear! And I'm gonna stick on my RAP! Wussup!
(Guthrie fights against some pirates and Heartless. One tried to sneak up on him and Chirithy knocked it away.)
"From tomorrow on I'll get serious!"- seriously cut it out with excuses like that
(Allen danced as he dodged the attacks of the pirates and attacked them at the same time)
Increase your money with your dream! Time is money like NASDAQ!
(The Straw Hats looked at Cricket's gold and searched for the South Bird)
When will you do it boy? It's now or never man! This is the moment, right?
(The crew then arrived at the Knock Up Stream and went to the skies.)
Everybody put ya hands in the air and clap ya hands like this like that
Clap ya hands everybody! Everybody just clap ya hands!
(Scenes quickly changed to different scenes. Xion and Guthrie crossed blades, Luffy's one-hit KO on Bellamy, the group trying to catch the South Bird, then finally their first encounter with the Shandia Warriors)
Let's fly to the sky (It's time to fly around) Catch the perfect breeze for you
(The Straw Hat Pirates arrived on Skypiea and were approached by the White Berets and fought them)
Paint the sky with (Let's go to the wonder world) imagination that no one's ever seen
(Scene changed to the group in the Upper Yard fighting against Heartless, Shandians and Priests)
OH! OH! Even if it's too dazzling (Come on)
(Scene changed to Xion fighting against Larxene)
OH! OH! under the sun
(Changed to Guthrie and Allen teaming up against the Nobodies)
OH! OH! If it's you, you can make it! Throw away your pride and FLY!
(Changed to Luffy battling Eneru. In a flash of light, opening ends with all of Straw Hats on Merry, facing the camera)
Last time:
"Am I... hearing drums...?" He lightly lifted his head and saw an orange glow outside. "Is that... fire? Wait, did we lose?"
"If we did, none of us would be alive, don't you think?" Xion pointed out. Being his support, she helped Allen up on his feet. "Take a look." The moment they stepped out of the ruins, Allen saw that everyone, the Straw Hats, the Shandians, and the Skypieans, were all partying around a large bonfire. Even the cloud wolves and the giant snake partied with them. "From now on, both Skypieans and Shandians are friends."
A smile formed on Allen's face as he heard that and watched the party in front of him. As Xion said, the two races were all laughing together and having the time of their lives together.
It had been two days since the party began. Since then, everyone had been partying nonstop. Xion wanted to be away from the craziness for a while and ventured into the woods. She stopped when she reached a familiar field.
"This is..." she uttered out, walking to the center of the field. There was no way she could ever forget this view, this spot. It was her and Allen's special place. Xion lied down on the grass and looked at the starry night sky. "It's just like that day," she muttered.
"Isn't it?" Xion tilted her head further up and saw Allen standing behind her.
"Allen!" She quickly sat up and instantly regretted doing so, for she placed pressure on her bandaged, still-recovering arms and felt pain surge through. As a result, she fell flat on her face.
This worried the dancer. "Oi, are you okay?!"
"Y-Yeah... Just put a bit too much pressure in my arms..." the Keyblade wielder answered, slowly raising to her feet. "So, what's up?"
"Nothing much. Saw you leaving the party and had to come after you." Allen looked up at the sky as he said that. Xion also looked up. "It really is like back then, isn't it? The first time I brought you here, that is."
His question got her attention. 'He thinks so too?' she wondered.
"You know, ever since you left, this place wasn't the same to me," Allen said, confusing her. "The sky's the same, the breeze's the same, the feeling of the grass beneath me is the same... But I couldn't be relaxed here like I usually would."
Xion knew what he was trying to say. After all, this was their special place. And though she may not remember why, she just up and left Allen. And she knew for sure that her sudden leave left him heartbroken. She remembered the sad feeling she felt when she said her final good-bye to him and knew without a doubt that he was just as sad that day. Maybe even sadder.
Before she could apologize for suddenly leaving, Allen added, "But now, standing here with you under this very same sky, at this very same spot, I feel more than just relaxed." Looking at the Keyblade wielder, he smiled and then said, "Thanks for coming back in my life, Xion."
For some reason, hearing those words with that smile caused Xion's heart to skip a beat and she felt heat rise in her face. The girl looked away from Allen as she tried to sort out what she felt just now.
'W-W-Wait! What was that just now?! What was that little skip?! Why is my face heating up?!' she thought all at once.
"Hey, are you okay?" Allen asked.
"Y-Yeah... I- uh... I just feel a little hungry. That's all," Xion lied. Hearing what came out of her mouth, she wanted to slap herself for making up such a horrible lie.
Fortunately for her, that lie seemed to have worked. "I'll get some food then. Or at least one or two of your Dream Eaters to get some. Maybe that new bunny one of yours." With that, Allen left.
As he took his leave, Xion sat on the grass and let out a sigh in relief, trying to calm herself down.
She heard footsteps approaching and turned, assuming that Allen had forgotten something. To her surprise, it wasn't Allen who was walking towards her, but Guthrie. "Hey, is this seat taken?" he asked her.
"No," she answered. "Actually, I've been wanting to talk to you." Guthrie walked over and sat down next to her.
"Same here. Let me start, please." Xion nodded in response, wanting to hear what he had to say.
He took a deep breath, thinking on his failed attempt on defeating Larxene, to unlocking that new powers when facing Yama and the Nobodies before. "I guess... maybe you and I have had it all wrong," he stated. "Skills with a blade are important, but since using the Keyblade, I learned that magic and techniques are important as well." Xion looked at him, wondering where he was going with this. "The thing is, I still stand by what I said before. I don't trust that voice inside you. I don't care how much of a benefit he has been in training you. Training to the death is something I can't stand, no matter how much it will benefit you in fighting for your friends. You're no help to anyone if you die before protecting them. Besides, when I saw him take over your body, I had a really bad feeling about him, and so does Chirithy."
"What do you mean by that?" Xion asked, narrowing her eyes at him.
"I don't know. However, while I can't say for Chirithy, that guy... his demeanor is something sinister, and his eyes were yellow. Like Heartless yellow."
Xion looked surprised at this. She never knew the voice's eye color was different to hers, let alone that they resembled the same color as the Heartless.
"That guy is too dangerous, and I feel like you shouldn't work with him. I don't trust him and I don't see any reasons you should, too," Guthrie finished, turning to her fully. "That's why I propose this; we train together and teach each other to fight. I'll teach you how to fight naturally with the Keyblade, and you teach me how to properly use magic and techniques. I'm sure we can learn from one another in that sense. What's more, my teaching won't be so brutal as that voice's, and you'll still learn just as quickly." He raised a hand to her. "So do we have a deal, Xion?"
The female Keyblade wielder looked down at the hand, then to Guthrie. He seriously was determined to keep her away from diving into her heart to train with Voice, and his reasons did feel honest to her. She had been training with him for so long, she was kinda use to him and his demeanor. However, after hearing Guthrie's concerns, she felt a little more cautious. She trusted him with training her hard, but he never really showed signs of being trusted any further than that, not even surviving the lessons.
Guthrie, on the other hand, was cautious, and for good reasons. He hasn't shown any signs of not trusting him. True, she was still afraid of that first sparring match on Angel Beach, but Guthrie apologized for pushing her too hard. He was stern, but only in the right moments, and worries for her and the rest of the crew, so he had to be harsh on everyone who stepped out of line of safety. And after seeing him after he woke from his defeat against Larxene, it showed that he was truly determined to be stronger as well, so as to protect her and everyone on this crew. She had to give him a chance on at least helping her, and her helping him.
She reached out and took Guthrie's hand into a shake. "I guess it couldn't hurt worse to see if I can't benefit from us training together," she told him. "But just to let you know, I won't hold back any punches from training you."
"Then I'll do the same," the male Keyblade wielder answered. "Let's makes sure we train hard and kick butt on anyone who dare tries to hurt our comrades."
Xion smirked and nodded in response.
From afar, Chirithy saw the two Keyblade wielders and felt the reconcile between them since their last bonfire. If he had a mouth, he'd smile at the sight of this. 'About time those two got along.' he thought. 'Now Guthrie should keep up that bond and protect her with everything he has.'
Two days later, the party finally came to an end. After the party, almost all of the Shandians gathered in a temple, forming a big circle. In the center of the circle were a kneeling Allen, Wyper and the Chief.
"Allen. I am sure you are wondering why we are gathered here like so," the chief said.
"I have a pretty good idea why, actually," the dancer said. "In fact, I'm sure everyone here knows why."
"Is that so? In that case, I will let Wyper take over from here." As he said that, the elder joined the other Shandians in the circle, while Wyper stepped forward.
"Allen... My cousin and a fellow descendant of the Great Warrior Calgara," he began. "Though the war has ended, and we are at the start of the time of peace, there are things that came to my attention during the battle. In fact, there are things that came to my attention even before we started this fight. Firstly, under no one's order or request, you continuously went to Upper Yard, both before Eneru was in control of it and while. Have you not realized of the danger you put us in at that time? Did it occur to you what would happen if one of them followed you to our former island? You've put us all at risk countless of times!"
As he said that, Aisa, one of the couple Shandians who weren't in the circle, and Xion peeked through the doorway and listened to what seemed to be a trial.
"So what if that's true?" Xion muttered. "He gave them information that benefited them. He shouldn't be called out like that."
Aisa wanted to agree, especially since she snuck to Upper Yard herself from time to time to collect dirt.
"Secondly, you had joined the Blue Sea Dwellers during the battle, instead of engaging them in combat. Did it slip your mind that those that aren't Shandian are not friends, but foes? Especially when we were at time of war! What would happen if we didn't have a common enemy?! Or better yet, what would happen if Eneru somehow persuaded them to be on his side?! You weren't just reckless; you were completely foolish!"
While Allen just stood there and taking the verbal abuse, Xion clenched her fist in anger, wanting to go in there and give Wyper a good beating. And she would have too, if Laki didn't notice her and signal her to be silent and calm.
"Thirdly... when we were confronting Eneru, instead of fighting him like a true Shandian, instead of assisting me in taking out our greatest enemy, you instead cowardly knocked me out with an Impact Dial and allied yourself with that monster of a man. Though it was a ruse in an attempt to save me and those Blue Sea Dwellers, it still remains true that you are not a true Shandian, nor are you worthy of being a descendent of the Great Warrior Calgara. Especially not when it took you a would-be sacrifice to take down that monster and Giant Jack, with only one Reject Dial. Allen... it is because of this, I've decided-"
Not wanting to hear anymore of this, Xion rushed in the room. "Hang on a minute! Aren't you being a bit too harsh on him?!"
Aisa also ran in. "That's right! If you're going to punish Allen for that, then you might as well punish me too! I snuck in Upper Yard and collected Vearth from time to time!"
"Don't Aisa," Laki told the child.
"She's right. The outsider is finally going to get what's coming to him!" said one of the other Shandians.
"Time for his death sentence!" said another Shandian.
"Finish this trial!" shouted another.
Seeing the amount of hate these people had towards her friend, Xion was more than just enraged. She clenched her fists and glared at them all, unknown to the dark aura that was starting to show on her, as well as how her blue eyes were changing to a familiar yellow color.
Allen noticed this and was about to speak up, when Wyper shouted, "BE QUIET!" That shut everyone's mouth, as they all turned to Wyper in either fear or shock, or a bit of both. "There will be no death involved in this." Now that surprised all the Shandians, even Allen. "For these crimes, adding to the fact that you are but a half-blood, death is too good for someone like you. Allen, you are hereby exiled from this tribe." This brought on more confusion as some Shandians muttered amongst themselves why Wyper would sentence him to exile instead of death. "As soon as those Blue Sea Dwellers leave, I expect you to never show your face here again. Nor are you to set foot on this land ever again. Not unless you become a true Shandian. Not like that will ever happen, given your bloodline." Wyper turned to one of the slab of ruins in the temple. "Now grab all your belongings and leave."
Xion was surprised at this. With how everyone seemed to hate Allen, she would think that Wyper would give them what they want and kill him. Most of the Shandians were just as shocked with this development, including Allen. The dancer knew for sure that Wyper would never forgive him for what he had done and assumed that he would give him a death sentence. It didn't take long for the guy to realize, though, how much Wyper still care about him as family.
"I understand," he said with a smile. "I thank you for everything you had done for me, Wyper." He got up from his spot, turned to the door, and started making his way out. Before he exited, he turned to Wyper once more and said, "Hey cousin. You take care of yourself, okay?"
Unknown to many, for he had his back turned to them all, Wyper was actually shedding tears, as he gritted his teeth and steeled himself to prevent any sort of shaking. "Just go!" he managed to say without choking.
With one last smile, Allen left the temple, with Xion following him.
Meanwhile, with everyone else, Zoro was training with his katanas, Usopp was making some trades with rubber bands for some dials, Luffy, Nami, Sanji, Chopper and Chirithy went in the snake's stomach, for some odd reason, with the captain's insistence, and Robin and Guthrie were both venturing around the ruins a little more. It was when they noticed a group of Shandians rushing past them, shouting about the golden bell, that they ceased their little walk together and followed them.
The pair of pirates finally caught up to the group, with some Skypieans among them, and saw the giant, golden bell in all its glory before them.
"But what does it say, chief?" they heard a Shandian ask.
Both looked past the group of winged people and saw a Poneglyph stuck on the bell. 'Is that... one of those Poneglyphs Robin spoke of?' Guthrie wondered.
"Something best left unknown," the chief of Shandian answered. "We have only-"
"'Keep thy motives in heart with closed mouth,'" Robin quoted, much to all the Shandians and the Skypieans with them. "'We are those who will weave history, with the ringing of the Great Belfry.'"
The chief turned to her in shock. "How do you know those words?" he asked.
"We found them written in the ruins," Guthrie answered. "You guys really have been guarding that thing for so long, haven't you?"
Robin stood before the Poneglyph, reading what was written on the stone.
"What's it say Robin?" Guthrie then asked. "Is it what you're looking for?"
Those two questions surprised the Shandian chief even further. "You mean to say, she can read what's on that?"
Everyone stood in silence, wanting to know what was on the Poneglyph.
"Possessing the name of a God, the ancient weapon, Poseidon," she informed. "It holds the location."
Hearing that brought confusion and curiosity to the Shandians.
"What is that?"
"She said it's ancient."
"An ancient weapon?"
"Why would it say that?"
As they question what was on the Poneglyph, Robin was disappointed with the find. 'Another weapon...' she thought. 'One different from the Pluton of Alabasta and from Demon-san and Guthrie's Keyblade. To think that something so despicable still lurks in this world.'
"As I thought, another dead end," she said out loud, walking away from the Poneglyph.
'This is not what I want to know,' she mentally added.
"Hey there," called a Shandian. "Is that stuff on the side a part of it, too?"
"It does look like it. In writing that is," Guthrie said.
This confused Robin, as she looked to where they were pointing or looking at and noticed, to her surprise, saw more of the writing carved on the side. But it wasn't that there was more writing that surprised her; it was what was written. "Gol... D... Roger..." she read. "'I have come here and will lead this passage to the farthest end of the world. Pirate Gol D. Roger...'"
"Wait a second. Isn't that the name of the Pirate King?" Guthrie asked in shock. "You mean he was here? And he knew where the bell was before anyone?! But what does that inscription mean?"
"More importantly, how was he able to use this handwriting?" Robin wondered instead.
"Roger's name is there?" asked Gan Fall, grabbing the pirates' attention.
"You know him?" Robin asked.
"He was a pirate who came here from the Blue Sea more than 20 years ago. That name is inscribed there?"
"Yes. I cannot be sure how he managed to reach this bell, but the proof that he did is right here." It was silent when Robin said that, as a breeze blew. "Now that I think about it, there are two types of Poneglyph stones. Those which contains information, and those which tells the information of others."
"If that's true, then this Poneglyph is one that contains information," Guthrie said.
Robin nodded and continued to wonder about Roger's message. Especially the part about him leading a passage. Her eyes widened as she came to an assumption. "Could he mean the Rio Poneglyph?!" she wondered out loud.
Guthrie looked at the fellow Straw Hat as she said that, noticing the hopeful look in her eyes.
"Chief. This Poneglyph has already fulfilled its duty," she informed the Shandian.
"Its duty?" he questioned.
"Yes. There are Poneglyphs which contain information scattered throughout the world. By reading them as one, they must form a passage which fills the void in history. In other words, the connected, complete text. That is the yet nonexistent Rio Poneglyph. The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, must have taken this passage with him to his destination. So now..."
"Do you mean..." the chief interrupted. "Our duty has been fulfilled? And that we... We won't... have to fight anymore?" The guy started to shed tears in relief. "I see. Our ancestors' wish has been fulfilled!" He fell to his knees, worrying the other Shandians. "Thank goodness... Thank goodness! It's been fulfilled!"
Robin can only smile and nod. "Yes."
'That means I must take the Poneglyph passages I have read to the island at the end of Grand Line, Raftel,' the archeologist then decided.
"Tell me something, you two," Gan Fall spoke. "That boy with the straw hat gives me the same kind of impression that Roger did. Is it my imagination?"
"He's our captain," Guthrie answered. "His name is Monkey D. Luffy."
"And truth be told, I have a slight interest in him too," Robin added.
Gan Fall was more interested in one part of Luffy's name. "D? I see. It suits him to have a name of just one letter."
The two pirates couldn't help but agree with him.
"Yes. That will surely be a great point in history," the archeologist said.
"And what of the girl? The one in black?" That grabbed their attention once more.
"You mean Xion?" Guthrie asked. "What about her?"
"Well... There's just something about her. Something awfully familiar. How much do you know about her?"
Though confused, Robin answered, "Almost as much as she currently knows about herself. Demon-san has an amnesia, but she is slowly recovering her memories."
"I see. And what of that weapon of her's? That Keyblade."
Hearing him ask that question, specifically about the Keyblade, got them both tense.
"Wait a second. How do you know about the Keyblade?!" Guthrie asked.
Gan Fall placed a hand under his chin, wondering if he should tell them or not. Then again, Guthrie uses the same weapon. "Let's just say... I had a friend who used to visit from time to time, until ten years ago, when he suddenly disappeared. Xion reminds me of him."
That surprised them even further. "You were friends with a Keyblade wielder?"
"I and many others in this world." Hearing that puzzled them even further. "As much as I want to tell you more, instead, I'd like you both to look at the inscription there. The one on the belfry support."
And looked they did. Increasing their shock even further, there were more Poneglyph writings on it.
"There's more?!" Guthrie gasped.
Robin was speechless as she read this new passage. "It says here...
Chosen of the Keyblade, do not lose light
Do not go astray from where your heart guides you
But likewise, do not let it lead you to a path you will regret the most
For it is only when you are led astray, no matter the intentions,
That all you were chosen for will be lost."
Guthrie and Robin looked at each other, concerned with what the message meant.
"Pardon me, you two," came the Shandian Chief. "I recall that you were here to find gold. It's worth more than Vearth in the Blue Sea, correct?"
"That's right," Guthrie answered.
"Then what about taking that broken belfry support? Of course, we can't give you the bell."
"That's a great idea!" agreed a Shandian. "After all, we have to thank you and your crew for all you've done!"
"Yeah, he's right!" agreed another Shandian.
"Please, don't be shy," said another.
"Are you sure? The others will certainly be happy to have it!" Robin stated.
"Though I wonder if it will fit..." Guthrie muttered, looking at the size of the broken support.
"One last thing." The Chief took out something from his person and presented it to them. "Wyper would like you to deliver this to Allen." It was a round seashell, with lots of bumps. "This is Wyper's Reject Dial." Hearing that made everyone go speechless, especially the other Shandians. "And he also wants to pass on a message. 'Tell that exiled dancer to return that to me when he becomes a true Shandian.'"
"Exiled?" Guthrie repeated in a questioned tone.
"He can say what he wants and deny it as much as he want, but he cares and worries about Allen. And though he claimed that the boy is exiled, he only said that to make the decision easy for him. This tribe or your crew. I know how much Allen cares about us, despite what many of us did." The chief bowed his head to them. "I ask as the chief of Shandians. Please take good care of Allen."
"Of course," Robin answered, taking the Reject Dial from him. "And we will make sure to deliver this and the message."
"Thank you."
"Oh! Now that I think about it, that friend I spoke of left something here too," Gan Fall said. "He said to pass it down to the next, trustworthy Keyblade wielder I see." From under his armor, he took out...
"A Dream Eater recipe?!" Guthrie gasped.
"Is that what this is? Well, in any case, I don't know if it's you he spoke of or Xion, but here." Gan Fall handed it to Guthrie, who accepted it and placed it in his pocket.
"Yosh! Now that that's all done, let's carry this back to the Blue Sea Dwellers' ship!" the Shandian Chief shouted.
"Get on both sides!" shouted a Skypiean. "It'll be hard to carry! We'll give it to our land's saviors!"
"But man, is it big," stated another Skypiean.
"You sure are something, Robin," Guthrie said to her.
"How so?" she asked.
"All you did was read the Poneglyph, and you placed the Shandians at ease. Not only that, but we found out that the Pirate King was here, and that he found the bell before any of us somehow. And to top it all off, there was a message from another Keyblade wielder before us. The message is a bit... unsettling, so to say, but it means a lot of things. And now I've decided." Robin tilted her head in confusion at those words. What came next surprised her more than anything. "I'll help you find it. That Rio Poneglyph."
"Are you sure?!" Robin asked.
"Of course! You want to find out what happened to that 100 year gap that wasn't recorded in history, don't you? It's a bit suspicious for that sort of gap to exist in history. I'll help you out in discovering what happened during that time. The world deserves to know exactly what happened to get to this point after all. Plus, you said that the World Government was somehow formed after the century gap. Everyone has the right to know how that happened."
Robin couldn't help but stare at Guthrie, wondering if he was serious on assisting her in her dream. Slowly, a smile formed on her face as she gratefully said, "Yes. Thank you, Guthrie." Next thing the counselor knew, she gave him a small peck on the cheek.
This action caused him to freeze up and stare at the archeologist with wide eyes and a flushed face.
"No one has ever offered to help me like that. Think of that as a thank you," Robin simply explained, leading the group to the ship.
Guthrie just stood there, placing his hand on his cheek where Robin kissed him. Seconds later, he slight smile formed on his lip. 'Strong, smart and beautiful... and has that calming presence,' he heard himself think. This caused him to tense slightly as he then began to wonder, 'Whoa wait. Am I... seriously growing feelings for Robin? I need to think this through; this hasn't happened to me before!' Shaking his head and slapping his cheeks, he snapped himself out of his stupor and caught up to the group.
Meanwhile, back on Merry, Allen and Xion stood on deck, waiting for the crew to arrive. Nami, Conis, and Pagaya were both on Upper Yard, not too far from the ship, on lookout for the rest of the crew. As they waited, now that things had settled down, Xion gave Allen a proper tour around the ship.
"The sleeping quarters on this ship is not how I expected it to be," the dancer said. "I thought captains sleep in a separate room from everyone else."
"Usually, yes. But considering that there are two different genders on this ship, it was decided that captain's quarter becomes girls-only bedroom," Xion explained.
"Makes sense." He walked to the tangerine trees. "And this tangerine tree is from Nami's home?"
"Yep. Though I wouldn't just take a tangerine from that, if I were you. If Nami finds out, she'll kick you off the ship."
"Dully noted." The dancer stood by the rails, staring at Upper Yard.
"How do you feel?" Xion asked, worried about him.
"You mean about my being exiled?" The vice captain nodded at the question. "Truthfully... I'm happy." The worried look changed into confusion. "Earlier, I was actually a little worried. Worried if I have to choose between my home and this crew. Sure, they didn't treat me that well, but it's the only place I've ever known. I wasn't sure about leaving it for the Blue Sea, the one place that is full of mysteries to me. I know you and the others will be there and introduce me to a lot of things I don't know about, but still."
"I think I know what you mean," Xion said. "Remember what I said about my amnesia? I'm starting to remember some things about me. Some of the things I remembered... They're kind of scary. And there's also the part that I left you. I still don't remember why I did that. What point was there in leaving? What was so scary that I had to say goodbye to you? Or was it something that I couldn't get away from that I had to say my farewells? With the Organization coming after me, I can only assume that it's something dangerous. Something I regretted doing and made me leave, which in turn made them come after me." Xion placed her hands together as she started to ask herself these questions out loud. "I don't want to admit it to everyone else, but it scares me. What do they want from me? Does it have to do with my Keyblade? Or is it something more?"
Allen placed a hand on top of her's. "Whatever it is, you can count on me being there for you when those guys try to come after you again," he said. "I practically just got you back; I don't want to lose you again. Not to those guys. Especially not when they don't think of you as a human." The vice captain looked at him in shock, wondering how he knew what they, mainly Larxene, was calling her. "Guthrie told me what Larxene thought of you. And let me get one thing straight, Xion; you're you. Even if you are some living puppet, a spirit, or even an animal, you're your own person. I may not know why you left me, but that doesn't matter. The past doesn't matter. What does matter is the present. And of what I can see in the now, you're standing here, alive and well. You're a part of this pirate crew, you're showing more emotions than I thought you can show. More importantly, you have friends who care about you. And something tells me that no matter what happens, they'll agree with me when I say we'll always be there for you if those Organization members try to catch you again."
Hearing him say all that made Xion smile, her mind and heart at ease. "How is it that when you say those things, it makes me believe in you instantly?" she couldn't help but ask.
"Don't know. Might be because we're close friends."
The two shared a small laugh at the answer. Next thing they both knew, something was felt on Xion's hand, under Allen's. The dancer removed his hand from the Keyblade wielder's, revealing a new Keychain. This one's chain was connected by shells with a bell on one end.
"What is that?" Allen asked.
"A new power," Xion answered, taking the chain in her palm. "To think I'd get it from an old friend. You think it means something?"
"I can guess it'd be a new hope. You looked like you needed it when you were talking earlier."
Xion couldn't help but nod in agreement to the assumption. "In any case, thank you, Allen. And you're right, about how everyone else will help me, should the Organization send anymore members. In this crew, everyone has each other's backs, no matter what."
Allen smiled softly as he heard that and looked to the woods again. "Oh! Speaking of."
"Hey! Xion! Allen! Prepare to set sail!" came Luffy's voice.
"Aye aye!" the vice captain saluted. To their newest edition, she then said, "Now then, let's teach you how to sail on this ship."
"Yes ma'am," Allen answered.
After a quick lesson and as soon as everyone got on Merry, the crew sailed on, away from Upper Yard. Xion and Allen were both shocked with how much gold they brought back and confused with why the Skypieans and Shandians were trying to kill them or even chase after them after everything they did. The Shandian pirate was especially confused, considering that gold wasn't that important in the sky as it was in the Blue Sea. But alas, neither of them questioned it. Although, Nami was just as confused as them, since she wasn't there during the chase, and Robin and Guthrie, though were with the majority of the crew at the time, were just smiling as Usopp explained the situation to them. Xion had a feeling that there was a misunderstanding, but again, chose to not question it.
"Everyone! There it is!" Conis called out. "Look up ahead! It's Cloud End!"
Everyone looked up ahead and saw a gate different from Heaven's Gate with a rainbow behind it. On it was a sign that said 'Cloud End'.
"So we can go down from there?" Luffy asked.
"We sure got here fast," Usopp said.
Though happy that they found the way back to their original sea, Luffy slumped down on the figurehead. "Aw, we're going back already?" he whined.
"Weren't you just excited about going back?" Allen asked.
"Luffy's more of an adventurer. And a risky one, at that," Xion explained. "Must've felt that he hasn't gone on enough adventures up here."
"I see."
"Though he has a point," Sanji agreed with the captain. "It's tough to think we're finally leaving."
"We'll be leaving this sea of white," Zoro stated.
"Sky Island sure was fun. Even though it was kind of scary," Chopper said.
"Well, I'm excited to go down. It'll be my first time to see what the world below is like!" Allen exclaimed.
"You'll definitely have a lot of fun, then," Guthrie told him.
"It looks like after we go through the gate, the Milky Road will take us down to the Blue Sea," Usopp said.
When he said that, for some reason, Xion couldn't help but feel a bit bothered by how easy or safe it would be to go down.
"Do you think we'll ever come back to Sky Island?" Nami asked.
"If we do, I hope it won't be through the same way we came up the first time," Chirithy prayed. "That was really scary."
Pagaya parked his ride by the pathway and he, Conis and Su started running alongside the Merry to the gate.
"Everyone, I'm sorry!" Pagaya shouted. "This is as far as we go!"
"Take care, everyone!" Conis waved.
"Su!" Su barked.
"Thanks for seeing us off!" Nami called back.
"Conis-chan! Take care of yourself~!" Sanji swooned.
"Say thanks for everyone else too!" Usopp said.
"See ya!" Chopper waved.
"Thanks for everything!" Xion followed.
"No! We have to thank you for everything!" Conis corrected. "We'll never forget you!"
"Conis, Ossan, take care of yourselves!" Luffy said.
"Yes!" she and her father replied.
"Now, please take in your sails and brace yourself!" Pagaya advised.
"You heard the man!" Allen said.
"We are starting to accelerate!" Guthrie agreed.
"Well, the road's 7,000 meters high!" Luffy pointed out, as they prepared to furl their sails. "Hurry!"
"AYE!" they cried out in agreement.
As he said the part about the road, Xion, once again, couldn't help but feel uneasy about the ride down. But why is that?
"KYOOOH!" came quite a familiar voice. Everyone turned and saw a just as familiar bird flying towards them and crashed into Luffy, landing right on top of the downed pirate. "Kyooooh! Kyoh kyoh!"
"'Don't leave without me'," both Chopper and Xion translated in unison.
"Oh yeah. The Southbird we accidentally brought to Sky Island," Guthrie realized.
"I can't believe we forgot about it," Chirithy said, though not in a sympathetic way.
"Okay, captain! We're adapted to the Log of the next island!" Nami informed, looking at her log pose.
"Yeah, that's right!" the quickly recovered captain exclaimed, as their ship started to cross the gate. "When we get down, we're gonna have a new adventure! Guys! Get ready! WE'RE GOING BACK TO THE BLUE SEA!"
"AYE!" most of them shouted in agreement.
Xion crossed her arms, feeling more bothered by the second. Allen was the first, and probably the only person, to notice it.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"This is just a thought... I know we get down from here, but how exactly?" she voiced out her concern.
Guthrie heard the question and began to wonder himself, as Merry finished crossing over and slid down the cloudy waters, picking up more speed and interrupting his own thoughts.
"Everyone! Be careful during the freefall!" Conis cried out.
... Wait what?
Next thing the crew knew and realized, to their great horror, Merry flew right off the edge of a cloudy waterfall. All, with the scary exception of the ever-so-calm Robin, instantly paled as they uselessly reached out to the smiling and waving Conis and Pagaya, with their eyes completely popped out of their skulls and jaws dropped. Though it didn't reach out to the angels like the crew, even Going Merry paled up, its jaw dropped and its wooden eyes popped out of its own sockets.
"HESO!" Conis happily called out.
And with that, the ship plummeted downward, with everyone, again with the exception of Robin, screaming at the top of their lungs for their lives.
'WHY DO I NEVER VOICE OUT MY BAD HUNCHES?!' Xion mentally screamed.
But of course, Cloud End wouldn't be an exit if that was how the crew would return.
Conis took out a whistle. "Here goes. Inhabitant of the White Sea, Takoballoon!" She blew right into it.
Next thing the pirates knew, something bursted out of the cloud and wrapped itself around Going Merry. The moment it made its appearance, everyone eyes went back to their sockets and they realized that it was a huge octopus, bigger than Merry, that wrapped itself around the ship.
"OCTOPUS!" Usopp, Chopper and Chirithy cried out.
"Why you-!" Zoro was ready to cut the creature in pieces, when those standing suddenly fell right on their faces.
"Ow... What happened?" Xion dared ask, one of the people who fell flat on her face.
It was here everyone noticed how their descent suddenly peacefully slowed down.
Luffy went to the rails and shouted, "Oi! Check this out! This is awesome!"
"What the heck is this?!" Zoro asked.
"It's a balloon!" Chopper said.
"No way!" Chirithy shouted, mentally questioning the logic of a live octopus acting as a balloon.
"This is so cool!" Luffy cheered.
"We've decelerated!" Nami stated.
"I... I... I thought I was going to die..." Usopp stuttered.
"Now that... was an exhilarating experience," Allen said.
Just then, they started to hear a familiar tone of a beautiful bell rang over the sky. Everyone smiled to hear this sound one last time before they officially leave the sky.