"They're not coming back," Crocus sighed, turning the page of his newspaper.
Laboon decided to ignore him. Obviously his caretaker was delirious. Crocus's old captain had died a few months ago; he was bound to be bitter. Laboon turned away from the Red Line, and swam a few kilometers back before rushing towards it at full force. BANG!
Laboon cried out in displeasure. The mountain remained solid as ever. Had Laboon actually chipped away at it at all?
"That's never going to work," Crocus muttered, turning over another page. Laboon squealed his protest and squirted him with water.
"AH-psshfwa pweh PWEH! What was that for?" the now dripping wet Crocus spat. Laboon gave him a look. As if he didn't know.
"It's been 25 years," Crocus moaned, "Give it a break will you?"
Never. Laboon would never stop. EVER. He swam away from the Red Line once more, ramming into it again with all his might. The moutain didn't budge.
Laboon whined at it. Raftel, the Rumbar Pirates, they were all the other side of this stupid mountain! If only he had feet, or wings…
"I doubt they ever made it to Raftel," Crocus chuckled. "Roger was the only one who could achieve that."
Laboon smacked him with his tail. Crocus went flying into the ocean. Serves him right.
"Ok, I kinda deserved that," a spluttering Crocus admit, crawling back onto the lighthouse island. "But Laboon, remember how I traveled around the Grand Line for about 3 years?"
Labono begrudgingly grunted. The flower-headed doctor had left him all alone for that much time, of course he remembered. It'd been so dreadfully boring. It was during that time though, that he got the most hurt. Crocus was annoying and boring, but he was the one who patched Laboon up most of the time…
"The Rumbar Pirates were completely obsolete there," Crocus continued, "There was no news about them, no gossip, nothin'! And their bounties stopped rising a long time ago… I think… I think they gave up. I think they went home…"
Home? No, they would have had to pass by Reverse Mountain to get home. It's almost impossible to get out of the Grand Line through the Calm Belts… Laboon would've known if they'd passed through.
"The Rumbar Pirates…" Crocus muttered, "they're cowards."
Laboon swatted Crocus again, but he stepped away from the attack, and looked Laboon in the eye.
"Please give up on them, and go visit Fishman Island or something. At least then you can be with your family."
Give up on them?! GIVE UP ON THEM?! Laboon screeched his anger, and smacked Crocus on the chest with his tail. The man didn't expect it, and went flying, his head cracking upon impact with the lighthouse wall. Laboon wailed, what had he done?! He nudged Crocus softly, and the man groaned. Thank goodess he was alive….
"I know you didn't mean to," Crocus winced, "ok you probably did. Let me fix myself up, will you?"
Crocus dissapeared into the lighthouse. About 8 hours later, he emerged, bandages wrapped tightly around his head. Laboon shut his eyes tight. He was sorry, he was sorry, he was so so sorry.
"Oof," Crocus grunted, as he sat down on his bench. "I'm ok now, I've had worse. But I get it. You still have hope. That's alright with me."
Crocus smiled gently at the whale. Laboon crooned happily, splashing in circles.
"But you better cut it out with all your ramming!" Crocus warned, "At least just for a little while, until my head gets better. Kami knows you give me headaches even when my head isn't split wide open!"
A.N.: It's Sep 15 where I am, but I bet it's the 16th somewhere! Posting early because I'm heading out of town for the next 3 days, and I'll be disconnected during that time. Hope you like this one! I'm kinda fond of it~ Laboon is an excellent character, and he shows off Oda's brilliance at pre-planning perfectly. Brook was introduced to One Piece a whole 7 years after our birthday whale, which just goes to show, Oda is beyond amazing at what he does. I hope I could do him some justice! Reviews, Favourites, Subscriptions, Reader Birthdays, and Requests are welcomed and much appreciated! I'll see you on the 19th for Don Krieg!