A.N/- Welcome! I'm glad you have made it this far in the story! Thank you!

Okay, at first I thought I was gonna introduce a certain character in this chapter, but as I wrote it felt wrong to add in this person yet. So he'll be in another chapter. And no, I'm not gonna tell you who it is!

Alright, anyway, enjoy the story!

Unlike what Kureha and Chopper thought, I regained most of the usage of my right leg within two days, however my limp would forever drive me insane. My knee kept locking right under me every few steps I'd take. The two doctors were surprised and did many tests on the recovery, figuring out why the leg healed so much. I knew why, as my people are highly advanced in many areas, but I didn't divulge that information. The sad thing was that I'll never be able to run well again.

But by three days I could leave the bed and wander the castle in which the resided within. It was a big place to explore, with lots of rooms filled with tools that doctors would use, but most were empty and hollow and frigidly cold. It was a wonder how two people could have such a massive place to themselves. The background information I had on this place was scarce.

Doctor Kureha, however skeptical, allowed me to stay in the castle until I was ready to leave. She gave me work to do, mostly physical and alongside Chopper the reindeer, in exchange for supplies, beli and items to get myself off the island. Beli, I discovered, was the currency mainly used in this world.

It was the situation I faced. The island I landed on was known as a winter island- meaning snow everyday and all year. I was stranded in the only castle of the island which is on top of an odd, cylinder mountain. Only way to get down is when Doctor Kureha needs supplies and offers her medical expertise. She's mentioned to me that she'll only go down when she felt like it, and it could take months for her if she wanted. And if that wasn't bad enough, I then get told that the scattered villages on the island had lost many of its resources when the king left to travel the seas.

It was a cruel situation that I had to work with.

Even crueler was the crutches I had to use, making me clumsy.

"Hi, Chopper," I said one morning, about a two weeks later, after fixing the water system (Neither he nor Kureha knew how to work a wrench as I could.)

Chopper's ears wiggle slightly as he looked over his shoulder. His big eyes found mine and they widened.

Standing up and wiping my hands, I stood and smiled at Chopper. He seemed jittery, but he was strong when he goes into that buffer, beastly form of his.

"Could you do me a favor and hold the pipes up while I bolt them together?" I asked sweetly, waving the wrench in my hands.

"Sure," He said at a moment's hesitation and walked to the pipes.

"Thanks," I chirped as he grew into the bigger, more buff humanoid type and held the pipes up for me. He stayed silent all through it, averting his eyes away from mine when I looked his way.

Finally, when I had finished, I sighed and examined my handiwork. The special metal alloy screws I crafted days earlier won't loosen or rust anytime soon.

Back at my time in the Academy it was a mandatory class to learn how to make our special type of alloy metals. A certain mix of metals and also an added chemical in such a right way it melted to form something a little stronger than steel and iron. And once it became a solid material, next to nothing could break it. This alloy was our pride as it was a part of our culture to learn of it, as this special alloy kept the ravaging sea away from eroding the islands. Making these screws for them was the least I could do to earn my keep in this castle.

Turning to Chopper to thank him once more, I saw him also admiring my work. Or, well, I won't say admire, but more of he stared at the screws as if lost in thought. I think the glittering part of the metal was catching his attention, as his eyes grew big like a curious child's

"They look delicate." He mumbled to himself. As if my work would break so easily.

Slightly insulted, I crossed my arms, "It's the strongest metal you'll probably ever came in contact with."

Dumbfounded, he realized I was still beside him and locked eyes with mine. Just as I thought he was going to speak directly to me he bolted, with animated smoke and dust billowed from where he once was. I was left alone in the damp basement of the castle.

I sighed and brushed my white bangs back as I watched him disappear around the corner.

Now I bet you've got an understanding on who Doctor Kureha was from our first interaction, but Chopper was a mystery. He always seemed so wary around me and never wanted anything to do with me. I only knew stuff that Kureha mentioned to me and also from the lens of my glasses.

The only reason I even knew anything about the poor thing was because of my special Analysis glasses.

I didn't need them to see, they were actually a tool given to me by the government. The lens are programed only to respond to my eyes, so anyone else who looks through them just seem to look through clear glass. I, however, only have to put them on and look at an individual person or object of interest. When I do that, information about them is listed and I can cherrypick what I want to read.

As I've mentioned before; my world knows everything about all worlds. How is it any different than knowing about its individual inhabitants? The inhabitants are the ones who achieve the goals for the world.

So I knew what I was doing when I took off my glasses and started to chase him down the halls, still limping even with the help of my crutches. I turned through the halls calling out his name. It was only a matter of minutes when I had cornered him in a windowless room, with the only exit behind me. His nervousness and fear evident as he pushed himself back against the far wall.

"Chopper," Calmly I spoke, to alleviate his fears. "Please, can I tell you a story?"

The look he gave was unsure.

"Humor me, okay?" I asked and lowered myself to the ground and placed my crutch across my lap.

The reindeer Chopper looked hesitant, but complied with my wish and shifted into his tinier, more friendly form. Even in this world, he is not normal with those powers of his. His big red top hat, which was average sized in appearance in his bigger form, became to be half of his body on top of his head. Ostracized since he was little because of his nose, colored blue instead of the normal black of his native species, it stood out against his soft brown fur. And then later on he would eat this fruit, labeled as a 'Devil fruit' by the inhabitants of this world, and gained the power to morph into a sort of humanoid beast form.

That was the last straw for Chopper's native species, and they deserted him. Out of place, he went into a local town, but his beastly mixed form scared many and they too didn't want him to be a part of their community.

And then that only left him alone until a wandering, eccentric doctor took him in, and looked after him like a son. This experience is what gave the young reindeer a foundation into the medical world, even though his adopted father was no good in helping any sick person. They traveled from place to place, trying to heal people but failing so miserably that my lens listed off the accounts of which they were chased out of homes. Chopper's life couldn't have been more blissful. He had felt accepted by someone.

But then some circumstances arose which led to the adopted father's death. A tragic account of how he was fatally sick for a long time and his son wanted to save him, but didn't yet understand medicine and ingredients well enough. The cause of death: Accidental poisoning.

"Have I ever told you that you are very adorable?" I admitted, smiling.

Chopper's reaction was swift. He seemed to blush blatantly and wiggle and dance in an odd matter that I could only guess was that he was happy for the compliment. But, his words however, conveyed different emotions.

"No, I don't believe it. You don't seriously believe I'd fall for something like that," He said in an albeit happy and embarrassed voice. "You're just messing with me."

"No, no, I truly believe that you're very cute and nice. I'm very thankful you saved me from the snow, too. I would be dead without your help, Chopper."

"Really? Well, I guess I can accept your thanks this time, but don't expect me to do to it again so easily!"

Contrary to his words and more towards his body language, I'm betting that if I caught a cold he would easily help me.

I sighed. I couldn't believe that actually worked. His profile really did put him out to be like a child. And that he could be so good as a doctor was beyond me as well, but I'm seeing that my lens tell no lies.

"Okay, well now how about a story?" I said, looking over his form from across the room. "Have you ever heard of Rudolph?"

The next day.

Befriending the reindeer who also doubled as a doctor was the first thing I did right in this world. Before building this bond with him, the feeling of Chopper fearing and not liking me just didn't sit right. And being stuck with a crutch, hobbling around, and stuck in the castle for who-knows how long gave me more incentive to win him over. It must've been an maternal instinct for me to gain his trust, that's the only reason I can think of, but it helped me breath easier. Like a little bit of the weight around my shoulder lifted. Not much, but enough.

Shortly after I told Chopper the story of Rudolph and how the outcast reindeer became the hero, his eyes glittered like a child's. It reminded me of a little boy back in my world and how he loved to hear the stories that come from the other worlds.

"Good morning, Chopper," I greeted the reindeer just outside the castle's doors. "Are you planning to go somewhere today?"

I saw Chopper packing up a sled, morphed into to his bigger beastly human form, organizing the reins and checking the supplies.

"Koe, hi, morning!" Chopper greeted to me happily and sizing down to his tinier self, "Yeah, we're going to head through a few towns to check up on people and get some needed supplies."

"Oh, really? Could I tag along? I'm in a desperate need for more durable clothing." And a better idea of the island.

"I don't mind but I'd ask doctor Kureha first," Chopper said, glancing inside on of another bag. "She can be really scary if you don't run things by her."

I nodded and clumsily maneuvered my crutches on the ice covered floor to turn around. It would be a good idea to head into town and spend the few beli I had acquired. Kureha offered me other forms of clothing, however they were unappealing and didn't quite fit. I did not have long legs, nor did I favor simple fabrics that weapons could cut through very easily. The goal I had in mind required durability and adaptability.

"Koe?"

"Hm?" I mumbled and turned once again to face the reindeer.

Chopper smiled and hurried over to my side, holding a black cylinder covered in fabric. I raised my eyebrows at the item and grimaced at the thought of its purpose.

He held it out to me and said, "This is a brace for your knee. You told me it kept popping out if the socket, right? This should keep it in socket and help you walk again without assistance."

I didn't know what to say, so I said nothing at all. Chopper had gone out of his way to figure out a way to help me use my leg properly again. This had touched me and I would always be thankful for it. And as carefully as I could, I took the brace from his hands, throwing down the crooked crutch, and genuinely smiled. It was the second time someone has went out of their way that was more than necessary.

"Here, let me teach you how to put it on real fast. It's really easy." Chopper offered.

I blinked rapidly, "Oh-okay."

I limped over to the sled and pulled myself up into the seat. I watched as Chopper worked with a few of the brace's straps and proceeded to slid it up my leg to just around my knee. It was made of tough, bendy fabric, so it wouldn't break, but soft enough to not hurt my skin from overuse.

When the last strap was attached, we both examined his work. Yes, it wasn't the prettiest thing one could find, but it should do its job. So I jumped off the sled and braced for another knee pop, but none come. Then I stomped the ground and jumped, placing more and more force on the joint to test its limits. Nothing happened. It seemed the fabric was locking everything in place perfectly.

"Wow, it's doing better than what I thought it would," Chopper admitted bashfully.

There was nothing to be bashful about, Chopper. That's what I wanted to tell him. This brace he made was more than I could have hoped for, ever. This brace allowed me to be on the playing field once again, and not on the sidelines trying to figure out everyone's next move. This brace gave me a new chance for redemption, and a chance to go back to were I belonged. The offensive tactician in me could fight once again.

In reply to the young reindeer, I kneeled to his eye level and wrapped my arms around him.

I think I held him to hard because his reply was more or less out of breath, "It really was no big deal. I found it in a book and recreated it from the pictures-"

"Chopper," I interrupted, "What this brace symbolizes for me is much more than you could ever imagine. Thank you."

Now, let the real battle begin. I would break fate into a million pieces.

A.N- Alright, so this was mainly a filler chapter to move the story in a fluid, easy manner. Can't hold my lovely readers in constant suspense. Got to get a chill, progressive chapter in the mix to keep everything good.

Review and Constructive criticism happily welcomed!

Hmm but next chapter may be in a little over a week this time. I have this Soc exam and Ethics paper to write. Ah, but no worries I won't neglect this story!

See you soon!

Leylainie