Kid's Return
Neo was sitting on the railing of the Sunny. Law was on her right, leaning his back against the rail, while Chopper, Usopp and Luffy was on her left with their fishing lines dangling in the water. She picked up the compact and flipped it open. Law glanced over at her when he heard the click of the compact. A light smile formed on her lips as she watched their son sleep. Nothing had changed with his condition. Law leaned over and pressed his lips to her shoulder. When she turned to him, he captured her lips with his.
"Man! This just burns me up!" Luffy simmered. He clenched his fishing pole to the point it almost broke. "Going after my nephew like that! Once I get a hold of that creature! I'm gonna ring her neck! Then slam her into the ground!"
"I know!" Chopper and Usopp agreed. "They're gonna pay for this!"
"Will you three knock it off?! You're upsetting Neo!" Nami hissed. Shachi and Bepo looked up from their spots near and on the mass bench.
"It's all right, Nami," Neo said softly. "It's nice to know you all care so much. It really does help."
"Hey," Brook then said cheerfully. "How about a song?"
"I think that would be wonderful," Robin replied. "How about it, Neo?"
"Yeah," Neo nodded. "I'd like that."
"Very well, milady. This one's for you," Brook said as he raised his violin to his chin. As he played, Neo closed the compact, slipped off the rail and leaned into Law's chest. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hair. A few minutes later, Neo quickly lifted her head off Law's chest.
"What is it, love?" Law asked.
"I sense a part of Luminous," Neo replied. "I also sense two Warpers."
"Where?!" All of the loud Straw Hats and Heart Pirates demanded.
"Uh," Neo closed her eyes and tried to pin point their location. "There's an island north of here. It's about half an hour away."
"Let's hurry up and get there then!" Luffy ordered. "I can't hold in my anger much longer! I need a head to smash!"
"Keep your shirt on," Sanji said. "We need to inform the Heart Pirates of this."
"Right!" Luffy shouted. He tossed his pole down and shot himself over to the sub.
"Impatient as always," Franky shook his head as he started to turn the Sunny in the direction Neo had told them.
"Is there something else?" Law asked when he noticed a strange look on her face.
"I'm not sure," Neo replied. "I feel like there's something else, or someone else on the island. But I don't know who or why I can sense them. They're not magical at all."
"We'll know soon enough," Law tightened his arms around her, pulling her back to his chest.
…
"What the heck?!" Just about all the Heart and Straw Hat pirates shouted. They had finally arrived at their destined island. What they saw was a very large jungle. Everything, trees, flowers, fruit had been super sized. It was larger than the plants on Green Bit.
"This is insane! Is this an island for giants?!" Usopp asked.
"No," Nami shook her head. "This isn't an island of giants, humans anyway. No humans should be here at all."
"It looks like so much fun!" Luffy said with starry eyes.
"Keep focused, you idiot!" Sanji said as he whacked Luffy.
"We should get going then," Shachi said as they started to climb off the Sunny.
"I know Nami said there shouldn't be any people on this island, but shouldn't there be animals?" A Heart Pirate asked a few minutes later when they didn't see or hear any wildlife.
"There are animals," Neo said. "They're farther inland."
"Yeah," Chopper nodded. "I can smell them. I can smell something else too. It's people."
"People?" A crew mate asked.
"I smell them too. And, Captain, you're not gonna like who it is," Bepo said.
"Hm?" Law blinked at his bear subordinate. "Who is it?"
"The Kid Pirates," Bepo replied.
"What?!" Shachi shouted.
"I'm sorry," Bepo bowed his head.
"Great," Neo grumbled. She grabbed onto Law's arm and held tight. Law growled. Both he and Neo thought of the same incident with Kid after Law had left for Punk Hazard.
"Might as well check and see why they're here," Robin said.
"Fine," Shachi grumbled. "But he better not try and attack her again."
Law laced his fingers through Neo's and they all started walking. Soon strange sounds started to filter through the trees. Eventually, they made it to the source of the noise. They group paused and took in the sight before them.
"You have got to be kidding!" Usopp shouted. "Of all the people in the entire world to run into, WHY did it HAVE to be THEM?!"
Luffy blinked several times before being taken over by laughter. "Ha! Ha! Ha!"
"Let go of me, you big ape!" Kid cried as his body flipped feet over head. He and his crew were being tossed around like balls by a group of giant monkeys.
Killer tried to slice the monkey holding him, but the creature never felt it. "What's going on with these things? I can't cut them at all."
"My fire's not working on them either," Heat shouted.
"Try, try, try as you might!" One of the Warpers crowed. They were sitting in a nearby tree laughing at their prey.
"We've told you before! You can't beat us with your strength alone!" The other one added. "You are now in a world where the brain rules!"
"You can't blame then, sister," The first one said. "They're pathetic humans. Humans are not known for using their brains."
"So true, sister!" The second one laughed. "Oh! Look! They're finally here! It's the traitorous Elemental Princess that our queen informed us about!"
Neo bit her bottom lip. Law held out his arm in front of her as if to protect her from the Warpers words.
"Great," Sanji took a long drawl on his cigarette before speaking. "Might as well help them out."
"Do we have to?" Nami asked. "I kinda like them like this."
"Nami! You're so vicious! It's so cute!" Sanji danced around the orange haired woman with hearts in his eyes.
"Sanji being cute again!" Celeste giggled from inside Sanji's breast pocket.
"So how do we get them down from there?" Zoro asked. "Just mentally wish it?"
"Not this time," Neo said. "At least, not with the monkeys."
"What do you mean?" Law asked.
"The monkeys are actually really that size. They're just being manipulated by the Warpers," Neo explained. "I think I can get the monkeys to let them go, but someone needs to break the Warpers concentration to free their minds."
"All right," Law nodded in understanding. "We'll have to separate to pull this off. Straw Hat, since you're so fired up for a fight, you lead one group and go after one of the Warpers."
"Yeah!" Luffy slammed him fist into his palm.
"I'll take another group and go after the other Warper," Shachi said as he pulled out a pair of cuffs for Luffy's group. "Here. The best way to get these on the Warper is to distract it while someone else sneaks up behind it."
"Well, Luffy's got the distraction part covered," Nami said. "But Usopp, Sanji and Zoro will go with him to help since we all know he'll screw it up. I'm staying here."
"Hey! Stop volunteering us for babysitting duty!" Zoro and Usopp shouted.
"I'll do whatever you wish, Nami!" Sanji sang. "I'm your humble servant."
"I think I'll go with the Heart Pirates," Franky said.
"Me as well," Brook stated.
"Take some of my crew with you, Straw Hat," Law said. Luffy nodded.
"I'm going to stay here with you," Chopper said as he looked up at Neo. "I can help you convince the monkeys that the Heart Pirates aren't toys."
"Thanks, Chopper," Neo smiled.
"I think I'll stay here as well," Robin stated.
"Let's go!" Luffy cried out as he took off running.
"And there he goes," Usopp sighed.
"Might as well get going too," Shachi said as he shifted the strap of the bag on his shoulder.
"Be careful," Neo said while glance at her crew.
"We will, Princess," Shachi kissed her temple. "We won't be gone long."
"They'll be fine," Law assured her. Those who were staying behind to deal with the monkeys turned to them. They waited patently for the other two groups to distract the Warpers so they can do their job.
…..
"Here they come, sister," The Warper said.
"Let's get to it then, sister," The other Warper said. The two giggled then separated as they dashed into the forest.
"Get back here!" Luffy cried out as he chased after the one who went right. His group followed him, but once they were far enough in the woods, Usopp and the Heart Pirates broke off from the rest of their group and disappeared into the woods.
"Catch me! If you can, human!" The Warper stuck her tongue out at Luffy.
"You're ticking me off!" Luffy growled. He balled up his fist and threw a punch at the Warper. His arm wrapped around her. "Gotcha!"
"Pathetic human," The Warper giggled.
"You're the one who's caught," Zoro smirked.
"Only because you think so," The Warper then disappeared from Luffy's hold. She reappeared sitting in another tree. "You keep forgetting this world is now of the mind. All you humans want to do is use your brawn. That's why you'll never defeat our queen."
Suddenly the tree the Warper was sitting on warped into chains, locking her in place. "What?!"
"You under estimate us humans," Sanji said. He had warped the tree when the Warper was distracted. "That will be your downfall."
"Cutie! Good job!" Celeste cheered.
"Shut up, you little winged traitor! You're just as bad as the Elemental! This is our world, human! You can't win over us. I can change anything you create with ease!" The Warper hissed. The chains holding her then started to warp back into the tree. Sudden a couple Heart Pirates jumped out of the bushes and grabbed the Warper.
"Now!" They cried.
"I'm on it!" Usopp shout as he too emerged from the bushes. He jumped up to the Warper. The Heart Pirates pinned her arms behind her back and Usopp slapped the cuffs on her.
"No!" She cried out just before disappearing from the area.
"Yes!" The Heart Pirates cheered.
"I just hope the others get it done just as easy," Sanji said while shoving his hands in his pockets. "Lucky for us these creatures are still fairly weak from not being able to use their magic. But we need to be careful. They'll won't stay this weak forever."
…
"She went that way!" A Heart Pirate shouted.
"We need to get this thing surrounded," Franky said. "That'll probably be our best bet. We can divide her attention. No way she can handle us all with her freaky mind powers."
"That might work," Shachi nodded. "Why don't you, Brook and a couple of my crew mates break off from the rest of us as soon as we get her distracted jump in with your own attacks?"
"Sounds like a plan," Franky smirked. "We'll attack her from different sides. Once that's successfully pulled off, you slap the cuffs on her. Good luck, pal."
"Same to you!" Shachi said as they put their plan into action. "Let's go, guys!"
"Right!" The Heart Pirates shouted as they picked up their speed. Finally, they caught up with her.
"Hello!" The Warper smiled before using the forest to attack the Heart Pirates. A vine snapped out and whacked a pirate into a tree.
"Remember it's not real!" Shachi cried out.
"Felt real enough to me," The Heart Pirate said as air refilled his lungs. Shachi closed his eyes and envision how Neo would use the plants around her. He peaked open an eye and noticed the plants were responding to his will. The two clashed in battle to see who had the stronger mind.
"Not bad," The Warper said, dodging a vine. "I didn't expect you to have this much control over your mind. I guess you humans can learn after all."
"Too bad we can't say the same about your kind," A Heart Pirate said.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" The Warper frowned.
"This isn't the first time you've manipulated people," Shachi said. "Or is that incorrect?"
"Hm," The Warper tilted her head. "It's true. I won't lie about that."
"You were stopped then and you'll be stop now," Shachi replied.
"Back then the Elemental ruler was strong. A lot stronger than your precious, delicate little princess you're sheltering now," The Warper smirked.
"Neo's a lot stronger than you think she is," Shachi said. "She'll stop your queen."
"You think so?" The Warper chuckled. Just then the rest of the group charged in.
"Strong Right!" Franky cried out. He smashed his first right into the back of the Warper.
"Ah!" The Warper cried out as she slammed into a tree.
"Nice hit, Franky!" Brook cheered.
"Yes, I will admit it," The Warper said as she picked herself up. The crews advanced on her. "You are more than we expected. But are you sure your princess will be able to handle our queen?"
"What are you babbling about?" Shachi asked as he pulled out a pair of cuffs.
"Our queen is very strong. And she will be facing off with your princess before too long. It's only a matter of time. And our queen will not go back without a fight. Being locked up in that prison for so long hasn't helped us, mentally speaking," The Warper said.
"Huh? What are you talking about? Are you saying you've all gone insane or something?" Franky asked.
"Maybe," The Warper smirked. "How would you feel if you were forced to spend years upon years in confinement? Unable to use your natural abilities?"
Shachi gritted his teeth. His mind snapped back to when their captain brought Neo to the ship and when she started training. Not using her magic had done some damage to her. It was only because of Law and them and their encouragement that she started to heal and become her own person.
"Our queen will fight to the death," The Warper continued. "Is your princess ready to kill someone to protect her family?"
"Shut up!" Shachi clenched the cuffs. "Neo…she won't…"
"Did I hit a nerve?" The Warper smiled. "I know you humans have no issues will killing, but what about her? How will she handle i-?"
WHAM!
"Shut up all ready!" Franky said after he punched the Warper unconscious. "It doesn't matter. We will finish off your people and lock them up."
"Shachi," Brook called. "The cuffs."
"Oh, right," Shachi walked over to the Warper and placed the cuffs on her. She disappeared. A somber mood fell over the Heart Pirates.
"Hey, don't let that witch's words get you down," Franky said. "We won't let anything happen to Neo."
"But she's right," Shachi said. "Neo might very well have to fight to the death with that woman. But she won't be able to kill her. That will put Neo's life in danger."
"No, it won't, my friend," Brook said comfortingly. "We all are going to be right by her side when she has to face the Warper Queen. If dead is to come, it won't be Neo's and it won't be by Neo's hand. Mr. Traffy and Luffy won't allow that to happen. Neither will we. I will slay the Warper Queen myself if need be."
"He's right, Shachi," A Heart Pirate said. "None of us are going to let Neo kill or be killed."
Shachi took a deep breath and released it slowly. "Right. I know. Let's head back now."
…
"Huh?" Everyone looked up at the monkeys when they suddenly stopped using the Kid Pirates a toys.
"Guess they did it," Nami said.
"Let's go, Chopper," Neo snapped out her wings. Chopper jumped into her open arms and she flew them up to the monkeys. "Hello, little monkeys."
The monkeys turned to them. Kid, who was hanging upside down from one of the monkey's hand, spotted Neo and Chopper at that point. "Get lost! This is my fight!"
"And you're doing such a wonderful job of getting free," Chopper grumbled.
"Hey, aren't you part of the Straw Hats and Heart Pirates?" Killer asked.
"Uh, hey," Neo nodded timidly while remembering the last time she was near these two.
"Just get us down from here!" Heat shouted.
"No! Leave us alone, woman!" Kid snapped.
Neo ignored them and flew higher. "Um, excuse me, but could you please release them? They don't really mean any hard. And it's not your fault you are doing this to them."
The monkeys shrieked and stomped their feet. Chopper glanced at Neo. "They're not going to listen to us. The Warpers got them so confused right now. If only we had something to feed them. That might calm them down."
"I can do that," Neo said. She summoned her earth crystals and created a bunch of bananas. "I can't make them very large, but at least I can make some."
The monkeys immediately took interest in the bananas. They dropped the Kid Pirates, literally. The pirates fell. Neo gathered them in her winds and lowered them to the ground. Kid cursed the monkeys, Chopper and Neo. "Stupid baboons! I should kill you! And you two for interfering in our fight!"
Kid started to stalk up to Neo and Chopper when they landed on the ground. Law leaped in front of Neo. "Don't you dare touch her, Eustass!"
"Trafalgar! Get out of my way!" Kid hissed.
"So I'm guess I was right in my assumption that you are involved with Trafalgar Law," Killer said while looking at Neo. Neo flinched and stepped behind Law. She wasn't sure if she should actually answer that.
"Yes, she is," Law replied for her. "And I will not tolerate you people hurting her. I'm well aware of what happened the last time you saw her, Eustass."
"The last time?" Kid looked at Neo. He started walking up to her again. "You're that brat that set my coat on fire!"
"Stay back!" Law warned. He held up his hand to form his Room. He stopped when Kid lifted into the air.
"Hey?! What the heck is going on?!" Kid demanded.
"I'm sorry," Neo said as she stepped out from behind Law with her wind crystals out. "We don't have time to fight."
"She's right," Robin nodded. "We need to move on from here. And we could use their help."
"Just great," Law grumbled.
"She's right, Law," Neo placed her hand on Law's arm to calm him down. "Think of our son and Penguin."
"Son?" Kid blinked at Law. "Since when do you have son?"
Law glared at Kid. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fine. Let's just tell them and get it over with."
Neo nodded and they told the Kid Pirates what was going on. Once the story was over the rest of the Straw Hats and Heart Pirates had joined them. Killer rubbed his chin. "That's insane."
"This is stupid," Kid huffed. "But fine. We'll help you since you obviously can't handle this yourselves. You're such babies."
"Charming," Nami rolled her eyes.
"Let it go, Law," Neo said when Law started to go on the attack.
"So where do we get some of these cuffs you were telling us about?" Heat asked.
"Well, I guess we can give you some of ours," Shachi said while digging into the bag. But before he pulled any out, another bag, identical to the one he was carrying, dropped in on them. "I guess they're watching our progress."
"That's good," Neo nodded. "This way they can have their own bag that will refill just like ours."
"We'll do what we can." Killer grabbed the bag as the rest of his crew started to head back to their ship. He paused and looked at Neo. "Neo, was it?"
Neo swallowed when Killer turned his attention back to her. Law stepped in front of her and glared at Killer. Killer smirked from behind his mask. "I know we are technically enemies, who are only teaming up temporarily, but I truly do hope you get your son and crew mate back safely."
"Uh," Neo blinked in confusion. She could tell he was being sincere. "Thank you."
Killer then nodded and turned to catch up with his crew.