Hello, all! Legal notice: all characters, settings, and plot belong to Eiichiro Oda, and I did not receive any revenue for writing this fan fiction. Enjoy chapter 43!
Zoro felt his temper fraying, though the cook lost it first.
"Don't give us that! Tell us now!"
"Very well. I am not a vampire. I do not have a reflection because a certain man stole my shadow. Now, I wander these seas in search of him. Once I find him, I will challenge him and regain what he stole from me!"
Zoro set his chair back before checking on Magina. He squeezed her hand gently. Her fingers were ice-cold again, but she nodded gratefully back. He returned to the conversation at hand.
"After hearing your explanation, I don't think anything would surprise me anymore," he sighed.
Sanji had a different reaction. "If it all really happened like that, then your life sucks."
Brook started laughing wildly. "Yo-ho-ho-ho, yo-ho-ho-ho!"
Usopp was startled. "W-What's wrong now?"
"I'm glad that I lived this long. This was the greatest evening of my revived life. I wandered these cursed waters for so long. I was scared! And I was so lonely, I thought that I would die again! But coming onto this ship and eating a wonderful meal with such wonderful people is almost enough to fill my dried-out tear ducts and weep with joy! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart! It's exactly for those reasons that I cannot join your crew."
The siren's aura changed suddenly once the skeleton spoke. Her fear had vanished completely. She even looked directly at Brook for the first time since he came onboard. Magina's compassionate expression was so subtle that he barely caught it. At least she wasn't scared anymore.
Luffy protested immediately. "Eh?! Why not?!"
"Your crew won't be stuck here for too long and you will travel beyond these waters. Since I do not have a shadow, if I were to come with you, I would be obliterated," the skeleton calmly explained.
"Obliterated?" Usopp asked, gulping nervously.
"Yes. I've seen it with my own two eyes, even though I have no eyes. A pirate who also lost his shadow could no longer stand staying hidden from the light. He ran out into the open sun. Two minutes later, all that remained were his possessions. Every part of him, even his hair, turned to dust and flew away on the wind. How could I ask you to sail out of the sun's reach? No, it is better that I just go on my way. I will defeat that man one day."
"You really are an idiot. I can defeat him for you! We're nakama now. Just come on board!" Luffy demanded. Brook chuckled.
"Well, then. Shall we have a song?" Brook asked as he brought out a case.
The siren perked up. And not surprisingly, Luffy tried to recruit Brook again.
"You're a musician? Just join my crew already, bakeru!" he demanded.
The skeleton chuckled and skillfully avoided the argument by bringing out the instrument.
"Instruments are my specialty," he addressed Luffy's query," Now, how about a rousing pirate tune?"
Zoro was ready for some music. There was nothing better to end a meal than a mug of booze and a song. Brook got a bow out and was just about to start when he took a step backwards. He fell over and landed on the floor. His mouth hung and clattered.
"What's wrong?" Sanji demanded.
"G-Gho-Ghost!"
Zoro immediately went into action. He pulled Magina out of her seat and behind him. Luffy tried to jump at it. It floated through the wall. The ship shuddered to a stop.
"W-What?"
Brook was the first one to spring into action when the ship halted. He rushed outside to the stern of the ship. Zoro just got a glance of the maw-like gate that blocked the ship's way before Brook changed directions and shouted to everyone.
"Quick! Let's check the aft of the ship!"
He quickly followed the skeleton out of the galley, pulling Magina behind him. He spotted the ghost flying off towards an island shrouded in fog.
"Why is there an island here?"
Zoro felt the tension in the skeleton grow. "It's the ghost island that wanders these waters. Thriller Bark."
His captain stared at the island and repeated gravely, "Thriller… Bark."
Nami demanded an explanation. "What is going on? I don't see any indication that there is an island here. The Log Pose should be showing that there's an island, but I don't see anything!"
Brook answered, "The island won't show up on the Pose because it was originally from West Blue. Oh, my. Today really is my lucky day after all. First, I met such wonderful people, I had the most amazing meal, and now I have finally found what I've been searching for this whole time."
Brook jumped and landed on the lion figurehead. He spun to face the group.
"You're so agile!" Sanji commented.
"Yo-ho-ho, since I've become a skeleton, I'm as light as bones. I wouldn't tarry here. Leave as quick as you can to continue your journey. I bid you all a fond farewell and may we meet again on the open seas!"
The skeleton leapt down into the water after giving them that warning.
Zoro was shocked. "Wasn't he a Devil's Fruit user?"
Then, he heard the skeleton's distinctive laughter. He looked overboard and saw the skeleton running on top of the water. 'Light as bones', indeed! Luffy ran inside as the rest of the crew talked about leaving, like Brook warned.
"Hey, I think that I'm coming down with a case of 'can't-explore-this-island-osis," Nami shuddered. Chopper agreed. Luffy chose that moment to run back out on deck with a net and a box.
"So, when are we going?" Luffy asked with a huge grin.
"Oi!" Usopp protested, "why does it look like you have explore-this-island-right-now-osis? You're taking evil spirits too lightly!"
"It's fine to have a look. Besides, I'm being careful. I'll catch that ghost with my net and make it my pet!"
Usopp shrieked. "You are taking evil spirits too lightly if you think that you're going to be able to catch one!"
Luffy laughed boisterously, "It'll be fine!"
Franky stepped in to intervene. "Come on, guys, don't be so upset. I'll show you the last docking system now."
The shipwright led Nami, Chopper, and Usopp down below. The siren looked to be frozen. The shock on her face quietly dissolved into a few tears. Zoro grit his teeth in slight frustration.
"Oi, what's wrong now, siren?" he asked.
Magina quickly wiped her eyes and smiled. "I never would have expected Franky to give us such a great gift. It's amazing!"
Zoro rolled his eyes slightly. She had this bad habit. Magina could hear surprises coming but she rarely divulged when she found out.
"Would it do any good to ask what the hell you're talking about?" he growled.
She grinned and shook her head. "You'll find out soon enough, swordsman. Nami will be showing it off any second now."
True to her words, Nami gave an excited whoop from below the ship. A chugging sound preceded the other excited shouts from Chopper and Usopp. Zoro looked over the edge. His surprise and delight were the same as the rest of the crew. That Franky. He brought Merry back to them!
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
"It's Merry! Merry came back to us!" Usopp cried happily.
Nami laughed as she spun the wheel. Magina hurriedly brushed tears away as the joy from the crew washed over her. Even the stoic swordsman wasn't immune.
"Franky, this is taking consideration to the next level!"
The shipwright grinned. Magina listened very carefully. Even if the little steamboat was made from different wood, it sounded like the spirit of Merry was tied to the new ship. For a moment, she thought she heard a new tune. It sounded like trumpets, but it wasn't Luffy's familiar song. It vanished a moment later. She frowned. What was that? Did she imagine it? Zoro nudged her.
"Don't look so dour, siren. It's still Merry."
She shook her head. "No, it's not that. I thought I heard…"
Nami's startled scream echoed across the water. The ship was instantly alert.
"Nami-swan!" Sanji called out, "Nami-swan, answer me! Are you alright?!"
Magina joined Sanji by the railing and Zoro wasn't far behind. She sharpened her hearing.
"Tch. I can't see anything through this damn fog!" Zoro muttered.
Magina bit her lip. "I don't think they're hurt…"
Robin chimed in. "I hope that a ghost didn't curse them to death."
She shuddered. She tried to concentrate, attempted to pinpoint their locations and well-being, but Robin's words haunted her. A steady presence came to stand next to her.
"Don't say something like that, even as a joke," Zoro warned the historian.
He squeezed her shoulder briefly. Magina breathed in slowly to calm her racing heart. She was the only one who could tell for certain that the others were alright. If she panicked, she wouldn't be able to hear them properly. Magina closed her eyes and concentrated. She sighed in relief. The others were fine! Just as she was about to inform Luffy that they were alright, a sound like chains lowering and gears shifting echoed on deck. The paw-shaped anchors dropped into the water.
"No one touched the controls, did they?" Sanji asked in the sudden quiet.
"No," Franky answered seriously, "and the ship is too new for the gears to start failing."
Zoro growled, "We should hurry and pull the anchors up. The ship will be off-balance otherwise."
Magina hurried over to the sails. Zoro was right; they needed to hurry, or it could be… The portal that led below deck suddenly popped open, by itself. Her hand settled on one of the hilts of her dagger. She doubted it would do anything against a ghost, but the familiar grip was comforting.
"Did anyone touch that?" Franky demanded.
Magina shook her head even as Sanji denied it. Luffy began making stretching sounds. She frowned. Both of Luffy's cheeks pulled and stretched taut. Over and over again, his cheeks stretched in and out.
"Oi, Luffy! Stop fooling around! We need to rescue Nami-swan!"
"Id's nod me!" Luffy protested.
Nearly as soon as he said that Luffy flew through the air. He fell to the ground. A sudden rattling sound interrupted any questions she was going to ask. Magina blanched. It sounded like chains. Had the crew been cursed already? She glanced Zoro's way. She was startled at first. The sound was his katana shaking inside of the hilt! It suddenly launched itself at Luffy. Thankfully, Franky was close enough to punt Luffy away.
"Straw Hat! Watch out!" he shouted, even as he kicked Luffy into the opposite wall.
The angry shipwright tuned on Zoro. "What was that for, punk?"
Zoro carefully picked up his katana and replaced it in the scabbard. "Sorry, it must have slipped."
Except, Magina watched it happen. Zoro didn't touch that katana. It was as if something unsheathed the sword and targeted Luffy. She swallowed nervously.
Sanji took a slow drag of his cigarette. "This is all very strange."
She agreed bur Franky made the connection first. "It seems like we're not alone."
Magina wasn't sure if she heard correctly or not. She was on edge. She'd been on the edge since they had encountered that storm. So, it was possible that her ears were playing tricks on her, but she would bet her last fishhook that she heard an animalistic growl.
"So, we have company. That would explain it," Zoro said darkly.
Franky nodded. "What is it? A ghost? Maybe an enemy with psychic powers?"
Magina hoped not. It wasn't possible to physically attack a ghost. And if it really was a psychic, they might not even be on the ship. Her captain's next words calmed her down immensely.
"No. There was someone here and I felt them touching my cheeks."
"I'm worried about Nami-swan. Nami-swan, wait for me!"
Before she could reassure him that everyone was fine, Sanji poised to jump into the water. Only, he never dove into the water. She heard him exclaim, "Gah!" and then he crashed face-first into the hull of the ship. She couldn't hide her sympathetic wince.
"That was so lame!" Luffy and Franky yelled.
"You just said, 'Gah'," Zoro observed.
Sanji floated for a moment before crashing into a wall.
Magina heard Robin make a startled sound, so she was almost prepared for being suddenly grabbed. Though, when her breast was fondled, she didn't think, she just reacted. She grabbed a dagger and slashed. She was shoved aside, and a growl echoed on the deck. Zoro immediately went to her side. She saw that Sanji went to Robin.
"You alright there, Magina?" Zoro asked as he helped her up.
"I think he's gone now. I don't think he was expecting to get hit."
Magina looked at the edge of her dagger. Blood dripped off the end. The sea became rougher.
"We need to pull up the anchor!" Franky yelled.
Zoro squeezed her shoulder and rushed over to help.
"Come on, Gah! Pull up the anchor!"
"Don't call me that! I'm trying; I think it's disabled!" Sanji yelled back.
"Stop making excuses, Gah, and hurry up!" Zoro shouted back.
Magina's stomach dropped as the ship rose with the tides. She hadn't had a lot of time sailing this ship, but it was like her village's largest fishing vessel. She tried to work the sails, but the ropes were lodged in place. Sanji was right. It was sabotage.
The ship creaked and groaned, protesting against the rough waters. Magina worked alongside Franky and the others in the attempt to gain control of the ship. Everything they tried proved to be useless. The ship lurched and rammed into a freakishly large spiderweb, throwing everyone off balance.
Magina picked herself off the deck. The ship tilted at an alarming angle. They seemed to be stuck in the web. Just what was happening here? Zoro appeared at her side, taking hold of her elbow, and providing her with more balance. His familiar growl eased her growing concern.
"This is too suspicious. This is obviously a trap," Zoro grumbled.
"We should go to the island and check things out!" Luffy said excitedly.
"To the island?" she squeaked.
Horrified, she hastily cleared her throat. "I mean, if this is a trap, is it really a good idea to set it off?"
Luffy laughed. "Your voice is all funny, Magina! Are you scared? You don't need to be. We'll protect you!"
"N-No! I'm not scared!" she protested.
Zoro's hand at her elbow squeezed in warning. Magina looked up and glared at him. His suppressed chuckles just made her more defensive.
"Be quiet, marimo!" she hissed as she nudged him in the ribs.
She glanced upwards just in time to see Zoro smirk.
"Are you sure you're okay, Magina?" he asked.
She narrowed her eyes. Was Zoro implying that she was a liar or a coward? The teasing notes in his song were gradually changing. Mainga swallowed against a dry throat. Why did it sound like he had a plan?
"Y-Yes, I'm sure!"
"Hey, guys! Come on, let's go!" Luffy called from shore.
"Give us a minute!" Zoro shouted back.
Magina folded her arms across her chest in irritation. "What exactly are you thinking, swordsman? I know that you're hiding starfish up your pants, and I want to know what's going on!"
He snorted in amusement. He cleared his throat when she glared at him.
"The way I see it, you have two choices. You could stay here and guard the ship alone or you can force yourself to come with us. I already know that you're going to come with us, but I have an idea. It might be uncomfortable at first, but it's a way for you to fight. And it would be great training. You willing to try, siren?"
Magina began shaking when Zoro mentioned staying at the ship alone. No matter how terrified she might be exploring this island, it would still be safter with the rest of her nakama. She clenched her teeth.
"Try what exactly?"
Zoro grinned and untied the bandana on his arm. He held it out to her. Magina threw him an incredulous look. "Wait. Are you serious?
"Of course, I am."
Hello, everyone! I hope things are doing okay wherever you are, and I hope that everyone is staying healthy and that your projects are thriving! We'll see you for Chapter 44!