A marine carrying an important message ran his way to the Fleet Admiral's office, where Albatro was currently working. An arctic fox with light blue fur was sitting in his lap, and was contently swaying her tail. "Sir! Sabody just sent out a distress signal!" the man announced, and Albatro looked up with a serious expression. "Blackchain was unable to defend himself? Was it a pirate from the New World?" he asked, but he already knew the answer. "No sir! The Melody Pirates have returned!" the marine responded. As if on cue, the sky darkened with a storm, and a huge white dragon descended onto Marineford. Blackchain let out a frustrated roar, slamming his fists down on the ground as he shifted back to human. "Those brats! Those bastards! I'll show them what happens when you mess with me!" he exclaimed to the sky, now a cocky smile on his face. "Time to bring the ol' crew back together," he chuckled.
The marines tried, but were completely outclassed by the Melody Pirates. Once everyone was forced onto their ships, Harmony grew herself as she cried out at them, "Sabody is under our protection now!" The townsfolk began stepping outside, and the mayor walked forward towards the pirates. "So, you are our new- Wait Miss Zii? Did they kidnap you?" he asked, but Zii just laughed. "You guys are free now~" she excitedly exclaimed, suddenly hit by the wave of feelings. Her eyes were cyan with tears rolling down her face. "I'm so sorry we took so long..." but she was stopped as the elder just hugged her. "Thank you for everything you and your mother has done for us." Zii sniffed as she wiped her eyes on her arm. "You fellas as well," he said at the crew, all just smiling in reply.
"So! Who fired that cannon?" Minx asked curiously as they headed for Nakama, to which Kagaku smiled brightly. "She's probably excited to meet you guys," Julio said, making everyone tilt their heads. "Who'd you..?" Harmony started, but as they came in view of the ship, her eyes lit up. The figurehead, as if alive, turned towards them. "Hi guys! It's been a while huh?" Nakama said, and the crew reacted all differently. Harmony and Minx screamed in awe, immediately running up and checking it out. "This is awesome! You've always been a crew member to me, but now it's official!" Harmony squealed, hugging the coyote head joyfully, to which Nakama laughed. "The hell'd you do?" Kasai asked, but Kagaku just shrugged. "Nothin' I did. As far as I can tell, she just kinda gained sentience at one point." Julio nodded as he chimed in, "Literally happened while we were asleep."
"I've heard of this," Lia said, walking up to pat the bow. "A Klabautermann, sea spirit," Arlos said but stopped, noticing he was irritating Lia as he interrupted her, and he bowed a bit as he stepped back. "Yea, that. They come up sometimes when a ship is well loved," she continued, patting Arlos' back reassuringly. "That's cool," Kiwi said, hopping aboard and immediately making his way to the navigation table. Everyone but Zii made their way aboard. "So uh, I guess you guys are heading out now huh?" she asked, eyes going a dark blue. "Yep, now get your ass up here!" Harmony cried, shocking Zii as her eyes went green. "Wait, you want me to go with you?" she asked genuinely, rather confused. "I mean, are you staying here?" Julio asked as he walked over to the railing. "It's up to you at the end of the day," he reassured, and she looked down at the grass below her. "I wanna join you guys!" she cried out, jumping aboard with Harmony pulling her up.
"Melody Pirates! It's time for the New World to deal with us," Harmony joked, smiling brightly as they began taking off, sailing towards the horizon. Lia took her spot on the wheel, carefully listening to Kiwi's commands as he read the map. Kasai kept watch on the crows nest as Zii kept the wind on the sails, leaving the rest on watch. "Our last stop will be Sabaody," Kiwi informed, but Julio shook his head. "They'll be waiting at Sabaody. You gotta land there before getting to the New World," he said, and Kiwi tried looking for another way past the Red Line; a huge stretch of a steep wall going across the entire world. "Do we climb it?" Harmony asked, to which Nakama barked, "I can't climb though!" Kagaku chuckled, "Nah, there's an easier way under it. Thanks to our sub, we can pass through Fishman Island." The crew all collectively tilted their heads save for Lia. "Fishman Island?" Kasai questioned, "Never heard of it." Kagaku shrugged, "Yea they don't like humans very much. But if they're down there, I'm sure they'd recognize me." He smiled, as if excited. "Fishmen live for a pretty long time."
"On my journeys, I've come across info regarding Fishmen," Lia said, chiming in. "All modern records call them myths, but we knew the truth." Kagaku turned to her, interested in what she knew. "But, I'm sorry Kagaku, Fishman Island was destroyed almost a hundred years ago..." she said, and he let out a sigh. "Of course... They live long enough to remember things the damned government don't want remembered!" he said, frustration in his voice, but he took a breath. "Even if destroyed, the path should be clear..." he said, looking up at the sun as it set under the horizon. Julio walked over, patting his back. "Tch... The whole lot of them are evil," Minx said, malice in his words. "They can't all be bad. Petrian was a good guy," Kiwi stated, making Minx sigh. "You're right bud. But there is one I will never forgive..." he said, patting his dark pink hair, determination in his eye.
