Alchemist's Wrath

by DarthGlaurung

A young woman leaves her shelter for an adventure out on the endless blue. Equipped with only her skills as an alchemist and chemist, she uses what skill's she's acquired in search for a certain person. The cause of her tragedy in her youth. The only clue she has is their laughter. But she will make them feel her wrath, even if it means staining her hands.

15. Chapter 15

To say she was surprised and curious would be an understatement. For the first time, Ashe came across something that defied logic about what she knew. Casually leaning over the side of the Going Merry, her gaze is ahead and skyward. "Wow…the current really is going up the mountain. How is that possible?"

"I'll let you know when I figure that out." A pat on the shoulder with a smile from Nami. "Come on, let's join the others. I want to see the view from the bow as well. Not like we can steer the ship anyways. Those knuckleheads broke the rudder control."

Nami jogged off in excitement. Ashe leaned away from the railing to follow, yet a fabrication caught her attention. Gazing down into the rapid currents, a silhouette slithered next to their vessel. A blink, and the shadow was gone. Assuming it was a trick of the eye, she joined the rest of the Straw Hats upon the bow.

Respectfully standing back, Ashe allows the Straw Hats to have the best view. This is their ship after all. The warmth beside her showed she was not alone. Zoro stood beside her. He was radiating excitement and eagerness, even if it was difficult to notice.

A shiver and bumps formed upon Ashe's arms. She began to rub and warm herself up on instinct. The temperature was rapidly dropping as they ascended and broke through the clouds. Going Merry was nearing the summit of the mountain.

Summit?

Hands dropping to her sides must have caught Zoro's attention. "Ah? What?"

The gears churn as she voices her thoughts. "The Going Merry is ascending the current. The currents are rapid, and we have no control of the ship right now." Zoro raised a brow, where was she going with this. Ice was forming along the rocks and along the trim of the ship. "Once we reach the peak…and there's no longer a current going up…What goes up…"

Realization dawned on the samurai. "Must come down."

On cue, the booming voice of an enthusiastic captain roared in glee. Their bodies quickly lightening as if gravity was no longer affecting them. Being closer to the stair rails, Ashe quickly leapt toward them. One hand grabbing hold as the other reached back. "Quick! Grab my hand!"

Zoro clutched at her hand tightly. Their bodies were already lifting into the air as the Going Merry was launched above the peak. Ice pelted and shattered the wooden deck of the ship. Crackling like shiny glass from the rapids. With the storm far behind them, the rays of the warm sun were unhindered above the clouds.

A sudden lurch forced a grunt from Ashe. Straining with one arm to keep the two from floating into the sky. Though, she could not say the same for the other crew members. Crashing back down to floorboards, Zoro and Ashe slammed down on their bellies. It hurt a little, but much better than dropping from the sky.

Unfiltered shrieks of terror from Nami and Usopp drowned out the descending rapids. Along with cackling laughter from Luffy. Both Ashe and Zoro quickly rose to their feet. Each rushing to their targets.

"Nami." Stated Ashe.

Zoro grunted, "Usopp."

With a dive, Ashe caught the screeching navigator before slamming once more against the wooden flooring. She's going to feel that in the morning. "Are you alright?"

"Yea, thanks. I should have seen that coming." Nami rose to stand before helping Ashe up.

Zoro held Usopp by the scruff of his clothing before dropping him to the ground safely. The long nose wept against the floor. "Is it too late to change my mind about this trip?"

Ashe searched around before asking about the chef. "Yes! My darling! I am perfectly safe and unharmed. I knew you cared for me."

With a nod, the Going Merry suddenly accelerates in velocity. The steep mountain and gravity dragged the vessel with ferocity in its descent. Piercing through the clouds that obstructed their view, Ashe found herself intrigued. Her hands reaching out to feel and investigate the skyward objects.

"These aren't that special. You should try touching storm and rain clouds. Those are much more interesting."

Ashe found Nami copying her movements. A soft smile while toying with the clouds. "Is that so? I'll keep that in mind. If I ever get the opportunity." She was nearly interrupted by a low but booming sound. It groaned and wailed within the cloudy view. "What was that?"

Nami brushed it off in contentment. "Probably just the wind. This is a mountain after all."

Unease grew in Ashe's belly. Visibility obscured by the clouds as another wail echoed through the mountain current. "Oi, Nami, there is a mountain further ahead." Usopp stated with uncertainty.

"That's impossible! There is no way a mountain could be blocking the path."

"Who cares!" Shouted the captain, sitting in his special seat atop the Going Merry. "Let's go! Forward! Go! Go! Go!" Ashe swore, the only direction Luffy knew was forward. Even if it was toward a wall of steel.

It was tiny at first, but ever so quickly, a silhouette expanded into a colossal figure. "…Nami…" Ashe calmly approached the navigator. The clouds began to dissipate, showing that colossus was understating the sheer size of the object. "Nami. Nami!" Free from the fog, the figure was finally exposed.

"Mountain! It's a mountain! We're gonna crash and die!" Usopp screamed, and in his panic fell from the crow's nest in a heap.

As one, the rest of the group shouted in shock and dread. Luffy being the most prominent. "Oh crap! It's a black wall!"

"No, it's not! You idiot!"

"Then, what is it?!"

Ashe leaned over a railing, wide eyed. "Whale…It's a whale! I've never seen one that massive before! Orders, Captain?!"

"Shall we fight it?"

"There's no way we can fight that, you idiot!" If Nami was not so flustered and brainstorming at what to do, she would have hit him for that.

While the others scrambled and barked at one another about what to do, Ashe stood beside the captain of the vessel. Awaiting any orders that he may give. She had to admit, it was strange to see Luffy in such a deep thought and scratching his chin.

Each passing second lengthened the whale's shadow. Nearly blotting out the sun and even making Ashe start to sweat it out. If all else fails, she could abandon ship at the last moment.

She can swim after all.

"Oh, yeah! I've got an idea!" Luffy's sudden voice startled her as he spun on his sandals. "Ashe, come with me."

"Aye, Captain."

Descending to the gun deck, Luffy skipped toward the front. He was eagerly excited about something and could barely keep still. Sorta resembling a caffeinated monkey. Sun light illuminated the room after he opened the gun port. Rolling the largest cannon they have; he slaps it with a grin. "What's the biggest boom we can do?"

Ashe stares at him for a moment, blinking before grinning. "What's the heaviest cannon ball you have?"

"Woohoo~" The young man practically floated through the gun deck before returning with the heaviest one he could find. This allowed her time to clean the cannon and load the gun powder. Not before doubling the usage and adding a few drops of her explosive liquid. Luffy loaded the cannon ball on his own. Properly she might add. He remembered her lessons.

Holding the fuse, Ashe hands Luffy the match to do the honors. Not before clearing her throat in a hushed voice. "Hey…uh…Don't tell Nami about this. I really…don't want her to scold me about overloading the cannons again."

Stony-faced, Luffy nods his head in a somber understanding. The two using their free hands to shake in mutual understanding. "Got it, I promise." With that out of the way, the captain lights the fuse after taking aim at the whale. "Fire!"

He's always wanted to say that.

Louder than thunder, a boom shattered through the waves and ship. Searing heat licking at the skin as Ashe found herself jerking at the sudden force pushing back against the speedy boat.

Though he laughed, his plan worked. The Going Merry slowed to a halt as a cracking of wood signaled their safety. A thud upon the upper deck was a cause for concern. Luffy and Ashe ascended the stairs, but not before she made her thoughts known. "That was a good idea."

A patented smile on Luffy's face, he gave her a victory sign. "Right? We should totally get a bigger cannon for more explo—Oi! That's my special seat!"

Upon the deck laid the figurehead of the Going Merry. Motionless and broken.

The rest of the Straw Hats flailed about before using the paddles to row the ship around the mountainous whale. Desperate to flee for safety before their presence is noticed by the sea creature.

Let it be said that a very important lesson was learned this day.

Rowing around the creature, the crew neared the enormous eye. In a fit of anger for revenge of his beloved seat on the figurehead. Luffy punched the eye. "I'm gonna fight it!" Only to be tackled and beaten to a pulp by his own crew. One minute later, the Going Merry and its passengers were swallowed whole into the endless maw.

That lesson was not to punch and anger a whale that can easily swallow you whole. Even books were written about such things.

Coming to and chasing the shadows away. Ashe returns to the realm of the conscious and stands upon her feet. She must have been the last one to wake as the rest of the group was already at the bow, staring out.

Approaching from behind, she noticed Luffy was the only person missing.

Considering he was the reason they were eaten by a whale, ship and all. Ashe paid no mind while surveying the surroundings. Which only served to confuse her. Blue skies, white clouds, and birds littered above. Unmoving.

She may not be a marine biologist, but even Ashe knew something was off about that.

Even though Ashe heard the conversation the crew was having with the elderly man upon his small island in the whale. Her ear picked up the only important thing she needed. Because there was something more important that caught her attention.

Something that made her eyes sparkle with a twitch of the fingers. "Excuse me, Mr. Crocus. My name is Ashe. Are you the one that killed this Great King Squid? If so, may I salvage it for materials?"

Yes, the sight of a dead sea monster washed away all negative thoughts about being swallowed by a whale and floating on its gastric acid. It is not every day a rare creature is served to you on a silver platter.

An elderly man was aggressively reading a newspaper on his lawn chair. He wore glasses, a pink button shirt, and a strange flower behind his head. He stared at her firmly, a strange thump echoing through her head with each passing second. Before he casually flipped to the next page of his newspaper. "At least someone has proper manners. Go ahead."

"I'm gonna cut him now!" Ashe ignored the squabbling of an angry Zoro being held back by Sanji.

Pulling down her goggles, she covers her eyes before leaping and landing upon the freshly slain beast. Harpoons piercing through the fleshy body of the squid. Definitely dead, no feigning from those wounds.

Descending to the maw of the carcass, Ashe's grin grows with each step. There is a reason she is so excited about finding a Great King Squid. Most squids have one ink sack and color. Which makes it a roulette of luck for which color you'll find. These large beauties however, evolved to have many ink sacks and one of every color at minimum. Black, brown, red, and blue. The lack of yellow annoys her to no end. It makes combining new colors a chore and must create a substitute.

Humming to herself, Ashe's blade easily slices through and digs out the various ink sacks. She does notice a venom sack as well. Tongue in cheek, she decides to take it as well. While squids do have venom, they are generally weak and only potent against other sea creatures. Squeezing a droplet of venom onto her finger, Ashe gives it a lick.

If Nami saw this, she'd no doubt slap her.

For a moment, nothing happened. That was the norm for squids. Oh well, her curiosity was sated. "Strange…why is the ground getting closer?" Plop, face planting against the squishy flesh was an interesting sensation. It was slimy and wet. "Oh…stronger than I thought." She attempted to wiggle her fingers, but it was proving difficult. "Muscle paralysis…Even my built-up tolerance offered little resistance."

Laying upon the carcass, she began to comprehend her predicament. Thankfully, it was just a muscle paralysis and should wear off shortly. Hopefully. But Ashe wondered why it was so potent. Squid venom is not harmful against humans, even the sea king squid's venom from the East Blue was not this strong. That is when it clicked for her.

"Oh…Right…This is the Grand Line…Oops."

That explained one problem. Sadly, another problem arose right after that epiphany. The belly of the beast violently shook and caused quakes to rumble the gastric acid and all within. "Uh…This is a problem." At least she could wiggle her fingers and toes. Bouncing around due to the quakes, it did not take long before she was flung out into the green waters. "Little help, please!"

Descending into the depths, she patiently waited for any rescue and tried to move her limbs. Though more mobility was returning, it was not enough to swim, let alone float. At least she trained to hold her breath for a good amount of time. A splash from above, a rescuer. They held out a hand for her which was gratefully grabbed before being yanked above the water level for a gasp of fresh oxygen.

Her arm thrown over her rescuer's shoulder, she helps to keep them afloat. "Usopp? Thank you for the save. I was debating what slippers I'd need for the waterbed."

"Oi, oi! I thought you could swim. Why do you need rescuing? It is bad enough we have to constantly pull Luffy out of the ocean on a weekly basis." Usopp swam them to Crocus's small island home, she helped where she could. But it looked more akin to flailing.

"Um…experiment gone wrong? That king squid venom was more potent than I thought."

Usopp nearly choked on air and drowned them in the gastric acid in reaction. "You experimented with what?! That's crazy!"

Reaching the island, Usopp steadies Ashe for the moment, her legs shaky at the lack of strength from numbness. "Care to fill me in?"

He shrugged, "No idea, let's go find ou—Luffy! Get down from there." He ran off, sighting his captain trying to climb the lone palm tree. Trying to pull him back down.

With a sigh, Ashe approached Nami from the side. Earning a little wave in return. "I see you guys made some new friends."

Nami snorted and peered down at the prisoners. A female with light blue hair and a male with a golden crown. Fancy. "More like nuisances. They were causing a ruckus, so Luffy went and…" She sniffed before covering her nose. "What's that smell?" Ashe held up the fleshy sacks of ink and venom. "Gross. What are those? Why do you have those?"

Ashe gave her loot a little shake. "Ink sacks. So, I can make that ink of yours. Lucky me, there was multiple and different colors."

"That's nice to hear, but does it have to be so putrid. Yuck, just…go put them up. I feel like I'm gonna be sick." The navigator waved her off in a hurry.

She took the chance to be alone with her spoils. Thankfully, the Going Merry was docked on the island, boat, whatever this was. Ashe did not have to go far before grabbing her backpack and plopping down on the stern. Scattering her tools, Ashe got to work extracting the ink before refining it properly. There was plenty to store. Easily filling her large vials to stock and last a good while. Spacing it out in small ink wells for Nami will conserve what she has till another source is found. However, she did keep a tad bit of raw ink for another use later.

Wiping the sweat from her brow, a glass drink entered the corner of her eye. "Forgive me for interrupting, Mademoiselle, but I thought you may be a bit parched from your work. A freshly squeezed lemonade from the finest of fruit."

The cold beverage was delicious. "Thank you, Sanji, but you didn't have to go through the trouble. Did I miss anything?" Ashe tends to lose track of time when she's tinkering.

He filled her in with only the important information. When he stated they undocked and in the process of leaving the whale, Ashe sputtered and tried to rise. Apologizing about not properly doing her duties. "Non, non, non, do not worry about it. We were able to handle it. I'd be worried if we couldn't. What kind of pirates would we be? Though, Nami is on the opposite end of the ship. Complaining about the smell."

Cleaning and putting her tools away, Ashe's brow perks. "Oh? Does the stench not bother you?"

"I'm a chef. You get used to smelly things."

Well, that makes sense.

Vials safely tucked away. Ashe tosses the empty husks overboard. Even the venom was securely stored with a label. A squawk from above showed these birds were real. Wind blew the sails toward a lighthouse for landing. Sanji escorted Ashe to the center of the ship. Telling her he was going to prepare a feast for the crew.

A foot tapping Nami was there to greet them with crossed arms. She locked eyes with Ashe before pointing toward the cabins. "Go take a shower. You stink." Any protest died immediately from a finger jab to the chest. "I already have to put up with a group of smelly boys. I will not have the only other girl also smell. Shower. Now."

Sanji sniffed at himself while heading into the kitchen. Ashe sighed before nodding and disappearing for a quick cleansing. She never takes long. Always efficient with short showers. Throwing on a simple blue shirt, brown pants, and usual boots, Ashe returned outside after drying her hair.

Surprisingly, she noticed Luffy at his special seat, staring at the whale. Approaching the rail, Ashe stands nearby, enjoying the sound of the waves. His calm voice called out to her. Asking if she knew about the whale. "Yes, Captain." Sanji filled her in after all.

Staying behind on a promise of friends to return. A simple and easy enough request to fulfil. Except, it was made 50 years ago. And now the whale known as Laboon, rams its head against the mountain in despair and defiance after learning the truth and fate of his friends. Crocus told him they all died.

"What do you think became of his friends?" A simple question.

Which requires a simple answer. "Best prediction is they are dead." Luffy's silence gave nothing away, but she had a feeling he agreed as well. Her hand cupped at the chin in thought. "But that might not be the only outcome." Ashe was an alchemist after all. A theory could have many predictions and outcomes. You just generally go with the highest percentage chance of success. That does not mean it is always correct. "Perhaps they retired and settled down. Maybe some are stranded somewhere. Heck, maybe one is even a wandering suit of bones. My point is, the chances are extremely low, but not zero."

Straightening his back, Luffy turned with a smile. "Right? We just have to go on ahead and find his friends. Bring them back and everything will be alright!"

She shrugged, "If they are not dead. Oversimplified, but yes. So long as Laboon doesn't kill himself against the mountain first."

Standing and straightening his hat with a grin, "Ah, don't worry. I know what to do about that." Psyching himself up, Luffy wanders off toward the center, main mast. Curiosity piqued. Ashe asked him what his plan was. "I'm gonna fight em."

"Oh, you're gonna fight him. Good luck—Wait…what?" Having ripped the main mast of the Going Merry, Luffy was running up the whale with a fierce battle cry. Ashe quickly strode to the others. They were just as captivated and watching in confusion. "He's going to fight the whale!"

"Oh, he's going to—What?! That idiot!" Nami screeched in anger and terror.

Usopp noticed the destroyed pillar where the mast once was. "Oi! Do not go and destroy our ship! We need that! Moron!"

Planting the mast and jolly roger of the Straw Hats within a wound of Laboon, the whale howled in pain. Before reacting in rage and thrashing about. Thunderous waves crashed into the hull, nearly capsizing the vessel. There was little they could do except try to paddle out of the way.

Ashe would like to say it was a fierce fight, but it was a bit one-sided. While Luffy could land a punch here and there. Those hits did nothing to the whale. But she had to admit. The captain of the Straw Hats knew how to take a hit and get back up. He was but a gnat against a bear. Slapped around against the mountain. Even the fiercest of warriors would struggle to get up after being thrashed around like that.

Just as suddenly the fight started, it ended just as quickly.

Why? She did not care, only paddling to get the ship as far away as possible. It seemed like Luffy was speaking to the sea beast. Ashe will ask him about it later. Once she's assured her survival. Ashe found Nami first and she was alright. Just questioning her life choices right now.

Ashe was beginning to second that.

Luffy landed next to them with the goofiest of grins. "Told you I had a good—Ow, ow, ow!"

He was interrupted by Nami snapping at his ear and tugging it firmly with a twist. "What the hell were you thinking?! You could have killed us! Now we have to repair the ship!"

Approaching Zoro from the side, Ashe sighed. "Is this…a common occurrence?"

"You get used to it." Finding herself doubting his words, Ashe commented about needing to fetch the mast before it was lost to the ocean. "I'll get it." An errand for the muscle, because she was not going to do it.

On the downside, it was up to her and Usopp to fix the center mast. While neither was a shipwright, they could at least temporarily rig it. Nothing like a little bit of elbow grease and a big sheet of metal. She could really do without his grumbling and complaining though. With a word of thanks, Usopp cleaned up before joining the rest of the Straw Hats at the lighthouse island. Nami finished setting up the banquet tables with Zoro's help.

Staring out at the endless blue of the Grand Line, Ashe leaned against the railing. Enjoying the breeze with a soft smile. "What contrivances and creations did you discover out here, brother? I want to know. I want to learn." A slender hand clutched at her jewel in a lifeline. "I'll finish your dream in your stead." In the depths of the waves, a reflection stared back. Disfigured and misshapen.

Liar.

Crashing through the reflection was a serpentine figure. Shattering the waves in an instant before disappearing into the dark depths. Reeling back, Ashe pinched the bridge of her nose. 'What was—'

"There you are my lady. I humbly ask your presence at the island for the banquet. The food is ready, and I shall be bringing it out momentarily." Sanji called from the stairs. Smile and all.

"Y-yea, I'll be there in a second." With a nod, Sanji humbly bowed before descending. "Wait. I'll help you bring the food out." Ashe caught up with a brisk jog. It led to their usual argument before Sanji relented and thanked her for the assistance. "Is this the tuna from the competition?" Fully ignoring the strange occurrence.

Handing her two small trays, Sanji carries the larger and heavier platters. "Oui, a special fish for a special occasion. Our first meal on the Grand Line. I couldn't decide what to make, so I made a bit of variety." The slow walk was soothing as she lent the chef an ear. He was eagerly excited and happy to talk about his creations. Even if most of the techniques Sanji mentioned went over her head. She listened and learned. Glad she was that he slowed his strides to match. The sudden scream of a familiar navigator thundered through the sky. "Ah, that was Nami's frustrated scream. I'm coming, my darling!"

Ashe paused with a crinkled brow, "You labeled her screams?" She did not know whether to be impressed or worried. Joining the Straw Hats and Crocus at the table, Sanji set the trays down while she held hers temporarily. They were in a conversation before a familiar term was thrown out. "Oh, a log pose? What about them?"

"That's what I want to know. This is the first time I'm hearing about them." Spoke Nami, the ship's navigator.

Crocus and Ashe locked eyes before the younger of the two reeled back in shock. "Wait. Tell me you're joking. There's no way you guys planned to enter the Grand Line without knowing what a log pose is and possessing one."

"Do you know what it is, girl?" Questioned Crocus calmly with a similar exasperated frown.

"I know of them and their purpose. But not the intricate details."

With a grunt and sigh, the old man cleans his glasses for a moment. "Well, maybe not all of you will die then. Allow me to explain."

Taking a seat and setting down the trays, Ashe made herself comfortable to listen. The beginning was what she already knew. Log poses were the compasses of the Grand Line. They were essential to one's crew to navigate these waters. Without it, one would never be able to find land. Or the odds were substantially slim due to how scattered and vast the ocean is.

Learning how the log poses would connect two islands with their magnetism waves was an interesting bit. It would always point to a single island once locked on. When you've found and landed on the island. The log pose would take time to pair up with the magnetic waves of the next island. Pointing the crew in the correct direction. That is the only way to travel on the Grand Line. Sounds like a hassle if she was honest.

Instincts suddenly flared, sensing an attack in her direction. Snapping to attention, Ashe notices their target and rapidly counters the surprise attack. Sliding the tray of fish meat out of trajectory as a rubbery hand clutches at empty air. She almost did not sense the attack while Crocus was explaining log poses to Nami.

Staring at one another, yellow into dark brown. Luffy swallowed loudly, all food devoured from the table. Except for one. The tray before her. His hand stretches once more, snapping at empty air after the tray was moved once more. Luffy frowns. Rubbing his shoulder while winding up and punching forward. Determined to snatch the food from Ashe's tray. The tempo rapidly increased. Wind pressure caused Ashe's bangs to snap around. Captain of the Straw Hat's turning himself into a make-shift gatling gun for the food. "Oi! If you're not gonna eat it, lemme have it!"

"I am going to eat it. I'm hungry too and it smells delicious." Still, it seemed Luffy would not relent. At some point, he had a sandal on the table. Not like Ashe could eat this all by herself. "How about a deal? Let me take my portion from the tray and I'll let you have everything else."

Crossing his arms, Luffy sat back in his seat. Face neutral of emotion and eyes zeroed in. This is perhaps the most serious Ashe has seen him. "Alright, what do you want in return?"

"When I train at night on the Going Merry. I notice a shadow sneaking into the kitchen every now and then. The next time you raid Sanji's refrigerator, bring me along. I enjoy late night snacks as well."

Humming to himself in deep thought, Luffy nods before a hand slowly stretches out toward Ashe for a handshake. "Deal."

Sealing the arrangement with a shake, Ashe takes her portion before offering Luffy the tray. Which he greedily snatched up and devoured in a single scoop. Bones and all. That would have been the most surprising moment during lunch, but another dethroned it. Luffy suddenly held up a log pose after Nami asked Crocus what they looked like.

Where did he get one? Log poses are rare and people never part with them. You either plunder them from other pirates or pay a fortune if someone will sell. Which is where the scene before her played out. Luffy being punched by Nami. Sanji kicked Luffy after finding out he ate all the food before Nami could have a bite. Which led to the shattering of the log pose. That Luffy had somehow, someway, managed to find by the grace of a god above. Only for Nami to beat the knuckleheads and throw them into the ocean.

All while eating her food at a sedated pace. Theater companies wished they could put on plays of this caliber. "You do know…Luffy can't swim, right?"

Nami scowled while rubbing her knuckles. "He'll be fine. I wish the boys would settle down sometimes." Her stomach growled. "Great, now I'm hungry too."

Ashe slid her plate over a tad in a sign. "I saved you some, just in case."

Perking up, the navigator skipped over before plopping into the seat next to her. "See? You're the only one I can rely on around here. I'd lose my mind by myself."

A loud splash of water crashed against the little island after Laboon rose up and spat out Nami's crewmembers. Sanji piled atop Luffy. It was then Ashe's brow perked up and pointed at the other pile of light blue hair and a golden crown. "So…Who are those two?"