Chapter 33: My Resolve

Myrkheim

Durinn's eyes widened and became visible under his bushy eyebrows. He sensed that Umi had done what she had sought for centuries- regain her body. Alius also looked concerned for his King- the Dwarfs being fully aware of what that would entail.

The throne felt tense as if it was a building storm. Vivi then screamed much to the solicitousness of the remaining Straw Hats.

"Vivi! What is it?!," asked Nami, her very close friend, rushing to her side with Robin, Usopp and Chopper right behind her. They stood around her as the other members who didn't know her personally proceeded to crowd around to estimate what was wrong.

Suddenly, through her head, flashes of memories went through her head- Memories she was seeing for the first time but also familiar-

Vivi's Memories

It was a night at the palace, but something was wrong occurring. Vivi had faint memories of her mother, Titi, who was a beloved queen and a caring mother. Her loss still weighed heavily in Arabasta.

Cobra, her father was crying as Igaram, Pell, and Chaka consoled him. A much younger Vivi was peeping out of the door on her mother's bed- covered in blood. She noticed a shadowy crowned figure with red eyes briefly looking at her before leaving.

"Her death will be written off as a disease...We can't have Vivi be filled with thoughts that will cause harm to the country.," spoke the king.

"But what about HIM? She loved him...and what took him away-," spoke Igaram.

"She's too young to know...get rid of any evidence of HIS existence...it'll bring back too much trauma...she needs to grow up normally...," spoke the King.

Pell and Chaka nodded as Vivi's vision blurred.

Present

Vivi regained consciousness as she came to her feet, bewildered by her vision. The room was still and quiet, and everyone looked at her with a mix of concern and curiosity. She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.

Durinn looked at Alius who nodded as he placed his hands on the ground. It summoned circles of a respective color as individuals were summoned from it.

A bald elder with a dog nose surrounded by a greyish-blue beard. He dressed in blue robes with an arcane curved staff.

Bafurr- the Blue Knight of the Seven Rainbow Dwarf Knights.

A Dwarven woman with shoulder-length indigo hair. She wore a mouth-covering indigo scarf, an indigo bra, and indigo baggy pants. She wielded a spear and shield with the sun symbol.

Darri- the Indigo Knight of the Seven Rainbow Dwarf Knights.

A bald male with a pointy small beard of dark red, thin but noticeable eyebrows, and wearing a red nobleman's attire complete with a ruffled collar.

Eggmóinn- the Red Knight of the Seven Rainbow Dwarf Knights.

A handsome male with flowing orange hair and a slim beard ending in a ballpoint, wearing shades, and was shirtless outside of his dark orange scarf and baggy pants.

Frægr- the Orange Knight of the Seven Rainbow Dwarf Knights.

A smiling man wearing a yellow cowboy hat with the sun symbol, dark golden shades, and was shirtless outside of his yellow pants. He had dual sun symbol tattoos on his chest.

Gustr- the Yellow Knight of the Seven Rainbow Dwarf Knights.

And a light-purple skinned clown with a purple round nose, and dark purple lips. He had purple hair styled into three spikes and a short pointed beard. He wore a purple clown outfit including a ruffled collar.

Hugstari- the Purple Knight of the Seven Rainbow Dwarf Knights.

"W-what's going on?," asked Shoujo.

"They look kinda odd for Knights.," spoke Bonney.

"Screw formalities. It's better to be yourself to do what you need to do to get the job done," said Durinn casually as they knelt before him.

"Umi is likely going to be coming after her specifically...don't falter even if it means you die.," the king ordered.

"For death is the next great adventure.," spoke the knights- Alius included.

They then turned to Vivi and knelt before her.

"We will aid the crew to bring the dawn in protecting her," said Bafurr solemnly, raising his staff. The other knights nodded in unison, each with their own determination burning in their eyes.

"W-what the? I thought we came just to hang out on an island Luffy and Usopp wanted to explore.," Nami complained. "Everything's gone batshit since that thing showed up."

"For 800 years, she was stuck as a shadow weak to sunlight as the only reason as to why she hasn't cut loose. Now that's gone...," spoke Gaban.

He then looked at Galahad and pointed to him.

"You come around. The kids can stay.," he said.

"You're finally talking a stance?," spoke Durinn.

"You have a bigger plan. My role has always been to fight to ensure it succeeds. I hope it's worth it.," he said.

"That includes you guys.," spoke the former 3rd in command of the Roger Pirates towards Nami, Chopper, and Usopp.

"Huh?," asked Chopper, his eyes wide with shock as he looked at Galahad. "I-I don't think we can fight that-"

"That's right. You're still kids and scared ones at that.," Gaban clarified, his stern gaze boring into the trio. "You made it by luck, but from this point, this is beyond the normal- you're just going to die. Handle what's in your weight class."

"Dad...that's," Colon argued, but Gaban seemed resolute.

Robin took a stance as did Brook and Franky, "You don't know them as well as we do, Mr. Gaban. "

"They might be a bit meek, but they can pull through.," spoke Brook.

"Whatcha you got to justify it?," asked Franky.

Gaban casually released his Conquerors Haki in the direction of the Cowardly trio as they proceeded to foam from the mouth and faint.

"You're going too far!," Vivi begged as Carrot rushed to Chopper and Clisson went to give Nami aid.

"Linlin and Kai saw you as beneath them as did the Elders. Umi is going to see you as gnats to immediately squash. That goes for any fighter going forward.," spoke Gaban.

Usopp then got to his feet and to Gaban's surprise, bit into his hand, and became conscious.

"Luffy...entrusted me...with a task...I will get the Giants to stop this pointless bickering...and remind them of who they are...," spoke the long nose.

This made Gaban smile.

"The wimps need to stay- the tykes need babysitters.," Gaban said with his back turned.

Robin read between the lines and realized the implications concerning Bonnie, the new girl- Shoujo, and Colon.

"I understand.," spoke Robin.

"I...have a better idea...we split up to cover more ground...I think we need to split up to get things done faster...," Usopp suggested.

Durinn then tilted his head as he asked-

"What's your name lad?"

"Usopp.," replied the sniper.

The dwarf seemed reminded of a figure of a similar nature as he nodded-

"Please find a way for our kind to embrace the sun again."

Usopp nodded, not wanting to falter with his promise to Luffy.

Nami came to and sensed the situation as she asked the Dwarf King, "Where's a map? I might not be a tough fighter but I can at least help in another way."

Nami almost instantaneously looked through as Durinn smiled as she seemed to remind him of someone he knew.

She then turned to the crew and said-

"The Vegapunk seven can stay here where it's guarded. Brook, Chopper, and Galahad- you take care of what's in the Western Village. Gaban and Robin- you guys subdue the Eastern Village. Vivi, Carrot, Clisson and I will take care of the South. And Usopp, Shoujo, Bonney, and Vega 40 will go to the North. The next step will be up to the Heaven World."

"How can you be sure?," asked Eggmóinn.

"Environments build character- the Western is too peaceful and serene, the East's harsher climate requires you to be tough, the South's mists are the perfect spot for kidnappers, and the North is the most environmentally stable.," she explained.

Durinn then turned to his soldiers and said-

"Eggmóinn will go with the West group. Frægr will go with the East group. Gustr will go with the North Group. And Darri will go with the South group. Hugstari, Bafurr, and Alius will remain to protect your ship.," spoke the king.

"You two can go with the North Group. The groups led by Oimu and Kashii can go with the Western group. The groups led by Harjudin and Stansen can go with the Eastern Group. And Goldberg and Gerd can go with the South group.," spoke the Dwarf king.

"Our bad blood is in our generation. Let's try to inspire the next to be better.," spoke Durinn.

Suddenly, Usopp's stomach rumbled much to his embarrassment.

Durinn chuckled, "Looks like we have a brave one here, but even bravery needs sustenance. You've taken in cursed foods that we had to remove the curse of. You need untainted food for the journey ahead...as well as filing your stomachs now."

A Short While Later...

The group was now at a banquet hall covered in dwarven faces, ancient runes, and depictions of olden events. The walls were lined with weapons and armor, each telling a silent story of battles fought and won. The smell of roasting meats and freshly baked bread filled the air, making even the bravest stomachs growl in anticipation. Durinn led them to a long table laden with a feast that could satisfy an army. The dwarfs had prepared a variety of dishes, each more mouthwatering than the last.

"Luffy would've eaten everything before we'd have a chance...," Usopp spoke as he and Nami envisioned to their horror- an imagined spot of Luffy swallowing everything in an instant with the Dwarfs looking in astonishment.

"We need to take advantage of this rare opportunity. Sorry, Luffy.," spoke Chopper as he began to eat.

The dwarfs drank booze, made merry, sang ancient tales, and overall had a sense of happiness that was infectious. Despite the looming threat, the Straw Hats couldn't help but get drawn into the festive spirit. They laughed, feasted, and enjoyed the warmth of camaraderie with their newfound allies.

Shoujo did notice that most Dwarfs felt uneasy with their Giant company.

"I heard that John is a very prominent Vice Admiral as is Lonz, Lacroix, and several others...," said one of the Dwarfs within Harjudin's earshot.

"What does it matter? It's their choice.," spoke Stansten.

"You know Mother Caramel was involved in getting that spot...in nefarious dealings-," spoke another before Aluis glared at them.

"Once THAT is removed, they can make up their own minds about her.," he said as he went off. Harjudin and the others were very confused about the implications of the savior of the Giants 100 years maybe not being the ideal figure they imagined.

"So you're a skeleton? H-how does that work?," asked Vivi to Brook.

"I can essentially do everything normally...except all I'm all bones. Yohohohoho.," Brook replied.

"So you ate the Revive-Revive Fruit? You have another shot at life.," spoke Vivi with curiosity.

"Yeah, I have a promise to meet a friend who's hanging around the Red Line...," spoke the skeleton with the afro.

"They must be very careful-," Vivi spoke, being reminded of how the World Government is corrupt and controlling.

"They're a whale. And he's called Laboon. It's been around 50 years since we met. He's probably full grown by now.," spoke Brook.

Vivi remembered how she and her former partner, Mr. 9 attempted to kill a whale for meat and retroactively felt intensely guilty knowing he had a friend longing to reunite with him. She couldn't imagine someone killing her friend- the duck, Karoo.

"S-sorry.," Vivi apologized much to Brook's confusion.

Robin then went to Vivi and bowed saying, "I apologize as well...I was in a very dark place when I joined Baroque Works. Luffy and the others helped me out of that place. But I'm still apologizing."

Vivi looked up at Robin, her eyes filled with understanding. "It's alright, Robin. We all have our pasts, and it's how we choose to face them that truly defines us," she said, her voice calm yet firm.

Nami then hugged Vivi, with a plastered look on her face as Robin chuckled.

"Vi (hic) Viivi...is the best...ain't she? A real saint! If I were a guy! I'd sweep her off her feet!," Nami spoke.

"Gustotototototototototo. She's managed to drink a lot for a person, but Dwarf sake- especially the Bink's Sake brand is really strong stuff," spoke Gustr as he walked by with two Dwarf women in both arms.

"Sanji would be so jealous right now.," spoke Chopper before taking a sip.

"Zoro would be drinkin' the whole cellar! Heck! Kaido might drink the whole city to the last sip!," spoke the reindeer as he became intoxicated.

"Super!," Franky spoke as he did his iconic pose as the Dwarfs laughed.

Vega 40 seemed seriously annoyed...till she did a disco pose much to the shock of the others.

"Yeah, 39 was always so corny.," remarked Lillith.

Bonney who turned into her adult self did the Nika dance pose while forcing Shoujo to tag along.

Carrot felt dizzy as she stumbled from the drinking

Usopp then took a large sip as he said,

"I am Usopp! I can take down a giant black ape and can turn into a lizard man! Lizard-Lizard!," he sang as he elongated his tongue for a gag.

Some of the Dwarfs glanced at a certain figure near one of their carvings- next to Nika, a lizard humanoid with an elongated tongue.

They shook their heads, seeing it as a coincidence. Durinn however, noted a similarity.

Colon sat with Gaban and noticed a tribute of axes in a section of the hall.

"What're those?," asked the boy.

"Oh, they're dedicated to some guys I knew. One I was a pal with and the other I had mixed feelings on.," Gaban spoke.

A Dwarf noticed that they were looking at the ax carvings and pointed down to the names-

"Millet Pine" and "Silver Ax".

"They went on their own path on separate pirate crews. I'm envious of them. They were able to go out to the sun before they got affected like us.," he spoke.

Colon felt a bit saddened as he looked at the ax. Especially as Gaban seemed sentimental while looking at the "Pine" ax with more than just nostalgia.

Hugstari was surveying the hall, attempting to spot something, having a very stern expression despite being a clown.

He then saw a green light flash in the room as he immediately grabbed something small.

"H-hey Mister. Whatcha doin' to me? Don't expect to get a fight! What is this place?," asked a familiar voice.

Usopp rushed to see that it was Leo, Mansherry, and Rebecca who appeared in the room much to the bewilderment of everyone outside of the Dwarfs.

Elbaf

Outside of the tree island, suddenly a massive island shaped like a sword appeared as if it was always there and there were hints that it involved something supernatural to make it happen.

Buzzing sounds were heard as a hoard of winged humanoids flew in the sky with ships following suit.

Next Chapter: Fair Folk

Author Notes: Usopp makes further steps in becoming more confident this chapter and Vivi may have a deeper connection to Umi than previously thought.

Each of the Dwarf Knights are based on wrestlers- some are more obvious than others.

Just as things get more festive, more trouble brews and this time, it's outside the island, but one very connected to Elbaf's history.