Hello again, my fellow readers. You may be slightly confused by the title of this chapter. But let me explain.
First. The real next chapter is going pretty smoothly. So please wait a bit more. Second. The reason for this chapter is that I need your help.
For what exactly? Well... Some of you may remember that I was planning on creating backstories for the girls (Touhou Characters). And so I planned everything from the very start.
I don't know when Marisa's flashback will show up but Reimu's is coming soon. The problem is. Some of the girls have little to no canon background about their pasts. And I found out that the girl who ended up being a pebble on my shoes was Alice herself.
I don't know what to tell about her at all. The two girls mentioned before had slight hints of their past, but from what I can tell Alice doesn't have any.
And that's this chapter's main purpose. If you actually care about helping me. Please comment below or PM your ideas for how Alice's backstory should play out. It doesn't have to be sad or anything. Just comment them either here or by PM and I idea you think would work.
Okay. That's all for now. Please I beg you! Comment your ideas below or PM me if you have any. Spit it out!
...
Okay, sorry. This is something that's been frustrating me for the last few weeks. You guys are my saviors at the moment.
Anyway, see ya!
???.
The group was seen running behind Gaimon in the thicket. They pass by some strange animals. It takes a little longer after a lot of running, after seeing Gaimon stop on the path looking forward the group also stops.
"We're here..." Gaimon said. his tone devoid of any emotion this time.
"Here?" Luffy asked.
Gaimon pointed ahead.
As if the wind had blown them, a gust of air blew by, bringing with it a faint scent of flowers. There, standing next to a large tree, stood Lucyia.
She was tired and with that. lying against the tree. The goat's movements were vain and slow.
"BEEEEEEEEEH...!" The goat moaned in pain again. This time it sounded weaker than before.
"The poison is making effect." Alice observed.
"I'm surprised it managed to survive for so long." Youmu commented.
"No...!"
Gaimon walked closer to the tree.
"Lucyia?" He called.
Lucyia raised her head towards Gaimon. Her face was covered in tears.
"Beeeeh...!"
Gaimon knelt down to Lucyia's level and placed a hand on the goat's forehead.
"This isn't possible..." He stated.
The rest of the group walked over to see. The goat getting weaker as the seconds passed.
"I'm sorry for not being there for you my friend...I'm sorry for not treating you... I had no idea..." Gaimon said calmly.
Everyone watched silently as they heard the sadness in Gaimon's voice. And tears were coming out of his eyes.
His hand was still touching Lucyia's head gently.
"Beeeh..."
Until Suddenly the goat fell down.
"Lucyia!" Gaimon rushed toward her, kneeling down.
"Its reaching its final stage. She's going to die!" Nami noticed.
"NO!!" Sanae gasped.
"Not if i can't do anything about it, ze!" Marisa smirked before running off in a random direction very quickly.
...
...
...
She then returns with a potion in hand. "This should do the trick!" The magician said again.
Some of marisa's closest friends lowered their expectations and eyebrows down.
"I suppose its better than sitting still." Alice sighed.
"Huh? a medicine?" Nami blinked.
"Since when does she do these things?" Usopp asks.
"You plan on ending her suffering at once?" Reimu asked, getting glared by Marisa.
"Hey! for your information I've been improvin' a lot, ze!" Marisa defended herself. "The medicine is guaranteed to cure every single disease on earth!"
"Huh?" Gaimon blinked.
"I very much doubt that." Reimu said.
"I even got 'borrowed' Eirin's recipe." Marisa pulled out the potion recipe.
Reimu knew very well what borrowing coming from Marisa ment. "Go on." Reimu says.
Marisa then began to approach the dying goat. She pulls out a cup and pours a bit of the medicine on it. she then places the cup on the ground near Lucyia.
"There ya go!" Marisa backed away.
After looking at the strange liquid. Lucyia begin's to slowly lick the medicine.
The group finds themselves watching the scene.
A smile started appearing on Lucyia's lips as she drank the whole cup. As she drank, the poison started to disappear from her body rapidly. After finishing the cup, Lucyia starts breathing normally again.
(Yes, i know that's not how medicine works but it would take seven years for this thing to make effect so let's speed up the process.)
Alice and Reimu's eyes widen in surprise as they saw the goat slowly rise from the ground.
"BEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!!"
"Lucyia..!" Gaimon cried out. Tears started flowing down his cheeks as a relieved smile formed on his face.
Lucyia walked towards Gaimon, placing one of her hooves onto his head and nuzzling it into Gaimon's.
"It...actually worked...?" Alice said in disbelief. While a smug looking Marisa was seen with her arms on her hips.
The others look stunned at first then started laughing happily. Nami smiles.
Gaimoj continues to cry before looking at Marisa with respect. "Thank you! Thank you very much! You are a very kind girl!"
Marisa simply grinned in response.
Later...
The group was now seated around Gaimon and a sleeping Lucyia.
"So this thing was the first animal that spoke to you here?" Usopp asked Gaimon.
"That's right. After everything that had happened, I was really depressed. I felt lonely for the first time in my life, and it was horrible. A feeling I'll never forget. I was even thinking about throwing myself into the ocean. goat came and licked me. Her Appearance for more than strange comforted me. I had realized that I was not alone. I named her Lucyia, a small tribute to my mother. Lucyia was the first and only of these animals with a name. It didn't take that long for me to find out from the other animals.. As all of them are equally important to me, I only named Lucyia just because she was the first animal to tell me i wasn't alone anymore." Gaimon told.
'He was...going to end his own life...?' Youmu thought.
"That's so warming to hear!" Sanae purred.
The group listened carefully.
"She seems to be really strong..." Zoro commented. "To tank all that poison on her body while we talked."
"Indeed. She's one of my most precious treasures. along with those chests and the other animals.
"You were very brave!" Luffy said sitting next to the goat.
"I'm still curious how Marisa's medicine worked." Alice said.
"Hey, since when are you a doctor?" Usopp asked with a sarcastic tone.
"Sometimes you just have to believe, ze!" Marisa replied. "But I'll admit, finding the ingredients for that medicine was a hell of a lot of work!"
"That reminds me. What did you want with a poisoned mushroom?" Nami asked.
"To use as ingredients. She makes various potions of questionable quality and sells them along with some old stuff. She's been doing this so long that she's gained complete immunity to poison." Alice explained. Nami gasping at her final lines.
"S-Really!? Is there really such a thing? How does it even work..." Nami wondered in surprise.
Alice simply shrugles. "Even I don't know."
'These people aren't normal at all...' Nami thought.
Gaimon then approaches the witch in black and white.
"I wanted to say thank you again. Thank you very much, young lady!" Gaimon said.
"Hehe, no need, Animal lover. I'm just walking around, ze!" Marisa said.
"After all. I'm always willing to lend a hand! If you need a new animal to test that potion, then i'll gladly accept, ze!"
"Thank you very much indeed." Gaimon nodded before returning his gaze back to the sleeping Lucyia.
"Well then, shall we get going?" Alice stood up.
"Yes!"
A few minutes later.
After the small setback. The group along with the animals including Lucyia head directly to the location of Gaimon's treasure.
First they were riding on a large cow with the shell of a turtle. Later, after reaching their destination they begin to fail down.
The group looks up to see a giant rock pillar where the treasure was supposedly isolated in.
"Here?" Luffy asks.
"Yes. I haven't been here in a while now." Gaimon confirmed.
"What a big rock." Said Sanae.
"I'm surprised you managed to climb that before falling into the chest." Youmu observed. "Something this tall would require a human's entire stamina."
"So is it only flying to it itself that we get there?" Reimu asked.
"The time has finally come! This is going to be a great day! I'm counting on you Straw Hat!" Said Gaimon.
"I was comin' along, but i decided to let ya do it, Luffy." Marisa stretched.
"On it, GOMU GOMU NO..." Luffy begins to spin his arms behind him. "ROCKET!!" he stretches it all the way up, grabbing the rock's ledge. Gaimon has a look of shock at how far the arm went.
"He did it." Usopp said without any change in tone. Since he already knew it was going to work.
"Now, we play the waiting game." Reimu commented.
No one else could see where Luffy was in himself. The stone was very big. The group just waits for answers.
...
...
...
"Are you sure its up there?" Usopp asks.
"Mister Luffy?" Sanae asked.
...
...
"S-So, i-is it there!?" Gaimon asked excitedly.
...
...
...
2 minutes passed. Alice was playing checkers with Youmu.
"Why is he taking he's sweet time there? I bet, There's almost not even much up." Reimu said.
"What's he doing?" Zoro asked.
"Mister Luffy!! Mister Luffy!!" Sanae called.
"What the heck is going on, Luffy!?" Nami called too.
...
...
The group patiently waited for an answer. but nothing came.
"Hmmm. Something isn't right.." Youmu said.
"Maybe he is having problems trying to open the trunk." Sanae theorized.
"If he was, we would be hearing loud groans from him." Reimu reminded.
"Looks like i'm gonna have to see it myself, ze!" Marisa chirped hugging the wall and beginning to climb up.
"Can't she just fly up there?" Zoro asked.
"Yes, she can. She's just trying to show off." Reimu replied.
"Of course, she is." Nami said with a frown.
A few seconds later, the witch was already on the rock's ledge.
"Well, what's holding him up?" Usopp questioned.
"I'd rather ask the same question." Alice said.
Marisa then fully climbed the rock. She saw Luffy carrying 6 treasure boxes in his hand.
"Here!" He shouted as he moved closer to the ledge, where the group could see. "I found it! there are six chests!"
"He took that long to grab 6 treasure boxes?" Reimu said trying to find meaning.
"Well, what does it matter and it's over!" Youmu said.
"W-Well done." Gaimon laughed. "I finally have it! The treasure is mine! And mine!" Gaimon shook brightly.
"Go ahead, throw chests over here. Throw! Throw!" Gaimon continued.
Marisa who was now near Luffy saw that some of the chests were open. She then saw that...
"No!" Luffy smiled and said.
"What!?" Gaimon gasped.
"I don't want to put it down there." Luffy kept smiling. Marisa had seen what was in the chests and had a little inkling of what Luffy's actions meant. But not the group below. They were pretty confused.
"What are you talking about?!" Usopp asked.
"Mister Luffy? What do you mean by that?" Sanae asks. "This treasure belongs to Mister Gaimon."
"Stop talking nonsense and come over here!" Nami demanded.
But Luffy didn't say a word.
"And why are you standing still?! Do something!" Nami said when she saw Marisa quiet too.
"No can do!" Marisa grinned. This confused the group even more.
"You too!? Quit clownin' around, you two! This is not the time for this!"
Zoro saw Luffy quietly on top of the rock. Something then popped on his head. "Hmmm?"
Youmu simply watched quietly.
"It's alright." Gaimon said quietly. "Nothing matters now."
"BEEEEH!!"
"Of course it matters!" Nami said. "You've guarded this treasure for 20-" Before she could finish. Youmu touched Nami's elbow.
"I got it." She said.
"Hmmm?" Sanae turned.
"Huh? Got what?" Nami asked.
"I got it too." Alice approached. Reimu didn't say anything, but it was apparent that she understood as well.
'Luffy you are a great man...' Alice thought.
"What's up with you guys?" Usopp asked a little scared.
"Straw Hat. You..." Gaimon looks up with tears in his eyes. "Have a heart of gold!"
"What!?"
"Huh!?" Nami and Usopp gasped.
Lucyia came to lick the animal lover's tears. "I already had a little inkling that this you true. But I never stopped to think about it... They're all empty, aren't they?"
"That's right. there's only wind inside."
"Does that mean..." Sanae is saddened. "All the work you had to protect this treasure was... for nothing?"
Gaimon is seen crying further as Lucyia begin's to lick his face, not really understanding the situation but saddened by his mood.
"That's terrible..." Nami said sadly.
"It's a good thing we came here." Alice said.
"Happens every time with treasures and treasure maps." Gaimon explains while crying. "When you go looking there is a 50% chance that someone has already stolen it. And an example of how much of an ordeal treasure hunting and pirates are. You live playing or die without even seeing a single treasure
"I can very much relate to that. Look, its not like it was your fault or anything. I don't know how rare treasures are in this place, but I imagine it's not as common as tripping over rocks. So i can't really say whether it was to be expected or not. My shrine's offers for example has always been rather poorly." Reimu opined.
"He he, That I know very well, ze!" Marisa said.
Luffy suddenly began to laugh. "Don't worry, old guy! You've only been protecting this for 20 years. You're lucky we came here! If I didn't, I would have stayed here for another 30 years until you die!"
"Straw hat..." Gaimon cried.
"Behhh!" Lucyia yelled.
"You've made this much of a fool to yourself. The only thing left now is One Piece! Come be a pirate again with us!"
"Huh?" Youmu was taken back by the straw hat's request.
"You're...inviting me...!?" Gaimon cried futher. Lucyia came to lick his tears non-chalantly. "No one had ever tried to talk to me before after seeing me like this! How long has it been since I trusted anyone other than an animal!"
"Thank you..."
The group watched as The Animal Lover became emotional. Usopp was even crying.
"Well, that was sudden." Reimu said.
"Indeed." Alice agreed.
A few hours later.
The Straw Hats decide to stay a few more hours on the island. Several things happened. They created their first golly roger from the ship. Lucyia ended up biting Marisa's ear, who retorted with a broom to the head. Gaimon had also said that he couldn't come with the pack because he had to protect the island's animals.
Several hours passed. And at sunset, the Straw Hats and the girls were about to set sail.
"Are you sure you want to stay here on this island, old guy?" Luffy asked the animal lover.
"That's right. Straw Hat, there might not even be any treasure here but there's still something I have to protect." Gaimon said as Lucyia and the other animals approached. "I've had sad and happy moments with Lucyia and these little guys for 20 years. I can't leave them here." After that the animals start to laber him. Gaimon laughs very happily.
"BEEEEEH!!"
"I got it. It's hard to get unused to a place you've lived for 20 years." Youmu said.
"I got no problem with that, ze. But you gotta take responsibility ya know?" Marisa ducked. "Ah! I forgot to ask this when I healed you." She extended her hand in front of Lucyia. A smile plastered on Marisa's face. "Are we even now, or not?"
The goat blinked twice and didn't quite understand what she was doing. even so the hybrid extended her hoove toward the blond magician.
"So that means yes, huh? That makes sense." Marisa grinned.
"Never dreamed I would see the day Marisa handshaked a Goat." Reimu commented.
"The things that happen in this place are something else." Alice said blankly.
"After I found out that there was nothing in the treasure, I felt free. I even think I can live a normal life here now. I even started to like being in that box!" Gaimon continued.
"Well, that's too bad. You're a neat guy, old guy!" Luffy said.
"I hope it stays well for many more years, Mister Gaimon." Sanae smiled.
"So these weird animals are your true friends..." Zoro grinned.
"Yeah. The biggest head and the rarest of them all!" Luffy commented bluntly.
"I can see that." Reimu agreed.
"YOU TWO ARE HEADPIED NOT ME!!" Gaimon snapped. a few seconds then everyone in the group (except Alice, Youmu and Reimu) started to laugh out loud. As if they were having fun.
Later...
The group was already setting sail. The time for goodbye has arrived.
"bye!! Take care!" Luffy waved.
"Take very good care of them, da ze!!" Marisa yelled. "Especially, the mushroom-eating goat!!"
"Goodbye!" Nami waved.
Gaimon along with the animals also waved back.
Straw hat, strive for your dream for me. You too girls." Gaimon said calmly as tears enveloped in his eyes. "If anyone is going to find the legendary One Piece. It has to be you."
"BEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!!!" Lucyia screamed as if she was saying goodbye.
"You can leave it with us!!" Sanae assured.
"Go ahead... BUY THE WORLD!!!" Gaimon yelled as the ship headed into the sunset.
???
somewhere. We can see some kind of sea restaurant. The place was shaped like a fish. And above it had a message written 'Baratie'. With that, far away from the place was a large scarlet colored ship. Maid fairies could be seen cleaning the ship. nothing else from those who inhabited it. In addition to a shadow that was seen sitting on a throne in the middle of the path.
Meanwhile...
The Straw Hats were having a normal morning today as usual. Luffy and Usopp were practicing target shooting with the ship's Cannon. Youmu was training alone. Zoro was sleeping (as usual) Marisa was inside the ship making potions. Nami was relaxing outside while watching the others. Alice stood well away from the group and looked at the water with shanghail. Reimu was bored, so I watched the others. And Sanae was taking care of the chores inside the ship.
Usopp accidentally hit a rock. Luffy was quite impressed, and Usopp played along and said it was on purpose. Marisa obviously knew it was a lie. Luffy then quickly decided that Usopp would be the sniper, but before anything happened a loud sound was heard. And it wasn't the cannons.
"Come out, you damn pirates!" Yelled someone.
"hmmm... that voice." Zoro remenbers.
Luffy and Reimu automatically went to the other side of the ship.
"huh? who are you?" Luffy asked.
"Someone broke into the ship and we didn't know about it?" Reimu asked. "Well, I'm glad something's up."
"You wannabe nameless pirates are trying to kill my partner!?" the figure in front of them was a man in dark glasses with a sword. He had a face tattoo with the kanji 'sea'.
TO BE CONTINUED.
And there it is. That's the Animal ep wrapped up. Now we finally move on to Baratie.
I'm pretty excited. I have a lot of fun ideas throw for you guys and gals.
Nothing much for me to comment here. I just hope you enjoyed and please comment below. If you have any questions please PM when you feel the need to.
All right. See ya!