Chapter 11
Gathering Point
Maxwell looked around the red-light district, in disguise!
…Or at least he considered it was a disguise, in terms of clothing.
Maxwell was wearing the undershirt he had under his manfu robe. His prosthetic arm was exposed, but Max used it to carry the sack of all his possessions over his shoulder. He, Bearking, Honeyqueen, and Akisu may have brought Borodo to a hospital, but that didn't mean they didn't pilfer a few things before he left. The sack was one of them.
He needed something to carry his belongings while keeping them hidden. However, other elements Maxwell stole contributed to his new disguise.
His arms were now wrapped in bandages, and a bandaid had been placed over his nose. The socks he was wearing were now over the pants, folding them up. With his lithe muscles exposed, all of it made him look like some scrappy street fighter rather than a wizard. So long as he didn't walk upright—that was part of the disguise!
The red-district was noticeably different in the daylight. Most of the neon lights were turned off, and all the previous blacks and blues, were now granite, limestone, and grey. It looked like every other street Maxwell had seen in this city, if not a little more littered.
Maxwell approached the Second Dock Lounge and saw it was still being guarded. Four marines, stationed at each street corner around the building. A token force, really. To show that the marines have been here.
Saga and Schneider wouldn't have stayed around, in that case. He was going to have to return to the Merveille if he was going to find his companions.
Just as Maxwell was about to turn away though, Maxwell heard a door open. There, he saw Carina exit the club, along with a red-headed woman and the announcer from last night!
…It was a long shot, but Carina did prove herself an ally last night by stirring up that ruckus. Perhaps she knew what happened after he left?
He hid beside a stairwell, near the street corner, and waited to see what would happen if they passed the marine… Clearly he wasn't too interested in stopping them, even if his eyes wandered after the two beautiful women.
Maxwell took this chance to walk after them. His rucksack wasn't too large to be suspicious. Max passed by the marine and he barely even acknowledged the mage.
Carina and her group turned a corner and Maxwell hurried to catch up. They seemed to be having a conversation.
"Well, sad to say but last night was a bust, girls." The man sighed, "Any further investment into this island may as well be a sham, if the marines keep busting into places."
"Hmm, a shame," the red-head spoke with indifference. "The food around here really is top-notch."
"I know! Did you try the gelato down on—"
"Miss Carina!" Taking a chance, Maxwell jogged up to the group and called out Carina's name. "Miss Carina!" He acted winded. Maxwell was definitely swallowing his pride doing this but there were others around, and he wasn't sure how they would react to his real identity.
"Oh—!" "You have some business here, scrawny?"
Her escort, moved in front of the girls, throwing Maxwell off. He wasn't expecting the announcer to be so large! Maxwell could see the muscles under that pink suit.
"Oh, relax, Gild!" Carina patted his arm. "Manuel's just a fan. One who I was very excited to perform for, last night!" Carina winked at the mage, using the fake name he gave her. He almost forgot about that!
"Y-Yes!" Maxwell spoke up, "It was absolutely awful how all those marines ruined your performance last night! And then the fight!? Pah!"
"Hm…" Gild Teroso looked down sceptly at the handicapped man. "That doesn't just mean you can just waltz up to her though, one-arm."
"Sorry, sorry!" Maxwell apologized lowering his sack. "It's just…" Maxwell took out his grimoire, "I'm just such a huge fan of music, especially female performers! I normally try to get an autograph of each singer I like, and Carina's voice was absolutely stunning!" Maxwell flipped through the book, showing off the illusory script of names Salem made up on each sheet. "I know you're from out of town, but please may I have an autograph!?"
"My, my, such an earnest fellow," Baccarat purred.
"Hey, Baccarat No stealing fans!" Carina turned back to her friend, "You at least got to perform last night!"
Gild takes the book, and goes over the pages, seeming more and more intrigued, "…Carina, was there something about this gentleman that intrigued you last night?"
"Oh, he came with a bunch of his buddies but they all left chasing after skirts in the club! He was a true gentleman though! So hard working even without the hand. I just had to make sure the performance went well!" Carina laid it on thick, lying his lie through the skin of her teeth. "But then those marines—Hmph!"
"Yeah, they really made a mess of things…" Gild Teroso rubbed the back of his neck. Then the man sighed, "Did he at least give you a good tip?"
"Actually," Maxwell reached into his bag and brought out a wad of cash, "I was prepared to pay for an autograph after the show, but…" Teroso raised his eyebrows, amazed this beanstalk was able to keep ahold of that.
"…Alright, alright, do the damn autograph!" Gild raised his arms, and turned away, no longer interested, but he did snap his fingers, "Just make it quick."
"'Course, Gild," Carina smiled at her employer. She took the pen offered to her by Maxwell and whispered, "What are you doing here!?"
"I need to find out what happened after the marines, last night," Maxwell whispered back, "I wasn't able to finish my mission but I found out other things. You're the first person I saw who might know!" Max lent her his book, keeping up the rouse.
"Chose an awful time to do it," Carina mumbled. "You're last name was Manuel right?"
"Yep. Manuel Hawke, thanks again for doing this!"
Carina looked down into the grimoire as she wrote the autograph, "…Your friend, Saga, was arrested last night. Injured some kid before he surrendered. Not sure about any Schneider guy, though."
"Really!? …Dammit!" Maxwell silently cursed Saga for staying. It had to have been because of that fight! "But at least I know where to go. Thank you!"
"You're very welcome~!" Carina cheered. "Can I get a tip?" Carina held out her hand, clearly indicating that the information, nor the autograph was free.
"Of course! Of course." Maxwell flipped through the beli bills and slapped a few into her hand. She took the money… but then gestured for more. He slapped few more bills, but Carina gestured again!
Maxwell blinked for a moment. He almost thought he saw Nami's smile on her face as she gestured for more money.
Finally he just handed over the clip. "Thank you! I hope I can preform for you again! Be sure support me! Check the autograph too, before you go! Tootles!" Then Carina skipped after her boss and coworker, leaving Maxwell on the sidewalk.
He still had a few questions for her. Why did she help him? How did she recognize him? Where did she come from? But, he supposed there was no use in asking that now. Maxwell still had to find an old man and his dog, and stop a ritual from taking place.
…Still, idly he looked at the autograph she wrote down.
"HA!" Maxwell barked out a laugh, "Well that explains the price! Hahaha!" There was about 20,000 beli in that clip.
From a friend of a friend, take care of Nami. Don't hold out,
—CARINA~!*
…Maybe he wasn't as alone as he thought.
That just made it all the more important to him to rescue Saga! "Alright Schneider," he snapped his book closed, "you better be at the inn…!"
O O O
"Then, finally, I want you to be my representative at the upcoming Reverie. To announce my intentions to the world!"
"I see…" King Cello had to restrain himself from chewing his lip! Years of politics had taught him to always wear a mask. To face adversity with dignity… But he could already feel the vein pulsing beneath his top-hat!
Rachet, or rather, Dr. Rachet as he seemed to fancy himself nowadays, was acting like an utter blowhard! He sat there, across the table, wearing little more than a set overalls and a scarf and dared make demands of him!? Had his mother taught him nothing!? Schneider he could at least understand. That man was virtually an outcast without a way home, and marked as a pirate.
But that just made Rachet's arrival all the more suspicious…
Cello looked over the first page of the document again. Oh, he was VERY well aware of Rachet's threat. Forcing the Shimagame to move and cause tsunami sized waves was a death sentence to most islands. Cello counted his blessings that Rachet hadn't simply drowned out Maruchi and raided his kingdom! Rachet was smart enough to recognize the value of their agricultural economy.
But the boy was a madman if he thought he could continue this way indefinitely! Cello had seen the might of the World Government! The prowess of the Navy! If Rachet continued on his crusade, he would be endangering both himself and the lives of his citizens! …And that was not a thought he wanted to entertain. Especially if Admiral Akainu became involved.
"Should I give you time to review my ultimatum? I'm aware that such decisions should be considered judiciously, before putting into action." Rachet, with his yellow tinted glasses, rested his chin upon his knuckles, smirking at the elder monarch.
King Cello placed the leaf of paper onto the pamphlet. "That would be most gracious, Doctor Rachet. You will have my answer on the morrow. If there was anything else…?"
"No. That should be good for today." Rachet dusted off his shoulder strap and stood up out of his chair. "King Cello, I wish you a pleasant day, and look forward to our continued cooperation."
"Yes, indeed…" Cello picked up his bell and rung it to signal the servants outside. He watched as the doors opened and Rachet and his bodyguard exit his office.
Cal, his hunchbacked butler, stood in the doorway as the dignitaries left, "Shall I send for the kitchens, sire? For your midday meal."
Kello Cello shook his head, "No. No thank you, Cal. I shall take my luncheon later. Please summon the next petitioner, I wish to get these over with."
The half-bald hunchback bowed, "As you command, your majesty," then left, closing the doors behind him.
Cello removed his hat and monocle, took a deep breath, and then— "AAARGH!" He placed the palms of his hands onto his eye sockets, head tilting back, as he breathed and organized his thoughts.
The amount of pressure he was feeling was starting to feel immeasurable! The amount of problems and threats were piling up before his desk and Cello didn't have a good solutions to counteract them!
Firstly, the issue of his age. Cello had been ruling this nation for almost 40 years now. He liked to think his reign had been prosperous despite the radical times. Cello would have liked nothing more than to retire to his family estate on the eastern side of Kisiri. Let the next generation rule the archipelago while he sat by the fire! He always liked the snow, and he promised himself that he would finally take up that hobby of candle making when he finally abdicated.
However, that brought up issue number two. His need for an heir…
Cello had desperately wanted Solona to take up the crown and rule as duchess-regent. His lack of virility had always been a sticking point with the nobles, he couldn't produce an heir. So when his brother had Solona, Cello had been both jealous and adored the child. He still remembered that little girl riding on her rocking horse as she held her rattle high, like a lady knight!
However, her niece had been avoiding court and palace for years. Ever since her parents died… Cello suspected it had to do something with the death of her parents, but he could get no answers!
They had been killed in an explosion. That was the official story. Solona was blamed, and neither she or anyone else has confirmed otherwise! However, he also made his own secret inquiries. No report or an line of investigation by his agents has indicated any gunpowder, explosives, or Devil Fruit users being near the mansion at that time!
So, he ignored all the gain-sayers—the demands and whispers to name someone else as heir to the throne. Cello had been adamant about it! Yet, now Solona suddenly wanted the crown and have him dead!? Cello didn't know what to think! He even sent an goddamned pirate to go searching for her, and find that little cult she was associating with!
The Children of Nightmare… Cello rubbed his eyes again. He normally wasn't one for religion. Faith required you to believe in the impossible, yet never see it. And he had seen the impossible… and many things in the Grand Line achieved that level of incredibility. Cello didn't know if powers from above, bellow, or beyond were watching over them. But if their so-called god was real, he shuddered at the thought.
…Then, there was the Government Mandate. Less than a week before "Fire Fist," Ace's execution. Cello wasn't even sure why the Navy was even making such a big show of it! Reports indicate that he was a Division Commander for Whitebeard, but that didn't justify a global display for the death of one pirate! Then there was Whitebeard himself to consider… That execution was going to turn into a spectacle, if he lived long enough to see it!
Rachet's ultimatum only served to compound the migraine he was having…
He was going to need a plan. Prioritize his goals, and plot back ups, if his own machinations failed. That may even have to include reviewing his own will…
There was a knock on the door, snapping him out of his thoughts. Cello then put his hat and monocle back on and called, "Come in."
O O O
Maxwell burst into the tavern, "Ever! Have you seen—?" The mage called out to the hostess, but was interrupted by a wrinkly missile jumping into his stomach!
*BAOW-WAOW!* It was Buzz, knocking him onto his ass. Then the mutt proceeded to lick his face!
"Buzz—! Pfft! Off! Buzz, off!" Maxwell shielded his face from the doggy kisses Buzz was inflicting on him. However, the mage wasn't mad. He pet the dog, "Ah, it's great to see you! Thank the Maker," making sure to scratch the base of his long ears. "Buzz, is Schneider—?"
"Max! You're alive!" Schneider shot up from a table and stalked towards the mage, seeing where Buzz had went.
"Schneider!" Maxwell got up and gave the old sailor a hug, "Thank goodness you're alright!"
"I should be telling you that, laddie!" Schneider thumped him on the back, returning the embrace. "I saw the marines investigating that gruesome sight on Colona Ave. So much blood, I almost feared the worst!"
"Well," Maxwell chuckled nervously as they ended the hug, "only some of that was mine." Then his voice returned to all seriousness, "But I heard about what happened to Saga. Schneider do you have any idea how to—"
"Ah! Is this your friend, Schneider?" An elderly voice piped up from behind Schneider. From the table Schneider had sat at, Roba stood in fresh clothes, her long hair flattened from a recent shower and brushing.
Schneider gaze softened upon turning to her, surprising Maxwell. He hadn't expected that sort of expression on the salty pirate.
"Roba, I'd like you to meet Maxwell Trevelyan. The man who saved my life!"
"Uh, pleasure to meet you, Miss—OOF!" Maxwell felt something collide with his midsection again, only this one kept him upright.
"THANK YOU~!" The old lady sobbed into his shirt. "THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY HUSBANDS LIFE~! *WHOA!*" She barely came up to his waist, but her arms were like steel cables the way she held onto Maxwell.
"Woahwoahwoahwoah—what!? Husband!?" Maxwell looked between Roba and Schneider, "Schneider? Explain, please!" Maxwell strained as he tried to gently pry the old lady from around his waist.
He also caught sight of the little girl sitting at the table. The same one Schneider and Roba had been sitting at. Her hair was short, for a girl, wearing a sunny orange dress that didn't match her personality. She was looking at Maxwell suspiciously, with a dower, wary, frown.
"Er… Yeah, I guess I do have to explain, don't I?" Schneider scratched the back of his neck, looking between the two women. Adelle had certainly warmed up to Buzz, but she was a long ways from trusting him.
He cleared his throat, "Roba, honey…" Schneider put his hands on his wife's shoulders.
"Hm…!" Roba sniffed as she came out of her blubbering, pulling out a handkerchief, "Forgive me… I lost my composure and embarrassed you…"
"Uh… No, no, honestly ma'am it was no problem." Maxwell tried to placate her, not use to comforting older women. "…And what's your name?" he asked the red-head.
"None of your business!" Adelle harrumphed and turned in her seat. However, she was quickly distracted by Buzz who came up to her for scratches.
"So…" Schneider sat down while the others joined him at the table. "I guess I should start with my full name. Max, my full name is Schneider Nathaniel Karakuri. And until 20 years ago, I was the lord of Shimagame Island… Now apparently known as Mecha Island."
"Wait, you were a king?" Maxwell squinted trying to look over Schneider's clothes again.
"King, Chief, Leader, whatever you want to call it," Schneider waved it off. "I left my island trying to solve a food crisis. Crops were failing, fruit was scarce, and the schools of fish that usually passed our island were nowhere to be found. Shi—I mean Mecha Island, is isolated. It doesn't correspond with any common log-pose. We actually have a specialized compass called the Turtle-Pose, and that's the only reliable way to f d our home."
"Turtle-pose?" Maxwell question the apparent king.
"He means this, dear." Roba took out a small case from her pocket and opened it, showing it to Maxwell. Under a glass lens, there was a small thumbnail sized turtle swimming in the locket. When he shifted the compass to point elsewhere, the little turtle swam trying to keep the same direction, like a compass needle.
"Interesting," Maxwell gave the compass back. "But wait, Schneider… If your crew disbanded, why didn't you just go home to your wife?" Schneider and Roba both look at each other, each having grim expressions.
"I…" Schneider sighed. The words seemed to choke in his mouth. "…Four 3 months we sailed the Grand Line, trying to find an island. The only navigation we had, was measuring the time we sailed to the position of our turtle-pose, Shimagame. We were prepared for the weather, but the famine had limited our supplies and we were risking death by starvation…"
"Then we found this place," Schneider looked up, reminiscing as he looked around the inn. "An agricultural archipelago full of food and cuisine… We were lucky to have found it. We met with farmers, tradesmen, and even met King Cello—we really hit it off!"
Schneider's expression then darkened, his hand curling into fists, "…But then I became arrogant—Roba you can say it wasn't my fault all you want, but it was!" Roba had moved to speak, but her husband cut her off.
"…I became arrogant, and lent the Turtle-Pose to another captain. I wanted to learn more about the outside world, and Creamy Mist was a good focal point to do so. So, we—King Cello and I arranged a trading barge. I handed the captain my turle-pose, a letter to my wife, and I stayed in Creamy Mist Archipelago… And I stayed longer than I should have."
"What—" Schneider was starting to struggle with the words, "What should have been a six month voyage, became a year. And then two…!"
Roba patted her husband's arm, seeing him choke up in tears, "The trading vessel found our island, and saved us from starvation. However, from what Schneider has told me, the trading vessel never made it back…"
"No…" the old man shuddered, "I waited 3 years for that ship, then I had enough. I told my men what we would be doing. We bought ourselves a log-pose and started sailing. 5 times we sailed the length of paradise, each one trying to find our way home. But we failed…"
"…Was Lytton how you became a pirate?" Maxwell asked soberly.
Schneider snorted, "Ha, no. But he did become a good friend after I did. No, it's worse than that."
"…I found the ship that had delivered our cargo," Schneider admitted. "The ship hadn't gone rogue or sank beneath the sea. The stranded themselves on a summer island. After they had left Shimagame, they discovered that all of their navigation tools were gone. The turtle-pose, the log-pose, and the eternal-pose that was supposed to lead them back. They were lucky to survive a storm and land there… They were not so lucky to find us."
"We—I, was outraged at the news. They tried to reason with us, but at that point the sea had shrivelled our hearts. And it was damned bad luck when a marine vessel came around the coast and noticed our fight." Schneider could remember it now, all the swords and muskets firing. "We weren't World-aligned, so they sided against us, declaring me and my crew outlaws."
"That didn't make us give up. But it certainly put a strain on our travel plans. It was only after 18 years did my crew finally gave up finding our way home. And honestly, I lost hope too… We traveled one last time, dropping everyone off at their ideal locations... Then it was just me and Buzz on our lonely ship."
"And Buzz is such a nice companion," Roba reached out to scratch the dog's ears. "Schneider told me he found him as a stray puppy on these very streets!"
"It was also quite the surprise we he turned into a little eaglet after his first round of kibble," Schneider grumbled as he thought back. Little foot tall baby bird beside his chair begging for a piece of steak.
"Well, I'm glad you two are reunited!" Maxwell said genuinely, "…But that does beg the question—Roba, how did you get here?"
"I'm afraid that's a bit of a sad tale," Roba sighed. "I honestly don't know where I went wrong with that boy…" Maxwell raised an eyebrow but Roba didn't elaborate.
"…I suppose I was banished by our son a few months ago. Thrown in a chest and left too drown, but I was picked up by two different ships.
"Thrown in a—!? Roba, you didn't mention this!" Schneider looked at her shocked, appalled by his son's behaviour.
"I thought this time was another one of his peculiarities! …But it does look like he's gone too far this time…" Roba shook her head, "Anyways, the people on the first ship were kind, offering me food and refuge on the next civilized island. However, they were sunken by a storm, and I was forced to retreat into that chest again."
"The second crew…" Roba looked towards Adelle, "Well, they weren't nice people. But I did get to find young Adelle here. She's been the light of my life these past few weeks."
Adelle wasn't facing Roba, still petting the dog. But you could tell the girl was distinctly listening in to their conversation.
"I convinced the crew to find Shimagame, promising them the Golden Crown of the Sea King if they brought me back to Mecha, but we found Creamy Mist instead." Roba then chuckled, "I guess it was a good thing I memorized your letter, Schneider."
"The crown of the—!? But Roba, that's—" His sent him a glare, telling him not to say it was a myth. Maxwell noticed that she had glanced towards Adelle. Roba wanted to keep the pretence that it still existed. To Schneider though, the look was both refreshing and terrifying. "…One of our greatest guarded treasures! How could you offer that to them?"
"I needed to give them a reason to sail to our home! And besides, I wanted to get Adelle away from those ruffians." Roba looked over to her fondly, "At least they were arrested last night. A young girl shouldn't be raised by those thugs."
"…Why do you even care?" Adelle's words made everyone freeze. "You don't even need me anymore."
"Adelle!?" Roba flinched back like those words had hit her.
"You have your husband back. And you can find your own way home. So why drag me along?" Adelle stopped petting Buzz and stood up out of her chair. "I… I need to—!" Tears and snot threatened to break out on her face, but she ran heading for the door!
"Adelle! Wait—!" Roba got up from the table, chasing after her. Schneider looked like he wanted to follow reaching out a hand, but stopped. His hand then clenched as he looked down, guilt written all over his face.
"…You're not going to try and go after them?" Maxwell asked Schneider.
"…No. I don't think I have the right to do that now," Schneider said sombrely. "She's lived her own life, without me. And that girl is clearly attached to her. I'll let them talk this out…"
Maxwell tried to imagine what Schneider was feeling right now. Having a sudden reunion with a estranged loved one… He wondered what would have happened if he found Evelyn again? Would it be awkward like Scheider and Roba were being? Would it be joyful, mixed with relief to see one another again? He could use—
The mage shook his head! Maxwell couldn't afford to think of such thoughts until he confirmed that the eluvian was real! What he needed: was his team!
"I realized something as I came here thing morning," Maxwell told the old sailor. "When I came to Creamy Mist, I thought that it was the end of the world to me. My friends were gone. My life was over, unless I could get back to them."
"But the world moves on around you. And I realized, that as long as there were people around you, then you are not truly alone. All you have to do is open your heart, and follow the path towards them." He lifted his prosthetic hand to his heart. Maybe it was just habit, but Maxwell imagined himself clenching a fist over it.
"I do plan on getting back to my crew. But I have others here, that need my attention first. And you're one of them, Schneider." Maxwell clasped his hand over the old man's shoulder, "Whatever you need, I'll be here for you."
"…Thank you," Schneider's head turned to glance at him. He wondered what Roba was talking about with Adelle. She had always been great with kids!
Yet, he still wondered, could the scars on their hearts ever fade? Could his own? His own heart had been stricken with despair. Roba's was being weighed down by guilt. And young Adelle? He didn't know what that little girl had gone through, but hers was so full of pain! Could that ever go away?
…Schneider didn't know. But he was willing to try!
Then he took a deep breath and faced the mage fully, "We need to get Saga out of jail, don't we." It was more of a fact than question.
Maxwell nodded in agreement, "We do. I may not have captured Helsing, but I did find more information about the cult. Useful, information." Feeling inspired, he looked over at the bar and saw a bottle of rum standing open. Swirling his fingers, the mage energized the bottle and two glasses behind the counter. Maxwell then levitated them over to their table, and poured both of them a drink.
"However, with the marines interfering, I can't act on it. And I'm not sure I can do this on my own. I need both of you, Schneider. The fact that you're here, and willing to talk to me, means a lot to me." Schneider had the perfect opportunity to go home. He had his wife, his dog, and his son was still at home, even if he needed a spanking. Had Maxwell had the same opportunity…
"As for Saga, I made a promise to him that I would reunite him with my crewmate Zoro, and I fully intend on keeping it. Plus, I can't very well just leave Saga to the mercy of the marines! Will you help me?" Maxwell handed Schneider the shot-glass.
The old pirate looked at his new drink, admiring the clarity. "A promise, eh?" Then Schneider grinned and lowered the glass, "Heh! Laddie, you don't need such things with me! I may have the chance to go home, but I'd be remised if I just left you high and dry!"
However, Schneider face then grew serious, "I owe you my life Max. That's no small thing, not to me! I'm with ya until the end! …Or when the reaper finally decides his due." Schneider winked with that piece of graveyard humour.
"Who knows? Maybe we'll see him early in this crackpot adventure!" Schneider then raised his glass to Maxwell. "To friends?"
"To friends. Both old, and new!" Maxwell then clinks glasses with Schneider. Both men immediately drink their shots in one gulp, feeling the alchemist burn down their throats.
"So," Schneider slams down his glass, "how are we breaking into Marine Base G-8?"