95Here we go the next chapter of Straw Hat Loud, but this might be a short chapter because it is mainly talking about what happened and how Lincoln was able to save the Dressrosa royal family and Otohime. Also please note this chapter will be exposition and the ending readers will have to make a choice.
I do not own One Piece or the Loud House.
"Okay, King Riku, Scarlet, Rebecca and Kyros," said Lincoln as he walked into the bandit hideout, "Come with me the rest of you wait out here."
"Big surprise the humans get to go first," said one of the fishman guards.
Lincoln suddenly froze and all the stress from the day before suddenly came back to him and, after clicking a button on his watch turned slowly and menacingly and asked, "what did you just say?"
"You heard me...human," said one of the fishman guards causing all the humans as well as Otohime and the other guard to look at him angrily.
Before anyone else could say anything Lincoln spoke and with each word, he changed into his hybrid form until he was face to face with the fishman guard, "Oh wow, I'm sorry about that, maybe you would prefer going to a slave house and blowing it up without even bothering to free all the slaves inside, or was that only because they were ALL human slaves? Still making a fucking shrine to that race traitor? Or maybe you want to join the Macros with all the mermaids they are selling or even burn down another house because all that fishman did was donate blood to a human?!"
The guard fishman froze at that as Lincoln continued, "So if you wait, I will explain, but if you keep this kind of attitude up, you can just leave and go suck Arlong's dick!"
Lincoln turned back to normal and walked to the bandit hut followed by the Riku family, leaving stunned people very quiet...though it was soon followed the fishman guard getting a slap from Queen Otohime.
(Inside the Bandit hut)
"Sorry you guys had to see that," said Lincoln.
"It's alright," said Scarlet, "I can't stand racists either."
"So, I'm guessing you guys want answers?" asked Lincoln.
"Yes, dear child," said Riku, "How did you know about the danger?"
"Well first before I say anything can you tell me how Grandpa Garp and his marines saved you guys?" asked Lincoln, "I want to be sure I didn't cause any different messes."
"Where would you like us to start young man?" asked Kyros.
"Well, what happened after you saved King Riku from Doflamingo?" asked Lincoln.
"You know about that?" asked Scarlet and Riku at the same time.
"And I will explain it, but I need to make sure nothing unforeseen happened," said Lincoln before turning back to Kyros, "So after you jumped out the window what happened?"
Kyros sighs and says, "After me and King Riku escaped, I tried to explain who I was to him..."
(a few months ago)
"It's Kyros," said Kyros to Riku, "Please believe me!"
"Kyros?" said Riku in confusion as Kyros answered, "Yes!"
"Sorry I feel that name doesn't ring a bell," said Riku.
Kyros was shocked and it looked like Riku was about to continue when they heard, "Hey you two."
The two of them turned and saw a couple of marines in cloaks, like Riku had, come up to them and one of them holding a clipboard asked, "Are you Riku and...Kyros?"
"Yes, that is us," Kyros responded in surprise, "You know who I am?"
"We were ordered to come here and take you off the island," said the other marine as he looked at the clipboard, "But we have to hurry and find...Scarlet and Rebecca."
Riku stood up in surprise and shock, "My daughter and granddaughter are here?!"
"Yes, and we have to hurry," said one marine before turning to Riku, "Do you remember where they are?"
"Yes, hurry!" said Kyros as he ran with the marines and Riku following behind.
(On a hill)
Scarlett was carrying Rebecca as they were being chased by Doflamingo's men. Rebecca looked back at the solider who had died trying to protect them, as the Doflamingo's men got closer Rebecca saw one of Doflamingo's men that scared her.
The man was very tall and thin with insanely long legs. He wore a light-colored hat with brown locks of hair coming down from it and had striped, orange and red rectangular streaks on his face running down from his forehead, through his eyes, straight to his chin. He was also wearing a light-colored shirt with brighter red pants and a matching red cape.
She closed her eyes as the pirates got closer and then a gun shot rang out. Rebecca opened her eyes and saw marines had arrived with what looked like a toy solider. They all opened fire on Doflamingo's men.
"Marines!" the tall man cried.
"Rebecca! Scarlett!" shouted Riku as he ran up to them, "C'mon we got to run!"
"Father/Grandpa!" they both cried out.
"You're not getting away!" shouted the tall man.
Just then they all heard a laugh and then a voice that said, "That is why I am here!"
They all looked in the direction where Rebecca and Scarlett were running and saw a man leap over them and deliver a punch right to the tall man's face. The man skidded on the ground and looked up to see Garp standing over him.
"Garp!" cried run of the pirates.
As soon as the tall man saw him, he got scared and shouted, "Retreat!"
The Doflamingo pirates turned and fled back down the hill as Garp turned and ordered the marines back to the ship. The Riku's family mouths were dropped at this site. They could not believe Garp was here.
"Hey, you all going to stand there gawking or are we going back to the ship?!" shouted Garp.
The Riku family composed themselves and nodded their heads and ran. Garp then grabbed the shoulder, and they took off as fast as they could to the boat.
(Flashback end)
"After that Vice Admiral Garp took us aboard his ship and was even nice enough to take us here," said Kyros, "There was also something that happened on Fishmen island, but I think Queen Otohime can explain there."
"Thank you," said Lincoln, "Alright now as for how I knew, I'm basically a special kind of soothsayer."
"A soothsayer?" asked Rebecca, "What's that?"
"It means I can see into the future, Rebecca," said Lincoln.
"Really?" asked Rebecca in wonder.
"Yes," said Lincoln, "But like I said, I'm a special kind."
"How special?" asked Riku.
"I can only see certain parts of voyage and only events that will contact to them or the adventure they are on," said Lincoln.
"What kind of voyage?" asked Scarlett.
"A pirate voyage," said Lincoln.
"Pirates?!" the four shouted.
"Geez, could you guys be louder I don't think Bellemere heard," said Lincoln sarcastically.
"No, I heard it fine," said Bellemere outside.
"Get away from the door!" said Lincoln.
"Ha! Think you can make me?" asked Bellemere laughing.
"Grandpa Garp!" shouted Lincoln.
"Ha! You think I will help you kid?" Garp laughed.
"No, I was just wondering if you think Bellemere could use some training after her talk," said Lincoln.
"Okay, I'm backing away," said Bellemere.
"Thank you," said Lincoln then turning back to the shocked looks of the Dressrosa quartet, "Now you may continue."
"Why on earth do you want to be a pirate?!" asked Scarlett in shock.
"Three reasons," said Lincoln, "One, the visions I had was on a pirate crew that only desired freedom, so if I want to survive, I have to be strong enough to be with them and help them."
"Freedom?" asked Kyros in confusion.
"Yes," said Lincoln, "Which brings me to my second point of why I choose to be a pirate and it comes down in two words...Celestial Dragons."
Kyros, Riku and Scarlett recoiled at that, but understood as Rebecca tilted her head in confusion and asked, "Who?"
"Those are things that you should have a talk with your parents and grandpa about Rebecca," said Lincoln, "But now to get to the third and final point...Akainu."
That caused all three in the room to flinch and Lincoln swore he heard others flinching outside as well, "I don't know about you guys, but I am not joining an organization that makes that mad man have the second highest position in the navy."
"Okay, we're getting off topic," said Riku, "What about the kingdom, is there a way to save it?"
"There is...but not for another ten years," said Lincoln.
"TEN YEARS?!" shouted the Dressrosa royalty as Riku shouted, "Why do we have to wait that long to free our country from that mad man?!"
"How can you possibly suggest that?!" asked Scarlett.
"Young Soothsayer, are you sure there is no other way?" asked Kyros in desperation.
"Yes," said Lincoln sadly, "Plus this was never about saving your country Kyros, it was about saving Scarlett."
"Me?/Momma?/Scarlett?" the Dressrosa royal family asked.
"You see if I had done nothing, Scarlett would have been gunned down by one of Doflamingo's top officers two days after the take over when she went to get food for Rebecca," said Lincoln.
They looked in shocked as Rebecca now hugged her mom in fear as if she would disappear, but just then something occurred with Kyros and he asked Lincoln, "You know who I am?"
"Yes, I do," said Lincoln, "Though I had to leave myself a note just in case the Hobby Hobby fruit affected me as well."
"Hobby Hobby fruit?" asked Kyros getting the attention of the other three.
"Yes, it's a devil fruit that allows the eater, in this case Sugar, to turn anyone they touch into a toy," said Lincoln, "And not only can they command them, keep in mind, the only reason it didn't affect you is because you got out of there before they could give a command, the worst part of all is that anyone that gets turned into a toy is immediately erased from everyone's mind."
"Erased?" asked Riku as Scarlett and Rebecca looked in confusion.
"Yes," said Lincoln looking at them, "In fact I regret to inform you that this toy in front of you..."
"No, please don't tell them!" said Kyros.
"I'm sorry, but they are going to be wondering why I chose to have you brought here," said Lincoln before turning back to them, "This toy is the invincible Gladiator, Kyros. Your son-in-law, husband and father."
The others looked in shock at the toy who looked down sadly and he responded, "It's true."
Rebecca walked up to Kyros and said, "Daddy?"
"I'm sorry you don't remember me...and that you have to see me like this," said Kyros.
Rebecca hugged Kyros close, and he hugged her back as Scarlett and Riku looked at the toy in surprise and Lincoln gave them a moment to comprehend that revelation before King Riku asked, "While I thank you for saving my daughter and...my son-in-law, why didn't you just stop Doflamingo instead?"
"Wait, also why isn't Viola here?" asked Scarlett.
"I figured those questions would come," said Lincoln, "So which one do you want me to answer first?"
"Viola!" Everyone said causing Lincoln to smile.
"Glad to see you guys put your family first," said Lincoln before composing himself and continuing, "The reason why I didn't have Viola rescued is because after Kyros helped Riku escape...she made a deal with him."
"SHE WHAT?!" shouted Riku and Scarlett in shock.
"Yes, seeing the potential of Viola's glare glare fruit powers, Doflamingo offered her a position in the Donquixote family," said Lincoln, "And she agreed on the condition that her father would be left alone and allowed to live."
The family looked down in sadness and anger at the thought, especially King Riku until Kyros came to a realization and asked, "But why would she only ask King Riku be spared but not Scarlett?"
Everyone wondered at that until Lincoln said, "Because you were wiped from everyone's memory. So, Viola didn't remember Scarlette's husband, so she only made the deal for her father because she only knew King Riku was in the country."
Scarlette covered her eyes and collapsed on the ground crying, Riku and Rebecca walked over and hugged her as she wept. Lincoln watched the scene and decided to give them a moment. He peaked outside and...saw everyone was trying to pretend they didn't hear that but saw that some of them were actually crying, Queen Otohime especially.
"Sorry, this might take a while," said Lincoln.
"Please take all the time you need," Queen Otohime said as she cried.
'She might give Aunt Frida a run for her money,' thought Lincoln.
Lincoln closed the door and looked back at the Riku family and said, "Take your time, I'll be with my captain behind that door. Knock when you're ready to continue."
The Riku family nodded, and Lincoln walked to a door and when he opened the door, he saw Luffy with his hat covering his head. Lincoln closed the door behind him and stood in front of him, waiting for a response.
"I know you hate hearing people's past unless it comes from them," said Lincoln, "I'm sorry I didn't take your hiding spot into consideration."
Luffy looked up with his neutral look and said, "We will help them."
"I know we will," said Lincoln, "But we won't be strong enough to help them for at least ten years."
Luffy nodded and said, "Then I get even stronger than that."
"Glad to hear, captain," said Lincoln with a smile.
(Sometime later)
Lincoln and Luffy heard a knock and the door and heard Kyros' voice, "Mr. Lincoln, we're ready to continue."
"Okay, I'll be out," said Lincoln before turning to Luffy, "Wait, right here."
Luffy nodded as Lincoln went outside and said, "Alright, so everyone calm?"
"Yes," said Scarlett, "Sorry for that."
"It's okay," said Lincoln, "Everyone should be allowed to cry, especially over family."
"Thank you for understanding," said King Riku, "But if you could continue to explain why we can't get our country back and have to wait."
"Well, the second reason is the most dangerous one," said Lincoln, "Despite my soothsayer ways, I don't know if Doflamingo has made his business dealings with Kadio yet."
"Kadio?!" the Dressrosa royal family shouted.
"Yes," said Lincoln, "Doflamingo is the biggest underworld black market dealer, or he will be during the ten years he has Dressrosa, and one of his biggest customers is Kaido, not only for weapons, but for smile devil fruits."
"Smiles?" asked Rebecca before smiling herself, "Like this?"
"I admire the pun Rebecca, my sister Luan would love it," said Lincoln before turning to the Kyros, Scarlett and Riku, "Is it okay if she hears what they really are or since she's not part of the crew, should I send her to my captain in the other room?"
The three looked at each other before Kyros said, "Could you please send her to your captain?"
"Okay," said Lincoln, "Rebecca, my captain is through that door, go hang out with him until I tell you can come out."
"Why can't I stay?" asked Rebecca.
"If you go, I promise I will go pick flowers with you and your mom after you guys get settled in," said Lincoln.
"Deal!" said Rebecca and went inside to see Luffy.
"Is there a flower field here?" asked Scarlett.
"Yes, but it is not even close to how good the flower fields Dressrosa has," said Lincoln, "Heck, your sunflower field makes our flower fields look like a wasteland."
"Okay, just being sure," said Scarlett.
"Anyway, what did you mean by Smiles?" asked Riku.
Lincoln ushered them closer to the entrance and whispered, "Okay before I tell you about it, do you know what they are, or did you just send Rebecca out just in case?"
"It was more just in case," whispered Kyros, "Now, I'm guessing you do this so the kids wouldn't hear but the adults outside would, now what are Smile Devil Fruits."
"They are artificial devil fruits, apples with yellow dots on them," Lincoln started, "They have the same affects, such as losing the ability to swim, but there are several catches."
The adults listened as Lincoln told them, "The first is that only zoan powers come from eating them, second it won't come out the way that was intended."
"What do you mean?" whispered Riku.
"Example, one user on Kaido's crew has a giraffe body growing out of his back," said Lincoln, "With his body in place of the giraffe's head."
The other went wide eyed in confusion and shock at the description and as Lincoln continued, "And the final catch is when you consume a smile, there is only a 10% chance you will even get Zoan powers."
"What happens to the other 90%?" asked Scarlett nervously.
Lincoln is about to say but then he opens the door and sees all people, kids and adults, pretending they weren't easing dropping, except Garp who looked mad, "I ask everyone eavesdropping to please cover their mouths to avoid gasping in loud shock as well as Grandpa Garp to take his cursing elsewhere, so Rebecca won't here. I also ask Bellemere to cover Nami and Nojiko's ears if she thinks she can't handle it. Same to you Kozaburo."
They all did so and Garp stomped away as Lincoln closed the door and saw the Royal Family did the same and he said, "The other 90%...their facial expression is forever molded into a smile and for the rest of their lives no matter the scenario, they will only be able to physically smile and laugh."
This caused everyone, inside and outside the hideout, to cover their muffled screams and it took a while for everyone to calm down. They eventually let the breath out of their mouths.
"You guys done?" asked Lincoln.
"Yes, we're good," said Kyros before asking, "But what do those despicable things have to do with Dressrosa?"
"Because Doflamingo plans to turn build a factory there and use it produce Smiles," said Lincoln.
"What?!" shouted Riku before Lincoln shushed him and he whisper shouted, "what?!"
"Yes, and while I would love to stop it, how do you think Kaido would react if Doflamingo was taken down by the Royal Family of Dressrosa?" asked Lincoln.
"He...would be furious that his number one supplier was removed," said Riku.
"He would...want payback," said Scarlett scared.
"And he would...burn Dressrosa...to the ground," said Kyros.
"That is sadly correct," said Lincoln, "I'm sorry without knowledge if he was doing business with Kaido yet, all I could was save Scarlett."
"And you couldn't just warn us?" asked Kyros.
"With what proof?! This is the third reason" asked Lincoln, "I mean how do you see that playing out? 'A soothsayer warns King Riku he will be controlled by an ex-Celestial Dragon into attacking his people?' Yeah, I don't see anyone believing that. Especially with someone there that can erase memories."
The royal family looked down sad as Lincoln calmed down and then approached Kyros and gave him a hug and said, "I'm sorry for all of this. I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough yet to help your country but me and Luffy will get stronger when we get older, and we will help your country."
Kyros hugged Lincoln back as Scarlett and Riku joined them. Then Lincoln heard the door open and out walked Rebecca and Luffy, who went over and joined the group hug as well.
After the group hug ended Lincoln said, "That is all I can offer and say, we can talk more later. But there are others waiting outside that I need to talk to."
"Understood," said Riku standing and said, "Thank you for saving my daughter, granddaughter and son-in-law."
"You're welcome, your majesty," said Lincoln, "Can you please ask Queen Otohime to come in next?"
They all nodded and left as Luffy went back to the room. After they went out, they heard talking and Queen Otohime walked in with her two guards. She looked at the guard who said a racial comment to Lincoln and gestured to Lincoln.
"I'm sorry for the racial comments," said the guard.
"It's fine," said Lincoln, "Sorry for the rant. I was having a chat with Arlong before I came back."
"Arlong?!" shouted Queen Otohime and her guards.
Lincoln held up his hands and said, "I will explain more later, but first can all of you tell me what happened after the Queen's now failed assassination attempt?"
"Okay, okay," said Queen Otohime as she fanned herself, "After that pirate had set fire to the petitions..."
(A few months ago)
The fire was blazing all over the plaza as more and more petitions were being burned. Queen Otohime tried hard to save the papers, even begging her guards about the petitions until the guards conceded.
"Save any papers you can!" shouted on guard.
"Sir!" cried the others.
"Retreat to safety!" said the guard to the queen, "You can count on us!"
Queen Otohime was about to stand up and leave when suddenly a voice cried, "WATCH OUT!"
Otohime turned to the voice and saw a marine charging at her and tackled her out of the way as a gunshot rang out. The gun hit the stage floor and one guard jumped out of the way since it landed near his foot.
Otohime looked up and saw that it was vice admiral Garp and pushed her out of the way and they heard, "Vice-Admiral Garp! We have secured the assassin!"
Everyone looked up and saw five marines aiming their guns at a fishman in guard uniform. A grey-skinned great white shark fish-man. He had a large belly, glaring eyes, long and distinctive eyelashes, a mouth full of sharp, triangular teeth, and a stub nose. He had long black curly hair, with a long tuft hanging on the left part of his face.
"Hordy!" shouted one of the guards, "What is the meaning of this?!"
"You believe them?!" shouted Hordy, "They tired to kill the queen! They are trying to frame me!"
"Really?" said one the marines smugly, "Then why don't we ask the witness then?"
"Witness?!" shouted Hordy in confusion.
"Hey Shark!" said one marine looking behind Hordy, "Come on out."
From behind the marines and Hordy came a big black shark with a white underbelly and was wearing a shirt from the Criminal fashion line. He turned to the marines and Hordy.
"Megaloo," said one of the marines to the shark, "Which of us was the one that pulled the trigger?"
Megaloo then came right up to Hordy Jones and growled with anger as a marine said, "That proof enough for you?"
Hordy growled and was about to say more when they all heard, "HE PAID ME!"
Everyone in the plaza turned to the other side and saw more marines having arrested what looked like a disheveled and starving pirate, who was pointing at Hordy and shouting, "He paid me to burn the petitions! He gave me gold to set those fires! Now give me a shorter sentence!"
With that everyone in the plaza turned on Hordy who after a while just laughed and shouted, "FINE! I DID IT! I TRIED TO KILL THE QUEEN! SHE HAS RENOUNED OUR PRIDE! BUT IF YOU THINK I'M GOING DOWN BECAUSE YOU WANT TO LIVE AMONGEST HUMANS YOU ARE DEAD WRONG!"
Hordy then shot water bullets at Megaloo who fell down to the plaza and hit the ground as many cried out in shock before he turned around and swatted at the marines knocking them down. He then took of sprinting as fast as he could.
"AFTER HIM!" shouted both Garp and the guard.
Otohime ran up to Megaloo as more fishfolk came over to him as Queen Otohime hugged him and turned to Garp and said, "Thank you for saving me."
"You're welcome, Queen Otohime," said Garp.
"But how did you know this would happen?" asked a guard, "And why are you here?"
"All I can say is this," said Garp, "You guys aren't the only ones with a psychic but my adopted grandson is far different from yours."
(Flashback end)
"After making sure Megaloo got treatment, we came here to see," said Otohime who then hugged Lincoln, "And to thank you for saving me."
Lincoln hugs back and says, "You're welcome."
"Now, what can be done about Hordy?" asked one of the guards.
"What do you mean?" asked Lincoln.
Otohime release him and said, "I'm sorry to say, but Hordy escaped."
"What?!" shouted Lincoln in shock.
"Yes," said Otohime sadly, "We came hoping you had a plan for this."
"Okay," said Lincoln trying to calm himself down, "This does change things, I was hoping you guys would catch him. Now things are going to be even harder."
"What do you mean?" asked one of the guards.
Lincoln usher them in closer and they came forward, Lincoln whispered, "Okay, there are other stuffs I have to bring forward and will even have to have the other group of humans outside to come in and Nami will have to make an even harder decision."
"What?" asked one of the guards in confusion.
"Nami?" asked Otohime.
"I will explain that later," said Lincoln, "But first I have to ask about the Tamate Box."
"What?!" shouted one of the guards before Lincoln pulled him back in and shushed him.
"Are you crazy?!" whispered Lincoln, "Why do you think I brought this circle?!"
"What about the Tamate box?!" asked the other guard.
"It didn't have any signs of tampering, did it?" asked Lincoln with concern.
"Not that we know of," said the guard, "Why?"
"Because Hordy's original plan after killing the queen and blaming it on a human was to stay with the army for awhile, but then quit as soon as he found and stole the treasure inside," said Lincoln.
The three gasped as Lincoln continued with a whisper, "Yes, I know about the drug and Hordy thinks that using it he will be able to rule the world."
Otohime and the guards looked shocked by this and one of the guards took out a transponder snail and said, "I have to call this in!"
"Be sure to do it far away from here," said Lincoln, "We don't want anyone, even those ease dropping outside to worry anymore then they will."
"Understood," said the guard as he opened the door and Nami, Nojiko and Bellemere spilled in.
"Uh, Hi," said Nojiko awkwardly.
"I don't have time for this," said the guard as he ran out the door and past the Riku Family, Ace, Zoro, Kuina and Kozaburo.
"Sorry you had to see that," said Lincoln as he closed the door.
Just then Lincoln heard a slap and turned to see Nami, Nojiko and Bellemere with red marks on their faces as Otohime said, "Eavesdropping is wrong and you all should know that!"
Just then a fist came down on Otohime's head, to the guard's shock as Lincoln facepalmed and said, "Here we go."
"And it's rude to slap someone else's daughters," shouted Bellemere.
Otohime slapped her and said, "And it's rude to hit people."
Lincoln opens the door as they continue the slap hit fight, even seeing Garp come back, and said, "Mom debate. Enjoy your break."
Everyone groaned as Lincoln closed the door and turned around to see it dissolved into a dust cloud fight and thought, 'Brings back memories.'
The guard, Nami and Nojiko just watched in shock as Lincoln sat down and pulled out a comic and said, "Get comfortable, this might take a while."
"And what are we supposed to do till then?" asked Nojiko as she, Nami and the guard looked at him.
"Before I suggest, navigator there is something I have to do first," said Lincoln as he went over to a corner and took out some earmuffs, he heard Nami and Nojiko whisper, "Navigator?"
Lincoln went over to the door Luffy was at and said, "Captain, our navigator is in."
"You go the earmuffs?" said Luffy behind the door.
"Yes," said Lincoln and to the girls and the soldier's surprise and hand stretched out the door and grabbed the earmuffs before pulling the door shut...and the arguing moms didn't even notice.
Lincoln then turned back to Nami and the solider, pulled out some cards and said, "Alright, not sure if this is offensive but who's up for go fish?
(Sometime later)
Bellemere and Otohime finally stopped and were panting at each other. Bellemere's face was red from all the slap marks and Otohime had plenty of goose egg bumps on her head.
"Nojiko, do you have any threes?" asked Lincoln.
Bellemere and Otohime turned and saw the guard, Nojiko, Nami and Lincoln playing cards and even Nojiko say, "Go fish!"
"THIS IS WHAT YOU WERE DOING WHILE WE WERE FIGHTING?!" shouted Bellemere and Otohime.
"Oh, finished already?" asked Lincoln before saying, "Sorry looks like the game is paused."
They set down the cards and Lincoln stands before Bellemere, Nami and Nojiko and said, "Now I believe you have heard I'm a soothsayer from your eavesdropping on all the conversations."
"Yes," said Bellemere, "Now please tell is there a way to get Nami out of this!"
"That is up to Nami," said Lincoln.
"Up to Nami?" asked Nojiko in confusion.
"Yes," said Lincoln, "You see the thing about my captain is that he is not comfortable giving help unless someone asks for it first."
"What kind of crap is that?!" asked Bellemere upset, "My daughter needs help! So, help her!"
"And I will, but Nami doesn't ask for that kind of help" asked Lincoln.
"But-" said Nojiko before Lincoln said, "This is her battle, it is her choice who she brings in."
Bellemere growled and was about to say something, but Lincoln then said, "And I may have saved your life, but do you really think your daughter will trust someone who wants to grow up and be a pirate, even if it's to get away from the Celestial Dragons?"
Bellemere and Nojiko paused at that and said nothing before Lincoln turned to Nami and said, "Like I said Nami I don't know if you trust us, but I did know you would eventually seek me out for answers. So, I am now going to give you two choices."
"Two choices?" asked Nami confused and concerned.
"The first option I give you is this," said Lincoln before he gestured to Queen Otohime, "I can ask Queen Otohime to call the Warlord Jimbei for aid and with the help of Grandpa Garp, they will go to Cocoyashi village and free everyone."
"That sounds great do-" Bellemere started before Lincoln held up his hand, "But at the same time I have to tell you the cons of this choice?"
"How can there be cons if it frees our village?!" shouted Nojiko.
"Because Jimbei is Arlong's old captain after Fisher tiger died and is even the reason Arlong is here," said Lincoln solemnly.
"WHAT?!" shouted everyone in the room and outside the shack.
"Yes," said Lincoln, "After Fisher tiger died, Arlong went on a rampage and got himself arrested and sent to Impel Down. Jimbei took the Warlord position and freed him due to the fact that were brothers in arms, but after Arlong was freed both had disagreements on how to lead the Sun Pirates and they fought with Jimbei emerging the victor. Still though Arlong refused to follow Jimbei's way and with Tiger gone there was no one holding him back anymore. So, the Sun Pirates split into three factions-"
"Three!" interrupted the Fishmen guard, "Don't you mean two?"
"No, the Marco pirates also left after the fight," said Lincoln, "Respect for Fisher Tiger was also keeping them from slave trading but since Arlong and some of the Sun Pirates left, those three felt they should leave as well. They will probably soon go back to selling mermaids to slavers."
The guard growled at this as Otohime started tearing up, Lincoln sighed and said, "I'm sorry, but I have to continue this."
He turned back and continued, "So, the Sun Pirates split into three factions and as punishment for his racism Jimbei banished Arlong and anyone who would follow him to the East Blue as an insult given that this is supposed to be the weakest of seas."
"That idiot!" shouted Bellemere as she started tearing up, "All of this was supposed to be a punishment?!"
"Yes, but if he learns what is going, he will come here, beat the shit out of Arlong and endure whatever punishment you give him for sending Arlong to you guys," said Lincoln, "That I assure you."
Everyone paused at that not sure what to think as Lincoln continued, "Also as side note despite the fact the Arlong's will make your life hell for eight years if you say no, there is another price if you say yes."
"Seriously?!" said Bellemere is disbelief, "What else will happen if she says yes."
"What is here reason for improving?" asked Lincoln.
"Improving?" asked Nojiko as everyone looked and listened in confusion.
"Correct," said Lincoln, "Despite the hell, while sailing around Nami perfect her thieving skills, navigator skills and you even teach yourself how to fight with a bo staff."
Nami, Nojiko and Bellemere look in amazement at before Lincoln says, "But if you say yes, apart from trying to continue to be a thief and navigator skills since you were already practicing those, what is your reason for improving or even learning to be a bo fighter at all?"
Nami looked down in concern at the thought before asking, "And if I say no?"
"NAMI!" shouted Nojiko and Bellemere.
"If you say no," said Lincoln, "Then all I will ask Queen Otohime for is four million berris."
"Four million berris?" asked Nami as everyone looked in confusion.
"Well, you do plan to steal from pirates to pay off the debt, right?" asked Lincoln.
"That is correct," said Nami not getting where Lincoln was going with this.
Before Lincoln could say anything Otohime asked, "Debt?"
"Arlong promised Nami that if he paid 100,000,000 berris he would let her village go," said Lincoln.
"100,000,000 berris?!" shouted everyone inside and outside the shack, minus Luffy who just listened from behind the door with neutral look.
"Correct," said Lincoln, "And given the eight years of hell you go through coupled with the two and a half adventures you have with me Luffy and the others that will join us-"
"Two and a half?" asked Otohime in confusion.
"Nami ends up taking off and 'stealing' from us on the part of our adventure where we recruit our chef," said Lincoln.
"Oh, thank you for answering. Carry on," Otohime said with a smile.
"The older Nami I saw in the vision said that she had a total of 96,000,000 berris in treasure," said Lincoln causing Nami to smile before she sees him frown, "But Arlong then rats you out to a marine named Nezumi that he is bribing and takes all your money."
Nami gasps and starts to tear up as Nojiko and Bellemere even look in disbelief even Otohime and guard look sad with Otohime about to tear up before they hear Lincoln say, "But given that me and my captain are pirates, if we just happen have four million berris when you decided to sail back to Cocoyashi village then you would have a total of 100,000,000 berris, right?
Nami looked up in hope as did everyone else as Lincoln continued, "So, when you return you could pay Arlong right away and we can see if his racist side or business side wins out."
Lincoln smiled as Nami ran forth and hugged him and started crying as did a few others before Lincoln heard a gruff voice, 'That is so beautiful young man Jamon!'
Lincoln went wide eyed and look around and asked, "King Neptune?! You're here?!"
'No boy, I'm talking to you through a transponder snail!' said Neptune as the door opened and the guard that left was now carrying a transponder snail that looked like King Neptune, 'I would like to thank you for saving me wife! And it seems you already have an idea of how I can pay you back it seems.'
"Surprised you get a signal all the way down there and to this point," said Lincoln smiling, "But moving on there is one last thing I have to tell Nami before she makes her choice."
"What else could there be?!" asked Bellemere starting to get annoyed, "I'm tired of you switching us up!"
"Sorry about that," said Lincoln sweat dropping before getting serious, "But this is an important matter."
Lincoln turned to Otohime, the guards and the King Neptune transponder snail and said, "Apart from coming to thank me, you also were hoping to get information on Hordy Jones weren't you?"
'Yes, my boy. That is correct. Jamon!' said King Neptune.
Lincoln sighs and says, "Well I regret to inform you that, unlike Madame Sharley, I only get visions of what would have happened if I wasn't here even if I change the future."
The fishman looked sad at that until Lincoln, still with a serious look, said before turning to look at Nami, "But given his mental state I can possibly make two guesses of what he will do...and it connects to Nami's choice because now it will also be a gamble as well."
"A gamble?" asked Nami concerned.
"Yes, Nami," said Lincoln looking at her with seriousness and concern, "You see, not only was Hordy Arlong's little protege, but everything Arlong is...Hordy Jones is worse."
"What?!" asked Bellemere, "How could that guy possibly be worse than Arlong?!"
"Three reasons," said Lincoln, "The first is unlike Arlong, Hordy is not cheap and is not afraid to throw money around to get what he wants."
Lincoln turned to the fishman and said, "And while I don't know if he will do this now that I've exposed him, but it is how, in ten years at least, he was able to get that drunk octopus fishman swordsman on his crew while Arlong could not."
'Thank you for that information,' said King Neptune.
"The second thing and this is what really separates him from Arlong," said Lincoln, "While Arlong hates humans, the one thing he will never do, even if one shows kindness to a human, is harm another fishman."
Lincoln then pointed to Otohime and continued, "And given what you all eavesdropped on outside you can probably guess..."
"That this psycho student of Arlong's is willing to kill his own kind if they show any form of kindness to us," Bellemere growled in rage.
"Correct," said Lincoln with a solemn nod.
"Why?!" said the guard holding the transponder snail, "What could humans have done to him to justify this?!"
"A lot of fishman hate humans for their prejudice," said the other guard, "Sold to slavery! Killed our loved ones! Treated us like animals! But to the point of killing our Queen and framing a human?! What could they have done?!"
"That's the third reason that makes Hordy worse than Arlong," said Lincoln speaking softly, "And it is the worst of all..."
'Please speak, young soothsayer,' said King Neptune through the transponder snail, 'What did the humans do to make Hordy the monster he is today?'
"Before I tell you all, as well as everyone listening in outside, there is something I must warn you about this answer," said Lincoln turning fully to Otohime, the guards and Neptune's transponder snail, "If I had not been here or interfered with this, when our crew arrived on fishman island ten years from now, Prince Fukaboshi would have asked Hordy that same question...and when Hordy answered the answer was so shocking Fukaboshi was left so shocked he couldn't move giving Hordy enough time to stab him."
Otohime gasped in horror before Lincoln said, "Thankfully he survived, but that is how dangerous this answer is. Are you prepared for it?"
Everyone in the room fell silent before they all nodded and through the transponder snail Lincoln heard King Neptune say, 'We're ready, young soothsayer.'
Lincoln sighed and looked at everyone and spoke for the people outside eavesdropping as loud as he could and said, "...Humans did absolutely nothing to Hordy."
Time seemed to stand still as soon as those words left Lincoln's mouth, Bellemere, Nami and Nojiko looked at Lincoln in disbelieving horror. Queen Otohime covered her mouth as tears formed in her eyes while her guards just dropped their mouths with same horror that Fukaboshi would have had when he would have heard that line from Hordy. The guard even dropping the equally horrified transponder snail.
Outside Lincoln even heard a yell from Garp and threw something that destroyed something else, but he also heard no one making an effort to stop him. Lincoln even swore to this day that he heard Kyros drop his baton as well.
"All this...for nothing!" said the guard full of rage, "HOW CAN HE JUSTIFY ALL THIS FOR NOTHING!"
"Because it was how he was raised," said Lincoln as everyone turned to him, "All Arlong ever told Hordy was all the evil humans did to him, heck when Hachi even tried to tell the kids of Fishman district about a nice human he met, Hordy just walked away from that. The environment of the Fishmen district made him who he is...and he has come to the conclusion that if a fishman doesn't hate a human, they have renounced their pride."
All was quiet for a moment until Lincoln heard from the transponder snail on the ground, 'My wife, young soothsayer. It pains me to say this, but this is where I must depart...it seems I will have a use for a room as well.'
"Understood, King Neptune," said Lincoln, "And sorry you had to hear this."
The snail nodded and before hanging up Neptune said, 'It needed to be heard. Please look after my wife until it is time for her to come home.
Queen Otohime then fell to her knees and started to cry after what she heard and in Lincoln's eyes it was even worse than when Scarlet broke down about Viola. No one what to do as Lincoln was about to approach to her side, when he saw Nami and Nojiko walk up to Queen Otohime and touch her shoulder. Otohime looked up at the two girls who then gave her a hug and a pat on the back as she continued to wail.
Lincoln smiled at the scene even feeling some tears in his eyes and he even saw Bellemere start to tear up as well. After some time had passed Otohime calmed down and gave the girls a smile, who smiled back at her.
Nami than looked at Lincoln with seriousness and asked, "Why is all this important when it comes to the choice, you're giving me?"
"Because even though I can't see a changed future I can at least give two guesses on what Hordy Jones will do," said Lincoln.
"What could he do?" asked Otohime now fully composed and ready.
"I can guess that he is either still hiding on Fishman Island, probably being helped by the Fishman district and with his friends he could be hatching a new plan," said Lincoln.
"Or..." asked Bellemere with her most serious face.
"Or, with or without his friends, he could be seeking out Arlong to join his crew," said Lincoln.
Everyone stiffened for a bit and Nojiko asked, "Is that what you meant by a gamble?"
"Yes," said Lincoln turning to Nami, "If he chose to stay and hide on or near fishman island then you have nothing to worry about except the cons I told you before."
"But if he does come?" asked Nami trying to be brave, but Lincoln could still see a bit of fear on her face.
"Then if you say yes and he hears about Arlong being defeated by a human and a fishman teaming up," said Lincoln shuddering, "I fear the kind of rage he will go through now that his assassination plan failed, and he may take it out on the entire East Blue."
"But if Nami says no?" asked Bellemere concerned but trying to stand firm.
"Then Nami's eight years of hell are going to be even worse than you can imagine," said Lincoln, "Especially if he brings his friends with him."
With that all was quiet until Lincoln looked at Nami and said, "So, what's it going to be?"
EVIL CLIFFHANGER! *Evil laugh*
But in all seriousness, I am doing this so you guys can vote on Nami's choice, should she say yes or should she say no?
As for Hordy, just like the creators of Rick and Morty made Schrodinger's Beth, this is now Schrodinger's Hordy and have to think of the story potential this could have depending on the choice they make
So, to everyone that read the author's notes, go and vote on my profile