438AN:
Hello, hello.
Really don't have much to say about this chapter other than it was a fun write and its a little bit of a change of pace, lol. That's pretty much it. As always I appreciate any feedback and love the continued support, so feel free to let me know what you think.
Chapter 57: A Monarch's Return
A small hoof reached out to pluck the last few sprigs of medicinal herbs from the greenhouse, the appendages acting with practiced precision. The early morning light filtered through the frosted glass, casting a soft glow over the vibrant green leaves, and he couldn't help but breathe deeply of the earthy scent that filled the air. This place was his sanctuary, somewhere he could focus solely on the delicate footing between life and death that doctors stood on.
The thought sent a pang through the reindeer's chest but he shook his head and gathered the herbs into a neat bundle, tying them with a piece of string he kept in his coat pocket. Satisfied with his work, he turned to leave, mind already on the next task at hand. As he stepped out into the crisp air, the cold nipping at his fur, Chopper saw someone standing at the castle's entrance looking at him with a hint of impatience.
The snowy wind whipped at the old woman's long coat, but she didn't seem to mind, her aged eyes taking in the small creature fondly. He tried to look away bashfully when she caught his gaze but she wouldn't be letting him squirm away from her. "Come on, brat,", she called out, her voice carrying easily over the short distance, "It's time to do our rounds through town."
The reindeer quickly nodded his head without a thought of refusal. As much as he respected the elderly woman… She was really scary when she was mad... "Just a second! I need to grab my bag!", he replied nervously, already turning to dart back through the large, ornate doors of their home. Before he made it inside, however, something caught his eye and he looked up to the flag fluttering atop the castle's roof.
His steps faltered as memories came flooding back, unbidden and sharp, and Chopper just barely kept himself from colliding with the door... He could still see the old doctor's smiling face, the warmth in his eyes as he spoke of his dream for the future… Of his dream for him… He clenched his furry eyelids tightly, reaching up to pull his hat down over the top half of his head. Those memories were tainted now, clouded by the knowledge Doctorine had shared with him not two weeks ago. It was his fault… His fault that Dr. Hiriluk was dead...
Chopper had always suspected it deep down the more he'd learned about medicine, but hearing the confirmation had struck him harder than he expected. He'd been reckless, too eager to be useful back then, and it had cost a man his life. And not just any man… He froze in place for a moment, eyes glued to the stone floor beneath his hooves, and doubt ate at his stomach. Was he really fit to carry on the old doctor's legacy as he had said?… Did he really even deserve to be called a doctor at all after what he'd done?
The reindeer glanced back at the elderly woman when she coughed loudly from her place leaning against the sleigh, standing there with her usual stern expression. It was strange being around her after everything they'd shared... She'd been the one that'd told him of what he'd done and, yet, she'd also been the one to convince him to keep going, to not give up on the path he had chosen. A small smile began to tug at the corners of his mouth. He really was grateful to her for that.
Shaking off the lingering doubts with a slap to his cheeks, Chopper hurried up the stairs, his small legs pumping as he raced to his room. It didn't take long to find his bag as he always kept it ready, just in case, and the brief respite he'd taken during his search had been enough to center himself. He was determined to make Dr. Hiriluk proud and become the best doctor he could be. Mind set and bag slung over his shoulder, he dashed back down the stairs and out into the snow-covered courtyard, the cold air biting at his nose.
Kureha clicked her teeth in irritation when she saw her student walk back out of the castle, arms crossed as she tapped her foot impatiently. Damn kid was getting stranger by the day… And she knew why... She still wasn't sure she'd made the right decision but she was too old to let it weigh on her much... The thought made her sigh but she quickly wiped her tiredness away and replaced it with a half-hearted sneer. "Hurry up, brat.", she barked, the front doors creaking when he closed them once again.
"I'm coming, Doctorine!", Chopper called back, his voice full of new energy as he scampered across the courtyard. He leapt into the sleigh and had to stop himself from giggling at the woman's flustered face as he blurred by. However, just when he thought he'd gotten the best of his mentor, the wooden vehicle jerked forward and his face hit the seat instead of his backside like he'd intended.
Kureha cackled like a witch at the childish outrage on her protégé's face, "You're too young to be messing with a girl in her late thirties.".
Chopper righted himself and sat down next to the woman before sending her a questioning look, hoof holding onto his pink hat as the wind tried to blow it away, "But… Doctorine, you're no-".
"Not another word outta you! Or you're retaking every practical test I've ever given you!".
"OH MY GOD, WE'RE GONNA DIE!" Usopp's panicked scream echoed across the ship, his eyes wide with terror as he tightly gripped Merry's railing.
Ignoring the shout, Luffy's laughter filled the air, a carefree sound that didn't match the way his crew members rushed around the deck like chickens with their heads cut off. But, before he could even get a word out, Nami's voice caught his attention, sharp and commanding.
"Luffy! Steer us out of the way before we get eaten!", the orangette screamed from the deck below, already turning to back to the others scrambling around her. She groaned when she caught the large grin taking up the majority of her captain's face, "Someone get on the whip staff! He's definitely not gonna listen to me!".
The straw-hatted teen grinned and his grip tightened on the ropes in his hands, "Dorry and Brogy told me to go forward no matter what! So, that's what we're doing!"
Before anyone else present could voice their thoughts on this decidedly reckless plan, two powerful voices echoed across the ocean, causing the entire crew to momentarily forget the gaping maw of the enormous goldfish threatening to swallow them whole. Instead, their eyes turned back to the quickly shrinking island behind them.
"TODAY IS THE DAY OF YOUR DEMISE, FOUL BEAST!".
Luffy's gaze was filled with anticipation as he watched the two giants pull their weapons back, heart racing with excitement. He stared in wonder when their arms flashed forward and for a moment, everything was silent.
"HAKOKU SOVEREIGNTY!".
The pirate captain stilled in awe as he watched the ocean part, a blue/red shark fin-like light slicing through the sea and leaving a massive watery rift in its wake. His sharp eyes followed the attack as it rushed by the Merry and he almost completely missed the roiling its passing sent through the waters around the ship. A high-pitched wail accompanied the biggest explosion of light he'd ever seen and, this time, even he couldn't ignore the rocking it sent through his precious vessel.
Luffy looked up once again when he balanced himself and his eyes widened at the absence of the monster that'd blocked their path only moments ago… That… That was one of the coolest things he'd ever seen… The thought shocked him back to reality and he almost immediately turned to shout his praise back toward Little Garden. However, he stopped before he could get any words out, a loud thump echoing from the wood in front of him. When he looked closer to see what caused it, he had to rub his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things. Was that… A cooked chicken?…
The straw-hatted teen looked up when more thumps began to sound and when his gaze rose further, he suddenly realized something very surreal. So surreal, in fact, that his brain completely shut down, drool beginning to drip to the wood at his feet… It was raining chickens...
Just as Luffy was about to spring forward to intercept several pieces falling from the sky in one go, Nami stepped in front of him, deftly holding a platter with way more meat on it than was safe to carry. "No need for that, Luffy. I've got your meal right here.", she said saucily, placing the veritable feast down before him.
The pirate captain's mouth watered as he reached for the delicious spread but, before he could grab it, a hand sprouted from his shoulder, gently turning his head to the side. Confused, he found himself staring into the large blue eyes of Ms. Sun as she wore a chicken suit. And not just any chicken suit…
Luffy began to salivate, his mind swirling with confusion and hunger as more arms sprouted from his body, each one holding a piece of fried chicken in its hand. He glanced back at Nami, only to find that the rest of the crew had appeared beside her, every one of them donning chicken suits while they surrounded him slowly.
"Uh… Guys…", Luffy chuckled nervously. He blinked and his friends' faces disappeared leaving them as… Talking cooked chickens… Just what the hell was happening?!… And why was he so hungry?…
Torn between the surreal nature of the situation and the irresistible aromas of what he could've sworn were his friends, the boy tried to keep himself from lashing out. However, his hunger grew as the chickens' voices rose, urging him to eat them, and his resolve was beginning to crumble… Surely just a bite wouldn't hurt, right?
The door suddenly creaked open and Ms. Sun almost dropped her small cup of tea in alarm, a sigh of relief leaving her when she glanced up to see Luffy entering. She carefully set down her mug before marking her place in her book. "What brings you to the galley at such an hour?", she asked, setting the reading material down by her cup and shooting him an inquisitive glance. Wasn't he supposed to be steering the ship?... Her eyes narrowed slightly as the boy began to mumble to himself, his voice barely above a whisper.
"No, guys… Stop it… I can't eat my friends…".
Ms. Sun raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued as she watched him open the fridge, rummaging through its contents while licking his lips. The teen hadn't even the mind to wipe the drool from his chin as he unconsciously reached into what was probably a treasure chest to him.
"Even though you all look super tasty…".
A soft chuckle escaped the raven-haired woman's mouth as she stood up and approached the seemingly sleeping figure, her hand reaching out to tap him on the shoulder. The moment her fingers made contact, Luffy jolted, his eyes snapping open, the whites fading as his pupils returned to focus. He blinked rapidly, glancing between Ms. Sun and the fridge, before snagging one last item of food from inside and closing the door with a satisfied grin.
"What're you doin' up?", the boy asked, the words muffled slightly as he chewed on a particularly tasty piece of chicken.
"I could ask the same of you.", Ms. Sun replied with another chuckle.
Luffy shrugged at the words before making to sit down at the small table to enjoy his late-night snack. "Levi and Nala are resting so I took a nap too. Must've gotten hungry.", he replied through a mouthful of meat.
Her chuckle turned into a full-blown fit of laughs and it took Ms. Sun a moment to gather her thoughts before she sighed softly, nodding back to the book resting no more than an arm's length from the boy, "Late night reading for me.". The answer seemed to satisfy the other occupant of the room but it wasn't completely the truth… She'd also been thinking about Marianne.
The girl had been so adamant that she was a teenager, not a little girl, but these days, she looked so small, frail even. The time she spent out of bed had begun to dwindle the further they got from Little Garden. She'd woken up relatively well the day after they'd left and had made quite the fuss, but once Galdino had calmed her down, her energy had begun to steadily fade.
That was another thing that weighed on her mind, having her coworkers on board the Merry was a strange experience. No one seemed to recognize who she was, given that everyone called her Ms. Sun and she had never met any of them in person. That didn't keep the atmosphere from being tense most days, with Luffy too busy to break the awkward tension between the outsiders... Yet, the Straw Hat Pirates themselves seemed nonplussed by it all, going about their daily routines as if the awkwardness was just another detail in their unpredictable lives.
The woman's was shaken out of her thoughts when Luffy spoke again, a loud burp leaving his mouth as he rubbed his belly happily.
"Alright. Well, I'm gonna go see if Nala and Levi are awake.", the pirate captain stood and began to make his way toward the door, pulling out the eternal pose that led to Selune. His gaze fixated on it for a moment before rising and he shot the woman he was speaking to a tired grunt, "I hope we're close... Cause I don't know how much longer she's gonna make it."
Ms. Sun hesitated for a moment before speaking, the question slipping out before she could stop herself, "Why is it you agreed to this in the first place?". She realized the question might have come off as insensitive, especially if Galdino or Marianne had been around, but she hadn't had the chance to ask before now and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Luffy sighed, a deep, weary sound that seemed out of place for him and another small pause entered the flow of conversation, "… I guess I'm just not a huge fan of kids dying.". A sad smile crossed his face as thoughts of Sabo rose to the forefront of his mind and he laughed ruefully, the weight of the past pressing down on him, "Someone I really care about died when we were both young.".
The admission froze Ms. Sun in place, shock rippling through her figure. She hadn't expected such a personal confession… It was strange seeing him so pensive and she couldn't help but feel as if the look didn't really suit him... She shook her head and sent an apologetic look his way, "I'm sorry. I didn't kn-". Before she could finish, bright laughter filled the room, and she was relieved to see a large smile on his face once again.
"It's alright, Ms. Sun. I think he would have loved me talking about him. He was a huge show-off.", Luffy admitted, small chuckles rumbling from his chest as he turned back toward the exit. He looked down and opened his hand, gazing at his palm while memories of his older brother continued to swirl through his mind. "I still miss him a ton.", he said lightly, flashing Ms. Sun one last big smile before he made his way through the door, "But he's still with me in a lot of ways.".
The words stunned the woman into silence, the short conversation ending with the door softly shutting at Luffy's back, and it took a long moment of staring at its gnarled wood before she could bring herself out of her stupor. She hadn't known it at the time but she'd been more right than she knew... Nami really didn't give these boys enough credit.
As the sleigh glided to a halt at the edge of the village, Chopper couldn't help but shiver at the soft crunch of snow beneath the runners being the only sound in the eerie stillness. The wooden shuttle slowed to a stop and he sent the old woman at his side a nervous glance. It was strange to see the town empty… Their visits weren't regular so he didn't think people would be expecting them but there was no one to be seen anywhere…
Kureha and her protégé disembarked, their breath visible in the cold air as they glanced around, taking in the strange, empty state of the streets. The usual bustling activity was nowhere to be found. The sight struck her as odd... She'd thought at least Dalton would be around…
Chopper frowned, his hooves crunching lightly in the snow as he adjusted the strap of his bag over his shoulder. "Where is everyone?" he murmured, more to himself than to the woman at his side. The more he looked, the more the village felt like a ghost town, abandoned and silent… He glanced up at Doctorine, hoping she might have an answer, but, instead of the usual smirk or gruff remark, she only gave him a soft pat on the top of his head, her expression unusually serious.
"Stay close, Chopper," Kureha said, voice low and cautious, "Somethin' ain't right.". No sooner had the words left her mouth than the distant sound of commotion reached their ears, faint but unmistakable, coming from the direction of the port. She sent her student a quick, steely look before they began moving, cautiously making their way toward the noise.
As they walked, the unease in the little reindeer's chest grew. The streets were empty, devoid of the familiar faces he had come to know. Not even the usual stray animals that roamed the alleys were anywhere to be seen. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the growing sound of activity ahead. It wasn't long before they saw the back of a large crowd gathered at the docks, the people packed tightly together with their heads all turned toward something he couldn't quite see.
"I won't let you have your way with this place Wapol!".
The voice had Kureha straining to get a look over the top of the crowd and when she caught a glimpse at the area the townspeople were gathered around, a small gasp left her lips.
"Is everything ok, Doctorine?", Chopper asked nervously, having not quite caught the loud words due to the murmurings of the larger bodies in front of him. All he knew was that something was making everybody really agitated…
"Ignore the traitor, subjects. Your king has officially returned!".
The older woman ignored the yelp that came from the reindeer's mouth and pulled him into the sea of bodies, scowling to herself at the realization of what was going on. The Fat Prince had returned… And, by the look of things, Dalton had tried to send him and his loyal followers packing. However, even with that nifty devil fruit of his, it seemed he'd been outmatched.
"Listen closely, Chopper.", Kureha whispered over her shoulder, hoping the words would reach him through the crowd, "I've got a plan.". She stopped and bent down to the ground, ignoring the few curious looks the action garnered as she faced her student, "But, I need you to make it happen.".
The man named Dalton stumbled when he tried to stand back up, the numerous onlookers gasping at the wounds he'd sustained. He couldn't blame them either… He snapped off the ends of two arrows sticking out of his shoulder and ripped them both out with a grunt. "I'm afraid you're going to have to kill me if you want to come back to Drum after leaving the way you did.", he said through a bloody cough.
Dalton somehow made it to his feet and steadied himself as best he could, a grunt of annoyance leaving his lips at the state of Wapol's right-hand man. Kuromarimo lay on the ground groaning, a multitude of doctors working to sew up the large hole he'd put through the middle of him. His eyes shifted to Chess and he saw a similar sight much to his chagrin.
"Oh, why don't you just shut up and die already then?!", Wapol yelled, making to approach the bloodied man. He scowled at his two subordinates for making him work by losing. But, at least they'd had the decency to soften the ox up for him. This was surely going to be delightfully easy. And, once this little obstacle was out of the way, there would be nothing stopping him from taking his castle back... From taking his armory back.
The ex-king stopped in front of Dalton and wasted no time in opening his mouth as wide as he could, almost unable to resist laughing at the bleeding arm his target threw up in defense. Just before his jaws went to close, however, a voice rang out from the crowd.
"So, The Fat Prince has graced us with his presence once more. What a wonderful surprise!".
The words cut through the tense air like a knife, and the large man froze, his wide maw hanging open as his fiery gaze scanned the crowd. With a snarl, he shoved Dalton to the ground, snapping his mouth shut with a resounding click, and marched toward the gathered villagers. "Who the hell said that?!" he roared, his voice shaking with fury at the thought that one of these pitiful ants dared insult him, "I'm a king, not a prince!".
The crowd parted fearfully, revealing the smirking face of an old crone standing defiantly in his path, and it made Wapol seethe. She was just an old woman, insignificant and weak, and she dared insult him, her king?! He bared his teeth and stomped his way toward her, his massive form casting a shadow over her diminutive figure.
But, before the ex-king could reach out and wrap his meaty hand around the old woman's throat, the air was filled with a powerful shout.
"Heavy Point!".
The voice echoed through the stillness, and a gasp rippled through the crowd, making Wapol stop in his tracks once again as he whipped back around to see what had caused the sudden stir among the onlookers.
Chopper, now in his towering Heavy Point form, gathered up Dalton's bruised and bloodied body, throwing him over his broad shoulder. Without a moment's hesitation, he sprinted directly at the man in the center of his path, his eyes blazing with determination.
The sight of the monster barreling toward him caused Wapol to panic and his mouth flew open wide in defense, but it blinded him to the creature's real intentions.
As he dashed forward, townspeople beginning to scramble in panic, the reindeer/human glanced down at Dalton and offered an apologetic smile. There was no time for gentleness. Then, with a powerful swing, he launched him high into the air, the former royal guardsman rocketing skyward.
Just as Dalton sailed over Wapol's gaping jaws, Chopper's eyes shifted to the ground, "Brain Point!". His massive frame shrank as he shifted into his smaller, more agile form, and his body slid just underneath a row of massive teeth. Before his opponent could even register what happened, he transformed again with a roar that sounded more squeaky than probably intended, "Jump Point!".
The ground cracked beneath the reindeer's hooves as he shot into the air, his body twisting as he prepared for his next move, "Guard Point!".
Chopper's form suddenly expanded into a massive ball of fur and the added weight was just enough to slow his momentum so he was in the right place to catch Dalton's fall. The man bounced off of his cushioned back and he rotated even further, "Heavy Point!". The shift came just in time for him to open his arms and wrap them around Dalton's descending form before the two of them could hit the ground.
The two impacted with a thud and Chopper winced as his back slammed into the earth, softly rolling the bleeding figure off to the side as he turned his gaze back to where he'd left Doctorine. His heart lurched when he saw her sprinting toward him, her elderly body moving as fast as it could in his direction.
Without a moment's hesitation, Chopper switched back to Jump Point and his powerful legs propelled him forward with a crack. He blew by in a blur but, as he neared Wapol, the ex-king's jaws snapped open once more, forcing Chopper to veer off course to avoid the crushing teeth. His hooves skidded across the concrete when he landed and he spun around, hoping he'd grabbed the man's attention.
When he looked past his opponent now stalking in his direction, the reindeer caught his mentor kneeling beside Dalton, her hands working quickly to tend to his injuries. The sight made his mind race. He assumed Doctorine was trying to heal the man, just as the other doctors were doing with Wapol's two subordinates. If that was the case… He needed to buy her time. "Arm Point!", he roared.
With a determined grunt, Chopper dashed toward his opponent just as the man swallowed a huge chunk of the concrete taken from the ground at his feet. His bulky arm shot forward and he was surprised when his hoove connected with something far more solid than skin, the impact reverberating through his body. As he looked up, he saw cracks spreading from where his hoof was buried… Was that… Rock?…
Wapol jumped back, a look of shock and rage on his face as he examined the massive amount of cracking stone falling from his chest, "What kind of monster are you, punching through concrete like that?!".
Before Chopper could answer, the doctors working on Wapol's subordinates finished their work and, though the two men weren't in perfect health, they were clearly ready to rejoin the fight.
The reindeer gulped at the realization that he would soon be outnumbered but ultimately kept himself from retreating, eyes shifting back to his primary opponent. As powerful as his various forms were, he didn't really know how to fight… He was more of a healer, after all. Throwing punches was pretty much the extent of what he could do, and even then, he wasn't sure he was any good at it. If he had to take on three opponents at once…
As if on cue, Kuromarimo's boxing glove flashed out and Chess loosed a flaming arrow from his bow, Chopper's hoofed feet freezing in indecision. However, just as the attacks were about to reach him, a loud roar split the air and an ox barreled into the fray. His eyes widened but he wasted no time in watching the large animal any further, turning back toward the fat man now barreling in his direction and throwing his arms up in a hasty block.
Dalton let out a bellow of pain as an explosion of fire rocked his side and he just barely managed to stay upright, quickly straightening himself out to charge. Kureha had warned him of pushing himself too far after tending to the wounds he'd already sustained but he couldn't run. Not while someone was fighting in his place… He at least had to help.
Chopper tried to focus in on how the ox-man was faring but his attention was quickly pulled back to Wapol, his massive concrete-covered hand crashing down toward him. "Brain Point!", he yelled, before the ex-kings fist could connect with him. He shrunk to his normal size in a poof and the large man's arm crashed through the space he'd occupied only moments ago. After only one step forward, he tensed and flexed his devil fruit powers once again, "Horn Point!".
Wapol groaned when he felt the concrete protecting his stomach violently shatter, spittle and blood leaving his mouth as he shot backward. A loud crack echoed over the port when his back collided with the side of a house and his body disappeared inside, smoke and dust concealing the hole.
Just as the reindeer landed, his transformation abruptly ended and he reverted to his original form, body bouncing off the ground when he crashed into it. He'd barely given himself time to catch his breath before he reached into his bag and pulled out another Rumble Ball. He knew the consequences of taking a second one so soon, but he had no choice… From the sound of shifting debris and groaning entering his sensitive ears, he could tell the fight wasn't over yet.
Chopper slowly pulled himself back to his feet and managed to catch Doctorine's eye. It was obvious from the worried look the woman sent him that she could tell what he was going to do. But he couldn't stop. He had to keep fighting, for Dalton's sake. What his mentor had said earlier had been true. The kingdom of Drum couldn't afford to lose him.
With a determined nod, the reindeer popped the yellow ball into his mouth and bit down, the crunch of the hard shell echoing through the air, "Rumble!". His determined gaze met Wapol's as the man pulled himself out of the building he'd sent him into and he grit his small teeth, "Jump Point!". A mound of fur sprouted around him at the words, frustration flaring in his chest at it being the wrong transformation, but he quickly pushed it aside and focused. With a deep breath, he flexed his body once again, "Arm Point!".
Chopper's eyes locked onto Wapol as the power in his words took effect, arms ballooning and body growing in response to his will. Taking one last glance at Dalton just barely holding his own against Kuromarimo and Chess, he curled into himself before shooting in his opponent's direction, determined to protect the future of Drum Island.
Galdino sat by Marianne's side, his brows furrowed in worry as he carefully exchanged the soiled cloth on her forehead for a fresh one from the bowl of cool water at his side. The damp fabric slipped from his fingers as he turned back to rinse it, his mind lost in the anxious routine of caring for the girl.
"Damn… I feel like shit.", Marianne's voice croaked out, breaking the silence of the room. Her eyes blinked sluggishly as she shifted in her bed, trying to find a more comfortable position.
Mr. Three almost dropped the cloth in surprise, but he quickly recovered, turning to her with a stern look. "That is not language fitting of a lady.", he scolded, though the concern in his eyes softened the rebuke. He stood, grabbing a cup from the table and filling it with water from the pitcher the chef of the ship had thoughtfully refilled earlier. Once it was full, he made his way back to the chair beside her bed, sitting down with a grunt.
The girl scowled at him, her mouth curling downward in a frown. "… I feel like death, Gal. I think my language is justified.". She reached out with a trembling hand to take the cup from him, a pained smirk replacing the downturn of her lips, "Or maybe our shipmates are just rubbing off on me.".
Galdino scoffed, holding the glass of water steady in her hand and helping her take a sip before setting it gently on the table beside her bed. He turned back, his eyes scanning her frail form, and he couldn't suppress the deep sigh that escaped him. He knew she wouldn't be awake for long. The intervals between her periods of wakefulness had grown shorter as they sailed, and he couldn't shake the growing fear that the day she didn't wake up at all was approaching faster with each one that passed.
The man's hands clenched into fists, frustration and helplessness boiling within him. But, before his thoughts could spiral further into despair, a small, clammy palm stopped them in their tracks.
Marianne opened her mouth to speak but, just as she did, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the stairs and Ms. Valentine appeared.
The blonde's eyes immediately lit up when she saw that Marianne was awake and she rushed over to the bed, stopping gently at its foot. "Hey there, Marianne," she greeted with a soft smile, "How ya feelin'?". The annoyed look sent her way was answer enough, and she winced slightly, "Yeah… Probably should've figured.".
Despite the depressing aura in the air, Ms. Valentine offered a reassuring smile, her tone softening, "I'm sure you'll be back on your feet before you know it.". There was no response from the recipient of the words, but she noticed that the girl's breathing began to settle into a calmer rhythm. Sensing the need for a change in topic, and getting back to what she'd gone down there to do originally, she continued, "I'm gonna take Galdino upstairs real qui-"
"Land ho!".
The blonde girl sighed, already knowing what was coming. "... To talk about that…" she began, seeing the anticipation growing in the room's other occupants. Galdino opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, she beat him to it, firmly nodding toward the stairs, "Go. I'll stay with Marianne while you see for yourself.".
A fit of chuckles started to rise from Marianne's chest, but they were quickly overtaken by a harsh coughing fit, Mr. Three and Ms. Valentine both moving to help. However, she waved them off with a shaky hand. "I'm fine. I'm fine," she croaked out, her voice rough but determined. She looked up at Galdino, a weak but defiant smile on her lips, "Go up there and bring me some good news. Plus… You really need some sun.".
The wax man hesitated for a moment but the words seemed to register. With a semi-reluctant nod, he stood up and turned toward the stairs. "Fine. But yell if you need anything.", he said, giving Ms. Valentine a nod of thanks before heading up to the storage room. Just before he left, he called back over his shoulder, "And don't think I didn't hear that just because I ignored it!".
The sound of Marianne's laughter, though weak, followed Galdino up the stairs, bringing a small smile to his face as he pushed forward and made his way through the storage room's entrance. As soon as he emerged outdoors, the bustling activity on the deck hit him as well as the cold frigid air. He bundled into his jacket and let his eyes roam about while stepping in the direction of the side railing. Everyone was in full preparation mode, Nami's voice carrying over the sound of crunching footsteps as she barked out orders. It seemed they were prepping to dock.
The thought got Mr. Three's feet moving even faster and he quickly made his way across the space, careful to avoid getting caught up in the preparations, much to the navigator's annoyance. When he finally reached the wooden rail, his sight locked onto the distant island they were headed toward, desperately hoping that one of its inhabitants could help his partner.
However, just as that hope began to take root in the man's chest, a monstrous roar reverberated through the air, shaking the Merry and sending a jolt of shock through the current occupants of the deck. He instinctively covered his ears at the sound and his eyes snapped wide open in shock. The port he'd just been staring at in the distance was now dominated by a massive, brown humanoid figure, the creature looming over the landscape with a shadow even larger than those of the giants they'd encountered on Little Garden.
"What the hell is that?!", Galdino muttered in disbelief, another roar rolling over the vessel. He resisted the urge to turn and scowl at the captain of the ship when his excited laughter burst into the air and kept his gaze trained on the massive creature, heart pounding in his chest as they drew closer to the island... Whatever that thing was... It was no doctor...