Damn Cold Night-Chp4

CHAPTER 4: ISLAND

The Going Merry slowly sailed into the harbour of the high-tech island. Only that the harbour was so big and technological, it looked as if the Titanic could stop there. Everyone got off the boat and scouted the area.

Before they could exactly figure out what kind of place was this, a robot rolled in. It looked like the short and stout robot from Star Wars, only it could talk.

“Welcome, foreigners. My name is RPH72. May I be of your assistance?”

“Yes, please,” Nami replied, looking down at the robot which was somewhere around her waist. “Could you tell me what kind of island is this?”

“This is Island TYR40918645X#, also known as Future Island. In this island, everything is as easy as a push of a button. Convenient as it is.”

“Wow~!” Usopp gaped at the elaborate features of the harbour. “Now that’s my kind of island! No monsters, no alien life-forms and no danger!”

“Correction,” RPH72 replied, “there is alien life-form existing in this island, although they are not harmful. They come from all around the world and have been living here since the dawn of this island.”

“Looks like Mr. Know-It-All isn’t so safe after all,” Sanji sneered, which resulted into a glare from Usopp. It seemed that his stomachache has already ceased torturing him.

“Would you foreigners like a tour around this island?” RPH72 offered.

“Sure, why not?” Zoro replied as he slipped his swords into his waist belt one by one. His stomach wasn’t that painful anymore either.

RPH72 took them out of the harbour. On the way out, the Going Merry crew feasted their eyes on the oddity of their surroundings. Big bulky machinery filled the whole place. They found themselves standing on a floor escalator; they only had to remain standing as the escalator brought them to the exit. There were machines for scanning luggage and bags. There were quite a number of counters which admitted passengers in and out of the harbour, managed by robots and androids of all shapes and sizes. There were even machines that scan through passengers at the exit, which was what the crew was brought through. Zoro was almost detained for bringing his three swords but the rest of the crew sweet-talked the security guard out of it, and RPH72 vouched for Zoro. Zoro would rather give up his life than his swords, especially when it was Luffy who helped him get them back from Captain Mogan’s office.

Outside the harbour was another story. The buildings were all made of solid metal. Robots, androids, cyborgs and humans walk among each other in a busy city. There were even a number of weird-looking beings walking about. Almost everyone had at least an android as a servant. Some carried little children on their backs, some helped their masters and mistresses carry groceries, and some even helped to walk the dog! Usopp gaped and gasped at everything in sight, like a child who was taken to a candy shop. Sanji noticed a few androids wearing marine uniforms and saw a tall building bearing the logo of the marines.

“Does your island have marine forces too?” Sanji asked, not shifting his eyes from the building.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, we do. But most of the marine crew are either androids or cyborgs,” RPH72 replied. “Our marine force is the only force with the least human members.”

“OK,” Sanji muttered under his breath. “Solid metal sea soldiers. Not very encouraging.”

After quite a long tour (and after satisfying gadget freak’s curiosity—namely Usopp), the crew was hungry. RPH72 took them to a small restaurant which sold Italian food. The crew gorged over pasta, lasagna, pizza, mushroom soup and more. Sanji and Zoro ate the most. Chopper felt weird at the sudden change of their appetite.

“Are you sure you can take it in, Zoro? You just recovered from a terrible stomachache,” Chopper asked, concerned. “And Sanji! You’re eating as if you’ve been starving for a week!”

“I feel normal,” Sanji replied. “I’m just impressed at this lovely food we’re served, although it still needs a little something. The food is really not bad, right, Zoro?”

Zoro could only nod, what with all the food in his mouth.

After lunch, each paid their share of the food to the cashier. The robot cashier eyed at their currency and shook his head, “Insufficient currency. Cannot accept.”

“Sorry, my friends, I forgot to tell you,” RPH72 said apologetically, “you have to change your currency. Over here, we don’t use the universal berry as currency. Come, let me change your money.”

So saying, RPH72 slid out a metallic pocket. The crew slipped in the money and moments later, RPH72 slid out a few pieces of metallic film with golden inscriptions engraved on it, showing the value of the film. Zoro took it and paid the cashier. The cashier took the money and slid it into his metallic pocket, saying, “Thank you for dining in our restaurant. Please come again.”

Before they could leave the restaurant, a man suddenly burst in. He looked really old and had long shaggy white hair and beard. His face was flushed and his eyes were glazed, and in his right hand held a bottle of beer.

“Hear ye, hear ye, everybody in this place! I have come to reveal our true enemies! It is the marines! The marines are our true enemies! They don’t give a damn about you! They torture the daylights out of you and leave you there to rot! I solemnly swear that…”

And the old man kept on ranting and raving drunken nonsense, much to the other customers’ amusement. RPH72 slid out an antenna from his head and beeped. Soon a few police androids came in and took the mad old man away. Everyone resumed back to their business. RPH72 sighed and slid the antenna back into his head.

“What was that about?” Chopper asked.

“Don’t mind him. He’s just a drunkard,” RPH72 said as he led them out of the restaurant, “and a nuisance. He was arrested by the marines a few years back and he became like this after his release ever since.”

“Arrested by the marines?” Zoro was interested. The Going Merry crew recognized his tone of voice and were ready at his command.

“Yes. But that’s the past. He’s an old man. Come, let me show you around some more.”

“Thanks, RPH72, but we can manage from here onwards,” Zoro replied as he gave the signal by a sideways look. “We need to explore this place personally. For a robot like you, you do care about your people.”

“All in a day’s work, sir. If you need me, please don’t hesitate to beep me,” RPH72 said as he passed a small remote control with only a red button. Zoro took it and handed it to Usopp, who marveled over it like a curious child.

As soon as the robot was out of sight, the crew followed the drunken man secretly. He and the police androids were not far away from them. They followed them at a distance. Surprisingly, they did not take the old man into the police station (and a really tall one indeed). They just passed it by and headed for the outskirts of the city. It was rocky and bare, with full of trees, caves and caverns but no trees at all. Not even synthetic ones they saw at the city. They tried hard to catch up with the fast-going police androids as they climbed the rocky hills and tramp over sandy ground, not wanting to lose them.

Soon they found the police androids taking the old man to a cylinder-shaped home. The walls were made of polished glass and the windows were of transparent film. One of the police androids took out the pass card that was hanging around the old man’s neck and opened the door. They shoved the man in and left. The Going Merry crew hid out of sight and waited until the police android went far away enough. Softly but swiftly, they went down the small hill and stood in front of the weird-looking house.

“Ohayo!” Zoro called out at the door. “Anybody home?”

“He might have not recovered from the booze yet,” Chopper said. “Let’s just wait for a moment.”

They didn’t have to wait for long. A few minutes later, a huge fat robot lady answered the door. If it weren’t for her kind sweet face, Usopp would’ve run away helter-skelter. Then again, he’ll almost run away at the sight of anything big and scary to him anyway.

“May I help you?” the robot lady asked.

“We would like to speak to the master of the house, please,” Nami said, “that is, if he’s available. It’s really urgent.”

“The master is still quite intoxicated now. But I’m sure you can see him after I snap him out of it. Please, come inside.”

The Going Merry crew walked into the home. They were surprised to see that although the walls of the house were made of glass, it wasn’t transparent. They couldn’t see the outside from inside the house and vice versa. The robot lady led them to the living room and invited them to sit down. She made them drinks from the drink processor in her stomach.

“Please wait a bit while I call for the master,” the robot lady said as she left the crew.

“Nice house,” Usopp complimented, looking around, careful not to break anything.

“Yeah. This is so different from the other islands we’ve explored. And so much more different than our own hometown,” Nami agreed, testing on the softness of the sofa she was sitting on. “This place really is the future.”

“And a whole lot damage it did to me!” A gruff voice replied, much to the crew’s surprise. They turned around and saw the old man standing there, still a little bit flushed but quite sane than before. “Who are you and what are you doing here in my house?”

“We’re just tourists, and we’re just here to ask you for a little bit of information…” Nami tried to sweet-talk the old man into a better mood but Zoro hit him straight to the point.

“We heard that you’ve been arrested by the marines before. Can you spare us a little marine story?”

The old man stared long and hard at Zoro first, then said slowly, “You must be the legendary Greatest Swordsman everyone has been talking about. I may be drunk sometimes, but that doesn’t mean I don’t stay updated.”

“In the flesh,” Zoro replied.

“And you all must be the famous Luffy gang. I’ve heard a lot about you during my time in the marine prison. A lot of my inmates have been talking about you.”

“Wow! We’re even famous in the marine prison! That’s cool!” Usopp said, resulting to a smack from Nami.

“That is definitely not cool! We’ve become the talk of the century among the worst people in the world: pirates!”

“Yes, my inmates are mostly pirates. And we were all kept in the prisons deep down the Marine Force Centre,” the old man grinned as he took a seat.

“Marine Force Centre?! That’s where you were kept in custody?!” Now everyone was interested. Zoro kept a level head, but in his heart, he was skipping with joy at finally finding the right person to talk to.

“Yes, my friends. I was in the Marine Force Centre. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Doggan,” he said, and the Going Merry crew introduced themselves.

“So what was your offence?” Sanji asked as he sipped his drink.

“Nothing. I was framed. The marines accused me for something I didn’t do. They said I was in an alliance with a certain pirate to overtake the force and I was tortured into questioning. Of course, I didn’t tell them anything, because I couldn’t! They locked me up in their dark cellars and taken out for questioning everyday. I had to suffer the same torture everyday for the past few years until they found the real criminal behind all this. I think they just did it for the kicks, since the public has been pressuring them to catch the real culprit and they couldn’t get anything.”

“Is the Centre as bad as they say it is?” Usopp asked cowardly, his knees began to knock each other in fear.

“Oh, it isn’t too bad, come to think of it,” Doggan shrugged, “but it is worse than normal prisons. In normal prisons they at least feed you with something—anything, for a matter of fact—but there, they don’t give a damn about whether you live or die. They force you to do heavy work and never give you as much as a drop of water. They say it was so-called a rehabilitation system to rehabilitate pirates into decency. I had to escape from that hellish place. They didn’t attempt to find me, which confirmed my suspicion that they only arrested me for the kicks.”

“Where did you escape?” Zoro said after a long moment of silence.

In a low voice, Doggan told the Going Merry crew about the ins and outs of the Centre, including the ones he had seen when he was doing his hard labour work mopping the floors of the centre. He revealed that there were no junior marines working there, only highly trained professionals. The junior marines may have to do odd jobs and hard labour in their quarters, but in the Centre, it’s the inmates’ job.

The Going Merry crew were fascinated and enthralled with this piece of information. Doggan tried to be hospitable by inviting them to stay for the night and have dinner with him. Nami would jump to any opportunity which offered anything free, because she was sort of the treasurer of the crew and this means that they will not have to spend money on hotel food and accommodation (stingy girl!), and Sanji would love to know how well can a robot cook. Usopp and Chopper would always agree on anything hospitable. Zoro didn’t mind. He had almost the basic info he needed for their mission. During their stay at Doggan’s house, he shared more of his misfortune in the Centre and revealed more information for the crew. He even told some of his adventures when he escaped from the Centre and on his way sailing back to Future Island.

After a few stories exchanged and a whole lot of beer shared among the crew, they all retired to their rooms. Doggan still had some more room for whiskey. He poured himself a glass and took a peek at everyone sleeping in their beds: Sanji and Zoro sleeping side by side, Usopp snoring like a pig despite his long thin nose and using Chopper as his bolster, and Nami curled up on her bed sleeping peacefully, like an angel in mortal attire.

As Doggan sipped his whiskey, he muttered to himself, “I think I know what you Luffy team members are up to. Yet I have no right to stop you.”

Doggan walked slowly to his room, thinking about his action in revealing secret forbidden things about the Centre to the Going Merry crew. Slowly he shrugged and smirked.

“One Piece…”

---

“Thanks for the food and bed, Doggan,” the crew thanked the old man before leaving his cylinder glass house.

“Don’t mention it. You guys kept me company. That’s all I can do repay you. See ya guys soon!”

“SAYONARA!!” the Going Merry crew waved before climbing their way towards the big city.

“Come back alive,” Doggan said under his breath.

Damn Cold Night-Chp3

CHAPTER 3: JOURNEY

Zoro stood at the deck gazing at the vast sea, letting the wind blow at his face. The sea was really wide, not knowing where it will end. Seagulls were about in the sky and there a few fish jumping in and out of the deep blue sea. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Seems like there will be good weather ahead. He breathed in deep, taking in the sea air. He turned around and observed the rest of the crew.
Nami was busy navigating and watching her compass to see if they were on the right track. She was always on the look-out, and always busy. Well, not always really. She usually was relaxed, sitting near the deck reading newspaper or drinking soda made by Sanji or probably in her room sketching maps. It’s just that now that they were facing the greatest life-threatening adventure of all, she had to be on her toes all the time. She’s the one that will not risk her crew’s life for her own benefits and mostly the brains of the outfit. No point doubting her.

Usopp was sitting at another corner mixing and matching chemicals. Probably for his new catapult bullets. He was also screwing a few nuts and building more gadgets for both him and Nami’s use. Nami trusted his expertise on remodeling and modifying her staff, and he was really good at it. Besides being the artist and inventor, he was also the handyman of the group, fixing and mending any wrecks or holes of the boat itself. Zoro was amazed at Luffy’s sixth sense in choosing his crew members.

Sanji was plucking a basketful of limes from Nami’s orchard. No doubt Sanji was coming up with a new recipe to cook for the whole crew. He was the most essential crew member of all, because he’s the only one who could keep everyone in a full stomach and in full strength. His meals were getting tastier day by day, obviously because he wanted to keep the often hungry Luffy happy. Zoro could see that. His meals still taste nice now. It seemed that Luffy’s death hadn’t deteriorated his cooking one bit. It just got even better.

Chopper was checking his kit again and stuffing in the new equipment and medicine he bought from Logue Island. He was another one of Luffy’s best choice of crew. Although he’s a walking, talking reindeer, he’s one of the finest doctors Luffy had ever come across. The other doctors they’ve met were either old or have their obligations to their own village, but Chopper was different. It wasn’t easy, but they were now in good terms with the anti-human Chopper, thanks again to the fun-loving, carefree Luffy.

Thinking back, it was Luffy all along that changed their lives for the better. If it weren’t for Luffy, he would’ve died in the hands of Captain Mogan; Nami would’ve still remain a slave to Arlong; Usopp would’ve become one of Crow’s victims; Sanji would’ve ended up dead fighting Don Click; and Chopper would’ve remained an anti-human freak. Luffy’s existence had done everyone good. He was glad that he and Sanji’s love for Luffy did not go to waste. He brought them more than just good memories. It was also something more that only he and Sanji share the same sentiments exactly. Zoro thanked the gods for bringing Luffy into their lives but also blamed the gods a little for taking him away from them so soon.

Zoro went up to the orchard and plucked one lime out of the bush. He peeled the lime and ate it. Sanji saw him and said, “Hey! You’re not supposed to eat before lunch! It’ll spoil your appetite!”

“Like I care,” Zoro grinned and pluck a few more limes before leaving the orchard. He was about to sit comfortably near the deck and enjoy the limes when he felt a sharp twine of pain in his stomach. It was as if his stomach were tying itself up into a dozen knots. He clutched his stomach and groaned silently. Chopper noticed and said, “Zoro, you OK?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Zoro said weakly. “I just got an upset stomach, that’s all.”

“You want some pills? I got some from the Logue Island…”

“No! No pills! I’m fine…just need to lie down and rest, that’s all, don’t you bother about me,” Zoro groaned as he lay down on the floor to sleep. Sleep is a remedy for all pains, Zoro always said.

“I told you, Sanji! You shouldn’t order that fish curry soup!” Chopper scolded at Sanji, who was out of sight between the orchards. “Spicy seafood is not healthy! And beer doesn’t go well with it either!”
“Land ahoy!” Usopp called out from above. Everyone except Zoro and Sanji looked. At a distance, there was an island which was completely bare of trees. Tall heavy buildings took its place.

“Wow! A high-tech land! Now that’s what I call class!” Usopp the gadget freak exclaimed in awe.
“Should we land?” Chopper asked Nami the navigator.

“I suppose so. I’ve never seen this island before; I must have a map of this. We might get more information about the Marine Force if we’re lucky,” Nami replied as she checked her compass.

“Then we’ll set foot here for the moment!” Usopp said enthusiastically as he slid down to steer the boat.

Behind the orchard, unknown to the rest of the Going Merry crew, Sanji was crouching on the floor, clutching his throbbing stomach really hard and clasping his mouth tight with his other hand, stopping himself from yelling in pain. Yet he was unable to stop his tears from flowing out like rain.

Damn Cold Night-Chp2

CHAPTER 2: ENCOUNTER

“Land ahoy!” Usopp called from high above the post of the Going Merry.

Everyone gathered at the deck. There it was, right before their eyes, the Logue Island. They have finally reached their first stop. Nami the navigator did say that somewhere at the east-east-west of the island will be the road to the main Marine Force Centre. This was their first step to another dangerous adventure.

Thinking back, it had been a year since they started sail again. After Luffy’s death, the Going Merry crew went on their separate ways: Nami went back to her Cocoyashi Village and carried on with the lime business with her sister Nojiko, who was now married to a decent man from the next village; Usopp went back to his village and helped out with Kaya in her clinic, though he still had the habit of yelling “PIRATES!!” together with his little crew (who were not so little anymore); Sanji went back to the newly-improved restaurant boat and continued cooking for his customers together with Zeff, and surprised everyone in the restaurant boat by eating chewing gum instead of smoking; Chopper returned to his hometown and set up a clinic for the poor; and Zoro was celebrated by his fellow villagers for finally achieving his title as ‘The Greatest Swordsman’. Only after hearing about Shanks and his evil crew being sentenced to death did Zoro left his village again to gather all the ex-Luffy crew.

Before boarding back on the Going Merry after everyone was gathered, they did the swearing-in ceremony again. But this time they didn’t put their foot on the barrel. They had a moment of silence, thinking about the past and about Luffy. They shed their tears for Luffy that day and slit their arms with Nami’s dagger, letting their blood and tears fall on the barrel. There, they swore with their blood and tears that they will do this with no hesitations at all.

Now that they’re reaching Logue Island, they were ready for their ultimate quest. Slowly, they got on to the Logue harbour and scouted around to get themselves food supplies and pricked their ears for any information about the main Marine Force Centre. Zoro looked up at the death sentence stand and sighed. ‘At least he didn’t have to die up there for everyone to see,’ Zoro thought. He went to the shop where he got his recent swords and requested for a polish job.

“Ahh, here you are again,” the shopkeeper said cheerfully. “Word’s been spreading that you’re now the Greatest Swordsman status. How does it feel now you have recognition?”

“OK, I guess,” Zoro replied solemnly. “It wasn’t easy defeating Mihawk, but I succeeded.”

“Thanks to my great swords I gave you!”

“Yeah, I agree to that too.”

“Well, well, well. Look who came back from the land of the dead.”

Zoro turned around towards the owner of the voice. There behind him, wearing a thick leather jacket covering her marine uniform was Tashigi. She has changed the rims of her glasses from black to sky-blue, and was a few inches taller than the last time they met.

“Tashigi…” Zoro said, glaring darkly at her.

“It’s been a while, Zoro. Is that how you greet an old acquaintance?”

“I’ve no time for your cold remark and boyish pretence. If you wanna arrest me, I’m not going.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to arrest you. Not when your captain’s already dead and you have no one else to listen to.”

“Here are your polished swords, young man,” the shopkeeper handed the three swords to Zoro.

“Thanks,” Zoro said, then turned back to Tashigi, “If you’re not here to arrest me, what are you doing here?”

“I’m here to ask you if you want to join the marines.”

“Join the marines?” Zoro asked as he walked towards the shop door.

“Yes, the marines. You have the potential to be a marine fighter,” Tashigi replied, following suite. “That is, if you’re not into the pirate or the bounty-hunting business.”

“I’m neither. But I wouldn’t hesitate to become a pirate again if I have to.”

“Like I said before, it is a disgrace for great warriors like you to misuse the sword for cruel purposes. If you join the marines, those three swords of yours might be able to be put to good use. Come, join the marines. I can vouch for you if you like. I’m sure I can persuade Smoker to accept you.”

“Thanks for the kind offer, but I don’t think I can do that right now. I have unfinished business to take care of,” Zoro said, raising his swords to see if they’re polished right.

“If you’re looking for revenge, you’re too late,” Tashigi replied, looking worried. “I’ve heard about Shanks killing your captain. He’s already sentenced to death. Smoker did the honours.”

“I know that,” Zoro replied, not looking at Tashigi. He didn’t want to shed another tear. Not now.

“Then what are you going to do now? You have no captain and you have no reason to set sail. What else have you not done? Don’t tell me you’re back into bounty-hunting again!”

“No, I’m not. This unfinished business is something you’ll never understand the reason why. It might end my friends and me into serious trouble, maybe even death. Marine people like you will never comprehend what are we going to do. I can assure you that.”

“Zoro…” Tashigi was about to continue asking but was taken aback by Zoro’s sudden sweet smile.
“If I come back alive, I might consider your offer. See you then. Sayonara.”

Zoro walked off, leaving the dumbstruck Tashigi to her own thoughts.

---

“Hey, guys. Sorry I’m late,” Zoro called, entering the restaurant.

“What took you so long? Your lunch is getting cold!” Nami said.

“What did you get me?”

“Beef stew, fish curry soup and two pints of beer,” Sanji replied.

“Ahh, beer. Just what I need. Guess who I came across. That marine girl Tashigi.”

“Nani?! That tomboy Smoker’s girl?” Usopp was surprised. “What the heck is she doing here?!”

Zoro told them about their conversation. The rest of the crew was quite taken aback. Usopp whispered, “You didn’t tell her about our mission, did you?”

“Of course not, bakero! I wouldn’t want to risk us getting arrest before we even started now, would I? What is the atmosphere situation on this island, Nami?”

“Seems OK,” Nami said, looking her thermometer compass. “Air pressure is good, and the wind is blowing fine. I guess we’ll expect good weather today. We might still have time to gather more supplies for Going Merry.”

“Good!” Chopper beamed, “I can get more medicine and medical equipment for my kit. Don’t wanna go unprepared!”

“I thought you got enough the last time we went to see you,” Sanji asked, surprised.

“To you maybe, but not me.”

“Zoro! Is that really you, Zoro?”

Zoro searched around and was surprised to see Cobby and Hermeppo sitting at a table opposite his. Cobby waved happily at Zoro and Hermeppo looked at him grudgingly.

“You’re pretty famous today. Who’s that?” Sanji asked.

“An old friend of Luffy and I,” Zoro smirked and gestured them to come over. Cobby gladly obliged. Hermeppo hesitated before following suite.

“So, Cobby, you made it to the marines! You look so different now. Both of you look more muscular than the last we saw you. Don’t tell me Hermeppo is also in the marines!” Zoro grinned cunningly at the used-to-be-pampered-rich-boy Hermeppo. Hermeppo glared at him.

“If it weren’t for you and that rubber boy, I wouldn’t end up like this!” Hermeppo growled at first, then softened his tone, “Then again, I would’ve been as corrupted as my dad if you guys hadn’t appeared.”

“So you’re thanking me?”

“Not in a million years!”

“I knew it,” Zoro laughed. “What are you guys doing here?”

“We came to send a message to Colonel Smoker. Orders from the Marine Force Centre actually,” replied Cobby.

“The Marine Force Centre?!” Everyone exclaimed delightfully. “We’re so glad to meet you!!”
“Uhh…who are your friends? And…where’s Luffy?” Cobby asked, curious.

Zoro introduced the crew to Cobby and told him about what happened to Luffy. Cobby was downcast for a moment when he heard that Luffy was dead.

“So that’s what the Centre has been talking about Shanks. I’m sorry. Poor Luffy. Now I couldn’t thank him for the strength he gave me to enter the marines.”

“It’s already a year now,” Sanji said, “No point grieving about the past. We have to learn to let bygones be bygones.”

“How’s life in the Marine Force Centre? Is it cool?” Zoro tried to ask for info as inconspicuous as possible.

“It’s a top secret place! You’re not supposed to know!” Hermeppo snapped but Cobby stopped him.

“No need to be so harsh to our friends, Hermeppo. But he’s right. I’m not supposed to give away anything that has to do with the Force. I can say only one thing though: security there is really tough and there are guards at every door. There are about more than 1000 people just in the Force, not including the outside branches like the ones in Hermeppo’s hometown. You don’t want to mess with the Force, believe me. They have more than just laser movement sensors, I can tell you that. Apart from the grim and strict background of the Force, everything there is just fine.”

“Thanks, Cobby. You’re being really generous enough. You’re a good man. No wonder you fit in well with the marines,” Zoro replied.

“I sort of fit in well too!” Hermeppo exclaimed. “I’m now practicing sword-fighting using double blades like you! One day you and I are gonna have a serious duel!”

“How encouraging. We’ll see then,” Zoro said as he got up to leave. “Come on, people! Time to go. We’ve got much work to be done.”

“Zoro,” Cobby suddenly called out before they stepped out of the restaurant door, “are you doing something that I fear you’re going to do? You didn’t just ask me about the Force out of curiosity now, did you? You’re just as reckless as Luffy was, and I think I know what you’re up to.”

“Think whatever you want to think of,” Zoro replied without facing Cobby. “You’ll understand it sooner or later.”

Cobby and Hermeppo watched as the Going Merry crew left the restaurant completely. Hermeppo looked at Cobby questioningly and asked, “I don’t get it, Cobby. What do you mean by him doing something you fear he’s gonna do?”

“Keep your heads up, Hermeppo,” Cobby replied solemnly. “We have a Marine Force to protect.”

---

“Looks like we’ve got another enemy in our hands besides that tomboy Tashigi,” Sanji said as they boarded the Going Merry. “They sorta have a clue about what are we gonna do. What now?”

“Leave them be,” Zoro replied, smirking. “Like our Luffy would say: ‘This proves to be interesting’.”

Damn Cold Night-Chp1

CHAPTER 1: MEMORIES

The rain was pouring down hard. The earth was wet, slowly forming into mud. Nami, Usopp and Chopper stood around the crouching Sanji and Zoro, who was holding the blood-drenched Luffy in his arms.

“In the…end…” Luffy whispered hoarsely, “In the end…I couldn’t be…the Pirate King…”

“Urusai, Luffy! Urusai!” Zoro shouted, holding back his tears. “You’ll be alright, Luffy! You are the Pirate King! You’ll always be our Pirate King!”

“Don’t die on us, Luffy! Don’t you dare die on us, Luffy!” Sanji shouted too, forgetting his cigarette which has dropped onto the wet mud.

“A…Arigato, every…one…” Luffy managed to smile weakly before his eyes closed for eternity and his head tilted sideways, his life ceased to exist.

Sanji and Zoro broke down and wailed.

---

Zoro shook the horrible memory out of his mind. Somehow, he found it hard to overcome this nightmare, although it has been a year since the incident happened. He eyed at his 3 swords and sighed.

They were so close to reaching the legendary One Piece, the late Captain Roger’s grand treasure. So close! They battled all the keepers of One Piece, from the great swordsman Mihawk to the highest level of the keepers. When they were about to reach their destination, the terrible pirate gang led by Bagy the Clown and Luffy’s idol Shanks and his gang appeared. Although Luffy’s team was able to defeat Bagy’s team and finally kill Bagy himself, they never expected Shanks to betray them. Shanks’ gang took all the One Piece treasure and Shanks himself, with his one hand, raised the sword and stabbed Luffy, without warning, right at the heart. His eyes were cold and merciless as he glared at Luffy falling onto the ground, his eyes full of surprise and questions. He smiled coldly, like the dark heartless Messenger of Death, saying, “This is for my eaten up hand, you little freak.”

“Shanks…why…?” Zoro remembered Luffy choked out the question.

“I told you before, Luffy, and I’ll tell you one last time. I never wanted to take you out to sea. The sea is dangerous and not suitable for you. You’re not cut out to be a pirate.”

“How could you do this to him?!” Usopp yelled, furious. “He idolized you for so long and he’s been dying to meet you for the past 10 years? How could you betray him? You should at least share the One Piece…”

“Share? One Piece is not for sharing; it’s for keeps. Whoever reaches the treasure first shall have the right to keep all of it. It’s the golden rule of pirates,” Shanks replied coldly, then turned to Luffy and hissed, “Do you know the real reason why I didn’t want you to go out to sea with me? Because I know your potential. I know that you will become the Pirate King that you have promised me 10 years ago. And I have come to eliminate you. Forever.”

Zoro could understand how badly betrayed Luffy felt. Shanks’ team was stronger; they couldn’t defeat them, not even when Zoro used all his ability with his swords, not even when Sanji kicked the hell out of everybody, not even when Nami and Usopp used their gadget, not even when Chopper morphed to battle mode, nothing. They lost terribly. All they could do was watch painfully as Shanks loaded his ship with the One Piece and left.

A few months after Luffy’s death, Shanks was arrested and sentenced to death. It was then they found out that behind Shanks’ polite and carefree exterior lies a past so horrifying and dark: during his quest to search for the One Piece, he has killed many other pirates and killed even more people on land. He burnt down many villages and robbed them of their valuables, mostly food, to sustain the team while he traveled the sea for the grand treasure. The reason he let Luffy’s village go was that the only satisfaction Shanks will ever get out of this village wasn’t the village and its valuables, but Luffy himself. His target was Luffy all along. His act of kindness was to lure Luffy out to sea. Pirates should die at sea, they always say, and that’s what Shanks have been waiting for the past 10 years—to kill Luffy at sea. He wanted One Piece so bad, just like any other pirate. After his death sentence, One Piece was confiscated by the Marine Force and officially became Marine Force’s exhibit property.

Zoro felt the urge to break down and cry again but he held it back with all his might. He has sworn not to cry until his ultimate goal was achieved. He and the Luffy Gang has already agreed on doing this mission and sworn with their own blood and tears that stormy night on the Going Merry that they were willing to die for this cause.

“Rest in peace, Luffy. I promise we’ll achieve this ultimate mission,” Zoro whispered to the stars.

---

Sanji was preparing dinner for the crew as usual. He wasn’t smoking anymore when he was cutting the fish or making the stew. He stopped a long time ago after Luffy’s death. In its place was chewing gum. Gummy brand. It was Luffy’s favourite junk food ever since he found out that the brand name was almost the same as the name of the Gum-Gum fruit he ate. Luffy did attempt to introduce this chewing gum to Sanji so that he will quit smoking, but Sanji fell on deaf ears, until now, that is.

Sanji remembered the days when Luffy was around. He remembered when Luffy used to barge into the kitchen when he got impatient of waiting for his meals and ended up being kicked out by Sanji. He also remembered the day he fell in love with Luffy. It was that fateful day when Luffy went into one of his impatient moods again. He barged into the kitchen as usual, hollering, “HUNGRY NE~~!!” and accidentally crashing a few pots and pans on the way.

“How many times do I have to tell you, don’t come in while I’m cooking!” Sanji growled exasperatedly.

“But you take too much time! Give me something to chew at least! I’ll die of hunger if you let me wait one more minute out there for our meal!” Luffy can be very demanding when it comes to food.

“Oh, alright! There might be some leftover toast in the cupboard. Go get it yourself.”

Bad idea. Clumsy Luffy actually hit the kettle on his way to the cupboard. The kettle overturned and was about to spill on Luffy but Sanji grabbed him away just in time. Still, the hot water scalded Sanji’s arm.

“Oh dear! I am so sorry! I didn’t mean…Are you hurt?” Luffy said hurriedly.

“It’s OK. It’s only a scald,” Sanji replied.

“A scald?! Quick! Put your arm under running water!”

Before Sanji could protest, Luffy has already dragged Sanji towards the tap, letting the cold water run down his hot throbbing arm. Sanji sighed and said, “You don’t have to bother. It’s OK.”

“How can I? A cook’s hands are the most important things to him. You told me that before,” Luffy replied, checking if Sanji’s arm was still red. “Oh dear, it’s still red. Maybe this’ll help.”

Without warning, Luffy took Sanji’s scalded arm to his mouth and licked it. Sanji was quite taken aback by Luffy’s sudden move. His heart throbbed more than his scalded arm did. He blushed redder than the arm too. As he watched Luffy closing his eyes while he licked his arm, his heart bloomed into a thousand roses. He never felt this before to anybody. His attraction towards Nami was only a bad habit of flirting, but this was real love. He was actually falling in love with a man! And with that clumsy little Luffy at that!

He couldn’t control himself anymore. He took Luffy by the chin and kissed him deeply. Luffy didn’t have time to fight at first—he was taken by surprise. When Sanji parted, Luffy looked at him weirdly and said, “What’s wrong with you?”

“You got me into this scald,” Sanji was good at making excuses, “so you’re gonna pay the penalty.”

Sanji kissed him again, sliding his tongue into Luffy’s mouth, tasting him like he was a new dish. Luffy put up a struggle and slowly inched his way out of Sanji’s passionate kiss. He caught his breath and scolded, “Why did you do that for? If you have a liking for me, you can just say so, not attacking me like this!”

“Sunimase,” Sanji replied, then lit up, “are you meaning what I think you’re meaning?”

“That is, if you don’t mind sharing and be my lover, only my lover, mind you,” Luffy can be very honest and straightforward sometimes.

“Share? Lover?” Sanji was confused.

“Zoro and I are getting married on our next stop.”

---

Dinner was served. Everyone was ready to gorge themselves silly. Sanji laid all the dishes onto the table and removed his apron before joining the others to eat. Before that, they said what Luffy used to say out of habit:

“Itadakimas (Bon appetite)!”

“A toast,” Nami raised her glass of lemonade, “to Zoro on him and Luffy’s wedding anniversary.”

“Hear ye! Hear ye!” Usopp joined in, raising his glass too. Chopper followed suite. So did Sanji.

Zoro smiled weakly and thanked the crew. Come to think of it, it has been 3 years since he was married to Luffy. They were planning to marry at Logue Island, where the beginning and the end existed, because Luffy thought that getting married on the island where the great Captain Roger died would be memorable. If it weren’t for the stupid Luffy who climbed up the death sentence stand and all the goings-on between Zoro and the Kuina look-alike, Tashigi; Luffy and Bagy the Clown crew together with Albida the Beautiful; and their battle with Smoker, they would’ve been married romantically at the island church. Sanji and Zoro could have sworn that they almost lost their beloved when Bagy had the sword incoming towards Luffy’s neck but sometimes, Luffy can be so darn lucky.

In the end, while they were closing in to the Grand Line and after doing the swearing-in with the barrel suggested by Sanji, they conducted a simple wedding under the rain, hosted by Nami and a little fireworks by Usopp. Zoro could still remember their wedding day, as if it just happened yesterday…

“It’s all your fault, Luffy! If you hadn’t showed yourself up on that stand, you might have a good chance of not being noticed by Bagy, and we would’ve had more time to get things ready for the wedding!” Zoro yelled under the loud rainstorm.

“Gomenasai, Zoro dear, I was carried away,” Luffy said, smiling from ear to ear.

“And I was looking forward to be the ‘bridesmaid’,” Nami sighed, disappointed.

“And I the best man!” Usopp folded his arms, pouting.

“Actually, this seems memorable enough,” Sanji said, looking up the rainy sky, “We’re closing in to the Grand Line and will soon enter the route to One Piece. Under these circumstances, a wedding sounds reasonable.”

So, under the rainstorm, Luffy and Zoro found themselves standing in front of Nami who acted as the wedding conductor. Under the loud noise of thunder and flashes of lightning, she had to shout out to be heard, “Right! I’ll skip the boring parts about today being a wondrous day and get on to the point! Luffy, do you take Zoro as your ‘wife’, under the witness of the sea and the sky of the Grand Line, for as long as you both shall live?!”

“I do!” Luffy shouted back, and slipped the ring into Zoro’s finger.

“And do you, Zoro, take Luffy as your ‘husband’, under the witness of the sea and the sky of the Grand Line, for as long as you both shall live?!”

“I do! Forever!” Zoro shouted too, and slipped the other ring into Luffy’s finger.

“By the power of the Grand Line and the riches of One Piece, I pronounce you ‘husband and wife’! You may kiss the ‘bride’, Luffy!” Nami ended the noisy wedding ceremony, sighing in relief. Luffy had to stand on his toes for Zoro was taller, and Zoro complied by bending down a little, and they kissed passionately under the rain. Everyone was drenched to the bone but they couldn’t care less. Usopp cheered and let go some of his water-resistant fireworks, brightening up the dark rainy sky. Luffy announced that right now, their journey to Grand Line will be their honeymoon. Zoro couldn’t agree more on this memorable type of honeymoon, especially the part where they sailed into the lane of the Grand Line. That was the most exhilarating part.

“Hey, Zoro, aren’t you gonna eat that?”

Usopp’s call brought Zoro back to reality. He shook his head and allowed Usopp to take his remaining piece of fish. Chopper and Nami have already had their fill and were on the deck discussing serious stuff.

“Thinking of Luffy?” Sanji asked, sipping his lemonade.

“Yeah. You too?” Zoro replied.

“Mmhmm.”

It wasn’t easy for Zoro to accept Sanji as Luffy’s lover at first when Luffy brought this issue to discussion. Zoro constantly gave Sanji the dark look every time he caught them together, but when Sanji tried to flirt with Zoro and Luffy stood up for Zoro, saying, “Don’t you dare touch my ‘wife’”, Zoro was so touched that he finally accepted the fact that no matter how much time Luffy spend on Sanji, he would always come back to him, his one and only ‘wife’.

“Are you 100% sure you’re gonna do this, Zoro? I mean, it can be risky. Our lives are at stake,” Sanji asked as he got up to clear the plates.

“Yeah! I mean, we’re talking about major risks and major danger here! It’s not as easy as it seems, you know!” Usopp backed Sanji up, burping a little as he spoke.

“You guys can back away if you want to,” Zoro said nonchalantly.

“Not in a million years!” Nami suddenly appeared from behind. “We have sworn by our blood and our tears that will do this, no matter what it takes! Don’t listen to that coward Usopp!”

“Yeah,” Chopper joined in. “Besides, you’re second-in-command. Whatever you say is also respected, after Luffy.”

“We are going to do this even if we might burn in Hell or get sentenced to death. There’s no turning back now. Going Merry is closing in to our destination,” Sanji said determinedly, then held out his hand, “For our Captain Monkey D. Luffy, our Pirate King, my lover.”

“For Monkey D. Luffy, our Pirate King, my saviour,” Nami laid her on his.

“For Monkey D. Luffy, our Pirate King, my friend,” Chopper followed suite.

Usopp was hesitant first, then he clenched his fist and put his hand on Chopper’s hoof, stammering, “F-for M-Monkey D. Luffy, our P-Pirate K-King, m-my best pal.”

“Thanks, guys,” Zoro smiled as he laid his hand on Usopp’s, “For Monkey D. Luffy, our Pirate King, my husband.”

The moon shone brightly at them as they confirmed their vows.

All About That Base

Going on a base art challenge project binge and created a bunch of art from a whole bunch of base I found in dA and the rest of the internet.

Get Your Dance On

Monopoly

The Beasties Pose

Base (c) or or whoever owns the original base reference

My Little Budding Artist

Shameless plug from a proud mama, I know, but here are some pretty awesome art from my little 3-year-old girl using the Kids Doodle app in my iPad. Maybe she does have a little bit of my genetics after all.

Nightcore-Wait For You

Another new Nightcore in the house

Song: Wait for You (Elliot Yamin)

Disclaimer: I do not own whatever was used to make this video