The Princess and The Swordsman (ZoroxOC)

Chapter 20

"Whoa." Zoro said in surprise as he looked at me and I nodded silently. "80 million?!" Nami and Shae exclaimed in unison, "That's four times Arlong's bounty! There's no way!" Nami shouted as Shae was sitting on the ground, depressed, "We're gonna die." she whimpered. Kell and Igaram were watching Luffy closely, "Will you do this for us?" Kell asked, his voice serious and low. Luffy didn't hesitate, "Sure. It sounds like it'll be fun." he said and looked at Shae, "Come on Shae, please? I cannot do this without you. I need my Little Red by my side." Luffy pleaded. Shae sighed and stood up, crossing her arms over her chest, "Oh alright, fine. It's not like I can exactly argue with my captain." she said smiling at Luffy, and Luffy grinned at her, "We are forever grateful." Igaram said.

At the water bank, Kell and Igaram were getting ready to set sail, "Now I, Vivi-"

"And I, Evie,"

"will leave from here." Igaram finished and Luffy laughed, "Great Imitation, guys." he remarked. Zoro rolled his eyes, "Imitation of who?" Zoro asked in annoyance. Kell and Igaram focused on us, "Princesses, please give us the Eternal Pose." Igaram said softly. Vivi looked at me and I sighed as I pulled the Eternal Pose out and placed it in Kell's open palm, "What's an Eternal Pose?" Nami asked curiously. Igaram and Kell glanced at Nami, "Hm? You've never heard of it?" Kell asked as he lit a cigarette, "You could say that it's sort of like a permanent version of a Log Pose. Whereas a log pose will always lead sailors to the next island on the course, an Eternal Pose will forever remember the magnetic energy of the island that is stored inside of it." Kell explained as he puffed on his cigarette.

"So it will always point to that island and none other." Igaram added. Kell placed his cigarette in his mouth and held the Eternal Pose up, "And this Eternal Pose is set to Alabasta Kingdom."Kell finished. I looked at Kell, worry in my eyes, "And you guys are going to use this to set your course home?" I asked softly. Kell met my eyes and nodded, "Yes Princess Evie. Like we said, we are taking a direct route." he reminded me.

"Princesses, please take the indirect island-hopping route to Alabasta. I have never gone that way myself, but you both should only have to pass two or three islands if you follow the log." Igaram explained to us. Kell crushed out his cigarette and looked at Luffy and Zoro, "Please swordsman, take care of Evie in my place." he said meeting Zoro's eyes. Igaram nodded, "And please, Captain, take care of Vivi in mine." he added, looking at Luffy. Luffy grinned, "Yeah." he said and Zoro hummed.

"Igaram." Viv said softly as I hugged Kell, "Don't die on me, Kell, you're my best firend." I said softly and Kell chuckled as I pulled away and he lit a cigarette, "When have I ever come close to dying, while looking after you, Evie?" he asked with a smile and I smiled back. Igaram looked at us again, "I expect that your journey is going to be a difficult one. Please, both of you be careful." Igaram said as Kell puffed on his cigarette. 

I smiled at Kell, "See you soon, Captain Kell." I said softly and Kell grinned at me. Vivi took Igaram's hand in her own, "See you soon, Igaram." she said softly. Igaram boarded the ship first as Kell kept looking at me, "Stay safe, Evie. I hate when I cannot be there to protect you." he said softly and I smiled, "You don't have to worry, Kell, Luffy and his crew will look after me." I assured him. Kell nodded and crushed his cigarette, before boarding the ship. 

Kell and Igaram were standing on the deck, looking at us as Kell offered me a reassuring smile and Luffy sighed, "And off they go." he said and laughed, "Such funny guys." he added as Vivi and I were looking at Luffy. We looked towards Igaram and Kell, "What's more, they are very reliable men." I said softly with a smile. Unfortunately, this peace and happiness was shattered when Igaram and Kell's ship exploded, "No! Kell!" I screamed.