Power (One Piece FanFiction)

Twenty two

Usopp looked over the edge of the ship at the magnificent island of Dressrosa. He placed his hands on his hips and puffed out his chest. "This...is my first adventure...as a man!"

I patted his back proudly, "good for you, Usopp."

Looking over the island now, I had no doubts anymore. My mate was definitely on this island.

"Luffy," I called.

He looked at me and grinned, "go ahead."

I smiled, "thanks. Don't hesitate to call me, okay everyone?" I couldn't help but feel worried about my friends. Somehow, something on this island was capable of taking my mate. If it weren't for the slight tug on my heart, I would've never known they existed. Their room in my home would've eventually been brushed off as a mystery as well. "Be careful out there," I couldn't help but say.

With an energy assisted hop, I was soaring through the skies. I took my time surveying the island while following my heart. It was beautiful, I couldn't deny that. It was lively with music, the food was mouthwateringly fragrant, and beautiful women twirled through the streets with outward flowing skirts on their dresses.

My eyes widened when I realized that humans weren't the only ones in the streets, and I dropped down to get a closer look.

"Woah..." escaped my mouth. There were toys. Living, talking, dancing, toys! I wasn't surprised that I was barely given a second look, who would spare a glance at me when they were surrounded by such magic everyday?

But I furrowed my brows when I realized that I could feel them, just as I could feel a human. And although a lot of them were genuinely happy to be playing as they are, there were a few that held onto their pain. My eyes flashed to one in particular, a little toy soldier with a missing leg. His pain called out to me in a way I couldn't ignore.

"Excuse me!" I called out to the soldier, who seemed hell bent on getting somewhere. It also seemed like he was ignoring me, based on how he flared in alarm at my call but still continued onward. I grew an irk mark. "I said," I flashed in front, "EXCUSE ME!!"

Surprised at my sudden appearance, he rolled straight into my leg.

"Ow! Hey, you're pretty solid," I noted while rubbing my leg. "You okay?"

He made a few exaggerated movements with his arms, "pardon my rudeness! It seems I was not watching where I was going!"

I couldn't help but laugh, "that was obviously my fault."

"Oh? You're laughing! Am I funny?!" He asked while bending backwards into a bridge.

"Hilarious. Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Of course! We toys are supposed to help people!" But I could feel him fretting in impatience.

I smiled apologetically, "sorry for disturbing you, just a quick question."

"Oh? Did I seem disturbed?! How rude of me! We toys are supposed to be helpful! And make people laugh! So was I funny?! Am I? Am I?!" He rolled around in circles on his single leg.

I laughed, "you're doing great." I squatted down so that I was more at his level and beckoned him closer. I cupped my hands around my mouth and said quietly, "are you actually human?"

The soldier froze in response, but I could feel his alarm raising. "What do you know?" He finally asked.

Regarding his mad dash earlier, I spoke softly. "Are you safe to talk here?"

He glanced around suspiciously, so I took that as a 'no'. I grabbed him and pulled him into the Demon Realm before he could reject the idea.

I set us both on top of a nearby roof where there were less souls around. I couldn't help but hum impressed as I looked over my new bruises. "You're pretty strong, for a toy," I said as I put him down.