Hey there folks! =D New chapter for you!

And thus closes Arc 2 of Voyage as we wrap up all the plot threats of Empty Town. I hope you have enjoyed this arc and will continue reading when I continue with Arc 3 =D

Anyway please enjoy, fav & comment, and have a great day! ^_^

All characters belong to their original owners
Pokemon & One Piece NOT owned by me

---

Voyage:
Setting Sail! Goodbye Empty Town!




“… you’re telling me you brats took down all these pirates by yourselves?”

“Well not all of them… but a lot.”

“Riiiiiight… really funny kid, now who REALLY took these criminals out?”

“I just told you!”

“Keep this up and I’ll haul YOU down to the base for obstructing justice!”

Petie sighed and shook his head. He’d been going back and forth with the larion marine captain ever since he’d showed up to pick up the captured pirates. The burly mon simply REFUSED to believe Petie’s crew had caught any of these pirates… the fact most of his crew burst out laughing at the suggestion just made it worse for the poor bear as he sighed and blushed.

Finally Mr. Elroy had seen enough and stepped up to explain to the captain, who flinched back a little at the sight of the huge mon, that Petie WAS in fact telling the truth. The larion coughed and looked both furious and embarrassed about this turn of events as he turned, refusing to look down to Petie “Well then… since it seems you are indeed responsible for this… seems at least… we shall reward you the proper compensation for your… supposed deeds. RECRUIT PAULIE!!!” he barked loud enough to make several folks jump.

There was a squawking sound as a scrambling and tumbling mess of yellow feathers and a marine uniform scurried through the crowd of soldiers, stumbling to a stop next to the captain “Y-yes captain!” the small archen squawked, giving a shaking salute as if expecting to be smacked at any moment. “PAY THESE BRATS!” the captain barked again “AND MEET US BACK AT THE SHIP!” he added as the marines started to round up the pirates, being sure to get seastone handcuffs on Rosemary, and marching them off to their ship.

Fumbling with the messenger bag he had slung over his shoulder the archen produced several wanted posters, an abacus, and a paddle ball game before pulling out a stack of beri. “O-okay… you h-had several Valentine pirates and Rosemary so that adds up to…” he mumbled to himself as he counted out the money into Petie’s paws far faster than expected finishing with several neatly stacked piles of bills in the teddiursa’s paws “T-there you go!” Paulie said, putting all the things back in his bag before giving them a timid salute “T-thank you for your service to the c-community!” he said before promptly turning and scurrying away leaving a trail of yellow feathers in his wake and shouting “CAPTAIN PLEASE DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT ME AGAIN!!!”


********************


Francesca cussed under her breath as she struggled her way through the thick forests of the island, the three babies in her arms not making the trip any easier. Finally she emerged onto the beach where they’d left the longboats. Cussing more she dumped the three in one of them and shoved into the tide, hopping in herself before the seawater got her “Being captain means never having to row your own boat… if I knew whoever said that I’d beat him to death with an oar.” She muttered as she began to try and row the boat out by herself.

It’d seemed like a perfect plan. Have about half of her crew take the emergency boats around to the side of the island and sneak up on their target while she stayed with the main boat and rained cannonfire down on them. They could either die in the cannonfire (which admittedly wouldn’t have been what Francesca wanted) or flee into the forest for cover and get captured. She’d even sent that damn psychotic along in case things got rough. It’d been a good plan, simple, clean, and effective…

She looked down at the three babies in the bottom of the boat. Calypso was currently curled up in his own wings and fast asleep while Mary and Mei Lien were trying to each lift an oar to help row. Sighing she gently stopped them… and seriously considered spanking Calypso till he cried for mercy. It’d been a simple plan… how in the blue hell it went so wrong she was still trying to figure out. Looking out on the horizon she finally spotted her ship heading for them and started to row towards it.

She personally pinned the blame on that Rosemary character. She really should have listened to Mary, Mei Lien, and even Truesdale’s objections about bringing her on the crew (particularly since when Truesdale talks it’s IMPORTANT). Not to mention the sick freak kept trying to EAT members of her crew. She’d be sure not to make that mistake again. For all she cared the marines could have that psycho. All that mattered to her was what to do next… regrouping, recruiting more crewmembers, and then REVENGE on those stupid babies!

… and to get somebody to change one of her stupid babies when she got onto the ship. The smell was starting to bother her.


*******************


“What do we do now Mama?”

“Our boat sunk!”

“Do you think the fishy can get our stuff back Mama?”

Ching sighed as she drew her girls close and tried to reassure them despite her own doubts. Chouji was doing an admirable job of salvaging all he could from their sunken ship… but the boat itself was destroyed beyond recovery. To make matters worse she wasn’t quite sure HOW they’d get off this island. At the moment the best option would be to swallow her pride and hitch a ride with the little Captain’s group to the next town and try to find work somehow. Sighing softly she pulled her girls close, doing her best to keep them from sensing her worry.

Suddenly there was a tap on her shoulder. She looked up to find Mr. Elroy standing there. She immediately sat up and smiled "Yes?" he remained impassive looking as he said "I'd like you to see something" She nodded and after gently shooing her daughters off her lap stood up "What would you like me to look at?" He showed her a scroll of blueprints. "The little captain asked me to make these" She blinked and looked them over "Um... I'm sorry but I have no clue what these are showing..." she finally admited, slightly bashful. "Your new ship" he said simply.

“… my new what?”

"Your new ship" he repeated as she just looked at him as if to make sure he wasn't joking. He had the same even expression as he said "No, I'm serious. I highly doubt you'd want to stay here." She just looked at him for a moment "But I don't have the money to pay for this..." Mr. Elroy handed her a bag of beris. "The little captain said the zoan user's bounty was yours. Here's what remains after the ship's price." She blinked and looked at the sheer amount of money in the bag, her jaw dropping in the process.

He looked at the blueprints. "He told me to make it like a small bar of some kind..." She raised an eyebrow at that "He did?" as she looked over the blueprints trying to make sense of them. "Yes. Though he talked about a snack shop, or something like that." Mr. Elroy said as he pointed things out on the blueprint for her. She just nodded softly "... please remind me to thank the little captain... a lot..." He chuckled at that "Will do" he said smiling.


****************


“I’ll need this, and this, and thiiiis… ooo! Jules would look adorable in this! Like a little ballerina!”

Beret giggled wickedly to herself as she emptied her hideout of everything she could possibly fit into the few bags she’d managed to swipe. Didn’t want to leave anything important since she NEVER planned on coming back here again. Shoving the last article of clothing into an already overstuffed bag she sighed and smiled happily, short of some furniture she couldn’t haul off by her lonesome (she’d sweet talk Breda into helping with that) she’d gotten everything. Now all that was left was to head back to the ship, her new home, and then…

“Going somewhere little sis?”

“Aaah!!!”

Spinning on her heels Beret promptly tumbled onto her padded bottom which cushioned her fall, another good use for diapers she’d discovered, as she found herself looking up at Arturo. Her older brother was looking at her with his usual bored, emotionless expression as he leaned against the side of the doorway. She tried to babble an explanation, demand how he found her, and beg him not to tell her patents all in the same breath resulting in untranslatable gibberish. The aipom stood there and let her babble for a moment before starting to count off points on his fingers.

“One, don’t care so don’t explain. Two, I’ve known about your little hiddie hole for a while now. Three, Mom & Dad don’t know about it or know that I’m here. Now are you going to shut up for a moment or what?”

Beret was silenced. She just stared at her brother. Finally she spoke back up “Okay… so what the hell are you doing here?” she asked, her hatred for him barely disguised. Now moving from the door he put his hands in his pockets “You’re leaving with those babies huh?” he asked and when she nodded he sighed “Thought so… here.” He brought his tail hand around to drop a worn and dusty satchel on the floor. After eyeing it suspiciously for a moment Beret crawled over and cautiously poked it as if expecting an explosion. After nothing happened she gingerly unbuttoned the flap and opened it and her jaw dropped.

“It’s your dolls from when you were five…” Arturo said, shrugging softly as Beret pulled the various dolls out of the bag “Remember when Mom & Dad threw em out because you said you’d rather play with them than help with the bar? Thought that was kinda mean so I picked them back up. Never found a good time to give them back to you though.” With that the aipom turned to leave as Beret was too shellshocked to respond. He paused for a moment, not looking back, before sighing “Mom & Dad are still looking for you since they wanna blame you for that pirate attack. Didn’t tell them you were here or that you’re gonna leave though… take care, okay? Bye little sis.” And with that he left.

Beret knelt there for a few moments before taking the dolls and curling up in a corner. She needed to think a few things through and sort out her feelings.


**********************


June yanked the cork out of her latest bottle of Rum and slowly started to down the strong drink, trying not to drink it all at once since she could feel something annoying was about to visit which meant the more she had when it came the more she could drown herself in. Sure enough an annoying little voice piped up “June? Are you home?” and Jules’s little blue face stuck its way past her curtain. She half-heartedly looked up from her rum as he came in but raised an eyebrow whe she saw he was wearing a blue princess dress with matching shoes, socks, and bows in his ponytails.

“… you do know I’m not gonna train you anymore, right?”

“I know.”

“… then why the dress?”

“Beret found where I keep my clothes and knows how to sew.”

“Oooooooooooh… sucks to be you.”

She saw the puppy frown a little at that but really couldn’t care less as she took another deep swig of rum “So princess…” bigger frown at that comment “If you’re not here to train what’re you here for?” she asked, not bothering to get up as Jules waddled over to her. “Well… we’re setting sail today so I kinda wanted to say goodbye…” he said making her raise another eyebrow “Sounds like you’ve got more to say then that, so spit it out already.” She commented dryly at him. He was dragging this whole thing out way longer then she wanted and she was both annoyed and curious.

“Why didn’t you help us against the pirates?”

Aaaaaaah, so it was about THAT. She took a long drink of rum then dropped the emptied bottle to the ground “Why should I?” she said with a shrug, turning over a little so her back was to Jules. She didn’t need to see his face to tell how confused he looked. Before he could start babbling questions she decided to just cut him off “I didn’t have any reason to help you, if they’d come into town then I’d have taken them out cause that’s what Beret’s folks give me drink for… but they were at the harbor so they weren’t my problem. That’s all. Don’t think everybody’s as noble and stupid as you are princess.”

With that said she reached for her next bottle as Jules stood there in silence. Again she could just picture the little wheels in his head trying to turn and figure out what she just said. Finally he responded “Well… I LIKE being this stupid and I like helping people! So there!” she didn’t even bother trying to touch that comment as he went on “And anyway despite you being a big meanie I’m grateful for everything you taught me. So thank you. Goodbye and I hope we meet again.” She could tell he was considering giving her a hug but decided not to as he turned to waddle away.

“… yeah, yeah… don’t get killed out there. You got it princess?”

“I got it… and don’t call me princess!”

“Your frilly diaper bottom says otherwise.”

“Wha…?”

“Bet you didn’t know Beret could embroider too, huh?”

“…!!!”

She let out a dry chuckle as Jules waddled off full speed swearing vengeance on the smeargle. Taking a deep swig of rum she smiled “Weird kid… better not get his ass killed…” she took another drink “Hate to think I wasted a week with him if he does.”


**********************


“Okay… we’ve got that… and that… and that… and whatever the heck this is… really wonder if I couldn’t have picked somebody better at this to do inventory…”

Petie sighed as he stat his clipboard down for a moment among the various crates of cargo that needed to be put in their new ship before they could shove off. He didn’t want to bother anybody else with this… but it was boring him to tears. Pouting he leaned against a crate for a moment and tried to psych himself up with the knowledge that once everything was accounted for and loaded into the ship they could leave… but the whole loading into the ship part seemed rather daunting, not to mention rounding up his crew. Maybe he could talk a few of Anne’s plushies into helping…

“Ah! There you are little captain!”

“Huh? Oh hi Ching. What are you doing hereeepp!!”

Petie squeaked as he found himself scooped up and hugged by the lucario lady as she affectionately nuzzled his head. He blushed furiously and squirmed and cooed as she rocked him and gave him a gentle tummy rub. He was too embarrassed to do more than babble but she seemed to understand what he was asking about and chuckled softly “Why am I doing this?” she asked, hugging him closer when he nodded “Because Mr. Elroy just informed me about the ship you commissioned for me. That’s why.” She finished kissing his head gently.

His face was one fire with blush now as he stammered “I-i-it w-was nothing! Y-your boat got s-sunk a-and I f-felt that money was y-yours anyway s-so…” he feebly waved his paws as he tried to explain as if that’d somehow help get the point across “A-and Jules an Gabriel mention t-the snack shop so…” he babbled before Ching silenced him with a tap to the lips and kissed his head “Thank you very much little captain, I owe you a great deal.” She said making Petie blush more before she chuckled and added.

“I’ll start that repayment now since it seems a little captain needs a new diaper.”

Petie hid his face in his paws at that comment as Ching laughed good naturedly and carried him off to get changed, passing the triplets who were telling Jules goodbye and promising they’d see their new baby sister again… as well as smothering the poor boy in goodbye kisses and hugs and telling him to remember things like how to curtsey, the proper way to sit in a dress, and the numerous other things they’d tried to teach him in the short time they had. Ching chuckled a little at how mortified Jules looked and promised herself she’d be sure to give him an apology hug for her girls over-eagerness before the crew left.


*******************


The marines were always so, so very silly silly!

Rosemary giggled innocently as she skipped across the bloodstained deck, as usual her schoolgirl outfit somehow remained spotless despite the sheer amount of carnage around her. She happily nibbled on an arm she’d pulled off of somebody, she couldn’t remember if he’d been dead or not when she did it but she didn’t really care too much. The marines were silly but they were also fun to play with! She giggled and sat down on the metallic corpse that had been the larion captain.

They’d put her in those mean handcuffs that kept her from using her powers, sea rock or whatever that stuff they’re made of is called, and put her in a cell like they did last time. It was a fun game! She got to see how long it took to get out! Course the two guys they had watching her didn’t seem to be very good at the game, she got to kill them really, really quick! They apparently didn’t know she had sharp sharp teeth even as a cute wittle bunny!

After she snacked of them she got the key to her cuffs and her cell and then it was playtime!! Though the others didn’t seem to be very good at that game either. She pouted softly as she remembered how easy it’d been to take out the crew… well almost all of them anyway. The funny yellow birdie gave her a good chase. She giggled and looked at the very top of the mast. Yep, the birdie was still up there clinging to it and shedding yellow feathers aaaaaaall over the place! She’d tried to climb up it in her teddy bear form already but couldn’t. She’d even promised to share some of her food with the birdie but he still wouldn’t come down! Oh well, more for her then!

But she really needed to be going! More things to go and places to do… or however the saying went! She giggled and tossed a few bodies into a lifeboat for snacks later before climbing down herself. After all she hadn’t evolved yet meaning she wasn’t happy enough and since killing people made her happy it meant she’d need to kill MORE of them till she evolved! It made perfect sense! That and it was fun, fun , fun, FUN!! She laughed happily as she started to row away from the marine boat.

Maybe if she was lucky she’d get to meet the babies again! Then she’d get to see what they tasted like!


****************


“Okay, has everybody said their goodbyes?”

“Yes captain!”

“Anne Did your family manage to get all the boxes loaded?”

“Y-yes, they just f-finished.”

“Good. Chouji you get our course set?”

“Yes captain! We’ll be hitting a big town we can restock at in less than a week!”

“Perfect! Gabriel?”

“…!”

“Gabriel I know you’re not use to being on the blue sea but please stop freaking out. Anyway you got the fridge locked to keep Chouji out?”

“Hey!!”

“Y-y-yes…”

“Good. Then it looks like we’re just about read… and leave Jules alone Beret! You’ve tortured him enough already!”

“Keep her away from me!!!”

“D’aaaaaaw! But he’d look prettier with pink tipped hair!”

Petie sighed and shook his head as he ran through the last checklist of things to do before they could cast off “Okay… anchor raised?” he saw Chouji turning the crank to pull it up “Check. Sails set? And Jules get off the merry-go-round, you can play on it later.” Jules pouted but complied as he set the sails “Check then… and Jules that applied to the swings too! Same goes for you Beret!” there was a tandum whine which was probably the first thing they’d agreed upon since they met. Petie just rolled his eyes and walked around deck making a few final checks. The soft, cushiony, playroom like floor of the ship felt nice under his paws… not that he’d admit to it.

“Okay! Looks like the Grand Cradle is ready to set sail!” he finally said and as if it’d been waiting for that statement the ship slowly started to creep its way out of the harbor. Waddling quickly Petie climbed the toddler safe stairs up to the helm and took the rounded and cushioned steering wheel in his paws, turning it ever so slightly so they were facing the harbor broadside as they left. He smiled as all his crew gathered on the side and waved to the Elroy’s and Ching and her daughters as they sailed off. He even waved a little too before turning the wheel so they could properly leave empty town behind… though he made a mental note to try and visit again sometime. That and he hoped to see Ching again too.

“Captain?”

“Yes Chouji?”

“You do know we need to sail south-east and you’re currently sailing south-west… right?”

“… I knew that.”

“Riiiiiiight…”


****************


Back at the harbor everybody was waving bye as they sailed off including the Elroy’s. Babyface sat on the dock as he waved, a big goofy grin on his face. Breda noticed this and chuckled “What’s got you so happy?” she asked as he kicked his feet a little “Well… with them gone I don’t have to worry about Petie poofing me into a baby outfit anymore.” he said with a grin. Breda laughed and rubbed his head teasingly “Yeah, it was hard enough potty training you the FIRST time.” Which made her little brother blush furiously and pout as he protested.

Mr. Elroy continued to wave despite his kids playful bickering next to him. Finally when the Grand Cradle was out of cannon range he paused to look at them and speak up “Breda?” when she looked up from noogying Babyface he bluntly said “Beret took that axe dial you were looking for so she could use it.” before going back to waving. The miltank had a stunned look on her face for a moment, during which Babyface took the time to pull free and scurry as far away from her as he could. Finally a minute later she reacted…


*********************


Back on the Grand Cradle everybody paused for a moment as they could SWEAR they heard the faint sound of somebody yelling death threats at “Painty” as Beret whistled innocently and fiddled with her bag and the axe dial inside it.


To Be Continued…