Chapter 766: Princess Atoli

On the Grandline, the Miss Love Geese glided smoothly over the sparkling waves. The scent of salt air and the gentle creaking of the ship’s hull provided a peaceful soundtrack. On the main deck PR, BM,  Rubis, Emeraude. Ivy and Cherry gathered around.

PR walked across the deck. She carried a tray of refreshing citrus drinks.  "The town is now safe,” PR said. “And more importantly, everyone is in one piece," PR added.

“Big sisters were amazing,” Cherry said as she pumped her fist into the air. “We beat all the bad guys,” she said.

“Cherry,” Ivy said as she sighed.

PR turned her eyes toward Ivy. "Ivy, how are you feeling? That was a massive strain on your body,” she said.

Ivy blinked. She stretched her arms. "I’m okay, PR,” Ivy replied as she looked at her.  “Just a bit stiff. It feels like my bones are still settling back into their spots," she added.

Cherry practically bounced over. "Okay?” she questioned. “Big sis, you were amazing! You were like this huge, stomping mountain! You sent those mean pirates flying like they were made of paper,” she shouted.

Emeraude laughed as she ruffled Cherry’s hair. "She really was,” Emeraude said. “You fought them all bravely,” she added.

“But I almost lost,” Ivy said as she touched her fingertips together.

Rubis nodded. "You held the line, Ivy," she added. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at her own spear. "Even for more seasoned pirates, it would have been difficult with their numbers,” she said.

“That robot,” Emeraude remarked. “It reminds me of his creations,”  she added.

“My lord did fight Nipthal recently and sent him flying,” BM said.

“He is a slippery one,” Rubis remarked. “He will be back and probably stronger with bigger and tougher robots,” she said.

BM leaned against the railing. She crossed her arms. "Rubis is right,” she said. "Kalifa mentioned the others are learning the Six Power Techniques,” she added.

The girls gathered around.

“Saphir was talking about it,” Emeraude said as she wiped Cherry`s mouth.  Cherry pouted.

“She could not stop talking about it,” Rubis said.

“What is it?” Cherry asked.

“There are Six Techniques, Shave which allows you to move fast, iron body which lets you hardened the muscles, moonwalk which allows you to fly, storm leg, which sent a compressed air blast, finger pistol, a strike to pierce skin and paper art which allows your body limp to dodge attacks like a falling leaf,” BM explained.

“Saphir was happy to learn Finger Pistol,” Emeraude said.

Rubis smiled. “Moonwalk is interesting,” Rubis said. “Sis, why don't you try it?” she asked.

"Right now?” Emeraude asked.

“Yes,” Rubis encouraged. “Set an example,” she added.

“Okay,” Emeraude responded. She stood up. She tried to kick the air with a sudden burst of speed. “Moonwalk,” she said as with three frantic kicks she was in the air.

“She is doing it,” Cherry said as she saw Emeruade in the air.

Emeraude then tumbled back onto the deck.

BM raised her hand and shot a smoke cloud forward. Emeraude landed on the cloud. “Got you,” BM said.

“Thank you,” Emeraude replied.

Rubis tried to stiffen her body. “Iron Body,” Rubis said as she felt her muscles tense and get stronger. She poked her own arm and it was still soft.

"It’s harder than it looks," Rubis wheezed as she wiped sweat from her brow. "My legs feel like lead,” she added.

“Wow,” Ivy said.

“Big Sis, you should try it,” Cherry encouraged.

“Go on,” PR added with a smile on her face.

“Okay, I will try,” Ivy said. She thought of Shave. “Shave,” she said as she took a step, intending to vanish, but instead, she just tripped over a stray rope and stumbled forward.

"It doesn't work," Ivy sighed.

PR stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Ivy’s shoulder. "Don't be so hard on yourself,” PR said. “It is rare for anyone to do it on their first time,” she added.

“You can do it Sis,” Cherry cheered.

The Miss Love Geese continued to cut through the glassy surface of the ocean. The afternoon sun overhead as the crew recovered from their training session.

“So, where are we actually heading next?” Cherry asked as she swung her legs over the railing. “Is there another island with cool beetles?” she asked.

PR stepped onto the deck. “We’re heading to Silver Island, Cherry,” PR responded.

“For more supplies?” Cherry asked.

“Yes, and there are rumors of the island,” Rubis replied.

“Rumors?” Cherry asked.

“Wait,” Ivy squinted as she pointed toward the horizon. “There is a raft there,” she added.

The ship drew closer and they saw a young woman slumped over a small, makeshift raft. She looked exhausted. Her clothes were stained with salt and dirt. The crew moved quickly, lowering a rope ladder to help her board.

Once on deck, the young woman collapsed into a chair provided by Emeraude. She was a young girl with a round face, large eyes, and a wide smile. She has short purple hair and wears a yellow zippered dress that has short black sleeves and a hood. She also wore a yellow hat that has a purple stripe with golden circles on it

She looked up with wide, tear-filled eyes. “Thank you,” she rasped.

“I am Cherry,” Cherry said as she took a step forward. “Are you the same age as me?” she asked.

“Cherry,” Ivy said.

“I am Princess Atoli of Silver Arrow Island,” she replied. She looked at the woman.  “Please, you have to help. My home has been invaded by the Drayke Pirates,” she pleaded. She thought they could help. She had been running away from those two and was exhausted.

Rubis narrowed her eyes. “Drayke Pirates? Never heard of them,” she said.

“They are monsters,” Atoli sobbed. “Led by Captain Drayke,” she added. “They’ve taken the palace. I was the only one who could slip away to find help. They are holding my father, the King, hostage,” she said. “Please help,” she pleaded.

“How awful,” Emeraude said as she moved closer and held her. She wrapped her hands around Atoli.

“Pirates,” Ivy said as she looked at Cherry. They had lost everything to them. She thought she was one but she was different.

Rubis crossed her arms. “If they’ve already taken the palace, they’ll have defenses set up. We should drop anchor nearby and wait for reinforcements,” she said.

Atoli looked up. “We can’t wait,” she said. “If we don’t go now, it will be too late. Drayke mentioned an execution at sunset to ‘break the spirit’ of the people. My father will die,” she said.

Cherry slammed her fist into her palm. “Then we go now,” she said. “We can’t just sit here and watch the sun go down while a king gets hurt. Let’s go, big sisters,” she added.

BM blew out a plume of smoke. “We can’t just go in blindly, kid,” she said. “Walking into a fortified island without a plan is how pirates end up in cages or at the bottom of the sea,” she said. “Also we would need my lord's decision,” she added.

“She’s right,” PR added. “We need to be smart about this. We should send a message to my champion first,” she said

Atoli thought lord and champion. “A message will take too long,” Atoli cried out as she held Emeraude’s cloak. “Please, every minute we waste is a minute closer to the end,” she added.

Emeraude looked down at the Princess's desperate face, then back at her sisters. “We don’t have to go totally alone,” she said. “We have the teleporter. If we get into a jam we can’t handle, we can bring in reinforcements in a heartbeat,” she said.

Rubis sighed, a small, sharp smile touching her lips. “The teleporter, I suppose, changes the math,” she said. “Alright, let's do it,” Rubis said.

“Full speed ahead!” Cherry cheered as she pointed forward.

Ivy stood tall, her hand resting on the hilt of her weapon. “Don’t worry, Atoli. Those Drayke Pirates are about to find out that the Love Pirates don't take kindly to bullies.”

BM and PR looked at each other. “I will send a message to them,” PR said. BM nodded.