Queen of the Silver Jubilee

Disclaimer: I own nothing (unfortunately). All rights and characters in this fic belong to Eiichiro Oda and other respective owners and creators. I gain no profit from this. It's purely for fun. I only own my OC's.

Note: The following is a rough outline of what was to happen in this chapter. I apologise for not being able to write the full chapter as intended, however, life has proven hectic and along with my plans to start writing original stories, I don't have the time needed to finish all my stories. I didn't want to leave them abandoned, so I decided to give a rough outline of the story's events so that you could see how it would have progressed and ended. I hope that you understand. Maybe one day I might come back and fully finish them as intended, but as that's up in the air, I thought that I'd end things this way rather than leave unfinished. Thank you for your time.

Chapter 4 (Rough Outline)

Kara could scarcely believe how the world could be so wonderous and dangerous simultaneously.

Alongside Laura, she and the rookie pirate captain encountered several threats including beasts and bandits. Yet, Laura was more than capable to rise to the challenge. Kara could sit back and watch as Laura demonstrated her strength time and time again, giving her inspirations for a new painting. She almost feared that she would run out of paper and paint before they reached the next town. Still, she wouldn't trade a single second of it away. It was a thrill that excited her more than she could ever comprehend.

Eventually, the two stumble across a town where they hope to purchase an affordable and dependable ship. After asking around, they find the harbour and are met with hundreds of potential vessels to choose from. While Kara is more concerned with how they should spend their limited finances, Laura rejects them all anyway.

''None of these are the one!'' Laura mumbled, walking down the pathway and away from the harbour.

Kara hurried to her companion's side. ''Well, how would you describe the one?''

''I don't know yet.''

''How are we supposed to pick out a ship if you don't know what you want from it?''

Laura smirked. ''Finding the right ship is like finding the right crew. It's most likely not what you expect. But, when you know it's the one, you just know.''

''Yeah, that's the kind of logic I should expect from you.'' Kara sighed before finding her smile. ''But, if that's what you think, then we'll…''

Suddenly, a commotion from the crowd catches their attention. The look to see dozens of people gathered in one spot and staring out towards the sea. Laura and Kara investigate and see a group of sea monsters battling with each other in the distance. The situation turns serious though when one of the onlookers claims to see a person caught in the middle of the feeding frenzy. Unfortunately, the Marines aren't around and by the time they hear of what's going on, it may be too late.

Laura wants to dive in to help, but she knows that she can't do anything without drowning. Kara spots a tower of barrels stacked on the harbour and gets an idea. She cuts them free and lets them fall into the sea. Now with a way to get closer, Laura hops on the barrels like stepping stones. Kara and the onlookers watch on as Laura takes on the sea beasts herself, jumping from one barrel to the other to keep herself above water. She manages to fight them off, however, the last of the barrels is broken and Laura plunges into the water. She sinks deeper into the sea's depths, not even able to find the strength to hold her breath, she slips into unconsciousness.

When she awakes, she is back on the harbour being tended to by Kara. When she asks what happened, Kara tells her that the woman who was being attacked by the sea beasts rescued her. Laura turns to thank the woman and that's when she realises that the woman is a mermaid. After sharing their gratitude, they decide to head to a bar for some drinks and to relax with Laura finding the strength to carry the mermaid wherever they needed to go.

The mermaid, Atarmis, tells Laura and Kara why she was out at sea. She came from a small group of islands that are under the control of a ruthless pirate named Alston. The cluster of islands used to be one small country when many years ago they were split apart in a battle that involved the Straw Hat Pirates, but they are now simply known as The Broken Islands. It has long been rumoured that after the battle, the Straw Hats found a way to bring the islands together to form one land, but that knowledge has been lost to time, and Alston and his crew prevent anyone from discovering that secret so that they can continue to reign supreme. Without proof, the Marines cannot get involved as Alston has found a way to legally own the land.

Atarmis claims to have stumbled across a way to bring the islands together, but she was hunted by Alston's top crewmates, the Harpe Brothers, Micajah and Wiley. With no other option, she escaped the island, leaving her family behind in the process, and only when a group of sea monsters attacked was she able to lose them and that's when she found her way to the harbour.

Eager to go on an adventure that involves Luffy's history, Laura and Kara offer their help to Atarmis. The mermaid is appreciative, but also hesitant to get them involved.

''Please take no offence to what I am about to say,'' Atarmis whimpered. ''I can see that you are strong, noble pirate. I saw for myself when you saved me. But, Alston is more than just a simple cut-throat pirate. He's a Fishman who rules the Broken Islands with an iron-fist. Anyone who has tried to stop him has met a grisly fate.''

''Funny,'' Laura grinned. ''People who have fought me have said the same thing.''

Kara nodded. ''I can vouch for my captain. I think if we work together, we can help you and restore the Broken Islands to what they once were.''

Reluctant to believe them at first, Atarmis felt warmth flicker in her chest for the first time in a long time. Her smile widened and her eyes glazed over with tears. ''I will never forget this. Thank you so much.''

''Let's get some rest for now,'' Laura pumped her fist. ''Tomorrow, we leave at dawn for the Broken Islands.''

To Be Continued…