V.E.: I know by the schedule I should be doing Paradox, but streaming video stuff on my new computer can be a little dicey. Either way, at least I know what Pokémon I'm doing for this one.

After this chapter we're heading back to the Island for one more future Strawhat and then we'll do some interesting picks. Hopefully, people are still reading this story. Hopefully.

Chopper: 9 years old (Shortly after he got taken in by Kureha)

Quote: "Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it."- Tori Amos

Professor Eclipse D. Mana raised her glass with the grandest smile on her face. "Kureha, have I ever said how you're my favorite person on Drum Island?"

The old woman cackled heartily as she poured the good professor a drink. "That's funny, I'm pretty sure I'm the only person you know on Drum Island."

Mana nodded, holding the drink to herself as she continued with their conversation. "True enough. At the very least, I can count on you to have the best alcohol on the Island so long as I can pay for it. And I'd say my information more than covers it."

Doctorine sighed at that but still smiled, setting her choice alcohol to the side. Even in the comfort of the woman's home (by no means a castle, but still rather comfortable), the winds of change from outside the island, outside the Grand Line, affected her. "So, things are finally starting to move."

"Yes, though the real deal probably won't happen for another couple of years. This generation is the one that will turn everything upside down and those that look down from the throne on high can't stop it. No one can."

That got Kureha's smile to look almost demented. "Of course they can't. That Will will always live."

Mana's expression contained a small bit of surprise as she eyed her old friend (even that phrase sounded like it didn't fully describe what the two were). "You don't sound surprised."

"Let's just say that I had a feeling, nothing more. Anyway, it's unfortunate, but I doubt that that change will come in time to save this land."

The professor's look darkened as her hand gripped tightly around the glass she was holding. "I know. I wish I could do something, but you know how the system works. As long as the Heavenly Tribute to the Celestial Dragons is paid, the World Government doesn't care what a ruler does to their own country. And since Drum Island doesn't want to reach out to the Revolutionaries…."

Kureha nodded knowingly, her expression pensive. "We're pretty much screwed. It's a shame, the late king was a very good man. I have to wonder how in the world how Wapol could be his son."

Mana shrugged, taking a sip of her drink. "Well, you know what they say, 'Wise men die and are not always succeeded by equally wise men.' Although, I guess in this context we would replace it with 'good kings.'"

"Too true. Speaking of authority, how's the Isle getting on?"

The brown haired woman heaved a great sigh. "Half the time I'm holding Ruri back, the other half she's holding me back. I swear, the Government keeps asking for more and more for the sake of ' keeping the peace.' The only good thing I have right now is that none of the regular Celestial Dragons know about Pokémon because the moment one sees an interesting Pokémon…"

Kureha's face grew somber. "Same story, different tune. You know, I wonder if this new wind will come in time to save you and the Isle."

"Oh, I know it won't, but that's a decision that was made when that bastard Alden convinced Professor Magnolia to ally with the World Government. The most I can do is ensure that our research will be passed on and the Pokémon will be safe."

The old doctor spat, a trace of disgust on her wrinkled face. "May that fool burn whatever hell the gods put him. Just a shame that his sins have to affect others who didn't consent to burn with him."

Mana smiled with a wince before her expression became irritated. "Does any child ask for their father's sins? I swear this is like the last discussion I had with Mewtwo. I can handle it for now Kureha. Speaking of which, I suppose I should I pay a visit to my old colleague in the North Blue sometime soon."

Kureha smiled in amusement. "Now, now dear. I know you and Judge have never seen eye to eye, but try not to commit regicide. It'd be hard to accomplish of those goals of yours from Impel Down."

"I'll be civil if he will. That's all I can promise."

"Well, keep it to words and not fists, that's all I can say."

"Or Pokémon, I know." The professor's head nodded behind her, a small brown faces with antlers poking out from behind a piece of furniture. "Well, now that we've finished with the pleasantries, aren't you going to introduce me to your new apprentice?"

The small brown creature froze at the young woman's words.

Kureha seemed to sigh greatly, but the hint of amusement in her smile told a completely different. "Yeah, I suppose we were going to have to get to that part. Chopper, come introduce yourself! I swear that she's seen a lot weirder stuff than you."

The blue nosed reindeer slowly edged out of his hiding place until he was out in the open and cautiously made his way to the professor's side. "Hello….Ma'am."

Mana let out a small laugh as she smiled at him reassuringly. "Oh please, if you're Kureha's apprentice, then there's no reason to stand on ceremony. I'm Professor Eclipse Mana, Head Researcher at Avalon Isle. Now, who may I ask are you?"

"I'm…Tony Tony Chopper."

The young woman nodded pleasantly. "I see, a pleasure to meet you Chopper, I hope the old hag here hasn't given you too much trouble."

The old woman got really irritated at that last part. "Oi, remember who you depend on for your alcohol Missie."

Chopper seemed to blink a couple of time before he spoke again. "I don't….upset you? Anger you? Scare….you?"

"I see study all sorts of unusual creatures. Can you breath fire?"

That seemed to take him aback. "Umm, no."

"Can you cause earthquakes?"

"No."

"Can you spew poison from your body, infecting those around you unconsciously?"

"NO!"

Mana simply leaned back into her chair, a reassuring smile gracing her face. "Then by comparison to many of the other monsters I study, you aren't all that dangerous and those are some of the tamer powers I've seen."

Chopper seemed taken aback before slightly relaxing at the woman's open reassurance.

The professor then cocked her head in interest as she gazed at the mammal. "Though I do have to acknowledge a talking reindeer isn't most people's normal. Might I ask how that happened?"

"I ate a strange fruit a long time ago. Doctor…thought it was a Devil Fruit."

The brown haired woman nodded, having heard full well about Dr. Hiruluk from Kureha. "A Devil Fruit that would allow an animal to gain human speech and a human form…..and it gets eaten by an animal. Go figure."

Chopper nodded before asking his own question. "Ummm, so what kind of monsters do you research?"

Mana smiled at the mention of her life's work. "It's easier to show than to explain. Let's just say the creatures I study have many different types of powers that can be used for a variety of things. There are even Pokémon that are specifically geared towards healing other Pokémon."

The blue nosed reindeer's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yes and a few are just as capable of human speech as yourself, though those ones are a minority by comparison. So, I heard from Kureha you intend to become a Doctor."

Chopper nodded determinedly. "Yes, I intend to make a medicine capable of curing any illness."

Her smile seemed to turn to a smirk. "Well, that's another ambitious dream. I wonder….."

The woman looked over Chopper for a almost a full moment of silence as the reindeer felt like squirming under her gaze. He glanced at Doctorine, only to find her glancing at her friend and Chopper with an expression that was both concerned and shocked.

Finally, the professor spoke. "Still, that dream means you're going to have a treat a wide variety of different patients, not just illness but also in life styles."

"I can handle it!"

"You'll also have to deal with all of the age ranges, from the elderly to young children."

That last bit gave Chopper some pause. "Chi…children?"

Mana looked at the young mammal with a smile. "Oh, I don't think dealing with children should be any problem for you. A small cute animal might actually be a lot less intimidating than some other doctors for kids."

That seemed to give the reindeer a flush of embarrassment, murmuring his words under his breath. "I'm not cute…."

"And that's not even counting babies."

The young reindeer looked down at his hooves. "I'm not so sure I could really handle babies. I mean, they'll probably cry and scream as soon as they see me…."

Mana smiled knowingly and finally stood up. "You'd be surprised. Practice makes perfect after all. And that makes my decision."

Chopper was utterly confused, but Kureha looked at her with concern. "What? Wait, are you saying…."

"Unfortunately, none of the ones I have with me now would really suit Chopper, but this way not only do we get some experience in, it also gives me the perfect excuse to go back to Avalon Isle to send you the egg. I've been away longer than I planned and I don't like the Government trying their luck against Ruri for too long. It should be here in about a month, give or take."

Kureha consider things before nodding. "Just remember to send all of the necessary stuff, you know I don't have your resources when it comes to treating Pokémon."

"I'll make sure to have it all wrapped up in a gift basket with instructions.

Poor Chopper was just even more confused. "Egg?"

True to the professor's word, the basket with all of the supplies any growing Pokémon could need arrived within little less than a month along with a strange container housing white egg with blue and red shapes on it and a small note on top for Chopper: Make sure upon hatching you're the first thing it sees.

Chopper, confused by the order but noted it nonetheless, had no idea what he was in for.

V.E.: Okay, this chapter is a little on the shorter side, but after last chapter I think I can be given some leeway. And see! Not every Straw Hat is getting a starter, though there is still one more member who will get one.

Also, some backstory in this chapter that will come up again, so stay tuned for that.

Togepi/Togetic/Togekiss: This is a little bit more out there, but I think it kind of fits. Though, I will admit part of the image of Chopper having to take care of a baby Togepi was what swayed me. This Pokémon however does level up using friendship, showers luck and blessings on kind souls (and Chopper is practically the epitome of kindness), and it's move sets wouldn't be bad for someone who is a doctor type. Not to mention the idea of chopper riding on a Togekiss was kind of adorable to me.

Sorry, I did mean to have this chapter out last month.

Next up is the last Straw Hat for a while.

See you next time!