In a kingdom titled as being the most festive, one on which held festivals everyday, were filled with many sounds of joy and laughter from people of every age. In every corner of the land there was an event going such as comedic stands, magicians, dances, and the lot. Today's festival was one chosen by the princess herself, one that takes place every year on her beloved birthday. This event was typically a choice favourite among many of the kids as it pertained to a sweet, this was the kingdom's annual Cotton Candy festival.

"Now welcoming our beautiful and amazing princess! (Y/N)!" One of the men shouted in honor of the princess that happened to be you. Nervously, you smiled alongside the queen with her red hair that waved slightly in the wind and grey eyes that wavered. The queen ruled the land after the king's tragic death a few years back, the citizens feared not though as the queen played a fine leader in her ruling.

      "Go and have fun. You might meet the love of your life." The queen jokingly teased you, for the most part making the situation even more uncomfortable.

     "Your majesty, would you still like us to carry out your given orders from earlier?" One of the knights standing close by asked your mother, primarily the knight that watched your back at all times. He was diligent, loyal, and strong, a man fit for the position.

      Anyone, in short range, could see the queen stiffen up from the lax way she addressed her daughter because of the knight's presence, seemingly less familiar with your chosen knight. She responded simply with a nod signaling yes, staying calm and quiet.

      The knight's question, that seemed to need a second approval, was the one to let you roam free that day. It was your birthday and roaming outside of the castle alone was typically a no go in the royal knight's eyes. That day you specifically asked to be able to roam without the need of a bodyguard and simply alone, never truly feeling free in the kingdom promised to be under your rule when the time comes.

     Before the situation even had a chance to go downhill, you snuck off into a back alley and out through a crowd of people.

       Having a second to breathe, you took in the atmosphere.

The air was ever so blissfully filled with the nice aroma of cotton candy while groups of children ran around, giggling and playing games. The adults laughed and joked around, mostly talking about the days events to come. The streets were even filled with bright light colors, most of which resided as being blue or pink taking into account the typical colors of cotton candy. The third most popular colour was white, as the colourful floss candy was originally the colour of snow. The more uncommon colours were still prominent, with fluffs ranging from lime green to the yellow of a lemon.

    Off In the distance was a suspicious mumble, quite odd considering the usual happy and confident talks of the people. Curiosity led you to find out what exactly it was about, feeling a completely different atmosphere then before. There, walking down the middle street, were three unusual looking, let's say, people.

    The most notable was a skeleton, a human one acting in a way as if they were any normal human with an afro to boot.

     The next was a larger man, not dressed at all for the occasion. This man, with his blue styled hair, he almost didn't seem human with his toy like arms.

     The last, and easiest to be overlooked, was a small and excited brown furred creature wearing a round blue and pink hat that pleasantly matched the surrounding scenery. This creature was perhaps the embodiment of cuteness itself.

       The unusual festival attendees were most definitely, without a second's or speck's worth of doubt, from another land. In this situation it was practically your duty as princess of the land to offer them a warm and heart felt welcome, seeing as others were unsure of them as expected from their exotic appearance compared to the normal residents in the festival.

"Welcome to the kingdom." You greeted them with a smile and a slight gesture of a curtsy. "You could probably tell, it's the Cotton Candy festival today. Hope you like it here. Ask me anything yah want." Your speech, it changed ever so much from a more proper one to a much more casual one. Your less royal approach came from never exactly having to act that way. It was never required, only you yourself made it a requirement for the rare public speeches.

"Oh my what do we have here? Someone to welcome us, an honor. A pretty lady I dare to say as well." The skeleton, oh so creepily talked. Looking into to his eyes, it was as if seeing the void. A hollowed shell way past it's time.

        "A super lady!" Shouted the large action figured like man, he desperately needed to wear pants. So much of the unnecessary was showing.

         The little horned creature simply cried, with what seemed of joy, mumbling things of how you have treated them better then the others have so far with the distant whispers.

        "I apologize, for... Well everyone's behaviour yah know. We don't get many outstanding visitors such as yourselves too often. They'll probably be nice once they see me talking to yah." Your arms crossed behind your back, rolling from heel to toe back and forth in explaining the situation.

        "Ah no need. I'm sure their skin is practically crawling off out of fear for my horrid appearance." The skeleton seemed as if he had more to say, like he was going to make a joke about how he scared the skin off his own self, until he started dramatically crying over admitting his horrid appearance. He soon straightened up though, acting as if everything was once again normal. "Oh, and if you'd be so kind to-"

"Brook stop! I don't want her to turn angry like everyone else you ask that to!" The small creature started freaking out with tears in his eyes, somehow protecting you with his arms spread out. So far in this land you've been his only comfort aside from his friends.

You knew not what he was going to ask but, there was a feeling you'd rather not know what it was.

"Yohoho! I had to try though!" Brook, the Afro wearing skeleton, admitted.

         "Anyways..." You felt a little weird being involved in there clearly group conversation, not knowing what they were talking about. "If you want any cotton candy, it's on me." You planned on saying more but was immediately interrupted by the excited squeal and expression on the smaller creatures face.

       "That's nice and all but... I feel like there's a catch." The blue haired man spoke in doubt, with good reasoning.

       "Not really but I wouldn't mind having you three's names."

        "Well if that's all... Super!" The man that questioned your motives posed and shouted. He introduced himself as Franky.

"I'll go next." Brook introduced himself though you already knew the name from the small one's panicking.

     The creature, finally being able to be named, was Tony Tony Chopper, or simply Chopper. Occasionally he'd look around his surroundings, clearly interested in the sugar filled sweetness that was around every corner. This gave you an idea.

       "So I have an idea, and I know we just met and all but, if one of you kept me company until a few minutes after the fairy floss lighting at sunset, I can give you a present. It pertains to cotton candy though, but that is today's festival."

Both Franky and Brook looked at each other, likely thinking a thought of the same.

"Look. Me and Brook have things to do but Chopper can go with you." Franky explained, likely knowing how much fun the little one was having.

"Really? What kind of stuff?" Chopper looked up at the two, not recalling the two having to do anything that day.

"Uhhh..." Franky paused, clearly thinking of an excuse. "Brook's guitar needs fixed."

"Yes... Yes! Indeed it does. I can't perform my duties on the crew without it!" The skeleton nearly dodged a bullet there, particularly bad at agreeing to lies to make it more convincing.

"WAHHH! What happened? You never told me that?!" Chopper was a flailing mess, likely worried about his friend's career. He calmed down though, realising something. "Wait, Franky, can't you fix it?"

       "I have to get the supplies to, little bro."

"Oh, that makes sense but why is Brook going with you?" Chopper was undeniably believing every word at this point.

"I'm extremely picky about what materials are put on it." Brook finally got the handle on the situation, acting like a pro at building onto the simple lie.

      "Ooh okay. I guess I can go with- you never told us your name." Chopper turned towards you, and without realising, you completely forgot to tell the three your name even after asking for their's.

      "Oh, sorry. It's (full name)." Saying your name reminded you of the citizens, how they cheered the name on earlier at the start of the festival. "Before you ask about the name, as it's on just about every stall here, I am the princess of the land of festivals."

      "A princess of cotton candy?!" Chopper's eyes sparkles with childish hope and excitement towards an idea that was false. The three didn't really seemed to amazed by you being a princess in a way most people did.

      "No but, I did choose this festival when I was a child. I don't regret it at all either." You smiled, admitting you were not what he dreamed of and thinking of the smiling faces of joy the children of the kingdom had on this day. At your age, maybe you could have chosen a better festival but, you never would, the children, their smiles meant more.

"Ahh we should get going before the stores close." Brook nervously spoke about.

The two left quickly, without you even having the time to tell them where they mind find materials to fix the guitar. Without them, it was only you and the adorable Chopper. At the current time of day, two hours after noon, the time until the lighting would probably be four more hours at this time of year when the sun sets.

"Why don't we start by getting you some cotton candy? We have almost any flavor you could want." You spoke with exaggerated arm movements, practically making the thought of the large variety of flavors more exciting.

Chopper beamed up, thinking of what flavor he could possibly want at that moment.

"Maple syrup flavored?"

"Oh we definitely have that. I saw some earlier, let's get some."

After getting some of the tasty maple flavored cotton candy, you and Chopper came across a large open area with the cheers and laughter of children playing. The area was a specific play area, filled with many cotton candy filled decorations and other enjoyable things to love such as slides, trampolines, and ball pits. The artists of the land did a splendid job with the decorations in particular. Some items were a fairy flossing its teeth, sheep with wool imitating fluffs of cotton, cotton plants, and a variety of none other then the sweet and enjoyable cotton candy itself. The main attraction was a large contained bed of cotton, coloured a light pink and by estimate alone could fit fifty or so children. Though it looked to be real cotton candy, it sadly was not, which in reality did not stop the kids from trying to eat it as if it were.

      "That looks kind of boring." Chopper pointed out to the bed of cotton.

       "Oh, you think so huh?" Your face grew with a smirk as you lifted him up, making him quickly let out a small scream, and quickly jumped onto an empty spot, free of slobbering children. Much to your happiness, Chopper ended up in a giggling fit of enjoyment as he crawled from your arms and rolled around on the fluffy cotton.

      "Okay, I was wrong but I won't admit it!" His quite childish voice spoke in between the small laughs of enjoyment.

       "But you just did, Chopper." Your words seemingly didn't reach through his ever growing smile.

When you looked up and around, you could see an obvious confused face on some of the children. The origin of their confusion was hard to determine. Was it because the princess of their kingdom was dawdling around, playing with mere kids toys or perhaps the strange creature that giggled next to said princess.

       "Princess." A pouty young child in full pink, mumbled. "Can you play on the slide with us?"

     That child, and a few others in a group, all stared with hope.

    You just couldn't say no at this point.

       "Chopper, you want to play on the slide with us?"

      The children overheard your obvious yes as they smiled with joy.

     
        Chopper looked around for the slide and once it was in sight he gasped with aw. He was most certainly going to slide on the slide.

With much effort, you managed to fit onto the kid's slide, with whichever child wanted to be in your lap that turn. This time though, it was Chopper's turn. He seemed a little wary from it's height but nonetheless loved it enough to go back a second time by himself.

     After, perhaps, a little too long playing on the slide with the children, you and Chopper went in search for other kinds of cotton candy.

       "Is that cotton candy too?" Chopper pointed out a stall that sold what looked to be rolls of cotton candy.

       "Not exactly but, in a way it's similar. I'll go get some."

     Maybe in a way, Chopper wanted to stop you from buying him more but his excitement covered up those thoughts entirely.

       On a nearby bench you presented the candy to Chopper.

        "This is what many of us around here call dragon's beard. It usually has a filling, like this one, though it's not quite as sweet as cotton candy."

     Hesitantly, he took a bite of the candy. His face, when trying it, spoke every word needed that he loved the taste of it. He swayed back and forth in enjoyment.

      "Hey, Chopper I'll be right back. You can have the rest."

      "Okay!" He happily agreed.

      Off in the short distance you saw a figure, a suspicious one but all too familiar. You tapped on the person's shoulder, only to see it was as expected. It was none other then the queen, hidden behind a green cloak, similar to their trench coat but much cooler in temperature. Her grey glasses dropped a little seeing your face but she instantly offered you a half eaten bag of cotton candy, likely because she's not huge on sweets.

        "You... Can keep that." You shoved the offered bag back. "I needed to ask you a favour." The favour pertained to the deal you made with Chopper earlier, that if he staid with you until the fairy floss lighting that he'd be rewarded with a gift pertaining to cotton candy itself.

She agreed to doing what you asked and hurried, at her own pace, to go do it.

You quickly returned back to Chopper's side.

"Say, how about we go grab some non-sweet food then head to the castle for the lighting."

Chopper hopped down from the bench, hooves adjusting the straps on his round blue bag.

"Okay, but nothing spicy."

After the evening meal, with a few weird comments from Chopper about a cook named Sanji, you and him made your way to and through the grey stone bricked castle. You have known the castle as long as you could live and apparently your new found friend was also familiar with the concept of castles.

       "Reminds me of the castle back on Drum Island."  He spoke with an aw about his words, seemingly recalling many fond memories.

    At the top of the stairs, and up to the highest easily accessible part of the castle, you looked out upon the vast landscape and the setting sun over the horizon. As night fell, some clouds moved in as the salt particles from the ocean turned the sunset a dreary, and an almost haunting look of red.

        "They should start any moment. There are still lights on but after the last peak of sunset all of the other lights will come on." You leaned over to your over thrilled and bouncing friend that excitingly waited.

    In the matter of seconds the sun completely vanished as the town's lights went out with it.

       "Wahh! What happened? The lights went out!" Chopper momentarily panicked with tears ready to form in his eyes, and terror from the darkness itself.

     In a sense you tried soothing his worry with a hand on his head.

     "No no. It's fine. They do that to make it more dramatic."

     "Oh... Okay. But it's still scary!" He quickly, the best he could in the dark, latched onto you in a shaking mess.

     "Look out the window before they turn the lights on you silly."

     Chopper moved his burrowed head and looked out the dimly moon lit outside world.

      In an instant, lights slowly began to shine across the land. The prominent colour was a beautiful and subtle light pink. Occasional strewn about were a few needed bulbs of light blue. Alongside the dazzling blue and pink were many reflective shines from rooftops that were seemingly decorated with glitter. Connecting each building were beautiful white webs of string to give it an extra elegance that quite literally tied things together. The reflective colours on the water was perhaps the best part of the lighting as many lights waved and rippled.

Slowly, your focus wavered from the beautiful annual view of the fairy floss lighting and unto the jaw dropping adorable face of Chopper as even his gasps were speechless. The view of Chopper's astonished face with the lighting catching his attention fully, it was the kind of view you wanted to share and let others see.

     "I'm assuming you like it." You giggled slightly, amused by the expression he showed.

      "It's so cool!" Chopper spoke with his cute squeaks of joyful laughter. Something inside of him spoke that the scene of pink lights held a bittersweet memory though it was brushed off for another day.

"Chopper."

"What is it?" He could tell something in your voice was a little off, it distracted him from the scenery of lights below.

"Thank you for today. It means a lot and I'll never forget it."

"Me too! I had a lot of fun today! Though I have to get back to my crew mates. We leave tomorrow."

Most of the sadness from him leaving dissipated hearing just how much fun he had today as well, you had hoped it was mutual after all.

"What do you mean by crew exactly?" It slipped your mind of the word crew being spoken. Brook had also said it earlier.

"Huh? I didn't tell you? I'm a pirate. The Straw Hat's much needed doctor!"

You took a guess and assumed all three, meaning Franky, Brook, and Chopper were all pirates together. Their appearances certainly didn't shout pirate though if anything it would be streaker, singer, and stuffed animal.

"You're a pirate, huh? Wouldn't have ever guessed that but, a doctor too? Your amazing, you know that?" You always grew up as a fearless kid, making friends with pirates at the harbour was a normal occurrence at that time. Princess was only a non-consented given title at that point.

"That doesn't make me happy or anything, stupid." He started waving his arms and clearly loving the compliment in his own weird way.

       "Since it's close to time for us to part ways, it's also time for your reward for spending time with me today." You walked to the back of the room where the item in question was already set up with a white cloth over it.

      "Oh but I had fun with you today, you already gave me a lot of candy."

      "Nope. I made a promise. Come over here." You denied Chopper for his kindness, signalling him over. You pulled the cloth off and underneath was a bright pink and blue object. "This is for you. I assumed you didn't have one before." Seeing his confused face, you explained. "This thing here is a cotton candy maker, with a little detachable cotton candy keychain."

     Choppers eyes practically sparkled with seeing the object in the dimly lit room.

     "Are you sure I can have it?! It seems important." Chopper was right on the dot. The machine was a little old, a gift from your father but, it was in an incredibly good condition for it's age.

"Yep! It's fine. You'll make much better use out of it then me. It needs a friend." You slightly patted the side of it. You remembered fond memories with it though, overtime, if you wanted cotton candy it was as simple as asking anyone in the castle. After the king passed away, the machine was never touched again.

"I'll be its new friend!" Chopper hugged the machine, as if it had feelings and were alone. After detaching himself from it, he unclipped the small keychain and looked around his body for a suitable spot to put it. He eventually decided upon putting it on the strap of his backpack. "There! Now I can always remember you." He grinned adorably. "Oh, but you have nothing to remember me by."

"I don't need to, this day, it's one I'll never forget." Even with you dismissing the thought, Chopper took off his backpack to search inside.

"I don't really have anything but you can keep this as long as you don't eat it or let anyone else have it. It's important you don't do either of those." He handed you a small yellow ball.

You knew not what was, no clue in fact or even any guesses.

"I'll make sure to treasure it forever." You clasped the object in your hands, holding it close. "And I'll never eat or let anyone else have it, you have my word."

He seemed happy with your given response and promise as he put the bag back on his back.

"Oh..." An idea just occurred to you. "Should I help bring this to your ship?" The thought never occurred he would need help carrying the object.

Before your very eyes, Chopper transformed into a humanoid appearance, shocking you.

"Nope, I got it." He easily picked up the machine in the form.

"How'd you do that?"

"I ate the human-human devil fruit." He stated simply.

"Devil fruits really exist? That's so cool. Chopper, I definitely meant what I said earlier, your amazing." You, and likely many others on the island, haven't had much experience with devil fruits even with being in the New World.

This time, instead of swaying his arms due to the machine, he scratched his cheek pretending to not like the compliment even with a slight blush from being praised.

"Let me at least walk you out of the castle."

After reaching the entrance of the castle, or more so considered exit since leaving through it, you and Chopper parted ways with a wave and a promise to once again meet if at all possible. Even as he walked away, you never once asked what kind of creature he was with the antlers, hooves, and the blue nose. None of that mattered. The day will forever be remembered in your head as the day you became friends with Tony Tony Chopper.

The End

For N's writing contest.

NdragonEyes 

(Not sure if necessary at this point... I kind of went overboard... Apologies.)Word Count:3985