The train wasn't very busy, for a Sunday morning. Not that she was complaining, it was better for her... Odd party.

Brook being the major oddity, being made of bones and all... Aren't we all made of bones though?

Now getting a giant skeleton man, into a public space without! Spooking every Tom, Dick and Harry, was going to be a challenge.

Usopp was on the case! All it took was an old pillow case, three sharpies, a pair of scissors, and three buttons. He managed to create an awesome looking mask, that fooled those who were none the wiser.

Everyone else was safe to board the train, Usopp jumping straight to his sketch book. Tani sat next to him, peering over at the extremely detailed drawings of modern technology. There were notes on the sides too, all very detailed and clear.

"Woah, I knew you could draw, but these are amazing," she praised. Usopp gave a little jump, moving to hide the book, only to realise it was Tani.

"They're just rough sketches, enough detail's so Franky and I can add upgrades to Sunny." Usopp explained, looking proud of himself.

"Mind if I take a look? Maybe I can add some more stuff to it." she asked. Usopp handed her the book with no hesitation. Tani flipped through the pages, seeing the microwave, toaster, TV, radio, mum's car, electric kettle, and a couple smaller things. The list was solid, not much she could add.

Tani felt her heart swell at the thought, of having these modern conveniences again. It would feel homey? Like she'd get to take a piece of home back with her. It was exciting!

"Are we there yet?" Luffy asked, leaning on Tani's shoulder.

"It's three more stops, Luffy." Robin told him. Shoving her head back into the book Tani's mother had purchased for her, on their grocery store trip. It talked of fallen empires, and lost civilisations. It was right up Robin's alley.

"But that's so far away," Luffy whined, sliding down Tani's shoulder, into her lap.

"Hina thinks Luffy's whining is annoying," the marine woman complained, itching to grab a cigarette. Only stopping because the signs on the train say not to. She might not be from this world, but she wasn't a rule breaker. That's more of a Smoker thing.

"Now arriving at, Bonbon park." the automated voice called. The automatic doors opening up with a beep. People wandered into the cart, others pushed past to leave.

"Now?" Luffy asked, lifting his face out of her lap. Tani shook her head, so Luffy dropped back into her lap with a groan.

"Why not look outside? There's a lot of really tall buildings to look at." Tani suggested. Luffy lifted his head back up, and smacked it into the window. Tani was genuinely surprised he didn't smash the glass open.

Luffy looked with awe, as everything whirled past in a blur. Buildings so tall, that even he would have trouble destroying one. Which he wouldn't, because that would be rude.

"It's been a while, since we've visited Star tower," Tani's mum said, sitting between Brook and Robin. She was having a great time, all this adventure! No wonder Tani wanted to go back.

"That's because the last time we went, some kid came up behind me and pushed me onto the open glass deck. The view was terrifying," Tani stressed.

"You do have a fear of heights," her mum reminded herself. "Don't get scared," mum teased. Tani poked her tongue out, mum returned the gesture.

"My only wonder," Brook started. "Is where the bell we're looking for, is located." he pondered. Tani gave a hum.

"I can hear it, when its close by. We just need to get within range... Oh, that reminds me," Tani trailed off, pulling her bag off the ground. She grabbed three bells off the bottom of the bag. Usopp was already handing her string, he knew the drill.

Tani crafted quick bell bracelets. Handing one to Brook, Hina and her mum.

"They're a way for me to keep track of you guys, as well as a sign of trust." she explained with a smile.

"I was wondering what those bells were for," her mother grinned. Shaking the bracelet. "I can't hear anything though," the woman said.

"Only I can hear them, and like two other people." Tani explained. "It's some dimension magic or something." she shrugged.

"Hina will accept this token of mutual trust," the marine stated.

"Now arriving at, Siresville,"

One more stop.

...

"Now arriving at, Lily pad station." the voice announced. Luffy was already racing out the door, Usopp and Tani came running behind him. In a futile attempt to capture the unstimulated captain. The others trickled out of the cart, you know... Like reasonable members of society.

The walk through the city was just as chaotic, Tani latching onto Luffy's hand with her own. Usopp kept wandering off to look at this store, it that store, finding fascinating things to add to his list.

Robin had summoned a pair of eyes on the back of her book, to keep herself from bumping into anyone while she continued to read. Hina walked beside the bookworm, her heeled shoes clicking on the concrete path.

Brook was dragged away from a couple of buskers, their urban music was just so inspiring! This world was so full of wonderful music. Sounds that were alien, foreign to him. He wanted to sing his heart out... Except he doesn't have a heart! Yohohoho~

"There it is!" Tani cheered, pointing at the massive building. A skyscraper that rivalled the Eureka sky deck, well that's what the ads on TV said. Maybe they just had beef with Australia.

"Let's go!" Luffy cheered, running full speed towards the automatic doors. Tani, being dragged like a rag doll behind him. Usopp, Hina and Brook all ran after them. Leaving an amused Robin, and slightly concerned mother behind.

"How has that kid, not broken any of her bones yet?" she asked, Robin looked up from her book.

"He acts reckless, but he's learnt over time. To scale back on his handling of Tani." she assured. "Have faith, in our captain." she implored. Tani's mum gave a nod.

"As long as he isn't breaking my child, then he can go nuts." she stated. Robin gave a soft laugh. "Should we follow them?" the mother asked.

"It would be wise, Luffy does bring total destruction and chaos, wherever he goes." the mysterious woman promised. Tani's mum picked up the pace.

Star tower was spacious on the inside, the lobby had about three different elevators. All leading to the observation deck at the top, where all the tourists go. Tani had a feeling that her bell was somewhere at the top... Because of course it would be, she's terrified of heights. Life wants to make her journey all the more difficult.

"Tani, where are we headed?" Usopp asked. Looking around the lobby with curiosity. Tani pointed to one of the elevators.

"The most obvious spot." she stated. Walking over to the elevator, tapping the button, waiting for it to open up. "It's like a rule, the most obvious spot is where the key item is." Tani explained. Tani's mum gave a snicker.

"Has using movie logic, worked?" she asked. Tani gave a nod.

"I swear, it's like their world is a TV show or something. Every trope can be found in there." she exclaimed, her hand motioning towards Brook. "He drank milk, and grew his bones back! For crying out loud!" she said with humour.

"No wonder you're still alive," her mum said with a playful clap to the back. "You've been training your whole life for this adventure."

*ding*

The groups heads turned to the elevator door, which slid open. A small crowd of people flooded out, leaving it completely empty.

"Shall we?" Robin motioned to the elevator.

Everyone entered. Tani tapped the button to the top floor. The doors slowly shut, a rumble under the feet. The box lifting up, and up, towards their destination.

Tani felt a sense of anticipation, like this was going to be a lot harder than the last time she found the bell. There was no tripping over and spotting a golden shine in the bushes. This was going to be dangerous, or stupid... Tani turned her head to find Luffy picking his nose, and wiping it on the wall.

Yeah, with Luffy involved. This was gonna be both dangerous and stupid.

*ding*

The doors opened, revealing a wall of thickened glass. The top of the tower, was made almost completely out of glass. Shaped like a dome, with five glass spikes protruding out. To give it that star look.

Tani could already feel herself growing sick, the height was dizzying. So much higher than Oars, and that cursed bean stalk combined.

She felt a grip around her hand. Looking up she saw a grinning Luffy, leave it to Luffy to always keep her grounded.

"Can you hear anything?" Usopp asked, pulling his goggles down, looking around the city with his enhanced vision.

Tani closed her eyes. Laughing, breathing, foot steps, clothes ruffling, birds chirping, wind howling...

*chime*

There!

Tani looked upwards, staring with horror at the sight.

Her bell! Floating on the very top of the glass star. Attached to a string, that was someone magically sticking to the tip of the star... Outside.

"Well... Found the bell," she sighed. All eyes turned to her, as she slowly pointed straight up. The eyes following her point... Oh.

"I can get it!" Luffy assured. Already rolling his arm, when Tani waved her hands at him to stop.

"If you break the glass, a lot of people will be in serious danger." Tani warned frantically. "The winds up here, will sweep everyone away." she claimed. Not sure if that was true, but she'd heard about it once and had been paranoid ever since.

"Then how will Tani get the bell?" Hina asked, looking up at their target. "Without breaking the glass, there's no other way to grab the bell. Unless Tani scales the building-" Hina paused, turning to look at the nervous looking girl. Who had also come to the same conclusion.

"I'm about to do something really... Really stupid... Aren't I?" Tani groaned.

...

Yes, yes she was.

Tani was currently hanging off the side of a massive building, barely managing to keep herself from puking  her guts up.

The plan was so stupidly simple, and entirely dangerous.

Starting with Robin, who bloomed a hand on the top of the tower, she tried to grab the bell, but her hand phased through it. In conclusion.

Only Tani can hold the bell.

Now this would require Tani to,

A.) climb up the building.

And

B.) NOT FALL OFF AND DIE!

How could she possible achieve this? Simple!

Luffy would be the one climbing. He volunteered, claiming that he'd done this before. Which was true, except Tani had been knocked out by an ocean of snow, that almost drowned her.

"Luffy, the building isn't a mountain though. There's nothing for you to grip onto!" Tani panicked. Already feeling the anxiety of this mission.

In came Usopp, whipping his bag to the front. He pulled out two pairs of comically sized suction cups. The kind you find in a cartoon.

"Why am I not surprised?" Tani laughed nervously. Luffy was having the suction cups, strapped to his hands and knees.

"Hina requests Tani and Luffy to lift their arms." the marine asked, her arm making a hook shape. Tani and Luffy did as asked, the woman slamming her arm through the pair. Leaving behind a black, metal chain link. The pair of them, back to back. "Now Tani and Luffy, will not fall off each other." Hina said casually, placing a cigarette in her mouth.

"We should distract security too," Tani's mum mentioned. "Attempts to climb the Star tower have been made before. All of them failed because security guards managed to catch the climbers." the mother recounted. Brook and Usopp gave a salute.

"Leave it to us," Usopp grinned. "They don't call me the master of distractions for nothing. I'll have you know I was able to distract a king for three weeks, while my partner in crime, robbed the entire kingdom!" Usopp proclaimed loudly. Luffy let out an awed gasp.

"That's impressive, Mr Usopp." Brook said with dazzling eyes... Except he doesn't have eyes. Skull joke!

"You better stir up trouble now," the mother said, pointing at the two guards outside, giving them suspicious looks. "They're watching us like hawks." Usopp and Brook gave a nod.

"Good luck," Robin smiled sweetly, giving them a wave. The pair ran off, Usopp already digging into his bag for some stink, or smoke bombs.

"Now then..." Tani said with a nervous gulp.

"Wait a second young lady." Tani's mum stopped her. Tani looked at the older woman. Who stared at her with warm, tired eyes. "You think you can scale a building, without saying goodbye?" the mother smiled, a slight melancholy to her tone.

Tani blinked wildly.

She was being given a chance to say a proper goodbye?

The last time she left, she never got this kind of closure.

Her mother opened her arms, waiting for her daughters embrace. Tani felt like tearing up.

"We'll meet again~" her mother sang, Tani felt a joyful sadness wash over her.

"Don't know where~" she sang back.

"Don't know when~" her mother continued. Hugging her daughter, grip as tight as possible.

"Stay safe... Well as safe as you can be," her mum requested. Tani let out a snicker.

"I'll do my best, mum," she breathed. Holding her mum tight. "You can tell me off, the next time I almost die, and come flying back into your arms." Tani promised. Her mother barked a laugh.

"Good bye, my darling." her mother pulled away, teary eyed. "I'm so proud of you." she smiled sweetly.

"I'll be back," Tani grinned. Holding her thumb up. The mother returned the gesture.

"Now then..." Tani sighed.

"It's time to climb,"

...

Tani's mum watched with concern, as her baby was being thrown into danger. She trusted the girls friends, even Hina, who was only there out of a mutual goal. These people wouldn't let her daughter die.

It was still terrifying to watch, as a mother.

"A-are we-e clOSE!" Tani shrieked at the end, as a wind hit them. Luffy rocked to the side a bit, but kept his form.

He kept the climbing speed as average. Not a snail's pace, because this was freaking Tani out, but he wasn't going too fast... Because that would also freak Tani out. Luffy utilised his stretching ability, tossing his arms up, one at a time. Slapping them into the building, making sure he was extra secure, then launching upwards. Like a gum gum rocket, but less awesome.

"Almost there," he promised, which was true! He was almost at the large glass star bit. Just a little more, and she could grab the bell.

Tani could hear the surprised gasps, from within the star. Mothers covering their children's eyes, guards making calls for emergency services, there was even the clicking of a camera.

Just a little closer.

A strong gust of wind hit the pair, Luffy being thrown back slightly. He pressed his palms into the glass, the concerning sound of a crack, hit Tani's ears.

Luffy took another step forward, the wind hitting him much harder now. Every hit of his hand, into the glass below, sounded like the signing of a death wish. Crackles and pops came from the thickened glass. Luffy seeming to forget his monster strength.

Tani couldn't even verbalise her concerns, for fear of losing her voice (and breakfast) to the roaring winds.

"We're here! Grab it." Luffy shouted over the howling wind. Tani couldn't see where she was reaching, opening her eyes was too scary.

Why hadn't she gotten over this fear yet? She thrown herself off buildings that were 60ft tall, without safety harnesses, survived! And did it again. Why was this so much scarier?

Probably because she was like? Triple that height! Triple the scares!

"Tani! Grab the bell!" Luffy shouted. His grip faltering slightly. The glass was slippery, and his rubber limbs couldn't wrap around the star, with our risking being tossed off the whole building. The suction cups, grew looser every timethe wind, belted down on him and Tani.

Tani took in a deep breath.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

"TANI!" Luffy shouted, his left arm unpopping from the glass. Tani opened her eyes, letting her brain run on autopilot. Her hand snatched up the bell, that was flickering in the air. Like her hand was a magnet, she didn't aim, just gravitated towards it.

Her fingers snapped around the bell.

Luffy's right hand popped off the glass.

The pair dropped like a lead balloon.

Tani wasn't focusing on the fall. No, her focus was on the intense power that flowed strongly through her veins. It was familiar, of course it was. This was the same burst of power she felt before whizzing herself back home.

She was ready.

Tani closed her eyes, willing for the world to freeze around her. The wind paused, suspending her and a frozen Luffy, at least 100ft in the sky. Tani kept her eyes closed, not willing to break her concentrated spell.

She let her senses find her nakama. Feeling their alien like... Life force? She couldn't quite understand it's form, but it was all she needed.

Luffy.

Usopp.

Robin.

Brook.

Hina.

Tani focused on those five. Like a leash, she latched onto their beings.

The girl let out a sigh, the world returning to normal? Well... Time wasn't paused anymore.

Tani opened her eyes, watching the world blur past her. No longer feeling fear, she simply grinned.

Time to go home.

Goodbye mum...

The world went black.

...

Tani's eyes flew open, she was faced with an array of colourful nail polish bottles. Followed by three pairs of legs.

"I think I'm doing mine wrong?" Sanji said with confusion. Robin was quick to help him, without him stating what he was having trouble with.

Tani was getting a headache, this Deja Vu thing was one way to mess with her head.

She was back on the sunny, having her girls day. Painting her nails, which were already rainbow... The braces still removed, leaving her healthy skin to warm in the sun.

"Tani!" Luffy cheered. Running up the stairs to the back deck. Nami was ready to tell him to bug off, when he cut her off. "We're back! You did it!" he praised. Running towards the group, only for Nami to stand up and bonk him on the head.

"You simpleton, you almost bulldozed over our nail polish." she scolded lightly. Luffy lifted his head, rubbing it with an unapologetic smile.

"My bad." he replied with. Before turning back to Tani with sunshine filled eyes. "You're so cool! With your mystery powers and stuff," he gushed. "I'm so glad you're my nakama," he grinned.

"Mystery powers?" Nami questioned. Robin gave her a pat on the shoulder, a sign that she would explain later. Sanji was just as confused, but this is Tani. Anything involving her, was bound to be confusing.

"Miss Hina's marine ship is approaching." Brook said over the intercom.

Looks like they're back where they started.

Everyone jumped to their feet, running to the side of Sunny that the marine ship was approaching from. It was then, that Sanji asked.

"Hina? How does Brook know any marines by name?" Sanji asked aloud. Usopp and Franky, popped out of the workshop door.

"Looks like the truce is off," Usopp sighed. Already preparing his sling shot.

The familiar pink haired woman stood at the front of her boat, den den in hand.

"Hina can see that Straw hat Luffy and his crew have made it back." she observed. Her ship no longer heading towards them, but sailing beside them. Leaving no room for either group to board the other ship. "Hina is glad," she said with a begrudging tone.

"What's going on?" Sanji questioned. Really confused by the whole situation.

"I don't wanna kick your ass, even if you almost killed Tani before," Luffy admitted, shouting at the marine captain. She seemed to cringe at the reminder.

"Hina will leave Straw hat Luffy alone for now, but next time! Hina will capture Luffy." she declared. Her marine crew all giving her confused gasps. "Hina says goodbye!" she shouted.

It didn't take long for Hina to sail away from the pirate crew. Leaving a very confused Nami, Sanji and Franky on deck.

"We may have a lot of explaining to do." Tani said sheepishly.

"Tani almost died! But then she accidentally went back to her dimension, and dragged me and Usopp, and Robin, and Brook, and Hina! To her world too." Luffy shot. Leaving no room for the confused crew mates to ask questions.

"And then we had to scale a building to get this mystery bell, so Tani could get these really cool powers to make us come back!" he continued.

"Oh, oh and we got to meet her mum! She was really nice and made us food." Luffy laughed happily. Tani felt herself smile sadly.

She already missed her mum, she was so glad to see her again.

At least she got to say goodbye, and she knows she can come back to visit... She just needs to almost die-

"Tani went back home? And she didn't stay behind?" Nami questioned. "Wasn't that her dream? To go home." the navigator asked. "Not that I want her to go home, we love having you here Tani." she assured.

"That's alright." Tani waved off. "My dream wasn't to go home, it's actually to figure out why I'm here in the first place. Sure I wanted to go home, but finding out why I'm here. That's what I wanna know," she reaffirmed.

"Plus, I have so many wonderful nakama here. I wouldn't abandon you guys, for the world." she beamed.

Everyone's hearts melted at the pure declaration.

"Sanji!" Luffy decided to speak. "Make me lunch!" he demanded. The chef let out a sigh.

"So much for a girls day," he sighed. Walking towards the kitchen to do as his captain had ordered.

"Oh Franky! Look at these," Usopp said with excitement, already flipping his boys book open. Showing off his beautiful drawings of house hold appliances. "There's a bunch of these really cool things, that I think could improve Sunny even more!" the sniper exclaimed. Franky flipped through the pages, his eyes sparkling with super! Interest at the projects he could work on with little bro-Usopp.

Tani let out a tired yawn. All that energy, drained out of her.

She was gonna a take a nap... Yeah. That sounded nice.

The girl slowly crouched down to the grassy deck, curling into a ball and dozing off. It didn't take long for her to drift off.

...

Tani woke up to that same void from before. The IDCS was nowhere to be seen though, but the void felt familiar.

Why was she here?

"-llo?"

Who's that?

"-e-lo?"

Hello? Who are you?

"Hello?"

"Who's there?"

"Can you hear me?"

The voice sounded masculine, aged. At least in their late 30's to mid 40's, with a tired hint to it. Like their life was miserable.

"Can I help you?" Tani called out. The man's voice seemed to hitch.

"You can hear me?" he asked with disbelief.

"Yes, I can hear you... Whoever you are." Tani confirmed.

"Edwin... My name is Edwin," the man said with a spark of hope.

"Nice to meet you Edwin, I'm-"

"Don't say your name," he cut her off. "They'll know who you are," he said cryptically.

"Who?" Tani asked with concern.

"Vice admiral Delorean." Edwin warned.

"I know that name, he's hunting down people like me." Tani stated.

"He's dangerous. Please, for the love of all that his holy." Edwin begged.

"Help me." he pleaded.

Tani didn't get a chance to speak, before an ear splitting scream filled her ears. A sound so painful that she felt like her head was melting.

She coughed herself awake, clutching to her chest with adrenaline fueled fear. The screaming, haunted her mind, even as it faded.

"Bad dream?" came a voice that Tani knew all too well. She lifted her head, facing the bandaged up form of Zoro. The man sitting across from her, as if watching her like a guardian angel... Actually, Zoro had more in common with a demon than an angel. So guardian demon was more fitting.

"You could say that," she sighed. Rubbing her head. The sky was darkening, sun setting. A rich smell drifted from the kitchen, Sanji must have been making dinner.

"Hm," Zoro hummed. Sitting beside Tani in silence. There was no tension, as they relaxed in each others company.

"I'm glad you're still alive," Tani broke the silence. "Sanji dragged you back to the camp, all bloody and practically dead." Tani said. Zoro didn't say a word, just breathed.

"Thanks for not dying," she stated.

Zoro gave a hum of acknowledgement. He could say something, anything at all. Yet he decided that his words wouldn't amount to anything. He did what he had to, saved his nakama, proved to himself that he had the will to survive. He didn't need to add anything more to that.

"Dinners ready!" Sanji called out. Luffy came bolting, everyone else jumping up in a rush. Racing to the dinner table, hoping to grab a bite, before the greedy captain inhaled it all, like the void that he is.

Everything was back to normal.

Tani wouldn't have it any other way.

(A/N: WE DID IT!!! WE MADE IT TO THE END OF THE ARC!!! I'm so happy I managed to make something of my own. This arc, though small, felt like a real challenge for me. I'm really proud of myself for managing to finish it, and not give up. I only have you all to thank, you're supportive comments, likes and follows. Gosh I can't believe I've managed to grow so fast in the last month or two. You guys are the best!

I had a lot of fun (even though I struggled a lot) with this arc. The support I received really helped me push forward. All of you deserve a pat on the back, lots of hugs and a golden bell for all you're wonderful support! Ahh I'm so happy I could explode!

Now we're returning to the proper story, don't worry! This arc wasn't filler. Everyone involved remembers everything. So yayyyyy! On to Sabaody! Love you all! Smooch!)