The strawhats had just escaped from the notorious island of Enies Lobby. Despite that, the way they were acting it was if it had never happened. The ship sailed across the calm waters as the sun shined above. It was if the events before had never happened.

Back on the deck Robin sat quietly with Kai in her arms, who had fallen asleep. The young boy had overworked himself and was now enjoying a well-deserved rest. Robin looked down upon his sleeping form, smiling gently upon him as she ran her hand through his black locks. It had been a long time since she was able to hold him like this, and she was treasuring every second of it.

Across the ship the various crewmembers were doing other things. Luffy and Chopper and searched all around for Usopp, who was still in his Sniper King disguise. Peaches swung around on the various ropes of the ship as Funkfreed rested in his hybrid form, looking like an elephant snake hybrid. Nami and Sanji stared down at the mother son duo. Nami found the two to be adorable, while Sanji felt nothing but jealousy. Nami noticed this.

Nami: Relax Sanji, he is her son after all. What did you expect from the two of them?

Sanji: I know it's just I always wish she would cuddle up close to me like that. Damn kids, they always get the ladies.

In response Nami bonked him on the head. Franky, who had been all around the ship from the deck to the cargo hold, joined up with the rest.

Franky: Well I looked everywhere, but nobody else is on this ship.

Nami: That can't be, then the Merry would have to sail itself.

Zoro: How is that possible, we heard someone call out to us?

Kokoro: You don't know who it was?

Nami: All I know is that we heard a voice telling us to go into the sea.

Luffy: Come on guys it's obvious that Merry was the one calling out to us.

While most of the crew seemed to doubt this, they didn't feel disagree with it. They had all heard a voice coming from the Merry, yet no one was onboard. Two of the crewmates were deep into thought about a past conversation they had. About a certain creature.

As they were all discussing the possibilities of what could had happened, Funkfreed came slithering up. Everyone turned their attention to him.

Franky: Oh yeah, I forget that Spandam's sword was with us.

Zoro: Speaking of which what are we going to do with it? He did belong to Spandam, for all we know he may try to get revenge on us.

Funkfreed let out a bellowing sound as Peaches landed on top of him and began yelping too. Only Chopper was able to understand the animals.

Chopper: Funkfreed said that Spandam was always a jerk to him and he's more than happy to switch sides. Also Peaches said that Kai seems to trust him, so he trusts Funkfreed as well.

Luffy: Well there you have it, besides having an sword that transforms into an elephant sounds awesome!

The others scoffed at Luffy's idiotic reasoning; however, they knew there was no point in arguing. Just then another ship appeared before them, a rather large one. Luckily it wasn't a marine ship, but a Galley La ship.

The shipwrights on board began cheering at the sights of the Straw Hat Pirates. Even Iceberg was among them. Everything seemed to better, until a loud crack echoed throughout the vast sea. The front half of the ship split apart and fell forwards.

Those who were in the front stumbled as they were caught off guard. Robin quickly got up with Kai still in her arms and jumped to a safer position. Speaking of whom, the sudden commotion caused the young boy to awake.

Kai: Woah what happened?

Robin: The front of the ship, it split in half.

Nami: What happened to you Merry?

Seeing the state that their precious ship was in, Luffy quickly turned to the shipwrights.

Luffy: Hey Ice Pops, you came just in time! You're all shipwrights, can't you do something? I'm begging you, Merry is more than a ship she's a part of our crew. CAN'T YOU ALL DO SOMETHING!?

Iceberg looked down at Merry before closing his eyes.

Iceberg: I'm sorry, but there is nothing more than I can do. It's time to let her rest.

Iceberg's mind went to a memory of when he came across the Merry during the storm. As he approached the beached vessel, it was as if a voice was calling out to him. Begging him to repair the ship so it can see her crew one last time. Iceberg worked hard, fighting through the pain of his injuries as he patched up the ship as best he could. Right as he was leaving a massive wave crashed into the island, carrying the Merry out into the sea.

Iceberg: This ship is nothing short of a miracle. It came all the way out here to see you last time. Even with all of the damage it has sustained, even through the rough waters, nothing would stop it from being with her crew before the end. In all my years of being a shipwright, I have never seen a ship as magnificent as this. It has lived a wonderful life thanks to you all.

As the Straw Hats listened to Iceberg, they felt a wave of emotions hit them. From despair at hearing that the Merry was done for, to astonishment that their beloved home came all the way out to save them. Luffy thought long and hard before coming to a decision.

Luffy: I understand.....

There was no protest from the others, for they knew he was right. And so the crew boarded small boats and drifted toward the Galley La ship, except for Luffy who now held a torch in hand. If this was the end of the Going Merry, they were going to give her a proper send off.

Luffy: .......well guys are you ready?

Everyone simply nodded as they stared at the Merry. Kai stood next to his mother, holding her hand as Peaches sat on his shoulder and Funkfreed coiled up around his feet. Luffy ignited the torch and held it up.

Luffy: Merry, I know the ocean floor is a cold and dark place. So we're going to give you a proper send off.

He held the torch against the hull of the ship and it quickly caught on fire. With every passing second the flames grew and grew, engulfing more of the Merry.

Luffy: Don't worry, we'll be with you until the very end.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Suddenly it began to snow, the individual flakes appeared to glow in the light of the fire. As the ship burned, series of flashbacks rushed through the heads of the strawhats.

When they first saw her, they were filled with excitement that they finally had a ship of their own.

When they first entered the Grand Line, their hearts filled with ambition as their journey was truly beginning.

When they rode it up into the sky to see the great Sky Islands. Even the horrifying journey back down.

When each crewmember first joined.

To even the small things like Luffy sitting on the head of the ship, Zoro sleeping anywhere, Usopp messing around with the cannons, and Sanji spending all his time in the kitchen.

By then it had become to much for some of the members, tears started flowing from their eyes. The fire had grown so big that the mast had fallen over and the hull was starting to crumble. From silence, a young female voice could be heard.

???: I'm sorry.

Luffy's eyes widened, it appeared as if only the members of the Strawhat crew could hear it. Thats when they realized who was speaking, Merry.

Merry: I wanted to carry everyone a little bit further. I had so much fun, I wish our adventures could last forever. But I'm sorry...

Luffy quickly cut her off.

Luffy: No Merry, if anyone should apologize it's us not you! I was the one who ran you into islands and ripped your sails, I should have taken better care of you! Sanji and Zoro were always breaking your stuff, and Usopp tried to fix you better he was never good! If anyone's sorry it's us!

Luffy couldn't take it anymore as fell onto the floor with an uncontrollable sob.

Merry: I don't mind, I was happy. I know you always treated me with love, thank you. Even if the time we could spend together was short, I'm glad to have spent it with you.

With those last words the fire completely engulfed the remains of the Merry, burning what remained of her to ashes. Luffy let out an anguished cry at the loss of their beloved friend.