Valley of the Fallen

Fate Series + One Piece

A/N: This came to me suddenly when I was playing the F/GO NA server's release of the Kara no Kyoukai event for some reason, so excuse me for the inconsistencies. I kind of just threw this together in about ten minutes so...yeah, sorry about that.

It was eerily silent, not a single sound to be heard, other than the crunch of snow being unceremoniously stepped upon at an unsteady pace; a limp. A single, trembling arm hugged a bundle close, legs pressing on, forcing themselves forward despite the overwhelming pain as blood dribbled from a severed limb, staining the pure white snow a violent crimson.

Her son. No, she couldn't let her son die like this.

Small clouds of air blew from the bundle in her arm, the warmth emitting from the cloth slowly dying. His breathing, it was slowing; growing shallow. Her son was fading. She forced herself to choke back a sob, biting her lip, before looking back up, looking ahead, ignoring the scorching feeling of snowflakes and hail hitting her eyes, the wind drying them out.

She just had to make it to the clearing, if she made it there then her son would be saved. She trudged on, nausea building upon her head as more blood flowed from her body. She had to make it. She was so close - so close, she had to make it, she had to. Her legs gave out on her and she cried out in pain, icy snow ironically burning against her fresh wound.

But no. She had to make it. She struggled to stand, but to no avail, sticky and sour red dripping from her lips. Only a bit farther, she was so close. She could see the clearing, even with her vision gaining more and more black spots. She couldn't let her son die like this. She braced herself, crawling, feeling her legs begin to freeze, her forehead sharing their pain. She couldn't let her son touch the snow, he would surely die. He was so young, and she only had so many arms at the moment.

A shaky breath escaped her, feeling her eyelids slowly shut, no matter how hard she tried to force them open. Her body was giving out on her. No matter how powerful she may be, that man would always overcome her. She couldn't let him reach her son. She was so close, but was she close enough? She didn't know - she wouldn't know. Her eyes began to fail her, and she knew that she hadn't time, she had to do it now.

She took another gulp of air before muttering out an incantation, words in a tongue that none knew, none save her and her child, whose uneven breaths became steady as the wind grew fiercer, and her body went numb; she could feel nothing. She could hear nothing.

Nothing but the words slipping from her mouth, barely above a whisper.

There were shouts, the sound of explosions growing nearer; she did not notice, but it didn't matter. None of it mattered.

As she chanted the last line, a violent tornado taking shape as a steady, ivory white glow that had been festering exploded into a bright scarlet, blowing everything away. Everything save the woman and her son. But nothing would be left after the tornado passed. Not the mother, not the son, not those who had descended upon the island. For all of it had been destroyed - everything, but her wish had been granted.

Her son would be spared. At a price, of course.

Every week, if not every day, was the same thing. Wake up in the morning, get dressed, greet her neighbors and go out to the market to get ingredients for making breakfast for herself and her adoptive mother. She would usually help the woman out in the kitchen after they both woke up and started running the bar, watching as pirates, civilians and Marines alike filtered in for a bite. This place was a grace area, where fighting was not tolerated regardless of affiliation and reason.

"Good morning Illya," her mother smiled at her warmly, a smile the girl happily returned.

"G'morning Makino!" was her cheerful reply as her white hair swished back and forth, her hands carrying a tray with a warm meal on top. "I don't think I burned it this time." The green haired woman laughed light-heartedly at the girl's comment, gratefully accepting the food.

"Well, I'm sure it tastes wonderful either way. Why don't you get the bar ready for the day?" Illya nodded eagerly, closing the door to Makino's room behind her before speeding down the stairs, mentally preparing herself for another day of hard work - not that she didn't enjoy it. In fact, she was very glad she got this opportunity. Illya got to see people smiling and chatting all day, and while it was admittedly a bit depressing not being able to join in, she still got to see other people being cheerful and full of happiness, and that was all she could ask for.

She had grown fond of her home - Foosha Village - over the years. Makino told her that she had found her on the shore, washed up and near death, so the woman took her in and raised her. Illya had especially grown fond of speaking with two boys who had passed by the bar frequently, and apparently Makino's other two favourites; Ace and Luffy.

The two of them found enjoyment in telling Illya all sorts of stories - kindhearted pirates, tough-love grandfathers, training in forests - and she loved it. Illya never really took herself as one for adventure, so hearing about others' was something she could take solace in. And it seemed that Ace would be arriving early in the morning this time, unusual for him. The boy did like his sleep after all.

The doors to the bar opened with that familiar wooden squeak and clunk when they closed, and Illya looked up to greet the person who had entered, before her red eyes met with dark black, and she beamed. "Ace!"

"Hey, Illya," he chuckled at her excited expression, walking further into the bar and beginning to help her take the chairs down without asking. She didn't protest. She had tried several times before but he would always win. "Up and at it already, I see."

"M-hm, I gotta make sure everything's ready for the day," Illya nodded firmly and Ace cracked a smile. "You're usually not up this early, did something happen?"

He pouted at her. "Am I really that bad at getting up?" When she nodded again, his head slumped. "Geez...well, I got up early since I'm leaving pretty soon and I want to make sure I have everything before I go." Illya's heart fell a little at this; she'd forgotten. "Hey, don't give me that look! You're making me feel really bad!"

Illya jokingly crossed her arms and huffed. "Well good! Feel bad! Then maybe you'll stay!"

All she got was another laugh as Ace ruffled her hair. "You know I can't, Illya. I have a dream to pursue and a promise to keep." She puffed up her cheeks, knowing he was right. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'll come back to see you after I get the One Piece." Her frown deepened.

"But Ace!" she whined, "That's not gonna be for a long time!"

He sighed. "You got me there. But I promise, okay? I'll visit when I get the chance." Illya hesitated before nodding. She felt his hand leave her silver hair and she took a moment to comb her fingers through the locks to undo any tangles Ace may have made. "And...actually, nevermind. I'll tell you when I'm about to leave. So...tomorrow."

She pouted again and stuck her tongue out at him. "Hmph! You and Luffy and your pirate shenanigans..." Ace laughed loudly. "...but Ace, can you promise me another thing?"

The boy blinked before crossing his arms. "Sure. What is it?"

She reached out and grabbed the hem of his unbuttoned shirt, so used to seeing his bare chest by now she didn't even look twice at it. "Promise me...promise me that no matter what, I'll get to see you again before you go and get yourself killed like an idiot."

Ace would have made a joke if not for the sincere and genuinely solemn look in her eyes. Realizing that she was serious, he smiled gently as he took her tiny hand in his, which was so large compared to hers. "I promise. Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye."

"Ew," was her blunt reply and he snorted. lllya opened her mouth to say something, but Makino came down the stairs that very moment and grinned when she saw the freckled boy.

"Ace! What a surprise seeing you at this hour!" Ace rolled his eyes playfully.

"I already got an earful from Illya, I don't need one from you too!" Makino giggled into her hand, Illya joining in as Ace gave them a lop-sided smile. "Well, anyway, what's for breakfast?"

The rest of the day was normal, save the extra gossip and chat because of Ace's soon departure. Illya knew she was visibly saddened by it, but no one made any comment. Probably for her own good. Of course, it was always the lovable idiot who could always both cheer her up and annoy her equally.

"Hey! Illya!" She inwardly groaned at the familiar voice, but gave a genuine smile at the boy who was running towards her. "Have you seen Ace? I was running all over the place looking for him!"

"Sorry Luffy," Illya shook her head, "I haven't seen him since this morning. Do you need him for something?"

"Not really." She inwardly face-palmed. This boy, honestly.

"I can't help you then," she replied shortly and he looked like a kicked puppy. Unfortunately for him, Illya had long since gotten used to seeing that expression. "I'm serious, I haven't seen him. He might be back with Dadan, though."

Luffy was silent for a moment, studying Illya, before tilting his head, furrowing his brows. "You look sad."

Illya looked away, embarrassed. "I am not sad!" Even though they both knew that was a lie.

"You're a really bad liar." Illya swatted at him, but he dodged easily, knowing she wasn't really that angry at him. "Is it because Ace is leaving?"

Her eyes remained focused elsewhere, but her gaze fell to the floor regardless. "...it's that obvious?"

"Yup." She swatted at him again.

"I'm allowed to be upset about this, okay?!" Luffy crossed his arms and gave her a confused look.

"Did I ever said you weren't?"

"...no, you didn't." Illya sighed, adjusting the basket in her arms. The two were silent for a moment before Luffy awkwardly patted her head.

"I'm sad too, y'know. He's my brother too, after all." She gave him an inquisitive look.

" 'Too?' " she questioned cautiously, making his expression grow even more confused than it had been already, as impossible as it had seemed.

"Yeah, you're like a sister to us you know that? We never did the vow with the sake but it's kinda been the unspoken message. Are you dense?" This time, Illya successfully landed a hit, whacking him upside the head.

"Yes! I'm dense, okay?! You guys are really important to me! Brothers! Maybe more! I don't know, but the thought of losing you two just hurts so much, I don't want you guys to get out of my sight because I'm afraid you'll die on me!" Illya exclaimed, before she froze up and covered her mouth. That had come out without her intending it to. Luffy seemed a bit shocked as well, but not overly so, before he grinned widely.

"Then maybe you should become a pirate too!" Illya gave him a dumbfounded look, and he proceeded to explain. "Well, if you're a pirate too, you're going to be able to visit us, right? And we'll be closer together! And adventuring! And being free! It'll be really fun! You can join my crew if you want!"

Her hands fell from her mouth slowly. "...really?"

Luffy's grin only widened. "Yeah! Definitely! It's okay if you don't want to now, but just know that even if Ace doesn't want you with him for some reason, you can always join me! That spot'll always be open! I'll reserve it just for you!"

Illya felt a stupid smile cross her face and she suddenly hugged him, extracting a small 'woah!' of surprise from the older male before he chuckled and returned the embrace. "Thanks, Luffy...you and Ace really are the best, you know?"

"We sure are!" She playfully hit the back of his head before letting go of him. "You're still a kid so you can't become a pirate yet, but when you get old enough, let me know if you want to join me, okay?"

Illya nodded eagerly, before holding out her pinky. Understanding what it was she wanted to do, he interlocked her pinky with his. "Promise?"

"Promise."

A/N: Oh God here we go, I wanted to get it off my chest and out there. There's still more introductions to go but I figured it would be weird if I had them all in the first chapter. It's already rushed as is and that wouldn't be helping its case at all.

Well, yeah. That's it. Sorry for the bad writing.

Thanks for reading,

Microcrane