I had this story almost finished for a while and I just went over it today, changed some parts and now it's finished. So I give you the whole story today and I do hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece. I only own my OC.
Please feel free to leave a review ;)
As they left Dressrosa behind, Luffy couldn't help but feeling sad and happy at the same time. On that Island he met his brother, whom he thought had been dead, but it had also brought back memories he tried to hide and forget. The whole arena thing had been a fake. The Mera Mera no Mi was a fake, which Sabo had confirmed. It was only an apple disguised as a Devil's Fruit. Luckily they had managed to get out of the troubles alive.
"Lost in your thoughts brother?" asked Sabo, as he sat on the railing next to the head of Sunny, where Luffy sat.
"Do you think it's out there? The Mera Mera no Mi?" asked Luffy.
"If it is true that the Devil's Fruit comes back, then it might be, however they never know when it happens," said Sabo.
"I wished it hadn't been fake. I wanted the fruit and as I saw you there, I knew it was you that should have it. He was our brother before sailing out to the sea," said Luffy.
Silence went between the two brothers. Sabo had asked Dragon for permission to follow Luffy to the next Island, since both had a lot of catch up and bad feelings between them. Sabo wasn't ignorant. Luffy somewhat held a grudge towards him for not writing to them and tell he was alright and for not showing up two years ago. He had to sort things out with his brother first.
"I don't blame you Luffy. You did everything. I really wish I had been there. Been there for my family when they needed me. Please tell me what happened," said Sabo.
"I don't really remember much. Chopper say it's because my brain wants to protect me. I remember the fighting and I remember freeing Ace from his shackles, but afterwards … I can only remember something red and fade voices," said Luffy.
"So you didn't see it? Him die, I mean," Sabo gazed at the sea.
"I remember some crying out the name of Ace in pain and shock, but I don't remember seeing him die," said Luffy.
"Then there is a faint hope that he did survive? Maybe the marines lied, just like the lied about many other stuff," said Sabo with a slight of hope.
Luffy didn't respond. He had hoped that too, but Ace would have tried to contact him if he was alive, wouldn't he? How could Ace live hiding for two years, without letting anybody know? Jinbe hadn't said a word about the possibility that Ace might be alive or letting a hint fall that he was alive.
While Luffy and Sabo sat in silence, the Straw Hats watched them. They didn't really understand the bond between Sabo and Luffy, only that they were brothers and that Luffy had thought Sabo was dead. Why he had thought that and where Sabo had been was unknown to them all, but Robin, who had met him at Baltico.
"Why do I feel like reading a roman? Two brothers lost to each other, reunited and remembering a third, but dead brother. It's like a heartbreaking roman," said Nami.
"I wonder how long they will keep pretending that there are no bad feelings between them. It's clear that Luffy has some grudge against Sabo and if I have understood it correctly, then Luffy has all right to be upset," said Franky.
"It doesn't feel right though. Luffy isn't like he used to be. Not since we were torn apart two years ago. And something has changed at Dressrosa too," said Sanji.
"Are we doing things right? Is this the right way to handle all we have been through?" asked Usopp silently.
"We do what we always do. We are moving on," said Robin as she flipped over another side in her book.
"But still something isn't quite the same," said Brook.
"Luffy seems less happy," said Chopper.
Zoro kept training while the crew talked about how Luffy has changed and if they did act correct. They knew Luffy had been through hell after they were torn apart, but he somehow knew what had happened.
-Flashback-
Zoro was trying to get past those damn grown-up monkeys, as they suddenly fled. He felt the presence of Dracule 'Hawkeye' Mihawk and saw him coming towards him. Mihawk glared at Zoro with some annoyance, but also as if he suddenly understood something.
"That explain why Mugiwara Luffy was all alone," said Mihawk in his cold voice.
"What do you mean by that?" asked Zoro harsh.
"Your captain, Monkey D. Luffy was fighting alone in the war. I wondered where his crew was," said Mihawk as if it was natural.
"War?" Zoro looked confused.
Mihawk stared at Zoro as if he tried to see if they had abandoned Luffy or simply had been torn apart. He didn't speak for several of minutes, in which Zoro's patients were tested.
"There has been a war at Marineford. Portgas D. Ace, known as Fire Fist Ace was going to be public executed. Your captain was a part of this war. He was badly wounded even before entering the warzone. How much he remembers, I'm not sure of, but if he doesn't remember everything, then he most likely would believe what the government will tell," said Mihawk.
"There has been a war? And Luffy was in the middle?" Zoro's eyes widened horrified.
"The newspaper wrote that due to his wounds, blood lost and exhausting, Fire Fist Ace has properly died from his injuries. Luffy came to safe his brother and might have failed. I wonder in what stat his mind would be, if he ever wakes up. He was near death the last time I saw him," said Mihawk and walked away, leaving Zoro behind to his thoughts.
-Flashback ends-
Zoro was more than happy as he saw the newspaper that told him that Luffy was alive. However he also saw the grief. Luffy believed that his brother had died, which concerned Zoro. After all Luffy had Ace's vivre card right? That could tell him if Ace was alive or dead. But if Luffy didn't have it anymore, could that mean Ace truly were dead or had Luffy somehow lost it in the war?
"To tell the truth Luffy, you amaze me. You have become so strong and powerful. And your determination has also become stronger. To go into a war, which you knew was bigger than yourself for Ace… I'm not sure if I would have been able to make a difference. I wanted to be there and to safe Ace, but I'm glad I wasn't. Hearing that you thought I was dead, makes me think what a shock it would have been for you and Ace if I suddenly had shown up," said Sabo.
"It would really had been a too big shock," said Luffy, remember how shocked he was as he saw Sabo in the arena.
The day went on. Soon Luffy played with Usopp and Chopper. Sabo simply smiled as he watched his brother and how close he was to his crew, but he did see that it seem that not all was what it seemed to be. There was an unseen and unspoken silence, especially from Nami, Sanji, Zoro, Robin and Brook. Sabo couldn't help to think it had something to do with the day they had disappeared.
However he didn't comment it. It wasn't his place to do so. The crew had to grow on their own, and to overcome the struggle without someone pointing out their flaws. So went three das easily by, without anything special happening.
"Island ahead," yelled Usopp from crowns nest.
Luffy rocketed himself to his special seat and saw that Usopp was right. In the distance there was indeed and Island. He smiled brightly, as he ordered to sail towards the Island. Despite how much Luffy loved the sea, he also loved adventure and an Island meant adventure in his world. Sabo couldn't help but smile at how childish Luffy seemed.
They anchored near a white beach. The water was crystal blue and seemed like place where many would go on vacation and relax. It was like a dream. Nami sighed dreamful. Jungle, a beach and good weather. Luffy was eager to explore, so he nagged Sanji for a lunchbox. Zoro and Franky would stay behind, while the others would explore the jungle.
"It's quite peaceful," said Nami.
"Like a dream beach," said Usopp, as he gazed around.
"Let's go," said Luffy and before anyone could stop him, he was already in the jungle.
"He has no patience at all," sighed Sanji.
He looked to his left, where Sabo should be, but said man was also gone. Sanji shook his head and together with the others he went into the jungle. Brothers would always be brothers. As they walked deeper they could hear music, but it was hard to tell from where. After a while, they found Luffy and Sabo, each sitting on a big animal. Luffy grinned brightly and jumped down, as he saw Sanji and the others.
"Oi Sanji, look. Can we cook it for dinner?" asked Luffy eager.
"Sure," said Sanji.
"Can you hear the music? Sounds like someone are having a party, but I can't figure out from where," said Luffy.
Brook, closed his eyes, although he doesn't have any, and listened. After a while, he could hear from where the music came and he guided the group towards it. Luffy and Sabo dragged the animal with them. The walked towards another part of the beach and as they came closer they could hear someone sing and laughter.
They went through the tree line and stopped. What they saw was nothing as they expected. In front of them was indeed a beach party, but it wasn't common people, but pirates and not just any pirates. It was the Blue Phoenix pirates, the remainders of the Whitebeard pirates, now under the command of Marco the Phoenix. Luffy and Sabo was the last to come out and they stopped.
Sanji saw her first. A young beauty with long red hair, a green dress and she were bare feet. She danced and sang to the music, laughing and just had fun. It didn't looked like they had spotted them at all, until the woman suddenly in one swift move stood in front of Luffy with a big grin. Now they could see her dark green eyes, almost black.
"Luffy," she smiled happily.
Luffy stood as if he saw a ghost as he looked at the young woman. The party stopped, as soon as the woman confronted them. The group was on guard. They weren't enemies, but they weren't allies either. Luffy blinked and then he sends her a big grin.
"Lucy. Of all places …" He smiled.
"You have a nice dinner there," she said as she saw the wild and big animal behind Luffy.
"Lucy …" Sabo trailed of.
The woman turned her head towards him and her eyes widened, before tears fell down. She walked towards Sabo and placed her hand on his right cheek, not really believing what she saw. She let some fingers run through his hair and he smiled gently to her. Then he saw that her right hand was in gasps.
"Sabo … But you were supposed to be dead … Dogra …" Lucy trailed of.
"I know. Luffy told me so. I'm so sorry. I didn't think you've heard about the accident," he said.
Lucy then punched him in the face with her left hand and he flew few meters, before landing on the beach. He sat up and gazed at her, but didn't fight back, as she was over him and punched him, while sitting on his lab. Tears floated down her cheeks and after a while, she leaned against his shoulder, crying. He embraced her.
"Feeling better?" he asked.
"No… Yes. I can't believe it. My brothers …" she said and stood up.
"Brothers?" the Straw Hats yelled confused.
"Shihihihi. Everybody this is my sister Lucy. Lucy this is most of my crew," smiled Luffy.
Lucy tilted her head. "A skeleton and a reindeer? You have a weird taste," smiled Lucy.
"Does it surprise you sis?" mumbled Sabo.
"I also have a cyborg as a crewmember. He's on the ship with my swordsman," said Luffy.
"Crazy brother. Looks like you have one hell of a crew. I've been following your adventure since you set sail. You have done some crazy stuff, but seeing you two years ago … Well I'm not surprised," she said.
Luffy got a short and sad glaze as she mentioned seeing him two years ago. He didn't want to remember what happened at Marineford, even though he barely could remember what happened. Lucy saw that and realized that Luffy had read the newspaper.
"Oh God. He is going to kill you," mumbled Lucy as she gazed at Sabo.
"Who? And why?" asked Sabo confused.
Before Lucy could answer, someone punched Sabo in the face and once more he flew a couple of meters back. Before Sabo could get up, the person was over him again and punched him several times in the face, just as Lucy had done, only harder. Sabo managed to get the man of him and were about to fight back, as he saw who it was. There in front of him stood a young man, with raven black hair, freckles on his cheeks, an orange cowboy hat, no shirt, black knee long shorts, dagger on his hips and a tattoo on his left arm and back.
"ACE?" screamed Sabo and the Straw Hats with disbelief.
"Him," smiled Lucy.
Luffy and Sabo meets their sister and Ace is still alive. Poor guys, but they manage to get over the shock.
Just a small story about famliy.