Hello! I want to say thank you for choosing to read this story as it unfolds. I have put my other story on hold due to work and writer's block. I decided to go a bit more old school and dive deep into the enriched story of One Piece. Here's a little brief note. Zephyr is a man who didn't lose his family but almost. (He's one of my favorite characters outside the cannon story)
He is older, I went with an even 50 years of age. I did this since he's a non cannon character and it made the transition in the story easier. You'll see a few appearances from non cannon characters but that's to not take away from the story itself. I hope you all enjoy this and let me know what you think!
The day on Marineford was clear and sunny. Just how Katie's mother, Angela, had said it would be. The entire island was massive. The young brunette with a long pony tail thought as her ship slowly made it's way towards it with warm air blowing gingerly about. Dark blue hues could see the large white structures against dark green patches of trees and a massive crowd waiting for the Galathee to arrive. As seagulls soared through the air, the image was rather iconic just as it was on the post card she had received in her home town, Foosha Village.
As the large passenger ship ported, the riding marines coming back from either leave or those that rode along to protect it from pirates, simply helped the more civilian side of things by either carrying luggage or simply helping by giving instructions. While many had stopped to ask the vertically challenged woman if she needed help, the young female simply shook her head and shooed them along.
In Katie's possessions, the twenty three year old slung one very large dark green duffel bag over her shoulder that merely stood two feet taller and much wider than her petite frame. The weight had no baring on the slightly shorter than average female. Her nostrils flared as the aroma of the bay had entered her senses along with a hint of warm cologne mixed well with subtle perfumes from the passengers. Excitement caused the hairs on the back of her neck to stand up. The brunette could barely retain herself and it was very clear as he bounced on her toes.
The buzz of people's voices, graced over by the calling of birds soon drowned out the noises made by creaking docks and heavy foot steps as people began to file one by one off the ship with a station of marines at the end of the row checking their invites and paperwork. Patiently, albeit she would rather not have been, her ocean blue hues scoured the crowd awaiting their loved ones such as soldiers coming to greet their spouse or coming home to their families. The man who was supposed to be there awaiting for her arrival, alas wasn't there. Not that she could see at the moment.
A dreaded sigh left the young woman's supple lips as her shoulders slumped slightly forward. To fill in the due process to live on the island, it was said to have been easier to have the Marine who invited you too have accompanied you to the office. That's why her grandfather swore he wouldn't miss it for the world but it seemed fate had another trick up it's sleeve.
"Hmm", she heard a deep rumble of an opening conversation begin. "Can't spot the person you hoped to see", a rather tall man who seemed in his upper age inquired curiously.
Katie's head turned to her right side. The tiny woman whom wore a dark green sun dress with small sunflower floral pattern on the fabric, shifted to face the origin of the deep resonating sound. Her eyes grew in size as she was shocked to see a man his size before her. He was huge! The marine had short violet hair, matching suit with a polka-dot tie, and stood next to her. His white coat draped over his shoulders added to his rather overwhelming appearance. Her own reaction earned a bit of a tug at the corner of his lips. There was some joy in seeing people react to his size.
After the initial shock that someone built like a brick house seemed to be speaking to her, Katie slapped her own cheeks with determination. Her puffy expression even garnered a slight surprised expression from the seemingly stoic man before her. The young woman's heart hammered and to the brunette, it felt as if she was going to fall over at any moment but she quickly regained herself. This was the first conversation with another marine other than her grandfathers. She couldn't help but be a little excited.
"That's actually correct", she sighed in defeat before scrambling to explain her words a bit more in detail despite her being curious on how the man knew about her blight. "But! I'm one hundred percent certain that he's here or will be soon. Grandpa isn't one to break a promise and definitely not one to let anything hold him back even if he can be absent minded, stubborn, loud, obnoxious, and worst... a cookie stealing glutton." A scowl formed over the young woman's face followed by a beaming, proud smile revealing Katie's trusting and animated nature.
The man before her had developed a shadow over his own eyes. His spine had become stiff as there were only a few possibilities that this mysterious grandpa could be and he didn't care for any of the answers. He also was taken back a bit by the simple fact that she was here for her grandfather and not a love sick fool like many of the women aboard the vessel. "What's the name of your grandpa, dear", he asked politely but retaining the same dark and stern expression while keeping his large hands in his pockets.
"Grandpa Garp", she spoke nonchalantly as if the man's accomplishments and strength were merely normal and nothing to be too proud of. To her, the world's hero had been a regular marine and a grandfather. But the instructor absolutely knew better than that. He was an unchecked monster for the most part.
The answer dropped like a rock in the purple haired officer's lower stomach. It meant chaos had rode with them the entire trip yet nothing out of the ordinary happened which in itself was perplexing. "Are you sure, you're that man's granddaughter", he asked with disbelief in his tone as his arms slowly crossed over his chest. He was in defensive mode now. Garp had a way of popping up at the most inconvenient times and causing more trouble than it was worth.
"Hmmm", she cocked her head to the side like a question herself. Fortunately, Katie had the papers in her right hand as instructed earlier at breakfast by the captain of the ship. Everyone who was new openly carried their documents for review. It was to stop anyone who didn't belong, from sneaking on the island. There was not only a long waiting list but there were many rules and regulations one had to follow to live there.
"Here", she offered her travel booklet, papers, and her permission to arrive at the island. Only family members could confine themselves to this large piece of land and they needed permission to both enter and to leave, unless one served in the marines for a while. She had not thus the brunette needed written permission from her local marine office, as well as a written invite from a family member living at Marineford, a record check, and of course bank details to prove she wasn't dodging anything financial either.
The large man proceeded to set down his own black duffel that had rested upon his large left shoulder as the two stood in an excruciating slow line. For a man of rank, the marine was already waiting at the tail end. Like the rest he was anxious to meet up with his wife and son but because he was a vice-admiral and an instructor, it was his duty to see ever soldier off the vessel even if it wasn't his own. Having a bit of company was pleasant and further more, the young woman seemed relaxed as she placed her belongings to sit next to her.
"The name is Katie... Laurel M. Katelyn...", she added with another innocent smile. "But please don't use that name", the twenty three year old asked with dread in her tone. "Grandpa uses it when he's angry", she explained.
The violet haired man chuckled. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his thin lip as his eyes scanned over her papers reading bits of important information. "Vice-admiral Zephyr at your service..."
Katie went on to do something that wasn't often done. She politely bowed at the waist with her hands folded delicately in front of her. "Thank you for your service", the brunette spoke softly. If that wasn't a boost to both the moral and ego, he didn't know what was. People had thanked him before but a granddaughter of Garp's had just lowered her head in a humble manner. Despite this, his observant eyes still couldn't see a resemblance. She was eye catching and very attractive despite her slightly smaller, yet endowed stature. There was no way that man could have sired such a woman even with a generation between them. Furthermore, her paperwork was spot on and put together better than he had ever seen. Hell, he'd pass her himself if he didn't have this suspicion in the back of his mind. He knew Garp enough to know full well that his reports were rather lacking and handwriting was atrocious.
"Hello...", a familiar voice rang over a megaphone. "Testing... Testing...", the voice continued as the front of Garp's ship came slowly into appearance from behind the bay the passenger ship was docked in. The iconic dog figurehead in front with the HQ-3 was visible from the front massive sail. "Katie! Katie dear, yell if you can hear me!"
Shock and excitement could no longer be contained by the younger female. A wide grin touched her lips as an enthusiastic squeal dislodged from her throat. Before anyone could say or do anything, Katie was standing on the back side of the deck. Her feet free of the sandals she had donned and stood on the thick white railing of the passenger ship while waving uncontrollably with both hands over her head. The warm mid-afternoon winds were starting to pick up as her dress ruffled about revealing just well toned her thighs were. Once Garp spotted her, the vice-admiral's trade mark laughter filled the bay with exquisite joy.
"Ooohhh! You look just like your mother", he praised as he seemed rather surprised. The graying vice-admiral went on as his ship was beginning to gain speed. "Katie! I'm sorry but grandpa has to go to work! I'll be back soon", Garp added with a joyful smile. Clearly he was excited and grateful to see his granddaughter.
"Hurry back! I want to show you I can beat your one thumb push up record", she responded by cupping her hands over her mouth to yell. As expected, her declaration was given with a thumbs up by her, a wide grin rivaling that of Garp's, and her other hand folded into a fist perched on her hip. Her stance was just like his. Feet shoulder length apart and a straighten, dignified stance. .proud. The older marine seemed even more so than she. Amazed that the young woman could beat a record made by him, was a feat almost no person on the planet could accomplish it seemed.
Zephyr was half laughing and half crying on the inside for the very same reasons. She really was the hero's granddaughter and every bit just like him with a few differences. The brunette seemed a bit more level headed than he and even began scolding him for using a marine's megaphone for personal use after it was decided he would annihilate the enemy just to return to her. Dark grey eyes watched the bark haired female wish him good fortune as her grandfather furthered himself into the bright blue horizon. She was a bottle of chaos but with a bit more control, that much the instructor could conclude he had just seen.
The line of people had not budged as all eyes and ears were on the helter-skelter duo who had finished when Katie returned to Zephyr's side. The marine chuckled once again as he handed back her paperwork. "I want to apologize", the vice-admiral cleared his throat.
Katie perked her ears and chin as open hands took back her papers. She appeared confused to his words. As response to her innocent expression, he clenched his teeth as he watched large blue hues blink blankly at him. The more he thought about it, she was Garp's granddaughter and he was kicking himself for missing the smaller factors.
"I had my doubts you were that man's grandchild", Zephyr swallowed hard but tried to cover it with a gentle smile which was rarely ever seen. The idea further hammered down as marines standing by fell over in a shock. To everyone's surprise the brunette began to laugh. She waved it off showing no signs of being holding a grudge or even being insulted.
"No need! I'm used to it! After all I'm adopted", she paused and pointed to herself with quite an animated answer of sway hands and intermediate laughter. "It's complicated but he really is my grandpa and even swore he'd personally give a punch of reality to anyone who disagreed if I couldn't do it myself. But that brings us to why I'm here and not in the marines already", the young woman continued to add. "I don't have a heart to hurt someone unless it's absolutely... necessary. I don't like violence. I don't look down on it and I know it's needed especially when it comes to criminals, but it doesn't fit my personality or dreams. I swore I'd support the marines anyway I could with what I'm capable of doing. So grandpa helped me out, with surprisingly zero protests", she blurted in astonishment. "Something about how my idea was absolutely necessary... Honestly I think it's just a reason for him to have me closer to him plus my other grandpa pointed out there is no other place in this world for me but here. So kind of didn't have a choice...", an odd smirk formed as she reminisced briefly.
Zephyr nodded and listened to the young woman. She was talkative but that wasn't an issue. Her soft voice was pleasant to listen to and it kept his mind busy while he anxiously waited to greet his wife Mary and his son. The man's nerves were slowly unraveling but he was able to maintain his stoic nature or at least he thought.
He was surprised to see Katie leave her things next to him and only return with a table held out by one arm and two chairs back to back in the other. They were white and made of light weight material but to have gotten them so quickly, it was clear to the older marine that she was trained. This was no surprise as he knew Garp well enough. A beautiful granddaughter left in a village by herself without his eyes to watch over her, just screamed that the vice-admiral would correct it by showing her how to handle herself which also invoked a little bit of sympathy. Knowing Garp he wouldn't distinguish the difference between boys and girls; if Zephyr's assumption was correct, the old hero would probably have been even harsher in hopes to ensure she was safe even from the strongest of combatants but what peeked his curiosity was how she phrased things. He'd have to speak to his comrade about it later.
"What are you doing", he inquired as she remained quiet. The young woman in the loose fabric sun dress which he might add highlighted her form, slipped a chair behind him.
"Since this is going to take a while, I'm sure you're hanging back for the same reason as me. Having someone in a higher position doesn't absolve me from my duties as his grand kid. I want to personally make sure everyone gets off safely and help with any wrinkles between the marines and civilians. I know fuses are bound to get short waiting like this and the marines' hands are tied when it comes to a mouthy woman or a short tempered man. So why can't we be comfortable waiting?"
Zephyr couldn't help but chuckle at her deduction before he sat down and made himself comfortable. "You should be a marine. We could use someone like you", he assured but met with a shaking head.
"Sorry but even both grandpas agreed with me on that. I'd become a liability when it would come time to engage in a fight. I'd endanger my crew and the officers above me. I have no desire to have that on my conscious plus it would severely hinder my dreams and that simply isn't going to happen but despite that I promised I'd support the marines. I may not join their numbers but I can make damn sure they get something in return for their hard work!"
Zephyr could see her eyes nearly sparkle with determination as she plopped in her chair across the table from him. Both facing the long line of civilians and marines that led down a ramp onto the docks. The wait was going to be extremely painful for the man but it wasn't something that was going to last forever and it wasn't the first time for the vice-admiral either. The large officer crossed his legs and put a cigar in his mouth before lighting it with a wooden match from a box he kept in his breast pocket.
"Hmmm", the young woman contemplated briefly after watching the older man light up. "Are you the Zephyr that took a demotion from admiral after nearly losing his family a while back", Katie simply asked without thinking.
Dark grey eyes shifted towards her as teeth clenched his cigar. "Oye, oye, apparently someone has no tact. What of it", there was a tone that spoke in dangerous volumes despite it being rather low. He didn't like to, but the man was revealing just how sensitive the subject was to him.
"That's so cool", the brunette leaned over the table in his direction with stars practically forming in her eyes and fists pumping excitedly. He couldn't say he wasn't taken back by her response. A brief expression of surprise came to light as his wire rimmed glassed slipped down his nose to the tip.
"You're like a living legend! I heard a lot about you from grandpa! Also about three other dangerous yet eccentric admirals, but that discussion for another time", she waved her statement off. "He did give me a short warning concerning some of the upper echelon. As long as I'm not a criminal they aren't dangerous but he did make mention not to bother them if I have any problems. Either go to him directly or a few people on a list he mailed to me before my trip. Your name being one of them."
Zephyr whipped his head back as his signature, hearty laughter filled the cove the docks resided in. All eyes switched to the older man and young woman apparently having an easy going conversation. The purple haired gentleman couldn't stop while his lungs continued to fill with air and recycle it into a clear sound of both enjoyment and gratitude.
It was the first time other than his sons that someone thought of him as a legend. Many of his deeds were exaggerated but no less undeniable. By now his eldest was in an officer cadet school while his youngest was a fun surprise two years ago. He wasn't going to complain. He was a jolly man with a lovely wife and two good boys. The vice-admiral was also glad to hear he still had Garp's respect enough to be trusted with his granddaughter's well being if she ever found herself needing assistance.
Zephyr finally stopped with a wide grin touching both his ears. He gave his newly found friend Katie a thumbs up.