DO NOT OWN!
WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE YET TO FINISH THE MARINEFORD ARC! DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU HAVE DONE SO OR SIMPLY DO NOT CARE! FLAMES WILL BE IGNORED OR VICIOUSLY RETORTED AT! THANK YOU!
We are still together, yet we feel so broken. We are alive, but we feel so dead. We are still a family, and we feel like strangers too. You left a gaping and aching hole in the crew you loved so much; things just aren't the same without you. You were all we needed, just someone to give us a place to call home and people to call family. We swore eternal loyalty to you and never once do we ever regret taking that fateful oath; we aren't afraid to bear our pride for all to see. Every action we did and every ally we made, it was all for our family, and for you. You called us reckless fools, scolded us with lectures of self-preservation and that your honor was never worth more than our lives, but hardly ever did we listen. Nothing made us happier than being at your side and simply having a meaningful existence.
I knew from the moment news arrived what you intended yet I refused to believe it. I wanted to deny that you would do such a thing, and that perhaps you were simply joking. I should have known better than to go against that tone you used as you declared war against our enemies. With a situation so dire and desperate, I should've known you had made up your mind. I wish I had done something to convince you to reconsider.
Why was it that even after all these years of undying loyalty, you refused our help? Why did you decide to take it upon yourself to finish what had been started by all of us? What had you been thinking at that time? We wanted to help, so badly did we want to aid you, but yet you refused it. Was our safety so important that you gave up on your own? You should've known better than to think that way. We're pirates, raised by the best; those Marines were no match for us. But instead of letting us help, you dismissed us with a final order we couldn't bear to follow; were you aware how painful it was to hear that, let alone obey it?
You never took everything into consideration. You seemed to forget how age had taken its toll on you or that your health was against you most days but never once did you falter. Never once did you back down and only looked back to make sure we were okay. We know you meant well but we were fine on our own; we could've handled those fools as we followed your final order. And when your time came, as we mourned and grieved, you didn't fall. Were you still standing in the Navy's way, giving us more time to return to the New World? We still appreciate it, probably always will.
We miss you, Pops, more than you realize. Nothing will ever replace the void you left. Who could possibly replace you in our lives? You saved us, those rejected and hated by society, and called us your sons. From the day we met to the day you passed, you were nothing short of a father to us. We still feel the pain of that day and most of us still grieve but we'll get through it. We know nothing will bring you back to us but we'll always remember what you did for us. So don't worry about us; we'll be fine on our own. Forever will your flag fly and forever will our loyalty remain, but forever will we grieve you.
Not going to lie, made me terribly sad writing this. Reviews are appreciated but never demanded. Thanks for reading.