(Warning! Major Spoilers For Current And Possibly Future Chapters! You Have Been Warned!)

Aaaaah finally got this one out! It's been rattling around in my brain for months!

Disclaimer: I solemnly swear I do not own One Piece.

Chariots of Fire

"Night time... day time! Night time... day time! Night time... day time! Night time..."

"Wow." Koala muttered to herself as she watched her friend and fellow revolutionary endlessly amuse himself with his new trick. The power of the sun in the palm of his hand and all the idiot could think of was to turn his thumb into a zippo lighter.

Hack merely snorted in dry amusement next to her before going back to his constant vigil, the fishman was nothing if not paranoid.

The Strawhats and their new friends were merrily going about their business ie; sleeping, reading, being a pervert, being worshipped as god, etc without a care in the world. She wondered why they didn't just start the party right now because apparently worrying about the outcome of their captain's fight was a mere formality at this point.

It had been less than an hour since things had slowly ground to a halt and people had finally stopped being controlled by the birdcage, of course it was hard to tell when exactly that happened. The amount of carnage and insanity brought about by this technique if it could even be called that made her stomach lurch and her blood boil.

Whole families slaughtered, innocent people forced to commit horrendous acts of violence and we just sit here like it's nothing. Sure the marines had been adamant that they take care of the wounded... but still! How can we sit here while the bastard responsible for all this is still-

*BOOOOOOOOM*

Not too far from them something struck the ground with enough force to cause a sonic boom drawing the attention of every single person on the street.

As the dust cleared from the newly formed crater some sort of collective instinct forced silence on the moment.

This is it. They all thought. For good or bad... it's the end.

Finally the wind picked up and a familiar broken figure was revealed. Sans a pair of arms and a newly acquired fist shaped dent on his right temple. The whole scene was eerily reminiscent of Bellamy the Hyena's humiliation so long ago.

Donquixote Doflamingo aka The Heavenly Demon aka Joker... had been defeated!

He's not smiling anymore. Koala thought with a giddy wave of relief, a feeling that spread through the surrounding crowd like wild fire as they witnessed the defeat of their once tyrant king.

"He did it." Whispered the supposed long-nosed god as he pushed his way to the front of the crowd. He was almost trembling with excitement.

"He really did it." Sobbed the pink haired gladiator who then fell to her knees, waterfall tears streaming down her face.

*POP*

They all blinked at the strange noise and suddenly he was just there at the edge of the shichibukai's crater standing tall if a little bloodied with Law and Bellamy slung casually over his shoulders. He blinked down at the blonde shichibukai and gave a huff of satisfaction before turning away and casually making his way towards them.

It was too much for Usopp who could feel the anticipation buzzing through the crowd behind him and it only amplified his own growing need to just... shout? Sing? It didn't matter! Tension coursed through his body just aching to be released and he was in no position to deny it.

"HEEEEEEE DID-Boooooooof!"

The long-nose's long awaited cheer was cut short by a gloved palm which suddenly smashed him in the face and sent him flying in an undignified heap.

They all watched in astonishment as Sabo pushed the sniper out of his way in a reckless charge of excitement towards his brother, all the while screaming and jumping like a little kid on Christmas.

"HE DID IT! HE DID IT!" Then the revolutionary actually twirled around and pointed back at them with this horribly childish "I told you so" look on his face. "I TOLD YOU HE'D DO IT AND HE DID IT HAHAHAHAAAAAA! LUFFY! LUUUFFY!"

As they watched him complete his twirl and start a mad sprint towards his brother, the tension finally broke. Cheers, laughter and sobs filled every inch of the street and soon the entire city was caught in the wave of unspeakable happiness and relief.

"Wow." Koala gave an involuntary face-palm as she watched her friend make an utter fool of himself. Still she couldn't help the small smile that graced her features.

It was finally over.

XXX

"Wow you have no stamina at all!" Luffy chuckled at his fellow D who gave him a look that could have curdled milk.

"I told you the power eats at my energy, and I used the last of it just to get us back here!"

"We could have just walked you know?"

Law roughly jerked his head towards the unconscious Bellamy. "Not if we want your friend to stay alive we couldn't."

Luffy just gave him a blank look. "But... aren't you a doctor?"

Law seemed to freeze for a couple of seconds before quietly whispering "Oh... yeah."

"Did you forget?"

"OF COURSE I DIDN'T FORGET YOU IDIOT!" Law's face was now beat red.

"But... then why did we-"

"OH WILL YOU JUST SHUT THE FU-" Unfortunately Law's tirade was cut off by the repeated screaming of some lunatic in a top hat.

"LUFFY! HEEEY! LUUUFFY!"

"Who the hell is that?" Law wondered out loud. He turned back to his strawhat companion only to blanch at the misty eyed look on his face.

"S-Sabo... his name's Sabo... sniff... he's my brother!"

"You- you have another bro-OW! SON OF A-"

I'm gonna kill that guy! Law thought as he and Bellamy found themselves unceremoniously dumped like a sack of potatoes. Growling in irritation Law grabbed his sword and using it as a crutch hoisted himself into a standing position so he could watch the two long lost brothers finally meet, curious despite himself.

There's only two ways this can end. He thought with a numb certainty.

"SABO!"

"LUFFY!"

Time seemed to slow down as Luffy and Sabo ran towards each other, both of them just so happy all they could do was scream the others name. Had Brook been there with his piano he might have been inspired to immortalise the moment with a certain tune.

"SABO!"

"LUFFY!"

As the distance closed between them Sabo felt like he was swimming so great was his pride in his little brother. In fact it was so great he didn't even notice the sudden spike of killing-intent.

"SABO!"

"LUFFY!"

"SABOooo!" Now no more that ten feet from each other Sabo could clearly see his baby brother's face. His happy expression suddenly shifted from happiness to outright malevolence and the top hat'd man's tear filled eyes suddenly widened in confusion at his brothers strange behaviour

"Luffy?"

"SABOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Five feet. Too late to run he realised with very real dread as his name turned into a scream of primal rage.

Two feet. Luffy, his pupils now completely dilated, through his right arm back as far as it would go without stretching. There was a distinct 'bamf' sound as the black power sprang to life across the appendage.

Utterly helpless to do anything Sabo could only watch in amazement as Luffy's fist was suddenly in his face.

Oh shiiiiiiiiiiiiii-

*CRUNCH*

Luffy's haki infused knuckles slammed against his brothers left cheek so hard everything seemed shift out of place. Time seemed to stop altogether and the world itself actually turned black and white for all but an instant.

In that moment Sabo heard a single crack and he honestly believed it was his head being detached from his spine.

He would later wonder when it was exactly he himself had become so frigging dramatic.

All too soon it seemed, time kicked back into action. And he was suddenly sent flying backwards with such force it sent the gaping crowd of dressrossians ducking for cover. Luckily enough- for them at least, it was the old man Don Chinjao who saw fit to stop his rapid acceleration... with his iron stomach.

*CRACK*

Then everything went black.

XXX

Law shuffled over to Luffy who blew steam through his nose like a bull before storming off towards his rather stunned looking crew.

"Was that really necessary?" Law called after his newest friend as he struggled to keep up with him.

"Damn right!" Luffy called back not once slowing down.

"How did it feel?"

"Take one goddamn guess!" The rubberman all but spat back at him before shouting at his crew to make with the food already!

Law briefly turned back to the revolutionary trio and watched with mild amusement as the short haired girl harshly berated an unconscious Sabo while her fishman partner struggled not to break out into deep belly laughs.

That good huh? He smirked to himself before hobbling his way after the Strawhats.

XXX

As he munched on the rice ball in his hand Law gazed down at his sleeping patient with a contemplative expression on his face. With a sigh of annoyance the Shichibukai delicately picked a tiny grain of rice from the delicious snack before casually flicking it towards the unconscious burn victim.

"Room... Shambles."

"Gah! What the hell!" Sabo spluttered as a gallon of sea water appeared out of nowhere and splashed down upon his sleeping form.

"Oh good you're awake." Law dead-panned before getting up and heading for the door.

"W-where am I-OW my face! What happened?"

"You got your ass beaten, that's what happened." Law stated as he leaned against the door frame. "Also you've been out for half a day."

"Half a day!?"

"Yep."

"Damn it I need to report in to Dragon."

"Don't worry you're friends are taking care of it, also they told me to tell you that this little episode counts as your vacation."

"WHAT!?"

"That's what they said Dragon said."

"Son of a bitch... where is the little brat?"

"Right outside."

XXX

It had been roughly half a day since Donflamingo had been defeated and the Strawhats were getting anxious to be off and find Sanji and the others, though the same couldn't be said for the captain. After the celebration – where Luffy had consumed more than 50 times his body weight in food, the rubberman had then promptly climbed a tree and fallen asleep without a word to anyone.

After a few half hearted attempts to get his attention they crew realised that the only way Luffy was going to move was when he was good and ready.

So here they were, once again, patiently catering to their captains stubborn selfishness. Not that they would have it any other way, but still... it would be nice to know what he was waiting for.

The answer seemed so obvious when a soaking wet Sabo suddenly came stomping his way towards them with a smug looking Law following close behind.

The new fireman came to a stop in front of the pirates tree and let loose a kick that caused the mighty oak to sway dangerously on it's foundations. Luffy- infuriatingly enough just continued to snore.

"Get down here Luffy! We gotta talk!"

"Snore!"

"Are you still five!? Wake the hell up!"

"..."

"Luffy, I'm not leaving till we talk."

"...snore!"

What the hell do want from me? Huh? What? Do you want me to say I'm sorry? Sorry that I wasn't there when you needed me? Is that it? Fine! I'm sorr-"

*SNAP*

The little snot bubble burst and suddenly Luffy was staring down at his brother, his eyes flashing from under the brim of his strawhat.

"You bastard."

Sabo blinked and suddenly Luffy wasn't in the tree anymore, suddenly he was right in his face and the look of absolute monstrous rage on his face was almost enough to make Sabo take a step back. Almost.

"Luffy," Sabo stated calmly, refusing to be intimidated even though every sense he possessed screamed at him to tread carefully."If you'll just let me explain..."

"I don't care."

Sabo blinked in shock at the sudden interruption. "What...?"

"Are you stupid? I said I don't care!" Luffy was trembling. So great was the rage building inside him that a single angry tear forced it's way out of his eyelid and streak it's way down his dirty cheek.

He screamed into his brothers shocked face. "I don't care where you've been! I don't care what your reasons are! I don't even care that you weren't there to help me save Ace!"

The silence is cold and hard. It's the first time Luffy's mentioned his brother since he and his crew found each other. And though he's not even thinking about them right now, they each feel the sting of guilt and shame. He always came through for them. No matter what challenges he faced, or how hopeless everything seemed, he would always find a way.

Zoro is the first to stand and though his face is as stoic as ever the usual steel in his eye is replaced by a helplessness that is borderline out of character for the swordsman, he makes a single jerking motion with his head before walking off in some random direction.

It's not logical or even helpful, but almost as one they each turn to follow him, giving the brothers the privacy they deserve. Because the one time their captain really needed them, they weren't there.

This is all they can do.

Only Law remains where he is... curiosity getting the better of him. And hey it was him who saved the guys life right?

But for Sabo it's different. 'Blood is thicker than water' they say and even though they don't share the same blood, a wise man once said 'We're all children of the sea'.

Each word was it's own agonising fist through his gut but Sabo refused to turn away. He wouldn't hide behind excuses or explanations and truth be told there were none. He should have been there.

Maybe he could have made a difference... maybe not... it doesn't matter.

Everything he is... everything he didn't become... he owes to those two.

He should have been there.

As a familiar iron ball of guilt and self loathing sinks to the bottom of his stomach, something leaves him slightly confused. Luffy said he didn't care about that stuff...

"What I do care about..." Luffy continues to rage, his fist's clenched so tight if they weren't rubber they might break. "is that Ace died thinking you were dead!"

And just like that the all the rage leaves his body and Luffy slumps to the ground, silent tears of frustration and hurt streaming down his face.

Sabo is speechless. He honestly can't think of anything to say, so he just falls on his butt and continues looking at his little brother. He used to imagine how they would all meet up one day. Ace and Luffy would have achieved their dreams and still have no idea he was alive, maybe they would drink to his memory or something, fill up three cups of sake like they did when they were kids and just as they were about to kampai he would swoop in and surprise the hell out of them.

Somehow the look on their faces always kept him from totally dismissing such a childish fantasy.

"He got a tattoo and everything."

The mumbled statement catches Sabo off guard and he gives his head a shake.

"Really?"

"Uh-huh."

"What was it?"

Luffy dries his eyes with the back of his hand and then rubs his left arm, he shoots Sabo a grin that makes his heart hurt like hell.

"It said ACE but with an S in it and the S was crossed out."

An image of Ace staring at him in shock before desperately trying to hide the tattoo suddenly flashes through his mind and a laugh all the way from the bottom of his gut bursts out before he can stop it. "Ahaahahah oh! Oh no! No way! Aww that is sooo sweet!"

"Shishishi I know right!" Luffy snickers along with him.

An idea suddenly occurs to him. "Hey hey how do you know it was for me? Maybe the tattoo guy mucked it up and Ace was just trying to make the best of a bad situation!"

Luffy throws his head back literally howling with laughter. "HE WOULD! HE SO WOULD DO THAT!" His sandled feet clap together like a toy monkey. "He was always trying to act soo cool!"

It feels like hours they just sit there under the hot sun, shooting the shit and reminiscing about days long gone... laughing at all the stupid shit they did as kids... making fun of Ace and each other.

It's like coming home.

"Ahahahaahaha-AH ow damn it! Luffy why did you have to hit me so hard?"

"Don't be a cry baby Sabo."

"Me? You were the one crying just a few minutes ago!"

"Well at least I didn't get knocked out with one punch!"

Sabo literally growls at that comment before running away and quickly returning with a barrel in hand and slams it down on the ground. The message is clear, it's a challenge.

"That's it you little bastard get over here! It's time to settle this once and for all."

Luffy childishly blows a raspberry at him before they settle into position, each crushing the other's hand in a grip that could bend steel like tissue paper.

"Just don't cry when you lose, big brother." Luffy says as he sticks his tongue out in concentration.

"We'll see who cries." Sabo snarks right back and with a mighty heave they begin.

XXX

Of course it's a stalemate. The barrel explodes before they even use half their strength.

They both smirk at each other, hands still held in a vice grip, though this time there's nothing but brotherly comradery.

"Just like old times, huh?" Luffy asks Sabo as they pull their hands back and share a brotherly clap.

"You can say that again." Sabo smiles. Luffy grins back before they notice Koala casually walking towards them.

"Enough with the Guy Love you two..." She smiles radiantly at the brothers. They just grin back. "Seriously you're gonna make me throw uuuuuuu-" She trails off as she stares up at Sabo's grinning face like he just grew an extra head.

Before he can react Koala suddenly collapses to the ground in a fit of laughter.

"H-hey what hell's so funny." Sabo asks more than a little freaked out by her odd behaviour.

When she doesn't answer he scratches his head in confusion and turns to his brother only to find him shielding his eyes with his hat.

"What? What is it? Is there something on my face?"

Luffy just turns away, though he can't hide the secretive little grin that spreads across his lips.

Koala having recovered from her laughing fit for the moment, quickly stands up and drapes her right arm around her friends shoulders "Yeah, you could say that." She snickers as she pokes him in his left cheek.

A nasty pain suddenly flares to life causing Sabo to yelp and cover his mouth protectively.

"Though...snrk...it- it's more like... cough... 'What's no longer in your face!'" With that she falls back to ground unable to control her laughter anymore.

A sick feeling of dread overcomes Sabo and very gently he reaches into his mouth and pokes a very familiar gap. A gap he'd thought he done away with a long time ago.

"Oi... Oioioioi! Oi! Law! Law! Why didn't you fix this?"

The Shchibukai, who had been skulking about nearby, turns his head to see Sabo running towards him, gesturing wildly to his newly chipped tooth.

"I'm a doctor not a dentist." he replies casually much to Sabo's spluttering indignation.

"What?...But...Wha-"

"And besides," Law cuts him off . "To do so would go against the Alliance."

Sabo's mind goes blank at that last statement. He watches as Law makes a swift hand gesture before popping out of existence altogether.

Simply unable to comprehend what just happened. Sabo can only stand there utterly confused before being startled out of his stupor by a gentle clap on his shoulder.

Unable to help himself he turns his head to see his little brother smiling cheekily up at him.

"Look on the bright side..." Luffy says as Koala's laughter continues to echo in the background. "At least you look more like Sabo now."

Thanks for reading! Tell me what you think?