Chapter 2

Hellos and Goodbyes

Hawke wove her way through the fair district, munching happily on cotton candy and watching children frolic through the crowd, begging their parents to let them go on the rides.

There haven't been as many marines around as I remember. Must be because the Navy moved their headquarters, she thought as the sound of crashing glass drew her attention to a bar filled with rowdy pirates, so it makes sense that there are even more pirates than usual.

The scout moved on, now jogging through the tourist district. Vendors called out from every shopfront and corner, selling their wares. But Hawke passed them by; she wasn't buying anything today.

During the past week, she and Zoro had been taking turns surveying the Archipelago, looking for signs of their other crewmate's returns and relaying any news back to Franky on the snail phone.

A few days after Hawke had made it to Sabaody, Nami arrived and had dragged the scout out on multiple shopping trips and spa visits. Hawke had to admit that she'd missed the orange haired woman's company (or any girl's company for that matter) and enjoyed every minute of it.

Usopp and Chopper had followed, and Hawke was amazed at how much their doctor had grown in two years. And Usopp was much more muscular than she remembered; it looked good on him.

Today, Zoro had gotten his urge to fish again and Hawke had let him go do what he wanted as she found the prospect quite boring. And besides, she had other plans.

As the scout passed a signpost, her eyes found another one of those posters. Hawke frowned and tore the paper off, crumpling it up in her hands. There had been many posters advertising that Straw Hat Luffy was looking for new crew members. But Hawke had immediately seen through them. Luffy didn't get new crewmates like this! And she had found out the truth about their imposters one evening when she'd seen them bullying a poor bar tender, trying to get free drinks. The whole lot of them were repulsive and looked nothing like the Straw Hat's wanted posters. But they instilled enough fear that no one questioned them. Hawke had talked Zoro into not doing anything about them yet. They couldn't cause a fuss until everyone was back together and they could leave.

Hawke let out a frustrated sigh as she rounded a corner and sped towards her destination.

"I would love to give that fake me a piece of my mind!" she snapped, recalling the horrible mini skirt and overly flirtatious attitude of the woman pretending to be her.

Just then, a roaring sound was heard above the buzz of the crowd and Hawke smiled. She was nearly there. Rounding another corner, she spotted the line outside the Sabaody Dome and joined it.

I can't wait to hear Brook sing! she clasped her hands excitedly as she looked over the poster hanging on the fence next to her.

It read: "The SoulKing Brook, World Tour", and had a large headshot of the skeleton in the background, his afro taking up most of the poster.

Hawke and the others had decided that she would go to the concert to let the skeleton know they were almost ready. The only one who had yet to arrive now was Luffy, since Sanji and Robin had reached the island this morning.

Hawke followed the crowd into the stadium and squeezed her way to the front. It wasn't long before the curtain rose and she saw her old friend and his new guitar moving to the very catchy beat.

The performance was spectacular! Hawke kept trying to grab her crewmate's attention, but the roar of the audience was too loud so she settled for enjoying herself and dancing along to the infectious music.

Brook did his trademark 45 degree angle thing and then went offstage for the intermission. Hawke quietly snuck off and followed down to the Soul King's dressing room.

"Excuse me, Miss," a man with a headset and clipboard came up to her and waved her away, "There aren't any fans allowed backstage."

Hawke smiled sweetly and lifted her hand. The man let out a sharp cry as he was suddenly pushed away by an invisible force. He stumbled backwards down the hall, waving his arms wildly as he tried to maintain his balance.

"What?!" his eyes widened in alarm.

"Don't worry, you're not in any danger," Hawke said soothingly as she walked by and knocked on Brook's door, "I just need to talk to him."

She heard his familiar voice from behind the wood.

"Oh? And who could that be?"

Hawke smiled and turned the handle, stepping into the dressing room. At the same time, the force pushing the man back down the hall disappeared and he quickly regained his balance before storming towards Hawke. But the girl had already closed the door of Brook's dressing room behind her.

"A marvelous concert, Soul King," she said as the skeleton stood to face her, "Definitely worth the ticket price."

"O-ooooh!" Brook sang out, throwing his hands up in the air, "If it isn't my dearest Hawke-san!"

He took two large steps over to where she stood and made a deep bow.

"May I see your panties now?" he asked hopefully.

Hawke held the skeleton by his shoulders before wrapping him in a warm hug.

"No, you absolutely cannot!" she laughed.

She then wasted no time in explaining what Shakki and the others had organized in order for Brook to accompany them.

"That is," Hawke lowered her voice, "If you still want to come sail with us…"

She had been nervous, from the moment she'd seen the posters, that Brook would prefer his newfound fame to being an infamous pirate. But her worries were immediately dashed when she saw his teeth bend upwards in a smile.

"Of course," Brook said quietly, "I see. Yes, but just give me a bit more time. My fans are calling for an encore."

Hawke smiled and nodded.

"One last performance?" she gave him a thumbs up, "I'll be right in the front row."

Brook followed her out of the dressing room and back towards the stage. The stage hand was waiting outside and immediately put his hand firmly on Hawke's shoulder.

"I'll have to get security to escort you off the premises, Miss," he said sternly.

But Brook lifted a bony hand.

"Why on earth would you do that to my friend?" he asked.

The stage hand's eyes widened.

"Oh!" he exclaimed, "Sorry, Soul King. I thought she was just another crazed fan."

Hawke smiled.

"Sorry for scaring you," she said, "But I had to speak to him before the performance started again."

The stage hand gave her a nervous look, but then walked off.

"What was that about?" Brook leaned down to ask.

Hawke shrugged her shoulders.

As they neared the curtain, Hawke stiffened, sensing many more people out there with a different intent.

"The marines are here," she muttered, "Your secret has been found out, Soul King."

Brook put a bony hand on her shoulder and gave a chuckle.

"That's alright," he said, "The fans won't stop shouting, so I must return to them."

Hawke watched as he strode out on stage to greet the roar of the crowd. She quickly closed her eyes and located all the marine forces and was satisfied that their plan would still work. Then she returned to her place at the front rail, right at the base of the stage.

As the notes of Brooks first strum on his guitar faded away, a silence fell over the crowd.

"Actually," Brook spoke into the microphone, "There's something I gotta tell you all."

There was a tense silence.

"Today, the Soul King will-"

Just then gunfire rang out and Hawke sensed the marines making their move. A snail phone was rigged up and the navy quickly accused Brook of being a pirate. And things were made more interesting when Brook's managers came out on stage and held a gun on the musician.

Hawke bit her lip in the silence that followed. Then Brook lifted his hand.

"Supporting band," he said quietly, "Chorus, dancers…" he moved his hand and pointed down at Hawke, "And my dear friend. Please accompany me for one last song! It'll be alright, my music has become more powerful!"

The managers tried to stop him, but Brook merely thanked them and lifted the microphone, speaking out to the crowd.

"This is an island full of memories of defeat for us," the skeleton spoke, motioning to Hawke, "But it is also the island of our renewed departure! I am the musician, raising the crew's spirits during our adventures is my duty!"

Hawke smiled and made her way around the stage.

"Straw Hat Luffy is dead?" she heard Brook's voice ring around the stadium, "Nonsense! Tell this to the world, y'all!"

Hawke stepped out into the lights and made her way over to Brook's side.

"That's the Dark Angel Hawke!" a voice rang out, "She's part of Straw Hat Luffy's crew!"

Oh so now they recognize me right away, the scout thought with a raised eyebrow.

"The pirate Straw Hat Luffy is alive!" the statement rang out and the scramble of the reporters could be heard, "He is the man who will become King of the Seas someday!"

Brook lifted his hand and tilted his head towards Hawke.

"Let's send him off with a bit of noise, oh baby!" the skeleton finished with a shout, "Love him to the bone!"

The crowd roar and clapped as the first chords rang out.

"I dedicate this song to my dear companions," Brook said softly, "Please listen to my final Soul! Yeah!"

Hawke took her place beside the Soul King.

The audience began surging over the marines, slapping snail phones and weapons out of theirs hands and shouting that Soul King's song must be sung.

"You see?" Brook laughed as he struck his pose, "Music is your ally. New World."

The band began playing and the chorus's voices rang out. Hawke let Brook sing a few lines before beginning to dance around the stage, letting the jazzy beat take over once more.

"For the New World!" she sang out, "For the New World! For the New World, the world will change!"

And as the final chord was struck, there was an almighty bang and fireworks exploded around the stage. Hawke laughed and took out her wings. She grabbed Brook by his bony shoulders and flew up towards the roof, where sunlight was now streaming through a large hole.

"Yohohohoho!" Brook laughed as Hawke flew higher, "Just listen to them cheering!"

As she cleared the roof, Hawke saw one of the Rosy Life Riders circling back through the air towards them and went in to land.

"Yohohoho!" the skeleton let out another laugh as he seated himself in the saddle behind the rider, "I truly appreciate this. Your timing was perfect!"

"It was on orders from Big Sis Shakki!" the rider shouted over his shoulder, "Your crewmates are waiting in Grove 42!"

Hawke smiled as she flew alongside them.

So we've begun to move, she thought, that must mean Luffy's here!

"Oh that's wonderful!" Brook said, "My chest is swelling with anticipation. Oh, though I don't have a chest! Yohohoho!"

Hawke laughed and flipped through the air. It was so nice hearing the same old jokes; like they had never been separated.

But we have been, she thought as she righted herself, I wonder how much stronger Luffy and the others are. I can't wait to see him!

As they flew on over the Archipelago, making for Grove 42, Hawke heard a commotion below them.

"I better check that out," she muttered, "Luffy does tend to turn up in places like that."

She called over to Brook that she'd meet up with him at the Sunny and dove down. As she approached the grove, she saw a huge crowd of pirates fighting with some marines, as well as three Pacifistas, one of which was already lying, twitching on the ground.

"Looks like Luffy's work alright," she smiled as she saw the tell-tale straw hat bouncing under a huge back pack.

"Oi, Luffy!" she shouted excitedly, waving as she flew towards him.

"Oh!" she saw her brother's eyes light up when he saw her, "Hawke! There you are!"

Just then, other voices were heard above the noise of the fight.

"Luffy! So this was you after all!" Sanji and Zoro came running from a different direction, "How can you already be in trouble?"

Luffy let out an excited shout.

"There's no mistaking it this time! I really missed you guys!"

The happy moment was cut short, however, when the two remaining Pacifistas burst out of nowhere and targeted the group of them.

Hawke wasted no time. She saw one of the robots coming up behind her and plucked two knives from her holster. Then, turning around in midair, she launched her first knife at the robots head, landing it right between its eyes and lurching its neck backwards, causing the laser beam to shoot safely into the sky. Then she dove forwards and sliced the second knife through the air. As she flew up and over the Pacifista, she jerked her blade out from between its eyes and made a slash across the back of its neck and the backs of its knees for good measure. She then landed lightly on her feet, calmly returning her knives to their places in her holster before turning to see the Pacifista fall backwards, its inner workings showing clearly from the large gash made across its chest and its neck obviously broken. The machine twitched a couple times before erupting into a ball of flame and exploding.

"Stay out of our captain's way!" Hawke smirked as she hid her wings and ran up alongside her brother, seeing that Zoro and Sanji had made quick work of the other Pacifista.

There was a sudden roar and Hawke looked over her shoulder. The crowd of pirates and marines were standing there, gawking at them as they ran away.

"It's the Straw Hat Pirates!" they shouted at the top of their lungs, "The real ones! They're nothing like the fakes!"

"Of course we're not like those idiots," Hawke muttered.

"Oi, Luffy," Zoro called out, "You're the tenth."

"Shut up!" shouted Sanji, "Stop your bragging! Hurry up Luffy! Everyone's waiting at the ship!"

Then his eyes bulged out of their sockets and he leapt over to Hawke's side.

"Hawke-chwan!" he cried, "You look so b-e-a-utiful!"

The scout smiled and awkwardly pushed Sanji back before Zoro could take out his swords.

"It's nice to see you too Sanji," she said, "But we can say hello after we're underway."

The group of them took off running. Sanji was doing odd prancing steps and keeping much too close to Hawke, causing Zoro to start picking fights with the cook.

"It's been so long!" Luffy laughed as they ran, "I wonder how everyone's doing? I'm so happy!"

Just then, he skidded to a halt. Hawke stumbled and stopped, looking back over her shoulder and smiling when she saw Rayleigh standing on the hill behind them, between them and the navy.

"Rayleigh!" Luffy shouted.

Hawke heard the man's voice carrying over to them.

"I decided to come have a look, but it seems you're doing just fine," the Dark King chuckled, "You've gotten even stronger since the last I saw you."

Hawke waved her hand.

"Rayleigh-san!" she shouted, "Thank you!"

"Hurry up and get going, back to your friends," he smiled back at them.

Luffy put down his huge backpack and took a few steps forward. Hawke sent him a curious glance as he raised his fists into the air and took a deep breath.

"Rayleigh!" he said, "I'm gunna do it! I'm gunna be the Pirate King!" he finished with a laugh.

Hawke smiled and let out a giggle.

The shouting of the marines was getting closer. Hawke turned and began moving on.

"Luffy, let's go!" she called.

"Rayleigh, sorry for the trouble!" shouted Zoro as he jogged up beside her.

Hawke glanced over her shoulder to make sure Luffy was following and smiled.

"It's time we set off!" she laughed as they ran through the groves.

"Keep going all the way to the top!" Rayleigh's shout carried down to them.

The four of them hurried on, but were soon set upon by more soldiers.

"They've got us surrounded, eh?" Zoro muttered, "Guess we don't have a choice."

The group of marines in front of them charged, but then suddenly began falling to their knees and saying how much they'd like to be fleas and ticks.

"Isn't that..." Hawke trailed off as a girl in a black and pink dress floated over to them.

"So you were the ones causing all this commotion," Perona muttered in a snobbish voice, her parasol held causally over her shoulder and a strange looking teddy bear tucked under her arm, "Honestly! Why are you still dawdling around here?"

Sanji sprang forwards and almost lost grip of his packages.

"You're the woman from Thriller Bark!" he cried, hearts in his eyes.

"What about you?" Zoro stepped forwards, "Why are you still here?"

Perona zoomed forwards and waved her finger in the swordsman's face.

"That's no way to speak to the one who brought you to these islands!" she snapped, "If I hadn't been here, you'd probably be over the Red Line by now! Know your place! I even got you that room at that inn because you couldn't find your way back to your own ship!"

Hawke let out a giggle at the upfront way in which the ghost princess spoke to Zoro. She could see that Perona had become used to being the swordsman's caretaker over the past two years. The ghost girl shooed Sanji away from her with a negative hollow before rounding on them once more.

"Anyway, you have to set sail quickly," she snapped, "Warships have appeared around the islands. If you don't hurry, your escape route will be cut off."

"That was fast," Hawke muttered.

"That is bad," Sanji said, "But for some reason I can't bring myself to move from this spot…"

Hawke looked over to see him leaning in to sniff at Perona.

"Sanji!" she called, coming to the ghost girl's rescue, "We have to go!"

The cook immediately sprang to attention as Zoro sent a furious glare at Hawke. She returned this glare with an apologetic look.

"Hai! Hawke-swaaaan!" Sanji sped over.

Perona floated over as well, giving her a curious stare, then a pout.

"Hawke?" she asked.

The scout nodded and there was a pause.

"Take care of him," Perona said, giving her a small smile before turning around once again.

Hawke didn't have much time to think about this request since a shadow had just fallen over the ground. Looking up, she saw a huge bird hovering above them and heard a familiar voice.

"I finally found you!" Chopper called down to them.

The bird landed and Luffy, Zoro and Sanji quickly climbed aboard and they sped off towards the others. Hawke flew easily alongside them, striking up a conversation with the bird and learning of its connection with their doctor.

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Daz Bones adjusted the dark glasses on his face and leaned back against the building, making sure he was completely in the shadows. He listened to the commotion going on in the groves around him and frowned.

"They cause an uproar wherever they go," a voice grunted in annoyance, "That damn Straw Hat couldn't be subtle even if he was dead."

"At least we'll be able to track them easily," Daz spoke to the dual snail phone/surveillance snail he held in his hand.

The snail was silent for a few moments before coming to life again.

"Are you in position?" Crocodile's voice grunted, "Don't waste any time after they leave."

"I can see their ship," Daz confirmed, "But there have been more marines here than I expected, they must suspect something."

The snail frowned and opened its mouth.

"We can't afford a brush with the marines now," Crocodile muttered, "Stay out of sight. But if they identify you, they'll link you to me. Leave no survivors."

"Yes, sir," Daz replied.

Then the snail fell silent.

Daz had been instructed to see Hawke off and return quickly. Crocodile and his ship were far ahead in the New World and were waiting for his return.

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In said ship, Crocodile sat in his private room and frowned at the snail phone that sat on his desk, displaying the visuals onto the wall in front of him.

I wouldn't have had to send Daz if the stupid rookie was able to set off without trouble, he growled inwardly.

Crocodile blew out a cloud of smoke and watched as the view that the snail offered changed. Bringing into frame the lion, sun, thing bobbing up and down with the waves.

"What a stupid figurehead," he muttered.

The snail offered no response from Daz.

In his mind's eye, Crocodile saw Hawke sitting on the tip of the crocodile's long snout of his own ship. Her hands clasping a book and her shoulders shaking. An uncomfortable feeling began rising in his chest.

"It's getting noisier over there," he grunted, hearing some shouts coming through the snail and blinking the memory away.

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Back at Sabaody, Daz's eyes moved to the other end of the alley.

"I have a feeling they'll be here soon," the knife man muttered.

An answering grunt came over the line.

Just then, a group of people ran by the mouth of the alley.

"The marines are after the Straw Hats!" someone shouted.

"Watch out! There are giant bugs over there!"

"The whole squad in grove 46 have become negative!"

"We can't fire! A sudden downpour has soaked all our gunpower!"

"Rain?! Where is it raining?!"

"There are monsters and perverts attacking our men over in grove 43, sir!"

"What?! Well there's their ship! Attack!"

Daz stiffened.

"Don't interfere," he muttered.

Placing the snail on his shoulder, he quickly sped out from the alley, slashing the group of marines running past him. He felled them all in one blow before returning to the shelter of the passageway.

"Those idiots better hurry," Crocodile's voice said in his ear, "They don't have much time left."

Just then, a shadow passed overhead, drawing Daz's attention upwards. A giant bird was flying over and the tell-tale straw hat could be seen waving in the air.

"Finally," he grunted.

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Back in the New World, Crocodile smirked as the snail was tilted upwards, bringing the large animal into view.

Then his eyes caught a figure flying alongside the bird.

It's her!

Crocodile leaned forward and strained his eyes to make out Hawke's black wings.

"She's not holding back," he said.

"Well she's got nothing to hide anymore," Daz's voice came over the line as the view on the screen moved to the end of the passage, following the knife man's movements.

Crocodile watched as Hawke landed on the deck of the ship and was greeted by Nico Robin and the orange haired woman.

He felt a slight up-turn at the corners of his mouth as he caught sight of Hawke's face. He could tell, even from the distance Daz was at, that she was feeling like she was on cloud nine.

The sudden whistle of cannon fire came through the line and Crocodile caught sight of three warships approaching the islands.

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Back on Sabaody, Daz stiffened and readied to strike the cannon balls down, but the appearance of Boa Hancock made it so he needn't expose himself. This was much to his liking. He'd rather Hawke not know he was here to see her off. They had already said their goodbyes.

"They take their damn time, don't they," Crocodile's voice muttered as the ship listed on the waves, "If she gets caught here, these two years will have been for nothing!"

Daz watched as the coating was inflated and the boat was covered in a bubble.

His eyes found Hawke as she stood up on the sail, ready to let it drop. The girl turned her head to look back at the island and Daz pressed himself back into the shadows. But he could still see the smile and quiet look of curiosity on her face as she scanned the shore.

"Unfurl the sails!" Straw Hat's unmistakable yell rose above the noise of the Archipelago, "Set sail!"

Daz watched Hawke turn her attention back to her crew and leap down, letting the sails loose and landing lightly on the deck.

The ship lurched forwards and began its dive.

"Alright, they're gone," he muttered into the snail as the masts disappeared under the waves.

There was a pause before Crocodile responded.

"Get back here as fast as you can. We're three miles south of Kasha Island."

"Yes, Boss," Daz's voice sounded gruffer than usual.

He shut down the snail and shoved it into his pocket, pausing for a moment to watch the waves calm down. A wistful look passed over the knife man's face.

"Good luck," he muttered before turning and making his way back through the groves.

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You guide them now, Hawke, Crocodile thought as he watched the masts sink below the waves.

He frowned as the snail phone was hung up and stared at the now blank wall.

He couldn't help but feel his mood sink along with the ship. She was gone for sure now…

The sand man stood and moved to the window of his room, gazing out at the bright and calm waters. His mind flew through the days, months, and years that Hawke had spent sailing with him, feeling the corners of his mouth lift up again and pushing down the dull ache that had begun to rise in his chest.

The silence of the upper deck grated on his ears. The room across from his was empty and there was no movement in the hall. Even the usual hum of conversation on the deck was missing. Crocodile lifted his hand and rested it on his shoulder for a few moments before letting it fall again.

But she won't be gone forever, he thought as his eyes flitted to the almost invisible compartment at the base of his hook.

This time his plan had been successful.

Too successful, the thought snuck through his mind.

"She's strong now," he muttered, "When we meet again, she'll give me trouble," he grunted, taking the cigar out of his mouth and blowing out a cloud of smoke, "But she won't be able to refuse me when the time comes."

Crocodile took a moment to compose himself, pushing the memories of the past two years down and turning his thoughts to the future. He then spun around and left his room, standing on the upper deck and looking out across the immensity of his ship. A smirk came onto his face.

"I'll be waiting for you," he muttered, "Solace D. Hawke."

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Okay, so I have the two year skip written out... but I'm not sure how to fit it into the present story. I was thinking of just publishing it as a side story? But then I'd be releasing it simultaneously to The Archangel Rises and I don't know if that would be too confusing... I'm not sure what to do :(

I may end up making it a separate story but then only updating it when it's relevant to The Archangel Rises

Any suggestions at all?