And the last chapter. Are you curious to know who won?
The commanders were up next and Ann was really eager to see their personal and individual dance. While waiting for it to begin, her and Ace had asked Whitebeard if they could do a special dance after all the commanders had finished and before announcing the winners. Whitebeard had smiled and said yes, leaving the teens smirking and happy.
Ace was number third and so he had the chance to get a break afterwards, but not after amazing the crew and make some whistle and yelling after him. Ann knew her brother was sexy (not for her) and so she wasn't even surprised that most here thought so too. She had received the same treatment when she danced.
"Ace is amazing. You two are taking this to a whole new level," Izo said to Ann.
"We always danced together. It was our thing as children and just for fun. Our special moments, when we weren't running from or fighting wild animals, when we weren't kicking outlaws asses, when we weren't stealing, when we weren't training with each other or Jiji or when we didn't feel like playing," she said.
"Say what? Fighting or running from wild animals? Kicking outlaws asses? Stealing? Training? And you did manage to fit in playing and dancing? What kind of childhood did you have?" Thatch squeezed.
"The weirdest, but it was more pleasant after Luffy came around," Ace said, as he came to them.
"Yeah. Luffy became the sun in our dark life," Ann smiled.
"Dark life? Did he come, when you were teens?" Haruta asked.
"No. We were 11," Ace said.
"WHAT?" the trio screeched.
Ann chuckled. "Yeah we had a messed up childhood, but we wouldn't be as strong as we are with a normal childhood," she said.
They were about to say more, as it was announced that Marco was the next dancer. Ace, Haruta, Izo and Thatch turned their heads and looked at the dancing area, where Marco had taken position. Ann was slowly punching her tight lightly to the beat and smiled, as Marco started to dance. He didn't get off tune and he was concentrating, yet he seemed to enjoy himself. Next to her, Ace hummed impressed, while Thatch, Izo and Haruta just stood there, jaws open.
She chuckled, but didn't let her eyes of Marco. He was actually good and he didn't miss much. She was proud of her skills to teach others and she was proud that Marco really wanted to get taught by her. She had the patience and calmness he needed to learn.
As he was finished, the cheering and the applause didn't end fast. Marco was panting lightly, looking at Whitebeard for a few seconds, before he left the stage and went straight to Ann. His eyes were glowing and she smiled and nodded to him. Silently telling him she was proud of his performance. He took the water and drank, knowing his brothers were still too stunned by his performance. He could see it in their eyes. Ace was grinning brightly and with a knowing smile on his face, not really surprised.
"That was beautiful," Izo sighed, as he gained his composure again.
"Wow Marco, you're a good dancer," Thatch whistled.
"Ann you're amazing. Teaching Marco is not easy," Haruta said.
"What do you mean? Marco has a talent for dancing. All that was needed was patience and understanding," she said.
"Wait, what?" Thatch looked at her.
"You heard me," she said.
"Let's just watch the others, yoi," Marco said, ending the discussion.
As Marco said, they watched the other commanders dancing too. Ann gave a few impressed nods, while other times she remained neutral, though Ace knew she was frowning inwards. Well this was just for fun and so she didn't mind that some had no rhythm at all.
As all had danced, they waited for Whitebeard to call the winners, but before he did, he gave Ace and Ann a nod and the two teens got onto the dance floor, readying themselves. All went silent, wondering what was going on. With a nod, the musicians started to play some random song. Ace and Ann started to move and soon all understood that Ann was no to be underestimated as a dancer. While Ace was good, she was way better.
"Wow. That's awesome," Thatch said in awe.
"They are on a whole different level than any of us," Izo said.
"Good thing they aren't in the same division," Haruta said, sweat-dropping.
The others nodded, while Marco smirked. Ann was really great and he had to admit that with Ace she was ten times better than with her group. He knew Haruta was right. If Ace and Ann had been in the same division, then they would have been making fools of themselves for thinking they would always be the best.
After the dance ended, people couldn't stop shouting, applauding and cheering. Ann and Ace grinned happily at each other. It had been too long since they last danced like this together. Maybe they should do that more often now? After all, now the crew knows it.
"This year was really entertaining and we got us selves some surprises. You all did a good job and I'm impressed by each of you. I will now tell you the top five groups. The fifth goes to Haruta's group, the fourth to Thatch's group, the third to Ace's group, the second to Izo's group and the first goes to Marco's group," Whitebeard said.
First there was silence, people not believing their ears. Thatch and Haruta had been thrown of top three. Then they started to cheer and tribute Marco's and Ace's groups. The two commanders congratulated the groups, Marco's eyes shining with pride at them. As Whitebeard got his children to calm down once more, he announced the top five commanders.
"Fifth we have Thatch, fourth we have Izo, third we have Haruta, second we have Marco and first is Ace," he said.
The same five commanders, but different places. People cheered and congratulated them, before the party broke out. Ann hugged her brother tightly and congratulated him. She was so proud of him. Then she congratulated Marco on his second place, to which he thanked her, because he knew he couldn't have done this without her help.
"Well, Ann. This means you have to teach us to dance over the next year. I want to take that title from you," Izo said.
She smiled. "You may try. And I will happily teach everyone who truly wants to learn how to dance. Not just for this event," she said.
"Put me on that list. I would love to learn more," Thatch grinned.
She nodded. "Now let's party," she said.
The others cheered and the party begun. Ann and Ace danced some more with each other or with Izo, Thatch, Marco, Haruta or just anyone that wanted to dance. They sang along and drank, having a great time. Ann and Ace didn't regret participating the contest. Well, Ace had no choice, but he could have done a lousy job. No, that wasn't him and it was not Ann letting Ace have all the fun in a contest like this. After all, her brother should not have fun without her and this had been fun. She looked forwards to next year already.
Ace: YAY I won the individual dancing contest between the commanders.
Marco: Well, if I did bother with it, I could weep the floor with each of you, yoi.
Thatch: Noooooo. Why fifth? You're evil Didi *pouts and sulks*
Izo: Haruta above me? Insulting.
Haruta: I like that a lot *chuckles*
Me: Someone had to pull you down from your dance ego.
Ace: Way to do it. I like this ending.
Thatch: Well, I do have a lot to do, so I might not have practiced as much.
Izo: I probably wasn't feeling all to good.
Haruta: Ah the excuses. So many of them.
Marco: Sore looser, yoi.
Me: Now, now. Don't argue or tease too much. I just thought it would be funnier and more unexpected this way.
Izo: *is offended*
Thatch: *is sulking*
Haruta: *is amused*
Ace: *is cheerful*
Marco: So did you readers like it, yoi?