Thank you guys so much for all the reviews and feedback. The last chapter was really a turning point and I am happy that so many of you really stuck with this story and Mary Sue didn't send you running to the nearest hills. Also, thanks again to zealousfreak27 for checking this story.

Now, onward to the chapter.

Chapter 6: A Crew in Disarray

Zoro kept running, taking no mind to the building storm clouds or the cold droplets of ran hitting his shoulders and head. He just kept running, heading towards the east side of the island. Logic told him that he should not have left in such a hurry. As much as he may deny it to his crew, he knew his sense of direction wasn't the best. In his mind, going east and to the right was the same thing.

Nonetheless, he didn't have time to drag another one of his crewmates with him. If Luffy were still alive, he would be in critical condition and needed saving as soon as possible. There wasn't a moment to waste.

After nearly an hour of running back and forward through the bumpy plains, Zoro finally found the cliff Mariangely was speaking of. He was certain this was the right one this time given that he could see signs that a struggle had taken place here. It was very subtle and most people wouldn't have noticed a thing, but Zoro could see the signs of blood in the grass and the indent of what looked to be someone kneeling on one knee. It had to be Luffy.

Calming his rapidly beating heart Zoro walked towards the cliff and looked around for any signs of his captain. It was dark now, making it nearly impossible to see anything, but Luffy's red vest should be visible even in the dark. It was a blessing that Luffy liked wearing bright colors given how much he tended to fall into the water.

"Luffy!" Zoro screamed. "Can you hear me?" Only the crashing of the waves answered him. "Dammit Luffy, answer me!"

Still he heard nothing. By this time, the rain had become heavier and Zoro was quickly becoming soaked in the downpour. He was freezing, but he didn't care. He kept his glaze glued to the water below.

Zoro could make out the outlines of rocks at the bottom of the cliff. They were indeed as sharpened as Mariangely had stated. Falling from here would certainly be instant death. Still, he just couldn't bring himself to believe that Luffy was dead. Luffy...he just couldn't die like this.

"Luffy, you son-of-a-bitch, answer me!" Zoro screamed again. He waited for any answer, but received none except the sounds of the crashing waves.

He wanted to climb down the rock's face, but knew that such a move would be suicidal. He was still not in top form since Thriller Bark and it was too dark to see anything. One false move and he would plummet to his death. Him being dead would help no one.

"Luffy, please answer me!" Zoro screamed desperately; his voice was close to pleading. He began to shake as only the roaring thunder heard his pleas.

Slowly, the realization that Mariangely was right began to sink in. He felt ice form in his stomach and his throat went dry as he accepted the bitter truth. His captain was dead.

Zoro could feel something warm beginning to form in his eyes as the impact of the lost hit him full force. There was no escaping this reality. He wanted to yell. He wanted to curse any god or deity that dared take his captain, his best friend, away. More than anything, however, he wanted blood.

He eyes hardened with hatred, drying his unfallen tears. His thoughts immediately turned towards the people responsible for this atrocity. Not one of those bastards would leave this island alive. He would see to that personally. Even if he had to fight to his last breath, he would avenge his captain.

Without another thought he took out his Wado Ichimonji and raised it over his head. He didn't care if lighting dared to strike him. At this moment, no god or demon would dare mess with him.

"I once said I would never lose again, but I have failed at my promise. Even after all I have given, it wasn't enough to save you," Zoro said bitterly as he choked down the tears that began to form again. "But I vow on this sword that I will avenge your death and carry on your dream." He then paused for a moment. "Is that okay, Pirate King?"

The roar of the thunder answered his vow and that was good enough for Zoro.

"What, that can't be true!" Nami screamed in disbelief.

The crew was all gathered inside the infirmary watching Mariangely be tended to by Chopper. Despite the horrible news, the little reindeer fought to keep his emotions in check as he cared for his injured crewmate. At the moment, Mariangely was the one in need of his attention.

"I'm afraid it is," Mariangely said sadly as she glanced at the strawhat lying on the table. "I saw him die with my own eyes."

"Luffy's too strong to just die by some no name pirate crew!" Nami argued back, she was on the verge of tears.

"Even if Luffy is….was strong, a Devil Fruit user cannot fight against the power of sea stone," Robin said morbidly. She looked to be near the verge of tears herself, but somehow managed to control herself. "Because Luffy's entire body was rubber, even a little sea stone could render him helpless."

Nami began to shake, knowing Robin's logic was right, as always. Still, it was too hard to believe that someone like Luffy could just disappear like this. There was, however, no denying reality. The added fact that Robin was referring to their captain in past tense made it even realer.

Usopp didn't bother to hide his emotions as tears ran down his eyes. "He...he just can't be dead. Luffy can't die this way! He's going to be the Pirate King!"

No one could think of anything to say. They all knew as pirates that their lives were always at risk, but it felt too surreal that one of them has actually died. Not just one of them, but their captain.

Brook sat in a corner with his head down. He looked completely shattered. "What shall become of the crew? Who will take charge of the ship?"

Each of the Strawhats looked at each other. It was something they hadn't thought of before now and they knew with Luffy gone they needed a new captain. Still, none of them, not even Robin, wanted to give an answer.

Sanji took several puffed of his cigarette before answering. "Normally, the running of a ship after the captain's dies falls into the hands of the first mate."

Robin nodded solemnly. "Normally yes, but we have no official first mate."

Mariangely looked surprise to hear this. "What, I thought Zoro was the first mate?"

"Although he was the first to join, Luffy never officially gave him the title of first mate," Robin explained. "In fact, Zoro never had a job title or an official duty."

Mariangely nodded. This crew was even more messed up than she thought. Who the heck sails these seas with no second-in-command? Then again, maybe she could use this to her advantage.

"Even if Zoro takes the role as captain, it just won't be the same," Usopp muttered.

Franky nodded in agreement as he wiped his own tears, although he tried to hide his pain behind his glasses. "Yeah, bro. Nothing will ever be the same."

"Speaking of moss head; he's still hasn't come back?" Sanji asked. The normally insulting name fell flat on his lips and everyone knew it was a halfhearted attempt at bringing normalcy.

"With his sense of direction, he could be anywhere by now," Nami said with worry.

"It's dangerous to be out there alone," Franky said. "I mean, we have pirates out there that were able to kill Strawhat and badly injure Mariangely. We should all stick together."

"Believe me, it would be far worse for those pirates to find Zoro than the other way around," Sanji said before he gritted his teeth, nearly biting through his cigarette. "I hope that bastard doesn't find them. I don't want him to slice those assholes up before I get to them. Simply cutting them isn't painful enough."

"Agreed," Robin said darkly as they both thought of breaking every bone in Luffy's murderer bodies.

"Even so, we still need a plan of attack," Nami said as she attempted to clear her head. "If these pirates have anymore sea stone then Robin, Chopper, and Brook will be in real danger."

"Done," Chopper said as he finished the last of the bandages. "Your wounds were pretty deep, but thankfully none of them were life threatening. There may be some scarring, but the medicine I use should make them lighter."

Mariangely cringed at the thought of having scars on her skin. The things she did to keep up appearances.

After another hour of discussion, the door to the infirmary flew open and a soaked Zoro walked in. His eyes were bloodshot showing that he has been crying recently. Knowing him, he would just blame the wetness on the rain. His eyes were also cold and hardened, something that none of the Strawhats had seen before. There was just something inhuman about his aura.

"Did you find him?" Sanji asked.

Even though he knew Luffy was dead, they could at least retrieve his body to give him a proper burial. It seemed wrong just to leave his body to lay on the bottom of the sea floor alone. Merry didn't have to suffer such a fate and neither should Luffy. It was also be good for the crew to at least be able to say goodbye to him.

Zoro shook his head. "I couldn't see a thing. Even so, I doubt there was much left of him if he hit the rocks below."

Sanji nodded as he lowered his head. "Were there any sign of his attackers?"

"None," Zoro growled.

There was another long uncomfortable silences.

"We were discussing our options," Nami said slowly, breaking the silence. "Namely, we were talking about who will be the new captain."

Mariangely looked at Zoro. "Since you were the first to join you are by all accounts the first mate. So, that means..."

"Don't you dare call me captain," Zoro cut her off harshly, startling Mariangely. No one has ever used that tone with her before.

"Zoro, as painful as it maybe, we need a captain," Robin said calmly. "None of us like it, but we must be logical."

"I refuse to be called or address anyone as captain until Luffy's avenged," Zoro said coldly, not backing down. "If we can't even do that much, then none of us deserved be called pirates or sail under Luffy's mark."

Mariangely's eyes widened in shock. "You're willing to disband the crew over this?"

"Our captain was murdered and one of crewmates was brutalized," Zoro said as he looked over Mariangely's bandaged body. "We have dishonored Luffy's flag and I won't sail anywhere until vengeance is met."

Sanji nodded. "I agree with Zoro. I would rather never cook again than sail under Luffy's mark at this moment."

"After everything Strawhat has done for us, the least we could do is beat the crap out of his murderers," Franky said as he slammed his fists together.

"Then, it's settled," Zoro said as he looked over each of his crewmates.

"Then, we leave at dawn," Nami said with finality. "I doubt those pirates have gone far at this time of night and their log pose shouldn't set for at least twelve hours."

Everyone nodded in agreement as they slowly left the infirmary, leaving Chopper to fully care for Mariangely.

Dinner passed slowly for the crew since no one really had an appetite. They forced the food down their throats, however, since they would need to be at full strength in the morning. They didn't know much about the enemy, but they knew they couldn't fail. Throughout dinner, each of the Strawhats took glances at the vacant seat. It became a constant reminder of their loss.

After dinner, everyone went straight to bed, although it was doubtful that anyone would be sleeping tonight. Zoro was the first to call watch and no one bothered to fight him for it. They knew Zoro needed to feel useful at the moment. Mariangely volunteered to keep Zoro company and the swordsman didn't decline. He would never admit it, but he needed someone with him tonight.

"This is all my fault," Mariangely whispered after nearly two hours of silences. "Those pirates were after me and Luffy got killed trying to protect me."

"It wasn't your fault," Zoro said as he listened to the rainfall and the occasioning sounds of thunder. The weather matched the mood of the crew perfectly. "Luffy would have done the same for any of us. The only guilty people are those who killed him."

Mariangely sighed. "Still..." She couldn't finish her thought.

Zoro glanced at Mariangely and suddenly his uneasiness returned tenfold. He didn't know why, but something felt fake about her grief. It could be because she hasn't know Luffy for long, but there was something more.

"Once we've avenged Luffy, where will we go from there?" Mariangely suddenly asked. "Are you really going to give up being a pirate?"

Zoro said nothing for a moment. "I honestly never wanted to be a pirate until I met Luffy. I truthfully hate pirates and see them as scum."

A stab of panic ran through Mariangely's heart. "So, you're really going to stop being a pirate after everything is done?"

Zoro closed his eyes in thought. "Even when Luffy's avenge, it still will not bring back his unfulfilled dream. As someone who has sailed by his side for so long, I simply cannot let his will just die on this island. I don't know about the others, but once everything is dealt with here I will continue to sail and achieve his dream for him."

"You're going to be the Pirate King?" Mariangely asked excitedly, her previous worry disappearing. A little too excitedly for Zoro's liking.

"It's the only thing that seems right," Zoro said as he looked at his Wado Ichimonji. "Luffy can no longer achieve his dream and it's up to us now to carry on his will. It may not mean much, but I want to shoulder his burden and place his hat on the island of Raftel myself."

"Much like how you carry your friend Kuina's dream," Mariangely said as she also glanced at Zoro's precious white sword. "It will be tough to carry two dreams on your back."

Zoro just nodded.

"Whatever you do, I will be by your side," Mariangely said as she wrapped her arms around Zoro's shoulders. "Together, we shall sail to the end of the world and conquer the seas."

Zoro glanced at Mariangely, but continued to say nothing.

"Who knows. I may even become your Pirate Queen," Mariangely said half-jokingly.

Something told Zoro, however, that she wasn't joking at all. In fact, she seemed all too happy about the situation. Was she happy about Luffy being killed?

Before he could fully process that question, he felt that strange calmness overtake him again. It kept telling him everything was fine, but he knew that it wasn't. Something wasn't right about Mariangely's story.

"Mariangely, how did you manage to escape once Luffy was murdered?" Zoro asked. He felt Mariangely stiffen against his back. It was very brief, but he felt it nonetheless.

"Luffy distracted them, allowing me to escape," Mariangely said calmly. "I was able to see what happened to him, however."

Zoro's eyes narrowed.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Mariangely asked before her eyes widened. "Do you think I had something to do with this?"

"Did you?" Zoro asked coldly as he narrowed his eyes.

"Are you suggesting I helped murder our captain?" Mariangely asked in anger and disbelief.

Before Zoro could answer, Mariangely slapped him hard across the face.

"How dare you! He was my captain too despite the short time I've knew him!" Mariangely yelled. "I thought we were family, but was all that just a load of bullshit!"

Zoro immediately felt guilt come over him. "I...I'm sorry. I didn't know what I was thinking."

Why did he doubt Mariangely? She was his crewmate and Luffy trusted her. Luffy's judgment about his crew or even people had never been wrong. Even when it looked like Nami and Robin had betrayed them, he had never lost faith in them. Still, why couldn't he shake this uneasiness?

Mariangely gave a deep sigh. "We're all frustrated, but we can't turn on each other now. Luffy wouldn't want that. No matter what, we must stick together." She then flipped her hair and played with a strain of her hair. "If we can't trust one another on these seas, then what hope do we have?"

Zoro knew that was true, but he felt like Mariangely was mocking him for some reason. But just like all those other times, he felt those thoughts being pushed aside.

"Yes, we must stay together," Zoro said as he squeezed Mariangely's hand. "I'm sorry for doubting you, Mariangely."

They were crewmates and their trust must be unquestionable. It was what Luffy would have wanted.

Mariangely smiled as she stroked Zoro's hair. "I forgive you, love."

This was a kind of short, but intense chapter. I really tried to captured the crew's pain and grief as well as their need for vengeance without becoming bloodthirsty. Mariangely is a real piece of work, isn't she. Although, you have have to at least give her reward for best actress.

Anyway, zealousfreak27 raise some concerns that Zoro would not take the actions that he does in this chapter, becoming the Pirate King in Luffy's honor. Namely, Zoro said himself that he would have no reason to be a pirate without Luffy. I do agree to an extent, but I also think Zoro is not the type to allow his captain's dream to just die along with him. What he is doing for Kuina is proof that he is willing to carry on another person's burden and I do not think he would just abandon his crew, aka family. Truthfully, however, I have no idea how any of the crew would react if Luffy died. Honestly, I think the crew would completely disband since none of them would have any reason to stay as pirates, especially since most of them are not pirates in the traditional sense. Either way, for the sake of this story I decided to go along this path.

On point zealousfreak27, I do not agree that Zoro would become a bounty hunter again, mostly because Zoro has a high bounty himself and could not turn in his kills and I doubt he could trust a middle man who would not try to turn him in as well or cheat him. Most likely, if we go this route, Zoro would become like Hawk Eye and wondered the seas as a lone swordsman, slices up everything in his path.

Phalanx, thank for the review and I am glad you like my story so far. I will admit that your work helped shaped this story and I hope you keep reviewing.

With all that said, until next chapter.