Sora POV

"Hurry, capture them!"

"Don't let them get away!"

"Keep them away from the Admiral!"

My eyes flutter open as I stretch out my arms. I blink my eyes a couple of times, trying to get used to the rays of sunlight pouring in from the windows in the back. I stand up ignoring the soreness from sleeping in an upright position. I should have gone to bed.

"What the hell are you doing men?!"

"I just really want to see Admiral Hikari in her adult form kicking the pirates' asses!"

"Captain, you pervert!"

I look down to see I'm still wearing my dirty uniform from my fight with Arlong. Curious about what's going on outside, but wanting to look professional, I take off my white button shirt and put on a different one.

I don't bother buttoning it up since I'm in my child form. I take off my boots unable to ignore the pain from wearing them. I open the door to reveal all of my men lying on the ground unconscious. Only three soldiers remain standing, still trying to hold their ground.

I finally take notice of the intruders on my ship and surprise, surprise it's Luffy and his band of misfits. It's too early to be dealing with this. I want to go crawl into my bed and sleep some more.

I clear my throat, getting everyone's attention, and freezing them in their positions.

I stretch my arms again while groaning. Popping my back feels good. I finally note the look of devastation that Luffy, Sanji, and my remaining soldiers have on.

"Sora-chan." Sanji begins in a serious tone. "That's not what I was expecting to see."

"Admiral, you're supposed to be in your adult form ready to take vengeance." My three Marine soldiers fret as they fall to their knees and punch the ground.

I must still be sleepy, or it's still too early to be dealing with this kind of crap. I let out a yawn and rub both of my eyes.

"Are you sure that's the Admiral?" I hear the orange girl ask Luffy.

"Yeah, she's just a kid." The long nose guy agrees.

I freeze in my spot as my hair turns from blonde to red. I grit my teeth together.

"She might look like a kid but she's pretty strong." Luffy chuckles.

That does it!

Without thinking, I change into my adult form. I put down my hands as my eyes turn red. Fire surrounds me, I try my best to suppress it.

"Who are you calling a kid?!" I ask through gritted teeth.

Sanji looks as if he got punched as he lands on his back with a fountain of a nose bleed. My three soldiers get hearts in their eyes.

What the hell is with them?

I don't get the chance to question any of them. An arm wraps itself around my shoulders pulling me to into their chest. I don't have to even guess who it is.

"May I ask what you are doing?" I ask, irritated.

"Oh, come on Senpai, it's not every day I get to see this side of you." Scuro whispers gently in my ear.

My eyes widen, I do my best not to show any fear. I bite my lip hard enough to draw blood. He's doing this on purpose, he wants to show my weak side. I stare at the ground and focus on the sound of the waves crashing against the battleship.

"I came here to talk to the Admiral." Luffy menacingly states. "If you wouldn't mind, please let her go."

"Don't feel like it." Scuro amusedly replies.

I don't get a chance to process what happens, my instincts make my body move to the side. Luffy punches Scuro right in the face. I take the chance to calm down my rapidly beating heart and return to my child form. That makes Sanji and the other three perverts cry in protest.

"I told you to let her go." Luffy's eyes are covered by his straw hat.

Scuro pays him no mind as he wipes the blood off his face with the back of his hand. By the way he's frowning, he isn't going to let go that easily. I better calm him down before Scuro decides to break every bone in Luffy's body.

"Barbara from the Sniper class shut you down." I do my best to stifle my laughter.

"S-she did not. I-I just picked the wrong time to ask her out." Scuro stutters, failing miserably to defend himself.

"She has a creepy eye and looks more like a guy than a girl." I chuckle.

"She is a very feminine girl, who happens to be a bit of tomboy." Scuro quickly defends.

"In my opinion, she is a dude wearing a mini skirt." I button up my white shirt with a smile.

"Do you even have evidence?!" Scuro yells.

I'm having way too much fun with this. Oh, revenge is a bitch. I am going to enjoy the look on his face. I grin at him as I get on my tippy toes and place my hand on his cheek letting the memory play in his mind.

3.

2.

1.

"SON OF A BITCH! WHAT THE FUCK CHRONOS?! YOU HAVE RUINED ALL OF MY DREAMS AND FUTURE PLANS! HOW THE HELL WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW SHE HAD A THING BETWEEN HER LEGS WHEN SHE HAS SUCH A SWEET SMILE! I'M GOING TO BE SICK!" Scuro screams at the top of his lungs and jumps off the battleship.

That did it for me, I fall to my knees and begin to roll around the deck laughing hard. Tears run down my cheeks and my stomach already hurts from all the laughing but it was all worth it.

My laughter subsides to giggling as I brush off the tears with the back of my hand. I sit up trying to contain it. Scuro might not have admitted it, but I scarred him for life, since he did the dirty daydreaming about Barbara.

Oh, Barbara, what's that between your legs? Scuro would say seductively to his lover.

It's my wiener. Barbara would answer as her face reddens.

"It's a wiener!" I half yelled, half laughed.

I beat my fist on the deck as I laugh harder at the thought.

"Umm, is she okay?

"Sora-chan?"

That brought me back to reality. I clear my throat and wipe away the tears. I do my best to stifle my giggling.

"R-right you came to see me." I giggle slightly.

"Yes, I want you to join my crew." Luffy states with a wide grin.

At once, all amusement leaves me, and the words sink in. I look up to Luffy's dark eyes full of excitement, both his hands rest on his hips, his grin never faltering.

I pull down my cap over my eyes. This is going to be tough, acting has never been my best subject.

"You have a coward and a liar as a sniper. Your navigator is cat burglar. Your swordsman used to hunt down pirates to survive. Your chef is a womanizer who falls for every girl he sees. Not to mention, the captain of this crew has brought danger upon his nakama by stepping on this battleship and practically declaring war on an Admiral."

I mess with my gloves, adjusting them. I reach into my sleeve bringing out the scythe known as Chronos. I twirl it once and hold it in front of me with the blade touching the tip of my boots.

Luffy doesn't seem offended in the slightest by my words. No, it seems more like he predicted I would pick on his soft spot for his nakama.

"You're right, but they're my precious nakama. Each one of them fits well in my crew. I can't think of having a crew without them. They each individually have a way of bringing out each other's specialties." Luffy replies in prideful tone.

I chew on my bottom lip as I notice the red faces of embarrassment from his nakama. I guess this is a first for them.

"A crew is meant to work together and help one another in order to survive the seas. I doubt they have yet to realize another thing." I turn my head to face them.

Usopp flinches when my eyes land on him. Nami holds her ground even though her eyes are full of fear. Zoro stares right back at me with a great force. Sanji has a love struck look and mumbles something about angels.

"You still haven't realized what your true ambition is right now. I'm positive each one of you has one, but there will come a day when you realize you were wrong." I take out a lollipop and pop it into my mouth.

Delicious, my mouth is bursting with watermelon flavor.

"True ambition?" Usopp repeats looking thoughtful.

"What do you mean by that?" Nami asks.

"Figure it out for yourself." I reply.

I turn my gaze to Luffy. I assumed he would just shrug off whatever I said but this time he seems to be thinking about it really hard. His face is turning red. Maybe he has a fever.

I twirl Chronos once more as I look around the ship to see none of my men are standing. They must have gone soft to have gotten their asses kicked this badly. I slam the hilt of my scythe to the deck making it tremble for a second.

Behind that slam, I laced a bit of Conquerors Haki to alert all of my men. It takes about a minute for them to wake up.

"Do you have an ambition, flame lady?" Luffy asks me.

I guess his brain is hurting from thinking too much.

"Nope, someone like me follows orders and completes them. There is no room for ambition in my head." I answer.

Hotaru staying alive and Hikaru's freedom are all I want. I don't mind giving up an arm or a leg for them, just as long as they're happy.

"You're lying." Luffy says in a serious tone.

I give him a small smile.

"Boy, what is your ambition?"

"Pirate King."

Again, he answers without any hesitation. I bite down on my lollipop making it crack.

"Then here is another piece of advice. You will have to sail the Grand Line. If the sea doesn't kill you, then the pirates, who have sailed the rough seas for years, will." I place Chronos on my shoulders. "Don't forget people like me who guard those seas and are set to destroy the flag you sail under. It takes more than just guts and brains to become the Pirate King."

I turn to my men, who've finally woke up from their nap. Good, my time is almost up and I haven't met with Little Boss yet. I have to hurry and return to the Grand Line.

"Make preparations, we set sail in a hour. I also want reports about the prisoners and the state of the island. I want Commodore Puri Puri in my office in the next ten minutes." I bark the orders.

"Admiral, you didn't give me an answer." Luffy whines.

I peek at him from the corner of my eye.

"You don't deserve an answer. Maybe in ten years, anchor. For now, I'm too busy to keep hearing you whine. "

Without any hesitation, I swing Chronos to the side taking them by surprise. I throw them out of my battleship. I stick out my tongue at them while waving.

I go to my office, completely aware of the rubber idiot making faces at me. I roll my eyes at him with a fond smile. I'm going to miss him, but I shouldn't be selfish.

I grab my Marine jacket and throw it over my shoulder ignoring the sudden weight of it. I sit down on my chair, looking forward to going to bed. I take a deep breath and start to read through my Captain's report.

He hasn't come directly to me about what happened last night. Scuro must have threatened him about it. I wouldn't be surprised if they transfer him to another base. I hope it's one here in East Blue. He's a good man and a perfect example of a Marine soldier.

As far as I can tell, Arlong and his men were arrested but one of them managed to give them the slip. Apparently, it was the octopus fishmen, Hachi. I'll worry about it later. All the money Arlong took from the villagers has been returned along with the money Captain rat got for keeping his mouth shut. The money Nami fought for was also returned to the villagers.

Seems like I won't have to even lift a finger. Commodore Puri Puri already has volunteered to take the prisoners to Impel Down. The Old Goat called me while I was asleep.

What the hell does Sengoku want with me? I've been good, so far.

I manage to read through all my Captain's orders just as Commodore Puri Puri reaches my office. I try to give him a smile, but I'm too exhausted to even do that. He sits down and immediately gives me a detailed report about getting new recruits all over East Blue. Since the mishap with Lieutenant Morgan and Captain rat, it would be a good idea to inspect all of the bases in East Blue.

I stretch my arms over my head trying to keep myself awake. Once Commodore Puri Puri gave me his report, he left to sail for Impel Down. Now, I just need to call the Old Goat about the bases in East Blue.

I grab the den den mushi with the words Marineford on it. I move the receiver closer to me. The snail starts to ring until it makes the clank sound.

"Reaper?! You better have a good explanation as to the reason you're calling this late!" The Old Goat shouts making the snail look scary-angry.

"Sengoku," I snap. "If you must know, I have been working my butt off over here. I arrested two big bounties in East Blue. There was also the issue of corrupt Marines I had to deal with."

I'm not in the mood to hear it, especially from him.

"Big bounties?" He repeats. "Honestly, Admiral Hikari, compare them to the level you're at. They should be just flies to you."

"Annoying flies."

"I already sent out Garp to escort ex-Lieutenant Morgan to Impel Down." Sengoku says as he calms down.

Alright! I got out of yet another Impel Down trip.

The snail's face changes to a very serious expression.

"What are your thoughts on East Blue's bases?" He asks me, thoughtfully.

"I, personally think you should inspect each base. The one for the job is Akainu. It would be great to have another Admiral come to East Blue." I reply.

Plus, there's the fact that that lava bastard knows how to really scare soldiers. I'm positive that in no time we'll have perfect Marines commanding each base.

"I agree with you. It's best to show support to the weakest of the Blues. You're the prime example of it. Your very presence got you the two biggest bounties of that area."

Wow. He just complimented me. And I can't even enjoy it because of a rubber bastard.

"Thank you, sir, it means a lot to me coming from you." I methodically respond.

"I look forward to reading your reports once you return to Marineford." With that said, I hear a clank as the snail's eyes close for slumber.

Lucky bastard, I want to sleep as well. I lean back looking down at the black paper on my desk. I grab hold of my pen trying to concentrate on writing my own report. But, the image of a straw hat fills my head. I lean against my chair letting out a sigh.

It was nice to see him. I wish I could have talked to him more, not as an Admiral or a Marine. I want to talk to him as the Sora from before. The one who had yet to gain any scars or heartbreaks. I want to erase each scar we received since the day they took all three of us.

It's funny, the whole time I was with him, my mind never wondered about being ordered to kill and destroy. I only thought about helping people. Until Scuro appeared, then my fear made itself known.

I glance back at the paperwork piled in front of me, already, wishing it was over. I write whatever I think is important and do my best to make it look like I worked hard and kicked ass. I would have, too, if a certain rubber idiot quit pushing me in the sea.

I hadn't realized nighttime had arrived until I looked out the window behind me. I stretch my arms in front of me, satisfied with my report. There, now time for a nap and a hot bath. I stand up pushing the chair back. I exit my office noting the temperature difference.

I make my way below deck amazed by the number of stars in the night sky. This must be one of those moments you can catch sight of a shooting star. A wish is something that shouldn't be wasted on me.

"You're lying."

Clear as a bell, his words ring through my mind. No, I'm not lying, I do not have an ambition. I open the door to my room to see a simple bed with white covers and a stiff pillow on it. On the right side of the room stands my locker. On the opposite is a door to my own personal bath.

I open the locker to grab a pair of underwear and my favorite white button shirt. I smile at the sight of it. I can always tell it apart from the other shirts by the smell. I grab the sleeve and place a gentle kiss on it. It still smells of cinnamon and vanilla.

A pair of golden eyes flash through my mind. I hold it gently to me thinking about the days Luffy's name held nothing in my heart. I try not to remember the one year I spent in East Blue. I've buried the memories for such a long time, made my heart go numb as my emotions were erased.

I felt nothing each time I went out on a mission, I kept reminding myself about the prize of a job well done. Hotaru gets her medicine and lives to see another morning. While Hikaru keeps a bit of her freedom. I never cared for my own happiness. As long as they were out of the harm's way, I was happy.

I place my clothes next to the sink. I take a deep breath and remove my gloves, pulling them by the fingers. The seal of the Celestial Dragons reveals itself, making my stomach churn. They slip from my fingers to the ground. I take off my blue skirt then my thigh high white socks. I start to undo the buttons with shaky fingers.

I take a deep breath and pull them off doing my best not to stare at the countless red dots. They go from my wrists to my arms covering practically half of my arms. All the times they withdrew blood from me. All the times they poisoned, fed me chemicals as they waited eagerly for the results.

I remove my red ribbons and place them next to my clothes. I step into the bath and enjoy the comforting feeling it gives me. I slide down making the water reach my chin.

My true ambition used to be finding One Piece. I wanted to show the world I existed. I wanted to make sure no one forgot the name Scarlett D. Jones, the former world's greatest swordsman. More than anything, I wanted to set sail with a crew in search of adventure. To live each day as if it were my last. I wanted a life with no regrets.

My dreams were endless, each day I would pop up with a different one. My excitement grew and grew endlessly. My thirst for adventure in the blue sea kept me up at night as I imagined each battle with my nakama.

"I want you to join my crew."

I feel my eyes get watery. I can't help but feel a rage build up inside of me. He didn't even recognize me. He just saw me as the cool flame lady but never as Sora from his childhood memory.

I hate this, I want to go back. Hawkeye was right I should have never come back to East Blue. Curse my selfishness in wanting to see him, all it did was remind me of what I can never have. His nakama are the greatest.

Zoro is a badass first-mate with an incredible goal, perfect for the future Pirate King's ship. Usopp may be a coward but he does have courage when it comes to his nakama. Nami is kind and a little tough, a navigator with a wonderful smile. Sanji has a heart made of gold for women but he still looks out for his captain. They're all perfect for the future Pirate King.

In a way, I am relieved because I know, for sure, Luffy has a great crew guarding his back. No matter what happens, they got him. I don't have to worry about him falling into the sea and having no one to fish for him. Now he has four people who can do it.

I wash my hair finally noticing how long it's gotten. It probably reaches past my butt already. I wash my body, next, doing my best not to linger on each scar I have from the Labs. I take the towel hanging from the wall. I get out of the bath as one memory passes through my psyche.

One of a grinning Luffy as a little boy looking out into the sunset. He turns to me with determined eyes. He places his fist on his chest in pledge.

"I'll protect you from the world, itself. As long as you keep smiling for me. I don't like it when you cry."

I dry myself off, going on autopilot, my head feels too heavy. I thought it'd be easier to let it go and return to being a mindless weapon. I follow orders, I don't think about being a pirate. I only think about making it through the day.

I have to focus on my task. I need to find Hikaru, every fiber of my being refuses to accept the silly notion that she's dead. Hikaru is many things, and one of them is stubborn. She is too stubborn to die.

I put on my clothes ignoring the drops of water falling from my hair. I will find her, then we will go to the zoo to see polar bears with Hotaru. My trip to East Blue will be nothing more than a dream I woke up from.

I get into my bed throwing the stiff pillows to the ground. I curl up into a ball and use my arms as a pillow. Being in this position with the scent of cinnamon and vanilla, I remember vividly what I did. I close my eyes hoping sleep will find me quick.

"Neko." I mutter to myself.

Sleep didn't find me, something else did, it was a feeling of the world crashing down on me. One minute I'm in my room on the Marine battleship, the next, I'm falling fast and I can't stop myself. Chronos' blade inches forward trying to materialize in front of me.

I open my eyes and before me is a memory playing itself. I look around trying to get a sense of where I am and who this memory might belong to.

The sky is filled with smoke and the dirt surrounding me has turned to ashes as a nearby volcano erupts. War. There is a war here, I can see the two groups fighting. My eyes widen as I realize who it is. At the same time my stomach twists into knots.

Glowing red eyes, full of blood lust, glance over to the volcano not caring about it. Her head tilts to the side with curiosity.

The two fire horns on her head along with a tail flickering in the wind make her seem as though a demon were running loose. The red dress she wears is torn up and has several burn marks. Her feet are bare as she takes a step forward with such grace.

I finally take notice of the corpses lying around her. One of them has a black afro and is already a skeleton. She cut his body in half, along with his sword. Next to him, lays a man that looks like a cyborg. His entire chest is covered in blood and I'm positive I can see his insides.

I turn my gaze to a crisp corpse whose long nose I recognize. In his arms I can see he's holding onto some sort of raccoon dog. The poor thing has also been fried and has several cuts on its arms.

A couple of inches from him, a corpse with three swords hanging from his waist kneels on the floor. I place a hand over my mouth, trying to contain myself from vomiting at the sight. Half of his body was burned to a third degree, his right arm has been sliced off.

I finally turn around to face two girls lying peacefully next to each other. One of them has familiar orange hair, and the other one has raven hair. They must have been defeated easily. The both of them were struck through their chests. They must have bled to death, but I don't understand, why go easy on them? The other corpses have more injuries than just one blow.

A scream of anger brings my attention back to the war. I turn my head to peer behind me, in a perfect line, rows upon rows of people wearing black hoods. I don't have to guess, I know they're weapons.

Between them and the corpses, stands a boy with a look full of rage as he blocks an attack from the red headed girl. Her eyes reveal nothing as she brings down her scythe trying to break down through his Armament Haki.

This can't be happening, this isn't real. This is all a dream, it has to be. I bite my bottom lip as the straw hatted boy pushes off the girl.

Before me, Luffy fights against me, in reaper mode. I never thought of the possibility of this happening. The Grand Master doesn't even know about his existence. As far as she's concerned, I erased myself from all the people I've had contact with. But the thought of fighting against him as a real demon, scares me. Maybe, right now she doesn't know, but the Grand Master's ears are sharp. It will just be a matter of time before she finds out. When she does, will I follow orders as always or will I try to make myself deaf to her words?

Soon the memory fades away as Chronos' handle brushes against my fingertips. I look down to my hands to see the scythe slipping out of my sleeve. I grab hold of it and twirl it once, placing it on my shoulders.

I can't hesitate about these matters. This is a memory as to what is to come from the future. Now, all I have to do is answer the question, will I fight back?

Yes, as long as my sisters are in danger, I will dirty my hands as many times as needed. I won't lose them again.

Third POV

A whimper passes through Yuka's tight lips. Shadow hasn't found her, instead, a pack of wolves have. They must have followed the scent of Lightning's blood. Said girl sleeps peacefully on her back without a care in the world.

Yuka frowns at the sight, she wishes she could go back to her warm bed in Alabasta. Unfortunately, Lightning had to cross paths with a mischievous fox. Yuka lets out another whimper feeling envy at the self-healing most weapons have.

She pushes herself to keep going, thinking of the promise she made to the King. No matter what, he's getting his happy ending. He will become Pirate King because, right at this moment, he holds the key to the greatest treasure.

No one is going to take his smile away. Not when he finally got to see his precious nakama and relive each memory he created with them. Right at this moment, he must be making his way to the Grand Line thinking of the enemies he must defeat yet again.

Yuka's legs buckle underneath her, her entire body is exhausted from running and carrying a sleeping Lightning.

It only took seconds for the wolves to surround her. Yuka tightens her grip on Lightning as she summons the bit of strength she has left, willing herself to stand up.

"Get outta my way." Yuka growls, frustrated.

Her white gothic kimono with red outlines had been completely drenched in blood. Her violet hair had come undone from carrying Lightning around. Her green blue eyes glare at the wolves. Her white heels with the red bow on each side of the heel were ruined from the snow.

The wolves snarl in response to her growl. They bare their teeth at her as they get in ready positions to take down their prey.

Yuka shoots a quick glance at Lightning's sleeping face. Aside from the cold look she has in her eyes, she's cute when she sleeps.

Yuka turns her head to the wolves, her mind works overtime searching for an escape route. From what the villagers told her, the only doctor on this island lives on a damn castle at top of the damn mountain. The only way to get Lightning help is by climbing up the mountain.

Sure, the obvious would've been to open a door at the top of the mountain but since Shadow was tracking her and might still be. It's too risky for her to open the door. Instead, Yuka went for the tough route in the hopes that the snow would make it harder to track her.

She never did think about the wildlife possibly posing a threat. Yuka takes a deep breath ignoring the pain in her lungs. Before the wolves even get the chance to attack her, she starts to run, not giving a damn if a couple of them chomp on her legs. She kicks them off hoping she isn't making Lightning's wounds worse. Yuka keeps running, keeping her eyes on the mountain.

Only one thought sticks in her mind. Chronos owes me a new pair of heels.

Yay I got another chapter out! Thank you aibou! I hope you guys like it!

Till next time!