Yay, Luffy's here! Everything will be all right now, right? This one's a little long, so enjoy. And please review. I enjoy that.

Luffy's punch sent Z flying across the deck. He had dropped me, thank goodness, and I watched with wheezing breaths. It felt like my windpipe had been crushed.

"Rose, are you ok?"

I look up to see Luffy staring at me, hand outstretched. I grabbed it and allowed him to pull me to my feet.

I was so relieved I couldn't speak. I just nodded, trying to force air back into my lungs. Luffy stared at the Neo Marines with hatred. I could tell what he was going to do before he did it. I shut my eyes and closed my ears, as if that could help, as Luffy unleashed a wave of haki.

I felt it, even though Luffy controlled it so that it wasn't directed at me, I felt it. It was like the wind only it sent goose bumps up your spine and your hair stand on end. The weaker ones tipped over, falling to the deck. The stronger ones stayed on their feet but wobbled.

It stopped after a few seconds and Luffy's gaze returned to normal. My brain returns to normal functions as I gasp out.

"Luffy, the others are behind us."

I point to the back of the boat and sure enough Sunny is cruising toward the Neo Marine ship at an alarming rate. Luffy barely glances that way before turning his eyes back to Z.

Luffy is still feeling the effects of the sea prism stone. I can tell by the way he is still looking sickly. Not to mention he has had no food besides that piece of meat yesterday. If he fights Z it could prove to be one of the two losses he has to Z. I couldn't let that happen. We needed to get back to the Sunny.

"You can go back. I'm staying."

I know Luffy like this is impossible to persuade, especially when it comes to a fight. Nevertheless I try anyway.

"But Luffy, you're sick."

His eyes harden as he watched Z get up, brushing off dust.

"He hurt you and he sent that guy to kill Nami."

I inhale sharply. How had I forgotten about that? I had basically promised him that he could have the person responsible for the scratch on Nami. Then the words hit me. He was fighting for me! Elation filled me and I felt like I was walking on air. Luffy wound up his arm, pointing it toward the Sunny.

"I will take you back if you want."

My eyes widened. I couldn't leave him alone. I mean I know he could take care of himself, that's no surprise, but the promise I gave the crew rang through my mind.

I promise I will get Luffy back.

If I went back like Luffy wanted, then I would be breaking my promise, the promise that I had clung to all this time. I could not do that.

"No."

Luffy looked at me with wide-eyed innocence.

"What do you mean?"

I fold my arms across my chest.

"I'm not leaving. I will stay by your side. I promised them I would bring you back, and if you aren't leaving neither am I."

Luffy cocked his head to one side.

"But you are hurt."

I look down at myself. Blood, bruises cover me and my ribcage feels like it got hit by Thor's hammer. I grin.

"So what? I can still fight."

Something sparked in Luffy's eyes.

"But you said you were weak."

Ah, I see. Zoro must have told his captain about our talk of me joining the crew. Understandable, and I don't blame him for it. I raise my arm.

"I know, I am weak, but I am going to stay."

I had an image of Luffy standing up to Whitebeard. I wonder if he was thinking the same thing.

The Neo Marines were recovering quickly to Luffy's haki wave. Most were waking others up and helping them to stand. Luffy started cracking his knuckles, a sure fire sign he was about to go into a fight. I took a deep breath. I feel my fear rise within me again. I hate it. Just enjoy the fight.

"You scared?"

Luffy's question was simple. You have to risk your own life not rely on half-assed resolve. Luffy's words to Nami when she was supposed to shoot him with Buggy's cannon somehow emerge in my mind. I straighten.

"Yes."

I place myself beside him so we are shoulder to shoulder. I felt the muscles in his shoulder contract and was instantly comforted. Luffy is here. I have to be strong and brave with Luffy here too. I can't be dead weight.

"Now I'm not though. I'm going to risk my own life for this, not with half resolve."

Luffy grinned. He also remembered his words to Nami.

Ain and Binz were attending to Z. He shook them off and turned to Luffy. I nudge him forward.

"You get Z, I will get the rest of these thugs."

Luffy looked at me expectantly, like he wanted to stay by my side, but then grinned, popping his knuckles.

"You are mine Z."

He yelled. Z laughed.

"Pathetic pirate."

Luffy leapt forward, already in second gear and haki covering his hands. I raised my fist and turned to the other Neo Marine grunts. They of course were advancing on me and my focus went off of Luffy to them.

First thing first, you are one person. Put something at your back or they will sneak up on you. I put myself at the ships railing, thus cutting their enemy advancement by half.

The thing that scared me about this was that Z wasn't going to kill me. He just wanted to beat the crap out of me then kill me. These guys, definitely not the case. I am considered a pirate now; an enemy and they will try to kill me. The only advantage I have is that they aren't as good as Z is. Thank goodness for that.

They all rushed me, but the way I was positioned they could only come at me two at a time. I kept my hands open, smacking away hands, guns and swords.

If they had swords I would slap it away, grab it by the hilt, disarm the owner, and toss it over the side. Guns were the same. I would not give them the opportunity to kill me that way.

Once all weapons were gone, I would turn to giving them as much pain as possible. The more pain you are in, the more likely you will give up in the fight. I would repeat my breaking elbow technique, adding moves like kicking the knee so far that it would snap, punching the throat so that they couldn't breathe, and sticking my fingers in their eyes.

Once they gave up the will to fight, I would knock them down and they wouldn't get back up. Then two more would step up, brandishing swords and guns.

It became an endless cycle. My reflexes honed by athletics, my slight martial arts training, my adrenaline, and my determination to win made up for any weakness or lack of experience I had. I had another advantage however.

When I run or when I do very energy consuming things, my friends sometimes call me 'the energizer bunny' because I never seem to run out of energy. I get out of breath, dehydrated, hungry, but never energyless. That is an incredible asset when fighting.

During that endless period of time. I realized fighting is split up into percentages. There is strength obviously, and speed, a strong will is also needed. One thing that you usually don't think of is recovery.

As I said before, I have a high pain tolerance. And whenever some sword grazing me or I get punched, I cannot stop. There is no timeout in a real fight. You can't say 'oh hold on a second, I'm hurt.' You have to keep moving.

I guess even energizer bunnies need rest because despite my endurance and stamina, I was slowing down. The movements that I had used and had now perfected in a true fighting setting were getting slower and my breaths were becoming much heavier. I can't do this.

Pain racked my body as another sword slid into my side. Not enough to actually kill me, just a scratch. I leaned against the railing and was completely drained. I needed a break or something.

I could call for Luffy, but I wasn't going to do that to him. If he got distracted from his fight with Z, that could prove disastrous. He needs to focus on his fight.

I close my eyes as three swords rise in unison, threatening to kill me. I closed my eyes. Crap, I'm dead. I'm so dead. I wince and terror claws at my chest.

Suddenly I hear the sound of metal rasping on something and a clanging sound. The swords I was expecting never came and I cracked an eye open to see what happened.

The Neo Marines were looking terrified at the man that appeared in front of me. I opened both my eyes in confusion. Who the heck—then I saw the two swords in his hands, and a white hilted one in his mouth.

Zoro saved me.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Zoro, without turning, asked me in a dangerous tone.

"You all right Rose?"

"Yes thank you Zoro."

I glanced over my shoulder to see the Mini Merry filled with the Straw-hat crew. Sanji was already sky-walking onto the ship, and the others were climbing aboard.

They were here. I wasn't alone anymore.

Relief filled every part of my being. I'm not going to die. I'm going to be ok. Zoro quickly pushes the Neo-marines back away from me. I hear their speculations about Roronoa Zoro as I say to Zoro.

"Ain is over near the cabin."

I point in the direction, so he can't possibly get lost. Zoro nods and almost walks off, but gives me a look.

"Will you be ok?"

I nod. Having the break I needed, I am raring to go again. This fighting thing I could really be pretty decent at with practice.

"I will stay with the others. You go beat Ain."

Zoro smirked and took off; leaving wounded and horribly scarred Neo Marines in his wake.

If I remembered the numbers correctly, there were about 500 Neo Marines on this boat. I smirked as Sanji landed beside me and took off, spotting Binz across the deck.

"Got you, you overgrown salad."

Nami and Usopp soon followed with Brook, Franky, Chopper, and Robin close behind.

"Rose!"

"Are you ok?"

I nod gratefully. Nami hands me a stick of wood that I recognize as her old quarterstaff, the one she used before she used the climatact.

"Here Rose, thought you might would like something."

I grin as I grasp the wood in my hands.

"Thanks. Let's do this."

We all dive into battle.

We soon separate. I found myself whirling around the battlefield, swinging the quarterstaff like a natural. I had never used one before, but whenever I twirled it, it really felt light in my hands. I tripped men, bopped heads, and laughed while doing it. This was fun.

The pain of my injuries was nonexistent as I completely ignored it. I couldn't focus on that. I had no time. It's amazing how men wielding weapons at you can distract you from something like that.

Not only that, but I was fighting with the Straw-hat pirates. It was a dream come true. Every once and a while, out of my peripheral vision, I would see them fighting. Franky with his laser, Chopper in his Kung Fu form, Nami electrocuting a group of them, Brook sheathing his sword cane, Usopp with his plants, Robin with her arms, Sanji kicking Binz with a flaming foot, Zoro locking swords with Ain, and Luffy trading blows with Z.

I felt truly a part of them, like I truly was their crew. It made me ecstatic and I fought even harder. I couldn't let them down.

The fight didn't last very long, imagine that. The Straw-hat crew, one by one stopped fighting as they ran out of enemies to beat up. Robin, Franky, and I were the first ones. Nami finished with flair of using Gust sword. She looked around at the lack of enemies that everyone else was taking care of and relaxed, swinging her climatact over her shoulder.

"Well that was fun."

Brook seemingly transported over, sheathing his sword slowly. Once it clicked in its sheath, about twenty men fell, frozen scratches crisscrossing their bodies.

"Yohohohohoho, their yells fell on my poor ears, if I had any. Skull joke!"

I laughed despite myself. I laugh at everything, especially bad jokes. Nami rolled her eyes.

"Don't encourage him Rose."

I stifle my giggling. Usopp walked over, slinging off a plant as he went.

"These guys aren't that scary."

Chopper finished taking care of his group of Neo Marines.

"All right everyone. Let me start treating you."

Now that I think about it, I was starting to feel a little lightheaded. I guess I've never lost this much blood before. I stared at one point on the deck, trying to restore my balance. Everyone else moved toward Chopper to get their injuries checked, but I just stayed still. I was afraid if I moved, I would fall on my face.

"Rose, are you ok?"

I don't look at Robin.

"Yeah, fine."

I raise my eyes to look at the only people still fighting.

Z and Luffy were easily matched, neither stopping nor slowing down. Zoro was overcoming Ain, slowly but surely. I saw a sword in one of the girl's hands and the other was glowing pink, searching to touch Zoro with it. Sanji was burning through Binz's vines faster then the man can produce them. The only problem was that Binz was only slightly faster then Sanji.

"Are you sure? You don't look so good."

My knees trembled and complained about the lack of blood flow to my feet. With so much blood covering my body instead of inside it, I couldn't transport blood that wasn't there.

"Rose, come over to Chopper to let him fix you up. Rose!"

I tipped forward, my legs giving up in their pointless job of holding my weight. There was a scary moment like when you know you are tripped and you put your hands down to catch yourself. However, I didn't need to worry. I never touched the ground.

Usopp and Franky grabbed my arms and supported me. Brook called over to the doctor that was treating a scratch on Nami's arm.

"Chopper-san, Rose-san is hurt."

I manage a weak grin at that.

"Yeah, I've been in a fight. Hurting is a given."

The cyborg and sniper laid me gently down on the deck. Chopper, in full on doctor mode, bustled over me, tying bandages here. I manage to smile at him.

"Sorry Chopper. I should be helping you shouldn't I?"

Chopper tied off a bandage on my arm and gently prodded my ribs. I winced.

"You need rest. You got some pretty bruised ribs but nothing broken."

I snorted.

"I know that Chopper. I'll be ok. I just need a few seconds of breathing room."

The others gathered around me, sitting down. I sat up, cringing at the pain in my chest that slowly dissipated.

"Why were you so beat up Rose sis?"

Franky asked. I smirked.

"Got into a fight with Z."

Their eyes widened.

"But Luffy was supposed to fight him."

Nami protested. Robin asked calmly.

"Something happened that Luffy couldn't fight."

I nodded. Trust Robin to figure it out.

"I couldn't wake him up due to the amount of seastone he was exposed to. They were going to execute him so I had to fight Z."

They kept pressing until I had to tell the entire story. I didn't make it heroic. I didn't make it sound like I was this awesome fighter that did this amazing thing. Nope, I just made it sound like I did the right thing.

They all looked at me with admiration in their eyes.

"You are super Rose-sis."

"You really are braver then me."

"Rose-swan!"

A familiar love-struck voice rang out and I looked up to see Sanji standing behind me.

"Oh, hey Sanji."

I look across the deck to see a very defeated Binz, covered in burns and footprints. Poor guy. I grin at the cook.

"Good job."

"So sweet, just like the flower she is named after."

I chuckle, but wince as my bruised ribs flared with pain. Sanji swayed waving his hands.

"You look hungry Rose. When we get back to the Sunny, I will make you a feast."

"Much appreciated Sanji."

"Ooh, can I have some food too Sanji-bro? Mostly cola."

"Yohohohoho, my stomach is growling with hunger, but wait, I don't have one. Skull Joke."

"Ooh food does sound good Sanji. Usopp-sama would like his food too."

"Get your own food you shitheads."

I can't help but laugh. I glance across the deck to see Z catapult Luffy into the cabin, almost destroying the thing completely as wood shattered.

On the other end of the scale, Zoro defeated Ain with the Dragon Twister, just like he did in the movie. Ain dropped to the deck limp as a ragdoll.

Zoro carefully sheathed his swords and strolled over to where we all were gathered on the deck. Sanji shot a cool remark at him.

"Took you long enough, marimo."

Zoro's eyes glistened with power and danger.

"You wanna go bullseye?"

Sanji's eyes flashed.

"Is that a challenge you shitty lazy swordsman?"

"You freaking perverted cook, you know it is."

I manage to break into their squabble.

"Oi Zoro. How was it? You don't look twelve years younger. That's good."

Zoro's eyes roved over me, taking in my injuries. Was that a protective spark in his eyes?

"Yes, I wouldn't let her touch me. If she got close enough I would almost chop off her hand."

"You dare do that to a lady? You should have let her turn you into a kid."

Zoro rolled his eye.

"Yeah and I still would be able to kick your ass."

"What was that?"

While they dissolved into an all out fight, I turned my attention back to Luffy's fight. He wasn't going down, not like I expected him too. He looked beat up, sore, but not down and out. I could see Z struggling now. This fight was too long for him. But why didn't he use the inhaler?

Then I saw the remains on the deck. He had crushed it. This must be a parallel to the movie. Sure enough, I saw Z disconnect his metal arm and blackness covered his arm. This was the final minutes of the battle.

I watched in growing anticipation. It was so exciting to watch Luffy fight. When I first got into the series, I would skip episodes (I know, bad idea. Stupid, I know. The entire series was good.) Just to watch Luffy's fights. They intrigued me. After I finished the entire series, I went back and rewatched the whole thing, so don't worry.

They exchanged blow after haki-covered blow. They hit hard and strong. This is the first actual fight I see Luffy in. I mean hand to hand, no weapons, no super powers. It's like he's normal. If you can ever call Luffy normal.

Finally both fell to the ground with the blows. Nami gasped.

"Luffy."

I just smile.

"No, Luffy won."

Sure enough, Luffy was the one who stood straight again. He looked down at Z, breathing hard. Then he shouted.

"I WILL BECOME THE PIRATE KING!"

My body shuddered and I got goose bumps. This was resolve. This feeling is what I always feel when Luffy shouts his goal, his dream to the sky.

Luffy walks, no stumbles, over to us, breathing hard, looking injured. Nevertheless, he grinned.

"Let's go back. Together."