Chapter 12

Author's Note: This isn't going to end yet… there are still so much more things I want to write. I want a happy ending and I have decided. Even so, I find that this story's readership is slightly pathetic. I'll keep believing that good stories will get good reviews (: Thank you for everyone who has been reading this so far. You don't know how much that means to me.

Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX

Eustass was not surprised to meet Luffy. He expected it because Des was a predictable person. The rubbery captain was well known for the trouble he brings and causes. War of the Best had been an epic moment. That was the moment of truth when Eustass decided to accept that they were in fact very different beings in existence. He would never be able to best the boy but that did not mean Eustass would give up. It only made the red haired man strive harder.

Eustass was surprised to meet a boy resembling Luffy. The only difference was that Luffy looked a lot younger. His eyes did not harbor those dark clouds that Eustass seen after the death of his brother. It held innocence, something that not many pirates in Grand Line had.

Just to confirm his doubts, Eustass asked, "Who are you."

As expected, Luffy gave a huge trademark grin and proclaimed, "I am Luffy, the man who is going to be the Pirate King!"

Eustass laughed at that. He was unsure how many times he had heard it from various people but if anything, this boy might just make true of what he said. Eustass pat the boy on the head, tilting the yellow straw hat so it covered his eyes. "I'll hold you to your word then, future pirate king."

Luffy was puzzled but smiled anyway. The smile was so radiant and Eustass found himself thinking about how he was before he met Law. Luffy then burst with excitement and started gushing about his dreams. Eustass got lost in the enthusiastic outburst. It did not take long for the boy to convince Eustass to go to Makino's place with him. Eustass found himself being dragged along with the boy.

It was challenging to catch up with Luffy when they took a short cut through the forest. Eustass was beginning to have second thoughts about trusting the boy. "Are you absolutely sure this is the right way?"

Eustass only got a goofy grin as an answer. He sighed and trudged through the tangled vines in his path. Eustass was sweaty and annoyed. The bug bites did nothing to soothe his nerves. He was glad for all the manual tasks he had to do as a pirate because trekking through an uninhabited jungle for a short cut was no easy feat. Yet the boy did it at ease as if it was his second nature.

"It might really be his second nature… Monkey D. Luffy… how befitting." Eustass grimaced as a thorned bramble caught him. Eustass hissed and tried to free himself in order to catch up with the boy.

"Come on! Hurry up, the river is just ahead… once we cross it there is only a short distance before reaching the town!"

Eustass sighed and fought the vine that coiled around his neck only to find a snake replacing it. His scream echoed in the dense forest and birds flew off somewhere.

Luffy ran back to Eustass who was spluttering curses. He laughed at the red tint on Eustass's pale cheeks. Eustass was beyond embarrassed. He swore Des would be rolling on the ground with laughter. Luffy merely picked up the green snake and patted it gently on the head.

"It's a tree snake, they are harmless. I've seen him before. No need to be so scared. Here," Luffy held out the snake to Eustass who was backing away. "Say hello," he smiled. Eustass fought the fear building up in his gut. He reached out a shaky hand to touch the cold and scaly creature. It was surprisingly nice to touch. Eustass found his fear fade away. He smiled and poked the creature's head curiously. The green tree snake hissed viciously, making Eustass recoil while Luffy watched the incident play out and laughed right through.

Luffy set the snake free to which the creature silently slithered away not without a flick of its tongue, as if mocking the red haired pirate. Eustass heaved a huge sigh of relief when Luffy decided to continue with the journey. Eustas was more than thankful for the distraction and followed behind Luffy who slowed down for him.

They arrived at the river and Eustass made a mental note to never trust Luffy's words. It was nowhere near a river. The 'river' was in actual fact a canyon. It led right to the ocean and Eustass gulped. He feared what was going to happen. Through all the incidents he had been through, he knew Des well enough to know when she would present him a problem. He prayed that Luffy would not fall because they were both devil fruit users. "Would I be affected by the sea? Des did mention that as the time drew shorter the effect of illusion and a separate identity will become weaker. I'll prepare for the worst but I hope this is not it…"

They crossed the river via a fragile looking hanging bridge constructed with thin ropes that barely held and broken wooden planks. Luffy ran across the length without much difficulty. Even though Eustass was not afraid of heights, it was simply reckless to run across such a bridge that did not look like it could hold. Eustass tested if the bridge would hold his weight and eased himself on the first plank. The first step was always the most difficult because of so many uncertainties but once Eustass was reassured, he walked with more confidence.

Luffy waited for Eustass at the middle of the bridge patiently even if he wanted to run the remaining length. "Hurry up Mr. Funny Eyebrows!"

Eustass growled at the nickname. Sure enough, this body Des provided gave unique eyebrows but that did not mean Luffy had to pick on them. In fact, Eustass thought Luffy's cook had more spectacular eyebrows compared to him. "These eyebrows of mine merely tilt upwards at the corners… the do not curl and STOP calling me FUNYY EYEBROWS!"

Luffy chuckled. "Okay then Mr. Grumpy."

Eustass had the urge to strangle the kid and kill him but he suppressed that feeling. "This is for Law…" he gritted his teeth.

When Eustass was nearer to the middle of the bridge where Luffy was waiting, an ominous snap was heard. As if in slow motion, Eustass saw how all the planks fell away and Luffy plummeted downwards with wide eyes. Clearly he had not been expecting that.

Eustass had no time to think. He reacted before his mind could register anything. He reached out for Luffy but their hands missed by a few inches. Eustass cursed as he held onto the rope tightly. Luffy was falling fast into the river. He would surely die.

"Dammit!" Eustass cursed. This was not happening. He had to decide fast if he should take the risk and gamble on Des's abilities to remove the side effect of his devil fruit powers long enough for him to save Luffy or die trying.

"If he dies here then everything I have been doing would be meaningless!" he shouted and threw thinking to the wind. He was never good at it so he should be fine doing without it in times like this.

Eustass was free falling but he was not picking up enough speed to reach the boy before he touched waters. Nevertheless, Eustass did his best to lessen their distance.

As Luffy disappeared into the water, Eustass got ready for the plunge. He took in a deep breath just before the icy water hit him. He did not resurface for a long time and Des was worried. "Did he fail?" Law asked. Des pursed her lips. She was hoping for a miracle.

Meanwhile, Eustass was searching for Luffy. He felt the effects of the devil fruit taking place but he was not immobile. Eustass felt his body become heavier with time. He knew he had to search fast.

Down not far from where he was, Eustass caught a glimpse of the boy sinking further. He used the sudden adrenaline to propel himself forward. Luffy felt weightless in his arms as the curse of the sea took its toll. Unwilling to give up Eustass used whatever strength he had left to aim for the surface. His vision was becoming obscure and the surface was lost from sight. A desperate attempt and gamble made Eustass summon his inhuman strength that catapulted Luffy upwards.

Luffy shot out from the water and hit the dry river banks. While the boy regained his bearings, Eustass was already out of luck. The curse took on its full effect and Eustass sank. Luffy's cries from above could be heard but it might just be Eustass's imagination. The red haired man smiled. He did it.

Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX

Des smiled in relief. Watching Eustass gamble with his life was something that kept her on the edge of her seat. He was finally done and she could do what she had to.

"Now for the last gift…"

The white orb shrank and glowed blindingly. Des raised it and it shattered, scattering white particles in all directions.

Once more, Eustass was thrown into a different reality.

Author's Note: I apologize for the extremely late update. The story will continue but my school is demanding more from me so updates will not be regular… not that it has been. Please continue to support this story if you think it has potential (: