First things first, I apologize profusely and beg your forgiveness for taking so long in updating this particular story. I appreciate all of your incredible patience!
I hope you enjoy this chapter of Son of the Lion.
"The charges are as follows," the court announcer began once again before he was effectively silenced by yet another interruption.
"Why are we even having this trial in the first place," Zoro snarled "this is a mockery and you know it. We have evidence that Grugen has lied and manipulated countless people into trapping the true King into unjust imprisonment. This whole charade is ridiculous!"
Trenton scoffed, but his eyes lit up with agreement as he saw in the one eyed swordsman a fellow spirit who also didn't want to endure the tediousness that was this trial "Then pray tell, Crown Prince, just how would you solve this problem?"
Zoro jolted his right eye widening as suddenly he had the attention of the entire court room, all expecting him to swiftly bring the trial to a resolution. His Adam's apple bobbed as he gave a heavy swallow darting a glance to his crew only to receive encouraging nods "I would have the two opposing parties duel, and the winner takes the Kingdom. That way a trial or judge is not necessary. We see that both want the Kingdom, it would only make sense that they settle it between themselves without any veil of lies or possible fake evidence to support them."
"Skill against skill alone," Trenton murmured his mouth twitching into a smirk "a battle to decide the next King."
"I like it," Margarite purred "it's much more entertaining than listening to a boring old court case any day."
The lead Celestial Dragon nodded "Then it is decided, now the only question is who the two dueling parties will be, Grugen will obviously be the one representing his side. Who will be the champion in favor of the Lionhart lineage?"
"I will fight," Fiona burst her green eyes bright with determination "let me show Grugen just what the Lionhart family is capable of!"
"No Fiona," Angeline shushed her face grim "I understand you wish to pay back Grugen for all the hurt he's caused, but your anger will cloud your judgment in battle. The last thing I want is for you to get hurt all because you want to exact your revenge in a duel."
Fiona opened her mouth to retort but her reply was cut by Zoro's firm baritone "Your mother, I mean...our mother's right. Let me fight, I have a lot more experience in handling a blade and I can take him down quickly without barely a fight."
The princess gazed on her brother before giving a sullen nod "Fine," she murmured "pay him back for everything he's done to this kingdom and our family."
Zoro smirked at the younger girl his large hand patting her head "That is a promise I can keep."
With that Zoro stepped forward and once again addressed the Celestial Dragons "I will represent the Crown of Lionhart."
"Then with that settled, let the court adjourn to the courtyard where we can find plenty of space for this duel," Trenton bellowed as he turned to face the former King "Release him, as of right now he is no longer a prisoner but the head of the Lionhart family,"
Angeline and Fiona released twin sobs of joy as the chains clattered to the floor leaving Fierro free of their icy embrace. Running across the marble floor, the women tackled him in giant hugs, crying for all they were worth in relief at his release.
Zoro released a sigh, his feet shifting awkwardly as one hand rubbed the back of his neck "Why don't you go join them?" a soft voice asked on his right.
Zoro turned to see Sanji casually lighting a cigarette waiting for Zoro to answer as if the man dressed as the Crown Prince of a Kingdom and standing in a courtroom were the most natural thing in the world "I…don't know," Zoro stumbled "them I mean, I don't know them. I know I just got my memories back, but they feel like the memories of a completely different person. I still haven't reconciled any of this and my mind is still reeling with the knowledge of who I am and what that may mean for my future."
Sanji nodded clutching the cigarette between two fingers and lazily blowing smoke into the air "But that doesn't answer my question, why aren't you over there with them?"
Zoro grit his teeth suddenly feeling terribly uncomfortable in the clothes currently adorning his muscular frame "Because this isn't my life," the swordsman bit out between clenched teeth "because I don't know how to be a part of family that I didn't know existed until this morning, because when I look at them I see royalty but when I look in the mirror at myself I don't see a prince I see a pirate. I don't belong here."
The cook stole a glance at his friend, his heart sinking at the turmoil of sorrow and confusion plainly visible on his the moss headed man's face "Zoro, I don't know your family any more than you do," he whispered gently so that their conversation stayed quiet "but I can't help but think that they will accept you no matter who or what you are."
"But that doesn't change the fact that I'm the crown Prince of a Kingdom who desperately needs an heir to the throne," Zoro sighed tense shoulders suddenly deflating "my destiny doesn't mesh with my dream at all and I will have to give up one to have the other. The people here are on counting on me staying, and saying that I can't be the next King because I want to achieve my dream would sound like a cheap excuse to them."
The swordsman bit his bottom lip in a rare display of weakness before turning to pin his scared gaze on his friend "What do I do?"
Sanji drew in a breath at the pleading look in Zoro's eye, this man was practically begging for his help (something that had never happened before in the entire history of the friendship) and the cook found his brain a completely blank slate. What was usually filled with warm quips, witty comebacks and shattering insults was now an empty void. What do you say to someone who is practically your adopted brother when they are being forced to choose between a Kingdom and their dream?
Zoro was always an honorable man, of this Sanji had no doubt. Zoro was the epitome of the classical swordsman. Brash, headstrong and always itching for some action; but at the same time he had a very distinct honor code that he never broke under any circumstances. If anyone felt the pull of obligation to duty it was Zoro and surely this decision was killing him. He had a duty to the kingdom to take his rightful place as the heir to the throne, but he also had a duty to the Straw Hat pirates as their swordsman and main muscle in battle. What was the right answer in this particularly heart wrenching predicament?
"I don't know," Sanji finally murmured his shoulders sinking in defeat "honestly this whole thing is so big I don't have any idea on what kind of advice to give or how you should go from here."
"Yeah," Zoro sighed "that's what I thought."
Despair stole into the green gaze and Sanji felt panic flutter in his chest. No, Zoro could not be allowed to fall, not like this. He still needed to fight and if he went into battle in this condition the odds would be against them. Scrambling to string his words together, the cook coughed out one more attempt to console the man.
"However," Sanji said quickly "I believe that you will do the right thing. We're your nakama, and just because you found your birth family doesn't make us any less of the family we were before this whole thing started. We will be behind you supporting you every step of the way, no matter what you choose, but you better choose what you want and not what you feel is required of you. That's no way to live a happy life."
Zoro regarded the blond carefully before a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding whispered out between his lips. Closing his eyes the man summoned every vestige of strength he had left and nodded "Ok," he croaked "ok, I can do that."
"Zoro," Luffy grinned "just because you're a prince doesn't mean you aren't still Zoro. You are you, why would being a prince make you different?"
"Luffy is right bro," Franky grinned "you are our SUPER swordsman, no matter what birth records say!"
"We trust you to make the right decision," Nami smiled "we won't hold anything against you if you choose to stay."
"Granted, we'll miss you a lot," Chopper hugged his leg.
"And it won't be the same without you," Usopp said before muttering "especially in a fight, who's gonna protect me now?!"
"Kenshi-san, you decide what is best and we will support you," Robin smiled gently.
A lump lodged itself firmly in his throat and Zoro gave a nod "Thank you," he whispered.
"The Celestial Dragons would like the court to move downstairs into the courtyard for the duel," the announcer cried opening the door to allow all the people to exit.
"Here we go," Zoro muttered to himself psyching himself up for battle.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine," Nami laughed.
"Nami-swan is correct as usual," Sanji smirked taking a draw from his cigarette "the pleasantries and etiquette of being in the royal court may be uncomfortable for you, but we all know what a glutton you are for a good fight."
"This duel will be many things," Robin chuckled softly "but compared to Zoro's skills to Grugen's, a good fight is probably not one of them."
"No kidding," Luffy cackled "Zoro will cut him down in a second!"
The swordsman smirked before his smile grew into a chuckle "You're right," he grinned confidence and his signature smirk lighting his features once again "Grugen doesn't stand a chance."
"YOSH!" Luffy bellowed "let's go and watch Zoro beat prissy pants into a pulp!"
The crew laughed, before they too made their departure. It was time to settle things once and for all.
As I'm sure you all have noticed, updates may prove a little sporadic, however I have EVERY intention of finishing this fic, I already know how it is going to end and it should reach its conclusion within the next few chapters.
Thank you for your kind support and patience!