Godfather, Talks, & Crystals
"Be careful, Era," Neo said. Standing on the edge of the cliff, she looked over to the ocean. A sea king jumped out of the water before disappearing back into the depths. She brought her eyes back to Era. "The dark elementals could be near."
Era nodded. "I will. And I'll bring Shanks back here as quickly as I can." She shot a glare over to the pirates. "Are you sure you'll be safe with them? I can take you both with me."
"I'm sure." Neo nodded. "As much as I want to go with you, I feel like we need to stay here and be close to Luffy."
"Very well. Stay safe." Era turned. Wrapping her winds around her body, she lifted into the sky and disappeared into the golden horizon within seconds.
"I hope she'll be okay," Neo said.
"She'll be fine," Kailen said. "It's you the dark elementals are after."
"Yeah, but they can still turn her into one of them." Neo shook her head. "No, I won't think about it. It'll be fine. Godfather will be here soon. Then we'll handle the darkness crystal."
"What exactly are you going to do about that?" Penguin asked walking over to them.
Neo turned to him. She had been avoiding the topic. But it had to be addressed. "I don't have a choice. I have to go back to Luminous."
"We're going with you," Shachi said.
"No." Neo shook her head. "It's not safe for you all to go."
"We're not going to leave you alone!" Archer said. "We can help you!"
"Against nature?" Neo looked at him then at each one of the pirates. The only one who didn't seem to really care one way or the other was Jean Bart. It was expected. He's only been with the crew for a short while.
"But we…" Archer trailed off.
"She's right," Conner said, crossing his arms. "This sucks. But what can we do against them?"
"Not much of anything," Kailen said. "The only way you might be effective is if you were skilled enough to use their elements against them."
"Why couldn't we?" Bepo asked.
"You all might be fast but you're not faster than the wind," Kailen said.
"We could be," Penguin said. "You two could train us."
"We only have earth and water crystals," Neo said. "It won't be enough."
"Well, we have the captain," Shachi said. "He could switch us into another's body. Right, Captain?"
"Theoretically, it's possible," Law said.
Neo looked at him. He was still sitting back against a tree like he had been pretty much all morning. She knew what he was thinking. "But he's never switched an elemental with a human before. It might not work out like normal."
"We could try," Archer said. "Switch one of us with Kailen."
The crew mumbled their agreement.
"No!" Neo said sternly. "It's not worth it! We have no idea what might happen! I've risked your lives enough! I won't do it anymore!"
"We risk our lives every day." Law stood up. He walked over to Neo and stood toe to toe with her. "This won't be all that different. Paramecia devil fruits have element powers as well."
"It's not the same, Law," Neo said. "Devil fruit users have a weakness against the ocean and sea stone. The elementals aren't like that. They're not easily defeated. And look at your own power. The more you use it the more your stamina drains. My people can easily dump you into the ocean. No. I won't let you do it."
"We're pirates, Neo. We are free to do what we want. And we will follow you to Luminous if we have to," Law said.
"Law, this is no time to be stubborn." Neo frowned.
"My thoughts exactly," Law said.
Neo sighed and rubbed her forehead. A dull throb appeared behind her eyebrows. "Law, please, don't do this."
"You're not going to talk us out of it," Law said. Holding up his hand, he formed his Room. "Accept it."
"I don't accept you all dying for me," Neo whispered.
"That won't happen. Shambles."
Neo closed her eyes. The switch happened.
"So?" Law asked.
"Wow. It feels weird," Archer said.
Neo opened her eyes. It took a single look to notice Archer was now in Kailen's body.
"Kailen?" Law looked to Archer's body.
"Let's see." Kailen focused on his body. A second later, his crystals appeared. "Looks like I'm still connected to my crystals."
"What does that mean?" Bepo asked.
"Our connection to nature is more than just a physical one," Neo said. "We connected to it mentally, physically, and through our souls."
"Sounds like nothing can break that. Even being put in another's body," Jean Bart said. "You are fascinating creatures."
"We're still going." Law switched Kailen and Archer back.
"Law, I'm begging you," Neo said, tears pooled in her eyes. "Don't do this. I can't…I won't be able to handle it if you died." She wrapped her arms around herself. "I already lost my parents. I won't lose you all too."
"That's not going to happen." Law wrapped his arms around her, holding his sword in one hand. "We're not going to die. Remember, while I don't like the idea of depending on them, we still have Red Hair and his crew."
Tears leaked down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around his waist. He had a point. Her godfather had haki that he could use to knock the elementals out, or some of them. But it still wasn't worth the risk. Her godfather and crew were still weak against nature. All humans were. "Law…"
"Don't worry about it right now," Law said stroking her hair. "You still don't have all your crystals back. You need them before you can make a move."
Neo nodded. There was that. Still, the worry wouldn't go away. With a deep breath she allowed Law to pull her over to the tree he had been sitting at for most of the time when outside. She sat down with him and leaned into his warm embrace.
A couple hours passed. The silence was broke by the Kuja women entering into their camp with their provisions. The tallest of them, Aphelandra said, "We've brought your food for the day!"
Neo eyed the women. It was the same group that always came. In addition to Aphelandra there was Kikyo, Sweet Pea, and Margaret. Aphelandra, Sweet Pea, and Margaret were the nicest of the group. Kikyo was stuck on the traditions of their island of not talking to the men in any sort of way. Neo had a hard time wrapping her mind around that concept. But she respected their traditions and laws and had no intentions of upsetting that.
"Think you'll go into their village?" Law asked.
"No," Neo said. "As nice as it sounds, I don't want to get too far away from Luffy and the cove. I want to be here when Godfather arrives."
"It'll take at least two days for your friend to find him and bring him back," Law said rubbing circles on her hand with his thumb. "Maybe even longer."
"Considering there's two wind elementals it'll take half the time it took us to get here," Neo said.
Law cocked an eyebrow.
"Every elementals abilities are different from each other," Neo said. "Some are stronger than others. Some can grow stronger with training too."
"So your magic isn't all that much different from the human body," Law said.
"I guess so," Neo said.
"But I find it hard to believe that there's no way you all don't have a weakness," Law said.
"What do you mean?" Neo asked.
"Everyone has a weakness," Law said. "Surely there's something in this world that would suppress your magic like the sea stone does to devil fruits."
Neo hummed. Her mind jumped back to the one island when she became weak and couldn't use her crystals. "That glowing stone."
"What about it?" Law asked.
"You saw it," Neo said. "It didn't have an effect on you. But what if it has on elementals?"
Law's eyebrows drew together.
"You never could test that," Neo said. "When Kailen went to that shop nothing happened to him because it wasn't there. You probably still don't believe me when I say it did glow."
"I don't know," Law said. "I suppose it's possible. I never did have Kailen go there again and expose himself to it." He frowned. "Now I should have."
"Well, if that really does have something to do with what happened I'm sure we'll come across it again," Neo said. "Or at least another elemental will. There's no point in over thinking this. It still could have just been a one time thing."
"Possibly," Law said.
"Hey!" Penguin said. The two looked up to see him and Kailen walked over to them with their meals in hand, cups balancing on the plates. "We thought you might be hungry."
"Thanks, guys." Neo took her plate while Law took his.
"What are you two talking about over here?" Kailen sat down.
"Weaknesses and what happened back in the jewelry store," Neo said.
"Why would you want to talk about that?" Penguin asked.
"It sort of just came up." Neo shrugged.
"We should tell Shanks about that," Kailen said.
"I could use a distraction." Neo looked up at the sky. Fat clouds floated by on the wind. "Time feels like it's stopped."
"Well, if you really want a distraction." Law released his food and slipped his hand underneath the back of her shirt.
Neo squeak, her face flushed. "Law!"
"What?" Law smirked.
Penguin snickered. "Well, you did ask for a distraction."
"Yeah," Neo said. "But I didn't mean that! Besides, we have our lunch here! We need to eat it before it gets cold!"
"Lousy excuse." Law retracted his hand and picked up a piece of broccoli.
Neo growled before turning her attention to her own food. She knew for a fact that Law wouldn't show much more affection in front of the crew, other than holding her hand. Chewing on her meal she thought about that. It wasn't until now that she realized when they did really kiss the crew wasn't around. And there was the fact she knew he wouldn't do it when they were on islands. Sure they haven't been to one, besides here and Sabaody, since they've officially come out as a couple. Women would think they weren't a couple. She wanted to ask him about it, but kept quiet until Kailen and Penguin wandered off after finishing her meal. "Is there a reason you don't kiss me in front of the crew?"
"Where did that come from?" Law stared at her.
"When you put your hand up my shirt," Neo said. "It just came to mind that when we kiss we're always alone."
"Does that bother you?" Law asked.
"No, not really." Neo studied his eyes and the times he's show some affection to the crew. It didn't happen often. And mostly when it did happen not many people were around. "I guess that's just how you are."
"You sure it doesn't bother you?" Law asked again.
"I'm sure," Neo said. "Don't worry about it. I know some people aren't big on showing affection in front of others. A lot of the pirates on Godfather's crew are like that." She paused before adding, "Well, I guess showing a little more affection in public would be nice. I mean…" She turned her head away from him slightly. "…other women might think you're not involved already."
Law chuckled. "So that's what this is about."
"Maybe." Neo shrugged.
"You don't have to worry about other women," Law said. "Whether I kiss you in front of them or not there will be some that will still try and flirt with me."
"I know," Neo mumbled. "But still…it would be nice if you…oh, never mind. It doesn't matter." She stiffened when his finger appeared under her chin. He turned her towards him. "What are you-"
Law cut her off with a kiss. His kiss was gentle, coaxing her to follow his every move as he tangled his tongue with hers. "You don't have to worry about any other woman. Whether they flirt with me or not I'll always return to you."
"You're amazing." Neo sighed.
"You didn't always think that," Law said with a smirk.
"Oh! Hush!" Neo pulled away from him and crossed her arms. "Why would I have? With the way you were acting-Ah!"
Law tackled Neo to the ground. His fingers went right to her ribs.
Neo snorted before laughing. "L-Law! St-stop it!"
"Not going to happen," Law said, continuing his assault.
Neo's laughter was cut off with a sudden gust of wind. As the temperature around them plummeted so did her body temperature. So many of them appeared, surrounding them like an army, an army of darkness. "No…"
"Neo?" Law paused, placing his hands on the ground. Some of the crew screamed. He looked to see the wind had knocked a few over while some were chasing after their hats. "What's going on?"
"They…they're here," Neo whispered, her voice got swallowed up by the wind. She pushed Law off of her and jumped to her feet. Her eyes went to the sky. They were there. Over a hundred darkness engulfed elementals, wrapped up in the wind or hovering on ocean geysers, were staring down at them. Among them were her three friends and Tao. The wind died down.
The crew murmured their confusion.
"Are those…?" Law trailed off.
Neo barely felt him stepping beside her. Her heart raced. Her mind grasped for her solar crystal to come out and heal them. It didn't obey her.
"Neo!" Kailen ran towards his sister.
"Grab him!" Tao bellowed and pointed at Kailen.
Violet snapped out her vines, wrapping them around Kailen.
"What?! No!" Neo screamed. She ran forward.
"Neo! Don't!" Law said.
Neo felt his fingers brush against her wrist. He was unable to grab her. She summoned her earth and water crystals. Before she could attack the elementals knocked her back with wind, vines, and water while putting up a wall of fire to stop the pirates from rushing forward. She hit the ground, rolling a few feet before coming to a stop.
"Neo!" Law rushed towards her, ignoring their shared pain shooting through their left shoulders. He knelt down and placed his hand on her. "Room!"
"Don't attack!" Neo screamed.
"What?!" Law gasped.
Pushing herself up to her feet, Neo looked at the elementals. They all stood ready to fight, a wall of nature preparing to bear down on them. "Tao! Leave him alone!"
"Like that's going to happen." Tao cocked his head to the side, his lips twisted into a dark grin.
"Don't worry, Neo," Kailen said. His crystals appeared around him. In a swift moment he took control of Violet's vines and ripped them away from his body. "I'm not going down without a fight. Let's do this!" Shifting his crystals, he shot out thorns at several elementals.
"Wind elementals!" Tao said. "Block them!"
The wind swirled around the elementals, protecting them from the thorns Kailen had shot at them.
Kailen cursed under his breath.
"You poor sap," Tao said. "Did you think I had forgotten you are a healer? While you specialize in babies I know that you also remember the sleeping powders and thorns during your herbal lessons. You won't be putting anyone to sleep today."
Neo shivered. His voice was not the friendly voice she had come to know while grown up. It was dark, menacing. "Tao! Please! Stop this! Violet! Poppy! Lily! Fight it! Fight the darkness crystal!"
"Poor sweet little princess." Poppy shrugged. Her flames corralled the pirates into a group, keeping them separate from Neo and Law. "She doesn't know what to do."
Lily giggled, holding her friends aloft.
Neo looked to the once quiet and shy girl. She knew she could easily take out Lily with just her earth and water crystals. But Poppy and Violet were a different story. And with Tao so close by…it was impossible. Without the solar crystal to purify them there was no way they could win this fight. There were too many elementals.
"You could always fight us. You are the royal after all." Violet scanned her eyes over the pirates. "But as you stopped them from fighting us, I don't see that you will." She brought her eyes back to Neo then to Law. "Oh? Who's the hottie?!"
Neo almost snorted with laughter. Taken over the darkness crystal or not Violet was still boy crazy as ever.
"Violet," Tao hissed. "Focus."
"But we got what we came for," Violet said, her eyes trailing all over Law's body. "Why not enjoy the view? Or, better yet, why not take him too?"
Neo growled, stepping in front of Law. "Don't. You. Dare."
"The human is of no consequence," Tao said. "Grab Kailen and lets go."
"What?!" Neo watched as several elementals wrapped their vines around Kailen. Kailen fought back, pushing the vines away from him then dodging rocks when they tried to knock him out. Neo pushed water and threw rocks towards the elementals. But it was no use. There had to be at least twenty wind elementals pushing her attacks away. She was as helpless as a newborn baby.
Kailen suddenly went limp. A thin thorn stuck out of his neck.
"No…" Neo whispered as Kailen's body slumped forward.
Lily lifted Kailen up to them.
"If you want him you know where we'll be," Tao said before the elementals retreated.
Neo dropped to her knees. She watched helplessly as her brother faded farther and farther into the darkened sky. Darkness crept into her eyes. Her mind shut down. Her body gave out. Her eyelids closed over here eyes as she fell forward onto the ground.
"Neo!" the crew cried.
Law rushed to her side. Lifting her into his arms, he pressed his fingers to her neck. He sighed with relief to find she was still alive. "She's okay."
"What happened?" Bepo asked.
"The shock of losing Kailen was too much," Law said. "She's passed out."
"Why did she let us fight them?!" Penguin all but shrieked.
"Don't be stupid," Conner said. "We would have been dead if we did. Kailen and Neo couldn't even face them. And now we're down one elemental."
"Yeah…but…" Penguin dropped his eyes to Neo. He gripped his fists, piercing his skin.
Thunder rumbled above them.
"That storm is still here," Shachi said. "I thought it would leave after the elementals did."
"Maybe it's not them who's in control of it now," Conner said. "Maybe it's reacting to Neo."
"What do we do now?" Penguin said. "We can't leave her like this."
"Neo?" Law called. No response. He cupped her cheek. "Neo, open your eyes."
Nothing.
Another crack of thunder rumbled above them.
"I should get her inside." Law pulled her into his arms and stood up. He took one step before something wrapped around his ankle, stopping him. Looking down he found a vine had wrapped around him. "What the heck?"
"Ack!" Bepo said. "The forest is moving! What's going on?!"
Law turned to the forest. More vines and enlarged flowers slithered over to them. They slipped around Neo. When they tried to pull her away from him, he formed his Room and sliced them away. "Stop it! Leave her alone!"
The flora didn't listen. They continued to try and take Neo from him. And Law continued to cut them up.
"Captain!" Penguin said. "Don't! Let them take her!"
"What?!" Law glared at his subordinate.
"They're not going to hurt her! Remember she's part of nature!" Penguin said.
Law gritted his teeth. Reluctantly, he released his hold on her. The flora took her. A giant orange primrose sprouted out of the ground. She was placed upon it before the flora gathered around her as if they were protecting her. Several animals from the island also gathered around Neo, some curled against her while others stood guard.
"Captain, what's happening?" Bepo asked.
"I'm not sure. It looks like nature is protecting her," Law said.
"What do we do now?" Archer asked.
"We have no choice but to wait for Red Hair to get here." Law worked his way through the flora around Neo. They didn't try and stop him. Reaching Neo he placed his hand on her forehead. "Listen to me, Neo. I promise it's going to be all right. We'll get Kailen back. Just stay with us." He leaned closer and whispered, "I won't lose you. I won't lose someone I love. Not again."
…
The sun lowered in they sky. All night long Law remained close to Neo, watching her closely for any signs of change. Nothing happened. The storm above them never disappeared. The next day the women from the village came and went again before the area fell back into tense silence. Apparently, the women knew nothing of what happened until they came to deliver more food to the men. Law gave them a short version of what happened since Neo was lying there unconscious. Of course he left out the important details like who Neo really was and what all she could do. He didn't want to share those secrets without Neo's permission. He only told them Neo's people were after her since she witnessed a murder and they captured her brother before anything could have been done about it.
"Captain, are you sure it was a good idea to tell the women that Kailen was taken?" Bepo asked. He stroked his paw over Neo's forehead, hoping his touch would wake her up. Nothing happened. She didn't even stir.
"I had to tell them something. They would have been suspicious if we kept completely silent," Law said. "Neo's in a coma after all."
"Do you think Red Hair can wake her up?" Bepo asked. "I mean, why can't you?"
"I'm not surprised I can't do anything for her. She knows it's possible he could be dead when we arrive on Luminous," Law said. "Like I said already this is all just too much for her."
"Why did they even take Kailen?" Archer asked. "It doesn't make sense."
"You're right. It doesn't make sense," Conner said. "Neo has to go back to Luminous anyway."
"Probably to throw her off her guard," Law said. "They know Neo is the only one who can stop this darkness crystal."
"Are we going to Luminous?" Bepo asked.
"We will. Red Hair will help her when he gets here." Law nodded. Technically, he didn't know if Red Hair Shanks would be able to wake her up. All he knew was Neo was in pain. He could feel it. The pain was worse than when he lost his own family. Or maybe it just felt worse because he loved Neo differently than he loved his family. And there was their bond. That probably was making this pain a whole lot worse. Pressure has settled into his chest. He felt like he could hardly breath.
"Hey," Jean Bart said. "There's a ship coming this way."
"Who would be coming out here? The navy?" Bepo asked.
Law looked up towards the edge of the island. The crew had spent most of the night there incase the elementals had come back while others stayed close to Neo. But he knew they wouldn't. That Tao guy had said it all. They came back to get Kailen. He knew they were going to use him to lure Neo back to their home island, most likely for an ambush. It was an obvious tactic. One he knew Neo would have to walk into at some point in the near future anyway. He wasn't sure, however, if they had noticed Neo didn't use her solar crystal and only attempted to use two others.
Penguin pulled out his binoculars. "It's him! It's the emperor! Red Hair Shanks is about to land here!"
The crew jumped up from the ground. They all rushed towards the edge of the island to watch the large ship glide into the bay. Then, without warning, the two elementals on the ship lifted Shanks and a few of his crew to the island. The young crew took a step back from the older one.
Shanks eyes were intense, scanning them before he spotted Neo.
Law gripped his sword. He knew Shanks wasn't there to fight but he still felt like he needed to be on guard. The red haired man's haki was intense, almost over whelming. But they all remained standing as the emperor walked towards them, eyeing them until his intense dark eyes landed on Neo's unconscious body.
"What happened?" Shanks asked.
Law stepped forward. He told the older man what happened yesterday.
"I see." Shanks walked forward, through the wading vines until he got to Neo. He leaned closer to her. "Neo, it's time to wake up. You're not this weak. We're going to save your people and your brother. They need you right now. Now wake up!"
The crew moved closer to watch what Neo would do. Slowly, the storm above them parted. The sun shove through the parting clouds as the animals scurried back to their homes. Neo's eyes parted.
"That's my girl," Shanks said.
Neo turned her eyes to him. Tears formed before leaking down her cheeks. "Godfather…" She launched herself into his arms. "Godfather! He's gone! K-Kailen's gone! They took him!"
"I know. It's okay," Shanks said stroking her hair. "I'm here now."
"But he's gone." Neo glanced up at him, tears pouring over her eyelids. Her body trembled uncontrollably against his. "They took him. They…they found us and took him."
"I'm sorry I couldn't get here any faster. But I'm here now and we'll get him back," Shanks said.
Neo nodded and pressed her forehead to his chest.
"But Straw Hat hasn't gained consciousness yet," Penguin said.
"That's right," Bepo said. "What are we going to do about him?"
"We stay put," Shanks said.
"What?!" Neo gasped, looking up at him.
"We can afford to wait a little while longer," Shanks said. "You can't use your solar crystal. Heading straight for Luminous would be a bad idea."
"But Godfather," Neo said. "Kailen is…"
"He'll be all right," Shanks said. "As the young captain here has told me, it's obvious that they want you back on Luminous. And it's possible they noticed you didn't try to use your solar crystal. We are waiting until you get your crystals back."
Neo sighed but nodded. "What do we do first?"
Shanks looked around again. All the Heart Pirates were staring at them. "I think it would be best if we go to the ship."
"Why?" Neo asked.
"Less distraction there," Shanks said.
Neo glanced over at Law. He wore a deep frown on his lips.
"Is that really necessary?" Law asked.
"Maybe." Shanks smirked before nodding at the two wind elementals with him. Before anyone else could say anything, the two elementals had them on the emperor's ship.
"Did you really have to do that?" Neo frowned.
"Time will tell," Shanks said.
"Neo," Benn said.
"Hey, guys." Neo scanned her eyes over the crew. The only animal on the crew climb upon her shoulder, sensing her sadness, rubbed his monkey cheek on hers. "I'm sorry, everyone. I'm not feeling very playful or friendly right now."
"Don't worry about it, kiddo." Yasopp ruffled her hair. "We know what happened. We're not going to let Atlas get away with this."
Neo sighed. At the moment he was getting away with it. And it was all her fault. Tears poured from her eyes, she dropped to her knees. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
The crew shifted closer to her. Shanks knelt down and pulled her into his arm. He allowed her to cry for a few minutes before patting her on the back and lifting her from his chest. "All right. Let's get down to it." He shifted his position so he was cross-legged in front of her. "Tell me what happened."
"But you know," Neo said brushing away her tears.
"I know." Shanks nodded. "But I want to hear it from you. Every single detail from that day up to this point."
Neo took a slow deep breath. She really didn't want to relive that day but she did as she was told, only leaving out her romance with Law. Surprisingly, no more tears came. "And that's how we ended up here."
"Dang," Lucky Roo said.
"You've had some journey," Benn said.
"Yeah." Neo nodded.
"I see. Well, it sounds to me like you haven't come to terms with what happened," Shanks said.
"You sure about that, Captain?" Rockstar asked.
Neo looked to the man. He had a few more scars on his skin than she remembered from the last time she saw them.
"Elementals don't just become disconnected from their crystals," Shanks said. "And it's normal for people to suppress bad memories so they don't have to deal with the pain."
"But how do I get my crystals back then?" Neo asked.
"It appears that all you have to do is want to protect those that you love," Shanks said.
"I do want that," Neo said. "But nothing's happening."
"Have you forgiven yourself?" Shanks asked.
"What do you mean?" Neo blinked.
"Seeing the death of your parents is always hard," Shanks said. "But for you, it's even worse because you hold the responsibility of being a royal. It's plan as day you blame yourself for what happened to them. And now you're blaming yourself for your brother being taken."
"Well, it is my fault!" Neo snapped. "I'm the royal! I should have sensed it darkness inside of Atlas!"
Shanks shook his head. "It's not that easy, Goddaughter. Not even for you."
Neo gasped, taken back by his words. "What…what do you mean?"
"Neo, my sweet child," Shanks said, smiling softly at her. "It's easy to see light in a room full of darkness. But it's impossible to see a little darkness in a room full of light. And that's what happened. The Atlas you grew up with blinded you with light. He schemed with the darkness until they reached their goal. There was nothing you could do about that. Even if we were there there's nothing we could have done to change anything."
"I don't understand," Neo said. "It is my fault."
"No." Shanks shook his head. "Once you understand that it wasn't your fault and you forgive yourself your crystals will come back. I'm sure of it."
"So she's just suppressing them?" Yasopp asked.
"I believe so." Shanks nodded.
"That's stupid though," Neo said. "I know I need my crystals to save Luminous, to save my people."
"You might know it, but you don't believe it," Shanks said.
Neo felt stung by his words. Her godfather, who seems always so understanding and comforting before was coming off harsh and distant.
"You are no longer a child, Neo," Shanks said. "I don't mean to be harsh, but you need to get this under control. Do you understand?"
"I'm not sure I do," Neo answered honestly.
"That's fine. Life can be very confusing," Shanks said. "It'll all become clearer once you've forgiven yourself."
Neo stared down at the deck while Shanks stood up and wandered off. The concerned stares from the rest of the crew stayed on her for a while before they finally broke away from her and did their normal tasks. For hours she sat there, thinking about what her godfather had said and what she was feeling inside. She still blamed herself for her parents' death. How could she not? She was the only one who could purify the darkness crystal. She should have seen it coming. She should have known.
"Hey." A hand tapped on her shoulder.
Neo looked up to see Benn smiling down at her. He placed a coat around her shoulders. Looking past him she noticed the sun had almost set.
"Come on," Benn said. "You've been out here for hours. It's time to eat."
Neo nodded. Standing up she excused herself to use the bathroom. Stepping into the ship, her nose was hammered with the familiar stink of the crew's body odor, mold, and aging wood. It wasn't the best smell in the world, but it brought pleasant memories of her childhood back to her. Many times she's been on this ship, sailing around Luminous, pretending to be a pirate with her godfather and the crew. A smile came to her lips.
She quickly used the bathroom in her godfather's room before scurrying up to the galley. A plate was waiting for her. She, like always, sat beside her godfather, on his left side, opposite of Law. Her heart clenched. This was going to be the first time she's eaten without the crew around since she and her brother took up residence on the sub. It made her stomach empty. She wanted to go eat with them but stayed and listened to the stories to crew was speaking about since the last she's seen them.
…
Neo stared out at the sub. Due to it raining earlier in the night the crew was inside instead of sleeping out on the island like they had been. Her entire being wanted to go be with Law. This was the first night they had spent apart from each other since she and Kailen first stayed on the sun. She wanted to see him, to touch him. She had spent hours in her godfather's bed trying to sleep. When it was obvious she wasn't going to she slipped out of his room, careful to not wake him up, and came out on the deck. She should go to him or at least to the rec. room. She'd be able to sleep there.
"I never thought I'd see the day."
Neo jumped at Shanks' unexpected voice breaking into the quiet night. She turned to him. "Wh-what?"
Shanks chuckled, crossing his arm over the railing.
"What day?" Neo asked when he said nothing.
"The day my little goddaughter found someone to love," Shanks said.
Heat rushed over Neo's cheeks. She dropped her eyes to the water. "Wh-what are you talking about? I'm not in-"
"Don't bother trying to deny it," Shanks said. "I can see it plan as day. The way he was looking at you earlier, the way you looked to him when I said you were coming here, the way you're pining for him now…"
"I'm not pining for him," Neo grumbled.
"You're so cute when you try to lie," Shanks said. "Here it is, well past midnight and you're out here staring at his sub. Besides, I've seen you with guys you have no interest in."
Neo growled. "Why am I so easy to read?"
"You always have been," Shanks said. "So tell me, have you two had sex yet."
"Godfather!" Neo's face burned red.
"Just making sure." Shanks smiled.
"You are impossible!"
"But you have kissed," Shanks said.
"Maybe."
"And you've been in his bed."
"Maybe." Neo wondered if sitting on his bed qualified for have been in his bed.
"And you want to have sex with him."
"Godfather! Please!" Neo turned on her heels in an attempt to march away.
Shanks grabbed her and pulled her back. "Sorry. I just want to know where you two stand. I'm in the right to be concerned considering what would happen to you if you did have sex out of marriage."
"I know, Godfather." Neo turned her face to his chest so she didn't have to look at him. "And he knows now. I've told him everything."
"Good." He stroked her hair. "But I'm still going to threaten him."
Neo groaned. "Must you?"
"I must. You're my goddaughter," Shanks said.
"Then you might as well know." Neo pulled back from him. "We've…we've sort of bonded."
A pause. "I see. And when did this happen?"
"Months ago." Neo turned back to the railing, crossing her arms over it. Shanks mimicked her. "He told me about his parents and sister. They were killed too. Though I'm not sure if I should tell you the whole story."
"That's fine. You don't have to," Shanks said. "It's clear you two bonded over that."
"Yeah." Neo nodded. "And, honestly, I am in love with him. I just don't know what to do about the elementals now."
"Well, since you're bonded with him it's not like they can force you to stay on Luminous," Shanks said.
"But they can," Neo said.
"No," Shanks said firmly. "They can't. You can leave with him. It's your choice."
"But Mother and Father…"
"Would want you to be happy," Shanks said. "You know they've always wanted you to be happy."
"Sometimes it didn't feel that way," Neo said. "But they were right. This world out here is far more dangerous than I had realized. I'm sorry about that."
"You don't have to be," Shanks said. "They knew you were young. You're allowed to make mistakes."
"And what if I make the wrong one now?" Neo whispered.
"Then it will be your mistake," Shanks said. "It's something we can't avoid. And you know very well that being bonded to him changes everything. You remember the stories, right?"
"About Bayan and Zelenia?" Neo nodded. "I remember."
"Then can you truly say you know you'll see Law again if you stay on Luminous?" Shanks asked.
Neo was unable to answer. Not because she didn't have one, but because he walked off before she could give it to him. She watched him. His boots thumped against the deck before he disappeared into the ship. Her eyes drifted back to the Polar Tang. It sat in the moonlight, looking slightly out of place in this cove. Her mind ran over the thought of never seeing that submarine again then the crew and then Law. Ice engulfed her heart. Summoning a water crystal, she created geysers. The water was cold on her bare feet as she traversed the fifty yards that separated her and her bonded. Landing on the wooden deck she rushed for the still open door, knowing it was left open for her. The halls were silent. Since they had to cross the calm belt to get here there was no need for someone to stand guard. No one could get to them here, pirate wise.
The closer Neo got to his room the more her heart pounded. She paused at his door to get control over her heart and rapid breathing before silently pushing the door open. The room was dark but for a small sliver of a moonbeam leaking into the porthole. Slipping over to the bed, she paused and looked down at Law. Her eyes fell to his chest. His blanket was down around his hips, giving her a beautiful view of his tanned, tattooed, and toned chest. Fingers twitching with desire to touch him, she reached for him. Suddenly, a strong hand clasped around her wrist, the room flipped upside down, she was on the bed, and Law was hovering over her, his eyes glinting in the shadows.
"Well, well, look who's sneaking into my room," Law said, his lips twisting into a mischievous smirk. "Hasn't anyone ever told you how dangerous it can be sneaking into a pirate's bedroom while he sleeps?"
"How did you…?" Neo trailed off when he leaned down to her ear.
"Do you have any idea what I can do to you right now? The ideas that are running through my head?"
Neo shivered, her mind working on several scenarios to that sentiment. She licked her lips. She knew exactly what he was thinking. He had shone her before, back when they were alone on her rock formation when she saved him from the sea.
Law sighed, lying beside her. "But I know I can't."
"Being royal really sucks at times," Neo said.
"I know." Law brushed the back of his fingers over her arm.
"What are you still doing up?" Neo turned her eyes to him.
"What are you still doing up?" Law said back.
"So you were having a hard time sleeping as well," Neo said.
"I take it this has something to do with our bond?" Law asked.
"It might be," Neo said. "It has to be. This was, after all, the first night we've spend so far apart."
Law nodded, his fingers still brushing over her skin.
"There is something I wanted to tell you," Neo said.
"And what's that?"
"I've thought about it and thought about it," Neo said. "And I've decided that…" She paused, suddenly unsure if Law would feel the same way about her decision. Despite being bonded to him she really didn't have the right to make such a life changing decision without talking to him about it first.
"What is it, Neo?" Law asked.
"I was just thinking," Neo whispered. "If we're having such a hard time being apart from each other for just one night…how are we going to handle…" She bit her lip, unable to continue. Her eyes dropped from his.
"Are you asking me to stay with you on Luminous?" Law asked after a few moments of silence.
"No." Neo shook her head. "You were meant to be a pirate. That's why you're here."
"Then are you…"
Swallowing, Neo brought her eyes back to his. "I want to stay with you, Law."
"What about your people?"
"I know they're going to be upset about my decision, but I don't care," Neo said. "I want to stay with you. There's nothing left for me on Luminous. After purifying the darkness crystal there's no reason for me to stay. I don't want to stay there. I want to stay with you." Placing her hand on his shoulder, she pushed him down onto the bed and straddled over his waist. Tears dripped from her chin, falling onto his chest. "Please, Law. I don't ever want to be away from you again. I'll die if I stay on Luminous. I'll die not knowing if you'll ever come back to me. This world, these oceans…they're so dangerous. I want to stay with you. I want to help you and the crew. You mean far too much to me, Law." Neo looked him straight in the eyes. "I love you, Law. I'm in love with you." She waited. Seconds past painfully slow as he just stared back at her. When he didn't answer, she shifted to get off of him. Before she knew what happened, Law pulled her down, capturing her lips. Her white glow engulfed her, spreading over to Law's body. She closed her eyes.
His warm tongue tangled with hers. His hands ran up and down her sides, both in and out of her shirt, for several minutes before they parted for air. "I'm in love with you too."
Neo smiled, her tears turning to happy ones. She leaned down and kissed him as her glow faded away from them. Several more minutes past before they finally decided they needed to get some sleep. Keeping her left leg draped over his, she slide to the bed, snuggled up half on his chest. "It's going to be very difficult to get the elementals to accept this."
"Don't worry about that right now," Law said, stroking her hair. "We'll think of something later. For now get some sleep. You have to get your solar crystal and then your brother back."
Neo nodded, closing her eyes as she allowed Law's scent to lull her to sleep.
…
"Hey, Law?" Neo, sitting on the sink while Law went through his morning route, kicked her feet back and forth.
"Yes?" Law mumbled around his toothbrush.
"How did you forgive yourself for not being able to save your family?" Neo asked.
Law paused and looked at her, surprised at her question. "Where did that come from?"
"Godfather says the reason I can't use my crystals is because I haven't forgiven myself for not being able to save them," Neo said.
"I see." Law turned back to the sink.
"I've been trying to figure it out since Godfather told me all that last week," Neo said. "But I don't see how I can forgive myself. My parents died because of me."
"I'm not sure I can help you with that since our ages and situations are different," Law said.
Neo sighed. Leaning forward she rested her elbows on her knees and chin in her hands. "At this rate I'll never figure it out."
"You will." Law stepped in front of her.
Neo looked up, getting a spearmint flavored kiss from him.
"What I'd like to figure out is why you've started wearing my clothes," Law said.
Neo smiled. Every since she came to him last week she started sleeping in his room and wearing his shirts. They also learned the following day that their new bonding experience allowed them to sense where the other was. "You love me in your clothes."
"I do." Law smiled, slipping his hand up under her shirt to rub her side. "I'd love you even more if you were out of them."
Neo flushed. "Maybe one day."
"It will happen one day," Law said before walking out of the bathroom.
Neo sat there, stunned at his words. Coming to her senses she hopped off the sink and followed him. "Law, did you just propose to me?!"
Law shot her a smirk from over his shoulder. "Do you want it to be a proposal?"
"Law! Don't answer my question with a question!" Neo stomped her foot on the floor. Though it didn't have the desired effect since she was barefooted.
After adjusting his shirt over his torso he put his hat on, grabbed his sword, and headed for the door.
"Law!" Neo followed after him. Instead of going to the galley they headed out to the island where they were having breakfast. Law continued to ignore her. She bristled as he formed his Room and warped them to the island. "Law! You're not going to get away with this!"
"What are you two fighting about this morning?" Rockstar asked when they had arrived.
"We're not fighting," Law said.
"Law proposed to me," Neo said.
The pirates immediately stopped what they were doing and shot their eyes to the couple.
Shanks frowned darkly at Law. "Oh, really?"
Neo smirked when Law frowned at her. "Now you have to answer me."
"No. I don't." Law turned and walked away.
"Did he really propose to you?" Penguin asked.
"I don't know." Neo shrugged. "We were talking about how he loves his clothes on me then said how he'd, um, love me more without them on."
Shanks growled.
Neo shrugged again. "I know, I know. No sex until marriage."
"I still find it hard to believe there's actually a restriction like that on someone," Conner said.
"It's all about purity," Benn said. "Her purity is connected to her solar crystal."
"Sounds too complicated," Conner said.
"Luckily the captain has good control over his body," Archer said.
"Are you saying you want them to have sex?" Shanks turned his dark frown at a new target.
Archer yipped and sunk down onto the ground. "I didn't mean it like that!"
"Godfather," Neo said with a sigh. "Please don't scare my friends like that."
Shanks didn't move or let up on his dark mood.
"Get use to it, Neo," Yasopp said. "He's going to be like that now."
Neo nodded. She knew it would happen. Shaking the issue of her protective godfather and Law's…whatever it was…out of her mind, she stepped up to their fire and started helping the cook of Red Hair Pirates. Before long they had their breakfast finished and everyone was eat. Law was still keeping his distance from her. It didn't bother her so much now. It gave her time to think about the conversation that happened between him and her inability to get her crystals back. She wondered, if she could take care of the darkness crystal, would she really say yes to Law? Assuming that he was going to ask her to marry him. She knew she really did love him; she was in love with him. And he was in love with her. Maybe it was a bit early for that kind of thinking. They haven't known each other for a year yet. But they could still wait. It wasn't like they had to get married right this second or tomorrow. Then her parents came to her mind. She wondered what they would think of Law, of their only daughter, their royal daughter, wanting to be with a pirate and being bonded with him. It only caused more confusion for her.
"Are you going to eat or just sit there staring at your food?" Shachi's voice broke into her thoughts. Neo looked up to see several people were staring at her. "You okay?"
"Fine," Neo said. "I was just thinking about some stuff." She paused then placed her bowl of uneaten oatmeal on the ground and stood up. "I need some time alone. I'm going to go for a walk through the forest."
"Neo?" Shanks asked.
"It's fine, Godfather." Neo smiled before heading for the forest. She slipped passed the curtains the women had set up and was surrounded by the comforting and familiar smells of the forest.
…
"Are you sure it's okay to let her go off by herself like this?" Penguin asked as Neo disappeared into the forest. "What if the elementals come back?"
"Yes," Shanks said. "She'll be fine. If the elementals wanted her they would have tried to take her."
"Why would she wander off at a time like this?" Bepo asked.
"She just needs to think," Shanks said. "I'm sure the things developing between her and your captain has raised quite a few questions." He looked over to the young captain. Law was also watching Neo disappear into the woods before turning away and letting his hat fall over his eyes. A smile pulled across his lips. Shanks turned away from him, already knowing where this was going to go.
…
Neo felt their eyes on her as she disappeared farther into the forest. She knew they were worried about her taking off on her own but she needed to. She knew she was safe. And she knew Law was keeping a close eye on her through their bond. She could feel him tracking her. It made her heart flutter, though it also confused her. Before, back on Luminous, it always bothered her that her guards were always following her around. Yet with Law, it was different. She loved how he kept track of her.
A bird tweeted and flew down to her. It landed on her shoulder.
Neo smiled at the bird and continued walking. Within a minute of walking through the woods, several animals were following her. She breathed in the smell of the bark, grass, animals, and flowers. The smell was different from Luminous but just as nice. Several minutes later she found herself at the edge of the island. It reminded her of the place she always went to get away from everyone. Though the cliff here wasn't as tall as the one back home. She sat down, letting her feet hang over the edge. Her eyes stared out at the horizon. With a deep breath she started talking. "Mother…Father…it sees so long ago when we lost you. And, yet, somehow it still feels like it happened yesterday." She paused, her godfather's voice seeping back into her mind. She closed her eyes in an attempt to forgive herself.
The wind blew, teasing her hair as she breathed in the salty air. And on that wind a familiar tune came to her mind. With it was the soft singing voice of her mother. "Here in this dark night. You are really frightened. But I'll wrap my arms around you. There's nothing for you to fear. The storm will soon pass by. Then the sun will be shining. So carry on. You are strong. Little wings will fly you high. High above the storm clouds."
With wet eyes Neo looked up at her mother. Mari smiled down at her as she continued to sing her song and rocked the crying child. Neo snuggled into her mother's chest. Her nightmare faded away from her mind with each word her mother sang to her.
"Feeling better now?" Mira asked.
"Yes, Mommy," Neo said with a sniffle. "I'm sorry I couldn't save you all."
"Neo, don't be silly," Mira said. "It was only a bad dream."
"But it felt so real," Neo said.
"I know. They can often do that," Mira said. "But even if it was real you don't have to feel bad."
"Why? I'm the royal. I'm suppose to save you all," Neo said looking up at her mother. "Everyone died because of me."
"My sweet little princess," Mira said. "You might be our royal, you might be stronger than the rest of us, but that doesn't make you perfect. This world is unpredictable. Bad thing will happen even here on Luminous. When they do happen don't blame yourself. All you can do is the best you can. And that's always good enough. Do you understand?"
"I think so." Neo rubbed her tired eyes. "I'm sleepy."
"Then sleep." Mira stroked Neo's hair as she drifted off to sleep.
Neo recalled that night clearly. It was the first nightmare she had, or that she could remember. She had dreamed that humans came to their island and enslaved them all then killed them. Even though she was only eight years old at the time she had blamed herself for what happened in her nightmare. And while she told her mother she understood, she really didn't. But she did now. Tears flowed from her eyes. "Mother…I'm so sorry. I can't believe I forgot about that night. I'm sorry that I couldn't save you and Father. But I understand now. Godfather, Law, and everyone else are right. I've been holding myself responsible for not doing what I was supposed to. This darkness crystal is different. Things happened differently than they should have. And now Kailen is in danger. But I will save him. I will release our people from the darkness crystal."
The wind picked up, wrapping around her in a cool embrace. "You and Father should also know that your little girl has fallen in love. I don't know if it's going to bother you, but he's a pirate. A captain of his own crew called the Heart Pirates. He's amazing, they all are. Though Law is a bit rough around the edges. And we didn't get along at first, but we have bonded. Twice now. First we could feel each other's pain. And now we can sense where the other is. It's amazing. Nothing like this has ever happened before. I know it's going to be difficult to convince the elementals that I'm staying with him and the crew. But that's what's going to happen. I can't leave them now. They mean so much to me."
The wind stopped. She felt her parents' presence around her. She felt as if they heard her. She felt that they understood her. "You two did always want me to be happy. And this will make me happy. I belong with Law and the crew."
Neo opened her eyes. Several sparkles had appeared around her. Within seconds the sparkles turned into crystals. The largest was her solar crystal. It hovered in front of her, as beautiful as she always remembered it to be. Smiling, she summoned her wings and headed back to the pirates. She dropped in on them, surprising a few that weren't expecting her.
"Neo! You're back!" Penguin ran over to her with the rest of the crew. He paused, his eyes locking onto hers.
"What?" she asked.
"Your eyes are…" Penguin said.
"What about them?" Neo blinked.
"They're electric blue," Jean Bart said.
"They're back to their normal color," Shanks said.
"They're beautiful." Bepo blushed.
Neo smiled. "Thank you, Bepo."
"I never would have guessed someone's eyes could change colors like that," Conner said.
"I believe it." Archer smiled.
"Of course you do." Conner rolled his eyes before movement behind them caught his attention.
Shanks, with the rest of his crew, walked up to Neo. At the same time they took to their knee and bowed to her. Shanks lifted his head. "It's good to see you again, Princess Neo of Luminous."
Neo couldn't stop her bright smile spreading over her lips, her wings flicked with excitement. "It's good to be back, Godfather." Her eyes turned to Law when he came closer. "Hey."
"Hey." Law smiled. "Looks like you've forgiven yourself."
"Yeah." Neo nodded. "I have."