Chapter 25

To Her Heart

"They are going quite fast. We can catch up though. They don't even notice us yet." Nami grinned. "Are they so stupid they didn't think we could go after them?"

"Apparently." Robin frowned. "But we need to get there quickly. When we reach them we need to separate into two groups. He will not keep Mari and Luffy together. So we have to split. The triplets are going to put up a hell of a fight. And they are all dangerous. Rumor has it they were training to join CP9 but they failed short of the qualifications to they were removed. Truth is they tried to kill several Naval captains. Lucci personally stopped them. They all fight in unison and come at you together. So if anyone fights them do not do it alone."

"Robin how do you know?" Chopper asked her.

"Mari told me she had run into them a long time ago. When they were younger." Robin sighed. "Captain Boris made her fight the three of them to test her skills. She won but just barely."

"Why didn't he mention them earlier?" Usopp asked.

"Mari, doesn't want to relive her past. She wants to take hold of her future. There are a lot of things she has not told anyone. She probably never will. But, if they keep coming at her like they have been we may learn more about Mari than we wanted to know." Robin said softly.

Everyone looked pensive. Even Ace who adjusted the strap of his bag. Mari had killed many people. That was a fact. But no one talked about it because it was a sad fact that she even had to. Sanji took a drag of his cigarette and then moved on to go to the kitchens.

"Let's get them back for now. And worry about her past later, right now, Mari needs us and so does Luffy. They are alone, and that just doesn't sit right with me." Sanji said as he disappeared.

They all agreed. The distance was closing. Time to prepare.

xxXxx

Mari sat there on the bed waiting for the guards to take her to the room again. She wore a long white gown that slightly belled out from her hips It had gold little beads dotting it liberally from her chest down to the side of the dress. It was almost like a wedding gown. The cut of the dress barely covered her breasts and there were no straps. Her entire back was exposed. She was given gloves to wear and slippers for her feet. A small gold and diamond Tiara to wear on her hair. Which she was to leave down for the pose. But she would not remove her necklace and earrings. Never, she would die with them on.

Her heart was breaking. She would never see them again. Never joke with them or listen to their stories. She would never be able to help Nami water her trees or talk to Robin about the latest book they read. Chopper would never get to tell her what he came up with for the notes he made on her. And she would never see what Usopp and Franky had worked on all this time. The taste of Sanji's cooking would never again touch her lips and she would never be able to spar with Zoro and go easy on him because he was working so hard. But Most of all, she would never be able to see Luffy's laughing face again. She clutched at her chest and bent forward. The pain ripping at her so terribly. The tranquilizer had begun to wear off but she would still not be able to use her abilities. It was too much of a risk even if she could. By the time she got to Luffy those guards would have killed him.

She took a deep breath and sat back up. And Regina the female of the triplets stood in the door way. Her arms folded under her breasts and a smug smile on her face.

"Oh how I love seeing you brought so low Mariette. You look quite stunning while you suffer." Regina grinned.

"I see you are your usual demonic self." Mariette looked at her now stone faced.

Regina visibly bristled. "I am not the demon here! You are. I'm glad you will be killed in this fashion. People hundreds of years from now will see how a demon could trick mankind into all sorts of follies. With smooth perfect skin and a seductress's body."

"Be careful, it almost sounds like you are jealous." Mariette said emotionless.

Regina growled and narrowed her eyes. "You are lucky he wants you in one piece. I'd love to rip you apart."

"You couldn't then and you couldn't now." Mari replied.

"Its time!" Came the voice from outside. Regina bristled gain.

"Fine. Prepare for your molding. I hear it hurts quite a bit. Having your body from the hairs on your skin to the last molecule of your blood frozen in place for all time. The women always screamed."

"Regina, shut up." Mari stood up and walked right past her.

Corke was waiting for them. Mari approached him slowly, her hands folded in front of her and her eyes down cast.

"Remove the necklace and earrings; I do not want them in my statue." He commanded.

"Touch them and I will make this entire ship capsize in three seconds." Mari stated firmly.

"Hmph. Leave them then. At least they look pleasant against your skin." He frowned. "Get up there, arms out as if you are about to accept your lover into them. I want you to think about what it would feel like to have someone love you. I want that expression on your face when it gets there. This process will take a little time. Don't move. I'm going to make sure every part of you is frozen to perfection." He licked his lips and rubbed his hands together.

Mari did as she was told.

xxXxx

"I'm going to go ahead, you all catch up." Ace said as he dropped down to his transportation.

"Ace, when you get there avoid Corke if you can. And the triplets. Corke has been said to have strange abilities." Robin told him over the ledge. "Find them quickly."

"Right!" Ace nodded and was off. A blur against the ocean as he sped towards the Navy ship.

He pulled up along side it but no one was there when he jumped on board. No one at all; not even someone in the crows nest. That was telling. He walked across the deck slowly, listening closely for any signs of life. The first sound he heard was the whistling of the wind. He threw up both arms, flames jettisoned from his clenched fists. His attackers were deflected, a leg on each side blocked. Before either could use the other leg ace threw them off and jumped back.

The two attackers landed a few feet away and shook off their legs. They were identical in appearance. So, two of the triplets had been waiting for him? Fantastic. He cracked his knuckles.

"You messed with the wrong man's brother. Where are Luffy and Mari?" He asked.

They both smiled. "You act like we should fear you."

"But you should fear us."

"Even as two."

"We are stronger than your one."

"Regardless of your abilities."

"We will win this fight."

"You talk weird. Let's do this. I'll beat the information out of you." Ace let the flames rise above him and swirl.

They attacked at once like Robin predicted. However they did not attack the same way. One went high and the other went low. Ace faced each hand towards one and flicked his fingers. Flames burst forward and sped towards them each. They barely missed getting hit. Ace grinned and motioned for them to come again. They did. Again and again they attacked but could not get close to him. They danced around him and got in a kick here or a punch there but his flames kept them at bay. They landed away panting and waving off little flames that clung to their now tattered and charred clothing.

"He is good."

"Very good."

"We may need Regina."

"No, we can do this."

"Seriously?! Can you stop talking like that; you sound like some crazy person talking to himself." Ace shook his head and rolled his eyes.

The two raised a brow and jumped at Ace again to attack, this time they faked him out, they switched places mid air and attacked, he barely had time to dodge. Despite their constant stream of attacks they were still not tired. Ace needed to turn up the heat. Fire began to engulf his arms and grew in size. Time for some offense. He didn't try to focus on just one of them. They moved separately but together, as if they could sense each others next moves. He needed to get them right when they crossed paths. So that he didn't waste time and burn down the ship before he could find Luffy and Mariette. His eyes were dark and glittered excitedly with the battle. Ace placed his hands on the ground and used all of his upper body strength to lift his body and swung his legs to kick them. His legs lit on fire and a whirlwind of flames swirled around catching both twins as they touched down. They landed in the exact same location and turned in shock to see the flames as they were taken up by them. Flames wildly and hungrily ate at their clothing and singed their hair. They cried out in pain as they landed panting and burned on the beck, unable to get back up.

Ace got back up and the flames died down instantly. He adjusted his hat and raised a single dark brow.

"Not even a sweat." He mumbled. "Where are my brother and Mari?"

"You...are too...late..."

"The demon...will be rock...your brother...is to..."

"Die...at the...same time."

They grinned as they passed out. He shook his head. "Not while I'm around." Ace looked for the door into the ship. He would need to go down.

xxXxx

Luffy was weak, he was tired and not one part of him did not hurt. But he didn't care. He had to save Mari. He had to! She couldn't do this, not now. He would not allow her to sacrifice herself like this. He tugged weakly at his bonds. The guards had left, apparently it was a show to watch the women struggle before the were frozen. Luffy was sickened by them. Monsters.

"Just you wait Mari, I will save you. If I have to beat up everyone to do it. If I have to take this ship apart to free you I will." Luffy vowed.

"My my. Such conviction." Came a voice. "You almost sound like you love her."

Luffy didn't see anyone. He couldn't tell where the voice was coming from. "Come out!"

"I think not. So tell me boy, do you? Do you like the girl who is known as a demon?"

"Its none of your business what I feel for Mari, get out here so I can kick your ass."

"Temper temper. I'm not the one you should be beating up. She is a beautiful woman you know. Men will always try to catch her, try to rule her. Even a boy like you can appreciate a gorgeous woman like her. Tell me, do you fight because you love her or because you want to own her?" The voice asked in all seriousness.

Luffy frowned. "I fight because she is my friend!" Liar, his heart whispered.

The voice laughed. "You really are clueless aren't you?"

"Who are you!?" Luffy growled angrily.

"Oh no one. Just a lowly Naval lieutenant. Wanna make a bet?" The voice sounded like it was grinning.

"What?" Luffy asked wide eyed.

"I bet, that if I release you, you will kill Corke. If I am right, you will leave Mari with me. However, if you do not kill Corke, you can take her."

"I wont kill him. I just wanna kick his ass." Luffy growled.

The chuckle again. "Oh, you will kill him. And I will be the winner. Do we have a deal?"

Luffy thought it over. He wouldn't kill the man. Just beat him up. He felt it safe to take this bet.

"Deal then, now let me free so I can save Mari." Luffy demanded.

"Delightful. Please do make haste. I let markers to the main holding room for Corke's collection. Follow them." The voice was close to Luffy but he could not see anyone still. What?

The cuffs sprung open and he pulled away from them. Strength coming back into his body. He looked around him. "Thanks?" He said uncertain.

The chuckle was right beside him now. "You don't have time for curiosity. Go now, find your friend. I will enjoy watching."

Luffy shook his head. This was weird but he was free and Mari needed him now. He rushed out fast. Laughter trailing behind him from the invisible person. There were signs saying: This way! Turn here Dummy! Reception this way! He followed, very annoyed with the signs now.

xxXxx

Mari's arms felt heavy but she needed to keep them up. She tried to think of something else while the amber slowly crawled up her legs. She was in pain. It hurt so much to be frozen like this. But she refused to cry out in pain. Refused to give the many men watching the satisfaction of seeing her break down. Her face remained passive as she felt the amber holding her tightly. He started at her feet because he wanted to give her time to create that expression he wanted. She looked at the pained faces of all of the women around her and wondered if they thought about their life in the last moments. She did. It almost made her cry again. But she didn't want to do that. The drug was wearing off now. But it would be too late. The only consolation was that Luffy was okay. He was free now. Corke assured her that Luffy was on his way back on a little boat with no oars. He was safe.

"You take it so well, I'm so excited to get you. Now, hold still for just a moment I need to get some of your blood." Corke removed a needle from his pocket and stepped close to her. The Amber was now at her upper thighs. She winced.

"Why do you need that?" She asked him confused. A sinking feeling filled her stomach.

"Boris will want a sample of your blood so that he can recreate your case. Your blood has something in it that allowed you to bond with seven devil fruit. Completely unheard of. Not even Vegapunk could manage that." Corke grinned.

What? Wait...how did he know about Vegapunk? "No, please don't do that. Don't let him destroy another persons life." She tried to pull away but it was not like she could go anywhere.

"Relax, he has no intention of making another mule that can escape and evade him like you do." Corke easily stuck the needle into her arm and removed blood. She winced again as the Amber crawled up to trap her hips. Beads of sweat broke out on her forehead. "Ah. No no no. No blemishes my dear." He wiped the sweat away. "It will be over soon. Arms up now." He told her pleasantly. For a Toad anyway.

Mari raised her arms back up and the Amber rose faster this time, clinging to her body painfully and stopping every iota of movement on her. Her head felt heavy as the Amber covered her hair.

"Now, start working on that expression dear. You will suffer until I get the one I want." Corke told her as he moved away stuffing the needle back into his pocket.

Mari looked ahead. Her head swimming with pain and fear. Please don't let Boris hurt another person. She couldn't do anything now. She couldn't fight or they could still hurt Luffy. She would do what they wanted.

There was a ruckus in the back. Corke turned and frowned. "What is going on back there!?" He bellowed.

"Captain! A man on fire is coming this way! He's knocking men out!" A man cried.

"What?!" Corke screamed. It was a terribly annoying cry. "Stop him!" He turned to Mari. "Well, it looks like we will need to speed this up." The amber rose over her breasts and she hissed in pain, her arms were covered totally. The pain was unbearable. Was this normal or did Corke just like to hurt his victims? Mari did not cry.

"Captain should we kill his crew along with him!"

"Damnit! Can no one keep from distracting me from my ceremony!? Kill Them!"

Wait..."You said you released Luffy!" Mari cried out. "You lied to me!" She accused.

"Of course I did. Did you think I would let him slip from my grasp?" He looked at her smugly. "Ah well, I wanted to get that soft expression but I guess I will live with this pained one. Your Luffy is dead." Corke grinned darkly.

"You liar!" She cried. Her heart ached as she was covered, giving up did nothing. He had won. She couldn't even fight back now, all of her powers were blocked. Everything she tried to accomplish by giving up was pointless. The pain that took her now was overwhelming. Corke decided to screw in the pain a bit more.

"Does it hurt? I killed him easily, he was as weak as a babe when I froze him over. Just like I said, I had him tossed into the sea."

"No! NOOOOO!" Mari screamed shaking her head in anguish.

Corke laughed as she suffered. Her heart broke. Why, why did this have to happen? Why did her curse have to hurt him too? Not Luffy, never Luffy. He was supposed to become the king of the pirates. He was supposed to rule the seas and always have fun, never be locked away. He was supposed to live that for her. She didn't want this to happen.

"Luffy, I'm so sorry Luffy." She whispered. She gave up. There was nothing she could do. "I'd join you, but people like me don't belong where good people like you are. I'm so sorry Luffy." Tears coursed down her cheeks and she looked ahead to see Ace, her eyes slowly losing their shine. She saw Ace in the flames. He would be so heart broken. Her heart shattered again. He didn't know yet. He smiled at her and it tore her up inside. "Ace, I'm so sorry." She said.

The Amber slowed again. Corke wanted to relish this moment. If he could not get loving he would get destroyed.

Ace tilted his head at her as he reached the doors to the room. "Why?" He asked her stopping before the threshold. Flames licked out at the Navy men who pointed guns and pulled swords.

"I should have listened to you. I should have left." She cried. "I'm so sorry, I killed him just like you said. I never wanted him to be hurt." Mari couldn't go on. It hurt so much. The amber crawled up her neck painfully constricting it. "Luffy is dead." She sobbed out.

Ace looked at her eyes wide, he took a step forward. "Mari."

"I'm so sorry." She whispered.

"Mari, what are you talking about?" Ace asked her confused.

"He's dead Fire Fist Ace! Your Precious Luffy is dead." Corke laughed.

Mari couldn't close her eyes. Not on Ace. She wanted him to know she accepted the blame for his beloved brothers death. Because it was her fault. She may not have killed him with her own hands but it was still her fault. Corke was laughing. Ace shook his head with a smile. Did he think she was playing a cruel joke on him? She would never do that to him.

"Mari, I don't know what you have going on in that head of yours, Luffy is right here." Ace pointed behind him with his thumb. Mari looked past him.

Her blue eyes grew wide with surprise. Luffy!

He stood there panting heavily. His fists clenched. Very much alive. Corke swore and turned to Mari to finish his work when he stopped in amazement. There it was! That soft expression of true love. The gentle happy smile upon her lips, the joy in her eyes. A single tear slipping down her cheek in pure happiness.

"Luffy." She whispered before Corke snapped his fingers and the Amber was complete. Her happy expression frozen in place for all time.

Ace and Luffy started in shock.

"Hahahahaahaa! I have her perfectly now! Forever beautifully etched as a serene lover!"

Luffy's fists clenched. "RELEASE HER!" He bellowed.

Corke grinned. "Nope, she is mine now. But I don't need any of you. Kill them."

"Hurry, if you don't she will die in there. You have three minutes." The laughing voice told him.

Luffy began to advance.

"If you wont release her, I will make you."

To LITTLE RED FOXX: Tee hee

To Angelrose20: I know! I'm Terrible. ;D

To Ubermarine: Shhhh! XD After some serious research and a battery change I discovered no evidence that there is plastic in One Piece. And Unfortunately could not find something that does the same thing I wanted it to. Until my friend pointed out Sap! So, thank you for pointing that out to me. ^-^ (although I think Mari has everyone beat for OP abilities)