Author's Note: Here's chapter 28 for you guys, and guess what? It's a long one! :D Enjoy! :D
Law and Prejudice
Chapter 28
The shock of the loud cry caused silence to fall and all eyes went to Ace. Ace grunted as the blood spilled from his lips, but then he grabbed Sakazuki's hand to pull it away and the shard from his chest. The moment it slipped out, he cried out and collapsed. "No, Ace!" Luffy cried, his tears already spilling and his face twisted with pain. He even ignored his own injury, which was not as severe as Ace's, and he reached out to catch his brother before he hit the ground.
"Luffy," Ace grunted out in his attempt to speak with the blood pooling within his mouth making it difficult. "Get… home…"
"No! No, not without you!" Luffy cried, beginning to cry harder and not caring about his audience.
"Get…home… damn it," Ace exclaimed as strongly as he could, and then he smiled for his little brother, but then his eyes rolled around before closing.
"No!" Luffy cried and began to sob.
"Luffy!" Nami cried as she ran forward, but Zoro reached out with fast reflexes to stop her, despite the fact that one of his eyes had a gash down it, and it was even shut tight with blood pouring down his face. He had a really bad feeling about this, and the hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end. He sensed danger…
"Let me see!" Law cried as he shoved through the crowd and dropped to his knees. Removing his pack, he immediately went to work on trying to close Ace's wounds and stop the bleeding.
"Move aside!" Chopper cried and pushed his way through all the Guards to get to Ace as well.
"His heart has stopped!" Law informed Chopper, who nodded as both worked to resuscitate him. "The glass didn't pierce his heart, even if it was close. That's good," Law continued, and Chopper nodded again.
Luffy stood and moved to let them work, but his head was completely lowered. Ace's heart had stopped. That meant for the moment, his brother was dead and could possibly remain that way. Luffy's head suddenly lifted up, and though his tears fell, his face was a mask of uncontrolled fury. Taking in a sharp breath, he then released a cry far more savage and louder than the one he released at the theme park. It was long, it was loud, and it froze the blood of everyone present. The sound of it echoed for miles.
He then surged forward with such speed, that it looked as if he nearly disappeared. With him in such a fury, the collar immediately shocked him, but it was almost as if he could not feel the pain. He was numb to it, and he was far too enraged to care. Pulling back his fist, he slammed it into Sakazuki so hard, the man went flying several feet, but he instantly flipped back and landed on his feet, the momentum causing him to slide across the ground.
With his own scowl, Sakazuki came at Luffy with his own cry of fury and pulled back his arm to hit him. This fight was ten times worse than the one with Teach, and it had everyone there, minus Law and Chopper, frozen to the spot with terror or disbelief as they silently watched. The fight went on for several minutes, and all they could do was watch. The destruction was enormous, and they all had to move away on the other side of Law and Chopper with Ace, though the fight was moving away from them to everyone's relief.
"No¸Luffy!" Nami screamed as her tears fell endlessly, and Zoro had to nearly drag her back with the others. Before her very eyes, he had turned into the carrier they all had feared, but she knew it was because he was hurting. He was hurting! "Let go of me!" she continued to scream as she struggled against Zoro, but he would not let her go.
"Nami, stop it! It's too late! He's too far gone, and so is the Battle-Commander! It would be far too dangerous for you to go into that!" Zoro cried, trying to keep her in place, but he was worried, very worried.
Luffy's cries sounded so barbaric and were filled with so much pain, that it stabbed Nami right in the heart. She wanted to go to him! Losing her strength in her helplessness, she went limp in Zoro's arms and broke into sobs. She had to get to him. She could not let him lose himself this way. She could not let his pain consume him. "No!" she cried, feeling Zoro's hold relaxing, and so she threw her head back, right into Zoro's nose.
"Fucking son of a bitch!" he cried as he was forced to release her and grabbed his nose.
Pushing away from him, she took off towards Luffy and Sakazuki. "Luffy!" she cried as she ran right for him. Just as Luffy was about to surge forward, she ran into his path, instantly making him halt, and she threw her arms around him. "Luffy, don't, please!" she cried softly, holding him tight as her tears fell heavily.
"Nami," Luffy growled out, his heart pounding furiously in his chest from his rage, and he reached up to clutch her arms. However, it really began to register to him that she was there, and he felt himself calming. It also meant he was crumbling. "Nami!" he cried softly, just as she had, and wrapped his arms tight around her.
Sakazuki also paused, but then scowled and saw his opportunity. "Arrest them all!" he cried to his men as he looked to them. He surged forward, intending on taking Luffy down, even with Nami in the way. His men even moved as if meaning to arrest them all, even Law and Chopper, still working on saving Ace.
"No!" Law cried, instantly getting up to fight them off, but yelled at Chopper, "Don't stop!"
"I won't!" Chopper cried and continued working frantically.
However, before Sakazuki could reach Luffy and his men the others, an alarm began beeping furiously from all of their dens. The noise was nearly deafening from how many of them were present and to all of the alarms sounding off at once.
"What the hell is going on?" Sanji asked and looked around, wondering why the alarm was set off.
Just then a flying vehicle came over one of the buildings and began to descend over them. It was old in fashion, and one that had not been seen since the war. The doors opened, and three men jumped down from out of it. They landed easily on their feet, despite how far down it was from the vehicle, causing the concrete beneath them to cave in a bit around them, and the very large and intimidating men did not look happy. The flying vehicle then flew off and landed nearby, and Saul stepped out in case he was needed, looking just as large as the other three.
"They're carriers!" someone cried, and the terrified screaming started as the crowd of civilians ran away from them.
Looking over to them, Luffy's eyes widened, though his tears had returned, and he called, "Gramps, dad, Uncle Roger!" Everyone, who heard, paused to what Luffy said. These men were his family?
"My son!" Roger cried and ran to where Ace and Chopper were.
"Wait!" Law cried and cut him off. "We're still trying to save him! If you interrupt now, he'll surely die!"
Roger halted and ground his teeth, but he looked down at his son. "Please, let us save him!" Chopper cried, but did not stop what he did.
"Keep them off us!" Law said, pointing to the Guards still wearing their coats, but then he quickly dropped down to continue helping Chopper.
Roger looked to the other scowling Guards and offered them his own scowl. With a growl he moved to block them off, and he would do anything he could to make sure his son was saved. However, the Guards were far more intimidated by these large and older veteran carriers than the two younger ones. They were not about to touch them.
"Luffy!" Dragon called, seeing his son was still standing, but he frowned to all the blood covering him as well as the woman in his arms.
"Dad!" Luffy called and moved in front of Nami. "You came."
"Of course we came! Ace's heart flat lined, and yours was beating frantically! We said we would come if anything happened to either of you!" Dragon said, but then he motioned to his son. "Come on, we're getting the fuck out of here!"
"N-No, I…" Luffy started and glanced to the side towards Nami behind him.
Nami clutched into him tightly and pressed her forehead into his back. "You should go, Luffy, while you're able. We can't promise they won't just try arresting you again, if you stay here, and your family is here now," she whispered to him, but her tears worsened. She did not want him to go! She knew they made a promise to fight to remain together, but she was far too worried about him, and things just did not seem to be going their way at all. It had been naïve to think they could remain together, and she knew now that it had been hopeful thinking.
"Sakazuki!" a deep voice called from the opposite side.
Sakazuki turned to the voice and scowled deeply at the two men approaching him. "Battle-Commanders Kuzan and Borsalino, what're you doing here?"
"We've orders from Sengoku. You are to release the carriers. These orders come from the top. They are to be escorted out of the skies," Kuzan said with a deep frown to the other man.
"What?" Sakazuki exclaimed in disbelief. "Release all of them?"
"That's right, even Teach. He is to be released into their custody. Let the carriers deal with their own. They are to leave immediately before he changes his mind," Kuzan said with a slow nod.
"Hoo, what a mess this all is?" Borsalino said as he looked around to the destruction. "Reminds me of the old days…"
"Wait, we're not done with Ace!" Law called to them as he and Chopper worked to patch up both holes. They were able to get the bleeding to stop at least, and his heart started again.
Now that things calmed down, Roger moved to kneel down and asked, "Will he be okay?"
"He is for now, but only time will tell," Chopper said with a look of concern.
"But he's strong, right? He's not about to let himself die," Law said and nod with conviction.
Looking up at him, Roger huffed out with a smirk and said, "That's for damn sure. He's a stubborn boy, and if he died, his mother would kill me."
Law looked up and smirked to the man, but then gave Ace back his attention. "All right, this is all we can do for him. He's going to need constant care," he said and held out to him his pack full of medical supplies. "Here, these will help, and there's an IV you can give to him once you get him to the surface. They'll help him with the pain and offer him needed nutrients while he's out."
Roger was a little astonished, and quite frankly, he had to wonder what was going on. Looking to the pack, he nodded his head in understanding as he took it. Luffy smiled, though his smile appeared sad, and then he said, "Thank you, Law, and Chopper for saving my brother."
"You don't have to thank us for that, Luffy," Law said, looking up at him, but he also looked disappointed that the other man had to leave.
Zoro and Sanji approached Luffy, looking much the same, but their approach alarmed Dragon. "Stay the fuck back!"
"It's okay, dad," Luffy replied softly and moved forward to them.
"Thank you, Luffy, for everything," Zoro said and held his hand out to him.
Without hesitation, Luffy clasped his hand tightly within his. "You're more than welcome, and thank you for everything, Zoro," he nearly whispered, looking very sad to be leaving his friends. He then turned to Sanji and clasped his hand as well. "Thank you for fighting for me."
"Of course, Luffy. You did the same for us, so of course we'd do it for you. We're friends, and that's what friends do," Sanji said and nodded to him in a sort of bow as he shook his hand in return.
Law also approached to claps his hand tightly. "You've taught us so much, Luffy. You changed everything," he whispered, the gratitude within his eyes to have been able to meet this man. "Are you okay? Don't need medical attention?"
Luffy clamped his jaw tight, feeling those stubborn tears returning. "I'll be fine. You've taught me so much too, and you've changed everything for me. I'm going to do better for my people. We'll build a coliseum, and we'll do it together. I will make it better for them!"
They all grinned to him and nodded their heads. "You can do it, Luffy. You can do anything," Zoro said with conviction and believing his words with every fiber of his being.
"Luffy!" Usopp called and came running up.
"Usopp!" Luffy called as he turned to him. "Thank you for fighting for me as well, and for all the sweet foods!"
"You're welcome, Luffy. I'm glad you get to go home," Usopp said and smiled for him. "We'll never forget you."
"Never," everyone else agreed with smiles.
"Luffy," Robin called, looking misty eyed, but she was smiling as Luffy turned to her.
"Robin," Luffy called softly with his bright, but sad smile. He then went and gave her a hug, which she eagerly reciprocated. "I'll miss you, Robin."
"And I will miss you, Luffy. I know you can do all you said you wanted to do, and I know your people will appreciate it," she said as she hugged him tight.
"I know they will too," Luffy whispered, those tears swimming in his eyes. He then pulled back and turned to the other Guards, who had also fought for him. "Thank you for fighting for me too."
"It was an honor, Luffy. Your compassion moved all of our hearts. It was the least we could do for you," Jinbei said and bowed his head to him.
"You really surprised me. I'm sorry about before. I was really just curious about you. I meant no disrespect," Tashigi said and smiled to him.
"Indeed. You are not what we expected of your kind, but it was definitely an honor to meet someone as honorable as you," Kuro said and pushed his glasses up with the heel of his palm.
"I am very glad to have met you, Luffy. We always believed all carriers were the same, violent and uncaring, but you are the complete opposite. Perhaps we just misunderstood each other," Kaya said and gently clasped his hand. "Thank you so much."
"It was the honorable thing to do, just as you did the honorable thing. We fight to protect, and we definitely fight to protect those willing to protect us," Smoker said through the cigar between his teeth.
"You fought for us first, Luffy. It was only natural we do the same," Coby said with a nod and a smile.
"And of course I'd fight for you, Luffy. You gave me food and a job. I won't give up being a Guard just because of this. I'll be a great Guard and protect the people. That's what I did for you, Luffy, just like you did for us," Sabo said with a nod to him and a smile as well.
Luffy grinned and chuckled to them all, the tears threatening to fall as he turned to Brook and said, quietly, "Sorry, Brook. Looks like I will have to take a rain check on hearing you perform."
"Yohohoho," Brook laughed, though sadly and softly, "I look forward to the time when I can, Luffy, sir. I'm glad I was able to meet you more formally."
"Me too," Luffy said and then he turned to Franky. "You've made amazing things, Franky. I wish I could have seen it all… experienced it all. Everything here is so cool, and I never even got to ride any of the rides at the theme park. Maybe… when it's fixed… I could do that. And I think all your robots are so cool, and your metal nose too! Shishishi!" he said with a laugh, though the sound was so sad, as were his words. They all knew he would never be coming back.
"Of course you can," Franky said and smiled to him softly. "I'll show you everything I've invented and then some."
"Thanks, Franky! Thanks to all of you! You've made my experience up here so great!" he said to them as he laughed softly to them, but then he finally turned his attention to the one person he cared for most. "Nami," he whispered to her and held his hand out to her.
In an instant, she ran to him and threw her arms around him. Already she was sobbing against him in her grief. She knew this was going to happen, but she had hoped it would not. She wished it was possible to fight for him to stay, but it was not, and it hurt so much! "Luffy!" she cried in a whisper against him.
"I'm sorry, Nami… I'm sorry I couldn't stay with you. Please be happy. Don't stay sad," he whispered, and finally those tears began to fall.
"I can't," she whispered and shook her head, "not without you!"
"I'm sorry. If I could stay, I would. Please don't be sad," he pleaded, but he was not even sure he could keep this same promise, especially since they could not keep the promise of fighting to stay together. He realized now, that his staying would only cause trouble for these people, and he did not want that.
She gave a weak cry as she sobbed, but then she pulled back and kissed him, uncaring to all the eyes watching. Clamping his eyes shut and setting more tears free, he kissed her back just as desperately as she did him. She cupped his cheeks, gripping tightly, and then she whispered against his lips, "I love you!"
Groaning deeply within his throat to the pain he felt, he cupped her cheeks as well and opened his eyes slowly to look at her, just as she also opened hers. Caressing her cheeks, he whispered, "I love you too, Nami…"
His family was astounded, even disbelieving of what they were witnessing. All of these sky dwellers seemed to care about Luffy and were even concerned for him, and this woman even loved him, but they were not about to over stay the welcome they already did not have. "Let's go, boy. We're leaving before they do change their minds," Dragon growled and then turned to head back to their vehicle.
Luffy heard his father, and it made his heart pang painfully, but he did not remove his eyes from Nami, nor did she remove hers. Leaning in again, he kissed her one last time, but tenderly this time. "I love you," he whispered one more time, but then he suddenly released her and turned to follow after his family without looking back.
Nami watched as he disappeared within the vehicle out of her sight. It seemed neither could bring themselves to say goodbye. As a matter of fact, none of them had been able to tell the other man goodbye… and he had not told them either. Perhaps it was a desperate hope to hold onto, that they would see each other again, but the chances were not likely….
There were tears in several eyes as they watched as these two hearts shattered into little pieces before them. Back at home, Nojiko was sobbing, having seen the entire thing on her television. She then quickly stood and ran out to get to her sister. Her sister needed her!
Roger lifted Ace into his arms and followed after the others. Garp remained where he stood, watching the others there warily until his family was inside the vehicle. With his eyes drooped, he then finally turned to head into the vehicle with them. The vehicle lifted into the air, and Borsalino and Kuzan flew up to escort them out of their city.
Nami dropped to her knees, her body jerking with heart-wrenching sobs. Wrapping her arms around herself, she doubled over, pressing her forehead into the concrete. "Luffy!" she cried softly, feeling her heart painfully disintegrate into nothing.
To Be Continued…
Author's Note: TT_TT S-So sad… But hey… Ace still lived… T_T At least… we have this… right? T_T Stay tuned for the next chapter…
