Author's Note: Hello everyone! Wow, it has been forever. I'm sorry this chapter took so long! It's a little shorter than I intended and I'm not 100% pleased with it. But, it gets me where I need to go. I hope you guys enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Four: Vivi

There's a full thirty seconds of silence before Zoro's voice comes through the small snail again. "Enies Lobby?" He sounds as confused as Vivi feels.

Waking up in rubble, surrounded by her nakam is far from what Vivi expected. Discovering that neither Luffy nor Zoro had been there had stopped her lungs from working all together. Then, the girl - Koala - arrived to tell them that Zoro was safe, resting with her companion, and they would meet up with him soon. Unsurprisingly, her vague answers had not been enough for Nami, which is why Vivi is sitting in their makeshift shelter, in a half destroyed building, holding a transponder snail with Zoro on the other end.

"Are you sure?" Zoro asks.

"Yes." Vivi glances up, staring at the imposing doors sitting on the horizon. "I can see the Gates of Justice from here."

The Gates of Justice. Realization slams into Vivi as she stares up at them, eyes wide. Zoro seems to understand mere seconds after her. The small snail's face scrunches in a poor replication of Zoro's rage.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Zoro demands. "They can't go there! They'll all die!"

"Zoro, sit down and calm down before you hurt yourself," Sabo orders, though Vivi hears the guilty concern in his voice.

"Vivi?" Usopp whimpers. "What's going on?"

"Marineford," Vivi mutters.

"What?" Chopper hunkers back, ears pressed to his head. "Why would they want us to go to Marineford?"

"You aren't going to Marineford!" Zoro snarls, the transponder snail leaping into the air to help convey Zoro's anger. "Fuck you, Sabo. Don't touch me!"

Vivi's chest clenches with worry. Beside her, Sanji stiffens as well, clearly noticing the signs of Zoro's panic beginning to take hold. And, with them so far away, without Luffy with him, there's no telling what he'll do. Sanji takes the snail from Vivi's hand with surprising care, pulling in a deep breath to steady himself.

"Oi, marimo. Calm down," Sanji says evenly.

"F-fuck you," Zoro stutters around his heavy breathes. "You're not. You're not."

"Zoro. You need to breathe and think straight."

"I. You don't." The hysteria crawls into Zoro's voice again. Vivi's teeth sink into her bottom lip as the snail's face twists in terror. "Don't! Don't fucking touch me!"

"Zoro." Sanji's voice hardens.

"No. No. This isn't right. I. It-it." Zoo stumbles over his own tongue. "You don't. You don't know."

"I do."

The shock of the statement silences the panicking swordsman. Sanji plunges ahead without giving Zoro a chance to process the words.

"We all do. We know what happened. What you and Vivi-chan have been going through, all this time." Sani's teeth clench, crushing his cigarette. "And if you think for ten seconds that I'm not going to kick your ass for suffering like this without telling us, you're wrong. Because this isn't okay. We aren't angry at you for surviving, Zoro. We're angry that you wouldn't give us the chance to help. You know that, right?"

Zoro doesn't reply. The unspoken "no" causes most of their crew to drop their gazes. Franky's lips tremble as he mutters about how sad it is that sword-bro doesn't realize how much they love him. Robin pulls Chopper into her arms as their young doctor begins to weep and Usopp leans into Nami.

Vivi's fingers move to her hair, searching for comfort. She finds only her hair and she lets her hand drop, remembering that her ribbon is still with Zoro. Which is probably for the best. Chances are the swordsman needs the comfort far more than she does.

Sanji's lips twist with displeasure and he glares down at the snail, as though Zoro's trauma and misunderstanding are its fault. "Well, then, allow me to tell you something else you obviously don't know. It is not your job or your place to hurt or die for anyone on this crew, you bastard. Not for any of us and not for Luffy. So, if that's your shitty plan, you'd better come up with a new one. Do you understand me? I will have Chopper resuscitate you so I can kill you myself? You got that, marimo?"

A shaky breath is the only response the transponder snail seems to hold. Vivi's teeth sink into her bottom lip.

"When we go through that gate to help save Ace, that is our decision, Zoro. We get to make it. And, whatever happens there is on us. Not you. Luffy isn't yours to protect alone. We're nakama. We get to die for him too, you selfish asshole."

"Cook," Zoro whispers. His voice cracks in desperation. A silent plea.

Please, don't do this. Please, don't go there. Please, don't die. Please, don't leave me.

Vivi wonders if Sanji hears the unspoken words as clearly as she does.

"We're going, Zoro." Nami leans closer, frowning deeply. "Sanji-kun's right. Protective Luffy is everyone's job."

"Maybe," Zoro mumbles. "But, it's my job to protect you."

Surprised horror crosses Nami's face as she leans back, as though finally realizing the full effect of what she had said all those months ago. What those words have done to Zoro.

"Oi, oi." Usopp pushes his way between Vivi and Sanji to glare down at the snail. "Don't talk stupid."

"Yeah!" Chopper leaps onto Saji's shoulder so he can be heard as well. "Don't talk stupid!"

"Luffy said it's our job to protect each other," Usopp continues. "That means we have to protect you too. And, if there's one thing the Brave Captain Usopp can do, it's follow Sencho's orders."

No one points out that the sniper's legs have been trembling since Vivi mentioned Marineford. Carefully, Vivi reaches over Usopp to take the transponder snail from Sanji again.

"We said together, Mr. Bushido," Vivi tells him firmly. "Together, we're going to save them. And, if we die, we'll do that together too. I promise, Zoro. I promise, we will never leave you behind."

Tears leak from the small snail's eyes and Vivi hears only Zoro's shuddering breaths as he tries to calm himself. Because that, Vivi knows, is Zoro's worst fear. That this crew will die as well and he'll be left alone forever.

"Oi," Sanji says, shoving Usopp back to lean over the snail. "It's Sabo, right?"

A small pause. The transponder snail gives them soft sntaches of whispers. Sabo gently coaxes the receiver away.

"Hai," Sabo says after a moment. "It's Sabo."

"You came back, like Zoro and Vivi-chan?"

"I did."

"And you knew all of us, before?"

"Hai."

"Good. Then I don't have to explain to you that the idiot marimo you've taken into your care is nakama. And, you already know what this crew does for nakama."

Sabo pauses for a moment. "I do."

"Yosh. So, you're going to look out for him. Because, you know what we'll do to you if anything happens to our nakama. And, you know that what we do to you would be nothing compared to what our shitty captain will do if something happens to his swordsman."

"I know, Sanji."

"Good. Then, we'll see you at Marineford."

"Tomorrow.

"Tomorrow."

The transponder snail clicks softly, ending their connection. No one speaks, all eyes still on the silent snail. Glancing up, Vivi finds Franky drying his eyes with a frown and Nami weeping softly against Robin's shoulder.

"Do you," Usopp mutters nervously. "Do you think Zoro's gonna be okay?"

"He'll be fine," Sanji says, a surprising amount of confidence in his voice. "If there's one thing we all know about that bastard, it's to never underestimate him. Right now, we should focus on how we're going to meet up with him and this Sabo guy."

"We-we're going through the Gates of Justice, right?" Usopp asks.

"It's the quickest way in," Robin tells them. "It would be nearly impossible to get in any other way."

"Which is why Sabo had us sent here," Vivi says. "We'll have to take a ship through the gates. That will bring us to Marineford."

"It shouldn't be too difficult with such a limited presence. As far as cook-san and I have been able to see, it appears Enies Lobby has been mostly abandoned in the wake of our last visit." A small smile crosses Robin's lips. "With a good distraction, we should be able to acquire a ship. And, if Nami and Franky can make it through those troublesome whirlpools, I'm sure Vivi and I will be able to get the gates open for us."

Franky beams, arms shooting up in his favorite pose. "You can SUPER count on us."

Vivi nods. "I can be in and out before they realize it."

"Yosh. We move at dawn. Even with so few people, it could take a while to get to the gates," Sanji says. "In the meantime, I'll take first watch."

"Wait a minute," Usopp tries, throwing his hands in front of Sanji's face. "Whos' going to be the distraction?"

Sanji grins.

"Is that another ship?" Nami calls, pushing to the front of their stolen ship.

The current within the gates moves faster than even the sea train, wind whipping by them. Ahead of them, the gates of Impel Down have inched open and another ship begins to emerge. Vivi leans against the railing, squinting at the large vessel. A familiar logo takes up the white sail.

"Marines!" Franky shouts.

"No," Usopp says, goggles down so he can see. "It's-it's LUFFY!"

"What?" The cry rises up as the rest of the crew throw themselves against the railing to look out at the ship.

The current throws their ship forward. Vivi's hands tighten around the railing as she looks ahead, her heart screaming for her captain.

"Oi!" Usopp shouts. "Luffy!"

The gates close behind the ship, allowing it to be swept into the current as well. Usopp's call is thrown back in their faces.

"Oi! Mugiwara-bro!"

Vivi winces at the volume of Franky's cry. It has the same effect as Usopp's. Smiling softly, Robin takes a step back and crosses her arms.

"Allow me. We should be close enough."

After a short moment, her smile widens.

"ROOOOOBBBBIIIIINNN!

A rubbery hand attatches itself to the railing, wood splintering under the grip. Vivi barely has time to hear Sanji's cry of "hold on" before their vessel jerks forward sharply. Yelping in surprise, most of their crew dive to grip onto the railing as they shoot forward, only stopping when wood crunches against wood as their ships collide.

"Luffy," Nami screams. "What were you-"

"Minna!"

Within seconds of standing, rubbery arms enclose the entire crew, piling them into their grinning captain. The gleeful giggle that bubbles in Vivi's chest mixes with a sob of relief. He's safe. They're all safe and together. Except -

"Zoro?" Luffy's arms release them without warning as he realizes his first mate is missing. "Oi. Where's Zoro?"

"Easy, Luffy." Sanji straightens his jacket and lights a fresh cigarette. "He's alright. We talked to him last night."

Luffy blinks. "Where is he?"

"Probably on his way to Marineford as we speak."

The worry is instantly replaced by a wide grin. "Zoro's okay."

If Zoro can fight, ten he's okay. Vivi knows that line of thought. As long as Zoro is awake and aware enough to fight, then, physically the swordsman will be alright in no time. Physically, Zoro will be fine.

The rest of the crew seem to have a similar train of thought, their gazes dropping. Every ounce of happiness drains from Luffy's face.

"What's wrong with Zoro?" Luffy demands. "Where is he?"

"He's alright, Luffy. He's safe," Nami insists.

Frowning, Luffy spins to look at Vivi. Strange, that he's trusting her to tell him the truth after everything that's happened. It lightens her chest nonetheless.

"He's with Sabo," Vivi answers the unspoken question. "He's safe, Luffy-san. Just a little nervous."

Luffy blinks, tears gathering in his eyes. "So, so, Sabo is alive?"

Vivi nods.

Luffy beams through the cascade of tears tumbling down his cheeks. Usopp and Chopper hurry to comfort him, rubbing his shoulders.

"I'm so happy," Luffy tells him around sniffles. "My brothers are both alive!" Their captain scrubs his face clean, still smiling. "Yosh! Sabo will take good care of Zoro. He's even nicer than Ace is."

"Oi, Mugiwara-boy," an unfamiliar voice calls. "What are you doing?"

Before Vivi can even turn toward the voice, a hand wraps around her arm. Robin pulls Vivi away from the rail, stepping between her and the other ship with surprising speed. Tension holds Robin's spine straight, one arm out slightly as though to shield Vivi from something. Sanji surges forward as well, a guttural growl leaving his throat.

A small group of people gather on the other side, staring at them, but Vivi can only focus on one. Her teeth grind against each other, hands fists at her sides.

"Crocodile," she snarls.

The former tormenter of her country stares down at her with little more than a smug smirk. Then, his dark eyes move towards Robin, holding herself firmly between Vivi and Crocodile. Vaguely, Vivi wonders if Robin is trying to shield her or keep her from lunging at the man. Even after years - only several months for him - Vivi longs to rid the world of him for good. The only person that she's ever wanted to kill.

"What are you doing here?" Nami sneers from Vivi's side.

"Sand Croc helped me escape Impel Down," Luffy tells them.

"And you trust him?" Sanji demands.

"No." Luffy shakes his head. "But, I needed to get out to save Ace."

His gaze moves to Vivi, silently pleading for her to understand why. Vivi grits her teeth staring back at him. Every ounce of her trembles with rage, the screaming instinct to end the man who caused her country so much pain.

But, her captain asks her not to. At least, not yet.

Ace is more important right now. Zoro is more important right now.

Pulling in a deep breath, Vivi nods. Luffy's lips quirk in thanks before he turns back to look at the small group in front of them, angry brown eyes locked on their former nemesis.

"Stay away from Vivi," Luffy orders. "Or I'm gonna kick your ass again."

Vivi can't be quite sure how they ended up falling from the sky, screams of terror ringing out around her. But, at this point, she supposes she shouldn't be surprised. When one chooses to follow Monkey D. Luffy, they tend to find themselves in all sorts of trouble. A sea of ice sits below them and their only true hope for a safe landing is the patch of ocean blue in the almost white ice.

"Oh!" Luffy shouts from somewhere to Vivi's left. "I'll be fine. I'm made out of rubber!"

"Luffy, you idiot!" Usopp screams.

"I hate you!" Chopper cries.

Their ship slams into the water and, though it cracks into pieces, they manage to land alive. The battle before them pauses, all eyes on their ship as Luffy scrambles to the top, eyes searching the battlefield before looking up. On the execution platform, Ace kneels, hands bound in seastone and watching the battle with horror Vivi feels reverberating in her bones.

"Ace!" A grin appears on Luffy's face, his relief swirling through the air. "I finally found you!"

"Luffy!" Ace calls back, voice hesitant and unsure.

"Ace! I came to save you! We're all here to save you!"

"Oi," voices call from below. "Is that all of the Strawhat pirates?"

"I thought we had it bad with the Pirate Hunter."

The small group of Marines around them begin to inch back, staring up at Luffy's unlikely band of rescuers. Vivi scans the warring groups below them, searching for any sign of Zoro. Sabo had told them they'd meet at Marineford. So, the two must be there, right?

"Step out of my way, you cowards." A Marine shoots forward, sword at the ready and aiming straight for Luffy.

The crew stiffen, tense and ready to intercept the attack heading in their direction. Luffy only lets out a low chuckle.

"Yo." Excitement fills Luffy's voice. Vivi doesn't need to see his face to know that her captain is beaming. "Zoro!"

The Marine flies backwards, a cloud of dust exploding from where their enemy lands. Zoro touches down in front of Luffy, swaying for only a moment before he steadies himself and pulls the white sword from his mouth. Vivi's red ribbon flutters in the breeze from its place around the white sword's hilt and Luffy's hat sits on his back, tied around his neck.

"Stay out of my captain's way," the Strawhat swordsman growls.

The group of Marines in front of them all fly backwards at once, Vivi barely catching a flash of blonde hair and silver pipe in the fray. Zoro growls in annoyance as a blonde man appears next to him, a long pipe resting over his shoulders.

"I had that," Zoro snaps.

"Sure you did." Sarcasm sits in the words. "You can barely stand up, Zoro. Go wait on the ship."

"Fuck off, Sabo."

Annoyance fills Sabo's face as he turns to look at them, eyes scanning the small group. His eyes find Ivankov and he grins, giving him a wide smile.

"Oh! Iva, long time no - oof!"

Luffy flings himself into Sabo's arms with a wild sob. Sabo stumbles back slightly, struggling to keep his footing. After a small struggle, Sabo manages to free his face from Luffy's body long enough to breathe. Then, he lets out a small chuckle, one arm squeezing around Luffy's waist.

"It's good to see you too, little brother."

Luffy's sobs continue, voice stumbling and stuttering as he demands to know where Sabo has been all this time. Sabo offers no answers, just holds the sobbing boy with a soft smile.

"Luffy," Sabo whispers after a moment, his voice enough to halt Luffy's weeping. "I'm so glad you're alive."

A smile pulls at Vivi's lips as she watches them. She remembers the relief of seeing her nakama alive again. The way her legs had gone weak and it had taken everything to keep from breaking down. It had been a body weakening relief. One that made her want to curl up and sob with relief until she was out of tears to cry.

"Sabo," Luffy whimpers. "Ace is in trouble."

"Hai. He always is. But, that's what he has us for. Isn't it?"

"Zoro!"

Vivi's attention pulls from the brothers at Chopper's shout. The small doctor flings himself into the swordsman's chest, leaving Zoro to catch him with a slight wince but no complaints. Nami, Usopp, and Brook throw themselves at Zoro as well, all wrapping the embarrassed and unimpressed swordsman in a small group hug.

"Oi, oi!" Zoro growls. "Get off of me."

"You idiot!" Usopp sobs into his shoulder. "Don't scare us like that!"

"I'm upping your debt five hundred percent." Nami tells him around tears. "What were you thinking? Why didn't you tell us?"

"Get off of me!" Zoro growls, shaking himself loose and shoving Chopper into Usopp's arms. "We're in the middle of a war, you morons. Yell at me - ugh!"

Luffy flings himself into Zoro's empty chest, knocking his first mate to the broken deck in a tight hug. Sabo lets out a groan, slapping a hand to his face.

"Luffy," his older brother protests. "Do you know how long it took us to get his chest stitched up? Don't throw yourself at him like that."

Zoro doesn't seem to have the same concerns, only wrapping an arm around Luffy as he sits them up. "Yo, Sencho." The smile Zoro gives him looks slightly pained and he pulls his hat from his shoulders, placing it atop Luffy's head again.

Luffy doesn't move from his spot, arms wrapped tightly around Zoro's chest and face buried in his shoulder. The war continues around them, but the Strawhats have eyes and ears only for the captain sitting in his first mate's arms.

"You shoulda told me. I'm mad at you," Luffy mutters, his voice muffled.

Zoro's gaze drops, hand fisting in Luffy's vest.

"But I'm gonna yell at you later, kay? Cause. Cause I'm so happy you're okay. You're alive! And I'm so happy!" Luffy's voice cracks. "So, when Zoro's safe and he feels better, I'm gonna yell at you."

Zoro nods against Luffy's head. "Yosh, Sencho. Let's save Ace."

It takes a concerning amount of effort for Zoro to pick himself - and Luffy, still clinging to his chest - up from the dock, nose crinkled in pain. Both the captain's legs wrap around Zoro's waist, nose buried in Zoro's shoulder.

"Oi, oi," Zoro grumbles. "Luffy, get off of me."

"Another minute."

Zoro sighs. Vivi can't help but give him a smile, a bit of pity in her chest for him. Sabo chuckles, shaking his head as he turns to look back at the warring pirates and Marines.

"We should work fast," Sabo says. "I don't want this ending up like last time."

No one asks what happened last time. Vivi bites her bottom lip and Luffy finally releases Zoro to look out toward Ace as well.

"We'd better get going then!" the captain announces. "To save Ace!"

The air turns thick with fear and blood. Vivi feels Nami pressing her back against Vivi's as another wave of lightning crashes down around them from the navigator's clima tact. Across the field, Vivi watches Zoro and Sanji tear through the surrounding Marines, clearing away for the screaming form of their captain.

Metal clangs to the left and Sabo appears, landing with ease beside her and Nami. Around them, several more Marines fall, hit by their sniper atop the ship they'd arrived on. Mercifully, the Admirals have been successfully distracted by the Whitebeard commanders, along with most of the Shichibukai.

"This is taking too long," Sabo says, shaking his head. "At this rate, we aren't going to change anything."

"Well," Nami pauses to throw more thunder clouds into the air. "If you have a plan, we're all ears."

Sabo's eyes move between them. "Can you get Nami to the top of that platform so she can pick Ace's cuffs?"

Vivi turns her gaze ahead again. Ace has his forehead resting on the platform floor, body slumped in resigned defeat. Anger and determination flicker through Vivi's chest. She wants to shake him. To scream for him to pick himself up. Everyone is there for him, whether he likes it or not. There isn't a person on this field - sans the Marines - who isn't there to save Ace's life. Because they love him. Because he is worth saving.

"Are you insane?" Nami demands. "The Fleet Admiral and Garp are up there!"

Sabo ignores her. "Can you do it?" he asks Vivi again.

Vivi nods. "Yes. I think I can get rid of the Fleet Admiral too. If I'm quick enough, I can grab him and bring him to the middle of the battlefield before he realizes what's happening. But, there isn't much I can do about Garp."

"I'll handle Garp," Sabo tells her. "Just free Ace."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. The Admirals are more focused on Whitebeard and Luffy. The best time to strike is while they're distracted." Sabo's gaze flickers toward the boys. "Though, I'm a little concerned about Zoro."

Vivi can't blame him. The sight of Kizaru alone had been enough for Zoro's entire body to lock up, haze filling his eyes for a split second before he shook himself from the island's grasp. Vivi's stomach churns even now, but Sanji made a point of sticking with the swordsman as the battle began.

"Sanji-san will look out for him," Vivi tells him. "And Luffy-san is here. That should help."

Sabo hums, not entirely convinced. "I'll meet you at the top. Be careful."

"Nami-san." Vivi turns to the navigator. "Are you ready?"

Nami lets out a slight whimper but nods, holding a hand out for Vivi to take. Giving Nami's hand a soft squeeze, Vivi turns to look up again. She pulls in a deep breath, gaze focusing on the Fleet Admiral. This needs to be exact. The Fleet Admiral won't be one she can mess with easily. And, he would most likely be able to sense her next move.

Vivi's heart thunders in her chest as she watches Sabo's blonde hair dodge through the battlefield, calling for Ivankov. Her gaze flutters to the Monster Trio one more time, watching Zoro cut through the nearest Marine. They'll all going to be alright. They're all going to make it out of this.

Luffy decided. And Vivi won't start questioning her cabin now.

She pulls Nami forward. The ground vanishes beneath their feet and Vivi throws her free hand out, fingers grasping the Fleet Admiral's coat as the ground returns. Barely a second and, by some miracle, the man has no time to respond as Vivi pulls him away, to the far edge of the battlefield. Shouts of surprise rise up as Vivi releases his coat, standing in front of Whitebeard's ship and Vivi releases him, leaping backwards as he swings.

Wind swirls around her as she reappears on the platform, staring out at the battle from the top of the execution platform. Through the thick crowd, she can barely see the Fleet Admiral trying to race back.

Nami knocks the remaining Marines from the platform before she lunges toward Ace, grabbing his arms to look at the cuffs.

"N-Nami?" Ace stutters. "What are you doing? Leave! You're going to get hurt. I'm not worth-"

"Shut up," Nami orders firmly. "We're saving you, end of discussion, Ace."

Vivi's eyes find Garp, already making his way toward them and she hurries to step in front of Nami and Ace, fingers tracing the button of her slashers. Confusion dances through her. How could he do this? Let his own grandson die in front of him and do nothing? It makes her sick. Angry.

"Jiji!" Sabo screams from behind him.

Garp freezes, eyes wide as he stares at Vivi. Confused. Unsure. Because as far as everyone in this family has been concerned for ten years, Sabo is dead. Garp may not recognize the voice, but he must know it wasn't Luffy or Ace. Must know that someone else is calling him "Jiji". Garp turns slowly, hesitantly.

There's a soft smile on Sabo's face, the scar around his eye crinkled just a bit. "Yo," Sabo offers, the same as he had for Luffy. "It's good to see you again, Jiji. Sorry."

Sabo moves faster than even Luffy's gear second, swinging an arm out and Garp flies off of the platform, into the distance. He rests the pipe against his shoulder again. Behind her, Vivi hears Ace let out a confused, choking noise. Then, the cuffs clink and clatter to the platform.

Glancing over her shoulder, Vivi looks down at Ace. Shocked tears tumbling down his face, mouth gaping as he lets out confused noises. Happiness lights Sabo's watery eyes, grin big enough to rival Luffy's taking over his mouth.

"Ace."

Chapter Twenty-Four has been completed. The Strawhats are reunited. Luffy has Sabo back (and visa versa). And Ace is free of his chains. I know the reunion between Luffy and Sabo was brief, but I'll save the real tearjerkers for the next few chapters. Right now, they have a big brother to save! Thank you guys for sticking with me and being patient. I genuinely hope that this chapter wasn't a disappointment. Next time: Zoro and Sabo head for Marineford. And Zoro ignores his captain's orders for the first time in his life. And, he knows he won't regret it.