Chapter 9

"Where the hell am I?"

I opened my eyes. I realize I'm in an unfamiliar place as I pick myself up off the ground. I stood in the middle of a long winding road. Everything is grey and black.

"Well this is depressing to look at," I mutter to myself as I slowly tread down the gravelly road. My hands and feet were bleeding and my knees were scraped raw but I continued t force myself to walk until I came upon a set of crossroads, signs pointing in all directions.

"So you've made it, Natalie Nightingale,"

I glance around for the source of the voice before I feel something tug at my clothes. I glance down to see a black cat.

"How do you know my name?"

"I've been watching over you for quite some time. My name is Hecate,"

I freeze.

"What do you want from me?"

"I want to help you, Natalie. Right now, you need to make a decision. This decision will affect everything you do from this point onward so you should think about your decision carefully. There are three branching paths. The road ahead will push you further to and ensue you succeed in achieving your dream of overthrowing the government. The road to your right is identical to the road ahead but will involve heavy sacrifices, including members of your crew. Finally, the road to your left is also identical to the road ahead but it will involve you sacrificing your life for your dream to succeed. Which path do you choose?"

I hesitate for a moment before I swallow and continue straight ahead.

"You have chosen well, Natalie. This is where I'll leave you for now but I will check up on you from time to time. Until we meet again."

With that Hecate fades into the distance as a cold and wet feeling rushed through my body.

I opened my eyes. I was still in the ice castle and I was covered in freezing cold water.

The redhead was standing over me holding a bucket and a scowl on her face.

"What the hell?" I wipe at my face before she hits me on the head with the bucket.

"Why? Why did you do this to me?!"

"Do what? I don't even know you!"

The redhead punches me in the face hard. The punch feels familiar…

"Roxanne?"

The scowl fades from Roxanne's face, to be replaced by a soft smile.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it? Back when the House of Nightingale was alive and well,"

Roxanne strokes my face tenderly before leaning close to my face.

"Ah, Natalie, you're up!"

We pull away as Luffy comes bursting into the room. I groan internally. Same old, same old, I guess.