Chapter 17: Brothers

NOTE: One Piece does not belong to me, the characters are the creation of Eiichiro Oda

ATTENTION: This story does not belong to me. I'am only translating this story by, dabria99. I've asked for permission to translate this story, and I have approval from the original author.

"Brothers"

Nico Robin, or rather the other version of her, was hiding in the shadows while she watched a large number of marine officers going crazy from the damage caused by their nakamas, that was partly funny but her face kept her completely serious.

She must prepare to open the Gates of Justice for her friends as soon as she had the chance. She would make sure everyone got out of there safely.

'Then I must have a little talk with her' she thought with some sadness when she remembered her other version.

They had managed to get out and were finally out of the prison, soon they were preparing to take a battleship. When they managed to board one, Zoro, Sanji and their captain were in charge of delaying the other ships that were on the left, while the others took care of the ones on the right, Nami was looking for a safer escape route and Franky was in the rudder. But in an oversight they took their eyes off him, everyone did, everyone except him.

He never stopped observing it, he did it since they were children.

So as soon as he noticed an Admiral rise in the sky, he predicted his movement and acted a few seconds before.

Kizaru fired.

The impact hit him full.

"SABO!" Was the desperate cry that came from Luffy's lips for seconds later to feel his brother collapse in his arms.

"Oh my, my I guess I made a mistake," Kizaru scoffed, who was quickly already preparing a new attack.

At that moment Captain Straw Hat, the revolutionary Sabo and Ace jumped in perfect coordination, with a mixture of fury and immense protective instinct they each made an attack towards the Admiral, everyone present could notice it, even those who did not know who it was they understood , in their movements you could perfectly read the message.

'Don't you dare touch our brother!'

"RED HAWK/HIKEN..."

They shot down Kizaru who ended up crashing into one of the many battleships, of course that wasn't enough to kill an admiral but at least it would knock him out for a few minutes at the same time,

"Got it!" Nami shouted as she passed Franky the route she had been tracing, the cyborg wasted no time handling the helm like an expert, soon they were in front of the huge Gate of Justice which to the astonishment of the marines opened up to the pirates, thus giving them a chance to escape.

Zoro and Sanji kept fighting in an attempt to keep away the bombs and attacks from the opposites as the rest of the Straw Hats, Ivankov and Inazuma along with all the okamas and prisoners of Impel Down were fighting too.

They were all stunned, they felt despair deep within their battered bodies but they could not afford a mistake, they have to escape. They moved by instinct but in the hearts of all those present the image of that heartbreaking scene was forever engraved, that purest and most immense act of love they had seen and for the sake of those brothers they would get out of there at any cost.

Luffy was trembling, the young pirate didn't know how to react, his whole body felt numb, the deepest and absolute terror that he had never felt began to invade him when little by little when he recovered from the initial shock 'no, this is not happening, it cannot be...Sabo, no,nononono' he felt his brother's heart still beating, he smelled the blood leaving Sabo's body without stopping, he felt the blood staining his own body.

Sabo's blood.

His brother's blood.

His brother was dying right in his arms… and it was all because of him.

"Sabo!" In the midst of despair he grabbed him tighter trying at the same time to be careful "don't worry, you'll be fine, we'll heal you Sabo..."

"…"

"You can't die!" ' you can't leave me' he thought in the midst of his despair "we have a doctor, you'll see...CHOPPER! SOMEONE BRING CHOPPER QUICK!"

"Lu...ffy...I'll do anything to protect you..." He gave him a sad smile.

The younger one just denied trying to say something but failing miserably, no words left his lips.

'Don't look at me like that Luffy, don't make that face...as if your whole world was disappearing' it broke Sabo's heart to see him like this, the young pirate knew that there was nothing to do anymore, there was no doctor capable of curing him, but just there watching the face of his beloved little brother completely disfigure himself, lost in an immense sea of despair he felt that who was dying right there was Luffy and not him.

With an enormous effort he moved his body, managed to completely remove the mask and hat, with his last forces he joined his forehead with his brother's, with his left arm he took him in a half hug and with the other hand he gently caressed the tattoo that identified them as Whitebeard's children that Luffy carried.

Without taking his eyes off those eyes full of purity, purity that had not disappeared since they met more than 12 years ago, Sabo said what he had kept in his heart for so long.

"...Thank you...thank you for giving me a r..reason to live, g..thanks for coming into my life..." he gave him a smile so full of love that it hurt, "this is not your fault, tell Ace that it is not his either…yo..you are my greatest treasures… 'cough of blood stopped him for a few seconds but soon he spoke again'tell Oyaji that I love him and the others too…"

"Sabo" Luffy tried to sound firm but failed, his voice broke completely and the tears ran down his face inevitably flooding him "don't do this to me, tell them that yourself."

Sabo shook it with a kind half smile on his face.

"I wish I wasn't leaving so soon..." he closed his eyes for a few seconds trying not to cry to end up failing like his little brother 'you won't be alone Lu, Ace will always be there for you and Ace, don't do anything stupid, Luffy needs you and I know you need him too' he thought without being able to prevent worry from invading him at the thought of his two black-haired brothers 'thank you for being my adorable little brother…I love you Lu and also Ace…I really wish I was here to see you be the Pirate King but it doesn't matter, I'm sure you will achieve it' with the widest smile he could give, he said goodbye "...bye..."

As soon as he noticed that the admiral's attack hit the other Sabo, Chopper ran away, the little doctor knew that he would need blood and adequate medical equipment to treat him since all he had in possession were only basic first aid materials. It did not take more than a few seconds to reach his destination, fortunately the navy perfectly equipped his ships so he found everything he needed, without wasting time he took the materials to run towards the blood supply, he did not know what type Sabo was but Fortunately he found enough of the universal type, already with everything in his hands he returned as fast as he could to the deck.

Upon arrival, he saw the pirate's body collapse like a dead weight on Luffy, Chopper paid no attention to anything else and without wasting time ran towards the brothers.

'Sabo is not dead yet! It can't be'

"SAABOO!" Luffy's heartbreaking scream was like a stab to the young doctor, he shuddered to see it that way.

Something in Luffy had been broken and he was sure that even if Sabo survived, Whitebeard's youngest son he would never be the same again.

'Oh Luffy' he thought sadly 'is that how you felt that time?' Chopper felt sick just imagining his captain in the middle of a war witnessing the death of his older brother all alone, they weren't with him when he lost Ace, they weren't with him when Luffy needed them the most, no Straw Hat would forget that. NEVER. They all felt guilty but they had decided to go ahead and try to forgive themselves in honor of Ace's memory and especially for Luffy, for their brave captain who had returned from hell itself just for them.

'But now I'm here' the determination ran through every part of his body 'I will not allow it to happen again'.

"Thank you for loving me..."

'No!No again…. I can't take it again' Luffy's whole world began to reel, the memories in his head and the scene in front of him were distorted around him. Suddenly he was back in Marineford watching people die around him, watching the Giant Ossan fight alongside his entire crew, seeing his grandfather there with the most painful expression he had ever seen, watching people treat his brother as a prize on display, he was again running enduring immense pain throughout his body, desperately running to get to Ace, running to reach him, he was again looking at Akainu, again he was hearing the words of his brother while he felt the blood fall without stopping marking his entire world, Ace was again breaking his promise.

Luffy was alone again.

Luffy couldn't lose another brother, he wouldn't survive that again.

His body trembled and his own nails were tearing his skin from the force of his fists, no words left his lips as a result of shock, staggeringly he began to move slowly at first to accelerate little by little as he approached him, pure terror ran through his whole body.

The world suddenly felt very cold.

A hand stopped him, a bony hand that should feel cold but Luffy was sure, he had never felt a warmer touch before.

"Luffy-san don't forget, you're not alone," Luffy gasped, "trust us, Chopper-san, your nakamas won't let you lose a brother again."

Little by little rebellious tears began to pool in his eyes without his permission.

Luffy despite still trembling looked around, saw Zoro and Sanji fighting tirelessly against everything that was put in front of them, saw Nami direct everyone while at the same time creating big waves with her clima tact, saw Franky handle the helm like an expert to get them all to safety, he saw Usopp bravely standing in front of the okama army giving orders while firing all kinds of things at his enemies, he saw Robin take down countless marines trying to shoot from the other ships, he saw Chopper desperately trying to save his brother, he saw the other Franky and Robin consoling his other version, even Brook who was standing right in front of him had his sword drawn and was clearly on guard protecting him.

All his nakamas were there, they were all risking their lives in a desperate attempt to give Sabo time. They all went to Impel Down without hesitation to help him save his other versiom.

Suddenly the world was no longer so cold.

With the tears forgotten and his determination completely renewed, the captain's aura was present, with the strongest voice he could use he gave his vows.

"I TRUST YOU GUYS!" The Straw Hats couldn't see it but they knew a big, savage smile was painted on their captain's face.

The marines present were going to know hell.

Sabo did not know how to react, when he launched himself to attack Kizaru it was a purely instinctive act but now he did not really know what to do. Everything felt unreal, everything was really so strange, especially seeing himself on the brink of death even though it wasn't really him.

'Luffy!' He suddenly remembered 'how could I forget about him?' he reproached himself, his little brother must be remembering it, there was no way that Luffy would ever forget Ace last moments, he turned in an attempt to get to him when he saw that Luffy was with the musician of his crew, Brook, he was comforting him and from the expression his little brother, he was doing well, a sigh of relief left his body.

'You have a great crew Lu' he thought helplessly but the relief did not last long when he remembered that Luffy was not his only brother there 'Ace!'

He turned in search of the freckled man, when he saw him Sabo gasped, Ace's eyes, those eyes that were the only visible part that the mask gave, were almost on the verge of madness.

Slowly but steadily he approached him.

'It had to be him, his younger brothers couldn't die before him' his flames were overflowing, Ace couldn't accept it, he refused to accept it, he couldn't lose his brother 'it's a fucking lie right? It can't be happening! '

"No..." he denied desperately "not you, please..." he pleaded.

Ace never begged. Almost running he approached only to be stopped by one firm arms.

"LET ME GO!" He released a large amount of flames trying to burn the opposite.

"I'm fire as well, that doesn't work on me." He inhaled slowly to calm himself down and Ace also. "Listen, you must calm down..."

"HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO CALM DOWN WHEN MY BROTHER IS DYING IN FRONT OF ME?! I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING DAMN!"

"You can't do anything." Sabo kept his voice neutral but the tone was forceful.

"LET ME GO BASTARD!" He hit him, thus ending both on the floor, pure anger invaded him and he found in the revolutionary a perfect way to unload, his precision was very bad due to anguish but his strength was still enormous. "DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T DO ANYTHING! JUST SHUT UP!" For each word he gave a blow "HE IS MY YOUNGER BROTHER, HE CANNOT DIE BEFORE ME!"

"For only two months…" Sabo whispered compassionately, a few tears then fell on the blonde, suddenly Ace's blows lost their force, the freckled man grabbed his shirt with his fists trembling, more vulnerable than ever.

"Sabo and Luffy are my reason for living, they can't die, what am I supposed to do if I lose them?" His voice broke, "I'm just a bastard, the son of a demon and if someone must die here that should be me."

The hardest blow he had received in his entire life struck his face.

Sabo was completely furious.

"IF YOU SAY SOMETHING THAT STUPID AGAIN, YOU WILL DIE, BECAUSE I'LL KILL YOU MYSELF, YOU DUCK!" Now he was the one giving the blows.

"I know..."

Then they heard it.

"I TRUST YOU GUYS! LET'S KICK SOME NAVY BUTTS!"

As it had been since they were children, it was he who ended their dispute. Luffy's voice alone was enough to reassure Sabo and Ace, the two brothers stared at each other and despite the fact that they came from different worlds, that connection they had since children was present, only with gestures they agreed to a truce.

If Luffy was going to fight then so were they.

Ace couldn't help but look in the direction of his injured brother but when he saw Luffy's little nakama next to that strange okama with the huge head and purple hair, he managed to calm down 'Sab is in good hands' he said to himself and prepared for battle 'don't you dare die idiot brother, if you do I am going to hell just to hit you '

In the marine battleship Kizaru had finally managed to recover from the horrible blow, Borsalino was normally calm and in truth he greatly enjoyed mocking his enemies but this time he was angry, not only did he miss his attack but also allowed three idiots to take him down leaving him a runaway ship crossing the Gate of Justice.

Without wasting time, the user of the Pika Pika no Mi jumped up high into the sky and with all his might gave one of his deadly kicks.

It was just then that it happened.

"They can be a trio of idiots but,"

but I won't let you hurt them," he gave a smile "after all they are my little brothers-yoi."

In front of the battleship with its beautiful and dangerous blue flames was Marco the Phoenix, faithfully protecting his three boys.

Suddenly they felt great agitation and the marines could not help it, they trembled with fear when they saw it.

Emerging from the water, as imposing as ever, the gigantic Moby Dick followed by all the allied ships appeared.

Whitebeard had arrived.

"You can't do this to me!" He yelled, unable to prevent the panic from escaping his voice, "we are allies!"

"I'm the "Hero of the Navy" I can indulge myself in some luxuries," a sadistic smile appeared on his face "and you are nothing but a pirate trash, you should never have messed with my grandchildren Marshall D. Teach."

That day Teach experienced firsthand the fury of the man who had cornered Roger.

Garp for his part was calm, Sengoku may have been upset because he killed a Shichibukai but the Fleet Admiral will forgive him despite knowing his family and especially for having raised Ace, this was just one more thing to forgive.

In one of the secret bases of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon was calm, at first he had his doubts but deep down he knew that calling his father was the right thing to do, Garp loved his job but he also loved his grandson, him "The World's Most Wanted Man" also remembered the talks he had had with that old man.

"I'll go get him, Luffy is my son..."

"He is also my son..."

"Guararara don't worry brat, I'll bring our son safe and sound..."

"I'll leave it in your hands then."

Yes, it was a good idea, he decided then but Dragon was still not entirely happy with Whitebeard taking Luffy as his son.

"Well, I suppose I can still negotiate with the old man with the mustache," helplessly a smile formed on his face "and I suppose I will also have to earn my boy's trust."

Hello!

We are in the penultimate chapter, I still do not believe it.

Well sorry for the delay but these days I moved from home (now I live alone) and well I finally got the internet installed, everything has been crazy, sorry.

Anyway, I hope you liked the chapter, thanks for reading and please leave me your criticisms.

Kisses.

Bye bye.