"Where's Zoro?" Luffia asks Johnny when she chanced upon him in the hallway of the palace.
"He left this morning to visit his mentor, Dracule Mihawk."
"Who?"
"Dracule Mihawk."
"His name is too long. Hawky. Uh, so who's he?"
Johnny finds it hard to hide his snickers after hearing Luffia's hastily-made nickname for one of the greatest fighters in Raftel, and the mentor of the High Prince of Vaelon. He can imagine the scowl on his face if he hears a human called him 'Hawky'. Wouldn't that be a great sight to see?
"His mentor. He lives in the outskirts of Vaelon, away from the residential areas."
"Like a monk?"
"Not sure what a monk is because that concept is not in Raftel, but you can say he could be."
Luffia nodded in response.
"When will he be back?"
"In three days. He visits there when he wants to train and duel with Mihawk." Zoro is a diligent student who constantly wants to improve his skills. As their enemies resurface after centuries of hiding, they need to be ready for the worst. What Raftel needs right now is an assurance that their High Princes will be powerful enough to counter them.
"Okay. I'll just wait for him. Meanwhile, I'll visit Kebby!" She waives him goodbye, not waiting for an answer as she runs outside. She waives to the creatures she passes by, greeting them energetically. They all greet her with the same enthusiasm, far too used to her striking a conversation with them when she gets the chance.
As soon as she left the Palace grounds, she told the Pegasus that she wants to go to Purgatory. The creature neighed in response to her, disagreeing with her request.
"I will just visit a friend. Come on, you can drop me off at the entrance!" She convinces the creature, and as if hearing a command from someone with authority, the Pegasus just followed her words despite the disagreement earlier on.
"Drop me off here." She commands.
As soon as she gets off the Pegasus, she runs to the entrance of the Purgatory. Just like before, nothing prevented her from stepping inside the barrier that the High Princes and the Peacekeeper cast. It's as if the place welcomed her with no holds barred.
"Kebby! Are you there?" She shouted, her voice echoed in the area. Looking around, she winces at how different it looked when she was here weeks ago. The trees have been cut, some of them are filled with scratches from the claws of beasts. There are droplets of blood that had not been cleaned as well.
Hearing the thumping sounds, her head snaps to the side where the noise is coming from. Her eyes immediately brightened after seeing the familiar three-headed guardian of the place.
"Kebby!" She runs to the creature, hugging its heads. "It's been a while!" She laughs, tickled by the three tongues attacking her face. "Okay, stop, stop! Hehe! That tickles!"
The creature stops licking Luffia, opting to sit in front of her, tails are wagging as if waiting for her command.
"I just dropped by to make sure you're okay." She smiles at him. "I won't be taking long since I have to visit Ann! I can't visit Sab since she's probably mating with Kidd." The creature tilted his head to the side before nodding, understanding Luffia's words.
She only stayed in Purgatory for a few minutes before deciding to go to Ipraecia.
"Ah! The Pegasus left me!" She whined when she didn't see the creature she used as her ride. Her head turned towards Cerberus before smiling. "Can you give me a ride?" The smile on her face is wide, eyes sparkling with so much enthusiasm that seems to affect the three-headed creature.
When it nods, she immediately hops on its back, pointing in the direction of Ipraecia. As they pass by, surprised gasps can be heard from the creatures around them. Luffia just sat on top of Cerberus, waving her hands, greeting them with enthusiasm.
As soon as they arrive in Ipraecia, everyone was so shocked they can't move from their spots.
"Thanks for the ride, Kebby! Next time again!" She pats the creature, hugging it as tightly as she can before waving goodbye.
All eyes are on her, making her stop on her tracks to stare at the creatures, eyes blinking with so much innocence.
"Hmm?" She tilts her head, still confused but then, she shrugs it off, opting to greet the Warrior Commanders she passes by, asking where her sister is. They pointed them to the garden where Ann and Marco is.
"Ann! Ann! Ann!"
"Lu! I heard you took Cerberus as a ride." There's no surprise in Ann's tone, after all, she bore witness to how friendly the creature is.
"Yes! I visited him and he's doing alright. Then, the Pegasus just flew off and left me so I asked Kebby to give me a ride." She explains as she takes a seat in front of Ann. Her eyes shifted on Ann's mark on her arms, wondering about the invisible mark of hers.
"You named Cerberus as Kebby, yoi?" Marco asks.
"Yes! He's a friend."
Marco looked at Ann, asking for more information but all he got is a shrug of her shoulders.
"He also gave us a ride when we left!" Luffia casually added.
"Huh. That makes sense." Marco nodded. All of them were wondering how in the world the three of them left Raftel undetected. The question is answered by Luffia's statement.
"It's a good thing that you're here. Marco and I wanted to visit Cresta today." Ann said.
The cheerful mood of Luffia turned serious after hearing their Kingdom. It's been more than a week since they arrived here in Raftel to heal their wounds. While they remain here, Robin's been helping them in providing information about how their people are doing. Most of their people are now free, but a lot died when Akainu and Teach occupied the palace.
"Sab will also be joining us today."
"She's done mating?" Ann is not sure if she should blush because of how casual Luffia sounds when she asked such a question, but she figures that this is Luffia after all.
"Yes, I think so."
"Okay! I'll tag along. It's been a while since we've seen Cresta." A sense of reminiscence washes over Luffia, remembering their memories in the palace where they grew up. It's filled with happy memories. Going back in that place means facing them again, so as the sadness creeping in their hearts.
Ann flinches a little upon hearing familiar voices at the main entrance of the Palace. Being mates with Marco sharpened her senses so much that she's gotten sensitive to the presence of familiar people.
"Sab is here."
"Huh?" Luffia questions Ann who didn't explain because not too long after, they heard Sab and Kidd's arrival in the garden. As Luffia snaps her head to look at her back, her bright smile returns. "Sab!" She's quick to run to her sister, hugging her as tightly as she can.
"Lu! Good thing you're here."
"Yeah! Oh! Oh! You're done mating, that's good!" Luffia's hands are on Sab's shoulders where the mark is.
"Yes. Fortunately." Sab didn't think it will last for days, but given Kidd is not an ordinary man, she should have known.
"Shall we go now?" Kidd asks, referring to their planned visit to Cresta. Even though he's not keen, he still wants to be there for Sab.
Everyone agreed to leave as soon as possible. They chose to use a royal carriage pulled by Pegasus which Marco prepared earlier on.
"We're going to ride with Achilles." Sab said, politely refusing the offer to join them in the carriage.
The carriage is lifted off the ground with the Pegasi flapping their wings, on their way to the Human Realm.
Sab feels a little nervous as soon as the Palace was in sight. A wave of mixed emotions crept into her heart as she stares at her home for years until it no longer feels home. Home is where your beloved ones are. This one is nothing but a Palace, devoid of the people she dearly loves.
"It's going to be fine." Kidd whispers from her back, his arms are wrapped on her waist securely.
"Yes. I just felt sad for a moment." Kidd didn't answer, letting her gather her emotions. It's not easy going back to a place full of memories.
Achilles stopped in front of the gate of the Palace just in time for the Ipraecia's Royal carriage to arrive beside them. Many humans are staring at them, curious, and in awe upon seeing majestic creatures.
After the failed execution of Sab and Luffia as well as Kidd's sudden appearance, the humans living in Cresta have come to know the existence of Raftelians.
Their eyes shined as soon as they see their princesses.
"Your Highnesses!" Soon, the three princesses of Cresta are swarmed by their people, most of them are crying from sheer happiness.
"You look ugly while crying, old man." Luffia told one of the pub owners that they used to visit when they were children.
"Ah, you brat! You never change!" Some of the older people stopped crying, afraid to be called ugly by Luffia. They know that she's not the type to filter her words.
Talk now, think later. This is what she does.
After a few exchanges of words, they were soon guided to where Shanks and his men are. Most of their allies are in the Palace. Soldiers are outside, camped, and ready in case their enemies will attack. The High Princes tasked a few Warriors from Raftel to keep a close eye on Cresta and alarm them should there be anything suspicious or worse, an attack.
"It's eerily peaceful. Calm before the storm." Shanks said. They are now inside the Palace, sitting at the long table of the war council chamber they often used at times of war.
"Do we have any news about Akainu?" Kidd's voice is deep, almost growling when he uttered their enemy's name as if he felt his tongue tasting bitterness. He has nothing but hatred and disgust for the man.
"None as of the moment but from what we've gathered, he's amassing armies from different kingdoms, spreading the news about Raftel to poison their minds."
"History." Sab mutters to herself, but the High Princes and Ann heard it.
"The great war." Ann soon followed, remembering the stories their mother told them. History repeats itself. Here they are, about to face the same enemy who caused great destruction in Raftel centuries ago.
"We've barricaded the borders, at least a few miles from here. Most of Cresta's territories have now been claimed by the enemies. We can only prepare for any incoming attacks." Ben Beckman added.
"I will have the wolves lookout in the areas where the enemies may prepare an ambush." Surprisingly, it was Kidd who said that, making Sab raise an eyebrow. "It is practical. They can easily alert Achilles when there's anything suspicious. With that bastard's return, I don't doubt that he will do anything to attack any chance he has."
"The allies of Cresta have been preparing to help. We are using the gap to equip the soldiers with weapons." Nami said. She's been in constant contact with their allies, providing them an explanation about the rumors that Akainu spread about Cresta.
They've been accused of housing cursed creatures - the Raftelians - and protecting them, preparing for an attack in the future. At least that's what other people believed. They believed that Roger is conspiring with the Raftelians to start another war.
With the pieces of evidence laid to them and the news of the sudden appearance of the creatures to save the princesses, no one can exactly tell them that it wasn't the case. What their side can do is just prepare for the worst.
This is what the sisters are worried about, yet what can they do. The war is upon them. All they can do is fight.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
"So much has changed." Ann voiced out while looking at the empty palace. It's not empty for there are people currently using it, yet it is just different. After their immediate conversation about the situation, the princesses took their time to look around. Surely, Akainu ruined a lot of things in their palace and that includes the portraits of the late king and queen.
The three of them entered the main chamber of the palace. Shanks said that they cleaned it up after seeing the ruined furniture. It was a mess, he said.
When they entered, it's not like how it used to. It's empty, the portraits that used to hang on the walls are now in the far corner of the room, broken and almost ripped apart. There are burned marks all over the room, reminding themselves that Akainu must have used this.
"I miss them." Luffia said as she crouches to look at the smiling figures of their parents. She remembers her visions and wonders why her mother did that.
"Yes. All of us do." Sab agrees, standing beside Luffia, smiling bitterly. "Dad would have freaked out if he knew that we mated with the High Princes."
"That is true. I can imagine the hilarity in his reactions. He may challenge them and threaten to kill them." Ann laughs dryly, slightly amused at the thought of their father, fuming mad at any romantic news that involves his daughters.
"Mom will be okay with it." Luffia added.
"That she is." They sighed. They've mourned and cried, longing for their parents whose bodies they cannot find.
Shanks asked the traitorous shoulders about the King and Queen of Cresta, but none of them knows. It's as if their parents have completely disappeared. They found out that Akainu imprisoned them in the dungeon. Such audacity and an insult to them.
If that's not enough, they also took their mother's diamonds, the ones that have been in their family for years now. They even ripped the crowns apart. Such tragedy that they can't help but fume.
Even Kidd and Marco have been holding back their anger after seeing the state of the palace.
They do not have time to ponder on this sadness, not when they have their people to worry about. With the enemies multiplying, they must stand their ground at all cost.
"We should now return." It was Kidd's voice coming from the door of the chamber.
"Okay." Sab agreed. Marco is there as well, waiting for Ann. Luffia soon followed. They bid their goodbyes to the people who understood why the princesses must return to Raftel. It is not because they are running away or hiding, but it is because that's where they should be.
People never stopped looking at the twins' marks matching the High Princes'. They knew that the twins have mated with them.
"It's a good thing that the King never let anyone marry them." One of their people said. These words never escaped the keen ears of Marco and Kidd, both smiling, nodding as they did with satisfaction written in their eyes.
"Luffia, do you want to stay with us?" Ann asks, a little hesitant about this question. She's been thinking that Luffia's been staying in Vaelon for more than necessary. They cannot continue to impose on Zoro's welcome. When she asked Marco if Luffia can stay in Ipraecia, he told her that she does not need permission. This kingdom is hers as much as it is his.
"You can stay in Beogia too if you'd like." Sab added. They arrived at the Central Raftel, about to part ways to go back to their own palaces.
"Why would I stay there?" Her question is so serious as if she's asking for a valid answer from the twins whose mouths are shut, not knowing what to answer their younger sister.
"We thought we should ask you in case you want to leave Vaelon." Sab answered.
"No! I'm staying there. Shishishi!" She giggles like a child as if she knows something that the twins do not. Her eyes speak more than she does with her mouth, making the twins look at each other, curious what Luffia is hiding.
"Are you sure?" Ann asks again.
"Yes! I'll borrow one of the Pegasus to go back there."
"Go ahead, yoi." Marco lets her do as she pleases. Mounted on the Pegasus, she waves her hands to her sisters and their respective mates, excited to go back to Vaelon.
The twins just shrugged, letting Luffia do as she pleases. Once she decided on something, there's no turning back, this they know. Besides, they know she is safe with Zoro.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
"A party?!" Luffia almost toppled over the chair she's sitting in after hearing Sab's words. For the last two days, she spent her days visiting her sisters in their palaces.
Today, she decided to visit Sab in Beogia, much to Kidd's annoyance. Sab, cannot for the life of her figure out why Luffia likes to irk Kidd off, teasing him nonstop, pushing his buttons.
Even if he shouts at her, he doesn't threaten her.
'He must be holding back' She thinks to herself, muffling a burst of laughter at the veins on Kidd's forehead whenever Luffia is here.
"Yes. It is not as grand as you think. It will only be a joint celebration between Ipraecia and Beogia."
"Ah! Because the High Princes are now mated! Does that mean you are now the High Queen?"
"You can say that, but they have a tradition to hold ceremonies. Right now is not the best time to hold it." She supplied, hand continuously rubbing the mark on her shoulder blades.
"Okay! But it's a party!" Luffia is in a good mood because she knows that the party means more dishes to eat. "When will it be?"
"Tomorrow when Zoro returns." Upon the mention of the name of the High Prince, Luffia suddenly smiled from ear to ear.
Sab can recognize this smile and she has a bad feeling at whatever Luffia is thinking. She feels nervous because the last time Luffia smiled like this, she did nothing but stupidity and embarrassment.
"Luffia. Why are you smiling like that?" Sab's eyes narrowed, suspicious of her younger sister.
"Hmm? Nothing~" This only made Sab nervous but she lets it be. Luffia probably only wants to piss someone off. Either it's Kidd or Zoro.
When the night arrived for their joint celebration, everyone in Raftel was busy preparing and decorating the Central Palace grounds. Almost everyone is here, except the ones that have been tasked as their eyes in case an enemy will attack.
Shanks, Vivi, Ben, and a few of their allies have been invited inside Raftel to join the celebration. They are all beyond ecstatic to see the twins be with someone who can take care of them.
Many creatures cheered, congratulating the High Princes and High Princesses. As they cannot hold the traditional ceremony, they cannot officially be called High Kings and High Queens, but that is fine. That can wait until everything is alright when they have won this war and no enemies will threaten their peaceful lives.
While Sab and Ann are all smiles, accepting the cheers of the crowd, Luffia remains sitting there, pouting. Her eyes darted to the empty seat in front of her, the seat intended for Zoro.
"Your Highness. We've been waiting for you." All of a sudden, she hears Johnny's voice. She immediately looks in his direction, wondering who he's referring to. Her sour mood immediately disappeared as soon as she saw who it was that arrived late.
"Yes. Just in time for the celebration." Zoro nodded at his people before taking his seat right next to Luffia and the Peacekeeper.
"We thought you will never make it." Whitebeard said.
"Kidd and Marco will never let me live it down had I miss this important celebration in their lives." He answers. Seeing the marks on Marco and Kidd's, he can't help but feel lonely, almost pitying himself.
When he heard that there's going to be a celebration, he almost didn't want to come back until it's over. This will only remind him of how helpless his situation is. The mark on his back felt warm, unlike before, he's used to it, treating it as an unnecessary effect of this celebration.
He badly wishes to regain his memories and find out why he cannot remember or feel whom he marked.
"Why do you look so lonely?"
Zoro snaps out of his thoughts after hearing Luffia's sudden question. Looking at her, he feels it again, but this time, the warmth is more intense than he expected it to be.
"No, I am not." He avoids looking at her dark eyes that can see through his facade.
"You are."
Zoro can only sigh, hand reaching for the glass of wine to soothe his nerves, hoping that the warm liquid will quench the tightness he felt in his chest. He may not admit it, but he feels sad.
"This is no time to be talking about that."
"About what? Your mate?" The usual cheers from the crowd slowly died down as some of the creatures have started eating, and some of them felt the heavy tension coming from Zoro. They cannot look him in the eye, fearing that he will see the slight pity from their eyes.
Everyone knows what Zoro's been feeling for years now. They feel scared to open such a heavy conversation with him or trigger the emotions he's hiding inside, yet here is Luffia, the ever amazing Luffia, opening the topic without fear.
Even though they are celebrating the mating of Marco and Kidd with Ann and Sab respectively, they also thought about how Zoro may be feeling right now.
"It's nothing. I don't want to talk about that. We're here to celebrate."
"Shishishi! Silly Zoro! We should talk about it." This made him look at her, incredulous, but she remains unaffected by the sight of angry green eyes.
"No, I don't."
"Nuh-uh. We should!" She insisted, making Whitebeard sweat a little at how persistent she is, not caring about the people who may hear her. "We should talk about mating. Uh, maybe less talking will be the best way." She mumbles to herself. Zoro lets her be, trying to distract himself from Luffia's persistence by reaching for another glass of drink.
"Ah! I know!"
"Hmm?" Zoro raises an eyebrow at her while drinking from his glass.
"Let's mate, Zoro!"
Zoro chokes on his drink after hearing what she said. Not just him, but almost everyone in Raftel did, shocked by the straightforward words.
"What?!"
"Let's mate!" She repeated, smiling from ear to ear.
The twins groaned after hearing their sister's words. Sab, in particular, is getting headaches from this. She should have known that Luffia will say something stupid again.
Zoro, on the other hand, is still in shock, blinking his eyes while looking at Luffia who never stopped smiling at him.
"You're out of your mind."
"No, I am not! I am serious!" Zoro cannot take her seriously, not when she looks like this, pouting like a child. He never knew what's inside that pretty little head of hers. Is she doing this on a whim?
"No." He said.
"EEEHH?! Why not?"
"Just no." He said firmly, patience being tested by her insistence.
"No, I want to mate with you!" She crossed her hands on her chest, huffing in response like a bratty princess that she sometimes is.
Zoro is silent, looking at Luffia as if she's the bane of his existence while everyone is silent, eyes are on them, watching how this will unfold. In the end, Zoro dismissed Luffia's words, treating it as nothing but a foolish whim from her. He stands up to leave but Luffia follows him, demanding that they will mate and that continues even when the celebration ended, with Luffia chasing after an irritated Zoro.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
AN: Sorry for the delay of the chapter. I took a break from writing and was busy. But here it is.
