Where am I? Emilia found herself in a unusual yet familiar room. A desk with books lying all over,a neatly kept bed and a shelf filled with books.
She walked towards the door turning the knob and as soon as she opened it,a chatter filled her ears. Multiple people were talking at the same time, her legs led to that place.
Before she could enter the room,the door swung open. A girl who was all to familiar rushed out,her bag placed on her shoulder. That person was wearing a school uniform.
"Y/N!" That's right... Emilia recognized. That person is me from last life.
"You didn't complete your food!" A voice shouted. Emilia turned to see her mother who was huffing,clearly displeased.
"I'm sorry,mom! But I have cleaning duty today!"
Emilia followed her past self.
She took in the environment around her. Everything looks so familiar yet strange. The neighborhood which she grew up in no longer felt like home.
Y/N was walking to the train station and once she got on,she plugged in a earphones and she went through her phone,soon turning on a video.
Emilia peeked in. Ah...I was watching that episode of One Piece. The episode where Ace dies. Emilia smiled slightly when she saw her old self tear up on the train earning weird looks from others.
The episode ended at the exact time my stop came. Emilia remembered that she was someone who liked to do everything on time, a very precise person.
There were a lot of people in and around the station. Emilia walks down up the stairs following her past self who was now on the road leading to her school.
Emilia watched her self run when suddenly she remembered everything. That's right...I remember now. The day I watched that episode was the day I-
A loud screech of tires was suddenly heard. Emilia turned to see her past self on the ground,blood already pooling her. Her eyes were slowly closing as people started surrounding the dying person.
That day I remember things very clearly. Emilia thought. That day I remember regretting not waking up early. I regretted not finishing my food. I wanted to thank my parents before I died. I wanted to at least graduate high school. I want to finish watching all my shows.
Emilia laughed. Stupid me also hoped Ace didn't die and he actually survived the blow from Akainu.
Maybe the reason why I was so adamant on saving Ace even before I knew him properly was probably because that was my last thought before I died.
But she knows even if she never had that thought. If she were to meet Ace,she would undoubtedly love him just as much as she did right now. The case also applied to both Sano and Luffy.
Emilia noticed her past self stop breathing and suddenly everything around her went white. It was as if she was in an empty room. Complete empty except a digital clock on the wall. It read 20:09. But then the numbers didn't move even if a minute passed.
Just as Emilia was wondering what it was when she was suddenly sucked by something and the last thing she saw was the clock turn 20:00.
"My baby...My dear Emilia." A gentle voice was heard. It was the voice belonging to Keira, Ainsworth Emilia's mother.
"Emilia..."
"Emilia!"
Emilia opened her eyes. All parts of her body was aching and her vision was still blurry. She felt a tear slip down. Ah... I wanted to be with my mother more.
Emilia closed her eyes once more and when she opened it, her vision adjusted. The first person she saw was an old huge man who had taken care of her ever since she was young.
"Emilia!" Garp's voice cracked as tears flowed from his eyes. "I thought I would lose my dear grand daughter!"
All her memories suddenly rushed in her mind making her heart hammer against her best. Suddenly her throat felt dry. "Where is Zack?..."
The room went quite. Emilia sucked in a sharp breath, she got her answer from the silence. "Can you send Zack over to me? I want to see him..." But she did not stop asking. A small part of her heart was still hoping...praying that Zack was alive.
"Unfortunately Zack passed away." It was Bogard who stepped in and explained everything thing. He noticed Garp didn't have the heart to tell her.
Emilia stopped moving as her expression blanked before her eyes glisten,her lips wobbled. So he really did die...
The room was then filled with silence,no one dared make a sound when there was a sudden knock on the door.
A Marine makes his appearance as he then salutes at his higher ups. "I got report that Captain Emilia has awakened so I brought him in."
Garp nods. "Bring him in."
Emilia curiously stares at the door when a boy probably around her age,with dark hair and red eye walks in. "Who is this?" She asks.
The marine was about to open his mouth when the boy spoke first. "I-I was the one you saved back then! Thank you so much for that!"
Emilia hums. Her brain registering who the person was. But the boy did look different then when she was him. He seemed to have gained weight making him look healthier,his long disheveled hair was also cut short.
"You seem to be doing well." Emilia replied. "I'm glad."
"Emilia-San! I want to join you." The boy shouts. "You saved me so I want to devote myself to you..."
What is he going on about?...
"Unfortunately , I don't have any authority to take anyone under my team. Besides I work for Admiral Akainu, that's the person who decides who joins."
"Actually-" Garps interrupts her. "The higher up want you to lead your own team,so they're assembling a team for you. You can also recruit others if you'd like."
"I actually tried and trained this kid." Garp points at the boy. "But he has quite the potential. He kind of remind me of you, a fast learner who doesn't stop improving."
Emilia thought for a moment. "If you wish to join me ,become stronger and pass the exams first. I'll be waiting." Emilia smiled weakly.
Honestly she did not care if the boy joined the team or not,she just wanted the conversation to end. Her mind was a mess.
The boy visibly brightens. "I'll be sure to train hard. Even though you might find my eyes repulsive-"
Emilia remembered how the village hated this boy and said along the lines of If you look into his bloody demon eyes you'd die. The kid was probably insecure from all those words.
Emilia smiles as her heart warms when she noticed the color of his eyes. "I like your eyes." A reddish mixed with orange glow,made his eyes beautiful. "It remind me of fire."
The boy's face reddens immediately as Garp who took note of your words laughed.
The door to her room slammed open revealing Akainu. Emilia immediately propped herself up,she could not stand as her legs were broken . She could still move one of her hand(the other was broken as well) so she brought it up to salute.
Akainu eyes her. "At ease..." Emilia's posture relaxed. "Give me a report."
Garp gasped as he glared at the man. "Sakazuki you bastard! You know what happened?! Why are you making the girl relive the pain?!"
"During my recent mission on Insula, with me Captain Ainsworth Emilia,we were able to complete the mission at hand. Wanted Pirate,Cross who had previously escaped us had been killed, I apologize for not being able to capture him."
Emilia swallowed hard before she spoke again. Her authoritative voice wavered. "There has been one casualty from our side. Navigator Zack from Vice Admiral Garp's team,had been killed while protecting me."
Emilia bowed her head deeply. "This is entirely my fault. I will take full responsibility for it."
Akainu sighed. "Who in their right mind would punish a hero? Emilia, your words of achievement has already been spread in all the Blues. Even the higher ups has been impressed by your work."
"People dying is a part of our job. Don't waver over someone dying." Emilia's hands tightens at his words, as she bites her lips.
"You have been granted four months off. Enough time for you bones to heal. Use that time wisely." Akainu huffs as he walks towards the door.
Just as he was about yo walk out,he stops. "Also I believe you've made a mistake on your report. It's not Captain Ainsworth Emilia but Vice-Admiral Emilia now."
"Congratulations on your promotion."
...
Emilia exited the large ship with each of her footsteps being so unbearably heavy, as a nauseating feeling bubbled inside of her while walking towards a certain direction.
She was to visit Claire.
While on her stay at the hospital, she made sure Claire,who was previously living in the homes of the marines,be shifted else where. A place in the Grandline near a Marine Headquarter which would make sure she won't be near any danger.
Emilia made sure to fund her with everything,making sure to send lots of solders to help with the move, because that was the least she could do for her. Emilia tightened her hand into a fist as she reached near a door.
She takes in a deep breath as she finally brings her to knock on the door. A muffled "I'm coming." Comes from the other side.
Emilia watches the door knob turn as she finally sees a blonde woman.
Her hair was a mess,was it because of the shifting, and her eyes were slightly red, was she crying before Emilia knocked?
Emilia's eyes trailed to Claire's stomach as saw that it was building slightly. Probably about 6 months. Emilia thought making her feel nauseated all over.
"Emilia..."
Her voice made Emilia realize how long she had gone without meeting with either Zack or Claire. She was so focused on promotions, gaining more support and fame that she didn't make time to visit her precious people.
"I'm sorry..." Emilia whispered as she bend to bow deeply in front of Claire. "What happened to Zack was my fault... He died protecting me." That's right, I was the one who ruined this family.
"Emilia... Please look up." Emilia bit her lips as she straightens herself before she was engulfed into an embrace. "Why are you apologizing? You should be saying "I'm home.""
Claire pulls away as she then cups Emilia's cheeks. "Im glad I didn't lose both of you... Thank you for coming back Emilia,my dear baby."
Emilia wondered what is was but those words of comfort from Claire's side made her feel as if a dam had broken within her.
"I was so scared!" Emilia cried,her eyes over flowing with tears as she hugged Claire gently. "I didn't know what to do because the enemy was so strong but then before I knew it Zack was there and...and.."
Claire raises her hand and she gently rubs Emilia's back in comfort as the girl continues to cry. "I wanted to see Zack meet his child,I would have done anything for him. He was so happy when saying you were pregnant but that idiot-"
No one was there in the marine who comforted her and along with that there was no way Emilia would show weakness in front of other marines.
Emilia grew up with everyone saying how strong she is and how she'll always be fine. People had unrealistic expectations from a child whose life was filled with losses and uncertainties.
But once in the arms of someone you trusted,it seemed as if everything would be fine. Claire and Zack were Emilia's safe spot... Her home.
Emilia had four months off and during that time,She spend it living with Claire. Emilia helped her around the house as it became increasingly difficult for Claire to even bend due to her being due soon.
Soon Claire gave birth to two lovable twin,one girl and one boy. Estelle and Ezekiel were born a week earlier than expected but they were born healthy.
Emilia remembered her crying when both the babies held onto her finger when she was playing with them making Claire coo at how cute she was.
"Both Ezekiel and Estelle are wonderful, Zack." Emilia said as she placed down a bouquet of flowers. She was visiting the grave which was not to far away from the marine headquarters. Here lies marines who fulfilled honorable duties till their last breath.
"They are beautiful, Ezekiel with blonde hair and brown eyes where was Estelle is with brown hair and blue eyes." She smiled as she said those words. "Their features take after Claire. If it was your genes I doubt they'd be this cute."
Emilia laughed at what she said. She could imagine Zack pouting as he shouted at her.
"Vice-admiral Emilia." A new voice was heard. "Your team is awaiting your presence."
"I guess this is good bye for now. I'll visit you soon." Emilia said as she stood up and turns to leave.
With that she walks forward.