The next morning found Erika quite early, despite staying up late partying the night before. Whitebeard had offered to keep her small ship in the Moby's tenner ships dock. It amazed her that they had rigged up a system where part of the hull could open at the waterline and they can launch or dock smaller parties of ships through it. Either way, she took up his offer and sailed the Vengeful Valkyrie into its new temporary spot.
The Moby Dick was nearing a spring island and the weather was perfect for the early April day. Thinking about the date made her a little nervous. May was coming up and she knew she had to leave by, at the latest, the second week of that month, particularly with Marco onboard. That gave her a little under a month to spend time with Ace, she would have to make the best of it.
Coming back up on deck after docking The Valkyrie bellow, Erika looked around. It was about 7:30 in the morning and more people were up to start the day it seemed, however, she couldn't see her brother among them. That either meant he was still asleep in his room or was already in the galley getting breakfast. Deciding to check the former first, as she knew where that was from sleeping there last night, she headed to the commander's quarters.
On her way there she ran into the 12th Division Commander, Haruta, who seemed to be waiting for something not too far from Ace's door. Not able to contain her curiosity Erika asked, "Haruta right? What are you waiting for?"
Haruta smiled at her, "Yeah, that's me. I'm waiting for Ace to come out of his room. Because he has been gone for so long I decided a welcome home prank was the perfect way to start off the morning!" he chuckled quietly. Intrigued, Erika crept closer. "Oh?" she replied quietly. "And what planned mishap is to befall on my little firecracker?"
"Simple," Haruta whispered back. "I put some all-weather coating oil for the deck in front of his door, trailing down part of the hall, and stole his boots. He'll come out, ready to yell at me for his boots and slip and slide all the way down the hall before finally falling right about where we are." They both chuckled at the thought.
"Its smaller than my usual pranks because I didn't have a lot of time to set it up. I wanted to make sure you didn't get caught in it, so I had to wait until you had left." At that Erika gave a thankful look to the younger man, which he just laughed off. "It's your first day here, you don't have to worry about pranks for at least another couple of days. Although, with Thatch getting back on his feet more I would keep an eye on Marco, his favorite target. His reactions are hilarious!"
Erika couldn't imagine the seemingly straight-laced 1st Commander reacting well to pranks pulled on him and she said as much. Before Haruta could comment more, they heard curses coming from down the hall. Looking over they could see Ace, arms splayed out and flapping around like a bird to keep his balance, skating along the hall towards them. They watched as Ace yelped and panicked some more before falling on his ass and skidding to a stop right in front of the two.
"Well, good morning Sunshine!" Welcomed Haruta. Ace glowered up at the slighter man before cracking a smile.
"I gotta admit, that was good." Ace said with a laugh. "Erika? Were you in on this?" he questioned as his sister helped him up.
"No, I was just lucky enough to be heading back to your room when I spotted him waiting for you to trip the prank. I decided to stay and watch the free show." She laughed at his slight grumble.
"Well," started Haruta, "I better get a mop to spread the oil out in a more even coating so others don't fall…" the two boys looked at each other before bursting out laughing. Erika had a feeling that many commanders would be meeting with the floor that morning.
Getting his boots back and putting them on the three of them headed to the gallery to start in on some food. Ace and Erika grabbed two heaping trays each, to start, before going and sitting with the other commanders. Erika slid on the bench to be sitting between Marco and Ace and across from Izo and who she believed to be Vista, the 5th division commander. Haruta sat down on the other side of Ace.
"Good Morning, yoi," Marco said while those around just nodded.
"Morning all," Erika replied. "I have a few important questions if you don't mind answering?" she questioned the group, straight-faced and serious. Looking to her they all nodded, seeming a little worried.
"Good. First things first, where the fuck is the coffee? Because if I don't have at least one cup of decent coffee in the morning people end up getting hurt." Those around her were seemed startled for a moment before laughing, Ace, however, jerked up in shock.
"You haven't had your coffee yet?" he asked. When she shook her head he immediately jumped up and went over to the breakfast bar they have set up. This shocked those around him because there normally had to be a fight going on to get Ace to willingly leave his food.
Seeing their confusion Erika said, "Ace knows what happens when I don't get my coffee. He is usually the one running damage control when the shit hits the fan."
The commanders nodded in understanding as Ace sat back down, handing her a mug of lightly steaming coffee as he did so. "You still drink the same as before, right?" he asked. Nodding her head, she blew on the drink before taking a sip. Everyone could see how her whole body seemed to relax slightly as she released a contented sigh. "Ahh. Now, what's the MO around here and how did you guys want me to fit in while I'm here? Marco mention helping out with training Ace's Haki but is there anything else I can do?"
"Oh, you're a guest on the ship right now. You won't be expected to work." Vista answered her.
Erika gave him a skeptical look. "So, you expect me to do what while I'm on board? Work on my tan? Fuck that, I would go insane. I'm not saying to assign me tasks like some cabin boy, just let me help out here and there. Between training Ace while at sea and any trouble the two of us find on islands together I will need something to do."
"Well, why don't you help me with my division? I need to reorganize things now that I'm back and go over a training regimen and ship schedule with the guys. You can help me put my paperwork in order when we aren't training together and both of us can whip the 2nd Division into top shape in no time flat." Ace pipped in.
"I could also use a sparring partner if you're interested, yoi?" Marco asked. "I like matching up against people I'm not used to fighting, keeps me on my toes." Marco broke in.
Erika smirked wickedly at that and asked, "You think you can handle me?" to which those around them gave a whoop at. Marco merely smirked back with a raised eyebrow. She winked at him before turning to Ace, "Has anyone checked the news lately? You're not the only reckless one in the family, remember?"
Eyes wide at the thought he looked around for a paper. Seeing one of his division reading one he called out for them, "Tony! Oi, Tony! Can you bring that over here?" A thunk was heard before he yelped out, "Please?"
"Much better. Makino and I didn't go through all that hard work teaching you manners for you to not use them, pirate or not." Erika said while Ace could be seen rubbing his head.
"So, you're the one to thank for his manners," Izo asked.
"Yes, a friend of ours in the village nearby and I tried to teach two of my boys manners, the third already having them. While it worked to some extent on Ace, Luffy is somewhat of a lost cause. The most we can get him to do is say please and thank you, however, he has no concept on when something he has said is rude." Both Erika and Ace sighed at that, shaking their heads. "Both are atrocious when it comes to table manners but growing up in a jungle didn't really give me a chance to work on that. I only learned through the good graces of our friend Makino when I would help out in her bar as I got older."
Everyone gave a double-take on when they heard the word jungle. "What do you mean you grew up in a jungle, yoi?" Marco questioned.
"Well, Erika was left in the Dadan Bandit Family's care, via Shitty Gramps, when both her Mother and Father died when she was 2 during a pirate raid. Gramps had become a friend and sparring partner for her father and felt responsible for her when he died helping him defend the village. He dropped me off a few years later and Luffy when he was 7. Luffy had lived in the village before then but when he started saying that he wanted to be a pirate Gramps shoved him off on Dadan saying that living with us would help turn him into a Marine." Ace started to explain to everyone's shock. While he didn't actively hide most of his past he never really talked about it either.
Erika shook her head. "Grandpa really is crazy if he ever expected any of us to become Marines like him." She stated.
"Wait a minute here!" Haruta exclaimed. "Your Grandpa is a Marine, who left you all to be raised by mountain bandits and expected you to become Marines as well?!" he half asked half-shouted.
Erika and Ace looked at each other for a moment before giving big D smiles and saying, "Yup!" Haruta's head hit the table with a dull thunk.
"Wait, I thought you said that you had three brothers? Ace and Luffy make two." Asked Vista.
"Ah, the third brother is Sabo. He ran away from home when he was 5 and is the same age as Ace. He ended up becoming friends with Ace while they were beating up some thugs in the local trash heap and came to live with us when he was 6. Grandpa basically adopted him as soon as he met him later that year. Luffy is the only one of us related to Gramps, but because he practically adopted the rest of us we decided to make it official and drank Sake together to become siblings." Erika explained.
As she was telling the other commanders of some of their childhood Ace was looking at the newspaper. Everyone at the tabled was startled as he suddenly stood up, slamming the paper down as he did so. "Reckless rubber-brained idiot!" he shouted.
"Oh gods, what has the buffoon done this time!?" Erika asked leaning over to read. When she paled rapidly those watching began to feel worried. "No." they heard her whisper. "No, no, no, no, no, NO!" she ended up shouting. Everyone that was left in the hall hushed immediately, looking to the two frightened siblings.
When they both shot out of their seats and bolted for the door Marco got up to chase after them. "Someone find out what happened, yoi, and report to Pops that there might be a change in plans. I'll try to keep them from leaving." He shouted to the still seated commanders.
Izo, being the one to pick the paper up next, nodded his head before getting up. "It seems that their little brother has more balls than brains, although I commend him for it. He punched a Celestial Dragon who was trying to buy a mermaid friend of his at an auction house in Sabaody. Admiral Kizaru was the one to show up, with him was Bartholomew Kuma and some new machines made in his likeness called Pacifistas. His crew was sent away one by one by Kuma after, and here's a shock, The Dark King Silvers Rayleigh took on Kizaru to help them escape. This happened a week ago and there has been no word on where any of the crew ended up, including its Captain." He summarized from the paper.
Looking up he said, "All commanders to the meeting room now. And get Pops! We have a missing little brother to find."
Ace and Erika had made it to the Moby's front deck and were about to go turn down the hall leading to the tenner ship's dock when Marco caught up to them. "Wait, yoi! Hold on for just a minute!" he shouted after them. When Ace began to slow down at the sound of his voice Marco sped up, trying again. "Please, just give us some time to work things out before you go rushing off again Ace, yoi." At that Ace slowed to a stop, Erika stopping beside him. They turned to face him, the looks on their faces saying that he needed to speak quickly.
"Look, yoi," Marco started as he drew level with them, "I understand Luffy is in some sort of trouble and you want to go and help him. We would do the same so I'm not stopping you, yoi. I do, however, want you to think about it before rushing off. I've had the commanders summoned to the meeting room with Pops and we can all go over what's happened and what can be done." Here he stopped.
Erika looked a little shocked at the fact that Marco was offering to help them while Ace looked like Christmas had just come early. While he could understand the reactions he also felt a little offended. "We are your family too, yoi. Even if we haven't met him yet, Luffy is our family as well, and everyone knows how important family is to us Whitebeards. Let us help, yoi."
Erika and Ace exchanged a glance before nodding to him. Before Marco could take a step back to lead them to the meeting room Erika stepped up to him. "I told you last night how important my family is to me. You know what it means to me to have one of my brothers missing and more than likely in danger." She began, looking him straight in the eye. "What you are offering is both more than I ever dreamed could be possible for our small pack and a little too good to be true, to be honest. If you guys can and will truly help us, then I will owe you more then I could ever say."
Marco looked deep into Erika's eyes before saying, "You said pack just now, as in a pack of dogs or wolves, am I right?" he questioned. She blinked in surprise at the question before warily nodding in answer. "You ate a Zoan Devil Fruit, am I right? Some form of canine?" She sighed, looking down, and Ace stepped forward to put his arm around her in both a comforting and protective gesture.
Erika looked up at him and in her eyes, he could see fear, pain and something undefinable. She gave a nod of her head and a shaky smile. "Yeah, I'm a special kind of fucked-up when it comes to that category." Her statement shocked him. It seems Marco had found, at least part of, the reason why she was so apprehensive about staying with them.
"Don't say that Rika! There is absolutely nothing wrong with the way you are!" Ace declared heatedly.
"And I absolutely adore you boys for believing that." She said in return, patting Ace on the hand around her shoulders. Her response was almost as if it was automatic. This argument had clearly happened before.
Erika turned back to Marco saying, "You're partially right. Yes, I ate a Zoan Devil Fruit, but it wasn't specifically a canine type. Mine is a rare and unique form of Devil Fruit, one I've received mixed reactions from those I show." She sighed, "Once we figure out a way to help Luffy I will tell Whitebeard and you commanders about it. Although, whether you will lend us help after that will remain to be seen."
Understanding her misgivings came from past experiences Marco took no offense. "I don't see any of us having any issues with whatever Fruit you've eaten. However, I will say that even if the whole fleet can't help, for whatever reason, I promise you that I will, yoi."
Erika and Ace both gave him a thankful smile. Nodding to them he turned to lead them to the meeting room. Enough time had past so everyone had been gathered and apprised of the situation. Marco entered with the two worried siblings, taking his customary seat next to Pops while Ace gave his seat up to his sister, choosing to stand right behind her. Once they were situated the meeting got underway.
"Now, Izo has summarized what the paper reported for us and I had Haruta do a quick check on the author of the article to see if they report factually or not. He told me that this reporter is known for sticking to facts and only reporting speculation on occasion. From here I say that we start by informing the whole fleet and giving our allies some calls and tell them of the situation and to keep an eye out for any Strawhat crew members." Here Whitebeard paused to took to Ace and Erika. "Does this meet with your approval so far?" he asked.
Slightly surprised at his question they both said yes. Nodding to them he turned to Izo and stated, "I want you to get your division together and start making calls. We need all available eye for this." Izo nodded. Before he could leave Erika asked, "Could you do me a favor? Have someone go down to the Valkyrie and grab the white Den Den Mushi I have on my desk. I need to make a call that might help us get more information."
Izo looked surprised, although he nodded his head. "Of course. I'll tell my second to gather the men that are on board in the Communications room and link up with Mobys 1-4 while I grab and bring it to you."
As Izo left the room everyone turned questioning gazes to Erika. "Who are you planning to call?" Thatch asked. "It's gotta be someone important for you to use a white Den Den Mushi."
She nodded. "They are indeed. Please keep this information to just the commanders if you can." When they all nodded in agreement she smiled. "I plan on calling the Chief of Staff and second in command of the Revolutionary Army." She stated, then laughed at the looks on their faces. She could also hear Ace giving a chuckle behind her before taking pity on them.
"Another name he goes by is Valencia D Sabo, although Sabo is the only part of his name he carries from his birth parents." He said, waiting for them to catch on.
"A revolutionary?" Thatch exclaimed. "You never said your brother was a big shot revolutionary!"
"Ah! But I never said he wasn't either. It's not my fault you never asked what he did for a living." Ace retaliated with a smile.
Whitebeard started laughing. "He's got us there son! We never did ask what any of his family was up too. Most of us here have left our childhood families it the past so it never really occurs to us to ask those who didn't what they might be like or what they are doing."
"It was right of Ace to keep quiet about Sabo for as long as he could. While we know we can trust you lot not to use this information or give it way, the more people who know his real identity the more he is at risk. As of right now, the World Government doesn't have much on him, only the name Sabo, his rank in the Army and a somewhat dark picture. We would like to keep it that way as long as possible." Erika explained.
"Right, and what do you think he can do to help in finding young Luffy?" asked Jozu, the 3rd Division Commander.
"Him personally? I'm not sure." She said sadly. "Knowing Sabo though I would say that he has some form of information that we can use to narrow down the search. Along with that, the Revolutionary Army has eyes and ears all over the world, they can keep a lookout for the crew members as well." The group murmured in agreement.
"The newspaper says that Kuma used his Devil Fruit powers on them. The public might not know what that means but, those who do, understand that they aren't dead or captured, just scattered. Unfortunately, they can be anywhere in the world now." Vista said.
"Quite right." Stated Curiel. "It's why we need all the eyes we can get for this."
Erika and Ace exchanged another look at that statement. Ace seemed to be asking her something and she was debating the answer. Before anyone could ask what they where thinking about Izo returned, bringing the Den Den that Erika asked for.
"I know that there are more important topics to discuss at this time but let me just say that your ship is absolutely gorgeous! I especially love what you have done with your room. Where did you get all those impeccable fur pelts?" he raved.
Erika laughed joyfully at the comment, grateful for a slight break in the tension. "Nahahahaha, thank you! To be honest the décor is just a culmination of things I've picked up over the years and boredom. Although I'm quite happy with the result. All the furs you saw are made by me. Every chance I get I hunt for my food, to save money, and I try to use every part of the animal I possibly can, selling what I don't need."
Izo looked surprised for a moment before lighting up. "I love making and designing clothes in my off time. Can I buy some of those furs off you and have you make some more for me? It could really help when we go to winter islands to have warm fur coats and clothes for the men!"
"Of course! I sell my extra furs all the time. I'll tell you what, come see me once we've found Luffy or at least his location, and we'll go down to the Valkyrie together and talk it over." Izo clapped his hands in excitement, agreeing wholeheartedly. Giving a wave to his Pops he left the room to address his division on what needed to be done.
"Now, shall we continue, or would you like to make your call first?" Whitebeard asked. Erika looked up at Ace and when he nodded to her she looked back at Whitebeard and said, "Actually, I need to make two calls. I'd like to do them now, so we can have as much info as possible before figuring out what else we can do." The large man gave her a curious look but nodded for her to go ahead.
A/N: This will be the last chapter I post for this story until I get a little feedback on it. If you like what I have so far and think I should continue to post the story let me know!
