I do not own One Piece! Just My OC(s) who have games for everyone!
Just to let y'all know, Astrid is 26 Pre-TS, and everyone is there regular ages Pre-TS
BUUUT ~ this is set when Astrid is 20, so math must be done (cackles*) ~
This is an Alternate Universe! SOO, TECHNOLOGY BE IN THE MIDST. w/ devil fruit and more..
Like always, thanks for reading, it's a blast!
This is in a house, not an apartment, cause I like houses…
YOHOHOHOHOHO ~
Support Oda-Sensei!
~ 6 PM CST [Location: Somewhere in Texas; Residence: ?]
"GUESS WHO JUST GOT MURDERED?!"
"Gosh darn it Melly, how dare you shoot me in the back", I sighed as my red-headed friend killed me for the 13th time while playing Splatoon 2. Within the same match.
If only I could respawn, but the match was over. Melly's team, consisting of Terry, Lizzie, and Jerry, demolished my team in no time flat.
I looked at my youngest team-mate wondering what he was trying to do throughout the match.
"Luf, my dear sunflower child, why did you keep on trying to shoot me? We're on the same team.", I looked at the little bundle of joy sitting on my lap, a killer D smile adorning his slightly chubby cheeks.
"I wanted to make the game more interesting Big Sis Astro! SHISHISHISHISHI."
"Of course you did", I chuckle, messing with his hair as I look at my other two team-mates, Jules and Penguin.
I started, "When is everyone else coming here, Penguin? I know we are on babysitting duty since all the adults want a night out, but I was expecting more kiddos to be here by now -"
"They should be here within the next few seconds, actually.", Lizzie chimed in, about ready to start a new match on the screen since she started the game room.
"Lizzie, they all come at erratic times, you can't predict that to mere -"
DING
DONG
DING
DONG
"Speak of the devil, and he shall appear, fufufufu", Lizzie whispered, a slight chill running down my spine as her hazel eyes held a sharp twinkle.
Sometimes, it kinda creeps me out how Lizzie can be right about things when it concerns time.
I had a good gut feeling about who was at the door.
DING
DONG
DING
DONG
"I'm coming!", I took Luffy off my lap, about ready to stand up when Jules pulled me back down.
"I'll get it Astrid, you've got the door the last few times, it's my turn now.", he stated as he got off the couch, heading to the front door.
"But Jules, WE'RE AT MY HOUSE…", I called out, as I attempted to get up once more, only to be dragged down by my dear Sunflower, Terry, and Penguin.
Luffy made his way to my lap once more, Switch in hand, while Terry patted my head dearly. Penguin gave a small chuckle as he patted my back, shaking his head no.
This was a clear sign that I should just relax, making myself comfortable as I heard Jules open the door.
"Welcome in! Nice to see all of you com…..ing…. where's your parents?"
"Nice to see you too, Jules-ya. They only dropped us off, said that they wanted to catch up to Astrid's father, mother, and brother. It's understandable, since Cora-san, Bell-mère-ya, and Victoria-ya are running an hour late. Nami-ya, Nojiko-ya, and the rest should be arriving with Robin-ya a bit later. Where's Astrid?"
"I'm in the living room!", I projected as I sank a bit more into the couch, readying myself for the next match.
Hopefully, I don't die 13 times…..
"We're sorry for coming later than usual, there was also the fact that Kid was forgetting some of his homework, and we had to pick up Heat and Wire", Killer mentioned, as I heard their footsteps getting closer to the living room.
"Jules! Get your butt over here, we're about to start the match without you!", chimed Penguin, grabbing Jule's Switch and his own in a vain attempt to potentially play both of them at the same time.
"Awww, damnit! Penguin throw me my Switch please!", Jules bolted to the couch, jumping and landing face first into the cushions from behind. I barely saw him scramble up as Penguin put the Switch in his hands as the match was introducing who was on what team.
"Heeeh, don't babies only play Splatoon 2?", Kid sneered, leaning over me as the match began.
"Say's the baby that I helped reach max level in said game," I retorted, as I made my way more inside the map. Kid, being Kid, covered my eyes, and the next thing I know is that I'm dodging a shot with my twin dulies in tow, my Inkling character was about to be killed by Lizzie's Inkling with the roller.
"Kid, knock it off…", I growled as I shook him off, focusing now on covering all our turf yellow as the opposing team was covering their turf and then some teal.
"Is this Tower Control?", Shachi was somewhere behind me.
"Nope, regular Turf War to get things started", Jerry, from the corner of my eye, responded back as he grabbed more chips from the coffee table.
Well…..what was left of the chips…..due to a certain little Sunflower…..
"Guys, this is my last round", I managed to say as I dodged more ink, "there are more people coming over and I remember that a few certain someones asked me for help on their homework."
"I need help with Algebra II", Kid sighed, the feeling mutual as I also detest math with a certain passion.
"It's my Graphic Design elective for me", Law, who I never expected to take that type of class, calmly stated.
"Sorry Astrid, for me it's actually art class. Sorry", I heard Bepo shuffling behind me somewhere, probably nervous to show his art to someone in general….?
I understand being apprehensive about showing others something personal like art. It took me a long time to be comfortable to show my mom, dad, and elder brother, even my friends my drawings. Even when I built up my portfolio and went to a professional art school, it was tough to let go and have others see all that I had made.
"Bepo, there's nothing wrong with needing help with art", I managed to look away from my Switch to look at the cute kiddo with the white hair and onyx orbs, "I'm more than happy to help you with your art", I winked at him.
"We all start somewhere, and I know for a fact that I needed all the help I could get. I remember barely being able to make faces", I cringed a little, "man, now I just feel old…"
And I'm dead.
I look down to the person that killed me, wondering how the hell he did it when we are still on the same team.
Then again, it's Luffy. He makes the improbable and the impossible absolutely possible.
Once more, I respawn into the game world. I'm inking our turf, all the while dodging each blotch of ink that comes my way and countering as Jules uses his bomb-rush special. I'm clearing a path for him as our dear old referee, Tom the Cat, is about to call time.
"Astrid! They're surrounding me!"
"Not for long they're not!"
"Don't worry guys, I've got you both covered!", Penguin comes up from above, providing sniper support from his perch.
"Wait, where's Sunflower chil…."
"DAMNIT LUFFY!", we all screamed out to our youngest teammate.
"Wait….."
AND TIME!
Looking at the map, the map was covered not only with teal and yellow, but the yellow was all over the place to make the match too hard to tell who won with a first glance.
"DAMNIT, COME ON TOM!"
"JERRY, WATCH YOUR FUCKING LANGUAGE! THERE ARE KIDS PRESENT!"
"Both of you will get a time out if you keep yelling in our ears", Lizzie hissed out, shutting both Jerry and Melly up in an instant.
Cueing the drumroll and the highly anticipated scoring from our turf war, everyone watched the screen to see who won the match.
All I can say is that, I can't believe the scoring…
"How… did we win?"
"Penguin, I have no idea…."
"I've said this before, and I will say it again", I looked to Jules and Penguin, "you never, and I mean never, bet against Sunflower child." I pointed to the kiddo that was still seated in my lap.
"SHISHISHISHI, THAT WAS FUN", Luffy looked up at me, "LETS PLAY AGAIN BIG SIS ASTRO!"
"Nope, sorry sweet pea", I gently got him off my lap, standing up and turning off my Switch, "time for me to help and feel the pain that is public school homework."
I jumped over the couch, crossing my arms while getting a good look at all the people that have arrived, and preparing the million dollar question to the three that need my help.
"So, would y'all rather do homework in the kitchen, or would y'all want to go to my room?"
"Your room is preferable.", Law was making his way up the stairs with his yellow bag in tow.
"OI, TRAFALGAR", Kid was right behind him, shoving everyone and Law aside with his red-black duffel bag in hand to get to the stairs first, probably some weird competitive state of mind to make it to my room first.
I look over to Bepo, and see that he has art supplies in hand and in his solid orange backpack. Even then, his backpack was overflowing, and looked very heavy. How much art homework did his art teacher give him?
"Do you need help carrying anything Bepo?", I wondered, as he struggled with all his things, making me a bit fearful as I saw him sway a bit.
"No thank you, I'm fine", Bepo smiled at me, trudging up the stairs to catch up to Kid and Law.
I then looked at Killer, Heat, Wire, and Shachi, "would y'all want to -"
"I'm going upstairs with y'all", Killer started gently pushing me towards the stairs, "don't worry, they'll be fine."
"I'll be going with y'all as well", I heard Lizzie from behind me, the creak of the couch and the sound of footsteps coming after Killer and I.
I looked down from the stairs to the side, towards everyone in the living room as we continued upwards, "DON'T BREAK ANYTHING!"
"NO PROMISES!", the rest of them responded in unison.
I silently groaned, as I kept on going up the stairs with Killer and Lizzie. Sometimes, I wonder how I managed to mischedule game night with the gang and babysitting with Penguin. I wonder how the gang (Lizzie, Terry, Jules, Jerry, and Melly) agreed to doing both, a compromise very much appreciated as we all have busy schedules. Then, I wonder, how was I so fortunate to meet such amazing people in the first place…..
That's a story for a different time.
Down the corridor we went, passing the two guest rooms from my right and the one guest room on my left, bee-lining towards my room (2nd door on the left). I could hear a very angry Kid, and a not-so-amused Law arguing over God-knows-what.
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU DAMN GOTH -"
"What don't I understand, Eustass-ya? That you're immature, or that you'll never -"
"Y'all need to calm down before I calm you down", I stated as I entered my bedroom, heading to the mini-table and many pillows that the three of them are seated at.
Will say, I love my room, and I have a feeling that it's mutual for all those that come into my room. To the lower-right my mini-table and pillows, a basket of more pillows and blankets in the corner. I also have a mini-fridge full of water and other goodies from that one incident. Near us is the bathroom and shower, Mom was adamant that each bedroom should have a private shower (or at least the majority). Upper-right of the room is my PC set-up with my digital art stuff and my collection of fan-art, as well as my working desk-space. Next to the desk, my latest creation, a huge pink teddy bear that I will give to a certain someone, still needs his bow in order to be shipped out. Shelves of manga, books, and anime CDs are all on shelves encompassing a good amount of the space, moving around the window that leads to the roof of the house. To the left side of the room is my queen sized-bed filled to the brim with my various plushies(cause…I'm tall and sleepovers) , my 65' inch TV (I know, it's huge, and I tried to get a smaller one but everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, was against it…something along the lines of 'we can hangout more in your room' to 'YOU deserve a huge-ass fudge TV'), my various game consoles connected in organized chaos on my gaming shelf. My drawers and closet are also there to the left, no explanation necessary for what's in them.
I sat down near my bedroom door, Killer sitting on the opposite end with Kid, Law to my right, Bepo to my left, and Lizzie sitting right next to me. Not that bad for a seating arrangement, all things considered, but I sure hope that Law and Kid don't fight anymore as we get started on their homework.
"Sooo, who am I helping first?", I looked to three, both my elbows on the table as I rested my head onto my right hand.
"Me.", Kid and Law both piped up, shooting each other a glare as I nearly saw some sparks fly.
Yeah, I'm not gonna help them if they are going to be all angry-glary-messes, so I'm making the executive decision to help them last.
I look towards Bepo, smirking a little, "I'll be helping Bepo first then."
"WHAT?!"
Yeah… Kid ain't takin' that well…. At least Law ain't complaining, so I'll help him next.
"Pfffftttt, fufufufufufu."
"What are you laughing about, witch?", Kid growled towards Lizzie, vein nearly popping out as he grinded his teeth.
"Nothing much, really", Lizzie chuckled, "if you need help with Algebra II, I'm more than happy to help. I was the one that managed to explain anything and everything math related to our friend group when we were still in high school."
"That's very true… I would have barely scraped by Calculus, Geometry, hell, even Algebra II that one grading period if you didn't explain it to me…", I trailed off, wincing a little of the horrid memories of not knowing what an integral was and how to do the inverse. Then there were rational functions, the terror of calculating more stuff when finding x, y, and even z…..
It wasn't fun.
It wasn't fun at all, and I had many near breakdowns due to not understanding the material. I very much attribute my success in math due to Lizzie and her precise explanations. Late night study sessions were always fun, and spending more time with my friends makes it all the more lively.
"Huhhhhhh."
"Lizzie was the Valedictorian when we were in high school Kid, she knows her stuff.", I defended, hoping that Kid would take Lizzie's help. I want them to get along, and this would help out everyone with getting the work done faster.
Homework is the bane of all our existences, and the sooner we get it done, the sooner we can go back to having fun.
"Tch, fine. Help me witch."
"What's the magic word, Kid?", Lizzie smirked as she used her hand to hide her amusement in this situation. She really wants to push Kid's buttons…..
Kid shot a glare at Lizzie, most certainly not amused in any regard. A bit of tension in the air, but he caved in.
"Pl… plea…. Tch! Please help me, witch.", Kid managed to get out.
"Absolutely ~", Lizzie got up and headed to the other side of the table in order to help Kid, all the while Kid is very much staring daggers at her.
If looks could kill, Kid would have murdered Lizzie ten times over…..
I never understood why the good majority of the kiddos don't like the gang and vice versa, but it's at times like these where I see each of them getting under each other's skin that I wonder what exactly happened for them to be so…..animus towards one another. Even before, when we were 12 years old, the gang and all my siblings pretty much have had ill will towards one another. I might just sit them all down just to get to the bottom of this….
But not right now though. Thats a conversation best reserved for a different time.
I then look towards Bepo.
"Okay Bepo, I'll help you get started on your art homework", then I flashed Law a smile, I gestured to my computer space, "and Law, feel free to make yourself comfortable at my computer."
"I brought my laptop with me, so-."
DING
DONG
DING
DONG
I turned around and inwardly-silently sighed. The 'proper' thing to do was for me to go get the door and see who just arrived….. Cause at the end of the day, I am the host when Dad and Mom are out, and I'm the one ultimately in charge.
I started to head to the door, "I'll go and-"
"Astrid, leave it to someone else to get the door. They'll be fine.", Killer got up to stop me, and then proceeded to drag me by the shorts loopy things to get me away from the door.
DING
DONG
DING
DONG
"Killer, ya don't have to drag me away from the door", I unattached his hand from my right-side shorts loop, pouting at him as I re-adjusted my glasses.
"But you would -"
"AAAASSSSSSSTTTTTTRRRIIIIIIIDDDDDDDDD!"/ "BIG SIS ASTROOOOOO!"
Hearing some very energetic kids rush up the stairs, the slamming of the front? door, and multiple someones calling my name.
My door was slammed open….. A regular occurrence to say the least when these kiddos come over.
"OHH SHII - OPHHHHHHHHH."
I was then tackled by one freckled child, KIller pretty much had side-stepped away to not be an added casualty as I saw Sunflower child also jumping on top of me. The wind knocked out of me, glasses flying somewhere in the blurry void now, and when I saw more people coming into my room, more people jumped to land on top of me. What are we now, a growing dog-pile?
"Help….mercy….. Ace, Luffy, all of y'alllll", my vision can only see Luffy's very blurry-blobbed face.
"NEED."
I bulged out my muscles, putting my hands and arms on the ground to prop myself.
"TO."
Pushing myself up, with me supporting the weight of myself and others.
"GET."
It was then that my strength training, amongst all my other training that I have done over the years, have come to fruition.
As I pretty much got myself out of the multiple blobs of people's weight, focusing enough to teleport myself out from under them all…..
….. And missing the mark that was my fuzzy, blobby looking bed to my right as I teleported myself to some other place in the house….. I think the living room…..
THUD
"Owwwwwww."
I don't know what I hit, but luckily I'm on the floor now, and I didn't land on the coffee table.
BUT I CAN'T SEE FOR SHIT THO, and my head hurts a little bit, and that's just pissing me off…
"Hi there Astrid."
In my laying down state, I turned to the source of the voice. I then activated my observation haki as I slowly stood up, noting that I hit my head on one of the shelves. I then made my way past one of the couches, avoiding the coffee table, and plopping myself next to the source of the voice.
"Hiya Robin", using my observation haki with the amount of focus that I had, I sensed ….not all of the kiddos that we were supposed to have… confusion must have shown on my face as Robin answered my silent question.
"Franky and Brook have Sanji, Chopper, Zoro, and Usopp. We drew straws on who got who", Robin chuckled, with what I assume a smile on her face.
I have the worst eyesight, I swear… unless I'm directly in someone's face, squinting to see them, I can't see a thing without my glasses. Observation haki is one thing, actually seeing someone's expressions is another.
"So that means that you had Ace, Sabo, Nojiko, and Nami….", I hummed in response.
"ROBBBBBBIIIIIIINNNNNNNNN!"
"LUF, ACE, SLOW DOWN!"
Door slamming, some incoherent yelling, and very loud footsteps could be heard from upstairs, with some of the younger kiddos sobbing (e.g.: Luffy and Bepo, from the sound of it).
"ROOOOBBBIIIINNNNN", sniffling from somewhere? from upstairs, "WE KILLED BIG SIS ASSTTTRROOO!"
"YOU DIDN'T KILL HER DUMBASS!"
"YOU"RE THE DUMBASS JUJU! (Luffy's nickname for Jules)"
"DON'T YELL AT LUFFY", Ace and Sabo yelled at Jules… from what I can tell.
"All of you need to calm down", pipped in Lizzie from somewhere? upstairs, "we just need to find her."
"Do I pretend I'm dead, or do I just hide behind the couch", I whispered to Robin, wincing a little inwardly as my head started to ache a smidgen.
I hope I'm not wearing all my emotions on my face, as I don't want to make a big deal on hitting my head. It's probably not that bad.
"Hmmmm, pretend to be passed out", she whispered back, "and quickly, we're running out of time. Put your head on my lap, I'll say that I found you."
Laying my back down on the couch, I situated my head on what I believe was Robin's lap. Robin started patting my head as I closed my eyes, with me doing the best that I can to make my expression neutral to not give myself away. The place that she was patting was hurting a lot more, but she then put her hand on top of my eyes. This was probably to make it look like I was passed out.
This is gonna be too damn hard….either I'm falling asleep for realsies or I might start chuckling….or I might just cry out in pain if someone smacks my head…
Whichever comes first.
"All of you are idiots for even dogpiling her", Killer voiced in a reprimanding manner, "why did you even do that in the first place?"
"We thought she could handle it", I heard Heat say.
"She's super strong back then, still strong now", Wire chimed in, probably read Heat's lips to form a verbal response instead of using sign language.
"That's our Astrid for you!", both Shachi and Penguin responded back in unison.
"I swear, she's NOT YOUR ASTRID!", Melly sounded a bit….. Distressed?
"What do you mean by that, Melly-ya?"
Do I want to hear the rest of this? Oh dear, they are shuffling down the stairs… STILL?! Are some of them in the living room now? Can't they see Robin and I? What's going on? I'm pretty much either in the dark or I can't see a thing due to everything looking like a blob.
Who in the heck was the one that caused my glasses to fly?!
Not like I can see right now, as I'm…pretending...to..be passed out….
"I mean", Melly's voice laced in venom, "that Astrid -"
"BIG SISSS ASSTTRRRIIIIDDDD!", I heard more scrambling and some comical thuds from what I assume were the two younger ravens coming over to the couch I'm situated on.
"WEEE KILLLEDDDDD HER!", Luffy literally yelled in my ears….
THONK
"YOU DIDN'T KILL HER, SHE'S JUST PASSED OUT!", Terry yelled from somewhere in the void, away from my ears.
"Is she breathing?", Nami's voice was laced with concern.
"Don't worry, she's breathing", Robin stated, replying back cheerfully, gleefully?, "she popped in, and knocked herself out while trying to find the stairs."
My God…. I inwardly cringed, fighting to keep my face neutral as I tried to keep myself relaxed.
THAT'S EMBARRASSING…
Something I would do, once in a blue moon, but it's embarrassing, nonetheless…..
"And you just watched her do that?", Jerry pretty much growled…
"I did offer my help", Robin replied without missing a beat, "but she said that she'd be fine. That was when she turned too quickly and knocked herself out."
Now my head is full-on actually hurting, did I bump my head too hard when I teleported? It didn't feel like it, at the time….
"Let me check her vitals Robin-ya."
"Be my guest, Torao."
I have a bad gut feeling about this….
Yup, I'm….. just gonna pass out….my head hurts too….
Wait…..
Sane brain…
Concussion?...
Who?...
X0X0X0X0X0
Dreams are weird…
One second I'm in the living room, next I'm in dream land, where I'm fighting against zombies.
That besides the fact that I was protecting my pot of gold from hackers…..
I know it's weird, but they wanted my money to invest in coin despite it being the apocalypse.
Next thing I know, I'm a character in Genshin Impact, doing my dailies where I'm defeating monsters to protect people.
The people being my friends and family, and I'm doing pretty horribly as the monsters keep on hitting Kid and Law.
I see Heat and Wire cooking something, with Killer supervising whatever they are making.
Bepo is being...scolded by his... art teacher?! WHY'S HE HERE?!
The rest of the Straw Hats are in a total disarray, protecting, fighting, and…..
Ace and Sabo are doing their best defending and countering, Ace primarily on the offensive while Sabo is on the defensive.
All of my Grampas, Uncles, and my Dad and Mom are just there… They are all unaffected…..
The gang are in a cage, being kept prisoner by the monsters.
Lizzie is trying to use her magic, but it seems that it's only cheap magic tricks instead of her full power.
Melly, Jerry, and Terry keep trying to summon the elements, to no avail.
Jules isn't even doing anything, as he's knocked out, he looks like he's bleeding from a stab wound somewhere on his body.
GAAAHHHHHHH?!
I keep running towards everyone, but they keep on moving farther and farther away…
Or am I just running in place?
Next thing I know, I'm back on the Polar Tang.
Back in my room in the sub, but something feels hot, something feels like it's burning.
I'm barely out of my room, heading straight down the hall towards Law's room, the Captain's Quarters, as he's the only Devil Fruit user on board.
Gotta warn him, gotta save him, gotta get him on a piece of wood before I go looking for everyone else.
Gotta find Shachi, Bepo, and Penguin, gotta find Jean and Ikkaku, gotta find the rest of the crew.
When I open that door, the scene changes again.
I'm back in Flevance, back in the White City, back to where….
"AAAASSSSSSSSTTTTRRRIIIIIIIIIDDDDD!"
I look around, but no one is there.
No one… is here anymore…..
How did things….how did things turn out…..that way?
What more, what more could I have done?
Why didn't….
"AAAASSSSSSSSTTTTRRRIIIIIIIIIDDDDD!"
People keep on calling out my name, and they are starting to…
Hmmmmm.
Don't I know them? The people that are yelling my name?
"AAAASSSSSSSSTTTTRRRIIIIIIIIIDDDDD, WE'LL SAVE YOU!"
Oh, now I know who they are.
I turned around once more, beaming, as I saw the people calling out to me…
"HEY THERE EVERYO-!"
X0X0X0X0X0
~ 7:50 PM CST [Location: Somewhere in Texas; Residence: Red-Hair Residence]
SMACK
Rude awakenings….
SMACK
SUCK.
"OWWWWW, WHO THE HELL KEEPS ON SLAPPING ME?!", I woke up with a start, feeling a jolt of pain in my head as I slowly lowered myself down. Both of my cheeks felt hot from whoever was slapping me while I was sleepy-go-night-night.
I turned my head and everyone still looked like blobs, some more colorful as blobs than others. I know I recognize Kid's and Melly's red hair, or Nami's flowing orange hair, or even Heat and Nojiko's gorgeous blue hair, but everyone else is pretty much unrecognizable. Can't tell details on faces, just blobs of color. Can't see the fine print, can't see jack shite, but I know for sure my head is on a pillow on what I assumed is the couch.
"Uhhhh…...?", I rubbed my face, now feeling a bandage around my head. Oh, great, another injury. Not like I don't get injured a lot just from training alone…
"Astrid, how do you feel?", I'm guessing the blob that was nearest to me, with his face close enough that I could see his yellow eyes, was Law.
"Like I was run over in order for someone to steal my cookies.", I simply stated.
I should know, someone did do that once before. Wasn't pretty when Dad, my uncles, and everyone else got the jump on them.
"That bad?"
"Yup.", I slightly nodded, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes still. I started poking, what I think, was Law's cheek.
"How long was I out?", I kept on poking his cheek, until he grabbed my hand.
"An hour - an hour and a half, something like that.", Law then placed, what I think, where my glasses in my hand.
"Thank you", I slowly rose, before I was pushed back down by, who I assume, was Kid.
"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!", Kid yelled directly in my face as he pressed his forearm on my throat.
First of all - what the hell does he think he is doing..
Second of all - I'm injured…
Third of all - I'm going to kick his ass if he doesn't get off of me soon…..
"Kid, get OFF", I grumbled back, grabbing his arm off my throat with my left, and throwing him off away from everyone else with my right as to get him on the other side of the couch.
I then stood up, putting my glasses on as I made my way behind the couch.
"Kid, I don't know what's gotten into you, but it's not cool to pin-", I looked at Kid a bit more closely, squinting a little. He had bruises already forming on his arms, but that wasn't my doing.
I know how to control my strength.
I looked at his face and saw that he had a busted lip, and someone scratched him in the face. I then extended my hand so that I could help him up.
Of course, he ignored it, and got up by himself. He gave me a soft glare, but then he looked away. Why did he look away?
I then turned around to everyone else….
Then I looked at the living room as a whole…..
Everyone is banged up….but the living room is…..
Intact?
If they didn't fight in here…...
I put two and two together and started making my way to the back porch.
"Astrid! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?", I ignored Jules' question as I opened the back door and saw….
THEY STARTED A FOREST FIRE….
From the back porch the trees, about a good 30 feet ( ~ 9 meters) away from the house, were on fire.
Did Ace use his devil fruit? Did Heat use his flamethrower? Did Melly use her fire powers?
Game plan is to put the fire out, after that it's to question them, then after that is to help them three with homework, then after that it's going to be food….with the possibility of salvaging game night…..
WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO GAME NIGHT?!
I'm knocked out for less than 2 hours and this happens, I'd hate for it to be any longer than that…
Time to start with cleaning up this mess first, so first things first…
I activate my tattoos, stopping the winds, then summoning my staff, I make it small and attach it to my holder. Before I do anything else, I look behind me to see that everyone has come out of the house, and they are either looking a mix between hella guilty to just plain poker face.
I turn myself around fully to address my family, friends, my loved ones, in order to fully convey, and I mean fully convey, how angry I am that this happened. How did I sleep through the fighting, I have no idea, but this shouldn't have happened in the first place.
And in order to fully convey this, I have elected to use my second language, as to not only strike fear into their hearts, but to show that, yes, they have fucked up.
With every bit of negative emotion and feeling in my body, I started speaking in Spanish, "We are going to talk about this, and I understand that not all of you understand me right now, but just know, y'all are screwed, and may God have mercy on you when I'm done with y'all….."
The look of horror on the faces that showed some of them understood….
The look of confusion on the faces that didn't understand anything at all…..
The looks are priceless, but I have fire to absorb and plants to restore.
Turning back around, I ran straight towards the forest fire that had grown, despite stopping the winds.
"WAIT, ASTRID…."
The voices were left in the wind, as I went deeper into the forest to fully grasp how big the fire is, and how much I can take on before I potentially overheat.
Fully activating both of my dragon claw tattoos, and covering everything with Armament Haki, I got to work in absorbing some of the fire. The heat would prickle my skin, making me feel clammy as I absorbed more and more. Keeping the winds at bay, I would begin the healing process as I moved from one area to another as I drew the fire towards me. One part of my mind was using my dragon claws for the fire, the other part was using my staff to purify the area and heal it.
It sounds very simple, but I can assure anyone who is anyone…it's not…...especially when having to focus with a damn head injury….
BUT.. BUT.. BUT….I've gone through worse…..in the past and some events in the present, so I'll be fine.
Well… I sure hope I'll be fine...
"Gahhh!", I yelped. I lost focus for one second and nearly burned myself while absorbing the fire. I'm nearing my limit, I'm going to have to fly up to expel all the fire stored in my body in order to make room for the rest of the fire. Besides that, I might still overheat if I'm not careful and overuse my power.
CREEE-KKKK
I looked up, and well….
"SHIT." I ran out of the way as some branches from up above started coming down. I continued to absorb as much as I could before activating my wing tattoo to start flying up.
Highly dangerous to try to fly during this time….especially with so many trees being burned down. One wrong move, and I might be stuck under one of them.
One wrong move...and I'm a goner…..
Gotta be careful that I don't burn my wings either, as I generated a gust of wind to propel myself up. Now I was above the forest and I could fully see how much was fully on fire…..
How am I going to explain all of this?
Expelling the excess fire by using Dragon's Breath (basically spitting fire out of your mouth), I continued to absorb fire from the tree tops with both of my dragon claws.
Seeing the full extent of the fire, I decided that drastic times call for drastic measures. If I keep on going at the rate that I'm going right now, it'll not only be full-on darkness, but everyone will be back home. I went out to the new heart of the fire, and did something stupid…
Stupid-Reckless….
RECKLESS-STUPID?
Whelp, just know that I used Fire Pulse (I absorbed fire in both hands and legs into my body), all the while using Dragon's Breath to expel everything out.
After what felt like an eternity, with me on the brink of my limit, I look down at my handy work.
No more forest fires, all of it gone...a good amount of the trees just need some minor healing, others need the works to fully heal.
DRIP
"Huuhhhhh…."
I then looked up to see multiple, very dark storm clouds...that seem to be...magically induced….
Lizzie…..
DROP
Wait, oh no, when she uses her powers, it's usually one setting…
When in Texas, there is a few things that you have to be aware of:
1. Go big or home home,
2. Don't mess with Texas,
DRIP, DROP, DRIP
3. And my favorite ~ everything is BIGGER in Texas.
She did number one and three...so….time to fly away at the speed of fast before I get soaked….
Using the winds to propel me, using the excess fire to power myself up, and using electricity to charge up, I very much look like a crazed out mess as I tried to go faster to avoid the on-coming storm.
No longer needing my staff, I will it back into my tattoo, just as I crank out more power as a last hurrah against nature itself.
PSHHHHHHHHH - HERE COMES THE HEAVENS ~ They said F*** YOU TOO
I barely, and I mean, barely made it as I crashed-rolled-nearly-overheating-landed near the porch before the onslaught of the storm could soak me to the bone.
I scrambled onto the porch, and the solid oak that was the floor of the porch….felt so cool that I didn't want to get up…..
Yup...I'm overheating now…..can I take another siesta and just nap here….?
I'm too tired to lecture….too tired to take care of anyone right now…..I need a nap man….
~ A very good nap, at that ~
"Astrid…..", someone called out.
"Whaaaaa…..", I incoherently mumbled.
Someone? Lightly kicked me. Or was it just moving me with their foot?
"Don...Don't do thaaaaaaattt", I barely got out.
"See, she's alive. Astrid, can you move?"
"Noooooooooooooooo", I decrescendo my voice, as my means to show I'm out for the count.
Someone then touched the back of my neck, causing me to finch.
"Sorry Astrid", I heard someone whisper near me.
"She can't move, and she's burning up,", the person, probably Law? stated, "She's overheating. We have to move her to her room, immediately. Someone, get bags of ice from the refrigerator, another person needs to bring towels from her bathroom. We need to bring her temperature down."
Even with my glasses on, everything looked very blurry. I think I'm starting to see black spots in my vision….. I managed to snap out of it a little to see that I'm sitting up, seeing the rest of the people's faces once more, they looked concerned….
And a good amount of guilty…..
Some people were missing though, probably following Law's orders...
"Terry-ya, I'm going to need you to carry her to her room."
"On it", I looked up to Terry as he, as gently as can be, picked me up.
Law started to get to work on seeing if I could follow the flashlight with my eyes as we went up the stairs.
Whenever we got to my room, that's when he started asking me questions.
"Astrid, do you have any more injuries? Does anything else hurt? Give me your name, age, location, current-….."
That's when I cut him off.
I started, "The name is Guerra D. Astrid, 20 years old, Mom and Dad's house in Texas, current occupation is comic book artist - freelance artist. I am 5 feet and 7 inches, I have black hair like my brothers, eyes like my dad's. I just ruined my favorite Fall Out Boy T-shirt-."
"I'll get you another one", I heard Killer from my bathroom.
"That's greatly appreciated", I called out.
Continuing on while addressing Law, "I think I have some minor burns around my body since the fire was so intense. All in all, I think I'm fine, besides...well….over-doing it."
"You can't even move from the neck down, Astrid…."
"I was too reckless Terry", I sighed, "that and I don't know why all of y'all fought -."
"We didn't fight-."
"That's bullshit", I looked at Law, Terry, then Lizzie as well as the rest of the people that were shuffling into my room with ice, "that is A-grade bullshit, if I ever heard it. Y'all fought, and nearly burned the forest down. I may not know why", and I made eye contact with all of them, "why you all are so damn spiteful, angry, I don't know what you…or how you have bad-blood between all of y'all", I looked at the gang, " and them", I moved my head to gesture to my siblings (who are not related by blood).
"But y'all need to stop", I glanced away, a bit dejected, "maybe y'all just get on each other's nerves. If it's something pertaining to me, I would like to know…." I let out a breathe, facing back towards them, "Please, get along….find some common ground….I'm not asking you to make a campfire and sing Kum-Ba-Yah or to recite church hymns, but stop being so damn, whatever y'all want to call it….vexing each other."
Finally relaxing in my bed, releasing all the tension in my body, I felt my bowels….yeah….that's not good at all….
"Ahhh, damnit."
"What? What's wrong Astrid?", Heat was situating the towels wrapped with ice around me to my left, while Wire looked on as he was putting the same to my right.
"After giving that sermon, mother nature calls….I must unleash the red floodgates…"
"Say it in English so all of us can understand.", Kid was putting towels with ice under my legs.
I looked Kid dead in the eye and deadpanned, "I need to go pee and I'm on my period."
A good majority of them scrunched up their faces, while I softly chuckled.
"Soooo, either someone yeets me to the bathroom in this state, if I can even move towards the toilet, or just knock me out so that when I wake up in the next hour", I cringe, "I can actually move and use the bathroom by myself."
"Is there any other option besides those two?", Robin thought out loud.
"Someone can help me use the bathroom, and then I can help Bepo and Law with their homework from my bed, that's an option", moving my head back and forth, thinking out loud, "personally speaking, I don't want to burden anyone with helping me use the bathroom, cause I really need to go…"
"I forgot that we had homework", Kid huffed, rubbing the back of his neck.
Who wouldn't forget about school work when you cause a forest fire? Am I right, or am I right?
"I'll help you with going to the bathroom, Astrid", Lizzie spoke up, unfazed and used to my every shenanigan by now.
"I'm so sor-"
"Don't apologize, you are in this state due to our", she side-glanced to everyone, "idiotic-reckless-hyper selfish-foolish-."
"I think she gets it Lizzie", Shachi stopped her.
"Yeah, we're sorry about the fire, and fighting amongst each other", Melly grumbled, not making eye contact probably due to being one of the main people to start the fire.
"Big Sis Astrid", Ace whispered as he was twiddling his fingers. Sabo gently pushed him to the front, followed behind Luffy.
I feel my bowels move even more, and I'm internally screaming as, even though gravity isn't helping move mother nature down, it finds a way to make life…..shity….
"I'm sorry Acey, but I'm gonna have to stop ya there", I looked at Lizzie, grimacing, "Y'all need to chuck me into the bathroom."
"But -.", Ace starts, but I cut him off.
I am so sorry, but I just….
I
NEED.
TO.
GOOOOOOOOO.
"Someone, for the love of God and everything Holy and otherwise, even in the name of the Holy Spirit, needs to chuck me in-."
That's when they all start getting to work.
Melly starts pushing all the guys out of the room with the help of Robin and her many hands. Nami and Nojiko are pretty much going through my closet and drawers, probably on the off chance that I may need a change of clothes or underwear. Lizzie is carrying me bridal style to the bathroom, as I can't move any of my other limbs from the neck down for the life of me.
This is fine….
Absolutely fine…
X0X0X0X0X0
~ 10 Minutes Later with an underwear and sweatpants change ~
"I'm so sorry for that bloody, fu-.", I began after that fiasco.
"Said it before, shall say it again", Lizzie looks me in the eyes, "it's okay, and there is nothing to be ashamed about. It has been an eventful evening, to say the least…"
I look at all the women in the room as I'm laid back down in my bed.
"Thanks y'all, for, well -."
"Anytime Astrid", Melly says cheerfully, swaying back and forth playfully.
"It was no problem at all", Robin giggles, waving her hand to show it wasn't that big of a deal.
"It's fine, it happens to the best of us", Nojiko shrugs nonchalantly.
"If you really want to show how grateful you are, then-."
"Nami..", Nojiko side glanced at her younger sister.
Nami sighs, "Anything for a friend", she comes in closer to give me a side-hug, a mischievous twinkle in her eye as she whispers in my ear, "but you owe me one."
To Be Continued….
(Made an oppsie and re-reuploaded)
Plz don't be angry...
In a theatre near you (Chef's Kiss)
So….. I'm going on Vacation ~
Didn't have time to write the rest, but it's too long anyways…
So it'll be in parts ~
Anywho, the next chapter going to be homework montage of shenanigans, so look forward to that.
Everyone be safe and all that jazz!
More A/N at the end of the next chapter….
That will be released next-next week….
HOHOHOHOHO~
Peace out, with a Fist of LOVE ~,
-DH
~ Small Snippet ~
It will be…..a...very long night… won't it?