Threats
Neo paced the deck, her mind buzzing about the trouble happening on her home island. Where the elementals okay? Did the navy make it onto the island yet? Were they going to hurt anyone? Or kill anyone? Was this really nothing more that a power play like Law said? Were they going to have to fight another war?
Why didn't the navy come to Wano? They had to know the crew was there. The whole world knew.
"I know you're worry, but try not to," Raina said. She glanced out at the two elementals who were flying the sub. "We'll get you there in a couple of hours."
Neo stopped paced. With her eyes closed she drew in a couple of breaths before turning to the elemental. "I'll try, but no promises." She wrung her hands as she tried to think of things to do or talk about. "So, what have you been up to since the last time we were on Luminous?"
"Not much. Wondering a lot about how you all were," Raina said. "On our way here me managed to pick up a recent newspaper. It's shocking your bounties are so high."
"Yeah." Neo's shoulders hung. "Comes with defeating an emperor."
"You'll have to tell me about that," Raina said, her eyes drifted to Rosin. "She a new crewmate?"
"No, she's just sailing with us for a short while."
"You could say I'm an old friend of sorts." Rosin waved a hello. "Or you could call me Law's sister. Yeah." She nodded. "That's it. I'm Law's older sister."
"You are not my sister!" Law grumbled.
Rosin smirked at him. "My dad did adopt you, little brother."
"He did not!" Law bared his teeth. "And don't call me little brother!"
Neo pressed a hand to her mouth to keep from laughing. With their little banter, Law and Rosin did appear to be siblings. Corazon was important to both of them as a father, whether or not Law would admit it.
"Oh." Raina's eyes widened. "She's half elemental."
"You got it." Rosin nodded and revealed her crystal hand. "With a suprise."
"Wow! What's that?!" Raina started to move towards Rosin, but stopped. A stink rose on the air. "Phew! I think someone needs a diaper change."
"I'll do it." Law took Cora and headed inside.
Neo then told Raina and the others elementals about the crystal form she had manage to call upon twice.
"That's insane." Raina poked at the crystal around Rosin's hand. "And you can still move normally?"
"Yup." Rosin nodded.
"It was the same with me." Neo sat back down on her flower chair. She had grown a few more for the elementals who wished to stay on the deck instead of going inside. "It's like the crystal is a skin, but a lot stronger than actual skin."
"I've never heard of elementals being able to do this." Raina rubbed her chin. "If it's possible I wonder why it's not mentioned in our history books."
"That is the million berry question," Rosin said. "Uh, not that I've read much history on elementals or Luminous. I know what mom told me."
"Where is your mom? You haven't mentioned her," Neo said.
Rosin sighed, her eyes dropping to the floor. "She's not been herself since Dad died. For her safety Grandpa put her in a hospital."
"I'm sorry." Neo fiddled with her shirttail. "I shouldn't have asked."
Rosin shook her head. "It's fine. I guess it was bound to happen with how close she and Dad were." A soft smiled crossed her lips. "I know he's waiting for her."
Neo nodded. It was all she could do.
...
About fifteen agonizing minutes later, Neo sensed Shanks and his ship coming upon them. Within a few seconds the ship came into view. As the larger vessel was flown up beside Polar Tang, Neo flew over to her godfather and hugged him. "Godfather, I'm so glad you're here. What are we going to do about this? I mean, Law says we can change the landscape around Luminous to throw off the navy if they return. That's fine. But what if the elementals gotten hurt? What is the navy is killing them? What if-"
"Calm down, Neo." Shanks patted her back. "First things first. Let's get there and see what this is all about. Then we can discuss what to do next."
Neo nodded. Releasing him she stood beside him as they wind elementals took turns flying the two ships. She spent the next couple hours worrying, pacing, taking care of Cora, and talking when someone managed to pin her down.
Then Neo finally sensed Luminous, all the elementals, and a large rock wall that had been raised around the island. Among them she felt the twenty battleships that were surrounding the island. She exhaled. At least the navy hadn't gotten on the island yet. Maybe Law was correct. Maybe this was only a power play and they had no intention of harming the elementals.
"Neo, I think we should send the elementals and our crew members to the island while we confront the navy," Shanks said.
"What for?" Neo looked up at him then at Law when he warped over. Cora had been put down for a nap about fifteen minutes ago. Hopefully he'd stay asleep until they got this navy mess taken care of.
"Our crews can help locate and remove the pollution stones since humans aren't effected by them," Law answered.
Neo grunted and slapped her forehead. "I forgot all about those! Yes! Of course! Send the crews at once!" She turned to the wind elementals. "Take our crewmates to the island. We three will confront the navy."
"Take Red Hair's ship," Law then said. "We'll use the sub. Have Jean Bart stay on the sub and be ready to escape if needed."
The elementals nodded then gathered the crewmates onto the larger ship. They set the sub close to the navy ship then headed on to Luminous.
Neo felt her magic vanish the closer they got to the navy ship. Once close enough the sub stopped. Law warped them over to the navy ship. With Law and Shanks standing beside her, Neo's spine straightened. She stared down the navy with confidence and contempt for them. Her eyes scanned every single one of them then remained on the one she knew was the vice admiral. All were armed with guns, swords, and pollution stones worn on necklaces. Would they use the pollution stones to their advantage? Or was Law and Shanks enough to dissuade them from doing so?
"Ah, Princess Neo." The tall, broad shouldered vice admiral smiled. He stroked his curled mustache before dipping into a bow that Neo was sure was a mocking one. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Welcome to my ship."
"You say welcome yet wear pollution stones," Neo said.
The man chuckled. He picked up the pollution stone then tucked it down his shirt. "Apologies. But you can't really blame us. It is our only defense against you creatures. Men, put away the pollution stones. The princess is our guest."
Neo clenched her teeth. Creatures? Guest?
"I was instructed to give this to you." The vice admiral reached into his pocket and pulled out a letter.
"And you thought attacking my home island was the proper way to do this?" A low thunder rumbled in the distance. Dark clouds formed overhead.
"How else was I supposed to deliver this?" He waved the letter. "The seas are vast. It would have taken months, maybe even years, to track you down."
"The navy knew we were in Wano."
"True, but there was no guarantee you'd still be there when we arrived." He took a step towards the pirates.
Neo tensed.
Law and Shanks pulled their swords out.
"Take it easy." The man smiled. "I was only going to give this to the woman."
Neo summoned a wind crystal and pulled the letter to her so he didn't have to get close. Her eyes remained on him for a few seconds before dropping down to the letter. Princess Neo of the Elementals was written in curly script on the front. Flipping it over, there was red wax that sealed the enveloped. It was marked with the crest of the five elders.
She broke the wax seal and opened it. As said in the newspaper, the curly script continued on the inside of the letter. It was a direct invitation for her to meet with the five elders to talk about her joining the ranks of the other kingdoms of the world and possibly reinstating the Fearland family. She gave the vice admiral a skeptical look. "And if this is a trap?"
The man shrugged. "I can stand here and assure you all day that it's not, but it comes down to what you believe. What I can tell you is if when someone gets an invitation like this it's best to heed it."
Neo flipped the letter back to the vice admiral. Before he could touch it she floated it upright in front of him. He gave her a suspicious glance then reached for it. As his fingers were about to touch it she glared up a fire crystal. The letter crumbled to ash. Her royal tone took over. "Tell your masters if they wish to speak with me in person then they can come to me."
"That is simply not done." The navy man frowned. "You know very well that the elders do not leav-"
"It is now if they are sincere in their desire to meet me." Neo gathered her winds around Law and Shanks. "If any of you navy scum come an attack my home island again, I will be paying a visit to you all. And it will not be a pleasant visit."
"Is that a threat?" The vice admiral shot her a piercing glare.
"No. It's a promise." Neo flew back to the sub. She placed them on the deck with an exhale before collapsing to her knees. Her whole body shook. "That was so scary. I can't believe I did that."
"But you did very well," Shanks said as Law knelt down and rubbed Neo's back.
"Are they leaving?" Neo asked. She wanted to track them until they were well out of her range, but was too shaken to even sense the battle ship.
After a moment's pause, Shanks said, "Yes."
"Good." Neo exhaled and leaned against Law.
"I have to apologize, Neo," Shanks then said.
"For what?" Neo glanced up at him.
"I spoke with the five elders in hope they wouldn't pull something like this."
"You spoke to them about me?"
Shanks nodded. "I wanted them to leave you alone. But I knew that was a hopeless endeavour. They're bound and determined to control everyone and everything. They want to recruit you to their side."
"That will never happen." Neo's eyebrows drew together.
"Of course it won't." Shanks smiled. "You two children want to do what you want."
"Says the pirate," Law scoffed.
"Well, hopefully the navy won't be back," Shanks said. "And your plan to change the landscape around the area is a good idea. The elementals can even move some reefs to change currents."
"They should also have animals be on the lookout," Neo said. "And maybe have lookout islands where elementals can stay and rotate with each other. Tao might have some ideas as well."
Shanks and Law nodded.
A few minutes later the navy ships disappeared on the horizon.
When certain they weren't coming back, Neo summoned her earth crystals and lowered the rock wall so the sub could sail up to the island. Many elementals were on the beach waiting for them.
Neo felt her magic drain as the sub came to a stop. "There are pollution stone fragments on the beach."
"Our crews will fine them," Law said before he warped them to the island. He then warped Jean Bart when the man appeared on the deck with Cora. The tall man handed the baby over to Neo.
The elementals started to gush over Cora, all talking at once. They barely parted as Tao came walking towards them.
"Princess." Tao bowed. "It is good to see you again." His eyes landed on the baby. "I see Raina was speaking the truth about you having a baby."
Neo nodded with a smile.
"She's already talking up a storm," Tao said. "Be prepared to receive a lot of attention and gifts."
"Great." Law huffed, annoyed at the thought of their son getting spoiled.
Neo giggled. "I figured as much."
"It's good to see you, too, Shanks." Tao shook the older man's hand.
"And you." Shanks nodded. "Is everyone okay?"
"Yes, with the exception of the pollution stone fragments." Tao glanced to his left as one of Shanks' crewmembers shouted about finding a couple fragments.
"I promise our crews will find them all," Neo said.
"I know." Tao gestured towards the castle. "Shall we?"
"We should help look for the fragments," Neo said. "The sooner we get them all the better. And there something we want to discuss with you."
"Of course." Tao nodded.
For the next couple of hours the humans worked with the elementals in locating the pollution stone fragments. Neo, Law, and Shanks discussed safety measures for possible visits from the navy in the future. Eventually they found what seemed to be the majority, if not all, of the pollution stone fragments then headed to the castle.
The sun was coloring the sky with oranges, purples, and reds by the time they called it quits for the night. Stepping through the large doors they were greeted with warm spices. Several stomachs grumbled in anticipation. Following Tao, they went to the dinning hall, that had been expanded to fit them all, and sat down to eat. Raina finally returned Cora to Neo.
"Sweet baby," Neo cooed. "Did you enjoy your time with Raina?"
"He's been such a good boy," Raina said. "Thanks for letting me watch him for a while."
"Not a problem." Neo tapped Cora's nose. "But I was starting to really miss you, little boy."
Cora puckered his lips.
...
"What a day!" Neo, after having fed Cora, placed him in a crib that was brought in then fell face first on the bed in her castle. "I hope it never happens again."
"If it does you'll handle it like you did today." Law walked out of the bathroom. He flicked off the light as Neo turned on the bed lamp. As he made it to the bed, Neo had moved over for him. She curled against him when he joined her on the bed. "You okay?"
"Yeah." Neo nodded, eyes scanning the room. The moonlight pushed the shadows back against the walls and discolored the pillows that sat on the window bed. Nothing had been moved, which wasn't surprising. Not much was changed in the castle at any point in time. The only things that were different were the crib and changing table that someone pulled from the crystals. "It feels good being back here. I think I missed this place more than I thought I would."
"Not surprising. This is a second home to you."
"Yeah. It definitely feels more home like than the first time we were here." Neo placed her hand on Law's chest. "We should come back when Cora's older. I want him to know about this place."
"Of course." Law pressed a kiss into her hair. "We could never deprive him of his heritage. Now go to sleep. We have a big day tomorrow."
Neo tilted her chin up to him. He kissed her lips then shut the lamp off.