A/N: A change in the language of the title; it's in Dovah and it means "to tell, telling". I wanted to try something a little different, and I might try it for future chapters now the more that I get into the plot.
Also, I'm really happy with myself; three months in a row it is now that I've updated! I'm on a roll! I hope that you enjoy!
"I really don't want to die."
Ace had heard the comment that Ebony had made, even as he was tackled to the ground by Luffy.
What made her think that he would kill her?
Had he ever given her that impression? He really didn't want to give that impression, and yes he may be a pirate but to his friends, he wanted to be a protector. Someone they felt safe around.
Luffy was still chattering away in Ace's absentmindedness.
"It's good to see you, too." Ace shipped the straw hat off his head, ruffling his little brothers hair.
Sabo was still talking to Ebony, a hand on her shoulder as he laughed. Luffy's crew had gone silent, watching the four of them interact as Ace walked over to his friend, slinging an arm around her shoulders.
He went to speak, but Ebony had poked her boney fingers sharply into his ribs.
"Oi!"
That had actually hurt and would definitely bruise.
She must have been wearing those heeled boots she liked so much because the two of them were staring each other in the eye.
"What was that for?"
He could make a guess, but it was always nice to have confirmation.
"For running off after that murderous bastard! " So it was exactly what he thought it was. "Alone! What were you thinking?"
Sabo answered for him, "He probably wasn't. You know what he's like."
She groaned, "Yeah. I know what he's like."
That was completely uncalled for. "Stop ganging up on me!"
Now that the two of them had met, and knowing what Sabo was like when they were kids (Ace was hoping that he hadn't changed a whole lot) and what Ebony was like he was never getting away from the mother-henning. On the plus side, neither was Luffy.
Ace didn't listen to the rest of the conversation, too busy taking in the crew that Luffy had gathered around himself.
His little brother's crew was interesting.
They seemed to be an eccentric group of people, even from the first glance that Ace had taken of them. The green haired man, a former bounty hunter if Ace remembered correctly (and he couldn't help but wonder how Luffy had recruited such a man) was staring at the two strangers that were Sabo and himself with a suspicious gaze.
It felt good that Luffy (and Ebony) had such a reliable crewmate, someone who already had a reputation, even if it was a bloody one. But it was known that the Pirate Hunter was protective of those he considered friends.
The blonde man had a lit cigarette in between his fingers, standing slightly in front of the two other women on the ship, with the long nosed man and little reindeer cowering behind them. His eyes were sharp, taking in any potential threats. He was a tall, skinny thing but the muscles in his legs told a different story. The eyebrow really stood out though and Ace couldn't figure out why.
He didn't have time to really notice the others, as Luffy started to laugh and walk off in the direction of the cabin, his crew following behind.
Sabo left to follow the others, leaving Ace and Ebony alone.
"I'm not angry, I'm just confused."
Ebony was tense, her hands shaking.
"I'm going to come clean about everything soon. The only other people that know about me are Dragon and Sabo."
White hot jealousy flooded Ace unexpectedly. He had known her longer, so why the hell did his brother and the Worlds Most Wanted Man know before him?
"Why those two?" Ace couldn't keep the jealousy out of his voice, but thankfully Ebony didn't notice.
"How else was I supposed to get the Revolutionary to deliver my letter?" She sounded astounded, "And how else was I going to get Sabo to read it, let alone believe it enough to seek ay of us out in person?"
He sighed, the jealousy slipping from him momentarily. "Okay. That's fair."
The two of them stood for a moment before Ace gestured towards the kitchen with his free arm, "After you, queenie."
Ebony gave him a half-hearted glare. "Hah. Alright, flamehead."
He probably deserved that after calling her queenie, he knew that she didn't like the nickname.
Sir Crocodile, also known as Baroque Works' Founder Mister Zero, surveyed those that he had employed as he turned around in his throne. He knew he was an imposing figure, one to be feared and respected.
"Utopia is the final plan of Baroque Works."
The shock from his underlings amused him greatly, and he loved the fear that flitted across a majority of their faces. Miss All-Sunday and Miss Midsummer Eve shared a look, the only two who truly knew his identity. The Outlier rolled her eyes, unamused by his posturing.
"Eh?"
"CROCODILE!?"
Miss All-Sunday laughed, "I thought that you would all recognise his public face."
Miss Midsummer Eve scoffed, a sneer forming across her scarred face, eyes flashing with contempt. "He's a show pony, a sparkling Altmer show pony is what he is."
The others sat at the table shared a confused look, having no idea what the Outlier was talking about, but it didn't sound good.
"Well, damn." Miss Merry Christmas shook her head, curls flying. "This is unbelievable."
Miss Double-finger was completely different from his persona as Paula, less librarian and more stripper. "I wouldn't ever have guessed, one of the Shichibukai."
Bon Clay, Mister Two the okama was seemingly furious to have been working for a pirate, whereas Daz Bones, Mister One took the situation for what it was. An opportunity.
Crocodile couldn't help but respect the man for that.
"Any complaints?"
Utter silence at his question, smirking. That was more like it.
"No complaints, but I have a question," Miss Double-Finger spoke up, clearly nervous but the only one brave enough to do so. "Why would you, a pirate sponsored by the World Government, want to do this?"
The Outlier spoke up before he could open his mouth the reply, "He wants the might of a military force behind him. What use is money, or land to him?"
"Yes, thank you, Miss Midsummer Eve, for speaking out of turn."
"Oh, was I? I could do it again if it wouldn't please you."
He tried to silence the woman with a glare, but either she had no sense of fear or she had seen far scarier things than his glare as she mimed stitching her mouth closed with a cheeky grin.
Why were all the Outliers he had ever met such little shits?
"Why military force?" Mister Two spoke up, clearly not liking the way in which the Outlier and their boss were eyeing each other off, something akin to starving wolves facing off for a singular piece of meat.
"My first objective, let us speak of that before I continue with telling you all about the final plan of Baroque Works."
Ebony was asking about their opinions on Outliers, Ace knew this conversation starter well. He'd used it himself a lot when asking people of their opinion on a hypothetical child of the deceased Pirate King.
An Outlier.
That made both so much sense, and no sense at all.
Outliers never knew about the world that the ended up in. Never. They were always so confused about their surroundings and were more often than not found out on the first day and executed soon after.
"Other worlds? Is that even possible?"
Ace hadn't been listening to the conversation; hadn't taken his eyes off Ebony since she had started the topic.
"Parallel worlds have always existed, finding them is the almost impossible thing." Ace hadn't noticed that he'd spoken until Luffy nudged him with a verbal 'huh'.
"The old man has seen a lot of things, as have most of his crew. Other worlds being out there is a simple thing in comparison to the craziness that is the New World."
That was a fucking understatement.
Sabo and Ebony were probably the only ones that knew that. But perhaps maybe the blonde cook who he now knew as Sanji did too? He had to have come through the New World, at least a little, to get to the East Blue. (There was a North Blue accent there, diluted as it was, it still existed.)
But one thing for certain was that the New World was absolute insanity, and Outliers didn't even ping on that radar of strangeness.
There was a momentary pause before the two brothers left the Going Merry when Ace took the green-haired first mate aside.
"Look after them."
It wasn't a question, nor a request. It was an order from an older brother and friend.
Zoro took it to heart, as he nodded towards Ace and Sabo.
"Of course I will. It's my job."
The two of them left, taking out the marines as they did. Ace's thoughts were running a million kilometres an hour.
Sabo being alive was an absolute miracle. He wanted to rant and rave at Ebony, he wanted to let his temper get the better of him. He wanted to let his fire go and rage. But he wasn't going to; Ebony had only kept the secret until she was more stable in this world. He could understand that. A bit.
He knew that now he had established himself as a person not to be messed with, and if you did mess with him you would face the wrath of the Whitebeard pirates and Oyaji himself. If his unfortunate parentage came out now, he'd have allies and backup other than his little brother.
He understood not wanting to be killed for something outside of his control. Besides, his fire was better used for the traitor.
Still, Ebony hadn't been able to explain how she knew what she did before the marines interrupted.
"Stupid marines."
Sabo looked towards his older brother in confusion, "What are we cursing the marines for this time?"
"Poor timing."
Sabo laughed, agreeing with the sentiment.
The two of them were going to be splitting up as soon as they reached land, and Ace didn't want to let his brother out of his sight. He knew his brother complex had developed after Sabo's disappearance and now with his reappearance, it was going to come out flying with a vengeance and not towards its usual recipient.
His blonde brother seemed to know exactly what he was thinking.
"I'll keep in contact, and we'll see each other again."
"It better be sooner rather than later," Ace gave his brother a tired grin. "I don't want to go so long without seeing your face or hearing you again."
Sabo laughed, it was a wet choking noise as though he was trying to stop himself from crying. "I think Ebony would come after me, not to mention Luffy if he didn't hear from me."
His friend definitely would hunt Sabo down, and hold him down whilst Luffy would cry into his chest. Ace couldn't help but laugh at the image that it gave him.
She hated being called Miss Midsummer Eve, she loathed it with a passion and would never be able to look at the season nor the time in any happy manner again. And besides, all of this over measly military power? As loathe she was to admit it, but the Shichibukai was plenty powerful on his own and was definitely charismatic and sociopathic enough to manipulate the populace into doing his bidding for him, without him having to ever lift a single sand finger.
"Our duty for the final part of the plan is to carry out different facets of this final plan, correct?" Mister One didn't need the clarification, but it was always nice to know.
"Yes, that is correct." Mister Zero replied, placing his feet up on the table and crossing his legs; it was like he didn't know or care to have any manners. But she supposed that that was a moot point considering he was trying to take something that wash isn't by subterfuge and underhandedness she wasn't too surprised.
"All of the jobs that I have asked you to complete since the inception of this organisation have been to further the interests of this plan," An evil grin broke out across his face causing her to shudder. "The end time for the Kingdom of Alabasta has come."
The silence around the room was almost choking, as the majority took their assignment papers in glee. Miss Midsummer Eve took hers with trepidation, clearly not wanting to read the sheet but having no choice not too. She skimmed the words, dialect almost unfamiliar but somehow her mind was able to translate the text in front of her.
As per tradition and direction, once the words had been read they were to be burnt, Mister Zero talking as the did so.
"When you have all completed those orders, the Kingdom of Alabasta will be destroyed and the cornered rebels, civilians will fall into the hands of Baroque Works! In just one night, this country will become our Utopia!"
He suddenly stood, causing the throne he was sitting on to slide and screech across the stone flooring. "Failure will not be tolerated, this meeting is adjourned."
"Pray for Victory."
As everyone else went to stand, a voice piped up.
"It would be much appreciated if this Utopia plan was put on hold, even if for just a moment."
Ah, that was more like it.
Miss Midsummer Eve was thankful that her collar was high, as she could hide a vicious smile from the rest of the table at the words. Anything anyone could do to put a wrench in his plans was a good thing in her books. The rest of the room was shocked, however, as all looked up to the bandage covered face and body of Mister Three.
"How on earth did you get into the Secret Underground Base?" Miss All-Sunday's face didn't portray the shock or surprise that was evident in her voice.
"Mister Three!" Those ridiculous names were beginning to grate on her nerves. "I killed you, just as I was ordered to!"
Mister Two looked to be gearing up to finish the job, and finish it properly this time around before Mister Zero raised on arm to stop him.
"Wait."
"I could finish the job here and now if you wish?" The words slipped out before she could stop them, but she wasn't going to take them back.
Mister Three looked on at her and Mister Two in fear, but Mister Zero shook his head. No.
Pity, she mused, it would have been interesting to see how to actually kill wax without having to set it on fire.
"I came back because I wanted another chance as I failed to complete the orders that I had been given."
"You failed.. to complete…"
Mister Zero couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence, as he sat back down again as if to stop himself from launching his own body at the man with the strangest hairstyle that Miss Midsummer Eve had come across in this world.
"I am referring to the fact that I allowed the Princess and the Straw Hat Pirates to escape."
The volcano was going to blow and she was going to enjoy every moment of it.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU ALLOWED THEM TO ESCAPE? ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT THEY'RE STILL ALIVE?"
So satisfying, almost as much as riling up the wolf twins with the Huntress.
Almost.
The desert was sandy, hot and almost uncomfortable.
I was loving it.
"Why aren't you dying like the rest of us? I understand why Vivi isn't, but I don't get you."
Usopp looked close to collapse and the others weren't much better with Chopper actually having to be lifted off of the ground by a disgruntled looking Zoro.
"I'm Australian."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Nami and her shark teeth were in full swing today, having already scolded Luffy for attempting to drink the rest of the water.
"I'm a child of the land of droughts and flooding rains. I've been reliably told that the weather conditions that I grew up with have been considered by others to be something terrifying."
I was really getting into talking about my homeland, I hadn't done so in years. Hadn't even been able to speak the name of my country.
"Although that could be due to the animals and landscape more so than the weather."
The last part was said quietly, but the others heard regardless.
"The animals? Dare I ask?"
Vivi sounded curious.
I turned and smiled, "Our insects, whilst small, can be deadly. The jellyfish are pretty much invisible and if you stand on a box jellyfish or blue ring, well sad to say it but you're dead."
At some point, my smile must have turned into something more than slightly vicious, as everyone was now looking at me wide-eyed.
"Don't get me started on our sharks or crocodiles; freshies or salties. The snakes we have can either be the most deadly in the world or harmless enough, but the better looking the frog, those with the pretty colours are the most dangerous."
"How dangerous are we talking here?" Despite his clear apprehension, Zoro asked the question with ease.
"There is no cure."
"Damn."
They all looked pretty impressed despite the heat and more than a little frightened.
"Not to mention the spiders. I have really terrible arachnophobia, so growing up in Australia didn't really help with that, But back home we have the deadliest in the world, not to mention the damn huntsman's. They can slip into anything and anywhere."
There was a silence between us all, as we made our way through the desert.
"No offence, but your homeland sounds terrifying." There was a slight appreciation in Zoro's voice when he said this, wistful too.
I couldn't help it but I grinned widely. "Oh it was, but it was home and I wouldn't change it for anything."
"If you don't mind me asking, how did you end up in Loguetown?"
I stopped walking. I kind of figured that this would come up, but I didn't think it would come up this soon.
"I didn't have much of a choice. One minute I'm on the way to class and the next I wake up, bruised, on an island near Loguetown. I have no idea how I got there or who took me."
"So you were literally abducted?"
"I suppose that's one way to put it."
I couldn't wait to reach that bloody casino and I hated casinos. Rainbase better be a damn good casino, and it better have cool water and lots of it.
But anything was better than watching Usopp and Luffy complain about the lack of water, even if the comment of 'gomu-gomu no way' was hilarious. Two small children, with a group of teenagers to look after each other in the desert wasn't the greatest idea that any of us had had.
I also refused to touch the pervert camel, instead insisting on walking everywhere despite the heat and how sore my legs and feet were getting.
You're Australian, so suck it up, Ebony.
"Will there be water?"
I was surprised that Chopper had lasted as long as he had, after quickly shedding his winter coat in favour for something more suited to the heat, but he was still struggling.
Vivi nodded, "It's a gambling town, separate from all the fighting."
Nami's eyes lit up, suddenly gaining berri signs. "Oooooo, gambling!"
"Nami, no. Just no."
She turned to look at me, trying her best at giving me puppy eyes.
"Maybe after."
The city of Rainbase was a welcome sight, even from the distance that we were at.
"We've made it!"
Usopp, Chopper and Luffy were crying tears of joy and cheering out. For water, and to be able to kick Crocodile's arse.
"Shut up already…"
Zoro didn't look any worse for wear, the man looked as cool as a cucumber in the heat walking along with his hands in his pockets.
Nami was sitting comfortably on top of the camel, not having had to walk for hours had done her mood good. About half way through the trip, she had asked Usopp to work on something for her.
"Did you finish it?"
"It?" Sanji sounded confused, and more than a little jealous.
Usopp ignored him, "Yeah, it's done."
He reached into his bag, passing the completed weapon up to Nami.
"It looks good, Usopp."
I gave him a thumbs up, to which he returned. "It's called a clima-tact."
Usopp started to explain to Nami about how the weapon was put together and how it functioned, with Sanji popping his head into the conversation trying to convince the others that they didn't need weapons or to fight as he'd protect them.
"What about Ebony?" Zoro deadpanned.
"Yes, Sanji. What about me?"
The look of pure panic on the blond's face was hilarious, as he tried to explain but couldn't get any words out.
Laughing, a put an arm on his shoulder. "It's good that you want to be able to protect us girls, but we can handle ourselves. Most of the time at least."
"Do you reckon that Baroque Works knows we're in the country?"
The question was put to everyone, but Zoro was looking towards me when he spoke.
"If they didn't before, they will soon."
"What do you mean?"
Vivi answered instead, "We did meet Mister Two, and Mister Three is somewhere around."
The Captain tilted his head, "So what's the problem?"
Usopp looked towards his confused Captain.
"They know what we look like, we can't just act randomly."
Luffy looked a little upset at the notion of not being able to act freely, as Usopp continued.
"We've got no idea where the fighters of Baroque Works are hiding out and we won't be able to get to Crocodile if we are caught first."
Zoro interjected, "Assassination is their speciality."
"CROCODILE YOUR ASS IS GRASS!"
"Really Captain?"
The dovahkiin liked sitting in corners of bars, seedy or otherwise. They gave her the best vantage points to see the comings and goings of the patrons, and in a city like Rainbase, it was always difficult to tell the criminals from the civilians.
But spotting marines was easy, they always stood out from a crowd. (Much like the Thalmor in their assured pomposity.) The two marines that she was observing were talking about the Straw Hat crew. The same crew that was becoming an annoyance towards the goals of the warlord, making them all the better in her eyes.
The door swung wide open, with two teenagers shouting about water storming inside, an older woman following behind them shaking their head. The dovahkiin could feel a change in the air, almost the same as when she had first heard the Night Mother. Something big was going to happen and she was about to get first row seats to the spectacle.
The marine hadn't noticed the two as he continued to rant at his underling, with the teenagers chugging down barrels of water and the woman that had come in with them sitting down at a table near the door. The water was spat out when the four noticed who they were siting next to.
She grinned, this was going to be good.
"Ahhhhhhhh!"
There was a pause where the four looked at the others, before the teenagers booked it out of the bar, each carrying a barrel or two under their arms and the large marine taking off after them.
"We'll follow them Tashigi! Get the men together!"
"Yes, sir!" The girl turned towards the barkeep, "How much do we owe you?"
The older woman behind the bar didn't look happy, "If you know those kids then you've got to pay for them, too!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
The dovahkiin noticed that in the commotion the women who had entered with the two boys had walked up beside the now named marine.
"Don't worry about it Tashigi, I'll pay for the boys."
The lady marine looked at the other women, "Ebony!"
"'ello."
"You ran off with the Straw Hats!"
"That I did," Ebony turned to the barkeep. "How much do I owe you? I'll grab another three barrels of water, on top of the ones that my Captain and crewmate ran off with."
"Uh," The woman was clearly confused at the situation, the anger that had been there previously sinking down into confusion. "Four plus three… that'll be 9,870 berri."
She nodded and pulled out a pouch, clearly counting the money out before handing it to the woman.
"Keep the change as an apology."
The marine was still staring at Ebony.
"You'd better get going, Tashigi. Smoker's going to be in trouble soon."
That seemed to get the women moving, bowing towards the barkeep after paying for her and her superiors meals and running out of the bar.
Ebony lifted onto her back, strapping it into place before putting a barrel under each arm. The pirate scanned the room, her eyes coming to a stop when she noticed the dovahkiin sitting in the corner.
It wasn't hard to miss her freeze, but she continued and then left following after the marine.
What confused the dovahkiin was the recognition clear on her face.
This Ebony had recognised her, but she was an Outlier.
So how had the pirate known her face?
I knew that face, I'd have to. I'd spent hours trying to customise it in the character creation part of Skyrim. The Imperial Assassin who spent more time outside in the sunlight, than they did inside crypts. A member of the Thieves Guild and friend of the Companions. The one to holt the Civil War and attempt to make peace between the two factions, and get them to see the true enemy. The Thalmor.
They were here. Another Outlier.
And not only was it another Outlier, but it was also the freaking Dragonborn. The goddamn Dragonborn!
Ulpia Rilulus.
The Last Dragonborn, Listener of the Dark Brotherhood, Champion of Sanguine, the Savior of Men and Alduin's Doom.
How on earth were any of us meant to go up against her?
A/N: Please comment if you liked the chapter and I hope that you're having a fantastic day wherever you are in the world