Warning for nightmare; graphic violence, panic(?), character death, death of a child (but all of this part of the nightmare; it may make you uncomfortable anyways)
I wasn't intending for this but! It happened so please check these! This is mostly for the last bit of the chapter, so if you want to avoid it, just skip past the third linebreak (not counting the linebreak seperating the A/N and the story)
This was difficult to come up with and write, and while I was always intending to put a nightmare in here, this went a little farther than I was expecting.
Also, I guess this isn't going to just be a two shot. Maybe... 4 chapters? 5? Aaaaaaaa
"...the future."
"Yep!" Luffy chirped, ever the cheerfully honest boy.
"You seriously came from the future… back into your seven year old self…"
"That's it!" He was picking his nose now, eyes wandering and following a dragonfly.
"HOW CAN I BELIEVE THAT?!" Ace yelled, grabbing Luffy by the collar and shaking him, and the rubber idiot had the gall to be surprised as if he wasn't claiming to be from the future. "The FUTURE?! DID YOU FINALLY MANAGE TO HIT YOUR RUBBER HEAD?! How is that even possible?!"
"Why would I lie?!" Luffy cried, getting riled up along with Ace, and trying to shove him off. "That's what Mystery Person did! Besides, the Grandline is a weird place! It wouldn't be the first time!"
"Grand line-"
"Mystery Person?" Sabo asked, stopping Ace with a soft whack to the back. They would just end up fighting and making a mess of Luffy's logic if the more levelheaded one didn't intervene now.
Ignoring the scowl sent his way, the blonde focused on Luffy. The boy pouted at Ace briefly before his sunshine grin made its way back onto his face; nothing about him seemed like he was lying, and Luffy was a horrible liar. Sparing Ace a glance, he could see that begrudgingly, he too knew that their little brother was awful when it came to deception.
Opening his mouth to ask further, he was interrupted by Luffy's stomach audibly grumbling, the young boy whining as if he hadn't eaten in years. "I'm hungry, and the Tiger Lord scared off the crocodiles…" He pouted, unbothered by his brothers' inner turmoil.
Ace huffed, crossing his arms. "Then we'll just get boar, it can't be helped."
Luffy cheered, grabbing their hands to lead them away- soon enough they would take charge, given the rubber boy still tended to get distracted and get them lost, but up until they found some, they'd allow him to keep holding their hands. He wasn't the only one who got comfort from the constant contact, even if neither Sabo or Ace would ever admit it.
Even as the happy chatter from the little strawhat wearing boy warmed their hearts and softened their gazes, Ace and Sabo agreed silently that they weren't letting this future thing go- not when they had so many questions.
Not when Luffy sounded so uncharacteristic, a tense anger underlined by desperation.
Hunting and cooking and eating gave the two boys time to think over Luffy's claim of coming from the future; of course he hadn't said more on it, and they hadn't asked just yet.
In a way, they could see it- not only in the fight against the Tiger Lord, but in his confident, sure way he moved around the forest, barely stumbling or tripping. The way they now noticed he hadn't missed once when he reached for things using his rubber arms, and how he stumbled rather than totally fall from the recoil.
And not to mention, how extremely affectionate he was compared to usual. The boy was cuddly, yes, but this was so much more than that. Sometimes, Ace thought there might be that desperation he saw when they had saved Luffy from Porchemy; when he first told them that being alone hurt more than anything.
"I won't let you take any time from me."
Finally, after Luffy seemed content with his food, Sabo asked his question, knowing Ace wouldn't be able to get past his disbelief- or rather, denial.
"So, Luffy, you're from the future?"
"Yep!" In a way, Sabo wished he did actually lie- that'd be easier to handle. As it was, Luffy never lied, which meant that at least Luffy believed this. But, while the boy had imagination, even this was too far-fetched- something happened, and regardless if it was true time travel or someone messing with their brother, they had to rise up and protect him.
If it was time travel though, Sabo wasn't sure what they had to protect him from, just that they had to.
Ace snorted, still clear with his denial and disbelief. "How far in the future then?" Sabo sent him a warning glance for his mocking tone, but like always, it went over Luffy's head.
"Um…" He had to think, rocking his head side to side as he stared at the trees, before a smile was on his lips. "Almost 12 years! My birthday is really soon, I think!" He cheered, giggling a bit.
"You think? How come you don't know- aren't you with someone who can tell you?"
Luffy shook his head. "No, I was alone on the island, or I thought I was! But then that Mystery Person showed up and said I could go back to spend time with my brothers again!"
"Luffy, what have we told you about talking to strangers? What if it's someone from Bluejam's crew?" Ace scolded, clearly wanting to believe that someone was just messing with Luffy.
But when would they get the chance, when Sabo and Ace kept such a sharp eye on their danger prone brother? Fearful he would get snatched away from them, remembering how he looked as Porchemy's personal punching bag.
"Eh? I thought they all died in the fire…" That alerted both boys- a fire? What fire?- before Luffy frowned, shook his head, and continued. "Besides, I could just tell! Mystery Person wasn't bad! They were just lonely and wanted to let me see my brothers again! I wonder why they'd stay on that island if they're so lonely…"
"Why do you keep saying it like that?" Ace snapped, on his feet and towering over the littlest member. Both he and Sabo had a cold feeling curling in their guts, but neither ten year old wanted to recognize it. "Why did you have to go back in time to see us again?" He still didn't quite believe Luffy- no, the reality was, he didn't want to believe Luffy because he didn't like what the future sounded like.
Why was Luffy, who said being alone hurt more than anything, all by himself on an island- to a point the only person he had seen was some Mystery Person?
Where was Ace and Sabo when it sounded like Luffy needed them most?!
With that question alone, Luffy was silent, no smile- no joy- on his face. He tilted his head downward, hiding his eyes with his hat as he often did when he was genuinely upset- those rare times he wanted to hide his feelings from them.
Suddenly, with the sun setting, their jungle felt cold and empty, with even the light breeze that should have been warm with late summer air causing the two older boys to shiver.
"Luffy..?" Sabo prompted, taking a tentative step closer.
"Sabo and Ace are gone." Luffy stated, pushing himself to his feet. "You're… gone, and Mystery Person said I get to stay with you for a week, before I'll wake up alone again. So," and then he was smiling, but it was sad, and seemed so lost that it broke their hearts- they hadn't wanted to see that expression on him, ever. "I just want to enjoy my time with you; even if this is just a dream, I want to have fun with my big brothers."
Neither Ace or Sabo said anything for a moment, and when Ace looked like he was going to argue or push for more, Sabo put his hand on his shoulder and gave a little shake of his head- the one that said they'd talk about it later, when they were alone from Luffy.
"Okay, Luffy. How many days do you have left with us?" Sabo asked, voice gentle. He tried for a casual tone, but knowing he was 'gone' from his little brother's future stunted his efforts.
"Oh! Hmm… today's the third day!" Luffy laughed, seeming to cheer up instantly- it was such a regular, comforting thing that both boys felt their shoulders relax.
"So we have four days, then?" Ace asked, before looking at Sabo and sighing, "Well, whatever. We should go and train, we've already wasted enough time. And if you're from the future, you should be able to beat us now, right?"
"Eh? You're right! I should be able to!" Luffy seemed ecstatic at the idea, jumping with glee at the prospect of beating his older brother finally. "But wouldn't that be cheating? I know so much more now!"
"Of course not! You're still my crybaby little brother." Ace teased, poking Luffy on the forehead with enough force to push him back, knocking his hat back so it sat on his shoulder blades and dissipating the last of the tension for the older two. "It doesn't matter how old you are, I'll always win."
"...Yeah, Ace is pretty strong." Luffy's giggled response served not only to shock them, but show even more how this wasn't the same little brother who always fell for his taunting. "But let's go! Maybe I'll finally win one!"
"As if; I'm still much stronger than you."
Sabo rolled his eyes fondly, following after them quietly as he pondered over what Luffy had said- wondering what he could ask.
If he should ask.
"Do you think he's telling the truth?"
They had stopped at Dadan's, and Luffy's affectionate behavior didn't seem to end with his brothers, as he shocked the poor woman with a hug and gleeful "I missed you!"
However, that was his mistake, since the flustered mountain bandit leader reacted like Ace, and unable to handle her emotions, had decided to make Luffy do some chores he still owed them- or so she said. The two older boys leapt at the chance to go hunting, for some time alone from their little brother to talk.
Luffy hadn't liked it at first, pouting from where he was horribly folding clothes, so they promised to get him a crocodile- this time making sure to be alert enough in case the Tiger Lord came back.
The hunt went well, like it usually did, and Ace decided to ask his question as they were pulling their dinner back.
Sabo thought for a moment, sighing through his nose.
"You remember training today, Ace. He did actually beat both of us- he didn't miss anything." That seemed to only make Ace grumble, it being a sore spot to the proud boy that he was actually beaten by his little brother.
As if set proving them about the time travel thing, Luffy had actual technique to his attacks and fighting, no longer relying on just throwing a punch and hoping it hits. He was still weaker than his two brothers, and they knew the "My body is too small and weak for my usual attacks" wasn't just a whiny excuse, even if they treated it like one.
Actually having to pay attention to his fighting to win that way was new (and kind of fun), but it just seemed to solidify the fact that their little brother wasn't lying.
One could argue that maybe this wasn't Luffy, but no one could ever replicate that love and affection and bright smile.
"I guess he's not lying, but…" Ace sighed, irritable as ever when his emotions were in unknown territories. "What are we supposed to do with that? He's going to be 'gone' in four days and we'll have the little crybaby we know and what, pretend nothing happened? Pretend he… he didn't say we died and left him alone?"
Because Luffy didn't say they were dead, but to Luffy, that could be the only way they were 'gone', especially with the sad tone he had used.
The desperation to spend time with them and not have it ruined or taken from him.
"I don't know, Ace." Sabo murmured, "It's not like we've ever seen Luffy like this, either. Even with Porchemy…"
Ace sighed, his expression shifting to something of clear discomfort. Neither of them ever liked to think about it, about the time they learned how far he would go for them.
"I know; just… you know what he said, Sabo. He hates being alone, and we left him alone…"
"Yeah, and on the one hand I want to know, so I can avoid it, but on the other hand… to hear about my death?"
"...Yeah…"
They finished their walk in silence, still wondering how on earth they were going to deal with their troublesome little brother.
It was marineford all over again, Luffy running and running and now both his brothers were on the execution platform, a moat of lava around the impossibly tall scaffolding to keep anyone- to keep Luffy, because he had no allies here- from saving the two boys.
That was the other thing- instead of Luffy having created some version of grown up Sabo, or it being Sabo when he was 10 and Ace when he was 20, it was both his brothers, the children he met them as, shackled up with chain after chain. Bruises and cuts littered their tiny bodies, and Luffy, back to being 7, was desperate to get to them.
They kept yelling his name, desperate and angry, wanting him to leave because they always loved him, but he never did enough to protect them back.
His body was burning, reminiscent from the poisons- or maybe from the miracle treatment he got from Iva-san who was dead, body buried under so much lava, just like every other ally he dragged into this mess with him.
He had to hurry, he had to go, he had to save them, save his only brothers, his only family who loved and accepted him when he was alone and scared and thought that the shadows of his fears would eat him alive he Had To Save Ace and Sabo!
If they died, what else would he have left?!
If he lost them-
He would not lose them!
With a battle cry, Luffy charged forward, and suddenly- magically, miraculously- Luffy found himself in front of his brothers, relief filling his system as he stood in front of them, their heads bowed from exhaustion and pain. As if a dream, their shackles were gone, and they were holding themselves up with their arms alone
"I finally got here- I can finally-"
"You think you're enough?" A voice snarled, and Luffy couldn't move- some invisible force holding him back as if he was chained. His brothers wouldn't look up- wouldn't fight- they had to! Luffy could feel the heat- the lava was getting closer! Move, please!
Akainu was suddenly there too, his arms nothing more than endless faucets of lava, surrounding them- they were on the platform, now nothing more than a pathetic boat in a see of burning lava, with the scent of burning flesh assaulting Luffy's nose.
"You think you're strong enough, Mugiwara? You've never been strong enough; a weakling undeserving to live, a burden to those you claim to love! How can you say that, when you do nothing but cause them pain and suffering." Akainu's voice was loud, as if it was coming from everywhere all at once.
Lava was crawling up onto the wood, and Luffy couldn't stop the tears as he saw it slowly begin to burn his big brothers- his beloved brothers.
"L…Luffy… why did you come… crybaby…" Ace groaned, finally looking up- seemingly unbothered as the liquid that would be his killer began lapping at his legs, giving him small burns and god that smell please please please make it stop not them please.
"It can't… we're here… because we had to protect you…" Sabo groaned, a weak, mocking smile on his lips as he finally looked up. Luffy realized he was talking out loud, sobbing, screaming, begging them to live, to be okay, to run and run and get away from Akainu and his murderous hands.
"Why… why did you think.. Y…you could do… anything…" Ace spat, a cruel chuckle leaving and the lava was rising no please no.
Akainu laughed, mocking and terrifying and loud and raised his fists, setting terror off inside the little boy as if his insides were already set alight, before bearing them down to kill Luffy, once and for all.
"Our… stupid, weak… little brother…" Sabo murmured, cough up blood as he pushed himself up, his hands burning in the lava please stop Sabo please but he didn't seem to care- even if Luffy could see all the damage and another scream left as he saw Ace, was rising up too.
Not again not again not again.
What would be Luffy's death was raining down on him, but as if in slow motion- allowing his brothers time to get up and save him but they weren't supposed to save him, he was supposed to save them.
"Even though it will… kill us… we'll save you… always…"
"NO, ACE, SABO, PLEASE! DON'T!" Luffy's scream of desperation fell on deaf ears, and they leapt forward, pushing him away- a shower of lava falling on them and finally they screamed, and the sound and small choked Luffy but
He hardly had time to react, as he fell into a sea of magma, into a sea of burning death
It hurt it hurt it HURT
But Nothing Hurt more than the knowledge that his
weakness killed his big brothers and that is was his fault that they were screaming in agonyIT WAS ALL HIS FAULT!
HE SHOULDN'T HAVE FAILED BUT HE DID!
THEY WERE DEAD BECAUSE OF HIM
All… all because of him… they were gone…
He was alone and it was entirely his fault…
"LUFFY! WAKE UP!"
With a gasp, Luffy opened his eyes to find his two brothers staring down at him, fear and worry etched onto their expression. While he wanted to say something, opening his mouth just let unleash a desperate sob.
Neither Ace or Sabo had time to react as he broke down further- he had never, ever been this distraught- they never had to comfort him like this before. Even Sabo, who had a gentler touch, felt scared of making things even worse.
"I'M SORRY!" Luffy suddenly managed to get out, before he launched himself up and through the window, disappearing into the forest.
Entirely taken aback, neither of his brothers followed after him, simply stared.
"Ace… we… we…"
At the empty, lost voice of his long time best-friend turned brother, Ace snapped into action.
"We have to go after him, and we have to ask him what happened."
They had to protect him, just as they swore they'd do when they became brothers.
Even if they didn't know how, they had to protect him.
Aaaa I hope I did well enough! Ace and Sabo are in a place of denial because Luffy Doesn't Lie, but they keep seeing little things that just doesn't seem like their baby brother- but it's hard to really understand that he's from a future where they died and he's so upset about it. While Sabo is also rather smart and competent, he is also a literal child so there's only so much he knows and can comprehend.
Also sorry if the nightmare was kinda confusing- I wanted it to be a mess of emotions and panic and the events blurring and meshing and just being too much.
I wonder; is Luffy visiting his brothers really that good for him? It seems to have simply given more fuel to his nightmares.
