Chapter 12: Almost there
It had been months since entering the Grand Line. Shayla has been sneaking into different marines ships and so far no one thought it was weird that a girl was suddenly onboard eating their food. Well, to be fair she always played it smart by either hide through it all or pretend to be a new recruit. Because that was apparently happening all the time.
Shayla was working alongside the rest of the newbies. To them, she was the rookie that was just too lazy to do anything on board. They ordered her around without knowing who she was or how truly dangerous she could be.
Sometimes, when the ship arrived at an island she would expectedly enjoy herself. Once she was done she would find the ship gone and had to wait for another ship. At times she had to wait for weeks at the same place.
But right now, she was getting closer to Marineford than she would like. What if that was actually someone smart enough to recognize her?
Shayla shook her head to clear her mind. There was no reason to stress over something that might not happen. Everyone was standing in a perfect line behind the commanding officer as they were unboarded the ship.
The girl had no idea what was going on and just followed the line. At some point, it must have been obvious how clueless she was because she got scolded by the leading rear-admiral, what was his name again, Doberhand? No, that didn't sound right. His attitude towards her made her angry and could barely hold herself back, "Yes, sir!" she spat.
He was still staring at her, maybe trying to scare her but she stared back at him without a hint of fear. Shay knew one man that was scarier than him, "There he is. The marine hero vice-admiral Garp!" someone said loud enough for her to hear.
And there he was... the one man that wasn't only much strong than her, but he wasn't afraid to hit and yell at her either. Shayla had completely forgotten about Garp and if he found her he would for sure force her to be a marine.
The thought was sicking.
Shayla stepped out of the line and let the others get in front of her. When the last one had passed and no one else to cover her, she jumped into the water before swimming away. She resurfaced at another port and was now at a field with marines training, talking, and eating.
The girl sighed, 'What a waste'. These people dedicated their entire life to serving the government and the scums of the world. Still, they ignore the people in the need of help if they weren't rich enough to pay for their serves.
She didn't think she would even last that long even if she join.
Shay was trying really hard to avoid Garp. He was probably the only person who would recognize her. She was deep in her thought and didn't notice the sign outside the room she just entered.
A group of people turned their faces toward her. The girl just stood there nervous for a second. It would be suspicious if she just left, so she stood next to some other marines soldiers. Shayla looked at them and saw a blue fishman, that must be the famous Jinbei.
He must be here to represent his people from the deep sea. She knew from experience that some fishmen hated humans and vice versa. But Jinbei being here was a new beginning for them all. Her thought was interrupted when she felt a blond man shooting something in her direction.
Shayla stepped to the side and looked at him, 'Too bad' she mouthed smiling and his was just as wide. Next to her two officers started fighting and the blond man laughed while moving his fingers as if he were controlling them.
She looked at the two and saw something reflecting in the sun and realized that he was actually controlling them. The girl was glad that she wasn't at the mercy of a warlord, but it was a cool ability nonetheless.
Food was served to the pirates and Shay was captivated by the smell. She went over to them without hesitation and started eating as much as she could, "Your manners are quite bad for a marine" the same man from before laughed. "I think it's stupid for the world government to trust pirates" she replied honestly.
"You're an interesting female soldier" the man Doflamingo smiled like a madman. Shayla looked around before stepping closer to him, "I'm actually a pirate, but these marines are just too stupid to realized that I'm not one of them" she whispered for only him to hear.
He grinned like the devil, "I was right. You're an interesting girl". She continued eating when she saw something shiny at the corner of her eyes. Shay looked closer and saw a black blade, "Wow, what a beautiful sword" she muttered when a man suddenly glared at her. "Don't touch it, girl," he warned.
But the girl wasn't intimidated at all when she was looking into those eyes, "You must be the one they call Hawkeyes. I can see why now. You're the strongest swordsman in the world, interesting" she said admiring.
She wondered if he could win against Oden.
"Oi, you. what are you doing over here" an old marine officer suddenly asked behind her, "I was told to report the pirates' arrival" she quickly lied. "And who gave you that order" he looked at her suspiciously.
Shayla quickly tried to think of a name, but nothing came to mind. "I did," a familiar deep voice said and she turned around to see Garp. "I see you did vice-admiral" the man answered before stepping to the side.
"Well, since you're here I'll just go now" she quickly said while backing away. The girl couldn't just walk out the door while Garp stood there and looked around to see a big window. She took the chance and ran over there, ready to jump out.
But before she could, the marine hero held her back by the neck of her uniform, "Where do you think you're going brat?" he asked menacingly. "I just want to test my bravery and jumped down from here" she smiled sweetly while sweating.
The old marine wasn't buying any of it and just threw her over his shoulder, "No, let me go old man. I just want to get out of here as fast as possible" she complained but none of her words were heard by Garp.
That was why she suddenly grabbed onto the door, but with his strength, he just pulled the entire door along with a piece of the wall.
Everyone was looked at them as if they were crazy.
But guess what?
They were.
Garp carried her to his office to talk and let her go once the door was closed, "What are you doing here, Shayla?" he asked impatiently. "What's wrong gramps. Aren't You happy to see your beautiful granddaughter?" she acted cutely.
But the older man looked unimpressed, "Fine. I'm going to the New World and hoped a marine ship would go there too" she answered dropping the whole cute act. "You're going back to Whitebeard" it wasn't a question. "I am" she simply stated.
It didn't surprise him and he even excepted it to happen one day, "Here I thought you would follow in your mother's footsteps" he sighed and leaned back. His statement took her off guard, "You knew my mother?" she asked curiously.
"Yeah, she was a reckless marine that refused to listen to her superior once she reached a certain status. She was free-spirited" he laughed at the memory. "One day she just quit without any explanation except that she was pregnant. I tried to convince her to stay but her mind was already made up".
That's her mom for you. Once she decided something there was no way of changing it.
"So, you knew this entire time?" she asked but wasn't angry. "I wasn't sure in the beginning but as you grew up I saw an undeniable resembles. Not just with your powers but you look and act just like her".
To her, that was a compliment.
"Come, I would like to show you something," he said and lead her to a big wall with pictures of marines. But there was a special one that he wanted her to look at, "It's mama" Shay whispered and could hardly believe it.
She looked just the same except a little younger.
"I wished I could see her like that" she muttered to herself, "You know, you can join the marines and surpass her. Especially if I train you" Garp offered.
Her, became a marine?
It did cross her mind a few times, but she knew that it wouldn't work out. Shay didn't want to waste her life catching bad guys and follow orders.
Her soul was meant to be free.
"Sorry gramps, but I can't. It's in my blood to be a pirate and roam the sea freely and wild" she smirked. "Then you leave me no choice", he said suddenly got this dark aura. Garp raised his fist as if he was ready to punch her. The girl swallowed hard as her senses were begging her to run away.
"Wait up, brat!" He yelled behind her, "As if, old man" she screamed back. Who was stupid enough to do that.
Right at that moment, there was an announcement on the speaker, 'We need marines at dock 4 to the New World all available soldier report for duty.' Just like that hope appeared once again.
Now she only had to get rid of Garp before ruining her plans of sneaking away. Shay turned around and firing a fireball at him which he easily punched away. She did the same with earth, but the result was the same.
Shay didn't think water would be much and then there was still air left. The girl smirked before releasing a strong wind, and he flew back and through many walls. She took advantage of that change and ran like the wind.
Garp would be back soon. That was if he didn't get distracted by food or something. She just realized where Luffy got that trade from. Anyways she had to get on that warship before it was too late.
At the docks, the ship was about to leave when Shay heard a sound and saw Rain observing them from a high place ready to jump. "Let's go, Rain" she opened her arms ready to catch her. "We have to hurry if we want to get out of her and go to the other side of the world".
Shay jumped into the sea and started to surf over to the ship with her fox on her back. The girl jumped up at the back of the ship and stayed there for some time. How would they get across the Red Line? Pirates normally just sailed through Fishman island, but the island was her father's territory if the rumors were true.
Would they dare to do it?
-x-
After a couple of hours, they came to the great wall and everyone suddenly went off the ship. They went over to a lift apparently taking them up to the 'holy land of Mariejoa'. Where the Celestial dragon lives.
It was hard for her to go there considering that they're the ones responsible for Sabo's death.
They were protected from every angle which made it hard for her to avenge her fallen friend. Even if she managed to find the one, Shay couldn't just kill him/her and expect to just walk out of here alive.
Sadly, logic won this time.
Shay had never thought that there was an entire city on top of the Red Line. The castle and everything were just so beautiful, and she would for sure draw it later. Even though she was disguised as a marine right now, it was very rare for a pirate to see this place.
Shay suddenly felt uneasy like that there was something the world government didn't want them to know about. It was like misery and corruption were hunting this place.
"This is the holy land. This is the place the 20 kings that founded the World Government were invited to live. Now even after 800 years, their descendants are still living here, and they are called the celestial dragon. Remember it's our job as marines to protect them with our lives!" Their leading officer said.
Even if Shay was a marine, there was still no way she would protect them. Hell, she might use them as a shield. The group continued and soon came to the other end of the Red Line. The girl looked down and there was nothing but the ocean and clouds. She was literally on top of the world.
A man in armor came over and told them that there were some difficulties. They would have to stay here for a day before going down. Shayla refused to say here for that long and she looked down again.
An interesting idea came to her, "We'll prepare a room for you all to stay in. Please this way" the man politely said. Before they could notice her, she sensed that Rain was hiding a little behind her and quickly called her, "Get ready to jump on my back. I'll use the stones to get us down faster".
Shay smiled before taking a free fall down the Red Line. She got tired of it rather quickly and blew wind under to slow them down. Then used the great wall's stone and made them a path down.
After some time, they arrived at a harbor similar to the one that lifted them up to the 'holy land'. There were a lot of marines and the girl tried to hide from them, so they wouldn't notice. Shay got her eyes on a small ship and it might be dangerous to sail on this sea with only a girl and a fox, but she had to try.
No one noticed them and she used her water bending to make the ship sail much faster. It was like they were flying through the waters and it made her realized how much she really missed being this free. Now she was finally back to the New World, back to her home sea.
It's been a really long time and Shay was starting to feel it.
Now how was she going to find her father? There was no way of know where he was or would be. It only made her more excited to go back. How would everyone feel about getting her back? How would her father feel?
They were famous pirates, so someone had to know something about them, right? Shay only had to find an island but there might be a slim chance that's he was there. Yet, there was no island in sight so, how could she find it?
Crocus said something about Log pose and how they catch an island's magnetic field. Then she only needed her Log, and everything would be alright. She opened her back and took it out before looking at it.
It was pointing toward the direction of the sun and the next morning she found land. She didn't even have the energy to find a place to sleep and crashed on board the ship.
-x-
The girl was woken up by Rain licking her face and Shay just slug her off. The fox continued for some time until would Shayla opened her eyes and at some point, she did.
She arrived at a familiar beach and decided to look for something to eat. Shay hurried into a tropical jungle with rich fruits and beautiful creatures. Well, not as beautiful as her partner but a close 2nd. The more she walked around the more she felt like she'd been here. The thing that made her remember was the grave of the woman she loved most in the world… her mother's grave.
Never in her life had she imagined even go back, yet here she was. It was like her mother's spirit was calling her to come closer, "Hey mama… how's heaven? I'm sorry I've been gone for so long but I'm here now".
Shay sat down next to the 'gravestone' and leaned against it, "You probably already know this, but I got your powers. I can't believe you never told me. With them, I feel so powerful, yet I wish that you could have been here to teach me how to control them.
Where do they come from and how did our family get these powers without a devil fruit. I have so many things I want to ask you but can't do that. Mama, why did you have to die and leave me behind?". She was in tears at this point and used her forearm to hide her eyes.
Rain came up beside her and cuddled against her for support. "I'm sorry. I know I have so many people that love me but no matter how old you get; you'll always need your mother. So, I'll wait mama, for the day that we'll reunite again. It might take some time tho, but I want you to wait for me at the gate to heaven" smiling at the thought, but who knows it might as well be true.
"I miss you and don't worry I'll take care of dad for you. I love you" was the last thing she said before standing up and walked inside her old house.
Everything was covered in dust, but it was just as she left it. She blew all the dust out of the house and went inside her old room. Her bed was so small and all her toys were even smaller. It was hard to believe that she at one point could fit in there.
-x-
Shayla had been on Sheba for a day now. She was trying to figure out a way to find her family but so far, she had no idea. She couldn't just travel from island to island. it would take an eternity to find them and that was if she was lucky. Shay had to pinpoint their location or where their next location would be.
She was reading about them in the newspapers, but their location was still unknown. Considering how famous they were it was really hard to find them. Shay might just stay on this island and wait for them to one day show up. How long would that take; a month, a year, two years, or maybe even a decade.
Hope was slowly fading away. The two decided to take a walk and soon came to a familiar village. They looked at her weirdly, but she just ignored it and went over to a small shop to buy something.
An old woman was at the counter, "Is that you Shayla? See how much you've grown you look just like your mother" she said, "Do I know you granny?" she asked. "You might not remember me, but I still owned this shop when you and your mother used to live here".
Shay just nodded as she laid her things at the counter ready to pay, "No dear this one's on me" the old woman blinked, "Thank you," the girl said in relief. She didn't have any money anyway and was ready to walk out, " I heard that you went with your pirate father. Is your mother here too?" she asked with wonder.
Didn't this old lady know anything? "My mother died the night the pirates attacked the village" Shay didn't show any emotion while saying that. The woman looked horrified, "I didn't know. I'm so sorry to hear that. I just thought that you and your mother left the island a long time ago".
They did but not in the way she thought.
Well, that might be the reason they all looked at her, "I need to get back. Have a good day" Shay greeted as she was about to exit, "Your father was here not long ago" the old lady stated
"What? How long ago" she quickly turned to the old lady. If it was more than a week ago who knows where, they would be now. "The crew left 2 days ago. They said that they would be on our neighbor island for the next couple of days...-"
Before the granny could say anything else, Shayla ran out of the shop and threw her thing on the ground before climbed a tree. She looked around and saw a distant island on the horizon. Bingo, it has to be it.
Without having the time to think she jumped down and whistling for her fox to come. She took her things and ran toward her boat with Rain was right behind her. She used her water bending and force her way through the sea.
She refused to let anything stop her, and she absolutely meant it.
The girl couldn't contain her happiness as the island was getting closer and closer. How would she reintroduce herself to them? How would they react? She shook her head there's no use in wondering, cause she was about to find out.
Shay soon found a place to dock and walked into the island. She got an eye for her father's ship. Her home was not far from where she docked. Shayla looked at Rain, "Do I look good enough to meet my father" she asked her.
Some fisherman passed and looked at her, "You stink girl. Go to the inn over there, get a shower and a good night's sleep. You certainly need it" he said grumpily.
Even though he might be an arrogant old man, stinking even worst himself. He was right. She needed to be ready before making a dramatic reunion with her crew. 'I'll be there tomorrow dad. I promise' Shay vowed before breaking into an inn near the port close to the Moby Dick.
Tomorrow would be marked on the calendar. It would be the day the true daughter of Whitebeard returned home.