Hello, hello again!
Now this chapter is a lower quality, at least from my point of view. Nontheless I tried my best and I hope to make someone's day a little bit more fun with this story of mine.
Also the first review really made my day. Thank you so much for writing it. I know I am so weird to be so hyped up about one mere comments, but I can't help myself not to smile brightly.
Chapter 2: Meet the family
Raven-haired youngster that was previously rather peacefully sleeping in phoenix's fiery feathers was now wide-awake, holding on for dear life as he screamed his lungs out.
"WHOA whoa, what the- . What's happening?!"
"That's your wake up call you dope" Marco grinned, enjoying Luffy's startled face.
Oh god. You can't even possibly imagine how much he wanted to have a camera right now. Ace would absolutely love to see Luffy's silly face. He could easily picture breathless second commander rolling on the floor, howling with laughter.
Ace was always running around the deck, shoving wanted posters of his idiotic little brother into people's faces, never missing a proud smile and sparks of adoration in his deep-set dark eyes.
Marco's grin softened as he reminisced about good old times. The times when every man could sail freely in those wild, uncharted waters, glance down into unreachable indigo depths and look for red eyes of a sea kings. When the rough waves and remorseless winds pushed them towards new fun islands…
Now,…there is only war. The death follows close behind you on sea and land alike. It doesn't matter where you go. It will find you sooner or later. Formerly populous towns and villages became bloody battlefields, work camps, or were completely erased from the map.
How lucky they are that they still have a place where to return. A place to call... home.
As Marco thought about warm black tea and smiling people waiting for them, he unconsciously got closer to the sea's surface.
"Oi, Bird-brain! Watch out!"
"Wha-! Wow, that was a close one-yoi."
Phoenix regained their previous height and sighed in relief.
"What were you doing?!" Luffy yelled in distress "You could've killed us!"
"Well, you're one to talk, Giggles. I'm always the one saving your sorry ass-yoi. "
"But at least I'm not trying to drown us in that black goo!"
"I just spaced out. I was thinking about something... You should try it sometimes too, y'know~" Marco jeered.
"What was that?!"
*BONK
'Did... he just... hit me?... That lil' shit's too cheeky'
"Wahahaha you should've seen your face!" Luffy wheezed while laughing his head off and pinched a fistful of feathers on Marco's head.
"... Well... You asked for it"
"What?" Luffy tilted his head to the side in confusion.
But Marco only smirked and turned his body upside down, so that Luffy was hanging with half of his body in the air.
Marco the Phoenix used his free fall technique...
"UWAAAAAAAAAAH!"
... And it was super effective!
"Stupid-head! Stupid-head! Stooooop!"
.
.
.
The sea is quickly being consumed by darkness. With only one touch, you are doomed. All kinds of sea animals, unfortunate people, and the sea itself will perish soon. After long five years, darkness spread across the ocean so much that there are only a few routes which only a small boat can take. That's why these days people travel through the air. Aerial technology and useful artificial devil fruits flood markets every single day. However, only nobles and wealthy merchants can afford them. Other people are stuck on their islands with no way of escaping.
With the sea gone, wars between government and Blackbeard's fleet raging on, and the ancient weapons in the play…
Well, in summary, the world has become a pretty screwed up place to live in.
.
.
.
After he finally had enough of thinking about the end of the world and rubber-man's constant shrieking, Marco slowed down and circled to the ground.
"What was that for, you asshole?!"
Marco lifted his left eyebrow in silent question.
"Gaah, fiiine... I guess I deserved the second one, but why the first one though?! "
"I called you. That didn't work so I tried something different" Marco shrugged off.
"But why didn't you just say the magic word?! I would be awake in an instant!"
"Oh please, believe me, I don't doubt that at all. I could simply whisper the word meat and you would still hear me even from Laugh Tale. Do I need to remind you what happened last time you meat-obsessed numbskull?"
Luffy pouted "You're still on that? Jeez"
Marco couldn't believe his ears. He snapped „Still on that?! You were so angry at me for saying it and not actually having it that you demanded I roast myself! We nearly crashed thanks to your thrashing!"
"And I still bet you would taste awful you ancient fossil! BLEEEGH" Luffy mocked phoenix, sticking his tongue out.
"Tsk. Ancient fossil you say? I am not even sixty yet! You cheeky little bastard… But honestly?" Marco smirked as he smoothly landed on lush wet grass "It's more fun this way. Your scared face cracks me up"
"Jerk" boy hissed under his breath and hopped down from the mystical bird. Marco's blue smokless flames swiftly disappeared as he transformed into his human form.
"Next time you're using your own wings. I don't wanna listen to your rambling"
"Buut Marcooo. You know th-"
"No. You excuses and puppy eyes won't work on me anymore. You are flying by yourself. Period." Marco said with finality, ending the argument.
'Well, we'll see abou that'
If Marco thought Luffy was going to buy that, then he must've hit his head pretty hard. Luffy knew all his weaknesses. He was one of them, duh.
"Come on Luffy. They must be worried sick. After all, we're quite late. I wouldn't be surprised if they already started mobilizing the entire group-yoi"
As soon as they stepped one foot into the picturesque village, an azure-haired girl slammed right into Luffy's body, enveloping him in a surprisingly strong hug while Marco got bright smiles and waves from villiagers brimming with relief that they safely made it home.
"Yo Vivi. I'm home. Shishishishishi" Luffy giggled with a radiant smile on his face as he returned her heartfelt embrace. Few tears strayed from her eyes down onto his shoulder.
"You idiot. Welcome home"
She wasn't frowning anymore. Vivi was now sporting a huge genuine smile. He could feel it on his skin as she laid her face in the crook of his neck. It warmed his heart. He doesn't like his friends sad, but it's nice to know that they care so much for him. After a few more squeezes, they let go of each other.
"Let me guess, Phoenix-ya. Strawhat-ya ditched my plan yet again, made everything even more complicated, and that's why you're so late" Law sneered, walking over to the group with his ever so tired grimace. Although, if one paid closer attention to his grey, piercing eyes, they would see them flicker with repressed joy and relief.
Marco sighed in defeat "Very complicated. You have noooo idea"
That seemed to amuse surgeon as he tried to hide a faint smile under his white spotty hat.
"Believe me. I can imagine"
"You bastards are SO dead!"
Duo immediately froze in horror as they looked at two mad female beasts rushing to them at incredible speed. They didn't even have the time to blink as the said beasts pounced on them.
*THONK
Luffy got the first hit, right across his head with haki-infused umbrella.
"OUCH!"
"You…" Perona rumbled dangerously.
'Oooh shit.'
"Ah Rona, y-you see…heheh"
"YOU BASTARDS! COULDN'T YOU AT LEAST CALL IF YOU SCREWED UP YOUR MISSION?! Not that I was worried or anything. I don't give two shits about you. YOU CAN GO TO THE NEAREST NAVY BASE AND GET YOUR SORRY ASSES WHOOPED BY AKAINU FOR ALL I CARE!" girl barked in irritation as tears threatened to fall down.
She reminded Luffy of an angry pink frog that looked more adorable than threatening. After a few minutes of stomping and throwing deadly glares at the boy, she fell silent.
"Will you leave me too?" she whispered in a low voice that only Luffy could hear her. Stunned, he took her firmly by the shoulders and pulled her into a quick but tight hug. It looks like today he will be giving more hugs than usual. Not that he was complaining. He was always a cuddly monster. Luffy even managed to infect unshakable Ace and Law. No one escapes cuddles from Luffy and lives. NO ONE!
"I'm sorry, Rona…We couldn't have reported to you even if we wanted to, because I forgot to bring den den mushi with me. I am really sorry. I'll be more careful next time, okay?" Luffy murmured as he gently stroked her silky, pink hair.
"Ugh re-really y-ou…" she stuttered with vivid blush present on her face. "I should've guessed it was your fault again! You are dumb as a doornail after all."
"Hey!...But yeah, that was pretty stupid of me"
"Well, as long as you know it… But that doesn't mean I forgive you just with that"
Luffy paled, started pleading and slowly backing away " Oh come on, let's calm down and talk this out"
"Negative hollow!" Perona exclaimed as she summoned her ghost clone. Without any mercy, hollow passed through Luffy. He felt an unfathomable amount of despair hit him and it brought him to his knees.
"I'm pathetic excuse for a human. I shoul've been born as a clam. I'm sorry I breathe the same air as other human beings that walk on this planet. I'm as useless as Dadan's comb that she has never used once in her life." He repeated on and on.
"Horohorohoro now we're even"
"Pffft-hahah-mmph OUCH!" Marco tried to stiffen his laugh as he was getting assaulted by Koala's mighty fists of fury.
"Koala-san!" Vivi gasped in surprise. Even though punches and kicks flew in every direction on daily basis, she still wasn't use to it.
"You don't get to laugh at him Pineapple-head! Why didn't you bring your den den mushi? You're supposed to be the responsible one out of you two. Don't tell me you actually believed Luffy wouldn't forget his?" ex-revolutionary scolded blond man.
'Gosh, seriously? The blond men are the worst. First Sabo and now this idiot. He's only responsible when he's not with Luffy. Speaking of Luffy…He's much more similar to Sabo than the phoenix now that I think about it'
"Don't be so angry just 'cause we didn't rep-uuf" Luffy was interputed by Koala's punch to the jaw.
"It huuurts! Koala you jerk! What was that for?!"
"You shut up! You two are so much alike it hurts! Both of you are so selfish! Always endangering yourselves and letting your friends alone, worried. No wonder you became ungrateful jerk! Aggh, just thinking about him makes my blood boil!" she tried to sound irritated but deep unswerving fondness found its way into her voice.
"Koala-san there's no need for violence. I am sure they're sorry about the whole thi-"
*BONK
"Oi! Why did you hit me?! I may be blond but I ain't Sabo!"
"Koala-san, they had a h-"
Koala ingnored Marco's protests and turned her demonic face to Luffy again. " You are not a child anymore. You are 24 years old for the love of god! Grow up already!"
Vivi finally gave up. Once the rehead started yelling, there was no way of stopping her. She sighed deeply and leaned back on the fence behind her. Law gave her a comfoting pat on the shoulder. He knew better than anyone how hard is it to deal with 'passionate' individuals.
"Now now ladies, we know how much you were worried about them, but let them breathe for a minute. They just got home" Rayleigh insisted, appearing behind them.
"AAHH!"
"Ray-san! I told you not to do that. You almost gave me a heart attack! AGAIN!" Koala scolded.
"Don't worry Koala-ya, you have here the expert on heart surgeries after all" Law smirked smugly. " Should I check yours right now? Maybe your heart condition has something to do with you violent outbursts. " He 'innocently' eyed her.
"I almost forgot we have you Mr. Creep, I didn't recognize you without your usual black circles under you eyes" Koala retorted with Luffy rolling on the grass in the background, having the time of his life, laughing at his two friends.
"You're one to talk old geezer. You didn't sleep properly last three days while they were away" Perona scoffed at Rayleigh.
"Yeah! Who we caught at 2 am going 'for a early morning swim and absolutely not to rescue the two idiots' ?" other girl chimed in, already concentrated on scolding the man rather than continuing her fight with Law.
That made Rayleigh look away, embarrased. " That doesn't matter right now. Let's go visit Issho. He was quite nervous too."
"huuh really, uncle Rayleigh?" Luffy teased, snickering.
"Laugh all you want but, don't even think about skipping training tommorow, you have to catch up. We didn't train together for a week, you have to get back on track Luffy."
Luffy stopped cackling, his expression turned group proceeded to the biggest isolated house right beneath the grassy hill.
As they strode in silence, Marco decided to broke it with a qustion"So…how is he? I know that even when I am away, that Law is still here, but…with my abilities the treatment is much more effective:"
"His condition didn't worsen but also didn't improve" Law said in a monotonous voice.
"I see…"
Rayleight tried to lighten up the mood "This morning I caught two sea kings. Perona, Vivi, you think you could prepare them for dinner? I have a feeling we could use more meat today"
Luffy immediately beamed at the idea and started drolling " Meaaaaat…eheheh"
"Oh my god, his eyes are sparkling. Too…bright" said Marco shielding his eyes.
"Shut your mouth or something flies into it" Koala sighed and tried to push his jaw up with her hand. "Ewww, his droll is on my hand"
She thought for a second and then wiped the wet hand into Law's coat.
Surgeon swiftly turned around.
"What. the actual fuck. do you think. you're doing Koala"
"Oh? No ya this time?"
Others ignored those two, more interested in the meat topic. After all, their island was one of a few left that wasn't surrounded by darkness yet.
"Of course Rayleigh-san, but we will need some help with it" Vivi smiled at him.
"AND we need someone to…" Perona glanced at crazed eyes Luffy "…make sure that the moron stays far away from it before we're done"
Before they could start an argument who will have the pleasure of looking after Luffy they already were at the door to the their house. Everyone went inside, except for Luffy who was still in his meat world.
"C'mon you weirdo" Koala smiled as she tugged him by his streched ear.
Meet the family of survivors! Not everyone was yet introduced, we have two more to reveal themselves. This is only start of the story and even though it looks as a weak start, I am already excited about what's yet to come. So what are Luffy, Marco, Law, Perona, Vivi, Issho, Rayleigh, Koala, Marco and other two up to? They have grudges, regrets, scars on their souls and yet they still can smile...But, are they really happy?