A/N: I had to drop this one for the culture. Enjoy the reading.
Arrival
Blackbeard laughed loudly seeing the familiar straw hat captain that killed him months earlier. His menacing smile gleamed even in the dimly lit cave.
Luffy ignored him scanning the small cavern looking for a way out. The cave was boxed in with only one exit on the far end. Blackbeard's voice broke him from his stride as he made his way toward the exit.
"What the do you think your doing Straw Hat?! Do you have any idea what this place is?! You need a guide or you'll never get out of here!" Blackbeard shouted forcing the high councilor to march directly to him.
"What is this place exactly?" Luffy asked crossing his arms. Blackbeard at any moment could attack him, there was no trust from his side.
Blackbeard only chuckled shaking his head. "Its just like I said, it's hell. It's where the condemned people of the world like yours truly, suffer everlasting punishment." He tried to break his chains but it was useless.
"I'll leave you to your fate, I have to return to earth—somehow." Luffy said before turning on his heel.
"Strawhat! You will never get out of here alive, trust me!"
"Yeah why should I?"
"Cut off my head, as a show of good faith." Blackbeard had no hesitancy to his words.
"I can do that." Luffy said bringing his fiery blade out.
"Wait one second—AH!" Blackbeard screamed at his head lifelessly rolled into the floor.
Luffy picked up the severed head examining it. Blackbeard jolted alive trying to startle the high councilor; it had no effect.
"Woah if that didn't scare ya, you might make it outta here, zehaha!"
"How are you not dead?" Luffy asked pulling the head back to stare at it.
"Ah, I'm very much dead—I'm reanimated." Blackbeard answered showing his menacing smile.
Luffy looked at the severed head one final time before securing it the back of his yellow sash. Wordlessly he moved on only to stop at the inscription written above the exit. It looked like gibberish to him.
"What does this say?" Luffy asked bringing the severed head up to read.
"Lasciate ogne speranza voi' ch'intrate."
Blackbeard said turning to face the high councilor. "Abandon all hope, those who enter here."
Luffy knew this place was pure evil. His instincts told him if he went in there, he wouldn't return. He placed the head back onto its place on his sash before reluctantly entering. The exit led to an endless black hole with no bottom in sight.
There was no other way. Without a second thought he dove in the pit not knowing if he'd survive. He flew through the air at an incredible speed, before everything faded to blackness.
"Straw Hat, get up—we've arrived." Blackbeard spoke causing Luffy to stir. The place smelled horrid, worse than anything he could've imagined. Anguished screams filled the large cavern as Luffy stood fully.
He found himself on a shore coated in black sand. The grotto stretched farther than his eye could see. The damned souls appeared faceless and unrecognizable. They seemed to pass through Luffy as he reached out to touch one.
The nearest one he touched flashed its previous life on earth before his eyes. It was a woman; a celestial dragon. It showed her happiness when she got married and had kids. It also showed her darker side when she owned slaves, spitting on the rest of the world. Finally it showed the terror she felt, as she held onto her family when the meteor destroyed Mariejois.
Luffy immediately pulled his hand back letting the soul go. "W-what the hell." It was something he never wanted to experience again.
"These are the Uncommitted; These souls did not choose a side in life. Neither good nor evil— just opportunists out for themselves." Blackbeard spoke before Luffy continued on.
As the pair approached a moderately sized vessel. They took notice at the souls that walked aimlessly on the shores. Hornets and wasps stung them continuously, while maggots and worms stuck to their feet sucking their blood. The foul stench only got worse as the pirates climbed onto the boat. Luffy pushed off the sand with a large rubber hand, putting the vessel in motion.
The souls on the ship continued to let out anguishing wails much to the annoyance of the pirate pair. Luffy walked to the front of the ship noticing a large half humanoid piloting the boat forward with a large paddle. The being was attached from the waist down to the ship; it must've acted as his legs.
The figure's head twisted around staring directly at the high councilor. "Human you may not enter, you have no place here." The vessel came to abrupt stop.
"Wait—" Blackbeard said interrupting Luffy as he prepped an attack.
Luffy lifted the severed head so he could address the pilot of the vessel. "Vuolsi cosi cola dove si puote— cio chi si vuole." Blackbeard spoke earning a nod from the creature as it got back to rowing.
"What did you tell him head?" Luffy asked holding Blackbeard eye level with him. The high councilor did not trust him still.
The severed head didn't bat an eye at the hostility shown by his carrier. "It is so willed there where is power to do— that which is willed." Blackbeard stated earning a nod from Luffy; he placed him back in his spot. Blackbeard told the large being he is on a journey of divine ground.
Luffy looked out at the endless dark water wishing he could get to the other side instantaneously. As he turned around the screeching from the souls got louder causing him to cover his ears. It proved to be of no help, he began to pass out fading into oblivion once again.
I.
A crash jolted Luffy awake as the vessel came to a halt. They had arrived in the first circle of hell. The pair hopped off the vessel heading into the cave up ahead.
Luffy's imagination did not do hell justice. When they stepped out of the cave, the land looked endless; stretching far beyond his vision. Lightning and thunder were constant threatening to strike anything within its range. Directly ahead massive dead trees formed a forest of some sorts.
"What is this place?" Luffy asked still in shock at the scope of the landscape.
"The first circle of the inferno, Limbo." Blackbeard answered. Despite his lack of vision he was just in awe as Luffy, taking in the sight of hellish landscape.
Blackbeard continued as they began their entrance into the trees. "Here suffer those that did not sin, yet did not have the required faith. This is the realm where virtuous pagans and unbaptized babies reside."
The pair did not notice a group of shadowy figures stalk them. Loud wailing distracted the pair as they approached the crying.
Luffy stood over the sound, picking up the source of it gently in his hands.
"A child? How is this possible?" He asked himself, puzzled beyond measure.
Weeks before the incident at Mariejois, a few days after Blackbeard's defeat—the Thousand Sunny trailed the Revolutionary ships heading to regroup with their armada. The captain and navigator kissed passionately as he gently placed her on the bed. She lightly pushed on his shoulders, halting his actions as he intended to go lower.
"Luffy..." She said placing her hands on the sides of his face. "I'm tired, not tonight." He immediately rolled onto his side facing her.
"Of course." He understood what she was saying—they'd been going at it nonstop since they got together. She could only smile happily at his understanding of her feelings at the moment.
"Can I still kiss you?" Luffy asked a slight smile played at his lips.
"Of course Luffy." She giggled. "You've earned the rig—" Nami was cut off by his sudden kiss, stealing her breath away.
Luffy broke the kiss first, leaving Nami reeling as she placed her forehead on his.
"Idiot, why are you like this?" Nami sprung her arms around his neck, burying into his chest.
"Huh? Like what?" He asked amused as she continued nuzzling his neck.
Nami brought him eye level with her. "Why you're so good, I couldn't live with myself any other way."
"You thought I'd be mad for you being too tired tonight." Luffy spoke realizing what she meant. "Nami, I loved you before any of that, it feels good, but I don't love you because of that. It's an act to express how much I love you."
Nami couldn't believe how profound he sounded; it came straight from his heart.
"Idiot." Was all she could muster turning crimson at his words once again burying herself in his torso. Luffy was content to just hold her for the night.
"Luffy."
"Hm?"
"If we truly do raise a child, you know I would have to leave the crew." As soon as the words left her mouth she could feel him flinch. The words hurt him like a bullet could never.
"Nami..." he turned to face her looking into her eyes. "We can make it work, we always do." He said reassuringly trying to end the conversation abruptly.
The navigator shook her head. "No Luffy, it's not possible. The open sea is no place for an infant, you know that." She argued, slightly distancing herself.
His expression remained unreadable. "We'll make it work." He repeated stubbornly. The captain made a move to pull her closer but she scooted away creating a noticeable distance.
"Not this time Luffy. I'm making the decision, after we bring down the Government— I'm going to return to Cocoyashi Village, and I will raise the child there. It's my decision Luffy."
Luffy became agitated about her not consulting him. "I understand Nami, but I can't protect you, if I'm not with you..."
"It'll be okay, I have Nojiko, Genzo, and the village. It'll be a lot safer there."
He could see her point. It didn't help his agitation at being left out of the decision making.
"Nami, I don't feel comfortable leaving you. You can't ask me to do this." Luffy spoke in a calm manner.
Nami crossed her arms defensively becoming agitated herself. "I wasn't asking, I'm telling you what's happening."
"You can't go where I can't protect you Nami." Luffy spoke somewhat matching her tone. Nami became hurt at his statement, he was forbidding her from leaving the crew.
"So after giving me my freedom, you want to take it away, is that it?" She mocked turning her back to him.
Luffy reached out for briefly nearly touching her shoulder before turning his back to her as well; it was their first fight.
After a few minutes of silence and unreturned glances from them both. Nami peaked over her shoulder to see Luffy doing the same. They turned over to face each other after calming down, collecting their thoughts.
"I'm sorry for—" they both started.
"No you—" they chuckled at their eagerness to apologize.
"I'm sorry Nami, I just can't lose you." Luffy said closing the distance between them. "Especially if their is a child, you guys are my world, I just want you to be safe, but happy more than anything. So...if that will make you feel safest and happiest then of course I'll support you." He wrapped her arm around her waist like she wanted.
He said the words she wanted to hear. Luffy tended to be over protective sometimes taking it to the extreme, but she knew it was in his nature. "I would like nothing more than to stay with you and the crew. But we both know it's for the best." She said placing his hand over flat stomach.
"Is there a kick coming?" He asked bringing a giggle to her features.
"No Luffy, it will be awhile before that." She said still giggling at his foolishness. It was his way of making her comfortable again.
"I can't wait, I'm so happy." Luffy spoke his eyes becoming glossy with emotion imaging a pregnant navigator.
Nami could see how truly happy he was with her. He just wanted them to be safe, but he was willing to let the choice be hers and hers alone; it was all she could ask from him. Not a second later she crashed her lips against his.
"Nami." Luffy chuckled at her sudden forwardness.
"I love you Luffy, truly." She continued her passionate assault pulling him on top of her. Nami couldn't wait any longer tugging him out of his cardigan.
"Nami?" He questioned, not understanding her intentions.
"I want to make you happy Luffy. Make love to me." She spoke pulling him down onto her capturing his lips once again.
She placed his hand on her sensitive area causing her to moan into his ear.
"Luffy" Nami placed her hands on his cheeks forcing him to look at her in the eyes.
"Go slow." She commanded.
"Of course babe." He responded attacking her neck softly. She loved the subtle way he called her that; only he could say that.
As the two lay entangled naked—it was truly the first time they looked at each other in the light, loving every inch of their partner. The slow thrusts caused Nami to moan softly and rapidly.
"I love you so much Nami." He whispered hoarsely in her ear causing her to squirm and clench around him tighter.
"Babe, don't stop." Nami huffed as he continued making love to her.
The two continued their passion well into the night until the early morning. It was then Luffy knew he had an unborn child.
"Straw Hat!"
"Straw Hat!"
"Hey! I'm sorry for what you lost! But this is not the place to reminisce!" Blackbeard's shouting woke him up from his daze as the small fetus faded into dust becoming lost in the winds.
Luffy would never forget Nami or his unborn child. The memories only brought back his pain and anger; He would destroy hell if he had to return to the world.
Horribly disfigured winged creatures swarmed upon the pair. Luffy could see them coming from all directions, as he began to slash and burn numerous demons. However there seemed to be no end to the ferocious horde.
"Behind you brother!" Blackbeard shouted again watching his blindside. Luffy rolled out of the way another wave tried to flank him.
"There's too many to fight!" Luffy yelled hoping the severed head had a plan.
Blackbeard noticed a mountain through the trees, with a half drawbridge on it; their escape route. "Run for the mountain!" He commanded and Luffy obeyed.
The two barley escaped the horde of fallen angels as they squeezed through the small opening in the tree line.
Leaping through the drawbridge, Luffy extended his bladed hand to cut the chain, sealing the entrance.
"You need to be more cautious then that. That was only the first stage." Blackbeard spat unhappy with his near demise.
Luffy ignored him walking down the elongated hall. He came upon a large circular room filled with talking souls; they seemed to be dressed in royal garments and chatting like they were still among the living. The complete opposite of the damned souls he ran into earlier.
"They are familiar to me." Luffy said looking upon the room that examined him with curiosity.
"The great rulers and philosophers of the golden age." Blackbeard exclaimed as the pair made their way into the room.
One man in a group of three shouted catching their attention. "I have never agreed to such terms."
The other man ignored him offering his own theory. "I say God exists in the realm of ideas, accessible to human thought."
"There is only one philosophy in hell—Lucifer's." Luffy continued ignoring them walking toward the large hall leading to their next destination. "Do not look for liberation here, old friend." The third man spoke.
The pair stopped to see a familiar face standing by the exit not saying a word.
"You know this guy?" Blackbeard asked not caring who the shadowy figure was.
"Yeah, this is Gol D. Roger—he was the previous Pirate King. He inspired our generation of pirates to find the One Piece." Luffy said slightly stunned he stood in the presence of his idol.
"Huh, so that's him huh? Thought he'd be taller. We better keep moving." Blackbeard spoke slightly unnerved by the soul's silence.
Gol D. Roger watched them disappear down the hall before bowing his head, a small smirk on his face.
Luffy stopped at the end of the hall witnessing a large demonic creature with a helmet covering the entirety of his head. A large serpent like tail for capturing his prey, and large claws used for snatching souls.
Who is he?" Luffy asked bringing Blackbeard's head up to see the monster clearly.
"Ah Minos, once a King of Prodence before his brother boiled him in his own bath to steal the throne."
Luffy could only stare at the massive creature as it snatched a lowly soul throwing it into hell, yelling out its eternal punishment.
Blackbeard continued, "Now Minos forever judges the damned, sending them to the circle below. Through him, all must past."
"HERETIC!"
"GLUTTON!"
"HOARDER!"
"SUICIDE!"
"Who enters my domain?" Minos asked sensing the intruders.
"I need to get out of here, your in my way." Luffy stated not backing down from the giant.
"There is no place for your here—turn back." Minos said not bothering to spare them a glance.
"With or without your permission, I pass, monster." Luffy spoke stepping forward to stand only a few feet away.
The tail whiplashed toward the high councilor causing him to slightly lose his balance.
Quickly catching himself he bladed his arms, slashing the tip of the tail off before it could counterattack.
Not wasting any time he furiously cut the exposed stomach of the creature, before dodging the incoming claw that sought to squash him.
"I'll judge you to the lowest circle of hell. Lucifer will devour you for an eternity." Minos said hunching on all fours in pain. Luffy's hellfire badly damaged the being. In an instant he slashed the monster's belly in half causing his insides to slosh onto the ground.
King Minos's remains slithered away out of sight; the hellfire had slain him.
"The damned are fleeing, Lucifer is gonna be pissed."
"Let him come, my hellfire will slay him as it has his demons." Luffy stated continuing his journey.
II.
The pair were in the middle of a hellacious storm as it continually rained for an eternity.
"What is this place?" Luffy asked trudging his way across the platform leading to a distant tower.
"The second circle, the circle of lust. To this torment are condemned the carnal damned. They are the great lustful of the world. Just look around ya!"
Luffy listened to Blackbeard's explanation as he noticed souls flying in the depths of the storm screaming in terror. They were doomed to repeat their endless nightmare for an eternity.
Upon reaching the tower, Luffy strewed his hand to reach the open balcony stepping into the warm room, thankful to be out of the rain.
"A new visitor arrives, sisters." A gorgeous woman said.
"A handsome one at that, we know who you are." Her sister added.
"Come embrace us, Luffy." The third sister grabbed his face attempting to pull her to him but he kept his distance.
"We know what you want we can see it in your eyes, unbearable lust."
The three sisters huddled around him drawing closer.
"Luffy..."
Her voice snapped him out of the trance.
"No, let me pass, stand aside harlots." He shoved them away violently.
"If you won't have us, we'll simply have you."
The sisters grew appendages from their torsos sending them at the high councilor. He didn't have time to have mercy, they were demons.
He slashed their limbs off one by one, ignoring their screams of pain as he killed one by cutting them in half.
Once it was over he looked at the carnage making sure they were all dead. Satisfied he ran toward the exit moving on.
III.
The pair moved onto the next circle in a hurry as they felt the atmosphere shift. Ice rain fell from the sky as they made their way deeper into the misty land.
Thunderous roars caught the attention of the high councilor. A three headed monster appeared devouring souls that tried to escape from sludge.
Anticipating his question Blackbeard spoke up. "It is Cerberus, guardian of the third circle—gluttony."
Numerous gluttonous souls ran for their lives before being devoured gruesomely. The surviving damned trampled over one another trying to escape their fate.
"This is the most repulsive creature I've ever seen." Luffy said not taking his eyes off the horrid beast as it's crunched on countless souls, spraying their blood in all directions.
"And it is your fate as well Straw Hat. The true circle of gluttony lies inside of Cerberus' body." Blackbeard responded shifting his head to glance at the beast.
"There isn't any other way? We can't go around? Luffy questioned disgusted by the guardian of gluttony.
"No."
"So be it." Luffy charged aiming a flaming third gear at the beast. He smashed the central head into the ground. Immediately the two other heads pounced on him. The beast swallowed him whole and he descended into the stomach.
"Hell gets no worse than this place. I find this circle to be the shit hole of hell."
"Yeah try being alive." Luffy responded rubbing his nose from the foul odor emitting from the place.
The high councilor couldn't help but notice the souls' fates. Sinking into a pit of sludge forever drowning in their glutton.
"Why do the souls get punished for this? It doesn't seem like did anything to deserve this everlasting torment."
"The gluttons. What they could not satisfy in life, in death they will be denied for eternity." Blackbeard answered.
The duo came upon a massive black heart a short time later.
"What is this?" Luffy asked examining the giant mass in front of him.
"The beast's heart, quickly destroy it!"
Luffy sliced through the tentacle like appendages guarding the heart before thrusting his flaming elephant gun deep in the organ.
The blood spilled out of heart at a great speed sending the pair out one of the beast's mouths. Luffy hung onto the ledge refusing to fall into the pit below him. Cerberus proved to be invulnerable, even with a critical hit to a vital organ. The beast lunged at him forcing him to let go, as he dropped into another bottomless pit.
IV.
Luffy landed on a knee creating a creator from the force of his landing. This realm actually looked enticing—an endless caravan filled to the brim with gold.
He came upon massive golden machinery producing gold at an alarming rate.
"I've never seen more gold in one place in my life. What would someone do with all this?"
"This is the fourth circle—Greed."
A nerve struck the high councilor in his chest. He refused to believe what the darkest regions of his mind offered.
"Snap out of it!" Blackbeard shouted catching his attention. Luffy grasped the head by his hair pulling him eye level with him.
"Snap out of it! She's not here, hell is trying mess with your head. You don't believe someone like that would be here do you? How stupid can you be?!" Blackbeard questioned anger showing on his features.
"Your right, this place is already effecting my mind, Let's go." Luffy spoke.
Blackbeard was right, she wasn't here; there wasn't a doubt in his mind—she was good. So where is she? There had to be somewhere the good souls went.
The pair witnessed countless of souls being boiled in magma gold and buried beneath a mountain of coins.
"All the earth's treasure that is beneath the moon or ever was, can not give relief to these weary souls. What a mockery is made of the brief battle for possessions, that makes so short a life." Blackbeard said calmly seeing souls devoured by the large machines being morphed into gold.
"Well this should be entertaining!"
Luffy recognized the new voice.
Looking up he saw Gin Tesoro leaning down from the top of the structure. He raised his glasses off his face to make sure it was the straw hat captain.
"It makes sense your here, I don't have time to face you." Luffy said continuing to walk toward the exit.
"I don't think so, you'll pay for what you took away from me! Gold Inferno!" Gin shouted raising a golden gauntlet to strike his opponent.
The high councilor swiftly dodged by leaping back a good distance.
Gin Tesoro started to chuckle charging towards the pair aiming another fist. Luffy smashed him into the ground swiftly with an elephant gun fist.
"We don't have to fight. I understand your pain, we don't have to kill each other. Maybe we can work together." Luffy offered his hand to the downed man.
Gin Tesoro looked surprised at the gesture. He contemplated the offer before declining.
"No. It's far too late for that." He stood dusting himself off. "Besides, Lucifer made me an offer I couldn't refuse!" The gold in the room began forming around him forcing the high councilor back once again.
"Lanza Del Infernio!" Luffy shouted summoning his flaming lance. His dragon form began to activate on its own as his attack evaporated. The high councilor screamed uncontrollably, the rage consuming him.
"Straw Hat snap out of it! Don't let it control you!"
He roared fearsomely causing his opponent to take a step back even in his gigantic gold form.
Luffy showed his horns, a hellfire meteor shot towards his opponent sending him crashing into the gold structures.
The transformed Luffy snapped one of his horns off causing him to revert back to himself. Hell was influencing his devil powers uncontrollably; he had to move on.
Gin Tesoro fell out of the gold giant, half of his body burnt to crisp. "Kill me...don't let me rot in this god forsaken place." He begged clawing towards the pair.
"He ain't worth it, lets move." Blackbeard said. The duo continued their journey ignoring the desperate pleas from the madman—he truly wasn't worth killing, his eternal torment was enough.
V.
"Keep your mind Straw Hat, do not dwell on past deeds here. See the souls over whom anger has prevailed—In the black sludge of the river styx, do they never wish they'd been born. The fools—we must cross here." Blackbeard spoke using his Gura Gura no Mi powers to raise up a stone vessel from the river.
The two made their way across the river slowly as the damned souls taunted them to fight.
"Who are you to come here before your time, mortal!"
"Come down here Straw Hat, face your old enemy!"
Luffy looked to both sides of vessel looking out in the distance.
"STRAWHAT." Big Mom's voice rang out as her large face appeared in the clouds to his right side.
He immediately grabbed Blackbeard to look at the manifestation in the sky; judging by the look on his face, he was equally as flabbergasted.
"How is that possible head?" He asked still looking at the sky.
"I-I don't know." Blackbeard turned to look at Luffy, regaining his composure. "Never, ever go there."
"What's there?"
"Don't! We stay the path to get out of here. You go there, you don't come back." He said simply as her manifestation disappeared into the clouds.
Luffy placed Blackbeard on the back of his sash. The words Big Mom said to him before her death rang through his mind. "Head. Before Big Mom died she said there's a way to bring your loved ones back, it was a secret of the dead." He spoke earning a solemn look from the reanimated head.
"It's not possible...she's a liar, believe me. There's only one way and it's the Ope Ope no Mi fruit. That only works right after a person dies however, it's limited in some regards."
Luffy was disappointed in his answer. He was expecting a profound revelation, only to be let down; perhaps Big Mom's words were false. He turned to look to the left side staring out in the distance—the land up ahead came into view.
"Would about that way?" Luffy inquired looking out at the mysterious land.
"Only Rumors brother, supposedly there's a being from another world; an extraterrestrial."
"A what?"
"Supposedly this cosmic being created all devil fruit and was at one time was responsible for the 100 year void—hell, I heard this thing had the five elders on its knees at one point."
"Why is it here?" He asked folding his arms.
"Who knows, the old government covered a lot of shit up. They must've been done taking orders, so they banished em' here, like they did you." Blackbeard spoke staring at the lightning persisting in that area. "In another world, it probably still runs the government—but not this one."
"If it's so powerful why doesn't it escape?" Luffy asked not taking his eyes off the distant land.
"Hell is paradise for it. There would be no reason to escape."
"It have a name?"
"Im-Sama, that's what they call it. The originator of eternal life."
Luffy turned away from the location of the otherworldly being's domain. It wasn't a fight he had time for nor the fortitude at this point, if it truly was immortal. The duo soon reached their destination.
VI.
Luffy walked past flowing chains hanging burning corpses from the ceiling as he made his way through an abandoned building. They came upon an endless fiery graveyard: corpses burned on stakes, souls screamed in agony burning for eternity in their graves.
"What is this place?" Luffy couldn't believe a horrid place like this could exist.
"The tombs of heresy. Here in the sixth circle, you will find endless heretics burning in eternal fire." Blackbeard explained as they marched on watching the carnage unfold.
"Oh, Marshall D. Teach who walks through this place speaking so decorously, know that I'm the Golden Lion Shiki."
"Another hated man in life, what do you want, spirit?" Luffy asked impatience dripping from his tone.
"Know this. The damned can foresee the future but can never know the present. Your future Straw Hat, is filled with death and destruction. You will be damned with us forever!"
Before Shiki could strike Luffy plunged his hellfire blade through his left eye incinerating the spirit in seconds.
"I never liked him."
"Come on, we must hurry Straw Hat." Blackbeard spoke. Once again the two moved closer toward the ninth circle.
The two made it out of the graveyard entering an open area with large rock formations laid about. Behind the formation the special zombie type Oars emerged ready to face the intruders.
The zombie chewed on bloody corpses, spitting them in front of the duo.
"It's you, I can't wait to devour your flesh, HUMAN!" The zombie charged stretching his arm attempting to grab the high councilor. Using his superior speed he was able to stay one step ahead of him.
"A little help here head."
"Alright, lead him next to a pillar." Blackbeard commanded and Luffy followed. He wouldn't deny Blackbeard's tactical skills, they were uncanny.
The zombie smashed into a high standing rock formation. In a flash a spiked rock protruded out through the formation, impaling the giant zombie through his skull. Massive amounts of blood leaked on the ground as Oar fell on ground lifelessly.
"I'm impressed." Luffy smirked.
"Ha! It was nothing he was all horns, no brains. Now get a move on, we're almost outta here!"
VII.
"This circle is reserved for the violent. Those who have done violence against others forever boil in the blood they have shed."
Luffy listened to the words of the severed head. He felt as if that was his reality already, the blood he spilt would always be on his hands. He'll remember every single one, even Blackbeard wasn't any different.
The high councilor examined the river of boiling blood. The rock formations were to great a distance for him to jump and activating his dragon form wasn't an option.
"How are we going to cross? It's impossible."
Blackbeard whistled loudly summoning his ally. A large humanoid centaur appeared in an instant.
"Hey Necessa. Remember that favor you owe me. We need passage across the bloody Phlegeton. Can you help us?" Blackbeard asked desperation lacing his tone. The centaur was their only hope.
After a moment of hesitation a female voice answered back. "Of course. Climb and hold on tightly. This sea is treacherous."
Once secured, she jumped with extraordinary force, gliding through the air effortlessly.
"The damned here are worse off than the Styx." Luffy stated noticing the sheer brutality of this circle.
"These were the kings of bloodshed and despoilment." Necessa spoke effortlessly dodging the incoming projectiles while jumping from formation to formation.
The female humanoid gave one final great leap to avoid the multiple projectiles landing on the other side of the boiling river.
"Be wary of the next passage, friends." Necessa spoke with a wave ready to depart.
"Thanks Necessa." Blackbeard grinned.
She nodded towards her friend before addressing the high councilor. "Good luck on your journey mortal soul." She said gliding off into the mist.
"This is no forest." Luffy spoke glancing up at the gargantuan trees up ahead;they stretched higher than he could see, covered in an eerie fog.
Luffy's dragon form once again manifested on its own. It charged forward slicing through the demons in all directions. He could see what was happening, but could not stop himself.
The high councilor brought his hellfire lance out throwing it toward the epicenter of the horde, rocking the foundation of hell.
Luffy fell on all fours sweating profusely. It was only getting worse; soon he wouldn't be able to control it. Then he may become one of hell's puppets. He had to get out of this place soon.
The two traveled a good distance finally exiting the forest to come upon a dry desert.
"Are we still in the seventh circle?"
"Yes, the abominable sands. It is here the damned did violence against God."
"Blackbeard..." The high councilor spoke abruptly stopping in his tracks.
"If there's a hell that punishes the supposed wicked for an eternity. There has to be an afterlife for the good people right?" Luffy asked hoping for an answer.
"There's defiantly a heaven. Although it's impossible to get in, only the purest are allowed entry. I can only speculate your woman is there." Blackbeard spoke nearly choking as Luffy yanked him from his spot.
"Tell me how to get there! If it has twenty circles then so be it! I have to go there!" Luffy desperately screamed at the severed head.
It nearly made Blackbeard shed a tear at his determination to see his beloved again.
"Please..." he spoke softer, "tell me how, I'll do anything."
"Straw Hat, I truly am sorry, but no one has ever got in there, ever— at least not that we know of, it's impossible." He repeated solemnly.
Luffy's spirit nearly broke after his hope was snatched away, his former enemy couldn't help but sympathize with him.
"Come on let's continue, were reaching the home stretch." Blackbeard said trying to bring the high councilor back.
Wordlessly he placed the head in its spot before continuing on the journey ahead, crossing the desert.
Awhile later the severed heads voice broke the high councilor out of his sorrow. "Straw Hat look up ahead!" Blackbeard perked up barley able to see the two distant figures, but their energy was unmistakable.
Luffy glanced up recognizing the two figures immediately, especially the significantly shorter one of the two.
AAAACCCCEEEE!" Luffy shouted with joy stretching his arm to the man's shoulder flinging himself right toward him.
"Huh?" Ace didn't have time to react before his brother torpedoed into his sternum, knocking the wind out of him.
Ace regained his balance quickly catching his brother embracing him.
"Baby bro LUFFY aha! I knew I'd see you again!" Ace bear hugged his brother with glee nearly snapping his spine.
"Wait your not dead are you?" Ace asked curiously putting his brother down.
"Na, just got trapped her by some weirdos practicing magic. I'm on my way out." Luffy explained with a slight grin.
Luffy barley acknowledged Whitebeard standing behind him. It wasn't until the severed head screamed with glee to be seeing Pops again.
"Pops! Good to see ya you old bastard—"
Whitebeard stuck his boot in the head's face shutting him up.
"Likewise son." Whitebeard grinned turning his attention to the brothers who were still in deep conversation.
Luffy turned his attention to the man that rallied behind him at Marineford.
"Good to see ya old man." Luffy joked earning a smile.
"Same too you, little brat." He responded.
The two men explained to Luffy that they were trapped in the desert and forced to fight endless hordes of demons to train Lucifer's army for eternity. Since they died on Marineford the battles had been nonstop. Ace admitted without Blackbeard he would've lost himself. His captain had accepted his fate without batting an eye, he was destined to battle forever.
"You guys can escape with us." Luffy proposed.
Whitebeard and Ace simultaneously shook their heads.
"Sorry Luffy, we can't. We are bound to this place forever." Ace slightly frowned ending their happy reunion.
It was Luffy's turn to shake his head. "Big Mom— Charlotte Lin-Lin told me there is a way to bring loved one backs, it's a secret of the dead."
Whitebeard and Ace exchanged puzzled looks before the older of the two spoke up.
"Young man, there is no way to resurrect what has passed on. Not unless you were to use the Ope Ope fruit and even then, its power is limited." Whitebeard said grimly.
"Who were you thinking of bringing back?" Ace asked curiously. He knew it wasn't him, but he had a solid guess who.
Luffy smiled remembering his reason for returning to earth realm. "I want to bring my girlfriend back more than anything, she was special, she was my navigator, she was everything."
Whitebeard, Ace, and Blackbeard listened to the man open up in awe at his authenticity. Before they could react, Lucifer's army began to resurrect from the sand putting them all on guard.
The four worked in tandem clearing a path to the next circle. Ace shook his brother's hand one last time.
"I'll find a way to bring you back Ace." Luffy said earning a laugh from his older brother.
"Sure." He smirked in response before nodding, signaling his brother to move on.
The pair reluctantly ran disappearing into the exit leaving, Whitebeard and Ace to battle the satanic horde.
"Ahahahaha!" Ace laughed loudly while incinerating the hell spawns.
"What's so funny son?" Whitebeard asked arching his brow.
"It took my death to do it, but my brother finally became a man."
"Gu ha ha ha!" Whitebeard laughed along with his son as they worked in tandem fighting the endless horde.
VIII.
"This is the union of the three great rivers of hell." Blackbeard said. A massive armless creature appeared from the river in front of them, nearly catching the duo off guard.
Luffy got in his stance ready to fight the creature.
"Not this one straw hat. Geryon is our passage to the eighth circle. Climb inside, and don't shit yourself, but it bites."
The giant winged creature flew kilometers in seconds dropping the two off on an endless bridge.
"Thanks Geryon, I owe you one." Blackbeard said as the two waved to the beast as it flew off.
"We are in the circle of fraud—which one commits upon those who trust in him." Blackbeard continued, "we must travel these ten hellish pits quickly."
Luffy traveled as fast he could over the flatterers and simonists. As he ran he became overwhelmed with his sins. As if every pit was a chasm of his memory. With every step his mind began to weaken causing him to stop briefly, yet he did not yield.
A haunting voice broke him from his thoughts.
"Do you see the truth now high councilor. You are one of the worst sinners I have, you truly belong here with us." Lucifer grinned floating above him a good distance away.
The epitome of evil truly had no form. It was a dark shapeless cloud, pure maliciousness leaked from its very essence.
"Blackbeard, you are quite the troublemaker— I will deal with you two." The evil force cackled breaking the surface of the large platform it floated above, releasing a blue glow.
The duo walked up to glow staring down at the lowest part of the ninth circle.
"The circle of treachery the lowest, blackest, and farthest from Heaven. Well do I know the way." Blackbeard joked. He could tell the high councilor was not in the mood, as he stared down into the icy abyss.
"Are you ready for this brother?" Blackbeard asked feeling slightly nervous.
"No."
Luffy jumped down into the hole descending into the final circle of hell.
IX.
The pair made their way through the icy caverns covered in darkness. Luffy experienced a coldness not felt before, it made Punk hazard seem like Alabasta. On the walls, all around them were frozen souls of deceivers and traders.
Finally after what felt like an eternity of walking he crossed the frozen lakes, passing the icy giants of legend. Luffy soon after came up countless chains blocking the enormous frozen door.
Luffy extended his arms fully dicing the chains up with the chaos flames. One by one the large chains fell off onto the ground. With one final elephant gun punch he busted through the door.
They were greeted by the a fearsome creature trapped waist high in the frozen lake.
"Welcome High Councilor." Lucifer spoke. Luffy took notice of his three heads. The middle one red, the one on the left yellow, and the right one black. All devouring a traitorous individual who begged for mercy.
"Our escape is beneath him." Blackbeard whispered staying completely still.
"Welcome to your final resting place, the circle of traitors—" Luffy cut him off.
"Lucifer! I have come to escape this hell, so that I may continue my quest to perfect the world—but not, before I rid the world of your corruption."
"You will have to pass me, no one has ever done it. You are a warrior of a weak and dying God, a God who is true evil his power wanes over the world."
"Silence. Your lies have no power over me, devil, I will rend the soul from your very body." Luffy shouted ready to challenge the prince of darkness.
"Indignant Fool." Lucifer shook his head. "Come let me devour your soul. You will remain in this pit until creations last breath, do your hear?"
"Your no different from any demon or god I've faced, you can be destroyed like the rest!" Luffy charged the monstrous demon activating his dragon form.
"Third Gear: Hellfire Elephant Gatling!" The massive fiery punches overwhelmed the demon for a brief moment.
"You can not destroy me!" Lucifer shouted as the high councilor stood atop his head. This only enraged the prince of darkness, the roars of anger filled the cavern.
Luffy leapt high into the air contorting his rubbery body into a flaming corkscrew. In a flash he sliced open the middle face of satan shocking him.
"What have you done to me?" He snarled as massive amounts of blood pooled on the icy floor.
The demon howled in pain falling into to the icy surface.
Before Luffy could walk any closer the ground began to rumble. Lucifer chuckled, hopping out of his imprisonment.
"Thank you high councilor, I'm impressed. Many have tried but all have failed me. But you... you've freed me from my eternal torment. Don't you see? I was bound by God in this frozen pit, it took a mortal to free me."
"No it isn't true! I defeated you before. Show me the path from hell or I'll end your miserable existence." Luffy shouted irritated with the arrogant demon.
"Destroy an angel of God? You arrogant gnat. Such vanity, such pride. I could've slain you the moment you fell into hell."
The demon sent a fiery blast toward Luffy before he was able to blink. He felt his back smash against the icy wall as he spat blood from his mouth. He was fortunate to have his healing factor or it could've been the end.
The demon sent more flames his way smashing the ground all around him. Luffy summoned his hellfire lance throwing it at Lucifer.
The blast sent the prince of darkness to the other end of the wall. A large cloud of smoke radiated from his body. The hellfire managed to damage invulnerable beings.
"You worship God, but it was he who created evil. It was he who created me. If you knew the true nature of God, Luffy, you too would rebel." Lucifer spoke trying to entice the high councilor to his side.
"He nor you mean nothing to me. I'll take you both down if I have too." Luffy charged once again slashing Lucifer's torso with his bladed hands. The cerulean and black flames ignited the room in a magnificent glow.
Satan flapped his massive wings sending Luffy back toward the far end of the icy arena.
"I grow weary of this game." The demon rose in the air summoning his fire out of thin air. The flames gathered around him firing all at once. Luffy deflected all but one fire beam; the blast sent him reeling.
"Finally I will reclaim my proper place in heaven."
Luffy ignored the beast noticing the exit out of hell beside satan.
"Instead of you escaping, I will. I'll burn every soul in heaven." Lucifer chuckled.
If Nami truly resided in heaven, he would never let that happen. His dragon form began to take over his actions again acting out on its own.
An inhuman scream shook the very foundation of hell to its core. A large meteor gathered at the horns before firing towards the demon.
Lucifer thrashed against the wall at an incredible speed. Luffy stretched his arms around a large icicle from the ceiling driving it into the animal's jugular. Out of his neck a large shiny metal object fell onto the icy floor.
"We have to get him back into the pit brother!" Blackbeard shouted. A second later he grabbed the shiny object between his teeth using his remaining Yami Yami no Mi powers.
Luffy wasted no time pummeling the beast with his flaming gear third fists. Once he fell into the icy water, Blackbeard used his Gura Gura no Mi to freeze him breast high.
"Fools! You can't recapture me again! You—" The Devil halted his words noticing the shiny object was missing.
"Here brother, finish it." Blackbeard flung the object into the high councilor's hand.
Luffy examined the familiar object. He'd seen it vividly in passing throughout his life. The last time he saw it was on the Holy Bible, Bartholomew Kuma gave him before he burned it.
Wasting no time he held the cross up towards the demon as its glow encompassed the cavern.
"NO! STOP!" Before the demon could break out of his imprisonment he became frozen once again.
"No fucking way... We did it!" Blackbeard cheered as Luffy fell to his knees wheezing. He had to escape this place, his body was exhausted. The sounds of hell-spawns broke the two from their victory.
They made their way to the exit jumping into its depths. Upon landing at the bottom they came upon a small cave leading downwards.
"Isn't the exit supposed to be going up? This is going down, wouldn't that be going back to hell?" Luffy asked puzzled.
"Don't worry Straw Hat, just keep climb downwards until you reach the surface, you'll know when ya start climbing."
"You're coming with me."
"Na, this is the end of the road for me Straw Hat." Blackbeard said a little solemnly. He noticed Luffy's unreadable expression. "Tch, whats that look for don't tell me you'll miss me."
"Take this." Luffy set the large cross next to him. "It will keep you guarded." Blackbeard knew it would do him wonders in hell. He wanted to return the gesture.
"Here. Take the shiny coin off my braid."
Luffy took the family heirloom in the form of a coin examining it with curiosity.
"You said Big Mom told you there was a way to bring a loved one back. Go see my sister, Rama. She'll bring someone you love back." Blackbeard spoke earning a smile from the captain.
He continued, "Look Straw Hat, heaven is inaccessible, you won't be able to bring her back—again I'm sorry. But someone from hell is fair game especially with its ruler incapacitated for awhile."
Luffy was disappointed about it not being able to access heaven. He would find a way one day. For now he knew just the person he wanted to resurrect; his smile returned.
Blackbeard took notice. "Atta boy, remember you need a few items from said person for it to work. Also tell my sis, secret of the dead—she'll know I sent you for sure. Now get outta here. I want to see how you end up changing the world."
The hell spawn's screams grew louder as they were fast approaching.
"Go now!" Blackbeard shouted picking the cross up between his teeth.
"Thank you, Teach." Luffy said turning to look at him one last time.
"Don't mention it Luffy." With that the severed head dove into endless waves of demons pouring the entrance.
"Alright fuckers, here comes daddy!" Blackbeard shouted. A great blast sealed the exit to hell incinerating all nearby hell spawns.
Luffy began his downward climb stretching his limbs far as he could manage. Soon he began to feel the cold breeze hit his face as the rocks became icy. He activated his dragon form once again flying towards the breeze, finally emerging out of the ground. The high councilor wanted to return to base more than ever; however there was one last thing to do.
X.
Luffy knocked on the door to the small cottage nestled in between the trees. It wasn't too hard to find, this lady was the best shaman in the world. She had come out of hiding after the destruction of the world government.
The petite woman cracked open the door to let out a surprised gasp.
"Rama Teach?" Luffy asked.
She shook her head. "I'm married my last name is Kushna."
"Rama Kusha, a pleasure." He said nodding. She noticed he carried a large burlap sack in his hand. The woman knew exactly who it was.
"H-high councilor... what can I do for you, I assure I've done nothing wrong." The woman said slightly cowering away.
"I'm sorry for the intrusion ma'am I was sent here, by your brother." He smiled slightly as she opened the door fully, inviting him in.
The woman didn't resemble her brother at all besides the tan. She had a small frame, seemed to be outwardly kind; the complete opposite.
"Here, I believe this belongs to you." Luffy said placing the heirloom coin into her hand. She let out a louder gasp before hugging the high councilor.
"You really did see him!"
"Yes, and he says secret of the dead."
The woman stopped her gleeful dancing. "Oh so you've come for that. I never thought I'd see the day. I wanted to use it on my brother but he insisted he never wanted to do it."
"Do what exactly?" He questioned folding his arms.
"Become the deadman. A spiritual being responsible for helping others, to avoid serving an eternity in hell. The deadman will never know true freedom or have a physical body. It has to have a purpose of helping people. if not, the spirit will return to hell. Do you want to place this on the person you wish to resurrect." Rama Kushna spoke pulling a remarkable looking vase from the shelf, blowing the dust off it.
"Yes." Luffy simply said. It made sense why Blackbeard would never want this duty. He would rather reign in hell than serve on earth—it made sense.
"Alright, I assume you have the desired items."
Luffy placed the two objects carefully on the table. It was his Ace's hat with the opposing mood button on front. Also his beaded necklace that he kept with him at all times.
"Excellent, place your hand on the items and think of your fondest memory of this person."
Luffy did as instructed thinking back to the best of times with his brother. The times with Ace and Sabo. The vow they took drinking their first bowl of sake. Dressing as an adult to steal ramen from a restaurant. Training to get stronger as kids all they way until they were reunited at Marineford.
While Luffy remained deep in thought. Rama opened the mystical jar reciting an incantation, speaking a language he partially recognized. It sounded like the one Blackbeard spoke back in hell.
"What's his name?" She asked keeping her eyes shut.
"Portgas D. Ace." He said and she repeated in the mysterious language.
Luffy opened his eyes to see the a large smoke cloud gather around the items before disappearing abruptly from sight.
For what felt like the hundredth time, Luffy passed out falling onto the ground with a thud—his body was exhausted.
"Luffy..."
"Wake up Luffy.."
"Nami?"
"Wake up..."
"Nami?" Luffy asked trying to open his eyes.
"Hahaha! Yeah you wish buddy! Good to see you again baby bro!" Ace said standing in the middle of the room.
"Ace!" Luffy jumped to his feet to see his brother giving his usual grin.
"In the flesh, well sort of." He said looking at his body. Ace had no physical body and was see-through, but he was very much resurrected.
"Well high councilor, I'm happy for you. Meet, Deadman Portgas D Ace." Rama said smiling.
For the first time in a long while his heart slowly began to rebuild. Having Ace back changed everything but also nothing. He was going to perfect the world, making it better than ever. All the while hunting down the remaining Regime enemies and one day reach heaven to challenge the one true God.
A large smile broke out across the high councilor's features. "Welcome back brother."
A/N: A reinvigorated Luffy continues his quest to perfect the world in his image. Thanks for the read.