Noises and Explanations
The whole house was quiet. Ash walked cautiously down the hall. She didn't hear her younger brother anywhere in the house. There was no sound of her parents, either. This wasn't right. Everyone was home, right?
"Momma?" There was no answer to her whisper that echoed throughout the house. "Papa?" Still no answer. "Cedric? Is anyone home?" There was a small noise from downstairs. She made her way quietly there. There was a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Getting downstairs, Ash heard the sound of gasping coming from the family room. Taking shaky steps, she slowly made her way to the room. She stopped in her tracks at what she saw. Tears gathered in her eyes and poured down her cheeks.
In the middle of the family room, her little brother was on the floor, bleeding out from multiple stab wounds to his chest and stomach. She quickly got out of her shock and rushed over to him. She picked up his head and cradled it in her lap. "What happened?! Cedi! Cedi, can you hear me?!" Her brother slowly nodded as he coughed up blood.
"A-Ashy...Momma...Papa..." He had tears running down his face that mixed with the blood. "T-They're...d-dead..." She had a feeling that that was the case if her brother was like this.
Suddenly, the sound of shoes tapping on the floor made Ash look away from her brother to the entrance hall. A tall figure stood in the doorway. She couldn't see his face because of the darkness that shrouded him.
"W-Who are you?! Why did you do this?! Why us?!" She hugged her brother to her chest. The figure came further into the room. He sat on the couch in front of her.
"A creature must whither and die before becoming a star." It was a man for sure that sat in front of her. He didn't move as he sat there. "You have so much potential that you don't know about." She felt and heard her brother take his final breath before passing away. "You can open portals to other places and travel between worlds."
"There is nothing special about me! Not anything worth killing my family over!" She was furious, hurt, and sad. The man murdered hr family for no reason.
"That is where you are wrong. You can open new possibilities for us." He stood. "I will come back for you in ten years. Be ready to leave with me then." After that, he left.
Ash cried and cried as she held her brother's dead body. She couldn't bring him back and she had no way of understanding what the man had told her. She cried until it hurt her throat, no more tears fell from her eyes, and she passed out from exhaustion.
...
The feeling of something cold on her face made Ash open her eyes. She saw the pink ceiling from the night before. She was still in the unknown place that was a palace on the island of Dressrosa. She looked over and saw that Baby 5 was still asleep.
Turning over to the other side, there was a little girl next to her. She saw her at dinner the night before. "Hello, you must be Ash. I'm Sugar." She smiled at her. "Wanna play with me? We could even go outside by the pool and play."
Sitting up, Ash realized that it was easier to move now. She nodded to Sugar. Getting out of the bed on shaky legs, Ash was able to change without help but still needed it when walking. Sugar helped her in that regard.
Outside was beautiful. She took a deep breath and sighed. It was just like home a little. The salty sea air was still there. It was a nice thing. She loved the smell of the salt. It made her feel welcomed. Sugar took her hand and led her over to a few toys. They looked like tiny toy soldiers.
"Wanna play War? It's a great game. I'll bet you could play it fine even though you can't speak." Ash decided to test that.
Opening her mouth, Ash was able to make sounds that sounded like words. Sugar seemed to be happy that she could utter sounds, at least. It was a plus on her part. Sugar went through the rules of the game as they sat down. It sounded a lot like chess to Ash. Sugar also made it to where certain sounds meant certain things for her. It was much easier.
Ash could tell that Sugar was frustrated. They had played seven games. Ash won six. Sugar only one once and it was the first game they played. "How are you so good at this game?! I am one of the best at it!" Ash shrugged. She didn't understand it either. She just was.
"What do you mean that she is gone?! She can't have gotten far! She's slow!" Ash was listening to the conversation that was happening behind them. She was still able to concentrate on the game at the same time.
"I don't know! I got up and she was gone! I have no idea where she has gone!" That was Baby 5. She sounded distraught.
"If the Young Master finds out, we'll all be dead!" Ash stopped the game and made another sound. Sugar looked up.
"Yes?" She made the motion of writing. Sugar nodded and reached in her bad she had brought with her. Ash was handed a pen and a piece of paper. She started to write on the pad.
'Why doesn't Doflamingo want me to leave? I will have to go home at some point, right?' Sugar seemed to be worried about her questions.
"Well, you are a fascinating woman. You suddenly showed up on the shore and you are just interesting. We want to know more about you." Sugar picked up a soldier. "We are trying to figure out why you have come to us. If what you told the Young Master is true, how come you are still alive? You would've died if you had been swallowed."
Ash just shrugged. She didn't understand it either. She had never seen that creature before. Most things like that were extinct where she was from. they went back to the game. Ash won several more times before Sugar gave up with an exasperated sigh.
"Fine! You win! I can't believe that you can beat me at my own game!" She was smiling despite the anger in her voice. "I bet you can even beat Doffy at this game. He was the only one who could ever beat me at this game." Sugar stood up. "Wait here. I'll be back in a moment." Ash nodded as the girl skipped away to inside.
Scooting over to the pool that was a few feet away, Ash was astonished at how clean it was. Pools at home were never this clean. Taking her hand, she dipped it into the water. She was glad for the coolness of it. It was a little too warm outside for her tastes, though.
Getting closer to the water, Ash almost slipped in. She was glad that she didn't. Talking made her look to the door. Sugar was back with Doflamingo following her. He was grinning as he walked over to her. "I hear that you are getting along with Sugar. She told me about your games. I would like to see how you play.
Ash nodded. Sugar helped her up and back over to her seat. Doflamingo was now her opponent. He set up the game like Sugar did. The girl informed him of the noises that Ash would make and their meanings. He nodded. After a minute, the game began.
Taking her time, Ash made her decisions precisely and without a mistake. Doflamingo seemed to realize that she was confident in her choices. "Soldier to e5." Ash saw the move he was going to take. She made a noise and her soldier in front of that one moved back about two places. Doflamingo grinned even wider. "Clever. I could've taken you soldier."
The game went on for a while until there were only two soldiers left. One was Ash's and the other was Doflamingo's. Ahs saw the perfect route to take and waited. Doflamingo made the wrong move. Making a sigh, her soldier took out his. He pulled back, astonished.
"What?! She was able to defeat you?! How?!" Sugar seemed excited and shocked at the outcome of the game. Ahs wasn't one to show off so she just smiled.
"I don't know." Doflamingo scratched his head. Ash picked up the soldiers and placed them back in their places. She was liking this. She was at least good at something. It made her proud of herself. Ash was now excited.
"Doffy! There is someone at the castle! He said that he knows Ash!" Baby 5 came running out of the palace. She was huffing and looked shocked. "There's a man in a long coat and a large brimmed hat that says he knows some things about Ash."
Doflamingo stood up and walked past the woman. Sugar and Baby 5 helped Ash walk to the throne room. She hadn't seen much of the castle and this was all new to her. It was nice to see something different.
In the room, Ash was in shock. She pushed backwards on Baby 5 and Sugar. She knew that man. She didn't want to face him and she refused to be near him. She kept pushing on the girls so that they would go back.
"Ash doesn't seem to like him. She won't go into the room," Sugar whispered to the other woman. Ash knew that they were confused. She started to move her mouth to get a word out. It was extremely difficult and aggravating.
"My apologies, sir. I do not mean to be a bother to you," the man said. He turned to Ash. "She is a great asset to me and my people." He turned back to Doflamingo. "I would like to take her with me. She will not be a burden to you any longer."
"M-M-M-" She was able to get a letter out. Ash still tried to pronounce the word she was trying to say. It was coming to her.
"She's forcing herself to speak. Should we try to stop her?" She felt Sugar shake her head. She mentally thanked the girl.
"M-M-M-Mur-Murd-Murd-Murder-MURDERER!" Ash was able to get the word out. Her first word in days. She could tell that the man was upset with her word. She finally broke past the girls and stumbled down the hall. Ash wanted to get away from him and her throat felt like it was getting shredded.
She used the wall to move around. Ahs could hear footfalls behind her. She ignored them at first. All she wanted to do was get away from the throne room. She kept walking even as the sound of people got closer. Her thoughts made her think that the man was coming for her. That thought made her start running again.
It was taxing on her body but she didn't care. After a bit, her body started to freeze up a little. I think I ran for too long. My body is giving out. She stopped running and just walked. She finally made it outside. Ahs was happy to see the sun and breathe in the fresh air. She walked a few more feet before falling to the ground. Her body finally gave up.
After a bit, Ash heard Dellinger's voice. "Baby 5! Sugar! I found her! She's outside!" She heard high-heels get closer to her. "She looks in bad shape." He turned her over. "Are you okay, Ash?" She shrugged. "I guess that that's an answer."
Baby 5 and Sugar came to them. "What did you mean that he's a murderer? Why did you run?" Ash was able to make sounds again but not words. "You can say later. Right now, Doffy wants to know if you are okay." The girls and boy helped her to her feet. They escorted her back to the throne room. She decided to stay on the other side of the room.
Getting back, the man was still there. "How do you know her? Why did she call you a murderer?" Doflamingo was questioning the man as the entered the room. The man just stood there.
"I have met her once before. I have no idea why she was calling me that." Ash's fear quickly turned to anger. She broke away from the others and stumbled across the room to him. She grabbed him by the front of his jacket. She slammed him into the wall. She couldn't believe what he was saying. He grinned down at her.
"She doesn't seem to like you all that much," Baby 5 said with accusation. Ash wanted to tell the man to go to hell at that very moment. She slammed him into the wall again but this time, he went through the wall. Her arm went in the wall with him. She let him go and he was gone. Everyone was quiet as she stepped back.
"Where did he go? What did she do?" Doflamingo seemed to be shocked. Ash turned to him and shrugged. She had just pushed him against the wall. She didn't know where he had gone. "Check the palace. See if he's still here." She had a feeling that he wasn't there anymore.
Ash moved away from the wall. She was staring at the wall where he had disappeared. The man had gone through and disappeared. She knew he wasn't in the palace in anymore. He wasn't even in this world at all. He was just...gone. Ash didn't know how she knew. She just did.
"Ash, let's go back to my room. You need to sit down for a moment." Ash turned to Baby 5 and nodded. She let the woman guide her out of the room and back to hers. Doflamingo watched her leave. She knew he wanted answers. She wanted them, too.
Back in the room, Baby 5 changed her bandages and talked with her. Ash wrote her answers and questions down on a notepad that she was given. Most of the questions she could answer. Others, she couldn't.
After a while, Baby 5 started to fall asleep. Ash was staring out the window. She could hear a distant voice as she sat there. Something was calling her name. It was deep and masculine but it also didn't sound human.
Getting up, Ash searched around the room for something to help her walk around. She found a sword in its sheath in the closet. Using it as a cane, Ash made her way out of the room and out of the palace. She wasn't worried all that much. She would return, anyway.
Getting further and further away from the palace, Ash was able to make out where the voice was coming from. The ocean? I wonder what it is. Slowly but surely, she made her way to a beach that was near the palace. The voice was coming from the water.
She made a noise. Suddenly, the same creature that swallowed her rose from the water. It was terrifying but at the same time, fascinating. It stared down at her before moving its head closer to her. "Do you know what I am, child?"
No. Not really. I do know that you are the creature that swallowed me.
"Yes and no. I did not swallow you. I merely closed my mouth around you to keep you safe." He blinked. She guessed that it was a male by his voice. Ash realize that it could hear her thoughts. "After all, you needed my help."
How did you get to me? I have never seen anything like you before except in books and documentaries. The sea king rested his head on the ground next to her. He seemed to be thinking about her question.
"That, my dear, is still confusing to me as well. I was swimming in the water, then I was underneath you. It was as if you had brought me to you for help." He nuzzled her legs slightly. "I am sorry fro what I have done to you."
What do you mean? What did you do to me? She was worried that he had harmed her in some way that would be permanent.
"When I brought you to this island, I accidentally bit you. My teeth have a paralytic poison on them. The reason you have your problems is because of it. The effects should almost be gone. I would say, maybe tomorrow or the day after." He licked her. "You are my friend. You are a friend to all and not just me." She nodded. That was hard to understand at first. "I have to go, but we will meet again. One the sea, I believe." With that, the beast was gone.
After a minute, she heard a crash followed by screams of terror. She looked back to the palace. A large hole was in the side of the building. The screams were coming from the townsfolk. Maneuvering herself towards the palace, Ash started her trek back to the building. A bird flew to her and sat on her shoulder. She didn't mind it.
"They are looking for you, I think," said a female voice. Ash looked over to see the bird looking at her. "You should go in quietly. I want to see how they will react."
That sounds like fun. How do I get in without being seen? The bird guided her to the wall just outside the palace. She pressed her beak into a stone and a passage opened up. She saw two mice waiting on the other side.
"Follow us, Ash. We can guide you back inside," one said. She nodded to them both. The bird flew away and she walked into the passage. The mice guided her through tunnels and up a flight of stairs to another wall. They asked her to press the brick to her left. She did and a door opened.
Thank you. Be safe and have a great day. They wished her the same thing before leaving. She exited the space and watched the door, the disappear. She limped her way back to Baby 5's room.
After a few hours, Ash heard someone coming to the room. There was actually two people. She continued to look out the window as she listened to them talk. "Doffy is so mad! I screwed up. I screwed up so bad, didn't I?!" That was Baby 5. She sounded distraught.
"She can't have gotten that far. She still needs help getting around, right?" That was Sugar. "Doffy understands that it was an accident. He will forgive you." Sugar sounded like she was trying to make the other feel better. "What's the worst that could happen?"
The door opened. Ash turned to them. They both looked like they had seen a ghost. Grabbing the pad and pen, she wrote down what she wanted to ask. 'What's going on?'
"Where have you been all this time?!" Baby 5 practically screamed to the top of her lugs.
'The bathroom then here. I had to go really bad. I couldn't wake you up so I went on my own.' She pointed to the sword next to her.
"Sugar, go tell Doffy to call off the search. Ash never left the palace." The smaller girl nodded before skipping away. "Please, don't scare us like that. We thought someone had kidnapped you." Baby 5 walked over to her and hugged her. She was cautious of her back.
After a bit, Doflamingo entered the room. Ash was braiding Baby 5's hair. "So, she was in the bathroom all this time?" He sounded a little upset.
"i guess so. That's where she said she was." Ash nodded as she continued to braid the woman's hair.
Doflamingo sighed. "Okay. Ash." She looked away from her task and towards him. "Please, don't scare us like that again." She nodded in agreement, the went back to work. "Dinner will be ready in an hour." Baby 5 agreed and he left.
Once Ash was finished with her work, they both changed into formal clothes. She was in a white dress that showed her shoulders. It was long enough to cover the white heels that Baby 5 picked out for her. A light blue flower was put in her hair by the woman. The dress was short-sleeved and showed off the bandages on her arms.
"You look beautiful," the woman said as she stepped back from her. She had put a little bit of pink lipstick on her.
Picking up the pad, Ash began to write. 'I don't like how the dress shows off my arms.' Baby 5 deflated a little at her comment. 'But, I will wear it.' She got excited again and hugged her. Ash smiled. She liked seeing her so happy.
Being guided to the dining room, she was stared at again. It was even worse than the night before. She was self-conscious over the looks. Doflamingo entered the room and stared at her as well. He grinned at her the entire time they ate.
Tonight's dinner was seafood. It was delicious and made her happy. Seafood was her favourite. Ash still didn't lie the looks of the others. After dinner, Doflamingo asked her to stay. Baby 5 was asked to wait outside the room. Ash didn't like that. She was worried that he was angry with her or something bad was going to happen.
He got up and walked over to her. "Ash, do you like staying here with us?" Ash slowly nodded. She didn't know if that was a good answer or not. "You can stay here for as long as you want. But, you need to stay in the palace unless someone is with you. There are people that will want to kidnap you." Ash nodded. Doflamingo walked closer to her and placed his head next to hers. "Good." He kissed her left cheek. "You should get to bed." He called Baby 5 to help her back to the room.
Ash was shocked. The man had kissed her. That was a new thing about him that she didn't understand. Back in the room, Baby 5 helped her get dressed for bed. She was still shocked and it seemed that Baby 5 realized it.
"Ash, what is wrong? Are you okay?" Ash slowly picked up the pad and wrote on it. She had to scribble a few things off as she wrote.
Turning it towards the woman, Ash let her see her thoughts. 'Why did Doflamingo kiss my cheek? Is there something that I'm not understanding.?'
Baby 5's eyes widened. She seemed to be shocked as well as Ash. "I...I don't...I don't know." Even the woman sounded confused. "I'll talk to him about it tomorrow, okay?" She agreed. At least someone would help her understand that man.
Getting in the bed, Baby 5 cut the light out and they both got situated in the bed. Ash was still pondering what Doflamingo wanted from her. If he wants me to like him like THAT, I don't know if I can. I hope that I can figure this out tomorrow.
She heard to knock on the door. Baby 5 got up and answered it. She could hear Buffalo whispering to her. "We have to get ready for tomorrow. Law is coming to check to see what is going on with her. Doffy said to be ready for anything he might try."
"Okay. I will be there in case he tries anything." After that, the door was shut and Baby 5 came back to the bed. Ash was curious about this new person. She closed her eyes and fell into peaceful sleep.
Hope you like the new addition. Please, let me know what you think. Have a great day. Tatty-bye!
P.S. - I thought it would be a good idea to put a game of chess in here. It is just like chess, just the figures are different.
Fun Fact of the Day - Russia has a larger surface area then Pluto.