One Piece
The Five Second Rule
Chapter Six: The Island of Red Snow
After days of training under Bepo and Ryuu, they were finally nearing the next island. Her two trainers took turns every few minutes, Bepo would help her perfect her kicking angles and form, while Ryuu would just send her to the weights, claiming she needed to get stronger. Or, as she called it – his excuse to slack off, as usual.
The submarine had just surfaced minutes ago and the crew were gathering on the deck. But downstairs, in her bedroom and hiding under her sheets, Celine shivered from the cold.
Celine was already wearing three sweaters, two pairs of trousers, and three pairs of socks, all borrowed from various members of the crew. On top of that, she wore a Heart Pirates jumpsuit, something she swore to never been seen wearing.
"Law must be dreaming if he thinks I'm going out there!" Celine cried.
"Come on now," Jonah sighed. "This is nothing compared to North Blue… you mean to say you can't even handle a little cold?"
"Go away!" she threw her pillow at him. "And tell Law I'm going to stay down here!"
Jonah gave up on her and decided he better just go upstairs to tell the captain of Celine's stubbornness to leave.
XoXo
Law looked ahead onto the island grimly, as Gerald had said, the island was indeed covered in red. The castle he mentioned was present too, meaning that it wouldn't be long before Jareth showed his face.
"This is just like home!" Shachi grinned. "I had no idea how much I'd miss snow!"
Shachi looked up to the sky and opened his mouth, his tongue reaching out to the snow.
"Ergh…" Shachi made a face when he tasted something odd. "That didn't taste good…"
"It's Grand Line snow," Penguin told him with a shrug. "Of course, it'd be weird."
Law quietly examined a snowflake that melted on his hand, leaving behind a light red pigment.
"No but, that tasted rusty… kinda like-."
"Blood."
Law finished for him as he wiped the red off.
It seems that the island was more dangerous than it let on. An island stained with blood, and an enemy with unknown power. Things weren't looking good.
Jonah emerged from the hatch looking a little worn out.
"Uh, there's a small problem," the crew turned to him. "Celine won't leave her bedroom."
"It's not safe to leave her behind," Law said. "Kane, Ryuu, go get her."
"But what if-."
"Bring her here using any means necessary," Law ordered.
"Aye, aye."
Ryuu and Kane headed down the stairs speedily, knowing Law wasn't in a playing mood.
"Celine…" Kane knocked against the door.
"Go away," Celine grumbled back.
"Come on," Kane knocked again. "Captain said it was dangerous to let you stay yourself, just come on out."
"Let the little brat come get me," Celine called. "I'd die out there anyway!"
The brothers exchanged confused looks and Ryuu decided to take charge.
"Oi, Celine!" Ryuu kicked the door open. "Get up now."
"No," Celine held onto the sheets tighter.
Ryuu rolled his eyes and cornered in on her.
"Up we go," Ryuu sang as he tossed her over his shoulder.
"Wait, put me down!" Celine kicked. "… At least let me put my shoes on!"
Shortly after everyone was assembled, the group was split into two. Law, Shachi, Ryuu and Kane were to set out onto the island, searching for any nearby settlements and towns. Since Celine had cried and pleaded Law to let her stay with the ship, so he left behind Penguin, Bepo and Jonah with her.
"Bye guys!" Celine waved shamelessly, not at all trying to hide the fact that she's incredibly happy to be staying on the ship. "Take care!"
"Bye Captain!" Penguin, standing next to her, too waved. Secretly thankful to be allowed to stay on the submarine too. "Bye!"
Celine turned to him slightly, giving him a knowing look. Penguin gulped and dropped his hand immediately, but Celine's glaring didn't cease.
"Uh… is something the-."
Before he can finish his sentence, Celine had yanked his hat off his head with one clean swipe.
"But, Celine…"
"Can it, North Blue-er," Celine pulled the hat on. "I probably look cuter in this anyway."
"Except your name isn't Penguin," Jonah smiled.
"You can shut up too, North Blue-er," Celine scoffed. "None of you understand the pain I'm in."
The two sighed as they watched her head towards the hatch door.
"You're the luckiest, North Blue Bear," Celine muttered as she walked past Bepo. "I'd kill to have a warm fur coat."
"I-I'm sorry…" Bepo stammered.
"You three stay on watch while I go hide from the cold," Celine called.
"What? Why us?" Penguin asked.
"Well considering North Blue-ers like the cold so much, I'd think you'd would be happy to," Celine shrugged.
"Celine, that's just you and your completely biased opinion," Penguin said. "Just because we're from North Blue, it doesn't mean we like-."
Penguin never got to finish as Celine's already vanished down the stairs.
"What the heck is up with her?" Penguin cried. "Seriously, you'd think that girl would have more respect for her senpai."
"I can't really categorize you as a senpai," Jonah shrugged.
"Yeah? And who would be? Shachi?"
"No way, Kane and Ryuu would be the senpais probably," Jonah said.
"What makes them senpais and not me?" Penguin demanded.
"They're just scarier in general," Jonah shrugged.
The two bickered on, oblivious to the sudden change in the snowfall's pattern.
XoXo
Celine can feel a cold coming on as she wrapped the blanket tighter around her shoulders. This was exactly why she hated cold places, she almost always ends up sick, and when she's sick she won't get better without seeing a doctor. The only doctor she can see now happens to be Trafalgar Law, the one man she wants to avoid asking for help at all costs.
A cool chill blew into the room. Celine had forgotten to close the door after coming in, and now snow was blowing into the room. With a quiet sigh, she trudged up the stairs.
The snow blew in her face as she reached the door. Strands of her hair blew past her neck mercilessly, if it weren't for the hat she's taken of Penguin, her head would be freezing.
Hiding her face from the strong winds, she heaved the door shut. She turned around and met with a very familiar face. The face of the young boy who killed his own parents, the face of the boy who's after every pirate that arrives on the island.
"Boo."
Jareth smirked as Celine slowly backed up against the cool metal door. The hand clutching onto the blanket felt warmer by the second, as she felt herself sweat under the boy's gaze.
"How did you get in here?" she glared.
"You're the one that left the door open for me," he shrugged.
"I didn't-," Celine snapped her mouth shut, knowing that there was no point. "What do you want?"
"I originally came to kill your crew off," Jareth tapped his chin, his pointy crown gleaming under the lights mockingly. "But, I've changed my mind."
"And what's made you change your mind?"
"You did," he grinned.
"I haven't done a thing," she countered defensively.
"Oh, but you have," Jareth said. "You alone have spared this crew an immediate death."
"I don't understand," Celine frowned.
"I have trapped your friends in a blizzard outside – all of your friends," Jareth turned his back to her, and walked down the stairs. "Their fates are in your hands."
This was the boy with the 90,000,000 bounty on his head. It looks like he's got some strange powers too, being able to sneak up behind her like that earlier. It was probably best if she just listened to him if he was willing to talk.
Celine followed him uneasily, and he sat himself down on one of the seats.
"Sit down," Jareth said. "This is your home, I am a guest."
His words didn't reassure her at all, but she did as she was told and sat across from him. Jareth was openly staring at her, a small smile present on his lips. If he was doing it, then there was no harm if she observed him too. Like Gerald suggested, the boy in front of her looked older than his wanted poster. Nothing like Raena, in fact, he looked Jonah's age.
"Do you know who I am?" he asked.
"Jareth Adair," Celine said.
"That's King Jareth," he snapped.
"Right, I apologize for my rudeness then… your highness," Celine said through her teeth.
This brat was really getting on her nerves. So what if he's got some trick hiding up his sleeve? He's still younger and can learn a few things about respect.
"Hm, I'm liking you more by the minute," Jareth grinned. "Tell me your name."
"… It's Celine."
"Celine," he repeated, already liking the sound of it. "What a beautiful name."
"You flatter me," she said dully.
"Celine, would you like to save your friends?"
"What must I do in return?" she gulped.
"I'll let your crew go but you will marry me," he smiled. "Simple."
"E-Excuse me?" Celine almost choked. "I think not. That's beyond ridiculous."
"I don't joke," Jareth frowned distastefully. "This is me at my most generous. Consider it an engagement gift to my betrothed."
"You sparing my friends as an engagement gift?" Celine stood up. "No. You're mad, and you need to leave."
Jareth shook his head with a smile as he followed Celine up the stairs.
"Ah…" Jareth said as he watched Celine push the heavy door open. "I don't think you'll like what you find out there."
Stepping onto the deck, Celine's eyes widened at the sight. The deck was covered in a thick layer of snow, and Celine can clearly make out three blobs lying beneath the snow, unmoving. Celine gripped the side of her jumpsuit furiously.
"I told you," his voice whispered behind her.
"You little-!" she dropped her blanket entirely.
Celine flew a kick over her shoulder, and she had definitely hit him. Her eyes met his briefly but the eye contact didn't last long at all. Jareth gave her a large grin and began to slowly vanish into thin air.
"What the hell…"
"Beautiful girls like you shouldn't curse."
Celine turned around and watched Jareth slowly materialize from the snow. This must be the work of another Devil Fruit, this little Celine knew. But she didn't know the extent of his powers, all she's seen so far is him melting and reappearing.
There was also the fact that he managed to take down three members of the Heart Pirates in a matter of minutes. This guy was tricky, and Celine didn't want to prolong this fight.
Pulling her glove off, she felt her hand shiver from the cold.
Jareth watched her with great interest, not knowing what kind of trick she has up her sleeve. She charged at him with all her might, knocking him off his feet completely.
"Oh no, you have me pinned down," he feigned a worried voice. "What are you going to do now? Physical attacks don't work on me, you have no hope of defeating me."
"Don't be so sure," she murmured, placing a hand on his cheek.
Unsure of what she's attempting, Jareth watched as she chewed her bottom lip in anticipation. He too, was anxious to know what she was attempting by touching him. Or perhaps this was her way to by time. Maybe she thinks a little skin contact will distract him long enough for her to think of a plan to-.
A horrid feeling hit him right then. It was as if his insides were on fire, and he was unable to think straight. Jareth weakly looked up at Celine and saw her grinning, so this was her doing…
"I-."
One word was all he could say, the rest came out as rasp coughs. He realizes he needs to do something fast before it gets worst.
Celine pushed down harder when the boy began shifting underneath her. The snowfall's pace began to quicken around her, snow was piling on the top of her head by the second.
Jareth has already turned an ugly grayish purple, can he still possibly have power to control the weather?
Suddenly, her fingers felt cold and she felt something soft against her palm. Turning back down, she saw that Jareth's face has turned pure white.
"Snow…" she mumbled as she pulled back her hand and stood up.
The body on the ground began to crumble down into snow, and soon the whole figure merged with the surrounding snow.
Celine cautiously moved back as she gloved her hand again.
Just what in the world was up with his powers? Kicks don't work, her Devil Fruit powers don't work, how was she supposed to fight him?
"I told you already…"
The voice came from right behind her.
It felt like Déjà vu.
Celine didn't dare turn around after pulling that stunt.
"You have no hope of defeating me. So you might as well save your friends and come with me."
Was this really it?
Has all those days of hectic training come down to this? Was this all she could do after training so hard? A mocking voice inside head said: 'Yes, after trying so hard this is all you're worth – nothing. You cannot even defeat an enemy to save your crew. You're useless.'
But, the voice was wrong.
Celine blinked a few times, attempting to repress her tears. She already felt defeated, there was no need to cry and feel even worse because of it. Right now there was something she can do for the crew. It wasn't something pleasant but it was something she can do to save them.
"Alright. I'll come with you."
"Oh?"
"I'll come," she repeated as she turned to face him.
"Good, I was beginning to tire of this pointless fight," he smiled.
"Now let them go," she said. "Stop the blizzard… stop the snow."
Jareth nodded with a small chuckle. He then snapped his fingers and crossed his arms. Celine examined the sky but saw no change.
"There is a difference," he waved his fingers. "That little snap of my fingers was the difference between your crew lying dead under my snow or your crew surviving."
"And if I say I don't believe you?"
"Well… you can always try to fight me again and see how that goes for you," he leaned to one side and eyed Celine mischievously. "… No response? Shall we go then?"
"Can I get my things first?"
"There's no need for that," Jareth pulled an arm under her leg and scooped her up. "You'll be living like a queen with me, you'll have everything you ever want."
"Put me down," she frowned. "You can't seriously be thinking of walking through your town with me in your arms."
"On the contraire, we're flying."
Jareth feet vanished and turned into snow, and he hovered into the air. Celine gulped and looked down at the ground that now seemed to far away.
"You might want to hold onto me tighter," Jareth teased. "I might drop you by accident."
Just who did he think he is?
Celine put an arm over his neck reluctantly and pulled herself closer to him.
XoXo
A third of the way into the island, the other half of the Heart Pirates finally made it to a small settlement. People seem to whisper and shy away as they walked by. Something none of them were very comfortable about.
"Don't you think it was kind of strange how that heavy snow storm just stopped so quickly?" Shachi asked.
"Weird how?" Kane turned to him.
"Well we weren't able to move forward for at least twenty minutes because of how strong it was," Shachi recalled. "But out of nowhere the snow just stopped. It just seemed a little strange to me."
"It probably just passed," Ryuu shrugged.
Law kept quiet but he did notice the sudden change too and wasn't too keen to find out what caused it and why it stopped. Or perhaps, in this case, how Jareth did it and why he stopped.
Something didn't feel right.
"… Shachi?"
"Yes Captain?"
"Would you run back to the ship and check up on the rest of the crew?" he asked, looking over his shoulder. "Ask no questions, just do it."
Shachi gave him a look but nodded nonetheless and turned back towards the coast.
The rest of the Heart Pirates walked inwards towards a large gate that put a boundary between the small settlements and the pristine houses along with the large castle.
There was an obvious caste divide, and so far Law hasn't seen a single child running around, just tired and scared adults. A dire thought popped up on his mind – being under the rule of such a young boy, what if he had decided to shut the adults out and to keep the children?
It couldn't be. It was a ludicrous idea to even suggest.
"It's unsettling how these people look at us," Law murmured quietly.
"Hey, they're the ones that have to live under King Bratface," Ryuu shrugged. "And if he wants every pirate dead, won't be too good for them to see pirates strolling about down their town-, village thing and not do anything about it."
"He's right, you know."
An elderly woman approached the pirates, hands behind her back and she slumped forward over slightly.
"You shouldn't be here," she said.
"And what are you going to do with us?" Law asked.
"Nothing," she coughed. "It's been quite a few months since someone last reached here after a blizzard. There must be good reason to why King Jareth has spared you."
"Spared us?" Kane scoffed. "As if, we wouldn't have died over a little snow storm."
"Oh, you shouldn't be so sure about that, young man," she shook her head. "Outside the walls, every bit of snow you step on is covered in blood. It's so because when King Jareth sends out a blizzard, the whole island but the middle rings are affected."
"So your people are affected too?" Law asked.
"Yes, we have wounded from the blizzard just now," she nodded bleakly.
"Do you have medical help?" Kane glanced around.
"We have supplies but our only two doctors both live up at the castle," she sighed. "The King likes to keep the skilled close to him. … Would you happen to have a doctor on your crew?"
"Our captain's a doctor," Kane directed her attention to Law.
"Would you be so kind as to take a look at our wounded?" she asked with a kind smile. "We'll be most thankful if you did."
"I can, but what do you have to offer me?" Law asked. Her smile dropped immediately at realizing what kind of man he was. "Your thanks does nothing for me and my crew."
There was really nothing else these people could offer, that both she and Law knew. Nothing except…
"Information," she said. "I served at the castle under the late king and queen. I know the history of King Jareth, how he got his powers, what his powers are, and what led him to kill his parents. Finally, I have a very good idea as to why he let you go – it was probably the same as last time."
Law had fairly good guesses for each point she stated, but still he couldn't know for sure.
"You make a good bargain," he smirked. "I don't have my equipment with me, but if I can use yours I'd be happy to take a look at them."
"Thank you," she smiled. "I am Carmen, what can I call you?"
"Law," he replied. "Trafalgar Law."
"Captain Law then," she nodded in acknowledgement. "Follow me."
The pirate followed Carmen through the small rundown huts and eventually arrived at a barn-like construction. Inside, lying on makeshift beds made of straw were the injured people.
Law examined each one closely and concluded the same for all three: mild frostbite.
"I'll need some hot water and towels," Law rolled his sleeves up. "And try to warm down this building as much as you can."
The helpers that were tending to the men rushed off to different directions. One went to retrieve the needed items and the three went to secure the doors and windows.
"This won't take long or be challenging for me," Law spoke to Carmen. "Tell me everything about Jareth."
"… It was six years ago when the king and queen were still ruling the island," Carmen started slowly. "It was the year of Prince Jareth's tenth birthday and nobles and lords from all over arrived bearing presents. There was a lord Winston got to the castle, presenting a Logia Devil Fruit of snow. He said it was 'fitting' for a prince to be able to control the island's weather and power."
"I can't imagine his parents were happy about having their child run around wreaking havoc with his new found powers," Law murmured, wrapping a warmed towel around a man's arm.
"They weren't keen on the idea," Carmen agreed. "The fruit was to kept locked away until they feel they're son was ready for it."
"But?"
"Jareth got impatient over the years and grew an incredible hatred for his parents for keeping away what was rightfully his," she said. "After two years, he's decided he's had enough and he broke into the royal treasury and ate the fruit. Now something changed within him when he ate the fruit. All that kept up hate for his parents, his tutors, the traditions that he had to follow mindlessly… well you can imagine. He had the power to do whatever he pleased so he did what he always wanted to – take over. His parents were killed, then every adult but a few to look after his toddler brother."
Law nodded for her to continue, unfazed by what he's heard so far.
"From then on, every crew that arrived on the island – both pirates and civilians, were killed on the spot, but always the children would be spared and invited to live on the island," Carmen said. "Less, when the help was lacking he would spare the able bodied."
"Of course his actions weren't gone unseen and got him a high bounty," Carmen elaborated. "And the World Government sent numerous warships and vice-admirals to come but none made it too close before Jareth cut them down. After a year of cutting down marines, the World Government finally sent an admiral."
"What?" Law was not expecting that, at all. "And?"
"Aokiji, I think his name was," Carmen recalled. "He had similar powers to Jareth but he was much more experienced. The fight ended with Jareth's defeat obviously, but then he struck a deal."
"A deal?"
"Yes, he proposed to for the World Government to leave him alone and in return he'll kill every criminal and pirate that arrived on the island, along with some gold. The admiral asked what he'd do with civilians, and Jareth promised to spare them," Carmen explained. "What he didn't know was that he only planned to spare their lives, he said nothing about what he's going to do with them. That's how most of the workers here ended up on the island."
"And the World Government agreed to this?" Law asked, feeling sicker by the minute. "After murdering hundreds?"
"Normally something like this wouldn't stand, but I've heard that Jareth's parents have had dealings with the Celestial Dragons and the World Government probably didn't want to mess with them…"
"I think I can understand the rest," Law nodded. "Can you tell me why he let us go?"
"Well if the reason was the same as last time…" Carmen said, trailing off slowly. "Then that means King Jareth has taken another bride."
Law's mind went blank.
A bride…
Celine.
"Is there a female on your crew?"
"…"
"Yes," Kane replied when his captain didn't.
"Is she pretty to look at?"
"Very," Ryuu retorted.
Law calculated all the scenarios in his head. Sure that has happened before, but that doesn't necessarily mean Celine was taken to be the bride of some sixteen-year-old. They were trapped in that snowstorm for twenty minutes at most, that was enough time for… negotiations.
'Damn!'
"How do you know so much about this?" Kane asked.
"I was one of the few spared after his initial attack on the island," Carmen shuddered. "But I am the only one left, the others all died over the years."
"Are you upset with Jareth?" Law looked at her carefully.
"No," Carmen shook her head with great dismal. "He's acting like the child he's always been… I believe he can change his ways if he knows how badly it's affecting his kingdom."
"And if there's nothing to be said to him? If he won't listen?" Law persisted.
"… Then he must be put down."
"Trafaglar Low?"
"No, no," Celine grumbled, pointing at the name she's just written. Perhaps she's written it too cursive for a seven year old to read. "It's Trafalgar Law."
"That's what I said!"
At this very moment, Celine was sat next to Jareth's younger brother, Dean, who had pestered her with questions endlessly about pirates and her crew.
The first thing Jareth did when they arrived was get her dressed 'properly', which meant have the maids pull on the tightest dress they can find. Celine has trouble breathing in the infernal thing, apparently the dress had belonged to the late queen herself and was only brought out for her.
The dress was very beautiful, there was no doubt about that. The dress was a black and red Victorian style with maybe a little too much excessive lace and frills, but it was very beautiful and hugged Celine's body just right.
"What does he look like?" Dean asked.
"Um… well he's kind of tall, wears a fluffy hat, and he has these tattoos all over his arms," Celine explained, pointing to her forearm.
Dean scribbled a sketch that looked as if it was drawn by a two year old. At least he gave Law a nice smile. Something that Celine found herself strangely missing.
"That's kinda weird," Dean wrinkled his nose, dropping his crayons.
"Yeah? Well it's the truth," she scoffed.
"I miss Karen…" Dean whined.
"Who?"
"Nii-chan's last wife," Dean smiled as he thought back. "She's a lot nicer than you… but not as pretty…"
"Last wife?" Celine frowned a little. "How many has there been?"
"Uh… three," he thought hard. "… I think."
"You think?" she repeated. "Where are they now?"
"They live in the basement," he shrugged. "Well that's what Nii-chan said."
Basement…
A prison, more like.
"Do you think you can bring me to the pri- basement?" Celine asked.
"Nope," he shook his head. "I'm not allowed down there."
"Well the new queen will be with you," Celine told him. "As the queen I can do whatever I want right?"
"Uh… I guess so…" he nodded slowly.
Celine stood up and held her hand out to the little boy, in which he happily took it and led her out the room.
"So, do you know what happened to your parents?" she asked.
"Nii-chan said they died a while ago," Dean shrugged back. "He doesn't like talking about them."
"Aren't you curious to why how they died?" Celine looked down to him.
"Not really," he shook his head. "Adults kinda suck anyway. Nii-chan always said that adults are corrupt and selfish."
"… Do you even know what those words mean?"
"… No," he slowly admitted. "But I like fish though."
Celine didn't know if she should laugh or explain, she chose to laugh, albeit quietly.
Dean led her to a dark stairwell and hid behind Celine's large dress skirt. It looked to be a spiral staircase leading down into darkness. It didn't look like Dean liked the idea of going down very much, and now Celine wasn't so sure she did either.
"This is your home right?" Celine whispered to him. "Why don't you go first?"
"No way!" he yelped. "You're older! You have to listen to me! Now you go down there first!"
"What kind of logic is that?" she frowned.
"That's what Nii-chan always said!"
Just what kind of upbringing has this child had so far?
"That's stupid," she turned back to the staircase.
Celine pulled a lit torch from the wall closest and took a step down carefully. The stone staircase seemed stable enough, and completely safe, so she took another. Dean waited at the top anxiously as Celine disappeared down, the light from her torch too disappeared as the steps went further.
"C-Celine?" he called.
"Come down here," she said. "It's very safe, and not scary at all!"
"B-But…"
"Stop being a crybaby," she sighed. "Just come on down!"
"I-I am no crybaby!" he yelled as he took rushed steps down.
Eventually the footsteps sounded closer and Celine felt a small shove behind her legs. Turning around, she saw Dean grasping onto the back of her skirt.
"Come on, it's not scary," she reached for his hand. "You're sure this is to the basement right?"
"Yeah," he gripped her hand. "Are we going to find Karen down there?"
"Yes," she nodded back. "And your brother's other… ex-wives. Why don't you tell me about them."
"Er… there was Susie, Vic and Karen…" Dean patted his head as he tried to remember. "Susie and Karen were from cruises… Vic was from another pirate ship… like you… I think."
"You think?" this seemed to be the boy's favorite phrase. "What do you mean, 'you think'?"
"Well she had really ugly short hair, and a really ugly scar down her leg," Dean glowered. "Are you sure you're a pirate too? You look like a fairy princess even if you do have black hair…"
"And fairy princesses can't have black hair?"
"Nope," he retorted. "Fairy princesses have yellow hair and blue eyes. So at least you have one part right."
"… Right."
"And you're like really pretty," he went on. "Nii-chan said I can't have a wife yet… he said I don't understand what relationshits are yet."
"Relationships," she corrected him with a light giggle. "And if there's something your brother got right, that'd be it."
"That's what I said!" he exclaimed.
Reaching to the bottom of the stairs, Celine saw a dimly lit corridor and not a single guard was present. She quickly tugged Dean along the corridor and through a stone arch. A large cell was at the end of the room. Inside the cell were three women, exactly like Dean said. The little boy pulled away from Celine and ran towards the cell at full speed.
"Karen! Karen!"
"Dean? What are you doing here?"
Celine looked on as Dean ran to the woman must have been Karen. They exchanged a few quiet words as one of the other women joined Karen's side to listen to the story.
"Celine brought me here!" Dean pointed back at her. "She's not very nice but she looks like a fairy!"
"Fairy?" Karen looked up Dean. "Oh… Hi there."
"Hi."
Celine waved as she took a small step forward. Then it hit her like she stepped into a brick wall, from the pit of her stomach she felt sick, as if she was going to faint. She fell onto one knee and held her head.
"What the hell was that?" she murmured softly.
"That's Kairoseki, darlin'."
Towards the back of the cage, a tall figure hopped off from the top of the tall three-bunker bed. This must have been Vic, the other pirate. Her hair was longer, than how Dean described but a large gash was present on her left leg.
"Kairoseki," Celine repeated, trying to get to her feet.
"Stone with essence of the sea?" Vic snorted. "You mean, you don't even know that? What kinda girl are you?"
"You're the one that's locked behind that stuff," Celine shrugged.
"Heh," Vic smirked. "What's your power, cutie pie?"
"I can kill someone if I touch them long enough," Celine replied, quieter so the other three can't hear.
"Eh? Not bad at all," Vic smiled. "Devil Hands Celine, huh? Nice. I touch something, say a number and it'll multiply in weight."
"So you can send someone through the floor if you want to?"
"Yeah sure," Vic shrugged back, then pulled Celine closer to the cage – making her feel even sicker. "But I were you, I'd keep my mouth shut about the killing part. Tell the kid you knock people out or whatever. That'll probably keep you from getting one of these."
Vic held her hand and pointed at a metal band around her wrist. A bright shiny gem was embedded onto the thick band. Vic tugged at the band to no avail as it stayed in its place around her small wrist.
"The bastard got one put in a bracelet," Vic groaned. "As if the cage wasn't enough."
"Does it hurt?" she looked closer to the bracelet.
"Normally something like jewelry will just repress the powers," Vic thumbed at the stone. "But that bastard added enough just so that it bothers me at all times. You should go though, the guards will come down soon with dinner. "
"Any advice?" Celine looked to her hopefully.
"Yeah, I got kicked down here for causing too much trouble, and he got tired of it," Vic warned her. "The kid's gonna be generally nice to you from this point on so just go with it for now. The kid's surprisingly a polite bastard for a killer. But those other two were kicked down cuz' he got 'bored'. Elaborate how you like, but do try to last longer than Karen goody two shoes here."
"How long did you last for?" Celine turned to Karen.
"A week."
"Wow…" Celine nodded uneasily then turned to Vic. "Anything else before I go?"
"Yeah, tell that bastard Jareth I'm coming after him," Vic grinned. "… Right after I get out, of course."
"Can I do anything for you?" asked.
"Bring me some frosted muffins the next time you come down," Vic waved. "I'll have something for you when you're back. Come back right after midnight, the guards usually leave then."
"Right," Celine nodded and walked over to Dean. "Time to go."
"But I don't wanna go…!" the boy whined.
"Come on, if your brother catches us here we'll never be able to come down again," Celine threatened.
"Urgh… fine," he stomped to the staircase. "Bye Karen, Susie, uh Vic!"
Celine gave the other two a polite nod and headed upstairs with Dean.
"Now Dean," Celine said as they walked down the hall. "You mustn't tell your brother we went down to the basement or that we saw Karen, Susie and Vic. Got it?"
"Uh… okay," Dean nodded.
"You promise?"
"… Yeah! Whatever! Jeez!"
Dean skipped down the hall and pulled open the door to his playroom and ran inside. Celine followed quickly and almost screamed when she looked inside. Standing over Dean was his older brother, looking very unpleased.
Did he know? Is he angry? He sure looked angry. Now she was definitely getting thrown into the Kairoseki prison, after just getting here for a few hours…
"Where have you two been?" Jareth demanded.
"Hi Nii-chan!" Dean grinned. "Celine wanted to see the hall where you two are going to get married, so I showed her!"
"Seriously?" Jareth looked to Celine and she needed back eagerly. "… All right."
"Uh… is there anything you wanted?" Celine asked nervously, still worried he might suspect something.
"Yes," he shooed his brother out the room. "Come, its time to eat."
"Oh, right."
Celine followed after him, thankful he didn't try anything weird. Even if they were engaged (or whatever he insisted), he was still a few years younger than her, and it didn't feel right at all.
XoXo
Dinner went by a lot quicker than she expected. Celine tried to take a grab of the frosted muffins but Dean kept the large plate right in front of him and refused to pass any over to her.
"Where are you from, Celine?" Jareth turned to her.
A single question from him caused her to jolt from her chair.
"Kalmado, it's one island away from yours," Celine replied hastily.
"Do you have family?"
"A brother and sister," she replied.
"Should they be invited to our wedding?" he wondered out loud.
"No!" Celine interjected. "I-I mean, they're quite a bit older than me. You don't like adults right?"
"Just people older than me in general," he shrugged as he toyed with his cutlery.
"Why do you like me?" she tried to catch his eye.
"Who said I did?" he stabbed his piece of cake with the fork.
"I wouldn't be here if you didn't," she sighed.
He didn't reply, instead he dropped his fork and crossed his arms.
Celine wanted to smack him, but then realized he was only sixteen and grew up doing whatever he liked. Having his parents 'gone' since he was twelve must have been difficult even if he wanted to be independent.
"Well, why don't you like people older than you?" she tried again.
"… It's really none of your business," he snapped back as he stood. "I'm going back-."
"My king!"
A young man ran into the dining room and knelt before them.
"The rest of the pirates were sighted tending to the injured in the outer ring," he informed.
"The outer ring?" Jareth frowned. "And Carmen?"
"She was the one leading them," he gulped.
"… Get my brother to his room!" Jareth roared. "I'm going to sort this out personally!"
Celine picked up three muffins and made a move to the door but Jareth grabbed her by the arm, causing her to drop the muffins.
'Oh damn!'
"You are coming with me," Jareth instructed her, pulling her out into the cold.
"Wait, wait!" she wailed. "At least let me get a coat or something!"
XoXo
Ten minutes later, Celine was stepping through the large gate behind Jareth wearing a thick fluffy long-sleeved poncho and feeling very warm. She doesn't remember seeing this part of the island at all, since when she was being hauled over to the castle earlier she was feeling very sick and closed her eyes the whole time. This 'outer ring' looked more like slums compared to the castle and inner rings.
People were gathered all around the gate when they stepped through, probably surprised to see the gate opening at all.
Jareth strode to the middle of the crowd and felt nothing when the crowd shied back further.
"I am looking for pirate fugitives," he announced. "I know they're here, if you want to keep your lives you will turn them in."
No one dared to utter a word or as much as move.
Celine swallowed nervously as she looked through the crowd.
When no one moved, Jareth grew more impatient and the weather began to change with his worsening mood. A heavy wind blew through and snow began to rage around him.
"Jareth."
The crowd gasped as Carmen stepped forward and stood a few short meters from the young king.
"You," Jareth clenched his fists and the snow stopped.
"Isn't this enough?" Carmen asked, waving her arms around to the people. "Haven't they suffered enough? You are acting like the spoilt child you are."
"You know nothing!" Jareth growled.
Swatting a hand, the snow knocked the old lady off her feet. Celine gasped as she took a step forward and clutched Jareth's arm.
"Stop," she said. "Please, she's old and doesn't know what she's saying."
"You're wrong about that," he pulled away from her.
"Y-You…"
The lady's weak voice called from the ground, her shaking voice brought everyone's attention to her.
"You look… just like- like…"
"Don't you say a word more!" Jareth cried, taking a defensive step forward.
"J-Just like the late Queen Cathlyn," Carmen gasped, her gaze lingering on the young girl standing next to the king. "Jareth… what does this-."
"Shut up!"
Jareth shouted as he lifted both hands in the air, gathering a large pile of snow between his open palms.
"Stop!"
Celine pulled his back, but it didn't work as his back melted away when she tried punching and shoving him. Jareth was murmuring under his breath and was completely unaware of her behind him.
Seeing as nothing seemed to work, Celine was about to step in front of him to block his view of the lady. But someone beat her to it.
Law walked forward from the crowd and stepped over Carmen's body.
"I am Trafalgar Law, I am the captain of the Heart Pirates. I am not aware of your past with her nor do I care, but I'm the one you're after, so you might as well leave this dying woman alone," Law said. "I don't wish to cause you anymore trouble than I already have. I just want to speak to my crewmember one last time before I leave."
'What the hell, Law!'
Celine slowly stepped forward, right in front of the old lady's body.
"…" Jareth slowly dropped his hands when he saw Celine in his view. "No. You will leave now and not to return. I've been more than generous by letting you leave."
"I speak to her once," Law looked at Jareth squarely. "And you'll never see me again."
"Please," Celine turned to face him, her eyes teary and cheeks flushed. "I promise. If you let me speak to him then I'll do whatever you ask when we get back… please."
Jareth looked between the two, wondering what kind of relationship the two shared. Was it just a simple captain to crew relation? Didn't look that way at all. But Jareth couldn't find himself saying no to Celine, not with her making that expression.
"Be quick," he huffed, giving them some space.
Law helped Carmen up on her feet and two workers came to help her. The crowds slowly dispersed as Law turned back to Celine.
"You look nice," he said softly.
"What do you mean you're leaving?" she demanded right away.
"You left on your own," Law said sternly. "You're wearing his clothes, eating his food, and you are now his."
"Law! Please!" Celine choked on her tears. "It's not as if I wanted to go! I-I never wanted to go! Please you have to believe me! I couldn't defeat him, and I didn't know what else I could have done to save you! To save everyone! Please… listen to-."
"Enough with your excuses," Law raised his voice causing her to wince. "I don't want to hear it! I just needed to tell you that even though it was short-lived, everyone enjoyed their time with you. And they hope you have a nice life living here with-."
Celine snapped at that moment, she ran forward into him and wrapped her arms around him tightly. Law stopped talking immediately, surprised by the sudden contact and looked down at her, not knowing what he can do to make her stop. Her warm tears drenched his hoodie, and she sniffled on.
Law's arm pulled his arms out of her grasp and lingered them over her shoulders, unsure what he should do to quell her tears.
"Don't leave me…" she whispered into his chest, her voice sour from all the crying. "Please… don't leave me."
Law gulped as he looked up, anywhere but her.
This was going to be a lot more difficult than he originally planned.
Celine shook when she felt her fingers being torn away from the soft fabric of Law's hoodie.
'No!'
'He can't do this to me!'
Law held her tiny hands tightly and looked her straight in the eyes.
"I'm sorry for doing this," he said quietly. "You'll understand soon enough."
Once that was said, Law pulled away and turned his back on her. Celine felt as if her world just crashed down on her. More tears began to roll down her cheeks as she watched him go.
This felt final. It was now or never.
Celine took a deep breath to clear her head and licked her lips.
"Law!"
His step faltered for a slight moment, but he continued to walk.
"Law! I lo-."
Celine then felt something in her hand. Something she hadn't noticed before. Peeking down slowly she saw a small crumpled piece of paper sitting in her palm. Her breath hitched as she clenched it tightly in her fist.
'He…'
She broke out into a mad grin and looked after Law's retreating back.
"Wait!" she called as she ran after him. "Wait!"
Law stopped walking when he felt her voice getting closer, he turned around to tell her to go away but was instead met with a heavy slap.
"I hate you!" she screeched, though her face begged to differ. "I will never forgive you for this!"
Law held his cheek as he watched more tears roll, though this time from happiness judging from her expression. Celine then ran back to the gates, and into Jareth's open arms. Though it pained him to watch her leave snuggling up with another, he was glad she understood they weren't going to abandon her.
Now all he needed to do was wait.
XoXo
Once arriving back at the castle, Celine excused herself to the bathroom immediately, eager to read what crumpled note. Pulling the note from her dress pocket, she carefully straightened the paper out.
'We will not leave without you. Find a way out of the castle, and we'll take care of the rest.'
Celine slammed a hand over her mouth to stop herself from squealing in joy. She shouldn't have doubted them at all. She shouldn't have doubted Law. Deciding she better get rid of the note, she quickly ripped it up into pieces and flushed it down the toilet.
Putting on a smile, she opened the door, knowing that she still has her night ahead of her.
I felt like crying writing that bit when Law and Celine say goodbye, and I feel like a terrible person for even coming up with this idea. But I was going to leave it with her looking back at him and her finding out about the paper next chapter, so I'm feeling pretty nice already :P
I know I kinda jammed that whole bit of Jareth's past in one short bit of the chapter but people just need to know why he's demented :P
I hope this was One Piece Epic-ish enough. I wanted the Heart Pirates story 'arcs' to be just as interesting as the Strawhats' – well never as great as Oda's writing but still One Piece-level awesome :D
Thanks to those that favorited and alerted this story! :)
Reviews:
10th Squad 3rd Seat – Thanks for spotting the mistake again and thanks for the review! :D
Death's Eternal Rose – Haha, I'd like to hear about it! :D Law's first stalker move was all the way in chapter two (hint-hint :P). Yeah, nothing like a little girl falling for her savior :') Thanks for the review!
angelrider13 – Law SO likes Celine and Celine so likes Law :P Thanks for the review :D
xxOMGgalxx – Oh, who knows what sorts of dreams he has about Celine ;P Thank you for the review :)
Noitalapsi – Haha, have you remembered yet? :P Thanks! I appreciate it! Last chapter was kind of like character development or whatnot :P Thanks for your review! :D
Demeter13909 – Will you stare at this for two full days? xD Thanks for the review – it made me smile! :P
ladeste – Thank you! I'm glad you like it! :D
Shima Namida – No! Please don't feel bad! It's completely fine! :) Thank you! I put a lot of thought into how Celine's going to get stronger. I didn't want her to get too over-powered over such a short period of time, so she'll be gradually improving! :P Thanks for your review! I really appreciate the fact that it's long! :P
Aiko Yamazaki – How did you find it? I didn't really come up names for Jareth's ice attacks, I just wasn't bothered… but I hope it came out alright! :P Thanks for the review!
JenniferJ – Thank you! :)
Updates will be slow from now on with summer ending and everything, but I'll try to fit in one more chapter before school starts and I'll write whenever I have free time.
Please review! :D