Chapter 23
Alexis instantly recognized that insanely strong haki.
Shanks!
Her eyes lit up quickly, as her gaze set upon her beloved captain. Next to him, Mihawk was casually standing next to him.
She could only chuckle barely.
Midori's eyes snapped towards the door's direction before being launched in the opposite side of the room by Shanks' strong punch. The red haired captain took hold of his saber and launched towards the green haired woman. In a quick motion, the always kind and sweet Shanks, pierced his blade through Midori's chest.
The woman let out a shriek before completely turning into ice and breaking apart onto the floor.
Shanks didn't bother to look back.
He just rushed to Alexis, sword in hand and broke her chains apart. She stumbled to the floor but her captain caught her mid fall and held her close to his chest. She was still weak since the cuff remains were still around her wrists but she still managed to wrap her arms around her captain's neck and wept.
She finally let her tears stream down her cheeks after so much time.
-I'm so sorry. – She sobbed, her throat still dry but she still managed to speak out properly. At least as best as her sobs allowed to. – I'm sorry… I'm so sorry.
-It's alright my dear. – Shanks mumbled, brushing her hair softly. He began to rock her every so lightly, soothing her constant and intensive sobbing. – It wasn't your fault.
Once Alexis had calmed down, Shanks helped her up but she stumbled to the floor once again.
-I'm sorry… - She mumbled and pointed to the chains on her wrists with her head. – The Taiyo stone makes me weak…
Shanks picked her up bridal style and rushed to the ship, followed by Mihawk.
-Right now, we need to tend to your wounds as quickly as possible. – Shanks said as his walk sped up. – You can rest for now my dear. – His onyx gaze set upon Alexis' sleepy face, with a wide smile. She nodded as her eyes closed, leading her to a dream world.
.
Alexis found herself in an all too familiar pub: The Skipping Fairy!
The wooden walls and floor was warming to her along with the familiar counter. Shadows were wondering the location, substituting the costumers that were supposed to be there. At the far off corner of the room, a small stage was set where a shadow holding a guitar was playing a song she adored: "Alien like You" from the Pigott Brothers.
The red haired woman took a seat near the stage, resting her elbows on the round wooden table. A thick candle was burning in the middle of it, the wax already melted away, gluing it to the wood surface.
Alexis casually scratched the wax from the table, like she would always do on her break, until a presence was made. Looking up she saw her Conscious standing before her. Alexis nodded to her Conscious that she could sit down and so she did.
-How are you feeling? – Conscious asked, resting her elbows on the table and placing her head on her hands.
-You don't know?
-I've been sleeping for a while.
-You sleep?
-I need to keep my beauty. – The two women chuckled lightly before looking at the shadow that was performing. – Do you miss this?
-The pub? – Silence fell for a while before Alexis answered her Conscious. – A bit… I miss that old and stubborn Joe. He was a really good bartender.
-Indeed he is. – Conscious corrected Alexis and the red haired woman just nodded. – How's your heart?
-Settled.
-For sure?
-Absolutely.
Conscious just smirked at her owner.
-Have you decided to where you want to be?
-I want to be with Shanks.
-Is he your soul mate?
-I've told you before that…
-You've stopped believing about it, I know but… It's about time you let got the past and start off new. – Her Conscious pulled out a cigarette from the black leather jacket she was wearing and lit it up. The white haired woman looked up to Alexis and offered her a cigarette.
-No thank you.
-Your loss.
-I didn't know my conscious smoked.
-When in the mood. – Conscious let out a puff after some time and chuckled. – You used to smoke, when did you stop?
-For quite some time. Again: you should know.
-You don't pay much attention to me, I don't pay much attention to you sometimes.
-Fair enough. – Alexis chuckled before returning her gaze to her Conscious. – Anything else you want to talk to me about?
-For now… no, not really. – Conscious returned Alexis' gaze. – A new ordeal will meet you in a close future.
-Why do you sound like Pharos from Persona 3?
-I liked the kid, okay?
-Eh. He was alright. Kind of creepy at the beginning but I eventually got used to it. – Alexis looked down at the wax and scratched it away once again. – You're not going to tell me what kind of ordeal, right?
-Nope.
-It would lose all the fun?
-Yep.
-Can you give me an answer that passes one syllable?
-Nope. - The two women laughed again as the song came to an end. Conscious looked at the empty stage where the small black piano was standing gloriously and next to it the black familiar guitar. – Care for a duet?
-What song?
-"Everything's alright" by Laura Shigihara?
-You know me so well.
-I'm part of you, I think it's only right.
The women directed themselves to the stage, Alexis sat in front of the piano and began to play the first notes while Conscious casually rested her arm on the piano's edge and took a deep breath.
In a lullaby manner, the women's voice echoed in perfect symphony throughout the shadow filled pub.
Short steps, Deep breath
Everything is alright
Chin up, I can't
Step into the Spotlight
She said: "I'm sad", somehow without any words
I just stood there
Searching for an answer.
Conscious stopped singing and sat down on the bench while Alexis proceeded with the song.
When this world is no more
The moon is all we'll see
I'll ask you to fly away with me
Until the stars all fall down
They empty from the sky but I don't mind
If you're with me,
Then everything's alright.
As the song proceeded the shadowy figures approached the stage and silently listened to the soothing lullaby. Some of the shadows took form, transforming into the familiar faces of Alexis' world: Joe, the old, bald and stubborn bartender; Allen, Alexis most trusted waiter and best friend; her mother and father were present as well and suddenly, a familiar red haired figure approached.
A figure that wasn't from her original world.
The familiar black cape swaying at each step he took; the constantly halfway opened white blouse; the casual floral corsairs he always wore; the sandals that revealed his incredibly large feet.
It was at that moment…
No.
It was the moment he had saved her from Midori's torture that Alexis was completely sure that she truly loved him. She had missed him so much at the short time they were apart and it broke her heart that she had let Mihawk kiss her.
-I believe it's time for me to go. – Alexis said as she finished to song.
-It's for the best. – Conscious said and smiled at the red haired man. – You're lucky, you know? Having a man so kind to love you.
-Love us. – Alexis answered. – You're part of me.
-True. – Conscious chuckled and returned her gaze to Alexis. – Go to him. He misses you a lot.
-See you later?
-See you later Alexis.
.
Alexis opened her eyes and found herself in her captain's room.
That made her smile.
She stretched her arms above her head, cracking her back. She touched her torso finding it bandaged even though her wounds were already healed up. Turning around on her bed, her face hit a wide sculpted chest making her smile when an arm circled around her.
-Took you long enough. – Shanks mumbled, brushing Alexis' scarlet hair.
-I'm sorry my dear. – She smiled and held her captain close to her. – How's everyone?
-Better since they know where you are. – He chuckled lightly. – Benn was running around like crazy when he found out you were not here.
-Grandpa was worried about me?
-Grandpa?
-It's a friendly nickname since he constantly calls me kid. – She chuckled and brushed her nose against the crook of Shanks' neck. – Shanks…
-Yes Alexis?
-I love you very much.
-I love you too Alexis.
A/N:
23rd chapter out! God this is become a long fic XD me likey :3
Yes I've made a couple of references in this chapter: to Persona 3 FES character Pharos (creepy little kid xD) and you can say that I also made a reference to the game "To the Moon" because of the song :3
I hope you enjoy this chapter and have a very nice day! :D
I do not own One Piece, Persona, Laura Shigihara or To the Moon.
I only own Joshua, Alexis, the Seppen Bandits and the Plushie Pirates