Sorry for the late update again

~What is Left Behind~

Koala watched the large coat blow in the wind as it hung over the naginata at Whitebeard's grave. Dozens of swords stuck in the ground behind the enormous grave, honoring those of Whitebeard's crew and alliance who had lost their lives. The revolutionary pulled her legs to her chest as she sat on a rock a bit away from the main procession.

Looking over the clearing she saw Whitebeard's crew taking up most of the area, all standing silent as their first and second commanders stood silently next to Red-haired Shanks. The allies had already departed, giving their condolences when the grave was finished, leaving the flowers that now surrounded the grave.

Ivankov stood behind Koala, watching the procession quietly as well, his eyes locked on the three directly in front of the grave. It had been a close one for all of them, but they had escaped and accomplished their goal of rescuing Ace. Unfortunately the toll on the pirates end was heavy, a grand figure was lost to them forever.

"It vill all be okay," Ivankov spoke quietly to her.

"Do you think Sabo and Luffy are alright?"

Ivankov nodded. "Straw-boy will be okay, he is a D. after all. As for Sabo he is just as stubborn as his brothers. He'll contact us when he is ready."

"The world's going to be in turmoil."

Ivankov nodded. "It vill be."

"What will the government do now?"

Ivankov sighed. "I don't know. Vhatever they do ve vill be there to see that it is the right thing for the world."

"What is the right thing?"

Ivankov paused at that. "Vhat do you mean?"

Koala looked at Ace as he stood next to Shanks, his eyes sadly gazing at the grave of his father. They had heard no news from Luffy or Sabo, the raven had been worrying about his brother's since he awoke and grieving for his father. She closed her eyes as she thought to what was happening outside this small haven. The world was surely being torn apart, pirates flooding the Grand Line in search of One Piece, Blackbeard having broken into Impel Down, and Whitebeard dead so his territories falling one by one. Dragon would begin making his move soon enough, especially if the world fell into anymore chaos then it already had.

"Are the marines right? Are the pirates? What about the revolutionaries? Or the Celestial Dragons? What do the civilians think is right?" Koala questioned.

Ivankov sat next to her. "The marines do what they believe is right, but ultimately they must follow the Celestial Dragon's rules. Those people only wish to have the world bowing down to them. Pirates are right in their own way as well, freedom is important and that is what they want. Civilians aren't always allowed to voice what is right, being at the mercy of the marines and the Celestial Dragons, being unable to fight the higher powers."

Koala looked at him. "And what about us?"

"I cannot say if vhat ve are doing is right," Ivankov looked at Whitebeard's grave. "But I do know that I vant to change this vorld so that people don't have to live in fear of their decisions. So that many can live their lives in peace and do vhat they vish and not be forced to be vhat they hate."

"Is that what we're fighting for?"

"Only Dragon knows that. Do you doubt him?"

Koala shook her head. "No. I want to change this world, make it a place of equals."

"Then continue fighting for it. Don't let the world tell you how to think."

The two fell silent as they watched the procession continue, Shanks having turned away from the grave and heading back to his ship. He wasn't leaving just yet, because he wished to make sure that the Whitebeards would be okay before he departed, and he had also promised Koala and Ivankov a way home if they needed one. He was probably just giving the sons a chance to grieve without him there.

Koala stood and picked up the flowers she had spent the morning picking, waiting her turn to approach the grave. She walked slowly across the grass, feeling a few eyes on her as she approached the grave. Ivankov moved behind her, keeping his distance as she came closer to the first and second commander. Ace and Marco turned to look at her, tearing their saddened gazes from the marble grave before them.

Koala nodded sadly to them, holding the flowers higher in explanation before walking up to the grave. She knelt before it and placed the flowers amongst the many already decorating the grave. She touched the marble stone as she bowed her head, deep in thought over what it was she wished to say.

"Thank you for taking care of fishmen island, many of my friends live there, Jinbei trusted you deeply as well and for that you had my trust," She began in a whisper, closing her eyes as she thought of what to say next. "The chief isn't here but if he was I know he would want to thank you for caring for his brother and fighting to save him. You will not be forgotten."

Koala waited a moment before removing her hand and standing, moving back from the grave, a sad smile on her face, as tears began escaping. She turned away, and as she walked past Ace she put a hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze before she continued walking past. She and Ivankov began walking down the pathway leading to Shanks' ship, she kept her eyes forward and away from the pirates surrounding them. They all nodded to her in gratitude before turning their eyes to the grave of their father once again.

Koala and Ivankov climbed onto the ship and as they stepped on Inazuma joined them as the stairs were raised. The Red-haired pirates all missing from the deck except those waiting for the revolutionaries. Koala and the other two headed below deck to seek a meeting with Shanks. She was not surprised to find the man drinking with his closest companions, the strain of the war already wearing down on him.

"Captain," Koala began.

Shanks waved off the use of his title. "Don't need to be so formal. Sit down and rest. Once we hear from your boss or another leader of your group we'll figure out how to get you home."

"I would like to wait till we can reach Sabo on the snail at least, I want Ace to know his brothers are safe."

Shanks looked at her. "Afraid we can't wait long. The sooner we all lay low the best we can the better."

Koala nodded. "Sorry for the trouble."

Shanks blinked at her before smiling. "I am the one who owes you thanks."

"Me?"

"And him," Shanks nodded at Ivankov.

"Vhat for?" Ivankov asked confused.

"You both took care of Ace and Luffy during the battle, and their brother, Sabo, I don't know him as well. Ace and Luffy however are very important to me, so I thank you both for protecting them."

Koala smiled sadly. "I wish we could have done more."

"There was nothing more that could have been done," Benn assured from next to Shanks.

Shanks and his crew returned to drinking as Koala sat at one of the tables, staring at the transponder snail seated on Shanks table. They could only hope that someone would try and contact an ally of theirs with news on Sabo or Luffy. Koala rested her head on the table, unsure of what to do as the pirates around her drunk away their despair.

~End Ch. 18~

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, I had actually planned to write more but the conversation between Ivankov and Koala went a bit differently than I thought it would. Coming up soon we'll have a bit of Sabo and Luffy then we'll be moving into the fun time-skip events. I only have like sixteen to eighteen characters to write about, this will be fun!

Reviewer's corner:

kunf'you'z-ed: So basically Ace and few commanders were on another ship with some allies along with Ivankov. Koala was able to get on Shanks ship who was staying with the Whitebeard pirates because he was escorting Whitebeard's body to the island, sorry if that was confusing. I will still have the time-skip and that is mainly due to the fact that Luffy and his crew aren't strong enough for the New World just yet, which was one of the reasons the time-skip happened, it was for them all to get better. I am planning to look at every character that is in Sabo and Luffy's crew and also Ace himself for the time-skip. Germany? Where at? My mom was stationed there when she was in the army and I was born in Germany near Bad Windsheim though we lived on the American military base I believe, not quite sure we left when I was six months old. Thanks again for the reviews!

StarliteOracle: Thanks for the review.

MinamiJSakuya: It'll still be a while before they officially meet for where the story has them joining together.

Son of Whitebeard: Hope I did it justice?

Till next time!