So in usual Anjelle fashion, this is the in-between chapter that connects the last arc with the next. Not overly eventful, but important. I hope you enjoy it! And thank you to everyone who reviewed last chapter! :D
And I've got the prologue to a new story up, if anyone's interested. It's called Amidst the Heat, a MarcoAce and SaboLaw fic (or will be if people want me to continue).
***Starting Sept 7th I'm going to take a little leave from updating my stories to get used to my new school schedule. It'll be 2-3 weeks with little to no updates. Hope you guys don't mind, but university comes first. I'll still be writing in my spare time, though! I promise!
Disclaimer: You guys know by now. I'm running out of random things to put here :P
Ace groaned, the sounding of voices rousing him to wakefulness. He didn't care what they were saying—couldn't they be quieter? He was trying to sleep! So, ignoring the noise, he snuggled deeper into his resting place, hoping to tune out the unimportant words of the room's occupants.
"—called?"
"Yeah, while you were out," a second voice explained. "He said it was important."
"Anything else?" the first questioned. Wasn't that… Luffy?
"The guy wouldn't tell me anything. He just told me to pass the message on."
Alright, so maybe Ace was a little curious. Peeking out into the room, he spotted a familiar head of green hair seated against the wall, arms folded leisurely behind his head. The boy tensed, holding fast to the fabric beneath his fingers, taking deep, calming breaths. There was no reason to be scared. He had to relax—stay focused.
Looking up brought into view a familiar head of dark hair—Luffy. As he thought more, he realized he'd fallen asleep on the man the night before. The pirate's brow was furrowed in thought as he stared absently across the room. It seemed Ace woke up at a bad time. The atmosphere was heavy, weighing down on the all three of them as silence prevailed.
Eventually, Luffy pouted. "Why do I feel like things are going to start getting annoying?"
Zoro shrugged. "They probably will."
"Any luck contacting Trafal-guy?"
"No clue; that was Chopper's job. I don't like dealing with that guy."
Luffy tilted his head, "Why not?"
The swordsman scowled. "He's manipulative—reminds me of a certain red-haired witch."
"Shishishi! He's not so bad."
Trafal-guy? Who's that? Ace blinked up at the man curiously, catching his attention. Large eyes turned to him, a grin following soon after.
"You're awake," his caretaker stated, lifting a hand to ruffle his hair, leaving it a confused mess. "Did you have a good sleep?"
Reluctantly Ace nodded, looking away from the pirate. He felt… nervous. It wasn't like the day before where he was scared, nor did it resemble the security he felt before the marine attack. It just… wasn't right. Why was that?
"You want to know the truth about Luffy yoi?"
His eyes widened.
"No matter how stupid he is, you have to protect him, okay? That's what older brothers do."
That… Marco said that to him before they separated. He'd completely forgotten after everything that happened. He was Ace—Portgas—Luffy's brother. And Luffy never told him.
"Good!" the pirate king exclaimed, bringing the boy from his thoughts. "I've got to make a call. Want to come?"
"Oh no, you don't," Zoro started, preventing a response. "Chopper told me not to let you leave this room until he gets back. I'm not going to get yelled at like last time."
Luffy pouted, silently begging the first mate to change his mind. When he saw no change in those stoic features, he vocalised his pleas. "But he said it was important!"
"The world's not going to end if you don't return a phone call."
"It might," the patient retorted, causing the green-haired swordsman to pause. "He wants to go after that guy, remember? He's been eating islands."
"He doesn't eat them, he absorbs them."
"There's a difference?"
Zoro sighed and Ace gave him a sympathetic gaze. Luffy had always been difficult to deal with. He'd come up with the stupidest ideas and explanations, leaving everything he didn't understand labelled as a 'mystery'. The man was a pain to—
His eyes widened.
…Always?
"There's nothing I can do."
"Really?" questioned Chopper as he stared at the snail phone, forehead creased with worry. He hoped that Law, with his ability, could somehow help his bedridden captain—that he could do what the Straw Hat pirate's doctor could not—but his wishes were shot with those five, simple words.
"You mentioned that a large quantity of seastone was injected into his bloodstream, correct?"
"That's right—it was the marines. They tricked us."
"Then it's out of my hands; my ability won't work because of that."
Chopper's shoulders sagged, his doe eyes staring out the window of his captain's office, to the distant sky. In one hand he held the snail's receiver, in the other, the results of his most recent tests on his captain. With everything that was going on, he worried for not only Luffy's health but the safety of the crew. Each of them was strong, sure, but with their leader so significantly weakened, could they hold up in battle? If that Yami Yami no Mi user was as strong as they were told, then…
"Isn't there something you can do? I'm… I'm not sure how to help him."
Law scoffed. "I don't see why I should help you. Straw Hat being weakened just means I have a better chance at taking his title."
"But you're our ally!"
"Formerly," the surgeon corrected. "It was convenient for me back then. However, I'm a Yonko now; I need to think about my status, yes?"
"That's true, but—"
"Then good day."
Click.
For a moment he remained dumbstruck, standing there without movement, mouth ajar. It started to sink in that he wouldn't be getting any help from his long-time associate and he sighed, hanging up the receiver with a look of failure on his face. He knew Law wasn't one of them—that he had his own crew and responsibilities—but with how often they'd associated in the past, the reindeer considered him a friend. Chopper was certain he'd lend a hand in figuring out how to deal with Luffy's condition. He was wrong.
Hesitantly the doctor glanced over the results for the umpteenth time that day. He hated what they told him. It appeared that the levels of seastone in the captain's bloodstream was steady—had yet to begin absorption. Luffy wasn't going to be free of it for a long time. The body wasn't breaking down the elements properly, likely because his devil fruit ability was rejecting it. That was the reason why he went into shock after the injection—why he almost died.
Pulling his mouth taut, Chopper shook his head. He couldn't think like that! Worrying wasn't going to get him anywhere. Instead, he needed to think of some way to alleviate his patient's symptoms, at the very least. If he continued researching it—testing—then maybe he could find a way to cure his captain faster. Either way, he had to keep trying. Luffy may have laughed it off, but he knew just how horrible he was really feeling.
With or without Trafalgar Law, he needed to keep moving.
"Shh," Luffy sounded, finger held to his lips as he grinned.
Ace simply blinked, watching as the pirate slipped out of bed and snuck past the sleeping swordsman. He wasn't really sure why the captain wasn't supposed to leave that room but the crew's countermeasure against his escape—a green-haired man who slept more hours than he was awake—was failing miserably. It's was Luffy; they should have expected that much. He'd always been a lot of trouble.
There was that word again: always. He was starting to hate it. There was no 'always'. He'd just found Luffy recently. Before that he was alone. But that wasn't right, was it? Before that, he was Portgas D. Ace.
…How was that possible?
"Ace," the pirate king whispered, catching the attention of his young charge, "come on."
The boy saw Luffy gesturing him nearer and complied, decidedly pushing his inner ramblings aside. He followed the man out of the infirmary and across the deck to an all too familiar room. It seemed that Luffy went there every time they talked to someone outside of the crew. Why that was so Ace hadn't a clue, but he didn't particularly care, either.
The pirate king immediately went to the den den mushi on his desk and called someone. Ace took his seat beside Luffy, allowing his thoughts a bit of wandering as he waited. Who were they going to talk to? The last person he called was Marco. Would it be him again? He kind of hoped so. There was so much going on in his mind—so many questions he wanted answers to—and he felt Marco would be able to set things straight. For some reason, he'd grown attached to the man. That's why he questioned him before they parted. Something about him felt… reliable.
"Ah, Luffy? Did you get my message?" asked a voice from the other line. It was familiar but, alas, did not belong to the blonde pineapple he got to know so well.
"Shishishi, yep, I did! What is it?"
"Are you alone?"
Luffy looked to the young boy at his side, raising his index finger to once more press against his lips. "Yeah, I'm alone."
"There's something I need to ask you. I talked to—"
"Stop," the pirate commanded, smile falling from his face. "I'll go first."
"What is it?" The voice seemed confused. And then Ace recognised it—Shanks.
"I'm breaking our alliance."
Ace's eyes widened. The silence coming from the other party was a clear indicator that Shanks was just as shocked. Why would he do that? He was really excited when they decided to join forces, from what Ace could recall. He didn't really get what the whole thing was about but it made Luffy happy, right? So why give that up?
"Why?"
At first the pirate king didn't answer. Eventually, though, he took a deep breath. "I don't want to put my nakama in danger. I… can't protect them right now."
"…What do you mean?" There was no response. "Luffy, if something happened, I need you to tell me."
"…I think you're right about the marines having something to do with this."
"They attacked you?"
Luffy's aversion was worrying. Ace never saw him so quiet. "…I can't help you, sorry."
"Don't be. If the marines are involved, though, I don't think separating yourself from the alliance will keep you out of danger. Are you sure you want to do this?"
The look on the pirate king's face made it blatantly obvious that he hadn't thought of that. His expression was thoughtful—concerned. Just what did Ace miss over the past few days?
"Then… I'll think about it."
"Alright," Shanks replied.
Luffy's face brightened, his goofy smile returning. "What did you want to tell me?"
"Ah, right—Trafalgar Law refused the alliance. He told me not to bother him with 'trivial nonsense such as this'."
Law… so that's Trafal-guy's real name?
The pirate's grin increased tenfold as he laughed. "Shishishi!"
"It's not funny—he's the one our enemy's after!" You could hear the pout in the older man's voice.
"Trafal-guy's just like that. He doesn't play nice."
"Think you could convince him?"
"Nope!"
Shanks sighed. "This makes things difficult. What about Marco?"
Ace's ears perked up at the mention of blonde's name. He'd only been paying partial attention up until that point, but now he wanted to know what was going on. How was Marco involved?
"He agreed."
"Really?" There was a significant amount of surprise in his voice.
"But he said he'll kill me if something happens to Ace, so we have to be careful. I don't feel like dying right now, shishishi."
Ace's eyes widened as he stared at his brother. Marco… said that?
"Great! So now we only have to ask the last Yonko. I hear she's in your area."
Again, Luffy pouted. "Why do I have to do it?"
"You're closer. And if you're going to leave then you'd better find a replacement."
"…Fine, I'll talk to her."
"Dahahaha! Good! Then—" Muffled sounds cut the redhead off, followed by an unintelligible voice. "Benn? Right, right, almost done." Again, there was a voice. "We have visitors so I've got to go."
"Bye Shanks!"
Click.
Silence rang clear through the room, leaving Luffy to slouch back in his seat, breathing an exhausted sigh. He was starting to look worn-down. Was he sick? Injured?
The pirate king glanced at him, offering a small smile. "I'm okay."
That man could read him like a book. "…You sure?"
"Yeah."
A/N: So next chapter is the official start of the next arch, which some of you have been patiently awaiting for a while now (even if you don't realize it) so yay! Any ideas on what's going to happen? Hm? Any? No one? ...Okay. Please drop a review if you can and tell me what you think! I'm always looking for feedback!
To my lovelies~
Bluebird42: Glad you like!
mad100141: Yep, I don't like writing everything out for you guys :) Don't you love having an enemy you know nothing about? :P The chapter that ruined my story's canon was the reveal of Ace's devil fruit. It's not big, but... Yep, Luffy's pretty much a normal person, since using haki is difficult because he's so weak right now. Wonder what's going to come of that~ I'm glad you like it! This story will have some more dark undertones, but Divide will top it dramatically later on, and some of my other fics will have darker themes as well. Well, you got to see Zoro :D I'm glad you think I've done well with their characters! Back when I first started this story, I was so rusty with writing canon characters... it was horrible. Luckily I managed to work through it, for the most part.
jam klaoo: I'm not evil, just cruel :P I'm glad you like it ^^
samettikettu: Lol your review is so random XD
TheRoseJr: Here's more!
TheBlackSpirit: Nah, we've got through the sad stuff... mostly. If you haven't cried yet, you won't cry later.
Honeydee: Ace's devil fruit. It messes with my story's canon T^T Lol your reaction is perfect XD
spoons-are-evil: Maybe :P We shall see~ I think you're confusing it with Divide. Never mentioned a war in this story ^^ You're welcome!
MysteriousEyez: Yep! You now have an explanation :) Yeah, damn that seastone! Let's just say it's not going to be pretty.
AiSoraix3: Glad you like! You flatter me ^/^
Son Goshen: Oddly enough, you're the only one who said it was gross :P I thought there would be more people reacting like that. Yeah, I couldn't really think of any worse way to show him his mother's corpse. Otherwise I probably would have used it *shot* Bad things? Pfft. Where do you get that idea? Hehe... heh... heh.
Guest: I'm glad you liked it! Here's more!
Sealing Mistress: You may. You should have listened to what I was when I wrote it XD It was even depressing me a little.
Deadly In Pink: Thank you :) Yeah, I don't think it'd be too pleasant :P You'll get to see that soon enough, don't worry ;) You're welcome!
Kitsune Foxfire: Yes, yes he did. Yeah, when he finds out... I can't say it. Damn you, spoilers!
azab: Glad you like!
Guest (2): ...You didn't read it, did you? The prologue was about Luffy moving on after Ace's death, not sbout someone whining about it =_=; Also, if it took someone's death for Luffy to get stronger then he's not suitable as the protagonist of a shounen manga. I'm pretty sure after all he went through in Sabaody, Impel Down and Marineford he could figure out that he wasn't strong enough to enter the New World even without Ace dying. Listen: take deep breaths and relax. Calm yet? Then please go elsewhere. My god, some people...
ssspooky: Ummm... I think you reviewed the wrong story. Thatch isn't even in this fic :P
TheAnalei: Yep, very sad, but fun to write :P Hope you liked the update!
StrawberryGirlKairi: It could be worse. He's still alive, at least :P Yep, it was the reveal of Ace's devil fruit. Not a big deal, but still =3=
yukiko hyuga-chan: Morbid, but necessary. Ace didn't know what death was at the time so he just thought she was sleeping. He wasn't going to leave her if she was just asleep, so it took a lot for him to realize that she wasn't going to get up. Sorry the update was a bit slow, but at least it came!
doubledamn: Lol I agree, he really knows how to give you a metaphorical sledgehammer to the knee. Yep, reincarnation :) Lol I make the characters suffer a lot in my fics :P Agreed. I would have done the same to the Celestial Dragons if I could. Thanks for all the reviews!
Guest (3): Couldn't have said it better myself ;)
ASLfangirl: No more crying for a while :) Things will lighten up a bit at the beginning of this next arc. Why thank you! You're welcome~
(Well that's that! Sorry my responses are kind of dull... I'm dying of heat right now and it kind of made my brain shut down. I also blame the poor quality of this chapter on the heat. Damn you, Canadian summers! It's humid as hell up here. Anyways, please leave a review and check out my other fics and blah blah blah I'll see you next time! Adieu~)