AN: Hey guys! Sorry for the wait, but life has been pretty busy and stressful, but I finally have a chapter for you - as well as a surprise! Read the author's note at the end of the chapter for it~
Also, thank you to everyone who has reviewed! (I shall reply to last chapter's reviews in a bit) And thank you to Niji Hitomi Kabra for betaing!
-seven-
-Hall of the Mountain King-
Ace managed to shimmy Luffy's grip off, and stopped any of the boy's protests by wrapping his tail around the boy's waist as they walked. Content with that, Luffy bounced by his side, grinning widely and snapping his head around to take in everything as they walked.
The reason Ace did this was… well, he hadn't been clung to like that in a long time. The contact had become a little too much, and he was happy Luffy seemed to understand. It was like this all those years ago, too - when Luffy had first found him. Ace had never, ever had any kind of kind contact like that before, so it had been a little overwhelming.
Though the boy was constantly looking around, his fingers pet the dark red fur of his tail gently, and a small smile came to Ace's lips.
This was… nice. He couldn't wait until they had dealt with whatever business they came here for, because then he may actually get Luffy alone for a little while.
The smile fell. He didn't want to think about what might come after. He didn't want to acknowledge the fact that they might leave. That they… That Luffy most likely would.
Ace wasn't completely ignorant of the outside world. Yes, he wanted nothing to do with it, but of course he knew of the civil war that had the rest of the world in turmoil. One where the victor was very obvious.
But the thing was - they wouldn't dare enter Whitebeard's territory. As one of the emperors, it was rumoured that Whitebeard had the power of a god - only a fool would challenge the Mountain King.
Yet at the same time… Ace - doubted that that would stop Mariejois' forces. He'd witnessed first hand the power that Sakazuki held alone, and with... with an army of thousands upon thousands of soldiers, it looked like Mariejois was going to win.
Ace didn't want to think about it. He wanted nothing to do with the war at all.
But now that Luffy was alive and here and…
Ace had a sneaking suspicion that he knew exactly why they were here. And Ace didn't like it at all.
But if… Luffy asked, then…
The dragon shoved the thoughts aside as they neared the large, stone doors. He couldn't… think of that, at the moment. Not yet. When - and if - the time came, then he would.
The doors were open - slightly. Just enough for them to slip through. Up close, all of the intricate carvings became clear - words written in an ancient language, and murals depicting past events - from when the Elder Dragons ruled the skies, and lived amongst the other creatures of the seas and lands - a time without war.
The past was something Ace knew he would never be able to see. He didn't wish for it, per se, but there was a part of him that… longed to know what it had been like. What it was like to have… others of his own kind around.
What it was like to not be completely alone.
He was pulled from his dark thoughts when Luffy let out a shout of excitement, and jumped onto Ace's back - apparently he finally managed to learn how to avoid crushing his wings.
"Hey, Ace! Look! Dragons!" The boy exclaimed, pointing at the magnificent carvings. "Like you!"
… He was stupid. He was never completely alone. He had Luffy. And the family he had made in the Mountain King's court. Honestly…
The dragon let out a soft breath and nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah. The dragons of old. They used to nest here, and guarded the city below…"
"I know of those stories." Robin came up beside the dragon, her eyes trained on the carvings and voice holding a tone of breathless excitement. "There were said to be four mountains, each holding a great city beneath and around it where those of all races gathered and lived in harmony. The dragons were the guardians who were looked up to as gods…"
"Mmhmm." Ace nodded, lips pressed tightly together as he attempted to ignore the scent of demon. "Yes, of course, until a group of humans decided they wanted more and sought to destroy the amazing society that had been created."
The demon tilted her head to glance at him, eyes curious. "I wonder - great one, were you there? You sound… remarkably bitter about it."
Ace just snorted. "No, I was not. That was over a thousand years ago, and I am just entering my two-hundredth year now."
"Ace is old," Luffy piped up from Ace's other side with a giggle. "Acts like a grouch. But he's not that old! Shishishishi!"
The dragon rolled his eyes and tugged on a strand of Luffy's hair, causing him to pout. "Yes I am not that old. I simply… hate the 'Celestials' for what they have… done in the past."
'To me' was left unsaid.
"Oh, I see." Robin blinked, masking a surprised expression before turning her gaze back to the doors. "Would you be… referring to the events that caused your and Luffy's separation?"
Ace shot her a sharp glare, and she showed no reaction beyond a slight twitch of her lips. The dragon let out a loud breath, and nodded. "Yes, that. Among other things…"
This time it was Luffy that gave him a sharp, questioning glance, but the dragon only patted his arm and started moving forwards again, Luffy still on his back. "Come on. The Old Man's expecting us."
Ahead of them by a few meters, Marco turned on a taloned foot and beckoned them with a wing. Ace picked up the pace, and Luffy giggled softly. The dragon felt the boy's breath against his neck, and tensed up a little when he heard Luffy murmur, "We'll talk later… Yeah?"
Ace swallowed thickly. He gave a short nod of his head. "Yeah. Later."
Luffy relaxed against his back and squeezed his arms around Ace's neck. "Good. Missed you."
The dragon let out a rumbling noise, and that had Luffy giggling again, even louder than before. "The purr! Missed the purr too!"
That had Ace's heart do a strange twist in his chest, and he felt his cheeks grow hot. There was - something. Embarrassment or self-consciousness - he wasn't sure. He let out a soft grumble, but the purr kept going. There were times when he couldn't control it like… when he was happy. Content.
Luffy's presence… made him feel good.
Ace's steps were a little lighter.
The doors loomed above them, Marco standing in the open gap, watching them come with slight amusement.
Ace glowered at him, silently telling him to keep his beak closed and keep his comments to himself - and of course Marco recognised it, giving an elegant shrug. He shifted further inside, waving a wing open in a gesture of welcome.
Robin entered first, her eyes wide with awe, followed by Ace who was still carrying Luffy. The boy let out a loud, excited laugh, bouncing against Ace's back, and Ace pinched his arm.
Luffy yelped and pouted at the dragon. "What was that for?!"
"Calm down, Lu." Ace rustled his wings as well as he could manage with the boy on his back. "This is where things get serious…"
The half-blood's groan echoed through the small entrance chamber. It was deserted and mostly bare, though the carvings from the door spread across its walls, continuing the story. Marco continued forwards, Robin right behind him, and he stopped at another - though much smaller - set of doors.
"Are you ready?" The phoenix spoke quietly, hand held flat on the surface of the carved wood. Robin inclined her head, and Luffy slid down of Ace's back, still grumbling. The pout on his face grew when Ace didn't even try to wrap his tail around him like before - in fact, he even moved away from Luffy, just a little.
And Ace really didn't want to. But… coming face to face with the Old Man…
Marco's calm voice pulled him from his thoughts.
"I would like to welcome you… to the ancient Court of the Mountain King." The phoenix grinned. He pushed open the door, and the noise from the great hall immediately rushed in.
Luffy, excited once again, bounded forwards as Marco lead the way, and with a quiet sigh, Ace followed.
As they entered, silence fell.
Normally the great hall was deserted, save for Whitebeard himself and a few of his trusted court members. But apparently word of some visitors had spread, and Ace guessed that at least a quarter of the mountain's inhabitants were packed in the hall.
And they were all staring at the newcomers.
Ace felt the fur on his back and tail stand on end, and he fought to stop his ears from pressing back against his skull in an obvious sign of wariness. He luckily managed to catch the growl.
Gods being stared at was annoying…
Marco, Robin and Luffy paid it no mind as they walked down the path that split open for them - one that lead to the giant sitting on the elaborately carved throne at the very end of the hall.
Whitebeard was enormous. Larger than any human or elf, and looked to be carved of the very stone he sat upon. Golden eyes bore into them from across the distance - Ace knew that they were judging, measuring up Luffy and Robin.
But then his eyes narrowed, and he sat up in his throne. The surrounding court members hastily backed away, and Marco stopped dead in his tracks, head tilted to the side.
There was a disturbance in the crowd. A whisper spread from mouth to mouth, and Ace's sharp ears could pick up the word 'demon', over and over again.
Fuck. He'd thought this might happen but hadn't actually…
He was only one among a few others that saw what happened next. One of Whitebeard's generals - an elegant, dark haired elf named Izo - darted forwards. Izo had once been from a clan of elves further west, one that specialized in advanced weaponry. When exiled, he had brought a number of unique creations with him.
Such as the pistol that could shoot a bullet faster than a human eye could see, now pressed up against the side of Robin's head.
No one moved. Not Luffy, who looked entirely unconcerned - and not Robin either, who glanced at the elf out of the corner of her eye.
"Don't move." Izo stated softly, face a mask of determination.
Robin appeared to be remarkably calm, her face emotionless and body relaxed.
"The likes of you are not welcome here." The Mountain King's voice boomed throughout the large hall, loud and deep enough to hurt Ace's ears. "The last time we let a demon amongst us, it nearly destroyed us from the inside. Tell me, what is an Archfiend doing in my kingdom?"
Ace was watching intently, his form tense and tail flicking back and forth in agitation. He was able to notice the way her eyes darted to Luffy, and the small - barely there - inclination of his head the boy gave.
Ace's eyes narrowed.
"I am here to serve my king, my lord." Robin's voice was soft and even. "That is all."
Whitebeard leaned forwards in his giant throne, mouth twisted into a deep scowl. "You don't happen to be referring to the king below, do you?"
Robin finally showed some expression. The corners of her mouth lifted into a smile, and her eyes glittered. "No, my lord. I serve a different king. One whose ideals are far more pure than those of the wretches of this world and below."
"Aaaaah." Strangely, Whitebeard relaxed back in his throne, the scowl fading into a light smirk. "You serve someone else… Tell me, Archfiend - how am I to trust you?"
Ace blinked. That was it? No… demanding who she was serving? Nothing? And he was speaking of… trust?
Several of the generals raised their voice in an attempt to get Whitebeard to question her further, but the Mountain King waved them into silence. He rested an elbow on the arm of the throne and rumbled, "Well?"
Robin's calm smile grew, and she raised her hands, not even flinching when Izo jabbed the gun into her skull. Ignoring the elf, the demon tugged down the sleeve of her coat, revealing a silver cuff with intricately carved runes on the surface, and then did the same to her other arm.
So she wore matching cuffs… Ace had no idea what the markings meant, but by the shocked muttering that spread amongst the crowd, they were important.
"My powers are sealed." Robin stated clearly. "Only my king can remove them. I am perfectly harmless."
Whitebeard was silent, staring at the demon for a long time, before he relaxed completely and threw his head back, releasing a roaring laugh - one that caused the walls to shake just slightly. His voice was brimming with mirth when he spoke next, "I highly doubt that, demoness! But regardless… I trust that you will behave. Because you're not here to cause trouble, are you?"
Izo withdrew the gun, his face sour as he backed away from Robin, and she lowered her arms and bowed her head. "No my lord. We are here on… very important business."
"Gurarara… Well then. Let's get down to business, shall we? Archfiend and her half-blood king…"
Luffy finally stood up beside Robin, a large grin on his face. "Shishishishi! Yes!"
AN: Alright guys, the surprise! Those following me on tumblr would already know, but I created an ask blog centered around this story! It contains information, all the art I've done, some story snippets - and the fun thing is that you can send in asks with questions directed to certain characters, and I would reply to them while in character!
So you should go give it a shot! The link to the blog is on my profile~
As always, y'all should totally review… reviews give me life~
'Til next time!