Next chapter here. Had a lot of things to do today, so sorry for the late update.
Lucinda brought Yasopp and Benn back to Red Force. The other commanders were with her, since none of them would let her be on her own. Those pirates might have given up at last, but they all doubted it was for long and so no one would let her stay behind. Ben fully understood. He felt the same, just like he knew Yasopp did. Lucinda was their friend, no matter what. And besides, Marco would properly beat the crap out of them if Lucinda was harmed. And it didn't seem that Lucinda minded at all.
"Lu… So did you get what you want?" asked Shanks with a smile, inviting her and the commanders on board.
"We did," she said.
"A success then," said Shanks.
"You could say that," said Benn and gazed at Lucinda.
Shanks sighed. "I still have pets for you, you know, love. So grab a bite or two," he said and kissed her cheek lightly.
"You're still having some pets for me? You're so sweet," she said and kissed him on the cheek, before leaving.
"I bet you just went for them before we came back," said Yasopp.
"Yes. I know she can become so distracted so she forgets to drink," sighed Shanks.
"And she hasn't changed. Even Thatch has pets for her," smirked Vista.
"It's because Oyaji orders him to have some," said Kingdew.
"He would do so on his own," pointed Namur.
"So Lu hasn't changed that much. So would you care for a drink, to celebrate your success?" grinned Shanks.
Since the commanders saw Shanks as an ally now, they said yes and they went into the commander room, where Lucky Roo already had placed a lot of food and booze. Shanks nodded to the cook and gestured his guest to have a seat. Of course it would be a private celebration. Shanks' crew wasn't that fond of rivals and he knew that the commanders properly would be too protective. Lucinda was the only one to be accepted and free around them.
"Should we wait for Lu?" Shanks poured some drinks into the glasses.
"Does it matter? Lu won't be mad. She's properly tired," said Vista.
"She did look tired. She overdid it again, didn't she? How typical," sighed Shanks.
"Like we said. Lu hasn't changed that much," said Izo.
"Or at least that's what Oyaji keeps saying," said Kingdew.
"She has changed, but it's more how she lives. Since we met her at Twins Cape, she has lived more in the world, instead of surviving. Captain had that influence on her," said Shanks.
"I wonder what was so special about your former captain. She told us that she met the line of Gol D., since she ate the fruit. So what happened back then? After being 'dead' for around 50 years, she suddenly change her way of being," said Curiel.
"I don't know. In fact I don't know much of her before I met her around Roger's execution. She was there and a single tear fell down her cheek. I remember seeing her and wonder who she was, because she was in her vampire form. Back then I've never seen her in her vampire form. She helped me from there," said Shanks.
Silence felt for a while. Lucky Roo were back and sat there in silence, drinking and eating along with the others. All in their own thoughts.
"You all look awful serious. I guess you talk about me," grinned Lucinda and walked in.
She sat next to Shanks and took a drink.
"In fact we did. You make no sense to us, you know," said Shanks.
"Oh I know, but you have to live with it," she said.
"I've learnt that, so I guess others will so too," said Shanks.
"So what did you talk about?" she asked.
"Why Roger?" said Benn casually.
"Ah. You wonder why it was him that change me and no other?" she smiled.
"Yes," said Kingdew.
"Because he reminded me of my son," she said and started to eat.
"I see. And you missed your first family," said Yasopp.
"I still miss them, but thanks to Roger, I found out that there are many souls on the sea that think and feel like my first family. Roger gave me the courage to live again," she said.
"He's right," said Namur.
"But right now my family is threatened and we need to stop this threat," she said seriously.
"Blackbeard. What did you learn?" asked Shanks.
"He's sailing at the outer Island on the east side. Not exactly where he is right now or where he will be, but we now have an idea where to search," said Benn.
"Do I want to know how you got that information?" asked Shanks.
"Properly not, but we got her back all the time," said Vista.
"Lu, what now?" asked Shanks.
"We'll go home and tell Ed this. Then I will call my contacts around to let them know what to look for and contact me. I guess Ed will do the same," said Lucinda.
"And if you get news?" Shanks looked at her.
"I'll contact you, since I doubt that the Whitebeard pirates will be enough to take him down. He might have a small pirate group, but he got some of the most fearsome and cruel pirates on his side. And I guess he got some allies as well," said Lucinda serious.
"If we get news too, we'll let you know. I think you're right here. Even though the Whitebeard pirates are strong, this is delicate. Edward knows this too," said Shanks.
"We can't ask for help from our allies, as we did to free Ace. Blackbeard wore the mark of Oyaji and was our nakama for a long time. He betrayed us, but I think we need the power of two Yonkou to take him down," said Vista.
The others nodded. Vista was the highest ranked commander her, so technically he was in charge and the one to make decision, but in fact it was Lucinda. However she did consult them and they appreciated that she wanted their meaning too. She didn't know Blackbeard as well as them, but then again, they didn't know him as well as thought. He had let them behind the curtains for a long time.
"I'm glad we all agree on this one. I'm confident that I can take him down, but I need to trust that there are some that can handle his crew and what scum he has on his side," said Lucinda.
"We'll on your side and we will bring that traitor down," said Izo.
Lucinda smiled. "Then let's set sail back home tomorrow. You can relax here. As long as I'm on this ship, no harm will come to those who are my friends. This crew knows better than to screw with me," she smirked, causing Shanks and the others to laugh.
I wanted to show that even though Lucinda is strong and cable of fighting her own battles, she has a tendency to forget taking care of herself. And she knew this, so she asks for help. She's not arrogant and knows when she needs help.
Now the time is near for the last battle. So you think it will go smoothly?