Elementals & Pirates
Neo sat with her chin resting in her hands. Her eyes ran along with Luffy as he dashed about the island screaming for his brother. Whenever Luffy tripped and fell to the ground the crew would pounce on him in an attempt to hold him down so he wouldn't reopen his wounds. But he always threw them off with another cry for his brother.
Her heart went out to him. She knew what he was going through. She had witnessed his brother's death just like she had witnessed her parents' death. Her eyes wandered over to her godfather's ship. None of them were on the island when Luffy had woken up. She didn't think it mattered. Luffy was mentally far too gone to notice much of anything around him. She turned back to Luffy when he screamed again. Her heart broke and went out to him again. "Isn't there anything we can do for him?"
"I'm a doctor," Law said. "I've done all I can."
Neo sighed. No one seemed to have an answer for them. No one knew how to help Luffy now.
"There might be something I can do," Jinbe said.
Neo and Law looked up at him. The fishman's wounds had healed a lot faster now that she had her solar crystal back. She used it on him then turned it on Luffy. But with Luffy's running around so wildly she couldn't help him much. Without another word the fishman headed towards Luffy. He grabbed the young man by his neck and pulled him into the forest. "I hope he'll be okay. What do you think Jinbe's going to do to him?"
"Who knows?" Law said.
Neo looked at him. He was holding Luffy's hat in his hand.
"What about you?" Law looked up at her.
"What do you mean?"
"You have your solar crystal back," Law said. "Are we going to Luminous now?"
"I don't know. I really want to get my brother back, but I'm still unsure of leaving Luffy like this," Neo said. "I'm so torn."
"Straw Hat will be fine," Law said. "It's his decision where he goes from here."
"Well, I guess there's nothing much to do here then," Neo said. "We might as well pack up and go. I'll go talk to Godfather." Summoning her wings, she flew away from Law and went to her godfather's ship. Shanks was sitting outside on the deck when she arrived. "Godfather."
"I see you're ready to leave," Shanks said.
"Not really," Neo said. "But we have to."
"How's Luffy?" Lucky Roo asked.
"Jinbe took him into the forest. I'm not sure what he's going to do but I think Luffy will be fine now," Neo said.
"Then get your friends ready to leave," Shanks said. "We're heading to Luminous."
Neo nodded. "There's still one think I want to do before we leave. It won't take long. So go ahead and get the ship ready."
"Sure thing," Shanks said.
Neo flew back to the island. The crew looked at her as she walked over to Law. "Get ready to set sail."
The crew instantly got up and started gathering their things.
"Hey, they're suppose to be my crew," Law said with a light smirk.
"Well, they maybe your crew but I'm their favorite." Neo leaned down and pecked his lips. "And yours."
"You got that right." Law smiled.
Neo pulled Luffy's hat from his hand.
"What are you going to do with that?" Law asked.
"I can't leave here without talking to Luffy first." Neo looked to the forest. Luffy's cries had disappeared.
"Be careful. He's still not in a good state of mind right now," Law said. "He might try and hurt you."
"He won't. Shanks is my godfather," Neo said. "And I have my crystals." She kissed him again before heading into the forest. She had planned on sensing out where they were since Luffy was rubber and the fishman was a fish, but the mess Luffy left behind made it easy for her to follow. It took a few minutes for her to reach them. When she did Luffy was crying and lifting one finger up at a time like he was counting something. She gave him a few more minutes before making her presence known to them.
"Hm? Who's that?" Luffy asked when he saw her.
"Princess Neo," Jinbe said.
"Princess?" Luffy scanned his eyes over her body.
"Just Neo. Please." Neo walked over to them. She looked down at Luffy. With a nervous gulp she said, "Monkey D. Luffy."
"Yeah. How do you know my name? Have we met before?" Luffy tilted his head.
"Sort of. I was on Sabaody. I was in the auction house when you broke in to save your mermaid friend," Neo said. "I wanted to talk to you then but, well, considering everything that happened it didn't work out so well."
"What did you want to talk to me about?" Luffy asked.
"There's a lot actually," Neo said fingering his hat.
"Hey! You have my hat!" Luffy smiled.
"Yeah." Neo nodded. "Law and I have been keeping an eye on it while you've been…" She paused. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up…"
"It's okay," Luffy said. "I've come to terms with the fact Ace is gone. I still have my crew. And I'll be with them soon."
"So you're feeling better?"
"I am." Luffy nodded.
"I'm glad." Neo smiled.
"So what do you want from me?" Luffy asked.
"Mostly I just wanted to meet you." Neo walked over to him. Kneeling down she handed him his hat. "We have a common connection."
"We do?"
"You know Shanks," Neo said.
"Of course I do!" Luffy's grin was big and bright. "He's a good friend of mine! How do you know him?!"
"He's my godfather," Neo said.
"What?! Wait! I think I remember him talking about you once before!" Luffy said.
"If he did then that means he trusts you with me," Neo said.
"Amazing! I get to meet Shanks' goddaughter!" Luffy said. "But what are you doing here? Don't you live somewhere far away?"
"It's a long and complicated story," Neo said. "One I don't have time to tell you about now. But I'm hoping to tell you in the future."
"Sure! I can wait!" Luffy nodded.
"I'm just glad I got to finally meet you," Neo said. "Godfather has spoken about you a lot."
Luffy just continued to smile.
"Well, I have to go," Neo said.
"So soon?" Luffy asked.
"I'm sorry," Neo said. "My brother and people need me now. I have to go help them." Her mind wandered back to her godfather and crew. She wanted to tell him his favorite crew was so close, but she knew Luffy nor her godfather wanted to break their promise. "Well, take care of yourself, Luffy."
"You too." Luffy nodded. "And I'll see you soon!"
"Yeah." Neo smiled. She waved to Jinbe. "Take care of him."
"Of course." Jinbe nodded.
Neo gave Luffy one last look before heading back to the cove. Coming upon them she was surprised to find an extra body standing with the crew. "Rayleigh?"
"Hey, Princess," Rayleigh said. "I see you managed to find Shanks."
"In a round about way." Neo walked up to the gathered group. Shanks and the two wind elementals were now standing on the island. "What's going on?"
"We were just discussing Luffy's future," Shanks said.
"Oh?" Neo inquired.
"You have nothing to worry about," Rayleigh said. "I'm going to take care of him from here on out."
"Just make sure he gets plenty of rest for the next two weeks," Law said. "After that he can do whatever he wants."
"Sure thing. Thanks a lot," Rayleigh said.
"Do I want to know what you have planned?" Neo asked.
"Don't you worry about it," Rayleigh said. "You go on now. You have your own battle to worry about."
"Fine." Neo sighed. She looked to the pirates. "Let's go."
They nodded. The elementals gathered the pirates up and lifted them back to the ship and sub. A few minutes later, the two water vessels took off.
…
Neo fiddled with her fingers. Her eyes locked onto the crew and the two wind elementals as they continued their training together. Since she had brought the younger crew to her godfather's ship she hadn't removed from her perch on the railing. Occasionally, she would throw in an obstacle with her crystals. The crew was getting better at avoiding her attacks but it was clear they wouldn't be completely ready for when they arrived on Luminous. They just didn't have enough time.
"You've got to stop worrying," Benn said sitting beside her. "You're going to make yourself sick."
"I know," Neo said. "I just want this to be over with."
"We'll get there soon enough," Benn said. "Try and relax."
"I need a distraction of some sort," Neo said just before the emperor ship disappeared and the sub deck reappeared in its place. "Law!"
"What?" Law smirked.
"I was in the middle of a conversation!" Neo planted her hands on her hips. "And I was still training the crew!"
"You were sitting there pretending to train the crew," Law said.
Neo crossed her arms and frowned. True she hadn't had her whole mind in on the training, but she was still doing it. "What do you want?"
"There's something I need to give you." Law turned and headed into the sub.
Neo turned back to the ship. She shrugged when Benn looked at her. He waved then slipped off the railing, disappearing somewhere she couldn't see. Turning she followed Law into the sub and all the way to his room. He closed the door behind them when she entered. "So what did you want?"
Law held up his hand. Smoke swirled around his palm before spreading out over the area. "Room. Shambles."
Neo blinked when her birth medallion appeared in his hand. "Where was it hidden?"
"Inside my mattress," Law said.
Neo groaned, rolling her head back. "No wonder I couldn't find it."
Law chuckled and sat down on his bed, resting his sword against the wall. "It was the best place I could think of to hide it."
"A place I never thought to look." Neo sat down beside him. She took the medallion from him when he handed it to her. The medallion was warm in her hand.
"You know, you haven't yet told me why this necklace is so important to you," Law said.
"I guess I never did," Neo said. "Well, for starters, it's not a necklace. I mean not really. It's my birth medallion."
"Birth medallion?"
"It's a gift, of sorts, made only for royals when they are born," Neo said. "It's also a symbol of my birthright."
"I'm sorry," Law said. "I didn't know it was so important to you."
"It's okay." Neo shook her head. "You didn't know. And we weren't exactly friends back then."
"We're not exactly friends now." When Law said that her eyes whipped to him, worried he was going to push her away from him. Before she could say anything he chuckled and kissed her. "Don't worry. I just mean we're more than friends. Or I hope we are. I know we've said certain things to each other, but we've never really said what we really are."
Neo giggled, her bells filling the room. "Well, that's your fault. You're the one who kind of, sort of, proposed to me."
Law smirked. "Well, if I did propose to you what would you say?"
"Well, if you are proposing to me I'd have to say yes," Neo said.
"That's what I thought," Law said.
"So we're engaged?" Neo asked.
"Yes," Law said.
Neo's heart fluttered wildly. Her eyes turned down to her birth medallion. Her thumb brushed over the smooth material. Turning back to Law, she placed it around his neck.
"What are you doing?" Law asked.
"I want you to have this," Neo said. "Just in case I don't make it through this."
"Don't talk like that. You're going to be fine," Law said. "And we're going to get married."
"Either way I want you to keep it," Neo said.
"After all this time of screaming at me to give it back to you." Law shook his head, smirking. "I should have known you'd thrust it right back at me."
"I didn't thrust it back." Neo growled. "I'm giving it to you. There's a difference. Think of it as an engagement ring until you can actually buy me one."
"If it was an engagement ring then you should be wearing it not me," Law said.
"Well, it's not like it's your medallion so you can give it to me!" Neo frowned.
"I know." Law pecked her lips. "I just wanted to see you riled up."
Neo growled again. "You are impossible!"
"You love it."
"I do." Neo smiled. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she straddled his legs and pushed him down onto the bed. "I get the feeling you did this now because I needed the distraction."
"Why would you assume that?" Law's own grin grew.
"Shut up and get on with distracting me." Neo leaned down and kissed him.
…
Neo exhaled slowly. Her hands trembled as her feet carried her back and forth from wall to wall in the rec. room. They were close, so close. She could feel it and the darkness that surrounded it. Luminous was only a few minutes away. They would arrive very shortly. This was it. It was time to purify the darkness crystal as well as her people, and save her brother. She didn't know if she could do it. Her stomach churned. "I'm going to be sick."
"Well, if you keep pacing like that and thinking like that of course you're going to be sick," Shanks said.
"When did you get here?" Neo paused and looked at him.
"You haven't noticed much these past few minutes." Shanks stepped farther into the room.
Neo couldn't help but notice he look very out of place in these steel walls. She figured it was because she was use to seeing him on a ship instead of a sub.
"Some of your friends were worried about you. They kept talking to you but all you did was pace around and mumble to yourself," Shanks said.
Neo looked to the door. Peaking inside was Penguin, Shachi, Bepo, and Archer. They smiled and waved at her before disappearing down the hall. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was that nervous."
"It's going to be all right, you know," Shanks said.
"I hope so," Neo said. "I just don't want anyone to get hurt. Well, I know that's not going to happen. I just don't want anyone to die because of me."
"Neo, death is just a part of life," Shanks said.
"I know." Neo dropped down on the couch. She leaned against his side when Shanks joined her. "I know."
"And you know that everyone is here because they want to be here," Shanks said. "We all love you very much. Though that rotten captain could love you less."
"Godfather!"
"Sorry," Shanks said. "I know you two are a couple. And you're going to leave with him once Luminous is taken care of."
"How angry do you think the elementals are going to be?" Neo asked.
"Very." Shanks slipped his arm around her waist. "But it's your life and your decision. Just remember you're the royal. And you're an adult now. You can make your own decisions."
"Thanks, Godfather." Neo pressed into him, breathing in his familiar scent. "Thanks for being here."
"Anytime." Shanks pressed a kiss into her hair.
A light knock on the door and Archer stepped inside. "We're almost there. We can see the island now."
Neo drew in a breath and stood up.
"Just relax," Shanks said standing up. "We've trained this crew as much as possible. And we have a plan. My crew will watch over them since we have more experience with the elementals. You just focus on the darkness crystal."
"Okay. Let's do this." Neo headed for the door. The pirates followed after her. As they reached the deck the sub and ship slowed to a stop. Her eyes locked onto the dark misty haze surrounding her once beautiful home. The tips of the castle were sticking out over the trees as always. She figured that's where Atlas was going to be, probably Kailen too. Her attention was pulled away from the island when Law placed his hand on hers. She looked up at him. When he smiled she smiled back. "I'm ready for this."
The anchors were dropped.
"You two be careful," Neo said to the two wind elementals. "The darkness crystal is going to try and infect you."
"We'll be fine, Princess," Era said. "You focus on purifying it."
Neo nodded. With a slow deep breath, she wrapped her winds around the small group that was going with her while the other two elementals picked up the rest of the pirates. As planned the other two groups spread out over Luminous. The battle began instantly. Walls of fire and earth rose up to try and stop them. A few vines wrapped around some of the pirates and pulled them into the forest.
"Keep going!" Shanks said.
Neo only noticed then she hesitated, wanting to help the others. Shaking it from her head, she headed right for the castle. They were there in seconds. She lowered them to the ground. Her body tensed. Atlas, like they had thought, was waiting for them. He was sitting in a throne in front of the doors. Tao, Kailen, Violet, Poppy, and Lily were also standing with him. "Figures. I should have known you'd make me fight them."
"Princess." Atlas smirked. "So good to see you. Tell me…how are your parents?"
Neo flinched. Her nails pierced her palms.
"Calm down, Neo," Shanks said. "He's trying to get you unfocused."
"He's not going to succeed," Neo said. "Atlas, for the murder of my parents and treason against the royal, I'm going to take you down and banish you from Luminous forever."
Atlas chuckled. "Is that so? I guess we'll see. I have a powerful army backing me up. And all you have is pathetic little human pirates."
Law scoffed. "Well, these pathetic human pirates are here to kick your sorry hide off Neo's throne."
"Oh," Atlas drawled. "You told him about everything. Guess I shouldn't be surprised. You did bring them here after all. Is he a pirate as well?"
"Enough!" Neo summoned her crystals. The solar crystal appeared right in front of her. She spread its healing glow over everyone and the island.
"You're not going to win!" Atlas waved his hands. The elementals beside him charged forward.
Neo shifted her crystals. She blocked the other's attacks. From the corner of her eyes she saw Tao cut around to the side. His water and fire flew at her.
"Room! Shambles!" Law called out.
Suddenly, Tao and Shanks disappeared.
Neo breathed a sigh of relief. She had forgotten that Shanks had said he would handle Tao. Now all she had to worry about were her friends and Kailen. Well, two of her friends. Law just warped Lily and Kailen away from her. Her mind wanted to worry about how everyone else was doing but she forced her mind on her own tasks.
"I've always wanted to fight you," Poppy said. She flared up her fire and shot it at Neo. "I want to know how I stand up against our precious royal."
"Well, you're going to be disappointed," Neo said, blocking the fire with her water crystals. "I'm only going to fight you until I can purify you all."
"Not going to happen," Violet said. Lifting up the ground under Neo's feet she tried to push Neo off her feet.
Neo lifted herself into the air with her winds. She then wrapped her winds around Violet and Poppy, lifting them into the air as high as she could. Taking a moment she looked down to the island. Several battles had broken out. She could feel the disruption on her home island. The entire island and the animals that lived there were trembling in fear and pain. She had to end this. Quickly. She turned to her friends. "I'm sorry."
"You will be!" Poppy hissed.
Neo flinched at the hate filled glares her friends were giving her through their dark tainted eyes. Moving her wind crystals to their mouths, she started pulling the air from their lungs. They gasped for air. Their arms and hands twitched in desperation to breath. Her heart ached that she had to do this to her friends, but she knew it was necessary. Their eyes rolled into the back of their heads. Their bodies went limp in her hold. She pulled back away the crystals pulling out their air. Moving forward she placed her fingers under their noses to make sure they started breathing again. She sighed heavily when their air brushed over her fingers and dropped back down to the ground, laying them down gently.
Atlas glared at her. His hand turned ghost white as he gripped his staff. "Pathetic weaklings. If my son were here you would already be dead."
"Say that all you want," Neo said. "But I would not return here until I knew we had a chance of defeating you."
Atlas relaxed and leaned back in his throne. "I blame myself for underestimating you. Honestly, I didn't think you'd ever reveal our secrets to other humans. It's disgusting. We already have too many despicable humans wandering this island. How dare you bring more?"
"How dare you murder my parents!" Neo screamed. Summoning her solar crystal again she spread it over the island. Her eyes drifted to the orb sitting on top of Atlas's staff. A dark aura pulsed around it. Realization hit her. The orb sitting there was new, or semi new. She didn't remember him having it there when she grew up. Somewhere along the way he had added it. The darkness from it pushed against her solar glow. She could feel the battle between them, darkness trying to over come the light. She scoffed. "Well, I feel extremely stupid. The darkness crystal has been under my nose this whole time. When did you put it there?"
"It matters not," Atlas said, shooting water strips at Neo.
Neo blocked them and diverted them to harmlessly fall onto the ground. Then, much to her surprise, Atlas threw a punch at her. She dodged it. Grabbing his wrist, she flipped him over onto his back. Taking advantage of the movement, she increased her solar crystal over the island and her people. Nature stilled. The dark orb on Atlas's staff fizzled and turned clear.
"No!" Atlas screamed. "You little brat! You're going to pay for that!"
"Yeah. Right." Neo rolled her eyes. The old man was harmless now that her people were back to normal. All that was left was to see to those who were wounded. Her heart hammered. Her crews were in the middle of this. She took a few steps away from the castle when Law popped in front of her with her friends back to normal. Her lips spread into a smile before being abruptly cut off by a sharp pain in her left shoulder. Looking down she saw Atlas's staff sticking out of her shoulder and covered in blood. She caught a glimpse of Law's face twisting with anger before her legs gave out on her. As she fell she saw Law charge forward. He pulled out his sword and shoved the blade into Atlas's heart.
Atlas screamed before crashing to the ground, dead.
"Neo!" Kailen and Lily cried for her and rushed to her side.
"Neo! I'm so sorry!" Kailen said as he looked at her wound. "This is my fault!"
"Idiot." Neo coughed. "This isn't your fault. I shouldn't have turned my back on Atlas."
"Ne-Neo….jus…just 'old 'ill," Lily gasped through her tears.
"Lily." Neo took her hand and squeezed, shifting her solar crystals to her shoulder. "I'm fine."
Tears poured down Lily's reddened cheeks.
"Neo!" Law knelt down beside them. He pushed her shirt aside.
Neo hissed from the hot pain shooting through her shoulder.
"Sorry." Law pulled back, his own shoulder throbbing.
"Healer Zinnia!" someone yelled. "The princess has been hurt!"
Seconds later the healer appeared. Adjusting her glasses she knelt down next to Neo. "Princess!"
"I'm fine," Neo said. "Just a shoulder wound."
"Hurry! Get the princess to my ward!" Healer Zinnia ordered.
"I'll take her." Law lifted Neo into his arms.
Neo hissed again.
"Who are you?" Healer Zinnia said.
"It's all right, Zinnia," Shanks said as he and Tao rushed up to them. "He's a friend to Neo. Hurry and take care of her."
"Right." Healer Zinnia nodded then lead Law to her ward.
More pain shot through Neo's shoulder with each tiny bum that hit her body. The lights around her dimmed and she blacked out.
Law cursed under his breath. When he noticed where he was being taken too, he formed his Room and warped them there.
"What the heck?" the healer asked upon arriving suddenly in the quiet ward's waiting room.
"Just hurry," Law said. "Where now?"
Healer Zinnia rushed down the hall, guiding Law into an operating room that was filled with crystals machines similar to the ones he had on the sub.
Law only focused on Neo. He laid her down on the operating table.
"Now leave," Healer Zinnia said.
"I'm not leaving her," Law said.
"You can't stay here. Only ward personnel are-"
"I am a doctor!" Law hissed. "And I'm not leaving Neo's side until I know she'll be all right!"
Healer Zinnia clamped her mouth shut for a few seconds before sighing. "Fine. Just keep quiet."
A couple more elementals rushed into the room. Law flickered them a glance as they moved around the room and placed crystal patches on Neo. Time slowed. He watched them remove Neo's shirt and bra, covering her with a sheet before the healer woman started taking care of Neo's shoulder.
Law had no idea how much time had past, but he heard the healer sigh. The surgery had been completed. Neo's skin was now sewed closed, her skin clean of blood.
"She's going to be fine. There's no serious damage at all," Healer Zinnia said. "Let's get her a gown and move her into a recovery room." She looked at Law.
"Don't even think about telling me to leave her," Law said. "I won't do it."
"Fine. Do as you wish." Healer Zinnia headed for the door. "I'm going to go talk to Shanks to get the whole story behind all of this."
Law waited until Neo was ready to be moved. They transfer her to a gurney and pushed her down the hall. Once in a recovery room, the elementals put her in bed and left the room. He sat down on the bed and watched her sleep, unknowing how long it would take her to wake up.
…
Neo opened her eyes to the familiar feeling of Law's arm draped across her waist. Turning her head she found him smiling at her. "Hey."
"Hey, yourself," Law said. "Do you know how worried I've been about you?"
"Sorry. Have I been out for long?" Neo asked.
"Long enough," Law said before adding, "About six hours."
"The crew!" Neo's eyes widened.
"They'll live," Law said. "The elementals weren't an easy opponent to fight. Luckily no one sustained any life threatening injuries. Mostly bruises and some broken bones."
"I see. That's good." Neo relaxed into her pillow.
"They're very anxious to see you," Law said.
Neo smiled.
"And your people are being very stubborn about it," Law said.
"I can imagine." She looked at him again. "I'm a bit surprised to see you in here."
"They didn't want me in here," Law said, brushing his fingers over her arm. "But I wasn't going to let them take you away from me. I wanted to be the first thing you see when you woke up."
"And a great sight it is." Neo's smile grew. Her eyelids fluttered over her eyes as Law lend down and kissed her.
"Well, I have to admit," Healer Zinnia said, making them pull apart, "when Shanks told me you two were in love I didn't want to believe it. But here you are."
"Healer Zinnia." Neo sat up, wincing at the dull pain in her arm. "I'm glad to see you well."
"Thanks to you, Princess." The healer walked over to them and started checking Neo's bandage. "How are you feeling?"
"A little sore," Neo said. She eyed her solar crystal. It was hovering beside her, healing her wound.
"That's to be expected." Healer Zinnia pushed up her glasses before planting her hands in her lab coat pockets. "I'll give you some more painkillers in a little while. For now I want you to rest."
"When can I leave here?" Neo asked.
"I'd like for you to stay a few days, but I'm sure you have things to do now that you're home," Healer Zinnia said. "So as long as you take it easy and come back to me immediately if your wound gets infected, I'll let you leave tomorrow."
"Thank you." Neo summoned another crystal. Engulfing its glow on the bed, she lifted the head of it.
Law's eyes went to the bed. "How did you do that?"
"Our element crystals are connected to the crystals that grow here on Luminous," Neo said. "We can shape them into anything we want. We can activate them with our crystal's glow to have them preform the desired task."
Law's eyes then wandered to the heart machine beeping beside the bed.
Neo saw his eyes light up with recognition.
"There's no wires," Law said looking to her chest where the crystal patches had been place.
"That's right." Neo nodded leaning back in her pillow. "We don't have technology here. We're all about nature, our crystals, and our magic."
"I see."
"So where's the crew?" Neo asked.
"Probably out in the hall waiting to hear you've awakened," Law said.
And just a second later most of the crew came into the room, their faces smiling brightly. "Neo!"
"Hey, guys," Neo said.
"We're so glad you're okay!" Bepo said with tears in his eyes.
"We were so worried when we heard what happened." Penguin leaned in and gave her a gentle hug.
"I'm fine," Neo said. "I'm glad you all are fine as well."
"Of course we are," Shachi said. "But I don't ever want to do that again."
"Don't worry." Neo laughed. "You won't have to. I know for sure the darkness crystal has been purified." She gasped. "Atlas!"
"He's dead," Law said. "After he stabbed you I killed him."
"Oh." Neo dropped her eyes to her blanket.
"You're not upset about that, are you?" Bepo asked.
"Not really," Neo said. "I know what he did was wrong, it's just…I guess it's still hard since I can't completely understand why he did all of this. I still trusted him after all." She paused. "How's Tao?"
"He'll be fine." Everyone turned to Kailen as he walked into the room. Once close enough he hugged Neo. "I'm glad you're awake."
"Kailen!" Neo clung to her brother and cried. "I was so scared when they took you."
"I know." Kailen stroked her hair. "I'm glad you made it here. And that you got your crystals back."
Neo smiled at him when he pulled away. "Oh, before anything else, I need you to-"
"Don't worry about it," Kailen said. "I already have the cooks making the crews a meal and getting them rooms ready in the palace."
"We're staying in the palace?" Shachi asked.
"Of course," Kailen said. "The Red Hair Pirates will be too. You all need rest. The castle is the best place for that."
"Honestly, I was hoping to get a look at your home," Shachi. Silence fell over them. "I mean if it was okay with you two."
"Maybe," Neo said. "I'm not sure I'm ready to go back there yet."
"We understand." Penguin squeezed her hand. "The castle will be fine."
Neo nodded.
"Are you sure you're okay, Neo?" Bepo lend in a bit closer.
"Yes, Bepo." Neo nodded. "I'm fine. A little sore, but fine."
"I'm just glad it's over," Shachi said.
"Well, that part is over," Neo said. "There's still something left we have to do."
"And what's that?" Shachi asked.
"Getting the elementals to understand I'm not staying here," Neo said.
Kailen lifted an eyebrow.
"Oh, don't give me that look," Neo said. "You should have seen this coming."
"I did," Kailen said. "I was just expecting you to say that we're not staying here."
Neo stared at her brother.
"Oh, don't give me that look." Kailen smirked. "If you leave this island there's no way I'm not going with you."
Neo shook her head. "You're right. I should have known."
"When are you going to tell them?" Penguin smiled brightly, unable to hide his joy that she was going with them.
"I don't know," Neo said. "I'm sure we'll be using a few days of rest here." She looked at Law who nodded. "We'll figure out something. For now don't mention this to anyone."
"Right," the pirates said.
"Well, I must say that I'm not that surprised either," Poppy said. The pirates parted to reveal Neo's three friends standing at the door.
"I'm already sad that you're leaving," Lily said.
"I'm not that surprised either," Violet said, her eyes on Law. "He's cute."
"Violet!" Neo said.
"Oh, don't worry." Violet winked. "You know I'd never steal a friend's man."
"So how long have you three been here?" Neo asked.
"We've been here the entire time," Violet said.
"Your pirate friends here are amazing," Poppy said. "They've told us some of your adventures. We can't wait to hear more from you."
"Well, that's going to have to wait." Everyone turned to the healer. She was standing in the doorway, looking annoyed. "The princess needs her rest. All of you get out. The pirates are wanted in the castle. Your meal's ready."
The pirates turned to Neo and Law. Neo said, "Go on. You all must be hungry now."
They nodded, said their goodbyes and left the room just as Shanks entered.
"And you don't stay too long either." Healer Zinnia poked Shanks on the arm before leaving herself.
"Just came to check on you." Shanks kissed Neo's forehead.
"How's the crew?" Neo asked.
"Just fine," Shanks said. "You know how tough they are."
"Just have them get some rest now," Neo said. "I'll see them tomorrow. I think enough ward rules have been broken. Healer Zinnia's not happy."
"I noticed." Shanks headed for the door. "I'll have some food sent over for you two."
"Thanks."
…
Neo stared at her door as her friends laughter floated around her. Law was once again standing outside of her bedroom door. She should have known they wouldn't leave her alone when she returned. She should have known getting to sleep with Law wasn't going to happen like they wanted. This was the forth night her friends had caused her to miss out sleeping with Law. Well, it would have been if she didn't sneak out to his room after they had fallen asleep. And she would do it again tonight.
"I would have loved to have gone with you!" Poppy said. "Sailing the seas sounds so much fun!"
"You're just looking for more fights," Violet said.
"So? It still sounds fun. Fights or no fights," Poppy said with a shrug.
"I would have loved taking you all with me," Neo said bringing her eyes back to them. They were piled on her bed like they had done many times growing up. "But considering you were under the darkness crystal and my solar crystal wasn't working it wouldn't have been a good idea."
"I could go now," Poppy said.
"You wouldn't!" Lily squeezed her pillow to her chest, her eyes widened with worry.
"I might. It's so tempting now," Poppy said. "Besides, Neo's going to go."
Neo looked at her friends, wondering if she should tell them about her and Law bonding, twice. That was one thing she hadn't told them yet. She swallowed. "Well, it's fine if you want to go with us. I'm sure Law and the crew won't mind. But you should know that, in a way, it's also not my choice to leave."
"What do you mean?" Poppy plopped down on the bed.
"Law and I…we've bonded," Neo said.
"You what?!" The girls gasped.
"Twice. Actually," Neo mumbled.
"How is that possible?!" Lily said. "No one has ever bonded twice!"
"I'm not sure myself." Neo shrugged. "All I know is it happened."
"So what happened after?" Violet asked.
"The first time it happened gave us the ability to feel each other pain," Neo said. "And the second time allows us to sense where the other is."
"Amazing!" Violet squealed. "So romantic! I wish I could bond with someone like that!"
"Well." Poppy tucked her hands under her head. "At least I have a few weeks to think about it. Neither of the pirate crews are leaving before that. You could just run away and leave a note behind. You don't have to tell them you're bonding with Law."
"I can't do that," Neo said. "Not even with how frustrating living here has been. I don't want them to think or feel like I have abandoned them. I would never do that. Its just that I need to be with Law now."
"I'm sure they'll understand," Lily said.
"Not hardly," Poppy said with a snort. "Royals are sacred here. It's not going to be easy for the majority of them to let her leave."
Neo sighed, adjusting the strap of her silk nightgown.
"Don't worry." Violet wrapped her arms around Neo's shoulders. "We'll think of something."
"You know we're here for you," Lily added.
"You bet!" Poppy nodded.
"Thanks, girls," Neo said. "You're the best."
"Now! Go to your man!" Violet said releasing Neo.
"What?" Neo asked.
"Don't ask us that. We know you've been sneaking out to go sleep with him," Violet said with a giggle. "We do on occasion have to get up and use the bathroom."
"I'm sorry." Neo flushed.
"Don't worry about it," Lily said placing her hand on Neo's. "We might not know what it feels like to be bonded with someone but we do understand your need to be near him."
"Okay, okay," Neo said. "I get it. But I want to stay with you all for a while longer. I've missed you all so much."
"And we've missed you!" Lily said as the girls engulfed each other in a group hug.
…
"There," Medina said putting the last curl in Neo's hair. She stepped back from the vanity and examined her work. "You're so beautiful!"
Neo stared at herself in the mirror. Her heart raced hard inside of her chest. This was going to be the first time the crew saw her in her formal royal attire. This was going to be Law's first time seeing her like this. It made her beyond nervous. Her hands continued to tremble in her lap. She had known this was coming. The elementals were going to celebrate the return of their princess and the purification of the darkness crystal.
It would have been sooner but Healer Zinnia had put her foot down and insisted the party wait until a week after Neo had been released from the ward. And that time had come.
"Shall we go?" Lyra asked. "Everyone's waiting for you."
"Very well." Neo stood up. She led the way from her room, down the hall and stairs, and into the ballroom backroom where she always waited to be announced. Her two maids gave her one last look over before rushing away. She drew in a beep breath before her arrival was announced. The curtain pulled back.
Neo flushed bright red when she stepped out into the ballroom. The crew whistled. Elementals clapped and bowed while a few gave the pirates some disapproving looks. Her eyes flickered to Law. He was staring, his mouth hanging half open.
"Wow! This is incredible!" Penguin said walking around Neo, inspecting her pure white dress and long bell shaped sleeves. "You look amazing! So beautiful!"
"Thank you." Neo shifted on her feet, hoping her tiara wouldn't fall off. Her three friends giggled behind her. She shot them a look of disapproval over her shoulder.
"Get use to it, Neo," Poppy said.
"It's so cute," Violet said.
Neo rolled her eyes. She should have prepared herself for all of this.
"Princess," Medina said. "Please."
"I know, I know." Neo turned from them and stepped up the two stairs that led to her throne. Pausing, she looked at it before turning to her people. Off to the side, a guard tapped his staff on the floor three times. The music faded, people turned towards her. "My people. It is good to see you all well. I hope that you all continue to be healthy and flourish now that the darkness crystal has been purified." The elementals clapped and cheer. She lifted her hand to silence them. "Please enjoy the festivities of the celebration. And be welcoming to our new guests. They are all very important to me as they risked their lives to bring your princess home."
Mixed murmurs of acceptance and uncertainty floated through the room. Neo ignored them as she descended down the stairs to join the pirates, much to the dismay of the elementals.
"Princess," Lyra said. "You should sit on the throne. It is where you belong."
"I will not," Neo said. "I will spend time with my friends." She waved her and Medina off. "Now go."
The two maids bowed and walked away, disappointed.
"Dang," Penguin said when she joined them. "Now I can really see why you were so scared to tell us who you really were. They really don't leave you alone."
Neo nodded. Before she could say anything else someone tapped her on her shoulder. Turning she found herself staring up at Tao. "Tao!"
"Princess." Tao wrapped her in his arms when she jumped into him.
"Where have you been?! I've been so worried about you!" Neo frowned as she looked up at him. "Why have you been hiding from me?!"
"I'm so sorry. I'm so very sorry for what my father did. I didn't know how to approach you," Tao said. "But your brother wouldn't stop harassing me until I came here."
Kailen grinned when Neo looked at him.
"I was wondering where you disappeared to," Shachi said.
"It wasn't an easy task," Kailen said. "I didn't think we'd make the party."
"I'm really sorry, Princess," Tao said again. "I didn't know he was planning this. Honestly, I didn't know. If I did I would have stopped him."
"Shh. It's okay," Neo said. She took his hands in hers and squeezed them. "Even if you did know he would have just used the darkness crystal on you anyway. You wouldn't have been able to tell me anyway. It's not your fault at all. Please, don't blame yourself."
Tao nodded before wrapping her in a hug. "Welcome home, Princess."
Neo pulled back from Tao. Feeling Law's jealousy radiating from his body she glanced at him with a smirk.
Law frowned and pulled his hat down over his eyes.
"The captain's jealous," Penguin whispered but not low.
Tao looked at the pirate captain then at Neo and then to Kailen. "I really didn't want to believe you."
"You told him?!" Neo squeaked.
"I had to," Kailen said with a shrug. "You know it's not going to be easy getting off Luminous now that you're back home. We might need his help."
Neo exhaled. Kailen had a point. If anyone was going to accept her leaving Tao was going to be one of them.
"Excuse me, Princess?"
Neo turned. Much to her surprise she found Raven bowing to her. "Raven."
"Who's Raven?" Penguin asked.
"Uh…" Neo wasn't sure how to answer that without Law getting even more jealous than he was.
"I'm here to apologize for my actions," Raven said.
"Actions?" Law said.
"Don't worry about it," Neo said. "The darkness crystal had control over you."
"I still wish to make up for it." Raven smiled at her and held out his hand. "Please, allow me a dance."
"Uh." Neo stared at his hand. She had no clue what she should do. She knew as a royal she should accept his offer but as a woman in love she knew she should refuse it. Before she could make a decision, Law was stepping between them.
"Sorry," Law said with a glare to the young man. "She's dancing with me."
"Huh?" Raven looked at Law for a split second before Law took Neo's hand and pulled her onto the dance floor.
"Do you even know how to dance?" Neo asked as she was pulled away.
"No," Law said. "But I'm not going to let him touch you."
"So possessive." Neo smiled. "Well, since you can't dance, I will be taking the lead now."
"You think so? Remember I don't like being told what to do," Law said.
"Shut up. And follow me." Neo took the lead. Placing Law's hand on her hip and taking his other in her hand, she guided him through the steps of the current song the orchestra was playing. Law did his best to follow but it became apparent he wasn't gifted in dancing as he was as a doctor. She giggled at his attempt to follow her signals.
"Shut up," Law said.
"I can't help it," Neo said. "It's so cute that you don't know how to dance but you're doing it anyway for me."
Law grumbled.
They danced two more dances before Shanks cut in. "Excuse me. But I must insist that I be allowed to dance with my goddaughter."
"Fine," Law said.
"You sure?" Neo asked.
"These boots aren't made for dancing," Law said. "I'm sure."
Neo nodded. Summoning her solar crystal, she healed his feet while Shanks pulled her along the dance floor. She danced with her godfather for a few dances before other pirates started to take their turns. A few hours later her own feet started throbbing from all the dancing. Bepo led her off the dance floor and over to Law. "Thanks, Bepo."
"Anytime. Now if you'll excuse me. The fish smells so good." Bepo wandered away from her sniffing the air.
"I'm so tired," Neo said. "My feet are killing me."
"Perhaps we should leave the party then," Law said.
Neo glanced up at him. "Easy for you to say. Everyone here always keeps a close eye on me. But I think it's a safe bet to say Godfather will keep them from following us this time."
"Well, good thing that I have my devil fruit then." Law smirked.
Before Neo could say more Law had warped them from the room to the gardens outside. "I so love you right now."
"Good." Law pecked her lips before taking her hand and hurrying her away from the castle.
Neo summoned her wind crystals and lifted them into the air. A few seconds later she sat them down on the deserted beach. She looked over her shoulder, expecting her guards to be there but they weren't. She kicked off her shoes before Law laced their fingers together. The waves lapped upon the beach as they strolled along in the moonlight.
…
Neo stood at her parents' graves with two bouquets of flowers in her hands. It took her two weeks to finally get herself to come here. Lily had informed her that she, Poppy, and Violet had buried her parents shortly after she and Kailen left Luminous. Neo was glad, though she was sure the burial wasn't done in good taste. She refused to let herself think about it, especially when Tao said that he had their burials redone and done properly. And now since it was getting closer to the time the pirates to leave this place, she knew she had to tell her parents she was leaving too before making the announcement later today.
She placed the flowers down on the graves then sat between them. "Hello, Mom. Hello, Dad. I'm home. Been here for a while. I couldn't bring myself to come see you until now. I'm sorry about that. I've been a bit afraid of coming here. It's like I'm losing you all over again. But I know I belong with Law and the crew. It's where I belong. I just hope the elementals understand that. Surely they will once they know we've bonded. I wanted to thank you two again for everything you've done for me and Kailen. We both love you so much. And I promise we'll come visit as soon as we can."
Neo sat there for a while long, telling her parents of the adventures she's had with the pirates before she stood up and left. She walked for a few minutes before lifting herself into the air with her wings. She flew all the way home. The Heart Pirates were going to meet her there so she could show them her home. She landed. Her eyes fell to the spot where her parents had died. Her heart and lungs seized up.
Law stepped over to her and took her hand.
"I'm okay." Neo nodded to Kailen.
Kailen opened the door and they entered.
Neo lead them around the house, heart breaking but her eyes remade dry, making her room the last stop. For a moment she was worried the house would be a mess. It wasn't. Someone had come and cleaned it at some point.
"So this is your room," Penguin said as he and the others looked around. "It's nice."
"Thanks," Neo said. "It was home."
"You sure you're ready to tell them?" Bepo asked.
"I am as ready as I can be. But first I'm going to cook you all a meal in this house!" Neo headed to the door and back downstairs. The sadness that swirled around in her chest remanded, but she was also enjoying being back home and cooking in the familiar kitchen. Before long her godfather and crew arrived. The Red Hair Pirate's cook and Penguin joined her since they had a lot of people to feed.
"What?! You knew about the minks?!" Neo gapped at her godfather across the yard. Since they had so many people they decided to just eat outside. It was a nice day as well so that had a lot of influence on the decision. "Why didn't you tell me?!"
"I didn't because I knew if you knew they existed you would have left Luminous without anyone with you," Shanks said.
Neo growled, taking an aggressive bite of her pear.
"I'm actually surprised Bepo didn't mention any of this to you," Shanks said.
"Huh? Why would Bepo say anything?" Neo looked at Bepo. He looked as confused as she felt.
"Because some elementals live on Zou," Shanks said.
"What?!" Neo and the crew, most of them, shouted.
"Why didn't you say anything?!" Shachi demanded to the bear.
"I don't remember elementals living on Zou," Bepo said. "But then I did leave there when I was young. I must have forgotten or something."
"I don't see how you could forget someone like Neo," Shachi said.
"Excuse me for being more worried about my brother than who lived on Zou," Bepo grumbled.
"Don't worry about it." Neo patted his arm. "Maybe we can visit there one day."
"Speaking of which, when exactly are you going to tell everyone?" Conner looked to a couple elementals that walked passed them.
"In a couple hours," Neo said. "I ordered some maids not to tell people of this announcement until six o'clock."
"That's in less than an hour," Archer said.
"And I am so ready for it to be over," Neo said.
"It will be soon," Law said.
Neo nodded, but the last hour passed very slowly for her. Finally the time had arrived. They made their way back to the castle. A lot of elementals had already gathered around the front porch. They had to go in through a back door. Neo waited a few more moments, gathering her courage and thoughts, before stepping outside. To her surprise her godfather, his crew, Tao, and her three friends were gathered in front of the porch like they were there to guard her if needed.
The elementals murmured to each other as she stepped up to the railing. Once in place they immediately went silent. Neo took a deep breath and slowly released it. "My people, that you very much for coming to this announcement." She paused before continuing. "There is something that I need you all to know. And it's not going to be an easy thing for you to hear."
More murmurs came from the elementals.
"Please." Neo held up her hand to silence them. "This is a choice that I do not take lightly. But it is a choice that belongs to me. And as your royal I expect you all to respect that."
"Tell us, Princess!" someone called out.
"I have to decided to travel with the Heart Pirates!" Neo blurted out before she could stop herself. She had meant to deliver that news softer than that.
It seemed as if every single elemental, which didn't know of her choice, gasped.
"No! You can't do that!"
"You can't leave us, Princess!"
"This is those pirates fault!"
"Yeah! They've brainwashed our princess!"
"We must kick them off Luminous!"
"Enough!" Neo pulled a small group of storm clouds together. She released a low crack of thunder, silencing everyone immediately. "I will not allow you to harm these pirates! They are my friends! They helped my brother and I when we really needed it. And this man." She waved her hand at Law. "He is my bonded! We have bonded twice since we've been together!"
Another collected gasped. "Bonded? Twice?"
"How is that possible?!"
"It can't be!"
"It is," Neo said. She gestured for Law to take her hand. He did and stepped beside her. "I love him. And I will not be separated from him. We will be getting married." Another round of gasps, even from the pirates, happen. "I know this is a shock to you all, but this is how it's going to be."
"But you are our royal! You can't leave us!"
"My duty as your royal has been completed. The darkness crystal is gone and it's not coming back this time," Neo said.
"But you are still our royal! You have other duties here!"
"Other duties?" Neo scoffed. "You do not need me to sit on the throne or cut pretty little ribbons for openings of new buildings. I have never liked doing that. And nothing you can say will change my mind. You know what happens to a bonded if they are separated. Do you all wish for me to die?"
No one answered but she knew they didn't want her to die from being separated from her bonded.
"We are not leaving for two more weeks," Neo said. "I am willing to talk to you all about this more if you wish. Know that I am not abandoning you. I will never turn my back on you all. But this is how it has to be. I won't live without my bonded." With that she turned and headed back inside with the pirates.
"That was tense," Bepo said.
"I thought they were going to attack us," Shachi said.
"I'm surprised they didn't," Conner added.
"They won't have. Even if Godfather and the crew weren't out there," Neo said. "Despite how harsh and stubborn they can be with our traditions they would never hurt you all."
"Are you sure about that?" Law asked.
"I am." Neo nodded. "They're just shocked. Though this really shouldn't be all that much of a surprise. After all I've never been a normal royal."
"So when exactly did you two decide to get married?" Penguin asked.
"Uh, well…" Neo looked to Law.
"Yes," Shanks said behind them. "Do tell."
Neo turned an innocent look to her godfather. "Hello, Godfather. What brings you here?"
"Don't give me that, young lady," Shanks said, his eyes locked onto Law. "You can't marry her without my permission!"
"I don't need your permission to marry her!" Law growled.
"You do to! She's my daughter!" Shanks said.
"She's only your goddaughter! She's not your daughter!" Law said.
"It's the same thing!"
"It is not!"
"It is too!"
"Huh," Penguin said slipping his arm around Neo's shoulder as the two pirate captains continued to argue over meaning of goddaughter. "They're taking this better than I thought."
"I guess this now makes the captain Red Hair Shanks' godson-in-Law," Shachi said with a snicker.
"Very funny," Conner said. "You're a real comedian."
"Well, I'm going to the library to read for a awhile. I could use the peace and quiet." Neo headed down the hall, leaving Law and Shanks to their arguing.
…
A few days later Neo was curled against Law's side, reading a book, when one of the castle maids entered into the room. "Excuse me, Princess."
"Yes?" Neo lowered her book.
"There are some elementals here to see you and your bonded," she said.
Neo and Law exchanged looks.
"They're waiting in the second meeting room." She waved her hand to the door.
Neo and Law stood up and left the room. She led him to the meeting room and entered. Four elementals were waiting for them, all her age and representing each of the elements. She sat down at the head of the table with Law on her right side. The other four were a few seats down from them, two on each side of the long table. "What's this about?"
The four exchanged looks before the fire elemental spoke up. He said, "Princess, we have been talking amongst ourselves these past few days. And as you might know we do find you announcement very shocking."
Neo nodded. When he didn't continue she waved to him and said, "You can speak freely."
"Well, some are not happy about your choice to leave," he said. "But we understand the bond you two now have. And we are willing to let you go without a fight if…"
"Yes?"
"If you two marry before you leave the island," he said.
Neo and Law exchanged looks again.
"Excuse me?" Law turned back to the elementals.
The young man wiggled in his chair, clearly uncomfortable with this talk. "It's for the princess's protection. We know that you two are, um, together, and you, uh, have certain desires."
"Sex," Neo said. "Call it was it is. There's no need to be embarrassed about it."
"Y-yes, Princess." He nodded. "We just want to make sure your purity remains in tact. The darkness crystal may have been purified but we still need you as a royal. You are the strongest of our people. And we want the pirates to go through a commitment ceremony too."
"Commitment ceremony?" Law asked.
"It's basically a formality," Neo said. "They just want your crew to promise to never reveal where our home is or anything else, if it can be helped, and vow to always keep me safe. Godfather and the others went through it as well."
"I see," Law said. "Is that all you have to say?"
"Yes." The fire elemental nodded. "That's it."
"Then leave us. We have much to talk about," Neo said. The elementals got up and left. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" Law asked.
"For putting you through all this." Neo looked down to the table.
"It's not big deal," Law said. "We were getting married sooner or later anyway."
"Yeah. But I didn't think it would be this quick," Neo said. "What if we're not meant to be?"
"You say that now after we've bonded twice and are engaged?" Law smirked.
"Sorry. I know that. I guess I'm just…"
"A little overwhelmed?"
Neo nodded. "As you know I've ever seen myself with anyone. And as exciting as getting married sounds it's also very scary."
"I can understand that." Law took her hand and pulled her into his lap. "But I still want to marry you. And I will. We will. If this is what it takes to get your people to leave us alone then so be it."
"Are you sure?" Neo looked him in the eye.
"I am." Law nodded. "Just because we get married here doesn't mean we have to have sex immediately. I want you to be as ready for that as you can be. The first time will hurt you."
"I know, I know," Neo said. "I was well informed about all of that." She paused. "So…are we going to do this?"
Law smiled. "Yes."
"Well, okay then," Neo said with an exhale. "I guess we should get things started if we're going to leave next week as planned."
Over the next several days Neo spent all of her time talking to the maids as they rushed around to get the wedding prepared. Neo and Law wanted it to be a simple as possible. There was no need for a fancy wedding since it didn't suit either of them.
Finally the day had come. She was standing in her bathroom, dressing in her white wedding gown that glittered. It was an off the shoulder dress with a tight bodice and the skirt flowing down to the floor. Tiny orange flowers had been threaded through her curled hair.
"You look so beautiful." Lily sniffed.
Neo glanced at her and her two other best girl friends. They all were dressed in matching off the shoulder, slim, light orange dresses to match the flowers in her hair. "Thank you."
"You're not having cold wings, are you?" Violet asked.
"No." Neo shook her head. "It's not that. I just wish that my parents could be here."
"Neo." Violet hugged her. "They would be so proud of you."
"Thank you," Neo said hugging her friend back.
"You know this won't really change anything between you and Law," Poppy said.
Neo nodded. Things would actually change. They were about to be husband and wife. They could finally have sex if they wanted. Though she wasn't sure when that would actually happen.
"Knock, knock," Kailen said as he knocked on the door.
"Hey, Kai," Neo said eyeing his formal suit he was wearing.
"Neo, you look incredible," Kailen said before kissing her forehead.
"You look good yourself," Neo said.
"Well, everyone's ready downstairs," Kailen said. "Are you ready?"
"Yup." Neo nodded. She slipped her arm through his and they all made their way downstairs. Shanks was waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs. She looked at him, surprised to see him dressed in a suit. "What?"
Shanks chuckled and took her hand. He kissed it. "You didn't think I'd let you marry that boy without me by your side, did you? Besides, it's tradition for a dad to walk his daughter down the isle. Well, in human tradition anyway."
"And I'm also going to do that," Kailen said pulling out a picture from his pocket. "And so are they."
Neo took the picture. Tears came to her eyes. It was one of their parents. "Thank you."
"Come on," Kailen said.
Neo nodded. Brushing away her tears, she held her head high as the doors to the palace was open. Law was waiting for her at the railing. He too was wearing a suit much to her surprise. Their pirate crews were standing down the stairs while the elementals had gathered around. Reaching Law she released her brother and godfather and took her place beside Law. Her heart raced as her hands trembled around her parents' picture. "Hey."
"Hey." Law smiled. They turned to the dignitary of the cloth that was going to join them in holy matrimony.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the dignitary started. "We are gathered here to day to join these two in marriage. As you all know this is a very special wedding and will have to be done differently since our royal is marrying a human."
Law rolled his eyes.
Neo forced back a snicker.
"Princess, if you and your bond would," the dignitary said while nodded to a young boy close by. "Take the marriage crystal in your hands as practiced."
The boy opened the box. Law pulled out the crystal inside. He and Neo wrapped their hand around it, making sure to put their fingertips under the other's palm.
"Now, do you, Trafalgar Law, promise to always protect and love Princess Neo so long as you both shall live?" the dignitary said.
"I do," Law said.
"And, do you, Princess Neo of Luminous, promise to always protect and love Trafalgar Law so long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Neo said.
"Then you are hereby bonded by marriage," the dignitary said. "You may kiss to seal your bond of marriage."
Law leaned down and pressed his lips to Neo's. The people cheered and clapped.
"And now on to the commitment ceremony," the dignitary said. He nodded to another young elemental then to the Heart Pirates. The pirates gathered behind Neo and Law. "Heart Pirates, you all have committed to take our princess into your home, under your care and on all of your journeys you may find in the future. By accepting these medallions, you accept the terms of what it means to take care of our princess while she is with you. You will forever be devoted to her and will ensure the safety of her body and mind where ever you shall go as well as keeping the secrets she had told you as long as it possible. Do you accept these terms we have set out for you?"
"We do," they all said.
"Then by taking these medallions in your hands, you are committed to her for the rest of your lives." The dignitary picked the medallions up out of the box with his winds and flew them over to the pirates.
They gladly took the rounded silver medallions with smiles.
"Now you all are bound to our princess and our home," the dignitary said.
The elementals clapped as Neo hugged her pirate crew before they all turned to the wedding feast. Neo and Law spent time with the elementals as much as they could so lingering questions could be answered. One in particular was Ortiz. He gave them a journal that belonged to one of his ancestor that had been a royal. The journal belonged to Bayan and his bonded. Ortiz thought it might be helpful to them since they were bonded. They took it and read it later than night when they were in Neo's castle room. They found nothing new but was glad to have the journal.
Finally the time for them to set sail had come. After packing up supplies the pirates climbed on their ship and sub.
"Well, this is it," Shanks said.
"I can't believe it's actually happening," Neo said.
"Believe it." Law squeezed her hand.
Neo smiled then looked to Poppy. "Are you sure you want to come?"
"Totally sure," Poppy said. "I can always come home if I want to."
"True." Neo nodded while her friend climbed up the sub ladder. She turned to the others. The healer had also come to say her goodbyes.
"Take care of yourself, Princess," Healer Zinnia said. "I've put plenty of books on your sub so your bonded can know how to properly take care of you. Though I do wish he had spent more time training with me."
"Don't worry, Healer Zinnia," Kailen said. "I'll be there to guide him until he's a professional."
"Good." Healer Zinnia nodded. "Then I leave her in your care."
"Take care of yourself, Healer Zinnia," Neo said.
"You too." The healer smiled and left the beach.
Neo then hugged her friends, said goodbye again, and then turned to her godfather. "Thanks for everything."
"Anytime." Shanks hugged her. "I'll be seeing you soon." He glared at Law. "You better not get her hurt or killed or pregnant until your both ready."
"None of that will happen," Law said.
"Well, we haven't exactly spoke about having kids or not," Neo said. "We'll talk about that later."
Shanks nodded then joined his crew.
Neo lifted herself and Law to the sub. The crew had gone inside, excited over their new crewmate, while Neo and Law remained outside for a while longer. Neo watched as her home land faded away. "Kind of bitter sweet. But I know I made the right choice."
Law pressed a kiss into her hair then down to her neck.
Neo hummed in delight as his lips worked her soft spot. Turning in his hold, she pressed her lips to his before guiding him into the sub.
"Where are we going?" Law asked.
"Like we were going to wait." Neo pulled him into their room and closed the door.
…
Author's Notes: Well, that's it. Though I might have pushed the ending a bit too fast. From here everything would basically go the same as the rewrite but Neo would have the confidence she has now. And I think she'd get a pregnant sooner, though I'm not sure. Thanks for reading.