Summary: Drabbles and prompts and quotes.
Warning: I wish it was mine... but oh well. T-T Oh and I started going a bit WAY-WARD with this 'little drabble'. Also may be a bit OC.
Breathing Just A Little
I wander on the same path
and keep on coming back
to the same place.
Zoro is solemn.
Here he is, attached to some wood, tied up by ropes and starving.
His precious swords are gone, touched with filthy hands.
He's been humiliated.
And he might die.
(Which is something he cannot afford to do because he hasn't even started to achieve his dream yet).
Zoro closes his eyes.
He might die.
(Fuck, he screwed up).
"He's right there, the Zoro guy you was talking about!"
Oh lord, not the fans.
Zoro slowly opens his eyes and glares. "You're an eye-sore. Leave."
He's in no mood and to shout like that wastes energy.
Zoro might die but that doesn't mean he has to accept it and give up.
He'll fight til the end.
(And in a few months time he'll laugh and joke because not even death himself will defeat him).
Then the girl comes and is tossed over a wall by Marines.
Of course his luck is so bad the food is still there and Zoro has discipline but not enough to stop his eyes from lingering for a while longer.
Ah, the fan-boy is back.
"Give me that," Zoro growls and the boy is surprised.
"Eh, you want that?" With Zoro's nod the teen picks it up and stuffs it in Zoro's mouth.
God, why is there sugar in a rice-ball?
"Tell the girl I said 'Thank you'," Zoro grunts and coughs.
The teen's smile somehow brightens up Zoro's whole life and he has to blink a few times to adjust to the light.
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy," Luffy introduces himself.
Zoro grins, one of his blood-thirsty ones but Luffy doesn't seem threatened. "I'm Roronoa Zoro and I'm aiming to be the World's Greatest Swordsmen."
Luffy's whole existence seems to go a little brighter because his eyes are shining like he knows something Zoro doesn't. "I'm going to be the Pirate King!"
There it is.
Zoro feels a click, like waiting for something to come back and you never realized until it did.
This Luffy had a piece of Zoro's soul and he never even knew it.
(And later on when Zoro loses to Mihawk and raises his sword, tears streaming down his face, and realizes half-way through the East Blue, that Luffy's dream became his own).
Usopp chuckles when the villagers throw things at him, dodging and even when things cause bruises he still laughs because this is the only fun, the only time someone ever pays attention to him.
(Because Mama isn't here anymore and he doesn't know Papa).
Usopp learns to laugh and grin and do all he can to have fun.
Even if it means lying.
Then Kaya came and Usopp found that his lying skills would come to great use.
Because Kaya laughs and smiles and it makes Usopp grin for real because someone is paying attention to him and loves him for the only thing he can do.
Lie.
Lie about the things he could do.
Lie about the things he wanted to do.
Then the Straw-Hat's come and spending time with them is like spending time with Kaya, except more adventurous and he's sad to let them go.
And he knows that with them coming to his Island, it changed his life.
To be a Brave Warrior of the Seas.
To be cooler than his dad.
So Usopp packs but Nami and Zoro trade amused looks while Luffy looks at him confused when Usopp says his farewell.
"Where are you going?"
"To be a pirate. I'm thankful for all the-"
"Usopp," Luffy's face is serious and Usopp blinks when it changes to something amazing.
Accepting.
A grin that says come home.
"COME ON BOARD ALREADY!"
Usopp will forever deny the tears that sprang in his eyes as he jumped onto the Merry.
Because his soul is complete.
I have been here my whole life.
I have been this person all along.
And I cannot find a way forward.
Sanji is woken up, sometimes it's sneak attacks and other times just his siblings.
He eats, imprinting the food and taste into his mind.
Then it's training and the giddy smiles on his siblings face doesn't match Sanji's sullen look.
Sanji is four.
Sanji has given up.
Sanji accepts that he will be inferior to his siblings and will never reach them.
(Because nothing seems to work: waking up earlier, learning new styles, sweating more).
Sanji accepts he is broken.
But not in cooking.
Never on cooking.
That's what Mama said, eating his first-attempt on food with a smile that Sanji will remember for decades.
That was his routine.
Of course then, it was disrupted.
Guards came and carried him out of his room and no matter how much he screamed his voice hoarse or fought-they won.
And here he was, a heavy mask on and the guards chuckle.
Loudly.
It is remembered into his traitorous mind.
Then, sometimes it is silence, no rats and no wall space for Sanji to draw with a broken nail.
Apart from the days.
5 months.
It took four for Sanji to accept that this was his new routine.
Sleep, eat, get cook books if lucky, draw another line, muse, eat and repeat.
Then, it was disrupted.
"Father told us you was dead," Reiju comments and breaks open the cell wall with ease which reminds Sanji exactly what he is.
He is broken.
And she lets him out and so he runs, passing thorough corridors he only sees in nightmares-never dreams.
Sanji sees his father and the man stares down at him like he is a rat.
Then he disowned him but Sanji carries on running, the hurt words the least on him mind- until he is safe on The Orbit going to the East Blue and in the darkness his father's face keeps popping up.
Again.
And again.
And again.
There is a new routine: wake up early, wash dishes, eat, wash dishes, learn how to cook, eat, sleep.
It is a routine Sanji wouldn't have minded.
Then he learns about the All Blue and suddenly Sanji has a dream.
(He has something to live for).
Pirates come and Sanji is sick and tired of things happening when he just finally starts to accept.
So, he uses his fighting knowledge to his advantage and attacks but is beat.
"I won't die... I'll find the ALL BLUE!" He shouts but is knocked into the sea and everything is cool, is clear.
Peacefulness and Sanji knows he's going to die.
(And he also wonders why the world keeps screwing him over again and again).
Sanji coughs out water and realizes that he isn't dead.
He is on a cliff with the same Pirate that tried to kill him and Sanji would have laughed at the irony of cooks starving if he knew he would survive.
Routine: Eat a bit, look for ships, sleep, look for ships.
This time he is the one to disrupt, staring down at the old geezer.
His sack is full of treasure.
He ate his own leg.
(For him, the broken one who is worth nothing).
Sanji collapses with cyan tears in his eyes because no one has ever done something so nice to him except Reiju.
And even then it was for her own muses, probably.
A ship comes, eighty-five days later and they open up a restaurant, The Bariate.
And Sanji learns that a cook's hands are precious.
He get's morals and he learns as a person.
And a routine that was disrupted by a teen.
Sanji ignores his whole existence, all of them except Nami-chwan.
"Join my crew."
Silence and Sanji's mouth moves on its own but he bites his tongue, quickly.
Sanji lights his cigarette. "I refuse."
Luffy simple crosses his arms. "I refuse your refusal."
And Sanji shouts at him, what an idiot.
After a moment of silence Sanji eyes linger on the sea.
"Have you ever heard of the All Blue?"
And a childish smile lights up on his face whilst Luffy listens and Sanji talks and talks and talks.
No one's ever listened to him.
Not Judge.
Not the chefs from The Orbit.
Not the geezer who had no time.
Then Krieg comes and so does Gin and they fight for their home.
Sanji still watches in amazement how the moss-hair and Luffy fight for their dreams with everything they have.
Not even death will dissuade them.
(And in a few months Sanji will realize that they fight for their dreams and their life. They fight to live, not to die).
"Join my crew," He asks again
There is a spark in Sanji's chest, like the unofficial time the geezer called him his son or his first dish to be added to the menu.
So he grins, brighter than any before and he realizes that the only time he's grinned like this is when his mother ate his food.
"I'll join, I'll be your cook."
And find the All Blue while he's at it.
Robin ignores the stones being thrown at her, horrible accuracy.
Until one hits her on the arm and she's bleeding.
So she uses her Devil Fruit ability to scare them away.
"DEMON!"
"LEAVE OUR ISLAND!"
"YEAH, NOBODY WANTS YOU HERE!"
Robin doesn't flinch and carries on walking.
Sometimes when scars run deep, nothing else reaches.
(Until there was understanding and acceptance and happiness).
Then she learns the secret language of the Scholars and everyone is telling her to be careful but she doesn't realize until it's too late.
Because Robin forgets about danger when she is given a cake and she is now an official archeologist.
Life is great.
Jaguar D. Saul.
"What does the D in your name stand for?" Robin asks but Saul shrugs his shoulders.
"I don't know, Dereshishishishishi!"
It might be unusual to talk to a giant calmly but Robin was everything but normal.
Saul was here for a few days and in those few days she would learn that when she was sad, she could just laugh.
Laugh, laugh, laugh.
And all the sadness would go away.
"Because, Robin, laughter is the way to happiness!"
(Because she didn't know how to laugh and so she takes his, forcing it in her mouth until it becomes her own).
There are men in suits with guns and a purple-haired man called Span-something.
They cock their guns and the archeologists tell Robin to run.
The shot is blaring in her ears,
There are tears in her eyes and Clover's body is on the floor, blood pooling.
He still says words that forever remembered because one only dies when they are forgotten.
Red.
Robin runs.
(Her true home is alight, burning. The Worlds History is burning. Destroyed, destroyed, everyone is dead).
Her carbon-copy with silver hair who speaks to Robin for two minutes, holding her hand which is warm and comforting and all she ever wanted.
Then there is a hug which Robin happily snuggles into.
Warm.
Warm.
Not like the raging fire, but warm.
And then she is gone.
There are canon-balls but Robin is standing there, frozen droplets staining her face.
Robin does the only thing that she's good at that, running.
Saul holds her, running from the flames that threatened to encase them.
Aokiji raises a hand and Saul sets her down gently.
Cold, unlike the sweating temperature before and Robin thinks she preferred the warmth of Saul's hand.
"NO ONE IN THIS WORLD IS BORN TO BE ALONE!"
Robin wonders why she loses everything precious in just one day.
She enters the dingy, her eyes on the burning Island and the aflame ship.
Robin laughs.
And as Robin grows she realizes that nothing has really changes apart from no one to celebrate with.
Robin is used to abuse.
Robin is used to things be thrown at her.
(Because scars never go away, they heal over time, but never leave).
Robin put her entire life on this one chance.
She failed.
And so she closes her eyes, ready for death.
"CROCODILE!"
Unwavering determination and Robin watches with wide eyes as Crocodile is pummeled.
So Robin picks up the Straw-Hat, not knowing it was a relic of the past, but drops it onto Luffy's chest and walks away.
Robin also wasn't ready to be accepted into their band of smiles and hugs and real laughter and grins.
CP9 passes by her and Robin realizes she is attached.
She is attached enough to let her dream go.
So she does
And she expects them to stay away, to live their lives.
(And she was so, so, so sad she can't watch them complete their dreams but it would be fine if they are safe. No regrets).
And they came after her, burned the World Government flag and stood, proudly.
"Say it Robin," Luffy growls loudly. "SAY YOU WANT TO LIVE!"
Her whole mentality, her whole life, her regrets and desires came crashing down with those words.
Robin's mouth shook and her eyes filled up with tears before she threw 'keeping them safe' out the window.
"I WANT TO LIVE!"
It felt great.
"TAKE ME WITH YOU! TAKE ME AWAY FROM HERE!"
It was amazing and when Luffy smirked, something glowed, something warm.
NO ONE IN THIS WORLD IS BORN TO BE ALONE!
Each of the Straw-Hat's stood, determined and arm's crossed with no regrets.
Robin was no longer alone.
Maybe this is about God.
Maybe this is about love or dreams.
Jimbei looks down at the wide-eyed girl with sympathy and happily takes her inside the ship.
Until she broke down and started cleaning the floor, crying sorry all the way.
Jimbei grits his teeth but Fisher Tiger simply picks her up and takes her inside the cabin. Everyone looks curiously but there is a terrible scream and Tiger comes back with a bandaged Koala.
"You're allowed to cry!" Fisher Tiger shouts and Jimbei cringes as his vicious tone.
Koala doesn't move but follows Tiger to the edge of the ship.
"We don't kill anyone," Fisher Tiger says simply and drops the pistol in to the waters below. "Men, we're off! To Koala's home-town!" And so the Sun Pirates cheer, dropping their own weapons.
Jimbei sees her shaking shoulders and tears but crosses his arms, satisfaction coursing through his body.
Good for Koala.
Of course they take care of Koala and she flourishes, grinning brightly. The girl before is gone and Jimbei is proud.
"KOALA, DON'T GO!"
"Yeah, STAY WITH US!"
Jimbei sighs and they let Koala go, saying their goodbyes with tears.
And then they are attacked and Tiger is wounded, badly.
(Tiger, who was like a brother to him).
"I was... a slave."
Jimbei can feel his mind freezing. "No."
Tiger's hand lingers on a flaming sun on his chest. "What I saw there was the insanity of humans!"
Tiger's eyes are unclear and tears trail down his face which show his nightmare. "I fled for my life but... I couldn't forget about all the slaves I saw! Listen here,"
Jimbei watches Tiger still trying to comprehend what was going on here.
"I did things the ways I wanted and... I interfered with Queen Otohime as a result. But she is right, everybody wants peace of course!" Tiger raises a fist. "But the only people who can make a difference on that Island... are children of the next generation, like Koala who aren't prejudiced. So, please don't tell people on the Island anything!"
Everyone grits their teeth, shaking.
"Neither the tragedy we endured nor of our anger towards humans!" Tiger continues.
"But big brother..." Arlong protests.
"Arlong!" Tiger cuts in sharply. "There are so many humans who are compassionate! I know but... it's funny- the dying leave only their resentment behind."
Jimbei wants to speak, he wants to cut in and shout 'You'll leave us behind too!'
But he doesn't.
"And even know though I know there are kind humans there's a devil inside of me that is... clouding my thoughts. My whole body rejects their blood! I can't... accept humans!"
Jimbei growls, "Boss! Don't say such a thing and live! I beg you!" Jimbei steps forward. "You don't have to die!"
And the others are crying their own things but Jimbei's eyes are firmly on Tiger who is still before a wide smile breaks out onto his face, his hand lowering slightly. "I am so happy..."
(And Jimbei knows he isn't the only one having flashbacks of the day they all met).
Tiger's hand falls.
(And so does their brightness as Sun Pirates.)
Jimbei is the new captain and they honor Tiger's will by not killing anybody.
He then joins the Warlords and tells King Neptune about strengthening the bond between species.
Arlong is released and they argue about Tiger's will which Arlong will not honor.
"Kill me if you wish to stop me, brother Jimbei."
And so Jimbei let's him go because he already lost a family member, he doesn't need to lose another.
Then there was the Princess calling SeaKings and Queen Otohime preaching about not giving the children of this generation hatred of humans.
And Jimbei, vaguely, was reminded of Fisher Tiger.
"Wait... do you want me to sign?" Jimbei asks Queen Otohime incredulously and she shoves a paper into his face.
"Yeah, hurry up. I've got other people to get to, you know!"
Jimbei snorts, taking the paper. "You mean chasing people and them running away."
Otohime gives a bright smile. "That too."
(And then she gave a drunken speech and Jimbei knew he shouldn't have told her all the things that were above them but she was happy, eyes sparkling-he couldn't refuse that).
Then there were papers, fishman, mermen, mermaids-everyone was signing and dropping papers into a box so full several others needed to be gathered.
And Otohime cried because in the history of Fishman there was nothing like this.
Then Jimbei couldn't help but reminisce, what if Tiger and Arlong were here?
And then there was burning.
All the papers gone, just like that.
One by one and Otohime dashed herself towards them, trying to save every single one of them.
Then there was a bullet and she was shot down.
(And so was the future of Fishman and humans co-existing).
Jimbei got the stunned royal army to protect the others but even he was shook, hands shaking and tears falling quietly.
So when they attend the funeral, Fukaboshi's speech drives something within him.
(The sun. The bright and beautiful and aflame and glorified sun).
Jimbei knows what he wants, to ally human and fishmen, but how will he do it?
Two years later, Jimbei narrows his eyes at Fire Fist Ace.
It takes five days for him to be defeated and Jimbei isn't a person to say that the only reason he lost is because he was no where near water.
It's a few years later where Jimbei refuses to fight Pops and is imprisoned with Ace in Impel Down.
"Why the hell are you in here, Jimbei?" Ace grunts.
"Because I refuse to fight Pops. I'll happily revoke my warlord status," Jimbei answers and sighs. "If I could I would give my life to end this fighting."
And so the two pass tales of the past, reminiscing.
"I want to break you out, to stop this war," Jimbei mutters. "I believe in miracles and luck." With that he smiles.
"There are many pirates with a grudge against Whitebeard," Crocodile snidely says but he is ignored.
"Speaking of Luffy," Ace says. "He's my kid brother, would you take care of him for me?"
Jimbei snorts. "Even though it's you who asked, Ace. I have no obligation to look after a stranger in this pirate-infested world."
It's a few days later Boa Hancock comes and Jimbei wants to growl because even the 'Idle empress' would go to war to save her position.
Hancock narrows her eyes. "It' not like that. I was here to inform you that my dear Luffy is coming for you." And with that she is gone.
Ace groans. "Luffy dammit... you're so reckless, you idiot."
Jimbei raises an eyebrow. "She could be lying."
Ace shakes his head. "Why would she lie to me and knowing Luffy he would break into here anyway."
A few hours later, Ace is gone and Jimbei can only growl and watch.
A man crashes here and Jimbei recognizes the teen from the description Ace gave. "HE'S GONE! ONLY A FEW MOMENTS AGO! YOU CAN STILL CATCH UP!"
They release Crocodile and Jimbei and he gives a warning to the scheming bastard not to touch Pops.
Jimbei knocks everyone who gets into his way out, he needs to get there!
(Because he has a new family now and he'll be damned if he loses them too!)
Teach comes into sight and there is a hot, white anger because he is the one responsible for all of this. "Teach, no Blackbeard. WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?" Jimbei yells.
Then Teach insults Ace and Luffy punches him in the stomach which makes Jimbei feel a little better. "Come on, saving Ace is top priority."
And they run and Mr. 2 tells Jimbei not to allow Luffy to know until the Gates of Justice are closed and his sacrifice will be honored.
Jimbei watches, with his own regrets as Luffy cries, having one last talk with Mr. 2.
Then connection is cut and there is anguish on Luffy's face which Jimbei wants to get rid of.
(He doesn't know why, isn't Luffy just a stranger?)
When they enter Marineford (from the sky) Jimbei retries all of the Devil Fruit users and loudly clearly he shouts, "I RESIGN!"
Sengoku's face will be imprinted into his memory forever.
Moria is weak and Jimbei deals with him quickly but Jimbei is watching in horror as Squard stabs Pops into the chest.
And of course Pops hugs him so Jimbei grins and focuses on fighting.
Walls are made for people to go over them so Jimbei launches Luffy over.
Jimbei stands in the formation to protect Pops, fighting with all his might.
Ace is freed and Jimbei thinks his wide smile can't get any bigger.
Jimbei's eyes widen. "Ace, no, no! ACE!"
A magma fist punctures through Ace's chest and there are words forming but Jimbei can only focus on the tearing of his own heart and tears forming.
Akainu raises a second fist and Jimbei snaps, protecting the brothers and his hand is being burned. "I don't care about my own life and if I could even a little to help Ace, it would be worth it!"
Marco and Vista takes over so Jimbei sprints pass Ace's body and scoops up Luffy running.
Mad dog he is, Akainu.
Jimbei thinks he's tearing into two when Pop's last words are spoken but doesn't look back.
He can't look back.
All Jimbei remembers next is searing pain and holding Luffy tight.
When Jimbei awakes next Luffy is having a mental breakdown and Jimbei remembers his last words with Ace.
He goes to inform him Ace is dead but tears up when he watches Luffy cry in his grief.
"Leave me alone!" Luffy demands and Jimbei shakes his head.
"I can't leave you to injure yourself any further."
Luffy snarls, "I can do what I want with my body!"
Jimbei narrows his eyes. "Yes, and Ace was free to live or die."
Jimbei dodges Luffy's sloppy attacks with a frown and grabs him by the throat when Luffy bites him, pinning him to a rock.
"Luffy, you must endure and move past your pain and have yet not lost everything!" Jimbei snaps and Luffy skids down, raising each finger whilst counting his crew-members names.
"I-I HAVE TO SEE THEM!"
Jimbei grins.
It's two years later and Luffy saves Fishman Island but he is unconscious and in need of blood.
Jimbei licks his lips and sits down, raising his arm to Chopper. "I'll donate." And there is a hush before there is silence as Jimbei lies down and Chopper connects the tube.
If you hurt somebody...
There are canon balls being shot, Islands being destroyed and a world noble shooting a gun with a smirk.
Blood splatters.
Or if somebody hurts you,
A body falls and somebody screams out. There are slaves crawling, bullets being shot and crying out for help, banging on a glass pane that separates them from the rest of the world that only watches.
Hands are limp, covered in scars.
the same red blood will be shed.
Children of the next generation crying out in confusion, some watching what they cannot be apart of (the sun) and the dead crying tears of blood.
It hardly seems like a path...
A crown falls, droplets forming next to it and they all open their mouths and raging.
... because it's a very thin and narrow tube- but it makes its way through...
A tall man standing with a grin, brandishing a flag of ownership to others but a flag of protection to most.
... the prejudice that makes people fear each other...
Four pinky fingers joining until one drops, rejection of the truth and cries for a savior.
... and blood feuds...
A clenched hand on a red sun, acceptance and the truth.
A narrow, red tube runs down, between them: fishman and human.
... so very easily. This is the path towards a very real sun, not some empty wish!
They glow, the suns rays behind them.
Luffy smiles. "Jimbei..."
He grunts.
Luffy chuckles before a determined expression comes. "Join... my crew!"
And there is a warm feeling, like Jimbei found what he was searching for.
(Not with Tiger, not with the Queen or the army, not with Pops, not with the government).
But with Luffy, the first human to ever receive Fishman blood, his blood.
And so he grins. "When I finish up tying loose ends... I'll join your crew!"
Something glows and Jimbei knows he made the right choice.
Most days I feel as though there is somewhere I am
meant to be going. Something I am meant to do.
And I cannot find my way to it.
The Blue Reindeer is sullen.
Why is he here?
A reindeer with a blue nose who ate the human human fruit?
Was his whole existence a joke?
What can a human-reindeer do?
He can't even go back to his family and the townsmen hate him.
The Reindeer sneaks a glance to the doctor who was treating him.
Why did he even help?
All humans call him a monster.
He is a monster, isn't he?
(Why else would everyone hate him? Why else would he be alone?)
"You aren't, who told you that?!" The Doctor says and hands the Reindeer something.
"How do you know what I said?"
The Doctor chuckles. "You clearly aren't used to your form, you were speaking out loud."
The Reindeer glowers.
"What's your name anyway?" The Doctor asks.
"Don't have one."
And that's how Tony Tony Chopper came.
Also in love with candy-floss.
Chopper learns to transform into a reindeer and they go around 'treating' people and taking the money.
Until they aren't allowed in the town anymore and all Doctors are forced to remain in the Castle where the King says everyone has to bow to receive a Doctor's services.
(And Chopper is disgusted because as a Doctor you save patients with all the skills you learn).
Then he heals and is kicked out by Doctor.
It hurts, it hurts a lot.
It hurts more than his fellow reindeer's kicking him out, his herd.
It hurts more when his family walk on.
It hurts more than the bullets being fired.
There is a horrible sensation, painful squeezing in his chest and his throat his closing up as his eyes water.
"DOCTOR!" He shouts again and again but the closed doors do not move and Chopper thinks he's all alone again.
Chopper then finds out that Dr. Hiluluk-his father-didn't want Chopper to watch him die.
"Remember, NO DISEASE IS INCURABLE!"
Chopper snorts at the hypocrisy and searches through books.
Amiudake
Chopper grins, surely with the pirate flag accompanying it, this cure will be perfect for Dr. Hiluluk.
He did remember hearing that a 'special' mushroom can heal all illnesses.
Chopper sets out and though each injury is painful as the last he carries on
(Until he reaches his herd, his family but he clamps down on his tears and moves on. His father is relying on him).
Chopper's herd attacks him and he wins.
Claiming the mushroom sets out to find Dr. Hiluluk and give him the Amiudake.
The mushroom that will cure him.
And Chopper grins because he finally did it.
He saved his father.
Chopper grins as Dr. Hiluluk eats the mushroom and isn't confused when he sets out.
Until Dr. Kureha tells Chopper that the mushroom was essentially poison.
Chopper runs after him, tears pooling in his eyes.
(And he hears a voice, he hears words but he cannot see).
"You. When do you think people die?"
He's getting closer.
"When they are shot through the heart by the bullet of a pistol? No."
Chopper can even hear the breathing, he just needs to hurry.
"When they are ravaged by an incurable disease? No!"
Chopper feels the ache in his muscles but still runs as fast as he can.
"When they drink a soup from a poisonous mushroom?! No!"
There is a edge in Dr. Hiluluk's words but Chopper carries on speeding.
It is softer now, like he is reminiscing.
"It is... when they are forgotten."
Chopper can hear something being poured and maybe... gunpowder?
"Even after I'm gone, my dream will come true. The ailing hearts of the people will be cured."
Hiluluk raises a glass and Chopper ignores the conversation going on, he's almost there...
"A monster will becoming here soon."
Chopper feels a sting.
"He's my son. Don't touch him."
The sting turns to blooming warmth and resolve.
Chopper can smell blood and the figure of his father is seen.
"THIS TRULY HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL LIFE!"
He gulps down his potion.
"Thank you, Chopper!"
And Chopper's world explodes, a hat landing in front of him.
Chopper goes berserk but Dalton holds him down.
His father just died.
The only person who was nice to him in the entire world.
(The only one who accepted him without any words asked).
"TEACH ME HOW TO BE A DOCTOR!"
Doctor Kureha, later known as Doctorine smirks. "Alright, but don't think this is easy"
And so Chopper spends six years studying medicine and though the ache never truly fades away, he's gotten better.
Until he found a freezing teen on the verge of death with two others.
"DOCTORINE!" Chopper yells and they treat them.
And Chopper almost regrets it when the blonde and the one in red start chasing him.
Then he helped beat up Wapal and Chopper stares at Luffy with wide eyes as he protects Dr. Hiluluk's pirate flag with a glare.
"JOIN MY CREW!" Luffy shouts and Chopper shakes his head, he can't.
"I'm a monster and-" He tries to explain but Luffy interrupts.
"SHUT UP!"
Tears are falling now and Chopper thinks that Luffy is the second person to ever like Chopper. "YEAH!"
Then the sakura blooms and Chopper believes that today is his most treasured day.
He looks at a wide smile of acceptance and grins back.
Yep, treasured day indeed.
Brook has everything.
A crew, music and freedom.
The only thing now is to get back to Laboon and everything will be complete.
Then he can just sail happily on blue dreams and live his life along with his crew.
Captain dies.
Brook still sings and laughs.
Binke's Sake solves everything in the Rumbar Pirates book.
(But then they get attacked but the smiles are present because they have nothing else to live for, nothing to lose).
Brook can only think of Laboon as he can feel the blood escaping his body and leaking onto the floor.
But he steels his resolve and presses play on the dial.
They play, grinning and dancing even in their death.
Brook ignores the splatters and drops as he plays.
And when he's alone, when there's no one playing, just himself he let's them fall, the tears.
But he doesn't stop until all turns murky and black.
(And gone).
"LABOON!" Brook yells as he suddenly wakes up out of nowhere and realizes that he is awake.
Brook is alive.
Not to mention a skeleton...
There is a few days he spends in denial and when Brook accepts it he's attacked and his shadow taken.
(There's a part of him that realizes that even if he does have his shadow he'll never be accepted as who he is, how he looks like).
The bodies of his nakama are still here so Brook buries them and in a few years they turn to nothing but bones.
Like him.
Fifty years in solitude, silence apart from his violin and the creaking of a vessel that died long ago.
Brook does everything to ignore the silence, sing to himself, learning all the other instruments, exploring with his devil fruit power.
(His most hated, yet done almost everyday: reminiscing.).
Fifty-years alone and Brook finds the irony in all of this because he was never alone.
Until now with his crew's dead bone buried underneath floorboards.
It's a few years later when a ship pops up and Brook simply plays Binke's Sake and enters the deck.
The fresh aroma of food... brings tears to Brook's eyes.
Oh, and panties.
Later, he tells them about Moria and his shadow gone.
(He also declines Luffy's brightness and smile which makes Brook hurt inside because he's never seen anything like that so he wants to protect them).
They go anyway and they all fight to an almost certain death.
(And Brook realizes the loyalty to one and another as Zoro gives up his dream, his life for Luffy).
It's later, when they have a party that Brook sits down on a piano and plays.
"Yohohoho
Yohohoho
Yohohoho
Yohohoho
Going to deliver Binke's sake!
Following the breeze, riding on the waves!
Far across the salty depths, the merry evening sun!
Painting circles in the sky as the birds sing alone!
Farewell to the harbor, to my old home.
Let's sing with a DON as the ship sets sail!
Waves of gold and silver dissolve to salty spray!
As we all set sail to the ends of the sea!"
The pirates before where Brook's crew-mates, singing and dancing with wounds littering their bodies but smile truer than usual.
Going to deliver Binke's sake!
We are pirates sailing through the sea!"
His crew is suddenly replaced with others, no wounds but smile all the same.
"The waves are our pillows, the ship is our roost.
Flying the proud skull on our flags and sails!
Now comes a storm through the far-off sky!
Now the waves are dancing, beating on the drums!
If you lose your nerve, this could be your last breath!
But if you just hold on, the morning sun will rise!"
Brook is on the deck again, flesh and wounds and bleeding and playing and smiling.
"Yohohoho
Yohohoho"
Without warning the scene changes to people celebrating freedom and the defeat of Moria.
"Yohohoho
Yohohoho
Going to deliver Binke's sake!"
Then it''s Brook, alone, on a creaking deck.
"Today, and tomorrow, our dreams through the night!
Waving our goodbyes, we'll never meet again!
But don't look so down; for a night the moon will rise!"
Brook's not alone anymore.
"Going to deliver Binke's sake!
Let's all sing it with a DON, the song of the waves!
Doesn't matter who you are, someday you'll just be bones!
Never-ending, every-wondering, our funny traveling tale!"
And then Brook is back there.
(His death).
They sing until their dying breaths.
"Yohohoho
Yohohoho
Yohohoho
Yohohoho"
They keep dropping, like flies.
(But they're Brook's Nakama, they're his family)
Thuds and the voices lessen.
"Yohohoho
Yohohoho
Yohohoho
Yohohoho"
Brook play, no more singing, no more energy but his finger still drag over the piano keys like a dead man walking, smile still on face and one drops. "Well it seems... we're down to a quartet."
Another drops. "A trio."
Tears start to drop and Brook sucks in his teeth. "Duet."
The last one of his Nakama fall and Brook allows the cream of anguish to fall. "SOLO!"
If you want to join my crew, all I ask is that you love music. LET'S HERE IT FROM THE RUMBAR PIRATES WHO BRING A SMILE ON EVERY CHILD'S FACE!
Laboon, once we travel the world we're coming right back for you! You just wait on us!
Brook smiles, rivers of tears but Brook doesn't waver in the sadness and plays with no regrets until he falls.
The current Skeleton Brook still plays and everyone dances but Luffy lies on top of the piano, crossing his arms beneath his head.
Brook can't help but feel gratitude. Before there was no hope, no company, no colors-nothing.
But now...
Brook's hands tremble. "I am... so glad to be alive!" Brook can't help but cry, tears assaulting his eyes.
Luffy chuckles with a bright grin. "Well, of course."
Brook clutch at his face like a child. "I've waited for this day for years!"
Tears stop pouring and Brook pauses.
(Now that they're safe and he can go into the real world again, see the sun. Luffy... is his sun).
"May I join your crew?!"
Luffy grins. "Sure, go ahead."
And Brook carries on playing in celebration.
He can fulfill is promise with Laboon and protect his new Captain while he's at it.
And yet somehow, I feel like I know it;
deep down, I feel like I have always known it.
It's easy for Nami to steal, she's been doing it her whole life.
Books from the library and now money.
Money, money, money.
It always has to be money, isn't it?
Always searching for money.
(And though she doesn't act like it, Nam knows that money can give you everything apart from happiness).
She joins Pirate Crews, smiling and drinking and finding treasure and having adventures.
Then she leaves.
Nami learns how to deceive.
Nami learns to how to seduce.
Nami learns how to lie.
(And she also learns how to take the hearts around her and squeeze).
She does it again and again-no regrets.
She fights, has partners and leaves them in the dust.
Nami uses all of her skills to her advantage and it's only later, when the moon is at it's brightest, hanging over her, patient, that she cries.
No sounds.
No shaking.
Just tears and scratching of a tattoo, of a brand.
She is a pirate, the things she hates most.
Nami wipes away weakness and walks forward, coins clinking.
She has a village to buy.
It's over her, their lives hanging by a thread that splinters every day, every second of her life.
Nami is a navigator but she cannot navigate her way out of this mess, this mass of darkness that assaults her out of nowhere.
(It won't leave no matter how much she screams and shouts).
Though Nami is a pirate in heart and truth, she still has morals.
She will never kill-too much blood has been spilled.
(The war in which she found in as a baby and the precious liquid of her Mother).
She gains another partner and he is easy fooled like the others and she has a great time like all the others but this everything is genuine.
Her grins and actions and excitement for another adventure.
(Nami thought she learned how to bury that away a long time).
They plan to go to the Grand Line and Nami thinks she actually might go.
Arlong's bounty is waved into her face and Nami stills, her blood turning cold and the bubbling in her stomach settles.
Nami leaves, like all the time before but this time it hurts and Nami tells herself it's for the greater good.
They follow after her and even though she has no ties to them she saves Usopp because she will never spill blood.
The Marines who are the expression of justice rob her, destroying her precious tangerines and take all the money it took blood and sweat and tears and eight years to gain.
It took her to think like a Pirate, to betray partners and to seduce.
It took her life.
(Then the precious lives that held above her head are falling, falling, falling-)
"It's okay, Nami," Genzo shouts, hands on Nami's shoulders. "You don't have to suffer anymore!"
And the knife falls with a clang as they walk off, weapons in their hands and ready to die.
A death march.
Nami drops.
They knew... this entire time...
She does it again, snarling and scratching the tattoo, the brand.
Silver glints and Nami knows what she has to do. "Arlong, Arlong, ARLONG, ARLONG, ARLONG!" She roars defiantly and raises the knife, stabbing it inside her, the tattoo.
There is satisfaction and something being lifted, like the chains on her neck and hands and feet.
She does it again, growling his name all the way and Nami doesn't care for the pain-all she wants is to be free.
A tanned hand snatches it out of her grip but Nami isn't finished. "What?! What do you want?! You don't know anything about me!"
Luffy nods his head, his expression carefully blank. "Yep, I don't."
Nami continues. "You don't know what's been going on here for the last eight years!"
Luffy nods again. "I don't."
Nami grits her teeth, a feeling of helplessness washes over her. "Just go away!" She yells, grabbing sand and throwing it behind her in frustration.
Nami brings up a hand to her mouth, eyes watering, throat almost closing up.
Luffy wasn't those partners.
Luffy made her feel.
Luffy wanted her to complete her dream.
Luffy is her captain.
Nami raises her head, staring Luffy in the eyes, tears falling. "Luffy... help me!"
Luffy walks over, eyes shadowed and he puts his treasure on her locks then walks forward, veins popping in anger. "YOU BET I WILL!"
Nami clenches the hat, tears blurring her eyes but she can see the figures of her crew-members as they walk forward to together, to Arlong Park.
A few moments later Nami gets up and grabs her scarf and bandages her arm, running towards Arlong Park.
The whole things is surreal, everything is crushed and Nami can hear Luffy fighting Arlong in the building.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a table is thrown out and Nami can recognize it because that's where she cried, tear-stained holding her pen as she was forced to almost hate what she loves.
Navigating.
More things are thrown out, her papers and chairs and then Nami hears Luffy scream.
The whole building collapses and Nami knows she shaking, tears in her eyes once again as Luffy stands up, wounds on his body but still maintaining eye contact with her.
"NAMI, YOU ARE MY NAKAMA!"
Nami smiles despite everything and raises an arm. "Yeah!"
(Because she knew she was a pirate but that doesn't mean she has to be a typical one).
To Franky, life has always been great.
Even as Cutty-Flam who was abandoned by his parents.
Besides, what more could he need?
He has a great house.
Parent figures.
Idiot-Iceburg.
(Don't ever tell him that).
And he can do what he wants-building, creating.
His best thing is his Battle Warship Franky and if it's successful they'll never have to hunt SeaKing's again!
And with that idea he kept on building, making mistakes and learning from the old one.
It's when he's twelve they put Tom on trial for building the Oro Jackson-the Pirate King's ship.
Tom get's an idea and if he builds the Puffing Tom, a sea train, the Judge will pardon him.
After fourteen years of sweat and grins they build the sea train: Puffing Tom.
(And when they take it out for a test, to Franky it's the best thing they've ever done, ever built).
Franky's Battle Warships come and attack the Island and Franky knows he's got tears in his eyes as his precious creations are being used to hurt the ones he's loves.
(And he never regrets anything so much).
Tom is sentenced to death because everyone thinks that they were the one to attack the Island.
The same Island that Franky cried over scorns him.
They all laugh when Franky shouts, face red in anger because they didn't do anything!
"Weren't they your ships made by your company?" Spandam asks and Franky looks down in shame, flashes of a knocked out Iceburg and an impaled Tom.
Franky grits his teeth.
(Because those were his precious creations he makes with a smile on his face).
"Ships that would do such a horrible thing... something so awful!" Franky can barley let out as he clenches his eyes, trying to bury his tears. "ARE NO LONGER MY SHIPS!" Franky roars in frustration and Tom breaks his chains, punching Franky hard enough for him to go skidding back.
Franky grunts. "What did you do that for?!"
Tom breathes heavily, a lance still sticking out of his chest. "They are no longer you ships, huh? Don't you ever say that again!"
Franky growls. "What's wrong with saying that?! I wish I never made 'em!" Franky trembles, head bowed down and tears in his eyes "If they didn't exist then nobody wouldn't have gotten hurt..."
"When a ship is built," Tom grunts and pulls out the lance. "No matter what type it's neither good nor evil. I don't care what kind of ship you choose to make for the rest of your life, remember if she ship you build hurts someone- even if they destroy the world- even if no one else their creator must love and conditionally. The one who made them must never deny them!"
Franky shakes, overwhelmed by the warm feelings.
"Don't place the blame on the ship! YOU MUST BE PROUD OF EVERY SHIP YOU'VE EVER CREATED!"
They take Tom away.
A trail of blood on the floor and Franky wants to rage and cry because they take Tom to the Puffing Tom and this is the biggest disgrace Franky can think of.
So he stands on the trail, waters splashing on his ankles and bazooka on his back.
"Alright Puffing Tom, that's far enough!" Franky picks up his bazooka. " What do you think you're doing?" He asks slightly hysterical, confused. " Where are you taking you creator?!" With that he shoots the bazooka but the Puffing Tom does not stop.
Puffing Tom rides tall and Franky cannot feel any prouder nor despair at the same time.
"I won't let you pass," Franky growls with an almost closed throat and throws the bazooka away, hands out like he's protecting. "GIVE ME BACK TOM!"
The Sea-Train hoots and blows out steam.
"YOU HEAR ME?!" Franky's voice cracks. "STOP NOW SEA-TRAIN!"
"Hahahahahahaha, I see! So you're pants just abandon you, huh? That's terrible! Hahahahaha!"
"HEY, stop laughing at me!"
"Fine then, come stay with me!"
There are tears in Franky's eyes, bruises on his body and he is dirty.
Tom... I don't wanna build ships anymore.
(Flashes of them, fallen).
I can't just love ships that hurt the people I love! I won't do it... even so...
Tears fall, like the waters lapping at his feet. and Franky braces himself.
My golden life is to be just like you!
Franky holds back the Puffing Tom for a moment
Come back. Come back and teach me again!
He's holding it but Franky's foot is skidding backwards from the force.
He flies upward, his goggle breaking and a piece of his burned shirt flying in the air. Franky vaguely sees Spandam smile but everything is a blur and Tom, no, TOM!
Because someday... I wanna build my own dream ship!
Puffing Tom chugs away, proudly.
A ship that would proudly sail bravely on uncharted sea, all the way to the ends of the world!
(And everything turns to hues of blue and splatters of red and glittering of gold).
When Franky next wakes up, he's half-dead, burned and can barely walk but Franky does because he can't die now-he has a dream and nothing will stop him from completing it.
So he builds himself with extra scrap he finds and promises, next time, (with the iron in his body) he'll be stronger.
The Puffing Tom won't beat him.
Then Franky mourns, hitting and screaming and crying and then he looks at ships.
All sitting there, tall and proudly and loved.
Franky can't do it.
His dream, he'll do it.
Someday, but for now Franky won't build a thing, touch a nail nor look at other ships.
Franky can't do this anymore.
(Because the one thing he loved was something that could also kill and Tom was his Dad, Tom was family, dammit!).
The tears come faster.
(And Franky can almost imagine him, the looming figure with a bright smile and kind, kind eyes and then a booming shout "WITH A DON!")
Franky can't love, not like this. Maybe someday but for now he'll never build.
(But always dreams about shining seas and golden rays bathing him in a glow and laughter, lots of laughter and grins and a black sail and the creaking of a ship).
It is Franky's dream but his dream killed Tom.
(He just can't do this anymore. Despite being an awesome cyborg, there's this weird achy feeling and it gets worse everyday-like it's scratching and sometimes there are drops of blood).
A few years later Franky goes back to Water 7 and they cry like babies.
And stupid-burg allied with the damn government.
Franky takes Pluton and hides inside himself then creates a 'Franky Family' where he robs and takes care of thieves and pirates.
It's a few years later and Franky feels better, to start his precious dream again.
So he steals and saves up to buy Adam Wood.
About four years later his family steel 200 million beri and Franky goes immediately to buy Adam Wood and he grins.
(His dream is getting closer).
Franky comes back to find his hideout destroyed and everyone beaten up.
Of course Franky new this was totally UN-SUPER and leaves to challenge Straw-Hat to a duel but apparently hears the bastard attacked idiot-burg as well.
With everything destroyed with Coup de Vent, they run away with tails behind their legs and Franky grits his teeth.
Franky's sunglasses glint when he decides to kidnap the long-nose and the Marry to lure the afraid-bastards in the open.
Then he finds out Usopp is not part of the damn crew and confirms, with an understanding face, that the Merry is doomed.
Then he gets kidnapped by CP9 and Franky knows there here for Pluton.
(But not Usopp. He's confused why long-nose is brought too).
Franky then learns that Iceburg helped the government so he could get good friends and he wouldn't be doomed like the trial with Tom and that's why CP9 had to go undercover.
The swirly-bro was defeated along with Long-nose and Nico Robin and Franky arrive at Enies Lobby.
(Is this where Tom was taken? Is this the last thing he saw before darkness?)
Then there is a battle and struggle and Franky can see the hope in the usually doomed Nico Robin's eyes and the determination in Straw-Hat's own dark irises.
(Franky feels something in his chest pull to the teen who will be king).
Franky burns Pluton to a crisp, not even ashes remain.
(He trusts Straw-Hat. He's betting everything on Straw-Hat and he fails then the world is doomed).
They fight and there is a buster call.
(Franky also exacts his revenge on Spandam, the bastard who made him-for a moment-stop dreaming).
Granny's a mermaid, what...?
Then all is burning and Franky just can't help but wonder what kind of people the World Government are?
Who happily kills all the officers you smile and drink and laugh with?!
Then there is a sound of a voice and long-nose tells everyone to jump.
So he does.
And lands on the unstable piece of wood that he knew wasn't going to survive.
Then Merry speaks and Franky's eyes glow because that's the kind of ship he want's to make.
(But he also cries when there's more fire).
So he goes up to the crew and tells them about Adam Wood.
He tells them his dream and offers to build a ship.
(Franky thinks he's selfish but he knows, deeeeeeeep down, that this day will always come. He was meant for this and Franky knows that he'll end up regretting if he let's this go so he builds a ship for his own selfish means and at the same time repaying them).
(And is it bad that Franky wants to sail with them too? Like the dreams he has, like the shipwright he wants to be (Tom)).
And then the bastards take his goddamn pants but Franky doesn't care because it's like he destined for this when Straw-Hat smiles all bright like the sun so Franky agrees.
Franky agrees to be a pirate, like the black-sails in his dream and to accept the smile that brings comfort to his soul.
The Thousand Sunny, his dream, sailing a thousand seas.
(And who the hell is the crazy marine geezer?)
Maybe, this is about everything, at all.
-Something, somewhere is calling
Luffy raises his head, Straw-Hat previously hiding his glaring eyes but not his darkened expression.
A crew-member is crying, tears streaming down their face and Luffy snarls, growls emitting from his throat and he sets his Straw-Hat gently down in their grasp.
"I'LL KICK YOUR ASS!"
Luffy teaches them that to ignore the past and always look forward.
(Because he is their future and he'll make sure they never worry about looking behind because he destroys any demons that appear).
Oh, and he is the brightness that emits when they fall too low, always picking them up with a grin.