"EEEK!"
A horde of women came rushing towards Cavendish out of nowhere, crowding around him in attempts to win his recognition. Cavendish could only sigh pleasantly. It was only natural for women to want to swarm him. After all, he was truly a sight for sore eyes. He'd visited this town several times before, just to establish his attractiveness to its inhabitants. Not that he needed to, he just liked to remind people of his supreme beauty. However…
"Where's Reina?" he asked his admirers.
"Huh?" asked the baker's daughter, tugging on Cavendish's sleeve and pressing close to him. "Why would you care for a slovenly woman such as her? Surely someone like myself-"
"Have you no shame?" Cavendish interuppted her, ripping his arm from her grasp. The woman gasped, but retreated back into the crowd with her head bowed.
Reina. Though most were at Cavendish's beck and call, this specific young woman had dedicated herself and her services to the Pirate Prince. She was completely loyal to him, almost unusually so. She'd promised him a large cake for his birthday (something he was actually looking forward to, but would never admit). Had something happened to her?
"Do any of you know what happened to that girl, Reina?" he asked the crowd.
"Ooh! I know! I know!" one of the girls shouted, eager for Cavendish's attention.
"Yes?" he asked her. The girl looked like she might faint. But she collected herself and bowed humbly.
"She is at home right now, sitting in prayer at her altar."
Altar? Since when had the girl been so religious to anyone but him?
"Where is her home?" he asked once more, "Show me!"
The girls around him immediately scrambled to lead the way, tugging him along. They brought Cavendish to a medium-sized house. The inhabitant appeared to be of middle-class status.
"Leave me," he commanded the women. They obeyed him almost humourously, trampling over each other in their attempts to fulfill his desire.
Cavendish knocked lightly on the door to no avail. Grimacing, he knocked harder. And harder. And harder until he slammed the door open with his fury.
"REINA!" he shouted into the seemingly-empty household.
"Cavendish?" a voice called. He looked at the hallway to his left, and saw Reina standing there, eyes glazed.
"Wait, Cavendish?!" he muttered, uncomprehending. "No honorific? Just- Cavendish?!"
"That's your name, is it not?" Reina asked, raising her eyebrow and crossing her arms. It was Cavendish's turn to nearly faint. Such disrespect! From someone who was always so consistent in idolizing him!
"Who are you, and what have you done with Reina!?" Cavendish sputtered.
"I don't know what you mean," Reina said, "but if you're not going to pay your respects, I suggest you leave."
Oh. The girl must be grieving. It was the only explanation for this sudden change in behaviour.
"My apologies," Cavendish said smoothly, "I am sorry for your loss. May I lend my sympathies?"
Reina looked confused, but nodded. "Yes. I think they'd be most delighted."
Cavendish followed Reina down the hallway, until they reached a grand wooden door. Reina made the 'shush' motion to Cavendish, and turned the doorknob. Cavendish entered the room, and nearly wanted to scream in protest. The 'altar' Reina's friend was talking about was not for a memorial, rather it was a shrine for worship! And the people Cavendish's formerly devoted follower was currently worshipping?
"The Supernovae!" Reina whispered excitedly, "aren't they cool?!"
The altar was composed of curtains, incense, and candles on wooden steps leading up to a wall. The wall was plastered with wanted posters.
"Jewelry Bonney, Capone Bege, Monk Urouge, Scratchmen Apoo, X Drake, Basil Hawkins, Killer, Roronoa Zoro, Eustass Kid, Trafalgar Law, and my favourite: Monkey D. Luffy!" Reina listed, squealing excitedly. Cavendish studied this Monkey character. This? This… Brat had stolen one of his fans? Impossible!
"Er…" Cavendish began awkwardly, "What exactly do you like about this-"
"Luffy-Sama?" Reina asked.
"Yes," Cavendish muttered, gritting his teeth. 'So he gets an honorific?' 'No, not now.'
"Oh plenty! He's so kind-hearted, and dedicated, and very honourable! Did you know he even went back to Marine HQ after the war just to pay his respects to his brother and Whitebeard?!"
Cavendish sniffed. So what? The guy could grieve. What else was new?
"He passed through giant groups of marines just to get to the exact ravine! And then he rang the Ox Bell!"
Ok, he had guts. But so did most of the pirates on the Grand Line.
"And, he single-handedly escaped Impel Down! After going in on purpose to save his brother! Plus, right after he escaped, he went straight to Marineford to help stop the execution! Isn't that cool?!"
Cavendish felt irritated. Very irritated. And the incense was making him sleepy. Very sleepy.
'I could destroy it all for you. I could rip apart this town until they screamed our name in fear.'
"No Hakuba," Cavendish mumbled.
"What was that?" Reina asked.
"Nothing," Cavendish chuckled.
'You're weak.'
"HAKUBA!" Cavendish screamed, jolting awake. He suddenly became aware of his situation. His sword was pressed into Reina's throat. Reina was crying.
"Hakuba, you idiot," Cavendish groaned. He sheathed his sword. "Reina, I'm sorry, Hakuba-"
"Get out," Reina whimpered, clutching at her neck. Cavendish hadn't been quick enough. Blood was trickling through between her fingers.
"Reina-"
"Please go away," she said. "You're not welcomed here anymore."
Cavendish nodded and exited the household. He began walking towards the stable where he'd left Farul.
'I hope you're happy.'
'You're weak'
'What is wrong with you?! Would you really have claimed her life?!'
'She displeased you greatly. She made an empty promise.'
'So what…'
'I am you and you are me. I know you were upset. Because you are too weak.'
'I'm not.'
'Let me take over. I would rule the world with you as my guise.'
'Never. I was granted this power on the condition that I never listen to your temptations.'
'Weakling.'
'Say what you want. My body is my own.'
'Hm. Perhaps you need some motivation?'
'Hakuba don-'
Instantly, Cavendish felt an intense hunger being born within him. A hunger that urged him to eliminate, to kill the Supernovae. The Worst Generation that was stealing his spotlight. They must all die for this hunger to be satisfied.
A.N.: Yay! I caught up! But yeah, hope you don't mind the use of an OC~ I don't use them often, but I felt a need for this one. I kinda wanted to write an event that might've been Cavendish's trigger for insanity. As ObscureWriter wrote, "A method to the madness". I figured Hakuba might've had something to do with it, so I just had to write it in.
I cannot believe we are already this far in! The end of August marks 2/3 of the year finished! Thank you all so much for your support up till this point! A reminder that, I do recognition pages at the end of my fics to 'immortalize' everyone who has supported me throughout my endeavour. In these recognition pages, I list all the story followers, favourites, and reviews. So please do one of those things if you'd like to end up on the list! I love you all so much, and I hope you continue to enjoy reading these one-shots just as much as I enjoy writing them! Reviews, Favourites, Subscriptions, Reader Birthdays, and Requests are welcomed and much appreciated! I'll see you tomorrow for Jewelry Bonney and the September List!
P.S. Sorry if the end is a tad confusing, Cavendish is basically talking mentally with Hakuba. Emboldened sentences are Hakuba's thoughts, italics are Cavendish's.