Uh.. oh! For long I didn't update nor practice my English. I believed my English had been so rusty already. So, maybe… I'll try to update a bit more to once again practice my second language.. Or so I hope. Good news that this series had been long finished, so… It just needed a bit touch up here and there.
So… here goes nothing~
Eichiro Oda- sensei still own One Piece, Hail Oda...~~ \(^o^\)
(And I don't even continue one piece series since Wano! OMG! I really need to update my life!)
CURSED or BLESSED [38] : Kings
Suddenly, he felt an excruciating pain on abdomen. Mihawk was already behind him, with claw smeared with blood. He then licked his claw, tasting Zoro's blood.
"Oh.. I understand."
* HnO HnO HnO HnOHnOHnOHnO HnO HnO HnO HnO HnO HnO *
"You are interesting young man. Why don't I give you two options?"
"I won't play your game." Zoro snarled with animosity.
"Hehehe… In the end you will still have to choose." Mihawk said.
"Marimo! He is not your opponent!" Sanji warned his mate that he would stand no chance challenging the vampire king.
"Shut up! Doesn't mean I have to back down and run!" being said, the green head dashed towards Mihawk, swords readied to cut all obstacles in front of him.
"ONI-"
CLANG! Sword clashed.
His swords were stopped. By a small knife.
"Wha-!" he couldn't believe himself. How could he be stopped with such tiny knife? What kind of joke was this?
[I can't move…] he thought, trying to push down his swords, giving more strength. But it felt like to be hold on by such impenetrate strength.
[What did he do? No one ever stop this technique before…]
"MARIMOO!" Sanji tried to call him, pulling him back from whatever trance state he was in.
[This.. can't be happening… this can't be right…]
"BAKA MARIMO!"
That snapped the green head. He leapt backwards, before bolted his way again towards the King. This time his swordplay was wilder, merciless. He wielded it with more strength, automatically switched his agility into raw power, trying to break his defense.
"What a ferocity swordplay you got there." Mihawk said in between the fight. He parried all Zoro's malicious attacks with such ease, making the green head rage in disbelief.
[I have to beat this guy…] he thought.
CLANK! CLANKK!
Two swords parried with that tiny knife, an unpleasant rhythm with each beat. Zoro's barrage attacks were either being parried or dodge. Another two slashes, before Zoro thrown backwards. Again.
"Ghhk!" Zoro muttered, but he didn't give up. Once again, he was back to his stance, and sprinted towards Mihawk, trying to land one or two hits.
Zoro was already drenched in sweat. He was both exhausted and in shock. He once belief that he was strong enough to protect his family, his nakama. But what the hell was this? He was nothing in front of him. How could this be?! How could he protect his family? His nakama? His Sanji?! HOW? His pride was crumbling in every strike he launched. He couldn't… he couldn't win against him? So, he had to re-watch his precious to be massacre? Not this time. He would do everything to protect them! Hell, he would even trade his life to save them. NO! HE WOULD NOT LOSE!
"TORA-" He made another stance, dashed towards his enemy, "-GARI!"
But then,
[It's okay now. You are safe with us. And we won't let you face anything alone. We will be by your side. So, bet yourself with us, let us face it together. You'll see a change, a better one.] a promise he made to the blond suddenly popped in his mind.
"GHAAHKKK!" he saw the knife was coming, he knew it would be going straight into his chest. He could dodge it so it wouldn't go straight into his heart. Yet, he didn't. His instinct was screaming to him, yet he had a feeling that he shouldn't. He himself also didn't understand why.
The knife embedded in his chest. Blood trickled from the punctured hole where he had been stabbed, so did from his mouth.
That startled even Mihawk.
"Do you want to die?" he asked. Zoro coughed some blood, before answering.
"Kheh! And let you kill my friends? No!"
"Why didn't you dodge it?"
"… and back down? Not a chance! As a fellow swordman, I do want to fight you fair and square."
"Fair and square? Despite our race?"
"Swordplay and race are two… different things, don't you think?" He grinned so annoyingly.
* HnO HnO HnO HnOHnOHnOHnO HnO HnO HnO HnO HnO HnO *
"Dammit! You are so troublesome! I have to save my nakama! " Luffy was already panting so hard, he could hear himself wheezing.
"Khh… back to you, kid! I also have people I protect.." Katakuri was puking blood.
The two of them had been fighting fiercely. Cuts and bruises were all over their body, their stamina was long gone. Only sheer of stubbornness moved those men.
"I won't let you take Sanji from us…"
"And I can't let you pass that easily."
"Kuukakuha: Nuru-shiba!" Luffy activated his nullifying skill. Knowing what his opponent capable of, Katakuri deftly move from the white circle appearing below him.
"Dammit! Yo-"
Suddenly Luffy collapsed to the ground, leaving Katakuri in confusion.
"Nhihihi… Onii-sannn! You are indeed the strongest!" suddenly a laughed resounding in the air, from near the boy. Katakuri looked around and found her little sister, Flampe.
"You've won the battle, right? He died right?"
"The hell…."
"Katakuri Onii-san?"
"So it was you.." he asked, moving closer to the girl. "Flampe.. Did you do it?"
"That's right, Onii-sama. Pat my head and tell me I'm a good girl." She smiled shining brightly, thinking that she had done the right thing to help her most favorite big brother.
"DON'T BE A NUISANCE IN A FIGHT BETWEEN MEN!" the usual cold and calm man, was raging in anger for what she had done. It was unfair! As much as he had plan to assassinate the other Royal family, he enjoyed his fight with this boy named Luffy. How dare she interrupting their heated battle.
"Bu-but… I.."
"FUCK OFF!" He didn't realize he was already shouting towards her little sister, who was already trembling in both fear and disgusted.
That was when his scarf moved from its usual place.
"Wh… what is that with your mouth?" She asked, realizing something. She then grabbed his scarf to pull it off him.
Katakuri didn't do much, at this point, he didn't care about his looks anymore. He let the little girl pulled his scarf off himself, revealing what has been his secret up until,
"Wh-… what…. Is that… Yo..you are so lame! YOU ARE SO LAME!" she shouted. "Always noble, strong, calm, and perfect in every way! But you let that rat beat you up like this! You aren't Katakuri Onii-sama! How pathetic! You even look like a pelican eel!"
"….." the magenta head didn't respond any of her sneers.
"Disgusting! I'm even ashamed to say that I'm your biological sister!" she finished it with a spit on his face.
Katakuri didn't say anything. He just wiped her spit then showing his back to her, and moving towards to the unconscious Luffy, except he just notice that her big sister, Compote was already there, ready to stab the noirette with her claws.
"COMPOTE-ANEE-!"
"Stop it right there!" the voice was calm yet arduous and terrorizing. Even Compote who managed to face the vampire king's power, was losing her conscious in that very second.
Katakuri quickly turned his attention unto the other party who had such force. He saw a man.
His hair was fiery red. Three old scars on his left eye. His white shirt half buttoned up shirt was a mess, not the best combination with his dusty brown cut pants. Around his waist was a red sash to keep the sword on his waist. A long sweeping black cape was on his back. He was lean and quite small compare to Katakuri, but his power exceeded even Big Mom herself.
[Who is this man?] Katakuri couldn't help but think.
"I believe he is under my supervision. Pardon my rudeness, but I will take him back." The red head stated. His tone interlaced with strength and intensity. Katakuri knew he didn't take rejection as an answer, but nonetheless he tried.
"What if I decline that."
"I will do what it takes to retrieve him." The redhead answered, "you can complain to your king if anything." He added with a wide grin.
Katakuri frowned.
"What are you?"
"Time will tell."
* HnO HnO HnO HnOHnOHnOHnO HnO HnO HnO HnO HnO HnO *
"Hmph! Kid, state your name."
"Roronoa… Zoro!"
"I will remember it. I haven't seen anyone like you in millennium. You are right, I am a swordman too. As a courtesy, I'll burry you using this strongest black blade I have."
Zoro was readying his stances, he didn't even care about the hole in his chest, he didn't care his mouth taste like steel. He only focused onto one thing, the strongest in front of him.
[So this will be my last hit. If I miss, I'll die.]
"Are you ready?"
[Live? Or death? Which one will it be?]
It was Mihawk who leapt towards the beast, with a big black blade in his hand. He didn't seem got any problem swinging a giant sword with his lean body.
Last chance! Zoro was already in his stance, welcoming the attack. This last attack would settle everything.
Sanji couldn't even blink, watching the battle of a monster and a stubborn. He couldn't even think what will happen next. He didn't want to think about it. He just saw everything from the start. He just couldn't interfere the battle. Zoro would not appreciate his help, hell he would be in rage.
The two men clashed. It was so quick. One couldn't follow with only their vision.
"Sanzen seikai*1"
In a blink Mihawk was already behind the beast, while Zoro's favorites swords were broken apart. Then blood spurt from his chest.
[I lost… I'm no match for him…]
"I give you last chance. Yours or his?" came the question.
"Take mine."
"So be it." Mihawk said curtly. He was already facing Zoro's back. Zoro didn't run nor defending himself, he turned back with open arms, he faced him.
"What are you..-"
"Scars on the back are a shame for swordsman."
"Respect!" Mihawk praised the Vill, who was stand tall despite his lost.
"NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOO!"
With one swift strike, the black sword slashed Zoro's chest. Blood was spurting out from his chest. He coughed a good amount of blood. Zoro was being thrown away by the strong impact. He didn't even feel any pain, despite the horrid wound he got, the beast had blackened out second after he received the blow.
[Now it will be on your mate, young man.]
"ZOOORRRROOOOOO!" Sanji wailed in horror, calling for his soulmate. With all strength left in him, he run towards his dying beast.
* HnO HnO HnO HnOHnOHnOHnO HnO HnO HnO HnO HnO HnO *
"Wh-what's with him?! It's freakin hot!" Moscato was in panic, while trying to extinguish fire that had been lit on him accidentally.
"Da-dammit! We can't go near him!" Opera warned his other brothers.
"H-.. We can't handle this one! He is a demon!" Cinnamon shouted in fear when she realized that their opponent was not even a living thing.
"Why is he here anyway?!" Raisin asked in confusion.
"Who the hell have any idea about that?! We have to finish him som-" Opera couldn't finish his word when another fireball was coming towards him. "Dammit!" he cursed, while dodging it.
"How dare you…" the freckled demon growled menacingly. His voice was so intimidating, those who heard his voice, felt sudden coldness under their skin. "Kill… I will kill all of you.." he was chanting the same words over and over again. Rage, grief, resentment, despair fused into one. He couldn't feel anything else. He couldn't think of anything else. He didn't need anything else, the only thing he needed now is his blond. His love, his one and only. Sabo.
He needed his comfort, his warmth, his smell, Ace needed him. He needed Sabo whole.
But that had turned into longing he couldn't have it anymore. Because they took it from him. These bastards robbed it from him. They killed his blond. He couldn't forgive them. He would make them pay, with their lives. No.. it wasn't enough. The world… need to pay it.
His fire burst, engulfing his figure. The Charlottes around him were unable to move even for an inch. They were stuck in the ground, like something unseen rooting them.
Ace glanced over them. His night orbs met with another pair of orbs of Moscato.
"AAAKKKHHH!" Moscato cried in pain. Even there was a great distance between them, all of a sudden Moscato burnt. Red flame laced with pure hatred and fury.
"Mos- Moscato Anii-ue!" his younger brothers panicked, trying to save him, but nobody able to touch him now. It was an illusion. They could see him, but he wasn't even there.
"Wh-what happened to him?!" Cinnamon was trying to catch him, but it was futile. Her hand caught nothing, not even she could feel the heat of the flame.
"I-.. is it illusion? He-.. he just giving us an illusion, right?!" Raisin stuttered, trying to digest what was actually happening.
"That might right…" Opera added in uncertainty.
"B-but… but Moscato Anii-ue is…. HE IS BURNING!" Mascarpone stressed out.
"St-.. STOP HIIM! WE HAVE TO STOP HIM!" Joscarpone alarmed the other, pointing to the demon who was only standing still. However, it was a wrong move. Her scream provoked the fire demon. Ace looked onto her.
She was eaten in fire.
"KKYYYAAAA! IT'S HOOOTT! SAVE MEEE!"
"Sa-…"
"JOSCARPONNEEE!" her twin brother, Mascarpone tried desperately to grab her. Nobody could touch her. She was turned into another burning illusion.
"All of you.. will pay with your lives…"
"Cocoon." Came the voice. Then the blood lust demon was being engulfed in a white thread. Ace realized, and was trying to dodge it. But the string was going after him.
"DON'T INTERFERE!" roared the demon.
Yet the string managed to catch his right leg and instantly they were gathering around him, making a cocoon nest around him.
"DOFLAMINGOO!" was his last wail, before the cocoon was completely engulfed the fire demon.
With that the raging fire which was killing two Charlottes was off and the two just collapse to the ground. Moscato was unlucky compared to his sister. He was already burnt so bad he had had become ashes when his burnt body touched the ground.
"Mo…. Mo- MOSCATO ANII-UE!"
"Hu- Hurry check on Joscarpone!" Opera quickly ordered his younger siblings to treat their burnt little sister.
"Well, well… would you look at that.." said the same voice who had stopped the demon.
"We should get over here faster! We don't want to start a war with him, do we?!" barked another voice, followed by a sound of someone getting slap.
"At least we save the other one. One or two lives won't make any different, don't you think? It is a war after all."
"Wh-… who are you guys..?" Opera asked, even though he was trembling, even though he wanted to run, he tried his best to protect his siblings.
"You could call us that demon mentor." The lanky tanned guy in a pink coat said. He was floating, hands in his pockets. His malicious smile decorating his handsome face.
"We are very sorry for the trouble, but from here on, we will take care of him." The other one said. A blond with a black coat, apologetic expression on his face.
"You don't think I would let him go after what he had done to my brother, do you?!" Opera hissed, stepping forward to distance his siblings from whatever they were.
"Don't push your luck, boy! You can't even beat him, now you think you can fight against us? You can dream on that." The pink coat with glasses man jeering at them.
"Who do you think you-" Opera was cut harshly.
"He is the demon king. You are nothing against him, trash!" the blond spat eerily. His apologetic face was gone, replaced by a very disgusted look. "You should know your place!" he added. Tone so venomous, Opera swore he was nearly getting spasm.
"Now that had been settled. Bye trash! We will be taking him and the other." Doflamingo said. He then flew away nonchalantly followed by the blond, the cocoon and Sabo's body.
* HnO HnO HnO HnOHnOHnOHnO HnO HnO HnO HnO HnO HnO *
"I never know you can throw such a lively party, eh Takanome.."
Mihawk turned his attention to the source of the voice. He saw a glimpse of red. He sighed.
Yes, he knew exactly who was he! Hell, he couldn't even forget him even if he wanted to. That man was such a prick! He was like a needle in his flesh, he couldn't remove it and it keep bugging him. It was the red hair, Shanks. Nonetheless, he was one of a kind and Mihawk couldn't kill him nor he could let him live peacefully. They had this kind of love-hate relationship. In other word, eternal rival.
"I apologize for my boy."
"The one with the straw hat, isn't it?"
"Yeah.. him. He often reacts without thinking."
"Reminiscing your past?"
"Ahaahahah! You know me so well, don't you?" Shanks laughed heartily. It was just his usual self. Mihawk didn't respond him. "What will you do next?" came the question.
"Discussing this with those demons?"
"I can be your representative if you want me to?"
"Why is that?"
"My sorry and thanks, for the trouble that boy had caused."
"Hmm.. I'll leave it to you then. I still have other things to do." The vampire king said.
"Hahahahaha! That's why I like you! I owe you one, Takanome!"
"Whatever."
Shanks was grinning like a madman. He couldn't thank Mihawk enough for letting this slip. Oh, he had to make sure Luffy meet hell after this. But for now… let's deal the demons.
* HnO HnO HnO HnOHnOHnOHnO HnO HnO HnO HnO HnO HnO *
"Marimo… Marimo please…. Open your eyes…"
His usual perfect clean cut replaced by a messed up looks. Tears damping his pale face, blood was all over him. No, it wasn't his blood. It was the beast. He cried and cried, but the beast laying still.
Zoro was in his hug, motionless. His face was so peaceful, Sanji couldn't contain himself.
"Everything will be okay… it will be okay. You will be okay…" He chanted the sentence over and over and over, over again. The chanted was more for himself, trying to believe that his partner would awake and gave him that stupid smile, like it was nothing. Nevertheless, he couldn't believe his word himself. His heart seemed still racing out of control, his brain was playing all the negatives possibility they had to face.
Sanji had tried everything he could to save his soul. He had tried kissed him, hoping that the Vill would respond as it should be, but he got nothing. The blond had tried to give him, his blood, but he didn't bug. Sanji had tried licked his gashing wound, trying to stop the blood, it stopped, but he didn't get any better. Seconds changed into minutes, the blond was getting more and more terrified.
Dread was creeping into him, painfully slow. Lump on his throat, chill under his skin. He felt his heart was shattering into pieces by every seconds. He didn't want Zoro to leave him. He couldn't let him go. He wanted this freakin stupid beast. He needed him. It didn't matter if the idiot beast doesn't love him back, as long as he could smile together, bickering each other, fight one another. It was enough! As long as he lived. He didn't need anything more. He just needed the green head bastard.
"Marimo…. Please.. don't do this to me… don't do this to us. Luffy needs you. We all need you… I-… I need you… Zoro…." He pleaded, hugging Zoro by his head with all his might. He couldn't let him go. Not like this.
"I see how precious he meant to you, Avare." Mihawk voice was what triggered the blond.
Swiftly he turned onto him, stood from his sit, grabbed his shirt collar and started yelling like a mad man. He was losing himself. He didn't even know what was he doing.
"WHY DID YOU DO THIS?! WHY?! WHY DID YOU TAKE HIM?! WHY DIDN'T YOU TAKE MEEE? ASNWER MEEEEE!"
Yet, Sanji didn't receive any answer. He was thrown backwards, and crashed onto the wall.
"It was his decision. I asked him, you or himself. He chose you. Flattering don't you think?"
"FUCK THAT! I DON'T BELIEVE THAT! HE HAD AND ALWAYS HAS TO PROTECT LUFFY! HOW COULD HE CHOSE ME?!"
"I see." Mihawk sighed. Sanji was already lurching onto him again, wanting to kill his own king. "Avare." The king announced, and Sanji froze. As much as Sanji want to retaliate against his power, Mihawk was his king and he had no power to do so.
"As much as you don't believe him. What had happened, happened."
"NO! I can't let any of this happened! I had to do something! I HAVE TO SAVE HIM!"
"Indeed. We have to save him." Said a very pleasant calming voice. Both Vampires turned their attention to see an elegant noirette lady. Beside her stood a man with blue hair with Hawaiian shirt and white shorts.
"RO-Robiin-chwan…." Sanji called her with his weaken voice. He was exhausted. He didn't want any of these people die trying to save his sorry ass.
"This is not the first time we meet I suppose." Mihawk greeted the lady.
"Yes, we aren't. You know me as the watcher. Vampire King-san."
"Ahh… so that's why."
"Pardon my rudeness, but… are we still fighting?" Robin continued the conversation without any fear at all, knowing that the war was actually over.
"Depends on this young man."
Sanji couldn't belief what he had heard. Depends on him? What was that supposed to mean? He isn't the one who start the war. He just wanted to be with his nakama. He wanted to save his bond. What should he do to save Zoro? What should be done to save everybody?! What should be stop?
"I don't want to fight you. But I don't want to lose them either."
"And I take no pleasure of taking lives of those who lose their fighting spirit."
"Please… Dracule-sama… save him."
"Sorry child. But I had no power to resurrect things."
"He had not yet died! Don't kill him as you please!" Sanji hissed, couldn't control his voice. Getting an octave higher in every word between the cracking.
"If it is then. I suppose we can use this to save the world, can't we?" Robin said, moving closer to the beast. She gave him a soft brushed on his tanned cheek, wiping some blood off his peaceful face.
"And what is it that we are talking about?" Sanji asked in confusion.
"This." A cracked dimension opened in front of her. She then slipped her hand into it, fishing for something. A knife in a scabbard. The scabbard was pure white, embed with black titanium in the end of the scabbard. In the middle décor with a crescent moon.
"Mon'dreverie. So, you managed to find that." Mihawk said.
"Mo-… Mon'dreverie?!" Sanji eyes widen. That was the thing Chopper was looking for! His treasure!
"We did. Because this is our last chance." Robin uttered, smiling contently, "So that we don't need to fight, I will have Sanji use this to save his partner then." She added.
"Save… Zoro? With that? I don't get it."
"Mm.. HAHAHAHAHHAHA! I really want to see where this will be going." Mihawk suddenly laughed like he got another interesting thing to entertain him. "Yes, of course, please do what you have to do with that."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Robin gave her thanks and set her attention fully to the Avare. "Now Sanji. Are you ready for this?"
"What are you talking about, Robin-chwan?"
"Your true trial."
* HnO HnO HnO HnOHnOHnOHnO HnO HnO HnO HnO HnO HnO *
"Greetings to the Demon King and his partner. I see you have regained your conscious, Rocinante-dono."
"My, my… The Farlig king himself is coming to greet us. What a pleasant surprise." Doflamingo responded. His usual impure smile still plastered on his face.
"Hello there, Shanks-dono. Thank you for your concern. Yes, I am well as you can see."
"That's a very good news. You have no idea what we've been through without you by his side." Shanks replied, smiling widely as his always do. That made the pale blond blushed.
"I-.. I have no idea." He curtly replied.
"Enough this trash talk. Would you mind tell me directly what are you trying to do?"
"I came as a representative from the Vampire king. Well, not that I'm working under him forever, just for the time being, I am."
"Heee… what a news. So, the Farlig's have no king right now?"
"Naah, not that kind of thing. We do have to take care the whole mess, don't we?"
"Ahh… you mean this?" Doflamingo jerked his thumb to his back, displaying the cocoon and Sabo's body.
"My! Sabo! What had happened?"
"Khehehe… so this is yours, eh? I-" he got a strong gut from Rocinante.
"Pardon for his wording style. It's just him. He didn't intend to be rude whatsoever." His lover cut him out.
"Ah.. I see. Then… I will do as your explanation then." Shanks replied, "Mind to share what had happened? Concerning this also related to one of my people."
"As much as we wanted, we had no idea what had happened. Why don't we ask him then?"
"That will the easiest indeed." Doflamingo agreed with him.
He undid his Cocoon prison, and came out a drained Ace.
The cocoon was absorbing all the attacks that Ace unleashed. It was no easy tasks though. Ace was acting like rabid inside, Doflamingo had to make three, four layers around it to prevent the leak.
"Have you regained your composure?" the demon king asked, demanding to be answer.
"I'm very sorry for causing an uproar, my King." The fire demon answered weakly. His usual energy was gone and his aura was so gloom, the two Demons didn't belief what they see. This fire demon was never, EVER displaying this side of him to everyone.
"What had happened actually?" the demon king started, but Ace didn't bother to respond him. He didn't bug, his vision was blank like he wasn't even there. He didn't feel alive at all, not that demon was a living thing, but still….
"Ace… If you didn't tell us anything, we couldn't help you at all." Rocinante tried different approach. There still was no respond.
"Is this about the blond behind you?" Shanks butted in softly. That caught Ace attention. He quickly turned his head to the back. He saw him. He saw his world. In that exact second, he felt the world shattered into pieces. There would nothing could fix this, he supposed. He just couldn't contain the myriad feelings in his chest. What was this? Even when his father and mother left him, he didn't feel as heavy as this? What had happened to him? Why he felt dying when he saw Sabo's body? Wasn't Sabo who had died? Not him? He couldn't understand the reason. He had no heart inside his chest, still what was this burden in his chest? It was sickeningly hurt, aching to see the blond's radiant smile. He blinked once.
Tears rolled down his cheek.
For the first time in his whole time, he cried. Ace the fire demon was crying.
* HnO HnO HnO HnO – To Be Continued – HnO HnO HnO HnO *
Hehehehe… I am cruel, maybe?
Yes! I will always be waiting for your comments and critiques. See you soon!
Jyaa! ^o^/
HnO