AC: Hello and welcome back for more One Piece. In this one, we're celebrating Portgas D. Ace birthday.
Eclipse: Yep so happy birthday Fire Fist.
Dusk: We miss you, Ace.
AC: Yes we do. Now let's start story.
Humming could be heard as a woman with long wavy coral hair and white-blue skin is walking through the forest. She is enjoying the quietness around her, walking with pep in her step.
Until…
"Hey Clarity, wait up."
Said woman turns around to see Luffy running towards her, a big smile on his face.
"Luffy? Where did you come from?" The little boy stops in front of her.
"I was over there when I saw you." She hums "by the way, where you going?"
"To Foosha Village." She raise an eyebrow "why you ask?"
"Are you getting something?" Luffy grins. Clarity looks up at the sky, deciding if she wants to tell him or not. She then shrugs her shoulders before bending down.
"Can you keep a secret?"
"Hey guys." Both boys looked up to see Sabo, coming in the tree house "have any of you see Clarity?"
Ace shrugs his shoulders "I don't know. I haven't seen since this morning." He turns to Luffy "have you seen her?"
Luffy blinked. Once. Twice. "Yes."
Sabo raises an eyebrow "Really?" The raven haired boy nods "then where is she?"
"Not here." Ace and Sabo frowns at their little brother.
"Luffy." Said boy looks away "where is Clarity?"
"Not here."
"You're a terrible liar." Luffy frowns.
"I'm not lying. She's not here." Ace crosses his arms.
"Then where is she?" Before Luffy answered, Sabo steps in.
"How about this instead? Where did she go, Luffy?"
Luffy looked at his brothers, nervously biting his lips. He couldn't exactly tell them where she is but he also can't lie to them either. He wants to tell them but he promise Clarity not to. Closing his eyes, he answers the question "I can't tell you."
Sabo looks at Ace who looks back before looking back at Luffy "and why not?"
"Because it's a secret."
"Are you kidding me?" Ace groans. Sabo pat him on the back.
"Well can you at least tell us when she's coming back?"
"Probably tonight."
"TONIGHT?!" Luffy chuckles as his brothers groan.
It was late in the afternoon, almost evening, when Clarity came back. She was holding a box when she was confronted by her little ones. The boys were happy to see her again, telling her that they miss her and that it was boring without her. She giggles before telling them she will help them getting food but she had to do something first. Winking at Luffy, she continued walking, ignoring the look of suspicion on Ace and Sabo's faces.
After putting box away and hiding from view, she came back as a wolf before going hunting together. The hunt was successful as they were able to catch a huge crocodile, bringing it to Dadan so it can be cooked.
Later at Dadan's house, everyone is having a big feast, eating tons of meat. Clarity laughs as she watches her little ones fighting over food with the bandits. She shook her head, going back to eating but stops when she saw a hand.
"Take my meat and I'll take your fingers." She smirks when the hand retracts itself. She took a bite from her food, smiling in satisfaction. Sensing something is coming, she ducks before looking to see Luffy "hello sweetie."
"Hi Clarity."
"Are you ready?" A big grin was her response "okay go get your brothers." He nods before getting up and running to his brothers. She chuckle before eating her food whole. After she finish, she waited until boys stopped before leaving but not without taking a few more meat.
"Okay Clarity, why did you bring us here?" Ace asks, crossing his arms.
"Yeah Luffy told us you want to us something." Sabo said.
Clarity smiles as she sits her legs under her "I do that's why I brought you here." She grins "so I can give you this." Not caring about ruining her dress, she crawls over to a specific compartment and took out a box. She shuffle back smiling at their look, placing the box down "hope you like dessert." She opens it to reveal a cake covered in white frosting.
Ace, Sabo and Luffy awed "CAKE." Clarity giggles, taking the cake out.
"Not just only cake. It's a birthday cake."
Sabo raises an eyebrow "birthday cake? For who?"
"For Ace, my little fire star." Ace looks up, a surprise look on his face.
"But it's not birthday."
"I know but I want to celebrate it because you deserve it." Clarity smiles softly "you may think otherwise but you do and I'm going to make sure you enjoy every year. Okay?" Ace blinks his eyes, processing her words before looking away, trying not to cry.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome and here's your gift." Clarity claps her hands two times. Suddenly ball of light appear around them. The boys are in awe as the lights change different colors "happy birthday Ace." Ace grins as he tackled Clarity.
"You're awesome, Clarity."
"I know now cake time."
"Yeah."
Somewhere in the forest, Clarity along with Ace and Luffy are sitting on the grass. It was nighttime and it was quiet as they sit "Clarity is there a reason you brought us here?"
"I can't surprise you?" Ace rolls his eyes while Luffy laughs "okay okay I'll tell you." She then pointed upward "look up." The two boys look up at the sky, staring at the stars. All of a sudden, the stars began to move, changing shape.
"What?"
"Woah."
The stars have stop moving, taking into a shape of a bear before becoming to alive. It roars loudly, scaring the birds. It then jumps from the sky and into the earth, landing in front of them "ta-da."
"That is so cool." Luffy grins as he and his brother got up before running he ran to the bear. Ace didn't move from his spot just standing there as Luffy play with the bear.
"Go on sweetie." Ace turns to look at Clarity "it's your birthday gift. Go and have fun." A grin appears on his face as his eyes twinkle in excitement.
"Thank you Clarity." He ran to the star bear, petting it before climbing on along with Luffy. Once they were comfortable, the bear roars then took off. Clarity laughs enjoying the sound of joy, happy that they're having fun. She then smiles, waving at them from her spot.
"You're welcome."
"Oh Ace."
"Yes."
"Guess what?" Ace, now seventeen, turns around and grins.
"Let me guess, you got a surprise." Clarity in her bear form nods.
"Yes I do. Do you want to see it?" Receiving a nod, she steps in with Luffy right behind her, smile on their faces. They stop in front of him before she spoke "close your eyes." He closes his eyes "stick out your hand." Once he stuck out his hand, she nodded at Luffy who walked up and place an object in his hand. After he stood back, she grins "now open them."
Ace opens his eyes and looked down. He gasps as he stares at the item in his hand. It's a phoenix statue made from air clay. From the head to its torso, the color is white while the wings and tail is red to black.
"Oh wow." He lifts up the sculpture so he can look at it up close.
"You like it?" He looks up at Luffy "Clarity made that two days ago." He grins "she let me help her with the painting." Ace stares.
"I want to give you something to remember us by." She confesses. She sat up and smiles "so you don't feel lonely on your travel."
Ace didn't say anything. He just stares at them with a shock look on his face. Then without saying a word, he hugs them both, tightly while being careful with his gift. Luffy chuckles as he hug him while Clarity nuzzle him affectionately "thank you guys so much. I'll treasure this forever."
"You're welcome and happy birthday Ace."
"ACE!"
Said pirate was tackled by a coral fur dog. He laughs as he being licked in the face. The Whitebeard pirates laugh at the display as he gently pushes her off. Once she was off, he smiles "I miss you."
"You saw me last year."
"So?" He rolls his eyes.
"What are you doing here? Are you supposed to be with Luffy, in case he does something reckless?"
"I can't check up on you? Besides when it comes to you two, I got to make sure you both don't do something reckless."
"I'm a second commander of Whitebeard pirates. I'm not a kid." Clarity gave him a blank look.
"I feel bad for your crew." The entire crew laughs while Ace grumbles under his breath.
"Seriously why are you here?" A big grin appears on the dog's face.
"I came to bring a special someone a special gift." Seeing the intrigued look on his face, her grin grew bigger "wanna see it?" Ace nodded. She then bangs her paws on the ship. The moment she did that, a ball of fire appears before zooming around the ship.
"What is that?" Ace asks, watching the fire ball as he stood up.
"Your gift silly." The fire ball stops in front of them "Ace meet Blaze. He's your little companion." Blaze chirps. The flame devil fruit user grins in awe.
"Clarity that is amazing."
"Thank you. Also I have another one for the entire crew." Ace tilts his head. Whitebeard chuckles in amusement.
"What gift you got for us, shape shifter?" The shape shifter silently stood up before stepping back. Once she was in the clear, she closes her eyes as she summons more fireballs in different colors. When she felt she has enough, she sends them into the sky. It was quiet as nothing happen until suddenly.
Bang.
Fireworks appeared in the sky. Display in different colors and shape. It was like their own firework show.
"Whoa."
"Holy cow."
"That's beautiful."
Clarity preened. It always brings her joy to hear people be amazed by her gifts. A pair of arms encircled her before hugging her. Knowing who it is, she nuzzles her little one who nuzzles back.
"Thanks Clare."
"You're welcome."
Clarity is standing by the cliff on Rusukaina, staring out to the sea. Her high ponytail swaying with the wind but she pays no mind. She didn't care about the coldness or the silence or anything else. No for you see, the woman is in pain. What kind of pain you ask? The pain of losing her precious fire star.
She stare into the moonlit sea as a frown graces her face. She continued to stare for a few minute until she sighs. She closes her eyes, taking deep breath then let it out.
I miss you
I love you
I can't believe you're gone
Your laughter, your smiles are now memories
She sang, pouring out the lyrics from her heart.
I miss you
I love you
You're my little one
The day that I lost you, my heart became undone
Opening her eyes, she frowns as memories of that day flash before her eyes.
You were special to me like your brothers
You were part of me like a missing piece
You're the light that shines so bright
But then darkness came and snuffs out the light
She clenches her fists then unclench it. She took another deep breath, calming herself down.
I miss you
I love you
I can't believe you're gone
Your laughter, your smiles are now memories
I miss you
I love you
You're my little one
The day that I lost you, my heart became undone
It been months since that war at Marineford and she couldn't help but feel all kind of emotions. The emotion that sticks out the most is sadness. She bit her lips, trying hard not to cry as she continued.
Oh my little one
Why you have to go?
We're so alone without you here
She hugs herself as her eyes began to well up with tears. Why him? Why did this happen to him? He didn't deserve to die and Luffy didn't deserve to lose another family.
Things are not the same
Because you're not here
I wish to have you back in my arms again
She took another breath as she drops her arms by her side. She gritted her teeth thinking that she fail him, fail Luffy and for that she apologize to him, hoping he hears her.
Oh Ace, I'm sorry
So sorry that I couldn't protect you
I tried so hard to keep you from harm
But in the end I lost you
Forever
Soon tears stream down her face as she lifts her left arm. A ball of fire appears in her hand, the same one she had gave to him. It was warm like his devil fruit giving her warmth. It brought a bit of smile to her face. The fire ball chirps then flew around her as she sang.
But I know I'll see you again
No matter how long it takes
Because I know you are here
Here in my heart, my fire star
She cups her hands as miniature fireballs in greenish-yellowish light appeared. She sniffled, reminding her so much of him. Closing her eyes, she smiles before letting them go, sending them off. She chuckles as she sang the end of her song, watching them go.
I miss you
I love you
I hate that you're gone
But you'll live on in my heart
For you're never gone
I miss you
I love you
You're forever part of me
I'll see you again
My precious fire star
"Happy birthday Ace."
"Is everyone here?"
"Yes we're here Clarity." Nami smiles as the rest of the crew walked on the deck. Each of them is holding sky lanterns in their hands. It was dark outside which is perfect for what's going to happen next.
"And it seems everyone have their sky lanterns. Perfect simply perfect." She giggles when Luffy affectionately bump her shoulder "now Blaze." The fire ball appears from behind "light them up will you." Blaze chirps before lighting up the matches in each lantern, before floating next to Clarity "thank you."
She looks at everyone on the ship and smile softly before looking at her lantern. It glows in an orange color from the flame and that made smile more because it brought her memories. A single tear cascade her face before she wipes away. This is a special day so no sadness. Especially on his special day.
She took a deep breath then grins "okay on a count of three." Everyone got ready.
"One. Two. Three." On three, everyone release the lanterns into the sky. They watch as their lantern is lifted high like a hot hair balloon. Clarity smiles softly. A hand grabs hers which cause her to turn to see Luffy smiling. Soon the rest of the Straw hats surround her. She smiles even more, squeezing his hand before looking back at the sky. As if they're in sync, they took a deep breath then shout.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ACE."
AC: I have to throw in that angst but hey at least you got comfort in the end.
Dusk: Still a bit evil.
Eclipse: Lol.
AC: Shush! Both of you *look at readers* later everyone, see you next time.