Chapter 22
The Old King's Reign – 326 Years In
Ann watched the royal carriage from the crowds. Lady Morgan, who was from the witch clan gifted with foresight, had predicted an assassination today. It was the King's birthday, and as he did every year, he paraded among the public.
In Ann's opinion, his birthdays must have been boring by now. He did the same thing every year. Meanwhile Ann enjoyed trying new things each year. Sometimes she had lazy birthdays, or exciting ones, or breathtaking ones. She and her family always went wild and did whatever they wanted.
"Ann." A hand tugged at the sleeve of her jacket.
Ann blinked, glancing down to see a blue haired child, the God of Mischief, staring up at her. He appeared to her as a six year old, big eyed and tiny. He was frowning heavily, a furrow in his brow.
"What's wrong, Buggy?" Ann asked.
"Take this seriously."
Ann startled. "What do you mean?"
"You think because he is a God he cannot be killed," Buggy said softly. "But there are ways, and this time it's demon blood."
"How can demon blood kill a God?" Ann frowned. "And how do you even know all this?"
"Gods are the embodiment of life, while demons are death. Any undead creature could hurt us in theory," Buggy said, brushing his coat aside.
Ann paled.
His side was covered in blood, and black tribal tattoos.
"They shot me with an arrow yesterday as a test run," Buggy said, grimacing. "I still haven't finished healing. Shanks has been such a pain about it..."
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Ann asked hesitantly.
Buggy snorted. "And let the other Gods know I'm injured? We're not as united as we would have the world believe, Ann. No, better for them not to know how weak I am right now."
The crowd began yelling excitedly and clapping. Ann spotted the carriage coming. Imu waved to his subjects, regal in his golden crown and golden robes. Ann glanced back down, but Buggy was gone.
At first all was cheerful and bright, even as Ann searched around, trying to look for a shift in the crowd. All remained peaceful. But something tingled at the back of her mind. A flash of lightning crackled across the street, and suddenly her mother was in front of Imu.
An arrow in her chest.
Ann screamed as her mother fell.
.::.
Imu yelled, rushing to his feet. He caught Rouge in one arm, twisting round so it was his body between her and the bowman. A black, sickly ink crawled from the wound, into her skin. Drowning out the warmth of her body. She gasped, clutching the arrow's shaft, whimpering.
Imu waved away the arrow, but scowled when it didn't vanish.
Rouge hissed. "D-Demons!"
Demons. Imu glowered. His magic didn't work so well over creatures of death. He could hear them laughing. He turned, raising his hand, ready to blast everything into oblivion. One of his witches was hurt. One of his children.
He'd kill everyone and everything here.
Only his children would be spared.
The seven demons surrounding their carriage mocked him even as the crowd ran away screaming. They raised their bows and Imu growled lowly. Arrows flew through the air, and Imu brought up a shield, despite feeling the darkness and death leaking off them. It would hurt, but he knew what was coming now. He could prepare for it.
A wall of fire cut them off, disintegrating the arrows. He saw his youngest Portgas' shadow before the wall of flames. He could feel the flare of her magic. Becoming a beacon of power. The fire was enough to make Imu sweat. A sensation he had not felt in so long.
Then her snarl of fury as she charged. Swords clanged, and magic roared. Imu pressed his hand to Rouge's chest, forcing all of his healing touch into her.
.::.
Ann twisted beneath a demon, cutting across his knees. He snarled, tried to boot her back, but she turned to lightning, zapping into place behind him, cutting off his head with a swing of her sword. Fire flared from her, and she threw it into her enemies, snarling.
They'd burn. She's burn them all back to hell for hurting her mum.
Ann blocking an arrow with her sword, sending it flying off into the distance. She spun, throwing her dagger, launching it in a demon's chest. The woman collapsed with a strangled cry, but Ann rushed her, crushing her neck with her boot.
The fire around them grew wilder and wilder, and she grinned wolfishly in the middle of it all. The ladies at court would be horrified, and the idea delighted her.
Let them call her a feral little elf. Ann would happily accept the title if it meant she could protect her family.
.::.
The flames snapped out of existence, startling Imu once more. He turned on his heel, and stared in astonishment.
The seven demons were dead. Burnt to ashes.
Portgas D. Ann stood triumphant before their bodies. Eyes hard and burning, dagger and sword bloody in her hands. Ann jumped up on to the carriage, instantly by her mother's side.
"Mum!" Ann called, cradling her face. "Are you alright?"
Rouge laughed, coughing as she did so. "Did you seriously beat them by yourself?"
Ann grinned wildly. "They should know better than to anger a Portgas."
Imu brushed Ann's hair back, rubbing her cheek with his thumb. "You did well, my sweet girl. But how did you manage so? That was the most magic I had felt from any mortal in a long time."
He wasn't lying either. Imu hadn't felt such an insane amount of magic from a mortal since he had been one himself.
"They were going to attack you and they hurt my mum," Ann said sharply. "I'm pissed."
Imu smiled soothingly. "An angry Portgas is certainly nothing to ever scoff at, is it?"
The Portgas family were truly strong. It was a relief that they would always be bound to him. His lovely head witches. Imu scooped Rouge up into his arms.
"We're leaving." Imu waved his hand, teleporting them all away back to the safety of his castle.
He'd find out if those demons had been working by themselves or not. If they were working with someone, there would be no mercy for them. Imu would tear them apart in front of his entire court in revenge for Rouge.
.::.
"How dare you involve my wife and daughter, Issho!"
"I did not wish to, but they will do whatever it takes to protect the King. The Gods will not fall easily. We could not afford to stay our arrows, Roger."
Roger growled lowly, and Marco could see his fists clenching.
"So what will you do?" Kureha circled Issho, eyes glinting. "Burn us at the stake? All because we are bound to our dearest King's soul and blood?"
The all heard the sharp sound of steel being drawn. Ryuma had drawn his sword. Marco paled at the sight, and Issho must have heard it clearly, because he tensed up.
"I joined you to get the chance to free Mr. Prince. If that 'freedom' is death, then trust me, I shall grant you all the freedom you seek right now," Ryuma warned.
They were back at their base after the disaster that had been the parade. The demons Issho had summoned were supposed to take Imu out, but Rouge had gotten in the way. Marco had barely stopped himself from screaming. He had been in the crowd, horrified as Ann stepped into the fight, burning with rage. The magic he had felt from her had almost been overwhelming. Something he wasn't used to from her.
Her fire had been mesmerising.
And her blades fast.
"No. The head witches do not deserve such a fate. I only wish to stop the Gods," Issho said lowly. "Those who have ruined our world throughout the years. Imu, the God of Everything, Teach, the God of Darkness, Shandora, the Goddess of Gold, and Xebex, the God of Pain. They need to be brought down."
Roger glowered. "You heeded my warning about Mischief then?"
"We will not attack the child again." Issho bowed his head. "I promise on my honour as an orc of the warrior tribe."
"Good," Roger sighed, as Ryuma sheathed his sword, earning a few sighs of relief. "I can handle him. Now, I'm going to go see my family. We will have to come up with another plan soon. But not until I know Rouge and Ann are alright."
"I am glad to hear our alliance shall continue then," Ryuma mused, eye them all. "But heed my words."
"Yeah, we get it, you want to save that blonde witch," Kureha chuckled.
"He is my rival," Ryuma admitted. "He is not at his full power when someone puppeteers him."
Marco twitched. That was why Ryuma was trying to free Mr. Prince from Imu's control so badly? He wanted to fight his rival properly? Kureha threw her head back and cackled.
"That's the reason?!"
"Of course." Ryuma nodded. "I wish to see his full strength."
Roger paused, tilting his head. "I need to get flowers. A huge set of them. And lots of chocolate."
Marco raised a brow. "I think Rouge would be happy if you just arrived quietly yoi."
"No! I must deliver the biggest set of flowers, and show her that I'm an amazing husband!" Roger grinned. "She'll love it. I can just see it now. We'll go home together and the flowers will decorate the manor and it will be so pretty. I'll get Ann some too!"
Marco had a feeling this wouldn't end well.
.::.
"Kobatu," Imu sighed. "Calm down, the wound is gone."
Kobatu whimpered, stumbling about dizzily. Levi sighed, shaking his head, staring imploringly at him.
"This is what I have to put up with," Levi complained.
"It's not my fault I was born to the Healing Clan!" Kobatu groaned. "I like studying medicines, not performing surgery!"
Honestly, Imu had thought the elf would have overcome her fear of blood after all these years. But apparently not still. He had brought Rouge to Kobatu for healing, but found her with Levi Trafalgar, the pair studying medical journals together. It was probably a good thing, considering Kobatu's fear of blood. Levi had treated Rouge, and as a reward Imu had allowed some of the Amber Lead to leave his body. He'd feel less sickly, but that was it.
He did not want the little traitor to gain ideas. Levi deserved to suffer his punishment, and Imu vowed to make sure he did.
"You don't need to perform surgery as a healer, Hiramatsu. Just use magic-"
"Levi, using my last name just makes me panic more!"
"Yes, Spirit Healer, remember what I did to your kind for siding with Joy Boy," Imu warned.
He could easily put the Amber Lead he'd taken out back in. Not that Levi knew Imu had kindly taken some away, but he would notice it sooner or later if the poison Imu had drawn was left out. Imu paused at Levi's silence, then mentally cursed himself. Perhaps he should not have revealed that. Imu had promised Doflamingo not to, and right not the Angel didn't seem too stable these last few years. Imu could feel his soul slowly darkening with rage the more Imu denied him.
He did want to keep the Angel on his side. Doflamingo was far less dangerous that way.
But in the end this was Levi's fault. Him and the other traitorous scum that had sided with Joy Boy. Joy Boy was the weak 'King'. Imu had been strong. He had executed Joy Boy and many of his allies, and every single one of them had deserved it.
Levi stiffened. "My kind?"
Imu chuckled. "Did you think it was just you I punished? Or that you were the only one who sided with Joy Boy?"
Levi threw him a disgruntled look, but Imu could taste the fear and it made him smile coldly. It wasn't just Levi he had infected with Amber Lead. It was all the Spirit Healers that were in the world. He would crush their creation, and then the Angels could create something better if Imu allowed it. Their first creations after all tended to be a bit rebellious to Imu's rule.
"I've not seen any other Spirit Healers in a long time..." Levi admitted, brow furrowed. "They..."
Imu smiled coldly. "The only reason you lived was because of your father. The others did not have that privilege."
Something dangerous flicked in Levi's eyes, but Imu ignored it. Something much more dangerous was heading right for him. Imu dodged a Parasite, the string almost cut right into the back of his head to possess him. Dammit, Doflamingo was here! He must have heard everything!
Rouge and Ann both flinched, Ann on her feet in an instant, hands aflame, but Doflamingo's laughter made them all pause. That was an angry laugh.
"You're going back on your deals quite a lot these days, Imu," Doflamingo tutted, stepping into the room.
Levi made angry grunts, cursing and snarling, but Imu ignored him. He kept his full attention on Doflamingo.
"You promised me you wouldn't tell him," Doflamingo reminded him, approaching him to tower over him.
Imu wasn't intimidated by such antics, but there was something concerning in Doflamingo's posture. In his tone. It made Imu almost grimaced. He was losing Doflamingo's confidence. Yes, he had already lost his trust, but he couldn't afford to lose his confidence now. Not after a demon attack that almost took Imu out.
"L-Let me go!" Levi hissed.
"Fufufufufu, just relax," Doflamingo urged. "We both know you're not going anywhere right now."
He walked past Imu and scooped Levi up under one arm, earning more snarls and protests.
"Thanks for keeping him entertained, Kobatu, but he's going home for a nap now," Doflamingo said, walking past. Imu hadn't said a word, he couldn't figure out what to say.
Doflamingo's aura was growing darker.
Angel's souls couldn't survive growing darker and Imu had accidentally corrupted a piece of Doflamingo. He had made Doflamingo so angry that his soul was darkening.
"Fufufufufu, do remember that we are allies, Imu," Doflamingo chuckled, but it was a twisted, cold, laughter. "However my loyalty is still to my family, and Levi is mine."
"I will correct this," Imu said.
He could feel Mr. Prince judging him from here. He had no idea how or why, but he could feel the Vinsmoke's witch ire. He had warned Imu, and now Imu had a horrible feeling he was about to reap the consequences of his actions.
It would be fine though. Imu would correct the problem.
"I've removed some of the poison from Levi as a reward for treating Rouge," Imu revealed.
That should be a step in the right direction.
Doflamingo raised a brow. "Oh? Fufufufu, you've removed a piece of it? How considerate, my King."
Imu sighed. "I know it is not exactly what you wished for, but Levi Trafalgar was a traitor, Doflamingo. We cannot trust him, especially when he still believes in that scum."
Levi bristled, but Doflamingo's hand clamped over his mouth, silencing him. Doflamingo laughed, it was quiet at first, but slowly it began to build up. Kobatu looked terrified, ducking behind Ann who looked just as nervous. Rouge looked grim.
"Yes, yes, traitorous little thing indeed, Levi is." Doflamingo grinned sharply. "But at least my son keeps his promises to his allies. That is more than I could say about you, my King."
That 'my King' was a little concerning to Imu. Doflamingo rarely called him that, and usually only when he was truly pissed off. The first time he could ignore, but the second? Doflamingo needed to be reigned in.
"Watch your tongue, Doflamingo," Imu warned.
Doflamingo smirked. "Of course, my King. I'll certainly be more careful the next time I strike a bargain with you. Fufufufufu!" He bowed. "Now I'll be taking my leave. I wasn't lying when I said Levi needed a nap. He's so cranky sometimes."
Imu didn't say a word as Doflamingo sauntered out the medical room. Levi still thrashing, yells muffled. They all remained in silence as the door swung shut behind him, staring at the wood in silence.
"You fucked up," Rouge said, startling him.
"He'll get over it," Imu insisted.
Rouge stared him down.
"He will."
"We both know he won't. I wouldn't if you put your Amber Lead poisoning in my daughter," Rouge said.
Ann grimaced. "Can't we just heal Levi now? He is my friend, Imu."
"And mine too..." Kobatu added softly.
Imu frowned. "He is alive and well enough. The traitorous fool needs to suffer his punishment for a while longer before I feel satisfied that he has learned his lesson. Now I refuse to hear anymore of it."
"Boo." Ann stuck out her tongue.
Imu rolled his eyes. How mature.