Italics indicate thinking

Bold is for attacks

Steve's POV

I was sitting on the railing looking out at the sea. Law had been working on Luffy for a while now. I just sat there thinking. My arms were still all wrapped up and Law hadn't come out of his room so I couldn't just ask how things were going. Without Luffy awake I was the one holding on to the hat for a bit. It felt weird on my head really didn't suit me.

Will he be okay? I'm worried Law hasn't come out yet.

The sea was calm and there weren't any other ships in sight. It was like that for a while till a Marine ship started sailing towards us.

"Yo Bepo!" I called out to the bear "We have company."

I took out some binoculars and looked at it "Never mind."

It was just Hancock coming by to check on Luffy. All the Marines on her ship had been frozen into stone.

"How is Luffy?" she asked.

"Don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?!" she snapped "You're his friend aren't you clearly you are incapable of taking care of Luffy I'll have to do so myself."

"What did you just say to me?!" I stood up "Who do you think you're talking to?!"

"A lowly sea urchin riding Luffy's coat tails!" she said "You're worse than a piece of gum stuck to his shoe!"

"That's rich coming from a woman who suddenly thinks she's his soulmate after meeting him for one day!" I yelled back "Luffy's too good for you."

"I'm gonna enjoy shattering you!" she aimed her beam.

"I'll roast you Princess!" I started pulling my bandages off.

"Knock it off both of you." Law said walking out "If you wanna kill each other so bad do it later."

"How's Luffy?" Hancock and I both asked before glaring at each other a bit.

"I've done what I can." He said "But there was a lot of damage I don't know for sure if he'll wake up."

I ran my hand though my hair "Just great…"

Iva and his lackeys showed up after that. We chatted for a bit.

"Are you a friend of Strawhat?" he asked Law.

"No, I have no duty to save him here. Does my kindness make you uncomfortable would you like me to make up a reason?" he asked.

"Look we owe you one alright." I said as Jinbei came out onto the deck "Anything you need Law just ask."

"You should be resting too." He informed me.

"No." I told him "Not yet…I need to be there when he wakes up…I don't know what he'll do…"

"The Marines won't come into the Calm Belt." Hancock said "You can take Luffy to the coast there, it should be safe so long as you don't come into the town. I suppose this urchin can stay as well."

LATER

The second Luffy was up he was on a rampage around the island screaming and crying.

"Luffy you have to sit down!" I said

He just ignored me and ran off.

"What'll happen if we leave him like that?" Jinbei asked.

"The wound will open and he will die." Law explained.

"Leave this to me." I told them going into the forest after Luffy "You can follow but Hancock will turn you to stone if she finds you."

By the time I had caught up with Luffy he was smashing the forest apart.

"It's over Luffy." I said walking up "Ace is…"

"SHUT UP!" he yelled "Don't say it! Don't say anything! I already tried; it isn't a dream is it? Ace is dead isn't he?!"

"Yes." I answered simply.

He just sat there crying…I didn't know what to say.

"Luffy you gotta stop crying." I said.

"I'm no pirate king." He whined "I'm too weak! I still can't protect anything!"

"Luffy…"

"Just go away!"

"No cause if I do you'll end up killing yourself." I told him.

"It's my body I can do what I want to it." He countered.

"With that logic Ace chose what to do with his body. He chose to die instead of live."

"Shut up, you say another word and I'll knock you out."

"If you wanna go ahead I won't miss that jerk. I won't miss those two at all I could never stand them. Come on just try and hit me brat." I taunted.

He threw on punch and I grabbed his arm and pulled him to the ground, so he bit me.

"OWW! You little shit!" I picked him up and pinned him against a rock.

"If we're in the process of bitching about stuff maybe it's time for me to get some stuff off my chest." I snapped at him "You have done nothing but make my life difficult, ever since we met! I was your friend but you get in my way all the time. Your Devil Fruit, that was supposed to be mine! I'm supposed to be the rubber man not you. You got Dad's hat not me, I was always close to you yet you stayed with those two and call them your brothers. I don't get is Luffy, one toast means they're more important?!"

I looked him in the eye "AM I NOT LIKE A BROTHER TO YOU?!"

"You're pathetic Luffy! And so am I! The difference is I realized that I'm weak and pathetic! You need to wake up before darkness engulfs you forever! You're supposed to be the happy one, the way you look know is just sad! I get it I'm upset to. I cry every night because Robin isn't here! But I keep going knowing that she's out there waiting for me!"

"You can't do anything about what's lost Luffy." I said "You have to keep going for what's here."

"I still have my friends." He sobbed.

"Good." I took of the hat and placed it back on Luffy's head, I felt a few tears in my eye "It really does suit you better."

"Your my best friend Luffy…" I said "I love you pal, I don't want you to give up here because I know there's still people waiting for us."

"I want to see them again." Luffy said.

"Then come on." I said picking him up "Let's get back to the beach and have Law look at you."

I carried Luffy back to the beach and now we had another guest.

"Rayleigh?"

"What happened to Law?" I asked looking around and seeing the Heart Pirates were gone.

"He just left." Rayleigh said "He wanted me to tell you rest for two more weeks…and he'll call in that IOU sometime."

Hancock and her sisters showed up shortly after that bringing Luffy food.

"I didn't make it for you two got it." She snapped at Jinbei and me "No more than a mouthful."

I grabbed something and started eating.

"How'd you know we were here?" I asked.

"That's more than a mouthful urchin!"

"Ha…" I just sighed.

"I was informed of the direction you two flew by the man who sent you here. After the war a little thinking led me to find that you two would end up back here. Oh and Shakky helped."

"She's a smart lady." Sandersonia commented.

"Now then let's get down to business." Rayleigh said "You two said you plan to return to the Archipelago."

"We have a crew to meet up with." Luffy told him.

"Are you sure about that? You do remember what happened last time, do you want them all back just so it can happen again. I have a proposal but it's up to the two of you if you want to accept."

Rayleigh explained the plan I had to agree.

"Let's do it." I told Luffy.

"Ok." He nodded "If you think it's the right idea so do I."

"You're not agreeing just cause I said so are you?" I asked.

"No…I think this is what we need to do." He said.

We came up with a plan of how to get the message to the others and decided that we'd be taking two years off.

Rose's POV- Somewhere on the Grand Line

"Oh my head."

I looked around I was in some kind of cabin.

"It has awoken." A blond haired woman said entering the woman.

"Where the hell am I and who are you?" I questioned.

"I'm Ikaruga." She said "You are in the camp of the Seven Nights Ninjas, the swamps on the Isle of Vase to be specific."

She was tall and her mouth was covered by a mask, her face has a foreign look to it, her hair was black and pink, tied up under her hood.

"That sounds familiar." I mumbled.

"We are a dying breed." She said "We only have a few members left. I had trouble getting you in for treatment; the others thought you may have been another of those grave robbers."

That's it! This is where that Zombie was from!

"Do…I mean did you have a ninja named Maka here."

The girls face got serious "How do you know that name."

"I saw her once. Well I saw her body."

Before I even knew what was happening, I was pinned against the bed with a knife at my throat.

"Where were they?!" Ikaruga asked "The scum who stole my sister's body?!"

I quickly explained what I knew and the girl let me up.

"You may stay until you are better." She said

A few days had passed and the paper showed up. Ace died…I really don't know how I feel about it.

"Luffy…" I got up and started walking through the swamp.

I barely got out of the cabin before I was caught in a trap.

"How sad." Ikaruga joked cutting me down "It appears you are not ready to leave this place. you do not have the skills to even make it twenty feet."

"I have to go; my friends are waiting."

"Your friend was in the paper again." She said handing me the newspaper.

I looked at the cover; it was Luffy standing there after ringing a bell. There was something written on his arm.

"Jerks…" I mumbled "Fine you wanna hit the pause button okay."

"Something wrong?" Ikaruga asked.

"You said your clan was dying, you're the only one aren't you I haven't seen a single other person."

"I'm actually not the only one." She said "You're just that unskilled that you can't see them."

"Turns out I've got free time now." I said "Will you teach me to see them? Teach me to be as strong as you!"

"Are you prepared for such a task?" she asked "I want you to prove that you can commit to such a trail. Your hair…"

"What about it?" I said.

"I've seen the way you wash and brush it. You must like it…cut it off."

"What?!"

"Prove you want this, cut your hair." Ikaruga said

Mama's hair…To get stronger and protect my friends…there is only one choice…she'll understand…

"Do you have a knife?"

You two better make this worth it…I'll wait and stay here…and then in two years we crush anything in our path…

Wyper's POV- Somewhere in the South Blue.

I could feel the water tickling my toes. I opened my eyes and saw I had crashed on some beach.

"Argh." I groaned as I sat up "Where the hell am I?"

"They call them the Sunny Shores." A man said.

I jumped up and got defensive.

"Oh an Impact." The man said "Haven't seen one like that in a while."

"You know what a dial is?" I said.

This guy was big a muscular, kinda looked like a caveman.

"Of course I do." I said "Name's Gregory."

"How do you know about Dials?" I asked "They don't exist down here."

"They fall from the sky." He said "Gifts from the heavens. Just look behind you they litter the shore line."

He was right dozens of dials all over and washed up against the shore.

"I haven't seen a dial as simple as an impact in a long time."

"What'd you mean by simple?" I asked

"When I saw how useful those things were I started working on them, eventually I developed a system to make Hybrid Dials." He said "Units that have been combined. A Flaming and Axe Dial fused to make a dial that shoots blades of fire."

"Dials can't be fused." I said.

"Care to come see my workshop?" he said "I assure you I can prove that it's possible."

"Let's go."

Days Later.

This workshop was incredible; he had all kinds of hybrid dials and weapons. Gregory was a genius. I was unfortunately needed to go back; I had to meet up with the others. Until the paper arrived.

"Fine…I get it."

"Something wrong?" Greg asked "I thought you were gonna head out."

"Nope." I said "I have a request; will you show me how to mold these dials?"

"I was wondering when you'd ask." He laughed.

Lil's POV- Somewhere in the North Blue.

I had ended up at some mining operation. There were huge crystals everywhere

Mama, Papa I'm scared.

"Hey there's someone back here! It's a kid!"

"Oh Crap!" I mumbled and felt someone grab my leg and pull me out of my hiding place.

"What's a kid like her doing out here?"

"Enough you brutes." An old man said walking up "Put the child down."

They placed me on the ground and I fixed my dress.

"What's your name child?"

"Lil." I explained "I need to get back home."

"Okay well town isn't too far. My name is Marathon would you like me to take you."

This guy was dressed like a miner but he had a wolf pelt on his head and the eyes were replaced by lights for his mining helmet

I explained that I needed to get back to Sabaody. Marathon said I was on the island of Avalar, specifically the mining outpost called Glimmer and it would take a bit but I could go back there by getting on one of their shipping freighters. I watched as the miners worked. They kept harvesting these little gems and when one guy smashed his a gorilla appeared to help him move a rock.

"What the heck?!"

"The Animus Gems." Marathon said "We harvest them from this cave and use them for labor help."

"That's mean." I said "What if they don't want to work?"

"It's no trouble we agree to work together. The creature comes out to aid us then goes back to his crystal. We have to make a bond before we can just go asking them to help. It is a mutual and beneficial relationship. They get to awaken into our world and we get help."

"I think I get it. They like helping?"

"Exactly. I'm in the process of getting you a ride to your home but it will take some time."

"Alright."

A Few Days Later.

The paper had come and inside was a message form Papa. He wanted us to wait for him a little while longer. This would be my chance to get stronger, that way people don't have to protect me. I have to be a big girl and get strong.

I was sneaking around the mines even though it was against the rules. I walked down a long cave and at the end was an odd pedestal. There was something written on it.

"Only the conductor may remove the baton from the stone." I mumbled "What's that mean?"

"It means that only a certain person will have the power to free the twelve crystals under that stone and lead them with the conducting baton." Marathon explained.

"Sorry I'm not supposed to be down here." I mumbled.

"It's alright." He smiled "Those stones were locked away generations ago, but they say that the next conductor will be able to lead those twelve. The stones under there a made for combat not house work or labor."

"May I try?" I asked.

He blinked and rubbed his chin "I see no reason why not."

I stepped up and pulled on the rod, at first it was stiff but then it moved and broke free.

"You did it! Incredible!"

I looked at the stick in my hand. It reminded me of a baton that a conductor would use at an orchestra only the handle had a gem embedded in it. The stone it was stuck in cracked and twelve gems rolled up to me.

I picked the one up, there was a monkey engraved on it.

"How do I use it?" I asked.

"Throw it and break it. Don't worry it will reform of its own. They say the monkey is the leader of those twelve stones, start with him."

I threw the rock at the floor and it cracked. There was a flash of light and a creature stood before me.

"So you're the new conductor." The monkey said speaking in a squeaky voice.

He was about the size of a normal human so compared to me he was tall, covered in fur and wearing armor and welding a staff as tall as he was and as wide as a dinner bowl.

"I am Wukong. May I ask who you are Young Miss?"

"Lil…"

"Well then Miss Lil we have much work to do." The monkey explained "Do you wish to learn how to use these rocks or not?"

"Yes!" I said "Please."

"The other 11 will like to meet you soon. The Bull Alistar, the Dragon Renekton, the Dog Nasus, the Horse Brandwarden, the Snake Cassiopeia, the Rat Twitch, the Tiger Azwraith, the Rabbit Riven, the Sheep Titan, the Pig Rigwarl, and the Rooster Icarus." Wukong explained "But first I shall teach you the basics."

"Let's get started!" I cheered "Do something cool!"

"I can't." he said "We cannot move on our own you must lead us with the baton."

"This is gonna be complicated." I whined "But I'll do it for Papa."

Two years…Mama…Papa…when we meet again, I'll be able to protect you like you protected me!

Steve's POV

"You guys wait just a little longer." I said.

"The pirates Strawhat Luffy and Torturer Steve are on break for a bit."

Robin, Lil…wait for me, when I come back, I'll be strong enough to protect you. In two years I'll master everything I can no matter what it takes.

AN

Thank you for reading. Feedback is appreciated. Feel free to message me any questions or concerns.

Lil's post time skip powers are like Lucy's keys from Fairy Tail but with the Chinese Zodiac

If you didn't know all her summons were based on League of Legends or DOTA champions/heroes. (Obviously I have no creativity. Here's where I put that random disclaimer saying I don't own these.)

Monkey- Wukong (LOL)

Bull/Ox- Alistar (LOL)

Dragon- Renekton (LOL)

Dog-Nasus (LOL)

Snake- Cassiopeia (LOL)

Rat- Twitch (LOL)

Rabbit- Battle Bunny Riven (LOL)

Rooster- Icarus the Phoenix (DOTA)

Tiger- Azwraith the Phantom Lancer (DOTA)

Sheep- Cairne Bloodhoof/ Elder Titan (DOTA)

Pig- Rigwarl/ Bristleback (DOTA)

Horse- Brandwarden /Centaur War-runner.

Till Next Time!