Uta. That was her name.
Yamato could see the relief on her face as they walked away from the cliff edge.
"You flew…?" the dual-haired girl asked, eyes wide and a hint of wonder in her voice.
"Well, pretty much." Izuku shrugged, smiling back at the slightly taller girl. "We've been flying for a while, Anna and I." He gestured to Yamato.
"He's been carrying me actually. I can't fly," Yamato cut in bashfully. Uta's eyes widened.
"I can't imagine how far you've traveled," she said, awe-struck. "Elegia is weeks away from the nearest island even with the fastest ship."
"Elegia?" Izuku asked. "Is that what this island's called?"
"I could always be talking about the other Elegia, though you won't find it," Uta said cheekily.
They reached the tree line, took up their backpacks, and retraced their route down the forest path. Now that Yamato could see it in the sunlight, it was quite well-worn; more so than she'd thought.
"Have you been up here often?" Yamato inquired. Uta looked away, smiling softly.
"Well…yeah. I come up here all the time. To practice."
"Singing?" Izuku asked. "We heard when we got here. It sounded amazing."
"It's like nothing I've ever heard before! It makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside ya know!" Yamato giggled and fussed. Uta blushed, but her eyes twinkled with her smile.
"Thank you. It's been a while since I've… heard those words" the girl replied, as they walked through the foggy woods.
"Really?" Izuku asked, surprised. "I'm sure plenty of people would want to hear you sing."
Then he faltered, as he saw Uta's face fall. She looked down, the twinkle gone from her eyes.
"They did once."
"Once?" he repeated.
Then the trees parted before them, and the fog lifted. They had reached the edge of the forest. Before them was the remains of a great city, leading up the mountainside. Yamato stared, taking in the houses of stone and wood, the wide, tree-lined streets, the tall basilicas. Every last one of the buildings she could see were ruined. Scorched and blackened by fire, roofs fallen in, windows and doors broken, streets cratered. Green foliage covered the ruins, trees rising from cracked floors; nature slowly consuming what people had built here.
"There used to be people here," said Uta mournfully. "Now it's just me and Gordon."
"What… what happened?" Izuku asked.
(X)
Uta took a long, deep breath.
"This was Elegia," she said, without looking at them. "This was the City of Music. The place to which musicians flocked from across the world. Every talent had a teacher, every yearning heart a home."
"But…what happened?" Hisashi pressed. She could tell from his tone that he was horrified, appalled at the vision of destruction and decay. But did she tell him? Would he want to stay if he knew?
"This city was destroyed, as you can see," she said.
"By who?" demanded Anna, looking equally horrified and enraged. "Who did this?"
"I… I didn't see anything," she admitted, truthfully enough. "I was knocked out, and the next thing I saw was this entire island up in flames and the only sound I could hear were screams." Uta clutched her arms, flashes of that horrid night playing like that bad dream she would get every now and then. "Gordon knows the story much better. He can tell you if you really want to know."
"Gordon," mused Anna. "Is he a friend of yours?"
"Yeah," Uta admitted, a tiny smile returning. "Do… do you want to see him?" she asked, half-pleading. "I know this isn't much fun, but we have a house up this way. We keep it well maintained, and there's food and comfortable rooms. Won't you come stay with us, just for a little while?"
Then she saw the looks in their eyes, and she hated herself. She had moved them to pity, she could tell. But she couldn't help herself.
"Well, if you don't mind," replied the green-haired Hisashi. He smiled a warm and gentle smile that made her want to trust him. "We've traveled far, and we wouldn't mind a hot meal and a soft bed."
"I'll second that!" proclaimed the white-haired Anna, smiling the bright smile of an honest and open heart.
Uta's heart leapt. Even if it was only for one night, their company would be a joy.
"Okay then! Just this way, up this hill and through the woods!"
(X)
"I'll introduce you two. Just hang tight."
Uta beamed as she trotted to the door. She couldn't remember feeling so happy. Finally, after so long, there were other people on Elegia. Nice, kind, people.
"Gordon! Hey!" she called as she opened the door; the aroma of fresh bread making her even happier.
"Ah, Uta," came that familiar old voice, as the old man emerged from the kitchen. He was in his usual black suit, but with an apron over it. His elongated head was crowned with a chef's hat, his eyes covered by his customary sunglasses, carrying a Dutch oven.
"You seem to be in good spirits," he said, smiling. "Did you see whales from the cliffs?"
"Nope!" she said cheerfully.
He placed the oven on a countertop. "Oh? Well,I just finished a batch of tea as well. Care for a drink?"
"Gordon, you may not believe this buuuut, we got visitors!" She beamed from ear to ear, and stepped aside to let her new friends through. The door was quite tall, fortunately, so Anna could step through without trouble.
"Come now Uta, there's no way that…"
A teacup slipped from Gordon's hand and smashed on the floor. Uta winced as she saw his reaction, jaw agog.
"Y-Yeah, I had a similar reaction too. They walked in on me singing."
She hurried past, grabbed a rag, and knelt down to mop up the spilt tea.
"I…I…" Gordon actually looked flustered. She couldn't remember ever seeing him like that. " "How did… you two get here?"
"They flew Gordon! You should have seen it!" exclaimed Uta. "Hisashi there even took me for a ride as proof."
She giggled, and the green-haired boy perked up at the mention of his name.
"Hello there Mr. Gordon." Hisashi bowed lightly. "My name's Hisashi, and this is my friend Anna."
"Hello!" Anna waved, smiling brightly.
"A good afternoon, to you too…" Gordon backed off, grabbing a small broom and pan and kneeling down to clean up the shards. "I apologize for the mess."
"It's fine. From what Uta told us, you two are the only people living on this island," Hisashi replied. "We were just passing through when we heard her singing."
"I-I see… Well, I imagine you two must be tired from…. flying from such a long distance." Gordon swallowed, placing the damaged contents into a trash bin and stowing away the pan and broom. "Lunch is a ways off, but can I prepare some refreshments for you both?"
"If it's not too much trouble."
"Nonsense, you two are, after all, our guests." Gordon took a deep breath. "Uta, mind helping me with some olive oil and herbs?"
"Sure thing," Uta nodded as she gestured to the living room. It had some couches and chairs, and some dusty old books and song sheets she would read on a dreary day. "Sorry about the mess, I wasn't expecting guests when I was practicing my singing."
She giggled, moving aside some sheets and books as Hisashi and Anna took their seats.
"Ohhh, this book looks fancy!" Anna exclaimed, taking one and opening it up. She perked up, tilting her head. "Huh… what's all this?"
"What's what?" Uta asked, walking over. "Ohhh, that's the lyrical score of Wladimir's Tale of Trotsky!"
"A… lyrical score?" The white haired girl asked, tilting her head.
"I'm guessing it's an… opera?" Hisashi inquired.
"More or less." Uta nodded, standing up. "Feel free to check these out. I'll be back with some tea and refreshments. And I should help Gordon with preparing lunch too."
The girl trotted into the kitchen, and saw Gordon by the sink. He was looking down, his hands on the railing.
"Gordon?" she whispered, worried. "You okay?"
"I-I'm fine Uta. I just wasn't expecting visitors today," the man replied, dabbing at his long forehead with a towel. "And it's…" He paused, looking at the sink.
"It's okay Gordon, they're nice people. They… helped me out in a bad spot." Uta admitted, patting his broad back.
"Did they now?"
"Yeah." Uta added. "Okay, now where are those herbs…" she mused, heading for the pantry.
(X)
"The man looked like he had seen a ghost," The Second said in Izuku's head. "If I had to guess, Gordon and Uta don't get many visitors."
"Doubt anyone would want to come to this island anyway, assuming anyone even knows it exists," commented Daigoro. "Did you see how ruined it is?"
Izuku sat on the couch, hearing Uta and Gordon go about in the kitchen, as he looked over at the book Yamato was reading.
"I don't understand this at all, so these are music notes?" Yamato asked, showing Izuku a page of lyrical music. It was a series of staves, with various notes and symbols, and the lyrics of a song beneath them. "And these tell a story?"
"That's what an Opera is. A story told through song. It's usually very dramatic and involves actors on the stage," Izuku explained and Yamato perked up.
"Ohhhh okay." she said, looking back on the 'Tale of Trotsky'. "So this would be like a play, but with singalong?"
"That sounds about right."
"Who wants fresh-baked bread!" called Uta, grinning. She was carrying a plate of sliced sourdough and some small dipping dishes on a tray. Izuku grinned as she set the tray down on the table. "And some olive oil on the side, mixed with herbs!"
"Ohhhh," Yamato's eyes lit up. "Thank you Uta!" She took a whole slice, began to drizzle her dipping plate over it as Uta blinked.
"If I was Italian I'm pretty sure I'd be having a stroke right now." The Third User quipped.
Izuku shrugged, not too bothered by Yamato's antics.
"Thanks for the bread." He said, taking a piece out and dipping it as Yamato scarfed hers down.
"Seems someone is quite fond of my bread," said Gordon, coming out of the kitchen. He was carrying a tray also, this time with a tea pot and a set of teacups. He set them down. "So, Uta told me you flew here. Is that true?"
"More or less." Izuku nodded, and floated into the air to prove his point; making Gordon's eyebrows rise. He sipped his tea, wincing a little. Bitter, but with a smooth aftertaste.
"I see…" the old man mused as the boy set down. "You must have flown far indeed. Elegia is many weeks from any other islands. Ships rarely even pass by these days."
Yamato gulped down her tea, barely taking a moment to breathe.
"Can I have some more?"
"By all means miss," Gordon nodded, and Yamato smiled as he poured her another cup, mentally wondering if he should prepare another pot with a larger cup.
"That reminds me. Uta took us through the woods but outside…," Izuku took a deep breath. "I noticed a lot of things down there. What happened down there? In that ruined city?"
Gordon winced, setting down his cup and sighing as his shoulders sagged. He leaned back in his chair, a hand going up to rub the massive scar on his bald crown. "We were attacked, sacked during a festival." Uta sipped from her own cup, looking away. "Pirates came without warning and everyone… was disposed of."
The pleasant mood vanished.
"Everyone? You mean…" Izuku uttered, still trying to process it. Cruel as the Beast Pirates were, they hadn't slaughtered everyone. If they had, who would work the land? Who would make them rich?
"Yes Mr. Hisashi, exactly what you think.."
"So what we just walked through…" Nana uttered in his head.
"Wasn't a warzone. It was a massacre" the Third added, his hands tightening in rage.
"Whoever these pirates were," En said solemnly. "They… no, they couldn't have..."
"You're telling me the Elegian people were…? For… what?" Izuku asked. He put down his teacup, lest his clenching hands break it.
"What else for pirates beyond the simple material gain? ," Gordon asked. "They came and plundered our kingdom, making off with whatever jewels, gold, or money they could get their hands on." He leaned forward, hands rubbing his face. Uta reached over, putting a gentle hand on his knee.
Gold. Jewels. Money. Things that can be earned. All of it taken, and those they belonged to slaughtered.
"Easy Izuku" Yoichi whispered. "Calm yourself."
"Calm, how the hell can we stay calm!" Daigoro shouted. "We just walked through the site of a goddamn genocide!"
"Oh please, as if we Japanese are guiltless when it comes to that" the Third sneered.
"How can you even call yourself a hero thinking like that!" Nana barked. "Are you kidding me right now you mot-"
"All of you, quiet!" the Second roared.
Izuku stared down at the table, feeling a familiar rage inside him. The same rage he felt when All for One had leered down at him, pointing at him, that face-splitting grin telling him, "It's your turn."
"Then… how come…" Yamato uttered, mouth agog. "No one has come to help? I mean, surely you were members of the World Government right? Being a kingdom all."
The thought broke Izuku's mental spiral as he looked up at the old man.
"We were. Once," Gordon replied. "But paying the tribute was hard enough as it was. Elegia was the Kingdom of Music you see. People came from all over the world to contribute to our bands, our choirs, our orchestras. We were a kingdom of art, so our profit came from creating music to spread throughout the had a Marine garrison, but they weren't enough" he went on, looking very old, "I asked the World Government to forbear the Heavenly Tribute, to give us more time."
Izuku perked up. "You reached out to the World Government?"
"Indeed Mr. Hisashi. I am King Gordon of Elegia."
"You're the king?" Yamato asked, wide eyed.
"But the Government… they didn't come?" Izuku asked, cutting Yamato off before she could continue.
"If you cannot pay the tribute for membership…" Gordon sighed. "Then you cannot become a member. They told upon me when I begged for aid, 'those who are not members have no human rights.'"
…
"What?" Izuku uttered in disbelief.
"The actual fuck?" Daigoro growled in utter anger.
"Have no human rights? The Government said that?!" Yamato asked, eyes wide with shock.
"It's true…" Uta added.
She sat on her stool, arms wrapped around her legs as she glanced down.
"I heard Gordon speak to them from Transponder Snail. He kept pleading, but nothing happened. Since then, it's been me and Gordon living here. Just… trying to survive and live on."
Izuku was silent, gnashing some bread as he tried to make sense of it. Pirates had wantonly slaughtered the kingdom, and the government that was supposed to protect them just cast them aside? Left them to rot?
"Is it really that big of a surprise Izuku?" En chimed in? "Remember Lady Nagant? And what the Hero Public Safety Commission did to her?"
Izuku couldn't offer an argument and none of the other Vestiges could either, knowing full well he spoke the truth.
"That's awful…" Yamato uttered. "Unforgivable! How could the Government be so cruel!?" She demanded, eyes wide with fury.
"We're far away in the New World as it is," Gordon sighed. "We have no strategic value, and little in the way of natural resources. My ancestors founded this place as a pleasure villa, a place to practice music in peace. When word got around, others who loved music came to join them. We never made much money. We were rich only in our art, but that does not pay greedy souls. You two are our first guests in eight years. Everyone else has either abandoned or forgotten this place."
"Eight years…" Izuku struggled to make sense of it. This island was on the route to Isla Rubikan. Was that place so far out of the way?
"I don't know what to say," he said, sympathy and anger warring within him.
"Starting to sound like Kaido isn't the only thing we'll have to fix in this world." The Second User muttered, already thinking over possible courses of action while Izuku opted to change topics.
"So are you two… related?" he asked. They didn't look like it.
"No, my family… left me on Elegia," Uta said, looking down. "We… were here so I can fulfill my dream as a singer and study at the island's music academy. But then the pirates attacked, and I blacked out; I don't know how. I don't know if they're alive or dead. They just… disappeared. Left. Who knows…"
She dipped her bread in the oil, and let out a little mirthless chuckle.
"It's funny, somehow," Uta went on, smiling ruefully. "You chase a dream so badly, you want it… I can sing to my heart's content here, but with no audience…"
"I can relate." Izuku mused, taking a deep breath. "I achieved my dream too, but… along the way, it began to cost me." He looked at his scarred hands, the callouses riddled all over. "Bit by bit… "
Memories flashed by of everything he's lost or sacrificed. Gran Torino, UA, his friends, Bakugo...Uta stared at him. Yamato was watching him too, but with sad eyes.
"I see." Uta seemed to perk up at that, her amethyst eyes soft as she looked into his green ones.
"Still… it is nice to talk to someone new," Gordon mused, smiling. "Uta told me you helped her. Quite the gentleman I see."
He was trying to change the subject. Izuku decided to play along.
"Of course. Helping others is what I do best, and what I love."
"So you flew, but the question remains where did you come from?" Gordon asked.
"We came from Doyle." Yamato spoke up, and Izuku gave her a sideways glance. "Hisashi carried me all the way!" She grinned, and Izuku couldn't help but grin back.
"I see… That must be quite the Devil Fruit ability you have, young man. Doyle from what I recall is weeks from here, as much as two months in bad weather. Did you ever stop along the way?"
"Just at a small atoll to rest for the night." Izuku replied.
"Flying over vast swathes of ocean… you must cover a ton of distance!" Uta replied as she ate from her plate.
"That I did."
They both seemed happier, and Izuku was glad of it. They had only had each other's company, and their grief, for a long time.
But he still couldn't get it out of his head.
The World Government, the government that was supposed to protect Doyle, had just let Elegia die. A government he was starting to trust, after seeing the Marines at Adlerport.
"If you've seen this world," Malice growled. "You wouldn't have to ask."
His heart hammered, as he saw Spytand Malice in his mind's eye; that night on Onigashima, when they fought. He was a Beast Pirate, a fallen Marine who had failed to uphold justice. But even then, there had been something in his eyes; the eyes not of a gleeful monster, but a damned soul without hope. Eyes he had seen before in Lady Nagant. And even then, something had told him that Malice was telling the truth. Or at least he believed he was.
And then there was Bach, who so feared the Admirals who were supposed to protect his kingdom. And then the Warlords, like that teleporting attack dog Bartholomew Kuma, and all the others Yamato had told him about.
Had Malice been right all along? Was that why he had become what he was?
He gripped his fists, and smiled as best he could; hoping Uta and Gordon hadn't seen anything.
"Well, how about we give you a tour of the house?" Uta asked, smiling brightly. "We can show you your guest rooms, and we can show off the music parlor too! Can we do that Gordon?" she asked, turning towards the older man.
"Well, I don't see the harm in it." Gordon replied. "You two know of instruments, yes?"
"I know a little." Izuku said with a shrug. "Drums. Guitars. Horns and stuff."
Uta beamed, hopping off her seat and waving at the two to follow. Izuku nodded towards Yamato, and they followed the eager young girl and her older guardian to the stairs.
(X)
Gordon led them on a short tour of the mansion, and showed them their guest bedrooms. There was plenty of dust around, but it soon disappeared with a quick clean of a wet rag. Each bathroom contained a single tub, with not much water. But Yamato was content enough with that.
She still missed those amazing showers though.
"And this is our little music parlor." Gordon opened the door, showing Izuku and Yamato the room inside. It looked large enough to be a living room in of itself, with some odd padding on the walls and ceiling. Yamato tilted her head, taking it all in; the padding on the walls, and the countless instruments all around.
"Whoa… what's this?" she asked, trotting over to heft up some horn with a long U-shaped prong.
"That would be a trombone" Gordon explained, smiling. "And these are brass instruments." He gestured to the others along a rack.
"These are all clean and well cared for," she said, inspecting the instruments some more.
"Indeed. I play all of them." Gordon replied. "Outside of tending to the livestock and reading and eating, there isn't much to do on this island."
"Yep, we kind of set up little sessions, where he would find an instrument to play and I would sing in time," Uta remarked, gesturing to a cabinet full of pamphlets and small books. She held one out to Yamato, and she noticed the rows and upon rows of lines and notes once more.
"More songs?"
"Yep." Uta grinned. "Just me and Gordon, playing music to our hearts content."
"Yes." The old man smiled softly. "It makes for a fine pastime. Our rhythm is practically flawless."
"I can recall a few times when you've sputtered on the Sax from time to time," Uta replied, walking across and showing off some more unique horns. Yamato even saw some smaller rod-like instruments too…
"Well, my lungs aren't as they used to be. Besides," Gordon gestured to the massive piano over to the side. "The piano has always been my strongest instrument. And I know you agree," he added, running his gnarled fingers over the keys, playing a gentle tune.
"I haven't seen this many instruments in a room before…" Izuku said.
"Well," Gordon replied. "As King of the Island of Music, working with and learning how each instrument functions is a prerequisite to the position."
"You weren't born into royalty?" Izuku asked.
"Not really, the title of King goes to the one with the most understanding of music. That is how it has always been in Elegia." Gordon sat down on the piano, playing some keys. "I was just the son of a saloon pianist on an island far from here, and I wanted to take my talents beyond the walls of a drink and smoke filled bar." He struck up a little jingle. "So I left home as a young boy, wound up in Elegia, and I would never live anywhere else."
He sighed with nostalgia.
"I grew to love the Kingdom that took me in, not caring I was a foreigner; for I was like them, a lover and student of the art of music. I soon became one of the finest pianists in the island, if not the world. And I studied and learned what every instrument was like before I accepted the title of King."
"Doesn't sound like most kings," Yamato mused. "If anything you… mmm."
"You'd be more like a Steward in this case," Izuku said, and the white haired girl perked up. Good ole Vestiges! "King sounds like a title, but Steward fits given the role you're describing."
"That would be more appropriate, yes." Gordon replied, nodding. "Naturally I had to learn and work alongside my various Ministers on statecraft, but I suppose." He finished playing the tune and looked back at the duo. "That wouldn't interest you."
He took a deep breath and gazed at the two, and Uta looked back at them.
"So, I only hope you can enjoy your stay here, morbid as the state of the kingdom is right now." Gordon said somberly, the pep in his voice recounting his much more vibrant past. "How long will you be staying?"
"Just for the night." Izuku said. "We don't wish to trouble you any further. Thank you again for providing us with these guestrooms too." He bowed lightly in respect, and Yamato followed suit too.
"Oh no not at all!" Uta exclaimed. "I only wish you…" she paused, looking down, "could stay a little longer."
Yamato felt her heart ache. Eight years alone on an island with no one save for Gordon.
"Well, if you want we can talk a little." Izuku replied. "No harm in that."
"Why the urgency if I may ask?" Gordon inquired, arms crossed as Izuku looked his way. "For you to leave tomorrow morning after having flown from such a distance, it must be a pressing matter." His voice had a stern edge to it and Izuku took a deep breath.
"Well, Anna and I are going around seeing the world," he said, smiling back at Yamato. "We were just going where the wind takes us, and lo and behold, we found your island." He shrugged.
"I have traveled little, but I know many who have sailed far on these seas. Going where the wind blows is a dangerous errand," Gordon replied. "The New World in particular. Many regions are nigh-untraversable; with unpredictable weather, the monsters below, and those who sail above."
"We know." Izuku nodded. "Flying does help."
"Pretty sure one of those eagles over Tolkien would've attacked us if we were about fifty feet lower." Hikage shivered a little recalling the glare one of the avian giants gave them.
"Your clothing is quite odd too, and that weapon Anna has," Gordon commented. Yamato glanced down at Takeru in her rope belt. "I would imagine you've had to defend yourselves in the past?"
"We have, yes," Izuku replied.
"The pirates we came across got what was coming to them," declared Yamato with a grin, flexing her arm. "We can handle ourselves in a scrap!"
"I see… well, I am going to tend the livestock, see what's going to be for dinner and make the necessary preparations." Gordon got up from the bench and walked past. "Uta, would you clear the dishes down below and dry them off?"
"You got it Gordon," The girl said with a cheerful thumbs up.
He looked towards Izuku and Anna. "If you like, there are more books for you to read."
"Thank you, your Majesty." Izuku said.
"There's no need for that. A king who still stood on such ceremonies wouldn't tend to chickens." He chuckled wryly. "Gordon is fine."
Izuku let out a deep sigh as Uta trotted past.
"If you like, I can show ya around the island a bit," the girl said. "Maybe even show ya the garden where I tend to the veggies."
"Sure. We'll be close by," Izuku said, striding over to the window and stepping out, floating into the air. "Just gonna go for a little stroll around the manor. Need some fresh air."
He had that look in his eyes again.
"Go right ahead!" Uta beamed, and she left the room to tend to her chores. Yamato saw him float down to the front yard. She jumped out, landing beside him. Izuku strode on without a word. She followed on, down a path that overlooked the burnt and ruined city of Elegia, lined with a cobblestone wall. Izuku stopped and sat down, forearms on his knees, glaring out at the horizon and to the city, and the white haired girl noticed how nature was invading and overtook much of the buildings within.
Yamato glanced back. They were some distance from the house. Far enough to talk.
"You have something you want to say." Yamato mused. "I can tell."
"Am I that easy to read now?" he asked, without looking up, his tone lowered. He took a deep breath, his interlocked fingers tightening up.
"No, I… I just had a feeling." Yamato replied. "So… what is it that you want to-"
"I never thought I would see another mass grave in my lifetime." He said solemnly, and Yamato felt a pit in her stomach grow. "I was lucky, Shigaraki at least destroyed the bodies. This… there may be thousands there…" He whispered, gesturing to the whole city. Izuku's shoulders shook. "How…how can this world…" he gritted his teeth. "God… how can this place be so cruel!?" He barked.
"Izuku…" Yamato murmured.
"Pirates sacking an entire island… I get it… I saw what they're capable of back in Onigashima. What they had planned for Doyle. Even back in my world that sort of thing was commonplace for a time." He was shaking. "But I never thought they would do…this! I thought Kaido was a one-off!" He snarled. "But no, there's more like him. More of him out there!"
Yamato could see the anger in his eyes. Anger, and pain.
"Why!? What did an island of musicians do to deserve it!? Why!? For…" He bared his teeth, gripping a brick along the fence as it crumbled under his grip. "For gold? For the joy of it?"
Yamato did not reply. There was no reply to give. Even the vestiges offered no response, letting their successor vent.
"And now… The Government just left Gordon and Uta to die, and for what? Because they couldn't pay the fees? Anyone who doesn't pay isn't even…human?!" He looked up at the heavy, looming clouds. "It's so unfair!"
He ran his hand down his face as he breathed hard.
"Marines fight for justice?" He stood up, looking out over the ruined city. "Where's the justice in this? In letting this happen? They were supposed to defend this country, but they left them to die! Why? Because of not being able to pay some… membership fee?!"
"I agree," Yamato added, her heart stirring. "This cannot stand. We have to find the one responsible for this… and bring them down." She glared back at the city. "No matter what."
"Damn right." Izuku growled, fists tight. "But… If the World Government acts like this and doesn't even blink to this when it comes to non members," he went on, "and pirates roam the seas like wolves…like the Finalems and your father; what do we do?"
He sighed, looking down at the ground.
"What… where do we go?" He sounded utterly lost.
"Were you… considering the Government?" Yamato asked.
"It was an option. It's what I'm used to." Izuku replied on the spot. "Now if I could go back and face myself considering that, I'd punch myself in the face."
Yamato felt her heart clench at seeing the one who'd given her everything sound so broken.
"We go to him," she said, cutting in before he can talk himself further into this mental headspace he is digging himself for. "Whitebeard would not allow something like this to happen."
Then she faltered, as she saw the look in his eyes.
"Maybe to his own," Izuku admitted. "But what about those outside his banner? He's a pirate, Yamato. He only cares for those useful to him. It's what a pirate would do." He spat out.
"He's our goal," insisted Yamato, starting to worry but her voice hardening. "We agreed, remember?"
"I know."
"So why are you hesitating on this? What's on your mind?
"Because that means my only saving grace…" His eyes bulged as he chopped the air, the girl flinching as his tone rose to a yell. "Going around the world, cleaning up after a negligent Government, is to rely on a Pirate. A VILLAIN!"
Yamato jumped. He had never even raised his voice at her, let alone cried out like that. She stared at him, appalled, as he glared out over the ruined city, his eyes hard.
And then they softened, just as he pressed his hand over them, lowering his head.
"I almost killed myself running around Honshu, trying to clean up All for One's mess," he groaned; his anger spent, his voice weak. "It was my turn to be like All Might, to fight evil, so no one I loved or cared for would get hurt. But I couldn't even bring hope to Honshu, one island. If I can't save one nation, what can I do for a whole planet?"
"That's not true. You were never alone, '' insisted Yamato. "You had your friends. They came in and saved you that day, in the rain. Everyone, from Uraraka to Bakugo to Todoroki…"
"And Iida… but it's still not the same," Izuku mused, looking down, elbows on his knees. "Compared with All Might, what have I ever done? I might as well be nothing."
He was lost, Yamato could tell. She had warned him about the World Government, but he had still believed in it, and hoped for it. Yet now, in this place of death and decay, he was seeing its true nature. His hopes had been dashed.
What would Oden do? What would he have said?
Yamato sat down next to him, and put a hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her, eyes red with anguish.
"We can do it," she said, smiling. "We'll find a way. People thought you could never be a Hero. I thought I could never steal my father's key."
She shrugged playfully, making light of all they had done.
"I believe in Whitebeard," she went on. "I know he can help make the impossible possible. And if we can work together, there's nothing we can overcome!"
Izuku's eyes brightened. He wanted to believe her, she could tell. But…
"How can you be so certain? You only know him from a journal."
"Oden loved him. My father… spoke harshly of him, but I could tell from the looks on their faces. They respect him, and they fear him. He's the strongest man in the world, the equal to the King of the Pirates Gol D. Roger himself! I believe in him and…"
"What if you're wrong?" Izuku said suddenly, eyes frantic. "Oden knew him and..."
Izuku looked away, and Yamato felt the unsaid words. Oden knew him, and she never did.
And twenty years was a long time for a man to change.
"Did Oden change in the years I told you about?" Izuku asked.
"He matured. He became a father and a statesman," Yamato replied. "He was still wild though."
"But…did he ever become bad?" Izuku turned to look up at her. "Did he ever do anything really bad, even after becoming a pirate?"
Yamato thought hard. It was just another reminder of how different they were, of how different their lives had been. What was normal to her was strange, even horrifying to him. How would someone like him define bad?
"I.. I don't think so," she said firmly. "But I believe in Oden. And I believe in Whitebeard."
Izuku looked down again, and Yamato feared what he might say.
"And I believe in you Yamato. You're the only one in the world I believe in," replied Izuku, voice soft. "But…"
"It's all right." Yamato knelt down, being face to face level as her amber eyes looked to his emerald ones and gave him a big wide grin; as close as she could manage to that face Izuku had made once. "FoR i Am HeRe!"
The voice came out all wrong. Deep, distorted, more clownish than heroic. Izuku stared at her as if she had her underwear on her head.
And then he clamped his hand over his mouth, fighting back a stream of giggles. He very nearly fell off the wall. It was a desperate wheezing giggle, his face split in a grin. And she could have sworn she could see the Vestiges all grinning too; All Might especially.
"You got the cheekbones all wrong," Izuku gasped, trying to contain himself. "It's more…"
His face was hidden in shadow; his cheekbones contorting, his mouth splitting into a wide, toothy grin.
"Like this Yamato!" he declared, in a deep, booming voice. Yamato gasped, and then burst out laughing. They laughed together, sharing a laugh they had both craved.
"Who's Yamato?"
Yamato froze, and Izuku fell backward off the wall, landing on the grass with a squawk of shock. She snapped her head round, and saw Uta emerging from behind a tree; her eyes wide with confusion. Yamato felt a stone sink into her gut.
"Ummm, hi Uta…"
(X)
Uta was utterly perplexed.
She had been on her way to do the dishes, only to glance out of the window and see Anna chasing after Hisashi. Something in their manner, the looks on their faces, had caught her attention.
Hisashi was angry about something. At first she had wondered what it could be. Had she done something wrong?
Then, thinking back, she realized that it had started when he saw the ruins. He had been acting strangely ever since that time.
She felt bad for skipping out on chores. But she had to know what the problem was, what was upsetting them so much. Besides, the laundry was drying out that way, so she had a good reason to go. She would just peep in, then go about her merry way.
And then they began talking, and Hisashi's voice rose, and she made out the words.
A pirate. A villain. The Government. What did he mean by all that?
She crept closer through the trees, ears straining to hear, unable to stop herself as she heard them speak in muted tones again.
Then Hisashi called Anna Yamato.
Yamato? But she said her name was Anna. They both had. Hadn't they?"
"Who's Yamato?"
The words came out before she could stop them. Her blood froze as 'Anna' spun round to face her, and Hisashi - if that was who he was - fell off the wall into the long grass.
Both of them stared at her. Hisashi clambered to his feet, his eyes wide, his face pale. Anna sucked in her mouth.
"How long… were you there?" Hisashi asked, swallowing. Uta rubbed her arm.
"Just a moment now," she said. "I heard the words Pirate and Villain, but that was it until, well… you called Anna Yamato." The pair glanced awkwardly at one-another. "Is that a nickname, or something?"
Hisashi took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. He was clearly angry, but more with himself than with her. Anna just looked embarrassed, and started rubbing her arm too.
"Or is it, like a joke?" suggested Uta, desperate to break the dark mood that had descended. "You looked like you were having a serious discussion, but then you started laughing, so…"
"In a way," Hisashi said, looking down. Uta felt a fool for suggesting it. There was nothing joking about the mood at all. If anything, they looked guilty. But for what?
"It isn't a joke, is it?"
Hisashi scratched his head, and Uta wondered what the heck she had wandered into the middle of. What was going on?
"Should we… tell her?" Anna asked, as Hisashi looked up.
"Tell me what?" Uta asked. Hisashi looked at her, then looked out over the city, running his hand through his hair.
"It's risky…"
"But it's just us here though. No one's been around, and I haven't seen any newspapers from News Coos either" pleaded Anna. "Besides, I trust Uta. You trust us too, don't you Uta?"
Uta was taken aback. They had just met, yet Anna trusted her? Just like that?
The tall girl smiled a warm, guileless smile. There was something sincere about it, something that made Uta feel nostalgic.
"I do," she said firmly. Hisashi paused for a moment, then fell in beside Anna as the pair stepped closer.
"Uta we… I admit, when we first met I was… dishonest."
"Hmm?" Uta tilted her head.
"Hisashi isn't really my name. It's Izuku." He sighed, and Uta felt nostalgic again; like that time she got caught sneaking cookies at Aunt Makino's bar. "And this is Yamato."
"Hiya!" Anna, or rather, Yamato exclaimed, waving happily. Uta blinked.
"Then… why didn't you say so when we first met?" Uta asked. It was all so confusing. Why give false names? Had they done something wrong?
But Hisashi…Izuku…had saved her life. And the way he had looked and acted as he learned of Elegia's fate.
No, there was no evil in him; none that she could see. He had a heart, and a big one too.
So then, why?
"It's complicated," Izuku said. "Well…as you can see, Yamato and I go around armed." He gestured to Yamato's club, and he patted his iron grieves. Uta blinked, and it became clear.
"You mentioned crossing paths with pirates before. But you were going on about pirates, a villain, and the government." She sat down on the wall. "You've made enemies, right?"
They had given false names. But she wanted to believe them. She wanted to hear them out, to understand who they were, and what they were doing. A boy her own age, and a girl she could talk to. The first visitors since it had happened.
"You can say that again," Izuku said ruefully.
"Uta, you see these markings?" Yamato held up her wrists. Uta got up and took a closer look. She felt cold in her stomach as she saw the pale chafing, and the scars running up and down her muscular arms.
"I was in chains for a long time," Yamato admitted. Uta's mouth fell open. "I was a prisoner of a terrible pirate, a pirate like no other. I lived without dignity, honor, or hope…until one day, Izuku washed up on the beach. I nursed him back to health, and he found a way to free me."
She smiled at Izuku, and Izuku blushed as he smiled back; but Uta barely noticed. She was too astonished by her story, too busy trying to process it.
"That's…incredible." It seemed bizarre, insane. But there was no sign that they were lying. "You escaped from a pirate crew?"
"Yeah. Since then we've been flying around, stopping on islands, beating up pirates…the usual," Izuku added, smiling awkwardly. "I couldn't just leave Yamato to her fate. Even if she hadn't taken care of me. I had to save her."
"Save her…" Uta mused, amazed. "I guess…he's your hero then?"
"That he is!" Yamato declared, grinning from ear to ear. "Where he's from, he's actually a legitimate hero too!"
"A legitimate hero?" Uta tilted her head, confused again.
"Think of it like a… super police officer," Izuku cut in hastily. "Or law enforcement. I used to be one, back on my island."
Uta paused, and on a whim, kicked a rock away down the road.
"So what, your job is saving people?" she asked.
"Yep. It's what I want to do. Ever since I was little."
Uta hopped up onto the wall, balanced, and began to walk along it. Izuku followed her along, looking a little nervous; with Yamato close behind.
"So if I was ever in trouble, would you come to save me?"
"Of course. That's the hero I want to be. One who helps others with a smile."
Uta looked down at him. There it was again, that sincerity. It made her want to trust him.
And it gave her an idea. A silly, dangerous, but very fun idea.
She hugged herself with both arms, spun towards Izuku, and let herself fall. Izuku caught her with ease, and she felt the muscles of his arms and chest.
Damn, he was built.
"Like that?" she asked, with a cheeky grin.
"Sort of. But be careful about that," Izuku admonished her lightly. "I can't always be around to save you."
"Well, you are here." Uta giggled. "My hero~"
Izuku went bright red, his eyes bulging. Uta burst out laughing as he set her down. Yamato was laughing too.
"You're a treat, you know that?" And he was. It had been so long since anyone had made her laugh. There was so little to laugh about in this lonely place. Izuku pouted and looked away, and Uta felt nostalgic again. It reminded her of better times.
"Uta!" Gordon called out, and the trio perked up. "I still see dishes in the sink!"
"Gah shoot, forgot." Uta groused as she smacked her forehead. "I gotta tend to some of the chores. It may just be me and Gordon living here, but we do a lot to get by."
"Of course, don't let us keep you" Izuku said.
"If you need help, just let us know! We'd be happy to help!" declared Yamato.
"Why, because that's what heroes do?" Uta asked wryly as she turned towards the house.
"No, because that's what friends do. We are friends, right?"
Uta paused, taken aback. Were they really…friends?
She took a deep breath, her lips and shoulders quivering, as old memories arose. The vision of a small, black-haired boy with a scar under his eye.
"Maybe I can… find something for ya to do. Gordon's getting a bit old so… just check in with him, if you want. But you're our guests. You don't have to work if you don't want to."
"Sure, we can do that." Izuku replied. "Though we did fly a long way. We could use a nap and a bath."
"Sure, no worries."
The dual-haired girl strolled back to the house, nodding as she closed the door and let out a deep sigh.
She steadied herself, and headed for the kitchen, patting herself on the cheeks.
They wanted to be her friends. Yamato, and Izuku.
It had been a long time since she'd had friends.
(X)
The rest of the day went uneventfully for Uta.
She did her usual chores; washing the dishes, wiping up the dust, singing to herself all the while. She had taken hot water upstairs for Hisashi and Anna - or rather Izuku and Yamato - so they could take their baths. There hadn't been running water for some time.
She had overheard them talking; though she could not make out what they were saying. She had yearned to talk to them, to hear more of their adventures, and their plans. But she couldn't just walk in on them again; not while they were bathing and napping.
All the same, when Gordon called her to help make dinner, she all but skipped to the kitchen. She wanted to cook up something special for their guests, and Gordon was of the same mind. He seemed as happy about their presence as she was, and she was glad of that.
"Hmmm yes… with the perfect temperature set," Gordon said as he slid the dish of fine sliced vegetables with olive oil into the oven. "It'll be done in no time!"
"You have more pep in your step today," Uta commented as she looked at the older man. He looked back, adjusting his sunglasses.
"Well, not everyday you have visitors in this corner of the world. Besides," he replied as he went to the stove top, sprinkling bread crumbs on his concoction of fish. "I can say the same of you Uta."
"Really now." Uta smirked back, the girl going to set the table.
"Quite so" insisted Gordon. Uta could not help but smile, as she got out the plates and napkins. She had always been easy to read.
"Ohhh, something smells good!" called out Ann-Yamato. "What's cooking?"
Uta perked up as the towering girl came down the stairs. She was wearing what looked like a silky bathrobe. Behind her came Izuku, wearing pajamas in a similar style. Uta glanced at the clock; nearly eight o'clock.
"Ah, Miss Anna and Mr. Hisashi," Gordon greeted them, smiling. "We are still in the final preparations for dinner. Using what we have, we wanted to make something quite special for you." Uta was grabbing some goblets and placing them on the table next. "Ah, Uta. Mind fetching the wine please? I need to check in on the sourdough and how it's heating up."
"Okay." Uta went to the wine cabinet, and searched among the bottles. "How about a… Bourgeois White? Or Standing Red?" she asked.
"Oh! I'll try them all!" Yamato exclaimed.
"Well, bring them both out. Although if you're leaving tomorrow, try not to go too hard on them" Gordon added as he looked back, checking on the sizzling fish. "My old legs can only handle so much grape-pressing after all."
"Anna can hold her liquor very well." Izuku added. "And don't mind me, I… don't drink." Uta blinked.
"Really?" she asked, and Izuku blanched. "How old are you anyway?"
"Sixteen, going to be seventeen on July 15th." He replied.
"Ah, that's in several weeks." Gordon mused as he turned. "An early happy birthday to you Mr. Hisashi."
"Oh really? That's great!" Yamato exclaimed, laughing as she glomped the smaller boy. Uta tried not to laugh as she carried the bottles to the table.
"We should do something to celebrate!" Yamato went on, as she set Izuku back down.
"Maybe, maybe," blithered Izuku as he mastered himself. "It's…in a few weeks, huh."
His eyes settled on the calendar hanging on the wall nearby. He went over to look more closely, Yamato following on.
"I make calendars at the passing of every year," Gordon said as he sprinkled some herbs onto the sizzling fish dish. "Helps pass the time and, well, helps us keep the time."
"You don't say…" Izuku mused, as he looked over pages of past and future months. "1520?"
"Hisashi?" Uta asked, and Izuku perked up.
"Ah, sorry just. Wow." He laughed, smiling. "Time flies when you're flying 'round the world… haha."
He looked around awkwardly, as if he wanted to change the subject. His eyes fell on Gordon, who was checking the bread. "You make a lot of bread I see?"
"Well, we do need food in our bellies." Gordon gestured to the pantry, seeing plenty of sacks of flour. "I've learned quite a bit about cooking given our situation. Been able to improvise too!" He pointed out the window, at the garden he and Uta had cultivated. "That's Uta's handiwork by the way. If it weren't for her god-given talent as a singer, she would have made for an excellent gardener I do say!"
"Oh Gordon stop." Uta shook her head. "I just arranged the vegetables in rows and around it I put some decorative stuff."
"You added more life into this garden than the horticulturists could ever do within Castle Mozar's greenhouse Uta" insisted Gordon, with feeling.
"Which says more about their sense of decor than it does about me," retorted Uta, though she could not help but smile.
"We were a nation of music and art, not arboriculture." Gordon chuckled. "We chose it for ease and efficiency." He checked the stove top and nodded.. "Alright, just about done… Uta, the Ratatouille?"
"Ratatawhatnow?" Yamato asked aloud as Izuku perked up.
"Oh! I've always wanted to try that!" he declared with a smile. "Anna, you're in for a treat."
"Kay," Uta checked on the oven, putting on some mitts and pulling out the vegetable dish. Seeing the vegetables all cooked up made her grin. "Just about done!"
Gordon pulled out the bread and set it on the dinner table, then brought out the fish fried in breadcrumbs and smothered in egg batter, with spices and herbs sprinkled atop. Uta cut the ratatouille into dollops, and set it on the plates.
"Here we go! Dinner is served!" she declared, carrying in the plates as Izuku and Yamato sat down. "Hope you all enjoy! Have as much as you like!"
"Hmmm… so this is the Ratataoey?" Yamato mused, eyeing the dish oddly as Uta set her plate before her, and took her seat. She took her fork, took up a piece, and slipped it into her mouth
"Told you," Izuku said with a smile as Yamato let out a closed-mouth cry of joy.
"SO GOOOOD!" She began to scarf it down as Gordon laughed heartily, and Uta found herself joining in. It had been so long since she had heard Gordon laugh like that. They all dived in, enjoying a simple feast for four, made all the better for their shared company.
And then Yamato grabbed the red wine bottle, and chugged it down like a champion.
"Pheeew! Nice!" she exclaimed. "Got some more?"
Gordon and Uta blinked. Izuku nudged her arm with his elbow, shaking his head.
"Oh, umm, would you like some?" she asked, offering the bottle to Uta, who giggled.
"I like my wine white, but thank you."
The dinner flew by, in a melody of good memories. Yamato scoffed the fresh bread by the slice, pouring olive oil over it like ketchup on a hamburger. The look on Izuku's face made Uta laugh all the more.
And then, all too soon, it was over.
"I'll tend to the dishes." Gordon stood up. "How about you relax by the fireplace. Uta, you know how to start it up."
"Course I do. You sure you don't need help?" The old man smiled warmly as he shook his head.
"I'll be fine. You tend to our guests." Uta felt grateful as she turned to Yamato and Izuku, rising from their seats.
"Thank you so much Mr. Gordon. Uta. That dinner was fantastic!" Izuku proclaimed, and Uta knew he meant it. "I've always heard good things about Ratatouille, but I never had the chance to try it!"
"Well, I'm glad to know my little culinary concoction was enjoyed by all." Gordon nodded. "Took me many weeks to get that right."
Uta led the way to the living room, and began setting wood in the fireplace. With some kindling and a match, the fire was started. As the flames licked up around the logs, she headed over the cabinet and brought out the white wine bottle, pouring herself a glass.
Then she paused, as she saw the look Izuku was giving her.
"What?"
"Nothing just… you look to be around my age and, are you sure it's okay to drink that?"
"It's fine, I've had my sips every now and then." The boy's eyebrows rose up. "Come on Hisashi, don't you want to try some wine?"
Uta offered him a glass, but Izuku shook his head.
"I'm… underaged," he muttered.
"What?" Uta was incredulous. "Drinking age is sixteen everywhere I've heard of."
"Not where I'm from," he retorted, pouting and puffing out his cheeks. Uta giggled.
"You're funny, you know that?"
(X)
They all sat down. The fire was just starting to sputter and leap.
"So… how long have you two been traveling together?" Uta asked, sipping her wine.
"About…." Izuku paused, choosing his words. "I'd say around a few weeks."
"My, you must have crossed a lot of distance then."
"We have! I may have even dozed off a couple of times flying atop of Hisashi" Yamato added enthusiastically. "The distances we go… it must take a ship weeks if not days, but he can handle it in about a day!"
"It is draining though." Izuku yawned, leaning back on the old couch. "I think we did like, six or eight hours today Anna."
"We did get up early on that atoll," the white-haired girl replied. "With no clouds or mountains, we got a big sunrise right to the face to wake us up!"
"Waking up to a sunrise… must be nice." Uta sighed wistfully before she looked up to Yamato. "So…you've been traveling together for such a short time, but you've done so much. Seeing the world, so many different places."
She looked out of the window at the overcast sky. "I'm…to be honest…a little envious."
Izuku rubbed his arm, wondering if he dared say it. But he had promised Yamato, and now was as good a time as any.
"If we had a ship that could handle the Grand line," Yamato cut in, deciding for him. "We could come back here, and take you both away with us! You want to leave this place, right?"
Uta perked up, looking into Yamato's eyes with a longing that made Izuku's heart ache.
"I do, but…" Uta faltered. "Where would that leave Gordon? I can't leave him all alone." She sighed and looked away. "He practically raised me. I'm the only family he has. I can't do something so cruel…"
"Then we'll take you both!" insisted Yamato, undeterred.
"Great plan, shame none of us know the first thing about sailing" the Second User growled.
"Anna…" Izuku gave Yamato a hard look. "I know you mean well, but you're taking this too fast. We don't have a ship or a crew, and we don't know the first thing about sailing."
Yamato's shoulders slumped.
"Our world really was spoiled with things like GPS and the like. Sailing the old fashioned way was practically a roll of the dice," Hikage whispered, recalling many a tale he'd read about failed sailing expeditions.
"No, I understand." Uta said, nodding. "It's not that easy, getting a ship and a crew. Need a captain to lead. A cook for the food. Quartermaster for the supplies. Navigator. So many things goes into sailing than just going on a boat and winging it."
She looked down at the floor, as reality settled in. Izuku decided to change the subject.
"Sounds like you know a thing or two about sailing" he surmised. Uta gave him a strange look, a look of questioning…and of fear.
"Yeah, I do," she eventually said. "Before I came here, I spent much of my life on the sea." She drew a long breath. "I…I used to be in a pirate crew."
Izuku forced himself not to gape.
"You were?" Yamato asked, wide-eyed.
"Y-You guys don't mind, r-right?" asked Uta, looking from one to the other, eyes full of fear.
"I might." The Third User stood up in objection, before Hikage and Banjo pushed him back down.
"At least let her explain herself first."
"Not at all!" exclaimed Yamato, and for once Izuku was grateful for the interruption. "Not all pirates are bad! We met a noble and heroic pirate crew on the way here! They protected an island without demanding any sort of tribute!"
Uta stared at her, hope warring with fear in her eyes.
"Well, I guess," admitted Izuku awkwardly. "So, were you a prisoner on that crew?"
"Not at all!" Uta declared. "The truth is… they were my first family." She smiled ruefully. "They took me in when I was little."
"As a baby? What happened to your mom and dad?" Izuku asked. Uta shook her head and shrugged.
"Never knew them. I was found inside a little treasure chest as a baby." Uta explained. "They took me in, raised me and along the way, I became a singer thanks to the Sing Sing Fruit."
"The Sing Sing Fruit? You're a Fruit user?" Izuku asked.
(X)
"Yep. It's what made me become a talented singer. I could sing at any tune or pitch." She grinned. "One time I screamed so hard when I was singing I caused a cliff-side to collapse! Oh, and I can make glass vibrate too."
She held her empty wine glass and took a deep breath.
"Do Re Miiiii~" she sang. Izuku and Yamato stared in amazement as the glass vibrated.
"So you're able to do that to inanimate objects? Not bad…" Izuku mused. Uta shrugged.
"Well, I couldn't let any time I raised my voice to shatter glass and rock, so I had to train it. The best way to do that was by singing, and I found I had a talent for it. The pirates loved my singing, and I loved it too."
She sighed, enjoying those pleasant memories.
"Then we found out about Elegia. They all wanted me to come here, so I could develop as a singer and fulfill my dream."
"They seem nice," Izuku mused, still not crazy about the idea.
"They were my family and… I lost them." Uta frowned. "I thought they were so strong but… then another crew attacked and I don't know what happened to them." She took a deep breath. "I couldn't find their ship in the harbor. All the ships were burning, or sunk."
She stared into the fire, and in her mind's eye she saw them again. The burning ships, the sea of fire that had once been Elegia, the smell…
"I see… I'm sorry to hear that Uta." Yamato said sadly. Uta kept silent, staring into the fire. This was getting morbid.
"So," she straightened up, changing the subject. "Where are you two off to?"
"Oh, uh, nowhere in particular," replied Izuku, shrugging. "We're just trying to put as much distance between us and our enemy as possible. The further and sooner, the better. After that, we'll see."
"Yep! Hisashi's been to a lot of places and I haven't, so we get to explore together!" Yamato exclaimed, eyes bright. Uta grinned, unable to resist the taller girl's enthusiasm.
"That's nice." She yawned. The buzz from the wine was wearing off. "So do you plan to settle down anywhere? After your… travels?"
"It really depends." Izuku mused. "I'm not sure if we ever can. Word can get around, and…our enemy isn't the kind to give up easily."
"To fly away, see the world," Uta murmured, gazing into the flames power to go where they pleased, and do as they pleased…
Then, without a word, Yamato got up and trotted out of the room.
"She going up to bed?" Uta asked, and Izuku shrugged.
"Heck if I know." He stretched his arms, and Uta could see scars under his pajama sleeves, and around his collar. They reminded her of Shanks, back in the day.
She heard footsteps, and there was Yamato again; trotting into the room with her hands cupped in front of her.
"Here!" she exclaimed, holding out her hands and opening them. Uta looked, and saw a Transponder Snail sitting on her open palm, looking blankly up at her.
"Anna, what are you…?"
"You can have this," insisted Yamato, her amber eyes shining in the firelight. "When we leave, we can keep in touch with this. And then, when we can, we'll come back for you."
Uta looked down at the snail, and back up at Yamato. She could hardly believe it. They were offering her a Transponder Snail? And promising to come back?
"You… you'd do that?" she asked.
"And not just you, but Gordon too!"
"Anna," Izuku warned.
"It's fine!" Yamato said. "Until then, we can stay in touch! All this little guy needs is lettuce and some veggies and water, and you'll be a-okay!" Yamato drew another snail from her pocket with her other hand, and held it up to show her. "I tested a few from my backpack, and these two should work."
She grinned. Izuku looked awkward, and then sighed. Uta took the proffered snail, cradling it in her hands.
"I can call you whenever we stop," Yamato went on, as brightly as a child. "I can tell you where we are, what we've seen, what we've eaten, and…"
She trailed off, as Uta flung her arms around them both. Uta sobbed, her heart bursting like a dam.
"It's okay, Uta," Yamato said, hugging her back. "We're friends. And we want to help you."
"And we will come back for you and Gordon," insisted Izuku. "That's a promise. You won't be alone any more, either of you. So…will you hang in there a little bit longer?"
"Yes…. Yes!" she blubbered. Her eyes brimmed and flowed, and she couldn't stop them. Never, not since Elegia had burned, had she felt like this. She had forgotten what joy felt like.
She did not see Gordon peeking in from the kitchen, with a big warm smile upon his face.
(X)
The morning came, and Izuku arose, refreshed.
He crept out of his room, floating so as to make no sound. He grinned at the sound of music from Yamato's room, and he could hear Uta and Gordon's voices in the kitchen below.
Knowing there was little time, he headed straight to the bathroom. Once there, he spent a few minutes grubbing in the corners until he found what he was looking for.
"This is so gross" Daigoro muttered.
"It's easy to follow. You're relying on that Sabo, aren't you?" Hikage retorted.
"Bit of a leap if you ask me" the Third grumbled.
"It'll be fine. Besides, this way we can find the means to travel back to Elegia" Nana surmised.
Izuku quickly bagged up the nail clippings he had found, and floated back to his room. Once he met up with Sabo again, he could have the other man make him a Vivre Card for Uta.
Or at least, he was fairly sure the clippings were Uta's. Nail clippings weren't something he ever paid much attention to before. And it wasn't as if he could ask.
Once the bag was safely stowed, he took his turn in the bathroom. The water was only lukewarm, and sponge-bathing felt strange to him; but it was better than a pond or the sea. This done, he joined Yamato, Uta, and Gordon in the kitchen for breakfast. The faire was warm and filling; an omelet with fried fish, mushrooms, cheese, and a side of hash brown potatoes, along with a fruit bowl.
Izuku looked at his watch as he set his plate in the kitchen. Just past 10:30 AM.
"We left Doyle two days ago. Bay contacted us on the eve before we left" Yoichi mused. "I think she mentioned it would take her three to four days or so?"
"Yes. Hopefully from Elegia, we can make the straight flight to Rubikan" the Second added. "Either we get there before her, or we wait for her."
"What? No arriving at the same time?" Daigoro asked.
"That rarely ever happens. Either we are early or late. The chances of that third scenario happening is nill at best," the Second replied.
Izuku returned to his room and started packing, Yamato doing likewise. With his costume on and his backpack in place, he headed over to check on Yamato. The oni princess was in her room, munching on some donuts.
"Those the last of the donuts?" Izuku asked. Yamato paused, looking sheepish.
"Y-yeah. Want this one?" she asked. Izuku shrugged, taking it. "Sorry, I really like them. Doyle food is really good."
"Thanks, and don't worry about it." He munched on the donut as Yamato finished zipping up. "Be sure to fill up your canteen too. We'll need the fresh water."
"Right." Yamato nodded, and hefted her backpack into place. Izuku finished his donut, and the pair headed downstairs together.
Waiting outside were Uta and Gordon. Uta was smiling, but looking pained.
"So, you're taking off?" Uta asked, plaintively.
"Yep. We've got a lot of ground to cover." Izuku bowed low. "Thank you two so much for taking us in."
"Not at all, Hisashi, Anna," replied Gordon gracious. "It's been a long time since we've had any visitors. This is an occasion I won't be forgetting any time soon."
Uta gulped, rubbing at her eyes with her forearm.
"It's okay Uta," Yamato assured her. "We will come back for you. So just hang in there, okay?"
"Yes, we will," Izuku added, giving her his best everything's okay smile.
"You promise?" squeaked Uta, almost sobbing.
"We promise."
Yamato stepped forward, and pulled the weeping girl into a hug. Izuku joined them for a few moments, the trio holding each other without a word.
"Just keep singing, and we'll come running if so much as one note changes," Izuku said softly. "That's a promise."
There's a small moment where there wasn't any really sound. But afterwards, Yamato and Uta agreed that they didn't hear anything even remotely like crying from their new friend.
The trio broke off their hug, and Uta backed off. Izuku floated up, and Yamato wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Good call not using Black Whip in front of them," The Second whispered in Izuku's ears.
"We'll see each other again!" Izuku called out.
"We'll be back! Don't worry you two!" Yamato said as Izuku began to levitate away. Uta ran after them, and Izuku's heart ached for her. More than ever, he wanted to grab her hand and carry her away with them.
"You gave your word," Hikage whispered. "We'll return here, and give them both back their lives."
"Goodbye Utaaaaa!" Yamato yelled, her forearm catching his throat and making him cough. Below them, Uta reached the tip of a hill, jumping and waving to them. There was joy etched on her face, a joy Izuku would never forget.
And with that, they were out of sight. As the clouds embraced them, Izuku activated his Black Whip, and Yamato eased her arms.
"Now that it's just us, we should scold her." The Third growled.
"Huh!? What for!?" Nana cried out.
"Yamato acted impulsively then! Making outrageous promises… what happens then if you don't keep it? What if things change and we can't come back here?!"
"Sorry, Third." Izuku murmured. "But I know why she did it. I can't just ignore her."
"Izuku? Who are-oh, Vestiges," Yamato cut in. "Did… I do something bad then?"
"Nope. The Third is just being a grouch." Izuku said, smiling. "I feel the same way you do."
"Oh come on!" the Third snarled. "I'm trying to make things easier for us all here!"
"I didn't make a promise, I made a guarantee," Izuku said, speaking both to Yamato and to the Third. "Yamato. It's not just about getting stronger either. Let's get a ship of our own at some point."
"And a crew!" Yamato then blinked, and Izuku could see her grin. "So does that mean that… you wanna be a pirate~?"
"Course not!" Izuku spat out, looking away. "We'll be… travelers is all. Never mind that now."
He slowed down, and pulled out the Eternal Pose.
"Here it is, to Isla Rubikan…" He turned about, taking one last look at the cloudy island of Elegia.
"This way then. Yamato?" he asked, handing the pose to her. "You hang onto that for dear life."
"Got it!" Yamato giggled. "Alright, onto Rubikan, and Whitey Bay!"
"And from her, Whitebeard." Izuku tightened up his Black Whip tendrils, and readied Fa Jin. "Let's go!"
And he sped off, parting the clouds as he sped onward and upward, until he was a tiny speck in the blue sky.
(X)
Gordon looked on as Uta returned. She was almost skipping, and he was glad to see it. She was so happy, so full of hope; a hope he could not help but share, even after all he had lost.
And for that very reason, he couldn't let it get the better of him. There was too much at stake.
"I'm going to check in on the chickens! But I will see to the crab and fish traps first!" Uta chimed, grabbing her raincoat. "Hopefully we got something good down in the harbor!"
"Of course, I'll be here resting." Gordon groaned as he stretched his back, hearing pops and crack. Age was catching up to him. It had been for some time.
Then he gasped as Uta ran up to him and gave him a big hug. He smiled, patting her on the back.
"We'll finally be free from this place Gordon. They'll come back for us."
Uta was still smiling. Gordon forced himself to smile back. It was hard to do.
"I'm sure they will."
Uta jogged off to the harbor, grinning from ear to ear. The old man watched her go, then headed back inside, to the kitchen. He grabbed a pad and pencil, and wrote a quick note.
Gone to the city to scavenge supplies. Back later.
He left the note on the stand near the front door, then took up his cane and stepped out of the door. He checked one last time to make sure Uta hadn't come back, then headed up the hill towards Castle Mozar.
He took the road that dipped downwards towards the front gate; past the massive burn scar that had once been the main road into the city. He paused as he reached the main gate, his eyes settling on the faint ashen outlines on the inside wall; still just visible after all these years.
It pained him to see them. But he did not look away. It was the least he owed his people, after what that monster had done to them.
A monster of his own making, born of his ignorance, and summoned by his arrogance.
His brief vigil done, he continued into the castle, into what had once been the stable. He took the broom from where he had left it, and swept aside the hay and dust, revealing a faded rug. He groaned as he knelt down, and pulled the rug aside; revealing a trap door.
His knees ached as he clambered down into the darkness. He fumbled along the damp stones with shaking hands, until he found the candle and matchbox. The match flared, and the wick glowed, revealing the hidden storeroom around him.
And the matchbox was full. Had he been here?
Gordon made his way through the storeroom, past the rolled-up rugs and the stacked saddles. At the other end was a door, which creaked as he opened it. Beyond lay a smaller room, with a wooden table in the middle. As Gordon stepped closer, he saw a map on the table; a map of Elegia, with the Grand Concert Venue, Castle Mozar, the manor all circled.
There was also a Transponder Snail, nibbling on a large and fresh-looking bundle of celery; and beside it a handwritten note.
Courtesy from the Chief. Hope you find these ribbit-ing!
Gerotini of the Puddle Pirates.
Gordon looked around, holding up his candle. The light revealed half-opened crates, filled with packs of vegetable seeds, flour, and barley. There were even wine bottles, covered with dust to maintain the illusion.
He looked again at the snail. There was a Jolly Roger on its shell; a skull with a small red line through the left eye, and sabers crossed behind. The same sign was emblazoned on the buoys surrounding Elegia; warning any visitor to heave away, or face the wrath of the Red Hair Pirates.
But those two hadn't seen them. They had flown in from the sky, without the slightest inkling of where they were, or what had happened here.
And they had given Uta hope of leaving this place.
Gordon's old soul ached worse than his knees. He hated this. He had always hated it. He hated keeping Uta trapped in this place of death and ruin; with nothing to do but help him with chores and sing songs no one would ever hear. He yearned to set her free, to see her sail away with her new friends, to live the life she should have known.
But he could not. Uta could never leave. And it was all his fault. He'd kept that damned lyrical score; in turn allowing it to find its way into Uta's hands who'd unwillingly set that…thing free.
Gordon clenched his fists in rage, again cursing himself for not simply burning those accursed pages years ago like any sane man would've. Yet, even now, no matter how much he wished too and how easy it would be, he couldn't summon the strength to do it.
His very passion for music was the chain that tied his hands.
The sin was his, and his alone. But Uta had to bear it; for her own sake, and for the whole world. If she left this place, and her power became known, it would make her a target; for the Emperors, and the World Government. Elegia was her sanctuary, and her prison.
Gordon took the snail and dialed the number.
"Ring Ring Ring Ring. Ring Ring Ring Ring. Ring Ring Ring Ring… Click."
The Snail's face changed.
"Gordon. It's been a while. What's up?"
"Red Hair." Gordon spoke. "We've had visitors."
And so ends our Elegia portion. Back onto heading to meet with Bay. And we have made friends along the way in the process. One who wants to leave, but outside forces want her to remain...
Oh, and Shanks knows of Hisashi and Anna now.
We will be back at Elegia. Believe that.
So yeah, big thanks to Juubi-K for his polish. WildJoker000 for his edits. And IKnowNothing for his own edits, add ons, trimming, and stamp of approval.
Also, anyone here know how to make AMVs? I want to see if I can find a person who can make one and have it interspliced with Izuku and Yamato doing things and them clashing with Kaido at the end.
Hope you all enjoyed. Will see to getting to work on the next one on my end. But Briefs Divine Comedy comes next, and maybe some FFESS stuff too. See ya in the next one.