"Good lord… there's three of those big guys now," uttered Shachi, debating checking to make sure his eyes were working.
Sitting in the captain's chair, Reiju watched him as he looked through the periscope. Around them, the chamber was filled with the sounds of UV-1; the pinging of the radar board, thethrum-thrum-thrumof the engine, and the creak and groan of the hull.
"Three what?" she asked.
"Marine ships. Big. Like, the ones at Kaisafjord big." The man stepped aside as Reiju strode up to the periscope.
Then she saw them. An Antoinette-class destroyer moving off, and a Kong-class battleship in the near distance; a Sengoku-class destroyer moving towards it.
"Looks like even the Holy Land of Mariejois has taken an interest," she said. With a frustrated sigh, she snapped up the periscope's handles. "Bring the periscope down. Penguin, keep on this course."
"Roger that!" Penguin called back from the pilot's seat. "Man, couldn't have done this without your help there." He was looking at a black screen right in front of him; with green images moving across it. It was a perfect replica of the main Radar Board in the middle of the command center. "Wish thisRadarthing wasn't so annoying, though. Such a pain in the ass to figure out."
"It is what is guiding us," replied Drona mildly; his four arms moving slowly and carefully over a bank of controls. "We will need its help to avoid those Marines."
"I still can't believe you have four arms," commented Penguin, glancing again at the aforementioned limbs.
"The Blue Sea Dwellers have two arms. Where I come from, my people have four," answered Drona. "I apologize for misleading you all, but discretion is the better part of valor."
"I mean, when you put it that way…" mused Shachi. "Still, no harm no foul." He took his seat, looking over the various panels and gauges. "Okay, we're dropping back to fifty meters."
Reiju blinked, willing her weary eyes to focus, then strode to the map table. They had been sailing south underwater for three days, with Izuku's Eternal Pose to guide them. If she had judged their speed and heading right, they should be approaching Wendig.
After that, she had no way of knowing. The Eternal Pose had no markings on it besides Whitebeard's Jolly Roger.
Which meant, logically, they were heading into Whitebeard's territory. And that meant going through the Calm Belt.
She let out a silent sigh. Her father was rotting in Hell, assuming there was such a place; but she had to admit, he had done a good job in designing and building this submarine. With its seastone-plated hull, it was invisible to Sea Kings and since it was self propelled, the still waters were a mere curiosity.
"Oxygen and water…steady," added Bepo. The bear mink stood up from his station, and stepped over to the radar board. It was in a big circle, with green images showcasing undersea mountains and canyons with the dot in the center being UV-1. The board before Penguin was more of a frontward view, showcasing the sight in front of the sub. It was akin to looking out a window with the objects outside in bright green lines in a pitch black world. Reiju can even make out the faint shimmering of the ocean surface.
"To think the sea would have so many mountains and ravines," he mused, looking down at the display. "I can't imagine mapping it all. Especially with how deep it probably gets."
"The wonders of radar," Reiju said, smiling in spite of herself. "It's still experimental, but we can see without needing windows."
She stepped over to a cabinet set into the bulkhead, and took out a plate of mixed vegetables. Plate in hand, she returned to the radar board and knelt down beside it. Under the board was a glass chamber, within which sat six Transponder Snails on a round plate; their shells fitted with specially attuned radio packs.
Reiju opened a little door in the glass wall, and turned a handle below it, rotating the plate until a snail reached the door, and she laid some vegetables in front of it. She repeated the procedure until all six were heartily munching; the screen on both radar boards fizzling as they ate.
Then they were finished, and the chimes came again; ringing out from every snail's mouth as the board returned to normal. It had been annoying at first; but she had gotten used to it. It helped that she had been busy, coaching the Heart Pirates and the maids on how to manage the ship's functions; so they could all work in shifts.
There was no choice. Until they reached safe waters, they could not surface.
She heard footsteps, and straightened up. It was Law, his arms and neck covered in bandages; and she could see more through the holes in his jeans.
"Morning," she murmured. The man nodded.
"Morning. About time for my shift." Reiju looked at the clock. Three in the morning, just as they had worked out. Law took three at night to three in the afternoon, and Reiju took the rest; twelve hours each. The Hearts started their shifts at nine in the evening to nine in the morning, when the Maids took over.
"Captain!" Bepo waved. "Good morning!"
Law nodded to him, as Reiju rubbed her eyes. "Got a minute, Reiju?" Reiju nodded, and looked to Bepo.
"Bepo, you mind having the deck for a minute?" The bear mink perked up. up.
"I have the deck… I'm the Captain now!" he cheered.
"No you're not!" Shachi shouted back.
"Shhhhh quiet down, the maids are sleeping down the hall, morons!" Penguin hissed.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Bepo slumped.
"That was to Shachi too!" Penguin whispered, as Drona chuckled. Reiju followed Law out of the command center, and down a set of stairs to the main corridor, and into the wardroom; closing the hatch behind her.
"How are they?" she asked.
"Midoriya's still asleep, but his vitals are improving. He needs his rest while the salves do their work. It'll take at least a week for the bone in his finger heals."
Reiju nodded. That all made sense.
"And how's Yamato?" Law sighed through his nose.
"She hasn't left his side. I don't think she's even showered." he murmured. "Can you talk sense to her? She's almost freezing up when I'm around, so…" He trailed off.
"I'll talk to her," Reiju said, leaning back against the bulkhead. "How are we for food and water?" Law winced, and her heart sank.
"The only food on board were those nutrient bars," he murmured. "That plus what we brought from the Arctic Unicorn. Us four would be fine, seven would be manageable; for twelve, we'll have to ration hard. And that's just food."
Reiju took a breath through her nose. The sub was designed for a crew of ten, so twelve wasn't too bad a stretch. But they hadn't been fully stocked when they set out; and she'd had to get very creative to make those nutrient bars palatable.
"Don't worry about the water," she said. "We've got the desalination chamber for that. But we'll need to dock somewhere while it works."
"How long will this take?" Law asked, curiously
"To fill the tank, boil, and condense…six hours in all. And the tank will need the salt scraped out of it afterwards." She paused. "The real issue is finding somewhere to dock before we reach the Calm Belt."
She turned, looking at a map of the North Blue on the wall.
"We're just about here." She pointed at Wendig Kingdom, a fair distance south of Kaisafjord. "Heavensward is over there," she dragged her finger east, to the looming mass of the Red Line. "Our best prospect is a Germa supply depot here," she pointed further south, to a small group of islands just north of the Calm Belt. "Plunja Duchy, of the Lvneel Kingdom. They couldn't afford a Marine garrison, so they took my father's offer instead; land for the depot and resources, protection in return."
"And what will the troopers say when we arrive?" asked Law dubiously, praying they could avoid another fight.
"Probably nothing, they should all be dead," replied Reiju plainly.
"They'd destroy their own base?"
"If they don't hear from Germa in twenty-four hours, security protocols kick in. Destroy everything, then kill themselves. Leave nothing and no one."
Such was her father's paranoia, and his overweening pride. Better his entire kingdom be destroyed than even the smallest part of it be plundered. Then again, Reiju dreaded the idea of any country, especially the World Government, getting their hands on his technology.
"Okay," Law nodded. "We stop by Plunja, refill our air and water. We'll have to go into the duchy itself for food; not to mention clothes."
"I'm sure Izuku will lend us some of his money to help."
"Whitebeard's money, you mean," Law murmured. "We'll talk more when he wakes up." He looked around the wardroom. "This thing saved our skins from the Marines, but…I feel like a sardine."
"Well, it won't be that way forever." She smiled, patting his shoulder. "See you in twelve?"
The man nodded, then opened the hatch and stepped out; heading for the stairs. Reiju headed for her quarters, then paused as she reached the infirmary, and poked her head round the hatchway.
Izuku lay on the bed, face covered by an oxygen mask, an IV hooked up to his arm. Beside him, a heart monitor beeped the slow beep of a sleeping heartbeat.
Her heart ached to see him. The boy who had saved her, saved them all, looked half-dead. At least he was improving and still alive.
But when she looked to the other side of the bed, her heart ached even more. Yamato was sitting against the wall, arms wrapped around her knees, head down. There was an empty plate at her feet.
"Hey," Reiju said awkwardly, bending down to pick up the plate. "You doing okay?"
Yamato didn't reply.
"He'll pull through. I know he will." Reiju knelt down and put a hand on her knee. Yamato lifted her head, revealing red, swollen eyes.
"I caused this…" she croaked, her voice hoarse from crying. "I didn't stay with him. I couldn't protect him. I….hurthim."
"Yamato, you protectedallof us. You…"
Yamato only seemed to shrink, and Reiju cringed. Maybe best not to put itthatway.
"Listen… Izuku would want you to take care of yourself. I'm happy you're eating, at least." She sat down beside Yamato. "But you can't neglect yourself like this. Go take a shower. It'll make you feel better if nothing else."
Yamato lifted her head again, looking Reiju in the eyes.
"I'll stay by his side," promised Reiju. The urge to sleep was gnawing at her, but she could stay up a little longer. "Trust me."
Yamato took a deep breath, and groaned as she got up. Her clothes were in tatters; and her rope belt was the only thing holding her trousers up, while her geta had been lost during the battle.
"We're going to an island to get new clothes," hazarded Reiju. "You can come along if…"
"No." Yamato stepped around her and headed for the hatch. "I don't want to see another island. I just wanna go home."
Reiju's heart sank even more.
"We're on our way," Reiju assured her. "We're using the Eternal Pose from Izuku's backpack. Do you know where it leads?"
"To Melville," Yamato replied, her voice still croaking. "It's Pops' shipyard."
The shipyard of the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Alright then. I'll relay that to the crew later. For now, you go shower and move your legs." Reiju took Yamato's place on the floor by the sleeping Izuku's side. "If he wakes up, I'll let you know."
The horned girl slowly nodded, and clambered through the hatch; hissing as she caught her horns on the top.
Reiju leant back against the wall and sighed. Yamato was going through hell, in both mind and spirit. Yet no words of hers, or anyone else's, seemed to comfort her.
"What can I do?" she murmured aloud.
"Ri…Ri…Ri…"
Reiju perked up, looking around. The strange sound was coming from Izuku's backpack; which someone had left in the corner of the infirmary. She stepped over, and opened it. Inside was a Transponder Snail, eyes bulging, body spasming. Confused, and curious, Reiju clicked on the receiver.
"Hello?"
"I-ku… ho… yo… ing-"
The voice was garbled, but it sounded young and female.
"Who is this?" Reiju asked.
"Wh-Who… is… king… you… ot… uku…" The snail was spasming more and more. Reiju wasn't sure, but she suspected the water pressure was blocking the signal.
"Sorry, Izuku is…not available right now. He's…sick," Reiju replied, not sure what else to say.
"Wh…ma…is…kay…?" The face contorted again, and Reiju sighed. They couldn't surface, not with those Marine ships nearby.
"I'll tell Izuku you called," she went on. "We'll call back when we can." She clicked on the button, ending the call; hoping that person had understood.
And who was she, anyway? The snail didn't have a Whitebeard emblem on it.
What was going on?
(X)
Elegia
Uta looked at the snail, utterly befuddled.
The call had been a complete mess; full of static and white noise. There had been a female voice on the other end; a voice that wasn't Yamato. Worse, she couldn't even make sense of what she had said. Something about Izuku being sick.
Uta set the snail down on her desk, and sighed glumly.
"I hope they're okay," she murmured, resting her head on her arms. She loved Gordon like a father, but it had been so much fun when Izuku and Yamato were there. It had been just so…different; with new people to talk to, and eat with. Just being with them had made everything seem better somehow. They looked so strong. Izukufeltstrong.
If something happened to them…
She shook her head, and stood up. She had to trust them; that's what friends did. Besides, it was just about time for morning chores.
Uta put the snail in a drawer, and got changed; exchanging her nightgown for a nice white dress. She paused a moment, admiring herself in the mirror; wondering, for just a moment, if Izuku thought she was pretty.
Blushing lightly at the idea, she dismissed the thought, got her gardening gloves, and headed down the corridor. She could hear Gordon snoring, so she moved quietly so as not to wake him. Best to get the gardening done quickly, then get breakfast started.
Looking out the window, she noticed the sky was unusually dark for this time of year. Paying it little mind, she hummed to herself as she opened the door, and stepped out into the vegetable garden.
Descending slowly from the sky was a ship, a ship unlike anything she had ever seen. It was colored a bright silver, with swirling patterns running along the hull.
Uta dropped her tools, and ran back inside.
"Gordon! Gordon!" She called out. "A ship! A flying ship!"
"Mmngh… Uta what is it?" The old man appeared at the top of the stairs.
"We have a flying ship! It's outside!" Uta exclaimed, eyes wide. Gordon's eyebrows rose.
"A flying ship? Don't be ridiculous…" He hobbled downstairs, and followed Uta out into the garden. "There can be no such…thing…"
Not it was his jaw's turn to drop; as he saw the silver ship settle into the harbor. There were shapes in the air too; shapes with wings.
Descending towards them.
"Uta, go inside," Gordon urged. But Uta just stared at the newcomers in amazement.
Izuku was able to fly too. Had he sent them here to save them!?
"Gordon, they've come for us!" she exclaimed, eyes wide. "We're going to be saved! Izu-I mean, Hisashi had to told them of-"
"Izu?" Gordon asked, and Uta sucked in her lips. "Listen, go inside and wait. Do as I say, please!"
Then the figures landed, and Uta could see them clearly.
They were human-shaped, and dressed in black cloaks; but with black wings and flames leaping from their backs. Their faces were covered with smooth silver masks. They were tall, very tall; taller even from Yamato.
They werescary.
"Well well well, good morning!" exclaimed the lead figure as it touched down. It was carrying a smaller figure, also in a black cloak; but this one had four arms instead of two. Both of them wore gold pins on their chests; showing a golden hand with an open eye, surrounded by a circle of jewels.
The taller figure drew back his hood. His skin was a dark bronze, with a gem in the middle of his brow; his gold eyes smug and mischievous, his left ear festooned with gold earrings. His hair was a bright silver, slicked up in spikes, with the back like a bird's tail feathers. His face was marred by a long scar, running from his left eye down to his collarbone.
There were two swords at his hips; one blue and white, one black and red.
"So, this is where the signal originated from? That and the notes that old fool left us at least."
The bronze angel looked around, patting the ground with his foot. "Blue Sea Earth…not too shabby." He took a breath, and winced. "Air is rather salty though, so I'll pass." He looked out to the ruined city of Elegia. "Heh, I've seen more cheer in the Dead Scar."
He quietly traced the scar on his face, hand drifting to one of his sheathed blades.
"W-Who are you!" Gordon demanded. "Name yourself!"
The towering man looked at him with an air of boredom.
"My my, so impertinent. At least the two-armed fool back on the ship can make himself useful and amusing." He shrugged. "Which one of you is the singer? Come with us without a fuss, and we can go on our merry way."
"What?" Gordon was clearly scared; more so than Uta had ever seen him.
"The one who has the power of the Singing Devil? It's the girl right? After all… you sang such alovelysong…" The man smirked. "About wings and hope to that boy,whatwas his name? Oh yes, I remember."
He leaned down, and she saw the sadism leak from his golden gaze.
"Izuku, wasn't it~?"
Gordon's face paled. Uta stepped back, her blood running cold.
"How…?" How could this happen? How had he overheard their Snail call!?
"Get the girl and make sure not to damage her." He snapped his fingers. One of the black-winged angels stepped up, and Uta felt fear clench her heart. She turned and ran for the house; but something grasped her feet and arms, wrapping itself around her body. Shescreamed.
"Uta!" Gordon yelled as Uta fell to the ground, and was pulled in, struggling all the while.
"Don't resist. Please come willingly," said the smaller figure, drawing back her hood. It was a young woman, with beige skin and long, bone white hair. Her auburn eyes were set like stone.
And there was a third eye, in the middle of her forehead.
"Let me go!" Uta yelled, struggling against the ropes that held her.
But then she saw that they weren't ropes. They were the woman'sarms. She was a Devil Fruit user!
"Easy there Siddhura, don't rough her up," mocked the bronze angel. "We didn't go through all the trouble finding her Snail signal just to break her. She does look like a doll after all!"
"You're the one who storms in like a bull, Jarati," retorted Siddhura, glaring at her taller companion.
"Feh, don't compare me to Yashaman," oiled the winged demon called Jarati, running a hand through his silver locks. His hands strayed down to his swords. "And I'd sooner bathe in mud than discrate my beloved Ara and Kroda with their filthy blood."
"Snail Call? Uta were you calling Izuku? How?!" Gordon yelled. He was frozen in terror. Uta couldn't reply, such was her fear; as the long arms lifted her up.
"Gordon…!" The name forced itself out, as tears ran down her face. Who were these people? Where did they come from? Why did they have a ship that can fly?!
"Lord Jarati, do we need the other human?" asked one of the winged warriors.
"We have what we need," Jarati replied. "One Blue Sea Dweller is bad enough. Two is about all I can take; with that one on the ship. But three…" He stuck out his tongue, and seemed to go pale. "Besides, this land won't be around much longer."
Gordon stepped back, then drew himself up, glaring up at the sneering demon. "You let her go!"
Uta gaped as he flung himself at Jarati. Jarati scoffed, and his leg flashed out; quick as a viper. It caught Gordon in the chest, sending him crashing back into the house.
"GORDON!" Uta shrieked, as Siddhura's arms bound her tighter.
"Filthy backbiters need to know their place," spat Jarati. "Kshatriya,we're done here."
Siddhura offered an arm, and he took it; flapping his wings and rising into the air. Uta kicked and screamed as she was borne aloft; away from the house, from her home, from Gordon. She struggled and yelled with all her strength; anything to get away, or just to give these winged demons pain.
They flew over the city, and she could see it all. The streets where she had walked and sang, once full of musicians, now just silent and empty ruins; overtaken by nature. The harbor, where she had landed with Shanks and everyone; the harbor that had become their grave.
They landed on the strange silver ship. There were more cloaked figures there; these with four arms, and faceless masks with three eyes. At the helm lounged a tall, two-armed figure; his face hidden in shadow.
Giant tall black winged demons… and four armed three eyed freaks of nature!? What are these people!?
He set Siddhura down; and the four-armed woman held Uta up for all to see. Around them, Jarati's retinue landed in turn; as silent as when they had arrived.
"Get us out of here," Jarati ordered. "The sooner we leave this pitiful land the better."
The tall figure scoffed, and a scarred hand reached form beneath its robes to touch the ship's wheel. With a slight jolt, the ship began to ascend; rising into the sky.
"I HATE YOU! I HATE ALL OF YOU!" Uta yelled, despair and sorrow gripping her heart. "When Izuku and Yamato find out! When they find you! They'll make you pay!"
Jarati blinked, before a grin broke out on his face.
"Jarahahahahaha! Izuku?Yamato?" he laughed, incredulous. "Girl, they won't even know where to look! No mere mortal can reach our beautiful Kingdom of Heaven!"
He cupped her chin, and she could see the malice in his gold eyes.
"Say goodbye to this wretched Blue Sea. Soon, it will be over and done with; consumed by Storm and Fire and Water. For the God King wills it... for our Path to Eternal Peace. ToParinirvana."
Uta lashed out, and bit his hand. She cried out and fell back, every teeth aching. It was like biting rock!
"Ha! Adorable, but pointless," Jarati sneered. He cupped his hand, and a fireball formed above it.
Uta shivered at the flames, as visions ofthathorrid day assailed her mind.
"Then again, biting your better is a serious afront. You need to be taught a lesson…alas, we cannot harm you."
"Jarati, we don't have time for this." Siddhura pleaded. Jarati merely smirked.
"It's fine, perhaps a demonstration of our power will finally snuff out that rebellious spirit of hers."
With a flap of his wings he took to the sky, eyes focused on Elegia. The fire on his back leapt and spread, covering his entire body. Uta shrieked and struggled, as she released what he intended.
"Now learn what happens when you defy the Divine!" Jarati raised his hand.
"Kakah Surya."
The flames erupted, bursting from his body. Uta gasped and gagged as the heat washed over her, overwhelming her. The flames coiled and condensed, forming into shifting, shivering spheres, and then finally into fiery birds; complete with flapping wings and beaks.
They looked like they were alive.
"Quite an impressive technique, don't you think?" commented Jarati, as one of the birds landed on his arm. His face turned sinister, and he pointed towards Elegia; every fiery bird turning to follow.
"Now, behold the power of the Divine, of the Lunarian Race! Kakah Suyra: Hatya!"
"STOP IIIIIIIIIT!"
Uta's scream echoed as Jarati's fiery flock flew with immense speed toward the island, streaks of fire trailing behind. Some of the beasts flew like missiles into buildings, exploding like fiery bombs, sending burning shrapnel and stone in every direction, the mist billowing away under the heat. Others simply landed on buildings and set them ablaze, moving on and on until everything was on fire.
In mere seconds, the ruins of Elegia were burning once again; consuming what remained of the Kingdom of Music, and Uta's home for so many years.
Uta felt her heart stop as Jarati's eyes shifted to her home, where Gordon still was. His hellish crows hovered all around, eying the mansion, awaiting their master's command.
Her chin shuffled…
She couldn't say a word.
"Jaraaaaahahahahahaha!" A boisterous laugh broke her trance. "And there it is, the look of someone who finally realized their place." Mercifully, he dispelled the last of his fiery flock with a snap of his fingers, the flame at the beck of his neck returning back to the inferno it was before as he descended back to the deck. He looked down at Uta, his eyes glowing, his face much harsher than before.
"Now whenever you think about trying to resist, look back on this moment and remember. There are no heroes coming to save you. Only fire and blood awaits unless you obey. I trust we have an understanding?Kamatar?" He hissed.
Uta said nothing. She could only watch, silent and helpless, as the inferno consumed Elegia; leaving only ashes in its wake. The city was being consumed by the conflagration, only the grand concert, the castle and the hill where the mansion was left intact.
"We're done here, set sail immediately," ordered Jarati, straightening up. "Take her to the cell and give her food. We can't have her starving now, can we?"
He strode off. Siddhura took Uta's arm and led her towards a deck hatch. She was too numb to resist.
"What if she refuses to eat?" asked one of the cloaked figures.
"Force it down her throat," replied Jarati plainly. "The God King wants her, so we obey."
"Yes Lord Jarati."
She was led down into the bowels of the alien ship, despair sinking deeper into her soul with every step. Soon enough they reached a cell with a padded bed, and Siddhura pushed her inside.
"For what it's worth, young lady," Siddhura said as she released the ropes and pulled the door shut. "I'm sorry… you and your father shouldn't have resisted."
Uta turned, just in time to see her auburn eyes as she turned and walked away. They were full of guilt, pain.
She grabbed a metal pot, and threw it at the bars with a yell. Then she crumpled into a heap, crying and screaming.
Gordon…
Izuku and Yamato…
Why?
Why was this happening?!
WHY!?
Then she saw it. She clutched at her head, crying out in terror as new visions filled her mind.
Smoke billowing in the air, cinders floating, voices crying out.
The cloaked winged devils. The four armed demons.
Varying shapes, winged and malformed, carrying weapons.
"Izuku… Yamato…. Help me…!" Uta cried out, as she recalled Jarati's smirk.
A wide grin of white fanged teeth.
Darkness.
(X)
Pain.
Gordon's world was pain. The black-winged angel's kick had driven him into the staircase; like a nail into wood.
And cold. He was so very cold.
Uta…
He thrust out his arms, pushing with all his strength; and with a clatter of broken wood he came free of the stairs. He straightened up, and tried to move.
Agony doubled him over. He coughed, blood gushing from his mouth. He grabbed at the wall to steady himself, and forced himself up the stairs; step by agonizing step. He felt it, the wood impaling his back.
Then his legs gave way, and he fell down; slumped on the stairs, his strength gone.
"Uta…forgive me…"
He was dying, that much was clear. His lungs had likely been punctured. Wooden debris in his back. It was only a matter of time.
He had to do something.
Gasping with pain, Gordon dug his fingers into his bloodied mouth, then brought them up to the wall. Down he pulled them, then up, and around, forming words out of blood on the wooden panel.
"Red Hair…please come quick…Uta needs help…" he gasped.
He slumped back, his message complete. He could do no more.
What an ignoble death for the last King of Elegia. No grand funeral, no music, no great creation to mark his life; as all the past Kings had left.
Only this. To die cold, alone, and in agony, while the one person he cared for was carried away into captivity.
He deserved no better, after what he had done. All of this was his fault. A moment of oversight, of foolish pride, and an innocent life was ruined; and an entire kingdom destroyed.
These past years were supposed to have been his penance; his punishment for his mistakes. But in truth they had been a joy, a gentle sunset to a ruined and wasted life. He had deserved far worse, and fate had taken its due.
"He...lp...her..."
He glanced up at the wall, at the message written in his own blood. Maybe, just maybe, it would be enough to save her.
Darkness.
Silence.
(X)
Somewhere in the New World
"Tch… why am I always the damn errand boy…" grumbled Rockstar.
While the rest of the crew were partying, he was stuck in the innards of theRed Force, doing chores.
"I'm a seasoned pirate, damnit!" he griped. "If they wanna Chore Boy, get one! Honestly!"
He went on with this chore, checking the stored provisions. Quartermaster Limejuice was really supposed to be doing this, but he was getting wasted with the Chief. Rank had its privileges.
Okay, he'd lost a card game. But he was a good pirate, not a card player! They just had to rope him into that stupid bet, for hundreds of thousands of Berries! Now he was stuck doing chores, when he could be partying instead!
"Still…better than my old crew," he mused.
He paused, hearing a sound coming from the infirmary. His work wasn't done, but he could use a break.
"Oh!, Hongo!" he called out, poking his head round the door. "Whatcha doing here?"
"Hey Rock." The blonde-haired doctor greeted him with a smile. "Lost another round to Yasopp ey?"
Rockstar pouted, and the older man laughed. "Well, now you learned not to take up on his bets. Now you're stuck doing his tasks."
"Lesson learned…" Rockstar grumbled. There was nothing he could do but deal with it, but that wasn't so bad. He was a Red Hair Pirates now, and it was the least he owed.
"I'm just getting my hangover killers ready. Lord knows Chief and the other's will need'em" Hongo went on. "Their guts will pay for it, but hey, you never know when you need'em."
Rockstar nodded. "Alright, I finished up on the provisional check." He looked down at his slip of paper. "Next… the Vivre Card Room. Wasn't that in the middle of the ship?"
"Near the bow," Hongo replied, standing up. "Here, I'll show you around."
"Thanks Hongo. You're compassionate at least."
They passed by an open porthole, and Rockstar could not resist it.
"UNLIKE SOME CARD CHEATS!" he yelled through the porthole. He heard laugher, and Hongo patted him on the back.
"Don't let it bother ya. Just don't do another card game with Yasopp." Hongo smirked, and led the way down the corridor. "You can always get better at poker though. Just gotta keep a straight face."
"Gnngh… easier said than done… everyone's drinking and having a good time. I can't keep a face of stone through all that!"
Hongo laughed. "Just keep that in mind and get better, or just bluff. You'll get a hand over Yasopp someday."
Finally they reached the Vivre card room; the letters VC emblazoned over the door.
"Thanks," Rockstar said, nodding. "I've never been in-"
Hongo shoved him aside, dashing into the room.
"Ack! What was that for!?" protested Rockstar, following Hongo inside. He paused, as he saw the rows upon rows of Vivre cards in glass jars, stacked like books on a library shelf. He never imagined ever seeing so many.
Then he saw Hongo, clutching one of the jars. Inside, there was only ash. Rockstar stepped up beside him, peering down at the label.
KING GORDON – ELEGIA
"It was fine… this morning…" Hongo murmured.
"Hongo?" Rockstar looked at him, and his blood ran cold as he saw the doctor's face. It was a mask of despair, as if he had just found a loved one dead.
Hongo spun round, and sprinted out of the room. "Hongo!" Rockstar called after him, but to no avail."
"Jeez…" he sighed. "What the hell is a King Gordon anyway?"
There was so much he didn't know; so many stories he hadn't heard yet.
"Well…better check on the rest of these," he muttered, and set to work. "Poor guy must've kicked the bucket. Okay… Gerotini… Pururu… Linaria… Lo-"
It hit him like a tidal wave. Rockstar almost choked as the Haki engulfed him, swallowing him. He fell to his knees, and a terrible sorrow and despair washed over him; flooding into his very soul.
It was the Chief's. He couldfeelit somehow.
As his mind gave up, and the darkness overtook him, Rockstar felt one more emotion.
Rage.
Big thanks to the team once more. IKnowNothing , Juubi-K , and WildJoker000
Well that went from 0 to 100 in the blink of an eye didn't it.
So yeah, our duo more or less out of it(physically and emotionally), and things are now going south for Uta now. Along with a good hint on where our next arc is going to be taking place. More set ups taking place...
I contemplated seeing Shanks' reaction, but Rockstar FEELING it felt better in my eye, plus we can see Shanks' reaction more visibily once they go to Elegia.
Will see on getting a new chapter out sometime before I go to Vegas for my birthday(dec 19). Im in that mood now.
Anyways, One Piece is in Elbaf and I'm happy. and MHA's updated Volume ending made all the yaoi shippers mald to the moon. The tears of blue haired nose pierced landwhales makes me happy.
Hope you all enjoyed this. See you all in the next one.