#with dead marines or enemy pirates or whatever

[thisisallthehattersfault]

Someone makes a choked, shocked sound. Someone else yelps. It occurs to Ace, somewhere between the howling in his ears and the ache in his lungs and the taste of salt and iron flooding his mouth, that this is probably pretty surprising for his brothers to witness. Maybe even downright upsetting.

The thing is, Ace was wading into the jungles on his own as early as four years old. Dadan taught him how to do basic shit like talk and wipe his ass, but he honestly didn't have a ton of human interaction before meeting Sabo. And the thing about Sabo was that he had more than enough human interaction for the both of them. Ace learned some manners from Makino, but while Sabo was still around, there wasn't really any reason to get... good, at people.

But then Sabo died, and Ace needed to teach himself not only to talk his way out of trouble but also how to be the nice brother, how to treat Luffy with the softness he needed and deserved, how to gentle his hands and his voice and his words. So Ace did that, because he needed to, and it turned out to actually be pretty useful for dealing with people when he wasn't actively looking for a fight. So he stuck with it.

Which is all to say that by the time he'd joined up with Whitebeard, Ace was as close to tame as he had ever been. Almost downright domesticated.

Ace snaps his head to the side, putting some real momentum into it, heaving with all his weight until something tears. When he drops to his feet he springs right back up again, lunging. He spits out his mouthful as he goes, lets his jaw drop open.

The thing is, Ace is a child of the wilderness. He raised himself among that wilderness, and then he raised Luffy among that wilderness. He's a son of the jungle at heart, no matter how good he's gotten at pretending to be a person.

The sea-stone cuffs are chaffing his wrists. He feels tired and heavy, but he doesn't need his fire to be dangerous. Doesn't even need his hands.

Teeth find an artery. Body-hot blood sprays his face as Ace bites down, lock-jawed and snarling. Rears back and rips.

Another marine goes down. Ace spits out a chunk of the man's throat and is already rounding on a third. Notices, with a vague annoyance, that he's gonna need to find a toothpick -- there's a scrap of tendon or something caught in his teeth.

Mmm. Boar. They had pork for dinner, ah, the other night? Three days ago? Something like that, but it doesn't taste the same as wild boar does. And anyway, meat on the Moby is always overcooked. Ace is allowed to eat blue steak, but everybody always yells at him when he tries to steal bites of poultry or Sea King or whatever else while it's still tender and bleeding. This fight is giving Ace a real craving!

Duck. Lunge. Bite down, hard, thunder of a rabbit-quick pulse against his tongue, bulge of tender flesh against his soft palate. Iron and salt in his mouth.

Fear has a flavor. It is bitter and acrid, reminiscent of char, and Ace hadn't liked it much when he was young and still learning how to hunt. It stiffens up the meat, too, makes it kinda chewy. Somewhere along the line, he'd acquired a taste for it, though. He still marks it as a point of pride, his ability to hunt and kill prey without it ever knowing he was there, roasting something that is tender-sweet and gives easily under his teeth -- but the taste of fear isn't so bad either. Sometimes he even prefers it, gets a craving for it. Like wild boar, he hasn't had it in a while. Maybe he'll chase down his own dinner tonight.

Ace rears back. Muscle fibers split, skin stretches until it snaps. A heave, and a body crumples to the ground, gurgling. He gnaws kind of idly on his mouthful while he catches his breath, snorting blood out of his nose and straining his ears. Sounds like the fight's over, then.

Another lump of trachea gets spat into the dirt. Ace turns to face his brothers, counting heads -- good, it looks like nobody got hurt too bad, everybody is still standing! He grins. Ah, they're all pretty pale though, that's a little bit concerning, he hopes nobody's in shock. He learned from Marco that that can happen to anybody, even if they've been in a whole lot of fights.

"Hey!" Ace chirps. "Is everybody okay?" His wrists are killing him. Also, he really needs a shower. He's got blood in his ears, how the hell did that happen? But first he jogs over to where the others are all standing, clumped together, still just. Kinda staring at him.

Okay. Concerning. "You guys alright?" He asks again, lower. "Is anybody hurt? What happened?"

"Ace, man," Deuce says. His voice sounds kind of shaky. He drags a hand through his hair, fucking it up even worse than it already is. "What the fuck was that?"

#One Piece #portgas d ace #fire fist ace #feral jungle child ace my beloved #cat in human body ace my beloved #Do you think ace has ever proudly presented whitebeard #with dead marines or enemy pirates or whatever #the way a cat presents their humans with a bird they caught? #Do you think ace gets lectured about the dangers of cannibalism and blood-born disease #because he ends up with human blood in his mouth during fights so often #and he gets offended and confused every time the conversation comes up #he's not a cannibal! He doesn't EAT people! What's wrong with you! #he's just fighting!!! That's all!!! #Marco tries to explain that blood in the mouth is blood in the mouth no matter how the blood got there #Ace is. Not listening. #Luffy does this too btw #Sabo did this once before his memories came back #and got the blood born disease lecture #and then he gets his memories back and goes right back to biting people #because it's What Ace Would Have Wanted

[hatsue-exe]

Can I get a request for Kidd and Law (separate) after a bad argument (hurtful words thrown both way) with their s/o? Who apologises first and how? How quick are they to forgive? What was said that hurt each other? Sorry if it's too long and detailed 😅

How they act after a fight:

warnings: some angst, fem!reader for kid (dunno why, just felt like it), gn!reader for law, reader is part of their crews.

Kid:

Eustass is the king of bickering with everyone in the ship, so it's not uncommon that you have disagreements. Fights, however, are a whole other situation.

When you actually fight, it escalates to the point where no one in the crew is able to ignore it. And Kid never masures his words, shouting whatever comes to his mind, so it gets hurtful pretty quickly.

Because of that, he's usually the one to apologise first, even if he's terrible at it.

"Why do you always get in the way? I can handle my own fucking fights!" you screamed as you boarded the Victoria Punk, your captain right behind you.

"Sure you could, just like last time, when you got yourself hurt and Killer almost got shot!"

"I was fine…" Killer mumbled, loud enough for you two to hear.

"See? He was fine! I was fine!"

"Of course he was fine, he's my fucking first mate! He's the one that got you out of that fucking mess! If he hadn't been fine, you'd be dead now!"

"As if you gave a shit about my well being!"

Heat passed the both of you, half the crew following him into the kitchen to try and ignore the fight. Killer, however, stuck around. He knew what was coming and that he'd have to interfere if it went any further.

"No, I don't give a shit about you at all, that's why I waste my fucking time protecting your useless ass from every enemy we cross!"

There it was.

You stopped in your tracks, eyes getting tearful at his words, but you held it, walking past Kid and out of the ship again. "Fine. Since I'm such a nuance, I'll get out of your sight. I'm no longer a Kid's Pirate."

That Killer was not expecting.

"Good fucking ridance."

Oh, no.

The entire crew got to the deck just in time to see you disappear back into the town you ported in. Killer went to his captain, pulling Eustass to the side. "Go after her.", he said, voice muffled by the mask.

"No. She left all her shit on the ship. She'll be back by dinner, when she's done trowing this fucking tantrum."

Problem was, you did not come back by dinner that day, nor the next, nor the following week. And Kid grew concerned. What if you crossed some marine's path? Or a stronger set of pirates?

What if you just didn't want to come back?

Those thoughts plagued his mind until he'd had enough. "Everyone! Get out there and find our fucking crewmate!"

Obviously, Killer was the one to find you. You were at a bar a bit far from the city, the owner being kind enough to land you a room in exchange for some help. "Captain wants you back."

"Your captain, Killer. I'll wait for some other crew to take me in."

"We're your crew." He sounded almost hurt, and you signed, putting away the broom and looking at him. "Come back to us, if not for him."

"So I can stand in your way? Killer, I have the lowest bounty of all of you. You have so much to conquer. I don't wanna bother."

"And I don't wanna conquer shit without you." Both of you turned to see Kid at the bar's door. "Can we talk in private?"

You took Kid to the back, while Killer went to find the rest of the crew. "We'll wait for you on the ship", he said, and you had no idea who he meant.

"Talk, Eustass."

"Look, I'm an idiot, a'right? I shouldn't have said that shit to you. When you got hurt and I didn't manage to stop it, when Killer was the one to go save you, I got mad at myself. I'm supposed to be your fucking partner, what use is that if I can't keep you safe? I was just trying to… Ugh, I don't even fucking know anymore."

"I get what you mean, Kid." You took a step towards him, barely believing your punk-ass captain was being so communicative. "But you can't spend your time babying me. I may not be the strongest, but…"

"You're strong. I wouldn't allow some weak thing on my ship. I wouldn't be in love with anyone weak. I'm sorry. Please come back to us. To me."

That last part was mumbled, but you knew it was sincere. Closing the space between you, you hugged Kid by the waist. "Second and last chance, Eustass. Pull this shit again and I'll rip your other arm."

"HA! Now there's my girl."

Law:

Fights with Law are much different. They almost never happen, simply because he'll room himself out of the situation, which makes it worse sometimes if you actually need to discuss something with him.

Both of you usually end up apologising, and pretty quickly. Holding grudges is a bit though in a submarine.

"I just want to talk, Law. Can you please hear me out this time?"

"We don't need to talk. The problem was solved. End of it."

You grew more and more frustrated. All you wanted was for Law to include you a bit more in his plan-making. You were a great strategist and he knew it. But his plans worked, and that's all that mattered to him apparently. "I just want to help. Aren't we supposed to be partners in this whole thing?!"

Trafalgar got away from the desk and turned his chair to you. "We're partners, but ultimately this is my ship and we will do things my way."

"Ugh, why do you have to be so stubborn? At least give me a chance to…"

"No. If something goes wrong, I'm responsible for it, so we do as I say and that's final. We've had this discussion before. Don't make me have it again." He went to turn to his work, but you got in the way, covering his books with your hand.

"Law I've had enough of this! Let me help! You don't have to do everything by yourself, we're a team! Just goddamn it, let me in."

Seeing your eyes water made Law sign, his hands reaching out to you and pulling you to his lap. "You're right. I'm sorry. It's just hard for me to listen, but I'll try next time, ok?"

"Thank you. I'm sorry for being pushy as well, but I just get frustrated, you know?"

He took your hand in his tattooed one and kissed your knuckles. "I do, dear. Please, say your piece. I'm all ears."

You knew that it wasn't much yet, and you'd definitely have to go over this same topic again after a while, but it was a good start.

a/n: your request was great, don't worry! also sorry for law's being shorter, i just don't know how to write his personality properly :") and i also love kid's little punk, bitch-ass so

#one piece x reader #kid x reader #kidd x reader #eustass x reader #eustass kid x reader #one piece angst #law x reader #trafalgar law x reader #one piece headcanons #op x reader #op headcanons #original.exe #request.exe

[lewiscarrolatemybrain]

Y'know what would be cool as hell?

Pirates putting bounties out on other pirates, or even on marines.

Like, pirates have treasure. It's very much The Thing Pirates Do. Granted, a lot of the pirates we see in One Piece have other priorities, but still. Pirates, gold. It's like peanut butter and chocolate. They go together.

And think of what a fucking power-move it would be. There are plenty of strong fighters on the seas who can't -- or won't -- do business with the military for whatever reason, but would probably be more than happy to collect a payday or two in exchange for spilling a little blood. Warring pirate crews in the Blues promise 10mil a head for each of their enemies; that number spikes to 50-100mil in the Grand Line, and usually higher depending on the crews in question. Back in the day rumor had it that Whitebeard and Roger would double the government price if you could bring either one to to the other.

(That was technically true, they did agree to that, but they were drunk and it was mostly a joke, so...)

I imagine pirate bounties would work very differently than government bounties. For one, pirate bounties are almost always Alive Only. Pirate bounties are usually personal, and pirates are a vengeful lot by nature. You don't send somebody else to kill a guy for you, no, you deal the finishing blow yourself.

For two, the stronger the pirate the stronger their enemies, so there's less and less available folks out there who even could collect the bounties, much less would want or need to. So instead, big bounties -- like the aforementioned Roger and Whitebeard bounties -- are less about Actually Go Get That Guy and more about Cause Him As Much Hell As Physically Possible. Fuck with his food supply, use guerilla tactics, spy on him, blitz his men and leave them dead in the water. It doesn't matter, just cause him grief. Make this person suffer in any way you can. I imagine pirate bounties also deal in more than just cash. They trade territory, information, weapons and technology, they'll even loan out crew members for a job or two for the right hunt. They could also be more symbolic than literal; a war declaration by another name.

Upstart pirates will occasionally try to put bounties out for heads way above their weight class to make themselves seem tough. Every pirate and blacklisted bounty hunter in the New World is foaming at the mouth for Blackbeard's head in the wake of Thatch's death, because they all know Whitebeard will pay bank for a traitor. The Straw Hats rack up bounties from other pirates -- big name pirates, at that -- even faster than they do from the government, but they don't put out any of their own.

Not until after Marineford, when Straw Hat Luffy appears in the newspaper with two messages. One a secret for his crew, a crossed-out date and a new meeting time. The other for the world at large:

A bounty poster for the Red Dog Akainu.

#One Piece #monkey d luffy #whitebeard pirates #straw hat pirates #straw hat luffy #akainu sakazuki #admiral akainu #one piece akainu

[mugiwara-communications]

I could get a reaction from ace, luffy, sabo or they ask their s/o to hold their hats and the s/o doesn't move and holds the hat VERY carefully and when an outside person tells them they can leave it there the s/o responds aggressively and tells them that the hat will be dirty if she puts it down! and even if a person gets too close to her, she tells him to move away otherwise he will damage the hat! THAAAAANKS✌️❤️

( idk if the request is open! Sorry if don’t 💁‍♀️)

YES MY REQUESTS ARE ALWAYS OPEN!!! AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR REQUESTING!!!!! i loved this one so much <3 I hope you like it too :)

Warning: nothing! #^^# WC: 450-500

Monkey D. "Strawhat" Luffy

A hat- THE hat. The hat that Luffy can and will fight a bitch for if anything happened to it. 

Everyone knows just how important it is, and everyone who has been allowed to touch, fix, and wear it knows that if Luffy is letting you hold onto it means something happened or is happening. The trust Luffy has in you to care for his hat out of his vision is insane. 

Luffy might not ask if you could hold it for him or if you want to wear it, he’s more likely to drop it on your head and continue whatever he was doing. Nami will look at you with a look in her eyes and a nod, just go with it. If someone takes it off, it makes the Captain sad. No one likes a sad Luffy. 

Everyone on the ship, everyone in the alliance, even some other pirates, enemies, and marines knows to respect the strawhat or get your ass kicked. The only people who don’t know are civilians. There’s been the time or two where an outside someone has grabbed it if it fell, but it’s never been treated badly. 

When the Strawhat Pirates are due to take a little break from saving nations, they choose the waterpark/resort place the Captain demanded to go to. It’s the standard place; a little giftshop, some waterslides, a lazy river. It was far enough from the Marines that a pirate flag or two didn’t disturb the guest. 

Usopp chooses the sunniest area and sets an umbrella up before the boys run into the water. Before running up to the waterslide, Luffy gave you a sloppy kiss and left you his prized hat. 

You stood out against Nami and Robin, the two women wearing large, floppy sunhats. But you didn’t need full coverage from the sun, choosing to enjoy what your Captain and dearest left you. But shit happens when a drink Nami was singing about was crashed by a ball and split over you. 

You had to choose the next best thing to wear rather than a fruit drink and ended up in the resort gift shop. Inside, the young worker called out to you three, hoping to make a sale. Showing off printed shirts with the logo, mugs, keychains, sunscreen, and those ugly, off-beige, super small, flowered sunhats. 

The worker tries to sell you a shirt in every color, a handful of keychains, more inflatables than you need, and a sunhat despite you only asking for a shirt. You would have ignored the insisting and taken the shirt with no issue, but they insult the hat you love and cracked your knuckles. 

When the worker doesn’t take the second no for an answer, punch them and run. Some front teeth aren’t needed, and y’all are pirates. No one expected the good time to last a long time. Just warn the crew to ready the ship and get out of there! 

When Luffy takes his hat back, give him a lil kiss and thank him for keeping you safe from the sun. It’s the only sunhat you need. 

Portgas D. "Fire Fist" Ace

Ace’s hat choice is different. There is no canonical backstory for this hat, but lots of people like to think it was a gift from Luffy, Dadan, and/or Makino. Try to pry that headcanon from my cold, dead hands. 

When fighting Jinbe, the hat was resting on his back, but when fighting Whitebeard before officially joining, his hat was magically missing. Let’s say you ended up on the Moby Dick with him. 

During that time, he didn’t wear it. Choosing to keep it with you was safer than losing it in the waters, or getting smashed by Pops’s big hands. Actually, he gave it to you to wear after the first time it ripped, or the bead line broke. He stood over you like a child as you fixed it for him. 

Ace doesn’t mind if you playfully tack his hat and wear it. Rather he likes the look of something his on you, like a way to keep his siblings away from the fire of his heart. If it’s a hot enough day, he’ll just give you the hat to wear. 

Sometime after Ace finally joined the Whitebeard Pirates, the others took it along to initiate their newest crew. After ripping a few pant seams, playing connect the dots with freckles, and a couple bottles of baby powder, Ace looked like a different person. 

When Thatch decided the next thing to do was steal the rest of Ace’s pants and dress some of the crew up to look like him, you clutched the hat in your hands and told him if he came close to you to take the hat, you would dull all of his knives and wash the cast iron. 

Enough to keep one pirate away from you, it wasn’t enough to keep the rest. 

One by one, other Whitebeard pirates tried to take it from you or ask questions. Izou asked why it was orange, Oars attempted to pick it up with his nails and nearly took you with it, and Haruta tried to rush you but was caught by the Spade Pirates telling you to run. 

After escaping the crew, you hid on Whitebeard himself, the big man being enough to scare the others away. Happy enough to play the little game with his children, Oyaji asked why you wouldn’t let anyone else touch the hat. 

“Because my Captain asked me to keep it safe. And I’ll never let it get hurt for him.” 

At the end of the day, Ace would press a small kiss to your temple and thank you for keeping two parts of him safe. 

"Revolutionary Chief of Staff" Sabo

Like Ace, Sabo’s hat choice is different. But it’s different for a wildly different reason than the other two brothers. 

When Sabo wanted to set sail, he had everything that was his in the boat, but most of it was lost in the explosion. Very few things were salvaged, and even less had his name on them. Sabo could have ended up being ‘Bob’ if it wasn’t for an embroidered handkerchief. 

That being said, most of his muscle memories and manors were unconsciously remembered. He might not know why the top hat is his favorite, but it feels right. 

The first time he gives you his hat to hold, you really don’t know why. He asked nicely, so you can’t say ‘no’, but it felt weird holding his hat and waiting for him to come back. You just stood in the hallway with Koala and waited for him to return.

She grabs the hat from your hands, placing it on her head, and asked how she looked while striking a stupid pose. The hat itself was well taken care of, not too dirty but well loved. Even the odd goggles he keeps on them are clean, a smudge on the glass maybe, but that’s it. You pull it off of her with a smile and a shake of your head. 

Unfortunately, wherever Sabo had walked off to, he didn’t come back in time for you to get back to work, so you had to take the hat too. Just keep it on your lap or something, ignore the way other Revolutionary members look at you, and keep working on the paperwork. 

If anyone asks if you need somewhere to put it instead, biting them is acceptable. 

After Koala played with it, some other younger members wanted to play with it too. And while Sabe didn’t mind playing dress up with them, you weren’t sure if you could with his had and without his permission. 

After one kid steals the hat and another steals his goggles, you spend a good minute chasing them down. You wondered if that is what you signed up for when joining the Revolution. Putting the two back together you told off anyone who got within five feet of you, threatening to bite or worse if they even thought about touching Sabo’s hat. 

Wiping off the children's fingerprints on the soft material of the hat and the tiny smudges on the lenses, you hear the sound of paper rubbing against the material. Peaking inside the flat top, you see a picture stuck in a seam. It’s a candid of you spinning one of the young girls on the base and carrying a small boy on your back. Tuck it back in and pretend you don’t see it. 

When Sabo finally comes back from who knows where, plop the top hat on his head and remind him he needs to actually finish his paperwork and not sneak off to play with the kids again. 

#one piece #one piece x reader #op x reader #one piece fanfiction #mugiwara-communications #one piece headcanons #monkey d luffy #monkey d luffy x reader #portgas d ace #portgas d ace x reader #sabo one piece #sabo x reader

[skullmechaenthusiast]

the captain trio now is so funny to compare backstories for because you've got

"grew up in poverty with a strong fear of loneliness, experienced extreme classism and cruelty by the hands of the government who want people dead for being poor, lives a harsh life where basically everything tries to kill you. your beloved brother's boat is shot and sunk via canon ball because a rich asshole was uncomfortable. your father is the world's most wanted man. your brother's father was the pirate king. you spent most of the time being the weakest and after all of it you decide to become strong and free and find a lot of friends so you won't ever have to be lonely."

vs

"due to world gov irresponsability your country dies from a severe illness and if you try to leave quarantine you're shot. you escape in a cart of corpses and join a criminal gang because you've got the sickness and maybe only three years left to live so why not fuck shit up while you still can? one of the crime gang guys ends up becoming your new dad and tries to find a cure for your sickness. there is little hope but you learn that you're desperately loved. you're also a d clan member, crime boss guy's natural enemy, whatever that means and your dad wants to keep you save. he gets shot by his brother for betraying him because he turns out to be working for the marines and because he gave the life saving, super powerful devil fruit to you. you can feel him die while he helps you escape. you decide to figure out what all the d clan stuff even really means and also to get a super elaborate revenge for your dad's death. the head of the marines and then ex-head of the marines is your grandpa somehow"

vs

"on an unnamed island with no world gov affiliation at all rules a criminal gang. you're leader of a subdivision even though you're what? twelve? your girlfriend who's also your boyfriend's girlfriend is killed by the ruling gang. you unite the subdivisions to overthrow them. you set out to find the one piece because that's the next logical, thematic step to take"

#one piece #captain trio #eustass kid #tagging him in particular because this is about him >:(

[minty-marshmallow]

One Piece (Live Action) Ep 1

Note: I have never seen the anime or read the manga so this is coming from someone who has no insight what so ever. However, I do love pirates so...haha

Okay so I'm already 20 minutes in because to be honest there wasn't a whole lot that I wanted to comment on before this. However, I do really like Zoro and Luffy so far.

I also really like the music scores too. The cinematics are pretty good too. I'll see if it keeps up.

So...you're telling me when Luffy was a kid he just ate this random ass fruit not knowing what it was....he just ate it! Like I know kids do crazy shit but I don't think I would ever just eat some random ass thing I came across in a treasure storage if I didn't know what it was.

Koby seems sweet, don't tell me he turns out bad later or something. (Also like don't tell me anything period because I don't want stuff ruined. This is all fresh to me.)

Okay red hed chick seems smart, I like her already. Alvida isn't dead huh? I assume not since they zoomed in on her wanted poster. But, also weird vibes from Koby.

Sir excuse me who are you, why are you so rude to a little girl! It was an accident damn. I don't like this guy. Okay, I understand the gesture but Zoro...sir you didn't have to eat it off the floor. I'm really enjoying the fight scenes too.

7 days strung up with no food or water for "assaulting" a marine when the marine was the one who drew his blade first. That's dumb.

Yeah...what about the third sword?

Is the naked scene necessary? Like why is Netflix always doing that?

I love how Luffy just doesn't have a plan and just rolling with whatever.

"The next time we meet we might be enemies." That line seems so sad to me. Like I know it's possibly true but still.

"They must have been planning this for months." The irony of all 3 of them being thrown together and just being at the same place at the same time haha.

Okay, so overall I really like this show so far. It's interesting and I like the characters.

[I know my commentary is not entertaining so I don't expect anyone to be interested in what I have to say. I kind of just do this for my own purposes. I don't really have anyone to talk to and I like to jot down what I'm thinking as I watch something.]

#one piece #netflix

[demonprincezeldris]

I love your ideas

I love your ideas for the melban pirate au. So I wrote more of it :D Enjoy^^

What I can also imagine tho is Meliodas maybe having run away from his own old pirate life, but before he could disappear, he was chased by his family or something who fatally injured him, and he would've died if he hadn't managed to drag himself to a hiding spot, where he was later found by Zaratras and/or Baltra, who saved him.

Mel ran very far away, to lands his family had yet to reach, so he could have a fresh start. Things were going well, too, for a few weeks, but then he was found by Zeldris. Zeldris tried talking with him first, tried to convince him to come back. He promised him, if he did, their father would write it off as a tantrum and welcome him back with open arms. But Meliodas didn't care if that was the truth or a lie. He didn't want to come back. He didn't really understand it himself, he'd been more or less fine with the plundering and murdering and everything else that their crew did. He was aware, and fine with it. He didn't know what changed, but something did, and suddenly the world went from grey to color. Awful, terrible colors. And suddenly, he couldn't do it anymore. So he ran. Far away.

He came across a small village, untouched by pirates and marines alike. No one would recognize him here. Plus, the people were friendly. But it seems he didn't go far enough. Zeldris was here, in front of him, pleading with him. He sounded desperate, although not for himself. "If you don't come back, father is going to kill you", he whispered aggressively. "I don't care what father has in store for me. I just- I can't. Go back, Zel. I'm sorry", Meliodas told his brother. It broke his heart when Zeldris simply lowered his head and nodded. "I understand. I will tell father we found nothing. He's not gonna touch a place this far from his realm just yet." "Thank you." "But... as you have chosen your path, I have chosen mine. Next time we meet, I won't be able to cover for you this easily." "Then I guess this is goodbye forever." A moment of silence passed. Their father had taught them how to motivate a crew and make a show out of a speech, but words of emotion were hard to express. Still, as Zeldris turned to leave, he heard his brother speak, "I'm gonna miss you." "...me, too."

After their bittersweet last meeting, Meliodas hurriedly packed his stuff with a heavy heart (he might have cried a little, or a lot, but if asked he would deny everything) and left the village. If Zeldris found him here, then any of his fathers other goons could, too, eventually. Going to untouched land wasn't far enough by a long shot. He would have to go somewhere, where his father wouldn't be able to go at all and where Meliodas himself should never go either. He would have to go to a marine base. Right into the heart of the (former?) enemy.

There was no way they would let him join up though, no, they'd sooner recognize and arrest him. Maybe he could live in the city that usually surrounds the marine bases. He'd have to keep his head down, change his hair and clothes... and even then, the marines could still find him. But he'd still prefer being executed by the marines to whatever death or torture his father had in store for him, even if it wasn't exactly his best case scenario.

The safest one Meliodas dared to consider was a marine base/city that was called Liones. The commander there was said to be a kind man, and Meliodas hoped he could get away with "I'm not that pirate, I just happen to look a bit similar to him" if he just smiled enough. Smile... now that he thought about it, if he grew his hair out and wore a dress, he could probably pass as a girl. His voice was light enough for it, too. Or maybe he could even spread rumors that he died or something. People probably wouldn't look for him if he was dead, especially not in a heavily armed and fortified marine city built around one of the main bases. It may even be the main base, but that information is kept secret. For safety reasons.

Meliodas had been on the road for a few days by now. Liones is far away and while the journey would've been faster by ship, he couldn't risk any sailor, fisherman or odd pirate recognizing him. Going on land was slower, but safer. And he was getting close. He could almost see Liones on the horizon. Just a few more days' travel. But first, he'd have to restock, and he wouldn't have anything against a room and a warm bed for once instead of sleeping under the stars. As beautiful as the night sky was, the ground was hard and not getting any softer. Besides, if he was going to live a normal life, he'd have to get used to the comforts of a normal life as well.

So when the sun was high in the sky, he stopped in the closest village, planning to rent a room before looking if he could buy what he needed or trade for it in exchange for short term labor. He was about to thank the stars that his journey had gone so smoothly when an old and slightly drunk man stumbled into him.

Meliodas apologized, "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't-" "Get outta here, you pirate scum!" Meliodas' blood froze. "W-What?" He looked behind him, maybe there was someone else- "Yeah, you! Go back to wherever you came from and leave us alone!" The man waved his finger in Meliodas' face. More or less helpless, Meliodas looked to the villagers, but they looked even less friendly than the man yelling at him. Some had pitchforks and other makeshift, but deadly, weapons. "I-I think you're mistaking me-" "There's no mistake! I would recognize you anywhere, you sea demon!"

"I'm... n-not a pirate, mister", Meliodas said, grasping for words as he tightened his grip on his bag. Sure, their father had insisted that they had some kind of supernatural blood or something, but aside from maybe a bit of supernatural strength, nothing ever came of it. Maybe their father just wanted to trick him and Zeldris, blind them by making them proud of being something special. But even when he was still loyal, Meliodas had a hard time believing his father when it came to that. There was no definitive proof, after all. (I don’t really have an idea for what their powers could be, but I don’t really want them to be sirens in this, or not exactly at least. Like, just so this doesn’t end up as another kind of twist on the Siren AU, basically)

“Don’t even try to lie, demon”, the old man hissed, so close to Meliodas’ face that he was almost spitting on him. “I can smell the sea and the blood on you.” Meliodas didn’t recognize the old man, but he didn’t remember every face of every person he ever raided in his pirate life. Kind of helpless, although hoping he didn’t appear that way on the outside, Meliodas turned to the weapon wielding villagers against his better judgement. “I-I think this man is drunk, I don’t know what he’s talking about-” “Oh, you don’t, do you?” The old man said with faked pity. “Do you have amnesia or something? Maybe your name will ring a bell... Meliodas.” Meliodas stumbled back in shock. “I-I-”

“GET HIM!” The old man shouted and the entire village was out to get him, yelling and shouting what he assumed were improvised war cries. Some had thrown small stones in his direction and a few hit, although it barely bothered him. Meliodas started turned on his heel and started running, fleeing at high speed into the thick forest that the village was nestled in. He avoided trees and branches with ease and the yells were getting quieter, so he foolishly slowed down... just as something pierced his shoulder.

Meliodas screamed in pain and clutched the hurt flesh. His hand came away red. Someone must’ve shot him through the trees, but he didn’t have the time to turn around and see who. As more shots sounded, he gritted his teeth and started sprinting once more with everything he had. He jumped over roots and turned at the occasional boulder without running face first into it, thanking the stars above that he was so agile even while hurt. But no sooner had he finished his small prayer, he grazed a tree with his hurt shoulder, cried out in pain, and fell hard to the ground. He coughed once, twice, then got back up on his feet and resumed his sprint. But the trees and branches seemed to multiply before his eyes, so he ran slower, still occasionally grazing a tree or a branch, but not falling.

The more he ran, the more pounding of his feet on the ground echoed in his head, drowing out the yells and war cries of the villagers. Once he could no longer hear the angry mob, he slowed his pace, but not before tripping on a root sticking out of the ground. “Of course I trip”, Meliodas said to no one, sarcasm in his voice. “Stupid root.” He coughed out the dust his fall kicked up and dragged himself to sit against a tree after taking off his bag and resting it by his side. Aside from his own ragged breathing, it was quiet, allowing Meliodas to tend to his injured shoulder.

He couldn’t see, but judging by the amount of blood, the wound was pretty bad. Aside from that though, his side had been grazed by a bullet as well and his legs were pretty scratched up. He must’ve run through quite a few thorny bushes. With the fading adrenaline, the cuts were starting to hurt pretty badly on top of the exhausted muscles. He might be able to walk still, but it would be a slow and painful pace.

“Shit...”, Meliodas panted, resting his head against the tree trunk. He coughed again, this time from a dry throat, and reached into his bag for some water only to discover that he was almost out. He cursed again, louder this time, and curled into himself. He didn’t know how long he ran for, but the sun had covered quite a distance since he first arrived in that village before being chased out that is, and would soon be starting to set. He had to find some form of shelter, both for the night, and in case those villagers were looking for him. But first, he patched his wounds with the last of his bandages. It wasn’t much, but it should stop the bleeding as long as he didn’t move too much.

His luck seemed to turn when he found a small grove underneath a tree, just big enough to fit the former pirate, not far from the tree he had rested against. Plenty of leaves had fallen in it, too, providing passable insulation from the ground, and grass had grown tall at the entrance, hiding him from passerbys. His rest didn’t last for long though, because once the sun was bathing the forest in red with its last rays, footsteps made themselves heard through the forest, accompanied by voices he didn’t recognize. “The trail ends here, they can’t be far”, said one voice. The other replied, “There’s a lot of blood here!”

The tree he leaned against! Meliodas clasped a hand over his mouth to stop himself from gasping. The voices were getting closer and closer. Were they with the village that chased him? Or were they marines, having heard of the infamous Meliodas showing his face deep in the mainland? Either way, if someone was looking for him, they couldn’t be having good intentions for him. “Look, there’s something leading over there.” Footsteps were getting closer. His heart was racing with fear. Would this be the end of him? After years of being a pirate, of people fearing even speaking his name, he would die in a hole less than six months after deserting his crew and family? His one and only brother? He blinked away the tears threatening to spill. The voices were right outside his little cave now. He could see glimpses of their feet through the tall grass covering the entrance. “Look at this. Is this...?”

A hand flattened the green blades, revealing Meliodas to the two people searching for him. One had long silver hair, the other a prominent grey beard. Both were dressed in marine uniforms. “Who are you?” Asked the one with long hair after a moment of silence. “Are you hurt?” He attempted to reach for Meliodas, but Meliodas pushed himself against the opposite side of the little cave, which admittedly wasn’t much. Had he had his weapons, he wouldn’t have any problem getting out of this situation, but he got rid of them months ago to prevent people from recognizing him by them. They were pretty distinct, after all. Now the only weapon he carried was a rather small knife and that wouldn’t be helpful right now. “Hey, hey, it’s okay. We’re not gonna hurt you, kid”, soothed the long haired man. “We just wanna talk, okay?” But Meliodas frantically shook his head. “G-Get-”, he attempted to speak, but was cut off by violent coughing. His throat was too dry to speak.

“Here, drink this”, the bearded man handed him some water. When Meliodas refused to take it, the man took a sip of it himself. “See? It’s not poisoned. Here.” Meliodas still had his doubts, but took the water and greedily drank it until half the bottle was empty. “We’re marines from Liones”, explained the bearded man. “My name is Baltra Liones and this is my second in command, Zaratras.” Meliodas nearly spit out the water. The two people that he, under no circumstance, should ever meet, had found him in a hole, wounded and scared. “Is everyth-” “H-How...?” Meliodas voice was still raw. Baltra and Zaratras looked at each other before answering. “We got a report from a village claiming that some infamous pirate supposedly passed through there.” Meliodas’ heart threatened to stop right then and there. So they knew? “But the people living there don’t seem in their right mind. There was blood though, so we went looking anyway and, well, here we are now.” Meliodas released the breath he was holding. ‘So they haven’t figured it out. Yet.’ “Now come on, let’s get you out of that hole.”

Welp, this turned out a bit different than I originally planned, but oh well, it happens XDDD

What a way for Meliodas to be introduced to Zaratras and Bartra. I feel so bad for Meliodas. One of his fathers' greatest enemies was right here, in front of him and helping him! If they ever found out who he was...

But who was Meliodas supposed to turn to for help? His father wanted him dead, the townsfolk were hunting for him. The only people he could really turn to were the captain and the second-hand man of the Liones Naval Fleet. It was his only shot at survival at this point.

#Meliodas #nnt #Pirate! AU

[pirateborn-a]

{ Hope this isn’t too late but [REFUGE] from little Buggy because Roger deserves to protecc and attacc ♥️ -indomiitas }

A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF SCENARIOS.  —  @indomiitas

➣    REFUGE :  for one muse to shelter the other from enemies. 

✧.    The door burst apart into a shower of splinters from how he sent a man flying through it. Careless of the mess he’d just made, Roger calmly walked over the unconscious body and shattered wood into the room. Conquerors haki moving alongside him, freezing the crowd within. From what he’d gathered, the fort on the island had once been a marine base, since abandoned and repurposed by some local pirates. In other news, a bunch of idiotic rookies, hardly worth any of their time. And how easy it would be, he could tell, to end it there and then. But, no. That wasn’t quite right, not when they’d already called upon his wrath.

     Messily wiping some blood still dripping down his fist, he scanned the room for the familiar presence he’d been following. The tension in his shoulders draining, mouth cracking into a smile, as he caught Buggy’s eyes.

“ There’s where you went off to, Buggy. I thought it was odd when you weren’t with Shanks and Gaban, ”   his voice was light with amusement with a brief chuckle before he turned his attention towards the pirate with an iron vice on Buggy’s arm.

“ Get your hands off of my cabin boy, would you, lad ? ”  his tone remaining merry, a grin stretching further across his face, though he left no room for argument as he forced the man to shrivel and choke underneath his gaze. Watching with satisfaction as the color drained from the bastard's face, unable to stop himself. So maybe he went a little overboard. Maybe the man was a little more dead than he’d intended.

Good riddance, really. As far as it concerned him.

     Ignoring the rest of the pirates within the room, he quickly made his way towards his boy, kneeling down in front of him and placing his blood-free hand gently on Buggy’s shoulder, giving him a look over for any signs of injury. To his relief, he found nothing —  before catching sight of the beginnings of a bruise forming both on his boy’s arm and cheek.

How dare they.

     He briefly closed his eyes, a silent breath exhaling out as he forced his haki to keep in check. The last thing he wanted to do was let go of his control in front of Buggy. The boy had gone through enough for the night.

     And it was his fault. It was his fault for not being a better captain. It was his fault for not stopping this all before it could even begin. But there would be time to think about all that later. Not now, when there were the culprits still wrongfully breathing behind them.

It was the thought of the life leaving their eyes that ultimately soothed him.

“ You’ve been so brave, my boy. I’m so proud of you, ”   Roger said, gentle and firm, easing his smile as he reopened his eyes to look at Buggy with warmth. Gingerly patting him on the bruise-free cheek,   “ You did a good job. Now go along and run ahead to the ship, okay ?  And whatever you do, don’t turn around. Don’t look back. That is an order, as your captain. ”

     It was unusual for him to pull out that card, his voice uncharacteristically serious. It was true, he was their captain, and they were his. But he rarely felt the need ever to state it. He just needed to make sure that Buggy would listen, just this once.

“ Wahaha, I’ll be back before sunrise, ”   he continued reassuringly, his voice warm once again,   “ Let Rayleigh know and that he's in charge until I return, and try to save some food for me as well ! ”

     He left no room for argument, spinning the child around and pushing him towards the exit lined with the bodies he’d left behind earlier. It was only once he was sure Buggy was far enough away — at least outside the door — that he turned his gaze towards the group of pirates within the room. His smile sharpening, stretching across his face as the haki he tried so hard to hold back since he’d first heard Buggy was missing, finally crashing outwards like a tidal wave. The unfortunate handful who were chosen to be victims collapsed like a tower of cards, suffocating until they foamed at the mouth, but freeing the others from that unyielding grip at the same time. After all, there was no fun in ending things prematurely.

“ I don’t appreciate those who try to harm what’s mine, ”   he speaks out casually, rumbling laughter in his chest as his enemies finally snapped out of their trance and attacked, guns firing his way. Each bullet was dodged with laughable ease as he continued to walk towards them, pausing only once to catch a bullet aimed at his face with two fingers, carelessly crushing it like a leaf before tossing it over his shoulder with a snicker at how laughable it all was. He closed the distance soon after, his hand reaching out to grab the nearest man’s face and slamming it into the ground with bloodlust, grinning all the while.

     It couldn’t even be called a fight. None of them were worthy. Weak, weak, weak, and weak. Yet, despite the lack of challenge, he relished every sound of bone and cartilage cracking underneath his bare fists— they weren’t even worth drawing out his blade. The image of Buggy’s bruised arm and terrified expression burned in his mind, driving him onward with an undeniable need to make these bastards suffer because nobody messed with his crew —

     Far too quick. Far too little. Far, far too little. Rage still burned in his body, demanding more. He would get more, even if it meant combing through the entire island himself. And sure, he might be scolded later, especially with Buggy now safe. But what if there was a next time ?  What if there was a next time, and that time, Roger was too late before Buggy got hurt ?  What if next time, there were others along with Buggy ?  What if, what if, what if ?

     There wouldn’t be a next time, he was determined. As long as he was around to protect his boys and his crew, he would do it until his dying breath. But that wasn’t enough, apparently. He had to make it crystal clear that those he claimed were not to be harmed. No matter the fool who thought otherwise.

     The room was filled with prone bodies, some of whom were there originally, some who were meant to be reinforcements. Most of them were dead, with some just alive enough to later tell the tale of what one should expect when choosing to harm one of Gol D. Roger’s. There was only one left conscious, and he pulled the shriveling man up by the scalp, his blood stained hand firmly gripping the other’s chin, forcing him to look up at his grinning face.

“ That was a bit of fun, wasn’t it ? ”   his voice remaining cheerful, uncaring at how the man whimpered in his grasp,   “ Now, be a good man and tell me where the rest of you rats hiding. I’m not leaving until I’m sure I’ve made my message clear to each and every one last of you. ”

#[ ic. ] ✧〖 eternally challenging the sea 〗 #[ v. golden days ] ✧〖 rays of sunshine 〗 #indomiitas #ask to tag. #[ violent roger violent roger violent roger-- #[ lisa!! literally just enabling me-- #[ dsfklsd idk if this count towards the prompt but. offers it anyway #[ just. #[ roger cares a normal amount ab his boys fr #[ rotates this overpowered fool at light speed #[ cant. remember if i made a post on roger's haki yet or if its just in drafts #[ but i think that. i think that his haki should be allowed to kill #[ as a treat... #[ if i havent talked ab that b4 i apologize but rotates him anyway #[ when the one of if not the strongest haki we know ab in canon real <3 #[ anyway just!!! thinks ab violent roger a normal amount #[ the kind of guy that was left in rumors #[ bc everyone's heard ab roger destroying armies and forts n crews #[ but they dont hear ab how it was all for his loved ones normal ab these kinds of things fr #[ dsksd #[ casual 1.1k of self indulgence cheers dsklsd

[vickyshinoa12]

Loss and Gain [Ace x OC x Sabo!] Prt 2 Dressrosa

Authors note: So since I haven’t caught up in One Piece in a while (I’m in Dressrosa rn lord it’s long >_>) some stuff won’t make sense and all that, I apologize for it and if I see that it doesn’t make since I’ll work it out later on! Anyway enjoy!

Two years passed since Ace died at Marineford. I quit being a pirate all together as well. Marco accepted my decision and told me to be whatever I wanted to be. That I didn’t know who to be. Without Ace being beside me, telling me where to go, how to do things… I can’t make the call. Eventually I ended up just going along whatever the sea felt like was best for me. The One Piece is out there… but I’m sure Luffy was going to find it, and I want him to find it anyway. The thought of Luffy loosing his brother also weighed on my mind as I am in another part of the world away from my own family, my sibling. I can only pray again that Luffy will be okay and to guide me to whatever I need to do. I was lost. Had no goal. The only goal was erased now so… what now?

After a month of useless searching. I landed on an island that was a bit away from Punk Hazard, that’s when I met Law. He was a pirate but recognized my character. How it was broken down and no motivation. He told me we can team up and that a bigger threat is on the loose. I didn’t care at first until he said that lots of innocent people were going to get hurt or dead. Most importantly it had to do with the Marines and the World Government as a whole. Something sparked that day and it took me a while to find Law again, but I agreed to be an ally with him to take care of the threat.

Punk hazard was a mess. It was cold as hell on one end and hot on the other. Law told me the Admirals fought one another and created this island, part I’ve part lava. Just the thought of that scared me. If they can create an island based off that, they could easily destroy the world if they wanted to. Soon Law and I reached a large building and he was explaining to me what to do and who was the target. Then I heard a familiar voice. It was Luffy and his crew my eyes bottled up with tears and I automatically apologized to him for not saving his brother. Luffy said that it wasn’t my fault and that Ace would have wanted us to become stronger and push to our goals. I didn’t tell him that I haven’t had a set point on what my goal was. I was just following Law’s role for the moment.

Days went by and Punk Hazard’s villain, Caeser, was kidnapping children to test some sort of experiment on them. It was awful. “Why would someone do this? To kids?” I asked and Law responded, “People are born to treat others like trash, no one knows the reason.” After that we teamed up with Luffy again, not after their characters had to be fixed, to rescue the children and stop Ceaser. Soon when we did it Law and I went to a room where Ceaser has a bunch of fruits. Law told me that he was making fake Devil fruits and then we got ambushed and he told me to run. I didn’t want to leave him alone so we fought together and eventually Ceaser stood down.

After that battle, we joined with Luffy and the straw hats to go to the next destination that Law told us. Dressrosa. He told us that Ceaser was a pawn to the bigger picture and that the real enemy was Doflamingo. We all agreed to help, but the only problem is when we got there… Law was gone. I went with Luffy and Zoro to search for him… but thanks to the over crowded area I got lost. I started to freak out as I didn’t want to somehow end up with the bad guy.

I walked around a few more blocks before stopping at a shop that sold clothes and food. I looked around and noticed how exposed the women clothes were and decided not to buy it. Soon I grabbed something and went on my way. After a while I started to give up the search and went to a random bunch of tables and sat at one. “Damn… if Ace was here… I would have been out of this situation and would have found Law…” I mumbled and took a bite of my food. There was more people walking about and talking about the colosseum and the fight that was that day. I wanted to see myself and thought that maybe Luffy was there. Okay… that’s a good start! I finished my food and went to get up as I then ran into someone with a huge thud.

My glasses flew across and as I went to look up all I saw was a black and blue blob. “Sorry! I didn’t see you there!” It was a man. “No worries. I’m just in a hurry to find someone.” I went to the ground and started to search. Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder and then a gloved hand with my glasses were in front of me, “These yours?”

“Yeah! Thank you!” I bowed my head and grabbed them from him and put them on. I sighed as my vision came back and stood to thank him again. The man had blond hair, black eyes, and a top hat with googles. His attire was fancy like and he wore a black coat. “Thank you again. Sorry I ran into you.” I put my hand up with a sheepish smile. “Don’t worry about it. You said you were looking for someone, want me to help?”

“Huh? No, you already found my glasses. I don’t want you to do anymore for a stranger like me.” I said and he smiled largely, “Maybe we won’t be strangers.” I was confused by his words as he then took out his hand to shake, “My name is Sabo, I’m here looking for someone as well!” My hand was hesitant as I went to shake, “Victoria…”

“Great! Now we can help one another. I have to find someone very important. Once we get that done, I’ll help you find your person.”

“Thanks… but I already told you-“

“Let’s get started shall we? I’m in a bit of a hurry myself as my friend wants me to get this done ASAP!” Sabo turned on his heel and started to walk off and I was trying desperately to explain why he shouldn’t help. It reminded me of someone. But I couldn’t put a finger on it.

Later we ended up in the colosseum. I looked around and was confused. “Your person is fighting in the colosseum?” I asked and he hummed, “He’s very important like I said. Once we find him, I’ll have to explain a lot of stuff, but I’m sure he’ll understand.” Seems like a close friend. “So since is where I needed to go as well, maybe we can split up?”

“No no! That’s too risky, plus you’ll only get lost again.” Sabo said and I was about to protest when I stopped and turned to him slowly. How’d he know? Sabo turned to face me and I felt a shiver down my spine. What’s up with him? “You were talking about someone by the name of Ace hours ago, weren’t you?” My heartbeat went insane. Was he the enemy? “Don’t need to be scared. I’m an ally. You see, Ace is my brother.” My eyes widened as I slowly pointed up, “You’re… You’re his brother too?”

“Yes I am. We go way back- what do you mean by ‘too’?” He asked as he tilted his head. I blinked, “Someone else said he was Ace’s brother… his name is Luffy.” Sabo’s smile went wide again, “Yep. He’s also my brother!”

“WHAT?!” My jaw dropped as I put my hands on my head, “That’s insane! Another brother?! And you’re just telling me now?! Why didn’t you tell me before?!” I yelled and Sabo laughed, “Cause you bumped into me remember? Then dropped your glasses. So I couldn’t just drop the bomb right then and there about it.” I put my hands down, “I guess you’re right…” He continued to stare at me, that’s when I noticed a burn mark on his left eye. Maybe a childhood burn? “You see… when you also said you’re name. I remembered the small note you put on Ace’s grave. He must have impacted you a lot Huh?” My chest hurt, “Yeah…” The note I left before I quit was a heart felt one. About how I looked up to Ace and how I wanted to tell him how much I loved him, to only be too late. “Hey.” My head went back to look up at Sabo. “It wasn’t your fault. Don’t blame yourself for his death.” Tears went to my eyes as I wiped them, “I know, but… I should have pressed harder…”

“At least you were there for him…” Sabo muttered and put his hat over his face, “I… suffered from amnesia after a Celestial shot me down as a kid… after that I worked for the Revolutionary Army for years… until I heard of his death and all the memories came back…” My eyes soften, “So. Don’t blame yourself. I blamed myself for not being there for him all those years. Plus I’m pretty sure he wants all of us to push forward for a better future.”

“Yeah… say Luffy said the same thing when we were on Punk Hazard.” I smiled and Sabo smiled back, “He is our brother alright. We always somehow have the same wavelength, the three of us.” Now I know about Luffy’s second brother, more compassion drizzled to them. “Say… Luffy was the person I was actually looking for-“

“No way! Me too! Say, let’s find him together, but don’t tell him that I’m his brother! Let it be a surprise!”

“Why? Did he forget you or something?”

“You’ll see. Let’s go to the dressing room.” Sabo said and led the way. Soon we met up with Luffy who dressed up in a beard and was called Luci. Sabo introduced himself to get the Flame-Flame fruit and soon confessed to being Luffy’s brother. Luffy explained that Sabo died that day when he was shot down. Sabo and Luffy had a reunion with a giant hug. All I can do was laugh a bit as Luffy was now not alone without a brother, he had Sabo. Come to think of it… maybe Sabo is a little like Ace. But I might be reading through the lines…

#one piece #one piece fanfiction #one piece oc #one piece sabo #revolutionary sabo #sabo x oc #fanfiction

[holykillercake]

One Year

pairing: Zoro x Reader

word count: 2k

summary: No summary this time. I´ll just say this ¨Bartholomew Kuma and Sabaody¨. Read at your own risk. Seriously, ¨KUMA AND SABAODY¨, do you understand?

highlight: ¨Everyone did their best, but no one could have done better.¨

warnings: angst with happy ending; Sabaody Archipelago spoilers (?)

notes: Hey guys! This was a request from @roronoatrash​ in which ¨Zoro who has 0 sense of direction seemed to always find his way back to is s/o, and his s/o only.¨. I really hope you like it!💚 This is also the first time I write a Devil Fruit user, so I'm considering a sequel to develop the character and add more humor.

𝕷𝖊𝖆𝖛𝖊 𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖘, 𝖗𝖊𝖖𝖚𝖊𝖘𝖙𝖘, 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖑𝖔𝖛𝖊!

It was a cloudy and melancholic day in the New World. The men on board were leisurely enjoying their afternoon; some drinking, some napping, some eating. The air was humid and cold, and the tides were strangely calm. No one seemed to care. After all, that was the New World. 

¨Boss!¨ the lookout shouted from the crow's nest ¨Something is falling from the sky! It´s going to land on deck!¨

All men tilted their heads to look at the sky, watching a tiny black spot become bigger and more recognizable.

¨Is that what I think it is?¨ the captain asked himself, not believing his eyes.

¨Boss, is that a girl?¨

¨Yep, I think so.¨

They stood still watching what they suspected was a girl fall from the skies. The red-haired took a quick glimpse at his first-mate and officers, and since no one moved, he felt safe to assume that that was not a threat. Mainly because whatever was falling towards the ship looked dead already. 

The body fell through the main deck and went straight to the lower level of the ship. The captain and his officers stood around the hole on the wooden floor, observing the unconscious and injured body of a girl. 

¨I´ve seen some crazy things rain around here... but this is new.¨ he spoke.

They were ready to have someone dispose of the dead body when the girl opened her eyes, putting herself on her shaky legs. Blood dripped from her eyebrows and nose, and she had bruises all over. Her eyes wandered around as if she was looking for something.

¨Z-Zoro...¨ she spoke when her teary eyes met the captain´s ¨I-I need to find Zoro.¨ 

That was all she said before falling on her knees and collapsing. 

                                                             </>

Almost a year has passed since the tragedy in Sabaody Archipelago. A year passed since you were defeated in the fight against the marine force. Your gashes closed, and your bruises healed, but there was a wound that would not go away, even after one year. 

So much had happened since that day. Luffy had broken into Impel Down, fought in the Paramount War, and lost his brother, Ace. A few days later you received the hidden message he had left you, saying that you were no longer going to meet in Sabaody in three days but in two years.

It took you a while to understand the situation you and the rest of the Strawhats were in, and it took you even more to let go of your selfishness and trust them. The guilt for not being strong enough to protect yourself and your comrades ate you alive during the first weeks, but then you considered how they must be feeling too. No one could have done better. 

Everyone did their best, but no one could have done better. 

For one year, whenever a News Coo flew by to deliver a newspaper, you would run and grab it before anyone did, hoping to see another message from your friends. But the status of your captain was the only one you knew so far. You knew he was training with Rayleigh-san, and this whole two years thing should have been his idea. 

When Bartholomeu Kuma used his Devil Fruit powers on you, you ended up landing on the ship of the Red Hair Pirates. They would always tell you how you rained on their Red Force and broke the deck floor. They said you were looking for someone, and during your stay in the infirmary, you would always call for the same person. 

For months nightmares had you waking up in the middle of the night panting and crying. The same one, torturing you in an infinite and merciless loop. 

Every detail, color, and noise. Everything was so precise and clear in your head. 

When he fought still injured from the last encounter with the Shichibukai; when he stood up and faced the Warlord fearlessly. Even with the damages caused by Kizaru and the Pacifistas, he stood up. 

And maybe your eyes fooled you, maybe your exhausted body played a sick trick on you because he was there until he wasn´t.

 Right in front of your eyes.

 His cropped green hair and tanned skin, the vibrant red and white striped shirt, the scar across his chest, the haramaki, and the swords. Gone, simple as that. 

But after all the training that you had with the Red Hair Pirates, you seemed more in peace with yourself. After one year, the nightmares would bother you only every once in a while. You were not prepared for the New World before, maybe still aren´t, but you will get there. 

And they made everything easier. It was no mystery why Luffy liked them so much. Whenever you were not engaged in a fight or some other Emperor crap, those guys were incredibly light-spirited. And the moment they realized you were part of Luffy´s crew they treated your wounds and welcomed you onboard. 

Shanks agreed to have his men training you, but he made very clear that no one would babysit you, so it was ¨keep up or keep out.¨. You spent most of your time with Yassop, Benn, or Roux, for they were the best in the abilities you exercised. 

Inside the Strawhats you were a stealth agent, mostly because of your Devil Fruit, the Nagi Nagi no Mi, once possessed by a Marine Commander. Another Supernova, the Surgeon of Death Trafalgar Law had told you that before shit broke in Sabaody. 

You used that combined with your fighting skills to breach the enemy´s first line of defense before they saw you coming. Usually, Usopp would assist you with the sniper training, trade he ¨learned from a friend¨, Sogeking. 

His father was an extraordinary sniper, and he used the same kind of firearms as you, differently than Usopp´s slingshot. Benn´s combat skills were remarkable, and Roux was exceptionally fast for a man his size. You haven´t had a lot of opportunities to fight the Red Hair himself, though you had a strong will, his Haki was something you have never seen before. 

¨We´re going to a bar, kid. You´re coming?¨ Benn asked you with his cigarette on his lips. 

You pondered a little over his invitation but decided to decline it. ¨Thanks, Benn, but I´m keeping a low profile tonight.¨ He nodded and smiled, turning to follow his crewmates ¨Don´t drink too much, we have training tomorrow!¨ 

The first mate laughed shortly and spoke without looking at you ¨Roger that, kid.¨ 

You walked the opposite way, wandering between the vegetables and gimmicks tents, feeling the kind sunset kiss your skin. There was some music playing, kids running around with ice cream in their hands, laughing loudly and happily. Marketers were announcing their prices, housewives were thinking about delicious recipes to prepare for their families, and couples would sit together around the font, swearing love to each other.

Every day was like that. The citizens would wish their neighbors ¨good morning¨ from their windows; bakers would open the doors early, letting the delightful smell of fresh bread wake up those who slept in.  

How could you, in the middle of all that happiness, feel so sad and lost?

You sighed and made a route change. Maybe you needed a little bit of booze. 

The island where Shanks had decided to dock was in the Grand Line, a place where they were known and welcomed. So you knew where they were, and it would be a short walk to get there.

¨Y/N?¨ 

You turned automatically, thinking that a crew member had gotten lost and was looking for his captain - or boss, how he likes to be called.

 But when you saw the man standing in front of you, everything stopped. The music, the kids, and the love promises. 

At some point, you started to cry and hyperventilate, believing you were in another nightmare, and you would have to go through that day all over again. Your lover carried pain in his eyes as well, like his fears were the same as yours. 

Those minutes you stared at each other felt like hours while you kept every detail of him in your memory. His hair was slightly longer, and his complexion was paler, even with the sunset painting his skin. 

¨Z-Zoro...¨ you whispered shakily.

He gave a step forward ¨Y/N... it´s you...¨ 

You ran in his direction as soon as your name fell out of his mouth. Your arms embraced his neck, and your legs gave up when he held you tight against his body, whispering comforting words as you broke into tears. 

¨I...¨ nothing but sobs came out.

¨I know... me too.¨ he fondled your hair and hid his face in the curve of your neck. And there stood the both of you, not wanting to let the other go. 

                                                          </>

¨How did you know I was here?¨ you asked and he blushed a little.

¨I didn´t... I had to buy stuff for the castle, and I got lost.¨ a loud laugh came out of your mouth. It was so obvious, how didn´t you guess that?

¨They didn´t give you a log pose?¨

¨They did, but I took a nap and when I woke up, I was here.¨

You spent the rest of the day cuddling on the beach sand. Zoro was laying on his back, and you were resting on his chest. You had one year worth of conversation to catch up on, and neither of you rushed to do so. He told you about Mihawk, the creepy island in which the only native habitants were copycat human drills, the boat he destroyed, and even how he begged the Warlord to train him.

The sun had started to hide behind the sea, and the warm sand was cooling down. The sound of the waves crashing on the shore together with the salty breeze made you question if you had died at some point, and that was heaven.

¨You´re paler.¨ he chuckled.

¨It´s not very sunny where I´m living.¨ 

¨Hm...¨ you hummed ¨And how long did you take to figure out Luffy´s message?¨ 

¨Oh...¨ he thought for a second ¨ I knew right away.¨ you giggled and doodled on his chest with your finger. 

You felt his chest go up and down as he let out a sigh. 

¨I missed you, Y/N.¨ he hugged you tighter. 

¨I missed you too.¨ you stayed in silence for a few minutes ¨Anyway, when are you setting sail again?¨ You asked him softly, and he tensed up. ¨I know... ¨ your lips began to tremble ¨ I don´t want to go either, but what happened in Sabaody... I don´t want that to happen ever again.¨ you bit your lip as tears started to roll on your cheeks. 

He wiped the tears with his fingers and pulled you closer. None of you wanted to part ways again, but not only those were your captain´s order that was your future. If something like that happens again in the New World, a two-year separation would be the best scenario possible. 

¨It won´t. I promise.¨

When the night came, you decided to stay on the beach and talked until you fell asleep under the stars. The best sleep you´ve had in a long time. No nightmares, no agony, and no pain. Just the warmth and peace you missed so much.

On the following morning, you helped him get the provisions for Mihawk´s castle. You toured around the city holding hands and joking, kinda like the couples sitting by the font, enjoying every second you had before he left. 

If he didn´t get lost trying to go back to Kuraigana Island, it would be a quick trip. You assisted him with the bags and walked him to his boat. Your heart ached to say goodbye to him, but you had to. The circumstances were bigger than the two of you.

¨I love you, Zoro.¨ you hugged him and tried not to cry again.

¨I love you more, Y/N.¨

¨Careful with the naps, ok?¨ he chuckled and nodded ¨One year. We´ll meet again in one year.¨ 

¨Wait for me. I´ll go get you, and we´ll return to Sabaody together.¨ 

¨But how will you know where I will be?¨

¨It doesn´t matter where you´ll be. I´ll always find you.¨

#zoro #roronoa zoro #zoro roronoa x reader #zoro x reader #one piece #one #one piece x y/n #one piece x reader #oneshot #worst generation #sabaody archipelago #bartholomew kuma #kuma #hawkeye mihawk #dracule mihawk #mihawk #shichibukai #seven warlords #warlords of the sea #shanks #red hair shanks #red hair pirates #lucky roux #benn beckman #yassop #usopp #sogeking #kuraigana island #kuraigana #rayleigh

[zotash]

Discussing the most common arguments against Zoro x Tashigi

I realized I’ve been seeing the same criticisms over and over again, on forums, Twitter, Reddit etc. for almost a decade now, so I decided to make a comprehensive post to discuss them. Yes, I have a lot of free time these days.

As a disclaimer, these are just my opinions and there might be other ZoTash fans who think differently. This is not against the people who just don’t like this ship because it’s not their cup of tea. Saying “it’s not my thing” is totally valid. I only want to discuss arguments that are repeatedly used against ZoTash that make no sense to me, and explain why.

1. “People only ship Zoro with Tashigi because of Kuina”

Okay, what does this even mean? I see this a lot but I think it has at least a couple of different interpretations:

Interpretation no. 1: “People only ship Zoro with Tashigi because they think she’s Kuina” -> No. I’ve always believed Kuina is dead and is not Tashigi, mainly because of the following reasons:

Oda drew Kuina's dead body and her grave, where her father brings news of Zoro and has laid her training katana to rest. This is all in the manga.

Kuina and Tashigi canonically have different ages (Kuina would be 22 and Tashigi is 23) and they have different birthdays, that come from readers’ suggestions in SBSs.

Oda drew Tashigi as a child in an SBS and she looks nothing like Kuina.

Zoro's dream and backstory would lose all meaning if Kuina were still alive, as Kuina’s death is basically his cornerstone.

Interpretation no. 2: “People only ship Zoro with Tashigi because Tashigi reminds Zoro of Kuina” -> Is this implying we think Zoro was in love with Kuina and he can’t get over it so he’s projecting Kuina onto Tashigi? Personally, I don’t think Zoro felt anything for Kuina other than friendship and admiration. And they were 10 and 11... It could have been a childhood crush at best, not actual romantic love.

It’s a fact that Tashigi reminds Zoro of Kuina, but Zoro has gotten over it and doesn’t consider Tashigi a “copycat” anymore (as per Oda’s own words). Despite what some may believe, Kuina doesn’t really feature in most of the ZoTash ship discussion. Yes, she’s at the center of Zoro and Tashigi’s main misunderstanding, but their relationship has progressed past the “omg she looks like Kuina” phase now.

2. “Tashigi is a marine, her and Zoro being together would not work.”

I think people saying this should first of all re-read the series, because they are missing the entire point of One Piece – that is to tear down any artificial divide imposed by society/the goverment/tradition when it’s an obstacle to freedom, including freedom to love.

Luffy and the Strawhats with their actions are the catalysts for this. Marine and Pirates won’t matter in the end, the only thing that will matter is whether to side with the new Dawn brought along by Luffy or oppose it. And I think Tashigi (with Smoker) will side with the good side, given the direction their characters have been going in.

Once Zoro and Tashigi’s pirate/marine labels wash away, what remains are two individuals who are very similar, have chemistry, and share the same ideals and the same passion for swordsmanship. So, yes, in my opinion it would work.

As for Zoro, I’ve seen people say that being with Tashigi would go against his “pirate code” and I’m like– what? This is not about someone leaving their crew or disobeying their captain. Tashigi has nothing to do with Zoro’s pirate code. This is about Zoro, a pirate, doing whatever he wants and making his own decisions. Which is what pirates do. And if you don’t believe me, here’s what Oda – speaking through Sanji – thinks about pirate-marine relationships:

3. “Zoro just considers Tashigi an annoyance.”

I think this argument also comes from a superficial reading of the characters and from being oblivious to tropes certain authors like Oda like to use.

First, Zoro seems to consider everyone an annoyance, including people from his own crew, because that’s part of his tough guy act. Do you also believe Zoro truly hates Sanji, since he always puts up an annoyed face with him? Again, let’s hear what Oda/Sanji has to say on the matter:

Second, I do agree that at the beginning, pre-timeskip, Zoro was truly annoyed by Tashigi. That was both for comedic effect and also how enemies-to-lovers arcs work. But things have changed since the timeskip, with Zoro not freaking out anymore at the sight of Tashigi, showing more interest in her, initiating physical contact, and taking care of her when she was injured.

Third, the bickering and the “annoyed” reaction is typical of many Oda couples or couples-to-be. Oda often likes to use the like-an-old-married-couple trope for people that are indeed going to get married or be in a relationship:

4. “Zoro has only feelings for swords.”

This always makes me laugh because I’m like, dude–

I mean, the association Tashigi = swords is so strong that on official One Piece merch she’s always represented by the kanji for “sword” 刀 while Zoro has to make do with 斬, “to cut”. And to think that 刀 is even Zoro’s own signature! Sorry Zoro, there’s a bigger sword nerd in town.

I believe Tashigi is exactly Zoro’s type also because she can understand his lifelong dedication to swordsmanship and share in it. She’s been through a very similar life experience with swords, and Zoro would only benefit from a partnership with her that allows him to expand his sword knowledge. People say Zoro only cares about swords, but if it weren’t for Tashigi he wouldn’t even know Wadō Ichimonji’s name. Swords are what connect them.

And to be honest, I find statements like “Zoro only has eyes for swords” very simplistic. He’s not a one-note, gag character. He’s capable of having complex feelings and multiple interests.

---

So, yeah. I think these four are the most frequent arguments used against this ship. I’ve also seen weirder ones, and some that really made me laugh, but they’re not worth mentioning here. Let me know if there are others worth analyzing and of course anyone is welcome to contribute to the discussion!

#zotash #zoro x tashigi #our posts #analysis #tashigi #zoro

[purplehairedwonder]

Hearts With(out) Chains Chapter 12

Fandom: One Piece Rating: PG-13 Pairings: Gen (eventual Lawlu) Words: 4629 Characters: Trafalgar Law, Monkey D. Luffy, Nami, Chopper, Usopp, Brook, Zoro, Nami, Franky, Smoker, Tashigi, Doflamingo Notes: I’m taking my turn at the Corazon!Law AU because my brain won’t leave me alone until this is written down. Tags will be updated as the chapters come out.

The story title is based on the Ellie Goulding song “Hearts Without Chains.”

The nickname Doflamingo uses for Law in this chapter is a nod to the story “Worth” by Doctor_Cyance.

Warning: This chapter contains the description of a panic attack.

Summary: Law is reclaimed by the Family when he's 17 and, with Doflamingo holding the lives of his crew as collateral for his good behavior, eventually becomes the third Corazon. Years later, trapped by his impossible situation, Law finds a strange connection to Monkey D. Luffy, which offers a glimpse of something he's repeatedly had ripped away from him: hope.

Previous chapters: Prologue | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

Read also at AO3 / FF.N

After leaving the control room, Law followed the echoing cacophony of the fully collected Straw Hat crew through the halls of the lab. Smoker trailed behind him, tension on the acrid air surrounding him. The moment Law had realized what he’d let the vice admiral hear about his past, he’d debated whether to let Smoker return to the Marines with that information. But the feeling of Vergo’s heartbeat stopping in his hand was still fresh in his mind, and he didn’t particularly feel like ending yet another life today after everything that had happened.

If the other man tried to talk to him about it, though… Well, Law couldn’t make any promises then.

As he walked, Law considered his situation. With Vergo dead, the main source of the rumor of Law’s disloyalty was gone. Law had the dead man’s Den Den Mushi in his pocket, and even if he had recorded Law’s words, Law would simply destroy the recording. For a brief moment, Law considered ending his partnership with the Straw Hats since he’d taken care of his main target, but he dismissed the idea almost as soon as it crossed his mind. Law could pretend he’d never seen Vergo on Punk Hazard, but Doflamingo would hear of Vergo’s death eventually, and, considering the cause of death, there would be no mistaking who had killed him.

Not to mention, Law had obviously failed in the mission he’d been sent to complete—and he couldn’t imagine finishing it now. Not when he couldn’t shake the startled recognition that had struck him as he and Straw Hat had shaken hands that the pull in his chest had gone still, as though Law were where he was meant to be.

No, even with Vergo dead, Law was still just as stuck as he had been the moment Vergo had arrived on the island. He had no choice—either for himself or his nakama—but to continue on the path he was on.

Laughs and shouts bounced off the lab’s metal walls, and, as Law and his stewing shadow approached the source, Law recalled the blueprints he’d been provided; this must be the Biscuit Room, he thought as he stepped into the large, colorful space. He’d wondered at the name as he’d pored over the schematics on his way over, but now he understood. Smoker stepped up next to him and made a disapproving sound at the sight of what was clearly a space for children—children who had become science experiments for a mad clown.

Law narrowed his eyes, assessing the scene in front of him. It seemed the Straw Hats had taken care of their enemies with alacrity. Both Caesar and Monet were wrapped in what Law hoped were Seastone chains (he had warned them) and slumped against the wall. The cat burglar stood not far from them, hands on her hips and a small smile curving her lips as she watched the antics of her crewmates. Smoker’s second stood on the other side of the captives, clearly having taken it upon herself to guard them. G-5 soldiers milled about close to the swordswoman, refusing to fully engage with the pirates.

“Oh, Torao! You’re here!”

Law looked up to see Straw Hat across the room. He was perched atop the back of a couch next to Zoro, who appeared to be dozing. Long Nose sat across from them, his slingshot in hand. It looked like they’d been in the middle of a lively conversation before Law had caught the other captain’s attention. Nico Robin sat next to Long Nose, one leg crossed primly over the other and her hands clasped in her lap. She was smiling, as though enjoying whatever her nakama were discussing. The cyborg sat on the floor next to her. The skeleton, for his part, was wandering around the room, playing a jaunty tune on a violin. (At this point, Law didn’t have it in him to question where that had come from.)

That left the tanuki, Black Leg, and the samurai. Considering none of the children were present, Law had a feeling he knew what the little doctor was up to, anyway. Law idly wondered if he was having any luck treating the children before shoving the thought aside; he didn’t like thinking about his own history with looking to other doctors for help.

“Straw Hat-ya,” Law replied, stepping further into the room.

“What happened to that Verto guy?”

Law tightened his grip on Kikoku briefly. “Dead.”

Straw Hat simply nodded, but outraged noises erupted from the other side of the room. Law turned to look at the prisoners.

“What?” Caesar gasped loudly. “But he’s—”

“So, he was right,” Monet said, the quiet betrayal in her voice more painful than Law had expected it to be. “You were a traitor after all. I didn’t believe him when he told us.”

Though he hated the Family as a whole for what they had taken from him—and continued to take as they held his crew’s lives over his head—Law had spent years with people like Monet once he’d been brought to Dressrosa. And he didn’t hate them all as individuals. Monet was a lot like Law himself, having been rescued by the Family after an unspeakable trauma along with her sister. But, unlike Law, she hadn’t been freed from the corrosive influence of the Donquixote Pirates. She’d been fully indoctrinated and would never believe the truth of who Doflamingo truly was that Law had witnessed on Minion Island. Doffy had her undying loyalty.

Law’s jaw tightened. “He didn’t give me much choice.”

“I can’t believe you teamed up with these… idiots,” Caesar said, lips curling in disgust as he looked at the Straw Hats.

“Idiots?” the cyborg called. “That’s super rude.”                      

“These idiots kicked your butt,” Long Nose reminded him, aiming an empty sling shot in his direction. “So, what does that say about you?”

Caesar made some incomprehensible frustrated noises in response, but Monet simply looked at Law, her usually placid expression tinged with hurt. “Why, Corazon? After everything the Young Master’s given you?”

Law snorted, an ugly sound that caused Monet to recoil. He knew exactly where he stood with Doflamingo—the Warlord’s tool and plaything and the means to an end—and none of it was for Law’s sake.

It was never for anyone’s sake but his own.

Doflamingo liked to act like he was generous with his Family, but all he really knew how to do was take. He gave but took twofold in return—his gifts came with strings, literally and figuratively. The cost was unflinching allegiance to a madman, pieces of one’s soul irreparably damaged by every act of loyalty, every drop of blood spilled in the name of a man who believed himself a god. And the Family was happy to pay the price; Law once had felt the same before he’d been saved.

Doflamingo was also unflinching in taking from those who refused to pay fealty. He’d taken Cora-san all those years ago for saving Law. He’d taken Law’s and his friends’ freedom on a no-name island in the North Blue. He took the very existences of his enemies in Dressrosa, using Sugar’s abilities to erase them from memory and enslave them as toys.

It was fitting, Law had thought when he’d first learned of the scope of the operation in the kingdom; Doflamingo was a puppet master, literally pulling strings. He saw others as his toys to play with as he wished. Law was nothing more than another one of those toys, though a supposedly privileged one, sitting on the Heart Throne. But it was nothing more than a gilded cage. Law’s eventual purpose was still to die for Doflamingo’s immortality. After everything else he’d taken from Law, he also intended to take Law’s life. And he expected Law to give it willingly; anything else would break the illusion of Doflamingo’s complete control.

“He’s given me nothing,” Law replied coldly. Nothing that he hadn’t taken back countless times over as he whittled Law down into the shape he wanted as his Corazon, anyway.

Monet opened her mouth to reply, but she was cut off by a loud wail as the Straw Hats’ little doctor came out of a side room.

“Chopper, what’s wrong?” the cat burglar asked, hurrying to his side.

“I’ve tried everything I can think of,” he said, “but the drugs in their system are just too strong, and I don’t fully understand their interactions.”

“Of course, they’re strong,” Caesar sniffed. “I made them, and I’m a genius.”

“Shut up, clown,” Nami hissed before turning back to her crewmate. “So, what does that mean?”

“If I can’t get the drugs out of their system, they won’t get better,” the tanuki sniffed. “I can treat the symptoms, but I can’t cure them.”

“Let Torao take a look!”

Law jerked in surprise as rubbery limbs wound tightly around his shoulders and the too-loud voice rang in his ears. (His concussion complained with a painful pang in response, and Law winced.) He hadn’t even noticed Straw Hat moving from the couch. Law prodded at him with Kikoku’s hilt in a futile attempt to dislodge him, but Straw Hat just grinned at him.

The Straw Hats’ doctor eyed Law uncertainly. “I don’t know, Luffy…”

“He’s a good doctor,” Luffy said with a decisive nod. “He saved me.”

After several failed attempts to detach the other captain—the freaking limpet—Law sighed and satisfied himself with the biggest eyeroll he could manage.

“Do you think that’s a good idea, Luffy?” the cat burglar asked. Her suspicions remained, and Law could respect that. Someone on this crew needed to exercise some common sense.

“Torao can look at them,” Straw Hat said, unswayed.

“Don’t I get a say in this?” Law demanded. Being talked about like he wasn’t present was one of his (admittedly many) pet peeves.

“Shishishi,” Straw Hat chuckled. “You’ll look at them, won’t you?”

In hindsight, as Law followed the tanuki to the room he’d been seeing the children in, he’d like to say he agreed because disagreeing with Straw Hat over it would be too much trouble, and, with his head injury, he didn’t have it in him to argue. But the truth was that there was something in the wide, trusting grin Straw Hat effortlessly threw in his direction and the responding warmth in his chest that made the agreement roll off his tongue before he could stop it.

He listened with half an ear as the tanuki explained what he’d already tried with the children and what he’d found. Though Law wasn’t privy to the exact goings-on in the lab, he had a sense of how ugly some of the projects Doflamingo had his fingers in were, so nothing he heard surprised him.

“L-look, Corazon,” the little doctor said once he finished his recitation, voice trembling slightly as he turned to face Law, hooves on his hips. “These kids have been through a lot. They’re scared and in pain and want to go home. D-don’t make it worse, okay? O-or I’ll kick your ass myself!”

Law had never seen anything less intimidating—and his best friend was a polar bear mink, which said something—but he still respected the sentiment. That protective instinct toward a patient was the attitude a true healer should have, one Law had seen in his parents as they fought for the people of Flevance while it was ravaged by plague. And, despite all the blood he’d spilled over the years, it was a feeling he could feel stirring deep, deep within himself, too.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Law replied. “You probably shouldn’t be here while I work, though.”

“What? Why?”

“My methods are… unorthodox,” Law settled on. Though the Ope Ope no Mi’s effects were bloodless and painless, that didn’t make them any less disturbing to most people who saw them.

The tanuki hemmed and hawed for several moments, and Law felt his impatience growing until he just opened a Room and approached the kids. The little doctor yelped and followed him.

“You’re that man from outside,” one of the kids said as Law approached, frowning at him.

“I am,” Law agreed.

“What are you going to do to us?” another child asked, arms crossed defensively.

Law felt his eye twitch at the assumption he was there to hurt them, but Law had attacked the people who were trying to help them escape. He wasn’t entirely sure what to say—he knew a thing or two about being a traumatized child, but that didn’t make him an expert on dealing with others.

“Corazon here is a doctor,” the tanuki said, coming up next to Law.

That piqued the interest of some of the children.

“A doctor?”

“Like you?

“What kind of name is Corazon, anyway?”

“Law.” Everyone turned to look at him in surprise. “That’s my name,” he clarified, startling even himself. “Corazon is a title, but…” But he didn’t work for the Donquixote Family anymore now that he’d sided with the Straw Hats, did he?

He glanced down to see the Straw Hat doctor looking at him curiously. “What?” he demanded, feeling suddenly uncomfortable, like he was being looked through rather than at. He couldn’t help but be reminded of Bepo when looking at the small creature, and Bepo had always known Law better than anyone—often better than Law himself.

“Nothing,” the little doctor squeaked before looking back at the kids. “Doctor Law here is going to look at you. I’ll be just outside if you need me!”

With that, he glanced back at Law once more then left the room, closing the door behind him. Law, curious at the tanuki’s sudden agreement to leave Law and the kids alone, turned back to the children. He took a breath and unsheathed Kikoku to perform a Scan.

-----

Once Law was finished his work, he left the delighted children chattering to each other about what it was like having their body parts removed and opened the door. The Straw Hat’s doctor was sitting just outside, and he perked up at Law’s appearance.

“Well?”

“I was able to remove all traces of the drugs from their system,” Law said. “But most of them will be dealing with the effects of long-term exposure. With rehab, they should all be fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Law said, slightly annoyed at having his professional opinion questioned. Though he didn’t truly blame the tanuki; whatever Caesar had been experimenting on with these children, he’d given them some incredibly potent drug combinations that Law had never seen. Anyone without the power of Law’s fruit would have had a hard, if not impossible, time treating these children.

As Law had initially Scanned the children and seen the degenerative effects of the drugs they’d been exposed to, he’d been reminded of the charts he’d seen in his parents’ clinic of patients with Amber Lead Disease and the devastating effects on the body; he’d had to forcibly shake himself from the memory to continue working.

He started as the tanuki hurled himself at Law and wrapped his little arms around Law’s legs. The Straw Hats were far too affectionate for Law’s comfort.

“Thank you!” he said, looking up at Law with teary eyes. “I didn’t know what I was going to do for them!”

“It’s nothing,” Law said, lightly shaking his leg in an attempt to remove the other doctor. He was finding himself saying that a lot around the Straw Hats, he realized. He wasn’t sure he wanted to examine that any more closely.

The tanuki finally released Law’s leg and wiped his eyes with a hoof. “Luffy was right.” He gave Law a weak smile. “So, thank you for this. And for saving Luffy when I couldn’t. Law.”

Law opened his mouth to wave off the thanks again, but he shut it when he heard his name. Looking at the little creature, he felt his chest clench as he was reminded of Bepo when he’d called earlier. “I knew it, Captain. I knew you were still in there.”

He thought of the small feeling of satisfaction he got from healing Black Leg’s fracture, from knowing his hands could still heal after everything else they’d done.

Maybe Bepo was right, and the boy he’d sworn to follow no matter what thirteen years earlier was still in Law somewhere. Law had long thought that boy dead in the North Blue, but Bepo had always been the wisest of the Hearts.

“They’re your patients, Tony-ya,” Law said, recalling the doctor’s name from his—frankly ludicrous—wanted poster. “I was just helping out.”

Chopper’s face lit up at Law’s use of his name, but he tried to hide his pleasure. “That doesn’t make me happy, you bastard.”

Law’s lips twitched as he left Chopper to deal with the children now that they were no longer poisoned and headed back to the Biscuit Room.

When he entered, Straw Hat perked up immediately, as though he had a radar for Law’s presence. “Oi, Torao!”

“How are the children?” Nico Robin asked, eyes following her captain’s gaze.

“I removed the drugs from their systems,” Law said. “They should be fine with some long-term treatment.”

“What?” Caesar squeaked. “You shouldn’t be able to—”

Before Law could open a Room to shut the clown up, the cat burglar smacked him on the head. “Shut up, you slimy bastard. You’re lucky Torao here was able to help the kids. If he hadn’t been able to…” She trailed off, but the implication remained.

“Still not my name,” Law muttered.

“Still doesn’t matter,” the cat burglar replied in a singsong.

Law sighed and rubbed a hand over his face then looked back up at the other Straw Hats. “Now what?” He had no idea how long he’d been working on the children, but if his waning stamina was any indication, it had been a while. It must be getting late.

“The Marines called for backup,” Nico Robin said, “but the closest ship won’t arrive until tomorrow.”

“Captain Tashigi will be taking charge of the children,” the cat burglar added, a softness in her expression. “She’ll take good care of them.”

“And our next stop is Dressroba!” Straw Hat said.

“Dressrosa,” Law corrected automatically, stomach tightening at the thought.

“From the maps, Dressrosa seems to be fairly close,” Long Nose said, pointing to some maps spread out on a table between the sofas.

“It is,” Law agreed. “Maybe half a day.”

Half a day to figure out how to extricate Law and his nakama from Doflamingo’s strings.

It wasn’t enough time.

The cat burglar nodded thoughtfully as she came up next to the table and looked at the maps. She was their navigator, if Law remembered correctly. “It’s too late to set sail tonight,” she said. “We thought we’d leave in the morning.”

Law nodded curtly. “Fine.”

“So, you want to tell us what we’re walking into when we get there?” Zoro asked, arms crossed and eye narrowed.

Law opened his mouth to respond, but he was interrupted by the muted sound of ringing. Law reached into his coat pocket and found his Den Den Mushi waiting to be answered.

There was only one person that could be.

“Shit,” Law cursed.

He had no interest in letting the Straw Hats or Marines overhear this call, so he quickly formed a Room and Shambled into the first space that came to mind: the control room. He landed on the couch in place of a pillow he’d switched with.

He set Kikoku to his side and stared at the snail for a moment before answering.

“Doffy.”

“Corazon,” Doflamingo replied. Law tried to listen for anything off in his voice, any sense he knew Law had really betrayed him after all. “How is the mission going?”

Law hesitated only a moment as he calculated the best response to give. “It’s done.”

“And there were no… complications?”

Law knew he was imagining it, but he couldn’t help but feel like Vergo’s corpse was staring at him from across the room.

“No. The intruders were taken care of.”

“That’s good to hear. I’ve been trying to call Monet but haven’t received a response.”

“She was injured during the fight,” Law said, the lie falling from his lips without a second thought. “I treated her wounds, and she’s currently sleeping.”

Doffy hummed in response. “I see. And Caesar?”

“The clown is locked away in his lab,” Law replied, allowing his disdain for the scientist creep into his voice. Doffy wouldn’t be surprised by it. “I don’t know how Monet puts up with him.”

Doffy chuckled. “She does it for me.”

“Of course.”

“And when do you plan to return home?”

“I’ll set sail in the morning.”

“Excellent. I knew you were the right man for this mission. Until tomorrow, little bird.”

Law grimaced at the nickname as he hung up the call. The Birdcage haunted Law’s nightmares to this day, and he felt like nothing so much as a caged bird in Doflamingo’s service—and the man knew it. The nickname had become more regular since he’d started bringing Law into his bed, an act that had truly felt like clipping his wings.

And now the little broken bird was going to try to fly again.

It would never work.

Law could feel his heartrate picking up as his thoughts started to whirl.

Like he’d told Violet that morning—had that only been this morning? It felt like a lifetime ago—he was Doflamingo’s creature, possessed by the man inside and out.

He lifted a hand to his chest, only to find his entire arm shaking.

Doflamingo was a Warlord and a former Celestial Dragon.

Heat rose in his face.

Who was Law?

Bile rose in his throat.

Doflamingo was a dragon to Law’s bird.

He was going to throw up.

What was Law doing?

Law pushed himself to his feet and took a few unsteady steps forward and managed to round the couch, but his vision spun in front of him.

What was he thinking?

His feet tangled under him with his next step, and he crashed to the floor behind the couch.

He was going to get his nakama killed with this futile venture.

His breaths came in jagged pants, his tight chest struggling to inhale and exhale, and all he could hear was rushing in his ears.

Everything Law had done for the last nine years had been to keep his nakama safe, and now he was going to fail them completely.

Law’s entire body shook, and he curled in on himself.

And now he was going to get Luffy’s crew killed, too.

He screwed his eyes shut and put his hands over his ears as he struggled to breathe. The walls were closing in on him. He could feel the wood of the treasure chest beneath him and the treasure they’d shifted to fit Law into the chest at his back. The lid of the chest wouldn’t move since Cora-san had placed another chest atop it to disguise Law’s hiding place.

Law tried to summon a Room to escape, but his powers refused to cooperate, slipping through his fingers like sand.

Cora-san was going to die because he’d helped Law…

A cold sweat clung to his body.

The deafening cracks of gunshots, one after another, rang through Law’s ears and tears streamed down his face.

Law couldn’t make a sound because of Cora-san’s powers. He opened his mouth to scream but nothing came out except for ragged breaths.

He flinched hard as he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder.

Wait, a hand? Law was alone in the treasure chest.

The hand withdrew, and Law slowly opened his eyes. For a moment, all he could see was a blur in front of him—then red came into focus.

Doflamingo had worn red that night.

Law jolted backward until his back ran into something solid. He hissed through clenched teeth.

“—orao? Can you hear me?”

Law blinked slowly as a voice started to form words amidst the rushing in his ears. He felt the hand return to his shoulder, but he didn’t fight it off this time. Who—?

“Hey, Torao. It’s me. Can you hear me?”

It was Luffy.

Luffy hadn’t been on Minion Island.

Right.

Law wasn’t on Minion Island. He was on Punk Hazard.

Law wasn’t a sickly thirteen-year-old boy anymore. He was twenty-six and one of the most feared pirates in the New World.

Luffy squeezed Law’s shoulder when it was clear Law wasn’t going to freak out again.

Gradually, Law felt his heartrate slow, and his chest loosened, allowing him to take deeper breaths.

“Straw Hat-ya,” Law finally managed, voice rasping from his struggle to breathe. He pushed himself up off the floor, but his limbs felt like jelly, so he simply leaned against the back of the couch and pulled his knees up to his chest. He wrapped his arms around his knees.

Shame started to creep up the back of his neck as he realized he’d let Luffy see him having a panic attack—he hadn’t had one in years—only hours after making an alliance. He’d shown his allied captain how weak he truly was on the eve of taking on one of the most powerful men in the New World.

But Luffy simply smiled when Law acknowledged him and sat down next to Law, mirroring his position with his knees up to his chest. He rested his head on his knees and turned to look at Law.

Law resigned himself to questions about what had happened and was already considering how to reply, but Luffy surprised him.

“I used to get them after Ace died,” he said quietly. “Out in the forest alone when I trained with Rayleigh. I’d remember what happened and then I couldn’t breathe. I’d feel Ace dying in my arms and the fire in my chest all over again.” A soft smile returned. “But it got better when I saw my nakama again. They got easier to deal with when I wasn’t alone anymore.”

Looking at the other captain, Law realized that despite the grin that seemed permanently etched into Luffy’s face, he’d been through a lot in his short years. They had that in common. But where Law had retreated into himself to cope, Luffy turned outward. After coming to Dressrosa, Law had been too afraid to show any sign of weakness around the Donquixote Family, so he bottled everything up until it exploded. And the explosions tended to be violent.

“Doflamingo called,” Law said after a few silent moments by way of explanation.

“That Mingo’s a bad guy, huh?”                      

Law’s lips twitched tiredly at how simple Luffy made the situation. He rested his chin on the top of his knees. “Yes, he is.”

His eyes were getting heavy. Between the extended use of his fruit today and now the panic attack, Law supposed it was amazing he was even still awake. It was nothing new, though; working himself into unconsciousness was his preferred method of sleeping, despite the frequent protestations of his crew.

Law swallowed at the thought of his nakama back in Dressrosa.

“We’ll get him,” Luffy said confidently. “We’ll get Mingo, and we’ll save your nakama, Torao.”

Law grunted a response, and that seemed to be enough for Luffy.

They sat like that for a time, Luffy quieter than Law would have expected he could be. Despite the way Law’s thoughts had been a whirlwind before, they were quiet now. Gradually, Law’s eyes drifted closed, and he thought he might have felt an arm wrap around his shoulders before he went under completely.

Next chapter

#As an apology for taking so long with this one #Have the longest chapter yet #Trafalgar Law #Monkey D. Luffy #One Piece #One Piece fanfiction #One Piece fanfic #Caitlin's fic

[sicklexclaws]

Anonymous asked:

What kind of enemy do you hate dealing with the most? (Send my muse personal questions on Anonymous!)

“Traffickers.” He spat the word like it was a disgusting taste in his mouth as he blew out a steady breath of cigarette smoke, scowling as he thought about people like that. So far he’d encountered a variety of enemies and other challenges; typical run-of-the-mill rookie pirate crews, revolutionaries, smugglers trading illicit contraband like drugs and weapons but few roused his ire more than those who dealt in the business of kidnapping and selling people.

"Call it a personal grudge, whatever you want but it’s those types of enemies I hate most. Bounty hunters are one thing, at least they help us with bringing in wanted outlaws but traffickers are the worst scum out there. Do you know what it’s like growing up in a country where that sort of thing goes on? Waking up one day to hear somebody you know has gone missing and realizing you’re never going to see them again?” Oscar sighed, watching as plumes of grey smoke spiralled away into the breeze. It had happened a few times back when he’d been living on Pompelmo, where villagers like himself were regarded little more than tools whose only worth was to work and toil all day long so that wealth could flow into the coffers and pay off the annual tribute, as had been the deal they’d made with the World Government centuries ago... Certainly pirates and other notorious individuals were kept out of the country, but even that wasn’t enough to stop the activities of smaller, lesser known groups with connections to the Underworld. Drugs, weapons and other foul practices were just the tip of the iceberg when it came to corruption and crime operating in West Blue, some groups not satisfied with only that but engaging in the illegal trade of trafficking too. Women and children always got it the worst, and it always reminded Oscar of his past, of familiar faces he’d once known and cared about before they’d gone missing. Knowing better what they’d likely experienced now that he was older, Oscar could only growl deep in his chest at the thought.

“Breaking up trafficking operations is probably the hardest experience I’ve had being a marine. Fighting pirates is one thing but seeing what traffickers put innocent people through, it’s hard to resist the temptation of butchering them on the spot instead of hauling them in to face justice...” It was not too impossible to resist the urge, for living criminals did speak more than dead ones, but harder still was knowing even marines had to look the other way sometimes, like when some people considered ‘greater’ than others did exactly the same things and worse.

#anonymous #memes ;; personal questions #At least I think this is one? #Oscar has grudges man #He hates traffickers with a vengeance #Might have nearly been snatched once or twice himself #Organ theft for the black market is more common trade than you'd like to know #But there's also slave trafficking and worse #Dealing with the traffickers isn't so hard it's the victims #Feels good feels bad kind of way #Also knowing that some of this shit is LEGAL #Or at least going on behind the scenes like with Mother Carmel and the Celestial Dragons

[recentanimenews]

FEATURE: Why Defeat Is So Devastating In One Piece

  Years ago, back when One Piece was still new and Luffy was still floatin' around the East Blue looking for pals, a fan asked Eiichiro Oda: "Why doesn't Luffy ever kill his enemies?" He hadn't offed Helmeppo, nor had he put the finishing touches on Captain Morgan or Mohji the obnoxious lion tamer. Those dudes were definitely willing to get rid of Luffy in a permanent fashion if they got the chance. So why didn't Luffy return the favor?

  Answering in his SBS Question Corner, Oda's response (Volume 4, Chapter 30) was simple: In the One Piece world, to be defeated is "as bad as death." These are men that live by their strong ideals, and to see them shattered (by Luffy's stronger ideals and/or by his fists) is the most crushing blow they could possibly receive. So when you see them lying there, they're still alive, but the world as they know it has ended. Because their beliefs make up how they see and approach the whole world.

    I dig this approach for a few reasons: first of all, it means that Oda can bring back characters as needed, intertwining them anew in the story without having to say something like "But Crocodile didn't die, thanks to eating the Not Dead-Not Dead Devil Fruit at the last second!" Secondly, it adds tremendous impact to the moments when characters actually do pass away. There's a reason why Ace's demise is so huge and why so many of the flashbacks hit so hard — these good figures are truly gone, standing up for the things they believe in until the very end. And third, it ties into a grand theme of the One Piece itself.

  In One Piece, the symbols of power, strength, hope and dreams are often far more important than the actual weight that they have. Gol D. Roger earned the moniker of "The King of the Pirates," but he doesn't rule over anything. He has a strong crew, one that he uses to conquer the seas, protecting and battling in equal measure, but he doesn't really seem to focused on controlling his domain. Instead he's simply the most prominent figurehead of the common aspiration among pirates: That with the right ideals and the right crew, you can also live a free life and laugh as you please.

    The Jolly Roger performs a similar function - an indicator of a kind of shared will. It's one of the reasons why Luffy gets so mad at Wapol for shooting at Hiriluk's flag. Not only is Wapol disrespecting the man's legacy, but Wapol is a pirate. He should know better. It's why the loss of the Going Merry is so dramatic and tragic. It's less of a boat and more of a reflection of the faith Luffy has in his crew and in his dreams. The physical nature of it, just like the physical nature of a body after being defeated in battle or an easily destructible flag or of Gol D. Roger himself, is secondary. All of it represents something much bigger, something that a whole generation of pirates decided was worth setting sail and fighting for.

    It's in this mindset that Oda has about his series and that he's imparted to his characters and their world that renders what the fabled One Piece actually is to be kind of a useless topic. Because whatever it ends up being, there's a big chance that it won't hold a candle to what it means as a concept to countless pirates. When Whitebeard exclaimed to the world that the One Piece exists, it wasn't just an acknowledgement of its physical manifestation (A manifestation that remains to be seen, as Oda has confirmed that the One Piece won't be something like "The friends we made along the way" or whatever.) Rather, it was also a shout to the world and to the Marines that want to control said world that, well, it was beyond their reach. The fact that men dream of finding the One Piece and have gone to search for it means that any phsical effort they make to exert their strenght is in vain. The One Piece does exist and, in a sense, always has and always will.

  And so Luffy does not kill, because in a world of never-ending pursuit of adventure and romance, having your dreams squashed is the ultimate punishment. In One Piece, defeat is rarely a physical failure, but the failure of your values, of what you and your crew and your flag and your ship stand for. Roger's final words launched the voyages of countless people, so when some of them stare up at the sky, beaten down by Luffy's ambition, they realize perhaps the worst thing that one can on the Grand Line: That they have failed him.

    ________________________________________________________________________

  Daniel Dockery is a Senior Staff Writer for Crunchyroll. Follow him on Twitter!

  Do you love writing? Do you love anime? If you have an idea for a features story, pitch it to Crunchyroll Features.

By: Daniel Dockery

#Anime #News #Latest in Anime News by Crunchyroll!

[thenerdyalchemist]

Do any of the main events of the saga take place in pirate au? (aka harrows death, runaans imprisonment, the trio delivering zym wth the bodigies after them)

*cracks fingers* ohhhh man Iv has this idea in my head for a long time but keep forgetting to write it so here we go.

- The Royal Marines and pirates have not gotten along for years. For obvious reasons of course but there is a more tense connection between the pirate king and a major general Harrow. There was an incident years ago that resulted in the death of his wife Sarai. Meanwhile Runaan likes to place blame on them for the disappearance of Lain and Tiadrin although in the end that’s still a mystery.

- Rayla is 15 years old and it’s finally time for her first raid. They knew some fellow pirates in need of some supplies and so a relatively small marine ship filled with supplies seemed right to raid. Rayla was estatic she was so exited and of course Runaan was joining her. Ethari would stay on the ship like normal but he was worried for their girl.

- They swing over on the marine ship and while it was okay for a little bit things started to go sour really quick. That main reason being that Harrow and Viren were on this ship. Two highly ranked men whom Runaan has no idea would be on the ship. Certainly he would not have brought Rayla on this particular raid if he knew.

- He fought Harrow with his sword in an amazing duel. When it started coming towards its end Runaan noticed that Viren was about to shoot Rayla and he immidiatly got in between them. Runaan gets shot with this bullet in the shoulder. But something seemed off... getting shot was nothing new he was a pirate after all but whatever ammo this man used it was... wrong.

- He yelled for a retreat. Something the pirate king was never known to do but something was not right. He knew that and he was not going to take the chance of losing his daughter. He would apologize to Ethari later.

- Runaans entire crew and Rayla swung back on the pirate kings ship. Rayla was startled but she looked back like wait... where is Runaan? Then she saw him on the enemys boat. Injured. And with one last look at Rayla he cuts the rope connecting the two ships.

- Rayla watches Runaan get tackled by the enemies guard and gets dragged away. Rayla freaks out. No no no this can’t be happening and the crew tries to stop her but she does something reckless. Something she knows would make Ethari mad. She would apologize later. She jumps off the boat and tries to land on the ship carrying away Runaan. Somehow by some miracle she makes it and is able to grab a ledge of one of the cannon windows. She crawls in without hesitation.

- As soon as she’s in she knows there is no going back but she is not going to let her dad... the pirate king die here. She stealths around the ship staying out of site and tries to find Runaan.

- Runaan gets thrown in the dungeon. He knows there is no escape so he lets them chain him up with relatively no struggle. As soon as he’s locked up a cheer roars throughout the ship. They just captured the freaking pirate king. Do you know the bounty on this guy? They are all gonna be set for life. They take all of his gear and Viren takes his things. He wants proof that they have the pirate king.

- There is a party on deck. The marine men take time to celebrate and Runaan is left alone with nothing but his thoughts and the muffled sounds of the music on deck. Then a little whisper cries out to him from the corner of the room. There he sees his precious daughter that he had previously thought to be safe with his husband hiding behind a barrel.

- Rayla runs to him and though she’s not able to get through the bars to his cell Runaan tries to get as close as he can. She’s scared he knows it. She tries to apologize and Runaan just councils her and tells her that once they dock tommorow to find a pirate to bring her home. She shakes her head and she’s in tears. She has no clue what to do. He’s clearly injured and in pain chained up but... She’s powerless. This is the last conversation she has with Runaan.

- She wakes in the morning with a start as she hears the door to the room being unlocked. She panics not seeing a place to hide and then jumps in the barrel. The men come down and take Runaan away.

- She waits in the barrel for a little waiting for the men to leave and is about to jump out and follow Runaan when suddenly her barrel gets picked up. She muffles a squeak and decides it probably for the best if she stays quite for now.

- The ship had been docked when she was asleep. She had not noticed it at first but now as her barrel is being carried through the middle of town she knows this to be a fact. She’s terrified. If they take off the lid to her barrel all these men would immidiatly see the tattoos on her face and she would be dead.

- Suddenly her barrel is dropped and the sound of the crowd is gone but she’s stuck paralyzed. She has no idea what to do. They could have killed Runaan by now and how is she even supposed to get to him. What could she do. She just wants to go home with her dads and gods... Ethari... what did he do when he noticed they were gone and...

- Her barrels lid opens. She jumps out to tackle whoever just revealed her from her little fortress. She’s about to knock the mysterious figure out but instead of some huge marine man she realizes she just attacked a boy. A boy around her same age and when she looks up she sees another pair of eyes looking at her in fear.

- Callum was just trying to grab Ezran an apple. That’s all he was expecting to see when he opened this barrel. Not get tackeled by some random lady. She scrambles off of him and backs up into the wall. And he finally gets a good look at her. She’s a pirate. There is no doubt about it. Her sword. That outfit and on her face she had... tattoos? Oh wait. Oh sh*t he knew what that means. She was the pirate kings daughter...

- He’s about to yell for help and Rayla immidiatly shuts him up with her hand over his mouth. Her eyes made it clear that if he spoke another word she will kill him in the blink of an eye. He stays quite but Ezran peeps out “wait mam please just explain why you are here...”

- She relaxes after she realizes they are not going to attack her. They talk for a little and Rayla now knows she at least has some friendly people f here on land. She explains that she just wants to find her dad and leave. The boys also want to see their own dad so they agree that they will tell her where Runaan is once they talk with their own father.

- Callum goes to talk with Harrow and during his talk Harrow gives him a map. He tells Callum that he’s going to be going away for a little but in case of an emergency this map would help Callum find him but not directly.

- He tries to run back to Rayla and Ezran to explain that Harrow was leaving soon but by the time he got to them it was too late. Harrow has sailed away. Viren was left in charge. And after much searching though the dungeons Raylas fears were confirmed. Harrow took Runaan with him.

- They has to stay on land for a week. Callum and Ezran hide Rayla well but Rayla was restless to find a ship and sail away. Sail to rescue Runaan. However there is no ships on dock that they can find unguarded. She snoops throughout the fortress. Much to Callums displeasure and is even able to sneak into Viren room.

- She finds Runaans necklace. As soon as she sees it she tears up a bit. It was like wedding rings to her parents or at least that’s what it symbolized for them. With a heavy heart she takes it and thinks at least she will have something to give Ethari if she can’t save Runaan. But she really does not want to think about seeing Ethari with that possibility.

- Callum does some researching and discovers that the map is one that leads to a lost treasure. The treasure is said to be magical and he think Harrow took Runaan because he might have known where it is. That’s enough for Rayla and they steal a ship as soon as possible.

- With a lot of luck and distraction with Ezran help they are able to snag a boat and sail away. It’s just Rayla, Callum, and Ezran. One with amazing sailing skills and the other two having never been on a boat in their lives. They all start this adventure together. Not knowing that it’s gonna change the rest of their lives.

#tdp pirate au #man this is an essay #feel free to ask questions about this part #there are lots of gaps #tdp #tdp au #callum #rayla #ezran #runaan #an alchemist rambles #thank you for the ask

[seraphiixa]

     From one one-armed scarred redhead to another, Battleship 71 diverted course form pursuing Red Hair give attention to the Kidd pirates. Lyra hadn’t ever chased after a Super Rookie before; they hadn’t been in the New World very long, and her attention was taken up by the Yonko crew, but HQ said go. 

     While the battleship steamed across the waves, Rear Admiral Lyra read and re-read the files she had received on the targets. They were a powerful crew... There was a reason for their high bounties; they didn’t mind conducting atrocities against innocent people and defeated crews, apparently. The captain’s Devil Fruit would prove troublesome... very troublesome. Lyra’s battleship only had two Devil Fruit users on the crew; Lyra herself and a young Petty Officer who worked in navigation who had eaten a Devil Fruit granting them the mysterious power of rust... whatever that meant. This was to say --- Battleship 71 was comprised of gunmen and swordsmen and would be very vulnerable to the captain of the Kidd pirates, who had power over metal, like a magnet of sorts. Lyra had argued with HQ that her crew was not the best option, and she provided numerous other options and names of crews that would be better to send, but hey... At the end of the day, orders were orders and she turned her ship around. 

     Their mission was to lay siege to the stronghold, capture as many Kidd pirates as they could, subdue their more powerful members, and ultimately arrest them, removing them from the chessboard of the New World --- and they would do the best they could with what skills and equipment they had. Lyra spent hours on the way there planning the course of attack. Undoubtedly, the Kidd pirates wouldn’t expect anyone to directly attack their stronghold. Her plan was to take advantage of surprise and chaos, then present the adversary with a cascading series of disasters as their superior numbers made the difference. So long as her Marines held tight to their firearms and swords, there were far more Marines than there were Kidd pirates. If their captain got their weapons away from them, though, they would be vulnerable. Lyra had no doubts she could handle the young man, but how long would it take before so many of her unarmed Marines were killed? If they lost their weapons, they’d be fish in a barrel. She had to take that balance into consideration. Death was to be expected; a slaughter was to be avoided. 

     As the island came into view, Lyra was alerted and she put the files away in her desk, standing up and departing her office in favor of walking out onto the weatherdeck. She crossed the deck and climbed up onto the cannons on the bow, standing firm with her arms crossed over herself. Speed would be key. Get in, immediately create controlled chaos. Don’t give the enemy time at all to regroup. Do you job, and get out. She ensured the mission was communicated to the divisions of Marines while they armed up. The battle plan was the same as when they lay siege to the stronghold of the Seville pirates. They had done this before, and they’d do it again.. Ten minutes later, the Marines landed and began their amphibious assault.

                                                                         ***

     The assault on the Kidd pirates went exactly as Lyra expected it to. They steamed through the nobody pirates immediately, capturing a great number of them, but the longer the fighting continued, the more time the adversary had to collect themselves and figure out just what the Hell was going on. She was losing Marines left and right in the fight to the stronger members of the Kidd pirates, like that son of a bitch with the scythes --- the number as climbing, but the mission hadn’t yet been accomplished. They had to push. And push they did, right up until the Marines of Battleship 71 entered a stalemate with the Kidd pirates.

     The enemy was skilled, that was for sure. From what Lyra had observed, this fight was going to continue until both sides were completely dead --- and that didn’t work for her. If all her Marines died, then they wouldn’t be able to complete their mission tomorrow. Lyra was, in a word, pissed that the HQ sent them here. The Marines that remained were hunkered down behind her, guarding the groups of Kidd pirates they had claimed who were wrapped in reinforced ropes from their ship, knowing better than to use metal chain. 

     Lyra’s nose had a smudge of gun powder on it, and some of her long white hair stuck to her forehead from sweat. She held a man with stitching on his face and long blue hair down on his knees in front of her (his name was Heat, according to her files, and he meant something to the captain) her sword held aloft and pointed at the back of his neck in a threatening manner while she stared across the way at their captain, daring him to move a muscle. He was young, but his very appearance seemed to have been cut from violence and anarchy. In comparison, Lyra had entered her dramatic Hybrid Zoan form a long while ago, using her extra strength to keep her sword in her hand. Her shield hung on her arm that held Heat, and her four angel wings were flared out about her in a statement of aggression and domination.

     “Captain Kidd,”  she said, addressing the man across the way from her. It was INCREDIBLY RARE for Lyra to address a pirate captain with ‘captain’, but he had earned the respect through his tenacity. “Your crew can beat my Marines, but you can’t beat me. So let’s call it here.”

     It was dangerous to challenge him like that, but from her perspective, the longer this went on, the more his crew would slowly kill her Marines and the more she would kill his crew until only he and her remained. She didn’t want that, though. She wasn’t going to fight him and let her unprotected Marines die in the meantime. There was no point in fighting until all her Marines were dead along with the Kidd pirates. Each second that passed, Marines were dying from their wounds, the same as his men. She needed this to be over so she could heal them. He needed this to be over so he could save his men, too. If they continued... it would be devastating to both the Kidd Pirates and Battleship 71.

     “If we keep going, both our crews will be decimated. Give me back my Marines unharmed, and I’ll release the Kidd pirates we’ve captured... and we’ll return to our battleship and go.”

#rubidusmagnet #x. ... thank you for liking the starter call! #x. ... long post. #{ yikes this is long #but i needed exposition #PLEASE do not feel required to write this much }