Previously...
I forced my legs to move faster though my left leg made it difficult. I clenched my teeth and forced myself forward. Kid, Law and Luffy followed behind me, taking on the enemies that tried to get through and attack me.
But I abruptly stopped in my tracks causing them to look up as well.
My eyes widened.
No.
Fleet Admiral Akainu stood before us, malice in his eyes. He grinned evilly. "It ends here."
No!
The next thing I knew, a large magma ball was flying straight at us.
The people I knew and loved stood behind me.
Yuki-san waited for me at home, expecting my return.
My brother was just in front of me, waiting to be saved.
It didn't end there.
I didn't think.
I reacted.
~
The Present...
Silence.
Deafening silence.
My breathing is heavy, hand raised, outstretched before me.
Admiral Akainu smirks, a knowing look in his eyes.
He knows who I am.
Everyone continues to stare at me in shock. The fighting has stopped. My blue, flaming barrier managed to save us.
But I was still hit.
The painful headache pounding at my head caused that to happen.
My skirt and tights are torn, revealing my prosthetic left limb that I've tried too hard to hide for so long. My shirt is seared, burnt away from the bottom revealing my stomach, a huge scar across it. I managed to save Ace all those years ago but I'm the one who carries the scar of the fatal injury, leaving him without a mark.
"Well, (Y/N) D. Newgate." Akainu sneers. "We meet again."
I hear gasps go out around me and wince at the name. But I look straight into his cold, menacing eyes with my void ones.
"That's right." I reply.
"Heaven's Wrath (Y/N)." I hear Kid whisper behind me.
"You were there at the Paramount War." Akainu continues. "You managed to stop the execution and saved Portgas D. Ace by risking your life."
"I did."
"Though you couldn't save your father." He laughs cruelly.
"I couldn't." I say, my face giving away nothing though a pang of guilt goes through me.
"You then mysteriously disappeared, taken under the aid of Trafalgar Law along with Monkey D. Luffy and Portgas D. Ace."
"I was."
His smile becomes even larger and chills me to the bone. But I steel my eyes, staring unforgivingly into his. We remain that way for what seems like an eternity. His eyes hold no warmth, no pity - nothing. They are completely empty, soulless and dead. He cares for nothing.
"Well it seems to me that this is where it changes." He breaks the silence. "You lived last time but this this time, you won't make it."
My hands burst into flames, a wicked grin on my face. "I doubt it."
"Oh?" He raises his eyebrow, a smirk on his face. "We'll see about that."
Not even a second later, we lurch at each other. My hand burns with bright blue flames and his with deep red magma. Our fists collide and I grit my teeth from the force of the collision. But I don't back down. The thirst for revenge fuels me.
"Give up, you delinquent." Akainu yells. "You have no chance of winning this battle."
"I will avenge my father!" I scream at him, adrenaline coursing through my veins. I refuse to back down now. Not after making it this far.
"Then you will die trying." He spits at me in fury.
We go flying back and I stand gasping for air before lunging at him once again. He tries to punch me with his burning fist but I manage to put up a barrier just in time. My headache becomes increasingly worse and the edges of my vision blur. I shake my head, refusing to fall unconscious at a point in time like this.
I refuse to fall.
With strength I didn't even know I had, I slam my fist into his chest sending him flying across the platform. But he gets up within seconds and is sending magma flying at me once more. I throw up a hand, gritting my teeth as the magma hits my shield.
At this rate, I won't be able to hold up for long.
I hear shouts behind me as my friends fight, risking their lives for a person I care about even though we recently met a few mere months ago. A tear slips down face and I realize I'm crying.
I'm afraid that after taking my father, the government will take them too.
I hastily wipe away the tear with the back of my hand just as another ball of magma comes flying my way. I block it and send an arrow flying at Akainu. He easily dodges it.
He laughs. "You stand no chance against me, little girl."
I freeze. My eyes widen as I realize that that's Kid's nickname for me.
Only his.
My anger flares and I bare my teeth in rage. "Never call me that again."
I jump at him, fist raised in fury, ready to strike. I ignore the pain in the back of my head and focus solely on the task at hand.
I have to destroy him.
He flies out of the way of my strike just in the knick of time. My fist goes slamming down into the platform, cracking it in half. My hair flies wildly around me as the floor starts to fall from beneath us. My eyes fly up, wildly search for (F/N).
Where is he?
I finally spot him, sliding down as one half of the platform tips to one side. I scramble up from the ground and dash towards him, almost tripping over my feet.
"(F/N)!" I scream, reaching out a hand towards him, desperately trying to grasp his.
But he's still chained and can't move his hands. I trip over a rock and am sent sprawling towards him as we continue to fall. I finally catch a hold of his collar and hug him close to me.
For a second, time stops.
He still feels the same as he did two years ago, though he has gotten much more muscular since then. His tufts of hair brush across my cheek as I close my eyes for a split second, wanting to remember this moment. I remember the boy who risked so much for me. The one I am willing to sacrifice my life for.
I open my eyes again, determined to do what has to be done.
Abruptly, another arm snakes itself across our torsos.
Luffy.
As we land on the ground where many continue to fight, Luffy shields us from the blow by puffing up into a balloon. Nonetheless, the impact knocks the breath out of me and I wheeze.
Not wasting any time, I scramble off of him as Akainu approaches in the distance.
"Luffy." I look at him, a worried expression on my face. I quickly shove (F/N) in his direction. "Take him and go. Tell all the others to leave at once."
"(Y/N)—," he begins.
"Go!" I shout forcefully, tears in my eyes. I'm desperate. Desperate to save my loved ones. I'll do anything to make that happen.
I want them to live even if I have to die.
He looks at me, a sad expression on his face but he nods and yanks (F/N) with him.
"(Y/N)!" (F/N) shouts as he gets dragged into the crowd but closer to the safety of the ships.
But Luffy suddenly halts. He turns around, a large smile on his face. "You're joining my crew once all this ends, (Y/N)!" He screams loud enough for me to hear over the chaos. "Don't die!"
I let out a choked laugh as my throat constricts, leaving me unable to say a word. I nod, smiling at my future Captain.
He's the one who will someday become the King of the Pirates.
And I want to be there to make sure that happens.
I have no time to stop and think of what is to come after this all ends as Akainu stops a few mere feet away from me. I steel my eyes as he grins deviously.
"Trying to save your friends? Is it because you couldn't save your father?" He cackles.
I shake my head and smirk. "Unlike you, I'm actually doing the right thing."
I close my eyes.
I have to do this.
My hands flare up.
It's all I can do now.
I build up all my energy, my fingers trembling.
I have to save my friends.
I open my eyes.
They're completely white.
"It ends here."
I let go.
An explosion burst from my hands like a laser. My blue flames fly straight at his chest, too fast for him to dodge. The light of the flames blind me but I know that I hit my target. But the pain is unbearable. I scream as it feels like my soul is being ripped from my body. But I stand tall, the pain excruciating as I continue to keep my arms outstretched as every inch of power bleeds away from me.
I fall back as the entire place erupts around me. Flames build up everywhere, the ground explodes and debris falls from the sky as pieces go flying up from the explosions.
I lay on the ground, eyes fluttering shut as the chaos around me continues. My heavy breathing starts to slow as my ears start ringing. A searing pain explodes in the back of my head and I feel myself slipping into oblivion.
I give in to the darkness without a fight, content with what I've done.
This time, I managed to save my loved ones.
That's more than I could ever ask for.
~
The darkness seems to last forever.
I see all those who are dead and gone. All the horrible memories of the past. I try to wake up but it's an impossible feat. I can only watch in horror as I relive my worst nightmares.
I don't know how long I've been here for but I hope this isn't death.
This isn't what I wanted.
I just want to wake up.
~
I open my eyes.
For the first time in what seems like forever, I open my eyes. It feels foreign as if it's something I've never experienced before. But I feel numb.
My vision is hazy and I sluggishly pull myself up into a sitting position. The world in front me seems to tip and my arms give out from under me causing me to fall back down.
I blink multiple times trying to clear my vision. But a wave of nausea washes over me and I feel bile rise to my throat. I quickly try to get out of bed but my leg feel like jelly and I collapse in a heap on the floor.
I hear shouts and the sound of footsteps but I close my eyes as the pain in my head becomes blinding.
What type of hell is this?
I feel someone's arms curl under my back and legs, pulling me close to them. I feel a damp washcloth being laid on my forehead and someone whispering soothing words I can't distinguish.
Am I dead?
I'm gently laid back down and once again I drift off, slipping into the darkness that seems to have become my home.
~
Everyday is the same.
I wake up with blurry sight. I struggle to get out of bed but my limbs refuse to cooperate. The pain keeps me from thinking straight and I feebly try to function properly but to no avail.
I feel emotionally drained and feel like I could burst into tears any second if I was able to. I wish I could just wake up and feel fine. Feel normal. But everyday ends up the same as the last, leaving me lost and so confused.
When will this end?
~
Today is different.
I open my eyes and everything is clear.
The sight is enough to move me to tears as I take in my surroundings. I immediately notice that I'm in what seems to be a hospital room. I blink multiple times just to make sure I'm awake, alive, and whole. I look down at my arm and see an IV tube attached to me. I let out a breathe of relief, thankful to still be breathing.
Where am I? How long have I been out?
This time when I stumble out of bed, my limbs react far better than they did the previous times and I can't help but feel filled with joy. I quickly take out the IV tube, eager to find all my friends.
Only in a hospital gown, I stumble out of the room and into a narrow hallway. I don't recognize it but this place seems oddly familiar.
I lean onto the metal walls for support, walking towards the sound of chatter. The task itself is done with thankfully little difficulty. I focus on my feet that wobble just a bit but I'm thankful to be standing.
I soon stumble through the threshold to a room and I blink a few times, just to make sure that what I'm seeing is real.
I'm silent for a moment, unable to speak as everybody stares at me in a mixture of shock and surprise.
"H-hi." I stutter, my voice hoarse from the lack of use.
(F/N) is the first to jump up from his seat. He hurriedly embraces me, his eyes watery. "Don't do something idiotic like that for me next time. Okay?" He chokes out, his voice thick with emotion.
I laugh weakly. "I can't promise you."
I hold onto him as everyone else jumps up to hug me and I sink to the floor in an emotional heap, so thankful to have them all here.
I finally speak after a moment. "What happened?"
Chopper shakes his head. "It was the craziest thing ever. We saw a laser beam and explosions. Marineford is completely in ruins!"
"How long was I out for?" I ask, wanting to know as much as possible and mull over it later.
Law puts a hand on my shoulder, his yellow/grey eyes serious. "Three weeks."
That leaves me stunned. Was I really stuck in that horrifying, repetitive cycle for three weeks?
"Where are we?" I demand, uncomfortable with not knowing my surroundings.
"My submarine." Law says swiftly.
No wonder why it looks familiar.
"Is everyone okay?" I ask, skimming my eyes over all those who are present in this room.
"Yes." Law replies and I sigh a breath of relief. "Luffy was reckless to run back to save you but nonetheless we're thankful that you're safe."
I turn to Luffy, finding him in tears. "I thought you were gonna die." He wails, wrapping his rubber arms around me and sobbing into my shoulder. "Don't scare me like that again."
I smile softly, running my hand through his soft, black hair. "Don't worry, Luffy. I won't."
"But anyways, even though Marineford is in ruins, Akainu survived." Law says gravely.
I look at him, not surprised. "So that means I might be hunted by him now?"
He nods his head and picks up a pile of papers from his desk. "He was gravely injured though but is unfortunately said to be recovering at a rapid pace." He hands me the stack and I notice that the face on the paper on the top is mine.
I slowly read the words, dread settling in my stomach. "(Y/N) D. Newgate. Wanted for 900,000,000 million berri."
I sit in silence for a moment, stunned. "But what I did was me pushing myself beyond my limit. I normally don't have that strength." I say, confused. "And if I do that, there's a large chance I'll die. I'm honestly surprised that I'm still here with my heart beating." I shake my head. "My original amount was only 400,000,000 million."
Everybody backs away from me, allowing me room as Ace offers me a seat which I gladly take, still deep in thought.
"But what you did was really cool, (Y/N)!" Ussop says. "You're still strong no matter what." He suddenly leans in close to whisper in my ear. "But nobody is as brave as me!" He laughs and I join him, calming myself down a bit.
I try to forget about my bounty as I focus on the others who tell me of their escape and my condition; how happy they are that I'm okay. But I'm thankful that they don't question my family name and that after knowing it, they aren't treating me any differently than before. I still feel safe and at home when I'm with them. As I talk to each and every one of them, I finally notice that there's someone missing.
"Where's Kid?" I ask, worried.
"He said he needed fresh air so he went out before we knew you were awake. He probably doesn't even know that you're okay, now that you mention it." Sabo says.
I stand up. "I'll go find him."
I quickly rush out into the hall, not knowing where to go. But I push on before anyone can offer to help guide me.
I wander through the halls and finally find the main door. Turning the knob, I step out into the bright sky. I squint my eyes and take in the sweet smell of saltwater. My eyes finally spot a figure by the railing.
He's hunched over, looking down into the ocean. His spiky red hair glistens under the ray of the sun. But he still looks the same and I smile in relief.
I walk up to him and run my hand through his hair causing him to turn around surprised, an angry look on his face. "You know, Kiddie. I was beginning to believe that your hair was hotter than the sun because it's so red." I grin up at him. "But you know what is hot?"
He glares at me but smiles. "What?"
"Me." I laugh, pulling him in for a hug.
He stiffens at the gesture but immediately relaxes, snaking his arms around me awkwardly. I smile into his chest. "You got that right." I think I hear him mumble. But I shrug it off and embrace him tightly, thankful for all that he's done to help.
I'm so glad that I can call these people my friends.
~
Luffy stares intently into my eyes, his gaze never breaking. I clear my throat awkwardly and pretend to swipe dust off my new change of clothes.
"Will you join our crew, (Y/N)?" Luffy asks, a bright smile on his cute, little face.
Everyone stands behind him, waiting for my answer. The Strawhats look excited, wanting me to join while Kid and Law look a bit sullen but I shrug it off and stare only at Luffy.
I think about how nice the crew has been to me. How playful they are and how they have fun no matter what the circumstances may be. I think of how they risked their lives to save my brother just as they would for any of their friends. And I remember the night I broke down to Luffy and how he'd reacted, his words changing my thoughts of the future for the better.
And so I think of a future with the Strawhats.
I'll finally be able to become a pirate and sail through the Grand Line. Adventure will follow as well as newfound friendships. Of course we'll make enemies but the crew and I will always be there, looking out for one another. And I'll be able to become the best healer the world will ever know.
I can finally live my life.
"Yes!" I beam excitedly. "Of course I want to join."
Luffy and the others burst into cheers as Zoro grabs beer. Frankie strikes his Super pose in excitement while Sanji swoons. The other six surround me, hugging me close while I laugh in joy.
I think about all the possibilities for the future and what is yet to come. So many things have changed and I know that I will continue to as well. But I know for sure now that I'll be able to do anything I set my mind to with the help of my nakama.
Everyone waited for me.
And I finally caught up.
TO BE CONTINUED...