This chapter is dedicated to Poseidon9999. I better at least get a chuckle.
Also. Any D&D players or DMs out there?
○●□■○●□■○●□■○●□■○●□■○●□■○●□■○●□■○●□
D had joined in the festivities of the night although he kept to a different area than Luffy. While he enjoyed hanging out with the kid and partying, this place was different. He spent most of his time wandering around and reminiscing the past he had here. He did snag himself a nice stockpile of treats, all recipes handed down for centuries.
And now he sat at the highest point watching the rising sun. If it was in the past one of his mortal wives would have found there way up here to enjoy it with him. It had taken quite a bit of effort for him to stop the scattered islands who worshipped him to stop sacrificing maidens for his 'Blessings'. And at first he had them sent to this island so that they wouldn't be alienated by their people for being 'rejected' by their God. It took years after that to convince them that food was plenty good enough. By then the island was filled with several hundred girls who couldn't be sent home without them being seen as outcasts by even their families. All he could do was make them as happy as possible while trying to ignore that sliver of loneliness in their eyes. He knew that tried to hide it from him but maybe it was because of the uniqueness of his own existence that he related with them.
He really didn't like being sad like this.
"D!" Luffy suddenly came running shouting. "Ace is going to be executed!"
D's eyes widened as he remembered about trying to negotiate Ace's freedom. He had been shocked by seeing that one returned to him and had completely forgotten about Ace. It seemed the World Government was impatient with his disappearance and had decided to move forward on the execution anyways.
"We have to rescue him."
"Don't worry." D stood up. "We'll definitely save him!"
He couldn't help but sigh sadly when Luffy grinned as if it was obvious he would help. His next words were harder to say than he thought they would be.
"That's what I would like to say but truth is I won't be much help in this situation."
"What do you mean?" Luffy asked. "I know you don't like getting involved normally but this is Ace we're talking about. He's my brother!"
"My biggest chance to help him unfortunately already passed due to unseen circumstances. I can't explain right now what happened and that's not important anyways. I made a deal with his father."
"Ace's dad?" Luffy asked. Two images came to mind. One of a really big man with a really big white mustache. And the second, the most famous pirate in history, Gold Rogers. Only one was ever called his father. The other was always called Pops. "What kind of deal would he make that would keep you from helping his kid?"
"I'm only allowed to help him if he asks for it," D answered as he sighed. "It was sort of a complicated deal. Definitely not the kind I normally make."
"We both know Ace won't ask for help even if he's dying." Luffy tried to think of a way he could rescue Ace. "Could you get me into Impel Down and I'll rescue him myself? That way your helping me not him."
"I wish I could but they've beefed their defenses since the last time I broke out," he shook his head. "Short of destroying the place and potentially killing thousands I wouldn't be able to do it in my current condition."
"I can't just let him die." Luffy began to look slightly distraught.
"Hold up," D began to ponder an idea. "The World Government wants all the Warlords present for their battle with Whitebeard. Knowing Hannibun's personality she definitely told their little dogs sent to fetch her no. Maybe she could get you in by demanding to meet Ace?"
"Do you think she would be willing?"
"Its worth asking her right?"
A determined look immediately appeared on Luffy's face. "I'll ask her then."
"And while your doing that I can check up on the rest of the crew."
"Don't tell them about be trying to save Ace," Luffy looked down at his hands. "Our crew isn't strong enough to take on the Government right now. Instead we just need to focus on getting back together again as soon as we can. If they ask tell them I'll at most be a day late."
"Will do."
The two of them nodded before setting off for their separate tasks.
♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧
D found himself in a room filled with odd tubes and beakers, for a second he thought he was back in Law's operation room. But after a second glance he realized the setting was more fitting for a chemist. This was where Nami was supposed to be.
Suddenly he heard her shouting from a nearby room.
"I told you to take me back to my crew!"
Several crashing noises followed by a stuffy old man's voice.
"Please stop throwing my things at me." The man sounded rather timid compared to Nami's demanding tone. "I already told you it will take about a year for us to arrive at the fastest."
"And I told you I have to be there in two days!"
Looking through a shuttered window, D was able to guess they were on a sky island. If it was going to take a year to make it back to the Archipelago then that meant the island was traveling away from the place, Sky Islands follow the wind currents after all. Poor guy probably tried to explain that to her.
"Two days is nearly impossible you know." D stepped in. "You'd have to be able to create a current stronger than the one pushing us around now."
"D!"
As Nami excitedly jumped towards him the old man wearing shat looked like wizard clothes had the exact opposite reaction.
"That room you just came out of? You didn't touch anything did you?"
Before D could respond the man ran into the room. Shrugging his shoulders, D turned back to Nami. Only to have his head spinning in circles as his cheek burned. Once his head stopped spinning he was able to focus and see the tears in her eyes.
"That's for making me watch you die again," she said as she wiped away her tears. "And don't tell me I was worrying for nothing. I saw you die for real once already. Even if it's a fake death it still tears my heart to shreds seeing it."
"Of course I won't say to not worry," he wrapped her in a tight hug. "I consider myself lucky to have you worrying about me. And I won't apologize for it either. Even if it was a permanent death I'd still jump in to save you guys, especially you and Robin."
She chuckled slightly as she wiped her eyes again. "When do we leave? That old guy is annoying."
"I'm actually not here to take you with me. Just check up on you." He meekly said, waiting for her to fly into a rant.
"What's the plan then?"
"What's the plan?" Caught by surprise by her calm attitude he could only repeat her question.
"Yes." She nodded. "I'm guessing you met up with Luffy first since he is the captain instead of going to check on the condition of your two lovers like a sensibly man would do." He flinched. "So I want to know your plan from here on out?"
"Luffy is going to be late himself since he decided to do some drastic training on the way back. He doesn't want you guys to be waiting on him so he said to just travel at a normal pace," he explained. "Consider it a leisurely trip instead of rushing back."
Her eyes narrowed as she asked. "Your not lying to me are you?"
"Why would I lie to you?"
"Right." She suddenly smiled. "You don't lie. You just don't tell the whole truth."
He winced at that. "It was Luffy's instructions. Just take a normal path back for now. When his thing is done I'll come for everyone who's running late."
"Fine," she sighed. "Will you guys show up in the papers?"
D couldn't help but smile at how smart she was. It was obvious she realized what the level of danger was from that question. "Don't worry. I'll do my best to keep him alive."
He started to turn away when she spoke up again.
"Who did you visit first, me or Robin?"
He looked at her a little confused. "You."
A brilliant smile appeared. "Go check on the others."
He nodded his head before disappearing. One thought ran through his mind as he watched the room disappear. I shouldn't tell her she happened to be the closest one even if I die.
♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧
D found himself hit by a blast of cold air as little chunks of ice pelted his face like sharp needles. Before him loomed the shadow of a large building. Through the blizzarding winds a pair of doors above it a painted name could be made out.
Vegapunk ----
He frowned when he noticed the name on the sign. Based off the level of damage the building seemed to have it looked like he had arrived on the island Vegapunk had originated from. Memories of the two times he had interacted with the man in the last thirty years bubbled up unbidden. Neither was pleasant as the man had a God Complex while also maintaining the rational understanding that he was only a mortal. An odd man who aimed for the heavens and didn't care who or what was thrown away while maintaining a weird sense of moral at the same time. Quite the conundrum.
And this man's home island was where Franky was supposed to be. A perfect place for a creative cyborg to be but still a place with a hidden past that even the inhabitants had been made to forget. D was slightly torn by the situation.
He checked once more and confirmed Franky was located at the nearest village. Giving the old laboratory a second glance he vanished from the place appearing in a hospital room where everyone was dancing with Franky in the lead.
"Looks like your ok now." D grinned. "See ya later then."
He turned to leave but before he could there was a loud crash behind him.
"Oh no!" Several doctors cried out. "This liquid is a bust as well."
D immediately understood what had happened. Franky had ran out of Soda and they were trying to find a replacement power source because apparently they didn't have soda on this island. Why that was the case, he couldn't remember. Realizing all this a rather dastardly grin spread across his face.
"Try this liquid here," D offered as he pulled out a tea set. "I actually know the guy and he should be able to run on this stuff. Oh, and give him a message for me please."
After handing off the tea and relaying his wishes he left chuckling to himself. The tea was a special kind of blend. He would of course be able to run off it but would only have his real power if something made him blow his top. Pun absolutely intended hehe.
With that done he checked to see who was the closest to him now. Looked like Sanji was the nearest. If he remembered correctly the island he landed on had two main benefits for him. It was a place filled with some of the greatest cooks and recipes. And it was where some of the best fighters specializing in leg-based fighting techniques.
Though he felt like he was forgetting something else about the place.
♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧
Sanji ran at a leisurely pace as a warm feeling bubbled inside him. It was as if something inside he he didn't know existed had been released.
Behind him ran the members of his new Fellowship as they ran across the beach playfully. Glancing back he couldn't help but think of the two female Strawhat members as well as the sea-color haired girl.
Nami. Robin. Tranquility. How are you doing? I hope your well. I'm sure one day we will meet up again. At that time, I know we will become best friends!
°°°°°
D felt something snap and shatter inside.
He had just appeared on the island getting himself worked up about a good meal since Tranquility's lunchbox was already gone and he was still hungry when a gaggle of crossdressing men ran in front of him. Which wasn't the problem. You do you, he always said. So long as the public affection was G-rated things were good.
The problem was seeing Sanji in a pink dress and curly extensions in his hair running by gayly.
D's entire body shuddered once before he turned back around.
"Died. That's what I'll tell them," he decided. "He died and it's out of my powers. Tranquility will be heartbroken but I'm sure she'll get over it in a thousand years or so. Right?"