The Return Of Joyboy!

The Going Merry rested motionless upon the gentle, lulling waves, with its sails furled and its anchor conspicuously absent. Despite this, the ship felt oddly stable, almost as if the sea itself held it in place, refusing to let it drift away.

The Strawhats stood gathered on the deck, tension rippling through the group as they prepared for what lay ahead. They had narrowly escaped the battalion of marines, their ranks poised to attack, only to be intercepted by the sudden arrival of the Spades Pirates, led by none other than Luffy's brother, Ace. For now, the Marines had been held at bay but the crew's reprieve felt fragile.

The eastern shore of Alabasta stretched out before them, their destination tantalizingly close. The Going Merry was buzzing with anticipation and excitement as they waited for their friend to show up.. Yet there was no sign of their friend, Vivi, whose absence was beginning to weigh heavily on them.

"We can't drop the anchor here." Nami declared sharply, leaning against the helm. Her expression was grim, but voice firm. "If the Marines catch up to us, we will need to leave quickly." Moreover, glancing at the horizon, showed the smoke from the fight ensuing and going on with the marines and Ace's crew. "We might not have time." Nami added, a touch of worry creeping into her tone. "They are bound to break free of Ace's hold soon." It wasn't as if she didn't trust Luffy's brother, who outright has to be a monster for Luffy to not win against him all the time, but it would be best for both the Spades and them to leave as soon as they can.

"And yet, the Merry isn't moving." Sanji remarked with his brows furrowed as his gaze drifted over to the unusually calming waters. "It's like the sea itself is holding us here." Sanji inhaled on his cigarette, exhaling a stream of smoke as he hesitantly glanced at Luffy. "..Or maybe it's just Luffy using his wind powers to control the ship." Sanji muttered remembering Luffy's will and control over the weather.

Zoro stood apart, leaning against the mast with his arms crossed but his sharp eyes trained on Luffy, who stood silently near the bow. For all the chaos and noise around him, Luffy's stillness was unnerving. Zoro hadn't missed the way his captain had been acting since the fight with Crocodile. There was a mix of quiet determination right now, which was far better than the almost haunting emptiness that didn't sit well with him.

"Vivi! Are you there?! Say something!" Usopp's voice broke the silence. He was shouting with his hands cupped around his mouth as he called out over the water.

"Isn't it Vivi's voice?" Chopper asked, his sharp ears twitching as he caught the faint traces of Vivi's words coming from within the island.

"It's the broadcast snail." Nami explained softly, her expression clouded. "It's being broadcasted across the entire island for the coming of age ceremony." Nami's voice faltered, even if she tried to smile through her sadness. With every moment passing, it was becoming really obvious that Vivi was not coming. Maybe she truly was not going to come with them.

"Vivi's coming." Luffy said suddenly, cutting through their doubts. His tone left no room for argument. Standing at the railing with his hands gripping it tightly, his gaze remained fixed on the shore.

The Strawhats exchanged glances. They knew Luffy's abilities, his mastery of Observation Haki and detecting people from far, which was uncanny but a flicker of doubt lingered in their hearts. Was Luffy stating a fact to make them feel better, or was he trying to reassure himself?

Meanwhile, from Alubarna, Vivi's voice came to life, crackling across the transponder snails placed throughout the island. Her words echoed over the bustling capital, the previous rebel camps, and even the deck of the Going Merry, louder and clearer than before.

"I went on a little adventure. It was a trip in search of despair across the dark, gloomy seas. Having left my home country, the sea I then saw before me was vast. It was hard to believe just how many strong islands there were out there."

It was Vivi's voice, which was soft yet powerful, filled with a mixture of longing and hope, traversing through the entire island and reaching the crew onboard Merry, freezing them as her words washed over them.

In the palace, King Cobra leaned back in his chair, a proud smile gracing his weathered face. He had always known Vivi was strong, but hearing her voice carry across the island filled him with pride, a feeling of joy to have raised such a wonderful daughter and future queen of Alabasta.

Beside him, Igaram, disguised as Vivi in a ceremonial robe, stood swiftly. Though his posture remained formal, a small, proud smile tugged at his lips as he listened to the princess's heartfelt words.

"Plants and animals I had never seen... sights I'd never imagined even in my dreams. The music of waves was quiet at times, gently washing away my trifling concerns. At other times, they were fierce, laughing to tear apart my timid feelings."

Onboard the Merry, Nami gripped the railing, her knuckles white. "She's grown so much." Nami whispered, her voice breaking slightly at her friend's recounts.

"Vivi's so amazing! She really is a princess." Chopper sniffled, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"I-I'm not crying! It's just the wind!" Usopp cried, wiping his eyes, which were filling up with tears incessantly.

Sanji took a drag on his cigarette, his face obscured by the smoke as he spoke, "Our Vivi... She's shining brighter than ever."

"And in the midst of a dark storm, I came across a single small ship. The ship pressed me onwards from behind and said, 'Can't you see that light ahead?'"

In the rebel camp, Kouza lay on a cot, listening intently. Though his body was bruised and battered and aching, a faint smile graced his lips. He closed his eyes, letting Vivi's words wash over him.

"The mysterious little ship that never lost its way in the darkness crossed over monstrous waves as if dancing. Never defying the sea, and yet the ship's bow always heading straight ahead... even through headwinds. And then it points a finger out. 'Look. The light is right there.'"

The people of Alabasta were getting confused with each word, thinking what their princess was speaking in her coming of age ceremony, but none of them raised their question. Those who knew, listened with undivided attention at the bravery and adventure which was sure to be passed in the generations ahead.

"History may call this a myth, but to me, it is the truth. And so..." The transmission trailed off, leaving the Strawhat pirates suspended in a sea of emotions, confused and aching from the speech.

They were coming to a realization, which they should have realized far earlier. Maybe a part of them knew, Zoro's and Luffy's most probably did, but none of them were able to cast aside the weight of Vivi's words that were sinking into their hearts. Her words, despite being beautiful, carried a weight that none of them could ignore anymore.

"Vivi's saying her goodbye." Nami whispered, her voice trembling with sadness.

"Don't go sprouting stuff like that, Nami!" Usopp's voice wavered.. "No way she is not coming! No way! That's just her voice. She's coming! I know it!" He turned to the others. "Stop being so dramatic. We need to wait for her!"

"Yeah, Usopp's right." Luffy's voice was firm, his eyes never leaving the shores. "Vivi's coming." Luffy repeated the word, getting worried glances from the crew.

The crew turned to their captain. His certainly was infectious as always, leading them to keep watching the shore for any signs for Vivi.. but before they could, a cry came from behind them, prompting them to take notice of their unexpected guests.

"Marine ship spotted!" Zoro called from the mast where he had climbed to keep watch.

"What?!" Nami gasped, rushing to the other side and grabbing a telescope. Through the glass, she saw a lone Marine vessel breaking through the waves towards them. Smoke and minor damage to its hull suggested that it had slipped away from the grasps of the Spade Pirates.

"They must have followed us from the other side of the island." Sanji growled, reaching for his lighter.

"Looks like we've got some cleaning up to do." Zoro smirked, cracking his knuckles as the Going Merry was steadily turned to face the marines.

Luffy didn't participate in the fight, knowing full well that one lonesome marine ship could be easily handled by even Usopp himself! Thus, he kept his attention on the Haki signature of Vivi and Carue who were traveling through the desert to reach them.

The Strawhats were quick to sprang into action with Zoro and Sanji prepared for a possible fight, Usopp already holding onto the cannon ready to shoot, while Nami and Chopper worked to steady the Merry. But before any of them could engage, a familiar figure finally appeared on the horizon, making Luffy grin wide.

"There!" Luffy shouted, pointing towards the distant shore where Vivi descended from Carue and waved her hands at Luffy.

"Vivi!" The Strawhats called out in excitement and relief, seeing their friend finally here.

"I.." Vivi held the transponder snail tightly in her hands, her eyes looking at her feet before she gathered her strength to face her friends. "I can't come with you." Vivi's voice cracked as she uttered the words which were quick to dishearten the Strawhats and herself. "But I want to thank you for everything until now." She spoke, uncaring and forgetting about the other people who were hearing her confession on the island.

The Marines aboard the pursuing Going Merry trained their binoculars on Vivi. Confused murmurs were rippling through their ranks.

"Isn't that Princess Vivi?" "Isn't she supposed to be in the ceremony and the capital?" "Why is she here?"

Vivi's voice was cracking and tears were slipping from her eyes as she continued speaking, "I'd love to go on another adventure but I can't..! Because, you see, I love my country too much. That's why.. I can't come." The words were spoken with conviction, though her tears betrayed her inner conflict. "Although I'll remain here now, if we meet again someday.. will you call me your friend one more time..?"Vivi questioned, smiling through her tears.

From the deck of the Going Merry, the crew watched Vivi, their hearts aching at the decision which Vivi came to but they knew it was inevitable.

Luffy stepped forward, ready to shout but before he could, Nami smacked him on the back of the head. "Don't!" Nami hissed, her hands grabbing Luffy's. "The Marines are watching. If they hear us, Vivi will be branded a criminal." And her life as a princess and the future queen will be threatened. "Let's say our goodbyes in silence." Nami patted Luffy's back.

Luffy clenched his jaw but nodded, holding back his words. There was nothing they could do now that Vivi had made her decision known. But they were still friends and would be until death pries her from him, just like his friends.

Turning his back to the shore, Luffy raised his left arm high into the air. One by one, the crew followed suit, their long sleeves slipping from their arms to show the criss cross marks on their skin, which gleamed and glowed in the sunlight. A silent vow of friendship that needed no words.

'Thank you.' Vivi, seeing the gesture, broke into a tearful smile and raised her own arm in return, her mark matching theirs. 'Thank you, my friends.'

"Let's go." Luffy finally said, his voice soft but commanding as he turned towards the marine ship, where the marines were in a pinch about Vivi and her connections with them.

"LET'S SET SAIL!"

.

"Looks like the marines aren't chasing us anymore." Zoro speculated as his sharp eyes scanned the horizon. Indeed, there wasn't a single marine ship in sight, not even the one that was chasing them for a while, before going down in flames and 'mysteriously' engulfed by raging waves.

"Uh huh.." Luffy, Usopp and Chopper echoed absentmindedly.

"We really managed to get them off, huh? Right, guys?" Zoro smirked, pleased that everything had gone accordingly and without a hitch.

"Uh huh.." This time it was Luffy, Sanji and Nami who answered, while Usopp and Chopper sank into a gloomy silence.

"Jeez!" Zoro sweatdropped, his patience waning at their uncharacteristic lethargy, especially the childish trios. Luffy, Usopp and Chopper were always smiling and playing around.. Not sulking like this. "What's up with all the lifeless replies?"

"I miss her!" Chopper, Nami, Sanji, Luffy and Usopp wailed in unison, as tears streamed dramatically as they turned their sorrowful gazes toward the distant Alabasta.

"Stop weeping! If you didn't want to part with her that much, we should have just dragged her onboard by force!" Zoro barked, his bluntness making no effort to sugarcoat reality. He knew that the morons knew that being moppy about this wasn't going to help but they still were acting way too childish.

"How barbaric!" Chopper gasped, scandalized at Zoro's emotionless answer.

"Could you be any more heartless?!" Nami snapped, her glare sharp enough to cut through Zoro currently, that is, if glares could do so.

"Marimo!" Sanji growled, instantly squaring off with Zoro.

"Three swords!" Luffy chimed in as if hurling an insult, at least he tried to do so.

"Three swords isn't an insult, Luffy." Usopp corrected Luffy, once again realizing how naive his captain can be and definitely is.

"Four swords!" Luffy corrected himself with confidence, which was once again a failure.

"How's increasing the number supposed to make it any worse?" Usopp exclaimed, completely bewildered at Luffy's naivety. He couldn't believe that this was the same guy who had the audacity and guts to utter 'Son of a bitch' back in Yuba to a fucking sandstorm.

"Fine, fine. Cry as much as you want." Zoro uttered, not wanting to be the center of Luffy trying to insult him and failing repeatedly. These were the times when he really wondered how could his captain even be a god with such a.. childish mentality. Like aren't gods supposed to be too powerful and super intelligent and wise due to them living for centuries and all? But maybe Luffy was a baby god compared to others? That seemed plausible but Luffy's absurdity was surely a Luffy thing, Zoro realized with a resigned sweatdrop. But he was happy to see Luffy finally looking light and expressive about his feelings.

"Seems like we finally left the island.. well done." A calm, unfamiliar voice interjected Zoro's thoughts, as sounds of footsteps clattering out from the women's quarters in the ship was heard soon after.

"Yeah." Zoro replied absentmindedly, his back facing the woman until he froze at realization and his instincts kicked in. Whipping around, with his hands flying over his sword he stared in shock at the woman who was casually strolling on the deck. The rest of the crew even turned as one, staring at the mysterious woman in stunned silence.

"...?"

"!!!!!?!?!!!!"

"HERE TO AVENGE YOUR ORGANIZATION?! FINE, I'LL TAKE YOU ON...!" Zoro shouted, unsheathing his blades in a flash and pointing them at the women, daring her to even take one step closer to any of them.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" Nami shrieked, clutching her head in panic, unable to comprehend how an enemy was among them and no one had commented on it, until the enemy announced her presence.

"Oh my, such a lovely lady!" Sanji gushed, hearts bursting from his eyes as he ogled their unexpected guest like a creep from top to bottom, already ready to noodle his way to the woman if not for Nami's hand to hold onto his shirt's collar and restraining him.

"ENEMY ATTACK! ENEMY ATTACK!" Usopp wailed, trembling as he hid behind the mast, desperately shouting through his makeshift speaker. He desperately wished that Ace was still lingering around them and would tackle down the creepy woman.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" Chopper screamed, hiding behind the mast only for most of his body to remain outside of his hiding place. "Who's she?!"

"Oh, finally decided to come out, Robin?" Meanwhile, Luffy greeted the 'enemy' with a carefree demeanor and his signature grin.

"YOU KNEW SHE WAS HERE?!!" The Strawhat pirates collectively bellowed, with their teeth suddenly forming sharp edges and veins to pop as they directed their glares at their oblivious captain. But they were soon to realize that of course, Luffy would know that she was here of all places!

"How long has she been on the ship?!" Nami demanded, her eyes locked onto the enemy as if she expected her to vanish or attack them if she looked away.

"For a while now. I was busy reading and taking a shower until now." Robin replied calmly, her serene tone completely mismatching the chaos erupting around her. Her face didn't even show the disappointment to the harsh words which were thrown at her. She was accustomed to it. There was no reason for her to believe that the crew would be chill with their former enemy. All she needed was the knowledge which Cyra, or rather, Luffy has and if they are caught, which she doubts would happen, she can always bail out in exchange of revealing Cyra's identity.

"What are you up to Baroque Works?!" Nami shouted once again. Not willing to let her guard down around the woman. Not for a single moment.

"Monkey D. Luffy." Robin said, ignoring the others and focusing her piercing gaze to meet Cyra's, only to get a smile darting to something akin to threat spread on the teen's face, startling her for once and warning her to not speak or do anything that would lead the teen's wrath on her. "..You haven't forgotten what you did to me, have you now?" She questioned, hesitation flickering clear in her mind but refusing to surface. She needed to remind the teen that she was only here with him for her gains. For the thing he promised her and nothing more.

"WHAT YOU DID, LUFFY?! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO THIS FINE LADY?!" Sanji yelled, lunging at Luffy to grab hold of his collar, only for Luffy to slip away from Sanji's wrath and ponder what he had done to Robin. He hadn't kicked her ass, so what was she even blaming him for?

"Disembark immediately!" Usopp, hidden behind the mast, shouted through his speaker.

"I never did anything to Robin!" Luffy pointedly answered, dodging Sanji's grasp with practiced ease and hiding behind Zoro and away from Sanji who was mad at him for doing anything with their unexpected female guest.

"Oh no. You committed an unbearable act upon me." Robin stated, letting a small, enigmatic smile tug at her lips. She wasn't sure if it was due to the amusing sight in front of her or her facade. Nonetheless, she leaned casually on the railings and looked straight at Luffy. "For which you must take responsibility."

"Who's she? What's going on?" Chopper questioned, not feeling anymore fear but rather confusion.

"Leave at once! Or we will call the marines!" Usopp shouted through his speaker, continuing on with his antics while Luffy darted around Zoro, grinning as if this was all a game with Sanji hot on his heels, demanding to know what sin he has committed by offending a beautiful lady.

"I don't understand your words, Robin!" Luffy called out, frowning in genuine confusion at Robin's puzzling words and how eager was Sanji to wrest the truth by getting at him for whatever he has done.

Robin, meanwhile, unbothered by the chaos she'd caused, gracefully walked toward the railing and smiled softly. "My answer is yes." She answered finally, her voice smooth as she reached into her satchel, retrieving the Eternal Pose to Dusk and throwing back to the kid captain.

Luffy's eyes lit up as the confusion bid him goodbye. "We got another crew member! WOHOO!!!" Luffy cheered, his voice bursting with joy as he began bouncing and dancing around the deck in celebration, soon to be joined by Sanji, who instantly switched gears at the realization, and joined Luffy in his euphoria, shouting praised to the heavens for blessing them with another 'beautiful goddess' on their crew. Both of them remained completely oblivious to the mounting tension oozing from the rest of the crew who stood frozen in shock and disbelief, watching in horror and partly understanding of the current situation.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Usopp screamed, tears cascading from his eyes as his jaw dropped to the floor. His mind was literally a mess of fear as it raced, trying to piece together that an enemy had just waltzed into their ship and was accepted with open arms by Luffy, their captain, who was completely trusty and naive! What if the woman has ulterior motives?! What were they gonna do if she was aiming to kill them in their sleep?!

"YOU CAN'T CALL IN AN ENEMY!" Zoro barked at Luffy in frustration, only to fall on deaf ears. Clenching his fists, his first instinct was to show Luffy who wrong his decision was on this one. Even for a God like Luffy, he was being incomprehensible, not seeing how disastrous his decision could be.

"Don't worry! Robin's not a bad guy!" Luffy said nonchalantly, flashing his signature grin as if that one statement answered everything. His answer, like always, was unhelpful.

"It's not helpful at all!" Usopp snapped, throwing his arms in the air before collecting himself. He turned his gaze to Robin, who was sitting casually on a chair, her hands folded neatly on the table and her smile mysterious. "Well, if Luffy's answer is useless, I'll do it myself." Usopp declared, puffing out his chest and sitting across Robin. "Let's start with the basics. Who are you and why should we trust you?" Usopp questioned, his eyes trained on Robin while he belatedly noticed Sanji dashing off to the kitchen to prepare snacks for the 'beautiful lady', Zoro leaning down on the mast with his ears trained on the convo and Nami taking a seat on the stairs.

"Since I was eight I have been an archaeologist." Robin replied, her smile not at all wavering. "At that age, I also had a bounty placed on my head. It's been 20 years of living on the run from the Marines."

"Archaeologist?" Usopp asked, tilting his head. He couldn't help but wonder why Luffy would pick up an archaeologist for their pirate crew.

"It's a family trade," Robin explained. "But a child can't survive the seas alone. So, I lived under the care of various villains, following their orders to survive. In doing so, I became skilled at moving behind the scenes. Such skills could prove useful for your crew."

"Hmmm..." Usopp rubbed his chin, narrowing his eyes. "You sound confident. What would you say is your specialty?"

"Assassination." Robin uttered with an amused smile.

Usopp froze, his eyes widening. He turned to Luffy, flailing dramatically. "LUFFY! After careful investigation, I've concluded this woman is WAY too dangerous!" Usopp shouted, scrambling away from Robin as fast as his shaken body could do.

Luffy, however, wasn't paying attention. He had climbed to his usual spot on the Merry's figurehead, gazing out at the endless horizon. His grin had faded, replaced by a far-off look. Even though he was elated a few seconds ago, his thoughts couldn't help but drift to Halad's death, Ace, and everything else. It felt slightly heavier than before, now that he could finally see his mother. He has countless questions which he couldn't wait to ask her but couldn't right now.

Zoro, despite keeping a sharp eye on Robin and half listening to Robin's interrogation, noticed the shift in his captain, his hunched shoulders as if carrying burdens and his lack of energy.

"Luffy!" Usopp shouted again but the captain didn't respond.

Luffy, however, wasn't paying attention. He had climbed to his usual spot on the Merry's figurehead, gazing out at the endless horizon. His grin had faded, replaced by a far-off look. Even though he was elated a few seconds ago, his thoughts couldn't help but drift to Halad's death, Ace, and everything else. It felt slightly heavier than before, now that he could finally see his mother. He has countless questions which he couldn't wait to ask her, but couldn't right now.

Zoro had taken a seat nearby, arms crossed, watching the exchange closely. His grip on his swords remained firm, ready to draw them if Robin gave even the faintest hint of danger. Despite his vigilance, his attention occasionally flickered to Luffy, who sat perched on the Merry's figurehead, gazing silently at the endless ocean.

'What's up with him?' Zoro frowned. Luffy, who usually inserted himself into every conversation with boundless energy, was unusually quiet. His posture seemed relaxed, but Zoro knew his captain better than that. The furrow of his brow and the distant look in his eyes betrayed the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in his mind.

"Luffy!" Usopp shouted again but the captain didn't respond.

Zoro's jaw tightened as he shifted his gaze back to Robin. 'I'll deal with her later', Zoro firmly decided, wanting to keep an eye on Luffy and his unusual mood.

Robin, seeing the captain of the ship unusually quiet, made arms sprout Luffy's shoulders, lifting his hat to reveal his distracted expression, and then poked his cheeks.

"Wha-?" Luffy's startled yelp broke the silence as he leaned back instinctively, only to lose his balance.

With a loud splash, Luffy tumbled straight into the waiting arms of the sea.

"DAMMIT LUFFY!" Zoro roared, leaping over the railing without hesitation after tossing his swords aside. Even though he knew that Luffy is the son of the sea, he couldn't help but dive straight after Luffy as if it was planted in his instincts.

"Can't I stay here a bit longer..?" Luffy murmured, his voice echoing under water, and clearly heard by Zoro, who froze mid stroke to retrieve his captain as he further drifted to the bottom, cradled by the ocean. Moreover, the words weren't garbled or distorted by the sea, they were clear, heavy and laced with a sadness which stabbed Zoro's heart, desperately showing how much something was weighing on Luffy's heart and mind. Before Zoro could even say something, a faint, wistful smile touched Luffy's lips, lacking his usual charm and joy. "Can't do that, huh? Maybe later." Luffy mumbled, stretching his arms languidly, as if signaling to Zoro to pick him up.

Zoro was quick to snap out of his stupor, anger and concern, which were swirling inside him violently at Luffy's listless and unusual self. Without another word or thought, he paddled towards Luffy, grabbing him firmly and hauling him to the surface.

As they broke through the water's surface, Zoro's grip tightened protectively around Luffy, who had his head hidden in his chest. "You can tell me whatever's troubling you, you know that right?" Zoro said, his voice low and steady despite the concern willing to leak and loom all over the place.

Luffy blinked, his usually cheerful eyes flickering to blue and red as they met Zoro's. There was a flicker of something raw in them, grief, worry and perhaps loneliness that words couldn't fully convey, if Zoro looked past at the strange color of his eyes. Then, the faintest of smiles appeared on Luffy's face. "Yeah, I know." He said softly.

When they reached the deck back, Nami was already bought by Robin after she provided the orange headed girl a pouch full of precious gems, Usopp and Chopper were laughing as Robin with the help of her fruit powers and extra limbs kept them entertained and Sanji lovingly provided Robin with a plate full of delicious desserts.

"They all are morons!" Zoro grumbled under his breath.

"Shishishi! Zoro thinks too much." Luffy's mood was back to the jovial one as he hoped out of Zoro's hold and ran to join Usopp and Chopper. "Don't worry. Robin is good." He turned to Zoro once and spoke.

Zoro could only shake his head a little and watch as Sanji was quick to hand Luffy a drink and make sure that the teen drank it completely before handing out snacks to everyone. Even Usopp and Chopper were cautious around Luffy and kept an eye out for him. It almost felt that the worry about an enemy overboard was kept to the side to make sure Luffy felt okay. Well, Zoro couldn't say that he would be doing the same, but also keep a watch over Robin too at least for a bit.

.

It was night when Luffy sneaked out of his hammock and stepped onto the deck. The moon, hidden moments ago behind a veil of clouds, peeked out, casting a silvery glow over the deck and the sea. It grinned and waved happily to its creator, as if to comfort him but Nika barely noticed, his red eyes staring at the endless ocean and his mind a turbulent storm of emotions- grief, anger, confusion, disbelief, concern. They swirled and tangled, refusing to settle, leaving him paralyzed with the weight of it at all.

Nika didn't even know where to begin. His thoughts were scattered like fragments of broken glass as his gaze shifted to the ethereal figure before him. His mother. The sea goddess stood with a gentle smile over her watery face, with her arms open, warm and inviting, beckoning him into a place which promised solace, love and peace from the world.

It wasn't that Luffy didn't want to. He wanted to crash into her arms, hug her and cry until the pain of Halad's loss dulled, to cry until the image of Ace's broken state- which he saw through the images the winds created for him- earlier didn't feel so unbearable. But he knew that no amount of tears could change the truth. Halad was gone, his beloved brother, the kindest soul he had ever known was dead and can't ever be brought back. Not when eons have passed and his essence had shattered and power passed. Nika hated that he carried Halad's power- the winds, storms, rain and sky which Halad had once commanded with laughter and joy. A selfish part of him was relieved that this part of his brother remained with him, yet the guilt gnawed at his soul, knowing that his brother passed on his power to.. Someone who was the cause of his death. It was his fault. His actions that had led to Halad's death and the thought of it haunted him.

It was the same thing once again. His mother had hidden the truth from him, not telling him the whereabouts of Halad, not even when Halad was caught up in a mess and everyone except he knew. And right now even, she hadn't told him anything, deliberately changing the topics whenever he had asked about Ace. She hadn't told him about him, not about Ace being hurt- physically and mentally- not about Ace willingly throwing himself in harm's way without fighting back. He hated to know that Ace's eyes had the same doubt about his existence as back when he met. He hated to know that a simple misunderstanding made Ace revert to his earlier form. He wasn't angry at the world this time, no he was angry at himself.. Luffy had seen it in his eyes the moment he had seen him in that small tavern with Sabo, Bonney and Kuma.

"W-Why?" Nika choked out, his voice raspy and throat clogged. He wasn't even sure what he was asking. Was it about Halad or about Ace? Both of them are precious to him, equally irreplaceable. So why? Why did no one tell him when the people he loved were in danger?

Nika clenched his fists as his voice cracked. "Why doesn't anyone trust me? Why didn't you tell me, Mother? Am I too weak? Too fragile to handle it?"

"Nika, you're not weak." Nika's mother's cool hands gently cupped his face, wiping away the tears that streaked down his cheeks. Nika stood rigid, his eyes clenched shut and his fists shaking as he tried to rein in his sobs. He didn't want anyone to see him breaking down. Him questioning everything. No, he didn't want to!

"Then.. why?!" Nika wailed, the words ripped from his throat as he finally collapsed into his mother's embrace. One of her stroked his hair and the other traced soothing circles on his back.

The sea goddess held him close, her expression serene but distant. Her silence stretched and when she finally spoke, her words sent a chill through Nika. "It was necessary. Destiny needed Halad to die." The cruel words slipped off the goddess's mouth as if it was nothing, making Nika flinch and his eyes snap wide open.

The cruel words slipped out of the goddess's mouth as if it was nothing, striking Nika like a blow, making him flinch and pull back to stare at her with wide, tear-filled eyes. How could she say those words so easily?! How could she not see the gaping hole in his heart?! How could she.. accept it so easily?!

"D-Destiny?" Nika croaked, the word barely leaving his lips. "What kind of destiny would need him to die? Halad was the kindest! The gentlest! The best brother I could have asked for! What destiny could be worth losing him?!" Nika's voice raised with each of his words, pushing away from his mother's grip, only to be pulled in her waters. He was like an unwilling child, confused and angry at everything his mother was saying to reason Halad's death!

"Destiny is not kind, Nika. It weaves a tapestry that none of us can fully see. Halad's sacrifice was a thread. A thread that held the world together when it threatened to collapse. Without his loss, the chaos that followed would have devoured everything." Her voice hardened slightly. "Destiny always takes what it needs, no matter how much it hurts." The sea goddess's blue eyes stared at those red and blue eyes of her son, remembering the time when eons ago she had to coax her son back from the haunted and hollow space which he had trapped himself in. Refusing to get out. Not wanting to believe that Halad was truly gone.

Nika's breath hitched as his mother's words echoed repeatedly in his mind. His heart ached but he forced himself to ask the question that burned in his chest. "And Ace? Why didn't you tell me about Ace? About his trust being shattered to pieces by the Whitebeards? About him throwing himself to dangers without fighting back?! Why didn't you?!"

The sea goddess's lips pressed into a thin line. For a moment, she remained silent and Nika felt as if he saw a flicker of sorrow in her usually calm eyes. "Because it is necessary." When she finally spoke, her voice was filled with mystery. "Destiny needs Ace and Teach to meet. Their collision will spark the fire that ignites a new era. And for that era to begin.." She trailed off.

"NO!" Nika shouted, his heart pounding in his chest as realization made itself known. "I'm not letting anyone else I love die! Not for destiny, not for some new era. If destiny wants to take them, it'll have to go through me first!" His voice was barely a whisper at first, but then it grew louder and firmer with each word. He refused to lose anyone. Not anymore.

"Destiny is a force that even I and the Almighty cannot fully deny. We are binded to it, unable to defy it, Nika. Even you are." The sea goddess spoke, her eyes staring at the determined blaze which lit in her son's eyes. For destiny was not a god or personified entity but a natural law that shapes the flow of time and events. It is impartial, ruthless and unyielding. The gods, even the Almighty, despite their power are bound by destiny. They may influence the mortal world, but they cannot escape its demands.

"I am not! I refuse to be bound by anything I choose not to!" Nika stated determinedly as he stepped back from his mother and raised above the waters. He wanted to leave. He needed to. He just couldn't believe that his mother could ever say that.

"Nika!"

"If I have to fight destiny itself, I will." Nika spoke, without turning back as he headed to his ship, to the top of the crow nest. "I won't lose anyone else. I will be stronger and stronger and stronger and stronger and stronger and stronger and stronger, to protect everyone!"

As Luffy headed inside his cabin, he didn't notice the gentle yet proud smile which was carved on the sea goddess's face.

"If anyone could challenge it, it would be you, my unruly sun."