"This is our last shot,"

Those words... Those words filled Tani's gut with a feeling of dreaded anticipation.

Trip had dragged Tani into a small cabin, locked the doors, and explained everything.

"Oscar didn't describe just how brutal this war was gonna be..." Trip groaned. "It's a straight up blood bath," her expression was grim.

"But... But the fatality rates?"

"Those bitches fluctuate like crazy!" Trip flung an arm up in exacerbation. "One small change, and boom! Your 3% can jump to a 33%."

"Shit... This is butterfly effect rules," Tani cursed. That level of uncertainty, there's so much that can and will go wrong. "What if we're making things worse?" Tani panicked. Trip gave her a glare.

"This world can go to shit for all I care, if I can't save Ace. There's no point in living." Trip leaned back against the wall. Tani let out a sigh.

She understood the dedication. Tani would do the same for Luffy, at the drop of a hat. No questions asked. To hell with a world that lacked Luffy.

"How many?" Tani choked up on the words. Trip gave her a side glance.

"Times have I watched him die? Watched my partner be brutally murdered by spears? Sea stone bullets? Admiral lava bitch punching a clean chunk through his abdomen?" Trip's throat felt like it had a lump growing in it. Flashes of every single fatality, passed her in a blur.

She didn't even notice the stray tears that trailed down her cheek.

"Too many... Too many fucking times." Trip slammed her wrapped fist into the wall behind her. Tani didn't know what to do, she wasn't great at the whole comforting thing. Plus Trip was in a very volatile state.

"We can win this time," Tani promised. "You're not alone." Trip let out a defeated chuckle.

"What's so funny?" Tani asked, cheeks gaining heat from slight embarrassment.

"It's nothing... You just say that little phrase during every version of this day." she explained. Turning to face the younger girl fully. "It's nice... Knowing that I'll get to hear those kind words, every time." she sighed softly.

A loud knock at the door interrupted the girls conversation. The door swinging open to reveal a scantily clad okama extra.

"Jinbe has requested both of your presences." they informed, before running off to do their own thing. The girls exchanged a glance, before rising to leave the room.

The girls silently walked towards the Fishman warlord, who stood at the helm of the ship. Steering it towards the Marineford gate of justice.

"You called," Tani spoke first. Jinbe looked at her with a solemn smile.

"Luffy's been looking down. Can you go check on him for me?" he asked kindly. Tani gave a nod, before leaving Trip behind with Jinbe.

The masthead was boring compared to the bright lion head of the Sunny, or the simple sheep head of the Merry. Luffy sat with his legs crossed, his hat resting on his back. The wind blew in his hair.

Tani noticed the little slip of burning paper in Luffy's hand, he stared at it blankly.

"Hey Lu," Tani greeted gently. Luffy looked up at her, instantly giving her a small smile. He scooted over, Tani sat down beside him. "How's Ace doing?" she looked at the paper. There was half a fingers worth of length left.

"He's a little roughed up right now." Luffy tucked the paper back onto his hat. "That's ok, he's been through worse." Luffy assured himself. "There's no way he can die. I won't let him," Tani nodded.

"I believe you," she grinned, gently planting one of her hands on top of Luffy's own. He looked at her with the softest expression.

He may not show it well, but Luffy was scared right now. He knew that through mystery magic, that Trip and Tani had a mystery future book about his adventures to find One piece. That the mystery book said that Ace died today.

He wouldn't let that happen. He wasn't gonna let any of his nakama die.

"Luffy?" Tani clicked her fingers in the boys face. Luffy blinked at the motion. "Welcome back to the land of the living." the girl teased. Luffy laughed.

The pair sat in a comfortable silence. Listening to the calming waves, the chatter of men, birds chirping.

It was that calm before the storm.

Tani would wholeheartedly admit that she was terrified right now. Getting into a fight with a big bad was one thing, but an all out war! With every big shot pirate on the Grandline? That was a whole league of crazy that Tani couldn't not be nervous about.

"This is gonna be tough." Tani stated. Holding Luffy's hand tighter. "There's gonna be some really tough opponents today. People that we couldn't possibly dream of beating at our current skill level." she looked at Luffy with dead seriousness.

"You have to promise me, and I really mean it. Promise me that you won't pick fights." she held up her free hand. Pinky at the ready. "Our objective is to save Ace. That means avoiding all fights we can, grabbing him, and running." Luffy looked down at her pinky, before leveling her with a look of his own.

"Well, you gotta promise that too. I don't want you to die." he lifted his pinky and looped it around her offered one. She grinned.

"I can't die here, remember." she pointed to her bell. "One near death experience? Boom! I'm back home safe and sound." Luffy sighed with relief.

"That's good. Even if I don't wanna see you die. That would suck, and make me really sad." Luffy pouted. Tani cooed at him. Taking back her hands, so she could wrap her arms around him in a full body hug.

"I'll try not to die." she assured him. Luffy grinned into the crook of her neck, wrapping his own arms around her.

This was probably gonna be the last chance they'd get to hug each other for a while.

"Oi Luffy, Tani. There's a fog approaching." Jinbe called to the pair. "Hop off the front would you?" he sounded like an old grandpa. How sweet.

The pair pulled away from each other, taking their time sliding off the masthead. Luffy grabbed Tani by the hand, interlacing their fingers. The captain lead her towards Jinbe, Trip, and Ivankov, who were deep in conversation.

"-The odds of Dragon showing up?" Ivankov was in thought. "It's his own son, surely he'd show, just to save his kin." the Okama turned to face Luffy. "Oh, Luffy-boy-"

"Ace and I don't have the same dad." Luffy revealed. Much to the shock of everyone, except Tani.

"You aren't really brothers?" Ivankov gave Luffy a quizzical look. Luffy puffed his cheeks.

"Ace and I are brothers! Just because my dad is your boss, and Ace's dad is Gold Rodger. Doesn't mean we aren't brothers." Luffy crossed his arms and pouted.

A beat of silence... Wait a god damn minute!

"ACE IS WHAT NOW?!" came the shrieks of the entire boat-load of people. Even Tani wasn't expecting such a big reveal.

Trip snickered to herself, turning away from the group. She made her way towards the den den mushi, that sat within the main mast. Nobody paid attention to what she was doing, too busy freaking out over the late pirate kings son.

"three, two, one," she whispered to herself, and sure enough.

*Puru puru puru*

*kacha*

"This is marine vessel 03110," she answered with ease.

"What are you doing off course?" the voice on the other side sounded suspicious. Trip kept a straight face.

"Orders from Impel down, there was a prison break that got out of hand. All stationed ships were ordered to depart from the location." she recited.

"The gates of justice were opened without warning, the tide caught our ship. Communication with the compound has been lost. We've been working on our devices, but it appears the error is from Impel down itself."

The voice on the other side seemed to lose its suspicion.

"Remain on course. Head towards Marineford, we'll keep you guys updated on operation golden axe."

The marines were none the wiser. Thank god Luffy's timing was perfect this time round. Had he answered the call? The whole operation would have been more difficult than necessary.

Now to wait.

...

Time to add something else to the pirate world bingo chart!

Getting shipwrecked on top of a frozen tsunami wave, just above the battle of the century? You can't make this shit up!

"So? Should we just, I dunno." Tani motioned downwards, keeping her eyes up. The fall distance was dizzying. "Jump down?"

"And kill ourselves? Fat chance!" Buggy spat at the girls idea. Tani gritted her teeth.

"So you have a better idea? Pennywise's ugly brother." Tani poked her tongue out childishly.

"Not yet, but I will soon!" he crossed his arms. Giving Tani the stink eye, which she ignored.

"Tani, come over here will ya." Trip summoned the girl. Standing ways away from the main group.

"What's up? Have we done something wrong?" Tani asked with a hint of nervousness. Trip waved her hand in dismissal.

"Nah, I just wanted to make sure you had your wavers on." Tani looked down and sure enough, she was wearing her wavers... Oh dear.

"I'm guessing it's gonna be a fall?" Tani sighed. Trip nodded.

"You've told me before that you're scared of heights. Might as well warn ya," she shrugged, pulling out a den den mushi. The colours being yellow and blue, with hints of purple.

Must be a personal den den.

*puru puru-*

*kacha*

"Trip? Where are you-yoi?" the voice on the other side called out with concern.

"Hello to you too," she answered cheekily. The expression of the other person didn't look pleased at all. Trip clicked her tongue. "Look up," she snickered. There was a pause before laughter could be heard on the other side.

"Of course you'd make a dramatic entrance like that." the voice sounded prideful. "Who else is with you-yoi?"

"Jinbe, Ivankov of the revolutionaries, Crocodile, Silent bell Tanisha, Buggy the clown, and you'll never guess who else," she grinned. The eyes on the other side rolled. "Monkey D. Bloody Luffy."

"... Ace is gonna be pissed-yoi,"

"I can confirm, he will be." she chuckled. The den den frowned.

"How many?"

"What?"

"How many resets-yoi?"

"..."

"Trip, don't make me tell Pops-"

"75"

"... Trip-"

"Shut up, we haven't saved him once. I'm not gonna let him die this time." she snapped. "No matter what it takes. I won't let him die." her voice wobbled a bit, that desperation from earlier seeping into her words.

Tani believed every word she said.

"Anyway... That's not why I called." her mood shifted quickly. "In about 30 seconds, this entire ship is gonna fall from the sky."

"What did I say? Grand entrance-yoi,"

"Shut it, bird mum." Trip snickered. "Make sure I don't die,"

"Got it, Skippy idiot."

The pair hung up at the same time. A solemn smile on Trip's face.

"Who was that?"

"That would be our first commander," she grinned. Tani could hear the ground cracking.

"Marco the phoenix,"

"Death! Wink!"

The ground completely shattered underneath them. The boat, everyone standing around it, everything! Started falling with the icy rain.

There was screaming, crying, loud prayer, complaining (thanks a lot Buggy), cheering, and many other sounds.

Tani stuck with the classic, never gets old. Screaming!

The cluster of random bodies, the wind whipping her face, the conflict from below. It was rather overwhelming.

She never signed up for a war, back home she thought they were useless and stupid. A waste of tax payers money. Yet she couldn't just quit, not when Luffy was involved. Not when there was so much at stake.

Tani focused her breathing, as difficult as that could be with the roaring of guns, swords, battle cries and blood curdling screams. Her ears were overstimulated, she needed to focus, and fast.

"Tani!" Luffy's voice broke through the barrier of sound. Tani twisted herself to face him, Luffy's arm already stretching towards her. She held out her right arm to meet him halfway.

Luffy grabbed her offered hand, launching himself towards her. She tugged him forward, her other arm ready to cage him into her side.

The rubber man smacked into her, throwing them towards the left. In the direction of what looked like a massive white boat, rather than the ocean.

Relax

Breath

Stay calm

Tani inhaled deeply through her nose, letting out a huge breath through the mouth. Her body relaxed as best it could, given the circumstances. The spinning slowed down, or her comprehension of the situation did. Magic? It's a mystery to her. Either way it's a blessing.

The next step was a bit of a test in movie logic, leaning more into super hero comics territory. If it didn't work? She always had her wavers, or a gum gum balloon.

Tani gave Luffy a simple look, the kind he instantly knew to trust with all faith. Tani's smart, even if she thinks too much and plans for the worst. This mystery plan was gonna be awesome, because Tani's awesome.

One hand was quick to scoop up both of Luffy's wrists, the rubbery nature of them, allowed her to hold both at the same time. Her other hand grabbed his ankles, similar to the wrists, they molded around her grip.

Operation: Can we turn Luffy into a parachute. Is now go.

Luffy's limbs stretched out to a certain length, thanks to the wind rushing at him. Tani kept switching her gaze from the fast approaching boat deck, and Luffy's flailing torso.

"Luffy! Balloon!" Tani called out. Luffy nodded, wasting no time taking a deep breath. His cheeks puffed with air, followed by his stomach bubbling up. "Alright... And stop!" Luffy did as asked.

The extra width of his normally lanky body, now slightly wider. Allowed for the wind to catch his body, and actually parachute!

Movie logic! What would we ever do without it? That's right! Nothing, because movies are the best.

Just in time too. The pair floated with ease towards the masthead of the boat, only now did Tani notice the towering figure on the front.

Shit!

Just like the movies, Tani veered Luffy-chute to the side. Their new landing spot being on a stray plank of wood from the shattered ship that fell with them. The both of them landed in a tangle of limbs on the barely intact wooden boards. Tani keeping an iron tight grip on Luffy, she was not gonna let him drown to death!

"LUFFY!"

the war halted, as the pained scream of Ace's voice echoed over the marines and pirates alike. Luffy looked towards Ace, spotting him on the opposite side of the battle ground. Kneeling on a platform all too familiar to the one his late father had been on, when he was executed.

"ACE!"

Luffy's call was just as raw, filled with determination and relief at the sight of his still breathing brother.

"Jinbe!" an unfamiliar voice shouted from the same direction as Ace. "What are you doing here? Have you come of your own volition?" he asked. Tani looked around for the large Fishman, finding him on the larger part of the now completely wrecked prison ship.

"Sengoku," Jinbe bellowed. "I've come here of my own will. I've come to renounce my status as Warlord!" he declared.

It was then that Tani noticed the pivot in Crocodile's stance. The man's eyes locking onto... The tall man on the mast of the boat she avoided landing on.

"Croc's up to something," Tani spoke to Luffy. The rubber man gave Crocodile a look, before realization struck him.

Croc shifted from man, to sand. His body gliding through the air at full speed towards the old, tall guy.

Luffy, glowing bright pink, took off just as fast, if not faster. Leaving Tani to fend for herself in the water.

Should she just sit here and wait for Luffy? Probably, but at the same time... Being in the middle of a war and all.

Yeah, following Luffy would be a benefit to the both of them.

With a hop, step, click. Tani was gliding towards the masthead of an unknown pirate ship.

Landing without drawing attention to herself, she noticed Crocodile standing off to the side with an annoyed tick to his face.

Luffy was standing beside the much taller pirate, who had a big crescent moon shaped mustache. Tani had a gut feeling that the taller guy is the captain of this ship. He's important, that's for sure.

"That hat, young man." moon-stache pointed out. "It's familiar to these old eyes, bears a resemblance to the hat of a man I once knew." he spoke with great fondness. Luffy grabbed the rim of his most prized possession.

"I'm borrowing it from Shanks." Luffy replied simply. Tani wandered over, standing beside Luffy without saying a word. Moon-stache gave a huffed laugh.

"I'm guessing you're here to save Ace?" he questioned Luffy.

"Yes," Luffy nodded.

"You'll be throwing your life away, if you enter such a treacherous battle. Young man."

Luffy didn't care for that response.

"Don't tell me what to do old man, I'm gonna save Ace." he huffed, crossing his arms childishly. Tani decided this was her moment to speak.

"Luffy here is as stubborn as they come." she snickered. "Once he's set a goal in mind, it's impossible to stop him."

The old man turned his gaze towards her, his eyes full of warmth and wisdom. This man was powerful, she could feel it in the air, but he also held this aura to him. Something much softer and fatherly.

"You must be Silent bell." he assumed correctly. Tani rubbed her neck sheepishly, having such a big shot know her? How impressive.

"That's me, you can call me Tanisha if you want. It's nice to meet you sir." she held out her hand, before remembering how large the guy was, and quickly retracted the gesture.

"What troublesome brats we have here today." Moon-stache looked away from them, staring off into the battle.

"Ace said he's gonna make you king of the pirates." Luffy spoke up, not facing the older man.

"Is that so?" he asked with amusement. Luffy huffed.

"Yeah, but Ace can be stupid at times. Even if he's my older brother." Luffy said with a smile. Looking towards his chained up brother. "I'm gonna prove him wrong,"

"I'm gonna be the king of the pirates," Luffy declared with absolute certainty.

Wait a second... Hold the phone, how did she not realize this sooner?!

This man was Whitebeard.

Whitebeard chuckled deeply at Luffy's declaration, his aging face looked a hundred times younger.

"Well then, brat." he grinned. "Let's see what you can do."

"Whoever saves Ace first, is the better pirate." Luffy challenged. Whitebeard couldn't stop the amusement from blooming on his face. What a spunky brat.

"Challenge accepted, may the best pirate win."

"Luffy? Did you just challenge the most powerful pirate in the world... To a race?" Tani could already feel the headache. Luffy pointed at Whitebeard.

"I'm gonna win, so that'll make me way cooler than this old guy."

"Of course," Tani huffed with a smile. "How about we get a head start." she motioned towards the battle. Luffy cracked his knuckles, ready to kick everyone's ass.

Tani let out a nervous breath, this was it. Once they started, there was no stopping.

"Let's go," she didn't get time to register his words, before Luffy scooped her up, and tossed her over his shoulder.

"Wait-"

"Gear 2nd!"

With only two more hours on the clock. The pair had no time to waste.

It was time to save Ace.

...

Luffy blasted forward, fast enough to launch himself across the patch of ocean that separated the Whitebeard pirates ship, and the icy battlefield.

About halfway across the gap, came the first problem. A really big problem at that.

The admiral that attacked the whole crew on Sabaody, decided he wanted be the first foe they faced. If that wasn't an indicator on what this war was gonna be like...

"Straw... Hat," the light admiral drawled out, just loud enough for the pair to hear his slurred words. Light began to glow from his fingertip. "You're... Death will be... Swift."

They couldn't end like this, it's way too-

"Death! Wink!" was all the warning they got, before a gust of wind launched them the rest of the way, while also dodging the admirals laser of death. Tani would thank Ivankov later.

Luffy and Tani landed with a hard smack, into the ice. Luffy lost his grip on Tani, the girl slid away from his sight. Pirates and marines battled against each other around them. Effectively separating them from each other.

Tani didn't get anytime to register this information, before she was thrust into battle against a dozen marines.

If she knew Luffy, he would be heading towards Ace. He trusted her abilities, so priority number one was Ace.

Plus he wanted to beat Whitebeard.

Tani bashed, thwacked, bonked, and kicked as many marines as she could out of her way. Heading towards the execution stand, if she got lucky, she'd see Luffy on the way.

A blade sliced down towards her, clipping her thigh as she jumped backwards. A young woman, no older than 25 stood with a katana in hand. A navy blue Bob cut, with thick glasses pushed up her nose.

Tani knows her... But can't quite put a finger on who this woman is.

"Silent bell of the Strawhat pirates." she spoke with authority. Pointing her katana at Tani's chest, "Surrender now, or else."

Tani gripped her bat tighter. Narrowing her gaze at the woman, who sighed in response.

The pair circled one another, the sounds of war dimmed around them as they focused solely on one another. Daring the other to make the first move.

It was glasses.

She came in swiftly, slashing upwards in an attempt to slice Tani from the chest up. The darker girl leapt backwards, whilst swinging her bat upwards the knock the katana off centre. The girl let our a small yelp, as the bat smacked into her wrist. The katana dropped to the ground with a clank. Tani kicked it away, before the marine girl could grab it again.

Training with Zoro really paid off.

Tani decided it was in her best interest to make a run for it, wasting time with a fight like this would only cause more injuries.

So she turned her back on the disarmed girl and made a break for-

The girl jumped up, tackling Tani to the ground. The girls rolled and clawed at each other, with Tani trying to push the girl off. The marine got the upper hand, smacking Tani back first into the ice, straddling the pirates by the hips. Tani struggled, trying to buck and kick.

They slid next to the katana, which the marine also picked up. Holding the blade to Tani's neck with an intense glare.

"You're under arrest," she remarked. Tani needed to think fast, with a blade to the neck. One wrong move and she's as good as dead.

So it's ironic, that the dead is what saved her.

Tani didn't notice until a jet stream of salt water came rushing towards the zombie that had wandered towards them. The salt instantly purifying the zombie, whilst slamming into the marine girls side. Knocking her off Tani.

Wasting no time at all, Tani hopped to her feet, grabbed her bat, and ran for it. Leaving the marine girl sputtering, covered in ocean water.

Tani decided to follow the line of zombie corpses, if there's something interesting, then Luffy will surely be close by.

She didn't find Luffy, but she did find the next best thing.

"Jinbe!" she ran towards the large Fishman with relief. A familiar face in this chaotic wasteland of fallen comrades and foes.

The former warlord gave her a quick glance, refusing to lose focus on Moria.

"Luffy went that way," he called out to her, motioning towards his right side.

"Got it, thanks!" Tani ran in that direction, the metal of her wavers chipping at the thick ice with every heavy step.

She could hear the screams of men surrounding her, as shadows were ripped from their bodies. The bodies themselves, disintegrated in the exposed sunlight. She knew the feeling, having almost died in a similar fashion... Doesn't make it any less terrifying and cruel.

She had to press forward, no time to mourn the losses of people she doesn't know. Ignore the screams, ignore the voices.

"Gum gum gigant rifle!"

Tani twisted her head towards the one voice she wanted to hear.

There was a giant with a large mace, being pounded into with a single large, rubber fist. Leaving an imprint in the marine giants torso. Luffy wasn't too far away, she could make it before he was on the move again.

"LUFFY! STAY AWAY FROM ME!"

Ace spoke again, this time with anger in his voice. Tani pressed forward, Luffy would be shrinking in a second or two.

"CAN'T YOU SEE? WE'RE BOTH PIRATES!" his voice cracked towards the end of his sentence.

The giant that Luffy punched, dropped to the ground. Rattling the ground with his impact.

"THIS IS MY BATTLE, NOT YOURS! THIS IS MY ADVENTURE, WITH MY OWN CREW. SO GO AWAY! QUIT BUTTING IN!" His angry facade was slipping, desperation dripped through the cracks of every word he screamed towards his little brother.

Tani found him! Luffy's tiny body bounced on the icy ground. He had little time to recover before a group of marines dived for him.

"YOU'RE WEAK! JUST A WEAK, LITTLE CRYBABY!" the cracks thickened. Distress was clear.

Tani's wavers whizzed to life with a rough click, she flew towards Luffy, one arm held out to scoop him up. Quick as a bullet, she grabbed mini Luffy and bolted away from the group of attacking marines.

"I'LL NEVER FORGIVE SUCH A WEAKLING FOR EVEN ATTEMPTING TO RESCUING ME!" the anger was completely gone, leaving only the terrified brother that pleaded desperately for his younger brother to leave, to find safety from a war that was too big for someone so weak.

It took Luffy a second to realize who saved him, looking up at Tani with relief. She was alright, no wounds that he could see. He didn't doubt her at all. She's on his crew after all, nothing but the best for the future pirate king.

"LUFFY!"

The boy looked towards his older brother. He'd never seen him so emotional, not since Sabo died.

"GO HOME!"

That was the final straw.

"SHUT UP!" Luffy shouted back, striking Ace with silence.

"I'M YOUR BROTHER, BUT I'M ALSO A PIRATE! I CAN DO WHATEVER THE HELL I WANT!" He roared over the crowds. Leaving Ace with a pained expression, the older man dropping his head to the platform. Shaking violently, hiding his teary eyes.

The marines lulled in sound, whispering among themselves at the thought of Rodger having another secret son... Yet it was impossible, Luffy was far too young for such a situation to occur.

The pirates were also just as confused, excluding those who already knew their brothers by bond kinship.

"Attention all marine units!" came an old man's voice from the speaker den den mushi's that littered the battleground.  "This is a direct order..."

"Take down Monkey D. Luffy. Blood relative, and son of Monkey D. Dragon of the revolutionaries." the man ordered. Aces voice could be heard protesting before the speakers cut off.

All of a sudden the air felt heavy. All eyes snapped towards the pair, with Luffy now back to his regular size. Tani princess carrying him over the crowds, with fear building up in her gut.

Garp did say that Luffy's dad is the most wanted man alive. Luffy is just as "dangerous" as Ace, in the eyes of the government.

Before Tani could register the sudden clinging to her ankle. She was being violently yanked towards the ground. Tani dropped Luffy before her body collided with the ice, letting the rubber man get a head start run.

Which he didn't take up because he's an idiot!

"Smokey? Is that you!" he grinned. Tani would have slapped herself in the forehead for such a casual greeting during a literal war. If her limbs weren't being held down by a ring of smoke.

"Luffy run! Go save Ace," Tani begged. "I'll be fine, just go go go!" Luffy looked at her for a second, considered her request.

Then proceeded to send a kick towards Smoker's head. Luffy's leg swiped through it.

Idiot.

Smoker let go of Tani, knowing she was less of a threat than the rubber captain. Tashigi could handle her... Where was Tashigi anyway?

Tani jumped back to her feet as Smoker left her in pursuit of Luffy. Some weapon she's never seen before that kinda looks like a really long police baton with an extra pole bit, being unsheathed in Smoker's hand.

The girl ran towards them, only to pause and jump backwards at the sight of a katana-

"Not you again," Tani cursed. Glasses girl from earlier stood there with her katana pointed towards Tani. The pirate girl huffed a breath, bat ready for round two with glasses.

Tani made the first move, going for a swing at her legs. Take out the knees, and you're good to go.

Glasses blocked the blow with the blunt side of her katana. Deflecting it with the intention to stagger Tani, giving herself an opening to defeat the girl.

Fortunately for Tani. Zoro had trained her for a situation like this, just in case she ever found herself holding a sword or something similar (like a bat).

Tani widened her stance before the deflect finished, leaving her stable enough to not fumble backwards. Her bat was quickly retracted back towards he'd abdomen, ready to protect her vitals from any slashes that glasses would dare attempt to make.

Suddenly, glasses was knocked into by Smoker. Who went flying from the left of the girls fight. The pair fumbled over one another, with Smoker barking at the girl (who Tani now knew was named Tashigi) to get up.

Tani looked over at where Smoker was launched from, finding Luffy standing beside Boa Hancock with a big grin on his face. The woman looked at Luffy with adoration, holding her heated cheeks happily as he thanked her for the help. Tani ran over to regroup with her captain.

"Hey Boa," Tani greeted. The woman's expression dropped from adoration, to that of neutral. She didn't hate Tani, because Tani made Luffy happy, and Luffy being happy is the only thing she cares for right now.

"Thank for saving Lu... But how did you kick Smoker?" she was curious, there's no way you can kick smoke, it's just not possible without looking like an idiot.

"That man," she spat, "Thought he could lay a hand on my precious Luffy." Boa swooned. The Luffy in question was picking his nose. "But I wouldn't allow it! The power of my love is too strong." she declared. Tani nodded, that Boa for you.

"Tani, let's go!" Luffy grabbed her by the hand and ran for it. Leaving Boa behind, not that she minded at all. She needed to kick Smoker's ass for daring to touch her beloved Luffy.

The pair ran closer and closer to the second half of the battlefield, which Tani was calling the gallows half. There was a gigantic green and orange mass that separated the two halves of the war. Anyone that passed the body of the dead giant, would be facing the most skilled, powerful and fearsome leaders in the marine ranks.

Luffy came to a halt, Tani didn't miss the sudden glowing of red in his eyes. He grabbed her by the shoulders and ducked down.

A green bladed of light, sliced through the air. Hitting anyone unfortunate enough to stand in the sharpened airs path. Tani looked over at the over-sized, black blade that-

"Holy shit, that's the guy," Tani clicked her fingers as she brought back old memories from the beginning of her journey. "Hawk guy? The swordsman guy that Zoro needs to beat. To be the best in the world." she pieced together.

"Mihawk?" Luffy pondered.

"That's the name!"

"Straw hat Luffy," Mihawk called from the other side of the ice. All the colour from Tani's face drained.

Please, world. Please don't throw the world's greatest swordsman at them. Please-

"Will you die at the hands of my blade? Or manage to escape my blade?" he positioned his sword into a fighting stance.

"Perhaps it's time to find out."

Tani grabbed Luffy's hand tighter, looking at him with terrified eyes. Luffy looks at her with that look... The one that says everything will be alright.

He lifted her back to her feet, giving her a bright smile. Luffy let go of her hand, and pushed her forward. She stumbled in her movement, unsure of what he was doing.

She turned around to find Luffy running in the opposite direction from where he pushed her. The message was loud and clear.

"Don't you dare die!" she called out to him, not bothering to hide her fear.

Luffy disappeared into the crowd. Not even his straw hat could be seen.

Tani was once again alone in this war,  and the thought really struck her.

They had the world's greatest swordsman on their side, that's a big deal! What other big shots could they have up their sleeves? There were so many marines, and pirates! That she didn't know the capabilities of.

And that scared her. Really, truly scared her.

She had no nakama with her right now, nobody to defend her when she fumbles. There was no room for mistakes here.

Tani took a deep breath, when that failed, she took another, and another. It's hard to breath in, when your throat is clogging up.

"Sables!"

That's a voice she knows. Even if he wasn't the most trust worthy of allies. Tani watched a large sand storm rage towards the direct Luffy went running. It hurt her, knowing she couldn't follow him.

Crocodile looked pleased with himself, dusting his hands off of the extra sand he didn't need. Beside him was Mr 1 and Bon Clay. Both of them defending their old boss with everything they had.

"Bon Bon!" Tani waved, the okama looked at her with joy.

"Tani, my darling!" he pranced towards her with open arms. Crocodile and Mr 1 looked on with an eye roll, but didn't move to leave behind their comrade. "Where's Luffy?" he looked behind Tani to find nobody.

"He's distracting Mihawk," she explained briefly. "We need to keep heading towards Ace,"

"Right! Nyooo~" he twirled happily.

The happy reunion was short lived, when a large laser sliced between the pair. Leaving a burning line that sliced through anyone within its path.

What is with this war and everyone slicing people in half?

Tani saw him... Again...

Third times a curse. Kuma stood there, unmoving and dead in the face. He was facing off against Ivankov, who begged and pleaded with Kuma. The warlord didn't respond to anything the Okama queen said.

Bon grabbed Tani by the hand and dragged her away from the Kuma fight. Crocodile and Mr 1 were on the move, Bon and Tani trailing behind them.

It was much easier to dispatch a group of marines, when you were working with a team of overpowered beasts.

The group was facing up the backside of the green and orange giant that sacrificed himself for Ace. When they heard it...

"WHITEBEARDS BEEN BETRAYED!"

The war came to a freeze. All eyes turning to the world's strongest man, who stood tall and proud with a stab wound bleeding out his chest. If Tani really focused, she could see Trip standing by Whitebeard's side. Why hadn't she prevented the attack? Was this something new? What had they changed?!

Nobody dared to take a breath, the anticipation. What would Whitebeard do, to the man who dared to betray him on the battlefield?

The giant man stooped to his knees, kneeling before the man who stabbed him. With one arm held out, in what looked like a swiping motion. He brought the arm down swiftly and...

He embraced the man, holding him close. Uttering an apology to the man, who had accused the emperor of sacrificing them all for the sake of one man who didn't deserve to live.

Whitebeard released the traitor, standing at his full height. He held his weapon high.

"I applaud you Sengoku, for deceptive strategy. For someone so old, you're still as sharp as ever." his voice was playful. In spite of the situation, he wasn't backing down.

"My sons! My daughters! I thank you for everything you've done today." his booming voice filled the air. "I assure you my children, I haven't sold you out to the enemy." he promised.

The pirates that allied with Whitebeard roared with a mix of loving devotion for the emperor, and seething hatred for the marines that dared to mess with their family.

"Today is the day we change history! The dawn of a new era is upon us!" Whitebeard declared.

Tani's heart pounded in her chest, the raw power this man held over everyone in the war. It was intense.

Whitebeard held out his hand, Trip hop, skip, stepped onto the extended limb. The emperor lifted her onto his shoulder, the girl sat there with little strength. She was saving everything she could for the final stages of the war.

The emperor was finally joining the battle.

This is it. This is what will determine the fates of everyone involved.

If only Oscar was close by. Tani hadn't seen them at all yet, they're bound to be among the marines somewhere.

Tani noticed something off... The marines, during Whitebeard's declaration. They'd all started retreating towards the gallows half of the battlefield. They were planning something big, and Tani didn't want to be on the receiving end of that.

Crocodile and his group continued forward with little effort. The marines were either running away from the fight, or too weak against Crocodile's sand.

A large set of walls started closing in around the icy war zone. If Tani hadn't seen so many movies. She would have failed to notice the cannons that lined the walls.

This was an ambush. They were going to bomb the shit out of all the pirates.

Where's Luffy? Is he still in there? Did Mihawk already kill him? Was he already on the other side of the wall?

So many questions ran through her head. It was hard to think, the overwhelming sounds of war continued to pound against her skull.

The walls halted, jamming close to the dead giant without touching him. Tani heard a couple calls of "His blood is jamming the system!"

Bon Clay had to drag Tani over the giants body. She looked distant, distracted by something that the okama couldn't read in her eyes. This war was taking its toll on her, and he wasn't willing to let her die. Not when Luffy needed his nakama. They made it to the back of the giants neck when-

The world shook, snapping Tani out of her daze. She fumbled and tripped over her feet as the ground literally tilted on its axis. Shifting to an almost 90° angle.

What the hell kind of devil fruit is that?!

The girl looked out for anyone, anyone at all! That could perform such a feat... And sure enough. It was the emperor of the sea himself. Rocking the tides of war in his favour.

The walls fully risen, the cannons were quickly loaded and fired towards the pirates that remained in the slaughter ring. Tani had to steel herself, this was a nightmare.

The ground shook again, only this time the world didn't tilt on its axis. No this was different, followed by a shaking groan and rumbling under the feet...

Looks like the dead giant wasn't so dead.

Tani jumped off the giants body, landing on the cobblestone ground of the gallows plaza. The area was filled to the brine with marines, and fewer pirates.

It was time to brace for combat, once again. Tani's arms were tired from all the swinging, her lungs hurt from all the heavy breathing. It hurts... Everything hurts.

*Bang!*

Attention was stolen from the war, as a stream of ocean water came flying from behind the wall. Splashing down further ahead.

Tani watched in awe at the sight.

Three large men stood proud. Two of them were admirals that she knew. So she was gonna go out on a limb here and say the red guy was also an admiral.

In front of them was a much smaller figure, clinging to a large broken off mast. Salt water coating his sun-kissed skin, a bright yellow straw hat dangled from a string around his neck.

"Luffy." Tani whispered to herself.

He was still alive.

Luffy stuck first, swinging the mast at the admirals. Aokiji froze it before it made impact with any of them. Luffy, always one for adapting, shifted into gear 2nd. He threw his leg forward, calling out "Gum gum jet stamp!" and shattering the mast.

"We need to keep moving," Bon grabbed Tani's arm and pulled her towards the direction of the execution platform. It was hard to tear her eyes away from the man she cared so deeply for.

There was a shift in movement on the platform, the two men who were tasked to execute Ace. They we lifting their blades, holding them above their heads in anticipation of their next order.

"They're about to-"

"Sables," Crocodile swiped a pillar of sand towards the platform. The sand whipping past and blowing the executioners off the side. Leaving Ace alone on the stand with a little extra time to live.

"Why-"

Tani was cut off when out of nowhere, Crocodiles head was lopped off. Leaving behind a sandy stub instead of blood. The girl was in too much shock to verbalize her state of terror. A scream just wouldn't leave her throat.

"You make me so jealous, teaming up with old man Whitebeard." a chilling voice whined behind the small group. Tani didn't want to risk turning around, lest she loses her head too.

"I'm not teaming up with anyone," Crocodile huffed, his head slowly reformed atop his neck. He turned himself around to face his attacker. "Right now, I wanna cause as much trouble for the government as I want. So piss off Doflamingo."

No way.

The girl chanced a glance at the man. This was the guy that ran the auction house that Camie was almost sold into slavery in. This guy was essentially the catalyst that started this whole mess, unintentionally, but Tani didn't care.

You have to be a really shitty person to run a slavery auction house.

What she spotted was... Not what she expected, yet 100% what she was expecting.

Tall, at least double her height. Blonde hair, cropped short with a receding hairline. Large sunglasses, massive smile... Massive pink feather coat that dragged along the floor with every step. 

At least the flamingo part of his name matched.

"Not teaming up with anyone?" Tani felt something tug at her arm. "What would you call this little troupe then?"

Tani was suddenly whipped backwards, her arms suspended in the air. She couldn't move any limbs, everything held in place. Beside her was Bon Clay and Mr 1, the latter looking much calmer than the former.

"If you wanna pick a fight, leave them out of it." Crocodile waved off dismissively. Doflamingo gave a smirk, pulling Tani closer to himself. The girl sucked in a breath. The guy was dangerous, probably the most dangerous person she's encountered today.

"Then you wouldn't mind me doing this?" Tani tensed as something sharp and very thin, pressed into the soft skin of her throat. "This little lady seems rather insignificant to someone as big and important as you, Croccy?" Doflamingo spoke nonchalantly. Crocodile clicked his tongue at the oversized pink chicken.

"Let the brat go. She's weak and way in over her head." Crocodile narrowed his eyes. Why was he trying to help her?

"Oh? How adorable." he cooed. Looking at Tani with his big sunglasses. Tani didn't dare act out, no spitting at his glasses, or kicking her feet, no biting or smack talk. She stayed completely silent, letting her eyes so the talking.

"Sorry to drop in like this," came a new voice. One that Tani loved the sound of. "But this one's coming with me,"

Tani felt hands grab her shoulders, "Hop, step, bounce!" came that wonderful voice.

The scenery changed instantly, leaving them behind the cover of a broken building. Tani's limbs were in her control again, the only damage being a small cut on her throat, so thin it wouldn't scar over.

"Trip!" Tani hugged the girl tight. "I thought I-I was gonna die." Tani's voice wobbled. Trip awkwardly returned the hug, it never got any less weird, no matter how many resets she went through.

"I spoke with Oscar." Trip said grimly. Tani looked up her, Trips expression was dark.

"What happened? What changed?" Tani's relief dried up. Trip took a deep breath and released it.

"Tock tick tiny dick is here."

Who-

"Are you talking about..."

"Del-whats his face? Yes. That creep appears every so often. I don't know why he's such a random outlier." Trips speech grew faster. "But he's here, and I don't know what to do." she paced around, moving her hands with her words.

"Can't we just avoid him? I'm sure Oscar would know his locations-"

"Oscar doesn't know shit about this guy. He's got some... Something! I don't know what it is. But he can't be seen by Oscar's future vision!"

"Then how do we know he's here?"

"Because Dumbass, Oscar works in the marines." Trip rolled her eyes at Tani.

"So how do we avoid him?" Tani was trying to remain calm, but this extra unknown factor? One that even the experienced Trip, and Oscar's future vision couldn't predict?

"I don't know... I don't know! I can't? I've never... I'm-" Trip circled her arms around herself. Inhaling shallow breaths, her breathing growing faster, more desperate to fill her lungs that wouldn't take the air.

"Why, why, why, why, why, why! Why this time?! Why this run! I can't! I can't lose him I can't lose him. Not this time not ever!" Trip rambled. Her words blurring into the mutterings of a woman that has lost the battle.

"Trip-"

"Ace means everything to me. He's my world! Without him, I would be lost in this shit stain world that makes no sense to me! Ace gives me a reason to live! And I can't even fucking die without coming back to life and watching him die! Over and over and over and over and over!"

Tani watched as tears exploded from Trip's eyes, her words choked her throat. Breathing more erratic, the early stages of hyperventilation.

"Trip, you need to calm down-"

"Don't tell me to calm down... Don't you dare tell me to calm down when I'm about to lose the one person in this universe that means anything to me!"

Trip dropped to her knees, coughing up the tears that leaked down her throat. She clutched at her chest, the pain of old wounds blooming throughout her body.

"If he dies... I'll be all alone... Alone, alone, alone, alone!" she punched the ground repeatedly, scrapping her knuckle, leaving blood to coat her fist.

Tani didn't know what to do. Trip was unstable, and unstable people when distressed can do some erratic things that cause more harm than good.

"Then..." Tani tried to think of the words. Something to fix this, just enough to give Trip the hope she needs. "Then let's make this last shot, one that's worth it."

Trip looked up at Tani with bloodshot eyes. Her face was a mess of clear tears mixed with snot and spit. She stares at Tani with undivided attention.

"Let's... Let's make this a timeline that the world has yet to see. One where we do win, we do get Ace back. No matter what," Tani held her hand out for Trip to take.

"No... No matter what?" Trip lifted her hand. The blood that dripped from her knuckles, landed on Tani's open palm.

"No matter what." she promised. Lifting Trip off the ground. This girl grinned at Tani, showing all of her teeth.

"No matter what." she assured herself.

...

Ace was freed from his shackles, bright red and yellow flames blossomed from ignited ambition of Ace, his younger brother standing by his side. Back to back, ready to take on the whole world.

His life had purpose, he was wanted, and needed. No matter what his blood told him... He was loved.

"Let's get out of here," Ace grinned. Luffy smiled back. The brothers (with Mr 3 tagging along behind them) rushed away from the gallows. The help of the Whitebeard pirates and their allies, they made their way towards the emperor.

"Luffy! Ace!" Tani called from the distance. Luffy turned to see Tani and Trip making their way towards them. A small cluster of allied pirates flanking them, fending off any marines that got too close to the girls.

"Trip." Ace needed one look at her to know.

Just how many times had she sacrificed herself for him? He didn't want to know, and he knew she wouldn't tell him.

"Keep moving! We'll catch up!" Tani assured them. Giving Luffy a thumbs up before focusing on her running. Pacing herself with Trip.

Luffy laughed happily, they were getting away. They'd done it! Ace was safe, Tani was alive, Trip was also alive. Ace's pops was still fighting for his family's safety. Luffy wants to be as powerful as him one day, so he can protect his crew from all dangers. Like that laser admiral, or Kuma.

A ship suddenly came barrelling through the ice on the other side of Whitebeard, standing atop it was that guy who stabbed Ace's pops. He was spouting nonsense about helping or something. Luffy didn't care, he was stupid for doubting Moon-stache pops because he's Ace's nakama. Ace is only friends with good hearted people.

The blue flamey bird guy thought the same thing, reprimanding the dumb pirate for his rash behaviour and stupidity. The boat continued to plow through the ice, aiming for the entrance of the gallows plaza.

Luffy froze. Something was very wrong.

"Lu?" Ace questioned. His brothers face looked tense, eyes rapidly searching for something that the boy didn't quite know he was looking for.

His brothers eyes suddenly took on a red glow. He turned towards-

"TANI-"

...

Tani heard the click of a gun, before the pistol had a chance to fire. Her heart raced, time slowed as she listened to the gun fire.

The shot was aimed for Trip, and if she dies. That's it... All of this effort for nothing. Absolutely nothing.

So... No matter what it takes. Whether it's a bullet to the arm, or the loss of a limb. Tani would sacrifice herself.

Luffy and Ace are more important than she is anyway.

In the span of a second, Tani pushed Trip out of the range of fire. Falling into the path of the bullet.

And boy did it hurt to get shot... In fact... This was indescribably painful.

Tani dropped to the ground in agony, clinging to the shot wound. Pulling her hand back-

Why was her blood blue?

What? What was happening? Everything phased in and out. Sounds growing louder, than quieter. Her limbs would burst with pain, then dull like it was nothing.

The sound of her bell would switch on and off. Rinse and repeat.

What... What was happening to her?

...

Something was wrong, and not just the fact that some asshole shot Tani!

Tani was broken. Luffy didn't know how he knew. It was a mystery gut feeling, and Luffy's gut feelings are never wrong.

Whatever hit her in the arm. It was messing with her, like she was alive and dead, then alive, then dead again.

He watched Tani fall to the ground, clutching at her arm.

That's when he spotted the figure that approached both girls. Trip stood in front of Tani, but her form was weak. She shouldn't last a second.

Luffy was pissed. They were so close! So close to escaping and everyone being alive and safe.

He wasn't losing any more crew members. Never again!

"You bastard! Stay away from Tani!"

Luffy split off from Ace. The older brother barely registered that Luffy had left his side, until a wisp of steam entered his vision.

Ace followed Luffy with his eyes, and what he saw left his blood boiling.

"Shit," he cursed. Of all the places they needed to see that bastard again.

Trip and Tani were both screwed if the bastard got them.

"Sorry Pops." Ace whispered to himself, turning back and racing towards the girls.

...

"Tani! Tani! Shit shit shit... No no no!" Trip panicked. If Trip was panicking, this must be bad. Tani wasn't quite sure how to respond, her head was swimming with the strange feeling burning in her body. This foreign whatever it was... Drugs? Probably?

Well it hurt. It felt like her body was tearing itself apart, but fixing itself at the same time.

"That asshole!" Trip snarled. Standing in front of Tani with a defensive stance. Tani could hear the sound of heavy foot steps, each step switching between loud, and quiet. Her head hurt.

*click*

*clunk!*

*click*

*clunk!*

"Subject: Miss Tanisha Lowe,"

The voice was cold, unfeeling.

"Status: alive,"

"Stay back you creep!" Trip snapped.

"Reaction to LFS version beta: subject appears to be fluctuating between states, body is not accepting the substance into the the blood."

"What the hell are you talking about? What did you inject into her?!"

"Conclusion: Test is a failure. Will need to consult with Caesar for more tests." the man sighed. Tani looked up from the ground to stare at whoever shot her.

The man was taller than average, his hair a glowing white when the sun hit it. He had black sunglasses over his eyes, and a neutral face. A vice admirals coat draped over his shoulders.

Delorean.

"Tri-ip," Tani gritted her teeth. "Get... Out of he-re." she begged, pushing weakly at Trip's foot. The older girl looked at Tani with wide eyes.

"Tani, you'll die-"

"No matter what..." Tani smiled weakly. Trip looked at her with conflict.

They've been through this war so... Many... Times. No matter what, Tani would fight tooth and nail for a man she barely knows.

Trip had watched Tani laugh, smile, scream, cry, beg, and mourn. She's watched her lose limbs, eyes, teeth, her life.

This was different... There was no going back, no more resets, no more "one last go!"

This was their last shot.

And that creepy bastard had to ruin it for them.

"Trip... No matter what," Tani repeated.

"No... No I-"

"GUM GUM JET PISTOL!"

"HIKEN!"

...

Ace caught up with Luffy quickly. The younger of the pair looked exhausted from all the action today. Ace wasn't feeling much better himself, being deprived of food and sleep for days in prison...

"Don't waste time Lu," Ace commanded. Luffy didn't appear to be listening, but Ace knew he got the message.

"He hurt Tani," Luffy growled. Speeding up to beat the shit out of this weird marine guy with stupid hair.

Luffy let his dominant arm stretch out behind him. Sweat beaded down his tired face, he could do this. He wasn't gonna let her die here.

He can't be pirate king without his whole crew there.

"GUM GUM JET PISTOL!" Luffy threw the punch with all his might, slamming his fist into the man's face.

"HIKEN!" Ace followed up with a fire fist. Launching himself over Luffy to deliver a devastating flame fueled punch.

Luffy dropped to Tani's side, the bullet wound was bleeding a mystery blue colour. Luffy knows her blood isn't that colour, so the mystery blue was what made her all broken and weird.

"Let's go!" Ace shouted, holding Trip in a piggyback position. The girl was shaking, whether from distress or relief, Luffy didn't care. Right now he was worried about Tani.

He lifted her into the same position, careful of the bullet wound. Tani groaned in pain.

The brothers fled from the vice admiral, who continued to lay in the rubble of Marineford.

He laughed.

...

"Ace, Luffy." Marco soared towards them in half phoenix form. "The boats waiting for you two. Let's get a move on."

Odd... Whitebeard wasn't on the boat yet.

"What about Pops?" Ace questioned, noticing Trip's fingers curling tightly over his shoulders. Marco looked pained.

"He... He's not coming with us."

What...

"You're kidding!" Ace denied "He's not being left behind-"

"Captains orders." Marco sighed, the pain in his voice was obvious. "He's giving us a window to escape to the New world."

"Pops..." Ace clenched his fist. It's not fair! All this blood ahead was his fault. His very existence caused the death of hundreds today. One of those being the very man he dedicated his loyalty to.

Ace looked at Whitebeard, the father he decided to claim as his own. To hell with Rodger, and his demon blood.

"Pops!" Ace yelled. Whitebeard looked at his son with warmth, Ace felt the tears prickling his eyes, but refused to shed them. "Please... Please don't go!"

Whitebeard gave a hearty laugh.

"My son," he smiled. "I'm a relic of an era, long since passed. It's time for the dawn of a new age of pirates. I have high hopes for your generation." he beamed.

"But-"

"My life is already limited, Ace." the old man reasoned. "If I can get as many of my beloved children, out of this war. Then it's my job as tour father to do just that."

"Pops!"

Whitebeard stopped speaking, instead he grabbed the air, which shattered around his fist. He pulled backwards, the earth under Ace and Luffy lifted, flicking them the rest of the way.

The boys slammed into the ground, only a few metres away from the boat.

The home stretch.

They're so close-

"Running away? How pathetic..." a new, much more intimidating voice entered the scene.

This stroked Ace the wrong way. Trip wasn't having this... Not today... Not this asshole.

"Ace... Don't you dare." she threatened.  "I'm not watching you die, because of your stupid ego."

"Whitebeard! Emperor of the sea, the strongest man alive." Admiral Akainu continued. "Is nothing but a coward, turning his back and high-tailing it from the war."

Stay calm... Stay calm... Ace, keep your cool.

"You're nothing but a pathetic old man,"

"THATS IT!" Ace dropped Trip to the ground and stormed towards the magma admiral. Ace's fists spiting with fire, that flickered to life.

"Not again... Not again!" Trip crawled on her arms, her legs didn't want to move. "Idiot... Idiot!"

Luffy watched the girl struggling to get to Ace. She looked at Ace, like she was watching a dead man walking.

This must be...

Luffy carefully dropped Tani on the ground, the girl looked at him distantly. He removed his arms from her, turned around and grabbed Trip. Hoisting her over his shoulder like a sack of rice.

"You read my mind," she grinned devilishly. "Take me to your idiot brother, before he gets himself killed for the hundredth time." she commanded. Luffy nodded, running after his brother with aching legs.

Ace and Akainu exchanged blows. Leaving Ace with massive burn marks, littered over his body.

His flames paled in comparison to the burning magma of the admiral.

But he couldn't back down now. Not when he dared to insult his true father.

"Rodger's bloodline ends here!" Akainu roared. His magma coated fist came barrelling towards Ace... The young pirates body, weak with fatigue. Didn't want to react.

"STAY AWAY FROM MY PARTNER YOU PISS STAIN!" Trip screamed. The girl came flying in, her arms held out to grab Ace.

This was what she was waiting for. What she was saving all her energy for.

"HOP!"

Akainu's fist was inches away from Ace's torso.

"STEP!"

Trip grabbed Ace around the back, her arms and legs wrapping around his front.

"JUMP!"

The pair vanished.

They... They did it...

Ace was gone. He was safe! He survived the day!

No more mystery magic from Trip, or Oscar. No more Ace dying!

They won!

"That brat..." Akainu spat. Moving his gaze from the spot that Ace once stood, to the spot that Luffy was standing in.

Right! He should probably run for it.

Luffy turned tail and booked it for the boat, his gear 2nd refused to activate. Too tired and hungry from everything that happened today.

It was a lot... And proved just how powerful the pirates and marines from New world are.

The crew would need a lot more training before they could step foot in that half of the Grandline.

Training that they could do together-

A magma fist came flying at Luffy, the rubber boy dived out of the way. Watching as the fist melted to ground he was standing on only moments ago.

He kept pushing forward, focusing on the boat ahead.

"Luffy! Come on you can do it!" Tani's voice encouraged. Luffy spotted her standing beside Jinbe and Ivankov. She was standing with a blue stained bandage wrapped around her arm, and joy in her eyes.

"You're not getting away!"

The world stopped, Luffy watched as Tani's face morphed into one of horror. Bright red, molting lava came splashing down in front of Luffy. Forming a small creek of magma in front of the young captain.

Luffy turned around to stare at the admiral. The man was melting with rage.

"Luffy!" Tani's voice cried. Luffy couldn't move, he wasn't scared... Ok maybe a little bit, but he put on a brave face. That's what Ace would do.

"This is where justice reigns supreme!" Akainu threw the massive punch towards the rubber captain.

"Tani! stop-"

He knew he was going to die. If this man could hurt Ace, than Luffy would die in an instant.

Luffy didn't care close his eyes. In his final moments, he thought of his nakama, and their bright smiles that brought nothing but happiness into his life.

Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Tani, Sanji, Chopper, Robin, Franky, Brook.

All of them... Luffy was sorry.

But...

He's already dead-

Luffy lost his footing, as someone pushed him away with the force of a bull. His eyes catching onto the bright green eyes of his nakama.

"No matter what." she grinned at Luffy.

What happened next, will haunt the straw hat boy for the rest of his life.

Tani's body was pierced from the back, all the way out the other side. A molting fist protruded out the other side of her chest. Her body dangled limply as Akainu held his fist in the air.

Tears streamed down her face, that big smile still there. She turned to Luffy, never taking her gaze off him.

He could... He could feel her life draining. He'd never been able to sense her life force... Because she didn't have one.

Then with the flick of a switch.

Her body burst, leaving behind nothing but blood, red tainted with the blue of whatever mystery substance was injected into her.

She was...

She...

"Tani..." Luffy couldn't comprehend what happened. The information seemed... Impossible.

She can't die. He knows she can't die here... So why did she die? Why was she dead? Where's her body? What? How? Tani? Tani where are you? Tani?!

Luffy's screams echoed through Marineford. Filled to the brim with unfiltered, raw pain.

Dead, dead, dead, dead, dead.

She died. She was meant to vanish before she could die. She's not meant to actually die. She can't. What happened. What went wrong.

Luffy howled. The sound a haunting scream of loss and mourning.

This was... This wasn't...

Luffy stopped moving, his eyes rolling back as shock took over.

The straw hat boy passed out moments later.

Only one thing on his mind.

"Where... Is... Tani?"

...

Luffy woke up with a start, his heart beating rapidly as every memory fresh from the battle came rushing back.

"TANI!" he screamed into unfamiliar location. This place was cold, and full of machines and noises that didn't sound like Tani.

"Get the captain! Luffy's awake." someone called out. Someone that wasn't Tani.

"TANI! WHERE'S TANI?" he screamed. Getting out of the bed, his chest burned.

"Shit! Luffy, hey um... Calm down? You're in a-"

"TANI! GIVE ME TANI!"

"Where's the captain?!"

Luffy tore out the cords connected to his body. Taking shaky steps out of this place.

He needed to find her... She can't be gone. There's no way... She can't be dead.

...

Jinbe and Rayleigh stood beside the mysterious Trafalgar Law. The 'Surgeon of death' had swooped in and saved Luffy's like for no other reason than. "I felt like it."

It had been three days since Luffy was injured during the battle with Akainu.

Three days since Tanisha had nobly sacrificed herself for the safety of her captain.

"Is Luffy awake yet?" Jinbe asked, Law let out a sigh.

"No-"

"TANI!"

"... I stand corrected."

The Polar-tang erupted with noise, from the crews cries of annoyance and fear, the crashing of machinery... And finally.

The explosion of Law's operation room, followed by a 17 year old made of rubber, launching himself out of the ship. Luffy landed on the grassy ground of Law's little camp.

And be screamed.

He screamed his lungs out, calling for the girl who was no longer of this world.

Law's crew dog piled on the screaming boy, trying in vain to prevent him from moving any more than he has. One wrong twist, and his wounds will open. Killing him instantly.

"WHERE IS TANI!"

That was Law's cue to leave. He'd seen Luffy recover, and wasn't needed anymore.

Luffy got up, after tossing all of Law's crew mates off his body, and ran for the forest. Screaming for his lost nakama.

Law glanced at the tiny golden bell that dangled from his nodachi. A smirk creeper onto his face. He turned to Jinbe.

"If he opens that wound, he's as good as dead... Don't let my hard work go to waste." was all he needed to say, before Jinbe got up and ran for the boy.

Law turned over to Rayleigh, Luffy's straw hat in hand. He handed it to the former pirate kings first mate.

"Take care of this," he requested. Rayleigh took it from the man, a wave of nostalgia hit at the sight of the old hat.

"Also." Law reached into his pocket, pulling out an aged envelope. On the front was relatively neat handwriting, addressed to Luffy. "The one who wrote this, has requested that you don't hand Luffy the letter until after two years have passed." Law instructed. Rayleigh took hold of the letter.

"That's an oddly specific time." Rayleigh grinned, fiddling with the letter in his hand.

"She works in oddly specific ways." Law shrugged, turning away with a lazy wave.

The heart pirates cleared out of the area. Leaving behind nothing but the old man, who held onto Luffy's hat with great care.

"What an odd bunch of youths we've left in our stead." he laughed to himself, looking into the sky.

...

Luffy mourned, he cried his heart out in the open arms of Jinbe. The Fishman didn't know Tani too well, but she left an impression. One that would stick with him for the rest of his days.

"I... I still have Zoro, and Nami... Usopp and Sanji. Chopper, Robin, Franky... And Brook too." Luffy wept. Clinging to Jinbe with all his might.

"Ace is alive too... We saved Ace..." and Luffy couldn't be happier that his brother had made it... Yet it still burned.

His chest still burned, that gaping hole that refused to close. No matter how much Luffy wanted the pain to go away.

It was losing Sabo all over again.

Jinbe didn't leave Luffy's side until the young man was dry of tears. His bandages stained with the salty water.

The Fishman carried Luffy back to the camp. Finding no one but Rayleigh, and Boa, standinf beside a huge pile of food.

Luffy dived into the food and inhaled everything he could.

"Where's Law?" Jinbe asked Ray. The old man smiled.

"His work was done. So he left. Heading for the New world now, I'm sure."

Jinbe nodded. Luffy would be a little dissapointed, not being able to thank his saviour.

"How's the food my darling?" Boa cooed happily. Luffy didn't answer her, just continued to eat, and eat until every crumb was sent to the void of his stomach.

"Oi, Luffy." the boy in question raised his head. Rayleigh held up his straw hat, only now did Luffy realise that he was missing his most prized treasure.

He snatched the hat from Rayleigh, and smacked it down on top of his head.

"So... What now?" the old man asked. Luffy looked at him with a questioning expression.

"I'm gonna go back to Sabaody and meet up with the crew." Luffy stated obviously.

Rayleigh shrugged at that. The hand written note felt heavy in his pocket.

"You know... If you go back now. You'll end up in the same situation as before." Rayleigh stated. Luffy looked at him with dawning realisation...

He was right. They weren't strong enough for the journey to New world yet. They would only get split apart again... Or worse.

"I do have a plan though. If you're willing to try it out. That's up to you." Rayleigh offered.

So Luffy listened.

And made up his mind.

...

Luffy rang the Ox bell, with the help of Jinbe and Rayleigh. The pair having helped Luffy return to Marineford.

To the sight of his nakama's death.

He held a bouquet of yellow and blue flowers, tied together with a green ribbon. Luffy walked towards the still stained spot... The blue and red blood had long since, dried into a dirty brown colour.

He placed the bouquet on the ground. Holding his hat over his chest as he paid respects to the girl who chose her life over his own.

Luffy's heart ached... It took all the will power he could, to stop himself from breaking down again.

He needed to stay strong... For the rest of his crew that still needed him. Tani would be dissapointed in him if he didn't keep fighting for his dream.

Camera's clicked, he held his pose for as long as he needed.

Luffy bolted for Jinbe and Rayleigh. The pair looking over at Luffy with smiles on their aged faces.

Straw hat did what he needed to do. His message to his nakama was said.

They'd meet again in 2 years. Setting off for the New world when they'd grown stronger.

The Straw hat pirates were officially on break.

...

The world was dark... And cold... White snow rained down upon the tired girls body. Blood stained the pure snow with every step she took.

She shouldn't be alive... Not after the lava fist.

But she was, barely, but alive. In a winter hellscape that threatened to end her life for real this time.

The bullet wound was still leaking that blue substance. Her senses still teetering between working normally, and dulling out.

There was a cabin up ahead, smoke puffing from the chimney.

She just needed to make it there... That was all she needed to do.

No matter what.

She would make it back.

No matter what.

Tani wasn't going to die like this.

No matter what.

Luffy's terrified face, was not going to be the last expression she saw on his sunny face.

No matter what.

Tani would go back home, to her family, her crew, her nakama.

No matter what happened... She wouldn't go down without a fight.

...

(A/N: So... Hello guys :') did this arc hurt you guys as much as it hurt me. The fight scenes, every little break down that a character had. God this was like an emotional roller coaster to write. I just wanted to hug them all and give them big kisses because they all deserve some love rn.

Fun fact! I planned to have Tani "die" since the beginning of the story. Why? Because Luffy needs that trauma :') for him to realise just how dangerous and unprepared he is for the New world... And I refused to kill Ace.

Also! I've already planned ahead for Ace, so all the issues that pop up because of him still being alive have been mended.

The next chapter will be the start of Tani's two year time skip. I really hope you guys enjoy. I've been really excited to get to this point, and I hope you guys are just as excited to continue this journey with me.

How did this chapter go? Were the fights ok? Did it get too dark? Was it too long? All feedback is really appreciated.

I love you guys so much, and I'm sorry if this chapter was a pain to read. Come here, so I can give you hugs! And lots of smooches :D

Until next time! Bye bye!)