Story: The princess of Tanata
Text in italics emphasizes the reader’s thoughts
Bold and italic text emphasizes Law's thoughts *~*
Tagging: @slytherinambitious - @norasincubi - @cottoncandyloverrrr - @one-piece-frvr7 - @hopelesslover06 - @chillerkiller - @sassyyassi
The song I heard while writing: Unlike Pluto - One on One
Stepping foot on the battlefield has always been a thought, but now that the time has come, it still feels unreal.
The sounds of the fighters as you rush past them, while trying to find your grandfather. The cries filled with rage and agony as the sides clash against each other... you're in the middle of a war but you don't really pay attention to it.
Everything around you blurs into the single thought that you have to get to your grandfather quickly.
While the voices are no more than muffled sounds, your eyes carefully scan the square, dodging all attacks with swift moves.
Luckily for you, your eyes didn't have to search any longer and with a snap of your fingers, you teleported directly to him. With a grand entrance, you appeared in the air and landed with steady feet on the ground, your gaze serious to the point where your presence could be felt even in the ground.
Law, who saw you only from afar, while he ran after you with all his might, just saw you disappear in an instant.
His eyes darted around hastily as the fighting around him didn't stop for a second. While he repeatedly defended himself against attacks and knocked out his opponents, he scanned the crowd for you. He doesn't have time to deal with these minions of Doflamingo.
Far more important is to quickly find out who of his crew is present. Guys who are a real threat.
Under normal circumstances, he would simply go find Luffy and Zorro, since he is more than sure that the Straw Hats will join the fight, but somehow he has to find you.
He knows that wherever Zorro and Luffy are, there are strong opponents, but even when he saw Zorro out of the corner of his eye, he didn't even check who the opponent was. The only thing he's looking for is... you.
It goes against his own logic, but thanks to this chaotic scene, he doesn't even realize it himself.
“LEAVE THIS PLACE Y/N! IMMEDIATELY!” A distant shout draws Law's attention and his head turns in the direction where he finally sees you...
Ready to fight, you stand near the king and your lips move in a calm manner. Law may not be able to read the words on your lips, but your confident expression is enough to convince him.
You will fight and no one will keep you from it.
On the other side of the situation, you face an opponent with a determined expression. Looking into his arrogant face, you can tell straight away that he is full of himself. However, you remember those red leather pants and the broad grin on this stupid face...
Another memory comes to you and you know that this pirate is strong, because... he has been here before.
You grit your teeth, just before they crack...
The murderer of my parents.
...Then you breathe calmly.
“Grandfather, your words will no longer hold me back.” Your fierce look makes even your grandpa, who is still built like a mighty warrior, catch his breath. Something cold and razor sharp flashes in your darkened eyes.
“Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in.” His grin gets impossibly wider as he approaches with casual steps.
“A little family drama? How heart wrenchingly exciting...” He mocks the tense situation as he licks his lips with joy.
“SILENCE!” With clenched fists, your voice echoes across the place and draws a few glances but the only thing your rage achieves is a laugh from his rotten chest.
Just a few steps in front of you, he comes to a halt and immediately the king and other soldiers stand between the two of you to give you protection.
Yet the pirate remains unfazed and looks down at you with a somewhat lewd look on his face.
Just for a moment you are a little disturbed by his expression but you quickly pull yourself together and give him your anger filled face. You furrow your eyebrows and don't give him the satisfaction of losing your composure. That's just what he's waiting for.
“HAHAHA that's exactly the look I want to see!“ His eyes look dangerously into yours, but in your eyes, this pirate does nothing but look pathetic.
“You know, you'd be the perfect souvenir for Doffy, he'd certainly be pleased… and on the journey home I'll have my fun with you.” There's something so repulsive about his smile that you feel like throwing up.
Suddenly, Law appeared and charged at him with his sword.
“Get lost, Diamante!” Law shouted while the pirate dodged his attack at the very last second.
“You disgusting being don't you dare to speak to me like that!” You walk towards him with disgust in your eyes, your steps firm and your voice proud. No idea what he thinks who he is in front of, but you'll let him see who you are!
“Wait, y/n, he's too dangerous!” But the king's words fall on deaf ears. You won't be held back; your steps are steady on their course.
On your way to him, you mutter curses in anger at the pirate in front of you and raise your hand to perform a slicing motion.
A line of golden light, like a crack in the air, draws itself from your finger, while you don't take your eyes off his figure for a moment. The pirate watches you with intrigued curiosity as your hand disappears into the line of light. His mistake.
Watching your arm disappear further into the crack is quite a sight... until, just when he least expected it, you pull your arm out again in the blink of an eye, holding a glowing sword in your hand and giving him a smile.
Does your smile make him lose his concentration? Absolutely, because the 'oh so confident' pirate hardens for a split second, long enough for you to appear right in front of him with just a snap of your fingers.
Your sword may not have the broadest blade, but depending on how much power you put into it, it has a different effect.
A golden aura surrounds your sword as you channel just enough power into it to send him flying backwards. While he's still processing how you moved with such extraordinary speed, it seemed like an eternity that his body crashed through the thick trees of the jungle.
Hopefully far enough away... and defeated.
You exhale slowly as if you had been holding your breath the whole time and turn around.
“Go back to the palace!“ Says the commanding voice of your grandfather as he approaches you, but you ignore him and head for Law, whose eyes still remain focused on the direction Diamante flew.
“How dangerous is this man, Law?” - “Quite dangerous, and even though you are strong, that blow won't do him much harm.”
You think about it with your hand on your chin, while Law's examining gaze rests on you. What are you doing with the pirates? How do you get rid of them?
But before you can pursue your thoughts, the king grabs you by the shoulder and turns you to face him. His grip is stronger, angrier, and those very emotions reappear in his eyes. In a calm but firm voice, he says,
“Go home.” You stare at him, somewhat speechless, surprised by the way he grabs you. He has never treated you so roughly, but you swallow the feeling and snap at him.
“You have nothing to say to me!” You shrug off his hand and take a step towards him. You won't let yourself be locked away.
“y/n, why don't you understand?” he says quietly but angrily through gritted teeth. His facial features change desperately on his face.
“I just want to protect you!” - “But I don't want to be protected!” You yell at him. For the first time in your life, you yell at him with real force and the sound of your voice makes you take a step back. Surprised by yourself, you take a moment to collect your thoughts and with a crunch under your feet, you turn around.
“I never wanted to be left in the dark. I always knew there were things I didn't know.” Your body remains motionless as you utter the words that have been buried deep inside you for so long, exposing them to those who have always kept you down. With eyes searching for the truth, you turn to face your king.
“…Things you all didn't want me to know.” Your voice is serious, but it breaks because it hurts. You don't even know why it hurts so much. It's almost ridiculous, considering you literally live like a princess, but those are your feelings.
Always under the protection of the crown, yet celebrated as the greatest heroine, you know that you have to do more… that you can do much more. But your own family is holding you back from growing. From living. From your true destiny.
“Why won't you let me fight!“ you ask in desperation.
“Because you're not ready yet.” His tone is firm, but you feel something stirring inside you.
“Is it me who's not ready, or is it you?” you say bitterly. Your eyes light up, filled with clarity.
“Heraia would never have wanted you to go into battle… ever.” - “Would Mother have wanted me to be left in this uncertainty?” You approach him and examine his face.
“All my life, you have prepared me for battle, yet I must watch as friends and family are harmed while I am treated like a trophy!" You speak through gritted teeth, feeling the rage deep in your soul.
“At your mother's grave, I swore to her that I would protect you with all my strength, my child...” He tries to explain himself in a whisper, the tone of his voice both apologetic and sincere.
“You are the daughter of my only daughter, and you are stronger than anyone could ever have imagined.” His eyes look down at you with awful sadness.
He is aware, that he can no longer hide his secrets from you and right now you are offering him the opportunity to come clean. He knows that you already know a thing or two, but he can see in your curious eyes that you want to know everything. You want to master the abilities you have been given.
“You were so young when you had developed your own abilities, abilities that no one ever had before." He fondly remembers but sorrow remains in his eyes. Careful not to miss a word, you listen intently to his voice.
“You were only five years old when you ate the devil fruit. The council decided against me, that you must fulfill your duty... Given the circumstances.” - “Circumstances?” you ask, puzzled. Not all of your memories are intact; much remains hidden by your memory loss, but here and there you catch glimpses of the past.
“Yes... Things weren't so good in our country back then. A terrible disease swept through the kingdom.” You blink a little, something tingles in your mind and you remember what he's talking about.
Not that you forgot, no, it's just one of those typical memories, seen through the eyes of a child, that fade over the years but never disappear.
At first, you were a little confused. You couldn't remember seeing any sick people, but you did remember a time when you were only in the palace and the gardens. It was quite lonely. You couldn't even see your friends, and when you asked if you could play with the children in the town, all you heard were excuses.
You could remember how you hadn't really had any contact with anyone except a few people for a while and how people had been very concerned about your health. Doctor's visits were a constant occurrence, which puzzled you even at your young age, because you never felt unwell?
A child does not always pick up on the serious things going on around them, the things adults go through, and especially in your case, everyone made sure you didn't find out.
“Why were you against it?” You never really questioned why you ate the devil fruit so early, but you remember the stories and records about your predecessor. You have to admit that no one else was ever that young.
Your grandfather glances briefly to the side. He finds it difficult to choose his words, not because he can't tell you, but because it still upsets him greatly. Especially because there was nothing he could have done to stop it at that time.
“Because you could have died.” he says dryly, the words coming quickly so that they leave his lips immediately.
“WHAT!?” you burst out.
He sighs a little and decides to sit down cross legged on the floor, making himself comfortable if you're going to have this little chat. One would think he would look up at you now, but your grandfather is such a giant that you are looking straight into each other's eyes.
“Your body can only withstand the power of the gods after a certain amount of time. Until then; you have to train, find your inner peace, and undergo extensive preparation.”
“I don't want to criticize anyone, and I understand the circumstances, but how could anyone agree to something so risky? Especially when it comes to a child.“ Law, who had been listening attentively until now, interrupts genuinely interested.
In the eyes of the king, you can clearly see a whole different set of emotions. A little bit of desperation and something else but what?
“I didn't have the right. She's the bearer of the Taimu Taimu fruit, and it's her fate to serve the country and ensure its existence...” He speaks as if he's been repeating this to himself for years, with his eyes staring straight ahead.
“…Even if she is a princess.” he added, his voice growing quieter. Being part of the royal family does not protect you from the laws of the land. Even if it is an honor for someone in your own circle to carry out this task, it is difficult to accept when one knows what awaits the chosen one.
And who knows what awaits you? Only the king.
That is the biggest secret besides the ritual you must perform regularly. Not even you know what this secret is, but it's not that you suspect something. You are completely clueless, and in your grandfather's eyes, you always will be.
And your grandfather, the king, carries this secret in his heart like a heavy stone. Like a wound that torments him at night.
He would love to tell you what this secret is, but he is forbidden to do so. If this information reaches the wrong ears, the chosen one could end up acting against his duty, which is understandable. That's how terrifying this secret is.
“Time is precious... use your time wisely, my child.” In the end, he can't bring himself to say any more, and his true thoughts remain unspoken.
He's not even sure if things would change after you knew, and that's somehow worse. At least, that's what his gut feeling tells him. You would never hesitate, and that's clear in his eyes tonight.
You turn around and walk away with firm steps. You are trying to remain strong with an angry expression, but in reality, you just want to hide the tears in the corners of your eyes.
“...Such nonsense...” you whisper before your voice wavers.
Those are tears of anger, not sadness. You've had enough, and you're about to change history, you know that.
Law rushes after you, after casting a searching glance at the king. What just happened feels so suspicious. He totally gets why you feel like you're always being kept in the dark.
“Hey, Princess-ya, slow down.” He grabs you by the shoulder, his grip is much gentler, and you automatically turn around him but avoid his eyes. You don't want to talk about it.
“I know this is a pretty sensitive moment, but we have other things to worry about.” he says in a calm and clear voice.
There are other things you should be worrying about right now... everything else can wait. Your chest fills with air as you take a deep breath. You pause briefly, the air still pressed into your lungs, and then you let it out all at once.
Don't lose your composure, you think to yourself as your eyes monitor the fights around you.
But you have no idea what to do?
Feeling frustrated, you watch as the people around you give their all to protect this sacred ground and protect everyone else in the kingdom. Yet what can you do? You nervously move your fingers.
Law watches as the fire in your eyes grows dim, your breathing becomes flat but not steady. He knows exactly what you're feeling just by looking at you, because he knows how it felt. The feeling when you don't know what to do next.
“Now listen to me carefully, princess.” His voice is serious but comfortingly low and the only thing you hear on this battlefield has now become his voice.
“I have an idea, but it might be a bit risky. You just have to stick to my plan.” You nod attentively as he holds your shoulders to calm you down.
“Okay.” His hands squeeze your arms lightly and then let go of you.
There's something very gentle about his eyes, but his words are so smooth and rational when he explains his strategy. You're kind of jealous of the way he handles things with such composure and intelligence.
“The difficult thing about this whole plan is that we don’t have much time, -..." You swallow hard. You aren't given much time because you have to stop the time and you cannot hold it for very long...
"...- but if everyone does their part, it should go down smoothly.” - “But the damage would be so great, a whole section of the island's edge would break away if we did that. That would make the island vulnerable.” You point out.
It's a clever idea to cut off a chunk of the island and push all the pirates away with it, but you're worried it's too big of a risk.
“Either take the risk or face our destruction." His profound words shook something inside you.
Without another word, you turn around and walk over to your grandfather, telling him about Law's idea. The king looks over at Law, surprised by his idea but still impressed but the look on his face gives nothing away.
The king gave a speech on the battlefield, his voice echoing across the ground while you and Law gathered a few important people on the battlefield. Those who were able to turn away from the fight gathered around the Kind and he briefly explained Law's strategy.
As the fighters from Tanata and your pirate friends lined up after cornering most of their enemies at the edge of the island, you gathered your energy and focused on the feeling, deep inside your stomach.
Law told you that he would give you a sign when you should stop time. While your eyes are closed, you can hear the battle cry of your comrades as they join Law and Zoro in ramming their swords into the ground with all their might. The combined force almost overwhelms you as you feel the Haki of your friends.
Beneath your feet, an increasing crack forms, slithering across the ground like a snake that keeps growing. The entire floor moves and the leaves of the trees rustle wildly while the people around you continue to push the enemies to the other side of the crack.
You blink briefly as a bright blue light shimmers through your eyelids to see Law with a firm grip on his sword, channeling all his strength through it.
The combined force of all the people is so intense that the wind blows fiercely all around. So strong that some even lose their footing and break away... but it's almost beautiful how Law's sweater blows in the wind and hiw his power strikes like a blue lightning bolt... if it weren't such adangerous situation.
“Princess-ya NOW!!!” He tries to say before finally losing his grip on his sword.
But you don't even get a chance to stop the time...
Yet time seems to stand still when you hear a painful groan behind you. A shiver runs down your spine as you recognize the voice.
Slowly, you turn your head. Your heart is beating so fast that any sudden movement would overwhelm your body, and when your eyes meet the sight before you, you feel like you're in your worst nightmare.
That's exactly what happened. Your grandfather in front of you, stabbed in the back, right through his heart, by a monster with a hideous grin wich is painted in red.
You feel the pulse in your head as the king's lips move slowly with blood flowing out. In your dream you couldn't hear his words, but here on the battlefield, that's all you can notice. No matter how loud it is around you or how quietly he says these words, they echo clearly in your mind.
“Don't be sad, my child.”
Were his words as he sank to his knees and Diamante drew his sword from his back while pushing him with his foot. Before he could hit the ground because of the rough treatment, you rushed to him and gave him stability.
Frantically you tried to heal him, but the heart is a very complex organ and the time is already up before you had a chance to go back. Besides, there's not much left of the heart that you want to heal after seeing the hole in his chest.
Completely beside yourself, you stare wide eyed at your grandfather's blood smeared lips as they move one last time, but no sound comes out. Your tears flow like waterfalls down your cheeks, but you are so distraught that it seems as if you are somewhere else entirely. You can only watch as the light in your king's eyes fades away.
After his chest rose one last time, letting the last bit of air escape from his lungs, you came to your senses.
Tears streamed down your face as you sobbed uncontrollably. Your voice is filled with unbearable pain as you cry desperately across the place. Unable to accept what has happened, you bury your face on his chest, not caring that you smear yourself with his blood.
“This can't be true, it's all just a dream.” Your voice just a broken whisper.
Law came toward you weakly but with clear determination, putting his hand on your shoulder to pull you away from your grandfather, but you wouldn't budge.
He thinks about the plan, but he also thinks about you and the pain you must be feeling. He looks around to check on the others while you try desperately to convince yourself that it's all just a dream.
Most of the others are completely exhausted from the sword action and the crack continues to spread. He has to bring you back to your senses quickly so you carry out his plan, otherwise everything will have been for nothing.
When he looks back at you, he notices how a few strands of your hair float in the air and little by little your hair turns snow white...
Worried, he shook you by the shoulders, but you just whimpered, your hands drenched in the blood of your beloved grandfather...
Thanks to everyone who waited patiently. I hope you're still enjoying the story. I certainly am. I needed a little time, motivation, and inspiration to get back into working on my stories, but I think I've got my mojo back :D
Does anyone have any suggestions for what to read here? Obviously stories involving Trafalgar D. Law and Portgas D. Ace would also be great. Thanksssss :3
