Chapter Text
Destiny - Neffex
I don’t believe in destiny
I just do what’s best for me
Don’t listen to my enemies,
They’re just full of jealousy
This legacy
You gonna see what’s left for me
You gonna see success in me
You ain’t seen the rest of me
Parents of a race are always there for their young, to teach them what they are, and to show them how things are done. A parent is what teaches everything the young needs to know. Though what is there to teach if the parent isn't there to teach them? The young never knowing what it is. Some instincts will kick in but nothing compared to what the young will need to learn from one of its own.
A young woman leaned against the bark of the tree. With an arched of her back to the bark and stretched up to the sky, she sighed when she felt her back popped. Fingers then tapped on the book that rested on her outstretched leg.
A soft wind blew her light brown, almost blonde, waist-length hair into her face. Hazel green-blue eyes sparkling in the sunlight when she pushed her out of her face. She could feel the sleep and a small headache forming, so to push it off, she picked the book up again.
“Miss Emmaliza?” A strict, older, voice called up the tree. The young woman looked down to the voice, the branch she propped on is about middle of the tall tree.
“What is it, Sugar Mama?” Emma wondered, pulling her hair into a loose ponytail. Emma’s hazel green-blue eyes scanned below her, to see a short older woman with darker skin from the sun.
The woman looked aggravated. “Miss Emmaliza, today is yar day ta get shopping.” The woman declared, her foot tapping against the ground. Emmaliza also noticed a walking stick resting against the woman's shoulder.
In Emma’s mind, her wheels turned as fast as she remembers what the board in the kitchen said. “No, it's Lane's day.” Emma corrected, going back to the book.
The woman scoffed. “The chart says, Emma. Now ya get ya arse down here or I'd not wanna be ya!” Sugar Mama threatened her large hands on her hips.
Emma rolled her hazel blue-green eyes. Reaching behind her, to what her back was resting upon, she pulled a small messenger bag from behind her. She had to place the book in it and strap it over her head, letting it rest on her shoulder, all to jump down.
Landing in a crouch, Emma stood up. With no warning and no time to react, the walking sticks bulky side hits Emma, hard, on the head. “What was that for!?” Emma cried, in pain rubbing her head.
The short woman just walked away. Emma, grumbling, followed the old woman. Once inside the small cabin, Emma saw a woman with raven black hair piled up on top of her head.
“You changed the chart?” Emma question, in a knowing voice.
The woman has to be Lane, rubbed back of her neck. “Sorry, sweetie-pie.” Lane apologized, not meaning her apology. Her voice has a thick country drawl.
Emma went to the kitchen and pulled down a jar. Dropping the money into a small handbag, Emma placed the handbag in the messenger bag. The older than her woman stood in the doorway of the kitchen. Lane has her eyes narrowed at the young light-haired woman that was figuring out what she will need.
Turning to leave, a scowl from Lane made her stop. “Make sure you don’t buy the fraud version of what we need, Emma-doji.” Lane reminded Emma in a calm manner but accusing as well. Emma wanted to snap at the older woman. Emma took a deep and slow breath, turning to face Lane.
“I’m not the one that always falls for the knockoffs of the hoaxes,” Emma declared, just as calm as Lane’s comment. Lane had a vein in her head that seemed to pop out when Emma replied to her.
“Ijiwaru.” Lane snapped, turning to walk away. Emma sighed, before picking up her bag.
“Calling me a bitch isn’t the worst thing you can do!” Emma called, heading to the front of the house, to leave.
Sitting on the front porch was the old woman. “Here.” Sugar Mama handed a small shoulder bag to Emma. “Don’t ya dare open it!” The woman held up her walking stick like she was going to hit Emma. Emma flinched, ready for the attack that never came.
“What’s in it?” Emma queried. The old woman just scoffed, walking inside.
“Don’t open it!” Sugar Mama yelled at her.
Putting the bag back over her shoulder, Emma placed her jacket over her arm, walking down the path. Over the big hill to the only town on the island. Emma couldn’t help but remember the day she came here, to this island.
The town of the beginning and the end.”
A mid-teenager stood beside a taller than her man with light hair and a cigar in his mouth. The teenager was holding the man’s hand as tight as she could. The mid-teenager has to be Emma.
“I don't want to leave you, Onii.” Emma pouted, looking at the island that they were fast approaching. Polestar Islands.
The man messed her hair up. The mid-teenager swatted at his hand. “You will do fine.” he mused, at her.
“What did you say about this town again?” Emma wondered. She was so nervous.
“The town of the beginning and the end?” He asked, looking down at Emma.
Emma shrugged her shoulders. “It’s hot.” Emma wiped her forehead. The man rolled his eyes at her being dramatic. Emma then looked around. “Where is my nap buddy?” She pouted.
That made the man where he couldn’t help rolling his eyes again. “He’s busy.” Her brother grunted.
Emma then walked around the town on Polestar Island. “So where are we staying?” Emma wondered, her eyes going over the many buildings. He couldn’t look at her. “Onii?” Emma called for him.
“You will be staying with a friend’s family.” He informed his little sister.
Emma looked pissed off. “No.” Emma stomped her feet, stopped walking. “I’m supposed to stay with you. Oji said I can stay with you.” Emma breathing was starting to get harder, as she got more riled up.
The man about fifteen years older than her sighed, smoke coming out of his mouth from his two cigars. “You are going to be staying with me. Just you can't stay on this Marine base.” He explained. “We will see each other most days if not every day.”
Emma pouted up at him. “But...-” He held up his hand. “Fine.” Emma crossed her arms, trying not to cry.
Not liking seeing tears on edge of her eyes, he reached forward, musing her hair. “We will still be close,” he promised. Emma refuses to look at him, her shoulders slumped. “It's for the best.” He added.
Emma still refused to look at him, or react. The man didn't push it anymore. He knew that Emma was just going to shut him out, that was her normal when upset. That's what she does when the uppers were trying to get her away from him. Though it seemed to keep the girl he had found away from him for very long. She was resourceful when needs to be.
Walking around the town, Loguetown, he didn't say anything to her. Emma's eyes darted around the area, learning of her new surroundings. Emma has lived on Navy Headquarters, on a Navy ship, and then two remote Marine bases. This is the first town she'd be living in, though she's going to be living outside of the town.
By walking around the town, he leads her to the path that leads to the rolling hills. Going down the path to the house just out of view from the town. Lighting up another cigar, one of the two in his mouth getting to the end of its life, he watched his little sister figure from the corner of his eye.
He expected Emma to yell at him about how unhealthy his smoking is. Instead, Emma walked with him, not saying anything to the man. Not getting scolded about his smoking upset him. The man would never let anyone know though.
Emma kept her head down, hood over her head, her two bags at her sides. A list that she grabbed on way out of kitchen tucked into Emma's pocket. She ducked, her light brown hair in a loose low ponytail.
The young woman moved through the crowd, not letting anyone touch her as she moved. The list was an easy one to get. Starting with the small stuff. Emma went to the Fisherman King Uotome.
Walking straight up to the owner, Emma waved her arm. The big man with a small blue ponytail, that looks like a fish fin, but rest of head shaved, walked to her.
“Emma!” He greeted, with a wide smile. “Same as always?” He wondered.
The young woman nodded her head. “Yes, Sapi.” She answered.
Emma saw others gathered and talking. Emma ignored them as Sapi talked to her. “You're distracted.” He pointed out.
Emma laughed, so light it almost wasn't heard. “Sorry, it has been a strange day. I just want to go home and read my book.” Emma reached in her bag to show it to him.
The man laughed, a loud booming laugh. Sapi's yellow shirt was pale from the worn down and smelt of the sea and dead fish. Emma used to it, though she can't eat any type of fish. Fish and other sea-foods make Emma sick, which made living on a ship for a few years harder than it should.
The half fishman and human looked down at Emma. “You about worn that book out.” Sapi pointed out. “Since you had suggested I try a different bait, I'll give you this for free.” Sapi handed her the brown bag that was a triple wrap.
Emma gave him a warm smile. “You don't have to do that.” Emma tried to reason with the fishman who ran the fish market.
Sapi patted her on the head. “Spend the extra money to get a new book.” He suggested, in a happy voice. Sapi was always happy, Emma couldn't understand why.
Emma wanted to hug him but settled with a bright smile that made him smile bigger. “Thank you, Sapi,” Emma spoke from the bottom of her heart.
Sapi patted her on the head, in a soft manner. “See you around, Emma.” Sapi bid her goodbye.
“See you.” Emma ran to the direction of her next stop.
Emma slowed down as she gotten closer to the Antique House. Running pass, Emma bumped into a redheaded woman with dyed black in it. The one next to the fake black hair woman yelled at Emma. Her orange-red hair in a short cut.
Emma span around, to face the duo. “Sorry!” Emma called, being in a rush.
Getting to the building, Emma walked in after catching her breath. “Hey, Emma!” The cashier cheered, waving at Emma at the entrance.
Emma waved back at her, before walking to an area where the sewing stuff is at. “How's your big brother?” One of the other women asked, approaching Emma.
Emma was looking through the clothes, for a certain one that Sugar Mama put on the list. “He's stubborn as ever. Still, refusing to cut back on smoking. You know, normal?” Emma answered, finding the cloth. “I need this cloth. The buttons with anchors and the dark blue thread.” Emma told the sales girl.
The sale girl got what all Emma ordered. Emma paid then left, after placing the things into her bag. Taking out a list, she went to other stores, the bigger things. Getting finished, she's round the corner. The bookstore was the last place on her list.
It was only a few stores down from the Arms shop. Stopping outside of the bookstore, Emma waved. The woman with black hair and rectangular red glasses waved back. Her dark brown eyes met Emma's hazel green-blue eyes.
“Emma.” The woman greeted, in a happy tone. “I have to go, you are going to stop by the Marine Base later?”
“Yeah, Tashigi, I'll meet you there,” Emma replied, just as happy.
Emma then turned to the store, running in the bookkeeper looked up from what he was doing. “Emmaliza, what brings you here?” He mused, leaning over the counter.
Emma gave him a smile, walking to the shelves upon shelves. “Want more books. What else would there be?” Emma teased, as she looked over the bookshelves.
“Is there anything particular you are looking for?” The man wondered, walking around the desk to help the young woman.
Emma thought about it before she wondered. “Did anything about the Whirlpool Isles come in?” Emma asked, so soft. It was almost like Emma worried about his reply, hope with it.
The man frowned, thinking about what all have entered the store. “Don't believe so.” He replied, walking up to Emma. “What about something about...-?” The man hummed, going to a ladder and kicked off. It slides across a bookshelf till it went to where he wanted to be. Walking up the ladder to level the shelf he was at.
The man took it a book down and climbed down. “I might not know much about the Coire Isles, but this book has mythology from different islands. I think some Coire Isles might be in here too, so enjoy your obsession with those isles.” The bookkeeper handed it over.
Emma looked down at the soft leather bound book. “How much?” Emma wondered.
Paying the man, Emma left. Moving the book into her bag, her hood came down, to fix her ponytail. Hazel green-blue eyes darting every which way. Emma felt like something was off.
That's when she decided to go to the Marine Base. Emma moved through the crowds, avoiding anyone from touching her. That's when she stopped. Back of her neck prickled.
Turning her head, Emma looked back to where a man was standing. It was one of the men that was after her brother's head. Emma then darted down the crowds, knowing that the man was following her.
Emma had to get to the Marine Base. The sooner Emma was with her brother, the less likely that the man getting her. Emma went down an alley trying to lose the guy, slipping in and out of the people.
“Stop! Thief!” Someone screamed.
Emma dodged a small girl who was running away from the man screaming. The two avoided bumping each other. Over her shoulder, Emma could see some Marines now chasing her with the man.
“Dammit,” Emma mumbled, turning to the crowds again. The man who was chasing her lost the marines but stayed on her tail.
Then she heard the gunshot, long before she felt the wind move around her. She felt the sharpness of the air and a whistling sound. Emma saw the wall not far from her splinter from the bullet. Emma kicked out, to go another direction. The crowd separated at the gunshot.
Emma kept running, reaching into her back pocket, grabbing a strange color chain. It was an off green that made the man hesitate at attacking her. “Seastone?” The man snicker at seeing the simple chain.
Emma wrapped the chain up her arm and reached behind her, where she pushed her messenger bag. Her wrists went into the flap of the bag, a soft clicking noise came through. That's what she wanted to hear. The man followed Emma into an alley, away from innocent bystanders.
Taking a deep breath, Emma prepared for an attack. The man put his gun up. “Now, now.” He walked forward. Emma backed up, putting up a pretense that she's defenseless.
The man went running at Emma, she twisted. On the chain that connected to her wrist was a round object. Emma swung her arm, going down to one knee. The object at the chain hit him across the chest, then landed on the other side of Emma.
The man got up coughing and pissed off. Emma steady herself. The man went running at her. Jerking her hand up, the metal weight went into her hand. Blocking the attack the man went at her. The man went at her again. Emma's wrist was starting to hurt from the chain wrapped around it.
Dodging him, Emma kicked him in the gut and then ran as fast as she could down the alleyway. The man then shot at her, she ducked behind a wall, loosening the chain. The leather straps that she would have on her on normal days for her weights were next to her bed.
Sliding into the darkness of the building, Emma saw the man running past trying to find her. Emma then slipped down the alleyway the opposite way than the man was going. Emma then put her weights back into her bag.
Walking down the alley, Emma heard someone. Spinning around, Emma saw the man running back. “Bitch!” He screamed.
Emma was cursing under her breath, as she ran down the closest alleyway. Planning on losing the man in the back ways of the town, Emma didn't realize that she was trapping herself. Sliding to a stop, Emma looked over the edge of the concrete lift. The water was hitting the side hard.
Looking around, Emma darted down the way that seemed to lead back to the town. She rarely got out this way, Emma doesn't know where she's going. Getting turned around seem to be easy for the out of breath young woman, at least when near the ports. She made a mental note to do jogs around the ports more often to remember them better.
Rushing forward Emma slipped, hitting the ground, hard. A scream left her throat as another bullet went at her. “You fucking bitch!” The man tried to shoot Emma again, barely missing at her rolling to the side.
Then a smooth voice stopped the man. “Who are you to raise a hand against a lady?” Then a soft clicking sound.
Emma risked looking up. A tall blond man with his hair in front of one of his eyes. She's too far away to see his eyes, and a gun was close to the man that was chasing her head. The man dropped the gun, holding his hands up.
The tall blond put his foot out, kicking the gun the man dropped away. “I will get you, Princess.” The man hissed. Walking away from Emma and the man that still held the gun up.
The man then put the gun away, turning to the woman on the ground. “Thank you.” Emma stood up, trying not to hurt herself and keeping eye on him.
The blond picked the man's gun up and then tossed it in the water. “No one will need that anymore.” He stated, before turning to Emma. “Are you alright, Mademoiselle?” The blond has a genuine concern for Emma.
Emma dusted her pants and jacket off, before looking up to him. She was observing him and assessing, to see if he was a danger or not. “I'm fine, now, Mr. Prince,” Emma replied.
He looked confused and then it seemed like he gotten hearts in his eyes. “Mr. Prince?” He asked, running up to her. “May you be my princess?” He wondered.
Emma felt her face heating up, placing her hands up she pushed him away from her. “No way to tell. We just met. Personal space or I will sick my big brother on you!” Emma spoke all at once. The man then seemed to calm down, taking a step back, but he still acts like he was seeing hearts. “Thank you, now what is your name? I want to know so I don't have to refer to you as Mr. Prince, again.” Emma reasoned.
The man sighed, dreamy like. “It's Sanji.” Then straighten up. “My Princess, what is your name?” He asked, going down to one knee with a red rose in his hand.
Looking around confused, “Where you get the rose from?” She wondered. “It's Emmaliza, but everyone calls me Emma,” Emma replied, still trying to figure out where the man has gotten the rose.
He laughed, placing the rose in her hand carefully. “Worry not where I got it from, Emmaliza-chan.” Sanji then waited a moment. “Maybe I should call you, Princess-chan instead.” He muttered to himself.
Emma blushed looking away from him. “I am no princess.” She stated, flatly. “I am merely Emma.” She then looked to him, with a teasing idea in her head. “Sanji-kun.” Emma cooed, softly, to see what he would do.
Sanji made a strangling noise, and when Emma pulled away to look at him, Sanji has blood running out of his nose. Taking a step back, Sanji fell backward. Blinking a few times Emma decided to leave, she still had to get to the Marine base. “Bye, Sanji-kun.~” She cooed, with a slight wave. “I have to go.”
Sanji barely got out a goodbye and added something that she couldn't catch at the end. A giggle bubbled up and escaped her throat, she loves teasing people. Finding their weaknesses is a game for her, but not always using them against the person unless have to. She found that part to be harder for her to do for the simple reason she doesn't like conflict if can avoid it.
Emma slipped through the crowd. Soon enough she knew precisely where she was, Emma made a mad dash to the Marine Base. Getting there, she ran up the steps to see her big brother figure. Not bothering to knocking on his office door, Emma entered.
“You are supposed to knock.” A gruff voice came out of the smoke that greeted Emma as opening the door.
Emma rolled her eyes, walking through the smoke to the general direction of the couch. Getting to the couch she flopped down on it. “Since when I have ever done anything I'm supposed to do?” Emma mused, a slight smirk forming.