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Primal

Chapter 15: Keys To The Cage

Summary/Info Rated M CHAPTER WARNINGS: Character Death, Blood, Non-Sexual Non-Consensual elements, Use of Restraints

Previously...

After Link tells his knights everything, Platoon forty-eight and the secretive couple R and M meet. A band is starting to come together for the rescue and proper medicine is almost at hand.

Yet something derails Link’s focus on the mission. Sidon’s concern turned out to be true, as not only does M smell the change, the Sheikah slate denies Link teleportation. Emotionally compromised, Link rushes to the Domain, to Sidon.

Only to be captured by Sado. With whatever life growing inside him threatened, the remaining three champions are stripped from his soul by the Hylian known as Kuu and Link is left weakened, practically helpless. But he is not so easily broken and resists where he can.

However, Yanun’s horrific magic practically makes him into a doll. Acting as she desires and going through a sacrificial ceremony without issue. Link is tormented as he’s left to simply watch as Mipha’s soul is offered to play a key role in overthrowing Hyrule and Sado stakes claim to Link with a bonding bite.

-Only obvious key points will be summarized. There are likely moments of an Unreliable Narrator or Sneaky Foreshadowing.-

____________________________________________________

Despite the weight, the door flew open with ease as Sidon rushed inside. “Pardon the entrance! I am sorry it took longer than planned, Link. I...” He trailed off, for the room was empty. The fireplace was nothing more than embers, leaving the room dim in the winter afternoon.

Yet dark markings on the floor drew his attention. Sidon didn't know what to expect; a strange drawing, a message? As he approached, the Zora stepped to the side and let the brightly lit hall shine upon the floor. As they were made clear, he wished for anything but this. These sharp and wild turns, burned into the wood. Kneeling down and daring to touch the scorched floor, Sidon could still feel a faint warmth. It was no longer fresh, but he guessed this was likely about an hour old.

Following along the branch to its source with his fingertips, he came across something unusual hidden at the edge of the shadows. Unlike the other marks, this one was not an assortment of lines, this one was a blotch, an impression of something else. Tracing the shape, Sidon realized what he was looking at and not far off was its twin, along with something else that stretched all the way behind the door.

"Prince Sidon?” Bazz calls out carefully from the hall, clearly worried from the silence. “Is everything alright?”

“No.” Was all he could reply with at this moment as a mix of fear and rage began to rush through his veins.

The Zora captain was now visible in the doorway, but kept a respectful distance. He squints his eyes at the markings around the prince. “Is that..?”

When the other didn't finish his sentence, Sidon stood and glared at the damaged flooring with hands clenched into fists. “Lightning strikes, yes.”

Unsurprising, the knight took a quick step back out of reflex before he made the bold move of standing in the arch of the doorway. Lightning, here!? Inside the palace!? “Is the weapon still there? Is Link alright!?”

“He is not here and I am unsure if I should feel thankful for that or not. Link could have fled and is possibly injured or.” Sidon stopped as out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something else.

“Or?” Bazz urged and watched as Sidon picked up a small book. Only to realize his mistake when the prince flipped it around in his hands, it was the Sheikah slate.

The red Zora scowled at the ancient technology. “He has been taken.” For the time being, he placed it atop the mantlepiece. “This isn't the work of a weapon; this is the work of a creature. When it attacked, the placement of its feet was burned into the floor and along with something else.”

“A Lizalfos?” Rare for an electric one to be in the Lanayru region, but not unheard of. But Bazz couldn't even begin to think of how one managed to get this far in. They could camouflage, sure, but they were also prone to blowing their cover.

“No.” Sidon glanced from the footprints and to his own feet. Clenching his fangs together, Sidon held back a snarl and stormed from the room. The door was slammed with such force, it sounded as though a wall had collapsed. “Someone much bigger.”

The captain wasn’t able to question further on the accusation, because before his prince could even take two steps down the hallway, he collapsed with a loud shout. Sidon managed to catch himself on his knees as he braced himself with one arm. While his hand grasped helplessly at the side of his neck from a sudden explosion of pain.

“Prince Sidon!” Bazz hovered in shock, unsure if it was wise to touch him. “What’s wrong?”

“I-I don’t know!” Sidon groaned in agony, he was just as confused and worried as the other. Sidon held on so tightly that his claws began to catch on his scales and it hurt, but nowhere nearly as intense as his neck already did. It was like a jagged edge of an old knife was digging into him. Grinding against his bones, threatening to break through.

Yet it didn’t stop there. A surging heat began to burn all the way down to his chest. It felt like someone was trying to tear him in half. And Sidon couldn’t take any more. He began screaming in torment.

All Bazz could do was watch, as none of his words reached his prince after that. He couldn’t even touch him without being lashed out at. But he couldn’t just leave Sidon alone, so he would have to wait until another guard followed the sound of distress. Then he could have them fetch a physician.

Or at least that was the plan, until electricity flashed across Sidon's body.

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

The wind pressure from the sudden change in temperature was strong enough to knock people over. But Link held his ground and covered his face. As the dust settled, he dropped his arms and looked towards the edge of the canyon.

Looking back at him were fierce blue and yellow eyes. Her mountain sized body softly curling around in the air as she floated. Fire held tightly in powerful talons as her horns and crystals glowed brightly like the magma of an active volcano. With a small glare, Dinraal barked out an order and was careful to keep her fangs hidden. “Speak.”

Link is shivering now, not from the dragon, but because his body is burning hot. He has to blink the spots from his vision as he focuses on the spirit before him. She's easily the full source of light in the cave and it makes it hard to look at her.

Dinraal hissed, dark smoke shooting out from between her teeth like a geyser. “Speak!”

Link shakes his head and goes to touch his throat, only to feel something drip on his hand. Checking, he finds drops of red liquid and touching his face, he finds the source. Blood is trickling out of his mouth, there’s no pain and every breath out is followed by a sudden gush. Splashing on the floor around his bare feet, adding to the horrific puddle spreading across the white floor.

Panicking, Link tries to stop the bleeding by covering his mouth and looks to the dragon for help. But she hasn’t moved at all and doesn’t seem to care about what is happening to him.

The blood starts flowing faster, going right through his fingers. More and more Link is becoming surrounded by the dark, red liquid and still his body burns hotter and hotter.

“Speak!” Dinraal demands again.

Link shakes his head, so overwhelmed with fear by the sight he can’t do much else. There’s so much blood, there's too much blood, it’s so dark. It begins to bubble and broil, turning to tar in his mouth. His breath is ragged and erratic, but still has no issues as the thick black mass pours out.

It’s filling up far too fast, it’s up to his waistline. Black water splashes around as he tries to find an edge, some way, anyway to get out. Everything is enveloped in the darkness; all save for the smouldering glow of Dinraal.

Link locks his gaze with the dragon as she roars before the world truly becomes dark. Then there is nothing but terror and silence.

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

“I said, I'm fine!” Sidon shouted and staggered a little as he got up from the floor. The pain may have stopped, but there were aftereffects. Nerves still humming made his muscles twitch and the blood rushing through his veins had him gasping for air. Along with strange sensations running across his scales. One felt like a current pushing past him and the other was like hands grabbing at him.

“By all accounts, nothing that has happened has been anything close to fine!” Bazz lost all sense of unease in place of anger and frustration. Dropping his professionalism, Bazz grabbed the other man by the arm. “I can't carry you so we’re going to walk to the medical wing!”

“Don't touch me!” He reacts with hostility and easily yanks his arm free, unintentionally throwing his friend to the floor in the process. It startled Bazz more than anything, but he is quick to gather himself and pick up his spear. About to give the prince a piece of his mind, scowling and pissed. Only for his temper to simmer down at the look of horror and shock skimming across Sidon's face before settling in a twist of discomfort. “I-I didn’t mean...”

Normally this would be the point where Sidon would go on a string of apologies, back down and see sense. That he needed help, something was affecting not only his judgment, but his control. “My Prince, you need to see a physician, the King, someone. You're not acting like yourself! You must come with me, I will use force and gather others to drag you if I must!” He then shifted his hold on his spear, readying to engage in non-lethal combat.

Bazz expects some sort of reaction; annoyance, a glare, a pout even. Some sort of sign that the prince still had some semblance of self.

He might have misjudged his friend’s rationality, just a bit. As Bazz is not even sure if he should feel irritated or bewildered.

Sidon ignores every word, a sense of importance overwhelming his focus on the situation. He felt as though he knew what it was, what it was for, yet could not recall why. Only it would guide him to where he was supposed to go, where he needed to be. Sidon had to follow the current and he weaves his hand through the air trying to get a better feeling of the illusion. “This way... from below?”

“What are you-?” The captain doesn't even get a chance to finish before the prince bolts. He gives chase, but panics when the red Zora jumps out the window at the end of the hall. “Sidon!” Reaching the windowsill seconds later, he can't even see the ripples in the dark waters below. But he did not follow, it was far too risky to be jumping in between raised pathways.

Bazz cursed and raced for the stairwell, he was going to need more than five men this time.

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

Sidon ran, swam, chasing the current. Sounds distorted from the flow echoed all around, but he didn’t stop, he didn’t listen. The current grew stronger as he followed it, Sidon couldn’t afford to stop, he had to hurry, he had to get there.

But then his body collided with something, knocking him off course.

He was snapped from his daze from the sudden scent of blood. Looking around the water, Sidon was below the palace and the silver woman was here. He didn’t even remember diving into the lake, he was confused, but the feeling of urgency was stronger than logic. I have to hurry.

“Prince Sidon,” Yanun held her forehead as red wisps faded into the water. "I was hoping to bump into you on my way to see the King, but didn't mean literally." She said with a smile, dropping her hand and revealing mere scrapes; likely from colliding with his ornate chest piece. “Won’t you join me?”

The scent of blood was blocking in his focus, like a vail of iron floating over them. He was smelling a lot of it. Far more than could be only hers. But, it was not quite enough to shake off what had possessed the red Zora prince.

The soft lull of water moving past his sensitive fins forced a sharp twitch of his head, as if to snap himself back into reality. “I'm in a rush.” His words held no bite, but the bluntness made it sound otherwise.

She laughed lightly before replying. “I’ve noticed, where are you off to? Perhaps I-”

“No.” He cut her off sharply and a low growl began to build in his throat, “I’m the only one being called.” Even the mere suggestion of her; anyone, coming along with him for such an important task, had him flaring up. It would not be permitted. It would not be tolerated. It’s mine!

He turned away as he felt about for the current, but he could no longer tell which he should follow and what was the lake's own. “Which way is the current flowing?”

Yanun wore a puzzled look, curious as to what Sidon was up to, as his behaviour was quite strange. Yet her delay only irritated him further. “Which way!” Sidon pressed with a snarl, glancing over his shoulder with narrowed eyes.

“Oh. Apologies.” Yanun blinked in surprise. “That way.” Pointing, to further her reply, and with the information, Sidon was able to tell the currents apart. Noticing that it felt far weaker than before. He expected his feelings of urgency to increase, yet it didn’t, it was fading and his mind was beginning to clear. Sidon could feel himself begin to doubt, to question what was happening. “Prince Sidon, after your finished with your task, would you be able to join-”

“Sure.” He cut her off again, he did not want to waste any more time and darted away.

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

She remained there for a moment, staring off in the direction the prince had disappeared and going over what just transpired. Sidon had been uncharacteristically curt, aggressive, and spoke over her more than once. He had even glared at her. Something Yanun would have punished anyone else severely for. But from Sidon, it was not at all unpleasant; in fact, Yanun found she rather liked it. It was a delightful change to see in him, even if it was only a sliver of what he could be. To be fierce as he was meant to be.

It excited her.

“You could still go after him and we could do this later.” Sado swam towards her from the shadows, following her gaze for a moment before meeting her eye. “I’m certainly in no rush and I’ve got someone to help settle into our way of life.”

She gave him a disgusted scowl, the mood completely ruined. “You’ll have plenty of time for that later. Your role is still required.” Spinning around, she continued her ascent to the palace. “As Hine is preoccupied with the Primals elsewhere.”

Sado sighed and swam along after her. “Yes, my Priestess.”

They journeyed to the lakeside before exiting the water and then continued up the steep pathway to one of the bridges that connected to the towering palace. It was the long way, but for the silver Zora it was the only option if they wanted to reach the raised part of the city. No matter how much any of them practiced and attempted to scale waterfalls, it was simply impossible. Even for Yanun whom was the most nimble and swiftest of them all. It was something that they were simply not built to do.

Making their way up the stairways and passing archways, the pair finally arrived at the throne room. Sado stepped forward when Yanun came to a pause and opened the door, even if the guards informed them that the king wasn’t seeing anyone else.

“Be quiet and discreet, won’t you?” She requested as she then continued onwards.

“If you insist.” The silver warrior replied with a bored tone and closed the door behind her. Leaving the priestess alone with a few more of the king’s guards and for Dorephan's gaze to fall upon her with mixed feelings.

“Pardon the entrance.” Yanun began as she approached the raised platform before the throne.

But King Dorephan was not in the mood to entertain, it had been a long day and her casual disruption was only bringing him further annoyance. Nonetheless, he did his best to sound unaffected. “Princess Yanun, I am retiring for the night. Tomor-"

Deliberately, she scoffed loudly to silence him and proceeded to walk up the platform. “Retiring from your position is more like it. Your charade over the Zora ends now, a heretic has no rights to control. End this quickly and I will see to it that the same will be done to you.”

There was an audible clink of armour as the guards tensed. What had begun as a bitter and irritated arrival, was now hostile. While Dorephan was shocked by her decree and behaviour, he kept his tone calm and level. “Surely, there is some misunderstanding. It sounds as though you are threatening me to surrender my rule to you.”

“Perhaps this will be clear enough. You are no longer the one in control. Resist and your death will be anything but swift.”

The king represses a sigh and rubs his forehead. “Where is this coming from, Princess Yanun?”

“You can forget that moniker. It is Priestess. I’ve degraded myself long enough with tolerating oafish Sharp-ear customs. No thanks to you and your hold over this territory.” Yanun ridiculed him with a sneer. “I’m sick of it all, you’ve cast aside proud Zora traditions and I intend to rectify it.”

If she had been expecting an outburst or at the least some form of violent backlash from this. Yanun was in for some disappointment. For Dorephan merely took a deep breath, sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Very well, let us entertain this idea for a moment.” The king said as he relaxed into his throne and then laced his hands together over his chest. “So, say I take your warning seriously. The easy way out and all that.” Adding in a gesture of rolling one of his hands lazily before continuing on. “What then? All is right in the world with you now controlling the Domain and its people? Don’t tell me you truly believe that my people would be grateful that you forced your way into power. That none of the other Kingdoms wouldn’t come to my people’s aid should you succeed in supressing them.”

“Warning?” She scoffed. “Are you that conceited? This isn’t a threat either. This is a promise.”

“A promise made by that of someone with a supportive unit of about forty, fifty if you include civilians.”

Yanun chuckled darkly and shook her head. “You think you outmatch us do to numbers? Bloated with arrogance as well I see... We are far more powerful than you believe, just one of my warriors is worth more than ten of yours. And I can assure you that there are some of your very own that are against you leading the Zora race down this tainted path.”

“You have quite the confidence in these... opinions of my rule. But, what is the source of your belief?”

“Your worship of a deity of a lesser species, for starters, is nothing but a perversion of Prima’s teachings. Those Sharp-ears; that you so adamantly protect with your laws and let them freely wander, are nothing more than vital livestock and yet, you deny your kin this. Those with a blessing of Prima can be bred and used to produce pups efficiently, the rest of the forsaken Sharp-ears are simply food. And worst of all, you've twisted a generation of Primals that to fight their instincts is proper, rather than allow it to be their guide! It’s an utter disgrace to our superior race. The Zora will not thrive like this and you are the sole reason.”

The king was perturbed to hear such dark ideals coming from the young woman. Regardless of how or why things had come to this, Dorephan was not the least bit intimidated, but rather, he was disgusted by her. “Have you gone mad? It is you that is twisting our way of life with your own deranged opinion. The Hylian and Gerudo people are neither above nor beneath the Zora. And the mere mention that you believe they are even a feasible resource is-- is blasphemy!”

“No, what’s blasphemy, is your claim over Sidon!” Yanun countered with rising fury.

Dorephan visibly bristled, his fins fanning out till every point stood on end. His claws scraped across the arms of the throne as he braced himself and leaned forward. The king’s voice became hardened. “Choose your next words carefully.” He was not a rash person and it was hard to get under his skin. He could take insolence, mockery, prejudiced. But when it came to his family, it has always been a weak spot for him and even more so with every member he lost.

“Sidon is not your son and you’re a fool to say otherwise.” She glared at him, not at all threatened by his display. “He bares not only the colour of Prima, but the spear.” Yanun said with a gesture of Sidon’s crest, the shape of his hammerhead. “He is a child of Prima, one of pure lineage! Sidon should be free to be what he truly is, for his power to go unrestrained, to take and control as he sees fit, for his instincts to be our guide to conquer over all!"

That was the breaking point. The king had finally had enough and stood from the throne, storming up to the platform where the foreign priestess defiantly stood. “How dare you utter such nonsense!” Looking down at her, his voice booming in the grand hall. “I refuse to let you do any such emotional harm to my son because of your religious beliefs! My son has been through enough!”

“Indeed, Sidon has been through enough. Enough of your control and manipulative coddling.” She pointed up at him, her anger humming around her like an aura. “I know what a caged beast looks like and I shall be the one to set him free. Sidon will take me as his mate and I will show him that this world was meant to cower in his wake.”

“Guards!!” Vibrating with rage and as much as he wished to strike her down, Dorephan held himself back. To think there was a time when he thought that she could be a fitting suitor. How she saw his son, for what he could be, was everything Sidon fought against. “Seize her and lock her in a cell!” Two of the guards hurried forth and reached out to restrain her. Only to the king's bewilderment, there was a sharp, audible snap and the guards recoiled back from merely touching her skin.

“Careful now.” Yanun said eerily soft and cast a stern gaze over her shoulder. “Next time won’t be a warning. You will be hitting the floor.” There was fear in the guard's eyes, but they hastily pointed their weapons at her, as if it would protect them to put her at a distance. She sighed. “I should have expected less and perhaps, maybe I wouldn’t be so disappointed... Sado!”

On queue, the entrance door popped open and the silver Zora sauntered on in.

“Remove these as well, perhaps when the command has changed, they will come to their senses.” Yanun ordered.

“Oh, very well.” Sado began to walk towards the guards that held their weapons at Yanun, chuckling as the remaining Zora soldiers surrounded him. He then beckoned the knights closer with a finger, like he were calling a child. “Come on. This will be over in a flash.”

“Enough toying, submit!” Dorephan commanded. “And I shall see to it that your punishment is-” But he was unable to finish. Electricity shot out across the hall, dancing atop the fountains, pools and wet marble. No one was even able to let out a scream as their bodies were seizing up from the voltage. Lasting only a moment, before it stopped and they collapsed.

By some cruel miracle, Dorephan managed to remain conscious as he struggled to move. Body still pulsing and twitching, his gaze roamed the room only to realize that both Sado and Yanun were perfectly fine. Not only that, electricity was faintly coming off Sado’s skin. Through the spasms and numbness of his jaw, the king barely manages to whisper. “Don’t... hurt my boy.”

Yanun could have laughed, but she just wanted this over quickly. “Sado.”

“Yes, my Priestess?”

“Silence him.”

“As you wish.” Sado huffed and stalked over to the helpless titan, emitting a low charge to keep him paralyzed. And as they knelt down before Dorephan, Sado cradled his face. “I may have to give it my all; I’ve never shocked something as big as you. I wonder if you’ll pop.” He whispered softly as his head fin began to coil around the larger body, sending sharp, small stings directly into the king.

Dorephan’s fear ran rampant, unable to form words, while his thoughts pleaded and prayed that this couldn’t be the end. He could feel a burning at the edge of his mind to fight back, but the last flickering of gold light reminded him.

Shiel is never wrong.

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

I don’t understand. It had taken seconds and Sidon was at the entrance of one of the residential caverns, the one Yanun’s people called home. But there wasn’t a soul about, only the water-life and the light of Luminous lanterns. Why here?

While he continued onward, a glint of metal on the lake floor redirected his focus. Sidon’s swift diving stirred the plants and settlement around the object. To his horror, resting in the soil was the Master Sword. “Don’t tell me-!” Sidon gasped as his gaze snapped upwards to the entrance of the air chambers. There was no attempt to take the blade, whether it would willingly come or not.

That rush of urgency, it was back and his body was bolting upwards without thinking. He just about grazed the ceiling from the speed in which Sidon launched himself from the water. The moment his feet touched the floor, Sidon tore his way through the corridors. Everything he shoved or smashed felt weightless and fragile.

Crashing through the last door, Sidon was greeted with frightened screams and shifting, soft blue light in a dark room. Around him was maybe a dozen silver Zora the prince had never seen before, all with black markings on their scales.

But he did not linger on what or why. Illuminated faintly in blue, a lone Hylian crouching down at the back caught Sidon’s eye.

“Link!” He ran towards him, however as he got closer, Sidon realized his mistake and stopped dead in his tracks. Bristling in agitation and glaring at the stranger, a deep rumble in his throat began. “You're not him.”

Kuu slowly stood up and turned to face Sidon, his voice calm despite the other Zora panicking or cowering around him. “The bellowing is unnecessary. No one here will resist you, Primal.”

Yet he did not change his behaviour; his emotions and actions were as they were for one set purpose. “Where is Link!?”

“Take what is yours.” He said as he stepped aside, revealing the source of faint light. A prone body lay on a patchwork bed and Sidon rushed forward without a second thought, dropping to their side.

Link lay unconscious. Skin pale and glistening with sweat. Bloody bandages that were poorly wrapped around his neck and shoulder, peeked out from under the black garment. Breathing slow and shallow. His soul brightening momentarily with every intake; like Link was kindling a weak flame and only to mock Sidon with its dwindling life.

Fury and sorrow tear away at Sidon as he gently touched Link’s cheek. In one final rush, Sidon feels that strange current he had been following all this time. It surges from Link as his glowing eyes weakly open for the briefest of moments and then it abruptly ends. The hero’s eyes close and his soul fades out.

“N-no, please no!” Sidon panics, fearing the worst, yet relaxes when there’s no pause in Link’s breathing. He is still alive, weak, but alive.

Carefully, he lifts and cradles Link in his arms, but the prince’s concerns only continue to pile up. Link’s temperature is far too low, so much so that he feels cool against Sidon’s scales. “Hylia, don’t take him from me.”

As Sidon stood, he snarled at anyone he felt was too close. Kuu remains unmoving and unperturbed, while the Zora scatter the moment he made a move for the exit. Only Kuu’s eyes followed him as he carried Link down the hallway.

Upon returning to the water however, it made Sidon hesitate. He would have to time his dive carefully, with Link unconscious, he may barely be able to hold his breath for a few seconds. As he crouched and readied himself, he looked to Link. Then Sidon grasped hold of Link’s mouth and nose easily with one large hand. He cut off his breathing for a moment, just till Link’s body began to struggle for air. Releasing for Link to gasp and take a few deep breaths. Sidon then jumped and twisted himself for a perfect dive, but just before he broke the surface, he covered Link’s face once more.

Unexpectedly, Sidon was overwhelmed. An eruption of sound; cries of fear and anger, clashes of metal and stone, all blending together in chaotic noise that rattles in his head. However, that wasn’t even the worst of it. A chain reaction of sparks assaulted him, alternating in strength and in a completely random pattern. Sidon snaps his eyes shut as if blinded, a useless reflex as the electric fields splash coloured shapes on the back of his eyelids. Irritations throb from the tip of his crest to the back of his skull. There’s too much for him to handle and he becomes disorientated.

The Zora curses and tries to get them both out of the water quickly. Though he ends up misjudging the distance left and slams into the roof of the cavern. Forced to open his eyes and though his vision is skewed from the fresh head injury, he manages to get out into open water to ascend. Breaching the surface leaves Sidon gasping in relief as the assault ends, even if he’s still off balance and there is lingering pain.

Leaning against the cliffside, Sidon tries to check on Link. Though, he is hyperventilating, he isn’t coughing so Sidon takes it as one good sign. However, the soaked fabric and remains of water are already starting to frost over, leaving Link trembling like a leaf. And regrettably, Sidon knows that he won’t be able to offer much in terms of body heat. But he still bundles Link in as close as he can, curling his arms and fins around him in an attempt to buffer against the cool waters and freezing air. For a few moments, at least, until his head stopped spinning, as there was no way Sidon could scale a fall like this or swim properly. The best he can do is tread water and wait.

Looking out to the black waters, rippling under the gentle light of luminous stonework from the palace high above and listening to the soft rush of waterfalls. Everything seemed to be unchanged and at peace. On the surface that is.

“There’s no storm...? Then why did I-?” Sidon stopped as he saw a faint light underwater come rushing towards him and then something suddenly pinned his hips to the wall, quickly followed by one of his ankles. Reflexively, the prince thrashes to break the hold, discovering that the weapon is curved and trapping his movement in very limited space. If any at all. There’s no pain from the weapons used against him, only pressure, so the goal must be to restrain him. Catchpoles!?

While Sidon cannot see his enemy, he releases his right arm to defend himself and protect the vulnerable man in his care. Slashing his claws down to where he was being attacked, he had felt the weapon for a second before another pinned him at his elbow. Next, he attempts to escape by throwing his weight forward and using his free foot to push off from the cliffside. Till another bursts from the water aiming for his throat.

Recklessly, Sidon forsakes caution. The man didn’t know what to expect as he bites down on the weapon coming at him. But it splinters and cracks as his teeth sink into it. Twisting sharply, the wooden weapon snaps and he’s a tad grateful that it wasn’t made of metal. However, he doesn’t have time to spit it out as another comes at him and this time makes their mark. The strike had been more of a shove, preventing damage to his neck, but effectively keeping Sidon’s head trapped against the cliffside. All that he can do now is continue to put up a fight and hope for a drop in his attackers’ formation.

He can feel the catchpoles shift as Zora breach the surface and while the sudden clarity of light from their lanterns blinds him momentarily. He can make out about nine of them, two or more to a weapon and seeing them struggle to maintain a hold on him. The weapons length kept them well out of striking distance, but that also left the shaft at risk to braking under prolonged stress. Shaking his head to dislodge the wood from his teeth, Sidon had a chance and that’s all he needed.

He’d bite, kick and claw his way out. If it meant that he protected Link. What was his. He didn’t care. Sidon’s bright red scales begin to lose some of their luster, random and uneven areas fade into a dusty red. His breathing became deeper, slower, rolling at the ends with noise that wasn’t quite a hiss nor a growl. It was his last warning. I’ll do whatever it takes!

“Alright, you’re up!” Sidon’s eyes snap to the silhouette of the Zora in utter shock. There was no way. That sounds like- “You got to restrain him, Rivan!”

Sidon couldn’t believe it; it was Bazz, he was being attacked by his own men! When Rivan approached with his hands free, carefully reaching out to touch him. Sidon seethed with rage and snapped, knowing full well what Rivan’s magic was capable of. “Don’t you dare touch me! Release me!!”

To the smaller man’s credit, he did not flinch, he did pause however and spoke surprisingly soft. “Easy, I don’t want to do this either. Just let us help you.”

“Oi! There’s no sense talking to him!” Bazz shouted, irritated at first. “Get it over with, there’s enough shit happening as it is! We don’t...” But then it shifted into something akin to dread. “Rivan. We’re too late, he’s already gotten to someone.”

The prince’s hold on Link tensed, they believed that he was going to attack someone? “I haven’t harmed Link! I’m protecting him!”

Despite his own words just a moment ago, Bazz couldn’t help himself. “You- you found him!?”

Rivan turned back to his captain with a scowl. “Found? Master Link’s been missing!? Why haven’t I been told about this?”

“Can we just focus on the task at hand!?” A woman; one of the other guards, piped up, on edge and nervous with the situation. “Dealing with a frenzy is hard enough with a normal person! If he breaks free, we don’t have the King around to stop him.”

Sidon felt his body go numb at hearing those words. Yes, it had happened before. It had taken a number of guards to catch him and his father to restrain him. With only a claw wound across the shoulder blades, no further harm had come to them. Yet, it had given way to more doubt and distrust against Sidon.

“Hold your tongue!” Rivan turned on her.

“I’m...” Sidon began quietly and gave up on breaking free, letting his body go lax, his scales returning to their bright hue. “I’m angry, but not in a frenzy, please release me.”

There was a moment’s pause before Bazz gave the order, “Stand down, everyone.” and drew back his weapon, releasing his prince’s neck.

“But-”

“That’s an order.” Their captain cut them off sharply and one by one, they removed their hold on the prince. While the others chose to keep a distance with their weapons still at the ready, Rivan and Bazz came closer.

Sidon’s focus returned to Link in his arm, he was still shaking, but his breathing had returned to being slow and shallow. With clear light to assess the situation, Bazz began franticly looking for something in his belt pouch.

“Prince Sidon, you’re wounded.” Rivan noticed his crown was missing and that blood was running down the sides of his head, dripping off his ear flippers. His arms were in worse shape, erratic cuts and missing scales ran from his shoulders down to his hands. The brown Zora wasn’t sure how Sidon got the injuries, but it didn’t look as though it was from any weapon. It was also unlikely due to their actions, but it still worried him that they could have harmed Sidon unintentionally.

“Oh...” He said weakly and glanced at his wounds, as if ashamed. “I didn’t realize.”

“What happened to Link?” Bazz asked, more worried about the freezing Hylian in the red Zora’s arm. Before Sidon could even begin to answer, the black thought better of it. “No, never mind, we can talk about that later.” He then brought a small, glowing red bottle above the water.

However, at the sight of a Hylian elixir, Sidon had a mix of fear and hope. First aid was one thing, but none of them were healers and Sidon was at least aware that elixirs could be lethal to Hylians if used improperly. “Wait, we should take him to the medical wing for treatment.”

“Not an option.” Bazz said sternly and put a hand under Link’s head to lift him more up right. “Hylian’s can die from freezing temperatures within minutes or hours.” Flicking the cork out, Bazz slowly and carefully began to feed him the contents. “Sometimes seconds. If he doesn’t warm up now, it might be too late.”

They all floated in silence as Link drank and when the shivering slowed to a stop, the three breathed a little easier. Sidon could even feel heat beginning to seep into his skin.

“Argh!” However, the rest of the Zora knights had run out of patience and one of them shouted. “We can’t afford to waste time like this! The Prince has been handled and I’m certain Master Link has survived worse. Let us move on to more important matters! Remember the silver Zora? They have attacked the Domain, or have you forgotten, Captain Bazz!?”

“What?” As if Sidon needed another reason to be outraged by the silver, looking to Bazz and Rivan for an explanation. “They are right, don’t put us as a higher priority than the people! You should be helping the King put a stop to this!”

Bazz flinched and looked uneasy, it was rare for anything to hold his tongue.

But Rivan quickly stepped up. “My Prince, I regret to inform you.” Though Bazz foresaw this would end badly, he wasn’t fast enough to stop Rivan. “King Dorephan is missing, possibly fled.”

Sidon lunged at the brown, grabbed hold of his breastplate and lifted the smaller Zora from the water. “That can’t be true! What proof is there!?”

“B-but with the people being attacked and the King not joining the fight to protect them as he always has. What are we to believe, that he has been defeated? That our King has fallen?” Rivan didn’t want to believe such outcomes, but it was seeming to be more and more likely as chaos consumed everything. Yet he held on to whatever hope that Dorephan was not lost to them yet. “On top of that, ever since we left to search for you, no one has been able to get back into the upper palace. They’ve done something to the waterfalls, leaving them too thin to swim up. And they have archers lining both bridges so even climbing the pathways is not an option.” Sidon released Rivan and while his gaze was still fixed on him, he did not see him.

The silver Zora, Yanun and her people, they had betrayed Sidon’s kingdom. Attacked his people, his father. Harmed Link. How could they, how dare they do this! After everything his people had done for them, helping them and offering them a new home!?

Sidon’s colouring began to unevenly shift again, faster this time. And the sight had Rivan puzzled, believing it to possibly be a trick of the light. Though out of the corner of his eye; it was brief, but he saw the look of realization and fear cross Bazz’s face before regaining composure. It had to be bad if Bazz of all people was scared of Sidon.

“Prince Sidon, calm yourself.” He began carefully. “Let us not be heedless in our actions. You are already injured and we can’t risk losing you to the enemy during the battle.” While the prince was now focused on Bazz, the expression he wore was frightening, even Rivan slowly drifted back. Hopefully trying to redirect him, Bazz continued. “Link still needs you, he needs to get somewhere dry and safe. Go to the shelter and take Rivan with you too. Let me handle this fight.”

With the reminder of the man in his arms, Sidon looked to Link in remorse and hugged him close. One deep breath later, he seemed to be bringing himself back under control. “You’re right... You’re right.” Sidon said softly and Bazz let out a sigh of relief.

Though, Sidon lifted his head suddenly, gold eyes flickering as he watched as a bright light suddenly flash from within the palace.

“What was that!? An explosion!?” One of the knights that had caught sight of it panicked.

“Don’t be a fool, there wasn’t any sound of one.” Another said.

“No.” Sidon spoke up, his face twisting into rage, voice raising in volume with every word and his colouring becomes completely dull red. “No, no! Father!”

“Prince, wait-!”

But Bazz is cut off as the larger Zora gets right in his face, glaring at him as he growls lowly. “Protect them.” Then Sidon forces Link into Bazz's arms. Not spending a second more on the matter, Sidon rears back to cast his eyes back upon the palace. It was a war cry like no other, the shear fury of Sidon’s bellowing roar was like thunder. Yet, it was the sound that most could not hear that was truly terrifying. It made the water tremble and dance at the surface. A shockwave that; for one horrifying moment, made every single person in the domain freeze. And then Sidon was racing out across the water before anyone could recover.

Bazz was still shaking moments later and holding onto Link like he was their last hope. Bazz feared that he was. “Rivan, after him! You must contain Sidon, you hear me, contain him no matter what!”

“I can’t just-”

“Don’t argue, do it! These are Queen Shiel’s orders!”

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

“Father!” Sidon bellowed as he entered the grand hall, stepping over the fallen knights and leaving a trail of bloody footprints. The blood was his own however. Broken arrow shafts protruded from his backside. Claw marks cut into his skin at different points on his body where Zoras had tried to grab him, in attempt to hold him back from storming the palace. Much of which was a blur to Sidon, running down or tossing aside the silver. Silver that wasn’t his. Nothing but what was his mattered, it was why Sidon was here, to take back and protect what was his.

Though his mind tittered on edge of anguish as he saw the body of his father and his will almost shattered. Rocking in the small waves of the pool surrounding the throne was Dorephan, scales discoloured with root like scaring all over his body. Telltale signs of death by lightening. “Father...”

“I’m so glad that you were able to join me.” Yanun’s cheerful tone cut like a knife and Sidon flinched as he focused on her. The woman sat atop one of the throne’s arms, posed proper and proud.

His determination returned with a vengeance. “How!? How could you!?”

She tilted her head in thought for a moment as she stood up. “Considering your present state of mind, I don’t think you would understand or accept any answer. But,” Yanun paused and hopped down from the armrest, using Dorephan as a stepping stone to return to the raised platform. “in time, you will be grateful for everything I am doing now.”

“You’ve attacked my home, my people, harmed what is most precious to me and taken away the last of my family.” Tears burned at the edge of his eyes as he rushed towards her, grabbing one of the fallen guard’s spears. “And you expect me to be grateful!?” He lunges the weapon out, aiming to run Yanun through the heart.

Yanun raises her right hand and the tip of the spear merely kisses her red dress. Sidon’s whole body came to a dead stop. “Oh, Sidon! Look at you!” Her eyes full of wonder and joy as she reaches out to him with a bright smile. “Instincts guiding you, adorned in your rightful colour! Yes! Satisfy your suppressed urges, kill a few people if you so desire! I understand you’ve had to hold back this whole time. But you don’t have too anymore. You’re finally free!”

“The only person I want to kill is you!” Sidon struggled; his anger still far too powerful for the fear to set in. It would seem that Yanun had allowed him to remain in control of his head.

“I’m the only one you shouldn’t kill. I can help you; I can show you how you were meant to be, Sidon.” Yanun spoke tenderly as she brought him to his knees and made him toss the weapon away. It would have been a convincing performance of surrender or relief, if not for his true feelings expressed on his face.

Sidon grimaced as she cradled his chin. “Get your filthy hands off me, traitor, murderer!”

Yanun hushed him softly, rubbing her thumb through the blood on his cheek and stepped in closer to him. “Worry not. Our people will not kill each other needlessly. I have ordered it, but some may have fallen unintentionally.”

“Unintentionally!?” Sidon spat and hissed. “You speak of the death of others as though it is a minor inconvenience. Is that what my father was to you? An inconvenience!”

“Yes, he was.” The answer came simply. “Unable to see reason, I had no choice, but have Sado kill him.” Her calm and cold words struck him hard. However, it did not end there. “Though, he will be able to provide nourishment for many and no one can be ungrateful for that.”

His anger began to dispel into horror. “Y-you’re going to... eat him?”

Yanun laughed lightly and stroked at Sidon’s jaw lovingly as she let go. “Of course. We’re not savages after all.” Then she happily sucked his blood off her fingers. “We never waste our own race’s precious flesh.”

Sidon’s head was filled with white noise as he looked down at Dorephan, he couldn’t even fathom the thought.

Though, Yanun had no intent on letting him focus on the fallen king. Or anything but her. For Yanun’s soul stretched across her scales like a flowering vine and then she bore her neck to him. “Take this offering, Sidon. Drink my blood, my soul and the power of Prima that dwells within you will finally be set free.”

“No!” Sidon shouted, feeling energy starting to hum beneath his scales and his soul trying to cry out. The pink markings on his scales began to shift to blue as Sidon fought with his body. But not even his head was under his control anymore. “You’re not mine!”

That had been the last time Yanun let him speak. “But I will be.” For the next time he opened his mouth, it was not of his choosing. Nor was it his choice to embrace her gently and bite down on her neck. To drink her blood, the energy of her soul.

With his mind already overwhelmed, it took a moment to process the pain. Every gulp was boiling, burning his throat on the way down. His gut twisted like it was rotting. While something angrily claws at his ribcage, like it wanted to break in, to take something from him.

But something much bigger bears its fangs.

That’s mine.

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

Link wakes with a jolt, the after image of rows of teeth burned into his eyes and keeps his heart pounding for what feels like an eternity. His legs and arms; still numb, fumble as he struggles to get up, to get away from the silver monster. Clothing and bandages cling and pull at his skin. Soaked from blood or water, he doesn’t know. His ears begin ringing as the world around him becomes more stable, as his vision begins to clear. Luminous stone shines softly down from the ceiling, casting an eerie light upon the room and the figure sitting with their back against a door.

Sado! Link rushes to get his feet under him, but the water that had pooled beneath him cause Link to quickly fall and land painfully back onto the stone floor. Groaning and whimpering from the terrible reminder of how much suffering his body had already endured. And the agony he was still very much in.

“-ied to warn you.” They said softly, but what had been said before was completely missed. Was this about his rules? For his stupid game?

Slowly this time; not that his body would allow it any other way, Link sat up and braced himself against a wall. It was deathly silent now. Or perhaps it had only felt that way. As Link kept his eyes fixed on the motionless enemy and was allowed a moment to fully assess the situation. The illusion faded away and everything finally became clear. The Zora at the door wasn’t Sado, it was Bazz.

Link breathed a sigh of relief and began to relax, his plan had worked. Someone had found the Master Sword and led Bazz to his rescue. But before Link could say anything, he realized there was an awfully big commotion going on behind the door the black Zora rested against. He could hear shouting voices of many people and something being argued over, but was muffled by the door so he couldn’t make any of it out.

Bazz followed his gaze and glanced at the door with a mix of emotions, but when he looked back at Link, it was all resentment. “Want to know what they’re fighting over?” Bazz asked darkly, though did not wait for Link’s answer, his voice following was filled with venom and despair. “What they should do about Sidon. Most of them want to hand him over, a few just want him dead.”

The Hylian clenched his teeth in frustration, did they plan this too? Did they attack Link first on purpose, so that it would be one less obstacle in their way, and make an attack on Sidon easier? All for their sick goals, for taking control of Vah Ruta. [Damn those silver bastards!]

“Silver?” Bazz huffed in pitiful amusement and then pointed over his shoulder. “That isn’t the silver you hear; those are my own knights. And Rivan... well, Rivan is the only one standing between them and this door.”

As Link stared at him in bewilderment, Bazz only laughed. “What’s with the look? Did you think that we were being held here by Yanun’s people?” The Zora then spun something in his hands, it shimmered dully in the light and clinked roughly when the metal was grasped. “I’m the one with the keys.”

[Then why are we in here? Why is the Zora’s royal guard fighting over betraying their Prince!?] Link gestured angrily. [Why aren’t you doing anything about it!?] What on earth was happening, why was everything suddenly going straight to hell?

“Because they blame me for fucking everything up!” Bazz snapped and stood up abruptly. “I’m only one damn person, but I’m fucking trying, okay!? My distrust of Yanun and that freak, was a fucking joke to all of them, and now it suddenly fucking means something!? So, I’m to blame for not convincing them otherwise, for not stopping Sidon from bringing them to our home!? Screw all of you! I was wary of the silver Zora, but that doesn’t fucking mean I knew that they would turn against us! That they would kill King Dorephan!”

While the death of the king was likely the main source of disarray among the guard, it should be a strong driving force to unite them. Not drive them apart. [You’re not making any sense! Stop bickering over stupid things and fight back!]

“We can’t fight them!”

Link glared at him. [Why not!?]

“Because we can’t, we would only be throwing more lives away!”

[Do they have hostages? Are they threatening the Prince’s life, too!? Is that what your people are really arguing over!? Their loved ones’ lives or the Prince’s?]

“That’s not it at all! You’re not listening! They blame Sidon for bringing the silver here, that all this madness is his fault and that if not for him, none of this would have happened.”

[Have you all suddenly become cowards and children!?] Link couldn’t believe the petty excuse the Domain’s people were using as evidence against Sidon.

“Shut up! They think that way because of Sidon’s name, of what he is! Because the silver can all use lightning!! There’s literally nothing we can do, Link!” The man was shaking from the frustration and the fury that was tearing away at him. Bazz’s voice was even beginning to crack under the pressure, as if he was on the verge of tears. “If we get too close while in the water, their lightning stuns us. If we go at them on land and there is any amount of water between us, their lightning stuns us. If our weapons touch their bodies, their lightning stuns us... Do you understand now? Why we are so utterly and pathetically vulnerable. We can’t fight back.”

Link didn’t know what to say. What could he say to that? A Zora’s top weakness was electricity. Even the most resilient of them all; Bazz’s father, Seggin, could only barely hold a few shock arrows. Let alone be struck by one. Yet, if the silver Zora truly have the ability to not only withstand it, but to have it manifested within their bodies for use. It was a losing battle for the Domain.

[I’m sorry.] Was all Link could muster up. Here he had been lecturing Bazz and his knights about not fighting back, but was Link any better? Link had let his guard down; he truly had become overly confident and look at the mess it left him in. He was barely able to sit up and speak in hands. Even if he managed to force himself onto his feet, Link didn’t believe that he would have the strength to run, let alone fight.

There was tense silence between them now, Bazz was either refusing his apology or was insulted by it. Yet, he remained standing and kept his gaze fixed on Link. His sharp, golden eyes and his presence was starting to make the smaller man uncomfortable. It’s similar, but not the same. Wrong. Is the feeling that rings throughout his body. Wrong!

A frightfully familiar sensation begins to burn in his aching muscles as his heart begins to pick up speed. Stop. Link shook his head roughly and looked to the floor. Trying to shake off the urge to fight, to suppress the adrenaline rushing through his veins. He was getting sick of these sudden twists in his instincts, it was exhausting how fast and how often the stress for survival kept triggering.

Manhandling from M was odd of her, but something Link was used to and yet all he wanted to do was fight her, run from her. Harmless contact from a stranger like Kattan was something he shouldn’t have even cared about and yet all he had wanted to do was hurt her, kill her if he had too. And Bazz... before he had only touched his shoulder out of concern for him, but all Link had felt was danger. Even now, he feels as though the Zora is dangerous, a threat. His heart won’t stop hammering in his chest.

Nothing had happened for months, months! Yet, within less than forty-eight hours, Link was losing control, losing his mind. Had his condition really been that compromised by one small incident with Ingo? That Ingo’s actions and scent was all it took for his instincts to fluctuate wildly and perpetually struggle against his will.

Frustrated and frightened, as his thoughts and emotions continue to spiral. He just wants this to end, to get out of here, to feel safe in his own skin once more. Link claws angrily at his belly, at the source of his state. But he whimpers reflexively from the burst of pain, he had forgotten about the wounds left there by Sado.

“You did something similar before,” Bazz’s calm voice snaps Link out his torment and the Hylian yanks his hand away. “when you told Prince Sidon he was right.” The black Zora starts walking towards Link. “Just what was it, what did he know? What was so important that you couldn’t say openly and all before the silver made their move?”

Link struggles with himself; to resist backing away, to resist cowering, and make eye contact as the other stops before him. He knows what Bazz is asking. Yet, he can’t bring himself to answer. There’s a vice grip on his lungs and a strong sense of distrust weighing heavily on his body.

Link feels the smooth texture of the rib bone in his hand before he even realized he had reached for one that was attached to his garb. Subconsciously searching for anything that could be used to protect himself.

A sudden knock on the door startled them both, but neither one looks away. “Bazz. It’s me.” Came Rivan’s calm and serious tone. “Open the door.”

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

Bazz rested against a wall of the main room in the royal safehouse, bitter about this whole situation, but was feeling rather smug at the moment. As the other Zora couldn’t keep their emotions in line with him now present; glaring at him and grasping their weapons. Like he was the enemy. Though, Bazz supposed he was to these fools.

As the brown Zora returned carrying Link awkwardly in his arms, Bazz looked to him. “So, what is the verdict.”

Rivan sighed as he seats Link at the only table. “Well, with Master Link conscious, that has now changed.”

The uproar that followed had Rivan turning to shout over them, trying to regain control over the situation. But all Link could focus on was the markings on the man’s back. It hadn’t been noticeable under the low light of luminous stone, but in torchlight, the Hylian could see it clearly. Artwork; similar to the tapestry in Impa’s home, was painted across his brown scales. Even breaching into his white in harsh radical lines, almost like cracks in between scales, as though it couldn’t be contained. The overall colour of it was grey; with areas of blue and yellow, while the spiralling shapes could be fire or smoke.

It couldn’t be a tattoo. Link would have noticed it earlier, even as he rushed into the Domain. It also wasn’t like Rivan to have one.

Not thinking, Link reached out to touch what he believed could only be paint. But it did not smear nor did it feel any different. The artwork, however, came alive. Moving around chaotically, like a frightened animal.

Rivan flinches away from the contact and while he doesn’t voice it, the shifting of the artwork seems to cause him some pain. And unexpectedly, seeing the movement scares the other knights into silence. Grimacing, he asks Link. “Please, don’t do that. Just leave him be, he isn’t himself right now.”

[What, who? What’s happened to you?]

“Later, Master Link. I’ll explain later, after we’re out of this mess, I promise.”

Bazz isn’t the least bit bothered or surprised and continues on like nothing happened. “Well, what do these idiots want to do?” Ignoring the few that returned to glaring at him.

“They want to find Gaddison.” Rivan stated.

“What!?” Stepping away from the wall and now visibly angered, he turned on the knights. “Why have Gaddy be the priority over any other civilian? She isn’t a knight right now who has to focus on the protection of the people, she’s an expecting mother! Don’t drag her into this!”

One of the knights shouted back. “She’s involved just as much as any of us! And perhaps if you hadn’t failed at your role, we wouldn’t be in need of hers! You know the truth!”

Bazz groaned as they had come back around to this, again. “Let me make this perfectly clear to you younglings brought up by your parents misguided belief. My name means Truth Bringer, as in will bring forth truth! Not that I know all that is true!”

“You carry forth Queen Shiel’s words and knowledge of what is to come! Tell us everything, we have a right to know what the future holds! And don’t bother lying. We all heard you tell Rivan that it was on her orders to capture Sidon!” They spat out the name as if it was bitter on their tongue.

“Watch your mouth.” Rivan said harshly, but nothing else. Letting the room fall into silence.

But as Bazz met his friend’s eyes, he could tell that Rivan wasn’t on their side of things. Not entirely. Huffing in irritation, Bazz leaned back against the wall and crossed his arms. “Where do you stand in all this, why has Link become your focus now?”

“You’re dodging the question.” Rivan warned, not of his backlash, but of the others. Sidon hadn’t been the only one on the chopping block during the initial discussion.

“Answer mine and I’ll be more inclined to speak.”

“Fine. While I do not disagree with the idea that now is the promised time that Queen Shiel had wanted us chosen to prepare for. I believe that it is far too early to be grasping at hope, at Gaddison. For all we know her role could be elsewhere.” He paused for a moment, glancing at the tattoo that was still in the process of settling back down. “And despite the horror I experienced at this sudden reveal. I do not envy the weight upon your shoulders. I trust that whatever knowledge you may have, you know when to share it. Just as our Queen did before. I trust you, Bazz.”

“My answer,” Bazz began, turning to the one that had demanded it. “I choose to say nothing.”

“You can’t be-!” The knight began, but Rivan was quick to silence them.

“Enough, all of you!! You turned to me the moment I arrived, trusted me to listen to you, to remove Bazz of command and make the right decisions. Which Bazz surrendered without a fight, might I remind all of you. So, hold your tongues! I’ve made my choice.” He scowled and dared anyone to challenge him. Confident that they wouldn’t, not for as long as they saw him as a place of safety. For they were in a state of panic, grasping desperately at any logic or reason their home had succumb to darkness once more.

Who to blame. Who to trust. They have lost faith in Bazz who was to be their truth, lost Gaddison who was to be their hope. Leaving only Rivan who is to be their refuge.

Blinded and deaf to what they once knew and believed in.

Something Rivan had a feeling could be healed with time.

“I know you want Gaddison.” The brown said softer, he sympathized with their fear of the silver and the sheer helplessness of it all. “But, there is one hope that is with us and one I will never stop believing in.” Rivan then turned to Link. “And that is you, my friend.”

“Don’t you dare go asking Link to fight.” Bazz piped up in rage before Link could even raise a hand to speak.

“I’m not.” He said to Bazz calmly and then again to Link. “I’m not. What I am asking, is will you be our hope once more. As the stand in Captain of the Royal Zora guard, I ask for your aid in leadership, Master Link. What do you believe is the right course of action?”

With a fierce gaze, Link does not hesitate. [We must escape for now and the Prince comes with us.]

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

Without the Sheikah slate, the Master Sword or even any armour, Link was already feeling bare. But for the Zora knights, they were about to be. Since they could not fight, armour and weapons would only slow them down. It had been during this time of preparation that Link learned that the Domain’s supply of bows had either been destroyed or was in use by the silver. Yet another disadvantage pitted against them.

But when the escape plan from the safehouse; located within the Ruto Precipice, was gone over, Link turned to Rivan with worry. Setting the now empty spicy elixir as side, he spoke. [The Prince is here, right?] With the idea of turning against Sidon dismissed, it wasn’t like they had to keep him locked in another room. [Is he badly injured?] That had to be the reason why he wasn’t with them now.

Rivan frowned as he set the last of his equipment aside. “He is injured, but I do not know the extent of it. Or how much more he gained after leaving you in Bazz's care.”

[Can you take me to him?] He requested and used the table as a brace to get up from the chair. His legs were as wobbly as a newborn foal. But Link had to see him, he had to make sure Sidon was going to be okay.

“No time for that.” Bazz stated and dropped to his knees to help lift the Hylian onto his back. Link gave a grunt of displeasure, both from his wounds being jostled and being cut off. The tension he felt towards the man hadn’t fully gone away just yet, but Bazz had insisted that he had to be the one to carry Link, do to still being under the affect. What ‘affect’ the Zora didn’t answer. “Just trust me when I say that Rivan has got him, so let’s hightail it out of here before we lose our cover.”

The cover Bazz spoke of, was a howling blizzard. Due to Link not having gills, they had to use the top exit. The flooded tunnels were far too long to even risk holding his breath.

“See you at Mercay Island.” Was the last thing the Bazz said before hurrying towards the small stairway. Time wasn’t on their side after all.

It was a short climb up, but the higher they went the less luminous stone there was and when Bazz reached the end, there was only dim light behind them. Pushing open the secret passage, all Link could see ahead was pitch black. He could feel the strong wind of the storm and the thick flakes melting on his skin, but as Bazz stepped out and shut the passage. It was nothing but a void.

Link hadn’t experience darkness like this in a long time, with little protection from elements and enemies. Frightening memories started to pop up and his stressed mind playing with his senses only made things worse. He hugged Bazz tighter and was grateful that the man was with him, despite his body’s protest.

A few minutes later, Bazz had made his way down to the riverbank and waded out to his hips before dropping in to start swimming. Bazz focused on making the ride as smooth as possible for Link, but was greatly caught off guard when someone snatched his ankle. He didn’t even get a split moment to react before electricity shoots through him. A silver!

Twitching and stunned, Bazz can’t even keep himself afloat and begins to sink, while Link has no choice but to hold on. Then his attacker breaches the surface with a grin and holds him up. “To think, being one of the few to get the boring job and I snag not only a souse thief, but the one Priestess hates the most. She’ll reward me for such a gift brought to her alive.”

Bazz believed that they had more to say, but an odd sound made them pause. As it got a bit louder, a heavy and slow beat, like a large flag in the wind, the silver then shot their gaze to the sky in terror. “They followed us!?” Before they hastily released their captive and dived back towards the domain. But they were too slow and a chunk of the night sky plummets for them, creating a massive tidal wave sends Bazz and Link rushing down river.

“Holy Hylia, what is that!?” Bazz hollers as he scrambles, his swimming is sloppy has his body has yet to fully recover. But as the horrified death cries of the silver become muffled in the thrashing waters and when the silence quickly settles in, Bazz’s own fear only continues to climb. He does not look back at whatever nightmare sends a silver running from sound alone.

Though his heart seizes as the beating noise is above him in seconds, the river plunges around them; forced down only for Bazz to feel something powerful coil around his arms and to be wrenched from the water. It happened so fast, even Bazz is gasping for air as the river falls farther and farther from his dangling feet. “Oh, gods! Oh, Hylia!” He feels Link’s grip failing and quickly tries to help the Hylian hold on.

But they are not given any sort of time to even figure out what to do next before the creature is suddenly diving for Oren Bridge. The sudden sight of the ground rushing up to meet them has Bazz panicking. “Brace yourself, Link!”

Link musters up enough strength to hold to Bazz tightly just as rapid blasts of icy wind whips around them with thunderous flapping. They are then dropped a few inches from the surface of the bridge, but Bazz is unable to land on his feet. Collapsing, his body won’t stop shaking and when he hears the clicking of stone, he rolls over. To face the threat and to shield his friend.

This creature’s appearance is brought to light from the lanterns; darkly feathered all over while their red face, beak, four limbs armed with six inch talons standout. It looks like a bird, a Rito, only with monstrous proportions. It’s the size of Sidon! Bazz flinches as it takes one step forward, yet it pauses and tilts their head at him. Then it speaks. “Short-tail know Sharp-ear.”

“Sharp-ear?” Bazz whispered and was hesitant to look back at Link. They’ve met before? From the scowl on Link’s face, he took that as a yes. But not on friendly terms.

Though the bird continued with an amused scoff. “Fooled!” Then they stepped up onto the railing and hopped along it like a sparrow till they were next to the pair. Then they leaned in, till their sharp beak was right in Link’s face. “Safe now. Short-tail hunting.” Then they leaped over to the other railing, the one facing towards Zora’s Domain.

They both turn to follow the bird and then they regret it almost immediately. In this frozen darkness, not all the ice is what it seems. It was blood and there were bodies draped all along the railing.

Silver Zora.

And Hylian knights.

"See?” The bird clicked their beak as they ripped a letter from a dead Zora’s clutch and tossed it in front of Bazz. While the contents were ruined, the wax seal was intact and Link recognized it immediately. The insignia was the very same one from the waterskin, the very same that was on the red banners in the quarantine camp. As Link looked back up at the beast, it smiled. “Fooled.”

As much as Link hated it, the bird was right and Link isn't even certain if the castle would be a safe place to go anymore. The silver and the one running the camp were conversing directly, but just how deeply connected were they? What now? Was there anywhere safe left to go?

“Want truth?” They grabbed at something through their feathers and lifted it over their head before tossing it at Link. Which Link nearly missed and looking it over, it was a large gold pendant. One with the Triforce and with only the top triangle represented with a ruby, leaving the bottom two simply as gold designs.

“He know, find desert.”

<<–Previous Chapter-^-Next Chapter–>>

#SidLink #a/b/o verse #Mpreg #Primal FF #Written Work #Rated M #Rated R

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g00d1uckch4rm · 3 years

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-_- Nothing more annoying than finding out that my word count is not accurate when trying to stay with in a limit.

Apparently “ ” ҉ ~ [ ] , . ? ! are individual words, who knew...

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g00d1uckch4rm · 3 years

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Probably a little late to say this, but Primal’s version of Zora’s Domain is closer to the concept art of BOTW. Not that it’s important, but I thought I’d share. :3

Like this, but still high above the surface like in the game. ^^^ Even the bridges are still the same to get in and out.

Having an enclosed Palace with actual rooms and such is better suited for functionality as an actual place. Barebones works great for games where such things aren’t important XD

The first image on this page is what I used for my inspiration for the underwater dwellings or dorms. They’re carved into the cliffs surrounding the lake of the Palace.

The image on the bottom left is pretty close to what the halls look like inside the Palace (Just the walls aren’t lumpy cavern walls)

#Primal FF

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g00d1uckch4rm · 3 years

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As per suggestion a Wattpad account as been made.

For those of you that would prefer a different account, I have just finished making a FanFiction.Net account so here is a link.

If there are other sites that would be preferable, let me know and look into making an account there as well.

#Announcement

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g00d1uckch4rm · 3 years

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Results of Primal’s re-write, part 2 (last and the longest...)

The following chapters have been updated, not re-posted. For navigation, see the tab labelled Fic: Primal.

Chapter 10... is pretty much 90% new content. I am so SO sorry dear readers, for the past and that cringe filled chapter. I hated it then and I STILL posted it.

Like, it was this^^^^^ bad even having to look at it these past weeks and to find what was salvageable.

The point is, 10 isn’t a nightmare to read now and I hope that it is at least enjoyable (cuz it’s still a rather grey chapter, summing up that “it happened“ and some Alpha Zora stuff.) I recommend a re-read for this one, just like 9, but there are no changes that would affect the main plot line so you can skip re-reading it.

Chapters 11 through 13 are much like 1 - 7, minimal changes. Fixed a lot of missing words or wrong use of words and cut like a sentence or three. Hardly noticeable and won’t matter if you re-read it or not.

Chapter 14 has some cuts made. Mainly my pitiful attempts to be mysterious and far more clever than I am actually capable of in my current skill level. I need more exp before I try my hand at riddles and prophecies. I was just giving myself and you readers a headache. So I’ve opted to add in a far more important “information” that I had originally for a much, much later chapter and honestly I like it here better. (also I was able to use preexisting characters and got to cut like six extras? So win-win, really) I recommend a re-read for this one as well.

However, some of you may notice that there is a large section with Sidon and another with Farosh missing. They have been moved up to chapter 15 due to the sheer length of 14 being over 14k, even after cuts (16.5k before...).

I’ve noticed that older (before 6-8k) to newer (recent 13k++) chapter word counts have gotten completely out of control, so I’ve decided to make myself a restriction of 10k to 12k MAX. Like the chapter would REALLY need it if go over 10k. But doing this and giving myself the restriction will have me focus on what really matters and in theory, I should update more often and faster.

Overall; with the cuts and the adjustments made, I hope the flow and development of the story will be for the better. I truly hope that current and future readers alike, will enjoy the story in it’s re-written form and for what is to come.

As for the original 32 chapter outline, I’m going to try and aim for 30 (less if possible. 25 would be ideal). Cutting unnecessary, or rather unneeded, points that I had planned for much later chapters.

And as such, I am marking chapter 15 as the official climax of Primal.

With the changes now made, I can continue from where I was stuck at the start of the year. And while I barely made the deadline for all this, know that it shouldn’t be long for 15 as more than half the chapter had already been written and is currently sitting at a 9k word count.

❀ Thank you all for your patience, understanding and support ❀ Take care everyone and I’ll see you in the new year ❀

#Announcement

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g00d1uckch4rm · 3 years

Photo

What some artwork of Prima done by the Silver Zora would look like.

Only two colours allowed. Black and RED. Probably done in oil paint.

#Art #My Art #Primal FF #I forgot that I had this... ops.

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g00d1uckch4rm · 3 years

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Results of Primal’s re-write, part 1

The following chapters have been updated, not re-posted. For navigation, see the tab labelled Fic: Primal.

Chapters 1-7 have minimal changes. Cut a paragraph or more that wasn’t needed or re-did a few lines. Overall, unnoticeable to most and not important in the grand scheme of things.

Chapter 8 however is where the major changes begin. 8 itself has gotten a section originally from the start ch 9, now in proper order rather than as a badly placed flashback. Along with a few tweaks here and there to help the flow and to get the SidLink love boat moving a little earlier. Chapter 9 has gotten a lot of work done, like half the chapter has been replaced and I ended up adding 4k+ to the word count. Little less angst and a whole lot more fluff and awkward love. This one I would recommend a re-read.

That’s all for now, I’ll do my best to be swift with the rest and to keep you all up to date. There is a section on the left side of the blog that has my update progress posted if you’re ever curious as to where I’m at and if you have any questions send me an ask/message. Take care everyone :)

#Announcement

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g00d1uckch4rm · 3 years

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Art update for Short-tail. Just the sketches for now, hope you guys like them.

(Short-tail glaring at Link as he pins Sidon)

How big Short-tail(white) is compared to the average Rito(grey)

#Art #My Art #Primal FF #OC #Short-tail

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g00d1uckch4rm · 3 years

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A little note I use as a quick visual ref for Sidon and his height differences with other characters. (and just in case I’m confusing anyone)

Right to left Link (Yanun is like the same size as him), Sado, Sidon, Short-tail, Rito person. And Dorephan in the back.

#Art #My Art #Primal FF #OC #Sado #Short-tail

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g00d1uckch4rm · 3 years

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For those of you that would prefer a different account, I have just finished making a FanFiction.Net account so here is a link.

If there are other sites that would be preferable, let me know and look into making an account there as well.

#Announcement

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g00d1uckch4rm · 3 years

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Chasing The Sun

Chapter 2: Set Sail

Summary/Info Rated M ____________________________________________________

AN: no measurement or comparison is given for much of the ships. I’m guessing and just going with it, it’s not important enough to make statistics of fictional ships. I don’t know shit about sailing either. So it’s just whatever sounds good and if I have to look something up, I will. But not a concern if I’m wrong. ____________________________________________________

-Introduction to Type Dynamics- (Continued...)

Type A Dynamic Also referred to as Type A or simply A Twenty-two percent probability

The function of one's gonads is the production of sperm, no matter the body appearance. Type A have a particular sense of smell and very rarely have a sexual drive outside of a Rut (See: ER Period). It is not unusual for one to have a territory and keep others out, whether they themselves are aware of it. Depending on the person, it could be a favourite chair, their home, a small village, etc. People of this Type may also have a harder time living together, as an overabundance of similar pheromones and closely timed Ruts will cause instinctual rivalry and potentially hostile actions.

It is a misconception that Type A females have or had a penis. They do, however, lack a womb and are incapable of becoming pregnant.

Type B Dynamic Also referred to as Type B or simply B Fifty-six percent probability

There are two variations, but the key factor of Type B is the lack of both (P)heromones and (S)ensitivity (See: WISP Score). For males, the function of their gonads is the production of sperm. For females, they have a womb capable of carrying children and the function of their gonads is the production of eggs. Typically, there are no territory issues and have an easier time living with others regardless of Type.

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

Brunch was when the Straw-Hat crew; with the addition of Law, got together to discuss preparations. A few were still half sleep, but they were doing their best to at least pay attention. Nami and Franky were assigning tasks, while Sanji handed out servings.

The departure from Wano would be in about a week, earlier if possible. The storm they stirred up was far from over and last thing this freshly liberated country needed was more conflict. It was in the best interest of everyone that the pirates moved on, even if it was sad to see them go so soon.

"I've got a few, light modifications to tend to with Sunny," Franky informed Usopp. "but I should be done by the time you're about ready to load up the restock. I'll be there for the heavy lifting for sure though."

"That's fine, and if you're still busy, I'll do a double check to make sure we're not missing anything." Usopp offered and earned a thumbs-up from the cyborg.

"I could do with some heavy lifting." Zoro made an attempt to help and keep up his routine.

Chopper; who had been nodding off, suddenly snapped fully awake. "You could do with some rest!!" He shouted and angrily shook his hoof at the swordsman. "How many times do I have to tell you!? You're not to do any strenuous activity! You so much as pop a stitch or pick at a bandage, I'll strap you to a stretcher for the duration of your recovery! You hear me!?"

Zoro gave a mild grimace, the tiny deer was hardly ever threatening. But as annoying as it was, Chopper almost always got his way.

"Robin," Nami began next, looking to the other woman of the group. "you okay with lending Chopper a hand?"

"Of course." She said with a smile and cast a glance at the swordsman, though Zoro could see the warning in her eyes. He scoffed under his breath and bitterly gave into silent defeat.

Chopper added in a word of thanks. But was innocently unaware of what truly transpired.

The doctor would have his hooves full for a good part of the week continuing with treatment. Along with all the other available doctors. So, he was preparing a list of supplies. Mainly herbs and different medical dressings. Having Robin being the one to take care of these things would be a huge help.

"Which leaves Brook and Jinbei," Franky then did some finger snapping back n' forth between the skeleton and fishman. Which was almost dance-like, as the pair sat across from each other. The action was likely done for that very purpose, given that Franky had the most energy this morning. "you bro's cool with running errands for Sanji?"

The mere thought that helping Sanji with shopping and gathering could possibly mean snacks, had Luffy jumping at the opportunity. "I want to go, too!" Raising his hand with great enthusiasm, but in the process also knocked over the man resting against him. "Ah, sorry, Torao."

"Ya, no." Sanji scoffed as he turned Luffy down, ignoring any sort of pout sent his way. "You already have your job, keeping the two of you fools out of trouble and focused on recovery."

Law grumbled in reply, batting away the younger captain's hand when they tried to help as he slowly sat back up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "That's what I get for," He began mumbling bitterly, but paused when Luffy carefully placed the spotted hat back on his head. "... thanks."

The rest of the crew carried on with their discussion, trailing off into casual chatter and enjoying their meal. Jinbei however, ate in silence and pretended to engaged with everyone else. Though, truth be told, he had been keeping an eye on the pair the moment they had entered the room. He wasn't sure if it was just curiosity or concern. The situation from early this morning and the addition of what was happening over brunch. It felt... off.

Law was back to resting his head on Luffy's shoulder as he began to doze off again. At which, Luffy smiled and then nudged Law's untouched plate towards him. Law simply stared at it with tired eyes for a moment before Luffy spoke up. "Common, eat." With a barely audible 'fine', Law begrudgingly picked up the utensil and gingerly ate.

Yesterday, Law had been unapproachable by anyone, unable to sit still and seemingly in a deep state of torment. Today, Luffy remained at his side, patient and accommodating everything with a smile. To say it was strange would be a vast understatement. Perhaps his captain had taken it too seriously or too literally when Jinbei had asked to make sure Law was alright.

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

However, over the course of the next three days, Jinbei came to realize that none of the other Straw-Hats acted as though this was out of the ordinary. He didn't know how the Heart crew was taking it as they were all far too busy with their medical work and Law never left the house. Neither did Luffy for that matter. Which was a good thing, in a way, they both needed to rest and let their wounds heal.

Yet at any point that Jinbei saw them, they were always together. Curled up together for a nap. Having light conversations while they sat next to each other. Sharing meals. There didn't seem to be any building irritation or fights breaking out either. Jinbei doubted that any of this odd behaviour from either of them was even close to normal.

Though, what he was doing was pretty abnormal too. Here Jinbei was spying on his captain for no particular reason and he had to admit this had become ridiculous. An odd friendship, more than friends, forcibly stuck together? Whatever it might possibly be, he refused to question it any more. It is what it is, he accepted.

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

It was hours before sunrise, before breakfast, but Brook had woken all the Straw-Hats up in song. With a fully amped electric guitar and timed pinch harmonics no less. Yes, the wakeup call had been requested, however not to that extent. While Luffy and Franky thought it was awesome, everyone else had mixed feelings of how to kill someone that was already dead. Though Jinbei just found it to be a very weird way to start the day.

The crew began to grab the last of their belongings and supplies to take to the ship. Those that were done sooner, went on ahead and slowly, quietly made their way out of the building. Outside was still dark and not a soul on street, surprisingly Brook hadn't disturbed anyone else. That. Or the town had gotten use to all the noise. Either way, it was the goal, to set out without an announcement or large gathering. Only a few people needed to know that they were leaving today and they had already given all their farewells yesterday.

First light of the twilight hour began just as some of the crew made the long walk from town to the shore. Upon arriving, Nami was quick to begin barking out preparations to Usopp, Brook, Zoro and Robin as they got the ship sail ready. Thirty minutes later the shipwright and helmsman arrive pulling an ox cart. Jinbei began helping Franky with the last-minute loading, tossing large crates from the dock up to the cyborg on deck.

While Luffy showed up not long after with Otama on his shoulders. Not unexpected, given her attachment to him. But nothing needed to be said to the captain, he wouldn't let her come along no matter how much she begged. He would, however, spend whatever time was left at the foot of the pier with her, sharing hugs and promises to see each other again someday.

Finally, the last of crew arrived at the docks. Chopper; approaching the ship with Sanji in tow, called out to the rest of the crew. "Anyone seen Zoro?"

"Ya, he's passed out on the deck!" Usopp shouted with annoyance from high atop the foremast.

"You sure its not a bump in the lawn." The cook remarked.

But, unexpectedly, there was one last person to show up. And it didn't seem like it was for a last minute goodbye. "TO-NI-YA!" Law enunciated loudly, storming towards the dock with a sinister expression. The reindeer squeaked and quickly hid behind Sanji's legs in fear. Though it was useless as it only took one swift gesture to utilize his ability, "ROOM." and then forced Chopper to come to him with a simple Shambles.

Chopper flailed and screamed in horror as the man now held him up by the antlers. "We're going to have a nice, quick chat. Doctor to doctor. About exploiting your patients in high risk situations for therapeutic treatment!!"

"Ah-uh!? Wha? I-I didn't–" The young doctor stammered and tried to figure out what or who Law was talking about.

"Oi!" Sanji quickly came to his comrade's defence, stomping his foot in warning. "You ungrateful brat, don't think I won't kick your injured ass-!"

"Well, that's fine." Luffy said with indifference, cutting Sanji off as he stood up from the edge of the pier. Patting Otama's head and walked past by the two doctors. "Don't take too long. Oh, and Torao since you'll be heading back to town, could you make sure that Tama arrives safely?"

"L-luffy! Help me!" Chopper reached out towards his captain.

"Hm, with what?" He paused, resting his hands behind his head as he turned towards them. "You two are just going to talk."

Sanji came up next to the shorter man and spoke with a heavy tone, like when he was reminding someone to be careful. "Luffy."

"It's fine." Luffy countered with a smile and reassured his crew-mate. "Torao probably just has questions about his first time."

Both Law and Sanji immediately flushed while they yelled at the top of their lungs. "DON'T SAY IT LIKE THAT!!"

To further humiliation and chaos, Franky wolf whistled from over the railing of Sunny. "Ow! Congratulations, man!!" Everyone onboard; including Zoro whom had been sleeping, burst into a fit of laughter. Though, Luffy scowled at them in disapproval and their amusement eventually tittered off into soft chuckles.

As pissed off as he was, Law knew it was a losing battle, the shipwright was likely ready to perverse anything he could say clarify the conversation. So, he didn't bother and let it go. "Real fuckin' mature." He said with an irritated groan and flipped him off. "Just you wait, when our paths cross again, you'll be the first to die."

"Pift, ya right!" Franky shook his head. "We're allies remember?"

"That alliance ended when Kaido fell." Law smirked confidently.

"Pretty sure you've said that before," Franky insisted as he lifted his shades to give the doctor a wink. "then came back for more."

Law was visibly cringing, both in disgust from the perv's implication and irritation from the fact that he wasn't technically wrong. Dressrosa and Zou, he had tried to call it off so many times.

"Franky." Was all Luffy had to say as a light warning and the cyborg frowned before returning to his task. Addressing the fellow captain, Luffy was back to his cheerful self. "Sorry, Torao, everyone is so use to it they forget-"

"Doesn't matter." Law interrupted him sharply and turned to walk away.

"Law." Surprised from the use of his actual name, he looked back, locking eyes with the young man. "I'll see you later, take care, alright?"

"Ya." Was all he could say a first, till the tension finally left his shoulders. This was likely the last time they would see each other for a long time. It hadn't really sunk in till this moment. But, there was a part of him that came to realize that he was going to miss Mugiwara-ya, even if it was just a little bit. "Ya... you too, Luffy." Law blamed it all on his dynamic.

Then he turned his attention back to the tiny deer still in hand, making sure to convey how dead serious he was about making this quick. "Let's hope you have the capacity to be somewhat fucking professional, Dr. Tony. Let's start with what the hell is Hypo-Prism?"

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

With the Sunny out of Wano's ocean boarders and sunrise brightening the sky, Nami gave an all clear for smooth weather. At least for the time being, it was the grand line after all. But not a moment later, Franky quickly stole the helmsman from his post. "Come on, I've already asked Brook to cover for ya!"

It was time to begin the promised tour from top to bottom. The living quarters was skip till the end and the two giants of the crew made their way down to the lawn deck. Franky pointed out their destination with a colossal hand. "We'll start at the stern, it will be a little bit of up and down, but we'll eventually make our way below deck."

"I am eager to see it all." Jinbei said with a smile.

When they made their way up the quarterdeck, the shipwright showed him the tank hatch on the starboard side. Out of all the others, this is the only one that had been modified and Franky opened it to showcase. "Made this one's access bigger in the end, never know what the guys will fish up. But you're still welcome to use it if ya want."

It was still strange to have tank on a ship, even more so with the sheer size of this one. From the hatch Jinbei could see fish swimming about and judging by the dark tint of the sand bottom, it was fairly deep too. "How big is the aquarium?"

"Mmm." Franky mussed and properly shut the panel. "About fifty-thousand gallons? Give or take a few quarters."

"F-fifty!?" He sputtered in shock and quickly did the math in his head. "That's like, five-hundred-thousand pounds! Having that much weight on the aft is cause for drag."

"Eh, probably more around fifty-one-hundred thou' with all the stuff in there. And just who do take me for?" Franky found the helmsman's concern to be more humorous than insulting and chuckled. "Sunny is perfectly balanced and can carry twice their weight before submersion would even be a problem."

Jinbei was already dreading the future situations where fifty-one-hundred-thousand pounds lighter might mean life or death. Being a carrack was already a disadvantage in speed and mobility to most ships, second to only a galleon. Not even touching the rare monstrosities that could hardly be called a sea vessel anymore. Mobile castles or islands was more like it. "Is it even necessary?"

"Of course it is! Now, were heading up from here." Leading the way around to the entrance of the observation tower and beyond the doorway was a ladder. It was a rather short climb to the hatch, which was given a light knock in warning to anyone that might be on the other side.

"The 'brains of the Sunny', as Nami likes to call it." Franky gestured to the circular library. "Everyone stores their books here. Well, everyone except for Luffy. So, feel free to do so as well if you ever pick up anything as we go."

As Jinbei was taking a moment to scan the room; noting the sea charts at the desk and the fair collection of numerous types of literature, Franky was opening the door. "This area is were some of the crew like to garden." Franky explained as they walked onto one of the upper decks. "Though, the only key thing to keep in mind here is the orange trees are Nami's territory."

"One too many people have tried to take the fruit in the past, I take it?"

Franky laughed and made his way back to the ladder. "They only try it once. Anyways, one more floor up and that will be all for the tower, then it's back down."

The tour of the bathhouse was very quick, though quite impressive for a ship to have such a land-based luxury. Though, it wasn't something that the fishman was going to partake in. Fishfolk had other means of grooming and upkeep that didn't require unpleasant things like soap. Relaxing in hot water was about as sensible as humans; and other land races, got when it came to their torturous task they dubbed as 'bathing'.

Next; after returning to quarterdeck of the stern, they entered the infirmary. The doctor was working on a file when he turned and greeted them.

"This is obviously the Doc's workplace, a permanent territory free space." It was a tiny space with a desk, a few shelves and a sickbed, but felt even smaller with the two large men squished inside. With a quick look around, Franky then addressed Chopper. "Though, might have to see about remodelling to give you more room to work. This place is too small for even one of us big boys."

Chopper let out a relieved sigh as if he had been waiting for good news. "Please, do. If it's not too much trouble... One bed has been one too few for a long time."

"Why didn't you say so sooner?" Franky enquired with a frown.

"Um, well." Chopper hesitated as guilt weighed down on him. "I didn't want to sound ungrateful o-or insult all your hard work."

"Nonsense." He dismissed the others misplaced worry with a wave. "I'll get some drafts drawn up and talk more in detail later. Gotta finish the tour first."

"Oh! Okay, thank you, Franky!" Chopper was already becoming excited for the bigger infirmary. With how reckless most of the crew was and not to mention the tough battles to come, a more reasonable sized medical centre was going to be needed. Perhaps he could even consult Nami about a budget for additional equipment.

However, just as the two were crossing through the back door into the kitchen, Chopper remembered something important. "Jinbei?"

"Yes, Dr. Tony?" He replied as turned back to his tiny crew-mate.

"When you're done, could you come find me? I'd like to build your medical file."

"Certainly."

Continuing on the dining room and kitchen, where the cook was finishing his prep work for breakfast. Franky began again. "So, pretty straight forward in here, not much to say other than Sanji's territory starts-"

"What the hell, Franky!?" Sanji jumped in, foregoing his original focus once the cyborg just started freely talking about sensitive information. "Why are you just calling me out like that!?"

"I'm just trying to be helpful, gez, why are you so mad about it? Everyone else knows."

"That's not the point-! Uhg, fuck it!" He growled and then glared at Jinbei. "Everywhere the tile touches, stay out unless I say so and we won't have any problems. Got it?"

While Jinbei was bewildered over what the fuss was about, he knew it was unwise to question the cook further on the matter. So, he just nodded his head politely and agreed to the terms with no problems. "I understand, Sanji."

"Good, now, leave me alone so I can cook in peace." He bitterly said as he jutted a thumb towards the door, the tour in here was over. "I'll call when food is ready."

Exiting the kitchen, the door was slammed behind them. "Tch, touchy today and it ain't even that time of the month." Franky grumbled and made his way back to the main deck, suppressing the urge to kick the grass in spite. First Luffy pulling the alpha card on him and now Sanji was already acting like his rank was threatened. Though... to be fair, Franky know he was in the wrong with all the teasing he gave Law about his time with Luffy.

"If it's not stepping over any bounds." Jinbei spoke up, still confused by what happened. Enough that he dared to ask. "Why was Sanji so bothered about his area being discussed?"

"Eh. I don't really get it either." Franky paused, looking up at the sails as he spoke. "I mean, I get it, I wouldn't be happy if I found someone in my workshop without permission. But Sanji; and I guess mostly everyone else, is on a different level about it. Maybe it's because I don't care if others talk about me and all my preferences, that I don't fully understand the desire to keep it to myself?" He then sighed and shook his head. "I don't know how to explain it, man. But, I figured I was saving everyone the fuss by telling you where anyone has an area claimed. Ya know, being a good packmate an' all that, rather than letting it get to them and explode on you later."

Particularities amongst the crew; even if seemed to be about something of little importance, that was something Jinbei could understand. He was familiar with the Sun crew and some of theirs. "Well, know that I appreciate it." Though his expression retained his usual seriousness, his voice softened to show his gratitude. "I certainly wouldn't want to cause any problems as I get acquainted with the crew."

That helped him to perk back up. "Then, if anyone asks, you figured it out on your own. Deal?"

"Deal."

And they shook on it. However, re-experiencing the strength in the fishman's handshake made the cyborg remember something he wanted to try. Keeping his grip on the other's hand, Franky was fully pumped back up. "Can we arm-wrestle!?"

Taken back by the sheer randomness, Jinbei awkwardly leaned away. Unsure of how to remove his hand without coming off as rude. "Uh, shouldn't we finish the tour?"

Quickly letting go and giving a snap of finger-guns, "Oh, right! We'll do that later then." Franky got back on track.

Before Jinbei could say anything more on the matter, the human was back to providing information about the Sunny. Resuming with the sails. Including little details like the exact size of each sail, which was automated and what was manual. Having a ship with parts that responded to a control system was fascinating. And honestly, Jinbei liked that he had more precise control over the Sunny.

For the bar, it was a very quick showing. Since the tank had already been discussed, there wasn't really anything that Jinbei felt like he needed to keep in mind. It was mostly a place to relax and drink.

Climbing up main mast to the crow's nest and to find that it was also a training room was very, very unexpected. While Jinbei didn't voice it, he believed that it would be a better fit if it was swapped with the library. After all, having a place to tidy up next door after training would rather nice.

Now, going below deck, this is where Franky bombarded the helmsman with information on the whole Soldier Dock System. Clearly the cyborg's pride and joy, as he was quite passionate about all the additional vessels that he had built for both weaponry and to make certain tasks easier for the whole crew. Jinbei spent a fair amount of time listening quietly, but intently, even though he didn't have any use for these mechanical contraptions.

Eventually, Franky had them move on. Going over the storage room, where and what supplies they had. It was still bizarre to know that the man had somehow managed to power everything; including his own body, with cola. The energy room that gave the Sunny its incredible powerful blasts was no different.

The workshop area and territory is split between Franky and Usopp. Pretty easy to tell which side is who's. Franky had grinned as he jutted his thumb at the sniper's sign on the wall.

With only the bow left, Franky got a strange grin as he led the way back up on deck. "Now, it's time for the surprise."

Surprise? Most of the Sunny had been a surprise, what could the shipwright have planned?

Upon entering the first level of the bow, Jinbei realized it was the men's sleeping quarters. But he didn't get a moment to completely take in the room as his guide took off.

"I call top!" Franky said with great child-like excitement and swiftly hoisted himself up onto a very large wooden, naval cot. He then posed like he had been waiting for the other to arrive. "I finally had a reason to make a set for big boys."

Jinbei observed that this bunk was indeed far larger than the other four sets. Though, with how small they were, he wondered if Franky even slept in here before this. Or just crashed on the floor. Well, even if it worked out in the man's favour, Jinbei was still grateful for the accommodation.

"The bottom suits me fine." Having to climb into bed felt inconvenient and Jinbei honestly didn't see the appeal of sleeping so high up.

"Sweet," Then as he hopped back down, he had a mischievous grin. "so, ready to see the ladies' quarters?"

"I doubt that is necessary." Jinbei replied uninterested and then took a moment to inspect his new living situation. Left to the large bunks was a sunken table, the crew's wanted posters scattered over the wall and lockers to the back. Some more worn than others; rough, repeated use left the door littered with scrapes. Upon closer inspection he noticed that instead of names, there was simple images scratched into the metal surface. A swirl, music note, slingshot, sword, straw-hat, an X, hammer and a handwheel.

"You... alright, bro?" Franky broke the silence that had settled between them.

The fishman turned to the human. "Pardon?"

"Are you normally this serious or is it because you have yet to settle in?" To be fair they hadn't really had a casual conversation since the night of the festival. Then everyone became busy with preparations. But the man didn't take the bait when Franky brought up the girls' room. Jinbei didn't get flustered or disgusted by the idea, heck he didn't even bat an eye at it.

"I'm afraid that I don't follow. If this is in correlation to the tour, I only spoke if I had questions as I was focused on learning what you had to show me."

"Hm." Perhaps he's a bit like Robin? Franky thought, but let it go. "Eh, don't worry about it. If you have any questions later on, let me know. And don't worry about gettn' back to the helm right away, get settled in, unpack."

"That can wait till later." Not that he had brought much with him to Wano to being with. "I wouldn't want to trouble Brook with my duties."

From the other side of the ship, they heard Sanji call everyone in. It was perfect timing and Franky adjusted his sunglasses before rushing out the door. "Fight 's on!" He cheered.

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

The Den-den-mushi was already on its sixth ring and the reindeer's stress was climbing by the second. Chopper decided that waiting for him to pick up was much, much worse than dialing the number that was meant for emergencies. And it hadn't been easy getting the contact information either.

Just as Chopper was about ready to give up on the idea and hang up, then the sail's eyes popped open. Only for the snail's expression quickly sour into a scowl, he gave a small yelp and nearly dropped the mic. "I-uh... T-this is Ch-"

"It hasn't even been half a day, Tony-ya!" Law snapped and then growled with annoyance. "Mugiwara-ya better be dead."

"Ah, ya, I know." Chopper said in defeat, unable to look at the snail. "I'm sorry and everyone is fine, I just wanted to ask-"

"I'm hanging up, now," Law cut him off. "and don't expect this number to work next time."

Doing a full one-eighty from timid to bold, he yells into the mic. "Would you just let me finish!? No, it's not an emergency, but it is still very important!"

"What is it." He demanded, if it wasn't worth the call, there would be hell to pay.

"How much do you know about fishfolk medical practices?"

The snail's expression relaxed a bit into one of surprise and perhaps curiosity. The edge even faded from Law's tone. "What happened?"

"Nothing. Well, nothing yet." Chopper explained as he flipped open the file he had put together with Jinbei. "Some of the information Jinbei provided during a consultation, I don't know of its importance and it made me realize that I don't know anything about fishfolk other than blood compatibility. Like, he said he has gill type four?"

"I'm afraid that I don't know any more than you."

That was quite the shock to the small doctor. "Eh? But didn't you perform surgery on him?"

"The injury from Akainu?" Honestly, Jinbei's size had been his saving grace. Despite the devil fruit powers tunnelling through his body, it was Luffy that had the most life threatening wounds from the attack. Jinbei would have likely recovered even without surgery, with minor loss in quality of life. "He was lucky that the damage was mostly done to his liver and lung. At least that was practically identical to a human's." Well, the bottom half of the lung was, going up things started to look alien.

"I see." Chopper slouched into his chair, this turned out to be more worrisome than anticipated. Now he had no backup should something serious happen to the fishman in the future. It wasn't likely that he would just find textbooks on the surface either. "You wouldn't happen to still have that in your records, would you?"

There was silence for a moment and Chopper was beginning to wonder if the connection was breaking up. "I'll find a way to get the file to you. But that might take some time."

"That's fine. Thank you, Torao." He said in genuine gratitude.

"And since," Law sighed and spoke begrudgingly. "since you've allowed a partnership with your work. I guess the least I could do is pass on anything I get my hands on for fishfolk."

Chopper beamed with utter delight. "Really!? Thank you, that would be amazing!"

"I'll contact you later, so don't call again unless there is an emergency." And then Law hung up before anything else was said.

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

It was wishful thinking that they would get a break and get to relax on the first day finally back to sea.

Luffy was most certainly back to his normal self and being the newest addition to the crew, Jinbei was not familiar with his captain's tactics with stealing food. Franky hadn't been kidding about there being a fight. A fight to block Luffy's greedy little fingers from touching his plate. But despite this annoyance, everyone else was so use to it that they talked and joked like usual.

However, not even ten minutes after this rowdy breakfast, Nami warned the crew that they had thirty seconds to ready for a flash storm. And they handled it well, even if full bellies made Chopper and Usopp nauseous from the rough rocking of the storm's waves that lasted for two hours. Good ol' grand line keeping them on their toes. You can only be graced with so much good luck, that you're bound to get some bad.

The afternoon also had its fair share of chaos.

The sudden, large explosion on the upper deck of the stern had Jinbei turning away from the helm and readying for a fight. But Nami shouting warnings to the sniper, changed the situation to something else. "What the hell, Usopp!? I swear if you've damaged Bellmère's tangerines again, I'll cut your hair off!!"

"Don't threaten my hair! The trees are fine!!" He yelled back before emerging from the black cloud and hung himself over the railing to escape the thick smoke. He coughed a few times before wheezing. "And I'm okay, too, thanks for asking."

"Hey, bro! Whatcha makin'!?" Franky asked with great excitement as he hurried to join him.

"A new type of cannon ammo." Usopp groaned in reply, ignoring Nami's fuming rage and calling him a liar. Sanji quickly join in to back up the lady as well.

Jinbei stopped paying attention at that point. He sighed and returned to his post, trying to relax in the seat at the helm. "Is it going to be like this every day?"

"Nah, this is just one of those calm days. Don't worry though, we'll have days that will be even crazier and loads more fun!" Luffy reassured with an enthusiastic grin. Given the Straw-Hat pirates history, Jinbei had no doubt about crazy. Though being at the heart of it all from here on out. Perhaps he truly had no idea what he signed up for.

"So soon it will be like you're all right back at home, then?" His reply came casually, continuing the small talk and disregards his worries for the time being. He looked to where the captain was lounging against the lion's mane. All happy and full of energy, without a care in the world. Not a trace of the oddities Jinbei had witnessed over the course of the past couple days he had spent with Law. It was good to see Luffy this way once again.

"Oh, that's right. I almost forgot!" He scurried to his feet, ran over and quickly placed the straw hat atop his helmsman's head. Surprised, all Jinbei could do was stare as Luffy rushed over to the railing to shout at the rest of the crew. "Everyone, listen up! Jinbei's part of the pack now!"

There was a mix of responses, ranging from celebratory to indifference. Even when finding his voice, Jinbei didn't know what to say and just echoed in question. "Part of the pack?"

"Ya!" Luffy laughed and spun back around. "So, welcome home, Jinbei!"

Jinbei gave a huff of amusement before chuckling softly at Luffy's antics. That doesn't sound too bad. Not bad at all.

<<–Previous Chapter-^-Next Chapter–>>

#JinLu #One Piece Jinbei #One Piece Luffy #A/B/O verse #Chasing The Sun FF #Mpreg #Written Work #Fanfic #Rated M #Rated R

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g00d1uckch4rm · 3 years

Text

Chasing The Sun

Chapter 1: Story Time

Summary/Info Rated M

____________________________________________________

The Importance of Understanding Type Dynamics Version two: for coming-of-age young adults, patients and caregivers. By Doctor C. T. Tony

Section One

Introduction to Type Dynamics

These Types only influence the Human* reproductive system, also known as secondary-sex and holds no restriction over one's gender. There are four different Types Dynamics and; in most cases, are undetermined until one reaches sexual maturity. However, much like blood types, the parents Type Dynamic can influence what their children will have.

Listed here is a summary of information to do with sex and most common; but not limited to, behavioural patterns or traits. Further details well be addressed in Section Three and Four.

[*Other races such as Giants, Fishfolk, Minks, Sky People, Dwarves; including hybrids of previous races do not have Type Dynamics. While tribes/subraces of Humans have Types, it is even more rare for one to be Type A or O]

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

It's a moment much like that of Fishman Island; the battle had been hard, the people almost lost hope, but they prevailed in the end. Sure, things hadn't gone according to plan, but everyone fought hard and like always, the Straw-Hat's pulled off miracle somehow. It felt like it was the same-old-same-old, and yet, oh so refreshing and new.

So here everyone was; wounded, sore, and still having the energy to throw the biggest party Wano has probably ever seen. Music and merriment flooded the air. Bonfires and free spirits lit up the night. Food and drink seemed to be endless. Which was probably a good thing, considering who the heroes were.

Jinbei chuckled as he sipped his drink, Luffy may still deny it and give whatever reasons against it, but the facts remain. The truth remains. That people saved by the Straw-Hat Pirates will always believe that they are heroes. That Luffy is their hero. Not to undermine the others in any way, Luffy just has this aura, this energy that pulls people in. And the rest of the crew, they seemed fine with Luffy in limelight. Perhaps some even a little proud.

"Amused by Luffy's impressions?" Robin smiled up at him. For the most part they had sat in peaceful silence, or rather whatever they could get with all the celebrating going on.

At first his response was simply a hum, but it only took a second to survey the crowd for Luffy. It appeared that the captain was making a show of his powers and making a fool of himself. Arms and chest inflated comically, with the ends of his kimono tucked into his sash, all the while jumping from pose to pose. While a number of onlookers were getting a good laugh and others simply smiled in amusement, Usopp and Chopper at front row appeared to be dying.

Jinbei was just confused as to whom Luffy was trying to impersonate. Till Luffy brought his fists together above his head and stood with a slant to one side. "Franky?"

"Mm-hm. Though, it took you awhile." She teased. "Did it really take his signature pose for you to figure it out?"

"I haven't exactly gotten familiar with everyone. The most I've interacted with any of the crew was back on Fishman Island and even those moments were brief." Totto Land had just been one mission to another, with even less personal interaction. It's not easy to get to know someone when you're constantly running for your life or fighting for it.

"Aside from our captain, that is?"

Our captain. My captain. It was still new, but it left him feeling light, reassured. Jinbei smiled a little. "Yes. Aside from our captain."

"Well, it won't take you long get to know the crew. A few in particular may become your shadow. For the first month or so at least."

"Oh, and why would that be?"

"Because you're new and someone important."

Important? "I don't follow."

But Robin didn't clarify and Jinbei didn't press the subject. It seemed like she wasn't going to completely open with him, not yet anyway. Which was fair, they didn't know him that well either.

"You know, with more practice, Luffy could become very skilled with disguises." Jinbei mused as he watched the young man shape himself like an hourglass and spun around with a stick in hand. Nami..? The ginger woman then came bolting straight for Luffy with beat-red cheeks and then proceeded to chase him around. Nami.

"It would be handy with infiltration. To be any shape, any size." Robin agreed and then they shared a moment of soft laughter. "But his acting would never hold up."

"Indeed. There are better odds in a plan actually being followed."

She giggled a little more before they returned to comfortable silence between them. Enjoying their drinks while they watched Luffy and the others. It wasn't long before one of the samurai joined in on the antics, offering paint and the boys were quick to take up the idea. Messy work and Luffy's roaring laughter drew in Franky's interest. Before long; Usopp having taken charge of the painting, the four goofballs are dramatically dancing around with serious looking faces of red and white.

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

"Oi, helms' bro!" Franky greeted, now taking a cola break and held out his free hand to Jinbei as he approached. His face paint was a bit smeared after horsing around for a few hours. "Lookn' forward to workn' with ya!"

"Likewise." While they were close in size, the cyborg's main hands were still massive, leaving the handshake a bit awkward. But Franky appreciated the effort and firmness, the fishman's strength had his struts giving some resistance. It even gave Franky the momentary thought of challenging him to an arm-wrestling match sometime.

Releasing the hold and taking a seat next to Jinbei, Franky took a huge drink before continuing. "Heard from the nav' what you and Sunny were able to pull off back in Big Mom's territory. Pretty super stuff!"

"You share in some of that praise. Your craftsmanship is like nothing I've ever seen."

"Thanks! Oh, hey, by the way. I got a question for ya, but just don't take it the wrong way. Kay?"

"What might that be?"

"Do ya want me to adjust one of the hatches to the tank for ya?" They were definitely not big enough for the man to comfortably access as they were now.

"Tank?" Jinbei blinked, it had certainly not been along the lines of what he was expecting and was left puzzled.

"Ya, the aquarium around the bar? I'm sorta' in charge of accommodations an' stuff. But bein' a fishman, I don't know if you would feel more comfortable sleepin' the water or not."

"I was not aware that there was one on the ship. But it won't be necessary, just proceed as you normally would."

"Cool, sure thing-wait... Have you not seen the whole ship?"

"Afraid not, my brief times aboard has been spent getting everyone to safety."

Franky then clapped Jinbei on the back. "Well, can't have that, now can we! I'll show you all the gloriousness that is the Thousand Sunny!"

"I look forward to it. The more I know the ship, the better I'll be able to handle it."

"I would sure hope so, Sunny's full potential can't be reached by just anyone! I may have brought the lion to life, but I sure as hell can't tame that beast!" Franky howled with laughter.

"Hey, guys. Mind if I join?" Usopp asked as he came up to the group with a platter of food.

"Of course." Jinbei gestured for him to take a seat. Robin; having been simply enjoying the company, couldn't help but laugh a little. When the fishman looked her way, he was met with a knowing smile.

Usopp quirked a brow at her. "What's so funny, Robin?"

"What is the paint for?" She deflected.

"One of the samurai bros suggested it. Kubuki, I think is what he called it?" Franky offered before reaching to take some of Usopp's food. But he was not as swift as Luffy and Usopp moved his plate out of reach. "Come on, don't be stingy bro."

"Then ask, don't try to steal it. I was going to share, but now I don't think you deserve the courtesy."

Franky was quick to provide an exchange. "I'll share my cola with ya?"

"Sure." He grumbled and now offered the food to his crewmates. "Robin, Jinbei? Would you like some as well?" Each gave their thanks and took something from the plate to snack on. Not a moment after, Usopp was grinning. "So, Jinbei."

"Yes?"

"With you now officially a part of the crew, it makes sense that I; the Great Warrior Usopp, bring you up to speed of my grand adventures and heroic deeds." He said with great pride and fists posed on his hips. While Franky made the comment that; this was the real reason he brought food to share, Usopp either ignored him or didn't hear. Jinbei gave a mild expression of interest, but mostly wasn't sure what to expect.

Usopp began with a tale about befriending a pair of rival giants and helping to save their honour. Which was fascinating and Jinbei found the young man quite talented in storytelling. However, he ended up unintentionally raining on the sniper's parade when he began the next part. "-on a winter island, were a cruel King forces his people to support him by restricting access to doctors-"

Jinbei cuts him off when he recognizes the tale. "Oh, Drum Island. Not a huge fight, but it was Luffy's first notable appearance since Logue Town and the first kingdom he saved."

"Oh, so you know where we met Chopper." Undeterred, Usopp began anew. "Well, this next one is one of the Straw Hat's greatest moments! And one of our greatest secrets." Motivated to impress the helmsman with one of their adventures kept more under wraps. He sets the stage, does his buildups and is about to deliver the shocker. "-turns out she is none other than the Princess of Ala-"

When Jinbei speaks up and becomes a bit enthusiastic. "Alabasta. That was when Luffy fought his first Warlord, Crocodile. Quite the tough fight too, he had to figure out a way to defeat the Logia user before even knowing what Haki was."

"In much fewer and underwhelming words, but ya. Robin also joined the crew afterwards. I'm surprised you even know of this, the navy even covered it up and took credit for all our hard work."

Franky decided to chime in a little and tease Usopp. "You also messed up a little on the order there, Sanji said that you all knew who she was before Little Garden."

"Shh, you!" He scowled for a moment before going back into story mode. "So, the next adventure and this one you may have a hard time believing! It takes place on the mysterious White Sea-"

"Ah, the one about Skypiea. I would have certainly had trouble believing it, if not seeing some sky people myself."

At this point, Usopp deflated and lost most of his zeal. "... I probably should have started with asking what you've heard."

Jinbei felt bad for ruining Usopp's storytelling and apologised. "It was not my intention, but that was all rather rude of me wasn't it? I'm sorry. Though, I believe that I have heard most of Luffy's feats up to the point where we met."

"Where did you end up hearing all of this?" Robin asked, both amused and curious.

"On Fishman Island mainly, over the two years that the crew was separated, I-" Then Jinbei paused, coming to a realization and bringing a hand over his mouth. Oh... Oh, that's what they meant. Gods, he could hear them all laughing at him again and Aladdin was the worst of the lot. Why couldn't they have called him out on it sooner?

"You?" Usopp echoed.

Jinbei just hoped that his embarrassment didn't show on his face. Which it did, in an ever so slight flush. If anyone noticed, they didn't comment. Dropping his hand; to not bring further attention to his face, he continued. "I had many opportunities to speak to all sorts of travellers and some stories I even overheard."

"That would explain the focus on Luffy in the stories and why you didn't mention the points of new crew-members. You're hearing about it through the people that witnessed bits and pieces." Usopp was bitter that his spotlight had been taken from him. But he supposed that he still could fill in all the blanks. Along with the events of Punk Hazard, Dressrosa, and Zou. "I'll have to tell you the full stories."

"I'd like that." Jinbei then added. "It would good to get the whole truth of the events."

"Pft! Ya right!" Franky burst into a huge fit of laughter, to the point that he was on the verge of tears. "You'd best ask Robin, if that's the case!"

"Hey!" Usopp clearly offended does a karate-cop like gesture towards the cyborg. He likely had more to say on the matter, but his attention, along with everyone else was drawn to a rather loud, passing argument.

It was between the bear mink, Bepo and Law. "Captain, we understand-"

"Don't you dare-!" Law hissed in anger and pain; aside from Luffy, his injuries were some of the worse. It hurt to stand, let alone go for a walk. "None of you do- none of you can!"

"But Captain, you need to at least try to rest! You shouldn't-"

"Shut-up! It's my bloody body!" Law snapped, his harsh glare anchoring his first-mate on the spot. "Leave me alone." Then proceeded to the outskirts, with Kikoku held in his white-knuckle grip and a slight limp in his step.

Having witnessed that, Usopp felt bad for the mink. Whispering as he glanced from Bepo to Franky. "Yesh, that was harsh. Even for him. Do ya think maybe...?"

Franky knew what he left unsaid and while he didn't like it, he didn't think it was the place to interfere. "Ya." Tapping his nose as he replied, a cue to let Usopp know he was on point. "He's definitely off, but asking about it now might just make things worse."

"I get that, but what if Luffy," Usopp does a few uncertain gestures before holding his hands out towards Law's general direction. "...ya know?"

Though, Jinbei didn't want to wait on a group decision and as their conversation carried on, Jinbei took it upon himself to go talk to Luffy. He didn't want to be the one to jump to conclusions, but being aware that Law had gone through a great ordeal in the past couple months. It didn't help matters. However, he knew that there was nothing he could personally do for Law. Nothing that would likely be meaningful anyways.

It didn't take long to find Luffy. Giving the young man a wave, Jinbei made his way towards him.

Their captain waved in return and met the man halfway. A light bounce in his step despite his own terrible injuries. "Hey, Jinbei! You having a good time?"

Jinbei gave a small nod as his answer, but glanced over his shoulder, at the direction the other captain had gone. "Luffy, you're close with Law, are you not?"

"Ya, we are! He's a really good friend." But then his grin became more of a smile. Still cheerful, but figuring something was up. "Why? Something happen with Torao?"

"I just saw him and he said some rather worrisome things to Bepo."

"A fight?"

"No, no... Not exactly. I only overheard bits and pieces. His crew is worried about him; while Law is obviously gravely injured from the fight, he appears to be refusing to rest. As a doctor, Law knows very well what he should be doing... Yet he doesn't seem to be in the right mind. He doesn't seem to be himself." Jinbei's voice was quiet. This situation was stirring too many unpleasant memories and it wouldn't be right to speak so freely of someone else's internal conflict where so many people could overhear. He didn't want to cause more trouble for Law, especially if Jinbei had the wrong idea. I hope I'm wrong.

Luffy was silent, waiting to hear the rest. An odd moment of him being completely focused. Well, perhaps not entirely odd, the wellbeing of his friends and crew were of the utmost importance to the young captain.

"I can't deny that I am worried for his safety and of those around him. But I think it would be best if you make sure he is alright."

"Hmm." Luffy tilted his head as he mulled it over, for a second. "I can do that. Where's Torao at?"

"He was headed that direction, but I'm not certain where he's at as of this moment."

"Kay, just need to do one last–" He then looked around quickly, till he spotted his doctor. "Chopper! You got a sec?" He took off and left Jinbei to return to the festivities.

~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~

It was the first hour after dawn, most were still asleep and honestly, Jinbei would be too if not for old habits. Still groggy, having only got a couple hours of sleep, he decided he would go down to the water for a soak. Geta in hand, he did his best to remain as quiet as possible for the others still passed out in the room. On his way out of the building, he couldn't help but look into the other room as he passed. The door was left open so it wasn't his fault and he hadn't expected anyone to be in it.

He froze as his eyes met with Luffy's and then they smiled. The young captain was clearly awake, however the same couldn't be said for the other captain curled up behind him. Law was still peacefully sleeping, yet keeping a hold on Luffy. They were sharing a blanket and looking dishevelled as some of their bandages had come lose. Jinbei opened his mouth to apologize, to say something, but Luffy quickly brought a finger to his lips. Shh!

While Jinbei snapped his jaw shut, Luffy's sudden movements had irritated Law. He wasn't sure if it was a grumble or a growl that came from the man, but it was in a threatening manner. Pulling Luffy into a tight embrace and placing his nose to Luffy's exposed shoulder. Though Luffy appeared to be slightly unhappy about something, Law did not wake, returning to a relaxed state and Luffy did nothing.

Jinbei hadn't realized that he had been staring till the soft sliding of the front door startled him out of it. Looking to the entrance, he saw Sanji quietly slipping off his footwear with a plate of food in hand. When the blond looked up, he paused and gave the fishman a questioning look. As if he wasn't expecting him to be awake yet. Jinbei on the other hand, glanced back toward their captain and the... state he was in.

Carefully he reached for the door, for reasons he wasn't sure of, but stopped before he could lay a hand on it. Sanji gave him the same hushing gesture and slowly made his way towards the room. As the cook peeked into the room; as much as Jinbei felt the need to keep him from doing so, Luffy lit up at the sight of him. Even giving him a little wave, which was briefly returned.

A hidden tension faded away, but the whole situation was becoming too much and full of unexpected chain reactions. With someone else on the scene and to deal with the matter, Jinbei was swift in making his escape.

Jinbei had expected a fight, even if it had been a small one. But this... he hadn't expected that. Whatever that was meant to be. His mind was spinning around in confused, hazy laps of the few brief seconds of what he witnessed.

Next Chapter -->>

#JinLu #One Piece Jinbei #One Piece Luffy #A/B/O verse #Chasing The Sun FF #Mpreg #Written Work #Fanfic #Rated M #Rated R

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