I. Video

Entry tags:

[video],
arrival

I. Video

[Hello, Luceti! Great day today, isn't it? The sky is blue and there's a good wind blowing... Perfect day to set sail and leave this weirdass island with its weirdass wings. Which is what this particular boy is planning to do today.

That is, once he figures out how exactly in hell this weird raft works.

Sabo had woken up in the shores of Luceti yesterday, in a state of panic and utter devastation. That's what happens when the last thing you remember is having a cannon ball that will kill you on impact flying straight towards you while you're trapped in a burning ship; that you're barely out of your prison, barely grasping your freedom, and you're going to die. Then he spent several long, long minutes agonizing whether he really did survive or this is some cruel, but real crazy dream he's having right before his death, before he finally shook his head and accepted the fact he'll get nowhere just by thinking about it.

That's when he began exploring this new island he landed in, starting by having a mild freak-out after discovering the wings on his back. His familiar blue coat was folded nearby, with a weird book on top of it. So next, he fiddled with his journal, read a bit of the guide, listened a bit to other people's broadcasts, and more or less gathered three important things:

1) he's in a different world (different island, he translated, or maybe the dream world?)
2) these Malnosso are assholes
3) there's no leaving this place

Fact number 3 is very much full of crap, Sabo decided. There's a whole ocean right in front of him, isn't there? He only needs a boat and then he's out of this weirdass place. But there's no port town in the map. This Luceti Village is too far inland, so they definitely won't have ships there. Maybe there's a dock? There has to be! Where else would they put their fishing boats and how else would the villagers travel to other islands? And so with the thought, Sabo begins walking along the empty beach in search for the docks. Luckily, he and his brothers spent so much time living outdoors that sleeping under a tree-root is no problem at all (he hasn't slept a wink though).

Early this morning, he finally reached the docks. But there's only a single vessel he could possibly use. He somehow managed to steal away the said vessel from the docks and navigate it farther down the beach. But that's the extent of the distance he can manage without using the raft's engines.]

[Video]
[The video opens with a stunning view of the sea and the clear blue sky. Almost immediately though, the screen is knocked sideways, and a blond boy in a blue coat and a New Feather pants appears in the screen, bending over the inside of the raft and the sound of tinkering and muted mutters can be heard.]

[Sabo pulls himself up, wiping sweat from his face, looking at the raft with a frown.] Looks like I won't be able to sail this thing far. Not without a power source, I guess. Dammit, why aren't there any normal fishing boats in this place?! [This complaint is followed by a few curse words no ten-year old should be using. Then he turns his sight on the "horizon", eyes narrowing. He heard something about a barrier, but Sabo's not ready to believe that yet. He's not ready to be told he's trapped again.

The next words are softly spoken, barely heard against the waves on the shore.] ...I can't stay here. I need to go out to the sea.

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We already knew that! Why else would be be brothers!? And you call me the dumbass! [Ace, in perfect form, is going to pretend he didn't hear the last sentence. Because he really doesn't want to know what he was going to say.]

Tch, I'll say it does. Stupid place.

So, what, you would've wanted me to leave without saying anything?! I wanted you and Luffy to know I was out there in the sea, stupid! That I'm not stuck in High Town! That... [Dammit, Ace. You're making him mushy.] That I was free, and I could meet you two again someday!

[He shakes his head.] Y'know what? This is still all too confusing... Where the hell are you anyway?

WE DIDN'T WANT YOU TO LEAVE IN THE FIRST PLACE! We could've busted you out of there if we fought hard enough! If we just knew that you weren't happy... [Fuck, Ace hates that he couldn't get him out of there. It pissed him off. But only at his own weakness. but he just shakes his head.] We could've saved you!!! And then sailed out when we wanted to!

[He just keeps grumbling, and finally answers.] In the town. I'll come out and meet you. [He needs to punch you.]

W-what...? [Oh, no, no. He can't let the dumbass take the blame for this.] Hey, it's my own decision to sail when I did! I mean, I could've waited a few more years, but with everyone in town too busy, it's just the perfect timing! You know I could bust out whenever I want to and--

[Wait. Did you just say...? Okay, okay, the panic is surging now.] Hey, Ace... What do you mean "saved"?

[And he needs to strangle you, bastard, but answer him first ok.]

[Fuck this shit, he is running over to the beach now, no matter how long it takes.] It's our fault you got taken in the first place! You sailed because you weren't happy, and Luffy and I thought you were.

[Ace freezes on his end, also panicking a bit now. Think think think!] From High Town. That place was hell for you, right? Luffy and I should've saved you from that.

[Please believe him. He's always been a better liar then Luffy.]

NO! Where are you even pulling all these crap?! Listen to me, Ace. It's not your fault. None of it were! I went back with dad with my own free will! I sailed because it's seemed like the perfect chance to do so! I'm not blaming you for anything!

[Sabo just stares. That seemed logical, but.... He shakes his head.] No, I'm glad you two didn't try. Really, really glad. [His jaw clenched at the memory of the fire.] The Royal Army... they're ordered to dispose all survivors.

You still didn't want to go back! Luffy and I were so stupid for thinking you did, that you were okay there. Luffy missed you every damn day! I kept telling him you were happy, and he didn't have to worry. We were so damn wrong when I got your letter! WE SHOULD'VE GOTTEN YOU OUT!

[He let out long, tired breathes. From running so much, and his anger.] We know. We were in the fire, and Bluejam told us it was the army's idea. Luffy and I got out fine, but... Bluejam took our treasure, Sabo.

[Sabo stares at the journal in shock. Why... why would you tell him that? That just made his heart break in the exact agonizing way it did when he's forced to leave the two of you.

He bows his head, eyes squeezed shut.] No, this is my fault... There's nothing else I wanted more than to go back to you and Luffy! But I couldn't--not when my dad can have you both killed with just a word. And I--I just can't take that risk... I'm sorry! I'm sorry I couldn't do anything!

[He rubs his eyes before looking up again.] The bastard can have it. I'm just relieved you two made it out safe. That fire... [Damn, he's still so angry and disgusted over this.] it's caused by the royal family and the nobles.

[For fuck's sake. He really feels like shit now. He's quiet for a bit before speaking, voice firm.]

You'd better not start cryin' on me. I've already got one crybaby to deal with.

[After a pause, his voice is a bit louder, and more upset.] It's your shitty dad's fault, then! He's the reason any of this crap happened in the first place!

[Ace nodded.] We know. Bluejam told us about the fire, and how they started it. He helped them since he thought it'd help him become a noble, but they tricked him.

Sabo, you're not a noble. You're a thousand times better than ANY of those bastards! And I shouldn't have to tell you a pirate is a hell of a lot better than a noble!

Like hell I'd cry in front of you! [Nope. His eyes aren't red and watery from crying. It's just the salt in the wind or sand maybe going in his eyes. That's what happened, okay, bro?]

'Course I know that! Living a free life as a pirate is way better than being stuck in High Town. Why'd you think I left as soon as I could?!

[Sabo looks away, eyes still hard.] You didn't see it, Ace, but it's like the whole town has gone mad. They eat, and study and shop and laugh, and all the while they knew, they knew people are going to die. That they're burning humans along with their trash. And they didn't care at all! [He shakes his head.] I can never stay in a place like that. And there's no way I'll ever count myself as one of them!

You'd better not! So say that way! [Yes, he will get mad at you about crying okay, deal with it.]

Tch. Next time, at least come say goodbye in person, you idiot!

[Ace freezes a bit, and stops running for a bit. He just shakes his head.] Those bastards are the trash. I'd kill 'em all if I could, just to prove they're not so great.

You don't have to tell me that! [He won't cry in front of you. Geez. He'll be done by the time you get here.]

There's no way to do that, stupid! Do you think I'd have done that if I had any choice?! If I could see you two before I left, I'd have-- ['stayed and not die'. But nope, Sabo's swallowing those words down.] ...Believe me, I would've done that if I could.

[Sabo sighs.] They're not worth it, Ace. They rot all on their own, without needing to be dead.

Sounds like I have to! [Then chop chop, he's almost there. But that.

Ace hates what he's about to do.] You'd've what, Sabo?

[He growls and scoffs again. SO PISSY TODAY.] They stink up the place, not the trash heap. The hell did Blueja wanna be a noble for.

Dammit! Just shut up and get here faster, dumbass! [Yep, he realized they're arguing about his crying.

And now he freezes. Oh, damn. He hates to do this but he's going to have to lie again. Ace and Luffy can't know about that burning ship.]

I... I'd have stayed. If there's any way I could've gone back to you two, I wouldn't have sailed. [That's both a truth and a lie. He'd wanted to be with his brothers, but if he did go back, they'll never be safe. His dad won't stop hunting him down and his brothers will be killed for sure.]

[He scoffs.] Of course he did, damn greedy bastard. Most people think having a noble blood is a privilege. But really, it's nothing but a gilded cage... At least to the sane ones.

I'm running as fast as I can, okay!? It's far away! [If only he knew that they knew. If only.]

... but there wasn't a way, was there? [He really hates to ask this, but... he needs to know.] Sabo, what happened before you came here?

[His voice is low and dark.] They're worse than the marines.

[If only. He stands up, fixing his hat out of reflex. Oh wait, he hasn't got his hat here.] Maybe I could meet you halfway? I'm not very far from the docks.

[Then he almost dropped his journal. Dammit, why are you still asking that?! Cue panic and mental-flailing.] N-no, there wasn't. I set out right after I stole a ship, and that's it.

[He turns his eyes to the sea again.] Y'know what, just forget them! I'm done with all the crap they give me. I already left, so there's no turning back.

[Ace stops for a bit, breathing heavily and listening.] I can hear waves. I think I'm close. I'll be there soon.

[... right after. This is almost more than Ace can take.] Oh. Okay.

[No more on that. And Ace can help smirking just a little at that.] Damn right. You're no noble, you're one of the best damn pirates to ever sail.

[He hears you breathing heavily, and that he can grin happily about.] Out of breath already? Wow, you must've gotten lazy after I left.

[Did Ace believe him? Huh, looks like he did. Dammit, now Sabo's feeling guilty. But how can he even think of telling the truth? Even he's not okay with it...] Yeah. How about you then?

[He tries to smile at that. He really did.] The freest pirate alive, right...? That's the promise after all.

[Oooooh, no you didn't.] The only one to fight with is Luffy! And that's really not training.

[... time for bullshit.] A while after you left.

[This is kinda starting to hurt. Luckily, he's at the beach, and sees Sabo fairly quickly.] DAMN FRICKIN RIGHT!

[And there he is. One of the brothers he's never going to see again, if he really does get blown up by that cannon ball. And Sabo has never felt so hopeless before.

Sorry, Ace, he's not going to run forward and meet you. He's busy trying hard to hold it all together and not break down at his end. He promised he won't cry in front of you, right?

When you get nearer, he's already smiling.] Hey, Ace. I guess I can easily get that last two wins now, huh?

[He is a bit baffled why Sabo isn't running up to him. After all, he did leave without so much as a by-your-leave. He grins, however, in return at the sight of his dear friend and fellow elder brother.]

You really think it'd count when I'm tired? I'd kick your ass if I was at full strength.

Keep telling yourself that, bastard. If a short run can tire you like that, you'd be a piece of cake to beat in a real fight.

[He's grinning too, but dammit the tears just keep flooding his eyes. He can't help sniffles, okay.]

Oh yeah? You try running that far. It's miles away.

[He tries to keep his cheerful demeanor up, but it's not working.

Time to ask the big question.] ... Sabo, what happened after you set sail in the boat?

Hah! Excuses.

[Okay, now that Ace's right in front of him, lying just got a hundred times more difficult. And he can't exactly hide how devastated he still really is over his last memory. Still, he's going to try and keep the pretense up.]

I told you! That's all there is to it. [Now it's his turn to ask the dreaded question.] Why... why do you keep asking that?

Are not!

[Ace isn't sure if he believes him anymore. And frankly... he refuses to lie to his brother like this. Not for something this important. He swallows once, and then takes a short breath.]

Because I'm from after that. After... you got shot on the boat. [That hurt just to say it. He's worried for how Sabo will react now.]

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