Wild Cards Pirates

Wild Cards Pirates Chapter 4

East Blue… Three days later…

They got here quicker than Marco thought they would. But then again, Marco just let Colin take control of the small ship they were using. It was easiest to just let their brother from the East Blue take over and get here the quickest way he could think of, which he did. It might not have been safest way, but it was quickest and they all got here in one piece so in the end so it didn’t really matter. And that’s all the counted right now. Well, at least in Marco’s mind that’s all that matter right now.

Now… to find this ‘kid sibling’ that Colin always goes on about who should, hopefully have find these kids that Pops, West and Izo had told them about. The son and/or sons of Roger, Pops’ old rival and friend. The two boys are known by the names of Ace and Luffy. 

Marco was looking through the articles, there were several of them. The blonde was making notes of the things that they all that were similar and all of the things that they had that were different. Something felt… something was off about the articles and Marco was going to work out what they were. One way or another, Marco was going to work it out.

Though Marco wished that his brothers would not be in the room with him as he was trying to do this. They were not helping them and were just talking and they were in the way. Plus, it was distracting too.

“So Colin? What’s your kid sibling like and why won’t you tell us if it’s a girl or boy?” Haruta asked Colin. “Can you at least tell us their name? And maybe their age?”

“They’re 19,” Colin answered as he pulled out several pictures from his coat pocket. How the guy could wear that damn black coat all year round and in all type of weather conditions, no-one was sure. It was like Colin had no idea how to feel hot or cold. “Char looks just like me! Only younger! Then again, I am 15 years older than Char.”

Char? What the hell kind of name was Char? Was that even their name? Or was it nickname or pet name or something? Because Char could be short for many names- Charlie, Charles, Charlotte, Charlotta, Charmin, Charity, Charlene, Charlton or anything like that really. So it wasn’t exactly helpful. And help, it just might be a nickname and have nothing to do with their actual name for all they know!

Haruta looked at the pictures- one was from when this Char person was about 5 years old so it must be from when Colin first set sail, another was when they were about 10 year old and a few here and there between 12-19 years old. Haruta’s favourite picture of Char was the one with the wild white hair, which was the same as Colin’s and their deep blue eyes, also the same as Colin’s, and Char was sticking their tongue out. It was the most recent picture of Char that Colin had.

He got it for his birthday earlier in the year. Char was holding up a sign that said ‘Happy birthday you old fart of a big brother Cole’. It was kind of sweet and touching but kind of weird all at the same time. Even in the pictures, it was hard to tell or make out if Char was meant to be a boy or girl. Since they had short hair and the sign covered up their chest area and they seemed to be wearing long pants and sitting down.

“We brothers shouldn’t keep secret Colin,” Thatch told him his brother. “It’s not fair or nice.”

“Woah! I’m still younger than them!” Haruta whined. He hated being the youngest, everyone treated him like he was made of glass or something. “I want a younger sibling!” 

Marco couldn’t help but chuckle lightly at Haruta’s whining. For someone who wanted to be treated more like a grown up, he acted a lot like a child. Then again, Thatch was someone who was meant to be an adult but he doesn’t at act like it.  

“Well when Char finds these kids then you’ll get your wish!” Colin told Haruta. Since Colin was dead set and sure that the 2 kids they were looking were both no older than 11, while Haruta is 13. Despite the papers saying that the oldest kid was 15 and the younger being 13 or something. They looked way too young and small to Colin to be those ages. Sure, some kids take time to grow and stuff, but Colin was dead set sure that the Navy was lying about these kids ages.

After all, it was one of the few things all of the papers seemed to disagree with. Having different ages for the boys every article and paper. Some having 18 at the max age and others having 10 at the youngest age for both boys.

But Colin told Marco that he would dye his hair pink it the oldest boy, Ace, was older than 11 and if the youngest Luffy, was even in the double digits yet. Colin said that Luffy would be no older than 8 because of the size of the kid. And in all honesty, Marco trusted Colin’s judgement more than the information in the papers.

Colin was a doctor after all. He knows these kinds of things and he does travel to a lot of the islands under their protection to help out. With pretty much anything and everything really- from a complex surgery to delivering a baby to fixing broken bones and even with making medicine to help someone get over the common cold of worse.

“You think your kid brother or sister can find them?” Thatch asked as Marco just made his list of things. Marco was then going to go over the lists with Colin later to get a better idea on what to expect with these two boys. What they both happen to think is true and what is false about these two young boys.

Especially since neither of them looked like they were teenagers for a starter.

“Of course, Char can find them! I have the upmost faith in my younger sibling!” Colin told Thatch as if the cook had just insulted Colin in some shape, form or way. Which the cook did by question the faith the doctor had in his younger sibling. “Char might not know what to do with their life but when big brother Colin asks for a favour, Char always comes through! Char got me those spices you wanted that you can only get in certain places in the East Blue after all.”

That was true.

“As long as you think so, I don’t care,” Marco said putting in his opinion on the matter. “As long as we can find and get those boys before anyone else does. I have no complaints.”

Different area in the East Blue…

“AAAAAARRRRRHHHHHHHH!” the blonde boy shouted as he wakes up with a girl in his face just what the hell!?  

The blonde was freaked out. There was some girl, that he didn’t know… in fact… the blonde wasn’t even sure who he was right now… but he will get back to that later. Right, he was talking about the freaking blonde girl who was staring at him. He had no idea who she was or why she was staring, but damn did freak and scare the hell out of him. Just who the hell is this girl!? Why is she here?! Where the hell is here even way!? A ship? Who the hell is she!? In fact... who is he? And what fuck is going on?

“Hi!” she smiled and the boy tried to move through back into the bed, not really working since he was already at the headrest. “I’m Macey!” well, that answers one question. The girl is Macey… does he even know a Macey? “How are you feeling?”

How was he feeling!? How was he feeling!?

Actually, that was a very good question. Just how was he feeling?

“Sore…” the boy answered as he kind of calm down from being freaked out from having the blonde girl called Macey so close and in his face when he wake up. “And really warm… why I am sore and warm again…?” the boy couldn’t work out why he was sore or why he felt so warm.

“Do you know your name?” Macey asked as she back off a little to give the boy a little more space. She guesses it would be kind of freaky and scary waking up with someone you don’t know all up in your face. Macey knew the boy’s name, it was written on the back of his pretty much destroyed clothes but she wanted see if he remembered it. Ariel had said something about how the boy could have memory problems when he wakes up because of the force of the explosion and the shock of the fire and a bunch of other smart doctor things that Macey didn’t fully understand. Plus, the boy had just said something about being sore and warm but doesn’t seem to know or remember why he is sore and warm.

The boy thought about it for a few minutes. How can’t he remember something as simple as his name? What about how old he is? No, he couldn’t remember how old he is… What when his birthday is? ……. Nope…. What family? Did he have anything? No, nothing, his mind is complete blank. He can’t remember anything…

Just… just what the hell happened for him to forget everything? Why can’t he remember anything? What is going on? What is it that he can’t remember but feel likes he should?

And what this is feeling, eating at him…? Like… like he has forgotten something important… something very important… what has he forgotten that is making him feel so guilty and upset? What it is? Or maybe, who is it?

Elsewhere…

“Char, what are you doing?” Eli asked as he watched his white hair lover doing, well, he wasn’t sure that was why he asked them.

“Nothing!” Char smiled as they stopped doing they were doing. “Do you even know where to start looking for these kids?”

“Of course, I do!” Eli told Char, a little offended that his older lover would doubt him. “I might not know the East Blue like the back of my hand like you do but I know the area and the islands near where the Marines had last seen Ace and Luffy. I know that area better than I know myself since that’s where I grew up till I started sailing around and become a Hirer.”

Hirer is what some might call bounty hunters, outlaws, assassins, information brokers and others who can be hired and paid to do whatever job you want them to do, for the right price of course. Be you Pirate, Marine, Bounty Hunter, Noble, Celestial Dragon and etc. They are more or less in short people for hire. They are more or less neutral in this war going on between Marines and Pirates, being hired by either or both sides at times to do jobs that they can’t do or don’t want to do. So pretty much if your given a job that you don’t want to do then you hire a Hirer to do it for you.

It’s a fun and interesting life. At least Eli thinks it is. Hirer is what Eli likes to call himself and others who are in a similar position. It sounds better and is better than some of the other names that some people call them. like traitors, turn-coasts, information banks/bitches, bounty hunters, assassins and many other very rude and annoying names like that.

Chair raised their eye brow at Eli. “And, just when did you become a Hirer?” Char was like a Hirer but not quite a Hirer, closer to an information broker who takes on other odd jobs when asked. And Char knows that Eli become a Hirer at a very young age, that’s how he met Red-Hair Shanks, who has also hired Eli for this job. Not that Char will call him out on it. Char’s lover is entitled to his secret, even if Char knows them all. But Char doesn’t mind if Eli thinks he can keep things secret from them. It will only make things more interesting to Char.

All Char knows is that they are going to convince Eli to not take or turn Ace and Luffy over to Shanks. Char is, Char will convince him to put the two boys go into Whitebeard’s protection and let Whitebeard and his crew take care of the two young boys. They have just lost their family, right now that is what they need and the Whitebeards can give the boys that. Shanks cannot. Yes, he was like family to them and all but Whitebeard can give them a new family not just be there like family since he knew the boys’ parents.

There’s a different between being like family and being a part of a family. The Whitebeards are family, at least they are from what Char knows about them and has heard from their older brother Colin. The boys will become a part of the family with Whitebeard while being with Shanks is like being with someone who you see family, but being with him isn’t like being a part of a real family. Just being with people like family.

Being a part of a family no matter what is better than just feeling like family. So Whitebeard is the better choice here, well, at least Char thinks he is.

To Char the choice was clear- Ace and Luffy were better off with Whitebeard and his crew. Like it or not. It would help them heal more and they would be better protected by the World’s Strong Man and Crew than a barely been a Yanko for a year.

Well, that’s what Char thinks anyway. what the two boys and Eli think will most likely be different but Char doesn’t care. Char will trick them into meeting and getting to Whitebeard and his crew if Char has too. Char wanted to be more than just an East Blue Information Broker and Char wanted to be with their big brother again.  This was Char ticket to see him again and maybe convince him that Char is old enough and strong enough to join the Whitebeards and Char wasn’t going to let him pass on by.

Plus, Eli would be better paid and rewarded by Whitebeard in helping Char with this than he ever would be with Shanks. Char was sure that they would be accepted by Whitebeard and his crew in no time flat. Char was the Second Division Commander’s younger sibling and Eli was Char’s lover. They would be accepted no questions asked.

Char just needs to work out how to convince Eli of that now… but how…? And don’t say sex, Char has already tried that.

Not far away from Eli and Char…

Ace had no idea where he and Luffy were. Sabo had been one who was had studying navigation, not him. So, Ace had no idea where they were or where to go to from here… Sure, Ace could read a map who can’t? But did he understand it? Nope, not really. And since he has no idea where he and Luffy are how can he work out where they need to go? Seriously. Why is navigation so hard?! How did Sabo make this look so easy?!

Fuck you Marines for coming for them! Fuck you Marines for killing their mother Rouge! Fuck you however the fuck had killed Sabo! Fuck you again Marines for making Sabo get killed by the person who killed their blonde brother! Just… just fuck you!

Ace doesn’t know what to do! Just fuck! What is there to do!?

“Ace,” Luffy said grabbing his shirt lightly. Knowing that his big brother was in a bad mood because of everything that had happened. Luffy has tried to not whine or cry or complain too much, so the little raven hair boy has mostly just smile and laughed and tried to stay happy and positive to help his older brother. “Are we stopping at an island soon? I’m starting to get a little hungry.”

That was a lie, Luffy wasn’t a little hungry he was starving and he knew that Ace was too. But it was starting to really bother him, which is why he is asking his big brother if they’re going to stop at an island soon.

“As soon as we see one Lu, I promise,” Ace smiled lightly as he ruffled the little raven’s hair since the straw-hat that Shanks had given Ace was around Luffy’s neck. Ace lets Luffy wear the straw-hat all of the time instead of himself. It looked better on his little brother than it did on him. “As soon as we find one then we’ll go right there, okay?”

Luffy nodded his head and hugged Ace. There wasn’t much else that they could do. They didn’t have time to bring much food with them and they were already out, even though they tried really hard to not eat much. But it didn’t work, they’re out of food and Luffy only hopes that they find an island soon because he feels like he is going to pass out if he doesn’t eat soon.

Red-Haired Pirates, New World…

Ben has to keep Shanks’ head in this little territory war they are having right now but of course the captain was distracted because they haven’t heard from Eli about Ace and Luffy yet. The kid didn’t even ask for any hints of where the brothers could be. Then again, Eli was Hirer and is from one of the islands near Dawn, so the kid knows the area like the back of his hand. Being from there, so the kid will be able to work where Ace and Luffy are better than anyone else they know.

Ben just wishes that Shanks would trust the kid more. Yes, Eli says things, like he would hand Ace and Luffy over to someone who is offering more or a better deal but he would never actually do it. the kid likes Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates too much for that. The kid would never betray them. Elijah was loyal to those he owes his life too and to people who always do busy with him. Eli is not the type of person to turn his back on his friends, though he would not admit at it aloud that they are friends. But that’s what they are. They’re friends and he would never betray them.

No matter how much of an ass Shanks can be to the poor kid. Calling him Ellie instead of Eli or Elijah all the time. But that’s Shanks way of showing that he likes the kid believe it or not and Ben knows that Eli knows that too. Other wises, he would have never agreed to job- even with the reward of 10 Million Belli. the kid has been known for turning down jobs for people he doesn’t like or trust.

But Eli knows that he can trust Shanks, Ben and the Red-Hari Pirates, that’s why he does jobs for them. Yes, Eli would never do a job for them for free because Eli has too much pride for that. But he would never betray him. He has too pride for that.

They will hear from Eli as soon as he has news for them and no sooner. Eli will call once he has Ace and Luffy and he protect the boys with his life. Rockstar was manning the communications right now. While they do deal with this.

“Shanks,” Ben said getting the captain’s attention. “Let’s just end this, right here and right now.”

Shanks couldn’t help but smirk at his First Mate. That sounds like a good idea. Let’s show the other Yankos- Big Mama and Kaido what happens when one tries to take over Red territory. The time for playing nice is over. They were going to end this, right here and right now.

“Let’s do that then,” Shanks smiled pulling out his sword and standing up straight. “Let’s end this little territory war right here and now, should we Ben?”

Damn straight they were going to finish this here and now, the sooner that they did, the sooner that they can go to Archipelago Sabaody and meet up with Eli who will have Ace and Luffy with him. The sooner that they can see the two boys again. Shanks and the crew couldn’t wait to see Eli but they mostly can’t wait to see Ace and Luffy again.   

Fisherman Island…

Whitebeard couldn’t help but smile when they saw Jinbei again. It was always nice to see the Fishman. He was a good friend and ally. He was good son to have, though, seeing Jinbei with a young girl, who was human, was not something that Whitebeard or his crew had been expecting at all.

“Hello Jinbei,” Whitebeard smiled as the young human girl stayed as close to Jinbei as she could. Even Namur was looking confused to see a young human girl with Jinbei, after all, not many humans, especially young ones like this girl take kindly to Fishman. “Who’s this young lady?” Whitebeard said smiling very friendly to the young orange hair girl who just hide behind Jinbei more. It seems she’s shy.

“This is Koala,” Jinbei answered as he smiled to his old friend then looked at young miss Koala as he chuckled a little. “She’s a little shy around people- been them Fishman, Merfork, Mermaid or human, she not familiar with.”

“I’m a little surprised Jinbei,” Namur said. “I know you don’t hate humans but it’s not like you are overly friendly or like them that much either. Other than Pops and the Whitebeard Pirates.” Which they all knew was true.

“Koala is easy to get along with,” Jinbei told Namur. Understanding his fellow Fishman’s reaction and feelings to this. “When we first met, when we were taking her home to the village she was from. She… needed a lift there and we agreed to do it.” not wanting to share Koala’s past, not because he doesn’t trust Whitebeard and the Whitebeard Pirates but because it was Koala’s to share, not his. “Because of certain circumstances. We took her home and we thought that would be the last time we would see of her. But she come running back to warn us that the people of village had seen our jolly roger and knew who we were so they had called the marines and even went looking for Fisher Tiger.”

“Uncle Tiger…” Koala muttered as he griped on Jinbei’s clothes and had tears in her eyes.

“It’s not your fault honey,” Jinbei told Koala as he patted her head. “You can’t control how people see and think of us. It’s not your fault that people called the marines and that Fisher Tiger died. We all still want you on our crew and we all still love you, you understand me girl?”

Koala nodded her head as she just stayed with Jinbei and looked around, a little scared as she has never seen some pirates or a crew this big before. The pirates didn’t look like bad guys or anything, some of them looked quite nice actually but… Koala didn’t know them so she wasn’t sure if she could trust them or not. Even though Uncle Jinbei seems to know them and trusts… Koala guesses that they can’t be that bad if Uncle Jinbei likes them and trusts them… right?

Koala hopes so…

“I bet Queen Otohime is very happy and impress with you Jinbei,” Whitebeard smiled.

“She is and her highness, the princes and the young princess all enjoy seeing Koala as well,” Jinbei smiled honestly and truthfully. “They’re all friends.”

“That’s good to hear,” Whitebeard smiled. Knowing how much it meant to Queen Otohime to have a human child around to show everyone that not all humans are bad or the same. That not all humans are all evil and hate merfolk or want to hurt them or make them slaves.  

“But not allowed to go anywhere without one of my uncles,” Koala nodded and told Whitebeard. She wasn’t sure why, but she had to say it. “Some people don’t like me very much… but I don’t mind. I ignore the bad words and the mean names they call me. A lot of the humans call Uncle Jinbei and the others those names too. So it’s understandable that the merfolk call me those names. Just because we’re different.”

Whitebeard smiled and nodded his head. “Some people, be them human, giant, half-giant, male, female, mermaid, Fishman or merfolk/merpeople. Some people just aren’t very nice to others that are different. are they young miss Koala?”

Koala looked up at Whitebeard and nodded her head for yes to his question. He knew that she was scared him, but for different reasons to what people would think. It was because he was stranger and she didn’t know him. Not because he was Whitebeard, the Strongest Man in the World or because he was big or because he was a pirate. She was scared of Whitebeard because she didn’t know him, though she knew that Uncle Jinbei liked and trusted him.

“Jinbei!” Sebastian shouted as he come onto the Moby Dick. “Your right! Arlong is going to do something stupid! We need to go to the East Blue right away!”

Damn it, he knew something was going to happen. It was good thing he had asked Aaron to go with Arlong and the crew who had gone with that hothead to keep an eye on things. Damn it… And it wasn’t going to be safe to take Koala with them, at least, not yet anyway. She still needed more training, she wasn’t ready for a fight like this yet.

“Get the crew ready to leave then,” Jinbei told Sebastian. “Koala dear, I’m going to need you to with the Royal Family for a little bit. Okay?”

Koala nodded her head slowly, she didn’t like being left behind but she knew that this was Arlong they were talking about it. The man scared her more than anything.

“Okay Uncle Jinbei,” Koala nodded. she didn’t mind that much really, the princes were all nice guys and she could play with the much younger girl the young princess then. Plus, talk more to Queen Otohime. Koala really likes her. And King Neptune isn’t a bad guy either, though he was kind of big and sometimes be scary without meaning to be…

“We’re actually going to the East Blue,” Whitebeard told Jinbei- maybe they can this handle Arlong person for him while they’re there. “Would you like us to handle this Arlong person for you? That wouldn’t be a problem for us.”

“Thank you but no thank you Whitebeard,” Jinbei told his old friend as he looked at him. “This is a Sun Pirate mess and we should fix it up.”

“Of course,” Whitebeard nodded. “We’ll see each other again I hope and maybe Miss Koala as well? I’m, sure Izou would like to spend some time with her and maybe make her some clothes if Koala was okay with it.”

“I would like that,” Izou nodded then smiled at Jinbei. “Plus, if all goes to our plans, we might have some kids of our own around Koala’s age. It might be nice for her to play with some human kids her own age and not just merfolk ones. I’m sure they might even be friends with her friends like the princes and young princess.”

“I think that might be nice,” Jinbei nodded in agreement. Since Jinbei knew that human females and female merfolk plus mermaids were a little different in a number of different ways. “Maybe even get some of the nurses involved to talk to her about human female things.”

Koala puffed her cheeks out a little. “Maybe we need to get more humans involved in the crew!” she crossed her arms and looked away from Jinbei then added. “Though it might be nice to have a little bit of human interaction…”

“Till next time than Miss Koala,” Izo nodded- happy to see that the young girl seemed interested in spending a little time with him and letting him make her some clothes too. “What’s your favourite colour may I ask?”

Koala thought about it for a moment. “Pink and white and red.” Koala answered.

“I’ll make you something with those three colours then,” Izou smiled making a mental note of it so he can have a look at what martials he has and what colours he has, that way he can get more of anything he needs while they are in Paradise and in the East Blue. “I can’t wait to see you again then.”

Koala looked unsure on what to say so she just nodded her head and stayed with Sebastian and Jinbei.

“We’ll talk again later then,” Jinbei nodded to Whitebeard and his crew. Happy that they will see and talk to again to each other again soon. “Till next time everyone.”

“Bye Jinbei!” the crew all smiled and waved as he left with Sebastian and Koala. “Bye Sebastian and Miss Koala!” they all smiled and waved to them too. Jinbei and Sebastian waved back and Koala couldn’t help but smile and wave back as well. Okay, Koala likes the Whitebeards. Not sure if she can fully trust them but she likes them.

“They seem really nice compared to some others we’re met and seen,” Koala told Jinbei as they walked back to the ship so that Koala can say good bye to the crew before she goes to the Royal Palace. Koala was talking about pirate crews and humans in general.

“That’s because they are nice and treat us like we’re anyone and everyone else and with high and equal respect for and to each other as well,” Jinbei told Koala. “I like old man Whitebeard and his crew. They saved the island many years ago, probably before you were even born Koala. Ask Queen Otohime about it. she’ll be more than happy to tell you story. Make sure you are good while we’re gone. We’ll hopefully won’t be gone long. Okay?”

“Okay!” Koala nodded and smiled as she walked with Jinbei and Sebastian back to the ship. “Be safe! I’ll be good. And I do mean it Uncle Jinbei, we should think about adding another human or two to the Sun Pirates.”

Jinbei laughed as he patted Koala on the head. “I’ll think about it kiddo. Now, let’s go say good bye to your uncles or they’ll be mean that they didn’t get to say good-bye to you before we go out on a mission.”