Devil's Luck Pirates

It was as if he had woken up from a long dream. A dream where he went out to see with a group of friends, leaving his shameful past behind. Until it crept back to test his resolve once more.

-You're finally awake. – A voice says to him.

Duros slowly sits up on the bed with some difficulty. Pain radiating from all corners of his body, but the most intense coming from his abdomen. He looks at his almost mummified body before placing his hands over his torso. His eyes then wander around the bright white room. A cool breeze coming in from the open window. Duros then remembers the voice that called to him. He looks around some more and finds his good friend Verona lying on a bed next to him with a white towel covering his mouth.

-Verona! – He declares with his characteristic enthusiasm, even if it physically hurts him to do so – I am so glad you are ok!

-Hehe… You should be a bit more worried about yourself. – Verona responds.

Duros then recalls the moment Marrow's spikes penetrated his armor together with the intense pain before blacking out – Right, the fight! Did we win?

-I suppose we did. – Verona responds – Since we're alive and not in a cell…

At that moment, William, Pearl, and Ragnar come into the room also sporting all manner of bandages across themselves. Their faces light up upon seeing their crewmates.

-You guys finally woke up! – Pearl beamed. Duros is taken aback by her normal appearance.

-Pearl! You look… astonishing! – He complements – What happened?

The girl blushes a little and smiles – Well…

-She ripped her father's heart with her hand! – Ragnar blurts out with no hesitation, surprising Duros and Verona.

-It had to be done. – She affirms with a serious face.

-That must've been hard for you… – Duros adds, regretting not being able to be there for her.

Pearl doesn't say more. Sensing the uncomfortable air that is about to set in, William swiftly moves the conversation to another topic.

-So… Gravy is preparing a victory feast for us. – He announces.

-CHAHAHA a feast is an understatement! – Ragnar comments – Jasper organized a whole party for us!

-The Prince! – Duros remembered – Where is he?

-He's sleeping in his bedroom. – Pearl responds – He spent almost all night securing the kingdom and calming the people.

-Isn't he the king now? – William ponders.

-Technically yes, but he insisted on only taking the title after the celebration.

-Well then… – Duros says before getting out of bed – Let's not keep him waiting then!

On their way to the party, the crew discussed in depth what happened during the fight. Ragnar talked about almost cleaving Eustass Valve in half while William recounted the parts where the others weren't present or conscious to see. Ragnar, William, and Pearl also tell what happened inside the prison while Duros and Verona describe their fights against Piper and Commander Saif respectively. The crew was exiting the castle when they told Pearl of Atom's sacrifice. She didn't want to admit it; after all, he was the one who blew up a bomb right on her face. But at the end of the day, Atom was a good person.

-We told Jasper to build the best statue in his honor. – William adds.

Pearl giggles – And what about his sister?

-To be honest, I completely forgot about her. – William admits.

-We can't leave her on that island alone! – Duros protests.

-But we can't take her with us either – Verona adds.

-Let's bring it up with Jasper. – William suggests – Maybe he can bring her here or something.

With that matter resolved, the crew walked through the derelict streets of Tarako. However, despite the current circumstances, the people seem way happier than the crew thought they should be. Many citizens greet their heroes as they pass by. Especially Pearl since she stayed beside her brother as the two spent the night helping everyone they could.

The crew reaches the center square where several tables and chairs have been arranged. Many people are already gathered there waiting for the honored guests to arrive.

Gravy is the first to spot the crew. He just set down a huge plate carrying an entire roasted pig on the long table at the center of the square below the dragon statue. He waves at them to grab their attention.

He and the crew share a hug and some friendly words until Jasper comes up to them.

-Shouldn't you be sleeping? – Pearl questions.

-Sleep can wait! – He declares with a tone similar to Duros' – But our heroes deserve their celebration!

He calls the attention of everyone and stands up on the base of the statue.

-We gather here today in celebration of our freedom from the tyranny of the Marines and my father! – He declares, eliciting a grand cheer and applause from the crowd – And that was only possible thanks to these brave men and my sister. – He gives room for the crew to get up on the base alongside him – They've fought so that you all could now live free from fear, hunger, and poverty! – The crowd let out yet another elated cheer.

-So… – Jasper reaches down to grab a mug of ale. Gravy also hands out one for each of his crewmates – I propose a toast! To the Emanon Pirates!

Everyone lets out a collective 'CHEERS!' as they all raise their mugs in unison.

-You gotta pick another name for the crew… – Pearl comments in a hushed tone to William as the celebrations begin in earnest.

-I know, I know… – William retorts after drinking half of his mug.

Nothing beats a good celebration after a hard-fought battle. The crew has now dispersed into the crowd.

Duros spends some time with his fellow knights. Not seeing many of the faces who fought beside him at the harbor. He makes sure to pour a drink to all of the fallen warriors alongside their surviving brethren. Including the old man who almost got his skull caved in by Piper, who's now pouring his fourth mug of ale. Ragnar has already defeated five people in a drinking competition while Verona, who spends the day with his mask and goggles off, cheers him on on the side.

Meanwhile, Pearl and William stay by Jasper's side for most of the celebration. The former wants to spend more quality time with her brother, while the latter tries to haggle a good reward out of him.

-Of course, of course! – Jasper reassures him after pouring himself another glass – But, you must understand that we still need some of the money to rebuild the kingdom.

-Oh, yes. – William reassures him – I completely understand. – He regrets not sneaking away into the treasure room when Jasper was asleep – Also, could you do something for Atom's sister?

-His sister? – Jasper asks puzzled. William explains her situation back in Krendor.

-Well! I could certainly adopt her! – Jasper blurts out – Since I don't plan on having any children of my own HAHA!

William ponders for a bit trying to figure out what he meant. It became very clear once the now tipsy Prince began flirting with a handsome guy.

The party continues well into the night. With music, dance, and good food.

The following morning, after getting past the hungover, Jasper takes William and the crew into the treasure room.

-While I may not be able to give you guys much treasure… – The Prince explains while unlocking the door – I might be able to give you something far more valuable.

Jasper pushes the door open. Revealing a modest amount of treasure chests, jewels, and stacks of money. The most eye-catching thing is a small chest atop a pedestal in the middle of the room.

However, after Jasper went to unlock it, he discovered it was unlocked and empty. With only a small blue card with the image of a key on it.

-Oh fuck, not again! – William protests after Jasper showed the card to the crew – Every time fucking time with that guy! – He kicks one of the chasts beside him.

-What is that? – Verona asks.

-Hold on… – William responds while taking out an identical card from his back pocket. The same one that Not Steve found inside one of the cells back at the prison – This is from someone I thought was dead, which he clearly isn't. – His frustration is palpable – Basically, he was the guy that taught me everything I know. Especially about stealing and swindling. He must've taken advantage of all the chaos to sneak in here and steal whatever was inside that chest.

-What was inside the chest? – Duros inqures.

-Oh… erm… a Devil Fruit. – He answers with concern.

-Son of a…! – William rants out even more frustrated now.

Pearl moves in to inspect the chest itself – There's a letter under the chest… it has your name on it, William.

She hands the letter to William. He tears it open and begins to read it out loud.

Dear William,

I'm sorry I disappeared from you so suddenly. It's a complicated story. I fear my life might be in danger. It may be best for us to never meet again. I'm sorry for taking some of the money and the fruit to fund my trip to the Grand Line. I'm gonna try and make a name for myself in there.

Thank you for everything, and may luck always smile on you.

Boss.

-That son of a gun – William muttered as he crumpled the letter and stuffed it in his pocket.

-The Grand Line, huh? – Verona comments.

It's a question the crew had asked before in their year-long journey through the South Blue. Will they throw their proverbial hat into the ring that is the Grand Line, infamously known as the Pirate Graveyard? William has declared before his disinterest in following up on Roger's legacy, unlike the vast majority of the pirates that had sailed out in the past two years. But still, if they truly want to make a name for themselves, there is where they should go.

The question is shelved for now as Jasper speaks.

-Well, I might be unable to give you the biggest prize, but I still have a few more presents for you all.

In the course of the following week, the crew spends most of their time recuperating from their injuries and restocking their supplies to set sail once again. One day, Jasper brings William over to the harbor where the Yogi Pooh is anchored.

-I've noticed your ship is considerably small for a crew that aspires to venture into the Grand Line. – The yet-to-be-crowned Prince comments as they walk.

-Hey, it's not about the size. It's about how you use it. – William retorts – Also, we still haven't decided if we're going to the Grand Line.

-Fair enough. – Jasper responds stopping in front of a respectable ship. Big enough for a crew of twenty men. William can't do anything but wonder at such beauty.

-We took it out of my father's collection. He never used it for anything but to show off his wealth.

-And it shows… – William gawks – Wait, are you giving that ship to us?!

-Indeed. – Jasper responds with a smile – Your shipwright has been working on it all morning.

William looks back at the ship, Ragnar is now peeking out from one of the gunports.

-CHAHAHA! I knew I heard a familiar voice! – He comes out of the ship to greet his Captain and Jasper.

-The only thing missing now is putting the Yogi Pooh's figurehead on this one and we're set. – Ragnar explains.

-That and a Jolly Roger. – Jasper adds – I noticed you didn't have one on your ship.

-Yeah, I still need to find someone to draw one for us. – William explains taking yet another look at his new vessel – You don't happen to know someone we could commission for that? – He asks Jasper.

-HAHAHA! You are in luck, my friend! – Jasper assured, pulling out a paintbrush from his pocket – I just so happen to be an aspiring artist! I've never drawn a Jolly Roger before, but how hard could it be?

-…meh, what's the worst that can happen? – William addmits. It's not like they have many other options.

-Splendid! – Jasper beams, already thinking of possible designs in his head – But before that, Ragnar. I've found some lead on that matter we discussed previously.

-You found something about Magnus and Hertha?! – He exhorted.

-I'm certain of it! And you might want to take a look at it as well, William. Although I must warn you, it's not very encouraging.

Jasper brings them to Malachite's bookkeeping room inside the castle.

-My father never cared for many things. – Jasper exposited while sifting through a big book on top of a desk – Luckily for you, business deals weren't one of those.

He turned the book to Ragnar and William so they could read it. A large and meticulous list of shipments of slaves is written there. Everything to the number of slaves, their price, to whom they were sold, the date of shipment, and a brief description of some of the cargo. Jasper highlighted one such description that mentions a very tall and muscular twelve-year-old boy and his mother.

-That's him! – Ragnar declares upon reading that description.

-You sure? – William questions.

-Trust me, there aren't many twelve-year-old boys with that description. – Ragnar confidently says – It says here they were sold to a guy named… "Timber Lord"?

-That's what I was referring to by saying 'not encouraging'. – Jasper comments with a somber tone – The Timber Lord is one of the Warlords of the Sea.

-I heard about them before. – William adds – Pirates that work for the World Government hunting other pirates.

-Precisely. After some research, my sources say the Timber Lord is located in L'Arbor Island on the Grand Line. – Jasper explains, looking at William.

-Of course… – He responds with a sigh.

-We have to go there, Captain. – Ragnar states. His eye fill with determination.

William puts a hand on his friend's shoulder – We will. – He thinks back to Boss' letter. Making a name for himself in the Grand Line doesn't sound quite so bad.

-If you truly intend on going there, make sure you're very well prepared. – Jasper says – Speaking of prepared, have any of you seen Duros?

-This morning he said he'll be a the graveyard today. – Ragnar responds.

With that, the three men go their separate ways. Ragnar goes back to keep working on the new ship, William sets out to find Verona and Pearl to inform them of their new destination, and Jasper heads over to the graveyard north of the castle.

Jasper still can't get used to seeing Duros without his armor. Not that he has a choice on the matter since it got completely wrecked by Marrow. You could barely point him out in a crowd that way. But Jasper could never miss the man kneeling in front of the several graves with the names of fallen knights etched on them.

The Prince approaches his old friend in silence. They acknowledge each other's presence but remain silent for a time. A cool breeze brushes on Jasper's pink hair as he looks upon a portion of the price for their victory.

-Do you remember when we met, my Prince? – Duros says, breaking the silence.

-How could I forget? – Jasper answers with a smile – We were barely ten years old when my father brought you to train with me… back when I could still call him father with a smile.

-That day I swore an oath to protect you with my life until the end. – The knight recounts as his memory wonders back in time.

-And you did. – Jasper adds.

Duros then stands up and looks Jasper in the eyes – But I don't know if I'll be able to keep that promise now…

His duty to his now King and long-time friend has come to clash with his loyalty to William and the others. Should he stay here and uphold that decades-long promise, or should he abandon his kingdom again in chase of adventure?

-Then let's make a new one. – Jasper nonchalantly says after extending his arm to Duros – Duros, do you swear to protect my sister and your crewmates with your life until the end?

Duros is taken aback by this – B-but… how could I protect Pearl and the crew at the same time?

-Because I'll be coming with you all, silly. – Pearl's voice playfully declares from behind Duros' back. He turns around to see the girl in casual clothes. More befitting a pirate than a princess.

The knight smiles to himself and turns back towards Jasper, clasping his arm with his hand.

-I swear!

-Good. – Jasper affirms after feeling Duros' determination through their handshake – You'll also need this… – Jasper takes out his sword from his belt and pushes it against the pirate's chest – You are more worthy of wielding her than I am now.

Duros hesitates for a bit, eventually grabbing the sword and putting it on his belt.

The day of departure has come. William, Duros, Ragnar, Verona, Pearl, and Gravy gather in front of the new and improved Yogi Pooh as several sailors load up supplies onto the ship.

-Where is he anyway? – William wonders as he looks around for a tuft of pink hair amidst the crowd. They are waiting for Jasper to come with their new Jolly Roger he promised to deliver the day of their departure.

-Cut him some slack. – Duros says now sporting his new shining armor and shield – He stayed up all night to get it done in time.

-He wouldn't have taken that long if he didn't go through all those completely different designs… – Verona comments sitting on a crate while inspecting his improved rifle.

-I still prefer that one with a bear CHAHAHA! – Ragnar mockingly adds.

As the crew banters about the different designs they saw on Jasper's study, Pearl; on top of a wooden pole manages to see her brother's bright pink hair adorned with an intricate crown running through the crowd.

-There he is! – She shouts, jumping down.

King Jasper stops in front of the crew to catch his breath. He ran all the way from the castle holding a folded black cloth in his hand.

-Don't you guys have horses in this kingdom? – William questions sarcastically.

-It's done!! – Jasper announces loudly. He then unfolds the flag and holds it up to the crew to see.

A classic smiling skull sporting two horns with a roulette wheel around it, a jackpot of triple sevens in the forehead, and a pair of bones crossed behind the skull.

-It's perfect! – Duros complements while Ragnar nods in agreement.

-Certainly better than our previous one… – Verona adds.

-Now all we need is a proper name for the crew. – Pearl taunts looking at William. He, on the other hand, looks rather conceited. As if he knew it would come to this.

-Well… – Jasper interjects – This design is mostly based on the name William gave me last night.

William steps forward – Something dawned on me last night… – He says – Our journey was pretty uneventful up until we shipwrecked on that tiny island where we met you, Pearl. – He takes the flag from the king's hands and brings it to the ship, with the crew following behind – But after that, we managed to accomplish so many things… With the same force guiding our actions each and every time. For better or for worse…

With the help of Duros and Ragnar, they hoist the thin mast and begin to raise it.

-The Marines rely on their sense of justice. And other pirates may rely on their strength and infamy – He continues as their Jolly Roger sways proudly with the wind – But us… we rely on the Devil's Luck! – William declares unsheathing his cutlass and pointing it to the sky. The crew answers with a loud and excited cheer while Jasper smiles at them, stepping out of the ship.

-So, my Devil's Luck Pirates… – He calls the crew to action as he walks over to the helm. Pearl and Verona unfurl the sails, Ragnar raises the anchor, and Duros and Gravy tie up the ropes – TO THE GRNAD LINE!