Chapter 28

Alexis just stood there, in midair, looking around in an astounded manner. As her eyes dropped to her chest she saw she black claws emerging from her flesh so she used her strength to push herself out of Karasu's claws.

Once her feet made contact with a shadow covered her.

Looking up she saw her conscious but she looked different: even with the silver hair, the once gray eyes were now completely white, the cornea tainted in black and tribal-like paintings on the sides of her head, near her eyes.

-Someone had a makeover. – Alexis commented, receiving a chuckle from her conscious.

-First time we meet outside your dreams.

-Not a very lovely moment in all honesty. – Alexis looked over her shoulder, her gaze meeting Karasu's inhuman features.

-The moment has come. – Conscious stated receiving a sigh from Alexis.

-I need to choose?

-Exactly.

-I'll stay.

-What about your brother?

-He'll leave if he wishes to.

-His will is to be wherever you are because he is your brother.

-That's his choice. – Alexis crossed her arms over her chest. – I'm staying.

-You promised Shanks, didn't you?

-I did. – She smiled melancholically at her conscious.

-Very well. I can bring back time for about 15 seconds. You'll have to be quick in reaction towards that little bastard behind you.

-Little? – Alexis laughed. – That thing is HUGE!

-That's why I'm granting you the privilege to activate the second level of your ability.

-What is this? Pokémon?

-Close enough but no.

-Will I look like you?

-Yep.

-Cool!

-Why thank you. – Conscious chuckled before she continued. – Remember that it will tire you a lot to use the second level of this power of yours.

-For the first time I'm actually going to follow your tip.

-Do it more often, please?

-I won't promise anything. – She raised her arms in the air in a relaxed manner.

-I hope to chat with you again Alexis. – Conscious gave Alexis a sad smile before disappearing into a fog.

-Will do. – With that, everything began to rewind quickly. Her gaze was directed at her brother but she quickly turned around to face the already running Karasu. He was twisting his body in unnatural angles, rushing towards her like a predator chases its prey. She could almost feel the changes on her body as a strong power overwhelmed her: the perfectly white cornea turning black, the tribal like tattoos appearing on the sides of her face. With the sudden rush of power she had received from this evolution, Alexis took the opportunity to rush towards Karasu.

He launched a punch from his right but Alexis kicked it away, creating an opening for her to jump onto his shoulders. Locking her legs around his neck, chocking the monster before transforming her hands into small blades and crushing his skull. Alexis took the opportunity to tear his head away from his neck before digging in his chest, tearing his heart out, squishing it in her hands.

Inhaling deeply, she turned around to face her captain that was staring at her, impressed at her sudden burst of power and he wasn't the only one. Every pirate and marine that was present were in complete silence, staring at the gruesome scene that had unfolded before their eyes. Well… Almost every pirate there. Blackbeard had his constant cocky grin on his face, a sadistic thirst on his eyes.

-That was AWESOME! – A man shouted from behind her so she turned around, finding the source of the voice: her brother had a huge and idiotic smile on his face.

She was about to complain about his sudden happiness burst when she felt a wave of dizziness hit her hard, making her drop to the floor on her knees before passing out.

The last thing she saw was an onyx gaze upon her and a tender smile.

.

A massive headache was pulsing against her skull, making her groan.

She opened her eyes only to find herself in the familiar Red Force Captain's bedroom. She only smiled at the reminder that she had decided to stay and it was the best decision she had ever made.

Getting up from the large bed and got dressed quickly in a pair of black pants, a white tank top, a black jacket and simple black flat shoes before heading outside. Sadly, and to her immense surprise, she found the Red Force completely empty. Looking to her right she saw a perfectly green island and two lines of pirates were stretched out towards two gravestones.

She recognized the place instantly.

It was the moment of Whitebeard and Ace's burial.

She jumped down of the Red Force and headed towards the gravestones. Marco and Shanks were turned to the gravestones, staring at them in silence. The atmosphere was heavy since the WhiteBeard Pirates had lost a fellow comrade and their captain. Near the gravestones, petals of the flowers that were set there were flying on the wind.

Alexis stood a bit behind her captain, next to her brother that was sobbing silently. She granted him access to her shoulder which he took gladly to hide his face away and weep silently.

-Red-Haired… - Marco began, catching Shanks' attention before looking at the red haired captain. – I've no words to express my gratitude.

-Stop talking nonsense. I always respected Whitebeard even though he was my enemy. – Shanks answered truthfully, never removing his gaze from the spoken captain's grave. – Even Sengoku respected him. – Silence fell upon the two once again before Shanks spoke out. – Alright, we should go now.

-Yes. – Marco turned to his left, to face the red haired captain. – Thanks.

With that, Shanks turned around completely, slowly walking towards the Red Force. Alexis took hold of her brother's face and planted a kiss on his forehead before whispering to him soothing words and a see you later. Akbal only nodded and let go of his sister, letting her follow her captain to the ship.

"Luffy must be having a hard time. I can't believe what Ace did." Shanks' memories leaped back to the moment Ace had defended Whitebeard's honor, facing the marines with all his strength. "That's what Captain Roger would've done. I wanted the captain to run away sometimes and be able to shed tears. Listen, Luffy: By experiencing both victory and defeat, running away and shedding tears, a man will become a man." The captain stepped into the ship, followed by his most trusted crew members before looking back, his onyx gaze falling on Ace's grave. "It's okay to cry, but you have to move on!"

With a silent order, the ship slowly took sail, leaving the island and the WhiteBeard Pirates behind. Shanks stood majestically at the end of the deck, staring at the blue ocean ahead of him before he felt slim arms hug his broad chest. He only smiled kindly as he set his eyes upon the pale white hands, covering them with his large calloused and tanned hand.

-I'm staying with you Shanks. – Alexis mumbled, her head against his back, trying to muffle away her light sobs. – Forever.

-Are you sure?

-Yes I'm sure. – She took in a deep breath before chocking on another sob.

She was both happy and sad at the moment. She was happy because she was staying to her beloved captain and the pirate crew she had grown so attached with; happy because they were alright but… at the same time she was saddened by the whole situation: she was unable to prevent nor Ace of Whitebeard's death; she was unable to bring her brother back to the real world…

Shanks pulled her hands away from him in order to turn around and face her. Pulling her into a tight hug, he began to brush her perfectly red hair, soothing her constant sobs.

-Everything's alright. – He whispered against her head. – I'll be with you always and I'll support you on anything. – He hid his face on the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent. – I'll always be next to you to protect you and to love you, no matter what.

She could only nod in happiness, her tears drying up against the white fabric of his blouse, inhaling his masculine scent.

-Shanks…

-Yes my love?

-How long was I out?

-About three days.

-WHAT!? – Her eyes were wide open in shock making him laughed lightly. – I need something to eat… and a strong drink.

-Very well. – He chuckled and placed his hand on her back, leading her to the mess deck. – I'll make something for you.

-Shanks cooking for me? – She smiled impressed by the various skills her captain had hidden away from her.

-Is it too hard to believe?

-A bit. – She chuckled before resting her head on his shoulder.

-Should I be offended?

-Not really. – She smiled kindly, closing her eyes and letting herself be led by her beloved red haired Shanks. – I just never imagined that you could cook. I always thought you were the kind of person that was a specialist in drinks.

-That doesn't mean I can't do other things.

With that said, Shanks kissed the top of her head before messing her hair up making her laugh in amusement.

She was happy with the Red Hair Pirates.

She was where she belonged.

She was complete.

A/N:

FIRST ENDING!

So it is not a "Goodbye" but instead it's "A see you later" for I will publish one more chapter as an optional ending so... No be sad!

Besides I will continue to publish new work so no worries!

*Bows down respectfully* Thank you for reading this fanfic for so long. I'm thankful.

As the usual song goes: I do not own One Piece (Nor Pokémon since I did a reference to it here xD)

I only own Alexis, Joshua, Seppen Bandits and the Plushie Pirates