Work Text:
Koby is 16 and unwillingly working as a caretaker for a pirate ship. His work is hard and difficult for someone of his caliber, but it's not even all that bad now after he has gotten two years of experience under his belt, (even though the crew's favorite pastime is to constantly belittle him). Unfortunately, this also means that his life has turned into a simple, boring routine, days in and days out of him running around the ship doing various, mind numbing errands.
He hates these Pirates, and hates himself for not being able to do anything about his hatred. He can't go a word against them, can't even step a toe out of line without maximizing his chances of being killed on deck. Despite knowing how pathetically weak he is, how slim the possibility is, he still, stubbornly and stupidly, holds a dream of escaping and becoming a Marine. It's the only ambition that he has these days, buried in the need to please, to survive, but not wholly forgotten.
So, when from the barrel he brought in bursted out a lanky boy his age, that spark of hope has ignited again. Koby does not need to look twice to see that he is off, somehow. He's a strange one, nothing to his name except a worn Straw Hat and clothes that seem to have had better days. That boy, in all of his overzealous jest, yells, "I'm going to be the next Pirate King!", and that small, insignificant ember inside Koby turns ablazed, uncontrollable. There is something powerful in that statement, bigger than Koby, than this ship, than the small East Blue.
Koby has wanted to call him foolish. That fantasy of his is beyond outlandish for so many reasons that his thoughts run so fast his mouth can't even keep up to form the words. Yet, as his eyes bore into Luffy's own, he feels like he trusts that ridiculous dream. It's an instinctual gut feeling, one with no palpable proof but leaves him hopeful all the same, and that's dangerous.This man is dangerous, his mind decides, but his heart beats to the fleeting boom of drums in the distance, to the rhythm of freedom, and he feels like this is a calling and suddenly his dream of being a marine doesn't seem so far out of reach anymore. So in a tumble of words he confesses it, and instead of mocking or laughter, he only receives a blank stare. Luffy smiles proudly then, of all reactions, a wickedly wide grin and have his eyes always been pink?
It's a flurries of events afterwards, Luffy getting them out of Alvida's ship in the most unnecessarily badass way, reaching the nearest Navy's base and somehow ending up rescuing the fearsome Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro, of all people, from the Marine in charge, of all people??? Somehow, he still successfully becomes a Marine after that horrible stunt. Thanks Seas for Luffy's blunt ways.
Luffy's punches hurt, but Koby— He thinks he is insane for thinking this, but he doesn't mind this sensation. Because the pain resonates throughout his body like music with every throbs and aches, it's relieving in the way that it is freeing and he doesn't completely understand but maybe he shouldn't, seeing Luffy leaving, his small body completely obscuring the setting sun on the horizon, his form completely basked in brilliant golden light.
Saluting off Luffy, Koby swallows nervously. The excitement in his veins isn't dying off just yet, so he is left with an odd mix of anxiety and giddiness. This is it. This will be the start of his dream to be a Marine. He is going to pursue the right Justice, not the one that Morgan has claimed. Morgan is likely not the only one evil or corrupted by power, and they might be much stronger, tougher, so Koby steels himself once more. He is going to do this, even if it's arduous, even if he is going to die trying.
And with that thought, Koby feels the air shift. In a fraction of a second, a chilly breeze tickles his neck, making him shivers, hair raises on end. When he turns, so fast yet so slow, his eyes catching onto nothing, just the empty air around him and an unchanged scenery. He shrugs it off to the ocean wind, blissfully unaware that there is something sharp nestling inside him, dormant but alive, a cold fury, a claim of Justice. Before Freedom, before Hearth, before Death and before Harmony. He is the kin of just before it all, a drop of blood in the calm current.
(On the nights he trains, the moon shines above him, looming but comforting, like a watchful gaze, a silent cheer. The bitter cold does not bother him like it should, does not clash against his hot, sweaty skin like Helmeppo has been complaining, and he doesn't know why. If people describe that he has a certain edge that seems to beckon their attention, he doesn't notice it. Whether he has an easier time remembering Garp's grueling ways of teaching or how he adapts so quickly to new knowledge remains unclear).
(To be blessed is to thrive, and Koby has been just the right seed to bloom.
And to be right is to grow, to become. A Priest in their image, in your hands is all the glory and all of its prices).
The war doesn't rage on, but its many consequences are evident on all of them, the prices of war all too grim even on the uninjured. All fortresses would become a cemetery at one point, and on this day, Marineford has become an unwilling resting place, a graveyard with thousands unmarked graves buried under its ground. In this small infirmary though, surrounded by not-Gods and not-Godkiller wannabes, Koby is crying as he slowly drifts into slumber. Mouth still tinges with the bitter taste of vomit and his cheeks wet of undried tears, his body falls limp into his friend's arms.
He wakes to a spectacular starry night sky. The space around him is soundless.This is nice, he thinks. (He doesn't relax because he is undeserving of it). He must be dreaming then, he doesn't have those often and usually they aren't pleasant, twisting into nightmares at one point or another. He doesn't want to overthink and make this into a nightmare any faster, but something about this doesn't feel right.
The stars are radiant as ever, yet infinitely closer to him now, he can just cup a handful of them in his palm. Would they still burn, submerged in his tears? Would they still shine, embed in the darkness of his flesh along with the crimson of his blood and the entirety of his bones? Must he, too, scorch his life away to be of any importance? Must he wither in a cosmic supernova to matter in the vast expanse of the universe?
There is movement in the corner of his vision, but it's gone as soon as he turns. More wary now, Koby squints through the darkness. He wonders what shall be the subject of his horrors tonight, especially after—how should he even refer to such an event? He wonders if wars in general are like this, thousands of soldiers enlisting to fight for a cause they don't believe in. He might never get a good night's sleep ever again. (It's what he deserves, being so damn useless like that. Maybe he could have contributed something for it to end sooner if he had the galls to waltz into the fight).
"Well? I have come personally and still you left me waiting?", someone speaks, tone teasing, their Voice bouncing in all directions. Alarmed now, Koby attempts to maneuver his body into a fighting stance in this groundless world. It's tacky at best because gravity is basically non-existent and he can't put force into his attacks, but he tries to put on a brave face anyways.
Then, as if space bends and folds on itself, the sky around him seems to tighten, and Koby can feel the warmth radiating off the stars. It's not unbearable, soothing even. Something compels him to look up, and as he does, he can feel the blood draining away from his face. Oh. Oh Seas.
Staring down at him is the entire universe. With piercing golden eyes and halo shining down at him, Koby feels like he is at the center of a supernova, drifting aimlessly, a nameless witness to a sight so much bigger than everything he could have imagined. He knows the world above the clouds is grand, but now that he is here, he feels little more than a speck of dust, one of countless that have made up the constellations. This, this must be—
Despite himself, he manages to ask, his whisper somehow carries through the vast space, "Why am I here, um…Astrus…sir?". Well, he's going to die. Him and his inability to keep his stupid, lousy mouth shut, seriously. Disrespecting a god has not been on his list of possibilities, but stranger things have happened. He can only hope it won't be too painful of a demise. There are vague outlines of a face somewhere up there, almost beyond his vision. Koby can see the shape of mouth settling into a grin at his disastrous answer, and while the sound is still distantly echoing, he can better pinpoint the source of the voice now, as if it's guiding his ears.
Silence stretches between them, before a cacophony of noises breaks, one that is so jarring to Koby's ears he winces, until it subdues enough for him to realize it's just a weirdly humane chuckle. "Oh, you're fun. I can see why Sabo and Luffy like you", the God comments, full of mirth.
Koby doesn't even have the chance to ponder on the statement before the space contorts again. He doesn't think he is hallucinating the forms of arms closing on him as his vision is enveloped in a swarm of sunsets. In a short moment, perhaps for only a fraction of a second, he is cradled into the hold of a million stars. He gasps but finds no more energy in himself to fight back. The shock is soon replaced by a sense of ease. Only then that he melts into the warmth and lets himself drift peacefully, a small hint of a placid smile on his lips, twinkling like a new star.
Koby is tasked with capturing Trafalgar Law. Yes, this is a suicide mission, meaning, he is not meant to succeed. Though, he would rather impale himself and bleed to death before he can suggest another route to the Admirals. It's not that he was a coward, but things have been tense amongst the Marines, and he doesn't want to make things worse for himself or anybody else since it's possible Fleet Admiral Akainu might just choose another unfortunate soul just like him and not someone more capable.
On sheer technicality, Koby himself is considered a rising star as he has been climbing the ranks with a terrifying speed since he joined, but this is as much good as it is awful since the missions he has been receiving recently have forced his hands to take numerous risks and sacrifices. The nature of these things are not to be taken lightly and over time, it takes a toll on his mentality. He has tried not to let his performance affect others, but more and more people are beginning to notice the beginning of his burnout.
One of these days he isn't going to make it out. Today might as well be that fateful day, he grumbles as he quietly docks his ship. It's small, innocuous, and he only brings two other people in his crew along, due to the restrictions of this task. In fact, he is going out alone. If he doesn't return or isn't able to send a message to update his status in approximately 48 hours or 2 days time, they are to report back to HQ immediately lest the situation escalates, considering the gamble they are playing here.
Koby doesn't even spare a second to ponder if he is any kind of suitable to be assigned here, because he's not. He has been one of the few available at HQ, yes, but his capabilities are far from the requirements that these sorts of missions typically demand. Seriously, a newly made Captain like him taking care of one member of The Worst Generation? His life sounds like a joke and it's not even a good one. He also lacks the numbers to overwhelm the Pirate or any kind of backup tool in case things go wrong like a strategic hideout, blackmail or weapons.
Publicly, he is supposed to be here to resolve the tension between some bands of pirates, though his main objective is to catch the supposed Mastermind behind it, which is of course, the Surgeon of Death. Stepping foot on Hachinosu however, makes him realize the change in the situation. Right off the bat, he spots Trafalgar rapidly approaching him, right in broad daylight. He doesn't make it three steps back until he finds himself pinned down, rendered completely motionless. He barely even comprehends instinctively moving his hand up to block an attack before a signature blue veils around him. It was so instantaneous he didn't even catch the Pirate mutter "Room".
He groans under the weight. Normally, (or according to the Marine's statistics on the Supernova's battles),Trafalgar wouldn't attack so recklessly or come at opponents so head on. He is strategic enough to access his enemies' capabilities and deal with them accordingly, often by utilizing his greatest weapon–his Devil Fruit, the Ope Ope no Mi as well as his intellects. It's a ridiculously powerful ability in the hands of a devilishly smart user, a combination that Koby isn't at all equipped to handle, but he has a little of a plan arriving here. It all falls down the drain now, of course, seeing that he is locked under the Captain of the Heart Pirate's hold not even a minute in. Just his luck, really.
He tries to move but the Pirate is oddly heavy on top of him, a sharp and cold aura that is not quite Haki pressing him down. It's getting difficult to breathe, as if his ribcage itself is trembling, his organs twisting and squirming like swarms of worms and maggots, as if they are trying to break free from the layers of his skin by eating him from the inside out. His senses are fading and numbing themselves into nothing with an alarming rate yet pricks of pain still blanket his body like he is a stuffed doll stabbed in pins and needles, and this must be how it feels to rot.
Ah—He snaps himself out of his trance, is this the notoriously awful effects of that Devil Fruit that he has heard so many of his coworkers complaining about? It's overwhelming to the point that it can even trick his Observation Haki into believing that he is dying on the spot. The official files don't mention that the Ope Ope no Mi has this kind of power, but it's a well-known "rumor" that has long spread far and wide amongst all Marines that were unfortunate enough to encounter the Supernova. He guesses he belongs to that crowd now if he survives this. There is no known countermeasure and the best advice is either to keep a firm mentality and Haki or to avoid it all entirely by catching him off guard (which frankly has never happened).
Koby isn't creative or strong enough to get himself out of this worst case scenario. Whatever has occurred here, it has irritated Trafalgar enough for him to lose his composure…which is another thing Koby doesn't think has happened before. It's off-putting to see him now compared to the files' descriptions of such a cool and collected Pirate. The Marine isn't certain whether or not it's a good or a bad thing. (Most likely, it's bad).
While Koby is preoccupied with his own mental crisis, Law narrows his gaze. So this brat is the one who has been the cause of his headaches recently. Now that Law can take a good look at him, he looks as unassuming as one can be, utterly unaware, much like a lone sheep standing still under the pouring rain. At least he seems afraid, therefore he assumes he isn't doing those stunts on purpose. Does he even know he is Tsuisu's Priest and Nika's Claimed to dare being so passionate about endangering his mortal life? How is it even possible for this–this Marine to be dying or fatally wounded so much anyway?! Hasn't he just become one nearly a year ago?
Thinking about it makes his head spin with those horrible memories. Of course he has to catch the attention of the two Brothers, then by proxy the third and unknowingly make it into a competition. If they jump him just to threaten him into keeping this "Koby" alive again, he is going to lose it. He exhales slowly, reigning in his form, pushing in the rigid of bones inside of softer, smoother flesh. It's rare for him to lose control, much less so out in the open like this. Kikoku, his scythe—sword lays untouched by his side, dormant in its scabbard, shockingly tame and lacks bloodlust. The air lifts, warm rays of sunlight peeking through the thick fog enveloping the small town, and Taesis settles back into the identity of Law once again. Breathe.
There is a ripple of anger pulsing steadily under his skin like a heartbeat, a heat that flares almost uncannily similar to Nika. He's furious, but also surprisingly, protective. There are some inherent traits of this human that evokes a part of his nature to shield him from all the bad things of the world like he is precious just by existing, breathing, alive. He now understands how he has interested all three brothers so deeply, and the lengths they have gone to just to keep him safe.
Law loosens his grip just enough to relieve the pain but keeps his posture dangerous, lethal. It's impressive he hasn't lost consciousness or gone insane yet, having to endure being exposed to Taesis's true form for that long. Forcing Law to lose his temper and lives is another feat in itself as well. Perhaps it could be the previous Blessings helping him, but it's still a good enough show of strength to Law. He bows his head a bit (as an apology) then jumps several meters away from him. Waiting for the mortal to recover his bearings, Law cancels Room, masking a sound of hurt.
They are attracting a crowd, now that people are curious and Law has relinquished his divine aura. The Marine HQ highly likely has assigned this mission to Koby expecting him to fail and worse, die, so it would be three birds with one stone if he comes back alive and a Hero to boost, and Law can earn the Warlord title to himself. The three brothers should thank him later for this, or better yet, do him a favor. (To stop pestering him, maybe. Just a month would do wonders for his health).
Within a recordly short amount of time, the Marine lunges for him. His movements are not completely coordinated yet but it was a good effort. He grinned, irises flashing a shimmering gold in the briefest of moments, "Let's dance, Marine".