An Eternal Bond

Ivankov

I stopped, hearing ragged  breathing from one of the cells. "Bon-chan, down there!"

I saw him skip towards one of the cells and floated down to it. "Luffy!" "Straw Boy!"

Bon-chan pressed up against the bars. "I'm sorry for running away!" One of the prison were stared at us. "Who're you?"

"His sister."

"A friend!"

The prisoner stared at me. "Are you not freezing?" I shook my head and walked into the cell once Bon opened the door. "Here, pass me something flammable."

One of the prisoners handed me his shirt, although it was covered in frost. How cold is it, anyway? I'm using Ace's Devil Fruit power, but I can still feel a chill down my spine. They're treating human beings like this?

"And... there." I lit the shirt on fire and placed it on the ground. "I can't keep that going forever, but I hope it keeps you warm. Come on, Bon-chan."

We walked together, with Bon asking for someone named... Iva? Apparently, this Iva person is a miracle worker. I really hope that's not just an exaggeration.

"Where's Buggy and Mr. 3?"

"I believe they got ch-chased away by wolves."

I hovered next to the little sled Bon had to check on Luffy. "I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner..."

Bon started walking away from the cells and I followed next to him. "Did someone tell you where Iva is?"

"It seems like he's in the forest over there."

I furrowed my brows. That's not where the wolves are coming from?

Well, turns out I was right.

"God Fire: Unknown Fire!"

I helped fend off the wolves, but it wasn't helping. Bon was way too cold, Luffy was on the brink of death, and there was 26 hours until Ace's execution. Really living on the edge.

"Bon!" I heard a thud behind me, seeing Bon lying on the ground next to Luffy. "Oh no..."

"M'am?"

I turned around, seeing someone with sunglasses, half of their clothes and hair orange, and the other half white. "Uh... hello...?"

He looked down and sighed. "Come with me."

I followed him, with Luffy and Bon floating behind me like ghosts. It was kind of weird, but it's not like I can touch Luffy or lift Bon.

"Whoa."

He led me to a secret underground area, which he described as Level 5.5. "Um, does Impel Down know about this place?"

"No, of course not. Then, it wouldn't look like this." He opened two doors, and I was met with flashing lights, people partying in fishnet leggings, and... to put it simply, it was a bit like a queer bar.

"Ivankov. We have visitors."

I hid behind him, hoping no one would look over. Not that they were scary, it's just... I don't know, maybe they were scary. I mean, half of them were almost naked, so I guess it was kind of intimidating.

"Oh? Visitors?" Someone with poofy purple hair and an interesting outfit came over. Actually, I think they're a Drag Queen.

"Who's this?"

I showed myself a little. "I-I'm Y/N L/N. Nice to—" "Yes, yes, I've heard your name everywhere. You're quite popular, little lady!"

Ah, seems like they know me. He? She? I've never met a drag Queen before...

"Well... I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. W-Wait, pardon me for asking, but why are we here?"

"Well, you're the one that decided to break into the most well guarded prison in the world! Of course we're bound to try and know the juicy details! I didn't hear about you breaking in, though."

"Y-Yeah, I came in not long ago."

"You're making it seem like this place is a big party! Now, I'll be helping your friends out, so why don't you go have a drink?"

"O-Oh, I don't dri— Wait, you called him 'Ivankov'?"

The half and half person nodded.

"So you're the one Bon-chan was talking about? He called you... 'Miracle Worker' or something along those lines."

Ivankov was silent for a moment. "I may be a miracle worker, but not all miracles can be done easily." They put my hand on my shoulder, and I felt some power enter inside me.

"Do you have a Devil Fruit power?" I asked, following Ivankov.

"That's right! I assume you copied it?"

"Y-Yeah, it happens anytime I come in contact with someone with a Devil Fruit power."

We came to Bon's room, although I don't remember bringing him to a room in the first place, and Ivankov looked at me. "Why don't you try?"

"E-Eh?!"

"You know, just do a good old Energy Hormone and he'll be fine!"

"Shouldn't I be testing it on someone that has a lower chance of dying if I fail?"

"Oh, don't be such a buzzkill! If you fail, he'll be fine!"

I shakily held my hand near Bon's side as instructed by Ivankov and stabbed into him as gently as I could. "Sh-Should it make that sound?"

"Well, what else does stabbing into someone sound like?"

"I don't know, I've never done it!"

Ivankov sighed. "Alright, now I have a little Straw Boy to take care of. I assume that Whitebeard's crew forbid you from trying to save Ace?"

I looked away, hoping he would just forget he said it.

"Hey, I'm not about to mess with Whitebeard, so I better see you go up instead of down if you leave right now."

Dang it. "I-I guess I'll stay to make sure Luffy's okay."

I waited.

And waited.

Surrounded by nearly naked people trying to get me to drink.

But I waited.

I never had a problem with anyone, it's just that I'm a bit preoccupied with wondering if Ace is okay, wondering if Luffy's okay, and hoping Oyaji is on the way to Marineford. Also hoping that I wouldn't accidentally call anyone by the wrong pronouns.

"Oh, Sabo, what do I do?" I mumbled into my folded arms.

I got up and made my way to the room Ivankov said Luffy was in. I wasn't allowed inside, so I sat near the door.

He said screaming was a good sign, but it sure didn't look like it. Or sound like it.

I buried my face in my knees. I felt like this was my fault.

If I stayed with Ace, I could've protected him. And if I protected him then he wouldn't be in here. And if he wasn't in here, Luffy wouldn't have come in here. And if Luffy hadn't come in here, he wouldn't be dealing with... this.

I got up and began walking out of Level 5.5. I trusted Luffy with saving Ace, but if Ace managed to be brought out of Impel Down and to Marineford, then I have to be there.

But there's one thing I have to do first.