One of a Kind (Trafalgar Law)

6 - "It's The Name Of A Group"

"Taken in... By who? I never heard of anyone by that name before."

"That's because Atlas isn't a person. Instead, it's the name of a group." I began to explain as I placed the buttons back in the box. "I could've easily joined the Revolutionary Army like the others, but since I knew I had to find you, being a soldier would better help me reach my goal. Which it did."

"So this group was able to find the cure? Nobody was willing to attempt treatment when Cora-" He stopped himself there when he realized that he mentioned someone, making me wonder what he was about to say before he went on. "I mean, nobody was willing to take a chance with the disease. How was someone outside of Flevance finally able to do it?" He looked back at the photograph, his hand lightly passing over the image of his sister as it became more real to him the fact that she was alive out there.

Taking a short pause before I continued, letting him take a moment to himself and his thoughts, I took the seat in front of him and sat down.

"From what I understand, Lammy told me your father was a doctor." I began slowly, Law looking back up at me. "That it was him who believed he could extract the lead from the body.

"I vaguely remember he said something like that, but he didn't have time to test out his theory before..." Law trailed off but I knew what he meant to say.

"Long story short, some notes were salvaged from his office. Thankfully, it was enough to save those who had almost run out of time. He left behind enough of his work to cure those who had survived the initial attack on Flevance. His research was incredible, he saved so many people."

"I've been on the sea for years, why haven't I heard of such an organization with such doctors?... My sister has been a part of this too?" Law asked. "I didn't think anyone else had survived the disease, much less Lammy."

"You never heard of the group because it's better to stay hidden until a certain day comes. The plan is to grow strong enough and tear the World Government apart from the inside, with the help of our allies in Monkey D. Dragon and other hidden marines like I once was... In a way, I was like Vergo. I was never a true marine. I was always a part of Atlas." I said, trailing off at the last part as I recalled my time as part of the marines.

'A "True Marine", huh... After that encounter with Vero back on Punk Hazard, it was only then did I realize how much I let myself get attached to the members of my team, including Coby...' I thought to myself but then brought myself back to the present with a short shake of my head when Law started to speak to break the silence between us.

"You've gone undetected for so long..." He began to say before looking up at me with a serious expression. "But how are you sure something like this would even work out? The Nobles have been in power for hundreds of years."

"We're in all corners of the world, and our main goal is to take down the Nobles from their seat in power. We want change. It's their fault so many of us lived through... I mean, when I lost everything back then, I wanted to fight back. I was so young, so I had to be patient. The only option I had was to join the enemy. We'll be able to accomplish our goal. I believe in the cause... I survived an attack on my hometown because another marine, who had been part of Atlas took me in and trained me. The very same one who rescued Lammy from that wardrobe. I was on the other side of the world from Flevance, yet Atlas even reached my homeland. I was recruited from another sea and ended up being raised alongside her."

"It's an infiltration from the neglect of the World Government... But how many of you guys are really out there?" Law asked, doubt clear in his voice.

"Some of the people who joined us are were former slaves of Tequila Wolf, those from Sabaody who hated to live in fear of a visit from a noble, including the Alabasta citizens who weren't happy with Crocodile's actions as a warlord. There's no question about it, we have numbers rivaling that of a country when put together. Even a few notable pirate crews are joining us, including the Red Hair Pirates if you can believe that."

"There's a lot of things I used to believe, but now I'm not even surprised at this... You're with Atlas, but what about Straw Hat? Is he involved as well?"

"I told him what I could when we first met, but I honestly didn't want him to lose sight of his goal because of me. So he doesn't know this much yet. He wants to become the King of the Pirates, and through his own power at that. He wouldn't be the type to want to use an army behind him to fight his battles. That's just the kind of person he is." I sighed, the guilt of keeping something this important from him has always bothered me. "I only told him my goal of finding you."

"So you chose to tell me all of this instead of your captain?" Law asked.

"It's... Complicated. It's not that I don't trust them, like I said, I just don't want to be in his way... Luffy is strong. With or without Atlas. Ironically, even former enemies will follow him even if he doesn't want them to. That's his power."

"Now that you've told me, what is it you expect me to do with this information? It's not like it's something you can share this freely with just anybody." Law questioned me.

"Law..." I started slowly. "Now that I told you everything, passed on Lammy's message, and revealed Atlas to you..." I hesitated before finally asking him. "Okay. This has nothing to do with them, this is a more personal kind of question."

"What is it?" He wondered.

"I need to ask..." I sat up in my chair and cleared my throat before I continued. "I wanted to know... If you'll be willing to join Atlas and take our common enemy down."

For a moment, Law thought to himself in silence. His hand lightly held his chin as he closed his eyes to consider it. After this brief pause, he looked directly at me.

"No." He said bluntly.

"B- But aren't the nobles and World Government the natural enemy to pirates?" I asked, stunned at his decision.

"It's because the fact that I'm a pirate that I'm not joining. I'll take them down when we cross paths, as it's always been. On my terms. I have no interest in taking the initiative to fight them."

"I understand. I won't ask you again. If you're serious like this, there's no changing your mind. But still, you'll be our ally on the sea in the future, won't you?" I asked.

"As long as this alliance with Straw Hat stands at least."

"Then there really isn't more to say. I got Lammy's message through, and you know what my story is. All I can say is, thanks for listening to me this far. My mission here is done."

"Thanks... For telling me." Law said.

"The only thing left is to not let Lammy keep waiting any longer." I said with a short nod and stood up from the chair.

"Where are you going now?" Law asked, curious.

"It's a lot to take in, so I'll be outside while you think things over. Let me know if you need me, or if you have any more questions." I said, handle on the door to leave the library.

Nodding his head silently, he picked up the photograph of the older Lammy in her wheelchair to look at it once more. Before I left the room, I saw a smile appear on his face for the first time since I've known him.

Closing the door behind me, I leaned my back against the surface of the door and looked up at the darkening sky above.

With a short relieved sigh, I started making my way back to my room. I felt a kind of peace within, from having been successful with my journey after so many years of searching for him.

"S- Sorry! I wasn't paying attention." I said as I bumped into someone while I was lost in my thoughts.

"No worries." Sanji said as he waved a hand in the air but paused when he saw my expression. "You look... Different? Did something good happen?" Sanji asked, a slight grin on his face.

"You could say that." I said with a nod, the big smile I had was impossible to deny.

Twitch: Enrita11

October 22nd, 2022

The End