Rise of Hadrian D. Pendragon (Book 1)

A Soulmate Lost & Another Gained

The next thing Hadrian knew he was free falling, "That punch hurt.." Touching his chest where Akainu literally punched a hole through his chest. At least I know I can't die..I just don't know how long I'll be asleep for. Hopefully Obi doesn't beat himself up too badly.

"Marco," Captain Whitebeard stated with clarity.

"On it." Marco took to the skies in the hope of reaching Hadrian before he fell into the sea. What they weren't expecting was a giant Sea King to pop out and catch Hadrian just as Marco was about to get to him.

Everyone was shocked that a Sea King was here to begin with, "Don't just sit there! Grab Strawhat-ya! Bring him here so I can heal him!"

Obi looked about ready to protest. The Sea King took the choice out of everyone and grabbed Law gently in his jaws. Marco persues the Sea King trying in vain to get to the young man laying on top of his head. "Thank you Artemis."

"I can barely feel you. What is going on master?" The giant Sea Serpent Hissed back. The serpent continues on her trip out of Marineford, her master on her head losing blood quickly. However the only one who could heal him was being carried by her in her jaws.

"I am going to be asleep for a while, Artemis. Where are you taking us?" Hadrian murmured trying in vain to stay awake longer. Marco had continued chasing the giant sea king. All the way to an island located far enough away from Marinefold in the Calm Belt. Getting close enough, he could hear the whispering barely there hissing.

Artemis gently sat Law on the ground looking at her master on top of her head, "I have taken you far enough away to be healed. Even brought the doctor. He smells like he's yours. So I grabbed him and left. Another one of yours has followed us as well."

Marco landed next to Law, "Do you know what's going on yoi?" he questioned, staring wide eyed watching the exchange with fascination.

Law just continued to watch a serious expression painted on his features. He was tense; you could see it in his posture. He alone wanted to go over and grab the young man off the head of the giant serpent. But something was stopping him from doing just that.

Being extra careful Artemis moved her head over to Marco and tipped her head just enough for Hadrian to roll off directly into Marco's open arms after he realized what was happening. Hadrian carefully and slowly placed his hand on the snout of the giant beast and whispered, "Thank you old friend. Will you lead the others here?" After getting a confirmation his hand fell away and Hadrian fully lost consciousness.

Marco and Law's eyes widened seeing it and both got to work trying to heal Hadrian in the hopes he would wake up on his own. Using his ability room, Law got to work. For some reason Marco and Law couldn't explain; they instinctively knew that the young man was theirs and they had to share. What they didn't realize was who else they were going to have to share with.

Obi was the first off the boat and on the island. He knew where his master was located. He always knew. Ace wasn't that far behind him. Having arrived where the Sea King was now watching they saw the thin bubble surrounding the three. Everyone was watching Law heal Hadrian. Watching how the two in the bubble and the two out of the bubble were tense.

Obi clenched his jaw, tightening his hands into fists. "Tsk.."

Neville simply walked over and placed his hand on Obi's shoulder giving a slight squeeze. "He's going to be all right Obi, Ace. Trust me. As much as Hadrian frustrates us with his self-sacrifice, he always comes back."

"But he was punched with a fist that was magma. How can he come back from that?!" You could see the tension rising in Obi the most, "How?!" he glared at Neville. His gaze full of hatred at himself for what happened to his master.

Neville just continued to stand there, his hand on Obi's shoulder offering what little comfort he could, "I know he will be fine because Artemis brought him here along with the doctor."

Surprised, the group all looked at Artemis, however what they saw shocked them more. Instead of just Artemis there, a full group of Sea Kings and Mountain Kings were around all watching with bated breath for some good news to finally come from all of this. "Why are there more than there were a moment ago?" Gin was the one to question this time.

"All animals of all shapes and sizes no matter how dangerous they were are all attached to Hadrian after just meeting him or even seeing him for the first time. He's always been that way with animals of any calibur. Hate's killing them as well. Pessimistic fool that he was." Daphne responded she was holding a crying Luna trying to keep her tears in check. "Neville, do you know why Hadrian did what he did?"

"To help another, Thatch I believe his name was. The last of his soul was there at Marineford. Hadrian used the big guns fully knowing this was the outcome." Neville began only to stop due to Luna's gasp.

"That's why he wouldn't let me give him a hug. He knew I would see this and prevent it?" Luna was still openly crying.

Neville just nodded, "He did. He told me one night he felt something off. Calling Thanatos he found out what was wrong." Here Neville gave a dry chuckle, "He asked the deity to protect his soul for you because he knew what would happen to you if you lost just one soulmate."

Luna went to collapse onto her knees. Gin was there in an instant to grab her and hold her as she cried her heart out. "In a way I'm glad that Hadrian did that." Neville continued without care to the fact he would be upsetting his own soulmate. "Now don't get me wrong." Here he held up a hand to forestall the angry blond that was his mate. "I don't like the outcome of what he did. But he said if he could protect us then it was his job to do so regardless of how we feel about the outcome." Sighing, "He is an idiot but hopefully his own soulmates can prove his worth for him to not go on missions like that." Here he glanced at the five closest to the dome.

"Any idea which one it is?" Daphne questioned quietly.

"My guess is all of them, but from the looks of it, it would seem that two others are missing." Neville frowned in thought, "Possibly Zoro and Sanji?"

"Zoro? I thought he liked Tashigi. And Sanji? Pft.." Daphne giggled slightly, "Somehow I can't see Sanji being a part of the group. IF they are all a part of it anyways." She sighed, glancing up, "We need to set up camp and begin making some food Neville. It's going to be dark soon."

Whitebeard just looked at Marco and Ace with a thoughtful frown he glanced at his crew, "Set up camp everyone. Looks like we will be here a while." The crew glanced at him but saw him looking at the faces of Marco and Ace. Glancing over to those two they saw the worry etched on their faces. The tenseness on their mussels as they waited. The crew got to work setting up camp.

"I'll go hunting for something to cook. I'll be right back" Neville gave a kiss to Daphne and changed into his Nemean Lion form, scaring the hell out of Whitebeard's Crew. He took off into the forest in search of something decent to feed the large group.

It took three days before the dome finally dispersed. Marco was cradling Hadrian gently, Law had walked over placing a gentle hand on Hadrian's head. Obi and Ace had seen them emerge while everyone was asleep and gone over they both looked at Marco and Law. "I healed him to the best of my abilities ya. He's going to have a scar where he was hit. But.."

"There's no pulse yoi." Marco finished for Law.

"There is no pulse for the dead. You need only be wary of the dead that walk amongst the living." Luna chimed in, confusing the hell out of the four.