Twilight's End A New Dawn

Chapter 2: Old Memories, New Intrigues

Selene lingered in the lively streets of Nanohana, moving as silently as a shadow among the noise and bustle. She was in no rush to leave—her instincts told her something important was brewing. As she wandered, listening to stray conversations, bits of information began falling into place.

It didn't take long before she overheard exactly what she was looking for.

"Captain Smoker's after them."
"The Straw Hat Pirates?"
"Yeah, he's chasing that rubber kid—what's his name again? Monkey D. Luffy."

At that name, Selene froze, the familiar weight of old memories settling over her. She stepped behind a nearby stall, her gaze thoughtful as fragments from the past drifted through her mind.

Luffy.
Garp's grandson.

Memories of a Wild Child

It had been years since she'd seen Monkey D. Luffy, but she remembered him vividly—a reckless, carefree kid with an unrelenting smile and a stubbornness that even rivaled his grandfather's. Selene had crossed paths with Garp many times over the years, and every once in a while, she'd heard stories about his two grandsons. Luffy, in particular, stood out: a boy with the same insatiable curiosity and defiance as Garp.

She liked Luffy—or at least, she liked what she remembered of him. He was trouble, sure, but there was something refreshingly honest about him. He chased freedom the way most people chased power or wealth, and Selene couldn't help but respect that spirit, even if it meant he was a pirate.

A Personal Dilemma

Now, hearing that Smoker was hunting Luffy down stirred something complicated in Selene. She wasn't one to let sentiment interfere with her duties, but Luffy wasn't just any pirate. He was Garp's grandson. And though Selene didn't owe Garp any favors, she couldn't shake the thought of that grinning kid with big dreams getting cornered by the Navy.

She sighed, tapping her finger lightly against the grip of one of her pistols, Lyra, as if thinking aloud. "Fate does love its little games."

Selene wasn't sure if Luffy deserved to be captured—but one thing was certain. If Smoker was going after him, she had to make sure the young captain didn't take things too far. Selene didn't let people under her care throw their lives away—and that now extended to Garp's family.

Returning to the Umbra

Selene returned to the Umbra, where Lieutenant Ren was overseeing the final preparations for their departure. The crew was loading crates of supplies onto the ship, their movements quick and efficient. Ren spotted Selene and approached with a questioning look.

"Find anything interesting?" Ren asked, hands on her hips.

"Oh, you could say that," Selene replied, a playful glint in her eyes. She paused for a moment, then added casually, "We're sticking around a little longer."

Ren raised an eyebrow, her sharp instincts kicking in. "This about Smoker?"

Selene gave a small, knowing smile. "It's about Garp's grandson."

Ren's eyes widened slightly. "The Straw Hat kid? Luffy?"

Selene nodded. "I need to see what's going on. Smoker's good, but he's also stubborn—and Luffy is... well, Luffy." She chuckled softly. "I've met enough Monkeys to know they never make things easy."

Tracking Smoker

Selene made her way toward the Alabasta docks, where Smoker's warship was anchored. It wasn't hard to follow his movements—the man wasn't exactly subtle. She knew that if Smoker was chasing Luffy, there would be a trail of chaos left in his wake.

As she strolled along the harbor, Selene spotted Smoker's signature ship, the billowing white smoke drifting lazily from its deck. Marines were bustling about, preparing for departure.

Selene's lips curved into a sly smile. "Looks like I got here just in time."

She caught sight of Smoker standing near the gangplank, his ever-present cigars trailing smoke. He was speaking with Tashigi, his subordinate, who looked flustered but determined.

Selene approached quietly, her heeled boots clicking softly on the wooden dock. Smoker noticed her immediately. He turned, his gray eyes narrowing as he exhaled a cloud of smoke.

"Admiral Selene." His voice was rough, with a hint of suspicion. "Why are you still here?"

Selene gave a nonchalant shrug, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "What can I say, Captain? I have a fondness for puzzles—and it just so happens you're chasing a particularly interesting one."

Smoker's jaw tightened, his patience already wearing thin. "This is official Marine business. Luffy's a pirate, and I'm bringing him in."

Selene smiled, but there was a sharpness in her gaze. "Oh, I'm sure you are. But if you're going after Monkey D. Luffy, you'd best understand what you're getting into."

Smoker frowned. "You sound like you know him."

Selene chuckled softly. "Let's just say I know the Monkey family well enough to warn you: They don't fall in line easily. If you're chasing Garp's grandson, you're in for quite the ride."

Smoker crossed his arms, clearly unimpressed. "I'm not afraid of him—or his family."

Selene's smile widened. "Oh, I'm not saying you should be afraid." She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering to a playful whisper. "I'm saying you should be prepared—for the unexpected."

Smoker scowled, puffing on his cigars with frustration. "This isn't a game, Admiral."

Selene straightened, her expression still light but her tone serious. "No, it isn't. But it's not just your fight, either." She gave him a meaningful look. "If you get yourself tangled up in Luffy's chaos, I'll be there to pull you out—whether you like it or not."

Smoker stared at her for a moment, trying to gauge her intentions. Finally, he gave a reluctant grunt. "Do what you want. Just stay out of my way."

Selene gave him a sly grin. "No promises."

A Shadow in the Storm

As Smoker and his crew prepared to leave, Selene turned back toward the Umbra. She wasn't going to let this chase unfold without her. Something told her that Luffy's presence in Alabasta was only the beginning of something much bigger—and wherever this storm led, Selene intended to be right in the center of it.

Back aboard the Umbra, Selene stood at the helm, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "Set a course, Ren," she said calmly. "We're following Smoker."

Ren gave a knowing smile. "We're chasing Garp's grandson, huh? This'll be fun."

Selene chuckled softly, her eyes glinting with anticipation. "Oh, it always is."

As the Umbra's sails unfurled and the ship glided smoothly out of the harbor, Selene's heart quickened with the thrill of the chase. The game had begun—and she intended to play it her way.

End of Chapter 2: A Chase in the Shadows ~End...

Selene knew that things were about to get very interesting. With Smoker on Luffy's trail and her own curiosity guiding her, the stage was set for a confrontation that would test loyalties, challenge justice, and blur the lines between friend and foe. And Selene wouldn't miss it for the world.