Twilight's End A New Dawn

Chapter 18: Selene at the War of Marineford - The Elite Four

The sky over Marineford was dark with clouds, the atmosphere heavy with tension. The War of the Best was about to begin—Portgas D. Ace was chained to the execution platform, his fate sealed by the order of the World Government. The Marines stood ready, their most powerful forces assembled to stop Whitebeard and his pirates from saving Ace.

Among the assembled might was Selene "The Moonblade," one of the Elite Four—Marine officers handpicked for their unmatched skill and authority. Her precise, deadly approach to justice made her invaluable to the World Government. Akainu, Kizaru, Aokiji, and Selene stood as the ultimate bulwark against the impending invasion.

Selene's Position in the War

While Akainu prepared to unleash his fiery wrath, Kizaru hovered lazily with his light powers, and Aokiji waited like an iceberg ready to strike, Selene stood silent and calm on the battlefield, her expression unreadable.

Unlike the others, Selene didn't burn with ambition, boredom, or bitterness. She was here because it was her duty—but deep inside, this war troubled her.

The World Government wanted to make an example out of Ace, and Whitebeard wanted to save him, no matter the cost. Selene understood both sides—and trusted neither.

An Unforgiving Battlefield

As the battle raged, Whitebeard's forces clashed with the Marines, and the battlefield turned into chaos. Explosions rocked the fortress, and the sea churned with ice and lava as Aokiji and Akainu's powers collided.

Selene moved through the battlefield like a shadow among giants, weaving through the chaos with calm precision. She didn't seek to overwhelm her enemies like Akainu or toy with them like Kizaru. Her movements were deliberate, calculated. Every bullet fired, every dagger thrown, found its mark. Pirates fell silently in her wake, unaware of her presence until it was too late.

A Moment with Garp

As the battle raged on, Selene approached the execution platform, where Garp sat, hunched over with guilt. The old Vice Admiral was visibly torn, torn between his loyalty to the Marines and his love for Ace and Luffy. Selene stood beside him for a moment, her gaze shifting between Ace and the battle unfolding below.

"You knew this would happen, old man," Selene said quietly, her voice devoid of judgment. "They sent me here to make sure you wouldn't interfere."

Garp didn't respond immediately. He clenched his fists, his knuckles white with frustration. "I know. But that doesn't make it any easier."

Selene's gaze remained on the battlefield. "If you step in, I'll have to stop you." There was no threat in her voice—just a statement of fact. "You understand that, right?"

Garp grunted, but there was a hint of gratitude in his tone. "Yeah... I know. Thanks for the warning, kid."

Luffy's Arrival

The tide of battle shifted as Luffy and the other escapees from Impel Down arrived on the battlefield, crashing into the chaos with reckless abandon. Selene's sharp eyes followed Luffy immediately, her heart clenching briefly with recognition. "Of course it had to be him," she murmured, a faint smile flickering across her face.

From her position on the battlefield, Selene knew that Luffy wasn't here just to fight—he was here to save his brother, Ace. And for a fleeting moment, Selene wondered if she should help him.

But she knew better. This war wasn't hers to fight—not in that way. She had her orders, and the consequences of disobedience would be dire.

Akainu's Brutality

As the war reached its climax, Selene observed Akainu with a sharp, calculating gaze. His ruthless pursuit of Absolute Justice disgusted her, but she knew better than to challenge him now. Akainu moved through the battlefield like a force of nature, striking down anyone in his path, including fleeing pirates and civilians.

"He'll burn this whole place to the ground if he has to," Selene thought, her expression hardening. "All for the sake of his justice."

She knew that if Akainu succeeded in executing Ace, the ripple effects would be devastating—not just for the Whitebeard Pirates, but for the entire world.

A Quiet Decision

As the battle raged on, Selene moved silently, observing and intervening only when necessary. Her presence was felt but never overwhelming—a shadow among titans. She didn't step in to help Luffy or Ace, but her eyes never left them.

When Garp clenched his fists, ready to leap down and save Ace, Selene shifted slightly, her gaze locking onto him. "Don't do it, old man," she whispered under her breath. "If you force me to act, neither of us will walk away from this."

End of Chapter 21: The Moonblade in the Shadows

As Ace's fate unfolded before her eyes, Selene remained silent, her heart heavy with the weight of her duty. She didn't lift her blade for the pirates or against them—she stayed exactly where she needed to be: in the shadows, ensuring the battle didn't spiral beyond control.

The war at Marineford wasn't hers to win or lose. She was here to keep the balance, no matter how much it cost her—because in the world of shadows, precision mattered more than sentiment.

But even as the war raged on, Selene knew one thing for certain: this wasn't the end. The winds of change had already begun, and the Moonblade would be waiting for the next storm.