The Devil's Grin - A One Piece Fanfic (Snail-like Updates)

Haunted Past

"MERO MERO MELLOW!!!!"

Angry words rang out as D was turned to stone moments after speaking. Luffy and the Snake Sisters stared at the Empress in shock as her hair seemed to float around her and her eyes glowed with a holy light, her shoulders shaking with apparent rage. What was most shocking was the shining emblem of a trident's prongs floating in the air about a foot above her head. Luffy noticed that the Snake Sisters didn't seem able to see it.

"As feisty as ever," D chuckled as he turned back to normal. "Though I am surprised-"

Another wave of the Mero power went past turning him to stone again. But it only lasted a moment.

"You revealed-"

"Yourself-"

"In front of-"

"Mortals."

Over and over again as he spoke he was turned to stone and then back to normal.

"You don't need to use a special power to make me into a rock baby," D grinned. "You yourself are already enough."

Luffy took a step back as The Empress took the spear from Marigold. He definitely didn't want caught up in this fight since she seemed possessed by someone D knew. Which meant probably a Goddess of some sort. Divine Power was not something he could handle.

"How dare you show up after all this time without any apparent remorse for your choices?" The Empress growled as she advanced.

"Because I didn't make the wrong choices. Given the chance I would do the same again."

Her growl turned into a shout as she sliced D in half from top to bottom. But to no effect as his two halves came back together as if nothing had happened. She glared at him for a moment before tossing the spear back to Marigold.

"You, man." She pointed at Luffy. "Make your choice. A ship off this island or these girls returned to normal. He is not allowed to assist you in any way or you will die immediately."

The entire time she glared at D as if daring him to speak up.

Luffy was glad to know that Marguerite and the others could be changed back. He had had his suspicions before which had been pretty much confirmed by D showing up and acting so nonchalant, plus D turning himself back to normal as well. "Thank you so much, please turn them back."

•••••••••••

CC watched the Rubber Man closely but couldn't find any trace of deception in his eyes. He truly intended for her to change the mortal girls back to normal and had not hesitated or glanced at Him for any support. Instead his eyes showed great determination.

"Even if you will never be able to leave this island again?"

"They helped me and because of that suffered so how can I not take the chance to help them back?" The man shrugged before grinning. "Plus it's not like I don't stand a chance of leaving on my own if I really got serious."

His grin caused her to remember a mortal man she had met long ago. He even resembled his countenance and not just his temperament. She turned to Him and asked. "Is he descended from that man?"

He nodded. "A direct descendant. One could even call his lineage a miracle."

She raised her eyebrows at His last words. With a wave of her hand the three girls were back to normal.

"I know you are able to see my Signia," she turned to the man once more. "Do not speak of it to anyone."

Then she created the memories of her time in control in a way that her host would see her actions as her own. Though she did erase her interaction with Him. Then she relinquished control back to the host and faded to the back of her mind.