0. (Pro)Logue Town

Our father which art in heaven ...

You're smiling.

You walk proudly straight in a row of people, with your hands in shackles, in a red coat and with a smile that greeted me almost every day from the beginning of my life. And the crowd is silent and absorbing your presence, whispering to each other: "Here is the King, Gold Roger."

They admire you.

They look at the invincible, who is in captivity, at the symbol of power and strength, defeated by the regime and discipline of the Navy.

Is it possible for a man to rule the ocean and its eternal freedom?

Hallowed be thy name ...

You take steps on stone pavement, just like recently on the Oro Jackson deck, but although we know that you won't say anything, we hope to hear the loud, slightly hoarse voice "We are taking the east! For adventure!".

I clench my hands and try to deal with the lump in my throat, but I'm too weak to resist the tears. I lower my head. I must. Forgive me, Roger. I can't stand the thought that it's over. That never... That you...

Thy kingdom come ...

You go ahead, still with a smile, as if before you were another beloved adventure.

You wanted freedom.

Can we call death salvation?

Around you are six Marines, tall, proud, who will tell their children, grandchildren, and everyone who wants to listen that they have escorted the Pirate Kind to the execution platform. They have muskets on their shoulders, you could broke them like thin sticks in your bare hands, and their white-blue uniforms are eye-catching. They seem extraordinary to me. Why is that?

Thy will be done ...

It wasn't going to end this way. I didn't want to live like that. I've always planned to sail under your jolly roger, be able to be called the "second in command of the King" and walk every evening in the setting sun on Jackson, sipping vodka from East Blue and frowning, because their alcohol is the worst. I wanted to traverse the Grand Line, without a route or destination, because we've already gained everything and ruled on every part of the earth. Fight the wind and the waves, be free as you promised. When did I lost what I was fighting for so hard? When did it fall out of my hands for what I was ready to kill? You knew, Roger, and yet you were silent.

As in heaven, so in earth...

You climb the ladder and sit cross-legged on the platform, without exchanging a smile for sadness or sorrow, you are yourself and you will remain like that until the end. The will of D, which you have always told me about, commands us to accept death with peace, because there is nothing to fear. Maybe if I were you, I would react the same, but you were the one convicted.

Don't leave, captain.

Give us day by day our daily bread ...

Several thousand people gathered in the square, and each of them is silent and looks gloomily at the scaffolding towering over us. I have the impression that the air has stopped, that the earth has stopped its movement, because time is passing, but it does not go away. How is this possible?

Rayleigh stands beside me, his jaw clenched angrily, but he knows that nothing can be done. Powerless, he, your right hand. I see some fucking admiral or another bastard next to you, I want to break his bones, you know, Captain?

And I would do it with vengeful satisfaction, because now he and the two executioners are going to take everything away from me. The blood in my veins begins to boil. Forgive me, I can't do otherwise.

And forgive us our sins ...

We were almighty. No one could stand against us, remember? We crushed our enemies and we were cruel to anyone who offended us. You didn't let anyone hurt us. You took care of everyone, always. Even those two knuckles, Buggy and Shanks, who are standing in front of me with sad faces. Ah, this red-haired kid is holding your hat in his hands. You give it to him, remember, captain? And he cares for that hat as the greatest treasure. He is a good child, and very, very strong. He could probably be your successor. And who knows?

For we also forgive every one that is indebted to us...

'Where did you hide the treasure?!'

I hiss, furious at the scream of a bastard who can't hold his tongue! Shanks mutters something under his breath, he's not happy either, and Buggy is already grabbing the dagger handle. Ray puts a hand on my shoulder, not looking at anyone but you, and says quietly:

'Come on, Pebble. This is the way of things.'

I accept this and pretend I don't hear the screams that are getting louder.

'My treasure? My One Piece?!' I hear your voice again and all four of us smile blissfully, as if we had experienced some warm feeling, surrendered to a pleasant childhood memory that surrounds us with a carefree melody. 'Look for him! I hid it somewhere on the Grand Line!' You call mysteriously, and by the tone of your voice I know you planned it.

Oh Roger, will you never change? You love adventures, even if you don't take part in them. Don't you feel sorry for everything you leave?

And lead us not into temptation...

I close my eyes wanting to remember you as a smiling pirate with dazzling eyes who, without fear, faces a losing battle with Death. Are you really going to die? Roger? You?

I shake Ray's hand and bow my head.

No...

Please! Do something!

Stand up and say it's a cruel joke. Give me the order!

Roger!

Tell me what to do!

Call me!

Something is sticking to my heart, it only takes my breath away for a moment, but I know that the splinter that has just been hammered into it will never disappear. I want to scream for them to stop. I want to run to you and run to the ship together to go beyond the horizon.

Hell, I won't let you die there!

You can't leave!

Please, don't leave. How should I live when you're gone? I know that I was not always good and I did not always help you, I often screamed and cursed, I rebelled and ran away, but ... But you knew I loved you, right? Roger!

'I couldn't dream of someone better. I love you and know that I will never stop crying after you. Wait for me. We'll meet again, everybody, and we'll go... We'll go, Ro...' I say because I know you will hear, but suddenly I stop. I can't do it, it's just too much.

The crowd yells like crazy, I manage to hear "dead", and I begin to cry, bitterly despairing for a life that has gone forever.

What now?

Where to go?

Roger?

Why?

But deliver us from evil, for yours is the Kingdom, glory, and power...

Forever and ever.

You are the Pirate King, in our memory you will always live as a great man and captain, treating the crew as a family, striving for its good and safety, loving adventure and ... And not very smart, huh, captain?

I smile to myself through my tears and look at tired Ray, who wipes a single tear with the back of his hand. I feel that if he could, he would fall to the ground, swearing in every language he knows, and call God to witness that he hates the Navy and would kill them all. Buggy sniffs and rubs his closed eyelids tightly, Shanks lowered his head, clutching the brim of your hat. I know they are crying. They loved you, you were a model, I think you will always be. You were, Roger, you hear how that sounds like? Just as if you were leaving and not coming back...

But you have to do it! You must be with us again! Your time could not pass! Our time! It has just begun! And even if we achieved everything, we still ... Roger, we could still do something! Do you remember our plans? All these intentions and dreams? We wanted to overthrow the Heavenly Dragons on the Bubble Archipelago, defeat the Navy Headquarters... Me and you... We and our crew... Our family. Please, you must remember this and come back to us!

But ... But you won't come back, right?

Amen.

We could do nothing.

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Sooo I know it is not perfect, and sorry for mistakes, but English is not my first language. However! I would really appreciate if anyone would point out any mistake.