Work Text:
Rouge was a little girl who wanted to see the world.
No.
She wanted to see beyond the world.
She had a feeling that the world was even bigger than anyone had thought. She could feel the light of the stars feeling warm and bright. She wanted to touch them, but couldn't. She had to be content with spending time with children. Their warmth and presence reminded her of stars in the night sky.
Rouge spent all of her time on a cliff. She stared at the ocean, longing to explore and be free. She laid in the hibiscus field, listening to the waves. She stared at the stars in the sky and dreamed of seeing beyond what everyone thought was possible.
One day, Rouge found a stranger on the beach.
"That's my spot," Rouge protested, before covering her mouth. She didn't mean to blurt that to a stranger. Yet, this was her secret spot away from everyone else.
The man with blue hair turned to look at her.
"You have a strong heart and will," the man said with a mysterious, knowing smile. Rouge glared at him and huffed. She was a D. Of course she had a strong will!
"What are you doing here?" Rouge said, eyeing the stranger suspiciously. She didn't sense any ill will, but she couldn't be sure. Her parents said Haki didn't work like that, but Rouge was positive when she could sense the bad will in someone. She was always able to point out bad strangers or dangerous criminals.
The man chuckled, looking fond. "You are a strong light too. You love your family and your home, but you aren't satisfied. You want to see more and meet new people. Though this world is big, it's still too small for you. A small world and a small island… Maybe people from islands have such strong potential. Perhaps, this meeting was destiny."
The man held out his hand and in a flash of light, a sword appeared. Rouge stepped away from the man, but couldn't help but be drawn to the weapon.
It was strange. It wasn't actually a sword. It was in the shape of a key. It was made of metal and looked dark.
Yet, it reminded her of light. She could feel generations of strong, bright wills concentrated in this weapon. She couldn't help but want to touch it.
"This… is a keyblade. This weapon has been passed down in my lineage for generations. I have inherited the will of my predecessors before me. I have become a master many years ago, but I have yet to find an apprentice that shines with light like you do. So tell me… what do you desire the most in the world?" the man asked, his eyes looking sharp.
Rouge grinned widely. It was a grin of giddy excitement. She knew she looked like a feral cat, which her parents constantly bemoaned.
"I want to explore everything and see what others don't think is possible! I want to help and protect the innocent!" Rouge exclaimed excitedly.
The man laughed.
"I think I found a pearl in the ocean with you."
Rouge laughed wildly, swinging her trusty keyblade around. Lady Ann, a keyblade as wild as the ocean as her, brought down enemies and foes around her.
She spun around and grinned at her new-found friends. They blinked at her, stunned.
Well, the looks were warranted. She did jump pretty from a flying fish, but in her defense, they had guns. The gloves were off.
If you can't fight fire with fire, just bash them!
"Go save your girlfriend, Milo! I'll handle these idiots!" Rouge said cheerfully, before smiling politely at her enemies. "Do any of you gentlemen know how to dance?"
Rouge created a field of ice, gliding around and using magic to blow up their tanks and guns.
She knew the muscle guy was bad news. Too bad Milo was trusting. Then again, her Master often said she was too distrusting of others. It was hard when you could sense the worst in someone when you met them. Rouge had a lot of patience, but bastards like these got her blood boiling.
Well, a good fight is the best way to get your anger out!
Rouge laughed happily as she danced like the waves.
…
"You are a hot head," Master Eraqus sighed fondly. Rouge pouted. She was already 16. Her Master didn't need to keep treating her like a child!
"Only if you push my buttons!" Rouge protested. "And plus, I have good morals. I only get upset when innocents get hurt or someone hurts my friends!" She then grinned slyly. "You can't say you don't like me! You told me yourself that my friendliness is my best characteristic!"
Master Eraqus raised an eyebrow and retorted, "I am pretty sure I said your loyalty was your best characteristic. If I recall correctly, you nearly tried to bite me like a feral child when we first met. Though, I do give you credit abut your friendliness. People seem to naturally like your company since you are a good listener and talker. But anyways, you must know, you must be careful with your eagerness and anger. You could-"
"I can give into the darkness. I know, I know. Master, please. I have been training here for so long under your missions. I want to take the Mark of Mastery already!"
Her master hummed thoughtfully. "How about you take the exam on your 17th birthday? Then, you can set out on your own and decide your own path as a Keyblade Master."
Rouge grinned wildly. She would just have to wait until she was 17. She had seen so much and explored so many worlds, but there was an ache in Rouge still. She didn't know what it was, but maybe if she was a master, she could finally find out.
She just had to wait until she was 17 and then she could explore all the worlds to her heart's content.
Rouge was 22 and it was funny how things have changed. Rouge still loved adventure. She still loved exploring. She still loved meeting new people.
But that fire that burned in her as a youth has mellowed out. She would no longer punch someone for insulting her friend. She instead watched with knowing eyes, waiting for an opportunity for revenge later.
She was only 22, but Rouge felt too old. She felt like she was seen too much in her journey and travels. She has seen wonderful sights, but she also saw so many horrible, horrible things. Worst of all, she wasn't allowed to interfere.
It once made her blood boil, but now it simply broke her heart instead. She felt like a bystander as she watched the worst show in many different worlds. Is this why her Master has become so jaded?
Her Master rarely spoke of his past as a youth, besides mentioning he enjoyed chess. He apparently would change the rules all the time because he couldn't beat someone.
It was hard to believe her Master used to be such a silly, wild youth. He seemed like a sticker for rules now. Yet, over the years, Rouge could understand her Master even more.
It was hard to watch people die. It was hard to know that you could only interfere so much, before the world order fell apart. It was hard to know that most worlds were better off left alone, unless something dire happened.
Rouge was a Keyblade Master, but she felt like a wanderer instead. She didn't know what she was doing with her powers or her life.
She once wanted to protect the innocents. Her duty meant protecting the innocents through preventing the darkness, but it no longer felt like it was enough.
And so, Rouge wandered.
Rouge was 24 and on a slave ship.
Unlike the others here, she was there on purpose. She was beautiful, so her kidnappers underestimated her.
A keyblade was always at her call and it could unlock anything in the world. She would set all these slaves free, before they could ever be branded. She has done it throughout the past year, and many times successfully.
She would do it again and again. She refused to let anyone take the bright light shining in the hearts of these children.
(If she wasn't allowed to interfere with other worlds, she would interfere with her home world)
She didn't expect her slave ship to be taken over. She didn't expect this man with a mustache to have such a strong presence around him.
(She didn't expect a pirate covered in blood, who had a very high bounty, to have one of the brightest lights she has felt in her life, despite the darkness in there as well)
The pirate had a dark look in his eyes as he looked around him. Everyone was holding their breaths from fear.
Not Rouge though.
When the pirate offered to help find the key to free her, as he promised to help everyone on the ship, Rouge decided to trust this bright, child-like light emitting from this man.
"You know, you interfered with my plan. I was planning to save everyone myself," Rouge said as she summoned her keyblade in her hands. She was able to tap the lock on her handcuffs, before undoing the ones on her feet. She then turned to this famous pirate with a fire in her eyes before asking, "Now, how are you going to make up for messing up my plans?"
Rouge was 25 and in love. Roger understood her, unlike anyone else. He made her laugh and smile.
Roger made her believe that not all darkness was bad. How could it be, when such a strong heart and bright light emitted from such a man?
She wanted to marry Roger. She couldn't marry Roger though, if her Master wasn't present. Her parents have long-since passed on. Her Master raised her since then.
She didn't expect to see Master Eraqus have new scars on his face. She gasped, horrified.
"Master Eraqus! Are you okay?" Rouge cried worriedly, running up to the keyblade master.
"The darkness… It has taken Xehanort," her Master said tiredly. He looked defeated. He looked at Rouge. "I spent so long chasing after him. I promised to be the light in his darkness, but I failed. I couldn't even protect one friend. The darkness continues to take everything from me."
Master Eraqus refused to attend Rouge's wedding. The darkness in Roger's heart made him insist that the pure light in Rouge's wasn't compatible. They fought. They refused to talk again.
And so, Roger and Rouge never wed. Even when they both knew time was running out for Roger, they didn't get married. Roger understood how much Master Eraqus meant to Rouge, even if she was deeply hurt.
Maybe it was for the better, in the end. Especially when Roger decided to turn himself in, while a little light was growing inside of Rouge.
Rouge settled on her home island. The days of breaking into slave ships and exploring worlds were behind her. She knew she couldn't take her child to another world. It was Roger's wish for their child to explore this world and live a happy, long life.
Roger never did know what Rouge was. He only knew her weapon could unlock locks. She never told him it could unlock the hearts inside both people and the world itself.
(She never told him the horrifying wars and devastation this power could bear and has witnessed)
And so, Rouge waited. She had a strong will. She would make sure this bright light, which she loved more than her own life, would survive.
The chain on her keyblade changed. When it was once a hibiscus, it was now a crown. Rouge called it Queen Ann.
Her true love was a King. It would only make sense her weapon would be fit for a Queen.
Rouge was 26. Rouge kept her little light inside of her for 20 months. She knew she was dying, but it was worth it.
Even if she did survive, they both could not outrun the Marines. They were already hunting for her. If she survived, they would be caught. Their child could die.
She trusted Roger. She could also tell from the bright light inside of Garp's heart, despite all the darkness he has seen, he would love her child. Her child's best shot of surviving, as much as it pained her, was with someone else.
Rouge was still a Keyblade Master though. Her Master loved chess games. Rogue was rather good at strategizing herself.
Even if she died, she would protect their child. She made sure of it.
Her only regret was that Roger couldn't raise their child in the ways of haki or the sword. She couldn't raise their child in the secrets of beyond their world and the powers of the keyblade.
When she gave birth, it was a new year. His name was Ace.
It was the happiest moment in Rouge's life.
Before she died, she used her keyblade to free her heart. Though new, her son's heart was strong and warm.
And so, for 20 years, Rouge slept in his heart. She would always be there for Ace. And when he needed her most, she would protect him.
Rouge stared into the eyes of a monster. Admiral Akainu wanted to murder her son for simply being born.
They called her lover a monster and a demon, but Rouge wanted to laugh. She had seen those all-mighty Celestial Dragons. She had seen the monsters that wore the faces of humans in the nightmares of slaves.
There were countless, more cruel monsters around them in the world. She could feel the presence of several on this battlefield. The darkness in their hearts oozed out, sapping out any drop of light they had.
She used her keyblade to block the blow.
"KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF MY SON!" Rouge screamed in fury. Her trusty keyblade, Queen Ann, had water spinning around them. It blocked Akainu's killing blow.
She would protect her son until all of her spirit was gone.
"You…" Akainu stared at her weapon. There was a spark of recognition in his eyes.
Rouge didn't care. This man tried to kill her son. She would make him pay.
(She didn't want to fight this man. She wanted to spend time with her son. She wanted to hug him. She wanted to kiss her forehead. She wanted to tell him how much she loved him)
Rouge raised her head high.
She would kill this man, before he could ever lay hands on her son. The same goes with the darkness choking another presence nearby. That man turned her son in to be executed. He murdered his own family for power.
Rouge would always protect the innocents. That was her dream as a Keyblade Master.
Then, she would say a final goodbye to her son.
…
He grew up into a handsome young man. He had her freckles. He had Roger's hair color, but he looked so much like her.
He was her son. She remembered the day she could sense the bright light growing inside her. Even now, despite all the darkness around him, his light still shined bright.
For years, Rouge slept. She could sense Ace's self-worth issues. She wanted, for so long, to comfort him. Despite Ace thinking he didn't have the right to exist and his birth itself was a sin, Rouge knew otherwise.
She reached out and hugged him tightly. She whispered in his ear, "I love you so much, Ace. The day you were born was the happiest moment in my life. Everyday, I am thankful you were born. You grew up into a better man than I thought you could ever be. I am so proud to be your mother."
Rouge gave a watery smile. She wanted to express so much more, but her time was running out. Her heart was no longer finding refuge inside her son. It was time for her to move on.
Ace looked at her with such love and longing. His voice cracked. "Mom…"
Rouge felt choked up. Even though she left him, he still called her Mom. He still loved her. He took her name. How was she so lucky to have such a wonderful son?
"Live a happy, long life, Ace. Be free. Know that you are dearly loved. I was able to be with you for 20 years, and I am forever grateful I was. Even when I'm gone, I will always be watching over you. May your heart be your guiding key." Rouge tucked Queen Ann into Ace's hand.
She believed in her son. He would figure it out. He was already a worthy keyblade wielder. She knew Queen Ann would protect him.
Rouge smiled. Her tears blurred her eyes as she finally began to fade away.
She would always love her son. Her path as a Keyblade Master led her to Roger and to Ace. Despite everything she has seen in her life, she wouldn't change a thing, if it led to this.
Know that your mother loved you dearly, Ace.
"Shanks, you know about this weapon, don't you?"
"Yeah, I do, Ace. Though only rumors."
"Sengoku recognized it. Akainu recognized it. They both feared it. What is it?"
"Ace, your mother saved your life. It's a blunt weapon, but it fucking killed Admiral Akainu. It killed Teach. I think that speaks volumes."
"…"
"Ah, don't give me that look. Fine, since you are Anchor's brother, I will let you in on a little secret. Your mother never told anyone the details of her powers. She only said the keyblade could unlock anything. She used it to break in and free slaves."
"…My mom is a badass."
"Yeah, I know. That's actually how Captain and your mother met- Ah, don't give me that glower. Honestly, I should've made the connection between them sooner, but I didn't. You saw your mother wielding that weapon. She looked the future Pirate King straight in the eyes and ripped into him for meddling into her plans. She feared nothing and no one. She was powerful and she knew it. That's why I couldn't believe my Captain managed to woo her. He was an absolute idiot around her."
"So like you!?"
"I'm a riot, you idiots! And you love me for it! Why else did you join my crew?"
"Shanks!"
"Ah, sorry. Anyways, while sailing around, I started to hear myths about ancient warriors who could wield weapons in the shapes of keys. They fought the darkness and saved worlds. It was said their power could either save worlds, or destroy them all. Of course, I had a feeling, but I wasn't sure. Until today. I don't think we are scratching the surface of the powers of that weapon, considering your mom died but her spirit came out to protect you. I have a feeling it has something to do with the keyblade, but who knows. We both know it's powerful, Ace. It killed powerful people today. It can also be used for good. It saved your life and your captain's."
"He's not my captain. He's my father."
"He is."
"…"
"…"
"Ace, you aren't strong enough. You have potential, but you are still a diamond in the rough. You need to train your haki. You are too reliant on your Devil Fruit. You should have died today, if it wasn't for your mom."
"…I know. I wasn't strong enough."
"You know, I have Conqueror's Haki. I also know a bit about the Keyblade from my journey. Your mom gave you a gift. If you could hone a weapon with your Devil Fruit, you would be very strong. Add on haki too…"
"Are you offering to help me? Is it because of my father?"
"I am offering to help you because you are Rouge's son and Anchor's brother. Plus, I do like your Captain. He knows how to drink. Your family needs time to heal and you need time to stand strong enough with the world chasing after you. Plus, I like you, Ace."
"…Thank you very much, Shanks. Let me tell Pops about your offer."
"Dahahaha, that bow brings back memories. Let's drink! To Portgas D. Rouge for putting the fear of the dead into everyone in Marineford! To Portgas D. Ace for carrying on her legacy!"
