Aria's Pov
If Level 5 was an icebox designed by Satan, then Level 6 was the waiting room for emotional damage. One minute Luffy was pounding on the floor, screaming Ace's name, determined and furious and stupid-brave in the most painfully Luffy way…
The next, everything was moving too fast.
First came the news:
Ace was already gone.
Transferred.
On his way to Marineford.
It hit Luffy like a punch to the soul.
It hit me like a reminder of every canon timer ticking down faster than I could breathe.
I stepped closer though, my throat tight. "Luffy… we can still catch him. We're not done yet."
He barely looked up, eyes shadowed—but he squeezed my hand.
Just once.
Quick, grounding, like: Thanks for being here, even if I don't know what you're doing.
And I swear it made something stupid and warm curl under my ribs.
Ivankov rallied everyone with a speech full of sparkles and winks and "We do not abandon comrades!"
Luffy bounced back with that unkillable optimism of his, screaming, "OKAY! LET'S GO SAVE ACE!"
And then we were off.
We found Jinbe first, imprisoned like some massive blue Buddha.
His voice was heavy with guilt for failing Ace.
Luffy told him, "No problem! Let's go together!"
I bowed awkwardly. "Hi. Big fan. Sorry you're in jail."
He nodded politely, clearly confused why this frizzy-haired gremlin was apologizing for the prison system, but he accepted it.
When we passed Crocodile's cell, he leaned against the bars like he was posing for the cover of 'War Criminal Quarterly.'
I should've been cautious.
I should've remembered he once tried to turn Alabasta into a sand-based hellscape.
But my brain?
OH GOD HE'S EVEN HOTTER IN PERSON.
He smirked down at Luffy. "Let me out. I'll be useful."
I opened my mouth before Luffy could even respond.
"Yeah, it's fine. He doesn't betray you until after Ace dies—"
I slapped a hand over my mouth.
"W..what I mean is… um… nothing, carry on.."
Ivankov was against it. I paid close attention, hoping to hear more about that secret he had on him, but nothing.
My eavesdropping must have been obvious. Crocodile's eyes flicked to me. Curious. Sharp.
I pretended not to internally combust.
Mr. 1 joined because Crocodile did. Very chill. Very knife-y.
I greeted him cuz I couldn't shut up to save my life. "I respect your commitment to abs and blades."
He nodded like I had spoken the only language he knew.
The second Luffy said "escape," Buggy and Mr.3, aka, the professional cowards
were all-in, screaming about freedom and glory. No one bat an eye at them.
Everything was turning frantic fast.
Explosions.
Guards shouting.
Poison alarms blaring.
Crocodile being way too smug about sand-blasting people.
Jinbe punching through steel like cardboard.
Bon Clay alternating between cheering and weeping.
Luffy held my hand every time the floor shook, pulling me with him so I didn't get left behind.
Which… yeah. It worked. My heart was left behind instead.
When we made it to the main gate, Ivankov stayed behind to block Magellan—winking dramatically, yelling, "I shall return, my little sea kittens!"
Luffy shouted his thanks.
I blew him a kiss, because he deserved it.
He came back to us. Then everything went to hell… again
Just like canon.
Just like destiny refusing to budge.
Bon stayed behind to open the final gate, smiling bravely through his tears.
"We will meet again, my friend! I believe in you!"
The gate closed.
Locked.
Sealed.
"No."
My stomach dropped.
"No, no, no—this isn't happening. How could I forget about this? I'm not watching him get left behind."
Everyone shouted his name.
Luffy screamed, "BON-CHAN!!!"
Bon Clay—my sweet, dramatic, ride-or-die Bon—was alone inside with Magellan closing in.
And fate said: this is where he stays.
I said: absolutely the hell not.
I ran forward.
"Aria?!" Luffy grabbed my arm, panic in his voice. "Where are you going?!"
"I'll be right back," I said.
Total lie.
But necessary.
Before anyone could stop me, I used my Devil Fruit.
"I wish myself back into Impel Down," I whispered.
The world swirled.
The heat.
The poison stench.
The tremor of Magellan's steps.
Bon Clay stood there shaking, arms spread, ready to die like a hero.
He turned at the sound of my arrival. "Aria?! What are you—"
"No time."
I grabbed him.
"I wish us back to the ship!"
Air went out of my body.
My vision whitened out.
Then—
Sky.
Shouting.
Hands grabbing us.
Bon Clay sobbed into my shoulder. "I didn't know you had a devil fruit. You came for me—"
I managed a weak thumbs-up before gently collapsing like a tranquilized goat.
"Aria?! Aria!" Luffy crouched beside me, shaking my shoulder.
I stared at the sky, exhausted, and incredibly done with fate.