She hears the news about Flevance far too late. Almost a year later.

And she only finds out because she meets Law again.

And protects him from a blonde haired man with a fearsome glare.

"You..." Law mutters, tears in his eyes as he clings to the barely breathing Corazon. "You're the one I gave that comic to."

"I am." She send him a side smile and steps back for Fadi and Sitnalta to take care of the blonde haired man. She's lucky to have so many strong individuals as her crewmates. It also gives her time to heal the other blonde haired man.

"Tell me, what's your name?" She gently asks, hands burning with flames that have Law panicking until he realizes they're helping him. So, Law stays quiet with his hands on his lap. 

Corazon quietly says his name, too quiet for her to hear him so she asks him to speak louder. Shila has to keep the blood-covered man awake until she's certain he wont pass. 

"Can you feel anything weird?"

He chuckles. "Nothing but the touch of a beautiful woman."

Law lets out a choked sob and Corazon apologizes sheepishly. Good, it seems the man is feeling better already.

Tell him to shut up, yoi.

Marco.

Tch.

Shila turns around with a small smile on her lips when she notices Sitnalta and Fadi struggling against the donquixote pirates. Shaquanna steps in to fight alongside them and it gives her enough time to pick up Corazon and carry him to the ship (despite her lack of height).

Law follows beside her with question after question about Corazon, and understanding how the boy feels, Shila answers each and every one of them patiently.

Her flames remain orange on the man for awhile, and though Shila had gotten better in terms of stamina, it was still rather difficult to heal such complex injuries. Surely, Corazon had not been taking good care of himself.

She drops the man lightly onto the deck of the ship where Athena, a part-giant and doctor of the crew, quickly took him to the infirmary. Shila encouraged Law to head in with Corazon before running off back to Shaquanna and the others herself. As soon as they saw her approaching, Shaquanna, Fadi, and Sitnalta all retreated.

Shila was pleased to see only Doflamingo remained unharmed. It meant less trouble for her to deal with.

"Who are you?" He gritted out, teeth clenched together so hard she thought they might break.

Shila didn't plan on revealing her devil-fruit yet, knowing what men like this could use the information of the fruits existence for.

Rather, if news about her got out, her father would find her and Shila still wasn't ready to face him.

"Answer me!" He growled, hands swinging with the speed of sound and slicing through air with strings as sharp as sword. "Hand them over."

"I can't do that." She played off the cut on her shoulder as nothing. This man had managed to get a clean cut on her with  a single swipe. She needed to be more careful.

Without so much as a lick of hesitation, Doflamingo surged forwards with the force of a beast. Shila narrowly avoided a punch to her side that would have been fatal. He was much larger than she, and a single punch could be all that he needed to knock her out with the haki coating his fists.

Her own arms coated in gold as she pushed her right foot back and kept her left in front in a fighting stance. When Doflamingo aimed for another punch with a simultaneous attack using his devil fruit, Shila discreetly coated the sides of her palms with purple fire to cut the strings and then harshly chopped his side with her other palm. 

The blonde choked slightly, attempting to turn around fast enough to cover any of his open points but Shila was quicker. With his back turned to her she quickly lifted her leg and snapped a kick at the back of his neck, then to his trapezii. It caused enough pain for him to stumble forwards and offer her enough time to unsheathe her sword.

The embedded iron dragons on her swords snuck around her wrist, tight and promising to release only after she succeeded in her battle. Shila could never use the sword unless she was positive that the fight she was in would result in her victory.

She was positive this time.

Until he sliced a part of her fore-arm skin off.

She yelled in pain as a hand gripped around her throat and slammed her to the ground, head first. It happened once, then twice, and she realized he wouldn't stop. Each slam was harder than the last, more hateful each time time.

He began to laugh as her eyes fluttered. Had it not been for the ropes binding her together, Shila could have won this fight already.

"Truly, did you think you could be me?" He chuckled darkly. "I am invincible!"

She inhaled slightly before sending him a smirk.

"Invincible?" He paused, watching as her tongue slicked across her teeth in preparation.

And then he released her with a grunt of pain, fire burning at his skin.

When the wall of flames cleared, all Doflamingo could see was a purple and orange phoenix.

He thought of the Whitebeard commander.

And it pissed him off enough to release some of his conquerors haki.

Shila felt like a rock had hit her. Square in the face. She didn't understand why, but something the man in front of her had released was so strong that it almost had her weak at the knees. Thankfully, she was in her phoenix form.

The next few attacks from him were ruthless. Haki coated strings continuously cutting through her skin. It was hard to even near him. So instead of going to him, Shila backed away and launched a few flames at him from a distance. Unfortunately, he managed to cut those as well.

But then she thought of another plan when she noticed how the flames had managed to close more distance than she could. 

A barrage of flames launched at Doflamingo, so much that it blinded him. It wasn't long before he realized what Shila was planning, but it was enough time for her to reach him.

Blood splattered on the ground as her kick pushed against his ribs, surely breaking a number of them. Doflamingo managed to cut off her hand- or what would have been her hand if she wasn't in phoenix form.

Thankfully, she was unharmed by the time she was back in her regular form.

With short breaths, Shila raised her sword, and stabbed the man in his chest.

Then, she hit his head as hard as she can, successfully knocking him unconscious with the harsh attacks.

As quickly as she could, Shila transformed into her phoenix form and flew back to the already-departed ship, landing on the deck with a harder thud than usual.

Athena and Shaquanna helped her quickly get to the infirmary, where they tended to both her and Corazon.

Shilas wounds we're healing with the help of her devil fruit, of course. So she informed the two to focus on the blonde next to her.

With a sigh of relief she smiled at the raven haired boy.

In return to the gesture, Law choked and glanced at Corazon before returning to her, eyes swell with tears.

"You have... such a kind smile."

~

Corazon agrees to teach her how to better use her haki and devil fruit, and they begin training as soon as possible.

Every single time, he beats her when it comes to fighting blindly. She doesn't understand how that is when he falls so easily outside of fights.

When she manages to finally beat him, they move onto something else.

He covers her eyes with a cloth and she's forced to use only observation haki to sense the covered sword aimed at her.

Shila gets to five before hard wood slams against her head.

She'll act like the sound of Laws laughter doesn't embarrass her.

"You aren't trying hard enough."

"You're right." She admits with a sigh, standing back up and preparing to try again. "I always have too much on my mind."

"Well we need to learn how to clear it."

I can show you how, yoi.

Shilas cheeks burn red.

Be quiet, Marco.

What? Come meet me, and I'll show you just how breathless-

Wood knocks against her head again.

Corazon takes off her blindfold and Law joins his side to stare at Shila.

"Why are you blushing?" The teen raises an eyebrow. 

Her crewmates snicker, already aware that Marco was probably teasing her.

"Did he say he was going to kiss you again?" Sitnalta wiggled her eyebrows. "That's my lil bro."

"I'm sorry, what is happening?" Corazons cigarette fell out of his mouth. "Because this is all very weird without context.

Another year passes, and Shila succeeds greatly with everything. She not only gathered a large number of trusted allies, but also managed to learn a majority of things about her ability. Enough so that she fully understands how to utilize it.

Law had been a massive help with his devil fruit as well, healing as many people as he could and learning about the human body at the same time. He also learned about fishmen and how to heal them too. It was amazing how quickly the boy learned and adapted to things.

They have one final battle before Shila plans to head back, and it's currently what the princess   is occupied in doing. 

Her talons attached onto the necks of two soldiers, knocking them unconscious by cutting off the blood circulation to their heads. It was an inefficient way of doing so but she had time so it wasn't a problem.

Not until back up troops appeared, more stronger than the last.

And so, so many people began to fall.

One of her own taken out by the enemy.

One of the enemy taken out by her own.

It began to overwhelm her and suddenly Shila felt as thought she was nineteen and in her first war, using her flames to kill every enemy on the battlefield.

Only, too much damage had been already done by the time she could actually defeat everyone, including their leader.

He was difficult to defeat, a man with such strong haki.  

And he'd managed to snap her arm. It was terrible timing that Shila learned that while she could mend the bones of others, the same couldn't be said for her. So instead or retreating as she should have, Shila fought with only a single arm, yelping in pain every here and there. She almost didn't defeat the man, but when she did, he fell to the ground hard.

It was a few moments of silence for her, of just staring before she gathered the wits to turn and stare at the battlefield  behind her.

Shila walked forwards to the first fallen soldier who's heartbeat could no longer be heard, and then carried him all the way to where the village people would prepare them for their burials.

Then she did that with the next person.

And the next.

And the next.

Even though her shoulder popped and bled, she carried every single fallen and injured soldier alone until her team came.

Corazon was at her side first, asking for permission to carry her, to which she refused and lifted another man. He bit his lip and nodded, picking up four men at a time.

That entire day, Shila carried and buried soldiers with great respect, and delivered the news to their families as well.

And at night, Shaquanna comforted her as she silently cried into the womans chest.

"You've fought hard my queen. Soon, soon, you may rest. Soon, you may emerge victorious."

It brought comfort, although not enough, it still brought a good amount.

~

Something burns in Shaquannas pocket, and they both freeze at the sight of the vivre card burning ever so slowly. Shaquannas sends her a desparate look that Shila can only nod in agreement with, followed by orders to Kai to change their direction.

He obeys without question.

Isla and Athena both hastily work their best to somehow heal the princess's arm, though they can't seem to find any way to heal it quicker.

But they can't wait anymore. Because the king had clearly found out about Javaaid.

Shaquanna prays to god, relying on and begging to him for his assistance.

And Shila finds herself praying too.

~

They stop at Sabaody Archipelago to restock for supplies before they make their way to their homeland, and Shila is allowed to roam the island by herself. She's fearless as she does so, holding her sword beneath her coat so as to not alarm any citizens or authorities.

She prevents a couple of possible kidnappings and takes care of the perpetrators with clear anger, making it a point to leave a large burn on their faces or hands to remind them what happened when they had last placed their hands or eyes on a victim. 

She finds an isolated bar that she enters, eyes scanning the neat interior of the bar with satisfaction as she takes a seat. A beautiful raven haired woman greets her along with a question of what drink she'd like. Shila kindly asks for some juice even though the woman had been referring to an alcoholic drink. Nevertheless, she serves her some orange juice that Shila takes gratefully.

"Are you that beautiful princess Rayleigh spoke about?" A red haired man whom she hadn't noticed from before spoke beside her

 She turns to him with a small smile. "Possibly?"

"Well he wasn't wrong." He smirks at her and she chuckles, trying to ignore the annoyed voice in her head. 

Knowing Marco makes Shila realize that whike he doesn't get jealous over other things, he easily does over her.

"I'm afraid I'm taken by someone." 

He pouts and sighs. "Benn, I tried."

The older man laughs at him in a way that has Shanks glaring. "Yes, you did try, boss."

Shila does her best to cheer him up. "Besides, you're a little too young for me."

"Hey, princess." The red-head leans on his palm. "You're rather calm around me. It's refreshing, but you don't know who I am do you?"

"Of course I do!" She grins. "But you're younger than me, so I'm not intimidated at all. You're like a cute little kid!"

Though he's a little insulted that she views him as a child, since he's almost fully grown, it's amusing enough for him to burst out laughing while hitting the bar counter. Shakky scolds him softly with a small smile, amused by Shila's innocence.

Shanks wipes his tears and leans closer to the princess, eyes hooded in a way that had him looking older than he actually is. Shila keeps herself where she is with wide eyes and tight lips.

"Who's your man? Do I have to fight him to prove my worth?"

"Uhh..." Shila stutters with a smile. "I've never actually met him in person, so-"

Tell him your husband is Marco. I'll kill him myself when I see him, yoi. Just like old times! 

For some reason, Shila feels like she has to tell the red-head who her husband-to-be is, but perhaps its because Marcos colours are closer to her than ever before. Either way, it takes her no less than a second to blurt his name out of her mouth with furious red cheeks and a shy stutter.

"I-it's Marco."

The red head pauses.

Marco the phoenix, yoi.

"The phoenix. Marco the phoenix is my husband."

"Tough luck, boss."

"Dammit." Shanks frowns. "The Whitebeard's always get everything."

The bar door slams open and Fadi quickly rushes forwards, breathing heavily with trembling lips. He's resting his hands on his knees as he kneels over with a sob.

"My queen," His head lowers slighty.  

Shila approaches him instantly, a look of concern plastered on her features. She places her hands on his shoulders and rubs them. "Yes, what's wrong, Fadi? Are you all right?"

Shanks and Benn are silent behind her, evaluating the situation with caution before Fadi finally speaks.

"Shaquanna... she's been taken by the admiral for the celestial dragons!"

And it's as though someones plowed a knife through Shilas heart.

She mutters with wide and horrified eyes. "What?"

~

Rocinante and Law are resting together, with the raven haired boy laid on the mans chest while Rocinante leaned on a sack of rice. Shila watched them for a moment, smile fading until she buried her head in her lap.

"That's enough moping." Sitnalta scowled, forcing the princess on her feet. Shila crossed her arms and stared at her, eyes miserable. She glanced over to where Law and Rocinante were resting, relieved to find that they were still fast asleep, before walking with Sitnalta to the upper deck.

There, the rest of the crew gathered.

"I don't even know how..." Shila bit her tongue and forced herself to stop continuing her sentence, knowing what she would have said next would have stripped her of her title as a leader.

She couldn't give up. Not with millions relying on her.

So instead she lifted her chin, cleared her throat and squared her shoulders.

"Alright. Heres the plan."

~

"Rocinante, can you sense anyone?" Shila questioned, eyes closed as she did her best to check as well. However, Rocinantes observation haki was still far more developed than her own.

The blonde opened his eyes after a moment and shook his head.

"No one."

Her eyes sharpened. "Then you know what to do?"

And he nodded, lighting a cigarette before speeding past her. She waited a few minutes until an explosion sounded from infront of her, then she proceeded onwards.

"We're going to break into Marijois."

"What?" Fadi looked at her like she had grown two heads. "Are you insane? You'll be killed and taken back to your father!"

"That's why we'll have a couple of distractions." She gestured down to the sleeping Corazon on the main deck. "That guy knows how to make explosives. He'll be the first one,"

"How will we get into Mariejois?"

Green eyes glittered with mirth. "Believe it or not, thats the easiest part."

Launching some flames at a nearby concealed generator, Shila watched as the surrounding building began to burn as well.

But then another eruption from behind her had her head whipping back in shock, only to see the  main palace of mariejois had been blown up. It ruined any plans she had created with the crew, so she quickly called the rest of them to cancel and retreat.

Rocinante was the only one who refused to leave her side, running by her side the whole time while they challenged the bright fire towering over them. 

Slaves and employees were running out of the building, the former racing towards the edge of the floating island and jumping down the waterfall. She clenched her teeth and searched for Shaquanna, but once it was clear that she wasn't apart of this group of slaves they ventured further in order to find her.

Through the burning flames they find a dungeon where all the slaves are held. Surprisingly, they only find one old fishman chained to the walls. Daming it all, Shila races to release him while Rocinante keeps watch.

"Don't touch him!" A voice calls while coughing. Rocinante brings forth his rifle and points it at the figure while Shila places the elderly fishman on her back.

Through the smoke emerges a fishman with a sun tattooed on his chest, a bandanna wrapped around his head along with a long black beard that resembled a goatee but could not be classified as one just yet.

Shila and Rocinante fail to recognize the man but the fishman on Shilas back seems to know him. She helps the elderly fish man walk towards the red skinned fish-man who catches the elder with his arms.

"F-fisher Tiger!" The elderly man cries. "Have you come to free us? Have we finally been freed?!"

"Yes, you have." The man replies, clenching his teeth. "I'll change things, I swear."

"I hate to break the reunion, but we need to get out of here." Rocinante stomps on his cigarette while Fisher tiger watches.

"Who are you both?"

"We were here for a friend." Green eyes fluttered as they gazed upon the heartwarming scene. "Saving this fish-man was just another thing we could manage to do."

The red-skinned fish-man sighed and began to walk away. "Well it's not like I have much choice. If you ambush us, I'll kill you."

"Gotcha."

"So, wheres your ship?"

"That's a good question."

~

"My queen!" Faci races to her and urges her to follow him to the infirmary where they find Athena resting with mild wounds. The woman smiles at them and holds out a partially burned paper. Thankfully, no words had been burned off yet.

Shila recognizes the language on the paper. It's a beautiful cursive-like kind of writing with many curves and hoops and lines. 

It's her native language.

She's the only one who can read it, even if the rest of them can understand it.

And once again, Shila's blood runs cold and drains from her face as soon as she finishes reciting the words out loud.

Suddenly, and image appears in the air around them.

While the rest of them are startled by the hologram, Shila remains unmoving with clenched teeth and fists.

"Did you truly think I wasn't tracking you, my dear daughter?"

A man chuckled as he sat on a throne with his legs crossed.

Muttering lowly, Shila's voice trembles. "Father..."

"I'll admit, you lost me for awhile there. But I've found you. And guess what?"

The image shifts to reveal a tied up Shaquanna, all bloody and bruised. She's conscious, but barely. Just enough that one of her eyes are fluterring.

The rage she feels is so great, that something unleashes inside of her. Something she can't understand or believe. Something that has her crew mates on their knees and gasping.

"I've found your little friend! I'll admit, she's tough as nails. Barely uttered a word since we captured her.  That'll change soon enough, though." The video cuts off to another mans face. "Wont it, Javaaid."

"Yes, sir."

Javaaid is so good at hiding the flicker of pain behind his eyes, that he almost make shila doubt whether or not he's the enemy. That doubt increases even more so when he begins to laugh alongside the king.

Her father grins and shifts the image back to Shaquanna who sat in silence, Shila could only hope she wasn't dead.

"Enjoy my parting gift. Specially created for you, my dear daughter."

Isla shuts the message off while Kai grabs Shila and prevents her frkm continuing to watch. 

The look of silent pain Shaquanna sent them told them far too much.

"Noxus Demacia..." The boat creaks and shakes as if on par with her emotion's. Theres frustrated tears in her eyes that freely flow down her face.

"I'm going to kill you, and reclaim my kingdom."

Fisher tiger gazes at the united group on the higher deck and looks back at thr elder fishman.

It grants him minimal hope in humanity.

HOLLLLYYYYY 

NEXT CHAP UP IS WHERE IT ALL BEGINS. LETS GOOOO