The laughter in the tavern was loud and raucous, which was not unusual. However, Koala knew - it was a fabrication, a lie. She watched the Vice Admiral down four mugs of booze in under ten minutes. Monkey D. Garp was downing his sorrows, and she thought she knew why.

They had docked at the Red Port, which was under Mariejois, earlier in the morning. Betty had stayed in the boat to contact some of their allies while Koala scoped out the city, Leo on her shoulder. Leo's band of pirates, however, remained with Betty. It was best not to reveal their cards too early.

From Koala's contact's, she had known Garp would be at the Red Port. After he had escorted the Ryugu Kingdom's royalty back to their island, he had returned to the port, though he was not stationed there. Something kept Garp at the port, and Koala would use it as much as she could to get into Mariejois.

Garp suddenly stood up, patting one of his companion's backs - Koala was sure she heard a snap, and the man wheezed. The Vice Admiral walked out of the establishment, and after waiting a few moments she rose from her own seat to follow him.

The man seemed to walk through the port randomly, munching from a bag of crackers. Every so often, he would lift his eyes up to the great city, Mariejois. Koala found herself doing the same. So close, yet so far...

"Are we going to fight him?" Leo asked eagerly.

"No," she said, hushed. At least, she hoped that it wouldn't turn out as a fight. "That's actually Luffy's grandfather."

Leo's eyes widened. "Oh, I see."

Finally, she stepped out of the shadows and in step with the marine - after extracting a promise from Leo to not fight Garp. "Lovely day for a walk," she said evenly. "Dragon sends his regards."

Garp met her eyes, then snorted. "Stubborn brat."

She nodded. "He told me to call you an old geezer, but I think I'll hold off on insults for the moment. If we could speak somewhere more private...?"

Garp sighed, a glint of knowing in his eyes. Already, they had attracted more attention then she would've liked. People were glancing her way, likely wondering who the crazy young lady was, casually talking to the Hero of the Marines. "Follow me. We can talk at my place." he said gruffly.

He led her to a small inn - rather inconspicuous as opposed to the "bigger and better" hotels offered to authority figures. The woman at the front desk smiled at Garp, but didn't speak to him. They climbed the stairs and entered the room at the end of the hall.

Garp gestured for her to sit as he sank down into the mattress of his bunk. So Koala sat, legs crossed, both her and Leo silent. So they just stared at each other, taking in the dark shadows under their eyes, the barely veiled shame and regret and mussed hair. He looked like a lost old man. She wondered what he saw.

"After the war," Garp began, eyes cast downwards. "I believed that Luffy was the last of my grandsons. I can't imagine what that boy went through. And now to find that one of my brats is alive, but...."

Koala leaned back in the chair. A part of her was surprised that the man had opened up so quickly, and yet - he couldn't quite confide in other marines. A revolutionary, however, could keep a secret. "So what will you do?"

Garp's brows furrowed, and her breath caught - he was angry. Angry at himself. "If could go in there and get him, I would. Hell, I've wanted to do that for a long time -"

"Why do you think you can't?" Koala interrupted him before she could stop herself. "Your duty as a marine -"

"Don't you mock my duty as a marine," Garp growled fiercely, hands digging into his knees. "It's the only thing I have left, after Ace's execution."

Koala blinked, a sign that she was rather surprised by Garp's outburst. "As I see it," she started off slowly. "The marines are seen as the good guys, the heroes. They protect people and uphold their honor. But is it really honorable to serve the Celestial Dragons? How can you protect people when the marines turn a blind eye to the Celestial Dragon's blatant dismissal of the law?"

Garp clenched his hands and narrowed his eyes. "No, dammit, but -"

"Right now," Koala said lowly. "Sabo is up there in Mariejois. You may have stood by while Ace was on the execution platform, but I can guarantee that the hell up there is a million times worse."

The marine then looked her in the eyes, regret still there, but something else as well - determination. Koala could see the resemblance between the marine and Dragon. "He may be a brat that my brats brought home, but he's still my grandson. What do you brats need me to do?"

Koala's lips flicked upwards in a smile. "Alright, here's the plan...."

All in all, it only took around thirty minutes to lay out the plan, Leo pitching in from time to time about acts of violence towards Celestial Dragons. She could tell that he didn't hate them, but instead saw his deeds as fun. Koala was quick to agree with the Tontatta. Usually, violence wasn't that answer. At least, until it was.

Koala stood from her chair, and Garp rose with her. He seemed lighter, as if he'd been relieved of the weight of a mountain. And in a way, she suppose he was. She opened the door to leave when she turned back to Garp.

"This war we're fighting? Sure, it's for the people, the men, the women, the children. But it's also for the marines, the good men and women forced into work under the label of the greater good."

Garp snorted, but he wasn't glaring at her. "Just go, you cheeky brat. Coming here with your revolutionary propaganda."

Koala put a finger to her lips, eyes flicking about the open hallway to make sure no one heard his offhanded comment. "Just because we formed a temporary alliance doesn't mean we're not a secret organization. Honestly, I wonder sometimes how you of all people managed to keep two children of the 'D' clan off the marine's radar."

The marine laughed. "Don't worry, Sengoku wonders that too. I like to keep him guessing."

She adjusted her hat, smiling. "Just remember, tomorrow, midday."

Garp rolled his eyes and closed the door on her, grumbling something about "no good brats".

Exiting the inn, Koala made her way through the busy streets of the port and back to the ship. Betty had found herself a source of amusement while Koala had been away - yelling at the workers at the dock to "pick up the pace" as they carried the goods off the merchant ship they had used as passage.

"You seem to be having fun," Koala remarked.

Betty smirked down at her and blew out a puff of smoke. "I had to find a way to pass the time, didn't I?"

"I guess," Koala smiled, walking up the ramp and onto the vessel. "Anyway, Garp agreed to our demands."

Betty's brows rose, and the woman laughed. "I thought he was too stubborn to do anything! I suppose I was wrong."

She shrugged. "The old man feels guilty. He's probably felt guilty ever since Marineford. This way, he won't be leaving Luffy all alone again. So at least this time, he's done something. I know how he feels on that."

Betty frowned and peered at Koala over her glasses. "You're feeling guilty? That's dumb."

"I -"

"No," the commander interrupted. "We have no time for feelings like that. You chose to remain at the base. Sabo didn't fault you for your decision. What matters is that you're here now, to hell with the rest."

She sighed. Sabo had asked if she wanted to accompany him to Mariejois, but she just couldn't. Koala couldn't go back there, not again. But then Sabo got captured, and here she was. At Mariejois' welcoming mat, Red Port. Part of her wondered if she was crazy. Another didn't care. "Anyway, Garp said to meet up with his troops tomorrow. He'll have spare uniforms for us, and then...."

"We'll infiltrate Mariejois," Betty smirked. "You go get some rest, now. It's going to be a busy day tomorrow."

Koala's lips twitched upwards, and she looked towards Leo, who was still sitting on her shoulder. "Make sure your troops are ready too. We have a lot to get done."

"Okay!" Leo grinned, then hopped off her shoulder, zipping over to his own boat.

Koala stifled a yawn, and Betty nudged her towards the below decks. "Go on."

"Okay, okay," she protested, but went below decks and practically fell onto her hammock. Sinking into it, she was out like a light.

It was a dreamless sleep, but when she woke up, Koala felt well rested. She snagged a sandwich from the kitchen, munching it as she looked at her wristwatch. Her eyes widened. She had only ten minutes to meet up with Garp.

Koala dashed up from below decks to find Betty ordering people around again. "We've got to go," she said. "It's almost time."

Betty turned to look at her, taking a drag from her cigarette. "Damn, I guess we'd better hurry."

That was how they ended up dashing through Red Port (inconspicuously) to the inn Garp was staying at. Leo and his pirate group flew above them. The only sign that they were there was the small flashes of color through the air.

Spotting the window leading to Garp's room, Koala quickly scaled it, Betty behind her. Perching on the windowsill, she blinked. Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp was shirtless, cracker crumbs on his hairy chest, and a toothbrush in his mouth. She blinked. And blinked again, wishing that the sight could forever be erased from her mind.

"What's the problem?" Betty asked from below her, voice dry.

That's when Garp caught her eye through the window. The man, not even bothering to brush off the crumbs on his chest, opened the window door. "Well," he grumbled. "Come on in, you brats."

Koala inwardly sighed. There was no hope for their crazy family. The 'D's were all insane (Sabo included, honorarily).

When Betty entered, she tilted her head in consideration. "Just because you have the last name of Monkey," Betty began, a slow smirk spreading on her face. "It doesn't mean that you have to behave like one."

Garp snorted, then spat into a basin in his small bathroom. "I don't need lip from brats, much less from my brat's brats."

"Are you sure you're ready to do this today?" Koala asked hesitantly. Garp seemed unprepared. Though, from her experience, everything usually turned out alright with this family.

"Eh? Of course I am!" Garp's eyes glinted. "Your uniforms are...." he gestured vaguely to one of the boxes stacked haphazardly on the side of the room. "Somewhere over there."

Usually, she would've sighed. Yet a spark of elation surged through her - they were doing it. They were going to rescue Sabo! Rummaging through the boxes, she found two uniforms that looked like would fit herself and Betty. Taking turns, they each changed in the bathroom. By the time they were done, Garp was ready to go as well. Storing their clothes in a pack, Koala slung it over her shoulder and followed Garp out the door.

Outside, a bunch of marines were gathered. Seeing Garp, they all snapped to attention. Some glances were directed at her and Betty, however. She knew what it must look like, her and Betty leaving Garp's room so early in the morning. Koala kept her poker face up while Betty just smirked.

Koala sighed.

The marines all fell in step with Garp as they walked through the city. The townspeople waved at them and cheered, and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes. They came to a stop in front of the Bondolas - big, lamp looking contraptions made with the base of a bubble with roped connected to it. Their path to Mariejois.

"Halt!" said a soldier covered in armor. It made him look like a tin can. "What business do you have here?"

Garp crossed his arms, glaring down at the soldier. "I'm here to do a security check up at Mariejois."

"There are no security checks scheduled for Mariejois at this time, sir."

"Don't call me sir, it makes me sound like an old man," Garp said. "I decided to do a security check, so we're doing a security check."

"I'm sorry si - I mean, I'm sorry, Vice Admiral. We're not allowed to admit those without an invitation."

"Oh yeah?" Garp leaned forward. "What if those revolutionary brats are still hiding out up there? Who's head will it be that rolls if a Celestial Dragon gets caught up in this mess? Not mine, that's for damn sure. But you? Who'd miss a lousy guard anyway?"

"I-"

"Hey, look!" one of the marines pointed out quietly. "One of the Bondolas is coming down."

Koala looked up and sure enough, Bondola 4 was descending. "Do you think it's a Celestial Dragon?" she murmured to Betty as her fear spiked.

"Possibly," Betty mused.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared as the Bondola reached the ground. The door slid open, and a man wearing the white robes of a Celestial Dragon walked out. Yet they weren't gaudily adorned, and he didn't were a helmet over his styled green hair.

Immediately, everyone took a knee, Koala albeit stiffly. It was a Celestial Dragon. Her lips twitched upwards, so she forcibly frowned. There was no way in hell she'd smile for one of them again.

Never again, unless she truly felt happy. None of those soulless, meaningless mockeries of joy.

Betty's hand gripped her arm, and Koala's eyes snapped to the other woman. "Breath," Betty muttered to her. "Can't have you freezing up here."

Koala took deep breaths. Right, she had to breathe - they had a mission to accomplish. She closed her eyes and let out a breath. She had to focus.

"-them up," the Celestial Dragon was saying. "I would feel a lot better if the brave men and women of the marines were able to make sure we are safe."

"I -" the soldier stuttered, then bowed. "Ah, yes, of course. Please forgive me for my oversight."

"It's already been given," the Celestial Dragon said. "Now, come marines onto the Bondola. I shall escort you up."

Garp was already on his feet and grinned at the Celestial Dragon. "Thanks."

The Celestial Dragon nodded, smiling. "Of course."

Koala, Betty, and the marines all got to their feet and followed Garp onto the Bondola. Passing the Celestial Dragon, a glimpse of movement caught her eye -

Leo? The Tontatta was on the Celestial Dragon's shoulder, smiling and grinning at her. Her eyes widened in understanding - this Celestial Dragon, who was so unlike those that she remembered from her youth, was Saint Mjosgard, the Celestial Dragon that had assisted Leo at the Reverie.

The Celestial Dragon stepped inside, and the Bondola began to rise. Eventually, she could see the whole town, and the horizon beyond it. She grasped at that sight now like a lifeline. It was the promise of a whole world waiting for her, for freedom.

"You are Miss Koala and Miss Betty?" a voice asked, and she turned to the sight of Saint Mjosgard.

She froze.

"Depends," Betty said smoothly, eyes flickering towards a grinning Leo.

Saint Mjosgard nodded, devoid of the ugly sneers or smirks she'd been expecting. "I understand. Your cause is a hard one, but worthwhile. Leo came to me for assistance, so whatever you need, just let me know."

Betty nodded. "We'll keep that in mind," then the woman paused. "Actually, my associate and I will be needing a place to stay while we remain in the vicinity. You offering to house us?"

"Yes, of course." Saint Mjosgard said. "Anything you need."

The Bondola came to a stop, and the marines filed out. Once outside, Betty nudged Koala. "You head to Mjosgard's place. I'll stick here and get a feel for the land. Sound good?"

Koala managed a nod, which seemed to be good enough for Betty, because she left without another word.

"Well then," Saint Mjosgard began. "I'll show you to my residence."

Koala wordlessly followed the Celestial Dragon. Some marines looked at her strangely, but in her peripheral vision she saw them shrug it off - they probably thought he wanted a marine straight away to clear his home of revolutionaries. It was almost enough to make her laugh.

"Hey, are you okay?" Leo asked. He had jumped from Saint Mjosgard's shoulder to her own, and was looking up at her worriedly.

She snapped to attention. "Oh! Yes, I....I'm fine."

Leo frowned. "You sure?"

Koala smiled softly at the Tontatta. "I'm fine."

Leo smiled. "That's good!"

It was strange, walking through Mariejois out in the open, not underground or of of sight. All of those pearly white buildings, those carefully detailed inscriptions, everything so pristine....Koala raised her head higher. It gave her a kind of strength, she supposed, seeing through all of those carefully constructed lies.

Finally, they reached a building. Saint Mjosgard ushered her and Leo in. It was sparsely decorated, and had humble furnishings. It was....the complete opposite to what she knew most Celestial Dragons filled their homes with.

"Where's all the decor?" she asked before she could stop herself, Koala's tone accusing.

Saint Mjosgard looked at her. "Oh, I sold them all off. After an incident ten years ago, I realized that we Celestial Dragons are wrong. We are not gods, but human. So I sold off many of my jewels and useless bobbles and donated much of it to various groups in the Blues."

Koala started. We are not gods, but human.

Saint Mjosgard looked away, and she detected shame on his face. "I'm sorry for any harm we have done you. It was wrong of us, and I wish to make up for what I have done and assist you in your cause."

"Are you saying that you want to be a revolutionary?" Koala asked, beyond surprised to be even incredulous.

The Celestial Dragon squared his shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "Perhaps nothing so extreme, but....if that is what it takes, then so be it."

She was stumped. Koala couldn't have conjured this from even her imagination. But....she found herself smiling at the man. It wasn't a cold and lifeless smile -

It was real.

And it was a promise.