Chapter Text
The phoenix was so, so very tired.
His father and siblings had all left.
He was all alone now, with his thoughts and the beautiful, flowery and faint memories that he can never reach.
If he can’t be with them again, then he at least wants to be in the same state of existence as them. At the very least, that can atone for his sins, maybe.
His sin of living on while everyone else dropped dead all around him, like they always do, because he’s worthless, can’t do anything despite his powers, powers that cursed him to live, why is he alive, while everyone else isn’t? Why does he get to live, why hasn’t death come for him yet? Why, why is he alive, the worthless, useless weak one? Why? Is this punishment, being alone forever? Why?
Taking a deep breath, he shook away his thoughts, and focused on the ocean stretching out before him. The salty air whipped his hair up, and he shifted his sandals to feel the gritty sand below his feet.
The blue waves were peaceful, carrying decades worth of his memories on a whale-shaped boat, sailing the dangerous seas with his treasured family. He wanted to admire the land one more time before he surrendered to slumber in the vast blue oceans.
And so, the phoenix soared into the air, letting the wing carry his turquoise wings of fire, watching the ground disappear below him. He flapped his wings, aiming for the horizon, as the seemingly infinite ocean stretched before him.
He may have healing and regeneration, but all devil fruit users are weak to the sea, after all.
For a long time--he doesn’t know how long--time really doesn’t matter to him anymore, the blue bird flew on and on, planning to fly until he couldn’t anymore. Then, ideally the ocean would welcome him in its embrace, and he won’t be the last one standing anymore.
He won’t be alone, watching his family’s backs as they leave.
He felt his wings give out as dark voids started to cloud his vision.
Finally, the pirate thought, as he plunged towards the salty water from his spot so high up in the sky. He was so close to reaching the water–he could feel the frigid waves!
Slowly, consciousness began to leave the man, and all that he could sense was a musky odour and the incoming wind.
And then Marco felt solid ground underneath him, and blinked open his bleary eyes.