#headliners

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlRm7392nUg

Law felt an eyebrow twitch as a sliced pepperoni pizza whizzed past his ear and landed on the wall behind him with a large splat before slowly sliding down, leaving a greasy trail behind it. Another greasy mark for the wall, Law glanced at the grease-shaped pizza splat left on the wall, feeling a blood vessel about to burst, his right eye began to twitch.

“I was saving that,” a deep voice rumbled, interrupting the quietness in the bar. “Don’t you dare touch it,” the red-haired man shouted, grabbing a young boy by the red vest. The boy's cheeks were full of food. “You will pay for that.” He shook the boy aggressively.

“Oh yeah,” Luffy answered Kid, his mouth full of food, “I didn’t see your name on it,” his hand stretched, grabbing a fist full of fries, shoving them into his mouth. A few of them missed his mouth and bounced off the counter, landing near the blank piece of paper near Law.

Kid went and grabbed two slices of pizza, shoving them into his mouth, sending the greasy oil flying everywhere, marking the blank sheet of paper. Law sighed, brushing off the food crumbs that littered the sheet, glaring at the two idiots. Moving his hand from the sticky surface of the table, the frown on his face deepened. How did he get into this mess, he questioned all the life choices that led him to a small, dark bar, owned by the loser Kid, and his time wasted with the idiotic Luffy.

Kid’s bar was never clean; every area in the bar was covered in dirt, with old greasy stains on the moldy couches, almost looking like they were built in patterns.  The air smelled old, mixed with the scent of metal and gasoline. All things unpleasant, much like Kid himself. He could still hear Luffy and Kid scuffling, fighting for the last slice of pizza that was now lying on the floor, covered in filth and dirt.

Oh yeah, a bet. A bet he lost.

Nami had entered Luffy into a battle of band contest with hopes of winning a grand prize of million Belis and he got roped in, wanting to increase her odds by having many different bands. He foolishly accepted the bet from the con woman, forgetting that she knew how to cheat and loved to win. She was familiar with tricks with cards. And Kid somehow got tricked into it as well, maybe the same con she pulled on Law. And Luffy was just dragged in, thinking it was a battle, and his relationship with Nami.

“Mugiwara-ya, Eustass-ya,” Law growled, calling attention to the couple of idiots. They turned to him both mouth full of food, “We need to come up with concept, for the competition,” he managed to keep his temper in check, he needs both losers to understand the importance of battle, or he would be stuck with Luffy tailing him where ever he goes if he lost, “What song will be singing,” he said taking in Luffy’s confused look.

They had long figured out what instrument they would be playing; Law would play on the base and back up vocalist, Luffy would play on the keyboard, and Kid would be the guitarist and be lead vocalist.

“There is no need to come up with a song,” Kid said banging his large hands on the table. The table cracked under the pressure. “The song is going to be about me,” he gave a smug smirk, “After all, I am the lead singer, and guitarist, and the most handsome,” he grinned, showing his side profile.

“Nuh-uh,” Luffy said swallowing his food, “It should be about the greatest thing ever.” He smiled his charming smile, “MEAT!!!” 

Law could feel his eyebrow twitch clenching his jaw he stared at the two idiots before him, “We need something that will have us actually win,” he huffed, he pinched the bridge of his nose. He was struggling with the lyrics of what the song would be about. Yet his mind was blank.

He wanted to leave that woman happy so he could get away from the straw hats. He knew the woman had enough tricks her sleeve to make his life miserable. And somehow drag Kid to disrupt his peaceful life.

He shook his head, his mind trying to form a plan to wiggle himself out of this mess. But like the lyrics, nothing came to mind. His only option was to play and win.

He was grateful for the piano lessons he had taken when he was young. He had quickly picked up how to play the bass. But unfortunately, he was tasked with training Luffy on the keyboard as the young boy had no talent for singing. Or focusing.

“I think a song about meat would win,” Luffy said. “MEAT, MEAT, MEAT, MEAT, it is delicious, it is good, it tastes like meat. Meat makes you smart, meat makes you strong. MEAT, MEAT, MEAT,” Luffy sang off tune. He shoved more meat in his mouth and continued with the song, spitting chunks of meat everywhere. 

Law could only wrinkle his nose. To explain the stupidity of the song would be a waist of breath. He glanced at the blank page before him now covered with grease and food particles, everything but ink. They had been sitting in Kid’s bar for hours; him doing the majority of the work. Kid spent the majority of his time showing off, while Luffy ate and goofed off.

 Law’s stomach rumbled from hunger; the waitress brought another pile of food to the table. He reached for the rice ball that was placed in front of him and took a large bite. He needed to figure what to write the meaning.

Brushing his finger through his dark hair, he let out a frustrated growl, getting tired of Luffy singing (His made-up meat song and off-key) between mouthfuls of food and Kid playing the guitar, lazily. They had three weeks left till the competition, and the only thing they accomplished was the roles, and Luffy learned to play the keyboard.

“Just relax,” Kid said he strummed his guitar humming a rhythm, “We will win this battle, after all the song should be about me, and I am the greatest,”

Law rolled his eyes. A love song felt to banality, and he shuddered at the thought of singing a love song with the idiots. Or songs about parting. He frowned, trying to think of different songs he could think of. The TV blaring a soft commercial jingle, did little to help clear his thoughts. He had to finish this today; they had enough time to complete.

He tried remembering the song from his childhood, music his father would listen to when he had to work and had Law study with him. The strong smell of distinct and the sound of soft jazz playing in the background. The smooth voice of the jazz singer singing about freedom, breaking the bounds, and fighting for what they believed.

“I promise to clean the streets of all criminals, mafia members and bandits,” A muffled voice expressed his glanced up at the TV another corrupt politician stood on the podium expressing. He raised an eyebrow familiar with the man, a celestial dragon who preached love and kindness and protection, but in the end, they were all the same all had ties with the mafia.

 “What is the asshole talking about?” Kid said stopping playing the guitar to stare at the man on the television. “All the politicians are the same, they have the money and power and preach about how they care but not one and help one another. They say cleaning the street, but they are no different from us.”

Law glanced at the overgrown tulip; he was surprisingly insightful for a meathead.

“Why don’t we do a song about that?” Law questioned, “Freedom, challenges, and fighting what we believe,” he said.

Luffy smiled, “I like the idea of freedom.”

Kid smirked.

---

The last few weeks were hell for Law, he spent most of his time in Kid’s sleezy bar, jotting down lyrics while arguing with the two idiots. Kid or Luffy would often write over what he had written, writing their own lyrics, making it ineligible to read. Often having Law to rewrite everything making it more legible to read.

“The song should be about me,” Kid would say jotting down random lyrics down, “after all I am the best,” he would bellow, jabbing a thumb to his chest, “and I am the lead singer,”

“And food,” Luffy would shout. And Law would ignore focusing on the lyrics and writing the correct melody. 

Law hated sitting in Kid’s dirty bar, from the sticky, grimy surface on every table, to the air heavy with smoke and the bitter scent of mold. Unfortunately, Kid’s bar was the best place with good acoustics, with a small stage, and everything set up for them to practice. They would sit on the stage, half their usual table scattered with books on music. The other half with empty food bowls and beer cans.

Law had picked up books on music, practicing when he can so he can master the basics. Thankfully, he had some knowledge from his younger days when he was learning to play the piano, a skill his parents enforced. Lucky he could still read music notes and knew the basic from a beat and rhythm. The skill really helped when it came to teaching Luffy how to play keyboard, fortunately food was a great motivator to help getting the moron to learn and have the lesson stick.

Kid himself was more skilled with music than both Law and Luffy, having played guitar as a hobby. He often corrected mistakes, fine-tuning their instruments till they played perfectly and fixed the inconsistency in the notes Law had written. His voice, managing to fill the small bar, the lyrics Law had written sounded taunting and menacing.

 When they weren’t arguing with one another, Law found himself enjoying himself, enjoying the music they were playing. He had enjoyed writing the lyrics, hearing what he wrote being sung.  He actually enjoyed the way, the base vibrated through his chest, as he strung a melody and his fingers, skillfully strumming on the strings. The music and melody bounced around in Kid’s bar.

“I've eliminated every single one of those who mock the ambitions of others. Do what you say, make up your mind. Those who aren't prepared will soon find themselves at sea,” Kid sang the lyrics a mischievous grin on his face.  He was almost screaming the words bring a different kind of emotion to the lyrics.

“Headliner,” all three screamed into the mic. 

Law stood on the stage, feeling the music in his chest, watching Kid as he grabbed the mic and bellowed the song. The light outlined Kid’s shadow as he moved around the stage, strangely being more animated than Luffy.

“The sparkling stage beckons.” Law sang into his mic. Even though Kid’s bar was empty he could imagine the crowd of people gathering around him.

“The king's throne.”  Kid sang.

They strummed the final part; Kid sang the final lyrics. The last of the notes hummed into the air.

The bar went silent and the lights went out.

“Not bad,” Kid panted between breaths whipping the sweat between his brows. He slung his guitar over his back and smiled at the two, “Law, your tune was a little off, next time try to keep up with me.”

Luffy could only snicker in response. Law could only glare at Kid, he was putting his base away. A base Shachi had lent him, it was a short interest of his when he wanted to play music as a hobby, that didn’t last long. He brushed his finger on the glistening on the body.

“Try not spitting on the people,” Law spat back.

 Practice was done for the day covered in their own sweat, their voices strained and muscles aching they were panting trying to catch their breaths. The battle of the bands was days away and they are working the last of their bugs and getting near perfect.

Kid growled reaching for Law, Luffy snickered in the corner, ready to watch the small fight break out. Nami’s voice rang through the loudspeakers, stopping anything more from happening.

“YOU ASSHOLES BETTER NOT RUIN THE INSTUREMENTS,” she shouted she had been watching safely from the corner monitoring and making sure they were sticking with their plans.

All three assholes glanced at the small female, her gaze fierce she stood unfazed by the powerful men. She held a microphone in one hand a clipboard in the other. She was monitoring all the groups she had signed up for the battle of the bands, after all the more contest she had the better chance she had of winning the prize money, and maybe even second place.

“Any equipment you break will be coming from your pocket,” she warned there as still the hidden threat. The same threat Law and Kid shared.

Grumbling Kid went back to pack his guitar.

--

The day of battle of the band finally arrived, the air was tense with excitement and nervousness as Law sat in the back of the concert hall.  The event was larger than he had originally thought; bodies were clumped together, and the smell of sweat and alcohol filled the air with masses of people gathering near the stage.

Law watched a young female band play, as people cheered them on and swayed their body to beat. He could feel the floor pounding, like a beating heart with each sound vibration. He nursed his sake a bit, watching the band finish their song before another band was called on stage and a roaring cheer ran through the concert hall.

He couldn’t help but also feel a slight surge of excitement rush through him, a small smirk on his lips hidden thanks to the glass of sake he was drinking. A bit of gift to himself for making it through the long weeks with Kid and Luffy. He ignored Nami breathing down his neck, the pent-up rage building inside of her, watching each band perform better than the last.

She had signed up three different bands, all in vain attempts to win any Beli: herself and Robin as one band, Zoro, Sanji, and Brook in another, and she managed to drag the supernova trio as well.

“Wonderful band,” the announcer shouted, “Up next the SUPERNOVA,”

Law felt eyebrow twitch and stared at Nami, “Good luck,” She smiled a threat in her voice.

Law huffed, everything was ready for them on the stage. Kid, Luffy, and Law stood on stage watching, the crowd still high from the last band, cheered loudly at the first notes that started playing.

“If we're aiming for a new world, we have no choice but to break through here.” Law sang the first words of the song.

“Adventure is out there,

Meals with friends, party along the way.

Friends by my side, I will travel the Grandline

chasing dreams and getting that crown

 Becoming King of the Pirates,” Luffy sang his part. Law winced a little at the off tune off his voice but the crowed was still cheering.

“The legend of the future, yes

 It begins here, A new era is being created by HEADLINERS

The balance of power is being rewritten by HEADLINERS” All three sang, together. They were hitting the last of the lyrics, covered in sweat. Law could feel the heat from the lamp burning down on them. Kid moved around the stage, cheering the crowd.

The final notes echoed through the hall only to be drowned out by the loud cheering of the crowd. Panting hard, he could feel his heart racing in his chest from excitement, or exhaustion he couldn’t tell, but he couldn’t hide the smile on his lips. The crowd cheering got louder.

“Headliner,” Law, Kid, and Luffy shouted into the mic.  He could feel the sweat running down his skin, crawling down his back. “Wealth and honor,”

Kid sang his final notes.

They stood on the stage and bowed. All of them panting harder than normal covered in sweat. Taking a quick bow, they left the stage.

“Did you see that?” Kid spoke in his deep voice, ringing in Law’s ear, “They loved me.”

“They were cheering glad you stopped,” Law said.

---

Sitting in their spot, Law watched the other bands play.  He would admit they were good. Brook was talented with music, and he was shocked by Sanji’s singing voice, even though it was a love song and love for a woman, and Zoro had seemed to find the stage playing the guitar. Even Nami and Robin were singing a duet was decent.

Their table was covered in food, with Luffy and Kid fighting over the food, jumping and singing had left them hungry. Scarfing down the food as quickly as it came, Law chewed on his rice ball.  Everything was starting to wrap up, the final band jumped around the stage, a boy band of five pretty boys dancing in sync.

“They are charming,” Robin said sipping her tear a smile on her face.

“Yeah, but we don’t want them to win,” Nami said.

Law couldn’t agree more; he didn’t want to deal with the woman tailing him wherever he went, dragging Luffy along with.

An hour of silence, people were mingling with one another waiting for who the winner would be.  The announcer walked up on stage to a large yellow envelope in his hand, and the whole room went silent, even though Law found himself eager to hear the results.

Whatever was in that small yell envelope sealed his fate.