First off: a comment from the author.

This story is based off of the adventures of the Thistlewood Pirate Group. The real adventures can be found in One Piece HQ Forums (/forums). I have been given permission to use several characters that are not of my own. In fact, most of these characters are not my originals, only one in the first chapter is.

This story takes place in the same world that Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates exist. You will see certain events play out that are featured in the One Piece Anime and Manga. I tried to stay true to these events so that the Thistlewoods would not "interfere." You will see that later on though, that some things may be in for a change. But hey, this is a fanfiction, and anything goes! So let's start this adventure! Go!

--

Thistlewood woke up from his long nap

Thistlewood woke up from his long nap. His eyes fluttered in an attempt to wake up. The sun came into his vision, a blaring figure in the sky. Most people would have found the sun to be annoying at a time like this, not Thistlewood though. He smiled and waved at it, almost like it was an actual person.

He sat up and looked around. In this distance he could see his destination. He grinned; the Perkins had done him well. The Perkins was a small ship that Thistlewood used when he left Loguetown a short time ago. Many people there questioned why he chose such a rundown small boat. He simply didn't bother with them though, for he was sure that with his abilities, any boat was good enough for him.

Thistlewood stood up and stretched his arms out. He raised his face to the sun and let the energy of the light fill him. He sighed and sat back down. He thought out loud.

"I'm going to need a crew. Not a big one, but not a weak one either. I need to find some people if I'm ever going to fight those damned Marines. I mean, I am quite powerful but I'm sure that I'm going to need more than the forces of nature if I'm ever going to fight them at full force. Whether they be man, woman, or heck maybe even child, I'm going to need the best of the best."

Thistlewood stood at the head of the boat and peered into the distance. He pointed at Nanohana.

"Let's see if this place has what I'm looking for. Nanohana, here I come!"

Chapter 1: Docking in at Nanohana! The Adventure Begins!

Thistlewood ran at full speed on the dock. People murmured to themselves as he past.

"Where in the world is that idiot going?"

"He didn't even tie his ridiculous small boat up!"

"No wait, he did! Except… with a vine?"

Thistlewood ignored the people's statements. Most people tended to think that he was strange. It didn't bother him back then and it currently wouldn't bother him now. He was going to continue running around with blissful happiness until he noticed something. Most of the ships on the dock belonged to Marines.

"What in the world? Are they after me already? I don't even have a bounty. No, they're here for something else. Still, how I hate them."

Thistlewood clenched his fists as green powder began to form from them. He pointed at one of the ships. A smile erupted from his face. Finally, he would take down some of these damned-

"You horrible person! Why? Why did you destroy our ship?"

"Now, sir. We have this situation under control. There is no need to step in any longer. This criminal will pay for the deeds he has done."

"My ship! He burned it! He must pay now!"

The old man, whose ship had apparently been burned, stepped forward and punched the ragged criminal in the face. The criminal looked up from his newly bruised face. His ragged black hair sure made him fit the part. Thistlewood could see something in the criminal's green eyes. He was more than just your average criminal, but had been reduced to one, chained up to a flag post. The two Marines there tried to stop the man from dealing another punch.

"Excuse me, Marines?"

The Marines that had chained the criminal looked at Thistlewood strangely as he spoke.

"Tell me, why should you be concerned about a simple commoner's ship when your own ship is clearly being taken down by a Kraken?"

The Marine's eyes grew to the size of melons. The criminal's mouth dropped but he couldn't help but smile a bit. The huge ship was being pulled down into the waters by some kind of plant tentacle monster. The Marines and the old man screamed and ran away, leaving the criminal and Thistlewood to themselves.

"You," the criminal said with a bit of a cough, "you did that didn't you?"

"Yeah, I did."

"Stupid Devil Fruit user I'm guessing. You guys are so annoying."

"What? No thanks. I just saved your behind."

The criminal looked down at Thistlewood; he was clearly about a half head taller than him. He chuckled at this fact. Thistlewood spoke again.

"You are certainly ungrateful. Say, how could you let yourself be captured by two simple Marines?"

"Didn't. You should have been there. I was just about to burn their ship when the whole lot of them got me."

Thistlewood looked down. The criminal had a sword.

"A swordsman, I guessing?"

"Yeah, if that's what you want to call me."

"Say, don't tell me your dream is to become the world greatest swordsman or something."

"What are you nuts? A dream like that is impossible. My dream is simple. I'm going to burn all the ships in the world."

Like that dream wasn't as impossible as the one Thistlewood mentioned? This guy sure was weird but for some reason, Thistlewood liked him.

"I know that you're not the average criminal. I can see it in your eyes. So I'm going to give you two choices. One: I can simply leave you here for the Marines to fetch you later or Two: You join my crew."

"Crew? You don't mean a pirate crew do you?"

"Exactly that. And you know what? I'll let you burn all the ships you want."

The man said nothing and seemed to be focusing on his decision.

"Fine."

Thistlewood smiled. His first member! The flagpole was made of wood so Thistlewood simply shrank it and allowed the chains to drop to the ground. Thistlewood reached out with a hand to the criminal.

"The name's Thistlewood. What's yours?"

The man reached out his left hand and shook Thistlewood's quite awkwardly.

"I'm Hito."

A man nearby was working on blueprints. The man seemed like he was listening into the conversation but was also trying to ignore the two. He tapped his pencil, thinking. Little did that man know; he was about to witness the fight of his life.

A boy dripping in water pulled himself onto the dock. He shook his hair about but for some strange reason, the water stayed. He left puddles behind as he drifted over to Thistlewood and Hito.

"And my name is Aviar. Let's fight!"

Thistlewood and Hito exchanged looks of surprise. The moment made them pause but then Thistlewood began to laugh.

"Hahaha! Kid, do you know who you're dealing with?"

"I'm dealing with you. Now, let's fight!"

"Hey," interrupted Hito as he spoke to Thistlewood, "are you really going to fight this kid… Wait, what's your name again?"

"Thistlewood."

"Right…"

Thistlewood's eyebrow rose at Hito. He was baffled that in less than a minute, Hito forgot his name. His attention focused back onto Aviar.

"Seriously kid, do you really want to fight me?"

"Yeah! Now!"

"Alright, whatever you say. I can't say that you won't regret it though. Here, I'll let you have the first strike."

Thistlewood opened his arms out, leaving himself vulnerable. He wanted to see how much of a weak idiot the boy was.

The boy began to sprint towards Thistlewood. Something caught both Thistlewood's and Hito's eyes. The right arm of Aviar's was suddenly gone and in its place… a sword of water.

"Ah," Thistlewood shouted, "it's another Devil Fruit user!"

The man working on the blueprints perked his ear at the sound of "Devil Fruit." Hito lazily motioned for the man to get back to work. The man scowled at him and continued his job.

Thistlewood's arm blocked the sword. His arm was entangled with vines that were sucking in the water. Thistlewood grinned and looked Aviar directly into his big brown eyes.

"Kid, you're not the only Devil Fruit user around these parts. Mine is the Grow Grow Fruit. It allows me to control all living and dead plants, no matter in what form. Also, like other Logia users, like yourself, I can change into my respected element and reap the benefits from it. However, turning into a tree isn't exactly my thing so I focus more on manipulating. For example, I just absorbed your water as food. Welcome to Biology 101."

Aviar clenched his teeth. It could be seen that he was getting very angry that he was being undermined. Thistlewood smiled innocently as vines began to rise out of the ground around Aviar. They started to close in. Aviar transformed his other arm into a sword and made for a swing to cut the vines.

"Don't underestimate me!"

Hah, Thistlewood thought, I wouldn't if you didn't try to use that trick again. Kid, you've got to learn: if something doesn't work the first time then it shouldn't work the next-

Thistlewood's eyes almost jerked out of their sockets. He gasped, feeling immense amounts of pain. He opened his eyes and saw that the vines had all been cut. The plants that he created were literally parts of his body. He felt every occurrence that happened to them and they felt whatever happened to him. Thistlewood regained his composure.

"Hey, kid. That hurt."

Aviar grunted.

"I told you not to put me down as some average punk. Now, fight me for real!"

"Look kid, there's no sense in doing this."

"I said, now!"

The waters behind Aviar flew up, knocking several ships around and out of the water formed water-like clones of Aviar. The force of the action was so strong that one ship actually teetered over into the Perkins. The Perkins wasn't so perky anymore as wood began to fly in random directions from the impact. One piece hit Hito's side and knocked his sword off of his side to land several yards away. Thistlewood and Hito cried out.

"My ship!"

"My sword!"

"My blueprints!"

Thistlewood and Hito turned around to see a gigantic piece of wood sticking right in the middle of the man's blueprints. The man stared in disbelief at the sight. He cursed, pushed himself up from the desk, and strode over to one of Aviar's clones. He grabbed it by the neck. Ice began to form from his hand. The whole clone froze over and the man side kicked it. It scattered into many pieces. Hito sighed.

"Another Devil Fruit user? Pieces of shit."

"Holy cow," exclaimed Thistlewood, "an ice user! Another Logia user?"

"What the heck? An ice user is not what I am," said the man, "my name is Gure Netsu and my Devil Fruit is nowhere near that of a Logia."

"Then what is it," responded Thistlewood, "Netsu?"

"Watch and see."

The man named Netsu grabbed another clone, which was attempting to run away. The clone began to boil and soon fell into a watery puddle.

"I still don't get it," Hito said.

Thistlewood hit himself on the forehead. He thought to himself. What made me think of picking him as my first mate? Still he spoke at Netsu as Netsu played with the boiling puddle of water with his foot.

"I'm guessing that you can control the temperature of matter and/or yourself."

"The second. The Fiba Fiba Fruit allows me to heat up my body or freeze it as I like. Due to that fact, I'm immune to most sicknesses and disease. It's kind of useful because I can work for long hours without worrying. Ship designing is sure a hard business and I would hate to get sick."

Thistlewood's ears perked. A designer of ships AND a Devil Fruit user? It was gold, a perfect candidate for a Thistlewood pirate.

Hito apparently chose to ignore the conversation. He pointed lazily at Aviar.

"Hey, that person… what's his name?"

Thistlewood's and Netsu's mouths dropped.

"That," Thistlewood responded, "is Aviar. I'm guessing you can't remember names all too well."

Hito fingered around in one of his ears.

"What did you say?"

Thistlewood slouched over.

"Never mind."

Aviar clenched his fists. His rage was at the peak.

"Don't ignore me! I'll kill you all! You hear me? I'll kill-"

Suddenly, from the direction of the ocean, a huge gust of wind erupted onto the dock. The four all held steady stances. Aviar smiled.

"Just a gust of wind? Hah, that little thing can't beat-"

A green winged figure suddenly was blown into Aviar from the direction of the ocean. It hit him square on the back and sent him flying into a stack of wooden crates. The boxes began to move around as the two attempted to make their way out. Aviar stuck his head out.

"What the hell? Who are you to think you can do that? Answer me or suffer!"

A small girl pushed a box off of her. She opened her eyes to the sun. The blue in her eyes glimmered. That wasn't the only thing that glimmered though, for some odd reason she had what looked like an orange bird beak for a nose. She stretched as she stood. Massive green wings folded out and almost hit Aviar in the face. Aviar blushed. She looked like an angel. She spoke.

"Sqwee! Where am I? Who are all of you? I'm looking for a Mr. 2 Bon Clay! Anybody know where he is?"

She looked around with a huge grin on her face. Thistlewood was stunned at the sight. Where in the world did she come from? It didn't seem like she was the source of the wind. She looked way too innocent.

"You're looking for a 'who,'" questioned Hito, who apparently forgot the name that the young bird girl just asked.

"Mr. 2 Bon Clay!"

"Right…"

"Is that all you've got," questioned a mysterious voice. "I was expecting more from a Devil Fruit user like yourself."

The owner of voice appeared out of nowhere behind the bird girl. He had strange red eyes and white hair that waved. He had a strange heart shaped scar under his left eye. The bird girl looked up at him.

"Hmmm…? Devil Fruit? Mr. 2 mentioned something about that! What are those anyways? All I know is that you guys who have them are afraid of water. Man, it would stink if I were scared! I could never swim!"

Thistlewood blinked. Did the girl just say that she wasn't a Devil Fruit user? Then what in the world was she? Also, it didn't seem like a good idea to talk so bluntly to such a man. The red-eyed man was indeed the tallest one there and sure looked intimidating. The man picked the girl up by the collar of her shirt. He began to flick at her purple square goggles.

"You aren't a Devil Fruit user? Strange. That is very strange. What the hell are you then?"

"Silly heart man," the girl said referring to his heart shaped scar, "I am Kusu. Kusu is what I am."

"Yeah, and I'm Sin. Great, we know each other's names. Seriously now, what are you?"

"I am Kusu."

"We've already gone over that."

"But that is what I am."

The man named Sin sighed.

"Dang, what made me think that I could find a worthy opponent in you?"

Sin dropped the bird girl named Kusu. She floated there a bit and then dropped to the ground. Aviar blushed some more at Kusu, who seemed to not know what was going on.

"Look, I'm also looking for somebody. He goes by the name of Hito. I hear he's supposed to be worth fighting."

Hito lazily noted this but didn't bother to speak. Thistlewood stepped forward.

"Hey, do you really want a fight? Fight that brat, Aviar, behind the girl named Kusu. He's been dieing to get into one."

Sin smiled.

"You don't say? And what should I expect from him?"

"Water Logia. Defies my standard of a Devil Fruit but he should work for you."

"Water? What the hell? Seriously, that's whacked up."

"Hey," shouted Aviar, "don't you dare pick my fights for me! I'm fighting you, Weedy!"

Weedy? Thistlewood thought. Please, you've got to come up with something better than that. Aviar's fist was completely covered in water. He made for a punch at Thistlewood's face. Thistlewood simply stepped to the side, allowing Aviar to fall to the ground.

"Kid, do you really want to fight for real?"

"Yeah!"

"Then let's fight for real!"

Thistlewood put his hands in his pockets. It sure looked like he was leaving himself open for an attack but that was totally the opposite.

Aviar created more clones. He clenched his teeth in an attempt to look terrifying. He charged at Thistlewood. Thistlewood chuckled as a tree grew out from under both Hito and him. The clones all stopped in confusion at the tree. Aviar pointed up and they all began to climb the tree. Thistlewood chuckled and looked at Hito while a vine began to entangle around his thumb.

"That Sin guy over there wants to fight you, I see."

"And what about it," Hito responded.

"I want to see if you're really ready for my crew. Use him as test run. I want to see your abilities."

"Ok, I'm not a Devil Fruit user though so don't expect something crazy. However, I feel that being a normal human isn't a weakness at all. I'll prove it to you."

Hito jumped out from the tree over Sin.

"Hey! You want Hito? Here I am!"

The girl named Kusu let out another "Sqwee" as Hito seemed to fly over Sin. He pointed his sword downwards at him.

"Hey," Sin said, "looks like I didn't have to look for you after all. A bit more ragged than I imagined you to be though."

Sin stepped to the side. Hito prepared for this though. He landed and swung his sword in a side sweep. Sin jumped back, just barely dodging it. Hito swore.

"Stupid piece of shit for a sword! Work dammit!"

"A feisty one, I see. Hito, it seems like you and that sword don't get along."

Hito charged at Sin.

"Yeah, and I don't think that it'll be the last one I'm enemies with."

Meanwhile, Thistlewood was amusing himself watching the clones try to climb the tree. He chuckled.

"Come on! You'll have to do better than- WHOOF!"

All of Thistlewood's air was forced out of his lungs. He felt a burning sensation and looked down.

"Oi! Netsu! That bloody hurt! Be more careful with that ability of yours! You touch the tree with that scorching fist of yours and I get hurt too!"

Netsu looked up from the bottom of the tree, kicking and punching certain clones that boiled in despair.

"Sorry bout' that! I'll be a bit more careful. Just is, this guy really ticks me off destroying my hard work and all!"

"I can understand you, pal. Sorry about that."

"Pay attention, Weedy," shouted Aviar, who unlike the clones successfully climbed the tree. He threw a punch at Thistlewood. Thistlewood reacted quickly though as he pulled himself literally into the tree.

"I'm paying more attention to my safety than you, kid. It's over."

Aviar was immediately caught in dozens of vines that wrapped around his entire body. The vines began to tighten. Thistlewood's voice spoke from the tree, almost like a god's.

"You've lost, kid. The clones you made are either boiled or frozen over by Netsu and I've got your weak self in my hand. Try to change into your water self and I'll absorb you into the tree. Try to get out with your human self and I'll strangle you. Admit your defeat."

"Never, you scumbag," Aviar muffled, "I haven't lost yet!"

"Suit yourself."

The vines closed together in one swift motion. They opened and Aviar's motionless body fell from the tree. Thistlewood stepped out of the trunk and caught him. Netsu ran over.

"Don't tell me you killed the brat? I mean, yeah he wrecked our stuff but that's harsh."

"Are you kidding me? That's inhumane. He's just passed out is all. I could never kill a kid, no matter how annoying he is."

Sin laughed heartedly.

"I would have killed him. Damn brat doesn't deserve to live."

"Hey," shouted Hito, "pay attention to our fight!"

Hito jumped and swung his sword. He was about to deal a fatal blow when he gasped and hung in the air. He was motionless, as if somebody froze time. Thistlewood was bewildered, what in the world was going on? Sin walked right up to the motionless Hito. Sin's hair whipped around like he was standing in a whirling vortex of wind. He put his index finger directly above Hito's lungs.

"How does it feel to have all the air sucked out of your lungs?"

Then it hit Thistlewood. A wind user! He was the reason that that girl named Kusu was blown into the dock, Thistlewood thought. He must be controlling the air currents around Hito. It was scary. Thistlewood didn't think that such a godly ability was possible. He ran, bracing himself against the wind.

"Sin! That is your name, right? Please let my mate go! He's done nothing to deserve death!"

Sin sighed.

"Fine, I was getting bored anyways."

Hito dropped to the ground and began to heavily breath in and out.

"Damn… Devil Fruit users…"

Sin looked down at Hito.

"You certainly are a strong man, I'll give you that. Any other human would have at least passed out by now. Sorry that it had to be such an unfair match though."

Thistlewood didn't bother to pity Hito. He looked like the sort of character that was ashamed in the lost of battle. He didn't say anything to him therefore.

An eruption. Thistlewood's attention was focused towards the center of town. Fire and smoke blew high into the sky causing some kind of pillar of destruction. The day could not get any weirder. Thistlewood reacted quickly.

"Alright! The fights are over! If you haven't noticed the tower of doom then I'll explain! Marines are going to respond to this and fast. We need somewhere to hide. They'll be coming for us sooner than you can ever imagine."

Netsu stepped forward.

"I've got a hideout. I live here as a matter of fact. We're all in the same situation so I'll let you all come. In fact, bring the brat too. As annoying as he is, I'd hate to see him in a jail or at the gallows."

Thistlewood nodded.

"Lead the way."

--

"Alright! So that's what we are going to do! Everybody clear?"

Everyone except Hito nodded. It was certainly risky but all wanted in. Aviar was still out and lying on a couch. Hito scowled at Sin. A green parakeet sat itself on Hito's shoulders. Thistlewood wanted to question where Hito got the bird but didn't bother. He counted heads and saw that everyone was there, except for the bird girl. She disappeared during the fight. He also wanted to know where she was but decided to get onto business.

"Ok! Thistlewood Pirates… let's head for Rain Base!"

Netsu let out a "huh?". Sin raised an eyebrow. Hito kept his normal composure as the bird hopped on his shoulder. Thistlewood sighed in disappointment.

"Well, I guess it was worth a try. I'll not focus on that now though… to Rain Base!"