Here's the next installment of the story. How did Melody exactly join the Whitebeard Pirates? Read and find out!
Note I don't own One Piece, only my OC.
A storm was raging on in a part of the ocean, with one large battleship being a victim of it, the Moby Dick. It had a large figurehead of a blue, or rather white, whale. The black flag hanging from the bird's nest signified that it was a pirate ship. The symbol on the flag was skull and crossbones set, but the bones were in positioned into an actual cross shape and the skull had a square jaw with a large, white crescent mustache.
Only one pirate crew bore this insignia, the Whitebeard Pirates. Led by Edward Newgate, more commonly known as Whitebeard, this crew has been around since the Golden Age of Piracy. Whitebeard himself has gained the title of being one of the Four Emperors on the Grand Line. Even his sixteen commanders are infamous, especially when they have a hundred crewmembers each backing them up.
At the moment, most of the crew was making adjustments to the ship so it wouldn't capsize. Some men were furling the sails when they saw sparkle in the sky not too far from the ship. Their eyes widened when that sparkle suddenly grew into a blue circle that started to expand.
"Whoa! What the hell is that?!"
"I don't know but something tells me it ain't gonna be lightning."
"What are you doing at-yoi?!"
The men that were looking at the spectacle in the clouds looked down to see the 1st Division Commander, Marco. Marco was a blonde, lean yet muscular man and had a bit of stubble on his chin. He wore an open purple jacket, showing the dark blue tattoo of a simplified version of the Whitebeard Pirates Jolly Roger. Around his waist was a light blue sash plus a fancier smaller belt hanging from it. He wore dark grey pants that went down past his knee and strapped sandals with a straw decoration on his left leg.
Despite the commander's sleepy look, the crew could see him have a small scowl, probably from seeing them not do their job.
"Commander Marco! There's something going on over there in the sky."
The crewmembers furling the main sail pointed in the direction they were previously looking at. They looked back at it to have their faces turn into pure shock.
"HOLY FUCK IT'S HUGE NOW!"
"How did it get so big in that short of time?!"
On the deck Marco hardly showed the shock but inside he had the same reaction as the others. The blonde looked around until he saw a tall, muscular man wearing a top hat and another tall man with a brown pompadour with a black goatee.
"Vista! Thatch! Are you seeing this-yoi?"
Vista, the top-hat wearing Commander of the 5th Division, and Thatch, the pompadour-bearing Commander of the 4th Division, approached Marco and nodded. Thatch had gotten a telescope at some point and was trying to get a closer look at the blue anomaly in the sea.
"I just got back with the navigator when it appeared. He has no idea what this is."
"Hopefully this doesn't do anything to harm us."
Just as Vista said that, the blue circle released a blue beam of light that struck the sea. The "attack" caused water to splash onto the deck. The three commanders got a bit soaked but Thatch was still looking through the spyglass. That was when he gasped, making Marco and Vista look at him.
"What's wrong?"
"A-a a ki-"
"Spit it out, Thatch!"
"A kid is falling down from that thing!"
The two Commanders didn't have to question what Thatch meant. Even without the spyglass they could see a flailing small figure descending from the beam of light. As the child was nearing the waves, the blue circle and beam disappeared into nothing. All the light vanished as the kid splashed into the ocean.
Parts of the crew who had seen the even happen started to wonder what the blue circle had been. Seeing no one make a move, Thatch tossed the telescope away and grabbed a long coil of rope. Tying one end to the ship's railing, the 4th Division Commander tied the other end around his waist.
"Reel me back in when I pull on the rope, okay."
"Thatch, what are yo- wait-yoi!"
The 1st Division Commander tried to stop his comrade but Thatch had already jumped over the railing and dove into the water. A few seconds later, Thatch emerged and started looking for the kid he saw but had to dive a couple times to avoid the waves from sweeping him away. Eventually he found the child, grasping onto a thick book. He swam over and picked up the child with one arm. He was now able to see that the kid was a young girl probably no older that eight with dark blue hair. Still holding onto the book the girl looked at Thatch with surprise, causing the man to smile with relief.
"Don't worry, little one. You're in good hands now. You have a name?"
Without much hesitance the girl spoke with a smile.
"I'm Melody. Melody Halcyon."
"Nice to meet you, Melody. You can call me Thatch. Hold onto me tight, alright."
Holding the book with her outside arm, Melody grasped the man's soaked shirt. Thatch found the rope around his waist and tugged on it a few times.
From Marco's view he saw the rope pulling, causing part of the railing to creak. With quick reflexes, he and Vista unwrapped the rope from the railing and pulled it back. Other crewmembers saw what was happening and went to help. Soon Thatch grabbed the railing and jumped back onto the deck. Everyone saw Melody, who looked at everyone curiously, in Thatch's arms. While Vista had the crew return to preparing for the storm, Marco walked over and talked to Thatch who still had the child in his arms while he untied the rope around his waist.
"A little girl?"
"Yeah I'm gonna bring her to the infirmary in case. I'll be back out in a few. Tell Pops about our new guest okay?"
"Will do-yoi."
With that Thatch walked towards the medical room that was on the ship while Marco headed to the captain's room.
The storm had passed and the Moby Dick was now sailing over calm waters. Marco was walking with Thatch towards the infirmary.
"ACHOO!"
"Don't tell me you got a cold-yoi."
"Well it can't be helped. My clothes got soaked. Hope Melody didn't get sick."
"Melody?"
"The little girl. It's weird though, from how we saw her fall, you'd think she'd freak out after landing in the sea. But she spoke to me so casually like we had just met on the street."
"From what I can tell she seems like an interesting kid."
They finally reached the infirmary and knocked on the door. One of the nurses opened it and recognizes the two men.
"Ah Commanders how are you?"
"We're fine, thanks for asking-yoi."
"So how is little Melody?"
"Actually she's-"
"Ah! Hi Thatch!"
The brunette looked over the nurse's shoulder to see Melody casually sitting on one of the beds in there. Thatch waved to the girl, who smiled back. The nurse giggled at the two's interaction before turning back to the two men.
"She's fine actually. No signs of exhaustion or sickness. But I have to ask, did you really find her in the sea Mr. Thatch?"
"Of course, I was soaked to the bone when I came in with her."
"That's the thing. You got drenched but Melody was pretty much dry except for her hair."
The nurse asked Melody to take off her button-down so she could show the Commanders what she meant. The two touched the fabric to find it dry with a miniscule amount of wet spots. The nurse took back the clothing and returned it to the child.
"Even that book she was carrying is dry."
Melody yelled from the bed she sat on, the book now spread open on her lap and a slightly annoyed face on.
"I told you that they're waterproof. My mama made my clothes like this so I wouldn't get sick like Thatch is now."
"Melody you didn't have to say that last part..."
"That's right... as soon as you dropped her off you left. And if I recall, you don't have a spare of this outfit. You have a cold don't you, sir?"
The brunette froze in place feeling like he got caught. The nurses on the ship were no pushovers except with the captain. If a patient was trying to hide from them, one way or another they'd find them and make sure they were healthy. Thatch turned his head towards Marco as a plea of help but the blonde Commander turned his head away. Before the nurse could say anymore things, a growl echoed in the infirmary. Everyone looked back towards Melody who had her hand on her stomach. She then looked at the three by the door.
"I'm hungry can I get some food?"
Trying to prolong the time before being forced into the infirmary, Thatch changed the discussion.
"How about come with us to the galley? You can introduce yourself to the other people on the ship along the wa-"
"Hold it!"
The nurse grabbed Thatch by his scarf and dragged him into the infirmary. As she passed by the bed Melody sat on, the nurse gave the child a warming smile.
"Sweetie why don't you go with the 1st Division Commander to the galley while I give Thatch here a check-up, he'll be out."
"Okay!"
Melody closed the book tight and the flap locked onto the front cover. She set her feet on the floor and walked towards the 1st Division Commander, the thick book still in her hands. Marco squatted down so he was close to eye level to the child as she introduced herself.
"I'm Melody Halcyon. Nice to meet you!"
"Pleasure all mine-yoi. I'm Marco, the 1st Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. Come on let's get some food in there or that tummy of yours will be restless."
When Marco stood up again, Melody grasped a part of his pants so she wouldn't lose track of him along the way. As Melody and Marco walked away, the nurse waved them goodbye before glaring at Thatch.
"That storm was about five hours ago and you have been walking with soaked clothes. Come on we need to make sure you don't get a fever."
The nurse closed the door, leaving Thatch alone to her wrath.
"So Melody, what did you mean by waterproof? These clothes are made of cotton aren't they?"
Marco was sitting beside the child in the mess hall, as she happily ate the platter the chef had given her. After biting into some sausage and eggs, Melody nodded not caring that some of the food was on the corners of her mouth.
"Meraqua, my mama, taught me a spell that keeps the clothes I have on dry. Before learning it, I'd always get sick because I like to swim a lot but I don't have a swimsuit!"
"Spell? You mean like magic?"
Melody nodded her head after gulping down some juice. Marco still saw the food around her mouth and decided to wipe it off for her. While the blonde man cleaned her face, the blue-haired girl continued.
"My mama said it took her a while to figure it out herself but when she did it was easy-peasy. Ne, you said that you're a pirate right?"
Marco placed the used cloth down on the table as the mess-free child looked at him with curious eyes.
"Yeah, a part of the Whitebeard Pirates. You're on the main ship actually."
"Wow! Can I join then? Meraqua said that pirates are free and live out their dreams. But she also told me the Marines are stinky liars and that I shouldn't join them!"
Many of the people who were in the galley at the time were laughing from hearing the last statement.
"Zehahaha! To think a kid has it figured out already!"
"That girl is telling it like it is. HAHAHA!"
"I don't know what she's like but that kid's mom has got my respect!"
Melody looked at the laughing crew, a bit unsure of what had happened but knew it was a good thing. She looked at Marco who had just finished chuckling and gave her a pat on the head.
"Come on, Pops is probably awake and wants to meet you now."
"Pops?"
"He's the captain and in a sense, our father."
"Huh, I never had a dad. It was me and Mama all the time."
As the laughs were dying down, Marco helped Melody off the table and led her back out onto the deck. Eventually the two stood in front of a large pair of doors. Marco proceeded to knock on the door, then whoever was behind the door grunted to attention.
"Hey Pops, the little girl we found is here with me."
"Alright have her come in you probably have things to do Marco."
The blonde man opened the door wide enough for the girl to enter. He looked down to usher the child to see her clench the book in her hands tighter than before. Melody was slightly nervous to go in there alone but felt a reassuring pat from the 1st Division Commander.
"Don't worry, Melody. Pops may be the captain but he treats everyone here like his children. We're like a big happy family."
Melody nodded and slowly walked into the room. She closed the door behind her and noticed that the portholes on the side were the only source of light besides the unlit lantern. She looked at the bed that was in the room and her eyes widen in shock.
Sitting up on the bed was a large muscular man, about three times larger than Marco and Thatch. He had a long face with wrinkles showing Melody that the man had to be past his fifties. He had a thick mustache curving upwards like a crescent that stretched past the sides of his face. He didn't appear to have any hair on the top of his head but he wore a black bandana. With only a white captain's coat draped over his shoulders, Melody saw the scars that covered his chest. Similar to Marco, this man had a dark purple sash around his waist and wore loose yellow pants with the ends tucked into boots.
The man sitting there, Whitebeard, noticed the girl's shock at seeing him. Before he could say anything, Melody started to stutter.
"Y-Y-YOUR HUGE, MISTER!"
Edward saw in the dark-blue haired girl's eyes amazement and joy. The child's reaction made the man laugh, causing her to calm down.
"Gurararara, you're an excitable child. Why don't you sit here?"
The large man patted to and open space on the bed beside his waist at which Melody took the offer. Setting the book that was in her hands on a counter, Melody climbed onto the bed and sat on part of Whitebeard's coat the was spread out under him.
"So your name's Melody right? What was a little girl like you doing in the sea?"
"Well my full name is Melody Halcyon and I was following my mama here."
"Hmm, your mother? Did you two get separated?"
"Well... not exactly, Meraqua came to this world first and a week later I followed her. She's went into hiding but I promised her that I'd get stronger here so when I find her again I can protect her."
"Hmm? Did you say world?"
"Uh huh, I was raised in another place and Meraqua, my mama, took me in as a baby and raised me. She also taught me special magic too!"
Before anything else could be said, an explosion could be heard outside. Melody would've fallen out of the bed if it weren't for Whitebeard catching her. Melody managed to barely peek through the porthole to see smoke and clashing swords but could clearly hear the people outside.
"A pirate fleet is attacking!"
"It must've been coated to get by us!"
Melody felt herself being placed on the floor by Newgate as he grabbed the bisento that was leaning against the wall. He slowly got his feet off the bed and turned towards the girl.
"Melody you stay here. I don't want you to get hurt."
The child turned towards the captain with a face of worry.
"No way I'm going too. I can fight!"
"Melody, being a pirate is not laughing matter. Understand that this is a-"
The door to Whitebeard's room was suddenly forced open, revealing a group of pirates wielding swords and axes.
"We finally found you Whitebeard!"
"Now we'll take you head and our crew will take your place as one of the Four Emperors!"
Whitebeard scowled at the group as he stood up blocking Melody from their view.
"You brats have the audacity to think you can beat me well you have another thing coming!"
"Yeah!"
The invading pirates turned their heads to see Melody standing on the bed with her fist clenched. The pirates laughed at the sight of the child when one of them stepped closer to her, pulling a blade between them.
"What are you going to do about it pipsqueak?"
Melody just smiled as she kicked the blade away and hopped back into a fighting stance.
"I'll show you what I can do!"
Outside, the rest of the crew was fighting off the members of the invading crew. There weren't any Devil Fruit users with the invaders, but they could fight. Thatch had escaped the infirmary and was now dealing with the invading pirates. He was getting ambushed by a group when a pair a flaming blue talons crashed into them. Thatch recognized the attack as Marco's and the identified man landed on the deck with his arms transformed into flaming blue wings.
"So how many of these guys are there?"
"About 500 if I had to give or take. Nothing we can't handle-yoi."
"Is Melody okay?"
"She's in Pops' room with him. He'll be able to protect her."
"Water Dragon's Roar!"
Suddenly from Whitebeard's room a large, swirling stream of water blasted out, causing the pirates previously in there to be forced out by the pressurized water. Everyone stopped what they were doing to see the aftermath of the sudden attack.
"Wh-what was that?"
"That attack knocked some of our best men out cold!"
"W-Was that Fishman Karate?"
"That can't be Namur is right here!"
They heard footsteps come out and were in complete shock to see Melody come out with her arms crossed and a impish smile on her face.
"That's what you get for calling me a pipsqueak!"
"EHH! A KID KNOCKED THEM OUT!"
One of the pirates who got hit by the attack regained consciousness and cursed at the young girl.
"Sh-she's no kid. She a spawn of a devil"
"NO I'M NOT YOU JERK! Water Dragon's Fin Strike!"
Melody didn't even let the man finished as she ran over with one of her legs surrounded by water and kicked the man overboard. Many of them did a double-take of what just happened when Whitebeard walked out of the room with his weapon in hand.
"Melody!"
"Yeah?"
"I see you've proven me wrong about your ability to fight, but why don't you find Marco and stay with him? I don't want you getting hurt too badly in this."
"Okay~!"
Melody looked around for the 1st Division Commander and saw him with Thatch, both looking at her with a mixture of shock and surprise. As she made her way to them, Whitebeard took the opportunity to get the enemy's attention.
"I heard you lot want to claim my head. Well come and try if you dare!"
The pirates got out of their stupor and tried to rush the captain. Unfortunately for them, they were no match as Whitebeard swung his bisento in an arc and knocked all of them back.
With Melody she had made her way to Marco and Thatch who were back into combat mode when Whitebeard made his proclamation. She watched as Marco transformed into a flaming blue bird with his Devil Fruit abilities.
"Wow Marco looks so cool! How did he do that?"
Thatch had sliced a few pirates away with his two swords when he responded to Melody's question.
"Marco ate a Devil Fruit that let him turn into a Phoenix but anyway Melody..."
Thatch got a momentary rest as Marco swept away the pirates with his flames . The brunette turned to Melody with a face of pure shock.
"How the hell did you do that?!"
Melody ducked as someone tried to ambush her with an axe and countered with a kick as she calmly answered Thatch.
"My mama didn't just teach me how to keep myself dry. She also taught me how to fight!"
Marco had transformed in to his half-form when he yelled at the child.
"Melody look out-yoi!"
The child turned around to see a large man holding a chain with a spiked ball at the end. The pirate swung the weapon at the child, who with quick reflexes, jumped away, leaving a crater at the spot she stood before. When she landed, Melody let in a deep breath and her whole arm was surrounded by a ball of water. She opened her eyes, showing that her pupils were almost slit-shaped, and ran towards her attacker. The water on her arm was now moving, like it was coming out of a geyser.
"Water Dragon's Torrential Fist!"
Melody's fist collided with the pirate's gut and in an instant the man was send flying over the railing and fell into the ocean with a large splash. The splash caught the eye of the majority of the deck and when Whitebeard noticed, he took the opportunity to call out to the enemy.
"You are no match against our power. Leave this ship with your fallen crew now or face the full power of the Whitebeard Pirates."
Whitebeard's followers let out a battle cry, showing that they would not back down. The invaders realized that they were not able to win this match and called for a retreat. Some of them grabbed their fallen comrades and jumped ship, swimming back to their own ship in fear.
After a victory cheer, Whitebeard smiled and looked around the deck. He saw Thatch carrying Melody on his shoulders as she talked to Marco while her arms were flailing in excitement then Newgate walked over to them.
"So, Melody how did you do all that? That is no Fishman Karate or Jutsu."
Melody smiled and climbed off of Thatch. Closing her eyes, she calmly replied to the leader of the Whitebeard pirates.
"I don't know what Fishman Karate but I do know this. Dragon lungs are for breathing water, scales, for resisting water, and talons, to wrap with water... Those are some of the traits my mama gave me when I learned her magic, the one said to said to have once been used to take down dragons. I'm a mage of Water Dragon Slayer Magic!"
Melody lifted up a fist and it became engulfed a bubble of water. She giggled when she saw some of the crew members have faces of shock. The week before she had arrived to this world, Melody spent it reading the contents of the book her dragon had given her. She read about Devil Fruits and how their users were useless in water so she guessed that seeing her magic was a big shocker. Melody made the water evaporate from her hand and she looked towards Whitebeard.
"So... can I join the Whitebeard Pirates? Mama said I should join them instead of the Marines because she said I may be used as a weapon for them. I don't want to be a tool, I want to be free so I can see her again."
Everyone was surprised to hear the last part about the Marines. They never would've expected a girl her age to have such a mindset, though what her mother apparently told was the truth. This child had the power to control the element that could stop Devil Fruit users in their place. Knowing that, Melody really wouldn't have the freedom to do what she'd want.
"Gurararara! Well I can't leave a little girl alone at sea. But let me ask you this. Will you take my mark, roam the seas wild and free?"
Whitebeard kneeled down towards Melody and brought forth one of his hands.
"If so, then become my daughter."
A few seconds passed with silence between the two. Then Melody smiled but instead of placing her hand on hit, she jumped and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"If you'll be my Papa then okay!"
Whitebeard gave his signature laugh and in a few seconds everyone began cheering for the new crew member joining their family. Partying then proceeded into late into the night even after Melody went to bed.
Staying in the infirmary for that night, Melody opened the book Meraqua had given her. She opened it to the first page of the blank one and took out a pen and ink bottle she had asked the nurses for. Tuning out the party-goers outside and lighting a candle on the nightstand, Melody began writing.
My first day of this adventure was crazy! I ended up landing in the ocean but a really nice guy Thatch saved me. Thatch and his crewmate, Marco showed me around some of the ship and I met with the captain, Whitebeard. He's a bit intimidating but he cares for people. Then pirates invaded and I ended showing some of my spells in battle. Whitebeard let me join and now I have a papa! I guess that makes Thatch and Marco my brothers! I hope that the days after are going to be as amazing as this one. -Melody Halcyon
The girl closed the book and placed it on the nightstand next to the bed. The child looked at her left hand which was wrapped in a few bandages. The girl had wanted to place Whitebeard's symbol on the back of her left hand immediately, despite the crew's warnings. The girl bore the pain of the tattoo application and now had a light teal tattoo of a cross and upwards crescent on her hand. After blowing out the candle, Melody pulled a blanket over her and drifted off to slumber.
Isn't that cute! Well hope you enjoyed this chapter. The other ones will be up soon! Review if you'd like.