Disclaimer!: I DO NOT OWN ONE PIECE! I own my OC(s), and that's just it, we are on a fanfiction site/ story site.
Time for the chapter!
Chapter 6: That One Training Montage No One Asked For
~ Well…...I guess this is our cue to start running….~
[ Location: East Blue; On the Seas; Astrid: 7.5 years old ]
"Wait, are we going to Paradise?!" Astrid grinned as she looked up to her Father and Uncles.
Shanks, being Shanks, patted her head, and messed with her hair as he yelled out an affirmative.
They were going to Paradise, and along the way…
Along our way…..
Along their way…..
Some things happen here and there and well, everywhere really!
All at once.
Which wasn't a good thing?
In all honesty, it depends on who you ask.
[Location: Passing Reverse Mountain, Crocus' Island; On the Seas; Astrid: 7.75 years old]
"GRANDPA CROCUS!"
Astrid had nearly tripped over herself, with her father right behind her as well as other members of the crew as they made their way to the small island that the man resided in, and, well, on.
He was laying on his designated chair, merry and content as can be as he smiled wide to his lovely granddaughter.
Crocus eyed the members of Shanks' crew, only to let out a huff of 'course he would visit with his own crew, and bring her along for the wide-highly-dangerous-and-much-more-to-be-seen-wild-ride that is a pirate crew' as he picked up Astrid and placed her on his shoulders.
Shanks hugged the man, while Astrid just hugged the backside of his head, (although the both of them were not gentle, by no means). Crocus was soon left gasping for air, with half of the group of onlookers looking mighty concerned for the older man, while the rest of them just chuckled softly.
The man in question just gave the young crew a look, and waved them off.
He was already used to the father-daughter duo's antics, reminding him of days before…
As well as reminding him of all the crazy training regimens that Astrid would create in order to get stronger.
Shanks, although a tough, mighty, and fierce fighter, a man that could go toe-to-toe with the Strongest Swordsman in the World (even though he hasn't met him yet), Shanks….. had…well, he has a tendency to not go too far in Astrid's training.
(He doesn't want to hurt her, unintentionally or intentionally, he wouldn't be able to live with himself..it isn't until after that happens that he learns that he has to make tough decisions to keep all of them safe, even from himself…)
He holds back at times, he can't help it, even when Astrid proves time and time again that she can handle a good thunk to the noggin', some scrapes and bruises here and there, as well as a lost tooth that suddenly grows back with drinking milk!
The dear Red-Head of a man has gone to both sides of the spectrum in training his daughter, never settling and keeping everyone on their toes.
In simple terms, Shanks sometimes treats his dear daughter like glass, and other times he has her train like her life depends on it, and that frustrates everyone to no end.
Well, except for Astrid, as she takes what she can get.
All for the sake of getting stronger.
Hence the movement to Paradise, and keeping a low profile from the Marines…the visit to Crocus, and many more visits to come…
Astrid's training and growth has only just started, the calluses on her hands and the muscle that she has growing is only a testament to that!
But strength, the power that one seeks, and what comes with it, comes in many forms.
"Grandpa Crocus!" Astrid looks at the man, "can you teach me about first aid?!"
[Location: On the Fence of Going into Paradise; Crocus' Island; Astrid: 7.8 years old]
"Hmmmm, so this herb can cause severe itching, while this one can cause immediate death?" Astrid wondered aloud, carefully picking up each herb with her gloves as the 'responsible' adults of the crew looked at her in shock.
Some pinched the bridges of their noses while sighing, while others had covered their mouths to stifle laughter, and then the last batch were wide-eyed with their mouths wide-opened.
Her Dad and Grandpa were half-expecting this, since, well, the past month has been filled with studying, reconnaissance, and gaining more information before heading fully into Paradise. They were expecting that she would take to experimenting, or answering her own questions that she had answers to.
And she was impatient at times too, she's a child. Sometimes, waiting was not in a child's vocabulary, even when they didn't act their age.
But the crew was taking their time, they were in no rush, so some 'set-backs', or welcomed breaks, were in order for all of them on the little island.
An occasional party or two…or three…let's just say, Astrid can multitask and do both, helping take care of everyone while learning more, even when her Father, Uncles, and Grandpa got her to join and be active in the festivities.
"Astrid." The stern voice of her Grandfather sounded behind her, causing her to nearly drop the herbs in her hands, and for multiple crew members to slowly step away while others just held their breath, quickly changing their tune.
Her face formed a straight line, while she averted her eyes as she slowly turned towards the larger, older, well, all around wiser man.
Grandpa Crocus was not pleased.
Her Father, Shanks, who was right beside the older man, was also not pleased.
If Astrid could, she would have taken off her glasses to just avoid the looks that they both were giving her.
So she opted to look at the ground….in shame….
[Certain Being tsks at the side, while I just chuckle a little, if anything just glad that he hasn't given me the boot with telling things this far before the real fun begins. With the way I'm describing it, I'm being perfectly honest, if I do say so myself. Teehee.]
[Location: In Paradise; On the Seas; Astrid: 7.9 years old]
She wasn't grounded…per say….but she was under more, and I mean MORE supervision.
More than she was accustomed to, as one of her uncles was either:
Overseeing her training….
Helping her move stuff…
Glancing to make sure that she was doing her chores….
The Red-Haired Pirates were already doing that before, but now, they were being more vigilant as to make sure that Astrid didn't do anything that would put herself in harm's way.
As the pursuit of power, in both forms, without the wisdom and life experience to go with it, without pacing oneself in learning or training, may lead to self-destruction…may lead to hurting those around you without meaning too.
That lesson, some learn…the hard way.
And this child, this Child…
[Certain Being looks on, sighing. He really needs to lighten up, this is all before the storm, we all know that by now.]
[Location: In Paradise; Turtleback Island; Night-time; Astrid: 8.3 years old]
"Hmmmm."
The other man looked at her, one half questioning why she hadn't moved, and the other wondering why she was looking so intently at him.
Her glasses reflected his hawk-eyes, as he sat down at the grande fountain and she was standing to see his face more clearly.
She looked away, hand on her chin in thought, while the hawk-eyed man raised an eyebrow, finding it mildly interesting that a child wasn't scared of him.
He never thought that a child would not be scared of him.
It was a sight to behold.
Literally and figuratively…speaking.
[Certain Being laughs at my attempts at narration, a hearty laughter that could be heard by all those that could hear it, while I continue on in my attempts to name chapters and describe the events of the past, present, and future…]
A few minutes prior, the man had challenged a group of marines to a duel, with Astrid having slipped away from the Red-Force and the Red-Haired crew as to see a bit more of the island.
She slipped away when there was a change in shift, and with it being night, she krept like a shadow towards land with the small lantern posts as her guide.
She wanted to draw with her sketchbook and use the colors that she had gotten from the island before. Astrid was fascinated by all the turtles around, and how the turtles huddled in groups (why did these saltwater turtles huddle in groups, no one knew, not even the locals…), giving her inspiration to draw. Her drawing was mostly done in private, mostly in secret, and very few knew of her artistic prowess...
Very few knew of her hobbies from when Shanks and herself were on the Roger Crew….
At first, it was only her Grandpa Roger, Grandpa Crocus, Grandpa Gaban, Grandpa Oden, Auntie Toki, Lil-Bro Momo, Lil-Sis Hiyori, and lastly her father and uncle.
Very few on the Red-Haired Crew knew… meaning, her father, her Uncle Benn, her Uncle Lucky Rox, and lastly, her Uncle Yasopp.
Everyone else thought that she was experimenting… but she mostly drew or was reading in her free time…her experimenting privileges only allowed with the ship's doctor, and other times she was playing an instrument…she plays the viola, although not the greatest, she most certainly isn't the worst. She likes taking the Tone Dials that she had gotten from Skypiea and recording performances that she has seen on the street in secret, and ends up mimicking them.
Astrid would sneak into the piano room in the Red-Force, and would tune her viola in secret while everyone was busy. She would practice, and practice, having used the little berri that she had to purchase sheet music or art supplies or things that she wanted for herself.
She also knew how to play the piano? The child would recall things here and there?
How does one recall, when they don't remember what they are recalling too?
[Certain Being sighs again…while I try to explain Deja Vu.
But hey, Certain Being will never get tired of me! *Wink*
He just gave me a look, whoops.]
This child never expressed the things she wanted like others her age, except in matters that pertain to training or to the sword, as she would say what she absolutely needed, never alluding to what she wanted, and this would end up making her the worst to get things for her birthday.
After she turned five, after the execution, it can be said that she didn't like expressing what she explicitly wanted…as she feared….as she…expressed back then….
She wouldn't lie to the Red-Haired Crew, or to her father, but she would always say something along these lines…
"I don't want anything other than all of us staying together…that's what I want for my birthday."
And for a good amount of the time, her wish was granted.
She…just wants everyone to stick together.
But being under more supervision, while the crew was already busy as it was, and with her doing her hobbies less and less….
It made her more fidgety, on edge, and prone to baaa….good decisions.. Decisions that would change her life, decisions that she would make to be considered less of a burden (but this child, no matter how she is or may be in the future, would never be considered a burden)
[Certain Being looks at me while he shakes his head, a sad expression marring his face as he looks at me as I continue on…]
Going back to her present though, she had another selfish wish that she was hoping that the certain Hawk-eyed man could grant her.
"Excuse me, Mister Pretty-Eyes, can you train me in the way of the sword!?" she yelled to the ground, as she did a keirei bow as a means to show respect to the older swordsman.
The man looked at her in shock at first…looking wide-eyed as she held onto her sketchbook bag on her left side, filled with her colors, and looking at her wooden katana strapped to her right side.
A child, so young and still green and hasn't seen the full extent of the harsh world….
Asking a complete and utter stanger, a man that just took on thirty plus men in a duel….
To be her teacher.
It was insanity within the world that was already chaotic and ready to implode on itself.
And HE laughed.
The hawk-eyed man laughed out loud to where some people were looking outside their window, others were putting fire to their candles and peeking through the curtains with their curious glances upon the two in the square.
He laughed so much, and for so long, that she wondered if his laughter was a no to her question..
When he stopped laughing, though, and when she finally looked up to him to see his face, he responded differently to what she imagined…
He looked her straight in the eye, where he could see his reflection off of her glasses.
"What forms do you know, and what training did you have prior, little one?"
[Location: In Paradise; Red-Force docked at Turtleback Island; Day-time; Astrid: 8.3 years old]
"NO"
"But Dad!"
Astrid pouted while all of the crew looked at the newcomer.
Well, the good majority of the crew, some of the members were on the island getting items among other things before departure.
Which causes a problem….
As we can see..how will she train with the Hawk-eyed man….when they are about to leave….
"Dad, I need to leave for a year for training!"
"HAAAAaaaaaaH?!" Shanks looked at her wide-eyed, while others looked equally more or less shocked than the man.
Uncle Benn even dropped his cigarette…which was saying a lot.
"How did it turn from him joining our crew to you traveling with him for a year!?" her dear father had his hands on his head as he looked at his daughter.
"Well…he won't join the crew….but he travels a lot, right?" Astrid looked to the Hawk-eyed man where he nodded in confirmation, "so that means I have to travel with him…to train." She nodded her head.
Astrid's logic was sound…but only for her.
Only to her.
Everyone else on the crew, each and every member except for the apprentice (mascot), was thinking from one extreme to another on how this could potentially go wrong.
Especially her father, Shanks was thinking a million miles/kilometers per minute on how his child, his baby girl could potentially get hurt, worse, killed, by forces that were beyond his reach.
And he couldn't stand for that….
So he did something that would bring his and the Hawk-eyed man to infamy….these two names would be heard far and wide from nearly slicing islands in half…
To causing storms from their strength being unleashed on the ground…..
And the primary cause of people remembering their names, due to the unfathomable strength that they possess.
"I challenge you to a duel, if I win, Astrid has to give up on traveling with you."
Shanks had an eerie smile, the top portion of his face looking menacing underneath his hat. He held onto his sword as he directed his smile to the New Uncle.
And the New Uncle smirked.
"Really now? So she'll train with the victor then…", the New Uncle placed a hand to his chin as if in thought, before waving it.
He smiled, "so be it."
The Hawk-eyed man was intrigued by the man before him, as he had not seen many men duel for the sake of their family now, more as a showcase of strength or to gain honor were the duels that he has seen and participated in.
But not many for their family. For those who dueled for family…would go over the top to protect what they love.
And Astrid, out dear Child…that young child…just gaped at them….
One part was processing what was going on, as she only wanted to train for a year like those…movies?...that she thought of or those coming-of-age stories?...that she thinks about now and then…..
Another part was confused….as this confusion stemmed from the willingness to fight to see who gets to train her….and well, she didn't understand where this willingness to train her came from. She did understand that she had picked up another Uncle from off the street, and she dragged him to the Red-Force, and that she was in trouble for sneaking off again.
She was told to stop getting more Uncles off the street, mind you, and even told that they had enough members for now…
Added to the fact that she was told..'stranger danger', but she had a good gut feeling with the older man though!
Her gut feelings were never wrong!
So she brought him…
And now there's a fight to be had.
[Location: In Paradise; Red-Force and Mihawk's Ship; Traveling; Day-time; Astrid: 8.3 years old]
"There's the island for our duel," Shanks motioned to the island just up ahead, his smile never wavering at the other man.
"Hey..hey Uncle," Astrid motioned to the Hawk-eyed man, "do you prefer to be called Mister Pretty Eyes, or Uncle…"
Some of those around them stifled their laughter, while others began to chuckle.
Which was then cut-off by her New Uncle's response.
"Call me Uncle Mihawk."
"Huuuh, why not call him Big Brother Mihawk?" her Uncle Yasopp suggested, chuckling a little and wanting to see if the man would get riled up or something in between…
It is never known how one will react to a certain situation, much less so with the New Uncle being way older than the younger.
"Big Brother Mihawk?" Astrid said in a small voice, her hand covering her mouth as she thought out loud.
And that was enough for everyone in her vicinity to hear.
The Hawk-eyed man immediately went silent, staring at the child for a few seconds.
The other members of the Red-Force, even her Father, were wondering and at the ready in case the other man didn't take kindly to being called Big Brother.
But the New Uncle, Uncle Mihawk, did the unexpected….
He swiftly turned away from the crew, clearing his voice as he replied back…..
His ears a slight twinge of pink…
"Uncle Mihawk."
"Ok~ay! Uncle Mihawk it is!" Astrid grinned, snapping her out of whatever she was thinking about.
Astrid may have been oblivious, but the other members of the crew, including Shanks, started to snort, and others just started to laugh that had been around to hear and see this exchange.
The newly ordained Uncle, Uncle Mihawk, slowly turned around and held a glare to all those that laughed.
Some of the crew did shut up….
While others, who many people know [the usual suspects, if ya ask me], continued on like it was nothing.
There was to be a feast after the duel now, that was for certain, and Shanks ended up talking some more with Mihawk, while Astrid looked on towards the island.
Time flew by so fast, they had made it there, and were laying anchor and disembarking.
Both men held glints in their eyes, while everyone else…
Everyone else was placing bets like there was no tomorrow.
[Location: In Paradise; A Random, Desolate, Rocky Island; Day-time; Astrid: 8.3 years old]
"Soo, are Dad and Uncle Mihawk going to just start swinging their swords, or is there a referee?" Astrid asked her Uncle Lucky Rox, with her perched on his shoulder.
The men of the crew were situated a bit of a ways away from where the fight would be, enough to see both figures as they kept their distance.
It could've been intuition, a strange magic, or the experience that they had accumulated from sailing at sea…
But the crew just knew to keep themselves far away from the fighting.
"There's no referee, the first one that can't continue is the loser." Her Uncle Lucky Rox responded, passing her a smaller meat-bone while he ate a bigger version of it.
"Are all of the other Uncles done placing bets?"
"Almost, it seems like there are taking a few more." He nodded.
"Can I bet?"
Her Uncle looked up at her, a bit confused as to why she would want to bet….
She tended to steer clear of such activities.
"Who are you betting on?" his head was tilted as he continued to look up at her.
"Both."
The answer nearly caused him to choke on the piece of meat he was about to swallow.
Lucky Rox knew that no one on the crew had bet on it being a tie.
No one fathomed it.
"Do you want me to go with you to place the bet? Do you want to place it together? How do you want to do this?" He managed to get out as he composed himself.
She could have been with any other Uncle….
She immediately went to him after they disembarked…
Lucky Rox knew that his niece was smarter than she let on, with all that she did and didn't do, as well as seeing opportunities that could be made..
That presented itself.
His antics were already being seen by the others in the crew, but no one was near enough to the two that they could hear what they were talking about.
"I want to split it fifty-fifty." She declared to him, a twinkle in her eye as she met his own.
Sneakily putting the berri in his other hand.
Her Uncle smiled back, going over to Hongou, who was still taking bets, with her still perched on his shoulder.
"Hey! Don't forget about me!"
[Location: In Paradise; A Random, Desolate, BROKEN Rocky Island; Night-time; Astrid: 8.3 years old]
Astrid started saying her goodbyes.
It was abrupt, after the party, but she felt that they couldn't delay the inevitable.
After having discussed it with some of her Uncles, and then her Dad and Uncle Mihawk, she had to put her foot down.
With half agreeing and the other half disagreeing, it all went down to paper-rock-scissors between father and daughter.
And she won.
"ASTRID-CHAN, DON'T GO!"
It was a sight to behold.
The realization that she was leaving for a year.
Red-Haired Shanks, Future Yonko and his mighty crew…
Some of them were crying to the point that some snot could be seen, and the tears were causing puddles on the rocky island.
Others were putting on a brave face.
And others had a smile, holding it in as they braved through this farewell for now.
Her father was crying silent tears, having become mute after she gave her goodbye.
"YASOPP, YOU NEED TO STOP CRYING AND SEND HER OFF WITH A SMILE!"
Her Uncles Benn and Lucky Rox were barely managing to keep their smiles as they saw her off.
Some of the crew wanted Astrid to stay a bit longer, but after that duel, after the festivities, she came to a decision.
"IT'S ONLY FOR A YEAR!"
She had to become stronger.
"BOSSSSSS, ARE YOU GOING TO SAY ANYTHING?!"
That amount of power, the way they laid waste to the island with the crew and her being that far away….
She didn't want to be left behind.
"ASTRID!"
She stopped in her tracks.
"TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! SHOW ME WHAT YOU CAN DO A YEAR LATER, MY DARLING DAUGHTER!"
Her Uncle Mihawk was leading the way, with her just behind him, with him receiving a piece of Shanks' Vivi card before departing.
He didn't say anything, when he turned back and saw her get misty eyed.
All she did was….
WITH BOTH HANDS IN THE AIR, SHE SAID,
"OF COURSE!"
[Location: In Paradise; Sea-Land, Uncle Mihawk's Ship – Island Hopping; Day-time; Astrid: 8.5 years old]
The days that turned into weeks and the weeks that turned into months were filled with strength training.
Kata's, forms, fixing and refining basics.
"Niece, fix your stance."
Ensuring that she wouldn't be able to hurt herself with an actual sword, as she still used her wooden one.
"Relax your grip, and stare down your opponent."
Teaching her to be self-sufficient, teaching her matters beside the sword as well.
"Uncle Mihawk?"
"Yes, dear niece?"
"Can you teach me how to cook more comp…complex things?"
She looked a bit embarrassed, having fumbled over her words.
Her Uncle didn't say anything about it though.
The man motioned her over, as to show her how he seasoned the stew, cleaned and cut the vegetables finely, and gave her some tips and pointers on how to make the dish have more flavor.
It can be said that they had been traveling with one-another since forever, with how well they managed.
With how comfortable they are with each other.
Some people even asked Astrid, when they went to each island, if she was sure that her Uncle wasn't her Father…
Which would prompt her to yell,
"UNCLE MIHAWK IS MY UNCLE! UNCLE IS UNCLE!"
With her Uncle sighing and picking up his niece before she could become any more heated.
As they stopped by islands here and there, she would be encouraging her Uncle when he challenged more people.
"YOU CAN DO IT UNCLE!"
With him slashing them down and motioning for her to follow him afterword.
He knew of her hobbies, another person that was interested in what she liked.
She even showed him that she had a strange power…
He deduced that it wasn't a devil fruit, with her being able to swim, and when he called Shanks via the Den-Den Mushi, he was surprised that even the man that she called father didn't know too much about it.
Didn't know all the capabilities of the power that she possessed.
Just that she can store and take out items at will from her arm….
And a weakness, that stemmed from that power.
She would sleep for one full day out of each month.
The first time that happened, with her going into a death-like sleep, unable to be awoken no matter what was done.
Dracule Mihawk was in a panic.
A well kept secret that only few knew, to be known by an 'outsider'.
Shanks explained in detail that it was something that just happened…
Even with his best attempts to assuage Mihawk that Astrid was okay, it was a worry in itself.
"Does she know?"
"No-one has told her."
"Why?"
"Ignorance is bliss..she shouldn't have to worry about sleeping."
The Hawk-Eyed man sighed.
"She is left defenseless."
The Den-Den Mushi made a face.
"That's one of the many reasons why I didn't want her to go off to train."
"How long has this been happening?"
"Since she was born."
His niece and her father had many mysteries surrounding them…too many to count.
Astrid would check in with someone named Killer every other day and talk about all that she had done.
She would mention that she has been doing that since leaving her brothers' home island all that time ago.
With her Uncle not knowing how much time that may be.
She would talk about what she was learning, what she felt when going to new islands, and even giving advice that she had learned along the way and passed it onto her younger brother.
Her Uncle asked why she didn't call her father.
She responded, "I can't waver…I'll call him before we meet him again."
And then she would stare at the Den-Den Mushi, before calling someone else.
Someone called Grandpa Crocus.
Where she would call him once a week for medical advice, knowledge on plants, among other things relating to medical knowledge. Then just advice in general, and how to navigate some parts of life.
It never ceased to surprise her Uncle how knowledgeable the young child was, but she never let on about her intelligence.
He even gifted her a small knife that was hanging from a necklace, which she promptly stored in her arm.
She didn't want it to get in the way of training.
This small knife would be a sign that he acknowledged her, as it was something that he wouldn't give to others, nor did he show that much care for others.
It was before and now that the cogs of fate were changing, and turning, onto a different path for all those that interacted with this Child.
During this time, and the time thereafter, Astrid and her Uncle respected each other, respected each other's space and boundaries.
They both understood each other, to a certain degree.
"Nee, Uncle."
"Yes, dear niece?"
"Do you like hugs?"
Her Uncle looked at her, his expression never wavering as he looked at her questioning eyes.
He offered no response, as he continued on with her following behind.
She took that as a no.
Hence she didn't cling to him, nor hugged him…
Basically, she had to treat her Uncle Mihawk differently in comparison to her other Uncles.
She cared for him, and well, she loves her family, which means that she loves him too, so she had to find other ways to express how she cared without crossing the boundary that her Uncle made.
So she would take on all the chores.
She has vastly improved in her cooking, as well as baking, so she would prepare meals for the both of them.
ASTRID STILL MADE BURNT FISH, but that was usually the first attempt, the second attempt and thereafter would turn out fine.
Astrid would do that for every meal that she would make, the first attempt being burnt but all the other attempts would turn out fine…the only exception being soup, or things from one pot…
So she ate the burnt stuff when her Uncle wasn't looking, as a chef-in-training she refused to waste food that she had made.
If her Uncle noticed, he never let on if he did or didn't.
He trusted her judgment, even if she is still so young.
Her Uncle encouraged her to communicate with other kids on each island that they landed on.
"Dear niece."
Astrid would be doing maintenance on her wooden sword (tightening the grip and ensuring there were no pieces of wood coming out) or finishing up a kata, or even eating up the last bits of their breakfast or lunch.
"Yes Uncle Mihawk?"
"Go, play."
And he would motion with his head for her to head into the village, or town, or bustling places that they were nearby for her to go and play with the other kids her age.
Astrid made friends her age on each and every island, having some few hours to talk with others before she had to go back and train some more.
Some of the kids that she played with thought that she was odd.
Some would make fun of her….
"SHE LOOKS FUNNY!"
"HER GLASSES LOOK WEIRD!"
"SHE SMELLS WEIRD!"
Others would think that she was cool, and a bit mysterious…
"Did you see who she's with….?"
"She has a certain aura about her…."
"She's so strong, did you see what she can carry?"
And others…others treated her like a normal, fellow kid.
"HEY! JOIN OUR TEAM!"
"NO, SHE'S PLAYING DOLLS WITH US!"
"HEY, NEW KID, WE NEED ANOTHER PLAYER!"
"LET'S PLAY PIRATES AND MARINES!"
On each and every island, it was a different tune, a different story of how the kids would treat her, and Astrid would take it in stride.
"We can flip a berri or do paper-rock-scissors on what we're doing today." Astrid would nod, arms crossed while trying to calm the kids that wanted to include her.
She didn't mind what the other kids wanted to do, she was just happy to be included, to be one of the bunch, even if it was for a short time.
Astrid made one particular friend that she would keep contact with after leaving one of the islands that they visited.
"Hi, my name is Guerra D. Astrid, what's your name?"
Astrid would be helping out a young girl, two years younger than her as she got the younger out of the garbage bin.
A group of bullies had pushed the young girl and dumped her there, with Astrid having scared the groups of kids away when she entered the scene.
"My name is Holly Oak."
"Is Holly your first or last name?"
The younger made a look, like the older didn't have that much common sense.
"First."
Astrid would just nod, ignoring the look the younger made.
"Is that your friend, Holly?" Astrid would motion to the boy on the other end of the alley way, looking scared and shifty as he would peek into the alley.
"He's just some stupid kid that keeps following me." She waved him off, going towards the other path that lead to the main road, with Astrid following behind her.
Astrid would follow Holly for a bit, before the younger snapped,
"Why are you following me?"
Which Astrid would stop, and adjust herself to meet Holly at eye-level, replying,
"Just cause."
"Don't patronize me."
"Ophh, complex language."
"I can read, unlike most of the other kids here. I'm not illiterate." Holly jotted a finger to Astrid's chest, one part as a threat and the other as a means to create distance between the two.
Astrid would stare at the beautiful flaming red-hair, and the emerald eyes that reflected her face. Freckles and a small gap between the two front teeth, she stared for a bit too long.
"What are you looking at? You think I'm ugly too?" Holly sneered.
"No, you're pretty. Who thinks you're ugly?" Astrid asked, confusion marring her face.
Holly…Holly also expressed her disbelief, and her confusion, by searching Astrid's face for…for…
Well, she couldn't find anything that could prove that Astrid was being dishonest.
"Who said that you're ugly?" Astrid asked again, her face not wavering as she stared back at Holly.
"Just a….," Holly would look at the ground, the words being stuck in her throat, "just a group of kids."
"Which group?"
The question itself caused Holly to squirm. She doesn't know Astrid, she just met her. Added with the fact that Holly only viewed herself as trouble.
Astrid looked nice, she couldn't drag someone into that.
"They are kids that you don't know, now leave me alone!" Holly snapped once more, running off and away from Astrid.
Leaving Astrid on the side of the street, some of the people that were around them spoke in hushed whispers while others continued on with their day.
"PSSST."
Astrid had a feeling that she was getting herself into trouble.
"PSSSSSST."
Astrid could literally sense that this moment would be life-altering, to a certain degree.
"PSSSSSSSSSST."
And who can say that she didn't welcome it with open arms?
[Location: In Paradise; Land; Island Hopping; Afternoon-time; Astrid: 8.7 years old]
"What's your name?" Astrid looked at the other kid, the one that had been following her and Holly from the alley.
The young boy, who looked to be a head shorter than Astrid, stared at the older. Raven hair, and brown eyes the shade of caramel, square glasses rested on his face as he went closer to the older.
And he dragged her away.
To the local bakery.
"MOM, I BROUGHT A FRIEND!"
"OKAY DEAR!"
He motioned for Astrid to play along, with him leading her upstairs to a small living area. He gestured for her to take a seat on the sofa, as he went to one of the side cushioned chairs.
His father came up with snacks before the young boy could even start the conversation, smiling at Astrid before the young boy tried to distract his Dad and get him back downstairs.
"So, my name is Billy Evergreen." Billy started as he took a sip of his juice, re-situated and his feet swinging from the chair.
"Guerra D. Astrid, nice to meet you." Astrid nodded.
"The person that you met was Holly Oak."
"Right, we met." Astrid had a feeling on where he was going with this.
Well, at least she hoped that she did.
"She's been bullied for a while now." Billy just stared at his glass.
Astrid…really hopes that she might be on the same page as Billy.
"Do you want me to do something about it?" Astrid tilted her head, her gray eyes staring at his caramel ones.
"She..WAIT, WHAT, WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'DO-Do-DO SOMETHING'?!" he managed to sputter out.
"I," Astrid motioned to herself, "can do something," with her directing her thumb to the outside, "to stop the bullies from messing with Holly."
Billy just stared at Astrid with his mouth wide open, not expecting the conversation to go in this direction, but at least he knew that Astrid had…good intentions?
Good but rather violent intentions?
INTENTIONS?!
Astrid told herself that she wouldn't get in trouble…she hasn't been in trouble with her Uncle Mihawk before…
But if she were to get in trouble, she'd do so spectacularly!
It'll be great!
[Location: In Paradise; Land; Island Hopping; Late Evening-time; Astrid: 8.7 years old]
"Dear niece."
"Uncle Mihawk." Astrid looked away, well, she certainly wasn't looking at her Uncle.
She was looking at everything else that wasn't her Uncle that was in front of her.
"What," he went eye level with her, staring directly at her, "happened?"
"Uhhh, well, I was taking measures to stop some bullies with messing with my friend," she gulped, looking at her Uncle, "and I got out of, well, went too far?"
If she wasn't sweating bullets before, she certainly was now.
The play-by-play of how it happened was so bad that one could laugh.
It was a classic.
After Astrid and Billy had their talk, Astrid asked for a bag of flour, honey, and went to the local animal shop within the first hour of meeting.
She asked if she could clean each animal section, with a secret agenda for the bird section, getting free feathers while doing a good deed.
That would later turn into a bad deed.
She learned from Billy, who was still following her, mind you, who was bullying Holly, which group of kids on the island and where their 'secret hideout' was.
It wasn't much of a hideout, with it being a shack, and with Astrid having a location and how often they frequent the run-down thing, she concocted a plan.
A stupid plan, but a plan is a plan.
She would pretend to be a malevolent spirit.
How you may ask?
She had rope (she always has rope stored in her arm, there is always a need), a sheet, and an accomplice, that's how.
Astrid managed to say in a spooky voice (multiple times), before all hell broke loose, "Don't mess with Holly Oaaaak."
They had locked the front door.
None of the kids go out the back door, so that's where Billy and Astrid set up the honey, the flour set to fall on the kids inside the shack while Billy shorted the lights and hoisted Astrid up.
A trip wire on the footpath to shoot the feathers at the bullies as they passed…
Astrid was pleased, when everything went to plan.
Astrid was not pleased when she and Billy were caught.
How they were caught?
One of the bullies looked back and saw the two of them.
Which leads us back to the present, with Astrid explaining in excruciating detail what she did and how she did it, her Uncle listening intently.
He was called by the bullies parents, they didn't drag him.
They weren't that stupid.
This is the first time that she was in trouble with her Uncle Mihawk..
She didn't know what to expect.
Her Uncle sighed after she finished her explanation, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Dear niece."
"Yes Uncle?"
"What did I tell you about annoyances?"
"Uhhh, it's okay to swat them, and that you'd take care of it if I can't swat them yet. There will always be bugs on the path to greatness."
"Did you swat them?" He stared directly at her once more.
It was Astrid's turn to sigh, "I did my method of swatting, I thought of using your method but I don't think they can use a sword, or any weapon, or know the basics of combat…," she sighed again, "it wouldn't be worth it." She returned his gaze, now certain that she wasn't in trouble.
To which he nodded once.
"Okay," much to the bullies' parents dismay, there was no scolding for Astrid.
But that wouldn't be the end of it.
"HEY, WHY ISN'T SHE IN TROUBLE?!"
To which both Uncle-Niece duo shared a look between each other, and then looked at the kid in question, effectively shutting him up, before Astrid led the way to Billy's place.
Where Holly and her parents happened to be.
"Pardon the intrusion, it's Astrid and my Uncle!"
Holly and Billy's parents were understanding.
Holly only lived with her father, and he understood why both kids stood up for his daughter.
Billy's parents were mad at first, but with understanding why things unfolded as they did, they only scolded him a little.
For the rest of the month that Astrid and her Uncle would be at that island, the trio of kids stuck together like glue.
Nearly inseparable, some squabbles here and there, among doing the mundane while Astrid continued on with her training.
It was a sad, a tad bit devastating of a good-bye, when the two had to leave the island for the next.
Prompting Astrid to give her Den-Den Mushi number to Holly, before leaving.
"TAKE CARE YOU TWO! CALL ME LATER!"
[Location: In Paradise; Sea, docked; Uncle Mihawk's ship; Afternoon-time ; Astrid: 9.1 years old]
"Uncle Mihawk…"
"Yes, dear niece?"
"Do you think I'll be as great as you and Dad?"
The man stared at her, young and full of potential….
And he answered her with silence, looking off to the grande sea as he drank his glass of wine.
Astrid didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing….all that she knew was that she might have to ask again, maybe a few or many years later….
Later that night, Astrid would go off on her own to train in the woods nearby.
She likes to train when she can't go to sleep right away, and today, today she felt that she needed to make a promise.
After her training session, she needed to make an oath to herself.
Something that can keep her grounded and a reminder that she will do right by those that she loves and cares about.
She took out the knife that she was gifted before, unsheathing it, as her mind and mouth recited her oath…
The oath for herself, and for others….
"I promise to protect, to guide, to serve, to help those that can't help themselves. I will not hurt the people I love and care about with malicious intent, and aim to move forward…
I will get stronger, faster, and more knowledgeable to protect and help the people I love and care about…
Till the END!
Whenever that end maybe…
Wherever that end may be…
We may spar, we may fight, but in the end, I will do what I can to do right by everyone!
I won't betray them, I will do my best to not misplace anyone's trust!
I will be honest, and truthful to those I love!
THIS IS MY PROMISE!"
With the knife, she cut the middle of her inner-forearm, sealing her oath while she got out a clean cloth. She started tending to her wound, doing the basics like disinfecting and starting the stitching, while she went back to the ship.
Where her Uncle was awake, and with her doing a rather bad job at hiding the wound.
She was scolded a little, and no longer allowed to train by herself in the middle of the night.
Later down the line, she would add to that promise….
When she had faced more of the world, and learned more of the Truth.
[ Location: Unknown; Unknown - Sailing to a CERTAIN ISLAND ; XX/ XX/ XXXX]
"AMAZING!"
Many of the people exclaimed while others, especially a certain hawk-eyed man, looked at the screen, a silent pride taking hold on how Astrid had developed in her training in such a short time.
All the people in the room had mixed feelings, some of awe, others were surprised, and others were filled with pride.
Some felt inferior to her swordsmanship at such an age and some still felt that they were better than her at that age.
The pledge that she made that day, the pledge that she made alone, away from others, and still upholds to the present….
Unwavering and unmoving on her beliefs that she holds at such a young age.
On the Screen: [A confident looking, smiling Astrid, having been bandaged with the wound on her right arm, saying that she'll make sure that she'll be more careful in training]
"I love her smile", a certain red-white haired young lady looked at the screen in adoration, a warm twinkle in her eye.
"Her smile is really pretty," a certain black haired empress chimed in while her sisters nodded in agreement.
"To think that wound would be a pledge….big-sis always has her surprises." another person shrugged, fixing their orange hat on their raven hair.
Some small chatter was heard among the occupants of the boat, people getting up to call it a night while others went to wash up.
Some were sleeping in their seats in the galley, the peace held as they continued to sail to a certain island together.
"We can continue this tomorrow, or do you want to watch a bit more before we call it?" The bushy haired man asked to all those who stayed, hands on the remote to press play or turn off the Den-Den Mushi that had the video on display.
"CONTINUE IT BUSHY STATCHE!" the straw hatted boy yelled from his seat, another helping of food on his plate as a nightly snack.
Others yelled out their confirmation amongst those that stayed, some just nodding an affirmative.
A bit more till it becomes midnight of the first day sailing together, of sailing like this.
[Location: Paradise; Mock-Bat Island; Day-time/Night-time; Astrid: 9.3 years old]
Astrid and her Uncle Mihawk agreed to meet up with Shanks and the rest of the Red-Haired crew on a nearby island in Paradise.
Well, as nearby as it can be.
Mihawk would have followed the Vivi Card that Shanks had given him, but since the man was probably not even at the meeting place yet, along with some delays from storms and sea kings and some pirates as well as marines here and there, they also expected to be a bit late.
With Astrid doing her best to man the helm while he took care of it, only allowed to kick down the stragglers with her wooden sword or she would use her hand-to-hand combat techniques to subdue them.
The first time that she did that, she told her Uncle, "don't worry Uncle, I have your back!"
Her eyes alight with her sincerity, her body language showing that she was telling the truth.
After they were done, her Uncle stared at her, before he gave a nod, and patted her head before they continued on sailing to their destination.
And Astrid would have a dopey grin, one that she would have trouble masking with her baseball-esque hat as she helped man the sails.
They managed to make it to Mock-Bat Island a day before the meeting time, which prompted both niece and Uncle to explore the island.
At evening-time, Astrid went to retire at the ship, saying that she felt too tired for some reason.
Often a sign that she is to sleep the entire next day.
Her Uncle went with her, ensuring that she fell asleep before locking up the ship for her safety before heading back into the port town.
He wandered, going here and there as he wanted to choose a present for Astrid, with the rare chance to buy her something without her knowing.
Without her butting in…as the last few times he wasn't able to deduce what she may possibly want, until she started staring at swords.
Became more engrossed at looking at swords.
When she found out he and her father shared the same birthday a few months prior, she had made him something.
A picture of the two of them, done to the best of her ability with a rainbow in the background, and a good-luck charm that promises good health-fortune.
She said it did both at the same time, health and fortune, at least, that's what the vendor told her.
No one got him things for his birthday…
No one really fusses for him now, nor is he that close with others…
So he thought, but now having a niece that cares for him, even though there is no blood relation to speak of…
Well, over the course of the year, he has grown to care, in his own way.
His niece said that she was fine without a present for her ninth birthday, and that she was happy to spend it with him, a big smile on her face.
Each time that she came back from playing, she would have bought items for herself, buying what she needed and wanted so as to not be more of a burden on him.
So, now, now is the time to get her a proper sword.
"HEY, YOU SIR!"
He continued moving, until the voice grew more loud, and well, said something familiar.
" MR. PRETTY EYES!"
That certainly grabbed his attention, as he turned, now heading towards the vendor.
Curious, with a slight amount of contemplation to slash him down where he stands.
Mihawk didn't respond, but he stared down the vendor, whose face was hidden by their hood. Their wares ridden all over the table, a barrel to the left and right held swords, and some wares hung overhead with oddities amongst other things.
"Hello, sir, can I interest you in rare and interesting commodities from all over the Blues, Paradise, and even, the New World?"
The vendor motioned from left to right, with Mihawk's eyes landing on a certain blade.
In the right barrel.
The sword in question was a katana, and as he took it out of the barrel he saw that the sheath was in pristine condition, the previous owner having taken care of it.
He unsheaths the blade, to see a blade with no nicks or scratches, a blade that reflected himself.
"Oh, that specific blade caught your eye, dear sir? The previous owner was said to be a dragon.."
"A dragon?" Mihawk looked at the vendor, all the while resheathing the sword.
"A man that was akin to a dragon, who gave his brother a bit of grief, and was loved by his crew before he went on a journey. It's a very rare find, easy to use and certainly a legendary blade in of itself," The vendor grinned, his hand on his chin, while his right motioned to the sword.
Mihawk stared down the vendor, before he asked,
"How much for the blade?"
Where-as the vendor smirked, "For you, Mr. Pretty Eyes, not a berri. Just a small promise."
Mihawk glared, intrigued but at the same time warry, "What 'promise'?"
"Take good care of that Child," the vendor shrugged as he pointed to Mihawk.
"If you are referring to my niece," Mihawk made a swift motion to unsheath Yoru off his back, "that is a promise that I have already made and will continue to follow for the rest of my life. How do you know of her?" He spat the last part with venom.
The vendor made no moves to run away, nor did he seem scared once the grande black blade was unsheathed, only smirking in response.
"A different promise must be made then…hmmm…," the vendor said rather playfully, not intimidated in the slightest, "just don't treat her any differently later on in life, maybe? No. Just trust her? No. Maybe all of the above? Hmmmm, to think I'm having trouble with this, that man certainly owes me one."
His musings were cut short, as Mihawk stared him down, curiousness and intrigue outweighing the need to strike the vendor down right at that moment.
"Aha! I know," the vendor clapped his hands together, "all you have to promise is that you both live happily! That man was a sap, so I'm sure he'll be happy I'm making it so easy." The vendor laughed.
Mihawk stared at the vendor, before he resheathed Yoru and situated the blade back on his back. He looked back down on the blade in his hands, and then once more at the vendor, before he nodded.
"Does this blade have a name?"
"Ah, yes," the vendor leaned over and tapped the sheathed blade once, then twice, while Mihawk analyzed each move the vendor made, "unsheath the blade once more." The vendor waved.
When Mihawk unsheathed the blade again, his eyes went wide, as the upper part of the blade now held the kanji 夜明け [よあけ].
"The sword's name is Yoake, meaning dawn, or daybreak," the vendor smiled.
"I know what that means," Mihawk scoffed, making a face at the vendor.
"Of course you do, but others…," the vendor trailed off as Mihawk turned and left the vendor talking.
"Goodbye to you too, Mister Pretty Eyes!" The vendor called out, waving even though the other wouldn't look back.
And as Mihawk turned the corner, the vendor and his wares had disappeared, leaving no trace that it was there in the first place.
[Location: Paradise; Mock-Bat Island; Day-time, Day when Astrid Wakes Up; Astrid: 9.3 years old]
Astrid did her usual routine.
Put on her glasses, go to the bathroom, do her bed, brush her teeth, take a small shower and then she feels good as new.
Especially after she feels that she slept like a log, doing her morning stretches after having changed from her pajamas to a t-shirt, shorts, and some flip-flops. Sure, when she sleeps like a log like that, she wakes up in the middle of the night and stays awake for an hour, finding that she's really hungry, but right after that she goes straight back to sleep.
She fixed her hair as her eyes wandered, taking out her wooden sword and bamboo sword to attach to her side.
Her bamboo sword was a gift from Holly, with her saying, "HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY!" before Astrid and her Uncle left the island.
She gladly accepted it, not really knowing what to do…Astrid prefers her right hand, but she has found that she is ambidextrous. Both hands can carry both swords, but she finds that she prefers the wooden katana to the right, while the bamboo sword to the left.
She made a promise with her Uncle that she wouldn't train without him present, so she has been using the swords interchangeably when she trains. Her Uncle had no qualms with that, as she should have a feel for different swords before she decides on the type of blade she would want to use later on.
It was certain that she would at least use a katana, but the other sword was still up in the air.
When she was about to get off the boat, having locked up the cabin, she heard the Den-Den Mushi ring.
Puru Puru, Puru Puru, Puru Puru – Kacha
"Hello? This is Guerra D. Astrid speaking." Astrid spoke into the microphone, wondering who might be calling right now.
"Astrid! LOOK BEHIND YOU!"
And that she did, on the other end of the dock, she could see the Red Force. Some of the crew were running towards the boat along the wooden dock, others waving from the grande vessel, and others not really having much of a clue of who she was as they were new.
The first one to greet her was her Uncle Yasopp, who not only ran, but he picked her up in a hug with the both of them spinning around in circles.
The person that was right behind him was her Lucky Uncle Rox, with Yasopp handing her off to him who then did the same thing.
She was left a bit dizzy when she was set down, which led her to shake her head a little to get rid of that feeling.
"UNCLES! How have you been?!"
Her Uncle Yasopp began to pout, "why didn't you call us?" He looked like he was about to cry.
"Uhhh," Astrid didn't want to hurt their feelings, but the truth sometimes must be said, "I felt that if I were to call any of you, I would waver and want to go back quickly. So…sorry." She looked at her feet while saying the last part.
The two men looked at each other.
Her Uncle Yasopp patted her head, while her Uncle Lucky Rox got out the extra, small meat bone that he had on hand to give just to her.
They understood, it took a bit of a while, but they understood her reasoning. This was the first time that she was away from her father for so long, away from the crew for so long, so it must have taken a lot from her to do something that would be away from the both of them.
The trio soon got off the boat, with Astrid making idle chatter about some of the lighter stuff that she and her Uncle Mihawk did throughout the year she was away for training. They told her that her father and Uncle Benn were already in the port town, getting items and replenishing supplies. It was when they were about to leave the docks and head into the main street that they ran into her Uncle Mihawk.
"Dear niece," then he looked to the two Red-Haired Pirate crew members, "Rox, Yasopp."
"Dear niece, huh?" Her Uncle Yasopp grinned, nudging Lucky Rox, who also smiled.
Her Uncle Mihawk sighed, grabbing Astrid's hand and having Astrid move forward saying, "I know where Red-Hair is, follow me."
Astrid noticed a sword? Wrapped and strapped to her Uncle's hip as they all made way to where her father was. Yoru was in his usual place, so she didn't understand why the extra sword, but that thought soon escaped her.
She felt excited and nervous to see her dad and the rest of her Uncles, after such a long time, with no contact after so long…
How much has everyone changed?
A small thought passed her mind that maybe they didn't want her back….
But then another thought passed her mind…
What if she isn't good enough?
That's where she belongs, she couldn't wait to see and be with everyone again, but what if she wasn't good enough?
Which unlocked another power…a random power to mess with her… a power that surprised everyone.
She teleported.
One second she was there, the next, she was on the roof of the cathedral.
She blinked rather sheepishly, looking this way and that, when she teleported again.
This time, in the water, she was swimming back up to get air when she teleported again.
She teleported once more, but this time she was laying down on the forest floor, outside of the port town.
Astrid coughed out the water that she had swallowed, getting up and bringing out her extra set of glasses and clothes from her arm, a towel too, as a means to dry herself. Once changed, she headed back to town.
Astrid was scared…as she held herself close.
She didn't know what happened…maybe the why of it happening?
What was happening to her?
Her power…it doesn't stem from a devil fruit, she could still swim, and she thought she could only store things…so why did that happen?
A head-splitting headache caused her to crumple to the floor once more, a voice in the back of her head chanting..
Remember!
REMEMBER!
REMEMBER!
But before she could 'remember?', she heard a voice from in front of her.
"DEAR NIECE!"
Her Uncle Mihawk had found her first, helping her up before he carried her back to town.
She was pale, her right hand was held close to her as her left held onto her head. Breathing rather heavily, Astrid fainted, going limp in her Uncle's arms.
[Location: Paradise; Mock-Bat Island; Red-Force; Night-time; Astrid: 9.3 years old]
The main members of the Red-Haired Pirates, with the addition of one Dracule Mihawk, were situated in Astrid's room.
The child in question, laying on her bed, a fever overtaking her while she was still asleep.
They all had questions for Shanks…
…the thing is, he didn't hold all the answers to their questions.
"Red-hair," Mihawk started out, "what just happened with my dear niece? What happened to Astrid?"
Mihawk was leaning on the wall next to Astrid's desk, with Shanks sitting at Astrid's bedside. The two of the three other members of the Red-Hair crew were up against the other wall, near the door, while Benn was at the foot of Astrid's bed, sitting on a chest she used to store clothes.
"She….is the 13th Child…," Shanks looked to each of the men in the room, his left hand holding Astrid's when he began explaining.
Mihawk held a look of disbelief, Benn looked shocked, Yasopp was confused, and Lucky Rox paused as he processed the words.
They all processed the words.
"Astrid is a child, she is still a ki–" Yasopp was cut off.
"She is THE 13th Child? Are you certain?" Mihawk looked at the Red-Haired man.
"Yes." Shanks nodded, preparing himself mentally for anything.
"Okay."
Shanks looked up to Mihawk, the elder man taking the desk chair and moving closer to the two.
The other two that knew what a 'Child' was also voiced that they understood, and nothing would change between them.
"Is anyone going to explain to me what a 'Child' is?" Yasopp sighed, clearly confused about the whole situation.
That was where the explanation began…
Many truths were made known to the men in the room, as Shanks explained the tale of Ryuzaki Tenka, the 12th Child, and about his departure from the Roger crew and from this world.
Of Ryuzaki's sacrifice to ensure that his brothers, his trusted crewmates, knew about how a Child came to be in their world.
About how Childes' have a certain weakness bestowed upon them, influenced by their past life.
About the mysterious powers that they could potentially hold. Of why Astrid could do the 'strange' things', now being two, and still being able to go in the water.
Of the hardships that Childs' may face…of the constant target on their person due to the abilities gained and given..of the need for strength but also a chance for a normal, peaceful childhood before being dragged by a being that hates them with the very fiber of their soul…
Of the mark that identifies them as a Child, and the need to hide said mark to give them a chance…a chance to not be used.
Shanks debunked myths, and reinforced legends about the Childs' with his explanation…
The men in the room made a promise, each with nearly the same thought in mind, with all said and done.
Astrid is still their niece, part of their family, someone that they care for…
Child or just a child, nothing will change how they feel about their adorable kid.
THEIR KID.
[Location: Paradise; Mock-Bat Island; Red-Force; Day-time; Astrid: 9.3 years old]
Astrid woke up.
It was a day and a half later, but she woke up.
Her fever had broken in the middle of the night, but she still felt horrible, and her muscles felt like there was an…
Ah, her dad was sleeping next to her, explaining why she couldn't move.
But she felt stuffy, and she wanted to go to the bathroom, as one does as they wake up.
And she had the feeling that she was forgetting something, but she couldn't remember.
It was turning into a marvelous morning? Afternoon? Evening? She honestly couldn't tell even with the porthole shining light into her room.
"Dad." She tried to move him, but he wouldn't budge.
"Daaad." She tried to move him again, but he was using her as a body pillow, and he wouldn't budge as he was in a deep sleep.
"Daaaaaaaaaad." She started to wiggle around downwards, willing to sacrifice her shirt if it meant freedom.
Her plans were foiled, though, as her father readjusted himself and muttered, "five more minutes."
And luckily? Unluckily? Astrid focused enough on the need to go to the bathroom to where she teleported.
In the hallway.
Butt first.
She had her shirt on, and her shorts, and she got out the extra glasses she had on hand from her arm…
Astrid didn't question it, as she ran to the nearest bathroom with a one-track-mind.
WIth her father panicking as that was what woke him up.
"ASSSTTRRIIIIID!"
But she ignored that, as the bathroom took priority, and another lucky thing was that it wasn't occupied.
A good start to the morning on the Red Force.
When Astrid made to get out of the bathroom, she was met by her father, who had major bedhead, besides his clothes looking crinkled and wrinkled from sleeping in them. Before Astrid knew it, he was spinning her around to see if there were any abnormalities on her person, as this strange new powers' full capabilities are unknown…
And highly dangerous.
Once satisfied that Astrid wasn't injured, Shanks picked her up with one hand and carried her back to her room, playing with her hair with his unoccupied hand. Her dad knows her too well by now, with having her change after doing all that she needed in the bathroom.
They both walked out of the Red-Force together, hand-in-hand as they went to meet everyone else on deck.
Which soon was everyone crowding around Astrid and then picking her up, putting her down, commenting on how much she has grown, and talking about the mundane.
Her Uncle Mihawk was talking to her Dad, with her Uncle Benn right near the. Her Uncle Lucky Rox came over to pick her up, asking her if she was hungry, to which she nodded. Her Uncle Yasopp wasn't too far behind, saying he couldn't wait to get something to eat from the galley. The whole rest of the crew made their way to get something to eat.
[Location: Paradise; Mock-Bat Island; Red-Force; Day-time; Astrid: 9.3 years old]
"Dear niece."
Astrid looked up from her plate, having just finished eating when her Uncle Mihawk called out to her.
"You need to collect your things from my ship." Mihawk made a face for a second before he composed himself.
But Astrid, and some of her Uncles, saw it.
Astrid nodded, getting up to put away her plate before one of her Uncles said that they would clean it up for her. She was soon trailing beside her Uncle Mihawk, with him grabbing her hand.
Astrid had to stop herself from making her dopey-happy-grin when something makes her happy. Killer often teased her about it, and it's hard to stop something that just happens naturally. Her Uncle Mihawk, and some of her other Uncles, didn't comment on it…they just knew that she was very happy.
Walking off the Red-Force, going across the docks, and heading inside the small ship that her Uncle Mihawk calls home on the seas, she got the last bit of her stuff and stored it in her arm. She was about to open the chest for extra art supplies that her Uncle got her when she noticed the wrapped sword? that her Uncle had prior.
"Nee, Uncle?"
Her Uncle Mihawk was getting some of the clothes that Astrid had stored in the small store room that she used as a closet, as well as a box to put said clothes in, when he looked over to see what she had found.
She held up the wrapped sword? object that she picked up with both hands, walking over to her Uncle. Astrid wasn't about to hand it over to him, as he had her clothes and handled a box of other things in both hands.
He motioned with his head for her to follow him to the deck, where he set the things he had in hand down. Astrid then gave him the object?sword that was wrapped, grabbing it with both hands. He got eye level with her, before speaking again.
"Happy belated Birthday, Dear Niece. You are ready."
Dracule Mihawk, the man that is to be known as the Greatest Swordsman, gifted Astrid, his niece, her first sword. Grabbing it with both hands once more and unwrapping the blade, Astrid's eyes grew wide, sparkles encompassing them. She unsheathed the blade a little, reading the name of the blade.
"夜明け [よあけ]...Yoake…that is a beautiful name…" She marveld, as she started to cry.
"Dear niece?"
"I'm so happy Uncle Miahwk! THANK YOU VERY MUCH," she reached out and gave him a hug. It was awkward for about two seconds before her Uncle also reciprocated the hug.
The hug may have lasted for a minute or two, and when Astrid and her Uncle had to finish the rest of the packing, she couldn't hold back her dopey grin. She had to wipe her face multiple times to clean up all the tears and snot, and it took a bit to clean up her glasses. The duo finished the last of the packing, Astrid finally tying Yoake to her waist, shelving the wooden katana and storing it in her arm.
What felt like minutes took about two hours to gather all of Astrid's stuff, as she was an avid believer in organized chaos. Organized in that she knows where it is, and it won't get in the way, but at the same time it only makes sense to her.
With a spring in her step, they both made their way to the Red-Force, which was…surprisingly desolate on deck…with decorations hanging from…
The duo was surprised as the crew decided to have a surprise party, amazed that they managed to decorate in such little time, with everyone coming out to welcome the both of them once more.
It was basically Astrid's home-coming.
She was led to her father, they had set up tables around the deck with food and drinks for all the party-goers. Some people from the island, amongst others joining in on the merry tidings that the crew were partaking in. Joyous laughter, music, and the gentle rocking of the sea, what better place to have a party?
"DAD!" Astrid ran up to her father, hugging him as she dropped her things, some of her Uncles chuckling that some things don't change.
All her Uncles noticed the sword hanging from her waist.
[Wait, let me rephrase that. Certain Being, stop looking at me like that! I am doing my best here!]
Her Uncles noticed the sword hanging from her waist, none questioning where she had got it, but wondering how their Captain, better known as their Boss, would react to the sword.
Shanks did a double take at the sword, noticed by her Uncles but not by his daughter. This made for an interesting turn of events.
"Astrid, nice sword." Her father started out, looking at her.
Astrid nodded vigorously, as she started chatting away that her Uncle Mihawk gave it to her and that she was ready to use a real sword. She looked at her father, before standing up and unsheathing the blade, being careful as she showed him and her nearby Uncles her sword before she resheathed it again.
"Her name is Yoake." Astrid nodded.
"Her?" Her father smiled, his head leaning on his hand.
"Mmmmhmmm, Yoake is Yoake, and she is beautiful." Astrid reattached Yoake to her hip, nodding once more.
The last bit of the festivities were the highlight of the party.
Shanks picked up Astrid, pretending to struggle even when he's so strong, as they made their way to the middle of the deck.
He was to make an announcement.
"MEN!," everyone now had their undivided attention to Shanks, "our apprentice is back after a year of training!"
Many of the crew cheered, quieting down as Shanks set Astrid down.
"This means that our dear apprentice should receive a home-coming gift!" He grinned, looking at Astrid she looked surprised.
Benn came from behind Shanks, handing him a wrapped object. Shanks grabbed it with both hands, proceeding to take a knee to reach eye-level with Astrid. Astrid looked in wonder, her glasses reflecting both the man and the blade.
"Happy belated Birthday, my dear daughter, and welcome back." Her father held a big smile, as he presented her the object.
She took it with both hands, being gentle as she unwrapped it.
A sword like her fathers…a saber…
"Her name is Brunhilde, a sword to both protect and fight with," he patted her head, as she gave him the biggest hug.
"Thank you!" She released him, tears streaming down her face. "I'll make sure to use this sword well!"
She smiled back, the tears not stopping, as he messed with her hair. He picked her back up again, saying one last thing before everyone went back to the festivities.
"TO ASTRID!" Shanks called out.
With the rest of the crew and people that were on the boat responded,
"TO ASTRID!"
[ Location: Unknown; Unknown - Sailing to a CERTAIN ISLAND ; XX/ XX/ XXXX]
The clock struck 11:30pm, but everyone wanted to watch the last bit of the first part of that childs' story.
They saw how her father monitored her training, congratulating her with mastering one-sword style. Astrid knew the basics for two-sword style, and now that she has two swords, it felt like a must to do.
Shanks learned of the scar on Astrid's right-inner-forearm, and a fuss was made. Luckily, things settled down, and there may have been another duel between the Red-Haired and Hawk-Eyed swordsmen.
The people in the galley saw that the Hawk-Eyed swordsmen left, of course leaving his Den-Den Mushi number with his niece, with the request that she would call him once every four days. She made a promise with him to stay in touch, and she wouldn't break it.
Over the course of time, everyone saw that Astrid had a happy childhood.
Chaotic…
Odd, not exactly stable, and filled with a myriad of colors…
She continued to make art, to play her instruments, and read…
How she enjoyed reading, and learning more of the world.
The Red-Haired Crew went back to the East Blue…
The Red-Haired Crew visited Yasopp's home island, among other islands passing it.
The people in the boat saw a new encounter that would change Astrid's life for many years to come…
[Location: East Blue; Foosha Village; Dawn Island; Day-time; Astrid: 9.8 years old]
"Hey, why are you following me?"
Astrid was training in the forest, something that she managed to get her father and her Uncles to agree to as they stopped by the small village for more supplies. She wanted to get the hang of teleporting, as sometimes it was a bit finicky with the power responding to her will.
Well, she felt that the power responded to her will, and something else as well? She couldn't really explain it, as it was confusing, but she wanted to get the hang of it as to mitigate potential trouble down the line. She had Yoake and Brunhilde strapped to her waist, her glasses attached with sting as the ends to ensure that they didn't fall off her face when she climbed, and her hand-to-hand combat was given the a-okay by her Uncles.
She'd be fine.
Astrid wasn't picking up new Uncles, her gut feeling having quieted down. She never understood her gut feeling either, but it felt like something that she gets a good gut feeling around her Uncles, and a bad gut feeling around those that have bad intentions? It's like a premonition but not really? She didn't know what to think of it.
Going through this forest? Or was it a jungle? The vast grassy mess that she was in, she was hunting for food, creating shelter, and reporting to her Dad once a day.
On the third day in this rather haphazard place, she felt like something was watching her.
She didn't know what it was, so she started to walk calmly, until she teleported a bit farther away, running off. Astrid had figured out how to teleport with an inanimate object on her person, so nothing was gone or misplaced when she came back into being.
On the fifth day, she felt?the same presence again.
Where she ran, again.
It was a week in that she decided that she didn't want the next two months to be like this.
So she called out to whatever was following her.
Astrid wasn't expecting a response, but the being responded back.
"What are ya doin' in forest?" came out a raven haired-freckled kid, much younger than her.
"Training. You?" Astrid looked at the kid, not knowing what to make of him.
His clothes a bit big, his hair a bit scruffy, and a bit of snot can be seen hanging from his nose. He reminded her a bit of Killer, when they first met, but a bit more rougher?
"My forest. Out." The kid pointed towards town, staring down the older.
"Don't wanna." Astrid stuck out her tongue, one finger stretching her bottom eyelid, before she started running deeper into the forest, the other raven-haired kid running right behind her.
For the next week, Astrid would include running away from the other kid as training, added with doing weights, teleporting, sword-mastery, amongst hunting, drawing the scenery, and playing her viola every so often.
Which annoyed the other kid to no end.
He just wanted her out, for some reason that the other kid knew.
It wasn't till the third week, where Astrid invited the kid to eat with her.
"Since you haven't given up on chasing me, let's call a temporary truce so that you can eat?" Astrid called out, having made stew with the pot that she brought.
It was then that both kids started to form a bond. Well, a bond that didn't involve chasing and the one being chased.
Within the week, and the fourth week, the younger started to warm up to the older.
"What's your name?" the raven-haired kid asked.
"Guerra D. Astrid, yours?" Astrid was working on katas when he asked, so she wasn't looking at him, but he replied back.
"Portgas D. Ace." He stared at her from the rock he was sitting on.
When she was done, she met his eyes.
"Pretty cool name, Ace." She smiled at him.
His face turned a bit red, and he looked away, but he managed to reply back, "thanks."
Before they both knew it, Astrid was teaching Ace how to survive.
How to read and write, at least the basics, to start him out as he was still so young.
How to properly train, to cook and season a bit of the basics that he can possibly get himself.
(She met a curly haired woman, who was a lot taller than her, who came to catch Ace for a while, before she gave up and went back deeper into the mountains.)
They went into the city and she managed to get a pipe for him as a staff, at least to defend himself from bigger things.
Astrid treated Ace like a little brother, with her giving him words of encouragement, advice that he can use now (that he can understand), and would carry him and run away from danger if things got a bit too much for him.
She made sure to finish his fights though, saying in a loud voice,
"BACK AWAY FROM MY LITTLE BROTHER YA HALF-BAKED CROOKED TIGER!"
With Ace feeling something new…
He felt loved, not the tough love like from Garp, or the love that Dadan showed when he wasn't looking.
She cared for him like an actual big sister would.
They would squabble a bit, and sometimes didn't meet eye-to-eye, but it was bound to happen.
On the third to last day that she was on the island, Astrid had to explain that she had to go.
Ace didn't take it well, and she tried to assuage him that it wouldn't be forever. She made him a promise.
"I promise to come back one day, until then, take this." With her giving him her Den-Den Mushi number.
He took it, looking back and forth between the two, before she went and swooped him into a hug, with him resisting a little before she set him down.
She called out to him, on the bottom of the hill,
"TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, ACE! I'LL MISS YOU! CALL ME, KAY!"
She ran back to town, saying hi to a certain green haired girl, before she went back to her father and Uncles.
They boarded the Red-Force once more, to sail and hide-out in the East Blue for a bit more.
[Location: In Paradise; Red-Force; On the Sea; Day and Night-time; Astrid: 10 years old]
"SHE'S A JOLLY GOOD LASSS!"
Some hip-hip's and a hooray was yelled by the crew as they grew louder with each verse.
"SHE'S A JOLLY GOOOOOOD LAAASSSS!"
On the shoulders of the Captain of the Red Force, wearing a pirate hat that covered her eyes, she held onto it and the mighty man. She looked upon the crew giggling, smiles all around.
"SHHHHEEEE'SS A JOOOOLLLLLLYYYYY GOOOOD LAASSSSSS!"
Drinks in the air, a toast of celebration, Astrid raises her hands as well, but quickly goes back to grasping onto the Captain as she doesn't want to fall off.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASTRID!"
"OUR BABY GIRL IS TEN YEARS OLD!"
The day went great, as great as it could be! Astrid received Den-Den Mushi calls from everyone, congratulating her on being a year older.
There was a cake, a present or two, or three….it's still hard to get the kid gifts.
She felt so happy, so much joy was radiating off of her that she literally sparkled.
Today…today is a day that she will remember, for many years to come…
For all the good that came from that day, and the bad that came from the day after…
[Welp, this is Certain Being and myself signing off as the narrators for this part of the story, and if ya haven't guessed who I am yet….well, I've given plenty of hints. I'm even giving some insight with the headers of each chapter, much to the…
THONK
Oiiiiii! That hurt!
Certain Being gestures here and there rather furiously while I rub my head.
I know, I know, things have only just begun and blah blah blah….calm down.
It's Time for the True Beginning, ne~]
[ Astrid's Known Powers! (wink*)
1. Storing things - 'strange power, from thin air.'
2. Teleporting - 'a power to mess with her, and everyone.'
CALL SCHEDULE! (Wink*)
1. Killer: Every other day
2. Holly/Billy (usually only Holly, but Billy joins in) Once every three days
3. Grandpa Crocus: Once a week
4. Uncle Mihawk: Once every four days (he requested it, why would Astrid reject it?)
5. Ace: Given her Den-Den number, still doesn't have a Den-Den Mushi yet
I'm DONE NOW! STOP GIVING ME THAT LOOK! ]
[ Location: Unknown; Unknown - Sailing to a CERTAIN ISLAND ; XX/ XX/ XXXX]
It was then, that all those who were watching, would call it a night.
Before anyone knew it, the second day sailing together would be more hectic, in comparison to the first.
HEYO!
It is I, the one and only DH, comin' from somewhere in the world!
SO, how did you guys, ya lot, all of y'all people like this chapter?
Bad? Meh? A good inbetween of pat on the back to just givin' me a disappointed stare?
For the next chapter, and there after, we are going to get a definite change of perspective…
Onto the meat of it, I guess…
DH signing out,
WITH A FIST OF LOVE, of course.
Side-Note: Many fanfics from multiple sites update all at once…
Me: [Chucks my fanfic from my screen seeing the multiple updates, and TRIED TO READ EVERY-ONE, leaving comments here and there. Then there's also rewatching One Piece….]
My readers: Next update when?
Lookin at dates and everything, this fanfic is a long term project that I will update sporadically, knowing myself, this update will be October/November, and the next will be in December/January (I remain hopeful). I might do a two for one in December since January and February are gonna be doozies for me…
This chapter, took soooo long, like…I know what's going to happen here, but it's difficult to put into words all I want to say for my little gremlin. Like, this little gremlin has so much, but I can't pace myself even when I give myself two months to make a chapter…gosh darn.
This was a bit over 25+ pages? Wanted to update in October, but…
And I was gonna take the test in November, but I'll probs take it next year (whomp-whomp). .
Updates are like one to two months after the last chapter, sorry for the long wait everyone.
Totes understand if people become uninterested in this little gremlin's story.
On a different note ~
Make sure to do wellness checks, I hope everyone is doing great and I'm wishing all the best for everyone!
Also, I re-read my previous author notes for BC, and it seems like past me and current me are not in agreement on the length of author's…notes…or mentioning le test…...whoops, my bad.
ALL THE BEST EVERYONE! ~