Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece
Hope
It was a sunny day in the sandy kingdom of Alabasta. Of course, it was going to be that way; a woman berated herself for even asking about the weather today. It was a desert kingdom; what the hell did she expect rainbows and flowers.
She walked through the sandy streets; men's eyes checking her up and down not that they would act on it their instinct for she was known as the hero's right-hand woman. The hero of Alabasta was none other than the warlord crocodile. He protects the country from all types of threats from greedy thieves, foreign armies, and evil pirates; ironically since he was a pirate himself. That's the publicity campaign that the blissfully ignorant fools of this kingdom were aware of; behind the scenes, he was actively orchestrating a coup plan to take the throne of the kingdom to himself. That was also known only to the lower ranks of his organization known as 'Baroques Work'. The truth behind this smokescreen was that Crocodile was using this to get the ancient weapon known as 'Pluton'. This is where she came into the picture; she was the key to obtaining this weapon.
The woman was in her late twenties. He had short black hair, ocean blue eyes, and a tanned body. She also had the means to help Crocodile obtain this weapon; why only her one might ask. Simply because she was the last of a civilization that decipher the codes that are used to hide the weapon. No one else can even hope to decipher them. She was none other 'The Demon Child' Nico Robin.
After having her home island Ohara destroyed years ago, she has been jumping from one boat to another hoping to fulfill her friends' last wish to find the void century. Every time she had a lead she would turn out empty-handed only for the new team she worked with to try and hand her over to the world government to get rid of her.
This time wasn't any different except she was pretty sure that Crocodile was planning to kill her at the end. Jokes on him she thought, she wasn't going to give him that weapon anyway.
As she entered her room in Crocodile's casino, she looked out of her balcony and began to ask herself what she is doing with her life. That's where she stopped; she didn't have any, to begin with.
Her entire life she spent on the run; trying to find a home; to find people to call her own; to find her Nakama. Nakama; this was her late friend's last words as he was frozen to death by his supposedly best friend.
"The sea is a vast place, Robin." He said as the ice began to engulf him, "at first you'll be lonely, but I guarantee that one day you'll find true friends who won't ever leave. Cause no matter who you are, no one's ever born to be alone." He finished as he started laughing with the ice slowly creeping on him as she watched in horror.
The man who killed him allowed her to live; however, threatened to kill her if she ever acted up. Funny she laughed; it wasn't easy not to act up if you had a 79 million reward on your head.
She then went and lay on her bed thinking about her time on Ohara; it wasn't pleasant either. The kids would always pick on her, the adults would treat her like a freak, and her aunt was nothing but horrible to her.
She then remembered the scholars of Ohara; her true family back then. They accepted her without preemptive judgment. They treated her like family and most importantly they made her feel wanted. But now they're gone, she was the only one left.
She then thought about her mother; it's been a while since thought about her. She was always conflicted about her. On one hand, she loved her, on the other, it was her fault her life was hell itself. If her mother made different decisions, none of this would have happened. If her mother didn't go on that trip, maybe the world government wouldn't have been able to trace them back to Ohara. If she accepted her once she asked her if she was her mom, then she wouldn't have said that she is a scholar which wouldn't have caused her bounty. If she went with her instead of sacrificing herself for god knows what reason, her life might have been easier.
Now as she slowly drifts into sleep, she asks herself if what Saul said was real, about her finding her friends, or was it just an inspirational speech. She has already lost all hope to believe that those words were real; she might as well give herself up to Aokji and let him kill her and put her out of her misery. Nothing was waiting for her, no friends, no void century, and most importantly no happiness. She finally fell asleep with despair filling her body, though nothing can prepare her for the craziness she was going to witness.
The next day, Robin was awakened by the beautiful sound of birds chirping. "Weird," she said. From what she knows the desert kingdom doesn't have birds; at least not beautiful ones like these. The only ones she knows about are the vultures that play dead to take people's luggage. She then stood up and took a closer look at her surroundings. Was she even in Alabasta anymore? No, she isn't she came to a conclusion judging her surroundings. What once was a dry sandy kingdom is now a lush green forest. It had huge trees that covered the entire scenery; add to that, vines and roots of trees were everywhere. It seems that wildlife is abundant here judging from the various animalistic sounds that are emitted. But for now, fun time is over, what is she doing here? Did crocodile send her here as a sort of sick joke? Did put her here to target someone who caught his interest? Or was he giving her a test to see if she is trustworthy? She laughed at the last opinion; no one with a sane mind would trust her. She decided to walk to get a better hold of her situation.
The moment she stepped forward, a paper fell from her cowgirl skirt. "What is that?" she asked no in particular, as she crouched down to pick it up. She now held a small folded paper; she instantly regretted not using her powers to pick up, but seeing that she isn't in control here there was no point anymore. She then unfolded the paper which read:
"Dear Robin,
I have sensed that you have lost all hope and will to live and have decided to end your life. Not wanting to see that happen since you're still full of life and have great things ahead of you; I've decided to send you here. The key to returning to your home is to find hope.
Sincerely,
Someone who has your best interest at heart."
Robin looked and blinked a little, before doing the following. She ripped the paper, threw it calling it a bunch of nonsense, and swore if she ever finds who sent her here she will make him wish that he is being strangled to death, or have his spine broken after all the pain and torture she'll put him through. For now, she'll have to explore this new place she was sent to by whoever did this and try to find a way back to Alabasta before Crocodile goes crazy thinking she betrayed him.
She walked through the forest taking down ridiculously oversized beasts; well this might not be a bust. She might be able to find an agent or two to recruit.
She continued walking grumbling about how who sent her here dared to stuff a note in the side of her skirt, couldn't he at least put her in a more protective outfit due to the many wounds she has received from broken branches. Finally, she heard what seemed like a humming noise over a couple of bushes. She went over there but made sure not to make her presence known, so as soon as she reached the bushes she used her powers to sprout an eye on a top of a tree to see what's going on.
She saw with that eye a young girl perhaps no older than 16 maybe. She wore what resembled a long purple dress that she could just manage to see that had pockets on each side of it. She then noticed the girl was reading a book, trying to take a closer look would get her exposed, maybe she should sprout another…
"Running from class again, I see." An old voice spoke only for the girl to set who book aside which caused Robin to blink cause the book was about Alabasta. "What a weird coincidence?" she said.
"No I'm not, but Mom's putting me through the wringer. Who knew she could such a taskmaster. I never saw this side of her even when she used to teach me and the boys." The girl defended, though that voice sounded similar, Robin couldn't put her finger where she heard it before.
"Huh, you were practically begging her to teach you that language, and the moment you had that you got tired. That's your problem you children; you want the gain, but never the pain." The lady spoke. But when got a closer looker, she reminded her too much of her horrible aunt.
"I need some personal time. I haven't had time to train my powers in 3 months, nor go on a date, with mom not leaving me alone." The girl said shocking Robin and making her laugh at the same time. Shocked that she had power, and laughing cause looks like she didn't get enough of her boyfriend.
"Well Robin, life isn't that easy. Sometimes, it takes and never gives back enough." The lady said surprising Robin that she and the girl have the same name.
"I agree. You're right, Dadan." The girl named Robin said.
"Good morning, Robin." The older Robin couldn't help but shiver at the way that greeting was said, and from the looks of it, the younger one had the same reaction as she waved her hand with a forced smile.
"What the hell did I tell you idiots about acting like this? You'll scare her away; the only pleasant face that appears here." The huge lady that now she identified as Dadan screamed at the men who ran away. Seems she runs the show here, Robin concluded.
"So how are your powers coming along?" Dadan asked the younger Robin.
"Great, actually I came up with some new moves lately. Or during the few moments of free time I have." the girl chirped happily. Robin smiled too; this girl was simply full of life. Maybe she can make her protégé; let her carry the legacy of Ohara, find the void century. She seemed like a person who likes a challenge.
"Good, now can you reach that apple for me?" Dadan asked the young girl who responded with a nod of her head.
She then crossed her hands over her chest grabbing Robin's attention as this was usually her pose, but she thought this might be some kind of weird coincidence like the name thing, but what happened next couldn't be attributed to a coincidence or sheer luck. The girl then sprouted an arm on the tree which held the apple catching it and throwing it back to Dadan.
Robin's mind went blank for a moment. Was that her devil fruit? But how? She was sure there was only one copy of each devil fruit that exists in the world. There must be some reasonable explanation.
"That Hana-Hana fruit of yours sure comes handy when its harvest season down at the village," Dadan commented as she bit on the apple.
"I agree, most of the villagers ask for my assistance, and I just can't say no. though, at the end of the day, I come back home really tired." The younger Robin spoke.
The older one was having a meltdown. But then she remembered the note that said she had so much life. Can this be her? But how? She was alone and had no friends.
She ran all possible scenarios through her mind. Nothing made sense at first. But then it hit her, she could be kidnapped right now. Crocodile might have kidnapped her at some point for her knowledge of the ponoglyphs or her ability to read them. Maybe he used some sort of mind devil fruit to affect her memories making her think that she's a lone survivor of a buster call while the thing never happened. But then she remembered the girl said her mom. Does that mean her mom was still alive too? She was beyond elated to think this. Thinking that horrible image of her mom abandoning her to go die was nothing but a mirage implanted in her mind. She knew she was being uncharacteristically optimistic, but this could be her chance at happiness. But she then stopped to think about other things, if the kidnapping and mind washing theory is true; why her and not her mom? Surely, she could've been much more useful. The only explanation she can come up with is that her mother was offered a position, and she refused. This caused Crocodile's men to kidnap her later on after seeing her. But then again why her, not one of the other scholars. She looked around and got her to answer this is not Ohara; that explain this question. But the age difference doesn't make sense; she can tell she's easily a decade older, but then again marines aren't known for finding missing people. She'll think about that later, because now she was so happy, in her mind if she manages to stop this kidnapping; she can stay with her family
She then heard something rustling in the bushes near her past self, only for 2 arms to appear stretching and napping her. She was terrified, was this the moment she was taken? She instantly ran to stop it.
Now she was in the middle of the forest, she ran on with her every nerve on fire wanting to stop what she perceived as the moment that destroyed her life. She stopped dead in her tracks at what she saw next; she was barely able to hide. In front of her was her younger self kissing a 15-year-old boy wearing a red vest and some blue short jeans with an old straw hat on his head. She would've blushed if her memories weren't full of moments like these. Well or close to it, kissing people for survival is something that her memories are full of.
"So how are you today, Robin?" the boy said as he came out of the kiss.
"Fine, Luffy. And I guess you got me again." The younger Robin said.
"I told you I'll always catch you, and you never believed me. This is the 88th morning I grab you from there. So how's your mom today?" the boy named Luffy asked the younger one.
"She's ok. She cooking breakfast, want to come and join us?" the younger one asked.
The older felt her eyes hurt as she was preventing her tears from falling. Her mom was alive and well. And right now, she was cooking breakfast; could this day be any better?
"Ok, let's go," Luffy answered the younger one. The older one panicked, if they go she loses her chance to see her mom, and warn them of what is to come.
She jumped leaving all rotational thoughts and screamed, "Wait"
Now both kids gave her their full attention, and she panicked. What she has to do now. She took a deep breath and said, "Hi"
Both teenagers now took fighting positions, and the older one gulped. She didn't want to fight them, but if she had to subdue them to make them listen, then there's no other choice.
Luffy looked at the lady for a moment and his eyes went wide. He then looked at Robin then at her again, then at Robin again. Luffy said to his girlfriend, "Robin, is there a reason she wearing your face?"
Robin looked at the woman, and said, "Oh mom, you scared us there. When did dye your hair black?" Robin then looked at her clothing and said, "Please don't tell me you'll be wearing this mom. It's so embarrassing. Go change."
The older Robin felt offended on so many fronts. First of all, she wasn't that old to be mistaken for her mom. Second, what's wrong with her dress?
The older Robin began to talk, "Firstly, there's nothing wrong with my outfit. And secondly, I'm not your mom."
The younger blinked unsure saying, "Okay, and then who you are?" slowly raising her arms into her Hana stance.
Luffy then said, "She kinda looks like you."
The younger one said, "Luffy, what are you saying? That she's me. she's too old to be me." the younger one said seriously offending the older one, "That's not even possible…" only for an arm to sprout on her shoulder and silence her.
"Do you believe him now?" the older one asked.
As the hand dissolved into petals, Robin said, "No, you could have a devil fruit that mimics other devil fruits allowing you to use multiple abilities which explains you having a face creepily familiar to mine and my powers."
The older Robin frowned; this isn't going to be easy. "Is there any way to prove that I'm you?"
"You're me…" the younger one said unconvinced tired of this lady's games, so she said, "Alright older me," she spoke sarcastically, "Tell me something I should only know."
"Our aunt used to beat us."
"You could've asked anyone; everyone knows that."
"We had a giant friend named Saul who used to laugh like this 'Dershishishi'"
"Wrong again, common knowledge."
"Ok, how about this? The day we became a scholar; Clover shouted at us for spying on him and the other scholars trying to find the void century."
"That's…" the younger one froze, no knew about that; not even her boyfriend knew. She never told him. "So you truly me?"
The older smiled and said, "Yes", but then took a more serious tone as she spoke to the children, "But you need to listen to me Robin and… Luffy, right?" she asked earning a nod from said boy.
"I don't know when or how, but Robin you're going to be kidnapped by a very bad organization that's going to brainwash you into thinking you're a survivor of a buster call in hopes of helping them achieve what they want."
Both teens paled, and the younger Robin hugged Luffy for comfort as the boy spoke, "Don't you remember anything?"
"I'm afraid not."
"What if Robin told you some of her memories, can they bring yours back helping us know which day it happened?" the boy asked her. She hummed for a bit and said, "It's possible."
The younger one then came out of her boyfriend's embrace and began talking, "I'm Nico Robin. My mom's name is Olivia. I hail from Ohara Island. I'm a scholar…" the girl began listing random facts about herself, but it didn't help the older one. "I was born on the 6th of February in 1450. I'm…" she stopped as she was cut by the older one.
"Stop. Did you say 1450?"
"Yes, is there a problem?"
"But it's not possible, I'm sure I was born in 1440. The newspaper I read yesterday was on 2nd of March 1466."
"Maybe the organization that took you faked the date?" Luffy tried to offer only to be cut by the younger one saying, "It's not possible; the news is controlled by the world government." She then looked at her older self and said, "The world government controls your world too, right?" only for the older one to nod.
"What is today's date?" the older one asked with a horrible gut feeling.
"3rd of March 1466" Luffy answered her.
All that hope that built up in Robin that her life might be just an illusion created in her head by some devil fruit power was now shattered. Ohara, at least her Ohara, is gone. Her mom is also gone. Saul is gone. Clover is gone. She's alone now, but who was the girl in front of her as she slowly said, "If I'm not you, then who are you?" she asked the younger Robin.
The younger one thought for a moment before she came up with an answer, "Maybe I'm you but from a different universe." The older one nodded her head because this was the only explanation she can come up with right now also. It was hard to believe at first, but there was no other reasonable explanation for this.
"Okay, this grew a little tense. How about we all go eat breakfast?" Luffy offered.
The girls looked at him, and the younger one stood up and started walking grabbing Luffy and going to the older one, she extended her hand and said, "Come on; we'll talk later. I bet mom gonna love talking to you."
Unknown to the younger girl, the older one also has some talk in her.
As they walked to the younger one's home, Robin noticed the 2 teens chatting happily with each other. Then the boy looked at her, but his gaze felt weird. It was like he was analyzing her.
"You know you do look like Robin, but something is different about you," Luffy said.
"What do you mean?" the older one asked.
"I don't know, but something feels off about you. You're a good person; don't get me wrong, but something feels out of place with you." The boy explained.
The older girl smiled; it's been a while since someone said she was a good person. She did note that he also said that 'something felt out of place' about her.
Finally, they reached the girl's home. It was small but suited a family of 2. The older one of the group felt suddenly emotional. All those emotions that she bottled up for years came surging back at the idea of seeing her mom, or at least another version of her who took different decisions, which worked greatly judging from the bubbly personality this Robin had.
"So older me, you must be excited to see mom?" the younger said, though she wasn't sure of anything at this point. This woman was herself from a different world, but she didn't know anything about her. She should've asked for her story but it's too late now to back down anyway.
"I am" the older one replied.
The younger one then opened the door allowing the smell of freshly cooked eggs and a beacon to fill the air. She then entered with her guests the house and said, "Mom, I'm home. And I brought guests."
The older Robin readied herself to see her mom. The person she has the most conflicted feelings about. She gathered herself if she was going to talk to her mom or at least her look-alike; she doesn't want to sound like an 8-eight year. She then lowered her hat to hide her face, but not so much for her to see.
Soon enough Olivia walked out of the kitchen saying, "Welcome home dear, and no problem. I am always pleased to have your friends over." The older one saw her and felt her heart pain a little. She was the same as hers, with long white hair, ocean blue eyes, tanned skin, and unlike the last time she saw her she was smiling. "Now please be a dear and take them to the dining table." The younger nodded as she led herself and Luffy to the table.
She then followed her mom to the kitchen and came out with her holding multiple plates of food; one with a ridiculously huge amount of food. Olivia then set a plate for everyone, the boy taking the large plate of food. As the older Robin began to dig in savoring the taste, Olivia said, "If you wouldn't mind, take off the hat so it wouldn't bother you." She finished with a smile.
The older Robin said, "Okay" she then took off her hat and set it aside. At first, Olivia didn't notice anything, but after taking a better look she said, "My, you look like my daughter a lot."
"I know it's weird, isn't it?"
"So what's your name?"
"Robin"
"Now that's a weird coincidence. My name's Olivia, don't tell me that's your mom's name too."
"It was, and you look a lot like her."
"Well, maybe one day I should meet her. It'll be an interesting talk."
"I'm afraid you can't."
"Why not?"
"She died a long time ago when a buster call destroyed my home island."
While Olivia's heart went out to the girl, Robin and Luffy looked at her with wide eyes especially Robin whose mind told her that this was going to be her, if what happened on Ohara played differently.
"Oh my, I'm sorry for your loss," Olivia said.
"It's okay. It's been 18 years."
"If you don't mind, can I ask what island you were from?"
The older Robin knew at this moment it was now or never. So she leaned over, using her ability to sprout an arm from the table to put her cheek on it as she said, "Well Ohara my dear" she said as smoothly as possible.
Olivia wasn't assumed, however, looking at her daughter saying, "Robin, this isn't a fun way to show a new ability of yours."
The younger one quickly said, "Momma wait. This is real. Meet me..." she said gesturing at the woman who has straightened up wearing an emotionless look as if she was expecting this.
Olivia sighed and looked at Luffy and said, "Okay Luffy, I know you can't lie. So what's going on?"
Luffy replied, "Robin's telling the truth."
Olivia was shocked, the boy can't lie, or did he train? No, he can't learn to lie this fast; he literally can't lie even about stealing a cookie and she's talking from experience. She looked at the other woman and gulped.
As this version of her mom became to become uncomfortable, Robin couldn't say if she liked that or hated it. She felt like she was having an outside body experience witnessing everything from outside her body as this happened in front of her eyes. All the questions that swelled in her head ever since she was 8; why didn't mother go with her, why did she go back to the tree, why did she leave her alone… all those questions was reflected in one question that she said so quietly no heard her at first, "Why?"
Olivia looked at her confused and lost, "Excuse me"
"Why" this time the older one spoke higher. Luffy grabbed his Robin and dragged her backward something telling him this wasn't going to be pretty.
"Why what?" Olivia asked.
"Why did you abandon me? Why did you leave me to go and die in the tree of knowledge when they were bombing the island? Why didn't you go with me?"
Olivia was speechless, but didn't stop the older Robin from speaking, "Why did you give me to Saul telling him to take care of me only for him to die moments later in front of my eyes?" she said causing the younger Robin to shed tears thinking about Saul.
"Why mother, why? Ever since I was 8, this question was haunting me. Why did my mother abandon me? Was being with me so bad that my mother thought that death was a better option than going with me?" the older Robin said letting her emotions get the best of her. She didn't want to cry, but she couldn't hold it anymore. Seeing her mom felt surreal; it took her back to that 8-year girl who wanted nothing other than to see her mom.
Olivia herself was about to cry as she came closer to the older Robin… her daughter of sorts, and said softly, "I'm afraid I can't answer that since I didn't abandon you or at least her." She said pointing her finger toward the younger one. She then added, "Why don't you tell your story from the beginning so maybe I can give you an explanation?"
The older Robin nodded her head. She began to speak, "My name is Nico Robin, and I was born on Ohara Island. My dad died when I was 2 years old causing my mom to go on an expedition to find about the void century in hopes of fulfilling his dreams, so she put me in the care of her brother and his horrible wife. I guess we're the same till here right?" the younger one from Luffy's embrace nodded.
"I grew up being abused by my uncle's wife, and accidentally ate a devil fruit at age 3. That's when the entire island named me the 'demon child'. But I didn't care since the scholars were my family. And at the age of 8, I became one of them. But when I asked to join their research about the void century, they refused and threatened me that if I persisted, they'd prevent me from ever entering the tree of knowledge. That day I went running out, and went to the beach and met Jaguar D Saul. We became friends; he even taught me to laugh when times are rough. Then days later, world government agents came and everything took a turn to the worst…" the older Robin stopped taking a breath then carried on, "That day Saul found I was Olivia's daughter, he warned me of the buster call. I tried to warn the scholars but I was too late. The agents arrived the moment I entered the tree; from there it was a lost fight. They activated the buster call after professor Clover talked with the 5 elder stars and got shot. The agents went to go, but I saw a woman who I was sure my mom. When I asked her, she didn't acknowledge me. Only when I said that I was a scholar did she finally accept me, but by doing that I had a target itched into my back for the world government to hit on. We caught up for a little while before Saul came and took me from her; I begged her to come but she told me that she still had things to do, and "To live". Saul took me away as the island was beginning to turn into an inferno. He was shot by a cannonball and went to attack the ships destroying them. When I tried to enter the evacuation ship I was refused cause of my devil fruit powers and because I was a scholar, not like that stopped the evacuation ship from being destroyed later on. Moments after that a vice-admiral attacked Saul; Saul tried to escape with me but that vice-admiral caught him with his ice powers and the vice began to kill him. As he was dying he told me to go to the sea and find the friends I was meant to have. As I ran, I encountered the vice who allowed me to live on the condition that if I ever act up; he'll kill me. After that, I got a 79 million reward on my head, and I have been surviving by betraying people. That's my story." The older Robin finished leaving an astonished audience blinking.
"What's yours?" she looked at her younger self.
"Well…" the young one began telling her version of how things on Ohara played out, "Well it pretty the same till I met Saul, expect one difference; I met Luffy a day before."
"Excuse me," the older one said.
"Yeah, a day before I met Saul, I met Luffy. Then the next day we both met him and became best friends. It played pretty much the same from there till the agents came also with Luffy's grandpa's arrival…"
"Who is?" the older one asked.
"Monkey D Garp. He arrived looking for Saul and mom. When he kicked us from the tree to investigate and mostly probably beat Luffy afterward, we told Saul about him who told us he needs to meet him instantly, so we went back and told him. When he knew about Saul, he told us to stay in the tree and he went with Clover to talk to Saul. A while later, we managed to get out of the tree and played in the forest till we encountered CP9…" the girl said making the older one shiver, "Then we heard what they were planning. At first, I didn't want to help, but Luffy convinced me otherwise so we took the buster call trigger and after some death-defying stunts, we gave it to Garp who talked with the 5 stars saving the island and giving momma a new chance to live here on dawn island with me."
"That's a wonderful story." The older one commented.
Sensing sadness in the older one, Olivia told her, "Look, I can't say I speak for your mother, but I do know that whatever she did, she must have done it because she was thinking what was best for you." This didn't help the woman, but she nodded her head.
Olivia then spoke, "What I don't get why Garp didn't show up in your world. I mean judging from your age Luffy wasn't even born yet but Garp was still around."
Luffy then spoke randomly, "Maybe he was busy taking Ace from his mom."
Robin then thought about it, "That's probably it."
"Who's Ace?" the older woman thought; the only Ace she can think about is a pirate from her world.
"Our older brother" both teens spoke at the same time making the older Robin's eyes go wide and she asked, "Are you two?"
"Adoption" Olivia answered getting used to answering this.
"Good," Robin said. Then she asked, "Why do you think that him grabbing this Ace character was the reason he wasn't present."
The younger one answered, "You look like you're a decade older than me, right? Well, Ace is 18 right now. So when you were 8, he must have been born so Garp went to bring him; given that this also played the same as our universe."
"I see." The older one said thinking that if this Ace was born a little earlier, her life might have taken a better turn. Garp the fist was known for his justice not because he killed people but because he allowed them to live. If he came to Ohara, she was sure things might have played differently. She sighed there's no use thinking about that now. It was already over.
Olivia looked at her and said, "Robin, I'm sorry you had to live such a horrible life, but now that you're here, how about we live together like a family?"
Robin looked at her confused and felt like she was having an internal struggle. Her mind told her this was a trick that Crocodile set up to make her trip, but her heart told her that this is a chance of a lifetime. She could have a place to belong. She then decided to take a leap of faith whether be it for better or worse.
The older Robin felt for once happiness. She said with a true smile for once, "I'd love to, but there's something I always wanted to do." She was embarrassed about asking this question. It felt so humiliating; an intelligent grown woman like her asking a question a little girl might ask, but this was something she wanted forever, "Can I hug you, mom?"
Olivia smiled as she hugged this… no, her daughter. And then looked at her and wanted to ask something but it can wait for a couple of minutes, Robin felt beyond the moon; she was hugging her mom; well not her exactly but who cares. She felt like that 8-year-old girl again. All the torment she had been through was worth it now. She snuggled it in her mom's embrace taking as much affection as she can; something she always dreamt about. Her mother then said, "Can I ask you something?"
"Yes," she replied without thinking.
"Why are you dressed like a cheap stripper?"
This caused her face to turn shades of red from embarrassment as she suddenly felt very self-conscious. It wasn't because of the question itself, but because her mother was asking her that. "Ah, you see, it's easier to gain men's trust if I dress like this."
"Well, I bet you're glad you won't have to anymore. Now, go change; you don't want to set a bad example for your younger sister now, do you?" Olivia said as the older one looked at the younger.
True, well she may have dressed like that, but that doesn't mean she liked it or at least was comfortable with it; and she surely doesn't want the little girl who will most likely look up to her dress like this.
She nodded getting up to change, but she stopped and asked, "What will I be called, and what will be my story if people ask who I am?"
Luffy then said, "How about we call you Hana?" obviously referring to her devil fruit, "And we can say your Ms. Olivia's younger sister."
Robin nodded as she went to change her outfit. As she was going, she smiled; no more running, no more getting used, no more betrayal, no more acting as a sex appeal, she can finally be herself. This day couldn't get any better.
As she finished dressing, she ironically wore the clothes that her mother wore the day she died without the raincoat.
She came out and saw her younger self reading an old book, so she asked, "What are you reading there, Robin?"
Robin looked at her older self now called Hana, and smiled saying, "This is one of the books that momma used to have when she was on her trip, but I'm reading it before I go with Luffy to find the void century as he becomes pirate king."
She was shocked that this Robin also wants to find the void century; she was half sure that her mom would have prevented her so she asked, "And mom is ok with you going to find it?"
"Well, at first, she wasn't. We always used to fight about it. It only took me comparing her to horrible aunt Roji, and her almost being kidnapped by some 'Baroque Works' people whatever they are to finally agree." She said shocking Hana that she was fighting with her mother about the ponoglyphs. She also took note of the fact that Crocodile made an appearance in this one's life too if through his lackeys.
"Come on; let's go meet everyone." Robin grabbed Hana's hand dragging her to the village.
"Calm down dear, I'll be there when we arrive," Hana said.
"I know but I'm just thrilled that get to have an older brother and sister now," Robin said happily. Hana needed to get used to this version of herself; even in her happiest thoughts, she couldn't be as happy as this girl.
"Now can you tell how Ace is a brother to you and Luffy, but you 2 aren't related?" she asked this question which was bothering her the moment she thought about it.
"Well, Luffy, Ace and another boy named Sabo drank sake together in a ritual making them brothers. But then Sabo died, and the whole Ohara thing happened, after some miscommunication if you like to call it, Ace and I drank sake in the same ritual becoming brother and sister." Robin explained.
"I see, and he left out Luffy cause he knew how you felt about him," Hana said earning a nod.
The girls then passed by an old-timer who greeted Robin saying, "Good morning, Robin."
The girl politely lowered her head saying, "Good morning, mayor." She then remembered she wasn't alone and said, "I would like you to meet my aunt Hana."
Hana smiled one of her very fake smiles and extended her hand saying, "It's a pleasure to meet you."
The mayor hummed a little, then took the handshaking it saying, "It's a pleasure to meet you too. Though for all honesty, Olivia only mentioned having a brother, and never a sister."
Hana kept her cool, using the lying skills she mastered during her 18-year escape act from the world government, "Well, we had a very huge rift form between us after she left on her expedition, and didn't trust me with her daughter instead of giving her to that monster Roji. But I thought it's time we turn a new leaf and start over." She lied skillfully impressing her younger self.
"Well, I hope you both get along now." The mayor said.
Then Robin grabbed her hand and continued walking with her. She then said, "That was awesome. Why can you lie that good?"
"Well, dear sis, when you're on the run since your 8, lying becomes as essential as breathing to survive." This caused the younger version to get boomed out a bit.
"Was my life going to be like this if the worst happened on Ohara?" the younger one asked. "I mean I always knew it was going to be bad if Luffy didn't show up, but was it going to be that bad?" the older one smiled at the younger one's naivety.
"True, it was beyond bad. Every night I'd have nightmares of Ohara burning, but I got a lot of adventures as a bonus." Hana trying to get the young one back into a cheery mood.
They then stopped in front of a bar and entered it. There Hana saw a young woman almost her age working. The woman smiled and said, "Hi Robin, where's Luffy? And who is this lovely young lady?"
Robin smiled and said, "I'm fine today, also Luffy is fine. This is my aunt Hana."
"I'm Makino. Nice to meet you. Anyone she brings in here is family. Do you want something to drink?" the barmaid shocked her. This girl was a strike difference to her. While in her world people wouldn't trust her with a stick, here people seemingly trust her with their lives.
"Wine please"
"On the house"
Suddenly all 3 heard a loud noise from outside, Robin formed an eye outside and smiled, "It's Luffy. He's coming with something in his hand."
Makino frowned, "Why does he always have to make a ruckus?" she complained as she set the wine in front of Hana.
Hana said, "I think he's quite lively." Sipping her wine.
Luffy then entered the bar smiling and said, "Robin look Ace's first bounty came out. It took him a year but it finally came out."
"Really," the girl said as Luffy showed her the bounty.
On it, Ace was smirking as his eyes were somewhere else, wearing the cowboy hat Robin bought him as a gift from her when he first set sail. He seemed to be surrounded by something but the kids couldn't identify it. Down what written:
Fire Fist
Portagus D Ace
Wanted:
Dead or Alive
45000000
"That' so great. Ace's starter bounty is huge." Robin exclaimed.
Hana leaned forward and was shocked that the Ace they were talking about was 'Fire Fist Ace' from her world, so she said quietly, "You know I have the same pirate back home."
"Wow, two Aces," Luffy said amazed.
"Gramps must be flipping out right now." Luffy then said. Then Hana noticed that he had another bounty, and asked, "Who's bounty is this?"
Luffy looked at her and smiled, "This is Saul's bounty." This caused Hana to choke on her wine. Saul. She never took into account that in this world Saul was still alive and kicking. Oh, how she wishes she can see him.
She then looked at the wanted bounty poster that showed Saul doing his signature laugh reminding her of old times. The bounty read:
Giant Menace
Jaguar D Saul
Wanted:
Dead or Alive
300000000
"Wow" Hana only said.
"I know," Luffy said.
"Saul isn't even a pirate. His crew is formed of orphaned people who had nowhere to go. And he mostly helps people whose islands are in need." Robin said, "His bounty isn't fair."
She then felt Hana touch her and say, "The world is never fair." She then remembered that Hana has had a 79 million reward on her head since she was 8 and said to her quietly, "I'm sorry."
Hana only smiled and said no problem. She knew this Robin had a very naïve outlook on the world; she never experienced its cruelty and part of her didn't want her to.
"So what are you doing now?" Hana asked Robin.
"I'm going to train with Luffy. No devil fruits today right."
"Yeah, no devil fruits today," Luffy said.
"So see you later" Robin answered as she followed Luffy who just exited.
Hana blinked before standing up and following them into the forest only to see them kissing so she said, "My, my, little sis, you sure are training hard."
Both teens blushed heavily and began stuttering. Hana only waved her hand and said, "Don't worry, my lips are sealed." Then Olivia arrived at the scene and said, "I came so you can begin."
Robin groaned a little before the fight began. First Luffy aimed a punch directly at Robin who did a backflip avoiding it. She then tried to kick him only for him to dodge by jumping above her. He tried to kick her in the chest only for Robin to bend backward avoiding it. Luffy then put his hands on the ground lifting himself and kicking Robin's feet quickly since she was still bent. The girl fell on her rear and rolled on the ground to avoid a barrage of punches aimed at her. Unluckily for her, Luffy managed to get a punch through causing her to groan. She then stood up and the fight continued.
During the fight, Olivia was cheering her daughter on who stopped at some point and said, "Momma, I used to appreciate it when you used to do it the first time I started training but now it's just embarrassing. I'm not that 8-year-old girl anymore."
"I know sweetie, but I can't help it. I'm so proud of you that you came so far." She said remembering the time when her daughter used to fall from her punch.
"I love you too, momma."
Meanwhile, Hana watched this whole scene with a smile. She decided to take a walk through the forest. She smiled a new life; a new beginning; a new style. No more worrying about what to eat. No more worrying about what to drink or where to sleep.
She came out of her happy thoughts when she noticed a small ball of paper on the ground. She opened it and read. It was the same one she ripped earlier. This was creepy on a whole new level. She reread the letter; she must have been given it for a reason till she finally understood why she came here. She wasn't sent here to start a new life but to save her life. This world is supposed to give her hope to return to her world and continue living but she didn't want to go back there. She was so lost in her thoughts; she was startled when Robin said, "Hi, Luffy forgot to tell us that he heard the news that Saul is coming to Dawn Island. Isn't that great? I can't wait to see him and I bet you can't too." Hana smiled at her. The girl then left.
Hana felt a horrible gut feeling. All this hope she felt started to deflate. Whoever sent here was truly cruel. He sent her to a place where everything she ever wished for existed. Now, she knows that it's only temporary. She felt lost till her eyes fell on her younger version chatting with her boyfriend. She frowned; she felt so bad about what she was thinking but she deserved happiness after so many years of pain. She then pushed down her emotions of guilt and decided to try and switch places with this Robin. Even though she knew if she did this; she'd be no better than the people who destroyed her life, but after so many years of pain, she deserves to have her happy ending.
3 full days have passed; older Robin aka Hana has tried to come up with a plan to swipe places with this Robin. She sat observing Robin; trying to figure her out. She knew this Robin won't know a thing when her plan is set in motion.
She noticed certain things that she needed to do to replace her. First, she needs to find a way to replace her counterpart's place in their mother's heart. Second, she needed to bring the green-haired barmaid to her side since she seemed to hold much sway. And finally the boy; this was her biggest challenge. She doesn't know how to get him. Maybe she could use the villages' boys to trick him into thinking Robin is cheating on him, but from looking at it, it won't work. She can tell that Robin didn't care about them as the amount of swooning she receives can deafen an entire colosseum of people yet she doesn't even look at them. Well, at least they were the same in this regard. Furthermore, she was his childhood friend; she can think about that later on now she has to focus on the others.
Now she was at home. She sat in front of a photo album watching the pictures of this Robin's childhood here. It was wonderful. She felt bad for what she was planning but then shook her head; she deserved her happiness.
She then saw her mom go into the kitchen, and followed her saying, "Want any help in breakfast?" she asked in a happy voice, though it was fake. Happy needed time to be reintroduced into her system, or at least for her to embrace it.
"Of course, why not?" Olivia said happily. She truly wanted this version of her daughter to feel at home. She knew that this one must have lost all faith in humanity, and had her heart become as cold as ice to survive; she wanted to warm that heart of hers.
"So mom…" she stopped a little cause she needed a little getting used to for such a word and continued talking, "How is this Robin like?" she asked needing to get as much information as she can get to analyze her target.
Olivia raised her eyebrow wondering why she would ask such a question, but answered, "She's such a great young girl. Always smiling, happy, and willing to help anyone. But she isn't a fool at the same time; she always leaves room for doubt as she doesn't trust anyone on the get-go till they prove they are trustworthy."
Hana then smiled and said, "Well, I thought she would be naïve given how she trusts people. Are you sure you want her to go to find the void century?" Hana tried to play at this nerve as she learned from Robin that this once almost led them to have a huge breakout.
Olivia frowned and said, "I know it's a dangerous world out there. Every time she used to say she wants to find the void century I would have nightmares about her being executed, but at the end of the day, it's her life. I can't dictate how she lives; she'll have to make her path and I'll have to support her all the way."
"But isn't keeping her safe better than letting her go to the outside world to die. I mean I know how dangerous it is. I barely survived 18 years on my own jumping from one crew to the other. Are sure you want to let the search for what's presumably the biggest secret on the earth by joining so coming up pirate. Wouldn't be best to keep her safe here?" Hana said trying to put the seed of doubt between them.
Olivia was about to fall into despair as she heard Hana's words; she knew this Robin knew what she was talking about. She lived through the worst the world has to offer, but she survived from the age of 8. So why couldn't her daughter do it with friends? She smiled now and said, "I know it won't be easy and I'm not that happy about it, but I learned to trust my daughter. To me, her happiness is much more worth than keeping her safe. One day if you became a mom, you'll know what I mean."
"But isn't comparing you to aunt Roji a little bit overboard?" Hana tried to create a new wedge as her initial plan began to fail.
"I know she didn't mean that…" Olivia said then continued, "… but I did horrible things that night myself that ripped her heart out. I slapped her and called her the 'worst daughter ever. I truly went overboard, but then I concluded that her happiness matter more than anything." Hana was shocked that her mom slapped Robin.
"I see…" she muttered.
"But now all is well. I'm helping her learn the language, or at least sharpen her skills." Olivia, she said with a bright smile.
Hana was stunned, to say the least; at first, her moves were working finely but then they would fail. She needed to push furthermore so she tried to say, "But don't you think…"
"Robin" Olivia spoke to emphasize how important what she was going to say next is.
"I trust my daughter," Olivia said sternly and looked at her. Hana suddenly felt unnerved as Olivia said warmly yet strongly, "and I accept you to believe in her too. She's you after all."
Hana nodded as they both finished breakfast. She set it on the table with Olivia and woke up Robin telling her the food is ready. She felt like a failure here; she had to work on her mom more to create the seeds of distrust between them, but now she needs to focus on the barmaid because if she gets the woman, she gets the entire village.
Now Hana was heading up the mountainside, what happened to her plan to get the barmaid? Well, she's a smart person, so she knows a lost fight when she sees one. She tried to find a way to cause a rift between Robin and Makino, but she couldn't. Makino doesn't seem to mind Robin not serving boys who excessively flirt with her. She doesn't even seem to mind that Robin sometimes doesn't come to her job at the bar. It was hard, but she needs to put a note to work on this part later.
She now was going to try and bring her hardest target to her side. Luffy. She can tell that the boy wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so she'll try and trick him into making him cheat on Robin. She didn't honestly know-how, but looking at her situation; she needed to stump down on her pride a little. She needed to seduce the boy. She felt extremely low doing this, but it must be done.
As she finished walking up the mountain, she saw the stump that this world's Robin sat on, she smiled and went over to it only to be surrounded by men. She can tell that they're the mountain lady's lackeys.
"Hello," she said
"Give us all your money." They said looking at her up and down. Hana shivered like the first time because of the looks she was receiving, they were horrible and she's that says something if she feels freaked out by someone looking at her given that she got used to it at this point, and said, "Are you sure you want to do that?"
"Why not"
"Because I'm Olivia's younger sister and I'm sure Garp would be annoyed if he heard that I was assaulted."
Needless to say, the bandits cleared the area faster than one could blink his eyes.
Hana wondered if she has to pity them or laugh at them. No, pity them was the right answer.
She looked in the distance and said, "The boy lives in there." The bandits nodded his head.
She didn't know how a young boy of his age can live in this forest. He seemed to be rather fine, and the animals to be rather afraid of him.
Right now, she sat on the stump and pulled out a book to read it she grabbed from home. She began thinking about what she was trying to do; was it worth it? She was sure even if she managed to succeed in somehow sending this Robin to her world that this world's version of everyone would hate her. She didn't want to imagine a world where her mom hates her; she prefers death to that. She looked at her previous attempt to separate Robin and Olivia. she could tell that her mom was against Robin going to find the void century, but was rather swallowing it favoring her daughter's happiness over her safety. Moving over to the barmaid, she could tell there's no way to trick her. Another thought hit her what will happen to her younger self? In her world, she had long mastered the art of survival, but this one hadn't. She will be terrified out of her mind. Sensing that she was allowing sympathy and doubt to take over, she shook her head. No, if she managed then so can her. Sure she will have a hard time at first, but she'll get the hang of it eventually. Who knows maybe those friends Saul told her about will actually show up for that version of herself. And regarding the people here, they'll forgive her eventually; one Robin is better than none at all she thought.
She was brought out of her thoughts by a laughing sound coming nearer, and she knew who that was and said with a smile small, "Good morning, Luffy"
"Good morning Hana"
Hana frowned that he wasn't using her actual name. during the previous time, she tried to convince him to call her Robin, but he insisted on Hana.
"How are you today?" he asked her with a smile.
"I'm fine and like I told you to feel free to call me Robin." She said trying to convince him.
"No thanks, Hana is fine."
"So what are you planning to do today?"
"Nothing, Robin is going to teach me some math."
Hana smiled and said, "How about I teach you?"
The boy didn't look convinced as he hummed, "I don't know…"
Hana then said, "Well, I'm much older than her, so I am much better than her at teaching things. plus I had much more adventures."
"Hmm…" Luffy hummed again, "Ok, maybe till Robin comes."
As the class started, Hana tried multiple times to bring the boy closer to her from a hug to leaning her head over his shoulder; not even something as simple as wrapping her arm around him would work.
Hana frowned. The boy was actively avoiding her. Did he see through her plans? Was he that loyal to the young teenage girl? Was he just focusing on the lesson that he didn't care about how she looked?
She sighed, as suddenly Robin appeared in the distance, and Luffy sprang from beside her to meet his girlfriend like a puppy who hasn't seen his owner for years. Hana began to question her good looks; she used to have men swoon all around. Now she can't trick a 15-year-old boy.
"Robin, Hana taught me a couple of things as we waited for you."
"thanks" Robin replied happily to Hana who merely waved back.
"It's not a big deal. I'm a scholar too."
"Come on Luffy; let's go, I have a lot to teach you today."
Luffy then grabbed Robin and began to run with her saying, "we also have to plan our date too."
"Luffy, it can wait," Robin said with a small blush on her face.
Hana could only watch as they disappeared into the wild. She had to put some new plans if this was going to work.
After a while, Makino came up to the mountainside holding a small basket causing Hana to ask, "What is that?"
"Oh, this is a little thing I made for Robin for her anniversary with Luffy."
"I see," Hana said cursing her luck that of all the days she had come into this world it has to be on the day that they became a couple.
"Robin has been bugging me for the last week to have it done." Makino said with a smile, "It took me a while but it's finally done."
Finally, Robin and Luffy came out of the bushes, and Robin went to Makino quickly asking her, "Is it done?"
"Of course, why don't you take it and try it?"
"Thanks, Makino"
Robin then went behind the bushes to change her outfit. Hana then came up to Luffy who was playing with a small beetle and said, "Excited for your anniversary, aren't you?"
He looked at her and put 2 thumbs up. She then helped him up and put her arm around him. Unlike her previous attempts, he didn't run away. No one sensed anything suspicious about this except one figure who was watching from far.
He then moved away from her as he followed the beetle that escaped from him making her blink. Wait, was the beetle the only reason he allowed her to put her arm around because he was distracted by it? At this moment, the woman began to seriously question her good looks.
"Ahem," A rough voice brought her out of her thoughts.
"Is there a reason you are trying to break them up?" Dadan asked as she came from the hut.
"Excuse me" Hana tried to play dumb.
"There's no need to play dumb." Dadan said before looking at her with ferocity in her eyes, "But listen to me, that boy I raised him, and if you hurt him in any way. You'll meet your end faster than you think…" She finished pushing a gun into Hana's side.
Hana was shocked that the woman managed to get the drop on her, and only nodded. This was a woman who was ready to kill for someone she saw as a son.
"Wow" Hana looked at Luffy who was red-faced as he looked at Robin. Hana looked and had to admit the girl rather looked rather beautiful.
Robin now wore a purple dress that had two shoulder straps. At the center of the dress was a flower. On it, the neckline was small flowers the decorated it.
"Really," Robin asked.
"Of course, you're the most beautiful girl ever," Luffy said.
"I sure hope that Saul likes it tomorrow when he comes." This grabbed Hana's attention causing her to say, "Saul's coming."
"Yeah, I told you yesterday. Luffy heard that the 'Laughing Pirates' is in the east blue." Robin explained further.
Hana felt that this moment was her happiest moment ever. She couldn't wait for Saul to come; it will be complicated to explain her situation, but it was worth it.
To her, this was another reason to continue with her plan. She looked at the two teens as they chatted about their date today; she couldn't help but feel guilty but she sucked it in. The world is for the fittest; that's how it worked.
Currently, on the docks, the Nico family and Luffy were standing waiting for Saul to arrive, as they all spotted a large ship coming toward them. It had a rather odd jolly roger; a skull with a red beard and a cowboy hat. Hana smiled as she heard from here Saul's distinctive laughter. Her eyes teared up a little thinking about how he died in her world, but this was real. This wasn't a hallucination like the ones she used to have; this was the real deal.
As the ship docked, the mayor came up to the ship and said, "Please don't hurt us." He was afraid of the giant in front of him who laughed his signature laugh, "Dershishishi"
"Now, why would I do something like that?" The giant asked as he came to the docks. He then looked at the old man and said, "Is there anything you need?"
The mayor was confused at first but said, "No thanks…"
The giant nodded, then he felt something wrap around him. He looked only to see a teenage boy fly toward him. He smiled and said, "Luffy"
"Saul. I missed you so much."
"Me too, buddy. You've grown so much."
Luffy only laughed as they both heard footsteps coming near them. Saul looked and saw Olivia, Robin, and someone who looked extremely like Robin.
"Saul, it's good to see you again," Olivia said happy to see her old friend.
"It's good to see you too, Olivia," Saul replied.
He then looked at Robin who ushered him to follow her. He raised an eyebrow but said as he put Luffy on the ground, "I have to go with Robin. Seems she have something to tell me."
As he followed her, they finally stopped at a place away from her house. "So Robin, long time not seen," Saul said with a smile.
"I missed you too, Saul." She said at first, but then grew silent. Saul didn't like this so he asked, "What's wrong?"
"Did you see that girl that looks like me?" Robin asked.
"Yeah" Saul replied.
"Well, that's me," Robin said.
"Dershishishi, that's some fine new ability. Now, you can make clones of yourself, and make them look older too." Saul said not understanding the girl's meaning.
"No, Saul. That's another me from another world." This caused Saul to raise an eyebrow.
"Another world?"
"Yep"
"Really?"
"Yes"
"Well…" Saul started, "That's amazing." He exclaimed.
"Two Robins are better than one." He said noticing that this Robin was a little down.
"What's wrong, little lady?" He asked concerned for her.
"It's just…" Robin bit her lip, before she continued, "Lately, that me. I don't know; she has been making me feel like she's trying to replace me."
Unknown to Hana, this Robin wasn't as naïve as she thought she was. Years with Ace has thought her to be very vigilant; she knows the world is a very cruel place. The moment that Robin came into her life she didn't remove her eye off her. At first, she was excited hearing her stories about her adventures, but then she heard her talking with her mom trying to create a wedge between them. Then a couple of days later, she noticed she's trying to flirt with Luffy.
"It's just at first I thought having her around was cool," she said before sighing, "But now, I'm not so sure anymore."
Saul looked at her with sympathy. He thought that the girl was jealous, but he knew Robin was better than that, so he said, "Come on Robin; she's you after all. This must be your imagination." He said though it didn't help her at all, so he said, "How about I talk to her?"
Robin nodded. She trusted Saul to make her worries go away.
They then made their way back to the others.
Back at the docks, Hana was pacing back and forward. She was so anxious to see Saul. Will he believe her? Will he like her?
Her thoughts were broken as Saul came back with Robin on his shoulder. They then became talking to the others with her to the side.
She looked at him and couldn't help, but let a huge smile make her way on her face. He was here smiling and laughing. As she made her way toward him, she remembered her Saul; his frozen face stuck in an ever permeant laugh.
As she stood beside him; he looked down at her and smiled. She fought the urge to cry. No, she just can't cry like what happened when she first arrived here and talked to her mom.
Hana looked at him back and smiled. He then said, "Wanna talk little lady?" she nodded.
As he took her to his ship, they both sat in his captain's room, and he said, "You can talk as freely as possible; I know that you're from another world."
She smiled as she said, "Saul, it's been a while since I last saw you." A tear managed to pass through.
Saul didn't know what to say, but he decided to be nice and said, "It's nice to see you too."
He then looked at her, and said, "If I asked you something, would you answer me truthfully?"
"Yes," she said happily that she was talking to Saul.
He then said, "Is it true what that other Robin told me; that you're trying to talk her place?"
Robin froze; she didn't want to answer that question, but this was Saul asking her she had to be honest. She decided to answer him though she didn't want him to hate her.
"Yes," she said.
Saul's eyes went wide as he heard her, at first he thought he was imagining stuff not believing that Robin or a Robin for that regard will do something that awful, "Excuse me."
"I said yes," Robin said again. She can tell Saul was beyond shocked still believing that she's an innocent young girl. Oh, if he knew how many lives she have taken…
"Why"
"Because she has something I want." She said tears filling her eyes, but she willed herself not to cry.
"What is that thing she has that's causing you to ruin her life?" he asked her in an angry tone like a father reprimanding his daughter.
Robin felt very silly having Saul scolding her, but she answered nonetheless with tears finally managing to break free, "A family"
"What? Don't you think your family will notice the difference?"
"No one will notice the difference."
"Why?"
" I DON'T HAVE ANY FAMILY." She screamed at the top of her lungs.
"What do you mean you don't have any?" he asked as anger turned into concern.
"My story didn't turn out that well." She said causing a knot to form in his stomach.
"What happened?" he dared to ask.
"I was born ten years earlier before her." This was all the answer he needed.
"So I presume your Ohara got destroyed?" he concluded.
"Yes and everyone I know and love…" she said between sobs as she forced herself to say, "And you too."
"Oh my god, how did it happen?" he couldn't help but ask.
"Akoji…" she said making his heart sink, "…killed him in front of my eyes," she said making him feel a little sick. He and Akoji were friends; he heard him once talking about killing him but he thought he was kidding. This was going to make their meetings a little bit complicated.
"But as you died you told me something." She said as she tried to stop her crying. She didn't want to look like a little girl.
"What"
"You told me that one day I'll find my true friends. That no one's ever born to be alone."
Saul looked at her and thought about it; this does sound like something he would say.
"But why are you trying to take her place if you're looking for your true friends."
"I lost hope; I just couldn't wait anymore. 18 years of betrayal could break anyone's spirit."
"Oh Robin, do you think taking her place will make it any better."
"I…I'm not sure anymore. But I know I deserve happiness, so if taking her place would guarantee it so be it. I'm done waiting."
"Robin," he said, " But waiting is what makes it worth."
"What?"
"The more you wait, the more it will be worth it."
"I still don't understand." She said wiping her tears away.
"Those friends I promised you about will eventually come. The moment they come; the moment they risk their lives for you. That moment they put everything on the line for you; you'll know that the wait was worth."
She looked at him confused causing him to say, "Now, if I said it once, I've said it a hundred times."
"One day that day will come, the day that those friends will appear who won't ever leave. The day that you'll have true friends who won't ever leave you. The world is vast Robin and you aren't going to be alone all the time…" He stopped a little as he said the following with Robin's mind making her Saul's face flash in and out with this one, "… Cause no matter who you are ain't no one is born in this world to be alone."
She began to cry some more as he said, "So when you go back home, go find them. Share your life with them and never let them go."
Robin finally understood as she nodded her head. She began crying as she lunged at Saul and hugged him, "I understand Saul. I will never lose faith ever again. I promise. But there's one more thing…"
He looked at her confused as she said, "I'm sorry that I caused your death."
He laughed and said, "Little lady, if I were that Saul, I would've done the same thing. Never think that I or he for that matter think you're responsible." He said as she nodded. "We'd do it a hundred times if we had to."
"Now once we go outside apologize to yourself." He said.
As the others waited outside the ship, they began to wonder what was taking them so long.
Finally, after 3 hours, they both exited the ship. Hana looked at Robin and said, "I'm sorry, little me for trying to replace you."
This shocked both Luffy and Olivia, but Hana continued forward, "It was just so tempting to finally have a family with the life I led, I just couldn't let the opportunity go away."
Robin looked at her; she was shocked too. She felt so betrayed, so heartbroken, so sad that she was being destroyed by no one other than herself. But at the same time, she understood where she came from. She was her after all. She then said, "I forgive you. I think I would've done the same thing if I were in your position."
Hana smiled as she looked around to see her mom's face as she said, "I guess you hate me now." She said, but then added, "I know what I did was wrong and to myself no less, but my entire life I was told that I don't deserve to live, so when the opportunity presented herself… I didn't think straight."
Olivia was at first angry, but her heart looked at the girl in front of her. She could tell that this was nothing other than a lost young girl in a woman's body, so she said, "I forgive you too."
Hana smiled. She looked at Luffy who waved his hand telling her no hard feelings.
She then said, "I wish I can talk to Clover."
Olivia then smiled as she held her daughter and took her to her house telling the others to wait here.
As they reached the house, she pulled out something. It was a transponder snail with a white one. White transponder snails are used to stop any attempt to hack calls. Garp has given it to them to keep them in contact with the scholars without having the marines listening to them.
"I phone them and let you talk." She spoke as she called them.
Soon enough the other line answered, "Hello, Robin is that you?" It was Clover's voice.
"Yes, I'm Robin but not the one you know?"
"What do you mean?" Clover asked.
"I'm Robin, but from a different world."
"Robin, did Luffy set you up for this? We have work you know."
"No, I'm saying the truth. If you want, I can tell you something only you and the other scholars should know."
This piqued his interest, so he said, "I'm listening."
She began to tell him the theory of the void century making sure to bloom hands on her mother's ears cause listening to her was a crime.
"My dear, where did you hear that Robin?" Clover asked afraid for the girl's wellbeing if this type of information ever went out.
"I heard it in my world, you said it as you spoke to the stars before you got shot and Ohara got wiped…" she stopped leaving heavy silence on the end of the other side.
"So that what would've happened if the worst played out on Ohara." He stated grimly.
"Yes, that what would've happened, but I called you for something else."
"For what"
"I'm sorry."
"Excuse me," Clover said confused.
"I'm sorry for being such a failure."
This was met only by silence.
"It's been 18 years since Ohara got destroyed with me being its only survivor. I tried to find the void century, but I didn't come any closer."
Again nothing but silence.
"I know I don't deserve the scholar certificate you gave me for being such a failure."
This time it was met by laughter.
Clover then said softly, "Robin, you're not a failure. If anything we or them should be sorry for ruining your life. When we made you a scholar, it wasn't for you to find the void century but because you deserved it."
"But professor you all find so much about it through records and only in 6 years; I have studied it for 18 but didn't come any closer."
"Robin, we were a team working tirelessly day and night, that's how we managed to find so much. You are but one person. if anything, you are the most amazing scholar I ever met. You're not a failure and never say that again."
"Thanks, professor." She said, "It's been nice hearing from you."
"Me too," he said as he closed the line.
"Ready to go to the others." She said with a smile to Olivia.
On the docks, the others saw older Robin and Olivia make their way back.
Older Robin looked at herself and said, "Belief in your dreams. And never take the things you have for granted. What I wouldn't do just to have them for a day" She said looking at all of the younger one's loved ones.
She then looked to Saul, and said, "Thanks for reminding me of believing in your words."
Saul smiled and said, "No problem, little lady."
She then looked at her mom, and said, "I'm sorry I was rough on you, mom. I now know that whatever you did was for my best."
Olivia smiled as she hugged the older Robin.
The older Robin began to shine something telling her that it's time to go home. She looked at Olivia as she slowly began to fade out saying, "Mom, I love you."
"Me too" Olivia replied with tears in her eyes.
And with that older Robin finally disappeared.
Back in the older Robin's world, Robin jolted from her bed. She just had the weirdest dream ever. She just dreamt that she went to a world where her story ended up much better. She met a younger her with her boyfriend who she can't remember. She also saw her mom. She saw Saul. She also remembered vaguely trying to take that Robin's place. But what stood out the most was the number of times she cried; so unlike her. She thought about her mom, though still conflicted; she concluded that whatever she did was for a reason cause no mother in the world would want to see her keen get hurt.
But all the feelings of despair, she felt from earlier disappeared. She felt refreshed. What was she thinking; giving herself up after she have come so far. Not happening.
"Get ready." The rough voice of her current employer broke her line of thoughts.
How rude she thought as she said, "Already done."
"Good, we have work to do Miss. Allsunday" Crocodile said as he left. She exited the room and followed him.
2 years later, she was still at her job with Crocodile. A new record has been set. She looked at the new bounty posters. But one stood out showing her a smiling teen with a straw hat. She didn't know why but she felt very hopeful seeing that face. She felt as if she knew him or at least saw him from before. As she hopped on her turtle to go capture the princess of Alabasta, she hoped she could meet him; it would be interesting.
Author's notes:
Hi, guys welcome to this one-chapter fanfiction. Personally, this is my vision of Robin entering a world where her story took a better turn. I believe she will lung at the chance to have a family, but her desire to have said family will lead her to hurt anyone to keep it for herself. Robin before meeting the straw hats was only interested in saving her skin, and I don't think it would be any different here. Here she knew that she was about to be sent to her old hell causing her to try and swipe places with her other self to try and stay there. Saul being the only person to befriend her was the only possible person to convince her that stealing the other Robin's friends wasn't the way. But I believe in arguments, so please in the comments tell me what each of you thinks about how it should have gone with a small summary. you can consider it as a fanfiction inside my fanfiction; now regarding if it's canon for my original story it's up to you to decide that.
Finally, I hope you all like my work and enjoy it.