A.N: Ok, here we go, chapter 7! Woohoo! I don't even know if I'm halfway done yet with the story, but I hope you all enjoy it. After this is where I think it starts to get interesting.

At this point do I even have to mention that I don't own ONE PIECE?

Ch. 7
Flashback.

In the bar the Miugiwaras sat around the table, rapt to hear Hurley's story.

"Fourteen years ago Solstin was a different place. You see, we had just arrived upon its strange shores and the city of Quinox was just a dream. We didn't expect anyone to be here, no this deserted isle, but there was."

"Really? Who could it have been?" Chopper asked.

"Shut up and let him continue!" Nami snapped.

"Of course we didn't meet the other inhabitants of the island at first, for their dwelling was on the other side of the isle, and we busy building our humble city. But one fateful day we did meet. As you can imagine we were quite surprised when we encountered one another.

I remember that day clearly. I was exploring the isle. Looking for fruit and other food. I even stumbled into a boar's territory at one point, but that's another story… Where was I? Oh yes, I was looking for food when I heard an unfamiliar voice. It was a young voice, but well trained. In wonder I followed the sound, seeking the music maker. I finally found the source when I emerged into a clearing. It was a young boy… whom I had never seen before.

He must have heard me approach, because he started like a frightened rabbit. Before I could say anything he took off like a bat out of hell. I gave chase, trying to find out who he was, but before long He shook me completely. I have never seen anyone move so quickly. Especially through the thick underbrush of the island."

"I could have caught him!" Boasted Usopp, ever seeking to play the game of one-up-manship.

"No you couldn't have." Sanji retorted, lighting his first cigarette in weeks. "Go ahead Hurley-san."

"I managed to follow his trail as it wound through the dense landscape. It eventually led me to the far side of the isle, a place I had never been before. Set on a small ridge was a modest dwelling. I remember that music seemed to fill the air. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, for I had discovered the home of the famed Aliotto family."

"No way!" Luffy cried, his eyes wide in awe. However, as usual he missed the point entirely, "Umm… who are the Aliotto family?"

"The Aliottos were a family of very highly trained musicians. The father, whom I met, was Duke Aliotto. The same Duke who served as chief musician to the pirate king, Gol D. Roger."

"Really?" exclaimed Chopper Luffy and Usopp in utter amazement.

"Wait," Robin interrupted. "You said, was a family. Why?"

"Because… because there was a catastrophe thirteen years ago. To this day I have no idea what happened, but early in the morning of one fateful day I heard what seemed to be a huge explosion. But it was unlike any explosion I'd ever heard before. It went on for a LONG time. By the time I was able to make my way to the far end of the island I was too late… The Aliotto home was GONE! It wasn't even a day later when the navy ships showed up for the first time on our island shores. Personally, I think that the navy was responsible for their deaths… But I have no proof."

"The Buster Call…" Robin murmured to herself in shock.

"Excuse me Nee-chan?" Hurley asked.

"…It's nothing." She responded, affixing her smile on her face once more. Whenever things got grim she smiled. It was what she did, her way of expressing herself. "Please continue your story."

"The day that the family perished two things happened. The first was that all music on the island ceased. It's in tribute to the Aliotto family, our friends who were lost. They loved to sing and make music, and it's just not the same without them. So, please… while you are here, do not sing. It reminds us too much of our loss." After the crew solemnly swore Hurley continued. "The second thing was the appearance of the ghost of Solstin."

"The ghost of Solstin?" The Mugiwaras echoed in disbelief.

"The ghost takes the form of a man in a cloak, and from time to time aids the village. Some say that it's the shade of the Aliotto family. Some say that the ghost hides our island from hostile forces, and some say that it's a guardian angel. Others say that its presence causes the Lockposes to point away from us."

"Hey! I think we met him!" Luffy exclaimed. "He saved our lives! You see, we were lost and starving, and we had given up all hope. But then, when we had all fallen asleep he came to our ship and left us some gruel, and Robin saw him!"

"Is this true, Nee-chan?" Hurley asked Robin, clearly interested.

"…I don't know." She said. "But it could have been the ghost."

"You know… I think you all have stumbled upon something here…" conjectured Hurley. "A mystery. A mystery that surrounds our fair island… Well, it was very nice meeting you all. Now, if you'll excuse me I have mayoral duties to attend to."

With a fond farewell he left them.

"Well, that was random." Zoro said.

"But he was nice." Usopp agreed. "I wonder why, I mean, we are pirates."

"It doesn't matter." Replied Nami, taking charge once more. "Now, what we need to do right now is focus on resupplying the ship.
So, Usopp, Sanji and Chopper…"

"Mayor-san?" Robin asked as she slowly opened the door to Hurley's office. The secretary hadn't wanted to let her in at first; however one drop of Hurley's name had been enough to let her pass.

"Yes Nee-chan, how can I help you?" Hurley asked, looking up from his paperwork-laden desk.

"I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Oh, no… Think nothing of it." Hurley said. "Now, how can I help you?"

"I wanted to ask you a few more questions." She admitted. "About the phantom and the Aliotto family."

"I'll tell you everything I know… But please, have a seat." He said, gesturing to a comfortable looking chair.

"Arigato Mayor-san."

"So, here are the facts, from how Berry was perhaps the best cook on the island to how little Kaicen never really warmed to me…" With those words he launched into his tale once more, recounting more history to Robin while she sat listening, spellbound.

A/N: Sorry it's short, but not all the chapters can be as long as the others. You know the drill. R&R.

And thank you SO MUCH Charlett! for correcting my butchering of the Japanese language!