AN: Hey guys, trying out a new story idea here. It's somewhat a crossover with Avatar the last aribender and One piece, but since the character is an OC and the entire story takes place in the One piece world I didn't really want to put it in the crossover category. Updating on this is going to be really slow since as a junior this year highschool has gotten really stressful.
Anyways hope you enjoy, please tell me what you think of this idea and whether or not I should continue it.
The ocean waves crashed across the beach as Miki wiggled her toes in the cool water cleaning away the gritty sand that was stuck between the digits. She sighed in relief, the cold seawater soothing her slightly burnt skin. The sun continued to beat down harshly on her exposed neck causing sweat to run down her back. Her already tan skin had gotten even darker since she'd first woken up on this island.
Lifting her head lazily she stared down the coast. Her bag and outer parka had been left at the camp, and for now, her heavy boots had been set aside near a fallen tree in favor of going barefoot in the tropical climate. In the beginning her boredom had led her to explore the island and the small jungle on it, but most days she found herself on the beach.
Looking out across the ocean for what felt like the millionth time Miki caught sight of a strange object. Pulling herself up to stand she shielded her eyes with a hand and squinted until she could make out the outline of a mast and sails.
A ship
The sudden realization caused her eyes to widen. Born during the isolation of the North Pole, as a result of the 100 year long war, she had been taught to be wary of unknown ships. Panicked she ran back toward the safety of the treeline, snatching her boots as she went. She scrambled to crouch behind the first palm tree in sight, sand flying with her frantic movements.
She sat there pulse pounding in her ears. When no flaming fireball rained down on her head she relaxd. Biting her lip she nervously peeked out over the tree.
The ship was close enough now that she could make out the details. It was odd looking, its shape and design far different than the boats back home. It had a sheep for a figurehead and white railings encircled the deck. The most shocking part, though, was that the boat was made completely out of wood. In the cold icy climate of the North pole wood was scarce and it was unfathomable to her that someone could make a boat entirely out of that material.
Her hand settled over the handle of the small Whale-walrus bone knife at her hip, as the boat dropped anchor and its crew members disembarked.
"Whoo! Look a new island!" a boy in a red vest, and straw hat called out as he jumped down to the beach with a thump. He was followed closely by a man with green hair. Her eyes widened as the green haired man turned in a stretch revealing the hilts of three swords strapped to his side. He had the controlled movements of a skilled fighter, but Miki wasn't sure what anyone would need three swords for.
A female with short orange hair poked her head over the side of the ship and called out to them, "Luffy, Zoro, be careful! The island isn't inhabited, but who knows what sorts of dangerous creatures live here." The order in her tone was obvious, but the black haired boy simply gave her a broad careless smile in response.
"Shishishi, sounds like fun. Maybe I'll go beat some of them up!" He laughed arms swinging in the air.
"Don't you dare!" The woman shrieked, as the ravenette darted out towards the trees.
"Oi wait for me," A man with hair the color of the sun and curly eyebrows rolled back the sleeves of his unique black jacket, jumping down to join the other men. A bored look on his face, "We need to stock up on more supplies," he said, while puffing on something that looked like a thin roll of paper.
The crew plus a new member with a strange bandanna and an abnormally long nose piled out onto the beach and made way towards the trees where Miki was hiding. Resolving to sneak away while she could, she inched backwards towards the jungle behind. A loud crack under her hand made her freeze.
In an instant the crew tensed, the swordsman's hand moved to rest on the hilt of a sword.
He growled, "Who's there?" The intense predatory look in his eyes promised violence. Shrinking in on herself Miki prayed to the spirits to dissapear.
"Come out, or I'll come to you," He threatened when she didn't move.
She bit her lip briefly considering making a run for it, but something in the swordsman's eyes told her she wouldn't get far. Slowly she stood up, raising her hands in what hopefully was a visible sign of surrender.
"I-I'm sorry.." she stuttered taking in the crew's surprised looks, "I was just trying to leave."
She felt uncomfortable under their gaping stares.
The boy in the straw hat pointed at her with an exaggerated face of shock, "Look a cannibal!"
The rest of the crew face faulted. She stared at the boy in disbelief at his blunt words. She was certainly not a cannibal!
"Don't call her that you idiot,"
"Wh..what?!"
"Agh don't eat me!"
The chorus of voices was followed by the boy being sent flying by a sharp kick from the blond man in strange black clothing.
Miki blushed waving her arms in front of her, "I'm not a cannibal!" She denied vigorously, "I've just been stuck here for days, I swear I haven't eaten anybody." she made a face at the very idea, eating people sounded wrong and disgusting.
"Who are you then?" The orange-haired woman asked suspiciously.
"I'm Miki of the Northern Water Tribe, Daughter Of Keto." She tilted forward in a small bow.
Standing back up she did a double take at the sight of the blonde man racing towards her, "What is a lovely lady like you doing out here all alone?" He crooned reaching for one of her hands, Miki stepped back nervously at the sight of the hearts in the male's eyes.
Fending off his advance with a raised arm, she stuttered, "I...I've been sent on a mission." Their was an awkward moment of silence until she startled in realization.
Ah, I wasn't supposed to tell them that! She panicked as the crew members had varying reactions to her slip up.
"A mission! That's so cool!" A hand latched onto the tree and she screamed as the straw hat boy rocketed forward pulled by his distended arm.
Oblivious to her shock he grabbed her arm, "Neh Mimi, what kind of mission are you on?" He asked cheerfully with a wide grin.
"Oh umm... my name is Miki, not Mimi," She answered quietly. Unnerved by how familiar the strange boy was acting, "And I'm not really allowed to say…" She trailed off aware of the piercing attention of the crew.
The orange hair frowned in confusion, "What's the Northern Water Tribe?"
The reminder of her home's obscurity in this new land dampened her spirits.
Her mood swing must have been evident because the orange hair girl visibly recoiled, "Hey, Hey, Hey don't cry." she panicked.
Miki sniffled.
"Eh look, Nami made the girl cry!" Luffy exclaimed pointing a finger at Nami accusingly.
"Whack!"
The laughing straw hat boy was smacked in the back of the head with a fist, causing him to fall face first into the sand.
"I..I'm.. sorry," she wiped at her tearing eyes, the sadness and familiarly crushing homesickness made her breaths uneven.
"It's just, I've never really been away from home before, and I've been all alone on this island, a-and I don't know where I am."
A firm grip on her shoulder stopped her blubbering.
"Calm down," The green haired swordsman said gruffly, his demeanor reminding her of the warriors who stood guard at the palace. She'd always liked those gruff soldiers (better than the stuck up bending students) at least they'd always been kind to her.
Nodding in response she blinked rapidly to get rid of the tears.
"Here,"
She turned to see a handkerchief held out by the long-nosed man.
"Thank you," she said quietly excepting the rag. He smiled nicely, as she blew her nose in the oil-stained cloth. The silence dragged on as she dabbed the handkerchief under her eyes.
"Hey if you need a ride we can give you one."
To her surprise Luffy seemed genuine in his offer, "If you have a mission you can't stay on this island." He said matter of fact face split by a wide smile.
She opened her mouth to refuse until she recalled the last week. Water was not an issue, but food, on the other hand, was scarce to come by, and with no means for navigation she hadn't yet attempted to brave the sea by herself.
"I would love to," she said with a grateful smile, "if you are sure I wouldn't be a bother?"
The boy's grin widened, "Shishishi, that's great! Welcome aboard!"
He turned excitedly to his friends who looked at him with varying degrees of responses ranging from lovestruck swirling to angry twitching.
Oblivious to it all he turned back towards her, "Yosh, we'll take Miko with us to the next island!"
Her smile faltered a little. She had a sinking feeling that the boy would never get her name right.
-o-
"You're pirates?!" She spluttered looking at the odd scrap of paper that had an image of the smiling captain of the ship. Luffy was currently laughing with delight at what she figured was a sizeable bounty on his head.
The image was unlike the bounty paintings that she'd seen in old history texts. The detail down to the curly hair of Usopp's head in the background was stunning, and the wide grin on Luffy's face was exactly the same as the one the captain wore now.
Additionally the amount of money under the image would have been an astonishing figure in water tribe coin, but for all she knew about Berries, it could just as well equal the cost to buy a new fishing rod.
"Look, look, Milo, My bounty is so high," The image she was already looking at was shoved further into her face.
"Oi shitty captain, Don't harass Miki-tan!" Sanji, the chef, kicked the captain in the back of the head sending him flying into the ship's rails.
He turned to Miki with a love-struck smile, which reminded her of some of her more persistent suitors. She grimaced slightly.
"Don't let our job title confuse you Miki-tan, we mean a beautiful lady like you no harm" Sanji bowed elegantly a tray held in his hand, "Here, please enjoy this smoothie I made you."
Taking the strange beverage from the metal tray, she studied it surprised at the vibrant color of the drink.
"Our next stop is Loguetown." Nami interrupted her observation of the drink. Turning to face the other girl Miki lowered the glass.
Nami scowled at her. Out of all of the Strawhat pirates she and Zoro were the only ones who acted blatantly suspicious of her, "Is this where your um..mission starts?" the navigator asked pointing at the town she had just mentioned.
"Um, maybe," She answered unsurely, it wasn't like there had been any specific instructions about her quest from the spirits.
Nami looked displeased with her answer. Miki took a sip of the drink to fill the awkward silence.
A burst of icy cold sweetness exploded in her mouth, "This is delicious!" she exclaimed, sipping the fruity drink.
Sanji swooned, "Such kind words Miki-tan!"
She smiled around the straw, drinking fast enough that her tongue was starting to go numb with the cold. She'd had fruit only once before in her life, it had been some sort of melon that her mother had obtained from a trading ship from the earth kingdom. It had been sweet and so delicious that she remembered fighting with Nalan over who could have the last bite.
Finishing the drink quickly she handed the empty glass to an eager and pleased looking Sanji.
"Miki-chan, do you have any money?"
She turned to look at Nami who wore a pleasant smile, a complete change from her earlier expression. When she nodded the grin on Nami's face widened.
"If you want I can lend you some Beri, I've already done the same for Zoro."
She looked at the green haired swordsman who seemingly scowled at the memory of his debt. Next, to him, Usopp looked frantic shaking his head and moving his hands in odd x like motions.
"If it wouldn't be too much of an inconvenience" She replied gratefully.
Usopp smacked himself in the forehead.
"Excellent," Nami's grinned counting out a handful of bills, humming all the while. She placed the bills into Miki's outstretched hand, "Here you go," Nami grinned, "5,000 Beri at 300% interest."
She took the bills, beaming widely touched by the other girl's kindness "Thank you Nami!" She bowed briefly, adding the bills to the bag at her side.
The navigator seemed taken aback.
"No..No problem." Nami stuttered in reply.
Still grinning Miki turned around with a smile, she couldn't wait to buy something!
As soon as they docked she jumped off the boat with as much excitement as Luffy, eager to explore the new land before her. Living in an area made of all ice and water, civilization made of stone and wood was a novel experience.
She marveled at the buildings that made up Loguetown. She looked down at the money in her hand and the vast array of colorful wares.
The marketplace was vibrant and filled with all sorts of exciting things. Jewelry made of all types of stones, food, the likes of which she had never seen before. Even the air she breathed felt different then the icy sea winds from back home.
"Come all of you lost souls seeking answers to life's questions!" A cry above the bustle rang out. She turned towards the source to see a small crowd forming in the corner of the market square.
She stepped forward as the announcer continued to speak.
"Have you ever wondered what lies in your future. Well wonder no more. Ask and answers shall be spoken; the great Desindra sees it all."
Miki pushed past a gruff looking man with salt and pepper stubble clinging to his chin, muttering a quick apology she looked at the booth.
It was small, draped in a flowing purple curtain that was torn and frayed at the edges. In front of it stood a man with a curly mustache and a funny looking red coat that made him look more silly than professional. "Step forward to discover your destiny," his voice boomed across the square as he swept a red-clad arm dramatically towards the entrance in between the curtains.
Sitting under the curtains illuminated by flickering candlelight was a woman. Her eyes were golden and hair ebony black, she was covered in a silky midnight cloak that swirled around her like the dark depths of the icy seas and a large golden headband covered her forehead shining brightly admist its darker surroundings.
The women's eyes were scanning the crowd. Flickering over faces, Miki straightened as they met her own. The glowing gold burned into her, pulling out the emotions she'd hidden deep within in her soul. With a magnetic and enticing swirl of the golden depths, the mystic woman raised a hand to point into the crowd.
"You step forward." The woman's voice was husky and deep, the sound of it sent a shiver down her spine.
She looked around for the selected participant. She was met with the curious eyes of her fellow crowd members.
"You girl with the braided hair."
A hand went subconsciously to the braided crown she wore, and she looked back at the woman, "Me?" Miki asked pointing at herself. The woman nodded.
Stepping forward nervously the crowd hushed as the red-dressed man ushered her inside.
Desindra gestured to a wooden chair across from her and Miki nervously took a seat. The dark curtains enveloped the two, snuffing out all light except for two candles set on both ends of the table. A chill settled on her neck and she fought the urge to flinch under the intense gaze of the fortuneteller.
"Tell me, girl," The woman began, "what questions do you wish to ask the universe today?"
She shifted uncertainly in her seat, this question was a hard one. What did she want to know? Should she ask about Tui or perhaps about her family's well being?
"I don't know." She answered truthfully.
Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment at the admission, but Desindra simply raised an elegant brow, "A general fortune reading than," she hummed pulling out a deck of cards that were elegantly painted a shimmery gold and covered with patterns of white diamonds and stars.
"Here pick three cards." She held out the deck for Miki to pull out her cards.
"You have an energy about you," Desindra said slowly placing the deck back down, "Layers of yourself balled up so tight, one cannot separate the truth from the illusion." The dangling bracelets on her wrists jingled against each other as she placed down Miki's cards on the table between them.
She played with her sleeve, as Desindra flipped over the first card.
"The hanged man," Desindra's voice deepened and her eyes took on a glassy unfocused look as she stared at the card. Miki tensed expecting the gruesome image of a man hanging by his neck, only to be greeted by the sight of a man hanging upside down from a tree by his feet.
"You have made a sacrifice, one of good and just cause, but in doing so, you have given up something dear to you."
She looked up at Desindra whose golden eyes were transfixed on the cards.
"Do not fear though, your sacrifice was necessary to see you through to your destined path." She finished.
the fortuneteller reached for the second card.
"The moon," Desindra said at the sight of the image of the full white moon shining above a wolf and what looked a little like a polar bear dog, but smaller.
"You are walking a thin line, torn apart by illusion and reality. Struggling to be tame, or to release your inhibitions and follow your heart."
Desindra looked up at her golden eyes glowing with untold power, "Beware of what you see with your eyes, they can be deceiving. You must place trust in your instincts."
The seer reached out for the third card.
The picture was that of a man in a three-pronged hat, his vivid green and orange clothes clashed, giving him an absurd appearance.
"And the fool," The woman looked fondly upon the card tracing a finger down the curve of a prong on his hat, "One often underestimates the power of the fool. It shows that you have found a new beginning. If you remain on this path you will be sure to find all that you seek." Desindra said quietly her words ringing with a deep tenor.
The card was intricate, the stripes on the dangling hat that the smiling man wore glittered in the light.
Miki reached a hand forward to touch the card tentatively. She frowned in thought, the toothy smile the character wore seemed somewhat familiar.
"You are a water bender are you not?"
The question made her look up in surprise. Desindra looked appraising eyes narrowed in thought.
"Yes, How did you know?" She stammered out.
Desindra smiled and reached under the table, "I have read the signs and communed with the spirits, they informed me of your coming." the woman said pulling out a scroll and holding it out to her.
Nervously she took it, turning it around in her hands she let her thumb trace the ridges of the carving on the cap.
"This is from my tribe!" she said in shock at the sight of the familiar wave patterns.
She looked up at Desindra who smiled mysteriously, "I woke up with that besides my bed, after a night of dreaming with the spirits." she finished eyes twinkling with light. Miki's eyes widened, at the meaning in those words.
"You are the Avatar?!" She exclaimed. She had heard the legends and stories of the bender granted the ability to bend all elements and commune with the spirit world.
Her spirits fell when Desindra shook her head in denial, "I have heard talk of this Avatar amongst the spirits, but no child I am not the one your world seeks," she answered softly her voice apologetic.
Miki's disappointment was replaced with curiosity, "Than how do you speak with the spirits?" She asked.
"With this," Desindra reached a hand to her forehead pushing back the golden circlet.
She gasped. Underneath the band was an eye, glowing golden in the flickering candlelight like the two others below it.
She'd never seen anything quite like it, and while the image was somewhat disconcerting, she had grown up listening to stories about spirits who were gifted with physical appearances beyond one's wildest dreams.
"I am a member of a race in this world, known as the three-eyed clan, and because of it I am gifted with the ability to hear the voices of the spirits," Desindra explained calmly letting the circlet fall back down.
She watched as the golden eye was hidden from view by the metal, and black ebony hair that framed the woman's face, in an inky cascade.
"The spirits spoke of a girl with eyes the color of the sea, and told me to give this to them." Desindra motioned at the scroll in her hands.
Miki looked back down at the scroll, tightening her hold on the item.
"What about your prediction?" she asked tucking the scroll into the satchel she'd brought with her, resolving to look at it in a safer place.
"A gift," Desindra smiled, "To help guide your path."
"Thank you," She said automatically bending her head slightly in the way her mother had taught her to respect her elders.
The seer waved her hand dismissively, "Don't think anything of it," Besides her lips curved into a smirk, "I have seen your path and I know that aiding you will be of aid to myself, as well as a source of great change for the future."
-o-
"Thank you for your purchase, please come back soon."
Miki took the bag from the smiling storeowner, bowing her head and voicing a quiet thanks.
She opened the door of the shop, entering the busy town once again. Gripping the handle of the bag that held her purchases Miki made her way towards the port. Humming to herself she stepped lightly, boots padding softly on cobblestone.
After she had parted ways with Desindra, she had made sure that she had all the essentials for her mission. She'd bought clothes, tools, and a strange looking navigational device, called a log pose, that the store owner had explained any serious adventurer of the sea would need.
"Oi Island girl!" a familiar voice called out.
Miki turned to find the gruff looking green haired swordsman.
"Zoro, it is good to see you again." She inclined her head in a familiar bow.
Zoro blinked at her response.
The silence dragged out between them.
"Can I help you?" She asked quietly
"Yeah, I was wondering if you've seen any sword shops?" He replied hand moving to rest on the handle of the white sword at his hip.
She shook her head in reply.
"Tch," Zoro scowled, "How hard can it be to find some sword shop in a marine base town."
While not fully understanding his sentence, she felt sympathetic to the man's plight.
"I can help you look for one." She offered.
Zoro gave her a thoughtful scowl. His eyes narrowed and she shifted on her feet. She felt nervous under his intense stare and let out a sigh of relief when he finally looked away.
"No, I'm fine." The green haired swordsman said before walking away, she frowned a little put off by the man's rudeness.
She shrugged it off, it was no use to get upset over little things like that. Continuing her way back to the docks she paused briefly before boarding the Merry.
"Hello!" She called out on the empty deck. When she didn't get any response she pursed her lips in confusion, maybe the rest of the crew hadn't returned yet.
After putting her stuff away into a chest Nami had lent her in the women's quarter she returned to the deck staring out across the open ocean. It was a sight so reminiscent of her home that she felt her eyes misting up with tears. Not for the first time she wondered what she was doing here. When the Ocean spirit had asked her to come to this world she had agreed without much thought, but now stuck in this strange new world with no idea where to even start looking she felt helpless and alone.
Her mind recalled Desindra's words. Wiping at her tears she reached back into her bag for the scroll. Uncapping the mark of the water nation she slid out the scroll and unrolled it.
"A Waterbending scroll." She gasped in awe eyes hungrily tracing over the painted images. Smiling she rolled it back up and then closed her eyes sending a silent prayer of thanks to the spirits. It was nice to know they had not abandoned her in this strange land.
A loud boom startled her out of her thoughts glancing up she was surprised by the sight of dark storm clouds gathering over the sky. Looks like a storm is brewing she mused. She held out a hand to catch the falling raindrops bending it into a small circle.
"Miki!" startled she dropped the water and turned to see Nami running towards the ship, "We've got to go!" the girl called out as she vaulted over the railing, rushing forward toward their line to untie them and get the ship moving.
Miki moved to help the other girl raise the sails as Nami struggled with its weight. "Why what's going on?" She asked looking at the redhead's terrified face.
"The Marines know we're here, and Buggy's here as well!"
She stared at the other girl, she was about to ask who in the spirits names was Buggy, when she was knocked into the mast by a strong gust of wind.
"Agh" She grabbed frantically onto the mast, the green wind pushing against her sought to fling her out into the sea. A little to her left Nami had managed to grab onto the rails. As suddenly as the wind started it stopped and Miki yelped as she dropped back down onto the deck.
"What was that?!" She coughed out lungs inhaling frantic breaths of air.
"I have no idea," Nami answered eyes wide in shock, "but we don't have time to worry about that we have to get going." The orange head stood and Miki quickly followed helping her get the ship out on the sea.
In a few more minutes they had managed to get Merry sailing and she came to a realization as the dock moved farther and farther away, that they'd left the rest of the crew behind.
Before she could inform Nami shrieks filled the air and she watched with wide eyes as the rest of the crew barreled towards the Going Merry like a cannonball.
The boys smashed into the ship with a loud and painful sounding crash.
"Oh my lungs," Sanji groaned as the pile of bodies and limbs untangled themselves.
Usopp rolled over to look at the sky "Are there supposed to be so many stars?"
She looked up at the sky and back down at Usopp, "Usopp there are no stars right now." She answered.
"Oh, that's nice to know." He grinned widely voice high and airy, doing nothing to convince her that he didn't have a concussion.
"Look a light!" He pointed out at the sea with joy.
She bent down beside the curly haired boy, "Hold still Usopp, you will feel better in just a second." Miki patted his shoulder smiling reassuringly.
"No wait he's right," Nami called out finally joining the group.
Miki looked up following the rest of the crew's example.
"It's a lighthouse," Nami grinned, "The guiding light that marks the entrance to the Grand Line."
An atmosphere of excitement all over the ship, she observed the growing grins on the crew's faces. It didn't seem like the right time to tell them she had no idea what the Grand line was.
"Well let's do something to mark the occasion," Sanji rolled out a large barrel and placed it down firmly between all of them.
"To find the All Blue," He declared lifting a black shoe on to the wood.
"To become the Pirate King!"
"To be the greatest swordsman."
"To draw a map of the world."
"I-I'm… to become a brave warrior of the sea!"
She watched awestruck. She glanced at all of the people before her, pirates, unafraid to do anything to accomplish their dreams. They had turned to her looking expectant, anticipating her reaction.
Swallowing down the familiar feeling of fear she took a step forward, and for the first time in her life Miki spoke her true desire out loud,
"To become a Waterbending Master!"
Giddy she brought her foot down with the rest of them, a sudden weight felt lifted from her chest.
She grinned. The smile seemed glued firmly to her face When they acted in unison each foot raising up in the air. She'd never felt more alive, she let out a crazy laugh as the rain poured down even harder.
"To the Grand Line!" Luffy yelled.
And with a sound echoed by Mother nature the barrel smashed.
The adventure truly began.
Thanks for reading! please tell me what you think of chapter 1.
-Crystal Night