It took a while, but here it is! Enjoy!~

Gilbert went through waves and waves of pounding water that almost overturned him a couple of times. Gilbird clung to his hair tightly as the boat rocked back and forth, the small bird hoping that he wouldn't fall off and get lost in the current. Somehow the two made it to where the river calmed down and flowed into a smooth and steady path. Gilbert didn't even have to look as he paddled up the large tree that hung over the water, a giant weeping willow.

The canoe parted the branches that hung over the water and Gilbert found himself in front of his favorite tree. Gilbird flew out of his hair, settling on a nearby branch and fluffing his feathers up. This was his and Gilbert's favorite spot that they had ever found. When Gilbert was younger, he had become friends with one of the elders, an old man called Fritz. Gilbert had shown Fritz this place, and it was instantly their place. When Fritz finally passed on, it was this spot in front of the weeping willow where Gilbert went for comfort.

There was a branch that stood out of the water, the way that it curved allowed it to be the perfect place to sit for a couple of people. The first night after Fritz died, Gilbert spent the night here, and he swore that whenever he needed it, that Fritz would appear and help him through whatever was bothering him just like he always had. Not that the Gilbert ever needed help, he just liked hearing others opinions.

"What troubles you my boy?" Fritz's voice cut through Gilbert's thoughts of denial, not that he would ever admit that. Gilbert looked up from his spot, staring at the ghost that most would have run from.

"It's just my brother. He wants the awesome me to settle down and marry!" Gilbert almost screamed by the end of his outburst. Fritz raised an eyebrow, by now he knew that this was troubling Gilbert a lot more than he let on.

"Well, why don't you marry? Have some 'awesome' children?" Fritz waved his arms around at the word awesome, earning a glare from Gilbert.

"I'm to awesome to settle down. I just don't think that it's right for me," Gilbert sighed out. Somehow Fritz just always knew the right thing to say to make Gilbert spill his guts. Even if he felt like a pansy doing so.

"And why is that?"

Gilbert shot to his feet, balancing on the branch precariously. He waved his arms around, body already acting out what he hadn't even said.

"I'm to awesome to settle down! Plus, I keep having this really awesome dream where there's this arrow spinning and spinning. I'm sure one say it's going to stop and show me a path that's way more awesome than the one that Ludwig wants me to take. I think all the awesome genes went to me and skipped out on him," Gilbert trailed off, rolling his eyes. Fritz raised a eye brow in question, but said nothing about the awesome comment.

"You already know what I'm going to tell you," Fritz said. Gilbert nodded and sat down on the branch again, closing his red eyes and opening his senses to nature.

When Fritz was still alive, he had the amazing ability to connect with nature like no one else could. He wouldn't teach anyone about his method, except Gilbert (after countless amount of begging might I add). It had taken years for Gilbert to master, but eventually he managed to learn how to connect with nature on a different level than the rest of his tribe. It was Fritz way of dealing with problem, he always said that nature will help you through the tough questions.

Gilbert could feel the breeze pass through him, he could feel it try it's best to pull him upwards. He didn't even hesitate as he snapped his eyes open and climbed gracefully to the top of the tree, leaving Fritz still there below him. he traveled up to where the branches swayed with the wind and barely supported his weight. He looked out over the trees while silently thanking the tree for being so gosh darn tall.

In the distance, there was something like which he had never seen before. They looked like huge, square clouds.

Every single member of the crew was on deck, staring at the beautiful untouched land that laid before them. It had trees as far as the eyes could see, rolling hill and glittering sea water lapping at the edges. Even Alfred and Matthew, who had seen the New World more times than they could count, had never seen it look as beautiful as this. For a moment all dreams of gold were forgotten, and no one could think of anything else but the beauty that was before them.

Then, the sail snapped when the breeze started up again, and everyone remembered where they were. The most important members of the group, Ivan, Yao, Francis, Alfred, Matthew, and Arthur went to where the steering was to discuss what they would do when they got onto the land.

"We should build a shelter first, that way we won't fall prey to savages attacking us," Yao said before they even all gathered around. Everyone stared at him and he felt a little self conscious but he remained resolute.

"Is Yao-Yao scared? Don't worry Yao-Yao, I'll protect you," Ivan cheered out with his signature creepy smile, making everyone shudder.

"I-I'm not scared! And I can take care of myself!" Yao almost screamed, making some of the crew below turn to them. His face was scarlet by the time that everyone turned away. All the while Ivan smiled.

"Anyway, Yao's right, we should build a shelter first," Arthur intervened before Yao could make a bigger scene.

"Pssh, I'll be able to handle any savages! Leave it to the hero!" Alfred yelled, his 'hero' smile adorning his face.

"Great for the hero, but we're all in agreement right? Shelter first, then gold second," Arthur completely ignored Alfred's whining as they dispersed to get the first boat out to land.

Next chapter: Meeting!