Beloved Child Chapter 7: The True Beginning, an one piece fanfic

Disclaimer!: I DO NOT OWN ONE PIECE! I own my OC(s), and that's just it, we are on a fanfiction site/ story site.

Time for the chapter!

Chapter 7: The True Beginning

~ Will you love me, even though .….? ~

[ Location: Docked, Red Force; Early Morning ~ Paradise; September, 9th - Astrid: 10 years old ]

I woke up with a bit of a start, a tab bit confused, and very warm. It's to be expected, like, who blasts the AC and puts on the covers to protect yourself from monsters?

This gal, that's who.

Groaning a bit as the light hits my eyes, I go from my side to laying on my back, soon finding sleep escaping me. I take off the covers, as a means to cool off, and to start the day.

I blink my eyes open.

I blink them again, rubbing them to take away the sleep.

I blink them once more, thinking I'm still dreaming.

I don't recognize… this place, with the little beads of light shining through…the window? No, my eyes land on.. that shape, it's more like a circle..definitely round.

And…my hands….are smaller…and have calluses? My hands were soft, with a few nicks here and there before….

Before?

I don't know how exactly I scrambled out of bed, but I did so in a fashion where my face met the ground first. Groaning a little, my brain basically went into flight or fight mode.

Or, well, that and then the most horrible headache happened.

Mybrainistryingtogetoutofmyhead, lungsareonefire, I can't breathe, and the whole world is spinning.

My body can't get up from the ground, I'm stuck.

What felt like hours happened in a matter of minutes, rolling on the floor as I tried to appease the pain.

Can't see, my ears are ringing, tearsstreamingdownmyfaceandglasses, needglasses.

Everything felt off.

I'm just, I don't understand, I'm-what-don't-how-someone….

Breath in.

Breath out.

Breathe in.

Breathe out, fully exhaling.

I CAN'T CONTROL MY BREATHING, LET'S TRY THAT AGAIN.

I punched the floor.

Breath in.

Breath out.

Breathe in.

Breathe out, rubbing my face with my left hand and sitting up, trembling and shaking.

I…WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!

And then, it hits me.

Both sides of the coin merge, while I find the nearest bucket to throw up what little I have in my stomach.

My name is Guerra D. Astrid, formerly Astrid Guerra. In my previous life, I lived to the age of twenty-one, only to die by the hands of some rando. While on my deathbed, I said my last goodbyes as a spirit, and I was sent by a God(s)? To a new life, leaving the people I loved with all my heart behind. Now, I'm here, on a ship, with my beloved adopted father and his merry crew, my uncles, sailing the seas. To make matters better, or worse?, my personality from my previous life is dominating, as my mind adjusts to all the memories, new and old.

I feel like I'm on literal fire as I get up from the floor. The world is shaking, or is that the ship moving, but I somehow manage to stand, grabbing the nightstand.

That's where my glasses were…I grab them quickly as I make haste to wash up, cool down, and bring everything to order.

Well, to tidy myself up and collect my thoughts, despite wanting to go and lie back down.

I soon find…that I'm …short….I'm..ten years old now? My goodness, why am I remembering everything from my past life now?

Bringing my hands to my face, I put on my glasses to get some clarity, making my way to the closet to get some clothes and potentially bathe myself.

Wait…

I have powers now….getting my glasses out of my arm…

Why the heck am I outside the norm of devil fruits? What's going on?

WhyamIdifferentandwhydoIremeberandwhydoIthinkthatsomethingisgoingtohappensoonerratherthanlaterandwhy…..

I'm a mess. I feel sticky, sweaty, sick to my stomach, with the bouts of nausea coming and going as they please.

AND THE WORLD WON'T STOP SPINNING!

Leading me to fall down again, and someone knocking on my door. I groaned, and before I knew it, that someone was opening my door.

"Astorido, ohayo. Daijobu desuka."

Oh shit, my brain is processing the words, but I don't understand…wait, why don't I, wait, that's Japanese, I'm thinking in English.

BRAIN, EVEN WITH A HEADACHE! YOU. SHOULD. WORK.

I groan even more, mainly out of distress of my situation, and well, I can't understand what's being said right now. I recognize the voice though, that's my uncle Benn, but, no matter how hard I try…brain don't want to work.

"Oiii, Astorido, ooo.", I feel my uncle turn me over, with me opening my eyes and blinking a bit sheepishly up at him, a small smile until he sees the state I'm in, feels my forehead, and then calls out, "BOSSU!"

Loud noises are a no-go right now, solid no-go. I groan even more as he just carries me out of the room, with me still in my pjs that have a little bit of vomit on them.

I can tell he's trying to be gentle, but that's not working right now either, as it's causing my head to spin even more.

"BOSSU! Astorido-chan ha….."

And I didn't get to hear the rest of the sentence, since I passed out then and there.

[ Location: Mobey Dick, various other vessels; Sailing to a CERTAIN ISLAND ; XX/ XX/ XXXX]

The second day that they were all sailing together.

The events of the day started out all right….

But all it takes is someone losing their temper or running out of patience or even becoming hangry (hungry and angry) to make it a little less bearable from what it already was.

Being stuck on multiple boats, all traveling towards the same island, when the one, bigger boat, holds meal time.

"SANJI! MEAT!"

"Bepo, the galley is this way."

"Kid, you know if we don't eat breakfast with all the other cre-."

"IF WE DON'T EAT WITH THEM IN THE MOBEY DICK, THEN WE CAN'T CONTINUE THAT DUMBASS OF AN ELDER SISTER'S STORY!"

"OII! DON'T CALL HER A DUMBASS!"

"WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO MISS. DIVA?! SING ME TO DEATH?!"

"STOP YELLING!"

"MAKE ME FIRE-FIST!"

"We can all stand to calm down, it's barely seven in the morning."

"SABO! ACE! MEAT!"

"To be that young again, I swear, these brats are going to give me a headache."

"But you got to admit Whitebeard, it's rather amusing."

"That's what you say, Red-Hair, but if they keep yelling like that, I'll end up doing something."

"Don't say that Mihawk."

"DID I MISS ASTRID'S STORY!?"

"You haven't, Miss Snake Empress."

"Is Dragon joining us? Or is he sleeping in?"

"Give him a few minutes, he ended up talking with Iva-san."

"Didn't Crocodile say something about holding the video until he got here as well?"

"WHO CARES! WHERE THE HELL IS BUSHY-BROWS?!"

"HE HAS A NAME, AND IT'S–."

The various people that ended up gathering on the Mobey came from different Blues, some from Paradise, and others from the New World. Young and old, big and small, and the myriad of personalities that could make people on edge were all on one boat.

"ASTRID-SENPAI! WHEN ARE WE WATCHING ASTRID-SENPAI AGAIN!?"

"STOP YELLING INTO MY EAR BARTO!"

"I'LL STOP YELLING WHEN YOU DON'T ATTACK PEOPLE IN YOUR SLEEP CAVENDISH!"

"Everyone, calm down-yoi!"

"Marco, that won't shut everyone up."

"Thanks for stating the obvious Izou."

"Don't start getting snippy with me, Thatch."

"Sorry….. just thinking about how our dear sister is right now is putting me too on edge, alongside everyone else here."

"Who wouldn't be on edge? We are on a packed boat, with different crews to boot."

"FEAR NOT EVERYONE, BON-CLAY HAS ARRIVED!"

"How many people does Astrid know, Usopp?"

"Too many, Nami, too many."

The galley became silent when a bushy-haired man, in his signature overalls and denim hat walked in. Heading to the make-shift stage where the projection Den-Den Mushi was, he got out a strange device, and started to connect it to the Den-Den Mushi.

The silence, of course, was broken by a certain straw hatted man.

"BUSHY BROWS! HOW MUCH LONGER DO WE HAVE TO WAIT?!"

The Bushy man looked back at Luffy, one part amused, another slightly rolling his eyes under his bushy brows (not like anyone can see him roll his eyes, everything is too bushy). He managed to finish connecting everything when a certain sandstorm of a man, with his right-hand man made it into the room.

With the sandy man trying to attack the Bushy-haired one.

Was anyone surprised?

No.

Did the sandy man win?

No.

Crocodile was knocked out of the air, when the Bushy haired man spoke to everyone in the room.

"Stop tryin' to provoke the messenger, now will ya?" He let out with a sigh.

"You owe me a rematch."

"I said later, lad."

Crocodile let out a puff of smoke from his cigar, clearly unamused.

"It'll be after we've found her, right?"

The Bushy haired man grinned wide, nearly chuckling while stating, "of course!"

Not a second later, Crocodile went to his 'designated' seat, while Dragon and Iva-san, among many others arrived and settled into the galley.

"IS EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO BE HERE ACCOUNTED FOR?!" The Bushy haired man addressed the room.

"YES!" / "YUP!" / "WE ARE!" / "START THE VIDEO ALREADY!" / "GO FOR IT!"

Day two was already starting, and from what the Bushy Haired man could tell, it was going to get even more hectic from here.

He pressed 'Play', and hoped for the best.

[ Location: Docked, Red Force; Past Afternoon ~ 1:30pm; September, 9th - Astrid: 10 years old ]

My awakening into the world of the living was rather unceremonious, as I started to understand the voices who were speaking.

Recognizing who was speaking.

"Do you think…." That's definitely Uncle Roux.

"...she'll be fine, she's survived…" Yup, definitely Uncle Yasopp

"...Boss, she…" Uncle Ben is very worried, very worried indeed.

"Wait, is she waking up?" And there it goes again to Uncle Yasopp.

I blinked a bit, taking in my surroundings once more.

In my room, with what I can tell to be my blurry looking Uncles and Dad right next to me.

My room is the only one on the Red-Force that is forestry-green, with a porthole since I wanted sunlight to be able to get into my room during the day.

I blinked rather rapidly, kinda confused, well… I'm always confused, thinking how the heck did I…well…I don't even know.

I'm just very confused!

"What happened?", I start out, reaching into my arm and getting out another set of glasses.

Putting them on, my Dad and Uncles looked various levels of confused themselves.

Why are they confused?

"Dad? Uncles? Are you okay?" I can only imagine the look on my face when I sat up on the bed as they looked even more worried.

"Boss, do you know what language she's speaking?" Uncle Yasopp tried to whisper, but to no avail.

"It's not the universal language….." Uncle Roux said in between bites of his turkey? leg.

Ohhhhh, I'm thinking in English, and I'm speaking….in…English….it's not the norm here.

Like, sure, English sounding and some words in English, but not, well, just English…

Formal, casual, verbs, subject, predicate, conjunction, A,U,I,E,O….hiragana, katakana, kanji…

Oh my goodness, it's my Japanese minor…I know more Japanese now then in my first life, give me a minute or two.

I started at my lap, thinking about what I was about to say, because basically I am now the change-over-night-now-ten-years-old-niece that remembers living a previous life till I was twenty-one cause I was….

Oh man, yeah…I was…

And I wasn't able to process that either….

"ASTRID, WHAT'S WRONG?!"

I just…started crying. I'm over my head, there is still too much information, I need to process, I don't but somehow do understand the situation I'm in, I just…need time.

I need time.

But instead of verbally saying I need time, it came out like this instead.

"WHY AM I WEIRD? HIC…HIC..HIC-CUP." I rub my eyes with my right sleeve as I take off my glasses, trying to clean them with my other hand as they are wet from my confused tears.

"What's wrong with being weird?" Shanks, who is Dad, and Captain…. Dad-Shanks-Captain-Dad-Dad….

Yup, just Dad.

No…Yes?...No?...YES.

Dad is DAD, my one and only Dad, and no one else can say otherwise!

I breathed out rather heavily, before saying, "nothing is wrong with being weird, but I think I'm the weirdest of all." I pouted.

"Hmmmm, what makes you say that?" Uncle Benn blew some smoke in the opposite direction as he asked.

Wait…why are their names familiar…besides their names being…

Brain…processing…brain….processing…brain….processing….loading bar…..loading….

Bing!

Oh my goodness, holy sugar honey ice tea…

"Dad…," I looked at him, "Uncles…," I looked at all of them, the four in my room, "are…we…hmmm..going to find the One Piece one day?" I say it in a near whisper with the last part.

"Astrid, we can't get to the New World yet," Dad laughed, messing with my hair, "especially since we keep traveling between Paradise and the Blues."

New World…Paradise….Blues…..

North Blue, South Blue, West Blue, East Blue…

Red Line…Whitebeard….Grandpa Oden….Grandpa Roger….Grandpa….

The One Piece…

The popular anime, originally from the manga, One Piece.

I'm in One Piece…

And a future Yonko is my Dad, and his pirate crew, who now that I think about it…I've helped….

Uncles, they are my Uncles.

And Grandpa Roger and his crew were my Grandpa's, except for Uncle Buggy.

"Astrid? Astrid?," Uncle Benn waved his hand in my face, probably because I spaced out, "are you okay?"

I look up to him, figuratively and literally speaking..I look up to them before and after and even more way before in my first life…

"Uncle Benn," I bit my lip as I felt all four of them staring..looking at me, mainly due to concern, "I know I've never questioned it… but why do my power not function the same as a Devil Fruit? Isn't that weird? And I have different ones…? And honestly…I don't know…if I'm okay…." I felt my face scrunch.

I looked down at my lap once more.

And Dad just grabs my face, and directs it to look at his face.

While my Uncles, being my Uncles, hover around his shoulders and over his head. Uncle Roux on the left, Uncle Yasopp on the right, and Uncle Benn looking over Dad's straw hat..

The infamous, yet to be given to the next potential pirate king, straw hat.

"Astrid, my darling daughter…," with my Uncles chiming in, "precious niece/adorable niece/lovely niece."

Dad continued, "No matter if you are weird, against the norm, or if you decide later on in life that you want to become a marine, a fellow pirate, or a civilian, if you want to even potentially join a different crew or stay with us, no matter the winds or tide, we," he motioned to the people in the room, "as well as your Uncle Mihawk, he'd kick me if I didn't mention him….."

Uncle Benn coughed before Dad could get off track and ramble. It's a tendency.

Dad went first, "Will always love you.."

Uncle Benn smiled between the cigar in his lips, "...care about you…"

Uncle Roux, "...hold you dear in our hearts…" He continued to munch on the turkey? leg.

Uncle Yasopp, "..and won't let you go that easily…", he poked my cheek.

"...you are amazing as you are, a bundle of joy with boat-loads of energy, a one-of-a-kind daughter that does her best and so bright with your own light. You shine like a star, and dazzle everyone, you train harder, love with all your heart, and have been my darling daughter since the beginning all those years ago. The amount of work and effort with being a apprentice, or the amount of time you put into your hobbies, all the things you do, we will accept all of you. No matter what future may await all of us, nothing will change how we feel about you. You are family, no matter the distance, if you or one of us were to be lost, we'll find a way to be together again."

My tears that had subsided were now renewed with a passion after Dad's and Uncle's speech, and they came in full force, to a point that Dad and my Uncles looked blurry with my glasses still on.

Dad gave me a kiss on the forehead before letting go of my face, while my Uncles either pat my back, shoulder, or head.

I feel so loved…

I feel seen…and understood…while not fully understood…cause…first life…

I feel warm…

Very….warm?…..

"Astrid, not to ruin the moment, but did you just pee yourself?" Uncle Yasopp had his hand over his mouth.

Ahhh, I haven't gone to the bathroom yet…everything relaxed…and now I'm an embarrassment to society…

And Dad…with the rest of my Uncle's…started to giggle..

Turning into full-blown laughter…

I looked at them wide-eyed, mouth agape, until, I too, started to laugh.

"Let's get you cleaned up my darling daughter, ne~?"

To which I could only nod, as the start to the day after my birthday, was an odd one indeed.

[ Location: Docked, Red Force; ~ 3:30pm; September, 9th - Astrid: 10 years old ]

Clean up went great.

Dad and my Uncles let me do my thing, we changed the sheets, new clothes, and basically now I have alone time as they went to get food and take down invading marines.

Marines first, food second, and my orders were to stay put until they got done.

I'm not complaining though, as I am still an emotional wreck…why wouldn't I be?

I am still in the midst of processing everything, I need more than a day, no, scratch that, a few hours to process.

TO understand.

To not throw myself overboard, after their fight with the marines, to clear my thoughts, even though I am tempted. Dad forbade me from swimming in the ocean without someone knowing I'm there.

Especially since the last time I swam, Uncle Benn thought he got a huge catch, when in reality, it was me. There was a bit of a tussle, and I just thought, let's see who caught me this time. Pulled up, Uncle Benn was rather surprised, and I offered to be thrown back into the ocean to catch fish by hand, but Uncle Benn said no, and that he wasn't going to use his adorable niece as bait.

Maybe a dirty-corrupted marine, but not his adorable niece.

Now that I think about it, a lot of the stuff that don't involve my hobbies need adult supervision now…huh….

Swim in the ocean?

Supervision.

Crows nest because of that one incident I heard about when I was younger?

Supervision.

Training?

Supervision.

Kicking marine or enemy pirate butt.

Supervision.

Going up and down the ropes.

Light supervision.

Manning the cannons.

I was allowed to fire a shot once, and even then, Dad and my Uncles don't want me to do that again. Once was enough to tell them that I am utter chaos with cannons. If they can help it… (Uncle Roux will let me though if I share my food for a week *wink*, but does it less frequently since there hasn't been many marines and enemy pirate crews lately)

I also have to wonder, why was I chosen for The program? That program? Here I am, I'm happy to be here, to be alive, to be so loved and cared about…

But do I deserve to be here? Sitting at this desk, having my own room, calling my Dad my Dad, and my Uncles as my Uncles…

I would like to think I lived a good previous life, but…what if I mess up again? What if I get abandoned, what if…something terrible happens because I'm here?

I wasn't part of the original story of One Piece, but then again, here I am now.

But my Dad and Uncles reassured me that I'm loved…they care…

But…first life….I was also…and then…

NO! NO NEGATIVE THOUGHTS NOW PLEASE!

Moving on…moving on…

Then there is also the fact of my powers, and not being affected by water. I can teleport…I can store things in my arm…and I still have the ability of my good ol' gut feeling.

The same gut feeling that warned me about people, and how I was going to die soon…

I have the tattoos…WAIT, I HAVE TATTOOS AND NONE OF MY UNCLES…OR DAD QUESTIONED IT? NOT EVEN MY GRANDPAS QUESTIONED IT? THEY THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL?

I can see the galaxy tattoos as clear as day in my inner, right arm, and my two X's on both of my flanks? Thighs..flank-thighs?..they are there, but did they get moved since I was a spirit when I got them?

I got up from my desk chair, pushing it in gently as I got a pillow out of my arm, deciding that I wanted to make a little something. I got out my hotplate?, which was powered by a heat…dial… man, I can one-up most people since I have dials too. Turning it on, I got out the milk…stored in my arm…which not only looks fresh…I've stored things for months in there, fruits and vegetables, and nothing ever expired…

Does time stop in my arm?

That's pretty handy to prevent food from going bad….and keeping things fresh….

But is there a limit? Well, there has to be a limit…actually…there is a limit…

When I store things in my arm, now that I think about it, it weighs me down…It doesn't change my weight, I've tested it out, way to go past kid me for testing it out, but I can feel it make me slower…I can feel it, but it doesn't change me…

How the heck can science explain this though?

And then there is the fact that after a certain weight…I can't store things anymore…

Why after that certain weight?

Then teleporting….I can teleport myself, I can teleport the things in my arm with me okay…I can teleport with inanimate objects in my hands with me pretty good…

It makes me dizzy, sometimes I can't tell what is up and what is down, and it can be a bit much, but I can control it.

To an extent.

Emotions…the extension of my will plays a part into it, if I focus on where I want to go, then I go there. It has to be within a certain mile/kilometer radius, sure, I can't just teleport to a previous island after a certain distance away.

There is so much…oh man, there is also the gift? Do I even remember this correctly? Was her name Margaret who said that she would give me a gift within the X's?

And was that guy's name with her Stephan? Or Steven? Steve?

…

I don't remember that guy's number…did he give me his number?

I shook my head, getting out a medium size pot, and poured the milk in to boil it as safely as I could. Got out some cinnamon (don't worry, it's already grounded), honey, and a pinch of nutmeg. After testing out it was warm, I put in the honey and stirred, a while after that was the cinnamon and nutmeg…

I'm not the best cook, but I like tasty things, and I need to calm down.

Maybe I should get all my thoughts in order…shouldn't I?

I have time…everyone seems too preoccupied with the marines, I have my orders…

Wait…doesn't Dad and my Uncles usually let me fight with them? But then again…I'm under the weather with my mental state…but even then…

…

I'm probably overthinking things…

Let's do a mental recap from the beginning here..where to start…

First things first, gotta turn off the hotplate, get out my mug, and drink my beverage in a more comfortable spot.

Pour it in my medium rainbow mug, head over to my bed. Fix myself on me bed, get myself to focus.

Bring myself at peace.

Nahhhh, I'm probably not going to find my inner peace, I gotta be honest.

I'm pretty sure I'm screwed either way! Like, I have the mark of…a Child?...on my right finger for a reason….Whatever the gosh darn reason may be, but this is gonna be rather bad. Expect the unexpected, there may be a chance I'll die cause of this? Besides the fact that I'm part of Dad's pirate crew…

I'm an apprentice now though, and he (as well as my Uncles) did mention that he'd still love me if I were to join a different crew…

But will I really join a different crew though? Would I really?

The future can only tell so many of its secrets before it gate-keeps. No one knows the future.

We can only live in the present, can't change the past, look forward to the future.

I'm pretty sure I have changed the future due to the fact of being here.

Fuck, I've changed the future….

Well, it can't be allllll bad….

I have a great relationship with all my Uncles, and my Uncle Mihawk is so gosh darn cool. Real sweetheart, he's a ten out of ten in my book. Lovely and supportive, we have an understanding, totally would join his crew if he had one….

Maybe?

I might just join the first family member's crew who asks me though….

If someone justs ask me first…to be part of their crew…when I'm older….I probably won't say no, now that I think about it….

Dad and my Uncles said that they'll make me an official member when I was older, as an apprentice, I have leeway….

NO, I SHOULDN'T BE LETTING MY MIND TO WANDER!

WORRY ABOUT THAT LATER!

Recap, I need a mental recap!

Okay, who have I met so far…

Met my Grandpa's…on Grandpa Roger's crew…

I talk to Grandpa Crocus for medical advice, and that's once a week.

I have gone to Fishman Island, gone to basically all the islands in the New World as a wee baby. I was found in New World waters, coming from the entrance of the New World. I…met…Whitebeard….I've met so many big people, physically and figuratively….

After that, me and Dad just living the vida loca…because we had to leave after the execution, and Uncle Buggy left.

Uncle Buggy stopped calling, and I've tried calling him, but he never answers….

Did he lose his Den-Den Mushi? Likely…

Went to the Blues! Met my Uncles!

South Blue was pretty cool, met Killer, call him every other day, and since we talked yesterday, talk again tomorrow.

Wait…we talk again…tomorrow….

Welp, let's not screw that up.

Met…Ace…been to Foosha Village, gave him my number, and he looked to be pretty young to be wandering alone….

Both Ace and Killer are really young to wander alone…and I was too…

Let's not think about that too much.

Met Holly and Billy, call them once every three days. Lovely kids, they are all precious, definitely hope I'm a kinda good influence.

Let's not forget the fact that Uncle Mihawk is also on call schedule, with him every four days…I call a lot of people now, I've met many people now…

I have more of a social life here than I did in the first life….yeah, I should sip my drink and think some more. Gonna have to process more.

What's more to think about…

OH! I have the same hobbies!

I can still play my viola! That's pretty cool! I haven't played the piano all too much here, should get back into that. Would like to pick up a bass and drums, I want to play those instruments again, that's for sure!

Was I more a cymbal person…or a bass drum leaning person….I like both….

Will I play the magical cord that was reserved for the guitar and play it on the bass….it'd make a good laugh if I play it in a music store.

When no-one knows about it here.

Still love art, make art, and create all the art that I want. My muses are landscapes and my family… My art still looks bad, need to practice more to get to the level I was back then.

We've been to Water Seven, really pretty place! And…I…met…

I…I met Franky….I MET THE FRANKY?! AND TOM?! AND ICEBERG?! DAMN, I was a dumbass kid, outta my mind…wHo CaN bLaMe Me ThO, I was an idiot kid with some thoughts and feelings seeping in from my past life, not like I was going to remember everything back then!

To think I had some stuff seeping in from my past life, and I just remember everything today, how fun..

Ahhhh, if only Jules could see me know…he'd call me a 'fockin' weeb' in a fake British accent….my goodness.

We were awkward weebs together….

I can feel the waterworks….I can feel it…

Damn…I wasn't expecting to cry again after shedding so many tears, but I really miss my friends, well, no, scratch that, they are my previous family to me.

I miss them so much, and it breaks my heart that I won't be able to see them again….

It's better to love then to never love at all, right? I rather love…I care too much…and they'll always have a part of my heart…that would never change…

Just gotta move on…now.

I sighed, as I continued to sip my warm milk with honey, wrapped in my covers as I continued to process everything.

Am I going to have a mini-mid-life crisis at the age of ten, I sure hope not…

Now that I'm thinking a bit more….

Is there still potential to help out some of the people here? Has that ship sailed? Like, will there be a time where I can make their lives a bit easier?

I know nothing is for certain, and there are multiple paths that one can take, so if I can help someone, I'll do it..

But at the same time, will Dad and my Uncles let me though?

Will they believe me, that's another thing to consider as well?

Is there a good reason to put their lives at risk for someone they don't even know? There is also the chance that this is an alternate universe where none of these people will face tragedy….

Oh man, I think I am going to have a mid-life crisis at the age of ten if I keep on thinking like this…

I ended up sighing into my drink, staring at the wall as I took another sip.

Am I going to act like an awkward peanut around my Uncles now that both my ten year old and twenty one year old mind have merged together?

The brain is a weird thing, and right now, it's like 'ah, yeah, these are my Uncles. These are my younger brothers. They are precious and must be protected at all costs' while another is like 'ahhhh, stare, admire the characters coming to life, and make awkward conversation' which is not cool….

I don't want to be an awkward kumquat, and I'm an unreliable narrator for anything, for this and my previous life…

This is – and excuse my language everywhere, for I have a bit of a potty mouth thinking to myself – some deep shit.

Is there some stuff that's different from the manga One Piece in comparison to this One Piece world I'm in? Am I going to inadvertently 'fuck shit up?' just by being here? Is the anime going to have a play in this as well?

Yup, I should really stop thinking, I'm causing my own headache.

It won't be that bad…let's be optimistic…what can go wrong?

…

I rubbed my head, setting my cup gently down on my bed, leaning back to the wall behind me.

I closed my eyes for what felt like a minute.

I don't remember falling asleep, or putting my cup away, but the last thing I remember was thinking…

'I'll try my best!'

[ Location: Sailing, Red Force; ~ 7:30am; September, 10th - Astrid: 10 years old ]

Well…I'm awake…

Sunlight is pouring through the porthole, there is the regular chair next to my bed, the chest for my clothes on the foot of my bed. Desk with rolly chair on my left side, and my bed right at the wall to the porthole. Closet on the other side of the room, and the door to my room passing the foot of my bed…

My room layout is pretty convenient, if I do say so myself. I have my sketchbooks stored within some baskets in my closet, and in my arm…

I need to do Spring..Fall cleaning in my arm. I should probably take my weights out of there too. And my burnt lunch from last week.

…

There's a lot of stuff in my arm.

…

How much weight is in my arm?

Let's not think about it.

Gotta get ready.

Put on my glasses, everything looks too blurry without it.

Change my clothes, have the cool looking tattoos. Don't question why Dad and Uncles didn't question it, probably thought it was a birthmark…or something…Actually I should probably shower!

Just grab new underwear, run to bathroom, use bathroom, then shower, then brush teeth.

Sounds like a plan!

Few minutes later, done with everything, I head up.

Don't act awkward.

For the love of everything and all that is holy, don't act awkward.

I'm a natural.

I have imposter syndrome!

I have to face life!

CAN I JUMP OVERBOARD?!

I smack both of my cheeks before I open the door to the deck, I have to snap out of it. I'll be fine.

I'll be fine.

Opening the door to the deck, and I now have to head to the galley.

I see Uncle Limejuice, waving at him and saying hi, before he heads over to me.

"Nee, Astrid, are you feeling better?" he ruffles my hair, then looks around me.

Probably to check if there are visible signs to me being sick?

I nod, "I feel way better and I sure hope it doesn't happen again."

He smiled at me, "Great to hear! We were all worried when Boss said that you were not doing so great. Some of us went to check up on you to only see that you had fallen asleep with a mug in your hands." Sighing, he continued, "we were all thinking the worst."

I looked down, twiddling my thumbs a little, before looking back up. "I feel great now, yesterday was a doozy. Felt nauseous, had chills, and a horrible headache."

Uncle Limejuice looks sad hearing that, before he ruffles my hair a bit more. He asks, "want to go to the galley the fun way?" He smirks, and with me nodding yes, knowing him and the rest of my Uncles, he picks me up and places me on his shoulders as we head there together.

Ahhh, I love my Uncles. Love all of them so much. I could gush about them for a long, long time. WAIT! I can't act distracted! OR TOO WEIRD!

…

Wait…I've been doing crazy, mild stuff for a while…I should be fine.

Thank goodness I've never been a 'normal' child, especially since I grew up on multiple pirate ships.

[ Location: Sailing, Red Force; September, 10th - Astrid: 10 years old ]

It's hard acting like a kid, when part of you is no longer a kid anymore…

I'm not too bright, but at the same time it can be a bit dumb to act like my past self…

My little more close-minded, and a bit more naive, child self.

After a few hours of spending time with my Uncles, I thought of what I want to do for the short term! I don't want to focus on the long term till I get a grasp on what the details of a 'Child' entail.

I hope I find out about that soon, rather than later…

It's not all that bad though, I'm living life pretty well! My Uncles and I are as 'normal' as we are going to be. With me up to my crazy shenanigans, hobbies, and helping around the vessel. Of course, training is also a must, and I may of overheard about something pertaining to me earlier. Uncle Benn and Uncle Yasopp are in kahoots, so it outta be a surprise for the ages. I've also decided to start saving up berri? Berri to buy a drum set, new viola strings, and potentially a bass. My art supplies are all good and accounted for.

And now, after having done a good amount of everything all day…it's time.

To call Killer.

Back to my room I go, sitting at my desk, and putting the Den-Den Mushi in front of me.

Gotta just input the number I have from my journal, then let the Den-Den Mushi do the work.

[PuruPuruPuruPuru–Kacha]

"..."

"Heya Killer! Can ya hear me alright?!"

"Yeah."

"Great, good, how have you been feeling? Everything okay? Made any new friends? Eating and sleeping well?" Yup, these are the usual starting questions I ask before we go into the usual swing of things.

"I've made one new friend, and I think he has rabies."

Killer made one new friend…and he thinks his new friends has rabies…

"Do you mean to say that your new friend is rabid? Like an animal?"

"...Yeah…something like that…he follows me around on the island."

"Hmm, I see, I see. Have you tried to talk to your new friend? And maybe mentioned if he has his shots?"

"No…He can be a bit much Sis. And he talks…much…and when he does…."

That got me thinking…yup, Killer's new friend might be like how I and Ace met…or how me and him met…maybe someone younger, that seems likely. I might meet him soon, now that I think about it….

YEAH! Dad said something about going back to the South Blue, don't know what exactly we're going to do…

"Hmmm, I look forward to meeting him, Killer." I grinned at the Den-Den Mushi, as the Den-Den made a happy face of its own.

"You're coming back to the island? When? Don't tell me a few days from now…" I could hear shuffling, and maybe some things flying? Lots of whooshing noises, that's for sure.

"Nah, Killer, it won't be until a month? Month and a half until we go back to the South Blue. We are still traveling through Paradise, and might stop by an island in the East Blue before heading to the South Blue."

I saw the Den-Den pout, before I heard him breathe out in a huff. The shuffling stopped almost immediately.

"That sucks…won't be till a month…" and the Den-Den pouted some more, mirroring his own expressions.

"Hey, hey, it's not all bad…at least until then, you'll be with your new friend!" I know that he wouldn't be able to see me, but I did jazz hands for an additional effect.

"Yeah…he's okay, I guess…"

[ "Killer! I was 'okay'?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?!"

"I said what I meant, and meant what I said Kid. We were kids back then, what did you expect? And.. You're not offended by calling you rabid?" He casually shrugged like it wasn't a big deal.

"I DON'T CARE THAT YOU CALLED ME RABID! WE BOTH KNOW HOW I WAS WHEN WE WERE KIDS! BUT YOU THOUGHT I WAS JUST 'OKAY'?! I WASN'T FUCKING JUST 'OKAY', I WAS STILL BADASS AS KIDS!" A vein nearly bulging on the side of Kid's head as he yelled next to Killer.

"OIII!" Someone in the galley yelled at the both of them.

"All OF YOU STOP SHOUTING, AND CONTINUE WATCHING BEFORE I SHUT YOU UP!" Bushy-Brow scolded, and everyone stopped talking as they continued watching…

As for the two men, one of them held a mean glare, while the other sighed behind his mask.

With Heat and Wire trying their hardest to mask their chuckles in the background. ]

"I'm glad to hear that Killer! I hope that the both of you get along and have a wonderful friendship." I nodded, glad that Killer was branching out to other kids besides me.

I heard a loud THUD, THUD, THUD, from the Den-Den Mushi, and Killer groaning a little.

"Ahh, he's here. Gotta go Sis, he get's pissy when I don't open the door for him. Talk to you later." The Den-Den looked a little dejected, a bit resigned.

"Kay Killer, take care of yourself and be talking to ya! Miss ya lots!"

That was when I hung up, just thinking about who this mysterious friend could be…

Hmmm…I shouldn't think too much of it, he'll tell me with time. I just hope that they don't get into fights like he used to get with the other kids…Man…Killer really knows how to fight a bit better now.

Let's hope everything is smooth sailing till we get there.

[ Location: Sailing, Red Force; Still in Paradise; September, 11th - Astrid: 10 years old ]

The days go by at an alarmingly slow pace…

On the Grandline, we always face some type of trouble though…

We beat up some pirates, Dad and my Uncles had a hay day and they had some news…

Apparently, we would be delayed to go to the Blues as we still had to do some stuff in Paradise. Which isn't bad, but at the same time, I'm going to have to tell Killer we are going to be delayed.

Instead of a month and a half, it's been bumped up to four…give or take…

When I heard the news, I immediately went for a swim, just yelling out to my Uncle Hongou that I'm going overboard for a bit.

Dad has always joked that I'm part Fishman, with how I can swim so easily near the Red Force and not get swept up in currents, and can keep up fairly okay with the ship.

No way was I going to be left behind, that's for sure.

After that, it was just the usual chores and training I had to do like mop the deck, help out with tasks, and refresh with sword skills. Very normal, and then comes my hobbies when I have the free time.

Which is a good amount of the time, since I get stuff done rather fast and efficiently, glad with the progress that I've made.

Viola practice and piano practice…happen when everyone else is busy. Luckily, everyone is busy but me.

Sneaking into the piano room? Or is it the music room?...

Hmmm, I'll stick with piano room. I get out my viola from my arm, and then the tuning device for the piano. Luckily, I have a sponge to use as a shoulder rest, since I don't aim to let my viola just lay on my shoulder without some type of cushioning.

I have my rosin for my bow, tightening it for the slight bend and all the horse hair? Do they use other animals for bow hair? I just know the basics, I'm not an expert, but I know enough to get by. Alto clef, the good ol' C, D, G, and A strings, all set.

Then there is the piano…gotta do something about the piano…to tune a piano…

It's not impossible…but it takes a bit…so I'm just going to get to work since this piano…hasn't been tuned for a good while…and it's…dirty…

Why is our piano in such a state…

– Three Hours Later –

I may have not tuned it like a professional, but I am immensely grateful for Jules dragging me to that piano convention all those years ago!

I know we both have a love for instruments and music, and to think that I would be using that knowledge now is…rather amazing, among other things. So many pianos, and many exhibits on early to later piano types…it was cool.

Now that's done, I can tune my viola!

["Woooooow…what else can she do?" Momonosuke had starry eyes as he looked on.

"WATCH AND FIND OUT!" Called out a rather gruff person in the back.]

Wait….

I should probably call Holly and Billy first.

Get out the Den-Den, get out my book with their Den-Den number, and just do the rest.

[PuruPuruPuruPuru–Kacha]

…

"Testing, one, two, three…"

"...four, five, six…."

"...seven, eight, nine…"

"TEN!" / "TEN!"

"How have you been my lovable short-stack friend?" I started out, teasing her a little. From what I last heard, she was still shorter than me.

"Doing lovely my four-eyed busy pirate. How about you?" The Den-Den smiled back.

I chuckled, now on the floor with the Den-Den as I laid my viola next to me.

"Doing great, living on the seas, and trying not to get scurvy."

"Ahhh, didn't you get scurvy once?"

"I didn't eat as much that I needed for citrus back then. I've changed." Literally and figuratively speaking, all things considering.

"If you've changed, then eat more celery!"

I made a face, frowning, "I don't like celery."

[ "SHE DOESN'T LIKE CELERY!? SHE NEVER SAYS WHAT SHE LIKES OR DISLIKES NOW!" Thatch had his mouth agape, standing and pointing at the screen.

Only to be pulled back down by Izou and Marco.

"We all know how she is by now. Just like how Big Sis would say, 'the more you know'." Ace agreed from his seat right in front of him.]

"You can't be picky with food!"

"CELERY IS GROSS! I DON'T LIKE CELERYYYYYYY!" I held out the last part.

"BOTH OF YOU STOP TALKING LIKE AN OLD MARRIED COUPLE!" Billie joined in the conversation.

"Ahhh, if we're a married couple, does that mean that you'll be our best man for our vow renewal?" I held a bit of a grin as he started to sputter.

"Yeah Billy, would you want to…."

"NOOOOOOO!" The Den-Den looked about to cry, and I heard the ka-cha, signifying the end of the call all too soon.

What was his problem? Should I call back? Are they okay?

…

They'll be fine.

Holly will knock some sense into him.

I should probably practice a bit before checking in with Dad.

– Three Hours Later –

I have muscle memory for my viola, but since I haven't played the piano…I have no muscle memory.

Gotta start from scratch…but it's fine, since I have time.

After all the practicing and putting everything away, I went to find Dad.

Captain, my captain.

The good ol' man.

Po…ps…nah, I'll stick with Dad, calling him anything else feels too weird.

Up to the deck, saying hi here and there, all the while I see him drinking with some of my Uncles.

Cool, cool.

Walking up, I was about to say something before a huge.

[BOOOM] [BOOOM] [BOOOM] [BOOOM]

"PIRATE SCUM! BY ORDER OF THE WORLD GOVERNMENT, SURRENDER PEACEFULLY BEFORE WE SINK YOUR VESSEL!" The Den-Den Speaker? Microphone? Can be heard all the way over here.

And from what I could see, even if I had to squint a little with my glasses…the Marines were looking to swing in from ropes to bring this fight to our deck.

GREAT! A FIGHT!

I can handle it.

"Astrid-chan."

I looked over to Dad and my Uncles, some scrambling towards the cannons while others were taking their places to engage.

"You ready for a fight?" Dad smiled, pushing my glasses up my nose as I looked up at him.

I nodded enthusiastically, getting out my swords to tie them to my waist. My swords from my arm. It's going to be great. We'll do what we can.

We'll win.

With us firing shots from our own cannon, that was all the response that the Marines needed to try to board and sink our ship.

I have to say.

Marines…have a tendency to do a double take when I'm fighting them, before they see me as a viable threat.

Like, happy for the advantage, feel bad for slashing them down, I don't…ya know….finish anyone off…I just aim for knocking them out. Thin out their numbers. Try not to do anything that I will regret later on.

Using a mix of martial arts and one-sword style, with the shift to two-sword style between all the dodging and near-stabs, I was doing circles around a good amount of Marines.

The lesson that has been drilled into me by Uncle Mihawk, as I knocked another Marine overboard as I helped out Uncle Benn, to go towards the middle of the deck again with Dad, was that if you let your guard down, you dead.

If you underestimate your enemy, you dead.

If you leave any openings, if your mind wanders, you dead.

Without fail, you must be able to multitask, because if you can't, you'll be overwhelmed by a huge number of enemies, as I parried and dis-armed a Marines sword and kicked him overboard.

"EVERYONE! IT'S TIME TO WRAP THIS UP!" Dad said from behind me, slashing more Marines and pushing them back.

Everyone yelled out an affirmative, with us nearly sinking their ship as we got the rest of the Marines off the Red Force.

We sailed away quickly, the fight ending in a flash, before we heard the Marine Captain? The one in charge yelling out expletives as we got away.

I think…we're all done for the day.

Just another day in Paradise.

[ Location: Sailing, Red Force; Still in Paradise – 7am ; September 12th - Astrid: 10 years old ]

I'm awake once more.

Each day, a blessing.

Do the routine of getting glasses, grabbing clothes, and taking a quick shower.

Nothing out of the ordinary, everything normal. Have my usual gloves that I wear cause of the mark, have to hide it. Have everything I need.

When I finished my shower, put on my glasses once more, changed and brushing my teeth, and finally looked at the mirror….

Well, I looked up thinking my hair was purely black…right? Hair was just black before, and before that, a nice brown, but now I'm a ravenette, like other cool people that have black hair (if ya have cool black hair, please, stand up).

What was reflected…on the other hand, was my black hair…but now…it looks like the night sky…

My hair looks like it has stars…in a dark night sky that is my hair…and I see…a…shooting star…in…

I don't let things phase me…

I don't usually scream, or make much of a fuss of everything or anything…

I'm pretty sure I made a face akin to the famous 'Scream' painting.

AND. I. screamed.

Screamed so loud and long that I….I I heard running on the deck.

[ "Awww, Astrid-chan…."]

I couldn't help it, my hair, I liked my black hair, and now I'm even more….out of this world…my goodness.

Feeling the pin-pricks of tears forming, it wasn't long before I was laying on the bathroom floor, wailing, as something that I had grown to like, my hair, was changed. I was finally getting used to things, and my hair was like, 'nope', surprise.

This is a for good type of thing. This…this is permanent, that instinctual feeling that nothing is changing, this caused me to wail more.

Dad and Uncles, thank goodness, had the key to the bathroom, so they didn't need to break down the door.

They knocked, and when they saw me on the floor, wailing without knowing what was wrong till they got closer, seeing my hair…Dad picked me up and put his hat over my head as he carried me to my room.

I think some of my Uncles, like Uncle Benn and Uncle Roux, tried to run interference while Dad and I were the only ones in my room.

I was still crying, with Dad rubbing circles on my back as I just held onto him.

He would say some comforting things, like 'everything will be fine', 'you look cute with starry hair', 'it doesn't look bad, you look stunning', among other things to try to calm me down.

Why isn't he more surprised…

Why is everyone so accepting?

What the hell is wrong with me?

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE?

With so many questions and no answers, along with crying to the point I was physically and mentally tired, I fell asleep with my Dad by my side.

– Two Hours Later – 9AM –

To wake up…with Dad laying next to me is very comforting. He's fast asleep next to me, Uncle Benn is probably doing things up top with the rest of my Uncles. Sometimes…it's hard to believe that Dad is Dad…Dad is amazing, cool, nice…

"Dad is awesome…" I nodded my head, kinda tempted to poke him, but he's sleeping so peacefully.

[ Everyone looked at Shanks, who may or may not have been hiding his face.

Everyone could see, either next to him or from far away, that the parts of his face that they could see, to even his ears, were a scarlet-pink hue. ]

I'm happy.

I'm so, so very happy. I'm thankful, and I want ice cream.

I just continue to lay next to him, silently pondering how anyone can even explain my hair situation. From what I can see, having put on my glasses again, it's still a 'starry night'. I'm not even the main character, why do I need another thing to set me apart?

I'm probably going to jinx myself if I say something among the lines of, 'what can possibly…ya know…', the taboo sentence.

Said it before, won't say it again.

What more can happen?

I fall overboard and become lost at sea? I get eaten by a sea king? I become part of the auction house? I get taken by an enemy pirate crew? I end up alone, on a deserted island? Kinda unlikely, but anything can happen.

Who knows, when I'm older, I sure hope I can beat a Fleet Admiral's ass.

I sigh while I teleport near my desk, getting a light blanket from my blanket basket and tucking Dad in. I pat him lightly on the head, then on the back, before I head to the bathroom again. Before leaving my room, I take a hat so I can hide my hair.

[ "AWWWW! Look at her being cute!" Hancock cooed, heart eyes taking the majority of her face. ]

Have to be prepared.

After bathroom time, I run into Uncle Yasopp.

Part of me just wanted to see what was the damage I dealt with the screaming, another part was…well…I might have thought that I might retreat to my room if…well…

How to explain hair, a guide for dummies….if only someone wrote a book like that.

"Hiya Uncle Yasopp." I rub the back of my neck, a bit nervous and worried…

Uncle Yasopp smiled, which I'm sure he is trying to reassure me. At least I know him by now.

"I guess now I can call you Starlight?" He chuckled as I started to pout.

We had a conversation before about nicknames, and we both thought that not one nickname really stood out except for 'Starlight' and 'Little Star'.

The irony.

"Everyone knows that I have star hair?" I took off the hat so he could get a better look, with me pointing near…a constellation?…of stars.

"WOOOW! YOUR HAIR LOOKS AMAZING ASTRID-CHAN!" he bent down to be eye level with me, before saying, "yes, everyone knows you have star hair now," nodding to affirm the fact.

I nodded, looking at the floorboards. A part of me just wonders…what does everyone think…about me…sometimes…

"Astrid-chan? Everything's alright, no one is going to treat you different with you having star hair. We all love you the same." I looked up to see him smiling brightly, patting my head as I wonder how he's so certain.

How does he know that no one will…well…knowing everyone…they probably wouldn't. Doesn't make me any less interesting to be with. (To put it lightly.)

I nodded again, before whispering, "thank you."

"Hey Uncle Yasopp." I said with all the seriousness I could muster.

He looked at me, still bent kneed.

"I want some ice cream," I mumbled, with him starting to laugh as we both walked up to the deck.

The day is still young, and this was only the 'beginning' of the day.

– One Hour Later – 10AM –

I think I lucked out with getting ice cream for an after breakfast snack. But after that, was where things had more of a swing.

Or a kick.

Or, an unexpected visit.

Today is the day I talk with Uncle Mihawk, but how can I talk to Uncle Mihawk via the Den-Den Mushi if he decides to make a surprise visit to the Red Force?

On today…of all days….where my hair is a mess, I'm a bit of a mess, and Dad is still sleeping in my bed.

It's fine though, knowing Uncle, he'll just kick Dad out of my room…sad, I know, but Uncle Mihawk has a tendency to be unforgiving to Dad.

I was walking away from the galley, I had a hat on even though all my Uncles like my star hair since other people outside the crew would mention it, when Uncle Roux was 'letting' Uncle Mihawk onboard.

He had with him…a big box…it's…a gift looking box…

It's hard to believe that four days have passed from my birthday…and did Dad mention that he…also …gift?...Wait…He mentioned Uncle Mihawk…awwww man….

IT SLIPPED MY MIND, WITH ALL THE REMEMBERING AND STUFF! DAD AND UNCLE MIHAWK ARE BOTH GIVING THEIR GIFTS AT THE SAME TIME! UNCLE WAS SET TO ARRIVE A FEW DAYS LATER, GIVE OR TAKE!

Way to go me, now I really have to face the music and probably wake up Dad. First things first though, gotta greet Uncle Mihawk.

Walking up to them both, I couldn't help the smile slowly forming on my face. I just think that my Uncles are so cool.

Badass.

Capable and reliable.

Stopping in front of them, all the jitters gone, I go, "Welcome aboard Uncle Mihawk!" I do the usual hi-wave as he turns towards me.

["Do you see Mihawk? His face softened a little bit…" someone whispered.

"Look at how his aura changed by just…" another whispered.

"Now we know who is his favorite…"someone managed to get out before being interrupted by…

"WHY DO YOU TREAT HER DIFFERENTLY?!" Perona floated in front of Hawk-eyes, a pout on her face as he sighed.

He didn't even glance at Perona.

"She is my dear niece." He responded rather curtly, drinking his wine.

"AND?!" she motioned like she was waiting to hear more.

That was when he looked her in the eyes, "She is family."

And everyone who wasn't the Red-Haired Pirates grew quiet, as the Red-Haired Pirates hooted and hollered until they were calmed down by one Bushy-Browed man.

Perona just nodded, before floating to her seat once more. ]

"Dear niece, happy belated birthday." Uncle Mihawk may not change facial expressions, but I can tell that he is happy.

And I am absolutely grateful for him getting me something even when he didn't have to get me anything, I'm just filled with joy that he's here.

["LOOK AT ASTRID'S FACE! SHE'S SO HAPPY!" Shanks shouted out, practically smacking the Hawk-eyed man's back that was next to him as he laughed.

He stopped when Mihawk started to glare at him, which prompted Shanks to laugh more. ]

"Where is that annoying Red-Hair that you call father, dear niece?" he walked up to me with the gift still in his arms.

"Sleeping in my room…this morning was rather weird…" TOO MUCH INFORMATION, I'M GIVING TOO MUCH INFORMATION! BUT HE'S MY UNCLE…LIKE…AGHHHH.

He sighed, like he was annoyed, as he made his way inside the ship to probably…uh…rudely awaken Dad. With me following behind him, and hearing some more footsteps behind me, I see Uncle Benn, Uncle Roux, and Uncle Yasopp were not too far behind.

They are probably wanting to see the show that is Dad and Uncle Mihawk, where Uncle just drags him in an effort to make him make sense. Also known as, trying to beat some sense into Dad and failing miserably.

I teleport a little in front of all of them, to my room at the end of the hall, so that I can open my room when Uncle Mihawk still has his hands full with the box. Opening the door, Dad is still sleeping peacefully, with his hat over…his…face…probably because of the sunlight coming in directly from the porthole.

I should invest in curtains so that the sunlight isn't too harsh, huh?

"Red-Hair," Uncle set the gift on my desk. Good thing I have my desk free of papers, while he, and the rest of my Uncles shuffled into my room. Ahhh, Uncle Mihawk looks annoyed, or that's just the vibe I'm getting as he looks at Dad.

What next…is he going to…Yoru…WAIT, IF HE USES YORU THEN MY BED! Dad can deflect it, sure, but… my bed….is innocent.

I go right besides Uncle, taking Dad's hat off his face, fully prepared to wake him up, only for him to be staring at the both of us.

We stared for a good few seconds, where I was thinking that he might have been shirking his duties as Captain with him still on my bed. I don't mind, he must be tired, and Dad probably has a lot on his mind.

So, I just let his hat fall back on his face, floating back and forth, to where it was previously, patting his hair while saying in the most normal voice I could muster, "I think he's sleeping with his eyes open."

Everyone found it funny, with my Uncles except for Uncle Mihawk laughing at how this is unfolding.

Which led him to sit up, putting his hat back on his red-head, as he started to poke my cheeks, "does a person who is still asleep poke their daughters cheeks like this?"

I thought about it, and I was about to answer when I was dragged back onto the bed by Dad. I started to frown a little, not knowing where this is going, as he took off my hat and began to play with my hair as I was situated in his lap.

I nearly froze, trying to play it cool, cause I was hoping to show Uncle Mihawk my hair later. A little ways later. Not today, but as one saying goes, 'no time like the present'.

I still try to cope that this is now to be my forever hair, and people are going to have another reason to point at me…

I kinda just avoided everyone's faces, pouting, as Dad continued to play around with my hair, making it go up, down, some on one side and then the other.

"Dear niece." I'm still not looking at any of them, but I have a feeling I'm being stared at.

I hummed, a solid, "hmm," before I turned my head slightly to face him. He is staring directly at me, and I stare back, with him pushing my glasses back up my nose. He stares…nah, he glares at Dad, and Dad stops playing with my hair. That was when Uncle Mihawk patted my head before giving me the present box.

"Happy belated Birthday, Dear Niece." He nods, which I take as the cue to open the big box. I don't know how my face looked, but I'm sure I was smiling through it all.

(At least he hasn't commented on my hair…

YET.)

And my Dad and Uncles were grinning from what I could see at the corner of my eye.

["LOOK AT HOV HER VACE IZ SPARKLING!" Iva-san clapped both hands together, smiling ear-to-ear. ]

Opening the box is easy, but getting out the thing inside the box is hard. I have to stand on my bed to open and get whatever it maybe, out. I carefully moved out of Dad's lap, and I readjusted myself to get out the item as I kinda flopped and hit my back against the wall. It sounded bad, but it wasn't really all that bad.

I said I was fine, before pulling out the huge item from the box, this time with success.

Lo and behold, I have now obtained a life-size teddy bear.

I didn't know that there were life size teddies for sale…then again, Perona has some…wait, where did Uncle Mihawk get this from?

"Woooooow, I LOVE IT!" A black nose, an adorable bandana with swords on it around it's neck, and one ear has a..gold? earring on it. I love the eyes, as reflected the gold iris really stood out.

I jumped off the bed, nearly tumbling down and barely catching myself as the bear is bigger than my small self, as I went to give my Uncle a hug. I set down my bear on Dad, one part payback for eating all the cookies earlier in the week, and then another part for showing my hair to Uncle before I got to show it to Uncle Mihawk.

But Dad looks happy to have my bear though…eh, he does like to cuddle.

I give Uncle Mihawk a hug, not a long hug that would drag on, but also not a short hug that makes it look like I'm running from the plague.

I don't look up to his face, so it made me wonder why my Uncles and Dad were going, "Awww," with some snickering here, there and when I did look up and pulled away, they stopped. And Uncle Mihawk had the same neutral expression on his face, like usual.

[ "HOW THE HELL?! STOP STEALING MY NIECE! I WAS HER UNCLE FIRST!" A certain Buggy the Clown screeched from his seat, with Alvida and Galdino trying to calm him down and get him back into his seat.

Mihawk didn't pay him any mind, just stating calmly from his seat, "too bad you lost your Den-Den Mushi, Red-nose-san."

It took a while for Buggy to stop screeching, and then it took a while for everyone to calm down in the galley as Buggy was screaming for Justice…

Murder…

And Vengeance.]

"I guess it's time for all of us to give you our gifts too!" Dad exclaimed happily as he got up from the bed while holding the teddy like before. The teddy was facing in front of us, kinda like how a dog gets picked up by the armpits and moved, with him setting it down on my bed.

The thought of 'What am I going to name this big teddy bear?' passed my mind when Dad, Uncle Yasopp and Uncle Benn went out my room, leaving Uncle Roux and Uncle Mihawk still with me.

I'll just move the box off my bed and –

"I'll take care of the box Astrid," Uncle Roux took it, and now it was just Uncle Mihawk and I.

I fix up my bed real quick, with my Uncle now situating himself on my desk chair as I fold and put the blanket in the blanket basket. I move the teddy bear so that it wouldn't take up that much space on my bed as Uncle broke the silence.

"Dear niece, your hair looks like the night sky." Uncle Mihawk stated, as I sat on the bed.

"I woke up like this today, it doesn't look bad, or horrible, right?" I see some stars twinkling in my bangs.

I hear him chuckle, "not at all, and if anyone says otherwise, I'll slash them down myself."

I nodded as I smiled at him, ready to ask questions like, 'how has he been?', 'did Marines give him trouble?', 'is my stance okay for this sword strike?' among other questions before Dad and my Uncles barged back into my room.

With gifts.

It looked like they were going to set it on the desk, until they saw Uncle Mihawk sitting there, so they decided to set all the boxes on my bed.

"Choose one, choose one!" My Dad looks more excited than me to get gifts, making me smile at the thought.

I choose the smallest one, which looked to be in a watch box? It's small enough to be a watch. But inside wasn't a watch, but a compass. I turn it around, to see the engraving in beautiful hiragana, 'So You'll Never Lose Your Way', with my initials in romaji as 'G.D.A.', and the last thing engraved was 'from Uncle Roux'.

I turned it back to the compass part, admiring it as I smiled brightly at him, "THANK YOU UNCLE ROUX!" storing it into my arm before I ran over to him to give him a big hug. He patted my head as I let go, and I turned back around to open the next gift.

I got the second smallest gift, which looked to be a decently sized box. I sat down on the bed, with the box in my lap as I opened it, to reveal a small teddy bear. One that I can pick up freely and carry around with ease. It had a red bandana around it's neck, and pretty gray eyes.

"So cute," I whispered out, as I looked at everyone again, with my Dad saying, "that's from me."

"THANK YOU DAD!" I didn't let go of the bear, as I went to hug/cling onto him, him patting my hair as I let go and went to open the last present.

This one, well, this present. I don't know what exactly it is, but it seemed a pretty decent size. Big, but not too big, and small, but so small. It was a medium size.

Sitting on the bed once more, I opened this one with the box to the right, right next to me. And inside, there was…guns… one was a rifle looking gun, and the other was a pistol looking gun…

I…woah…they look…wooooow…I touched the rifle first, not really picking it up as I don't know if they are loaded or not (probably not, but better to be safe than sorry), then the pistol.

"Astrid, try holding them." Uncle Yasopp was kneeling, eye level right in front of me, as Uncle Benn took the space to the left of me.

Uncle Benn started out, "this one here," with him holding up the rifle looking gun with his left hand, "is called a flintlock rifle and the other," holding the pistol looking gun in his right hand, "is called a flintlock pistol."

"Bennnn, let Astrid hold them," Uncle Yasopp whined as he looked up to the first mate. I was handed the flintlock pistol first, amazed how much lighter it is than what I expected. I am being very careful to not aim it at anyone, or touch any of the mechanisms on it.

I set it down beside me, when I get handed the flintlock rifle next, this is a bit more heavier, but I can manage with holding it.

I'm speechless, as I never expected to receive guns before…much less as a ten-year-old kid…wasn't Doflamingo pretty young to get a gun? Hmmm, food for thought.

I put down the rifle, before I give my Uncle Yasopp a hug, and when I let go, I turn around rather abruptly, probably startling everyone before giving Uncle Benn a big hug too.

I'm not going to cry, I'm not going to cry, I'm not going to cry….

But my Uncles and Dad gave me something…they gave me these as they trust me, and they care about me, and that they think about me, and…and…

"THANK YOU!" I blurt out as I let go of Uncle Benn.

[ "She looks like she's about to cry." Robin chuckled good-naturedly. ]

"We begin training tomorrow," Uncle Benn said as he smiled and started to pat my back, "be prepared."

I nodded my head vigorously as I tried very hard not to succumb to what I felt was me about to cry.

I smiled, as I was about to start asking questions to Uncle Benn and Uncle Yasopp about the flintlocks when Dad said, "Astrid."

I looked at him, with his face looking a bit more serious now.

"I think it's time we told you something important."

– Thirty Minutes Later – 11:30 AM –

It wouldn't take long, as Dad went to grab something as everyone stepped out of the room, saying that they'll be coming back in when they have everything they need.

It makes me wonder what Dad wants to talk about? Do my Uncles know what he wants to talk about? Is this why they are unfazed about everything?

I set both bears at the corner of my bed next to my pillow, I put my new compass on my desk, and then both guns have cases, so my Uncles brought them to me so I can store them properly in my arm.

There was a gentle knock on the door, me telling them to come in, when they all held a variety of serious expressions on their faces.

What is this conversation going to entail?

Dad decided to sit next to me on the bed, Uncle Mihawk taking the desk chair (he has practically claimed it as his chair at this point), Uncle Roux took my stool from my closet to sit near the middle, Uncle Yasopp taking the blanket basket to sit on, and then Uncle Benn taking the chest on the foot of my bed to sit on as well.

As soon as they were all situated, that's when we started anew.

"Astrid, you were a young baby when you were found, drifting in the waters from the entrance of the New World towards your Grandpa's ship in Paradise." He started off in his seat, "with you developing unique powers, not tied down to the ocean like devil fruit users as you've been growing up."

I nodded, this was something I have wondered about, but I never knew that Dad had answers…

"Astrid, you are what is called a Child…the 13th Child, to be specific. Do you know what that means now?" I looked at Dad, he said…now…he asked me this before?…

Does this have to do with getting memories of my past life back? Do they know that too? What does it all entail?

"I have more of an understanding of what it means to be a Child now than I did before my 10th birthday…to be honest." I nodded slowly, thinking that the truth will set me free.

I chose to remain hopeful.

[ "She's playing with her hands…" Koala mentioned. ]

"I don't understand fully what it means, but what I remember, is that…it's not good…but not bad…" I feel my face scrunch.

"No, no, no, it's not bad at all Astrid," Uncle Yasopp tried to reassure me, waving his hands in a placating manner.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in. Breathing….regularly again.

"I can't explain much, I only have so much information myself," Dad continued on, with him motioning towards all my Uncles, "and your Uncles know bits and pieces as well."

I nodded my head, thinking how I'm going to explain some things, and how we are all going to go through everything together.

"Would you think any differently of me if I said that I remember my past life…and how I died…then?" I looked to the side, kinda just, avoiding everyone's eyes.

[ "Ahhhh, Lil' Sis…." Franky whispered, covering his mouth. ]

My Dad and Uncles were silent, until my Uncle Mihawk broke the silence.

"Nothing would change how we think of you if you did, dear niece." He stated, like it was a known fact.

After a brief pause, that's when I started.

That's when I started to explain my past life, omitting the manga to anime adaption of One Piece (I'm not going to freak anyone out with my knowledge just yet, that's a conversation for another day), what I remembered, and finishing off with how I died as well as meeting two individuals before being born again.

I took pauses here and there, with the reassurance that we had time, and once I finished my story, welp, everyone had something to say.

"If I ever meet this Steven, I would like to have some words with him." Uncle Mihawk looked…like he was slighted by the man in question? Blood to be shed? Duels to be fought?

[ A certain Bushy-Brows in the galley ignored all the stares directed his way, as he continued to watch and monitor along. ]

Uncle Benn took a drag of his cigarette before taking it out of his mouth, "you've been through a lot," exhaling the smoke before he continued, "and that's why you looked so tormented the day after your birthday."

I was about to refute him, saying I wasn't tormented and that it was just a confusing turn events of one day just being a 'regular' ten year old, and then….my world is turned upside down by remembering my past life.

And that this current life may or may not be based on a world renown-manga that has a popular following. To the point that it has a TV…adaptation….

When Dad brought me over to give me a hug, just unable to-to respond back. A long, big hug that I appreciated with all my heart.

I AM NOT GOING TO CRY AGAIN, I SWEAR!

Pulling away from the hug, Dad and my Uncles started to explain what they knew of Childs'.

"Ryuzaki Tenka was the 12th Child, part of your Grandpa's pirate crew before he had to leave. He turned himself into Marine custody, from what I heard, he made a deal with the World Government so that the crew could be left alone for a while." Dad started out slowly.

Uncle Roux continued on, "everyone has heard of Childs', some believe they are ghost stories said to children so that they can behave, others believe that they are saviors, some believe that they are deities or demons and others don't acknowledge their existence even when they are being stared down in the face by one."

Woah…that's something to take in…one of the potential reasons that I have to hide my mark? And maybe also my hair now?

"A Child, from what I heard, has a mark showing they are one, bestowed by the Gods. A Child will eventually hold immense power, and that they hold one.

Dire.

Weakness." Uncle Mihawk wasn't looking at me, but glaring at Dad.

[ "OHHHHHH! SOMEONE'S IN TROUBLE!" yelled someone in the back ]

I have a weakness?

That was were Dad continued on, "Your weakness, from what we can all see, is that you sleep for one whole day out of every month…and you've never noticed it by now…" Dad was looking at the ceiling, before he looked at me from the corner of his eye to only look at the ceiling again.

I nodded my head, thinking back to the times I felt like I slept like the dead, or a log, or that I had been so tired one day then seeing that I'm fully refreshed and finding we are docked…when it was suppose to be another day till we reached an island.

They kept it from me…do my siblings…friends know? Who else knows? Does each Child have the same, or different weaknesses? What can I do to defend myself? Not sleep? Just what…

Dad grabbed my attention again, "I told your friends and siblings to not worry, that it was something that happens, and to not tell you," scratching the back of his head as he continued, "I didn't want you to be fearful of sleeping, or to have any worries when I knew, we all knew, that we could still keep you safe."

I nodded my head slowly, satisfied with that answer…

..for now.

"Also, I was given this by your Grandpa's when we went our separate ways. It was with you when you were born. I'm not going to lie to you, but your Grandpas', your Uncle, and I have all tried to read the book, to no avail." Dad now handed me a beautiful, brown leather booklet. On the front held the name Margaret, in English cursive, and turning it on it's back held, 'To Astrid' in English cursive as well.

Ahhhh, so the book is in English…and since this world depends on Japanese, except for some words taken from other languages….

It makes sense why no one would be able to read this book here…except for me.

Welp, not like I'm going to divulge in it's contents now though, if there is useful information…

"Lastly, from what we all known about Childs', is that their abilities come at a cost. That cost has differed from Child to Child, according to all the rumors, myths, and legends. The World Government will be after you once knowing your existence, the Celestial Nobles…," Uncle Benn made a scrunched up face before composing himself and continuing on, "then the people on islands would try something if they found out a living legend was actually real. That's why, we all want you to have the tools necessary to succeed in whatever situation you find yourself in." He finished with a drag of his cigarette.

I nodded, understanding that, me learning how to defend myself, how to use swords, how to shoot in the upcoming days, hand-to-hand combat….every single thing is for a reason.

I fought with Dad for him to teach me at first, maybe he just wanted to protect my innocence for a bit longer?...I don't know, and now I get that feeling that…things are going to be a lot harder from now on.

Everything went like a blur after we all talked.

Lo and behold, another pirate ship wanted to sink us and get our treasure. We all fought, we won.

I really did want to celebrate with everyone, to be part of the party after everything was safe.

But I need to know what's in that book.

And later that night, I would be by myself, retiring early, as I would be figuring out the writings from the Assistant to the guy in charge of the program, and that my work is…

My work is going to be a pain in the ass.

– 11:45PM –

Opening the book, the pages were worn, and on some pages I could tell it had taken a dip here and there.

And everything…it wasn't written in Japanese…it was written in English.

On the very first page, it held a date: September 8th, XXXX to a different date, but it was scratched out. Is this a premonition for the future, or is this a reminder of the past?

The second page held a neat table of contents.

The first section held, 'A Child: What are YOU Now?'

The second section made me think it was a joke, until I realized, yeah, it wasn't a joke, as it was, 'The Things that WANT to Kill You, a Helpful Guide!'

The third section was, 'A Guide to Your Powers, and How to Get New Ones!'

Underneath that title, indexed in was, 'That Guy is an ASSHOLE, How to Deal with "Gifted" Powers.'

Isn't all my powers a gift from…the Gods?...wait, she did mention this before.

I just don't remember all the finer details, hopefully something jogs my memory.

And the last section that was written in was, 'Your Story'.

Hmmm, if I were to write everything down….it wouldn't be that bad…

Right?

I guess it's time to start reading, so here goes nothing!

Section 1:

A Child: What are YOU Now?

The history of a Child goes before the Void Century, with only, now currently 13 Childs' to exist. Each Childs' story and history has been lost to time, the changing climate and people on islands. The movement of the world, the Gods, and the World Government have all played a part in erasing the history of Childs' existence, so that they are mere legends. And if people get too close to the Truth, then they are often shunned, enslaved, and killed before others learn this Truth.

Each Child has a story, hidden away, buried so that another Child could find it and bring it back to 'that' place. The Gods made a deal with the Third Child so that each Child can go to that place in the *water spilled* W-s- -l-u, e–n if a Chi–d w-r- to -e- far *water spill ends* there is no guarantee of their safe passage there.

Childs' are referred to as Beloved Children by those who look at them positively, and by those negatively, often Cursed Children. A Child can bring death and destruction, as well as light and hope to the world, like anyone else, but due to the power bestowed to them by the Gods. With a Child not being cursed by the sea, they are mainly self-sufficient, with the caveat of a small weakness. This small weakness stems from their past lives respectively, with each one being different.

No Child can eat a Devil fruit. Devil Fruits will tolerate Childs', but since there are conflicting powers at play, no Child can take on a Devil Fruit's powers. A Child embodies the will of the Gods, and the fruit embodies the will of the people. Hence why a Child can swim, and the people who choose to eat a Devil Fruit end up being cursed by the sea (for they have committed a taboo). There are new Devil Fruit's appearing each day, and if a Child were to try to eat one, they would disappear to the ends of the world, or be transferred to a nearby fruit.

The Gods often see Childs' as a spectacle and a means of entertainment. If a Child were to get out of line, the Gods have a means to make them go to the 'right' path (see Section 2, Paragraph 3 for more details). Each Child has a volunteer God as their handler for their transition, and continue habitation of their new world/dwelling. Depending on the circumstance, each God has different approaches to dealing with their charges besides the one in charge of the program (A-Grade Asshole). Sometimes, different Gods come upon the world to bestow blessings or gifts to Childs they fancy/have taken a liking to, as to give them a better chance of their survival. The most blessings a Child has received from different Gods not part of the program are six. It is often frowned upon that different Gods bestow such gifts, often entailing the one in charge of the program to punish the Child instead of the God (DON'T GET CAUGHT!). It is often considered taboo for volunteer Gods to mingle too much with their charges, often leading them to be lax in each case that a Child may encounter. If a God were to interfere more than is considered the norm, they will be viewed as a biased party, they will not be removed from their position, but will suffer consequences if other Gods put she/him to a vote. If all Gods can come to a consensus, *water spilled, making the last bit illegible*.

xoxoxoxooxoxox

Section 2:

The Things that WANT to Kill You, a Helpful Guide!

The world is unforgiving, even more so if you are a Child! Villagers on some islands hold the tradition that it is taboo for a Child to set foot on an island, leading them to be killed. The World Government, if presented the opportunity, will go to any lengths to obtain a Child. Many customs have changed for the protocols of the World Government, and the Celestial Nobles view have shifted for Childs', so be wary. Marines often shoot first, ask questions later in regards to Childs', and Childs' have made many enemies, who have left successors to finish the 'job', in killing a Child.

Islands: the fauna and flora, are more often than not trying to kill people on a 'good' day. This world allows only the strong to survive, and the rest to sink. Ancient civilizations that many have not found hold many traps and hidden wonders. You will soon discover that this world isn't like the one you knew from your past life, nor fully like the wonders of One Piece. (Yes, we are aware we sent you here, I at least wanted to give you a chance. Luckily that guy doesn't know that.) Knowledge is power, strength is also power, so gather both to ensure that you don't fall from different islands' climates, and embrace different cultures.

Lastly, the Gods can also play a part in wanting to your demise. If you were to get on the wrong side of a God, besides already having a target from that guy, then they will also cause you misery. AND he'll allow it. Gods can bring blessings and curses, so exercise caution in interactions with potential mystic beings. More often than not, some Gods don't intervene, and become complacent to what that guy is doing, which is often worse.

xoxoxoxooxoxox

Section 3:

A Guide to Your Powers, and How to Get New Ones!

In total, you will be able to choose ten powers in your lifetime, with a certain amount of powers being bestowed by that guy and management. The three powers you have already chosen will already be usable before and after reading this book, while the rest of the powers that you can choose will be available at random ages until all of them are unlocked at twenty-one years of age. Furthermore, since you have decided to store said powers in tattoos, you will have to receive a tattoo for each new power that you have chosen. THE POWERS BESTOWED BY THAT GUY DON'T NEED TATTOOS.

The first power that you have is the 'Space Storage', in correlation to how much weight you can carry, that equals the amount of weight that can be stored in your arm. Only items can be stored in there, no human, fishman, skypeian, giant, or anything of that nature can be stored in the 'Space Storage'. Overtime, you can develop that power to have more capabilities that can meet the eye.

The second power is the 'Tri-Staff', to invoke, just put each hand on the X's, and the staff should appear. With this staff, your powers have already been decided as I am writing this. Randomly bestowed to you, at the age of ten, you receive nullification, purification, and healing from me. With these three powers, you will have to figure out how to use them to the best of your abilities. There is a time limit to use the powers each day, I just can't tell you the time limit. You'll have to figure that out powers are as simple as the words they are attached with.

Lastly, you will have to contact Steven for all and each new power you want/need. Powers are mandatory, so even if you may not want one, you will have to make one regardless. The time limit to setting all of your powers is when you turn twenty-two, so choose wisely, but keep in mind that time flies faster than one thinks.

xoxoxoxooxoxox

Subsection A:

That Guy is an ASSHOLE, How to Deal with "Gifted" Powers.

Be wary of gifted powers, as those often are bestowed to mess with Childs'. A Child can't choose these powers, and have had to work around them to protect their sanity and physical forms. These powers pop up randomly, so don't be too surprised about gaining a new ability that interferes with day-to-day life. Luckily, there is a set amount of abilities that guy can bestow, and I'll be able to tell you when he is done.

P.S.

I wish you all the best on your travels and adventure, so have FUN in your new life.

After reading all of that, I just needed to lay down.

To change into my pajamas and lay down.

The last section held that I could write in it.

And no matter what may happen, I'm going to make the most of everything…

Yeah.

YEAH…

YEAH!

Say what you will, but I will not only survive, BUT I'M GOING TO THRIVE!

LET'S A-GO! GIVE ME ALL YA GOT WORLD!

[ Location: Mobey Dick, various other vessels; Sailing to a CERTAIN ISLAND; Near-Noon; 2nd Day]

"I still have choice words to talk to you about." Mihawk called out to the Bushy-Browed man as things sped up in the video Den-Den Mushi.

"All in due time though," the other man called out from the front, smiling at the thought of it.

He hadn't a worry in the world about it.

On the screen, it showed the intense training the day after, with Astrid being gifted her guns from her Uncles. It was amazing how she was taking in the lessons, as she wielded both rifle and pistol rather well for a first timer. The new tips that she got from her Uncle Mihawk were also being incorporated into her swordsmanship, added with the close combat techniques that she has learned in her first and current life. Then, there was the use of her new staff….she showed it to her Dad and Uncles, and started her training with that as well.

The staff that was gifted to her from Margaret…Astrid was getting the hang of summoning it, just have both hands touch each respective X, skin-to-skin, and 'ta-dah', it's there. The first time she tried to heal someone with a small cut, she wasn't able to do much. It wasn't until she understood that she had to have the 'will' to heal, or the intention to make someone better, that she could actually use her power…

And apparently, there was a time limit…which was about two hours, give or take. How did she figure that out? Through the purification of food… If something looked like it was going to go bad, she would purify it, with her doing the same thing for healing, she would 'will' herself to purify. The amount of trial and error was something she poured hours into in order to understand how to purify something.

No one could tell anyone else otherwise how hard Astrid worked in order to understand her capabilities. It was rather amazing that the hair, well the bangs that already held stars and shaped her face, would change color when she used either of those two powers. A light emerald green for healing, and a pure white for purification, but it was unknown for nullification.

The nullification power, Astrid felt, was something that involved devil fruit…how? She didn't really know or understand, everything felt overwhelming, but nullification was something she'd have to practice later. Nullification, if Astrid believed in that gut feeling, was going to turn the world of many upside down.

Lastly, the video showed that a week later, Astrid, her Dad, and Uncles bidding her Uncle Mihawk farwell.

Hardwork and dedication….

Astrid still put hardwok and effort into her hobbies, she was growing at an accelerated pace.

Her art was taking leaps and bounds, her music was becoming more refined. She still wants to get a drum set, and potentially get a bass, from what they could all tell.

There is still so much she wants to do, and still, time is sometimes given and taken away.

"OIIIII, BUSHY-BROWS! WHEN IS BIG SIS GOING TO MEET MORE OF US?!" Luffy yelled from across the galley, with Nami and Usopp trying to calm him down.

"Very soon, Strawhat, very soon," the Bushy-man wiggled his finger in a teasing manner, causing the younger to frown.

"THEN GET ON WITH IT THEN!" Kid nearly had a vein nearly popping out, as Killer just thought, 'she was my elder sister first…'

And the Bushy-Browed man knew that the tipping point was going to be soon.

[ Location: Sailing, Red Force; Still in Paradise; October, 1st - Astrid: 10 years old ]

Well, the day was like any other…

Beat fellow pirates, get treasure, sink enemy ship, and then leave!

And little to our knowledge, there was a special gem in the big, red treasure chest.

A darling little girl, with red and white hair. The red on one side, and the white on the other.

I barely shared a glance with anyone as everyone else was in shock, before I grinned.

I have a little sister now…

This…changes some things, but I always wanted an adorable little sister…at least, one that likes me.

She looks so cute and adorable, with the brightest violet eyes, she shines in the middle of all those jewels. And I can only wonder..why was she in the chest in the first place?

Ah well…it's a bit too late to ask the other pirate crew now…she's ours now.

I knew that Dad would have a secret (love) child, my One Piece ramblings and so on from the first life, but to think that I would have won that bet with Jerry nearly made me cackle.

I was found in a basket, she was found in a treasure chest, and I have to say, she most certainly is an adorable treasure.

A cute, stunning treasure that must be protected at all costs.

While everyone was discussing on what to do, I reached out to hold her.

She tried to go for my glasses, but I kept on adjusting her so that she was just out of reach. It's all good, not going to accidentally break another pair of glasses because of another reason of being reckless.

Yup, I'm smitten and I only had her for a second, but if something were to happen to her, I'd hurt the other person in kind and go overboard….

Something like that.

I get that feeling that this is the start of a lovely and somewhat worrisome relationship that is about to transpire.

[ Location: Foosha Village; Dawn Island; East Blue; November 11th - Astrid: 10 years old ]

Back at it again with us being in the East Blue.

Time actually flies by, I never found a..uh…great opportunity to be like, 'surprise, this world may or may not be the amazing creation of one Eiichiro Oda's – the legend himself – One Piece manga' because I don't have all the information I need to conclude the events that I know from the manga have come to pass…or will come to pass…

I would like to remain optimistic, I really do…I want to believe that maybe – just maybe, some events don't come to pass.

Like the Buster Call of Ohara…

The Burning of Flevance…

Nami's hometown under the rule of Arlong…

Grandpa Oden's…execution…

Vinesmokes…

Ace's….

I need more information, and I'm finding that the news articles…are.

Not.

It.

One says, 'The Look for a New You!', another saying, 'What New Musicians on the Grand Line Have to Say About…', another being a cooking column for housewives, another with a plea for new models for one agency in Sabaody, among other articles….

But wait….

There's an advertisement..for…Sora…WARRIOR OF THE SEAS!

SORA!

[ Law had wide eyes, just like Astrid, as she looked at the advertisement for Sora: Warrior of the Seas.

Some of the Heart Pirates chuckled, (Shachi, Bepo, and Penguin,) while their Captain glared at them to shut up. ]

SHHHHHIIIIIITTTTTTTT!

I NEED TO READ IT! I LOVE COMICS!

WAIT, I'M GETTING SIDE-TRACKED AGAIN!

WAIT! WE JUST DOCKED!

AND I BOUGHT A NEW DEN-DEN MUSHI FOR…!

ACEEEEE!

I scrambled up from where I was sitting with the paper on the deck, Uta being with Dad and Uncles, as I headed down the docks. I had a hat on, gotta be prepared for sun and hiding my hair.

I called out to my Dad and Uncles as they were at the bar, "I'm heading to the forrest!", with all of them shaking their heads fondly as I ran. Except for Uta, she looked like she wanted to run with me, but Dad wouldn't let her.

I kicked up dirt, I was rather adamant to get there as fast as I could, since I had to see my adorable-freckled-cheeky brother.

It wasn't long till I reached the forest, but I felt that something was off….

Until I looked back…and then forth once more.

The rustling of leaves, the quietness of the forrest… a stillness before…

SQREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

I ran, ran as far as I could towards the noise, as I was going to catch.

LUNCH.

And when I made it to where the roar was, lo-and-behold…Ace is there.

"ACCEEEE! YO!" I jumped in as I punched the huge boar to the ground.

I punched the bigger-than-the-both-of-us-boar to the ground…

I punched…the boar…to…the….ground…and it's knocked out…

Ain't anyone see anything from me, yet. Training is no joke.

"SIS!" Ace looked at me with the widest smile I've seen from him yet. It tugged at my heart at how adorable he looked.

Confirming that the boar is knocked out, I went over to Ace and gave him a big hug, lifting him from the ground as I squished our faces together and him acting a little like a feral cat.

I patted his head when I put him down, as he looked down and towards the boar. Tips of the ears tinged pink.

"Astrid…sis…what took you so long?" he pouted up at me.

I continued to ruffle his hair, as I responded back, "the seas are no joke Ace, the seas can be finicky and it has its favorites for travel." I nodded like a sage, imparting important knowledge to the younger.

And he huffed at me, as I chuckled and ruffled his hair once more.

I went over to the tiger, picking it up with ease, as I motioned for him to follow me. I started making idle conversation with him, about Paradise, the Blues, and what I've been up to. Giving him tips on better weak points for taking out a boar, or any other mammal. Lastly when we made it to a suitable spot to gut and cook the boar, I started taking out some stuff to get this show on the road.

– Cue the timeskip of gutting the boar, no one wants to hear that! –

"So Ace, how has everything been for you?" I was seasoning and cutting, as I worked on the main and side dishes for the both of us. Fry the meat with a teriyaki-style sauce, and make a vegetable stew, with some cheese as well as broccoli.

"Fine, boring." Ace was staring at the fire the last I saw.

I nodded, doing some more probing questions.

"Have you made any friends? Have you wanted to go to Gray Terminal? The other side of the island?" I said rather quickly as I started frying the meat in one pot and in the other pot I added vegetables into the stew.

He looked at me, and then back at the fire…before he sighed, responding back, "maybe? Gray Terminal sucks, other side of the island is weird."

I let out an affirmative "hmmmm", as I stirred the stew and flipped the boar meat.

Almost done…

And I remembered something, getting out the small Den-Den Mushi, ready to be used. I had already pre-written my number to hand over to Ace once more. I don't think he misplaced my number from the first time, but gotta cover all the bases.

"Here Ace, this is for you." I smiled at him, as he took on the small device – creature — communication device. I had to be careful, as he was on one log facing the fire, and I was on another log facing him.

He looked at me, and then looked at the Den-Den Mushi multiple times before he got up rather abruptly. Headed towards me, as he gave me an adorable-awkward-side-hug, which I embraced in kind.

What I didn't expect was for him to sit next to me…or to lean on me.

[ "OIIIIIIII! ACE! STOP HOGGING ASTRID-SIS!" Luffy called out to his brother in the galley.

"LUFFY, DON'T BE STUPID! THAT WAS IN THE PAST!" Ace pointed at the screen.

And before anyone knew it, Luffy was now clinging to Ace as they were causing a scene in the galley.

"THE BOTH OF YOU ARE STUPID, SO SHUT UP!" Kid barked out at the both of them as they passed by his table.

"Le lot ov yov make nize before I make yov!" Iva-san called out to the lot of them as Sabo and Dragon just looked fondly on at the situation unfolding.

Many others were edging them on, while others were looking exasperated, all until…

One last person actually shutting them up and calming them down, "NO MEAT FOR EITHER OF YOU IF YOU BOTH DON'T CALM DOWN!" Thatch put his foot down, as the rest of the cooks agreed, causing the brothers to close their mouths and sit down for the time being. ]

Ace and I were in silence for a bit, with him leaning on me, and I just continue on cooking. I felt comfortable, I would imagine him feeling comfortable, we both were in blissful silence. And honestly, I feel happy that Ace trusts me, and feels that he can lean on me. I feel even more happy that we can contact each other now, as I worry sometimes about him being on his lonesome for a long time…he is surrounded by adults and no kids his age…except for me…who is like, six years older than him?

"Neee, Astrid-sis…would your opinion change of me…if I were the son of a demon?" Ace started out slowly…dragging me out of my thoughts.

[ Everyone in the galley went silent, even the movement of dishes were not heard. ]

I didn't have to think about what I wanted to respond, as not even a second later I laid it to him straight.

"No, my opinion would never change of you, Mr. Portgas D. Ace, my darling younger brother. And if anyone were to make fun of ya, or try to pick a fight with ya, or anything in-between, I'll kick their ass." I stated matter-of-factly as I stirred the soup.

When I looked at him again, he was gaping at me with his mouth wide open, where a fly nearly entered it. I gently lifted his jaw from the ground so he could close his mouth, sure, as I patted his head again.

"Honestly, Ace, nothing is ever going to change my opinion of ya." I shrugged and took out the boar meat to a separate plate for the meat to be less oily. Going to have to add the sauce in a different, less oily pot.

The soup won't be burnt, but the first piece of boar meat will be, so gonna set that to the side for now…

"But-but," he looked to the side, before he blurted out, "I'M THE SON OF THE DEMON GOL D. ROGER!"

Without skipping a beat…

"Ah, he's my grandpa." I nodded, as I put more meat to fry, and took the soup off the heat of the fire. Ace wasn't leaning on me when he looked away, so I was able to get up with ease to put the soup on the table behind us. I'm very fortunate that I have pads that can hold heated items on the table I got out.

[ So many people did spit-takes on the mere nonchalance that Astrid was exhibiting towards Ace on the screen.

The freckled man in the galley, however, was laughing and blushing with embarrassment, tears in his eyes from remembering the conversation from all those years ago. ]

"WHAT?!" Ace was right next to me as I had put the soup down on the..what's the proper name?…a hot pad?..a trivet?...something of that snuff.

"Yeah…that's my grandpa…," I shrugged, as I continued, "I traveled with him before ya were born, on his crew as…an…apprentice? (mascot)?"

I looked at him as he looked at me with a mix of confusion, slight anger, and disbelief as he was opening and closing his mouth like a fish. He finally narrowed his eyes, before he said…

"Doesn't that make him…very old…if he's a grandpa?" Ace was really thinking about it.

I pondered a bit, till I replied, "Grandpa Roger is Grandpa Roger, I called him that because he is old." I nodded again as I made my way to frying more meat, Ace sticking to my side.

[ "GOSH DARN IT YA BRAT, IF YOU THINK ROGER IS OLD, THEN WHAT DOES THAT MAKE ME? SUPER-OLD?!" Whitebeard called from his seat as he yelled at the screen.

Some of the commanders were trying so hard not to laugh, hell, Shanks was trying not to laugh as Rayleigh was nearly busting a gut at the same table. ]

Ace nodded his head as he accepted my explanation, with him just deep in thought.

Cooking the last bits of everything, keeping the fire going for light, and then serving the both of us was a pretty easy task. Handing him a bowl of soup, and a plate of the now properly sauced boar-meat-teriyaki (new-recipe), he remained very quiet.

Ace was eerily silent for a long while, the only noise that could be heard from us was the clinking of plates, the flames of the fire, and the wildlife in this vast jungle.

If anything, I'm worried that Ace will tell me, 'how dare ya?!' or 'how can you call him grandfather!?' to even 'what does that make us?'...I just think of Ace as my adorable little brother, so I'd hate for him to think…that…this changes things.

What if Ace just throws a fit and never wants to see me again?

What if, after processing, he'll challenge me to a fight or something? What if I get…disowned by him… I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THAT! I don't know what is going through his mind! I'm no mind reader!

What if….

"Astrid-sis, nothing will change my opinion of you either. We're both related to that guy, so we gotta stick together, right?" Ace came to that conclusion after much thinking.

This surprised me about his maturity, and him not being like the manga small version of himself…well the version of him that met Luffy….But then again, I met him earlier, probably one of the first people that doesn't view him negatively, we bonded for a long while…He respects me, unlike the adults that are already in his life…

I nodded as I smiled at him, ruffling his hair as he smiled back at me.

I sure hope that this means that things are going to be better for Ace…I SURE HOPE SO!

I'm going to do everything in my power to protect this kid….

I'm his elder sister, and I'm going to do all in my power to keep him..relatively safe.

[ Location: Foosha Village; Dawn Island; East Blue; November 15th - Astrid: 10 years old ]

I'm taking Uta with me to meet Ace.

They are both small and adorable, so it should work out…well, I hope so.

Also, since I've been spending all my time with Ace, till Dad called me to come pick up Uta, cause she wanted to be with me, then I'm trying to remain optimistic!

It was when I met Ace at our make-shift campsite with Uta in my arms, he went, "WHATS THAT GROSS THING?!" As he just pointed at her, with his eyes nearly bulging out.

[ "WHO THE HELL IS UGLY NOW?!" Uta yelled from her seat, with Shanks laughing right near her.

Ace was laughing too, yelling out, "WE WERE KIDS! OF COURSE WE WERE LIKE THAT!"

"BIG-SIS WASN'T LIKE THAT!" Uta retorted back, blowing blueberries and making funny faces at him as some sort of taunt.

"BIG-SIS LOVES EVERYONE, SHE IS THE…what's the word…EPITOME OF 'TAKES EVERYTHING IN STRIDE!" Ace replied back, wiping away a tear.

Law chimed in, "She is the type to take everything in stride, just look at her." Pointing at the screen. ]

First off, Uta and Ace are precious…

I looked at him with so much joy, while he looked at Uta like she was a disease or something…I don't know how to describe this. Like she had cooties? I was expecting him to be kinda like this with me saying Grandpa Roger is my Grandpa.

Second, I just had to pat his head, as I handed Uta to him, with him looking even more confused and much more concerned than I've ever seen from him in all that I've known him. He tries to be careful, as his eyes are in a full-blown panic of trying not to drop her. He is amazed at something so small, but fearful because he recognizes he's stronger than her…

Third, I fell down, breathlessly laughing, as I heaved and my muffled laughter was let out to the world…

[ "Why does Big-sis not let herself fully laugh?" Sabo off-handedly mentioned as they all looked at the screen. Her laughter has always been like that, from before and after turning ten years old.

"The lass always said it was a mental thing, something just stops her from fully laughing when she does…" the Bushy-Browed man responded back, as they all continued looking at the screen. ]

The days like this are the ones where I just think that everything is probably going to turn out alright…

Having all the people I love meet each other, hope for the best, and try to do everything I can so that no one is left alone…

I gotta make sure, that somehow, someway, we all stay connected, even when we'll be apart for a while.

[ Location: Mobey Dick, various other vessels; Sailing to a CERTAIN ISLAND; 3pm; 2nd Day]

The Red-Haired Pirates stayed on Dawn Island for a long while…to where Ace and Uta were getting along rather swimmingly.

Ace recognized that Uta was like a younger sister, and that as an elder brother he should…toler–kinder, be kinder to her. He seems so happy to not have to change diapers, and is trying to be a good elder brother, with some shenanigans ensuing. Astrid was giving insight on how to take care of a toddler, that Uta is still using diapers so Astrid is the one that changes them. The young Uta on the screen would look so happy after her big-sis changed her diaper and fed her.

The Uta in the galley was so glad that no one was able to see Astrid change her diapers that well, the video blurring that part out, but everyone knows what happened via the sound.

Astrid continued her training, also training with Ace. Ace was taking to moves like a fish in water, and it made Astrid so happy that her younger brother can take to new moves at her pace. She would ask if he had any questions, some difficulties, or if she needed to go slower, but Ace took to everything and then some. Ace was fascinated with Astrid's hair, saying that it was like a night light after the fire burnt out, not leaving them in the dark. That left Astrid very happy, with Ace being so accepting of all the changes that Astrid had gone through. Everything was going great, and soon she had to prepare for her full day of sleep by going back to the Red-Force. Her conversation with Ace about it went like…

'Hey, Ace.' Astrid would start out, 'Did ya know about me sleeping' for a day?'

And Ace said, 'I just thought you were dead tired.' He shrugged as it was no big deal.

Astrid thought about it, and maybe could explain it, but then she didn't know how to explain things like her Dad and Uncles explaining things to her.. And before she could overthink…

'And I'd protect you from everything anyways.' Ace looked her in the eye, as Astrid would soon have her big-grin, that not only took up her face, but people could swear that there were flowers floating near her already stary head.

'AWWWW, ACE', Astrid would squish him in a huge bear hug, with Uta looking at them and wanting to be part of the action, with her trying to get Astrid's attention.

Things went by rapidly. And communication is key.

Keeping in contact with Holly and Billy, making sure they were alright with Holly saying something along the lines of, 'Billy is just acting weird, it's a phase.' Things were going well on their home island, and they were getting ready for the winter festival that lasted for the month of December.

Her dear Uncle Mihawk was doing well, he bested Marines and pirates alike, but Astrid could tell he was bored. Astrid talked about her powers, and being able to summon her staff better if she tears her clothes to better reach the X's. She was trying to find some way to better access that power, and she found that clothes inhibited her from summoning her staff. Her Uncle Mihawk responded with something along the lines of, 'Don't go around shirtless, Dear Niece. The majority of men here are fools, like Red-Hair.'

Astrid defended her father to the best of her ability, but even with the best defense, there was no swaying her Uncle Mihawk.

Astrid was learning a lot more medical knowledge to better utilize her healing power better, with the guidance of her Grandpa Crocus as a god-send. He was patient with her questions over the Den-Den Mushi, and he would ask questions to make sure that she had a good understanding of all that she was learning. Astrid was doing her best in learning how to heal others, either through her abilities or through regular medicine, so she wanted to put her best foot forward in getting a solid foundation from her Grandpa as well as the mountain of books in the Red Force.

Lastly, Astrid was able to talk with Killer, with certainty, that after they were done with their business in the East Blue, they would go to the South Blue. Astrid could hear Killer…whoop?...before he shuffled things around here and there. Astrid wondered what he was doing, but she never questioned it. Also, she would hear Killer groan that he had to leave due to his new friend banging on the door.

Then, the preparations for the holidays!

Astrid also made sure that each gift she had for the people that were far away from her would receive their presents in time, with paying the delivery/News Coo extra berri for safe delivery on the specified date for each gift.

It was the beginning of December when the Red-Haired Crew had to leave.

Ace promised to call Astrid once every three days. He wanted to remember her voice, ask for advice, learn new things, among other stuff that he felt he could confide in her as she was away at sea.

Astrid felt excited, everyone looking at the screen could tell she was excited for what was up ahead.

It's only when we don't expect the unexpected, that things become more interesting….ne ~

[ Location: South Blue; December 23rd - Astrid: 10 years old ]

"DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW!" Dad started out as we barely docked.

Uncle Benn continued, helping tie the ropes,"ON A ONE-HORSE OPEN SLEIGH!"

"DOWN THE FIELDS WE GO!" Uncle Yasopp and Uncle Hongou sang along.

Uncle Roux and Uncle Limejuice chimed in, "LAUGHING ALL THE WAY!"

"HAHAHA!" With the rest of the crew joining in for the last bit of the song that they wanted to sing.

Uta was with me, as I have become deputy caretaker for my younger sister. I have no complaints on that one, as I'm happy to be with her all the time. For now, Dad is sharing a room with her, but I have a feeling that Uta might end up sharing a room with me. Who knows, maybe she'll want a room of her own, have her own space to do things when she gets older.

When we docked, I could make out in the distance, even though my glasses were pressed to my nose, a wad of blonde hair and someone waving.

Killer did say something along the lines of, 'I'll be there when you dock. It's the same place as last time, right?'

Having Uta strapped to me, I yelled out to my Dad and Uncles I was going to see Killer, before jumping off the ship. It's not tooooo high, and I've gotten better at breaking a fall as well as sticking a landing! No broken bones anymore from jumping off the ship, thank ya very much, nor any injured adorable little sisters here.

I ran to where that speck of blonde hair was, on the hill of the town. This side of the island, anyone could tell, was hustling and bustling. I remember that last time there was certain places we, Killer and I, couldn't go, as Killer would say that we'd probably end up dead.

Lots of crime and violence if you end up in the wrong alley, I even heard that there was a Big Boss of the island, with little bosses for each region of the island. Makes me wonder who are the current ones, and what are they doing for public safety? Maybe just each man for themself?

I finally reached Killer, Uta strapped to the front of me, when he made a confused noise.

"YO KILLER! This is my little sister, Uta!" I had my left arm around her, while my right arm went up in greeting.

Killer started at her, and then looked at me, then stared at her again, then looked at me again, then did this back and forth before he actually says anything.

I readjust my glasses right before he starts talking.

Killer had a straight line on his face, before he said, "this is the little sister that you mentioned?"

I nodded my head, as I took her out and turned her around towards him. Uta was still not speaking much, but she would wave 'hi' and 'bye' to people that she got used to. (Like Ace).

I've and the crew have been coddling her and spoiling her a bit too much, probably because I've never wanted to be spoiled…I've usually said no to most things, or said I don't need something, and it would be better utilized for the crew…

For Uta, it's different.

I love her so much that I want to spoil her…spoil her rotten. Then the logical part of my brain just thinks that I need to make sure that she has self-discipline and good morals and she can do everything that she needs/wants to do when the situation arises….

She needs both..both is good.

And it's way better to get something for her than getting something for me.

I responded with, "that's right ~." As I set Uta to stand as I hold her hand.

Killer nods, briefly glancing at Uta, before he starts filling me in with all he's done and giving me tips about some recipes that he's heard about. From what I can tell, he's just ok with her, I hope that he makes friends with her tho…even though she is so young.

Uta and I walked alongside him, Uta in the middle, since she's the youngest, as I was on the right and Killer on the left. I asked him about how he is doing on training, reading, writing, as well as all the other subjects I've been mentoring him on from the last time I've seen him. Of course, we've discussed some things via the Den-Den, but there was an agreement that some things are better shown and talked about in person.

I wanted to train a bit with him, like how I've trained with Ace, and see how far along he was when we started approaching Killer's place. Someone was standing in front of the abode, reddish hair and a loose fitting shirt, and cargo style shorts. He looked familiar, but I couldn't place him.

I glanced at Killer, and I could tell he wasn't…amused? Overcome with annoyance? Hmmmm, not sure how to place this…

"Why is he here when you just get here?" Killer's voice was oozing annoyance. Like, 'why me?'

I try very hard to keep my expression cool, as this was something I was not expecting. I've never expected him….well, he probably has people that he doesn't want to hang out all the time? Is this his friend though? But friends sometimes need 'me' time….hmmm…

I restrap Uta to my front, with her smiling the brightest smile I've ever seen. Before Killer could say anything else, or even get to the door, I race on over there, not teleporting cause I don't want too much attention on my person. Stopping in front of the red-head kid.

"Hi! My name's Astrid, what's your name?" The kid looked startled by my sudden introduction, like he wasn't expecting someone so friendly to get so close so fast. His face went from startled to anger/annoyance, just as fast.

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!" This red-headed munchkin glared at me, anger very prominent.

I think about it, and just thought, "A resident of this universe. Definitely human, but not a badass human though."

He looked at me like I was crazy, ahhhhh, I said that out loud, didn't I? It could be worse…

I could hear running behind me, with Killer saying between breaths of air, "Astrid-sis, what are you doing?"

Uta was trying to get my glasses again, so I got out one of her toys, as I responded back, "Is this your friend you mentioned?" I pointed to the red-head.

I looked back at the red-head, and he seemed so familiar, but I still couldn't place on how he was familiar. I swear, some things are blurry on why I believe they are familiar. The red-head was looking at me like he had a revelation or something.

Killer, when I looked back at him, shrugged his shoulders as he didn't affirm or deny what I said. I'll take that as a soft yes.

"Nice to meet you, Killer's friend," I nodded to the red-head, as he continued to look at me. Probably analyzing me, along the lines of uncovering another? big secret, maybe?

[ "Kid, you really were surprised to see Big-Sis back then, huh?" Killer elbowed him.

Kid looked at Killer from the corner of his eye, as he was really invested in finally seeing screen him meet Astrid, "of course I was surprised, she was so happy and cheery, unlike everyone else on the island."

Killer nodded, just happy that his Captain/Best-friend calmed down when he finally showed up in Astrid's story. They stopped talking and continued to watch. ]

"So you're the person who taught Killer those finishing moves?" Killer's friend narrowed his eyes at me.

I just nodded, adding in, "yeah, I taught him a lot of stuff, and provided him guidance on his training." No big deal, just happy that I can help him grow stronger.

The small, red-headed kid looked at me with a growing grin, and a glint in his eye.

"Fight me."

"Nahhhh, I'm good." I turned back to Killer, facing away from the kid as I made my way to stand side-by-side to Killer.

[ Kid in the galley just looked as maniacal as the smaller version of himself.

The other people in the galley stole glances of him, as he looked eager at the events unfolding. ]

I heard a rush of wind, and ducked as a rock was thrown where my head was previously.

"FIGHT ME!" The red-headed kid growled, and a brief glance at Killer in front of me looked like he was ready to fight in my stead….he was starting to get angry himself.

I looked back, annoyed that a rock was thrown at me, even more pissy at the thought that it could have hit Uta. But I can't lose my cool that easily, not in front of kids that are younger than me…physically and mentally.

"Why?" I really looked at the younger kid.

He huffed, smirking, "cause I can't beat Killer, so I want to fight the person that trained him."

Ahhh, that makes sense. Still don't really feel like fighting, but it makes sense.

This kid probably won't leave me alone if I don't fight him, and looking at Killer, with how he's been groaning every time this kid comes over, he might always be challenging Killer every time they meet. And failing, failing a lot, if he wants to fight me. I could lie through my teeth and say I've become a pacifist, that'd be hilarious. Oh, oh, maybe say that I don't fight people that small, this kid is very short. But, then again, he looks to anger easily…do I want to tease this kid?

"If you want to fight me, then you have to beat me in a race." I stated, with Killer, from the corner of my eye, looking like I said something so darn unreasonable.

He's never beaten me in a race, henceforth, this red-headed kid has no chance.

The kid didn't even think twice, shouting out his agreement.

So the three of us go down to the area where Killer and I usually trained. It was a patch of unused land with debris around it. I grabbed the chalk that was on a chair we took turns taking breaks on, and made a line for the start, and then a line for the end, walking with Uta still strapped on me. I took a little bit of time, and I can tell the red-head was getting antsy with anticipation for the race.

I went back to the starting line, with me unstrapping Uta from my front and having Killer temporarily take care of her. I tell Uta, "no running after me, okay." I kiss the top of her forehead as she continues to play with her toy. I press my glasses to my nose again, as I get to the starting line.

"Took you long enough," the kid gruffed at me.

I ignore that statement, telling Killer to count us down to zero.

"3," Killer starts out, with me and the kid getting ready.

I glance at the kid beside me, thinking he is taking this very seriously, "2."

"1," I glance at Killer and Uta, right before…

"0!"

And we were off, and I was using everything I got. I ran like the wind, ran like there was no tomorrow, I ran with the will to win. Pretty soon, the red-head was eating my dust. No surprise there.

And I crossed the finish line with a yell of victory.

The red-head followed behind, winded from the race. A part of me felt bad.

Maybe I should fight him after such a fun run? Hmmmm.

The red-headed kid was right in front of me, looking like he wanted to bite someone's head off, just oozing anger and rage in such a tiny body. If the glaring was enough and the furrow on his brow, I can tell for sure he wasn't happy.

"Uhhh," I break the silence, "would you still want to fight?" I looked at the kid, thinking about how you can't underestimate your opponent, but at the same time, I'm probably going to have to hold back.

The kid, in question, spitted out in a voice laced in venom, "do you think I need your pity after you beat me in that race?"

I shrugged, without skipping a beat, "I don't pity you, I just think you're interesting," I pointed at him, "honestly, I didn't feel like fighting earlier, but now, I think I'm good for one bout."

The red-head glare could look straight into my soul, with how he was looking me directly in the eye. Was he searching for some hint of dishonesty, or was he looking to see if I would say 'sike', don't really know.

That kid just said, "no." He just turned away and left, going through whence we came.

Welp, guess I'm on bad terms with Killer's friend. Can't be friends with everyone, I guess.

XoXoXo 3rd Day With Killer XoXoXo

Everything had been going relatively awful. It's a surprise in itself, really.

After that race with the red-head, Killer, Uta, and I have been catching up, as well as training. I showed Killer my hair, and the staff. He was amazed, for starters, and when he thought I wasn't looking, looking at all the stars in my hair.

I teach Killer more of reading, writing, singing the Hiragana song as well as humming some songs that I remember. I don't outright sing, cause I feel that I sing like a banshee.

Even when Dad and Uncles say otherwise, that whenever they hear me sing something, or hum something, they think it sounds great! But I feel that they are just being nice.

Back to the bad tidings, bad tidings indeed.

The red-head has not only been messing around and playing pranks around Killer's place, but he is also demanding a proper duel…some examples of what he's been doing have involved paint, feathers, honey, foot traps, wire traps, booby traps, among other things that are scaled down to be non-lethal.

No one has come out unscathed, not even Uta, and she started crying a few times due to the shock of it all.

[ Uta yells from the other side of the galley, "WOW KID! YOU HAD NO MERCY!"

"SHUT UP YOU SPOILED DIVA!" Kid yelled barked back.

"SAYS THE GUY WHO KEPT ON LOSING TO BIG-SIS!" Uta was playing with fire.

"SAYS THE IDIOT THAT CLINGS TO BIG-SIS WHEN SHE'S SCARED!"

"SAYS THE FOOL WHO HURT BIG-SIS'S FEELINGS!"

"WHY I OUGHTA–!" Kid was getting out of his seat, with Killer failing to get him back in it.

Uta was getting out of her seat as well, not backing down in the face of confrontation.

Everyone in the galley was watching this unfold, even the Red-Haired Pirates, as they just hoped that they were going to...well…not use their devil fruit abilites against each other.

On the contrary, nope to the devil fruit abilities, they were going to do something that their elder sister taught them.

"Paper, rock, scissors?" Uta began.

"Obviously, your hands are too small and it needs a clear winner." Kid snapped back.

Killer go up from his seat, telling them that he would officiate the match.

They both nodded, and their two out of three game commenced. ]

If I indulge in a proper duel, this kid is going to get smacked to the other side of the island, hell, maybe to one of the other Blues…ya never know.

But on the third day, I just felt, if I do a proper duel, maybe he'll just 'Let it Go.'

Or he'll hate me for all of my life, one or the other, one or the other.

So a duel it is.

XoXoXo 3rd Day With Killer XoXoXo

In the late afternoon, everything was set up.

A chalk ring, Killer as the referee, Uta as a…spectator, and the red-head who I never got his name is here.

I asked the kid if he was going to use weapons, he said no, just fists. I nodded, thinking hand-to-hand combat it is.

Things will be fine…for the most part.

It's when Killer yells start, that I just go in there running.

No special abilities, no using any of my powers, just good ol' muscle and the techniques I've learned.

Left, right, jab, upper-cut, the kid had many openings, and I was doing the best to hold back.

It was only when I threw him out of the ring, that things went to hell.

The kid has a devil fruit…and it's one using metal…

I GUESS NOW OR NEVER FOR USING NULLIFICATION, HUH?

As soon as I saw him using what was probably a devil fruit, I got out my staff, and literally hoped that whatever I'm doing will translate to him not being able to use his devil fruit.

Yeah, it's not working. Cause he is still using the fruit…

Do I need to tap into a feeling, as I dodge flying metal, do I need to, I back-flip to a different pile as I try to close the distance, focus on him specifically?

Let's try that.

I focus on the kid, willing something to happen in regards to nullification, and before I know it, he falls down.

Huh, my hair becomes navy blue for nullification, that's cool.

And the red-head fainted, from what I can tell…..

Welp, I won, how about that.

XoXoXo 5th Day With Killer – Lunchtime XoXoXo

This kid….is just following us, with the demand for me to train him.

A part of me really wants to say no…

Another part of me wants to fuck around like how Ace chased me around in the forest, but this is more man-made terrain…so I can't use my abilities too much or I'll be caught, murdered, or worse.

Killer has been looking at me with a look that's a mix of 'what are ya going to do' and 'I'm sorry, but not sorry'.

His friend, if he calls him a friend, is now half my responsibility.

I gotta say, this kid is kinda adobra…oh.

Oh…no…

NOOOO, I'M BECOMING BRUCE WAYNE! HIDE YOUR KIDS, HIDE YOUR WIFE, THE BAT-DOPTION PAPERS! GAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

INNER TURMOIL! INNER TURMOIL EVERYWHERE!

How did I….how did I end up adopting random kids? I don't regret it, just, how did I end up adopting them all?

GOTTA CATCH THEM ALL!

I slammed my head on the dinner table that we were at, acting like a crazy person, as Killer lifted his plate in time for it not to drop on the floor. Uta had her own baby chair, so she was safe.

I'M AN EMBARRASSMENT–

MY, I started to run out of Killer's place, yelling at the sky while I proceeded to just run. Yelling and running, so cathartic, I tell ya.

I don't know how many laps I did, or if people were looking at me weird (they probably were), but after a solid hour of being reckless, I went back.

Killer was hand-in-hand with Uta, Uta patting his hair and saying, "Big-bror" which just touched my heart.

[ Uta just nodded her head from her seat. She and Kid had multiple ties before they stopped and become even more angrier, "Killer is my favorite elder brother."

Killer called back, "YOU'RE PRETTY GREAT TOO!"

"BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP!" Kid interrupted when Uta took a breath to say something else, and Uta would just save what she was going to say for later…

Which might actually be soon. ]

If only I had a camera, or a vision dial, or….if I ever become a master-level of drawing, I'll try to remember this day to encapsulate it forever in a work of art.

But back to the issue at hand…yeah…

I have a problem, and sometimes what anyone has to do is let the tide guide them to where they need to go. So, I'll just do that.

I'll take in the red-head as another….student?...nah, I would rather have him as a brother-friend. That seems better.

XoXoXo 5th Day With Killer – Late Afternoon XoXoXo

I sat the kid down.

Killer and Uta were also here, just that Killer was playing with Uta on top of the rug in the shared space.

Back to the red-head though.

I still don't know his name, and hopefully, I pray, I get his name sooner than later….unlike Killer, where he waited until the last second to tell me his name as we sailed away…

'Please, tell me your name', maybe if I project my thoughts, it'll be known somehow. One can only dream.

I start us off, "I'll train you," pointing at him, where his eyes widened as he held onto…his robot, "and you have to understand, I won't go easy on ya. You can ask Killer," I point to one of my many 'victims'.

I don't know what face Killer made, but the red-head grimaced, before shaking his head in agreement.

"Also," I continued on, with the kids' attention on me, "I'll be teaching you not only how to fight, but also survival skills, how to read, write, among other things. You'll even be able to contact me for advice and the like to, if ya want," I point to Killer once more, "that's what Killer and I do."

And I complete it off with, "of course, if you don't want to stay in contact, I'll also understand your decision to do so." I nodded my head once I finished my explanation.

[ Kid was just laughing in the galley, yelling at the screen, "AND THAT'S HOW I GOT AN ELDER SISTER!" with the biggest smile on his face as his crew looked at the screen with adamant attention.

Killer, Heat, and Wire already knew this, so they just nodded along.

Everyone outside of the crew, however, nearly sweat-dropped at how happy and out-of-character he was around the other crews.

But everyone was okay with it, as they continued on to see how everything was unfolding in her life. ]

The kid didn't think too long about it, soon he had a wolfish grin, sticking out a hand and saying, "deal."

We shook on it, as odd as it was, now that I think about it.

"I guess I should fully introduce myself," I winked at the kid as I stood up, "the names Guerra D. Astrid, it's a pleasure to officially meet ya."

The kid stood up in kind, introducing himself as well, where everything finally clicked, "the names Eustass Kid," he pointed to himself, "can't wait to suck you dry of everything you know, Astrid."

Ahhhhh, so he's…..welp.

I have my work cut out for me.

XoXoXo 60th Day With Killer and Kid – Morning XoXoXo

Training the both of them isn't bad, it isn't bad at all.

Kid is taking to combat rather fast, cooking is nearly edible, and he has a slight attitude, but does things when he understands the value of doing the thing.

I am pleasantly surprised with his treatment with Uta, trying to exercise patience with the youngest. Sure he nearly snaps, but I catch it in time and pick her up before he goes over the edge.

Killer has been getting better with a sparring partner, and they have been making some things into a competition to see who's better.

I'm glad that all of them are getting along so well.

[ "Big-sis has that face…"

The people that were truly close to Astrid in the galley all recognized that soft smile, that look of love, of adoration, as she looked on to the people in front of her in the video.

Not many people catch her when she has that look in person, but everyone who has seen it, recognizes it…

Appreciates it…

And most, most wish that look wouldn't leave so soon, as it leaves like how the weather changes on the Grand Line…sudden, and often, without warning…sometimes, without reason, besides the thoughts running rampant…in…]

Kid learned early on that I'm not normal. He isn't normal either. He has a devil fruit, I have abilities, we train against each other. I find it fun, Kid, from what I can tell, likes the challenge. He's been seeing how I train solo as well, and he always looks amazed, from the corner of my eye, on my swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat. I don't bring out my guns though, I'm still trying to be a better shot, but not in front of so many people.

Kid also learned early on about…my…condition. Killer was guarding the door, I had told Kid the other day I wouldn't be able to train. Uta was also taking a nap, from what I had been told. But Kid, he was insistent, wanting to see me. To where him and Killer fought, both not yielding on either end. They took it outside, as Uta was still sleeping. It was when Kid used his devil fruit, that he turned the tide. Killer wasn't knocked out, just in a tough spot from not being able to get up. When he finally got out, Kid busted the door to see me, sleeping like the dead…

It was a pain in the ass to explain, in a simplified version, that 'I'm not like the other kids,' because I'm a walking myth.

Kid looked at me with deep disbelief, like I had grown two heads, said the sky was purple, and that I had a third nipple.

Killer, on the other hand, just said, "fucking knew it." And left it at that.

I sighed, and then Kid would ask me other questions, before he was satisfied. It was then that it looked like some switch flipped in him, that he changed his mind towards a different goal?

He shows that he cares, just in his own way. And now to the main problem at hand…

We leave tomorrow…ophhh.

Never been good on soft goodbyes, but will try my best.

XoXoXo 60th Day With Killer and Kid – Afternoon XoXoXo

"YOU GUYS ARE WHAT!?" Kid is really aiming to bust my ear drums one day.

I respond back from my chair, "Uta and I are leaving tomorrow. Time to get back out to sea, according to Dad."

Kid…was literally twitching, a vein was sticking out on his head…I worry for him.

Killer tried to placate Kid, "Kid, we'll still have contact with Big-sis, she–"

"HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THOSE PEOPLE CAN DO A GOOD JOB IN PROTECTING HER?!" Kid started out, interrupting Killer as he went on, "BIG-SIS IS GOING BACK TO SEA, AND SHE HAS A LITERAL TARGET ON HER BACK, HOW DO WE KNOW THAT SHE'LL BE BETTER OFF WITH THEM?!"

I totally blanked out on whatever he said…as that is the first time…Kid called me Big-sis…he would call me, 'you', 'hey', or just Astrid.

"Look what you did Kid, you just short-circuited Big-sis." Killer pointed at me as I was sure I had my big grin encompassing my face.

Kid looked at me, pinching the bridge of his nose, as I added my two berri to the fray.

"I'll be fine, ya know." Kid and Killer both looked at me, "I've imparted the knowledge that my Dad and Uncles have taught me to the both of you." I closed my eyes as I continued on, "the both of you still don't hold all my secrets or techniques, hell, I'm still learning too." I wave my hand, before opening my eyes and look at them.

I really look at them.

"We'll be fine, and if anything were to happen, we'll find a way to find each other again, right?" I said as confidently as I could.

They both looked at each other, sharing a look, before looking at me.

"Fine," Kid responded back, only to add on, "if they do something shitty, let me know. I'll find some way to deal with it."

That's sweet, I appreciate the sentiment, but I don't think anything like that would happen. I just opted to patting Kid on his head, where he just let out a huff, but made no move to remove my hand from his head.

Killer just coughed, and I took this as the sign to pat Killer on the head as well. Two hands means two head pats, ya know.

It was when Uta tried to start climbing something, that I had to stop.

XoXoXo Time to Leave XoXoXo

Boarding back on the Red Force feels great.

We're back home, to the place that we have at sea.

Kid and Killer are at the docks, Dad knows of Killer, but Kid is new. When I introduced them, Kid's first impression was to have an ever-present glare and to say, "take care of Big-sis, or else I'll take her away from you."

Dad and my Uncles were very amused, to say the least, with the teasing starting on how I have gained such cute little brothers. I can't help but agree that, yes, they are all adorable.

We loaded everything, we hoisted the anchor, and fixed the ropes to set sail. At our time of parting, I could hear the both of them calling from the dock, running after our ship.

"BYE BIG-SIS!"

"TELL US YOUR ADVENTURES SIS!"

I waved back to them, Uta in my arms as she also waved to the two.

We continued to wave until they were specks in the distance, and we made our way to a different place…

A different time…

A different dawn…

[ Location: Mobey Dick, various other vessels; Sailing to a CERTAIN ISLAND; 5pm; 2nd Day]

"FUCK YA, SHE FINALLY MEETS THE BEST BROTHER!" Kid yelled from his seat.

Everyone else groaned, even Killer, Heat, and Wire, as Kid kept boasting about finally seeing his younger self meeting Astrid.

After calming him down, with multiple younger brothers fighting him about who was the best younger brother, everyone saw how Astrid grew over time.

Over the time period of two years, Astrid bloomed in her swordsmanship. Her Uncle Mihawk certainly believed so, as he started giving more compliments to the young swordswoman.

"That was better, Dear Niece" to even, "You have grown, Dear Niece," which made Astrid even more joyous.

Astrid has become an even better shot, even with having to use glasses, and her Uncle Benn and Uncle Yasopp were ecstatic on how great of a shot she has become. They have even said something along the lines of, "she could be a better shot than a swordsman…"

Within earshot of her Uncle Mihawk…

Shenanigans ensued, to where they may or may not have been chased by one or more swordsmen who believed in the opposite.

Her hand-to-hand combat was nothing to scoff at either. She kept her opponents on their toes with how fast she was able to disarm someone, with or without a weapon.

Uta learned how to talk! Astrid is so proud of her younger sister, and she wanted to train her…Their father, Shanks, on the other hand, wanted to wait.

Astrid and her father would butt heads over if Uta should be trained or not, and many of her Uncles had mixed feelings on the subject as well.

It was when Uta accidentally ate a devil fruit…that some type of training had to be implemented.

Astrid was in charge of Uta's regular exercise, and nullifying her devil fruit whenever she couldn't control it. Astrid would sing with her, as a means to calm her down and assure Uta that everything would be okay. Few people have heard Astrid sing, being her father, Ace, Kid, and Killer, as well as the Red-Force crew. Her Uncle Mihawk, even, would comment on how her singing was pleasant.

Astrid, on the other hand, just believed that everyone was being nice…since she is still a kid.

This Child had the thought of earning all the things that she wanted. It started out with Astrid saving up for, and finally getting a drum set. Then, she managed to buy a bass, and when her Dad and Uncles found out what she had bought…if they could have bought it for her or given these items for her on her birthday or even Christmas….

Speaking of Christmas, Astrid would send gifts to people far away for the holiday. Even on birthdays, she would make sure to send her gift to the recipient with time to ensure that they got it.

She is good at giving gifts, but not the best at receiving gifts.

On Astrid's birthday, she would receive books, a necklace with a picture inside of it of the crew, she even got earrings when she got her ears pierced. Her Uncle Mihawk beat everyone to the punch, because as soon as she pierced her ears, he bought her some wooden cross earrings. The earrings were small, and intricate in design, with her Uncle Mihawk saying, "never lose faith in yourself, Dear Niece."

The growth was in other areas as well, such as her art and her musical abilities. She was finally drawing the people that she loved with beauty and grace, capturing them in a loving light. Then her music showed so much joy and passion. Astrid would play spirited songs on any of the four of the instruments that she had.

Uta was even making songs at such a young age, and Astrid was always to help her out if Uta needed it. Uta would usually say, "Big-sis, let's become musicians together!" To which Astrid would nod, thinking of the possible future that she would have with everyone.

Staying in contact with everyone, hoping for a happy life, at least happier than her past life, and moving forward with everyone that she holds dear. Over the two years, Astrid lived a calm, peaceful life.

A life that would go a different way.

[ Location: Paradise between the West and North Blue; January - Astrid: 12 years old ]

Time goes by fast…so fast.

Uta is five years old now.

Killer and Kid, Holly and Billy, Ace, we've all grown.

I've been training diligently, hoping that maybe, just maybe, I can unlock Observation Haki. I have glasses, but what if they were to break, or someone were to take them away? I need to account for everything, now, more than ever.

I've been practicing my abilities, my teleportation is way better than before. I can heal people with more ease now, as I have a better understanding of how much 'will' I need, as well as purification. Nullification is harder to train, since no one on the crew besides Uta has a devil fruit.

Swordsmanship, marksmanship, and hand-to-hand are way better than before! I have to do better to not be left behind. My gut feelings, after so long, is calm. It's only when I'm with people who have dubious intentions that I feel like it warns me of something bad happening. I get a good gut feeling whenever I am with all the people I love and care about, which I believe to be some representation of everyone's feelings towards me.

We visit the Blues every so often, and then when we go to Paradise, we would see Grandpa Crocus on Reverse Mountain. Laboo is pretty cool too, and I feel bad for the poor whale. I don't know what to say to him to ease his mind.

I haven't seen Grandpa Rayleigh for a long time, and that made me wonder if he was okay. He usually coats the Red-Force when we want to go to the New World, but I'm guessing I was asleep the last time he coated the ship.

All my younger siblings and friends were asking me for advice when I called them, which I would happily oblige. Holly and Billy have made amends, with Holly saying, 'Billy is acting less off now'. Ace is doing great, and he wants to meet a friend of his that he made. I'm looking forward to that. Killer and Kid fight over who gets more time to speak to me when I call, and I somehow manage to calm them down before they get physical. They all worry me sometimes.

Sometimes, I wonder how Uncle Buggy is doing…I hope he's doing fine.

To the present, to the now, I was in my room. I was cleaning out all my stuff from my arm, having taken out my Den-Den Mushi, my book of Den-Den numbers, instruments, among other things that I felt needed to be cleaned and maintained. There was so much stuff, and I can't keep carrying everything forever, much less the amount of space I have. I may be expanding with how much I can bench press, but it was taking time to get stronger. I was putting back in my arm my swords, pistols, and instruments, also my two stuffed bears, when I felt the ship sway rather rapidly.

Too suddenly for anyone's liking.

I ran out of my room, doing my best to stay on the floor as the ship was rocking back and forth so much. Finally reaching the door of the deck, I slammed it open to see what was happening.

A sudden storm came in, and it was all hands on deck to make sure the Red Force didn't capsize or take too much damage from the storm.

I started helping out right away, managing ropes, moving barrels, among other things.

When we all heard a yell.

Uta was hanging on for dear life on the port side, and I just wondered why she wasn't below deck. How did anyone not notice her till now, what was I thinking? I'm the person that is usually after her, but she was taking a nap, the last I checked.

I ran over to her, yelling on the top of my lungs, "don't worry Uta, Big-sis is coming!"

I nearly slipped here and there, but all of the crew, except for Uta, had rope tied to their waist so that if they fell overboard, they could be hoisted up. I made it to her, grabbing onto her when the Red-Force swayed even more.

The wind howled, it was merciless, and the waves would reach the deck, making it even slipperier with the rain. We were heading back to the middle of the deck when the Red-Force swayed so forcefully, that some of us were no longer touching the deck.

Uta and I were airborne. I looked towards everyone struggling, then I see Dad, who was still on the deck, holding on, when I yelled at him, "CATCH HER!" Throwing Uta towards him.

For a second there, I thought he didn't hear me, but seeing Uta safely in his arms eased my worries as I was still in the air. It was when I was hanging overboard that I became worried for myself.

Then I heard a huge,

SNAP

I was fighting against the waves, barely hearing, "MAN OVERBOARD! MAN OVERBOARD!"

The ocean took me in, and it refused to spit me out, as I was taken under the waves as I fought to get to the surface to breathe.

It was when something came flying towards my head, that darkness overcame me.

[ Location: Mobey Dick, various other vessels; Sailing to a CERTAIN ISLAND; 7pm; 2nd Day]

Everyone looked at how Astrid was knocked out by a piece of flying wood from one of the fallen barrels.

She was taken under the waves, floating, adrift, when a mysterious mist took her in as the waves pushed her there.

The darkness around her never let up, as it soon became night.

It couldn't be seen how far she fully drifted away from the Red-Force, or where she was headed to.

Astrid floated, floated for a long while, before she landed on a beach, the water in her lungs being drained out from her mouth as she coughed weakly, never waking.

When two figures were looking at her from the distance.

That was when Steven stopped the video, and said, "THAT'S IT FOR THIS PART!"

And everyone argued, groaned, while others tried to wake up their friends that slept through it all. The usual suspects wanted to continue, but Steven put his foot down, only saying,

"In due time." Before he had to leave in a hurry, to someplace else.

– 2nd Day: DONE –

HELPFUL STUFF!

Astrid's Abilities:

Abilities to Confuse a Child:

- Teleportation

- Space Hair?

Chosen Abilities:

- Spatial Storage

- Tri-Staff from the X's

Call Schedule:

- Killer and Kid: Every other day

- Holly/Billy: Once every three days

- Grandpa Crocus: Once a week

- Uncle Mihawk: Once every four days

- Ace: Once every three days

A/N:

YO! DH here…WISHING EVERYONE DOESN'T GET MAD THAT I'M LATE!

Very, merry New Year, re-read some author notes and noticed I sound like a madman…

Had fun, lots of fun, resting and learning and all good stuff.

Probs will get call schedule wrong, so let's pretend I'm write….right….yeaaa…

I may have made this fan-fiction, but I also get confused at times too, whomp-whomp, sorry.

Can't wait for the next update, even though that depends on me…If only I can process the words of my mind on paper with proper punctuation.. A part of me was like…POST THE UNFINISHED VERSION!

BUT THE OTHER PART WAS LIKE! NOOOO! READERS DESERVE BETTER THAN UNFINISHED CHAPTER! ACCORDING TO MY SOFTWARE, IT'S OVER 50+ PAGES AND OVER 10,000 WORDS LONG!

All the best everyone! March/April for the next update if we're lucky…YOHOHOHOHO!

Peace, WITH A FIST OF LOVE!

-DH