//------------------------------// // Ch 5 - luminescence? // Story: The Swordsman // by lady Phoenix //------------------------------// I've got a question for you." Luffy said standing up. "Will you join our crew?" He said with a big smile. All of the crew was shocked into silence, even Robin. "WWWWWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHAAAAAATTTTTT??????!!!!!!" The Straw Hats shouted in unison, even Robin. "Hehehehehehehe" Luffy laughed aloud BANG!!!!! Suddenly Luffy's face wanted to hold a surprise meeting with the floor. Which had nothing to do with the big lump appearing on the top of his head. And the fact Nami had a frying pan in her hand. "HE'S NOT JOINING OUR CREW!" Shouted Nami & Zoro in unison. Luffy gingerly got up, slowly, groaning in pain. "Owwww Nami, that hurts!....... But seriously, he seems like a fun guy, and even has the body of one of the 7 warlords. That is just so cool! Besides he's in the same boat as we are, why ca.." "THATS BECAUSE HE'S ON OUR SHIP GENIUS!" Nami said after his poor Luffy again. "Besides this crew already has a swordsman". Zoro said after calming himself. "Whats the matter? Scared he will become better or is already a better swordsman than you are? I say we drop Zoro and have this guy as our swordsman" Sanj said slyly, whilst lighting a cigarette. And once again the pair start to fight each other, shooting insults and curse words at the other. "It really would be fun and awesome to be able to join the crew" Alex thought to himself. "I........ Errr....... erm....." But is what came out of his mouth, spoken like a true master of the English language. "Oh, come on, you've got to join us! It will be really, really fun you know!" Luffy said with a big smile, trying to convince the swordsman. "DON'T WE GET A SAY IN THIS! Think about it for a second Luffy. He might be like us, being a normal human before then turning into a character from the one piece universe. But the navy doesn't know that, the real Mihawk doesn't know that, no one but us knows that. What if they decide to come after him? And what happens if they see us with him?! W E'LL GET ATTACKED!" Said a scared Usopp, just trying to avoid potential threats, even if they have a low chance of probability. Luffy stood up, interrupting Usopp's speech. Grabbing his straw hat off his back, he placed it on his head. "I don't care about that stuff. The only things I care about is; Ace & Sabo, my friends, my hat and fun & adventure......... Oh and food" "I'm with Zoro & Usopp on this one, what do you think Robin?" Asked Nami looking towards her female friend. "I would admit, it would be fun to have him apart of our crew, and to see the said reaction of it. However...." Robin paused whilst thinking about something "However what?" Luffy asked breaking the silence. Robin sighed a little "Theoretically he could join us, but.... Would he be a permanent member?" "OFCOURSE HE WOULD BE! Why wouldn't he be Robin?!" Luffy asked. "Yeah, I think it would be SUPER!!!! if he joined our crew" Franky said before posing in his famous 'Super' pose. "Its just a thought but.... What if the dial that brought him here has a time limit? Will he go back or will he be stuck here? What if He personally has a time limit, that he can spend in another universe not his own? I've got to say, it would be interesting to find out. Let's just hope it doesn't cause a paradox or cause the universe to explode or of that nature". Robin replied calmly, but her little speech not going down okay with some of the crew. Those being Usopp, Chopper, Nami & Brook, all going white faced, with the exception of Brook. "The" Said Usopp "Universe" Chopper said after "May" Brook said "EXPLODE?!" The 4 scared being shouted in unison. "That or collapse into itself, creating possibly a black hole. Depending on which theory you believe will happen, if something happens when it should never have." Robin replied, with no emotion. CRASH!!!!!! Suddenly the boat halted to a stop, sending everyone crashing to the floor. "WHAT THE HELL?"" shouted Sanji, as he and the rest of the crew ran outside to see what had caused the sudden crash. Alex got up not longer after them, not being used to being thrown around the room as much as them. As he went past the door frame Alex could see the crew, just standing in front of him. Gawking at something. "Huh? Whats going on guys, what did we....ee.... crash into.... Whoa" "WHOOOA!!" Exclaimed Luffy "You can say that again..." Zoro said, trying to come to turns with what he's seeing. "So it's not just me, who sees this then..." Said Usopp. Out in front of the crew and Alex was an Island, but that isn't what has their attention at the moment. What does have their attention is the huge boulder floating in the air, giving the middle finger to physics. As it wasn't alone either, there were many other rocks, bits of debris and so much more, just floating in the air. They haven't noticed it yet, but the Sunny is also floating somewhat off the water, but a foot or so. The Island behind them looks mostly of fields, hills, trees, and so on, really peaceful like. The only side of civilisation is the big wall to the right which is made out of what looks like wood. But it's too far to say for certain. And to add to the view they were seeing, it's currently a beautiful sun and clear day today. "Well? What are we waiting for?! YAHOO!" Luffy jumped off the boat, not eve a little bit bothered about the view in front of him. "Erm Luffy.............................." Chopper started to say "...................." Luffy turned to Chopper, not even realising he turn mid-air and was still in the air. "What? What's wrong Chopper? Why are you looking at me like...." Luffy decided to look down real quick. Alex could almost see the gears in Luffy's head turning at full speed, to comprehend what he was seeing. "THIS IS SO COOL!!!! THIS IS THE GREATEST THING EVER!!!" shouted an excited Luffy, as he started to do swimming actions. While Chopper looked on in awe. "Wow!! Let me try!" Said the ship's doctor, before he jumped off himself. And to his amazement, he too started to fly (but technically it was floating) by the side one of his human friends and crew mates. "Not that I'm complaining or anything, but how is that even possible?" Questioned Usopp. Robin walked right passed the confused sniper and joined her crew mates. "You've come to have fun too Robin?" Asked a surprised Luffy. "Just as I thought." Robin said aloud, as she turns her attention to her other crew members. "It appears that this island has a low gravity field. That explains the floating rocks over there." "Low gravity huh? I would question that, but this is the grand line after all. But seriously I've got a bad feeling about this, you guys" said Usopp "When don't you have a bad feeling?" Zoro said sarcastically. "Yeah don't be such a baby Usopp!" Said Nami as she jumped off the ship joining her crew mates. "Huh?!" Exclaimed a surprised Sanji, as he looked at Nami with fire in his eyes and jumped after her. "NAMI-SWAN!!! Huh? I can't control my direction, watch out!..." As he put 'a little too much' into his jump. And ended up between Nami's chest cushions. "HEY!" Sanji ended up on the floor with a serious limp on his head, as he twitched here and there. Blood dripping from his nose. "THATS 5000 BERI FOR THAT! YA FRICKIN PERV!" Screamed Nami, hastily writing into her little journal. While Brook looked on with both jealousy and relief, that wasn't him. "Yohoho, Nami is so harsh!" He said to himself. "Ooooooooiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!" "Huh? Did someone say something just then?" Asked Chopper, as he tried to look for the source. "Ooooooooiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!" This time everyone heard it, even if just barely. "Ooooooooiiiiiiiiiii!!!!! You guys!" Shouted a male voice. Looking out, Alex spotted a pony running up to them. He had a grey coat, white hair which was left messy. But the main thing Alex noticed, is that he was nowhere near the size of the giant ones. Probably just came up to his crotch. "Oi you guys!" Said the pony as he gasped for air. He finally reached the ship and held out a hoof to signify to wait a second. Once he got his breath back he looked at the crew. "If you guys want to enter the Island, you're going to have to enter the gateway over there." He said point behind him, at a massive gate. "Whoa! How did I not see that before?!" Explained a surprised Alex. "And what happens if we don't?" Asked Luffy with a poker face. "Becuase you'll anger the boss duh. Geez didn't you guys listen to the brief before you agreed to join The Syndicate." He replied equally emotionless whilst rolling his eyes. That got the whole crew, plus Alex's attention. "WHAT?!!!!" That said in unison. Minus Robin. "But I didn't agree..... mmhmm!" Luffy started to say before Nami, Usopp and Chopper shut his mouth forcibly, by holding it shut. However, the positions of the hands and paws blocked Luffy's air. Making the rubber man to start turning blue. "What are you guys anyway?....... actually never mind, the boss probably only invited ya because you look the part, meh whatever, anyway. Just go through the gate and you'll be briefed there. Oh and welcome to the Island of Variation, hope you enjoy your stay........... " He emotionlessly then turned around and jumped his way back from once he came. GASP "WHAT YOU DO THAT FOR?!" shouted an annoyed Luffy. "Becuase of what he said. I just got a bad feeling about him and his syndicate" Replied Nami looking at where the pony ran off to. "Syndicate normally means some sort of crime organisation and if that's the case even though were pirates, we've got to be careful." Sanji said before lighting a cigarette. "I don't get it or care, Let's go Theres fun and adventure to be had!" Luffy said energetically. "Wait there ya goofball, we need to decide who goes with who. I don't want to leave the Sunny all by herself, and I know someone will need to go with Luffy to stop him from being him. And most importantly! I need to be there to protect our sweet Nami-Swan and Robin-chan." Sanji eyes changing into hearts as he looked at the two women crew members. "Although I hate to admit it Sanji is right. But we need another group to get some information on this boss guy Aqua" Nami said starting to bite her finger tip. "Okay. Zorro, Brook & Sanji you go with Luffy make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. Franky and Alex you stay with Sunny and make sure she's alright. While me, Robin, Usopp and Chopper go and get some information." "Wait, why have I got to stay with the ship?!" Alex asked with a lower jaw than normal. "Becuase we don't want or need people seeing, then thinking you're the real Mihawk. Besides you said you've only been like this for a short period of time, do you know how to use that sword of yours?" Nami replied leaning forward waiting for an answer. "I... Errr...... Maybe......" Alex mumbled under his breath. Nami wiggled a finger in front of his face whilst 'tsk' sounds. "And maybe Franky will show you the cool inventions he makes" Namie said putting emphasis on the cool part, also rolling her eyes doing so. Clearly not thinking the weapons and etc the character made, as cool. It had the desired effect as Alex turned his neck to look at the said cyborg with stars in his eyes, whilst having a big smirk plastered on his face. "Yeah yeah, I will SUPER show them to you." Franky said nonchalantly then shrugging. "Awwww why can't I stay?!" Luffy said pouting, the whole crew just looking at him in bewilderment. "Because you want to look at the island" Usopp pointed out while ironically pointing to the island. "Oh yeah....... YAHOO!" With that Luffy began to run into the Island, seemingly forgetting what just happened. Luffy slowly made his way into the Island, slowly. As he had to resort to what you expect in space, making sounds what you expect a kid to make. Zoro and Sanji both sighed at went after their captain Brook soon behind them. After getting what they needed the second team headed off in a different direction than the first. Luffy and co went straight ahead from the ship, while the gate was to the right, Nami and co went left. "So........ Weapons?" Alex asked in a hopeful tone, his eyes glistening a little with excitement. -------------------------------------- Meanwhile ------------------------------------------- "N-n-n-n-no............... p-p-p-p-please stop!................ Plmmmhmmmm!" a female voice very shakily with fear and embarrassment woven very deep into the tone. "Did I say you can speak? Now come here I want to sample the good" Said a deep sounding male voice. ffwwwwooosssshhhh.......... ccccrrrrreeeaaaaaakkkkk "MMMHMMMMMM!" The female tried to scream but couldn't because her mouth was forced shut by unseen forces. She soon found her body move ever closer to the guy, she tried will all her might, but her body wasn't listening. Her fear only got worse with ever step closer to him. Tears started to flow down her cheeks as she couldn't look anymore, her eyes shut for dear life. "MMHMMMMAHHHHHHHHHMMMHMMMMMM!" She didn't even get a chance to realise for a brief moment her mouth was forced open. Before something long and round was inserted into her maw. "Now, please me or your family might be in an accident" He commanded with no emotions. She opened her eyes to come face to face with some light blue fur, looking open she saw him. She didn't care what was in her mouth in this moment, as she looked in his eyes. Silently pleading for him not to do anything. Seeing she wasn't doing anything he decided to give her one last push. "Right now your not pleasing me, now do as I say or I'll have your family thrown onto the streets or worse" She reluctantly gave in, in the hopes he wouldn't do anything. Slurping sound echoed around the room, accompanied by the quiet moans from the guy, as she kept headbutting his crotch. -------------------------------------- Meanwhile ------------------------------------------- "Excuse me ma'am but have you seen this creature?" Asked a figure, who face was hidden by the shadow from his hat. His light soft orange fire shining in the sun, and it shone down upon all in its way. His mane and tail were both jet black in colour, his mane being down to his shoulders at the back, but his chin on the sides and front, his tail is short however. Upon his flank was a symbol of what looks like a firey skull, but the mare couldn't see it in great detail. Her old age getting to her. "Eh........ my my what a strange creature, no I haven't seen it. My I ask why you're looking for it?" She replied after looked at the picture the stallion had. It was a strange creature for sure, something in all of her years she's never seen. She would have thought it wasn't sapient but the straw hat upon its head and the fact is was smiling was a giveaway. The mare who answered is a light green old mare. Her long white hair tied into a bun. Her cloak is on her back to keep out the cold, or cold for her anyway. Her gold eyes trying to focus on her company, but unfortunately she lost her glasses this morning. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Any idea of who might know something?" He replied not missing a beat, as there wasn't any traces of annoyance, concern, disappointment or any other emotion in his voice. "........... You could try the pub over there, the bartender knows everypony coming through these parts. If anypony knows, she will know. Now is there anything else I can do for you, sir? Maybe some perfume for a lady friend of yours?" "No thanks, but thanks for the info and offer........... Hmm a pub, I was starting to get thirsty anyway" He bowed his head to her thanking her for her help, before leaving her to stand at her, well stand. Unknown to the mare, the pony she just met is one of the most powerful being currently on the Island. The stallion fades into the crowd like he never existed, as he heads for the pub to look for information on his target. -------------------------------------- Back To The Crew ------------------------------------------- "I'm Sooooooooooooo hungry!" Moaned at evidently hungry Luffy, his stomach growling in agreement. "Hey you're the one who jumped off the ship without a second thought, you idiot." Said a slightly annoyed Sanji. Both being with a moaning and hungry Luffy, but also the fact he wasn't with Nami and Robin. They are currently walking on a simple dirt road that's surrounded by grassy fields. No building or people in sight, Luffy having just picking a random direct to go in, clearly ignoring the gate mentioned before. "I've got to say this place is quite beautiful, I wonder why we haven't seen any people though?" Said Brook aloud. "Beats me....." Replied Zoro who was looking at the scenery. The only sign of life that isn't plant based is the wildlife, which on the grand line. It's actually 'too normal'. Normally you expect some weird stuff this far into the grand line, but because of that its weird to see normal looking animals and as such. Sniff Sniff Sniff "Ughh still can't smell any food! SANJI! DINNER!" Luffy complained once again. "I've already told you genius, you didn't give me tie to get some food when you ran off into the Island. Now quit complaining like a kid and deal with it" Sanji said obviously getting annoyed with Luffy. "But I'mmmmm hungry! I Nggggghhh........." Luffy suddenly stopped stride and sentence, his head lowering slightly. "Oi Luffy you okay there? Wait...... Is that...... oh you got to be kidding me!" Sanji sighed in annoyance at his captain's antics. "Z z Z z Z z Z z Z z Z z Z z Z z Z z Z z Z z Z z" Luffy had fallen asleep as he was talking. "The lazy bastard, how can he just fall asleep like..... huh? What's this?" Sanji noticed something strange on Luffy's neck, if he wasn't mistaken it looked like a dart. "OH CRAP! GUYS WE"VE GOT COMPANY" But it was too late after he heard the tell tale signs of Zoro and Brook falling asleep next to him. Looking around for the person, person or thing responsible for this, all he could see was fields and in the distance trees. Ffffffoooosssshhhhh-thud "Ah! What the hell! D-damn....... w-what did they....... put in....... tha......" Sanji didn't get to finish as he fell down out of consciousness next to his friends, all of them forced into slumber. Meanwhile, in the trees Sanji spotted before, they sat waiting were a pair of glowing eyes, white in colour. They started to emerge from the greenery once its targets were down for the count. It slowly made its way over to the group, but soon was looming over them, as it decided what to do next.