The Vanguard was sailing the seas silently. The weather was cool and snow was beginning to fall. Dark clouds covering the midday sun and freezing wind was pushing them forward. The ship had a small layer of snow on almost every surface.
Aden wore a heavy dark cloak made of bear hide, reaching to his ankles, the bear's front legs without paws acting as sleeves. Buggy wore a black and red, checkerred pattern, jacket and pants, truly fitting his jester role. Nojiko had on a light orange fluffy jacket and pants set, making her look almost like an orange lamb. Robin wore a simple, ankle reaching ,white fur coat with sleeves and golden buttons, and a fluffy hat.
Her and Aden were sitting near the main mast. She was reading a history book, while he was playing with snowflakes by keeping them floating above his palm, making a sort of snow-globe effect.
"This is ridiculous. It was nice and sunny an hour ago." Buggy complained.
"Why are you surprised? This is Grand Line, i thought you were here before?" Nojiko looked at him confused.
"Sure. Yeah i was. Does not mean i'm used to rapidly changing weather. It's been years since i was here. I hate this place." Buggy defended, wrapping his clothes a bit tighter around himself.
"That man falls apart way too easily." Aden mocked under his breath, surprisingly making Robin giggle.
"Well i for one think...." "We have company!" Nojiko got interrupted by Aden, who stood up suddenly. His Haki warned him of an approaching ship.
"A warship is approaching. Port-side, eight o'clock, quickly catching up." he fired off information quickly, making others get ready before he even finished speaking.
"Marines?" Robin asked from next to him.
"Let's see." Aden focused on his ability. Through his air sensing ability, he could hear sounds from great distances. He had to rely on that, because his Haki was still lacking in that regard.
"...ptain. We have them in sight. Four-Winds, Killer Jester, Kleptomaniac and Devil Child confirmed to be onboard." said a marine, relaying the info.
"Good, good. Time to show these pirates why it is a bad idea being pirates." the captain, a tall, lanky man, covered in bandages, wearing a pink suit and captain coat said. He had a long-sword at his left hip and a pistol on his right.
"What are your orders? Our intel says it's a bad idea to approach Four-Winds." the marine said.
"Then tell me, marine, how are we supposed to catch or kill them!? Huh!?" the captain said angrily and punched the marine in the face.
"Fire at will. Ram them and board! JUST GET THEM!!" he got more and more angry.
"Marines. A psychotic and unstable captain." Aden said as he was done listening in.
"Should we be worried?" Nojiko asked carefully.
"Nah. Imma take care of it." Aden replied cockily, and disappeared in a zap of electricity.
"You know...It still takes me by surprise, seeing his elemental abilities." Buggy admitted.
"True. That Devil Fruit of his is a real powerhouse, huh?" Nojiko added with a grin.
"Indeed. But i believe it is captain's creative mind that drives it's potential so far onward." Robin chimed in, returning to her book and tea.
"I wonder where such imagination comes from. We should ask about his past. Get to know him better. He never talks about his life before joining us." Buggy had an idea.
"I agree. While i respect Aden, and i will follow him, we actually know very little about him." Nojiko agreed with Robin nodding along.
At the navy ship, chaos was happening. In a spark of lightning, the enemy they were sent after, just appeared out of nowhere.
"Greetings marines. Not trying to capture us, are you?" Aden asked in a mock-respectful tone.
"Four-Winds!? You shall surrender this instant, or i will ensure your death!" the captain ordered.
"Is that so? In that case the least i can ask for is your name?" Aden said, in a faux surrender
"My name?? Alright. My name is Captain Ro...." he began only to be interrupted.
"I do not care what your name is!" Aden said in a loud voice, that shocked everyone.
Before anyone could be offended, Aden floated upwards, occasionaly sparking with electricity.
"You will be my test subjects. I need a target practice for my abilities." Aden said as he raised his left hand up, palm towards the sky.
Above it, a growing orb of electricity began to form. The marines were shocked by the display, as they had no intel suggesting this power.
Within seconds, the lightning orb grew to the size of the warship.
"West Stance:..." Aden spoke, because great warriors and all that...
At that, the huge lightning orb shrunk to the size of a bullet, which Aden grasped in a closed fist, and pointed his arm down at the ship.
"...Fallen Down!" he opened his fist and released his attack. A huge pillar of lightning flew out of the palm of his hand, wider than the warship, brighter than any lightning they have seen, or will ever see.
As the blinding display ended, the sea rushed back into the open wound left by Aden's attack. Fish floated to the surface, dead. Static electricity eqs left in the air and there were no traces left of the warship.
"Well...That was...surprising." said Aden, surprised at the sheer destructive power of his technique.
"I keep growing stronger. Without training. What the hell am i. What wqs that fruit. It makes no sense." he was scratching his head now. He had no idea how such a thing was possible.
"....ummmm...." a dumbfounded groan came feom Buggy.
"...errrrmmm..." Nojiko.
".....My tea is getting cold."
"How are you so calm!?" Buggy and Nojiko turned to Robin at her lack of reaction.
"Aden is strong,.constantly surprising with his feats. To the point being surprised is pointless." Robin explained, calmly sipping her cold tea.
"...fair enough" the two admitted.
Aden appeared back on the deck shortly after.
"Good news. We are close to the next island. I spotted it when i was up in the air." Aden said as he readjusted his cloak.
"You mean when you were dispensing divine judgement?" Buggy snickered.
"...no. I am no god. And believe me, i will never make the mistake of thinking otherwise." Aden said surprisingly serious.
"I was only joking captain. Take it easy." Buggy raised his hands in surrender.
"The clouds are clearing up. Looks like sunny weather, again." Nojiko chimed from the wheel.
"Good to hear. I hate cold." said Buggy, rubbing his running nose.
"Always some complaint with you, isn't it?" Aden joked and headed towards the bow.
As he passed Robin, she felt a sudden rush of hot air from beside her. Looking over she noticed her tea, that has gone cold, suddenly steaming as if freshly brewed.
Looking at Aden standing on the head of the eagle at the front of their ship, she realized he must have warmed up her cup of tea.
Smiling at the gesture, she looked beyond his form and spotted the next island.
A large island with white sand beaches, rosy colored wood making up the docks and most of the buildings. The whole island was covered in sakura trees, giving the whole place an almost glowing pink aura.
"I know this place. Rose Island. A neutral zone. They do not care if you are pirate or navy. All are welcome as long as they behave. A beautiful and peaceful location." Robin stated as she stood up to take her warm clothes off. The sun was out and very warm.
As Robin sipped her tea, she considered her time with this crew.
"I should tell them my story. Or at least to the captain. He took me in without knowing anything about me, so it seems fair. This island provides a good opportunity for that. Tonight. I will tell him tonight." Robin thought to herself, steeling her nerves for the reveal.
(Here we go again. To clarify, yes i did make it weird about the sharing of Aden's past and Robin not remembering it. I hinted at the reason in previous chapter. I had that idea from the beginning, but since it was a new concept to me, i had no clue how to implement it. So i hope it works. Anyway hope you enjoyed. I proofread it but i may have missed some errors, so sorry about that.)