"Nico Robin??. Why is she here?" Aden thought in shock.
"I see you are feeling better. Any lingering pain or numbness?" Miko asked.
"Wha..?...Oh..no ,no. Just some soreness, but that is expected...I got hit by lightning, afterall." Aden replied, still wrestling with the fact Robin was not only where she wasn't supposed to be, but also a doctor.
"Indeed. Well, you should be fine. By the time your friends brought me here, you were already recovering." Miko said to Aden as she adjusted her coat.
"I see...." he said, not knowing what to do.
"Yeah, the doc patched you up nicely." Buggy cheerfully added.
"And she was considering joining us as a ship doctor, right?" Nojiko spoke in a happy tone, looking at Miko.
"Yes. You seem like decent people, so i may actually join you." doctor spoke with a smile.
"Hold on...Wait a minute...Something ain't right... No way Nico Robin would just agree to join anyone. Not without some hidden motive anyway. Should i reveal that i know about her? Seems risky, but telling the truth might actually be for the best." Aden's brain ran through pros and cons of telling her about himself and by extension, her.
"Are you feeling alright? You seem rather far away." Miko said in concern.
"Fine. Just thinking. We need a ship. Any ideas?"
"Steal one." said Buggy.
"What are you looking at me for? I navigate the ship once you get one. I don't know where to find one. But i agree with Puzzle, we should steal one." Nojiko crossed her arms.
"Puzzle?" the doctor asked,...well, puzzled.
"I can split into parts. Thus the dumb nickname." Buggy explained and demonstrated by removing his head.
"Oh, i see." Miko said calmly.
"...That usually freaks people out." Buggy complained, only getting a small smile from the doctor in response.
"So, about you joining us?" Aden started.
"Yes, i believe i wish to do so. If you'll accept me, of course. Don't mean to brag, but i am a very skilled doctor." she said and an extra pair of hands sprouted from her shoulders.
"Whoa!" "Cool!" exclaimed Buggy and Nojiko.
"That confirms it. She really is Nico Robin.
Now, how do i approach this?" Aden thought seriously.
In the end, Aden sent Buggy and Nojiko into the town with the instruction to rob some rich bastards blind, and fimd a ship.
He left the targets up to their discretion, but urged them to be careful. He would, in the meantime, talk to the doctor.
"So, my newly found captain. Why did you want to talk to me alone?" Miko asked, probing for his honesty.
She saw the kindness in his soul, as well as his loyalty to those close to him. Yet also a heavy secret, weighing down his spirit. She may just be a doctor, a history enthusiast and until a few years ago, an archeologist, but she could read people. She would not have survived as long as she has, otherwise.
"Okay...First of all, i need you to promise me to keep an open mind. That you will not run or attack, once i tell you my story. As well as letting me finish my story, before deciding.
No matter what though, i swear to you, i am an ally." Aden spoke seriously, projecting as much honesty into his voice and expression as his body allowed.
As he spoke, Miko got more and more anxious, and scared.
"Does he know who i really am? Is he here to hand me over to the government? But...He says he is an ally. Also I doubt he would work for the World Government, he is a rather infamous pirate afterall. I will hear him out, i guess. But if i see even a shred of deceit...." she thought quietly, masking her scared expression with one of cold and calculated look.
"Go on."
"I must first say, i do know who you are, Nico Robin. I also must say that i am not like anyone you met, i think." Aden began his explanation, deciding to tell her the truth. He knew she could tell if he was truthfull. He noticed her wide eyes at the mention of her name.
"As unbelievable as it will sound, i have lived a life before this one. I am not sure why or how, but for one reason or another, i recall glimpses of a life on these seas. People encountered on that journey, events that took place, that sort of thing." he kept explaining.
"When you say lived before, you mean reincarnation?" she couldn't help but ask.
"That's my guess. But i went back in time somehow." he said, scratching his head.
"You are taking this remarkably well. I half expected you to attack or run away by now."
"Well, you are telling the truth so far. Or at least you believe that to be the truth." she said with a nod.
"It is. But things are different now. The memories i have, differ from what i experienced now. It is very much possible, that all that i know about you is wrong. Except your name." he spoke in a calm, honest manner.
"Well what do you know about me? Let's compare notes, as it were...I'll admit, this is interesting." she suggested with a tiny glimmer in her eyes. She was still sceptical, but this would prove if he is lying, she thought.
"*sigh* Okay. From the top then. Survivor of Ohara, daughter of Nico Olivia, placed in the 'care' of abusive relatives, avoided and abused by everyone, kept to yourself as much as you could. After stating your wish of finding th true history, you were banned from the Tree of Knowledge. After which you ran. On a beach you encountered a giant named Jaguar D. S....." "Stop!" she interrupted him.
As he was retelling her history, she grew more and more shocked. He was telling the truth. He knew everything. Well at least it seemed like it.
"He is not lying, is he? He really knows me. But that leaves the question of why seek me out?" she thought to herself, biting a nail on her thumb.
"Why?" she askedy causing a confused expression to appear on Aden's face.
"Why seek me out? If you know what my existence means, why look for me?" she asked in a shaky voice.
"Truth be told. I never expected to find you here. That's where the memory i have differs. From now on i can't rely on what i think i know." he said with a small smile.
"I see. But you still know who i am. Do you still want me on your crew?" she asked, already deciding to put her faith in this man.
"Wouldn't have offered it otherwise." he said happily. On the inside though, he was freaking out.
"What the hell?! How did i convince her so fast? First Buggy, then Nojiko and now her? Am i really so trustworthy? Is this the 'Protagonist Speech" power?...Nah that's stupid. Must be an explanation. I will figure it out one day. For now i'll just be happy with it, i guess." Aden thought in great confusion.
"He is being completely honest. *Sigh* I will join him. For now at least." she thought to herself.
"Very well. I will join you, captain. Now to make it official. Nico Robin, nice to meet you." Robin said with a small, careful smile.
"Aden D. Hum. Welcome aboard. Well as soon as we get a ship anyway." he replied with a shrug, getting a chuckle in return.
After talking to Robin for the rest of the day, and her going back to her clinic to grab her stuff, the sun was beginning to set.
Aden then sensed a ship with Buggy and Nojiko approaching around the island, as well as six huge ships from the sea.
Turning to Robin, he told her they had to leave now.
Telling her to stay calm, he used his power to fly them and their things towards their new ship. Robin released a gasp as she did not expect that, even with him explaining what his Devil Fruit was.
.
"Let's hurry and pick them up. That bastard called the marines! We have to go!" Nojiko shouted.
"And who's fault is that?! If you weren't trying to dig through his pockets, he never would have known we're there! You Kleptomaniac!" Buggy shouted in anger, his head literally popping off.
"No need!" *thud* "We're here. " said Aden as he landed with a thud and gently lowered Robin to the deck along with their bags.
"Saves us time then." Buggy said, suddenly calm.
"Nice choice." Aden said, inspecting the ship and immediately began to use his powers to push the ship faster. The ship was light-grey colored, two mast ship. It's about fifty to sixty meters long with dark grey sails. On each side, it had six cannons, not a warship. The head of the ship held a depiction of an eagle head with golden eyes, with the front of the ship covered with a feather design, smoothly transitioning into normal planks. (A/N ship name suggestions are welcome)
"Sturdy, armed and armored. Big enough. I like it."
"It is a nice ship." said Robin.
"Oh Miko, you agreed to join then?" asked Nojiko taking her spot at the wheel.
"Yes. And my real name is Nico Robin. Miko was just a cover." Robin said, nervously introducing herself.
"Oh, okay. Welcome aboard then, Robin." Nojiko said nonchalantly.
"Yep. Nice to meet you." Buggy said simply. He heard about her,'The Devil Child' Nico Robin, but did not care for world government labels so he said nothing. Bunch of lying, old, power-hungry assholes the lot of them. He mentally spat at their name, and returned to looking around for any trouble.
"Also, look ahead we have marines incoming. That old coot called them when i...Well he called them." Nojiko said, with an 'innocent' expression.
"Riiight... And I know i sensed them. Keep going. I will take care of it." Aden said, getting ready at the ship head, standing on top the eagle.
"Captain, we have confirmation! It is Four Winds Aden, Kleptomaniac Nojiko and Killer Jester Buggy. Orders?" a marine shouted on one of the ships. They were using transponder snails to stay in contact with each of the six ships.
"Capture if possible! We cannot allow them to escape!" the marine captain in charge of this operation ordered.
"Aye aye!" everyone responded.
"Doku! You will be our trump card. Your abilities should be helpfull!" captain spoke to a man dressed in a black suit. He had slicked back hair, wide grin with sharp teeth and an X-shaped scar on his forehead.
"Lovely..." Doku said, unamused.
"Okay here goes." Aden said as they got closer.
Clasping his hands together, as if catching a bug, leaving a space in between his palms, he began to pull air towards his hands. This caused an instant drop in temperature, making the others look at him.
"What the hell?! He has something new again?" Nojiko said, flabbergasted.
"Not even surprised anymore." Buggy said, shaking his head.
Robin was simply watching. This was a good opportunity to see how strong he was.
As the air compressed in Aden's hands, a thin layer of ice covered the top of the eagle head he stood on. His hair also seemed to have a brighter color, but that was barely noticable.
"North Stance: Arctic Flash" Aden named his attack.
Pushing his hands forward, a small blueish orb flew towards the marine ships with a whistle, leaving a trail of cold mist behind.
"Incoming! Unknown attack incoming?"
"Brace yourselves!"
As the marines scramblednto defend, it was too late.
*sshhhhkkt* The impact of the orb between the ships, flash-froze the sea around them. Before they could react their ships were stuck, covered in ice and over half of the men were turned into fragile ice statues.
This all happened so fast, the moisture in the air froze, and it began to snow around the marine ships.
"Damn you...What kind of monster is he?" the captain stood there, with half his body frozen solid.
"I will say. That was quite cool." Buggy said, nearly laughing.
"Pftt hahahahah!" Nojiko just lost it.
"That was so bad, Buggy. Chill out with those puns." said Aden, chuckling like a kid as he stepped off the eagle head.
"BWAHAAHAHAHAHAHA!" Buggy couldn't hold it anymore.
Robin was in shock. She had no idea Aden was this powerful. Him freezing the ships brought back bad memories, but she knew he was not 'Him'. She right away, began to have faith again. If he is this strong now, maybe she could be free with him.
*dsh dsh dsh dsh* thud*. "Did you really think it would be that simple Four Winds?" Doku said as he landed on the eagle head.
"I will deliver you to justice you filthy mongrel. Rank...."
"Dos Fleur: Twist!" Robin suddenly said crossing her hands at her wrist, forming an X.
Two arms appeared on Doku's shoulders, grabbing his head and forcibly twisting it to the side.
*Crack* was heard as his neck was broken.
He fell to the sea, dead.
"Well..So much for that i guess. Nice one Robin." Aden said giving her a thumbs up.
"Hmm. He certainly gave us a cold shoulder, didn't he?" she joked.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"BREZHIIHAHAHAHA!"
"BWAHAHHAHAAA! That was terrible."
"Hah. Yeah, you will fit right in." said Nojiko, shaking her head with a smile.
(There we go. Hopefully its okay. I wasnt sure if it makes sense or not, but i am trying.
Anyway see yall next time.)