You all are welcomed to my Discord Channel!
discord.gg/8qYFSnHHAs
--xLOVEx--
Following the second surfacing of the bell, the Shandians and Skypieans finally put aside their differences. A massive banquet was held, a peace feast with the Straw Hat Pirates at the center of it all. The air was filled with laughter, the scent of grilled meat and fresh fruit wafting through the area as the two previously warring factions and the crew celebrated together.
The crew sat around a large fire, enjoying the food and drinks that were being passed around. Luffy, as usual, was devouring everything in sight, his arms stretching across the circle to grab whatever he could reach. Sanji worked the grill, expertly flipping meat and handing out plates, while Zoro sat back, a bottle of sake in hand, calmly taking it all in. Usopp and Chopper were busy entertaining the Shandian children with tall tales and silly antics, while Nami, though enjoying the feast, couldn't help but glance longingly at the massive bell in the distance.
"I still think we could have taken that bell with us," Nami grumbled, taking a sip of her drink.
"Yeah, right," Zoro replied, rolling his eyes. "And how exactly were you planning on fitting that thing on the ship?"
Nami pouted, clearly still imagining the riches they could have gained from selling it. "We could have found a way."
Robin smiled as she observed their banter, her thoughts more focused on the ancient text beneath the bell. "It's better that it stays here. The bell belongs to the people of this island."
After the banquet, the crew gathered before the bell, which now stood proudly at the center of the island, a symbol of peace and unity between the Skypieans and the Shandians. Robin knelt down next to the massive structure, carefully brushing away the dirt and moss to reveal the Poneglyph beneath it.
The chief of the Shandians and Gan Fall stood nearby, watching intently as Robin began to read the ancient text beneath the bell. The symbols were intricate, but Robin's expertise allowed her to decipher them with ease. The rest of the crew gathered around, more out of support than interest in what the stone had to say. Coby stood by, arms crossed, already aware of the Poneglyph's significance—it was about Poseidon, after all.
As Robin continued reading, her expression shifted, a subtle hint of disappointment crossing her face. Sanji noticed immediately. "Not history?" he guessed.
Robin shook her head slightly. "There are bits and pieces, but nothing substantial."
Coby, who had been quietly observing, pointed at a section on the gold near the Poneglyph. "Someone left their mark on this thing. Looks like an 'I was here' message."
Robin leaned closer, squinting at the inscription. She read it aloud, "We came here, found the text, and followed its guidance. Gol D. Roger."
Her eyes widened in shock. She hadn't expected this. The thought of Roger reaching this place and leaving such a message made her wonder—did he leave the true history at Laugh Tale?
"Roger," she muttered under her breath. "He found the bell too."
Coby snorted, drawing the attention of the crew. "That says a lot about him, huh?"
Gan Fall, intrigued by Coby's reaction, asked, "What do you mean?" The former god of Skypiea turned his gaze to Coby. "Roger came here 20 years ago. He was a free spirit, and not a bad guy overall. He had a certain charm and energy about him."
Coby continued, his tone blunt. "So, did you tell him about the history of this island? About how for 400 years, the Shandians and Skypieans have been fighting over this land? How the war could finally end when the island sings again?"
Gan Fall hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I did. Roger knew."
Coby raised an eyebrow. "Then that 'not-a-bad-person' found this bell, and instead of helping you achieve peace, he just left his mark saying, 'I was here.' Didn't even bother to ring it and walked away, leaving the war to continue. Sounds pretty selfish to me."
The crew looked at Coby, surprised by his words. Often people spoke so critically of the Pirate King, cursing his name, but not in sense of fairness and justice. He was, a pirate after all.
Gan Fall frowned, a conflicted expression crossing his face. "I… I never thought of it that way. Roger… he was a man of his own path. Maybe he believed that wasn't his place."
"Maybe," Coby replied flatly. "But leaving without doing anything? That's the same as spitting on your peace. He could have ended the conflict right there, but he chose not to."
The chief of the Shandians, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "Perhaps it was fate that brought you here instead, young man," he said, his voice filled with a sense of resolution. "Roger may not have rung the bell, but you and your crew did. And because of that, we now have peace."
Coby shrugged, not entirely convinced. "Maybe. But it doesn't change the fact that Roger could have done more. He had the power and knowledge to make a difference, but he didn't. That's the truth."
Robin, still looking at the inscription, sighed softly. "It's true that history is shaped by those who act. Roger left his mark here, but in the end, it was up to us to bring about the change."
Sanji lit a cigarette, exhaling a puff of smoke. "Well, what's done is done. We're the ones who rang the bell, and that's what matters now."
Nami, finally tearing her gaze away from the bell, nodded. "Yeah, and now this place can finally have some peace. Maybe that's worth more than any treasure."
Usopp, who had been quietly listening, chimed in with a grin. "And we'll be the ones remembered for it, not some guy who left a message and took off!"
Zoro chuckled, raising his bottle of sake. "I'll drink to that."
The crew laughed, the tension easing as they moved on from the heavy topic. The Shandians and Skypieans, who had been listening in, exchanged glances, some nodding in agreement with Coby's harsh but honest assessment of Roger. The realization that their long-standing conflict could have ended sooner was sobering, but they chose to focus on the fact that it was over now.
Gan Fall sighed deeply, turning to the chief of the Shandians. "What's important is that the war is over. We can finally move forward."
The chief nodded, his gaze drifting to the massive bell that now symbolized the unity between their people. "Yes. The bell has sung once more, and with it, a new era begins."
Robin stood up, brushing off her hands as she gave the Poneglyph one last look. "The past is always complex, filled with both good and bad. But now, we look to the future."
Coby stepped away from the bell, feeling a sense of closure. "Well, our job here is done. Time to move on."
Luffy sat quietly, his usual exuberance tempered by Coby's words. He couldn't shake the thoughts running through his mind. He wanted to be the King of the Pirates, to find the One Piece and achieve his dream. But after hearing what Coby said about Roger, he realized something important. He didn't want to become a legend who left things unfinished, who walked away when he could have made a difference.
Coby noticed Luffy's pensive look and gave him a small smile. "You'll do things your way, Luffy. You're not Roger, and you don't have to be."
Luffy looked up, his usual grin returning as he nodded. "Yeah. I'm gonna be me. The King of the Pirates, my way!"
The crew smiled at that, the mood lifting as they prepared to move on from Skypiea. But before they could leave, there was still one more task to complete.
--
Read up to 100 chapters ahead!
patreon.com/pinkisjustice
Tell me what you think!