10 First Flight and a New Friend

The wings on my ankles flapped softly every time I jumped, carrying me higher and higher into the air each time.

Before long I broke into a full on song and dance routine. Singing the One Piece opening while I flipped about like an acrobat right there on the beach. To my great satisfaction my body moved in exactly the way I wanted. It felt as if I was in perfect control of even the most minute movements. The ease of it all left me startled at first, but I quickly embraced it and began to test my limits to see what my new body could handle.

My long, dark purple hair flowed freely behind me as I kicked up a small cloud of sand and dust. The greater strength coursing through my muscles allowed me to move at a speed I hadn't thought possible in my first life. Every jump brought me higher than the last, every motion propelled me faster than the one before it. I was easily moving in ways that would have shattered world records from my old world.

Focusing on the small white pairs of wings growing out of my ankles, I calmed my mind and bent toward the ground. My muscled coiled like steel springs, building in potential energy until I leapt into the air like a rocket exploding into the atmosphere. The tiny wings beat furiously as they carried me higher and higher into the bright blue sky.

The wind felt as if it was caressing me from behind, lifting me up and brining me to greater heights. I felt completely free. Wind kissed my cheeks as I picked up speed and spun mid air, revelling in the sensation of unaided flight.

Turning back towards the water I smiled wildly. Without hesitation I shot down like a bullet, carving through the air and plunging into the crystal clear ocean with only the tinniest of splash. I piercing the surface with. ease and sank deep into the waters below. Changing direction I swam towards the surface with all my might. When I finished breached the waves I didn't stop, I used my wings to fly high into the air, rising straight out of the water like a flying fish.

After what felt like an hour had passed, when I had flown, raced, and danced my heart out, I fell flat onto my back and sank into the sandy beach, breathing heavily. My wings flopped gracelessly, their soaked feather clinging to my shins. I lay there for awhile panting for breath. Turns out flying takes its tole. Namor always made it look so easy. Then again, I'm still a child and Namor is a grown man.

I lay there for an unknown period of time, simply staring up into the bright sky, panting like a wet dog. But there was a satisfied smile plastered across my childish face. For a while I was content to wiggle my toes and tap my feet together, perfectly fine just laying in the sand.

Just as I was about to get up after an hour or so of laying about, a large wave struck me head on. Which is strange because I shouldn't be close to the shore, like at all. But that didn't seem to matter in the least. I ended up drenched from head to toe. And i only just dried myself off too. It didn't bother me in the least though. In fact, the cool water felt nice on my skin.

When the tide receded back towards the ocean I lifted my hands to wipe the salty ocean water from my face. That's when a sharp glint caught my eye. The light of the sun had reflected off a small water droplet clinging to something half buried in the sand. With a tender smile I lifted the object into the air and looked it over.

"I almost forgot about this." I said aloud while looking over the intricate markings adorning the objects exterior. It looks exactly like I remember it from the movies.

Jack Sparrow's compass.

With a click the compass flipped open. I watched it with a toothy smile. A moment later my eyes went wide in surprise as a pink blob of slime, with a big pair of anime eyes and a tiny little mouth floated out from within the inside of the compass. Surprising me and almost causing me to drop it. His round gelatinous form levitated freely overheard. Flying around with a sense of childlike wonder not too dissimilar from my own antics not long ago.

"Hi little guy. You must be morph." I said cheerfully with an outreached hand out. I gently rubbed to top of it's strangely cold head, eliciting a soft purr from the strange pink blob. I watched in utter fascination as the sentient blob of space goo nuzzled into my palm like a lost puppy.

"Must be Morph." He mimicked back, his voice high pitched and squeaky as his body changed shape, shifting into a miniature version of me standing in the centre of my hand. He even has tiny little wings on his feet. Before I could do anything else the mini me changed back into the small pink blob before laughing and diving into my pants pocket. Seemingly wanting to keep from the sun.

"Yeah, I understand. Travelling between worlds can be exhausting." I remarked aloud as the little guy snuggled Into the space inside my pocket. It's only my excitement and adrenaline that's been keeping me going. Otherwise, I probably would have passed out not longer after my arrival.

Choosing not to dwell on the transforming blob of sentient space goo dwelling in my pants, I immediately tied Jack's compass to my waist. Leaving it to hang from the thick leather strap attached to it.

After skirting along the edges of the shoreline I started moving toward the interior of the island. Humming the English version of the One Piece theme song 'We Are' the whole way.

It's crazy to think that it was only a short while ago I had been staring down at my own corpse. Now here I am, happier than I can remember being since my mom passed away. Thinking of my mother brought another smile to my face.

"Just you wait, I'll show you an adventure the likes of which you've never imagined. And when I die again and go up to heaven properly, I'll be sure to tell you all about it." I spoke aloud while staring out at the sea behind me. A tender smile on my youthful face and glistening tears filling my golden eyes.

With those words left hanging in the air, I turned on my heel and stepped headlong into the jungle. Taking the first stride towards the greatest journey of my life.

…..

On another part of Dawn Island at the precise moment Caspian stepped into the jungle, a one armed man with blazing red hair was bestowing his treasured straw hat to a small boy with a scar under his left eye. This man is Red Haired Shanks, the captain of a rather infamous pirate crew.

As for the boy? His name is Monkey D. Luffy, but that's a story for another time.