*BOOOMMM-FSHHH-CRACK*
As the huge explosion sounded and nearly blinded them, the crew of the Vanguard noticed, that they did not even feel the heat from the blast.
When their ears stopped ringing, and their eyes began to work again, they looked up to see what happened.
There, floating in midair, was Aden.
His left hand was extended towards the direction of the warship, the last remnants of the explosion, that being some sparks and smoke, formed a slowly disappearing cloud.
On his left hand was a golden gauntlet, glowing with a red-orange light, that seemed to flow outwards in front of him in wisps of energy. Thus revealing the reason why they were safe. A glowing barrier of the same color as the gauntlet glow, was projected in front of Aden's ooen palm. It was shaped like hexagon with slightly convex sides. It's surface was covered in symbols and circular shapes, that were reminiscent of the cube they found. Though only Robin noticed that little detail.
"Miss me?" Aden smirked at the over his shoulder.
"...no." said Nojiko with a huff, though nobody believed her, not even herself.
"Harsh...I guess i'll just leave again, if that's the case..." Aren said with a mock disappointment as he lowered his hand, making the barrier disappear in a pop of particles.
"Where have you been!? Cabin empty, not a word, the cube gone. You could have died! You almost did. We saw your card smoking." Robin, in her rare moment of anger, vented. Not really angry, just worried.
"Heh. Lover's quarrel...hahaha..*bonk*.Ouch! Sorry dear." Buggy began to mock as usual, only for a dull ringing bonk to sound, when Nojiko punched him on top of the head, her fist smoking.
"Sorry, Robin. I just...My brother was in trouble, and i just acted. Also apparently the cube is a portal making thingy." Aden gave a vague explanation.
Seeing the growing confusion on their faces, he turned to face the marines.
"Should i deal with them by my lonesome, or are you gonna participate?" he asked them without looking at them.
Their reply came in a form of a Giant sea monster emerging from the depths and charging at the marines with a roar, a Buggy Bomb glowing a cursed purple, and distant sounds of cracking bones, most likely necks and spines.
"Fair enough. Have fun." Aden simply said as he landed on the ship, and used his power of air to manouvre it closer to the marines.
In maybe five minutes, all that was left of the marines was a floating pile of driftwood, some cargo and bodies with patches of red in the water.
The crew only slightly winded, was happy about this victory, and began scooping up the cargo crates for anything useful.
A couple hours later, when Aden was done explaining his little adventure to his crew, and telling them about the cube and Ma'at, their heads were full of different thoughts.
Mostly, they simply chalked it up to a different power in the world and went to bed, putting it behind them.
However, Aden found Robin staring blankly over the horizon at the setting sun, with a complicatws look.
"Did you know the future?" she asked after hearing him approach.
"What kinda question is that? Of course not." Aden answered honestly, but slightly miffed.
"Sorry." came an apology, after hearing the honesty in his voice "It's just that you don't learn everyday, that your life was controlled by someone else." Robin spoke with a weak and shaky voice.
"Predicted. Not controlled. Apparently she saw different futures and prepared for them." Aden explained simply, and then trying to lift the mood, took a mocking villain tone "Trying to protect the world from a natural disaster that is I."
"Heh....You are insufferable." Robin said with a snort of amusement.
"Score. Mood lifted. Good job me." Aden mused in his head.
"Yet you still suffer me." Aden teased as he wrapped his hands around her waist, almost having to kneel down due to the height difference.
Robin said nothing for a bit, just turned to return the hug.
"Is this real life? Or is this just fantasy?" she asked, her voice muffled.
"Seems real enough to me." Aden said with deep care in the voice, hugging her closer
"Ow! Hey!" Robin suddenly squeaked, after feeling a pinch on her behind.
"See? Real." Aden said simply, with a slighty mocking, but honest smile.
"Jerk.."
"Your jerk." Aden corrected.
"Hmm." Robin hummed in agreement as she closed her eyes and put her head on his chest.
They stood there like that until the sun disappeared below the horizon, and then the went to sleep. Together. In his bed. And from what his haki told him, Buggy and Nojiko also had the same idea. Though for some reason Nojiko was hugging Buggy's severed head while being a little spoon. Strangely sweet, Aden thought as he snuggled closer to Robin, her head and right hand on his chest as she lay on his right side.
The next day, as the sun appeared, Buggy shouted about spotting land.
"Land, ho!" he shouted from the crow's nest.
"What did you call me!!?" replied a mock angry blue haired navigator.
"I.. what? Wait..that is not..." Buggy stammered in worry, only for everyone to start laughing.
"Oh haha. Ha. Haha. So funny. I thought i wqs the clown here." Buggy mumbled, pouting.
"Brezhiihhaha! You gotta admit it was funny." Aden laughed in that laugh of his that rarely came out.
"Ok fine, it was funny. But the island is still there. It seems like a bustling town covers most of the island. There is a huge tower in the center. And...." Buggy cut himself off.
"And what?" Aden asked with suspicion, when he saw Buggy's hesitant expression.
"There is a bunch of Navy ships docked in the big harbor." Buggy finished with a slight tremor in his voice. If it was an excited or worried tremor, Aden did not know.
"So? Let's just dock on the other side of the island." Ring suggested to which everyone agreed.
"Robin, any idea what this island is?" Aden asked Robin, as he knew she well traveled.
"This is Lotus. A city of dreams and nightmares alike. What began as a pirate getaway, is now a prospering city. Casinos, bars and brothels. It has everything a depraves soul desires. Most likely even the marines are here on shore leave." Robin explained as the began to approach the now name Lotus Island.
.
.
.
*BAM!* Sounded a slam of a hand against a table.
"Once again Four Winds causes trouble. We found his ship and with reports of him showing up at Marineford, somehow, the navy attacked his crew....ONLY FOR HIM TO SHOW UP OUT OF NOWHERE AND SINK THEIR SHIP!" a voice of a bearded old man resonated in the darkened room.
"There is no doubt anymore. We were fairy certain about the Devil Fruit Four Winds possesed, but now it is without a doubt confirmed." said a calmer voice of a bald man.
"Mythical Human-Human Fruit. Model:Huracán."
(And here we go again. I tried my best as always. Hope you enjoy.)