a small AO oneshot. i felt like flexing the creative muscles a little. first time just pasting it into the forum, bear with me for a sec.
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It was execution day for one notorious criminal. He had been evading the Grand Navy for a while now, pillaging villages and islands, harming the poor, innocent dwellers of the Bronze Sea. But the Grand Navy finally pulled out the big guns. Commander Harrison Lotus of the Navy had finally entered. Poor Lorenzo had given it his best shot, but he could not outlast the Commander’s intense assault. A crowd gathered as Lorenzo was walked to the platform, cuffed and surrounded by elite navy soldiers. He was ordered to sit, and he did so.
Harrison guarded the platform along with a fellow Commander. The commanding officer, Kai, watched from afar, making sure things went smoothly. Harrison spoke:
“We have gathered today for the execution of the heinous criminal, Lorenzo. Do you have any last words, scum?”
Lorenzo pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
“Good. I’d rather not listen to you plead. Commander Larsson, if you please.”
His fellow commander nodded, and positioned his gun.
“Three… Two… One… Now!”
The flintlock was readied, and the commander pulled the trigger. Time slowed for Lorenzo as he watched the bullet approach. He thought for a second, about his life and his actions… He didn’t regret it one bit. He would escape this wretched place or die trying. Might as well give his last stand. A last hurrah before his inevitable death. He miraculously ducked, and tried to fight Commander Larsson.
Taken off guard, the commander haphazardly fired his weapon to no avail. Commander Lotus tried to stop him, but was cut off by a bright flash of red light, and wind rushing past. Lorenzo stopped in place, and fell to the floor. There was a huge slash across his chest. The crowd looks up to see Commodore Kai, calmly sheathing his sabre, and walking off. Commander Larsson breathes a sigh of relief, walking off as well.
A few hours later...
An unknown ship pulls into port, with a measly crew. The captain hops off, and quickly dashes toward the execution platform, ignoring everything in his way. The makes it to the execution platform, then looks dismayed.
“Dammit. I missed it…”
The man walks away sadly, boarding his ship, getting his crew in order, and sailing off. His quartermaster walks up to him.
“What were you looking for there, boss?”
“I wanted to see the execution of that one guy.”
“You mean Lorenzo? The guy pillaging a bunch of people?”
“Yeah, that one.”
“May I ask why, captain?”
“Well… Let me tell you something, Kenton.”
He puts his hand on his quartermaster’s shoulder, to his slight dismay.
“I wanna be a high stakes, high bounty pirate like him someday.”
“Is that right? You, a criminal? Do you have it in you?”
“Mhm! I know I can do it! Can’t be that hard. I HAVE magic. That’s like, more than 60% of these criminals have.”
“You’ve got your Explosion magic, sure. But what exactly do you plan to do?”
“I’m not sure, honestly. I just know this… My dream is to make it big out there! I wanna see my name at the very top! I don’t WANT to be just some petty thief- I WON’T be some petty thief with a double-digit bounty! I’m going to the top, Kenton!”
“Captain, you can’t be suggesting…”
“I am and I will, my loyal quartermaster! I want to become a Tyrant. Then a Demon… Then one of the Most Wanted… Then one of the Ten Warlords! Then…! After I’ve done everything and got my full power unlocked, I’m gonna do it! I’ll become a part of the Four Emperors of the Sea!!!”
His quartermaster was left aghast, as were the rest of the crew.
“Captain… You’re one crazy bastard for saying that out loud on the sea.”
“Eh? Why?”
“Look, I’m not sure you understand the severity of what you said. I know you just got some memories back after wakin’ up with your pal, but did you REALLY hit your head that hard?”
“What do you mean, Kenton?”
“If anyone from the Four Emperor’s crews were sailing near us and heard that, they would NOT take kindly to it. They are forces to be reckoned with, okay? Hell, they are forces of nature. No one can stop them. Their clans are hundreds, even thousands of men strong. And the people themselves are insanely powerful- Equipped with the strongest magic, weapons, fighting styles, et cetera.”
“Well duh. I know that. Of course they’re strong. That’s why they got the title. But I intend to strengthen myself to their level of strength! I’m gonna make it one day, just you wait!”
“…You’re one crazy bastard, Captain… But… Perhaps that’s why I like you. If you’ll have me, I’ll accompany you on your journey.”
“Heh. Thanks, Kenton. Don’t you worry. Just keep doin’ your job, eventually, I’ll get stronger… Eventually, I will be a part of them! Now then… Toward Ravenna, men! Go!”
The crew all cheer, as they set sail toward the island of Ravenna. The captain retreats to his quarters, and rests for a bit. In his mind, he sees what he assumes is his future bounty poster. He smiles, drifting off to sleep.
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might do something with ao? idk. hope you liked it.