Atlas sat at the large table in the centre of the room, the only source of light spilling from a single window behind the throne. It cast long shadows across the stone floor, swallowing the corners in darkness.
Rocks sat motionless, his form outlined in stark relief, the pure inky blackness of a silhouette cut from the cerulean sky beyond.
No one had spoken yet, a tense silence sat heavy over them. Some seemed to struggle more. Kaidou shifted uncomfortably in his chair, clearly bored already.
Others held a faint sheen of sweat that they were clearly trying to hide as they remained impassive. Atlas simply waited, still unsure of what was happening. On the ship, there hadn't been any time where they had needed to be together, all seeming to do their own thing.
Sure, some had talked between themselves in small groups or drank together as they played some game or other to pass the time, but it had mostly seemed to be quiet and distant amongst the crew.
Atlas had found the whole thing really quite odd. Weren't crews and groups meant to be close? He chalked it up to his lack of any real-world knowledge, though. All he had to go off was what he had been taught by the lab.
Clearly, the World Government wouldn't be that well informed about any personal details about their enemies, right? That was what Atlas decided.
It had suited him best anyway. He needed to get a better grasp of the world and of his own strength before he could work on building any sort of faction for himself.
These people were all monsters compared to him. Clearly, Saturn and his pet scientists had been hiding a lot more from him than he had even thought. If he wanted to have any equal footing in this crew, he needed to get stronger before he tried anything.
"So..." Rocks' gravelly voice broke the quiet in that way he had that left everyone just as on edge as if he hadn't. "We have yet another promising new member of our crew."
Atlas couldn't make out the man's eyes through the shadows that covered him, but he knew they were on him all the same.
"Though, as much as his little 'scuffle' with the rookie was entertaining..."
A soft chuckle left his lips as he paused again, the others laughing along too. Atlas pretended not to care at how clearly the abilities he had used seemed to not matter to them, but he couldn't help the slight twitch.
He had always believed what he could do must be at the top of this world. The scientists had spent hours going over his powers and how he would be the ultimate weapon as long as he did not let in any doubt. Now, though, that doubt was trying to work its way in.
They dismissed his power as a "scuffle", like they had just been watching two kids caught fighting in school. Looking over to Kaidou, he saw the same irritation more clearly showing through on his face.
With that, he calmed down. They were just trying to get under his skin, that must be it. If that was the case, he wouldn't let them! He straightened his back as his face remained impassive, refusing to give them the kick they wanted.
Soon, Rocks continued, clearly seeing that his fun was ruined.
"But he will still need to prove himself above all the others on this island that want a seat at this table."
His words echoed in the room as he finished.
Many of the others now had sharp smiles glinting in the light, like daggers carved into a murderous smirk. He didn't know what they were all clearly already aware of, but whatever it was, it wouldn't be anything good. Of that, Atlas felt sure.
"Atlas, today we will hold a new ceremony. I will open up our crew to those hungry volunteers desperate to join our ranks."
His arm lazily lifted to sweep outwards towards the window behind him.
"And you will be their judge, to prove if they are worthy of the honour."
With that, he stood languidly, making his way out of the room. The others around the table all turned to look at him, appraising him almost. Their gazes held different glints, though.
Many held a sense of schadenfreude, clearly enjoying what was about to happen. Excitement bubbled in their eyes as they watched him like a hunter, waiting to see if he would prove himself a predator like them, or just more prey.
But there were differences. Kaidou looked bored and annoyed, clearly still worked up at the dismissive way Rocks talked about their fight.
Linlin held anticipation too. But hers was more keen and hopeful than the bloodlust he felt from some of the others.
Then there was Edward Newgate. His eyes fell heavily on him. There wasn't any of the same feeling of savagery in them. Instead, they almost looked sad.
It was those eyes that scared him the most. The looks of thinly veiled brutality he was all too used to from those that had treated him as a lab rat his whole life. But that pity, or maybe the expectation of disappointment, hit him hard.
What was that about?
Soon, though, they all cleared out. None of them said a word to him as they left. Instead, they grinned and laughed as they went. Like people who couldn't wait to catch a new show, but it was him that was the centrepiece for it.
Feeling unnerved, he remained behind. Unwilling to give them the satisfaction of seeing him flinch at their creepy joy. Like a stone statue, he sat there, unmoving and unblinking.
Staring at the seat Rocks had sat in. Contemplating what was going to happen at this ceremony.
'He would be the judge and yet also be tested?'
At first, he thought it might simply be a way to see if he could control rowdy pirates, but the way the others had reacted made it clear it wouldn't be so simple.
The way they had cleared the facility, the way they had allowed Kaidou to attack him while just sitting back and watching. He started to feel like he may know what they had in mind.
His eyes bored into the seat as they hardened, his lips thinning into a flat line bisecting his lower face. Lines creased his forehead as a frown fell over his features.
'So the bastards want another show.'
---
The day progressed smoothly, no one disturbing him since the meeting. He felt alone yet again, like he had dreamt the whole thing.
If it weren't for the bare stone walls of his new sandstone room, he could almost believe he had. The crisp sound of heeled steps clipping against the hall outside as they made their way to his door haunted him.
But no, the sound was only in his head now. His door never opened and no scientist ever led him away to another torturous experiment.
Instead, he sat there in silence. It was like he was numb, but it wasn't a physical feeling. No, it was in his mind. He hadn't felt the sweet relief that he had always imagined earning his freedom one day would bring.
He'd hoped, back on the ship, that it would come when he finally made land and had a moment truly to himself. That the shock would be over and he could finally feel the happiness then.
But it hadn't. Now he wondered if it ever would, or if it was just because he didn't feel all that free.
Choosing not to dwell on that depressing chain of thought for now, Atlas shook his head. He had a ceremony of some kind to attend later today and, so far, he had no real idea what would happen.
So he decided to go through one of his old favourite methods of practice. The speed change game. Not a flashy name, but hey, who expects a kid locked up in a lab all by himself to be good at naming things?
He moved off of the chair and down to the ground. He preferred sitting with his legs crossed, something about it felt more comfortable that way.
Breathing slowly, in through his nose in long, deep breaths. Holding for just a fraction of a second before letting it all out through his mouth in a controlled gush of air.
He felt his heartbeat steady and his mind calm. First came the fish. As he breathed in, he imagined a future where he had lived a life under the sea.
The strange new home, forcing his body to change and adapt, to become a part of it. He remembered the files he had been shown on Fishman biology and the multiple photos of the various forms they could take.
As he released his breath, this time it came not from out of his mouth. Instead, the air rushed from out his gills. Rippling oceanic blue scales covered his body, where once normal tanned skin had been.
Not even stopping to open his eyes, Atlas took yet another slow breath in through his now-pointed nose. This time he imagined a future him who had lived his life among the clouds.
Life so high demanded change too, just like the ocean before. This was the domain of the winged. As he released his breath, wings unfurled from behind his back, relaxing in an open form as if ready to catch the breeze at a moment's notice.
In with another deep breath, and now he was in a future where he had become an anthropomorphic animal, walking on two legs and talking much like any human but with the face of a ferocious lion.
His breath left his snout in a low growl as his whiskers twitched in the humid air. His fur raised his body heat even further than the tropical island had already managed.
With yet another big breath, he returned back to a form he felt intimately familiar with. His own. His body grew taller, his hide turning to skin as it shed its golden matting of wiry fur.
His eyes opened slowly as he relaxed into his sitting position. It had been a practice the scientists had made him go through.
To spite them, he had instead turned it into a game. To see how fast he could cycle through his various transformations, not including any that might just leave a hole in his nice new room.
He smiled at the results. Managing to change between breaths was still a fairly new feat and one he could happily admit he was proud of.
In the heat of a battle it might not be that fast, but being able to do it outside of combat meant he would probably manage at least a few in a real fight if push came to shove.
That was reassuring at least, especially with the ominous feeling he got for this so-called ceremony he was about to experience.
As if on cue, a knocking came at his door. So distracted in his concentration, he hadn't even heard them approaching. It would seem he would learn soon enough what was going to be expected of him now.
---
Thud, thud, thudding of boots on stone echoed loudly through the corridor. Atlas made his way steadily towards the light at the end, faint sounds just beginning to reach his ears.
Sweat prickled down his back as the humid heat of this tropical paradise clung to him like a second set of clothes. Shifting uncomfortably in his loose-fit shirt, he cursed the lack of controlled temperature outside the lab.
Still, he walked on. Soon, the sounds grew louder as the shaft of light became a doorway. Roaring cheers filled his ears, eyes squinting as they adjusted to the evening light.
"Scum of my pirates' haven! Welcome my newest recruit, who will join me as a scourge of the seas!"
The deep, gravelly voice of Rocks cut through the noise like a knife. The crowd's cries, like the waves of an ocean, grew louder, and yet Rocks' own voice was the boat that smoothly sailed across it.
Atlas' stomach churned at his words, the way it made him feel reminding him how uncertain he was on this new path he now walked.
As he breached the doorway, he found himself on a rough-carved balcony, made of the same tanned sandstone. Loosely bunched together there stood the infamous crewmates of the Rocks Pirates.
The balcony was fairly large, yet with several of their members being so giant themselves, it made no real difference if it were small. Still, they managed to look distant from each other even in such close proximity.
Ahead of them, standing upon a slightly raised dais, was the man who stood out even among his unique crew. It wasn't truly that he towered over any of them.
Even raised as his platform was, he was still dwarfed by many like Whitebeard. The human who put some giants to shame in his stature stood tall behind the smaller man.
And yet your eye couldn't help but be drawn to Rocks instead. It was, in a way, completely opposite to the sun. Its blinding light forcing you to look away. Instead, he was like an inky pool of shadow taken human form.
The dark corner of your room that keeps you up at night as you swear you see something stirring within it. Unnatural and unnerving. Unable to look away out of fear of missing it before it's too late.
That same dark charisma was working its magic in a whole new way with this crowd. The residents of this island weren't the usual civilians that marked other populaces, after all.
No, the Pirate Paradise attracted the greatest scum and villainy of this world alike. Of course, not all were evil, but they were all willing to commit it on the right people. Once the World Government marked you, you were just as guilty whether you had committed wrong or not. So why not?
Here, instead of the innate fear and repulsion a being like Rocks D. Xebec should elicit, they cheered. Like animals before the strong, happily following in the hopes of fresh meat.
"But you should all know that joining me isn't so easy..." Rocks snarled out through a vicious smirk. Roars of approval shook the earth as the courtyard yelled out.
Nodding his head, clearly happy with their reaction, he continued.
"That is why we will hold a recruitment. All of you here will have the chance to join the ranks of my Pirate Fleet!"
Atlas could have sworn he saw cracks forming in the stonework from the intensity of the shaking. The screams of the crowd were so loud the entire island suffered under them.
Laughing and cheering continued to fill the clearing. So many were clapping each other on the back or grinning from ear to ear, all of them looking so excited at the possibility of being a Rocks Pirate!
The man himself, though, had a different look. His smirk had grown larger, his eyes sharp and cold. His lips thinning as they split his face. Suddenly, an echoing laughter broke out.
Somehow, even with how loud the crowd was being, it managed to drown out their collective voices again. The way it rang out sent dread to beat at his heart.
"That's right! You will have a chance, but it will come at a cost. Atlas, step forward..."
As he paused, he turned to beckon him forward.
His voice fell as he looked into Atlas' eyes.
"You will be their judge. Thin the herd. I don't want any weaklings in my fleet."
He gave him a ruthless look as his sharp teeth glinted in the soft light of midday.
"Remove them from my island."
Saying that, he turned back around and said nothing more. The crowd hung on edge, seemingly waiting for Rocks to explain to them what was happening.
Instead, the aloof man just stood there like an unnerving statue, not a care in the world for all the people he'd just worked up into a frenzy.
Atlas waited a moment, waiting just like them for some kind of clarification. Moments passed awkwardly as the crowd grew more and more eager.
Sighing as he rolled his eyes, Atlas saw the smirk on Rocks' face and realised that no more information would be coming.
Clearly, part of his test would be in seeing how he chose to deal with them. From what he had seen of Rocks so far, he expected that his preference would be... bloody.
Atlas cringed inwardly at the thought of all that death just to satisfy one man's messed-up mind. The way Saturn had been using him to fuel his own sadistic experiments.
Hastily biting back a snarl before his teeth could show, Atlas scoffed lightly. Shrugging his shoulders, if Rocks wanted a show, he'd give him one.
Just one on his own terms.
Jumping down from the balcony, Atlas landed with a smooth thud. He stood there, back straight, as he stared out into the crowd.
Meeting each of the gazes that looked right back at him. Uneasiness rippled through the crowd. Atlas may not be one of the infamous members of the Rocks Pirates' main crew, but even as a rookie, it meant he was someone to fear.
They shifted feet, moving slowly to surround him while leaving enough space as not to possibly piss him off. Clever enough to realise that it was best to avoid a fight with him.
Atlas didn't react to their shiftiness. His posture remained in a state of relaxed aloofness. Almost like he were looking through the many people who almost resembled toys compared to his massive frame.
Seconds passed in a trickle as the tension built around him. Each moment was worse than the last for these hopefuls looking for their chance to become something more.
Atlas watched them, his mind working to come up with a plan. He refused to play Rocks' game, a game of needless death. He would not become like the man who had imprisoned him all his life. Cold and vindictive.
An idea came to him. His lips curved into an easy smile as it formed into a plan. He could still have them fight, but who said he could not be their competitor?
If they wanted to see someone bleed, they would have to manage to cut him first.