Mutiny #187

On the cliff's edge, the wind ruffled Eustass Kid's fiery red hair as he stared with a mixture of awe and irritation at the incredible sight before him. The ship, the Golden Ape, was defying gravity, its massive hull cradled within a cocoon of vivid orange clouds. It was a display that stretched the bounds of his understanding, a surreal image that simultaneously intrigued and vexed him.

Beside him, his ever-loyal crewmate, Killer, stood with a subtle expression of amusement and intrigue. He arched an eyebrow at Kid's awestruck look before speaking. "Cedric mentioned they're heading to the New World next," he stated calmly, his gaze locked on the ascending ship. "Are you really not going to bid him farewell?" He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. "It might be a long time before we cross paths again, if we ever do."

Kid's scowl deepened at the suggestion, his jaw clenching in response to the conflicting emotions bubbling within him. He shifted his gaze away from the spectacle above and met Killer's eyes with a defiant glare. "I've got no sentimental crap to share with that blonde gorilla," he retorted, his voice dripping with his usual caustic edge. "Not until I've beaten some sense into him and put him back in his place."

Killer's gaze remained steady as he listened to Kid's vehement response. The corner of his mouth quirked up in a knowing half-smile. "You know, even a gorilla occasionally stumbles upon something intelligent," he remarked, his tone laced with a dry sense of humor. 

Kid reluctantly sighed. With a shake of his head, he admitted. "You've got a point. Regardless of our feelings, we need to be prudent. Training and laying low for a while might be our best course of action."

Kid's eyes flickered back to the ascending ship, a mix of determination and frustration etched into his features. As the Golden Ape continued its ascent into the sky, he couldn't shake the sense of urgency that had taken root within him. 

The New World awaited, and he was determined to carve out his path amidst its treacherous seas at his own pace. 

...

Standing confidently at the quarterdeck, Cedric's vibrant blue eyes glittered with a mixture of excitement and amusement. His blonde hair danced in the wind as he gazed upon the unfolding spectacle before him.

  The Golden Ape, his grand vessel, was ascending higher and higher, an ethereal aura of orange clouds enveloping its massive form. His grin widened, a true embodiment of his adventurous spirit.

His crewmates, however, were faring quite differently. The sudden ascent had caught them off guard, and they clung desperately to anything secure—railings, masts, and any other fixed point they could find. 

The ship's violent lurches and tilts tested their balance and grip as they fought against the unexpected forces at play. Duval, his face a mixture of panic and frustration, had ensnared himself around a mast, his voice pitched with anxiety as he called out, "Enough with the damn jokes, captain! We're scared out of our wits here!"

Cedric's chuckle carried a reassuring note as he leaned against the ship's railings, watching his crew's antics with a knowing smile. "Just a little longer, Duval," he called back, his voice carrying easily above the wind's howl. "Hold on tight! You're about to witness something truly remarkable."

Even as the words left his lips, the ship's crow's nest made contact with the cloud sea—a vast expanse of white fluff that seemed almost surreal in its texture. Cedric's reaction was swift and calculated, his arm thrust forward with precision. 

From his palm, a torrent of searing flames surged forth, forging a clear path through the clouds. The flames carved a circular wake amid the dense whiteness, parting the cloud sea like a ship cutting through waves. It was a display of mastery over fire, a testament to his command of flames.

The ship surged forward, propelled by Cedric's mastery, and as the cloud sea yielded, the vessel raced ahead, leaving a trail of dissipating clouds in its wake. The sense of exhilaration and wonder was palpable, the ship and its occupants becoming one with the elements around them.

The atmosphere on the ship shifted from trepidation to hushed awe as it sailed through the endless expanse of white. Clouds wrapped themselves around the vessel, embracing it in a tranquil cocoon as it journeyed into this mysterious realm. Silence hung in the air, broken only by the soft sounds of the ship creaking against the currents of wind that guided it.

Then, with a gradual intensity, the ship burst through the cloud cover, revealing a world that was at once ethereal and surreal. A vast, uninterrupted expanse of white stretched out beneath them, reminiscent of an endless sea of milk. It was a sight that defied all expectations, defying the very laws of nature as they knew it. Their ship floated above this sea of white, upheld by Cedric's mastery over the elements, creating an otherworldly tableau.

Cedric's excitement was palpable as he moved to the railing, his grin almost infectious. He beckoned his crew to join him, his vibrant blue eyes dancing with mischief. "Welcome to the White Sea," he announced with a sense of triumph, his voice carrying through the stillness. "We're here, right in the heart of Skypiea!"

The crewmates obeyed his call, a mix of reluctance and curiosity on their faces. They relinquished their grips on the ship's fixtures and gathered at the railings, their gazes fixed on the surreal panorama below. The white sea seemed to stretch into infinity, a realm that defied their preconceptions of what the world could be. But it was the movement within this sea that truly captivated their attention.

Beneath them, aquatic-like creatures glided through the white expanse, their forms illuminated by an otherworldly glow. The sight was enchanting, a dance of mysterious beings in an environment that was entirely new to them. Baby Five's eyes widened in wonder as she gazed upon the scene, her voice filled with awe as she remarked, "It's like... water. I wonder if it can hold the weight of the ship?"

Cedric's grin turned mischievous as he considered her words. He scanned the ship, noting everyone's anticipation and curiosity. With a gleam in his eyes, he made a decision. "Well, there's only one way to find out," he proclaimed, his voice carrying a blend of confidence and excitement. Without hesitation, he dispelled the fire clouds that had kept the ship suspended in the air, allowing it to descend toward the unknown expanse below.

The ship's descent was sudden as it was quck, the world around them shifting as they moved closer to the white sea.

The sudden descent of the ship elicited a cacophony of reactions from the crew. The Flying Fish Riders, who had confidently stood moments before, were now a chorus of panic. Some let out high-pitched shrieks, their voices carrying both fear and surprise. Others clung to the railings with white-knuckled grips, their faces a blend of astonishment and trepidation.

Duval's typically polished demeanor was replaced by a barrage of curses that erupted from his lips in a colorful display of frustration. He clung to the mast, his hands gripping the wood with intensity as he bellowed his displeasure to the skies above. Nearby, Baby Five clung to the railing as if her life depended on it, her mechanical fingers leaving indents in the wood. Her wide eyes reflected a mix of shock and anxiety.

Den, the fish-man helmsman, reacted with a blend of surprise and determination. His fish-like tail coiled around the railing, anchoring him in place as he weathered the sudden tumult. He managed to retain his composure, although his grip on the helm had tightened considerably.

Among the chaos, Kieran and Nico Robin remained remarkably composed. Their eyes widened in surprise at the abrupt fall, but their reactions were more subdued compared to the others. It was a testament to their experience and resilience, a mark of seasoned adventurers who were familiar with the unexpected.

The ship's collision with the white sea sent a spray of clouds into the air, resembling a liquid burst of white. The impact was gentler than anticipated, and the initial panic gradually gave way to a collective sigh of relief. The ship bobbed on the white surface, surrounded by a cloud-like embrace that cradled it with an almost ethereal touch.

Despite the commotion, Duval's frustration persisted. His outburst, a mix of irritation and adrenaline, couldn't be easily quelled. "Damn it! You scared the living shit out of me!" he roared, his voice carrying over the aftermath of their fall.

Baby Five, her mechanical fist raised in agreement, added her own indignant voice. "Absolutely! You're a tyrant, not a captain! I demand a mutiny!" Her tone was laced with mock severity, her expression a playful mix of indignation and amusement.

Cedric, standing amidst the chaos with an unshakable grin, couldn't resist the urge to tease. He lifted a hand to his ear, lazily picking at it as he regarded his crew. "Oh really?" he replied, his voice carrying a taunting note. "And where exactly are you going to find a captain that can tolerate your dumb assery?"