Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I know both Law-san and Zoro-san notice. They just don’t talk about it.”

“And for good reasons,” Robin replied. “Besides, what is there to talk about? The Underworld is no place for an earth god. The world will suffer without him.”

“Yohohoho! Since when did the unmovable Queen of the Underworld became so concerned with what might happen in the Upperworld?”

Robin glared at the ferryman despite her trembling lips.

“Brook please… don’t you start on this…”

Even with the absence of an actual face, the man gave her a knowing look

“My lovely Queen, you are a wise woman and I’m sure you know it too. For what is there to start when it has already started?”

*****

It is believed among the mortals that the Underworld is a dark, depressing, and unforgiving place. The deities and other creatures that live there are regarded as monsters or demons and no sane man would try entering it (for whatever reasons) then making it out alive. After all, it is the land of the dead.

It is also rumored that the Underworld is ruled by a queen as cold as the place itself. No one knows what this mysterious queen looked like for she had never joined any festivities nor made herself known to the mortals unlike the other gods. One thing, however, is known about this enigmatic goddess; her name is Nico Robin.

Robin placed down the scrolls and sighed. She had already forgotten how many hours have passed since she started her daily duties. She could only guess by the number of scrolls and how her feet itched for a good walk. The old man standing in front of her was about to plead his case when she wordlessly raised her hand.

“I will take a break.”

The statement was not a request and the old man merely bowed and stepped back. If the Queen of the Underworld wanted him to wait, then he shall. The young man standing in line behind him, on the other hand, was not pleased.

“But we’ve been waiting for so long, my lady. Surely, you can-”

The old man turned around and smacked him.

“My apologies, my lady! This boy is young and didn’t know better. Apologize, boy-”

He looked around to find that the woman had already vanished. The other people in the line sighed collectively and started whispering to each other.

“You’re in luck, kid! In another time, we would have been sent to Impel Down!”

Dark creatures bowed and cleared the path as Robin passed. It was a typical day in the Underworld. One would say that the land is dreary and cursed but she doesn’t mind being around the dead. They are mostly harmless and she could spend her days undisturbed and free from all the trouble she often heard about from the other realms- the Upperworld which is ruled by Dragon and the seas ruled by Jimbei. The two men were her comrades during the battle with the previous rulers and she sees them as brothers. Still, it was her own decision to isolate herself in the land where no light can reach.

There was a faint blue light and flutter of wings. She knew she wasn’t alone anymore.

 “Nico-ya,” greeted the newcomer. “You seem bored. Is the Underworld not to your liking these days?”

Robin continued walking, knowing that the man would follow her regardless.

“Nonsense. And aren’t you supposed to be at work? Ussop will be overwhelmed without your help, Law.”

The man, Law, merely smirked and kept his distance.

“I have time. Besides, Eustass-ya lay off the wars for once.”

The corners of Robin’s mouth twitched into a smile.

“Ah, and I was hoping he’d cause one to liven up this place.”

“So you admit you are bored.”

“Fufufufu! Maybe I am. I almost sent that poor man to Impel Down-”

Loud barks suddenly echoed throughout the place, breaking the otherwise eerie silence. Robin stopped walking to listen.

“What is that alcoholic mutt up to this time?” hissed Law.

“Don’t let him hear you call him that. Maybe Zoro found something.”

The barks became louder and more insistent. Robin frowned and without another word, she vanished with a purple blur.

Law sighed and opened his wings to follow.

“This better be interesting.”

Somewhere else in the underworld is a massive, three-headed, green furred dog. It just finished giving signal to its queen and is now growling suspiciously at the unconscious figure on the ground.

“Now, now. What is it, Zoro?” Robin asked calmly as soon as she appeared. The dog turned to her.

“This man appeared out of nowhere! He’s not a soul but I sense that he’s not chthonic either.”

Robin raised a brow.

“What is he doing here then? Is he alone?”

Zoro nodded, three earrings on each head clinking loudly.

At least there’s that, Robin thought. She examined the man closely. He looked massive compared to average mortals although his skin is tanned like them. He is naked except for his loincloth… has someone robbed the rest of this man’s clothes? Then Robin noticed the color of his hair; a very bright blue which contrasted his surroundings. It reminded her of the skies above she rarely gets to see.

 A flutter of wings and quiet footsteps signaled Law’s arrival. He took one look at the man on the ground and grinned.

“Now that’s something you don’t see here every day.”

Chapter Text

It was a typical fair weathered afternoon in the Upperworld when a certain god could be found in the middle of a valley of flowers. He was on his knees, attention fixed on the bud he was trying to grow from the ground that he didn’t even bother to slick back the lock of bright blue hair that fell over his face.

“AH! This can’t be right!”

Feeling frustrated, his large hands almost crushed the tiny plant in his hands.

“I don’t feel super this week, huh…”

He hardly cared that mortals in the vicinity were whispering among themselves before hurrying away. He grumbled louder, only stopping when he heard familiar footsteps approaching him.

“Franky,” a low, seemingly tired voice began. “What did I tell you about wearing proper clothing especially when mortals are around?”

He didn’t even had to look to know who it was.

“For the millionth time, Bakaberg, I don’t give a damn about what the mortals think of me. Besides,” he turned around and pointed at the other god’s attire which he deemed constricting. “Don’t you feel uncomfortable in those?”

Iceburg rolled his eyes and sighed.

“Nmaa… This is the proper attire for a god such as yourself. Come on, at least wear your cloak-”

Franky slams his hands on the ground.

“Shut it! I do my job well and I don’t let ‘em mortals starve! Stop telling me what to do!”

Iceburg was about to reply when he saw the result of Franky’s actions.

“Franky!”

“Wha- OH FUCK!”

Every bloom in the valley has wilted and Iceburg could only watch as his brother let out frustrated noises.

“What a waste. You should have been more careful. Your powers are more erratic than mine and I’d hate to hear the mortals’ grumblings if they don’t get a bountiful harvest this year.”

Franky lazily waved off his hand in reply before inspecting the damage.

“Ha! You and your harvest! Wouldn’t it be great if there’s a time when y’know, there’s nothing to harvest? That will teach those mortals not to take us for granted!”

Iceburg stared at him.

“Be careful with your words, idiot.”

Franky groaned again and finally slicked back the sweaty hair that was sticking to his face.

“That bastard! It’s not like I can’t fix this in seconds!”

He cracked his knuckles and went to work. To be fair, it was an easy thing to do- heck, he is the SUPER god of spring! The thing is, he had to admit that doing the same thing in an unending cycle felt like a not-so-super chore at times… Maybe if he could just forget all his responsibilities and go on some adventure for a day but ah… his annoying know-it-all brother wouldn’t let that happen. Besides, for all their irritating comments about his apparently odd sense of fashion, Franky liked taking care of the mortals and wouldn’t let them suffer just to go on some mere selfish adventure.

It was late afternoon by the time valley was restored and he was about to head home when he noticed an odd looking crack on the ground.

“Crap! I need to fix this before Bakanky sees it!”

He kneels down to examine it and immediately realizes it looked more serious than he first thought. He followed the trail that lead him to the bottom of the valley where the crack already looked more like a ravine. It was pitch black and there was no way of telling how deep it was. He was about to close it when he caught something glowing from within.

“AW! That is super! What in the name of Gold Roger is that?”

Getting home before Iceburg gives him an earful now flew out the window as his curiosity took over.

“Don’t rush, we’ll get there soon!”                  

He could hear bleating approaching his direction. Franky immediately turned to warn whoever was coming but the words got caught in his mouth when his movements made him lose his balance and fall into the darkness.

“What in the- goddamn crack wasn’t here yesterday!” the young man exclaimed and furiously motioned his flock to turn around.

“Come along guys, Gold Roger knows how stupid one must be to fall into a crack that big!”

Down. Down. Down.

He didn’t even had the time to process what just happened.

“Ah! What?! Why aren’t my powers working?!”

He tried again but only wisps of light came out of his palms. He considered crying for help but who is going to hear him? He’s falling into who knows where, feeling like his energy is being sapped by the nothingness.

You’re going to get in trouble someday if don’t stop being reckless, Franky…

Iceburg’s broken record words rang clearly in his mind. He let out a bitter laugh and struck a pose with what is left of his energy.

“Well Bakaberg, looks like you hit the nail on the head after all…”

He felt weaker and weaker until his body finally succumbed. The last thing he heard before he passed out are loud barks.

“Oh great… I’m going to be mauled by a dog… Not superrr…”