A Little Piece of Kripton (One Piece x Superman)

"Well, I'm impressed," said a sudden, smooth voice that echoed from one of the crumbled walls nearby.

The voice belonged to a striking woman who stepped out from the shadows. She wore a tight, yellow top and green pants that accentuated her flawless physique. Her most defining features were the massive, eagle-like white wings on her back, each spanning nearly 1.5 meters tall.

Despite the half-mask covering the upper portion of her face, there was no denying her ethereal beauty—she looked like a goddess descended from the heavens.

"Ah! Are you from Skypiea?!" Luffy asked with wide-eyed excitement, his gaze fixed on her wings.

The woman smirked, her tone laced with a subtle arrogance. "Hmph, sorry to disappoint you, but I wasn't Skypiean."

Luffy tilted his head in confusion, seemingly ignoring her haughty demeanor, as if deep in thought.

Royal narrowed his eyes, his body tensing instinctively. He had encountered winged people before in this world: the residents of Skypiea, Devil Fruit users, or possibly...

"I'm from the Thanagarian race," the woman declared proudly, interrupting his train of thought.

Royal's jaw tightened, and his expression darkened. He didn't appreciate her hostile tone or the way she carried herself, like a predator stalking its prey.

He knew of Thanagar—he'd been there once, albeit briefly. It had been for a tedious diplomatic meeting between General Zod and Thanagar's military leader, General Hro Talak. The discussions were about the Thanagarian-Geordanian war, a subject that bored Royal to tears. Still, he had learned enough about the Thanagarian culture to know they were a proud and fiercely militaristic race.

"You don't seem particularly friendly for someone who just crashed our party," Royal said coldly, stepping slightly in front of Luffy and the others as if to shield them.

"Friendly?" The woman laughed, her voice melodic yet sharp. "Who said I'm here to make a friend?"

"And what do you want, then?" Zoro asked curtly, cutting straight to the point.

"Honestly?" The woman shrugged nonchalantly, her voice laced with indifference. "Nothing."

Her dismissive tone immediately irked Zoro, and his hand instinctively moved toward his katana. "Then why are you here?"

"Because someone is curious about the pirates entering this region. Besides, you're intruders who should've been captured." the woman replied nonchalantly, her tone calm yet taunting.

"Is that a threat?" Royal asked, his voice laced with suspicion. He was careful to maintain a neutral demeanor, avoiding any revelation of his Kryptonian origins. His past encounters with Thanagarians and their military alliances had taught him the danger of being recognized. Royal's focus remained on the woman, ready to counter any further probing or threats she might pose.

"Of course not, but you're free to interpret it however you like." The woman tilted her head slightly, observing Royal with a curious glint in her eye, but she didn't press further. "You are... hm, ah I I'm guessing you're like me." she smirked and turned her attention to the rest of the crew. "Seriously, all of you is certainly bold, charging headfirst into unknown territory like this. I suppose that's what makes you all so... intriguing," she said, her gaze flickering to Luffy, who grinned widely at the apparently is not really a compliment.

"Shishishi! That's why we're pirates; we can do whatever we want." Luffy declared proudly, puffing out his chest. "Besides, we're just trying to help someone."

Shayera raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Help someone?"

"Yes! Someone called us asking for help so we are looking this people. Did you know anithing about it, Lady?"

"Did you know the name of someone that you looking for?"

"...No" Luffy answered sadly.

The woman roll her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Then, I don't know who are you looking for"

Royal, still on edge, stepped forward. "Who sent you?"

Shayera's wings ruffled slightly, her expression hardening. "That's not your concern. But, maybe you'd feel a bit more at ease knowing that the Boss hates the World Government and no—he's not some 'space people'."

Zoro rested a hand on his sword, his sharp eyes locked onto her. "Space people?"

Shayera's lips curled into a sly smile. "Oh, you know code name for a uniqe living being."

Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp exchanged glances as they looked at Royal and the woman, as if some hidden message passed silently between them. Meanwhile, Robin gazed at the drifting clouds, her expression distant, lost in the maze of her own thoughts.

Without another word, the winged woman ascended into the sky, her departure swift and unceremonious.

Royal turned to Captain Luffy, his expression serious. "Are we just going to let her go like that?"

Luffy grinned, his usual carefree demeanor giving way to an unusual wisdom. "I don't know and I don't care. But if you're interest to her do what you think is best."

Taking the response as permission, Royal gave a firm nod. He stepped away from the Straw Hat crew, his cape fluttering in the wind, and with a burst of speed, he shot into the sky, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake.

Usopp, caught in the mini-sandstorm, coughed and shielded his face with his hands. "Show-off," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head as the dust began to settle.

"Think he'll catch her?" Zoro asked, crossing his arms.

"If he wants to, he will," Luffy replied confidently, the spark of excitement already gleaming in his eyes.

"Now, let's enjoy this dragon meat before we move on!" Luffy suggested enthusiastically, his mouth already watering at the thought of the feast.

Zoro glanced skeptically at Robin, his voice low. "Do you think it's safe to eat that, Robin?"

Robin, ever calm and composed, smiled knowingly, her expression tinged with mischief. "Ah, we'll find out soon enough," she replied, her tone light yet teasing.

Zoro sighed, his hesitation clear, but the sight of Luffy and Usopp eagerly diving into the cooked dragon meat made him reconsider. With a resigned grunt, he stepped forward to join them, muttering under his breath. "Might as well grab my share before they finish it all."

Robin chuckled softly as she watched him walk toward the chaotic duo. "Quite the adventurous spirit, aren't we?" she murmured to herself before deciding to observe a little longer, curious to see what would happen next.

*****

Royal couldn't stop thinking about Usopp's words. He had hoped that his late-night conversation with Franky would help him better understand the sharpshooter's perspective. Yet, the reality was that he still had no clue what had caused Usopp's apparent dislike for him.

He sighed quietly, gazing out at the horizon as his thoughts churned. This unresolved tension gnawed at him, and he feared it might eventually disrupt the crew's overall harmony if left unaddressed.

"I'll need to talk to him one-on-one," Royal thought to himself. The prospect of an open and honest discussion seemed like the only way to resolve the issue, but timing was everything. For now, he took solace in the fact that no one else seemed aware of the problem—aside from Franky, whose discretion he trusted.

Royal refocused his gaze ahead, locking onto the winged woman he had been tailing. Despite the incredible speed of the Thanagarian's wings, nothing could outpace a Kryptonian under the light of a yellow sun. 

The woman seemed to notice his approach, her sharp instincts kicking in as she accelerated even further. The gap between them began to close, but she was determined not to make it easy for him. 

"Wait!" Royal shouted, his voice cutting through the roaring wind as he pushed himself harder. The air around him cracked, and with a deafening boom, he broke the sound barrier. The sonic boom reverberated across the sky, leaving a trail of turbulence in its wake. 

The shockwave startled the Thanagarian, causing her to glance back briefly. Her eyes narrowed in irritation, realizing just how fast her pursuer was. Despite her frustration, she refused to stop, weaving through the clouds in an attempt to shake him off. 

Royal, undeterred, gritted his teeth. "I'm not letting you get away," he muttered under his breath as he surged forward with renewed determination, closing the distance with every passing second.

"What do you want?" the woman snapped, her patience wearing thin.

Both of them paused midair, realizing that continuing to fly while having a conversation would be pointless.

"I just want to know, why are you on this planet? Aren't you one of the high-ranking warriors on your home planet?" Royal said, his tone calm but firm.

The Thanagarian woman glared at him, studying him intently. "Ah, now I remember where I meet you before."

Royal remained silent, trying to keep his reaction in check.

"Kryptonian. You're the one who attended that meeting."

"And you're Shayera Hol, a special unit from General Talak's forces," Royal responded evenly, his eyes narrowing as he recalled her identity. "I want to know, who are you spying for? And did the Thanagarian exile you? Because I've heard that for warriors who disobey Talak's order, the get extremely severe punishment."

Shayera's eyes flashed with a hint of anger, and before Royal could react, she swung her mace. The spiked weapon, crafted from Nyh metal, collided with Royal's side, sending a shock of pain through his body. He staggered back in the air, blood beginning to stain his shirt as the sharp impact of the mace left a gash on his skin.

Royal clenched his teeth, his anger flaring, but he didn't retaliate immediately. He knew he had to be cautious with Shayera, especially since she wasn't someone to be underestimated.

"That's a lesson for you, Kryptonian for not talk of General Talak like that." Shayera said coldly, her voice full of disdain. "For now, I don't answer to the Thanagarians, and you have no right to question me. I don't want to fight you, but don't think for a second I'll hesitate to defend myself."

"Said the woman who attacked me first." Royal muttered, still recalling the blow from Shayera's mace.

She rolled her eyes. "You could've dodged, but you chose not to. So accept what happened and stop complaining."

The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unspoken threats. But after a long moment of silence, Shayera sighed and relaxed her stance.

"You know for a Kryptonian, you are'nt so bad, but definietly different from the other" she said, her tone slightly softer. "But I can't just trust you completely. Not yet."

Royal, still nursing his wound, took a deep breath before responding. "So, what now? We keep fighting, or we try to talk this through?"

Shayera's expression softened slightly. "Here's the deal," she said, her voice serious. "I'm not working for the Thanagarians. I'm working for someone else. Someone who'll never give any information to Zod. But, I need your help."

Royal raised an eyebrow, surprised by her admission. "What kind of help?"

Shayera looked around to make sure they weren't being overheard and lowered her voice. "I need you to help me build something. Something that'll allow me to get closer to my target, and—" She paused, hesitant. "If you help me, I'll make sure your secrets stay safe. For now."

Royal studied her, his mind racing. He didn't trust her fully, but something about her honesty made him reconsider.

"Alright," Royal said cautiously. "We'll help each other. But if you cross me—"

"I know," Shayera cut him off with a smirk. "You'll make me regret it. I'm counting on you to keep your end of the bargain, Kryptonian."

They both hovered in the sky, eyeing each other warily, but now there was an understanding between them. A truce—fragile, but there nonetheless.

"Deal," Royal said, offering a faint nod. "Just don't try to kill me next time."

Shayera smiled, her wings flapping as she took off toward a nearby cliff. "We'll see."