Rogue was walking back to the bar, each step heavy and regretful. He heard the tree leaves whistling, dancing to the wind. He began to shiver, watching as the coconut trees shake. He saw every citizen of Athena enter their houses and locking their doors. He sighed and made a run for the bar. A tree was struck with lightning, which startled him.

Rogue spotted the bar in sight, shivering as the cold breeze invaded the air. He knocked at the door, calling out. "Azura!"

No one answered the door.

Rogue slammed his fist against the door, looking around for another entrance. Rogue headed right behind the bar, spotting a door. He wriggled with the handle, sighing. Rogue backed up, using his arm to bust open the door. He tried it for a second time, backing further away. Just then, the door slammed open and he fell to the floor.

Rogue groaned, trying to get back on his feet. He shut the door behind him, the room completely dim. He looked around for a sign of light, squinting. He then heard voices from north, reaching his hands out. With each increasing step, he spotted a spot of bright light. He was about to call out for Azura, but a voice took over.

"Azzy! Please!"

Rogue peeked around the door, spotting Azura and Nira. Azura held her microphone tightly, facing away from the other lady.

"Please Nira, don't let this happen again."

"No!" Nira approached Azura, taking her hands and holding them firmly. "We can be together, again..."

Azura stared at their hands, sighing as she pulled her hands away. She refused to look back at Nira's eyes. "We were never together. And it's not that I don't want to be. I have dreams, Nira. And I want to stay true to that."

"You always say that. Why can't you let me help?"

"Because you'll only slow me down!" Azura said louder than she expected. Nira furrowed her eyebrows. "That's because you move too quickly. I can't catch up, Azzy."

"That's not the thing. You gave up on your dreams, and I'm not giving up on mine. Look at you now!"

"I never gave up on my dreams! The only dream I have is to stay with you!" Nira's voice almost cracked, echoing against the eerie walls. She sighed. "Don't you get it? All I wanted was to be a part of your world. But you had plans, plans without me in them. Can't I just support you for once?"

"Ahem," Rogue finally decided to break the conversation, standing there awkwardly. The two gasped, turning to see him in the dark. Nira blushed while Azura stuttered. "Captain! When did you get here? How much did you hear?"

"Enough to leave me wonder whether I should go or not." Rogue glanced at Nira, watching her bit her lip. Azura walked up to him, folding her hands together. "Tell me, Rogue. Did you speak with... her?"

"Yes, didn't go as smoothly though," he refused to meet her eyes, instead meeting Nira's. Nira glanced at them with shock, heartbroken. Tears blurred her vision which she preferred.

"Do you have the heart?"

"Yeah," Rogue pulled out the Heart of the Sea, watching as it glowed red in her hands. She smiled widely.

"You."

Rogue looked up and saw Nira crying.

"This is YOUR fault. You've been working for her! Behind our backs?" Nira gripped onto her coat, the wind bursting through the windows.

"Nira, you don't understand— Peri has lied! I'm only trying to save Athena and return the heart to it's rightful place!" Rogue moved past Azura, approaching Nira. "Azura... has good intentions. I can't run away any longer."

Nira saw Azura put a hand on Rogue's shoulder, backing away. "You have lost your mind, Rogue. Maybe your heart should follow."

She wiped her tears away, running out of the bar and into the storm. Rogue was about to chase after her, but was stopped from doing so when he felt Azura's grip on his wrist. "It's too dangerous out there, Rogue."

"Let me go, Azura. I have helped you enough," he attempted to pull his arm away, but her grip was strong. Rogue looked back. "What the-"

"Rogue, stay with me... please. It's too late to come back for them. They left you, what's the point in chasing them?"

"They're more than just a crew. They're my only family." He said, a sense of vulnerability in his tone. Azura refused to let go as the orb lit up the entire room.

"Not anymore. It's just you and me, Rogue. Together, we're invincible! We can travel into the unknown like you and your father planned!" She began to laugh again, a big smile plastered on her face. "We don't need them. We just keep moving!"

"You're insane! How long will it take you to realize that you've been pushing everyone else away for being THIS desperate!" He attempted to pull his wrist away, but her grip became to be deadly tight. He winced. "This has gone too far!" Azura eyed him, her eyes reflecting the bright red light of the orb.

"I tried warning you, Captain." She began to drag him horrifyingly, Rogue attempting to pull himself away. They arrived at a dark room, surrounded by a handful of human cages. Azura tossed him inside one, locking it tightly with a key. Rogue groaned, grasping onto the bars as he tried to escape.

Azura laughed, every giggle coming out with an echo. She held the key in her hand, waving it teasingly. "This will teach you how to act properly."

"What are you even planning to do?!" He gritted his teeth gently, the tension rising. Azura continued to hold the orb, adjusting her hair.

"Oh, nothing special. I'm just going to use this lil darling to hold it against the citizens of Athena's will. And when the waters wipe out this very island, me and my team will leave on our battle ship and take out itty bitty Peri and her pitiful crew," she giggled, reaching for Rogue's chin and lifting it up to meet his gaze.

"Oh don't worry, love. I won't forget about you. You and I can watch them get erased from this vile world," she smiled sweetly, stroking his cheek. She then pulled away, blowing a kiss to him as she began to leave the room. She hung up the key right near the door, making sure that Rogue wouldn't be able to reach it.

"I'll be back for you in a few minutes. Make yourself comfortable, because your family won't be back any time soon." She laughed, leaving the room and Rogue speechless. He gripped the bars tightly, sliding his hand through them and attempting to reach the key. He sighed, unable to. He sat down, curling himself up into a ball.

18 years ago...

A man stood on his ship,  staring into the ocean and taking in the fresh yet intimidating air. He sighed, his hair flowing with the wind. He looked at himself from the ocean, smiling. He heard a soft creak from behind him, turning around only to see his son wearing the man's coat.

The man chuckled and lifted his son up, carrying him on his hip. "Sneaking behind your old man, eh?"

"Sorry Papa," the son looked away in guilt. The man smiled and lifted his head up gently, chuckling. "It's alright, Ro. But why are you up this late?"

"I got bored..." little Rogue fumbled with his tint fingers, embarrassed. His father carried him to face the moon up high. "Isn't the view wonderful?"

"Yeah?" Rogue said questioningly, looking off into the distance in an attempt to meet his father's line of sight.

"Your mama would've loved this," he muttered, feeling Rogue's tiny hand reach his face. He turned to him with a warm smile.

"I know, you always say that," baby Rogue commented, confused whether he should be upset or not. His father pulled in his emotions, stroking Rogue's soft hair. "You know what else your mama would've loved?"

Rogue shook his head, leaning on his shoulder as he fought the weight of his eyelids. His father stared off into the horizon, a weak smile plastered with eyes of sorrow.

"She would've loved to travel with us into the bitter unknown. She loved the beautiful sights, the gorgeous waters of our ocean, the clear sky, and you-" he turned to little Rogue, finding out that he was asleep on his shoulder. He chuckled and began carrying him to his room in the ship. He carefully laid him down and tucked him in, brushing his hair back. "Sleep well, Ro. You'll need that for adventure tomorrow."

Everything felt like it happened in the blink of an eye, blurry and horrific. The ship was lit up on fire, becoming the only light source in the middle of the ocean. Cries could be heard, the wooden columns that held the sails crumbled down, breaking everything down until all there was left was dust.

His father panted, covering his breathing senses and holding Rogue to his chest carefully. He was looking for an exit, attempting to escape the fire. Between a burning hole in the wall, he spotted a ship passing by. He tried to push through the walls, coughing. Rogue was crying loudly, half his face burning. His father did the best he could to aid his child. His father could barely continue moving. He looked for a basket, finding one near the corner. He pulled off his coat, wrapping Rogue in it firmly and carefully placing him in the basket. He met his eyes that were crying tears.

His father wiped them away gently, almost breaking down when Rogue reached for his finger. He sighed. "I love you, Rogue. Your mother and I, forever. Keep on finding new adventures, we know you'll prove us proud."

He went to the bottom floor of the ship, gently setting his son in the basket off on the water, leaving a little note that informed whoever would find him that the boy's name was Rogue. The ship was already covered in flames, trapping Rogue's father in. He began to lose control of his breathing, suffocating. He heard Rogue's cry from there, the water rising up to the ceiling. He never said another word, hoping the best for his son.

"Quickly! Search the ship!" The captain of the upcoming ship ordered his men, watching them do whatever they can. The captain heard crying in the distance, turning to see a baby in a basket. He gasped, spotting no more of his crew to come after the child. He decided to jump into the water, swimming towards the baby. He carefully grabbed it, meeting the baby's eyes. He spotted the note, turning to the baby. "Hello there, Rogue. C'mon, let's get you out of here."

After the crew claimed there was nothing left of the ship, the captain sighed and turned to Rogue. He glanced at his men. "Head back, we're gonna bring this boy back and find a proper home."

Rogue stared off into the distance, feeling completely hopeless. He figured that maybe becoming a captain was useless. It was a decade from then, Rogue still young and bold. He was an adult, his birthday that just passed a few months ago. Rogue couldn't help but feel like every word his father said to him echoed in his head. He sighed, getting back on his feet.

"Uh, hello?"

He turned around and saw a young lady, her eyes surprised when she saw his bandaged face. Rogue subtly tried to cover that side of his face, embarrassed.

"I heard people talking about your plans and... I was wondering if I could join you? Along with a friend of mine," she muttered, her heart racing. Rogue stared back at her, blushing. She didn't freak out or question the bandages at all!

"O-Of course! The more the merrier," he chuckled nervously, clearing his throat. The lady grinned widely, reaching a hand out, her eyes filled with fire and eagerness.

"My name's Peri Jackson! You are?"

"Rogue Con. Nice to meet you," he shook her hand, almost at a loss for words. Peri was so excited, she was about to run off, but she halted. "I-I'll be back in a bit! I'm just gonna go get my friend, Kilo!"

Rogue could only smile, watching her run off with confidence. Rogue blushed, leaving him with plenty of questions unanswered.