Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Space Aliens and Moon Adventure!
The Moon Mission Begins
After the success of the rocket, Edie wasted no time in launching his next ambitious plan: sending someone to the moon.
The chosen astronaut? None other than Enel.
Since arriving in the Blue Sea, Enel had quickly learned about Edie's formidable reputation—the King of the World and the World's No. 1 Scientist. The moment Edie promised he could send him to the moon, Enel didn't hesitate to believe him. He made his way to the Holy Land even before the rocket's success was confirmed, eagerly awaiting his journey to fulfill his dream of ruling the "infinite land."
When news of the rocket's triumph reached him, Enel was practically giddy.
"Finally, it's time to send me to the moon!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement.
Edie nodded, his demeanor calm. "Of course. But I need a favor from you in return."
"Name it," Enel replied, eager to please. "You help me, and I'll help you."
Edie handed him a compact, palm-sized device. "This is an air composition analyzer. When you land on the moon, press this button. It will gather and transmit data about the lunar atmosphere."
Enel inspected the gadget curiously, though the data it displayed was incomprehensible to him. Edie took a glance and confirmed the readings—green across the board, with no red warnings.
"When you land, the rocket will likely explode on impact," Edie continued nonchalantly. "But as a Logia user, you'll survive. Just remember to protect this instrument and press the button once you're on the moon."
"That's it?" Enel asked, flexing his fingers.
"That's it," Edie affirmed.
Enel grinned. "Do you need me to send the data back manually?"
"It transmits automatically," Edie replied.
Enel's eyes sparkled. "How convenient!"
Edie smirked. "The next launch window is in eight days. Use this time to prepare yourself."
As Enel left, his mind was already racing with grandiose visions. "The moon will be mine! I'll rule the infinite land as its king!"
After Enel departed, Vegapunk approached Edie, concern etched on his face.
"Shouldn't we develop a spacesuit for him? The lack of oxygen is manageable, but cosmic rays are another matter entirely. They could cause severe damage to the human body."
Edie's smile turned cunning. "That's exactly why we're sending him. As a Logia user, he's resilient enough to survive. By studying his body upon return, we'll gain invaluable data on the effects of cosmic rays on living beings."
Vegapunk's expression shifted. "So... he's essentially a test subject?"
"Exactly," Edie replied without hesitation. "I'm merely helping him realize his dream of going to the moon. He should be grateful."
Vegapunk chuckled dryly, stroking his tongue-like beard. "Worst-case scenario, he dies up there."
Edie shrugged, unconcerned. "It's his dream, after all."
With the preparations underway, Edie called for Stussy. "Contact Morgans. Announce the moon landing plan to the world. This is history in the making, and the world should know about it."
He then notified Momousagi, instructing the Marines to prepare for a global live broadcast of the launch.
As the days ticked by, the laboratory buzzed with activity. Scientists fine-tuned the rocket, while Edie orchestrated the grand spectacle with the precision of a maestro. The moon mission wasn't just a scientific endeavor—it was a statement of power, ingenuity, and the unyielding ambition of Edie, the King of the World.
Everything was progressing in perfect order.
The Launch Day
In the blink of an eye, launch day arrived. The site was strategically chosen: an uninhabited island in the Calm Belt. Unlike the volatile Grand Line, the Calm Belt's stable conditions provided the perfect setting for the rocket's historic journey.
As the countdown ended, the rocket roared to life, releasing a powerful jet stream and ascending slowly into the sky.
The world watched in awe through video transmitted by the visual Den Den Mushi.
Countless voices murmured in wonder:
"We're actually going to the moon..."
"Will it succeed?"
"The power of science is incredible!"
Moments later, the rocket vanished from the live feed, leaving behind only the serene blue sky.
This rocket was unlike the moon-landing vehicles of Edie's past life. There were no elaborate stages of booster separation or orbital parking maneuvers. Instead, the process was brutally straightforward. Once the rocket escaped the planet's atmosphere and was captured by the moon's gravity, it dove headlong toward its destination, following a pre-determined crash course.
Of course, the broadcast conveniently omitted the explosion upon landing to avoid public panic.
Before the fiery impact, Enel, armed with the air composition analyzer, exited the cabin in a flash of lightning. Moments later, he stood on the moon's surface, a silhouette against the infinite expanse of space.
Taking a deep breath, he looked up. Behind him, the massive Earth dominated half the sky.
"Yeah hahahaha! Infinite land! I've arrived! This is my domain from now on!"
Without wasting time, he pressed the analyzer's button, following Edie's instructions. As data filled the screen, Enel relied on his rudimentary understanding: green was good, yellow was problematic, and red spelled danger.
Thankfully, the readings were green.
"My mission is complete," he declared, carelessly discarding the instrument before venturing out to explore the lunar landscape.
The analyzer, left lying on the moon's surface, began transmitting its findings back to the Holy Land.
In Mariejois, while the world buzzed with amazement over the rocket's success, the Lunar Landing Laboratory received its first data transmission.
"Edie, the readings are stable," Queen reported, his tone astonished.
"There's an atmosphere on the moon," Caesar murmured, disbelief etched on his face. "Its composition is eerily similar to ours. But… how? How does the moon's gravity retain an atmosphere?"
Judge chimed in, his voice matter-of-fact. "It's gravity. The readings suggest the moon's gravitational pull is nearly identical to ours."
Edie stood silently, processing this anomaly. Physics as he knew it didn't seem to apply in this world.
"It's fascinating!" Vegapunk exclaimed, barely containing his excitement. "Dr. Edie, I must go to the moon next time. Seeing it with my own eyes is the only way to understand!"
Edie's gaze remained fixed on the large surveillance screen, which displayed the rocket's remnants and the functioning weather detector. After a moment of contemplation, he issued his next directive.
"The next step is clear: send our scientists to the moon. Caesar, as a Logia user, you're the ideal candidate. Prepare yourself. In six months, you'll follow Enel. Your priority is to examine his condition and assess the long-term effects of the lunar environment."
Pausing, Edie added, "If all goes well, we'll establish a lunar laboratory. Concurrently, the development of spacecraft must begin immediately."
With that, Edie delegated the lunar operations to Caesar and his team. Meanwhile, he turned his focus to his true obsession: the Ancient Weapons.
Back in his lab, Edie resumed dismantling the formidable Ancient Weapon, Uranus. After fully deconstructing its magnetic field generator, he finally unraveled its intricate mechanisms and principles.
Pluton, too, had fallen into his hands. Although armed with its blueprints—over a hundred pages long—the weapon's true secrets required hands-on study. He began disassembling its naval guns, uncovering technologies far beyond the current era: compressed air cannons, anti-gravity systems, and more.
These ancient innovations became the cornerstone of Edie's spacecraft designs.
Under the leadership of Tom, the famed shipwright, construction of the spacecraft commenced. Estimated to take 5 to 8 years, this vessel would mark a new era—not just for the world but for Edie's ever-expanding ambitions.
For now, the moon was only the beginning.
Days after his triumphant arrival on the moon, Enel sent an urgent transmission back to Edie. Using the analyzer's built-in communication system, he reported something shocking:
"Dr. Edie! There are people on the moon!"
Edie, seated in his lab, nearly dropped the schematic he was studying. "People? Be specific, Enel."
"They aren't from the Blue Sea. They're… pirates! Yeah hahahaha! Space pirates!"
Edie's brows furrowed. "Describe them."
"They look strange—short, big heads, and glowing eyes. They attacked me, but they're no match for me, the Lightning God! I crushed them easily!" Enel's voice carried an air of arrogance. "But their weapons are weird—like nothing I've seen before. They don't use swords or guns, but beams of light that explode on contact."
This immediately caught Edie's attention. Beams of light? A form of advanced technology?
Enel continued, "They also had some kind of flying ship—something even your technology doesn't have yet. I destroyed it, but it didn't burn like normal. It just… disintegrated into sparks."
Edie leaned back in his chair, processing the information. Advanced weaponry, flying ships, and a presence on the moon? This is no trivial matter.
Edie stood abruptly and addressed his team. "Gather everyone near the Void Throne. This could change everything."
In the meeting, he shared Enel's findings. Vegapunk's face lit up with curiosity, while Judge and Caesar exchanged uneasy glances.
"Space pirates? Is it possible they've been hiding there all along?" Vegapunk mused.
"They could pose a significant threat," Judge added, his tone grave. "If their technology is more advanced than ours, they might eventually turn their sights on the planet."
Caesar scoffed. "Or they're just scavengers. Enel said he destroyed them easily."
Edie raised a hand to silence the debate. "Regardless of their strength, their technology intrigues me. If we can reverse-engineer their weapons and ships, it could revolutionize our plans for space exploration."
Turning to Vegapunk, he continued, "Prepare a research team. We'll need materials for an extended stay on the moon—habitats, analyzers, and defensive equipment. Judge, you'll lead the development of countermeasures against their beam weapons."
Finally, his gaze landed on Caesar. "And you… you'll accompany me on the next trip to space to investigate this matter personally."
Caesar groaned but reluctantly nodded.
Edie returned to his lab, his mind racing. This development shifted his focus. The moon was no longer just a barren frontier; it was a new stage for discovery and potential conflict.
He opened a communication line to Enel. "Keep observing, but don't engage further unless necessary. I'll arrive with reinforcements within the next six months. Make sure you document everything you find."
Enel grinned on the other end. "I'm the God of Lightning! They can't touch me. You just get ready to come here and witness my kingdom!"
Edie smirked but didn't respond. Space pirates… This is just the beginning of a larger mystery.
As plans for the next lunar expedition took shape, Edie couldn't shake the feeling that the moon might hold secrets far greater than anyone on Earth could imagine.
Days after his initial skirmish with the so-called "space pirates," Enel continued exploring the moon. He basked in the thrill of claiming the "infinite land" as his domain, but his arrogance quickly turned to cautious intrigue when he stumbled upon another alien settlement.
This group was vastly different from the first—taller, with shimmering skin that seemed to reflect the moonlight. Their presence emanated power, and when they saw Enel, they didn't hesitate to attack.
"How dare you challenge the God of Lightning!" Enel shouted, his body crackling with electricity as he prepared to counter their aggression.
The first alien to attack summoned a torrent of water that surged toward Enel like a tidal wave. The sheer pressure surprised him, but he easily dissipated it with a bolt of lightning.
Another alien stepped forward, this one shrouded in flames. It hurled a barrage of fireballs that seemed to ignite the very air around Enel. He dodged, retaliating with a lightning strike that illuminated the lunar surface.
"So, you can manipulate elements too?" Enel mused, a wide grin forming on his face. "This will be fun."
One by one, more aliens joined the fray:
An ice-wielding alien froze the ground beneath Enel, attempting to trap him in a cage of frost.
A thunder-wielding alien launched electric arcs eerily similar to his own powers, forcing Enel to maneuver with greater precision.
A wind-controlling alien created violent gusts that threatened to topple the alien structures around them.
Each alien seemed attuned to a specific element, their attacks coordinated and relentless. But Enel, being the combat-savvy Logia user he was, quickly adapted.
"Your tricks are impressive, but you're dealing with the master of lightning!" He unleashed a massive wave of electricity, scattering the aliens and leaving the battlefield momentarily silent.
As Enel prepared to strike again, a different alien emerged—a figure taller and more composed than the others. This alien didn't attack. Instead, it raised its hand, signaling a ceasefire.
The alien spoke in an unearthly language, but its tone conveyed no malice, only curiosity. Enel paused, lowering his staff.
Using his Observation Haki, he sensed something different. They weren't just fighting to protect their land—they were scared.
"Hmm… You're not pirates," Enel said, narrowing his eyes. "You're defending yourselves."
The alien leader gestured toward the ruins of their settlement, speaking again in their strange tongue. Slowly, Enel began to understand—not through words, but through the emotions conveyed. These beings were not invaders or scavengers; they were the moon's native inhabitants, struggling to survive in the harsh environment.
Enel lowered his weapon entirely and sat cross-legged on the lunar surface, his arrogance replaced by genuine curiosity. Through gestures and rudimentary communication, he learned that these aliens were divided into clans, each attuned to a different element. They had been at odds with the first group of "space pirates," who had stolen their technology and disrupted their fragile peace.
"I see… So those other fools were the real troublemakers," Enel muttered. "Fine. You've proven yourselves strong. As your new ruler, I'll deal with them for you."
The aliens didn't seem to understand his declaration of dominion, but they appeared to accept his truce. To solidify their understanding, the alien leader created a small orb of light—an apparent symbol of peace—and handed it to Enel.
Enel grinned as he accepted it. "Yeah hahahaha! Wise choice. Follow me, and I'll make this moon great again!"
Back on Earth, Edie received another transmission.
"Dr. Edie, the moon is even more fascinating than I thought. There are beings here with powers like mine—water, fire, ice, thunder—you name it. We had a bit of a scuffle, but I've made peace with them. They even gave me a… glowing ball thing? I think it means they respect me."
Edie smirked as he listened. "You managed diplomacy? I'm impressed, Enel. Keep observing. This could lead to something much bigger than we anticipated."
Enel leaned back on the moon, watching the alien clans reorganize their settlement under his watchful eye.
"Infinite land, infinite subjects… Yeah hahahaha! This is only the beginning!"
But deep in his mind, he couldn't shake the thought of their elemental powers. What if there's more to these beings?
For now, Enel enjoyed his newfound role as the self-proclaimed ruler of the moon, but he knew his journey was far from over.
Edie's Arrival on the Moon
Since the Spacecraft wasn't finished yet, Edie and Caesar used another rocket to land on the lunar surface. The moment the hatch opened, Edie stepped onto the moon with an air of curiosity and purpose. Beside him was Caesar, begrudgingly accompanying him due to Edie's insistence.
"Fascinating," Edie murmured, taking in the sight of the alien settlement. Enel stood at the forefront, his smug grin ever-present.
"Dr. Edie, welcome to the infinite land! Let me show you the fruits of my rulership."
Edie rolled his eyes but followed Enel's lead. The settlement was bustling with activity—aliens of various elemental abilities working together to rebuild.
Before Edie could delve into his scientific analysis, a loud, guttural roar echoed across the lunar surface. The space pirates had returned, this time with reinforcements. Their ships hovered ominously, armed with energy cannons aimed directly at the settlement.
"Looks like your 'subjects' are in trouble, Enel," Edie remarked dryly.
"Hah! Let them come. I'll fry them all!" Enel declared, his body crackling with electricity.
Edie, however, raised a hand to stop him. "Not yet. We need to protect the settlement and gather data on these space pirates."
As the pirates began their assault, Edie sprang into action, commanding Caesar to create barriers of poison gas to corral the attackers. Enel unleashed devastating lightning strikes, disabling the ships' systems. Edie himself used [Black Flash] to blast the space pirates out of the sky.
Despite their technological advantage, the pirates were no match for Edie's intellect and the combined might of the moon's defenders.
After the battle, Edie wasted no time collecting samples. Using a specialized device, he extracted blood factors from both the fallen pirates and the elemental aliens. As he analyzed the data, something astonishing emerged.
The blood factors of the Fire Space Aliens bore a striking resemblance to those of the Lunarians.
"This… this is unprecedented," Edie muttered, his eyes scanning the genetic sequences on his portable holographic display. "The Fire Aliens share nearly identical genes with Lunarians, save for a few markers that are distinctly Skypiean."
Edie's mind raced as he pieced together the implications. The Fire Aliens, with their robust elemental abilities, must have encountered ancient Skypieans who had once explored the moon. Over millennia, interbreeding between the two species had resulted in the Lunarians—a hybrid race with unmatched endurance, fire manipulation, and unique physical traits.
"So that's it… The Lunarians are a product of moon explorers mixing with these beings," Edie whispered.
The revelation shook him. The implications were profound—if the Lunarians were descendants of these aliens, then their mysterious origins were tied to celestial exploration.
Enel interrupted his thoughts, his curiosity piqued. "What's that look on your face, Edie? Did you find something interesting?"
Edie smirked, hiding his astonishment. "Just confirming that your new subjects might have more in common with the world below than you realize."
With this revelation, Edie began formulating a new plan. The potential of the Fire Aliens' blood factors could revolutionize genetic science and could even revive the Lunarian Race.
"Enel, keep them united. We'll need their cooperation for what's to come."
Enel tilted his head, but he nodded. "Yeah hahahaha! With me as their god, they'll follow whatever I say."
As Edie stared back at the earth, he couldn't help but glance back at the Fire Aliens. They were the key to unraveling one of the world's greatest mysteries, and Edie was determined to unlock it.
His gaze shifted to the stars. "If Lunarians came from the moon, what other secrets are hidden out there?"
The journey was far from over. The moon had given Edie answers, but it also posed new, tantalizing questions that would drive him to explore the cosmos further.
Edie, Enel, and the elemental aliens worked together to establish a flourishing society on the moon. With Edie's technological expertise and Enel's elemental powers to inspire the aliens, the once-battered settlement transformed into a thriving hub of activity. Towers of reflective lunar alloy rose alongside domed habitats powered by Edie's advanced energy systems.
The Fire Aliens, Water Aliens, Thunder Aliens, and Ice Aliens, once scattered and fragmented, now coexisted harmoniously under Enel's rule as the self-proclaimed "God of the Moon." Edie, meanwhile, was viewed as the "Great Innovator," his reputation as a scientific genius earning him reverence among the aliens.
Despite the progress, Edie's mind was consumed by a revolutionary idea. The discovery of the Fire Aliens' connection to Lunarians had ignited a desire to recreate and refine the concept of Lunarians—not with Fire Aliens this time, but by experimenting with other elemental alien species.
Using his Scientific Research Simulation System, Edie set up a new project. His goal was to combine Skypiean DNA, known for its resilience and adaptability, with the elemental genetics of the other aliens—Water, Thunder, and Ice.
"This isn't just about science," Edie mused to himself as he worked in the lunar laboratory. "It's about creation. If Lunarians are the product of interstellar and terrestrial union, then why not guide that process ourselves?"
These were the Results Edie got from the System:
Thunder-Skypiean Hybrids: Possessing enhanced electrical abilities, natural conductivity, and agility.
Water-Skypiean Hybrids: Capable of manipulating water with precision and thriving in aquatic environments.
Ice-Skypiean Hybrids: Adapted to extreme cold, with cryogenic powers that could rival the most formidable foes.
Each simulation produced results that exceeded Edie's expectations. The hybrids retained the elemental abilities of their alien ancestors while gaining the innate Haki potential and dexterity of Skypieans.
"If perfected, these hybrids could become the guardians of this lunar society, perhaps even the bridge between the moon and the Earth below," Edie said, recording his findings.
The Creation Process
Edie constructed bio-pods to grow the hybrids on a lunar lab that was built on the moon. Unlike his earlier cloning experiments, he emphasized ethical practices, ensuring the process did not harm any existing species. The elemental aliens, surprisingly, agreed to contribute their genetic material, trusting Edie's vision after witnessing his contributions to their society.
Enel, while initially indifferent, grew curious about Edie's project. "You're creating new gods, huh? What if they surpass me?"
Edie smirked. "I'm not creating gods, Enel. I'm creating a new kind of life—one that can thrive in this unique environment and ensure this society's survival long after we're gone."
Enel shrugged, but his interest remained piqued. "Just make sure they know who their true ruler is."
Edie faced moral questions during the process. Were these hybrids merely tools, or did they have the right to their own identities and freedoms? He resolved to grant them autonomy, integrating them into the growing lunar society as equals rather than subordinates.
The First Hybrids
2 Years Later, the first hybrids emerged from their pods:
Zephyra, a Thunder-Skypiean hybrid, wielded lightning with unmatched finesse and was quick-witted and fiercely independent.
Aquarius, a Water-Skypiean hybrid, exhibited serene control over water and a calming presence that unified those around him.
Toshiro, an Ice-Skypiean hybrid, displayed an unyielding determination and the ability to summon blizzards with a flick of his hand.
The hybrids immediately became symbols of unity and innovation. They worked alongside the elemental aliens and Enel to strengthen lunar society, protecting it from external threats such as rogue space pirates or cosmic anomalies.
With the hybrids' success, Edie declared this the beginning of a new era for the moon. He envisioned a future where the lunar society could connect with the world below, proving that cooperation between species—whether terrestrial or celestial—could yield unprecedented progress.
"This is only the beginning," Edie said to Enel as they gazed over the bustling moon city. "What we've created here could redefine the boundaries of life itself."
Enel laughed, his arms crossed confidently. "Yeah hahahaha! Whatever happens, just remember who made it all possible."
Edie glanced at him, unimpressed. "Yes, yes, 'God of the Moon.' Let's hope these hybrids don't overthrow you someday."
The two exchanged a rare moment of camaraderie as the moon continued to glow with the promise of innovation and unity.