They flew toward a structure so strange and magnificent it looked like it had been carved straight out of a dream.
A titanic broken egg, cracked open with its top half inverted and facing downward, hovered above the island.
Inside the shell was a smooth, flat black surface etched with glowing grid lines.
Across the surface, in luminous letters, read:
PUNK RECORDS
A ring made of floating block-like segments rotated serenely around the entire egg, casting shifting shadows across the clouds. The whole thing rested atop a gigantic, shimmering cloud bank—like a castle built on the sky itself.
Inside Vegaforce-01, Lilith began her explanation.
Lilith: above the clouds is the laboratory level, Labophase. Below is the factory level, Fabriophase—that's where all the workers and researchers live. Your captain's down there breaking stuff like a caveman in a cryo centre
Ryo let out a soft, amused breath.
Ryo: sounds about right
Robin smiled lightly, relief slipping into her expression.
Robin: I'm glad to know he's alright
The giant robot finally slowed, jets quieting as it descended onto the cloud. The Sunny was lowered gently until it rested on the soft surface like a toy being placed on a pillow.
Lilith: Alright we're here
The crew disembarked, stepping onto the springy white cloud. It puffed slightly under their boots.
Franky looked around, eyes blazing with excitement.
Franky: Oh! What cool stuff are we going to see next? I'm getting pumped just thinking about it! Huh?
His excitement halted when he noticed Zoro and Brook hadn't moved from the Sunny.
Franky: Hey, what gives? Aren't you guys coming? We gotta go!
Zoro didn't even look back.
Zoro: I'm on ship watch
Brook raised a hand politely.
Brook: me as well
Nami threw her hands up dramatically.
Nami: Seriously! You don't wanna see the future?!
Zoro gave her the driest, most unimpressed glance imaginable.
Zoro: can't take risks. I don't trust that woman
Lilith huffed loudly, arms crossing.
Sanji took a long drag from his cigarette.
Sanji: course not you're an asshole
Then he zoomed toward Lilith in a blur of heart-shaped pupils.
Sanji: don't listen to him! Lilith! We all think you're great!
Ryo rolled his eye as he stepped onto the cloud—only to be sprung upward like a trampoline.
Ryo: Wow...
Sanji joined him.
Sanji: what's up Ryo
Ryo pointed at the ground. Sanji stepped on it—and was launched backward with a startled yelp. Usopp immediately tried it next.
Ussop: whoa!
Their faces lit up.
Ussop: it's just like Skypiea!
Sanji: Yep!
Ryo: oh, that's a blast from the past
Nami and Franky dashed over so fast their feet skidded.
