I do not own One Piece

This is an AU. There’s suggestion of pirates but nothing concrete anymore about ‘straw hat’ pirates. The information I’m stating does not happen in the Anime so please don’t email me asking what episode or manga the ‘D’ was explained because it hasn’t happened yet. This is just an outrageous idea on how bad the D could be. Besides that, Happy Reading!

Two teens huddled together in each other’s arms gazing up with fear towards the man that approached them with a cattle prod. Sparking and crackling proved to the boys it was on at full power and one of them was going to suffer its wrath. The older of the two, a tall boy with freckles dancing across his face, tucked his brother against his chest near his heart. This embrace proved no match but the further their attackers rage. Slamming his boot into them Admiral was as the littlest D was pushed aside. Just as the boy collapsed to the floor, Admiral shoved the cattle prod against rubber flesh and watched the scene with morbid fascination as the boy screamed in pain. The smell of burning rubber soon followed.

“Let him go! I’ll take you to the treasure!” The oldest cried out, grabbing hold of the attacker’s arm. “Admiral! Please! I’ll take you to Gol D. Roger’s treasure; just leave Luffy out of this!” Turning, Admiral held out his hand, easily pushing the older boy back to the ground. Their eyes met. Deep green cold enough to make the ice caps jealous versus shaking black eyes brimmed with tears. “I know where it is! Only a D can make it in. Anyone else will perish in its trials!”

The Admiral gazed at the dark haired boy. “And what’s to say you won’t lead my men and me to our doom?”

“My word! It’s as good as any! Just leave Luffy out of this!”

“Maybe I’ll just take this Luffy as collateral?” The marine whispered, bending down to grab the younger teen’s face. Luffy spat into his eye. Not even bothering to wipe away the spittle, the admiral turned on the cattle prod and pressed it against Luffy’s bare chest again. Screaming, Luffy tried to crawl away but was stopped by a boot pressing into his back. The prod was turned off. “You join us and lead us to the treasure; I’ll return your brother.”

“Will he be on the ship with me?”

“Chained in my quarters, yes.”

Bending down, Ace brushed his fingers through Luffy’s hair to get the other to rouse into consciousness. “You won’t touch him anymore?” The admiral didn’t respond. “You won’t touch him anymore!” No longer a question but a demand. Luffy’s breathing lagged. “Leave him alone and I will take you!”

“By joining my crew I only will offer survival. What I do to him afterwards is my business. I won’t kill him if that’s what you mean.” The admiral smiled. Ace shivered but nodded his head. For Luffy, he swore to give up everything.

Ace cried out as he was pushed forward, his head slamming into the mattress of the admiral’s bed. “You lied to me! You said you knew the way inside!” The admiral removed his glove and slapped the new fire user.”Most of my troops are dead now!” He yelled as he used rarely used chains to tie the teen down. On a wall, opposite of Ace, Luffy hung bleeding. His face black and blue, a deep cut under his eye adding a flow of blood down his face. His once milky thighs, bare for the world to see, were covered with layers of blood that deepened the higher up it was until disappear between round butt cheeks. The reason why Ace had lead the Admiral astray was when he’d encountered this sight. Leading them up the wrong path until a whole battalion was slaughtered by a trap.”I should kill you.” The admiral whispered as he pulled away, approaching a wall of sharp tools he used to torture only the most unruly of enemies.

The sharp blade was the tool of choice. Brought towards Ace’s tan arms, its sliced into the skin and tore down a few inches. Ace screamed and tried to pull his arm away. The cut skin was held down and there was another slice in the opposite direction followed by another connecting them in the middle. The teen, through hazy tear-filled eyes, stared at his baby brother. Their eyes met and Ace cried again as his already flaming arm was sliced again. This time is a quick, jerky half circle before it was slice through. The third slice, Ace didn’t feel as he fell in and out of consciousness. The fourth series of slices he was completely gone.

“Ace-y.” Luffy whispered. Ace groaned, cracking his eye open. “Ace-y. You’re bleeding all over. There’s water…in the study.” Luffy looked down, concerned for his brother’s welfare. “Admiral is gone; you can get your wounds fixed.” Pulling off his stomach, Ace blinked sleep from his eyes before crying about the stinging in his arm. Turning, he looked at a mirror that was up so the admiral could always be presentable. His hair, once clean cut and tied back, was knotted. His eyes expressionless and cold, just as Luffy’s were. Years of training had toned his body. What stood out from yesterday was his bleeding arm. Rushing for water, Ace cleaned his wounds before staring at what Admiral had done to him.

Sliced into muscle was the name “ASCE”, the S marked out. Though easily mistaken to me an error in writing Ace’s name, it was anything but. He was property to the admiral now. The admiral’s insignia and initials sliced into his arm for all intensity. Ace bent his head into the pillows and cried. Something so little hurt so much. “Luffy…” He whispered. “I have to take him to the gold. I have to get us out of here.”

“There’s no gold.” Luffy sniveled, pitifully. “He’s after the power. To be the King. I told him, Ace. What One Piece really is. I broke the D code. But it hurt so much…” The teen sobbed. “He wants to rule the world. Not just us.”

Glaring at his branding, Ace allowed rage to overcome him as his slammed his fist through the mirror.

Approaching the admiral’s cabin, Ace waited for the creaking and Luffy’s cries to stop before he made his presence known. With permission, he opened the door and gazed inside. Lying in bed was Admiral with Luffy tucked against his chest, hidden under sheets and blankets. Admiral made no moved to hide his deviant behaviors with the underage, male slave. “Any news of Gol D. Roger’s gold, Ace?” Luffy shivered, turning to look over at Ace before hiding his face in a pillow. The teen shook his head negative. “Then what?”

“I want my brother.”

“And I promised him to you under the pretense that you would get me my gold. I see no gold.”

“You said…” Ace started, but Admiral’s cold eyes stopped him from going any further. Taking a deep, irrational breath, the teenager glared. “Give me back Luffy.”

“Make me.” Admiral mocked, opening his arms to let the blankets fall and Luffy’s naked form show. “You’ll be happy that I’m training him.”

Reaching towards the bed, Ace grabbed Luffy’s arm to pull the other slave out of bed, only to have his own arm grabbed. With a surprised yelp, Ace was pulled into the bed, landing unceremoniously on Luffy. The younger gasped and wiggled, trying to get out of bed, but Admiral was quick to stop him. Yelling, Ace kicked and bit, screamed and cursed as Admiral climbed on top of him, ripping his flimsy clothes away. Knowing what the Admiral wanted, Ace screamed for help but no one would come. No one cared. Luffy watched and cried as his older brother suffered the same fate as he had countless times until that defiant attitude would forever be lost.

It was a beautiful drawing of utopia, carved into the wall and colored with the most disturbing of tools – blood. Luffy’s heavy breathing from the back of the group made a few glance back to make sure the boy was okay but large orbs were staring back and forth at the bodies scattering the ground. Stopping, Ace held his hand out for Luffy to join him up front but the youngest ‘D’ never made it past the Admiral who held him back. “Not,” he hissed, “Until One Piece is in my hands.” Scowling, Ace turned and touched the drawing with his own blood. The wall glowed and shifted until it crumbled to the ground. Beyond it, glistening above an altar was the legendary crystal, One Piece.

Two men from the back of the group rushed past Ace in their excitement and greed. As their hands touched the crystal, their hands lit on fire building across their bodies until they were engulfed in flames. The group stood back and watched as they screamed until a long death finally came and they collapsed while approaching the group. Skin melting from their faces, eyes boiling and popping. Luffy screamed and rushed to Ace before Admiral could stop him. Pulled by curiosity, Ace stepped into the room. A light surrounded the temple until it was blinding. Luffy screamed again and Ace, feeling his arm go light canvassed the room quickly. “Luffy!”

“What’s going on? Take us to One Piece, Ace!”

“Luffy disappeared!” Ace started to run towards the door only to be grabbed by the Admiral and hauled towards the crystal. “No! I promised to bring you here for Luffy! If he’s not here, I’m not helping!”

“He probably ran outside! You better give me control over One Piece or I’m going to use him to grant me it. Either way I’m going to get it.” He unsheathed his sword, bringing the blade to Ace’s throat. Breathing heavily, Ace moved towards the altar. Arms raised above his head he brought the crystal to his chest, harnessing the power. Body glowing, he floated back up to where the crystal had originally been. Approaching Ace, Admiral lifted his arms, touching Ace’s leg. “Give me complete power!”

Ace’s conscious screamed as his body was destroyed. The same time Admiral made a wish, Luffy’s timid voice whispered in prayer “Great Deliver, revive Ace.”

Waking with a shiver, Ace pulled away from his food with a glare. He’d fallen asleep again. While eating no less! Great… He gazed around the shop to find it partly empty. “How long was I out?” He asked the barmaid as she passed him on the way to the kitchen.

“Three hours, sir. We closed thirty minutes ago.” She whispered, hiding behind a tray.

Sighing, Ace pulled out from behind the counter and jumped to the floor. “Would you know of a good place I can stay for the evening?”

“We offer some rooms upstairs sir, if you need some place immediately. Everything else in town is probably closed by now. We don’t take too well to strangers ever since The Night Heaven Fell.” She gracefully put away her serving tray, ignorant of the look of regret that took the traveler’s face. Looking out the window, Ace noted the hazardous storm that had built up during his sleep - the same storm that occurred every night recently.

Tilting his head, the man smiled. “I’ll take you up on that off, Mrs…?”

“It’s Miss Makino to you.” She smiled. Ace tilted his head. That name felt so familiar… He shook his head. It didn’t matter. “The rooms are up those stairs. You can have the one to the right but you best be gone before the day begins. The villagers can be restless.” She walked off. Smiling, Ace followed the steps staring at old pictures that, now, would have no value. Not even emotional. It was a shame, but it was life. He touched the door he was instructed to take and willed off a rising headache before entering the clean room.

A calendar was the first thing he saw. Five years since the blue sky collapsed and dark, ominous clouds took over cities. Five years people lived together and prospered only to now fear strangers. Five years since he, Master of Darkness, came into power. Collapsing on the bed, Ace stared up at the ceiling. Every time he thought of the Master of Darkness, though, his heart strings would pull and Ace, who had never remembered having a home, would feel lost and weak. Names escaped his tongue, none making any connection with a face.

“Shanks.”

What?

“Luffy.”

Who?”

“Roger.”

Ace grabbed his temples, trying to mentally run from that oncoming headache that attacked his very soul. Those names were important but for what reason? He took a deep breath and tried to welcome sleep. He didn’t need these kinds of thoughts. Thoughts of the past were bad thoughts and if the Master of Darkness knew he was trying to remember…he’d…he’d…Ace didn’t know what the leader would do but he knew he wouldn’t like it.

Because five years ago, today, Ace had had his memory stolen.

“Move the ship! This is restricted water!”

Ace stared from his stolen boat to the man sitting on an over water dock. “But isn’t water everybody’s?” He tried, knowing the battle was impossible. Everyone who was anyone owned something. It was all they had left. War and famine were taking out more prominent cities so it was only fate that the people of the world would revert to such animalistic demands. “Besides, I don’t have a ship. I have a boat. There’s a difference.”

“I don’t care! Get your fucking boat off my water or I’ll blow your fucking heads off!” The man cocked his gun for effect and Ace stood up, holding his hand out. A fire ball built in his palm, spiraling outwards as he summoned energy. “What the…?”

“Your waters are a shortcut to the mainland. Let me through!” Ace yelled. “Or I’ll blow you and your home to pieces!” The other man held his arm in defense, dropping his gun.

“It’s not loaded.” He whispered. “We’re just scared.” The “we’re” was his family, who stuck their head out from a narrow shaft behind the dock. “Food’s so scarce. There’s no fish in the waters. What little there is we can’t give up. My children need to eat.” Ace sighed, going through his bag. Slowly he took a few gold coins and tossed them towards the small family. The youngest, a little girl with ratty hair, snatched them as soon as they touched the ground before running behind her mother.

“It’s tough times. That should pay to travel through your canal?” He smiled.

The dock man looked at his wife, who nodded frantically. “Yes, but steal no fish!”

Laughing, Ace grabbed the oars to his boat and moved forward. “I’ll touch none.” He waved back as his boat disappeared beyond the canal.

It had felt like, at some point, he’d been in this area. An old ship was docked against the shore, its pirate flag, though shredded, and still waved majestically with its crossbones and a white mustache extending its face like a bow and arrow. He stared at the abandoned ship and groaned as his head started pounding.

“I promised Roger that no one would come for his treasure! Release those boys!”

Closing his eyes, Ace climbed up the ladder leading up the ship’s deck. Rum bottles and decaying bodies littered the area. Touching the mast, Ace stared at the gold seat, almost like a throne that over looked the whole ship. For a second, a person flickered Ace’s vision: a large giant with a beard like that on the pirate ship’s flag. A memory. Ace shook his head. It couldn’t be. When your memory was altered you didn’t just recall things. It was…impossible.

“Admiral…Master of Darkness…” Ace looked overhead at the darkened skies. Another storm was building. “Shit! Night already?” He looked around. He’d have to stay on deck. There’s no way he’d be able to leave when the waves became restless. He made his way to look below deck.

The captain’s chambers were the first place he searched. Maps were of no importance to him. He was traveling wherever his heart said to go. Trinkets, letters, posters – none of those were important to him. Finally his eyes fell onto an old picture. Ripped and yellow, it was hidden within the books. Plucking it out, Ace stared at the same man who owned this ship and the legendary Gol D. Roger, sitting next to each other like the best of friends at some port. Ace tucked the picture in his book bag. There was just something in him that said he needed that picture. With a quick glance over the room, the traveler decided there was nothing else of importance.

And as the wind rolled he collapsed on the captain’s bed and fell asleep.

How was it, Ace questioned, that there could be a sea of such a beautiful blue? The man turned, tightening the jacket around his broad shoulders. This was the first sight he’d seen of remaining heaven. Little fish jumped around, trying to find where the limited food source was coming from. Frogs croaked on lilies, and small animals nestled together to live their remaining days in bliss. Ace bent down, touching the water to see if it was an illusion. His fingers tensed at the cool chill of water. How…beautiful. He slid out of his boots and rested his aching feet in the mud building on the banks.

“Keep your feet out of the water. It’s all the drinking water we have left.”

The traveler turned and stared at the person who talked to him – only to see a blue-nosed, wide eyed reindeer. Ace almost fell backwards. Smiling widely, the reindeer rushed around the water edges to the animals, moving them aside. In the center was a collapsed deer. Curious, Ace walked forward and dropped near the animals. The doe (Ace realized) panted and shook like a leaf when the traveler placed his palm against her round belly. “Is she pregnant?”

Nodding, the reindeer rubbed her back. “She’s going to give birth later today. She’s the last of her kind on this island. Could you bring over some water? There’s a tin cup next to the lake.” Nodding, Ace rushed to the task and brought it before the doe. She drank greedily, not that anybody could blame her. “That’s a good girl…My name’s Tony Tony Chopper,” The reindeer whispered toward Ace the last part.

“Uh…Portgas Ace.” The name felt off, but that was all that he could remember.

“That’s a funny name!” Tony Tony Chopper laughed.

“You’re the one with a weird name!” Ace laughed. The doe made a loud, watery noise similar to a cry before laying her head down. “I’m sorry; we should be tending to you.” The traveler brought his hands back to her belly, kneading. “What’s a reindeer doing on a spring island?”

Chopper frowned. “When the skies went dark, the snowstorms became so bad that the snow wouldn’t stop. People fled and Doctrine was snatched by the heavens. I couldn’t stay there any longer. I’m a doctor. I need patients. These animals were injured when I came ashore a month ago. You can’t tell that though.”

“I can tell. It’s a small piece of heaven.”

“This is the All Blue.”

Ace blinked. This island? All Blue? “How did a whole ocean vanish in five years?”

“The heavens collapsed.”

As the storms began, Ace found shelter with the other animals in a cave. Chopper abandoned the new mother doe in favor to sit with Ace near the entrance. The reindeer looked at the darkening clouds. “I wonder what caused this drastic change.” The human shrugged his shoulders. “You’re a traveler aren’t you? I bet you’ve seen a lot of countries, but I hear it’s not safe to travel. If you’re not part of a village nobody really wants to share their food. Some bars, however, are more than happy to share at outrageous prices. But this is all that I hear.”

Nodding, Ace leaned forward, tightening his arms around his jacket. “Doctor, can you check something for me?” He whispered. Chopper nodded. “There’s…something on my back. I’m not sure what but it’s been hurting for some time recently.” He turned around and lowered his jacket. Under it, he wore no shirt after finding the fabric made his arm burn. But the scars on his chest and arms (and possibly his back) were too embarrassing to walk around showing. The doctor gasped and the unfamiliar feeling of hoofs on his back made the traveler shiver and tense. “What is it?”

“You … were a pirate? Or are you a marine.” Each question was directed to a different part of his body. Back then arm.

“Was I?”

Chopper reached forward, checking Ace’s head for bumps. “How long have you had amnesia, then?” He tried, Ace shrugged his shoulders.

“Since I woke up five years ago.”

The doctor’s eyes widened. “Woke up? Where?”

Ace thought about it. “In a cave. There were some gold left behind a rock, I took them and an abandoned boat and made it for the first village I saw. I don’t remember anything before that but distant dreams. I…remember a blue sky, at some point. I can’t have imagined that because my blue sky is so much like the paintings. I remember a little boy. And a red haired man. And…”

Chopper’s hoof left his flesh, stopping Ace from putting back on his jacket. “You have a very bad infection. I’m going to get some medical herbs, just sit still.” Ace nodded and waited. Going through what limited memories he possessed, the traveler tried looking for any recognition of being a marine, only to come up with none.

For the first time in weeks, the waters were calm. Ace repositioned the oars to stare at the waters below him. His recent traveling companion, Chopper, was gazing into the waters already with concern. Dropping his fingers into the waters, Ace wiggled his fingers to look like worms and waited for a bite. Nothing came. Not even a sea monster. Looking up, Ace stared at the dark sky. No stars. No moon. No sun. Frowning, Ace put the tip of the oars in the water and started rowing again. Whatever was going on didn’t matter, getting inland before the storms rolled in was the first plan of the day.

“There should be an island east of here. You’ll know we made it because the waters shallow further than most would.” Chopper took his own oars and, in the same pace as Ace, started rowing in his ‘human’ form. “So why are you trying to go to the Master of Darkness’s Fortress?”

Ace breathed, trying to recall what the real reason was. Unable to come up with it, he decided to be as honest as he could. “I’m drawn to him somehow. He did something…he has something of mine I think.” His chest tightened just thinking about it. “I don’t know what but it has to be important if I feel I need to go there, right?”

“What if you’re one of his henchmen?” The xoan gasped.

“I,” Ace started, “Don’t think so. I don’t feel like I want eternal darkness or anything. I just feel that there’s something important he knows. Maybe it’s my entire past?” He tried. “But why did you so badly want to follow me if you don’t like where I’m heading?”

Chopper stared down at the floorboards. “There’s just something about you that tells me you’ll make the world all right and if it does happen, I want to be there to see the first speck of sun light. I want to help, in the name of Doctorate. Besides, as a doctor I can’t just let you leave with a large infection like that's on your back. If you die I’ll never be able to live with myself!” The little reindeer looked up at Ace, eyes burning. “So you better not do anything stupid until I fully heal your back!”

Touching his back, unsure just what the scaring the symbolized him a marine was, Ace frowned. His head was starting to hurt. ‘You’re…just like my … brother…” He finally whispered before shaking his head. He had a brother? Why couldn’t he remember something so important? Maybe the sibling was an over caring reindeer doctor? Ace snorted. He sure hoped not. By all means Ace knew he did not resemble an animal. “Do you know what cures amnesia?”

“Time, it’s said. Little pieces of the past.” Chopper’s nose twitched. “The human brain – any brain for that matter – is a complex organ that doctors are trying to understand. Sometimes it heals on its own…sometimes it doesn’t.”

Turning to face east, Ace let silence fall in the boat-made-ship again.

Chopper was reading a newspaper during breakfast, alerting Ace’s attention. It was rare that anyone read the paper since it, along with all other types of media, were under complete control of the Master of Darkness. More than ninety percent of the stories were lies and the one that could be deemed truthful was only telling the weather. But, on the front cover was a cold eyed boy sitting beside the Master of Darkness in chains. Reaching over, Ace all but ripped the paper from the doctor’s hoofs to look at the picture much closer. Staring at those cold eyes made his head ache painfully. “Does he spark any memories, Ace?” The doctor whispered, noticing the pain that crossed the traveler’s face.

“I know him.” Ace whispered.

Looking over the article and who was featured in the picture, Chopper bit into his roll. “Not much is known about him. His name’s Luffy and he’s been with the Master of Darkness since he came into power. It’s believed Luffy-san is the master’s consort. He seems rather mean!”

“He’s not mean, he’s losing hope.” Ace whispered, looking the opposite direction. “He used to…” A picture of a laughing child flashed across his vision, “he used to laugh all the time. He was such a kid. Grow up, Luffy. Just a little. Life is going to get dangerous…” His blinked, before laughing. “Ah! Sorry about that. Lost myself for a second.” The little reindeer just shivered in his seat before continuing to eat his roll. “We’re going to have to get a better boat than that.”

“How about a ship?” Chopper squealed. “Like during the Age of the Pirates when everyone had a ship. I always wanted to ride in one.”

Going through his bag of gold, Ace smiled. “I suppose we can get one. Let’s look around for a shipwright. I haven’t seen as many people going onto sea.” He finished his breakfast, dropped gold on the table, and left the shop. Following close behind, Chopper looked up nervously.

“I know I suggested it, but it’s not a really good idea either. With a limited food supply in the ocean it’s easier to travel by boat to each island.” The little reindeer turned heel in front of Ace, holding up his two front hoofs. “Besides, very few shipwrights actually have the tools to mend together a ship anymore.” The xoan cried out as he was lifted onto the traveler’s shoulders as they continued towards the docks. “Aren’t you listening to me?” The animal screamed.

“Nope! Look, that metal nosed guy looks friendly enough!” Ace started forward.

“Metal nosed!? Turn back! Turn back!” Chopper screamed.

Frowning, Ace sighed. “You’re right; he’s probably not a shipwright. We should post an ad.” He made to turn when his eyes fell upon a flimsy ship getting worked on. Being removed from the mast was an ancient flag was a skull with three scars going through the eye. Turning his head, Ace almost jumped out of his skin at the sight of a red haired man with a scratch going down his own eye.

“Protect Luffy, Ace. I did what my old captain would have wanted – to let the legend be forgotten. He doesn’t even remember a bulk of his lessons so keep him away from the marines. They’ve been up to no good recently.” Ace blinked as the man disappeared. All but leaving Chopper, Ace rushed to the ship with his arms waving madly.

“This is my ship! Leave that flag alone! I’ll pay to take it off your hands!”

The man who was about ready to cut the mass down snorted. “This ship is haunted. It’s better to destroy it.” But Ace was already pouring gold into his hand, shaking it suggestively. “Gold…It’s your problem now, buddy!” He rushed off with his pile of gold, more than the rickety old ship was worth. Holding the flag out before him, Ace stared at the faded fabric before raising it high on the mast again, where it belonged.

“That’s a nice thing you did for this ship. It was crying that they were going to destroy her.” Turning, Ace and Chopper faced the metal nosed man Ace had wanted to approach earlier. Blue hair raised high and perky, the cyborg smiled as he ran his hand over the mass. “This beauty just floated in a week ago. No bidder wanted her because strange things happen around her but she still has a lot of love left to give. They say the original captain of this old pirate ship was—”

“Red-haired Shanks.” Ace smiled at the mast.

The blue haired man smiled. “Right you are. First pirate executed for withholding information from the marines about Gol D. Roger’s One Piece. Rumor has it he haunts his ship looking to take care of his charge that was taken by the Marines. It would be wrong to destroy his home. Name’s Franky by the way.”

“Ace.”

“C, C, Chopper.”

Creak.

The rusty swing moved forward as the seventeen year old situated his body in the center. Blank eyes stared forward at the ocean that seemed to go on and on before he started moving the swing to see further. He almost didn’t notice the guard that had left the castle. “Zoro.” He smiled, slowing his pace on the swing. Zoro moved beside him, careful of the swing’s rope. “You came from out there. Is there any place that’s still sunny?”

Zoro licked his chap lips. “Why wouldn’t there be? Not every place can be dark.” The green haired man stared over the ocean. “I know of one place…” He started, “that is pure sunshine.”

“Gol D. Roger’s realm.” Luffy whispered.

“How’d you know?” The guard smiled.

“Usopp told me when he came yesterday.” Luffy slouched forward. “He said that he’d been there and touched Gol D. Roger’s gold. That when he did the darkness was gone but Admiral found out and threatened to cut his hand off. To keep his hand Usopp promised to be a jester of the people.” Dead eyes turned to the guard. “I thought only the children of D could touch the legendary gold?”

“Usopp is a liar.” Zoro moved behind Luffy, pushing the swing. “But Robin told us there is some truth to what he said.”

“Robin the heretic?”

The guard chuckled. “If that’s what they call her. Now don’t interrupt. Robin said that once the gold is touched again with a wish that is pure the heavens would raise again and we’ll be free of this. Thing is, people who approach the gold have been slaughtered. By whom it isn’t sure.” He glanced down as he pushed the teen higher.

Luffy smiled. “It sounds fun. Ace went there but then…” He stared at his hands. “I want to leave, Zoro.”

“…” Zoro looked out at the sea. “The shit cook is making triple chocolate cake.” He murmured absently.

Tilting his head back, Luffy grinned. “With extra frosting?”

“I heard there was some frosting left in the open you just have to be fast to get it.” He pushed Luffy forward, watching the boy jump out of the swing and land squarely on his feet before rushing off towards the back kitchen. Looking over the sea one last time, Zoro sighed. “I wonder if the sun will ever rise again.”

Sanji was an excellent cook for the Master of Darkness. Discovered before the Master had reigned over the heavens, bringing them down to earth, he was a small time pirate that still possessed hopes and dreams.

Dreams easily crushed when the fish of the ocean began to unexpectedly die. With very little left to live for, he was put as sous chef for the Master, under his old tutelage of Red Leg Zeff the pirate. Though usually an onlooker, Sanji had the tendency to still cook as he’d done back on the ship -- foods that his Master would never see. Often given to peasants that strolled near the castle grounds, his usual client was the Master’s consort (a term applied loosely by those in the castle – slave was more the word they used). Luffy was the only light left in the world. Though his eyes, cold from years of poor treatment and rape, showed inner turmoil, his words and style were still optimistic. A smile that just didn’t go with those eyes could get anyone else to follow.

That’s why Sanji felt his number one goal was to get Luffy out of the castle and to freedom.

But the plots were always discovered and Luffy – never Sanji and Zoro – was always punished. The cook frowned as he watched Luffy come into the dining room with a limp, Zoro at his shoulder as always. With an easy smile, Luffy took a seat. “Zoro says you made a yummy cake. I want a slice!”

Chuckling, Sanji made for the kitchen. “You mean you want the whole thing.”

“Wa! I can have the whole thing?”

“No! A sliver. If you spoil your appetite, Master will have my head.” Sanji came back with a large slice, setting it in front of Luffy. The brunet smiled, thanked Sanji for the dessert, and took a large bite. “When did Master arrive from the World Government anyway?”

“Yesterday.” Luffy murmured, scrapping his fork against his already empty plate. “He was…tired. The last of the original government is dead. He also said there’s no trail of Ace. I miss him.” The teen frowned. “But he is probably living happily now that he’s a free man.” Luffy held up the plate, licked clean. Sanji took it with a (disturbed) glare. “I need to go though. Thank you for the cake, Sanji-kun.” He left the room, Zoro hot on his heels.

Alone again, Sanji tilted his head to the side and sighed. What the Master of Darkness wanted from this boy was hard to tell, but whatever it was, it must have been very important. Why else would a slave have a personal body guard? “May the sun rise again,” He whispered as he turned for the kitchen.

Luffy sniffled, trying to rip his arm away from the gold sitting on Master’s desk but the man’s cold gaze stopped him from getting too far. “They say you’ve used their power too much! You control everything! People need you! You’re rich! There’s nothing more they can offer you!” Luffy cried as he was slapped. Master, formally Admiral, turned away. “Master, just put the gold back. No good has come from taking Gol D. Roger’s One Piece!” He yelped with another slap, touching his cheek nervously. It wasn’t the initial pain, it was the shock. Admiral…

“There’s plenty to this world. If not, there are other worlds! You will summon the wishing stone again for me, Luffy.” Master settled himself in his chair, sitting back. “Your brother did well the first time; you will do even better this time.”

“I don’t know how.” Luffy dropped the coin still in his possession, backing towards the door. “I don’t want to disappear like Ace.” Turning, he rushed out of the room. Guards stationed at doors refrained from opening them for him as they usually did, watching nervously as Master’s darkness enveloped Luffy. Weighted down, Luffy collapsed to the ground and breathed deeply as his master approached. The man, calmly, stood before Luffy, his majestic blond hair swaying under a bellowing crown of gold. Holding his hand out, he summoned the dark cloud down Luffy’s throat, blocking the boy’s breathing.

“You fail to understand the situation, Luffy.” He watched as the boy gagged and thrashed. “I own everything about you and, when you forget your place I can have you removed.” He waited until Luffy’s lips turned a light blue before releasing his power over the boy. Tumbling to his knees, Luffy gasped for air while staring back up with scared eyes. Zoro, tense during the whole interaction, approached and bent to Luffy’s level, rubbing his charge’s back. “You will tell me what you know of the Legend.”

Shivering, Luffy looked at Zoro, begging for help. The guard urged Luffy to speak. “Roger left a message. One Piece will only activate when the death toll is alarming. A fair trade – anything you could ever want for just a human life. Five years ago, Ace offered half your men and gave you the power to control the heavens. The power was so vague that the heavens collapsed under the strain and, in turn, you received ultimate power at the sake of sunlight. It’s all trade. You have to give up something of value for something of desire. But that’s all these coins tell me.” Luffy flinched as Master tapped his cheek.

“That wasn’t so hard, now was it?”

“You’ll damn us all!” Luffy growled.

Master smirked. “Bring him to my chambers. I’ll punish you later, Luffy.”

Awaiting death was so hard.

Luffy touched the blade on his dresser. Every night, since he was freed from his chains, it stood as a reminder to the insignia on his back. The same blade used to mark Ace. The very blade Luffy planned to kill himself with. Picking up the weapon, Luffy sat on his bed and tried to decide how to go about it. He’d seen enough murder though his life that slitting his neck would be the quickest way to go, but he was unsure if he’d be able to slice his neck thoroughly before he lost function to do so. Would he still be alive to feel the horrible pain of failure?

Dropping the knife Luffy cried into his arms. Coward. You don’t even have the courage to free yourself. He glared at his fluffy pillow before slamming his fist into it. Fine feathers flew out from it, leaving the deflated pillow nothing but a memory. “What’s wrong, Luffy?”

Turning, Luffy smiled sweetly as Zoro entered the room. “Nothing Zoro-san. I’m just…tired and couldn’t get my pillow to fluff right.” He nestled back onto some of his other pillows, ignoring the ache in his hips. The guard shook his head, annoyed, before bending down to pick up the discarded case. His eyes fell onto the knife, picking it off the floor as well. “It might have dropped on the floor earlier, could you put that on my dresser, Zoro?”

The guard rolled his black eyes again, touching the handle. “It’s been held, Luffy. I can feel your warmth from it. What were you doing?” He stared at the boy. Luffy’s lips clamped shut as he turned away. “Were you planning to kill yourself?” He asked, approaching Luffy with the blade extended towards the slave. Cold eyes widened nervously. “Finish your life so Master can find another Legendary D to fulfill his dreams?” With lightning reflex, Zoro grabbed Luffy’s bangs, pulling the rubber boy’s head back as the blade rested against sweating flesh. “Are you too scared to finish the job? I can do it for you.”

Shivering, Luffy touched Zoro’s arm. “Don’t.”

“Then why?”

“I can’t kill myself. I’m not ready to die-!” Luffy sobbed. Satisfied, Zoro released his hold and put the knife in its designated location. “I can’t stand this though, Zoro! I’m just a tool to him! I don’t like helping kill people!” Pulling the pillow over his head, Luffy closed his eyes ignoring the guard that took a seat on the bed. Zoro’s hand rested against his back and silence fell between the two until Luffy had cried his eyes out. “Sorry…” He finally whispered. “I didn’t mean to dump all that on you.”

Zoro looked down. “It’s okay. I’ve grown use to your whining.” He ignored the hurt pout. “Master was pretty pissed with you.”

“Hm. His ideas aren’t what Gol D. Roger wanted. Once I disappear there are few ‘D’s left to help find the rest of One Piece. He’ll want me to tell the last living members next, and then he’ll sentence me to find the next One Piece and give him supreme order or something.”

“How do you know all this?” Zoro frowned.

Kicking his legs out, Luffy clicked his tongue. “From birth children of the D clan are taught about One Piece. It was just a legend until Gol D. Roger found all of them and wrote out the rules of use which only Ace and I, the youngest members of the clan, would know. Grandpa insisted I know all the information while Ace knew of all the locations. That way anyone who wanted One Piece would need both of us. When Marines attacked our tribe, Grandpa sent me and Ace to an old friend of his who had split us again. Ace stayed with a pirate of ‘white’ and I stayed with a pirate of ‘red’ until the day the clan was forgotten.

“But Admiral had come across me. ‘Red’ had to send me to ‘White’ immediately. Only, he was caught and sentenced to death. Under the smoke, ‘White’ ordered Ace to take me and flee, buying time. He was next to die, restating the same promise that Gol D. Roger had – as you might have heard. Admiral did, eventually, find us. Told his superiors he killed us and, since no one would suspect, had Ace the original pillar of One Piece.”

“And that’s the sad, sad story of Monkey D. Luffy?” The guard glanced.

Holding his pillow, Luffy sighed. “Pretty much. Zoro?”

“Yea?”

“Could you stay with me tonight? I don’t want Admiral to come get me again tonight.”

Wrapping his arms around the slave’s thin waist, Zoro laid back into the pillows.“I will, Luffy.”

“Ha! There you are Luffy! And Zoro said I couldn’t find you!” A loud, boyish voice echoed across the court yard. Sitting in a tree, Luffy was almost startled out but caught the branch and pulled himself back up. Glaring down at Usopp, Luffy opened his book again and intently glared at the pages. “Oof! Ugh! Gah!” Drawn from the black words again, Luffy smiled as he watched the curly haired teenager try to climb the tree. Stretching his arm, Luffy grabbed the teen by the back of his overalls, tossing the boy to another branch. “Thanks a lot, buddy! Ohh! You wouldn’t believe what’s going on in town! Nami – you remember her, that one pretty girl that Sanji’s into? – was tricking guards for their money. Master of Darkness caught her and -- get this -- he made her chief treasurer. Worst mistake ever! I’ve never seen her eyes shine when he said she was in control of all the world’s currency. So, what are you reading?”

“Heretic Robin sent me an illegal book.”

Jaw hitting the tree trunk, Usopp pointed at Luffy. “You know we can’t have those! Must less from Robin! If Master of Darkness finds out, ooh! I can feel my spleen break! Mommy, forgive me!” The teen sobbed, holding his sides. Reaching over, Luffy stopped the ‘drama queen’ from falling from the tree.

“Master permitted it. It’s about Gol D. Roger; I believe there might be some information on the other locations of One Piece. Robin did say it was interesting. I don’t see what she means though…how could it be interesting when there aren’t any pictures?” He turned the page, still intently gazing upon the words.

Usopp brought his leg up as he turned to lean against the main trunk. “You’re one strange guy. If it’s so boring don’t look at it like that. Toss the book out. Look what I got!” He held up a comic book. The large textbook hit the ground as quickly as the comic was ripped from Usopp’s hands. “It’s the newest issue. The great and legendary hero makes it to the castle just as the princess is tied to the ceremonial stand with the priest ready to cut out her heart to please the gods!”

“Ooh.” Luffy tilted the pages. “What about that one guy in the last book, the sneaky looking Zoro-like guy who was watching the hero’s movements?”

“Doesn’t reappear. Almost…like a ghost…” Usopp waved his fingers, trying to appeal magical.

“Oi! Long nose! Didn’t I tell you he was studying?”

Luffy cried out, throwing the comic in the air. The book landed on his textbook, in plain sight for Zoro to see. Glaring back down to the guard, Luffy slid from the tree and picked up both books. “I don’t want to study. Usopp’s books are better.” He cracked open the comic book, only to have it yanked from his hands. “Give that back, Zoro! I was reading it!”

“Master will be here in a minute. You better look like you’ve been reading the book he assigned now.” Zoro hissed, putting the comic in his white tunic. Pale faced, Luffy dropped to his butt unceremoniously and opened the textbook, flipping through the pages to find where he’d left off. Deep down, he knew it was too late as heavy boots clicked the pavement leading towards the tree. Zoro stood at complete attention, along with Usopp who had fallen out of the tree during Zoro’s initial entrance.

The Master of Darkness tilted his head, glaring intently at Luffy. “Why are you playing around?”

Sitting up, Luffy patted his butt to remove excess dust. “I was reading in the tree. Zoro…scared me and I fell down. I’m trying to find where I was in the book.” He flipped the page in his book, scanning it over before whispering a soft ‘aha’. “‘My treasure isn’t mine alone. It is for all of mankind who’s-’” The rubber man stopped as his throat was constricted. His dark eyes, narrowed in defiance, never left his master. Zoro, on reflex, rushed to his charge only to be thrown back. Usopp, hid behind a tree with his weapon (a slingshot) drawn. No words were spoken until the ominous power released from Luffy, dropping him.

“Why must you try my patience?” He asked.

“Because…” Luffy whispered, “You’re an uncaring asshole. You don’t understand the way of man and don’t deserve to be king of anything!” The teen didn’t move as he was punched, his head flying back towards the tree before snapping back into place. Usopp rushed forward, putting a hand of Luffy’s shoulder, but the D brushed him aside just before he was grabbed and hurled over a broad shoulder. Kicking and punching, Luffy screamed as he was dragged towards his Master’s room. Running towards the door, Zoro threw the comic back towards Usopp.

“Go and find out when the next ship is leaving.”

Nodding, Usopp ran towards the front gates. With a deep breath, Zoro entered the castle to take his post in front of the master’s door – to listen to Luffy’s painful screams and weak begging.

Blankets pillowed around his waist, Luffy watched the Master of Darkness dress in his full body suit from the corner of his eye. Licking his drying lips, the boy kicked his long legs up, hitting his bottom as he fell deep into his thoughts even though his Master was summoning him to get ready for their outing. A rare treat but questions from the outside had started to rise about Luffy’s relation to the Master so to ensure people saw a ‘good’ side of him the leader had wanted to take the servant on a ‘romantic’ ride. Groaning, Luffy pushed himself on his knees and crawled out of bed – still ignoring his Master – before making it towards the bathroom.

Master leaned back against the door, watching as the servant stretched the skin around his black eyes before rubbing at the swelling. It was rare that his rubberlike body blemished like this and when it did the strong seventeen-year-old would become a slobbering mess, crying about being in pain. The ex-marine rolled his eyes and approached behind Luffy. Strong arms touching pale skin, he mixed his power in with the devil fruit healing the blemishes. “Thank you, master…” Luffy whispered, turning to face the man. “I…want to ride the horses.”

“You fell off the last time.” The Master returned towards the mirror to pull his hair back. It had been questionably warm recently – weather that frustrated the man greatly. Crying out, Luffy grabbed his master’s sleeve.

“I promise I won’t try to stand on the horse this time!”

Rolling his eyes, the man started out of the room where the Zoro joined at Luffy’s elbow almost immediately. “…Only if Zoro rides with you.” Luffy gave a crestfallen look to the floor before looking up again. “And where will Master be?”

Smiling at the cute way his servant had questioned him, Master rubbed the boy’s head affectionately. “I have another meeting to tend to. Seeing you go outside will please the people and Zoro will tend to your happiness. When I return tomorrow morning, however, I want a report on the next One Piece.”

“‘In the vicinity of a grave site,” said Luffy absently, scratching his nose. Master smirked at the new information Luffy had, accidently, stated before leaving the corridor. Turning to Zoro, Luffy gave the green haired man a wide smile. “I wouldn’t mind riding with Zoro…alone I suppose.” Zoro smirked back, wrapping his arm around Luffy since they were alone. “After we go to our secret spot can we go see Robin to return her book?”

“I thought Master destroyed her book.”

“He tore some pages, but Sanji helped me put them back and glue the spine of the book.” Luffy started towards the back kitchen where Zeff was looking over the menu for next week with distaste. The man glanced up, before returning to his paper with a click of his pen. “Did Sanji leave already?”

“That new treasurer wanted a fruit smoothie. I packed your “pirate” meals.” He pointed towards the two meals resting on the clear counter. Running over, Luffy grabbed the pack. “Tell me something…” The boy turned, making his way back to Zoro. “…Is it true? Those rumors that Kureha was executed for refusing to talk about Gol D. Roger’s gold?”

“Yesterday she was.” Luffy nodded. “She seemed like a very brave woman. She told Master she would never tell him the information entrusted in her. She then said that if he found the others they wouldn’t tell either. Why?” Luffy approached the chef, only to watch the man turn away with an air of arrogance and fear. Putting his hand on the large man’s shoulder, Luffy didn’t relent as Zeff nudged him away. “If you know anything it might be better to just give up the information. For Sanji.”

Zeff snorted. “The baby eggplant can take care of himself just as I can. Now go away.” Reluctantly, Luffy and Zoro left. “Kureha…why did Roger tell us about One Piece…”