Hello everyone! Amber here! Now before anything else, I have an announcement to make. I am not dropping my Queen with a sword femLuffy fic. I have a suspicion that my lack of interest in updating the said story is because my mind is flooded with ideas that is not in any manner related to that story. If anyone could remember, I updated twice a week back then. Then gradually, it became less. I did have a few grown up problems last March but when everything cleared out, I just found myself staring at a blank white screen. I am very sorry for all the disappointment that it might have caused. So for now, I kindly request for everyone's patience and let my other (this story) ideas come to life.

Disclaimer: One Piece is definitely Oda-sensei's work. I'm just borrowing s'all.

Story time!

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Chapter 1: A bad joke gone badder

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He knew very well that those two boys didn't mean to do this to him. He had already forgiven them the moment he saw regret in their eyes when he was being taken. And to be honest, he thinks it was his fault why he ended up in this mess.

Obviously, they didn't want him to be their friend!

And yet, he was stubborn. Even when the answer in front of him was a big NO.

And now… It has already been three years since he was taken from home. Three years ever since he last saw those kids named Ace and Sabo. Three years since his eyes were opened to the dark secrets of the world…

When he was younger, he sees the world as a beautiful place. In his innocent eyes, he sees wonders and joy in the smallest of places. But after he was brought here in Sabaody and was sold as a slave, he saw what the world truly wants him to see.

Behind boisterous laughter, he saw cries of sorrow. Behind selfless actions, he saw greed and avarice. The list can go on and on but what Monkey D. Luffy wants to point out is, the world shouldn't be seen behind rose tinted glasses.

He admits that he has done so in the past but he swears he would never do it again in the future. He had experienced things that a child wasn't suppose to go through. And in his short years of existence, he learned that the weak shall always lag behind the strong.

He was thankful to his self that he was hard to break. His body and mind were miraculously still intact even though he was made to do things that he doesn't want to do. After all, a kid can only take as much pain before he breaks…

One part of him cleverly concluded that his rare middle initial has something to do with it. The other, however, argues that maybe his resilience was granted to him by his devil fruit which was strangely different from the rest. Perhaps, both are somewhat correct or better yet, maybe it has nothing to do with both. Maybe it was just him and him alone that withstood everything.

His chains rattled as he shifted his position. It was during these nights when he questions himself that he remembers his past carefree life.

He remembers a man with beautiful red hair laughing at his childish idiotic antics. Shanks was his name. Luffy was sure of it. Through this man, he saw a father figure, a man to look up to and a very good friend. This man gave a lot of his own just to keep Luffy happy and safe. His arm, his straw hat and a devil fruit. With that, he can't help but be thankful. So thankful that he feels guilty for failing the man's expectations and breaking the promise that he was too eager to keep.

He was supposed to be the future King of pirates!

The ten year old raven sighed as the memory of their promise won't fade in his head.

"Future Pirate King my ass!" He spats as he stifled a bitter chuckle as he poke fun of his situation.

His reverie was cut short when the light of day started to infiltrate his cage outside his master's home. It means that spectators would soon arrive at a moment notice.

Speaking of which, he needs to prepare.

Prepare for what?

To kill.

So he can eat.

So he can continue on living.

So he can continue to hope that one day, he'll be free of his leash.

… … … … … … … … … East Blue … … … … … … … …

A teenage raven and a blonde was quietly seated in the middle of a forest clearing. Before them was a bottle of sake that they stole from the bandits and three small cups that was laid out on a tree stump in a triangular formation. The two weren't alcoholics who are merely satiating their vices. Rather, they were drinking as a form of tribute for a person from their past.

It was today, three years ago when they unjustly wronged a kid whose fate they do not know what had become…

They weren't serious when they said that they'll kill him. It was suppose to be just a threat!

They also didn't mean to arrive late once they realized that he'll never spill their secret…

In the end, they didn't find the kid confined in the cabin as they hoped.

It was only during that time when they fully realized the horror they had done.

All that was left was the boy's hat and his innocent blood spilled all over the room.

Wish granted. They should be happy right? Well, the answer was immediately known after a few days.

The black haired teenager named Ace found himself in front of the boy's Grandfather who wordlessly took the hat from his hand with a disappointed gaze never to be seen again. There was something in the man's gaze that he would never ever forget in his entire life.

The blonde also had his answer in the form of nightmares. Each night, he dreamt of the boy's innocent wide smile that radiates sincerity and kindness. To some that wouldn't even be considered a nightmare. But to him, it only reminds him of how he took away one the few remaining people in this world who embodies what was good.

Together, they realized how they were no different from the people they were running away from. Together, they realized that Luffy was someone who is just like them…

Someone who was looking for a place to belong.

If only they can turn back time. They would welcome the boy with open arms this time. Listen when he is talking. Reply when he is asking. Because, aside from him. They too had no one else.

But as they had chosen the wrong path and life was not a game. They can only hope that wherever Luffy is or if one day their paths may cross again, he finds it in heart to forgive their foolishness.

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It has been quite a day!

The match dragged longer than he expected.

But nevertheless, Luffy was thankful he was the winner.

He gets to live.

The ten year old raven was soon dragged towards the cellar of the mansion─meaning he didn't need to kill tomorrow.

It was clever, he pertains towards his master's handling of slaves.

On certain days of the week. He spends his day at a cage outside for everyone to see. Meaning that he will be pitted later that afternoon with an unfortunate kid who may or may not possess a devil fruit. A fight would then ensue between the two and the victor gets to eat and live. After that, he will spend a few days below in a dark cage where he will wait until the next time he would get to see the light of day again as another set of fighters would be showcased above.

It was beyond torture being unsure which of the two was better…

But just like anybody else, he grew better in his job as time flew by. He soon learned how to ignore the sounds of a bone being snapped or the desperate pleading of the weaker contenders. He even gives the crowd a treat by prolonging their sufferings knowing fully well, that he'll master will add a chunk of meat or two on that night's dinner.

There is no word that can describe how sorry he is to all those he have harmed and killed. It was unfortunate. Yet, He had no other choice…

… … … … … to be continued … … … … …

Seems lacking? Too dark? Don't worry! Everything will be alright!

My theme for this One Piece story is forgiveness. In the following chapter everything will turn out brighter for Luffy and on the third chapter. Ace and Sabo. Hee hee! I'm so excited!

For the mean time. Can anyone guess what's Luffy's devil fruit?

Clue: Mythological Zoan that is not a dragon or a bird.