Disclaimer: As much as I wish it, I do not own One Piece…It belongs to that glorious bastard Eiichiro Oda

"Talking"

'Thoughts'

"Attack Names"

Technique/Ability Names

Letter Script

"Flashbacks"

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Prologue: Red Dawn

In a little cottage, on the hills of the Foosha village located on Dawn Island in the Goa Kingdom, we find 6 year old Monkey D. Luffy, looking very confused. He wore a plain white shirt coupled with green shorts and simple sandals. His raven black hair was as messy as always and his piercing purple eyes stared blankly into space. Ever since he could remember, he always felt as though something was missing. He lived alone in his little cottage, with Makino-neechan, the pretty barkeep at Party's Bar, occasionally checking up on him and making sure he was taking care of himself. His grandpa stopped by every few months to spend time with him, but he knew his grandpa was a busy man and couldn't come very often. He never once complained though, he wasn't some whiny brat. Luffy spent most of his days running around, chasing butterflies or playing with the local wildlife. He's a boy with a huge sense of adventure and loved learning or seeing new things. He spent his nights reading the picture books grandpa Garp and Makino-neechan bought him, often immersing himself in the content.

Most would call Luffy an idiot, but he was not. He just didn't care about things that didn't interest him. He was very perceptive, for the most part, about certain things. Which is why we find him sitting on the edge of his bed, looking lost as he contemplated the strange dreams that have been plaguing him. For a while now, he has been having dreams of a beautiful blonde woman with soulful purple eyes, holding her arms out to him, to embrace him. It made his heart pang with a sense of loss that he didn't even know he felt at the thought of the pretty lady. She looked at him with such warmth and love, that it made him long for her embrace. He didn't know if she was a figment of his imagination, or maybe a memory, but Luffy desperately wanted to know about her. Why was she haunting his dreams? What was she trying to tell him? And why did she have the same colour eyes as he did? He wanted to tell his grandpa, but that might just earn him a punch to the head, which wouldn't be fun at all. Makino-neechan was busy and he didn't want to bother her with his problems. It was his birthday tomorrow, and he didn't want to cause unwanted tension on that day. He would be turning 7 and he couldn't wait to see what presents he got. With one final thought to the lady in his dreams, he bid the empty room a good night before turning in.

(Scene Change)

"Happy birthday Luffy!" Cheered Makino as she brought her favourite little boy into a tight embrace, smothering his face in her generous bosom, much to the jealousy of some of the men in the bar.

"Thanks Nee-chan!" Luffy responded as he melted into her hug. He really liked Makino-neechan. She always had time for him, not to mention she made the tastiest meals. After a few minutes of fussing over him, she presented Luffy with a neatly wrapped box, which he excitedly tore into, revealing a new picture book detailing the adventures of his favourite protagonist. He awarded Makino with a bone crushing hug and a hurried thank you before racing off to his home to get started on it, leaving behind an amused Makino who smiled warmly at his retreating back.

As he sat at his little desk, Luffy lost himself in the pages of his new adventure. He wasn't the biggest fan of reading, but there wasn't much else to do in such a quiet village. It's why he loved when his grandpa came by and told him stories of his adventures. He was so engrossed in his book, that he almost missed the knock on his door. He looked outside and realized that the sun was almost setting. He completely lost track of time. He rushed to the door after a few seconds, thinking that it was his grandpa stopping by.

He was disappointed when he was greeted by the sight of a nondescript courier.

"Good evening little boy. I'm here to deliver a package to a Monkey D. Luffy. Could you get him for me please?" The courier asked in a polite tone, trying hard not to sound like some creepy pedophile.

Luffy just gave him a flat stare, which, for a seven year old, was pretty impressive.

"I'm Monkey D. Luffy." He responded blandly. He courier just stared at him for a few minutes, before giving up, realizing that the little boy was indeed the one the package was intended for. After getting Luffy to sign off on it, he handed the package to the boy. It wasn't the biggest or the heaviest, but he expected the little guy to have a bit of trouble with it, just as he did, which was why he was a bit dumbstruck when he saw the boy easily carry the package away with one arm before turning away and closing the door.

Luffy was both confused and excited at the package. Confused as to who would send him something besides his grandpa and Makino-neechan. He knew it wasn't from his grandpa as it was neatly wrapped with pretty purple paper. If it was his grandpa, it would be messily wrapped in old newspapers. He actually had to stop for a moment and direct a flat stare at a wall at the extremely likely scenario of that happening.

As opposed to his normal behavior, Luffy carefully opened this package. He didn't want to damage the wrapping too badly. It was something instinctual within him that made him cautious to ruin it. He didn't really understand why, but he was always one to trust his instincts.

After unveiling the package, it revealed a medium sized, ornate black metallic box, with what looked like a red moon on it. It had a clasp that looked like it could fit a lock as well as a small handle that looked like it could be used to either lift it hang it up somewhere. All in all, it looked like a treasure chest to Luffy, who was getting both excited and apprehensive at the same time. His excitement won out though as he open the chest and peered into it. The first thing he noticed was an envelope with his name written on it in an elegant print. He picked it up and looked at the rest of the contents. It was mostly empty except for a handful of plain black books, they looked like those journals you could buy from the store. There was also a weirdly shaped fruit that looked like a blue pumpkin with swirly designs on it. He disregarded the contents for now and opened the letter.

As he opened it, a picture fell out of the fold. He picked it up and turned it over and received the shock of his young life at the face that stared back at him. It was the same woman from his dreams. Her beautiful blonde hair was flowing neatly down her back and she was dressed in a simple white summer dress and gladiator sandals. She didn't looked to be wearing any make up on her creamy white skin and her gorgeous purple eyes, the same shade as his, was alight with joy as she smiled at the camera, gently cradling a bundle to her bosom that had a tuft of black hair sticking out the end. Luffy's heart sang at the sight of the woman, her smile brought him a sense of happiness and contentment that he couldn't understand. He needed to know more. He gently set the picture down and turned to the letter. His heart almost seized up upon reading the first line.

Dear Luffy, my beautiful baby boy,

It's hard to describe how painful it is for me to write this letter to you, knowing that I probably will never got to tell you the things you need to know in person. I can see you playing with the stuffed bear that I bought you in cot beside me as I write this letter, and the thought of not being there for you as you grow up in this cruel world fills me with despair. I so badly want to be there to watch you take your first steps and utter your first words. But as much as I want to rage about it, I know that you will be strong enough to face what may come. If you're wondering who I am, and I won't be surprised if you have never heard of me as I don't expect that useless deadbeat of a grandpa of yours or his equally worthless son to ever tell you about me, name is Sylvia, and I am your mother.

I know you are probably wondering where I am, which is understandable. The fact that you are reading this letter means only one thing, I am no longer amongst the living. I know that it may hurt to hear that, having just gotten to know that you have a mother only for it to be taken away. I want to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not being strong enough to bear the weight of my sins, for not being there for you when you need me the most. I detailed most of the information of my life, what I know about the World Government and the Marines as well as some Pirates in those journals I left for you. There is also information about certain techniques and abilities that you can train so that you are strong enough to face the storm that will be ahead of you. I also managed to get my hands on a devil fruit. To be honest, I kind of stole if from the Marine Headquarters. They were planning on giving it to whichever new Admiral managed to get promoted, to boost his power. It is a logia class devil fruit, the Goro Goro no Mi. I know that won't mean much to you at this point but as you read the journals I left to you it will make a lot more sense. I don't want to overload you with information that you might not fully understand which is why I numbered the journals for you to read in that specific order to fully comprehend the information contained within. I know you may be a bit confused, or maybe you don't like to read, but I beg of you, please read those journals seriously. I want you to know what kind of place the world is and the dark side of it. I know people may think I'm crazy for telling a seven year old this information and you may even end up hating me for destroying your innocence, but I can live with that as long as you are happy and safe.

What you need to know about me is that I am a very important person to the World Government. As you read more you will fully comprehend just how important. The World Government and by extension the Marines have a twisted sense of 'Absolute Justice'. It was something I didn't agree with, and regardless of my position in the Government, a lot of people didn't look favourably upon me for it. I don't want to colour your perceptions with my bias, but I will tell you of some of the incidents that I witnessed as well as what happened to me. I want you to take that information and go out and find your own meaning and understanding of it. Some of what you read may fill you with anger, or maybe even hatred, but I want you to promise me to never give in to it. I don't want you seeking revenge or anything silly like that. What I want for you is to live, my darling son, live and be free. Never be afraid or ashamed of who you are and scream your name to the heavens if you must.

As I said before, people didn't look at me in a favourable light, especially the higher ranked members of the Government. They wanted me to act more like someone befitting my position, but I wasn't some passive girl. I liked to think I was strong. I trained hard every day to get to where I was and I was proud of my strength. Most people overlooked my activities, even though they frowned at it, my family included. But the birth of my son, of you, was something that they took the greatest offence to. Especially considering who your farther is. I will tell you about him in my journals, I'm sorry to say though that I don't really love him, and I doubt that he loves me. It was just a silly mistake on my part, fuelled by hormones and anger at my family. But that one mistake led me to the greatest achievement of my life…You.

I want you to know Luffy, even though I consider the act of getting together with your father a mistake, I don't consider you one at all. A lot of people will call your existence a sin, and say that you should have been put to death at birth. I want you to know that, regardless of what those idiots think, you are not a sin. You are my beautiful baby boy. My crowning achievement. My pride and joy. Giving birth to you was the happiest moment of my life. I can still remember the day like it was yesterday. It was late at night, and the red moon was hanging in the sky. While some would see that as a bad omen, I knew it meant that you were destined for greatness. How could I not? You are MY son after all! Holding you in my arms for the first time filled me with a sense of accomplishment, knowing that I gave birth to such a wondrous being. It was love at first sight for me the moment I laid eyes upon you.

I know I don't have much time left in this world, and I know you might hate me, for what I'm going to do and for my own weakness. Like I said before, I can live with that. As long as you can find some use in what I've given you and be strong enough to survive, to live, then I can go to my death with a smile on my face. Even if you hate me, or are ashamed of me, know that I love you with all my heart and I will be proud of you regardless of what you become.

This is the end of what I need to tell you, but don't be sad Luffy. I want you to smile that adorable smile that I fell hopelessly in love with. Remember, knowledge is power, take what I give you and turn it into your strength. If you want to turn the world on its head, than I will support you. And if you want to live life as an ordinary citizen, I will support that too. But you are my son, and I know you well enough to know that a simple life is not something that will satisfy you. Train hard, eat right and always be mindful of your manners. Find a nice girl in the future, or maybe even girls. I know my baby boy is manly enough to charm anyone. Just make sure to give me lots of cute grandbabies!

I can barely find the strength to finish writing this, but this is goodbye for now my love. Know that I will be watching over you. Go out and be the man I know you will be and never let anyone stand in your way of you or your dreams. I love you Luffy, now and forever.

Your loving mother,

Sylvia

Luffy couldn't stop the tears that were flowing from his eyes as he read the letter. He had a mother, and she loved him. His heart soared at that thought. He gently placed the letter back in the envelope after reading it once more, a massive grin blooming on his face. He always wondered about his parents, as he saw other families around the village, but his grandpa always dodged the question, and Makino-neechan didn't really know anything about his family. After a while, he just gave up on asking as it was clear even to him that his grandpa wasn't going to tell him anything. But know, he knows, he knows his mother's name, what she looks like, and most importantly, that she loved him. That alone filled him with an indescribable strength.

He hurriedly pulled out the journal marked as No.1 and diligently started to read. He read throughout the night till the break of dawn, never stopping once, other than to change books. He drank in his mother's words like a man dying of thirst who just found an oasis. Every word, every sentence that he read, his face contorted further and further in anger, and hatred. He couldn't believe what he was reading. It filled him with disgust. He always had to listen to rants about how his grandpa would turn him into a strong Marine, but after reading this, he would rather die that become one. He wanted to scream in anger and rage at the injustice of it all. But he bottled it up, till it turned into cold indifference. His mother begged him not to give into anger and hatred, and he will obey that to the best of his abilities.

He knew though, in his heart, that he will never become a Marine, or work for any branch of the World Government. He didn't want to be an ordinary citizen either. He wanted freedom and adventure.

A small grin slowly crept on his face. The only thing left for him to do, was to become a pirate. Thanks to the instructions left behind, he had enough to make himself strong enough to take on any enemies that may come his way. And while he wouldn't go out of his way to antagonise them, if he does come across some corrupt Marines, there's nothing stopping him from dishing out some pain and humiliation as well as appropriating some of their goods. His mother did say that she will be proud of him regardless of what he becomes. Maybe she realised that piracy was something that he was destined for. Nevertheless, he has at least 10 years or so to train himself, in the techniques and abilities left to him as well as the devil fruit his mother gifted him. Being a simple pirate is not enough fuel for his ambition. No, if he is going to be a pirate, anything less than standing at the top is unacceptable. He wanted his name to ring throughout the world, he wanted to be the man with the most freedom on the seas.

It was in that moment, unknown to the rest of the world, that a legend was born. Monkey D. Luffy vowed to himself, that he will become the Pirate King. Those who would dare stand in the way of his destiny will be crushed under the overwhelming weight of his ambition.

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Author Note:

Phew, that was a chore. It's always hard to get the intro parts of a story down because I'm always itching to get into the main points. Anyway, I hope you like this direction of the story. I wanted to give Luffy a different origin story. There is a plot point in canon (I won't call it a plot-hole because I know that ingenious bastard Oda-sensei definitely has something in mind) when it comes to Luffy's mother. I know the chapter seems a bit vague, and that is done intentionally. I won't reveal Luffy's mothers position or the circumstances of her death till much later on, probably around Amazon Lily. I know most of you probably put the pieces together already, but I may throw a curve ball, who knows.

I know the leaving the instructions is a bit of a cliché, but I didn't know any other way to get Luffy to know what I want him to know in the weakest sea ie. East Blue. Forgive me for that, but hopefully I can run with it. She will have left him a whole lot more, which you will see in the coming chapters.

The events to come will loosely follow canon. Meaning same towns and enemies but different outcomes so to speak. Like I said, he will have a totally different East Blue crew, and the events surrounding them may lead to some original arcs.

The next chapter skips straight to the day he leaves Foosha, meeting Coby, Alvida and his first mate…Kuina. Like I said in my intro note, Zoro will not be in this story, instead he will be replaced by Kuina. It is easy to see him having an accident when he was younger, I mean he was training with 3 huge weights while standing on the edge of a fucking cliff! Anyway, Kuina will be a lot more different than him in personality and sword style. I have a mix of Erza and Kagura (From Fairy Tail), as well as Lilliana Kranjcar (From Campione) in my mind when I think of her personality. Anyway, I gave enough away so far, you have to read on for more. Just know that I plan to make her, and the rest of the East Blue crew completely fucking badass.

I will do some periodic flashbacks if any important information needs to be inserted, but the people he met and befriended were basically the same.

I'm already 3000 words into the next chapter, so that may be out soon. For the readers of my other stories, fear not, I'm still progressing ahead with them. I've got about 7500+ word on each of the new chapters of Indomitable Will and A Frozen Heart. It's just hard to find time to write during this busy period of College. But when inspiration strikes, you have to put pen to paper, like with this story. I also have ideas for a Fairy Tail, Pokemon, Harry Potter and s Percy Jackson story. So don't be surprised if you see one of those. Anyway, I hope you like what I've done so far, stick around for the next few chapters to see how things will unfold. Let me know what you think.

Anyway…on to the next chapter…Lionheart021 out!