Chapter 1

I blinked my eyes open slowly, my vision blurry and my thoughts quelled by drowsiness.

I let out a noise of discontent, slowly rolling to my side and pulling the covers closer to block out the chilly air that seemed to be constantly drifting around my living room.

My brother's cat shifted beside me, letting out a soft trill of curiosity at my movement.

I reached for the waistband of my pajamas, lacking pockets to my annoyance, and I winced at the brightness of my phone screen.

It took a few sluggish taps of my thumb to pause Nagashi by Idealism, that until then had been blaring over the earbuds which had fallen out sometime during my tossing and turning.

Squinting at the screen reading 4:56 AM I allowed myself a half sleepy, half resigned sigh, tucking further into the warmth of the couch.

Instantly, I knew I would not be sleeping anymore judging by the thoughts already buzzing to life in my head.

"It's too early for this…"

I complained to the cat sleepily as I stroked her back, her steady breathing somewhat calming my annoyance.

It was nearly 5 in the morning, my dad and brother had probably just left for work judging by the empty spots on the two couches, I was tired out of my mind, and my stupid insomnia- that had kept me awake until past midnight- decided to strike again.

My problems decided they didn't care if I had to leave for work in only a couple of hours.

It brought the question to my exhaustion-plagued mind; what had woken me up?

My gaze was drawn to the moonlight shining through the spaces in the decorative curtains covering the windows, gently illuminating the blue carpet.

It must be full and especially bright tonight,

I thought distractedly.

After a few moments of thought processing, I felt my brows furrow, coming to a puzzling realization.

The moon should not be visible from the windows since a cluster of ancient elm trees always blocked the view from that side of the house with their dense skeletal branches and dead clusters of leaves.

"What the…?"

I murmured in astonishment, forgetting my sleepiness and shoving aside my covers.

Being careful not to disturb the cat I climbed out of my blanket nest that dominated half of a couch, shivering as the chilly air touched my sleep-warm skin through my pajamas.

I glanced back briefly as the cat jumped down behind me and followed in my footsteps, letting out an absent-minded little trill when I looked down at her.

"Stupid cat…"

I muttered affectionately as I reached down to pick her up and continued towards the window, gently brushing aside the curtains.

Blindingly bright lights flared and I instantly hissed in surprise, shutting my eyes tightly and shielding them with my free arm while the light flashed brighter, and the cat gave a scared yowl.

The buzz of a whispering voice reached my ears; drowned out by screams- I think they are mine? - As pain racked my body.

Moments later a blessed numbness washed over me, washing away the burning pain, and I collapsed like a puppet with cut strings.

I was dead to the world even before the fear could process.

The first thing I felt when I woke up was a dull ache in every limb and joint in my body, protesting my movements in a harmony of pain as I slowly stirred.

Hesitantly I blinked my eyes open, and I found myself squinting through the soft glow of a torch.

I let out a small groan and shifted, frowning when I only felt cold, hard cobblestone floor.

Wait… The light that I saw…

The memory of my living room flooded my head, and in a jolt of sudden energy, I jerked into a sitting position, my eyes wide and medium-short cobalt blue hair falling in a messy rat's nest that just barely brushed the tops of my shoulders.

Blinking away the fuzziness I blanched, my mind stalling.

My sight was overwhelmed by a fully detailed and professional anime drawing of a dark dungeon-like cell.

As terrible as I usually am while waking up in the mornings, I was not slow enough to miss something this drastic.

Slowly, I turned a full 360 to look, but no matter where my gaze went or how much my neck ached from turning my head rapidly, everything I saw was animated.

I blinked once.

It's very… 3D-like… And realistic...

I blinked twice.

It did not disappear into a bad dream.
Oookay...

Deep Breath.

It's… Real…?

I bit my lip to the point of drawing blood while my brain struggled to process the new flood of information, my expression stuck in a full-out blanch while the impending freak-out approached.

I have to clue where I am.

I don't know how I got here.

I have no idea where my family, house, and animals are.

I am so screwed.

Did I mention that I am surrounded by an animated prison cell?!

I gnashed my teeth together, fighting off the threat of all-consuming panic.

Calm, breathe.

Okay. Let's look at the situation again- calm and in control.

I took another deep, slow breath and looked closer at the details of my surroundings.

My bare feet looked like that of an anime character, as did my clothes; in a state of awed bafflement, I raised my hands in front of my face.

They were perfectly-proportioned, slender, unmarred, and ridiculously perfect anime hands with cascades of lines for shadows.

None of the short-bitten fingernails or hangnails, not even the small but permanent scars from who knows where that accumulate over the years.

Looking up from my eerily flawless hands I found myself slowly coming to terms with reality, sitting on a concrete floor, surrounded by dimly-illuminated cobblestone and strangely-textured bars.

As I slowly pushed back the shock, I realized that I was still wearing my pajamas- a decoratively neon green-splattered black hoodie with the brand 'Stitchgrave' written across the lower back in neon green, paired with tan sporty shorts.

I spotted my outdated smartphone a foot or two away, and with a slightly trembling hand I reached out and picked it up.

The little white phone, screen, buttons and all, looked as equally anime-like as my hands and feet.

I am really, really not feeling up to dealing with this.

"Why does shit like this happen to me, out of the billions of people on earth…"

I growled while I tucked it into the waistband of my pants, a soft thud resounded ominously throughout my cell.

My throat closing in the panic I scrambled to my feet, whipping my head wildly in all directions as I gritted my teeth, I glanced down and I saw the source of the muffled thud; a small apple-shaped fruit lying on the ground next to my feet.

I hesitantly bent down to observe it, instantly weirded out by the strange pearl-like appearance of its skin, dove-white and shiny to boot.

I reached out and picked it up, frowning at the soft, smooth texture in the palm of my hand.

'Eat me.'

"What the hell!"

I jumped, yelping in surprise at the whisper, I dropped the fruit on instinct and stumbled backward.

Hissing in pain at the sharp gravel that dug into my bare foot, I clumsily fell on my haunches, arms flailing for balance.

A quiet sigh sounded in my head, but it was almost drowned out by the wild thumping of my heart, pounding so hard my chest was starting to hurt.

"What...? Who...?"

'I said eat me; and don't drop me this time, you bumbling fool.'

My jaw dropped open for a moment as a completely absurd thought popped into my head, and my eyes widened even more if that was possible.

"Y-you're the fruit?"

I mumbled out the question in response to the voice, and I hurriedly picked the rock out of my foot.

Cautiously, I rose into a crouch and shuffled, step by wary step, towards the innocent looking pearl-apple.

'Technically, in this world, I am called a Devil fruit.'

I froze mid-shuffle, my heart skipping a beat as the words clicked.

"A Devil fruit?"

My voice became very quiet while I struggled to maintain whatever dignity and composure I had left, pausing to give my overheated brain time to think and process.

I took another deep breath, going through the binary code in my head while trying to ignore the ache and frantic fluttering of my heart.

When I felt I had my cool back, I spoke.

"In this world? Tell me where the hell I am, and why 'Devil fruit' sounds so familiar."

I felt almost proud that had no tremors in my speech as I demanded the voice to give me answers.

'I can't tell you anything else, dear boy, until you eat me and find out for yourself.'

I wasn't quite sure what I was supposed to think of this new situation as my fingers curled around its smooth skin, and the words set in.

I narrowed my eyes, mentally forcing myself to ignore the panic I knew was trying to break free from under the tight restraint of my control, and I attempted to process the tornado of mass thought clutter in my head.

All while, of course, keeping the fruit as far away from my face as my reach would allow

Sue me; I'm still suspicious of it.

I need solid proof of where the hell I am, because if my suspicion is correct, being dumped into my favorite anime isn't really on the list of things allowed by the laws of reality…

I thought firmly to myself.

I need answers.

"If I eat you,"

I began slowly, glaring at the innocent pearl-apple.

"Do you give me your word that you will answer my questions to the best of your ability?"

Nothing to lose but the contents of my stomach- in the extreme case, my life too perhaps, but...

'Whatever, kid. I give you my word.'

Some small, manic, and obviously insane part of my mind was in awe of the idea that I am in an anime, whether it was a dream or not.

With a determined nod, I brought the pearl-apple to my mouth and scarfed it down as fast as physically possible.

Then, the taste registered.

"UGH!"

I gagged, my face contorted in disgust as I attempted to keep the contents of my stomach where they belong.

"You taste god-awful!"

I snarled aloud, but the voice was silent.

I grimaced in worry, ignoring how it felt like I was pumping ice through my veins and the sudden drained feeling.

"Hey, are you still there, devil fruit?"

'Yes.'

Good, it didn't leave,

I thought with a sigh of relief, warily glancing at the bars again- which I promptly realized was seastone, which was why it was textured so funny.

'Of course I didn't leave. I gave my word, didn't I?'

I smirked as a small spark of excitement mixed with my uneasiness.

So you can hear my thoughts. Let's begin, then- you say you're a Devil fruit, and that means that I am in One Piece as far as I know. Am I correct?

The voice seemed amused, and my smirk deepened at its answer, and the prickly feeling in my veins slowly subsided.

'Yes,'

Very good. Now, how did I get here? Where am I?

I cautiously approached the seastone bars, testing the lock, but it was firmly in place and refused to rattle when I pitted my weight against it; although, the lethargic effect was very alarming.

'We were transported here by someone I call the Entity; you in your form, and me as the Angel Angel devil fruit.'

I paused in astonishment, mouth open to speak, but the voice bulldozed over it.

'Look, kid, the Entity only gave me so much time to talk, so I think it's time for a proper introduction,'

The voice began, but the edge of dark amusement had me pausing in slowly dawning trepidation.

I suddenly got the feeling that I may not like the answers.

'Welcome to Impel Down of the universe One Piece; specifically, the experimental Research Wing. You were brought here after you practically fell on top of them in a flash of light, and in a tragic turn of your luck, they decided to test out their brand new facility on you.'

"W-wait, I'm in Impel Down?! Who's the Entity, and why did it put me here?!"

The voice laughed quietly in my head, ignoring my panic entirely.

'That's something I can't tell you, kid. You ate the Angel Angel fruit; I recommend meditating, figure out your powers a bit; it'll help in the long run. My time's up, though- best of luck, kid.'

"H-hey, don't just up and leave!"

I snapped, but I was answered with silence.

Agitated, I took a seat on the ground, eyeing a foul-smelling bucket across the room and a pot next to me with suspiciously cloudy water.

"I'm not a kid. I'm sixteen."

I muttered sullenly at the silence of the cell.

"Asshole could have at least told me before I ate a devil fruit that I was surrounded by seastone…"

I growled spitefully, but the voice seems to have left me alone, surrounded by darkness and cobblestone.