AN: This is based off a theory a few us were discussing on a One Piece forum (OroJackson) on the possibility Luffy's mom being a Celestial Dragon. I hope you enjoy my take on what drove the son of Garp the Hero to become the Revolutionary we know and love as Monkey D. Dragon!

Disclaimer: One Piece and all the characters (unless they're OCs) belong to Echiro Oda. Props to him for being a badass.

Dragons of the Void Century

Prologue: The Gray Terminal

"Dragon, vwhat the hell happened?! This looks bad!" The cloaked man, with a rather oversized head and copious amounts of makeup and lipstick caked onto his face, couldn't help but shout at the sight of what lay in his commander's arms. The dirt-covered, gory mass of burnt fabric and caked blood could hardly pass for a human, let alone a child.

"Get him treated now." Dragon ordered sternly. "Iva, he'll need your hormones."

"Yes sir! Right away, sir!" A frantic, shark-helmet wearing soldier nearly tripped over his big-headed superior while hurriedly scooping the child from the arms of his commander. Looking down, the soldier winced at how much of the ten year old's face had been seared away.

Separating the child from the Revolutionary's arms proved to be a herculean task. The boy clutched at Dragon's cloak with all the strength his broken little body could muster. "Ace." He croaked. "Luffy." The boy coughed up blood. "Run away."

If Emporio Ivankov, the big-headed, mascara-smeared drag queen, had noticed his commander's face soften ever so slightly at the child's labored whisper, he made no mention of it. He knew better. Once, on a voyage to Baltigo, the Revolutionary Army's main base of operations, Iva – commenting on how Dragon's gaze always seemed to linger eastward – asked the Revolutionary if he had any family in the eastern seas. Dragon then made it clear he didn't want anyone prying into his personal life, not even his most trusted subordinates. Even with that, Iva couldn't help noticing how Dragon cradled the frail life in his arms. For a moment, one could almost forget the child had just been rescued from a traumatic ordeal, that the person holding him was none other than Dragon, Commander of the Revolutionary Army, the man crazy enough to stand against the five-circled cross of the World Government. He holds that boy like he's his own. Iva thought. Maybe it was his drag queen's intuition, but something about the way the child comfortably clung to Dragon just wouldn't leave him be.

Whatever thoughts had triggered his observatory nature, Iva didn't have time to dwell on them. Once the child finally loosened his hold, allowing the soldiers to lay him down on the ship's sterilized medical table, Iva noticed the Revolutionary had once again regained his composure. "How awful they are to burn the area and the residents there." The Drag Queen spoke, outraged by the lunacy of the Goa Kingdom Nobles. "By the vway, how did you know about the situation in such an outlying country in the East Blue? Is there something special about this country?"

Dragon was quiet, a look of pure determination chiseled onto his face. "This country is an example of how the world will be in the future. There can be no happiness in a world where the undesirables are thrown away." Iva looked at Dragon, awestruck by the embers of raw will he saw blazing in his commander's eyes. "Someday, I will change the world!" Dragon's focused sight shifted to the child on the medical table, filling all the more with fiery indignation at the World Government, the ones responsible for bringing harm to an innocent. Iva knew this look, a thunderous gaze that left even the most bloodthirsty and power-drunk despots trembling in fear. "Even in a country like this," the Revolutionary continued, "there are children." Emboldened by the sight of the wounded child and the hungry flames roaring around the ship, Dragon stepped forward on the deck, towards the mob of those who had escaped the fire set to exterminate them. "Hear me!" The Revolutionary shouted. "Those of you who are willing to fight for freedom, come aboard my ship!"

The surgery took three hours. With the worst of the boy's ensanguined burns closed and his broken bones set, the child was now fast asleep. Been a while since I've had to use this much of my power to save someone. He has a strong vwill to live. Iva thought, out of breath from having felt the torrent of miracle-inducing hormones flow through his hands and into the boy's body. As if reading his mind, Dragon placed a strong hand on his subordinate's shoulder. "Thank you." The Revolutionary spoke softly, mindful of the sleeping child. "I couldn't let him die."

Iva nodded as the two walked out on the ship's deck. "I vwasn't sure he'd make it when I virst saw him. I did what I could to heal his body. Vwe'll just have to vwait and see how much damage has been done to his heart." The Drag Queen took a look at his commander. "And could you get some sleep?"

Dragon's mouth curved into a slight grin. "Are you worried about me?"

"Vwhat are you saying?!" Iva shouted, waving his arms frantically as his ginormous purple afro bobbed up and down. "Of course I am. Vwe all are! The burden you have to carry is heavy and you don't have to shoulder it alone! Sometimes I vwish you would let us handle more. It vwouldn't kill you to rest every once in a vwhile!"

Dragon shook his head, smiling at the concerned Drag Queen. But on the inside, his mind was racing. How can I rest? How can I rest when this world does not give a damn about this child, when the world is not safe for children like Luffy? Luffy. Yes, that name. The one he held in his mind and spoke to no one, the name he only allowed himself to hold when completely alone. The name she chose. His mind wandered off to the black haired, rambunctious baby boy he'd left behind in this East Blue, in this Goa Kingdom. He was probably only a few miles away. His child. Her child. Luffy, I hope the old man, your grandpa, is treating you okay. And I hope someday, you come to know that I do this for you. So you can be free.

Poor Sabo! He's all burnt up. :'( What'd you guys think of the interaction between Dragon and Ivankov. I gave Ivankov a Russian accent since that tends to be the consensus among fansubbers these days. I know, I know. You guys are probably wondering who this Celestial Dragon lady is. Don't worry, she'll get introduced soon (in two chapters). In the meantime, let me know what you guys thought of this little prologue. I'd love your thoughts and opinions! Read and review!