AN: Gah, this is so short, especially after such a long wait from the first chapter. For that I apologize, but KB said it was probably best to end it where it did rather than let it drag on . . . So next chapter, I'm gonna try to make it longer and post it sooner. Shouldn't be too hard given what I have planned for it.

Disclaimer: I wouldn't know what to do if I owned One Piece . . . Maybe run for my life as everyone came for my head?

2 The Foundation

Fifty years ago, a man named Ceros Amadeus moved to a small metropolis known as Blue Town. He soon opened a small clinic that offered asylum to those with mental disorders, promising to give them the best care possible. The clinic gradually grew once word got out that all patients were treated fairly, and soon The Foundation for Unique Individuals (or FUI, as most called it) became one of the best well-reputed mental hospitals in the country.

When Luffy had first arrived at the hospital, he'd shied away from everyone, seeing familiar yet unfamiliar faces. The fact that they didn't know him like they should only worsened his need for isolation. Still mourning over the loss of his grandpa, he'd at first taken to locking himself in his room, wanting nothing more than to give in to that other world in his dreams where his grandpa was still alive and his dad, as far as he knew, was watching out for him from a distance. He wanted to stay in that world, where he was together with his friends and they were all living happy and free, sailing towards their dreams.

But in the end, that's all they were. Dreams. Luffy couldn't stay locked up in his room and fantasies forever, so he finally ventured out to explore his new home.

Given his wariness of other people, he'd had nothing to help him focus on the world except to read. It had never been his favorite hobby, preferring listening to others read to him instead, but stories were the only things that had kept him from falling into the world in his dreams. His discovery of Dr. Amadeus' journal in the Foundation's library archive had given him the chance to memorize FUI's history as well as study the layout of the three-floor building. In a way, it was like an adventure as he found the little spots the founder had noted in his journal while searching for objects the man had left behind for his patients to enjoy during their free time. Little treasures, he'd called them, such as the old grand piano in the recreational room, and the secret garden hidden behind the wall of trees in the courtyard, and even the tiny statue of a smiling ram in the center of the miniature merry-go-round displayed in the man's old office.

Eventually, Luffy grew comfortable enough in his new home and his confidence returned. With it, he managed to face the other residents of FUI. He'd even met the late founder's nephew, Dr. Vegapunk, who visited every now and then to ensure his uncle's legacy was doing well.

Even though movies and stories had sometimes given mental hospitals a bad reputation, Luffy learned that FUI was different. He could never imagine hating the place. Having been admitted since he was eight, The Foundation was now his home and, sometimes, he liked to imagine everyone in it was his family.

As he walked down the carpeted halls of The Foundation, he absently waved to some of those people while thinking about his latest session with Dr. Portgas. This wasn't the first time he'd had a vision while in the doctor's presence, though lately they hadn't been as frequent. Ever since that incident happened, Luffy had felt disconnected from that other place. Maybe it had to do with what happened to that other him . . . or maybe it was because Ace had . . .

Luffy yanked the orange handkerchief out of his pocket and clutched it to his chest, focusing on the thin fabric in an attempt to block out the way the world at the corner of his eyes blurred and began changing colors. He stared at the bright orange color and noted how soft and warm it felt. It really was a nice color.

Finally, the world was back to normal and he let loose a sigh of relief. That was close, he thought as he held the cloth, unwilling to put it away just yet. I almost gave in to that world again.

But would that really be such a bad thing? The thought made him pause in the middle of the hallway and once more the world frayed at the edges.

"Hey, Luffy! I've been looking for you!"

The familiar voice helped Luffy gather his focus and he shook his head violently before turning to face the other with a wide grin that was only partially forced.

Usopp didn't appear to notice his expression and he was already regaling Luffy with excited chatter. "Wow! That was some party today, huh? I thought for sure that I would burst from all the sweets that nice lady brought! And I even managed to impress Kaya during the horror movie!" A blush decorated his face and his somewhat puffy lips formed a goofy grin. "She sure is a cutie . . ."

Luffy felt a small smile tug at his lips as his friend got lost in his thoughts over the mute blond-haired girl that was one of the kindest staff here. Kaya was one of the first people Luffy had met when he arrived and she made him feel welcomed. Usopp was another and Luffy considered the dark-haired boy one of his best friends.

"I'm going to be a brave warrior of the sea, just like my father!"

He flinched as that voice echoed in his head and he clutched his new handkerchief closer.

Usopp's sharp gaze caught the movement as well as the dazed look in Luffy's eyes, but rather than commenting on it, he asked, "Hey, Luffy, are you up for a bit of monster hunting? I heard from a reliable source that a demon, werewolf, and an evil witch were on the loose around here somewhere."

As silly as the idea sounded, Luffy felt a grin tug at his lips. "Where should we start?" he asked.

Grinning, Usopp gestured down the hallway that led to the east wing of the building. "Let's try the cafeteria first. We could stock up on supplies there."

A loud growl sounded then and both boys flinched before they realized the source was Luffy's stomach. Blushing slightly, Luffy grinned at his friend sheepishly. "Yeah, that sounds good, Usopp!"

Shaking his head in amusement, the curly-haired boy gestured for Luffy to follow and began speaking about his day as they walked.

Luffy tried to pay attention, but with his sudden bout of hunger, he was having trouble concentrating. Soon enough, Usopp's voice became nothing more than background noise and, before he knew it, the world shifted around him. He didn't even feel a thing as he hit the ground.

AN: I want to thank everyone that reviewed, favorited, and followed this story. Even just reading it, I want you to know I appreciate that. And again, sorry for the long wait, but life was really busy during and after the holidays and then I had to track down my muse for it. Hopefully I'll be much faster with the next update.

~amkay