Prologue-A Misplaced Hero
The rain pelted down, unmercifully and unending, eternal and dark. Not only that, but the wind was just as cruel, tearing up the sea and all that surrounded it. In the middle of the East Blue, rather close to where the Reverse Mountain towed hopeful ships up towards their dreams and ambitions, there was a single rock slab elevated over the anger fueled water, one covered and soaked with blood. Sketched around its rocky and barren parameter, with what one could only assume to be more blood, was a giant symbol, one that represented fear and evil. It was the image of a serpent devouring its own tale; an Oroborus.
Resting in the middle of the pentagram that had been traced in the center of the reptile's mass was a figure. He was hard to make out, his clothes water drenched and blood soaked to the point where they were almost black, and yet, there was something about him, something amazing that made him stand out. This feat went deeper than skin, much deeper. His blond hair covered his face, and a red trench coat was draped casually over him, in a mock attempt to ward off the ferocious rain. Nothing seemed remarkable about him, at least not until you got closer to him, close enough to notice that his right leg and left arm were gone, the source of the seemingly unending fluids that covered the stone. As a drop of rain thudded down on his forehead, something stirred deep within his conscience, a light was ignited. Despite his pain and the sorrow that held back his soul, the flame awakened him.
As his eyes fluttered open, his first thought was what he had done wrong. Why had it all turned out this way, what on earth could he have done to create something so horrible? After all, the world is set about with one rule, that of equivalent exchange. To create, you must give up, to destroy you must evaluate, that was how everything worked.
"What…have I done?" His dry lips barely managed to sputter out this simple phrase, and despite the effort he put into it, he expected no answer. Yet, much to his surprise, he received one.
"You exist, therefore you must suffer. That is why you lie here dying, my boy. It's part of human nature. The boy stained to look upwards, and was met by the sight of a tall man with a colossal sword mounted heavily on his back. Everything else seemed blurred, but that one image seemed to stand out above all.
In light of things, the boy smiled, "You're not here to…put me out my misery, are …you?" The swordsman shook his head, and he laid his head back wearily, shutting his eyes. "Could you tell me…who you are…?"
"Nothing more than a slave of the government, a humble yet obedient dog. I suppose you can't understand that."
The man kept a strait face, but the boy burst out laughing, which resulted in a coughing spree. After he finished, he nodded slowly, speaking haltingly. "You have no idea…what I've done for the government…and what I will never forget…"
Sighing, the swordsman muttered, "You seem to have great horrors in the depths of your heart, boy, and yet you lay here. Do you not wish to die, to let it all fade away?"
"I will never do that!" Cocking his head, the boy's companion grinned. What resolve, what brass! "I will not do anything like that, because...if I die…I'll never be able to see him again. I have…to keep that promise, even if it takes the rest of my life. That is all I live for."
"Brave words for one so low, but I admire your dedication." Reaching in the depths of his vest, the man pulled out a single fruit, not hesitating to add dramatic effect, and put it down next to the injured boy. "This fruit, despite it's foul taste, will heal you, and help you accomplish your goal. Use it if you wish." The man turned away, striding towards what had first appeared to be a dark blur, but what could now be made out as a small vessel. It was amazing that such a small hunk of wood could ever survive for so long in such a horrible and furious sea.
Resting his hand on the fruit, the boy muttered "I'm not used to getting something for free…What do you want from me?"
The man stopped, and grinned, his laced hat shading over his eyes maliciously, "I only wish to know your name; obviously you are not a native. I suppose…you remind me of someone I met recently…a certain pirate hunter."
Ignoring the last remark, he responded by saying, "My name, huh...My name is Ed. Edward Elric, the Full Metal Alchemist." Then, his head thudded back down as the boy's mind succumbed to the powerful tide of sleep, and the swordsman stepped silently into his boat.
Before letting it drift away into the unforgiving and seemingly un-sailable waters, however, he looked back and muttered fondly, "You will do great things in this land, I can tell, Elric. I leave with you my name, Dracule Mihawk, one of the Seven Armed Seas." Expertly and efficiently untying the holding rope, the swordsman rested back in his seat. "Perhaps we shall meet again, perhaps not. It is all your choice; I hope you make the right one."
With that final comment, his small boat was heaved away by the power of the water and the storm, fading quickly into the darkened air, like a memory from a forgetful mind. And still, the rain came down.