My first story, yaay. Hope you'll enjoy ;)

Chapter 1: Introduction

Sheba is a beautiful tropic island. There were trees so big that the forest appeared dark. The fruits were rich, and nothing was suppressed from the sweet tastes. The animals were strong and majestic, the pride of the island.

Sitting under one of the trees was a 6 years old girl with mesmerizing green eyes. She had beautiful shoulder-length curly black hair mixed with blond ends. She was wearing a white summer dress with blue spots on it and was drawing the nature of her home. She was definitely doing it justice. Her talent for details was almost flawless and coloring would only make it more perfect.

The girl lived with her mother in a small house deep into the forest, a bit far from everyone else. When she was done drawing, she got up and went back home. The little girl got sidetracked when she saw the ocean behind the house.

She had always enjoyed watching the free endless sea, "Shayla be careful. Don't get too close to the water" her mother yelled from the window.

Shayla was used to this, "Okay mama", but kept going a little further and stopped when her feet touched the water. It was weird her mother somehow always knew what she was doing. She loved her home island but always dreamed of leaving it one day. To sail in the big wide sea and see the world.

Shayla felt bad for leaving her mother one day. She might be lonely without her. Her mother had raised her on her own and the little girl loved her with all her heart. But she was determined to one day and draw the wonders of the world. That was her dream. Shayla ran inside and proudly declared her new plan only to make her mother smile fondly at her, "You're just like your father".

The girl looked confused, "What's a father?" she asked, "A father is a man who protects and loves his family" her mother smiled even brighter.

The idea of a father made Shayla happy, "Where's my father," she asked with excitement. "He's sailing the sea as a great pirate" and the little girl frowned. She wasn't allowed to visit the village alone, but there was one time she managed to sneak away from her mother. That's when she heard some adults talking badly about pirates like how they would steal and kill people.

Fear was clear in her eyes, "Is my father bad too?" she asked. The older woman looked at her with assuring eyes, "Your father may be a pirate, but he is the best man, I've ever met. Don't let other people form your opinion, Shay. You'll have to see and decide for yourself" hugging her daughter.

"Alright, mama. I will" she smiled more cheerful now, "That's my girl" her mother, Katarina encouraged. Shayla may not have met her father yet but she had a feeling that she might soon.

'Why was that' she wondered.

-x-

Far into the horizon was a certain whale-like pirate ship. Onboard were one of the strongest pirates in the world and they were on their way to the island, Sheba. The captain was excited to finally meet his girls, "Pops, I can see the island. We'll be there in the morning," a young blond said.

Whitebeard's face never stopped smiling, 'Wait a little longer for me Katarina. A little long I'll be able to finally see our daughter," he was getting closer and closer to his other family.

The rest of the whitebeard pirates looked at their captain and father curiously. They didn't understand why he looked so happy, "What's so special about this island" someone whispered, "I don't know. Maybe he got a secret lover and child" another joked.

Everyone started laughing. They didn't know their joke was actually not too far off, "Yeah right, anyways whatever it is, we're about to find out" Atmos laughed. They were about to meet a special little girl and she would steal all their hearts.

-x-

It had been a couple of hours since the conversation. Katarina was preparing dinner inside while Shayla was playing outside. Under her mother's watchful eyes, of course. When a loud boom caught her ears.

The older woman didn't know what was happening and ran outside to find her daughter, "SHAY" she screamed. "Mama" a terrifying call came behind her and she saw Shayla. Katarina went over and hugged her before looking her over for any injuries. She sighed in relief when she found none. Now, she had to find out what happened.

Shayla could see her mother kept looking into the forest with a concerned face, "No mama, don't leave me" she begged. The girl knew that her mother used to be a marine and has this need to help people. It was both her strength and weakness. That and Shayla.

"Listen to me, ShayShay. I'm going to help the villagers and see what's going on. Hide till I come back," Katarina took her daughter's face in her hands. She could see the hesitation in the little girl's eyes, "Shayla, I can't leave knowing you not save. Where's the brave and strong girl I raised you to be," her mother was still waiting for an answer.

Before Shay could answer, a man suddenly came and tried to attack them from behind. It was like her mother could sense him as she kicked him hard into a tree, making him pass out.

Watching her mother fight gave a new determination, "Mama, I'll stay here. Just hurry back" the little girl beamed. Katarina faced her again and smiled. She could see the strong desire in her daughter's eyes. It wasn't there before, "Alright. Now hide and don't come out until I call your name" Shayla nodded and went to hiding. Katarina turned around and ran into the forest.

-x-

Shayla was waiting for her mother to return; she didn't know how long she has been hiding in the tree. She thought of her mother and wished she would come back to her soon. The sun was bout to set and her worries were only growing by the minutes.

The little girl's thoughts were running wild and she started to think the worse.

Did her mother lose?

Was she dead?

She didn't know what to do without her mother. She didn't have anyone else and the thought of losing her was terrifying. Shay may still have her father, but she never met him.

Would he even want her? What if he didn't, then what would she do then?

Not wanting her thought to control her, Shayla relaxed a little and she fell asleep.

When she woke up again it was completely dark outside. Shay saw a small fire near her house and hid even more, "Shayla" a familiar voice called, "Where are you" her mother continued. Shay was so happy her mama got back safely. She jumped down from the tree and ran towards her.

Katarina flinched when her daughter embraced her, but the girl didn't realize her mother was hurt and started to cry happy tears, "Mama, I was so scared" she cried. "I know baby, I know" her mother answered sweetly and hugged her back. "What happened in the village" curiosity took over her, "nothing Shay, just some bad people. Don't worry about it"

Shayla held the woman even closer, "I want to be strong like you mama, and beat up bad people that attack us" she declared. Katarina laughed but groined from the pain. The girl finally realized her mother's pain, "You're hurt, mama. Let's go inside" she said while getting ready to step away.

Katarina took her daughter's hand and guided her little treasure to a tree, "No Shayla, let's stay right here and enjoy the stars." Her mother let her sit on her lap and held her close, "Your father's name is Edward Newgate" her mother said so much love. Shay laid her head on her mother's chest and listened to her heartbeat as she started to sing.

She is the sweetest thing that I know

Should see the way she holds me when the light goes low

Shakes my soul like a pothole every time

Took my heart on a one-way trip

Guess she went wandering off with it

And unlike most little girls that I know

This one will bring it back whole

"I love you, Treasure," the older woman said after kissing her forehead. "I love you, mama. Remember you have to teach me how to get stronger" Shayla said half asleep in her mother's strong arms. The last thing she heard was her laughter and sing before drifting into the dream world.

-x-

The sun would soon rise, and the whitebeard pirates were now only 30 minutes away from the island. They were drawing closer and started to see the horror from the previous day's incident. The crew was shocked to see the stat of the island. From a faraway look, the island looked so beautiful, but it was nothing like they expected.

The whitebeard pirate turned when they heard something heavy hitting the deck. It shocked them more seeing their strong and composed captain on his knees with a very terrified expression. They've never, and I mean never seen him like this, 'What was on this island that made their captain react like this.

Before they could ask him, he picked up his bisento and ran towards the village. The rest of the crew followed immediately.

The great pirate wasn't acting like himself, but who could blame him. His family needed him, and he wasn't there to protect them. Katarina would probably get mad at him for thinking like that. She was strong and dependable, deserving of every part of his confidence and undying love for her. Whitebeard was sure that she would protect their daughter, no matter what.

Katarina was on her way to becoming the first female admiral in the history of the World Government. 'Be okay Kat, both of you' the captain thought hopefully, but he still had a bad feeling he couldn't shake, "Help the villagers. I'll be back" Whitebeard yelled to his crew before disappearing into the forest.

He ran like the wind, but soon heard a heartbreaking scream and ran faster toward a certain house. Her mother had a special power that Shayla would inherit one day, yet it could be both a curse and a blessing. If the worst-case scenario came to play, Whitebeard was determined to not let his youngest daughter go through a life-changing journey alone. She didn't even know of it yet.

-x-

Shayla woke up a little before sunrise and thought her mother was still sleeping. She went inside and decided to get some breakfast for both of them. Shay was a little girl and could only make a jelly sandwich along with a glass of orange juice. By the time she was done, Shay went outside again and she could see the land much clearer now.

She could now see the stat of her mother, too, and she ran towards her, spilling the food in the process. "Mama" the girl panicked, "mama" her heart was slowly breaking. "Mama" she was full-on crying now over her mother's cold body. She tried to wake her by clapping her cheek, but still nothing.

Shayla tried for some time but with the same results. When reality finally hit her she cried into her mother's lap and hoped that she would somehow still comfort her, but nothing. She didn't notice the strange weather change.

-x-

Whitebeard noticed the change and ran even faster if that's even possible - toward his daughter. He soon came to the house he hasn't seen in years and he turned his head to see a small child crying on the love of his life. The great pirate was happy to see that his daughter was alive, but the bad feeling quickly came back. He saw Katarina stat; she was covered in dirt and blood.

The captain soon felt an unimaginable pain in his chest. The woman he loved with all his heart and the mother of his child was laying on the ground. There was a mix between guilt, regret, and grief, but he refused to let it consume him. Not when his daughter needed him.

Whitebeard slowly walked towards his little girl and she soon noticed his presence. She looked at him with wide beautiful teary green eyes. 'She's a spitting image of her mother' he thought and there was no prove need to know that, this was Shayla.

She looked terrified when he stepped closer to her. As her father, he wanted to hug her and protect her from the world, but he knew that he couldn't do that... yet. He kneed down and she observed his every move, "Hey treasure, are you hurt" he asked concerned. Shayla shook her head and soon new tears gathered in her eyes.

"Let me help you and your mother," the captain said in a fatherly voice, "You can't help, mama, it's too late. I'm all alone now," she said crying again. It was the first time Whitebeard heard her voice and it hurt him to hear how broken it was.

"Listen to me, honey. You're not alone. You have me and my crew now" he tried "I want my mama and I want my father" she begged. Hearing her talk about him made him very happy, "I'm your father, Shayla" it was like she looked at him in a new light. "Really? What's your name" she asked in a childlike curiosity, "I'm Edward Newgate or to most people I'm Whitebeard" he said without hesitation.

What she said next really broke his heart, "Mama said a father protects his family. Why didn't you protect mama" she asked in a low voice. "I'm sorry, I couldn't protect your mother, but I promise to protect you, always. Please come with me" he begged and laid his hand out for her to take.

Shayla could see his eyes were full of guilt and regret, but what was even stronger was; his sincerity and determination. She felt like she could trust him, her father, to keep his word. Without a second thought, she took his much bigger hand, and she could see his face brightening.

Whitebeard's face beamed and a big smile emerged as he picked her up and she giggled, "My name is Edward Shayla" she said with pride and hugged her father for the first time. The girl suddenly remembered her mother, "Daddy, what about mama," She heard some kids calling their father that so it should be fine to call him that, too.

Whitebeard was filled with pride at her declaration to her taking his name. For a second it was like everything was alright. That was until his daughter reminded him about the one, they both loved wholeheartedly, "Don't worry, Shayla. I'll take care of it". The girl started to weep again clinging tightly to him.

By the time someone had found them the girl was fast asleep. Marco stepped closer to the two and whitebeard gave him his treasure, "Take her to the ship and stay with her till I come back" he ordered. "Pops, who is she?" the young blond asked hesitantly, "She's my daughter and she just lost her mother. Now take her and do not let her out of your sight" the captain commanded, and Marco went back.

Now he was completely focused on the woman laying on the cold ground. Whitebeard took his love up to his arm and held her, "How could I let this happen. I didn't become the strongest just to be powerless now" tears were getting visible now. The pirate captain removed a stain of her hair to see her face more clearly. She was still the only woman that ever caught his eyes.

He could feel a strong wind and it was like he could hear Katarina's voice scolding him. The wind dance around them for a few seconds before going to the forest. Whitebeard laid her down and went behind the house and started to dig a hole. He laid her in the hole and burring her.

The great pirate was barely holding on and if it weren't for his daughter who needed him, his spirit might have been broken. "I promise you, Kat. I will love and protect her till my dying breath" he vowed and went back to the ship.

Whitebeard just boarded the ship when he saw Marco was holding Shayla. Suddenly a strong wind circled the two, 'It seems like she just got your powers, Katarina'.