Chapter 4: Romance Dawn
Ludo and his minions once again showed up to steal the wand. Of course it was big fight with Star, Marco and Luffy fighting them off.
"Strawberry Surprise Blast!" called out Star blasting away a monster.
"Hiyah!" yelled Marco kicking one monster away.
"Gum Gum Gatling!" called out Luffy as he unleashed a rapid fire punch on one of the monsters.
That was when another monster decided opt attack Luffy from behind.
Luffy managed to dodge the attack, however the monster managed to take something from Luffy. Hit hat.
"Ha!" teased the monster holding, "Lookie what I got!"
Everyone but Marco froze.
"Oh no…" whimpered Buff Frog.
"You idiot!" yelled Ludo.
"What?" asked the monster
"Wasn't he here last time it happen?" asked a fly like monster.
"I think he had the flu last time." Said Buff Frog.
"Give me back my hat!" yelled Luffy beating up the monster hard. Marco watched as the monster was thoroughly beaten and was nearly broken last time.
"Okay! Reminding everyone! Never touch his touch his! Because this is what happens." Said Ludo.
The monsters decided to retreat with a few taking the one that took the hat.
Marco just stared at Luffy who was dusting off his hat and then plopped it on his head smiling brightly.
"Okay…" said Marco.
"Come on!" said Star realizing where they needed to go, "Let's go get a drink!"
At a tavern, a woman was cleaning a glass when suddenly a portal was cut open, she smiled bright as Star, Luffy and Marco went through it.
"Star! It's been a while." Said the woman.
"It has!" said Star and she jumped over the bar to hug a woman, "Hugs!"
"Hi." Said Marco quickly deciding they were in the Blue Dimension.
"Makino! This Marco! He's my new bestie!" said Star, "Makino runs the tavern."
"We've known her since we were little." Laughed Luffy.
"Cool!" said Marco.
Makino served them all drinks.
"So… Luffy… what's the deal with the hat?" asked Marco, "I thought it was just your look at first after what you did to that monster."
"It's my treasure." Said Luffy, "Someone gave me this hat to hold on to. And one day when I'm king of the pirates I plan to meet up with him and give it back to him."
"That's cool." Said Marco.
"Do you want to hear the whole story?" asked Star, "I can tell it better!"
Makino giggled.
"Sure okay." Said Marco.
(Flashback)
7 year old Luffy and Star both looked at the pirate ship that was docked.
"All right!" cheered Luffy, "Time for my plan!"
"All right your plan!" cheered Star, "What is your plan?"
"You'll see!" laughed Luffy.
They got to the ship.
"I'm going to show you how brave I am so that I can join." Said Luffy.
The crew was confused.
"What are you going to do anchor?" asked the captain of the crew, a man with red hair, three scared over one of his eyes and wore the Straw Hats.
Luffy took out a knife and stabbed himself in the face much to the shock of the pirates and Star.
"Luffy!" yelled Star in shock.
"You idiot!" yelled the pirates.
(cuts out of flashback)
"That scar under your eye is from you stabbing yourself in the face?" asked Marco.
"Yep!" laughed Luffy.
"I'm somehow not surprised." Deadpanned Marco.
(Back to Flashback)
Everyone gathered in the tavern.
"That was really stupid." Said Shanks.
"I didn't even feel it." Laughed Luffy.
"Then why did you scream?" asked Star.
"Hey! You're supposed to be on my side." Said Luffy.
"It's clear she draws the line at stabbing yourself in the face." Said Shanks patting the princess on the head.
"Oh come on! My punch is as strong as a pistol!" bragged Luffy.
"If that's the case why don't you just go on adventures with your best friend you don't need to join us." Said Shanks.
(Cut out of Flashback)
"Wait best friend?" asked Marco.
"It was before we became brother and sister." Said Luffy.
"Also before we met Ace and Sabo." Said Star, "Just clearing it up."
"Ah…" said Marco.
(Cut back to Flashback)
"it comply different!" yelled Luffy.
"Plus mom might find out I've been stealing the Dimensional Scissors and she won't let me see Luffy any more." Said Star.
"I see." Said Shanks, "You two should have some juice then."
"Thanks!" said Luffy.
He started to drink the juice.
"A real pirate would never drink juice!" laughed Shanks.
The crew started to laugh.
That was when suddenly someone kicked down the door and a group of bandits entered, lead by a skinny man with a beard.
"Pirates?" asked the leader, "Looks like they're serve anyone."
The bandits approached the bar.
"Give me some grog." Said the bandit leader.
"Sorry but we're all out." Said Makino.
"Then what are they drinking." Said the bandit leader.
"Sorry about that." Said Shanks, "You can have the last bottle."
Durring this time Luffy had noticed a small treasure chest, he saw it was unlocked and inside was a purple fruit with swirls all over it. He began to eat it swallowing his first bite.
"Luffy! Hey!" yelled Star, "Aren't you going to share."
Luffy broke off a piece and gave it to Star.
She took a bit and she started to choke.
"That is disgusting!" said Star, "And your still eating it…"
"I'm hungry." Said Luffy.
(Cut out flashback)
"Seriously you ate a piece of disgusting fruit? And kept easting. Really?" asked Marco, "And what does that have to do with what's going on?"
"This is one of the most important parts of the story." Said Luffy.
(Cut back to Flashback)
The bandit took offence at the last bottle and broke.
"Oh I'm sorry Makino." Said Shanks, "Here let me clean it up."
"Oh don't worry you don't have to." Said Makino.
That was when the bandit destroyed everything at the bar.
"If you want to clean up so much you can." Said the bandit leader.
Shanks wasn't paying attention though.
The bandit leader slammed a wanted poster down.
"Don't you know who I am." He said, "I am Higuma the Bear."
But Shanks wasn't paying attention.
"You just watch yourself. I'm a wanted man. I have the death sentence on 12 islands." Said Higuma.
(Cut out of Flashback)
"Marco! Leave your earth references out of the story!" sighed Star.
"Sorry, sorry… couldn't help myself." Laughed Marco.
(Cut back to Flashback)
Higuma the bear scowled at he left.
Once they were gone…
"Captain are you okay?" asked one of the members of the crew.
"It's fine, some of it got in my mouth." Said Shanks with a smirk.
The crew started to laugh.
"Some of it went into his mouth." Laughed one of the crewmembers.
"Seriously!" yelled Luffy.
"What?" asked Shanks.
"Why didn't you fight back!" yelled Luffy, "He made you look like a fool! Yeah! There were a lot of them but that shouldn't matter!"
"Luffy… you have to understand that sometimes it's not worth fighting." Said Shanks.
"Yeah right!" yelled Luffy, "I'm leaving!"
"Luffy wait!" said Shanks grabbing Luffy's arm.
But Luffy kept on going with his arm suddenly stretching causing everyone to freak out.
"hat's going on!" said Luffy.
"Since when you have magic?" asked Star.
However the pirates knew the truth.
"Luffy!" said a really fat member when Lucky Roux holding up a picture of the fruit Luffy ate, "Did you eat a fruit just like this?"
"Yeah… I did. It wasn't very good!" said Luffy.
"Luffy! You just ate a Devil Fruit! You're now a rubber man! But you will never able to swim again!" yelled Shanks.
"What!" yelled Luffy.
(Cut out of Flashback)
"Wait! That's how Luffy got his powers from a disgusting piece of fruit?" asked Marco.
"Yep!" laughed Luffy.
"They're called Devil Fruits and they give you special powers, but take away your ability to swim." explained Star. "Ace also got his power from a Devil Fruit too."
"Oh... I was wondering about that." Said Marco, "So wait… you ate the fruit too. Why don't you have rubber powers?"
"Oh Shanks explained it." Said Star.
(Cut back to flashback)
Star tried to streak some part of her body.
"Wait!" said Star, "I ate some of the fruit too! Why don't I have rubber powers?"
"It loses its powers after the first bite." Explained Shanks, "Luffy ate it before you did."
"Oh good! Because mom would freak out if I came back with rubber powers and I couldn't swim any more." Said Star.
"What about me? What is Gramps going to do!" cried Luffy.
Star shrugged.
Many days later…
(Cut out of Flashback)
"Really?" asked Marco.
"That's how the story goes. "said Luffy.
(Cut back to Flashback)
Star and Luffy were once again hanging out in the tavern, this time it was very quiet without the pirates.
"Shanks has been gone for a while." Said Makino, "I'm sure you miss him."
"Why should I miss him." pouted Luffy, "He's not a real man."
"Oh come on you don't have to fight all the time to be a real man." Said Star, "I mean my dad is a real man and all he does is sit on his throne all day!"
(cuts out of Flashback)
Both Luffy and Star started laughing hysterically.
"What's so funny?" asked Marco.
"You'll find out eventually." Laughed Star.
(Cut back to Flashback)
"Your dad's a king! Shanks is a pirate!" said Luffy.
That was when the door opened, they turned to see who was entering and it was Higuma and his gang of bandits.
"So those pirates aren't here, should have known since the smell's gone." Said Higuma.
Both Luffy and Star stared at the bandits in shock.
The bandits began to badmouth Shanks and his crew some more but Luffy couldn't take it any more.
"Hey don't you date say that about Shanks! He's a better man than all of you!" yelled Luffy angrily.
"That's right!" yelled Star.
The bandits got angry and grabbed both kids and drag them outside.
They began to beat up Luffy didn't have much of an effect due to his rubber body.
"What's up with this kid. He doesn't seem to be getting hurt." Said Higuma, "We might have to sell him to a freak show or something."
"Hey boss!" yelled one of the bandits holding Star hostage was holding the tiara she wore, "This is real gold."
"Give that back!" cried Star, "My mom's going to lose it if I lose my tiara!"
"So you're worth more alive than dead." Laughed Higuma.
Higuma looked at Luffy.
"You on the other hand." Said Higuma.
"Wait!" yelled a voice.
They turned to see an older man who was with Makino.
"Mayor!" yelled Luffy.
"Please…" said the old man who the mayor of the town, "I beg you to let them go. I'll give as much money as you want"
He got on his hands and knees.
"Finally someone who knows how the world works." Said Higuma, "But it's too late, this kid attacked me."
"He didn't attack you! He just yelled at you!" said Star.
"You're lucky your family is rich." Said Higuma.
Star glared at the bandit.
"You stupid bandit better not hurt my best friend!" yelled Luffy.
Higuma kicked Luffy in the face.
"That's it I'm killing you now!" said Higuma.
"I wondering why there was no one welcoming us." Said a voice.
Everyone was shocked when Shanks and his crew was there.
"You again." Said Higuma.
Shanks walked over however one of the bandits put a gun to his head.
"If you get closer I'll blow your head off." Said the bandit.
"You know these aren't for threats." Said Shanks.
"What?" asked the bandit.
"IF you're going to use a gun it shouldn't be for show." Said Shanks.
Before the bandit could react Lucky Roux shot the bandit in the head.
(cuts out of Flashback)
"What they killed a guy!" yelled Marco in shock.
"Yeah." Said Luffy.
"There's a reason why mom would really freak out if she found out I hung in this dimension." Said Star.
(cut back to Flashback)
"You just killed him!" yelled one of the bandits in shock.
"You're not dealing with saints here, we're pirates." Said one of the pirates.
"Listen up!" yelled Shanks glaring harshly at the bandits, "You can throw food at me, you can spill your drinks on me, you can even spit on me. I'll just laugh it off. But no one, absolutely no one hurts any of my friends."
"Shanks." Said Luffy.
The first mate of the crew Ben Beckman used his pistol like a club to deal with the rest of the bandits. Rescuing Star in the process.
However with his minions gone, Higuma began to shake. He took out a smoke bomb and threw it, when the smoke cleared both he and Luffy were gone.
"Luffy! No!" yelled Shanks.
"Don't worry we'll find him." said one of the pirates.
Out in the sea Higuma was out in a small rowboat holding Luffy by his shirt.
"They'll never expect a mountain bandit to escape in the sea." Laughed Higuma, "Well I don't need you any more."
He tossed Luffy into the sea.
However that was when the local Sea King surfaced.
(Cut out of Flashback)
"Wait? Sea King?" asked Marco.
"That's what they call Sea Monsters." Said Star.
"Got it." Said Marco.
(Cut back to flashback)
It ate the boat in one bite then turned it attention towards the surging Luffy. It was about to eat him when Shanks managed to pull him out the way. Shanks glared at the Sea King who got scared then swam away.
Luffy cried into Shanks' chest.
"Come on Luffy, it's fine." Assured Shanks.
"But Shanks… your arm!" cried Luffy.
Shanks had lost his arm while saving Luffy from the Sea King.
"It's just a small price to pay for saving your life." Said Shanks.
Days later, after shanks recovered the crew was leaving. Luffy and Star were saying goodbye.
"So you're leaving for good?" asked Luffy.
"Yeah." Said Shanks, "We used the island for a base for a long time, maybe too long."
"I understand." Said Luffy, "And I wont ask you to take me any more."
"I wouldn't take you if you still asked." Teased Shanks.
"Oh yeah! I'll show you!" yelled Luffy, "I'll make my own crew! And then I'll find the greatest treasure there and become King of the Pirates!"
Shanks smiled and took off his hat and put it on Luffy's face.
"That hat is very important to me." Said Shanks, "I expect you to take care of it and bring it back to me you're a strong pirate."
"Shanks." Cried Luffy.
Shanks looked at Star.
"I take it you're going to join his crew when that happens." Said Shanks.
"Not with my mom." Said Star, "But I will help with when I can."
Shanks laughed at this.
The crew set sail, with Shanks smiling at Luffy knowing that he would one day become a strong pirate.
(End of Flashback)
"And once I'm a pirate I hope to meet up with Shanks again." Said Luffy.
"Oh wow…" said Marco, "That was an amazing story."
"The day that happens you better call me." Said Star, "I want to be there with you."
"Hey and maybe I can meet him too." Said Marco.
"Of course." Said Luffy with a big grin.
Makino smiled at the three, happy that Star and Luffy found a new friend that she could was going to be their side for a long time.
After all it was still going to be years until Luffy would leave to become a pirate, let alone meet up with Shanks again...
After all Luffy was going to keep that promise… no mater what.
Next Time: Star, Luffy and Marco deiced to visit the West Blue. They meet a friendly pod of gigantic whales. A however a crew of Whale Hunting Pirates are after them! Can they save the whales? Find out next time!