Chapter 2: Memories and Devil Fruit

Luffy was kicking her legs as she looked at the sea. It had been 2 months since her and her brothers were taken in by the Whitebeard Pirates. On a normal day she bugged Marco until he played with her, after Luffy ate lunch she went with Thatch to play pranks until he got caught. Whenever that happens she runs off to play with Her brothers, bother Marco, or listen to a story told by Pops. Today felt off to her, so she ended up watching the sea. It was like she forgot something important. Luffy than remembered what day it was. Ever since her memory was lost, this day felt off. This feeling only resurfaced when someone mentioned Gol D. Roger or Shanks. It was very odd. The nurses said her memory should return when she sees something or someone that's connected to whatever happened and that will spark them to come back. She was so deep in thought she didn't realize Thatch came and sat by her.

"Anything going on? You're not bugging old Mother Hen as usual." She sighed and silently bobbed her head up and down. "I feel as if I'm forgetting something important. Just like whenever someone mentions Roger or Marco complains about the Shanks person." Her tone sounded lost, with an undertone of slight self irritation. "You know, do you want to meet all of the other commanders? Maybe that'll help, and there are a few I think you'll like. I know it's a long shot, but, don't know until you try." Thatch offered. Luffy just nodded. "Kay! We'll start with Marco and work our way down." Luffy grabbed her katana and followed after the guy.

With Marco she colored for a bit and talked. He also showed her a bit more about his Devil Fruit. The two commanders sensed something was off but decided not to push it. She then met up with Jozu and he taught her a bit of boxing which Luffy picked up on really fast. After that Thatch took her to the kitchen for a snack of cookies, then a 'small' prank on Marco's division loosed her up a bit. After that, Vista was next. With him she brushed up on her swordsmanship with wooden kendo swords and got some tips from him. (I don't know who the sixth and seventh division commanders are.)With Namur she learned a tad bit of karate and fell into the water. Freaking the hell out of the poor fish-man who promptly jumped in after her. With Haruta she played hide-and-seek and tag. Then they sparred with the kendo swords. When they visited Izou Luffy git fitted for new cloths and she was given a little cloth messenger bag as a gift. Thatch took her back to the figurehead so she could resume her sea-gazing.

They sat in a comfortable silence as the ocean glistened. Many minutes passed by until Luffy broke the silence "Thank you." This kind of startled the cook as it was sudden. "Hey, I'm supposed to help you! After all, that's what family is for." The child just nodded, still kind of out of it. "Who was your 2nd Division commander, I mean, what was she like?" Thatch was actually surprised. Just how did she know the 2nd division commander was dead? And a girl for that matter? Well... he just has to answer the question. That person was very important to the crew, she was like a female Marco when it came to protecting the crew. "Well, her name was Gol D. Rose, no one really cared though. Even if her brother was a bad man, we don't chose to see it like the World Government on this ship. Heck, we don't even care if someone here's the son of the Devil himself! Well anyways, 7 years ago she had to take a five year leave, then come back, but she never did. She died 3 years ago, protecting her child. The only reason we know that is because she sent a letter right before her death. When she was alive she was kind if over protective of the whole crew, like a big sister, really kind too. You know before she came to us, she sailed on her brothers ship, then her own as a famous pirate. She ended up meeting some guy named Dragon then us. Rose kind of just belonged here. Right away we knew that she would fit in. It crushed everyone when we found out."

This little explanation sparked something inside of her, Luffy then felt a little better. "Can I see? A picture of her? Please?" She begged, using her normal personality which delighted Thatch. "How about we go get the Photo Album? There are even some pictures of when I pranked him!" Luffy bounced up and down, "Yeah!" She yelled, running to keep after the older person.

The two ended up picking up Marco along the way, her brothers too. "What's got her all bouncy? Luffy was being gloomy just a bit ago." Sabo asked, next to Marco and Thatch while Ace kept pace with Luffy. "She seemed to remember something when I was telling her about the Second Division Commander. She also confessed she was feeling as if she was forgetting something important. Luffy also said this happens whenever someone mentions Roger or old Marco here complains about Shanks." Marco would normally correct him and say his name is 'Damn Red-Hair' but the subject was... interesting to say the least. Ace, on the other hand, tensed up when Thatch said 'Roger'. "Wait, what day is it?" Sabo asked, with an oddly worried tone. "November 19, why do you ask?" Sabo gasped at Marco's answer. "This always happens on this specific day for one reason or another. I think it has something to do with her memory." Thatch scratched his head then said un a really depressed tone "Oh, it's also the anniversary of Rose's death." Now Marco was puzzled. Was this a coincidence or was Luffy somehow connected to the previous division commander's death?

Thatch interrupted by saying, "We're here! The Library! I never usually go here unless I'm trying to make a new recipe so Marco will have to find it for you guys." Marco rolled his eyes and found the shelf. Every wall in the room was lined with shelves. Half of it is medical because the nurses and doctors make up 87% of the visitors to this place. The top of one he was looking at held a pretty thick book with gold lettering that read "Photo Album". Pulling it out he sat on one of the wooden chairs with Thatch on one side and Luffy on the other. Ace and Sabo weren't that interested so they ended up running off somewhere to spar or train. Opening it they found a picture of when Marco first joined. He looked to be around 20, not that much younger than he looks now. (As I am assuming you all know I believe that his Devil Fruit kind of prevents much aging.) He didn't have the tattoo he has now and looked ruffed up a bit. Whitebeard was standing behind him with a hand ruffling the Phoenix's blond hair. They both were smiling like there was no tomorrow.

"Wow, Marco looks young." Thatch teased, to a Marco who sent him a death glare. The next few photos were as more and more people joined. The fifth one was of an infuriated Marco who was covered in yellow powder and his hair dyed green. Next to him was a younger Thatch laughing his butt off with a good amount of bumps on his head. Marco in real time had an eyebrow twitching and a tick mark on his head. Thatch was snickering at the photo. "I remember this! It was a month after I was named a commander and decided I would be the pranking master! Luffy, each time a commander is named or someone new joins, I prank Marco as a welcome." Luffy giggled, out of happiness and partially because of the fact Marco was not happy to be reminded of this particular memory. "Every time." He hissed, still glaring at the cook. He seemed to glare at Thatch a lot.

They went through the next twenty or so of people joining, people making a fool of them selves, and Marco getting pranked by Thatch. Every time he did he was never unharmed. You'd think he learned his lesson by now. Next one was of a beautiful woman with midnight black hair and crimson eyes. Her hair was in a crown braid. She wore a dark purple cloak but you could tell there was a sword on her back. Luffy stared at the picture. The ladies grin threatened to split her face, those eyes were replicas of the crimson orbs she saw when she looked at her reflection. All too sudden, memories flooded back. Kind and warm memories came first followed by a dark one. Pain, fire, blood, fear, sadness, screams, yells, anger, hopelessness, gun shots, cannon fire, swords clanking, tears streaming down, as these things flooded her mind. It was too much, the sights and sounds bombarded her senses. Horrid sights met gut wrenching sounds. Killing, the people around her were being killed. So much Death. It was too much. Someone important to her was dead. Killed by this monster. They didn't do anything wrong!

"Stop. Stop! No Stop! She didn't Do anything! STOP!" Luffy screamed covering her ears, slamming her eyes shut, and tears streaming down her face. She was curled tightly into a ball, still screaming for it to stop. Marco had previously slammed the book shut and and almost threw it down. "Thatch! Get Mika and her brothers, now!" Thatch was startled and looked worriedly at her. "Go NOW!" Marco ordered pointing to the door. Thatch ran like the devil was after him. Once he made sure he was going, he turned to the girl. He was studying medicine and some psychology so he had an idea if what was going on. Her memories were all flooding in. Marco was trying to get her out of it, but she wasn't listening. Soon after Mika came rushing in with another nurse behind her, Ace and Sabo following with Thatch bringing up the rear. "What's going on?!" Ace demanded. "Her memories are coming back." He hurriedly explained. Sabo walked up to her and put a hand on her shoulder. Luffy's head shot up and she stared at him. Her eyes were filled with pain, sadness, sorrow, crushing guilt, and pure brokenness. "Mama? No, you aren't! They- He killed you! You can't be alive! Go away! You aren't her! Go away!" she yelled, curling back up as Sabo retracted his hand. This outburst of hers shocked everyone present.

Mika looked at the people around her. "Ace, Sabo, She might need extra medical attention so can you two go and wait in your room or play. Thatch! For the love of all that is good in this world, do something other than pace and look worried! In fact, take the boys and go get a snack or something. Marco, I need you to try and move her to the infirmary." Everyone went and did what they were told. Marco put his arms around the girl and picked her up. Luffy flailed for a minute before muttering something and passing out. "Well, Come one!" The head nurse said, irritated. He shook it off and hurried after her.

When they got to the Infirmary, she pointed him towards a clean bed. Once Marco placed down the child, Mika pushed him out and closed the door. He sighed as he made his way over to Pops to let him know. On his way, at least twelve commanders plus fifty other crew members bombarded him with questions. He just kept up his calm stoic expression and walked on. He ended up finding the Captain on deck drinking sake, as usual. "Pops. It's about Luffy." He stopped in his tracks and looked down at Marco. "Is the brat okay?" He nodded and leaned against the closest wall. "Thatch said She was interested in the old second division commander so we ended up looking at the photo album. When we got to Rose's picture, Luffy just froze. Not long after she started yelling for something to stop and that someone didn't do anything wrong. When her brothers came in and Sabo put a hand on her shoulder and" He sucked in a deep breath before continuing. "She thought it was her mother then said she was dead and they or he killed her. Mika asked he to carry her to the infirmary but she flailed for a second then promptly passed out." As he thought, Whitebeard was confused.

"What are you thinking?" He asked, Marco just ended up sticking his hands in his pockets. "I think she was there at the time of her death." Whitebeard nodded. "That brat's Grandpa might come and check on her. I would make sure she knows who he is first." It was his turn to be confused. "Why? Who is stupid and reckless enough to do that?" Whitebeard laughed at him. "Garp, I think you know his full name is Monkey D. Garp." It's a good thing he wasn't eating anything, or he'd choke. "You serious?! Well I suppose it does make sense. Luffy is about as dense as him. Has his recklessness too." Marco shook his head. That old geezer would always leave a mess for the shipwrights to clean up. Seriously, why can't he bother to use a door? And watch how hard he lands on deck, for that matter? "You might want to go calm down Thatch. Or he might start moping again." He chuckled at his Father and nodded. Whenever something depressing or worrying happened and he wasn't reassured or calmed down, he would get all mopey and depressed. If it was bad enough Thatch even talked to the ceiling or the walls. "Yeah, the kids too. It's unsettling to see Ace who doesn't glare or yell at someone. Or Sabo not make a sarcastic comment or snide remark." Pops just nodded as he made his way to the brat's room.

When Marco entered the galley, the atmosphere was really depressing. The two brats were slowly eating a snack Thatch made while the cook himself was sitting across from them banging his head on the table. "Talking to the wood again?" He teased, sitting down next to him. "At least it doesn't talk back." He grumpily mumbled. "It was bound to happen eventually. You three need to lighten up and stop blaming yourselves." He lectured. "Mother Hen strikes again. Stop telling us off when you're blaming yourself too." Sabo retorted. He just smirked triumphantly. "There you go. Never once thought I'd enjoy you making that kind of comment. But I can practically see a storm cloud in here." Ace glared at him but he held his smile. "You suck at cheering people up." He growled. "Yeah!" Thatch added. "Fine. I guess I'll just have to take away all of the stuff you prank with then." Marco said to a Thatch who whined at him but got up. "You're evil." he complained. "So I am." he responded. Thatch quickly recovered, pulling both of the kids into the kitchen and talking in hushed whispers.

He groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I have a feeling I'm going to regret that." Vista, who had recently come in, nodded. "You still need to lighten up. He's also noticed that you have been not being the calm stoic person you usually are, You too look depressed and worried." He nodded his head, but then hissed when he realized what that meant. Last time he was like this, Thatch had put pineapples in his room and put a note that said "Invited your whole family, hope you enjoy their stay!" Then when dinner came around, he made turkey, when he ate he then went around yelling that he was a cannibal. "Oh no, I really am going to regret that." They both laughed for a bit. Wouldn't be surprising is he was chasing Thatch around a little bit later.

Oh how right he was. An hour later when he went to shower, he had painted pineapples all over his room. Also putting a blue turkey stuffed toy on his desk. "Wonder who did this." He sarcastically muttered. When he walked back out the door he heard a small tick. Thatch was so screwed. Seconds later he was covered in blue paint. He forced a smile as a member of the 4th division walked by. He had a feeling it came across as a murderous smile so the person was slightly frighted. "Where's Thatch?" The Crew member pointed to up on deck. He nodded then went off to find the poor commander. When he did he was hiding next to Pop's chair. Said Captain laughed at the scene and soon-to-be-dead Thatch. "I want an explanation. NOW." The cook shrugged and smiled, so Marco grabbed him by his collar and threw him overboard. Namur, who just walked onto the deck, didn't look that shocked. "Do I have to go get him?" The blue-painted phoenix shrugged it off like Thatch had done just mere seconds ago. "Depends on how hard I threw him." The Fish man sighed and dove into the water.

-2 Days Later-

Luffy shot up, breathing hard, sweat pouring off of her and dampening her pillow, sheets, and shirt. Her very long black hair was more tousled than normal and her crimson eyes looked around wildly. What had happened? Where was her Grandpa? He was supposed to be here sailing her on his marine ship to Dawn Island. She took a moment to check her surroundings. The auras weren't Marine, The room reminded her of... oh. It all came back. Yesterday's events and what has happened in the last 3 years. Her memories had finally come back bringing guilt, sadness, and nightmares with it. Luffy grabbed her katana from the side table, carefully slid off the bed, and made her way to the galley. But she stopped in front of the door.

Would they kick her out? Would they except her? She was the cause of her death after all, and she was a demon. dIf she had never been there, she would still be alive. A voice rang in her ears, obviously an old memory, but she listened anyways. "Luffy, listen to me. Never let anyone tell you that you shouldn't have ever lived. You're my little sunshine and deserve every moment, no matter who I was, or your Father. Always remember this." After the voice faded, she felt a deeper twinge of guilt and sadness, but she needed the answer. Even so, she had gone against her mother's wishes. She would have to ask someone else. Luffy cracked open the door to reveal a lively breakfast going on she shuffled in and slowly made her way over to her brothers. "Good Morning." She piped, not wanting to worry them, but wouldn't her question make them worry? Oh well, she just shook it off. They looked over at her and smiled, she sat in between Sabo and Ace, across from Marco and some other commanders. Thatch soon came in with a plate full of meat. "You're up, Awesome! Well here's some meat for you! There's plenty more where that came from, so just ask." He then turned around and happily walked of to the kitchen.

She picked at her food for a moment before chowing down. When it all disappeared, Luffy let her smile fall. Who knows what the answer was. "Was it good I was born? Are Papa and Uncle really all that bad?" Her question shocked the room into silence. "Why in the world would you ask such a thing Lu?" Ace hissed. "Everyone calls Uncle a Devil, people also calls Papa that and worse. Mama always told me they weren't and that I'm not a demon, but why do people say I am? Why do they insult my family when Mama says they're not bad? Why do they say that anyone related to them should've never been born, that I shouldn't have been?" She spoke in a quiet kind of guilty tone. "Who in the world are you're parents?" Sabo asked. Luffy looked up at him. "Mama said to only tell someone I absolutely trust. She also said to never under any cir-circu-circuses?" "It's Circumstances, Lu." "Yeah, that under no circumstances to never tell anyone her name. No matter what. But I can tell you Papa's name. Oh! She said that I can also trust someone named Gol D. Ace or whatever." The faces of Ace and Sabo were priceless, in a different situation she would've laughed. "Guys... you okay?" Thatch asked, he had walked in a bit ago. "You got to be kidding me Ace. That's why you refuse to tell is your full name." Marco sighed, they were increasingly getting less and less normal. Not that any of them were. "Ace's dad is Roger?" Sabo weakly nodded as Ace was still in shock.

"Well Grandpa said Papa's name was Monkey D. Dragon. Why is he a dragon?" Marco's eyes widened and everyone else in the room had their jaws hit the floor. "His name is Dragon! And he is only the most wanted man in the world! He's a Revolutionary!" Thatch yelled. Sabo rolled his eyes. "Great, exclaim it for the world to hear so every single World Government agent and Navy solider can be after her." Luffy gave them a bit of a scary grin with her eyes shaded. "Oh, those corrupt old things? Let them come. I'll kick the butt of each and every one. They deserve every bit of it anyways." She said darkly. It honestly scared some of them. "Luffy, you look a bit... freaky when you smile like that." Ace pointed out. Luffy laughed. "Really? Sorry!" "You don't sound like it." He muttered.

Soon after someone came bursting into the room. "Marine Ship approaching! Hostile intentions confirmed!" Everyone hurried to their stations, bustling everywhere. "Can we watch? Please?" Luffy begged. "Fine, But you three trouble makers are staying next to Pops." Marco said, narrowing his eyes at the three. Sabo gave him a sickly sweet smile. "Who, us? We would never!" He gasped innocently. "You don't fool me. Come on." They followed him through the halls and up to the deck. "Pops, the brats want to watch the fight." The older man laughed. "Do they now?" Luffy happily climbed onto his lap while the other two hesitantly followed. Soon an troop of Marines stormed on deck. "The Marines again?" Luffy hissed under her breath, though no one heard her. "We are here to defeat you!" An arrogant Vice-Admiral proclaimed. Many commanders just rolled their eyes. "Yeah Right." Thatch snorted. This just ticked off the Marine even more, with a battle cry, swords clanked against one another and gunshots whizzed through the air.

Thatch had the job of clashing with the Vice-Admiral. Marco was plowing through Marines like no one's business. The commanders were all not having a hard time with the lower ranking Marines. A few of the Marines flew overboard, causing Thatch to be distracted for a moment because he thought it was some of the pirates. The Marine wasted no time and deliver a slash to his chest. "Damn! I let my guard down!" He cursed. Luffy, on the other hand didn't take it too well. She slid off and began to walk towards the fight. Ace and Sabo knew what was going on and wisely stayed back. You never in your life time want to cross an angry Luffy, you're saying good bye to life if you hurt someone she cares about. Well Hell is going to break loose, and the Marines are the one who let the Demon inside the child loose.

Everyone felt the temperature drop considerably, sending a shiver down everyone's spine. "You do know that you crossed a line you should never cross when you hurt someone in my family. The fact you even tried to lands you on my bad side, Marine!" Luffy spat. Something was different about her, very different. A collective gasp ran through the battle field, but Sabo and Ace remained calm, as if nothing changed. The girl's hair was light gray with white tips, her skin was a dark storm cloud gray with patches of light gray scales scattered all over. There were two large really dark gray feathered wings on her back that looked like they were decaying a bit, the feathers had this odd red sheen to them while her eyes were completely red with a totally black iris and pupil. Her teeth were sharpened a bit, she looked like a Demon. Lightning crackled along her arm as she unsheathed her sword from her back. It's metal was black with red crackling throughout it, the opposite of the sheath.

"Guess today's the day." Sabo sighed. "What do you mean?" Whitebeard asked. "This is her Devil Fruit. Akuma-Akuma no mi, Model: Storm Demon."

Luffy held her sword in front of her with both hands, transferring the lightning to her blade. "Demon Blade: Shock From Hell" She shot forward delivering two large slashes to his chest. It didn't incapacitate him, but it made it the most painful thing in the world to move. The attack also electrocuted him. Turning her glare to the good hundred Marines around her, Luffy got ready to attack again. "Curse of Lightning: The Devil's Dance" True to it's name, when she moved through their ranks, it looked like she was dancing, as she slashed and electrocuted the poor saps. When they were all down, she re-sheathed her sword. "Hey, Thatchy, you okay?" He weakly nodded. Seriously, What's with her and the surprises? Luffy swayed on her feet, before falling backwards. Marco, who was near by, caught her. "You okay there?" The little girl slipped from her Devil Fruit form to look like herself. Black hair, crimson eyes, and childish face. "Yeah, All good, Ma." She huffed, clearly out of breath. Sabo and Ace rushed over. Thatch ended up joining them, next to Marco by also leaning on the railing. "You kids are full of surprises. In fact, I wouldn't at all be surprised if the Pirate King is your uncle or whatever." He commented. Luffy sweated nervously. "Y-yeah! H-he's not!" She stuttered. Marco sighed and Thatch raised an eyebrow. You can't be serious right now! They both had a pretty good idea of who her mother was but didn't want to say anything until it was confirmed.

"You guys are going to the infirmary." Marco decided. Thatch and Luffy paled. "I have been there too much! Mika said if I'm there again she'll tie me to the bed!" Luffy panicked. Thatch nodded vigorously, agreeing with the 6 year old. Funny that one cook who went up against a Vice-Admiral without a twinge of doubt and a small girl who stared down a troop of enemies including a Vice-Admiral without even a speck of fear are afraid of the Head Nurse. Well, who's to say everyone not afraid of her sometimes. Him included. When you don't follow their rules, many would rather face 3 troops of enemy marines with a few Vice-Admirals.

Author's Note: By the way, Garp will appear soon. Shanks will be in chapter 4 or something. Just to let all of you people know, I will skip most of Luffy's journey, but I am going to write Marineford and Sabody. Luffy won't know Haki when she sets out either. Kind of like the idea of learning it during the Time skip. Hope you can leave a review! I would like to improve my writing, also kind of worried this chapter is not the best it could be. Comments are welcomed! please leave your thoughts!