Hey guys, Don't worry! I haven't abandoned my other fics, I just had this story and I had to type it out. Funny how easily your brain keeps jumping around from one idea to another. As you might have already guessed, this will be another long fic. Yayyy! I will try to keep Luffy as minimally OOC as possible, If you have any questions, ask away! I don't bite.

Summary : Technically Luffy is not a slave slave. Actually, It's kinda hard to explain. More like a colosseum fighter? This takes place after Ace leaves, so Luffy is about 14-15 years old. It will precede canon. Also, there might be minor spoilers. Like the whole Luffy flashback? Yeah, that's done. If you're all caught up till that, you're golden.

WARNING : Guys, your mental health is really important! This story will contain panic attacks, mentions of violence and nightmares. I will put a warning before and after each scene so you can skip it if you'd like. Again I reiterate, please don't take your mental health for granted. If you think I should mention more warnings, pm me and I will add it in!

Nightmare warning

Black. It was dark all around. The young boy knew it was definitely not normal. The inky muck seemed to seep into his very clothes, staining it, discolouring it. But that's okay. He could see Light there, a few paces forward. Light was good, Luffy knew. His brothers told him to never go towards the light, but he couldn't go the opposite way, so he firmed his resolve and went forward. He brought up his wiry arms and rubbed away the exhaustion threatening to overwhelm him. This was stupid! Why would a dream be boring?

The first thing Luffy registers is the smell. And suddenly, Luffy was back in the trash heap, trapped amongst the raging inferno. Only this time, Ace was not there with him. He spins around, desperately trying to ignore the horrible wailing of people being burnt alive. A familiar silhouette engulfs his own, and the rubber user turns around to face his other brother.

The grin bubbling up on his face is squashed instantly when he catches sight of Sabo. Red, bruised flesh seemed to peel off his very skin as he stumbles to stand before the younger boy. His once Royal blue suit was darkened with soot and held together as tatters around his burnt skin. There was something not human in his older brother's snarl. Frightened, he stands his ground and ignores the shivering that ran rampant throughout his body. This was ridiculous! This was Sabo! His older brother! He wouldn't hurt him!

"You must feel so good, huh," Sabo spits, his words twisted and dipped in venom, "Luffy?"

Luffy's throat had a lump which seemed impossible to swallow. "Sabo? W-what-

"I sacrificed myself for you! My dreams, MY FUTURE, MY FREEDOM!" He screams, spittle flying into Luffy's face as it rose in volume.

Luffy whimpers and tries to back away, but a hand shoots forward to clutch at his shoulder.

"But," He whispers, sounding so much like Sabo but at the same time not, it physically ached, "You never did come back for me, did you? Both you and Ace, You both thought yourself better than me, didn't you?"

"N-NO!" Luffy yells, cursing himself for the stutter, "Sabo, Sabo, we tried, I swear we did! Sorry! I'M SORRY!

Sabo releases him and stands back. The fire cast an eerie shadow on his tilted head and for the first time, Luffy was terrified..

"It's your fault I died."

And Luffy falls on his knees and sobbs.

"I'm sorryI'msorryI'msorryforgiveme….

Nightmare end

Luffy shoots up and grasped his shirt as heaving, strangled gasps escape his trembling lips. It was rare, fortunately, but it did happen. It really did not help that today was the day that Sabo was taken from them. Because that's what happened, his older brother was taken from him as he was forced to choose between his freedom and his brothers.

His choice was obvious.

The blankets covering his shivering body were ripped by clawing fingers. Luffy tries to ground himself by pushing his clenched fists away from the shredded cloth and forcibly relaxing his body. Panicking would do no one any good. The last thing he needed was someone from the bandits to notice the commotion and enter his room. He was comfortable with Dadan and her motley group, but only to an extent. He would not show any weakness to them.

Usually, after such an episode, Luffy would seek out the small grove where they had planted Sabo's cross. It wasn't much, just a simple contraption of sticks, but it was theirs and it calmed Luffy like many few could. Today, however, he notices a faint light glowing from the crack on his door, which was odd. As far as he could see, it was still dark out. You simply do not keep the lights on in the Dadan country. It was an unspoken rule.

The boy wipes away the wet tracks lining his cheeks and stands up to go investigate. Before he could reach the door, it slams open, causing Luffy to jump with surprise. An imposing figure walks in and by instinct, the boy brings up his hands in a defensive posture. The figure groggily searches for a light switch and Luffy tries to blink out the black spots from his eyes with the sudden onslaught of brightness.

Wordlessly, Dadan trudges into the room with a ransack slung over her shoulder. Like a physical tornado, she cleans up the drawers and places all of the boy's stuff in the bag. Now, Luffy could not believe that Dadan would kick him out in the dead of the night. He opens his mouth to ask, but shut it again when the older woman raises a palm. Luffy was not one to obey, but he had never seen Dadan look so serious.

Finishing her raid, Dadan pushes the bag towards Luffy. "Listen brat, this has a change of clothes, medicine, some food, money and bandages. Do not lose it. Hide your hat in this bag," she fishes around and brings up a black cloak and places it on his shoulders, "Never remove this. Ever.

Now hopelessly confused, Luffy scrunches up his face when he registered that he had to hide his hat. What is happening? "Dadan, what-

Completely ignoring the boy, the bandit continues. "Do not try to contact anyone. Not me, and especially not your grandfather. Not Ace, not unless you completely trust the person sending the message."

"DADAN!?"

Dadan starts and glares at Luffy. "What?!"

Luffy pouts as best he could while balancing the items. "Why am I getting kicked out? What's happening?"

Dadan exhales, and suddenly, she looked old and weary. "I am not kicking you out. You have to run away," she covered Luffy's mouth when he tried to speak again, "Listen! They know who your old man is. You don't need to know the name but know this, he is a very dangerous man. They will stop at nothing to kill you! Hell, even death will be welcome if they get their hands on you!"

Luffy stays silent as he runs over those his words in his head. He didn't really care about his dad, but if he was really dangerous….

"What about you guys? And Foosha? Makino and the Mayor and-

The older woman snaps as fury overcomes her features. She reaches out and plucks Luffy up by the scruff of his shirt.

"Now you listen here," She warns coldly, "Don't underestimate us! We can take care of ourselves! Did you hear me?! They will stop at nothing. They will find you and torture you till your throat bleeds! Not even your gramps can save you!"

To Luffy immense bewilderment, Tears start flowing from the bandit's eyes. The pain spawned out of grief is clear on her face.

"I-I can't lose another one my brats. Not again!" She sets the boy down and nudges him towards the door. "Run. Don't get caught, Luffy."

And so with growing dread, Luffy's sandals slap on the moist undergrowth as the darkness of the night swallows him whole.

Please review guys, I would love to read from you!