It had barely been a few hours since the Pirate King's execution, and Doflamingo still felt like laughing. Oh, the irony. The sheer genius of Gold Roger's words were astounding.

Doflamingo himself wasn't interested in his treasure, wasn't really interested in treasure at all beyond the luxuries it could buy him. But there were others, lessers, who would flock to the seas like rats to a sewer, all scuttling for whatever scraps of glory and fame they could get.

Doflamingo was jolted out of his thoughts by a loud rumbling noise that he realized (with mild chagrin) was coming from his stomach. He was mildly relieved that he sent his subordinates off on their own amusements, as the resulting concern over his health, while flattering, could also be annoying.

Glancing around for a decent place to eat, he spied something beautiful walking into a nearby bar. She was nearly his height, with deep blue-purple hair that complemented her dark complexion. Smirking to himself, he sauntered over to the bar she had entered, figuring he should at least get to look at something pretty while he ate.

The bar itself was...mediocre. It was run-down yet decently maintained, and the food, when it came, was passable, at best. Honestly, the only thing keeping him from burning the place down out of sheer boredom was the amusing scene happening just down the other end of the bar.

"I'm just saying, a pretty thing like you shouldn't be out all by herself."

The bartender was leaning over the counter, trying desperately to chat up the woman Doffy had followed in. She, however, was having none of it of, and frostily kept her silence, drinking silently. The fool couldn't seem to take a hint, making a bigger and bigger ass out of himself with every insipid word that spilled from his mouth. Doflamingo could see the woman getting irritated, and he wondered how she would react.

He hoped it would be worth his time.

"Your concern is noted, but unappreciated," the woman finally spoke, her eyebrows twitching in irritation. "Now, if you'll excuse, me, I must go."

She left the money for her meal and turned to go, but the bartender grabbed her wrist. The woman tensed up, fury dancing in her eyes. "Unhand me,"

Doffy could feel a noticeable chill seep into the room. Chuckling quietly to himself, he took a sip of his beer and leaned forward on his stool, watching intently. Now this was interesting.

"C-Come on, now, sweetheart,don't be like that-" The idiot continued to blather. Doflamingo began to notice that the woman's eyes had a faint glow. His eyes fell to her other hand at her side as it began to emit a faint blue aura. Doflamingo's smirk grew.

"I said unhand me. Now." Her voice resonated with power, and the glow in her eyes grew stronger. Doflamingo's eyes widened as his plate and silverware began to levitate. Impossibly, the cutlery seemed to come alive, growing hands and feet and even, Doflamingo noted, wicked-looking fangs. In a flash, they converged on the unsuspecting bartender, biting whatever exposed flesh they could find. As everyone else in the bar ran to check on the bartender, the woman fled out onto the street.

Doflamingo quickly followed, unwilling to let such an interesting Devil Fruit slip from his fingers.

He kept his distance, following her through a series of twists and turns until she stopped, suddenly, in an abandoned alleyway deep in the town.

"I know you're there" she called. "Show yourself."

Chuckling darkly to himself, Doflamingo stepped from the shadows, his hands up in mock surrender. "Easy, there. I'm not here to fight." he told her. She remained on guard.

"Forgive me if I don't take your word for it." she turned to face him fully. "What do you want."

Doflamingo smirked again. There were not many who dared to speak to him in such a careless tone. At least, none that lived.

"That was quite the power you displayed back there." he said instead. "What kind of Devil Fruit was it?"

The woman narrowed her eyes. "Why do you care?"

Doflamingo shrugged, exuding faux nonchalance that didn't fool anyone. "It was interesting. I've never seen a power like that before." he offered her a sinister grin, his sunglasses glinting ominously. He prowled forward until he was towering over her. The woman, to her credit, held her ground, glaring defiantly at him. At such a close distance he was able to get a better look at her, and Doflamingo noticed she was even prettier up close. "My name's Doflamingo. I think you could be useful."

The woman narrowed her eyes. "I have no interest in being useful, especially to the likes of you."

Doflamingo's voice took a darker edge. "Oh? The likes of me, huh? And what exactly do you mean by that?" He readied his strings, ready to shred her for her insult.

"You're only interested because my power intrigues you. I'm not some thing to be kept on a shelf until you no longer have an interest."

"Looking for something long-term, are you?"

"Not at all. I simply will not be used." she tilted her head, her blue eyes glowing once again with that mysterious power. "Come to me with a better offer, and perhaps we'll discuss it." She turned to leave, striding to the other end of the alley. Doflamingo initially made to grab her, before remembering what she did to the bartender and thought better of it. Still, he was not about to be left with nothing.

"Can I have your name, at least?" he called to her.

"My name is Luna." she glanced back once, before sprouting wings and flying away.

After recovering from the resulting burst of wind, Doflamingo straightened himself and began to cackle with laughter. What insolence! He'd killed for less. But her power was just so intriguing, and he didn't particularly feel like scouring the world to see it reappear.
As frustrating as it was that she had escaped him, he doubted it would be too difficult to track her down again. Power like hers always attracted attention.

"Luna, hmm? I'll see you soon."

With that, he turned on his heel and walked back to where his subordinates were waiting for him.

What's this? An update has appeared in the wild! Thank yous to ThatFiend and HadrianPendragon for all their help! Please let me know what you think of the update, I always love hearing from readers!-The History Buff