"A flower can't choose the place where it blooms, and a child can't choose the parents they're born to." - Erza Scarlet
Chapter 2: Lost Boys
Lost boys come in many shapes and sizes and from different times and places, but they must always be lost and they must always be boys.
Monkey D. Luffy was always looking for a new adventure, and someone new to share it with. It had been a long time since he had come of age on Neverland, and he had found some amazing mates to share his experiences with. He had been born on Neverland, but his parents had both vanished while he was still young. He decided that he wanted to live freely and be able to do whatever he wanted so he stayed hidden away in the woods. He spent many days and nights traveling around the island, living in the forests, mountains and jungles. Learning how to fight and hide and live. When he stumbled across the home of the fairies, he also learned how to fly and be a proper gentleman.
I am a lost boy from Neverland
Usually hanging out with Luffy
And when we're bored we play in the woods
Always on the run from Captain Smoker
"Run, run, lost boy," they say to me
Away from all of reality
Neverland is home, to lost boys like me
And lost boys like me, are free
Sometime during the 17th Century, Luffy came upon a boy with a most unusual characteristic. His hair was a distinct shade of green that he had never see on another human. The boy was being held captive by a rival family in what was left of Shimotsuki Village. After watching him for a while Luffy approached him, "I like your mystery hair. Is it natural or have you found some way of making it green?"
"If you want to ask questions, it's important to introduce yourself first, I'm Zoro."
"Oh, your name is also a novelty," came Luffy's reply, though Zoro looked unimpressed with his observation.
Then he offered the boy a place by his side. "Come with me, Monkey D. Luffy…Neverland has no wars, we decide if and when we want to fight and there are no stations in life to restrict you from doing what you want. It's a grand place and we'll have many adventures together."
Zoro was rather aloof and well into becoming a young man of his time when Luffy found him. He had spent many years training with a sword to become a samurai as every male in his family had before him, studying under the renown Li family of China who were said to be descendants of Fa Mulan. The marines on Neverland had swords, so Luffy thought it would be grand if Zoro could teach him how to use one so they could fight the marines on equal ground. He was stronger than most of the adults on Neverland, as very few could match him physically and no one could match his sword skills. Zoro was also big for his age and after living on Neverland for a while, his growth stopped as Luffy's had, which had greatly pleased Luffy…thus Zoro's need for long afternoon naps. Time had always seemed to flow differently on Neverland. A few days in Neverland equaled a few months in our world. Luffy and Zoro went on many adventures together before the next boy in their group was made known to them.
Luffy literally stumbled across the next boy at Syrup Village around 50 years later. He had assumed such a village would have good food due to its name and had planned to bring back a lot for himself and Zoro, but it had been ransacked by slavers who had taken the able and killed the rest. During his inspection, he had tripped over a boy about his age lying on the ground injured. Luffy had never known hair could be so curly, especially on a boy. Though, that in no way compared to the long nose the boy had protruding from his face. Later this boy would influence the tale of the puppet Pinocchio, whose nose grew when he lied.
Usopp jumped up and threatened Luffy with an attack from his 8,000 friends, which caused Luffy to smile widely before he broke out into a hearty laugh, "Your lie is pretty believable, anything else you're good at?" Luffy quickly dodged the rock that had flown in his direction from the slingshot in the boys hand. "You'll definitely be handy as a sniper, my friend. You should come with me to Neverland. It looks as though there is nothing left here for you. We could play games and fight marines everyday. Go swimming in the lagoon with the mermaids and hunt for treasure with the pirates." Usopp's eyes grew wide as the information sunk in. He obviously thought it to be a lie, before he saw the seriousness in Luffy's eyes. The second eternal lost boy was found.
Next came a gangly boy roughly the same age as Zoro with tawny-colored eyes and golden hair that hung neatly across one eye. The boys had been playing on the beach, when Luffy felt a tug in the direction of the mainland. In the Tyrrhenian Sea, he found a boy who had washed up on the shore of an island that was close to where the Baratie usually anchored, lost and alone. After Luffy startled him, the boy landed a well-placed kick to the flying boy before taking a look at his surroundings. He sighed deeply as he realized that he was now alone on this apparently deserted island, far from the beauties on the ship, all except for this flying boy who was grinning like he knew the answers to all the questions.
Sanji scowled back at the floating boy, before realization hit that this was no normal kid. He wondered where the boy had come from since he didn't remember seeing him upon the ship.
"Who are you and what do you want?" came the accusatory remark.
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy and I'm here for you," as if that was all the explanation necessary. Sanji looked unimpressed but told Luffy his name to be polite.
"Oh, by the way Sanji…what year is it?" Sanji was momentarily surprised by the request. Did this kid live under a rock, or was he also a castaway on this lost island? "It's the year 1801." Luffy looked thoughtful for a moment,
"Really…it's been longer than I thought since I was here last." A large grin spread across his face, "Well, let's not waste anymore time here, Sanji." The third eternal boy was found.
The youngest lost boy almost missed his chance. The other lost boys had told Luffy that they didn't believe that he could bring back snow from the mainland before it melted into water. He of course had scoffed and declared that he would bring back a whole bag of snow. So he had proceeded to fly over the Beaufort Sea on his trip to Drum Island, which had snow all year round, and rumored to be caused by an evil snow queen. He had quickly filled his sack with snow, but the freezing temperatures were something Luffy wasn't accustomed too and soon the cold was affecting his ability to fly. In time, the young doctor in training came across Luffy in the snow, suffering from hypothermia and nearing frostbite. Who else would be dressed for summer with no shoes on a winter island? Luffy was so impressed with his skills, he overlooked the fact that the kid was a few years younger than him and a bit of a crybaby still.
Chopper was a very welcome and needed addition to the bunch of misfit boys. Being able to keep the boys healthy was important, not only for their play but for when things got serious. After a while, Luffy warmed up to the idea of having someone younger around who looked up to him. He was of an odd sort, keeping his nose painted blue and wearing a pink hat…short and chubby for his age. Chopper believed any tale told to him by Usopp and tended to keep close to Zoro during their adventures. Sanji and him spent a lot of time together, looking for healing herbs while they found various fruits and such for meals. The fourth truly eternal boy was found.
Blue hair and hazel eyes were what first drew Luffy's attention to the next boy. The boys who drew Luffy's interest were always so intriguing, with much promise. Each with a unique ability or skill…and each lost in their own way. This one lived upon a floating city in the Atlantic Ocean, which would one day become the rumored advanced city of Atlantis. Delightful sea creatures were the main means of transportation and Luffy had wanted one to ride around the lagoons in, since he had never learned how to swim. Chopper was trying to learn, but he tended to sink like a rock. As Luffy searched for a yagara of his own, he found the blue-haired boy constructing a ship, out on what was known as scrap island. Amazed at his mechanical abilities, Luffy immediately invited him to join his crew…stating that they needed someone to build them a ship so they could battle the marines on Neverland properly.
Franky had lived at Water 7 since he was a little boy, after being abandoned by his folks. A few years prior, he had been left to his own and formed a sort of gang of kids that mostly dismantled ships. It kept everyone out of trouble and they were able to somewhat support themselves as a group. Unfortunately, some of the adults at the shipyard didn't appreciate the competition and managed to capture most of the group and sold them to a workhouse. Franky was in an angry way when Luffy found him, lost to his thoughts with only his friend Iceberg left. Luffy even thought his prosthetics were fascinating, especially considering Franky had fashioned them himself. Luffy offered him a new purpose and Franky accepted, with a solid shove from Iceberg.
Drifting at sea is where the final lost boy was found by an equally lost Luffy. An area referred to as the Florian Triangle, covered in a dense fog is where Luffy ended up bumping into a small boat that contained a single passenger. He sat in the boat, playing a sad tune on a crudely fashioned wooden flute. The melody was a sad one so Luffy inquired to what was wrong, "Why is your song so sad?"
"I'm afraid that I've lost my way and now I've lost my shadow too. The ship I was on was sailing to the states in search of a rare golden flower when it sank. I climbed aboard this dingy and then the fog prevented me from being able to navigate. I was hoping the song would cheer me up or lead someone to find me."
This of course piqued Luffy's interest as he had lost his shadow once also. He suspected though, it was not in the same capacity as this boy. "My friend, I shall help you look for your shadow. Let us be free of this fog first and then we shall be better able to see," before holding his chin between his thumb and forefinger and nodding his head as though a very important decision had been made. Luffy pulled the boat to the nearest island, Sabaody and both boys danced on the shore when their shadows appeared. The grateful boy bowed with a flourish as he introduced himself, "Thank you so very much my friend. I go by the name Humming Brook."
Luffy floated above the sand as he pointed to himself, "I'm Monkey D. Luffy. I think you would be an excellent addition to my group. We definitely need a musician."
You are now my home, sweet home
Forever a lost boy at last
ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: July 5, 2016
WORD COUNT: 2,001
