Warning: Violence, Bullying, Blood

Chapter 9: A Whole New World

Luffy put the newspaper down on his lap. He was... confused. The article he had stumbled upon while looking for a new chapter of Sora Warrior of the Sea was puzzling. He didn't know all the words written, but thankfully to Sabo and Makino, he recognized enough to understand that it was talking about him. It mentioned Dawn Island and his arrest, stuff on his father and his army. What left him perplex, though, was the depiction they made of him and how things happened. It simply wasn't true. They either had the wrong information, or they were lying. Or maybe he had a mysterious revolutionary brother who had been captured at the same time. Though it was highly unlikely, and his Gramps would have mentioned him.

His thoughts went to his Gramps, and his fingers found the metal collar around his neck. A lump formed in his throat. The old man had thrown a fit when Lizard-Guy had brought Luffy back to his Gramps. He hadn't understood why at first, but after spending almost half an hour in the Fleet Admiral's office, shouting his head off, his Gramps had dragged him away and explained. Most people who wore collars were slaves. It wasn't quite the same. His didn't carry an explosive device thankfully, but the symbol was there. The loss of his freedom. The icy metal felt as if it was burning his skin.

It had been a few days ago, and ever since he had been around people other than his Gramps, he had seen the hard looks, the stares at his neck, the shift in their gaze as they recognised who he was. He had never wavered or dropped his eyes, but he had been affected none the less. His Gramps had also stopped asking if he wanted to follow him after the first day and the visit of Marine Ford. He had occupied his days reading comics, but had quickly run out.

He huffed, letting his hand fall to his lap. He knew he wouldn't be able to get it off, he had tried unsuccessfully. He looked around. His Gramps' apartment was constricting. Sure, it was better than the tiny cabin he had travelled in, but he was used to spending his time wandering through the forest as he pleased. Once again he mourned the loss of his freedom, before slapping his face with both hands. It wasn't the moment to feel sorry for himself. He didn't have to stay cooped up inside.

As he was entertaining the idea of going out for a walk, he remembered the training ground full of old ships his Gramps had shown him. It reminded him of the Grey Terminal. Yes, it was exactly what he needed now. A deserted place with enough space to blowout some steam.

He put his hat on his head and packed some lunch for later. As he ran to the door he stopped halfway, wondering if he ought to leave a note explaining where he went. Then he remembered he had a tracking device stuck to his throat. His Gramps would find him eventually.

Slipping through the front door, he strode down the deserted road in the direction he recalled the abandoned shipyard to be. He was glad for the lack of people as it meant nobody to stare at him, but his respite was short-lived. After leaving the high-ranking quarters, he crossed a series of shopping and restaurants streets much more crowded. Thankfully, nobody paid much attention to him.

Walking in front of a grill restaurant, he stopped dead in his track. The smell coming out of it was heavenly. He had to ask his Gramps to take him there, no way he would be able to pull off a dine and dash. It wasn't noon, but the place was already swarming with marines eating an early meal. Concealed behind an ornamental bush, he observed the tables, looking for a left over plate.

"... and I fought him, you know! What if he recognises me?"

"Pfff! As if! There's no way the Phoenix would recognise a marine like you!"

Two of the three men chatting next to him burst out laughing.

"You're a bunch of jerks."

"Aww don't take it like this, you know how those big shot pirates are, they rarely remember any marine below captains at least."

"Yeah, we're all the same to them."

Luffy huffed in disappointment. The only abandoned plates were licked clean. He was about to continue his journey when one of the three changed the subject of the conversation.

"Anyway, did you see Dragon's bastard? His a runt!"

The air froze in Luffy's lungs.

"I saw him some days ago. He was escorted by Garp the Fist unfortunately. Otherwise I would have given him a piece of my mind for what his father is doing." One of them answered, cracking his knuckles ominously.

"Hear, hear! I don't get why the little shit should be allowed to walk freely! He should be leashed to a pole in front of headquarters!"

They all erupted in laughter. Luffy felt cold, but he thought of Ace. Ace who had grown up bathing in the slander about his father, always having his right to be alive revoked by drunkards in shady pubs. It wasn't worth it.

With resignation, he tuned out the voices and slipped away unnoticed.

After a few wrong turns, nasty stares and some insults, he found himself on the path he knew for sure led to his Gramps' training ground. The road was boarded with large warehouses, each displaying a different number painted in blue. He followed the small track slithering between the warehouses 037 and 039, and soon the shipwrecks came into view.

He wasted no time and slung himself up the first ship he came up to. Climbing the tallest mast, he settled in the crow nest to eat his lunch. Half of Marine Ford was laid out in front of him. Beyond the shipyard and warehouses, he could see the city that he guessed was still buzzing with activity. From what his Gramps had explained, none of the people living here were considered civilians, but not all of them were fighters. As the headquarters were the home of a lot of marines, they needed men and women to take care of things like food, cleaning, or basically any service that could be found on a regular island.

His eyes wandered over the roofs and landed on the towering Gates of Justice. The crest of the World Government seemed to float in the air. His Gramps had described where the gates led. The most secured prison in the world, designed for each level to be a worst hell than the other. A place that no one wanted to go to, and no one escaped from. A place filled with the most dangerous criminals to have ever sailed the seas.

A place where he would be sent if the Fleet Admiral or the World Government decided to.

He finished his meal lost in thoughts, facing the sea. The weather was gentle, the wind toying with his hair playfully. He felt as if he was finally able to breathe.

The idea of spending the rest of his afternoon up there was tempting, but he couldn't resist the appeal of exploring the area. He decided to stay on the ship he stood on, guessing it would take him the day to search it thoroughly. He didn't know what he was looking for. A treasure, something to help him escape, or just something to occupy his days, to give them meaning.

Going down through the decks, he roamed over every room he passed, but most of them had been emptied. What remained was usually broken or mouldy. Some places were condemned by collapsed walls or ceiling, or flooded in sea water. Others were just too dark to explore properly, and Luffy made the mental note to bring a lantern next time.

In all, he found a few berries under the desk in what must have been the captain's quarters, something that resembled a wrist watch with a weird glass bubble on top, a large piece of fabric that used to be a sail and was still in good shape, some planks and ropes, some old tools and nails. He stored all his building material in a room that didn't smell too much of humidity. He had half a mind to make some kind of treehouse or shack. The thought of crafting a raft crossed him, but he quickly dropped it. Better steal a boat, or find one here and repair it than to drown only a few minutes from the coast.

He pocketed the berries and the weird watch, and looked at the sky. The sun was starting its way down towards the sea. Though he still had a few hours before dusk, he decided to go back now as his Gramps should be home soon. Leaving his sliver of freedom behind, he walked on the narrow path leading to the warehouses.

He barely registered his surroundings as his mind was already planning his next trip to the shipyard. He would have to bring a bag and a light. Maybe if he could find a fishing rod and make some fire to cook his own food, it would be like home. He wondered if the island had some wildlife other than birds and rodents. Somehow he didn't think so, but he'd ask his Gramps. Surely there was a pipe lying around just waiting for-

He tripped on something and landed face first on the dusty ground. A chorus of laughter erupted around him.

"Watch where you're going, midget!"

Spitting dirt, he turned his head to see a foot still taut in the air in an obvious trap. Following the leg up, his gaze fell on the scornful face of a young marine. The expression Luffy made as he realised what had happened must have been hilarious, as the handful of marines surrounding him doubled over in hysterics.

Luffy was about to yell at them for tripping him and being mean, when one of the marines stopped abruptly, his eyes opening comically wide.

"Holy shit! Isn't that Dragon's spawn?"

They all stared at him, dumbfounded.

"Wow dude, still as sharp as ever..."

"Well, of course it is, did you think we would act like this if that were some random kid?"

The one who had orchestrated Luffy's fall, and hadn't stopped watching him since, talked, words dropping from his mouth filled with venom and spite, his eyes burning into Luffy's.

"That is no kid. That's a sin. It's father is a monster." His gaze was murderous as he crouched and grabbed Luffy's front shirt in one swift motion. "I was there for the final battle in the Kielen Kingdom. My best friend died in front of me, some marines I know lost limbs, I took two bullets in my arm and shoulder. It's all your father's fault!"

Their noses were almost touching as the ireful marine raised him to his feet and hoisted him in the air. Luffy was already tired of this situation. He had done nothing against this man. He could see the other was in pain, and maybe it was because of his father, but he wasn't his father. He didn't even know his father. He huffed as he tried to remember what Makino had taught him to say in these circumstances, and made a serious face.

"I'm sorry for your loss."

The marine, after a split second of astounded silence, slammed him to the ground.

"You fucking little shit! You think it's funny? I'm gonna smash your fucking face in!"

So, apparently, it wasn't the right thing to say. Well, he tried.

The marines, who had stopped laughing by now, had formed a circle with Luffy at the centre. He got to his feet, thinking hard on how to de-escalate the situation. He wasn't scared of fighting his way out in the slightest, but his Gramps had told him to keep a low profile. Usually, he wouldn't have listened, however, the memory of the weeks spent with the bad manacles - seastone, was it? - was still fresh in his mind. Then there was the Gates, foreboding in their towering presence. Some fights just weren't worth it.

Despite the threat of violence he'd just made, the pissed off marine didn't attack him. One of his friends put a reassuring hand on his shoulder and it seemed to ground him. Luffy started to get hopes it might all settle by itself.

A woman spoke from behind him.

"You know, I think someone should learn respect."

A hard push in his back sent Luffy flying in the men in front of him.

"Hey! Watch it!"

The two marines whom he had crashed into pushed him in another direction. It soon became a game of "throw the Luffy", punctuated by various insults and threats. Luffy tried to protest, to find his balance back, but being constantly thrown off his feet was too disorienting. He settled for waiting for them to get bored. They didn't. At some point, one of them grabbed his arm, letting him dangle in his grip, his legs too wiggly to support him.

"Wait a second..."

Luffy felt his hand being pulled away, elongating his arm in the peculiar way his power allowed it to. There was a general intake of air from the marines.

"That's what I thought! The little beast ate a devil fruit!" The marine jerked Luffy's arm and let him fall on his butt in the centre of the circle. Someone pinched his cheeks and tugged on them, drawing a frustrated growl from him. It wasn't painful, but he was sick of being manhandled. Some of his persecutors laughed while others commented on how weird or disgusting it looked. He tried to grab the hands and was once again thrown into the group.

This time, the arms that caught him didn't push but punch him away. As if on cue, the next one kicked him, and a new kind of rhythm took place. Where the first round had been punctuated by jeers and cheers, this one was eerily silent, as if all the participants were plunged into a collective trance. The only sounds were caused by the blunt blows and heavy breaths.

The time seemed suspended. He wasn't aching per se, but the experience was still discomforting and tiring. The marines didn't show any sign of stopping.

The bubble popped. Luffy let out his first real cry as a sharp pain pierced his hip. He found himself on the ground, a flower of blood blossoming on the left pocket of his shorts. The marines were panting. After a minute, one of them broke the circle and crouched in front of Luffy. Without a warning, he thrust his hand into the red stained pocket, causing Luffy to cringe as the wound was disturbed. He pulled it out as abruptly, his fingers curled around the band of the strange watch Luffy had found what seemed now an eternity ago. The glass part had been shattered and was bloody.

A man, that Luffy recognised as the one who had tripped him first, took a step forwards, looking at the broken thing in a calculating way. His eyes then landed on Luffy, who was now sitting.

"And where exactly were you planning to go with this log pose?"

His tone was accusatory, but Luffy had no idea as to why. The word log pose was foreign to him. He guessed it was the name of the thing, though he didn't know its use. He had picked it up cause he thought it looked neat. He was saved from having to formulate an answer, however, as the marine's foot connected with his face.

"You were planning to run away from justice, huh? You piece of shit!"

A flurry of kicks accompanied the tirade of the raging marine, whose voice was blowing out of proportion.

One of his colleagues rasped his throat hesitantly.

"Hey Heimrich, maybe it's enough, I think he gets it now."

Luffy took advantage of the distraction to stand up shakily. The world was spinning a bit, and he realised he must have bitten his lips at some point as he had blood in his mouth. He tuned out the arguing marines, trying to steady himself. He had to fight back, consequences be damned. Either the marines dropped their interest, which by what he perceived of the conversation still going on wasn't about to happen, or he took matters in his hands and made them stop.

"Enough! This is going too far, I'm out of it!"

The man who had confronted Henry-or-something broke out of the group without looking back. Two others seemed hesitant, then followed him. The five that stayed watched them walk away.

Luffy took his chance. Throwing himself against the distracted Henry and successfully knocking him off balance, he flung himself in the space left by one of the departed marines.

He didn't have to check behind to know he was chased, the stumping of boots and cries of the marines were tell-tale signs. So he ran as fast as he could, going for the first path he came up to, not knowing where it led, hoping he would be able to hide or shake them off.

Turning a corner, he found himself in front of an intersection and slowed briefly, not knowing which road to choose. It was a mistake, as it was all one of the marines needed to throw a rope weighted on both ends. The rope connected with Luffy's ankles and both weights wrapped themselves around his legs, making him fall pathetically for the nth time today. He slid on the floor, carried by his momentum, the sharp rocks breaking the skin of his arms and knees.

He started to entangle himself as quickly as he could, in vain. The marines reached him and a hand buried itself in his hair, hauling him upright.

A dishevelled Henry stood in front of him, his face distorted by rage and madness. He pulled out something from his pocket, and though Luffy didn't see what it was, when he felt it against his throat, he recognised the steely kiss of a blade. He breathed in sharply as the tip of it pierced his skin delicately, drawing a thin line of red on the side of his neck. Surprised intakes of air mirrored his. Some of Henry's companions didn't seem all that thrilled with the way things were turning.

"You'll pay for your father!" His voice was demented, his eyes wide and almost unseeing, as if watching something only him could perceive. "You'll pay for all the death-"

"Wait Heim no!"

"We were just supposed to scare him, right? You're just- It's just for show, right? We can't kill him..."

"He needs to face justice!" Henry hissed, droplets of spit escaping his lips.

"And he will pal, in his time. But not today. Please, drop the knife Heimrich."

The blade left his throat and Luffy let out the breath he was holding.

"Right, it's enough, he got his lesson now..." One of the marines said, relief clear in his tone.

"Right..." Henry's voice was hollowed. "That's enough."

His movement was swift, almost automatic, like reaching for a doorknob.

The time went into slow motion.

Luffy felt something punch his guts. The person grabbing his hair let go, allowing him to investigate the strange feeling he had in his belly.

There, the hand of Henry was still closed around the hilt of his knife. The blade had disappeared, buried inside Luffy's flesh, his life liquid already staining the fabric of his t-shirt.

The fingers unwrapped from the knife, and the hilt stayed in place.

Then the world devolved into chaos.

People started to scream, and one of them jumped on Henry as Luffy fell. Someone must have caught him, or he was just too out of it, as he didn't feel any pain.

A marine was talking to him, but the words didn't make sense.

His legs were free now. He looked down, and saw the knife still there. A woman was applying pressure around it. He reached to pull it out, he didn't want it in him any-longer. His hand was swatted by the woman. She spoke urgently and it took him some time to understand her.

"-No! It's important, listen to me. Leave it in, or else you'll bleed out. I have to go help out, please don't touch it..." She hesitated, then grabbed his hands and pressed them against the wound. "There, push like that! Don't let go, don't pull the blade out!"

And she was gone.

Luffy did as instructed.

His eyes looked at his surroundings. Two of the marines had disappeared. The woman who had talked to him was helping her colleague to overpower Henry, who was thrashing on the floor like a devil.

No one was paying attention to him any more. Dazedly, he got to his feet and drifted away from the scene.

He didn't know where he was going, barely conscious. His skin oscillated between burning hot and icy cold. The world was a landscape of dancing shadows and flowers of light. Then sometime he could glimpse the road or buildings, to grasp at reality.

He travelled for what seemed an eternity until something stopped him in his tracks. He realised it was two hands and tried to get away, thinking Henry had caught up to him. However, the hands didn't let go. One of them delicately found its way behind his knees, and he was gently hoisted in the air.

A voice reached him through his fog of confusion, repeating words of comfort and reassurance, like a prayer. He didn't know this voice, but it felt safe, like a blanket over his sore mind and body. Losing all his fight, he surrendered himself to darkness, entrusting his life to the disembodied voice.

A/N: Hi, it's me again! Still on my road trip. I had some time to write and just popped out three chapters, so don't worry, you'll only have to wait two weeks until the next one. ^^

This is my longest chapter so far, about 3700 words. I'm happy with this length. I was afraid to write too-short chapters, but I think I'm getting better.

I have no idea of the true layout of Marine Ford, but it's how I imagine it to be. As there are a lot of people working there, it seemed normal to me to have some kind of city where marines would live. As for the shipyard training ground, I don't know how Garp name it in English, could someone please tell me if you know what I'm talking about?

As for Heimrich/Henry, what can I say. I just read too many times It by Stephen King and was visited by the spirit of Henry Bowers.

Now, who do you guess picked up Luffy? I'd love to hear your thoughts! (But I won't confirm or deny any theory.)

Thank you everyone for reading, I really hope you don't hate me too much for the cliffhangers, until next time folks!