Chapter 11: Pretty Flames

Clisson's Childhood

A dark-skinned girl was darting around in a forest as her father looked on- a man with red hair tied in a ponytail, with an even fringe and two strands framing his face. He wore a dark shirt with a green jacket with several styled patches on the left arm, maroon-colored pants, and flat brown-colored shoes. Her red eyes glistened with joy when she saw him and as her mother- dark-skinned like her watched on.

They lived isolated due to the stigma brought upon by her mother being of a rare race. Despite this, her father fell for her and having reasons to remain hidden, joined her in living aloof for the sake of their child.

Her mother, a slender woman with long, dreadlock white hair tied in a ponytail at the base of her neck, was busy preparing a meal over the open fire. She wore an apron over her simple brown dress, and her eyes flickered with concern every time the girl's laughter grew too loud. It was a stark contrast to the calmness that usually enveloped their small camp.

Her father apparently went on adventures with a notable pirate crew and had fond memories of them, which he told her. She was captivated by his tales of the vast ocean and the incredible treasures they sought. Her mother, however, was less thrilled with the idea, her gaze often lingering on the horizon with a mix of longing and fear. The girl didn't understand why her mother reacted that way; she thought the sea and the adventures her father talked about were the most exciting things in the world.

Then that night came, and the little girl awoke to see men in armor and black suits appear at her household.

"You know why we're here. You broke the taboos of this world and thought you could just walk away," said a tall man with long, curly hair of a coral pink color. He has high cheekbones, a square jaw, and prominent lips.

"So it seems.," he said as he generated a light around his body. The images then became distorted in her vision- culminating in her seeing her parents skewered by blades and her being distraught by the trauma it inflicted on her mind.

"Clisson...sorry...we chose not to change the world when we had the chance...it'll be up to your generation...," her father said as Clisson teared up.

Military Ship

She would be one of several orphans taken in the World Government under the pretense of a global purge of the Pirate King- Roger's child to bolster the membership to combat said child should he follow in his footsteps.

"Why are we playing babysitter when I managed to snag this from some traitor intending to use it against us?" complained a pink-haired man whose eyes were obscured by his hair.

"Don't complain. The best revenge against him is turning the children of his crew into agents against his will.," said the coral-pink-haired man.

Clisson looked at the orphans- a few got her attention- the people she would come to associate with- Tom, Howell, Nathaniel, Jennings, and Montbar along with a green-haired child.

There was a storm that night, but the big shock was the invading ship- that of the Red-Hair Pirates- an upcoming rookie crew making a name for themselves arriving on the ship to get whatever the pink-haired man was safeguarding. Managing to wreck it and the reputation of the people who were assigned to the task.

To her shock, this included several of the children- who were taken to families not affiliated with the official orphanages for some reason that didn't become apparent till she was older.

Her collection of associates was taken to a modest village associated with a windmill.

He was accompanied by a little girl- having bright purple eyes and long hair that was white on her left side and red on her right; the colors were perfectly separated at the middle of her scalp. Her hair is arranged into two long ponytails with two circular braids at the end; these circular braids are also seen at the top of her head. Her left eye is shrouded by her white hair.

They landed on the port where a young boy with black hair that didn't seem remarkable at first.

"I'm Luffy. I'm not gonna become a Marine. Most pirates are bad so they can just go away! If you make trouble! I'll make you pay!" he said in a gruff tone that made him even more wimpy.

"I see.," Shanks said as he noticed Tom and most of his group ignored him. Clisson decided to take the more ambivalent approach to observe him from afar.

Luffy was taken into the village by his grandfather after an incident that occurred that he refused to elaborate on to become a Marine. Clisson didn't have a high opinion of Marines given what they did to her family.

One day, Luffy noticed her and asked, "Why do you have weird skin?"

"It's from my mom. Why aren't you hanging out with the other guys?" asked the girl, surprised he noticed her.

"They don't like me for some reason. They say I smell funny.," he replied.

"It's from my mom. She's from-," she said.

"I don't care. So that's it. Well, you're not picking on me. So you're ok. What're you called?," asked Luffy bluntly.

"Clisson...," said the girl.

"Ok.," Luffy said as he walked away.

It made her curious as unlike the others, there weren't any taunts or inquiring if she was some sort of inhuman freak. It was a simple question that didn't hold malicious intent. This was the first time she felt a sense of belonging since she could remember. She watched as Luffy played with the older villagers, his simplicity and honesty a stark contrast to the constant sense of danger that had settled in her heart.

After Shanks lost his arm, he never came back, but Luffy became oddly more cheerful while he also associated with a boy named Ace and another one named Sabo. Tom's group never got along with these guys as they said things to get under his skin.

She rested away from the others as she had to hide her special traits in fear of what might happen.

One day, men in shadow grabbed her and tied her up.

"To think she's one of them? I thought outside of that one who's with Kaido assumably- they all died out.," said one of the men.

"We can live like kings if we give them to the top brass.," said another.

Clisson was petrified of going back to that fate when she turned to see Luffy having spotted her.

"Tch. He wasn't asleep!" he said as he pulled out a rapier.

"Oi! Why do you want her?" asked the boy.

"Learn to turn the other way brat!" shouted one of the men.

"Shh! Learn to be quiet.," said another of the men as this reckless fool lunged at him.

"Why are you letting them do that? You got those things. So why are you letting 'em?," asked Luffy.

Her mind flashed to her mother's warnings that being exposed to others would lead them to hunt them down for just being themselves. So this informed her reluctance to be around others.

However, she thought back to her father's words-

"Lunarians and two other kinds of folks used to be the protectors of the world. Then things changed up so they're now seen as the bad guys. Still don't be ashamed of who you are..."

Clisson was inspired as she expanded her hidden traits- her wings and generated blue flames on her back to frighten some of the men.

"Fallen Angel!," shouted one of them.

"I'm not giving up just because you're deciding to fly-," said the leader before Luffy launched a half-hazard punch that managed to knock him out.

Clisson then looked at Luffy with a blush.

"What the? You've caught something?," asked Luffy.

"What do you think of these thingies on my back?" asked Clisson.

"Pretty I guess.," said Luffy as he looked to the side and blushed even more.

Before things could go forward, Garp showed up and said to Tom's group-

"Sorry, but Sengoku found out. And the top brass wants you to join a group. You won't be able to see Luffy again."

While most of them were relieved, Clisson was saddened.

They would be raised to a separate assassination group to the Cipher Pol- Oracion Seis, tasked with missions only the World Nobles would need to have done, bypassing the usual balance of powers by eliminating potential threats to the World Government.

During this time, Clisson would associate with Tom's group nominally as they had bought heavily into the teachings of the World Nobles. She did, however, have a friend during these formative years-

She couldn't remember her face despite how deep their bond was. Her words were also muffled in her recollection, but they had great meaning. Her memories were fuzzy but apparently, this green-haired person was against the World Nobles and tried to take them down, but was then vanished.

Clisson would be saddened over the affair till she read more of Luffy's exploits, which reignited her interest in him.

Present

Tom took a deep breath as he exuded Haki before it calmed down. On the surface, nothing seemed to have really changed. Franky took advantage of this to attack them, but it felt like while he was there- he also not there at the same time.

Tom Tew's Awakening- Pointillism. It allows him to turn into several tiny dots that blend together to look like a solid form but are able to disperse attack damage by sending them into different holes while his main body is in a parallel pocket space.

"All for the crush on a defunct Marine recruit who couldn't understand his brother's suffering. He was envious of him and is glad that he's finally out of the picture.," Tom said calmly with a haughty smirk.

"You're wrong. He's going to be the Pirate King.," Clisson said as she unfurled her black wings as blue flames emerged on her back instead of the red ones.

"Wait, she's a Lunarian?," asked Zoro.

"This is a surprise.," Robin spoke.

"I knew it, you were a Lunarian. It's a shame we didn't collect samples.," he cursed.

"I never showed you because you just see me the same way everyone else did aside from him and a few others- another.," she said.

She then offered her hand as Tom looked confused.

"Are you asking me for atonement-,," he inquired.

"You still owe 30 berries for that soda I bought for you.," she said.

"Always so stingy. Your pirate blood couldn't erased. Like Gol D. Ace, you have the curse of a Roger Pirate-," he said.

"At least, I don't go out of my way to be ashamed of it. You don't need to understand why.," she replied.

This instantly caused him to go into a breakdown as his dots spread throughout the room as arms emerged to attempt a Six King Gun.

"W-we just need a corpse to collect samples from! This awful truth will die with you!" he shouted as the arms lunged.

She then transformed as she took on a more equine form, black as a sable, with purple hair, glowing as a mane and a single horn on her head. Her wings flapped as she neighed.

"It's like Pierre, but it's a...," Robin noted.

"Horse-Horse: Alicorn.," Clisson said as she galloped.

"I just need to blast you into the clouds to make it not work-," Tom said before her horn generated lightning. It electrocuted the Oracion Seis member as he fell out of the dot, propelled upwards into a cloud, and hung unconscious. His hat fell out as his eyes were whitened from the attack.

She then galloped and then reached into his pockets.

"That's what you owe. Cheapskate.," she said as she returned to Zoro's group in her normal form.

"It doesn't look like I'll be able to go back after what I did...Say, can I join you us?," asked the dark-skinned girl.

Zoro raised an eyebrow, the scar across his forehead stretching slightly as he considered her request. The air was thick with the aftermath of the battle, and the smell of burnt wood and metal lingered in the air. The rest of the Straw Hat Pirates looked at her with a mix of curiosity and confusion, but she had their attention.

"Luffy has the final say on the matter. So ask him.," replied the swordsman as he became able to walk again.

Clisson nodded as she spotted the green road that the Sunny was sailing on. She then changed into her alicorn form as she allowed Zoro, Robin, Bonney, and Vega 40 to ride her.

"I have my own way of going down.," replied Stussy as she generated bat wings as she flew down.

They then galloped onto the ship as Luffy turned back to normal, tired, but nowhere near as aged as his previous aftermath of his Free form.

"Oi, Clisson. You're here with us? Wait, I sensed those other guys. What were they doing here?," asked Luffy.

"They were working for the World Government like me only a short while ago. I didn't like how they didn't let me live as freely as wanted. So I left...They're too attached to the system to move on.," the half-Lunarian replied.

"What the? You're a Lunarian? And a hot one too. Lemme introduce myself," asked Sanji before seeing her and then kissing Luffy on the left cheek, much to his confusion and to Sanji's comical horror.

"W-what the?," asked Luffy.

"My dream is to become a barber. And since I don't have anywhere else to go. I like to join your crew.," she said, which shocked the other members of the crew.

"Sure, but you're not my tenth crewmate.," Luffy said.

"So quick!," Chopper and Usopp shouted.

"As fun as this is...we still have the other members of the World Government to deal with since they're not going to let us go free.," Vega 40 said.

"We should be able to crack the barrier using modifications of the Frontier Dome to cancel out the charges.," Edison said.

"It doesn't look like we'll be able to work with the World Government now. I'm going to take Dragon up on his offer.," said Shaka- speaking for all Vegapunks collectively.

"You should come.," said Atlas to Vega 40.

She shook her head.

"I feel like I can get more interesting data by sticking with him.," Vega 40 said much to Franky's shock.

"Wait, what about that shitty old man? Ain't he gonna be worried?" asked the cyborg.

Vega 40 looked in his direction.

"He's fully aware that there's no ship able to carry him to the next generation. And I've accepted that.," she said with soft tears in her eyes as Bonney looked on.

"Fine, but you're not our tenth crew-mate.," Luffy said with a pout and his arms crossed.

"Sure.," she replied.

"Let's go around and pick up Brook, Jinbe, and the old man. We should get the hell out of here.," Luffy spoke, which surprised Usopp.

"That's very mature of you.," the sniper remarked.

"Yeah, and Kidd said Elbaf's very close...," Luffy replied as both men then proceeded to squeal as they did their Elbaf song as Clisson, Bonney, and Vega 40 watched on.

Suddenly, the path was blocked by a giant robot-

Emeth.

Saturn's Position

Saturn glanced at the escaping Sunny as the 39th Vegapunk launched a punch on him, but was blocked by his barrier.

It would be prudent to eliminate them here and now..., thought the Elder as he glared at the ship, but it was blocked by a Paw Bubble.

"Tch. His Buccaneer traits linger on. Even in death, he still clings like a parasite.," the Elder remarked.

"We never truly go. We might get forgotten in a few decades but eventually in a few centuries, millenniums, or even millions of years- people will find the remains of what's been left behind. And it is to be inherited into the future. It's a Super-Ultra way of explaining Inherited Will. Then again, an Immortal that runs from death wouldn't get it.," the 39th replied.

Kizaru has his hands full...And this is going to be difficult for even me by myself. The Oracion Seis and Cipher Pol agents have proven inept. I should..., he thought.

Hey, Ezzie! You seem to be in a bit of a pinch. I can help out., spoke a self-assured, relaxed voice inside Saturn's head.

Saturn's eyes narrowed in irritation. It was a figure who was kept a secret from the public, a fellow World Noble, but definitively strong- enough to tolerate his disrespect. Since he was someone who could more than deal with this current dilemma on his own.

I'm planning to call the other four-, the Elder replied internally.

No, good- get at least 18 out- I've seen how things have really screwed over in Egghead. It might lead to more uprisings unless we put them in their place., spoke the figure.

And you'll arrive as the vanguard? Good. We-, Saturn replied.

I'm still friggin' hungover from last night. I'll come in a bit...At least kill some of them. If you can't accomplish that much, then centuries of sitting around have really made you saggy., the figure yawned as he responded.

You impudent-, Saturn answered.

And if most are still standing. I'll start killing you guys there., spoke the figure with a surprisingly cold and menacing tone, which spooked even Saturn.

After a pause, the figure spoke again.

Just joking. I'm joking. I'll have to torture you...starting with the CP screwups who lost THAT., the figure said to Saturn.

Tch..., the voice spoke.

Mary Geoise

"You got blood on this suit? How are you gonna pay for it? Eh?," asked the silhouetted figure of a towering man with long dreadlocks and his eyes obscured by black sunglasses that glowed red.

He had managed to corner a tall man with light brown curly hair, reaching down to the tip of his shoulders. He wears a tan cloak and a bowler hat with a teal feather on it. Under his cloak, he wears a black shirt, with white buttons. He has light red pants, with a brown belt holding it up. He also carries a flintlock in his pants. He was Bunny Joe of the Revolutionary Army.

"I was too careless.," the revolutionary cursed. "You know who I am. And you know what I stand for," Bunny Joe said, his voice shaking slightly.

"Hey. He's being annoying. Get rid of that jackass.," said a half-bored woman with black hair, currently in a bath towel.

He then noticed the woman next to him- a woman wearing a bunny hat obscuring her face. He removed his eyewear to expose his beautiful eyes.

"You seem to be mistaken in following them. If you change sides, you'll be given.," he said in a more polite tone before she pulled a grenade launcher on him. Bunny Joe smirked before seeing the man's only damage was the removal of his top shirt- revealing countless scars.

He glared as Haki went inside them as their heads swelled up and exploded.

"Damn...they got the room dirty. Lousy insects.," said the woman as she put on a white suit.

"Dra...Dragon...I'm sorry...," Joe spoke from the remaining half of his head before he died. The man pointed his shades back on as he got another suit.

"I've been telling them for years to tighten security. I'm gonna kill whoever let that Sabo bastard in to see THEM.," he spoke as he put on the top half of his suit.

"Yeah, Umi got an earful from the others, but it looks like they're finally making their move as well to trounce the insects," the woman replied.

"I wouldn't call them insects...insects you spot immediately and you can just squash them, but they're a threat...those things are more like bacteria. They're everywhere, and you don't know they're there until they start causing a ruckus, but a quick cleaning- they're gone like they were never there and no one even knows they existed.," said the man in his more natural aggressive, sadistic tone. He then opened the door as dogs proceeded to chomp on their corpses.

"You want help?," asked the woman as the man continued walking.

"As I need it.," he replied.

That guy...if Lucci was the strongest Cipher Pol 9 Agent in history...then he's the strongest Cipher Pol agent in the entire run of the World Government., she observed from afar, internally estimating his power.

He then walked by Warcury and the other Elders.

"Hey, Dar. Things are really going to shit over there. Don't screw things up like you've been doing for a little bit.," the man said.

Nusjuro was about to unsheathe his Katana on the man but Warcury said-

"If any other agent spoke that way. They'd be erased. But he is the strength of the current Generation of the Celestial Dragon. Strength is Justice and Absolute."

The silhouette revealed itself to be a tanned man in a white suit with a white overcoat draped on his shoulders, having dark-purple hair that went down his shoulders, and wearing black shades with red highlights.

Maxamillion Cortez- Scion of the Maxamillion Family. Commander of Cipher Pol. The Death Dragon.

"Just sit back and watch from the top of the rock.," Cortez said to Garling as he walked back him as the latter scowled.

Egghead

Arriving at Egghead were very massive ships with Giant warriors and unbeknownst to them, a massive rocky humanoid with a skull-shaped formation continued to walk to the island.

Next Chapter: Heads of the World Government

Author Notes: Clisson's backstory is essentially what if a Cipher Pol Agent joined the Straw Hats with some Uta-inspiration for the backstory.

Cortez is going be a major player coming up in this arc and we'll see more of the World Government Elders