Straw Hat: Rise of the Dragon Slayer

The Hardship Of A New Beginning

-Some time Seven years ago-

The dirt felt cold against my skin as I stared up at the dark blue sky, the sun was setting as I remained motionless in the forest outside of town. "Lilith, what the hell? You're going get your bandages all dirty" I remained silent, I held an annoyed expression looking at the shadow that loomed over me. Closing my eyes and huffed. "Go away Lucy" She sighs and moves to sit near me. I sit up quickly and scooted away from her. Dirt lightly covered the bandages on my arms and legs. "Just leave me alone" I mumble and stood up angrily. Lucy grabs my hand and holds it. I glance down and saw her guild mark, my eyes faltered knowing she was here because she cares. Gently I traced her insignia with my finger. "We'll come back you know" Her voice was soft, and her grip on my hand tightens in a comforting way.

"That's what Freya said" My voice wavered at the memory of my exceed. During the battle of Edolas...... "She protected you Lilith, what she had done was something even Natsu-" My head snapped at her, my heart dropped at the idea of what Natsu would have done. To watch my exceed try to break the crystals that was sucking my magic, only to be fatally struck in the head from behind.... Tears weld up in my eyes, Lucy's eyes widen at me and pulls me down to her lap and embraces me in her arms. "I mean what I said, not just natsu but I would as well. We all care a lot about you, and would never want to see you hurt." I wept into her arms and wrapped my arms around her. "Please come back....I know we have a few months, but please come back" My voice was broken and cracked.

My eyes snapped open with panic. "I—Robin!" I shoot up with worry and pushed my aching body to stand up. Gasping at the pain, my left hand moves to my chest. I bend over unwillingly, coughing and dry heaving at the intense unbearable pain. Hunched over with my hands holding onto my shirt as my vision became spotty. "C-cole?" My head jerked up too quickly making the blood rush to my head, I had to blink and regain my vision. I was on the deck of the escort ship, all around me was my crewmates. I slumped to the floor with a sigh of relief seeing them all, including Franky. "Hey guys" I lift my left hand weakly at them. Chopper screeches, words all jumbled up. He looked like he was going to foam at the mouth as he charged at me. Only for him to collapse over. I watched him closely seeing the scarf I had was still with him wrapped around his neck.

"What the hell did you do! Your Bleedinglikeverywhere! I can't even move to treat you!" He screeches at me from his paralyzed position, I gave him a weak sheepish smile. "Don't worry chopper, all will be good" Chopper lets out a sigh of relief, I rubbed my cheek feeling the sting of the bullet graze from earlier.

"I think

Perhaps Robin was right, I might cause Chopper to have a heart attack at young age. Chopper's soul pretty much left his body as I tried to contain my laughter despite my whole body in pain. Soon my eyes drooped and I fell asleep to the screeches of Chopper.

-Four years ago-

My bandaged hands with the ends of the book cover I was holding. I pursed my lips trying to remain silent as Dad worked, he had been trying to give me lessons about the world each day for about two hours. Today he talked about the Governments and Pirates. There was something that bugged me though. "Are you just going to sit there silently? You look like you can explode anytime with whatever you're thinking about" Dad's voice broke my concentration, I moved my gaze from the book to look at him. He was leaning forward on his desk with amusement in his eyes. "Why are there pirates? I mean it must be more than plundering and sailing the seas. Everything has been explored and conquered" I tilt my head with confusion at him.

He hums at me and pats at an open chair next to him, I get up and hurried over to sit next to him. "Why so curious? I told you about what most Pirates aim for" I puff my cheeks out an looked away. "Some want wealth, others want fame and gratification. Some want power, and many want all of it." I nodded at him, he already told me about that. "Tell me, you aren't thinking about leaving me?" He jokes and pokes me, I grumble and scrunch up my nose. "After all, you're going work for me as a weapon specialist right?" He pokes at me and chuckles lightly at my reactions. "Yeah well, what if I wanted to explore.....to try and remember who I am?" The room became silent, Dad sighs softly and places his hand on my pink hair.