Hey, dear readers! We've finally reached this point in the story. Here's where we hit the next stage of this story. Where we learn more about the characters, the original and cannon. Some other aspects of the One Piece world will be teased, too.
Shout out to Angel Zamora for being an Advanced tier member! You are awesome!
Please, enjoy, all of you!
Chapter 12
Welcome to Lilia World! Mother and Child Reunion!
"Come on, mom!" Luffy complained. He struggled to get out of his mother's hug. "Let me go already!"
"Why are you acting so embarrassed?" Lilia asked in a teasing tone as she held him off his feet. She was much taller than Luffy and could lift him easily as if he were still a little boy. "It isn't as though anybody is watching us?"
"I don't care! Just let me go!"
"Give me a second. Let me love my son a bit." She started kissing various parts of his face as Luffy squirmed in her embrace. Her kisses tickled. After feeling satisfied, she finally let him go. "I missed you a lot. I don't think I really realized just how much I missed you and your sisters until I finally laid eyes on you."
"I missed you, too," Luffy said. "But that was a bit much."
"A lot has happened," she said, looking grateful. "To both of us. I've been following your activity, Straw Hat Luffy. East Blue, Alabasta, and most recently Enies Lobby. You've gotten around, haven't you?"
"You know about all of that, huh?" Luffy laughed.
"Of course I do. I'm your mom. Besides, you've literally become one of the most famous pirates in the world now. In less than a year, I might add. and that's just the stuff that's made it to the news. It's honestly been quite stressful for me. I'm proud of you, baby, but I don't exactly relish how many times you've risked your life."
"I go where the sea takes me. It's not my fault it takes me to fight strong guys."
"Is that your attempt at philosophy? Anyway, I'm sorry."
Luffy stared at her, confused. "What are you sorry for mom?"
"I missed your sixteenth and seventeenth birthdays. I'm sorry, dear."
"That's not a big deal," Luffy said. "You were busy. Grandpa wasn't around, either."
"You're my kid, hon. You and your sisters, an Ace as well, are the most important things to me. I can't always be there for all of you, but missing two years of your lives is inexcusable to me. So, let me apologize."
"…Okay," Luffy conceded. "I still don't think you need to take it so seriously. I haven't seen Lucilia or Luma in a long time, either, you know?"
"You'll understand my feelings a bit better if you ever have children," Lilia smiled before her expression shifted. "So, on to the next order of business. I hear you finally learned who your dad is."
Luffy blinked. "Yeah, I did. Gramps told me."
"I almost wish he hadn't. Honestly, I was going to gather you and your sisters up and tell you who he was by yours and Lucilia's seventeenth birthdays. But things happened, and I never returned to Goa in two years."
"Things, huh?" Luffy recalled Angel. He had said he hurt mom really bad a couple years ago. Luffy wanted to ask her about him.
"I heard you met your dad at Loguetown."
"Huh? Oh, I guess so. That's what gramps said, but I never saw him, but I guess he saved me from Smokey back then… I think I remember hearing his voice though."
"That sounds about right. Knowing him, he just wanted to see you off. He's such an awkward guy."
Lilia had a loving expression on her face.
"So, Dragon really is my dad, huh? He's the leader of the Revolutionary Army, and you're a marine. That's a little weird, isn't it?"
"I guess it is. I suppose I like the bad boys?" She smiled mischiefly, which went over Luffy's head. "If your sisters were here, they'd appreciate that joke."
"Would they?"
"It's a bit complicated how your father and I fell in love. I think your sisters should be here for when I tell you."
"Eh, that's okay," Luffy shrugged. "I don't need to hear the whole story."
Lilia pulled his cheek. "Too bad, little boy. You'll sit and listen whether you like it or not. Awake."
"Ow! Ow! Ow! Okay! Okay! Stop, mom! Please! Let go!"
She released his cheek which drooped for a moment before resetting. "Good… I suppose the next thing I'll tell you is that I told Princess Vivi, as well as King Cobra and his inner circle, that you were my son."
Luffy's eyes widened. "I heard you were at Alabasta! What did Vivi say?"
"She was pretty surprised at first, but then she said she should have realized it sooner."
"Why'd she say that?"
"Who knows. I did spend a lot of time with her, though. I caught her several times sneaking out of the palace at night without any guards to go help the people of Alabasta in any way she could."
"That sounds like Vivi."
"She's a lot like her mother."
"I don't remember seeing Vivi's mom."
"You didn't. Her mother, Titi, died when she was little. She was my friend whom I met before Vivi was born. Before you were born, too."
"You really knew Vivi's mom, mom?"
"Yes, I saved her after she was kidnapped by thieves. Of course, I knew Cobra and his entourage as well. Oh, in case you didn't know, Pell is alive."
His eyes wide and his jaw dropped, Luffy screamed. "EHHHH?!"
"It's true," she said dryly.
"But he blew up!"
"So I heard. He survived."
"I-Is he okay…?"
"For somebody who survived an explosion point blank? He's doing quite well. His injuries were severe and he couldn't move like he used to when we first met, but I had Yuki train him to help his recovery and now he's good as new."
"That's awesome! But he trained with Yuki? That must've been rough. Still, I'm glad he's doing alright! He really helped me out when I was fighting Crocodile. I'm glad he's alive."
"Indeed. The princess and the others are incredibly grateful to you and your crew for freeing their country. I get the feeling Vivi-chan really misses you."
"We do, too. I know we'll meet again someday!"
"Yes, I'm sure. I am also aware of your other accomplishments since you began your pirate life. You freed Shells Town from a corrupt marine abusing his authority. You liberated Orange town from Buggy The Clown. You defended a restaurant from Don Krieg, one of East Blue's most dangerous pirates. And you did the same at the Conomi Islands against Arlong the Saw…"
Lilia's expression shadowed. However, Luffy didn't catch the shift in his mother's expression. He smiled and said, "Yeah, I've done a lot!"
She smiled back. "You have. You've done a lot of good. Honestly, the things you've done on your time at sea is more than most marines will ever do in their whole careers. Since the East Blue and your arrival in the Grand Line, you've done so much, and even helped people in ways most could never."
Luffy began to feel flustered. This much praise from his mother was rare. She wasn't cold, but she didn't usually dole out compliments for nothing. "I was just helping my friends with all that. I wasn't trying to be helpful or anything."
"Oh, I know. I'm well aware you aren't a hero who's trying to save everybody. Even so, you won't turn your back on the person in front of you."
Tenderly, she placed her hand on his cheek.
"The Government will propagate that you and your friends are criminals who need to be put down, and most people will believe them. And that's fine. I know it doesn't bother you, so it doesn't bother me. But know this. I am extremely proud of you."
Luffy stared speechless. Most didn't have the power to make Luffy speechless. His mother, however, did. "Thanks, mom…"
"But slow down."
"Huh?"
Her voice hardened and her tender gaze sharpened. "What you've accomplished in under half a year is extraordinary. But you're moving too quickly. You're strong, Luffy. I know that, but I also know you aren't as big of a fool as you act. I know you had an encounter with Aokiji."
"You know about that?"
"Of course. I know you fought him. I know you lost, badly. I know he let you go. So, you must know how vulnerable you're becoming."
"…What are you saying?"
"I don't really know. I wasn't planning on saying all this to you, but it's just hitting me how precarious your situation is. And I know you. You'll keep going either to the end, and to your death. And I don't want that. Let me ask you. Do you think you're ready for what's next?"
"How am I supposed to know," he grinned. "I haven't tried anything yet!"
Lilia sighed, endeared. She expected that type of answer from him. "I figured you'd say that. It doesn't matter the danger, you are too stubborn to quit. I suppose it's to be expected. Me and your father. Both your grandfathers. Probably your grandmothers, too. There is far too much stubbornness in our blood for any of us to choose the safer path. You and your sisters included."
"Layla wants to be a chemist. Riruka wants to be a swordsmith. Aren't those things kind of safe?"
Lilia shook her head. "No. That just means the danger they create will spread to the rest of the world instead of just those around them."
"That's probably true."
They shared a laugh.
"So, about your crew? I see you ended up not having Kyosuke-kun or Sona-chan go with you. I must say I'm disappointed. And a bit surprised. You three didn't want to travel together?"
Luffy stared in genuine confusion. "Why would I want them on my crew?"
"Are they or are they not your oldest and best friends?"
"They are. But that doesn't mean we'd make a good crew."
"Oh, it doesn't, huh?"
"Yep. You see, mom. Kyosuke is Kyosuke. Sona is Sona. And I'm me. He'll go one way. Sona goes her way. And I go my own way."
"Is that so?" She sighed, resting her cheek in her hand. "Well, Sasha and I would rather you both follow Kyosuke-kun's way. Given the two of your ways tends to be life threatening."
Luffy laughed. He couldn't deny that.
"You know… you're probably weaker without them."
"Maybe."
She was not referring to individual strength. The trio of Kyosuke, Sona, and Luffy were best friends, and also a formidable team. Together, they could make miracles out of miracles.
"But it's best this way."
"Well, if you say so. But I think Yuki will be disappointed."
"Why?"
"Why, he says? She wanted to sail with you three."
"Really, why?"
"Maybe she's nuts? It does seem like a waste. If you four combined your strengths, you'd all probably become the most formidable force in the world one day… although, I realize as I say it, that wouldn't be what any of you want."
"…No, I guess it isn't."
"Well, I guess I'll leave it alone, then. Now, let's talk about your crew."
Speaking of. They were nowhere to be found in the seemingly infinite black void of Lilia World.
"Where are they?"
"I'm talking to them right now."
Luffy made a face. "…Oh. Uh, am I there?"
"No, you're just here. Here, I'll show you."
Lilia waved. The space around them warped and they could see Luffy's whole crew in front of them.
"Hey, guys!" Luffy shouted.
"Where the hell are we?!" Nami shouted, distressed. "It's all black, but I can see you guys clear as day!"
"What the hell happened?!" Usopp cried.
"This is scary!"
"I don't see Luffy anywhere here?" Zoro said, looking calm.
They couldn't hear him. They also couldn't see him, it seemed. This didn't surprise Luffy. Nothing made sense in his mother's world.
"This appears to be the result of Luffy's mother's power," Robin said analytically. "I've heard she can do some incredible things with it."
"She's incredible!" Sanji said, looking lovesick.
"She's as troublesome as her son!" Zoe complained.
"How rude," Lilia said beside Luffy.
"That's not very nice, Pirate Hunter." Another said. It was Lilia but not the Lilia beside Luffy but another Lilia who was standing in front of the crew, who jumped in fright at her sudden appearance.
"You're…!" Nami gasped. She could hardly finish the sentence.
"I'm Aura D. Lilia. A vice admiral. The She-Demon. But you may know me better as your captain's mother. Call me Lilia, Straw Hat Pirates."
The crew stood for a moment in stunned silence. It was one thing to find out Luffy actually had a mom, but it was an entirely different thing to actually be meeting her in what appeared to be some other dimension. They really weren't sure what to say.
For better or for worse, Sanji broke the silence.
"Oh, wow!" He exclaimed. Almost instantly, he knelt right in front of Lilia, holding a flower in his hand and offering it to her. The weird thing was, Luffy wasn't sure where Sanji was keeping that flower. And it certainly wasn't possible to retrieve a flower in their current situation. "I thought I understood your beauty the moment I laid eyes on you, my lovely demon queen! But I see now my memory cannot possibly comprehend your ethereal beauty with just a mere look!"
"Aw, how sweet," the other Lilia said coolly, taking the flower from him. "You're very kind, Black Leg."
"Seriously," Luffy groaned, staring at his mother next to him.
"What?" She smiled innocently.
"Ah!" Sanji groaned as if struck by something. "I can barely stand it being in the presence of such-"
"Knock it off!" Nami shouted, hitting him over the head. For once, Luffy was glad for her violent streak. "That's Luffy mom, you pervert!"
The rest of the crew stared dryly at the cook, but for better or for worse, his inappropriate flirting broke the ice.
"Sorry about him," Nami said. "He gets a bit too excited around beautiful women."
"I'm used to it," Other Lilia said. "Not the worst way I've been treated by one of Luffy's friends."
"Anyway," Zoro said, feeling a bit awkward. Talking with Luffy's mother felt weird for some reason. "Lilia. Where are we? And where is Luffy?"
"We're what you can call a special space created by my ability," she explained. "It's a bit complicated but it's a space that bends reality that I create to meet my needs. I call it Lilia World. As for where my son is, he's with me."
They looked around, but none of them could see him.
"Not me me. The other me I have talking with him."
"The other you?" Nami asked.
"In Lilia World, I can split my persona and have multiple different interactions with multiple different people simultaneously in different spaces."
"That's amazing!" Chopper said in awe.
"Luffy must love this place!" Usopp said.
"He does," Other Lilia said.
"No, I don't," Luffy said. The novelty of Lilia World was out weighed by the sheer annoyance of the consequences of being there. It got old.
"Hey, wait," Franky said. "Where's the Sunny? Our ship?"
"And what about the sea," Nami said. "I'm realizing there's no weather patterns here. Like at all."
She could no longer feel the irregular winds and the air of the Grand Line. It was like they were indoors. Away from the sea.
"And what about the outside?" Zoro asked. "What if there's an attack?"
"So many questions," Other Lilia mused. "Not that I mind. As you may know, my son can be a bit spacey when it comes to details."
The crew neither agreed nor disagreed with her. She liked that.
"Let me try to explain it. Your ship is here. As well as my ship. Technically we're all still standing where we were before I brought us into Lilia World. You're ship is just hidden from sight. But I can reveal it to you, if you want."
The Other Lilia gestured. In a blink, all of them were standing on the Thousand Sunny.
"Whoah!" Usopp and Chopper gasped as the others gaped in surprise. "That's so cool!"
"It's a nice ship." Lilia-both of them-surveyed the deck of the Sunny's exterior. "The Navy's boring when it comes to their battleships. Everything has to meet a certain standard and look the same. I have to make Tom follow the guidelines, but he's innovative enough to have some fun within the rules/ Still, I would like to someday sail a ship his built with no restrictions."
"T-Tom…?!" Franky said. "So, it really is true! You have Tom on your ship! Why?!"
Lilia gave him a cool look. "Franky-kun. So, you really did end up on my kid's ship. Yes, you're right. Tom is on my ship. He has been for most of the time since his arrest eight years ago."
Franky could hardly express the storm of emotions he was feeling at that moment. Shock and happiness. Anger and resentment. Confusion and relief. "...Why am I only now learning this? Why does everyone still think Tom is dead?! Ice-For-Brains! Granny Kokoro! Yokozuna! We all believed he was executed by the Government! For eight years we mourned him, but he was alive with you! Why were we not told anything?!"
Luffy stared sympathetically at Franky, as did the rest of the crew. Lilia stared at him blankly.
"Do you have any idea what it's like to lose someone and think they're dead?!"
"Yes," Other Lilia said dryly.
"Who doesn't?" The Lilia next to Luffy said.
Franky made a face. "…I want to see Tom."
"In a bit. Firstly, I want to discuss something with all of you. According to my father-in-law, he blurted the big secret to all of you at Water 7."
It took them a second to realize who her father in law was.
"Garp."
"Yeah. You all, an old lady, her granddaughter, her pet rabbit-cat, a pair of weird looking sisters, and all of Garp's unit know who my husband is. I hope you all appreciate the irony of learning that before my daughters."
"It's not like we forced it out of him…" Zoro said, as the others looked sheepish.
"True, the dummy let it slip," Other Lilia said. "More importantly, a bunch of randoms now know that Dragon is my kids' father. A secret that's been kept for the better part of sixteen years, I might add."
"Um, we won't tell anybody," Nami offered.
"I'd appreciate that, but the damage is done. Now that Luffy knows, it's only a matter of time before the rest of the world knows. Rather… it isn't a secret that can be kept much longer. A lot is happening in the world right now. The Revolutionary army causes more damage to the World Governments authority every day. Besides, a lot of people actually know Dragon is the father of my children."
"Really?!" Some of them asked. "Who?!"
"Outside of friends and family, Fleet Admiral Sengoku knows, as well as all three admirals. Of course, the Five Elder Stars also know about it."
"Those are the worst possible people to know it!" They screamed in shock.
"Sengoku is one of your grandpa's oldest friends," The Lilia next to Luffy explained. "So, that kind of thing is bound to be revealed."
"How are you and your family even able to roam freely?" Robin asked. "The worst possible people know about you!"
"Two reasons. One, Garp's got a lot of influence. The Navy won't betray him easily by going after his grandkids. The second reason is this. I'm really useful. And my Demon Unit is the strongest in the Marines. The Government is wary of me, but so long as I do my job, I'm more of an asset than a liability to them. And, not to brag, I'm pretty popular amongst the rank and file. I can't be sure what'll happen if the truth about me gets out, but neither can the Government. This world can forgive a father for having a defiant son, but their reactions are not quite as predictable if they discover that one of the most decorated vice admirals not only married the man whose called the Most Wanted, but also gave birth to his children.
"The Government can't deal with the chaos that would cause. So they let me be, for the most part."
The Straw Hats were dumbfounded by her. They could genuinely see the similarities between her and Luffy.
"But of course, now that Luffy's become a pirate and has done everything he has, all bets are off. The higher ups will pursue him as the son of a wanted criminal worse than even Gold Roger. Knowing him, that'll excite him."
"Yup," Luffy agreed.
"But, what about you kids?"
The pirates looked confused.
"The Government and the world believe that evil exists in the blood. When Luffy's father is revealed to the public, they'll pursue him with all they have. They won't care about crushing his crew to get him. Knowing that, can you still stay with him? Despite the danger?"
The crew didn't hesitate.
"With all due respect, Lilia-san," Nami said. "If we cared about being safe, we'd never have joined Luffy in the first place."
"We've already crossed too many lines for the Government to leave us alone," Zoro said. "If the Government and the Marines want to come after us, I say let them."
"Personally, I'd rather not be hunted down," Usopp said. "But I am here because I want to be!"
"You needn't worry, Lilia darling!" Sanji exclaimed. "For you I'll stay by your son's side indefinitely!"
"That's right!" Chopper shouted excitedly. "We're all here to sail with Luffy!"
"I'm already being pursued by the Government," Robin said. "Makes sense to me to be staying with someone else who is also being hunted by them."
"It'd be SUPER lame to ditch someone just because of who their dad is," Franky said, striking a pose.
"Cool," Lilia said, indifferently. "Now that that's settled…"
"Why do you act like you expected our answers?" Zoro asked.
"Cause I did. I know how charismatic my son is. It's a family trait. Plus, I know Luffy. He wouldn't pick wimps who couldn't handle a bit of danger to be on his crew. Besides, you guys just invaded Enies Lobby to rescue a friend. That makes it pretty clear to me what sort of people you are. I only asked to hear it for myself."
Each of them made a face. It felt like they were being played with too much.
"You're annoying my crew, mom," Luffy said. "They took it pretty well when gramps was throwing cannon balls at us, but you're actually annoying them."
"What can I say. I'm like dark chocolate. I'm an acquired taste."
"I hate dark chocolate."
"…So do I."
"Now, Franky," Other Lilia said. "And also Nami. Robin, too. Let's chat."
She snapped her fingers, and the three of them vanished off the sunny.
"Where'd they go?" Luffy asked.
"Luffy?"
Luffy turned and saw Nami. "Nami!"
In another space.
"What'd you do with them, mom?"
"Captain?"
"Robin!"
And in yet another space.
"Where'd you put them mom?"
"Straw Hat?"
"Franky!"
"I transported your three friends to three different versions of us. So we can expedite the conversations."
"Wait…" Nami said, trying to understand everything. "Are you saying right now both Franky and Robin are talking to three different versions of you two?"
"That's correct, Nami," Lila said. "You're quick on the uptake."
Nami blushed, despite herself. "Well, I don't think I really get it. I mean right now, there's three different versions of Luffy and you?"
"Four of me, actually."
"But how does that work? Do you know what the other versions of you are talking about? What are they doing?"
"Not as if I'm there. But I have a faint image in my head. Luffy actually has no idea what the other versions of him are doing at the moment."
"I will when we leave Lilia World. But my head's going to hurt when we do."
Multiple conversations of several versions of himself will fuse into the mind of the original Luffy. The process can be quite strenuous, and shouldn't be overused.
"Okay. But why bring me here?" Nami asked. "I get why you would want Franky and Robin, but-"
"You don't know me, do you?" Lilia asked, her look somewhat softer now.
"Know you?"
"You didn't know about me until recently, am I correct? My son hasn't mentioned me much, right?"
"Not really. Not at all actually."
"I thought so," she said, side eyeing Luffy, who avoided her gaze. "Not that I can complain. I never mentioned him or my kids to my crew, either. Until just a few days ago. But what I meant is… Bell-chan-Bellemere-never mentioned me, huh?"
Nami's eyes widened. Her breathing stopped and the world started spinning. "…What? Who did you just say?"
Lilia smiled sadly. "I said Bellemere. She's your mother, right? A long time ago, she once was my subordinate. And a dear friend who was like a little sister to me."
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Was the first interaction between Lilia and the Straw Hats satisfying? How do you feel about Lilia World? Is it easy to understand or is it too convoluted?
Once again, shout out to Angel Zamora for staying an Advanced Tier member. The Advanced Tier allows you to read all available chapters for 10 dollars. As of this release there are over 30 chapters for this story.
If you're interested go to patreon.com/TheWorldForger.