It's strange what your mind chooses to remember. Singles images and feelings that stay with you down throughout the years. I can still remember my little sister, Lami's, smile. How it would brighten up my day no matter how gloomy it was. The last smile she ever gave me was when she had lost her front tooth. She was so proud of herself. She believed that whoever lost all their baby teeth first would be deemed the eldest child. She was too young to understand how the aging system truly worked.

Compared to that memory, I can barely remember the day the war against the Pacifistas ended. It was supposed to be a day that I would never forget since it meant the end to all the chaos and destruction I knew all my life. Yet, this day grew more and more distant in my memories.

After the war, I resumed my studies on medicine. I had put it on hold when I learned the basics to join the army as a war surgeon. My adoptive father, Corazon, was against it but he had no say in what I did since I was legal age at the time. Now that there was peace, I found that I had too much spare time on my hands. With nothing else to do I looked to medicine to cease my boredom.

As I studied silently Corazon took up a hobby on genealogy. His own genealogy that is. Which lead me here, in Sabaody Archipelago. A week ago, Corazon got a call from a historian scholar about a Doflamingo Donquixote that Corazon appeared to be related to. Since the scholar lived in Dressrosa which was in New World and we lived on the Grandline, we decided to meet each other half way in Sabaody.

"This is where the first Pacifista appeared, Law." Corazon commented in awe as he swung around in circles with his arms wide open on Sabaody's shore. It didn't take him long to trip over his own feet and fall flat on his face. Everyone stared at us and a few even chuckled at Corazon's childish acts. Over the years I able to learn to just ignore them.

Corazon stood up from where he fell and dusted himself off. "We should go visit the Thousand Sunny while we are here. We have some time before the meeting."

I rolled my eyes but nodded in agreement to his suggestion anyway. Corazon had been on that tour more times than I can count. I was beginning to wonder why he hadn't gotten tired of it yet. The Straw Hat's legend was one thing that Corazon just never seemed to get bored with. I, on the other hand, could care less about them. Histories and legends were never my thing. I preferred to focus on the present where changes can still be made.

The Thousand Sunny was well known to be a magnificent design. The ship was a brig sloop, a type of ship that relied heavily on its navigator. The ship had a lawn on her deck, complete with a swing and a slide, as well as an observation tower for a crow's nest. The figurehead was supposed to be a Lion but it was often mistaken for a Sunflower. They even had a fish tank wall to wall in a room that was called the Aquarium Bar. Corazon was most excited with this room which was abundantly clear with just how many pictures he took of it. If he didn't do this every time I would have been embarrassed by his display of affection.

Corazon followed after the tour guide, who was ridiculously tall, wore a black suit, and had a large black afro. Corazon hung on every word the guide said. Even going so far as to mouth some of the words the guide said.

It wasn't until we reached the Sick Bay that I finally tuned in and actually started to pay attention.

"This is Dr. Chopper's office or as most of you may know, the Sick Bay. It was here that he kept his most prized books, herbs, and all of the Straw Hat member's medical records." The guide explained with his arm outstretched to put the room on display.

Everyone on the tour immediately rushed inside with their cameras ready. I have never been a fan to crowds so I made the logical decision to hang back in the hallway until the crowd dispersed.

"Dr. Chopper was taken in by Dr. Hiluluk on Drum Island. After Dr. Hiluluk passed, Dr. Kureka then assumed the roll of guardianship. She taught Dr. Chopper all of her medical practices until the day Dr. Chopper left to join the Straw Hats."

"Is it true that Dr. Chopper had a blue nose? For a reindeer that's really weird." A little girl asked.

The tour guide gave the girl a fond almost sad smile. "Why, yes indeed. He had a blue nose. He was actually outlawed by his own kind for his differences. He was treated like a monster. But as we all know, Dr. Chopper was no more a monster than you or me. It's what's on the inside that truly counts."

"He's just like Rudolph the red nose reindeer!" the little girl proclaimed in excitement at her discovery. Everyone chuckled at the comparison.

"Yohohoho!" the guide laughed. "Yes, indeed. Just like Rudolph. Now if you will all follow me, I'll direct you to Sanji's kitchen."

I watched as everyone, including Corazon, exit the office to follow after the guide with anticipation. I hung back to finally enter the legendary doctor's room.

The first thing I did was walk straight towards the bookcase and began to read the titles. When I first visited this ship I was just a kid. I had no interest in being a doctor back then so this room was like all the others. Later on when I finally did find my interest, I returned with a pen and paper to write down all the titles that I saw. The thing is, Dr. Chopper had a lot of books so I was kicked off the ship before I could finish my list. I had to take the tour a few times before I got everything written down. I read most of the books that was in Dr. Chopper's library when I was in college but I have yet to finish my list today.

"Do you like books mister?" a little girl with straight baby blue hair asked. I glanced down at her for a brief moment before resuming my browsing. The child's parents were probably nearby and was going to whisk her away with a scolding to not to talk to strangers.

"My mother likes books. She reads all the time. I like books too but I think I like building stuff more." The little girl continued. She took to browsing the books as well. She grazed each book gently with her fore finger as she pondered about its continents. "Mom says that my grandma was an archaeologist. I'm not sure what that means but I think she liked books too. So I guess you can say it runs in the family."

I took a quick look around the room only to find that we were alone. I wondered about the whereabouts of the child's parents before deciding that I did not care. "What does?" I muttered, finally joining in on the little girl's conversation.

She turned her gaze up towards me with excitement. "Loving books!"

"Olivia! Where are you!?" a woman's voice called out from down the hallway.

The little girl's head turned automatically to the door. "That's my mom." She mumbled. "I have to go. It was nice meeting you Mr. Bookman."

I only grunted in response. Just then a woman with long straight black hair ran past the doorway. The little bluenette, who I now assumed was named Olivia, ran out the door to catch up with her mother. I heard the woman gasp loudly. "Don't you ever scare me like that again Olivia Tom."

"I'm sorry, mommy."

I glanced over at the doorway to see the woman holding Olivia's hand. Olivia smiled as she waved me goodbye.

"Weird kid." I mumbled to myself before taking a book off the shelf to read in peace.

After the tour around the Sunny, Corazon and I went to Grove 43 to meet up with the person who supposedly had documents on Doflamingo. To my surprise the scholar turned out to be a woman. She had long braided pink hair in a ponytail and she held herself as if she was royalty. She introduced herself as Scarlett and before too long we were all at a café practically drowning in books and papers.

"It says here that I'm related to Donquixote Doflamingo. He was the son of a celestial Dragon named Donquixote Homing, who by the way, revoked his claim to be an average villager."

I sat across the table drinking my Earl Gray Tea as I listened to them talk.

"That's unusual." Scarlett commented. "Celestial Dragons were jerks. What possessed him to do it?"

"I don't know!" Corazon exclaimed in excitement. "But he didn't live long after that. His wife soon fell ill and when the villagers refused to treat her he begged the Dragons to at least take his family back. They denied him of course because they were assholes. She ended up dying not long after that." Corazon furrowed his eyebrows as confusion set on his face. "I haven't found anything about how Homing died but it was right after his wife died, leaving their sons Doflamingo and Rosinante alone. Maybe he caught her illness?"

"Or just committed suicide." I muttered my suggestion before taking a sip of my tea.

Corazon instantly looked at me sharply. "He wouldn't do that. He had children after all."

I rolled my eyes. Corazon was sometimes a bit naïve to the cruelty of the world. Homing was out casted by the villagers because of his origins. Not only that but the Celestial Dragons turned their backs on him as well. He probably felt there was nowhere for him to go. As much as I would have liked to believe that Homing tried to be there for his kids, I just couldn't believe it. Depression made people do crazy things. "What happened to the bird boy then?"

"Bird boy? You mean Doflamingo? Oh! Law! You're so mean! Stop making fun of my ancestors!" Corazon puffed up in anger which just amused me all the more. He looked like one of those cartoon chickens with their chest puffed out. I held back my laughter with success. I took another sip of my tea before waving my hand for him to continue his story.

Corazon gave me stink eyes. "There's not much on his childhood after that. He kind of just disappears for a couple decades before reappearing in Dressrosa. That's pretty much were my info stops. But it says here in the documents that Scarlett brought that Doflamingo ruled Dressrosa as King for a few years before Luffy defeated him and put the Riku family back on the throne."

"How are you related to this guy again?" I wondered. Even though there wasn't much on Doflamingo's personality the fact that Luffy felt the need to go up against this guy that usually meant that he wasn't a good person. Luffy was well known throughout the world to take down rulers who abused their power for their own personal gain.

"He's my great Uncle, I think." Rosinante answered as he read the paper he was looking at. His attention was obviously somewhere else.

"Some Uncle." I muttered before finishing my tea. "I'm going to go get another cup."

Neither of the two researchers responded to my announcement. They were both too busy reviewing their findings and discussing it with each other to notice. With a roll of my eyes, I left the two.

I never understood Corazon's fascination with the past. It was filled with nothing but pain and sorrow. Two subjects that I was very familiar with.

I paused mid-step when I briefly thought about my own past. The feeling of cold dead flesh pressed up against me still haunted me to this day.

"Can I help you, Sir?" the waitress behind the counter asked with a kind and welcoming smile.

I took a deep breath in hopes that would help calm my rapidly beating heart. "Yes, another Earl Gray please."

"Coming right up." The waitress then left to the kitchen to fetch my beverage.

I took this time to take a few deep breaths. It's been years since that horrible day. Why couldn't I just forget about it already?

"That's impossible! I only cheated once this week." A woman yelled. I looked over to the café's window to see a blonde woman standing beside a round table that had a woman wearing a dark hood jacket sitting next to it.

"My visions never lie." The hooded woman told the blonde calmly.

Her response only seemed to anger the blonde more. "You're a fraud! That's what you are." With that being said, she then stomped out of the café.

The hooded woman did not react to any of the whispered comments. She just sat at her table calmly and fixed her cards that I can only guess the blonde had ruined in her fit.

"Your tea, Sir."

I turned around upon hearing the waitress whom had returned and was now holding out my tea. I gave her a kind smile and accepted the tea. "Thank you."

With a replied nod from the waitress, I walked over to the hooded woman. Now that I got a better look, I knew exactly what her occupation was. She had to be a fortune teller. She had a crystal ball sitting on the round table and the cards she was reorganizing were none other than tarot cards. She must have told that blonde woman a reading that wasn't good news.

"So what did you say to piss her off so much?" I asked casually. I didn't really converse small talk with people I didn't know but I was bored at the moment. Corazon was busy with his little project and I had nothing better to do but read my medical books on herbs.

"I told her the truth. She wanted to know her future. I'm sure she was expecting something along the lines of going on a journey and meeting a dark handsome young man that will whisk her off her feet. Unfortunately for her, all her future read was that she had gain a few pounds." The fortune teller explained with little emotion. She then gestured towards the empty seat that was across from her. "Care for a reading?"

I was about to deny her with a wave of my hand but then I remembered that I had nothing better to do anyway. Might as well indulge her I guess. What harm was there really? A few dollar bills from his wallet? So I sat down in the seat. From my view point I could now see the woman's face. She looked younger than what I was expecting. She had to be in her early thirties or late twenties. Her hair was dark and swept over her right eye. The eye I could see though was exceptionally beautiful. It was such a bright shade of blue that it looked almost unreal.

"My name is Shyarly. "She introduced herself. The name sounded familiar but I couldn't quite place my finger on where I had heard it. Shyarly then spread her cards on the table. "Please take three and place them facing down side by side in front of you." I did as I was told. "Now, please flip over the first card."

The first card I flipped over had a picture of a skeleton on a white horse.

"The first card represents your past." Shyarly explained. "This card is the representation of death. Did you lose anyone important to you?

I gave her a small nod. "My family died when I was little."

"My apologies for your loss. Please flip over the next one."

The second card was a picture a man standing next to a cliff.

"The Fool card. He means that you are about to partake in a journey."

I lifted an eyebrow at that. "Surely I won't be meeting a dark handsome young man that will whisk me off my feet, will I?" I was rewarded with a smile from her at my joke.

"Let's see. Turn over the last one."

The last card was a picture of a man and a woman. They were both holding cups.

"The last card represents your future. This card in particular usually stands for marriage but its more basic meaning is a strong bond. You may not be meeting a young handsome man on this journey but there is a possibility you will meet a woman who will capture your heart." Shyarly paused for a moment before sitting forward in her chair and reaching out for her crystal ball but she didn't touch it. She only grazed her fingers lightly on it. "I don't always do this but I'm going to see more into your future. See if there anything more I can tell you."

Shyarly closed her eyes and concentrated on her ball. I sat back in my seat to observe her. I took the occasional sip from my tea as I waited patiently. She had a calm peaceful expression before it suddenly scrunched up as if she had eaten something sour. Slowly, she retracted her hands back on the table in front of her. She didn't say anything as her expression softened.

I furrowed my brows in concern. Was this part of the act? "Are you okay?"

She didn't say reply at first but then she finally looked up from her lap to stare at me with calm expressionless eyes. "I couldn't see much of your future. Sometimes there's just too much to see that it ends up a jumbled mess of images and voices. But there was one thing that I was able to make out." She then leaned forward over the table so that I was forced to see the seriousness in her expression. "Whatever you do; do not trust the Donquixote family."

I sat there dumbfounded. What was that supposed to mean? I shouldn't trust Corazon? That's absurd. The man saved my life more than once. There was no one in the world I trusted more than him. Perhaps that blonde woman from before was right. Maybe she really was a fraud.

With that thought in mind, I got up from my seat. "Thank you for the reading. I'll be sure to remember your warning." I left her a twenty-dollar bill on the table before returning to my own table with Corazon and Scarlett. I never believed in fortune telling or prophecies. I felt that they were all made up by crazy people and were only praised as being such when they somehow came true. There was only two people in world who were said to have such power and they were both long dead by now. Yet, the whole way to my table I couldn't help but feel like that Fortune teller's words rang true.

I sat next to Corazon who looked at me with concern when I sat down in my seat with a little too much force. "You okay?" he asked.

"Just fine." I mumbled before drinking my tea in silence.

"Hey, look at this." Scarlett leaned over to the table to hand the book she was looking at to Corazon. She pointed to a section on the page before explaining herself. "There is a page here that talks about a news article that was released in Dressrosa shortly after Doflamingo came into rule. The article talks about a King who slaughtered his subjects before he was brought down by Doflamingo. They claim Doflamingo was a hero."

"Interesting." Corazon skims the article for himself as she spoke before facing me with pure joy at their finding. "Looks like we are getting somewhere."

I quickly finished off my tea that had gone cold by this point. "I'm glad to hear it." I told them as I stood up. "I'm gonna head home for a shower."

"Leaving so soon?" Scarlett asked. I only nodded. I grabbed my coat from behind my chair and began to put it on. "Will you two be going to the festival later today?"

"What festival?" Corazon questioned.

"The Halloween festival, silly." Scarlett giggled.

I had completely forgotten about Halloween. I didn't celebrate holidays much when I was a kid and when Corazon adopted me, he was always too busy working in the army to remember such things. Not that I minded in the least. I glanced over to the man to see him literally shaking with excitement. Of course he was excited. He lived for parties. I let out a sigh in defeat knowing that I would never win an argument against him anyways. "Sure. We'll be there."

Corazon looked up at me like I had just given him the best present ever. "Can we dress up too?"

I glared at him. "With what costume?"

"Oh. Yeah, maybe your right." Corazon sat back in his seat looking a bit dejected.

I simply rolled my eyes before leaving the café without another word.

Followers will get a special sneak peak of the next chapter a day or two before it releases.