Here it is. The last chapter. I've enjoyed posting this story because of the insane number of views it gets! Thanks so much for the favorites and follows! I'm a bit sad it's over! But I've just finished another fic of child Luffy only it's not involving the Whitebeards, it's involving Katakuri and the Big Mom Pirates.
I hope you enjoyed this story! Onward to the end! Enjoy~
What followed was the most distressing day Thatch had ever had.
It already began on a bad note when Luffy couldn't speak. He was in his normal child form, but no matter how Thatch spoke to him or tried to get him to talk back, Luffy would not speak. Thatch was worried something was wrong with his brain, but other than not talking he seemed fine. Thatch would have liked to believe it was nothing, and that Luffy was just being silly. But then it got worse and Thatch could guess what was happening.
When Luffy got off his bed to dress for breakfast, he fell on all fours.
"Luffy? You okay…?" Thatch asked. Luffy looked up at him with a confused and innocent expression. Like he didn't notice that he was crawling instead of walking. Thatch picked him up and straightened him to walk upright many times, but each time, Luffy stood up for a few seconds before falling to his hands and knees again.
Thatch didn't want to acknowledge it, but he knew something was wrong with Luffy's brain. The way he was acting was how he acted in his monster form. Not only was his body becoming mixed up, but his brain functions, too. They needed help and they needed it now.
The rest of that day made Thatch feel like he was growing gray hair by the second. Except when he cooked, Thatch held Luffy the entire day. Instead of Luffy attempting to "walk", his daddy carried him. He hated how quiet Luffy was being, even if he looked happy. Luffy smiled like he usually did, and he looked less sick than he had the night before.
Thatch paid little attention to anyone else as he made sure to keep Luffy with him and acting as normal as possible with the others. But Whitebeard pulled him aside after a meal after Thatch held Luffy to his hip with one arm and attempted to wash a plate with the other.
"Son, talk to me. What is the problem?" the captain asked very seriously.
"W- We need answers now. We have to get to the island, now. I- I don't know what to do. I don't know…" Thatch said, in extreme distress. He seemed like he was actually about to cry, and Whitebeard felt for him.
"What is it?" he asked patiently again. Luffy looked at Thatch with a worried expression, but did not utter a sound.
"There's something wrong with Luffy's brain," Thatch whispered so the boy in his arms couldn't hear him.
"What happened?" Whitebeard asked, dead serious with a tense but calming expression on his face. Thatch was shaking, so his father put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Last night, when he was sleeping, he half changed. Started screaming after waking up with two extra legs coming out of his side. And now he won't speak or walk normal. He's crawling. And no matter how many times I stand him up, he just drops down to his knees. I think he's becoming mixed up in the head and body. I'm scared, Pops," Thatch whispered.
"We are almost to the island. I will have everyone search separately. Can you draw a picture of Luffy and his other form? You've always been good at drawing. We can use them as wanted posters and ask people if they've seen anything like that. We will figure it out, son. I promise."
Thatch nodded his head nervously, before turning his attention back to Luffy, who had started to quietly cry at his daddy's scared expression. But he couldn't say anything. Make no noise, so he just awkwardly hugged him around the neck.
"It's okay. We're okay, Luffy," Thatch said calmly, hiding his fear very well.
Thatch brought Luffy to their bedroom and laid him on the bed, where the boy flopped onto his side and napped. Thatch drew as best as he could Luffy in human and beast form. He wished Luffy could change then so he had more to work with, to draw more accurately. All the locations of his blunt spikes. But he didn't have that, so he drew as best to his ability.
He made dozens of copies of his first drawings, and as the ship docked, distributed them to as many people as he could.
It was mid day as the crew quickly dispersed, determined to find answers. Ask everyone, no matter how strange the questions would be.
"Ma'am, do you recognize this?" Thatch asked as he held Luffy in one arm. The woman looked at him strangely, and walked away. Obviously she did not recognize the drawing, and thought Thatch was crazy. It wouldn't be far from expected as he asked if people had seen a literal monster.
After hours of asking everyone he saw, Thatch had to take a break for Luffy, who had fallen asleep uncomfortably on his daddy's arm. Then he began to spasm. Thatch couldn't imagine it getting worse than it already was, and he rocked Luffy with soothing words as the little boy's shirt stretched as two more sets of legs grew out of his sides. What was most concerning was that he made no impression that he thought anything was wrong.
"You'll be okay," Thatch began to chant as he started to run from house to house, business to business, not caring if he was disrupting anything or anyone, to find help. He needed help! He didn't know what to do!
It was the end of the line as Thatch ran down the last neighborhood he himself hadn't seen. He'd ignored his brothers as they told him that there had been no one with an answer at that part. But he went everywhere himself while Luffy clinged to Thatch's chest with human arms legs and four monster legs in between. At least the boy wasn't distressed himself.
No one answered three of the little houses, and by the third one, he knocked so hard on the door that the wood splintered. He was losing control, too, as his panic built.
"Who-?!" a woman with long black hair began as she opened her splintered door. But before she could ask anything, Thatch shouted "I need help!" and gestured to an abnormal form of Luffy. "I don't know what to do!"
"Come in, come in," the woman said, immediately forgetting that this man had ruined her front door. She hurried to close what was left of the door and lead the distressed man to the couch. He set Luffy down on his stomach, where he laid there, all legs, human and beast, spread out flatly. He made no sound or noise other than to look in front of him at the fireplace. It had gotten late since everyone had fled the ship for answers. It felt like only a minute ago, but Thatch had been searching for over five hours, and Luffy had been silent the whole time. He was interested with all of the things he was seeing, but didnt get to focus on one too long before daddy turned and ran somewhere else.
"Where is his family?" the woman asked quickly.
"What do you mean?" Thatch questioned, not even asking the woman her name. Luffy rolled onto his back and looked at the ceiling in interest. Everything was different here. A change in scenery was nice.
"Where is his birth family. You don't look like a shifter. Where are his parents?" the woman, Robin as she introduced herself, asked patiently. Usually, she would be livid with someone who separated a shifter family, but this man clearly had no idea what was happening with what she assumed was his adopted son.
"Shifter? I- I don't know where his parents are. He had a grandfather on a navy ship. Monkey D. Garp," Thatch said quickly, petting Luffy's hair as he stared around, his legs all moving around leisurely.
"A navy ship?" Robin asked sharply, glowering when Thatch nodded. "That man, Monkey D. Garp, is in no way this child's grandfather. No shifter would be on a marine ship unless they were a prisoner.
"What is his name?" she asked, angry but trying to soothe the man who was still panicking.
"Luffy. He's Luffy. Can you help him? Please?" Thatch pleaded. Luffy rolled back over and clumsily attempted to walk forward, only that his human body parts knew to walk bipedally, while his other four legs wanted to walk quadrupedally. So he just fell on the comfy couch with a huff.
"Well, he needs to find his birth family. I know that much," Robin replied, running her hand through Luffy's fluffy black hair. Thatch looked at her in bright hope. Did she know about Luffy? What he was? What was happening to him now?
"What do you know about him? You don't seem like you are surprised at him looking like this. Do you know what he is?" Thatch asked eagerly. Would he finally get the answers he'd been wanting since the first night he'd found out about Luffy's differences? Robin took his hand and gave him a soft, reassuring smile.
"This boy - Luffy - is a shifter. Like werewolves, only Luffy is not a wolf, he is a behir. And if he's acting like this, then he's been away from his family for too long. His real family. You can only save him by finding his real family.
"Every shifter child needs to learn how to function by its family, preferably parents. The parents will teach their baby how to control shifting, and nurture both versions until he is truly one. This should have happened months ago looking at how old he is.
"If he doesn't learn how to control his shifts, then he will forever be in between, like he is now, and will never lead a normal life," Robin explained gently. "You have to find his family. I think I can help you. And I will. But, you need to know, once he finds his family, he has to be with them. Or he will not be able to live any sort of functioning life.
"I don't want to scare you, but if a baby shifter goes too long without his family, his brain and body will fail. You have to give him up. I'm so sorry, but it's for the best. For him, it is for the best. And he is young enough to bounce back and accept his birth family. That is inevitable if you want him to be able to function.
"I'm truly sorry," Robin finished empathetically. She could tell this man truly cared about the little boy he was panicking over. She also knew, by that look of resolve and resignation, that he would do as she advised.
Thatch definitely didn't want to leave Luffy, but if it was being together with Luffy as his body and brain deteriorate or leaving him behind to live with his real family, he'd take the second option without a second thought. He rubbed Luffy's fluffy hair in sadness and fondness. He'd do right by Luffy. And he wouldn't be selfish and keep Luffy when it was clearly better for him to go with someone besides him.
He had enjoyed his short time as a father, and maybe some time in the future he could be one again. A normal kid hopefully, so he didn't have to go through the pain he was going through now ever again.
"Alright. Where are they?" Thatch asked. Robin smiled sadly at him before she hurried across the room to the wall of books she had. She pulled out a leather binder and searched through the thick pages quickly as she walked back.
"I know there are multiple families on the next island that are shifters. One of them, their baby died. I asked what happened, but they wouldn't give any details. Based, on Luffy age and his species, they might be the answer. You have to hurry, though. I'd give Luffy two weeks before he's passed the point of no return."
"Who are you? How do you know all of this?" Thatch asked curiously. He'd never even heard of "shifter" and neither had Pops, or he would have said something. Thatch didn't even believe in werewolves. And he'd never heard of a "behir".
"I'm just an archaeologist who has lead an interesting life. That's all," Robin said with a mysterious smile. "You better hurry. Good luck, I wish you the best. His most likely family owns a pub in the smallest town on the next island. Foosha village. Check there first," the woman said, ushering them out of the front door, not at all angry with how damaged it was.
Thatch ran with a sleeping Luffy back to the ship, grabbing crew members as he hurried back to the docks. He knew what to do, and now he just needed to do it. He kept his sadness of leaving Luffy behind his hope of saving him. He had time to be sad later. Right now he had to focus on what was good for Luffy.
And that was for him to leave Thatch.
Once everyone was back on the ship, they set sail, night time or not. But if the island was only two days away, then by what Robin had said, they still had over a week. But, though Robin seemed like a knowing woman, no one can truly predict the future.
Thatch sat on deck with Luffy as they ate ice cream, their last sunrise together. Luffy slurred out attempted words of wonder about the beautiful sky and the bright waters of the island they were nearing. Thatch spoon fed Luffy, whose body had become so unresponsive and withdrawn that he could only jibber jabber like a baby and couldn't move anything but his head. But he still looked at Thatch with love and happiness when the man would play with him or bathe him or read to him.
The two added sets of legs had not left for the four days since Thatch met Robin. The weather had been against them, and when a marine ship tried to bother them, the pirates showed no mercy or hesitation to burn it to ashes, uncaring about anyone on board. They were in the way of saving their littlest crew member's life, and there was nothing they wouldn't do for him.
Whitebeard had asked his family to let Thatch just be with Luffy. Not to cook or fight or do anything else. That could be done after Thatch said goodbye. For now, he got to spend every moment with his short time, adopted son.
"It's a big day, Luffy. We're gonna find your mommy and daddy. And maybe brother or sister!" Thatch said positively. Luffy didn't seem to understand what Thatch meant when he talked about being separated from Luffy. The boy just didn't grasp the concept of goodbye or parting ways. He hadnt given much thought to his "grandpa" since the day he hid in the apple barrel. Hell, Luffy could forget all about the Whitebeard pirates or think of it as a dream once he grew older.
Luffy smiled at Thatch as he talked about a new family Luffy would have. Thatch made it sound fun. And hopefully he'd be able to move around again! That would be nice.
All of Luffy's belongings were gathered in a little bag hanging off of Thatch's arm that was holding Luffy against his chest. The little boy had fallen asleep against his daddy's broad chest, and didn't wake up until they were nearing a loud part of town. There seemed to be many ships docked, but none looked hostile or violent.
There was only one pub at the little island their destination was, and as Thatch and Luffy grew closer, the man's eyes began to water. But he wouldn't cry in front of Luffy and scare him. He wanted to make the passing as smoothly as possible, and alerting Luffy that Thatch was upset wouldn't be the best way to say goodbye.
Laughter and music came from the bar, and it made Luffy excited. They were fun noises! He looked around as best as he could while cradled in a blanket in daddy's arms so not to show anyone Luffy's very abnormal body.
The bar was called "The Party Bar". Marco had gone before Thatch to find out if Luffy's family was there. And the story of what Robin said was true.
The woman had politely declined Marco to talk about it. Her baby's kidnapping was not a subject she liked to visit. It had been very hard for her, her son, and her husband, for they knew that Luffy would die soon on his own somewhere in the world away from them.
Marco had insisted that he might have found her boy, but her husband swiftly kicked him out for making his wife cry. It was hard enough already for them without pirates getting their hopes up.
When he had come back to Thatch about what happened, Thatch was positive that they'd found Luffy's birth family. And right on time as well.
Thatch carried the small bundle in his arms and looked around for the owner. She looked like Luffy. That had to be her. They had the same hair and eyes. And he looked to the board near the door with a faded MISSING poster on it, with the smiling face of a younger Luffy. There was no reward of course, since it was home made.
"Miss?" Thatch asked the woman. "I think I have something for you," Thatch said gently as the barmaid dried her hands and looked at him curiously.
"Yes?" she asked. Thatch swallowed thickly and lifted the blanket off of half-shifted Luffy and handed him to her. Suddenly, before she took her baby into her arms, she fell to her knees and began to sob before she could even touch him. She was sure he wasn't real. It was just another nightmare where her little baby had come back, only to wake up to that missing poster that she thought about taking down.
"Makino?!" a red haired man called, coming out from a room attached to the bar. He stopped in his tracks and looked at Thatch and who he was carrying. Luffy's big eyes looked at his real father in curiosity. "Lu- Luffy?" he gasped.
Next came running a blond boy with curly hair, who ran to his mother to ask what was wrong. None of them had taken Luffy into their arms yet. "Luffy, look. This is your new family," Thatch said kindly, before kissing him on the forehead and gingerly handing him to the red haired man. He took Luffy into his arms and looked at his bright eyes.
Makino had finally gotten her bearings and stood up, now holding her missing boy, who was clearly about to pass past no return. They got him there just in time. Makino adjusted Luffy in her arms, running her fingers smoothly over his tan and purple skin. "Hello, Luffy," she said softly. "Do you know who I am?" As he spoke and Luffy watched her, his face seemed to go blank.
"Mm?" Luffy asked. He knew this nice lady... He didn't remember ever meeting her, but she was very familiar and made him feel good.
"Good boy. My name is mommy. I'm your mommy, and this is your daddy," she spoke softly. Sabo was crying next to her as he introduced himself as well.
It was like magic as Thatch watched Luffy's face relax, like he was so distracted by some internal thought. The man sighed in relief as Luffy's extra appendages shrunk and disappeared.
"Do you feel better now?" Makino asked. Luffy nodded his head, finally able to move some part of him more easily. He felt stiff still, after not being able to move for awhile. "You are our baby boy. You're finally home. And you'll be here for good. No bad men taking you away from us. Not again." Luffy liked this lady's voice. It made him feel buttery and wanting to melt, only it was a good feeling instead of the limp and useless way his body had been feeling for the last couple of days.
Thatch set Luffy's toys and stuffed animal on the bar table. Shanks, Luffy's real daddy, had cleared the pub quickly, not even needing to move or say anything. He just gave off a feeling to them that made them feel the desire to leave and not come back for awhile. Shanks shook Thatch's hand, thanking him from the bottom of his heart for bringing their baby boy back to them. Thatch smiled at Luffy being reunited with his family, and turned to leave.
He and his family would always remember the fun and interesting times they'd had with the very unique little boy. Thatch was sad for a couple days, but it dimmed a bit when he thought about how he had helped save Luffy's life. If they hadnt docked that day, if Luffy hadnt hidden in that barrel, if Thatch had brought him back to "grandpa", then Luffy would have perished.
It made him happy enough to know he saved him, despite his stay being brief and their time together short.
After Luffy had gone, the crew still searched for the traitor, and did find him not long after the little boy was no longer with them. Though Thatch wasn't usually a violent person, there was nothing stopping him from beating the traitor to a pulp and then throwing him in the ocean to drown. Now, Luffy would never be in danger from him again. That was why they were still searching for the fat man after all. Thatch would do everything he could to help Luffy live a peaceful life as he could from afar.
Luffy would one day meet Thatch again, but as a powerful pirate captain with a mastered devil fruit, looking to be the next Pirate King. Luffy didn't recognize Thatch, but the Whitebeards had somehow turned what would have been a battle into a party.
Thatch and his brothers even told Luffy how they knew him, which Luffy was in awe at. His crew knew about his powers, but they were shocked to hear about the story behind it, as was their captain.
Thatch would always be Luffy's first daddy. And that was enough.
~The End~
If anyone regularly reads all of my stories, you gotta know I had to throw in some angst and drama. And a reunion like in all of my fics. (predicable) I hope you enjoyed the story. Again, thanks for the views and follows and favorites.