Chapter Text
Chapter 1
The sun shone brightly on the kingdom of Dressrosa. In the Market Square, flamenco dancers and musicians entertained the crowd as children weaved and played between shoppers and vendors. There, on the furthest corner suite, was a flower shop. It hadn't been there long, and at first glance, one could mistake it for one of the many flower boutiques in town. But the word around town was that it sold the best bouquets on the island.
“Would you happen to have any red carnations?” An old woman asked the owner of the shop.
The florist smiled kindly, “Of course, one moment, ma'am.” She moved to the doorway, pushing away a satin curtain that covered the entryway, to see a young girl no older than ten sitting on the counter reading a book. Tales of Grand Adventures, the title read. Next to her rests a long trough planter full of rich soil.
“Y/N,” the woman called, causing the girl to look up from the pages of her book.
“Yes, Mama?” you say politely.
“A nice lady wants some of those pretty red flowers you like. Can you make me a bouquet, sweet girl?”
“Yes, mama,” you nod excitedly, knowing exactly what to do. You raise your arms, placing them in front of your chest, palms facing outward. “Grow,” You say, eyes closed.
In the pot, something began to grow. In a matter of no time red carnations in full bloom sprouted in the container.
“Good work, my love,” Your Mother says proudly as she begins to snip the stems out of the soil and prepares it for the customer.
When your mother is done, she makes her way back to the front, and you naturally follow.
“Thank you, we’re all so lucky to have you,” the old lady says, “You do such good work, your flowers are always the freshest in town.”
“You're welcome,” your mother says, taking the berry being held out for her.
“Come again,” You say as the customer leaves the shop.
You watch your mother place the money into the box underneath the store counter.
“We’re just a few months away from getting our own home,” she smiled and grabbed your hands, “All thanks to you, my sweet girl.”
You smile at the amazing woman in front of you. Things got hard after your father left, not that you remember, but your mother went hungry most nights to make sure you were fed. And there were some nights when you both did…
So hungry in fact that when you found a strange-looking fruit, you couldn't help but eat it. It was the miracle you both needed. It had granted you the power to grow any type of plant you wanted. As long as there was soil, you could grow anything. Your mother dragged herself out of the mud and started to sell the pretty flowers that would sprout around you. Once she had enough berry she managed to buy passage to the prosperous island of Dressrosa. Here she rented a corner store with a tiny one-bedroom apartment upstairs.
“A home with a garden?” You ask excitedly.
Smiling, your mother embraced you, “A home with whatever you want.”
In her arms, you hugged her back tightly. It was a hug you would later wish had lasted much longer.
---
Night fell, and you slept soundly in your mother's arms until screams in the streets could be heard outside.
“Mama,” you shook the woman awake.
“What's wrong?” she said groggily, but her question was answered when a sudden crashing sound could be heard. “Wait here, my darling.”
Quickly, she put her slippers and robe on and rushed to the staircase
“But-” you tried to follow.
“Please, darling, it’ll be okay, mama just has to see what's wrong.” And with that, she left you…
The screams, however, did not stop; in fact, they seemed to be growing louder. After what seemed like forever, you had had enough. You found your slippers and robe and ventured downstairs to go outside. From the shop windows, what you saw was much worse than anything you could have possibly imagined.
Fire, there was an actual fire that danced on rooftops, people whom you recognize were lying in the street, unmoving in puddles that were the color of your favorite flowers. Men in uniform, wielding dangerous weapons, caused chaos and struck down anyone in their path mercilessly.
“NO! PLEASE! I have a child!” you heard, causing your head to spin to the left.
The Royal Guard's face looked torn, but that didn't stop his blade from swinging down on the poor, defenseless woman.
It happened in slow motion for you. Her scream seemed so far away. The way she fell… it wasn't real, it couldn't be real.
"MAMA!" You shriek, tears fill your eyes, and blur your surroundings.
“Get out of the way, girl! Or you’ll be next!” she heard the slayer warn frantically.
At his words, anger to the likes of which you never felt before filled your body, and your vision turned red. The guard swung his sword, but the blade never made it to you; in fact, everyone within a hundred feet dropped to the ground unconscious. Allowing you to run to your mother's body to sob into her bloodied robe.
Up on the rooftop of the flower shop, Donquixote Doflamingo watched you, this little speck of a thing, had managed to knock out at least thirty of his puppets. This girl's Haki was strong. Just his luck to come across someone in this stupid kingdom who, with some training, possibly had the potential to be of use.
He smiled and jumped off the roof in front of you and the corpse of your mother.
As if it were a reflex, you place your palms away from your chest and create a shield of thick spiked plants to barricade yourself and your mother from the unknown threat. The Young Master’s smile widened. You were a devil fruit user as well. And not just any fruit, this was the Grow-Grow Fruit. Now this was definitely a rarity. And in theory, if brought to its full potential…
The thought made him smirk.
“I saw what happened, child. No need to fear me,” he said in a soothing voice.
Upon hearing this, you debated on dropping the barricade, but before you could decide, the voice spoke again, “Please let me help you and your mother.”
At this, you let a few branches of cacti deteriorate, making slits in your barrier, allowing you to see the man who spoke. He looked strange; you had never seen anyone like him before. He was large, with spiky blond hair, and donned a pink feather coat.
“You poor girl, allow me to take you and your mother to a safe place.” he could see the distrust in your eyes, then added, “Before more of the king's guard shows up.”
This made your heart clench. He was right; chaos still reigned around them. Your eyes flitted over to the storefront to see the stucco from your former home catching fire. Looking back at the strange man, your mind was made up. The prickly plants browned and decayed around you until they were flat on the ground.
Doflamingo was proud of himself for being able to conceal his smirk as he bent down to carry the pathetic, dead woman in his arms. “Follow me, girl, I’ll take you to a safe place where we can lay your mother to rest.
You wiped away a few tears and did as you were told. Walking away from everything you once knew.
Seven Years Later…
In the outdoor courtyard of the palace of Dressrosa. Palm trees swayed in the wind, and in an ornate fountain, water splashed delicately back into the tiled ceramic bowl. And it is there you stare at your dark-haired opponent as she points her pistol at you.
“Give up, Y/N?” She smirked.
“Not a chance,” you raise your arms in the normal fashion, showing off your bracelets wrapped around each wrist. At the top of the bracelet was a small circular container that was filled with the richest cultivated soil in Dressrosa. Once your hands were in the right place, it dispensed the soil out, and when it did… “Grow! Parodia! Magnifica!”
Rapid gunshots were fired as large cactus balls with the spikiest thorns grew rapidly from the cascading dirt. You extended your arms and shot the weaponized flora toward your opponent, stopping the bullets that were heading in your direction.
Baby Five’s eyes widened at the incoming siege and somersaulted out of the way.
“Not bad,” she rose to her feet, dusting off her hands.
“Not bad at all,” a voice from behind you. Turning, you saw the man who had raised you. “Your technique has improved.”
“Young Master, ” You greeted, bowing your head slightly. “I didn't know you were back,” you added nervously.
“Just returned,” the warlord told her. You noted the stern tone laced through his words. “Come, I want to have a word.”
You looked back at Baby Five, who gave you a reassuring nod. Though that didn’t make you feel any better.
You did as you were told and followed him through the palace toward the library, every step echoing too loudly in your ears. You already knew what this was about. You just hadn’t decided yet how to survive the conversation.
The library doors closed behind you with a heavy thud. The sound settled in your stomach.
“Have I not made myself clear?” he asked, his tone low.
Your hands curled into your sleeves to hide the way they trembled. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Playing dumb, it was.
“Don’t lie to me.” He stepped closer, his presence swallowing the space between you. “Why is Diamante telling me you went into town. Alone. Again.”
Each word was calm, controlled. That somehow made it worse. You watched the faint pulse of a vein near his temple and knew exactly how thin that control was.
Silence stretched as you fought to keep your breathing steady.
“You cannot leave the palace without an escort. You know that.”
“I just wanted to explore,” you said, forcing yourself to look up at him. You even managed a small shrug, like this was nothing.
Like your pulse wasn’t racing.
His expression hardened. Exploring meant questions. Questions led to answers he didn’t want you to find.
He leaned closer, his shadow falling over you. “And you may. But not alone.”
“But Doffy, I can take care of myself.” You pushed a little bravado into your voice. “You’ve seen me fight. I’ve gotten better.”
“This has nothing to do with that.”
Frustration was easier to show than fear. Safer. “Then I don’t understand why Baby Five and Dellinger can go out by themselves, but I can't?”
“BECAUSE I TOLD YOU SO!”
The shout cracked through the room.
You flinched before you could stop yourself.
The reaction betrayed you. His eyes sharpened for a split second, and you hated that he’d seen it. You quickly folded your arms, looking away as if you were just annoyed, not shaken.
He exhaled slowly, fingers pressing against the bridge of his nose as he forced his temper back under control.
When he spoke again, his voice was smooth. Controlled. Dangerous in a quieter way.
“Do you remember what I told you when I first brought you here, Y/N?”
You nodded, keeping your gaze on the bookshelves. “You said you’d keep me safe.”
“And I intend to keep my promise.”
Two fingers slipped under your chin, turning your face back to his. You resisted the urge to pull away. Pulling away would be noticed.
“Over the years,” he continued softly, “you’ve become a cherished member of this family. I’d hate to see anything happen to my Rose.”
A cold shiver slid down your spine.
You used to love that nickname. Once, hearing it meant warmth, safety, belonging.
Now it felt like a reminder of how completely your life was in his hands.
You forced a small smile anyway.
“Now,” he said, eyes hidden behind those tinted glasses, “tell me you won’t leave the palace without permission again.”
Your throat tightened, but your voice came out steady. “I won’t leave without permission. I’m sorry, Doffy.”
The answer pleased him. You could hear it in the relaxed exhale, see it in the returning grin. He released your chin and bent down, pressing a kiss on your hairline.
You stayed perfectly still.
“Good girl.” He tapped your nose lightly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a call to make.”
He reached the door, opening it with ease. Then he paused and looked back at you, his smile gone.
“And Y/N…”
Your stomach dropped.
“Don’t make me have this conversation again.”
The door closed behind him.
Only then did you realize how tightly you’d been holding yourself together, your hands finally shaking once you were alone.
And with that, he was gone. You let out a sigh, cursing Diamante's name. Though luck may have been on your side. Doffy seemed to be under the impression that you had only left the palace once while he was away, which was far from the truth. You’d just have to be more careful next time.
As you made your way to the library door, a book caught your eye just by chance. It made you stop in your tracks and take a few paces back. Once in front of the collection, you reached for the book, pulling it out of the neat and ordered shelf. How had you never noticed until now?
“Tales of Grand Adventures,” you whispered, as memories of Sea Kings, ships, pirates, and treasure are revived in your mind. You ran your hand over the gold colored letters and noticed the ‘Volume II’ before sitting on the padded bench and began to furiously turn the pages of the book. A smile graces your face as you remember the woman who would read you similar stories at bedtime.
----
Trafalgar Law had been on Dressrosa for less than a week and could tell something was off.
These toys gave him the creeps, and everyone seemed far too cheerful for his liking. He had told his crew to stay offshore for the foreseeable future. He couldn't risk the Donquixote family catching wind of him in town.
It had been a long time since he had seen Donquixote Doflamigo in the flesh. Law had thought once upon a time, there was no one greater than Doffy. But he was older now, wiser, stronger. And if he was going to avenge Corazon, he had to be strategic about it. What could he do to hurt the Warlord before finally taking his revenge? He contemplated this as he sat disguised at a cafe, the two old crones chatted relentlessly at the table next to him.
“Oh, it seems like our Rose is at it again,” one said.
Law looked up to see a figure dressed in a gray hood, going into a bookstore.
“The King will be displeased,” Law heard the other say as he sipped on his espresso.
“I heard he hates it when she leaves the palace.”
“I have no idea why. She is so beloved by the kingdom-”
“And no one loves her more than the king.” She then lowered her voice, “You have to think about it, Marta, enemies of the king could be lurking in the shadows as we speak. I couldn't think of a better way to hurt our king than something happening to our Rose.”
They continued their conversations, but for Law, the way to revenge was clear. He would pick the petals off this ‘Rose’ one by one.
And then he would kill her…