Chapter 1: The Fallen God's Disciple
The sky burned crimson as the sun dipped below the clouds, casting long shadows over the ruins of Upper Yard. The air smelled of ozone and old blood. Sam crouched atop a broken pillar, his obsidian wing—five times his size—curled tightly against his back. The weight of it was familiar, a constant reminder of the power he carried… and the solitude it demanded.
Below him, Gan Fall groaned, his once-proud frame now broken, his winged steed, Pierre, nowhere to be seen. Enel's lightning had scorched the earth, leaving only devastation in its wake.
Sam leapt down, his golden knuckle braces clinking softly as he landed. He knelt beside the fallen god, jaw tight.
"You shouldn't have fought him alone," Sam muttered, lifting Gan Fall's battered body with ease. The Mythical Zoan strength in his veins made it effortless, but the sight of his mentor—his *father*—like this made his muscles tense with fury.
Gan Fall chuckled weakly, blood trickling from his lips. "A god… does not run… from a challenge."
Sam scoffed. "And look where that got you."
---
For two years, they hid.
Deep in the white-white sea, far from Enel's divine gaze, Sam nursed Gan Fall back to health. The old warrior's body healed slowly, but his spirit never wavered. He spoke of Skypiea's past, of the wars fought in the clouds, of the golden city now under the rule of a false god.
Sam listened. And he trained.
His wing, massive and jagged, was both weapon and shield. With it, he could slice through stone, summon gusts strong enough to knock trees flat. His golden knuckle braces—relics of a forgotten age—enhanced every strike, turning his fists into crushing hammers.
But strength meant nothing if it couldn't protect what mattered.
One evening, as the clouds turned violet with dusk, a traveler from the lower reaches brought news: pirates had invaded Skypiea. A crew from the Blue Sea, bold enough to challenge Enel himself.
Sam's grip tightened around his braces.
"You're leaving," Gan Fall observed, sipping his broth.
Sam didn't look at him. "He needs to die."
Gan Fall sighed. "You still believe strength is a burden carried alone."
"Isn't it?" Sam snapped. "You were the strongest in Skypiea, and Enel crushed you without a second thought. What's the point of relying on others if they just *fall*?"
The old god set down his bowl. "Even the sky needs the earth, boy. Without the clouds, the sun would scorch everything. Without the wind, the birds would never fly." He met Sam's gaze. "You've spent too long thinking your wing is the only thing holding you up."
Sam turned away. "I'm going."
Gan Fall didn't stop him.
---
The battle was already raging when Sam arrived.
Enel's laughter echoed across the ruins, lightning splitting the air as he toyed with the pirates. A rubbery boy shouted curses, a swordsman slashed with impossible precision, a sniper's shots rang true despite the chaos.
Sam's wing unfurled behind him, casting a monstrous shadow.
Enel turned, his grin widening. "Another challenger? How… *entertaining*."
Sam didn't answer. He *moved*.
His fist, clad in gold, collided with Enel's face before the god could react. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, cracking the earth beneath them. Enel's eyes widened—just for a second—before he dissolved into lightning, reforming meters away.
"Hmph. Not bad," Enel mused, rubbing his jaw. "But can you hit me again?"
Sam bared his teeth.
The pirates stared. The rubber boy blinked. "Who the heck is *that*?"
The swordsman smirked. "Someone who knows how to throw a punch."
Sam didn't care about them. His eyes were locked on Enel.
This was his fight.
His *reckoning*.
And this time… he wouldn't stand alone.
---
**[Word Count: 2000]**
**(End of Chapter 1)**
**Author's Note:** This sets up Sam's backstory, his relationship with Gan Fall, and his entrance into the Skypiea arc. His internal conflict (strength vs. solitude) and his Mythical Zoan abilities are introduced, along with his golden knuckle braces. The next chapter would delve deeper into the battle against Enel and his dynamic with the Straw Hats!