Sapphire Scales

Sapphire Scales is a rare and fatal disease which causes sapphire-like stones to grow on the victim's skin.

Description
Sapphire Scales causes the victim's skin to grow sapphire-like stones, which can accelerate from exposure to natural light, whether sunlight or moonlight. Although the growth of the stones can be stalled by avoiding light, these stones will eventually cover the victim's entire body, leading to their death within a few years.

The disease is extremely rare. Due to this, the majority of doctors throughout the world are completely unaware of it, save only a very few. While it is currently unknown how the disease is contracted, it is not contagious, since no-one who had interacted with those who had it did not show any symptoms. However, it appears to be hereditary, considering Bonney developed it after her late mother. The only known cure for the disease is a stem cell transplant created by Dr. Vegapunk.

History
Ginny somehow contracted the disease during her time as a slave in Mary Geoise. Because of this, she was released and returned to Sorbet Kingdom. However, due to prolonged exposure to sunlight during her trip back, she passed away soon after arriving.



Ginny's daughter, Bonney later started developing the symptoms of the disease when she was still very young, thus forcing her to stay indoors since. This made her a target of mockery from other children, who called her a "vampire" for not being able to go out in sunlight. In order to make Bonney feel better about her condition, Bartholomew Kuma would refer to her skin stones as "jewelry" and frequently reassure her that she would eventually be cured.



When Bonney was five years old, a doctor who had knowledge of the disease estimated that she had five years maximum left to live. However, Dragon gave Kuma the location of Vegapunk, whom he believed was capable of curing Bonney. Kuma met Vegapunk on Egghead, and the doctor revealed that the disease could be cured using the experimental stem cell transplant. However, the cost of the procedure was extremely high, so Kuma volunteered to the subject of the clone-soldier program in exchange for payment. After Jaygarcia Saturn stipulated additional conditions for the procedure to take place, Bonney was required to spend half a year at Egghead undergoing surgery.

Six months later, Bonney was allowed back on Sorbet Kingdom for an additional year of rehabilitation, although under the supervision of the World Government.

Trivia

 * Sapphire Scales may take inspiration from a number of different real-life diseases:
 * Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP), a disease that causes photosensitivity and in which sun exposure causes swelling, pain and burning. Like the Sapphire Scales disease, EPP can be inherited, and primarily affects the face, hands, and feet (similar to how Bonney and her mother developed scales on their faces and hands).
 * Ichthyosis, also known as "Fish Scale Disease", which is characterized by dry, thickened and scaly skin.
 * Porphyria, a disease that also has a reputation linked to vampirism.

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