Title: One Moment's Despair

Author: Me (Jace, Shimbo-kun, whichever you prefer)

Summary: Luffy is about to defeat Lucci when despair strikes. Literally. Lucci destroyed Luffy's pride even though he lost his life.

Genre: Angst, Tragedy, Action, Adventure.

Chapter Two: Davy Back Fight Begins! And Ends? You've Convinced Me!

Luffy stood up at this comment. "So you all will leave me alone if I defeat you guys."

"Yeah." Zoro replied short and sweet as always that demonic bastard.

"Fine, I accept. Where are the guns?" Luffy asked the smirking Zoro. "Right here, Luffy," Franky replied.

Luffy walked out onto the deck and had a strange feeling in his gut. Somehow he had the feeling as if he could actually lose to his crew. If that happened he would have to be forced to stay as a captain.

"The fighting grounds are anywhere," Sanji commented. "You ready for this, Sencho – san?"

"Yeah..." but Luffy was cut short as Sanji kicked him right in the gut sending Luffy flying onto the shore. Luffy getting his wits back threw his arms out to catch a nearby tree when he heard somebody screaming "Arms Left!" and bullets struck Luffy. But as Luffy was a rubber man they were about to be sent flying back when Franky yelled, "BURST!"

There was a huge explosion and Luffy fell to the ground swearing at Franky's trickery. But Luffy had no chance to catch his breath as Chopper was about to punch him in the face but Luffy had enough time to jump back, but ended up stepping into some of Usopp's traps. Chopper rammed his head into Luffy's stomach, making him spit blood, when Zoro came out of nowhere and screamed, "San Jyuu Roku Ni Pound Hou!"

Luffy was sent flying as a tremendous force hit him straight on, knocking the air out of him. "Luffy," Zoro started, "We won't allow you to win this battle."

"That's what you say!" Luffy retorted as he sent his fist flying towards Zoro, but he blocked. Luffy then grabbed Zoro's Wado Ichimonji, and pulled himself towards Zoro. Zoro had enough time to narrowly dodge the hit, but he lost his katana because of this.

"Baka!" Sanji screamed as he flew past Zoro, getting ready to strike Luffy. But Luffy had other plans as he yelled, "Gomu Gomu no Fuusen!" and inflated into a balloon rendering Sanji's attack useless. But Nami came out and struck Luffy with the end of her Perfect Clima Tact, sending Luffy flying once again. "When hot air and cold air meet, they make a dangerous explosion of destructive pressure." Nami retorted.

"Damn bitch," Luffy swore as Sanji once again came at him, outraged at him because of Luffy calling Nami a bitch. Sanji attempted a kick in the face but Luffy dodged and kicked him into the sky with a Gomu Gomu no Ono.

Luffy then ran towards the nearby Chopper sending his leg to Chopper shouting, "Gomu Gomu no STOMP!" But Chopper dodged this and grabbed Luffy's leg throwing him towards Zoro who was ready to kick ass. Luffy was headed straight for Zoro who was eagerly awaiting Luffy. But Luffy stopped himself by catching onto some trees from which he used to send his legs towards Zoro to strike him. Which they did breaking, Zoro's block and sending him flying.

Luffy now charged at Chopper and yelled, "Gomu Gomu no Gatling Gun!" But in that instant Chopper transformed back into small reindeer form and rammed his antlers into Luffy's stomach. Luffy spit out blood again, but took the impact and the yelled, "GOMU GOMU no BAZOOKA!" as he threw his arms back as far as they could stretch the sending them back towards Chopper hitting him square on, sending Chopper flying backwards.

Usopp took out Kabuto and sent his "Hissatsu Fire Bird" towards Luffy who jumped out of the way in time. Luffy was in back of Usopp in less than a second and attacked Usopp, but found that he just hitting thin air. "That was a mirage Luffy," Nami roared at Luffy. "Usopp and I are the perfect team to kick your ass."

At this a bunch of Usopp and Nami came out of nowhere, surrounding Luffy. "Gimme a break," Luffy roared as he flung his leg clockwise hitting all the mirages, but missed one thing, that they weren't exactly normal mirages. They helding fire and burned Luffy's leg.

"What's wrong with you people?! Don't you see that if I stay with you, most likely I will end up killing all of you?" Luffy roared.

"We will keep you as our captain, because that is your rightful position. We will have no other person take that title. If you want to leave your crew, you must prove yourself worthy enough of being able to live." Zoro retorted. "Don't forget that you're a wanted man. You have been protected from the government because we are always moving, and together we always escape. But what could you do alone, on some island. Your bounty is now 300,000,000 Bellie, and many people will seek your head."

Luffy stood their, his face covering his eyes, where at one point in time, his hat was. Luffy began to walk towards Zoro, then lifted his head, "I give up, Zoro, I give up." Luffy said in a small, un Luffy-like voice. "You convinced me,"

At this everybody seemed to relax but Luffy started again, "You have convinced me, that even if I run away from you, there is no way I could live on without missing you guys and...her... So instead of being caught by the government or by missing the ol' times, I'll end my pitiful sorrow, by taking my own life."

At this Luffy raised his hand, where he held Zoro's Wado Ichimonji, and slit his throat, to the horror of the other Straw Hats. There lay a dying Luffy, with crimson tears leaking from his neck.

You've convinced me...

A/N: Note I did not kill Luffy off, what kind of story would it be if I killed Luffy off, now. Well, I'm not the greatest writer when it comes to action but I felt it was proficient. And note, the next chapter is half flashback, half current timeline.