Mostly Dead
AN: I own nothing in this story. Please R&R.
After enjoying the taste of each other's lips multiple times, Usopp finally stood up.
"We had better leave." He gently helped Nami to her feet.
"Where will we go?"
"My ship is waiting for us off the coast, so it seems we'll have to cut through this forest."
"So what exactly happened while you were out at sea?" Nami asked.
"The crew of the merchant ship I was with were all killed and I was dragged before the Dread Pirate Sogeking. He asked me to give him a reason to spare my life."
"What was your reason?"
"True love, I said. And so he spared my life and after working with him for some time, he took me into his confidence. He revealed to me that there have been multiple Dread Pirate Sogeking's and that he was the 5th to wear the mask. He was about ready to retire and gave me everything I would need to carry out the role. But I think my days of pretend pirating are over."
Prince Sanji squatted down and scanned the footprints in the sand. His blond hair blew in the wind and he turned towards his advisor, who was sitting on a horse. As soon as he had heard that his beloved Nami had been kidnapped, the Prince rode out to find her and had tracked the bandit's path to the Cliff's of Insanity.
"There was a great battle here. The victor ran off but left the loser alive. Most curious, don't you agree Mihawk?" The rider's hawk like eyes flashed and he grinned.
"Oh yes sire. Where do you suppose the winner is now?" His right hand clenched, the six digits holding the reins tightly.
"Since I am never wrong, the winner went east. If she is harmed when I find her, death will be the least of the winner's problems." Giving a signal to his men to follow, Sanji rode off to the east as fast as he could.
Usopp cleared another branch away and he led Nami carefully through the forest.
"Usopp, isn't this the forest with the ROUS's?"
"The Rodent's of Unusual Size? I don't think they exist." Just as he was finished talking a rat the size of a grizzly bear pounced on Usopp. Its teeth were very sharp and they nearly ripped open his jugular. Reaching a hand towards his sword, Usopp was about to reach it when the creature lashed out with its tail. Dizzied by the blow, Usopp was about to be bitten when Nami struck out with a branch she had found. Now it was the giant rat's turn to be dizzy. Before it could recover Usopp sliced its head off with his blade.
"Thanks love. Remind me never to say ROUS's don't exist." Nami helped him to his feet and they were about to continue forward when the sound of hoof beats reached their ears. Pretty soon the two young lovers were surrounded by horsemen with crossbows notched and ready to fire. Some of the circle of men broke apart and Prince Sanji rode up. He signaled the men to lower their weapons.
"My dearest Nami, I've found you. Don't worry I'll take you back to the castle and we'll be married shortly."
"I won't go with you!" Sanji's eyes went wide but then he noticed Usopp.
"Has this rogue bewitched you? Yes that must be it! His death will free you from his spell." Nami looked at Usopp and touched his cheek. Usopp nodded and Nami approached Sanji.
"Spare his life and I'll marry you."
"Very well, but I want this man arrested. Mihawk, be sure he receives your excellent treatment." Sanji then helped Nami up to his saddle and then they rode away. Mihawk approached Usopp and knocked him out with a blow to the head.
Opening his eyes, Usopp saw nothing but darkness.
"Where am I?" He cried out.
"You're in my private studio. I love to test my ingenuity here and you're a fine subject." Mihawk's cold voice rang out. "This particular machine you're in causes the most exquisite pain. Most die at its lowest setting but for you I'll push it to its limit." Pulling the lever beside him all the way down, he watched with glee as the machine started whirring. Sparks flew and Usopp felt the most excruciating pain he had ever felt. It felt as if millions of needles were being driven into every inch of his body. Leaving the room, Mihawk took a glance back at his newest victim. "Enjoy your stay."
Outside the bar in the capital city a heavily muscled bouncer threw a man out into the street, followed two seconds later by his enormous companion. The larger of the two men helped the other to his feet.
"Zoro what are we doing here?" Franky asked.
"We're going to find the man in black and he's going to help us get into the castle. The man with six fingers is in there, I can feel it." Screams rang out into the night. Franky went towards the sound of the screams, helping Zoro along until the Spanish swordsman had regained a little of his sobriety. The source of the screams was coming from a heavily padlocked door beside the castle. Zoro looked at Franky and the giant nodded. With one great heave the door was shoved in and the two friends went into the room. Zoro spotted Usopp lashed to the machine and Franky quickly broke it. The two friends helped Usopp up and left the torture chamber.
"Where are we going now?" Franky asked Zoro.
"I know a doctor. I think he'll be able to help." About half an hour later the two men were at the outskirts of the capital and in front of a rundown shack.
"Some place this doctors got." Franky remarked. At that the door opened and a little reindeer poked its head out.
"What the hell do you want at this time of night?" Franky scratched his head.
"Are you a doctor?"
"Oh so just because I look like an animal means I'm not a doctor? Listen ugly when you mess up an experiment and look like a kid's stuffed animal you can come judge me but until then shut your pie hole!" A woman started yelling in the back of the house.
"Who is it Chopper?"
"It's a patient, so hurry up and prepare the bed!" Zoro and Franky went in, carrying Usopp with them. Gently lowering the long nosed young man onto the bed, Chopper then took out a stethoscope and examined him. "Well he's very lucky. He's only mostly dead."
"Mostly dead?" Franky asked.
"Yeah and unfortunately for you two the medicine to cure his condition is very expensive! What was this guy injured for anyway?"
"True love." Zoro answered. Just then another person entered the room. She was dressed in a white nurse's outfit and her blue eyes sparkled at Zoro's words.
"Oh true love! Isn't that romantic Chopper?"
"Be quiet witch!"
"I'm not a witch I'm your wife!" She then turned towards Zoro. "I'm Robin and don't mind Chopper. He's just a stingy old coot. We'll help this young man but what do you plan to do?"
"Storm the castle and rescue the girl." At that Chopper's ears pricked up.
"You mean you'll make that brat Sanji suffer? Okay new deal. I'll give you the medicine for free just make sure Sanji is really hurt, okay?" Zoro and Franky nodded. Chopper then went to a small table in the back of the room and took a tiny pill out. Prying open Usopp's mouth he shoved the pill in and gave some water for Usopp to drink. Once the pill was down his throat Usopp's eyes opened. Zoro and Franky then lifted him from the bed and towards the door.
"Thanks for your help Dr. Chopper." Robin and Chopper waved after them.
"No problem. Good luck storming the castle!"
