Hello again, and thank you for waiting for this one. Compared to what I've seen, I update quite fast, don't I?
I feel like I'm not doing too good on this. It's not as… graphically told as I wanted it to be.
At long last, the plotline has begun. Sorry for taking to long.
Disclaimer: You already know I don't own One Piece. If I did, the show would've been cancelled after the first episode.
Warnings: Chapter contains swearing, out-of-characterness, some angst and creepy hands.
Fmdevil: Thanks, I hope you enjoy ^ ^
Cy-grl: thanks again, I hope this one's long enough J
Red Voident Dragon: I love you too ;)
No, this story, if I finish it, is definitely going to be a long one. I have at least 5, maybe more chapters left.
No, that last one was totally Robin. Couldn't you tell? O3o In all seriousness though, you switched Usopp and Luffy but got the rest right.
I'm sure you'll be surprised by this 'Mysterious character'…
[[[ONE WAY TICKET TO HELL]]]
As soon as the mysterious... man? - Luffy somehow had a feeling this guy wasn't completely human, but not an animal either, thought it was closer - stepped out of the shadows, everyone automatically backed away from him, making them gather closer to Zoro's bed.
The man, if you could call him that, didn't look all that odd at first inspection.
He was wearing a black suit, lined with gray. His pants were black to match, and so were his finely polished shoes. He had a blood-red tie on, loosely hanging from his neck, but most noticeable was the shiny, black ball hat with the red string on his head.
It was tipped low, so it shadowed the man's eyes while exposing the back of his neck. This man was also holding a cane, not to rest on, but more to complete his look. Like almost everything else on the man, it was black, but had a golden ball at the tip.
All in all, the man looked like someone getting ready for a cabaret on stage. As he stepped from the shadows into the semi-light of the cabin, his eye came to view. The hat still shielded the left eye, but the visible one was normal enough, although he had strongly apparent eyelashes only on his lower eyelid.
To be honest, the man was rather handsome, almost feminine, but an ominous aura surrounded him like a deadly cloud of gas, making him seem more threatening than good-looking, or a mixture of the two.
"Evening, ladies and gents."
The voice had a British accent, though not very strong. It was soft and soothing, almost deadly so. It was a voice that lulled you into security, then lashed out at you when you were asleep. It was inviting and kind, like Nami's voice right before she punched someone in the head.
"Who the hell are you?" Zoro was still seemingly startled, and for a reason.
Like Luffy, he had very good people senses, and his were simply screaming at him that this man was dangerous and hey should all run.
"My, my, my, quite hostile, aren't we, Roronoa Zoro? You've never been one to mind your manners."
"Though I agree with you on that one, I'm going to have to be rude and ask you the same thing. How did you get in here and who are you?" Sanji asked the man. "And why are you talking like you know me? I've never met you before." Zoro piped in, though that wasn't completely true. This man seemed awfully familiar, like a dream you couldn't remember forgetting. It was like Déja Vu; You know you've felt it before, but you can't for the life of you figure out where.
"But I do know you, Roronoa Zoro, better than you care to know." A malicious grin slowly spread on the man's face, making him look even more devious than before.
As fast as a flicker of light, the man wasn't there anymore. Once second he was staring in front of them, the next there was nothing there but thin air.
Confused, everyone looked around, but jumped when they heard the calming voice again, this time from behind them. The man was somehow sitting on Zoro's bed now, but no one had seen him even move a muscle. Zoro immediately jumped out of bed, ignoring Chopper's feeble protests, and backed as far away as he could, using the wall opposite of the mysterious man to support himself.
Nami and Usopp let out a small eek, mimicking Zoro and backing away. Robin, who didn't care to show any fear, was struggling not to yelp and scoot away like a beaten dog herself.
"Just who the hell are you and what do you want?" Sanji spit out. The man's presence was enough to make his hair stand on end.
The man acted as if he hadn't heard him. "Yes, I know you, Roronoa Zoro, and to tell the truth, I'm tired of you. It's like this;" The man stood up and began pacing, glaring at the floor in front of his eyes like it had doen something horrible to him, his former calm manner making way for an upset one. "you're constantly knocking on my door, and every time I go to answer, to finally let you in where you belong, you walk away. Do you have any idea how irritating that is?" He looked at a dumbfounded Zoro, his eyes wide with animalistic fury.
Every Straw Hat was confused, thoughts racing like betting horses in their heads, but one thought was the same in all of their minds. This man is completely insane.
"What do you mean, knocking on doors? Would you care to make things clearer and perhaps explain who you are?" Robin said. It wasn't a request, it was a command. The man's earlier, gentlemanly and laid-back manner returned. "But of course, my love, how could I deny a wish from such a stunning beauty?" Although it was flattery, it sounded more like a threat. Just to be safe, Sanji inched closer to Robin.
Taking a stance, the man bowed his head slightly, swinging his cane in circles. "I am what you all know, some of you better than others. I am your fear; I am your shadow. I'm what's under you beds and inside your closets. I'm what you pray to God for so he can protect you from me." A pause. "And I believe some of you ate my fruits." Looking each of them in the eye after his intriguing speech, he smiled even wider. "But you can call me The Devil for short."
[[[ONE WAY TICKET]]]
Everyone just stared. The Devil? As in, Satan? This man was mentally psychotic. First, he claims Zoro's been knocking on his door, then he presents himself as The Devil. Chopper wondered briefly whether he should treat the poor man.
"I can tell none of you believe me. Frankly, my dears, I don't give a damn. I am the Devil, and I'm here to claim what's mine." All he gained were more stares, so he continued. "See here. You, Roronoa Zoro, have been nearer death than life far too often. You're always saved from the brink of extinction. A few times, you die. You actually die. Now, for an instance, before this young gent pulled you back," he gestured to Luffy, "Your heart had already stopped. You were. Al. Ready. Mine!" The Devil screamed the last one, slamming his cane to the floor between each word. His eyes were bulging from insane anger, making Chopper squeal in terror. Gathering himself, clearing his throat after that moment of losing his head, he took his stance again, regaining his temper. The smile was back in place. " You shouldn't trick the Trickster, children.
And so, I intend to take what belongs to me. You, my dear Roronoa Zoro, are my property. You are mine to do with what I please. And because you have gotten on my nerves so, I doubt it will be anything pleasant."
The Devil took a few intimidating steps towards Zoro, but was blocked by Luffy and Sanji.
Luffy looked him fiercly in the eyes. "I don't know if you're the Devil or not, mister. If you are, thanks for the fruit. But you're not taking any of my friends."
"Nor do any of us have any intention on going with you." Sanji put emphasis on the any so make sure he got the message. All of them were off-limits to him.
The Devil chuckled, much like Robin tended to do. "Be reasonable. Do you think Roronoa Zoro can fight me? In this condition?" He gestured to Zoro. He was right, said man could barely stand straight and was sweating from the effort of keeping his legs from buckling under him.
Chopper hurried to him, eager to help, but was stopped by a chain protruding from the wall. The dark chain appeared to be made from shadows and fire, and weaved itself around Chopper's plump middle.
Next thing he knew he was in the air, as the chain tied him back against the wall. Alarmed cries rose and Sanji aimed a swift kick at the devil, because it was obvious this guy had to be the Devil himself.
The Devil moved so swiftly no one saw clearly what happened, much like when he had disappeared to appear at Zoro's bed. He somehow flung Sanji in the air, sending him crashing against the wall, where a chain like Choppers tied him down.
"Sanji!" Nami went to help him, but the Devil made a chain for her as well. Chains came out of the walls, out of the floor and the ceiling, until all of them were tied down somehow.
All except Zoro.
The Devil cast his eyes down, seeing a blade against his neck. Zoro was on the other end, murderously glaring at him. "Let them go. Stick your chains where they came from."
The Devil shook his head disappointedly, smiling as he did so. "Roronoa Zoro, you never change." Zoro's glare hardened.
"You just won't give up, even when you know you'll lose. Like now; you're too hurt to fight, and you know it. All of us do." As much as Zoro hated to admit it, he was right. His arm was shivering from holding up his sword, and he hadn't even swung it yet. And from what he'd seen, this guy, Devil or not, had some tricks up his sleeve. Nonetheless, he had to try. Better than sit and be helpless.
The Devil sighed. "You won't give up, will you? Very well."
He reached out and grabbed the sword, by the blade. He squeezed it, but no blood flowed from his hands. The sword didn't harm him in the least.
Instead of yanking at the sword, which wouldn't have had effect because of Zoro's tight grip on the hilt, he pushed it instead, making the sword slip downwards, cutting Zoro's arm in the progress. Unprepared and surprised, Zoro lost his hold on his precious sword and it clattered to the ground. "Now," the Devil said, "I´ve grown tired of this game."
His fingers snapped in the air, and from out of nowhere, a black spot appeared under Zoro's feet. It was like the floor was being boiled, it bubbled and moved like the surface of a Jacuzzi. "What the fuck what the fuck what the FUCK?" Zoro tried moving, but his legs sunk, like in a quicksand. He was up to his calves already. Suddenly the surface of the blackness broke, revealing white hands clawing their way upwards. Big hands like the ones of blacksmiths, little hands like children's. Hands that were nothing but bones, hands that still had some soft, rotting white flesh on them.
The hands tugged at Zoro's pants, and his legs, and anywhere they managed to lay a finger at him, dragging him further into the black substance. Vanishing like a flame puffed out, the Devil released his final words. "You don't play with the fire without getting burned, Roronoa Zoro."
And then he was gone, as swiftly as he had appeared.
Zoro was now sunken above his waist in the hole on the floor. Hands were still dragging him further. He tried to reach his sword, but it was out of his grasp.
"Zoro!" Luffy desperately tried to free himself. If he could just get these weird chains to break, he could help him. But these chains were stronger than normal ones, and they burnt him. But what was this?
Luffy wriggled his hands, the rubber making it easier to escape. He finally managed to free them, though they were sore from the shadow-fire chains. "Zoro!"
Luffy stretched his hands towards the swordsman. Zoro was able to grab one, clutching it with all his might. His other had already disappeared into the floor. Only his head and right arm were still above. Luffy focused on not letting his arm stretch far enough to sink into the tar-like blackness. Everyone was freaking out. Sanji was cursing, Nami was screeching, Usopp was yelling, Chopper was shouting, Robin was trying to call advise trough the racket. But Luffy and Zoro stayed silent, both of them doing their best to get out of this mess.
Both of them were sweating from stress and tension. Their palms were damp, clasped together.
Their hands slipped.
For a split second, Luffy looked Zoro in the eyes. For just a second, he saw his first friend's wild expression, eyes wide with fear and mouth trying to shout, his familiar green hair the last thing to go under, a taunting green in the midst of black; Then he was gone.
The hole swallowed Zoro up and closed.
And silence raged once more.
[[[ONE WAY TICKET]]]
As soon as the hole disappeared, simply faded from the floor like it had never been there, the chains holding down the remaining Straw Hats vanished into smoke. Tiny Dr. Chopper was unfortunate enough to tumble to the floor.
Luffy raced to the spot Zoro had disappeared on right away, searching for evidence on how to get him back. There was nothing. The floor was as clean and neat as Chopper always kept it. Not a single black spot or a singe was there. Luffy tried clawing at the surface, but only got a splinter.
Sanji, Nami, Usopp, Chopper and Robin were suddenly by his side.
"What the hell just happened?" Sanji seemed totally lost, staring at the spot in disbelief. Robin ran her hand against the wood, inspecting it with her trained eyes.
Chopper was crying. "T-t-t-there were hands! And then there were chains, and-oh wait, the chains came first, or-or was it-the- I don't know!" he finally wailed, covering his face in his hooves. Usopp patted him awkwardly on the head. "None of us do. I mean, does anyone actually have a clue what just happened?" Usopp looked around. Blank stares and confused faces was all he got. Nami looked like she was at the verge of tears, too.
Robin broke the silence.
"If we give ourselves, for a second, that this really was the Devil himself, and that he really did claim Swordsman-san…" she trailed off, a distant look in her eyes. "Robin-chan?" Sanji encouraged her to go on. Robin blinked unusually slow, letting out a small sigh.
"I suppose he's in Hell right now."
Silence.
Hell? Was that possible? This Devil guy did seem fit for the job, what with the undead hands and fiery chains and whatnot. And, yes, Zoro had been on the brink of death more often than he should have. Maybe the Devil really had just snapped and taken him.
"That can't be it."
Luffy's stone hard tone made everyone blink. Luffy looked … offended.
"Zoro's not a bad person. He wouldn't go to Hell, you know that. He's a good guy."
Luffy was squatting pathetically on the floor, legs folded under him. "Luffy, we know that, but I doubt this… this Devil was planning on taking him to heaven." Sanji said.
"Personally, I didn't even believe in this Heaven-and-Hell stuff." Usopp added in. He laughed half-heartedly, "Isn't it ironic? Zoro, the atheist, gets dragged down to hell."
Chopper sniffled, still clinging to Usopp. "Will we ever see him again?"
Again, nothing but silence. Nami broke the ice. "Chopper, I don't think… I mean, is it even possible to-"
"Of course we will!"
Luffy yelled. He sprung up and stared at Nami.
"Zoro isn't gone! Wherever he is, we're going to find him and bring him back!" He seemed infuriated at her thoughts. Nami was crying now, not bothering to restrain herself.
"Luffy, how the HELL are we going to do that? We don't even know where he is, or how he got there, or if this is even real! I mean, our friend just got kidnapped by SATAN! What do you expect us to do, follow him down? Because I'm not to keen on committing mass suicide!"
She broke down, falling to her knees and sobbing. Sanji kneeled by her, doing his best at comforting her. Seeing Nami cry, Chopper burst into wails again, burying his nose in Usopp's shirt.
"No, I don't." All eyes turned on Luffy. His eyes were shaded by his tilted hat, a bad sign that he was either furious or saddened, and wickedly reminding them of the Devil and his hat.
"I could never ask something like that of you. But…" Luffy's eyebrows were knitted in thought. "I can't let Zoro go either. So… I'll go alone."
Nami and Chopper's heads shot up, "What? Luffy, you can't!"
"Well, what do you expect me to do?" Luffy yelled again, but this time he didn't seem angry, just confused and sad and helpless. "I can't just leave him. Because Zoro wouldn't leave us."
They bowed their heads slightly. It was true; You could say a lot of things about Zoro, but he was loyal to his friends and captain. If he were there and someone else had been dragged trough the floor, he'd probably be scolding them for giving up so easily. Knowing him, he probably would try to go to Hell after whoever was down there.
And knowing him, he'd probably succeed.
Robin started walking towards the door. She was always quiet, but she hadn't thrown one word in since they'd lost Zoro. "Robin? Where are you going?" Nami pied from the floor. Her voice was slightly nasal from crying.
"I believe Captain-san is right. We can't kill ourselves, nor can we let swordsman-san get killed. So I intend on reading up on the subject."
Usopp looked at her skeptically. "Books? Do you really think books have anything like this?" Robin gave a reassuring smile, oddly uncharacteristic.
"You'd be surprised, Longnose-kun."
And with that, she walked out the door, into the fading sunlight.
[[[ONE WAY TICKET]]]
The evening came quietly. Robin had been pouring herself over her books, and hadn't stepped out since she decided to try and look for any hints on how to get their swordsman back.
Sanji had been cooking, baking, mixing cocktails, even talking with Usopp, just to avert his mind from the emptiness of the ship, now that there weren't any snores to fill up the silence.
Usopp had been absent-minded ever since the incident. 'It's my fault' he thought to himself. 'I shot the mast down, it's my fault Zoro almost died. That's why the Devil came. And because of that, he's already dead…'
Nami wondered, though, whether he really was dead.
Granted, he was in Hell, there was probably no denying that. Nami couldn't think of any other place with darkness and clawing hands in it. But was he dead? Wasn't it just your soul that was supposed to go to either heaven or hell? But Zoro's entire body had disappeared. 'Probably just makes things worse', she thought. Being optimistic wasn't really a big option then and there.
Chopper tried his best to act normal, though he spazzed out and stared off into space a lot. Everything was just so confusing. The sea was a mysterious place, he knew that well, but meeting the Devil? It was just too much for him to handle. All his life had been dedicated to the science and logic of medical studies, thoughts like returning from death was new to him.
And Luffy?
He sat on the figurehead of Going Merry, lost in thought.
Luffy was confused. How could the Devil just appear and take who he wanted? Shouldn't there be a law against that?
Luffy was sad. Zoro was gone, and wherever he was, it wasn't a good place. If the Devil could create fiery black chains that burnt, and summon a gate with dead people's hands in it, he could definitely do more. Not to mention how easily he had defeated all of them, and the fact Zoro was already badly off, having just been trough operation.
Luffy was even a bit scared. When Nami left, back when they had just met Sanji on the Baratie, it hadn't been a problem. Nami obviously needed talking to, and Luffy sent Zoro and Usopp after her.
When Nami and Sanji were sick and wounded on Drum island, it had been bearable. After all, Luffy could do his best to carry them to safety, even if it meant nearly freezing his entire self and scratching his fingers to the bone. But this time, they didn't know the enemy, and couldn't find him. Luffy couldn't fight to get Zoro back, because he didn't know where he was. He couldn't attack the one who had taken him, because he wasn't there. Luffy couldn't go after Zoro like when Nami left, because Zoro was somewhere no one could go and return.
Yes, Luffy was scared, but most of all he was ashamed. He had let some suit-and-cane guy take his best friend away from him in front of his very eyes. He had seen Zoro get pulled down, and he wasn't able to help. No captain should let that happen to his crew.
'What must Zoro think of me now?'
Things were empty with one of them gone.
Sanji called for them to get some dinner, a handsome feast no doubt, considering how long he'd been in the kitchen.
Though no one really felt like eating, they all gathered. "Where's Robin-chan? Won't she eat with us?" Sanji asked. "She said not to interrupt her. She's really trying to concentrate." Chopper answered. Sanji gave a small 'oh', before returning to the stove.
"Uh, Sanji-kun? Who's the extra plate for?" Nami awkwardly pointed out the seventh dish. The one that was, almost definitely, meant for Zoro. "Oh, right. I must've… messed up the counting." Sanji said casually, but didn't make any moves to remove the plate. 'It's just not right. All of us should be eating here. Removing the plate will make it seem like one of us is…'
Sanji didn't want to say 'dead', but he didn't get a chance to, either. Just then, Robin walked in, hair slightly unsettled. She had a worn book in her hand, brown and musty and bound with leather. Pages stuck out here and there, yellowed with age. It had a padlock to prevent the book from opening.
She walked over to the table, food long forgotten, and stated just what all of them had been aching to hear.
"I've found it."
[[[ONE WAY TICKET]]]
Hah, bet you didn't see that coming! The Devil himself makes an appearance. All of you, imagine him like a mixture of Alex from Clockwork Orange and the bad guy from Princess and the Frog.
Yes, this is the plotline. The main part of the story is them getting Zoro back from hell, which is why it's called One way ticket to Hell. You get a bonus point if you can guess the song it's named after.
Next chapter: They go to hell and meet someone familiar.
"My, my, my, quite hostile, aren't we, Roronoa Zoro?
He calls him Roronoa Zoro because I like to have variety.
Frankly, my dears, I don't give a damn.
Movie quote for the win!
You, my dear Roronoa Zoro, are my property. You are mine to do with what I please.
Now that I read this, it sounds so wrong…
"What the fuck what the fuck what the FUCK?"
That is exactly what I'd do in a situation like this. Swear my heart out.
Please review and tell me what you think!