Prompt: "Spoilers for 574: The rest of the cast wasn't actually expecting anyone to die in the war, since Oda has gone out of his way to make sure no one died, but now that Ace is dead, full blown panic breaks loose. Like, world ending paranoia, as everyone assumes Oda's going to go on a killing spree from now on. Basically I want everyone freaking out, even going as far as bargaining with Oda for their lives or offering up someone else or explaining why it would be stupid to kill them off."
(written 12 February 2010)
To say that everyone was running around like chickens with their heads cut off was not only accurate, but the simile reflected their collective fear.
Robin frantically paged through her books; nobody had expected that along with history texts, she also had copies of all the One Piece volumes. "As I thought," she said in a shaken voice. "Never before, outside of flashbacks. It is confirmed. Mangaka-san has begun a killing spree."
"I don't wanna die!" Usopp screamed, tears running down his face. "No! I have can't-be-killed-off-or-I'll-die disease!" He ran over to her side. "Is there anything we can do?"
She threw the book aside; if they survived, she could pick it up later. "Well...."
"Kill him instead!" Sanji begged, and pushed Zoro forward. "I'm too handsome to die!"
Zoro shoved him back. "In your dreams, dartboard! I have more fangirls than you! They'll protect me!"
"No they won't," Ace said.
They both turned to him. "You're dead!" they shouted in unison.
"Oh," he said, and dropped lifeless.
The fight continued.
Luffy took advantage of Sanji's distraction to raid the kitchen.
"What are you doing!?" Nami shrieked. "We're all going to die, and you just sit there eating?!"
He swallowed the meat. "Might as while eat while I can," he said, and reached for the steak.
She stared, blinked, then grabbed the steak before he could shove it in his mouth. "Mine!"
"O great Oda-sama, who begat all life...." Robin chanted.
Usopp looked at her, but followed her lead and bowed to the impromptu altar. "O great Oda-sama, who begat all life...."
"We humbly beseech Thee to spare our lives...."
"We humbly beseech Thee to spare our lives...."
"Can I join in?" Chopper asked.
"Please do, doctor-san," Robin said; "the more voices begging His leniency, the greater chance of His mercy. Grab a cabbage, and repeat after me."
