Disclaimer: I do not own OP. Just a fan that can't get enough!
A/N: Wow I couldn't believe that within a couple of hours of posting I already had some feedback to Chapter 11 and new people adding me as a favourite and following my story! Thank you. Honestly you guys you don't know how much it means to know my writing skills aren't a waste of time.
Redery – Oops, looks like I made a huge error in Chapter 8…I missed out a bit where Brook also gets sucked in…we will just ignore that mistake for now I will get round to amending it one day.
Inmarch – the time you have been waiting for has arrived!
Snap Shots
Chapter 12
"No you don't!" the voice of the blonde cook shouted through the darkness as a red fiery foot landed in the side of the man with the red eyes, taking him off guard. The man went flying down the tunnel colliding into the wall and creating a new hole connected to a nearby passage.
Sanji was furious. He didn't know who this man was or what he was capable of but he didn't care. He would break every bone in the man's body if given half the chance for putting them all through such an ordeal and endangering Nami.
At the same time as the cook's entrance the wall next to them crumpled as two more familiar figures came charging through. Zoro and Luffy stood with faces like thunder. Usopp could immediately tell that the pair struggled to find their way. Trust them to get lost in a straight line.
"You are like cockroaches. One goes down and you swarm around them" the man spat, wiping blood from his mouth. He stood in the new found hole and knocked dirt from his clothing. Sanji could not help but feel that the man before him resembled something from the living dead, like a mummified corpse. The white garment was now slightly shredded. He was covered in filth and his eyes were bright red.
Luffy stretched out a hand and grabbed hold of Sanji, pulling him out of the way as the man's gaze landed on the blonde, scanning him curiously. Luffy was already familiar with that gaze and knew that within an instant his friend would most likely be up in the air. He looked down at Usopp and saw the state of his friend battered and bruised. Anger began to fill his mind.
Zoro stood in front of their opponent and placed his white sword into his mouth, his bandana already on his head. He took a quick glance over at Usopp and immediately regretted being taken off guard by this man.
Usopp sat with wide teary eyes as he filled with relief. He looked up at the swordsman "what took you so long?" he asked, although he already suspected the answer.
"Stay back Usopp" Luffy announced, standing in the way between their opponent and his friend. "This one is ours" Luffy said, knowing full well he was not able to defeat this man on his own and was hinting out in the open that he needed his friends help. Zoro and Sanji were more than willing to give it.
Between the three friends they were able to use their abilities to keep the man on his guard and distracted. He was not able to have time to focus hard enough to catch any one of them in his invisible holds although was more than able to blast them back and aim anything within the vicinity at them.
Sanji sent a flying kick towards the man but was thrown backwards before his body could make contact. It soon became evident that their opponent was focussing a lot of his attention on the cook. Sanji hit a large rock before landing on the ground forcing him to cough and spit out a small amount of blood and saliva. Their opponent lifted up several rocks in the air and threw them towards the straw hats.
Luffy smashed some with his fists and Zoro cut the rest down, he turned to look at the cook with a smirk on his face. Sanji gritted his teeth. Usopp suspected it was one of those silent expressions which they tended to have. Like an agreement to a competition of some kind.
"Gum Gum Gatling Gun" Luffy shouted sending multiple fists in the direction of the man before them. The man was fast and swift managing to avoid many of the blows by using whatever was in his way as a shield, including Luffy's friends. This forced Luffy to pull back on his punches and re-think his attack. This man was no ordinary devil fruit user.
Zoro ran at the man whilst he was distracted and pushed back. He cut down anything that came flying his way and managed to get a sword to make contact with his opponent's cheek before being blown back by an invisible force. Dropping his swords Zoro struggled against the strangling hold.
"Zoro!" Luffy shouted, he turned to the red eyed man and bit his thumb, creating a large fist and aiming it in his direction.
Sanji made an attempt to run at their enemy again. Whilst trying to avoid the blonde man the man with red eyes was forced to release the swordsman and take an attack from their captain as he threw Sanji aside.
Sanji wondered over and over why he could not get a hit on this guy. The man was adamant to focus on him. It then dawned on Sanji that he was still carrying the small object from Franky. It was only a small item but it was enough for the man to sense it and not want to be touched by it. Taking a few steps backwards and allowing Luffy and Zoro to continue their onslaught Sanji took the opportunity to turn to Usopp.
Usopp looked up at the sound of Sanji's voice, his vision a little blurred from his injuries. "This is from Franky" Sanji said, sneaking the item into Usopps hands. Usopp looked down at it and his gaze lit up. "Do you think you can use it?" Sanji asked. Usopp looked up at his friend and gave a brief nod. Sanji smiled, but his smile soon turned to shock as he was picked up in the air and thrown against the ground several times.
The gaze of the red eyed man changed focus. He studied Sanji briefly and then turned his attention towards Usopp. Usopp felt a hand pull him back out of danger. Zoro stood in front of him having just saved him from another attack. He gripped onto his swords and turned the blades so they faced outwards. Creating a stance where two blades pointed down to the ground and the third appeared to cross them, he ran at the man before them.
Their opponent threw Sanji in front of himself to act as a shield. Zoro spun in his tracks and used Sanji as a stepping stone. Sanji was able to give him a hoist with his leg, providing more force. Zoro broke through his defences and made several consecutive attacks. Due to the speed of the onslaught the man was unable to completely push Zoro back or get a strong hold of him. He pulled out a small knife from under his clothing and used it to block some of the attacks. From an outside perspective their attacks were fast and sent shards of sparks flying as metal hit metal repeatedly. Their enemy used his devil fruit powers to force Zoro back bit by bit and tried to control parts of his body. Zoro managed to use his strength to push through on occasion but eventually became over whelmed. However, whilst focussed on the swordsman the man was forced to release Sanji enabling him and Luffy to get an attack in from the side.
Usopp took the opportunity to move to a safer space and out of sight. He tried to search for his weapon on the ground but it was broken into pieces and rendered useless. He sat there motionless for a few moments as his mind went numb and he no longer knew what to do. He stared at the pieces in his hands and lifted them to his head, eyes closing and fighting back the tears that threatened him. Sanji had given him something which could turn this battle in their favour and protect his friends, but without his weapon it was useless.
Whilst lost in thought a flash of blue appeared in Usopps mind, followed by the smiling face of a red headed female…That's it! Usopp thought, a light bulb appearing above his head. Frantically he started to search the ground once more with his hands and stopped when he met something metal. Sweeping earth away he pulled at the pole and studied it. It was Nami's weapon alright. The weapon he had designed but only she could successfully use. Usopp recalled the many conversations he had with Nami on how the weapon worked and her details of what she had done to make it work so well. He remembered a specific conversation with her once about the number of rotations each piece needed to create a cloud. Something like this could be the perfect distraction. Praying he remembered Nami's instructions correctly he took the pieces apart and spun two of them around an equal number of times, pleading with the gods he hoped his plan would work.
Improvising on the spot Usopp then grabbed his bag and emptied it onto the ground, trying his best to ignore the commotion behind him and staying out of the way. He put the climatact pieces into a 'Y' shape. Picking out some rubber bands he tied them across the top of the 'Y'. He looked at his makeshift weapon and the small sea stone shard in his hand. He knew he only had one chance, one shot, he couldn't afford to fail and he couldn't risk hitting Luffy either. He looked down at what little of the remaining ammunition he had left and picked a couple up.
Usopp looked up from his spot just as each of his friends were hit with a powerful force at the same time, like a blast of air. The man rubbed at his face from where he had received an injury and wiped blood away with his hand. He looked in Usopps direction, his red gaze fixed and hardened. The man tried to take a few steps closer to Usopp and lifted a wavering hand in his direction. His slow movements indicated he was weakening due to using too much of his powers. Usopp knew he had to believe in himself.
Sanji looked at the sharp shooter as he hung upside down. He could see his friend was trembling from head to toe but he was their only hope at this point in time. "Usopp NOW!" Sanji shouted. The red eyed man looked at the blonde and then over at the sharp shooter again. Usopp felt his body rise from the ground slowly. He swallowed a lump in his throat and through a combination of panic and skilled acting he pointed above the man and said "ahhh, what's that?!" The man's eyes narrowed.
"You think I would fall for such lies and trickery?" he snapped.
Luffy, Zoro and Sanji followed where Usopp was aiming, each of them could not help but grin in turn and stopped fighting the invisible force around them. Usopp aimed his weapon at the man who tried to force him back, making him hit the wall. The pepper shot misfired and hit the ground by the man's foot. It may not have been a direct shot but it was enough to cause the man to step back and rub his face as it became irritated. Stumbling slightly he caught a glimpse of something above his head.
The cloud was big, bigger than Usopp had planned. Taking his opportunity he looked over at Luffy and the others who nodded their agreement and flicked the weapon slightly.
"What is it Nami always says?" Sanji asked.
"The forecast for today's weather is…lightning" they all announced together.
The area was lit by a blinding light. The force of the attack lacked a little power, but was enough to force their enemy to fear the attack and draw the straw hats closer to him to act as a shield. Considering their captain was a rubber man this was a stupid move indeed, as Luffy managed to wrap himself around the man, enabling the other two to make an attack of their own. The sound of metal swords could be heard as Zoro aimed for the man's head.
"Rubber band of doom!" a voice announced from behind them.
Their opponent landed on one knee and managed to block an attack from the cook.
"You tricked me?!" he spat, watching the men with grins on their faces. His body became weaker and he was suddenly unable to move. He struggled to clear his vision. Landing on his second knee his body slowly became unresponsive.
"You are probably wondering why you can't use your power" Sanji said with a mocking smile. The man glared at him.
"That will be sea stone" Usopp pitched in. The sharp red eyes slowly turned to the long nosed man who approached them tapping a small catapult on his shoulder.
"Usopp is the best sharp shooter in the world!" Luffy announced proudly, resulting in a grin from his friend. Luffy then turned to the man before him "and I only have the best on my crew" he stated.
As his senses cleared it suddenly dawned on the mysterious man that he was injured. There was blood trickling down his arm and he couldn't move it. Looking down he realised there was a hole in his left shoulder. A bullet wound.
Usopp could feel his body going from under him and felt a strong arm catch him as he fell. He saw the colour of blonde and heard the voice of his friend reassuring him.
Luffy ran over and offered a hand to help him stand.
With the straw hats attention being drawn over to their friend momentarily their opponent took his blade and tried to stab his own arm to dig the sea stone out.
A sword suddenly cut at his arm and he cried out in pain. The green haired man stood over him with eyes as dark as the depths of hell and his blade pointed to the man's throat. "Nice try" Zoro pushed the blade further into the mans neck and drawing a little blood.
"What should we do with him?" Usopp asked as Luffy helped him limp over towards the swordsman.
"We could always take him back to the Sunny and torture him" Sanji said, pulling a cigarette from his pocket and trying to light it.
Usopp shuddered, "I'd rather not have that creep on the same ship as us" he said honestly.
"I'd prefer to drop him into the pit of this volcano and watch him burn" Zoro spat.
Luffy stood watching the man for a moment and then looked at Zoro. Zoro's expression was dangerous and his words full of hate. It was not a good thing. Luffy knew too well what that expression could lead to. Approaching his friend he placed a hand on his shoulder and drew him away from his hate.
"Leave him here" Luffy ordered.
Sanji and Usopp looked from their captain and to Zoro and back. The tension in the atmosphere slowly began to diminish as the two men stared at each other. Zoro hesitated but finally stood back and placed his swords in their sheaths. He turned around slowly and walked away. Sanji soon followed behind, shouting at the moss head to slow down and not to get lost.
The ground shook again. The man smiled, "you think this is over?" he said. Luffy turned away with Usopp in tow and ignored the man's calls. "This volcano's seal has been broken, it is ready to burst and you will all go to hell with me!" he shouted manically. The straw hats continued to walk away. Luffy pulled his hat over his eyes.
"You will never find the treasure! It will be gone forever!" the man finished, coughing as he did so. The earth shook once more and rocks fell from above, closing the path they came from.
…
"Robin are you alright?" Franky called back as the mountain shook again and more rock fell loosely around them. Robin had stopped in her tracks and started to walk towards a small tunnel to the right of them.
"Robin?" Chopper looked up and saw his friend staring of into space. The ground shook again.
"We should keep moving" Brook announced, trying to get his younger friends to hurry up.
Robin knew that they were near their exit and that this place was beginning to collapse. In fact if it was not for the constant eruptions she wouldn't have found the treasure before her. She knew her friend's life was in danger and she wanted to help her, yet at the same time if this place collapsed she may not have another opportunity. She gritted her teeth and bit her bottom lip, sweat appearing on her brow as she fought with her inner demons. Turning to Franky she shouted; "Go on without me. I will be right behind you!" and then disappeared into the tunnel.
"ROBIN!" Franky called out, running in her direction as a large rock landed in front of him. "Shit!" he exclaimed. Franky turned and looked from Brook to Chopper. Chopper nodded in understanding and transformed into his larger self.
"Give me Nami" Chopper announced.
"Will you be okay doctor-san?" Brook asked. Chopper nodded.
"It is cooler here and the exit isn't far" the little doctor explained. He then turned to Franky and said "we will see you at the Sunny" and with that spun around and ran ahead, with Brook following behind.
Franky turned and faced the fallen rubble in front of him. Aiming an open hand he fired a shot into the rocks and burst through, following where Robin had been.
…
Robin stood facing a large grey stone cube with foreign writing on it. She knew it was one of the ancient polyglyphs. She touched the cold rock with her hand and scanned its surface. The earth trembled again. She knew she had very little time and would need to decipher this quickly.
"There you are!" the voice of the cyborg interrupted her thoughts. Robin spun around and faced the relieved expression of the robotic man.
"What are you doing here? You should escape while you can!" Robin shouted with worry in her voice.
"What and leave you behind? Forget it!" Franky snapped back, his attention then drew to the object behind her. "Is that what I think it is?" he asked gasping.
"Yes it is" Robin turned and looked back at the rock.
"It's huge!" Franky pointed out the obvious. He then looked at Robin, back at the rock and then at Robin again, "No way, we haven't got enough time!" he argued.
A bead of sweat dropped from Robin's head in frustration as she bit her lip, "I know, but I can't leave it" she said, torn between her hearts desire, life's ambition and her very own life.
"Well I guess it is a good job I still have this then" Franky said, pulling out the little camera from somewhere on his person.
Robin turned and looked at him then at the object. He grinned and handed it to her. She smiled at him then nodded in understanding.
"Can you give me some light?" she asked him kindly.
"No problem" Franky responded, turning his nipple lights on and illuminating the black object before them.
Robin made quick work of her photography skills and could only hope that they would come out in the end okay.
The earth shook again and forced the pair to stumble. Robin managed to hold onto the camera and Franky caught her in his arms as the ground beneath them cracked open.
"Damn…" Franky said as the huge rock before them started to tilt. "Hold on tightly" he commanded Robin as he ran in the direction they had come, using rockets to shoot rocks and his body as a shield for the woman in his arms. Robin did as she was told and held onto the man of steel, taking a final look behind them as the huge historical artefact sank into a mass of molten lava. At least it will never get into the wrong hands she thought, although a tear came to her eye at the realisation that her mothers life work and her people's research into this ancient history would now forever have a piece missing. As the rock fell she could not help but think that if not for Franky, she would have been sinking as well.
…
"Any sign of them?" The little doctor asked as he came out of the surgery and approached the musician who had been sitting keeping watch from the deck. Brook shook his head then turned to look down at the little reindeer. Chopper was exhausted and covered in dirt and dried blood.
"How is Nami-san?" Brook asked.
Chopper did not look at the man when he responded, "she is stable. I have done everything I can for now" pausing and giving a little sigh before continuing he said, "her rehabilitation will take a while."
Brook nodded in understanding. Nami, despite her best attempts to get the other men to do her dirty work for her, was not one to sit down. In fact her role as a navigator was important. If you looked at the ship being the body of a person and the crew as its internal organs, then Luffy was most likely the heart and Nami was definitely the brain. While she was incapacitated they were blind and yet looking at the island before them and the spewing lava, they knew this was no place to stay.
The ship rocked from side to side as waves hit it from the reverberation of the natural disaster taking place in front of them. All the pair could do was watch and wait.
…
The straw hats ran as fast as they could, using what strength they had left to knock obstacles out of their way. Sanji managed to lead the way, occasionally dragging a stupid swordsman by the scruff of the neck to keep him on the right path. Luffy carried Usopp on his back. The four men went on in silent determination. There was no way they would be buried or burnt in this hell hole.
…
Brook stood up suddenly and raised a bony hand to his forehead as he screwed up his eye sockets to see more clearly. His sudden actions drew the attention of the little doctor.
Chopper turned a weary head to face the direction Brook was looking and his eyes lit up as Franky and Robin came storming out, with a river of hot red lava behind them. Franky's face was full of panic and he screamed out, though still held Robin tightly in his arms. Lifting the raven head high above his head he dove straight into the sea water before them to put out the flames that had started burning his rear end.
At that same instant the Volcano spewed a large dust cloud into the air and molten rocks started flying everywhere, narrowly missing the ship. Come on Luffy, where are you?! Chopper thought, worried sick about the rest of his friends.
"Chopper-san" Brook spoke up, moving his hand from his head, "I think we should move" he said stepping to one side and pulling the little reindeer with him before he could blink.
"GUM GUM HUMAN CATAPULT!" Luffy's voice reverberated in the air.
"LUFFY NO WAY!" the protest of his friends called out.
Chopper's expression was wide eyed though he soon sheltered himself from flying shrapnel as his friends landed aboard the Sunny.
Chopper looked at his friends with relief on his face and went to run up to them. He pointed out to the sea and shouted to Luffy, "Franky and Robin are still over there!" Luffy looked down at his friend and placed a hand on Chopper's hat. Reaching out an arm Luffy picked up the pair and pulled them in.
After a more gentle landing than the others, Robin managed to get herself free of the cyborg's tight embrace and allowed Sanji to help her down.
"Um Chopper, I think you should look at long nose-kun" Robin pointed out having taken one look at her friend who had collapsed in pain. Chopper turned and panicked momentarily before seeking Robin's help to take Usopp to the medical room.
…
While Chopper and Robin tended to the needs of their injured friends Brook and Franky led the crew away from the dangers of the island. Although they were not navigators and knew they could not risk the dangers of the open sea, they were able to direct them back towards one of the uninhabited islands near by which they had their little party a couple of nights before.
Zoro put the anchor down as they reached the shore line while Sanji cooked, Franky made some repairs and the others rested. Walking over to a quiet spot on the ship Zoro sat down on the deck and placed his swords beside him. Reaching down he pulled out the little camera from his pocket. Franky had given it to him after changing the film.
Zoro looked at the little box in his hands. It was his turn with the device. A few nights ago he had been in a similar position and didn't know what he wanted to take a picture of. He rummaged in his haramaki and found a screwed up and torn photo of Nami smiling at the camera. He honestly didn't see the point in having photos. He would give anything for the real thing instead.
Looking up he noticed the sky was a bright red and gold colour. The sunset was quite beautiful. Before he knew it he was standing before the sky and taking a lasting picture.
"I didn't take you for the romantic type" the raven head's voice spoke softly behind him. Zoro lowered the camera. He did not turn to look her way.
"I figured she'd like it" he said almost to himself, although the archaeologist had sharp ears. She smiled softly as she approached the railing and stood next to him. Looking at the sky and then to the man beside her and back again Robin spoke up, "Nami and Usopp are both sleeping now but you can go see them".
Zoro shot a sideways look at the woman. Chopper had told them all under no circumstances were they to disturb Nami or Usopp. Off course Luffy had practically ignored this command but after seeing the state Nami was in he soon respected it.
Robin turned and went to walk away "Chopper has been working himself tired. He could do with a rest. Someone needs to watch over them" she said, pausing in her steps she added, "and I fear my eyelids are too heavy tonight" before feigning a yawn and heading over towards Usopp's red room.
Zoro stood watching the woman saunter off then turned to look in the direction of the medical room. Taking one last glance at the sunset he pocketed the camera and picked up his swords.
…
Chopper yawned again and felt him self nodding off. He jerked awake when a knock came at the door and Zoro walked in.
"How are they?" Zoro asked, glancing over at Usopp who was snoring away and then at Nami who silently slept. Nami's skin was clean and the bruising had started to change colour. Her head, arm, leg and waist were bandaged but she seemed to be sleeping peacefully.
Chopper yawned again then said "I have just redressed their bandages."
A shout from the cook came to inform the crew that their dinner was ready. Chopper's stomach growled. He fought back the feeling and forced himself awake. Zoro stood and looked at him. He reminded him of Luffy during the time he heard of a new island when Nami was sick. Luffy had wanted to be by his friend but also wanted to see the island and was torn between the two. Sighing Zoro repeated to Chopper what he said to Luffy back then "Just go, they are fine here. I've got it covered".
Chopper looked up at Zoro and said "are you sure?"
Zoro nodded, "besides Nami and Usopp need you fit in order to look after them. No point wearing your self out" he answered reassuringly. Chopper nodded, jumped off his stool and ran out of the room thanking Zoro in the process.
Zoro placed his swords on the ground, leaning them against the table in the centre of the room. He sat on the stool and crossed one leg over the other then looked from Usopp and over to Nami. He stared at her for a long time, watching her breathe and reassuring him self she was okay. He had to admit that Chopper was amazing. Nami already looked ten times better than she had been.
Seeing her wince slightly in her sleep Zoro instinctively reached out a hand to touch her forehead and check her temperature. Last time she was sick she was burning hot to touch, this time was different. He knew that but he did it anyway. He looked at her face and couldn't help but remind him self how sweet she looked when asleep. Then off course she would wake up and reality tended to hit him hard in the face. He smiled at a memory of her over enthusiastic personality and brushed a strand of hair from her face. Nami was definitely like no woman he had met before. He heard Usopp stirring behind him and automatically removed his hand from her. Nami stirred a little at the sudden loss of contact.
Usopp turned over on his side and a pain in his body jolted him awake. He had opened his eyes just as he saw Zoro sitting on a chair in front of him, his back turned and leaning over Nami. Usopp couldn't help but blush at the sight and held in his breathe as Zoro moved away. He closed his eyes shut tightly as the swordsman turned to look over at him. Seeing such a gentle action from this powerful man was not a complete surprise but confirmed something that Usopp had been suspecting for a while.
Zoro leaned back in his chair, looked over at Usopp again and then back at Nami. He crossed his arms and reluctantly did all he could do at that point in time. Watch and wait.
…
A/N: FINALLY! The action is over, the bad guy is beat and the pair are together again! There will definitely be more ZoNa in the next chapter! PROMISE! Please let me know what you think!
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