Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece; that belongs to Eiichiro Oda.

A/N: Merry Christmas everybody! (In about three days for me but still) Well I'm officially on Holidays but that also means I get no internet most of the time. Reason why this is late. Also Thank you all for all of those reviews! You made me so happy and I wish I could have posted this sooner!

WARNING: Very short, and Gruesome mentions in the last part.

Big thanks to UmberAurumDragon for being my beta reader, to toolazytologin, , kumico01, Sage McGavin, PirateDragons121, reydrago, SwordOfTheGods, BillCiTheDemonGuy, Boop-Ba-Doop, sweetsnakes, Mel72000, Bluejay Blaze, UmbraAurumDragon, and Bubble MaKeRr for reviewing,to MangaLover2142, roboYeti, BHJediQueen, Friendshipper, Stalkingyoumastersama2738, , Xana100, treavellergirl, Sellmer, danilion, lincoln time, Alyss Darlington, , sarutobihiruzen, Thecamoflare, The Eternal Forgotten, The Fae Demon, Maou Elric, FicWader, and TiamatisObscure for Favouriting, and to MangaLover2142, JoshRand1982, karlachan18, roboYeti, Sir zero245, littleditto, kumico01, Stalkingyoumastersama2738, dragonfire1237, , dreamymew1, LilPrincess95, ObsidianNoir, treavellergirl, Sellmer, danilion, lincoln time, sarutobihiruzen, Molly Grace 16, HappySaYuu, Shizuka na Sana, The Eternal Forgotten, The Fae Demon, TheDragonsTale, Gekido no Shiki, and oooOPurringVieraOooo for Following. Here's the chapter. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 35: Backlash

Tom still doesn't remember why he signed that contract. Sure the pay was astronomical and it was work he loved doing but he knew that they weren't the reason he signed that contract with the World Government.

His apprentice Franky was dead, the blueprints for the Pluton lost, Iceberg was nearly a vegetable, Kokoro had picked up a drinking problem, Jimbei was considered insane and untrustworthy, the prejudice against Fish-men was at an all-time high and he had just signed a contract to help the people responsible for all of this.

Maybe he signed it because there was no way he would ever be able to get another contract again. He's seen the stares; the people of Water 7 looked at him as if he was going to go on a rampage at any moment. Luckily that fear didn't extend to Iceberg and Kokoro. They didn't know Kokoro is a mermaid and as long as they don't know she's safe to drink herself away in peace.

Iceberg has to be the one to go out and buy the groceries and talk to people now, Tom is sure that is the only reason he hasn't gone full vegetable on them. Franky's death was hard on them all, and it was made worse for Iceberg because he was the one to help get Franky convicted by giving them a reason and another crime to Franky's previously clean slate.

Tom wanted nothing more to go back one month to the day Franky lashed out at them when he called Robin a demon. He'd take it back and would apologise to Franky but now he would never get the chance. And Tom knew it was all his fault.

Spandam had probably been outside when Franky had rushed out with the blueprints for the Pluton. With what he'd overheard and further investigated it would have been child's play for the official to accuse Franky of harming him.

Though Franky had never told them much about his Dream Family, they knew there were a total of eleven with one being the klabautermann of Franky's Dream Ship. He knew that two people were older than Franky and Jimbei was the younger of the two, he also knew that Robin was directly after him in age and was his sister. There were six people younger than Robin and that the youngest one wasn't human but wasn't a Fishman or Merman. He also knew that the second youngest planned on travelling through the Grand Line after he reached seventeen. Of course, the Thousand Sunny wasn't included in the ages since Franky never knew where to put her.

Since Franky hadn't built her yet he said she's both the oldest and youngest, but with his youngest apprentice dead he wondered if Sunny would ever be built. It was as he was heading to a meeting with Iceberg about the Sea Train that he found himself promising Franky that he would build the Thousand Sunny and have it ready for his Dream Family when they came through Water 7 in eight years. The kid was only nine the last time he checked.

But this wasn't the time to be thinking that, he had a meeting he had to get through before he could dig out the Blueprints he had for the Thousand Sunny. He still doesn't know why he signed that contract, but he did and now he has to go through with that decision. Who knows, maybe working on the Sea Train again with help Iceberg out.

Garp sighed as the marine walked out of the office, the letter from Sengoku rested in his hands. He had already heard of Jimbei's reaction after Franky had been arrested under what he knew were false charges, but it seemed that Sengoku wanted to keep reminding him every chance he got in order to find out more about the Shichibukai.

It wasn't exactly a secret that Jimbei and Garp were often in contact, after the scenario with Sanji many suspicions had been formed about how Jimbei came across that information. Unfortunately for the Fish-man, the most common one was that Jimbei had access to the Dream and that the boy he told Garp to save was another person with access to the Dream.

The fact that Jimbei had passed the test they had made to see if someone had access to the Dream meant nothing to the gossiping marines. From what Jimbei had told Garp, the test they had designed wasn't reliable enough to exclude people from the Dream. The test involved making the person go unconscious for an entire week and when they awoke their reaction is what would sell them out.

Brook was known to go on a bit of a rampage after being unconscious and it was incredibly hard to calm him down. Unfortunately, it was the only thing that the World Government knew the Dreamers could not hide and so they risked a rampage in order to know for certain.

Though from what Jimbei had told him, being unconscious for a week meant nothing if they managed to wake up in the Dream before waking up in reality. Reluctance could also be easily passed off as being reluctant to be vulnerable to his long time enemy.

Jimbei's most recent actions had made them think that 'Cutty Flam' was a part of the Dream with Jimbei too. They would have asked Spandam about it but he still hadn't woken out of the coma he had fallen into after Franky had so badly rattled his brain and fractured his skull. There was no other reason they could think of that was plausible as to why Spandam had risked their plans involving Tom and the Sea Train. 'Cutty Flam' or as Garp knew him, Franky, had nothing that would have drawn interest from the World Government or the Marines.

Of course, Garp knew the preferred name of his oldest grandson; Jimbei had to reveal all that information in order to gain his trust and because Garp genuinely wanted to know who his new grandchildren were. Jimbei had revealed that there was one person older than himself but refused to reveal his name and location. Garp strongly believed that Brook was the unnamed member, since the only other suspects were Roger's crewmembers and they were all unlikely candidates.

Back to Sengoku's letter, he didn't bother to open it, knowing already what was in it. Groaning, he obeyed the summons and strode into Sengoku's office, the Fleet Admiral sat waiting for his arrival.

"You didn't bother to open the letter I see. I really should stop bothering, shouldn't I?" Garp interpreted it as a rhetorical question so he didn't bother to answer properly; he merely shrugged whilst reaching out to grab some of the crackers on Sengoku's desk. The Fleet Admiral pointed an annoyed, tired glare at him, which he was happy to ignore.

"Jimbei has allowed himself to be tested again, to subdue the rumours going around. Unfortunately, Cutty Flam is dead and unable to take the test, and until Spandam wakes up, there will be no end to the gossiping." Garp just nodded along, seemingly barely paying attention. He was of course; it was to do with his recently deceased grandson after all.

"I called you here to find and capture Nico Robin; she is the only suspect of Cutty Flam's unknown associate. We cannot allow the Pluton's activation. If Cutty Flam did indeed have access to the Dream, along with Nico Robin, she could already have access to the blueprints for the Ancient Weapon. I trust you to be able to locate her, bring her back for questioning and then her inevitable execution." Sengoku's face seemed to gain years as he continued. "You are the only one I trust to accomplish this Garp. We cannot allow criminals to gain this power; Nico Robin must be taken out. If it is required, I'll allow for an early execution. You leave now Vice Admiral Garp."

Forcing his body to not reveal anything, Garp stood, saluted, and left. It seems he needed to contact Sanji to warn Robin of her impending capture. He didn't want to hurt his new granddaughter but it seems he'll have too. Mentally, he cursed the Dream; if it didn't exist then he wouldn't have to choose between his family and his duty. Sure he wouldn't have so many grandchildren, but they all would have been safer.

He waited until he was a far way out to sea before calling the Baratie, he couldn't let the call be wired after all. Hopefully Jimbei's test results will say he is not a Dreamer, he didn't want his innocent grandchildren to be revealed either.

Robin carefully watched as Franky 'repaired' himself. He had snuck out of the infirmary early in the morning to 'fix' his body. Normally, Chopper never left one of his injured family members alone while they were still healing, especially after they were unconscious; except Chopper needed rest eventually. Robin convinced him to go rest by volunteering to watch over her brother.

When Franky woke up, she hid herself to silently observe what he would do after the initial lack of his typical Blackness reaction. It hurt to stay back but when she saw how his body had been augmented while hidden under the covers, shock easily kept her in place. It seems Franky woke up in the Other World first. She mentally cursed at her inability to help her family when needed.

Franky didn't bother looking if anyone was around before standing up and limping down to his workshop, Robin forced herself to follow afterwards. Now she was staring at his back as he ripped pieces of broken bone out of his legs and quickly went to place them with other pieces on a tray next to him. She slapped a hand to her mouth and the sound drew her brother's attention.

They stared at each other. Neither saying a word until a pain diverted Franky's attention and he set himself to working on his legs again, unable to bring himself to look his sister in the eyes again. He ripped out another bone shard and placed it on the tray. He knew the bones should have healed together by now, and since it didn't he should replace it.

A small hand stopped him from ripping another shard out, he couldn't feel it because of the pain killers he hyped himself up on, but the sight of it was enough. Another hand came into his sight and gently pulled a bone shard out. How he managed to walk down into his workshop on these legs he'd never know.

He went to pull another piece out but Robin placed a hand on his and moved it away. She continued to carefully pull pieces of broken bone out of his shredded muscles and he got the hint. Shaking his head, he looked away and scanned around the room for the pieces he knew he'd need to rebuild his legs.

He quickly mapped out a blueprint in his mind after he catalogued all the supplies he had, keeping an eye on Robin as she pulled the last bone shard from his legs. He felt that one. It seems the pain killers were wearing off; too bad he'd be unable to take any more for at least another hour. He hoped he wouldn't wake anyone up when he started screaming, especially Chopper. The baby of the family was too innocent to see him doing this.

He bit back a hiss when Robin gently probed the exposed muscles in his now boneless legs. Please don't let Chopper wake up. Please don't let any of his family see him like this. Please don't let them hear his screams. Please.

He pointed out some equipment and Robin went and grabbed them without question. Please don't let them see this. He bit into the belt Robin put in his mouth. He grabbed a scalpel and held it in his leg. Please don't let them hear his screams.

He carved out his messed up muscles before Robin inserted the metal skeletal leg he found in the Crow's Nest when Brook allowed him, Jimbei and Robin free access to it. He could barely hold the scream back as the pain seared through his body. Please don't let them hear his screams.

Please don't let them hear his screams. Please don't. They're still too innocent to see this much blood.

Coming up Next: Assasination?

I promise Franky, things will get better for you. Hopefully. Maybe. Well, I'll try anyway!

If I have internet I'm going to post a Christmas Special in The Dream: Just a Little Faster. But even if I don't please read it!

Poll Results: Winner! Evolution

No: 72

Yes: 35

On and Off: 19

Flashes: 12

Separation: 19

Evolution: 107

Don't know what they mean? Look at chapter 19:18:Burning of Trash Mountain.

Thank you to all who voted!

Responses to Reviews:(14)Thank you!

toolazytologin: Hey I know you! And Thank you! I can't wait to write the next chapter and when Luffy does take the world by storm. Thanks for the follow and favorite!

: He may have gotten the painkillers himself, I don't think Chopper would be too happy seeing Franky rebuild his body. Thanks for the vote! I can't wait to write it.

kumico01: Thank you. I want Franky to get cuddles in the future, I really do, but the thing with Robin and the rebuilding of Franky's body came out of nowhere and I don't know if my Imagination will let me.

I know this chapter is short but I hope you like it anyway, along with the rest of the story. At the moment, I only have the Straw Hats Crew with access to the Dream, but if you want I'll make that the next poll. Though having them as ships in the distance would be pretty cool.

I'm glad you like the angst and broken hope! I did not expect anyone too.

Sage McGavin: Next chapter yes maybe.

PirateDragons121: Thank you for your tears. Unfortunately, Robin isn't exactly safe from the Government at the moment, but I have plans!

reydrago: Indeed the Marines could do better without him, but at the moment he is unconscious and possibly has some valuable information. So he has to stay for now. Can't wait until I get to kill him!

SwordOfTheGods: Hmm, now I don't know if I want to do what you said or remain closer to the canon. But that is in the distant future at the moment and can be decided upon later.

BillCiTheDemonGuy: Thank you for reviewing and those emotions! I'd still count that as a win. I hope you continue to enjoy my story! And thank you for the love!

Boop-Ba-Doop: I can't wait to kill him. Even if he doesn't die now he will after Enies Lobby. No doubt there.

sweetsnakes: He could indeed. Thanks for the reaction!

Mel72000: You are the only one who wants him to live, but you come with an excellent reason. If he survives up til Enies Lobby, he will be used for your reason, I assure you.

Bluejay Blaze: That is a very interesting concept. I wonder if I should use it. If the government didn't know about the Dream before that then they definitely would afterwards!

UmbraAurumDragon: You're welcome! Though I still say thank you. Original plan changed so I could have something done for the brief time I'll have a good internet.

Bubble MaKeRr: Thank you! Sorry for doing it but for there to be comfort there must be hurt.