"So, did I miss anything exciting?" I questioned as I looked at Eraser, Luffy, and Law.
"Not really, just some dramatic reveals of secret powers." Eraser replied as I hummed
"Fair enough, at least I didn't have to sit through the boring explanation of things," I said in relief, everyone besides Robin, Luffy, and Franky were looking at us like we were crazy. 'Perhaps normal conversations aren't quite, well..."normal" in a situation like this.' Caesar coughed, drawing everyone's attention. He leaned down with a smirk
"Look at yourself! Law!" He laughed "I bet you were quite helpless against Vergo! Hmm? The deal I had with you worked in my favor!" He said before going on to explain the events in which "gave Caesar the upper hand" basically all boring. Sure it's a setback for Law, but it doesn't affect the rest of us. Besides, Law isn't that stupid. He must have something hidden up his sleeve, at least I would. Though I wouldn't give my heart to someone in the first place even if I could, 'specially a mad scientist.
After a few more words, the guy who I assumed was "Vergo" walked up next to Caesar with a heart in hand, presumably Law's. He squeezed it and I watched in amusement as Law shouted and tossed around in pain, Caesar continued his annoying ranting as I enjoyed the show. 'Man, now I can't help but wish Endeavor was in his place. Now that'd be thrilling.' I must've had a strange look on my face because the others were looking at me with strange expressions, I shrugged "What? Can't a man enjoy someone else's pain? Too bad it's not someone else." I sighed as Law glared at me "No offense, you're doing great." I smiled as he rolled his eyes.
Caesar laughed in amusement "You're quite amusing aren't you, why are you with these people anyway? You don't seem to be friends, and you're more suited for our work than theirs." He said as he crouched down to look at me, I sighed and shrugged.
"You know, I'm really just being dragged along. Lost home and don't know a way back, so I've just been following along. Though, I'm sorry. But I don't think I'll fit in whatever job you have for me, truly I'm already stuck in another gig and I can't quit 'till I finish my goal. So thanks, but no thanks." I said, I would've just said "I don't care to work for another madman, especially one who is a scientist. So will you kindly sit there and turn to ash for me?" but I'd much rather still have oxygen to inhale.
"Such a shame, I'd let you go since you don't know anything. But I can't exactly trust you all too much, besides. At least you won't waste time on a long journey to find your home." He smiled as I grittingly smiled back 'You gassy bastard- If I wasn't worried I'd burn myself again, I'd have already burned out of these chains and punched you.' He moved on and continued to talk with Law.
I really enjoyed Law's line of "You've been saved by your diligent secretary, huh? I should've been more careful about Monet. Seeing as how the "Master" was so dumb, I didn't care much." Oh boy, I couldn't help but snicker as I took a mental image of Caesar's face. It was decent amusement for my boredom from all of Caesar's long speeches. Luffy was surprised at the fact that Law was still alive after not having a heart in his chest, while Smoker berated him for being so stupid as to let Caesar take advantage of his power like that.
He then asked where his heart was, to which Caesar eagerly replied by pulling it out from somewhere. He teased him but was stopped by his secretary, who informed him of a video of some sorts being ready. To which he told Smoker how lucky he was before turning off the lights and telling his secretary to turn the video on, the screen showed a giant...candy? Whatever it was, it didn't look good.
He went on another boring rant, explaining what the "candy" was and whatever else, then the giant red blob thing ate the candy. And what I could only assume was chaos was about to begin, 'Great, why can't there simply be one madman in one universe. Ours has plenty already, throwing a third on top of it, that and this different universe. I feel exhausted enough having to deal with Shigaraki, I'm taking a looooong nap once we get back to the ship. And never again, if I see another madman I'm turning the other way. No questions, no answers, I'm just gone.'
I groaned out a sigh as I shared an exasperated look with Eraser, we watched a bit more as the slime slowly melted and turned into some kind of gas. Simply put, nothing good, nothing good at all. The soldiers ran as some got turned to what looked like plaster or clay, basically, they became statues. The video feed then turned to Zoro and the others who were running for their lives, it was amusing, to say the least.
It would have been nicer if Eraser was with them, but oh well. Things can't always happen the way you want, I sighed. Franky and Robin said some things before Luffy spoke, getting up to try and warn his crew. Though he soon collapsed onto my stomach and grumbled about sea prism stone or something, I guessed it had something to do with the ocean or water in general since devil fruit eaters are weak to it.
Caesar laughed and spoke egotistically as if he already won something, I have no idea what he thinks he won. Since the battle hasn't even started, but whatever. Who doesn't like a plot twist?
(The villains, that's who.)
Because it's always the heroes ending up on top, ain't it. Though in this situation I can't complain much, since we all aren't exactly heroes. Besides Eraser, it's more like "better villains" (and hero) winning against "worse villains". I don't think there is such a thing as "better" villains, and even if there was. I definitely don't belong in it.
Caesar finished by saying none of us will survive, there was some shaking as the metal panel wall behind us slowly lifted. To which the cage lifted and we all went flying to the back of the cage, I groaned as I crashed into Eraser and Luffy. "Fantastic, 'sactly what I wanted," I said sarcastically as Caesar kept talking on and on about proving the power of his little weapon.
Once the cage finally stopped in the air, I wormed my way onto my knees before standing up with a sigh and slight stretch. "How annoying, not only are we all the way in the air. We're stuck in a cage, I hate this." I groaned before sitting down, the shouting of the G-5 soldiers could be heard below as Franky noted how well-built the lab was. Robin agreed, of course, noting the fact that one could easily carry big equipment with this cage.
I awkwardly chuckled "Is that really what you guys should be thinking about? To be fair, I'm surprised Robin didn't say anything about books or something. Though all I can think of is eating and relaxing, I haven't tried sun-bathing in ages, not to mention showering without those burns. Oh- a hotsprings would feel amazing!~" I daydreamed as the second in command questioned "H-How can you three be so relaxed?!" I shrugged "No point in worrying if we know we're going to be fine." I said as Luffy spoke.
"Hmmm...Okay, what should we do?" He questioned in thought.
"It was unexpected to see Vergo here but Straw Hat-ya...We can't miss a beat here. The plan is still on. Don't mess it up this time. Let's fight back." Law said as Luffy smiled widely
"Okay!" He said with full resolve and trust. I sighed 'He's going to mess this up again...Well, at least not totally...Hopefully...Yeah, I'm going with him.' I chuckled and relaxed 'Might as well rest a bit more while I can, nightmares begone.' I laid down and closed my eyes as I waited and listened.
"Fight back?" Luffy questioned
"Yeah, it's no use wasting our time here. Let's get this over with." Law replied as I hummed, "Can anybody here burn things? He continued "If nobody can, that's fine, too." He finished
"Dabi has fire! And Franky can also set fires. He can even shoot a laser beam! Oh yeah! Why don't you burn this chain with the beam?" Luffy questioned his Cyborg companion.
"I need to use both hands to shoot the Radical Beam. The only thing I can shoot is…" He proceeded to fart, "...Coup de Boo from my ass!" He laughed.
"Whatever. Can either of you set fire to the Navy ship down there on the right?" Law questioned as I shrugged.
"Hands are tied, so Cyborg's got this one, besides. I don't think my flames would reach it anyways." I replied as Franky nodded
"That's as easy as pie, young man! You can count on me!" He said while standing up and preparing his attack. My eyes widened as I quickly ducked out of the way as the fireball soar towards the wreckage of the ship, the pile quickly went ablaze as the G-5 soldiers below ran and shouted in panic. The smoke drifted up to the cage and everyone was quickly getting smoked out. Well, mostly everyone. Smoker had no problem since he was already made of smoke and constantly puffed three cigars at a time, even the Cyborg was coughing.
Truthfully, I'm surprised his lungs aren't made out of metal at this point. "Hey, Trafalgar! It's getting so smoky here!" Franky complained
"You're the one who did it." Law replied as both me and Luffy chuckled in between coughs.
"You made me do it!" He rebutted
"What are you doing?" Luffy laughed
"Idiot, you just chose to blindly listen." I sighed
"Well then…" Law said as he dropped his chains. Everyone looked in shock as Luffy and Franky simultaneously shouted ""What?!""
"...Now that we are not being picked up on by Caesar's Video Transponder Snail. They're not gonna find out for a while." Law continued.
"You're unbelievable! How did you free yourself from the Sea Prism stone chains?" Luffy questioned in amazement
"Well, mine was just an ordinary chain from the beginning." Law said as Luffy made a surprised sound of "What?" "So I untied myself easily with my power." He finished before raising his hand and muttering something.
His katana appeared in his hand the next moment as he continued speaking, "Do you know how many months I've been here? Just in case of an emergency, I put a number of regular chains everywhere in the laboratory, so I could avoid Sea prism stone. Even if I got caught by accident." he said as he unsheathed his blade and freed the others from their chains.
He stared at me for a few moments before removing mine as well. Luffy shouted as he stood up and cheered "I'm free!" before hopping around. Law told him off before turning to the marines as Luffy continued to celebrate the enjoyed freedom of chainlessness.
I watched Law threaten the marines with an approving smirk and nod, Smoker told him to just do it already. Law seemingly switched them back into their own bodies causing slight surprise and confusion. I hummed in slight disappointment, though it was nice to see the voice match the body.
The Vice-Captain quickly agreed to whatever conditions Law had, though Smoker wasn't as smart. He shouted at her, basically questioning her pride. She shouted back and surprisingly he almost looked convinced, Law noted that the girl was smarter than Smoker. Before reminding him that he has no obligation to save him, only that if letting him go back to the marine base safely makes Vergo lose his footing. Then it works well for him, but he didn't stop before adding the kicker of the deal.
Basically, Smoker and his Vice had to forget about everything they heard about Law and this Joker person.
'Private love life of sorts? I think I missed the last chapter of this romance novel.' I thought as Law finally released them after making a deal. "I can't see anything!" Luffy complained as he grabbed onto the cage bars "What's going on out there?" He questioned before stretching the bars to create an exit, He stretched out "Yeah, I finally got out!" He cheered before preparing to jump. Law started questioning his actions but he was already gone.
"Hey, wait!" Law called as Luffy chuckled while plummeted "How dare he do whatever he pleases!" he cursed as I sighed and shook my head before placing a hand on his shoulder, "I get that it takes a few times, but try to remember who you made an alliance with...Because right now we clearly have different mental images of that kid, and yours are quite sadly optimistic…" I said as Franky replied.
"It's not like the cage is made of sea prism stone." He chuckled as Robin voiced her thoughts,
"Our captain does that sort of thing as soon as your back is turned." She chuckled in amusement
"That fool!" Law clicked his tongue as he watched Luffy almost fall off of the railing he landed on, "Hey, Tra-guy! How should I get in?!" he shouted as Law became increasingly annoyed. Franky asked to take off and look after the sunny, to which Law could care less at this point. The cyborg took off in a wave of gas as Luffy waved at us, "Hey! What are you two waiting for, Dabi, Tra-guy?!" he shouted as Law huffed out an annoyed sigh as we made our way down.
Eraser had been strangely quiet the entire time, seemingly staring at me. It felt decently awkward but I was too worried about what he'd bring up if I asked, since he was more than likely thinking about what happened and why I'd shout Shoto's name in my sleep.
"Hey Dabi, how old are you?" Robin suddenly questioned as I looked at her with a confused expression.
"Huh? 24, why?" I questioned as she hummed,
"Is graying hair in your 20's normal for you guys?" She questioned as I stopped and stared at her in confusion for a few moments before my eyes slowly widened.
'Shit.'