Hello everybody,

Hopefully all of you had a wonderful christmas with your loved ones.
We will end this year with a huge firework before everything will change in 2017 ;-)

I wish you the very best and a good time.

Sharry^^

The Escape – Part 2

For a moment he watched his crewmates rushing to the stairs, before he himself hurried down the corridor. Praying to a God he did not believe in, that he would not meet some wary soldier again he went his way, destroying all boxes and barrels he could find.

Finally he reached another staircase, not sure, if it was the same one Sanji and the others two levels under him would take, but he decided to climb it up as fast as possible, before the steps could disappear in front of him. He had some sense of direction, no matter what that stupid love-cook was saying, it was just that sometimes objects and paths started moving or disappearing. He knew where he had to go!

It was harder to run those stairs up than he expected, not running at all to be honest. Cursing he held his side, every step burned and tore the broken stitches. He had not noticed that is was already that bad. The damn cook was right, as soon as he made it out of here, he needed some professional treatment. If he made it, he thought bitter. He had waited as long as he had been able to, to gather as much information as possible, but they had no more time left. He had no more time left.

And even if he would never admit it, he was thankful for the cook's help, it saved him precious minutes. In the case of the case he had written down what had to be done. In the case of the case he would trust the cook. Maybe they could really make it. Maybe his escape-strategy could really work.

Sweating he reached the first floor. For the first time in days he saw some daylight through the secured windows, but the twilight had already begun and the sky darkened with every second.

With a throbbing side the swordsman ran down the hallway, but stopped confused when it split up in two. He did not expect that.

Nobody had mentioned that there was more than one way. Angrily he looked around, the corridor behind him was empty for all but the windows. The one in front of him looked the same with some additional wooden doors mirroring the windows. The hallway to his right had doors on both sides, but only a few. The candles from the levels below were replaced by modern lanterns, like in every normal marine base.

Exactly when he made his decision to simply start running, one door in front of him opened up. A busty soldier showed up. Her dark red, braided hair lay over her shoulder. Like a trail of blood it touched her opulent breast. Her uniform was too short and too tight in general. She observed him for a breath, a derogative look on her face. With a sigh she slammed the door shut.

"Another newbie, huh?"

Frozen the disguised pirate met her view.

"You all look alike when you come here, lost and sweaty. Not used to hard labor or the great responsibility, you carry on your shoulders."

Slowly she made her way to him, keeping that arrogant voice.

"But you look a little bit too old to be a freshman."

He swallowed before putting up an unnerved countenance.

"I'm not a freshman, but I was just transferred here some days ago. So excuse me, but I have to hurry, got an order from the Vice Admiral."

She looked surprised suddenly.

"I have that strange feeling, we have met before." She almost whispered. Her brown eyes fixed on him like she could smell danger. Damn it!

Of course it was no miracle to recognize him, after all his face smiled from a wanted poster. He felt cornered and that more than just symbolic because she stood directly in front of him; her bustier almost touching his stomach.

"Did you work at the G-5 by accident?"

He shook his head.

"No, am from Navarone, sorry."

She still looked at him skeptical.

"So if you would please excuse me, like I said I got an order!"

He passed her with jagged steps.

"Wait a sec'."

His right hand gripped the damn bag he carried over his shoulder. What could this stupid cow want from him?

"Where are you heading actually?"

He turned, fake-smiling, ignoring is burning side.

"To the weapons stash, where the stuff of the strawhats and of the smugglers are kept."

Now she looked curious, it was way too easy to read her mind.

"Oh and why that?"

He really tried to keep calm.

"Gotta get something for the Vice Admiral. He wants to give it along with the hand-over of the prisoners. Can you show me, where I have to go?"

Suddenly she smiled, maybe because he asked for her help.
"Sure, just down that way, third door."

"Thanks."

He rushed on.

"Hey, wait! Did you even listen? That's the wrong direction."

Before he could react she was already beside him, grasped his free hand and hastened down the other hallway, pulling him with her. It took his all not to grunt in agony, when the jerk ripped open new stitches of his already hurting wound, but luckily she did not notice.

She kept walking, filled with energy.

"I'm so glad, you're not a freshman. All of those novices are so arrogant. Thinking they are the chosen one, who will change the world, too blessed for the dirty work of other soldiers. But you don't seem to be one of those. Oh, by the way, I'm Yaone. What's your name?" She kept talking a blue streak so it caught him off guard when she suddenly stopped. Slightly blushing he shouldered his bag again to gain time.

"Um, my name is Konzen."

She laughed softly.

"Sure of that? You don't sound so convinced."

He copied her smile without answering. This charade was killing him.

"And here we are."

Smiling victoriously she threw open a heavy wooden door and gave view to a sizeable armory.

"Thanks." He said again and went passed her into that room, but to his disapproval she followed him.

"So what do you have to take?" She asked almost innocently, regarding different swords with a close eye.

"Not telling. It's a secret. Yaone…"

"Yes?" She asked, rising.

"Sorry."

With one pointed hit he knocked her out, catching her within the last moment. For a heartbeat he looked at her motionless face. She was young, much younger than she behaved, so innocent. He had no choice. Resolute he got up and lifted her weightless body behind some bags filled with gold, throwing one of those empty burlap bags over her. Nami would be amazed over the amount of treasures, but this was not on his mind.

He felt so cold; putting the bag he was carrying on a table and placing those treasures in it, which counted to him. Usopp's strange weapon Kabuto, Nami's clima-tact and Brook's special cane with its hidden blade. He also found Chopper's backpack, Usopp's weird goggles, a violin, which might be Brook's and that one familiar strawhat. Next to this stuff, in between the rags of his torn clothes he also put his beloved swords, knowing they would be safe in there, safer than at his aching side.

Afterwards he closed the zipper and pulled the meanwhile heavy bag down from the table, recognizing some small object, he had almost missed. Grinning he put it into his pocket.

"Damn curly-brow."

Once again he looked over to that soldier.

He would go to hell, he had always known that. If there really was a God, than he, Roronoa Zoro, could not hope for forgiveness, after all that many lives he had taken and those more to come. He was not a good human, he was aware of that. He did have his own strict principles, but deep down he was not better than the scum, this lieutenant Sanzo believed he was. Maybe he had lost the right to become happy, but that was alright as long as he was able to make those people dear to him happy. He did not mind becoming a beast for that reason, as long as he could protect them.

Hi gritted his teeth and left the weapon stash. He needed to hurry; Usopp and Nami were still missing. He started running, the bag over his shoulder, clenching his fists. But it only took him few minutes to get lost again, meeting not one single soul. Suddenly the earth below him quaked. Seconds later he could hear a lasting buzz. An evil grin crawled over his face.

That was the takeoff.

One door after another he pulled open, until he realized that he was not in a cell-tract. But what he found instead was at least as great. With rushing steps he entered the room.

"Geez, longnose, you were right all along. I promise, I will never complain about that boring bullshit again. Just give me some more minutes and I will get you and that spitfire out."

With shaking hands he opened her handcuffs.

"How are you, my dear Robin?"

She smiled slightly and rubbed her wrists.

"Better now, that you are here, Sanji. To be honest I did not believe in an attempt to escape anymore, after I heard that only four of us would be moved to the headquarters."

"How do you know about that, Robin?" he asked, while sliding over to the sleeping reindeer. It was one thing for the swordsman to catch up that news, but how could she gather her information?

With careful motions she stood up. Just now the blonde realized that she was not wearing shoes anymore and the way she carried her left foot told him, that her ankle as well was strained.

"The Vice Admiral visited us some days ago and had a little conversation with me. He seemed to be a friendly gentleman."

Just nodding Sanji shook their youngest crewmate softly.

"Hey, Chopper, wake up."

Dozily those tired beady eyes opened, before growing big.

"Get off my back! You mean marine!"

With impressive force the small antlers pushed the assumed enemy far away and the young doctor jumped up.

"Chopper, calm down. It's just me, Sanji."

Smiling apologetic he took down the cap, showing his blond hair. The other one just stared at him.

"Sanji!"

He screamed, rushing towards him, jumping into him. His small, tied up hoofs pressing against his ribcage, taking his breath, tackling him to the ground.

"Ouch, Chopper get off!"

Seconds later he also freed the hoofs of the reindeer, after trying both keys left. The doctor seemed overwhelmed by happiness that the cook was now in their cell, but when Sanji cowered over their captain, the doctor's face became serious.

"He hasn't woken up since we're here. The doctors of the marine did a good job, but they didn't let me do the treatment and the sea prism is weakening him additionally. It's a miracle he's still alive. They had to do surgery on him two times."

Sanji nodded sadly.

"The mosshead sad something like that. The fight must have been really tough."

Once again he cursed himself for being taken down so easily. Robin sat down beside him, still smiling, this time however just as an obvious act, even for the cook.

"Indeed. Our captain and the swordsman stood their ground until the very end, but they were chanceless against the Vice Admiral and his soldiers."

It became quiet. All of them were drowning in their thoughts. Sanji clenched his fists. It felt like anger itself was kicking him right into his face for his incompetence.

"The fault is not on you, Mr. Chef."

His surprised eyes met the gentle ones of the archeologist.

"We all have been powerless. They were too many and they were too strong."

He nodded again, before breathing again.

"It is as it is. We're not lost yet. Luffy might be unconscious, but his life isn't in danger, is it?"

Chopper nodded confident.

New courage grew inside Sanji's heart.

"So the Marimo and I have a plan."

All attention was set on him. Slowly he pulled out the little piece of paper, given by the swordsman.

"Just in case!"

He still wondered, what the other one had meant with that strange message, but the written down lines only told him what he already knew.

"It's surprisingly simple. Well, not really, it was the idea of that saber-rattler, after all. Franky and Brook are on their way fetching the Sunny. We have to take the next staircase all the way down to the canalization, where they will pick us up. The other three will meet us later, okay?"

They nodded.

"What are we supposed to do, if those two won't await us in the canalization?"

It was a good question of the black haired woman, but one the cook was not expecting, he had not expected any questions actually. There was not really time for that.

Hurriedly he read those twisted words.

"Well, in that case we should head outside by foot and hide in the mountains until we get another opportunity."

Robin laughed softly.

"Not the best backup plan."

Scarred the little doctor looked up.

"But it appears to be our only choice. This is the one and only option. All or nothing." She kept smiling.

"You're right, this is all we got. And on our way we have to destroy as many barrels as possible."

"Barrels?" Chopper asked confused.

"Yeah, some smuggler-stuff, no idea what the Marimo is aiming for."
"May I have a look onto that?" Robin asked, pointing at the paper.
"Sure."

Her eyes run over the lines, having no problems with the handwriting of the swordsman. Reading it all the way down other than the cook, who only was able to understand the first two lines. Deep furrows appeared on her forehead and she bit her lip. Sanji wanted to ask her about her worries, when an earthquake shook the stonewalls deeply.

"What the…?" The beautiful lady whispered what they were all thinking, while Sanji already jumped up and rushed to the door.

Not far away he could hear voices and hundreds of footsteps, coming from the stairs he had passed not so long ago, but the noises did not grow and there was no one to be seen. And suddenly he knew. He did not know what was written on Franky's letter, but what if they were supposed to do a gamesmanship as soon as they reached the Sunny?

"We have to leave now!" He told the others.

They got up at once and to his surprise the little doctor switched his form to the furred giant, lifting up his captain. Only now it was possible to see all the damage Chopper had taken. But he stood strong behind Robin, nodding serious.

"We're ready!"

Sanji nodded as well, put the cap back on his head and opened the door with a hollow bang. Now the soldiers could be heard better, but they were still not coming closer.

"This way!" He ordered and ran down the corridor, followed by his crewmates, away from the soldiers.

Luckily the swordsman was right once more. After the next corner they could see a small door. Faded red letters above said EXIT. Reaching it Sanji was relieved to see that the door was not locked. He threw it open and let the other two pass him.

This staircase was much smaller than the other one and not round, but rectangular. Just some old oil-lamps offered bad light and the stone of ground and walls was badly used, but empty all the way, not on box or barrel to be seen.

For another time Sanji asked himself, what the swordsman was aiming for, but the adrenaline in his body made it impossible to think calmly.

Again and again he saw the scenes of the last minutes, maybe they could really make it out of here, after all it was the plan of the swordsman, wasn't it? But then he remembered that huge wound, almost splitting the complete torso of the other one on his left side. Was he overestimating himself? What if he needed help to rescue Nami? Well and Usopp…

"Sanji, what is it?"

Surprised he realized that he stopped moving, Robin looking up to him in her stern way before nodding.

"We will be alright."
"But…"

"Do what you have to do. We will take care of the rest!"

With those words she ran down the stairs, following the doctor, who had not even noticed, they had stopped.

Sanji swallowed heavily.

"Thanks Robin."

But only the cold walls could hear him. He ran upstairs.

He was not completely sure, where to go, but he was certain, that Nami and Usopp were not on the same level like him and the other three men had been. If they would, Zoro would have freed them first, making sure they were okay. That meant, they had to be at least one story higher than they did. He jumped the stairs up as fast as possible.

Suddenly two marines came towards him, not paying him any attention, rushing downstairs. Just as they passed him, he turned around, knocking them out with one kick. He had no possibility to hide them, but at least he bought some time for his three friends.

One level later he met soldiers again. But this time they were too many for him to stop them alone. Like a single giant wave they stomped the stairs down. One with enormous big biceps stopped before him, looking furious.

"Recruit! You are heading the wrong direction."

Harshly he shook his head.

"No, lieutenant Sanzo ordered me to check on the prisoners, two of my colleges secure the level below right now."

The soldier nodded approving, at that moment loud voices rose from beyond, taking his attention. He nodded again, not looking at the disguised pirate anymore.

"Good idea, the criminals of the first floor are not really dangerous, but after setting of the alarm we have to be careful. Continue!"

Sanji just continued running, just as he was told. At least now he knew where to go. With one last jump he made it to the first floor, ignoring his throbbing ankle and the riot of the marching soldiers below.

Leaving the stairs behind he caught his breath, a smooth buzz filling his ears, probably the alarm. The corridor in front of him was devastated, the unmistakable trace of the swordsman. He followed the chaos running.

At some point he reached a crotch. Unsteadily he balanced both possibilities, because both corridors were cram-full with stuff and looked like they just survived a hurricane.

A sudden bang took his decision.

He rushed forward and had not reached the scene of interest, when he heard loud voices.

"… to freak me out like that?! Now come over and help me!"

He turned around the next corner. Only a few steps in front of him lay a door at the ground, ripped out of its stay, torn apart. Yes, he was right here.

"Don't make such a fuss. Be glad I thought about getting you out as well." He could hear that too well-known grumbling voice.

"And what do you mean by that now?"

"Nami, calm down…" The third and last voice in their group made its entrance.

"All alright here?"

Almost relaxed he leaned against the door case and looked at his comrades.

Nami rubbed her sore wrists. Her hair was tousled, skirt and shirt drenched in dried blood, but apparently not hers. For the rest she looked unharmed.

"Careful, you're breaking my arms!"

His eyes wandered to the king of lies, whose handcuffs just got ripped apart by the swordsman, having no keys. Usopp looked way worse than Nami. His nose, broken and bloody, was wrapped with bandages; he had small little cuts all over his body, just like Zoro did. One almost black crust covered his right eyebrow, almost taking his eyesight, shadowing his face. But he looked lively and complained loudly.

"Don't be such a wimp."

Finally the green haired man succeeded in tearing the ropes apart.

"Sanji!" Nami called out for him cheerfully and Sanji was glad as well to see her. They were all fine. Another damn time Zoro was right. But the swordsman looked at him almost furious.

"What the hell are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to help the others?!"

He crossed his arms.

"And I told you, I'm not leaving without making sure, that the two graceful beauties, I'm destined to watch over, are safe and sound."

One of those graceful beauties rolled her eyes.

"And what about me?" asked Usopp in-between.

"Oh yeah, sure, you can come along."

"Hey!"

"We got not time for that!" The swordsman cut off the dispute. Sanji looked at him concerned. He seemed to be sweating. Was he breathing heavier than usual?

"Zoro is right", Nami agreed, "We have to get the others."

But the oldest one of them shook his head.
"Hopefully they are already safe. Let's go."

With those words he fetched the bag, he had placed next to the missing door and started running. They all followed him.

"Where do we have to go?" Usopp yelled, just behind Sanji.

"There's only one way." The swordsman answered without really answering. But he told the truth, as they reached an inner courtyard just minutes later.

By now the night had awakened. Only one single lamp in the middle of the plaza offered some light. The ground within the light source was shimmering strangely, like it had been raining until not long ago.

"Take this!" The green haired one muttered and threw the bag over. Unnerved the cook caught it, opening his mouth for greedy complains but stopping himself. Again he noticed how pale the other one looked.

While running over the middle of the place he stayed alert. Why was nobody there?

But the solution was easy to find. The castle rearing up behind them had only three entrances. On main-gate, which they had just used to exit, one to their right, where a long stairway led up to a tower and one to their left, cramped with boxes, barrels and bag; the open gate being nothing more than a storeroom. Behind it however multiple voices echoed, while soldiers tried to fight their ways through. The other marines probably rushed upwards from the lower stories, where all of them had been baited.

There was only one window facing the big plaza and just behind the thick glass was he, staring down at them: Vice Admiral Hakkai!

In front of them was only one giant irongate keeping them from freedom. To open it, it had to be pulled up and weighed probably several tons. While they kept running towards it, Zoro separated from them, hurrying over to a tall mechanic beast made of steal.

"Pass the gate and head for the water. The others will pick you up!"

Then he started moving the heavy construct and the gate groaned under its own weighed, lifting just a little bit.

Sanji could hear glass breaking behind him. He turned around without slowing down and saw the vice admiral himself jumping out of the window, followed by lieutenant Sanzo and two other soldiers.

The gap between the gate and the ground was now two or three feet wide. Nami was the first of them to reach it and slid under it into freedom. Sanji was just behind her, but he hesitated.

"Sanji! Come one, run!" Zoro yelled.

It felt like he stared at the other one for ages, seeing the dark blood dripping from his side. Seeing the pearls of sweat running down his cheek, seeing the painfully strained face.

Acted before thinking. He let go of the bag, running over to Zoro.

"Usopp!" He yelled at the last one. Thy curly head just waved him a thumps-up, fetched the bag still running and followed the navigator.

"What are you doing?!" The swordsman screamed at him.

"I cannot hold it much longer."
"I know!" He answered just as loud. "I won't turn my back on you."

In his back he could hear more and more marines running, yelling, as well as the vice admiral himself.

The gate crashed back onto the ground. Gasping for air the swordsman let go of the heaver, who was usually used by dozen of men.

"There."

Surprised Sanji raised his head, greeted by a cigarette packet, handed by an enraged Zoro, breathing heavily, wiping sweat from his forehead. With shaking hands Sanji took the little box of happiness, ignoring the bad mood of the other one, ignoring the marines in his back. They saved their crewmates, hopefully. Just needed to save their own butts, somehow without fighting against all of those soldiers, they had lost to in the previous fight. But all that mattered in that moment was his first draw of his beloved cigarette, relaxing immediately.

"Can I have the lighter?" He was unexpectedly asked by the mosshead. Sanji did not know he was a smoker.

"Sure."

Confused he gave him the lighter and offered him his cigarettes, but the swordsman went past him, towards the soldiers.

"Shut the gate!"

It was an order, allowing no objection. Sanji stared at his back.

"Trust me!"

The magic words of the day were said and Sanji jumped high in the air, slamming his healthy foot with all the force he had left into the heaver, breaking it into thousand little pieces, cutting of their only way to escape. He put all his faith in the swordsman having another plan.

The man in front of him had opened Sanjis lighter and held it right in front of him, the little flame dancing. Zoro's cold gaze watched the vice admiral in front of him, coming closer and closer with his lance ready to attack.

"May the God have mercy on you."

Almost softly Zoro whispered those words, almost unheard for the cook, and then he opened his hand letting the small little metal thing fall to the ground. Like in slow motion Sanji watched as huge flames burst out of the ground, while the swordsman turned around, grabbed his arm and rushed to the only place of the plaza, which was not caught by the fire immediately: The stairs heading up the tower.

Behind him were men screaming, the crackling of the flames grew louder.

"Don't stop running! Don't look back!" But it was too late.

The complete courtyard was burning, humans were burning everywhere, they were screaming, crying. Up in front was the vice admiral, still chasing them with his lance, burning as well. Suddenly there was an earsplitting detonation and an enormous blast wave pushed the cook upstairs, throwing him on his friend, throwing them to the ground. A high peep screamed in his ears, his body was so heavy, all was so slow.

He barely noticed, how the swordsman screamed at him, gripped his arm, pulled him back to his feet, his legs were hurting tremendously. Looking down he realized pieces of stone and metal had been chomped into his legs, ripping them open, blood dripping down. The stair he had been standing on just a second ago was gone, leaving nothing but a blank hole.

Then he looked up.

The whole castle was standing in flames. Slowly the main building crouched together.

From everywhere he could hear people screaming, mourning, plangent, and dying. In his trance his eyes went up to the swordsman. He had lost his cap and a laceration went all over his forehead, blood flowing down his cheeks like tears. His eyes were reddened, assumingly because of that hell-like heat, which the cook slowly started to feel, too. Fragments of stone and metal had also struck him, but other than Sanji he had been hit everywhere. His whole body showed flesh wounds, the right forearm was almost split in two, showing tendons, muscles, bones.

Slowly it hit Sanji that the other one sheltered him with his own body.

Suddenly he was back.

"What did you do?! What is happening?! What are we doing?!"

"Come on!"

It was the only answer he received. A hand grabbed his arm again and pulled him upstairs, as far away from the inferno as somehow possible, blood dripping down his arm.

"Zoro?!"

The other one looked at him.

"Later! We have no time for explanations!"

"But do we have a later?!" He yelled back as they finally reached the end of the stairs and hurried onto the platform of the tower. Even here the flames already licked the stones. The swordsman met his view again.

"I did what was necessary to protect everyone." He justified himself.

"But how?"

Zoro rushed from one edge of the tower to the other one, holding his now strongly bleeding side and limping with every step more and more. He breathed heavily, his chest rising uneven.

"You heard it, didn't you? They caught the explosive-smuggler himself and stored all of his explosives right here. And now take a guess, what this castle is made of! Exactly Wood and limestone, the whole ground of this island is filled with it."

"How do you know all of that?"

But the swordsman was not reacting; he had stopped moving, looking at a far distant, almost like he was dreaming. Sanji ran over to him, seeing what he saw.

Behind the dark smoke it was clear to see, a small ship out on the ocean.

"They made it." Zoro whispered.

Sanji looked at him.

"And now? It's over for us, isn't it?"

He was honest, not scarred or reproachful, just telling the facts. They would not make it.

More and more he felt how the adrenaline was leaving his body, giving the pain place to sprout. He had no idea, how the swordsman had managed it, but somehow he had been able to free them all. But apparently he had forgotten to think over his own escape plan. It fit him, yeah it fit him well. They would not run; it was over.

The other one did not answer right away, but then he asked: "What is your dream, cook?"

Confused he looked at the older one.

"You know my dream. I want to find the All Blue, but why…"
"It's a good dream. Really a great dream. Worthy to be protected, yes worthy." The young man next to him muttered deep in thoughts.

The next moment the older man grabbed his arm once again.

"What are you doing?"

The swordsman grinned like he used to do. "I told you, that I will get everyone out of here."
"But…"
"Do you trust me?"
He nodded.

"Fine."

Zoro pulled him closer, almost like hugging him.

"Now it's your turn. Protect them! But do not become a beast! Protect your own dream as well."

In one fell swoop Sanji was whirled around. For a moment he could not see anything else than the beat up face of the swordsman, a soft smile on his bloody lips, an inner calmness in those bright green eyes. In this very moment, he was beautiful, sweaty and full of blood.

The other one still hold his arm.

"Live, Sanji!" And then he let go of him.

The air surrounding him was cold and hot. Dark and screaming. Time and again he saw Zoro, getting smaller and then he crashed into the ground.

But the ground let him in, let him sink. It was cool, almost freezing after the heat of the fire. His body was burning, adrenaline rushing through his veins. He did not know where he was, but he could not breathe. Everything around him was dark and heavy. Every muscle screamed and every wound mourned. Where was he?

Water! He had to be underwater! He had to swim! Strong arms reached out for him, pulled him up. He was there, Zoro was there as well. Yes, he saved all. What great luck.

He broke through the surface. Cold, clean air flushed down his lungs. Someone carried him, he could hear multiple voices and then he fell on bare wood. There was still water in his windpipe and he coughed several times. Then he looked hastened around. His vision was blurred, but he recognized where he was. It was the Thousand Sunny and he was surrounded by his friends.

"Where is he?" he asked broken, still coughing.

"Up there." He heard a small voice and then he saw him. Standing tall at the top of the tower, one fist reaching for the sky, just like the small figure of the navigator. Both being grotesque distorted by the light of the flames.

"Just in case!"

"You can't do that!" He yelled, stumbling to the rail, almost falling into the water.

"Really a great dream. Worthy to be protected."

"You can't just do that!" He screamed on top of his lungs, his voice being far away.

"Protect them!" He could still see that smile and then the tower collapsed.

"Live, Sanji!"

In front of him the marine base G6 fell into ruins and with it he died.

Zoro watched, as the cook clashed into the ocean just next to the pirate ship. He would make it, he knew it, the other one had to make it. The heat surrounding him became unbearable. Slowly he went to the edge of the tower, looking down at his friends. Feeling how his body became heavier with every second and the smoke biting his wounds.

"I'm sorry Kuina. I wasn't able to make our dream come true. But what is this one dream of mine compared to theirs?"

The breathing became difficult. He could still hear those screams in his back. Dying people. Yes, he had become a beast, a monster. To protect his friends and their dreams he had tossed away all of his humanity. His honor, his pride, his dream. He did not regret it, tossing on arm high above his head, a sign of victory, hope, and friendship. For them he would become a demon anytime. He would give all he had to protect them, because this was his responsibility being their crewmate.

He knew that he had taken the life of so many good, innocent people right now, which would lead to even more sorrow.

He believed to hear his friend screaming for him, maybe just his imagination. He had become a monster, forfeited his right to become happy. The flames licked his feet, hugged his hip. An unknown pain reached his body, but he could not scream, because the heat had already made all its way down his throat, when suddenly the ground to his feet broke apart.

It was a worthy death for him, not worthy for an honorable man, but worthy for a beast, a demon. Maybe he could have survived, if he would not have given up everything. Maybe he could still be himself, but then he would not have been able to protect the others and if he was totally honest, this was exactly what had become his responsibility.

He could not feel anymore when he crashed onto the ground, could not sense his own screams and his burning skin, could not notice his melting earrings and roasting hair.

In his mind he saw those things dear to him. No God could have mercy on him, he would never rest in peace, but that did not matter. He had never asked for shelter, never begged for lenity. He knew he could endure anything, withstand anything that had always been his way.

But they were alive, that was all that mattered.

Oh, what could have been, if…