Chapter 22

Sodom and Gomorrah

Maxwell slung spell after spell down at the marines and agents down below. Sodom and Gomorrah neighed and whinnied as they charged through the battalions of enemy soldiers. Many cowered in terror. Others tried to fight back. However, they were all either shot or struck down by an arcane bolt.

"TAKE 'EM OUT!" The Franky Family was going nuts firing gunshots at the marines. They had Yokozuna with them, who cheering alongside the Square sisters. Zoro whacked away a stray bomb thrown at Max.

*BOOM!* "Thanks Zoro!"

"Looking good!" Sanji smiled from the front of the saddle, "These guys are really into it! We're counting on you to take us to Luffy, king bulls!" Their mounts were causing plenty of chaos, just with their immense size. Honestly, they shouldn't even be going this fast. But somehow, the Franky Family had outfitted Sodom and Gomorrah with some kind of land-skates. Maxwell wasn't quite sure what the proper term was. All he new was that there was a belt over multiple wheels under each limb.

Maxwell spun his staff summoning multiple glyphs onto the streets below. They erupted into burst of fire and ice, either capturing marine in ice, or setting agents ablaze. However, some of the enemies wised up, taking to the rooftops. They fired riffles from patio decks, across the street at the crews on top of the king bulls. Zoro started deflecting bullets with one of his katanas. Maxwell cast a Barrier to protect everyone. And Sanji just got ticked off.

"YA JERK!" The chef kicked a miniature door clean off its hinges at the offenders. As to why it was there, well, these were originally ferries after all.

"—Then! Just when they were nearly dead inside the sea king's stomach, the brothers, Sodom and Gomorrah were rescued by the Franky Family! And this is what they were told: 'Since we're full now, we won't eat you guys!' From then on, they swore loyalty to their saviour, Franky!" Sodom neighed in approval, looking at his back.

"Chopper—!" Maxwell threw down another fireball at one of the rooftops, "As much as I like equines, especially monster plus giant swimming equines, I doubt Sodom and Gomorrah's backstory is important at THIS VERY MOMENT! …And were you listening to this the entire time!?" The mage then noticed Nami sitting down in one of the seats.

Nami laughed nervously, "Eh-heh… Sorry Max. But you just seemed to have it so well handled…" Maxwell glowered at the navigator. Needless to say, he was not impressed.

"So you guys were really in the stomach of a sea king that the Franky Family was eating…?" Zoro asked.

Maxwell's eyes bulged out at the swordsman, "YOU TOO!?" He then noticed they were getting pretty close to a nearby balcony. So, he set it ablaze. There were marines there.

Sodom nickered a response, which Chopper translated, "He says, 'I'll stick with Big Bro for the rest of my life!'"

Sanji sweat-dropped, looking a the little doctor, "Well, that's fine, but could he watch where he's going? That was pretty close."

"Since I can understand what he says, I can tell he's fairly happy."

Now it was Maxwell's turn to sweat-drop, "Chopper…" He knew most animals in this world had a higher intelligence compared to his old world, but did Chopper have to look up to a pair of sea monsters belonging to a crime syndicate? …Wait, were the Franky Family even a criminal syndicate?

Sodom then nickered and neighed again, "'By the way, that masked guy that was with us. Is it okay that he didn't ride with us?' He said." Chopper then realized what he just translated, "EH!?"

Maxwell chewed back a curse, "Oh for the love of—"

"HE'S NOT HERE!"

Usopp wasn't in the saddle with the rest of them.

"Why—!? That guy! Did he fall off!?" "No, when I think about it, he wasn't aboard from the start!" "…Did he run away!?"

Honestly, that last one sounded like Usopp…

"Regardless," Zoro cut through their fretting, "We can't go back to get someone who didn't ride with us…! He'll be fine on his own somehow."

"But this island is full of guards!" Nami yelled, "He's not like Luffy, so if he's alone, his life might be—"

"As we've gone through each island, all of us have been slowly getting stronger, even if we haven't realized it. He, too, with every island he's visited, has overcome some death. We don't have anyone in our group who would die so easily!" Zoro kept his eyes forward on the goal. If Usopp was going to survive, then he will survive! Zoro wasn't wrong about that.

Chopper looked at him confused, "'Overcome?' 'In our group!?' Zoro, what are you talking about!? Sogeking came to help us rescue Robin because Usopp asked him to!"

"…Well, he's an invincible hero. Right?" Sanji tried to appeal to Chopper's child-like wonder. It might have been unfair to keep stringing him along, but in this case, it was better to worry about a stranger then a close friend.

"…Right! Sogeking is a superhero for justice. He'll definitely be alright!"

Maxwell smiled, if only for just a moment. Then he looked ahead, "We're almost at the courthouse. Get ready!"

*BOOM!*

"Shit!"

*NEIGH~!*

Maxwell fell backwards into one of the seats as an explosion ripped across Sodom. The sea beast stopped in its tracks as it had hit him between the neck and the shoulder. Maxwell scrambled to try and look around, to figure out where that explosion had come from. There had to be some sort of damn gaatlok contraption nearby. Artillery units were the only things capable of shooting ammunition that big, and Sodom had been hit with a mortar!

The marines and government agents cheered below, "Alright! We've stopped one of them!"

"SODOM!"

Sodom was barely holding upright. The king bull had blood dripping from his mouth. Sodom was barely holding himself upright, Maxwell could feel the monster shuddering. Chopper yelled in horror, "This is bad! We have to treat him immediately!"

"SODOM! HOLD ON, DON'T COLLAPSE YET!" Gomorrah came galloping/hopping towards them, moving up beside his brother. Zambai then opened a gate to their own saddle.

"GUYS, JUMP OVER HERE! DON'T HESITATE! SODOM'S ALREADY DONE FOR! THAT MORTAR PIERCED HIS PECTORAL! IF YOU DON'T KEEP MOVING, NO ONE WILL GET WHAT'S COMING TO THEM! QUICK, BEFORE HE COLLAPSES!"

Maxwell looked between Zambai and Sodom. He understood they had to remain on mission. If they didn't reach the Courthouse, then they had no chance of rescuing Robin, or Franky for that matter. If what Chopper said about their loyalty was true then—

Sodom turned his head around a brayed at his passengers.

Chopper was starting to tear up, "He says, 'GO!'"

No longer hesitating, Maxwell jumps for Gomorrah's saddle. He was followed by Zoro, who had grabbed the sobbing Chopper, and Sanji who picked up Nami bridal style. The two king bulls seemed to have a brief conversation before Gomorrah started charging off, leaving Sodom to keel over to one side. Maxwell hoped they would leave the creature alone, even if Sodom had just made himself an obstacle.

"HERE WE GO GOMORRAH!" The king bull roared as best an equestrian can as he raced forward towards the courthouse. Zambai had to stop himself from looking back. The Franky Family, and the Straw-Hat crew were now in one saddle together, and the had to keep moving forward.

"Damn it…" Maxwell tightened his grip on his staff, "Zoro! Sanji! Keep an eye out for more artillery fire! We can't afford another hit like that again!"

"RIGHT!" Both men immediately take position at either corner of the saddle. They didn't like following orders but they understood the importance of the mission, and put their differences aside to defend their company.

Maxwell immediately conjures as Spirit glyph on the floor of their ride, and slams the butt of his staff into it. Gomorrah starts to gain a every green glow, "Zambai! You and the Franky's keep firing at whatever gets in our way! I'll try to maintain a barrier on Gomorrah but he cannot afford to get hit like Sodom! This spell degrades enough as it is. YOU HEAR THAT GOMORRAH!"

*N~EI~EIGH~!*

"But what about—"

"DID I STUTTER!?" Maxwell yells back at the gangster.

"No—! No sir!" Zambai jumps as he quickly turn back to his own men, "YOU HEARD THE PIRATE! FIRE!"

So, did the Franky Family and Straw-Hats keep riding through the streets of Enies Lobby. Gomorrah was regrettably faster by his lonesome. He didn't have to worry about colliding into Sodom as he charges through the streets. Just marines and men in black suits. Maxwell estimated they had already past the midway point of the island. However, that didn't mean the marines let up.

"IT'S A MORTAR! DODGE IT GOMORRAH!"

*NEIGH~!*

*BOOM!* Gomorrah tucked his head to dodge the mortar being shot at him. The explosive crashed into one of the nearby buildings and blasted there.

"This central road is bad news…!" Zambai looked around at his surroundings, "They're ambushing us with all sorts of things!" The marines had fired on the rooftops. Fired from the windows. And more and more of those mortar cannons were being set up along their path. Maxwell had done an excellent job keeping them all safe with his magic. It had saved them at least twice a dozen bullet wounds, but Zambai could see he was struggling. The mage kept both hands on his planted staff, breathing hard, and was starting to exude some kind of energy, like heat.

Zambai yelled at the king bull, "GOMORRAH, TURN! WE'RE CHANGING ROUTE!" and the king bull did just that.

Then the den den mushi started ringing again.

*Peru-peru-peru-peru-peru-peru—*

Nami answered the transponder snail, "Hello? Who is this!?"

"[It's us!]" Two familiar voices came from the snail.

"It's Old Lady Kokoro." "What's she want?"

Kokoro's voice came through, "[Thank goodness! It seems you're all alive! Nagagaga!]"

"Kokoro…!" Maxwell could hear the entire conversation, even at the front, "If you got something to say, then say it quick…!"

"[Well, there was something important I forgot to say before… So much was going on—Right, listen well. Paulie's map showed that there's no road to the Tower of Justice from the courthouse. Take a look at it! There are two towers, one on either side, right?]"

"Yes, there are!" It was hard not to see it at this distance. It was a tall white plastered keep with parapets, flags, and three giant gates that looked like keyholes. The towers were semi-circular and merged with the building.

"[There's a lever in the upper levels of each tower. If we pull those, a drawbridge should lower from the courthouse to the Tower of Justice.]"

"Thank the Maker…!" Maxwell let out a sigh of relief. There was no way an island would have a chasm and not have some sort of bridge. At least now they knew how to get across.

Zambai yelled back from the front, "Granny, how'd you know something like that!?" He was surprised at the old drunkard's knowledge.

"[Back in the day, I came with Tome to fix the bridge! IT'S THE STUPID GOVERNMENT THAT FORGOT THIS FAVOUR!]" Kokoro yelled through the transponder snail.

Zambai seemed to grimace, "Why are you angry at me…!" though he was talking to himself more than anything.

"[And then Chimney here—HELLO!? CAN YOU HEAR ME PIRATE LADY!?]" The snail's voice abruptly changed to the young girl's voice. Even Nami jumped back in surprise.

"What? Chimney!" Did the girl snatch the receiver out of her grandmother's hands?

"[HEY! THAT RUBBER PIRATE GUY… I SAW HIM CLIMB ONTO THE TOP OF THE COURTHOUSE ROOF!]" Not surprising. It was one of the largest building this side of the island, "[AFTER THAT, I SAW SOME STONES ON THE ROOF CRUMBLE. IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S SOME KIND OF FIGHT GOING ON!]"

"On the roof!?" Nami asked before nodding, "Got it! Thanks!"

"[One more thing, young lady!]" Kokoro's voice came back on, "Keep the den den mushi on so we know what's going on over there.]"

"Roger that!" Nami put the transponder snail away, for now.

"Now we know where to go…! Maxwell, you doing alright? Drop the shield for a moment."

Maxwell grunted as he let go of the spell, "…Damn it… And here I thought I could go a little longer…!"

Zambai nodded towards the Straw-Hats, "Okay! You guys go first. Head for the top of the courthouse and meet up with Straw-Hat! We'll split into two teams and lower the drawbridge!"

"YEAH!" the Franky Family cheered.

Zambai looked at the back of the head of their pet king bull, "It's up to you, Gomorrah! Up until we reach that courthouse!"

Maxwell then noticed something ahead of them, "…LOOK OUT!" The mage tried to conjure another Barrier in time, but it was too late. Three giants wrecking balls slammed into Gomorrah's right flank, hitting his ribs, shoulder, and neck. The force was enough to slam Gomorrah's head into one of the buildings.

"GOMORRAH!" The Franky Family yells in concern of their friend. The king bull had collapsed on the ground.

"Shit! Who are these guys!?" Each wrecking ball had been a part of a ball and chain. And on the ground, three shadowy figures stood holding those chains. They were buff, taller than the average human, and they seemed to wear spikes and a kind of cowl.

One of the figures chuckled, "So, you though you could get by so easily? You pieces of trash…"

The enemy cheered for their allies. "THEY DID IT! THEY TOOK THE SECOND ONE DOWN!" "THE PIRATES DON'T HAVE A LEG TO STAND ON ANY MORE!" "SURROUND AND ARREST ALL OF THEM!"

"[CALLING ALL ENIES LOBBY PERSONNEL!]"

Another intercom echoed in the air. It was the marines! One of Franky Family headed the thunder of footsteps, "The guards we outran before are catching up!"

"[—IN THE CENTER OF SOUTHEAST D-BLOCK, THE KING BULL RIDDEN BY THE PIRATES HAS BEEN STOPPED!]"

"This is bad!" "They're coming from the front too!"

"[ALL PERSONNEL CONVENE AND CLOSE OFF D BLOCK IMMEDIATELY!]"

"They're aiming their mortars!" "THIS IS VERY BAD! THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THEM! IF WE GET SURROUNDED HERE, WE'LL BE DONE FOR!"

Maxwell quickly tried to scan the battlefield. They needed an escape route, or some sort of weakness in their formation! Marines and WG agents were pouring in and had riffles aimed at them. Maxwell considered their options. If he could, perhaps, supercharge another spell… "Wait! Where did those shadowy figures go!?" The people who had thrown the wrecking balls had disappeared!

Zoro called out to Sanji suddenly, "Hey! Cook!"

"Yeah, I saw it. Luffy's already battling with the CP9!"

"What!?" Maxwell immediately looked at where Zoro and Sanji were looking. It was at the courthouse! One of the parapets had been demolished.

"Seriously!?" Zambai cursed, "Damn it! He's already started! But how do we get through!? We're completely surrounded…! And because of someone's steel ball, Gomorrah can't move anymore!"

"SHOOT THE PIRATES OFF THAT MONSTER!" The WG and the marines started firing their muskets at the alliance. Everyone got down to avoid being shoot. Maxwell also cast another Barrier glyph around them. They were pinned down!

Zoro and Sanji nod to each other, "There's only one way left!" "We just gotta cut through to the courthouse!"

Zambai raised his rocket launcher, "LET'S GO GUYS!"

"YEAH~!"

However, before they could climb down Gomorrah's back, Chopper yelled at them all, "WAIT! DON'T GET OFF!"

"Chopper!?" the Straw-Hats all looked to their friend.

"GOMORRAH'S ALIVE! HE SAID, 'HOLD ON TIGHTLY!'"

"What are—!?" Then Maxwell heard him. Gomorrah rumbled a noised in his throat as the king bull raised his head. Their enemies began to panic.

"THE MONSTER IS STILL ALIVE!" "SHOOT IT DEAD WITH A FRENCH MORTAR!" "SHOOT THE MONSTER!"

The Franky Family immediately shot counter fire, "FIGHT BACK! HELP GOMORRAH!" Maxwell helped out by summoning another Blizzard. The personnel on the roof tops we're immediately blinded by freezing blue vapour. Those that didn't abandon their launchers were either frozen solid or got sniped by an arcane bolt.

Gomorrah was on his feet, but there was a problem.

"BARRUUUURARARA~!"

*CRASH!*

"WAH!" One Franky Family member ducked his head, "Hey, Gomorrah! Why are you running into walls!? Are you at your limit!? What's wrong!?" The king bull was rampaging wildly. It kicked and galloped with it's head flying all over the place.

Chopper came to a realization, "…No…! He can't see! They got his optic nerve, so he's lost his eyesight!"

The king bull roared! Zambai looked up in shock, "WHAT!? YOU CAN'T SEE!? GOMORRAH!?" Gomorrah hit his head into another building. The sea monster stampeded through the street, his actions erratic. Mortar cannons couldn't probably aim, and marines were trampled under his flippers.

The Square Sisters cried out in concern, "YOU GOTTA STOP! GOMORRAH!" "YOU CAN'T RUN WITH YOUR BODY LIKE THAT!"

Gomorrah roared another thunderous bray.

Chopper understood him, "He said, 'I promised! With Sodom! I said, "Leave the rest to me! I'll run your part with everybody, too!"'"

Zambai winced with empathy, "Gomorrah…!" Gomorrah kept on with his stampede, roaring all the while. The Straw-Hats had no choice but to keep holding on as the sea monster charged through the city.

However, "GOMORRAH! STOP!" —up ahead was a 'T' intersection in the street. And they were heading straight to a stone building, "DON'T RUN RANDOMLY! IT'S A DEAD END! YOU'LL DIE IF YOU CRASH! STOP~!"

Zoro let out a huff, "Dead end? Do you see one?"

Sanji breathed out a cloud of smoke, "Nah, I don't see on anywhere."

Maxwell saw where this was going, "Oh for Andraste's sake…!"

Zoro and Sanji ran up Gomorrah's neck, while Maxwell used another Barrier on Gomorrah. Sanji and Zoro sliced and pulverized the building as Gomorrah charged through. The building was annihilated! Huge chunks of stone and mortar flew ahead of them. Marine and agents behind it ran in terror. A building was collapsing on them!

"[CALLING ALL PERSONNEL! THE KING BULL HAS BROKEN THROUGH THE SIEGE GATE AT BLOCK-D! THEY MADE IT INTO THE COUTHOUSE PLAZA! I REPEAT! THE PIRATES HAVE—!]"

"WE DID IT!" "WE'RE HERE AT THE COURTHOUSE, GOMMORAH!" "You did it—!"

Gomorrah collapsed, resting his head, utterly exhausted. He couldn't run anymore, not after that berserk marathon.

Zambai patted the king bull's hide, "Well done, Gomorrah! We won't waste you and your brother's run!" The gangster then drew his katana and yelled into the air, "WE'VE GOTTEN IN, YOU BASTARDS! WE'RE GONNA RESCUE BIG BRO FRANKY!" and the rest of the Franky Familly roared in response, clamouring to jump off.

"[ALL HANDS TO ENIES LOBBY MAIN ISLAND! THE PIRATES HAVE REACHED THE COURTHOUSE PLAZA! ALL GUARDS REPORT THERE IMMEDIATELY!]"