Chapter 24
Take a Chance on Me
Maxwell stared across the chasm, looking down the CP9. Both sides were posturing before their confrontation. CP9 and Robin stood on the balcony at the Tower of Justice. Beside her was the only one that didn't wear the uniform. He seemed more like some sort of noble, with a leather mask covering half his face. The Straw-Hats were still on the roof of the courthouse, standing on the parapets. The only reason they hadn't attacked yet was because of the chasm between the courthouse and the Tower of Justice. Enies Lobby did hang over a massive hole in the ocean. Large enough to create a waterfall. Right now, they didn't have a way to cross it. And the assassins seemed to be waiting for an order of some kind.
"I hope they drop the drawbridge in time…" Maxwell muttered. Though not their immediate focus, the Gates of Justice still loomed over Enies Lobby. The Cipher Pols were in a better position to get to them, then they were.
"Drawbridge?" Luffy looked over at his first-mate.
Zoro piped up, "Yeah. The Franky Family is working on lowering it now."
"You rushed ahead too quickly and went to the roof, so we had to get up here in order to regroup," Sanji explained.
Maxwell took stock of the CP9 agents across from them. Lucci stood with his hands in his pockets, calm and collected in this situation. His pet pigeon sat on his shoulder seemingly content. Apparently he used the bird in a ventriloquist act, being a social quirk while he was undercover. Kaku stood with his arms crossed. Both him and Kalifa were watching them, sizing their crew up. Another man stood beside Lucci, one Maxwell didn't recognize. He wore shirt unbuttoned and a tie loose around his neck. This agent was definitely a ruffian, and was looking for a fight. Jabra.
Then there were the two larger agents behind them. One seemed normal enough, wore his suit and tie all proper-like. Although that was quickly put off by his white makeup and black face paint. Not to mention the long, LARGE volume of pink hair growing out of his head. This was man was later revealed as Kumadori. The other guy… well, there was no gentle way to put this. Fukurou looked like a literal human sized beach ball and had a genuine zipper for lips. Maxwell did not want to know how he achieved that.
"SO MANY PIRATES HAVE COME!" Spandam seemed more concerned that they were here than not. It seemed like he actually hadn't expected them to get this far, and was not prepared for it.
As for Robin, …her face was unreadable.
Spandam turned towards the group of assassins, "CP9! Listen you! I give you permission to wipe them out, but take them down at the Tower of Justice! It's not like they could get up here to begin with!"
Maxwell blinked, recognizing this tone of voice. "…Don't tell me—" This guy was actually the one in charge!?
"WAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Spandam turn back to them, laughing for the balcony like some Tevinter magister in a mummer's play, "You stupid pirates! Do you realize that no matter how brave you are, nothing would ever change!? We have the full strength of the assassination squad, CP9! We have the heavy, Gates of Justice, that human power cannot open! And moreover!" Spandam took out, and I kid you not, a fully golden plated transponder snail, "I now have the authority to use the golden den den mushi to trigger the Buster Call!"
Robin's eyes went wide when she heard those words. Then the bastard actually had the nerve to gloat about it, "That's right. Exactly 20 years ago. It's the power that obliterated your hometown, Nico Robin! The word 'Ohara' disappeared from the following year's map, didn't it…?"
"Robin's hometown!?" Chopper parroted.
"Shitty mask," Sanji growled, "I wanna kick him down into the waterfall right now!"
Maxwell felt similarly offended. Clearly standards in the World Government were fairly low, if scum like this was allowed to be in charge.
"STOP IT! DON'T DO THAT!" Robin yelled at the CP9 director.
"Oh ho! I like that response," Spandam mocked his prisoner, "It's very thrilling... What? Does that mean I should press this Buster Call trigger? Eh? Hm~!?l
"DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU PRESS IT!?" Something in Robin's voice cut through Maxwell's heart like dagger. It wasn't anger that was in her voice, it was terror. A terrible wisdom that only survivors carried in their words. Never had Maxwell heard Robin with such desperation, not even when they encountered Admiral Aokiji.
Spandam payed it no mind, "Of course, I know it very well! The chances of you pirates getting off this island will become zero. By just a push of the button of this golden den den mushi!" He then held a finger hovering above the button, as if teasing her, "What? Did you have something else in mind? Wahahahahahaha!"
"It's not that simple! STOP IT!" Robin barked at the director.
"…Eh?" Spandam clearly didn't appreciate her tone, "Don't get cheeky with me now—!"
"You said Ohara disappeared from the map, didn't you!?" Robin cut him off. She then began to tremble in grief, "Can you see any humans on that map? You could only be so cruel because you look at the world like that…!" Robin dropped to her knees. Pain, one that had been aching in her heart for so long, had finally bubbled up to the surface… Maxwell could still her voice, even behind the ledge, "…If you ask for the Buster Call now, you'll be blown up too. Along with Enies Lobby…!"
She was pleading to him. Not just for her friends but for the island as well. The Buster call was supposed to be an all out attack, right? One that could destroy an entire island until it sunk into the sea? …What were the casualties? Were civilians even aloud to take refuge? Maxwell wished he knew the details.
Spandam totally disregarded her plea, "Don't be silly! How could we be blown up by our own allies' attack!? What're you talking about!?"
The archeologist slowly started to stand up, "Twenty years ago… Just one attack took everything from me and ruined the lives of many people! That is the Buster Call…! And that attack, is now aimed at the dear nakama that I've finally found."
Robin spoke to them now, "The more I wish to be with you, the more my fate will bare its fangs at you! No matter what sea I go to, I have this great foe that I can't shake off! Because, my enemy is the World and its darkness…!"
Maxwell's pupils dilated as she emphasized those words. …How long had he been alone? Wondering the plains of Thedas. Avoiding templars and villagers alike. Didn't he feel the exact same way?
"First, the incident with Aokiji! And now this…! I've gotten you involved twice already! If this goes on forever, then even good natured people like you, will eventually consider me a burden…! In time, you'll betray and abandon me! That's what I'm most afraid of! THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO COME AND SAVE ME!" Robin's voice broke, "If it's a life with people that I'll eventually lose, I just want to die right here, right now!"
"So that's how it is…" Zoro muttered under his breath. Till now, most of the crew had been saying Robin's name to themselves, listening to her pain. She had been living like this close to 20 years, waiting for the moment she would find someone to live for. And now, she had that... Robin didn't want to lose it… She didn't want to lose them.
"WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Spandam's laugh immediately drew Maxwell ire again, "I see… That's so true! Of course! No one could think you're not a burden with all your problems! Wahahahaha!"
Spandam then spun around, addressing them, and pointing his finger to the sky, "Look at that symbol, pirates!" He was pointing at the World Government flag. "That mark represents the unity of over 170 nations in the four seas and the Grand Line! THIS IS THE WORLD! Do you understand how insignificant you are to stand against us!? Do you understand how big of an organization is after her!?"
Luffy finally spoke up, "I understand Robin's enemy very well." He had been the only one silent during this entire confession session.
"Sogeking."
"Hmm?" The disguised Usopp looked over at Luffy.
"Shoot down that flag."
"Roger!" Maxwell then noticed Usopp had another staff. One that had been in his hands the entire time they had been listening to this, "This is my newest weapon: the World's Great Slingshot, Kabuto! Carefully observe its power!" Sogeking drew back the drawstring and aimed carefully at the World Government flag.
"Certain Kill… FIREBIRD STAR!" Sogeking let the payload fly. The fiery payload lit up like a fireball, and certainly looked like a bird! Usopp's arsenal really was expanding…
The shot blew straight through the centre of the flag, lighting it ablaze. Maxwell could swear he felt the entire island go quite with the burning of that flag. Robin was shocked. Spandam was incredulous.
"ARE YOU BASTARDS INSANE!? Spandam yelled at the pirates, "DON'T YOU DARE TO EVEN DREAM THAT YOU'D SURVIVE HAVING THE WORLD AS YOUR ENEMY!"
"AND I'D BE HAPPY TO LIVE WITH THAT!" Luffy roared to the sky. Spandam yelped and back-pedalled, scared out of his mind by the audacity of the Straw-Hat captain. As for Robin… For the first time, in who knows how long, tears were beginning to be shed. She could scarcely believe it either.
"Robin!" Luffy looked her dead in the eye, "I haven't heard it from you yet!"
"SAY YOU WANT TO LIVE!"
"Robin!" The whole crew stood behind their captain's decision. Chopper stood as resolute as he could be. Sanji couldn't help but smile at his captain's response, even if he wished he could do it himself. Zoro's face became an calculating mask, determining their next move. Nami looked Robin in concern. She understood having something loom over your head was terrifying, so she was going to help her any way she can. Maxwell and Sogeking both looked at each other. Then the two stamped their staves down, looking up at the archeologist.
Robin couldn't help the tears falling down her face. They steadily grew more and more as emotion welled in her stomach. How could they…? Even with…? They were her friends… And they wanted her…!?
…
…
…
"I WANT TO LIVE!"
The words rang out, clear as a bell. Ugly snot and tears ran down Robin face, she couldn't help it. "TAKE ME WITH YOU! BACK TO THE SEA!" They we're here for her!
Spandam could only look back at her in shock. He thought he had this woman under his thumb!
"WOOOOH, I LOVE YOU GUYS, DAMN IT~!" A new voice sounded somewhere on the balcony. Who the hell else was crying!?
*Kr-CHUNK!* The sounds of gears and rattling chains started churning beneath them.
Chopper looked below them, "The drawbridge is lowering!"
"I guess they've done their job well," Sanji grinned, knowing the Franky Family had taken the towers.
Sogeking's body began to quiver, "I… I'm trembling with excitement…"
"Finally," Maxwell glared at the CP9, and their director specifically. He had heard enough of this guy. This director was cheesier than a fairytale villain… Sweet Andraste, this was like a fairytale! Only Maxwell was the mage, and no one was wearing shining armor.
Maxwell holstered his staff, watching the bridge extend. He was prepared to dash towards the stairwell at a moment's notice.
Zoro did the opposite. He was slowly putting a hand onto one of his katanas, and the swordsman looked as though he was ready to jump, "Hurry up and lower it."
Not to mention he was grinning like a madman.
"GYAH~ DON'T COME OVER HERE!" Spandam was scared shitless.
"HERE WE GO!" Luffy cracked his knuckles and bounced on his legs, "THE DRAWBRIDGE IS LOWERING! ROBIN! WE'LL RESCUE YOU AT ANY COST!"
*Boom!*
"Oh come on!" Maxwell bit back a curse as he heard the screeching of metal. Explosions had burst out from the axels on either side of the bridge.
"The drawbridge stopped moving!" Sanji yelled. It had only moved about halfway before creeping to a halt.
"Damn it! Who's getting in our way!?" Luffy yelled down to the bottom of the courthouse. He could see an opening had opened with the drawbridge. The giant stain glass window that the crew had seen in the courtroom had separated like a pair of doors.
"Ack…! Eh… Hah?" Spandam calmed down, realizing what had happened, "G-Good! Good job!" It had to have been Baskerville who ordered the mortar fire, "Now, before they come over here, let me get to the Gates of Justice…!" Spandam jumped back onto the balcony floor, grabbing Robin by the arm, "You're coming with me, Nico Robin! Somebody grab Cutty Flam!"
"Robin!" Chopper called after them. They were going to try and escape with Robin!
The CP9 director looked back at the pirates behind him, "Hmph…! Those pirates aren't worth worrying about. I've got the assassination squad CP9 behind me! Nico Robin, a survivor of the Schollars' Island, who desired the revival of the weapon, and Cutty Flam who inherited the weapon's blueprints. HOW CAN I MISS THIS CHANCE TO GAIN SUCH AUTHORITY!? WAHAHAHAH—AH! Cutty Flam!"
Maxwell finally saw the mysterious voice on the balcony. Franky, the head of the Franky Family, had stood up. He stood in the way of Spandam as the coward tried to drag Robin back into the tower. The open-shirt dismantler pulled out a stack of papers, showing them off to the CP9 director. That would have been somewhat normal, except… "Did he just open and close his stomach like a door?"
Spandam was more focused on the papers, "That's…! You mean… now way…! Are those the blueprints of the Ancient Weapon, Pluton!?"
"…It's legit," Franky grinned a sinister grin, "Don't believe me? Lucci, Kaku. You can tell, can't you?" Franky lifted a couple pages and let them fold back onto each other.
Wait—! Wasn't that the thing Crocodile was after, back in Alabasta!? Maxwell couldn't quite tell their reactions, but he heard it in Kaku's voice, "I doubted it… but you were hiding it in your body, weren't you?"
Avarice started to shine in Spandam's eyes, "I-Is it real!? It's real!? Give it to me! Give it to me! That's what I've desired! The blueprints!"
"Nico Robin," Franky spoke directly to her, "I now understand that you are not the demon who's trying to abuse the Weapon, like rumour said… What the shipwrights of Water 7 have passed down from generation to generation; it's not 'How to make the weapon!'" Franky shook his head.
"Listen Spanda," Franky had beef with the CP9 director, "What Tom and Iceberg have protected by risking their lives… If the Ancient Weapon falls into the hands of an idiot like you and starts a rampage, there needs to be another weapon to counter and stop the first one. That was the wish of the original designer!"
"It's true you can use Nico Robin to revive the weapon. She's a dangerous woman." Franky and Iceberg were originally afraid, since she was the only one in the world who could translate the text. "But now, she has friends knowing they'll who'll protect her! So, I'm willing to make a wager…" Franky looked at the blueprints, "Perhaps there's only one way to fulfill the wishes of the designer..."
Spandam snapped at the mafia boss, "Don't keep going on and on, just give it to me! That's mine!"
Franky held the blueprints up to the sky. Then he blew fire at the papers, like a dragon. How Franky was able to do that? Maxwell had no idea. But it sure drove Spandam into a panic.
"NO!" the director scrambled to try and pick together the ashes, "BASTARD! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!? DAMN IT, I'LL KILL YOU!"
Franky only smirked, "The blueprints to create an opposing force were sought by the World Government, twice now. Normally, they should only exist in secret and should have been destroyed one they were discovered! But now, we no longer have an opposing force! If Nico Robin falls into your hands, we're doomed! But if the Straw-Hats win…! You'll have nothing left! So I'll place my bet on them!" Spandam could only looked up at Franky with hatred.
"BRO!" Someone yelled from sighing the courthouse, "FRANKY, BRO!" It was Zambai, and then Kiwi and Mozu started joining in from the towers.
"Bro, we've come to rescue you!" "We came with the Straw-Hats and the others!" "Sodom and Gomorrah tried their best, too!" "Bro, come back with us!" "Are you hurt at all!?"
"Y… You…" Franky was shocked at seeing his own crew on the island, "DAMN YOU! YOU THE HECK AZKD JOO TEH COME WESQUE ME~!?" He broke down in tears, though he'll never admit it.
"BROOOO~!" The entire gang called out to heir boss.
"BASTARDS! DAMN YOU… I AIN'T CRYING…!"
Luffy had let this gone on long enough, "SHUT UP, YOU BASTARDS!"
Both Nami and Zoro balked at his cold heartedness, "WHAT ARE YOU, A DEMON!?"
Luffy looked over at the two, then looked back down at the Franky Family, "Robin's waiting for us! Hurry and lower the bridge!" That quickly changed Zoro and Nami's tune.
"Oh yeah… HURRY UP YOU BASTARDS!" "Right! Move it, or I'll beat you up!" "NAMI~! I LOVE YOU FOR BEING COLD-HEARTED, TOO~!"
Maxwell, of course, facepalmed at their sudden change of disposition… That, and Sanji ass-kissing.
"STRAW-HAT!" Franky called out to Luffy. "I see you've taken good care of my subordinates. So this time, I, the Master Dismantler, Franky,will be your SUPER great ally in this war!"
"WHATEVER!" Luffy retorted back at the open shirt weirdo, "I STILL HOLD A GRUDGE AGAIST YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID TO USOPP!"
"Oh for the love of…" Maxwell shook his head, "Luffy, Usopp is—LOOK OUT!" The mage saw something behind Franky, and tried to warn him, but it was too late.
Franky had been pushed off of the balcony!
"AH! FRANKY!" Sogeking called out to the crime boss.
"[Ey~ pirates!]" Kokoro's voice came out of the regular den den mushi they had. Maxwell had forgotten they had left the snail on.
Nami pulled out the transponder snail, "Eh!? Kokoro!?"
"[I heard effrythin'. Whatcha heztatin fo!?]" Maker, was she drunk again!?
"Hesitating…? But the bridge is only halfway lowered!" Nami said back to the snail.
"[Halfway iz 'nuff. We'll be dhere in four shecon'zz! Jump to de fall whiff all yer might!]"
Luffy saw the snail, "Is that Granny!? What does she mean!?"
"I don't know…!" Nami looked back at her captain, "She told us to jump into the falls!"
*WOOO~! WOOO~!*
That was the sea trains whistle! "…Oh sweet Andraste…!" Maxwell suddenly figured out her plan. And so did Luffy.
"Luffy, wait—NOOO~!" "LET'S GO!"
Luffy, their ever free-falling pirate captain, had spread his rubber arms around all of them and jumped. Sanji, Usopp, Maxwell, and Zoro had to hold on for dear life. Nami and Chopper were the one who had Luffy's arms around their waists. But that didn't stop them from screaming. Heck, even Maxwell screamed.
"LUFFY~! YOU D #$&*() P #$&*()% C #$&*()%/?! WHY ARE WE F #$&*( DOING THIS AGAIN!? I HAD ENOUGH OF THIS SHIT WITH SKY ISLAND! OH SWEET ANDRASTE, WHY~!?"
*WOOOOT!*
Rocketman charged out of the courthouse and onto the bridge, using it as a ramp. The Rocketman was once again airborne, and the crew had landed on the locomotive. Though, in various states of duress. Maxwell thought he saw Franky collide with the train's upturned nose.
The mage didn't have time to think. As soon as he grabbed onto a ledge, Maxwell slapped down his other hand onto the chassis. He summoned a glyph, a Barrier rune. There was no way they were going to land in the Tower of Justice, without crashing.
And crashed, they did.