"How did you get here?" Zoro asked in bewilderment, throwing an arm over Usopp's shoulder affectionately.

"We've been here," Franky replied sharply. "What took ya'll fools so long?"

"Zoro wanted to open every damn cage on the way here," Sanji murmured, forcing a smile as Nami approached. "Glad to see you're well, Nami, dear."

"How did you get out of the city?" Zoro wondered, ruffling Chopper's hair.

"We snuck into one of the D Foundation trucks," Franky answered. "How 'bout you? I was afraid you were still in the hospital."

"By the time I got downstairs Luffy was gone," Zoro said quietly. He shook his head and held his jaw tightly. "I ran into some D Foundation guys, they knew who I was and let me hitch a ride." Zoro cleared his throat. "Half that team didn't make it out of the city. I was lucky."

"Wait, D Foundation stooges helped you?" Nami asked in shock.

Zoro nodded, "They were good guys. I could tell. Shame."

"And remember, Zoro was once a D Foundation stooge too," Usopp interjected.

Zoro made a face, "And Sanji. And Sanji…"

"Wonder if that was Marco's team," Robin mused, adjusting Chopper on her hip.

"Okay, last question before we get the heck outta here," Usopp announced, clasping his hands together in front of him. "Uhhhh, where's Luffy?"

Sanji and Zoro looked at each other and then back at Usopp. Zoro shrugged and Sanji rubbed the back of his head, "We don't know."

"You don't know?!" Franky rumbled. "Wha'd'ya mean ya don't know?"

"I was evacuated separately," Sanji murmured.

Zoro groaned irritably, "He was gone before I got outside."

"Then where is Luffy?" Nami asked, looking toward Robin for some reassurance.

"He's on his way," Zoro said simply. "Come on. We need to still be alive when he gets here."

"What's the plan?" Usopp asked, chasing behind Zoro and Sanji expectantly.

"Don' know," Zoro barked.

"Don't have one," Sanji snapped.

"Oh, sweet, merciful, Lord," Usopp moaned. "I don't know what I was expecting… I… Hey, wait up!"

"Which one of you hacked the security system?" Sanji asked, spinning around.

Robin and Franky looked at one another. Usopp and Nami both shrugged. Chopper spoke first, "What do you mean?"

"The security system. Who opened the doors?" Sanji clarified.

"Dude, we decided to make our move when we saw the two of ya coming this way," Franky explained. "We didn't do nothing with the security system."

"Then who did?" Sanji asked, sharing a look with Zoro.

"Who could?" Zoro added.

"Let's hope it's a friendly," Nami murmured, looking to Usopp.

"We don't have any friends," Zoro sighed, "It's just us."

"Those D Foundation guys helped you escape," Nami pointed out.

Zoro crossed his arms over his chest, "We can't count on anyone. We're alone in this."

"That's fine," Robin said, lowering Chopper to his feet. "I trust us to get out of here." Robin smiled at Franky and then shrugged, "Of course my faith may be misplaced and we're all doomed to live the rest of our short lives in a miserable existence…"

Franky grimaced, "Robbie…"

"The plan!" Sanji shouted, rubbing his hands roughly over his face. "That's what we should be talking about."

"I say we let whoever else is here kill the Germa," Franky suggested, "And then we just walk out of here."

"We don't know who's here," Nami pointed out, "They could want us dead too."

"Let's just assume everyone wants to kill us," Zoro interjected. "Cause it's probably true."

"Oh, God," Usopp panicked, pursing his lips anxiously. "I know I ask for a lot but right now I need some guidance. I need to know which direction to run that I won't die immediately… Oh sweet Lord, make me faster than these other fools…"

"You're talking to yourself," Zoro barked.

"Sanji," Chopper murmured, tugging on Sanji's sleeve. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Can we just wait it out here? I mean once Luffy gets here he'll be able to find us, right?" Nami proposed hopefully.

"We can't wait here," Franky argued, "We're sitting ducks. We need to be mobile."

"You don't look so good," Chopper pressed, pulling insistently on Sanji.

"I say we, uh, get back into one of those trucks and just hole up," Usopp suggested. "It's the safest option. Those suckers can take a lotta heat before they pop."

"That's the best idea so far," Franky rumbled in approval. "The rest of ya'll are too damn optimistic."

"Hey, you come up with something then!" Nami snapped.

Franky made a face, "I already said I like Usopp's idea, girlie."

"I need to sit down," Sanji gasped, staggering forward and nearly toppling over Chopper.

"Shit!" Zoro growled, rushing forward to catch Sanji before he hit the ground.

"What's wrong with him?" Nami questioned. "I thought he saw doctors already…"

"I'll explain in a minute," Zoro said, hoisting Sanji over his shoulder. He adjusted the other man quickly before carrying him toward the door. "Someone get us a truck."

"Got cha covered, brother," Franky called out, charging past Zoro and out the door.

"Be careful!" Robin shouted, shaking her head in disbelief. She looked at Nami and rolled her eyes, "He'd piss in the wind."

"At least he's cute," Nami joked, knocking her shoulder against Robin's.

Robin stuck out in her tongue in mock disgust, "He's not that cute."

"You're so mean," Nami cried out, trying to disguise her laugh.

"Come on, ladies," Usopp urged impatiently. "Walk faster. Time is of the essence."

"I could die any minute," Robin's voice boomed, "Do not rush me."

"Yes, ma'am," Usopp cowered. "Wouldn't dream of it, ma'am."

"You have to get control from the start," Robin whispered with a smile, "Or they think they can do anything." She tossed her long, black hair out of her face, "And that's the good ones. Don't ever waste your time training the bad ones."

Nami nodded, "I don't plan on it."

"Are you?" Robin pressed, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Am I what?" Nami wondered.

Robin smiled again, her face split into a wide, mischievous grin, "Are the two of you in training?"

Nami laughed, a slight blush creeping into her cheeks, "I told you, Robin… That boy, he," Nami chewed on her lip before continuing, "His mama done raised him right. I barely have to do anything."

"Good," Robin said, nodding her head in approval, "because they actually get worse the longer you date."

"What?!" Nami groaned.

Robin shook her head pointedly, "Oh, yes. Just wait until you're out of this mess and he always leaves the toilet seat up and all he talks about are memes…"

"Pssssh," Nami scoffed, "You think there's a way out of this mess?"

Robin glanced down, her lashes fluttering over her eyes, "I don't know." She stepped carefully over the crushed gravel, her eyes on her feet, "I don't think the whole world's gone mad. There has to be somewhere we can belong."

"You and Franky?"

Robin smiled sadly, "All of us."

Nami returned the solemn smile and nodded, "Yeah."

"Hey, gorgeous lady," Franky rasped, rolling down the heavily tinted window of their newly procured vehicle. "I'd say God Bless You, but it looks like he already did…"

Robin tucked her hair behind her ear and pulled herself up into the cabin of the truck. She ran her hand along Franky's neck, trailing her fingers across his skin until she had taken her seat next to the window. She settled against the stiff, leather jump seat and buckled the harness between her legs. She crossed her long legs pointedly and smiled, "I seem to have lost my number, can I have yours?"

"Barf," Zoro groaned slamming the door shut behind Usopp. "Drive, Franky."

"Got it," Franky groaned, shifting the armored truck into gear.

"What's wrong with Sanji?" Chopper asked as Nami buckled the small child into his seat.

"It's…" Zoro hesitated.

The armored truck lurched forward as Franky hit the gas. Everyone inside was rattled, but those still unbuckled, Zoro and Usopp, went flying across the inside. Sanji, still lying on the floor, rolled from side to side until Zoro managed to tether himself. He looked toward Franky and cursed angrily, "Fucking drive like we're arriving alive, Franky!"

"It's evasive maneuvers," Franky claimed with a shrug of his shoulder.

"Fuck that shit! I nearly died!" Usopp shouted, red-faced. He shook his head and looked toward Robin and Nami apologetically, "Excuse me, ladies."

"What are you evading?!" Zoro demanded "There isn't a soul out here!"

"There could be snipers or landmines," Franky reasoned, turning sharply down an alley between the groups of garages.

"Francis," Robin called out sweetly. "You are driving a tad recklessly."

Franky downshifted with a frown. He spoke irritably, "Okay."

"Guys," Usopp murmured, gripping the harness's straps tightly, "Zoro's right. There, uh, ain't nobody here."

"That's lucky," Nami said. "I don't particularly want to engage in a full-scale battle."

"It's not lucky," Franky rasped, slowing down even more, "It's super creepy."

"Maybe those things we let out attacked everyone?" Zoro suggested.

"The things?" Chopper asked. "You mean the people like me?"

Zoro licked his lips, "Yeah."

"I don't think that's it," Chopper disagreed, closing his eyes tightly. "I'm scared."

"There's nothing to be-" Nami couldn't finish. She cleared her throat and looked out the window. "We're in here. For right now this is the safest place to be."

"What the fuck is-" Franky's words were drowned out by the screaming of crushing metal. The armored truck rolled onto its side, rolling and rolling until it landed right side up again several hundred yards away.

"Fuck!" Zoro barked through clenched teeth, "Help me hold Sanji."

"Yeah," Usopp grunted with effort, leaning as far as his harness would allow, "We got 'em. He's okay. We got 'em."

"We got him?" Zoro repeated in a daze, clutching onto Sanji for dear life.

"Yeah, he's okay," Usopp chanted under his breath.

"What just happened?" Nami cried out, reaching out for Robin and Chopper's hands.

"Something hit the truck," Franky murmured, his chest and shoulders heaving up and down.

"Can you see what we hit?" Usopp asked, looking around for a window with visibility.

"Don't undo your harnesses," Franky warned. He turned around to look at the others, "And hold onto Sanji." He turned the key in the ignition but the starter simply clicked. He rubbed the steering wheel lovingly before trying again, "Come on, baby. Purr for me."

"Let me get him into that seat," Zoro insisted, eyeing the seat at the back of the vehicle. It was a small seat, less padding. He changed his mind quickly, "I'll sit there. I'm gonna put him here next to you guys…"

"Stay where you are, brother," Franky rumbled. "You'll never make it."

"Never make what?"

A moment later Zoro's question was answered. The back of the armored truck caved in, nearly ripping the metal apart. The entire truck bounced mightily and they were shoved several hundred more yards across the grass. Nami squealed in fright, "What is it? What is it?"

There was a loud clicking noise and the earth seemed to shake. Franky tried the ignition again. He cursed in frustration. He turned the key and slammed his foot on the gas. The next try the engine turned over. "Come on, come on," Franky urged, pleading with the engine.

"Is that a fucking tank?!" Usopp shouted.

"Just hold on," Franky shouted, punching the gas in one final attempt. The truck started and they shot forward. The truck made a terrible noise as it struggled to accelerate. Franky closed his eyes and shifted, the wheel careening sharply to the right. "I sure could use two fucking hands!"

"I'll drive," Nami replied, unbuckling her harness. "Switch."

"Switch?!" Franky scoffed, "I ain't a tiny man. How the hell do you expect me to move around in here?"

"Ya wanna live?" Nami asked, her lips pursed.

Franky nodded, "Yep."

"I'll drive," Nami repeated, climbing over Franky's lap and into the tiny space beside the window. "Move over."

Nami had barely taken the wheel when they hit a large uneven spot in the yard. The truck smashed against the ground, the bumper ripping off from the contact. Nami let out a noise, "Shit. Hold on."

"You ain't doing much better, girlie," Franky grunted, letting Robin buckle him into his harness.

"Give me a minute," Nami murmured.

"The exit's that way," Usopp mentioned, pointing. "The other way. The other way… Where are you going?"

"This is an armored truck right?"

"Yeah."

"Can it stand up to a tank?"

Usopp made a face, "Not likely."

"That's what I thought," Nami breathed, pressing down on the gas.

"We need to get the hell outta range!" Franky instructed.

Nami nodded, "That's what I'm doing, boys." Nami looked in the rearview mirror and winked, "Hold onto Sanji."

Sparks flew as the truck sped up the concrete stairs. One of the tires popped and the truck leaned terribly to one side. Nami didn't slow down as she plowed into patio furniture. She didn't slow down as she drove over the perfectly manicured flowers. And she didn't slow down as the truck collided with the house. They tore through the side, bricks and other materials raining down like hail. Another tire popped, electrical wires sparked and dust clouded all visibility. Eventually the truck came to a stop, lodged through a crumbling interior wall.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Zoro shouted.

The engine smoked, the windshield wipers scraping noisily against the cracked screen. Nami looked around the cab, her hands still gripping tight on the steering wheel. Franky leaned over and grabbed the key, removing it from the ignition. "I'll be taking that back, girlie."

Nami nodded slowly, "I don't think it matters. We're not going anywhere."

"Are you trying to kill us?" Usopp demanded.

Nami shook her head, "I went where the tank couldn't follow."

Zoro suddenly laughed, shaking his head in dismay, "And now we're trapped in a smoking truck surrounded by our enemies…"

"How long will it take?" Nami questioned, shaking off the shock. "Before they can get in here?"

"Depends on what they use, I suppose," Franky reasoned.

Nami nodded, "Exactly. I bought us time." She leaned back in her seat, finally releasing the wheel. "We're together and safe for now. That's all we can ask for."

"I'd prefer not to be burned alive if we get a choice," Robin murmured, unbuckling her harness. "But other than that I'm not too picky."

"Are we really doing this?" Usopp wondered aloud.

"What?" Zoro asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Waiting here for Luffy to rescue us?"

Everyone was silent for a long stretch of time, thinking it over. What Usopp said was, unfortunately, true. They were waiting for Luffy. They were counting on him as their last hope. Finally Usopp spoke again, "Guys, this is it. This is the last time."

"The last time for what?" Chopper asked quietly.

"The last time we let Luffy risk his life for us," Usopp said simply.

Zoro looked down at Sanji lying at his feet before closing his eyes, "This time we'll be sure to return the favor."

"We won't leave anyone behind," Franky vowed.

Robin nodded, "No more sacrifices."

"We're stronger together," Nami added.

"This needs to be our last stand," Zoro breathed. "We have to end this here and now."

"For Luffy," Chopper chimed in.

"For Luffy, Law, Teach," Zoro spoke quickly, "For you too, Chopper. For you, Franky. For everyone who has been stepped on and walked all over by the D Foundation."

"And Germa Six Six," Chopper interjected.

Zoro's face twitched with anger, his fingers curling into an involuntary fist, "Yeah. Germa Six Six too."

"This has been a lovely, rousing speech," Sanji groaned, sitting up. "But I think you guys are being a tad too underestimating…"

"Heh, you alive?" Franky chuckled. He kicked out his foot, connecting gently with Sanji's shoulder.

"Jesus, Sanji," Usopp gasped, "Can you not pass out on us for a while?"

"Not getting enough attention, Sanji?" Zoro groaned, extending his hand to Sanji. He helped the slighter man to his feet with a smile. "Have to get dramatic to feel special?"

Sanji laughed weakly, patting his pockets in search of a cigarette. His skin was blotched and pale, rashes peeking out from underneath his clothes. "You know I'm starving for affection… Just not from you." Sanji smiled at Robin handsomely, "What I wouldn't give for some special attention from some lovely ladies…"

"She's taken," Franky snapped with exaggerated annoyance.

"Hardly," Robin teased, wiggling her finger. "How does the song go? 'Should've put a ring on it'?"

"Ahem, excuse me, can we all just focus on the present?!" Usopp shouted. "We are in Germa's house! The other bad guys! Remember? We are stuck in a truck in a wall in Germa's house!"

"Old news," Franky muttered, leaning back in his seat. "I think I'm gonna take a nap. Wake me if something or someone bursts into flames."

"I don't appreciate your fancy-free attitude." Usopp complained.

"I think that's a good idea," Zoro agreed, nodding toward Franky. "I'll get some rest too. I need to be fresh for when Luffy gets here."

"Are you… are you even listening to me?" Usopp demanded. "Am I the only one who is worried here?"

"Relax," Nami sighed, reaching out to run her hands through Usopp's crop of curls. "Worrying will get us nowhere right now."

"Well no, it won't, but neither will not worrying because the truck is stuck in the damn wall! We couldn't get anywhere if we tried!"

"Usopp, you heard her," Sanji said, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "Relax."

"And now… and now you're smoking… You are smoking in a truck that could catch on fire any damn second… What? Just what is wrong with your brain?"

Chopper sighed, shaking his head slowly back and forth, "Must be a lot."

"There!" Usopp shouted. "Chopper agrees with me! This is a bad idea."

Zoro opened one eye. He studied Usopp critically for a moment before speaking, "Well, sometimes you don't have any good ideas and all you have are bad ones." Zoro crossed his arms over his chest, "All we've got are bad ones."