"Alright, that-a boy… Just get down on the ground real slowly…"
Blood spurted from Luffy's wound as he placed his hands behind his head. He considered his options carefully; there was one man with a gun against his head, three more armed men guarding the freezer door. Another dozen men were involved in a scuffle on the far side of the room. Someone, or something, was trying to fight their way through the blockade.
"I can't…" Luffy breathed out, making up his mind, "fight with this hole in my stomach."
"That's right. Just get down, on your stomach. Nice and slow."
Luffy straightened up, abandoning his motion to the floor. He turned quickly, punching the man beside him right in the face. The gun dropped, but not before Luffy had severed the vertebrae at the base of the man's neck. The other three men shouted, and fired, knocking Luffy against the wall. Luffy moaned miserably, sliding down the wall with no control of his movement. His vision went in and out and finally there was nothing.
When Luffy reset he found himself face down on the floor, his arms tethered behind his back. He looked around nervously before spotting the same three men. He had reset quickly, they'd barely had time to subdue him. The realization made him smile.
It was easy enough to get to his feet without his arms. Luffy didn't bother waiting to break free; he rushed the closest guard and threw his entire weight against him. He knocked the man flat on his back and slammed his head against the others. The man reeled, almost comically, before passing out on the floor.
"Don't you dare…"
Luffy kicked the metal table, rolling it across the tiled floor. He slammed it hard into the men, pushing them against the freezer with all his might. He dropped to the floor, letting out an involuntary noise as a bullet tore through the tabletop and into the floor. He tore his restraints, breaking his hands free. Luffy grabbed one man, and then another; until he'd pulled all three armed men to the ground.
He heard movement behind him and he rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding being captured by another guard. The man cursed, pulling a needle from his jacket, "LUF, be smart. This doesn't have to hurt."
"Don't tell me what to do!" Luffy shouted, throwing the table toward the man. "And don't you even pretend that you care if it hurts…" Luffy grabbed for something to defend himself; pulling a large cast iron skillet from a hook above his head. He brandished the skillet with both hands, edging back toward the freezer.
"Just shoot him," another man barked, still busy with the commotion at the doorway. "And then give 'im the serum!"
Luffy staggered backward from the force of the shot. The second shot nearly knocked him down. He growled angrily but otherwise ignored the man. He slipped back toward the freezer and, before he could be stopped, he forced the door open.
"Hey," Luffy warned, "We've got company."
"What sort of company?" Ace called back.
Luffy shrugged, "Angry company?"
Marco strode out first. He dipped low, grabbing a gun from one of the fallen guards. He moved fast, stepping in front of Luffy protectively as he raised his gun. He fired two shots in rapid secession, killing the man. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Luffy breathed out, "Well, uh, mostly okay…"
"What's mostly okay mean?" Ace questioned, grabbing a gun for himself. Ace looked Luffy up and down before exclaiming, "Damn it, Luffy! Why'd you go and get shot?!"
"I didn't do it on purpoooose…" Luffy whined.
"Is it bad?" Ace pressed, frowning slightly.
Luffy sighed, "Ugh, fine, go ahead and reset me."
"You shouldn't reset so damn much," Law warned, wiping frost from his handsome face. "One day you're not gonna wake up."
Luffy gestured to Ace with a grin, "Uh, hell-o! We're immortal, baby!"
Law reached down and collected the last gun, "Alright then, I will reset your stupid ass myself." Law's face twitched, "Just remember what I told you; nothing lasts forever."
"Such a downer, man," Marco complained, ducking down behind an overturned counter.
"Less talking and more shooting," Ace reprimanded, breathing heavily.
"Aye, aye," Marco breathed, flashing Ace a smile. Marco rolled his shoulders backward, squinting, "I know you said less talking but who's that?"
"Who's who?" Ace questioned.
Marco gestured toward the blockaded door, "The guys those guys are shooting at."
"I don't know," Ace breathed out, searching one of the corpses for a fresh magazine. "But they've got some heavy artillery."
"Do you even know what heavy artillery is?" Marco asked suddenly, nudging Ace's thigh with his foot.
Ace smirked, "Duh. The big booms."
"Shut up," Law snapped, inspecting the wound he'd left in Luffy's head. "Listen and let's find out."
"Are you any good with a gun?" Marco asked Law, ejecting his empty clip.
"Not really," Law admitted, holding Luffy down as he reset. "I can't manage to kill one fucking guy." Law flicked Luffy's forehead sternly, "Stay down until you know where you are. You're just gonna get killed again."
"Guns are so stupid," Luffy complained, staring up at the ceiling. "It doesn't take any talent."
"Oh, it takes talent," Marco corrected, exhaling slowly. "Some people just don't care about wasting bullets."
"Heads up!" Ace warned shoving Marco's head down.
There was an explosion and the men in the blockade were blown apart. Flesh and bone matter seemed to coat every surface. Thick, noxious smoke filled the air and the visibility diminished.
"Damn," Marco sighed, pulling his protective gear up and over his face. "You two…"
"Don't bother," Law said softly as he climbed to his feet.
"Take cover! And cover your nose and mouth!"
"It doesn't matter," Law insisted.
"How many times have you reset?" Ace panicked.
"It's not poison," Law explained. "It's argon."
"How do you know?" Marco asked, his voice muffled behind his mask.
"It says so right here," Law replied, kicking a damaged canister toward the others. "Argon gas, inert gas."
"Argon? Ar-gon?" Luffy repeated the word, "What the hell's argon?"
"Welding gas," Marco replied. "But it's not flammable. So then what caused the-"
Another explosion rocked the room. The shelving fell; pots, pans, supplies, everything came crashing down to the floor. There was a burst of flame. The heat scorched black tendrils across the floor, walls, and ceiling. And suddenly the flash was extinguished and everything was still.
"Someone's coming," Law whispered, sliding between two rows of toppled shelving.
"Oh, my God. You're gonna kill us. I can't die like this. I can't. I have too much to live for. Jesus, I always said that I would spend a Thanksgivin' feedin' the homeless. If I live, I swear, I will be there… Just let me live… How about puppies, Lord? Should I tell you what I'll do to save the puppies?"
"You're fine. You're barely bleeding."
"I guess I used too much chloric acid."
"Ya think? Hey, wait…You singed one of your eyebrows off!"
"No I didn't!"
"Yes, you did! I'm looking at you, dipshit!"
"You don't have to be so rude…"
"Wait a minute," Luffy gasped, his face splitting into a grin. "I'd know that whine anywhere!"
"Luffy?!"
"Usopp!" Luffy shouted happily.
"Holy shit," Franky rumbled. "Should've known you'd been in the kitchen."
"This is a kitchen?" Luffy questioned, looking around at the destroyed surroundings.
"Luffy! I am so relieved. Oh my God. I thought ya'll were never gonna make it," Usopp breathed out, smiling brightly.
Luffy grinned from ear to ear, an involuntary snicker escaping his lips. He bounced on his feet impatiently before striding forward, his arms wide and expectant. Usopp blushed, throwing out his arms to receive Luffy's sudden embrace. But Luffy stepped past him, slipping in-between him and Franky as if they were invisible. Luffy bounded toward the man behind them; wrapping his entire body around the other's. "Zor-o…"
Zoro quickly lowered something large to the floor, freeing his hands. "Luffy," Zoro breathed out, staggering back a few inches from the force of contact.
"I thought you got blown up," Luffy whispered, holding tight.
"Just another Monday."
Luffy smiled, his face pressed against Zoro's warm shoulder, "I can't let go."
"What do you mean?" Zoro murmured, tilting his head to better see the other man.
"I can't let go," Luffy confessed quietly, "It's like my body's not listening to me."
"It's okay," Zoro replied, patting Luffy on the back. "It's good to see you."
"Yeah," Luffy whispered in agreement.
Zoro adjusted Luffy slightly, his hands placed low on the bottom of Luffy's legs.
"Sorry, Zoro," Luffy sighed.
"This is getting to be an awkwardly long hug, but I don't mind much."
"No, about the hospital. I was wrong. We shouldn't have split up…"
"Ah, yeah, well, about that…" Zoro's cheek twitched. "I have a little something for you."
Luffy smiled, his hold on Zoro easing slightly, "Yeah? What is it?"
Zoro's fist connected with the side of Luffy's head; not enough to hurt but enough to make a point. Luffy smiled apologetically, lowering his feet back down to the floor, "My bad."
"Yeah, your bad, asshole."
"Looks like the whole crew's reunited," Ace mentioned, clearing his throat. "We should get the hell out of here."
"Skeleton-man is missing," Law said simply.
"We have to find Brook," Luffy realized.
"We don't have time t-"
"Wait, you were with Brook?!" Nami asked.
"Yes, I found him and Law in the back of D Foundation transfer car, truck, thingie…" Luffy explained. "The last place I saw him was in the lab."
"Then he's gone," Marco sighed. "The lab is razed."
"Someone got us out of the fire," Law pointed out.
"Sanji…" Luffy exhaled shakily. "What's wrong?" Luffy dropped to his knees, kneeling beside Sanji's unconscious form. The large, motionless thing Zoro had been carrying was Sanji. "Sanji…"
"He's in bad shape," Chopper said softly, placing his hand in Robin's.
"I don't… understand…" Luffy groaned, looking from Sanji to the others expectantly.
"He looks," Law gasped with recognition. "Oh god. He does…"
"What? What is it?" Luffy demanded.
"Amber Lead," Law replied, wiping his face with his hand.
"Amber Lead? It can't be Amber Lead, that's like third world shit," Franky rumbled.
Robin cast him a quick, warning glance, "It can't be Amber Lead disease because Amber Lead disease isn't contagious."
"Wasn't that shit eradicated?!" Usopp panicked, checking his skin for splotches. "I mean, I heard it killed everyone off and no one else could get it anymore… Jesus."
"What's Amber Lead?" Chopper asked, looking to Robin and Franky curiously.
"It's not even really a disease," Marco pointed out, "A small country in the-"
"It doesn't matter!" Luffy shouted. "Sanji… he's… he doesn't look so good…"
Suddenly Law laughed. It was a dark, throaty ominous chuckle that made everyone's skin prickle with discomfort. Law squatted beside Luffy, his knees jutting in opposite directions. "It's my fault."
"What's your fault?" Ace asked.
"When I gave him my blood…" Law trailed off as he examined Sanji's unconscious body.
"But you've given your blood to lots of people," Luffy reasoned. "And nothing like this's happened before…"
"Quick," Ace breathed out, leaning over the others, "Let's see if we can flush it out."
Luffy snapped his teeth shut on his thumb, drawing blood. He pressed his bleeding palm and finger against Sanji's pale, peeling lips. The scarlet stained him with color. Law pushed Sanji's lips apart with two fingers, letting Luffy's blood splatter across Sanji's teeth and onto his tongue.
"Is that going to do anything?" Franky wondered aloud.
"I'm pretty sure humans don't absorb blood from their stomachs, y'all," Usopp murmured, his face pressed into Nami's shoulder.
"Sanji isn't like everyone else," Luffy explained, squeezing his hand to produce more blood, "He's not exactly inhuman, but…"
"He's a lab rat with a fancy name," Law finished. He stood up, his hand smacking the floor between his legs to propel him upward. "We need to move. We've been sitting here too long."
"We need to find Brook," Luffy repeated, wiping his bloodied hand on his pants.
"Man, he's long gone," Marco sighed.
Luffy tilted his head, "He's a walking, talking skeleton. I don't think normal rules apply. He's our friend. We're going to find him."
Marco nodded, "Alright, let's find him. But once the ride out arrives, you and Law and that little reindeer need to go."
"Ride out?" Zoro questioned, eyes narrowed.
Ace nodded, "Yeah, we're getting you guys the hell outta here."
"And going where?" Franky pressed.
Marco smiled, "I don't know. Isn't it great?"
"How's that great?" Nami asked uncertainly.
Ace smirked too, "It means that no matter what or how much it hurts, we'll never betray you guys."
"You're coming too." It wasn't a question. Luffy gave his command.
Ace nodded, "If we can, yes. If we can't…" Ace sighed, exchanging a look with Marco, "Well then, I need you guys to take care of my shitty little kid brother."
"Men!" Nami snapped. "There's no reason we can't all escape! Let's move! God! Guys are so dumb! What's gonna happen?! You'll have to launch us into the getaway car and make your last stand?! Please!" Nami shoved Usopp further into the kitchen. "Quit planning your valiant warrior deaths and use your fucking heads for a useful plan…"
"Ouch," Marco hissed, a guilty smile twitching up the corners of his mouth. "She's mean."
"You've no idea," Usopp mouthed.
"She's resourceful and resilient," Franky rumbled, pointing a finger.
"So, I take it you've come up with a plan?" Ace asked, sitting on one of the few surfaces that wasn't overturned.
"I have," Nami replied, swishing her coppery hair over her shoulder. "Usopp and I prefer plans where we both live."
"Yes, yes I do," Usopp agreed.
"Alright boys," Nami exclaimed, gesturing to the panels in front of her. "Junk it."
"Junk it?" Law asked.
Nami smiled devilishly, tapping her fingers against the freezer door. "Yes. Junk it."
"I think I like where this is going," Ace replied with a grin.
"Like you actually have any idea of what she's trying to do, please," Law teased, lifting Sanji off the floor.
"I'll take him," Zoro offered, stepping forward.
Law made a face, "So I have to do manual labor? No thanks."
"It'll take too long for you humans to get it done," Chopper realized. "Why don't ya'll just back up a bit…?"
"Huh?" Robin looked up in surprise.
Chopper smiled, his hands fidgeting in front of him bashfully, "I can do it. I can do it fast."
"Hell yeah," Franky boomed. "Show 'em, Chopper! Fuck that shit up!"
"Francis, language," Robin scolded. She grabbed Luffy and Nami by the arm, "Come on, let's all take a step or two back…"
"Sorry, Robin."
"We need… one… two…ten panels," Nami counted quickly. "Can you do it?"
"I just need room," Chopper replied, turning to look at the others, "It's gonna be a tight fit."
"You heard the reindeer, mush!" Franky ordered, ushering everyone from the kitchen. "Mush!"
"Wait!" Luffy exclaimed in panic. "What's he gonna do to the fridge? Is it empty? Can we check first?!" Luffy pushed against the flow of traffic. "I think we should check…"
"Here," Zoro called out, grabbing a dented can from the ground, "Want some…" Zoro made a face once he read the label, "Er, bamboo shoots?"
"I'm not a panda," Luffy complained, taking the can anyway. He popped off the top and took a whiff. The scent was strong and unusual and Luffy frowned, "I'm so sad for pandas."
"The longer we take the higher probability that your friends all die," Law reminded Luffy, adjusting Sanji over his shoulder.
"This smells like piss, Imma eat it though, Imma eat it though," Luffy mumbled to himself. He leaned his head back and tipped the can, swallowing the juice and shoots hungrily. He smacked his lips loudly, wiping his wet mouth with his arm, "Alright. I'm ready to go."
"Alright, little brother," Franky called out, "Do your thing."
"What's he going to do?" Law asked, peering down the hallway curiously.
"He turns into this huge wolf-deer-zombie-horse," Luffy explained, craning his neck to get a better look too. "It's pretty much the most badass thing you'll ever see."
"But I can't see it," Law complained.
"His demon horns get pretty big," Usopp added, "It's best to stay out of range." Usopp looked Law up and down, "You don't turn into anything do ya?"
"A cannibal." Law taunted, sucking his teeth loudly.
There was a tremendous uproar in the kitchen. Metal was ripped from its hinges. Anything left on the shelves was knocked to the floor. The room was absolutely demolished. Finally the noise died down, enough to hear the leaking pipes.
Franky and Usopp stomped back into the kitchen. Franky shook his head, water sloshing over his shoes. "Holy overkill, Batkid."
"Sorry," Chopper replied, scratching the back of his head guiltily.
"Got the pieces?" Nami asked, peering around Usopp.
"Yep, all ten," Chopper replied, pointing them out.
"A'ight, let's get the hell outta here then," Nami commanded.
"It's a good thing Sanji didn't plan on living in this house," Robin sighed.
"Eh, right?!" Nami chuckled. "Fuck these guys. It ain't our house."
"Ain't our problem," Usopp finished, slapping his hand against Nami's.
"Was there anything good to eat in there?" Luffy asked Chopper.
Chopper shrugged, "I wasn't really looking."
"Damn it," Luffy groaned, searching quickly through the debris. "There has to be something in here that- A-ha!" Luffy began to gnaw on a whole roasted chicken. "Let's roll out."
"Isn't that hard to eat like that?" Nami questioned, shaking her head.
"Nope," Luffy said simply. "Oy! Zoro, grab me something to drink."
Zoro snatched a can of soda from the floor, "Just wait a while to open it," he warned before tossing it to Luffy.
"You take the rear," Marco instructed Ace. "Let me lead."
"I should lead," Ace protested.
Marco knocked his fist against Ace's shoulder, "I take the lead."
"Look, I don't care if you walk hand-in-hand, just move," Law barked, gesturing them all the hurry. "Brook is absolutely fucked at this point and Sanji might be worse off."
"Don't say that," Luffy groaned, walking quickly.
"I won't sugarcoat anything," Law stated matter-of-factly. "Amber Lead is, well, it's a death sentence."
"No," Zoro refused, shaking his head. "They cured it. They cured it before with Luffy, and Teach… and Ace?"
"They didn't have Amber Lead," Law argued, "It's not the same thing."
"But they were contaminated by it, right? I mean that's how come you're all here…" Zoro pressed on.
"Okay, spread out, make room," Nami instructed. "Remember, this plan is only as good as our teamwork."
"What plan?" Ace asked, "Nobody ever told us the plan." Ace smiled at Marco, "Do you know the plan?"
Marco shook his head, "I sure don't."
"Okay, well, it's simple," Nami began to explain, "Everyone takes and holds a door… like so…" Nami held the door in front of her, blocking herself from view. "And then we all scootch together like this…" Nami and Usopp moved toward each other, creating a barricade, "And we have the ancient defense of the phalanx."
"How can we fight if we're holding the doors and huddled together?" Luffy asked.
"We don't fight," Nami sighed, "We move. We escape. We live."
"But are the doors heavy enough to deflect the bullets?" Law questioned.
"We're hoping for some ricochet. That's our best chance of survival."
Usopp chimed in, "And now that we have two more guys in bullet proof vests, it'll be easier. We'll take the outside and keep Chopper, Nami, and Robin on the inside."
"And Sanji," Luffy added.
"And Sanji," Usopp agreed.
"Will this work?" Law asked, looking to Marco and Ace for confirmation.
Marco shrugged, "It will work a hell of a lot better than just walking out there in the open."
"It works or it doesn't," Ace decided, "We'll adapt the plan if needed. We need to get to the field in front of the mansion. That's the rendezvous." Ace grabbed Luffy's shoulder, "Did you hear me? The field in front of the mansion. Go there. Be there. Got it?"
"Got it," Luffy repeated, nodding his head obediently.
"If we get separated, where are you going?" Ace demanded, gently shaking Luffy.
"We won't."
"Where, Luf?" Ace barked.
"The field in front of the mansion."
Ace smiled easily, his hand ruffling through Luffy's hair, "Yeah."
"Where do we go look for Brook?" Luffy asked, feeling overwhelmed.
"It shouldn't be too hard," Law reasoned, "We can probably smell him half a mile away."