"So, uh," Franky rumbled, breaking the silence. "Who's Mr. Super-Evil-Chef-Boyardee in the paintings?"

"That's Judge Vinsmoke, head of Germa," Marco replied, nodding toward one of the large portraits on the wall. He made a face before smirking, "Also, that's Sanji's dad."

Robin cleared her throat, "Must take after his mother."

"Must," Franky agreed.

"He's a piece of shit human," Law snarled, scratching his fingers over the canvas as he passed. Law held up three slim fingers, "He's number three on my murder list."

"Only number three?" Ace laughed.

"Yes, number three." Law repeated.

"He really is terrible," Zoro admitted.

"He's gotta be something else," Usopp agreed with a solemn nod, "If your kid just wanted to forget you existed and live in a swamp."

"Relatable," Luffy sighed, dragging the metal door along beside him.

"Take a right," Marco called out.

"We can't go right," Law argued, "It's on fire."

Marco clicked his tongue, "Alright, then turn left…"

"What's to the left?" Zoro wondered.

Marco shrugged, "Who the hell knows? But hopefully not fire."

"We need Sanji to wake up," Nami groaned. "We're wasting time getting lost."

"Should I give him some more blood?" Luffy asked, his eyes wide with concern.

"Robin, do you think you could get an IV going?" Zoro questioned.

"I can," Marco offered, patting the pack on his back.

Law smiled, "I can too."

"Where were you assholes when we needed you earlier?!" Nami snapped. "Do you have any idea how hard it was to do just from instructions in a book?!"

"We don't have time to waste in one spot," Ace explained. "Gotta keep moving. Got it Marco?"

Marco nodded, slinging his backpack around, "No problem." Marco approached Luffy, setting his door 'shield' to the side. "Alright, I'm going to prick ya fast. Try to relax. And if you start feeling lightheaded just let me know…"

"O-okay," Luffy murmured, closing his eyes as Marco prepared to stick him.

"Done," Marco breathed out, "Now, you need to stay close to Sanji or you'll pull your IV out."

"Carry him," Law suggested, more than willingly tossing Sanji's unconscious body over Luffy's shoulder. "He's getting heavy."

Luffy snickered, "No problem, no problem."

"And…" Marco announced, working quickly. "Done."

"Alright, let's pick up the pace," Ace encouraged, grabbing Luffy's 'shield' to carry it.

"I…" Law said suddenly, perking up. "I sense something… Skeleton-man he's…" Law nodded slowly, as if confused. "He's alive."

"Wow, thank god," Luffy sighed.

"Where is he?" Usopp asked.

Law frowned, "He's with someone…"

"Who?" Luffy and Zoro demanded at the same time.

"Super Evil Chef-Boyardee guy?" Franky guessed.

"No…" Law mumbled, his head spinning. He clutched at his skull, his brain throbbing. He doubled over, his eyes clenched shut. "I'm not… I'm not feeling well…"

"Come on, Law," Luffy pleaded. "Stick with me."

"If he turns right now," Marco warned, looking toward Ace.

Ace shook his head, "Nah, man. Come on, Law. Come on…"

"What's wrong? Is it happening again?" Nami asked, backing up slowly.

Usopp stood in front of Nami, the memories from the hospital haunting him. He flashed a comforting smile, "It'll be fine."

"Hey," Robin whispered, her hand sliding across Law's back. "If you freak out now, you might miss your chance."

Law gasped for air, sparing a glance at Robin with wide, yellow eyes, "My… chance… for what? Revenge?"

"Being the hero of the day," Robin finished with a smile.

Law laughed, "God that's corny."

Robin grinned even wider, "It was." She shrugged a slender shoulder, "But if it works."

Law opened his mouth to argue but discovered she was right. He felt the warmth in his cheeks as a blush spread across his face. He straightened up and swallowed, too surprised to respond.

"Wonderful," Ace exhaled. "Let's go."

"Which way is Brook?" Marco pressed impatiently.

"He's…" Law closed his eyes to focus. "He's below us."

"But that's where the fire is…" Usopp refused, shaking his head.

"No…" Law corrected. "He's down there," Law pointed between his feet.

"What room is below us? I thought it was just the lab?" Ace questioned Marco.

Marco shrugged, "Damn if I know."

"How do we get down there?" Zoro demanded.

"We need to find a-"

"Ain't got time for that," Luffy decided, adjusting Sanji on his shoulder. "We go straight down. Get Brook. Get out."

"Straight down…?" Zoro asked hesitantly.

"We don't wanna know," Usopp decided, closing his eyes.

"I need someone to hold Sanji…" Luffy realized.

"No," Law sighed, "He needs your blood." Law licked his lips, sweat beading down his cheek. "I'll go."

"You?" Ace and Luffy asked at the same time.

Law made a face, "Why are you so damn surprised?"

"Well, it's just that," Luffy began, scratching his neck, "You're not really much of a…"

"We've got rope," Marco interrupted. "The hard part will be getting through the floor without damaging what the rest of us are standing on…"

"Nah," Franky disagreed. "I got'cha." Franky nodded to himself, "I can do it."

"Alright, then, have at it," Marco declared, waving his hand lazily.

"Anyone know where I can find a jigsaw?" Franky asked, "No? No. Fine then… I guess I'll make do with…" Franky began to dig through Marco's bag. "Huh…"

"Can you do it or not?" Law pressed, squeezing the bridge of his nose.

"Hold your horses, Emo Jockey," Franky murmured, balancing several grenades in the crook of his disfigured arm.

"Emo Jockey…?" Law hissed, eyes narrowed.

"Zoro, Marco, Ace," Franky instructed quickly, "And Usopp, I need your assistance."

"Sure."

"What's the plan?" Usopp asked, his hands slapping together expectantly.

"You'll have four seconds from when I pull the pin and when the grenades explode."

Zoro did a double-take, "Uh, wait what?"

"Four seconds," Franky repeated. "I'll pull the pins, release the striker and you have four seconds to cover the grenades with the doors. The blast and shrapnel should be mostly contained. The floor should be damaged enough for Law to break through. Simple." Franky looked around before adding, "Just in case, maybe ya'll should double up on the doors."

"Sounds stupid and rash," Ace commented with a smirk, "I'm in."

"That's the plan?!" Nami gasped. "Noooooo!"

"Get ready," Franky instructed, ignoring Nami's outburst. He flashed a crooked smile, "And don't fucking smash me with those doors. Let me back up before you jump in."

"Yes," Robin interjected, "Do not blow up Franky."

"Do not blow up Franky," Franky repeated, throwing a thumbs up. "Alright, I'm gonna pull the pins…" Franky announced, preparing to yank the metal rings out with his teeth. "On your mark…"

"Back up, Nami!" Usopp whispered, holding two metal 'shields' in front of him.

"Come on Chopper, come on Luffy…" Nami encouraged, pulling the two down the hall.

"Get set…"

"Don't blow up Franky!" Robin insisted.

"Don't blow up anybody!" Nami shouted, still backing down the hall.

"Go!" Franky yelled before suddenly hesitating, "Ya know, maybe this isn't the best idea…"

"Oh, for fuck's sake! Really?!" Zoro growled.

"Okay, okay, fine…" Franky sighed. "But if anyone dies I want it on the record that I had misgivings…"

"What?!" Usopp groaned. "Oh my Lord. Sweet Jesus… I can't die this way…"

"Just do it, we'll be fine," Marco murmured, "The biggest danger of a grenade is the shrapnel and we'll be covered…"

"We're all gonna lose our arms or legs or…" Usopp trailed off looking toward Franky.

"Super awkward, brother," Franky complained. "Real nice."

"Yeah," Ace teased good-naturedly, "Why ya gotta go and make Franky feel bad?"

"Just do it," Law snapped impatiently. "Or I'll just do it myself…"

"Nah, I'm good. On the count of three; one, two," Franky barked. He lifted the grenades toward his mouth, "Three!"

Franky pulled the pins from the grenades with his teeth, spitting them onto the floor with a clatter. He rolled forward, slamming the grenades against the floor with his only hand. He continued rolling, putting as much distance as possible between him and the grenades.

"He's clear!" Ace shouted. "Go!"

"Place it down and back-"

The explosion was larger than anticipated. It sent metal flying; several pieces of refrigerator door were lodged in the ceiling. The flames were a searing flash, licking at anything it could reach before dissolving in midair.

"Everyone okay?" Franky shouted, rubbing his ears uncomfortably.

"Am I alive?!" Usopp screamed, unable to hear the volume of his own voice.

Marco reeled slightly before grabbing hold of Ace. He gripped Ace by his vest, shaking him gently until he opened his eyes, "Ya alright?"

Ace nodded slowly, his eyes glassy and his mouth slightly ajar, "I think so."

"On your feet," Marco instructed, hoisting Ace up immediately.

"Zoro," Usopp yelled, nudging Zoro's shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"'m fine…" Zoro mumbled. He pushed against the metal beneath him unsurely. "Did it even fucking work or did we just blow ourselves up for no reason?"

"Huh?" Usopp shouted, shaking his head. "I can't hear you!"

Zoro sat up on his knees, "I said, 'Did it work?'"

"It worked," Robin said, pointing down the hall, "You were thrown a ways…"

Zoro and Usopp looked at the hole in the floor further down the hall and then at the twisted metal shields beneath them. Usopp shook his head angrily, "Franky! We could've died!"

Franky shrugged, "I said I wasn't sure it was a good idea…"

"I'm going down," Law interrupted. "I'll find Brook."

"I'll go with you," Zoro offered.

"You have a concussion," Law sighed. "Stay here."

"I'm fine."

Law refused flatly, "No. Stay here or you'll just be in the way."

"Be careful," Robin called out, walking slowly toward the hole in the floor. "The edges are sharp."

Law made a face, his yellow eyes sparkling, "Thanks, mother."

Law was unsure how to proceed. He sat down on the floor, inching closer to the smoldering edges of the hole. Law licked his lips and closed his eyes. And then he pushed himself over the edge, slipping into the darkness below.

"You okay?" Franky called out.

"I'm fine," Law replied, squinting until his eyes adjusted to the darkness.

"I'll get to work on getting a rope for your trip back up."

"Hey, wait," Law cried out suddenly. "Is…" Law shook his head. "Never mind."

Law stood underneath the hole, the light from the floor above casting down on him like a golden aura. He looked around the dark space surrounding him and sighed. He had felt Brook. He knew Brook was down here. Where was he?

"Hello?" Law called out, stepping out of the light.

"M-m-"

"Hello?! Brook?" Law gasped, taking several steps forward. His stomach clenched uncomfortably and his throat tightened.

"Mi-mister L-"

Law turned around sharply, searching out the source of the noise. He paced across the floor, pearly-white skeletal fingers reaching out from the darkness. Law looked down at the deathly hand wrapped around his ankle. Brook looked up, his entire face fleshless. Law licked his lips and narrowed his eyes, "Brook."

"Mister Law…" Brook exhaled shakily.

"Come on," Law interrupted urgently. "We need to get the hell out of here…"

"Run…"

Law froze over Brook, his hands inches from the man's exposed bones. Law frowned deeply, his brows furrowing with concern, "What?"

"Run…" Brook croaked out with great effort.

Law's jaw tightened and he realized why he felt so unnerved. He helped Brook to his feet and hurried back toward the hole. He was so close. He was almost there. "Franky! I've got him. Get us up now."

"Law."

Law's skin prickled, a shudder coursing through him. He did his best to ignore the other man and he rushed Brook toward their makeshift exit. "Grab him."

"Yeah, I've got 'im," Zoro called down, his upper body coming into view. "Grab my hand, Brook…"

"Come on. Hurry the fuck up," Law snapped, his hands beginning to shake.

"Law."

Law's body tightened. He looked straight ahead, unwilling to respond.

"Alright," Zoro breathed out. "Your turn."

Law shook his head and took a small step backward, "I can't."

"Wha'd'ya mean? Come on…" Zoro urged impatiently.

"I have to end this," Law realized, looking up with wide eyes.

There was a rumble of deep laughter from the corner of the room.

"End what?" Zoro wondered, shaking his head. "Grab my hand. Let's go."

Law took another small step backward and then another, "I'm going to kill this son of a bitch."

"Who?!"

Doflamingo sat on a large crate, he leaned forward, his knees splaying outward, "Oh, Law. That's cute."

"What did you want with Brook?" Law asked, stepping forward. "You couldn't have known we'd come for him."

Doflamingo grinned from ear to ear, "Dear," Doflamingo chewed out his words, "Of course you'd come for him." Doflamingo shrugged his broad shoulders, "He saved the two of you from the fire."

"He did?"

"Where's little Luffy?" Doflamingo questioned, placing his palms together. "Upstairs?"

"No."

Doflamingo laughed again, "Don't be a liar. I hate liars."

It was Law's turn to smile, "Don't worry about anyone else. I'm the one who's going to kill you." Law took another step forward, "I think you always knew it would come to this…"

"I knew you'd try," Doflamingo breathed out. "But you and I see very different results."

"Fuck you…" Law spat angrily.

Doflamingo chuckled darkly, "I made you."

Law sneered, "So?"

"So I own you," Doflamingo explained. "You're mine to do with as I please. I can dispose of you whenever and however I want. And there's nothing you can do about it."

Law laughed loudly, "You think you can kill me?! I welcome the attempt. Please. Please show me how you intend to do it."

"I never said 'kill'," Doflamingo replied with an eerie smile. "Oh, I don't want to kill you, Law. I just want to make you suffer. You might even say I enjoy it…"

"The disrespect!" Law spat, shaking his head in outrage.

"Oh, you'll get over it," Doflamingo teased. He sat back, leaning against the wall. "Why don't you go ahead and call Luffy down here. You know you'll need him."

"You're alone," Law replied simply. "I can handle you just fine."

Doflamingo exhaled heavily, "I'm having a really shitty week, Law. You shouldn't press your luck."

"Oh, has this week been hard on you?" Law mocked. "Bless your heart."

Doflamingo stood up, reaching his full, impressive height. He smirked in amusement, "Good, Law. I like it better when you have spunk."

"Fuck you…"

"Law?"

Law closed his eyes before calling out, "I'm busy. You guys go ahead."

"What's going on?" Luffy called down.

"Don't worry your pretty, little head, LUF," Doflamingo replied, "I'll come see you next."