Disclaimer: Still not mine.
"Where do you think the other turn leads to?" Chopper hid a shudder in his voice, chilled by a subtle feeling of drought. He wasn't certain over the stench of stale water and neglected walls, but he thought he could feel a pang of salty smell drawing from the other side of the tunnel.
"The docks, probably." Law kept his pace. "The pirates back in the old days did not skip on loot; they would've taken anything not nailed to the walls. The bar owners quickly took to a habit of digging a double cellars to protect their more expensive stocks."
"Does anyone use these now? This tunnel doesn't look like it's used too much."
"Smugglers do." A faint light seemed to drift from the cellar at the far side of the corridor. They must have been approaching the cellar they entered through to the underground.
Again, Chopper felt a slightest pang of worry. A jar with Apple's Tears weighted down in his backpack. The number of things that could go wrong was overwhelming. Security, bounty hunters' traps, faulty equipment…
They used to get through worse, Luffy and everyone… Together.
As a crew.
"Have you treated this type of pox before?" he asked. Law seemed confident giving diagnosis of Keith. To Chopper's eyes, this seemed like a strange case of pox. There was so much things Chopper needed to learn.
"I know how to cure it." Did it count as a yes? "Does anyone else?" Chopper tried to match human's steps. In sparse light and with additional set of limbs this posed a challenge. Maybe he should've resigned from travel form. "Why Triad wouldn't want to help Niis?"
"Many reasons." Law kept his pace. "First, there is no profit in doing so, even for a distinguished employee. Second, the probability of someone actually being able to deal with this case being on this island is low. Besides," he added as if on afterthought, "the Triad won't risk the outbreak of plague. Even if it's never there."
"Eh?"
"They won't have the guts to do it." The harsh reply startled Chopper. "Unknown is foundation of fear."
They spent the rest of their journey underground in silence.
The streets were different than Chopper remembered them before. The afternoon drizzle was setting into the full blown shower. The crowds were dwindling in the face of upcoming storm. Shopkeepers were struggling to set up hastily prepared covers over their stock. Orange glow started to lit the windows of the tenant houses.
Reverting back to his mini form, Chopper tugged at the scarf in vain effort to protect himself against the downpour. He could already feel the prickles of cold water at his exposed fur.
Law walking ahead of him seemed unfazed by the rain and for a moment Chopper felt a stab of envy at the long, practical coat and hat present shielding human from the weather.
There was no point in using Chopper's tracking abilities in these conditions. If they got lost, it would be Law's task to find their way back.
There was a limited time Chopper felt as useless as he felt now.
They took a turn from the main street and headed into one of so many backyards this city hosted. A sense of urgency and alarm washed over Chopper. He stopped in his tracks.
"What?" Law glanced back at him, halting his footsteps. No words were needed. A familiar figure was looming at the other end of the passage.
"You are the stubborn one, aren't you?" A nasty edge of Law's voice was the only sign of recognition.
The bounty hunter Chopper seen last crawling his way towards his chopped up legs looked soaked wet, beaten and definitely angry. But it was not what set Chopper on edge. Over the sound of the raindrops, he heard something else.
"…sociable, too."
The neighbouring windows were glistering with metal of rifles.
The callback did not fall on the deaf ears of the hunter. Chopper wondered fleetingly if Law would be fast enough to teleport them away from this place. Fast enough to do this before the first bullets would hit them.
"Triad doesn't tolerate thieves, Law." A familiar voice, in which Chopper recognised one of the hunter Law cut on their way out of the auction. He paid little attention to him, as a row of faces emerged from the mist of the downpour. Guns and mob. Bad combination.
But how did they know? Chopper's heart was racing. Their disguises were still in place, there was no way they recognised them at their first meeting. Well, they recognised Chopper, but no one should know that Law of all people accompanies him.
"That's curious." Chopper's blood ran cold. The last thing they needed was Law sneering at disgruntled locals with tools of bodily harm. "Since when do you care about the source of your gold?"
The little red lamp that tried to catch Chopper's attention back when they were discussing their plans again.
Terrible realisation started to creep in.
It never had a chance to come to a full bloom, though. A clang of metal announced the start of action. Chopper barely had a chance to look as strange set of boa and net rattling on the cobblestone before wiry hand clutched at the scarf reindeer has been huddled in.
"Room."
Chopper landed roughly at something wet and smelly. A few feet away Law was picking himself from the remnants of half-rotten wood. Reindeer looked around wildly for signs of pursuit – only to be hoisted in the air.
"Hey! Put me down!" He was clutching at his scarf to prevent himself from sliding off the human's grip. "My travel form is way faster than you!"
"Is it more quiet as well?" Law was running and only now Chopper realised they were crossing a wooden bridge, one of the many in this part of the port.
The wood was slick with water and wind almost strong enough to push them slightly off-track. At this altitude, the wind was not something to be trifled with.
Chopper fell silent. Stealth was better, given the situation. Still…
"Where did you get the money you paid for me at the auction from?" Chopper watched the wooden logs pass underneath as Law hurried across the ledge. The far end of the crossing was hidden in the shadow cast by the neighbouring building.
It was not a good time for questions, but the problem was lurking at the back of Chopper's mind for some time now. What losses has Law incurred by getting Chopper out of this auction in a first place? What will be the consequences?
"Is it important?" grunted Law. Between himself, Law's luggage and the nodachi the other captain was used to be carrying around the current strain had to be taking its' toll. Chopper wondered the merits of transforming right now.
"It is! How did they know who we are, anyway? Our disguises were good so far!"
The silence that followed was enough. Chopper felt his suspicions materialise at last.
"You… stole their money? Just like back there on the hat stand?" The idea seemed plausible, yet Chopper needed a moment for it to sink in. For some reason, the idea seemed hollow. Disappointing.
Being pirates meant stealing stuff, especially with Nami on board. It was different with her, though. The way she treated their funds Chopper could be sure she would stop anytime and at least try to add new items to the crew's –or more definitely, hers- stocks.
But Nami never needed Devil Fruit powers to do this, though. Even with Luffy nearby, her professional pride called for her to at least lay a claim the prize personally. Stealing with Devil Fruit powers was cheating. Chopper felt strangely hollow.
"It doesn't matter," ground out Law. There was something unsettling in the uneven breath of the human. They were nearing the end of the bridge, a simple doorway leading to the stairs circling the tower. "If we don't lose these guys before we reach the labs, it's a game over for us."
"Didn't you say that they'll be spread thin!?" snapped Chopper. The whole thing was getting downhill rather quickly and Chopper refused to be treated as a luggage. Again.
They burst into the tower and took the stairs down. For the sake of his tongue, Chopper kept silent. He therefore did not voice his surprise as Law, instead of turning to the fork leading to the neighbouring bridge, headed to the ground level.
"Weren't we supposed to keep low?" Puns aside. Chopper took a careful look as they emerged from the stairs and joined the dwindling backstreet crowd.
"That's exactly what we are doing." Law slowed down considerably to a firm march, pulling the up the collar with his free hand. Still dangling, Chopper considered merits of asking human to put him down and let Chopper walk on his own at last.
They moved up the soaked street in silence. Salty scent lingered the air, its' familiarity welcomed contrast after the hours of moist and mould. It felt like home.
"…How do you know where this laboratory is?" asked Chopper finally. No answer. He glanced up at human, who didn't even appear that he heard the question.
Heaving a sigh, Chopper resigned himself to yet another luggage journey.
"I am… dissapointed."
Vindi stifled a grimace at the voice coming from the other den den mushi.
Damn vindicators. Damn know-it-all secretaries. Hierarchy is overrated.
Damn missed chances at earning twice of monthly expected income in one go. She rolled her eyes, secretly glad that no visual communication can be passed over this one particular communicator. The poor thing was worn out already, but Vindi was never one to cut off from useful things, even at the end of their usable life. At least she was free to let go of her frustration by making faces at anyone that happened to be in the vicinity. Snarl seemed to approve.
"How could you lose a pirate and his mascot in what I expressly ordered to be an organised trap?"
"Our people are still looking for them." Vindi decided not to mention that the search would not have to happen had headquarters actually mentioned that some other, unaccounted Devil Fruit users may be involved. Messing with people's perception of targets will not be explained to her as Law's ability this time. Not without a signature sphere that usually accompanies his spells.
She wouldn't mention it because she spent last few years building up her position within the triad by simply not asking similar questions. Sometimes she hated her job, though. "The whole area is cut off and more people are moving into it, they'll fish them out eventually."
"I'm assuming that you're aware of their transgressions already. Reputation of whole organization lies in your hands now. As is your head."
Vindi felt her eyes roll. She used to serve under people who could have made this threat look as something that a five year old scribbled down in a far corner of the sandbox – by mere comparison. With the ease granted from years of practice, she relaxed and allowed professional confidence creep into her voice.
"Understood." The den den mushi clicked and the snail dozed off immediately, snoring peacefully.
Vindi sighed and met Mr Snarl's eyes. She nodded.
"Time to go."
She spent thirty five years as an information broker. She knew when to move on. And as reluctant as she was to leave this place this was definitely the right time to go.
She was appalled at the thought of slow, peaceful atmosphere growing on her.
"Call Bonks." She stood up finally, glancing wearily at the piles of papers conquering her desk.
What a shame. She kind of wished to stay and see how it all ends. You don't get the visit from two Supernovas every day.
The den den mushi rang.
"Yes?" She picked up without really thinking about who might be at the other side. Which was why she froze when a she recognised a familiar voice.
"Vindi. I need a favour."
Favours were not in the dictionary of any self-respecting underground information broker.
Still, Vindi sat down and listened.
The building was as unassuming as a run-down, half smashed old shop can be. Shards of glass glittered in a toothy smiles of the window frames. Pale layer of dust fought mould for dominance over the horizontal areas inside.
Standing just on the doorstep, Law pushed open the doors to the screeching protest of rust and wood. Torn between curiosity and fearful anticipation, Chopper risked a peek from behind human's leg.
It took a moment for his eyes to get adjusted to the gloom.
Everything about the building screamed 'abandoned' and 'useless'. Everything except for scents, barely muffled over the stench of decay and rot.
"There were people passing through there recently." Chopper left his spot behind his companion and ventured a few steps ahead, sniffing at air. "Do you think it'll be just like Niis' hideout? I thought only bar keepers had such tunnels dug out."
"Well, even smugglers need an inspiration sometimes." It was hard to make Law's face out in the gloom, but the tone of his voice suggested amusement. Chopper looked up, briefly, shaken out of his divagations. Was he imaging things?
Chopper's sensitivity to scents were one of the small number of things that remained unaffected by him eating the Devil Fruit. Law's scent was an accent of recently stolen herbs and sweat in the closed space of the room. Chopper frowned. A subtle shade of familiar scent was lingered the air, unrecognisable in the surrounding lash out of smell.
"The tunnels will be guarded." Law stepped before the reindeer. The soft rasp of steel was the only warning before the glint of dispersed light swept the area. "Room."
Chopper watched in amazement as a faraway dots started to appear, indicating the targets of doctor's search.
"Five guards." Chopper blinked. I thought you needed to know how somebody looks like to find them!" He hurried after the human.
"I do."
"Then how are you able to find them?" insisted Chopper. A vaguely frustrated sigh was the initial response.
"I wasn't looking for people." He heard at last. "Now, focus."
In a blink, they found themselves in a different part of the tunnel. Blue sphere dissipating, Chopper watched in amazement the smooth, obviously new walls and clean corridor floor leading ahead. A shady lamp illuminated the way.
They teleported again.
"You know the way?" whispered Chopper. He was clutching at his bag, now taken off in an attempt to find anything remotely useful for the mission. The luggage role will not be back. The underwater halls called a bit too close home for him and It did little for his confidence.
"What is this place?" he urged Law. Another scan, another lights in the distance. More of them.
"We are heading-" Law's hand rose, "to the main base."
Chopper blinked as the bright lit room appeared before his eyes. Rows of tables glass tubes and containers whose collective number would be enough to equip more laboratories Chopper ever saw in his life.
A group of surprised-looking laboratory workers was eyeing them in a varying stages of shock.
Law wasted no time for pleasantries.
"Room." Two swipes later, Chopper tried his best to ignore various body parts being stuck to the nearby surfaces. His focus was on the opposite part of the room anyway.
A large set of metal boxes with a microwave-like doors at the top. The boxes took most of the wall. Chopper had no idea how did researches managed to maintain functionality of such arrangements.
A rows of microscopes were lining the counter attached to other sides of the wall.
"You do the synthesis. I'll stand guard." Law glanced around the room, taking his post against the wall and propping Kikoku against his shoulder.
Chopper didn't need to have these words repeated.
Synthesis process was fairly simple, yet a bit lengthy. With his newly available equipment, Chopper expected it to last about half an hour.
What can go wrong in half an hour?
He shoved the thought out of his head. With a swift tug at his bag, he took out the herbs and commenced his task.
"How are we doing?" Vindi cast a glance up and down the street, taking in the deserted street below. From her post at the rooftop she had good view at the alley. She felt strangely self-conscious, perched like that, but she decided not to dwell on it. There are times when there is no choice but to roll up your sleeves and get things done. Personally.
"This district is covered." Mr Snarl was looming on the other side of the cornice, crossing out another item from his list. He snapped closed his notebook, storing it carefully in one of his pockets. "All provisions have been transferred, we are good to go."
Their last concert here. Vindi allowed a tight, little smile as she –carefully- made her way down through the cornices.
Rooftop chases are something you grow out from around your 50's.
The machine let out a high beep and spit out the results. Chopper hurried over to take the list, scanning rows of numbers and symbols for answers.
After some ten minutes of tests and errors, he has managed to get just the settings he needed. These were one of the most embarrassing moments of his life so far.
Law's sporadic advises were of little help.
Chopper put the bowl of prepared herbs into the machine and put the 'on' button. He stole a glance at Law, who was still propped against the wall in exactly the same pose he's been before. From his place, Chopper wasn't sure if the human simply didn't doze off. Can people do that? Luffy could, but he was somewhat of a special case. So was Zoro…
Talk about awkward.
The temporary disembodied scientists have given up their struggles on Law's promise of sending their limbs away somewhere 'they'll have fun looking for'.
If Chopper was right, The synthesis process should take no longer half an hour. He looked over to his still unmoving companion.
"I set the dose. It should be ready in about thirty minutes," the reindeer said, looking for any signs of indication of other's attention. If they're to be stuck here, he might as well as ask some questions. They have time.
"This isn't a pox, is it?" The thought was with him for a time now, but he needed a confirmation. If he was to rely on Law's knowledge, he needed to at least know what are possible risks of dealing with an unknown disease.
Law had an upper hand of travel experience. Doctorine's castle, while a recluse of medical knowledge, relied on those lucky to make it through their journey in terms of experience in foreign ailments. Law mentioned World Government…"
"It's not a disease." Law shifted slightly, still propped against the wall. Chopper waited for continuation. None came.
"So it's a… poisoning?" Chopper ventured after a while. A nod. "What is it's source? Can we get it as well?"
"Not if you focus on your task." The impatient undertone suggested the conversation to be over. Chopper frowned. They might be a rival doctors, but does it have to reflect on other's well-being? Anything could happen from now on.
They Triad could find them. They could be separated on their way out. They could end up bringing the contamination on Sunny. He needed to know. He had right to know.
"The source is a mineral that kid's jewellery are made from. Amber Lead has been quite expensive back in the days, it stands to reason for black market to trade it." Allowed Law after a moment of frosty silence.
Chopper wanted to press for details, but was interrupted.
"Amber Lead Syndrome?" The two-thirds of a scientist (legs now excluded) all but squeaked. Reminded of witnesses' presence, Chopper glanced at the man. Law's attack left the lab workers unnerved, but now they seemed panicked.
"The contaminated are here!" A half of a grubby scientist gasped. Chopper glanced back at Law who appeared as unmoved by obvious distress of hostages as moments before. Seriously, what of a bedside manner?
"Calm down, there is no reason to panic," he started, but was interrupted by the sound of the breaking glass and then the whole room changed.
Maybe Law should've expected the mention of the infamous 'disease' to raise some panic among the spectators. Frankly, the thought of someone dumb enough to still deal with Flevance's signature mineral after it's culling was unsettling even to him.
What he did not expect, though, was the chaos that broke loose in the wake of revelation.
"Turn it off!" he heard through the siren, as the room lit red and blue. Straw Hat's doctor stood, frozen on spot but apparently still sober enough to think Law could put out the alarm. Law grinned mirthlessly. Punk Hazard.
It was getting boring here anyway.
"How much time left!?" he shouted over the noise. The power supply The power supply on the other side of the room looked just the way Punk Hazard's model. Law still kind of wished Jean Bart was here. Law would have to settle for guessing this time around as well.
"Ten minutes!" came from the other side of the room. Law considered his options. They were locked in anyway, and the moderate time left required some safeguard in case someone in charge of this facility did some thinking and decided to smoke them out.
The silence fell like a knife. Sheathing Kikoku, Law allowed himself to for a moment bask in relief of ringing silence.
It didn't last long.
"Where are the scientists?" Law stifled a sigh. At a time like this…
"Why do you need to know? I sent them away, just like I promised. They'll pull themselves together. Eventually." Déjà vu. The Racoon frowned, but didn't press further. Still, Law had an impression that this wasn't the answer Straw Hat was waiting for.
Whatever.
"Be ready to leave as soon as the mixture is ready." Law walked back to his previous spot, now dotted with glass shards of broken glass shielding the alarm so far. Letting panicked witness to smash the alarm button on his watch… Joker would've his head for it.
Was he getting sloppy?
"What are you doing?" Racoon's voice was lined with suspicion. Law kept rummaging through the shelves. Somewhere here had to be normal water.
"How much time left?"
"Seven minutes." The Racoon came closer, inspecting. "Law?"
"We need water." Law's fingers met the glass and he pulled a bottle from the depths of the shelf. Have the guys here ever considered using any systemised storage system? Even at it's worst, Law lab never came even close to this chaos.
"What for?"
"We just broke into the laboratory. They'll want to know why. Hand me over these vials over there…"
Energy conversation time was over the moment the alarm went off. Making it back to the traw Hats' ship will probably be a road paved with mercenaries.
Speak of the devil.
There was a creak and a den den mushi transmitter placed over the other side of the room woke up to life.
"Trafalgar Law and Chopper of Straw Hat Pirates." The voice on the other side was definitely woman's, "I call you to drop your weapons and surrender. You are surrounded."
Law couldn't help but smirk as the Racoon all but jumped and scurried towards the nearest table. He glanced around for a transmitter. There was still a good five minutes left of the process. He might as well try stalling for time.
"And how are you going to back up your demands?" The other den den mushi was a visibly old, worn-out snail; the sound echoes croaky behind the sealed off doors. Law gestured at the Racoon to move aside before sending the lab shelves against the doors with a flick of his fingers.
That much for prevention. Even if they decide to storm the room, the obstruction should buy them enough time to evacuate.
Or not. Law stiffled a curse as a fire alarm went off, sprinkle system dosing them with water. They were underground - Law knew better than expect the Triad to waste funds on drinking water for a safety system.
His eyes flashed to the Racoon who was hiding beneath the table. Sparse downpour would not get in their way for now, but it's a steady fall will eventually weaken them.
"The clock is ticking." Right. Law's luck must have been running out. This one seemed to know what she's doing.
Four minutes, mouthed the Racoon. Law's cloack was thick, not soaken through just yet.
Yet.
"Isn't it a little overboard? You've got some serious equipment in here. These things cost." He could clearly hear some scraping sounds coming from the barricaded doors. He was fairly certain nothing dangerous was stashed in the segments Law used to block the exit, yet some danger remained. "And react poorly with water."
"I'm taking a risk," snapped the woman. Law was suddenly reminded of Niis. Trapped in a slowly soaking room with a terrified Reindeer, potentially toxic mix of substances and yet another bad-tempered woman at the other side of the wall. As if his life wasn't complicated enough.
He knew this island was no good.
"I don't think it will be worth it." Three minutes. The Racoon stood up and tiptoed to the machine with a desk held above him like an oversised, wooden umbrella. The tiles beneath them were slippery with seawater. Law pushed his hat lower over his eyes in concentration.
"Stop stalling, just come out." The woman at the other end was getting impatient. "I want to talk."
"That's what we're doing right now, Miss." Law glanced at the timer again. Three minutes. Damn.
Wait.
There were two exits from this room. The other one was eerily silent.
"Wait-"
The room shook. Law heard panicked outcry from the Racoon that tore above the tinker of glass as jars and probes stocked on the shelves were knocked down with the shelves stocked against the other doors. He had barely time to duck behind the the nearest counters as the second exit burst in with a cascade of stones and dust. Some of them hit into the rack of probes nearby…
The explosion was thankfully small, but deafening nevertheless. Ears ringing, Law scrambled up into upright position. Choking on dust and feeling the cold water finally creep under his collar, he rushed through the water and glass splattered floor to the remembered position of the Racoon and his small experiment.
Damn.
This place was underwater. Who in their right peace of min-
The creaking sound and sudden hum of water were his only warning.
These, and the howling.
Hairy limbs shook the ground, eclipsing artificial light. Law reached out, clutching at the fur-
"ROOM!"
-and everything disappeared.
Morbidly cheerful ding pierced the darkness. Through agony of wet dejection and his better judgement, Law groped through his pockets.
The flare light, though pale, was almost blinding in an enclosed space.
A weak groan reached him. It was slightly muffled.
"Where are we?" The Racoon was back to his mini form and rightfully dazed.
Getting tons of concrete slammed into your head and spine could do that to you, monster form or not. Law was searching for words.
"The buffor seal between the doors, apparently," he grunted finally, reaching towards the obscure and heavy metal box weighting down on his knees. No wonder Racoon sounded squished. He was stuck between the box and the wall.
"I think it's ready at last," he added. "This part of the lab is underwater, they divided it into a segments with seal-like doors in case of the leakage." A bit like Punk Hazard. "We are between such seals at the moment."
They were lucky. So, so lucky.
"Ugh. Can you get us out?" There was a scrap of a hoof over the metal. The Straw Hat's doctor strained to see the tube Law retrieved from the box.
"I will. You still have this backpack of yours?"
"I think it's digging into my shoulder. It would be better if we had more space here."
Right." With some effort, Law raised the flare to have a look at the exact dimensions of their current location. Three to four ells. It should be enough. Good.
He sent away now useless machine, forcing himself back on his feet.
Life was definitely better with your both feet dry.
His scan shown a cluster of people nearby and scattered hearts high above.
This part of laboratory was under the city.
"What's up with you?" Law glanced down at the Reindeer, still sprawled pitifully near the flare. Law could use some assistance.
"It's the pill. I can't move."
Right.
Soaking wet and decidedly bruised, Law sighed. He got up and to the squelch of his shoes reached for his companion.
This was going to be a long journey.