Norah's Whereabouts
Meanwhile, in the North Blue, Felix's twin sister, Norah Lammie, had experienced some pivotal moments of her own:
Norah was living at the Carnegie Inn with Trafalgar D. Water Law, a boy with White Lead Disease whom Norah's father, Donquixote Rosinante, sacrificed his life for. The cottage was owned by a former pirate, Flynn Carson (yes, the same pirate with the horrible pirate crew name that kidnapped Magdalena) who reluctantly took the kids in.
When Norah was 5-years-old, she discovered that Law was deathly sick and he was using a power to get rid of his sickness. She went to Law's room to tell him that breakfast was ready when she saw him writhing in pain.
"Law, are you okay?"
The 13-year-old boy looked at Norah in shock. "Lammie…what are you doing here?"
"I was about to call you for breakfast."
"I'm not hungry. Just close the door, I'm fine."
"You don't look fine."
"I said I'm fine, Lammie!" Law snapped. "Get out!"
"Hey, hey! I got customers here, what's with all the yelling?!" Flynn Carson demanded, coming into the room.
"Law's sick and he won't let me help him." Norah complained.
"I don't need any help! I just need to be left alone."
Flynn looked at Law for a long time before turning to Norah. "Go get Dax, Lammie." He instructed. "Tell her to bring some towels, hot water…and Kikoku."
Law looked at Flynn in shock while Norah just looked confused.
"Who's Kikoku?" The girl asked.
"Dax will know what I'm talking about, just go get her. Hurry up!" Flynn pushed Norah out of the room and took a seat next to Law. The teenager narrowed his eyes at Flynn.
"Why do you have a cursed sword?" Law asked.
"That's not important." Flynn countered. "Why didn't you tell Lammie that you have White Lead Disease?"
"Because she doesn't need to lose somebody else she cares about. I'm not gonna put her through that."
"You know, if you weren't such a moody brat, you would see that Lammie is not your typical 5-year-old girl."
"I already know that Flynn."
"Then don't treat Lammie like a typical 5-year-old girl. She's very smart and mature for her age. The least you can do is give her the courtesy to decide whether or not she wants to see you in your worse state."
Before Law could respond, the door opened and Norah came in with a bowl of hot water in her hand. A woman in her mid-thirties entered not long after, carrying towels and a large sword over her shoulder. She was tall but shapely and had short, layered dark brown hair.
"What took you so long, Dax?" Flynn asked.
Jadzia Dax gave her boss a glare. "I had to go down in the basement to retrieve this stupid sword, which I told you a long time ago to throw in the bottom of the ocean." She said.
"I told you Kikoku will come in handy one day." Flynn shrugged. "I was right."
"Place the bowl on the bedside table, Lammie." Dax instructed, placing the towels on the bed. She shook her head and sighed. "This hardly counts as handy, Flynn."
"Just trust me on this. Sit up, Law."
Law struggled to sit up with the help of Dax. "What are you gonna do?" He croaked.
"Dax and I are gonna help you take out the White Lead Disease from your body with Kikoku." Flynn replied.
"What?!" Law exclaimed.
"You can do that?" Norah asked excitedly.
"Yep." Flynn smiled.
"How exactly are we gonna do that?" Dax asked.
"Using Law's Op-Op Fruit powers." Law gave Flynn another shocked look which made the pirate innkeeper laugh. "Don't give me that look, punk. You're not exactly quiet when it comes to eradicating toxins from your body."
"How much of the toxin have you've gotten out of your system, Law?" Dax inquired.
"It's mostly gone," Law replied. "I just can't get it out of my lungs."
"And that's why we got Kikoku." Flynn declared. "You can use it to scrape the toxin out."
"What is happening right now?" Law asked.
"Flynn is sort of an expert on cursed swords." Dax replied.
"Oh, Jadzia. Expert is such a polite term." Flynn bragged. "I prefer the term connoisseur."
"Whatever, just kick Lammie out of my room and let's get this over with." Law said.
"I'm not going anywhere." Norah objected.
"Don't argue with me, Norah Lammie. You are not going to be witness to this."
"You're in pain, Law! I'm not going to leave you here alone!"
"Damn it, just get out!"
"NO!"
"Lammie, maybe it's best if you'd wait outside." Dax suggested.
"Stay out of this, Dax." Flynn interjected. "Lammie, do you want to leave Law's side? He's in excruciating pain."
"No, I don't." Norah answered. "I wanna be by his side."
"You heard your sister, Law. She doesn't want to leave, what do you have to say about it?"
Law looked at Norah. This girl inherited more than Cora's looks, she got his stubbornness as well. But if he was being honest with himself, Law didn't want Norah to leave. She was the only comfort he had through this painful ordeal.
"Fine, you can stay Lammie. But you gotta make yourself useful, I need hot towels on me."
Norah nodded and proceeded to immerse a towel in the bowl of hot water. After ringing the towel, she placed it on Law's forehead. "How's that?" She asked.
Law smiled weakly. "Not bad, pipsqueak."
"What a beautiful family moment, I'm getting teary-eyed." Flynn said, rolling his eyes. "Can we get on with this? The sooner we help Law, the sooner I can get back to running my inn."
"You're the king of sensitivity, Flynn Carson." Dax deadpanned.
"Aww, thanks girl." Flynn squealed. He pulled Kikoku from its sheath. "We got a toxin to send packing. Now, let's get t' slicin'!"
It took two hours to get the last of the White Lead Toxin out of Law's body, but they finally did and Trafalgar D. Water Law was officially away from death's grasp. After that harrowing ordeal, the boy passed out and didn't wake up for three days. All that time, Norah never left Law's side except to do her chores and go to the bathroom. She ate her food in Law's room and slept in Law's room. The morning Law woke up, he took a look at his face with a handheld mirror. There were some minor scars on his face but no traces of white patches anywhere. In fact, there wasn't a single white patch found anywhere on his body. Law sighed in relief.
"We did it, Cora." He said to himself.
Law heard light snoring and turned to see Norah sleeping next to him, her arms wrapped around his waist. The boy smiled as he brushed some bangs out of Norah's face. The girl stirred at the touch and her eyes fluttered open.
"Law?"
"Hey, sleepyhead."
"Law! You're awake!"
Law wrapped his arms around Norah as she tightened her grip on his waist.
"Did I worry you?" He asked.
"Yeah, but I knew you were gonna pull through." Norah replied.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you."
"Well, Daddy did say that you were gonna be mean. He just told me to be patient with you."
Law scoffed. "Your dad just covered all of his basis before he died, didn't he? It's neither here nor there. Anyway, I'm starving."
"Big Willie is in the kitchen!" Norah beamed, sitting up from her position. "I can ask him to make something for you. What do you want to eat?"
"Probably some Onigiri. Anything but bread."
"Law, what is White Lead Disease?"
Law looked at Norah. "Why do you wanna know?"
"Flynn and Dax were trying get it out of your body."
"It's a toxin that plagued my home country, Flevance. People thought it was contagious and the World Government didn't tell them the truth. Instead, they assisted the countries surrounding us in a massacre." Law wiped some stray tears from his face. "They killed everyone, including my family."
"They killed your sister, Lammie?"
"I hid her in a closet at the hospital. I was gonna come back for her after I found an escape route but…they burned the hospital to the ground." Law started to hide his face but his hat wasn't on his head. "Um, could you…tell Big Willie that I would like some Onigiri, please?"
Norah knew that Law was about to cry and he had an insecurity about people seeing him cry. So, instead of leaving, Norah gave Law a bone-crushing hug.
"Don't worry, Law. I'll never leave you." She reassured him.
Well, if Trafalgar D. Water Law didn't break down into sobs before, that certainly did the trick.
"Thank you, Norah." He cried. "I don't know where I'll be without you."
"Probably brooding in a corner somewhere."
Law and Norah turned to see Flynn and Dax standing in the doorway, smiling.
"Aww, Trafalgar Law is crying his eyes out." Flynn teased. "Jadzia, get the camera snail. This is a special moment."
"Leave him alone, Flynn." Dax admonished. To Law, she asked: "How are you feeling, Law?"
"Hungry." The boy replied.
Dax laughed. "That's a good sign. I'll have Big Willie to make you some Onigiri. Sounds good?"
"Yeah, I'd like that." Law smiled.
"Once you finish eating, Law, there are some chairs that need to be fixed and buffed." Flynn instructed.
"Are you seriously putting a sick kid to work?!" Law interjected.
"You're not sick anymore," Flynn argued. "Besides, it's time you quit being lazy and catch up on your chores."
"I was asleep for three days!"
"How's that my problem?"
Law gritted his teeth and was about to pounce on his douchebag guardian when Dax stepped in.
"Law is in no condition to do any chores, Flynn." The doctor informed. "He's still recovering from that extraction. He needs at least a week's rest."
"Oh, come on, Jadzia. That's too long." Flynn complained.
"Doctor's orders. And we all know that doctor's orders trump captain's orders any day."
Flynn rolled his eyes. "Fine. Law can rest for a week."
"And I get to keep Kikoku." The boy declared.
"Hell no!" Flynn objected.
"That sword is yours, Law." Dax said.
"Dax!" Flynn whined. "Stop undermining me."
"I keep telling you to get rid of that sword for the longest time, Carson." Dax said. "Do you really want to keep a cursed sword that's touched a boy's organs?"
Flynn huffed, knowing good and well Jadzia had a point.
"He's not getting Kikoku till he's 16."
"Jackass." Law muttered.
"Little shit." Flynn muttered back.
"Boys! Stop cursing in front of Lammie!" Dax scolded.
"It's okay, Dax. I've heard cursing before." Norah smiled.
Two years later, Norah would meet three young boys who would become her adopted brothers and future pirate crew members. It started when Law took Norah to a local bakery for her 7th birthday. He doesn't like bread or sweets but Law knew how much cooking and baking meant to his adopted sister, so he indulges her. That, and Flynn basically threatened to cut Law's allowance if he didn't take Norah to the bakery.
"You sure you don't want anything, Law?" Norah asked her brother.
"I don't care too much for sweets." Law replied.
"They have saltwater taffy, you might like that."
"Why are you so adamant to get me something? It's your birthday."
"I know. I just don't want you to feel left out."
Law snickered. "Okay, I'll get some taffy." He grabbed four pieces of saltwater taffy and gave it to Norah. "Thanks."
Norah smiled. "No problem."
As they were headed back to the inn, Norah kept asking Law about her father.
"Wait, you stabbed my dad?"
"He threw me off a three-story building. Repeatedly."
"I'm sure it wasn't on purpose, was it?"
"He told me later on that he was trying to scare the kids away from the Family."
For the past two years, Law had told Norah, not only about Rosinante, but about Doflamingo, the Don Quixote Family and Vergo. Flynn was right about one thing: Norah Lammie was smart and mature for her age, she understood that her family origins came with some dark skeletons in the closet.
"Did Daddy scare all the kids away?"
"All except three: Baby 5, Buffalo and Dellinger."
"And you."
"I don't count, Lammie. Cora kidnapped me, remember?" Law pointed out.
Norah shrugged. "If you say so. Anyway, Flynn's gonna kill you when he finds out you took Kikoku without asking."
"I don't need his permission, the sword is mine." Law objected.
"But you're not supposed to have it until you're sixteen."
"Why are you defending that idiot?"
"Flynn's not that bad once you get to know him." Norah explained. "He did help you get rid of the White Lead Disease and he's teaching me how to fight."
"Flynn's teaching you how to fight?!" Law exclaimed.
"LEAVE ME ALONE! SOMEONE HELP ME, PLEASE!"
Law and Norah stopped in their tracks as they heard the sound of a child crying for help.
"Who said that?" Law asked.
Norah shrugged and looked behind her. "Law, look over there!" She gasped. "Those two boys are beating up that polar bear!"
Law looked at Norah's direction and saw two boys beating up a young polar bear cub up with baseball bats. He immediately shoved Kikoku in Norah's arms.
"Stay here, Lammie." Law commanded. He ran up to the scene and confronted the two bullies. "Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
The two boys stopped beating up the polar bear and saw Law staring down at them.
"Who the hell are you?" The older boy wearing a penguin hat demanded.
"Let that bear go!" Law gritted, ignoring the question.
"Please help me!" The bear cried.
Law's eyes grew wide. "You can talk?"
"Yeah, I'm a Mink." The bear replied.
"Who cares if he can talk." The younger boy snapped. "We're in the middle of kicking this bear's ass, so leave if you don't want the same treatment."
"The only asses are getting beat tonight is yours." Law countered.
The older boy smirked and walked up to Law. "Bold words for a little twerp."
Law smirked evilly: ROOM!
Suddenly, a blackish blue bubble formed around the four boys. The older boy looked confused but soon found himself face-to-face with Law, who had his hands on his chest.
COUNTER-SHOCK!
Law shocked the boy's heart and sent him flying three feet in the air. His brother looked on in bewilderment.
"Penguin!" He shouted. "You're gonna pay for that, you bastard!"
The younger boy was about to attack Law with his baseball bat but was immediately immobilized when he felt someone kick him where it hurts (i.e., his balls).
"Leave my brother and that cute polar bear alone, you jerk!" Norah shouted. She pulled a whip out of nowhere and began to hit him with it.
"Ah! Okay, okay! We're leaving!" The boy cried. He picked up his brother, Penguin and ran away to the forest. "This isn't over!"
Law looked at Norah in shock. "Where the hell did you get that whip from?!"
"Scooter and Flynn gave it to me for my birthday!" Norah beamed. "They're teaching me how to use it."
"I'm gonna kill Flynn and Scooter when I get the chance." Law growled.
"It's not that bad," Norah shrugged. "It's actually pretty cool using a whip. Makes me feel powerful."
"You're 7. You don't need to feel powerful at 7."
"Wow, you're 7?" The bear smiled. "You fight pretty good!"
Now it was Norah's turn to be surprised. "Oh my God!" She squealed. "He can talk!"
"Yep! My name is Bepo and I'm a Mink!" The bear said proudly.
"Nice to meet you, Bepo. My name is Norah Lammie. But you can call me Lammie. The brooding boy over there is my big brother, Law."
"Nice to meet you too. And thank you both for saving my life."
"Yeah, it's no big deal." Law shrugged. "You got a place to stay?"
"No." Bepo replied. "I was trying to find one when those boys ganged up on me."
"Is this the first time you've seen them?" Norah asked.
"I've seen them around the forest sometimes, I think they're brothers or something."
"Well, they won't bother you again. Not as long as we're here." Law assured. "Come on, you can come home with us."
Bepo smiled widely. "Really?! Thank you so much!"
Law simply nodded. "Let's go, Lammie. Flynn will kick our asses if we're out past dark."
"Flynn's gonna be mad when he finds out we took in a polar bear Mink." Norah warned.
"He'll get over it." Law shrugged.
"WOLF!"
Flynn Carson's sudden outburst awoke the drunken old man out of his stupor. He turned around and stared at Flynn.
"Hey, Carson." Wolf greeted, wiping the drool off his face. "Is it morning already?"
"It's a quarter past 8 PM, you drunk old bastard!" Flynn snapped. "Go home!"
"Aw come on, Flynn. It's not last call yet, just one more round of booze!"
"You got some money for that one round of booze? Your tab is already up to 1000 beris."
"You know I'm good for it." Wolf winked.
Flynn shuddered. "Ugh, never in this lifetime or the next 10, you old pervert!"
"Besides, I don't think Flynn is a good choice, Wolf." The bartender, Big Willie imputed. "Word on the street is that he's got performance issues."
The employees laughed as Flynn's face grew beet red. "Shut up!"
"Aww, it's okay Boss." Scooter said, patting Flynn's shoulder. "Sometimes men over 40 can't get it up."
"I'm not even 40 yet!" Flynn whined.
"You know, I made some pills that can help with your…condition." Wolf offered, taking out a container full of blue pills. "Now, you can't take these with alcohol or on an empty stomach and if you're little friend is still happy after four hours, you should have Dax take a look at it."
"Have me take a look at what?" Jadzia Dax asked, coming over to the bar.
"Flynn's 4-hour 'yoo-hoo'" Big Willie laughed. Scooter laughed so hard, he fell from his chair.
"You guys are disgusting." Dax grimaced.
"I want this conversation to be over." Flynn cried. "Where's Law at so I can piss him off with more chores?"
"I was gonna ask you the same thing before I stumbled upon your weird-ass conversation about erectile dysfunction." Dax said. "Law and Lammie haven't come home yet and I'm getting worried."
"Law probably found some poor dead frog to dissect." Scooter remarked. "You know he's weird like that."
"Or maybe, Law and Lammie found a walking talking polar bear and came home with him." Wolf suggested.
"That's a really specific answer, Wolf." Big Willie remarked. "How did you come up with that?"
"Well, because Law and Lammie just came home with a walking talking polar bear."
Flynn, Dax, Big Willie and Scooter turned to where Wolf was pointing, and sure enough, Law and Norah came home with a walking, talking polar bear.
"Is that a Mink?" Dax gasped. "I thought they only lived in the New World."
"They do." Flynn agreed. "How did he end up all the way in the North Blue?"
"Hold up. Minks are real?" Scooter gawked.
"Obviously, Scooter!" Big Willie deadpanned.
"Law! Lammie!" Flynn barked. "What did I tell you about coming home after dark?! And who is this walking mascot you brought in my inn?"
"Hi, I'm Bepo!" Bepo greeted happily.
"Don't greet him, Bepo. He's an idiot." Law said.
"And I'm also the one who feeds, clothes and shelters you." Flynn countered. "You want me to throw you out in the streets?"
"Flynn!" Dax scolded.
"Sorry. So, kids, who's your friend?" Flynn asked nicely (loosely put).
"This is Bepo." Norah replied. "Law rescued him from two mean boys that live in the forest."
"Oh, Penguin and Shachi." Dax nodded.
"Vito and Sheena's kids?" Scooter asked.
"Those boys ain't their kids." Big Willie corrected. "They belong to Vito's brother. He and his wife were killed in a tsunami and Vito became legal guardian."
"So, why are they living in a forest instead of with Vito and Sheena?"
Wolf started to answer Scooter's question when Flynn cut him off.
"Who cares?" He said. "Your new friend, Bepo, better have a place to stay cuz he ain't staying here."
"Aww, why not?" Norah whined.
"What do you think I'm running here, a daycare? I'm not taking in another kid."
"You don't have to, Bepo will be my responsibility." Law answered.
"And you're my responsibility." Flynn reminded the boy. "You and Norah Lammie. It's my job to keep you safe."
"And you're doing a bang-up job at it, Flynn."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"I know Magdalena sends you money for us. What do you spend it on booze or illegal drugs?"
"Law, you can't ask something like that." Norah chided.
"You better watch the next words that come out of your mouth, little boy." Flynn warned.
"Or you'll what? Kill me?" Law challenged. "You'll go back to jail if you do. Maybe Impel Down."
Flynn stormed up to Law. "You better be glad I don't hurt kids, you little punk."
"Don't let my age fool you." Law snapped. "You wanna hit me, hit me! I've been hurt a lot worse than whatever you throw at me!"
"All right, that's enough!" Dax intervened, coming between Flynn and Law. "It's late and we're all running on adrenaline right now. Let's get some rest and talk about this in the morning. Bepo sleeping here tonight won't hurt our profit, right Flynn?"
"No, it won't." Flynn sighed. "Bepo can stay here just for tonight. We can discuss this matter tomorrow."
"Don't bother. You're just gonna throw Bepo out on the streets anyway." Law scoffed. "I'm sleeping in the shed tonight." He grabbed his things and Kikoku and stormed off to the back.
"You took Kikoku?!" Flynn snapped.
"It's my sword now, I can take it if I want to. And for the record, a typical birthday present for a seven-year-old girl would be a doll, not a whip." Law walked out of the inn, slamming the door in the process. Norah tried to go after him, but Flynn stopped her.
"Let your brother cool off, Lammie." He said. "Law obviously has some issues to deal with."
"Well, you didn't help matters by snapping at him." Dax pointed out.
"What do you want me to do, tell him the truth about the money?"
"Yeah. Law will probably hate you less if you do."
"That won't make a lick of difference, Zia." Big Willie laughed.
"You know, you and Law are very alike in personality." Wolf explained. "That's why you two butt heads a lot."
"If I wanted your opinion, Wolf, I would've asked for it. Go home!" Flynn said.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Wolf grumbled. The old scientist proceeded to get up from his seat, but he stumbled on his own feet. Scooter caught the man before he fell.
"Whoa, easy there, mate." He said. "You're in no condition to go anywhere tonight."
Flynn rolled his eyes. "Put Wolf in one of the empty rooms, he can sleep it off tonight." To Norah and Bepo, he asked: "Did you two eat dinner?"
"No." Norah replied.
"I haven't eaten anything since yesterday." Bepo added.
"All right, head to the kitchen. Big Willie can whip up something for you really quick then straight to bed. You can sleep in Law's room tonight, Bepo."
"Thank you, Flynn sir." Bepo apologized. "And I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. I don't like leaving kids helpless."
The next day, Flynn headed to the living room where a sober Wolf was reading a newspaper. Wolf caught sight of the innkeeper and smiled.
"Ah, I trust you slept well." He greeted.
"You're still here, old man?" Flynn countered.
"Well, I'm just here for Big Willie's famous "deathcakes" and I'll be on my way back to my farm. Have you read the newspaper today?"
"I just woke up, Wolf. What do you think?"
Wolf laughed as he handed Flynn the newspaper. "You might want to take a gander at the front page."
"Gander? What are you, 105?" Flynn snatched the paper from Wolf and looked at the front page. His frown grew deeper as he read the headline. "Ah, shit. No wonder Law was more pissed off at me than usual."
"You should talk to him, Flynn." Wolf suggested. "This paper came out yesterday. Law might've read it."
"I must really be out of my right mind if I'm taking advice from a drunk old crackpot scientist." Flynn huffed.
"Carson, I'm insulted." Wolf gasped. "I am a very light drinker."
"Really? That's your takeaway?"
"Flynn, I can't find Law and Bepo." Norah said, coming over to the two men.
"They probably went out for a walk or something." Flynn smiled. "I wouldn't worry so much, Lammie."
"What if they ran away?"
"Law is not going to run away without you. Trust me."
Suddenly, Dax ran in the living room with a panicked look on her face.
"There was an explosion in the forest." She informed. "Law and Bepo ran right towards it!"
Flynn cursed to himself. "Big Willie! Scooter!" He shouted. "Wake up and get dressed. Law and that polar bear got themselves into trouble."
The back door suddenly burst open and Law came running in, carrying a boy over his shoulders. Bepo followed not long after, carrying another boy across his back.
"Dax! I need your help now!" Law shouted.
The older doctor rushed to Law's side and gasped loudly when she got a good look at the injured boys.
"It's Penguin and Shachi!" Dax revealed. "They're hurt really bad."
"Bring them to the basement." Flynn commanded. "I don't want to scare the customers. Let me know if you need anything. Scooter! Big Willie! Get down here now!"
The two men quickly rushed down the stairs.
"What's going on, Boss?" Scooter asked.
"Help Dax and Law with Penguin and Shachi, Scooter. Big Willie, grab whatever medical supplies you can scrounge up and boil some hot water."
"Um, Flynn?"
"What, Lammie?"
"Bepo has an arm in his mouth."
Flynn and Scooter looked at Bepo and sure enough, he had an arm in his mouth. And then they realized that Penguin, who Bepo was carrying on his back, was missing an arm.
"Oh my God! Did you rip that boy's arm off?!" Flynn exclaimed.
"Don't be an idiot, Flynn. We found him like that." Law said. "The arm needs to be put on ice so I can reattach it."
"Put it on ice, Willie." Dax commanded. "Let's get them to the basement before they lose any more blood, Scooter. Come on, Law and Bepo."
Law and Bepo followed Dax and Scooter down the basement, taking an injured Penguin and Shachi with them.
"Are they gonna be okay, Flynn?" Norah asked.
Flynn sighed before replying: "I don't know, Lammie."
Three hours later, Dax emerged from the basement, her uniform covered in blood and she had a tired look on her face. Flynn, Scooter, Big Willie, Wolf, Norah and Bepo looked at the doctor in anticipation.
"Why's everybody looking at me for?" Dax wondered.
"Are the boys alive?" Flynn asked. "Did Law kill them? We need answers, Dax."
"Now's not the time for your charming sarcastic personality, Flynn. Come down in the basement, we need to talk."
The men looked at each other before following Dax to the basement. Flynn saw that everyone was headed to the basement and put it to a halt.
"Okay, not everybody is going to the basement." He said. "I need somebody to watch the inn."
Big Willie and Scooter looked at each other before playing rock, paper, scissors to determine who gets to stay and who gets the go down the basement. Scooter chose scissors but Big Willie chose rock.
"Yes!" Big Willie cheered.
"Damn it!" Scooter cursed.
After that was settled, Flynn followed Dax down the basement, followed closely by Big Willie, Bepo and Wolf; with Wolf carrying Norah in his arms. They saw Penguin and Shachi, lying on makeshift beds unconscious. Law was sprawled out on the couch, passed out from exhaustion.
"What's wrong with Law?" Norah asked.
"Law's okay. He really overexerted himself trying to save them." Dax reassured.
"How's their condition, Dax?" Flynn inquired.
"They're stable for now." Dax replied. "Law repaired the injuries and reattached Penguin's arm but both of them lost a lot of blood."
"So, they need a blood transfusion." Big Willie shrugged. "That's not gonna be hard to get, right?"
"Their blood type is X. It's not a rare blood type but there's no one here with that particular one and they need this transfusion right now or they'll die. Law and I aren't compatible because we're both Type F."
"Okay, what's everyone's blood type?" Flynn asked. "Mine is Type XF."
"Same here." Big Willie said.
"I don't know my blood type." Norah said.
"I can give Lammie a blood test." Dax offered.
"Lammie is seven-years-old. She won't have enough blood to save both boys." Flynn objected. "I'm not putting her in unnecessary danger."
"Lammie's blood type is S." Law informed as he slowly sat up from the couch. "It wouldn't work anyway."
"How're you feeling, Law?" Dax asked, concerned.
"A little lightheaded, but I'll be fine." Law turned to Bepo. "Do you know your blood type?"
The polar bear Mink nodded. "I'm Type S."
"What's Scooter's blood type?" Flynn asked.
"YO, SCOOTER!" Big Willie shouted.
"WHAT?!" Scooter shouted back.
"WHAT'S YOUR BLOOD TYPE?!"
"WHY YOU WANNA KNOW THAT?"
"WHAT'S YOUR BLOOD TYPE, FOOL?!" Dax snapped.
"TYPE F!"
Dax sighed. "I need to go to the local blood bank and see if they have any Type X blood to spare."
"How long do you think they have, Jadzia?" Flynn asked.
"Honestly, 4 or 5 hours tops. It'd be a miracle if they survived the night."
"Then they can have some of my blood."
Everyone turned to look at Wolf as the old scientist sat Norah down on the couch next to Law and rolled up his sleeve. "I have the same blood type as Penguin and Shachi. You can take as much as you need."
"You're gonna give blood to both of them?" Big Willie clarified.
"Of course. You said they'll die if they don't get a blood transfusion, right Jadzia? Well, you got your donor."
"It's not that I don't appreciate you donating, Wolf, I do." Dax reasoned. "It's just that…"
"You're old as dirt and will probably croak before Penguin and Shachi do." Flynn finished.
"I wouldn't put it like that, but Flynn is right. Your age is a high risk and I don't feel comfortable putting your life in jeopardy."
"But if these boys don't get Type X blood, they'll die from blood loss right?" Wolf reasoned.
"Yes, but…"
"Then, it's a no brainer. I'll give my blood to both of them. If I die, so be it."
There was a deathly pause; everyone was contemplating what the next move is gonna be. Then the Captain of the…. Mayhem Mercenaries…. (sorry, you had to witness this abomination again.) and the innkeeper of the Carnegie Inn spoke up.
"If Wolf wants to donate his blood to save the boys then let him." Flynn decided. "But it's your call, Doc."
"Dax looked at Wolf for a long time before giving him a word of warning: "As a doctor, I must warn you of your risks. Due to your age and health, it's likely that you won't survive this transfusion."
"I'm completely aware of the risks, Jadzia." The scientist replied. "If I die, I die. I've lived a long, full life. I just want Penguin and Shachi to do the same."
Dax nodded and then turned to Law. "Get my transfusion kit from my room, Law. I'll prepare an IV for them." The boy nodded and proceeded to head upstairs to retrieve the items in Dax's room. "Wolf, I want you to lay down between the boys. The rest of y'all with the exception of Lammie and Bepo, get out!"
"What?!" Big Willie protested.
"Aw, come on Dax!" Flynn complained.
"I want peace and quiet while I'm doing this transfusion. Ya'll two don't bring it. Leave now!"
Flynn and Big Willie trudged up the stairs, grumbling and complaining on the way up. Dax sighed in exasperation. "Okay! Bepo, Lammie, I'm going to need you both to be Penguin and Shachi's support system. Are you up for it?"
"Yep!" The two younger kids declared proudly.
"That's what I like to hear!" Dax laughed. "Let's get to work."
The transfusion lasted for about an hour but it was successful. Fortunately for Wolf, the old man survived despite donating his blood to two young boys. It was a waiting game now on which boy will wake up first.
"Do you need something to drink, Wolf?" Law asked.
"Yes, young man. I am quite parched." Wolf replied. "Would you mind going upstairs and getting me a cup of sake?"
"No booze, Wolf!" Dax scolded. "You just donated blood, you need water."
"Okay, fine."
"Are they gonna wake up soon, Ms. Dax?" Bepo asked.
"They will. It's just a matter of when."
A few seconds later, the sound of stirring could suddenly be heard as the boy next to Norah stirred awake. Everyone looked on in anticipation when the younger brother, Shachi, slowly opened his eyes.
"What happened? Where am I?" He slurred. Shachi turned to see Norah and panicked. "Hell no! Get away from my crotch, you little brat!"
"Relax, I'm not gonna kick your balls again." Norah assured, rolling her eyes.
"You kicked his private area, Norah?!" Dax exclaimed. "That's dangerous! You could've injured him!"
"Flynn always says if I can't go high, go low." Norah explained.
Dax shook her head and sighed. "Flynn is an idiot."
"Can I switch his head with a rock?" Law offered.
"Tempting, but no." Dax turned to Shachi. "You're at the Carnegie Inn, Shachi. Law and Bepo saved you and your brother from a horrible explosion."
"Is Penguin okay?" Shachi asked. "A wild boar attacked us and Penguin was trying to rescue me."
"Your brother is fine." Law replied. "I managed to reattach his arm and we gave you both blood transfusions. He should be waking up any minute now."
Shachi gave Law a skeptical look. "Why did you save us? We were enemies yesterday."
Law was about to respond when he heard an agonized whimper in the background. He turned to see Penguin thrashing in his sleep.
"Dax, I think Penguin is having a nightmare." Law informed.
Dax immediately rushed to the boy's side and tried to wake him up from his dream.
"Penguin, wake up." She urged. "You're having a dream, honey."
Dax started to shake Penguin awake but when she touched the boy, he violently pushed her.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" Penguin shouted.
"Dax, are you okay?" Norah asked worriedly.
"I'm fine, he didn't hurt me."
"You can't touch Penguin when he has his nightmares." Shachi explained.
"Well, what the hell are we supposed to do?!" Law snapped.
"LEAVE ME ALONE! I DON'T WANNA DO THIS, SHEENA! I WANNA GO HOME, PLEASE!" Penguin cried. "I DON'T WANT THEM TOUCHING ME!"
"Do you have any sedatives, Dax?" Law asked.
"Yeah, in my medical bag."
"Okay. Help me hold him down, Bepo."
Bepo nodded as he and Law came over on each side of Penguin and proceeded to hold him down. Bepo was on Penguin's left while Law was on his right, careful of his newly attached right arm. Dax took a vial and a syringe from her bag.
"20 ccs of Ativan should do the trick." She said, filling the syringe. "Keep him steady."
Shachi and Norah looked on in worry as Law and Bepo was holding Penguin still, said boy was still screaming in his sleep.
"Penguin, wake up!" Shachi cried. "It's a dream, the bad men aren't gonna hurt you!"
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Penguin screamed. "STOP IT, PLEASE! IT HURTS!"
"I'm giving you something to calm down, Penguin." Dax informed. "You're going to feel a little pinch." She injected the syringe in Penguin's arm and in a few seconds, the boy stopped screaming and went limp, falling asleep instantly.
After sedating Penguin, Law and Bepo gently placed him on his bed. "He should be fine." Law said. "He's showing obvious signs of post-traumatic stress disorder."
"What are you, a doctor?" Shachi demanded.
"Working on it." Law replied.
"But you're not an actual doctor, so you don't know what the hell you're talking about. Penguin is fine."
"That's not what we saw." Norah pointed out.
"Shut up, you twerp!"
"Oi! Don't tell my sister to shut up!" Law snapped.
"What's going on here?!" Flynn demanded, coming down the stairs. Scooter and Big Willie followed close behind.
"Who's watching the inn, Carson?" Dax said.
"The Lee Triplets."
"God help us."
"Anyway, why is everyone shouting at the top of their lungs? Customers are complaining."
"Everything is fine, Flynn." Wolf reassured. "Young Penguin just suffered a traumatic nightmare."
"You're still alive, old man?" Flynn sneered.
Wolf shrugged. "What can I say? I'm pretty durable."
"Look, your brat over here said that my brother has post transaction disorder or something." Shachi said, referring to Law.
"Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder." Norah corrected.
"Whatever. Point is that he's not a doctor, so he can't diagnose my brother."
"But I'm a certified doctor, so I can diagnose Penguin." Dax pointed out. "And he definitely showed signs of PTSD."
"He had a nightmare and was screaming in his sleep." Law added. "Dax had to sedate him."
"I'd say that qualifies as traumatic." Scooter mused.
"Well, as soon as they're well enough, we'll take them back to Vito and Sheena." Flynn decided.
"No, please don't take us back there!" Shachi pleaded.
"Shachi, they are your guardians. They're probably worried about you."
"They could care less about us! Penguin and I ran away to the forest for a reason. Can we stay with you, Flynn?"
"No! Like I told the Bepo, I'm not running a daycare! Stay with Wolf, he's got a farm."
"I can't keep teenagers, Flynn. I can hardly take care of myself." The old man reasoned.
"I think you're doing a great job, Wolf." Norah smiled.
"Thank you, child." Wolf smiled back.
"Penguin and I can work for our keep. Just let us stay here. If not, we'll go back to the forest."
"And risk getting attacked by another wild animal?" Dax scolded.
"It's better than living with them!" Shachi argued. "You have no idea what we went through."
"Maybe we should reconsider, Flynn." Big Willie suggested. "Vito and Sheena don't care about these boys. They only keep them because they get money from them."
"I'm sure Flynn knows what that's like." Law muttered.
"Shut up, Law!" Norah scolded. To Flynn, she asked: "Can you please think about it, Flynn?"
"Why should I, Lammie? These boys are troublemakers; I don't want that in my establishment."
"Because Penguin was screaming "don't touch me" in his sleep. What if the bad people that touched him come back? They sound mean."
Flynn's eyes narrowed as he turned to Dax. "What exactly did Penguin scream in his nightmare?" He asked.
Dax exhaled deeply before replying: "Penguin said: 'I don't want to do this, Sheena.' 'I don't want them touching me, it hurts.'"
Shachi suddenly broke down into sobs. "He was just trying to protect me." He cried. "Vito and Sheena would force us to do illegal things: sell drugs, raid ships, rob stores. If we refuse to do a job or we fail, Vito would beat us with his bat or his fist. Sheena runs the local brothel and she would let random businessmen and rich guys come in and….rape Penguin."
Everyone was shocked into silence by that revelation. Even Law was rendered speechless. It was a good five minutes before Wolf asked the question that was on everyone's minds.
"How long did that go on, Shachi?"
"Years since Vito and Sheena took us in. We escaped to the forest two years ago because Sheena was going to pimp me out to the brothel. Penguin packed our things and we've been living in the forest ever since."
"I'm sorry." Bepo apologized.
"I don't need your damn pity!" Shachi shouted.
"We're not pitying you, Shachi." Law said. "You and Penguin didn't deserve what you went through. We're truly sorry."
Shachi pursed his lips but said nothing. Then he felt Norah tug at his shirt. "What do you want, Twerp?"
"Do you want some beignets with chocolate sauce?" Norah offered.
"Where are you gonna get beignets with chocolate sauce?"
"I'm gonna make 'em! I'm a really great baker!"
"Aren't you like 5?"
"I'm 7, you moron!"
"Well, I am a little hungry." Shachi conceded. "Sure, why not?"
"Yay! I'll make some for both you and Penguin. Will you help me, Big Willie?"
"Of course, baby girl." The bartender smiled. "I always got your back."
"Flynn? You're being awfully quiet." Scooter observed.
"Yeah, you good there, sweetie?" Dax added.
"Oh, I'm peachy keen right now." Flynn replied in a dangerously calm voice. "Just all sunshine and rainbows. I'm gonna step outside for a second, run some errands. I'll take Scooter with me." Flynn casually walked over to a closet and took out a rifle. Dax's eyes grew wide as she saw her captain/best friend load his rifle.
"Flynn Carson, are you gonna confront Vito and Sheena?!"
"I just wanna talk to them." Flynn replied calmly.
"You don't need your rifle to talk to them!"
"It's a great conversation starter. Vito might have his pistol. We can talk about guns."
"We're still on probation!" Dax pointed out. "If Garp finds out, we'll end up in prison."
"Garp doesn't need to know because I'm just gonna talk to them."
"Should I bring my brass knuckles, Boss?" Scooter asked.
"That will be ideal, we might need some mediation for our very civil conversation." Flynn answered.
"Civil my ass! You're going over there to kill him!"
"Jadzia. Scooter and I are just going over there to talk to Vito. Man to man, guardian to guardian. If blood gets shed and houses get blown up in the process, it is what it is." Flynn cocked his rifle and smiled a very sweet (and very sinister) smile. "Mind the inn while I'm away, dear. Let us depart, Scooter."
"Certainly, my Lord!" Scooter exalted.
The two men pranced their way upstairs, while singing "la, la, la, la, la." Dax rolled her eyes and huffed. Wolf merely shrugged.
"I don't think Flynn and Scooter are going to talk to Vito and Sheena." He said.
"No, you think?!" Dax sarcastically said.
Law shook his head. "This day just keeps getting better and better."
"Well, come on, Lammie." Big Willie said. "These beignets aren't gonna bake themselves."
"Okay." Norah started to make her way upstairs when Shachi called her again.
"Hey, Twerp." He began.
"My name is Norah Lammie." Norah corrected, rolling her eyes.
"Fine, Norah Lammie. Can you make a raspberry sauce as well? Penguin loves raspberries."
Norah smiled. "Yeah. Sure thing."
At a large mansion on the outskirts of the main city, Vito, a local businessman, was enjoying some brunch with his wife, Sheena, outside in their backyard. One of their butlers came over to the couple and delivered Vito today's newspaper.
"Thank you, Jeeves." Vito nodded. "Have the police located the boys' whereabouts?"
"They had a lead that someone saw Penguin running from a grocery store carrying two bags." The butler informed. "However, that was over a week ago. The trail has grown cold since then."
"All right then. That will be all, Jeeves. Thanks." Jeeves bowed slightly at Vito before taking his leave.
"You should've let me use my resources to find those brats." Sheena said, disgustedly.
"Half of your 'resources' are horny, old men." Vito pointed out.
"Horny old men with money and connections that can't wait to get their little whore back."
Vito sighed. "I should've just locked them up and collected their pension. My little brother left me with nothing but a burden."
"Burdens can be turned into cash cows." Sheena smiled. "We'll find them, dear. And when we do, we'll work them harder than we've ever worked them before." She raised her glass for a toast.
Vito smiled as he raised his glass and clinked it together with his wife's glass. "Hear, hear."
"Hey, what are we celebrating?"
Vito and Sheena turned to see Flynn Carson staring down at them with a smile on his face that can be best described as joyously evil. Next to Flynn, is his first mate, Scooter. He was wiping his brass knuckles with a very fancy napkin.
"How'd you get in here, Carson?" Vito demanded.
"Your butler let us in." Flynn replied. "No, scratch that. He opened the door and Scooter knocked him out after I threatened to shoot his face off if he didn't tell me where you were."
"Is Scooter wiping blood off of his brass knuckles with my good napkins?!" Sheena gasped.
"A napkin is a napkin, lady." Scooter shrugged.
"If you have something to say, Carson, say it." Vito said impatiently. "As you can see, my wife and I are having brunch."
"Okay then, I'll cut to the chase." Flynn cocked his rifle and aimed it at Vito. "Where are your papers?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about. You should lay off of the sake, Carson."
"Your guardianship papers for Penguin and Shachi. Where are they?"
Vito suddenly stopped eating and glared at Flynn. "Why the sudden interest in my nephews' guardianship papers?" He asked.
"Wait, Vito." Sheena interrupted. "You found Penguin and Shachi? Are they hurt?"
"They had a minor accident but they're recovering."
Sheena sighed in relief while Vito laughed loudly.
"You found my boys? Why didn't you say so, Carson?" He said. "Scared me there for a second. Now, when can I pick them up from your establishment?"
Flynn lowered his rifle and scratched his chin in deep thought.
"Well, I would have to check my availability." He replied. "Dax would want to keep an eye on their recovery and there's tourist season to think about. What do we have available, Scooter?"
"Hmmm, let's see…" Scooter pretended to think about it. "How about the 12th of NEVER?!"
"Never?!" Vito repeated. "What the hell you talking about?"
"Let me make it clear to you: Penguin and Shachi are not going back to you." Flynn growled. "Not now, not ever, so long as I'm around."
"Oh yeah? And whatcha gonna do about it?" Vito challenged.
"Have Scooter beat you black and blue until you relinquish your guardianship papers. That's what you do with your nephews if they don't do what you tell them to, right?"
"Okay, this is beyond ridiculous!" Sheena complained, storming up to Flynn. "Penguin and Shachi are our nephews, our family! We took those poor boys in when Vito's baby brother and his wife were tragically swept away by that tsunami! We love those boys as if they were our own. To say that Vito or I would harm them in any kind of way is…. well, it's unthinkable!"
"Wow, great speech, Sheena!" Flynn applauded.
"Yeah, you really laid it on thick." Scooter agreed.
"I could really feel the emotion radiating off from you. It was almost believable."
"Almost being the key word in that sentence."
"What exactly are you and your little friend implying, Mr. Carson?" Sheena asked.
"I'm not implying anything. I'm just relaying what Shachi told me."
"You actually believe what that little runt says?" Vito laughed. "He's a teenager. Teenagers lie."
"True but I know from experience that kids never lie about their trauma." Flynn said. "Plus, I saw the bruises on Shachi's body. Now, hand over the guardianship papers."
"I'm not handing you a damn thing. Sheena, call security."
Sheena began to walk over to the outside transponder snail when Scooter blocked her way.
"Don't bother, Sheena." He said. "I already immobilized your security with a high-frequency sound wave." Sheena looked confused, so, Scooter added: "I ate the Hertz-Hertz Fruit and can control sound barriers."
"Besides, I got beef with you too, so I suggest you stay right where you are." Flynn added.
"I haven't done anything." Sheena defended. "I wasn't even aware that the boys were being severely mistreated. It's clear that my husband doesn't tell me everything."
"I know you're not throwing me under the bus, you traitorous broad!" Vito shouted.
"Do you see what I have to put up with?!" Sheena yelled.
"BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP!" Flynn commanded, aiming his rifle at the couple. "You're both scumbags and I'm gonna have Scooter beat the crap out of you before I get those papers and torch your house."
"You're gonna let your friend hit a woman?!" Sheena gasped.
"What's that got to do with anything? You ever heard of equal opportunity ass-beatings? Besides, Scooter here doesn't discriminate."
"These hands are Rated E for everyone." Scooter added.
"Now, Mr. Carson. I'm sure your mother taught ya that it's impolite to put your hands on a woman." Vito reasoned.
"She did but she also said that if a woman is kicking my ass or does something despicable, I don't have to be a gentleman." Flynn replied. "Your wife falls under the latter."
"And what has she done that is so despicable?"
"Pimping out your nephew falls under that category." Scooter replied.
Sheena scoffed. "I've done no such thing! You can't spew an accusation like that without any proof."
"Hearing Penguin scream "don't touch me" in his sleep is all the proof I need." Flynn said. "Now, I would consider myself to be a fairly tolerant man, wouldn't you say, Scoot?"
"You're a very reasonable man, Boss." Scooter agreed.
"Considering that I'm a former pirate, I overlook pretty much every vile thing. But when I come across low lives who abuse children and let older men molest them…well, it makes my blood boil." Flynn shoved rifle against Vito's crotch.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute! Can we talk about this, Carson?" Vito pleaded.
"Come on, Flynn. I'm sure we can work something out." Sheena purred. "I'll give you a 2 for 1 special at the brothel."
"Sheena, I would rather vacation in Level 5 of Impel Down than spend time in that cesspool you call a brothel. Now, this can only end in two ways: you give me Penguin and Shachi's guardianship papers and you never contact them again, then I'll torch your house. Or I shoot your balls off and take the papers by force, then torch your house."
"You're not gonna kill me?" Vito taunted.
"Flynn, wait!"
Flynn and Scooter turned around to see Norah running over to them.
"Lammie, go back inside. You can't come with us." Flynn admonished.
"I know that. I just want you to promise me something."
"What?"
"Don't kill Penguin and Shachi's aunt and uncle." Flynn opened his mouth to say something when Norah cut him off. "I know they're bad people, but you're not. Don't stoop to their level, please?"
Flynn smiled as he ruffled Norah's blond hair. "Don't worry, Pipsqueak. That's not gonna happen."
"Believe me, I really want to." Flynn said. "But I promised a very smart 7-year-old girl that I wouldn't. So, those are your only options."
"Either way, we're burning your house down." Scooter said.
"Yeah, that's happening regardless."
Vito growled in frustration. "Fine, you can have the stupid papers. Didn't want those brats anyway." He turned to Sheena. "Get the guardianship papers from my study, Sheena. Make it snappy."
Flynn smiled his evil smile. "Good choice."
"Pacing isn't going to help the situation, Jadzia."
"I know that, Wolf."
"Then stop pacing. You're making me nervous."
Jadzia Dax stopped pacing and glared at the old man. "It's been over 6 hours since Flynn and Scooter left to confront Vito and Sheena. I haven't heard any reports nor gotten any calls. You don't think something bad happened to them, do you?"
"I highly doubt it. Knowing Flynn Carson, he probably burned their house down and had a great time doing it."
As if on cue, the door suddenly burst open, and Flynn and Scooter strutted in with manic smiles on their faces.
"YES! I'VE NEVER FELT SO ALIVE!" Flynn shouted happily.
"That was great, Boss." Scooter laughed. "We made Vito shite in his pants really good, didn't we?"
"Oh, it was glorious."
"Where the hell have you two been?!" Dax growled angrily. "And what the hell did you do?!"
"Aww, were you worried about me, Daxy?" Flynn smiled.
"No. I was just…concerned about the fact that we might be going back to jail if we're wanted for murder."
"Relax, Jadzia. Flynn didn't kill Vito and Sheena." Scooter assured.
Dax looked at Flynn. "You didn't?"
"No. I promised Lammie that I wouldn't." Flynn explained. "After I got the guardianship papers from Vito and Sheena, Scooter beat the crap out of them and we dropped them off to the local Navy base with a written confession taped to their backs."
"After you burned their house down?" Wolf asked.
"AFTER WE BURNED THEIR HOUSE DOWN!" Flynn cheered. "Woo, it was awesome! They got a big-ass mansion! Watching it burst into flames was…oh so magical."
"Told ya, Dax." Wolf laughed.
"Well, at least you didn't kill them." Dax sighed. "Why did you need guardianship papers, anyway?"
"So, I can keep Penguin and Shachi." Flynn replied. "Vito already relinquished them to me, it's basically a done deal. Where are they?"
"Uh, uh…. well, Penguin woke up about an hour ago and said that he was hungry, so he's in Big Willie's room eating snacks along with Shachi, Law, Bepo and Lammie."
"Good, because I need all the kids to hear what I'm about to say."
Flynn headed to Big Willie's room before Dax could say anything. She and Scooter looked at each other before following their captain upstairs. Wolf simply shook his head and chuckled.
"You can deny it all you want, but you're truly good man at heart, Flynn Carson."
"Now, Penguin, Shachi, do you have something to say to Bepo?" Big Willie admonished.
The brothers looked at each other before bowing their heads. "Sorry for beating you up, Bepo." They apologized.
"That's okay. I already forgiven you." Bepo smiled.
"Good, now apologize to Penguin, Law."
Law looked at Big Willie in confusion. "Why should I?"
"You used your powers on him."
"Fine. I'm sorry for shocking your heart."
"It's okay, I pretty much deserved it." Penguin replied. "Thanks for putting my arm back. And saving me and my brother's life."
"You're welcome." Law nodded.
"Wait, if we're apologizing, then I need one from the little twerp." Shachi said.
"Hey!" Norah exclaimed.
"Don't call Lammie a twerp." Law scolded.
"Lammie kicked me in the balls and smacked me with a whip. What moron would give a whip to a 7-year-old girl?"
"You hit him with the whip I gave you for your birthday, Lammie?" Flynn squealed.
"Yep, and I kicked his gonads when he was going after Law!" Norah bragged.
"That's my girl."
"Meet said moron." Law imputed.
"You're a bad influence on Norah, Flynn." Dax muttered.
Flynn shrugged. "You can't live in the real world by just being a goody two-shoes. Sometimes, you gotta get your hands dirty. Anyway, what's going on here?"
"Oh, we're just eating Lammie's delicious beignets and saying our apologies." Big Willie replied.
"She may be an annoying little brat, but she's got some serious baking skills." Shachi complemented.
"Should I be offended?" Norah asked.
"That's just Shachi's way of complementing you, baby girl." Big Willie assured.
"Well, it's a good thing you boys are apologizing now because we're all gonna be really close in the years to come." Flynn mentioned.
"What are you getting at, Carson?" Law demanded.
"Congratulations, Law and Lammie. You just got three new brothers."
"Really?!" Norah squealed. "They can stay?"
"Yep. Scooter and I just got Penguin and Shachi's guardianship papers from Vito and Sheena, then I burned their mansion down."
"You didn't kill them, did you?" Penguin asked.
"No, I didn't. I dropped them off to the Marines; they won't ever hurt you or your brother again."
Norah clapped happily. "Yay, Flynn!"
"Thank you." Penguin thanked, choking back tears.
"So, you're letting them stay here?" Law reiterated. "Including Bepo?"
"This is not a free ride, so don't get it twisted. You three will be pulling your weight around here just like Law and Lammie."
Dax cleared her throat very loudly. "Flynn." She warned.
"As soon as Dax gives the okay for you to work, of course. Penguin can help Law with labor chores, Shachi can be my errand boy and Bepo can be the mascot while occasionally helping Lammie around the kitchen."
"Mascot, Flynn? Really?" Big Willie frowned.
"These people don't know what a Mink is. This is actually helping Bepo." Flynn reasoned. "If there's nothing else to discuss, you can go back to eating your beignets." Flynn grabbed a sugary pastry, dipping it in chocolate sauce and taking a bite. "Mmm. You really outdid yourself, Lammie."
"Thanks, Flynn!" Norah chirped.
"I'm outta here. Penguin, Shachi, Bepo, welcome to our crazy-ass family."
Law looked at Flynn in disbelief before rushing out of Big Willie's room to follow him.
"What's your endgame here, Flynn?"
"Endgame? What are you talking about?"
"Just yesterday, you were talking about throwing Bepo out on the streets. Now you're letting both him, Penguin and Shachi stay? You're trying to get money off of us or what?"
"Contrary to whatever pre-notioned idea you got in that stupidly smart head of yours, I'm not out to get you."
"Forgive me if I have a hard time believing you."
Flynn nodded. "It's understandable. First the World Government eradicates your home country, then Doflamingo kills his younger brother, the one person left you deeply cared for, who just happens to be Lammie's father. You can stop me anytime if I'm wrong."
Law was shocked to silence. "How…how do you know that?" He shuddered.
"I'm not as dumb as you think." Flynn smiled. "Let's go to my room, we can talk about this in private." Law just nodded as he followed Flynn blindly to his room. Once they were inside, Flynn shut the door and locked it. "Sit down." He commanded.
Law sat down on Flynn's bed as he watched the man go over to his bedside table and open a small safe with a key around his neck. Flynn opened the safe and took out a large envelope. After closing the safe, he threw the envelope on Law's lap. The boy looked at it in question.
"What's this?" He asked.
"Open it." Flynn replied.
Law looked at Flynn warily before opening the envelope. His eyes grew wide as he saw that it was full of money. It was enough for Law to get out on his own with Norah and still have some left over. It was even more than enough to buy a ship!
"Where did you get all these beris from?"
"From the money Magdalena sends me every month." Flynn said. "I only take out whatever I need for essentials and you and Lammie's allowances. The rest of it, I keep in my safe to save until you're old enough to venture out on your own. Sorta like a nest egg."
"So, you never used our money for anything else?"
"No. Like I said, I run a respectable, legitimate business. And I'll add Penguin and Shachi's pension money to this already large collection you got in your hands. When you decide to sail out on your own, I'll give you the money."
Law looked at Flynn with teary eyes. "You don't have to pretend to care about me, Flynn. I know you hate me."
"I don't hate you, Law." Flynn assured, sitting beside the boy. "You can be a little shit and a huge pain in my ass sometimes, but I never hated you. I know that you keep your guard up around me to protect Norah Lammie. I get it, but it's unnecessary. You should know by now that I would never do anything to hurt Lammie; or you for that matter."
"You say that now," Law argued. "But if you already know who you're protecting us from, you know that Doflamingo runs the most dangerous crew in the North Blue."
"And now he's one of the Seven Warlords and the new King of Dressrosa, right?" Flynn added, showing Law the newspaper article Wolf showed him. "That's why you were so pissed off at me yesterday, were you?"
Law looked at the headline in contempt. The tears that were threatening to escape his eyes finally flowed down his cheeks. Flynn slowly took the boy's hat off his head and gently caressed his hair. Law froze at the touch. The last person who treated him with so much care was Corazon. He never saw this side of Flynn Carson before. He didn't know whether to embrace it or run away from it altogether. So, Law just sat there.
"You wanna get that son of a bitch, don't you?" Flynn said softly.
"More than anything." Law cried. "He killed Cora, he killed his own brother and left Norah without her father. Cora saved my life and Doflamingo killed him! I want him to suffer!"
"I know you do, Law, but you're not strong enough to take on a notorious pirate, let alone a Warlord of the Sea."
"You don't think I know that?!" Law snapped, abruptly getting up from the bed. "Why do you think I'm learning how to use this Devil Fruit power I got? Why do you think I'm protecting Lammie with everything I have?! She's not only Cora's daughter but Doflamingo's niece. If he ever found out that his brother had kids…."
"Hold up. Kids?"
"Lammie has a twin brother in the East Blue. He lives with their mother."
"Do you know what she looks like?"
"No. Why does that matter?"
"Don't worry about it, it's just something I thought about. My point is this, Law: If you want to take your revenge, you can't go in half-cocked and with a quick temper. You need time and a level head. Why do you think I'm safeguarding your money or teaching Lammie how to fight? Just for the heck of it?"
"Lammie doesn't need to learn how to fight." Law argued. "I can protect her."
"I know you can protect her, but I also know that you won't always be there to do so." Flynn reasoned. "Lammie is stronger than you give her credit for. If she and her brother has Donquixote blood in their veins, then they pose a serious threat to Doflamingo. I'm telling you this for your own good, Law. You want to get to that bastard's level, you need to protect and use your assets to your advantage."
"Why are you telling me this?!" Law demanded. "Why do you want to help me all of a sudden?!"
"It's not all of sudden! I've been preparing for this since I agreed to look after you!"
"Why?!"
"So, you won't make the same mistake I made all those years ago!"
Law looked at Flynn. "What mistake?"
The older man didn't respond. He simply took the envelope from Law's hands and put it back in his safe. Then he sat back down on his bed, but not before grabbing a picture from his desk. He motioned Law to sit back beside him. Once the boy sat down, Flynn showed him the picture. It was a photo of a teenage Flynn Carson standing next to a young boy around Lammie's age. Law immediately figured out who this young boy was to Flynn.
"Is he your brother?" He asked.
Flynn nodded. "His name was Silas. This was taken a few days before…" Suddenly, Law witnessed something he never thought he'd see: Flynn Carson breaking down into sobs. "I tried to protect him. I tried but I couldn't and I've lived with that guilt ever since."
"What happened to him?" Law asked.
"My family and I lived in a small village in the South Blue." Flynn explained. "We were happy until the Celestial Dragons came and destroyed everything. They burned our village, took our resources and enslaved anyone who could walk. And those who fought back were gunned down in cold blood. My parents were among those gunned down. I tried to escape with Silas but, he went back to get my favorite watch and the Celestial Dragons got him. I couldn't do anything. I was seventeen and scared, so I escaped on a random ship headed to the North Blue."
"When was this?"
"Ten years ago. He would've been seventeen-years-old today; the same age I was when I last saw him. I never told anyone about Silas. The only person who knows about him is Dax and that's because she was there that night."
"You knew Dax for that long?"
"Yeah."
"And ya'll still haven't hooked up yet?"
Flynn looked at Law. "I literally told you about a traumatic moment in my life and your takeaway was that I haven't hooked up with Dax yet?"
"I mean it's obvious that you like her." Law shrugged. "And for some weird-ass reason she likes you too. Just go for it."
"I'm listening to love advice from a 15-year-old brooding kid." Flynn sighed. "What is wrong with me?"
"There's nothing wrong with you, Flynn." Law said. "You're a total jackass and an idiot but you're a good total jackass and an idiot."
"Did you just insult me and complement me at the same time?"
Law smiled. "It's a gift. Thanks for looking after us. I know I haven't made it easy for you."
Flynn wiped the tears from his face and smiled back. "You tell anybody that I cried in front of you and I'll make you eat bread for a week."
"Deal."
Flynn ruffled Law's hair and put his hat back on his head. "Keep getting stronger, Law." He said. "Keep getting smarter and keep protecting Lammie. So, when it's finally time to face Doflamingo, you'd be ready."
"I will." Law nodded. "I just have one question though."
"What's that?"
"What would possess you to give Lammie a whip as a weapon?"
"It's very empowering!" Flynn defended.
"To whom?!"
Flynn simply laughed. "Don't underestimate Donquixote-Trafalgar Norah Lammie. If you're gonna make any waves in this Great Pirate Era, you need that girl at her strongest by your side."
Trafalgar D. Water Law rolled his eyes at Flynn's words but he kept them inside his heart. He knew that Norah and her brother, Felix, were powerful; not only as children of a Devil Fruit but as children of Donquixote Rosinante. It was the Wild Card Doflamingo never saw coming. The Wild Card that would be his downfall. But we're once again getting ahead of ourselves.
When Norah Lammie was 5, she learned about Law's past and his fight with the deadly White Lead Disease. When she was 7, she met her three future crewmates and adopted brothers, Bepo, Penguin and Shachi. And at 9, she set sail along with her four brothers to the Grand Line as the first mate of the Heart Pirates, led by Trafalgar D. Water Law, the Surgeon of Death. These events shaped Norah to be what the World Government dubbed her as "Lammie the Cheetah."
But there is one moment in Norah's life that has yet to be told. A moment that is so pivotal, so profound, so destined, that it deserves its own story. Picture the scene: a port island in the East Blue. 8-year-old Norah Lammie was trying to find her brother when she saw a small blonde-haired boy sitting down on some steps crying.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
The boy stopped crying to look at the small blonde girl with large green eyes.
"Not really. I'm trying to find some ingredients for a recipe, but I can't think of a recipe to cook."
"Don't you have a cookbook or something?"
"Zeff says I have to come up with something on my own."
"How old are you?"
"Eleven."
Norah scratched her head in thought when an idea popped in her head.
"Do you know how to make Sea King Gumbo?"
"Sea King Gumbo?" The boy repeated. "What's that?"
"That's gonna be your first recipe!" Norah grabbed the boy by the hand and led him to the public market. "We're gonna shop for some ingredients and I'll teach you how to make it."
"What's this gonna cost me?" The boy asked.
"Nothing." Norah replied. "Just give me a recipe that I can use one day."
"Sounds like a fair trade. Let's do it!"
"Awesome! Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Norah."
The boy smiled. "Nice to meet you, Norah. My name is Sanji."
To Be Continued….