Chapter 2
Law could have appreciated the irony if they weren't his friends. There on the wrecked remains of the Sunny were Bone-ya and Tony-ya unconscious and still tied with Doflamingo's wicked string. Razor sharp, it had cut into them every time they struggled against the beating he had given them. Blood was everywhere and even though Bone-ya couldn't bleed, the string had still almost severed through his upper arms. Next to them was a Den Den Mushi with Doflamingo's characteristic grin and horn rimmed glasses, just like his own had been a few days earlier next to Buffalo and Baby 5.
He always does that…Law thought, bleakness filling his gut. Always turns your best plans against you.
He surveyed their wounds, surprised Doflamingo had left them alive but looking at the gravity of the damage, if they didn't act fast the beleaguered crew members soon wouldn't be.
"Where's Nami-ya?" He asked at the same time as Blackleg roared "WHERE'S NAMI-SWAN!"
"Funny you should ask." The snail came to life, a siphon for the unctuous voice that still haunted his nightmares.
"MINGO!" Strawhat grabbed the snail and almost strangled it. "MINGO, I WON'T FORGIVE YOU FOR THIS!"
"Fufufufufu! You won't forgive me? You don't know the meaning of forgiveness, Strawhat, but you'll be begging me for it by the time I'm done! You thought you could serve me up to Kaido but he's coming for you instead. I'm going to enjoy watching him rip you rubber limb from rubber limb."
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT HIM, I'M COMING FOR YOU, BASTARD!"
"Not with the Yonko and the Navy on your heels." The snail smirked even as it writhed in Strawhat's grip.
"Luffy look!" Zoro shouted as a horn blast sounded in the distance and the shadow of a vast ship appeared on the horizon. Law could hear the sounds of roars and shrieks from across the water as if a whole zoo of angry beasts had been incarcerated together.
More horns blasts echoed across the surf as three warships came into view from the other direction, each sail bearing the proud emblem of the Marines. Strawhat almost screamed his frustration.
"FUFUFUFUFU! What will you do now, Strawhat?"
Strawhat was breathing heavily as he looked from one ship to the next. The rest of the crew had spun around, eyes bulging as the howls of the unknown monsters grew louder. Law pushed down the fear that threatened to freeze him. He'd seen Hell, he'd faced death numerous times. Now was not the time to panic. Grabbing the Den Den Mushi from Strawhat's hands, he resisted the urge to crush that hateful face.
"Doflamingo." He said, speaking slowly and coldly. "What did you do to Nami-ya?"
"And my son!" Kin'emon shouted, looking around desperately for Momonosuke.
The snail paused, its grin becoming more cruel and the rest of the crew whirled round, sweat on their faces as Doflamingo dragged out the moment.
"TELL US, YOU BASTARD!" Blackleg shouted as he leapt forward and throttled the snail.
"Stop it Sanji!" Nico cried as Zoro and Robo hauled him off. "We need to hear what he has to say."
"Thank you, Nico Robin." Doflamingo drawled. "I'll be quick as from what I'm hearing, your attention will soon be drawn elsewhere."
"Luffy!" Nose burst out, sweat pouring down his face as he gestured madly. "They're closing in!"
Cannon shots fired and blasted the water near their small ship. Law righted his balance as the waves hit the hull and everyone scrambled to keep on their feet. Nico used her devil fruit ability to pull the fallen Strawhats onto their ship before the Sunny's wreck sank any further.
"Doflamingo…" Law ground out.
"The girl is with me…as is your son, Foxfire Kin'emon." The crew breathed a sign of relief but Law didn't let down his guard. Anyone who trusted Doflamingo deserved the bullet they would find in their chest. Cora-san could have told them that.
"Law…" The deep voice continued. "Since you showed me the pleasure of this particular game, I'll return the favour. They are precious to you all aren't they? They will remain in my possession until I gain something of equal value to me, something that should have been mine years ago…you know what I mean, don't you…Law."
"What does he mean, Tra-guy?" Strawhat shouted over more cannon blasts as Nose and Nico-ya tried to steer the ship away.
"You didn't tell them, Law? I thought you guys were good friends now. Well, Strawhat, you should know that Law-chan is a very good little doctor."
"I know that already, Bastard! He fixed me up after Marineford!"
"Fufufufu, I know. Bad of him since he became a Shichibukai later but then Law, you were never very good at keeping up your loyalty, were you?"
"I have always remained loyal to Cora-san." Law said, his voice thickening.
"Well then you can be reunited with him in Hell, just as you've always wanted!" Doflamingo laughed. "That's my price, Law! You want Strawhat's pretty navigator and the boy back you'll perform that operation, or I'll do to them what you did to Baby 5 and Buffalo. And as we both know I don't possess the Ope-Ope fruit so they won't be alive for you to reassemble!"
"I won't let that happen!" Strawhat roared.
"You won't be doing anything, Strawhat, except trying to escape from Kaido and the Marines. I informed them both earlier that you were responsible both for the disruption of the SMILE business and the destruction of Dressrosa. Congratulations on your new bounty!"
"The Admiral- "
"Fujitora will do nothing just like the Navy always does. Don't forget I'm still a Warlord and rightful sovereign of Dressrosa. You are outlaws who performed acts of terrorism and incited insurrection against me."
"But the toy factory- "
"Yes, thank you for destroying that, 'God' Usopp. The evidence might have been difficult to explain."
"The people won't forget!" Blackleg shouted over Nose's stuttering.
"Fufufu, the people don't matter, Blackleg Sanji, you should know the World Government better by now. Anyway none of you matter except Law. He will meet me at Zou, alone- "
"Zou?" Law's heart sank.
"Yes…" Doflamingo drew the word out as if he knew exactly what Law was thinking and was enjoying every minute of it.
Not my crew as well.
The smell of musty wood filled his nostrils as the darkness of that awful chest closed in around him and the shot that took Cora-san away resounded again in his ears.
Not again, I won't let it happen again!
"Zou…where you sent your crew to be safe from me. I told you before didn't I, not to play at grown up games? It's a shame you left me so young, Law, there's still so many things I had to teach you, blackmail being one of them!"
"DAMN YOU, DOFLAMINGO!" Law screamed, all resolve of control breaking. It was happening again, everyone he cared about was being taken away and there was nothing he could do. Bile rose in his throat as he gripped the side of the ship, splinters digging into his palms. The ship shook as more cannon blasts fell, hitting the wreck of the Sunny and spraying them with bits of flying wood.
"ROOM!" He cried over Doflamingo's gloating laughter and smashed the debris away.
"STRAWHAT LUFFY!" A bestial voice roared behind them. Kaido's vessel was looming over the borrowed ship, despite Nose and Nico-ya's best efforts to get clear.
"I think Kaido wants a word with you." Doflamingo said smugly. "Give him my regards and tell him with Caesar back, production should begin shortly."
"You have no lab, you have no factory, Doflamingo!"
"Don't presume to know what I have and don't have, brat. You, who didn't even know I was a Celestial Dragon! If you want to save the girl and your crew, come to me alone. If you disobey me again I will punish them in your place. Don't take too long. I only have them to entertain me."
The receiver died. Law stood still, oblivious to the chaos around him, still clutching the comatose Den Den Mushi. All he could see was that snowy beach where he had escaped the Donquixote vessel and now Doflamingo was reaching back for him. After all these years, after all that training, after this alliance and all the comebacks, he was there again and Doflamingo had won.
Cora-san…what do I do?!
"We have to save Nami-swan!" Black-leg bellowed.
"What about Kaido?!" Nose screamed.
"I'll take him on!" Zoro brandished his blades.
"Me too!" Robo shouted, powering up his cybernetic arms as he looked at the ravening maw of the Yonko's ship.
It was huge and carved like a gigantic half wolf, half lion. Row upon row of cannons filled its mouth like metal fangs, aimed right for them. But it was the huge shadowed figure towering above that held everyone's attention. Taller than Whitebeard and rivalling Kuma in height, the savage Yonko raised his head and let out another howl of rage. Waves of killing intent raced over them and everybody swayed with dizziness.
"He has Conqueror's Haki!" Zoro shouted.
"Of course he has Conqueror's Haki!" Nose blubbered. "Everyone who wants to kill us has Conqueror's Haki!"
"Keep it together Usopp!" Strawhat said as he stared down the enemy.
"…Tra-guy."
"Ah?" Law woke up from his trance and was pinned by Strawhat's fierce gaze.
"Tra-guy, I trust you. Save Nami and the others and kick Mingo's ass!"
Law's mouth opened. He hadn't even made Doflamingo break a sweat despite all his efforts and now the only guy who had fought with him toe to toe was leaving the fate of his precious crew mate to him.
"Go Tra-guy!"
"Yes." Law's face hardened. "I will, I promise Strawhat-ya!"
Strawhat grinned in spite of Kaido's challenge and gripped his hat. "I know, Tra-guy, you're our friend after all."
Leaving Law with a last wink, Strawhat launched himself at the Yonko with his Devil Fruit power shouting "Gomu-Gomu No!"
"Crazy…" Law said under his breath as he watched Strawhat transform into Gear 4 form and land a huge punch on Kaido which seemed to just slide off him.
I should help him. Even with our strength and a decent plan there's only 30% chance we'll win.
"Go, Tra-guy!" Zoro shouted as he ran past the former Shichibukai to take on the emerging crew members of the Beast ship.
Blackleg ran to join him, flames already blazing from his body then hesitated, looking at Law. Grimacing, the chef clenched his fist.
"…Tra-guy…"
"Don't worry, Blackleg-ya, I'll save her."
How, he didn't know. But he would do it even if it killed him, which it probably would.
"You better." With that he leapt into the fray, delivering a massive roundhouse kick to Zoro's opponents.
"Here, Tra-guy." Nico-ya beckoned him into a smaller boat and lowered him down with her multiple hands.
"I'll come back for you all." He said, looking up at her.
She smiled, calm as always. "Or maybe we'll come back for you."
...
Donquixote Doflamingo, Captain of the Donquixote Pirates, Shichibukai and rightful King of Dressrosa hovered above the ruin of Law's submarine. Some of the crew had been foolish enough to confront him and it had given him great pleasure to carve them up. The rest had retreated and Doflamingo was giving them enough time to regroup before he began his final move. Usually he would have just dispatched them despite their leverage on Law, but this time he wanted to draw out every last ounce of pain and fear from his former protege. Even then it wouldn't satisfy the rage just barely concealed under his usual grin.
The 'Heart' Pirates…
No doubt that ridiculous symbol with its stupid smile was supposed to represent Rosinante as well. Even as it sank slowly beneath the waves it looked like Corazon smirking up at him from beyond the grave. Veins popped up in his forehead. How dare that brat rub his own brother in his face. Law acted like Corazon belonged to him, like Doflamingo had wanted to shoot another member of his family. Corazon had forced him into it, just like their wretched father.
This is all Rosinante's fault! If he was here I would shoot him all over again! He turned Law against me and caused this mess.
Doflamingo gritted his teeth. If Rosinante hadn't taken Law away and he had conquered Dressrosa sooner he would have been able to cure the boy with Mansherry's powers. Then Law would have become the younger brother Doflamingo deserved - ruthless and loyal - unlike that witless, drunk replica of his useless father.
Now he'd lost Dressrosa and more importantly his real family. More veins pulsed in his head and the grin became a rictus.
"D will blow up another storm!" Law's voice, rich with scorn, ran through his mind.
That bastard! I just hope the Eternal Youth Operation will be as agonising as he deserves...
Probably not. Doflamingo thought. Misfortunes never come singly but at least I will finally become immortal at last!
His mouth twitched and the snarl gradually curled into a smile and he laughed out loud, releasing his pent up rage and anxiety in waves of anticipated triumph.
I will recover my executives and level Dressrosa for their insolence. Then I will take Mariejois and make it my capital as it should have been all along.
The thought of the massacre that would follow on the people who'd first rejected him, sent tingles through his body.
With their National Treasure I will give the World Government the thrashing they deserve, along with Kaido for daring to threat me. It will make up for not being able to personally torture Strawhat and his crew to death. Apart from the girl of course and those fools on the ship.
Doflamingo smirked at the memory of his assault on the Thousand Sunny. It had taken quite a bit of restraint on his part not to kill Strawhat's crew members, particularly given they were such weaklings, but the thought of Strawhat helplessly watching them be slowly cut apart by his strings made it worth it. He licked his lips. Too bad he wouldn't be there to see it.
Turning his attention to Law's scuttling crew he raised an arm and crooked his fingers.
"Birdcage!"
Filaments of adamantine string spun out from his fingertips as they had against Dressrosa, forming his ultimate technique. The Heart Pirates tried to run or fight the cage as it descended but like so many before them it was useless. Another chuckle rumbled through Doflamingo's muscled chest. He never tired of seeing this technique but it wasn't his favourite.
Wriggling his fingers he manipulated further strings and attached them to several of the unsuspecting pirates spines. Teeth flashed in the sun as his smile widened in anticipation. Law would arrive soon and what better sight to greet him than his beloved crew fighting each other to the death.
"Para- ugh!" He coughed suddenly and clutched his chest. Pain spasmed through his body and his legs trembled.
"Ugh!" Doflamingo coughed again, fighting against sensations like knives embedded into his flesh. He landed with a thump but ignored the peons' shocked exclamations. As he took his hand away from his mouth he noticed blood dripping from it. Angrily he wiped the blood away and fixed flinty eyes at the desperate pirates in front of him.
"Lucky…" He whispered. It was that blasted Gamma Knife technique and Strawhat's Gear 4. No matter how he might try and laugh it off, they had done serious damage. Truthfully he'd never been pushed this far. A tremor coursed through his skin. It was starting to remind him of things he'd rather forget.
I have to conserve my strength. Law better come soon.
Recovering himself, Doflamingo turned from the glittering bay and his imprisoned pawns and walked back towards the cave where he had left Strawhat's navigator. The woman had proved herself quite amusing. He had thought her a pitiful wretch with her lack of Haki or Devil Fruit abilities but as intimidated as she was by him, when the time came for Caesar to depart with Momonosuke, she had fought tooth and nail to rescue the boy. Doflamingo laughed to himself again, relishing the girl's determination. She must have known it was hopeless but that hadn't stopped her. If he hadn't been so angry with Strawhat, he might have considered keeping her.
