Chapter 5

Doflamingo couldn't believe it. Time after time of mess-ups because of the Strawhats and now finally their arrival had worked in his favour. He could hardly believe his luck. Not only had they stopped their slut navigator from running into the ocean, but because of Law's switch and subsequent unconsciousness they believed him to be their beloved crew member!

He couldn't wait to see the shock on Strawhat's face when his darling Nami plunged a knife into his heart.

Doflamingo resisted the urge to laugh. He didn't know how they had escaped Kaido, Strawhat certainly had the Sea Devil's own luck, but actually this was much better. Now he could administer his revenge in person than via the Beast Man. If only this damned man would stop pawing at him!

"Nami-swan! Are you sure you're ok?" Sanji simpered, trying to fondle him again. Contrary to certain crude assumptions (mostly stemming from his choice of clothing), Doflamingo did not enjoy close encounters with the masculine sex unless it was in a fight situation. This Blackleg was getting far too close, how did the girl stand it? He was even worse than Trebol.

The thought of his late executive made him boil with anger and finally losing his patience he punched the offending pirate, making him flip end over end along the beach.

Cursing himself for breaking his cover he turned, preparing himself to fight, only to be greeted by the crew's laughter.

"Just like old times." Zoro smirked and Strawhat had fallen over holding his stomach.

Of course, the girl's feisty, she wouldn't have stood for it. Doflamingo struggled to manage a smile that was appropriate to Nami's face and not the murderous grin he would have preferred.

I don't know how long I can stand this…

"Tra-guy is hurt pretty bad. I'm going to give him some of Mansherry's tears." The odd reindeer said.

Mansherry's tears! Perfect! All he needed was to restore his body and make Law switch them then he could decimate these peons!

"What to we do with him?" The swordsman asked, pointing a blade at his original body.

"We should kill him for what he did to Nami-swan and Violet-chan!" Blackleg said, stuffing some tissue up his bleeding nose.

Violet? What did I ever do to her?! Only take her into my family and spared her damned father who should have died ten years ago! Repressing his rage for a better time, he sidled closer to Zoro. Those swords would come in handy.

"Tie him up and take him back to Dressrosa. Let the people deal with him." Strawhat said, picking his nose before going to look over at Law.

This is the guy that defeated me? The universe has a sick sense of humour…

Glancing back over at Law as their doctor was about to pour the vial over him, Doflamingo knew he didn't have much time. As soon as Law woke up, his advantage would be lost.

"Oi, Luffy, he's waking up!" Zoro said as Nami began to stir in his body. Luffy ran over.

"Hey Mingo! You're beaten! Give it up. This is for all the crap you put Tra-guy, Rebecca and the Dressrosa people through." He began stamping a sandalled foot on Doflamingo's face.

It would have been amusing if it wasn't his own face Strawhat was bruising.

"Come on Luffy-kun" Doflamingo said in his best Nami impression and then suddenly grabbed one of Zoro's swords. "Im sure they deserved it!"

That stupid face with its gurning mouth dropped open just as he had envisaged but that was nothing to the shock that followed when Doflamingo plunged the sword re-enforced with Haki, through Strawhat's chest.

"FUFUFUFU!" He let the laughter rip out of Nami's body as the Strawhats recoiled in horror and disbelief. Luffy fell to the ground, blood spilling out of his chest.

Oh that felt as good as I imagined!

"LUFFY!"

"Nami!"

"NAMI-SWAN, HOW COULD YOU!"

He wouldn't be able to fend them all off in this state but he had a good hostage. Placing the sword to his neck, he grinned at his enemies.

"Nami-ya isn't here anymore." The warlord said in his normal base tones to further exclamations. "But if you come one step closer, you'll lose what little chance you have of getting her back!"


Who was she? Where was she? She didn't know anymore. The only constant was the throbbing of veins on fire throughout her body. It had become a comfort.

There was something I had to do…Somewhere I had to go….

"Hey Mingo!….."

Shouting lanced through her mind and then her head resounded with a series of kicks. Pain burst from just bearable to sheer agony then receded back to a distant growl. She breathed in and out, trying to recover. Laughter danced through her ears. Where had she heard that sound before? Something about it was wrong, but she couldn't say what.

Oh it hurts, why does it keep hurting!

"LUFFY!"

"Nami!"

"NAMI-SWAN, HOW COULD YOU!"

She knew that name.

…Luffy…Hmm rings a bell…Nami…Yes Nami!

My name is Nami! Luffy! Luffy is my captain!

There was more shouting, something was very wrong. She opened her eyes.

Red? Why is it red?

People were moving rapidly just beyond her field of vision. She raised her head, pushing herself past the pain.

That's me! She thought, astonished as someone that looked just like her was standing holding a sword to her throat while other people she recognised surrounded her in distress.

But if she's me, then who am I?

Raising her arms she saw burnt pink feathers like a flamingo.

AHHHH I'm a bird!

Pushing herself up further, she looked down, praying not to see more feathers, none of this made sense! Unfortunately it just got worse when she spotted heavily muscled pectorals and a washboard stomach.

AHHHH I'm a man! I'm a birdman! Jeez I must have hit my head harder than I thought!

Deciding to ignore her sudden, upsetting sex change, she looked at the people again. The woman she thought she had been suddenly hacked a load of hands that sprouted from her shoulders and blasted the dark haired woman that had her arms crossed in front of her. A green haired man used the opportunity to slash at her clone and got the same treatment. A blonde-haired man with unusual eyebrows fretted beyond them.

"Sanji, you have to do it! You have to hit her! It's not Nami!"

"We need to get to Luffy, Sanji!"

"You know I can't hit a woman!" The blond man cried.

"It's not Nami, you idiot, it's Doflamingo!" The green haired swordsman shouted.

Doflamingo! Suddenly she remembered.

Shit, what has he done to Luffy!

Raising herself up, she realised her hand was covered in red and it wasn't just the glasses that were making it that way.

Luffy!

The blood had sprayed onto her and soaked into the sand. He was white and unmoving at Doflamingo's feet.

We need to do something!

"You, reindeer!" Her doppelgänger said gruffly. "Give me that vial or your captain won't get any and by the look of this wound he needs it."

"But…" Chopper had tears rolling down his eyes. "But Tra-guy still needs it."

"Is he awake?"

"Barely." The reindeer was clearly petrified, having to speak to the man who had almost killed him before.

Doflamingo smirked and hooked a finger. "Then he won't be needing it, pass it over."

Law-kun!

"No Chopper!"

"Don't, Chopper!"

"I have to!" He blubbered.

There's only one thing I can do…I have to get rid of Doflamingo's body. If he forces Law-kun to switch us back and he has a way to heal himself it's all over, especially with Luffy out.

Praying for her friends, she slowly inched herself along, hoping against hope she wouldn't be noticed. As if a man wearing a bloodstained bright pink feather coat and lurid trousers wouldn't be noticed!

"Bind Law and bring him here. If he does what I say, I might give your captain one of these tears."

The blessed sound of waves was growing nearer. The slide was torturous but it was the only way.

Just a little more…

She could see Sanji-kun carrying Law with Chopper in tow as Zoro cursed.

Is he ok?

"Now Law, one last time. Switch us back or Strawhat and the rest of these losers will die. Where's my- WHERE ARE YOU GOING!"

Shit! She thought as they all swung around.

"Nico Robin! Bring her back!"

"…Very well." Robin re-crossed her hands.

Arms sprouted out of wet sand all around her and Nami swore.

Robin, please! Not after all I've done.

The hands grasped her body and moved her out to sea. Salty water splashed over her, stinging her wounds but it felt like victory.

Thank you Robin!

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!"

"Luffy would never stand for this and neither would Nami, they won't be used against us!"

The tide washed over her and the hands lifted her up to take one last breath through tortured lungs before turning her round and pushing her deep into the marine depths.

I only have seconds before the water gets too deep.

Using every last bit of strength, she kicked Doflamingo's powerful legs to escape the tide and allow the current to pull her deeper.

It's just like Luffy said. She thought dreamily. My limbs are locked solid and Im getting weaker. It's up to you now Law-kun.

The red glasses against the cobalt made the ocean seem a deep violet. As she sank she could see brilliantly coloured fish dart around her and coral forests of pitted bone stretched out beneath. Her lungs began to burn with the need for air but strangely that didn't matter anymore.

Even if I die, at least I've taken Doflamingo's body and devil fruit powers with me…

The light of the surface grew dimmer and Nami felt her eyes fluttering closed as the waves lulled her to sleep like a mother's embrace.


Law came around to the sounds of combat. He kept his eyes closed and listened, absorbing the details till he knew who and where everyone was. His heart leapt on realising that the Strawhats had survived their encounter with Kaido, only to drop again when Strawhat was stabbed just afterwards. He hadn't been quick enough to prevent Doflamingo taking advantage of the situation but he waited his chance to help. ROOM had disappeared when Doflamingo had knocked him out. He would have to summon it again before he could engage in battle.

"Tra-guy?" Tony-ya and Blackleg-ya appeared above him.

Law opened his eyes and winked at them. Their distraught faces perked up. Blackleg pretended to bind his hands while the Shichibukai was distracted. Law closed his eyes and they carried him over to where Doflamingo was.

"Now Law, one last time. Switch us back or Strawhat and the rest of these losers will die. Where's my- WHERE ARE YOU GOING!"

Law's eyes snapped open and he ripped off the rope.

"ROOM!" The sphere swelled outwards as Doflamingo cursed and tried to bury the sword in Nami's neck before Nico-ya and Zoro-ya launched a combined attack to stop him. Praying he'd extended ROOM far enough to Nami's location he mentally focused on performing the Personality Transplant technique.

Where is she? Where is she!…There!

"Shambles!" Pulling their hearts out he made the switch as Doflamingo snarled, hands reaching to dismember him. Nami's body collapsed into his arms and the others rushed to Strawhat's side.

"Luffy!"

"Is he ok?!"

"I'm giving him the tears now," Tony-ya tipped the last of the vial on to their captain.

Nico clasped her hands in prayer and Zoro clenched his teeth as they all looked at Strawhat's pale, unmoving form. Nami was still cradled in his arms as Law watched heart in mouth. Nothing.

Oh shit, we were too late…

"No Luffy!" Tony cried, his large eyes shimmering with tears. "You can't die!"

Blackleg lowered his face in grief and Zoro closed his eyes.

Suddenly Strawhat stirred. "Hmm…everyone…" He said groggily. "Why are you all staring?"

"YEY!" The Strawhats shouted. Tony clung to his captain's chest and Zoro and Nico dropped all formality and hugged each other as Blackleg punched the air.

Law let out a sigh of relief but his anxiety didn't dissipate. He must know if Doflamingo was dead, if it was finally over.

Passing Nami to a solicitous Blackleg, he ran to the sea and climbed in the longboat, ignoring the shouts of his allies.

I have to see. I have to know!

Rowing madly to the spot he had seen Nami dive in, he peered down into the water.

Damn it, I can't see anything! I can't let it end like this!

Leaning precariously over the side, he tried to see better, shielding his eyes from the glare of the sun overhead. Fortunately with the light and clear water there was good visibility. Putting his face almost flat against the lapping water, he ignored the dipping boat.

I don't care if I sink too, I have to know. For you, Cora-san!

Then there, fathoms below he saw it - a burned, flamingo feathered coat slowly rising like a ghost on the current. Below it, just visible as a shadow was a figure. Straining, he caught a glimpse of red glass but his balance slipped and the boat rocked alarmingly. Recovering himself, Law sank back slowly into the boat and stared unseeing at the sky above.

It's over. It's finally over. Tears leaked from his eyes. Cora-san!

He didn't know how long he lay there the realisation of Doflamingo's death washing over him but it still didn't seem to sink in. Blinking, he raised himself up and realised he could hear commotion from the shore.

What is it now? It felt as if another person was grabbing the oars, as if it was somebody else that cared what happened to the people on the beach. The person he was, was still wrapped in the moment when he realised the greatest shadow of his life was dead. Did anything else matter?

"Nami-swan! Why isn't she breathing Chopper! She was breathing before!"

"I'm trying, Sanji! Don't you think Im trying everything I can!"

"Use the tears!"

"We used the last of them on Luffy!"

Nami-ya…

With a jolt he was back in his body and frantically rowing towards the shore.

No, not this, not her. You're not taking her with you Doflamingo! Not after everything she's been through!

Scrambling to get out of the boat, he tripped and fell on the foamy sand. Picking himself up he ran up the beach, past drift wood and the trail of blood to Nami's side.

"DO SOMETHING CHOPPER!" Blackleg was screaming as the diminutive doctor tried to resuscitate their navigator.

"Get out the way!" Law shoved his way through and checked Nami's pulse.

She was almost as pallid as Luffy had been and there was no thrum of life against his finger.

No, Im not letting this happen!

"Countershock!"

"Wait, you'll kill her!" Blackleg shouted as Strawhat said "Tra-guy, wasn't that the move you used on Mingo?!"

"Shut up all of you!" He shouted back and ignored their reply. Lacing his hands together he pushed down sharply on Nami's chest, trying not to remember how Doflamingo had touched her there.

This is all my fault, I should never have brought them into this, let alone her!

Repeating the motion several times in quick succession, he grasped her jaw in his dirty hand and blocked her nose with the other. Blanking out Blackleg's indignant cry he locked his lips on hers and blew into her lungs then repeated the chest pumps.

"Orphaned as a young child, adopted by Bell-mère, a Marine…."

Again he blew into her mouth.

"Who sacrificed herself to protect the young Nami and was shot right in front of her little daughter."

Thump, thump on the chest.

"But our Nami-ya's a survivor, just like you Law. She even worked for the man who'd killed her mother, some big name in the East Blue, where as you ran away after I killed Corazon, didn't you?"

But our Nami-ya's a survivor…

He checked her pulse again. Nothing

Please Nami-ya! Please. Be a survivor!

Law wiped his face, something wet kept clouding his vision.

"Countershock!"

Why wasn't it working!

More chest pumps. Tony shook his head and clung to Nico-ya crying. Strawhat was holding Blackleg back, his own face as twisted with denial like the rest of his nakama.

Law checked her pulse again.

"Nami-ya! Come on! Don't die on me like this!"

They were tears, these hot rivulets down his face. He hadn't cried since…

Without her bravery Doflamingo wouldn't have died…

"Nami-ya…please…"


More cliffhangers! Haha I'm evil. Thanks as always for the reviews and special thanks to Jujub2001 who gave me not just one but two lovely detailed ones! BTW I wrote this story before the end of the Dressrosa Arc so Im keeping details I wrote back then like Trebol's death even though (unbelievably) he is actually still alive in canon. Also I would update faster if I didn't have to check for typos etc so let me know in the reviews if this matters to you or not - perfect accuracy or faster updates. Just with Uni on the horizon I dont have as much time as I used to.