A/N: I'm alive? I'm alive! Thanks for waiting! Here is the new chapter and may I warn you that the characters will be OOC!
Oh…and I think you, my dear readers, deserve some explanations. I thought I could update since summer vacation already started but then I remembered that I have OJT for the summer semester and my time during working hours would not permit me to have reserve energy for typing. I mean, once I got home I am like Zzzzz… so, yeah…
Chapter 21: And then it all Start (Battle part 2)
Corazon had the worst luck of all. No lady luck just wanted to screw his life. Yes, that theory could be acceptable. A year ago Sengoku gave him a mission to infiltrate the Donquixote Family. The top ranking marines were already having a suspicion that the assumed death of Donquixote Doflamingo was not true when there was no body found from the flaming building eight years ago. Well... There was a body that was as tall as the head of the family but it was badly burned that a single move will turn it to ashes. When an inside information reached their ears that Crocodile, one of the seven warlords of the underworld business, had taken the surviving members of the Donquixote Family under his wings they began to smell something fishy. ANYONE would be suspicious from such actions.
Basically he volunteered to do the spying.
His reason toward Sengoku that he was such a klutz no one would think that he was a spy.
In reality he was trying to put a stop in his brother's madness.
He did not tell to anyone that his real name was 'Donquixote Rocinante'. Though his identity gave him the advantage of entering the family without any problem.
He thought he had a chance to save his brother from further drowning in the abyss of madness but the first time they saw each other again he realized he was already too late. His loving brother was gone and replaced by the persona Corazon hated to the bone.
When they were children they were kidnapped, tortured beyond words just to get the ransom their kidnappers needed. It was so wrong and a child could only take so much pain before he finally snaps.
Heavenly demon was the person you don't want to mess with if you were not ready to die a painful death.
Because of the bloody state their parents found them, the people who were supposed to protect them were the very same people who abandoned them. Forced to live on their own and defend themselves, Corazon had the first hand experience of seeing his brother's frequently changing personality. Doflamingo was a kind brother, Heavenly demon was a pure monster. No one should argue with him when it came to those topics. Then one night they got separated and that was the time when Sengoku found him. Sick of being with Heavenly demon, Corazon declared to the older man that he was alone and had no place to return to. Corazon did not know that his brother was having a war inside his own mind. Without knowing, he had left Doflamingo alone in his tortured mind.
Corazon had been so selfish. Seeing his brother again... No, his brother was long ago dead... Replaced by the abomination created out of a child's nightmare.
"Why do you call me Corazon?"
"Because you have this crazy obsession with heart symbols." Seven year old Doflamingo giggled at his own explanation.
Rocinanthe filled his cheeks with air as he pouted, "Brother!"
"Sorry, sorry!" Doflamingo raised his hands in surrender, "'Corazon' means 'Heart'. I called you that because you're the one whom I consider as my heart. If you were not born then I would have no reason to protect and care to someone"
Ah... Those were the days...
"Oi, tell me, why did he call you 'Donquixote Rocinante' and 'Second Corazon'?" Smoker brought the blond out of his day dreaming, "thought your name was Corazon?"
Corazon sighed, right he was not alone. For all the people he could meet it was just supposed to be Smoker. The man hated him for some unknown reason. Especially when Law had taken a liking to him and started calling him Cora-san.
"Can I explain later?"
The way he had said it was as if to say that he was irritated for the unwanted question. Of course Smoker scowled at him but did not say anything further about the subject.
"So I'm assuming you are about to kill me now, Vergo?" Corazon directed the question to the man on the staircase, "For being a traitor and everything, right?"
Vergo was silent for a moment before he turned his back on them,
"The person that I served was named Donquixote Doflamingo not 'Heavenly Demon' if you want to stop this madness then be my guest. I still have one order I needed to fulfill." With that said the first Corazon started walking away from the duo. One of them though would surely react from that stunt.
"Hey, wait a minute! What the bloody hell do you mean by that?!" Smoker shouted as he ran after the man who he supposed was about to engage a life and death battle with them. Knowing Vergo's criminal history he had no doubt at all that the combined forces of him and Corazon would not be enough. Even if it would then they might end up as a distraction for the rest of the battle that will happen because of injuries. But that's not the problem, right? Because Vergo just went away like he was just checking the weather and asking Smoker if he would like to have a cup of tea. That was so terrific.
And so insulting at the same time.
"Don't bother, Smoker. Vergo will just smack you in the head if you will interrupt him to whatever he is supposed to do."
Smoker turned around and glared towards his companion.
"Which he was supposed to do right?! And we are supposed to stop him to whatever he needed to do and arrest him for it!" he screamed in irritation and continued to walk up the stairs.
Seriously, was Vergo a ninja? He just vanished in thin air!
Oh…right…he was an assassin…
Marvelous.
Smoker smack his face with his right palm and sighed deeply. One problem was piling after another. Looking back he saw the blond in deep thought. Why, oh why did he have such a shitty luck today.
"Oi! Corazon! You still have a lot of explaining to do!"
The said guy only looked up at him before nodding his head. His expression turned very serious. Was this the clumsy Corazon he used to know? Or did some of Doflamingo's antics rub on the marines nerves?
"I supposed. If I want this case to be over."
Corazon stood up beside Smoker and extended his arm wanting to have a handshake.
"What the—"
"My name is Donquixote Rocinante, younger brother of Donquixote Doflamingo, a marine commander, a spy with the position as the Heart executive, an enemy for Heavenly demon. Oh, I am also the second Corazon." He said all of these with one of his creepy yet serene smiles, "Nice to meet you."
All of those were just words thrown at him. But those are the words that left his jaw hanging in the air. The only thing he could say,
"Well, I've been having a life chasing psychos, have a son who had a psychotic background, now I'm having a co-worker with a psychotic brother. Sure, everything is fine. I'm all good. All I want now is too torch that asshole brother of yours and toss him in a pool of acid. That's brilliant."
"I would not have it any other way." Corazon smiled innocently.
"Just for the record, stay away from my son."
"Why?"
"I don't know. They said idiocy is contagious. I think the same thing applies to psychos."
"I'm not a psycho."
"Sure and I'm not a smoker and my name is just a joke created by my mother because she was so delirious after giving birth to me."
^_^mmmmmm^_^
"What! You did that to a lady?!" Sanji shouted when he was finally reunited with his lover.
After wandering around for a while and ignoring the shrill voice of Mr. 2, Sanji finally managed to find his marimo. Well, they literally bumped to each other because the guy was lost again. Why did he fall in love in such a directionless idiot again?
Sanji sighed in relief to find Zoro still in one piece. He had no doubt that the purpose of the enemy was to separate them from each other and then fight them when they were alone or in pairs. The two that the cook and the okama faced seemed like the weakest of all from the group of enemies. This theory was confirmed by Bon Clay. He said that Mr. 3 was just an arrogant bastard who was so confident in his sculpture way of killing while Ms. Goldenweek was just a girl using psychological form of battle. The considered worst enemy happens to be Mr. 1 and Ms. Doublefinger and of course Crocodile as well as Doflamingo. The executives of the Donquixote family was rumored also to be stronger than the top ranking agents of Baroque Works.
Knowing this information Sanji was half scared that Zoro had faced the stronger enemies. His lover was a magnet for near death situations. The other half believed that Zoro was strong enough and could handle himself but remembering the happenings between the marimo and Kuma his fear doubled only. So what a relief to find his lover safe and sound, of course he interrogated Zoro on what happened when they were temporarily separated.
Zoro told him that when he landed he was in a room full of snow and on the far end of the room was a woman crying and on her arms was a body of a child. Truthfully the sight would make anyone to approach the lady and asked what's wrong. Hell, if Sanji was there that scenario would have truly happened.
This comment earned a fight between the lovers so the story was continued after a few minutes.
The woman that Zoro fought was not in the right state of mind. She was skilled in fighting it was no doubt but her attacks was full of anger that it was almost only brute force that was fighting Zoro. The only thing that fight told him was to kill and destroy. Feeling that the worst will come if he will not finished it he used his newly developed technique and knock out the woman.
Sanji knew that technique. Zoro practiced it at him once! He thought his marimo went total psycho with him that time when he felt he was sliced in two. It turns out it was some kind of intimidation illusion where you will feel you died when the blade made contact with the body.
But still it did not excused Zoro for hurting a lady damn it!
"You're such a bastard with no delicacy!"
^_^ nya! ^_^
Kidd, for the first time in his life, feared if Killer would go berserk right here right now. After they recovered from their fall the two of them wander around to find an exit from the maze like hall they have landed. That was until they heard footsteps and saw a woman who walked like those models you saw in fashion shows but her version was more exaggerated. For Kidd this was the first time he saw the chick that had a electrocuted hair from how it looked to him but shifting his gaze towards Killer he saw that his friend had his jaw tied shut, eyes looked mad and knuckles turning white from contained fury.
"What…" was the first word his blond friend got out when the sexy villain in front of them was within hearing range, "…are you doing here…" with a deep sigh Killer controlled himself from grabbing his slicers, "Paula" he said the name with such intensity that promised death if he did not like the answer. At all.
"Hmm…" the woman now named Paula tilted her head a little to the right and put her index finger on her chin to accentuate her painted lips while the other hand rested on her hip, "I did not expect you to recognize me, Killer."
That was then the moment when Kidd's mind decided to remember the name that escaped Killer's mouth,
"Wait… Paula?" he looked back and forth from the two then settled his eyes on Killer while pointing at 'Paula', "You mean the one who owned the Spider's Café but at the same time a bar at night? She was the owner of the place where you usually hang out with? The woman who gave you advice sometimes?" the redhead asked at the same time and as questions went out from his mouth the more the fuel being poured on Killer's anger because if what the blond thought was dead on the spot then he is royally pissed to the bartender/café owner in front of him and to himself.
It was crystal clear right now to Killer that Paula was an enemy. Meaning, unconsciously he became the book of information for his enemy.
That was being shot multiple times by an arrow but you only felt it after a hundred of it managed to stab you straight in the heart.
It hurts when you realized everything was a lie.
'Paula' laughed a bit from the reaction painted on Killer's face. Oh, how she wanted to see this moment. The time where Killer saw that all this time he was being an accomplice in a crime that was planned months ago.
"Well, my name in here is Ms. Doublefinger. I am the partner of Mr. 1"
From that introduction Kidd heard a sharp metal slicing the air behind him and all his experienced being with Zoro gave him enough time to react and jumped away because if he did not then his head would be rolling on the stony ground right now. Finding the one responsible from his near beheading he found out it was a bulky and bald (but not shiny) man who was having multiple blade sprouting from his body. Seeing such a bizarre thing Kidd only said the three words that made sense to him,
"What the hell?!"
Could you blame him? You would be also surprised when you see someone producing lades from his body like a damn cactus.
Kidd assumed that this man was Mr.1 and the guy was sure a rude one because after the initial surprised he attacked the redhead with an intent to kill that made Killer and Kidd to be separated.
"Damn it! Killer I'll be going somewhere to fight this guy!" so the mighty Eustass Kidd run away with a cactus chasing him from the other part of the castle.
Not that Killer did not hear a word from Kidd, it just that he was more focus in thinking of talking to Paula or rip her to pieces and toss her corpse in a dungeon full of lions… no, that's too common… how about tie her up then deliver her into a shredder of meat? Or he could take her in a slaughter house…how about—
Okay, Killer, stop. Focus on what was happening right now then watch and play as much as horror you could stomach after all this was over.
He just downloaded a game about a girl trapped in a creepy gallery* last week now that he think about it…
Seriously, Killer, you need to make up your mind right now. Talk to the enemy or kill her?
Could we just get to the part of torture her then get information? Most interrogation goes that way, right?
With a mental nod Killer grabbed his sickle and went to a fighting position. Good thing he still had a body of a lean teenager. Don't get him wrong, he has the strength to be in par with Zoro when it comes to fighting with sharp objects and his agility was similar to Sanji. It was just that Kidd had been pestering him for the past months to go the gym to develop some muscles.
Nope, he still doesn't want to have the body of a brute wrestler like his redhead friend. Plus if his body was that of a body builder then fighting in a limited space like where they were would be a great disadvantage for him.
Waiting for the intense atmosphere both party jumped from where they stood and clashes of metals could be heard. Killer was taken surprised for a moment when Paula's body, or Ms. Doublefinger, produced spikes similar to a hedgehog.
Making a few distance away from the enemy Killer tried to clear his mind from anger and took the scene with every ounce of observation he could manage. Aside from the fact that Paula without anything to cover up her hair was like a woman who got electrocuted, her body was really turning like a hedgehog from all the spikes coming out from her body. How did the sexy suit she was wearing was not being torn was beyond his comprehension.
"Surprised aren't you?" Ms. Doublefinger had the audacity to chuckle, "For all the time I spend with you," this cause Killer to scowl, "I know that you would not voice what's in your mind until you are totally drunk. So to satisfy your curiosity, Doflamingo has this crazy scientist named Ceasar Clown and created what he called Project 'DF' which means 'Devil Fruit'. Its taste was really disgusting but the power it granted us was very useful." To emphasize her points the spikes around her got longer then shorter again. It was obvious that she had perfect control to whatever she had taken inside her system.
"I don't care." Killer stated with venom in his voice. Something changed to the blond and Paula clearly felt it.
"W-what…"
"I said, I don't care…" Killer repeated. He looked up and made eye contact with Ms. Doublefinger but due to the fact that his bangs had gotten longer his left eye was covered by his hair. But it added to the effect that made Killer to look like an actual killer.
Now it really makes sense if somebody will say that Irony, Life and Luck were sisters who spread madness all over the world.
At first Paula's eyes widened in a sudden surge of fear but shoved it away and covered it up by laughing a little as if she was amused at everything that was happening right now. She was an assassin, a spy, a mercenary if we were back in the old days. It did not change the fact that she kills and lies just for money. Killer should not affect her in any way because in her mind no one was much scarier than Crocodile and Doflamingo.
"What's so funny?" Killer tilted his head up but his gaze still remained towards his enemy. The hands holding the sickles were limply hanging on his sides as it had no bones in it.
"What can someone like you do to defeat a professional like me?" Paula snickered as she made her nails longer, "The only experience you have in fighting was when you were still in gangs back when you were just a teenager searching for a new taste in life." she said with such confidence that caused Killer to laugh. She narrowed her eyes. What did she said that seemed so funny in his ears?
A minute of hysterical laughter Killer sighed, "Paula, Paula, I have never been so glad for having a habit of lacing truths with lies." The table turns around and this time it was Killer who was amused and Paula was the one who feels irritated.
"It's true that I have been with gangs during my rebellious stage. I was a bad influenced to Kidd and Law back then. Even Zoro got involved in our fights and Sanji accidentally joined also. The only people that kept us from being sent to prison were Smoker, Mihawk and Shanks."
"What is your point?"
"My point is that everyone knows that I was a gang member back in the past."
"I just said that, didn't I?"
"Hush, Paula, let me continue the story," he chided her like a child, "as I was saying, everyone knows that I was a gang member back in the past but no one knows the other part of life I was living."
Walking two steps towards the enemy Killer continued, "Tell me, Paula, have you ever heard the name 'Massacre Soldier' in your bloodbath days?"
The earlier fear came back now twice in pressure as the name registered in her ears. That name… Massacre…Soldier… everyone in the underground business knew that name. No one knows his real identity or what age was that serial killer was. The only description was a male who had a long blond hair and mask like helmet that covered his face. His chosen weapon of killing were a pair of sickles. Assassins tried not to gain the attention of Massacre Soldier because in the list he ranked fifth most dangerous person. Always wanted a challenge and killed most of the talented assassins, spies or anyone who could fight and give a good reason to spend time.
Three years until now though no one heard any news about the serial killer.
Now she knew why.
Her eyes landed on Killer's weapon of choice.
A pair of sickles.
Still she tried to tell herself that Killer was just trying to get her off guard. After spending some time with the blond and listening to his rants she knew that Killer was very talented in games that revolve around more in tactics.
"Now, now, Killer, you know lying in front of a lady is bad, rig—"
She didn't finish because in a flash her right shoulder fell off. Something very sharp sliced her clean. What was that?
Eyes widened further at the sight of her blood painting the floor and walls. She screamed as the brain recognized the intense pain. Clutching the part to stop the flowing of blood she looked behind her and wished she never did for what she saw would be the last thing that would be printed in her mind.
Standing right there with his back shown to his enemy, Killer slowly looked over his shoulder. His eyes speak of bloodlust and revenge.
"I will never forgive you for betraying Shanks' and my trust."
^_^ Nya Nya ^_^
"This is bad, this is bad, this is really bad!" Eusras Kidd repeatedly chanted as he ran around while dodging the attacks of the so called Mr. 1. Why, oh, why did this have to happen to him? Why?!
Kidd thought that this would your everyday mafia war. Guns and punches were only needed and there was also the occasional knifes. But not in the sense where you could produce blades from your own body! If Kidd tried to punch Mr. 1 there was the possibility that he would say goodbye in that part of his body. If he tried to fire a gun then it would ricochet or sliced in half. So while Kidd was trying to form a plan to defeat his enemy he ran around unconsciously starting a game of tag as well as hide and seek.
"Stop running already!" Mr. 1 said irritatedly.
"As if!"
Kidd might be a man made of bulky muscles but he could run like a panther. Training with Killer and Sanji made his legs to get used in a certain amount of agility.
Entering the first door he saw in the winding hallway Kidd made sure to lock it. Turning around he leaned on the wall and tried to catch his breath.
"I swear if there is a camera and this turned out to be a film I will kill the director." Humor yourself Kidd but you know that this was the real life. as they say 'there is no way that there is no way'**.
Scents invaded his nose and Kidd was alerted to observe where he was. When he realized the room he had entered he gave a malicious grin.
He could not be the head of the greatest steel company if he did not know how to mix chemicals. He was really glad that Trafalgar was such a science geek back in their college days.
^_^ Nya Nya ^_^
"For all your talks I thought you will be a challenge but it appears that you are not half as good as you claim to be." Killer muttered as he stared on the wall before him. For what is up on the wall would be one of the arts of Massacre Soldier. Only people who were used to gore could stomach this kind of scene.
He lied though.
It was not true that no one knew that he was the infamous serial killer in the underground business.
Kidd knew.
It was three years ago when his best friend confront him and both of them were sent in Eustass' private hospital where Trafalgar patched them up. Killer was glad that the surgeon did not ask for details that day.
It all started when Killer was just sixteen. Living a life as a son of a rich family and one that had a connection to politics it was not news to have people attempting to kidnap him for ransom or kill him for revenge. But that night when he turned sixteen he was walking alone in the shady part of town. He was not drunk. He was not thinking right either. He was in drugs also. He just…walked…and walked…
That was when he felt that someone was watching him. Following his every move. The person was as silent as a cat and Killer felt excitement filled his heart. He started to run inside an abandon building and he heard footsteps chasing after him. The next moments were all just a blur but the sight of blood made Killer to be addicted tom something.
Yes, that was an experience that no amount of gang fights could topple.
Smoker, Shanks and Mihawk made them swear the gang life and after a week of lectures Killer along with his friends finally concede.
It was okay though, Killer still got the other part of his life.
It was such an addicting drug for him. He always researched which person was the strongest. They could be a member of mafia, yakuza, or simply a hired assassin or spy. As long as they were a challenge Killer would track them.
He thought he hide it so well.
He did not notice that Kidd became suspicious of his daily vacations.
That day three years ago Kidd set him up. Killer received a false information.
In the abandoned building in the farthest corner of West Blue Kidd cornered him. Killer thought he could turn the tables around and pretend that he was not the best friend of the redhead but it was all tossed out in the window when Kidd grabbed his masked to see his face.
Killer would never want to see that face of Kidd painted with betrayal ever again.
They were yelling at each other, punches were thrown, hurtful words were spoken…but…the words Kidd shouted at him were the ones that were etched into his heart.
It was corny in every essence but it was enough to bring tears and a smile into his face.
"Damn it! What kind of friend would I be if I can't pull you out of this darkness you succumbed into? You're my best friend Killer! You're the one who always try to take care of things diplomatically! Prove to me that your name is just an ornament and not something you should live as it!"
Now three years had passed and Killer broke his promise.
"Well, they say in every rule there will always be an exception." A hand started ruffling his blond hair but Killer still stared at his newest creation.
"You're not angry?" Killer asked in sadness.
"Of course I am damn angry. I wished you just fatally wounded her. But there is no used in crying over spilt milk, right?"
"Ha, did you read a book of quotations?"
"Shut up,"
Killer finally looked up to his best friend and saw that Kidd would always be there. The redhead would be ready anytime to chase his darkness away. Killer could never run away from him even if he wanted to. Once Kidd decided that you're his to protect then that was a decision bounded in forever.
"What happened to your enemy by the way? Mr. 1 was his name right?"
"Heh…out there and slowly turning into rust." Kidd confidently patted his chest a few times, "I learned something when Trafalgar mixed a mild muriatic acid with copper and pour it to my favorite study table."
"That explains it. For once you used your brain and not brute force."
"Shut up!"
^_^ Nya Nya ^_^
"The goal of this mission was to save you," Smoker started, "so why am I now seeing two kids fatally wounded and one who was clearly been traumatized?" After, saying that he adjusted his hold to Luffy when Law handed the child to his adopted father.
"A lot of things happened but I have no time to explain." Law tore the bed sheets to make a makeshift carrier and held Sabo closed to his chest, "Why is Cora-san with you by the way?"
"Same thing you just said." Smoker countered. He would not want to remember the moment he had spent with a younger Donquixote.
"Hi, Law." Corazon greeted with a smile. He then shifted his gaze to the little boy who was trying to hide behind Law, "May I ask why do we have kids in here?"
"Oh, right…" the time the surgeon adopted the trio his favorite male adult was nowhere in the city so he did not get a chance to introduce his sons, "Ace, Sabo and Luffy," he pointed on each child, "They are my adopted sons."
"I thought we are trying to get out of here?" Smoker interjected because the way the two talked to each other it was as if the one who claimed Law as his son was Corazon and not him.
Corazon ignored Smoker's irritation though and bend his knees to meet the child named Ace, "Hi, my name is Corazon."
"Corazon, this is not the time to—"
"I am one of Law's uncles. Sometimes I babysit your father when Smoker took missions that required a long period of time."
"I swear, Corazo—"
"Hey do you want to ride on my shoulders?"
"Listen to me dam—"
"I am taller than your father so you will get a higher vantage view!"
"SHUT UP ALREADY!"
^_^ Nyaa! ^_^
Corazon was very sure he now had a lump on his head. Smoker did not have to punch him that hard. In the end though he managed to coax the boy to get away from his father and was now sitting on his shoulders. He knew that Law will be slowed down if he would carry two kids. If each of them had one of the three then they could move easily.
Corazon just hoped they would not meet his brother.
Half an hour later he remembered that luck was a twisted lady that keep bullying him.
A/N: I think this is the longest chapter I have ever written. I just think… anyways I already finished my On the Job Training (OJT) semester and I only got a week for a summer vacation. I'm sorry I am super late in updating!
As an apology you can send me a request for a one shot that will happen in this AU and I will put it in special chapters!
Thanks for being patient!
*Yeah… I attempted to play the game that has a title 'Ib' and I learned my lesson that curiosity kills the cat. The graphic was simple but the creepy aura that the game emits makes me shiver.
** I am betting that a lot of you knew this but in case you don't the quote was said by Greed in FMA and FMAB. (Fullmetal Alchemist)
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