UPDATE!! I've re-written this chapter, I think it's a bit better now

Hi there everyone! Man this has taking me so long to post! I apologise for what is for me a long time without PoF! I just couldn't get into writing much this week.

But here it is! Chapter 18, and the adventure continues. I am so grateful for all my reviews

Review Responses

Blu: I love the idea for that story! Look forward to it :) Thank you for the continuous love, I do feel bad about the lack of Viviage, and I have the same issue in this chapter, so much seems to happen I feel like it's a bit rushed. But I try to keep it all fast paced, to keep up with the atmosphere of the story. And yea, only a few chapters left, maybe a few more as this one took longer than expected!

Jenelric: Ah we all love the Zoro torture! I had that opinion of Robin for ages, she is draw into the darkness by a horible past. Here's hoping she'll rebeem herself...

Wandering Swordsman: I don't really know what to say about your review! You've managed to convery everything I was hoping readers would feel in a few chapters. So thank you, very much

Yusukes: Everyone loves Robin, but everyone loves Luffy and Zoro more. But I love Zoro more than most, I don't think any other manga character coms close to him (maybe the Elrics or Roy Mustang, or Seisherou from X - little insight into other mangas I enjoy there). But yea, everything was horrible for everyone. I warn now, if you're not liking the sadness in this fic, my other Cosa Nostra is planned to be quite evil by the end of it all :D

So thanks for reviews everyone! And enjoy!

Chapter 18 – Break-in and Break-out

Time was dripping by slowly for Zoro, as he took the punishment Crocodile was handing out to him. His back was raw, shredded to pieces by the whip. But the slimy slave-owner had soon tired of that, and the choking, and the crushing, and the beating, and pretty much everything else he'd done.

The slave's throat was hoarse, body was bruised and cut and vaguely felt like some part of his leg was broken. But the pain was dulling, and it wasn't really registering that much, especially now the bastard was in front of him, and he noticed now, talking.

"…hout you" Zoro forced himself to pay attention, and not focus on the fact the room was getting warmer, or the sizzle of something heating

"All by himself, not a fun way to spend the last hours of your life? But then again, your friend won't have to worry much longer; I've just received word the good doctor has arrived."

Through the blood dripping down his face (thanks to a particularly lovely club to the head by one angry guard), Zoro gave his owner his best glare, and snarled through a blood filled mouth. Crocodile smirked lazily.

"Still got some fight in you then? Good, that keeps things interesting." The hooked man moved closer, still talking

"I suppose you wonder how it is Dr Vegapunk and I are such close acquaintances? Well…"

Zoro could've sworn he was imagining things, as normal men never disappeared in a swirl of dust.

But Crocodile just did.

Though confused, the captive definately couldn't have imagined the solid figure materializing behind him. He felt the man leaning over to whisper in his ear as a mass of sand zoomed past him and create the body behind him.

"Young Mr Redhair isn't the only one with a devil fruit ability."

For the first time since entering the room, Zoro spoke in surprise

"You, you're made out of sand?"

"Heh, indeed. Vegapunk was very generous when I asked him to endow me with powers, to make me stronger. Of course, I suffered for my strength," his hook glinted angrily at this remark, as if aware Crocodile was talking about it, "but, it was worth it. I am undefeatable in this desert country. Definitely by someone as weak and defenceless as you are, Southerner. You are nothing, simply worthless."

Crocodile began chuckling, and suddenly the heat, noise and everything else clicked into place.

Zoro felt a searing hot pain push deep in his hip, piercing and burning the hip, and drag along the sensitive flesh covering it. His breathing hitched as his skin blister and burn as he was branded slowly, and the mocking of Crocodile echoed in deep his mind as the punishment continued.

--

Luffy was not a happy boy.

The cage was cold, and boring, and lonely. He wanted to help everyone, help Zoro.

He wanted not to be stuck, needing help himself.

Robin had left some time ago, to do who knows what. But Luffy was more at ease with her after their conversation. The rubber boy was worried that their friend had betrayed them, but his innocent attitude helped him to see there was reason behind her actions. He felt he knew a bit morea bout the mysterious woman now, and was positive she was still their nakama, even if she had to do bad things. And if she was nakama, then he trusted her completely.

Plus she gave Luffy meat, which he thought made anyone a good person.

But now wasn't the time for idle thinking. It was time for action.

The rubber boy gripped the cage and pulled with all his might. Unfortunately, all it resulted in doing was sap more of his waning energy, and he slipped onto the floor. with a groan

"Naaaaaaa"

Not good.

Every time he failed at escaping, his mind rushed to his green-haired friend. What was Zoro going through now? Did he need his help? Luffy knew he needed to get out of the cage and find him, so they could all go home and eat at Sanji's.

Or anywhere, really. Right now he was so hungry he didn't really care where it was he ate.

But he was stuck, powerless and unable to even help himself, let alone anyone else. He was being a bad friend.

He heard voices rush past, guards mutterings of Vegapunk's arrival. He was drawing closer to the house.

Luffy knew his window for escape was growing shorter.

So, he did all he could, and gripped the bars again…

--

"Vivi wasn't lying, these ducks are fast! Look!"

Chopper shouted over to his companions as they neared a large desert mansion that they all knew belonged to Crocodile. It had taken little over a few hours to get there, and every one of them was sure it would've taken many more hours if it weren't for the brilliant birds. Never again would a bad word be said about them if thier riders could help it.

Ussop called out uncertainly,

"But how do we get in?!"

True, that small factor was overlooked. One didn't just waltz up to the house and demand the return of their friends after all.

But miraculously, dust clouding up from the opposite direction was able to provide them with ideal cover. Sanji clenched his teeth (unable to light a cigarette on the uncomfortable creature) and peered through the dust

"What the fuck is that?"

A large, intricately cart was being pulled along by a collection of giant rabbit-like creatures. Chopper gasped

"Lapan! They come from Drum!" Sanji frowned

"Drum? Who would Crocodile need from Drum?" His question was drowned out by Nami's cut off shriek

"Dr Vegapunk! The devil fruit! Guys, I think Luffy's in trouble!"

Silence descended upon the group, all quietly fearing for their friend and hurrying their steeds along. They needed to hurry.

The overly large cart neared, and the dust cloud began perfectly sheltering them from sight. It was time to head in.

"Right, let's go save our shit-friends."

Sanji's words were the last heard before they entered the smothering dust.

--

Crocodile had paused from his playing to come and greet his guest. As the cart drew to a halt outside the home, its owner stood at the door, smiling graciously at his acquaintance.

Dr Vegapunk did not look comfortable; a man so used to cold weather did not cope well in the desert. But not even he would refuse an invitation from the head of Bananadile Corp. Especially when such an interesting gift was promised him.

The tall, slim doctor exited his coach and shook a glove covered hand with Crocodile, who was ushered by him into the house and out of the blistering Sun.

The exchange was breif, a smiple, formal greeting of powerful men eager to go somewhere cool and private to talk properly.

The greeting was watched in the distance by a collection of nervous, oversized Ducks. Hidden amongst some shrubbery the Super Spot Billed Duck Club hid, awaiting the return of their new charges. Sure, they were scared, but they were the royal duck squad! And they would not fail Vivi.

Said charges had miraculously crept round the house, posing as Vegapunk's servants. They found a door at the back of the house with only two stupid looking guards. A few good kicks later and they were out for the count, letting the rescuers inside the mansion two big sets of keys.

And boy, were they surprised and what they found.

Cells lined everywhere. It was clear this was not the luxurious part of the house.

Nami and Chopper were dumbstruck with horror at the appalling conditions surrounding them, eyes wide with shock. Ussop shuddered and his squeak echoed through the dank corridor, and Sanji masked his shock by finding another cigarette. Nami shook her red hair

"How can he make people live like this?" She scowled as they walked past a particularly gruesome bloodstain on the floor, forgetting the fact that her family too, kept slaves (albeit in much nicer homes than this). Despite the horrid conditions, the were relieved to find there were no slaves around for them to see suffering,

"I guess they are all out working." Ussop noticed out loud as they passed even more empty cells. Not one in sight, but the four saw plenty on the fields as they snuck in.

A shout of surprise as they passed a seemingly empty cell stopped them in their tracks.

"Oi, oi! Is that them? Oi!"

"Redhair…Long Nose…Weird Reindeer…it must be! Oi, you, are you Aniki's new friends?"

The four outside the cell regarded the unusual looking couple with suspicion. They looked pretty damn beat up, but both seemed inexplicably happy to see them for some unknown reason.

Sanji pointed at them with his lit cigarette.

"Who the fuck are you? And who the fuck is this Aniki you're going on about?"

The man on the left, Yosaku, bowed slightly (wincing as he did) and answered politely

"You are friends of Zoro aniki, yes? Please, you have to help him." At the mention of the green haired bastard, Chopper and Ussop squealed. Sanji moved closer to the cell and snapped.

"You know Zoro? Where is he, and Luffy?"

"Luffy?" Johnny looked confused, and Yosaku answered

"Oh, that's the other Aniki that was caught, right? We don't know where he is, but what's going to happen is terrible! Zoro aniki told us the whole thing!"

Johnny gripped the bars, pulling himsefl closer.

"Luffy aniki is going to Dr Vegapunk! He's restarting his research on the devil fruit! And Zoro aniki…Crocodile has him. He's...he's probably hurting him somewhere right now!" The two prisoners looked distraught at the thought of what was happening to their friend.

Chopper edged closer and began inspecting their wounds through the bars. He politely asked Sanji try and open the cell, which the chef did with an unsual lack of complaint. A sure sign the cook was worried.

Ussop spoke to the imprisoned pair.

"How do you guys know Zoro anyway?"

"We met aniki when we were at Kuro's; he was just as feared there. No one wanted to be near him, they think he's a monster. We were the only ones who bothered with him. But aniki is the best!" Johnny's explanation was cut off by Yosaku

"Zoro aniki's heritage makes him an interesting person. Kuro thought he was too dangerous, and tried to beat the fight out of him. Crocodile thinks he's strong, and proud, and he takes pleasure in making strong people cry out in pain. Please, you have to help him!"

"He's not dangerous. I mean, he looks pretty scary, but...Why would Kuro think that?" Johnny was eager to explain

"Because of what hap!...." His explination of Zoro's attitude and a poor, kind girl and some stairs was cut off by Yosaku clamping a hand over his mouth and shaking his head. He looked at Ussop, hand still keep Johnny quiet, and muttered

"Zoro aniki...he's had it rough, thats all."

As he finished speaking, the cell door noisily swung open and the small furry body of Chopper rushed in to began tending the pair's wounds. Ussop began removing the chains binding them to the floor, and Chopper was fast running out of bandages as Johnny looked at these strangers with surprise.

"Aniki was lucky to meet such kind people. You barely know us, yet you've set us free?" Such treatment was unheard of for the pair, and they were quite unsure of how to react.

Once the pair were expertly patched up, the all exited to the corridor and Yosaku thanked them,

"Thank you, Luffy aniki must be as kind as you all are. I hope you can reach him in time." A pregnant pause fell, and Nami moved next to him, resting a hand on his shoulder and asking quietly

"Do you know where he is? We need to find him before Vegapunk does. Or maybe Robin…" The rest of her sentence was cut off as a surprisingly angry Yosaku shook her off

"Robin?! She is a dangerous woman. No wonder Zoro aniki was caught if it was by her." He scowled and Johnny muttered meekly

"Robin normally lives over in the East wing, maybe your friend has been sent there as well. I know there's a Kairouseki cage in one of the rooms up there."

Yosaku looked betrayed, and Nami seemed surprised

"Kairouseki? The sea stone?" Johnny nodded

"That's right; its properties make those with devil fruit abilities weak. I'm sure Luffy aniki would be locked up in there, right?."

"And what about Zoro?" Ussop's knees clacked as they shook, and Johnny looked down.

"Who knows? Crocodile has many places he likes to use for punishment."

Sanji sighed and moved forward.

"Looks like we'll have to split up." The newly enlarged group nodded in agreement, and Chopper pushed at Yosaku's leg

"You two try to get out; you're too hurt to get involved…" He looked concerned for his patients but Yosaku turned on him

"No! We need to help aniki! We can fight too!"

"Yea, we can help! Please!" The two slaves seemed so eager that Nami relented

"Fine, you can help, but not inside. Run out and get a message out to Vivi, and find out what the other slaves are up to. There are some ducks, you'll know what I mean when you see them, give the message to one of them" Nami explained for their deadpan expression at the work duck. "Ussop, you go with Chopper, I'll go with Sanji..."

Any further explanation was disrupted by Sanji's jumping for joy at the opportunity to 'protect his precious Nami-swaaaan', but the redhead eventually continued after knocking him out with a staff she had strapped to her leg

"We'll meet up with the duck squad at sunset, if nothing can be found. Good luck guys!"

With a final nod to each other, the three groups set off on their missions for their friends.

--

Ussop and Chopper ran quickly, both silently praying that they didn't run into any guards. Their fear of confrontation led them into a nicer part of the house, clearly not where any slaves live.

"Can you see anyone, Ussop?" Chopper asked as he peered around the corner to a long hallway. Ussop shook his head and the pair continued running.

"C'mon, let's hurry!"

As the pair ran down the corridor, a voice echoed from the opposite end, and the trespassers jumped into the nearest hiding stop they could.

This happened to be a big spiky plant. Ussop clasped his hands over his mouth to stop himself yelping as a spike hit the tender skin on his backside. But the voice he heard made his heart stop.

"Will you be staying long?" The voice in the distance got louder, and was coming from the mouth of Crocodile. Vegapunk walked next to him, looking around in an almost bored fashion.

"No, I need to begin my research. I plan to set off again tomorrow." Crocodile nodded

"Well, your lab rat is over in the library we just passed, he won't be going anywhere. In the meantime, my home is yours. If you wish, I have something very fun downstairs if you wished for the amusement…"

The voices passed and Chopper and Ussop watched their enemies move around the corner and out of sight. A few minutes more until they were sure they were free of danger, the pair looked at each other and ran off in the direction of the library.

Another 15 minutes of pointless running (mainly in circles, trying to avoid guards and scary things), the pair burst into a room that was most definitely a library. Books lined every wall of the large, dark room, creating a quiet solemn atmosphere.

Needless to say, the exclamation of pure joy from a boy in a cage was very out of place in the room.

"Ussop! Chopper! You're here!"

"Luffy!!" The pair ran over to the cage, expressions of happiness and relief on their faces "You're okay!"

"Mnaaaa yea, just wanna get out of this cage! It makes me all weak!" Ussop began fumbling with the large amount of keys he had, and Chopper talked to their trapped friend.

"You're not hurt are you Luffy? What happened?"

"No, I'm fine; I just got stuck in this cage. Oh! But Zoro! We need to find him!"

"Do you know where he is?" Luffy shook his head

"He got dragged away, but Crocodile is mean, he's gonna hurt him!"

A click reverberated around the room, and Ussop cheered in success

"It's open! You're free Luffy!"

The straw hat clambered out the cage and jumped up in joy

"Yosh! Let's go beat him up!" Luffy ran out the room in eagerness, forgetting all weakness now he was free, driven by the desire to aid his friend. He was quickly followed by Ussop and Chopper.

The group soon found themselves outside (how, they had no idea. Ussop would later explain it as due to Luffy's animal instincts), blinking in the sun and watching a large amount of slaves doing backbreaking labour.

Within moments of being out in the sun, they found themselves surrounded by a collection of guards. Luffy grinned at them, and Ussop and Chopper hid behind him.

"Ah…Luffy. What do we do now?" Ussop whispered as guards advanced.

But Luffy shouted, and a rubber arm reached forward and hit a man square in the face. This lead to all of them jumping on the trio, and a fight of rubber, horns and slingshots began.

The slaves noticed the uproar, and they all stopped working to watch. As Luffy knocked the final guard near him unconscious, he shouted over to the surprised slaves.

"Oi, why are you listening to these idiots? Come help us and be free!"

More guards moved around the corner, spying the strangers and rushed to attack. The guards passed the slaves without paying attention, used to them obeying.

But the guards didn't account for the rubber boy, and the strange belief that people have in him.

The first guard fell to a spade to the head, the second from a smack with a broom pole. Moments later, the guards were in the midst of a brawl with the slaves.

"Let's help them!" Ussop began shooting at the guards, eager to aid them in their fight for freedom. Soon shouts of rebellion rang across the house, and the guards were quickly being overpowered.

The three who started the fight ran off in random directions, busy fighting, trying to find eachother, and help other friends.

--

The sounds of freedom did not reach the depths of the cells beneath the mansion. It remained quiet and heavy, and was at the time almost totally void of people.

Nami and Sanji were running through the dark corridors, checking all the cells for occupants. Neither Luffy nor Zoro were anywhere to be found, but they had been able to free some people still stuck in cages. As they walked into another empty corridor, Nami muttered

"I wonder where all the guards are." Sanji tutted

"Probably with all the slaves, what's the point being here if it's empty?" Nami bit her lip and nodded.

"But if no one is here, where could Luffy be?"

Sanji didn't answer, he just kept running. Didn't want to think about things like that.

Their footsteps echoed around the empty area, and reached the ears of a lone inhabitant of a large cell.

He heard the noise, but made no action towards it, thinking it was just another bastard coming to annoy him. So he stayed quiet.

The silence fooled the pair still running through the corridor, but as they passed a dark, lone cell, Sanji spotted a dark shadow. He screeched to a halt and peered into the darkness. What he saw in the horrified him.

Through the dark, he could see the prisoner was hanging from the ceiling by his wrists, feet just off the floor, gravity dragging his weight down and increasing the pressure at his arms. Blood dripped over his body, from wounds to the head and cuts over is chest. Sanji noticed the bruise forming at his jaw and eye, and he could hear the quiet, heavy intakes of breath as pain ran through his body.

Sanji stared in shock, and Nami crept next to him

"Sanji kun, what..." and then saw the figure for the first time. Hands clasped over her mouth, eyes wide in surprise. This was not right at all

"Zoro..."

-.-.-

Okay so now I've changed it. Still rushed, but I'm a bit happier. I like the pace, I didn't want to focus on one thing too much cause this is all happening at one and very quickly. Remember they are trying to be fast, I wanted it to show in the pace of text.

So was it worth the wait? Such a wonderful balance of happy reunions and angsting. I love it. But I do think it feels a bit rushed, there is so much happening at once now!

Hope you all did too! Any reviews are greatly appreciated.

Thanks for Reading! - Pamplemoose