I hope people are happier with the length of time between posts now! I am still unhappy with chapter 18, and it will get changed I'm just thinking of what to do with it! I found this chapter a bit easier and alough it is still a bit fast paced (wanted more fight action but I really don't like writing figt scences too much), so hopefully you'll all like it to. Thanks for all your opinions and reviews
Review Responses:
Jenelric: Luffy always kicks ass! Glad you liked it :)
Yusukes: Any fan of Zoro is a friend of mine, and we all love a bit of angsting now and again! :P Thanks
BeacuseIwasbored: You are too kind with your praise! Making me embarrassed. I really appreciated your input and totally agree, I just had such a hard time writing the last chapter I couldn't get it out, so I just wanted to get it out of the way and go back and make it better when I know what to do with it. I hope you are happy with the Nami/Sanji/Zoro conflict, I didn't really want them to be angry at eachother, and I personally see Zoro as quite a forgiving person depending on the circumstances. And I do feel that after listening to Robin he would have some idea of whats going on. Hes may not be smart, but he does have those crazy instincts!
SanturyuuZoro: Cliffhangers are just too much fun to write, as is the angst. But oh my god, please allow me to spaz a little bit, I love your stories! The ticking time bomb is so brilliant, I was estatic when I saw you had updated it, It's just so good! When I first began visiting The Weapon Snatching Bounty hunters was first posted, I really enjoyed the chapters so far - maybe you could finish that one day (if not I may have to pick it up! :P) And I love your TRC fic too (have you read the latest TRC chapter? Things are getting good!!) So thank you for your comments
Hitsu: lol torture is so bad it is good. One day, shall write drabbles that are pretty much just angst and torture and my current mental obession of unrequited love (I will write that down soon because the Zoro yaoi romance angst in my head is just TOO good) :P
Blu: I am always happy to hear from you! And will try and keep my updates prompt to avoid anymore fangirl spazzing related collapses! I'm glad you liked it even though it was a bit fast paced. I definately want to extend the JY meeting. Try not to spazz too much I do not want to be responsible for danger to your health :P
Wandering Swordsman: As if I would let Vegapunk hurt Luffy! Never! I always planned for Sanji & Nami to find Zoro, because I do imagine they would carry alot of guilt for what they did, so I'm happy you agree.
Anyway, Enjoy!
Chapter 19 - Free and fighting
Of all the people expected to see out of his cage, Roronoa Zoro never expected to see the two that currently stared through the bars.
Spitting some of the leftover blood in his mouth, he grunted and nodded in their general direction.
"…What are you doing here?"
Sanji found it rather incredulous that the man who was hanging beaten and bruised from the ceiling was managing to talk to them so casually, as if nothing had happened. Not one to be outdone, he acted equally as casual and rested on his heels, puffing a cigarette.
On the other hand, Nami was too appalled to even notice the lack of concern from either of the men. Instead she was focusing on the blood and burns and bruises that covered the hanging body, her stomach twisting in disgust.
"……" The redhead couldn't seem to find anything to say to Zoro, but after a pause she whispered to the cook next to her.
"Sanji-kun, the door. Quickly." She never took her eyes off the green haired man in the cell, and listened as Sanji rested the parcel he was carrying against the bars and began trying keys in the lock. The prisoner watched in silence as his friends began trying to help.
Not really knowing what else to say, from the middle of the room, Zoro growled
"Oi, stop looking at me, woman."
"…Are you okay Zoro?" She asked meekly.
A gleaming dark eye, surprisingly lucid through the blood and pain-filled haze glared at her
"Che, I'm just peachy"
Nami blushed at her obvious question, and Sanji tutted through his cigarette
"She was just worried about you, bastard."
There was a pause, as if Zoro didn't want to mention what they all were thinking. Some part of him thought it best to leave, but he decided to mention it anyway.
"You're worried now? What about when Robin started all this, what did you think would happen?"
As if the cells weren't painful enough to be in, the tension that followed those words made it near impossible to be the slightest bit comfortable. Any normal person would have run in terror at the heavy atmosphere.
"We didn't mean…she didn't tell us…oh, Zoro, I'm…I'm so sorry." Nami was practically in tears as she shook her head, trying not to look at the slave. "If we didn't help her, everything would've been fine, Luffy and you…you never would've been hurt…"
"Shut up." Zoro's deep, harsh voice broke through Nami's nervous rambling, startling her to stop. "Don't…You don't know...it probably would've happened anyway."
"But…"
"I don't want your pity, what's done is done."
Nami looked with a mix of guilt and great respect at her friend. She never expected such a response form him. Everything that they had done made her feel terrible, yet here he was brushing it off like nothing.
The swordsman himself was past anger. Sure, when he first got caught he resented the pair for a while. But then, he had spoken with Luffy and the bitch Robin, and he was sure something was going on. With that bastard Crocodile, it was only a matter of time before this happened, he realised that now.
After everything, he was just glad his friends had arrived to help him and the rubber boy. The look of horror on the girl's face; that was enough for him. No more apologies were necessary when the guilt on her features said it all.
Sanji finally managed to get the right key, and the door creaked open. He tentatively walked towards his friend, grimacing as he viewed the damage to his body up close. While trying his best to look unconcerned, he nodded at Zoro and muttered
"You gonna be able to walk when I get you down? Don't want you slowing us down."
"Che, like I'd ever be slower than you, shit-cook." Only the pair could understand the hidden concern in their exchange. The hate between them relented when Sanji reached behind him and brought out a package. The three objects inside it made Zoro's rigid frame get even tenser
"Thought they might come in useful" Sanji smirked as he produced the swords, and Zoro's face became a combination of longing and frustration. He never took his eyes off them as he became more serious than ever.
"Give them to me." It was a demand. Not a question, but when discussing his precious swords, Zoro was never polite. Nami quickly came and helped Sanji undo the chains that held Zoro to the ceiling.
Another key in a lock, and the chain coiled to the floor, followed shortly after by the body of the beaten slave. Nami shrieked
"Zoro!" As he fell, Sanji caught and held him upright.
"Too weak to stand?" Zoro snorted and pushed the blonde away from him, grabbing his swords with a gently hand that no other object received from him. Showing perfect balance and stance, and not a hint of fatigue from the earlier treatment, he attached them to his hip.
"We need to find Luffy."
Swords back where they belong, Zoro stood tall, and the slave became the warrior he was born to be. One arm wresting on his swords and the demonic glint in his eyes, Zoro was ready for a fight. Nami and Sanji nodded and moved out the cell, directing them towards the sounds of battle.
Zoro followed, bringing out the sword that was singing to him the loudest. Sandai Keietsu shone as it was removed from its sheath, and the swordsman bathed in the laughter it made. He was out for blood just as much as it was, and he was happy to oblige it.
It didn't take long, thanks to Nami's directional skills, to find a large fight occurring in the front of the house. Slaves and guards were locked in battle, shouting for freedom.
The three newcomers spotted some of their friends in the fray, Johnny and Yosaku knocking out two particularly big guards, and Ussop ran by screaming as a man chased him with a club. He saw them arrive and shouted as he ran past
"ZoroNamiSanjiquicklyhelphe'sgottaclub Ah! Ha! Beat that monster; the great Ussop-sama will always win! Ah, Zoro, you're okay!" The mini-battle won, Ussop waved over at them and smiled "Come on, the slaves are revolting!"
Without a word uttered, they looked at each other and jumped into action.
--
While the fight was heightening outside, the one who started it all was running inside the house in confusion
"Oiiii, come back here! Where are you!!!"
Luffy had chased a particularly vicious guard inside, and had promptly lost him. So he kept running, beating up anyone who stood in his way.
While this did cause many guards to be beaten unconscious, it also made the rubber boy very, very lost. As he ran, he suddenly noticed he had no idea where he was, so he slowed to a halt and turned his head around
"Naaa…where am I? How'd I get here? Ah! The fight!" One hand on Hat, Luffy looked up and down the corridor as if expecting to find the fight just there waiting for him. Upon remembering his purpose in the house, Luffy set off for the guard again, storming through doors in search for the elusive battle.
As he ran off into the rooms, Luffy neglected to look behind him, where huge windows displayed the fight playing out beneath him. But that was typical for the straw hat, never paying attention.
Ten minutes later, Luffy had barged into twelve different rooms, and found nothing but very expensive treasures.
The thirteenth room however, housed the prize at the end of the hunt.
Crocodile was watching the mayhem below with a mixed expression of amusement and anger. When the door slammed open, he turned as if he were awaiting the person who stood in its frame.
"So you managed to get out, Mr Redhair? Dr Vegapunk will be upset."
Luffy didn't even catch the joking tone in Crocodile's voice, he only had the single minded thought to pummel the guy senseless.
"You!! I'm gonna beat you up!" Luffy rushed at Crocodile, fists drawn back for the initial punch. The older man slipped aside, effortlessly avoiding the attacker and chuckled
"Is that so? Well, I'd like to see you try"
The fur coat covering Crocodile's body fluttered in the air and he turned into an attacking position as silence descended upon the room.
The pair ran at eachother, and the battle began.
Below the fight between the two devil fruit users, another much larger fight was continuing.
Nami was using a staff to club some of the weaker guards, and some were falling for her innocent female trick. Closer watchers could also see the redhead pick up any cash that may have fallen from the unconscious guards.
Johnny and Yosaku were tag-teaming to beat a group of guards. The message sent, they were ambushed shortly after. However years of close friendship were making them an unbeatable team, and many were falling to their crazy fighting style.
Ussop was standing sheltered from the main battle, furiously aiming and shooting pellets into the mouths of many guards. Revellers didn't even notice the danger they were in as guards loomed behind, only got confused when they heard screams and saw men clutch their throats.
Sanji was kicking up a storm, a circle of guards lay around him, bumps the size of tennis balls where they cook's foot had connected with their body. Despite this, Sanji looked cool and collected, still smoking as he twirled on his hands. Only close friends would notice the concern on his features as he noted some of his friends weren't in this battlefield.
Zoro wasn't even thinking, his mind fallen into a blissful state of clear that came with his swords. He moved with instinct, thoughts of childhood running in the back of his mind. Fewer guards were approaching him now, put off by the giant group of bleeding bodies scattered around him. Absentmindedly, Zoro found himself looking up at the house, and at the silhouettes struggling at the window.
He knew that hook…and he knew that hat…
Anger and Bloodlust heightened, Roronoa Zoro, the Demon from the South, ran up the steps into the house, to hunt for his key prey.
--
While every guard fought for their lives outside, a key member of Crocodile's employees drifted slyly around the house.
Robin has seen the fight begin, saw her friends and was amazed to see both Luffy and Zoro free. She was a smart woman, used to using people for protection and survival, and she could see when she was on the wrong side.
But something felt different this time. She noted it as she walked through the silent house, gathering the belongings she would need to escape. This time, she wasn't on the wrong side because they were the weakest,
She was on the wrong side because she needed to be with her friends on the other side.#The kids had gotten in, all her closed off attitude just didn't work. The rubber boy stood firmest in her heart, smiling at her without a care in the world, while locking in that awful cage.
The cage, that stumbled Robin's mind back to Vegapunk, and a familiar disgust followed. How she despised him, and always stayed well out of the way when he visited Crocodile. It would turn her stomach to smile and bow at him, knowing all he put her through.
Robin turned the corner, heading to the final belongings she needed to gather before leaving. A crash and wail that affronted her was surprising, to say the least.
For some reason, Chopper was running through the house, in a form that made him look very reindeer-ish (standing on four legs and everything). The figure behind the adorable animal made her blood run cold.
Vegapunk had a fascinated glint in his eye as he looked at the devil fruit deer. What an excellent specimen the little doctor could be.
Chopper noticed Robin and screamed
"Robin help me!" Hiding behind her, he shook in fear at the doctor who stood facing her, scalpel in hand. Robin briefly noticed the blood that ran down the knife, and how it matched the wound on the reindeer's stomach.
"Dr Vegapunk, may I help you?" Nobody could ever say Robin lacked manners, even during the most hate filled question she ever gave. Chopper clutched her leg, and she could feel his body trembling in fear. Vegapunk laughed politely
"A unique creature! Pass it here, so I can examine it."
Chopper squealed, and Robin's eyes shadowed.
Everything unravelled in her mind, the fear in her friend's voice below her, the sad expression on Luffy's face in the cage, the glare of Zoro in the boat, the gaping gazes of Sanji, Ussop and Nami at the restaurant, and the horrible, horrible pain that followed her life.
And it was all down to this one man.
Raising her arms, Robin stared at the doctor unflinching. Before he knew it, she had his back bent in a choke hold.
Robin thought of her escape, and then she thought of her friends.
And she decided she would make the cause of all the problems pay, with the sickening crack of a back breaking.
Nico Robin would suffer no more.
--
Luffy was breathing heavily as he stood haphazardly. Blood dripped out of a cut on his face, as well as injuries to his arms and torso. But his eyes were darkened angrily as his stared at his opponent.
Crocodile was barely even ruffled, looking as calm and amused as ever. The only thing that seemed to bother him, was the fact so few of his attacks were landing on the stupid kid.
"You fight okay for an idiot, boy." Crocodile taunted, and Luffy rushed at him again.
A swing of his hook, and a fresh cut on the stomach "pity you've become so predicatable."
Luffy rolled back, crashing heavily into the wall. Spluttering, he heaved himself back up, muttering
"Shut up. I'll make you pay for what you did."
But her could threat no more, as Crocodile was suddenly infront of him, with his fist buried in Luffy's stomach. The boy was lifted from his feet with the force, and hung off the man's only hand.
"….How…" was all her rubber boy could cough out, but Crocodile knew the rest.
"Easy. I have a devil power as well."
Luffy was flung across the length of the room, but before he collided with the wall he met the fist again as it materialized in front of him. He crashed into the floor and groaned.
He was losing Badly.
Crocodile stood above him with his self-satisfied smirk, watching his opponent struggle to get up. He didn't notice the door slam open before it was too late.
Zoro had run as fast as he could to find them, but it was taking too long. But he heard the crash, and knew that they must've been making that noise. So, he spured himself on, and had managed to burst in the room just in time.
He had never, ever have expected to have seen that.
Luffy looked beaten, dejected, as if he had already lost. And Crocodile looked victorious, ready to cast the final blow.
The slam of the door alerted owner to slave, and the pair stared at eachother. Not movement or noise was made, until Luffy groaned quietly. The pair stared down at him before locking eyes again, and all intentions were realised.
No way Zoro was going to let this man kill his best friend.
The green hair launched himself across the room, ignoring the aching body's protests as he reached his Luffy. Crocodile began moving also, the large hook glinting as he raised it above his head, poised to pierce the slim, rubber chest.
But Crocodile was a bit slower off the mark.
The hook fell, the slave ran, and the room stilled after the disturbing sound of the metal thrusting through flesh.
Zoro crouched over his friend, looking up at his owner as the huge hook protruded into the centre of his chest. He coughed and blood flecked onto Crocodile's arm, but he managed to almost grin as he spat out the words.
"I won't let you hurt him."
-.-.-
I am finding i harder and harder to think of chapter titles! This one isn't too great but it'll do, it explains what's happening in the chapter.
Yay for fighting Zoro! He is just too awesome with his crazy self sacrificing nature! But it seems so typically Zoro to protect Luffy, ne?
I realy wanted to explore the rebellion a but more, but it really didn't seem that important.
Robin's fight seems fast and with very little dialouge, which I just wanted to explain. Robin's DF ability lets her be more an assassin than a warrior, as we all know. So that entire scene I would have imagined lasting only a few minutes, and there wasn't any fight because Vegapunk wouldn't fight. (Not sure if anyone noticed, but I'm trying to keep him as enigmatic as possible. He just seems like too great a character to Oda's OP world to make him into something he's not. So I'm just keeping the mystery there). The lack of dialouge was beacuse I imagine Robin would be busy thinking, as she is always wont to do. So the paragraph is almost a description of her internal thoughts and the consequences of them. I'm not sure if it came across in the story so I just wanted to explain that to you all. But I am so glad she has finally seen the light and protected her friend (ANYONE would protect Chopper though, he is too kawaii!)
Thanks for Reading! - Pamplemoose