A/N: So sorry this chapter took so long to get out. I had a severe case of laziness and rewriting syndrome. Heck I'm still not fully satisfied with how this chapter turned out, but I wanted to get it out to you guys. You may notice in this chapter that I took some liberties with Blackbeard's power, but it's my story I'll write it my way.

All According to the Original Plan

Chapter 2: How to Steal a Captain from their Deer Friend

"Stupid Iceberg," Franky muttered to no one particular kicking an empty can down the abandoned street. "Who does he think he is?"

After only about ten minutes of working after the man declared that it was getting dark, he proclaimed that they needed to stop working because there were dangerous working conditions. When Franky pointed out that he could do it himself as he had night vision, Iceberg merely scoffed and said, "No you don't." Sure the man had been right but that didn't mean that he had to stop work on the project.

After all, this project didn't belong to Iceberg, but to Franky. In reality Iceberg was lucky that Franky needed him to get this project done as quickly as possible, after what the Straw Hats had done at Enies Lobby and the newspaper that came out three days earlier there was no doubt in Franky's mind that the marines would come to Water 7 looking for them. As close as he had gotten to the crazy crew he didn't want there to be trouble for the city that didn't come from him. After all this was Tom's home.

Focused on the can for so long, Fronky finally looked up to get a better hold of his bearings. Growing up in Water 7 he knew every backway, alleyway, and waterway from the Galley La docks to his home, the Franky House. However, when he looked up he realized that he was totally and utterly lost. How the hell did that happen? Blinking several times Franky looked around noticing how bare the streets were he sighed in slight defeat of the idea of asking someone for directions.

Franky then decided to look for any familiar landmarks that might help, but due to how dark it was that was easier said than done. As much as he hated to admit it, perhaps Iceberg had been right. It was ridiculously dark, but then why weren't the streetlights working? Wasn't it Iceberg's job as mayor to ensure that the city's lights were in working order for the safety of the people?

Franky was brought out of his musings from a familiar voice. "Franky, is that you?" Franky followed his ears and turned to his left with a grin.

"Sogeking are you trying to sneak a peek at the new ship I'm building?" Franky teased playfully. Sure because of him Franky's family had been beat up pretty bad but he considered him and Usopp friends now, or at least close acquaintances.

Sogeking or Usopp frowned slightly. "We're nowhere near the shipyard, are you lost or something?" Franky began sputtering, but before he could give a reply Usopp interjected with a grin. "You are lost!" Then his face fell. "Great I was hoping someone could tell me where I am." A short bark quickly brought Usopp out of his slump. "Yes Row, I know you know where you're going, but it doesn't help me when I have no idea where I am."

Franky looked from Usopp to the dog that he was talking to. "I didn't know you had a pet."

Usopp rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. "Row isn't really my pet. I found him a couple of days ago and I was hoping I could use him to get in Luffy's good favor to rejoin the crew." His grin softened to a small smile as he began to rub Row behind the ears. "Luffy loves animals, almost as much as he loves eating them," he finished with a slight chuckle.

"Or you could just, oh I don't know, apologize to them." Franky pointed out.

Usopp grinned broadly letting out a hollow laugh. "I don't have to apologize, I haven't done anything wrong. Luffy was the one who did a poor job as captain. He knew how important Merry was to me and…" Before he could finish the sentence Usopp was on the ground with a much bruised but not quite broken jaw.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?" Franky all but screamed. "Are you going to let your pride get in the way of apologizing to your friend?"

Usopp frowned. "You seem pretty invested in me getting back to the Straw Hats. Why do you care so much?"

"Because I can't stand to see a man lose everything due to his own pride, believe me it is a terrible thing to prioritize."

Usopp rose from his place on the ground and dusted himself off. "First off, OW that hurt. Second I'm not going to lose my friends to pride…" His head lowered "I have too much shame in myself." Franky watched closely with a disbelieving look as Usopp continued. "Everyone on the crew contributes something amazing that I cannot compete with. Zoro and Sanji are monsters, Nami is the only one on the crew that can get the bunch from point A to point B, Robin is super strong and smart, hell even you are an amazing shipwright and inventor…"

Franky nearly stumbled in surprise. "IDIOT I'M NOT A MEMBER OF THE CREW!"

Usopp gave an incredulous look. "You helped save Robin and you're building them a new ship for free. Trust me Luffy will make you a part of the crew, he has his ways."

Franky snorted, but before he could respond to Usopp's ridiculous statement Row let out a sharp bark drawing both of their attention. "What's with the mutt?" Franky asked.

Usopp blinked before staring at Row who was acting more antsy than usual. Over the past couple of days Usopp found Row to be a most agreeable and calm animal. Whenever he felt nervous about the day he would approach Luffy again he found that Row was a calming presence. He had taken Row with him when he followed the crew members to see how Row would react, and to Usopp's delight Row seemed to be calm near his old friends. He was a bit worried about how Row would act around Chopper thinking the dog might try to eat the poor human reindeer, but all Usopp did was point at Chopper and say "friend" and Row lost the hungry glint in his eye.

Row acting antsy meant that there was trouble. Looking in the distance Usopp could barely make out the distinct shape of a lone figure stumbling toward them. Despite the darkness Usopp prided himself on having some of the sharpest eyes one could find, Usopp immediately tensed and pulled his slingshot out of his bag. "Franky, someone's coming."

Franky readied his left arm to fire weapons, their argument earlier all but forgotten in the face of possible danger. The figure got closer and closer, Row became more and more anxious before a familiar voice rang out. "Usopp, is that you?"

There was only one giant lumbering body that had the voice of a small child like that, Chopper. Franky and Usopp immediately lowered their weapons before running to the human reindeer as Chopper collapsed in Franky's arms. "Bro, what happened to ya?" Franky asked concern etched on his face at Chopper's beaten form.

Chopper looked shakily at Usopp who was feeling a mixture of happiness that Chopper had actually acknowledged him and sadness that Chopper was in so much pain. There was also anger and fear but without details… "Usopp, Luffy is… Luffy is…" Chopper paused as tears welled up in his eyes. "Luffy is in trouble."

One hour earlier…

Luffy patted his bloated stomach in contentment. "Ah, that was good. Sanji you should make that more often."

Said chef merely rolled his eyes as he began washing the mountain of plates that came from being Luffy's cook. "Would you like some help with that?" Several arms sprouted from the countertop and started grabbing plates dunking them gently into the soapy water.

Sanji stumbled back dropping the plate that was in his hank in surprise, but another hand sprouted and caught the plate before it hit the ground. Zoro sat leaned against his chair smirking. "Glad I stayed awake long enough to see the Crap cook flustered."

Sanji was quick to the punch "WHAT WAS THAT YOU… and he's asleep." Sanji's shoulders slumped slightly, before turning to Robin with hearts in his eyes. "Such a kind and helpful gesture my fair Robin, but you shouldn't waste your beautiful hands on such things."

Robin smiled. "But I have so many they must be bored and need to have something to do," she replied jokingly coy.

Sanji let out a smirk, but before he could even open his mouth he was slammed in the head by a feminine fist. "Don't even go there," Nami growled.

While the great dishes fiasco was going on Chopper turned to Luffy and began speaking. "Luffy, I've been looking at your charts and it seems that maybe you could be fully healed from your chart with Lucci…"

Luffy stood on the chair punching the air with a victory pose. "Yahoo! Now I can…"

"Hold it!" Chopper interrupted. "I said you might be fully healed, emphasis on "might" but I still want you to take it slow. So I heard that there is a wide space about 3 miles from here that we could check your physical abilities and healing progress by having you spar with someone."

"Awesome!" Luffy shouted, wrapping a rubbery arm around Zoro's waste. "Let's go Zoro!"

Zoro was not amused being woken up by his captain in such a way. "Idiot, I'm trying to sleep!" But Luffy laughed uncaringly as he prepared to rocket out of the hotel window with no idea where he was going.

However, before he could launch, Chopper interrupted yet again. "Actually Luffy, I was hoping you would let me spar with you." Luffy immediately relaxed his taut arm and both he and Zoro looked at Chopper in mild surprise, a faint blush tinted the reindeer's cheeks. "Well you see, Zoro doesn't know how to hold back, and it would be better if I did the sparring so I can have better feel for how you're healing Luffy, and um…" Chopper shuffled slightly biting his lower lip. "I was hoping that sparring with you would help me grow stronger."

The rest of the crew had joined Luffy and Zoro in looking at Chopper whose blush only deepened at the additional attention. "Um, if that's okay with you that is."

Luffy merely grinned unwrapping his arm from Zoro's waist and wrapping it around Chopper's. "Sure is, let's go!" And with that they both launched out the window Chopper screaming the entire way.

The remaining crew members blinked in surprise before several mutters of "idiot" was uttered by the crew and they returned to their tasks. Not long after a knock was heard at the door, not particularly busy Nami answered the door. "Hello?"

A tall man with pale skin and burgundy lips wearing a jumpsuit and top hat greeted Nami with a smile "Hello, young lady. Is your captain in this evening?"

Chopper and Luffy hit the ground hard with Luffy taking the brunt of the impact on his legs. "LUFFY, I TOLD YOU TO TAKE IT EASY!" Chopper scolded.

"Oops," Luffy offered shrugging his shoulders in laughter. Chopper merely sighed and after shifting into walk-point began sniffing the air. While Luffy had probably meant well launching them out the window landed them both far from the hotel in an unknown area of Water 7, he was lucky they didn't land in one of the many waterways. "Hey Chopper, where is this field you were talking about!"

"That's what I'm trying to figure out," he snapped slightly at Luffy. "However…" He sniffed the air again. "I can't seem to smell it." He shifted back into Brain-point. "Luffy I don't like this. I didn't realize it was so dark out here, and now we're lost and and…"

Luffy grabbed Chopper by his hoof and began walking. "Don't worry Chopper, when I'm lost I usually start walking and find where I'm supposed to go or somewhere better. It turns into a treasure hunt."

Chopper sighed while being led by Luffy towards who knows where. After several minutes Chopper spoke up. "Luffy maybe we should go back to the hotel, I didn't realize it would get this dark this early, and to be frank this darkness feels wrong…" Luffy's grip on Chopper's hoof tightened and his body tensed. "Luffy are you okay?"

"Zehahahaha, finding you was easier than expected Straw Hat Luffy."

Luffy's frown deepened while Chopper looked around panicked. "What's going on? It's so dark. Luffy, WHERE ARE YOU!?" Chopper wailed completely panic stricken as the dreadful darkness encompassed him fully. He couldn't see, he couldn't hear, he couldn't smell. He couldn't feel Luffy's hand on his hoof anymore. Every sense was stripped from him except for the heaviness that overwhelmed him he felt nothing. "I'm so weak." Chopper muttered to himself over and over.

Luffy's eyes widened slightly in panic. What had gotten into his friend? One second he had his hand firmly grasped around Chopper's small hoof and the next his hoof had sharply jerked out of Luffy's hand in such a violent hurry that it caught the rubber captain by surprise. After his initial shock Luffy went to glaring at the man that had laughed at him. "What did you do to Chopper?" His voice was low but he knew the man had heard him.

The man grinned showing a row of crooked yellowing teeth. "Honestly just a little experimental fun." His hand supported a dancing inky black cloud of darkness. "Surely you remember what it was like when you first got your devil fruit powers. Isn't it exciting figuring out what they can do?" The inky blob grew larger and larger growing more erratic in its dance. "Why I remember the animated stories that Ace told me about you. How you were always inventing new names for your attacks. Gum Gum Pistol, Rocket, Bazooka…" His voice trailed off slightly as he spared a glance at Straw Hat.

The boy that had been looking at him with such rage was now looking at him with such childlike confusion that it almost gave Blackbeard emotional whiplash of the best kind. "You know Ace?"

Blackbeard grinned. "Of course, he was my commander after all."

Remembrances of meeting Ace in Alabasta flashed through Luffy's mind. A frown creased Luffy's jaw and he seemed to puzzle over something before in shock. "You're that guy Ace is chasing." Blackbeard smiled. "You're Blue Bread!"

Blackbeard's countenance fell slightly in disbelief before yelling. "It's BLACKBEARD!"

"Oh yeah," Luffy giggled. "Sorry."

Unbelievable, this boy was simply unbelievable. Blackbeard never quite believed some of the stories his commander told about his brother. After all no one could be stupid enough to be swallowed by an alligator twice in the same day right? But as Blackbeard got a good look at the boy in front of him he realized that he might actually be that stupid. This was either going to be easier or harder than he thought. "Why don't you come with me so I can turn you over to the Marines?"

Luffy sat down on the ground legs crossed. "Don't wanna."

Blackbeard couldn't help but smirk, he should've known but it was worth a shot. "Then we'll just have to fight."

"Don't wanna do that either." Luffy pouted before pointing a finger at a blinking Blackbeard. "I'm annoyed at what you did to Chopper, but you're Ace's fight." A small shiver ran through the boy. "Ace would kill me if I fought you."

Blackbeard couldn't help but laugh before a wry smile graced his face. "Are you sure? After all, your friend doesn't look so good." He said pointing a finger at Chopper who was rolling on the ground screaming and muttering how weak he was.

Luffy looked back and forth from Blackbeard to Chopper confliction clear across his face. He wanted to beat up this guy so bad for what he did to Chopper, whatever that was, but this guy was Ace's fight. However Ace wasn't here so as long as he didn't know… "Hey Button Butt…"

"Blackbeard," an annoyed voice growled.

"Whatever, I'll kick your butt on one condition." Luffy paused for a brief moment before continuing. "Don't tell Ace."

Before he could reply in the positive or negative if he would agree to Luffy's request a rubbery fist had slammed into Blackbeard's sternum knocking him several feet before he crashed into a nearby building.

Blackbeard coughed up a small bit of blood before turning to Luffy with a grin. "Well, this is going to be fun." With that uttered he took the black blob that had been dancing in his hand and threw it with all his might. Before he knew what had happened Luffy was surrounded in complete and utter darkness. At that same moment Chopper raised his head, though dazed with tears in his eyes he seemed to be doing better than he was earlier. "Interesting, it seems that particular aspect of my power can only affect one at a time."

Chopper looked at Luffy in panic. His captain was on the ground shaking uncontrollably. What had happened to him? "Luffy, what's wrong?" Chopper asked, his voice filled with concern. A laugh filled the air; a familiar laugh filled the air. It was the same laugh he heard while in that black nothingness. Chopper turned slowly from Luffy following the sound seeing Blackbeard laughing jovially at Luffy's suffering. "Bastard, what did you do to him?" Chopper took off heading straight for Blackbeard Rumble ball ready in hoof. Taking a bite, "Rumble ball: Jumping point" Chopper leapt toward Blackbeard with powerful legs.

Not knowing much about his new opponent's fighting abilities Blackbeard allowed himself to be hit by the powerful kick, unfortunately that meant that a few of his ribs were broken in the process. "Damn, that was painful," Blackbeard grunted.

Chopper smiled, this was going to be easier than he thought. Chopper then shook his head at that thought. No, he couldn't let his guard down this man had a Devil Fruit that he didn't understand, so Chopper had to be careful. Shifting into Horn Point Chopper charged toward Blackbeard at high speed, but right before he could reach him a gunshot was heard and Chopper quickly changed into his Guard Point which caused a bullet that would have punctured his lungs to pass harmlessly through thick fur.

"What was that for Augur?" Blackbeard asked with a mixture of bitterness and humor. "I could've taken him."

"Please focus on the task at hand." Augur admonished his captain slightly. "Your Dark Fog doesn't last that long and will dissipate soon. We need to grab Straw Hat and get out of Water 7 quickly."

Blackbeard gave a slight chuckle and after a slight wince of pain brushed himself off and headed toward Luffy who was still currently balled up on the ground due to Blackbeard's earlier attack. Seeing this Chopper transformed into his Jumping Point and headed toward Luffy when another shot rang out stopping Chopper in his tracks. Augur held his… partial attention. "Don't you want to finish our fight little reindeer?" Augur mocked.

"You're the one who interrupted my fight with Blackbeard!" Chopper shot back surprised at how much venom his voice held. Why did this man make him so angry?

Augur smirked before stroking his rifle a sinister tone entered his voice as he spoke. "You know I've been watching you, you're quite impressive. Not many Zoan types can transform beyond their three basic forms. Our captain has big ideas and plans we could use a good Zoan type like you."

Chopper couldn't help the small dance he did and blush that came across his face at the man's praise as it was his nature but he quickly pulled himself together. "I would never join you besides I am a Straw Hat!" He finished proudly. "I will stay by Luffy's side and protect him."

Augur smirked. "Well you have done a poor job." At this taunt Chopper spun around placing his full attention on Blackbeard and Luffy who were gone.

"No, Luffy!" Chopper screamed bounding over to where his captain had been, but before he could get there another shot rang out hitting him in the shoulder. Screaming in pain Chopper gripped his shoulder with his humanlike hand as he had transformed into Heavy Point the effects of his Rumble Ball just wearing off. Another gunshot rang out hitting Chopper in his right foot. Screaming in pain he fell to the ground shaking slightly.

Augur approached him slowly a rueful expression on his face. "Know that I could have killed you at any time and only left you alive as it amuses me." With that he took his leave.

Chopper grunted as the pain in his shoulder and foot ebbed into a dull ache. He would have to act fast or else he would die of blood loss. Luckily Chopper knew how to treat gunshot wounds on himself. Under most circumstances Chopper would properly clean the wound before wrapping it, but with the life of Luffy on the line Chopper merely poured some honey on his wounds and wrapped some heavy duty gauze around his shoulder and foot. The bullet in his foot would have to come out later. Gathering his strength of will he got himself up and started walking toward where he saw Augur heading. With the "Dark Fog" there was no way he could get back to the hotel where everyone else was with the way it was scrambling his senses and the pain he was in. Chopper would just have to hope for the best, walking for what felt like hours but in reality was only a few minutes Chopper heard two familiar voices in the distance, smiling Chopper made his way toward those voices.

A/N: Next Chapter will be the last of this little flashback then we will get back to the current time