It's almost over now

part one

As Zoro, escorted to the ship by Ace who fled with tears in his eyes, walked up the plank he knew he was going to be in a grave right after they start asking questions. A look at the card, given to him by Jen and Sam who smiled at him with not an ounce of pitty… what! Did they really… yeah, don't answer that, Zoro, they would try to kill you like this.

"I'm back." He shifted to look out at the beach trying to not feel the thousands of stares littering his body by his crew.

"Zoro," Luffy's voice was the first he heard. "Where were you today?" Zoro gulped before he allowed the cool breeze of the ocean to calm him down.

"I was-."

"ZORO!" Luffy caused a flinch from Zoro's features before they both stared at each other. "Where were you today?"

"You don't have permission to ask." Zoro's tone became flat as his eyes titled. "I can't answer without a show of proof." The crew, Zoro looked, were stressed. He sighed as he wondered off passing the cook slightly before he felt a heel to his back.

"Don't walk away from us, shitty Marimo." Zoro hissed as he turned on the ground to look at Sanji who tossed the CD to him. "What is that!" Zoro relaxed visibly again seeing the CD and the red card strapped inside with the elders symbol.

Those bastards, what were their aims at him telling his whole crew?

"The sandcastle contest was run by three Elders, am I right Nami?" Nami coughed out a yes not understanding why he asked. "Those three are part of five reagions belonging to the grand line. They create these stupid contest to attract 'potential' cards… at least anyone who signs up just signed either their death or a recruite paper." The crew looked around paling slightly.

"Is that why… those participating were being…"

"We kill those who do not meet requirements, Chopper." Zoro looked at each of the crew in turn. "Out of every party only one is chosen: grats, you won the contest." The crew stepped back a bit before they looked at each other before back at Zoro.

"And what if… no one is chosen?"

"We slaughter the island and all participating." Zoro stood up slowly after finishing this. "Though how far the cards go up outside of West blue, I'm not sure." He dusted off his pants. "I guess I should play this for you all now, huh." The crew shivered at the different attitude Zoro was showing, it just didn't seem real anymore.

The music, after Franky pulled up the one onto the deck, wasn't played at first except for a female voice who made Zoro give a dry laugh.

"Hello, Zoro's crew mates, it is a pleasure to tell you that all of you have made it… after the dragon dance." Zoro froze as he looked at the Stereo until he rose, almost as if on strings, before the voice continued. "The rules of this game are: You can't die, you have to fight someone who you trust with your own lives, and have fun trying to kill him while surviving." The crew turned sharply to look at Zoro as he breathed deeply obviously conflicted.

"By the way, only one of you is allowed to get a black card. Zoro, please begin." The crew couldn't take their eyes off of Zoro's pained face as he pulled out two of his swords before his stance changed from the ones he usually was in.

"You bastard, Jen." Zoro looked at the crew, his eyes spotting Sam in his mask nodding at him, before the music began to play.

Please forgive spelling and Grammar.