Chapter 20

"We have all the partners listed and the slots drawn-"

Shit, Law was gonna have a damned heart-attack when he found out who he was partnered with. Worse he was the one chained here, this was a fucking nightmare. Kid looked up at the listing board now shown on the screens, paling further when he rechecked his name.

Fuck, it was still the same.

Vergo and X Drake
Trebol and Diamante
Cavendish and Bartolomew
Teach and Brook
Marco and Killer
Usopp and Nami
Robin and Rebecca
Pica and Zoro
Luffy and Kid
Mr 2, Bellamy and Franky

WHY THE FUCK COULDN'T HE HAVE GOTTEN ANYONE ELSE?!


Law gaped as did Sanji. Why, oh why did it have to be Luffy? Why did he get picked to find the key of all people?!

Ace was laughing, cheering for his little brother while Law could only think of the number of ways this could go wrong-

It was over, Eustass was dead.

All because Luffy had the attention span of a goldfish.

LIKE RIGHT NOW FOR EXAMPLE!


Marco strolled calmly through the maze, marking the walls with small scratches with his pocket knife as he went along. This was getting boring, he had thought it was going to be fun when he had ask pops to add him into the tournament but he guessed things for him were too serious right now to enjoy the event.

Pops was dead and the man who killed him had been sponsored into the tournament, even though he had been their prisoner. The same man used to be their comrade before he murdered Thatch.

Teach, that fat assed bastard.

He paused when he spotted someone vaguely familiar picking his nose, staring between three hallways, looking completely lost. This was Ace's little brother right? Luffy? Only certain guys wore Straw hats on their head during games such as these after all.

Ace wouldn't forgive him if he knocked out his little brother right? It would get him outta the way for the rest of the match but Ace would strangle him...

Then put him on the couch...

If he left him alone then Ace would only complain when his little brother looked so lost...

Dammit Ace.

He really wasn't bothered with this mess.

"Oi, you're Straw-Hat right-yoi?" Marco spoke up, frowning as the younger man turned around, blinking at him.

"You're Ace's friend right?" Luffy tilted his head. "Are you lost too?"

"I've been keeping track. Do you remember which way you came from-yoi?"

"Nope!"

"Really?" Marco groaned but he carved a straw hat in the wall. "Alright, start from here then, if you see a straw hat you've gone backwards-yoi."

"Cool!"

"Use this to mark the walls." Marco handed him his pocket knife, he had several more anyway on him. "That means you shouldn't get lost so easily-yoi."

"You're awesome! I'm glad you're with Ace all the time!" Luffy beamed. "You take care of him right?"

"When I can sure-yoi." Marco shrugged, Ace could usually take care of himself, unless he was in one of his moods.

"Awesome! Ace is strong, stronger than a lot of people but I feel better knowing he's got friends too!"

Yeah, it was awesome, could he go now?

"Look we're pressing for time, our partners are gonna be buried alive-yoi." Marco stated which seem to send the kid into a panic as he took off down the centre, screaming for the key.

What the heck was that all about?

Urgh, whatever.


"The stuff is starting to fall faster." Nami remarked wearily, at least it felt like it, more pink ash touching her skin, making her shudder nervously.

She didn't want to become a statue, she looked cute in pink sure but no-

Usopp better get here soon!

"Right, I'll cut off our feet then so we can get loose." WHAT THE HELL?!

NO!

"Hold it right there Zoro! You're not cutting off my feet!" Nami snapped while Diamante stared at them oddly.

"A bit reckless aren't you? Uhahahaha!" Diamante laughed, and what was wrong with everyone's laughs?!

"Then I'll cut off my own then." Zoro grunted, Nami couldn't help but scream as he raised his sword, the intent clear in his eyes-

Oh god he wasn't joking-

She couldn't stop screaming as blood spluttered out his half sliced ankles as Diamante went pale with disgust.


"THAT SHITTY MARIMO!"

Law couldn't help but stare at the green haired swordsman on the screen, fascinated about how moronic that was, he didn't even slice cleanly through his bones. Blood was starting to pour out of the green haired man who merely scowled, looking oddly disappointed that he hadn't cut them off, then suddenly he shrugged and put away his sword.

"What are you doing now?" Nami-ya grimaced.

"I'll wait-"

"WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST DO THAT BEFORE?!"

"Nami-swan's so cute when she's angry!" Sanji swagged while Law grunted at that, shaking his head while Disco mocked Zoro, earning laughs from several members of the audience.

He spotted Mihawk just patiently watching, not even looking the bit surprised that his pupil decided to do what he just did. If he had done that in front of his mentor, Cora-san would have had a heart attack.

"Oh my! I just took my eyes off of our leader of the Whitebeard mercenary's very own Marco and look! He's found the key and is already on his way back to his partner!" Disco exclaimed, sounding stunned.

"Yeah! Marco's gonna kick some ass!" Ace cheered. "Avenge me Marco!"

"What is he even avenging you for?" Law reluctantly asked earning a scowl.

"For being stuck on these seats! I WANTED TO PLAY TOO!"


Killer tilted his head as Marco strolled into the room, soon freeing him from the restraints much to Brook's amusement. Rebecca merely tilted her head, equally surprised.

"How did you find it so quickly? I don't think anyone else has yet." Rebecca asked while Killer stretched, relieved he could finally move as he shook off the pink ash on him.

"Wasn't too hard, Robin should be able to find it soon too." Killer noticed Marco's eyes lingering on Brook though, a frown on his face. "I wouldn't trust Teach though, I'll see if we can get your key."

"Yohohoho, that would be pleasant, I would imagine turning into a statue would be rather dull."

"Will you be okay Rebecca?" Killer asked calmly.

He couldn't help but ask that, this young fourteen year old decided to put herself at risk and enter a tournament all for the sake of getting close to Doflamingo. He remembered her plan, get close, as close as possible and then kill him.

But could she really kill him? So far she hasn't killed anybody before.

"I'll be fine, get going before you get more ash on you again." Rebecca offered a nod as Marco began to leave, so Killer followed.

He hoped Kid was okay too, he heard... Strange rumours about Straw-Hat...


"IT'S FLOATING!"

Usopp couldn't help but stare at his Captain who was watching the key that hung from it's string intently, absolutely fascinated.

Seriously?

He had so many more fascinating stories than a supposedly 'floating' key! He was the great Captain Usopp after all!

Right now it would have to wait! He had to save Nami!

...Otherwise Sanji might murder him...

But when he saw Luffy later he would tell him some of the epic adventures he has had! But first he would lend a hand to his simple minded friend, after all the great Usopp was the only one who could see through such a cunning plan.

Thin string.

Usopp quickly shot at it, striking a pose as the key fell to the floor with a clatter while Luffy cried out in surprise.

"Usopp?! How did you get it down?!"

"It was a tricky foe but I managed to defeat it with my skill and wit! None shall fly past me! None shall escape my eye!"

"USOPP YOU'RE SO COOL!" Luffy screamed and of course he was, he was the great Captain Usopp after all!

"I must go now! Nami is still endanger and you must help Kid-kun!"

"Right! KID I'M COMING!" Luffy roared as he took off-


"He's not following the markings on the wall is he?" Sanji groaned, shaking his head.

"He isn't." Ace sighed. "Such a worrisome little brother."

"Ah! Lord Diamante is free now! Impressive of Lord Trebol to find the key so quickly!"

Conveniently ignoring Marco got there first. Shitty presenter.

"Since we're such nice guys we won't kill you." That shitty Diamante offered, grinning at his Nami-san! "He'll die from blood loss and you can become a pretty little statue."

"I am NOT becoming a statue!" Nami protested. "AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING ZORO?! STOP PLAYING AROUND!"

Why the heck was that marimo doing a pose?

"Might as well look like a good statue. I could tower over everyone-"

"TAKE THIS MORE SERIOUSLY!"

"Rebecca is free too! Nico Robin's unlocked her restraint!"

"Thank you Robin-san!" Rebecca beamed, looking happy as they headed off.

"It was no problem, now let's go look for Brook-san's key shall we?"

How kind Robin-chan was, helping that shitty musician out! Sanji hoped he was grateful, he couldn't help Robin-chan and was stuck here pouring another cup of tea for Law to keep the idiot calm after that little moment earlier.

Herbal teas normally did the trick.

"LUFFY-SENPAI!"

Sanji faintly recognised that other guy, the green haired rooster who was currently swaying against his restraints while a blonde swordsman stared at him, sighing grumpily to himself.

"You're lucky I am a star, my brilliance knows no bounds, so I have decided to release you."

"You know." Sanji wearily looked over at Law who was throwing him a smirk. "These two remind me of a certain pair I know."

"...I wonder who that could be..." Sanji had a horrible feeling about that smirk.

"Oh yeah! I see it too!" Ace grinned, looking suddenly excited.

"Don't even say it." Sanji growled, these shitty assholes-

"You and Zoro!"

"The marimo might be as idiotic as those two but how the hell do they remind you of us?!"

"Well kinda opposite actually." Ace commented. "Ablonde swordsmanand a green haired dude fawning over someone-"

"Just like you and women." Law mused.

"It's like you and Zoro swapped over!"

Sanji was starting to wish he had Law's sleeping pills, knock the shitty bastard out then hope Ace's narcolepsy kicks in. That way he didn't have to deal with either of them.


Doflamingo watched the screen with a grin, stroking Sugar's hair lightly who picked at her grape bowl, he hadn't been able to convince her to leave his lap so gave in to her whims this time.

One by one many of the champions were getting freed but oddly enough, Teach wasn't heading anywhere near the keys, in fact each time he neared one he went back the opposite way from it, as if he was deliberately avoid freeing his 'partner'. Cunning but dangerous, if you fall too low in the chart you are at risk getting knocked out of the games. Then again Pica seemed to be doing the same thing, avoiding his way back to Mihawk's student.

The timer was going down fast and much to his amusement Straw Hat still hadn't reached the mutt yet, everyone in that room was still bound firmly in place, though Mr. 2 had found the key and was heading quickly back to the room.

Though a quick glance let him know that Vergo was done too now, freeing X-Drake who nodded as the pair began to head off-

"That idiot finally made it there!" He heard Law groan out. "It seriously took him that long?!"

Doflamingo scowled as he returned his gaze to the mutt's screen, his scowl deepening when he saw Straw Hat approaching the bound three and grinning.

"I found you!"

"Good, now get rid of this and let's go!"

"Sure, hang on-" Odd, why was the kid not taking out the key?

No instead he was grabbing the chains in his hands, looking as if he was planning to snap them-

Doflamingo managed to restrain gasping in shock as the idiot snapped the chains, cries and shocking gasps escape his fellow viewers, including Bellamy and Eustass who stared at the kid in amazement.

"Yeah Luffy-bro, show off those muscles!" The Straw Hat's cyborg cheered.

"Right, I'll get you both free too!"

"Sure!" Franky beamed.

What the heck just happened there?


"YOU MORON! WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST DO THAT EARLIER?!" Kid roared, shaking the idiot by his shoulders once he was finally, fucking free!

He had actually thought he was gonna die here!

All because of this IDIOT!

AND THE MORON WAS LAUGHING!

"Sorry, sorry!" Luffy beamed, grinning like crazy-

INSANE LITTLE SHIT!

"Ah! Usopp just freed both Nami and Zoro! Where did he get two keys?!"

"I am the amazing Usopp! Of course I got two keys!"

"Ha Usopp!" Luffy laughed, looking completely delighted-

Why the fuck was this guy so happy?!

"Just in time too! That's the timer done!"


Law was stiff in his seat, his hand gripping Sanji's arm tightly who was seething, pale and shaking, the worst was seeing the tears slipping out his eye as he bit his lip, Ace was now standing beside him, leading the cook to sit down on his previous chair-

Straw-Hat-ya, no Luffy was going to be heartbroken.

"O-Oh my, w-we have an announcement from our King Doflamingo!"

What now?!

"I have a special treat for you all!" Doflamingo sounded gleeful as Law turned to look at him, seeing him speaking into a den den mushi. "Our match isn't over yet! A surprise is waiting for our Champions! They have to get out of the maze before the timer runs out, otherwise all the doors will be sealed and they will be eaten alive by the dangerous monsters we plan to let loose in the maze!"

No fucking way-

Vergo, Diamante, Pica, Trebol, none of them looked alarmed or surprised! That fucking shit-

He planned this just as the Champions felt safe to make them insecure. Worst of all he already told the 'Elites' all about the maze.

Fuck.

.:End of chapter:.

So my new story's prologue is out, The Everlasting Turn, if anyone wants a read and tell me what they think that would be fantastic :D

SEllen, Glad you liked it! Oh yeah... If Doflamingo (when) he finds out, things might get just a little bit crazy... ._. And yeah, Luffy, forever doing his job, he's so much fun to write because he's just like 'WEEEEEEEEEEE!' and it always fits! And yeah, still haven't deemed it necessary to name Law's uncle, he doesn't deserve one :P Cliffhanger in this one... Sorry about that... xD (Blame Doffy :P) And yes, I've just released the prologue of the new story, The Everlasting Turn, so I'm excited to see how it turns out myself ^^; And maybe? It might have a happy ending A Champion's Game? But the next one (Which will need a title, that will be fun D: Help...) Yeah... So far it's kinda evil and digs more into Kid's past while this one heads towards Law's, there might even be a third one (sneak add in here) and it might go into Doflamingo's direction, it depends how the second book goes. (Starting to feel like a series, woops xD) And yeah, I'm sadistic like that too, don't worry and hope you enjoyed this chapter :D

NebulaHeroine, I'm glad, I thought when I was writing the sex scene I could have been overdoing it, I know some stories can do that sometimes so I was hoping I had an okay pace for it :D I'm glad you liked it xD I love writing Luffy, he's so much fun, I even enjoy writing him more than Doflamingo! I hope his character stuck throughout this chapter too since he was more involved this time :) And yeah... A little hint... Doffy is probably going to find out xD And Law's uncle is an ass, I didn't even give him a name because I don't like him xD (Or because I couldn't think of one *whistles innocently*) And yep, the prologue of the new fic is out, The Everlasting Turn, hope you give it a quick read and see what you think :)

xXMinShadowCatxX, Hopefully Law's happiness lasts but sadly it probably won't, Doflamingo is too possessive for his own good D: There is plenty more to come including other character's dramas, not just Law's and Kid's which I hope everyone will enjoy :) Oh and I know right?! Bepo is so adorable! As usual, Oda has worked really hard on One Piece, he's amazing at this! See ya next time, hopefully you'll enjoy this chapter too :)

piopio meme, That's good to know, thanks xD I'll try add as much fluff as possible for the next book in the good scenes, try keep it at a healthy mix as much as I can :) (Can't have me being too evil now can we? :D) The new prologue is out for the story, The Everlasting Turn, so if you like a little read at that and see what you think that would be brilliant :D

Rose, Oooh, get my evil side going xD I'll see what else I can come up with, already have quite a few ideas in mind for some fun :D

silverfire113, I'm glad you like it :D It's great to know because I have a lot of fun having them all interact together in different situations :3