Disclaimer: One Piece (and its characters) belongs to Eiichiro Oda-sensei.
Reminder: I have no beta-reader. Any grammatical and spelling errors are solely mine.
Warning: OOC possible. One shot.
Rating: T
Note: Happy Halloween! Yes of course there will be a ZoNa Halloween-themed one-shot, Hurriedly written while watching Stardust. Take You to Hell is by Ava Max. Because seriously these two is a match made there. I hope you enjoy it.
Summary: Oh he had seen the devil alright.
LITTLE BITS AND PIECES OF HEAVEN
34 : Take You to Hell
"It's just a story."
Usopp haughtily declared after a few minutes of silence (and after clearing his throat, for like a dozen times). "The-There's probably no truth in it," he continued stammering a little before catching himself lest his crewmates realized that he is trying so very hard to be brave.
"If that's the case then why are your knees trembling?" Nami teased him, her grin catty as ever. She gave him a side-glance and snickered when she saw his legs shaking.
"They aren't!" Usopp all but screeched at her and she just laughed at him.
They were exiting the Sunny's galley… after lingering there after dinner to enjoy some additional after dinner dessert of cakes and drinks and some of Robin's creepy island tales.
"You're such a scaredy-cat," Nami commented as she sized him up.
"Oh," Usopp gasped at that. "And you're not?"
"Nope."
He was looking at her incredulously now. "How in the world did that happen? Can someone explain this miracle to me?!"
"Because Robin's story is not true!" Nami exclaimed making him flinch.
"And how did you even know that it's not?!"
The tinkling sound of a coffee cup being placed on its saucer caught their attention. Robin smiled amusedly at them from inside the galley before speaking up. "Like I said, it's just a local folklore." She gave the cowardly sniper an almost creepy smile and Usopp shuddered.
Nami rolled her eyes at the two. "See? It's just a story. There is no devil lurking on this island or even anywhere, prancing about, visiting you while you sleep!"
"Probably because no one lived to tell the tale!" Usopp hissed at her.
Chopper who remained silent all-throughout Usopp's outburst finally spoke up. "Ne, Nami. How sure are you that there is no devil, like Robin told us?"
Nami looked pityingly at the small reindeer beside her. She glanced at Robin, who smiled at her. "Because Chopper it's just impossible. If there is, then this town's island would be in a constant state of terror and panic instead of holding a costumed party in the town's square later at midnight."
"Oh."
"And if there really is one, do you think he'll survive the monsters of our crew? We've got our very own demon on board."
"You've got a point," Usopp puckered his face.
"Still such tales doesn't come out of thin air," Robin stirred her coffee with a small, intricately-engraved silver spoon. There was a mysterious smile on her lips that send shivers down Usopp spine all over again.
"Eh?" Chopper froze.
"Robin!" Nami groaned.
"I'm just stating facts. And I don't mean to scare you Chopper."
"Gosh I hate this kind of tales," the sniper complained. "They give me nightmares." He glared at Robin.
"Just don't wet your bed later," Sanji suddenly interjected from somewhere behind the kitchen counter, definitely making fun of him.
"Excuse me!?" Usopp screeched as everyone burst into laughter. "You know I don't do that!"
"Well…" the blond cook shrugged. "You seemed shaken up from Robin-chwan's story."
"Still I don't wet the bed!" Usopp growled at him, peeking inside the galley to glare at chef. "Don't go around spinning lies like that. That's my job!"
"Oops. Sorry!"
"It's just what the townsfolk here believe," Robin spoke again, opening the book resting on the table near her. It was a bound collection of the island's folklore. "Every island has their stories after all."
"Plus, tonight is what they call Hallow's eve," she continued on, eyes crinkling with subdued mirth when Usopp started trembling again. "The one night they say the devil is freer to linger about."
"Kyaaaaaah!" Usopp and Chopper hugged each other.
"Robin!" Nami shook her head.
Usopp suddenly pointed a finger at her.
"Why aren't you scared Nami?!" He questioned her indignantly. "Why aren't you cowering like us, like the coward that you really are!"
The orange-haired woman glowered at him. "Because the story's obviously not true! I mean come on! How gullible can you get Usopp?"
"Hey I'm not gullible!" Usopp retorted, slumping back against the railing. "After everything we have encountered while sailing, the possibility is there! I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight."
"Zoro! Zoro!" Chopper suddenly cried out, calling for the swordsman who just came out of the boys' room. He jumped from the railing and immediately bounded towards the tall lad. "Can I sleep beside you tonight?" He asked the green-haired man with pleading eyes.
"Huh?" Was Zoro's only reply as he stared at him.
Usopp followed suit, even tripping at his own feet as he approached Zoro. He clung onto him once he was near. "Me too Zoro! Please?"
"Tch, what is this about? I'm on watch tonight." Zoro grunted, shooting Usopp a displeased glance. He looked at the reindeer doctor before shifting his gaze at Nami.
"Did Robin tell them another of those creepy stories of her again?" He directed the question at the map-maker.
Nami nodded with a cheeky grin. "I guess Usopp and Chopper will be accompanying you on your watch." She rested her arms on the railing and leaned forward to peer at him.
Usopp looked at her. "This is the best choice! In case the devil decides to visit us. We can sic our very own demon at him!"
"Good choice actually," Sanji's loud and laughing voice can be hear from the galley. "His ugly mug will scare the shit out of the devil himself."
Zoro scowled at that. "Shut your trap ero-cook and just do the dishe!." He shouted back and turned to glare at Usopp, who instantly murmured an apology at him. Then he scratched his head looking a bit irritated. "What the hell are you going on about Usopp?"
"Robin told us that the devil walks about at midnight to steal the souls of the innocents especially at a Hallow's eve night like tonight!" Chopper explained.
"Devil?"
"Yeah!" Both Chopper and Usopp nodded.
Zoro went silent for a moment. His gaze darted from Usopp to Chopper who were both still clinging to him. Then Nami.
"Fine," he finally relented with an annoyed sigh, not taking his eyes off the navigator. "You can join me in the nest."
"Really?" The two younger lads squealed delightedly, surprised that Zoro agreed so easily. "Yes!" They both shouted in glee.
"Ok! It's time to hit the sack!" Usopp announced. He all but drag Zoro towards the ropes leading to the crow's nest much to the katana wielder's protest. "Have a good night Nami, Robin, Sanji!" He yelled as he pulled at the large man.
"Good night you guys!" Chopper echoed, pushing at Zoro's legs to get him to move.
"Oi stop it you two!"
"Have a good sleep you guys!" Nami waved at them, watching with keen amusement as the two pushed and pulled Zoro with them.
"I know it's just a legend and it's not really true," Usopp stated in a confident voice as they made their way across the lawn deck. He gave a nervous laugh as he scanned the island on the starboard side of the ship. "But still it's better to be safe—"
"No you're wrong." Zoro grunted.
Usopp froze in his tracks and Chopper bumped into his leg.
"Huh? Usopp asked in a hushed tone, eyes widening as he and Chopper exchanged glances.
"You mean Robin's story is true?" Chopper inquired in a shaky voice.
"Hnn…"
Usopp stared at him. Stared really hard. Zoro doesn't believe in that kind of things, right? He is one of the most rational and practical person on their ship.
So why?
"You mean you believe it? And you've seen it?" Usopp voice was the softest of whispers. "The devil?"
Zoro looked at him straight in the eye.
"Yeah."
"Maybe you're just… drunk?"
"I'm not."
The swordsman didn't bother to elaborate anymore. Instead, he just continued making his way to the rope ladder leading to the crow's nest, climbing it and leaving Usopp and Chopper in a frenzy of excited and nervous chatter.
Oh he had seen it—the devil from Robin's story—in all its wickedness, in all its fiendishness.
Its sole purpose is to wrap its vicious claws around you… grasping your mind, body and soul into its vile clutches.
He had seen the devil.
With its long hair, the color reminiscent of the fires of hell where it had come from. Its eyes, an endless pool of evil that would get you under its control.
Its smile—beguiling, captivating...
He looked towards the galley and his gaze met that of Nami's—who was still leaning at the railing; a smirk gracing her lips, watching them… watching him intently.
Oh he had seen the devil alright.
It comes for him at night.
– The End –
R and R please.
Hope you guys are enjoyed/enjoying your Halloween!
