(A/N: TYSM FOR 180K VIEWS! I APPRECIATE EVERYONE HERE!
Also, Tashigi gets too much hate. She's adorable, can use Haki, is a swordswoman, and is capable enough to be a captain in the Navy, not to mention Smoker's right-hand man. )
It's been a few silent minutes in Ceaser's lab, and I'm in a difficult situation. Monet is at the Bar, reading all of her papers that I looked through before, and Vergo is next to the bar, looking at the bookshelf. One wrong move and I'm done.
I would peek out of I could, but I can't risk it. I hope Chopper is taking this opportunity.
I heard the transponder snail ring, and as soon as Monet picked it up, I heard a creepy and stupid laugh.
"Shurororororo! Are you there, Monet?" [???]
"Uh-huh." [Monet]
"I retrieved the children without difficulty. Did you prepare Smiley's food, as I asked?" [???]
'Damn. So what happened to Nami and Usopp?'
"I followed your instructions to the letter, so everything is in good order. As always. The Marines are still stuck in front of the shudders. We can transfer the Straw Hats whenever you see fit. And the video Transponder Snails are on standby outside." [Monet]
"I see. So when my adorable little smiley arrives, we can broadcast the experiment for all of our associates to see?" [???]
"Certainly." [Monet]
"Splendid. Connect me to all of the receivers now." [???]
"Right away." [Monet]
After the call, Monet served Vergo something, and they went back to the center of the room, where the three couches were.
"Perhaps you can tell me what's taking Ceaser so long." [vergo]
I heard the big metal door open then close, and Monet speak.
"Your timing couldn't be better." [Monet]
"Shurorororo!" The new voice laughed, "Hello, Vergo. Sorry for the wait."
'This must be Ceaser. It's the same voice as through the phone...'
"Not a problem. I've been snacking on coffee and cookies. Strange. Did I eat all of the cookies?" [Vergo]
"There were no cookies, just coffee." [Monet]
'What a weirdo...'
"Oh, that's right... I guess I wasn't snacking on cookies. How much longer until the experiment begins? Soon, I hope." [Vergo]
"Very soon. Monet, the video, please." [Ceaser]
"Of course." [Monet]
"By the way... can't you do something about your men? I wish you'd keep them on a tighter leash. Honestly. I broke into a cold sweat when I realized Smoker had set foot on my island." [Ceaser]
"Well. he's like a wild dog. There's no leash tight enough." [Vergo]
"So you say, but I find that Sea-Prism Stone works!" [Ceaser]
I could hear Ceaser's voice fade slightly, so he must be by the cage now, "Oh, Law. You look fetching in chains. So grim. Shurrororo! Well, it must have been upsetting to realize you were helpless against Vergo, right?" [Ceaser]
"The little deal we struck worked out quite handsomely for me. It's always a bad idea to put your trust in others. Well, you reap what you sow, right? A tough lesson for you to learn, no doubt. If you're worried about your heart, Vergo's taking good care of it." [Ceaser]
'So Vergo has Law's heart?'
All of a sudden, I could hear Law writhing in pain, but I didn't dare look. I shut my eyes tighter.
'Vergo or Ceaser must've done something to his heart. I have to get it back for him.'
"Hey!" [Luffy]
"I know you're a rather shrewd man, but you never thought to worry about my secretary. Needless to say, she's not the woman you thought she was. And she overheard your entire plan." [Ceaser]
"Oh, crap! Are you okay, man? Traffy!" [Luffy]
"I know exactly what you were plotting against me. I'm so disappointed Law. Really. Here I had gone and convinced myself that I had finally found a friend." [Ceaser]
I could hear Law panting, but part of it sounded like a chuckle.
"So your clever secretary saved your hide, huh? Well, fine. I can admit that I should've been wary of her. That one's on me. I just didn't expect someone so smart, to work with such a dumbass," I could hear in Law's voice that he was smiling.
Caesar grunted, and Law yelled again. He must've done something to Law's heart again.
"Watch what you say to me! Boorish fool!" [Ceaser]
"You're kinda amazing. You took your heart, and you're still alive?" [Luffy]
"Undone by your own powers, huh? That is some record-breaking stupidity. Pathetic. What the hell'd you go with mine?" [Smoker]
'Law took Smoker's heart too?'
"Shurorororo! Oh, do you mean this heart here?" [Ceaser]
'Maybe I'll be able to get his back, too?'
"Poor Smo-" [Ceaser]
"Master. I've pulled up the video feed, just as you instructed." [Monet]
"Really? Luck is on your side, Smoker." [Ceaser]
Caesar laughed, and I heard something mechanical in the room move, then the lights turn dark.
"All right. Let's see it." {Ceaser]
"Greetings, unlawful brokers! Thank's for tuning in! The show will be starting shortly. A hoard of fragmented Smilies are currently en route from the Burning Lands. And soon enough they will all convert here at this central point of the Ice lands. When they do, We'll have one lovely Smiley, huge and deadly. Then our experiment will begin." [Ceaser]
"You see, my Smiley, he's the living incarnation of the toxic H2S gas. In fact, I've already utilized Smiley once before, four years ago, to kill this island! There was one problem with my last test. Although they were saturated with poison, my weakened subjects were still able to evacuate. A true disappointment." [Ceaser]
I took the chance and peeked. Everyone was in the light of the projector, whether they were on camera or not, so the light would affect how they see in the darkness.
There were two hearts on the coffee table. One next to a cup, the other, closest to Ceaser.
'Here we go.'
I reached my hand around the corner slightly and used my index and middle finger to make two vines, just as thin as my fingers. I used those two to wrap around two of the strange glasses behind the counter, the same square shape as the hearts looked to be in. Hopefully, they won't notice the switch too soon.
I kept them low to the ground and maneuvered the glasses all the way to the hearts. The glasses were quietly set on the table, and replaced in my grasp with the real hearts. I grabbed the one next to the cup with one, and the one close to Ceaser with the other. I moved back as fast as I could without making it noticeable and held the two hearts in my hand.
'Oh my god- gross! Okay, the left hand has the one near the cup, and the right hand has the one near Ceaser.'
I retracted the wood back into my hands and peeked to see in anyone saw.
'No one's moved an inch, or looked away from the projector, so I should be okay. Now, we have everything we need in here, we should try and get out!'
"Now this time, I've devised a helpful remedy. A bit of a boost. A special meal to stimulate Smiley's toxic form. It provides an added effect to his poisonous composition. One that will transform him into a perfect weapon of mass destruction! You're about to witness the birth of a new weapon, one that I call..." [Ceaser]
"...Land of the Dead!" [Ceaser]
Ceaser got a phone call from an underling with sightings of a 'giant gelatinous creature'. They spoke of how their 'dragon sled' was poisoned, and the dragon ran off. Caesar whined about how terrible, but even I could tell he was smiling through it all. Even Monet told him he wasn't convincing.
"Listen to me! You'll have to run for it! Your suits won't protect you, and they'll just slow you down! Quickly, take them off! And then run to the lab! As fast as you can!"
'Since Monet mentioned Ceaser loves damage and destruction, he probably wanted those guys to die. Does that mean the suits are immune to the smoke? I'll keep that in mind.'
It seemed that in a moment, Caesar could see Smiley, and spoke to him like an old friend.
"That's right! Oh, Smiley, you remember me!" he sounded... actually happy? Is it really his pet? "It's s good to see you again! There's a special surprise for you, a delicious snack! Not yet! Wait, smiley, hold on! You must be patient for a moment. Shurororo! There you go, good boy, obey me! Remember that I'm your master! Wait! I told you to wait! You and I have so much catching up to do first! Remember that one time? Ah, yes four years ago! AHH!"
Caesar seemed distressed that Smiley had eaten whatever he was given.
Caesar explained how this gas is 'better' than the other one. In the other one, he claims there were still people who were able to get help, but with this one, the gas seeps into your skin, immobilizing you like a statue out of ash.
'So, as long as it doesn't touch your skin, you should be okay. I wonder if the oils in the skin activate-'
"Hey, that's Zoro! They're all running from the smoke!" [Luffy]
'WHAT?!'
"Would 'ya look at those fools? What're they doin' out there? And what the hell kinda stupid run is that?" [Franky]
"Oh, look, the samurai got his whole body back." [Robin]
"Yeah, you're right! Guess that just means he's not gonna give me his legs," Luffy sounded slightly angry, "Hey, wait, that's not important right now, Robin! Run faster, guys! That smoke'll freeze you dead! You gotta run-..."I peeked beside the counter to see Luffy slouched over on his stomach, "Oh man, I don't have the strength to yell. Damnit. Dumb Sea Prism Stone."
"I take it those are friends of yours, Straw Hat Luffy? Shurororo! Well, that does help to explain why they're so difficult to kill. Shurorororo! But their lungs will soon give out and the gas will overtake them. Shurororororo!" [Ceaser]
'Man, this guy needs to stop laughing! It's not creepy anymore, just annoying!'
Ina mere matter of minutes now, this island will truly become a Land of the Dead! Nothing can survive outside of these walls. Not one single soul will be left alive. Shurororo! Oh by the way... that includes you, too!"
I heard something mechanical move in the room.
"What's happening?" [Luffy]
I heard the snow blow in from the newly moved machine, I knew that he plans to have them die in the smoke, then bring them back to show the brokers.
'Law must have a plan though, right? Or he'd be freaking out, right? He looks rather calm.'
"And now, I offer you all as proof to the world! Evidence of the true destructive power of Land of the Dead! A pirate worth 400 million berries. A Vice Admiral of the Navy. And even a dreaded Warlord of the Sea. You're all completely helpless against my genius tide of death!
'But if Law doesn't have a plan, I have to do something!'
I turned to peek, and something hit me in the face.
I freaked out and hid again, before looking to my right and seeing what hit me. A crumpled piece of paper.
I swiftly grabbed it and opened it. It said in large letters...
'Don't Do Anything.'
'Who threw this? It had to have been Law, right?'
I looked around and noticed that Chopper was inside of a broken wall, doing his bad peeking, where his body sticks out, so I threw the paper at him, too. He had the same reaction as me- scared, hiding again, then seeing what it was and picking it up.
He looked around and saw me, and I smiled, though he didn't seem convinced, and honestly, neither was I.
'Law has his hands tied in Sea Prism Stone. He couldn't have thrown the paper, let alone write on it...'
As I thought about it, I heard Ceaser hum, "Hm? What's that Pastafista-looking one up to? Throwing a temper tantrum from inside his cage? Absurd! But take heart, my dear mechanical man. When you're dead, I'll put your body to good use in my lab."
~~Outside~~
"Oh, that's right. We have some other distinguished guests here. You've learned a bit too much. You're both at my mercy. What should I do, huh?" [Law]
"Stop wasting our time, Damnit! You wanna kill us?" [Smoker[Tashigi]]
"Just do it already! Huh?" [Smoker]
"Smoker, you're- He switched us back to normal!" [Tashigi]
"AH!" [Tashigi]
"You're a marine, stop screaming like a schoolgirl. Get up, Damnit!" [Smoker]
"Just get the chains off, please! Get us out of here and I'll do anything you say!" [Tashigi]
"Don't you have any pride? A marine would rather die than beg a pirate for their life!" [Smoker]
"I don't care! We have other things to worry about, and other people! If we get killed over our stupid pride, then all of our men are as good as dead. The Vice Admiral will– I mean, Vergo, will continue to cover up what's happening here. What about the children? We can't leave them! We can't die!" [Tashigi]
"You should listen to her. She's right." [Law]
"Frankly, I have no obligation to save your life, White Hunter. Even if you make it out of here, a friend of mine is in possession of your heart as we speak. However, if you make it out of here, and ruin Vergo's reputation, that suits my ends as well. One catch. I need you to forget all you heard about me and Joker. That's not a petty request. It's a condition. You give me that, and I give you your life." [Law]
"Sound like a deal?" [Law]
~~Back with (Y/N)~~
Caesar has just pointed out that the cage is empty, and the three of them deducted that they had outside help. But, beyond that, one of Ceaser's lackeys came in and claimed that G-5, the Straw Hats, and Law had made it inside the building, and were taking out their centaurs left and right, saying that they were in building A.
"They're here?! How is that even possible? They shouldn't have been able to get out of that cage, let alone make it through the laboratory door! HOW DID THEY GET INSIDE?!" [Ceaser]
"We don't know, sir," The subordinate said.
"More than anything, I don't like that Law is on the loose now. Depending on what he intends, I may need to take care of him personally," Vergo said, with his normal monotone voice, although with slight anger mixed in.
As they were still watching the different cameras, looking for those who had died, or survivors, Chopper and I agreed to make a move. I was closer to the door than he was, but he had more hiding spots along the way.
I went to the other side of the bar, holding the hearts in my arm, as I watched Chopper sneak behind the chairs. Since the subordinate came through the door we did, it would be easy for Chopper to get out, but harder for me. I watched Chopper get safely out, and I hatched a plan. I touched the floor and made something appear on the left side of the subordinate, touching his leg, and retreating back into the floor.
He looked and moved close enough to the left for me to slip by the right side of him, and I met with Chopper where the halls split.
We both ran as fast as we could, me with the hearts now tucked inside my jacket and him with his bag full of supplies.
"That master guy really makes my skin crawl!" Chopper whines, still trying to stay silent.
"Me too!" I groaned.
"But at least the others are okay." He said, then turned to me, "Did you see what hurt Law so bad?"
I nodded, "Yeah, it was their hearts."
"How are we going to get those back?" He panted, and I smiled, patting my chest, where they were. I had put the one next to the teacup, which I had in my left hand, on my left side, and vice versa for the right side.
"I already have them."
"You're amazing, (Y/N)!"
"Oh, stop~!"
"Who gave you that note, anyway?" Chopper asked, holding the paper.
"Well, I thought it was Law, but the more I thought about it, he couldn't have been able to throw the paper with chains on, let alone write anything, Sea Prism Stone or not.
"W-Wait! We can't worry about that now! Our focus should be on the children!" Chopper reminded himself.
"Of course. You got what you needed?" I asked, looking at his bag.
"Yep. Now that I know the formula to the drug, and have the sedatives, I can help them." He said, and I looked forward again. We ran for a few minutes, aimlessly.
"Holy shit, this place is a maze!" I cried as we kept running.
Chopper stopped short, and grabbed my ankle, making me faceplant on the ground, "Shoot! I have no idea which way to go!" he said, as I sat up slowly, rubbing my nose.
~~~
We ran around for a little longer, and we found some stairs, "We... have to be doing some progress, right?!" I panted as we headed up the winding stairs.
"We've gotta find our way through this maze of a lab if we're ever gonna help those poor kids! Don't quit now!" [Chopper]
"O-Of course I'm not quitting! I'm just- a little tired, is all!" [(Y/N)]
When we reached the top of the stairs, we saw three guards trying to corral a kid, who we recognized.
"Mocha!" I cheered.
"What's one of the kids doing up here?" Chopper asked as we stopped at the top.
"Let me out!" Mocha cried, banging on the door.
"That's enough, pipe down!" One of the guards snapped at her, "Keep it up, brat, and I'll shoot you!"
"Mocha!" I called for her, running forward, Chopper hot on my tail.
"Get away from her!" He yelled using Heavy points. They turned to us and aimed their weapons. I dodged their ammunition, as did Chopper, as well as knocking all of them away from us.
"Hey, are you okay?" Chopper asked, but she still looked terrified.
"Ah! Another monster! Help!" She cried.
"She must be going through withdrawals." Chopper said, distress clear in his voice.
"Calm down!" I yelled.
"NO!" She hit the door harder.
"Oh, yeah! I've got sedatives!" he went into his bag and pulled out a shot, filled with what I'm assuming is the sedative. As soon as Chopper inserted the sedative, she stopped crying, hitting the door, and yelling, "There. All done!"
She took a breath, then meekly spoke, "Uh, hello. Do you know what I'm doing here?"
"Well, you were just pounding on this door," I said, and she turned to me, Chopper on her shoulder.
"Oh yeah. That's right. I was trying to escape, I think."
"Hey, you're one of the kids we got out of here, right?" Chopper asked, and she looked at him, "What are you doing back in the lab?"
"Master found us with your friends and he hurt them and he put me and all my other friends on his Flying Gas Balloon. Oh, wait. I remember your friends! They told us not to go back with the Master!"
"Of course they did!" Chopper said.
"What happened to the other kids?" I asked.
"The sheepmen had taken them back to the Biscuit Room so they could eat some candy," Mocha said, looking between the two of us.
"They what?! Oh no!" Chopper cried, then looked at me, "We can't let them eat that candy!"
"Mocha, do you know your way to the Biscuit room from here?" I asked, and she nodded.
"I do! I even know a shortcut to get there fast. C'mon! It's this way, follow me!" [Mocha]
(A/N: Again, thank you all so much for the love. You've all inspired me to start writing an actual original story, which I may or may not post on Wattpad soon! 👀)