"For the time being, leave this guy to me. You two, go to the next car and watch over (y/n)-swan, or else..." warned Sanji, glaring at the chief bitterly. "Remember, saving Robin is our top priority"
Wanze let out a low sound, doing weird gestures and moves with his hands before grabbing the flour that was laying on the counter and started to ate it. Usopp, in his Sogeking disguise, took a step back and gritted his teeth:
"He is making ramen again"
"RAMEN BEAM"
Wanze threw at you bullets of noodles through his nose, sending them flying across the room. They collided in the wall beside Usopp's head, who sweated in panic. Both him and Franky let out a cry, stepping aside to avoid the projectiles. You released a sigh and grabbed a metallic bowl that was next to you:
"ENOUGH OF YOUR SHIT" you snarled, tossing the bowl like a Frisbee.
Wanze let out a small scream, the sound coming out muffled when the bowl first met his face, sending him flying backward. The cyborg and sniper stared at each other uneasily, then nervously took a step back when a vein popped beside your head. Noticing the look the two men were sending at you, your head did a slow turn to glare at them:
"Something to say?"
"No ma'am" they said in unison, back straight and arms tight at their sides.
"Don't even think about it, you damn bastard!" came the angry snarl of Sanji when Wanzu was about to throw at you other ramen bullets. "Stop that!"
The chief of the sea train leaped backward and flipped over Sanji, avoiding his kick. The man stood protectively in front of the entrance of the next car:
"Let's go from the top" suggested Franky, with you and Usopp following him.
"We'll leave him to you, Sanji-kun" told the sniper.
The three of you stepped outside and climbed the roof of the car. You blinked when Usopp decided to go first, standing on Franky's shoulders. He stood there for a long time, looking at the distance with his arms crossed on his chest while singing a stupid theme song of Sogeking, his red cape floating in the wind.
"It would be a lot easier if we knew what car Robin was in. You, lady. Do you know where she is?" Usopp pointed at you.
"Why are you talking to me like we are strangers?" you sweatdropped.
"Stop complaining you Gesoking and do something already" snapped Franky.
"WHO'S THE GESO?! Oh...." Usopp suddenly went deep in thoughts.
"Hurry up, you octopus!"
"Swimsuit boy. I have one request. Listen without your heart"
The sniper went with climbing the next cars by using the weird octopus dials he had on him, and tried to find Robin. Franky decided to test the roofs and continued forward on them. You, on the other hand, decided to be bold and enter the next car without a care about the world.
You were surprised, however, when you noticed the third car was completely empty...except for one person sitting quietly on one of the seats, his back facing you. The familiar mop of purple hair caught your line of sight and you gasped:
"Bryce?" you called and the young man turned to you with a smile.
"Oh! Hello! I was waiting for you" he said, extending a hand. "Have a seat, if you want"
"No. I will stay here" you muttered.
"Ah...That's alright then...I'm surprised that you're still here. I thought you would go for a swim when those men saved you"
"Very funny" you gritted your teeth and Bryce let out a soft laugh. "I didn't know you were working for the World Government"
"Oh heavens no! Mother would kill me if it was the case!" Bryce shook his head. "Quite the contrary, in fact. I'm simply here to observe...."
"Then maybe you certainly saw your face on this sheet of paper they gave me earlier"
The smile on Bryce's face quickly disappeared and he released a sigh, his fringe covering a part of his features. His fingers dug in his pants as he bit the lower half of his lips.
"....They are simply afraid. That's all"
"Afraid? I might know the reason, but why would they fear me that much?" you asked, taking one step closer to Bryce. "After all, I'm supposed to be number 2 on the wanted criminals of the World....If Robin isn't"
"History is a strange thing....Information written on papers....Events, wars, celebrations, people...." trailed Bryce, looking at the ceiling. "The World Government doesn't want them to know about what happened in the Void Century...And yet, here you are. A woman that can remember her past lives..."
"So I truly lived in this century?" you questioned.
"Who knows?....But I know a lot, so I guess it's fine. (y/n), I will...ask you to give your life"
There was a moment of silence, your eyes widening considerably at this very sentence. Bryce was now staring before him, a blank and emotionless look on his face. His own eyes were telling a story that no one knew, and yet, this glint was familiar to you.
"...What?!" you finally shouted.
"I made a mistake" the purple haired male answered. "Since you're going to Enies Lobby, you should take this chance. It didn't start, so you should use this chance"
"What the fuck are you saying?!" you snarled, stomping toward the young man. "You asking me to kill myself?! To rebirth?! Why?!"
"....."
"TELL ME WHY"
You appeared in front of Bryce, startling him. You slammed your hands on the armrests, the wood almost cracking under the strength you applied on it. The purple haired male stared at you with an expression of terror. He was slightly trembling too.
"........There is...invisible strings....above your head..." he finally said and your breath caught in your throat. "...They are becoming more red, and...this is a mistake....The Government knows about it too, but not all the Marines...not all the Kings..."
"....Who owns these strings?" you asked, on edge.
".....The ancient kingdom....There's someone....who knows" he finally told you.
On cue, the sound of a window breaking took your attention away from Bryce. The glass was shattered in pieces, the wind blowing in the car. But when you gazed back to the mysterious man, he had disappeared in thin air. You were left alone. At first, that boy asked you to not hesitate on your feelings, that those pirates could give you something that you yearned. And now, just because he made some kind of mistake he wants you to die?!
"The Realm of Hell is wrong with him?" you passed a hand in your hair, growing frustrated.
Suddenly, a loud yell came from behind you, and you stepped aside when a body (to be precise, Wanze's) came flying across the car you were in and into the next one, breaking the door down.
"Sorry, (y/n)-swan!! Are you okay, my lovely?!" demanded Sanji, panicked.
".....I assume you won?" you raised a brow at the knocked out chief. "Uh? KYA"
You jumped away when the ceiling above you cracked and the pieces went flying as Franky passed through it with an unnamed man. On the other side, one by one, the CP9 agents stood up slowly, facing where there was all the commotion.
"Where did you suddenly appear from?!" you snapped at the cyborg who shrugged.
"Aow! That was a cute scream not too long ago"
"Shut up, you damn trashcan!"
"What did you say?! And did he take care of the ramen guy?"
"Just now" replied the cook, walking to stand at your side.
"Alright"
Franky swung his leg behind him, kicking the unknown man at Lucci's feet, along the rest of the CP9 agents. They continued to stare at the three of you, the atmosphere growing thicker and colder.
"These are the guys that took away Robin-chan and (y/n)-swan" murmured Sanji.
"It suddenly became noisy" Kalifa pushed her glasses.
"So the soldiers for this escort mission were annihilated after all, huh?" questioned Blueno.
"We didn't expect much, though" added Kaku.
"Oi. Be careful. They use strange martial arts" Franky warned the chief who took a step forward.
Lucci's eyes narrowed as he advanced toward the bloody man on the floor, kicking away Wanze's body out of his way. The agent glared darkly at the male:
"Who's this?"
"He's probably that CP9 newbie that Corgy was talking about" answered Kaku. "If I remember right, he's a Four Power Master named Nero or something"
"Dammit!" cursed Nero on the floor, coughing blood as he tried to stand up. "You're gonna get it now! People call me a fighting genius! I don't care anymore..I'm gonna kill you!"
"Ah?" let out in unison Franky and Sanji, not really impressed by the threat.
"Hey, newbie" called Lucci, walking closer.
"Y...You must be Rob Lucci, right? Sorry that I didn't introduce myself sooner. Please, wait for a moment. I'll kill him first and..."
"We're capturing Franky alive. To think you let your feelings take control and lost sight of our mission...Well, forget it. I'll give you three seconds. So hurry up and run"
Lucci started to count down while Nero stared at him confused, then slowly came to the realization. This man will not hesitate to kill him for failing his title as a CP9 agent. Though, even he tried to run, Lucci was still able to use that weird ass technique of his with the finger.
"A person like you who does everything halfway is unfit for CP9! " declared Lucci, throwing the body outside. "Unless you've mastered all Six Powers, you aren't superhuman, boy. Kalifa. Inform our chief later...that the newbie was so weak that he was useless"
"These guys are supposed to be working for justice?" scoffed Sanji.
"Can't tell which side is evil, huh?" nodded Franky.
"The world isn't black and white" you stated. "Different shades that only tell if your actions are good or bad"
"I guess I don't have to ask why you are here, intruder. Given the way you opened the door, it doesn't seem like you have a lot of patience" said Lucci.
"Yeah, I'm ill-bred, so..."
"If this is about Nico Robin...give it up. This is too big of an issue for you guys to get yourselves involved in. There are people in the world who were born under an unlucky star...People who are better off dead for everyone's sake"
"What are you talking about?" growled the chief.
"For everyone's sake?" your eye twitched.
"For example....Suppose there exists a devil that would burn the world to the ground. If the person who can raise this devil is an innocent girl who's only eigth years old...don't you think...that someone should kill this girl for everyone's sake?"
"You are comparing this woman to the devil?" you let out a sneer, before your eyes turned dark. "If only you knew....What's your point, really?"
"I'm telling you that is Nico Robin's life" continued Lucci. "She is a real criminal now, but it started simple like that. Ever since she can remember, her existence itself was a sin. She can make others happy only by disappearing. That's the misfortune she carries"
"Let me guess, those people are the World Government? The same who are controlling the mind of the world?! Just living isn't a sin, else we are all sinners. The misfortune you are talking about is simply the Government's fault" your voice grew agitated and angrier.
"She should've died 20 years ago. I'm really glad that this woman will be put to death. And so are you" smirked Lucci.
"Oi...ENOUGH OF YOUR CRAP" snarled Sanji as he ran toward the agent, swinging his leg to kick his face, the limb stopped by Lucci's arm. "You son of a bitch! Don't say anymore!"
"However, the Government will probably spend years...squeezing out all of Nico Robin and Silvers (y/n)'s knowledge, experience and intelligence" finished Lucci, pushing back the chief. "How much agony they'll experience before they die...You just watch and--"
"WE'RE NOT GONNA LET THAT HAPPEN!"
Then, the door at the back opened to reveal Robin with Usopp behind her, struggling and shouting at the woman to not make a move inside the car. Sanji cried out her name in relief, asking her if CP9 didn't do anything harsh to her, but she remained silent.
"Let's go back together this time!" smiled the blonde male. "I will bring these guys down right away, so...Okay, Robin-chan?"
You blinked in shock when arms sprouted on Usopp, tugging him off of her. She sent the sniper flying toward Sanji who caught him at the last moment, the chief staring at the older woman in surprise. He demanded what she was doing, only to notice the dark expression on her face.
"Even if I explain...you guys just won't get it, will you?" she said coldly.
Lucci let out a laugh as Usopp let out a small groan. He whipped around and pointed at Franky:
"Franky-kun! Detach car #3!!"
"What're we gonna do?!" barked the cyborg in disbelief.
"We're gonna run!"
"Run?! What do you mean?!"
"You too, hurry up! One moment will decide the game!"
"Don't let Franky and Silvers run away!" ordered Kaku to Blueno who nodded.
The next minute you knew, the whole car was covered by a pink smoke made by a bomb that Usopp threw. Using this diversion, the sniper grabbed Robin under his arm and ran to the other car with Franky and Sanji giving thumb ups with cheers. When Usopp reached the car, the cyborg quickly disconnected the car from the other.
"All right! We got Robin back!" Usopp fist-pumped the air.
"At any rate, that sure surprised me" told Franky with a blank look. "To think that we suddenly switched to a "Running Away" strategy"
"A smoke screen is so stupid that people wouldn't normally think of using it" added Sanji.
"It's best if we can achieve our goal without fighting scary guys like them" panted Usopp.
"I don't think it's gonna be that simple" you growled, pointing outside. "Look at the edges"
"What the hell...?" trailed the cyborg, watching the wires holding your car from drifting away. "Thorny whips?!!! Is he gonna use the whips to cross over?!"
Blueno grabbed Kalifa's whips and pulled, causing your car to go back where it was once. Usopp let out a scream at the collision, head slamming first in your mid-back. The agent grabbed the two edges of the cars and held them together:
"A smoke screen? What a worthless thing to do..." said Blueno.
"I guess it couldn't have worked after all" grunted the chief, preparing to attack.
"Don't kill any Straw Hats" stated Lucci. "That was the condition"
"Sogeking! Protect Robin-chan at all costs, okay?! Sorry, but I'm going to...make you let go!!!"
The chief kicked Blueno across the chest, only for the man to not move from his spot, glaring at the limb unimpressed. Sanji gritted his teeth and used another technique of his. This time, he was able to get a reaction out of Blueno.
"Blueno, don't take him too lightly. He doesn't have a bounty on his head, but he's one of their main forces" spoke Kaku.
"You just noticed that, you damn jerks?!"
"Woah, R-Robin!! Hold on a sec! What are you d-doing?!" came the panicked voice of Usopp behind you, and you turned in time to see Robin using 'Clutch' on the poor man.
"Long nose!" shouted Franky.
"W-Why, Robin-chan?!"
"How many times do I have to tell you?! Leave me alone!" the black haired woman scowled.
Kaku took this time of inattention from the cook to lend a kick in his face, sending him flying in the seats. You were also tossed backward by Franky, who grabbed the wall holding the whips and the cars together. The cyborg used all his strength to break it down and jump at the same time in the CP9's car, sacrificing himself for your lives.
"Aow! You guys, don't worry about me! I've got a plan! Once you've joined up with Straw Hat, get back to town somehow!" Franky shouted from the other side.
"Wait! I won't run away!" screamed the archaeologist.
"...Why are you acting like that at this point, Robin-chan? We came to rescue you knowing all the circumstances!" said Sanji. "If we just do something about the Government's attack, Buster Call, there shouldn't be a reason that you have to obey them, right?!"
You froze when something translucent appeared behind Sanji, a small opening in the space that Blueno used to teleport himself on this car.
"That Buster Call is...indeed the problem" the agent told while Sanji's head did a slow turn, gazing at Blueno in shock.
The chief didn't have any moment to react that he was slashed down by one of the Powers used by the CP9 agents. Usopp gulped, his hold on the slingshot trembling by the fear racking his body. Robin stood frozen on the spot, not knowing what to do in this situation. Blueno walked toward the sniper and eventually used the famous finger (that you still didn't know what the heck it was) on him. The woman watched the guys helplessly, looking away pained.
Sanji aimed another attack at Blueno, only to be pushed back by an unknown strength from the agent. The cook coughed blood, panting:
"You're quite persistent..." sighed Blueno, walking toward them only to be stopped by Robin.
"I won't run away...This should be fine with you"
"They were the ones who started it. I had no choice"
"Then...let's hurry and get away from here" stated Robin, sauntering to the portal, but stopped at Usopp's weak protest.
"...Everything's alright....Robin...Robin, it's okay...You're still hiding something...right?" coughed Usopp and Robin reluctantly stared back. "I don't care, it's okay...But...Pirates....They absolutely can't...They can't leave their crew without the captain's permission. That's why...You should...have faith in Luffy!"
Robin gasped quietly, her eyes showing an emotion that you never saw before. But it quickly disappeared when Blueno gave the finishing blow on the sniper, knocking him out. She turned away from the scene, and walked to the portal:
"Robin" you called and she stopped. "...I'm sure that a lot of people told you to die, didn't they? Now I understand a little more about that darkness of yours. However....why the fuck you should listen to them?"
You could see from the corner of your eyes her own widen a little.
"People will try to stop you. People will try to kill you. Just because you are living doesn't mean you are evil. Existing isn't a sin....The only one you can make is by living a life with regrets. Living a life that wasn't decided by you. You have dreams too, and that's enough to make you human. If existing is a sin, then we are all sinners. So I will ask again: why the fuck should you listen to them?!"
"(y/n)-" she started but you cut her.
"I will tell you why: because you found friends. You found friends that are willing to give their life to save yours. You found a captain that he's so stubborn, he won't let you go on the other side before you gave an answer he will accept...and usually it's one that makes him the happiest. True Nakama stays together, fights together, and dies together"
"Then let me grant this wish" came the reply behind you.
Blueno aimed his finger at your back, shoving it deep inside the flesh. You let out a strangled gasp, feeling the blood sipping out of the wound. The agent grabbed the back of your neck, and held you above the sea.
"W-WAIT!! DON'T!!" cried Robin. "(Y/N)-"
Blueno released his hold, and you fell forward. Your face first met the dark waters, and you were pushed back by the waves. You couldn't move your limbs anymore, the ocean drawing out the last of your strength. Water filling your lungs, you started to sink.
"It hurts...It hurts so much...." you thought. "Why...does it hurt?"
Do you like that hat? I can buy it if you want.
The familiar voice resonated inside your mind, a few bubbles of air escaping your mouth.
(nickname), let's see the world together, okay? You won't be alone anymore.
(y/n), promise me that you will stay safe.
"....Anita...." you whispered.
In the darkness of the sea, a purple light shone. The raging wind and waves stopped and stood still. The earth trembled, until silence returned.
".....I made a mistake.........."