Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Penguin grimaced. The kids had broken their chains and Usopp just tried to shoot a gas gas logia man with a flaming bird bullet. Not the worst idea, but it turned out that Ceasar could rip the oxygen from the air and weaken fire. Shit, Penguin hadn't expected him to be able to do that. Now they were all struggling to even breathe. They couldn't fight the bastard. Penguin dropped to his knees, as Bepo whimpered beside him. He must have done the same thing to Luffy too. They had all suffocated before they could defeat Caesar! Now Ceasar was ordering the kids to kill them for candy.

Oh great, now the kids were going to kill them. Penguin cursed, wheezing. He was going to gut the gas fucker. He swore to the seas. He'd borrow one of Ikkaku's seastone daggers and cut out Caesar's organs for this. Penguin went for his teleportation amulet, but Brownbeard started attacking Caesar out of nowhere, distracting him.

Penguin coughed and hacked, gulping down fresh air desperately and grabbed the amulet, cutting his fingers over it. Smearing his blood. Bepo grabbed a kid running by, one of the smaller ones, thank the seas for that. Ceasar hadn't noticed, too busy mocking Brownbeard about his subordinates. Nami and Usopp were running, just about to pass them, but it wouldn't work. Ceasar was going to kill them all. Penguin couldn't do anything against him ripping the oxygen out of the air like that.

He raised the amulet and teleported them all back to the Polar Tang's deck, just as Brownbeard exploded.

“What?” Nami gasped.

“That was close!” Usopp cried.

“Don't struggle!” Bepo yelled, holding the screaming child tight. “Jean Bart!”

“I'm here,” Jean Bart said, grabbing the kid.

Thank the seas they had sent him back to guard the ship with Hakugan.

“Get a sedative!” Penguin ordered Bepo sharply.

“Aye, aye!” Bepo rushed back into the ship.

They were lucky. So damn lucky.

“Where are we?” Nami frowned.

“On the Polar Tang,” Penguin said, tucking the amulet back into his pocket. It wouldn't be much use now, not after teleporting five people. “I used Law's teleportation amulet to bring us back here. It's just a shame we couldn't grab more kids, but I suppose then we wouldn't have been able to teleport them anyway.”

“Why not?” Usopp asked.

“That kind of magic has a limitation,” Nami said softly, sighing. “I guess Law's is five people with teleportation magic?”

“Eight at the most, but it also depends on the size of the person,” Penguin admitted, as Bepo returned, injecting the struggling girl with sedatives. “I'm going to get blood samples off the girl and see where we can go from there. Bepo, try get into contact with Captain. We've got to warn him about Caesar Clown. If what he said was true, Straw Hat was beaten, but if we're lucky, Luffy's been captured and can be rescued with his other crew members instead of outright murdered.”

The Straw Hats sobbed at that. Penguin threw them a sympathetic smile, because well, they all knew something like that wouldn't kill Luffy. If a bloody Admiral of the Navy couldn't two years ago, there was no way a creepy clown would manage it.

“I'm sorry, I'll go contact Captain now.”

That was when they learned from Ikkaku that Law had been captured. Again. For fucks sake. Why did witches keep having to get kidnapped all the time? Law especially! What? Were he and Ace trying to make it a competition or something? Because right now it seemed like they were at a draw!

“What the fuck...?” Ikkaku suddenly muttered. “Oi, you lot better stay on the ship. There's some poisonous giant jelly flopping around out there.”

“Jelly?” Usopp blinked.

“If any of you are coming back, you better do it now, otherwise get in the Polar Tang and sink beneath the ocean again. I'm teleporting Uni to you now. That burger bastard who took Law used Uni as a hostage against Law and I, and he's badly hurt.”

“Okay, send him here now, and tell the others to come back too if they're still running about,” Penguin ordered, glancing over at the Straw Hats. “You two better make a decision and fast. I'm going back in for my Captain.”

“Same!” Bepo yelled, then deflated. “I'm sorry...”

“We're going back in for the kids!” Nami said. “And your Captain needs to give me my body back!”

.::.

Law's head was pounding. He could hear Luffy yelling something about running? Law winced. There was some annoying guy's voice too, laughing, but Law's head was still fuzzy and it was hard to make out the words. That was some annoying laugh though. Law was lying on his side on a couch, and he could feel the chains binding his arms to his sides, and tying his wrists together. He shifted them carefully, but they didn't budge even an inch. Law paused when he heard footsteps approach him, and groaned in protest when a cloth was forced into his mouth and tied behind his head.

“You were not supposed to be awake yet. The sedatives should have kept you out longer than that, but I suppose it is noisy in here,” Vergo grumbled into his ear. “Be good and wait patiently. I'll deal with you soon enough.”

Of course, sedatives, no wonder Law felt so weak.

The room was getting cold, and from what Law could see through his blurry vision, there were people in a cage leaving the building. Weird, but maybe they were getting away from the weird screechy guy. Law didn't blame them. Law laid his head back on the couch and closed his eyes. He just needed to rest for a bit longer. Just a bit...

Everything slowly went quiet again, and Law drifted off to sleep once more.

.::.

“You are so lucky I decided to climb down this chain and into your cage. It's bloody cold out here,” Shachi sighed, lock picking the seastone chains binding everyone in the cage. He got Robin and Franky free first, then Smoker and Tashigi, much to Luffy's complaint. “You shut it! I know you'll run off as soon as my back is turned!”

“But, Shachi!” Luffy whined. “We gotta save Law!”

“I know that! Give me a second. Jeez!” Shachi complained. “You guys are so lucky I didn't go back to the Polar Tang with the others.”

“The Hearts withdrew?” Smoker frowned.

“Most of us,” Shachi said. “The haki users stayed behind to rescue our Captain.” Shachi grinned wolfishly. “And if we don't come back with our Captain, those who remained on the ship can report the situation to Fleet Admiral Kuzan and he can freeze everyone here after Rosinante goes nuts.”

“That's not the worst idea I've heard,” Smoker grunted. “Dammit, we need to find Trafalgar too. We're still stuck in each other's bodies!”

Shachi grimaced. “Yeah, I can't fix that. The best I can do is teleport all of us back inside with Law's teleportation amulet.”

“I'd rather go back to the Sunny and protect her,” Franky said.

“Fair enough.” Shachi nodded.

“Whale...” Luffy groaned.

“Don't 'whale' me, you squirt! I'll free you now. Jeez, you impatient asshole.”

“So slow!” Luffy complained.

“I'M WORKING ON IT, LUFFY!” Shachi yelled.

“WORK FASTER!” Luffy yelled back, then groaned and slumped again. “Too much energy...”

Shachi sighed heavily. “Ally ourselves with the Straw Hats, Law said, they would be good at causing chaos and helping us defeat Doflamingo. Yeah, good idea, Law, it wasn't like we've had constant headaches from this lot for years now.”

“Shishishi, I think Whale is losing his mind.” Luffy grinned at him.

Shachi had to resist the urge to punch that grin off his face. The little shit.

“YOU'RE THE CAUSE OF IT!” Shachi yelled.

.::.

Law startled awake again when he heard screaming.

“With the pirate Straw Hat Luffy in the lead, all of our enemies are in Building A and advancing fast!” Someone shouted over a den den mushi.

“WHAAAAATTT?! THEY GOT INSIDE?!” Caesar screeched.

The noisy bastard.

“How did they break out of the cage? And get through the shutters?!”

Law blinked tiredly. That brief nap had helped though. His head wasn't pounding as hard, nor was everything blurring as badly. He was still finding it hard to focus, but hopefully if he rested here for a bit longer he'd be fine. The seastone chains sapping his strength weren't helping though. They made Law feel even more exhausted.

“Close the gate between buildings A and B. We'll trap everyone in there,” Caesar ordered. “And find out where those damnable Heart Pirates are. We haven't heard a thing about them since Vergo had beaten up that one, but he escaped along with a female.” Caesar paused. “What will you be doing, Vergo?”

“I cannot risk Smoker sniffing out my subordinate in G-5,” Vergo said. “So I shall go deal with him personally. He won't be fooled by such an obvious trap. I will leave Law here under your supervision. If he causes a fuss, give him another sedative.”

“Will do,” Monet said.

Law winced when Vergo grabbed his jaw, forcing their eyes to meet. “Stay here and behave, Law. You're in enough trouble as it is.”

Law let himself blink heavily, and had to thank his luck when Vergo let him go without giving him another sedative again. He wouldn't be able to fight off another round of them. He'd pass out again.

“The sedatives I've given Law are still keeping him drowsy,” Vergo said, walking away. “As I said before, if he makes a fuss, sedate him again. I'll come collect him after I'm done with Smoker and Tashigi.”

Shit, Smoker and Tashigi were still in the wrong bodies. Law needed to get out these chains, but if he struggled too much Monet would probably sedate him again and he'd be unconscious for who knows how long. This was bad, Tashigi and Smoker would be murdered in their current state by Vergo. Vergo left, and Law carefully tested the chains binding his hands once his footsteps had faded away, but they didn't budge, not even a little. He needed something to distract Monet. Caesar wasn't the problem here. He was an arrogant ass, even if Law started trouble, he doubted that Caesar would bother knocking him back out. He'd just insult him.

Monet on the other hand would. She was the one Law had to watch out for.

That was when Luffy happened. Luffy who was a blessing when a distraction was needed. He was very good at those. He came in with a yell and attacked Caesar. Monet was completely focused on Luffy, an amused smile on her face. So distracted that she didn't notice Shachi slip into the room and approach Law's side.

“I'm here,” Shachi whispered, already picking at the lock. “Just hang on, I'll have you out of these in a sec while the squirt causes some chaos.”

The moment the chains loosened off Law opened up a room and teleported him and Shachi away. They landed in a hallway, tucked into the shadows of it. Shachi undid the gag, and Law rubbed his jaw and his aching wrists, massaging them gently.

“Are you alright?” Shachi asked.

“I'm good, thanks for the rescue,” Law said, patting his shoulder. “Will you be okay by yourself for a bit? I'm going to go save Smoker and Tashigi from Vergo while Luffy beats up Caesar.”

“Yeah, I bet they're pretty desperate to get back into their own bodies,” Shachi chuckled.

Law smirked and teleported away. He needed to hurry up and save Smoker and Tashigi. Kuzan and Rosinante would complain a lot if either of them got killed by Vergo. They would also tear Vergo limb from limb, which would be amusing to see, but Law didn't want to see Kuzan or Rosinante snap.

That wouldn't be a pretty sight.

.::.

“Law's heading for Tashigi and Smoker,” Penguin groaned. “Shachi is in Building B, yelling at a den den mushi, or more like being yelled at?”

“He looks terrified,” Bepo said.

“Oh yeah, that's his panicked face,” Penguin chuckled. “You can see the sweat.”

They had hacked into the security network as Penguin, Bepo, Nami and Usopp headed for SAD in Building D, so now they could see through all the cameras in their handheld screen, but they were surprised to see Shachi looking stressed out in a corner in a hallway, talking to a den den mushi.

Who in the world was he talking to?

“I'm glad the others got in safely too!” Nami beamed over his shoulder, pointing at the camera in the lower screen where the other Straw Hats were gathered up. “Right, we're going to split off from you two now. Thanks for all the help!”

“Yeah, thanks!” Usopp grinned, and the Straw Hats headed for the biscuit room.

“No problem, remember where you need to take the kids!” Penguin yelled.

So the only one's whereabouts he didn't know now was Ikkaku. Where in the devil was she?

.::.

“FINALLY ONE OF YOU PICKED UP! WHY THE HELL ARE YOU IN PUNK HAZARD?! AND DON'T YOU DARE THINK ABOUT LYING TO ME, SHACHI! WE HAVE A TRACKER ON YOUR SHIP!”

Shachi paled. Not now. Why did he have to call now of all times? Rosinante had picked the worst timing! He shouldn't have answered the snail, but he thought it might have been Penguin calling.

But no it was Rosinante calling him to yell at him.

“Of course you put a tracker on the Polar Tang!” Shachi groaned. “Look, we didn't realise we where in Punk Hazard until it was too late. Now Law's got a plan and- Eeep!”

“WHAT PLAN?! I SWEAR IF IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH DOFLAMINGO-”

“Stop screaming at me! I'm scared already!” Shachi sobbed.

“Put Law on.”

Shachi paled further. “I can't.”

“What do you mean you can't? Get him on the call now!”

“He got kidnapped by Vergo!” Shachi blurted out, then choked.

He shouldn't have said that!

“KIDNAPPED! MY SON HAS BEEN KIDNAPPED BY VERGO?!”

Shachi cried. “I'm sorry! We've rescued him-”

“HE'S GOING AFTER DOFLAMINGO, ISN'T HE?! I SWEAR WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON HIM I'LL DRAG HIM SCREAMING BACK TO MARINEFORD. HE'S IN SO MUCH TROUBLE! I PROMISE YOU RIGHT NOW HE WON'T KNOW WHAT'S COMING FOR HIM! I'M HIS FATHER DAMMIT! HE'S NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK LIKE THIS!”

Shachi winced. He breathed out a cry of relief when Law teleported in next to him and shoved the den den mushi into his hands.

“You deal with this!”

“Shachi?” Law startled.

“TRAFALGAR D. WATER LAW-”

Law went pale. “C-Cora-san?!”

Shachi choked. That was the full name drop.

“JUST YOU WAIT UNTIL I GET MY HANDS ON YOU! YOU'RE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE, YOUNG MAN! VERGO KIDNAPPED YOU! YOU GET OFF THAT ISLAND RIGHT NOW WHILE YOU'RE FREE AGAIN! OH AND TO HEAR THAT YOU'RE GOING AFTER DOFLAMINGO. I'M FURIOUS!”

“I didn't even tell him anything!” Shachi hissed.

“I-”

“IF THOSE WORDS AREN'T 'I'M SORRY, I'M GETTING OFF THE ISLAND' THEN I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT, YOU TROUBLEMAKER!”

Law threw him a terrified look. Shachi threw and equally terrified one back. He had never heard Rosinante sound so angry before, and it was scary.

“I'M ON MY WAY! YOU BETTER NOT GO ANYWHERE NEAR DOFLAMINGO AND HIS MEN-”

“No, don't you dare come here when Vergo is on the island!” Law protested. “He'll kill you!”

“HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL KNOWING YOU'RE ON THE SAME ISLAND AS HIM?!"

“If nobody stops Doflamingo soon I am going to be captured by him one day,” Law said, his face heavy. “I can't avoid him forever, Cora-san. You know that. We both know that. I'm not going at this alone. I promise you. I have help-”

“I don't care if God himself is helping you, Law. If you do this you'll be going against your Warlord contract. We will arrest you.”

Law winced.

“I already said it to Shachi, but I am going to drag you back to Marineford, and this time you won't get to leave so easily. Last time you got to leave after six months for the stunt you pulled at The Rocky Port Incident. This time I won't be letting you leave at all.”