Woo! Look what I made! Lol, sorry, this chapter was giving me hell for the longest time but suddenly, a few days ago, it didn't. I hope that you all enjoy and PLEASE leave a comment to tell me what you thought of it, that way I know it isn't actually crap.

Chapter Summary: They finally escape the wretched prison of Impel Down.

Awareness came to him like the morning fog, covering him in a murky film that he couldn't shake off, dulling his senses and leaving him strangely . . . numb. It was more than a little unnerving, to suddenly be free from that excruciating pain that had coursed through his damaged body, spreading like wildfire until nothing good remained.

In all honesty, Bon Clay hadn't expected to ever be free from that kind of hell and yet, here he was, awake, the pain from before a mere memory now. It was a welcomed blessing, despite knowing that it marked the beginning of his end.

No doubt within the next few hours, he would be dead, Magellan's poisons finally taking hold . . . but before that, he had one last task to accomplish. He just hoped that he wasn't too late but with no knowledge of exactly how much time had passed since he passed out, Bon Clay was at a bit of a loss.

Gingerly sitting up, he moved his bandaged limbs, testing to see just how much the neurotoxins had already affected his nerves. As expected, he could no longer move as nimbly as he once did but even without that, he should be able to walk around just fine on his own. Nevertheless, he imagined that soon he'd be as stiff as a stone statue, immovable and unresponsive.

Time was ticking and he needed to get a move on.

Swinging his long legs over the side of the stone bed, it was hard for him to make out much of anything in the dimly lit room he was in. However, near the west side of the room there was a small sliver of light peeking out from what he assumed to be the bottom of the door.

Stumbling over to it like a baby foal walking for the first time, Bon Clay felt for a handle, his fingers slipping across the rough texture of wood before moving onto the cold surface of a metal ring. Giving a pull, he had to use all of his dwindling strength to open the heavy door, dulled light spilling out as he did.

In front of him was a rounded hallway carved from stone. Stepping out of the room, Bon Clay closed his eyes, trying to pick up any sound that might lead him towards his saviors and hopefully with them, answers to his many questions.

After nearly a minute of listening at the almost eerily calm silence, Bon Clay's ears finally caught the familiar sounds of people yelling. Stomach plummeting, he licked his dry lips as his thoughts flooded with possible scenarios for the cause of the disturbance.

Perhaps Luffy-chan had gotten caught, or maybe he and his brother had been killed? Of course, there was always the possibility that it wasn't yelling he was hearing, but cheering. Meaning that Luffy-chan could have already rescued his brother and made it out of Impel Down.

But after being locked away in this hell for as long as he had, Bon Clay highly doubted that it was that. Although, there was really only one way to find out, so he started walking.

Luckily for him, he didn't have to walk too far before he reached the location of all the noise, which turned out to be frantic yelling from okama of all things. Gasping at the sight of the vast array of people, Bon Clay wondered for a moment if he was actually already dead and this, was heaven.

However, as he caught site of the large monitors depicting familiar levels of Impel Down, Bon Clay realized that no , he wasn't dead and he was in fact, still in hell and perhaps . . . he always would be.

Shaking his head to clear his darkening thoughts, Bon Clay shuffled closer. "What's going on?" he asked, catching the tattooed arm of the woman next to him. She jerked in surprise at the touch, eyeing him warily before gesturing towards the monitors.

"See for yourself." Letting his arm fall to his side, Bon Clay moved through the crowd and towards the screens that were taking up the front wall of the room. As he got closer, he began to realize why the room was in such a state of hysteria.

Luffy-chan had been captured!

Heart stopping, Bon Clay stumbled as his weak body shook, his wide eyes taking in the sight of his dear friend, chained and locked away. However, even though the room was dark, he could make out the form of another person in the small cell. No, it couldn't be.

"Is that Luffy-chan's brother!" Bon Clay said, pushing himself forward to get closer to the screen, not quite believing what he was seeing. His mind had to be playing tricks on him, the poison tainting his vision! How else would you explain what was going on!? Luffy-chan and Ace-chan couldn't be imprisoned together!

Not bothering to turn away from the monitor, an okama dressed in fishnet stockings and a rather flattering bunny costume nodded. "Yeah, that's Fire Fist. It looks like the guards are giving him that," they muttered, their voice spitting in disgust and anger.

Eyes widening, Bon Clay's mouth fell open as a gasp slipped from his lips. "No , surely the guards aren't that cruel!" They had to have enough morals to know that this was beyond wrong; forcing two brothers in a situation where one had to fuck the other to save them from certain death.

At his statement, the okama turned their head to him, a single eyebrow raised. "You've been here long enough to know just how messed up they are."

Yes . . . that was true. He had just never imagined that they could resort to such cruelty . . . but now he knew better.

"We have to rescue them!" he said, forcing his eyes back to the monitor. Already Ace-chan was moving towards his brother, his actions slow and hesitant, no doubt conflicted with what he was about to do.

"How? There's no way we could reach 'em in time!" a woman said, wiping around to face Bon Clay.

Glaring at the woman, Bon Clay turned his body to fully face her. "Well, we can't just sit here and do nothing!" At least, he couldn't wait around, wasting his ever decreasing time when Luffy-chan needed his help! Whether or not the others felt the same didn't matter, because he wasn't going to abandon his friend in his time of need.

"Well said Bon boy!" Jumping slightly at the loud voice that came from behind him, Bon Clay turned around, taking in the strangely familiar sight of a lavender colored afro and hot pink leather. He swore that he had seen the large okama before, but where?

Oh, Bon Clay realized with a start. He's the one who helped prolong my time!

"Gather everyone, the time to escape is now!" the leather-clad okama said with a cry, his voice carrying over the loud voices of the other people in the room, catching their attentions immediately. Bon Clay could remember fondly when he too could command attention like that, back in Baroque Works and with his fallen crew.

"Hai, Iva-sama!" the crowd roared, rushing about to follow the command. Bon Clay couldn't help but stare in slight awe as they quickly set to work, gathering weapons and supplies to prepare for their no doubt, grand escape. Perhaps that's how he would help Luffy-chan, but before that, he needed to ensure that his young friend was freed was the cell he was currently chained up inside.

Standing there rather dumbly for a moment, Bon Clay snapped out of his stupor as Iva-sama began to march away, the crowd moving around him. "Eh, wait! Who are you?" Bon Clay asked, running after his unknown savior.

Hearing his plea, Iva-sama stopped in his long strides and turned around to fully face Bon Clay, his large, purple painted lips spreading into a smile. "Vi am Emporio Ivankov, Queen of Kamabakka Kingdom and one of the commanders of the Revolutionary army!" Gasping at the proclamation, Bon Clay's already unsteady legs gave out in his shock and he fell flat onto his ass, staring up at Ivankov, his mouth agape.

"Y-you're E-emporio Ivankov!" In all his years, Bon Clay had never once imagined that the Miracle Worker would look like this and yet, as he remembered their brief encounter from however long before, Bon Clay knew it had to be true.

"The one and only, Heehaw! " Iva-sama said with a boisterous cry before he stuck a pose.

Next to him was a man whose clothing ensemble was split equally between white and orange, his hair styled like a three leaf clover. Said man seemed to stare at Bon Clay behind his sunglasses, a lightening bolt shaped scar running down his right eye, before stepping forward to offer his left hand. His right hand contained a glass of red wine.

Taking the offered assistance, Bon Clay allowed the man to help him stand before saying a quick thanks and turning to fully face the Miracle Worker. Surely with him along, Bon Clay would be able to ensure Luffy-chan's escape from Impel Down and if he was truly lucky, Ace-chan's as well.

Heart swelling at the thought, Bon Clay turned and looked straight up at Iva-sama. "Will you help me get to Luffy-chan? Please, I have to help while I still can!" he begged, his pleading eyes locking onto Iva-chan's blank ones. If he could help him one last time then he would be eternally grateful!

"Hmm and what could you possibly do in your state?" The question was coated in thinly veiled skepticism and rather than flinch under it, Bon Clay glared. He may be weak and slowly dying, (which admittedly, put a damper on things) but it would take more than that to stop him from saving his friend!

"More than I would do than by just sitting here and wasting away!" he said, moving past the stunned Queen whose mouth had fallen open in surprise. "With or without your help, I will help Luffy-chan escape from this hell!" He had to, otherwise his death would be pointless and Bon Clay refused to die like that.

"Wait, Bon boy," Iva-sama said, grabbing onto Bon Clay's bandaged shoulder with his gloved hand before retracting it when Bon Clay let out a pained hiss. "Vi will help you save your friend, now follow me!" Surprised by his sudden change, Bon Clay couldn't help but gape quietly as the towering okama pushed ahead, leading the large band of prisoners out of the room and into the long hallway.

Running after, Bon Clay took a single step out of the room before coming to a dead stop. "EHH!" he cried, his eyes and mouth open wide. Surely his eyes had to be deceiving him this time!?

In front of him, leaning calmly against the wall was the familiar, tall and brooding form of Crocodile, his former boss while beside him was Jinbei, another Warlord. Honestly, out of all the things he had seen in this huge prison, from nightmarish beasts to cruel torture devices, this had to be the strangest by far.

Were they going to help in the escape as well!? With two (one former) Warlords on their side, surely they could escape from the rumored, inescapable prison, Impel Down!

Crocodile eyed him quietly, not showing one speck of emotion, before turning and following after Ivankov. Swallowing the lump in his throat, Bon Clay followed behind, though admittedly at a slower pace as the Miracle Worker led him and the others through the labyrinth of carved hallways.

After nearly fifteen minutes of marching through the catacombs, Ivankov stopped in front of a rectangular shaped indent in the wall before turning to fully face the crowd of okama behind him.

"Beyond this door will be the hell of level three! From there we will fight our way to level one and rescue Straw boy and if we're lucky, Ace boy as well!" Ivankov said, his loud voice echoing across the stone walls and seeming all that much louder. His words filled Bon Clay with purpose and strength that he was surprised to find. "Remember, once we reach the front door of the prison, we'll need to capture a Navy ship to make it through the calm belt! Now, let's unleash mayhem on Impel Down such as has never been seen before! Heehaw!"

"YEAH!" With a resounding cry, the okama pushed through the door and into the sand covered landscape of level three.

As soon as they began to run, Bon Clay couldn't help but spare a glance towards Crocodile's way, wondering for a moment if level three reminded him of Alabasta and his failed conquest. However, from the rather blank look on his scarred face, Bon Clay doubted that he cared much at all.

No matter, Bon Clay remembered and while Alabasta was where he had gotten captured and as a result, thrown into here, it was also where he met Luffy-chan; that strange, wonderful and loving boy who had stolen Bon Clay's heart and with it, earned his everlasting friendship. So even though he had fallen in that desert country, Bon Clay still remembered it in a fond light.

How else would he have been able to survive as long as he had in the Starvation Hell . . . but it looked like slipping into his memories wouldn't help him any longer.

Coughing, Bon Clay grimaced as he noticed with each, winded sprint, that his body was becoming increasingly harder to move. The neurotoxins had to have been spreading further and most likely, within the next hour or two, he would be completely paralyzed.

Biting his bottom lip as he realized this, Bon Clay couldn't help but push his body harder, passing a few of his compatriots as he tried to get ahead of them. He needed to hurry and get to Luffy-chan!

In the distance, Bon Clay could begin to make out the stairs that would lead them to freedom. But as they grew closer, he and the others noticed with a sinking fear, blue sticking out against the yellow colored sand. Blugori!

Despite their hesitation, knowing what savagery the monster guards could bring, they let out a loud war cry and pushed forward, meeting the beasts and guards head on in a loud clash, kicking up sand as their forces collided.

Thanks to the combined efforts of Crocodile, Jinbei, and Iva-san, they were able to make quick work of the guards, but before they could move forward, reinforcements arrived in the form of Sadi and the jailor beasts.

Bon Clay made a valiant effort to try and assist his companions but with how strong the jailer beasts were, he was proving to be of very little help. Crying hot tears of frustration, he collapsed onto the scorching sand.

How could he possibly save Luffy-chan in this sorry state!? He was basically useless! "Why am I so weak!" he cried, already knowing the answer. His time was slowly drawing to a close, he couldn't possibly fight off these stronger guards now! After all, it had taken the combined efforts of himself, Luffy-chan, and those cowards Buggy and Mr. Three, to take down only one of the jailer beasts. He would have no chance now, especially in his weakened state.

Suddenly, a large hand landed on his shoulder, jerking him from his dark thoughts. With bleary eyes, Bon Clay stared at the scarred blue hand before glancing up in shock. "J-jinbei!"

The fishman nodded before he knelt before him, his large form blocking out the fighting that stormed around them. Quietly, the Warlord began to explain to Bon Clay about the gates and that someone had to stay behind to open them. As he listened, Bon Clay nodded along, quickly understanding what Jinbei was alluding to with each whispered word.

"You want me to stay behind." Clearly this was what Jinbei was asking of him and it made perfect sense that he would be the one to stay. After all, he'd be dead before this day was through and at least this way, he could ensure the survival of the others.

Jinbei nodded, his face grim but brimming in respect, not the pity or sadness that Bon Clay had gotten used to seeing since he'd been poisoned. "I was informed that you saved Luffy-san at the cost of your own life. I know that Ace-san would have been grateful for your sacrifice."

"I just wanted to protect my friend," Bon Clay admitted with a smile, rubbing away his tears and sadly smearing his makeup, leaving a dark smudge on his bandaged face, "and at least this way, I can save him again."

"Yes."

With that, Jinbei helped him stand but even still, Bon Clay had never felt as strong as he did at this moment. "Please don't tell Luffy-chan about this, I don't want him to feel guilty." It was a man's final request, surely Jinbei would keep it.

"Of course." Nodding, Bon Clay pushed forward towards the stairs, and with one glance back, he took in the intense battle that was still raging before turning away.

The next steps he took were towards his death but with it, the survival of all of those he had come to cherish.

Luffy watched quietly from the confines of his small cell as a huge herd of Blugori and guard alike stormed through level two. When he had first heard the familiar sounds of pounding feet, he had been hopeful enough to think that it was Iva-chan, but those hopes were quickly stomped out.

It felt as though it had been hours since he had last seen his friends and with each passing second he grew increasingly more nervous, knowing that right now, Ace was sailing towards Marineford, getting further away from him.

He needed to get out of this damn cell!

Biting his lip, Luffy payed no mind to his bruising arms as he pounded them against the seastone bars that were holding him captive, his cuffs making a harsh clang with each swing. It may have seemed futile, especially considering that he was a devil fruit user, but Luffy would rather die than stop trying. He wouldn't give up!

However, the bars wouldn't budge. Groaning, Luffy crumpled to the cold stone floor, his breath heavy and uneven. He'd been fighting for hours and it was no surprise that his bruised and battered body was making its complaints known.

If Chopper were there, he would no doubt be as equally parts concerned and furious at Luffy for letting himself get hurt so bad and Luffy couldn't help but chuckle lightly at the thought. He could only imagine how his doctor would have reacted if Luffy had gotten himself poisoned by Magellan, but thanks to Bon-chan, he had escaped poison-free.

Now if only Bon-chan were here again.

With a tired sigh, Luffy took off his hat, gently running his fingers over the smooth straw and silky red ribbon, before his slipping them underneath and pulling out Ace's vivre card. Carefully, as not to damage the slowly burning piece of paper, Luffy held it in the palm of his hand, watching with his stomach in knots as it started to inch away from him.

Just how long would he have to endure this increasing distance between himself and Ace?

Putting the vivre card safely back underneath the ribbon, Luffy placed his hat onto his head and turned his pale face towards the front of his cell and gasped as he caught sight of two, very familiar figures standing near the opposite side of the hall. "Buggy! Mr. Three!" he cried, scrambling towards the bars. "It's so good to see you two!"

How long had it been since he had last seen them? Surely it must have been a few hours by now. He was so glad to see that they were alright!

"Eh! Strawhat!" Buggy cried, walking over to Luffy's cage to stand in front of it. Luffy grinned and nodded his head as the other pirate's painted red lips spread into a grin. "HAHA! Look who's got caught now!" Throwing his head back, the clown-faced pirate laughed long and low before Mr. Three came to stand beside him.

Frowning, Luffy shakily stood and almost grabbed onto the bars before thinking otherwise, not needing a double dosage of seastone to further damage him. "Stop laughing! I need you two to get me out of here!" He couldn't wait around until Iva-chan showed up. Not when Ace needed him!

Buggy merely scoffed at his plea and turned away with a scowl. Luffy's keen ears caught him muttering about something as he did.

Seeing that he would be of no help (as usual), Luffy turned away from Buggy to look with big eyes at Mr. Three. Surely he would have a heart and release Luffy from his cell! After all, at the start of all of this, he had released Mr. Three. It would only be right of him to return the favor, especially after he and Buggy ran off, leaving Luffy and Bon-chan to fight alone!

"Please, Mr. Three! My brother needs me, if I don't get out of here then he'll be killed!" Voice raising in distress, Luffy felt his heart clench painfully as tears threatened to spill from his eyes. He couldn't lose Ace now, not after coming so close! If Mr. Three would just release him then Luffy was positive that he wouldn't fail this time!

If he did, death would follow him soon after . . . the guilt and sorrow too much for him to bare.

Biting his lip, Mr. Three spared a glance back towards Buggy before shaking his head and turning back around to face Luffy's pleading gaze. "Alright, Strawhat, but only because you did the same for me!" With that, Mr. Three constructed a key of wax and shoved it into the lock.

Hearing the click, Luffy pushed open the door with a cheer! "Thank you Mr. Three!" he cried, wrapping the struggling wax user into a bone-crushing embrace. Mr. Three wheezed before patting Luffy's shoulder, accepting the hug.

Once Luffy released him, Mr. Three gave a relieved sigh and Luffy couldn't help but giggle in return as Mr. Three unlocked his seastone cuffs. Sighing in relief as he finally felt the draining effects from the seastone subside, Luffy grinned widely. Now he could get out of this damn prison!

Ah, but first! "Hey, have you two heard anything from Iva-chan, Inazuma, or Bon-chan?" Luffy asked, folding his arms across his chest as he cocked his head to the side. Hopefully, his three friends had made it out of the lower levels and were making their way up to level two by now.

"Iva-chan?" Buggy repeated, lifting an eyebrow at Luffy who nodded in return.

"Yeah, he's really tall and has this awesome purple afro! Bon-chan calls him the Miracle Worker though if that helps." Sadly though, the description didn't ring any bells for either Buggy or Mr. Three and Luffy was put off by what he should do next.

A part of him wanted to go and check on his friends to make sure that they were okay and would be able to get out of Impel Down. But another part of him knew that every second he stayed there, Ace was getting closer to the executioner's sharpened ax. Gnawing on his bottom lip, Luffy spared a glance down the crowded hall that was filled with other freed prisoners, their clothing making a sea of black and white, and towards the stairs that led down to level three.

However, his choice was made for him as Magellan, already partially coated in his purple poison, appeared from the stairway of level one. As soon as he showed up, the other prisoners screamed and began to scatter like mice. No doubt they too knew how dangerous the Warden could be.

Gulping at the familiar sight, Luffy took a step back as he stared at Magellan with wide eyes. "Strawhat! I see that you've escaped again!" Magellan said, stalking slowly towards them. With each step, thick poison was left behind and Luffy couldn't help but shudder as he remembered what that had done to Bon-chan.

He knew that it would be safer to simply run away like the other prisoners had, especially since Luffy couldn't actually fight Magellan one on one. But as Luffy looked behind the massive, deadly form of the Warden, all he could see was freedom.

Once he took Magellan down, Luffy would be one step closer to Ace! All he needed to do was figure out a way to fight him without directly touching him, but how? Mind working in overdrive, Luffy tried to think of a possible solution, but as his heart beat quickly and his stomach clenched, he was at a loss.

Of course, this was the exact moment that Magellan decided to throw one of his hydras their way. Stumbling backward, Luffy thought he was a goner when suddenly, a thick wall of white wax shot up, stopping the hydra dead in its tracks. "Candle Wall! "

"Mr. Three!" Luffy cried, mouth open wide as he stared at the wax user. Then just like that, a switch clicked and Luffy realized how he could fight Magellan. Just like he had back on level four with the minotaurus, he could use Mr. Three's wax as boxing gloves and knock the Warden out!

Opening his mouth to say just that, Luffy stopped as he heard the sounds of many feet coming from behind him. Oh no!

Worried that more guards were coming up from level three, Luffy turned around hesitantly and was surprised to find that no, it wasn't guards, but fellow prisoners from Newkama land! Not only that, but leading the huge crowd was Iva-chan!

"Everyone!" Weren't they a sight for sore eyes!

"Straw boy!" Iva-chan cried, running through the crowd to stand beside Luffy. "Vi'm so glad to see that you're alright!" Luffy couldn't help but laugh at that, relieved to see all of his friends again. Taking a look at the large group of escaped prisoners, Luffy looked around for Bon-chan, but instead of finding his friend, Luffy's eyes landed on a familiar enemy.

"Crocodile!" he growled, glaring daggers at the former Warlord. "Who let you out!" No matter, Luffy would just have to kick his ass and locked him away again. Stepping forward to do just that, Luffy was surprised when a gloved hand held him back.

"Not so fast Straw boy, he can be a large help to us!" Iva-chan said, nodding at the smirking Crocodile.

"But—"

"Don't worry, Vi know his biggest secret. He won't misbehave." Hearing this, Crocodile's smirk fell as he frowned and turned away to glare at the wall. Chuckling at seeing this, Luffy nodded and turned away. As long as he would be kept under control, Luffy could live with him being on their team.

Glancing over the rest of the prisoners again, Luffy was disappointed that he still couldn't find his friend, Bon Clay. Maybe he was on his way?

"Excuse, me Luffy-kun. You are Ace-san's younger brother correct?" the fishman from level six asked, walking over to Luffy and Iva-chan. Hearing the question, Luffy nodded before turning to fully face him. "Your friend released me so that I might help save your brother, but I felt it necessary to inform you of my intentions."

Luffy blinked dumbly for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I'll take any help that I can get!" with a wide grin, Luffy patted the fishman on the shoulder before he noticed the paling faces of the people that he was currently facing.

Slowly turning around, Luffy's complexion quickly copied theirs as his wide eyes landed on Magellan who was now completely covered in his deadly poison, practically boiling in anger.

"I WILL NOT ALLOW ANY OF YOU TO ESCAPE!" he roared, three hydras forming from his back before charging forward.

Too quick for Luffy to process, another large wall of white wax was shooting up, blocking the hydras once more. "Mr. Three!"

"Hurry! My wax can only hold him off for so long!"

"Wax boy is right! Jinbei, Crocodile, take Straw boy and secure a ship. Vi'll hold Magellan off while you do," Iva-chan said, stepping forward to stand beside Mr. Three.

Both Warlords nodded, shooting past the wall of wax and towards the stairway of level one. Magellan growled and shot a hydra in their direction but with a quick, "DEATH WINK!", from Iva-chan, the beast was blasted apart, allowing Crocodile and Jinbei to get past.

However, Luffy didn't move. "What are you doing Straw Boy!? Vi will handle this, now go!"

"No! I have a plan, you should help the others get to level one, me and Mr. Three will follow you!" Luffy said, his face set in a hard line. There would be no changing his decision when his mind was already made up.

Giving an exasperated sigh, Iva-chan scowled and muttered something that vaguely sounded like, "Father like son," before he huffed and turned away.

"Alright, but if you two aren't up in five minutes, Vi will be coming after you!" With that, Iva-chan and the others followed after Crocodile and Jinbei, leaving Luffy and a pale Mr. Three behind with a raging Warden.

"Okay, Mr. Three! Let's fight him!" Luffy said, slamming his fist into his hand, a hungry glint in his eyes as his lips spread into a smirk.

"No no!" Mr. Three cried, waving his arms. "I was going to run, I don't want to fight!" Luffy ignored him before wrapping a rubber arm around his shoulder.

"Hey, can you do me a favor?" Keeping his voice low as to not alert Magellan of his plans, Luffy quickly explained what he wanted Mr. Three to do. "Can you do that?"

Mr. Three nodded. "Yes, it's possible."

"Okay, I'm counting on you!" Letting go of his companion, Luffy held out his hands and steadied his form.

"Wax Wax Candle Armor! " With a shout and a spray of wax, Mr. Three coated Luffy's hands before they formed large boxing gloves and springy boots. Grinning in excitement, Luffy banged his new gloves together.

"Alright, with these I'm . . . so cool!" Luffy couldn't help but exclaim, eyeing Mr. Three's design, vaguely reminded of Franky and his handiwork. No doubt if his shipwright, Usopp, and Chopper were there, they'd think the same.

Well . . . then all the more Luffy would have to tell them when he sees them again. Shooting forward with a confident spring, he shot back his arm, spinning the rubber around until it was wound tight. "Gum Gum Champion Rifle! "

With that, the fight began, minutes passing as Magellan and Luffy fought one on one. It was invigorating for Luffy to finally get revenge for Bon-chan, to finally be able to fight that bastard Warden and teach him the meaning of pain. To finally release all of his anger, sadness, and frustration he'd had to deal with since Sabaody, since he found out his brother was going to be killed.

"Gum Gum Gatling! " With a cry, Luffy unleashed it all. Magellan's only option was to block but under the rapid fire of Luffy's fists, he was unable to dodge them all.

Falling to his knees, Magellan's poison coating disappeared . . . and all that was left behind was a fierce rage. Standing to his feet, he stood tall as poison, this one tainted red, poured off his body, glowing with deadly intent until the Warden was completely covered in it.

Still, Luffy didn't falter. So what if this poison was a different color? With Mr. Three's wax attachments, Luffy would defeat him! "Gum Gum Stamp! " With a loud cry, Luffy kicked out his leg and made contact with the suddenly still Warden. He didn't even bother to block the attack.

As soon as the wax sunk in, red spread through, quickly tainting it. Tumbling backward, surprised by the change, Luffy was at a loss of what to do. Luckily, Mr. Three had it covered. "Wax Wax Release!"

With another flood of melted wax, Mr. Three dissolved Luffy's gear, saving him from the poison. "That was close!"

Swallowing back the lump in his throat, Luffy and Mr. Three watched in fear as Magellan used this opportunity to flood the hall with his new poison. Everything it came into contact with changed into an ashy color, as if it was being tainted by death itself.

"Venom Demon!" Raising his arm, Magellan's eyes sparked red as he dispelled the poison from his body. Stumbling backward, Luffy choked as he saw all the poison combine, swallowing the Warden before forming a beast so horrifying, all Luffy could do was stare, his body becoming numb in unshakable fear.

"RUN!" With a desperate cry, Luffy grabbed onto a frozen Mr. Three and booked it towards the stairs. Magellan and his demonic creature followed behind, devouring everything they touched.

"Hell's Judgement!" Suddenly the demon's large hand was slamming down but thanks to his quick reflexes and being high on adrenaline, Luffy was able to jump away, pulling Mr. Three with him.

This damn poison was spreading like an infection, coursing through everything it touched with an unforgiving savagery. Luffy knew that if it touched him, there would be little Iva-chan could do to save him. Maybe nothing at all.

So he finally did what people had been telling him to do all along, he ran, pushing forward into level one and towards his only salvation, the entrance to Impel Down.

As soon as he smelt the salty sea and felt that familiar breeze run through his hair, Luffy could feel himself come alive again. There it was, right in front of him, his freedom and home. All he had to do was keep moving forward then he could say goodbye to this horrible place for good .

Of course, he wouldn't get very far without a ship. "Did you guys get a ship!?" Luffy yelled over the chaos behind him in the demonic form of Magellan's new attack.

"Almost, run Straw Boy!" Iva-chan said, stepping forward to shoot out a couple death winks that just barely impeded Magellan's assault.

Grinning, Luffy continue to run forward to the exit when a prisoner threw something at him. "Here, it's from Jinbei!" Catching the transponder snail, Luffy blinked at it before it started to speak, the old fisherman's voice filtering through.

"Luffy-kun, did you make it out!?" the snail demanded from the palm of Luffy's hand.

He nodded even though Jinbei couldn't very well see him. "Yeah, but he's still chasing us and we're running out of places to run!" Sparing a glance behind, Luffy shuddered at the sheer devastation that the slow stalking demon had caused.

What would that have done to an actual person? It was dissolving the stone and wood around it, Luffy doubted flesh and bone would last long if it came into contact with it.

Jinbei's voice caught his attention again. "We got a ship but . . . it'll take us some time to get there. No matter, keep running and jump into the water and leave the rest to me!"

Luffy stared, not quite believing what he was hearing. However, if there were any time to take a leap of faith, it was now. Honestly, he felt like he could trust the fishman and he didn't doubt that they would survive. Besides, Jinbei was Ace's friend and that was something Luffy could hold confidence in. "Okay!"

With that, Luffy pushed through the crowd and towards the water that would surely mean certain death if Jinbei failed. The others quickly followed, be it from simply trusting Luffy or knowing that if they stayed, they would have Magellan's poisonous rage to contend with.

Without even giving Magellan the chance to attack, they jumped, out of the Warden's reach and into the freedom they so craved. For a moment as they fell, Luffy thought for sure that they'd sink into the ocean but as soon as they neared the water's edge . . . they bounced.

"What is this!?" Luffy cried, staring down at the spotted blue skin of a whale like creature of all things!

"I'm glad you all made it!" Jinbei called from aboard the deck of the Navy ship. "Thank you for trusting me!" Luffy grinned happily, as the large school of whale sharks safely carried them further away from Impel Down before they could board the ship that Crocodile and Jinbei procured.

Stumbling onto the deck, Luffy shivered as he started to come down from his adrenaline high, savoring the fact that he was finally back onto the sea where he belonged. He had thought more times than he could count that he would never leave Impel Down. Especially after nearly dying all those times.

Despite those worries, here he was, sailing away, leaving that hellish place behind like a bad dream. He hoped that someday he could forget that place, but only time would tell.

He didn't bother to fight the tears that stung at his eyes, spilling down his pale cheeks as he watched, his heart so wonderfully full, as Luffy-chan and the other escaped from the wretched confines of Impel Down.

It was a dream come true, to finally see someone, other than another marine or guard, leave the prison alive and if it truly was just a figment of Bon Clay's imagination, he was fine with not knowing.

It was better to be blind and happy than it would be to see the truth and be broken. So he let himself believe in what he knew to be true, and that was that Straw-chan was free . . . for now, at least. Once they passed through the Gates of Justice, the real battle would await them at the unholy land of Marineford.

There, Luffy-chan would have to struggle and fight for his life to save that of his beloved brother's but if Bon Clay knew Luffy, and he did, then he was positive that he would succeed. In fact, it wasn't a matter of if but rather of when the young pirate captain would break the chains that bound Portgas D. Ace.

The only thing that Bon Clay regretted at this very moment was the fact that he wouldn't be able to see it happen with his own eyes. Oh, how he longed to see Luffy-chan, his smile wide, splitting his face in a golden array that put the very sun to shame when he finally rescued his brother. To see the life, the joy, shine from Luffy's eyes when the war came to a successful end.

The image in his head painted a picture so vivid, Bon Clay could almost swear that he was there now witnessing all of this. Sadly though, he wasn't, but he would be free soon enough, but before that, he had one last job to accomplish.

Pressing a stiff hand to his numbing face, the poison taking its tole, Bon Clay's body shifted, forming a perfect carbon copy of the Warden. It was thanks to a stroke of luck that Bon Clay had managed to copy Magellan's face during his time in Impel Down and all he needed now was the proper clothing.

Which, thanks to a closet near level one, Bon Clay had already managed to secure one. It was a tad dark for his tastes (a carnation pink or a maya blue would have been better) and smelled vaguely of mildew and stale milk, but it would be a small price to pay to pull off his next trick.

Slipping into the control office, Bon Clay eyed the many pipes and tubes that covered most of the room before eyeing the dozen or so screens that relayed what was happening outside. Sticking to the wall, wishing to remain unseen, he quietly snatched one of the transponder snails that were scattered around the office.

He had overheard once that they were connected to all the Navy ships in the immediate vicinity and if he was lucky, it would let him hear his friends . . . one last time. Releasing a deep breath, Bon Clay's chest shuddered from the effort, knowing that his organs were starting to fail. He would have to be quick.

Turning his eyes towards the screens, Bon Clay watched, his stomach churning was he watched the other Navy ships open fire on the one Luffy-chan was currently escaping on. Biting his lip to hold back the worried cry that clawed at his throat, Bon Clay inched closer, his body seeking to protect them.

Luckily, most of the cannonballs missed, but one did hit the ship if the plume of dark smoke coming from it was anything to go by. Bon Clay just prayed that it didn't cause too much damage and would be able to carry them all the way to Marineford.

Thankfully, fate seemed to be smiling on him today as Luffy-chan's ship reached the towering Gates of Justice. It was finally time.

Stepping forward, Bon Clay startled the few guards in the room as he loomed behind them, his face set in a dark scowl. "Warden! How can we help you?" they asked, standing to attention. Bon Clay ignored them for a moment, searching out the control panel before spotting it near the west wall.

"Open the gates!" he ordered, staring down at the guards who seemed to quiver under his gaze, no doubt in fear of upsetting the Warden. The man had a nasty habit of killing his fellow guards after all.

The head guard sputtered for a moment, taken aback by the demand. "E-excuse me? Are you sure that is wise, Warden?" Honestly, Bon Clay had to give it to the guard for actually having the guts to question Magellan like that, knowing what his rage could do. Still, he had a mission to carry out.

"Are you questioning me?" Bon Clay said, his voice dark and dripping with murderous intent. He was actually quite proud of his performance so far.

Hearing the tone, the guard paled. "N-no! O-of course not!"

"Then open the gates and once the ship passes through, close them immediately!" Giving a stiff salute, the guard turned back towards the simple controls and with a single press to the green button, opened the Gates of Justice.

Being as large as they were, Bon Clay was surprised by how fast they opened, the gap between them widening ever further so that one ship could have the chance to slip right on through.

Of course, this was when the doors to the control room slammed open. "Control room, what are you doing!?" Not needing to turn around, already knowing who the voice belonged to, Bon Clay ignored the seething Warden in favor of staring at the screens.

Letting a small smile twitch at his lips, Bon Clay watched his friends escape. This and this alone would be the last good thing he would see and he would savor its sweetness for as long as time allowed him.

"E-ehh! Warden, then who—"

No, they didn't have time for this. Or rather, Bon Clay didn't. "Close the gates!" he ordered, his tone strong, firm, and above all, resolute. It was the voice of a leader and the guard only blinked dumbly before accepting the command, despite the real Magellan's avid protests.

With one final press of a button, Luffy-chan and the others were finally free and this time, Bon Clay didn't stop a full blown grin was slipping across his face before he released his transformation. "Memoirs of a Desert Kingdom! " Kicking his almost completely paralyzed leg into the control box, he ensured that once these damn gates were closed, it would take a long time to open them again.

"Y-you bastard!" Magellan cursed loudly, the veins in his head bulging, making him look quite hideous, even more so than usual. Despite the unflattering sight, Bon Clay laughed and laughed until tears were spilling down his cheeks and it physically began to hurt.

He had done it! He had succeeded in saving his friends! Nothing Magellan could say or do would change that and it was at this moment, that Bon Clay would be able to die happy.

Then he heard a small voice, one so hesitant and familiar, that Bon Clay was startled to hear again. "B-bon-chan?"That voice!

Luffy-chan!

"Why are you doing this, Bon-chan!? It's just like you did in the past, back in Alabasta!" Luffy said, his voice angry and confused, causing Bon Clay's heart to crack under the guilt that it brought. He never wanted to cause his friend grief yet that was what he had done.

"Weren't we gonna break out together!" Luffy said before his voice choked off. "H-how many times have I been saved by you? I-if you're there . . . say something, Bon-chan!"

The desperate cry of his name hurt more than anything else he had ever experienced, it stabbed through his heart in the form of unshakable love as he listened with unbelieving ears as the other pirates continued to call out his name, begging for him to answer their pleas.

But how could he? He had never wanted them to know his plans in the first place and if he spoke now, he feared what he would say in his final, fleeting moments.

Then Luffy's voice cut through again, his voice small and quiet, unbefitting of the bright and lively captain. "Bon-chan, the gates are closing. We . . . have to go." Bon Clay gnawed on his lips, fighting the tears that were beginning to slip out . . . and then Luffy and the others spoke one more time. "Thank you!"

The flood gates broke and Bon Clay collapsed into tears as he sobbed, his heart and soul filled with so much love that he was surprised he wasn't bursting at the seams from it. "STRAW-CHAN!" he cried, voice cracking under the strength of it, desperate to get his final message across. "You gotta save your brother at any cost! I know that you can do it, so please, promise me!"

Please, he had to know that Luffy-chan would succeed and save the man who would make his life better!

"BON-CHAN—"

Their voices cut out . . . but Bon Clay felt no sadness, no pain, for it signalled them moving beyond the gates, safe and far away from Impel Down. He never heard Luffy-chan's answer but he supposed, he never needed to. He knew that Straw-chan could pull off the impossible, even that of saving his brother from certain execution.

His heart stuttering, Bon Clay closed his eyes, a small smile slipping across his lips. Please, if there is only one more death today, let it be mine. With that, the man . . . okama, known as Bon Clay, quietly slipped away, falling into deaths comforting embrace, freer than he had ever been.

We'll meet again, there in the garden of Okama Way.

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