"I should've known better than to think any better of you morons.." Law crumpled on himself in a disheveled slouch, glaring critically into the walls as if they've betrayed him.

All around the room, voices were mounting higher with every snarky comment, the only thing keeping a brawl from breaking out was the very real fear of what the Strawhats would do in the aftermath of such disrespect.

Just as it seemed they were able to agree on things, more problems made themselves known as they chipped deeper into the woodwork that was to be their completed stratagem.

Some couldn't agree which means of attack was best, others were still debating the correct means of approach.

Most of the roars of protest were from Killer and the rest of the Kidd gang survivors, as most of the suggested ideas involved them being in a position of not enough importance- at least in their perspective.

"Why don't we ask (Y/n) what she thinks? She was actually there once, right?" For once throughout this entire debacle, Luffy suggested something not outright outlandish.

Jumping at the opportunity to flee the scene, Law flew from his seat and scurried for the door, "I'll go wake her, she should probably still be in a light state by now"

Nobody called after the raven as the door shut against his back.

With a deep breath, Law reminded himself about what was at stake- what all of these migraines were for.

Not only was Doflamingo a natural threat to everyone by just existing, but that bastard had his eyes on (Y/n), he targeted not just him and his crew, but an unfortunate woman who just had an odd, scientific occurrence happen to her at an inopportune moment.

His.. friend.

The doctor never really liked using that word, not even within the confines of his mind it felt safe to use, it was a dangerous, lethal, double-edged sword.

Friends were precious, they gave him life, gave him so many feelings and emotions beyond even the universe's understanding- (Y/n) was no exception to that, she gave him the world just by allowing herself to be held in his arms, she let him hold the world every day.

But the moment they were gone, the moment their love was no longer within his reach, within this world, that sword that gave him the strength to conquer all of his demons was then turned on him, and those same demons would eat him alive.

It was hard enough to keep track of everyone in his crew, hard enough to keep Penguin from crashing the Polar Tang into potholes, hard enough to give Bepo enough drive to last another fight for his life, hard enough to scrounge up Shachi the prescriptions he needed to keep his health stable.

It was hard enough to worry over his band of idiots every waking day, the realization that not only was another one added to the mix, but one that was already dead..? As much as he refused the thought, he found it.. frustrating.

There was nothing he could do for her but cling to the hopes of a cure, cling to the hopes that she wouldn't regress to the mindless state all other zombies were forced in, cling to the hope that she couldn't die twice..

Law loved his friends, and (Y/n).. despite how far she was from reach, she was among the most beloved.

He couldn't save her in life, probably couldn't even give that back to her, couldn't ever be more than a friend like this, but he could at least do whatever he could to protect her in whatever this undead state brought.

He could at least genuinely love her with every unrequited ounce in his body.

There was a particularly loud outburst from the room behind, which then dragged Law out from the daze he fell into with a curse, "for Christ's sake..!"

Already having jumped away from the door, the raven began to march down the hall with a glower, mood soured by the calamity echoing all around him.

Why couldn't they all just keep their mouths shut until (Y/n) arrived?

Law hesitated once his hand met the cool metal of the doorknob, in spite of what he said before, he didn't feel comfortable with dragging the ghoul out of bed for such a troublesome spout- especially one that would no doubt demand a lot of her focus.

A deep breath and a subconscious reassurance afterwards, the doctor lightly tapped the door before stepping inside, "hey (Y/-"

The words fizzled out on his lips, and all of the shouting in the distance became muted with the flick of a switch.

In this room, just moments before, laid his friend, swaddled within a sheltered bundle of blankets, drowsy and safe within the confines of her home, overflowing with such welcome and warmth that he'd been planning on falling into the bed with her before dragging her out.

Now, all that was left was the ghost of a massacre, the blankets that once held and protected her were strewn about in shreds, the bed was splattered with a darkening wine red that emanated the stench of copper, the single window was adjacent and shattered.

And (Y/n)'s presence in the heart of this room, was replaced with a single pink feather.

The scenery was so loud that Law could faintly hear the screams that must've torn through this room.

Of course, those phantom shrieks were soon drowned out by his own.

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You stared down the muzzle with trepidation and flinched back whenever the chains attached to it would rattle, whether Doflamingo noticed your fear and took enjoyment in it, or was just determinedly ignorant of it you couldn't decide.

"Don't you like it? It took a long time to get the dimensions right on such short notice!" The blonde just snickered as he twiddled with the leather between his fingers, itching to just shove it on you, "now.. just be a good wife and let me put it on you"

'Over my dead body-! Oh wait I'm already dead..'

Under the ball-gag that had been forced onto you somewhere in between your days together, you spat curses in his face, wishing nothing more than to find the strength to rip yourself out of these chains and cave his face in.

As if sensing your animosity, Doflamingo jumped back with an erotic shiver, "oh... such a- oh!"

Not being able to face the perverse expression on his face, you hid yourself away and inadvertently fell into his trap.

In that moment, as soon as your guard was down, he threw a hand over and managed to get a grip of your jaw, "oh goddess..! I can't wait for today's ceremony!" With a distorted laughter, the creep ripped off your ball-gag with his teeth and wiggled the muzzle onto your face.

"There! Doesn't that look nice?" Forcing you to face the mirror, you hissed at the iron grip around your soft jugular and begrudgingly took in the damage report.

This freak knew no bounds, hacking you until he reached bone, whipping open wounds, soaking you in alcohol and repeating once everything healed just enough.. luckily he didn't seem to realize that most of your pain was skin deep, but that didn't do anything for the wounds on your dignity.

How were you going to face the others like this..? You were supposed to be the strongest.. the defender.. but all you've been doing as of late was get into mess into mess into mess..

Despite your harshest frustrations, the tears soon fell, and Doflamingo cooed over the sight, "oh my goddess.. don't be sad, I'll be joining you in your ascension soon enough"

Shutting your eyes to his Glasgow grin, you tried to burrow your subconscious away from the hideous laughter until an outburst came from the door.

"Young Master! Young Master there's an emergency!"

Both of you snapped out of your isolated states from the shout, and in a flash the blonde was sauntering over to the door with a prissy leer at the interruption, "this better be important for disturbing your god"

"Young Master! There's a monster attacking the mansion! It tore open the gates..! And zombies are flooding in!"

"What?!"

With that Doflamingo stormed out, and you could hear both parties rush out as your thoughts whizzed with confusion.

Monster..? As in... another ghoul was out there...?

Was it possible that others were turned like you? No, there's no way you haven't heard of them at this point then, if there were others then people would definitely be talking about it, so then- you choked up.

Could it be someone.. you inadvertently turned without knowing..?

But that meant.. the only person that came to mind..!

The silence was punctured by a pained yowl, and as if a bubble was popped, you were suddenly aware of the various screams and cries coming from outside the room and probably far beyond.

It sounded too much like the first day of this mess, as people going on about their daily lives were thrown into the gates of hell, only this time.. hell came to them instead.

"Stay away from the goddess' chamber you-! Ack-!" There was the distinct sound of a body dropping down the stairs, and you could feel your stomach lurch in dread as a pair of steps calmly descended for you, too disciplined to have belonged to a zombie, and too calm to be a human's.

A ghoul..!

Overwhelmed by the situation, your head began to grow dizzy, and it grew harder and harder to focus on your surroundings- including the new threat approaching.

But maybe- just maybe, they were here to help you? A rescue mission?

Despite not being able to see clearly anymore, you could feel their presence before you, the ghoul stood before you as in waiting for recognition of some kind, and you just had to know who it was, if it was-

Kidd..?

Clutching onto the end of their clothing, you were met with thin leather instead of the expected fuzzy coat, and the entire world seemed to have been thrown from underneath you.

"Hey 'ere lil mama.."

Blinking back into reality, you raised your head to meet the ghoul face to face, and grew white as a sheet at the sight of molten red eyes, hooded lashes, and a torn mouth.

Charlotte Katakuri grinned broadly upon you, "Ia th'ound you.."