(A/N: So in case y'all forgot, I mentioned last time that I'd be skipping a few parts from the OG plotline for the sake of slightly better pacing because frankly I won't be able to finish this arc, or really any future arcs, without doing so. ENJOY THE CHAPTER!!!)

Chapter Six:

" The Straw Hats Enter The Fray! "

(NO POV)

Rocketman was just about to reach the Puffing Tom, or rather what was left of it after they found a few train cars separated from it, until the giant frog known as Yokozuna once again challenged the train, allowing the Puffing Tom to get away. Though before the train could run over Yokozuna, he recognized Granny Kokoro, who invited him to come along. Now the only way to save Robin and Franky was to go straight to Enies Lobby! The Franky Family's King Bull-pulled vessel, which had accidentally gotten separated from Rocketman, was seen in front of Rocketman as they neared Enies Lobby. Sanji and Usopp, in disguise, were with them. 

 The two groups met up, and that's when Usopp introduced himself as 'Sniper King' from Sniper Island. Luffy and Chopper totally bought into it, everyone else...Not so much. Isaac whispered to Nami and Zoro, "So are we just not gonna tell them that's Usopp?" Nami shook her head, "Nah, let Usopp have this." She said. "Hey, Nami," Sanji spoke up. "What is it, Sanji?" She asked. "Actually, you idiots should listen too. There's something I should tell you before we rescue Robin." He continued, getting everyone's attention. 

Sanji then began to explain that CP9 was using Robin's childhood trauma as a means to get her to obey their wishes. When she was a child, her entire home island was destroyed by a huge military attack known as a 'Buster Call'. No one else survived but Robin herself. CP9 threatened the crew's safety by summoning another one, causing her to bend to their will for their sake. "I'm not trying to make excuses to not save her. I'm just saying that even when we march in, that doesn't mean she'll let us help her." He said. 

"I WON'T STAND FOR THIS!" Luffy shouted. "YEAH!" Chopper agreed. "DAMN ROBIN!" Before Nami could hit Luffy, Isaac hit the captain himself. "It's not Robin's fault, Luffy!" Isaac exclaimed. 

"Of course it is! Why would she not want us to save her!?" 

"Because she doesn't want to feel responsible for what'll happen to us after we save her!" Nami explained in a scolding tone. "I don't care about that! If we don't go save Robin, she's gonna be killed, isn't she!? And of course she doesn't want to die, so we have to save her!" Luffy retorted. "Of course she doesn't want to die, but still-" Nami was interrupted by Zoro, "Let it go. It doesn't change what we have to do. We'll save her either way." He said. Isaac sat down, mind racing. 'I don't think they understand...I think, at this moment, Robin does want to die.' He thought. He could still remember what Robin had said back when she first joined our crew.

"You forced me to live when I wanted to die. That's your crime.

Isaac sighed, 'Maybe she's wanted to die this whole time...' His expression then turned determined, 'But that doesn't mean we'll let her die!' 

"Hey guys, take a look at this." Paulie called out. Paulie informed everyone that he had been to Enies Lobby before to do railway maintenance and had just now drawn a diagram of the place based on his memory. The aforementioned 'Gates of Justice' were in the very back of the island, and the only way there was through the Tower of Justice. The entire island was also apparently surrounded by a giant waterfall. "If we don't rescue Franky and Nico Robin before they enter those gates, it's over," Paulie explained. "Why's that? No matter where Robin goes, we'll just go there and fight to get her back." Luffy asked. "Luffy, I already explained this before. Once someone passes through that gate, they only go to two places. Marine Headquarters or the deep-sea prison. No matter what, we have to get Robin back before that happens." Nami replied.

"On top of that, even if we all rush in at the same time, the only ones capable of defeating those CP9 guys are you, Straw Hats. I've seen how strong you guys are, which is why you should stay behind once we get there. Give us five minutes, then charge into the main island with Rocketman." Paulie added. Zambai nodded, crossing his arms, "The Franky Family and Galley La will break through the main gates first so that the train can pass through! I'm sure there will be a lot of casualties, but no matter what, keep going and don't look back! We've only got a little over 60 people; meanwhile, the Marines probably have a little over 2-3,000. The best way to do this is to let your Straw Hats handle CP9 while the rest of us deal with the Marines."

"Alright, got it!"

"Okay, guys! We're now at the front of the island! While we're here, take a look at the sky behind Enies Lobby! Those are the Gates of Justice!" Kokoro announced. "It's not a good idea to open them all the way. When they put a criminal through, they only open the gates enough to let them pass. A lot like the Calm Belt, the sea behind those doors is filled with large Sea Kings, and no normal ships can sail through. I'm not sure how, but the Marines have a way of passing through there safely. In other words, it's just as the pirate girl said, you can't take back a criminal once they pass through those gates! Any chance of a rescue has to happen before they open! Now hop to it, there's no time to lose!"

"We're gonna go in first, just as we planned!" Zambai exclaimed. Nami and Usopp, aka Sniper King, stood alongside the Franky Family and Galley-La. "Hey, aren't you two supposed to be with us!?" Zoro shouted. Isaac walked over and dragged Nami and Usopp back over, "If I have to go do the scary stuff, so do you two!" 

"BUT WHYYYYYYYYY!?"

Chopper looked around and asked, "Has anyone seen Luffy?" 

"What? He was just here a second ago." Nami said. Isaac groaned, "I can give you a pretty decent guess about where he is..."

To no one's surprise, Luffy decided to go in on his own. With no other choice, the Franky Family and Galley-La went in after him. The rest of the Straw Hats waited patiently on the train, Zoro waiting on the roof with Yokozuna the frog. Everyone was silent, and Isaac's head was buried in his spellbook again, occasionally writing small notes in the margins. "YOU READY LADIES AND GENTS'!? The time has finally arrived! If they haven't opened those gates by now, then it ain't gonna happen!" Kokoro declared. "Samurai-Man, I'mma need you to take care of that iron fence!"

"Just leave it to me."

A few moments later, Zoro shouts, "Hey Granny! There's been a change of plans! I need you to move the train as fast as 'ya can!" 

"You got it!" Kokoro then turned the loudspeaker on again, "It seems we've got to switch up our plans a little. Your green-haired samurai friend says to find something to hold on tight to!" Isaac cringed, "Oh God, what's Zoro planning!?" Sanji poked his head out of one of the windows, "Hey! Moss for brains! What's going on out there!?" He asked. "They-uh-they closed the main gate," Zoro replied. "THEY WHAT!?"

Isaac gasped, "WHAT!?" He ran over and poked his head out with Sanji, "Please tell me I'm hearing you wrong!" Zoro shook his head, "No. The gate's closed." He said. "So whaddya' plan to do!? Let us crash into the gate and die!?" 

"Don't worry! I've got a plan."

"ALRIGHT ZORO!" The others cheered. 

Zoro pointed at the fence. "Hey, frog! See that fence? Smash!" He commanded. Isaac felt the color drain from his face as he grabbed onto a part of the train for dear life. "Trust Zoro, Trust Zoro, Trust Zoro...He wouldn't let all of you die, don't worry..." He mumbled to himself. Yokozuna managed to push down the fence enough for Rocketman to run across it, and was launched into the air. 

"OH NO WE'RE GONNA DIE!" Usopp (Sniper King) cried.

"BUT I DON'T WANT TO DIE!" Chopper wailed. 

"NAMI, MY LOVE, DON'T WORRY! FALL INTO MY ARMS!" Sanji exclaimed. 

"YOU IDIOT I'VE GOT BIGGER THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT!"

Everyone popped their heads out, "ZORO, YOU BETTER HAVE AN IDEA ABOUT HOW TO LAND THIS THING!" Nami shouted. "Of course I have!" The others were pleasantly surprised, but Isaac deadpanned, "I'm not buying it." 

"...We fall," Zoro stated bluntly. "I HATE YOU!!!!!" They shouted. "OH HELL NO! I've got a better idea!" Isaac retorted before climbing out of the window and reaching the top of the train. He put out his arms on each side of him and shouted, "SAFETY BUBBLE!" To everyone's surprise, a giant pink bubble appeared, surrounding the entire train aside from the wheels, just in time as it collided with the giant, Oimo's, back, the impact crushing him and knocking him down. 

"WHAT THE-!? ROCKETMAN JUST FELL FROM THE SKY!?" Zambai exclaimed. "SO WE OPENED THOSE GATES FOR NOTHING!?"

As the train landed, the bubble popped as a normal one would. "They're not coming out..." Paulie said as Marines and agents surrounded Rocketman. Suddenly, from within the smoke, a large group of agents and cadets was knocked out. As it dissipated, Sanji and Zoro were there. "THE STRAW HATS ARE HERE!" Cheered Galley-La and the Franky Family. 

"Hey! I think I know that guy with the sword!" Exclaimed one Marine

"Yeah! That's one of Straw Hat Luffy's henchmen, Pirate Hunter Zoro!" Agreed another.

Sanji chuckled, "Henchman, huh?" He mocked. "At least he recognized me. You're not even at henchman status, you're 'Pirate A'!" Zoro retorted. Sanji glared at him. "Maybe even 'B'"

"LISTEN MOSS-HEAD WHEN I GET A BOUNTY IT'LL BE TWICE AS MUCH AS YOURS!" Sanji shouted. "Whatever, 'Pirate C'!" "QUIT CHANGING IT!"

Meanwhile, closer to the train were Usopp under the guise of Sniper King and Chopper. "Hey, stop you two!" Usopp whispered. "I don't think they can hear you, Sniper King." Chopper said. "Don't worry, it's all part of my plan!" "I don't really get it, but it sounds cool!"

"There's more of them in the train!" Shouted a Marine.

"CRAP! THEY FOUND US!" Chopper and Usopp cried.

"There's gotta be more hiding inside the train!"

"QUICK! BLOW IT UP!"

Sanji ran towards the train in a panic. "WAIT, STOP! NAMI'S STILL INSIDE THERE!" He shouted. The train was starting to take damage from the blasts, pushing the blonde chef to anger. "Those bastards! If they hurt a hair on her head-"

"Relax, 'Pirate A'. Nami's not a background character. Unlike you, it'll take more than a sorry little bazooka attack to defeat her. Besides, if she did need help, she's got Pinky in there with her. You should trust that my boyfriend can protect Nami if she needed it." 

"WAIT A MINUTE MOSS-HEAD, SINCE WHEN WAS ISAAC YOUR BOYFRI-" Sanji was interuppted by a random washtub hitting his head. 

"WOAH! CEASE FIRE!" Shouted a Marine. 

"Huh? What's wrong!"

"SEE FOR YOURSELF!"

"HIIIIIII!" Chirped Granny Kokoro and Chimney who were standing ontop of the train wreckage. "Don't shoot! I'm just an old lady!" Kokoro said with a huge drunken grin on her face. "I'm just a little girl with a kitty cat! We're too cute to die!" Chimney added. Isaac appeared next to them, holding finger guns out at them. "NOT ANOTHER STEP CLOSER MORONS OR I WILL KILL THIS OLD LADY AND HER GRANDDAUGHTER AND THIS CAT!" He shouted before cackling overdramatically like a classic supervillain. 

One Marine pointed up at Isaac, "It's him! It's Straw Hat's most powerful henchman, Sky Boy Isaac!"

"Careful everyone! He's the reason HQ called for a Code: Hallett! Witches like him haven't been seen in over 20 years so we have no clue what he's capable of!"

Isaac giggled, "Strongest? Aww stop it, you're making me blush!" 

"What kind of monsters would take a senior citizen, a child, and a cat hostage!? How despicable!" The Marines then looked up in surprise at the dark clouds forming above them. "Is it just me or does that smoke look more like clouds?"

"Using cool and heat balls, I can turn the moisture in the air into clouds..." Nami said, finally making her appearance. "THERE YOU ARE NAMI, SWEET! I KNEW YOU'D MAKE IT OUT OKAY!" Sanji swooned. 

 Everyone looked up at the clouds. "Something weird's going on with that smoke cloud!" Exclaimed Zambai. "Look Granny, the cloud's growing bigger and bigger!" Chimney shouted. "It's starting to look dangerous if you ask me, let's go!" Kokoro said before taking herself, Chimney, and Gonbe the cat to safety. Isaac looked up at the cloud, flinching before spreading his arms out, "HOLY CRAP! SAFETY BUBBLE, SAFETY BUBBLE!" He cried as another pink bubble surrounded him as Nami shouted, "THUNDERBOLT TEMPO!"

Dozens of Marines were electrocuted, windows were shattered, even Sanji and Zoro got electrocuted. Everything within it's range was struck by lighting except for Nami and Isaac. Nami leapt out of the way of the lightning, striking Usopp. "YOU TRYING TO KILL ME!?"

"Nami! Why did you strike Sniper King!?" Chopper cried.

"I dunno, I felt like it." Nami replied bitterly. "Don't take it out on me! It's not my fault you don't know how to use it yet!" Usopp retorted before coughing and speaking again with his 'Sniper King' voice, "Besides! Usopp told me he didn't remember adding that feature! Regardless...That thing is crazy powerful! You took down everyone!"

Isaac dispelled the bubble shield, shouting at Nami, "ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL OUR ALLIES TOO!?" He hopped off the train, panting. Zoro stood up angrily, "DAMMIT NAMI! WHAT THE HELL!? WATCH WHERE YOU AIM THAT THING!?"

"Apologize to them, Sniper King!"

"You apologize, Stupid!"

Sanji stood up, hearts in his eyes. "I HAVEN'T FELT SUCH A SHOCK SINCE THE FIRST TIME I MET YOU NAMI-SWAN~!" 

Isaac made his way to the others, "So anyone got any guesses where our captain went off too?" Zoro asked. "Beats me, this island is huge...Where should we start?" Questioned Nami. Suddenly in the distance was a loud BOOM!

Isaac pointed in the same direction, "I'd say we start with the giant explosion." He said.

"LET'S GO!"

The six of them began running in the direction of the explosion. "I think we should take a right." Zoro suggested. "Well in that case, we should definitely go left!" Sanji interjected. "Oh you wanna fight about it!?" Zoro retorted. "Relax and just keep going straight!" Nami shouted. 

"If our idiot captain hadn't run off on his own we wouldn't be having this problem right now!" Zoro complained.

"Well, we're following that idiot around, so what does that make us?" Sanji asked. "On the bright side, thanks to Luffy, all the Marine forces are scattered across the island. All we have to do is head straight for the courthouse!" Nami pointed out. "Oh no! My chronic illness is back!" Usopp cried. "Then stay here and die!" Nami retorted. "I'M CURED!" "That's more like it!"

Zoro's steps then came to a halt, stopping everyone else in their tracks. "Something wrong?" Isaac asked. Zoro smirked, "Looks like we've got guests." Blocking the path was a huge group of men riding on the backs of dogs. Isaac frowned, "Poor doggies...They shouldn't have to carry those guys." He mumbled.

"WE ARE THE WATCHDOGS ORDERED TO GUARD THE FRONT GATE! YOU'VE RUN RAMPANT FOR FAR TOO LONG, VILLAINS! NO CRIMINAL SHALL CROSS THIS LINE!"

Sanji took a puff from his cigarette, "What's wrong? You guys can't afford horses?" He asked. 

"LOOK AROUND BEFORE YOU MOCK US, PIRATE SCUM!"

Behind the six of them were more Marine soldiers, leaving them completely surrounded. "It's too late to run away now, you're finished!" Zoro smirked, "Yeah? We'll see."

"You cocky little scoundrel! Alright men, let's-" They were interrupted by the ground shaking abruptly. Entering from the side was Paulie, Tilestone, and Lulu on one of the Franky Family's King Bulls, Gomorrah. "GRAB ON!" Shouted Paulie who threw some of his ropes at the pirates, each of them grabbing a hold with exception to Usopp who unfortunately had one wrapped around his throat. Everyone was seated on top of Sodom except Usopp who seemed to have been thrown behind. 

"Hey, you could've let us have a little fun with them." Sanji said. 

"YOU IDIOTS! Don't forget why you came here. Save your energy for the real fight." Paulie scolded. The Marines began to panic at the sight of the King Bull, about to fire at Gomorrah when the other King Bull, Sodom, made its way into the fray, running over various soldiers. "FRANKY FAMILY COMING THROUGH!" Zambai shouted. The watchdogs tried to get back in formation, "Oh no! They're gonna try jumping on!" Chopper cried. "Can't this thing go any faster!?" Nami shouted. 

"Hey, Cook." Paulie said. Sanji came towards him, "Huh?" "You take the reins." Sanji took the reins of Gomorrah from Paulie's hands and looked at him confused as he walked further down Gomorrah's back. "Hey! What's going on!?" The Galley-La foremen all made their way to the back. "When you see those guys, tell 'em...You're all fired." Paulie said. Zoro smirked, "You got it."

The foremen were quick to stop the watchdogs from jumping aboard, "We'll leave them to you, Galley-La!" Zambai shouted. 

With the help of Sodom and Gomorrah, plowing through all the Marines was made easy, and any that attempted to climb aboard were brought back down. Meanwhile it seemed that Sodom and Chopper were having a conversation. "So then, when the King Bull brothers Sodom and Gomorrah were going to die in the belly of a Sea King, the Franky Family showed up and said these fateful words that he still remembers; 'We're already full, so we're not gonna eat you!'. Then, they swore their undying loyalty to their savior Franky!" Chopper explained. 

"So let me get this straight. The Franky Family brought down a Sea King, ate it, and the two of them just happened to be saved because Franky was full?" Sanji asked. "Pretty much." Chopper replied. Sanji sighed, "Fine, whatever. Would 'ya watch where you're going? You're making me nervous."

Sodom roared, "I will follow Big Bro Franky 'til the day I die! He says." Chopper translated. Isaac smiled, "I bet he's happy that one of us can understand him." He said. Sodom said something else to Chopper, "By the way, the guy in the mask never made it on my back, is that okay?" Chopper asked in translation. Everyone collectively screamed in realization, "Oh no, he's talking about Sniper King!" Chopper exclaimed. 

"WHY NOW!? WHY NOW!?" Nami cried. 

"Idiot. Did he fall of?" Zoro asked. 

"Didn't you hear! He wasn't here from the start!" Chopper panicked. 

"Don't tell me, did he run away again?" Sanji asked. 

Isaac was on his hands and knees sulking, "How did we not notice him go missing...?"

TO BE CONTINUED...