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brainfuzzz · 1 year

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Old Truths Ch. 13 "Joker Part 1"

!!!PLEASE READ!!! If you are a huge fan of Doflamingo and don't want to read about him being, well, a jerk, then maybe don't read the next couple chapters. While I am writing from Doflamingo's point of view in this chapter(and other parts) I am writing him to be more antagonistic. So again, if you don't want to read that then please skip this and connecting chapters till the point of view is switched.

ALSO, please keep in mind that this is all from Doflamingo's point of view. So, if Crocodile does something that seems off its because... well, its from Doflamingo's point of view and his prospective so yeah. Also, for this chapter and some of the next, Doflamingo is going to call Crocodile(while in backstory) the Snake Empress or the Amazon because, again, I don't want to come up with a dead name for Crocodile when Oda could potentially make crocomom canon lol

Last thing, for this fic we're going to say in the backstory that Rosinante hasn't joined Doflamingo's crew yet. I kinda searched to see when he joined and don't remember what I found and... yeah lets just go with he hasn't joined yet.

With the events at Marineford wrapping up, most of the heavy hitters have either fled the battlefield or have retreated deeper within the remains of the once proud Naval Headquarters. By now, Doflamingo is the only one that still lingers. He sits on a crate, watching the pasifistas get corralled onto a ship to be sent off to be repaired by Vegapunk. As the last one loads onto the ship, a wide grin stretches across his face.

“Turning a warlord into a mindless killing machine that bows to the military’s every whim. Makes you wonder what could be in store for our future?” He says with a low chuckle. Sentomaru stares at him.

“This doesn’t concern you, Donquixote Doflamingo.” He turns to board the ship after giving him a warning glare. Doflamingo can only laugh.

“Doflamingo,” Tsuru approaches from behind. He glances over his shoulder to find her frowning with the usual amount of disdain. “It’s high time you disembark. Your assistance is no longer needed.”

Doflamingo gives a heh and slides off the crate. He slips his hands into his pockets as he approaches her. He only stops when he is so close that it forces her to look up at him. Her expression doesn’t change.

“How kind of you to have volunteered to be my chaperone,” His grin widens but still, her expression is the same. “But there’s someone I need to speak with. So, you won’t be getting rid of me just yet.”

It amuses him when her eyebrows raise. He lets out a low laugh and steps past her.

She calls after him. “Who could you possibly need to speak with?”

He doesn’t waste his breath answering her. The fall of Whitebeard meant a new era would be ushering in and already the world has shaken. Between Blackbeard taking Whitebeard’s devil fruit, granting him two devil fruits, the mere existence of the pasifista’s, the death of Gold Roger’s son, and the last one… Monkey D. Luffy. The vein in Doflamingo’s temple throbs as Sengoku’s announcement rings in his ears.

“The child of Monkey D. Dragon,” Doflamingo’s body tenses as he speaks to no one but himself. An old wound begins to ache in his gut. Another memory emerges bringing him to a stop. Lifting a hand to his face, he erupts into laughter. “Could it really all be a coincidence… Crocodile?”

During the battle, Doflamingo had suggested they team up. It has never been a secret that Doflamingo coveted Crocodile’s mind. He is a man who could come up with a plan that would bring the world to its knees, provided he had the right resources. Resources Doflamingo was ready and willing to give. But the man is as stubborn as ever. He can’t say he was surprised to hear his so blatant refusal, but when Crocodile saved Portgas D. Ace, stalling his execution, Doflamingo had been seething. Crocodile doesn’t ally with others. Especially not with Whitebeard.

“But it wasn’t Whitebeard you were allying yourself with, was it?” Doflamingo steps in between two structures and smashes his fist into the side of an already crumbling building. His hit causes what’s left of the wall to crumble. The vein in his temple throbs harder. “It was him wasn’t it… but then again, it’s always been him.”

After Doflamingo had confronted Crocodile, they sparred. Crocodile had made Doflamingo angry, so he decided to teach him a lesson. But then Straw Hat Luffy had let out his conquerors spirit, shocking everyone who could withstand its reach. Doflamingo had laughed, because of course the brat would have the conquerors spirit. But while Doflamingo laughed, Crocodile looked like he had seen a ghost. When Crocodile tried to slip past, Doflamingo stopped him.

“Not trying to skip out on me, are you?” He used his strings to slice through the ground, but Crocodile easily dodged it. It was like a dance. Crocodile would try and mummify Doflamingo while Doflamingo would try to slice Crocodile to pieces. A nice sadistic dance of just the two of them. When Crocodile landed a few feet away, Doflamingo frowned, his anger spiking. Because Crocodile’s focus wasn’t on him, but on Straw Hat Luffy. “Am I not entertaining enough? Perhaps I should—”

“Dammit Mingo, out of my way!” Crocodile yelled just before sending out another one of his sables. Normally, Doflamingo would have dodged it with ease. But he had been paralyzed by a single word. Mingo. He hadn’t been called that in almost 2 decades. Hearing that name summoned the image of the only person to ever call him that. He could suddenly see them sitting in his bedroom windowsill, a cigar dangling between their fingers as they turned their face towards the breeze. He could still smell the sweetness in the rich smoke. Then they turned their face towards him and lifted the cigar to their mouth. Mingo. By the time he snapped out of his daze, Crocodile was already at Straw Hat’s side, facing Mihawk.

Doflamingo lets out an angry laugh. He runs a hand through his hair and leans against the opposite wall. A few marines walk past but scurry off when they catch the unhinged look across Doflamingo’s face.

“So, I was right,” Doflamingo laughs in a low rumble. “You’re alive… my secret Corazon.”

Doflamingo doubts that he’ll ever forget the day he first saw him. He had been on a small island to handle some business. It was menial enough that he wasn’t needed, so while his family was taking care of things, Doflamingo found himself strolling through a nearby town. Usually, he wouldn’t have bothered to subject himself to breathe the same air as common filth, but he was in an especially good mood that day. It wasn’t long until he found himself in the town library. Knowledge is power after all, and Doflamingo would never pass up an opportunity to learn something new. He remembers being surprised by how large this small-town library was. But as he meandered through the several bookshelves, he found something even more surprising: A woman from Amazon Lily.

He had never encountered someone from Amazon Lily, but he had heard of them. Most things said about the people were no more than uncouth rumors that made Doflamingo’s eye’s roll. He had no interest in the words of lusty men. Eventually he learned of their warriors and way of life. It intrigued him until discovering that they knew practically nothing of the outside world. They were content to stay oblivious and that was all he needed to lose all interest in them.

And despite that, there one was, standing in front of him in a library on an insignificant island. The warrior looked flustered as she whispered to someone Doflamingo couldn’t yet see. This piqued his interest enough to want to see who they were talking to. He slowly made his way around the room until he got his first view of him.

Sitting at a table with books both stacked and scattered around him, was the Snake Empress. He had been hunched over an open book, completely enthralled with what he was reading. A strand of dark hair had fallen in his face. Doflamingo observed how he brushed it behind his ear, letting his fingers linger for a moment before bringing the hand down again. Doflamingo didn’t try to hide the fact that he was staring. There was something about this person that drew him in.

The woman next to him looked eager to leave but the Snake Empress would only wave her away as he read. Without meaning to, Doflamingo spent the afternoon watching him devour book after book. While Doflamingo had never been naïve enough to call Amazons savages, ignorant felt more fitting. But this one was different. Never had he seen someone so hungry for knowledge. Sometimes he would look back on that day and wonder why he never approached him. But he couldn’t stay there forever, and eventually he had to return to his ship.

It wouldn’t be until he received the ominous letter inviting him for an interview with the Navy that he would see him again. It had felt like fate when the doors to the dome shaped room opened and in walked the same Amazon that had captivated Doflamingo. In the time between that day, Doflamingo had recognized his face in the paper and watched his career with interest. In each article it told of how calculated and ruthless he was with his enemies. His strategies against both pirates and marines put his foes to shame. For a time, it seemed all he wanted to read about was the Snake Empress. But it wasn’t until that day when they were to be interviewed that he realized something.

I want you.

At the time, he had only wanted his mind. He would have been a great addition to the family. Vergo was leaving to become a spy in the marines, so a spot had opened up. And with Doflamingo developing plans for his future, it seemed perfect. But he got a sense that this wasn’t something he should rush. So instead, he gave the Snake Empress his number and watched him flee the restaurant after their meal.

“Young Master, will they be a new potential addition to the family?” Giola had asked.

Doflamingo didn’t answer. Instead, he rested his head in his propped hand, tapping his finger lazily against his sunglasses and grinned.

He and his crew had left shortly after that only to read about everything they missed in the morning paper. Monkey D. Dragon and his fellow revolutionaries had attacked two world noble ships. But it was Dragon who had successfully killed a Celestial Dragon. He immediately became the Governments most wanted criminal. But as jarring as that news was, there was one picture at the bottom right that captured Doflamingo’s attention. In it, Dragon stalked through the pouring rain while carrying the Amazon in his arms. The Amazon looked an inch from death in the photo. Below the picture was a single paragraph.

Monkey D. Dragon carries the unconscious Snake Empress through the empty streets after killing a Celestial Dragon. It is unclear if the Snake Empress was caught up in the Revolutionaries evil deeds or if she was directly involved. Both parties disappeared shortly after this photo was taken.

“Monkey D. Dragon, huh?” The vein in Doflamingo’s temple throbbed.

After that article the Amazon was less and less in the papers. Eventually he stopped searching for him and let his focus return to his work. But it wouldn’t be long before fate put them back together.

Like all the times before, it was pure chance that they would be reunited. Doflamingo was seeking refuge from the rain when he came across a casino. They had stopped on that island to restock supplies and Doflamingo had decided to see what the nightlife had to offer when it started to downpour. Inside, the large open room was dimly lit and filled with game tables. A thick haze of smoke hung in the air mixed with the different assortment of colognes, perfumes, and alcohol. And there, across the room was him.

He sat facing the entrance giving Doflamingo a clear view of his face. A cigar hung from his lips as he placed his cards on the table. The other three men reacted with disapproval. When the man sitting directly across from him stood and reached out for the winnings, the Amazon grabbed the man’s wrist and twisted it until even Doflamingo could hear the pop. The three men retreated with the one clutching his broken wrist.

Doflamingo approached the table. “Mind if I join?”

His eyes cut straight to Doflamingo’s, his once cocky smile slowly slipping into a neutral mask. He breaks away first to finish collecting his winnings from the last game. Doflamingo sits as the dealer shuffles out a new set of cards. The Amazon rests back in his chair in a leisurely lean. He lets out a puff of smoke while absently swirling a glass of whiskey in his palm.

Doflamingo leans back in his own chair, mimicking the Amazon’s posture. They both place their bets as he taps his finger against the felt tabletop. “You never called.”

The Amazon glances at his cards before taking a sip of his drink. “I lost your number.”

“Is that so.” Doflamingo’s mouth quirks into a tight grin while a vein in his temple throbs. He peeks at his cards. They’re good but not great.

The Amazon grabs a few of his chips and slides them to the center of the table. “I raise you.”

Doflamingo brings his hand to his chin, partially hiding his smirk. He lifts his right leg so that his heel is resting in the chair. “Fine, I’ll call.”

Doflamingo takes his chips and moves them next to his before pausing. The Amazon glances at him when he’s noticed that Doflamingo hasn’t moved.

“Actually,” Doflamingo says as he finally retracts his hand. “I’d like to raise you.”

The Amazon arches a brow when Doflamingo doesn’t provide anymore chips. Doflamingo shifts in his chair, enjoying the way the Amazon’s eyes narrow when he’s confused.

“If I win, then you come with me and see how life is within the Donquixote family,” He lifts his hand to quickly add, “As a trial run of course. I’m not forcing you to join my crew.”

The Amazon’s expression returns to neutral as he considers this. He takes what’s left of his cigar and puts it out in a crystal ash tray. Doflamingo watches with patience as he leans back in his chair, sipping his drink.

“How long would this trial run be exactly?” He places his glass on the green felt.

“One week.” Doflamingo doesn’t hesitate. As if this had been his plan all along.

“And what do I get if I win?”

“Why, you’ll get the most coveted thing of all. A favor from me.” Doflamingo places a humble hand on his chest. The Amazon rolls his eyes as he lifts his drink back to his lips. He takes a sip, never breaking eye contact.

“Fine.”

The dealer announces that there will be no more bets as they both show their cards. The Amazon reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a fresh cigar and silver lighter. He slips the cigar between his lips and tries to ignite a flame. Doflamingo raises out of his chair and walks around to sit on the edge of the table next to the Amazon. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out his pink lighter and sparks a flame instantly.

“Would you like me to show you to the ship?” he offers his light. The Amazon stares at the steady flame before begrudgingly leaning in and lighting his cigar.

To be continued…

Read full story HERE on AO3!!!

#old truths #Ch. 13 #Joker Part 1 #crocodile #sir crocodile #one piece #crocomom #doflamingo #donquixote doflamingo #doflamingo x crocodile #but this is a dragon x crocodile fic #donquixote pirates #ao3 fanfic #one piece fanfic #one piece tsuru #sentomaru

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