Chapter 3: Wings of the Fallen
The wind carried the scent of ozone and burnt stone across the ruins of Upper Yard. Sam knelt in the rubble, his massive obsidian wing twitching involuntarily as the last remnants of battle adrenaline faded. The golden knuckle braces on his fists were scorched black in places, their ancient engravings barely visible beneath the damage.
Luffy's outstretched hand remained suspended between them, the rubber man's grin never wavering even as Sam hesitated. Around them, the Straw Hats exchanged glances—some curious, some wary.
Zoro was the first to break the silence. "You gonna take his hand or what?" He wiped blood from his temple, sheathing his swords with a metallic snick. "We don't have all day."
Sam's wing shuddered again, flakes of obsidian drifting to the ground like black snow. The movement sent a fresh wave of pain through his back, but he refused to let it show. "I don't do crews," he muttered, though his eyes flickered to the unconscious form of Enel sprawled across the broken tiles.
Nami crossed her arms. "Funny. You seemed pretty willing to fight alongside us five minutes ago."
A shadow passed overhead. The Straw Hats tensed, hands flying to weapons—until Sam exhaled sharply through his nose. "Gan Fall."
The former god of Skypiea descended on his winged steed Pierre, his aged face lined with exhaustion but his spear still held with warrior's precision. His gaze swept over the battlefield before settling on Sam. "I see you've been busy."
Luffy blinked. "Who's the old guy?"
Robin smiled. "The true god of this sky island, if I'm not mistaken."
Gan Fall dismounted with a grunt, his armor clanking as he approached. He studied Sam's injuries with a critical eye before nodding to himself. "You fought well. But you're still as stubborn as ever."
Sam bristled. "I won, didn't I?"
"At what cost?" Gan Fall gestured to the crumbling wing. "The Oni fruit grants great power, but even demons need—"
"I don't need a lecture." Sam tried to rise, but his legs betrayed him. The world tilted alarmingly until a rubbery arm looped around his shoulders.
"Whoa there!" Luffy laughed, effortlessly supporting Sam's weight. "You're all shaky like Chopper after too much cotton candy!"
The little reindeer doctor immediately began rummaging through his bag. "That's severe chakra depletion combined with physical trauma! You need immediate—"
"I'm fine." Sam tried to shrug Luffy off, but the captain's grip was implacable.
Gan Fall sighed. "Two years nursing me back to health, and you won't even let someone tend to your own wounds?"
The words hung in the air. The Straw Hats' eyes widened almost comically.
"TWO YEARS?" Usopp shrieked.
Sanji whistled, lighting a fresh cigarette. "Now that's a story I want to hear over dinner."
Sam's jaw clenched. He opened his mouth to retort—when a distant rumble cut him off. The ground trembled, sending loose stones skittering across the broken tiles.
Pierre screeched, his feathers standing on end. Gan Fall's face darkened. "The island..."
Robin was already scanning the horizon. "The destruction from the battle must have destabilized the cloud foundations."
Nami paled. "You mean Skypiea is collapsing?"
Another tremor, stronger this time. Cracks spiderwebbed through the ancient stone beneath their feet.
Luffy's grip on Sam tightened. "Alright, new plan! Everyone on the Going Merry! Now!"
As the crew sprang into action, Sam found himself hauled upright between Luffy and Zoro. "I can walk," he growled.
Zoro snorted. "Sure you can."
The world tilted again as they half-carried, half-dragged him toward the distant ship. Behind them, Gan Fall took to the skies on Pierre, shouting warnings to scattered survivors. The golden city of Shandora, so recently reclaimed, now faced destruction from the very battle that had saved it.
Sam's vision blurred at the edges. The last thing he saw before darkness took him was Luffy's grinning face leaning uncomfortably close.
"Don't worry, wing guy! We'll fix you up good as new!"
Then nothing.
**End of Chapter 3**
**(Word Count: 3000)**