Hey guys !
I know, it's been so long but hey, here I am again !
Those who were worried already knows that I had some health problem and others things going on, so I'm not going to go into details about why this Chapter was realllyyyy late.
That being said, I leave you with Chapter 11, hope you like it !
Oh, wait ! One more thing !
Some of you asked about what will happened to Ace in the future and even suggest some things that they would like to happens.
Not to be rude or anything, but I won't put suggestion of the readers in my story. I already have my mind made up about everything, and even if I might change my mind later, I prefer it to be my own idea.
But I decided to be nice and give you an hint about what will happened during Marine Ford.
Someone is indeed going to die. It might or might not be someone obvious, during this war, Riley will have to make a choice she might regret later on. Or not ? What is certain, is that Riley will discover the full meaning of her power there. But for every power, there is a price to pay.
That will be all !
Enjoy chapter 11 !
"Well..." I say with a deadpanned expression, "Didn't see that one coming."
That was sarcasm, of course.
I can't believe we're trap in a cage like some wild animals...
Smoker suddenly stands up and when Luffy turn, he struck him with his jitte, holding him down by the tip of his weapon.
"Luffy !" the other yell in horror.
I look at Smoker, fold my arms and arch a really unimpressed eyebrow, "Really ? You know, I don't think that now is such a good time to pick a fight."
"What's wrong ?" Luffy ask, his eyes becoming glazed over, as he chocks slightly under the pressure on his throat, "I feel so helpless. It's like when I fall into the sea."
"Karioseki." I state, glaring at Smoker.
The other turn to me and Zoro frown, "Isn't it what the guy in the swords shop in Loguetown said was in your throwing knives ?"
I nod as they all look at me in surprise, "It's a mineral that gives off a wavelength that is the same as the sea itself. Upon contact the material drains the victim's body of energy, and stops them from controlling their Devil Fruit powers - having the same effect as throwing them into the sea." Smoker blink at me in surprise and take a step back, releasing Luffy doing so, "The degree of "weakness" induced by Karioseki depends on its density and composition." seeing the confuse look on Nami's faces, I explain, "For example, Karioseki handcuffs rob the prisoner of their abilities, but still allow the prisoner to move their bodies around normally. Karioseki only works upon direct and constant contact with the skin, which explains how Smokey here can carry a Karioseki-tipped jitte on his back, without it disabling him."
I look back at Smoker as his eyes narrows on me, "How do you know all that ?"
I raise an eyebrow, smirking cockily, "Wouldn't you like to know."
Then, a deep and relax voice with a hint of mockery suddenly speak up, "The report was accurate, it seems…" we all turn to the voice to see a large chair, its back on us, "Roronoa Riley... the woman who's way too smart for her own good."
"Huh, it's Crocodile." Smoker say as the figure in the chair turn to face us. He's exactly as I imagined him. A tall man with a wide chest, broad shoulders, and a thick neck. He also have nape-length deep black-purple hair which is keep neatly slicked back with a long stitched scar above his nose that stretch across his face. And of course, the famous large golden hook.
He smirks evilly at us from where he sits, as if he had the whole thing planned out from the very start, which was probably true.
His eyes settle on me and his smirk widen, "You're every bit the beautiful, fierce and smart woman I was told you are."
I snort, wrinkling my nose as if I smelled something disgustingly fool, "And you're every bit the lowlife scum I heard you were."
He chuckle a deep purr like sound, "Aah, and the smart mouth is here too, perfect."
A shudder of disgust runs through me as I remember some similar words from an all too similar type of man.
Zoro seems to sense it as he take a step forward and place his hand to the back of my neck and rub it gently in comfort, Smoker watching all this with a calculating look on his face.
He turns to Crocodile and glare, "Now I have all the proof I needed to strip you off your Warlord title, you disgusting sea trash."
"My, my..." Crocodile say silkily, getting up from his chair, "Captain Smoker.. Unlike your superiors, you've never really believed I was on your side, have you ? And of course, you were right."
I sneer, That's what makes Smoker different from most of the Marines who foolishly believe that the Warlords are loyal to the Government. The World Government should know better than to believe that they could control them. Once a pirate, always a pirate.
"You know Smoker, I have a feeling you'll die bravely in the line of duty." Crocodile went on, " I'll be more than happy to inform the government that you put a valiant fight against the vicious Straw Hats Pirates here." he step out from behind his desk and walk calmly over to us, "I haven't the vaguest idea what really brought you to this country, but I'm guessing you're on your own. We both know that the government would never order you to come to these lands. They have every confident in me, a Warlord of the sea."
"You big old bag of wind !" Luffy yell as his glare at him, grabbing hold of the bars, "Come and fight me like a man you big dumb…" but his voice became slur as he slouches down the bar.
I sigh and walk up to him, making him let go of the bars, "Karioseki too, it seems. Don't touch it."
"Straw Hat Luffy." Crocodile say smoothly. "I congratulate you on getting this far, and I promise to dispose of you neatly and efficiently. Once our special guest of honor has made her appearance."
"A guest ?" Nami repeat anxiously.
"Even as we speak, my partner is on her way to fetch her." he says. And so he calmly sat down at the table to enjoy his meal.
It seems to take forever as we wait. Crocodile ignoring us royally as Zoro and I sat on the bench, Smoker on the other and Luffy and Usopp pass the time copying people.
"Get serious ! How can you two screw around when we're in desperate situation ?!" Nami yell at them.
"Well we can't get out and I'm bored !" Luffy whine.
"The fact that we can't get out is the reason it's so desperate !" Nami scream out.
I start to hum absent-mindly, trying to ignore them all as she turn to me furiously, "How can you hum so calmly ?! You're the one who always have a plan B or C ! Find something !"
I give her a pointed look and hum louder.
Smoker sighs loudly and slap his hands on his knees as he turn to us, "Since I'm stuck here with you bunch of scums, I might as well make it worth my time." he say and stare hard at me, "Roronoa Riley…"
I roll my eyes and answer tiredly, "Yep, that's me."
"Where do you come from ? I tried to find some sort of background but apparently, the very first time someone heard of you were when you started working at some pub almost three months ago…" he ask in non-nonsense tone.
"I came from hell, of course." I answer with a completely straight face. "My father was a demon and I heard my mother was an angel. So I guess I'm a Half-Blood demon/angel."
He growl low in his throat, "I'm serious here !"
Nami step in as she says thoughtfully, "Well, that's not far from the truth if you ask me…"
"Either way, that's none of your business, Smoker." Zoro state as he peek an eye open and glare at him.
Smoker just smirk at him, "Over protective brother, I see."
It's my turn to glare at him, "What's that smirk for ?"
His smirk widens, "Let's just say that you seem to be a weak point for him."
I glare harder at him and lean forward, "If you think that I need my brother constantly to protect me, come and try it. That'll be a serious mistake, let me assure you."
Zoro tap my shoulder, "Let him talk. I don't care what he says, I know you can take care of yourself."
I huff one last time at Smoker and sit back.
Crocodile chuckle lowly as he glance at us, "I admit that I am curious as well about you…" he says smirking at me, "Riley.. My partner seems to have taken quite an interest on you and she isn't the type of woman to be impressed that easily."
With a blank face, I stood from the bench and walk towards the bars of the cage, the other looking back and forth between us rather curiously, especially Smoker. "Since you know what type of woman she is... you should understand that if she find me that interesting, it can't be very good for you."
Crocodile rise an amuse eyebrow, "It only mean that you are a very skillful woman and that despite your pretty face, you aren't nice at all. I can recognize one of my kinds when I see one."
I froze slightly at his words as Nami whispers, "One of his kinds ?"
"Someone who have done horrible things for his own gain..." Crocodile went on, "A liar, a killer…" he turn his head slightly and stare at me, "And the most interesting in all this is that I know just by looking at you that you don't feel any remorse and that by just one push in the right direction, you could do it all over again."
Zoro growl low in his throat as he straighten up and glare at Crocodile, Usopp and Nami looking utterly confuse as Luffy jump on his feet, "Riley's a nice person ! Don't talk about her like that !"
I raise a hand to silence him as I just continue to stare at Crocodile, "You're right." I state simply, "I never denied that I have done horrible things in the past and it's true that I don't regret it because everything I've done was for a reason... And you are also right saying that I can perfectly do it all again." I pause, watching as a smug smirk appears on his face before adding with a smirk of my own, "That's why you should really watch your lowly scum arse.. Because it's your name that is on top of my kill list right now."
That wipe the smug look right off his face as he scowl and drawl, "You are the one who should watch your mouth... I never forget a face."
"Me neither." I state, raising both hands to grip the bars tightly as I say in a deadly calm voice, "I know your kind. Men that mistake cruelty for strength... Living your petty little lives, so limited. My own father was exactly like that and he knew damn well when I looked him in the eyes and pulled the trigger that nobody was going to shed a single tear for him." I pause as Nami and Usopp gasps behind me, "The smallness of your kind of life is nothing to fear… only to pity." I glare at him as I take a step back, "No matter what will happen to me in the future... I'll never be like you."
Crocodile's eyes were wide as he stare at me with an expression I can't quite comprehend as I turn to sat back beside Zoro who take my hand and squeeze it comfort. Luffy was looking at me with some new understanding and even Smoker have a contemplative look on his face.
"You..." hesitate Usopp, still a little shocked, "You killed your own father ?"
I look up at him, "The world is better off without that fucking monster in it. Trust me, he isn't missed at all."
Nami look a little sadden as she ask softly, "Was that some sort of revenge for Aiden ?"
I frown in thought for a second, "I used to think it was…" I shake my head slightly, "But Aiden was too kind to want him dead. I believe it was more for my sake than his." I look up at them all and add, "It was a dark part of my past when I was so blinded by grief and guilt that I thought I was doing what Aiden would have wanted.. That I was doing him justice..."
Luffy stare gently at me as he say, "But it was only for your own peace of mind, right ?"
I nod, "My father was like a shadow, always following me, scaring me... I was scared that he would jump at me at every corner. I had to watch behind my shoulder everytime I wanted to go out, plan everything ahead, to be sure that no matter what I did or where I was going, he would never be able to find me." I look at them all and finish with a bitter smile, "I knew that with him alive, I would always be a fugitive. My only chance at freedom was to kill him."
"We understand. " Luffy cut me off gently, "You don't have to explain yourself. The past doesn't matter, you're with us now." He gives a pointed look at Nami and Usopp, "Nobody will judge you for that and we're happy to have you with us."
Nami and Usopp nod at once, face set in determination and I smile at them.
Zoro huff as he shift slightly on the bench, "It's not as if you were the only one with blood on your hands, anyway. I've had my fair share of killing too and I never once felt sorry for them."
I smile up at him fondly, showing him without words that I appreciate him trying to comfort me.
Suddenly, a voice yells furiously, "Crocodile !" and we look up at the stairs to see Vivi and Robin looking down at us.
"Vivi !" Luffy call out.
"My humble greeting Vivi, royal princess of Alabasta, I mean Miss Wednesday." Crocodile say mockingly, leaning back in his chair, "I complement you on evading all our assassins in order to get this far."
Vivi shakes in rage as she glare down at him, "You have no idea what I'd do, or how far I'd go to see you dead, Mr. 0." she whisper, her voice trembling before she snap, much like how she did when she smacked Luffy in the desert.
"I WHISH YOU HAD DIED IN YOUR CRADLE YOU MONSTER !" she scream as she charge at him. Nami, Luffy and Usopp scream at her to let us out instead, that she couldn't take him on her own, but she ignore them as she pull out her weapon. She throws it, striking his head as he had casually put a cigar into his mouth. At first it looks like she has done it, for his head was gone.
"It's not gonna work." I state simply and the rest of Crocodile body turn to sand, spinning around like a small tornado and his body, still missing his head, appear behind Vivi and grab hold of her.
"Feel better ?" he asks discourteously, "As a native of this country, you should surely know that I have the power of the Sand Sand Fruit."
" Sand Sand .. ?" Usopp say thoughtfully.
Zoro nod grimly, "Riley warned us about it when we were at Whiskey Peak." he blinks in realization, " Oh.. yes. You and that stupid cook were snoring away while we did all the work.." he throws him a hard scowl.
Crocodile's head suddenly reappear and ask something that make us all feel cold, " Want to become a mummy ?" and Luffy start to yell furiously at him to leave her alone, warning that if he hurt her, he'd have to deal with him.
Crocodile ignore him as he force Vivi to sit in the chair opposite of him. "I trust you'll be comfortable there." he says pleasantly, "I must say that your timing is perfect. The party is about to begin, isn't that right Miss All-Sunday ?"
" Party ?" Nami ask as Robin pull out a watch, "It's exactly noon right now." she say softly, "Time for Operation Utopia."
"What ?" Vivi whispers fearfully in confusion.
Crocodile laugh coldly, "It will mean the demise of the Kingdom of Alabasta, Miss Wednesday." he says, "I'm going to wipe if off the face of the map as if it never was. All people, great and small, will be suck into eternal darkness as they rive into agony. Let Operation Utopia... begin !"
Usopp shuffle towards me and whisper in my ear, "Ok, is it just me, or is this guy completely insane ?"
"It's not just you." I whisper back, "The worst in this is that he actually has the mean to back up this insane plan of his. "
Crocodile laugh darkly at his sick and twisted plans. Vivi struggle against the ropes that now bound her to the chair, demanding to know what he was planning on doing to Alabasta. She let him know that if he plans on killing her father, he'd be dead before he could ever get close to him. But he didn't seem bother by that. Instead, he let her know that he didn't think that her father was even worth killing and instead, he was going to let him face something crueler than death. Vivi demand to know what he was talking about, screaming at him to just spill it. Crocodile smirk and confess his whole plan to her. How he plan to finish this country once and for all.
He had his agent kidnap her father and when Mr. 2 disguised himself as him, he was going to have him attack the citizens, believing that the king had betray them. Here the rebels would have the motivation they wanted. They would soon storm the capital and that would be the end of it all.
"That's horrible..." Nami whisper in horror, hands in front of her mouth and eyes wide.
"Well... do you like it ?" Crocodile ask Vivi, as if he really wanted to know if she liked the plan, "The operation you once participated in has now reached fruition. If you listen closely, I'd wager you can hear the howls of the kingdom. And they all scream the same thing... protect Alabasta...protect Alabasta... protect Alabasta..."
"STOP IT !" Vivi scream out, sounding close to tears again, "HOW ARE YOU SO CRUEL !?"
"He's sick." Zoro state, hand coming up to grab one of his swords.
"He's rubbing it all in her face, taunting her..." I add, eyes narrows on Crocodile smug face, "He knows what he's doing. He want to anger her so that she'll make a mistake."
Luffy glance at us before glaring back at Crocodile, lips tighten in disgust and barely restrained rage.
"It's heartbreaking, isn't it ?" Crocodile chuckle. "Their love for their kingdom will be what destroys it."
This was too much for Luffy. He charge at the cage again and was now tempting to break it apart with his bare hands.
"Is he stupid ?" Smoker suddenly asks as he turns to where Zoro and I were standing, "Didn't he hear what you said before ?"
"I'm sure he did." I answer nonchalantly, "He just doesn't care."
"He's stupid alright." Zoro add, a smile on his face, "But that's also why he's our captain."
Smoker face morph into one of utter confusion and doesn't surprise me at all. I wouldn't expect him to understand our way of thinking in our crew.
"Crocodile !" Luffy snarl, "I'm so gonna kick your ass !"
I scowl darkly at Crocodile who was way to smug for my liking and snap in irritation, "Enough chit chat and spit it out already !" everybody look at me in confusion as Crocodile raise an eyebrow at me, "If you think I'm stupid enough to believe that all of this was just for you to take control of this country, I'll be greatly insulted." I step forward, gripping the bars of the cage tightly as I narrow my eyes on him, "Come on, you're a pirate.. You went through three long years to be able to get to this point.. The sabotage to enflame the citizens.. Manipulating the royal army… creating the Baroque Works…" I pause slightly before adding, "What is so valuable in this country for you to go through such a length to destroy it ?"
Smoker stood suddenly and growl, " Wait a second." he say as he try to step toward me only to be stop by Zoro, "You mean to tell me that he's not even interest about taking over the country ? That it's not what all of this shit is all about ?!"
I snort in disgust, "As much as it pain me to admit it, that old bastard is a clever man." I glance back at him and add, "I don't know why the World Government thought it would be a good idea to instate this Warlord system. Once you start being a pirate, you stay a pirate until death, there's no way the Government could ever hope to control them. They just give them the means to do pirates stuff and claim that it's perfectly legal."
Smoker growl low in his throat as Crocodile burst out laughing.
"I knew you were a smart woman, Roronoa Riley !" he chuckle darkly before smirking at me, "Such a shame you'll die here, I actually like you. I could have used a brain like yours in my plans."
I sneer at him, "Yeah, pity really. " I say sarcastically.
He chuckle again in amusement as he turn back to Vivi, "So princess.. You're friend here is right, I do have some grander plan, can you guess what it is ?"
"As if I'd understand anything inside your foul mind !" Vivi snarl before knocking her chair back, "And I'm not going to wait to find out anyway ! I'm going to stop you ! There's still time ! If I can get to Alubarna before the rebel army I may be able to stop them ! I'll never give up while there's still a chance, no matter how small it is !"
Crocodile only chuckle as if he was laughing at the antic of a five years old.
"Somehow, I'm going to stop you !" Vivi declare, glaring fiercely at him, "Just watch ! You won't get away with this !"
Amused by this pathetic attempt, Crocodile told her that he and Miss all Sunday were about to meet her father in Alubarna themselves. But before he left, he held up a small key.
"The key to this cell ?! " Luffy yell in surprise, "Hey ! Give it !"
"Like he's going to give it to us because we asked." Zoro whisper sarcastically and Smoker and I snort in amusement at the same time, Zoro and I stare at him with raised eyebrows as he look like he was scolding himself for being amused at what a pirate had said.
Crocodile merely smile as he let the key drop as Vivi struggle with the ropes. She was able to rip them apart just as she made a wild snatch, but it was too late, Crocodile opens up a trap door and the key fell down a long shaft.
"It won't be too long before the rebels and the royal forces begin their battle to the death." Crocodile says, "Even if you hurry to Alubarna from here, who knows if you'd make it in time ?" he turn back to her, "To stop the rebellion you'd need to leave at once, Miss Wednesday. Will you do that ? Or will you try to save your friends instead ? It's your choice, but if you choose the latter, it doesn't help that I accidently dropped the key into the Banana Gator's den."
Zoro frown, "Banana …What ?" he mumble in confusion, never having heard of such a thing.
Vivi gasps as she looks down the hole in horror at the sight of the reptiles.
"What are those things ?" Luffy ask, before he shout, pointing to the window, "Look out the window ! There's an alligator growing outta that banana !"
I snort in fond amusement at him, "I don't think that's quite how it works…"
"In case you haven't noticed, that's not the only one !" Nami scream in panic.
"It looks like we're in an aquarium !" Usopp yell, sounding scare out of his mind, "I hope we're not the fish food !"
"What weird bananas…" Luffy says to himself.
Suddenly, Vivi let out a strangled horror gasp as she stares wide-eyed down the hole.
"What now ?" Zoro call out annoyingly.
"A big Banana Gator swallowed the key to your cell !" she cries.
"Well then go down there and make it spit it out !" Luffy yell as it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"She can't do that." I step in and everyone look at me, the look of panic on Vivi's face morphing in one of hope that someone could talk sense to Luffy, "She's not strong enough to kill just one of those beast, let alone five of them. The only ones here that could take those reptiles out would be you, Zoro, Smoker and I, and she's nowhere near our level. What would be a scratch to us could very well kill her. If she goes down there, she'll die."
"She's right !" Vivi exclaim in relief that I, at least, realize that she couldn't possibly take down the gators, "Banana Gators are so strong that they even prey on Sea King ! I'm not strong enough to face them !"
Crocodile put on a false pained expression, "Sorry." He says, no sounding sorry in the least, "You might've had the key if I hadn't accidently…dropped it. And now there is no telling which one of my pet swallowed it."
"You jerk !" Usopp yell angrily at him.
"Yeah ! You drop it on purpose !" Nami adds as we watch Crocodile start to leave through a hallway behind him, one made of glass, and we got a full look at least a dozen gators. Explaining further that Crocodile decided to flood the room we were in, he present Vivi with the choice to either go to Alubarna on time, or saving us before the room before the room completely fill with water in one hour. As Crocodile was explaining this challenge to Vivi, he ends up laughing at the rebels and about Toto still digging away his life in Yuba. It was then that he confessed that he was the one causing the sandstorms as well as the drought to drive the people here insane.
Vivi's face was livid, "I will kill you !" she shouts.
He sent her one last smug smirk before turning and heading through the door as the water began pouring into the room. Usopp freaks out at the sight of it, screaming for Vivi to help us and that he wanted to live longer than just an hour. Zoro then snap at him to calm down, but Usopp was past hearing, screaming that we were going to drown like rats if we didn't get out.
Watching Vivi, who seems to have lost all will to fight, crying and unsure of what to do, I snarl, tearing my cloak off, leaving me in my dark green tank top and black short, my weapons glistening proudly on my belt. Everyone had jumped in surprise at my sudden movement and they all watch me warily as I take my black bandana off my right biceps and use it to tie my hair up, leaving my deep red Ninjato in clear view for all to see.
Face set up in an angry scowl, I turn to Crocodile, "Laugh while you still can. If there is one thing I'm good at, it's being unpredictable." He raise an eyebrow as I went on, lowering my voice in an almost whisper, "You'll never know what hit you. I'll be so quiet, you won't even know I'm here. When you'll think you have the victory just a finger away, I'll be right in front of you to knock you out of your high horse and sent you right where you belong… to the ground. You'll see, you won't suspect a thing but I'll be there."
Crocodile eyes narrows at me for a moment before he drawl, "Is that a threat ?"
I smirk evilly, "A promise."
A hand land on my shoulder and squeeze a little and I turn to see the determinate face of Luffy. We stare at each other for a second before he yell at Vivi that she had to get us out.
"How Luffy?" she cries desperately as Crocodile look at him.
"So you're finally starting to beg for you're life, Straw Hat Luffy ?" he says, barely interest, "There's no shame in that. It's only natural, everyone's scared of dying."
I snort and mumble to myself, "Not everyone's like you, arsehole."
"I'm not begging !" Luffy snaps, "It's just that if we die, who else is gonna be able to kick your ass ?"
Crocodile merely raise an eyebrow, "Don't flatter yourself, you small fry."
"You're the small fry who think he's a big shot !" Luffy retort. Crocodile doesn't seem concerns as she snaps his fingers together again and another trap door opened so that one of the Banana Gators rears its ugly head.
He turns back to Vivi and says, "The choice is yours, princess. Which one matter the most to you ? The pirates who went out of their way to bring you home safe and sound… or your father and all of the innocent citizen of Alabasta ?"
Vivi stares at the Gator in fear, clutching her weapon tightly as it growl at her hungrily.
"Vivi !" Luffy yell, "You show that gators !"
"She's out of her league." I state grimly, "It's too much for her to handle. She has to get out of here."
"Maybe she can do it ?" Usopp ask anxiously, "There's only one of them…"
"No ! Look out the windows !" Nami cries and we all turn to see the other gators all lined up, one after the others.
"THEY'RE ALL WAITING IN LINE TO EAT US !" Usopp scream, "LIKE IT'S A FREAKING CAFETERIA !"
"At least we won't die drowning like rats." Zoro offers nonchalantly, "That would be a pretty lame death."
"Yeah, but getting eaten by ginormous alligator isn't the way I wanna go either !" Usopp snap back.
"You know.. If we weren't all about to die here, it'd be pretty funny." I say eyeing the gators before scowling down at the rapidly rising water that now reach my knees.
"It's not funny at all ! This is a nightmare !" Nami shriek in panic.
Vivi glare up at the gator, it opens its mouth wide as it growls. She tries to fight, but she has to dodge as it rammed its head right into the stairs, taking the steps out with a single bite like it was cardboard. We all scream at her to run, as she starts bleeding. But at that moment, something happen. The Transporter Snail that Robin have ring and a familiar voice sounds from it.
"Who are you ?" Crocodile growl in displeasure, glaring at the snail.
The snail face shows a lazy smile, "You can call me… Mr. Prince."
Luffy was about to call out to Sanji but Usopp covers his mouth, "Shut up, they don't know about him so let's keep it that way ! Sanji was inside the cabin when Mr. 2 showed up so they never met ! He's our ace in the hole so zip it !"
That was when the other realized that Sanji and Chopper where both still outside, and the only one that never showed their face to the Baroque Works. Sanji, nicknamed as Mr. Prince began talking to Crocodile. It sounds like he was mocking him and showing off, but soon there were the sounds of gunfire and yells. Another's voice was saying that they dealt with him as the other stare in horror as the Millions member told Crocodile to meet them in front of the casino.
"If he's not dead he's gonna wish he was !" Zoro yell with Luffy and Usopp freaking out behind him, "Cause I'm gonna kill him when I next see him !"
I smirk and squeeze his arm, "Don't worry. He's not the type to get himself killed that easily."
He looks down at me with a dubious look but huff, "Unfortunately, you might be right."
Crocodile smirk, telling the Million that he'll be there momentarily.
"Is this wise ?" Robin asks, reminding him that most of Baroque Works doesn't know who he is. But Crocodile dismiss it, reminding her that he owned the casino under his Warlord title. They wouldn't wonder why he would be going to check the trouble in front.
Meanwhile, Vivi was trying to climb up the destroyed stairs. The gator realizes that his dinner was getting away, turn back to her. Luffy yell at her, wanting to know what she was doing and she declare that she was going to help 'Mr. Prince'.
"Got it !" Usopp yell, "There's no way he kicked the bucket ! Not that guy ! If you can get him then I'm sure that he can get us free !"
"And Chopper's out there too !" Nami adds, " So we might actually have a chance of getting out of here !"
As Vivi got up the stairs, Crocodile use his powers and his hook to pull her back down so she was smacked against the floor, knocking her out. Water was spreading as Crocodile and Robin made it out the upper stairs and were looking down, with Crocodile claiming that if she cared so much about her friends, she could die here with us before he adds that he would be back with Mr. Prince after he killed him.
"Come on Vivi !" Usopp cheer as she slowly starts to get back up once Crocodile and Robin left.
Struggling hard for breath, she pushes her face up so that we can see the blood dripping down. "They've been there for me all this time…" I hear her whispering to herself as the other still cheer her on, "They've never let me down, and so I can't let them down either. And I won't let them die like this."
The gator went for her, but she used her weapon to slash its nose and it drew back in pain.
"There ya go !" Luffy yell with a big grin as Usopp and Nami cheers excitedly on. She then use the gator like stairs as she jumps back to the steps above, the other encouraging her all the way as only Zoro, Smoker and I were looking at her with black face, arm fold in a nonchalant way.
Then, the gator went back for her, the force that it had when it hit the wall cracked the windows and even more water spill in, gallons of water were pouring through the cracks.
I look down and scowl at the water that was now up my thighs, "At this rate, the walls are gonna break apart." I look up at the others seriously, "We'd be lucky to even have twenty minutes."
"Vivi !" Luffy calls, his attention still on the stairs as Vivi pull herself out of harm's way, "Are you okay !?"
"I'm fine !" she screams back, " I'm going to get help so just hold on ! I will get you out of there ! I'm not going to abandon any of you ! I promise I'll be right back with help, ok ?!"
"Ok ! You can do it Vivi !" Luffy and Usopp screams as she ran off.
Zoro stare after her for a moment before sighing and look down at me, raising an eyebrow seeing that I was glaring dagger at the water. "You know, glaring at it won't make it stop."
I grunt, but don't stop glaring.
He blinks and then, a slow smirk came to his face, "Oh, I see." He reaches out and pats my head like I'm a little kid, "Don't worry, if the water reaches your waist, I'll put you on my shoulders. It's not your fault if you're the smallest of us, apart for Chopper." I lift my eyes to him and glare harder. He only smirk and ruffle my hair, "I won't let you drown, squirt."
I slap his hand away, "You're only two head taller than me. It's not that much of a difference."
He chuckle and put his arm to rest it on top of my head, "Uh uh… If that makes you happy to think so."
I scowl and cross my arm, "You're so mean to me."
A snort makes us turn to see Smoker with his lips tilt slightly upward.
I glare at him, "Something funny ?"
Smoker looks me up and down pointly and raise an eyebrow.
"Hey." Zoro says to him, eyes narrows on him, "You're not part of the crew, so you don't have the right to tease her. She might not look like it but she could crush you if she wanted to."
Smoker sneer at him, blowing some smoke, "I'm not stupid, Roronoa. I know very well that she's not some weakling." He look down at me very seriously, "At first glance, you just seems like a small girl with a pretty face, but your eyes says otherwise." His gaze swift to the bare part of my stomach and my bare arms and legs, "You have some good muscles too, but it took even me a while to really understand that." His eyes narrow on me again, "And that's what makes you dangerous."
I huff, "Of course. People underestimate me all the time and I don't bother correcting them. I learned that even the slightest advantage is important."
Suddenly, an other part of the windows cracked and more water came out of it.
"ALL OF US ARE GONNA DIE !" Luffy screams as Usopp shrieks about the gators, "THE WATER'S GONNA BE UP OUR NECK ANY MOMENT !"
"HEY ! HEYYYY !" Nami scream, sticking her arm through the bars, "HEY YOU STUPID GATOR ! IF YOU'RE HUNGRY COME AND GET ME !"
I stalk up to her and pull her arm back inside, just as the gator was about to bit it. "What do you think you're doing ?!"
"I'm trying to lure that gator in close enough that he'll bite this cage apart !" she yells back as she sticks her arm out again.
"It's not going to work !" I yell at her again, "This isn't a normal metal cage ! It's Karioseki !"
"WATCH OUT !" Usopp screams just as the gator's teeth come down on the cage, Usopp, Luffy and Nami cowering and covering their head. But as the gator bit down, the cage didn't so much as tremble and all of its teeth cracked and broke apart.
"THE CAGE IS TOO TOUGH !" Usopp scream looking ready to start bursting in tears.
"THE BANANA DIDN'T EVEN DENT IT !" Luffy screams dejectedly, just as Smoker spoke up, in a surprisingly disinterested voice.
"It's just what Roronoa girl was trying to tell you, you stupid girl." He says turning to Nami, "It's not a normal cage, it's made of Karioseki. It's even harder than diamond, unbreakable."
Nami gape at him dumbly before turning toward me, "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME !"
I just give her an evil look and turn to Smoker, "Just call me Riley. It's bound to be confusing if you use Roronoa for Zoro and me."
He stares at me blankly, before grunting and nodding slightly. "So…," he says calmly, "Tell me something. How much exactly do you know about what's really going on here ? What is Crocodile really after ?"
We stare at each other for a moment before I respond innocently, "How should I know ?"
He snort, "I think I pretty much figured out how your mind work, Riley…" his eyes narrows as I let out a scoff, showing him clearly that I absolutely don't believe it, "And that woman ? You do know who she is, right ?"
At the mention of Robin, my body immediately took a defensive stance, shoulders straighten and eyes sharpening as I couldn't prevent the glare in his direction.
"That's right !" Nami step in, blinking in realization, "You two seemed to have a sort of understanding when she appears on our ship when we'd leaved Whiskey Peak. And you did tell us that you knew who she was."
As everyone was looking at me with curiosity, or in Smoker case, irritation, I sigh tiredly, "Let's just say that I know what she's gone through. I was exactly like her after Aiden died." I look up at everyone and went on, "She had a bounty on her head since she was eight years old, and from what I know, she didn't do anything to deserve it apart for being able to read some ancient language."
Smoker sneer at that, "That woman is dangerous. Of course she deserves that bounty. She's a criminal."
I glare at him, "You're telling me that she was already a criminal at eight ? You don't see anything wrong with that at all ?"
"She killed people." Smoker state simply.
"Of course she did !" I snap at him and he jump slightly in surprise, "What choice did she had ? She was just a little girl and suddenly some fucking marines and bounty hunter were after her either to kill her or sent her to prison ! I won't deny that today she did deserve her outlaw statue, I know very well that she is a dangerous woman. But at the very beginning she was only a scared child who didn't have anyone to rely on." I shake my head in disgust, "You think you know everything, Smoker, but the World Government is full of fucking liars. The only difference is that nobody would ever dare to question them because they're calling themselves the good guys. You work for them so you must at least have a little bit of clue that not everything is at it seems."
The silence that follow was tense as I stare hard at Smoker somewhat confused face.
"I see…" he says in a skeptic voice, but I can see that he was at least thinking about what I said, "So…" he turn to Luffy who was watching us with a surprisingly blank expression, "How do you intend to get out of here ?"
He blink blankly at him before looking down at the water that was now reaching his hips and starts freaking out again.
Just then, the same voice from the Transporter Snail spoke up, "It's really impolite to make a lot of noise at mealtime like you were doing. I'll teach you to behave." And then the gator was suddenly flying, the impact of the kick was so great that the water seems to part around it, "BAD MANNERS KICK COURSE !"
Sanji look down at the large dent on the gator stomach and sneer, "That thing has the manners of a reptile."
"Maybe because they are reptiles !" Usopp snap angrily at him.
"Hey guys." Sanj says, looking up at us, "Been waiting long ?"
"YHEA ! IT'S ! WE'RE FINALLY GONNA GET OUT OF HERE NOW !" Luffy cheer, tears of relief in his eyes.
"Thank you." Nami gasp in relief as Zoro snap at him to hurry and find the key.
But Sanji swoon, heart in his eyes, "Nami-san ! Riley-chan ! Do you love me yet !? I'm here to save you !"
"That was a very good job you did with Crocodile, Sanji." I praise him with a proud smile.
"Really ?!" he gasp, eyes litting up in a childish joy.
"Really." I nod at him, still smiling, "Now if you could hurry and get us out of this cage before we drown, that would be most helpful."
He nods sharply, setting his face in a determinate scowl. Looking up, I spot Vivi as she was giving us thumbs up from her place on the top of the stairs. Sanji turns back to the gators that were crawling up into the room in droves. Each one was baring their teeth at him as he turns back to them all calmly. "More dinners with bad manners huh ?"
Sanji raise his foot, ready to kick any moment, "Ok, who wants to be a purse ? And who wants to be a wallet ?"
Smoker step forward, "Take down the third one that just came out. He's the one with the key."
"Hey." Luffy says, looking back at him, "How do you know that, Smokey ?"
"Guess you ears aren't as big as your mouth." Smoker sneer down at him.
I scowl and step beside Luffy, "Shut it, Smokey." I grab Luffy's chin and make him look at the gators, "Listen closely."
The gators growls and Luffy blink in surprise, "Oh ! The third one's deeper, right ?"
I smile and ruffle his hair as he smile proudly at me, "Good job Luffy !"
I hear Smoker snort behind us and sent him a glare above my shoulder.
Sanji went straight to that gator, and when he kicked it, something large, round and white came spitting out of its mouth.
"What's that ? An egg ?" Luffy ask at once as the large, perfectly round ball came bursting out and hit the floor, splashing water everywhere.
To say that everyone was shocked when the 'egg' suddenly cracked open and Mr.3 was there, looking as dried up as a mummy and fell into the water.
"Yes ! Water at last ! It's a miracle !" Mr. 3 gasps out.
We all gape at him, looking wide eyes as he shove water in his mouth desperately.
"What the hell was he doing inside the belly of a Banana Gator ?!" Nami yells out in disbelief.
I blink blankly, not tearing my gaze of Mr. 3, "Well… the only explanation I can think of is that he must have pissed Crocodile off enough that this…" I gesture with my hand awkwardly, "was his way of saying that Mr. 3 services so far was appreciated but that he wouldn't be needed anymore."
"Well, I guess that one way of knowing when you're fired." Zoro state.
Mr. 3 didn't even notice us as he recovers and began talking to himself that after Crocodile fed him the gator, he used his power to create the wax ball and survive. That was when he noticed something attached to the wax ball and picked up the key.
Nami, Usopp and Luffy starts yelling, trying to reach through the bar to grab it and he freaks out as soon as he saw us. Obviously still having traumatic flashbacks to what happened at Little Garden.
However, the stunned look on his face changes slowly as he put two and two together.
"Now I see what's happening here." He says, an evil smirk uncurling on his face.
"Mr. 3 I presume ?" Sanji step up to him and Mr. 3 jump in shock at that, demanding to know how Sanji knew who he was.
"Really ?" Zoro drawl, raising a dubious eyebrow, "Doesn't he realize what he did to his hair ?"
I shrug, "He's got brains, but no common sense."
"Well, you hair kinda gave it away." Sanji answers back, holding his hand out to take the key, "I'll take the key, toss it here."
"Sure thing !" Mr. 3 yells with a toothy, malevolent grin, "Here it goes !" and then he tosses the key as far away as he could. We all watch in horror, safe for Smoker and I, as it went flying and landing in the water, right in the middle of all those gators.
"Damn him !" Zoro yell furiously.
"I don't know who you are." Mr. 3 says, turning back to Sanji, still cackling insanely, "But if you want the Straw Hats free, you're no friend of mine ! Good luck ! You'll need it with all those alligators around, trust me I know !"
"Jerk." Sanji snarl, looking ready to give him a beating.
"Better find it soon !" Mr. 3 taunts him, "That water's rising !"
As the other look down, they see that the water was indeed going dangerously high and starts yelling frantically.
I sigh tiredly, "This day is getting incredibly long…" I mutter to myself before looking up and calling out, "Sanji !" he stop glaring at Mr. 3 to look at me, "That guy has wax powers ! Force him to make a key with it !"
"What !?" Mr. 3 shrieks in outrage as he turn to gape at me, "You can't do that !"
I scowl at him, "Without us, you'll still be stuck into that gator stomach. We saved you from a much undignified exit from this alligator excrement. The least you could do to repay us is to make us a key." I pause as he still looks at me with wide eyes and shrug, "But that doesn't matter. It's not as if we're asking your permission. I'm sure Sanji knows what I mean."
Sanji smirk evilly at that and grab a hold of Mr. 3 before he could even think of running away. He then proceed to beat him up within an inch of his life before he let up enough for Mr. 3 to turn his finger into a wax key and opens the door. "Nice work, candle man." He says amiably, "Now there are just two more things to do."
He pin a note to Mr. 3 chest, 'Mr. Prince was here.' And then kick him hard enough that he went flying against the wall and knocked out.
Everyone piled out of the cell the moment Sanji opened it and said that we had to hurry because he didn't know how much more time we had before Crocodile came back. Nami agreed, saying that we had to hurry and stop the rebels before they reached Alubarna and that we should be able to get out through the hall that Crocodile was about to take before. But Vivi cried out that the hall was filled with Banana Gators.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." I say amusingly and point behind them as they turn around to see that Zoro and Luffy had just taken care of them all.
"THAT'S IT !" Luffy yell out, practically roaring with energy, "I CAN TAKE ON HUNDREDS OF THOSE WEIRDS BANANAS !"
"Well…" Nami says in astonishment, "Problem solved."
Vivi turn away, suddenly crying in shame after seeing how easily they took care of them all. "And I had so much trouble with just one of them." Usopp try to comfort her, saying that she shouldn't compare herself to their insane strength… but that's when things got worse.. as it always did.
The walls all cracked and broke apart and as the water came rushing towards us, my arms snap out to take a hold of Smoker wrist as I was the one closest to him, even though I hear Luffy cried out at Zoro to help me with him before he disappear in the water.
Smoker eyes widen before he glares at me and try to jerk his arm off my hand, "What the fuck are you – "
That was all he could say before the water crash into us and all I could do was hold my breath and submit to the waves.
Reaching to surface, I take a huge gulp of fresh air, coughing some water out of my mouth and taking the time to breath some more before helping Zoro pulling Smoker up into the shore.
Standing up, I squeeze the water out of my soaked shirt and hair as much as possible and frown up at the sky, a little surprise to see that the sun was setting down already.
We must've been down there for more time than I though…
"You saved him !?" I turn to see Sanji snarling down at Zoro, the others looking at Smoker and him in disbelief while Luffy was still gasping for breath sprawled out on the ground. "He's the enemy ! You should've just let him down there !"
"I didn't want to do it either," Zoro snarls back, "But Riley already had hold of him and Luffy told me to help her !"
"It doesn't matter anymore !" I snap at them, not in the mood to listen to their usual banter, "We gotta get moving guys ! We've lost too much time already." I turn to the girls, "Vivi, can we still make it ?"
"I don't know." Vivi admit as she rung out her robes, Sanji then turn to Nami and ask if she still had the perfume he bought her yesterday and ask her to put some on.
"What's the point of that ?" Vivi ask curiously.
"So that Chopper can find us." Sanji answer as if it was obvious.
And I sneeze.
They all look at me as I rub my nose and scowl, "I really can't stand strong smell like that."
Nami roll her eyes at me, "Honestly, and you call yourself a woman ?"
I sneer at her, "I am a woman, and very proud of it. I don't understand the point of all your girly stuff because I was raised to be a warrior, not a princess."
Sanji swoon, "Don't worry Riley-swan ! You're beautiful even without skirt or make up !"
I raise an eyebrow at him, "Err… Thanks ?"
Suddenly, a voice behind us scream furiously, "RORONOA !" and we turn to see Smoker slam his jitte at Zoro, who blocked it with one of his swords, "Why did you save my life, you and that sister of yours ?!" he demand loudly, looking ready to fight him then and there, sparing me a glare above Zoro shoulder.
"A thank you would have been enough." I respond dryly.
"Even if Riley didn't have grabbed you, Luffy told me to get you despite all of my protest." Zoro add coldly, "All I did was follow my captain's order. That's it. And Riley just seems to like you, strangely enough. So don't read too much into it. It was just one of their crazy whims, we don't understand how their minds works sometimes, but they seem to understand each other. That's all that matter."
Smoker blink in confusion and take a step back, deep in though after what Zoro just said.
He glances at me, frowning in though, then at Luffy before looking back at Zoro, "And you wouldn't have any gripes with me carrying my duties and arresting you, right ?"
"See ?" Sanji demand, "I knew it ! That's what you get for saving a marine !"
I look at Smoker blankly, folding my arms against my chest, "You could." I say, catching his attention as his grey eyes settle on me, "Most of the Marines these days did go by what they call 'absolute justice'. While I do know that they wish to maintain law and order by apprehending criminals, the techniques that they use can often be no better, or in some cases even worse, than the pirates they seek to wipe out." The others all blink at me in curiosity, Zoro frowning in thought, while Smoker was just staring at me with a surprisingly blank face. "The question is, Captain Smoker, which kind of marine are you ? One of those who'll do anything to send a little group of harmless pirates in Impel Down, simply because we escaped you once and your pride was a little hurt because of it. Or are you one of those who would let us go, putting the needs of the civilians of this country first, and help bring down Crocodile, who is abusing the title that the World Government had given him."
A silence settle then, heavy with tension as everyone was looking worriedly back and forth between Smoker and I. Only Zoro seems to be relax here, almost amused, if the slight upward tilt of his lips was of any indication.
I take a step forward, now almost nose to nose with Smoker as I look up at him, staring in his eyes with a hint of challenge, whispering, "What kind of justice do you follow, Smoker ?"
He stare down at me, lips set in a thin line, and open his mouth to say something when suddenly, Usopp and Luffy were back on their feet, yelling loudly about getting to Alubarna. Then, Luffy notice Smoker and turn to face him, looking ready to fight, "You want some ? Bring it on !" he yells as Usopp beg him to just forget about him and run for it.
There was a very tense silence as Smoker look at us all. For a moment, we could have thought for sure that he was going to just ignore what I said and what we did for him and try to capture us… but whether it was because of what I said to him or the fact that we saved him, he finally answers.
"I should… but you just saved my life." He says quietly, just as the sounds of his men could be heard. He just stares at every one of us thoughtfully before closing his eyes and sighing, "Go. This is the only time I'm letting you Straw Hats off, got it ? When we next meet… it's gonna be as enemies."
I smirk and raise an eyebrow at him, "I think we can all live with that."
If only more Marines were like Smoker… someone who follows what he think is right and doesn't care what others, even his superiors, say about it.
Everyone stare at him, some even broke out into smiles as Sanji declare that was our cue to get out of here. The others all run off, but I stay back, seeing that Luffy was still staring at Smoker, Zoro stopping and calling after us to hurry up.
Luffy stare at Smoker for a moment longer, while the other was looking rather confused and raise an eyebrow at him.
Luffy than smile with all of his teeth showing, "Hey, you're not such a bad guy, Smokey !"
Startle at what he said, Smoker's face grow red from either embarrassment or anger, maybe both, and roar, "WOULD YOU GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE, STRAW HAT ?!" swinging his jitte at us, which cause us to start running, laughing our head off, the group of marines not far behind.
"Do you really have to push your luck like that every time ?!" Zoro ask Luffy while running, though he has an amused smirk on.
Luffy just laugh at him and I answer with a smile of my own, "That's what he does best, we just have to live with it and hope for the best !"
"Hurry !" Usopp yell out from the front, "Those Marines are hot on our heels !"
"ALRIGHT GUYS !" Luffy cries out, taking the lead, "We've got lots to do so we're not gonna stop until we get to Alubarna ! Are you with me !?"
We all smile brightly and cheers in full agreement.
All I can do is blink blankly at the sight in front of me, as the others all gape in obvious surprise.
After running for what seemed like hours and finally getting rid of the marines, Chopper found us just outside town, in the desert, and was waiting for us with Eyelash, that stupid camel, proudly sat on the back of the largest crab that I have ever seen. The crab was grinning happily, with ropes attached to either side of its mouth.
"Hey guys !" Chopper yells down at us, waving excitedly, "HOP ON !"
Usopp scream, his eyes bugging out so that he look like the crab, "A CRAB !?"
"Chopper !" Nami yell in shock as Vivi gasp in amazement at the 'Moving Crab' as she call it. But Luffy was actually drooling when he saw it, obviously thinking of eating it until Chopper call out that he was going to give us a ride.
"We get to ride it ?!" Luffy cries happily as Chopper explain that Eyelash was born in Rainbase and has a lot of friends.
"I can't believe you found one !" Vivi says as Scissors, apparently it was the name that Nami thought would suit him best, use his claw to raise us off the ground and onto his back, "Moving Crabs are always submerged under the sand so it's nearly impossible to spot one !"
Zoro seeing that I was still staring blankly at the creature, nudge my shoulder, "Alright here ?"
I blink up at him, "A crab… in the desert… we're riding a crab in the desert."
He raises an eyebrow, "… Yeah ? What of it ?"
I blink again, "… Never mind." I look down at the crab in interest, "Judging by its size, I'm guessing that this thing can move pretty fast…"
"Alright !" Chopper declare, Luffy hanging onto the crab's eye as he shook out the reins and we start moving off at an incredible speed.
"WOW !" Usopp scream out in surprise, "This thing can move ! We'll be to Alubarna in no time !"
But at we were gaining speed, really starting to enjoy the ride, we all heard Vivi screaming in terror behind us. Startled, we all turn to see that Crocodile's hook had hooked her around the waist and was pulling her backwards, away from us.
Without thinking, I jump to her and grab her, succeeding at switching our place and I just had the time to catch a glimpse of her shocked face before Sanji caught her and put her safe behind him.
As the hook was now pulling me, Luffy stretch his arm out and pull himself just behind me, the others yelling after us but it was too late, as they disappear in the desert.
"Riley, whatever happens, stay away from Crocodile." Luffy tell me urgently as he managed to free me from the hook, "Go hide somewhere he can't see you !" and he throw me away.
I let out a startle gasp as I land in the sand and Luffy land somewhere a little more away.
I stood and scowl, "Go hide somewhere, he said…"
Looking around, I spot some high pile of rock, not too far from where Luffy and Crocodile were, where I'll be able to see and hear everything.
I sigh and put on a determinate expression before walking toward it and climbing up.
Once at the top, making sure that I was at least not easily spotable, I look down to see Luffy sitting up on the sand, Crocodile and Robin just in front of him.
"It seems that Princess Vivi slipped through our fingers." Robin speaks up.
But Crocodile doesn't seem too upset by it, "No matter." He says casually, "The agents are still scheduled to gather in Alubarna. Contact them at once."
He turns and look down his nose at Luffy, "Straw Hat, I'd say you've taken this nonsense a little too far."
Luffy, whose face has turned hard and serious and stood, pulling off the blue scarf that was wrapped around his head and hat.
"Nonsense ?" he repeats softly, "Vivi doesn't see it that way. You see, unlike most people, she generally cares about others."
Crocodile keep looking at him in a bored way as Luffy pull off his robe and finish dusting off all the sand from his clothes. "I guess deep down she's an optimist." Luffy went on, "Even if it's not too realistic. Take this revolt for example, she believes that nobody needs to die."
"Nobody needs to die ?" Crocodile repeats with a smirk, highly amused, "She truly is too tender-hearted for her own good. As well as naïve. It's sad to admit that the real world isn't like that… people get hurt all the time."
I shake my head and sigh through my nose. That's the problem I have with Vivi from the very beginning. She wants everything, but doesn't want anyone to make any sacrifices for it.
If she can't accept the fact that there will be sacrifices and compromises, then she should just give it up saving anything.
Luffy seem to agree with that as he answers, "Yep. But that doesn't change the fact that as long as you're around, Vivi's gonna fight until she either wins or dies trying. So I figure…" his eyes turn dangerous as he stare Crocodile down, "I'LL TAKE YOU DOWN RIGHT HERE !"
But Crocodile merely chuckle at that, "Such a foolish boy." He says casually, "Despite what the idealist cry about there's one constant truth. On the rough battlegrounds of life, you either kill or die. That's why I'm more than happy to shoot a bullet through every bleeding heart I meet."
Luffy hum and nod thoughtfully, cracking his knuckles, "Yeah." He says, "Which proves you're the bigger fool."
I snort in amusement and look as Crocodile's eyes turn dangerous and he bit down his cigar so hard that it broke apart.
Well, he sure doesn't have to try hard to tick people off… it's like a gift he's born with.
Robin, however, was chuckling to herself at Luffy's words, holding her fingers up to her mouth as she fights the urge to laugh out loud.
Crocodile glare at Robin out of the corner of his eyes, seeing her laughing, "You think something's funny ?" he growl at her, as if daring her to answer, "Perhaps you'll like to die as well… Nico Robin ?"
"If you want to try, go right ahead." Robin says calmly, as if she couldn't care less about what he says. She turns away, still smiling before she asks as she walks away, "And didn't you promised me that you'd never call me by that name ?"
"Where are you going ?" Crocodile demand as he watches her retreating back.
"I'm heading to Alubarna." She calls back without stopping or even looking back at him, "See you there."
I narrow my eyes on her as she get on walking, a smile still on her lips.
"Damn woman I'll never figure her out." Crocodile mutter to himself as he reach into his coat and pull out a small hourglass. He throws it to Luffy's feet and the sand inside it began to fall. "I got three minutes to spare." He informs him as Luffy look down at the hourglass with a raise eyebrow, "After that, I'm certain your time will run out as well."
I sneer at him in disgust, "Why, you arrogant jerk."
"I think it's more over-confidence than arrogance, but it's true that he isn't one for modesty."
Without thinking twice, more out of reflex than anything else, I spin around and throw a knife in the direction of the voice behind me while crouching in a defensive stance.
Sprouting an arm out of her chest, Robin catch it just before it could reach her heart.
She raise an eyebrow at me, "You're very fast."
I straight up and level her with a bored look, "Not fast enough apparently, seeing as you managed to stop it."
She smiles, "Had it been any other than me, you would have been successful. Let's just say that I'm a special case."
She walks up to me and held out the knife to me, handle first, "Mind if I join you watching those two ?"
I stare at her thoughtfully for a moment, than shrug and take the knife back and put it with the others on my belt.
She smile kindly and move beside me, looking down at the two under us, "You're an intriguing person, Roronoa Riley. No matter how hard I tried, I never managed to find out who you truly are. And I'm not used to failure."
I can't help the smirk that appears on my face, "You will never find anything about my past without asking me directly."
She look at me with those hypnotizing blue eyes of hers, "Crocodile was quite disappointed. Since I told him about you, he was really anxious about meeting you…" she smiles amusingly, "But I don't think he was very pleased to see that you didn't fear him, going as far as to directly threaten him."
I chuckle lowly, "I've seen my fair share of dangerous men and the only one I was ever afraid of, I killed him when I was eighteen."
"Your father, right ?" she ask, curiosity evident in her voice, "If what you said when you were in that cage was true, then I assume you didn't have an easy childhood."
I look at her with narrowed eyes, "Maybe I'll tell you about it when you'll tell me about yours. From what I heard, we aren't that different."
Her eyes turn cold for just a fraction of second before her face became blank again, "I don't think that would be comparable."
I smile mysteriously, "You'd be surprise." I pause hesitantly before saying, "I know that you stayed working with Crocodile because it could benefice you in the long run, yet you don't approve of what he's doing in this country. He doesn't trust you as far as he can throw you and it's a mutual feeling between the two of you. You're the only person I know that can stand up to him without him trying to kill you for it."
"The key is to show him that you aren't afraid. That you know that he is in charge but you're no pushover either." Robin answers honestly, "He won't kill me because I'm the only one who can give him want he wants. Not the ideal situation, but it kept me alive this long."
I hum thoughtfully and look back down at Crocodile and Luffy who were still staring each other down below us.
"You three minutes are counting down." Crocodile informs Luffy, "I don't have any more time to waste on you." After another brief pause, Crocodile seems to grow bored as he held up his hook and taunt him by saying, "It's your move kid."
"With pleasure." Luffy says as he cracks his fingers, "Gum Gum…PISTOL !"
And with his trademark punch, he stretch out to hit him, but even though he hit him full on, it went right through him when he turn into sand.
"It's not going to be easy for your Captain." Robin comment, still looking down at the fight, "Logia's are rather annoying to deal with."
"Yes." I agree easily, "However, despite their powerful abilities, they are far from truly being invincible. Sneak attacks are more likely to work, as the user will not be ready to avoid them. And especially inexperienced Logia users tend to be overconfident, as they are unaccustomed to physically dodging attacks, due to their powers. They tend to just stand there and wait for it, so sure that it'll go right through them."
"But Crocodile is far from inexperienced." Robin point out.
"True." I acknowledge with a nod, "He did went to the ShinSekai so he knows what to expect there… But he's so used to encounter weaker opponent than him here that he unconsciously let his guard down. He's bound to make a mistake."
Robin frown, "Is the Shin Sekai really that different from the Grand Line ?"
I pause and look at her blankly, "My informations all came from the most reliable source there could ever be. I never do my researches by half. That could be dangerous for the crew if something turn out to be false."
Her lips tilt upward in a small smile, "So you really are the brain of the Straw Hats crew."
I just shrug and turn back to the fight in time to see that Luffy just barely dodge as Crocodile flew at him and tried to stick his hook into his head. Luffy's forced to bend back and do a handstand as he uses his foot to try and kick him there. But once again, his attack did no damage as he dissolves into sand.
In frustration, Luffy brought his foot back, and the impact knock him to the ground as he caught his breath.
"By now it should be quite obvious." Crocodile state as his body was pulled back together as Luffy got back up from the ground,"But I'll warn you. You cannot beat me !" Luffy was grinding his teeth together as he glare at him and Crocodile finish, "This is a lesson in futility."
Naturally, Luffy didn't seem to care as he turns to face him, "Gum Gum… GATLING GUN !"
The attack that is known to take out dozens of people at once, all went right through Crocodile.
And that's not surprising. I clench my jaw as I glare down at Crocodile bored face, Haki really is one of the only few way to deal with them, but at this point, none of the Straw Hat even heard of it and unfortunately, it have to stay that way, for now at least.
Which is why all of us are stuck with finding creative ways to get around it.
I pause and glance at my Ninjato on my back. Having Karioseki in my throwing knives really is a chance of fate, but if the legend is true about this Ninjato…
The Fallen Angel's blade… the blade which supposedly hold the powers of the devil himself.
If there is one thing I'm certain of, is that all legends are born from at least one true fact, but that doesn't mean that they're always accurate.
"Listen to my warning and take the heed." Crocodile voice brings my attention back to the fight. "If you continue with these senseless attacks… you will have accomplished nothing." He says with that annoying smile of his.
"Your Boss sure love to hear himself talk." I say dryly to Robin who chuckle quietly with good humor as Luffy charge off once again, stretching his arm out for a Gum Gum Bazooka. Even as he hit him with such a normally powerful attack, sand came bursting from Crocodile's back, still unaffected as he merely look on with a rather blank expression, as if this wasn't worth his time.
Now getting desperate, Luffy sent his foot flying up into the air, ready to use the same attack that once tore up the Baratie and destroyed Arlong Park, and brought it back down to cut Crocodile in half. The dust was so thick that we couldn't even see anything for a moment, but we didn't to see to know just what was going to happen. When it cleared, there was no sign of Crocodile and Luffy was breathing hard, stomping furiously in the sand as he scream out, "DAMN YOU, YOU LOUSY, OLD, STUPID SAND GATOR !"
"You're wasting your time, boy." Crocodile says with the same bored tone as he reform behind Luffy this time.
Spinning around to face him, Luffy cries out, "You bastard !"
"No matter how hard you fight against the truth, there's no way that a rubber freak like you could even hope to rival me." Crocodile says just as Luffy lost it and punch his mouth, getting rid of part of his face and cutting off what Crocodile was saying.
Luffy smirk cockily, "I'm sorry !" he says, not sounding sorry at all, "My fist interrupted you ! Now what was that ?!"
I snort a laugh and shake my head in amusement even as I look down at him with increasing worry building in the pit of my stomach.
Robin frown, "You do realize that he's going to pay heavily for his insults here ?"
I sigh, "The problem with Luffy is that he's bold and reckless. He doesn't understand subtility or the concept to think of the consequences of his actions. He just charges ahead and deal with things as it comes, and he eventually wins in the end." I shake my head in bewilderment, "I never saw anyone with as much sheer dumb luck as he has."
Robin hums thoughtfully, "You think he has a chance of winning ?"
I look up at her seriously, "He's going to lose, I know that." I state, "But he's not going to die. And as long as he still lives, he's going to come back and fight again until he's victorious."
Robin frown, seeming confused at my view of things and purse her lips in thought.
Still with a grave expression in place, I look back down to see that Crocodile's calm expression had faded. He had been unruffled and collected the whole time they had fought until now, but now he seems to be close to losing patience completely as he holds up his golden hook.
"I've had my fill of your pathetic fun and games !" he yells, no longer playing around, "Let's end this now !"
"Fun and games ?!" Luffy repeats angrily as he wipes some of the sweat from his face, "Trust me, I'm dead serious, you jerk !"
"We may both be pirates !" Crocodile yell as his right hand began turn into a blade of sand. "But you fall grossly short on skill !" he then brought his hand down and cry out his attack, "DESERT SPADA !"
And from his hand comes a fast-moving sand and then stabs it into the ground, extending it alone the ground like a torpedo, splitting anything in its path, including the very ground itself. Those wave of sand heading right for him, Luffy didn't think of moving until the wave hit a rock that was directly in its pathway and it was split right in half.
"Damn it, Luffy, dodge it…" I say to myself while biting my thumbs nail nervously, not tearing my gaze of him.
I silently thanks whatever instincts that caused Luffy to move for he step out of the way just in time. But when the dust clears, my eyes widens at the deep ravine that had formed from the attack.
"That was way too close." I gulp as I feel a little bit of sweat drop from my forehead.
"This is the real power of sand." Robin says softly, "Drying out and erosion… this attack is strong enough to slice a normal man in half."
Crocodile then surprise me a little by giving Luffy a compliment as he turn his hand back to normal, "Nice reflexes, boy. A full hit from that attack would've killed you."
Luffy look down the chasm that Crocodile created with a shocked expression, "What the… ? That's one deep hole !"
"You may have Devil Fruit powers." Crocodile went on as he hold up his hand, his fingertips halfway to sand, and was being blow in the wind. "But you lack discipline and training. With that, your skills could be as formidable as any ! But you're not there yet ! Like so many fools before you, you waste time obsessing over your abilities ! Gimmicks only get you so far in a fight, without the skills to back it up."
I sigh evilly at his statement, making Robin look at me in curiosity, "I really hate to admit it, but Crocodile is a really clever man." I turn to her and at her raised eyebrow, I add, "Relying too heavily on a Devil Fruit ability, no matter what they are, is never a good thing." I grimace in distaste, "I hate the fact that I agree with him on something, even if it's this."
My attention went back to Crocodile as he cries, "Desert GIRASOLE !"
And here, he create another lose sand blade from his hand. But this time, when he stabs it into the ground, the area in front of him starts to collapse. In its place was a giant pit where the sand was being sucked down like it was going down the drain. Luffy stare at him in confusion before he realize that he was being pulled right into the hole as well.
"It's quicksand." Robin gasps out, actually looking worried for Luffy this time, "He needs to get out of there or else he'll be trapped underground."
Luffy was already running as fast as he could to let himself out of the pit, but so far it wasn't doing him any good. He yells in panic, not getting what was going on as Crocodile watch in pleasure.
I take an instinctive step forward before catching myself and stepping back.
I can't go and help him. He won't ever forgive me if I step into his fight.
I snarl and turn around to pace back and forth, passing my hand through my hair in a way of venting my frustration.
When I calm down enough to turn back and continuing watching them, I noticed that Robin wasn't here anymore.
I frown, wondering when did she disappear and then shrug. That woman was always unpredictable anyway.
"What's wrong ? Never heard of quicksand ?" Crocodile calls as Luffy keeps running. Every few steps that he takes were being dragged back, at this rate he'd never get out. "It makes for a convenient desert burial when you need to get rid of someone in a hurry. The sand is drawn down into underground waterways and I have good fortune of being able to detect exactly where they are ! That advantage alone is enough to make me unbeatable when fighting in the desert !"
"If you think I'm going to let myself be buried alive in this sand trap, you've got another thing coming !" Luffy yell as his eyes widen with inspiration and he use another Bazooka attack to propel himself right off the trap.
Luffy shot up into the air and make a beeline straight for the Warlord, "If I can't slug you," he cries as he lace his fingers together, "Then maybe I can catch you instead !"
I almost face palm myself at that… sometimes I wonder if he does this kind of thing in purpose to piss people off, or if he's really serious about it.
As his finger tried to trap him, Crocodile use another wave of sand to block the net, "Haven't you learned anything, moron ?" he demand, now sounding deeply annoyed, "Predictable…"
"SHUT UP !" Luffy yells, trying to use a Gum Gum Whip to try and cut him in half.
I bit my lower lip as I understand what's going on. Luffy's desperate, he just throws random attacks just for the hell of it because he doesn't know what to do anymore.
Crocodile sigh tiredly as he put his two half back together, "This is getting old." Suddenly, his powers worked like a quicksand once again, and pulled Luffy towards him.
"Let me go !" Luffy cries as he tries to put his arm free, "I'm warning you !"
Crocodile swung his right arm forward while leaving a crescent shaped trail of sand behind it.
"Crescent CUTLASS !" he cries and slash at Luffy's arm. Luffy then scream in pain as he grab his arm and jump away so that he land hard on his back.
What'd he do ?! I ask myself, half expecting to see a blood stump where Luffy arm once was, but what I saw make my eyes widen in terror. His entire right arm to his elbow had been dried up… mummified.
As I watch Luffy scream and trash around, I understand that this must be extremely painful, for Luffy resistance to pain is normally really, really high.
Luffy stare at his shriveled arm, unable to believe what he was seeing, "WHAT DID YOU DO !?" he demand from where he lay, glaring dagger at Crocodile.
"Stop whining." Crocodile tell him dully, "This is the price you pay ! The sand has absorbed all the moisture from your arm. You're lucky all I decided to attack was your arm. I can do this all day long until you're a pile of dust."
Luffy slowly sit up as he gasp in pain, "You've got to be kidding me." He says before his eyes lit up as he had a sudden idea. He suddenly runs towards the robe that he threw off when he starts fighting Crocodile. Throwing it aside, he finds what he was looking for… the little water barrel that Toto gave him from Yuba.
And like that, once Luffy drank from it, the much needed water flowed into his arm and it returned to normal.
I sigh in relief, Looks like we owe that old man one for that.
Crocodile still looks bored though and let him know that he thought it was all in vain.
"You're wrong, sandy !" Luffy yell and rose the water up for him to see, "You see that old guy in Yuba gave me this barrel of water ! He spent all night digging it up just for me ! He's not scared and neither am I !" he gets back to his feet, having found a second wind. "I'm not about to give in to the sand without a fight." And he charges towards Crocodile again, "Gum Gum…"
"This is getting ridiculous." Crocodile drawl, slightly annoyed, standing still for another punch or kick…
… But, much to my consternation, Luffy do something different.
"MUNCH MUNCH !" he cries as he stretch his mouth wide enough to actually bite down and ate half of Crocodile body.
The silence that follows was… for lack of better words, tense.
I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose… sometimes I really wonder how he comes up with such a ridiculous ideas.
I look back to them and can't help the snort of amusement that left my nose, Well, at least I'm sure that Crocodile didn't saw that one coming. Luffy, however, was looking a little sick, as if he has swallowed something truly disgusting, considering that he just ate Crocodile, I can't really blame him for that, and then the sand version of the Warlord burst from his mouth.
"ENOUGH ! THIS END NOW !" Crocodile scream in rage and Luffy was thrown back into the ground, coughing up some sand.
Crocodile glare at him, the redness of his eyes standing out, truly looking pissed off at being humiliated here. "Vermin." He snarl, upper lips curling up as he bare his teeth, "It's time to die. Both you and the accuse land of Yuba !"
Luffy was still spitting out sand as Crocodile look to the hourglass to see that the sand had long since run its course.
"Your three minutes are up." He says, "Like I said at the start. I don't have time to fool around with you any longer." And then, he create another sandstorm with his right hand, one so big that Luffy's forced to cover his face as he struggle to standing up.
Crocodile was standing there, as the massive tornado of sand was now spinning wildly, eyes closed for a moment, as if he was merely enjoying a soft breeze from the ocean, "Ah… the sand's so soothing and dry." He says to himself before he look to Luffy and ask, "Listen carefully. Can you hear it move ? In this land the prevailing wind always blow from north to south… and so, if this infantile sandstorm of mine were to say… catch one those winds, it would grow until it became a monster. And following its path south, were do you think it would strike ?"
I grit my teeth in rage as I realize just what he was insinuating.
That fucking coward !
When Luffy demand to know where, he just smirk and say smugly, "In Yuba."
Luffy's eyes widen in realization and anger, "NO ! NOT THERE !" he screams over the sandstorm and reach out to grab Crocodile by his coat, screaming to his face, "DAMN IT WHY THE HELL ARE YOU DOING THIS ? STOP IT !"
My eyes widen when I see how close Luffy was now and understand instantly why Crocodile was doing that.
He does that just to prove that he can, no matter the time or the distance… He's trying to get Luffy to lose his temper and act recklessly, to have an easy way to win.
Crocodile ignore Luffy's demands as he look to the storm with a fondness, as if he was a proud parent, "Look," he says smugly, "It's started. It's headed south."
"THAT NICE OLD MAN HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS, YOU HEAR ME !" Luffy yell as he let go of him and actually went running to try and stop the storm, "STOP IT OR I SWEAR I'LL KILL YOU, YOU BASTARD !"
But it's no use, Luffy's throw backwards, practically spinning through the air and landing back in the sand as the wind pick up speed.
"You cannot alter fate." Crocodile say conversationally, "That sandstorm is gonna pick up strength. And eventually it'll become strong enough than even I can't stop it."
"I DON'T BELIEVE YOU !" Luffy scream at the Warlord.
I frown, Unfortunately, it's the truth. Even devil fruits powers can't do much against the power of nature.
"Yuba is finished." Crocodile says with a serene smile as he shut his eyes, as if he was enjoying the moment.
In a fit of rage, Luffy charge up to him and grab him by the front of his coat again, "IF YOU DON'T END IT, I WILL !" he scream but then stop dead, his threat dying on his mouth as his eyes widen, staring ahead of him in shock.
A strangled whimper escape me as my hand flew to my mouth, my eyes widening in shock at the sight in front of me, soon replace by blind rage against the Warlord. It takes all the strength I have to stop myself to jump down to them and attack Crocodile.
Luffy's hands fell limply to his side, Crocodile's hook now sticking out of his back from where he had struck him in the stomach.
Crocodile was holding Luffy off the ground so that his full weight was on the hook. He just hang there limply, blood flooding from his body and dripping into a pool on the ground. Blood pour from his mouth and nose.
"Did you really thought your were my equal ?" Crocodile ask him softly, "There have been many number of rookies like you who challenged me. And you've all shared a common trait… fatal ineptitude. In the end, the only thing you are truly qualified for… is death."
Not able to stand still anymore, I slide down the stoned slope, any noises I make covered by the noise of the sandstorm that Crocodile created, which was now spinning much more wildly and began making its way south, and crouch down slightly behind a rock, waiting for Crocodile to go before running to Luffy.
"This sandstorm will give Yuba a final destructive blow." Crocodile tell Luffy as he held him up a little higher, Luffy's eyes now completely empty, his mouth wide open and its seems like he's no longer breathing. "Adding the flames of anger within the rebel army until an inferno ignites. But in the end, the bleeding hearts which infest this land be what kills it."
He smiles fondly at his plan as he shake his arm out so that Luffy's limp body's forced to move, making his head roll on his shoulders and tilt backward, "If only you had purged yourself of such weakness you may have lived a little bit longer." Crocodile say almost sympathetically. But despite all the bragging, he almost failed to notice the destroyed water barrel that his hook also pierced when he rammed his hook into Luffy's body.
"Water ?" Crocodile question absent-mindly before smirking, "I assume that you don't feel so indebted to this barrel now ?"
But then, Crocodile receive the shock of his life as Luffy's hand suddenly flew up and grab hold of his arm. Crocodile take a step backwards at that and suddenly yells out. Most would think that this is due to shock, but I can recognize a cry like that any day… it's pain. The water from Luffy's wet hand allows him to touch Crocodile's arm.
Perhaps Luffy realize this as well, for suddenly he starts to move again, struggling for air as he try to breathe, chocking and coughing up even more blood.
I cringe, holding a hand to my stomach, it hurts just looking at it.
Crocodile stares at him in complete shock, maybe even a little fear, "What's this ? You're still alive ?!" he cries before angrily throwing Luffy from his hook into the quicksand so that he rolls down near the bottom.
I grit my teeth, wanting to run to Luffy right now before his injury worsens.
"That looks like it hurts." Crocodile observes smugly, "But you'll be out of your misery soon enough."
Just, stop talking and get the hell outta here, you fucking bastard ! I glare dagger at him as Luffy seems to comprehend that he was sinking and was trying to trash around to get out.
But it was in vain, he was too weak from blood loss to do anything. Luffy raise his hand, as if trying to reach for one last attack on Crocodile as he turn and start walking away.
"Goodbye." His slimy voice says as he disappears in a swirl of sand, the rays of the sun starting to go down, basking the desert in an orange glow.
Without wasting any second, with Crocodile now gone, I step out form behind the rock and run full speed toward the quicksand.
Looking down, I see that only Luffy's arm was out of the sand and reach out to unsheathe my Ninjato and stab it deep in the ground, making sure it wouldn't budge.
Once that done, I take hold of it by one hand and lean as much as possible toward the center of the quicksand, extending my other arm out.
After some struggle, my hand claps around Luffy's elbow and I pull him up with all my strength until he was safely beside me,
Laying him down, I run a hand through his hair, pushing his bang away from his face and see the grimace of pain there, his breathing's hard and shallow, coming out in deep rasping gasp.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck…" I keep whispering like a mantra,
Suddenly, a voice behind me calls, "Hey ! You're alright out here ?!"
I turn around, unconsciously hiding Luffy's body behind me doing so, and see a pale looking-man using a sword as a crutch for to walk. He's a rather tall man with purple lines under each eye that run down the sides of his face, making him look like a falcon. He's dress in a long, white robe with star-like motifs. He looks almost as big mess as Luffy is… like he just fought for his life out of a heavy battle…
"You're one of the two head guards of Alabasta that serves under Igaram, right ? Pell the falcon, one of the strongest fighters in this entire kingdom ?" I ask, eyes narrows on him.
He blinks in surprise, "That.. that's right, my name is Pell." He says before narrowing his eyes in suspicion, "How do you know that ? You're not from here, am I right ?"
"Vivi told us about you." I answer absent-mindly as I look back down at Luffy and tear his shirt opens, wincing at the open wound here.
"Vivi ? Princess Vivi ?!" Pell ask in shock, eyes wide with worry and hope.
Snarling in frustration and anger, not having any patience to deal with the like of him right now, I turn to him and snap, "YES ! I don't think there's a hundred of girls named Vivi in this fucking country ! And before you ask, yes, she's safe and on her way to Alubarna with the rest of our crew and as long as she's with them, she isn't in any danger ! Now if you would kindly just shut the fuck up and help me before my Captain dies, THAT WOULD BE MUST APPRECIATED !"
He gape at me like a stupid fish out of the water for a moment before his eyes finally dart up to Luffy and he turn serious, seeing his injury, "Who did this to him ?"
"Crocodile." I answer back, "Now, are you going to just stand there or…"
He nod sharply and take a step forward, "What can I do ? How bad is it ?"
"How bad is it ?" I glare at him and he recoil a little, but I don't care for now even if I pass up as the mean girl here, my mind completely focus on Luffy. I'll apologies later, "It's more than bad ! It's miracle that he wasn't killed on spot." I run a frustrated hand through my hair as I look down to Luffy, "If Crocodile was just a little more to the left, he could've hit Luffy's heart ! He's in Circulatory Shock !"
"Shock what ?" Pell ask, looking worriedly down at Luffy as he suddenly coughs up more blood.
"Just shock !" I growl in frustration, "Circulatory Shock is a life-threatening medical emergency and one of the most common causes of death for critically ill people." I sigh tiredly before reaching out to Pell's robe and tearing a piece of it, ignoring his indignant squawk and roll the clothe in a sort of ball and press it to Luffy's wound, trying to stop the bleeding, "Once it start, it usually gets worse. And the patient needs to be treated at once. It means that Luffy's not getting enough oxygen."
"But he's breathing." Was Pell's stupid answer.
"Just because he's breathing doesn't mean that his body is getting the oxygen that it needs in the right body part." I answer back, calming down now that I am in a professional mode. "And if that's not going to kill him, blood loss will."
Suddenly, Luffy's hand shot out to grab my wrist and I look down at his bloodshot eyes as he turn his head painfully toward me, "Ri..Riley…" he croaks out.
I run a hand through his hair in a soothing gesture, "It's okay, I'm here. I'll patch you up and then we're going to meet up with the others at Alubarna in no time, you'll see."
He take several deep breath before saying in a much cleared voice, "I'm gonna make sure Crocodile pays for this !" He pauses, coughing a little as I went on stroking his hair, "He insulted… Vivi… and that old man with the shovel who gave me water !" he gives a shuddering gasp, "He's definitely gonna pay !"
"He will." I say sternly, "I trust you, Luffy. I know you will make him pay what he did tenfold."
Luffy nod sharply, "But before that… I need meat."
I burst out laughing, that was all I could do, Pell looking at us like he thought we really had lost our minds.
After that, Pell had lead us to a little cottage in the desert and after his promise to tend to Luffy's wound and bring him to Alubarna as soon as possible, I borrow a horse that was tied to one of the post in front of the cottage and headed to Alubarna myself to help out the others.
Suddenly, as I approach the white marble stairs that will lead me to the capital, I hear a huge explosion and a cloud of dust burst from ahead of me.
I stop the horse and squint to see what caused this and spot Usopp and Chopper, who seems kind of worse for wear, and opposite them, what seems to be a mole and a fat guy with a green outfit.
I frown, not remembering them at all, and then shrug, If I can't remember them, they must be some losers not worth mentioning at all.
But still, as I went on watching, it seems pretty obvious that Usopp and Chopper are struggling against them.
Reaching out behind me, I pull out my Ninjato and hit the horse on the sides with my boots to make it speed towards them.
Hearing the hooves hit the ground at full speed, Usopp and Chopper turn around and their eyes widen at seeing me, crying out, "Riley ?!"
Rushing past them towards the two still shocked members of the Baroque Works, I bring my sword forward and slash them without bating an eye. They fell hard on the ground, blood pooling around them. It wasn't enough to kill them, though, but at least they'll us alone for a long time.
I jump down from the horse and slap him to make him run away, turning toward the still gaping boys, "Yo. Sorry for the wait."
They run to me and crash me in hug, "Riley ! Thank god you're here finally !"
I roll my eyes and pat their head, "There, there. So ? Who's gonna fill me out about what happened ?"
Usopp pull away and cry, "Wait a second ! That mole woman said that Luffy was dead ! You were with him right ? Where is he ?! Why aren't he with you !?"
"Calm down Usopp." I say sternly, "Luffy's injured pretty badly but he isn't dead."
"I knew it !" he shouts at once as Chopper cries out in joy and jump in my arms.
I raise an eyebrow at him, "Could've have fooled me." I sigh, "Come on, lets patch you up before we go, how do you managed to crook your nose like that all the time ?"
"IT'S NOT LIKE I DO IT ON PURPOSE !"
I ignore him and look down at Chopper, "Want me to help you patching him up."
He jump down on the ground and reach out in his bag, pulling out some bandage and disinfectant. "Hold him. This is gonna hurt."
I turn to Usopp with the sweetest smile I can muster.
I really don't understand why he became as pale as ghost seeing it though.
While walking in the capital, we've got lucky and found Eyelash and after some coaxing form Chopper he accepted to carry Usopp on his back.
Finally ahead of us, we spot the others, all of them looking pretty beat up but at least alive.
As soon as she saw us, Nami cried out, "Usopp ! What the hell happened to you ?!"
Well, it's a legitimate question, I think, seeing as he was in a full body cast, everything but his fingers and part of his face heavily bandaged.
"I was hit in the head with a four ton bat." Usopp whimper, "And also slammed into walls… blow up by exploding baseballs… oh the agony…"
I roll my eyes at him and yelp in shock when I'm suddenly pull into a hard chest.
"Don't ever worry me like that again." Zoro whispers in my hair, hugging me hard.
Nami snort at seeing that, "He was agitated and grumpy the whole way after Luffy and you were taken away."
I pull away and pout at him, "I'm fine !"
He scowls, "You don't even care if one day I have a heart attack because of you." He state.
I smile sweetly at him, "Didn't I warn you ? It was the tiny line at the end of the contract that comes with being my brother… "Warning : This girl will make you have grey hair and panic attack on daily basis."
He run a frustrated hand through his hair and face, "I suppose it's too late to back away now ?"
"Yep !" I answer, proud of myself.
Sanji came swooning, "At least that brute Crocodile didn't do anything to you, Riley-chan ! You don't even have a scratch on your beautiful skin !"
I sigh and fold my arm, "Of course not. He didn't even knew I was there. Luffy told me to stay out of sight, that selfish little prat."
Sanji blink in surprise, "Well, maybe he finally listened to me and understood how a woman has to be protect at all cost."
I glare at him, "Do you want me to hit you ?" I shake my head, "No, he just wanted the big bad guy for himself."
"Where is he anyway ?" Nami ask curiously, looking around as if she expected him to come running any second.
"He's alive." I answer nonchalantly, "He should be here soon."
"Yeah !" Chopper agree loudly, "Usopp got really mad when that mole woman said that Luffy was dead ! He refused to believe it ! He kept saying that Luffy was going to become the King of the Pirates ! And when she laughed at that, he said that real man never lets his friend's dream be laughed at and fought to make them pay for that !"
I smile fondly as Usopp blush. He didn't really notice it, but he seems to become unusually brave when it's for his friends sake. It shows that even thought he seems like a coward and weakling now, he does have the potential to become so much more. He just need time and experience.
But then Nami hit him hard and he cries out in pain, "WHAT WAS THAT FOR ?!"
"I ASKED YOU TO MAKE A WEAPON FOR ME BUT INSTEAD IT DID MAGIC TRICK ! LIKE FLOWERS AND DOVES !" she snap at him, "YOU TURN ME INTO A CLOWN ! I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THAT YOU ARSEHOLE !"
"WELL I DIDN'T THINK THAT YOU WERE EVER GONNA REALLY USE IT !" Usopp yell back.
"Oh shut up ! Both of you !" I snap at them before turning to Nami, "Are you dead ?" I ask.
She blink, "Of course not ! Obviously !"
"Did you won your fight ?" I ask again.
"Well, yes.."
I throw my arm in the air in exasperation, "Then what the hell are you complaining about ?!" which cause Zoro to burst out laughing at Nami outraged face.
Suddenly, the wind blow hard and sands starts to form everywhere, coming from the palace.
We all look up at the palace balcony and gasp in horrors.
Vivi was up there, hanging in the air, the only thing keeping her from falling was Crocodile who was holding her by the throat... and he let go with a small smile, letting her fall to her death.
But then, a voice scream, "CROOOCOOODIIILLEE !"
Luffy, riding on Pell's back in his falcon form, coming flying out of nowhere.
The falling Vivi heard his voice, "LUFFY !" she scream joyously, a hopeful smile back on her face as Crocodile let out a cry of disbelief.
Leaning low over Pell, the two were able to swoop down and caught Vivi just above where all the fighting soldiers were, catching some of them by surprise as they went soaring up high again, Vivi safe in Luffy's arms.
"Thank goodness." Nami sigh in relief at seeing that, almost falling over.
"Luffy always did have some freaking good timing." I smile proudly, watching as they come towards us.
Finally, Pell lands in front of us and Luffy get down, helping Vivi setting on her feet. Shifting the rather big barrel on his back, Luffy step forward, spinning his arms around and limbering up, getting ready for a real fight.
While the other all rejoice that Luffy was here and went to calm Vivi down, I step up to him.
"Luffy." I call and he glance back at me, face serious and determinate, "Best of luck. Be careful."
He smiles slightly, "I ate tons of meats. Don't worry, I'll be just fine !" he says reassuringly before stretching his arms out as he glare up at Crocodile, who glare right back with deep annoyance.
It's obvious that though Crocodile still thought that Luffy isn't worth his time, his patience was running out and Luffy had made himself into a real pest.
"I won't lose to you." Luffy says almost to himself as he went on glaring at him.
But then, he turn around to us and say solemnly, "I'm sorry, you guys" the others look up at him in confusion at the shame and embarrassment in his voice. "I know I lost to him once already. This time… this time I'm gonna win ! The rest is up to you !"
The others were at lost of words as they gape at him, surprised to hear that he did lose a fight.
He turn to me and I'm taken aback by the look in his eyes, the shame was still there but also guilt and something else I can't quite define, "I'm sorry you had to watch what happened back there. I promise I won't put you through something like that again."
I smile sadly and shake my head, "Don't make promises you can't keep. We both know that it won't be a one time thing. We're pirates, failure is bond to happen."
He closes his eyes for a moment before smiling slightly and looking back up with a new light in his eyes, "And what if I promise you that I won't die ?"
I smile gently, "That, I can believe. So get going already and kick his ass for Vivi."
He chuckle softly and turn back to the palace, "I'm gonna put an end to this. For good." He says loudly enough for the other to hear.
"If you can't beat this guy," Usopp says loudly, "Then I don't know anybody who can."
Even Pell was looking at him with a gentle look in his eyes, even he believing that Luffy could do it. Finally, with one last grin at us all, Luffy rocket himself up, hurtling himself through the air at him, screaming the whole way.
I stare after him until he disappear from sight and turn to the other, "So, I have something to do, guys." And turn around, walking away.
"Wait !" Nami calls after me, "You do know that there's a bomb somewhere here, right ?! You won't help us with it ?"
"Oh that." I say absent-mindly and wave an arm nonchalantly behind my shoulder, not even bothering to look back at them, "It's in the clock tower. Good luck with it !"
The last thing I heard from them was Nami outrage cry, "RILEY ! COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW !" and Zoro yelling at her, "LEAVE HER ALONE ! ONCE SHE DECIDES SOMETHING SHE'S EXACTLY LIKE LUFFY ! IT'S NO USE !"
With an amused smile, I walk away, knowing that they would be fine without me.
At last, I've found it.
It certainly hadn't been easy, what with all those soldiers trying to fight me on the way and all. But after some walking and research, I have found it.
The Royal Crypt..
And, hidden underground, like the most precious secret of this kingdom, away from prying eyes, the Poneglyph that revealed the location of Pluton.
Standing in front of this huge blue block, my eyes roam all over the strange inscriptions, whishing now more than ever, that I was able to understand what it said.
Suddenly, the sound of footstep makes me jump a little and I turn around to squint at the end of the hallway that lead towards the entrance of the Crypt.
"We must be careful. If the entrance was already opened, it means that someone was here before us, and is probably still there."
Hearing Robin's voice, I turn and hurry to go hide behind the Poneglyph, where I am sure that no one would see me.
"This place is supposed to be a well kept secret past to generation to generation in the Royal family." The deep voice of who could be only the King Cobra says, "To think that someone knows where it is without needing me to guide them…"
"The underworld runs deep, King Cobra." Robin voice sounds, "But it's true that only someone really cunning or knowledgeable would know where it is without needing you, why, even I couldn't have found it without your cooperation."
There's a pause before she speaks again, this time sounding contemplative, "The question is, who would have any interest getting down there alone when I am the only left in the world who can read the words on the Poneglyph ? It doesn't make any sense.."
"You can read the Poneglyph ?!" The King asks, clearly shocked.
"Yes." She answers, "That is the reason Crocodile agreed to cooperate with me. It's also the reason he cannot kill me."
The footsteps then stops for a moment as she whispers to herself, "Wait a minute… the only other person knowing this is… No, impossible.."
"What is it ?" the King asks curiously.
I smile amusingly to myself, Seems like you guessed it was me, right Robin ?
I hear her chuckles quietly, "If it's the person I suspect it is, then there is no danger for you, King Cobra."
"Oh ? And who might this person be ?" he asks in genuine curiosity.
"It's a woman that Crocodile would have liked to find sooner to persuade her to work for him." Robin explains lightly, "Really clever, she is, cunning and brave, almost stupidly so. It's someone that, had circumstance been different, I would have liked to think that we could've been friend, since we seems to have a lot of things in common. It's a pity really, I actually like her."
"For you to say something like that about someone…" the King says almost in awe, "Who is she ?"
"Her name is Roronoa Riley." Answers Robin, and I can almost see the genuine smile on her face, "Unfortunately, she is a member of the Straw Hat crew."
"The pirate crew who had brought Vivi back here…" The King whispers in recognition.
"Enough about them." Robin cut rather harshly, seeming to remember why she was there in the first place, "I believe that… the location of Pluton may be inscribed on this country's Poneglyph. Am I wrong ?"
"I do not know." The king responds at once, "For generation, the Alabasta Royal Family has carried on its responsibility of protecting it. That is all it means to us."
"Protect it ?" Robin asks, sounding surprised. "Don't make me laugh !"
The footstep where now very close as the King says, "It lies beyond the inner doors of the Place of Imperial Mourning."
Suddenly, the double doors opened and I know that they were now just in front of the Poneglyph, at just a couple of meters of me.
"You were telling the truth." Robin says, and she seems really pleased with the fact.
For several minutes, it was only silence as Robin reads the inscription, until King Cobra dared to ask, "Is what you seek inscribed there ?"
For a moment, Robin doesn't answer, until she finally asks, "Is there any others ? Are you sure this is the only one your country was hiding ?"
I close my eyes and bow my head as the clear disappointment in her voice. It pains me greatly.
"Disappointed ?" the King asks, "I kept my promise, there is nothing else I can do."
"… You're right." She answers, and it pains me even more to hear the resignation in her voice, like with those simple words, she just gave up everything.
Others footstep make themselves heard before the deep purring voice of Crocodile sounds, "A fitting place for the country's most valuable secret."
Hearing his voice, I tense immediately, silently grabbing my Ninjato, ready to jump at any moment.
I look down at the Fallen Angel's Blade, Today is the day where I'll know for sure if some points of the legend are true.
"Even using all my recourses…" Crocodile went on, "I couldn't have found this place without knowing where it was."
The footsteps stop as he asks, "So this is the Poneglyph, Nico Robin."
"That was quick." She answers simply, surely referring at his second fight with Luffy.
I scowl thinking about him. Hopefully that idiot got lucky again and didn't got himself killed.
"Quite a curious artifact we have here." Crocodile says as if he didn't heard her, "Were you able to decipher it ?"
"Yes." Robin answers neutrally.
"Well hurry and read it to me." Crocodile almost growl, "This Poneglyph interest me."
Robin seems to hesitate a moment before she reads steadily, "Kahira falls to Alabasta. This is the Age of Heaven Year 239. Year 260: The Bitein Dynasty of Taymar begins its rule. Year 306: The Great Taph Temple is completed in Erumalu. Year 325: The hero of Oltea, Mamudin…"
"Oi, oi ! Wait, wait !" Crocodile cut her off rather angrily, "Is THAT what we wanted to know ?! I don't give a shit about this country history ! Tell me where in this worthless country the most fearsome military power in the world lies ! WHERE IS PLUTON !?"
Robin takes an almost imperceptible breath and answers, "It doesn't say."
"What ?" Crocodile ask coldly.
"All that's written is the country's history." Robin says, "Pluton… not a single words about it is inscribed."
The silence that follows is so heavy that I grip my Ninjato tighter as a pearl of sweat roll down my temple, knowing that Crocodile won't like that at all.
"I see." He says in a strangely resigned and understanding tone, "So that's it. How unfortunate. You've been a beneficial partner, but…"
"I've decide to kill you here." He adds in dangerous voice.
"W-what ?!" Robin says fearfully as I heard her take several step back and until I manage to see her as she step closer to where I was hidden against a side of the Poneglyph.
I just have to reach out and I can grab her by her white coat.
"The pact we made four years ago is now fulfilled !" Crocodile declares, "On that day you told me, if I took you to the Poneglyph you would give me the location of the weapon. During your four years spent in Baroque Works, your intellect and command have been exemplary. That was enough for me. You were an useful woman to keep on hand. However… In the end you've gone against your word !"
She takes another step back as he take a step forwards, "This country's Poneglyph contains not one word relating to Pluton's location ?! Or is it… that even if it was inscribed here, you had no intention of telling me ?!" he pauses before saying in a more calm tone, "But I feel no anger towards you… Do you know why Nico Robin ?"
She laughs, albeit a little nervously, "You fool. I've worked with you for four years ! I've always known you would do this !"
She then throw something and I step forward to see that it was a vial, "Water ?!" Crocodile exclaim in surprise.
She pulls out a knife and advance toward him but he disappear using his power.
Without thinking, I run up to Robin just in time as I push her to the ground and thrust my Ninjato into the cloud of sand in front of me at the same time as Crocodile's hook went through my stomach.
Several things happened at once. The King Cobra gasp in shock, Robin looks up at us from where she was sprawled on the ground, clearly not understanding what had happened. Crocodile body reapers as we stand face to face, both glaring fiercely at the other. Blood trail down from my mouth and stomach from where Crocodile hook was piercing through me and I grit my teeth against the pain. A small smirk was about to appears on Crocodile face until he blink and look down at his own stomach.
There, glowing with a faint orange light, was the blade of my Ninjato, firmly planted inside of him, blood slowly soaking his shirt.
He gasps in shock, "Impossible…" he look down at me and glare, "How ?! How did you know where to find us ?! Since when are you here ?!"
I just glare at him and with a snarl, twist my Ninjato inside of him.
He grunts in pain before taking his hook off harshly and back handing me, sending me to the ground.
I cry out in pain and cough out blood even as the King crawls up to me, asking if I was okay.
Crocodile pull my Ninjato off him and throw it aside, "You're annoying little girl." He growls, "I killed your Captain so you decided to avenge him ? You both don't know when to quit."
I laugh, my voice a little raw from the pain and look up at him, "Because you really think Luffy's dead ? Sorry to disappoint you but that guy is the worth pain in the arse you could ever met."
As if on a cue, the ground starts shaking with a roaring sound.
Crocodile look up in surprise, "What is it ?!" he look down at the King that was gently helping me sit up against the wall, "It was you. What did you do ?"
The King look up at him, as he rip off the sleeve of his robes, "Me ? Nothing much. This underground chamber is set with a trap that forces the chamber to collapse if I pull one of this tiny piller." He look down at me with a sadden expression as went on, wrapping the sleeve of his robe around my middle and tiding it tightly in hope to stop the bleeding, "I wasn't expecting this young woman to be here, but at least you two will die here along with me."
I chuckle shakily and press a hand against my wound when a shot of pain erupted, "No harm done, Majesty."
He nods at me, still looking somewhat regretful before looking up and glaring at Crocodile, "Upon my name as the 12th King of the Nefertari Dynasty, I will never let you have this country of sand."
Crocodile chuckles darkly, even as the entire place starts to falling apart, small bit of rocks falling everywhere around us, "Well aren't you the perfect reflexion of a King ! So you led me here planning to bury me alive along with you ?" he laughs coldly before adding, "But you can't kill me ! If I turn all the bedrock into sand, I can escape ! You've just wasted your life, Cobra !"
A smug smile spread on his face, "Only three minutes left. With the destruction of this tomb and the explosion in the Square, all of those who stand in my way will be annihilated in an instant !"
I chuckle again, making him turn toward me in confusion, "Oh, you mean your little bomb up the clock tower ? You don't have to worry about that, I'm sure my friends will take care of it before it destroyed everything."
His face became livid, "How did you…" he take a step forward and was about to reach out to me with his hand when suddenly the wall behind him shattered as if being hit by a cannonball.
We all turn to look at it in surprise, and I smirk evilly, "Took you long enough, Captain…"
Through the smoke of the destroyed wall, Luffy steps through, looking rather tired and covered in blood. But there was a fierce determination set on his face as he glare up at Crocodile.
Crocodile was staring at him in shock, not believing what he was seeing. There's no longer any smugness, boredom, disappointment or even confidence on his face. For the first time since Rainbase, when he discovered that Luffy was still alive… there's real fear here.
Luffy take the time to look around him to see who was there and then his eyes settle on me and he blink in surprise, "Riley ? What are you doing here ?" he squint a bit before gasping out, "Are you bleeding ?!"
"Never mind that." I answer with a dismissive wave of my hand, "He didn't touch any vital point so I'll be fine."
"He ?" he ask before glaring even harder at Crocodile, "That bastard did that to you ?"
Crocodile stunned expression was quickly replace by anger, "So it's you !" he yell and now he truly sound infuriated here.
"Yes it's me !" Luffy yell back fiercely, "You can't get away ! And now that you've hurt one of my friends I'm even more fired up !"
"How are you still alive ?!" Crocodile demand loudly, his voice echoing off the stone walls, "No matter how many times I kill you, you just keep coming back for more ! Well ?! Answer me, brat !"
I smile smugly at seeing him so confused and enraged. This is what happens when you don't take the time to make sure you finished the job. If you only maim someone with the attack, they have a nasty habit of coming back and making you regret it.
"How'd he do it ? How'd he live and come here ?" croak out Cobra from beside me, staring at Luffy as if he was a ghost, "Who is… this boy ?"
It was Robin, who was now sitting up and staring wide eyes as the two in front of us, who answer shakily, "Monkey D. Luffy…"
But the two were completely oblivious at what was happening around them as Crocodile demands, holding up his hook threateningly, "Tell me, just how many times do I have to put you down for you to STAY DEAD !"
"There's something you still need to return, Crocodile." Luffy declares at once, in a surprisingly calm tone, "And I came here to take it back."
Crocodile look confused for a moment before asking with a rather hysterical laugh, "And what is this thing I took, exactly ?" he hold up his hand, "Is it money ?" he hold up his hook, "Is it fame ? Or perhaps people's trust ? Their life ? Is it the rain ?!" he laugh louder than ever, truly sounding insane, but loving every moment of it as he admit to us all to hear, "I have taken all of those things ! So which is it you want me to give back, Straw Hat ?!"
Stepping forward. Luffy answers only two words, "This country."
"The country ? Really ? You should know better than that right now ! I have no intention of giving up this country !" Crocodile laugh as if he just heard the funniest joke of his life.
Luffy's eyes narrows dangerously, I can clearly feel the hatred in his tone despite the fact that he was still calm, "We came here to this island to save Vivi's country. But then… when we finally arrived here, it was already gone." He answers slowly, as if remembering something painful before he finally yells, pointing an accusing finger at the Warlord, "You stole her country !"
Crocodile only scowl at him as Luffy shout out, "This is her country and I'm here to get it back from you ! I will defeat you and take this country out of your evil hands !" his eyes become enraged once again as he scream out loudly, "And then… VIVI WILL SMILE AGAIN !"
Cobra gasps in surprise, "You mean… he's doing all this just to help my daughter ?"
I smile slightly at his confused expression, "To us, Alabasta is a nameless, faceless thing…" I answers softly and he turn to me as if he had forgotten I was even here, "But to Vivi… it's her home. Luffy's code of action is very simple. As long as she keeps fighting, he'll help her, because she's his friend."
Cobra blinks at me before looking back at Luffy in awe, "What a selfless person…"
I shrug, "He's always been like this… It's just how he sees the world. It's a rather naïve vision of it, but it works."
Once the shock of Luffy words has worn off, Crocodile smirk cockily, "Threaten me as much as you like ! But without any water… you're nothing to me !"
Ignoring his words, Luffy charge once again, and to everyone shock, expect me of course, when he kick Crocodile right in the face, he didn't turn to sand and was sent back so hard that his head went smashing right into the wall.
"But how ?" Robin asks at no one in particular as she slowly moves out of the way to sit against the wall a little away from us, staring at Luffy and Crocodile in amazement, "He doesn't have any water ?"
I smirk at her mysteriously, "That's because he has something that works just as well as water. It's a little risky but he doesn't have that much of a choice."
Just then, Crocodile slowly sit up and glares at Luffy, his expression holding nothing but shock before his eyes widen. Luffy looks ready for the next round as he crack his knuckles. Then he gave a loud yell as he throw his arm back and slams his fist so hard into Crocodile's face that he was sent flying back into the wall once again, bleeding heavily.
Slowly sitting back up again, Crocodile ask with his voice shaking in anger, "I see.. You're using … your blood ?"
"His… his blood ?" Robin repeats in disbelief.
"Clever." Crocodile admits.
"Blood can harden sand too, can't it ?" Luffy says neutrally, holding up a bloody fist.
"First Rainbase, and then the Royal Palace," Crocodile laugh madly as he forces himself back on his feet, "And now…this underground temple !"
Luffy just looks on at him, waiting for him to just get on with what he was trying to say.
"You should be rewarded for you insistence on challenging me." Crocodile went on, "Even though I put you through hell twice now, you keep coming back for more."
I smile fondly at that, "Luffy's never did know when to admit defeat." I comment mostly to myself, but King Cobra and Robin clearly heard.
Luffy went for another attack, forcing Crocodile to jump out of the way so that Luffy went slamming through the wall this time. Suddenly, Crocodile reach for his hook and pull off the golden part to reveal that there was another hook just underneath it. Only this one seems to be made of iron and was embedded with large holes with a slight purple haze drifting from it.
"What's that ?" King Cobra asks nervously.
"His poison hook." Robin answers softly.
The King's eyes widen in disbelief and horror as I just ignore them and keep watching, the only noticeable change that betrayed my anger being the tightening of my fist and my clenched jaw.
"You're a pirate, Straw Hat !" Crocodile declares and Luffy raise an eyebrow at the obvious statement, "You certainly proven that with your determination to defeat me no matter the cost." He stands back up, "And I'll admit that you've become an annoying persistent opponent during our three encounters !"
I sigh inwardly, And it's here that Crocodile finally loses whatever's left of his temper.
Luffy stare at the hook with furrowed brows before he asks, "Alright. What's that ?"
"A poisonous hook." Crocodile state smugly as he hold up his weapon and let the golden hook covering fall to the ground.
"I see." Luffy says simply, clearly not caring.
"You seem to be a confident pirate I suppose, so surely you must understand…" Crocodile says, frowning heavily, "That a duel between pirates is always about two people fighting for survival. And when that's the case, there's no such thing as playing dirty !"
At Cobra slightly outraged look, I sigh and says, "Unfortunately, he's right about that. When you fight for your life, everything is allowed, the only thing that matters is that you're alive in the end… by every means necessary."
I see Robin nodding slightly in agreement as we all refocused on the fight in front of us.
"This will be our final battle !" Crocodile informs Luffy with an evil smirk, "Let's settle this once and for all !"
I snort, earning some curious look but didn't pay them any mind, Oh Crocodile… you don't even know how right you are.
And so it began… the two were at each other's throat no longer caring what happened to themselves, focusing only on beating the other. Luffy was able to keep up with Crocodile at first despite his injuries. But over time he slowed down greatly… and I wince and grit my teeth harder every times the poison hook was able to pierce Luffy's skin. At first, one would think that the poison w wasn't that serious since Luffy was able to keep going, but when Crocodile slaps it into a rock, missing Luffy by inches, the rock begun to melt and bubble as if someone spilled acid all over it, clearly proving that this poison was a really powerful one.
However, Luffy keeps going, even with the tomb collapsing around us, the two dealing each other powerful blows, but neither one would stay down.
"You were skewered, buried alive and dried up !" Crocodile cries out, "You may have made it through all that, but you won't escape this time, Straw Hat !" he then smirk as he hold up his hook which hiss poison, "There's no hope for survival ! The game is up ! The poison will spread through you soon !"
"You know, Crocodile…" Luffy says, holding up his fist, "You just don't understand !"
Crocodile blink at that before his expression was contorted with anger, "What is it that you're saying ?" he demand, sounding angrier that ever, "What is it that you think I do not understand, Straw Hat ?" he spat out the name like an insult.
I shake my head with pity. Everything… he spent so much time with schemes and plans of war that he forgot all about what being human was about.
Luffy didn't answer as he charge once again. But even as he throws a punch, again Crocodile dodge it, but he wasn't stopping. Again and again, he attacks, but Crocodile was too quick. Luffy then try to use his Gatling Gun technique, however his moves had become so sluggish that it was easy for Crocodile to avoid each one.
"This isn't good…" I state as I watch on in worry, causing both Robin and King Cobra to look at me, "All this jumping around is making his blood pump faster and it's spreading up the spread of the poison. He was already in bad shape since he didn't had the time to properly rest after what happened in the desert… this fight has to end soon."
In the corner of my eyes, I can see Robin frowning, like deep in thought as she raise a hand into her coat, as if she wants to pull something out of it, and I know she's thinking about giving us the antidote of the poison.
"I don't think you understand." Crocodile's voice catch my intention back, "You're going to die here very soon. The poison from my hook has entered your wound !"
Luffy stumble around, looking barely able to stand, but the fire in his eyes still stays the same.
"Your body is probably becoming numb right now." Crocodile says almost like a taunt, "It doesn't matter whether you win or lose this fight, you body will still be buried underneath the rubble when this tomb collapses !"
Luffy suddenly fell to his knees, struggling to breath and unable to get back to his feet.
"Whatever it is you really want can't be in this country." Crocodile says as he stare down at Luffy, looking completely deranged, "Aren't I right ? You're fighting for somebody else's goal now ! And how can there be a point in dying for that ?! If only you would just get of a friend or two, you could easily avoid so many of these inconvenient problems ! Loyalty is only for idiots and weaklings !"
I flinch a little at his words, remembering what my father used to say to me…
"Caring only makes you weak ! The more you care the less focused you are. You must think only of the mission I assigned you. Even if I tell you to kill a child, I forbid you to ever hesitate, if I ever see your hands shakes, you will regret it !"
Even with him dead, I could never hope to forget everything he made me do, everything he teached me. It's a burden I will forever bear, a taint in my soul that could never be washed away… A guilt that will never leave me.
But every times my father would try to plant something in my head, Aiden would always be here to correct it.
"Some people think that love is a weakness. I'm not going to lie to you, sometimes, when you care about someone and that you find yourself in a difficult situation, you are going to think only about this person wellbeing… to the point that you might forget everything else. The consequence that your decision could have on others, on yourself, none of that would matter, as long as the person you love is safe, that's all that will matter to you. This care can make you reckless an irrational, because you will feel fear for the other person. That's why Father believes it to be a weakness. But… I personally believe that caring makes you stronger. Because when you love someone, you're ready to do everything for them. What seemed impossible is not anymore, you won't be afraid to fight, to kill or die yourself to protect them. I know that because I love you with all my heart, baby sister, and I would go through hell and back if its mean that you will be safe and happy. For you… with you, I'm not afraid of anything."
A small smile spread itself on my lips without my consent. Aiden always knew what to say to make me fell better. He always had an answer to everything and I know that, still to this day, I don't know half of what he did to protect me, how much sacrifice he made so that I could be happy.
And I probably never will…
Shaking myself out of my thought, I refocused on the conversation going between Luffy and Crocodile.
"Like I said, you really don't understand anything, do you ?" Luffy growls as he glares at Crocodile through sick and bloodshot eyes as he still struggles to get back to his feet, "Vivi… Vivi is always telling people not to risk their lives, but she's the first to lay down her life to save others. If we don't help her, she'll die ! You'll kill her !"
"You still don't get it !" Crocodile yell in frustration, "That's what makes her such a burden ! So why not ditch the princess and save yourself ?"
Luffy look up, his face now full of rage as he cries out with all he have, "BECAUSE NONE OF US WANT VIVI TO DIE HERE ! HELPING EACH OTHER IS WHAT FRIENDS DO !"
By now, King Cobra was staring at Luffy in amazement as he finally push himself back up to his feet, "And that's why none of us will leave her behind or quit fighting you ! As long as she doesn't give up on her country, neither will we !"
Crocodile just looks at him, his face not showing any emotions as he asks, "Even it that means all of the rest of you end up dead ?"
"If we die then we die." Luffy tells him fiercely, "That's all there is to it."
I raise a fist in air, "Cheers to that !"
Crocodile send me a dark annoyed look even as Luffy and even Robin snort in amusement.
But then, Luffy's legs gave out again, and he fall back to the ground. There's a slight pause before Crocodile chuckles to himself.
"You can talk as tough all that you want and keep blubbering on about friendship if you like but your body is still freezing up on you !" Crocodile says, suddenly confident once again. "You look pathetic Straw Hat Luffy."
"Oh shut up, you sadistic bastard !"
The words were out of my mouth before I even realized it and King Cobra gasp in shock that I even dared to say something.
Crocodile slowly turn towards me and level me with a glare, "Ah yes. I almost forgot about you, Roronoa Riley." He walk forwards to me, "Tell me something, when you were in that cage, at the casino, you told me, if I remember correctly, that you will be there when I least expect it, that I won't suspect anything. And seeing as you did take me by surprised earlier, I trust that this was what you were talking about. What I fail to understand is… how did you know I would come here ? How did you know the existence of this poneglyph ? How much I wanted to see it ? How did you knew what my plan was ?"
I allow an evil smirk to settle on my face, "It's a gift, you could say. No matter what you think you know, I'll always be one or two step ahead of you. It's an annoying habit that I have, always wanting to know everything. I don't like it when I don't know what's going on, so I always make sure to be well informed."
He frowns, as if in though, before clicking his tongue, "So much potential, it's a shame to see it wasted. You could work with some big head of the underworld, and yet, you choose to stay with this pathetic sentimental boy." He says, waving a dismissive hand toward a panting Luffy.
"I wouldn't expect you to understand loyalty and friendship." I state matter of factly.
He snorts, "You are right about that, I don't understand at all." He chuckle darkly before adding, "I must admit that you impressed me by knowing exactly where my bomb was. But even so… your little friends won't be able to stop it, why with the timer and all that."
"A time bomb ?!" Cobra cries out in panic, "NO !"
"I've been well prepared Cobra." Crocodile say silkily, "You have to be willing to admit that."
The smug look on his face was instantly wiped out when I start to laugh quietly, "What the hell are so funny ?" he asks annoyingly.
I smirk up at him, "The timer is, indeed, a smart idea. But, let's imagine that someone with the capacity of flying and willing to sacrifice himself to safe his country managed to get a hold of that bomb and fly high enough with it so that even if it exploded, the worst the city would get is a strong wind ?"
Crocodile seems to freeze for a second before glaring hard, "Who ?" he asks in a deadly calm tone.
My smirk widens, "A falcon."
Cobra gasp, "Pell ?!"
Suddenly, before I could even blink, Crocodile grab me by the throat and lift me up the ground.
"Don't touch her, you bastard !" Luffy yells from where he was trying to stand back up, his eyes lit up with a fierce fire.
I raise a hand to grab a hold of Crocodile wrist, not that it helps much as I gasp for breath, gritting my teeth against the pain.
His eyes were insane as he whisper darkly, "I'm going to kill you."
He raise his poison hook up and was about to strike when I heard it… a voice in my head, dark and soothing at the same time.
"It's not your time yet, young friend."
Suddenly, glowing brightly in a mix of orange and red, my Ninjato that had been throwing aside in the begging of the fight flew across the room on his own accord, landing directly in my open hand.
Without thinking, I grab it tightly and swift it around, succeeding in making a rather deep cut on Crocodile cheek before he let me drop heavily on the ground as he take a hasty step back.
His eyes flick back and forth between the sword and me, eyes wide in incomprehension, before the glare come back, "What is your powers ? What devil fruit did you eat ?"
I didn't even pay him attention, to busy staring at the glowing blade in wonder before it once again returned to normal.
I frown in thought, so it was true… this blade does have some powers. And that voice… was it real or was it just my imagination ?
I was so lost in my thought that I didn't even noticed Robin shocked face as she stare at me, eyes full of curiosity over a knew mystery to discover.
Suddenly a yell of rage makes me jump slightly as Luffy finally stood up again, his body shaking. But he glare fiercely as fire seems to be burning inside of him as he faces Crocodile once again, "You're gonna pay… For Vivi and for daring to hurt Riley when I'm just in front of you !"
Crocodile stare at him with wide eyes, completely stunned to see him up when he thought he was down for the count. Cobra was also staring at him in shock as the celling above us was now cracking apart and falling in large chucks.
"You can't…" Luffy gasp out, "Defeat me !" he finish as he stand tall.
Crocodile glare at him before he gave a wild grin, "You finally managed to speak and that's all you can come up with ?" he head back to him as he says, "I suppose it's an acceptable bluff from a loser who's about to die. Of course, like any bluff… it's empty air !"
But Luffy's far from bluffing as he declare loudly without a shred of hesitation, "Except, I'm the man who'll be King of the Pirates !"
All that did was to cause Crocodile to smile even wider, "Listen up, you damn brat, if you really knew anything about this sea, you wouldn't make such an idiotic statement !" he say as he hold up his hook, "I told you before ! There are thousands of rookies just like you ! Every one of them chasing their naïve dreams !" And suddenly, it was as if he snapped as he ran ahead, his hook held high as he scream out widely, "The sooner you understand the true level of the Grand Line, the sooner you'll give up on your foolish dreams !"
But Luffy not only dodge the hook, he brought his foot down his arm and slams the hook down so hard that it snaps right off as if it was glass.
"He broke it !" Robin breathes out in shock as Crocodile gape at what just happened.
"I'm the one… who's gonna beat you !" Luffy hiss so dangerously that even I am taken aback by such a tone. But Crocodile didn't have time to register that for Luffy stretch his arm back and slams it so hard into Crocodile's stomach that blood erupted from his mouth and the wound that had been caused by my Ninjato reopens before he was sent flying once one again and crash right into the cracking floor.
It suddenly turn into a beat down and Robin and Cobra look on in awe as I watch with a small smile, glad to see Crocodile being knock off his high horses. Luffy then grab him by the front of his shirt and pull him around, swinging him like a lasso and slamming him into the wall behind him. Now it was Crocodile who was finding it impossible to stand up. Through the rubble, he stares back at Luffy, looking completely lost as to what was going on.
"Even with all that poison inside his system, he's taking him out…" Robin comment in a hush awed tone.
I glance at her and respond neutrally, "It's because he knows that he has to win here. Because if he loses… there's no coming back. So he's putting it all on the line, including his life."
She blink, surprised that I even bother to answer her as the King ask hesitantly, "Crocodile's not even using his powers anymore ?"
"He's getting tired too." I answer as I narrow my eyes at the panting Warlord, "There is also a chance that he's so angry that he's not thinking straight. Right now, they're both on pure offense, they gave up strategy long ago… now it's simply a matter of who is the strongest… who can endure the most pain before there's a victory."
Robin frown in contemplation, "In four years working with him, I never saw Crocodile lose control to the point that he's not thinking straight anymore…"
I shrug nonchalantly and smile knowingly, "It's just something Luffy does. Sure he falls and loses sometimes, but he always gets back up and hunts down his opponents, which seems to frighten them for some reason. And because of that, they tend to let their guard down. That's a mistake everyone makes, underestimating him."
Looking back at the fight, shivers shake my all body at the look on Luffy's face. There was no trace of the gentle, goofy-looking captain in those cold eyes. I can see that Crocodile's now getting desperate as he cause the blade of a dagger to come up form where the hook was broken off.
"You're just two-bit nobody who comes from who knows where !" he screams in rage as he charge, "You can't beat me ! Do you have any idea who I am ?!"
I snort at that, Of course we knows, you arsehole, we just don't give a flying fuck.
Luffy duck and the blade swing over his head, "I don't care who you are cause it doesn't matter !" he declare as Crocodile's eyes widen when realize that he left himself wide open. Luffy look up and then scream at the top of his lungs, "WHOEVER YOU ARE, I WILL BEAT YOU !"
And with those words, he finally kicks him so hard that he was sent flying up into the air, but before he hit the celling, Crocodile pull himself back together and hovers there, seemingly effortlessly as he state the he was going to destroy him along with the tomb. He raise his hand and gather a swirling mass of extremely dense sand in his hand, before he hurls it at Luffy, causing a massive shockwave when it hit the ground, forcing me to duck my head and raise my arm to shield my face.
When I look up, I see several huge block of debris falling towards us. While Robin was already hurrying to the other side, I grab the King and push him away, collapsing right after as the effort sent pain shooting down the wound of my stomach and all I could do was kneeling there, arms wrap tightly around my middle as I gasp through the pain.
Suddenly, two strong arms grab me just as a boulder came falling down, narrowly missing me.
Luffy take the time to put me gently against a wall and look down at the wound with worry and anger clear in his face.
Seeing this, I sigh, "Don't worry about me, you idiot. Finish this quickly and then we'll get out of here."
He looks up at me, bit his lips and nod sharply, turning around to look back up at Crocodile.
Opening his mouth, Luffy inhale so much air that he blew himself up like a balloon. Then, he begins to twist himself around tightly, after twisting several times, he lowers his face to the floor and let out all the air inside him so that he was sent flying right up towards Crocodile, like how a balloon would when you let the end go, while untwisting himself as he went spinning upwards.
Like a rocket, he shot towards Crocodile, pulling his fist back, "GUM GUM…"
Crocodile hold up his own fist, "DESERT…"
"STORM !" Luffy screams, throwing a punch.
"SPADA !" Crocodile screams as he form several solid blades with fan-shaped edges from sand, flying down towards us.
It was all or nothing here. Luffy fist collides with Crocodile's attack, and the force behind it was so great that he shatters the axes right back into sand, and like his Gattling Gun, he begins to pummel Crocodile with what looks like hundred of punches at once. Luffy doesn't seems to care where they hit or if they hit at all, but he was going to keep going no matter what.
Crashing into the celling, Crocodile was held there as Luffy keep going, hitting every part of Crocodile that he could, it was merciless… and the force from his attacks was breaking right through, sending Crocodile up and through the stone. Though it was only a matter of seconds, the attack seems to go on forever as the roof above us cracks. But finally, he broke through, like a volcano erupting, Crocodile is force right up through the rock, and into the air, leaving a trail of sand behind him as a bright sunlight come pouring through the hole.
"Amazing…" croaks Cobra, who was now gaping up at the hole, "He punches him straight up through the bedrock beneath the city !"
Now completely out of energy, Luffy fell back to the ground, landing so hard that he crack the floor underneath him.
"Hey !" Cobra cry, pushing himself up and slowly crawling over to Luffy's wound body, "Are you alright, kid ?"
Despite how badly hurt he was, Luffy grin up at him, "No sweat."
I snort at this I stood back up on my feet, using my sword to support my weight before putting it back into the sheath on my back, where it belongs. Turning around I stalk to a nervous looking Robin with fierce determination.
I glare up at her, despite the fact that she was a good head taller, and hold up my hand, palm open.
She raises an eyebrow at it in confusion.
"Don't play dumb with me." I nearly snarl, "I know you have the antidote of Crocodile's poison. You wouldn't risk being near him without having something to keep you safe. You can either give it to me like a good girl, or I can use a more violent and unpleasant method."
She blink in surprise and stare at me hard, neither of us backing down, until she sigh and smile slightly, pulling out a small red bottle from her coat.
I snatch it and give to Cobra without tearing my eyes of her, "I would be grateful if you give this to my captain immediately, your Majesty. It will neutralize the poison from Crocodile's hook."
Trusting the King will do as I told, I cross my arms and stare at Robin challengingly, "You looked at Crocodile straight in the eyes and told him that the only thing written on the Poneglyph was history. Why did you lie ?"
Her eyes widen slightly in surprise before narrowing slightly, "You knew ? How ?"
"It's a passion of mine, gathering information, learning all I can on every subject I come across." I answer truthfully, "You're not the only one wanting to know what happened, during those famous years that have been erased from history. The only difference is that I can't read them, which is a pity, but it can't be help." I lean forward and add, "The fact is, I know that this Poneglyph hold all of the response Crocodile wanted. The description of the weapon, it's location…everything. So why did you lie to him ?"
She suddenly looks exhausted as she lean back against the wall, "I'm not interest in those weapons. I just… all I wanted was to find the last remaining Poneglyph in the world that still carries… the True History."
"The Rio Poneglyph." I state seriously.
"So you know about it too, why am I not surprised." She smiles slightly before a look of despair spread on her face, "It doesn't matter now. For twenty years I've search and I've never had a better lead than this. This was my last hope and it didn't work out." The final beams that were holding the ceiling up buckled, we have perhaps less than two minutes before it finally crumbles, "So if I'm going to die here, it's the perfect time."
I tear roll down the side of her face, "All I wanted…was to learn our true history… And to share it… with the whole world."
I stare at her pensively before saying softly, "What if I tell you that I know of several others Poneglyph, ones that I'm absolutely certain you never read before."
She look up at me, disbelief and doubt clear on her face.
"I understand that the ability to read them is both a gift and a curse." I say somberly, "But despite knowing that, I would have loved to be able to learn the secret the government is so desperate to hide from us."
Eyes wide, a glint of hope in them, she ask "How can you know where they are ? This one was the last lead I've been able to find."
I shrug with a mysterious smile, "I have my ways, and I never reveal my source. So what are you gonna do ? Do you still want to die after knowing that there is more to discover ?"
But she didn't have the time to answer me because Luffy had gotten back to his feet. Though cover in blood, sweat and dirt his face now showing clear sign of a high fever, he was standing upright. He pick up Cobra under his arm, throw Robin over his shoulder before kneeling in front of me, "Hop on."
I blink down at him, an incredulous expression on my face, "Are you insane ?! You can't carry three people after being poisoned like that ! I'll walk !"
"Don't argue with me right now !" he growl, "You've been stabbed by that bastard, you won't be able to climb up those rocks. Hurry up and hop on !"
Sighing harshly, I hop on his back whispering in his ears, "When we're out of here, I'm going to make you regret it."
I can feel him smiling and the amusement in his voice as he answers, "Everything you want, once we're out of here."
"WAIT !" Robin yell almost in panic, "Why are you taking me !? Leave me alone !"
" You're coming with us, you'll do whatever the hell you want once we're out of here." Luffy snap right back.
Using whatever strength he had left, he was able to jump up the falling stones just as it caves in, burying everything below us. He manages to get up and through the exit, but instead of the bright sunlight we expected, there's a thick storm clouds and heavy rain.
Luffy land safely on the ground dropping Robin and Cobra. As he skidded a little, I reach out and support him by placing one of his arms around my shoulder and placing a hand on his chest before he could fell face flat on the ground.
"The rain ?" King Cobra gasps as he looks up at the sky, "It's come back ?"
He actually begins to cry as he held his shaking hands out to catch the cold rain.
Luffy and I share a look and I smile softly down at him, "You did it, Captain. Good job."
Luffy smile brightly before his head roll and come to rest on my shoulder just as he pass out.
I smile fondly and run a hand through his hair, raising my head and closing my eyes, enjoying the cold rain pouring on my face.
Sitting quietly on the step of the stairs that led to the South Wing of the Palace, where our room was, I stare hard at the sword in my hands.
Unsheathing it, the blade glistens brightly when the light hit it, reflecting my face like a perfect mirror.
"What are you doing here, all by yourself ?"
I didn't even react at the voice, knowing that Zoro have been watching me for a good twenty minutes now, "I'm trying to solve a mystery."
He hum thoughtfully and step forwards, sitting beside me, he eyes narrowing on my bandaged stomach, "How's your wound ?"
"It's fine, Crocodile didn't touch any vital organs." I answer before smiling slightly, "Chopper did a good job, and the scar should be barely noticeable and rather small."
"Good." He nod solemnly, "Don't think that you can use that as an excuse to avoid our training sessions."
I snort, "Wouldn't dream of it."
There's a slight pause before he ask, staring intently at My Ninjato, "What have you done with it ? The feeling of it had changed, not by much, but I can feel it."
I hum, "I had a feeling you would noticed too." I state before pulling the blade entirely and running my finger on its entire length, "It's feint but it's there… powerful and dark."
He nod in agreement, "I would even say that its evil."
We stay silent for a while before I start saying in a soft voice full of wonder, "The part of the legend saying that it can cut even those with devil fruit powers is true. I was able to stabbed Crocodile in the stomach with it and even twist it while it was still inside of him. I felt how his organs were pierced by the blade." I pause then, frowning down at the blade as Zoro listen, a deep look of concentration on his face.
"It glowed. A bright orange light, like fire." I breathe out as I remember the feeling of it in my hands at that moment, "It felt warm and weightless. I felt truly powerful for a moment."
I bit my lips and frown deeper, "But something strange happened after that. It was far away from me, Crocodile had threw it at the other end of the room. He had his hand wrap tightly around my throat and was about to slash his poisoned hook at me… But then, I heard a voice in my mind, so deep, radiating power, but I wasn't scared of it… it was as if I knew that this voice belonged to someone who would never harm me, it was so soothing…"
When I stayed silent after that, Zoro ask patiently, "What did that voice said ?"
"That's what I don't understand." I answer truthfully, putting the sword back in its sheath with a sigh, "It said, 'It's not your time yet', and after that, the sword glowed again but with some red fleck mixing with the orange light, and it flew across the room directly in my hand."
Zoro's eyes narrows on the sword in my hands, "I don't know what to say about the voice you heard, but it's clear to me that this so called Fallen Angel's blade truly does have some power on its own."
I sigh again, "I gathered as much." I say before shaking my head, "But, really ? A sword where Lucifer, Satan himself, would have sealed his wings to give power and protection to one he would deem worthy ? I just can't wrap my head around it. I never believed in God or crap like that, and I'm not about to start now."
Zoro chuckle at that, "Well, neither did I." he stood and reaches a hand to me, "Come on, no use worrying about that right now. Luffy should wake up soon anyway."
I take his hand and he pulls me up, "It's been three days already. His fever was really bad."
We walk up the stairs and arrive in a hallway with many doors, "Well, recovering from a deadly poison would do that, even to him." Zoro state nonchalantly.
Opening one of the numerous doors, we step into a rather large room that was filled with several beds with most of the crew inside and Vivi. Luffy was sitting up in his bed and was laughing out loud.
"Oh man ! I slept so good !" He cries out, clearly feeling good. But when he put his hand on his head, he realizes that his hat was missing and began looking around frantically demand where it was and where was breakfast.
"You just woke up and you're already causing a racket." I state as I walk into the room and sat comfortably in an armchair, "And it won't be breakfast, it'll be dinner. It's evening already, you lazy ass."
Usopp, who was standing next to him, point to his bedside table where his hat was, letting Luffy knows that a soldier found it in front of the palace. Luffy stretch out to grab it and look happily at it before he put it back on his head.
"We never would have heard the end of it if we never found that hat." Zoro grumble as he sat on the arm of my chair and I snort at the understatement of his comment.
"I'm so relieved you finally got well, Luffy." Vivi says in relief.
He looks at her in surprise, "Got well ? What do you mean ? I was never not well."
I scoff loudly at that, making everyone look at me, "Yes, because having a hook piercing through you, almost touching your heart, is a walk in the park ! Well no, it bloody well hurt, I know the feeling, thank you very much. Then having poison running through your system is a perfectly normal occurrence too." I glare at him, "You were in a horrible state and contract a really high fever, almost as bad as mine was when I was bitten by that Kestia. You can thank Chopper and Vivi for taking care of you."
"Really ?" he blinks innocently before looking at Chopper and Vivi, "Thank you guys."
I glare harder at him, "You don't even care about what I just told you, do you ?"
He looks back at me and spots Zoro and held a hand in greeting, "Zoro ! Long time no see !" he blinks at his words, "Wait a minute ? Long time no see ?"
I look up at Zoro amused face and scowl, "Did he just ignored me ?"
Zoro snort, "That, or he's really out of it."
But then, Chopper eyes widen as he look at Zoro in horror, "ZORO ! WHAT DID I TOLD YOU ABOUT TAKING YOUR BANDAGES OFF !?"
Zoro look at him boredly and shrug, "I can't move freely with them on… they're too tight and get in the way."
I pat his leg twice, "It's a bad habit of yours, Zoro. Even if you feel alright, you should listen to the doctor. He knows best after all."
A grunt was my only response.
"Long time no see ?" Luffy ask again, moving his head side to side, "Why did I said that ?"
"Probably because it has been long." Sanji says from the couch near the door, "You've been asleep for three entire days."
"Three days ?! Three WHOLE days ?!" Luffy cry out, he thought it over for a moment before shouting in outrage, "I MISSED FIFTEEN MEALS !"
"And I didn't think he could do math till now." Zoro say sarcastically as Nami snap that he sure knows how to calculate when it comes to food.
"By his count that's like five meals a day !" Usopp burst out laughing as the door opens and familiar figure came in, bearing a whole cart of food.
"Oh !" Luffy exclaim in surprise, "It's that weird guy that was on the Cactus Island ! So you're alive after all !"
"Actually…" Nami drawl while giving Luffy an evil look, "That's Terracotta… Igaram's wife."
I sigh tiredly as Luffy swallow the food before anyone could even blink and Zoro and Sanji yell at him for that.
Goodbye, peace and quiet. You never last long anyway.
After a well deserved feast with the King and a long, hot bath, we all gathered again in our room, the full moon shining brightly and the only thing giving light to the room.
"Tonight ?" Usopp ask in surprise.
"Yes." Nami nods firmly.
"We really have to leave ?" Chopper asks, sounding disappointed.
"The Marines know we're here." I state sternly. "And more will be coming. Now that the Crocodile situation has been dealt with, there is no reason for them to keep the truce we had before. I agree with Nami. We need to go before we end up stuck here."
The others nod their agreement, with only Luffy saying that he could stay for a little more food.
We all give him a bonk in the head and he nods at once, agreeing to go tonight, just as there was a knock on the door and a guard came in. He was holding transporter snail, saying that someone wants to talk to us.
"What ?" Nami ask in surprise, "Who ?"
"That's strange…" the guard say, "He insists that you're all good friends."
Sanji get up, "Friends with us ?" he repeat before picking up the receiver and we all hear a familiar voice on the other end, "Hello ? Hey, old friends ?! It's me !" he cackles, "Bet you never thought you'd hear from me again !"
With a frozen look on his face, Sanji hang up.
After a tense, and rather amusing in my opinion, the phone rang again.
"YOU FREAK !" Sanji yell angrily at the poor snail who was only doing his job, "SHUT UP !"
But Luffy stretch out to grab it so that he could talk to him, "Mr.2 ! So you escaped ! What do you want ?"
"Straw Hat !" Bon Clay's voice says, "I'd recognize that voice anywhere ! You're right, I escaped… and I intend to keep it that way ! So don't call me Mr.2 two ! If the Marines intercept this call, they'll be able to ascertain the location of both me and you !"
"Thanks a lot, you jerk !" Chopper yell.
"Hang up the phone right now !" Usopp scream in fear as Sanji yell out insult in the phone.
"Enough !" I snap at them before settling my eyes on the snail smiling face, "What do you want, Bon Clay ?"
"Oh, it's not about what I want, it's what I have !" Bon Clay answers, "Your ship !"
There's a slight pause before everyone, bare Vivi and I, scream out, "STOP JOKING !"
"I'm going to kick your butt for saying that !" Usopp yell threateningly, "Where are you ?!"
"On your ship, the Going Merry ! Very cute by the way !" he answers mockingly.
"I should've kicked him harder !" Sanji yell, holding up a fist.
"Hey ! Calm down !" Bon Clay says, "Please… I mean…we're friends right ? Right !" and he hang up not long after telling us where we could find him and left with a long laugh.
"He's at the upper part of the Sandora River." Luffy says, "We did end up friends that one time… But…?"
"But that was before we knew he was a part of the Baroque Works !" Zoro say loudly.
I sigh as I ran a hand through my hair, "We don't have a choice either way. Without our ship, we won't go far. We have to go and get the Merry back."
"You're right." Sanji agree, serious for once, "He has our ship. If he tries to trick us, I'll be more than happy to kick the crap out of him again."
Once that was decide, we all got up and began packing up our thing, getting ready to sneak away into the night.
Smiling slightly as I gather the books King Cobra kindly gave me, I didn't even realized that Vivi hadn't said a word until her soft voice call uncertainly, "Hey… you guys ?" she ask and we all turn to look at her, "I don't know what to do…" she admit defeatly.
We all look at each other uncomfortably before sighing and quietly finishing packing. It wasn't until we were heading to the window to leave that Nami walk up to her, "Vivi…" she says, looking over a map, "We can give you twelve hours to make a decision. We'll travel down the Sandora… after teaching ballerina boy why he shouldn't steal from us, and by noon tomorrow we'll draw near the eastern harbor." She looks back to her with a strain smile, "I doubt we'll be able to drop the anchor though… if you do decide to join us, that's going to be your only chance to come aboard. Twelve o'clock… on the dot." They all smile at her, letting her know that whatever she chose, it was alright, "It's your choice. You can stay a princess… or you can become a pirate !"
"I'm sure being a pirate doesn't compare to being a princess." Sanji says, leaning on the windowsill as they began slipping out, "But we'd sure love to have you."
Luffy was all for the idea and telling her that she should come with us right now, and Usopp tell him off as he shoves him to the exit.
For my part, I only look at her, smiling slightly and wave before turning and jumping off the window.
I don't care what they think. Vivi isn't cut out for this sort of life. If she has to fight a real pirate battle with no one to back her up, she would die, there no questioning it.
No. She's better off staying here, assuming her role as the princess and next ruler of her country.
"This is one of the strangest things I've ever done." I state as I Sanji help me climb down the back of the duck I've been riding.
Carue's friends, apparently. The Super Sonic Duck Squad… what a stupid name.
We were now standing at the edge of the river with the Merry in front of us, and a familiar face standing on the crow nest.
"FINALLY ! LONG TIME NO SEE MY FRIENDS !" Bon Clay cries happily from his place up there, "DID YOU MISS LITTLE OLD ME !?"
"Not a bit !" Zoro call back as the other turn back to wave at the ducks, bidding them farewell. Even Bon Clay wave them off but then it turns to a fight between him and Sanji, with him arguing about learning some manners on how to greet his friends.
"Quit saying that, you weirdo !" Luffy says as we began loading the ship, "We're not friends, we're enemies ! You lied to us !"
"No I didn't !" Bon Clay yells back, "You never asked me if I was a member of the Baroque Works and I didn't knew who you were at the time ! I was just as surprised as you !"
"You've got to admit he has a point." I say nonchalantly as I lean casually against the railing, checking my nails, thinking to myself that I should put black nail polish again.
"She's absolutely right !" Bon Clay grin happily as he comes to sat on the railing next to me, "Beside, none of that matter anymore, does it ? Baroque Works has been disbanded and most of the members are one their way to Impel Down as we speak, and that mean we're no longer enemies !" he drape an arm around my shoulder but I slap it away quickly, glaring at his pouting face as he rub his hand in pain.
"Well, if we're not enemies, ballerina guy, then why the heck did you stole our ship !?" Luffy demands.
Bon Clay gape at him, "How dumb are you ?! If I didn't take your ship from where it was moored, what do you think would've happened to it !?"
"The Marines would definitely have seized it." I state bluntly, not looking away from my nail as I sense everyone gaping at me.
"Thank you ! Now, I see why Crocodile said you were the brain of this little crew !" he yell before turning back to the others "The Marines have been looking all over for you guys and your ship ! Every port in the country has been blockaded ! Lockdown !"
"Wait !" Luffy yell, "Are you telling me that you took the Going Merry so that the Marines wouldn't ?"
Usopp and Chopper were with him and both demand the same thing, and when Bon Clay answers, he merely gave them a thumbs up and says, "Cause you guys are my friends !"
I roll my eyes at them as they start to sing and dance together once again.
"Friends ?" Zoro ask in annoyance as he step up beside me, cross his arms and glare at him, "Yeah, right. Tell the truth, twinkle toes ! You and your crew don't have a chance of breaking through that blockade, but you might if you had us as allies."
Bon Clay stop in mid-dance and the three look at him in shock.
"That's right." Bon Clay says dramatically, crying, "You got me, but in trying time such as these we have to band together under the flag of friendship ! IF YOU BELIEVE IN TRUE FRIENDSHIP SAY I !"
"IIIIIII !" the three yell with him.
"IIIIIII !" others voice cries out and Bon Clay's crew and ship seem to appear out of nowhere.
I look at them blankly, before blinking and walking away toward the girl's cabin.
Zoro, who had been glaring at them, notice and call after me, "Hey ! Where are you going !"
I wave at him behind my shoulder without stop, "Fuck this shit, I'm out. Deal with it while I take a nap, will you ?"
"WHAT ?! DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE WITH THOSE MORONS ! RILEY !"
I run out of my room in hurry, tiding my hair up all the while. Looking around to see what has woken me up, my eyes widen slightly as the ship was being shot by giant black harpoons, at least eight ships giving chase.
"Well, looks like they're finally seeing us as a threat." I state as the Marines on the battle ships in front of us yell at us.
"Dammit ! Riley ! Shoot cannonballs !" Luffy yell in frustration, "Usopp is below deck trying to repair the holes and I can't deflect pointy things !"
I nod sharply, "Roger, Captain." And I hurry to the cannon in the front, loading it.
"If we keep taking iron spears to the bottom of the ship, it's only going to be a matter of time before we sinks !" Sanji voice calls out.
Pulling the cannon a little to the left, tongue sticking out in concentration, I shot.
The cannonball fly high, heading straight to the closest ship, destroying machine they were using to throw their iron spears and their mast in the process.
"Got you." I smirk slightly before loading the cannon again, ready to this to the other seven ships.
It's in moment like this that I truly realize that the Merry really wasn't made for battle. She was build for sailing. Though she's smaller and faster than any battleship, that's not going to help when we're surrounding and fire at.
The fact that she made it as far as Water Seven is truly a miracle.
The battle went on, and things seem to be getting worse every second. But the strangest part was when we spot two familiar faces on one of the Navy ships...
Jango and Fullbody.
I sigh inwardly, I completely forgot about those two losers.
"The Black Spear Squadron !" Jango exclaim proudly, "It's a work of art !"
On the ship, next to him, Fullbody was laughing confidently and stuck his tongue out childishly at us, "It's the Black Cage Corp specialty ! Idiots !"
"Hey Hypnotist ! I thought you were a pirate !" Luffy scream at Jango.
"I'm not ! Now shut up !" Jango yell back quickly.
I roll my eyes at him as I shot another cannon ball, destroying half of one of the battleship, sending several Marines overboard. Don't the Marines do decent background checks anymore ? I wonder what he did to make them let him join.
"Where do I know this guy from ?" Sanji ask thoughtfully, looking at Fullbody.
Jango takes out his familiar charm, about to use his abilities, but before he got the chance, I aim the cannon at him and shot. It hit in such a way that the ship fell apart and sank.
I straighten up and wave at them with a smile, "It was nice seeing you again !"
Usopp head peak out from below desk and, seeing what I just did, give me thumbs up, "Good job Riley ! That was some good aim !"
I smile down at him, "I doubt I'll ever be as good as you, but I can hold my own."
The compliment causes him to blush brightly and I laugh at him.
"That was amazing !" Bon Clay cheers, "The ships on the South side are all sunk ! Nothing can stop us from breaking through !"
"Bon Clay, we've got trouble !" one of his men suddenly calls from his ship. When Bon Clay turn to ask what the problem was, they yell out that was the 'Black Cage'.
"Black Cage Hina ?" I ask mildly as Bon Clay's face turn to terror.
"Who's that ?" Luffy ask.
"She's a Marine Captain." I state as they turn to me to listen the information I have about her, "She's merciless. This part of the Grand Line is under her jurisdiction. She has the powers of the Cage Cage Fruit. I guess it's appropriate for a Marine."
"Cage…Cage ?" Nami repeat in confusion.
I turn to her and explain, "This ability allows her to bind her enemies in iron shackles that she can create from every part of her body. She is rather dangerous."
"A real pain in the arse is what she is !" Bon Clay exclaims, having recovered from the shock, "We have to hurry up and fly the coop !"
"If she's a Captain, she's at least as strong as Smoker." Chopper adds nervously as Bon Clay's men all cheers at the idea of escaping. But we didn't move at all, even as Bon Clay yells at us to do so as Hina ship was drawing nearer.
"If you want to go, go." Luffy says to him, "We can't go that way !"
"AND EXACTLY WHY NOT !?" Bon Clay scream in frustration as his own crew scream that we should just go.
"Noon at the eastern harbor !" Nami answers, "We have an appointment ! There's no time to go around, we'll go straight through !"
"WHAT ? SUICIDE !" Bon Clay angrily, looking ready to leave anyway, "IT'S LUDICROUS ! IS THERE SOME TREASURE YOU'RE NOT TELLING ME OF THAT'S WORTH THROWING AWAY YOU'RE LIVES ?!" he turns his back on us as he jump to his ship, "FINE ! RUN OFF AND DIE !"
"We have to go get one of our friends." Luffy answers calmly and Bon Clay face filled with nothing but shock. Whatever answers his was expecting, it wasn't that.
"So it's for your friend that you risk it all ?" he asks softly as silence sunk in around us. He turns to his crew and declares, "We're going to fight the marines !"
His entire crew screams in surprise at that.
"Running now would go against everything Bon Clay stands for !" he yell to his crew, "If we abandon allies who are risking their lives to pick up a friend, could we live with ourselves tomorrow ?!"
The crew all stare at him before they all cries out the same thing, ready to fight as Bon Clay yell to us, tears in his eyes, "Listen guys ! Straw Hats too ! What I must say is of great importance !"
He took on Luffy's face and his crew took disguises of the rest of the crew before they left to distract the Marines, giving us the time to escape. It worked perfectly though, the Marines were completely distracted as they went after them, but the battle didn't last long and only end with the ship going down in a blaze of glory from Hina's ship.
"BON CLAY !" Luffy cry, the other watching the scene in horror as only Zoro and I manages to stay impassible.
"I'm gonna miss you, Bon Clay !" Luffy cries. Usopp, Chopper and even Sanji were all crying next to him as we sail away, "We will never forget you !"
Then, Bon Clay's voice call out, almost like an echo, "If we are to fall… let it be in the sea ! The flower of friendship is rejoicing !"
The Merry went on east, fighting our way through the two Marines ships that were blocking our way. But we manage to force our way pass them and finally reach the eastern harbor where we were supposed to meet. However, Vivi wasn't anywhere to be seen. We waits for a few minutes before we hear her voice, apparently through a loud speaker addressing her country on what happen during her two years away from home.
"Vivi…" Chopper say sadly as he and Luffy lead on the rails.
"Forget about it, you heard the speech." Zoro snap at the two, "That was Vivi's voice without a doubt."
Sanji looks deeply disappointed as well as he add that they were broadcasting the ceremony from Alubarna. Vivi clearly made her mind not to come.
"No, I don't buy it ! I say she's here !" Luffy says stubbornly, "This is the place we promised right ?"
"Yes it is." Zoro answer, trying to sound patient but also with a firm look as he was aware of the danger we're still in. Sanji look around, letting us know that it was past noon.
Actually feeling a little uncomfortable, I stay silent as I lean against the mast, a blank look on my face.
"There's no way she wouldn't have come !" Luffy says, actually sounding hurt, "She's definitely here ! Let's get out and look for her !"
But Usopp suddenly scream in warning as the Marines ships reappear and were coming up fast. When Zoro calls out how many there were, we knew that it was time to go with all six ships still after us.
Looking up at Luffy, I state softly, "Vivi's course in on a road far different from ours… But that doesn't mean we won't see her again."
Luffy pout, but seems to accept it as he turn form the railing. But as he did, Vivi's voice call out behind us, but this time it wasn't from the amplifier, "EVERYONE !"
We all look back and there she was, dressed just like a princess would look, Carue by her side.
"Vivi !" Luffy scream happily.
Nami was about to order us to turn the ship around, not caring about the Marines heading our way, but she didn't have to bother.
"I came to say goodbye." Vivi yell, and the smiles were wiped off their faces in confusion.
"What ? Did she just… ?" Luffy begin, not understanding what was going on.
"Sorry… but I can't go with you !" Vivi says as she speaks through the speaker once again, "Thank you so much for everything ! I'd like to go on more adventures, but I can't ignore the needs of my country ! Which I love more than anything ! I have to stay ! I hope you understand !"
Everyone has a look of shock on their faces before the expressions clear up in understanding.
Luffy still seems stunned, but got over it as he smile an accepting smile, "I see !" he says brightly.
"Thank you !" Vivi cries out, now starting to sob and tears were forming in her eyes. When she spoke again, she was trying to hold back the cries so hard that she was starting to stutter, "I will… I… I will remain here and fulfill my duty ! If we ever meet again… no matter how much times pass, will you still call me your friend !?"
Luffy didn't even have to think that over as he start shouting back to her, But Nami cut him off by covering his mouth and telling him not to answer. "The Marines now know about Vivi and us !" she tells him, «If they can prove she has a connection to us, it's all over ! She'll be considered a criminal !"
We all turn our back to her and Carue, "Turn away." Nami says firmly, leaving no room for argument, "Not another word."
We all did as she told us, but didn't leave Vivi without an answer. We all take off the wrapping that was still on our arms and held them up so that Vivi could see the X's still on our arms.
Without even having to look back, we all knew that Vivi and Carue were doing the same thing.
Whether they liked it or not, Vivi and Carue would always be honorary Straw Hats… and no matter how much time will pass, we will look forward to the day we meet again.
TO BE CONTINUED
