Alubarna: Aftermath
Disclaimer: Don't own One Piece.
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The rain came down and it came down in sheets, covering every inch of Alabasta. Civilans and soldiers lifted their heads to the sky and felt the missed raindrops splash against their skin. The war was over, and the precious rain had returned to Alabasta after three years absence. Children ran into the streets, mouths wide open to catch the water while the adults grabbed every empty barrel they could, so that the water could pool in them.
Kirsty ran a hand through her hair, "Man, that feels good. After all the fighting, it's good to feel nice cool rain,"
Devon nodded as he picked up his little brother and carried him on his shoulders, "Thank the All-Father it's over...,"
"Ya got that right," Dusty said as her ears twitched at the touch of raindrops, "I swear, I couldn't deal with this shit much longer,"
"If you're feeling, imagine how good the citizens are feeling," Kirsty looked at all the tired, but happy and grateful faces of the country, "They haven't had a good rain in years, and the war is over...this is their time to feel the lost joy from within their hearts,"
Dusty let out a yawn and scratched the back of her head, "All I'm feeling...," she yawned again, "...tired...,"
"Me too..," DJ let out a yawn and fell to the ground, followed by Dusty landing on his chest, the both of them snoring.
"Looks like we all survived...job well done,"
Devon and Kirsty turned to see Axe standing a short ways away, dried blood on his clothes and a tired look in his eyes.
"Captain!"
"Holy shit, Axe, what the hell happened?!"
Axe waved them off, "Don't worry about it...just enjoy the victory and relax, okay?" he looked at the group, "Hey, where's Niri, by the way?"
"She's busy with some work, Captain. Don't worry, she's fine. I'm glad to see you're all fine as well,"
Chizuru stepped into their area, looking a little banged up, but okay all in all.
"Was wondering what happened to you," Axe grinned at his navigator, "I'm glad you're okay, Chizuru,".
The red-head bowed her head slightly, "Appreciate your concern, Captain," she looked down at the snoozing DJ and Dusty, "Well, they seemed wiped out,"
Devon lowered Austin to the street and let out a loud yawn, "Yeah...same here. Lemme know when we eat...," he muttered, falling flat on his face.
Axe laughed as the others of his crew slid to the street, exhausted, "Smoke 'em if ya got 'em," he said before yawning and sitting against a nearby wall.
Soon after, every member of the crew in the area was snoozing peacefully while the people of the Desert Kingdom ran around, taking in the rainfall.
-Meanwhile-
A short ways away, Tashigi and the Marines under her command were looking at the exhausted forms of Straw Hat Luffy and his crew, Niri and Pingu standing behind Tashigi, Pingu on Niri's head. One of Tashigi's subordinate's nodded and grabbed Niri, "Arrest the pirates, as well as this traitor!"
Tashigi glared at him, "No...,"
"W-What?"
"That is my order," the swordswoman hissed.
"But Sergeant-Major, this is our CHANCE!" the Sergeant argued, "The traitor is right here with us and the wanted pirates are sleeping!"
Tashigi glared harder, "RIGHT NOW, I WILL NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO A SINGLE HAND ON THEM, NIRI, OR HER BIRD!" she snapped angrily.
While she continued to glare at her officers, Niri was released and she looked curiously at her former friend, "Tash?"
"Niri," Tashigi took a deep breath, turned and started to walk away, not looking back, "My men will not touch you, your friend, or either of the crews. Straw Hat's and Axe-Head's are safe from my men coming for them. Take this time and meet up with your nakama...,"
"Tashigi...does this mean you finally-?"
"I advise that you take this opportunity, Zolaro," Tashigi interrupted her, "Because the next time you see Marines coming for you and your friends, I doubt that I'll have much power to stop them,"
With that said, Niri and Pingu watched Tashigi and her officers leave the area, sparing them and the Straw Hats.
Niri couldn't help but smile while Pingu hopped back into her ammo bag, settling in and poking his head out, enjoying the rain on his head.
"Thanks Tash...," she looked down at her friend, "C'mon, let's go find the others,"
Pingu could only honk as he seemed to smile, welcoming the cool change in hot desert weather.
-----
For three days, both crews went about their well deserved resting and free time. Luffy slept non-stop, Zolo trained with the audience of Devon and DJ (who were curious about his training), Sanji and Herman went around town collecting foodstuffs, Kirsty, Dusty, Austin, Pingu, and Niri played with the children who came up to them, Chizuru looked through the library, taking in the history and stories of Alabasta, Axe kept to himself, and Azu went from house to house helping the people rebuild their homes.
While they roamed free throughout the city, the pirates were always a little nervous because the presence of Marines. Dusty kept jumping everytime they came near, and Niri had to slap her upside the head to keep her head on straight.
As evening came, the crews joined each other again in the guest room to find Luffy was now awake.
The Straw Hat tilted his head to the sides, looking at them, "Long time no see? Long time no see?"
"It's not unusual to be like that," Nami said with a smile, "You've been asleep for three wholes days,"
"Three days?" Luffy looked at his fingers, "I missed fifteen meals!"
"Really? I thought it was 30," Axe looked up at the ceiling.
"I thought it was 24," Dusty scratched her head.
Niri sweatdropped, "You guys...,"
The doors behind them opened up and a large woman with many curls in her hair walked in, followed by two huge crates of food.
"Oh, so the other captain is awake," she smiled widely, "Dinner's in thirty minutes, do you all mind waiting?"
Niri, Devon, and Zolo flinched at the sight of the woman, "YOU ARE INTO THAT CRAZY SHIT!"
Vivi waved at them, smiling sheepishly, "No, no, everyone! This is Terracotta-san, Igaram's wife and the Palace's top chef!" she explained.
It was easy to think Terracotta was Igaram, the Captain of the Alabasta Guard. They looked a lot alike, and since they discovered that Igaram was alive on the day that Crocodile fell out of power. With the help of Kohza, and a small child from Nanohana, they informed everyone about the truth behind the war.
"I've heard that you all eat alot," Terracotta looked at Luffy and Axe, waving to the crates, "Will these hold you off?"
"Okay,"
In the blink of an eye, the two captains devoured the crates of food.
"WAS THAT SOME SORT OF TRICK?!" half of the room shouted at the two of them.
Axe burped quietly, "What? I missed breakfast, I needed a snack...,"
When the feast came around, the Grand Dining Hall fell victim to a feeding frenzy. There were many Royal Guards present in the room, and they all stared in shock at what they saw. Everyone from both crews were stuffing their faces with any food they could get their hands on. As they ate, the plates began to pile up higher and higher.
"YOSH! MORE FOOD!"
"GET SOME MEAT OVER HERE!"
"CHOPPER! HELP, WE NEED WATER OVER HERE!"
"Herman, want some lobster?"
"DUSTY!"
"What? Oh, that's right, sorry big guy!"
"CAN WE GET MORE BEER?!"
As the feast died down in terms of eating, it began to get funny as some members of the crews hopped onto the table and started to dance around and goof off. Because of the antics of both crews, the entire dining hall erupted into laughter as the guards and Royal Family members watched the entertainment. The time of war and deception in Alabasta was over. This was a time for fun and joy.
After dinner, Cobra and Vivi showed everyone their respective bathhouses so they could clean up. Herman was reluctant because of the steam and hot water used in the bathhouse, but with some encouragement, he grabbed a towel and walked in. Both Devon and Austin wore two towels, the second ones over their backs, keeping their secret a secret still.
Axe, Luffy, Azu, and Usopp ran to the tub area and began to splash each other while the rest of the boys enjoyed the steam and washed up. Devon took Austin to a less crowded area of the bath and scrubbed his brother's back, getting the hard areas around his wings. After he was done, he switched and Austin took his turn with him.
"Oi, Axe!"
"What is it, Azu?"
"MONKEY AND SNAKE!"
"OH MY GOD, DUDE, NO ONE WANTS TO SEE THAT!"
Sanji looked around and nudged Igaram, "Hey, so, where's the woman's bath exactly?"
Igaram slapped the chef's arm away angrily, "I WOULD NOT TELL SOMEONE LIKE YOU!"
"Damn you, pervert!" DJ glared at him, "How dare you suggest we peek on them! Even if I knew where it was, I would never peek on Kirsty-san, Niri-san, or Dusty-chan!"
The sound of someone clearing their throat made them all turn to see King Cobra pointing to the wall next to them.
"It's right over that wall...,"
"YOUR MAJESTY, YOU BASTARD!" Igaram and DJ shouted at the same time.
Usopp brushed past them, "I like the way you think...,"
"Usopp, I never knew!" Devon cracked a grin.
-Meanwhile-
"I can't believe what we've done,"
"I know, Niri! Dinosaurs, Giants, more Devil Fruit users...,"
"Hey, it's the Grand Line, Kirsty, that's what you get here!"
Kirsty grinned as she she scrubbed Niri's back, while the sharpshooter scrubbed Pingu with a large sponge.
"Niri, are you sure he can be in here?"
"Oh, don't worry," Niri patted Pingu on the head, "He's a perfect gentleman, he would never peek, ain't that right, Pingu?"
The penguin honked, making the girls laugh.
Dusty dipped her tail into a tub nearby and splashed it around, cleansing it, "Who knew I had that much stuff in there? Man, fur sure can get a lotta dirt,"
The kitsune nearly jumped when she felt a wet cloth land on her head. Turning around, she saw Chizuru behind her, grinning slyly.
"Oi oi," Dusty tossed the cloth back at her, "Waddya think ya doing?"
"Having fun, fox, is that a crime?"
Dusty cracked her knuckles, "No but-,"
"Wait a minute, what are you all doing up there?!" Vivi's startled voice interrupted her.
The rest of the girls turned to see Igaram, Cobra, the males of the Straw Hats and Axe-Heads (minus DJ, Herman, and strangely enough, plus Eyelashes the camel), looking over the wall at them.
"OI!" Niri hopped to her feet, glaring at them, "BASTARDS! THIS ISN'T A PEEPSHOW!"
Azu grinned and waved at her, "No, it's not. It's a free floor show! C'mon, ladies, dance around!"
Dusty gawked and covered herself, "I had problems with this before, I don't need this now!" she grabbed a nearby towel and wrapped it around her fist, "Prepare to face my deadly Towel Punch!"
Devon rolled his eyes and looked beside him. He noticed that Austin was looking at the girls, too. Frowning, he covered his brother's eyes with a hand, "You're too young to see this,"
Sanji and Axe exchanged glances.
"Remember when we had some cuties at the Baratie?"
"Yeah...nearly had a date with 'em before the shitty old geezer made me go wash dishes,"
"Chopper! I'm surprised at you!" Kirsty blushed deeply, covered herself and turned away, "I-I-Isn't someone going to do something?!"
Nami sighed, "Alright...boys, it'll be 100,000 Beli each," she stood up, turned around and opened up her towel, "HAPPINESS PUNCH!" (1)
"NAMI!"
"Nami-san!"
The Straw Hat navigator grinned while the boys fell over onto their side, their noses flowing with blood from the wonderful sight that greeted them.
"Mellorine...!"
DJ and Herman shook their heads.
"I would never look at those lovely ladies like that...that's just wrong,"
Herman nodded, "True. I consider those girls to be like my family, and it wouldn't be right if I peeked at them,"
DJ patted Herman on his shell, "You're a good man, Herman,"
"Thank you, DJ,"
Axe sniffed and wiped the blood away from his nose, "Man...," he looked up at the wall, "YO! NIRI! NAMI! YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!"
A loud groaning sound emanated from the wall and the next thing Axe knew, a large golden statue flew over the wall and landed on him, pushing him into the floor. The rest of the males scrambled away and gulped, knowing what not to do.
Niri's giddy laugh came over the wall, "DAMN PINGU! I thought you were strong before, but DAMN! I had no idea!"
-----
That night, while everyone slept peacefully in the guest room, Igaram and Chaka met in a small study, staring at something on the table in front of them.
"We must tell them immediately!" Chaka urged.
"Yes, of course. But...this is...a disastrous event," Igaram muttered, eyes glued to the contents of the table, "I can only hope that they can leave the island safely. This has happened all too fast!"
On the table in front of them, were a mess of WANTED posters. Near the corner of the table was a notice from the paper that came with the posters.
It has come to the Government's attention that certain bounty posters have been incorrectly been made according to assessments. Corrections of said posters are within this paper, along with new posters. To those bounty hunters trying to make a living and give the world justice, we apologize for not using correct bounties to tempt your services.
Chaka looked away from the notice and looked at the posters.
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
Monkey D. Luffy
Reward: 100,000,000 Beli
WANTED DEAD OR A LIVE
Roronoa Zolo
Reward: 60,000,000
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
Devon the Demon
Reward: 40,000,000
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
Kirsty Chambers aka "White Dragon Kirsty"
Reward: 70,000,000
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
Dustine "Dusty" Wenata aka "Fox Dust"
Reward: 10,000,000
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
Niri Zolaro
Reward: 2,000,000
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
Chizuru
Reward: 3,500,000
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
Duncan Jeffrey Macleod
Reward: 7,000,000
"The others don't have to worry about many people, but with that young lady's high bounty, as well as Luffy-kun's and Zolos, even the Admirals of the Marine Headquarters will come after them!"
"I know...we must warn them!"
What they didn't know until they found Vivi alone in the guest room was that both crews had predicted it was no longer safe in Alabasta. So, using the Super Spot-Billed Duck Squad, the two groups of wanted criminals dashed across the Alabastan desert, heading for freedom.
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Kilnorc: Okay, there's that folks. Hope the feast and bath thing was funny! For some reason, I couldn't think of much for this chapter...hm.
(1) This has got to be, the funniest thing I've ever seen in the aftermath!
Now, before I go with the preview, lemme explain the bounties, alright? Devon has a higher bounty because Zolo got a high bounty for beating Mr 1 and the Whiskey Peak bounty hunters, but since he only helped in beating Mr 1, he got a lower bounty, though it's still high.
The reason most of the crew is suddenly in the millions? Well, in the first fic, and the first half or so of this fic, I failed to do proper research on bounties and through a glitch, I made a mistake people have been telling me over and over...hehehe, so I made a correction. Sorry for the mistake folks, hope this helps! If you don't like how I fixed it, too bad! MWAHAHHAHA!
As for Kirsty's bounty...I'll explain later.
On the next chapter of Desert Storm...
Dusty: I can't believe we're gonna split after all we've been through!
Axe: I know...I never expected to go through this when we came to the Grand Line, but I guess Fate is funny that way.
Luffy: Yosh!
Niri: AXE! We got company!
Epilogue: Farewell to Nakama
Axe: Shit, it's Captain Hina! MOVE IT PEOPLE!
